We’ve just finished week one of Get a Life by Vicki Courtney, and learned that following Christ does not mean our lives will be trouble free. I thought it was timely that Pastor Hershel spoke about Joseph in his sermon last week. I kept picturing him wearing a tie-dyed coat. Isn’t God great? We learned that Christians are not exempt from adversity and that trials may come and usually do come when we least expect them to. I am sure that each of you remembered different times in your life that you could relate to Joseph about trials. Some of you may have understood why, and some of you may not have understood why but through it all He was with us.
The purpose of this study is not to dredge up old memories and wallow in them but to begin to see the truth behind some of the Whys in life and to deal with our thought processes surrounding them. As Vicki said on page 13, “With the awesome knowledge that the Lord is with us comes the ability to push forward.” On the same page, Oswald Chambers stated, “Notion your mind with the idea that God is there. If once the mind is notioned along that line, then when you are in difficulties it is easy as breathing to remember- Why, my Father knows all about it! It is not an effort; it comes naturally when perplexities press. Before, you used to go to this person and that , but now the notion of the Divine control is forming so powerfully in you that you go to God about it. “ It is ok to lean on our friends and family, but lean on God first and He will push you forward. (prosper you) .
As you studied this week you may have noticed that Joseph had a choice in how he would respond to adversity and pull himself out of the pit. He chose God. He chose God and did receive an abundant life, even though his trials lasted over 20 years. Wow! I honestly do not know how I would stand up to that timeframe in a trial; thankfully I will never have to do it alone. God is with me, and He is with you too!!
As with the beginning of any Bible study you should expect warfare this week as you continue to be in His Word. Beth Moore writes “many believers have a wrong conception of Satan’s power. They think he is something parallel to or as powerful as God.” In God’s Kingdom, Satan is a pest and an annoyance and will never claim victory. “Satan is merely a created being,” writes Beth. Expect to be annoyed as he throws distractions, lies and deception into your path. Rebuke him the same way Jesus did. Be vigilant for those areas of your life where the enemy pierces your weakness- especially in the areas of relationships, finances, health and temptations. Pray when you sense the enemy is at work, recite scripture to the devil, and ask for intercessory prayer if his flaming arrows become too hot. No matter what, do not quit or give up on the bible study and allow the enemy to disarm you! Remember our theme for the year, “Armed and Dangerous”, sisters in Christ, be bold and put on the armor and be in His Word.
For Next Week
• Read Week Two in the workbook
Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like
1. Were you able to apply the transforming truth the Lord is with you?
2. Have you ever had a trial that knocked the wind out of you?
3. Review Joseph’s trials on page 15. How would you react to something similar today?
4. (P.21). Ephraim means, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering”. Gen 41:52. Does God desire to make us fruitful in the land of our suffering? How so?
5. Have you chosen to bitter instead of better?
6. Share a favorite moment from this week’s study.
Lori - Trials that knocked the wind out of me? Of course! To name a few, I was in the hospital at age 11 with possible leukemia, I lost a baby at 5 months pregnant, my Papa who I was very close to died, my mother had a brain tumor and went through surgery/rehab, my Nana had to be rescusitated in the hospital because of some negligent actions by the nurse, and to top it off, my oldest son died 2 years ago. But, I never blamed God, just the opposite, I leaned on Him. I survived these things only with God, He is my strength. God will always see me through my trials and He is in control, no matter what. By surrendering to God through times of suffering, I learned that I gain peace by giving my worries to Him. It is so much better to unload it all and give it to God than to keep trying to carry it around all by myself.
ReplyDeleteCarrie - God has make me fruitful in my land of suffering. I was diagnosed with MS back in 2001. Instead of being bitter over the diagnosis and the "what could be" in my life I choose to be better. MS is a very unpredictable disease and can flare up at any time and cause difficulty in walking, coordination, sight, speech...anything. One thing that I have to remember is that God is control and today I'm ok and I thank him for that everyday. Because I'm ok today, I'm going to use my disease (suffering) and raise awareness to find a cure or help others who suffer from the disease by raising money with various fund raisers like the MS walks and the golf tournaments that I host (my fruitfulness).
ReplyDeleteI choose better not bitter with my disease. I consider it a blessing. I'm so much more aware of the power of God since my diagnosis 10 years ago.
Have you ever had a trail that knocked the wind out of you? Yes I have, literally, one day I am on the soccer field playing and coaching no health problems the next I am in the ER having a Heart Attack two days later Heart Surgery and I was told I have a Heart disorder called A- Fib there is a electrical problem in my heart and it beats to fast, I was told I would never be allowed to play soccer again. Did I get bitter no, I choose to just find something new so I started play on the Sonlight softball team. How the Lord has made me fruitful in my suffering is that I have gain over 70lbs since being placed on the different medicine that I have to take each day for my heart and my A- Fib is no were close to under control on my last check up my Cardiologist ask me about what I did when my heart started to beat out of control because the Medicine was not working I told him that I just did the breathing they taught me and prayed and each time when I started praying I would start to get back into normal rhythm and that God claimed my body something the pills were not doing. That is best way to surrender to God is by allowing God to control your heart!
ReplyDeleteThere have been many challenges in my life. My father was an alcoholic so I grew up in a very abusive home. Moved out when I was 12 to live with my sister to get away from him. Teenage pregnancy, married, divorced, married again. Was with my mother during the end of her life and was the one who had to make the decision to take her off life support, was at my grandmother's bedside the last few weeks of her life, and my aunt's, the last few months of her life. My granddaughter has been bullied so severely she has changed schools but still suffers repercussions from the experience. I choose not to be bitter about my life choices and experiences. As my granddaughter and I discussed the other night, take what is your misery and make it your ministry. I believe that we must use our life experience to help others. To God be the glory!
ReplyDeleteIn Hebrews 13 God said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." That is an awesome promise when you stop to really think about it. We are never alone. In those moments when the breath has been knocked out of us, He is there. When our foot slips, He is there. When we end up in a pit that is not by our choosing, He is there! He has a purpose for us, and His plan for us will eventually be played out.
ReplyDeleteBitter or Better?
I am so thankful for the things that God has walked me through in this life, even though at times I was very unwilling, but again thankful in hindsight. If I had not had to endure my layoff in 1994 I may not have handled Jerry's layoff in 2005 with quite the same peace in my soul: a peace that set the tone for my household to have peace. If I had not held my mother's hand when she passed away, I may not be the person that understands what others are feeling when they lose a loved one. By watching my son overcome a disease at age 5, I learned how to pray unconditionally and to lean heavily on God for support early in my walk with Him. Ohhh, looking over my life I see that there are many things that have knocked the wind out of my sails and left me on my knees wondering, "why me" or "why now", but ultimately as stated above, giving my heart to God is what will gave me the peace and the strength to live, endure, overcome, and triumph with God.
Knowing that God is with us and for us, opt for better. If you have at times chosen bitter, then get up, dust off, and change your heart.
Love Ya!!
Traci ~ Three different events occurred 4 years ago that I'm still dealing with on a daily basis...but none of this was a surprise to God. He is growing me closer to Him as I cry out to Him everyday, and He will be glorified through all of these situations. Knowing Him more and ultimately Him receiving glory thru all of this is His will. I'm really trying not to be bitter, but better, even though it is extremely difficult some days. Bottom line, God is in control and His will be done.
ReplyDelete