First a quick recap of weeks 1-3:
Week 1: Words of the Week: Power, Love, Self-Discipline. Memory Verse: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV 1984)
Week 2: Word of the Week: Faith. Memory Verse: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)
Week 3: Word of the Week: Obedience. Memory Verse: Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV 1984)
Hopefully this week gave some of you a chance to catch up. For those of you who are not caught up and you’ve had your book since the beginning, I have a few words I’d like to hopefully encourage you with. (If you were late in receiving your book or have not received it yet, these words are not specifically for you, but you may benefit from them.) :)
No More Excuses
I know life is busy. I know there are circumstances out of your control. Believe me, I have them too. Signing up for a Bible study is a commitment. I think many people think that just by signing up and purchasing a book, their lives will change, after all they are making an effort. I wish it was that easy. I know it takes work, and it is a time commitment. Instead of thinking of it as a commitment, try thinking of it as an investment. You are investing your time into something that will change your life, God’s Word. I’m not trying to make anyone feel guilty…no way…not me. I just want to empower and encourage you to devote time to God and this Bible study. Now if you decided this isn’t the study for you or it’s not the time for you, that’s okay. I understand. But, and this is big but 
if you find that you are wasting time during your day or not devoting time that you know you should be, then I just want to try to light a fire under you to change your priorities. I don’t want anyone to miss out because of laziness, other time suckers, lack of dedication, Facebook, thinking you can’t do it or you aren’t worth it, putting unimportant tasks ahead of Bible study, believing the lie that change is not possible, or being stuck in a rut or stuck in the past. As your Bible study leader, I feel it’s my responsibility to say this to you. Again, no guilt…that’s not from me or God. I want your life to be lived to the fullest. I don’t want the thief to kill, steal, and destroy what Jesus has for you (John 10:10). I’m praying for each of you that you continue to move forward from wherever you are right now. Don’t quit. Don’t stop. God has plans for you. I believe this study came into your life for a reason.
Beginning today, instead of coming up with excuses NOT to do your Bible study, how about coming up with a few reasons TO DO your Bible study. In the comment section of my blog, list your reasons TO DO this Bible study. If you haven’t been making the time, share your plan of how you will start making time beginning now. You can do this. God’s Word will not return void in your life, I promise! Start where you are. You can access my older blog posts in the Online Bible Studies Archives section in the right column of this blog if needed. Let’s go girls! God has His hand stretched down to meet you just where you are. Reach up, grab it, and move forward…towards An Untroubled Heart.
Week 4
This week we will work on Chapters 6 & 7.
Word of the Week
Trust
Memory Verse of the Week
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
I consider the next 2 chapters to be the most important chapters of this entire study. So far we’ve talked a lot about moving from fear to faith, but in my opinion, it’s in Chapters 6 & 7 where this becomes a reality for you and me. These are not the pages to skim, but to read, highlight, take notes, and take heart! Because I really want you to soak in the depth and messages in these chapters, the suggested assignments are changing a bit this week, so read carefully. I can’t wait to hear how you are impacted by these chapters! It’s all I can do to not share with you how I am impacted, but I want your reception of these messages to be fresh and uninfluenced by me.
Sunday- Prepare your heart for this week of study. Ask God to examine your heart (O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.~ Psalm 139:1, NLT) and open you up to receive the truth He has for you.
Monday-Wednesday- Read Chapters 6 & 7. No, this is NOT a misprint. You have 3 days to read. Don’t waste them, this isn’t to make it easy on you. It’s because these chapters are so jam packed with life-changing truth and application. I’m hoping you will read, reread, and take notes. Look up the scriptures listed in these pages. Pray as you read. Soak it up, it’s for you! All this week, I’ll have messages on my blog to go along with what you are reading. My suggestion would be to read Chapter 6 on Monday, Chapter 7 on Tuesday, then repeat and skim both chapters on Wednesday. It’s up to you how you do it, that’s just how I did it.
Tuesday- Conference Call, bring tissues and be prepared to leave this call different than the way you began it. It’s still not too late to sign up. By signing up now, you will receive the recording information for our first 2 calls and access to our next 2 calls. You have the option to be on the call live or listen to the recording at your convenience. The calls are an excellent supplement to the actual study. They actually lend audible words and real life testimonies to the material in the book. Plus I get the awesome privilege to connect with you by phone. If you are interested in signing up, please call our office toll free, 877-731-4663, and I will get you all signed up! (M-F, 8:30-5:00pm EST).
