We are so close to being at the end of our Greater study. Some of us are tired. Some of us are already looking towards our next study. And there are some who sadly still feel that “greater” will never happen for us. Well I have some advice for you…or actually Dory from Finding Nemo has some advice for you~
If you cannot see the video above, click here.
Marlin, Nemo’s dad is about to quit. Going to give up looking for Nemo. Stop short of his goal. Fortunately through the encouragement of his friend, Dory, he “just kept swimming.” Because he did indeed “just keep swimming,” Nemo was found and Marlin found his “greater” life.
We are reading Chapter 10 today. After this we just have chapters 11 & 12. So close to the end. Too close to quit. Just keep reading.
And if you are behind, I encourage you to do the same. Just Keep Reading.
“Greater isn’t an automatic, permanent position; it’s an intentional daily decision.” ~ Steven Furtick
Everyday, make your intentional daily decision to stick with it. Keep Reading. Just keep swimming.
Share your thoughts on Chapter 10, Where Did It Fall?, with us in the comment section.
Love & Blessings to all of you!
Sponsor a Child
{ 66 comments }
Instead of where did it fall how about where did I fall? I seem to let every day events and negative people overwhelm me and take my focus off of God and the path He has chosen for me. These bible studies have helped me refocus and feel less discouraged..
One step at a time to become Greater!!!!!
You aren’t alone. I struggle with the same, but it is in my home. I know that God strategically placed the Dory video into my world today. I am so discouraged right now that I just want to put my bible down and walk away from the fight. I know that God is working, and I know that he is holding me up, but I am surrounded by so much negative that it tears me and my children down, making it hard to keep focus. In His faithfulness, He whispers encouragement to me in these different studies (thank God for OBS….all of you are making a difference) but right now, I just feel like I am crawling through wasted land while others throw stones at me. I know God has Greater for me, but right now it just feels as though I will never find it. I am thankful for this study, for the man through which God breathed this book, and for the women who bring it to the internet. One day, I will share my testimony to help others, being thankful for the people I have never met that helped pull me through this long and dark, blinding storm. Wow! Guess that should have been in a blog!
Valerie, It is easier said then done But just keep swimming! I still have negative people in my family but it is getting better because of Gods presence i ask for every day!! I will be praying for you! I too have a good network of great friends that keep me encouraged!!
Valerie,
Remember “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world.” Satan wants to take us out, but God fights the battles with us. We win!!!!!!!
Will be praying for you.
Valerie! we live in such a negative world and it’s soooo easy to let it just wash over us! It’s taken me so many years to see that I was surrounding myself with these people and then allowing them to poison me. But, I’ve cut them all from my life and found some positive, amazing Godly people to surround myself with. It was easy for me, but I absolutely had the choice. It sounds like you don’t have much choice in the matter – so! I will pray for you right now and pray that either your situation turns positive or the negative goes away.
Stay strong – if I’ve learned on thing from these bible studies is that people love us so much – even people we’ve never met and will probably never meet.
God’s already obviously on your side for giving you the courage to open the door to your story, even if it was just a crack.
Praying for you, Valerie! I agree with the comments above. It was wonderful in Chapter 10 hearing Pastor Steven say that it is a daily/moment-moment struggle to “keep his edge.” He is so open in sharing! God still holds us in His hand even when our edge is being chipped away and loses its sharpness. He is making you stronger in another area right now and it will all work for good. <3
It fell several times and always when I don’t heed the voice of God.
So I have to just keep obeying, just keep obeying,
Obeying obeying obeying!
I’m not ready to give up or do I want to quit. I just want to keep on swimming toward what ever God has for me. I’ve loved every minute of this study! I’ll love every moment until the end. And then I will be ready for the next study and the greater God has for me in it. I pray each leader and each participate in this study finishes with the same excitement as we started with. God is not boring, or tiring he is the one who give us the strength to move forward. So if you are tired draw on our Lords strength and finish this race to the end. Love you all
I LOVE your post!! So well said!!
XoXo
Thank you so much for your prayers Tina. I join with you in excitement and expectation of what God will do has done and will continue to do through His Word and the message of this book. Thank you for sharing this journey and with us and for your prayers.
