A God Thing

I could probably entitle every one of my posts "A God Thing" because everything in my life is a God thing. Obviously all of the good things are from God, but I have learned that He is even in control of the bad. Not just bad circumstances, but even the bad choices I make. He is big enough to use it all to His glory.

Thursdays are the day for the Bible study that I have in my home. There are 5 precious ladies that are a part of it. They come at 8:15 and we meet in my Prayer Room (pictures to come) until 10:00 - we could continue in the Word spending time together all morning but I have to go to work. After they left this morning, I decided (i.e. God impressed upon me) to share a little about how God put that group together and how He is doing a mighty work in our group that can only be attributed to God. Don't worry ladies - I will not name names because I did not ask your permission.

Last fall while on IV steroids (which keep you from sleeping more than 2 or 3 hours a night) I was able to have meetings with God for about 4 or 5 hours a night. One night I began to read my journal from my quiet times during the summer months. I realized that my prayers consisted of alot of whining and complaining. One of my complaints to God was that because of my physical condition, I could no longer minister at church in the way I had in the past - the way I thought I would always minister. He let me know that my ministry will change with the seasons of my life.

He began to give me the names of some ladies. I wrote down each name and started to pray for them. I thought that was the extent of what He would have me do with that list of ladies. All of them had either gone through some really, really rough circumstances or are going through some major trials right now. One day God told me that He wanted me to have a Bible study in my home and to invite these ladies to be a part of it. I said "God, I can't minister to these ladies. I cannot imagine the things they are going through." He said "I don't want you to minister to them - I am going to." All He wanted me to do was be an empty container filled with His Spirit allowing Him to work through me. I talked to each lady seperately. I was going to just ask them to pray about being a part, but each one told me yes right away. They each shared that they had been asking God to send them something that would help them grow and learn how to make it through the circumstances they found themselves in.

We had our first meeting the beginning of December. My main prayer as I prepared to teach was that God would keep me out of the way so that He could do what He wanted to. The ladies barely knew each other, some not at all. It has been an unbelievable blessing to watch God work in this sweet group. I told them that whatever they got out of it would not be during our time together, but during their personal time with God. Then they all started to get in the Word. Good things always come when you get into the Word. God meets you there. He teaches, convicts, comforts, encourages, and grows you. He reveals Himself, opens your eyes, gives you peace, joy, direction, and a purpose. Your desires begin to change. You no longer put all of your focus on yourself because you learn that your purpose in life is to glorify God - in all things...and so much more. That is what I have had the privilege of watching God do in these ladies' lives. Each week they share stories of how God is changing them, not necessarily their circumstances, but their hearts. Praise God !! It doesn't get any better than that.

Also, they have grown to know and love each other. As different ones have gone through some very difficult trials, they have been there for each other. They have called each other, texted, taken meals, babysat, and prayed alot for each other.

To my beautiful ladies - what a joy you are to me. It has been so wonderful and humbling to watch you soak up the things that God is teaching us. You are truly learning to be a glove on the hand of God. I can't wait to see all the ways He is going to use you in His kingdom to glorify Himself. Those of you who said you don't speak in groups - God will probably have you teaching a class before long. Ha! Most of the time He has us do things that are totally out of our comfort zone just so we don't forget that it is all Him. I love yall so much.