May 12, 2009

Seeking Him Together - Week One



Are you ready to chat about Week One? I'll be honest, after Day 5, I was ready to call it quits. So much conviction! But I'm so grateful that the Lord didn't let go of me! As I met with Him through Seeking Him Together this week, I realized again how loving and merciful He is. And I was reminded of Day 3 of our study, and perhaps the most meaningful insight I gleaned this week. He loves you and knows that you cannot experience all He has for you in your present condition. (p. 9)

I am not only a creature of habit, but also of comfort. I like to be comfortable. Not too hot. Not too cold. Not too difficult. Not too easy. I like everything to be just so. (Yeah, I'm a little high maintenance.) Change disrupts my routine and my comfort, which I'm sure is the reason I'm often adverse to it. Yet revival requires change.

Revival. requires. change.

If I'm going to experience God's revival in my heart, I need to change:

~My thinking. Revival isn't just me coming back to God. He has begun drawing me back to Him. He has a work waiting for me in Peru, and it's not going to happen unless I am completely in love with Him and attuned to His voice. I didn't just decide to have revival in my life. God decided it for me. That truth slays me. I am not in this alone. I don't have to depend on my pitiful, sinful self to spark revival. (Glory, Hallelujah!) It's His work.

~My sense of security. Generally, I don't rely on things for security. I get that from people and how they view me. I need to feel special, praise-worthy, and loved. Which means I also find security in my accomplishments and abilities. I will knock myself out to please God most of all. I've struggled to accept that His love is unconditional, not based upon my performance. In doing so, I've been looking to myself for security, rather than to God. Perhaps the reason He's sending me to Peru is because I have no abilities for this trip. None. Nada. Zip. I will be totally dependent upon Him, like I've never been before.

~My approach to warfare. Lately, I've been feeling worn out by life. Getting through each day has been a struggle. I've been trying to win the battle on my own, and it's just not working. When I was in the midst of a big pity party yesterday, Amber helped pull me away from it by reminding me of Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (ESV)

I need to stop wearing myself out in these battles, and let God handle it. My energy and time should be devoted to seeking Him, instead of fighting an enemy who's already defeated.

Whew! That's a lot to learn in one week. What about you? I can't wait to hear how He's been speaking to you this week. Leave a link to your post (not your blog) below. And for you ladies on Facebook, be sure to check in this week for more discussion.

Let me encourage you to read through the discussion section each week. GREAT, great insights in Week #1...I loved the points on what true revival will bring in your life.








6 comments:

His Girl said...

Amen to all you said! Beautifully expressed, Melissa... especially this part:
I didn't just decide to have revival in my life. God decided it for me.totally gave me chills to remember this.

again, great idea to start this study, sistah! BIG changes around the bend...

(now, off to write mine)

Gretchen said...

Thank you for hosting, Melissa. Great, great point about this being a divine appt with God to which He chose to invite you (and us). I've been feeling those same struggles and fighting those same battles. Wearying, isn't it? It stops today.

Vern ~ Inspired said...

What a blessing to stop by and read the powerful truths you wrote about today!

I enjoyed browsing and will come back again!

Be Inspired!

Brook said...

My iron sharpens iron friend just told me tonight that she's ordering this study too! The Romans study we want to do doesn't get published until July, so am I excited two do two studies with her in 2009. :) She doesn't have a blog or Facebook, but it will be good to complete this study with a friend from real life too!

Lisa Spence said...

I think I've told you once or twice (or three or four times) that I've done this study and it was full of conviction and blessing both... I pray the same for you and those who had committed to SEEK HIM with you--may you find Him in ways unimagined! He is faithful!

LOVE the button!

Deb said...

Melissa,

I'm visiting from Brook's blog. Wish I could participate in the Bible study. Sounds pretty cool.

Deb