Happy Sunday,

Hope all had a great Thansgiving dinner with family and friends.

Hope you made it to church today.

What I think todays lesson is telling us about rewards is

that God will reward us when we are faithful to him

We need to open our ears, eyes, heart and mouth  so we
  
See what God would have us to see,hear him in still small

voice  have a heart like His.  Share with his people.  Even

if we just help one person  tell one person I believe God will

reward us for that.  We have to be willing to slow down and

listen when he speakes to us.

Well I hope all of you have a wonderful and great Christmas

Amber,

I do hope you and your family a
had a nice Thanskgiving.  I can't answer for the other women that
signed up to do this Bible study.  I can answer for myself I enjoyed
doing this study it was hard at first when I couldn't get audio to wk
but after I figured what I was doing wrong it was smooth sailing

Thank you again for taking time out of your busy day to set this up
for us.  I do hope you will try again and do this.. I felt very

comfortable doing my Wed night Bible lesson this way.  Hope you have a good week.

Karen Altz

Final Thoughts

So I've reached the end of this study.  It was an experiment that I'm not sure it accomplished what I wanted, but I do feel like I came out on this end with some things God wanted me to hear.

He made it very clear to me (once again) that I'm not called to be someone else. This is something I've struggled with for many years.  I find myself envious of how God is using other people.  He has to remind me that I have been created for certain purposes in His plan and that it takes all of us working in different ways.  My calling isn't any less important than someone else's.  This means that sometimes I am called to what seem to be pretty mundane things. At this point in my life it's been made very clear that I am called to be the best Christian wife and mother I can be to my family.  My role in God's plan is to raise my children to know and serve Him.

I also know that if God's calling to something larger isn't obvious, then it might be that he's telling me to wait.  I don't like waiting, but it has become a little easier over these last several months through this study.  I truly believe that God will call me to something else at some point in my life, but I don't know what or when that will be.  I do know that while waiting, I have to be open to the opportunities God puts in front of me and willing to act.  Recently, I struggled all the way to school one day about a particular co-worker and her personal walk with the Lord.  I had no idea how to start a conversation with her, but I knew I had to.  Immediately Satan began to interfere - I couldn't find her before school started and when I did she was in the middle of something else with another teacher.  I didn't take "NO" for an answer and told her that I would be waiting in her room for her.  The conversation went well and she appeared to be very open to what I had to say.  She told me that she felt like God had been pulling her back toward Him.  I don't know if I'll see this come to fruition, but know that I am continuing to pray for her and encourage her.  Even though I felt like I was in a period of waiting, I feel like being available to God's daily callings is just as important as embarking on some life changing experience.

At this point, I'm not sure if any of this makes sense when put in writing, but it makes sense in my head and heart.  Even though not many participated by posting or commenting, I know this study was what God wanted for me and I hope for at least one more.

 
Good Saturday Morning,

Hope all of you have had a good week.

How about this COLD and WET  weather?  Are we ready for

coming up week and spending time with loved ones?

It looks like after todays lesson we have one more then

I guess we break for Christmas.. I hope you have enjoyed

doing these lessons.

Today's lesson  I am walking away with  the God has

blessed us with different gifts and abilities on ways tom

Serve Him.. What ever it maybe we need to serve him

If is encourging, peaching, let people come and stay at your

house teaching whatever your gift is that God has blessed

you with use it. We all can serve God.

If we are struggling with on how we can serve God

we just need to ask Him

God please help me to serve you to the best of my ability

what and where would you have me go. Please open my

eyes, ears and heart you know what and where is best to

be.Thank you for the people that may come my way

today  that I may give them the right words that will help

feel better..

Good Afternoon,

I hope all of you have had a great week.  Hope you are getting

ready for Thannksgiving and plan on spending time with

family and friends.

This weeks study made me think  of commitment.  We are

commited to our family, friends, neighbors, church family,

all those that we come in contact with everyday.

We are commited to love our nighbors. Share with others

help others if we have the means to.

I like this story of the Good Shepherd (Jesus) 

I like how the shepherd takes care of this sheep and knows

where to take them to feed them and find water.

