Posted in I AM Bible Study

Chapter 1, Lesson 3 (Part 1) ~
When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned
Focus: Exodus 2; Acts 7:21-28; Hebrews 11:23-29

Note To My Blog Readers:  Thanks for bearing with me while I complete this study.  It started back in January, so I have quite a bit of catching up to do.  I may be posting one each day till I get caught up. Thanks for your patience, and feel free to join the study with me . . . it is worth it. Simply click on the graphic above and it will take you there. 

My Answers To The Discussion Questions:

1. It was stated in the Lesson that God has made you "once, twice, three times a lady." Where are you in this progression? Obviously we have all been physically born, but are you 'twice a lady'? Have you been born again spiritually? This may be a private matter you'd like to discuss confidentially. If so, email me. If you have already received this gift, write a brief prayer of thanksgiving or testimony.

(The Short Version) I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 7 years old, after a Dallas Holm concert.  However when I was a teenager I fell away from the Lord and began to "party" and hang around with the wrong crowd.  When my Dad's job transferred us to Dallas, Texas, from New York, that was when I re-dedicated my life to the Lord "fully" and turned from the party scene, and in fact ended up going to Bible College instead of secular college. I am so thankful for all that the Lord has done in my life since that re-dedication back in 1987.  I can only imagine where my life would be right now if I had taken the same path I was on as a teenager. I am sure a path of destruction.  Now, however I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who loves the Lord passionately, and we have a beautiful daughter who is faithfully serving the Lord.  It doesn't get much better than that :-)

I am passionate about women's ministry and seeing women fully come into  right relationship with one another, and with Christ, and walking in their gifts and callings in Christ Jesus.  Unfortunately my zeal and passion has been misplaced at times and I have compromised by lining up or coming alongside  ministries and organizations that did not have the same vision.  Ohhhhh, let me tell you it is SO important to line up with the right ministries, churches and organizations that have the same vision that God has given you in order to maximize your gifting and not tear it down!  I've been in places where I have tried to use my giftings and it ends up blowing up the place because I was in the right place, but knitted in leadership with the wrong people. God's timing is everything . . . I know I have said it before and I'll say it again. GOD'S TIMING IS EVERYTHING.  Don't make the mistake of being knitted with people who do not have the same vision as you do (division means di = two, visions). It is such a blessing to be in a great church right now and we are also working with a ministry here in the Twin Cities where our giftings are being maximized to their full potential, and will be traveling soon (as the Lord permits).  We finally feel like we are in the right places at the right time, and in the center of God's will. I can't tell you how great that feels !! :-). Thank you Lord!

3. Do you ever get tired of waiting for that opportunity to do something worthwhile for God? Do you ever feel God is using someone else instead of you?

Let me tell you . . . like being a horse standing in the gate, just waiting for that gate to open is how I have felt for the past ten years, but with all things certain steps have to be taken first in preparation.  We have had our time of separation or "called out" for awhile now where it has been very quiet and just us and the Lord.  This time has been so important, and we know the foundation has to be firm and solid, and that is why we haven't "bucked" the process, although it has been hard.  I am VERY much a people-person and find great joy from being around others, but God has had to take me down a notch and get me to a quiet place where I can fully hear his voice and follow it, without vearing, so it has felt very lonely at times.  However I feel it coming . . . we are almost there . . . and soon the floodgates will open. WHOOHOOO.  To God be the glory! 

4. What do you consider 'worthwhile ministry'? Are you like me and sometimes find yourself mistakenly thinking it has to be Big to be Important?

For us it is all about the Kingdom of God, and when I say that I mean it!  We have left our family, close friends, and incredible support system in Texas to follow the Lord's plan for our lives.  Here we are in Minnesota with very few close friends, just went through a terrible shunning from three dear friends, and Hubby lost his job, yet in the middle of all of that we have grown closer to our Savior and see now that it isn't about quantity, but about quality!  I used to think I had to have many friends to feel confident about myself, but now I see if I have one true covenant person in my life that is holding me accountable to God's word, and allowing me to to do the same for them, then I am VERY blessed.  Worthwhile ministry to me is when you are with the right poeople at the right time and God's Holy Spirit is manifested and people are healed, delivered, set free and brought into a greater understanding of their purpose and divine calling here on earth and in the Kingdom of God.  I don't have time any more  for the superficial!  It's about being about our Father's business, and that means one person at a time.  

5. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If yes, what are yours? If no, here's a good one from Ephesians 4 Ministry. Will you take it and come back with a response? Knowing some of you like I already do, I can almost pick out what your gift is before you say it. I can't wait to see if I'm right!

I took the test and it said my dominant gifts are Pastor/Shepherd (20); Mercy, Evangelism and Prophecy were next with the same score of (15). About 12 years ago I took one of these test and it said my main gift was Administration, so I think we've changed quite a bit since then. Good to know God has been working on us :-).

Thank you for these words Lisa (The Preacher's Wife): "You girls are so wonderful and I look forward to your insights into this Lesson. Please know I pray for those of you whom I know are participating online and for those who are following along privately. I have never been so convinced that God is at work in the lives of women. He wants to give us Canaan...will we run towards it or continue longing for Egypt? Here is the Good News..You are one step closer to the Promised Land...you've come to far to turn back now! Hang in there! amen and amen again.