Hi Siestas!
I love you girls and am so thankful for you. I just saw a whole room full of you right after Living Proof Live Lubbock and you are the cutest things I’ve ever seen. What an honor to serve you.
We are sailing through our study! I’m praying that you are able to carve out time for your homework and that whatever you are able to accomplish is speaking clearly and personally to you. His Word does not return to us empty. My biggest hope is that you have a deep sense of walking out these eight weeks side-by-side with Jesus. That is everything. That is the goal.
2014 Siesta Summer Bible Study Session 4 from LPV on Vimeo.
Can you believe that we are already at our fourth gathering? Only one more to go and we’re finished! Here are the bare bones of your instructions in case you are unable to view the video:
Today, for our small group discussions and solo responses, get out your workbook with me and turn to pages 120 and page 121 for discussion from Week 5. At the bottom of page 120, I just love Eugene Peterson’s translation of I Thessalonians 5:4-8 from The Message. You would have read in your homework:
But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
With that in mind, glance at the question in the middle of page 121. Your discussion question from Week 5:
- What one event in your life shook you to your most awakened state?
If you’re willing and it’s not too painful to share, please tell us about it. If you feel a little lulled to sleep in this present season, then discuss that. Talk about a way that you really need the Lord to awaken you with His Spirit to His Word and to His presence and His activity in your proximity.
Our discussion for Week 6 takes place on pages 142-143. I’m so anxious to hear from you about this week of study because it’s all about mobilized ministry. I am hoping that you have written your name in the blank in the statement on the middle of page 142. You have a God-ordained ministry, Sister!
Notice the words on page 143: No one else can fulfill your calling. Other people can do what you’ve been called to do, but they cannot be you doing it. Maybe you know someone with the exact same gift mix. Fabulous! Be great friends with them and rejoice in the camaraderie, but keep in mind that each of you bring something unique to the mix. They cannot be you! And you cannot be them!
- Did you get any insight in your calling for this season? If so, what? Share that in your comment to this post, and with your small group if you’re taking part in one.
- What do you look like when you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? (page 145) What do you want to do most when you’re filled with that holy fire?
I can’t wait to read many of your comments! I love to see women step further into their God-ordained callings.
Now for our memory verses!
Memory Verse for Week 7:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV) – Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Memory Verse for Week 8:
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV)- But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
So your homework for this next few weeks is to finish up the final two weeks of study, Weeks 7 & 8! Our video greeting next time will be our wrap up! Get after it!
I’m nuts about you.
The fact that I turned forty-two yesterday and my Mom didn’t make it to forty-two (killed by a person driving under the influence) since she died at age 41 wasn’t lost on me yesterday. I’m not bitter. This event awakened me and continues to do so.
Insight into calling? I didn’t grow up with a burning desire to be a nurse. I knew in college I needed to have a degree that would help get me employment and I felt the need to give back (since I walked away from aforementioned accident). And I like to be helpful. God’s teaching me to be merciful.
I’m more peaceful when I’m loving The Lord with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.
1. I was most awakened my freshman year of college when I was depressed, overwhelmed and so very homesick. I had no desire to live. I remember locking myself in a closet in our dorm, crying and begging the Lord to be near me. I told Him I wouldn’t leave until I knew he was there. A few hours later, I emerged, and that was the beginning of him healing my wounded heart and awakening me to who He really is.
2. My calling in this season of life is to teach my second graders to the best of my ability, love junior high students and serve them well and to serve the families within my church by watching their children. There are days where my calling seems meaningless, but I know that is the enemy trying to lie!
3. Basking in His glory. Surrendered to His call. Overwhelmed by His mercy and grace. Stunned at His forgiveness. Humbly serving Him. Reminding myself daily that I love because He first loved me.
Question 1- there have been several times in my life where I feel I have been awakened. However most recently this last year has been a walking out of waking up. A little over a year ago I started having panic/anxiety attacks. Now a year later I see how asleep I was to Christ. Not speaking to him daily as if my life depended on it. Not loving the word as if it was my life line. It has been a long hard road. And my recovery is not finished (praise God). But I see how the enemy has been roaming seeking to devour me. I’m not one of the people who get to just live everyday nonchalantly. God has called me to live deliberately for Him. I cannot do anything separate from Him.
Question 2- I’m asking God to show me what this looks like. Who am I when I love Him with all I have? I am a homeschooling mom to 4 and 1 niece. A wife, a cook, a teacher, a nurse of boo boos, a servant to my family. Sometimes this calling seems so minuscule to what others are doing. But if this is it, I want to do it well! I pray to find contentment in this season.
1. I was awakened through separation and divorce. I had commented to a friend just two weeks before the separation that I had a strong faith but it had never really been tested. It had been easy to that point. Boy, was it tested, but boy did God come through! I knew God was above the situation looking down, He could see the outcome and what I was going through was just a blip on the timeline of eternity, and He could handle the situation. The outcome wasn’t what I had prayed for, but again, God is good and He took care of me and my kids as I knew He would!
2. It was amazing the timing of this “mobilized ministry” lesson! SO GOD!! I had an opportunity this week to “go meet some needs” this week. I believe that I have the gift of encouragement, but I’ve had two husband tell me otherwise :-). Also, I am so black and white that my statements don’t come out very tempered sometimes so I do question that gift also. Maybe high on administration too…
3. Mentoring and developing relationships is what I am bursting to do when my heart is flooded with divine affection.
Thank you, Beth for doing this study this summer and somehow finding your way into my inbox. I have never done one of your summer Bible studies and it definitely was a God thing and timing!
Melissa, Sacramento, CA
solo
1. My wake up call came with my parents separation and what feels like the destruction of our family. Many secrets were revealed. I was broken by my own sin- my unwillingness to see truth, codependency and trying to fix things and people. The blessing from a painful wake up is the healing that has/is coming about for me and an awareness of how short life is and how important it is to give each day to Jesus.
2. Yes, I was mostly sure my spiritual gifts are teaching and encouragement although right now I seem to be in a place of serving more than anything. Excellent insight that I need to DO something with my gifts, they aren’t for my benefit- it’s for others.
