Wednesday, June 25, 2008

"I AM" Lesson 16 The Final One!



This is an On-Line Bible Study that was inspired by God and brought to us by:
Lisa a.k.a The Preachers Wife

This whole study deals a lot with Moses and the Promise land, but as the button above states, the study is about God the "I AM" so you don't have to be.

Our last Question is: What is one thing God has taught you through this study?

Wow, that is hard, I would have to say - I've learned I'm special.

That's always been a problem for me. In all my insecurities and failures, people pleasing, and being walked on and taken advantage of that is what has been the root of evil. The little voice in me that says "I just want to be special". I've grown so much in this area already, but this study nailed it. It doesn't matter what i am, because the Almighty "I AM" lives in me.

To anyone that has come across my Blog if you haven't done this study - Please do. We have never overcome so much that we can't use more of God and His word. For me I felt secure in God, however this reinforces it even more.

Hats off to Lisa, the Bible study may be over but I will stay in touch through your blog. Your Love for God shows strong, and I love your down to earth just being you style. The light of God shines bright in you.

Thank you again for a great study.

Lynn

"I AM" Lesson 15



Burning Questions:

1. I think we can all agree most of us find ourselves closer to God in the struggle than without it. How does it affect you knowing that trial is what draws you more intimately in relationship to Your God?

Torn. I like others desired a more intimate relationship with God during a trial. And because of his mercy, forgiveness and grace, I want to keep seeking Him with out anymore trials :) but seriously so I am well prepared for battles and trials with Gods word. I've had life without God and with God, trust me it is soooooo much better with God. Just hand you life over, you will not regret it.


2. Have you ever made a huge mistake but then found yourself in the position for a 'do-over'? Did you make a better decision the second or third or fourth time around? :)

Yes!!!! And you wonder why I am so thankful. :)


3. Is there a 'generational sin' in your family you have overcome? This can be anything from a lineage of unbelief to issues of many kinds. This may be a private matter. Share if you feel liberty or quietly thank God for His deliverance. If you have not yet been delivered, I pray with all my heart God's Word is giving you courage to ask for help in that area.

Have you been reading my journal again? Yes there were several issues in a lot of areas that have been pasted down that I have broken, and ones I didn't break until I was older I am praying and working with my Daughter to break before she passes them on. Insecurities and people pleasing things that I didn't overcome until she was already grown, unfortunately I passed some of that on to her.

4. Have you ever been misunderstood? Do you feel unforgiven for past mistakes even though you know God has forgiven you?

At times I wonder if there are attitudes and offenses that I thought were over that may still be there.

5. Is there a sister you need to extend grace towards in order to be able to 'bless God together'? Do you comprehend how your unforgiveness is hindering her from inhabiting her own Promise? If no, do you recognize a situation within your church body where this may be happening? If so, ask God to raise up a 'Phinehas' (mediator) in this situation. He may just reveal the Phinehas is you. :)

Not that I know of but it makes me want to do a check up to make sure I am not holding anything that I need to deal with. I pray God will reveal it to me if I do need to.

Wow Lisa One more lesson Thanks!

Lynn



Tuesday, June 24, 2008

"I AM" Lesson 14




Burning Questions:



1. We talked of the importance of encouragement when God has called us to task. Has a lack of encouragement or even ridicule ever taken you back to a place of insufficiency you thought you had conquered?

Oh yes because I dealt with fear insecurity and people pleasing it didn't take much to set me off and make me think little of myself. Unfortunately it used to take way more encouragement than criticism to affect how I felt about myself and my abilities.

2. Is there someone you know right now who is attempting a new ministry that could use a world of encouragement from you? Why do you think this thing may be scary for her? Will you commit to write a note, make a call, or send an email with a dose of courage inside?

Yes actually I do. A friend of mine started a Bible study and I am going to it just for that purpose, to help her and encourage her, because she is doing this and it is totally out of her comfort zone. Yes I will do something even more as an extra encouragement to her.

3. Read Moses' song in Exodus 15:3-18. What line speaks to you most? Why does it touch you?
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.

Because God is Love and this says that.

4. Based on the applications of living either inside or outside the Promise, where would you now say you currently reside? (As I read your answers, if this one point seems to have been confusing, I'll elaborate in a separate post. Again remember I am asking this question in terms of abundant living and not in determining salvation.;))
I'm living in the promise. I feel I am living in the abundant. There will always be battles and things to overcome and things to learn. Every time I read a scripture God can give me new Revelation, because the more we learn the more He can share with us.

