This is our study--not mine alone. I need this study to make me accountable to "feeding on His word". I am 51, been a member of Christ's church since a teen, done most Bible studying for a required church class not for me but to fit in, became scared when I read too much of the Old Testament, so I've read great books on Bible topics that help me. I haven't obeyed His spirit living inside of me to leave food as my savior and drop to my knees for Him to fill my being.
Most days I pray "Lord, lead me, guide me, and use me for YOUR purposes as YOU mold me into your woman." This prayer evolved over the past 10 years as I have shed the "works only" teachings of men for the Bible truth of grace and love in balance with being His servant using my gifts for His calling.
The molding part was only added last year. I know that as I am molded, I become more His and less "me". It has been a hard journey shedding what the world says is wonderful to be happy and relying on Him for the only source of my happiness. And I haven't arrived. One day, I allow His love to flow greatly through me. Then, life gets distracted and I forget to pray or talk to Him. I forget to Praise Him for all the blessings in my life. I hit a valley and stagnate awhile. Then I remember whose I am and it's not about me. Then I plug back into His power supply and desire to learn more of Him. The past few weeks, I have felt I could do a study someway with any who wanted to study also and it would encourage us being strength in numbers striving together. Being totally honest with our journey. Each morning the verse "Thy word is a lamp into my feet and a light into my path" was in my mind. Actually, I didn't know where it was in the Bible. I knew the song and knew it was in the Bible somewhere. That in itself was an indicator that I needed to get into the Bible verses and finally obey the spirit's urge from 12 years ago.
This journey with looking into Jesus in Luke and John is one that I will do myself not looking to remember where each verse is or to fully memorize it. I'm in a journey where I need to read His word and let Him pull out verses that will "feed" me. I won't be stating lots of facts because honestly I am not interested in history. Terry, my husband of 31 years, is very history minded. He will enter his comments with a whole different approach then me. That's fine. We are different people and we learn from each other. In the buffet line of verses, some will call me, others you. I am encouraged to know where your journey takes you, what needs you have that the rest of us can pray for or encourage you. So, enter in along with me and may we all be "filled" completely with His true riches from our Bible feast.
Here are the things that touched me in Luke chapters 1-2:
Priest Zechariah questions Gabriel while the Lord's servant, virgin Mary rejoices in what Gabriel reveals to her. I am so much like Zechariah--one would expect me to be a walking Bible of verses---yet, it scared me and I questioned. My prayer for "molding" will allow me to be a rejoicer.
1:20 Gabriel said “My words will come true at THEIR proper time”. (I must be patient for His timing in my life with His plan. Less of me and more of Him in me. Instead of aiming wanderlessly, I have a wonderful aim with surrender to Him.)
1:37 Gabriel said “Nothing is impossible with God.” NOTHING! So why do I try to control life?
1:53 “He has filled the hungry with good things but sent the rich away empty.” Physically and SPIRITUALLY filled.
Virgin birth in lowly place-manger in Bethlehem
2:24 The normal sacrifice for a newborn child was a lamb and a pigeon (or dove). Joseph and Mary did not have the lamb to give as a sacrifice. Only the poor gave a sacrifice of 2 doves or 2 pigeons. (God could have sent Jesus to start out a material wealthy earthly king, but He shows special interest in the poor, outcasts, and sinners of this world and points us Heavenward. When I am weak, then I am strong.)
2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests”.
I used to look for material things and food to find peace for me. Insane! His peace is of mind and soul. Him in control! Me surrendering--loosing myself for His use---then peace comes and joy!
BEWARE: Peace with God involves opposition to Satan and his work! I have to suit up daily in the Lord’s armor to withstand this fight-Ephesians 6:10-20 (Marcia---will you tell how to suit up--I love it)
2:19, 2:51 “Mary treasured all these things in her heart”. I have noticed over the past 10+ years of my life that I am starting to ponder more and more how the Lord has taken my life and arranged it in ways I would have never expected or chosen. Yet, especially through the rough times, I store it away in my heart (sometimes after a good cry)to see how He is going to connect the dots for an amazing photo. Example: After 29 years of marriage, Terry and I went through a low time in our marriage that had been building up over the years. In Christian marriage counseling, I learned that we do and act differently because God made us that way. I had tried to control and change Terry in several areas. He felt unimportant in my life and I had placed him there. I apologized and learned to love and respect him for who he is. On one night when I thought our marriage was over, I literally got out of bed and envisioned if Jesus were standing beside me what I would unload out of me and lay at his feet to take away. I envisioned a large sheet that I dumped this stuff (anger, control, recalling old things that hurt me, finances) out of my heart and onto the sheet. Then I envisioned dragging the sheet off the bed and laid it at His feet. I prayed "Take it! I can't handle this stuff anymore. I want to be the wife I should be." Once you give it away, you can't have it back. That was so freeing. In the past 2+ years since then, what I thought was an end was the beginning to a great marriage now. I had to go through the fire to be refined. Dot, dot, dot...
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