3. I don’t know what I look like when I’m loving God with all my heart, mind, and soul but I’m going to be thinking about it and talking to God about it this week!
1) Rough financial times.
2) My calling is to write software. It is amazing to have the Holy Spirit with me each day… opening my mind to his answers in writing code and in life. It gives me a feeling of purpose and worth.
3) When I feel the presence of the Lord I feel at peace. I love to play the piano and sing His praises.
An event of awakening most recently was a health scare last fall. I had to wait for several weeks to have tests and the several weeks for the results. It so totally shook me but at the same time I was so comforted by the presence of The Lord and so thankful for His peace. My results were good news but I will never forget that time with The Lord and the awakening of the realization of the ‘number of our days!’
At the age of 66 I am in a state of slumber that my best days of ministry are behind me, but this study and this particular day of study has given me new reassurance that ‘The Lord has left me on this planet for a reason ‘and I need not be satisfied until I am living out what He has left for me to do? Thank you so very much for this reminder and for all you are doing for us, Beth! Praise God for you and Living Proof Ministries!
pg. 121 – In 2010 there were three events that shook me to my most awakened state. In February a dear friend’s husband took his own life; In October our associate pastor died unexpectedly at the age of 57; and a precious young mom of 4 children died at the age of 29. These deaths made me realize more than ever the brevity of life here on earth and pushed me to be more eternity focused. I cannot be reminded enough how important it is to share Christ and the salvation he alone can provide.
pg. 142 – My calling is to minister to women. God put this on my heart is 2002. This day was a good reminder to me to not grow weary – that in due season there will be a harvest – Thank you for the encouragement that no one else can fulfill what God calls me to do.
pg. 145 – When I am loving God with all my heart he shines through me – I want to share him in all I do and say – and I know that people see Him in me.
Jill from Bliss Township, Michigan solo
I was away all day yesterday. I am a little late to this event but still want to share.
page 121. The event that shook me awake was the day, four years ago when my husband was killed in a motorcycle accident about 10 minutes from our house. We had just celebrated our daughters 16th Birthday in the morning. He had to work a second that day. That day I felt like God ran faster than the speed of light to reach me. Even though I have excruciating days and I do lots of asking about my circumstance HE always reveals himself to me. I am learning what is the most important in life.
page 143: I am learning ever so slowly that all that my circumstances bring to the table are the very things that he is using to equip me to point to HIS glory. I just have to keep moving and walking it out. I do not need to know the minute details or the end results. I just need to keep walking it all out every single second at a time for as long as it takes.
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
1) My most awakened state came the day I realized I truly wasn’t in control of anything in my life, only God was. Was home alone on my couch reading Romans 8 & came to verse 9. Even though I’d read it before, this time God removed the scales from my eyes & heart..”You however are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit IF you have the Spirit of God living in you. Remember those who don’t have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.” I dropped to my knees right by my couch & surrendered to Him full control of my life that day.
2) Encouraging/Teaching
3) Went walking this Saturday at my local track. Was really feeling discouraged about some stuff & just walking & praying 2 Thessalonians:11-12. I saw this woman & she was carrying this huge purse while she was walking lap after lap. I thought thats kinda weird, but maybe she’s doing it for the extra weight so I asked her. We ended up walking together & talking for the next 8 laps. My heart burned w/ in me as we talked about The Lord. She told me that she had just been praying that God would send her someone to encourage her & He did through me. I say this with tears, God is so good & perfectly timed that. I got to pray w/ her & my precious Father encouraged me so too in the process. It also reminds me of the study where Ms. Beth had said..”Every time we’ve been broken & then allowed God to repair us, that mending becomes part of our equipping. Even the mending is part of the sending.”..Praise His beautiful Name. She also told me that she’d been grumbling to herself, lol, to have to carry that big purse while she walked because she had forgotten to take it home & didn’t want to leave it in the car that day. 🙂
*2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Amanda, Olive Branch, MS, solo
1. The thing in my life that shocked me awake (stubborn soul that I had been for MY way so much of my life) was the final break-up with a man I loved so very much and his family even more. People who knew me pretty much felt I was “obsessed” about this guy and marrying him. We had dated and broke up and 10 years later he resurfaced in my life professing his love for me, if you could call it that. I was “never” at peace with him in my Spirit, though we had lots of great times together. We had an immoral single relationship and I knew as a Christian this was wrong. But I wanted to be married and have a child before “it was too late!!” So, God did what He had to do!! He BROKE my heart in a thousand pieces by letting this guy over time treat me badly, walk out, and marry someone else 1 year later he was “totally” in love with. Wow!! It was the hardest years of my life for about 7 years, yes 7 years. God was speaking; sometimes I listened and sometimes, stubbornly, I didn’t. It only slowed my progress of awakening to His way and His wonderful blessings that He had for me. Praise God and only God and His work through His Spirit, Bible Study, and time “alone” that God finally got through to me: He loved ME, He wasn’t against me! He wanted me to be loved by a husband who would appreciate me and my heart for Him. I finally bowed my knees and my face ALL the way; And God worked. He crushed my heart, but he put it all back together in a New, Whole way I will NEVER forget. Oh, Praise Jesus!!! I SO love Him. Jesus led me through a friend to my church I now attend. About a year later a fellow choir member asked me along to lunch with a group of people. I met my Scott, my Man, God’s man for me. I didn’t have to work at it or try hard, God had that all worked out already. Is it perfect, oh no, only God’s love is perfect. But it’s SO incredibly wonderful for me. God is growing us both in our marriage and in service to Him. I’m SO glad God did not give up on me.
