I think these quotes are so true in our lives....
"Satan's most effective tactic with yours truly has been to trap me in mental torment...." (BM)
" Satan has a limited leash where believers are concerned, his most powerful tactics are psychological. Though he can't possess our minds, he profoundly and destructively influences our thoughts." (BM)
"That, beloved is psychological warfare. We must catch the Enemy in the act, call it what it is, and keep from what he wants." (BM)
We must guard our minds.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
It's tough being a 'beautiful' woman - Week 3
I've been trying to keep track this week of how much time I spend on beauty treatments. Certainly not as long as Esther did. And obviously not with the positive results that Esther did. I wonder if they did step aerobics in the harem???? I wonder what their version of StriVectrim wrinkle reducer was and if it actually worked?
I have to admit that I have certainly been sucked into our Babylon culture when it comes to my self image and how I prioritize my time and desires. I think we (I) have become so acclimated that we don't even recognize how shallow and worldly we are or perhaps we do recognize it and choose to ignore it.
It reminds me of what repentance is really about. Turning away from things, thoughts and values which are ungodly and not just setting them aside but filling that space with things that bring glory to God. Do I even want to think that thought? What would beauty really look like on a woman who was flat out committed to becoming more Christlike at every turn of her day?
Easy? no! Required? yes. I guess our response indicates whether we really believe in discipleship or whether we just give it lip service. Take some time to evaluate your life... what needs to go and what "fruit of the spirit" can you fill it with. Be brave my friends, make a list of your top three and work on them for the rest of this study. Be braver and share what they are so we can pray with you and give each other positive accountability.
I have to admit that I have certainly been sucked into our Babylon culture when it comes to my self image and how I prioritize my time and desires. I think we (I) have become so acclimated that we don't even recognize how shallow and worldly we are or perhaps we do recognize it and choose to ignore it.
It reminds me of what repentance is really about. Turning away from things, thoughts and values which are ungodly and not just setting them aside but filling that space with things that bring glory to God. Do I even want to think that thought? What would beauty really look like on a woman who was flat out committed to becoming more Christlike at every turn of her day?
Easy? no! Required? yes. I guess our response indicates whether we really believe in discipleship or whether we just give it lip service. Take some time to evaluate your life... what needs to go and what "fruit of the spirit" can you fill it with. Be brave my friends, make a list of your top three and work on them for the rest of this study. Be braver and share what they are so we can pray with you and give each other positive accountability.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Week 2 - Lesson 1
I am so glad you braved the 6 degree weather to come tonight.
One of the frustrating things about a book like Esther is that as women we want to know all of the details of the story. Who said what, and when. What kind of father figure was Mordacai? Did he cherish the opportunity to have a daughter? Did he teach her the law? These things we may never know - and maybe it is better that we don't. Because when we lack the detail's of a story it is much easier to put ourselves into the story. To read it and apply it to our own lives without the difference of the details to distract us.
I'm not sure who I would have become if I had faced the circumstances that Esther faced. But one of the gems of wisdom that I learned from my late sister-in-law, Dawn, was that when we don't like the senerio of our lives we have to write a new script from God's perspective.
God is writing a story with each of our lives... what does your story look like?
One of the frustrating things about a book like Esther is that as women we want to know all of the details of the story. Who said what, and when. What kind of father figure was Mordacai? Did he cherish the opportunity to have a daughter? Did he teach her the law? These things we may never know - and maybe it is better that we don't. Because when we lack the detail's of a story it is much easier to put ourselves into the story. To read it and apply it to our own lives without the difference of the details to distract us.
I'm not sure who I would have become if I had faced the circumstances that Esther faced. But one of the gems of wisdom that I learned from my late sister-in-law, Dawn, was that when we don't like the senerio of our lives we have to write a new script from God's perspective.
God is writing a story with each of our lives... what does your story look like?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Join The Blog
Hi Girls, it was so fun to be together Thursday night! I am praying that God will show each of us an area of our life where we need to walk in faith and obedience.
If you are trying to get the hang of this 'blog' thing ... Pick the "post" (that's what I've written) and just hit the "comment" button by each post, type in your thoughts, select a profile (toward the bottom you can pick name, which you enter, or you can even pick anonymous if you want to keep us guessing!), then when you are done, hit the "post comment" button. So lets chat!!!!
If you are trying to get the hang of this 'blog' thing ... Pick the "post" (that's what I've written) and just hit the "comment" button by each post, type in your thoughts, select a profile (toward the bottom you can pick name, which you enter, or you can even pick anonymous if you want to keep us guessing!), then when you are done, hit the "post comment" button. So lets chat!!!!
"When we trust our lives to the hand and pen of an unseen but ever-present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read. With a grand ending" - (Week one, day one)
Have you ever been afraid to pray for "God's will" because His will may be the last thing you want? Do you believe God really wants a "grand ending" to your life story?
Have you ever been afraid to pray for "God's will" because His will may be the last thing you want? Do you believe God really wants a "grand ending" to your life story?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Esther Bible Study - It's Tough Being A Women
Welcome to the Esther Study
Discussion Forum!
Our study group meets Thursday nights (6:30 p.m.)
at South Church in Lansing, MI
This is your opportunity to continue our class discussion online. Please use this forum to post your thoughts throughout the week about our daily study assignments. Share what God is doing in your life through this study, things that encourage you, challenge you or make you wonder. Let's be open and honest about our struggles, our questions, our fears and our 'ah ha' moments.
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