He knows each one of them even though we may see they all

look like the shepherd can tell the difference.  He knows

their cry, their walk Just like this shepherd is Jesus

knows our cry  or walks and needs.So if Jesus knows all of

this why don't people say yes to Him.  I think we all need

to say Jesus thank you for being commited to me and never

leaving me.  Please help me to hear your voice everyday

and follow you. Learn to have Jesus thoughts, hear your voice

to see what you see is best for me to speak in loving Jesus

words to walk in Jesus ways. Help me to have

loving kind hands and arms to touch and love others just

like a shepherd hugs and pats this sheep.

Thank Jesus for loving me and the hugs you give me.

Good Saturday Morning,

Hope all of you are doing well.  I had a hard time with

this one this week.  I am not sure if there was an audio

on this one I didn't see where you can listen to anything.

The way I understood this was no matter what we

went through, are going through, or will be going through

God has given us enough strength to make it.  He is

right there all the time and has been.  He gives us away out.

We just have to keep going.  Don't

forget to tell God thank you for that you have done for me

the things you are yet to do snad keeping me safe loving me

saving me.  Thank you God for waiting for me to say yes to

you for being my Lord and Savior thank you for  coming into

my heart 17yrs ago.

Good Saturday afternoon,

Hope all of you have had a good week.

What I got out the lesson on Jehoshaphat

was that We need to associate christian brothers

and sisters, marry a believer,If are having a

problem trusting God go to the psalms

read them out loud to God tell Him what is on

your mind. Take all your prayer concerns to Him

Tell your children about being unequally  yoked

the consequences that can come up.

I did marry unbeliver(1sy marriage)  and paid

the consequences.  I learned the hard way.

I was married 8yrs.  It wasn't until  maybe  the  2nd   3  that I could see what I did wasn't the best
 Choice
God keep me safe though.  Year 8  is when I told

myself it doen't have to be this way .  God took

him out of life. He  passed away that night.

Hello Friends,

Hope all of you have had a great week and are

enjoying these nice cool morings.

I have enjoyed our Bible study that we have been

doing I hope we can this again in the Spring.

What I took from this lesson this week on Daniel

we needed to Pray to God in all circumstance

don't give in to anything or anybody.  We

all need  to someone to talk with and confined

in ask them to pray with us and for us.God

is our best friend and wants to hear from us

even though He knows what we are going to say

still talk to Him about it.  Yes there things

that have happened to me in my life that I have

shared with others on how I meet my husband,

my job, moving to Hunstville these are a few areas

on where my faith in God came through.

I have shared this part of my life with the aides

I have had in my room.  I have told them

the story of a man that was at my old church

about a truck he wanted how he prayed  told God

what  he  wanted it to look like  inside and out

the only thing  was the color wasn't what he

wanted but he got it any way.  I belief  this

is where is started with me listening to how much

faith this man had in God and how he helped

him I wanted God to help me I want to share

my faith with others I want to walk with God

everyday.  I want people to see that Jesus lives

in me I want God use.

Good Wednesday Evening,

Hope all of you have had a nice week so far and enjoying

this cool weather.  What I got out of this weeks lesson was

that We have to be obedient to God in all things  where ever

we maybe.  Be faithful to God  be faithful  to family , spouses

friends if we are disobient there are consequences .. We need

to let people see  that the Lord lives in us.

If we are older we needed to teach younger women 

we needed to pray  for our husbands  our parents  and children.

Be good housekeepers.  Our husbands are to be the spitrual leader

of the home.  If he is not we needed to pray  we are not to  cut

down our husbands  the dads to our children..This is what I took

with me  from this weeks lesson.

God's Use of Women

I feel like I have to start by saying that the titles are always the hardest part for me.  I want my titles to be catchy, yet mean something.  I just haven't mastered that yet.  This one is not so great, but maybe the mood will strike me and I can change it later.

This weak I felt God leading me to meditate and pray about questions 1-3 that begin with "How do Deborah and Jael encourage you as a woman?"  Here goes nothing (or maybe it's everything?)...

Deborah was known for her wisdom and discernment as a judge and leader of the entire Israelite nation. Jael was God's instrument in defeating Sisera, the lone survivor of the battle. These are both examples for me of how God used women in powerful ways. It reminds me that being a Christian woman and wife means submitting to my husband, but that doesn't mean that God made me weak.  I can pray for wisdom and discernment in every day situations, as well as whatever God is leading me to do.

