I don't know about you but I LOVED this chapter! Before we get into the questions this time. I would love to share some parts of the book that I personally highlighted and wrote down in my journal that stood out to me. I hope that you find them as comforting and as interesting as I do!
-Page # 26 "But somehow, in the midst of all these blessings, the marvelous grew mundane, the remarkable hohum."
*Do you ever feel this way, even when God has done SO much for you? We ONLY THINK it's mundane because we want to know more or see more instantly always instead of just relaxing and trusting God! I pray that I NEVER allow the marvelous blessings God has granted me to appear mundane or hohum because they are anything but.
-Page # 28 "But he loved her too much to give her what she wanted. Instead, Jesus gave her what she needed - an invitation to draw close to Him. With open arms, he invited the troubled women to leave her worries and cares and find refuge in Him alone."
*WOW!! I LOVE this part so much! THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS RIGHT HERE!!!! We all want, want, want, RIGHT?! Of course! Ever said "I need that? When you really meant or should have said you wanted it instead? Of course you have! I did just the other day at my married couples small group when admiring one of the other ladies cute sandals, I quickly corrected myself. Honestly I really did correct myself! We often get so confused with what we want vs. what we truly NEED and people who truly love us and know what's best for us will give more of what we need then what we just want when it's better for us.
Questions for Discussion/Reflection:
- The story of Martha and Mary stirs up some memories of sibling rivalry for many of us. What battles with your siblings do you remember the most? What did you do to get your parents to notice you?
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
-Have you ever asked Martha's question, "Lord don't you care?" What was the situation? How did God answer your question? *Remember to post your thoughts on the blog!
Going Deeper:
- All of us have felt alone - even the great heroes of faith felt this way. How did the "Deadly D's" of distraction, discouragement, and doubt attack Elijah after the great victory over the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? I've completed the first one as an example (courtesy of the book)
DISTRACTION: Jezebel's anger made him run for his life.
DISCOURAGEMENT: (write your thoughts in your journals and post a comment!)
DOUBT: (Write your thoughts in your journals and post a comment)
- In this passage how did God minister to Elijah on the midst of his discouragement? How has God ministered to you when you felt alone and were hurting?
In those passages in Mark the disciples echoed Martha's question: "Don't you care?" What does this portion of scripture teach us about the difficult times in our lives? (Consider reading Isaiah 43:1-2)
-List at LEAST five of the many ways God shows His love for us.
-Write Jesus a letter in your journal beginning with, "Lord, I know you love me because...." and list the ways he has shown his great love for you.
Here are some of the scriptures that were in this chapter that spoke to me a TON! I hope that these verses will help you each as well as much as they have me!!!
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, O People; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge."
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you."
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."
As I sit and read over these verses and reflect on them I am overjoyed by their meaning and the things that resonate within me when I hear them. My goodness it's so powerful. Such short verses really, but yet so much to say in them that I am overwhelmed with joy when I read each one. There is no part of my life I cannot take to Him and trust with Him. I can rest in the fact that I don't have to be anxious about ANYTHING because it's in the hands of my Father, and why....because HE cares for me and for us!!! AND not just that, He cares so much that He is willing to hold back some things from me that even when I think they may be the right way or the right thing or the right time, He knows it's not the best for me. He cares so much and knows the best way for my life and shows me some discipline in my life that I now yearn for and can truly appreciate in ways I never imagined I would. Like a baby that longs for structure and discipline when they don't even realize it. It's so amazing really! I LOVE HIM!
*Don't forget to POST YOUR THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, FEELINGS, COMMENTS, ANYTHING!!! Let's hear it ladies!!! What do you think?
-The sibling rivalry between my older sister who is five years older then was pretty big growing up. She hated me and I hated her back then. We would fight and even pull hair...literally!