2. The insight for ministry I do believe came in earlier years of my life as a teacher and earlier sermons/study on Spiritual gifts. This lesson just reemphasizes my awareness of my ministry and to “continue” on in it. I have a ministry of encouragement and exhortation. I say both of these because as I’m getting older, I’m getting bolder. I used to just share with others encouragement to do their best and let God guide and direct their lives in the way He means for them to go. Now, I try to get to “know” someone, pray for them asking for discernment, and then reach out to give encouragement and exhortation where areas of their lives are not rendering peace or direction like they hope for. This lesson and Beth’s Session 4 video have helped me even more understand that as I put my heart and soul on the line to invest in children’s lives and families of those I teach, and women I reach out to invest time in will be costly emotionally, and spiritually. I don’t think I evaluated this in my ministry very well. I thought if God led you there, He will make it successful. But this doesn’t always happen since other people’s “wills” are involved and they don’t come along as you hope they will. You’d think after all my own stubbornness, I would get that, but I’m slow, remember. But when my “FIRE” is full, I still want to get out there and help people SEE Jesus, can and will heal you of your dysfunctions and brokenness, and forgive you of your wrongs IF you let Him have it ALL, holding nothing back of yourself. He can bring LIFE and LIFE abundantly in Him!!! That’s my PASSION!!!!
The event that awakened my faith was watching the sickness and death of my mama. The sicker she became, the closer she got to Jesus. Except for a few bumpy teenager years, my mama had always been my best friend. I felt so lost and alone even though I had a husband and three kids of my own. I didn’t know how I would survive without her. She had always taught me to read my Bible. But that is when the words came alive and became personal. I sat in the hospital room at night and read in a sliver of light from the bathroom and I could feel His presence. These are my verses – John 10:27-28
Sometimes it is harder to say no than yes. I had to say no to teaching my middle school sunday school class that I loved. I still have a heart for that age group but I knew last year that I wasn’t supposed to be the one to teach them anymore. I am praying about starting a new class for younger women. God has put it on my heart really strong. It is both exciting and terrifying.
1. After my dad retired from the Air Force my parents considered moving to Mississippi, it was with the thought of taking care of their own parents as they grew older. We had no idea my mother would need
our tender, loving care. She had several headaches along with sickness for several months, before finally going to the doctor. We found out she had a brain tumor, so she went to the hospital to have surgery. She came home and was progressing well.
Later, she began to have the same kind of problems over again. She had another brain tumor and another surgery. She was told both tumors were benign. As she was recovering in the hospital, her hip began to hurt and she was diagnosed with bone cancer. I cannot tell you how the mental, physical and emotional toll affected all of us. It sometimes seems unreal. Through the process you learn, you pray and you hope. My dad was very gracious and tender toward my mother. We gathered around her bed and prayed with her with tears. She passed away in July 1977. Our lives were changed, but our faith was not.
My sister went to college and I stayed home with my dad for a while. At age 29 I joined the army and prayed for an office job. I ask God to please find me a Christian husband and I would try my best to share Jesus with others. The Lord honored my prayer and I did share Jesus when I had a chance. I was sent to Germany where I met my Christian husband, Gordon. We married a year later. Then, we moved to Ft. Stewart, Georgia where we helped at a Servicemen Center. I finished my three years in the army there, then we returned to Germany where my twin boys Christopher and Jonathan were born. Over the years God has blessed us so very much. We have a lot to be thankful for. My boys are Christians and attending college. My husband is retired from the army, but still working at a middle school. I work a lot at church and we are truly blessed. Only God! Only God makes a difference in how we live our lives!
2. A few years after my mother passed away, I had a wonderful Sunday School teacher. I was so excited and loved her teaching so much I actually got up on Saturday and got ready to go to church one day. So, later on someone ask me to teach children. From there I started teaching Sunday School, then ladies Bible study, and some other odd jobs. I love to write.
3. What does it look like to love God with all your heart, mind and soul? Actually, no words can describe how I truly feel. Years ago I looked this verse up and I ask God what kind of heart, what kind of mind, and what kind of soul what I suppose to have.
An open heart, an understanding heart, a clean and obeying heart, a trusting heart
A learning and obeying soul, a satisfying soul, loving soul, and a resting soul
A willing mind, a sound (understanding) mind, a mind of humility, a mind of readiness (ready to receive God’s Word, a Spiritually mind, a pure mind and a renewed mind
There is a popular song, that I revised into my own words how I feel about my precious, love for God. Although, words are just not enough:
For all those times You stood by me
For all the Truth you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For every dream you made come true
For all the Love I found in You
I’ll be forever thankful, Jesus
You’re the one who holds me up
Never let me slip and fall
You’re the one who sees me through, through it all!
You are my strength when I am weak
You are my voice when I can’t speak
You are my eyes when I can’t see
You see the best there is for me
Lift me up when I am down
You are my faith, when I believe
I’m everything I am
Because you have loved me.
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my heart I could touch the sky
I lost my way, you help me turn back to You
You stood by me and I humbly fall
I feel your Love inside me I praise You for it all!
You are my strength when I am weak
You are my voice when I can’t speak
You are my eyes when I can’t see
You see the best there is for me
Lift me up when I am down
You are my faith, when I believe
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me.
You are always there for me
The tender wind that carries me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my sanctification
Through my brokenness, I found you are the truth
My life is in a better place because of You.~joyce
Dear Joyce,
The words you revised are so beautifully true! Thanks for sharing them…they touched my heart this morning! Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks again for touching mine!
Bonnie
Florence, Colorado
Thank you for such kind words, Bonnie. I am so glad God blessed you.
Brenda
Louisiana
My whole world as I knew it fell apart after my divorce and ensuing property settlement. I was pursuing God and trying to rebuild my life when unexpectedly I lost my home in the settlement. Moving away from friends and family into unfamiliar surroundings was very difficult for me and my children. I felt lost and abandoned and could not understand why God had allowed this to happen. I was broken! Over time I began to realize that God was teaching me to “let go and let God”. I had heard that expression many times but just could not understand how to do it. I have learned through many trials that if I just hang on, God will always bring me through!
I absolutely love spending time with young people. Right now my husband and I work with the College at our church leading small group discussions on Sunday mornings. There have been many times when I KNOW that God has used me to shine His light. When those times happen, I come away excited and feeling so alive; usually it’s when I have been in an environment where Jesus is rarely thought of. I love helping young women grow and mature and find their God given purpose in life.
