As promised yesterday, here are some additional insights from "He Speaks to Me." (Don't worry if you're considering doing this study...I've left plenty of nuggets unmentioned!) As the title of this chapter (A Sold-Out Hunger) suggests, God meets with those who seek Him with passion. If we want to be fervent, sold-out believers, there are a number of things for which we need to develop a hunger:
His Direction – how often do we claim to want His direction, but what we really want is for Him to bless what WE want? We often see His interventions as interruptions to our own plans.
His Word – the standard by which we gauge that which is absolute truth. Without it, we can easily fall into false thinking about what God wants us to do. His spoken word can always be backed up by his written Word.
His Presence – He cannot bless us when we are stubborn, rebellious, prideful or set on our own ways. We need to develop a continual state of humility if we are to experience His Presence fully.
His Peace – We need to be certain we are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit within us, regularly checking our actions against what we know is right. When our lives align with God’s plans, we find peace.
His Power – Though the Holy Spirit lives within us, it is up to us to tap into the benefits He provides by His power. When something controls us, it changes the way we think and act and gives us the power to do that which we might not normally be able to do…
* * * * * * *
This Bible study has a companion DVD. While the study can certainly be done (and would be very impacting) on its own, the DVD adds a whole new dimension to the study. What follows are highlights of the DVD session for this chapter.
It’s hard to fathom that someone so holy as Christ, knowing everything He knows about us, would actually make himself available and attainable for us. And yet He does. David struggled to believe it too…he wrote in Psalm 8 - Majestic is your name! Your splendor and glory is incredible! When I consider the Heavens and the moon & the stars and the works of your hands – what is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that you would even take account of who I am. It is an amazing gift, indeed.
Priscilla then shared something that brought an overwhelming response of praise (even from our typically reserved group). I close by sharing it with you…
He’s the first and last,
the beginning and the end,
the keeper of creation and the creator of all!
He’s the architect of the universe
and the manager of all things.
He always was, always is and always will be –
unmoved, unchanged, undefeated & never undone!
He was bruised and brought healing,
He was pierced and eases pain,
He was persecuted and bought freedom,
He was dead and brought life,
He was risen and brings power.
The World…they can’t understand Him;
Armies…they can’t defeat Him;
Schools…they can’t explain Him and
Rulers…they can’t ignore Him!
Herod couldn’t kill Him;
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him and
The People couldn’t Hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him;
Hitler couldn’t silence Him;
The New Age can’t replace Him and
Oprah can’t explain Him!
Praise God!
He is light,
He is love,
He is longevity and He is the Lord.
He is goodness, and kindness and gentleness.
He is God!
He is holy and righteous and mighty and powerful and pure!
His ways are right,
His word eternal,
His will is unchanging,
And His mind is on me!
His Direction – how often do we claim to want His direction, but what we really want is for Him to bless what WE want? We often see His interventions as interruptions to our own plans.
His Word – the standard by which we gauge that which is absolute truth. Without it, we can easily fall into false thinking about what God wants us to do. His spoken word can always be backed up by his written Word.
His Presence – He cannot bless us when we are stubborn, rebellious, prideful or set on our own ways. We need to develop a continual state of humility if we are to experience His Presence fully.
His Peace – We need to be certain we are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit within us, regularly checking our actions against what we know is right. When our lives align with God’s plans, we find peace.
His Power – Though the Holy Spirit lives within us, it is up to us to tap into the benefits He provides by His power. When something controls us, it changes the way we think and act and gives us the power to do that which we might not normally be able to do…
* * * * * * *
This Bible study has a companion DVD. While the study can certainly be done (and would be very impacting) on its own, the DVD adds a whole new dimension to the study. What follows are highlights of the DVD session for this chapter.
It’s hard to fathom that someone so holy as Christ, knowing everything He knows about us, would actually make himself available and attainable for us. And yet He does. David struggled to believe it too…he wrote in Psalm 8 - Majestic is your name! Your splendor and glory is incredible! When I consider the Heavens and the moon & the stars and the works of your hands – what is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that you would even take account of who I am. It is an amazing gift, indeed.
Priscilla then shared something that brought an overwhelming response of praise (even from our typically reserved group). I close by sharing it with you…
He’s the first and last,
the beginning and the end,
the keeper of creation and the creator of all!
He’s the architect of the universe
and the manager of all things.
He always was, always is and always will be –
unmoved, unchanged, undefeated & never undone!
He was bruised and brought healing,
He was pierced and eases pain,
He was persecuted and bought freedom,
He was dead and brought life,
He was risen and brings power.
The World…they can’t understand Him;
Armies…they can’t defeat Him;
Schools…they can’t explain Him and
Rulers…they can’t ignore Him!
Herod couldn’t kill Him;
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him and
The People couldn’t Hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him;
Hitler couldn’t silence Him;
The New Age can’t replace Him and
Oprah can’t explain Him!
Praise God!
He is light,
He is love,
He is longevity and He is the Lord.
He is goodness, and kindness and gentleness.
He is God!
He is holy and righteous and mighty and powerful and pure!
His ways are right,
His word eternal,
His will is unchanging,
And His mind is on me!
(Wow...just typing this gets me praising all over again!) Hope this has you praising this morning, too! May we seek Him passionately and desperately today and everyday.
To learn more about this or other studies by Priscilla Shirer, visit Going Beyond Ministries.
9 comments:
So right on! How many times I've prayed for God's direction and have really only wanted Him to go along with my thinking! So often I go in search of guidance when really all I want is his approval of what I want. Sobering thoughts.
Marj
http://gdlvr.blogspot.com
I am thinking about leading this study with my group of women this Fall. Would you please e-mail me some of the logistics about the study (session length, video length, etc.). Her closing remarks sound like a video sermon my son sent me recently. He quoted the sermon recently at a youth gathering and did a fabulous job. Here's the link (worth the watch...I promise).
http://www.ignitermedia.com:80/products/iv/singles/4/Thats-My-King
peace~elaine
AMEN! I loved this. It fit right into my day - and has given me something to chew on until I can share it with others... Your blog is blessed.
I loved this one. Those five points are going inside the cover of my Bible.
This was absolutely wonderful, and I love the praise thing at the end, thanks so much for sharing!
Another wonderful post! This has me praising too!
I've read the book, "He Speaks to Me" (and a couple others of hers as well), but I haven't done the study. Fabulous teaching.
I have the typed words to the link Elaine left here in my office - the greatness of God - He IS my King!
Blessings,
Joy
PRAISE GOD IS RIGHT!!
This was just INCREDIBLE!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
I'm excited to hear MORE...
Blessings to you Tracy♥
What a powerful post! I especially loved the list at the end. Things we can remind ourselves of daily and still be struck by the awesomeness of them...
I wanted to stop by and thank you for your kind comment on my blog. I have been truly amazed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love that I have received at this tough time. Your sweetness has been an encouragement! Thank you.
~Wendi
His Direction – how often do we claim to want His direction, but what we really want is for Him to bless what WE want? We often see His interventions as interruptions to our own plans.
Just yesterday our pastor taught on not leaving God out of our plans. This was so good to read!
I have never done anything by Priscilla, but read her website before. I'll have to back up on your posts to see what study this is. Thanks for sharing it!
Hugs,
Lelia
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