Bible Study - Week 2

As I posted last week, we are currently studying Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. Yes, that was a lot of links for one sentence.

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Just like last week, we had a terrific time getting into the Word together. The second session of Becoming More discussed methods for delving deeper into scripture. We also explored the story of King David's anointing in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

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The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 16:13 NIV

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One thing that the book pointed out, that I found absolutely fascinating, was this. Why, if Jesse had been told the next king was going to be one of his sons, did Jesse exclude David from the line up? Was David normally overlooked in his family? Did Jesse just assume that Samuel would pick one of his elder sons? It was quite an interesting discussion. Another point of interest was the fact that after David was anointed as king, he went right back out to his sheep. Not to a palace. Not to a school. Not to a battlefield. Back to being little David, the shepherd boy. Life as usual. Mundane. How would that feel? To our limited human eyes, it seems to make no sense. What kind of preparation is shepherding for ruling a country? The perfect kind of preparation as it would turn out. Just through the everyday task of protecting his sheep, David received all the training he would need to become a Godly ruler.

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We can learn so much from King David. He was called - and then he had to wait. As King, he sought after God, but still messed up. Sometimes he messed up BIG! Still, God called David a man after His own heart. What an amazing God we serve!

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Edited to add -

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I wanted to share a blog that I read often. This family lives in the same town as my family. Last year, they set out on a long journey to adopt 13 year old Chloe. During the adoption proceedings, they discovered that when Chloe left with them for a new life in the United States, she would be leaving her two brothers behind. Here is the post from last year.

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Guess where they are right now? See for yourself!

Bible Study Begins

Tonight was the beginning of our Ladies' Bible Study. This year we are using the book and DVD entitled Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, a six week Bible study by Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries. While I was looking at book options, this particular book kept popping up as I searched - and for very good reason! Once I received a copy of the book and began to read, it was exactly what I had felt God had been speaking to me about.

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As always, I enjoy gathering together with such a tremendous group of ladies to delve into God's word together. This evening we discussed Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl - In My Heart. This evening's discussion centered on false idols in our lives and what the Bible has to say about our insecurities and failures. Good stuff, all of it! As we explored the false idols in our lives, we studied one of my favorite scenes from the Old Testament. Proof that sarcasm is not a modern invention (not that anyone ever said it was).

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Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
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At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.
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1 Kings 18:25-39 NIV

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Isn't that the same result we get when we seek fulfillment from things rather than God? And yet we all do it over and over and over again. We are so fortunate though, that He promises us:

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For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
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Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

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What more could we possibly ask?