NOGS Week 5

Wow are you just loving this study? I am for sure!

This week we looked at "Saying Goodbye". Boy I needed that! I have never liked saying good bye. Too much hurt and sadness so I could really relate to Kelly's story regarding her trips home.

We didn't have to wait long to dig into some meat. Day 1 showed us that false memories can be a stumbling block for making room. Can anyone else relate here? I mean sometimes I can go fast through the coulda, shoulda, woulda's. Sometimes I think my memory is shot when I start longing for something that is from my past that wasn't good for me. I am so thankful when God reminds me. Ok, whether it be gently or not, I am still thankful in due time.

So here's our discussion question for the week:

Take a look at the top of p.108 under “Personal Reflection.” I loved this line of discussion starting with this question: “Have you ever tasted or brought back fruit from a future promise that had not been fully realized?”

Also what is your thoughts from the "Your Take" section?

Oh my friends I am so glad you are going through this study with me. I know that some have gotten a little behind due to summer vacations and stuff but I applaud everyone of you for staying with it.

I think we need to have a time to meet together in person. Are you ready to enjoy a few of the recipes and discuss some of the study in person? I'll get the plans in motion!

Love you all! It's a joy to study God's Word with you!


Cynthia

NOGS Week 4

Hey Bible Study friends,

Can you believe it? We are halfway through this study. I pray that you are letting God do a work in you and you are making room for God in your life. I agree with one comment that it is like Kelly is sitting in my house and writing based on what she has observed.

The definition of idolatry on page 81 was an eye opener. It's taking a good thing and making it an ultimate thing. The phrase that it is attached to everything really made me think. Is God my ultimate thing? Sadly there are times that my words say yes but my thoughts, actions and preoccupations say no. I so don't want to be like Rachel "grasping for gods near the end of her life."

Here's some discussion items for this week. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Reread the first couple of paragraphs from Kelly’s intro to Week Four on p.76 concerning people-gods. Then, look up Phil. 1:9-10. How can these two Scriptures become a huge help to us in finding the balance between loving people and idolizing them?

Lastly, review p.87 and reflect on the whole Leah and Rachel madness. Reread the bold-print section at the top of the page. What are a few costs of desperation that you yourself have paid? And what is the solution?

Pat yourself on the back! You've been working hard and sticking with the study!
Keep it up. A blessing is waiting for you as you make room!!!

You are a treasure!
Cynthia

NOGS Week 3

Here we are in Week 3. I gets so amused that there is one day each week that really speaks to me. The amusing part is that it is always the same day each week.

So many are letting me know that the study is really meaning a lot to them. I am so glad because it is really touching me and getting my attention in so many areas.

Here's this weeks discussion questions.

1. On p.62, Kelly quoted Michael Wells: “Satan will tell us what’s true, but he never tells us the truth.” Let’s have some examples of that. How has Satan ever told you something that was true but wasn’t the truth?


2. Kelly’s discussion about King Hezekiah and the attack on his faith on p.66
A quote from the devotional classic, Streams in the Desert. “Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.” (p.168) What envelope have you been most prone to hold the edge of?

Stay strong with the study and keep His Word in the fore front of your mind.

You are doing great!!!

Cynthia

No Other Gods Week 2

Wow...the comments for week 1 are great. Isn't it an eye opening experience to realize that we have idols in our lives even though we don't know who or what they are. Let's keep up the great commenting and feel free to visit back to read others comments and reply to them. We can keep some type of discussion and encouragement going.

Following are our discussion points for week 2. Feel free to throw in some other things that were important to you throughout the week.

1. Turn to p.39 of your workbook. Kelly had us read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and reminded us that we were meant to be peculiar people. Reread her words.

Let's see if we can do an acrostic of the word "peculiar" based on various ways Christ has set us apart. In other words, come up with one word that begins with a "p," then another that begins with an "e," "c," and so on.



2. Turn to p. 41. Recall our reading out of Genesis 21:1-6. Listen to verse 6. I especially love the New English Translation: "God has made me laugh." Share something with the group that God has done for you that brought you such joy or such a turnaround that it was laughable.



3. Lastly, turn to p. 49 for what I thought was one of the most powerful moments of the entire second week. Kelly said "Fear protects our idols"! How? Let's discuss that!

Ladies, I am having a blast with God this summer, I hope you are too! Stay in His Word, seek Him until He rains righteousness down on you!

Can't wait to hear from all of you.

Cynthia

No Other Gods Week 1

Oh Ladies, there is nothing like jumping right into the meat of the study with week one.

I heard joking regarding what this study would convict us of or how we would have to change from our chosen lifestyle. Little did I know that words would jump off the page and apply to my life so quickly. I think the author of the study, Kelly Minter, was so wise in defining our terms so quickly in day one. Please reread the definition on page 13 by Ken Sande.



What new thoughts did this definition bring to your understanding of a false god or idol?

I personally never thought of an idol being anything other than a material object, well maybe I did but just didn't want to admit it. It really hit hard when the definition stated "something other than God that we set our heart on." I never thought of it even being a relationship or the lack of one. That is an area in my life that can master or motivate me. I never entertained the notion that that could be an idol in my life.

What did you find regarding a functional God in your life?

How did you compare the difference between a professed god versus a functional god?

Ladies I can't wait to dig deeper with you as we learn together. Please make a big effort to participate in this way of studying together. That's the only way this will work.

Love you all!

Cynthia