Chapter 6; Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness

Important points that spoke to me in this chapter....

- HEARING AND OBEYING BRING RIGHTEOUSNESS
- THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT IS ALL ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFESTYLE OF THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
- RIGHTEOUSNESS IS WHATEVER GOD DECREES MAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND OBEY. iT IS THE LONGING THAT GOD HIMSELF PLACES IN OUR HEARTS TO CAUSE US TO SEEK AFTER HIM.

Psalm 101 has a "to do" list to help with walking righteously before God.
1. Sing of lovingkindness and justice (focus on these things)
2. Sing praises (keep my mind focused on God)
3. Give heed to the blameless way (Stay focused on what God wants me to do)
4. Set no worthless thing before my eyes (Avoid temptation)
5. Every morning destroy all the wicked of the land (Pray for destruction of sin and wickedness in your own heart and that of the world)

May we hunger for the righteousness of God!

Chapter 5: Meekness: Is it Weakness or Strength?

Hey ladies! Not much commenting going on! LOL I know that it is hard to keep up sometimes... As I read about the family in Chapter 5 that lost their son, I am somewhat afraid. Afraid of what my reaction might be to a tragedy like theirs. I so want to be strong and full of faith but can I? I know I cannot do it alone. God has to carry us in those terrible times. Has anyone seen the movie "Courageous"? Brant says it should be titled "Tragedy" because of all the horrible things that happen in the movie. LOL I cried the entire two hours. However, the movie shows exactly how we are to rely on Jesus for strength in all circumstances. Also, in this chapter, Joseph is discussed at length. He has always amazed me in the way he forgave his brothers and accepted that God was in control and meant their bad for good. What have you all learned from this chapter? Are you enjoying the book or...not? Let me hear from you!

Chapter 4: In the Presence of Sovereignty

I so apologize about being late posting this chapter. I know that probably many of you are ahead. I have to be honest and say that I need time for alot of the material in this study to sink in. This is no easy study! Although it is not very time consuming in reading and studying, I think about the study ALOT! The main thing I took away from this chapter is not questioning God. Why do I have a right to do that? Funny that God seems to give you what you need to hear exactly when you need it. I had a wonderful friend Pam who left this world to be with Jesus last year. She sang so beautifully, worshipped Him so fully, and lived her life glorifying Him. I have to tell you that I asked "WHY". Lord, why Pam? I just had a coworker lose her husband in a car wreck. She has three boys and one is mentally and physically handicapped. He is fed through a feeding tube, wears a diaper, and cannot walk or speak. His daddy was his main caregiver and now he is gone. I have to tell you that I asked "WHY". On page 91, I realized that I should not question. It said," God, I don't understand, but I know you are SOVEREIGN, LOVING, and JUST. I may NEVER understand this life, but I will NOT accuse you, slander you, nor alter a single one of Your words to fit my poor, limited perspective. May God forgive me. May I be meek and have faith that GOD IS IN CONTROL. I pray that YOU have gained knowledge from this chapter as well. Let me know what you are thinking and pondering about!

Chapter 3: Do You Weep over Sin?

Don't you just love fall? I do! it is a new start, a fresh breath of air. What do you think of this chapter? I admit.... I got a little behind with the study during a nine day work stretch. This study is so thought provoking AND convicting. I have definitely wept over sin... my sin, sin in my family, sins of my friends... Though other times I have been callous and judgmental even. On Day 3 it says that mourning is not to be a single event but rather a habit for us. I don't know about you but that sort of gets me depressed... thoughts??

Chapter 2: Where True Happiness Begins

Hi ladies! It has come to my attention that I am the only one who is able to create a new post due to the capabilities of blogspot. From now on, I will post when we start a new chapter and then everyone may comment as lead. I know we have many ladies who have not joined the blog yet but may be doing the study. Let me know if you have problems getting started!
Towards the bottom half of page 30, Kay writes "Listen, my friend, as difficult as it might be to receive right now, you should open your arms and welcome anything that will break you, will bend your knees, that will bring you to utter destitution before your God." As strange as it seems, sometimes I have felt the strongest sense of peace in God during my most difficult circumstances. However, it is very hard to pray that prayer. What do you think? Love to each of you!

Hypocrisy

Day five of week one was on Hypocrisy. That word and its effect on my life have been crossing my mind ever since. I accepted Christ at the age of ten and grew up in a Christian home with parents who loved me. My church, however, was filled with hypocrites. The principal of my school, who was also a deacon in my church, was a known alcoholic. My Sunday School teacher was the biggest gossip in town. On and on it goes. This, along with my inability to be perfect and thinking I could not be a Christian if I could not BE perfect, drove me away from God. I recognize now how important as an adult we should live out the lives that God has called us to. I can definitely influence someone with just my actions. Thinking that I had little hypocrisy in my life, I asked God to show me. Wow! Sometimes I am sorry I asked. It seems that I have my church friends, my work friends, my homeschool friends. They all know me and my relationship with God. However, those who I am exposed to during the day.... cashiers, people driving on the road, people I speak with on the phone, fast food workers, etc.... do NOT know me and sometimes I show my worst to them. I know I am not perfect and never will be and by the grace of God I am forgiven. I will try to be better to the people that I come in contact with each day...with my words, my thoughts, my driving (LOL), and my actions. Thanks for letting me share my heart. Hold me accountable!

Heaven and Righteousness

Wow! This blog is already accomplishing what I wanted...accountability. I have so much to accomplish today BUT time with God must come first. Thank you SO much for studying with me. I learned today...Day 2 of Week 1...that Jesus had much to say about HEAVEN, His Home. I have thought much about heaven since both my parents call it home now. What are they doing? How do I know I will see them again? The verses I found say that Heaven belongs to those who need Jesus (NLT - Matthew 5:3). Well, I would definitely say I qualify! What did you learn today? Love to each of you!

Welcome!

I am SO glad that you decided to join me in studying God's Word. Since I am a homeschooling mom who is working full time and going back to school (I know I am crazy!), God has shown me that without daily time with him...I am only spinning my wheels. I created this blog to invite others to hold me accountable in my daily time with HIM. Please know that this is a no pressure situation. We will be using the book LORD, Only You Can Change Me by Kay Arthur. There are five days of devotion for each week with study questions for each day. You only need to post when you feel led. Thank you for joining me. May the Lord change our hearts! In HIM, Michele