5. If you are 'Somewhere in the Middle' between the girl you were and the one you want to be, how do you plan on changing that? Is there a barrier you feel you can't climb? Knowing God is for you and this study group is for you, is there a way we can help?

Yes I'm in the middle but way on the other side from the girl I used to be. How can you help, I'll always accept a Godly prayer, and I enjoy the comments. And as this study pointed out it is good and important to give encouragement so I'll take that too.

Lisa, I only have a couple more lessons, and this has been so good I wish there was more, so I guess you better get busy and write another for us. :)
Thanks,
Lynn

Monday, June 23, 2008

Cover to Cover







I did pick a hard time to start but if I am going to be a warrior for God guess this is a good time pull up my boot straps and dig in.

I don't have a lot to say - YET- but just wait. :)

What lingers with me is, the greed, the lack of trust they had in God, and the disobedience. They would call out to God, and when God didn't answer in their time, they would ask someone else.

I'll get more detailed as we go I'm just catching up with ya'll for now.

Thanks for the encouragement and your great insight Bev, that's awesome. I connected with a lot that you had to say.

Have a great week.
Lynn

"I AM" Lesson 13




BURNING QUESTIONS


1. Do you struggle with a sense of self-worth? How do you perceive this has affected the way you are able to 'keep your head upright'? If not, do you know someone who suffers in this area?

Yes, that has been my biggest struggle all my life. I am at a place now that I believe God loves me and made me for a special purpose, but I am always working to make sure I do fall back into those insecure, people pleasing mindsets and habits. I constantly prayerful ask God am I doing these things for you for am I trying to win favor for myself. I did have a hard time holding my head up, I didn't want to be noticed then I couldn't be ridiculed or made fun of. I look back now that I have more Godly wisdom and it was so stupid to let the devil and other people have such control over me, but when I was in it that's all I knew how to do.

2. What are you most afraid of? Does this fear affect the way you move through life? (Ex. Are you overprotective with children? Afraid to take risks?)

Well I used to be afraid of acceptance, and yes it affected everything I did. I did mostly whatever because I wanted to or liked it I did everything based on whether I felt the person I was around at the time approved.

3. What is one of the most marvelous ways God has provided a need? I can't wait to hear your stories on this one!

God has done so many wonderful things in my life, but as far as a NEED, as you talked about, this was the first thing that came to mind.
When I was in high school (just a couple years ago ha ha I mean decades) my Mom and I had some real lean times. I'm not sure exactly was going on but we didn't have hardly anything to eat for about two weeks. Groceries were minimal in the cupboards. We would tell each other we ate earlier in the day. One day we got home and there was a bag of groceries at our front door. And I think what it said was for Pat and Lynn God provides. It had a canned ham, dozen eggs, bread, 10# potatoes, and I don't know what all else, but we had the biggest breakfast that night. Well my Mom recognized the handwriting and it was from a friend that we knew didn't have much of anything either, I'm not sure where he got the food for us, but I know ultimately it was from God. Yes God is good ALL the time. I have no NEEDS now and I know why, God provides them all. :)


4. Steve Brown, a Moody Broadcasting Bible Teacher, is one of the first people I ever heard teach the concept that God was not mad at me. I grew up in a denomination that led me to believe He was in a continuous state of disappointment over my failures. How about you? Though in your heart you know God says He loves you, does Satan in your mind ever try to convince you otherwise?

Oh yes, that because I have sinned I was bad and that God would never be able to use me in a mighty way because I am stained, and not pure. It is a lie from the pit and I have to remind myself of that so I don't believe the lie.

5. How close are you to your own Promised Land? Not at all, 1/2 way, almost there? By this I mean the place of abundant living and effectiveness here on earth, not the ultimate fulfillment in Glory! Though I hope you are going to heaven, I don't want it to be today! :)

Well I would have to say 7/8 my life is so wonderful now. It is prosperous and abundant, we are very blessed. We will always have more to learn, grow in and conquer, but we are at a wonderful point.


Again, can't say it enough, thanks Lisa for this study.
Lynn

Thursday, June 19, 2008

"I AM" Lesson 12



Burning Questions


1. We discussed how we are God's fame and He is ours. Have you ever been in a situation where you are applauded for your ministry and had to fight back the idol of pride? Ever been tempted to believe your own press? It's okay to admit it! Your testimony will help others in their resolve!

Yes and this is a good reminder that I can do nothing in my own strength. That I need to believe in myself, but know that it is because of God that I can do what I can do.


2. Did it ever occur to you in the 3-way drama of God, Job, and Satan that Satan was the only one outside the loop as far as Job's reactions would be? Does this encourage you in resolving to make a fool of him when he attempts to use you to defame the Name?

