Let Go and Let God

Let Go and Let God
Day 3, 24 June 2009

We're still learning to "let go". In our world where control, goals, competition is rampant it is so difficult to just step back, be humble and let life happen. We want it now, we want what we want, we want to complain, we want to manipulate, we want to predict the outcome. But this is not what God's Word says:

Practice Love

5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; ²¹ only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, ²² but through love serve one another. ²³ 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, ²⁴ namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁵ 5:15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another, ²⁶ beware that you are not consumed ²⁷ by one another. 5:16 But I say, live ²⁸ by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. ²⁹ 5:17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires ³⁰ that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to ³¹ each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh ³² are obvious: ³³ sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, ³⁴ hostilities, ³⁵ strife, ³⁶ jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, ³⁷ factions, 5:21 envying, ³⁸ murder, ³⁹ drunkenness, carousing, ⁴⁰ and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit ⁴¹ is love, ⁴² joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ⁴³ 5:23 gentleness, and ⁴⁴ self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ ⁴⁵ have crucified the flesh ⁴⁶ with its passions ⁴⁷ and desires. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with ⁴⁸ the Spirit. 5:26 Let us not become conceited, ⁴⁹ provoking ⁵⁰ one another, being jealous ⁵¹ of one another.

We must let go of the flesh and its earthly desires and walk in the Spirit!

QUESTIONS:

1. What does God say about those who do not put away the pursuit of fleshly things?

2. What is the great commandment that God has given to us?

3. Can we love another if we do not love ourselves?

4. Can we love ourselves if we are slaves to sin? How can we overcome sin?

5. What power does God say we have to overcome the flesh and works of the devil?

6. Are you using that power now?

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Well fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I do not walk worthy at all times but I do claim progress and not perfection. I put on the perfection of Christ and His perfect gift of grace, I walk in the Spirit but at times I do fall. I do put on this world, do strive to achieve those things that "man" says are important measures of success.

I look back on many wasted opportunities where I could have chosen love over winning, encouragement over competition, gentleness over glee, kindness over self-promotion. Then I look forward and know that my Redeemer has forgiven me those times and that I have His power to "let go" of the world and walk in the gentleness and goodness of the Spirit. I can right many of those wrongs, in humbleness, if I truly care to "let God". He will give an opportunity to make it right with those who weren't treated with love.

I urge you brethren to take that opportunity to open your heart and ask for healing and forgiveness from God, but also from the people you have wronged. What better testimony than to humble yourself and ask for forgiveness and nothing else? God gave us the ultimate sacrifice, us making amends is a small service to Jesus for all He did for us. God bless you all, Sister Lisa

Let Go and Let God

Let Go and Let God Day 2

Sometimes the beauty that surrounds us is blocked out by the day-to-day struggles in life. Boredom, frustration, tiredness, depression - these things are all ways of the world to get us to take the focus off of God and onto ourselves.

Letting go is letting life...believing that God has a Master Plan for us and for the world. He sent Jesus to save the world, to save us from the wickedness that envelops us at times. We put one foot in front of the other and it doesn't seem to be enough but God has other plans.

Putting one foot in front of the other works, if you are on the right path. How do we know? How can we be certain? What happens if we look back and pine for the good old days? That is not what God wants for us. He wants confidence, belief, faith that with each step we are moving closer to Him.

He doesn't test us, He trusts us! Wow, what a different perspective that gives me in my walk with Him. Nothing happens by chance, nothing happens that is not of His Holy Pursposeful Plan.

The Lord is Incomparable

40:12 Who has measured out the waters ²³ in the hollow of his hand,

or carefully ²⁴ measured the sky, ²⁵

or carefully weighed ²⁶ the soil of the earth,

or weighed the mountains in a balance,

or the hills on scales? ²⁷

40:13 Who comprehends ²⁸ the mind ²⁹ of the Lord,

or gives him instruction as his counselor? ³⁰

40:14 From whom does he receive directions? ³¹

Who ³² teaches him the correct way to do things, ³³

or imparts knowledge to him,

or instructs him in skillful design? ³⁴

40:15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales.

He lifts ³⁵ the coastlands ³⁶ as if they were dust.

40:16 Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice; ³⁷

its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings. ³⁸

40:17 All the nations are insignificant before him;

they are regarded as absolutely nothing. ³⁹

40:18 To whom can you compare God?

To what image can you liken him?

40:19 A craftsman casts ⁴⁰ an idol;

a metalsmith overlays it with gold

and forges silver chains for it.

40:20 To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; ⁴¹

he then seeks a skilled craftsman

to make ⁴² an idol that will not fall over.

40:21 Do you not know?

Do you not hear?

Has it not been told to you since the very beginning?

Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made?