April 17, 8 pm EST
Robin Rohrbach (seen here with her daughter, Alexa)
As Grassroots Consultant for Rally Foundation, Robin combines her passion for children with her own daughter’s diagnosis of cancer to educate and inspire others to become involved in raising funds for childhood cancer research. Robin assists schools and community organizations in developing easy fundraising activities and events that are unique to each group she works with. After the loss of her 11-year-old daughter, Alexa, Robin is committed to helping in any way possible to further the mission of Rally and advocating for kids with cancer and their families. Before she joined Rally, Robin was involved with the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (now known as CureSearch) as an advocate and Team Leader for the state of Georgia. She has lobbied Congress many years to increase funding for childhood cancer research. Robin and her team of advocates helped to increase federal financing of childhood cancer from $0 dollars in 2002 to $750,000 in 2003 and $2.5 million in 2004. Prior to her cancer advocacy, Robin was employed as Assistant Director of Education and classroom teacher at a non-profit residential treatment center for at-risk youth. She was responsible for hiring, evaluating, and mentoring other teachers, as well as providing individual and group counseling to students. She has facilitated several professional workshops during her time as an educator. Robin has a Masters Degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology and holds three teaching certificates in Elementary Education, Special Education/Behavior Disorders and School Counseling. She also has a BS Degree in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University. Robin and her husband Chris live in Acworth, GA with their daughter, Jenna and dear memories of their sweet daughter Alexa. The entire Rohrbach family is dedicated to helping makes a difference in the lives of children with cancer.
Lelia Chealey
Lelia is a wife, mom of 3 and became a {very young} grandma of 2 before she turned 40 in 2010. She is a woman who has an ugly past that only God can handle all the details of and she will tell you He still finds her usable. His grace enables her to write and speak of His greatness despite all she’s been through. Most in Lelia’s shoes would keep her secrets to herself, yet God is using her story (which includes abortion and adultery) in a most amazing way. Above saying “I do” to Gene Chealey, having his babies and becoming a Grandma, trusting God has been the best thing this woman in Nebraska has ever done. She loves Jesus, family, friends, reading, exercise and a cup of cappuccino with cool whip on top.
Thursday-Saturday- Bible Study: Know It—Stow It—Show It, Chapter 6 & Chapter 7. Complete the questions at the end of each chapter in your notebook or journal.
All During the Week- Visit my blog for encouragement, messages from my heart, to share with others, to pray with and for others, and to tell us how God is working in your life. You can also share prayer requests here. There are many prayer warriors in our Online Bible Study group. When you share, we all benefit.
Don’t forget to comment today about No More Excuses (see below for reminder). If you have received this message in your email, you can click here to leave a comment on my blog.
Beginning today, instead of coming up with excuses NOT to do your Bible study, how about coming up with a few reasons TO DO your Bible study. In the comment section of my blog, list your reasons TO DO this Bible study. If you haven’t been making the time, share your plan of how you will start making time beginning now. You can do this. God’s Word will not return void in your life, I promise! Start where you are. You can access my older blog posts in the Online Bible Studies Archives section in the right column of this blog if needed. Let’s go girls! God has His hand stretched down to meet you just where you are. Reach up, grab it, and move forward…towards An Untroubled Heart.
Blessings to each of you! I love for you, I’m praying for you, and I consider it a joy to be in Bible study with you. Have a wonderful week!
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Thank you for this study. I know that it is God’s plan for me to read this book and do this study. The evil one does not want us to complete this study – he wants us to continue to live in fear and worry. That is how he controls us.
Great point Michele! I will DO this BIble Study because I know Satan doesn’t want me to!
http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875391416473/
New pinterest pin, a reminder from John 8:32 that the truth sets us free.
I was led to this study by a friend and the timing was perfect. Fear had grown and faith had elapsed in its wake. There’s no way I will not follow through on this study!!! Already I have felt the comfort of getting reacquainted with God’s love and caring. I am very grateful Thank you!