As far as how he used them in their roles as wives and mothers, I honestly am not real sure.  I know that being a Godly wife and mother has been my primary role for the last few years and feel confident that in doing so I was being obedient to God.  I still feel this is one of the most important, if not THE most important, calling on my life right now. However, I also sense God's calling to do other things.  Now I struggle with the whole concept of how to juggle wife and mom with other service.  I have to be very careful not to over commit, to be more organized, and to be intentional, otherwise I will feel the frustration and will not be effective to any of it.

I chose not to think of movements started by women that have changed our world or have had an impact on their society, because I'm choosing to focus on a movement that is currently being planned and prayed about that God will use to change our world - particularly our community.  For the first time, I KNOW that God is calling me to do more than my role as a wife and mom, more than my role as a Sunday School teacher, more than my role of a Christian teacher in our public school system.  I KNOW that He is calling me to be involved with the IF: Gathering through IF: Local.  I am so excited to see what God has in store for Huntsville women.

I know that Satan is going to attack in any way he can. I'm expecting to feel pulled in many different directions, to feel guilty for not being home that weekend. I'm expecting for something to come up at work that will make it difficult for me to take off.  I also know, that Satan is mischievous and deceitful and that he will likely attack in ways I don't expect.

I would like for you to pray for me as I continue to seek what God would have me to do with this.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and  a good start to their week today.
I can't say that I've been obedient all the time to the Lord but I believe he smiles on the times when I am (few as they may be).  Thank you Lord that you graciously take us back into your embrace when we fall away from you.  I know I've been defiant or just not courageous on many occasions.
Lord, help me to take one day at a time.

Hope all of you are doing well and had a good weekend.

I read the lesson for this week and read the questions.

I think I may have to pass on this this weeks lesson.

I had a hard time with the questions .

I believe that If we help others and are kind to others

the Lord will reward us for our efforts.  Just like

Rehab  protected the spies  the Lord will protect us.

Not so great at the posting . . .

So I know I am late . . . again. I print out the questions for group discussion and put it on there and then forget to post.
Here are a few thoughts I had on Noah (I know I'm late :) )

Question 4 on how Noah was affected socially, emotionally, and materially because of his obedience, his faith. I think if someone were to build an ark these days and say that God told him to do it, he would definitely make national news so I can just imagine how difficult it may have been for him back them. I wonder what God has planned for us that we hesitate on because of the social, emotional, financial, material outcomes?

I know several of you mentioned the rainbow and how we forget what it represents and the reminder. For me I want to take the time to remember that God is faithful, he will not break any of the promises that He has made to me. It can remind me of Noah and his faithfulness and his obedience.

I loved the challenge to memorize a verse this week. I hate to admit, but I teach sunday school and every week encourage kids to memorize their verses and yet I struggle with doing it myself. Of course they get the reward of putting a pie in a teachers face . . .lol! I took a small passage that I like, wrote it on index cards and laminated it and put it on my mirror. I will let you know how I am doing on it! :) Have a good week. I will try to be better at posting on time.

Wealth and Waiting

Let me just say that I had this written last week and never posted it...

Wealth: This week's study took me in a couple of different directions.  There were a couple of questions that focused on wealth and these really hit home with me. I read Jen Hatmaker's 7 this summer and was convicted of so many excesses in my life as a result of "wealth." (I'm not saying in any way that we are wealthy, but we are blessed in many ways that others aren't.) Immediately after reading the book I was so gung-ho about making changes in the way we spent money, what we spent money on, what we found value in.  However, life happened and the need to get rid of "stuff" and desires faded quickly.  This was a reminder that "stuff" and money is not eternal.  I lost my eternal perspective and this week has helped me refocus.   I'm plan to reread the book and rededicate our home to purging and changing the way we look at stuff and others.  (This is a whole series and study in itself that I am blogging about at my personal blog hilarioushooks.blogspot.com.)

