How Are You Doing In These Areas?

 This past week my Pastor gave us a challenge.First he said: 

* Spend more time studying your Bible than watching the news

This one I am already doing a VERY good job of. 

But the next challenge was a bit more challenging to me. And I am sure to most people. 

* Spend more time studying your Bible than you spend on social media. 

This is a bit harder for me to do. I like to keep up with my friends and family. Especially during these challenging times it has been nice to continue to interact with people. I just wish there was a way to filter out what I get in my Facebook Feed. I would love to stay up to date on all of my friends and families lives. The personal things they share - about their joy's, sorrows, victories and such. What I get weary of many times - is all of the negativity. The politics and corona virus mess. A lot of that beats me down And I find myself feeling anxious or discouraged. 

I think the pastor had the right idea - sometimes we need to just turn off the TV or the computer or put our phones down and open up our Bibles. Most of the news media information is lies- there may be a bit of truth here and there but I get tired of trying to filter through it. But I can tell you that every single thing you read in the Bible is the truth. 

Every single thing you read in your Bible is the Truth! 

Every single thing you read in your Bible is the Truth! 

Therefore it is a very good use of our time to study our Bibles. When we study our Bibles - we better understand what is going on. We are also encouraged in our journey through our lives in this world. Especially during these uncertain times. 

So this week I have been working hard on spending more time studying my Bible. And less time on social media. 

Not only that but I am trying very hard to just share uplifting, encouraging things. In this world we have enough doom and gloom. It's is the best time to lift up Jesus and encourage those around us. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Coincidence....I think not

Stressed
Worried
Anxious
Disenchanted

This is how I had felt for weeks......
maybe months......

Then I read on Courtney's blog Women Living Well where she had created another Bible study and would be working through it during the month of October. When I saw the title of the study, I knew I had to get it. I had actually never done one of her studies before, but I just felt that this was something that I was suppose to do.

 

Sometime, before or after I ordered the above book, I really don't remember, a friend shared with me about a free book offer that Jesus101 was doing. And I was able to go to the app on my phone and easily request a copy of this book:

 

Funny thing is that I did not realize that there two books would work so perfectly together. It was not planned at all - at least not by me.

 

About a week ago I began reading the small book and Sabbath morning I decided to read the second chapter for my devotional time. And it clicked - I was meant to read these books at the same time. These two go together so nicely!

God knew what was going on inside of me- he knew of my worries and concerns and he wanted me to cast my burdens on Him. He wanted to give me rest and knew that I needed it written in plain English to get it.

 

God works in mysterious ways. When we don't get the message one way He will change the approach until we get it.

 

I am so thankful that He will gently lead us if only we will allow Him to do so.

 

How have you seen God lead in your life lately?

 

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By the way - Jesus101 gives out free books quite often. Not only that but you can choose to listen to 1 minute programs called "Plug Into Life" or you can choose to listen to 15 minute(or so) programs called Biblical Studies. They have several other choices. You can also choose to watch programs. There are many valuable recourse's available. Either search for the app for your phone or go to their website - by clicking on the link above.

God's Guidance

 

In December of 2014, our Sabbath School leader and his wife - moved their membership to another church in the area. This was very hard for me and the rest of the class left behind. We had a very special class. A class that not only talked about biblical thing but also how to apply them to our everyday life's. We also had time to share what was going on in our lives. We were able to get to know one another and really care about each other.

 

Our class still has a lot of these attributes- but to be honest we have floundered around trying to find our way. I have been challenged in what I was suppose to do. And I tried out other Sabbath School- only to realize that I belonged back in my Sabbath School.

 

Then several weeks ago - while I was at my favorite little thrift shop - I found 5 brand new copies of Morris Venden's "To Know God~ A 5-day plan" I had found other copies but they were older copies and kind of crispy - as in when you open them up they fall apart. That is the way my book is.

Anyway so I found 5 copies. I bought them. And 2 weeks ago - I handed them out to the other ladies in my Sabbath School class. This Sabbath one of the ladies came in and told how the week before she had had a very hard week- so she decided to stay home from church. She got her book and started to read. She said that it was exactly what she needed to be reading. And so we decided that we would start reading this book and discussing it for our Sabbath School. A real answer to prayer for me. Because I knew that we needed something to guide us along in our discussions. And thankfully now we have something. And like I have shared in the past. All the Morris Venden books that I have read have been great. I have gotten a real blessing out of them. They help me understand Biblical things so much better.

It took over a year - but I do believe that our Sabbath School is on the right path. We still have time to share about things in our lives that bother us and to pray for one another - but now we will have something that is uplifting and will draw us into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. And that is what it's all about! To Know God!