We’ve had an incredible start to our online Bible study through the book of Hebrews. Since the comments page for the introductory lesson was so wonderfully full with greetings, I think we need to start our discussion on a new “page.”
Note: If you have not started on this study journey with us, I would love you to come along! Get started with the intro lesson here.
So, let’s talk. Let’s get some discussion going on our intro lesson. As you read in the lesson, the original readers of Hebrews were feeling pressured by the culture around them to compromise or even leave their faith. Our culture today constantly pushes us to do the same.
Something God has been showing me lately is in the area of finances. I’m tempted to hang on to too much and give away too little. I worry about the economy, the future, and our retirement. But I could meet more needs than I do if I trusted God more.
Another area in which God has convicted me in the past and continues to warn me to be careful is what I watch on TV and movies and what I read. God’s Word tells us to “fix our minds on Christ” and think about things that are pure, noble, true, right and lovely. The world around us is full of temptations labeled as “entertainment” that works to draw my mind away from Christ and the things of Him.
What about you? Where are you vulnerable? How do you stand firm?
Good morning! I agree, the areas that you mentioned as temptations are easy to slip into. But where I’m finding that I’m vulnerable is getting out of the boat. God calls us to trust Him and take a leap of faith. I do trust Him in many things, but often I don’t step out there and take a chance. I allow anxieties (shyness?) to hinder me from what I really want to do. (Find a new job, find a church home, serve Him…) I tend to wait for things to fall into my lap. But, I feel that He is convicting me lately. I think He wants me to jump in.
Joan, I have a friend (Connie Cavanaugh)who has a book coming out soon titled: “Following God One Yes at a Time.” You’re right that sometimes following Jesus can be scary – especially if we are thinking about the next step, then the next step, and potential results, etc. But if we just take each step of obedience as God puts them before us, then we can stay better focused on Him and that one act of obedience.
Hi all! God has me firmly fixing my eyes on Jesus. I have a trust issue and so everything that happens in my life …I tell Jesus I trust him. I also have been more sensitive to what is being put into my body through all the senses and am more careful because I feel as if we are being prepared right now.God has also been working on me to have a thankful and grateful heart. Anyway those are the things He is working on in me, keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus and trusting Him.
Thanks for sharing that Karey! I was studying chapter three yesterday. It is just for you!
Joan, I love the “flashlight” illustration. On a dark path, a flashlight will illuminate clearly only the next step. We take it and the light then illuminates the following step. That’s all we need! Jumping out of the boat is definitely scary, but oh, so exciting and rewarding!
I have been telling my friends that I am so unsettle with this year. I need to take the next step and not always hang on for dear life. I want to jump in and let God lead. I am so like Joan: waiting on things to fall into my lap *sigh*…
For me, that willingness to step out and follow God is a trust issue. Not that I don’t trust God. I do. But I sometimes don’t trust Him enough. Reflecting on the past times He has been faithful helps me to trust Him in a new situation.
I have really been encouraged reading all of your posts. I am right there at the point where I think/know I trust God but do I really? Am I holding back? My human mind tries to think in terms of what can I do, what do we need to do to solve this problem instead of waiting on the Lord!
In regards to your points about culture…I have in the past couple of years along with my husband realized that we spent too much time on our tv shows and what was going on during them was not at all pleasing to God. But it is so hard in this culture to be discerning about what is from society and what is from God. We have so many things that we are just used to and they are socially acceptable (even with other believers) that we don’t even question ourselves! I am trying to question more and let God show me.
Tracy, thank you so much for your honest comments. I am sure there are many of us who could echo your words: “We have so many things that we are just used to and they are socially acceptable (even with other believers) that we don’t even question ourselves! I am trying to question more and let God show me.” May God show each of us what is acceptable to Him and what is not. And may we have the courage to follow Him in those things.
Kathy – thanks for the heads up on your friend’s book. I found her blog address on your blog roll and have ordered it! It sounds like it will be a great help as I see to draw closer to Him.
Melinda – the flashlight illustration is a good one! I need to remember to not get ahead of him =)
Karey – Yep! Keeping our eyes on Jesus is great advice!
Iris – I’m with you…ready to do more than wait!
I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you better as we go through this study of Hebrews!
Living for Him, Joan
My vulnerability doesn’t come from much of “entertainment” & for that I am extremely grateful! My vulnerability comes out more so in my human emotions that are not very rational nor are they necessary. I have high anxiety most of the time and my fears can get out of hand.
Thinking the worst is where I need to put my complete trust in Him–all around. My thoughts are not then, lovely, pure right or true. They all reflect negativity.
It’s easier for me to think the worst, then it is to think in a good light.
I am super blessed and God has been so good to me, it goes beyond my comprehension.
I have also found myself to look towards Him, reflect His love & forgiveness (when we don’t deserve it)–when things are falling apart, right in front of my eyes.
Working better under pressure??
At any rate, last year was a rough one for me, and I was surprised & thankful that the Lord got me through it all & what could have been the most terrible thing to ever happen to me & my family.
And I was an encouragement in reminding them of God’s love for us, to THEM when I would have naturally been the one falling apart.
I AM A BLESSED GIRL.
I know that He is there for me/us.
I know that He loves us unconditionally.
I know that He has our best interest at heart & mind.
So I should look further to Him in trust and want with my anxiety & fears.
Katie Lin, it sounds like God is busily working in your life! I’m praying for you this morning. Keep pushing toward Him. Keep your thoughts filled with His greatness and goodness. Thanks for sharing with us.
Here’s my two cents, ladies. I think what the Hebrews were really experiencing was a lack of “big picture” perception. It’s easy to fall away when you look at the world and your circumstances through a magnifying glass. When we do, we make the little things into a bigger picture. What God wants is for us to see the eternal picture (even though we can’t see all of it), and react and live according to what we know about that vision. We KNOW He is supreme. We KNOW He works for good for those who love and follow Him. We KNOW this life is not the end.
I’ve been convicted this morning of my tunnel vision on a current situation at work. I’ve reacted to it in my flesh and feelings rather than in the Spirit. As a result, I’ve missed a HUGE witnessing opportunity with lots of people who are watching me, but especially with one individual in particular. She is bitter and hard hearted, and I’ve fueled that with my reactions. I could have been sharing an eternal view with her this whole time and praying for God to soften her heart to eternal things, but instead, I’ve focused on my feelings about the situation and magnified the issue to be bigger than God’s picture. FORGIVE ME, LORD! Prayerfully looking to put down the magnifying glass today and look at life through the eternal eyes of Christ.
Kerri, thanks so much for sharing your recent and experience and what God is teaching you. I love what you said about perception. May we all today “put down the magnifying glass and look at life through the eternal eyes of Christ.”
I am so blown away by these wonderful women! Every one of you who has shared a comment has blessed me already. I have had most of the same fears(who is she to be speaking,writing,etc.), emotional immaturity(allowing my emotions to run wild when I needed to be sharing Christ), to lacking in trust(God and people), and jumping ahead of God. Thank you all so much for sharing your hearts. I think as women we sometimes feel we must be “superwomen” which means we have no doubts and fears. I am tired of letting Satan lie to me that I am the only one with these obstacles that need to be overcome. I thank God for each of you! Keep sharing!
Me too Janie!