We are on a quest this Lent to have our hearts of stone transformed into hearts of flesh. We are turning away from our stone gods who promise comfort, control, and affirmation but instead cut us to pieces. We are turning to the only true God who can truly comfort us, do all things well in His time, and dance over us with singing.
What are we gaining through losing?
Everything. Though painful at first to turn from those gods, we begin to see that they were actually robbing us of joy, peace, and transformation.
One of the many reasons I love Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, is because I so appreciate her Mennonite heritage. I remember listening to Christian radio in the car while traveling with my dear Mennonite friend Lorma Wiebe. A “health and wealth” sermon came on, saying that because we were children of the King, we could expect to live in luxury. I watched my passionate friend, anticipating a strong reaction. She did not disappoint me. She reached over, silenced the radio with a decisive poke, and said in controlled but righteous indignation:
What he does not see is how cumber robs us of joy.
This is a photograph of my youngest daughter Annie with her daughter, Miabelle Meredith in an apple orchard. Children have such joy in simple things, and somehow, we lose that as the idols grow in our hearts. We think having more will bless us, but it actually can rob us. We think what we need is more success, more of men’s praise, more of God’s gifts, instead of God Himself. The truth is, when we make God the ultimate, the simple pleasures return to their rightful place, bringing us the joy He intended them to bring. We can suddenly be grateful for simple things, for less. We can be contented with a friend is promoted and we are not, for we know we are loved.
We each have had various goals for turning from our idols and turning to the one true God. Mine has been to have a simple supper and nothing else to eat afterwards, but instead spend time with the Lord. Truly, though painful at first, and though I have not succeeded every day, I am experiencing more joy, and more of the sweetness of His presence.
This week, let’s reflect on the upside-down-world of Christianity. How less really is more.
Reflect and comment on the following verses – and, share moments when you are aware that you are gaining through losing. If a Scripture particularly quickens your heart, slow down, and stay with it until your heart is aflame. It’s a shorter but weightier Bible study, so you must slow down or you will not see. Put away your car and get out your walking shoes. Slow down, slow down – and see!
1. Jesus’ teaching is always upside down from the world, for he taught the poor can become rich, the weak strong, and the simple-minded wiser than the one with many degrees. He said:
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:25
A. How does the above teach gaining through losing?
B. This week – what is your goal? What will you say no to, and how will you say yes to God, pressing into Him?
C. Share a progress report if you can — where letting go has actually led to experiencing more joy, contentment, or the presence of God.
2. Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book in that the teacher looks back on his life and sees how feeding his idols only led to meaninglessness and despair. But there are rays of light in the book when he looks beyond the sun to God, and realizes that these earthly gifts can, indeed, be gifts again if they are not made the ultimate thing, but simply seen as a gift from God. Reflect on this:
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity…
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil-this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 18-19
A. What attitude toward work and money is vanity? Why?
B. What attitude toward work and money and food can be a gift of God? Why?
3. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
A. The phrase “godliness with contentment” is rich, summarizing the teaching that when He is satisfying you, then His gifts return to their rightful place, and you can enjoy them rather than looking to them to satisfy your soul. Stay with this verse for a while, and mine it. I challenge you to make ten observations from it.
B. Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
5. Share how God is moving in your life. What are you gaining through losing?
129 comments
What a precious photo of Annie and Miabelle!
So much to comprehend and pray about in this weeks wonderful study!
Matthew 16:25
A. How does the above teach gaining through losing?
* I think anything I hold tightly to meet my needs needs to go and instead hold tightly to Him. When I do I will have abundant life beyond measure and it will spill out onto others-His Joy, peace, patience, kindness..The gospel will not be hindered..Anything the idols could bring is completely the opposite. They call me to hold onto these things which will bring death-discontentment..Jesus calls me to let go and run to Him.. Jesus brings life. His grace leads to His peace and contentment.
* This also came to mind..I can ask myself this..Where or what am I finding deep satisfaction in..Do I find it in the things Jesus has given me to enjoy or do I enjoy the things BECAUSE He has made them and given them to me to enjoy. This encompasses everything from enjoying the beauty of His creation to friendships. Something for me to think about this week. 🙂
Good Morning Joyce and Rebecca! I was tired when I posted and posted my rough draft instead of my final. Now my final is up.
Rebecca’s good thought is worth reflection:
.Do I find it in the things Jesus has given me to enjoy or do I enjoy the things BECAUSE He has made them and given them to me to enjoy.
A. When we try to make ourselves happy we always end up miserable. the more our eyes go to other and off our selves the more content we become. when we put ourselves last we are not only first in Gods eyes but he blesses us with peace and contentment that can only come from letting go of our “rights”
B. I want to love my husband better this week. I long to give up my comfort and “rights” and put his wants first.
C. as I gave up my “right” to be in total control of my children I found that i enjoyed them a lot more and they seemed much more relaxed. Im hoping to keep this up this week.
I gave up my “need” to speak to woman about all God has done in my life and told God that He could have control and that if HE wanted me to speak that HE would have to make it happen. yeserday the head of womans ministry came up to me and asked if i would be willing to speak at the next lunchen:) I had many woman come up to me in tears and tell me that my testamony really was what they needed to hear, that was the best gift of all. they did not say “you did a great job” they said “God really used what you shared to speak to me” that was such a HUGE gift.
I also told God that I would really like to have all 4 of my girls homeschooled next year. I told him I would not say anything to the older 2 but asked if He would speak to their hearts and tell THEM He wanted them to come home. understand, that 2 months ago they both acted as if their homeschool years were the worst in the world and school was the best thing since sliced bread. I said NOTHING to ANYONE. just sat back and waited *miracle #1* a month ago Ellie (13 year old) came to me and said that she had been praying and that God told her that He wanted her to be homeschooled again! M#2 then 2 weeks ago my Abby (15) came to me and said she thought that God wanted her to come home! M#3…God has been so kind. now I better get on my knees for the wisdom and strength it will take to homeschool 2nd, 4th, 7th and 11th all at the same time:)I am in awe of my dear Lord.
2. be happy with what ya got!! bloom where you are planted! keep our eyes on what you do have and off of what we don’t have.
Cyndi,
What a wonderful affirmation from God that He arranged for you to speak at church! And now you have that to treasure for always; that it was all of Him!
Great, too, how He is working out the homeschooling. I am afraid I don’t have the patience it would take; keep us posted!
i always laugh when people say that. I am not patient, never will be in my own power. I am the one who curses red lights, never goes the speed limit and rushes past everyone and tells my kids to hurry up every other min. thankfully its not a pre-rec for homeschooling:) I have homeschooled at least 2 of my kids for 13 years now, often with other kids here too and just ask any of them I AM NOT PATIENT! But God works through me anyway! Its such a blessing to live life with my kids, even if it is not perfect. but i have also sent kids to school so I am not one who thinks there is only one way to educate your kids. Luke needed high-school and I am so thankful for the education he got apart from me.
