Deny Self
"Christ's purpose in calling us to deny ourselves is that we'd deny our selfishness, ambition, pasts, or any damaged emotions the right to cheat us of His far higher plans for us." - (page 115)
"God designed the human psyche. He knows that nothing leaves us more hollow than being full of ourselves." - (page 116)
"Any time God calls us to die, His purpose is to reveal larger life." - (page 116)
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. - 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (NIV)
What I got out of it is that when we deny ourselves, we reveal Jesus. When we forgive, go against human default, fight the flesh, etc., etc. in any way, we reveal Jesus.
"A paramount theme in Esther is what God can do when we resolve to obey and "if I perish, I perish."" - (page 116)
Giving up our will, following God, stepping out in faith, trusting Him, following God's will, and having the attitude of whatever happens, happens.
God's Power
"A godless man had no idea the well of divine power a person could access from praying knees." - (page 117)
"A frightening circumstance may remain exactly the same, but God's child need not." - (page 117)
I've learned that, as children of God, we can experience contentment and joy regardless of our circumstances.
Discontent
"Discontent with selfishness and weary of ego, we finally become willing to lose ourselves to something greater." - (page 119)
That reminded me of a quote I read recently:
"Discontent is the first necessity of progress." - Thomas Edison
Bondage
"One of the most eye-opening things God has shown me about bondage is that we can become addicted to a person." - (page 120)
"We become fixated on the one from whom we cannot get what we want." - (page 120)
On one side of the spectrum, it might be the "hard to get" and/or "thrill of the chase" factors.
"I don't think we realize our stronghold can be a person until it is one. A person becomes a snare to us any time he or she consumes an excessive and unhealthy space in our thoughts, whether negative or positive." - (page 121)
"Make no mistake, we serve whatever masters us." - (page 120)
"The truth is, however, the person did not emotionally master us. Our thoughts about the person emotionally mastered us." - (page 122)
"We need God's healing in our minds even more than our relationships." - (page 122)
"God is the only One who can tend to the secret places where pain calls to bondage." - (page 123)
Put more focus on God. He can give us contentment.
The above are things I took away from week 5 - days 3 and 4. Feel free to comment below in regards to this post and/or things you got out of this past week's lessons.
Thanks!
Cari
(If you are reading this in your email, you can click HERE and it will bring you to this post on the seek Him Bible study blog.)
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