Tiffany, Summerville, SC, solo
As a mom of three sons, I think the thing that has shaken me the most has been entering the middle school years. Boys love their mamas when they are little and think we are awesome. Entering into parenting teenagers was difficult. I felt like all of a sudden I did not know any thing and that my boys wanted me to be invisible. I had struggled with the changing of my relationship with my oldest son. I walked int one morning to drop of goodies for their First Priority meeting at school and was overcome with sadness as I was leaving. Their teacher came out to walk me and explained that this is normal. My boys have been standing behind me for protection all of these years and now they are trying to become gentlemen and step in front of me to protect me. It was the most beautiful statement that I had heard. I have carried that close to my heart and realize that the next season of parenting is upon me and I need to embrace it! I still have one in elementary school!
God has put so many things on my heart. I have a love for girls of any age. I helped with middle school girls bible study and loved it. I am feeling like I am being steered towards high school girls too. I have many things on my heart but do not know how to make them come to life. Trusting God! I tried to get a woman’s ministry started at our church and quickly was shot down by things outside of my control. I am taking steps daily to hear from God and want to do what He is calling me to. I do believe that I can do it right where I am planted. If I could study his word for hours everyday I would be ecstatic! Thank you for thus study!
Anne, Johnson City, TN, solo
1. Taking a pass on this one.
2. Week 5, lesson 5 was helpful. I needed encouragement that God would be faithful in the area to which He has called me.
3. I’m not sure I can describe myself when I am passionate about God. I do know that I do not write enough; that is what I really want to do when I am on fire about something.
I came to my most awakened state the very moment my son was born and breathed life into his lungs. I had been saved and a member of my Church for many years prior to this event, but the moment I truly laid my own eyes on such a sweet gift from God… I was driven to seek Him! I want my son to seek Him, and for my husband and I to be godly leaders. I feel that my life is truly changing while having been involved in this study, and I feel God is moving mountains in my heart.
Jackie Pope, Covington IN: 1. The time I was most shocked awake spiritually was when my adult son died unexpectedly in an accident. I had been spiritually on ‘auto pilot’, life was good, just coasting. Doug’s death caused me to run to Christ! 2. Not sure about my God-ordained ministry. I am now helping raise my grandchildren (their dad is gone and mom works nights) and working a full time job. Mostly trying to speak Christ into their lives. Recently (in same day) two co-workers came to talk to me about Christ. One asked for prayer for his daughters and one to tell me he accepted Christ and was being baptized. Maybe my ministry is just letting Christ be reflected in me wherever I may be – work or home. 3. My passion? Not sure, I don’t seem to have much passion right now.
Question #1:
Losing my job as a single parent shook me to my most awakened state! This one event changed my entire life. It wasn’t until I was completely knocked off my feet that I allowed God back into my life. MY God picked me up and cleaned me up. This one event brought me back into the arms of Jesus. When it first happened I thought my life had been ruined. I couldn’t do anything to fix it. I was all alone. Thankfully someone reintroduced me to Jesus. The one and only! He was able to restore and transform my life!
Question #2
This lesson (the whole week) came at just the right time! My calling is the preschoolers! I love this age and feel most alive when I am down on the floor with these 3, 4 and 5 year olds!
Question #3
What do I look like when I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength?
I am with my preschoolers. Watching them as they finally grasp the truth of what I am teaching. Laughing with them as they try out some of the new words from our lesson that day. Clapping my hands after they answer a question from the lesson they learned. Singing a new bible song at the top of our lungs. Going on the nature walks to enjoy the beauty God provided us. Wiping away the tears of a little one visiting our class and mommy & daddy can’t stay. Kissing a booboo when they fall and hurt their knees or elbows or fingers. Proudly displaying a grand piece of art from one the the children on my file cabinet at work. Having one of them run up to me and ask Ms. Jaime are you going to be our teacher this morning and getting a smile when the answer is yes. That is what I look like when I love the Lord with all my heart.
One bible commentator said something about Psalms that I’ll never forget. He said that when people can’t speak what’s on their heart they tend to drift away from God. I’ll never forget that. I speak what’s on my heart with God like David did. And I feel close and engaged with God.
Some people grew up in a home where they got juked, or if it was religious Jesus juked, when they were sharing what was on their heart, what they were sad about. And it felt like a pointy stick and it pushed them away instead of bringing them closer.
The bible says we are supposed to listen to each other and bear one another’s burdons (Gal 6:2).
It’s a bad habit. And if we haven’t worked through it, we will carry the same bad habits into our relationships in the future.
I was thinking that as Titus 2 women, we should be reaching out to other women and the younger women in church.
We get too busy being competitive for guys. And that God given desire to get married and have a guy in our lives is a good thing, but we turn it into an idol and get busy being competitive with each other. The desire turns into an idol and we start tearing each other up in the world . We don’t even catch it half the time. Then we have these torn up relationships that The Lord has to restore, all these hurt feels we left around by others that we have address, and start repenting of. And start being friends with one another in The Lord, start building up one another.
There’s proverbs 31. That we older ladies should be teaching the younger ladies how to be. What does it mean to be a Godly mother and wife. What does that look like?
And proverbs 31 isn’t just about the wife, but it’s about the Godly kind of husband she would choose. How do we as older women navigate the tricky process of dating. On top of that when the guy, especially the wrong kind of guy is laying on the words, and she likes him or feels charmed, how do you navigate through that to greener pastures?
If there aren’t a lot of younger ladies at a church campus, the older ladies can go find them to teach them.
We should also be reaching out to any new ladies that show up.
The truth is, that God has given us all gifts and talents. There’s a lot of stuff we can do. We don’t have to head a ministry to do stuff.
But we need friends first. We need to fill that void first, so we don’t come from a place of emptiness.
1. when my bitterness and anger toward my mom started affecting other relationships. I was pushing everyone away and almost lost my marriage due to that state of mind. I realized I needed help, sought it and through it God showed me how the enemy was using it to destroy my life. Life has not been the same since and I’ve been able to communicate with my mother because of it. It’s one of the best things that ever happened. Worth every tear!
