So today, this morning, was our last Tuesday Morning Bible Study until the fall. How I will miss the sweet time of fellowship with that beautiful group of women! TMBS (as I write it on my calendar) was just NOT something that I was willing to give up when our schedule got crazy - and - oh boy! - was my spirit blessed because of it! While the fellowship is wonderful, and brunch with a godly group of women is a blast, the learning about and the studying of the Bible has been, by far, my favorite. I am newly introduced to the world of Beth Moore Bible studies, and I'll tell you - I ain't lookin' back! :o) *In fact, Hubby and Kiddo were teasing me last night about my TMBS: they were making up all kinds of acrostics for what it might mean. They came up with "Too Much Breakfast Stuff" - to which I replied, "I bet many of those ladies wouldn't agree!" And then they said "Too Many Beth Studies" - to which I said, "How about 'Twenty More Beth Studies'?" We all laughed...I can't get enough of Beth Moore these days, ladies! (Or Karen Kingsbury for that matter!)
Anyway, I digress...
Our "Wednesdays with Beth" video today was called "God's Purpose for You in Your Generation" and was a HUGE blessing to so many of us. Acts 13:36 says:
Beth Moore said that our purpose is:
1. Highly personal
2. Perfectly timed
3. Carefully protected
If you have ever done a Beth Moore study, you know that she has experienced childhood abuse. She was told that if she ever spoke of or admitted her background of abuse that her ministry would be over, as "the world" was just not ready for it. However, in THIS generation, people are coming out of the closets with stories of child abuse and are seeking help and healing. She mentioned that she was created for and placed in THIS generation...not her mother's generation and not her grandmother's generation. Those times were not yet prepared for it. But also that if she had not suffered that abuse, she would not have the testimony that she has.
Yes, this is from Jeremiah 29. Verses 11-14a to be exact. While I had heard these verses before, there were a couple of other verses that she brought up as well. These are from Luke 22...verses 31-32.
One thing she pointed out was that Satan requested "all of [them]" but he only "got" Simon (Peter). God deliberated and knew that the others would not benefit from Satan's sifting.
Then, Beth spoke a phrase that practically jumped right out of the television:
Wow. While God does not like us to be hurt, He knows what we can handle and how we will grow and learn from our experiences. Good and bad, we are who we are because of what He allows to shape us. While I truly believe that He hurts when we hurt, He is all-knowing and all-seeing...He is sovereign. I trust Him to use all of the experiences in my life for my ultimate good. And I also know:
If the purpose could not exceed the pain, the answer was "no!"
Thank You, Lord, for loving me despite my many flaws and for thinking of me and planning my life down to every intricate detail. While I believe that you are sovereign, I also believe that you love me enough to allow me to make my own choices. I pray, Lord, that you will make Your way clear to me, that I might make choices each and every day that please You. I thank You that when my choices are wrong, You love me right back into Your arms. Thank You for carrying me when I feel too weak to walk and thank You for singing over me and rejoicing with me. I love You, Lord and Father, with all of my heart. Amen.
Be well and be blessed and I hope to post again soon!
Anyway, I digress...
Our "Wednesdays with Beth" video today was called "God's Purpose for You in Your Generation" and was a HUGE blessing to so many of us. Acts 13:36 says:
"Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed."
(Purpose - the original word was "boule" which means: intention, deliberation and reflection.)
1. Highly personal
2. Perfectly timed
3. Carefully protected
If you have ever done a Beth Moore study, you know that she has experienced childhood abuse. She was told that if she ever spoke of or admitted her background of abuse that her ministry would be over, as "the world" was just not ready for it. However, in THIS generation, people are coming out of the closets with stories of child abuse and are seeking help and healing. She mentioned that she was created for and placed in THIS generation...not her mother's generation and not her grandmother's generation. Those times were not yet prepared for it. But also that if she had not suffered that abuse, she would not have the testimony that she has.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity."
Yes, this is from Jeremiah 29. Verses 11-14a to be exact. While I had heard these verses before, there were a couple of other verses that she brought up as well. These are from Luke 22...verses 31-32.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
One thing she pointed out was that Satan requested "all of [them]" but he only "got" Simon (Peter). God deliberated and knew that the others would not benefit from Satan's sifting.
Then, Beth spoke a phrase that practically jumped right out of the television:
If the purpose could not exceed the pain, the answer was "no!"
Wow. While God does not like us to be hurt, He knows what we can handle and how we will grow and learn from our experiences. Good and bad, we are who we are because of what He allows to shape us. While I truly believe that He hurts when we hurt, He is all-knowing and all-seeing...He is sovereign. I trust Him to use all of the experiences in my life for my ultimate good. And I also know:
If the purpose could not exceed the pain, the answer was "no!"
Thank You, Lord, for loving me despite my many flaws and for thinking of me and planning my life down to every intricate detail. While I believe that you are sovereign, I also believe that you love me enough to allow me to make my own choices. I pray, Lord, that you will make Your way clear to me, that I might make choices each and every day that please You. I thank You that when my choices are wrong, You love me right back into Your arms. Thank You for carrying me when I feel too weak to walk and thank You for singing over me and rejoicing with me. I love You, Lord and Father, with all of my heart. Amen.
Be well and be blessed and I hope to post again soon!
Comments
Her teaching is so fabulous.
I remember about seven years ago when I attended her first Living Proof Conference. Then I started leading her Bible studies. I was hooked.
We do others from time to time, but nobody compares to her. :)
I love how she has made God's Word come alive and how she has caused me to want to go deeper in my relationship with Him.
You know the Deeper Still event is coming to OKC in December? I'm not sure if it's at the Ford Center or the Cox Convention Center.
I've not been to see Beth at a D.S. event, but I know it'll be good.
Thanks for sharing. By the way, I've been teased for years about my love for Beth. My sister always writes "Valerie Beth" on the mail she send me. Ha!
Bless you Misty, and keep doing the thang!!!