God uses so many different ways to fullfill His plans for our family’s
Cyndi — these answers are such an encouragement to me, that I can trust God too and let go of that control idol! I’m sure you did a WONDERFUL job speaking. You are a natural.
thank you so much Dee. I am so in awe of HIS wonderful love and care for me!!! the more I see HIM at work in my life the easier it is for me to give him control. I trust HIM more and more everytime I let go and see HIM work things out so much better then I ever could….but OH am I tempted to step in and help HIM out!!!!
Cyndi, that was wonderful, I’m so happy for God working in your life and others by speaking! And the miracle’s about your girls and home schooling give me chills! Praise God!!
Hey ladies!! Love that photo too! I have a Mennonite heritage too. My ancestors were facing prosecution in Germany and fled Switzerland then to Canada then America. I don’t know any practicing ones now though. Love that book 1000 gifts.
Cyndi I have found the same when I let go of control of my hubs and children I enjoy them so much more. Working through this. There has been some bad warfare going on since he has recently been enstated as a deacon. I need to remember this and let God work.
Like what you said too Rebecca.
Another note: I dropped a pan lid just right on my big toe that it hurt me in a way that was horrible. So I put my foot up with ice and started wanting to run to pain medication(not that this is bad in and of itself) but it is what i craved…Started thinking of who I might call to get some. Then when I checked my self on this I said to hubbie, will you cook me some chocolate chip cookies they will make me feel better. How wretched I AM! Not that cookies are bad but then again check myself so finally I realigned my thoughts with God and went to Him and Scripture and all things ended up okay and I was satisfied in HIM alone. He is the one who comforts our pain. He is all I need. I just wish I could go to Him first everytime. So I was thankful for this test or lesson. 🙂
Will be back with study but I want to take it slow like you stated. So I will do that. Been talking with husband about the upside down life Jesus calls us too so this will be great. Love HIS timing.
Angela,
I hope your toe feels better! I know it’s not funny, but the chocolate chip cookies made me smile….I, too, can think sometimes all of life can somehow be made better by a chocolate chip cookie; the bigger, the better!
Sore toes are hard — makes me think about how one part of the body can make it all feel badly. May you be better soon. And without cookies! 🙂
Angela, What a rich heritage!
Oh, and Angela, How are you doing with your one who has Aspergers? I prayed for you but haven’t in a while and would love to know how to pray this week for you.
Thanks Rebecca for praying you are so sweet. It has been a rougher week. We are in the process now of finding someone to do good testing. Needing medication came up. ADHD is an issue as well. Sigh…just not ready for it all. Pray we will have wisdom. Will filter all the info through what God wants for our girl. That hubbie and I will be on the same page and that our oldest won’t get lost in the middle of all of this. She has been talking about it more (our aspie) so I think that is good. It is helping her with it and see it is not a bad thing.
Angela, Thanks for the update! Now I have a feel for what to pray about.
We too are in the medication arena for our oldest for ADHD. We haven’t found the right one yet so we are pausing until Summer. It is good because we can work on the two legs of the three leg process which is his 504 plan at school and modifications and stuff.
Angela, I wish I could go to him first everytime too! Great lesson!
Matthew 16:25
A. How does the above teach gaining through losing?
I backed up to verse 21; my paraphrase:
Jesus began to tell his disciples He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things, and be killed, and raised up on the third day.
Peter rebuked Jesus saying “This shall never happen to You!”
Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!” He said to Peter that Peter was not setting his mind on the things of God, but rather of man’s. Jesus spoke of following Him meant taking up your cross and denying yourself. Then He said,
“For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.”
I see gaining through losing in verse 21; Jesus must suffer and lose His life in order to gain the resurrection (and our victory).
In verse 23, I see that living my life only concerned about man’s interests is losing; gaining is setting my mind on God’s interests.
In verse 24, I see that denying self and following Christ is gaining; totally opposite of the world’s self-fulfillment, follow YOUR dreams mentality to having a rich and successful life.
In verse 25, I see that gaining is really allowing Christ to live His life through me; gaining is losing myself, giving up my “rights”. I am intrigued that the verse says “but whoever loses his life for My sake shall FIND IT”. Find what?
Aren’t we all from day one on a quest to find the meaning of life (in general), the meaning of our lives (personally); meaning and significance and how we fit into this world? Purpose?
If we do it the world’s way, we end up with our hands full of, nothing, really. If we do it Jesus’ way, we find we have riches overflowing; we “get-it”; we get the meaning of life as God intended.
B. I want to continue my goal to spend time with Jesus each morning; I’ll have to say no to the comfort of my warm bed and an hour more rest/sleep. I’ll say “Yes, Lord… I’m coming to meet with You!”
I need to spend some time in prayer about another possible goal for this week.
C. Progress Report
Last evening, after the kids were in bed, I had an hour before I had to leave for work (working the night shift). My husband was watching women’s college basketball on TV. I hate basketball! I thought about going into the den, getting on the computer; here, or listening to a past program from one of my favorite radio pastors. Instead, I sat down in the same room with him and watched the game. Even made a few comments as I watched about the players. It entered my mind, (this had to be from the Lord!); I thought first how those other activities would have been much more “spiritual” for me to be doing; God seemed to be saying that watching the game with my husband was spiritual, too.
It was showing interest in what he likes.
I let go of my own selfish interests; the natural pull to just go off and let him alone and be by myself, too; and I was content.
Now that’s true love! That was good, Susan!
Wow Susan, I agree, that was love! What an example. I know me, I would have done something else..OUCH! 😉
That would be a BIG OUCH for me too!! (My husband likes that phony wrestling) I’ll have to pray for the Lord to help me stand it and try it! That is true Love, Susan
you could always just laugh at it and call it a comedy:)
I love the picture!! 🙂
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:25
A. How does the above teach gaining through losing?
Giving up the throne of our hearts to Christ, to let Him sit on it instead of our own “wisdom” and idols, is to gain all things through Christ. What peace He gives when we yield to Him.
B. This week – what is your goal? What will you say no to, and how will you say yes to God, pressing into Him?
I will say no to wasting time and not making goals. I will say Yes to God by asking Him what matters for me to do. I want to make goals for God.
C. Share a progress report if you can — where letting go has actually led to experiencing more joy, contentment, or the presence of God.
Letting go of seeking my own comfort through wasting time gives me peace when I get things done instead of not meeting goals and feeling bad about it. More importantly, I get joy from being close to God. I still must make more progress on my Spanish though. It’s a source of anxiety since I am supposed to have it done by early May. One month… eek!
2. Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book in that the teacher looks back on his life and sees how feeding his idols only led to meaninglessness and despair. But there are rays of light in the book when he looks beyond the sun to God, and realizes that these earthly gifts can, indeed, be gifts again if they are not made the ultimate thing, but simply seen as a gift from God. Reflect on this:
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity…
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil-this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 18-19
A. What attitude toward work and money is vanity? Why?
Loving these things is vanity because it’s looking for satisfaction.
B. What attitude toward work and money and food can be a gift of God? Why?
Accept it as your lot from God and rejoice in it pleases God as we thank Him and seek fulfillment in Christ.
3. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
A. The phrase “godliness with contentment” is rich, summarizing the teaching that when He is satisfying you, then His gifts return to their rightful place, and you can enjoy them rather than looking to them to satisfy your soul. Stay with this verse for a while, and mine it. I challenge you to make ten observations from it.
1. Giving up control gives peace. 2. contentment and godliness are very linked. 3. be thankful for what God gives 4. if we want great gain, seek God. 5. things are not for satisfaction. 6. we depend on God. 7. God is the source of our lives. 8. He can be trusted. 9. He wants what’s best for us. 10 He does what’s best for us.
B. Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
Yes, it is increasingly sweeter to trust Him and learn His truth and debunk the world’s lies. I feel Him drawing me closer even when I do not meet my goals, because my real goal is Him. I don’t want my goals to turn into idols so I must keep focused on Him! He is all I need.
4. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, how did Jesus say know to comfort, control, and affirmation from man? How did He do it? What did He gain?
Jesus focused on the prize of sitting at God’s right hand and endured the cross in order to gain it.
5. Share how God is moving in your life. What are you gaining through losing? I am getting so much peace and less anxiety by trusting God and learning His truth in my life instead of the world’s lies. I see that He is the solution and satisfaction to every soul.
Tracy, God has given you have a wonderful ability to make an impact with such few words! Loved your answers.
This is a good one: “Yes, it is increasingly sweeter to trust Him and learn His truth and debunk the world’s lies. I feel Him drawing me closer even when I do not meet my goals, because my real goal is Him. I don’t want my goals to turn into idols so I must keep focused on Him! He is all I need.”
Thank you, Rebecca, that’s so sweet of you.
Amen to Rebecca and Joyce — Tracy —
thrilled to hear about more peace and less anxiety.
Tracy, I love your answers! He is all I need also.
I love the picture too! I have not been able to start the study yet. I have a friend that I saw tonight at BSF and I want to ask all of you to pray for her. Her husband sustained a closed head injury from a freak accident. He is changed and no longer the husband he has always been to her. It is hard to explain but I think you can imagine. She has been strong through it all but she was just raw tonight. I don’t know how to help but to pray that the Lord would be her strength and her husband. She also has very pressing financial need because he can’t work anymore. Please pray for me too that I would know how to help her. I am just not good at this
Anne, I will pray for your friend and her husband….how awful. You have a very caring heart, Anne and I know the Lord will lead you in this.
Thank you so much for praying Joyce. She did seem much better today. I think I have an idea how I might build her up too.
Anne,
Praying for your friend, and for the Lord to help you find ways to come alongside her and help; to “sit Shiva” with her. This must be devastating; May the Lord be her husband and provide for her and help this couple rebuild their marriage.
Thank you Susan.
1. B and C. This week – what is your goal? What will you say no to, and how will you say yes to God, pressing into Him?
* I had to pray about this first but remember the layer I told you about that He revealed when I was doing dishes? He is calling me to say no to self condemnation and yes to honesty with myself, yet at the same time beholding the truth of who I am in Him.
THIS HAS BEEN A SLOW PROCESS brought on by many, many helps God has given me in his word, this blog, the Sara and Dee conference and he is still at work redeeming me in this area.
Here is how I will press into God, by telling myself the truth, replacing the lies with truth from His word-that is a huge part of walking in faith. You see when I condemn myself it isn’t the same as being honest with myself. Condemnation brings me into myself and I curl up around it and let it feed me lies. Honesty brings a realization of the truth of a near sin or idol issue and I can take it to God. When I go to God, He cleanses me, restores me and brings redemption into that place. When I condemn myself it is covered up and it is like a growing cancer.
I can’t explain it but it has taken 20+ years in this marriage with Jesus for me to truly know what His definition of ‘weak’ really means and it took these trials to bring me to this place along with the light on this blog! James 1 is so true..this is why I consider it all joy.
I am spiritually weak..so weak. It is in that weak place I draw strength from Him, a confidence that He is all in all, He is my comforter, my control, my approval.It is a taste of being with Him face to face and letting Him fill that weak space up, but I do LONG to be with Him on that day when He will fill up all the weak spaces. He is giving me His strength and I know, as Sara Grove’s song says, I am the moon and I can’t reflect His light unless He shines on me, unless my face is turned to Him.
I know there are many layers of lies yet for God to unveil, and He is just showing me little by little..SUCH GRACE! 🙂 I love it knowing He will meet me in the middle of my mess this week.
Rebecca — you are like a lovely sunflower growing tall, reaching toward the sun — and your beauty gives strength to us all.
Dee, you are a balm to my soul, thanks for such sweet encouragement. I feel privileged to be among the women here who are being blessed with your mentorship. I am thankful and humbled by your grace and beauty Dee.
Rebecca, I love that…what song is it that Sara sings about the moon refecting his light on her face? And I also love how you discribe being spiritually weak and drawing strength from God, I feel the same way. You are blessed with words to discribe how you feel and what you’ve learnt. You bless us all.
It is called “You are the Sun”.. If you google “You are the Sun” lyrics, then you will find them. They are good. She also has a few about idols and layers of lies.
It was REALLY cool how she and Dee melded together these truths as they both spoke and at times as a team..Dee used some of Sara’s lyrics, and Sara complimented Dee with her sharing as well..Totally God breathed let me tell you.
hey guys, please pray for Abby today. she has not been feeling “right” for two days. she says she feels “high” she has fallen in dance and almost in the shower, she took a bath because she was so unsteady. this has me really scared. i just can not figure it out. we are going to the doc. this A.M. please pray that she will have an idea of what may be going on! and that this mamas heart will stop feeling so panicked….trust trust trust….God is in control
Father, please quicken the doctor, give him wisdom into Abby’s lack of balance…We need You, Oh Lord.
Oh, Cyndi..Am praying..
Praying, too…
Cyndi–Just wanted you to know I have been praying and will continue to for your dear Abby. So sorry you are having to go through this, she is so blessed to have a praying, faithful mom on her side!
praying Cyndi!
