Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Chapter Three
This week's reading is chapter 3. Luke 7. Chapter 3 discusses the difference of having a knowledge of Jesus and having an intimate relationship with him. Questions for thought. When is the last time you had a relationship with Jesus like the woman in Luke 7 had? Do you know about Jesus or do you really know Jesus? It is one thing to announce that we are going to have an initimate relationship with Jesus but it is another thing to put it into practice.
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I have been thinking so much while reading this book whether my heart, soul, and mind are all aligned. I know what I want to do, but as Paul says so often...what I want to do is not what I actually do. To me this is quite frightening! I keep pondering on whether I have the courage to live my faith in ALL situations, or do I become too afraid in some scenarios and actually reject God? In Matthew 6:33 it says, "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his righteousness..." but am I actually doing that or just going through the motions? This is something that I really struggle with. I want to be a SILENT follower of Christ...going about doing his work without recognition but I realize how many times a day the Holy Spirit prompts me and I say "Yes, God, I hear you and I will do that but I allow time and busyiness to get in the way. (Too often my busy schedule keeps me from doing HIS work).
ReplyDeleteI love HOW this book is making me look inward, not outward.
I am still seeing myself on both sides of the fence.
FAN
1. Giving PART, not ALL, and it is conditional
2. Substitutes other things for Jesus/God
3. Seeks others before God
Follower
1. Wholeheartedly surrenders their ENTIRE life to God
2. Jesus is the one and only in their life
3. Craves/thirsts a relationship with God and is wanting only that relationship and doesn't care what it costs
4. Turns to God first
Oh, to have the traits of a follower and for them to be so intertwined within my being. KNITTED within my soul!
Thanks for your questions and thoughts Gals you make me think. I only wish we were together weekly to discuss what we are REALLY feeling at the close of each chapter.
I have done some more reading and realized I am still guilty of trying to do things on my own. I need to SURRENDER more. In the latest chapter I read that I need to practice DAILY, MOMENT by MOMENT to ask for the Holy Spirit to help me. I have become increasingly aware of that need in the past few days of school because of the choices of my fourth graders. I need to repent for my impatience and judgmental attitude and ask for the Holy Spirit to help me to have open eyes to what the children NEED and how God can use me to be a light. I have been trying to solve problems on my own and need to give it to the ALMIGHTY problem solver and quit feeling the stresses and pressures. Let's see where I am in a week after parent teacher conferences and a FRIDAY of school.
ReplyDeleteLOOK forward to hearing your thinking....
Ugh, this is not the Bible study to get behind in. What am I saying when I can not committ time to God to follow through with this book? So sorry, thnaks for keeping me accountable, Susan. Right off the bat, the idea of Yada was interesting. God uses that word to describe the relationship he wants with us amd that comparison with the relationship of husband and wife. Not know just about him and know him. It's all about giving him the control and not trying to control things myself. So my question to you is "getting to know Jesus" is through reading his word, correct? knowing him is putting that into practice? SO which comes first? Can we really follow Jesus if we do not know his word and what he expects out of us?
ReplyDeleteThat is a battle or struggle I have...BALANCE. Where and when do I find the time to read his word and do my part of the Bible study. My latest solution is to listen to my BIBLE of the chapters and scriptures Kyle references in his book. This way I am reading through it several times before I actually read what Kyle thinks.
ReplyDeleteThe other way I am blessed is our church teaches lessons directly from the scripture. We are working our way through John...chapter by chapter, so it forces me to reread the scripture before Wednesday evening small group.
I am getting better at recognizing when my life is out of balance; when it has been too long since I have been in HIS word. I first turn to Psalms because this book is so encouraging. I have read most of the book and highlighted some inspiring words if you ever need some. However, I would love to know what are some of yours that get you through the days.
My favorite and most inspiring book of the Bible is Proverbs. I certainly need more wisdom in my everyday life. Proverbs 31 of course is directed to us as women. Talk about balance. This gal does it all. The magic word is discipline, I guess. This week I am going to go to the Bible first thing every morning before I check emails, words with Friends, or facebook. So easy to become distracted with what is going in our lives and I need to set better priorites. How can I justify to God that my hour spent on line in the morning was more important than being in his word? Fan or follower?
ReplyDeleteDo you get the Proverbs 31 daily email or text? I have heard that it is good. I will have to read Proverbs and see why you love the book so much. Thanks for the inspiration to try something new and to hold me accountable. Isn't it amazing how easy it is to find yourself on both sides of the fence: Fan and follower? The reassuring part I am convinced is that God knows our heart and desire to keep him first. I think the scariest part is when we know longer have the desire to want HIM to be first. That to me is why GRACE is the integral part and knowing that when I mess up and put distance between the two of us HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO TAKE ME BACK. That is just too great of a gift!
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