Waiting: The other piece that I got stuck on this week was the question that asked if I could identify ways that my faith had been strengthened in the past year or two.  I don't know if it was me not paying attention or God needing to remind me what all He has done in the last year. For several years (probably 5 or more), my husband Tim applied for many jobs to move up both in town and out of town.  Each time he received a call that he was one of two finalists and it always came down to the other person.  It was extremely frustrating, exhausting, and disappointing.  There were times I was angry at those making the decisions and at God.  I didn't understand.  Last spring Tim was given the opportunity to move in a different direction professionally.  It was NOTHING that either of us had ever considered, thought about, or even just wondered about. It was truly a God thing.  Our lives have definitely changed for the better. WAY less stress makes for a more relaxed Dad and husband.

We didn't see the bigger picture.  Each of those jobs Tim didn't get - we were able to see after the fact that he didn't want them.  They weren't good situations. Our perspective was clouded by the daily drama we found ourselves in. I have to use these last years in the future when I begin to doubt and can't understand the waiting.

I also am sorting through the concept that maybe sometimes God's "calling" is to "wait."  At least sometimes I thing God is telling me to"wait" for his calling.  Regardless, I have to continue to seek Him and serve Him while I'm waiting.

I choose question number 2.

I think from day one you can start talking and singing

to your children, grandchildren, the children that

maybe in your care.  You can get a toddler Bible and

show pic of Jesus to them Pray over them you

can hold their hands kneel at their bedside.

catching up

I'm just now catching up since I missed last week.

From the Noah lesson;
I thought about the rainbow question and sad to say, I usually don't think of God's promise when I see one. Today at work though, my co-workers sitting by the window commented on the rainbow that appeared after the rain this afternoon.  I heard one woman say that God is letting us know that everything is going to be OK.  It was a very simple statement but still gave me reassurance that God almighty is looking down on us with love and compassion.

I do use my past experiences to remember how God has provided for me, protected me, forgiven me, encouraged me and most of all loved me.  I believe the Lord wants us to pass on the wisdom we have gained from Him not just to children but any time we come across a "teachable moment" with someone else.  It's important though to be in tune with God so that you are led by the Lord to speak the right words at the right time.  Sometimes it's hard for me to keep my mouth shut and keep it foot-free.

From the Abraham/Sarah lesson;
Abraham's faith grew because he trusted the Lord and therefore gave his faith room to grow.  I liked Vickie's illustration about God not giving up on us when we doubt but that our faith needs room for growth.  I had not thought about it that way before but I can imagine the Lord just shaking his head at us and wanting us to know that we just need to wait and see what he has ahead for us.

Over 1 year ago, the company I had been working for was purchased by a much larger world-wide non-profit organization. I knew there would be lots of changes and they would be huge.  Things were a little unsure for a while but I had no choice but to hang in there and ride the waves.  Looking back at what has happened so far, there have been some difficult changes but most of them good ones and now I can see the Lord's hand in, at least the part I am involved in.  I have a new supervisor now and Praise the Lord ! she's a Christian and we are able to share Christ with each other.  I'm thinking in today's age that doesn't happen often enough.  Anyway, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to God for the place he has put me and the chances I have to minister to people at work.  All glory and honor belongs to Him.

Cheri Keaggy put it so well when she sang
"What a privilege
It is to know You
To walk in Your ways
To live under grace"

Have a great week everyone and God bless !

Angela,

I like what you wrote.I guess we all can take a few min when we see a rainbow tkae time

out and thank God for the promise that he made about not flooding the earth.  If He made that promise

then think of all the other promise He has instore for us and the things yet to come.

Hi everyone,

                   I've really enjoyed the last two studies both have touched my heart in ways I've needed most.  In the flood God revealed much of His character and compassion for His people.  Every time I see a rainbow I think of His promise to us and it lifts my spirit, I've shared this with the kids many times and to see the wonder in their eyes and their natural curiosity about God's works is pretty neat.  I also see how today's times and the time of Noah before the flood compares and that makes me pause because history is repeating itself. I'm thankful the Lord is still working in my life and has blessed me with the opportunity to join this Bible study and know my faith will grow by doing so.  I hope my obedience to Him will be a light to someone seeking to know Him and my actions will reflect His grace in all I do.

Hello friends,

Hope you have had a good week.  I hope you have enjoyed doing

Bible study as much as I have.. My audio is still not working

so  much.  It worked for a few min till I went to reread the

questions then it quit working.

I enjoyed reading the lesson today.  I choose question

Why did  Abrahams faith grow  as he walked  with God?

