Transformed; Something For You Day 1 Wk 3

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3: 16-17

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:12

Let us there fore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4: 16

Really, I am in awe of the transformation that is taking place within our small group. Each week, we grow not only in number but in knowledge of what God has for us. We are chosen and anointed by God. He gives us his word for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. To hear His voice, through His word, through prayer, through Bible Study, through praise and worship...this is my prayer for each of you this week.

Our study begins this week with self-examination of who we are becoming in Christ. To be honest, I am not comfortable letting Him do something for me...I want to do something for Him first...all the time, really. Although, I am really good at telling Him what I want Him to do for me.

Another uncomfortable zone is to be still enough to hear Him. This requires me to come out of MY comfort zone and enter into His comfort.

Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent. 2 Sam 7:2

What did today's lesson leave you thinking about? I'd love to hear what God put on your mind!

Responsibility of the Anointing Day 5

"And David did just as God had commanded him..." 1 Chron 14:16

"And from everyone who has been given much, much shall be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." Luke 12:48

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight" Prov 3:5-6

These verses really stood out to me in our lesson today. First of all, David knew his God. David knew the voice of his God and he obeyed his God. He didn't have to wait a day, a week, a month, to figure out if it was something God was telling him, his flesh was telling him, or the enemy was telling him. David knew his God so well, he knew his voice and immediately acted upon the direction God was giving him.

David, an anointed man of God, was careful to make sure his daily plan was one that was directed by God. Some days the plans were huge; confronting the giant was a huge one in my opinion. Then again, some days were simple. Yet, David knew whose he was and moved in a manner that was pleasing to God; waiting on his direction.

Let's make this personal. Do I (you) know His voice? Do I (you) seek His plan? Do I (you) realize that to whom much is given, much is required? Realize that David didn't rise up and say,"Lord, this is what I'm going to do for you today." Instead, he waited for and sought direction from God. When he heard the direction (even if it sounded odd), David acted upon it. Again, He knew WHOSE he was.

This lesson has so much more to it. I look forward to sharing with you during class. Meanwhile, what did you gleam from it? I'd love to hear from you.

Benefits of the Anointing Day 4

Wow! Simply, Wow! Today's lesson was really great. We find David seeking God's counsel before he acted. Living in the microwave (need it now) and Burger King (have it your way) society, we don't often stop to pray before we leap.

But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7

I'll give you words and wisdom that will reduce all accusers to stammers and stutters. Luke 21:15

Do we know the voice of God when we hear it? Do we consult Him or our friends, first. Who's voice do we long to hear?

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Mark 1:35

Before starting His day, Jesus sought to spend time with His Father. As we read on, we find that Jesus left this prayer time focused on the mission rather than on the "to-do list" for the day. Obviously, Jesus knew the voice of His Father. During our prayer time, do we listen, do we anticipate expectantly to hear from Him? God speaks to us; do you hear Him? or have you worked Him right out of your schedule?

And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 1 John 2:27

What did today's lesson say to you? I can hardly wait to share with you during study group time.

Anointed/Disappointed Wk 2 Day 3

Saul said to David, "You cannot go and fight the Philistine [Goliath]; you are only a boy and he has been a warrior since his youth." David said to Saul, "Your servant used to look after the sheep for his father and whenever a lion or bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I used to follow it up, lay into it and snatch the sheep out of its jaws. If it would turn on me, I would seize it by the beard, and batter it to death."1 Samuel 17: 33-35




David knew he was to be the anointed King of Israel, yet he was still a working as a shepard boy. While working, he wasn't sitting around complaining about not taking command yet, he wasn't sitting around day-dreaming about what it was going to be like and planning how he was to carry out the mission. No, he was working as a successful shepard boy.


