Chapters 3, 4 and 5

I loved these 3 chapters. So full of truth that we could camp out here for the next 7 weeks. Chapter 3 really opens our eyes to how God designed a woman and how the world has distorted the truth. I love how Tonia says that trying to live God's promised life while living by the worlds truths is like trying to travel America by using a map of Australia. This is so true. We allow the world to dictate how we live our lives but we cry out to God for change. Who has spoken into your life and helped you see yourself the way you do? We can't always change every situation in our life but we can be responsible for our self. Chapter 4 really opened my eyes. It is so true that many who call themselves Christians don't believe they really know God. I have had many people tell me that they have never heard the voice of God. I'm not speaking of an audible voice but the still small voice in your spirit. How many of you have said, "Is this all there is?" I know I have but I want you to know that there is more. So here is one of my favorite statements of the book. It is found on the first page of Chapter 5. Tonia says, "God is not just interested in saving us from hell and taking us to heaven; His plan has always been to dwell with us, to share life." The Holy Spirit has been made to be a scary, unfamiliar term. Ty has preached this past year many messages hoping to open the eyes of believers to welcome the Holy Spirit into their lives. The Holy Spirit is not an "It" but a "He." The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit). Each have a very special role to play in our life. The reason I believe too many Christians are unfulfilled is that they have no understanding or relationship with Him. Jesus is no longer on Earth but His Spirit is. Tonia talks about relationship being a process, even with God. Let me explain as best I can. When you received Christ into your heart you received a new spirit man. The old one is gone. But we remain with the same soul (mind, will and emotions). This is what tries to rule our life. It's that black dog and white dog that are at war. Which one do you feed the most? The one you feed the most wins. If we feed our Spirit with the Word, it will change our soul. If the new Spirit that God gave us grows, our mind and our will changes. We can also get our emotions under control. It is a process and it is called LIFE! Ask questions and let's talk. I'm so excited that we are all learning something new.

Love,
Heather