Part 5 ~ Chapter 33

Love, Love, Love

It's the Greatest Commandment, all we need, what we long for. Right?

As we turn the page to another chapter, we also begin Part 5 of our journey today!

Do you find it ironic that our earthly parents and caretakers are constantly, lovingly pushing us away from our temporal home while our Heavenly Parent constantly, lovingly pulls us towards our eternal home?

This irony struck me as I read the words of the child psychologist Beth quotes on page 194 of our study: "If the bond we had with them as infants did not change, we would never be able to let them go" (referring to a parent/caretaker's relationship with their teenagers).

Switching gears completely now...

I am reading a fiction book right now from the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Now, if you know me well, then you probably know that I rarely read fiction. I'm actually a non-fiction kinda girl. Fiction has to be really good to draw me in and keep me reading. So, long story short... this is a REALLY good series of stories. Very inspirational.

Just last night, the fictional prayer group in the series gathered for a meeting and they quoted, from Psalms, the "His love endures forever" passage. They went on to shout woes and trials, praise and glory, requests and answers... but they followed them all with the same line...

His love endures forever!

No matter what happens in life... know that He is faithful and His love endures forever. There is nothing, no one like God! He is our Rock, Salvation, Every Present Hope, Mighty Warrior, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One, Emmanuel - God With Us!

This passage means so much to me because it was "played out" another time in my life. I was chaperoning a youth group last summer when about 30 African children showed up to sing to us. What a blessing! It would take quite a bit of writing, then reading on your part, to describe the amazing event. Just please know it was real special.

At one point in their presentation, the microphone was passed from child to child as they spoke words of praise to God... then followed it with...

"His love endures forever!"

No matter what's going on in your life, no matter who has betrayed you, no matter the circumstance...

His love endures forever!

Sweet Mercy! AGAPE!!! ; )

Stop, Drop and Pray

Part 4 ~ Chapter 32

I could list so many quotes from this chapter... takeaways that are great reminders... but I might end up infringing on some copyright laws. : )

With all due respect to the publisher and writer of Breaking Free, I will refrain from quoting half the chapter here and just refer to several things that might encourage you to review your own copy... or go out and buy one to support Beth Moore's ministry.

In this chapter, we are reminded that we are not perfect (neither are we expected to be, thank God), but in God, we are being perfected into the image and likeness of Christ. I will hold onto the five "daily treasures" on pages 188-189. These are things to remember as you walk with God: He provides new mercies every morning.

I'm like Beth lighting her own fire: I tend to depend on my own flint to start my own fire, which provides flames for my own torch and attempt to blaze my own path (in reference to her story on the bottom of page 190).

I have to remember to look to/for God DAILY and depend on Him ALWAYS.

I do pretty good on a lot of days, but there are so many others on which you'll find me furiously searching to create my own spark.

On the journey, please remind me to look for the Divine Spark within and also point to this post and this chapter! ; )

When my torch goes out and I'm exhausted, PRAISE GOD "no matter how long the detour has been, the return is only a shortcut away" (Beth Moore).

Stop, Drop and Pray... put out your own torch and carry The Eternal Flame in your heart. It's the only thing you need today.

Part 4 ~ Chapter 31

In this chapter, I became refreshed when I read one of the dear passages of Scripture that captures the very essence of our journey. I have often thought of it during our time together.

Isaiah 43:18-19

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Sweet words to a parched soul and desperate spirit!

By this point in our journey, I hope you have gotten to a point where you can put the past behind you and find hope that God is going to do a new thing in your life. Your part is letting Him; allowing Him to take over and make you over! This "new thing" is gonna spring up like Old Faithful and amaze you! You'll find a way in the desert and drink refreshing Living Water where you thought there was no water at all... no refreshment.

God longs to satisfy your every need, and He even wants to give you the desires of your heart (your very spirit). Will you allow Him to provide for you in this way?

God created you with a soul (your very own mind, will and emotions). With this soul, you have the ability to make decisions.

Who or what will be Master of your life?

You choose. You'll be the one who has to live eternity with the consequences.

Stop, Drop and Pray

Part 4 ~ Chapter 30

"Your will, not mine, O God."

Do you purposely stay away from that prayer because you're scared of where God would take you and you're perfectly fine being just where you are?

Do you forget about walking in obedience to Christ while staying locked into your own path?

Do you purposely pray that prayer yet you don't really, honestly mean it?

Do you say the words but don't mean the action unless it fits in to what you've planned?

Do you pray that prayer, mean it, and live the abundant life?

Which option do you most resemble?