1 A. Matthew 16:25 says that if we try to hold onto our lives we lose them but if we willingly give up control ‘because of Jesus’ we will find will find life. My translation says because of Jesus which I think is descriptive of lives that have been spent for Jesus. I think of Hebrews 11:35-40 where after describing the wonderful things many received in the life of faith, others are described that were imprisoned, stoned and tortured, destitute, afflicted and mistreated. They did not receive what was promised so that they would not be made perfect without us. I don’t know what that means unless their suffering was instrumental in bringing others to salvation. This may be what it means to give our lives because of Jesus.
Always when I think of a life given because of Jesus, I think of Mother Teresa. She is amazing to me. As a nurse I can only imagine what it was like to minister to the people she loved. It looks like a nightmare. No supplies, no medicine, foul wounds with nothing to bind them. One look at her face and I knew she LOVED what she was doing. How often did she see the face of God? But to the average Westerner her life was wasted.
I have a confession to make. I have a dream of going on a short term mission trip with my sons to Japan this summer. It would be a miracle if this opportunity materialized. That is why I must lay it before the Lord and ask Him to make a way. Either He will or He won’t or it may be later.
Anne, I will pray for your dream to come true. Nothing is impossible for God to do!
Perhaps God put that dream in your heart, Anne.
Lord, if you put this dream in Anne’s heart, we watch with excitement at what you might do. We all watch! If it is not of You, we pray You’ll take the strong desire away from Anne. In our thinking, it seems it would be of You — but we know enough to trust You in any case.
In Jesus Name
Anne — which chapter in The Pursuit of God is on idols?
I think it might have been Anna who is reading that. Not sure. I will have to look back at the last post.
Anne, Will pray for you, How exciting!
Cyndi, how did it go at the doctor today? I remember that hearing of a virus getting into the middle ear and causing such symptoms until it runs its course. I am praying for Abby.
thanks anne, i am hoping that it is an inner ear thing. they did a lot of blood work today but we have no answers:( she is still not able to walk a strait line, is sleeping a lot and giggling all the time. Emma had a bug that she may have shared with abby and it has hit her brain or nervous system. we just don’t know…keep praying:)
Cyndi, I read the blog this morning and have been praying for Abby all day, couldn’t get my mind off of her. I will continue to pray for her.
Cyndi,
Wow, I am so sorry you all are going through this..I am sure it is very scary. Will keep praying for Abby. Thanks for keeping us posted!
Lord, I ask that you fill this family up with your peace as they wait. Help them to rest in you and be their strength in this weak time..We thank you that you are the true comforter and your sovereignty rules over all and that when things are scary that even while Cyndi is afraid at the same time she can take your hand and trust you, and Lord I thank you that you have been there, scared and feeling alone. Lord we ask that you would make the tests clear when they come back as to what is wrong, and they would get an answer and the Doctors would have wisdom as to how they should treat it. Thank you for the abilities you have given these doctors to treat Abby.
I agree, Lord.
thank you!! amen!! I am at the hospital with her tonight. they started an IV becuase her behaviour is so off. she is still very dizzy and laughing at everything. they are doing an MRI in the am to rule out insepholopothy sp??? will knwo more then. covet your prayers. at least she laughs at everyting so we are always laughing with her:)
Lord, thank You so much for calling Joyce to prayer as You have. Please show us how to pray. I pray right now for Your healing hands on Abby’s brain. Give wisdom to the doctors and nurses caring for her. Protect Abby in these moments and the days ahead. May there be no lasting effects from whatever is happening to her right now. May Your peace and provision be over this entire household. May Cyndi and her husband know the strength and comfort of Your loving arms underneath them. It is in the name of Jesus we ask these things. Amen
Yes, Dear Jesus, Amen.
2. Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 18-19
A. What attitude toward work and money is vanity? Why?
* This reminds me of the whirlpool heart, AND 1 Timothy 6: 10 came to mind: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”.
When one loves money or the gift more than the giver-God, their whirlpool is in action. It sucks it down and it doesn’t satisfy, so the whirlpool wants more and it gets bigger, so he works more, makes more money and yet that doesn’t satisfy-he won’t be content, ever. In the end the whirlpool gets bigger and deeper, defining who he is..all the money and work is sucked up into it and vanishes..Sadly, in the end all of it was for nothing..meaningless. The whirlpool basically sucked him up as well.
B. What attitude toward work and money and food can be a gift of God? Why?
* Wow..just saw this so I had to erase what I wrote earlier: God gives us the ability or power to accept these gifts, to enjoy them, and to be happy in our toil..Not only does God give us food, money and work as gifts but the power to enjoy them and to be happy in them, even the hard parts. We should be overflowing with thankful hearts. The deepest satisfaction and contentment will surely come.
Ladies,
Anne’s request brought up a desire to have you all pray for me as well in regard to a fire God has lit in my heart..The fire to share what He is teaching me with others is from Him I am sure, but the direction He wants me to take is where I am unsure. The specific desire wrought from this fire is that if Dee ever puts this idol study into book form, I want to facilitate it at my church.
This is one of the most life transforming studies I have ever done, and it is important that it gets out to as many women/people as possible. It’s timeless for me, and what rich truths and freedom here we can pass down to other women, our husbands, children..To help lead them in the direction of craving God over anything else.
OH, and where God is leading me now through this is that for the first time I am FINALLY seeing who I am in Him even though I know I will struggle with idolatry, but I am being freed to see me as He sees me and it isn’t just head knowledge now so I can use this truth in the battle..I am a child of the King, I am a princess, I am royalty..I see my flaws, He sees me as beautiful. I love this from Song of Solomon 4:7 :
“All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” I LOVE when God says, “my darling”..how sweet is that coming from Him! Truly romantic..just want to collapse in His arms..
How beautiful. Thanks for sharing that Rebecca.
Anne, I hopped off and got back on and oh my, this is wordy!! It can be hard to contain my excitement sometimes. Now to eat lunch and get some errands run! Have a great day walking with Him!. 🙂
Right now I am upset at my own blunder. My stomach is churning and I want to run to my idol. The difference is now I know what I am doing and I choose Jesus. I am headed to the word and prayer. Good night sisters. I will be at work tomorrow but try to update when I can. I will continue to pray Cyndi.
Anne, This is good…Prayed for you this morning..How did it go last night?
It went well. I rested in Jesus arms. I have trouble though in that the thoughts keep coming back as I am falling asleep. It seems to be a moment of weakness for me. I respond to the thoughts with the scripture I have received but by then I have to wake up. Thank you so much for praying.