I was unsure about starting this study. I am struggling with the FEAR of raising my teenage son. Afraid of the choices he is making and will make. Also, I worry about my personal walk with Jesus Christ. I have allowed my life to be consumed with a cycle of living in sin and I no longer want to live for the evil desires of the flesh but live my life for my Lord and Savior. I am afraid of failing. I need to TRUST in the lord and my increase my Faith that I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength. Each day the devil throws things in my face that makes me want to dive right back into the life cycle of sin. I pray that God will be my strength in my weaknesses. Thanks for this awesome Bible Study. My prayer is that God will grant me the wisdom I need to be the parent I need to be to my teenage son. May he replace my fears with his strength. And… That he will give the courage and strength to make the right choices when I am tempted to live by the evil desires of my flesh rather than by his Will for my life.
YOU CAN DO IT. YOU HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. IT MAY NOT BE EASY BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT.
FATHER PLEASE GIVE MY NEW FRIEND IN THIS BIBLE STUDY CHERYL THE WANT TO AND STRENGHT TO STAY IN YOUR WORD AND FOLLOW THRU WITH THIS BIBLE STUDY . THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE ONES DOING THE BIBLE STUDY . THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERS DOING IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SON THAT LIVED ,DIED AND AROSE AGAIN THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. IN JESUS NAME I PRAY. AMEN
Don’t fear! You can do it! Pray for you son! Trust in God! Did you see the letter that Melissa posted at the beginning of this study? It’s a letter that God is writing to us and in it He says, “It’s time to surrender your fears, your insecurities, your pain, and even your loved ones completely to Me. I want your whole heart and mind and soul to be worry-free. I want your complete trust so you can focus on your faith and be free of the spirit of fear controlling you.” There’s more to it. I read it every day.
Tell your son you love him and let him know you are there for him! As Micca wrote in one of Proverb 31′s daily devotionals, after her son was involved in a car accident, “It also taught me to fall on my knees and relinquish all my fears to God while trusting in His good and perfect will for my children.” Trust in Him. Praying for you! Don’t give into evil—when you feel those thoughts entering your mind, start reading scripture and saying God’s word.
Thank you ladies for your encouraging words. Please continue to pray for me and my family. And I will do the same for you.
I AM STILL BEHIND IN MY STUDY AS ALWAYS BUT I DO PLAN ON DOING IT THE FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING. WHEN I DO THAT IT WORKS OUT . WE ARE RETIRED SO I CAN DO THAT. IT IS A MATTER OF PUTTING GOD’S WORD AND BIBLE STUDY BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. I AM REALLY ENJOYING THIS STUDY. AS I DO ALL YOUR STUDIES. KAY
The biggest reason for me to be doing this study is that I’ve let fear completely rule me for the majority of my life & I’ve been so miserable for years because of it. The reason for me is that I want the change! I want it & I’m willing to keep going until I get there. Fear is not going to rule me forever. I didn’t even realize just how much fear was a problem for me until this last year. Now I can tell you that I have a lot of fears, before that I would have never admitted to them, I would have made excuses & never done anything towards changing those fears. I’ve been making time for this study whenever I can. Early in the morning before my day starts (yes I get up at 4 or 4:30am just to have some time with God in his word & then this study before my mom & workday begin). I also make time to work on the study during my daycare kids nap time & again in the evenings instead of watching TV, I will work on the study & anytime I’m sitting in the car waiting on my kids to get finished with an after school activity. So far this has been working for me. I do get behind a little from time to time, mostly with answering the questions though. I find the questions a little hard because they cause you to have to look inside at yourself for the answers & I don’t always like doing that, I usually fear what I will see once I open that door to look inside, almost like I won’t be able to close it again once it’s opened. That door needs to be opened though so that the fears can be let out instead of continually stuffed back down again. I read chapter 6 last night & that is a really amazing chapter. So much of it stood out to me that I was just in awe.
Keep pushing forward everyone. You can do this, just take it one day at a time & keep moving forward.