2/3. I cried through the lesson, it was beautiful and very encouraging. I learned so much from that week of study.
Beth, you goose, you’re not a dumb blonde. You’re like the scare crow of the wizard of oz, who thought he was dumb and knew enough for a degree at the end of the movie.
I had an idea, Beth for ministery, I’m not sure if you’ll like it. You should take that magazine. Graceful Chic http://gracefulchic.com and do it as a half hour geared toward teens. A lot of women really relate to you, I think they would like it if you did a show.
If it’s good older women in their 20s and 30s will want to watch it. Try to get on tv stations like MTV. I know ick, but that’s where the girls are that need it.
I know it will be awful expensive, so probably a half hour a week is where you might have to start. But if you can get up to half hour a day for 5 week days that would be great.
You’re gonna have have some experts from California help you. That one issue with southern belle fashion- most girls in the city wouldn’t be able to relate to it.
Bonnie, Florence, Colorado. Going solo.
Week 5 – Question 1 –
20 years ago I truly met My Jehovah Rapha, my healer and began a life changing journey…away from the extreme stress, abuse, and destructiveness of a tangled mess of family issues that combined with a the dysfunction church we all attended that was completely unhealthy and unsafe. I began to learn how to cope better with stress, to distinguish between what is Healthy n’ Safe verse Unhealthy n’ Unsafe and how to use Boundaries. I will never be the same and wouldn’t trade these heartaches, anxiety and extremely hard days for anything in this world…it was for my best and all worked out for my good!!!
I learned to be a Believer who walks in unhindered Love and Obedience with my Lord and God! I lost my life for his sake and He is saving me and setting me free…one day at a time!
“I will forever Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to Trust and Obey!!!”
Week 6 – Question 1 –
It is nice to be encouraged about our callings!
Over the past 42 years serving Christ I realized in a fresh way that I am growing in all these areas (pg 143) – in my measure of Faith, strength in Service, diligence in Teaching, productiveness in Exhortation and Leading showing mercy and cheerfulness (pg 143).
Bringing Strength, Encouragement and Comfort found in 1 Cor. 14:3 (Session 6, page 169) this was an encouraging insight I had not heard taught before concerning Prophecy! Thanks so much!
I want to bear much fruit for His Glory and to continue in Faithfulness and Perseverance all the days of my life!!!
The Lord has graciously has allowed me to do fill-in-DayCare for the next 4 to 6 weeks for two children…when at the sametime I am not being allowed to see my Granddaughters. Isn’t God good! He provided something my husband and I needed and we didn’t even ask Him for it. These children aren’t being raised in a Christian home…5 yrs, and 9 months…what a joy to Care for them and such an honor to share Christ with them during this hurtful time.
Yesterday, the 5 year old saw your picture…Miss Beth…I saved a mailer you sent from LifeWay…in my study and asked who you were…I told her that you are my Bible study teacher and my forever friend! She smiled amd giggled! On the back I wrote…to you…Thanks for all the TRUTH!!! I sincerely mean that and deeply appreciate all the time you put in for us!!!
Question 2 – pg 145
Start with obeying Him one step at a time then obey one day at a time until your are keeping in step with the Spirit!
We can do this by following Colossians 3:23 (KJV) “And whatsoever you do,
do it HEARTILY, as to The Lord and not to men;”
HEARTILY means courteously, graciously, sincerely, genuinely…free from pretense or hypocrisy, earnestly, joyfully, thoroughly, and completely. This really gives us No out! No room for Half-Heartedness, incomplete works or Joyless pursuits. He wants us to do ALL THINGS as HEARTILY as unto Him!!!
Question 3 – I want to Study His Word Most – Learn, Love and Grow more and more and more in Him!!! To be in His Presence is true life and I love that He wants to commune with me and communicates with me…especially when no one else is there for me or just doesn’t take the time. HE IS ALWAYS THERE for me! He always answers me and it’s always found in the Word!!! I need to be heard but I need to be answered more and He has never let me down!!!
1. What one event in your life shook you to your most awakened state?
The one event that shook me to my most awakened state was when my mom unexpectedly passed away from a massive brain hemorrhage. Just the week before I told God that I wanted to serve Him with my whole life. My mom’s passing suddenly put me in the role of matriarch for our family of boys, which especially meant caring (physically, mentally, and spiritually) for my dad who was left extremely grief stricken and depressed.
2. Did you get any insight in your calling for this season?
This season has been about caring for all the boys in my life – ranging from 4 months to 78 years old; My widowered dad, my husband of 18 years, our 12 & 9 year old sons, who I home-school part-time too, and most recently our little miracle 4 month old son. It is also a time of growing much more intimately in my relationship with Jesus. I feel as though I am currently being equipped for much more too and praying that God will reveal to me more specifically the gifts He has given me and will use them to their fullest to serve Him!
3. What do you look like when you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
In the moments that I feel God’s presence and I’m aware of His love and notice of me, I look like a love-sick teenager. I’m filled to overflowing with delight and passion for Him. I find myself doing things like writing poetry, singing Him praises, declaring my love for Him, and in general just basking in His love eager to do anything He asks of me. It is during these times that I can’t get enough of His Word and I do so in expectation that He will reveal His love and wisdom to me.
1) Several events in my 20s–going through a very unexpected and painful divorce, losing my job, and learning to be content with being single for 10 years…these events awakened me and made me run to the Lord Jesus to be the ultimate Healer of my heart. I am happily remarried to a wonderful man and have a beautiful daughter. But the LORD continues to be my strength and my shield. I cannot imagine my life without Him. In uncertain times, I know that HE is in control. I used to be a control freak but now I’m a Jesus freak!
2) I love it that the Lord uniquely shapes us with different talents and skills and histories and futures and families–putting this all together to make who we are as a person. God has placed in callings both professionally and personally and I’m grateful to Him that I love doing what I do both at work and at church and in my home serving Him.