ReplyDelete-I have asked the Lord if He cared recently actually in regards to our finances. During the economic struggles of country it has effected us tremendously with neither Rob nor myself getting raises for the last three years and Rob getting his holiday and over time pay even taken away. And with our property taxes and insurance going up along with the general increased cost of living going up and my new medical expenses now we have really taken a hit on our budget and it's been testing. God HAS shown us He does care and He is there for us. He has provided always. We have never went hungry and always had gas to get to work one way or another and never been late on any payments so far. We trust God fully in every aspect of our lives and He never ceases to amaze us with the ways He shows up and provides.
-I Kings 19:1-18 god ministered to Elijah by encouraging him to go back, try again. Lifting him up basically, telling him he could do it. Being his cheerleader in what he was trying to do. God has definitely done that very same thing for me when I felt alone and hurting. When sitting alone in the hospital I had a lot of time to sit in the quiet and listen to God speak to me through scripture. He definitely lifted me up and helped me through that time like no one else could!
-During the difficult times in our lives we should definitely lean HARD and stronger on God because He will always see us through. He wouldn't bring us to the hard situation if He couldn't bring us through it.
5 Ways God Loves ME!
1. Forgave my sin!
2. Heals my pain
3. Satisfies my desires
4. Redeems me from death
5. Gives righteousness and justice
Lord, I know you love me because you saved me from myself, from my destructive ways of my past, from my addictions you SAVED ME abd showed me love when I felt none. You brought me into life of light and abundance of beauty now where before all my days were doomed with darkness. I know you love me because many times I've brought harm to myself and yet you remain there to help me through. I know you love me now because you get me through each day the way no one else on this planet can. You healed me quick through my stay in the hospital so I could be out for my birthday. You've heard my cries and pleas and listened and held my hand every step of the way in every aspect of my journey of life.
Ok so basicly i loved this chapter I just simple wanna share my favorite things in this chap----
ReplyDeletepage 25. "The Father had heard. The Father had answered. Not in the way I'd asked, and certaintly not in the way I'd planned. He hadn't rolled up the window. But he HAD wrapped me in his arms. I began to cry again. This time the tears wern't those of a demanding child, but those of a chastened daughter."
Ok that right there just made me totaly smile as I read it its beautiful he answered in his own way it makes it even better than if he had done what she had asked its just sweet and I LOVE the thought of him having his arms wrapped around me just lil ol me he loves me just the thought of being wrapped up in his arms gods arms just makes me melt.
Going back a few pages to page 20.
"When we're distracted and discouraged, tired and overwhelmed, there is no better place to go than to our father. He alone has what we need. Don't snivel under a broom tree. Don't hide in a broom closet. Go to the lord and let him sweep away your discouragement. As you do, you'll find healing for your hurting heart. Even when it can't help but doubt.
Aint it funny (and sad) how we just try to figure everything out alone and actually think we can? He makes it so simple 4 us he realy truly cares about us and we just turn our back from him cause either were afraid he will do something other than what we want or take to much time or be to quiet or we dont want to slow down long enough to listen we have billions of stupid excuses how come we always try to make things so very hard??
page 25. "does his heart hurt like mine when we question his love?"
It sorta crazy to think we can hurt God like people hurt us, were his children tho...makes since if ya think bout it....its just crazy tho hes so big and created so many beautiful things but if we question if he realy loves us and cares about us it hurts him to I know how it feels to question em it just plain hurts...ha usually tho i get a good slap in the face from somewhere reminding me that he realy does, like this book is an example of that before i started it i was doubting him (as we all do) but this book is just that slap that i needed its helped me ALOT.
Just some verses i liked....
your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that streches far. isiah 33:17
and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. romans 8:28
(both of those are on page 21 well not the actual verse thats from my bible but u know what i mean)
hope yall are having a lovely day :) enjoying this beautiful sunshine even though its teribly HOT dont complain or it might start raining again...
I can think of more than once when God didn't give me what I wanted, but what I needed instead. If I had gotten what I wanted, here is a list of things I would be currently missing out on:
ReplyDelete1. my husband (thought I wanted to marry this other guy)
2. my job (begged and begged God to give me this other job I interviewed for; He didn't; I shook my fists at Him; not long thereafter, I was introduced to Clint and found out about THIS job, which is infinitely better than the other one!!!)
3. my child
4. my home
5. my friends