Hi All,
I cannot afford Micca’s book right now, but am following her blog as well as Melissa’s. I live in fear constantly. Fear of everything. So bad to where I am just living on autopilot, doing what I need to do, but my mind is always somewhere else, worrying. I have so many problems. I have allowed my self to dig myself so deep in this whole, from things from my past that I just don’t know what to do and how to get out. I am asking that if anyone reads this, please pray for me. Please pray for my healing physically and emotionally. I have turned everywhere else for information, different websites, etc., but nothing has seemed to help me get out of this trouble I have gotten myself into. I am now turning to God and trying to keep up with Joyce Meyers, Melissa Taylor, Micca Campbell and Renee Swope and the 700 Club. I just don’t know what to do. I am having panic attacks regarding decisions that I have made in the past that are now affecting me. I am having health problems as well. I wake up in the middle of the night and my mind starts racing. I can’t sleep because my mind is everywhere. I am physically and emotionally exhausted. I cannot trust anyone anymore. I am turning here to be surrounded by Christian women. I believe God can heal me. I just want God to take it all away and make me better. I am praying for ya’ll as well. Thank you.
You cannot change the past, nor should you want to. Those decisions you made that are affecting you now? They are part of the woman you are now and the woman youwill become! Begin by forgiving yourself, as God forgives you. Your panic attacks stem from the unease and guilt you are carrying. Give these burdens to God, He doesn’t want you to carry them yourself. His burden is light and His yoke is strong! He may not “take it all away and make it better” but He will walk with you while you face your troubles. Go forward with the resolution to make all decisions you face every day with a heavy dose of constant prayer. You are loved, you are cherished, you are valued! I am praying for peace and comfort for you. Be well, friend.
Thank you Erika. You have no idea how much your comments and prayer means to me. I will be praying for you too. I know I cannot change the past, and yes I am living with guilt and fear do what I have done but I am also suffering with my health because of it. I really appreciate your words of wisdom this morning. I really needed that. Thank you so much.
You are so welcome, I’m glad I could offer you some support. I will pray for both physical and emotional healing for you. Share all your worries with God, and tell Him how badly you need to feel His presence in your life. How badly you need His comfort and healing. God loves it when we talk to Him this way! The more you reach out for Him the more you will feel His presence. Stop punishing yourself. God loves and forgives you, why would you not follow His example and love and forgive yourself?
Ah, I’m being tapped on the shoulder as I type this! There are so many times I have not followed this advice. We all make decisions, on a daily basis, that we regret. Sometimes we even know at the time we shouldn’t make these decisions and we do it anyway. I’ve walked many miles in your shoes. What a relief it is to stop abusing yourself for these things, and to trust that God still loves you and will continue to reach out and guide you no matter how many times you stray from the path He has set for you.
Hmmm, I think I need to take my own advice, I suspect God is giggling right now. It’s taken me so many years to learn these truths…THAT is what’s so amazing about grace!
You are a wonderful person. I am so grateful for you to come into my life this morning during my time of need. I am really going to try to take your advice.
I’m not wonderful at all, promise! And it’s not my advice, God chose to speak to you through me this morning and I am honored that He did.
Melissa, I will continue to look for you on this blog and will keep you in my prayers. I hope you have a good day…go to Him, He is waiting for you.
Melissa,
Erika is right! Talk to God and tell Him everything. Sometimes when I have had panic attacks, I ask God to please sit with me and let me feel His presence and then I wait. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have felt complete calm and my body has relaxed and I have fallen asleep. It’s a feeling of peace that only God can give. I keep a journal of quotes, scripture, different things I have read that I find are very helpful and I want to share a couple of them with you:
——–”God saw beyond who I was to who I could become. Knowing this was His perspective gave me the confidence to believe that I didn’t have to stay in this hard place. I didn’t have to let my failure define me.” Renee Swope
——-”Satan wants to keep us in a “dark closet” filled with guilt and shame. When we believe this…it’s the same as saying what happened at the Cross was not good enough.” (I don’t know where I got this from…I think someone made this comment on the Proverbs 31 Ministries FB page).
——All sin was paid for on the cross. If God took it and paid for it, then we don’t need to keep it any longer. Joyce Meyer
—The past is like a magnet; it’s always trying to draw us back, but Jesus wants to draw us forward! Joyce Meyer
——-I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. (Ps: 91:9-12, 14-15)
I hope this helps, even just a little. Praying for you.
Melissa, you there? Just wanted you to know that I have been thinking of you. I hope you have found some comfort. Be well,
Erika
I didn’t know how I would do on this bible study but SO far I have sat down to work on it first thing in my morning and that works best. (Now If I could get into doing some exercise first thing in the morning too I’d be good to go physically and spiritually!!)
