Fix our eyes

Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our Faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the thrown of God." Our culture does everything in its power to keep our eyes off of Jesus. We can talk about God. People think we are all serving the same God. But they don't want us talking about Jesus. They won't accept HIM. And staying focused on Jesus is incredibly difficult in this day and time. Our culture wants us to be busy with work, sports, life in general so we won't have time or take the time to spend with God and remember what Jesus did for us. I don't know what went through Eve's mind after she had to leave the garden. I can only imagine the insecurity she felt and dealt with. We can be so thankful to be living after Christ so we can know how to what lengths God will go to show HIS love. Thank you God and we glorify your name, and share Jesus with everyone.

Culture

Someone has responded to a posting of "I thought you were doing the Beth Moore study on Insecurity." Yes we are. Insecurity and doubt go hand and hand. Eve doubted God's word actually she didn't even go and ask Adam. She believed Satan. Security starts with our knowing who we are in Christ and we can believe HIM. I was reminded of this in a conversation with a friend who just got through reading CAPTIVATING by John and Stasi Eldredge. I spelled her name wrong previously. Because I didn't go back to the source to check it out. How many times has Satan put something in my head that I didn't go back to God's word, our written source to check out what HE really said. We females are created in God's image. He loves us and wants the best for us. God has a plan for us but so does the devil. He seeks to devour and destroy. And as long as we stay insecure he keeps us from effective for God. Psalm 139:14 tells us "I am fearfully and wonderfully."
HE tells us in Jeremiah HE has plans for to prosper, in Isaiah HE tells us HE will not forget us because He has called us by name, redeemed us, engraved us in the palm of HIS hand, and will turn our ashes into beauty, and mourning into dancing. We have to believe and know, not just believe in HIM, but believe HIM. God is who HE says HE is, and will do what he says HE will do. I am so thankful HE loves me and you.
Miley Cyrus' new song I can't be tamed, well that was true of me and actually it is be disciplined. But in my undisciplined life there was such bondage and emotions running wild, all I was doing was wearing my self out. I now say yes I can be tamed (disciplined) but only through Christ, and there is such peace, strength, and encouragement in living by HIS word. That is what I want to focus on Thursday night. GOD, CHRIST, and remembering what and how they have taken care of us.

chapter 6

CAPTIVATING by Stacey Eldridge is a must read. She gives an explanation to why we are dealing with all the media frenzy. In a cocktail of Ego and Culture Beth talks about the war looking a certain way and how our enemy uses pride to betray us. This week I don't want to go over how our we are struggling but look at the truth. God loves us and we special to Him. Stacey writes it is because of Satan's jealousy that Eve was targeted, not Adam, and the worst crimes are committed against women. I can't wait to share and go over the truth with you Thursday night.

July 15th

Obviously I am hitting the wrong key. Hello ladies, I am so excited because my long work stretch has finally come to an end and I can breathe. I mentioned last week we would have tacos tonight but I have not been able to contact everyone with what to bring so I am picking up pizza.

In chapter 4, Good Company Beth shares how we are not alone in dealing with insecurity. The bible is full of examples. So which bible person do you identify with most and why? And Chapter 5 Rooting it out brought back memories of what I dealt with growing up. What 2 primary roots are you struggling with? See you tonight?

July

July 15th

Sorry, the questions are in the post titled First Session.

Growing

There is so much I want to say and to say it correctly that I think it to death then wind up saying nothing. It's because I don't want to hurt anyone or sound stupid, that makes me fearful. Bottom line it's insecurity. So I go back to God's word read, meditate, pray, and do what it says and there is a confidence, peace, and joy I cannot explain. I have been afraid of success because it requires discipline. I have dealt with insecurity with making the commitment to do whatever it takes. Memorizing Hebrews 12 and really meditating on the verses has revealed what an encouragement and refreshing realization of what discipline really is. Discipline is not always about being punished for doing something wrong, but also about going to the next level when you have mastered one level. Learning to grow in discipline is painful, tiring but it is "a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it". Because when the discipline is learned and it becomes a part of who I am it brings a confidence that I can be who God wants me to be. So I am no longer letting the pain of discipline keep me from succeeding.

Beth talks about being mad enough to get rid of her insecurity. I am not mad, I am just tired of it. Insecurity keeps us in such bondage we don't know what confidence really feels or looks like. The day I surrendered my anger to God and told him I was going to accept the situation and be thankful was the beginning of my real growth. I am tired of being insecure. Beth talks about relationships and how we look at them especially the male-female relationship. Our society and culture have a lot to do with that. But we have to stop looking to others for answers and get into God's word. I am so thankful that God gave us his word to keep going back to. There is so much to remember, especially at work, so I keep going back to read the orders or policies and procedures to make sure I perform correctly. I do that with life now. When something comes up or doubt-insecurity is trying to creep in I open up God's word, read it (out loud is even better),
and ask God for what I need, and THANK HIM because He is who He says He is and will do what He says HE will do.

Questions for our session tonight are on the very first blog posted. See you then.

correction

In the previous blog it is supposed to be the devil plants just enough doubt that I will not be obedient to God. Sorry about that.

First Session con'd

What I didn't share were some of the specifics we shared. What is insecurity? An uncomfortable feeling, not feeling safe, people pleasing, worried what others thinks. That feeling you had when you are in middle school. What do we get insecure about? One shared about friendships, one shared about decisions, one about life. Unrealistic expectations from other people can set us up for unrealistic expectations. My personal way of explaining insecurity needing validation. I am always looking for people to say your right or you did it right. Letting go of what people think and just remembering I am doing this for God and I want to please Him has been very difficult. The devil is constantly telling me you can't or planting just enough doubt that I want be obedient to God. But I have learned there is such joy and peace in recalling His word and being obedient that I don't ever want anything to disrupt that again.

First Session

Teaching is not a gift I have. I can facilitate. I like to share what I have learned. That is why I wanted to have this book discussion. I read the book back in February when it first came out. Signed up to participate on the blog Beth Moore posted but did not follow through. Beth has done the work for us in seeking our the scriptures and being candid about struggles we women deal with. Tonight we discussed what is insecurity, in what situations we are insecure and looked a few scriptures that we recalled to build our security. It was a very broad and general discussion.

The assignment for next week is to read the Intro, along with chapters 1 through 3.

Also, assigned is "writing a journal type entry on the inside cover of your book describing what season of your life you are in and why you are reading a book like this."

For chapter 1--"When was the last time you came face to face with our gender's massive struggle with insecurity? Describe the setting.

Chapter 2--What part of the definition or description of insecurity resonated most with you and why?

Chapter 3- What tends to be you own "Prominent False Positive."
Taken from B. Moore's Blog, Feb. 2010

I hope to see you next week. If you can't attend and want to participate please post responses to share. You will be surprised to see people going through the same thing. You can post anonymously if you would like.

My goal is to post every Thursday am a synopsis of what we will talk about and questions to be discussed. But feel free to share what is on your heart.

I would like for this blog to be encouragement for all who visit. God loves us right where we are,
and he is not disappointed we are not perfect. But pleased we are still seeking to follow Him.

July 1st

Insecurity, I don't know why it amazes when an issue comes up and my frustration is because I lack confidence in my judgment, abilities, knowledge, or skills. Those insecurities in the past drove me to make some foolish decisions. I am thankful for Beth Moore doing the research and teaching "there is life after foolishness." I am so thankful there is a God who doesn't want me to stay insecure and is willing to give us the confidence, power, strength, and His very presence to help me give up my insecurities. But I need to believe Him, not just in Him but believe God is who he says He is and will do what he says He will do. Can't wait to share and be with you all.