40:22 He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon; ⁴³

its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. ⁴⁴

He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, ⁴⁵

and spreads it out ⁴⁶ like a pitched tent. ⁴⁷

40:23 He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing;

he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant.

40:24 Indeed, they are barely planted;

yes, they are barely sown;

yes, they barely take root in the earth,

and then he blows on them, causing them to dry up,

and the wind carries them away like straw.

40:25 “To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?”

says the Holy One. ⁴⁸

40:26 Look up at the sky! ⁴⁹

Who created all these heavenly lights? ⁵⁰

He is the one who leads out their ranks; ⁵¹

he calls them all by name.

Because of his absolute power and awesome strength,

not one of them is missing.

40:27 Why do you say, Jacob,

Why do you say, Israel,

“The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, ⁵²

My God is not concerned with my vindication”? ⁵³

40:28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is an eternal God,

the creator of the whole earth. ⁵⁴

He does not get tired or weary;

there is no limit to his wisdom. ⁵⁵

40:29 He gives strength to those who are tired;

to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.

40:30 Even youths get tired and weary;

even strong young men clumsily stumble. ⁵⁶

40:31 But those who wait for the Lord’s help ⁵⁷ find renewed strength;

they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, ⁵⁸

they run without growing weary,

they walk without getting tired.

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QUESTIONS

1. After meditating on the scriptures above, does God provide everything?

2. Is there anything in your life, any struggle that you walk through, which God is not aware?

3. What provisions does God make for us when we are weary and worn?

4. Does God want us bored, frustrated, tired? What does He want us to do?

5. Does "letting go" mean we just sit back and kick up our feet, waiting on God to "do something"?

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Meditate on those scriptures again and then close your eyes, imagine the majestic eagle in her nest edging her eaglets to the end of the nest and pushing them over. Now image the faith, the trust, the reassurance she must have to trust a God that will not let her little ones fall, fail or die. She looks up to the heavens and trusts her Master and as she looks upward, she sees her eaglets soaring toward heaven and gives thanks.

She knows, she rests in the faith, that all is right with God's plan. She slumbers and wakes in the morning and soars with her family, as brothers and sisters, into the wind high above the chaos of the world--held in the air miraculously by Our Heavenly Father's Hand and Plan. Have peace my sisters and brothers in Christ--soar with the eagles and the wind for He will provide safety, Sister Lisa

Let Go and Let God

June 21, 2009

Let Go and Let God! Today is Father's Day. What better gift to give our Heavenly Father than to trust totally in His provision and Word? I've been doing other things for a while and am back to study His Word with you all. Thank you for your patience and dedication to Him.

Day 1 - How Do We Let Go?

Letting go has so many different meanings and aspects in each person's life. It could mean letting go of a past hurt, resentment, favorite past time, worry, frustration, or love. It may mean standing in the shadow, being still or quiet, letting someone we love fall, or letting ourselves fail. Whatever you need to let go of today, let's explore in God's Word how we do that with peace of mind.

What should we let go of? God's Word says in Genesis that He spoke and said, "Let there be..." and He formed the universe, the world, the earth, the inhabitants, the animals, plants, seas and all that there is, was and is to be. Read Genesis Chapter 1 and reflect on what He made and what we should "let go" of!

James 1
1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, ¹⁵ and he himself tempts no one. 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 1:15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 1:16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁶ 1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift ¹⁷ is from above, coming down ¹⁸ from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. ¹⁹ 1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth ²⁰ through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

So let us meditate on what God created, how He created it and for Whom He created the heavens and the earth. We were created in His image and righteousness and therefore, we cannot be tempted by God. Let us "let go" of that notion--that God is testing us or tempting us or trying to "trick" us! He is not, we are His Holy Workmanship and He, through His Word has provided a way out for us.

Questions:

1. What do you need to let go of? Think about your walk, your talk, your thoughts, your worries, your relationships, your habits, your likes, your desires...what do you need to give over to the Spirit of the Living God?

2. Pray about James 1. Examine your heart and ask yourself, do I blame God for any misgiving or wickedness in my life or the lives of those I love? If so, ask yourself, is this Godly?

3. Are you holding something, anything, back from God? Is your pride rearing up against the will of God by saying "this one thing I'll handle myself, this is just a little something that I can do all by myself". If so, it may be the one "little" thing that is separating you from joy and peace. Pray about it and lay it at the altar now.

4. Examine your style of worship, prayer, praise and study of His Word. Do you have one? If not, time to develop a focus on your faith that includes follow-through and discipline. Commit to it today--ten minutes, fifteen minutes of prayer, meditation, study and reflection on all God has done for you each day. YOU CAN DO IT!