I want to do this bible study because I want to be stronger spiritually. I do it mostly for myself but I know that in making myself a better person that I’ll also become a better wife and down the road (Lord willing) a better parent. In the past I’ve always leaned on others for my faith. The prayers of my friends and even now the prayers of my husband. So when I’m alone and I’m down– I don’t think to go to God. And I need to learn that my relationship with God needs to become stronger. My prayers need to become stronger. If something were to happen to my husband then my faith also would be gone if I only rely on him for my faith. So instead I want to build my faith so that I can pick myself up when I encounter bad things!
I cannot make excuses to not do this study. I can only make the time, even if a day late, to do the study. I am a woman who has always understood that my two (now adult) children are gifts from God. My son still lives with me and is my link to being co-dependent. I have also always realized that when it is time to go home, there is nothing that I can do to stop it. Hence my largest fear – God will call my children home before I am ready. When you combine depression, co-dependency and fear together what you get is a pretty messed up woman and mother. This then fertilizes two children who also have depression, co-dependency and fear. Now, my oldest child is a girl who is married and has two little girls. She married a man with anxiety and panic attacks. So now we have two little girls who have depression, co-dependency, fear, anxiety, and panic attacks. I have to be the brake on all of this! I have to break the cycle of fear!
Thank you Melissa for the “kick in the pants” to stop the excuses! I know that God has put this study in my life at the perfect time…so I need to take the time and effort to DO IT and keep up! I have always been a very easy going, laid back type of person up until Jan 2011 when I started having big issues with anxiety / fear and also a bit of depression. Although it’s very difficult to deal with anxieties, because of them, I have turned to Jesus for comfort, joined a church and I’m becoming more involved with church groups / ministries / missions. I know God has used my anxiety to become closer to Him. Now I am working on trusting Him and giving Him my worries and anxieties so that I may live anxiety & worry free to do His will.
I am doing this study because I feel God has drawn me to it. Last week, my husband and I were talking about how after I moved from South Dakota to TN about 7 years ago, how my faith has grown. I still need to work on not getting so defensive when my husband tries to make suggestions on how I can improve. It’s not that I mean to go that direction, it seems like second nature. As we talked, I realized my defensive nature is because I doubt my self. As my loving husband tells me you are bright and smart, you just lack the confidence to go with it. I believe this bible study is meant for me to move towards more confidence. I want to lose the defensive behavior.
Thank you God for using Melissa to confirm what you spoke in my heart over the weekend. I had allowed myself to become distracted with all kinds of other stuff. I realized that the enemy didn’ t want me to commit and invest in this bible study because this is the area that I struggle with the most and God wants to deal and heal from them most so I can puruse His purpose and calling for my life. Yes, I have made a committment to catch up and not allow myself to get attracted to anything else even if its looks or feels good. It is about being and going where God wants me to be. Lord help me to stay focused and intentional
Amen!
Reason #1- I NEED this…and I feel God has called me here (and He’s been trying to get me out of my fear for a very long time).
Other reasons: I don’t get into God’s word very often (or spend focused time on that) and this is a good and structured way to do that, I’m in the midst of an anxiety-inducing struggle and God has called me to more than succumbing to my fear, I need to LEARN how to manage my fear by depending on/calling out to God, I was made for more than living in my pit…I want to take hold of what God has promised me.
Thank you Melissa for kicking us in the pants! I had fallen behind in the bible study as usual. I was reading the chapters but always found an excuse on answering the questions. I was repeating the same pattern where I would sign up for a bible study…then halfway through give up. Maybe because I knew nobody would notice and I wouldn’t be held accountable to anyone. I am in a storm right now and have been talking to God a lot lately. After church on Saturday night…I felt God was telling me to get real with myself. Here I was in a bible study that will help me get over my fears and I was falling further and further behind. I’ve let Satan’s lies become so real I feel they are now the truth. So..I spent Saturday night getting caught up! Then your e-mail arrives Sunday morning! This confirms that I am meant to complete and participate in this study. God has great things in store for us, ladies!! NO MORE EXCUSES!!
