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Next Gen Bible Study-“Who am I?”

Hi friends-these are my notes from a bible study with some fantastic  gals! This was our first study in a series of 3-all here posted on this blog. (“Who is God?” “Who am I?” and “Life Decisions”) Here’s what we talked about!
I.OUR IDENTITY -World versus Word The World’s view -Exterior not interior. Sexy over smart. What happens to me when the outside goes south?? Where do I choose to place my security? Will we put my trust in an ever-changing society or the never-changing word of God?

GOD’S VIEW “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” What is the CONTEXT of this verse? Matthew 5-7 is designed to show the people the standard (or “exposition”) of the law. He is showing the people God’s standard of perfection in what we do and say…knowing they COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT HIM. They had to believe in Him before they could receive power to live!*Who is the “you” in this passage? As a believer, certain things true: FORGIVEN, CALLED, & Absolutely IMPORTANT to God’s Plan!

YOU ARE SALT! *Greek word for Salt (HALAS) 8 occurrences

SALT PRESERVES-“The Romans appear to have esteemed salt highly. Its army, for a time, was even paid in salt. (“worth his salt”) The chemical compound is a proven anti-viral and anti-biotic substance. Salt preserves the culture. You are a life-preserver in a drowning culture.

SALT SEASONS– Salt adds to the culture! You add spice, real spice, to the world. This is beyond “nice” or “cool”. This is vitality! You bring life to people who need it!

YOU ARE LIGHT! (*Greek word for “light” (PHOS) phós: light
73 Occurrences (Strong’s Concordance)

LIGHT IS MEANT TO SHINE-If I believe that Jesus was telling the truth when He said “I am the light of the world”, then I must agree with Him that He is the only light-giver in this world. And, He calls us to be too!

 

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DOES IT FEEL LIKE EVERYONE IS DATING SOMEONE?

 

You are in a hard situation. I know. I remember it well-everyone dating or getting married. God had me wait until I was 27 before He brought my beloved, Brian. Brian was almost 31 when we married! We both had walked through the pain of loneliness as we waited for God to answer our prayers. We both had committed to waiting for not a “good” possible spouse but the “best” possible spouse He had for us.-if we would trust Him and His plan.  

How can we walk through the season of singleness that God has allowed in our lives? Because Jesus is the ultimate LOVE OF OUR LIFE, we have to start with the truth of His love for us.  After understanding His unchanging love for us, we can lean into His perfect will as we wait. It’s true. We all walk this road at some time. I think of 2 recent friends of mine just starting down the path of widowhood, or divorced single friends in their 30’s & 40’s, college women, and high school gals all in a season of learning to live alone. It helps to accept this stage of loneliness. Every human alive has dealt with this emotion. It can hurt, but it’s endurable by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was lonely, Paul was lonely, my widow friend is lonely. It’s hard when it seems like others are seeing their dreams happen while you WAIT.  I sit down & realize that JESUS is the only answer to my thirst and that He hears my prayers. Then, I actively trust.

  1.  REALIZE YOUR TRUE ETERNAL IDENTITY...You are not only a wife, girlfriend, “b.f.f.”, mother, CPA, CFO, or VIP. If you know Jesus Christ, you are a DAUGHTER of the KING. This is the ONLY identity that will STICK with you for the rest of eternity!   Everything else is transitory….every phase changes and all people change.  “JESUS is the same yesterday, today and forever”. Even if the world or other people change,  God keeps His promises. You are His and truly only His…forever!
  2.  STAY IN THE WORD AND HANG WITH LIKE-MINDED WOMEN.. Really & truly, there ARE women who don’t just talk about men, clothes, and reality television!   ASK HIM & BELIEVE BOLDLY for faithful, pure, and godly gal pals and then,  revel in the glory of the PERFECTION OF CHRIST with your eyes calmly waiting for opportunities but locked into Kingdom priorities. If it is His will (“good, acceptable and perfect”) He will be the Eternal Delivery Man and you will see His plan for your life unfold. Trust Him now…HE is building you from the inside out.

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Mama Bear & the sisterhood of infertility

This necklace could be my favorite Mother’s Day gift ever from my husband & kids! I’ve walked the hallowed halls of motherhood for over 20 years now, yet the name “Mama” still touches my heart in deep places. There were years of infertility, multiple miscarriages, & a slow trod through the valley of unanswered lonely prayer.  Throughout these years, I truly suspected that “Mama” would never be my name.

The women who are part of the never-desired Sisterhood of Infertility will tell you we all lived in the “Why God?” zone. We all told ourselves, “Don’t hope this month-then the grief won’t be as bad.” 

(This is impossible because our very nature as Christians is designed to hope.)

As my husband & I trudged through these years, we learned that God may not take pain away but the Man of Sorrows will offer Himself as companion & comfort. A life of faith will always be lived out in the bizarre tension of accepting pain and praying a way out of it! Many days, I still marvel at God blessing me with the honor of mothering two precious God-given lives.

May we never take Mother’s Day for granted as we lean into the One who loves us most!