Monday, June 7, 2010

Shelly Says ~ "Are You Ready?"

My hope for you is that during this study you, of course, will break free from any bondage and places of captivity. I also pray that this study helps you to deepen your relationship with God.

For the longest time (like most of my life), I thought that following all the rules made me a "good person." I also thought the #1 way God spoke to me was through the 10 Commandments (Thou shalt not...).

Please don't get me wrong: The 10 Commandments are from God, and I believe He wants me to obey them. My point here is that the tablet with 10 commands are in place to guide me through life... help me experience the abundant life God has planned for me. What I have learned over the past 2 1/2 years is that the #1 way He speaks to me is through His entire Word... the Holy Bible.

His Word is a much broader scope of His intentions for me and they do include the 10 Commandments ; ) . His Word also shows me how humans have fallen into temptation and the harm they've brought upon themselves. There is not enough time in this day for me to explain all I have learned, but the main point today...

God already loves me and accepts me. I don't have to follow God's 10 Commandments for Him to love me and accept me. I try to follow God's Commandments and Christ's example to experience the good life... to live life more abundantly! I try to listen to the Holy Spirit because the Spirit is my guide... sent to live in my heart... the very essence of the Father and Son alive in me.

Why am I telling you all of this today? Well, I don't know ; ) . I actually intended to write about establishing some sacred, quiet time with God every day. Okay... so let me see if I can tie this all together...

I hope you can break free from anything that hinders your relationship with God. You can study Breaking Free, the Holy Bible, or any other Holy material and keep every rule perfectly... but never truly experience God. Why? Because keeping a set of rules is legalism. Establishing a true relationship with God is freedom!

Okay... I hope my "sermon" makes more sense now... : ) in the context of this entire study and the context of our reading over the weekend. If it does not, please don't hesitate to ask questions.

Chapters 23-26 usher us into the "reconstruction era" of our time together. Praise God!

Sweet peace and freedom come after a big ole "ugly cry" when you can release some emotions. I've had a few of those over the past 3 weeks. What about you? Were you able to release your grip on those ancient ruins and feel your soul, spirit and body healing? I pray you were.

Now, let's walk past those ruins with respect (not continued attachment) and look forward to sweet dreams and a life walking in obedience, ie, Part 4 of our study.

What stood out to you the most in the reading?

How did you answer some of the study questions?

Here are a couple in which I'd love to hear your answer...

Chapter 25, Question 1: Why do you think people are so insecure about their appearance?

Chapter 26, Question 3: How can you invest yourself in rearing spiritual children?

One of the best takeaways for me is in Chapter 24:

"We cannot make ourselves ready the moment we see Christ anymore than a woman can be prepared to meet her groom
at the altar with three minutes' notice."

Whooooo! Preach it, sister! People get ready! Jesus is coming!