Wherever we are today, God has equipped us for the moment. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10 I like how Priscilla put it; telling us we need to keep in mind that God may simply want to "adjust your life and character in smaller assignment to prepare us for the larger ones." (Taken from Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God)


David took his commitment to God seriously. He was the best shepard he could be; it prepared him for what was yet to come. David was asked to be the delivery boy, to take supplies to his brothers on the battle field. His experience as a shepard, fighting off lions and bears, prepared him to face Goliath. I have to admit, reading this brought me to a point of repentance. I have missed the point when I complain about where I am, I could have been preparing and learning but chose to whine instead. (Uggghhhhhh)


As we read in today's lesson, David was no less anointed as a shepard boy than he was as acting King. That was a huge "ahh-haa" for me. I need to rely on God, His Spirit, to empower me to handle what I have to do today and ask him to help me clearly see the vision of His plan.


Last week, someone mentioned that the questions in this study were personal. Yes, they really are. I am thankful that this study has spoken to me. What have you gleamed from today's portion?

Opposition to the Anointing Week 2 Day 2

It's enevitable, with anointing comes opposition. Isn't it interesting, Priscilla points out that "no record tells of the Philistines attacking David until he began to walk in the full appointment of his calling." Just as you start to build up your walk with God, just as you are getting excited in your relationship with your Creator, just as you are walking fully engaged in your anointing, ...the enemy attacks.

Recently I read, The Noticer, by Andy Andrews. This is an excellent read, by the way. If you haven't read it, I know there are a couple of copies going around (I think JoAnn may have it right now) or you can find it at the book store. Anyway, a favorite lesson of mine (there are many) from the story is when one of the characters points out that we are usually either coming from a crisis, headed for a crisis, or in a crisis. The point clearly illustrates the need not to become complaciant, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to doevour." 1 Peter 5:8

It is my hope and prayer that during this study we all begin to feel confident in standing firm against the threats and schemes of our enemy, Satan. I pray that we learn to seek God first in learning how to handle the situations of each day, that we can look the enemy in the eye rather than run in fear and defeat,so we can walk in confidence of victory. Yet at the same time, remember to love your enemies and bless those that curse you (Matt 5:44). Today's lesson was so good...they continue to build this week. I loved Day 3 and then Day 4 got better, then Day 5 was great too! I encourage you to dig deeper, the results are life changing!

What did today's lesson say to you?

The Anointing Day 1

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward 1 Sam 16:13

Wasn't this lesson exciting!? If you haven't read 1 Samuel 16: 1-13, I highly encourage you to do so. God sent Samuel to anoint David, a shepard boy...the youngest of several brothers. He wasn't chosen because of the way he looked, the way he carried himself, etc. He was uniquely called and divinely appointed by God. As the lesson points out, "When Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of God rested on him in a new way from that day forward to empower and strengthen him for the particular task at hand. " The anointing is a "divine enablement to accomplish a divine task or a supernatural empowering to accomplish supernatural goals."

Waahoooo, do you realize what this means! It is evident when one does something in his/her own strength rather than with the anointing. "To fulfill the supernatural purposes of these natural activities demands an anointing by God's Spirit."

I am so thankful for this gift. We can be joyful....regardless. I hope you read through the list from Chuck Swindoll on page 39. Isn't it amazing!!! are you living it? or denying it's existence?

Let's pray together for each other as we learn and grow. We are anointed for Miraculous living!

Tell me what difference this means for you.

(By the way, I found some controls on the links for leaving a comment that hopefully will make it easier for you. You can leave a comment without having a Blog account...give it a new try!)

Right After Class

Don't you just love this study? I just got home and can't seem to settle down. There were so many good points; maybe I just need to write them in my journal so I won't forget.

What were some of your "ahhh-haaa" moments? I'd love to hear from you. There was so much said in class; I really didn't want it to end. Didn't you leave with the feeling of wanting more?

Prayer is sometimes our greatest weapon!

Those who know Him will also know His voice.

These were just a few of the things I walked away with tonight. What about you?

Positioned for a Purpose Day Five!

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matt 5:16

Priscilla encourages us to realize that people have been strategically placed in our life so our obedience will cause them to see Christ more fully and personally. God has a specific purpose for my life. With that purpose comes the anointing from God to carry out His purpose. Yet, sometimes my "God-consciousness" needs a tune-up.