Blessings
Kristi Seat
(OBS Leadership Team)
I haven’t figured out what the greater part is for me. Or what plows to burn or what ditches to dig. But I’m hanging in there an still reading.
I do believe that God always has a plan and that He knows me more than I know myself, so I know He does have some thing greater for me!
I haven’t figured it out either
Nikki, and Lori ~~
Do not be discouraged if you haven’t identified what your greater part is yet. Perhaps it involves right where you are at this point in your life. Or perhaps you’re not quite there yet, but God is preparing you to be receptive to the Greater he will call you to in the future. The important thing is to capture the spirit of listening for His call and being ready to answer when He does!
May God bless you and keep you in His care,
Karen (OBS Group Leader)
Thank you Karen. I am trying to be content right where I am and keep asking Him for guidance. Thanks again for your words of encouragement.
Nikki,
I have not figured all that out either. But thanks to this study I am working on it and I have hope and faith that God has a greater plan for me and He will reveal it when He is ready too. Just keep on swimming sister!
Love and blessings,
Kristen barkdull
Thank you Karen and Kristen!
Chapter 10 grabbed my attention more than any chapter in the book! This chapter was exactly where I was. I started reading the book with the group. Then I go sidetracked with a study I was leading and the hustle and bustle of everything. I was able to sit dow and finish the entire book, I still had about half of it to go, during the Christmas holidays. Chapter 10 spoke to me. That is where I was at that very moment. I know it was God’s awesome intervention, I read the rest of the book at the right time.
Look for where it fell. Go back and pick up right there. You don’t have to go back to the beginning. God does not work that way. Chapter 10 gave me exactly what I needed to “pick back up” and move forward. I honestly was going into some type of depression. I could not pull myself out……but that is just it. I was trying to do everything in my on strenght instead of being “greater” by relying more on God and having less of me. I remind myself daily, Lord open my eyes to what you want, your plan. Help me to be greater by relying on you, giving everything to you.
Thank you Melissa for leading this study. Even though I have not followed it weekly as I should, it has kept me right where I need to be and it has helped me so very much.
Sorry for all of my typos!
Cindy, don’t you just love God’s timing? Relying on God instead of trying to do everything on our own is difficult at times. However, it will lead us to the greater that God has in store for us. I am so glad that you shared how God showed this to you.
It is a daily thought process, allowing God to take it. I have always been so very independent, especially now being a single mother of 3 for almost 5 years…….it is automatic to make those decisions on my own. I am getting better, the more I realize every single trial and hardship is God’s way of helping me break that habit. Knowing that God has this and reminding myself to let Him have it is so peaceful…..but still difficult.
Thanks Jamy!
I am loving this book so much that I’m having a hard time not reading ahead! I just pray that the message of this book continues to resonate in our hearts and minds long after we are done and have moved on to the next study!
Nikki and Lori, I am certain that God has greater things in store for both of you. I love that even though you haven’t figured out what the greater is in your life, you are still pressing in to learn about the GREATEST in your life, God. Keep drawing close to Him and following His leading and He will take you to greater.
Thank you Jamy
This study is so helping me. I’ve not posted much but am still getting so much out of it. Thank you for your emails with study notes, etc. Thanks to Pastor Fertick for taking the time to write such an inspiritional book!!!
This book is wonderful isn’t it? So glad that you are growing and enjoying this study. Thank you for posting Loretta! Blessings!
where did it fall? I would say by Gods grace to simply go back and identify where I got off track, maybe it was a word of criticism or an nasty email or hurtful comment or see blessings in life as curses. God is the master of recovering that which is lost. he expects you to cooperate with him. If you lack momentum it’s your responsibility to evaluate the situation. next time you lose your momentum in daily life as you’re chasing after God’s best for you, don’t give up and conclude that it’s over. the greater life hasn’t ended for you. cry out to God, ask yourself where did I fall? then go back to that place, pick it back up and keep moving forward into the greater things God has for you.
Lynn I love this! What an awesome reminder of what I should be doing. Thanks for sharing.
What a tremendous AHA I got from the idea that about curses and blessings. It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes “Every devil is an angel in disguise.” If I remember to think that God has a purpose for everything, then it makes it easier to realize “Hey! I’m not in charge. God is.” All I have to do is turn to Him and remember how He has helped me in the past and ask Him to show me which path He wants me to take now. When I feel defeated, He simply wants me to look to Him to pick up the pieces instead of trying to do it on my own. Thanks Lynn!