I have been following the bible study-Week 1 I did great, week 2 I was a little behind but still on track and week 3 I read but I didnt’ do the questions. I was in fear…..running from what is good for me. I will no longer do this. I promise to go back and believe God has great things in store for me and doesn’t want me to live a life of fear but one of blessing.
I am a worrier. This Bible Study has come into my life at the right time. We have a lot going on. I feel like my time in study is very enriching. I feel like I have stopped worring so much and put my faith mor in God. Thank you so much for having this study when I needed it. Is it a coincidence? I think not. God has all of this planned.
Wow. I’m definitely out of excuses. I can see my behavior changes just from lack of communication with Him. I definitely get out what I put in. My family benefits from my commitment to this bible study. I made a new commitment to this study. I followed through today. My vision is less blurry. I see why Jesus sometimes waits to come to our rescue. Usually more than two days in my case. I read on the in courage blog about meeting Him in the morning before I meet anyone inu family so that will be my new routine. First thing in the morning and last thing before bed I will praise Him and place all trust in Him. Laying it all down today!
The main reason why to do the study is that I don’t want to live in fear anymore…it’s debilitating and it’s keeping me from my potential. God started a good work in me when I did the last study Made to Crave, it was such a help and made me think and change a lot in my life. He’s continuing to show me how to grow through this study as well. It’s been opening my eyes to see why I am this way and what I need to do to overcome these fears. I need to trust Him more. I need to walk with Him daily and not just when things get rough.
This study came along at the perfect moment, I am so burdened with worries and cares. I’m so tired of being afraid all the time. I joined the study, got the book and have read the first 3 chapters. I love the book. But I’m behind in my reading and haven’t done the work! True to form I tried to tell myself that just making the decision to join would be enough! Thank you for this reminder to stop making excuses, I will get to work!
It is amazing Melissa that you manage to say the things that I need to hear at the time I need to hear them. My schedule is crazy with children, homework and working full time but that is no excuse. I pray for God to help me to do the things I need to, but everything else can wait. I need to spend time with Him. I love what Erika wrote about. She said go to God …He is waiting for you. That made me want to cry and them run to Him! Blessings this week!
Hi everyone!
I have found myself behind, just a little bit! I have been working on time management for the past few weeks! I am going to catch up this week on be on track! I was doing another online study, which overlapped when this one began. I know that Satan wants me to give up on overcoming my fears, but I WILL NOT LET HIM WIN~~Praying that this study does amazing things for all who are studying this book!
today I am setting aside other things and spending the day in the Word, talking to God and asking Him to change my perspectives. This is my last year in the 60′s and I want to be the kind of older woman who is walking in faith and trust. I desire to have attitudes that will point my children and 11 grandchildren to Jesus. my worrisome attitude has had the opposite effect. I am fearful of my three daughter in laws and the power they have in my son’s lives. I have feared their rejection and betrayal and jealousy. I am learning that the Lord wants me to trust Him and His unconditional love for me! I now trust God to work in my family and work on the depth of my Christian walk and He will take care of the breadth of my influence. He is trustworthy! So I continue to sit at His feet and soak in the insight I am getting from the book, blog,Bible, and others.
God brought me to this study for a reason so I’ve been giving it priority in my life. I have three young kids so it can be a challenge. I’ve put down facebook and made it my goal to read the material during nap time. If I don’t finish or need to read more in depth I do it after all three girls are in bed. I’m investing in myself to make me a better mother is how I look at it. Thanks for the reminder Melissa to really focus on this study because to instil a change we need to do the work!
Why do the study?
to get closer to God
to FINALLY break the cycle I have had ALL MY LIFE of worrying, beating myself up over mistakes, listening to Satan’s lies
to learn scripture
to help other women, like me, by praying for them and offering them encouragement
These two chapters have been truly awesome. To realize that there is a purpose for our sufferings makes it bearable with Christ by our side. I was talking with a woman about her husband, he had just gone through a terrible time of illness due to a tick bite and there are still side affects. I have been through two different illnesses that should have taken my life within the last five years, I came away undiagnosed but totally healed because of the healing power of God. I told her that I learned to look for the purpose and how I grew in my relationship with the Lord. I asked her if she had sought out God’s purpose? God does not cause the situation but He promises to go through it with us. Her comment saddened by heart, “I see absolutely no reason or purpose for what we are going through.” So sad, she does not know what she is missing out on. I have been asked to speak on Mother’s day and I am working on a message for entitled “Seeking God’s purpose.” What an amazing God we serve, I am in awe of Him!
