Wednesday, March 24, 2010

An Open Door Bible Study- Part 4


Find

Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years, and a widow for eighty four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem. - Luke 2:36-38 MSG

Read Isaiah 40:25-31

25 "To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of His great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

What is the byproduct of waiting on the Lord? The Lord will renew me, and make me stronger. He empowers me always.


Take a closer look at verse 31. In what area of your life do you need strength? What is God saying to you through this passage? I need strength with my health. God is telling me to not grow weary, or faint. He will help me to run, and to soar


What dream has God planted deep inside you? What prevents you from realizing that dream? The dream that God has planted deep inside of me is to be a speaker at women's conferences, to spread His love and word. Right now, my husband's health, and financial situation is preventing me from realizing that dream.


Read the scripture passage above. How would you have felt if you had been in Anna's situation? I would have felt that the time for my dream coming true had passed.


Fill in the blanks in the statement that follows:

This stinks. I expected to be "doing so much more at this time in my life." I expected to have "been fulfilling God's purpose " All the rules seem to be changing. I "want to be doing more for the Lord"

What do you expect God to do about your situation? Stay with me Lord, where I am, as long as I am here.

Based on what Anna did, what should you do in response to your situation? Be patient, and wait on the Lord's timing, His timing is perfect.


Feel

Anna had every reason to feel hopeless and useless. Yet, she believed God's promise that she was valuable to Him. How do you know you are valuable to God? How does that make you feel? I know I am valuable to God, He proves that to me daily by watching over me, and carrying me, when I cannot carry myself. Knowing that, makes my heart smile really big. I am very thankful.


Anna prayed that the Messiah would come. For what are you praying, and what do you expect to happen when that prayer is answered? I am praying for lovebugs total healing. When that prayer is answered, there will be much praising, and cheering here at our home. Others will be blessed to see the healing come also.


For what are you watching? How do you expect God to overwhelm your life? I am watching for God to show up, and perform His wonders of healing for my husband, and for me. God always overwhelms my life, He is totally amazing.

Follow:

What is the role of your ongoing relationship with God, in regards to your personal and spiritual expectations? I have put everything in His very capable hands for safe keeping.


How do you discern God's guidance, from your feelings, or the advice of others? I keep my ears, and heart ready for that still, small quiet voice of my precious Lord.


Complete the following statement: Because God said trust...I will be... leaning on the everlasting arms.


Now write a prayer expressing your desire to wait for God's answer to your prayers. Use this prayer as part of your daily time with God, and as an expression of your desire to live with God-honoring patience, as you wait for Him, to reveal His plan to you.
Dear Father God, please continue to be near me, as I go forward on this journey. I believe in You with all I am, I know You hear my prayers, and I am confident that You will answer them, in Your time, which will be the right time. I love You. Amen

7 comments:

Saleslady371 said...

And boy, oh boy, would you be a great women's speaker. I'm believing in that dream with you, honey, and also all the other healings you desire.

Karen said...

Amen to that! Your heart for others and your faith would make you a most inspiring speaker...still praying for healings and restorations...

Barbara said...

Sounds like a wonderful study....we are praying and believing with you. Those are some tough questions for us all to dwell on...what is standing in our way of our dreams?????

Thanks Denise...great thought motivator!

More Than Words said...

This is such a great study, Denise!

Rebecca said...

Denise, I think too many times God plants a dream (like to spread His love and His Word) and we in our GREAT excitement supplement His dream with OUR dream (speaking at women's conferences). Focus on that first part - and realize you are ALREADY living His dream for you!

I thank God for you and all the words you share; the faith you demonstrate; the courage with which you handle life.

LeAnn said...

I just saw this book on CBD and was wondering what it was like! Thanks for giving us a a peek! It looks like one I would like.

Anonymous said...

I so need to buy this book! Thank you for giving us a peek. Love you!!