Blessings
Kristi Seat
(OBS Leadership Team)
This chapter was soothing to my soul. A beautiful reminder of God’s continued love and faithfulness to me (and you). Hurrying, doing, and overwhelmed by the busyness that surrounded me (in church leadership and ministry), I lost my edge years ago. My tank became empty and I lost sight of what really mattered. I did not fall into a life of sin, I did not lose my salvation, but I did lose passion and purpose and relationship. I operated on autopilot for a couple of years and made it worse when I tried to fix things with my own self-effort. This chapter (and others) is seriously a part of my story!
I am so thankful for God’s mercy and love for us. The last several years for me has been a time of restoration and renewal and repurposing. I love how He continues to encourage through these studies!
Shelly I felt like this right after my first daughter turned one, I’ve since learned to dial back and do the things that truly matter. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of where I don’t want to go back to. Its all about balance.
Its comforting to know that we all lose our spiritual edge sometimes and that all we have to do is ask God to take us back to where we lost it and with His help pick it up again. Like the Pastor in the story I dont want to waste this precious life by just going through the motions. I want to do GREATER things for God! Praise to the God of second chances!
And you ARE, Amber! Every day when you post in our group, I get so excited by hearing about all the ways you are living in greater ways for God! Love you, girl!
Karen (OBS Group Leader)
As I read this chapter I started to be sad that this study will almost be over because it has been a blessing that God has used to keep me from falling. Circumstances have been hard in my life lately but this book and study has kept me focused on Gods promises and has made me dilegently seek Him daily for strength so that I can find my greater and be greater in Him! Lord I pray that when this study is over I will not slide! I praise you Lord and thank you for the Greater Book;Melissa Taylor and her study leaders and the fellowship with the others who have participated in this with me. How can I ever go back to just surviving after this time of seekeing Greater? I pray that I never will and that if I begin to slide Jesus will tap me on my shoulder and whisper the word Greater!
Absolutely love your prayer!!!!!!!!!!! Do you mind if I share with my group??
Of course I do not mind. Please share!
Melissa, thank you so much for bringing this study and your daily posts to my life – you are so encouraging, so down-to-earth, so relate able, it is inspiring to hear others experiencing the same struggles. You and Proverbs 31 Ministry is a true blessing!
Thank you so much for this prayer and for sharing your struggle with us as well. Praying that God will continue to bless you and your family and this ministry. We appreciate you and love you so much Melissa. Know that you are always surrounded by prayer!
So much has happened over the past 10 years of my life that I don’t know exactly WHERE it fell. He knows though…and He’s been helping me to see where it fell. God has been so faithful in helping me pick myself back up after I cried out to Him! And boy have I CRIED! And CRIED! I think not only did I lose the cutting edge…but the sharpness of the blade got dull all that time it was drowning under the water. I had lost my passion, my hope, my joy…and the enemy did his best to make sure I stayed there feeling defeated and alone. I think it may take more than half a week. Much more. To work through this chapter. I’ve spent almost three whole days off thinking about just this and crying and praying. He had spoken so clearly to my heart at the beginning of this study that He missed me…that He missed our talks…and boy have I missed Him. And I’ve asked Him to restore all the locusts have eaten. I am so happy some women asked me to teach them inductive study this year. We are going to do the book of Romans together. And I’m doing Ann Voskamp’s challenge “The Romans Project” along with it to help it all sink in even more. It was the book of Romans that I was studying inductively when the call came and I’d been accepted into nursing school (so I packed it away for later) and all my peace with God and in my home and my marriage fell apart over the ensuing years. After school, I’ve been doing what my husband asked me to do (go back to work) and not what I felt God was calling me to do. Guess what…that was 10 years ago!
Vicki, it sounds like God has you right where he wants you…digging into his word, crying and praying! Thank you for sharing your story. It is encouraging to me.
This was definitly what I needed today. I feel like throwing in the towel. I come so far, and then boom down it goes again. I feel like greater is way out of my ability, I loose sight and give up hope. I loose connection with life in general and it’s hard to keep picking up the pieces again.
Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Praying that He continues to strengthen you each day. To ‘return your edge’.
*hugs*
Ange, Greater is never out of your ability…don’t let go! I so understand though because sometimes it feels as though my faith is hanging by a thread, even though I know God is all powerful and working in my favor. I KNOW these things, but sometimes the sting is so powerful that I feel like I am walking against the current instead of with God. It is these battles that we must persevere through to find our Greater. I know it feels like it will never end and my heart aches for you. I am facing the same struggle of remaining faithful just one.more.time. I am praying for you and you are not alone!
Hey Ange….a thought for you…”don’t give up, you must be doing something right.” Because when we follow the Lord and do what He wants us to do…oh my does it ever make satan made….why yes it does. Those may be the moments when you are ready to call it quits…so don’t, you own this victory and God is right there by your side, talking to you, encouraging you, and planning your next thoughts and moves…for He knows all…small test are good, it keeps us moving in the right direction. So embrace them, smile and know that the ultimate gift of love is yours….forever!
You are right, Ange – it is out of our ability! We are not alone and working in our own strength, though. It’s comforting to me to know that the person responsible for losing the axe head was not told to go in the water and get it! It came back to him by the power of God flowing through Elisha. God meets us where we are!!!! Praise Him!
Each moment is different and no matter which moment we are in (edge or no edge) God is right there with us to bring us back in line.
“Nothing AHEAD of you is bigger or stronger than the POWER of God BEHIND you. – Ephesians 6:10: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
God bless and keep trusting and flexing those hope muscles.
Thank all of you very much. So completely encourgaing to read your comments. I so love being a part of this body of sisters.
I really needed this today- I’m trying to keep swimming but my fin is injured:(
Thank you for all your encouragement and for this online study!
Praying for your ‘fin’! May God bless you with His words during this study. <3
This is too funny! My FB post from this morning:
Good Morning FB Friends and Family! My precious Pastor Rhonda Gorton shared some truth last night from John 15:7-8, “7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” When we remain in Him, trusting Him to work it out, having the Faith to believe and know that I know that I know that MY God will bring me through anything and everything is the one of the greatest promises we have from our Lord. As His children He wants good for us, but it is always going to be pleasant, absolutely NOT! But as Christians, at the end of the day, we are not alone EVER and He is our provider, counselor, and our peace; but first we must know that we know that we know He is all of these and much more! We must stay in His presence, in His word and press through the tough times, because there is always Glory on the other side! So remain in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart! Have a blessed day!
The Lord always placing in our path what we need, when we need it! We just have to be able to recognize and most importantly OBEY! Thanks to Mel for this post and helping me to remember that no matter what life brings, the Lord brings more!
Thank you thank you! I really can see the words in your post…they speak to me and they give me a fresh look at how I should be. You are so right…we need to obey and walk the way He intends for us the walk…we are never alone, He is always there….always! It’s not a part time job for Him and this OBS helps me to see that I need to make Him my full time thought and action job.
This was such an amazing chapter! This is the part that particularly stood out to me:
….the greater life isn’t about living the perfect life. It’s about keeping your passion intact, no matter what.~Chapter 10.
How true is that? Jesus tells us that apart from Him, we are nothing. He is the Bread of Life and Living Water–put bluntly-what we NEED to live. It should be no different for our ‘greater’ either.
A very interesting chapter to read. What I find is that the MORE I read the more I feel the tug or in reality pull from Satan! And if I continue on my path or learning more and soaking it all up, then it seems that dirty boy is only trying to throw more at me…..example today (in a nutshell) …I am emotionally drained from my job but even in these dark moments, I see the light and I seek it and I keep my eyes on the positive, even on my last strand of energy in the classroom! WOW! Only to get home, have my toddler granddaughter for a couple hours, no de-stress exercise machine for me
, then kid home, husband home, and off we go to cooking for them and my adult son who is visiting tonight…then housework…oh and reading. Nope, not gonna give up, not gonna let the dark side win. I have been there done that and do not have intentions of going back. I have my feet firmly planted in faith and one day at a time or rather one baby step at a time, I will get there and these moments that I shared today, will be distant and I will laugh at them one day.
