Hi gals. At this point, you should be well into week 1. We're doing a Friday to Friday schedule of weeks.
What are you learning? Toni and Brianna shared some great thoughts under comments on the first post. Sounds like Bri, Toni and I all agreed. Our initial reaction to idols was, "ugh, no not me. i wouldn't do that." We quickly saw in the definitions, room to examine our daily lives and thoughts and what they show.
I had to spend some time with God regarding the statement on Day 4 at end of pg 23. "Ask Him to reveal to you if there is an area of your life you've been using for your own gain."
We often think of "gain" monetarily, and if you're like me, you're serving and giving of your time with no dinero on the other end ;). I found that I had to look at my motives for why I do what I do (even if those things are worthy and godly thing). Often times for me, I start something with a calling from God and an intention to bring Him glory, but somewhere in the middle, it turns into a desire for me to find my own worth in the thing. Sound familiar to any of you? I believe this idol stuff goes well beyond our time and money, but we also have to look at our thoughts and desires.
Let us hear from you! Don't be afraid to type your comments! Be sure to check regularly under comments, and respond. Love you! Jenny
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Finally checking in! Just started the book... love it so far. I will post again soon after I finish a few more days worth of study. How awesome to study "together" without leaving our homes!
SarahC had mentioned how many times the "idol" topic came up during services, radio and the like since starting this study. Isn't it amazing how when we open our heart and minds to the Word how it infiltrates through our life. I've been noticing the same thing! I'm also noticing that I'm looking at my life through a magnifying glass and now finding myself questioning if most of my life isn't spent "bowing" to false gods. I'm of a personality that gives my all to all that I do - exercise, kids, budget, the list goes on - how do you separate and know when too much is too much. My first thought is if it interferes with my relationship/time with God - how are others of you viewing this? As I said to my girlfriend, while running, "I admit that I will spend 1.5 hours running but not spend 1.5 hours in Bible study"....whew, for a topic that I thought would be easy - proving to be quite challenging. Others, please share so I know I'm not alone!
Toni,
I find that I end a day feeling like I've lived for the Lord when I give Him the first part of my day (in prayer, study and meditation). On the days that I clearly ask Him what He would have me do that day, what His schedule is for me that day, He often changes my normal schedule.
Unfortunately, I don't always ask Him that...too busy, forget (my own selfishness), etc. How sad that days pass that I don't look for what He has for me to do that day, really because I've already got a busy schedule going and think that's good enough.
When you look at your life overall, what drives you? Does God permeate every single thing that you do, or is He compartmentalized? I think Holli said it in another comment. Am I doing everything for the glory of God? Is it my agenda or God's agenda? I think it can be easy to justify a lot of stuff in our lives.
I think serving and showing God's love to others is HUGE to Him. What am I doing for other people? Am I looking for ways to show God's love, not just serving at church, which is paramount, but every single day? That can be sending a note to someone that God puts on your heart, taking someone dinner, calling someone, watching someone's kids, etc. I'm not saying I do this all the time, but wow, how fulfilling and just plain right it feels when I do.
I believe, as God tells us, if we are genuinely and earnestly seeking Him and His ways, we will find Him and He WILL show areas we need to change, to grow, etc. It's a constant process.
Don't mean to ramble, but this is such a HUGE thing for me. I spent a great part of my life putting God in a box, in part of my life, and living the rest of my life the way I wanted and thought best. The day, and I do mean THE DAY, I finally decided to trust God with my WHOLE heart, and give Him my entire life, He changed me. Completely! I want to do everything for the glory of God. I fail miserably often, but it's given my life real purpose, real meaning, and real passion. Keeping myself busy seeking My dreams, MY ambitions, and MY vision of what was my ideal life, was just not working. At the end of the day, I didn't have passion or confidence in it. Jesus has given me passion and confidence. I firmly believe (because I have seen in my own life) that God is very much into details, and He wants to be involved in our everyday living including our exercise, cleaning the house, budget, kids, marriage, on and on. Amen! Toni, you've inspired me to go run w/ my praise tunes! Glory to God :)
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