I  think that after God blessed him with his son Isaac

that he loved so much  and he went   to the land

Moriah  to sacrifice  Isaac   had  him  already  tied

down  on the  wood  was about  to  stab  him  when

the  angel  of  the Lord  shouted  to  him from heaven

lay  down  the  knife  do not  hurt  the  boy  in any way

Then God  sent  a ram  to  sacrifice  instead.  I think  that

this  could  have  been where  Abrahams  faith  grew  he loved 

Isaac  so  much but  he wanted to listen  to  Gods words.

A)  Question   Can  you  identify  ways  in  which  your  faith

has  grown  in the past  year  or two?

I  can't  say  so  much  in the past yr or two.  I know about 8yrs ago

or so  when  Mark asked me to marry him I was talking to my dad

about that daddy said you never know  what God has planned

for you in Huntsville.  Shortly  after marrying Mark  moving here

8 months later daddy moves to Hunstville  where he was here

for almost 5 yrs when Mark and I started to take care of him

until he passed away in 2010 ..

I didn't  wk for the first month I was here.  I did wk  at the

Good shepherd mission.  One a.m.  I was saying  my

prayers  letting God  know how  much I missed wking with

the kids and wanted to get back  in that again. After working

with kids for 12yrs  I feel  like that is my  calling..

Well God  answered that prayer.. I had two  phones  calls

from two  schools  one  for a sub the other 30 hrs a wk

well 8yrs later  I am  at the 2nd school.

So  the answer to the 2nd part of the question  if God can answer

that prayer what more  can he do for me if I would just let him.

I have a hard time with this I am trying if I would let go

let Him  have it..  I tell him  all the time God, Abba, Daddy

you are daddy daddy's take care of their childern

you promised and a promise is a promise.

True faith steadfastly obeys God!

I love the part were Vicky says "Faith dwells in the inner heart, but obedience is the multifaceted, observable, external manifestation of faith." Some time ago I put it all together in my head in kind of a backwards way. Lack of obedience is a manifestation of a lack of trusting God, which ultimately is a lack of faith. I guess maybe I was right.  It has stuck with me and God often speaks this to me when He's speaking to me to do something.

I've recently found myself in a difficult situation at work and haven't been sure how to handle it.  I was given the opportunity to voice my concerns, yet I didn't say anything.   I must say that I didn't sense Him urging me at that moment to speak my concerns, but I now realized that I was listening for Him either.

This lesson reminded me that my obedience doesn't promise comfort and that everything will be easy going.  Noah might have been safe and "dry" in the ark, but I can't imagine it was fun or even remotely comfortable.  Think about the stench alone. YUCK!   Yet, Noah was obedient and faithful to endure.  He was richly blessed as a result.

In my situation, I immediately sensed God's disappointment. I "rationalized" every reason in the world to keep my mouth shut. One big reason was fear of the outcome.  I didn't want things to become uncomfortable and I imagined every possible thing that could go wrong if I were to speak up.  God provided another opportunity today and I heard Him urge me to just say it.  I did. I can't say I said everything that needed to be said, but I did begin the conversation.  I'm hoping I didn't screw up yet again and God will open more doors for me to discuss other areas of concern in this situation.

I have to be comforted by "Steadfast obedience over time within difficult and incomprehensible circumstances, despite the opposition and rejection of others, follows the example of Christ and will ultimately result in incredible blessings from God."

Cain and Abel (better late than never)

First of all, some of the questions in the study are really tough (especially before you listen to the audio) :) I really got stuck on on thinking Why did he kill Abel?, What was the progression that led to Cain killing Abel? And through this I realized that it was a heart condition. Cain gave his sacrifice-the smallest amount he could give. I wondered why did Cain give anything at all, and I think he gave because he felt he was suppose to give as she mentions in the recording, he was religious. Abel gave his sacrifice and it was the best. He gave the best of the best. It was a heart condition! Abel wanted to give his best and Cain gave because "it was what you did" (if that makes sense).

I couldn't get off this thought; the reasoning behind both of their sacrifices, the level of their sacrifices and then God's response. I started to think "Do I give my best to God?", "Do I give with the right heart?" and "Is God pleased with what and how I give? Our giving doesn't just include money but also time, resources, our talents and gifts, etc. 