I have slipped, a little and A LOT in the past. But I believe with all my heart that I am in a right place now, with the tools I need and a God who has always loved me, even when I didn’t give him the time of day. (smack my hand now)
I have a story to tell…in time, not today, I am not ready to share it with those outside of my immediate family…but one day. Just know that I am aware of the love that surrounds me daily and I start my day by jumping up and saying “Good Morning God… let’s get started!”
Awesome, Kim!
The part about this chapter that really jumped out at me was that we think we know what will make us happy, so we work to get it (a marriage, kids, a certain house, etc.) and then, once we have “it” we feel as though we need something else, something more, to make us happy. So, instead of enjoying what we worked for, we push aside our contentment and start working on getting the next thing.
I know I am guilty of this and after reading this book and reflecting, I know the times I am not satisfied are when I do not believe God is right by my side. This OBS is helping me to remember, several times a day, that I need to “Let Go and Let God.”
This is how I feel right about now. I haven’t made a comment until now. I am just now entering week 5′s work and we’re ending the week. I have learned a lot so far. I still have some things I need to think about. The one thing I do know, is that I am loved with an everlasting love. He only has my best interests at hand. This is definitely a place that I’m in right now. I feel that I’m in a rut as a wife and mom. God has called me to be greater in my calling. I do need to step it up a notch in all areas of my life.
Kara,
Thank you so much for your comment. I know there are many who might feel defeated right now (including myself). Thank you for honesty and I pray that God will touch your Spirit with renewed passion and that He will guide you into His purpose as a wife, mother and believer.
Bless you sister
Kristi Seat
(OBS Leadership Team)
Contentment. Humility.
Love for others above self.
Peace.
Joy.
Taking on the attributes of Jesus;
I’d say that pretty much sums up the book.
To be like Jesus. Listening for the voice of God (or Holy Spirit) to guide every day.
It is then, that we find He in return, blesses us.
___________________________
As I write this, I think of all the times I have given someone a gift. I don’t’ give out of obligation. I give because I care for the person, and I just (want) to BLESS them. I don’t expect them to give me something in return. I just want the joy to radiate through their appreciation of the gift.
That is just like the love of the Father, isn’t it? It is when we don’t seeeeeeeeeek after the blessing, – we seek after the fellowship and love – with a pure heart, he just oozes out His best red carpet for us.
oh, Father, forgive me for seeking you the resourcer of life. You are my source, my foundation, my love, my rock. In you I have all that I need. ♥♥♥
Oh, Jesus, my Soul. I adore YOU – for WHO you are.
I always love reading your comments DonnaB. And, I loved how you reinforced the idea of seeking out the fellowship and love that comes with the gift instead of the reward. God provides everything we need and so much more than we could ever imagine if we remember it’s all about Him.
Blessings sister
Kristi Seat
(OBS Leadership Team)
I love the analogy you used! So true!!!
(((hugs)))
God has spoke to me in so many ways thru this book but chapter 10 is by far the loudest and clearest. I am a director of a ministry in my church and I had lost my edge sometime around October but last night while reading chapter 10 I was able to look back over the last 8 weeks and see just how far God had grown me and I now feel a passion for my calling again.
Praise to Him who is greater and who calls us to be greater for Him!
Awesome Treasure! Praying that God will unleash an even greater passion in this New Year!
I’ve missed getting on this board. I am soooo tired.
I am happy and pleased and amazed at where God is taking me. I have felt lead and followed , not sure of so much. Great I know but did I mention how tired I am?
I know every time I feel my self connecting more with God’s direction, the rug gets yanked so hard out from under me. A large catalyst in my moving to Colorado from Florida this month was this study. The burning of the plow. Quiting my job without a job–packing all through the holidays, having my last day (everyone so nice to me), and starting to drive. On the day I started driving I got called and received the job. I got chills I felt such a confirmation of faith. it would have taken me to my knees if I weren’t sandwhiched into the front seat of a pick up truch with my Mom, my 8 year old and my yorkie!
I have had lots of little road blocks registering car, getting son’t social security… but they didn’t matter I could always resurface knowing God was working out the big stuff. Since Dec 14th. I flew to Denver (no job) signed apartment lease, registered my son for school, flew back to FL, finshed job, packed, christmas, started driving, got job, unpacked shopped, confusion with job (but working out).