Which option would you like to resemble?

Which option will you resemble?

Stop, Drop, and Pray...

and mean it!

Experience freedom in Christ by yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is... there is freedom... free for all!

Part 4 ~ Chapter 29

Today, I was bathed in truth as I read Chapter 29 which completes the list of 6 characteristics of rebellion.

While I think we can all identify with every aspect at one time or another, which one do you most identify with now (at this time in your life)?

For me it's #6. I have been running from the real answers (truth) to several big questions in the recent past. Now, you can chalk this up to a need for control (anybody?) or just plain ole disobedience (you, too?). Perhaps even fear? (Um... hmm!). I'm sure there are other reasons I didn't want to look at the truth that's been staring me in the face.

Regardless, there comes a time when you have to face the truth... even if it hurts.

The why/reason is what I had to give to God.

I am finding that actually bringing myself to face and accept the truth is the hard part. But, if I trust in God to handle the rest, there is peace instead of pain. Now, don't get me wrong... facing tough/scary/real situations is rarely completely peaceful and painless. Nobody said it would be easy; however, when I'm walking in truth and facing reality... God's presence flies over me like a dove and leaves me with the peace that passes understanding.

If I do my part (the letting go), God ALWAYS does His part (taking care of the rest)!

When I let go and let God, there is peace. The circumstances may still exist, but I am free from the bondage in which they once kept me. God carried the load and lifts it off my shoulders.

Sweet Mercy!!! Praise God for Liberty!!!

I would love to hear your answers to the study questions. Primarily, why do you think we run from the real answers?

Stop, Drop and Pray

Part 4 ~ Chapter 28

And, then, I turn the page to find "the big word"... again...

OBEDIENCE

I tell ya, God is just not letting up! : )

I'm not sure if I've shared this already, but there are 3 words that keep coming up over and over for me. During the past 2 years, faith, trust, and obedience have been "buzz words" for me.

It's kind of hard to explain, but the gist here is that every time I turn around (it seems) one or all 3 of those words is staring back at me. Think God is trying to tell me something? ; )

James 1:22-25 is a beautiful reminder.

Little girls often dream of fairy-tales, and it's no surprise (or secret) that we're still expecting the stuff of which dreams are made, even as adults. Beth Moore says it like is on page 167:

"We want God to somehow wave a wand over us and magically remove every hindrance without requiring anything of us."

Was anybody else convicted there... or was it just me?

Beth goes on to point out that we would never learn anything if all our problems were solved for us with a wave of a magic wand.

After hearing those 3 buzz words over and over (faith, trust, obedience), I have often just pleaded with God to "fix me." I find myself saying things like, "You're God and you can fix me. Just do it, God, please!"

And, that's just it. If God fixes me without my cooperation and obedience, I'll never learn. I've got to have faith and trust that He knows best! The Father always does, right? ; )

Maybe I need to glean from Psalm 81. Maybe you do, too?

Stop, Drop and Pray

Part 4 ~ Chapter 27

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

When I began reading Chapter 27, these are the two verses from Scripture that came to mind. I believe that we often limit God and therefore miss out on what these verses are talking about. If we don't allow God to work in our lives, gently and effectively, we may never know the true reality of these promises.

I think one of the main keys for experiencing Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 3:20-21 is that we have to look past the circumstances we are in and still find it in our hearts to trust that God will do what He says He's gonna do.

We also have to obey Him. Then...

"However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

Stop, Drop and Pray

Shelly Says ~ "The Votes are In!"

Based on the votes received via web poll and e-mail, I constructed a schedule for June that reflects a compromise of all the votes received.

I hope it works well for you as we wrap up our study this month and

BREAK FREE!!!

Here's the plan:

I will still post a message on the blog every day, but I will try to shorten the length of my writings this month for those of you who want to do all of your reading for the week and then check in and read the blog every once in a while. This way, you can read the parts of the blog that pertain to the reading you've done.

The blog posts, starting after this one, will be labeled with Part and Chapter numbers so you can decipher which posts you want/need to read.

By Friday, June 11, I will have postings up that cover the remaining Chapters of Part 4 (through Chapter 32).

Also, on June 11 I will begin posting one chapter per day through June 25 (the official end of our study). So, June 11th's post will be for Chapter 33 and June 25th's post will be for Chapter 47.

You can use the green, shaded box on the right-hand side of the blog to see all the posts and then you just click on the ones you want to read.

Please feel free to comment and/or ask questions at any time. I am enjoying our conversations, and I love to hear from you!

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!

Stop, Drop and Pray