Yes It does incourage me and give me strength. Why is it so easy to limit what God and will do through and for us?

3. Are you in a situation now where you feel you are being overcome? Better yet, are you in a situation where you should have been overcome but are not?

I have gone through a couple of Big situations where Satan tried to come and over take me and God pulled me victoriously through it.

4. Have you failed in a Satan-designed trial? Can you recognize God intends for this failure to refine and resolve you for next time? God is not out for your destruction but your perfection!

Yes!
Oh yeah now that I have overcome fear and insecurity, I see so many setups that I failed and got sucked into that God wanted me to face and be a refined stronger person. It is also easier for me to see when they're comming at me, and even though it is still sometimes hard to stand up to those situations and trials, I now do know God is right there helping me through. Today you see a strong, bold woman of God that takes charge and gets it done, if you only knew what a beat down scared little girl I was for too many years. To God Be all the glory.

5. Can you describe yourself as a Wonders Junkie? Found yourself in spiritual highs and lows depending on whether you perceived God was doing wondrous things or not?

Yes when I was going through the trials, I would have those ups and downs. Glory to God things are good and then the next day why God why. It's that trap of thinking that something from God has to be a Billboard with fireworks, or it must not have been Him. I also have done that when I wanted an answer or when I thought He was asking me to do something. "God if that's really you, light up the sky in 30 seconds" :) You know what I mean?

6. Have you ever been like Philip and had God right in your face and not recognized Him?

Oh yeah! I think we all have (See answer 5) God is that you?

7. Journal a brief prayer asking God for His Glory. Let it be the thing we all desire above all else.....

Father God
Thank you for what you have done in my life and the boldness I now have because of you. As I continue in whatever you have for me each day, help me to always give you the glory for what you have and are doing in my life. Let me be light that draws people to you, let them see your glory in me so that they want what I have. Help me to always stay focused on you. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen

Thanks Lisa,

Be Blessed
Lynn

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

"I AM" Lesson Eleven


This is a Bible study by Lisa aka: The Preachers Wife

Burning Questions

1. When is the last time you encountered a Fist Shaker? This may be a stranger to you or as close as a loved one in your own home. Does anything in our description help you to understand their animosity towards God? Are you able to have more compassion towards them?

Yes I encounter them way more than I would like to. How timely it has been within a week. I do understand them and their pride and anger and bitterness that causes them to shake their fists. However because I have tasted the good of the Lord I want them to submit. This is where I need to be the "Faith Taker" and let God handle it. :)


2. Does anything about Rahab's redemption strike a nerve? This may be a question you would like to ponder privately. Sexual sin and/or victimization can be an area where Satan has an enormous stronghold because it can hold so many painful and shameful memories. If Rahab teaches us anything, please know God can redeem any life and any situation, no matter how heinous it seems, and plant you unashamedly 'in the midst of Israel'. Rahab deserved death according to Mosaic Law, however she was shown nothing but loving kindness by the God and nation of Israel.

Yes. I am so thankful for Gods loving kindness. Until a few years ago life had dealt some wicked twists and turns.

3. Is there an area of your life in which you feel you have come full circle? Where you've come to a place where everything and nothing are the same? (I'm thinking Lord of the Rings when Frodo goes back to the Shire after his long adventure. You have no clue what I just said if you are not an LOTR nerd so just ignore this if it doesn't make sense! :)

Ya I don't know LOTR :) But I think I have come full circle within myself. I am the same, and some if not a lot of the changes that the Lord has done in me may not be noticeable to others(so I am the same) but yet I know what I have had to overcome (so nothings the same).


4. When you were born again, did you gain a new appreciation for your surroundings as Rahab did when she received the Promise along with the Promised Land? Has some old place, object, or relationship been redeemed by now serving a 'high and holy purpose'?

Yes when I rededicated myself, because that is when I really started serving the Lord not just in tongue. A lot of relationships became better, and I definitely was so much more appreciative of what I had in life.


5. Believers can still be Fist Shakers. Do you have circumstances in your life in which you find yourself shaking your fist at God? Something He has asked you to endure, asked you to do, seemingly taken away from you? Can you see how shaking your fist is keeping you from your Promise? (I'm not talking eternal security here - Only abundant living.)

I don't shake my fist I whine... oops did I admit that? :) And yes I know it keeps me from the blessings that God is trying to get me to, so I do usually quit quickly.


Wow Lisa do you give us a huge spiritual mirror or what? It's for our good though.
Thank you again and again.
Be Blessed all who read,
Lynn