Yesterday morning- driving looking at the mountains. Everything fallling in place- blissfully in awe of God’s divine intervetion in all of this…
THEN THE CALL FROM SCHOOL – My Asperger son- day three. I’ll skip the details but …back to school where I spent the day instead of doing what I need to be ready for work next week. But that’s where God must want me, I’m still good. Slightly frustrated but start reading my Greater at school and feeling it’s all a purpose.
Then at the last minute I bribe my son to do the spelling be (day three of new school, state- he wanted to first day but refused to study and then paniced and was not going to do), I just wanted him to feel the success of overcoming his fear. I bribed him with what I hate- what I think is what he worships most-video games.
But he went up and when he got out he was in control and first thing said ” I should have studied. I was so proud because he did it , and he realized on his own that if he had put forth any effort he would have been able to get very far if not win. And with a little encouragement he stayed and watched his school mates complete the task
HERE IS WHERE ALL MY WALLS FELL IN. I LOST IT ! RAGE, FRUSTRATION AND NOW CAN’T SLEEP. While we called his father, to tell what he had done. He was cold, apathetic (my son) and told what he did “the spelling be” and “staying to watch”- I only did it cause Mom bribed me with video games. I didn’t care at all. she made me but we are going to gamestop.”
I felt kicked in the gut. I moved across the country, 20 days of packing unpacking giving away most everything I owned sans what fit in a pick up truck- spent day at school because he refuses to eat and cooperate with teachers- to watch him have the ability to do the spelling bee and ultimately have zero gratitude. Just arrogance and apathy- and now get the games.
I just felt like everything was such a waste. and I swore and bought the games because I promised but felt so used and disgusted.
It all seems so stupid now. but I still feel sick. Everything I do is for this “more than I can handle” child. I know God must want me to get him somewhere. He is beautiful and brilliant and my biggest fear is arrogance and apathy. I feel so alone right now. Because no car, job, apartment, beautiful scenery feels like anything feeling like a failure as a mother.
I’m so tired. I pray God can take this sad horribly opressive futile feeling from me caus eI just feel like going to sleep and not waking up. I so felt like God was going to take some of this burden. I just haven’t felt this horrible for a long time.
Even as I say this I know I will look back in a day or so and not be able to relate to the depth I feel now. I know ever positive step i take in God’s direction seems to end with Satan ripping my heart apart with my child. I know I am just a victim of this battle. God please give me the strength to continue and make the best choices to help my child become all he can. Help me not feel pierced by the judgemnt of my family and ex-husband as they cottle and make me son feel like he can’t help his bad choices and it’s ok. Help know that going through the war with him is a greater love for him than every peppy well wisher that doesn’t spend their days at school and encouraging him to be all he can.
I am so exhausted. Without you God i just won’t make it!
Ann,
I admire you for burning your plow & trusting God with your move…As far s your soon goes, give him & his “issue” to God as well, made him & chose you to be his . I’ve dealt with asbergers & it’s a “frustrating” illness but God will get you through every situation….I will definitely be praying for you, your son,& the entire situation! Keep your head up!!!!
Blessings & Love,
Karri
Ok, my phone is acting crazy! The previous message was supposed to say God chose you as his mother & to give your son to God and keep praying ….(((hugs)))
Thanks…I go from feeling I can’t take one more thing to, feeling like a big baby. Thanks a lot =)
Ann, I understand completely the emotional/spiritual rollercoaster you’re on. But I agree with Karri ~ YOU are the perfect mom for your beautiful, smart son! I ‘get’ the struggles aspergers brings, my sister has it too. My beautiful daughter was born with many challenges, and caused the same turmoil. Every minute was a struggle to understand what her issues were, her potential, and weigh what was best for her. I want to encourage you, sweet sister, to hang in there! God cradles you all, feels your love and worry, and entrusted your little one to your care. My daughter is now turning 27, and I see all the prayer, energy, uncertainty and love have helped her become the incredible person she is today. There IS a light at the end of this tunnel, Ann, and you ARE being led to it. Rest in God, and He will renew your strength. Blessings, Karen (OBS Group Leader)
Still trying to figure this out concerning my family, while picking up broken pieces. This has been an awesome study and it has helped me so much! I am sooooo ready for Let.It.Go.
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