A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place

from a past posting...
In my bible study today ( a woman's heart, god's dwelling place by Beth Moore), it asked me about what I deliberately avoid for the sake of purity and how others know that I am set apart to God?

Wow, that is food for thought for me.

I instantly thought..well, I avoid television....
There are so many other things that I should be avoiding though. I should be avoiding gossip in any way, shape, or form. I should be avoiding anything at all that challenges my integrity~ my witness. Many books, magazines, the newspaper, laziness..... This study has made me aware that lots of things challenge the purity and integrity I am called to uphold as I child of God.

Being set apart to God? How do people know that about me? This is an area I have much work to do. If I cannot answer this with a solid statement, do I stand apart? I have been told that you cannot conquer what you tolerate. I am working to ensure that my actions and my comments set me apart. I think it goes back to what I discussed earlier about being authentic. For me, much of my faith is shown in my actions. What does set me apart? It has been said that there is no greater validity to being a Christian than a changed life.

"People remain the same, until the pain of remaining the same outweighs the pain of change."

The Veil

In our women's study we have been learning intimately about the tabernacle. I would have never really thought in a million years it would keep my interest. I stand here today and tell you (ok, sit and type), It has been amazing! I am sure that much of it has to do with Beth Moore and her ability to just pull me in. I am also sure that having my mind open to learning and understanding the word has benefited me greatly! But WOW! I love being able to see & connect all these things in the bible now and have much more clarity about them. The veil~ I never thought much of the word...something a bride wears, right? The significance of what I have learned of the veil will enable me to never look at that word the same again.

I was reading II Corinthians today, and it mentions the veil quite a bit. A veil is clearly a separation (from what I have learned in my study). II Corinthians talks about our hearts being covered with a veil.. our minds being covered with a veil. I think the people in Corinth were set so much on the LAW, they made it hard to remove the veil. They were so caught up in the law, they forgot all about the unveiling (Christ death), they forgot about grace and the one who came so that we might receive it. God wants our hearts and minds to be unveiled... and to bask in His glory.

ddddddddddSoak it in, radiate it out.

We have got to keep pressing on toward better behavior, no doubt.... I think Paul is clearly telling us to stop being "religious" and "legalistic". Remove the veil, remove the condemnation~ The veil is torn~ from top to bottom, He wants us to enter in just as we are. We must be unveiled to begin this relationship and to maintain it. You cannot veil yourself from God. Just be you. Don't make things complicated, keep it simple. Keep it true. When the veil is gone, that is when you will really see God and the grace of God. Yep, the new testament really is the old testament revealed... Beth Moore is right again!

From my devotion this morning...

"God allows circumstances to develop around your life to give your faith opportunity to be proven. It is only when we are tested in battle that we become skilled warriors. You can be confident God will allow trials to come your way through situations like an unreasonable boss, a client who refuses to pay, a false assault on your character, or a difficult relationship that requires unconditional love. These battles are sent your way to test what you know in the mind in order that they might become part of your heart.

You will discover if you have passed the tests or if you need more battles that will give you the opportunity to learn the art of spiritual warfare. Do not fear these battles that are before you. God has already given you the victory if you choose complete dependence and obedience to Him. Then you will become one of God's greatest warriors, skilled in spiritual warfare."

Going to church, yipppeeee

Sunday~ I love Sunday because I love going to church! We were talking last week at our woman's bible study about sacrifice. Our study prompted us to reflect and discuss the sacrifices we make as a Christian. I was blank.

Then I sort of had to laugh inside, four or five years ago... I could have given you an unending list of sacrifices I would need to make to be a Christian. Actually I already considered myself a Christian, so I guess they would have been sacrifices made to attend church. Even getting up early would have been a huge sacrifice for me.

The amazing thing is, none of these things even matter anymore. The "sacrifices" are things I want to do, I desire to do. It is so true that allowing God into your life, establishing a personal relationship...changes your heart, your mind, your thoughts. It does not even take effort for the change. I never understood this before. I can't explain it now. It all has to do with GRACE.

I am not doing anything different in my life due to requirements... I am doing things different in my life due to a changed heart, changed desires. Then to top it all off, my life is so full of joy and peace and love~ more than it ever has been. It is like once I quit trying to find all of that on my own, it was just handed me to me. It is funny to me now, I seriously laugh out loud....

yep, I love going to church. I wish we had it every day. I have no idea what I am going to do when our ladies bible study ends in December. Anyone interested in starting our own little group? Anyone want to see if we can do it all again? I thrive to learn God's word. I just can't get enough.

Today, my bible study gave me comfort for Sharon and the Gettelfinger family. I find it still amazing how God speaks to us. He knew that today I needed reassurance, and He gave it. The study is speaking of God's love for us in all directions; width, length, height, and depth. God's word states that this life is only a breath.... He will embrace us completely through it.

Psalm 40:2 He drew me up out of a horrible pit, out of miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.; Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.; Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.; Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that all things work together and are for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.; Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

Thanks Sharon for showing this to all.
UPDATE: SHARON WENT TO BE WITH HER LORD SUNDAY Novembver 4th 2007 , Celebration of Life 3:00, Sherwood Oaks, Sunday Novemeber 11th