Chapter 3 Finding Love That Won’t
Fail Even When I Do
Ladies, we are already in Week 3 and I love
how God has brought us all together!! This week we are reading chapter 3 and
answering the following discussion questions from the book. Also we have our first
video clip this week!
Check out the video at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQEqoa5c8oo
I can’t wait to read what you all are
getting from God this week! Remember to tell us what you are highlighting and what is speaking to you beyond the discussion questions.
1.
Think about your desire to find a relationship,
job, a calling, or something else that would satisfy the longings of your
heart, like Sam and Renee, have you ever looked to something or someone to fill
or fulfill you? Describe how that might have shaped the pattern of your
thoughts, decisions, and pursuits.
2.
Are your closet, your schedule, your mind, and
your life full? How about your heart? Are there empty places that you need and
want to trust God to fill? If so, list them.
3.
Where are you most tempted to find your worth?
In what area is it hardest to let God define you – and not the world’s
standards (i.e., career, motherhood, financial success, marriage, or ministry)
4.
What is the difference between salvation and
satisfaction in Christ?
5.
Read Proverbs 19:22; Psalm 63:2; and Psalm 90:14.
What do these verses tell you about God’s unfailing love? Have you ever
wondered how God’s love could be enough?
just saw the video. it was good. loved the visual. I read the chapter the other night and it really touched me. I was so busy being emotional about what I was reading it was hard to take it all in. as with reading scriptures, I an finding that reading it over, I get more out of it. my faith is getting stronger and it is thanks to my new church group, you wonderful ladies and of course you Cindy who really pointed me in the right direction. I will comment again after I read the chapter over and take notes. can't wait to see what u ladies post. God bless you all (:
ReplyDeleteTammy, I agree about the video, her visual really made it click. As she was talking I just kept thinking about everyrhing I've used to try to "fill my jar" and it's a lot of what she was referring to. I haven't read the chapter yet but I get a feeling its going to be a good one.
DeleteSplitting this up because it is too bug for 1 comment
ReplyDelete1. Think about your desire to find a relationship, job, a calling, or something else that would satisfy the longings of your heart, like Sam and Renee, have you ever looked to something or someone to fill or fulfill you? Describe how that might have shaped the pattern of your thoughts, decisions, and pursuits.
I think we have all done this, I think that for me it manifests itself in the fact that I feel like I always have to have a project or I always need to be working towards something. But when I get there, I feel great for a little bit and then I get restless again and have to find a new project. I had to go to college to work towards becoming a teacher, then once I graduated from college and got a teaching job I started thinking about becoming National Board Certified, and focused on preparing for that, then came my 3rd year teaching and I was finally ready to pursue that year long endeavor. When it was done and the dust settled and I realized that becoming National Board Certified didn’t really change anything about me it was time to find a new project so I decided that I needed to get my Master’s degree, so I did that, when that was done I decided I needed ANOTHER one so I started working on that. Then my dad needed my care and he became my next “project.” Now he’s gone and here I am writing my own blog and doing this Bible study. So I guess you all are my next project – I have to say though THIS project feels like it isn’t going to leave me saying “Now what” when the dust settles. I feel like this project is bringing me closer to God and allowing him to fill those empty spaces that I have been trying to fill with projects.
2. Are your closet, your schedule, your mind, and your life full? How about your heart? Are there empty places that you need and want to trust God to fill? If so, list them.
Yes all those things are full with the exception of my heart. I certainly do have empty places in my heart that I need and want to trust God to fill. Like the author says I need to see the gifts I have as gifts and be thankful to God for them and not place my value or worth in them. When my kids were young they went to school with and were friends with kids from some of the surrounding affluent neighborhoods. The moms drove new mini vans and had designers purses and clothes, purses full of credit cards, they had big nice houses in nice neighborhoods. I drove an old used car that had no air conditioning, wore clothes and carried purses from Wal-Mart and Goodwill, I had (and still have) my little tiny 3-bedroom house on our property - not some fancy neighborhood. I always felt like I didn’t belong. When I graduated from college and started teaching the first thing I did was bought a brand new car, I bought clothes from fancy stores, and I bought my first designer handbag. I thought those things would help me fit in, they didn’t. Its funny because no matter how much stuff I bought, there were always moms out there who had something better, and there always will be. I need to be happy with what I have and where I’m at instead of worrying about what other people think I should have or be. I need to understand that God loves me no matter what kind of car I drive or purse I carry.
3. Where are you most tempted to find your worth? In what area is it hardest to let God define you – and not the world’s standards (i.e., career, motherhood, financial success, marriage, or ministry)
ReplyDeleteI think I answered this a little in the last question. I think that I am tempted to find my worth in my material possessions. I think that it is hardest to let God define me in all areas, what if I don’t measure up? My material possessions mean nothing to Him, so what if I can’t compete? I worry a lot about what other people think of me and I guess I worry that God will think of me the same way those mothers did back when my kids were little and I was a stay at home mom going to college and couldn’t afford nice things. I know that God loves me unconditionally but, like the author says I need for that knowledge to move from my head to my heart.
4. What is the difference between salvation and satisfaction in Christ?
This is a tough question, why did I pick this one?? OK well, after rereading this section of the book Renee says “Salvation is a one-time decision” we make the decision to give our life to Christ but satisfaction is a daily process of living in the security of His promises. Hmmm, so basically it seems that being satisfied is a process wherein we need to allow Jesus to show us where, who, and what we are using to try to fulfill us and then allow Him to do it instead. This sounds a lot easier said than done, which is why I am very glad to be reading this book. I can’t wait for Chapter 12 where she gives us the 31 promises we can use to write our own when-then statements. This is going to be an interesting journey.
5. Read Proverbs 19:22; Psalm 63:2; and Psalm 90:14. What do these verses tell you about God’s unfailing love? Have you ever wondered how God’s love could be enough? Every time I hear the song “Your Grace is Enough” it brings tears to my eyes because it just touches me so deeply and I want it to be so, I want it to me that God’s grace and love are enough for me. The above verses tell me that God’s love is loyal, and it will fulfill all our needs. It is unfailing and unconditional. I think about it like it is the same (but bigger) than the love I have for my children. There is nothing any of my kids could ever do or say to make me stop loving them. I may be disappointed in them, I may be hurt by them, I may even someday feel abandoned by them (I pray not) but I would never stop loving them. I just can’t wrap my head around the idea that Jesus, the only perfect person to ever walk the face of the earth, who knows ALL my secrets, all my thoughts, all my transgressions, could possibly love me despite all that I was and am. But I am so very thankful that He does.
Oh my goodness! Being a fifth grade teacher at the end of the school year is kicking my behind! I am struggling with question 3 here. Do I volunteer for everything to find my worth? I will have to think about that, but for now I just want you to know that I am doing the reading, and things should calm down eventually. Thanks for your patience!
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