Week 6 of Makeover of the Heart

Well this is the final post in this series on this Bible study just finishing up over At the Well. Just some of my final thoughts on this journey is that I want to chose to let God have the complete control in my life. I want to place my total dependence upon him. I want to continue to be at a place where I search him out on a daily basis. I want to get to know my God more intimately. As I mentioned in a previous post two questions that I pray will stick with me in my life are that of "does this bring glory to God? Would this make God smile or would this make God sad? I again just challenge you in your choices and decisions that you make question what it is you are about to do and really see if it is something God would rejoice in. I want to bring joy to my Father. I want my life to bring joy to my Father. I want my boys to know the same joy that I have!

Makeover of the Heart Week 5- "A Prayerful Heart"

Once again I have taken part of Makeover of the Heart over At the Well. I love having something that takes me to the Word, something that helps keep my focus. Over the last 5 weeks this is what has been doing it for me. This past week, (yes, I am almost a week late yet again), our study was on a Prayerful heart. Our verse for this week was Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him."
Prayer for me is something that has always been close to my heart. For me it is that "connection" to God. Its that time where I can tell him all of my problems and lift up those who are close to me.
But the hard part about it is, it isn't always the first place I turn to when I am in need. It is so easy to pick up the phone and call or text a friend and tell her what is going on instead of first looking to God and seeing what he has to say about and even then its difficult to take enough time to sit and wait patiently for him. God's timing is perfect....its just not always the timing I am wanting. I am a seemingly impatient person.
I Thessalonians 5:16- 18 really paints the life of prayer that God wants us to have. "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Also Philipians 4:6 says "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." These are amazing verses but really hard to live up to. I guess this is one way we can continue to press on toward the goal of our heavenly reward.
We were asked to answer some specific questions about something difficult we have faced in our life and how have we responded to it? One of the most difficult things I have ever faced is the loss of a baby through miscarriage. In the midst of it I was angry at first, but in the back of my mind all I could hear were words to a song that we sang at church. It is entitled "Good to Me (I Cry Out)." From Vineyard Songs.
I cry out for Your hand of mercy to heal me.
I am week, I need you love to free me.
Oh Lord, my Rock, my strength in weakness,
Come rescue me, Oh Lord.

Chorus
For you are my hope, and your promise never fails me;
And my desire is to follow you forever,
For You are good, for You are good, for You are good to me.

I remember singing this song over and over and over again. Really clinging to God through every moment of it. God is good. He is the only one we should cling to. He is the only one we should turn to. Its so hard to remember this in the heat of the moment. I pray that God continues to awaken prayer in my life. I pray that I can continue to learn more and more about him.

Makeover of The Heart Week 4

Yup, I am still a bit behind on my study going on over At The Well on Making over our hearts. This weeks study was called "A Committed Heart." Our verse this week is Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
What does committing to Christ mean? There were so many things that were hit in this past week's lesson that its kind of hard to remember it all. A lot of the study went back to scripture, II Timothy 2:22-24, Colossians 3:1-17, Ephesians 4:17-5:21, as examples. I think I read and read these portions of scripture. These portions talk a lot about how we should live when we chose to live for Christ. It talks about getting rid of all the old things in your life and living completely and wholly for him. It means putting all the bad attitudes, talk, language, temper; all that stuff away and chosing to put on love. Col 3:14 says that "And regardless of what else you put on , wear Love. It is your basic, all-purpose garment. NEVER be without it." In other words "God is Love," we are to never put him off and pick up our bad sinful habits. This seems totally impossible to do or be but we can continue to work our hearts toward this kind of living.
This lesson also talked about our choices we make and had several questions to help keep you in check. "Always remember, "DOES THIS BRING GLORY TO GOD? WOULD THIS MAKE GOD SMILE OR WOULD THIS MAKE GOD SAD?"
Wow, stunned was I at these questions. How much easier my life would be if I were to just take the time and ask myself these questions. I wouldn't constantly make mistakes of saying the wrong things, or doing the wrong things.
Lord, right now I pray that you give these words as a constant in my heart. I want to do only want honors you. I want what you want for my life.

Makeover of the Heart Week 3

This past weeks topic on Makeover of the heart was about "A Healed Heart." The verse for this week was "God heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
The topic was forgiveness. Some of the questions asked were :
Are there people in my life I need to forgive?
Are there any areas in my own life that I haven't forgiven myself for?

When I first went through this I really felt there wasn't anyone that I haven't forgiven. I feel like I am a person that can forgive and move forward relatively easily. But then I was talking to my mom the other day and realized that there are some family issues in the past year, ways that family has hurt my daddy. Seeing how my daddy has been hurt has brought feelings of anger and resentment, maybe even protection. I don't want to see my dad hurt like he has been hurt ever again by family. This is something that God will continue to have to work on to truly get me to a place of total forgiveness. I love my family but I can't handle them being hurt. Will you please join with me in prayer that I will come to this complete forgiveness.
Is there an area in my own life that I haven't forgiven myself? One thing that I have struggled with my whole life is blaming myself for whatever happens. Even in fights with my husband I have chosen in the past to blame myself for them. I keep hearing from him and others that I need to truly come to a place I know where my security is. My security needs to rest in Jesus Christ alone. So today I am being really vulnerable and sharing with you all here. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can come to this place because it is something that I really want God to work on and change in my life.
So ask yourself as you go are there any areas of unforgiveness in your hearts against others or even yourself. Let God really speak to you.