Living Beyond Yourself

My Bible study group started a new study last night --- Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself. I didn't realize how much I missed doing a Beth Moore study until last night as we started to watch the introductory video. You see, since my friend and I started this Bible study group for our neighbourhood friends almost two years ago, we've been doing 'lighter' studies to introduce the concept of Bible study to our friends, most of whom were babies in the faith at that time, therefore, we've not had the opportunity to delve into a Beth Moore study yet.

But, these 'babies' have grown! They are now ready for more substantial food so we thought it was time to introduce them to a Beth Moore study! Living Beyond Yourself isn't a new study for me as I did this three years ago with another group but I can definitely tell you that God has already shown me that He will be stretching me and opening my eyes to new things as I experience this study one more time. I am beyond excited --- I can't wait to see what God has in store for us through this session.

Here are some points from last night's video:

LIVING ~~~
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 NIV
The filling and subsequent fruit of the Spirit won't just change my life. It will change my day.

BEYOND ~~~
"However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him' --- but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 1Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV
Through the infiltrating power of the Holy Spirit, I can...
Do things I couldn't.
Feel things I didn't.
Know things I wouldn't.

YOURSELF ~~~
"When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.' " John 11:43-44 NIV
We are often buried in our tomb of 'self'. Jesus commands us to 'come out!' and live life to the fullest.

And, here's The Choice by Max Lucado which ties in very well with last night's video ---

The Choice
By Max Lucado. When God Whispers Your Name. Word Publishing. Chapter 11.

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love …
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy …
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical … the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace …
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience …
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness …
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness …
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness …
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness …
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control …
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
---Galatians 5:22-23 NIV