3) My heart bursts when I am either corporately singing to Him or singing in the car by myself or with my daughter. I love to sing to Him and about Him. It thrills me and touches me so much to hear my little girl pour her heart out to Jesus at such a tender young age. It thrills me to see my husband lead out in worship knowing the week that he has had but still laying that all down to come and focus on Jesus and giving Him all glory in all things. Praise You, Lord!
My most awakened state was 7 years ago when I had a cancer scare at the age of 29. At the time, I was told I probably had stage four salivary gland cancer. I knew my 3-year-old daughter would never remember how much I loved her if the prognosis was accurate. No amount of money, no doctor, no kind words could help me…but Jesus was there to give me peace. The tumor was benign and I have praised God ever since!
I think my calling must be giving. I have a time consuming, but fairly lucrative job. I am not very talented at anything, but I can write checks, so that is what I do.
When I feel moved by God’s Word, I want to write and lay out my thoughts and feelings. Maybe someday I will write a nice sticky note with my checks? ;-D
1) One year, two of my sisters were getting married two months apart from each other. My mom put together a whole wedding by herself because one of my sisters was deployed to Iraq. Needless to say, our household was a very stressful place to be in and I was angry and bitter at my parents for the stress they placed on me. However, God was faithful through the entire experience. He changed my angry, cold heart and gave meaning to my life.
2) I just graduated from college last year so I am still trying to figure out my career path. Through high school and college, I was planning on being a veterinarian and even applied for vet school, but for the past two years, I’ve felt my calling to be elsewhere. I am now pursuing my passion to work in a Christian non-profit organization and am starting to research different job openings. I’m very excited about the opportunities available!
3) When i’m on fire for God, I try to serve others with all my heart!
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
I loved this week’s lesson. It was a great encouragement to me. At the age of 58, I often fear that I have missed out on my calling. I was encouraged to just keep praying and do some good where I see the opportunity. This will include supporting and praying for my daughter and son-in-law as he has just been called as a lead pastor for the first time.
When I am loving God with all my being, there is more of Him and less of me evident in my life. I also know that I have the gift of encouragement, and especially have a heart for young mothers and single mothers. I feel that this is somehow involved in my calling.
Re: pg 121: the revelation that shook my core was that I can’t “do” life without Him. Knowing He wants me to need Him-He created me to need Him. I was raised in a “performance based” loving family. If I was “good” and independent, I was loved- if I was “bad” or needy, etc-love was hard to find. It took me 38 years to realize Gods love was unconditional – His grace and mercy unmerited – Knowing that nothing I do could diminish His love for me was life changing!! Praise God!! Amen and Amen! 🙂
Re pg 143: looking through the ministries I’ve been involved with, I feel most alive and in awe with His glory and presence when teaching elementary aged kids and ministering to women who are battling strongholds such as addiction, poor relationships, etc. But there have also been many times where I felt Him stick a pen in my hand to write letters of encouragement to others- specifically to non believers- to share my testimony and what God has done and is doing in my life. When I dig in and write, I’m on fire- crying (happy cry) – and words just poor out. I’ve saved copies of these letters and when I read them again, I see it’s not even me writing, the Holy Spirit takes control of the pen. I don’t know what fruit it’s bearing, but God does, and that’s all that matters.
Blessings to you- thank you! You are loved, Nancy
Wonderful to hear of GOD anointing you to communicate!
Your video session this week – was amazing! Thank you Beth for your honesty, humbleness – <3 I was kindof shocked, but not in a bad way… Very blessed by your obedience to our Lord, I am loving your teachings, thank you! (video session 6)
1) I am 23. I struggled with bulimia in my teens and as a young adult. I was caught up in all kinds of sin. My life was a nightmare. I was drowning. I tried to cure myself of my eating disorder. But, it was one failure/disappointment after another. I hated myself. Two years ago I was visiting my Aunt. One morning after I ate breakfast I walked upstairs to the bathroom to throw up. I stood staring in the doorway like a zombie. Then without the thought even occurring first, I walked out and into my bedroom. I grabbed my Bible from my bag (I was not reading it, so I don’t even know why I put it in my luggage). I opened it up and started to read. I wrapped myself in my blanket and cried my eyes out. It was like I could feel God on my skin, wrapping His arms around me. I cried, read, and prayed for 4 hours. God healed me. He woke me up. Hallelujah!!
2) For the last year I have felt this inner stirring that God is leading me somewhere in ministry. I have ignored this feeling over and over. I want to serve Him with everything me. I am a nurse, but my husband travels with his job, so after we got married a year ago we decided I should travel with him. I am meeting all kinds of women along the way, joining in on bible studies even though they know I might not be here long! What God has taught and shown me in this last year has been crazy and amazing. I feel like my calling right now is to learn and grow. I have always been extremely shy but I feel like God is training me out of that. I am learning from these amazing ladies I get to meet and build relationships with. I am learning how to love and serve by watching them.
3) I loved this day, when we were asked that question. I felt like God was speaking right to me. I have this in the mornings when I am having my morning coffee with time to think and do my bible study homework. I get this overwhelming feeling of love and joy. I feel like I am going to burst. I can’t make sense of it. During this time I feel like worshiping and crying. I feel like texting and calling everyone I love. I feel like sitting down over coffee with all my non-Christian friends who don’t know Jesus to tell them about Him. I just want to serve God so bad that it is unbearable. I don’t want my life to be centred on anything else.
Andrea,
My daughter is where you were. I felt like I was supposed to go through this blog like I sometimes do (I am not in the bible study) but I needed some encouragement for her, and then I read your post.
She is very resistant to help. I am praying for a breakthrough. Your post give me encouragement that it can happen.
Thank you for sharing how God healed you.
WOW! Thank you for sharing and being so real! I too was bulimic. I love the Way GOD chose to heal you!!!! What a blessing and testimony. Loved reading your joy and passion of loving GOD and wanting to KNOW and LIVE FOR HIM! Thank you.
Dear sweet Andrea, your testimony touched me so. I just wanted you to know. God has wonderful things in store for you as you learn more and more about Him and grow deeper and deeper in your dependency on Him. Keep walking forward with Jesus, he is faithful!
