Week 3

Have I mentioned how I enjoy the days we meet together for WOW? This month was particularly fun as I felt like there was such an eagerness to share during our discussion groups. Often, there were so many responding to the questions, it was hard to discern who was saying what. Thank you for your commitment to study each month and to dig into God's word. You are an encouragement to me and I love how God is honoring the hungering for His word.

If you were unable to join us this month, WE MISSED YOU!! I hope you will be able to return next month. Here is a quick recap of our lesson.

Our month of study began immediately after Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness in the power of the Spirit. In our minds, it seems that those who saw Jesus' miracles and heard him preach would have welcomed him with open arms. Although some may have reacted that way, we know from scripture that there were those who went from being impressed to outraged. As Beth noted, the spectators were impressed with Christ's delivery--not so much at what he said, but how He said it. Day One was a reminder that we need to allow God spoken word to touch our hearts--not just tickle our ears.

Didn't you love the personal Jesus we say in our study of Day 2? Did you picture him as he bent over the sick bed of Simon's Peter's mother in law and healed her? One of my favorite parts of the lesson this day was "watching" her get up and begin to serve Christ and the others present. "Few people are more compelled to serve than those who have experienced the healing power of Christ." Our principle thought was that although healing the sick was an important ministry, it wasn't what Christ came to earth for. He came to save us from our spiritual sickness which is sin. It was the temporary vs. the eternal.

Day Three took us to the Lake of Gennesaret where Jesus showed Simon Peter that he knew a thing or two about fishing. Our principle question reminded us that Jesus' disciples came from all walks of life; they were ordinary men with various backgrounds and personalities. We were challenged to realize that Christ knows much more about our occupation than we do, whether that is homemaking, hair styling, law, teaching, etc. "One of the most critical reasons believers experience defeat is because we categorize only a few areas of our lives as Christ's arena. Satan is greatly defeated when we start living our lives based on the truth that every area is Christ’s specialty." For certain success, let's partner with Him each day.

Day Four introduced us to some people of great faith. We read about the leper who was convinced Jesus possessed all the necessary power to heal him. Luke tells us Jesus "saw" the faith of the friends who brought their paralytic friend to Jesus for healing--and so did everyone else in the house that day as they lowered their friend down through the roof. (And you thought it was distracting when someone left the sanctuary in the middle of the sermon!) They stopped at nothing to get to Jesus. What a challenging thought for us. What lengths will you and I go to to petition for a friend or loved one? We learned that although Christ is always able to heal, it isn't always his will for us to be healed. This side of heaven, I don't think we will ever understand why sometimes He chooses to heal and other times He doesn't. Let's just continue to trust Him.

Day Five revealed the Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting "by" rather than sitting "under" the teaching of God's Word. We learned that they were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus as they challenged what they considered to be "work" on the Sabbath. The teaching of God's Word is life-changing and healing! Who wants to sit by when we could sit under and be showered by His power! Which are you doing?

The lecture covered the Sermon on the Mount. Here are my highlights:

• Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Poor includes physical poverty as well as poverty of the soul.
• Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. He will satisfy our longings.
• Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh--and that doesn't mean grin. That means outright laughter! If we sow in tears, we will reap with songs of joy.
• Blessed are you when you are hated, excluded and rejected. You are set apart unto God to serve. Our egos often get in the way of serving.

Until heaven, how do we show we are children of the Most High God?

• Love our enemies sincerely. We can change the way we think and it will change the way we feel.
• Do good to those who hate us. Be of benefit.
• Bless those who curse us. When someone comes to tell you what "so and so" said about you, respond by saying something good about that person. "She is so gifted..."
• Pray for those who mistreat us. It's for us as much as for them.
• We have been called to be a blessing.

Do the hard thing! Show yourself to be children of the Most High God!

We concluded our meeting with a sweet time of prayer. Remember the God who cared for Simon's mother in law, the leper, the paralytic, those who were hurting and diseased is the same God who cares for you and your needs. Call to him today.
If you haven't started yet, I can't wait for you to begin your study of Week 4. It's all about how we can live lives that "impress" Christ. I bet I have your interest now! Join me as we "sit under" the teaching of God's Word. I can't wait to hear about what He teaches you!

You are in my heart,
Dianne