I'm still in complete awe of this summer. To be really honest with you, I've been putting off blogging about this because it's so overwhelming all that God did, and I truly want to share it all with you - it's just sometimes I have to sit back and realize all that has happened. Then, if I sit back too long I will forget it. Therefore, I figured I'd better blog now! :)
Hoarders was the theme of this years summer Bible study. I knew it was going to be a summer to remember from the beginning because the devil did not want us moving an inch as we were preparing for summer study.
The LORD started clearly talking to me about the study of Hoarders last year. First, before anything - He started working on me. (Which is the best...I don't ever at any point want to get up and speak to any group without the LORD speaking and dealing with me before I teach on that subject). It was a season of cleaning out some things I didn't want to let go of - forgiving people that hurt me, trusting the LORD's plan, and so on... it's such a freeing feeling letting go! I had to let go of things that I was holding onto tightly and didn't even realize. I'm so glad I serve a patient God - He knows exactly how to deal with me. :)
At that point - God really started speaking to me on what He wanted the girls to hear this summer. I was beyond excited to share what the LORD had in store.
There was the issue of finding a location because of our growing group. We actually had canceled Bible study, but then the LORD opened a door at one of our girls' home. We fit at their house for about 2 weeks, but then we jumped locations again... I'm telling you - it was a roller coaster of a summer. All of this is so not me... I'm a full-out planner and like to have everything perfect way ahead of time. The LORD was truly streching me.
The first week of Bible study we did some evaluating of ourselves. We talked about what we are Hoarding in our lives that needs to be cleaned out.
We asked ourselves: What am I HOARDING? What is keeping me from moving closer to God? Friends, boyfriend, filthy language, TV shows, music, gossip, bullying, drinking, drugs, and disobeying parents were a few examples the girls laid down that night at Bible study and said no more. We each declared: "I don't want the things of the world - I only want Jesus." Let me tell you, friend. That kicked off our 7 week journey of Bible study this summer.
From there we saw God move in the girls' lives in ways I can't even begin to tell you. True transformation began to happen that only He can do. Lives given to Him, girls seeing that there is more to this life than just what the world has to offer, girls began to see the hope in Jesus. They didn't have to "hoard" and carry around this junk anymore.
More to come... here are a few fun pics from the summer!
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