I want to have the faith to give my best every time in every situation. I know that God has blessed each of us with special talents and gifts and I want to use and give those to bring God the most glory. Cain's talent was working with the soil and it wasn't that he gave fruits (less valuable than meat) that God disapproved of, it was that he didn't give his best and didn't give with the right heart. Abel's talent was working with the flocks, and he used that talent to give the best he could. I want to use my talents to give God my best.

Last thought (I promise)- I know that I am His. But I also know how easy it is to do things out of rituals. I get ready in the mornings in the same order (down to order I dry off after a shower :) ) and church can be the same way. It is easy to get into the habit of going to church because I always have, pray because I always have, read the Bible because I was taught to, etc. I want everything I do to be because of my faith in Christ not because it is what I have always been taught to do. 

Sorry if this was too long, I can get long winded! I hope each of you has a great week!

hhh
Hello friends,

I hope all of you have had a good weekend and weekend.

I sure hope I have been doing all this right.  I have had a hard

time with this lesson this week.. I tried several times  to

log on to the audio was not able to hear.  So I am going

to try and type what I think the question number 4 about

the rainbow is telling us.  God promised Noah that He (God)

would never flood the earth again.  I  think  we can  look

at it this way  If God  promised  He would never  flood the

earth   why do we have a hard time  trusting Him  now

with things  children  family,  health, homes,jobs, parents.

could it be we need to listen more to that still small voice.

I  think it is hard to do all this because  we get in such a hurry

we won't it now and don't wait for Gods timimg His  timing is j

right..I know I am guilty  of not waiting on God.

I feel bad about this.  I am trying.  Maybe if we take on one

thing at a time and sit back and see what God can  do  wait

listen to that voice  then we can  what God can do.

I don't  think that God will flood us with a whole bunch

of things  all at once.. Just like the how he  flood the earth

I don't think  He would do that with our everyday  life..



I am  not  sure on how we can show  all these  to our

children seeing I do not  have any children of my  own.

Maybe by  planting a seed  and watch it grow  That might

be away  showing  how  God  takes  care of the flowers 

and keeps His promise.  This might be away  to show  them

if God takes  care of flowers  then He  will take  care of us

He  promised.

Amber

I am sorry to hear that you have had a hard week  hope things get better.. Maybe when you say your prayers let God know God
Iam so sorry I have been negative this week I am not sure why
I have been this this way please help me to see things the way you
see things and people the way you see them.  Have a nice evening


Karen

Faith for the Future

I've meant to say that I blog for myself, not for others.  I don't find my posts funny or overly enlightening.  What they are are the honest words from my heart.  With that being said, I'm going to start by being honest with all of you.  I've struggled with this lesson this week.

1. I first struggled with initially understanding why Abel's sacrifice was seen as "commendable," while Cain's was not.  I don't think it became clear to me until I listened to the lecture.

2. I have had a horrendous week.  I've become bogged down in negativity.  I could feel myself withdrawing from God or at least not actively seeking Him out.  I was reveling in misery.  This was a very clear picture of my lack of faith.

I did spend the week contemplating the question that asked about being intimate with God and thought it was a pretty simple answer for me.  It was about spending time with God and getting to know Him.

After prayer this week and listening to the lecture, it's so much more.  I think intimacy is not possible with out faith.  But I also think faith is going to be difficult without an intimate relationship.  How can you faith someone without knowing them and fellowshiping with them?

Yes I used faith as a verb. Faith is just that. It is an action.  And it's an action by choice.

My choice today is to faith God.  To do this, I have to intentionally seek Him out everyday and trust that my future is secure in Him, despite whatever difficulties I might face on earth.

I know this wasn't long, and I might not have even been real articulate, but it's very clear to me what I have to do first.  Feel free to hold me accountable and I asked me if I sought after God on any particular day.  I'm sure going to try.

I like you wrote Mary.  I think now days people need to forgive

others.just like how God has forgiven us  It is hard to do but we need to try.

We need to forgive others because there might come a time when we need that persons help who we have not forgiven yet.  How would we feel if we went to that person. 

We need  to remember that Bible verse I can't remember where it is

about being quick to listen slow to speak.  I hope I am doing this right all those thaughts were on my mind.

Hope all of you have a great rest of the week.