A. How does the above teach gaining through losing?
I have my ideas of what my life should be like-expectations of myself as wife/mother/sister/friend/daughter, children who are well behaved and obedient and saved(!), enough money, good friends, etc…(the list never ends). By clinging to that picture of my life, by wanting to “save” it, on my own strength, I have made it an idol, really myself is the idol. My actions declare that I know better than God and want my way. I become frustrated at anything that threatened to disrupt the picture in my mind. I require myself to live in a state of striving, complaining, disappointment, depression, exhaustion.
But if I lay it down, at the altar, before the Lord…every decision, every time my children disobey me, every time my husband is late getting home or has yet another business trip, when I hear of a friend’s child with brain damage, when I hear bad reports from the doctor….if I lay it down and give it back to Him, as an offering…then I find Life. My heart rests, peace fills me.
B. This week – what is your goal? What will you say no to, and how will you say yes to God, pressing into Him?
This week I will say no to my reactions and Yes to offering circumstances back to Him, waiting for Him to respond through me.
C. Share a progress report if you can — where letting go has actually led to experiencing more joy, contentment, or the presence of God.
The past several weeks I have subtly seen a difference in the way I respond. All of the above mentioned issues happened recently, but each time, often out-loud, I said “it is Yours, Lord”. Even the small things, when my husband called to say he was having to leave town again, my usual response would at least be a sigh and a list of all it would “cost” me (we have no family anywhere near, so it’s always hard when he’s gone)…but I said “I give it to Him, He will take care of us”. And I felt instant peace. THAT is not me AT ALL! Bigger things–my children’s salvation..laying it down, always giving it back, as an offering of faith to Him.
2.
A. What attitude toward work and money is vanity? Why?
Loving money is pointless because it cannot fill the void within us. We can surround ourselves with things, we can travel,etc..but it will never reach the deeper layer of our soul’s hunger. The world tempts us to believe it can, so we try, but it is a futile effort. It cannot feed our soul’s hunger because God created us to be fed only by Him. So no matter how much we try to fill our lives with “stuff”, we are left with an aching hole deep within.
B. What attitude toward work and money and food can be a gift of God? Why?
To enjoy food, enjoy our work, and the fruits of our labor as a gift from Him—we are rejoicing in the Giver and not purely the gift. He is our Father, and He loves to give good gifts to His children! But just as we teach ours to be thankful, He gives the gifts that we might offer gratitude to Him in praise. That is music to His ears!
3. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
A. 1. The gain IS godliness with contentment, and it is a great gain, nothing small. 2. The 2 work together. You can never truly be content without godliness. Pursue Him, and be content with what He gives—this is the gain.
3. We brought nothing—everything has been given to us, as a gift, from Him. Receive it ALL with gratitude.
4. We take nothing out—this gives us an Eternal perspective. How important is the large private backyard I covet? It is nothing, it has no eternal value.
5. Godliness and contentment brings peace, joy, meekness. I am amble to enjoy His gifts when I am seeking godliness.
B. Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
I think so. I have usually been “good” at being thankful. But now I am seeing some progress in giving thanks for the hard things, while they are still hard-before the miracle happens to take away whatever it is! To say thank you amidst pain and fear and disappointment. I CAN say it and mean it, because what “it” is, He is faithful. He is with me. He has been through it and gone before me.
The biggest truth I have been reaping joy from? That HE WILL BE GLORIFIED. I love that. We can be sure of it. He will bring whatever it is, even sickness or death, He will use it all in ways to glorify Himself most. That one truth, if I soak in it, always brings me peace. I want Him glorified, I want to be a part of that—it is a humbling privilege.
I also feel more content with my “lot” in life, recognizing it is what He chose just for me. There are things I love that He gave me (our adoption journeys for one) but other things can be hard to know “why”. What is bringing me peace is that I know He knows. He chose it, He designed it, just for me.
I just found this quote on contentment from Tim Keller’s blog and thought it too good to not share:
“The metaphor for spiritual maturity here is a “weaned child.” On the one hand, we are a child at the mother’s breast, an image of complete helplessness. We are completely dependent on God. Without him we can do nothing. On the other hand, we are a weaned child, an image of contentment. Unweaned children cry in mother’s arms until they get something from mother — her milk. Only then are they quiet. But a weaned child is satisfied just with mother herself, with her very presence”
Love this from Elizabeth:
“The past several weeks I have subtly seen a difference in the way I respond. All of the above mentioned issues happened recently, but each time, often out-loud, I said “it is Yours, Lord”. Even the small things, when my husband called to say he was having to leave town again, my usual response would at least be a sigh and a list of all it would “cost” me (we have no family anywhere near, so it’s always hard when he’s gone)…but I said “I give it to Him, He will take care of us”. And I felt instant peace. THAT is not me AT ALL! Bigger things–my children’s salvation..laying it down, always giving it back, as an offering of faith to Him. ”
I see a weaned child here! Or at least weaning! 🙂
Thank you Dee for your grace-filled encouragement in this “weaning” journey 😉
I read this and laughed out loud. I really could not believe anyone feels that much like i do. it was like you read my mind. your points were so good. I read part of it to my husband and he just looked at me like “you cant mean there is another one of you out there” LOL
Oh Cyndi, I’ve been praying so much for Abby. Last night I was looking at your family blog (hope that’s OK–you posted the link a while back, but I just realized it was to Dee–I don’t mean to be a blog stalker!) I just wanted to see a picture of Abby while I prayed for her. She is so beautiful–looks just like you!
I so wish I could be there beside you in the hospital, doctor’s office…just there to encourage you–but know we are all praying–daily-for a miracle!
thanks you so much sweet friend. you were there beside me!!! i felt all your prayers so strongly. I have never felt so at peace in a hard time! Usually with no answers I would be going crazy but I truly believe she has been healed by our sweet Jesus. she is getting better and they have found nothing. sent us home scratching their heads……well Im not, i know who healed her! praise GOD I am so grateful for all of your prayers on this blog and all the other prayers that were lifted throughout the world for her!
thank you so much for going to our blog, that took time and so much love for us. I am crying at the thought of how much woman i have never met love me and my sweet girl. thank you all
short night on a short couch, my shoulder went out, MRI in a couple hours….. trusting God…
Lord, Oh Lord we ask for mercy for Abby..Lord we so desire and ask for healing for Abby, yet we don’t want to have a spirit of control rather to trust You. Help Cyndi to trust. Comfort her and her family right now Lord while they wait for answers.
Cyndi, prayed for Abby this morning and while at work as God brought her to mind. Hoping the MRI brought good news.
3.
1. Godliness has to be accompanied with contentment for there to be great gain.
2. As we love God and worship him and are satisfied in Him we will be content with His gifts and will see them rightfully.