What do you do when you need a tune-up? I would love some helpful hints.

Priscilla Shirer

Simply click on the arrow located in the center of the picture to enjoy a message from Priscilla Shirer


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Established by God Day 4

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: ( 1 Cor 15:10)

Do you believe God established you to handle the purposes He gave you?

What is one thing in your life right now that you feel least equipped to handle?

I know that God established me to handle me to handle a few things. The least (or maybe the greatest) of these is to be a mother and a grandmother. I am not a perfect parent; yet when I allow God to equip me, the task is much different than when I try to do it on my own.

David realized that it was God at work in him. We are so blessed to have God at work in us. Yet, do we realize how blessed we are?

"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant" 2 Cor 3: 5-6

1. David was chosen and established by God.

2. As a chosen vessel, the mantra of David's life was the ark of the covenant (the presence of God). Likewise, the mantra of my life must be God's presence. I do this by living each day with a God-consciouseness.

3. David recognized God as the source and sustainer of His life and therefore the weight of the kingdom did not rest on His shoulders. Likewise, God is the source and sustainer of my life.

Sustained by God Day 3

Then David knew for sure that GOD had confirmed him as King over Isreal, because of the rising reputation that GOD was giving his kingdom for the benefit of his people Israel. I Chron 14: 2



David 1) knew for sure (The Message)

2) realized (NAS)(NLT)

3) percieved (KJV)

4) knew (NKJ)

that God established him as King....and remember the video from Thursday discussed the meaning of established as the same word used when describing how God placed the stars, the sun, and the planets in the solar system.


David totally trusted God to take care of the details; he knew God didn't need help to fulfill his promise. I can't help but think of Abram and Sari. Sari just knew she was too old to have a baby; yet she wanted the promise of God. She wanted it so much that she felt is might be necessary to help this promise come to life. In the long run, her intrusion on God's work caused her own misery. I can honestly say that it's easier for me to relate to Sari than it is to walk in the steps of David.


Did you love the quote in our lesson from George Muller? The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith. The beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." Knowing God and His awesome strength, wisdom, and love, ....why would I think HE needs my help?

I encourage you to search "Total Praise by Richard Smallwood" on Youtube.. I tried to embedd the video, but it wouldn't work for me. This song, as Priscilla mentions, it a beautiful praise song; you are sure to be inspired by it.

What touched you in today's lesson. I'd love to hear from you.

"God-Consciousness" Day 2

Recently, I received an interesting email that compares your cell phone with the Bible. At first, I thought it was an odd comparison. That was only until I read through the passage.

Cell Phones vs Bible

Ever wondered what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around in our purse or pocket? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to our kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency? Yet, unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about dropped calls, no signal, or being disconnected because Jesus is our connection and He has already paid the bill!

When listing the "pivotal times" in your life, did you notice He never failed you; God was always there. In times of adversity or in times of blessing and prosperity? God never leaves us. Yet, I generally hit the panic button when tough times prevail. Looking back, it seems silly. God is always in charge, He knows what is best for me. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

David seemed to know that we need a "God-consciousness". With that awareness comes a different way of thinking. For example, participation in a Bible study...I could be in it for the right reasons, yet when it comes to the lessons I might just check it off the list of things to do. The difference of a God-awareness brings me to pray for God to prepare our hearts and to plant seeds of growth.

This lesson seemed to have so much in it. What did you learn or gleam from it?

Praying for each of you,

Nancy

Week 1 Day 1

Did you realize that you were chosen, elected, and picked for a purpose?

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you" John 15:16 I hope we all let that sink deep within our heart, mind, and soul. Does that change anything? For me, it says I am worth something to God. God...in all His infinite wisdom and power, He loved and wanted me. WOW!

When someone else treats you in a way that makes you feel less, do you realize that GOD finds worth in you? ...That God chose you so it really doesn't matter if man treats you as less? Wow, it really means a lot to me.

Today's lesson brings about new feelings and realizations of ourself. What did you learn? Do you have questions? Let's share and grow together.

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