Karen

I chose question #2

2. What are some of the reasons that can cause us to begin to hate other believers?
jealousy, self-righteousness, pride
A. If we have a “just” cause and there is no repentance or desire for forgiveness, are we justified in harboring resentment?
I don't believe we would ever have a good enough reason to hold on to resentment. I thank the Lord that he forgives my confessed sin and looks on it no more.
B. What must we do? (Matt. l8:15–17; Eph. 4:32)
Confront the one who you feel wronged you. Take care to be kind and forgiving.
C. Why is it necessary? (Heb. 12:15)
We are to operate through God's grace.  Bitterness can be the beginning of trouble spreading and affecting others negatively.
D. Who gets the advantage when we don't forgive?
Our enemy, the devil.
E. Is there someone in your life now that you are bitter towards? What will you do about it on the basis of this lesson?
Continue prayer to be willing to forgive.
F. If the situation doesn't change, how can you change? (l Thess. 5:18; 4:1; Phil.4:8)
Think on things that are good and continually praise the Lord for my blessings.
G. How can forgiving be done by faith?
God knows how to handle any situation better than I do. 
see Romans 12:19

Have a great week everyone and God Bless !
Zephaniah 3:17

Hello Friends,

I hope all of you are doing well.. I hope I am doing this right.. I enjoyed listening to the

audio. One of the questions if I read right was asking how many times does  the word

brother appear. I counted 5 but on the audio I believe I heard the lady say 7.. I think

the reason there are so many God is trying to tell us that are brothers and sisters

are important to us.  They are important to God as well.. We  need to help them when

they are in need.. Then she said something about telling her son to clean his room

he did not clean it the way she wanted.  The son asked why he need to clean

she told him that that was her rule.. Just like God he sets up rules for us to

follow to help us and keep  us safe..If I understood right that When  Cain

left the presence of the Lord  It is like when people turn away from God

AS LORD AND SAVIOR THEY  WILL GO HELL.. I hope I did this right.

Please let me know if I did this right..Till next time hope all of you have a good week 

with The Lord.

Hello My name is Karen Altz

My husband and I have been coming to UHBC for 8 yrs. I have no children just my 4 legged children Abbie and Bailey and the many strayes I take care of.  Mark and I have been married 8 yrs in March.  He is the love of my life. I teach 1-2yr  olds Mark and I are involved in The Christain Motorcyle Assoc.  I am so glad to Have a Bible study on line since I don't see so well at night this is great for me.  I am looking forward to talking with all of you.  I so happy my Best friend Mary is doing this study with me.. Thank you so much Amber for setting this up for us.   



Karen

Of course, I'm last minute...

This has been a crazy week for me and here I am posting my own post at the very last minute. I kept thinking I'd get it done earlier, but something always came up.  Isn't that the case with Bible study a lot of the times?  Maybe it's just me.

I finally found time with no kids, no laundry to be done, no dishwasher to be emptied and I find myself in a hotel room in Austin listening to a screaming baby next door and the sounds of five o'clock Austin traffic outside my window.  No peace and quiet as I write this. So goes my life.

I explained in my previous post how this study came about, but I didn't tell you much about myself. I have been a born again Christian since I was twelve or thirteen and was baptized at UHBC in what is now the student building.  My parents are members of UHBC and I was raised in what I consider a very faithful family.  That doesn't mean we were perfect in any way. We had have issues and make mistakes everyday.

I am a teacher by "trade" but also know that it's no accident I'm there. This is what God intends for me to be doing at this point in my life.  I have a wonderful husband who loves the Lord and am the mother of two beautiful children. If I start talking about my kids, that's all this will turn into.  My little family is my life.

I'm a firm believer that God's call on my life is different at different points in my life.  I've never felt like there's been a lifelong calling from Him other than to have an intimate relationship with Him.  At this point, I sense God is beginning to show me more and ask more of me.  I'm not sure in what area or what way, but it's there. I'm hoping through this study and the series we are experiencing on Sundays with Richard will lead me to what it is I'm being called to do, but I also know that it's all in God's time and when He's ready, it will be evident to me as well.

This week.... Work your way through the questions and then listen to the audio.  Break it up into manageable segments. For your post this week, choose one of the "Application Questions" to discuss or anything else from this week's study that you feel God is speaking to you about.