3. Our ‘great’ gain will be that we appreciate them even more than when we were using them to satisfy us, and can enjoy them even more..(Not sure about this observation.)
4. When we see them as coming from Him, not us then we will let go of letting these things control or comfort us or be used as a means to gain approval from man.
5. Naked we come into this world and naked we go out.
6. God clothes, feeds and supplies our every need, but these things weren’t meant to go with us when we die, so we mustn’t value them higher than God and we won’t if we are godly and content.
7. We need to enjoy these provisions and gifts out of gratitude to God.
8. We can use them as an opportunity to worship Him-the creator and giver of all things and people.
9. When we are content we will be thankful.
10. God has ordained our ‘lot’ in life and He wants us to be grateful for it and not to disparage it. when we are content with our lots He will enlarge our circle, our ministries our capacity to give, to love and we will bear things eternal, both the fruit of the spirit as well as the fruit of others coming to know Him. These things go with us after we die. (This was a bit of a stretch coming from these verses.) 🙂
You are simply reading this passage through the whole of Scripture and coming up with truth.
a.When we lose our life we lay down our demands, rights, desires, we trade them for Christs and what He has for us. Only here is when we can truly be what we were made to be in Him. I like to think of it being His without the fight…letting go and falling into His capable arms.
b.Really my goal ongoing now is to really enjoy my husband and children despite their behavior and quirks.
c.anytime I let go and take these things to God there is peace. Then times I jump ahead and try to take control try to “not lose” my life in Him. Oh I hate it when I fail to fall into His arms…Wish I could learn but there is no peace there.
Ecc…
a)loving them because that makes them your idol…They cannot satisfy. God has to be this
b)God is increasing contentment…Pastor is teaching through ecc. so I have been challenged with this alot and God keeps reminding me to let go of control of some things. like when my children do not act the way I desire I am not letting it pull my mood down. Looking to HIM to give me insight and advice on how to handle. Accepting my lot with what it is and learning to give thanks…1000 gifts inspired this. Finding thankfulness in each place is key.
4-LOVE these verses so much. Throwing off that stuff that holds us up and running toward Jesus, keeping our eyes on Him and learning from His example. Jesus looked to the cross because He knew what was coming past the dying. He knew resurrection was coming! This is what we need to believe as well. When we die to controlling our marriage God resurrects a God-centered/direct marriage. Dying was not fun…He scorned its shame…He did that for us. We must willingly die to our own rights, control, etc for Him.
5.I am gaining the most through losing. Again like I said when I give up trying to control my family I can freely enjoy them for them not for how they behave. I can extend grace and trust God to work in them as He does me. This is the same for friends, etc.
This good:
Really my goal ongoing now is to really enjoy my husband and children despite their behavior and quirks.
Yesterday I was so aware of presence of God and felt I was breathing life into sales clerks, the medical staff I saw, and my grandchildren simply by loving, being positive, encouraging — as Christ has done for me. It gave me joy.
May you have joy, Angela.
I am reading Dee’s “The God of All Comfort” book now and just started and finished chapter one tonight. Wow! It is so raw and honest and beautifully written. It is hard to stop reading it.
Why didn’t I read this when it came out..It is so good.. I am on page 44 and 45 now and it has brought me to tears..Sally crying out and how he woke up..The depth of love Steve and Dee have for one another..It’s a hard scene to comprehend yet so beautiful.
Thank you, Rebecca!
B. Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
* I love the substitute job at the schools God has provided for me. However, it has crossed my mind-“is this worth it, Lord? I am working really hard and the pay isn’t that great.” But, I am content with the pay now because He has me there for His reasons. It has become a mission field. I love those women. That is from GOD. All of it is.
God is increasing my contentment in one particular school where it is thick with dissention among the women. I even dreaded getting called back to work there, but He has given me total contentment that He wanted me there. As I chatted with the women, He opened a door to share bits and pieces of my life which led to one woman sharing she used to go to a catholic school growing up. I pray for their hearts to soften toward Him.
Oh, and He has reminded me of the sweetness of the fruit He produced that came from the last job I had before I went out of the workplace to stay home with my family. He worked mightily in that mission field! When I reflect of His work back then it encourages me at the job I have now. ♥
Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
Yesterday — such a sweet day as I was aware of His presence throughout day, beginning with my usual Keller sermon as I did my hair and got dressed. Keller said, “It is not love that changes us, but grace.” Wow. I am reflecting on that.
Some sweet answers to prayer filled my heart with thankfulness — grace notes:
Been anxious about where I’m staying in Chicago next week and the hotel
near the conference opened up, so that was so sweet.
Felt love for people in grocery store, at bookstore, at doctor’s office and they
responded — sensed Jesus in me
Got right in doctor’s office on a terribly busy day
Break through with both Zondervan and my agent
My lenten discipline giving me joy — gaining thru losing
Other things too — just growing in my awareness
How about you?
this blog is the sonshine to my day:) have loved reading it. Abby is having many tests today. eeg, eng baer and maybe a spinal tap. she seems better this morning. more like herself. love you all for your love and support through this!!
We are all praying. Glad to hear of improvement, Cyndi!
Gals, sorry..Hope I am not commenting too much. 🙂 I had to share. I received a call from another manager from another school just now. I haven’t worked at that school yet. She asked me to work every day for her starting in mid-May until the end of the school year. She started off saying, “You have been highly recommended to me from the middle school manager.” Honestly, I don’t think I work any harder than the gals who work there, so I am thinking it has to be that they see Jesus in me. It has to be. God encouraged me this morning! 🙂
Yes, Rebecca, it has to be that they see Jesus in you! How wonderful that you reflect Him to others in your work.
It made me think of the other night when I was at work. I had to draw blood from a patient, and she said how good I was, that sometimes others poke around and try several times before they can get it. I started to walk out of the room, then turned around and told her I cant take the credit; I prayed on the way to work for Jesus to help me at my job, so this was one way that He answered that prayer. The way she responded let me know she was a Christian, too.
Great stories Rebecca and Susan!
Rebecca, you could never comment too much–I gather JOY from your words! And even though I can’t “see” you (wish I could!)–I clearly see Jesus in you! 😉
Amen.
Amen to Rebecca’s never sharing too much.
Amen to Jesus in her.
Amen to Elizabeth’s gift of encouragement.
You guys make my heart turn over! Thanks for the wonderful encouragement, and Elizabeth wish I could see you here and now, but I KNOW God will make sure to introduce us when we are with Him in heaven some day!
2. A. Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 18-19: What attitude toward work and money is vanity and why?
It is vanity to love work and money and not love God. This person will never be satisfied when all of their affections are set on things.