Really appreciating your summer study. I appreciate your passion and prayers. The Father strengthen you and encourage your spirit.
Love and peace,
Kim
Anchorage, Alaska
1. I was really shaken awake in my late 20’s. I had my whole life planned out! My husband and I had been married a couple of years, we’d just bought a house and were pregnant with our first child. Luckily, we had a healthy baby, but within months, we lost everything else: our home, jobs, hope. It really shook me and taught me that God is in charge, not me.
2. I really liked learning/being reminded that I am not in charge of equipping myself, God equips me for ministry.
3. When I am filled with Spirit, I love to sing praise out loud! Actually, I sing praise out loud when down in the dumps, too!
The life event that shook me awake was the day that my son confessed that he was gay. The thing that stunned me the most was the fact that he had struggled with this sin for nine years, asking God to deliver him. God appeared to be silent……..and still is.
Thank you for sharing. This is a hard topic. I appreciate that you will willing to share this. One thing I know for sure: GOD LOVES YOU AND YOUR SON! UNCONDITIONALLY! I pray God puts people in your lives to show you HIS LOVE and communicate HIS LOVE and TRUTH!
My heart goes out to you and your son.
Our little group of six met this morning. I haven’t posted before (sorry 🙁 ) but I wanted to let you know the exuberant joy that our friend, Sally, brought to our group today. She let us know that she’s had some health irregularities and the doctor ran some tests this week. Further tests are scheduled in a couple of weeks, but she was overwhelmed that God gave her YOUR words at this exact time that she needed them pertaining to the scare that you mentioned in our lesson. She is strong in the Lord and His word and will trust Him no matter what the results are. She is giving God all the glory. Other great discussions took place, but I wanted to let you know (as if you didn’t already) that God so, so, so, uses your teaching!
Question #1
I would have to say NOW. During the summer,we are doing Wonder Struck, for Ladies Bible Study. Margaret asked us to pray for the Lord to awaken us to Him and all His wonders. We have been writing 3 wonders of God each day. Just a word or something that the Lord has spoken to us.
Question #2
I will say, part of #1, in 2008 the Lord took me to a new awaken of Him, as in He told me to turn back to Him or choose the world. I choose Him. Started going back to church. In the past 6 years, I have seen the Lord take both me and my husband thru Bible study of men and women and small groups. We have gone to many places to serve and learn. A few years ago, the Lord opened a door for a new church and a longing for my heart, WMU. As I was saved at the age of 12 at GA camp. After helping get WMU up and running He then shut that door as I heard Him say, “Good job my faithful servant”. I did not know where He was sending me or what to do. Then Ladies Bible Study needed someone. I am in love with the Ladies and love the studies and love digging and making things for them and things for them to share the love of Jesus with others. My husband and I are also Greet people as they come into church each Sunday and on special services. I also jump in to help make thing for other groups or missions. I seem to always have something to do. However, I love every minute of it. I love sharing Jesus. Just writting this gets me excited with His love. I praise His Holy Name, the love of Jesus and in all I, we do.
Thank-you for all you do. All the post. All the encouragement. All you do for so many. Pray for lost. Pray for everyone. Thank-you Dear Lord Jesus for saving us all.
It was an intimate and,tear-filled, testimony driven night. We shared and cried over the death of a dear 27 year old son in a freak collision in Alaska, of a dear friend dying of colon cancer at 41 and a call that rocked our world wide awake. We,closed in prayer from one another, begging God to help us live wide awake and purposefully.
Wk.5 Discussion: I am honestly having difficulty choosing one event in my life shaking me to my most awakened state…growth in Christ Jesus is an awakening state! Ok, outside of my salvation experience, which can’t be diluted, one area would probably be Biblical learning of spiritual warfare {Eph.6}, how to stand in God’s armor and then, Stand. When I truly believed and understood this is real Truth…Living breathing Word of God in me covered by Jesus’ blood, intentionally remembering who I am in Christ Jesus, God has equipped me to stand covered in Holy armor, and comforted by knowing this war is God’s battle (1 Sam. 17:47; 2 Chron. 20:15}. I trust “the Lord is faithful, He will strengthen and guard me from the evil one.”
This is presently real— I am a daughter, sister, cousin, in-law, wife, mother, grandmother, co-worker and sister-in-Christ whose family & friends are in battles (divorce, same sex attraction, domestic violence, incarceration, dementia, sister churches dissolving, cancer)… and my heart is breaking…I’m awake and aware. I want to trust God MORE when it comes to waiting on His will to unfold in the lives of those around me. I desire for His Living Word to penetrate and annihilate lurking unbelief for His Namesake and glory.
Wk.6 Discussion:
1. My calling has expanded beyond homemaker to working for a nonprofit organization serving clients from domestic violence & sexual assault situations. It is a blessing to be part of a team offering safety & hope to hurting souls.
2. I am “complete” when I love my Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind & strength.
When I am filled with the Holy Spirit’s fire…well— sharing is imminent!
1. The event that most shook me awake was the birth of my son.
I truly believe God sent my son in many ways to deliver me.
I began seeing the unhealthy and dysfunctional life I had being married to a really sick, dysfunctional man who was draining the life from me, God used my son to help me see I needed to make serious changes for our well being. I struggled thru a brutal divorce but have emerged with my son victorious and free. We still have the ongoing struggle of dealing with him at visitation and such but we are still free and God is working healing in me. I always tell my son how God will take care of us and how he has a plan for us.
2. I know part of my calling is to be a good mom to my son and being a single mom is so hard.
I enjoy volunteering at a local food pantry. It makes me happy to know I am playing some small part in helping hungry people eat. I not totally sure yet where my calling is otherwise right now.
I am searching…
Video 7 about did me in! Oh my —– weeping and shouting at the same time! Revealed!
Question 1-I had my real awakening 2 years ago when I went through one of the toughes seasons of my life. Seems like everything I tried to control was controling me and I had no peace, could not sleep, losing touch with my husband and my children. I completely cut my friends out of my life because I was refusing the help I so despartely needed from our Merciful God. I thought I was absolutely losing my mind one night. I cried out to God and He heard me. He always hears us. I have been in love with Him ever since.
