I hope you all enjoyed reading the first chapter in this book! I know I enjoyed it! Please post any thoughts, comments, suggestions or revelations you received from this 1st chapter. We will be commenting on this chapter from Monday March 3 all the way to Sunday March 9. So take your time reading the chapter. You have all week! You are not "required" to post a comment so please don't feel pressured. I encourage you all to check the comments on Sunday to read up on what other ladies wrote before you start the next chapter on Monday. Be prepared for Satan to try to distract you or discourage you while you're learning how to fight him. If you are struggling please post a comment under the "Prayer Requests" Blog.
Are you ready for an adventure?
Welcome to the journey! May you be Blessed!
-L.Faith
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11 comments:
Well, distraction is the least of it. My mind has been so fuzzy, I felt that all I absorbed was the book's intro and her dedication of the book to her son. I used to joke that even my blood type was RH-.There's a good reason I'm negative.( But, only toward myself). I decided to respond anyway exactly where I'm at as an offering to God.I disagree with negativity in my life anymore.Now, back to my 'on purpose' reading.
Love,
Bonnie
O.K, I'm at pg. 15. Why is the devil all that intelligent? HOW the heck does he know anything without God's permision? God knows my thoughts. Does Satan, too? Right now, everything I thought I knew is challenged. That's O.K.
I agree the mind is a battlefield. However-- why is satan given such an authorative status? He may be influential but- why the status?
As a christian woman, God is my authority--satan is the synthetic version--very diluted at best. Why do we allow him such influence?? What do you, my sisters think?
The verse Joyce refers to on pg. 15 is Ephesians 6:12. If you read Ephesians 6:11 it says to "put on the full armor of God so you can stand against the devil's evil tricks." I really think most of these "evil tricks" are played on our minds. When we have strongholds, painful memories, addictions, poor self image, worry, depression etc...The devil plays on those emotions. That's why Joyce also says "Think about what you're thinking about." If we have a single thought of worry and we don't "squash" that thought, then the devil can amplify it in our mind and before we know it we are curled up in a ball and crying.
These are my personal thoughts. What do you all think?
Ok. So, I am Mary. LOL!! I do the finances (didn't know that wasn't my job...hahaha!!) I know I am bossy and I have to have my way (I compromise sometimes). I am very stubborn. I think it's because I have had to take care of myself most of my life (even being married before) that I don't know any better.
I am so grateful for this group. Lord knows I was finding every excuse in the book not to be part of it in the beginning...but looky here, here I am.
I don't really have questions as of yet...just venting.
Much Love,
~~Sarah~~
:)
It's not the wife's "job" to make sure the family is completely provided for and all the bills are paid. It's quite a burden that is easier to carry between partners. It's hard to share that burden when you've been on your own and you're used to taking care of everything. Jarod and I will sit together to do all the bills and we may even crack open a bottle of wine! We make it enjoyable and it gives us time to sit and talk so that we are both aware of what's going on with our money. Just a suggestion! :)
P.S. Sarah, I'm so proud of you for reading the book! I know you have a lot on your plate right now and you had plenty of good reasons to avoid this. May you be encouraged and challenged to a new level of Faith!
Satan doesn't have to do anything. It was already done at the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden. We've been programmed, according to the ways of the world and satan's lies. Now, we have to be re-programmed according to the truth. And that takes practice. Remember, everything satan means for evil, God intends to use for good. (Sorry, I can't find the reference) I believe God uses the battlefield of our minds as a faith builder and to grow in trust. It's like boot camp. Very hard but produces a good soldier.
In the introduction to the book, something jumped out at me. On page 11, in the Romans 8:5 reference, I saw that in the midst of a mind battle, I have opportunity to line up my desires with God's desires. But, oh how my own worries and desires scream. Again, it takes practice - and determination. Let's stay on this journey together.
I think that we are all "Adams" and "Eves". We all have a choice to do right or wrong. God never said it would be easy, but He won't give us any more than we can handle(I Cor. 10:13). If you aren't sure how much power satan is able to have, read the Book Of Job. Satan can actually transform himself into an "angel of Light" (II Cor. 11:14). We must ALWAYS be careful and concerned with what we do and how we do it. I used to tell my boys, "If it isn't something that Jesus would think, do or say, then you shouldn't think, do or say it."
I think this book will help all of us to stay focused on Christ and what He wants for us. Sometimes, as I read the Bible, my mind wanders on to things that I need to get done the following day, or my children and their problems, or just about anything. That is satans way of keeping me from Gods' Word. I NEED to stay focused on My Father!
I wonder how much of our past really matters for the present if we consider:
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (What is it that God has said about us???)
The true part would be not to hide our head in the sand but acknowledging stuff and not staying stuck there but finding out the truth of what God says about our now moment Acts 17:28 In Him we move and have our being
I guess as we move along through the book there will be more revelation, understanding and freedom. I can't change my past but I can change my future...
.
I re-read Chapter 1 and noticed a few more impactful truths:
Page 23 - "Our past may explain why we're suffering, but we must not use it as an excuse to stay in bondage."
Page 24: - "God doesn't abandon us and leave us helpless." "Satan knows well that if he can control our thoughts, he can control our actions."
I'm going to try to read each chapter more than one time because different truths jump out at me with each reading.
This is good stuff! Thank you for all the feedback ladies!
Okay, so I'm a bit behind. I'm still here though! lol
The first chapter was very close to home. I'm so Mary, too! I do everything when it comes to the faimly and the finances. Joe makes the money and I pay the bills. 98% of the time I discipline the children and I ALWAYS make sure they get what they need to go where they need to go. I can't eve get Joe to eat lunch w/them at school on one of his days off. idk
Joe isn't passive but I think I'm making him that way b/c of my bipolar. idk
He tries to discipline the children, but typically I don't allow him to b/c he's too mean by my standards. I'm getting better. I've noticed myself allowing him to have more authority when it comes to that. As for the bills, he doesn't want to do it. I've tried including him, but he'll have no part of it.
The children are starting to respect him more. Maybe it's b/c I'm letting him have a bit more control. It's been almost a year since he's stopped drinking. The drinking is why I wouldn't let him have any control. He didn't deserve it. He's still very selfish with his time. If he wants to do something, he does it. Is that just a "man" thing? Every man I've been with has been like that. He's not done wrong by me or the children in a very long time. I gues that's why I've started to relinquish some control. I'm trying. Even before I started reading the book.
Okay, that's enough I guess. Thanks.
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