In Breaking Free this week we discussed the benefits of being a Believer. We learned that 'to know God' was something that was intimate, like the intimacy between a husband and wife should be. The relationship between a husband and wife is meant to be exclusive. There are some things that only your spouse should know or experience with you. There should be nothing between you. In the same way, our relationship with God should be one where there is nothing between us. I am not hiding or trying to hide anything from Him. Truth is, He already knows it anyway! It is a lie to believe I could ever keep something from Him. But many of us try. We keep things from God because we have the wrong image of God. God wants to reveal our sin not to hurt us but to FREE us.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Untying the Cords of the Yoke
In class this week, we listed the good and the bad of the four kings- Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. They started out wholeheartedly following God but then they compromised. When God told each one to remove the 'high places' the idols in their lives, they compromised. They would obey God to a point, then they decided they had a better plan.
Listen, if we leave, ignore sin in our lives, it does not stay dormant. Sin always destroys. Even a little hurts. And it hurts not only us but those around us. As we read about King Ahaz, sin grew so, that he even burned his own sons in a fire as a sacrifice to idols!
'I would never do that', you may say, but remember these guys were not dumb. They had just been duped! They began to believe a lie, that one little sin didn't matter, and while their backs were turned, they were overtaken.
No one starts out with the intention of falling away from God. Or no one ever thinks they will be duped by the enemy. And NO one every thinks they would sacrifice their own sons, but think about it a little longer. Where have we compromised in our own lives? Where have we known there was something there that was displeasing to God and thought, 'it really doesn't matter, its so small'? Where have we sacrificed our children to compromise with the world's value system including entertainment. Where have we hidden a little something that didn't seem like a big deal.
Ask God to show you this week. Just ask Him. He is so great about helping us where we stumble. You might be surprised what He shows you. :)
Listen, if we leave, ignore sin in our lives, it does not stay dormant. Sin always destroys. Even a little hurts. And it hurts not only us but those around us. As we read about King Ahaz, sin grew so, that he even burned his own sons in a fire as a sacrifice to idols!
'I would never do that', you may say, but remember these guys were not dumb. They had just been duped! They began to believe a lie, that one little sin didn't matter, and while their backs were turned, they were overtaken.
No one starts out with the intention of falling away from God. Or no one ever thinks they will be duped by the enemy. And NO one every thinks they would sacrifice their own sons, but think about it a little longer. Where have we compromised in our own lives? Where have we known there was something there that was displeasing to God and thought, 'it really doesn't matter, its so small'? Where have we sacrificed our children to compromise with the world's value system including entertainment. Where have we hidden a little something that didn't seem like a big deal.
Ask God to show you this week. Just ask Him. He is so great about helping us where we stumble. You might be surprised what He shows you. :)
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Breaking Free!!
Ok, so here we go! Teaching the Breaking Free bible study by Beth Moore is one of my very favorite things to do. This is my 9th class! (not counting the 4 times I have completed the book with a girlfriend one on one). I have to say that this bible study has been one of the most important, life altering resources I have been exposed to. I know I like to tell big stories but seriously, this is different. I have seen God use the material in this study to really change the course of a family. MANY TIMES.
I want to encourage you as you begin your homework this week to have a 'made up mind' to complete it. It will not be easy. You will not just drift over to our workbook and open it. You will have to be intentional.
It is going to be great!
I want to encourage you as you begin your homework this week to have a 'made up mind' to complete it. It will not be easy. You will not just drift over to our workbook and open it. You will have to be intentional.
It is going to be great!
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