Just What I Needed
(I’m sorry about the old post being sent out yesterday! I’m not sure what happened there, but I’m sure it was because of my non-techyness :))
I’m in a place of neediness. Have you ever been there?
You’re doing something new, or you’ve moved into a place that’s unfamiliar. You’re being stretched beyond what’s comfortable or being asked to operate where you don’t have much confidence. Suddenly, instead of moving forward boldly, you’ve got a lot of questions, and you’re overwhelmed by the need for direction and support.
That’s how I’m feeling right now primarily because of the process with my book. Every day is a new process. There are miles ahead of unfamiliar terrain, and I need a guide.
This year as I sought God about what to study in 2015, He brought to my memory something my friend Carol taught to our women’s Life Group the month before. In I Thess. 4:9, the phrase “taught by God” is the Greek word “theodidaktos”. Carol went on to share that she learned in a Beth Moore study that Paul had combined the words for taught and God to coin a new word, first used here in scripture.
The idea of being God-taught directly this year seemed like God’s direction for me, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m not following a reading plan or doing a study by someone else. I’ve done both in the past and am sure I will again, but this year I’m simply seeking God for where He wants me to go in my Bible each day.
I started with I Peter, and I’ve been inching through it since the beginning of the year. I’m more in love with Jesus than ever before as He guides me each day through the next little passage.
One day I was having a major freak out, because another author had done a web event with the same name as my book. Fear overtook me as I wondered if she was using the event to launch a book with the same title as mine. That morning God spoke peace directly into panic stricken heart with I Peter 2:22-25:
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’ For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Since “trust” is my word for the year, I realized God was reminding me to trust Him with my whole self–every circumstance, hurdle and seeming setback. I sighed and settled in as I pictured Him as my Shepherd–the One who cares about my every move, my safety, and my provision. I relaxed as I was reminded that He oversees it all, including the emotions of my soul.
Day after day has been like that example. God is using His Word to speak directly into my circumstances.
How is God leading you this year? I’d love to hear what study you’re doing or how God is directing you through the Bible!
Note: Leigh Ellen (2/26/2105 at 6:49 am) is the winner of Mothering From Scratch. Congratulations Leigh Ellen!
No debe ser tan alentador para la economÃa estadounidense saber que su moneda está perdiendo presencia en el mercado internacional. Sin embargo nada está dicho, pues después de la reciente crisis financiera no es de esperar que lo anterior sucediera. En todo caso, espero que el aumento de tenencia de oro haya sido una decisión adecuada a largo plazo. Paulina Moreno GarcÃa
Hi, Iam looknig for a new cruchh so I would like to be part of CCESL.I love God the same way you do.. Please, could you tell me what time the schedule is? Blessings
I am in Hebrews. God is greater than… We had a guest pastor and he taught on Hebrews rather than ACTS. I decided to read it this morning. I have a study bible and in the margins the observation hit home. I need to re read it as I was sort of in a hurry but it spoke directly to what I was experiencing. I had a restless night and it said those exact words and said draw near to Jesus. Ask for peace.
I have an awesome bible app on my phone where I get the verse of the day as well as options of many different plans. I’m currently doing the ‘Acts’ bible plan. It’s really interesting reading about the early church and the apostles. The stories help me feel better after a long, hard day… knowing that I’m not alone and that people who follow Jesus have struggles. The stories also serve as a source of inspiration in my life.
I have also been reminded this year about being “God-taught”, though I didn’t have the word for it. Proverbs 3:5-6 has been coming to me again and again as I seek to ask God first, instead of looking elsewhere for answers.
I started a chronological bible study this year but lost interest quickly. But then I found the McCheyne bible study, and 4 chapters from all across the Bible has been renewing to me. Seeing the themes God teaches us reflected across the entirety of the Bible is amazing to me. And I was so excited to see one of those themes reflected in your entry today.
So thanks for sharing how God is encouraging you…it has encouraged me as well.
GRACE…my word/study for 2015 but God has taken me through ‘forgiveness (Jan) – love (Feb) – now humility (Mar)’ … I had no plan, not following one devotion/study guide…just listening & learning – praises going up & blessings coming down – growing each day minute by minute in God’s GRACE
Your “bend in the road” picture captures where we (you and us) currently reside. With an advanced degree in hand and leading from the Lord we put our house up for sale. Guess what? After 6 months of toil and frustration, no offers. Then, the God we both know ever so well, clearly gives us Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God. Which we interpret stay on track, but no striving. So here we are looking at the bend in the road of our lives, still seeking the One who loves us most of all, and waiting . . .just like you. I’d rather be in the boat with Jesus than “striving” outside the boat like Sarah. By the way, I’m reading thru the Bible chronologically and every reading is so applicable to my every day. Thank you Lord!
The devotion from “Jesus Calling” today spoke about ‘waiting, trusting and hoping’. Then I read your blog! Just wanted to encourage you in waiting expectantly in hopeful trust for even the faintest glimmer of His presence in your life today. Thanks for all your encouragement and honestly sharing your life with us.