Question 2-I’m involved in a few ministries at our local church and I love them all, but Celebrate Recovery is the dearest to my heart. Its the most uplifting and heartbreaking ministry I have ever seen. A lot of people think that Celebrate Recovery is all about addicts and alcoholics, and it is to a certain extent. Sometimes on Thursday nights we have visitors from the Valley of Hope Ministries (women’s rehabilitation) and the sit with us on lesson night and break up into small groups and you hear stories about feeling worthless and not having a place to fit in, abused by boyfriends or even friends. Cutting, eating disorders, abortions, just things no women let alone a young girl should have to bare. Then you hear the stories of reconcilation and redemption. I’m talking about young girls 16-early 20’s. Praise the Lord for this ministry. Thak you Lord for plaicng me here not only to serve but also heal.
Wonderful to hear of true authentic real ministry of the GOSPEL happening! Living THE GOSPEL to others…esp those that have had abuse and abortions!!!! CHRIST PURCHASED OUR REDEMPTION and how awesome and available it is to RESURRECT us from the DEAD! Thank you for sharing! I relate too that I have served and been healed in the process. For me this has happened esp when I am honest with my story and relate to others who are like I was and where I used to be and to share and take them TO THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: CHRIST JESUS who is the only ONE who can heal, forgive, change us! He sure has done so for me! He has/ is transformed/ing me. O how I needed Him to…
Linda
Johnstown, PA. Solo
1. The event that shook me to my most awakened state was the stillborn death of my first baby. I had to cling to God as I never had before. It was a harsh awakening to how little we can really count on in this world. It was a loss of innocence, but it also awakened me to the pain of other parents who experience pregnancy loss. Most of all, it showed me how faithful my God is.
2. I believe my calling is to helping others and encouraging others. I am much more comfortable doing things behind the scenes than being in the spotlight. Right now I feel one of my most important areas of service is to help my 93-year-old mother in whatever way she needs (giving rides to doctor appointments or family activities, financial, running errands when needed, etc.).
I am so sorry for your loss! Esp that of a firstborn. To read that you came to see God is faithful through such a grievous loss is amazing!
To hear of your faithfulness to your mom is encouraging and a fulfillment of a call for sure to honor your parent. May GOD’s promise be experienced by you as you do His will.
1) What event shook us awake? We both thought about when our husbands were deployed, and how the challenges/struggles shook us and tested us and then led us into a greater relationship with Jesus. This Bible study has been great and much needed in shaking me awake again to studying the Bible, applying it and going “deeper” into the Word.
2) Neither one of us had a revelation about our callings. We think we need to continue what we’re doing – homeschooling our kids and focusing on our families – and maybe being better about random acts of kindnesses through out the day. Fully loving God to us is what our daily lives should look like – taking care of our families, reaching out to others, etc.
1. when I almost died from “too many to count” pulmonary emboli following a car wreck I told the Lord : “please don’t take me home now because my daughter is planning her wedding & needs me & my son/daughter in law are getting ready to have another baby & need me” to which He replied in my heart: “get over it mary…they don’t need you…they need Me!” to which I replied “yes, Lord!”
2. the lesson was wonderful & gave me encouragement in my calling…thank you!
3. when I am close to the Lord I tend to love people more & care for their needs
What one event in your life shook you to your most awakened state?
The last five years have been life shaking. Extended Family disfunction, child born with special needs, baby girl hospitalized multiple times, lost trust in a friend that was precious to me, seeing my husband break over a work incident and needing legal guidance, and my son in elementary school being scared to death to go to school causing a near break down. We sought counseling. The first counselors told me we would not receive christian counseling through her but she offered me a book written by a woman that was a Buddist. This would give me comfort in my struggles. I remember thinking my God is here for me 24 hours a day 7 days a week and has been for all of these events which were temporary. That was an awaking period for me! If God is for me who can be against me.
Did you get any insight in your calling for this season? If so, what? Still searching for my calling. Currently I’m a wife, mother, and teacher. I believe God wants me to focus on teaching my children Gods direction vs. the worlds. I feel like he is telling me to stay put where I am.
What do you look like when you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Happy, energized, able to do anything with Him.
1. Devastating hurt by a loved one shook me to my most awakened state.
2. I feel like my calling is through teaching others.
3. When I love God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength I want to have the Holy Spirit flow through me an remind me of all of the good that I have to be thankful for and the future that I have for all eternity.
1. At critical points in my life, it seems that God has jolted me out of my apathy with the very stark reality of life and death. Those that have died to soon and the blessings of new birth, as well as watching loved ones fight to stay alive have reminded me of God’s sustaining presence, power, and love.
I am at a point right now where vigilance is critical so that I am able to hear any whisper from the spirit, however because I am very focused on His will for my circumstance, I can become “sleepy” in watching for needs that I could meet and ways to be His hands and feet even in my season of change. I am praying that I would not miss these opportunities. In them I may just find the next corner to turn!
2. What an army of amazing women there are doing this study. I love reading all the responses. You all keep up the good work!! 😉
I know that I am a great encourager, with a merciful heart and a knack for hospitality. When the spirit is moving me to act, and I feel the love of Jesus surging out of me, it is in kind words and affirmations from scripture and otherwise to the people He has placed on my heart, or in creating a safe and comfortable place for people who need it. I’m not sure you can call any of that a “calling,” but I’m a stay at home mom and I get LOTS of opportunities to do these things every day. I am blessed that I have the time and energy to do it.
Actually, its been more like an on-going event that I
am still in the middle of. My eyes have been clearing
from a “wilderness fog” beginning with a “call” by the
Spirit, followed months later by a “coincidence” that
stepped onto the platform before my very eyes! Since
then, little miracles sprinkled here and there and my
heart being turned over like a drawer for Spring cleaning.
The Hand of our Master has been sorting, discarding,
repairing, folding, & reorganizing. Recently He has
opened a mystery hidden for 40 yrs. We are unlocking
that now. Its been an adventurous process!