B. What attitude toward work and money and food can be a gift of God? Why?
The attitude of enjoying it as things that God has provided for you as a gift.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
A. The phrase “godliness with contentment” is rich, summarizing the teaching that when He is satisfying you, then His gifts return to their rightful place, and you can enjoy them rather than looking to them to satisfy your soul. Stay with this verse for awhile, and mine it. I challenge you to make ten observations from it.
1. Godliness is a means of great gain, but only when it is accompanied by contentment.
2. Why is godliness great gain? Because “godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come”. (c.f. 1 Tim 4:8)
3. Being content with what I have draws me closer to God.
4. This is another example of gaining through losing. We gain intimacy with the Lord and godliness when we are content, and we choose to lose the complaining, grumbling attitude.
5. We come into the world with nothing.
6. We leave this world also with nothing of material things.
7. If the above is true, then where we are placed in this life and the things we are given to have are from God.
8. If I refuse to be content with my life, then I am accusing God of making some sort of mistake, or “cheating” me.
9. This verse goes against what the world teaches about what is “great gain”: great gain is not money, power, riches, success, fame and fortune.
10. Godliness with contentment is great gain because becoming more godly is becoming more like Jesus Christ.
B. Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
I believe God is beginning to work in my heart in the area of my marriage. For many years, I have wishfully longed for the “perfect Christian family”; you know, one in which my husband is a Christian, my children, even the cat (!), and we all sit around and read the Bible together and talk about the Lord in every conversation. I have been discontent with being married to an unbelieving husband and all the difficulties that go with that.
I have been unwilling to do anything to work toward a better marriage.
As we work on releasing our idols, and as I’ve been focusing more on Jesus, I feel more hope and contentment with my situation because I know Jesus is able to save to the uttermost – and that includes me – and that no situation is hopeless where He is involved. I am trying to get my eyes more on Him than on my situation.
There are some pretty bad situations involving my family (mom and dad and sisters). My dad is having a hard time growing as a baby Christian in the home he shares with my mom because she is so resistant to the Lord. She has alot of anger toward God; dad thinks due to losing their grandson, my nephew, Thomas.
My sister, the mother of Thomas, is using alcohol to numb her pain over the loss of her son. She really doesn’t care to live anymore. She will not turn to the Lord. Dad feels overwhelmed and honestly, at the age of 84, finding it hard to cope with these things; he fears not only did he have to lose his grandson to drugs, but now he may lose his daughter to alcohol.
Sometimes it’s hard to feel “content” that this is my family situation; it’s messy, it’s hard, it’s involved heartbreaking loss and grief. But is also calls me to press into Jesus and cry out for help.
Strong testimony, Susan. So glad to hear of God moving in your heart — and yes, you have lots of darkness around you — but then your light shines all the brighter. Proud of what God is doing in you!
Again Susan, I really appreciate your honesty. It is like a light shining into my own heart. These are thoughts and feelings I have experienced. May I also add that I gave up and then blamed my husband for our unhappy marriage.
I agree with Dee and Anne..Susan you are a huge breath of fresh air to me, and I am sure to all of us. When I think of you I think, wow God what a truly humble heart she has, how sweet she is and I look forward to seeing God continue to do mighty things in you. Your light is shining bright sister!
Oh Anne…. I’ve been there and done that, too. I go back and forth like a swing – one moment realizing I am responsible for my part and the next turning to anger and blaming him for our unhappy marriage. I still struggle with “punishing” him, even in silent ways.
This week’s study is turning on the light, ever so slowly, that I really gain nothing by holding onto my attitudes of pride and selfishness; and will only see gain as I lose and give up my rights for Jesus’ sake, but it’s not an easy pill to swallow.
All of you encourage me so much.
Susan I pray that we will be able to see our husbands as Jesus does, with the eyes of hesed.
Susan, you are in my heart….praying for you and your family
I think this is a great song that speaks into what we are learning here. http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/7707859
Anne, No way!! Did you read Ann VosKamps blog today? A friend of mine and I did too and love her music. I almost posted the link here as well. I thought it was fitting too. I am planning on buying her CD.
Yes I did read it. The first part about anger really spoke to me as I do have a problem with that. Then the part about the guitar and emptiness was great. I also plan to buy that CD.
Anne, Yes, I can so identify with both things too and her blog post was timely with this study. I have a really bad time with PMS for the past four days and my patience goes out the window at times. 🙁 I can be very snarky and snappy with my husband and kids. I I need to fill myself up with the Psalms..
Dee’s book also is correlating so well with this study. SO far in my reading she is losing herself and gaining more of Him. She is filling herself up with His songs through the Psalms, Hymns and spiritual songs, like Steve did.
Their walks of faith are inspiring to me. Although different paths, she is grieving His impending death and finally His loss. He had to walk in faith in regard to hearing he was going to die and all that entailed with those around him and then walk through that painful process-yet Jesus’ light shined bright through him. By the grace of God I hope I will be found as honest and faithful as they are.
That was a beautiful song; I’ve never heard of her music before.
Neither have I and she lives in Raleigh NC, about 20 minutes from me!
2A. What attitude toward work and money is vanity? Why? To love money is futile because it will never satisfy.
B. What attitude toward work and money and food can be a gift of God? Why? To enjoy these things is to use them rightly, as God intended them. God loves to bless us spontaneously and if we hoard His gifts and save them for a ‘rainy day’. How can He bless us on that day if we are busy blessing ourselves? We will not hunger for Him if we are satisfied with our hoard of gifts.
3A.
-There is gain in godliness
-there is Great gain in godliness with contentment
-none of the things of this world are ours
-things are to be used and enjoyed, not loved
-things will ultimately be lost
-it is the letting go of the thing that makes it a gift
-if we grasp it we crush it(not really in the verse, just a thought)
-we brought nothing into the world so there is nothing in this world that we need
-the fact that we will take nothing out says to me again that there is nothing in this world that we need
-to be content is to say to God ‘what You have provided is good and it is enough for me’
B. Is God increasing the contentment in your heart? Explain and give examples.
This has been going on with me for years; I mean the growing realization that I don’t have to own something to enjoy it. In fact, when I don’t own it, it is a lot less expensive and less upkeep. I have been learning to see beauty all around me that before I missed. Where I am really getting to pay dirt is in learning to see the hardships and suffering as things for which I can also give thanks. I think that is why this book by Ann Voskamp has touched such a cord with me. It is a very hard thing for me because I see that my complaining spirit goes very deep, but yes I am more content. I think the biggest reason is because I better understand 2 things, His love and His power. I know I can count on Him and when I forget that, I see it and remind myself.
