Growing Pains

So is anyone out there being stretched? I know that I am. God is so good and He has so much to offer. I hope you have all grown these last 3 weeks. We may all be at different stages of our walk with God but we are all headed in the same direction. And the Lord has something special for each of us. I have heard testimony after testimony of what this book has already revealed and we have only read 5 chapters. I had to call Tonia again today and order 15 more books. That puts our total book purchase at 105. WOW!!!!! That just amazes me.

If you missed this week, you will be able to hear all that was discussed. We recorded the question and answer time so that you wouldn't miss out. Sadie is working on getting it posted as soon as possible. Next Sunday, we will be discussing Chapters 6 & 7. So start reading now and answering all your questions. Allow the Lord to reveal His Truth to you in a fresh and real way. I love you all and I am so excited to see what God is doing in your lives.

Heather

New Assignment

Those of you that attended Sunday's study were told to read chapters 5, 6, and 7. After much thought and discussion, I have decided to camp out one more week on chapters 4 and 5. So your assignment for this week is to re-read chapters 4 and 5. Also I would like for you to read all the scriptures you can find on the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts is a great place to start. The appendix in our book also has many scriptures already lined out for you. I encourage you to read them and then pray. Ask the Lord to speak to your heart and reveal His Truth. I would like for each of you to send me a question. You can send it anonymously if you wish. Myself and the other group leaders have decided to not break out into small groups this next week. We will remain together and I will help answer some of your questions. But I would love this week to read over your questions and study them. So please don't be shy. Anything goes. We are going to learn and we are going to grow. If finishing the book takes us longer than planned, then we will cross that bridge when we get there. I don't want to rush you or God. So let's slow down and really soak in the information we are reading. I would also recommend you take the time to read Tonia's blog. Her last 3 posts will be very beneficial to you. Just go to the right of the screen and click on Scribe Life. I love you all and I am so excited to see what God is going to do in each of us.

Heather

The Holy Spirit

I pray that each of you are willing to go where you may have never gone before. Last night at the book study many of you expressed that the Holy Spirit is someone you know nothing about. You made the comment that you were raised a certain denomination and you were never taught about Him. I encouraged my small group to flush what man has taught and turn your heart to the Word of God. What does scripture say? So many times we base our beliefs on what others have told us is truth. But does that make it TRUTH? Absolutely not. Man's opinions do not always line up with what God has said. I encourage all of you to forget about "tongues" right now. The Holy Spirit is so much more than tongues. And unfortunately, man, has put the focus on this gift. It has scared many people away from drawing closer to the things of God. So just put it aside. When you hunger and thirst for more of God, he will give you what you need when you need it. Just trust Him. Read your Bible for answers. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what He wants for your life. God only gives his children good gifts so there is nothing to fear. If you are saying to yourself, "There has to be more," then seek God and ask Him for more. Far too long we have tried to get to a certain place on our own. We have tried to make it happen. With the help of the Holy Spirit you WILL grow. You will reach your destination only to make another goal. This life with Christ is a journey and the Holy Spirit is your guide. Welcome all He has to offer and watch your life flow with living water.

Love you,
Heather

Tonia's Blog

Read Tonia's latest Blog called "Get A Life."

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

Second Gathering!

Oh my goodness! I was so impressed with our ladies tonight. We had 11 new participants join us and I couldn't be happier. Several of you were gone for the 3 day weekend but you will not be left behind. Our group discussion was so refreshing. I hope you know that each of you are right where you need to be. I really believe that the Joyce Meyer CD you received will touch and inspire you. I have extras so if you need one they can be picked up in the church office. The assignment for the next week is to read Chapters 3,4 and 5. Try your best to get all 3 chapters completed but if you can't finish Chapter 5 don't worry. We will continue Chapter 5 next week. I am going to do my reading over the next few days and I will blog again before Ty and I leave town. Stay focused. I believe in you and I know God is going to do something amazing in your life.

First Week

Okay ladies! Here we go. I am so excited about this book study. I am believing for huge revelation and growth in each of your lives. This week we are each supposed to read chapters 1 and 2. I got home from our meeting last night and I read both chapters for the third time. I answered each question the best that I could. Like I said last night, these questions are to help you search your heart not to stress you. Chapter 1 stirred our excitement. Are you living an abundant life? No matter where we are in life I believe God has more. And I personally want all that He has to offer. I don't want to be one way in public and a different way in private. How can I control my emotions and tongue with strangers but lash out at those in my home? Chapter 2 was a little background into Tonia's marriage. Some of you may have started the chapter and felt like it wasn't for you. You have never been married or you are not married at this time. My prayer is that you will read each chapter with "relationship" in mind. You may not be married but you have relationships with people that are hard to love. Has God asked something of you that is going to take everything you have to obey? Is pride going to have to die? Writing down your concept of an ideal marriage is important no matter who you are. Where do we get these concepts? Who influences our beliefs? If you were married before, did you try to fix him or did you accept him for who he was? And all of us should look at our "self-talk". Are you quick to speak life or death over your marriage, friendships, children or daily living? Search the heart of God and ask Him to share something with you through each chapter. Don't miss out because there is a nugget of gold waiting for each of you. But like I said last night, you will get out of it what you put into it. I believe in each of you!

Love,
Heather