I've enjoyed reading the other posts and comments and am looking forward to those this week.

Hi, I'm Christi

Hi, I'm Christi Jowell. I am a 7th grade math teacher in New Waverly and love it. I am 29, single/never married, with no kids. I love to sing, dance (though I'm not very good at it), puzzles, and cuddling with a good book.

As for my testimony, I grew up in the church. I accepted Christ when I was 7 or 8 at VBS at University Heights. Honestly my walk with Christ since then has gone up and down and thankfully He is faithful and takes me back with open arms. 

For the past year I have actively been seeking where and what God wants me to be and do. He started with having me join the children's ministry and teach 5th/6th grade Sunday School. I just began the next step in what I believe God is calling me to do, and that is to be a foster mom, which scares the living day lights out of me! :) I keep questioning what I feel is God's will and then I remember that if I had thought of it myself I wouldn't be this scared out of my mind!

That's me in a nut shell!

My name is Mary and I have been born again since I was about 13. Through the trials in my life, the Lord has taught me to not stray from his path and protection. I find myself at this point struggling with the way forward and yet Ps 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God". It is difficult for me to know when the Lord wants me to stop doing and just wait for him to work or to start doing when I've been sitting still. One of my favorite verses about faith that I draw on quite a bit is Proverbs 3:5-6 God bless, Mary

Uncharted Territory

I guess I decided to start this first post with some explanation as to where this idea of a blog Bible study first came from.  A group of women from UHBC met together to share ideas about different directions and formats for women's ministry to move in our church.  I happened to share that several years ago my friend and I found ourselves in situations that did not allow us to attend Wednesday night Bible studies, but knew we needed an accountability partner and to be fed spiritually.  We chose a Bible study and decided that we would share our thoughts and prayers with each other via a blog.  There were really no "rules;" we were just trying to find a medium of communication that would be convenient for both of us and not tie us down to a specific time or place.

I honestly didn't think much about my sharing, but Gwynne Johnson was listening and approached me later about the possibility of trying this as an option this fall. Fast forward to now and this small group of us is really jumping out into uncharted territory.  There doesn't seem to be anything like this already out there and in the digital age in which we live, this may definitely be God working to call out to those who might not otherwise venture through the doors for traditional Bible study.

After much prayer, I truly believe that God led me to the bible.org study titled "Footsteps of Faith: Following the Call," by Vickie Kraft. I've been struggling for a while with what God is calling me to, but everything became very real to me - and affirmed that this was the right study for us - this past Sunday when Richard preached about being open and willing to following God's call:

• Whenever He calls us 
• Wherever He calls us
• As long as He wants
• Only at His calling

At this point in my life, I'm still praying about what exactly God is calling me to in many areas of my life and I"m sure I'll share more of that as we progress through this process and better get to know each other, but I now understand He was calling me to get involved in our women's ministry in this way.

So where do we go from here? There really aren't any rules.  I've shared the schedule in the sidebar of the blog and just above that is the link to the curriculum.  Once you click on the link to the curriculum, you will see a list of links that takes you to each lesson. In each lesson, there is a blue bar that says "Related Media." Clicking on this will take you to the audio file(s) for each lesson.  My suggestion is to start the week's lesson by reading the given text and answering the questions and then listen to the audio file that gives some clarification.  I feel like working through the Word first will give us an opportunity to "hear" God without someone else's interpretation interfering. However, remember I said there were no rules. So, you may choose to listen to the audio first and then work your way through the questions.

My initial thought is that we will each write a post, pose a question, or comment on others' post by the Wednesday listed on the schedule for each lesson.  Obviously this is evolving, so if something's not working, let's adjust as we go.

For this first week, listen to the introduction and read the accompanying materials.  There isn't a set of questions for study and honestly you can skip over the   part where she provides the timeline she used and the "Study Suggestions and Format." Start with the "Introduction" and then skip to

Discovering God’s Word for Yourself
An Introduction to Inductive Bible Study Methods

This section is just good stuff. As far as blogging - in an effort to get to know each other in this virtual world - this week, share about yourself. Who are you? What's your testimony at this point in your life?  I look forward to really getting to know each of one of you better and am in constant prayer for each of you and where God leads each of us through this.