April 12, 2005
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Our Women’s Bible Study group has started up again for the spring session. The workbook is called He Speaks to Me: Preparing to Hear from God by Priscilla Shirer. Looks to be an interesting study. The format is workbook, small group, and a video. Today we had an introductory video for the class and a few interesting points were shared.
1 Samuel 3:1 Samuel was a child when he heard the audible voice of God. Mrs. Shirer pointed out that it was extraordinary that God would speak to a child when an older, more experienced priest was sleeping right near by. She pointed out that Israel was a nation of adults who rebelled against God, who would not accept the Word of God as it is. God was not looking for spiritually elite people, he just wants people who will hear and obey.
That is encouraging for us ordinary folk for it means that God can use and speak to us. Children are receptive to things that are not the norm. When God is looking to do unconventional, or different things, he may seek a younger one either physically or spiritually who will listen to Him, and think outside the box that spiritually elite people often try to place God.
Samuel did not realize that God usually did not speak to people like God spoke to him. He didn’t realize the seriousness of the years of silence before God spoke. He did not question God, he just obeyed.
She then talked abut Luke 18 – first there was the parable of the Pharisee who prayed Lord thank you for not making me a sinner like…. (praying about how great God had made Him) and then the tax collector who prayed Have mercy on me. That God would be more able to use the tax collector than the Pharisee.
She then talked about Luke 18:16 where Jesus said to permit the children to come unto him, that the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
She said that the word for children in this text in the Greek means baby, infant. And there is a big difference between an infant and a toddler. An infant is dependent on the adult for all things, both big and small, they trust, and realize that the adult must supply all their needs. They expect that their needs will be met, and they face the adult with eagerness and excitiment. Whereas a toddler is becoming more independent, trying to do things on their own, less likely to listen, and not as dependent.
(Personal note, I think that often I treat God like a toddler or even gasp a teen, and I do not depend on Him as much as I ought to do).
She also pointed out that when the Kingdom of God was promised to the children it must have been a shock to the spiritually elite, to the disciples (who had just been arguing about who among themselves was the greatest), and to the Jews who had a concept of the kingdom of heaven having to do with wealth and a divine move of God and a return to Israel. Whereas John the Baptist and Jesus talked about how it is repenting and salvation that is where the Kingdom of God is. It is the relationship with God.
I will keep you posted about this study, and later will share more about where I am in Mark.
Thank you again for your prayers and counsel. I am so grateful and hope that they keep coming. I will not pretend that I am not worried, but I am trying hard to turn this over to God and let God deal with it.
Have a blessed day,
Heather
Comments (12)
Sounds like an interesting study! Re your comment, I don’t really like working with kids lol, plus they are sick a lot. The elementary schools around here are year-round and on a differerent schedule also. But the office sub sounds like an idea.
RYC: I think your right. The answer is to say nothing. Your prescence speaks volumes.
Are you feeling better? I pray that you are. You are right. I wish God would intervene more or quicker when there is evil present. I know that God intervened in a situation in our family that we are going through right now and I praise God for that. But I find myself wishing it would have been brought into the light way before that and yet I see that it had been attempted to be brought out and into the light yet people that knew things didn’t respond to signs that they should have or people didn’t listen to those who did. Does that make sense?
Something I have learned in working with children for many years (just a genralization) …
Teens are just toddlers with bigger toys. They think they want to be dependant, but still need Mommy and Daddy to pick them up when they stumble.
The Lord sees your heart, Heather. He has placed the desire for Himself within, and He is drawing you closer to Himself. He reduces us to Christ as we are willing and obedient to deny self and follow Him. Everything He asks us to relinquish, that we give to Him, is a victory for Him. He becomes more preeminent in our lives. We become vessels to express His life in and through. He only asks us for the next thing. When we decrease, He is increased. Looking unto Jesus . . . blessings to you!
This Study sounds very interesting Heather I think it will help you alot and am really excited to hear more about it………………………..
HAVE a glorious day in our LORD…………………………God Bless…Prayers your way……………………..Hope you are feeling better today.
Hugsssss
Yea, I’ve been following your history and I can see how it would be hard to stand up. But maybe nobody ever told you this: It’s okay to stand up. HE gives you permission. And if HE gives you permission to do it then you know that HE will be right there fighting with you. Man can only hurt your earthly body while God has kept your soul protected in His possession and will later give you a more glorious body that you can’t even fathom. And I have a feeling that if you took all that strength that got you through all those awful years and used it to stand up for what you believe in that it would be a mighty sight to see! Love ya! ~Michelle
Good Bible study!
RYC: Thanks for your prayers! Your comment made me think… you know.. we are only as strong as how far we have been tested. I never want to find out exactly how strong I am.
Samuel….. faithful….. cool!
I give you 50 eProps…. even though I don’t know what purpose they serve….
Heather
I read your post about the depression and i want you to know that we are praying for you.Be Encouraged though.The Bible says ,“Many are the Afflictions of the Rightouse But The Lord Shall Deliver Him Out Of Them All.” Help is on the way.
God Bless
Pastor Z
continuing prayer vigil………….