I loved today’s blog post. I can’t explain, you just have to read it. http://www.aholyexperience.com/ How emptiness can sing…
Update on Dee’s book “The God of All Comfort”.. I am into Chapter 3 now and it JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!
Rebecca,
I am thrilled to hear how Dee’s book is blessing your life. I bought her book after my nephew died, and I can’t tell you how much it ministered to me. Even though our losses and circumstances were different, her thoughts and feelings and struggles were so familiar; it put into words so much of what I was feeling.
It has also helped me to be more wise in how to approach and help others in their grief.
Susan, Thanks!! Isn’t it rich? So glad you too gleaned so much from it too. I haven’t even had to grieve the deaths of my parents yet, or anyone real close to me so I don’t know. I don’t know how God will use this book, I am hoping God is going before me in preparation for a day when that could happen.
I want to be in the practice of absorbing the Psalms like Dee and Steve did.. Of singing to Him like Steve did so often when no one was watching-Oh and I am sure he still does although even fuller in the presence of Jesus! I also want to be honest with my soul like Dee is and have more Christ centered family traditions like they did..So simple, like laying out and watching the stars. They are quickly becoming my contemporary ‘heroes of the faith’.
Praying for Abby
4. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, how did Jesus say know to comfort, control, and affirmation from man? How did He do it? What did He gain
He kept his eyes on God his whole life, and as he was doing that he said no to man’s comfort control and approval, even in the garden when he was grieving it may seem he ‘failed’ momentarily but OH NO, quite the opposite, yes he was scared, of all of it and of separation from God and having to soak up our sins..A holy God having to do that, yet He said no to comfort and control and rested in God’s comfort and control. Then He continued to persevere saying no to man’s approval as he was mocked and shamed in front of the masses even on the cross! He also totally gave up comfort..I can’t even fathom it. Enduring all the pressure to flee from all of this. He endured the worse kind of torture physically and mentally, and worst of all had to endure separation from God on the cross. He truly emptied himself of all and gained so much more..He is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God!
And Luke 12:50 “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how it consumes Me until it is finished!”
Abby continues to impove. we are home and she is resting. We are not sure what made this happen but we do know it is not anything that can kill her or cause life long issues. We think it was the strep acting weird in her brain even though the MRI did not see anything. i believe the prayers are healing her….thank you so very much!
Cyndi, Praise God!!!!! ♥
Oh I am so thankful to hear this! Will continue to pray that she continues to improve, and for rest for all of you…can’t imagine how exhausted you must be emotionally and physically.
Oh Lord! Thank you so much! And for the technology available today we are also thankful.
Thanks for the report, Cyndi. Though I know it would be nice to know, I am so relieved that nothing terrible turned up and that she is better!
Yes, Praise God!!
Yesterday ladies, I was at the DMV bringing in my bad attitude about having to go in the first place, so I asked Jesus for His grace despite it..So as I was walking over to the desk after they called my number Jesus whispered, “this is the woman I want you to touch today.” I looked at the lady at the counter and while we get in the habit of looking away, Jesus wanted me to really see her and smile instead of looking away. She’s not just another DMV employee, but a woman made in His image..someone special who may or may not be a sister. I could be wrong but as she caught my smile and smiled back I saw Jesus in her eyes. I think there was that identification with one another although not said. I wonder if she needed to be encouraged?
On the light side..I broke down and bought some Pamperin. 😉 I have never taken it before! Thank God for medicine! 🙂
Oh and pray for me..We have a BIG DAY ahead of us with four of my boys all on soccer teams with their games back to back, soccer pictures and then our Autism walk at 2:00 p.m. There are issues with one of the ladies who used to be on the board..Long story, but pray! I am asking Him for Grace and wisdom if any situations arise.
You are covered!
Lord I lift up sweet Rebecca to you–give her strength for this day, and I pray especially Lord for your blessing on this relationship she mentioned. I pray now You would prepare this woman’s heart, that she would be softened. I pray she would let go of any past issues between she and Rebecca, and that Your grace would cover all.
Amen.
Thanks so much sweet sisters! It all was wonderful and I am totally tired right now.
The difficult one was there and I think her issue is with the president on our board. Apparently, she said something hateful to our president who was trying to reach out to her today. Our president is really a sweet woman who has a huge heart for kiddos and families who have children on the Autism spectrum. It is hard, but we are trusting God with this.
4 & 5. Jesus said no to the comfort, control, and affirmation of man from the beginning of His ministry when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. He endured the cross and all of its shame by keeping His eyes on the end result, the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and then David. This leads right into how God is moving in my life and especially my God sighting this morning. This morning I read in my study notes that the Covenant with Abraham was the seminal(seed-had to look that one up) form of the Davidic Covenant which was fulfilled in the first Advent of Christ. When I realize that the 1st Advent was only a germinating seed compared to the full glory of the 2nd Advent and marriage of the Lamb, I am scooped up in glory. I think this is what Jesus had His eyes on throughout His suffering. I can’t see what will be. I can only smell the fragrance, but if I keep my eyes on Him, I will arrive. I think that is what these verses are saying. What Jesus gained is me and you, His inheritance. Oh, my God!
I have shared before that in 2007 I had brain surgery. God was so faithful through it all but ever since I have felt emotionally numb. Before, I had quite a few experiences like this, where I just felt lifted up into His glory by seeing Him in some way. Of all the blessings of life this is my most treasured and I missed it so much. I think it has left me with some degree of depression. But is what I have gained through losing. I wrote it down in my journal too so that I can hold onto it in dark days.
I am fascinated with the word seminal. I wonder if the word seminary is related to it.
I love words too — my understanding is that this is a word used in botony and seminal, semen, and seminary all come from it
It is the beginning, the root of the stem, that spreads seeds and takes over
Thanks Dee. I thought you would know.
I start early tomorrow and might forget– so am posting next week’s tonight.
Love to each of you
thanks again sisters! I am emotionally exausted but so thankful that Abby is starting to be herself agian. We have a long recovery before she is all the way back to normal but I can see my little girl in her eyes now and for that i am so thankful!
they think that the strep attacked her nervous system… On friday morning i woke up early and started praying like i have only prayed a few times in my life….I think i should have been sweating blood! I prayed that satan be bound and not be able to touch my little girl and that God would heal her completely…..for hours. well when she woke up she seemed so much better…and as the day went on she just kept coming back to us. the EEG was at 12 on friday and was neg.
God healed her, I will always believe that.
thank you for your prayers for us, they were heard and answered in a miraculous way!
stress also played a part in how hard this hit her body and brain. she puts a lot of pressure on herself to be perfect. If you would keep her in your prayers that she could let go of some of her very high expectations of herself.
I will keep her in my prayers:)
It is an encouragement to us Cyndi to keep praying.