This is my third study, but the first one that I have actually kept up with the readings on. The way I stop making excuses is read as much as I can everyday. This means that it may take me two days to read one chapter. When I sit down to nurse my son I read. When I sit down at night after I’ve put my children to bed before I turn the TV on I read. I’ve stopped reminding myself everyday about how behind I am with the study and just do the best that I can do-which is read the book and read the blogs. As a mother of three boys I have a hard time finding the time in the day to actually sit down and do the questions after each chapter, but I am truly blessed by this book and can feel the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me as I read this book.
You are so right to give us some truth in love. I am seeing all sorts of benefits to being a part of this study and so much growth that will come from sticking with it. I’m doing my best to keep up with things and while I may not comment as much as I’d like to, I am reading and learning a lot even by doing just that much. Thank you again, Melissa, for leading us in your encouraging, loving ways. And to everyone else, it is a blessing to be a part of this study with you all and I am praying for everyone!
I am loving chapters 6 and 7….I don’t understand how anyone could live apart from God, I go to Him often and with everything. I have heard many say “Well, the least we can do is pray”, but its the most we can do. I have fear, but with this Bible Study and putting my trust in God, I know I will conquer and overcome. It has always been easy for me to give others advice concerning fear and how they didn’t need to have fear as long as they put their faith in God, but then BAM, a crisis, some large some small would hit and I would start to worry, doubt and have fear, knowing full well that I should take my own advice. I have learned that God is in control and He loves and cares for me beyond anything I can imagine. I am thankful to Him for leading me to this Bible Study.
I wanted to share this quote my friend posted on her FB page today:
Faith is believing in God’s promises before you see them!
I thought it was appropriate for our study!!!
Im going to do this bible study to:
-grow in faith and move away from fear
-grow spiritually
-make time for me and the Lord
Morning, all!! I’m a little behind on this study, but am learning how to let go of past hurts, past sins, and my fears. I REFUSE to allow satan to steal any more joy in my life!! I hope to be caught up this weekend. : )
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST! Ladies, if you could please pray for my friend, Erin, who is in her 16th week of pregnancy and has been experiencing some heavier spotting and cramps. She had a miscarriage at the beginning of a pregnancy last year. She is scared and overwhelmed with many things going on in her life. Please pray that the cramps stop and that she be able to carry her son to full term and that he be healthy! Thank you so very much! Love to all
Dear Lord please take care of Erin and you young son. Heal her heart and comfort her in this trial.
Thank you Kelly!
Thanks for the encouragement, Melissa. I like your no nonsense approach and find you so very refreshing with your transparency! This time of year can get so busy and I travel quite a bit in the spring. But, I have the book loaded on my Kindle so it can go with me anywhere and I can read the bible verses on my phone app. I needed this prodding and have found myself being more diligent this week. You are so right that Satan does not want us to get this message because it will set so many of us free. I am 51 and really did not think I had any fears but was willing to see what God might have for me through this. But I am learning that I have more fears than I thought. Fears that control how I act and react to situations. Fears that God is probing down into the depths of my heart to uncover – so that I can walk in full freedom and victory. Thank you for your obedience to God in offering these online studies. This is my second one and I love it and love you! Bless you!
I might not be saying alot, but this book makes you do a lot of thinking. I read all yalls comments. God Bless you all!
I am choosing to catch-up and stop getting behind. I have just finished reading chapters 6 & 7 and will do all the questions tomorrow. NO EXCUSES. Thank you for the encouragement. I definitely need a little kick in the behind to stay focused and on track. By the end of this week I will be caught up.
I am still struggling with fear and can’t seem to break free from it. This study is amazing and I am truly trying to apply it to my life everyday, but I still have soo many issues that I fear. I am holding on to a small piece of hope that I will have a break-through soon. Thanks for all you do! God bless you and your family.
This chapter had been a blessing
After the loss if my brother and unknown causes of his death/murder
I was in that place where I wondered why has God forsaken us!
I know God always has a bigger plan, not sure what it is just yet…
My brother died 13 years ago and my heart still aches!!!
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