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We're learning and growing together Saints. Letting go is not easy, it is comfortable to stay where we are and not grow. With growth comes rain, sun, wind, weeding, plucking, stretching, learning, losing, and lack of control! With God all things are possible...until tomorrow sweet blessings on your heart, mind and soul. Sister Lisa

Week 3 Day 1

Praises be to God Sisters and Brothers...been homeworking, cooking, folding clothes...and fellowshipping. It has been a full day of the Lord's blessings. I will post today and tomorrow's blog tomorrow...until then, Ask and Ye Shall Receive; Seek and ye shall Find; Knock and the Door will be opened to you. Love and peace, Sister Lisa

First Place Week 2, Day 7

Week 2 Day 7

This week we learned a lot about prayer. Our memory verse stated that if we believe, whatever we ask we will receive. We know this means we need to pray in accordance with God's Will and open our hearts to the possibility that our Heavenly Father knows what is in our best interest better than we do.

Jesus wasn't happy nor excited about being crucified; he even asked the Father to let his task pass from him. But, he knew enough to say to God, "Not my will but thine be done." And THANK HIM for that--where would we be? We would be lost without a Savior, still searching for how we could connect and have a relationship with God. Thank God that Jesus was obedient to the Cross.

Are you ready for His Will to be done in your life? Delight yourself in Him, commit your ways to His. If you fall, get up and ask the Father to order your steps according to His Word. Trust in the Lord.

Humble yourself and ask Him for faith, strength and answers. They are all to be found in His Holy Word. God, turn my head toward you and away from the statues and distractions of this life. I fail you daily Lord but know that all things are possible with You. I ask you to cleanse me, prepare me and give me all that I need to do your Will. Father, turn my eyes from wickedness, competitiveness and trying to 'please man'. I know that perfection only exists in You and I will stop striving for it.

Answer me when I call, relieve me of distress, be merciful to me and my family. Give me faith Lord and confirm my heart with your promises. I know you want me to earnestly seek you and I seek you with all my heart, mind, soul and body. Say your scripture memory verse and meditate on these truths: Believing, Receiving, Faith, Praying, Hoping, Humbling---they are all good for the soul. Beloved, another new week tomorrow Sister Lisa

Week 2 Day 6

Week 2, Day 6

Bible study requires discipline and priority! I struggle with discipline...I get going on something and then I lose interest or I find other things to do. I constantly over schedule, overcommit and think I can do all things. Well, what to do about it? I can only do ALL things through CHRIST. That much I must remind myself of everyday, sometimes more than once a day or hour.

Are you struggling with discipline? Wonder what will happen if you commit and then slip? We are so hard on ourselves to be perfect (well, I know that I am on myself)--sometimes we don't commit or start to avoid the inevitable disappointment. What I am learning from this is that I really, really need to believe and act as if God is totally in control. I must give up my pride that I can do all things by myself, that I can be perfect.

Lord, please take this pride from me and let me know that I can commit, each day, to you. If I believe, asking from You, I will receive. Let me remember to pray on the four dimensions that we learned about Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Let me pray for others and take the focus off of me. Help me to overcome my need to control and perfect things. Let me not give-up on my dreams, my obedience, my hope in you.

Read Psalm 98:4; James 5:16; Psalm 106:1 and Ephesians 6:18. Follow the Word! Get up now, do it now, make a new day NOW! God is in control, God is Omnipresent and He will heal us, hold us and help us. Let your peace Lord, that passes all understanding, permeate my soul and my life. Let me guard my heart by hiding your Word in it and trusting that ALL things work together for good.

Praise your holy name Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit for teaching me and thank you Most High Jehovah for pulling me close to you in love and peace. Sister, Lisa

First Place Week 2 Day 5

Week 2 Day 5

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

Prayer Protection
Do you think that God just rains down things and answers from heaven upon us? Is He more like Santa Claus than a Holy and Just God? Well, lest you believe that any type or thing is for the asking we will examine other verses on prayer today that show us the proper perspective on praying God's Word and His Will!

STUDY VERSES:

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. What do these verses say about God and prayer?
2. What condition and promise does God give to us in these verses?
3. Do you think that God's will is a limitation on your prayers?
4. Would you want God to answer every prayer from everyone without limitation? Why or why not?
5. How does Jesus' example help us with our prayer life? Will you use His example?

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Beloved, how marvelous our Father is! He has given us all we need for life and godliness in the gospel! Prayer is so freeing; thank Him that He doesn't give in to all of our immature, wicked and petulent requests. The world would be far more wicked if He did! He has all wisdom and all power and all knowledge. To pray for His will is a privilege. Seek Him first, ask believing and let His will be done. I pray for us to continue in faithfulness and to give mercy to the wicked, to forgive the unforgivable, to love the unlovable and to mke peace with those who would persecute us. Love, love love Beloved, that is the answer! Praise Him, Sister, Lisa