I am currently working on a few different Bible Study's at once, I like to focus on one topic at a time, but it so happened when I started doing "Esther" by Beth Moore, a friend of mine introduced me to a study called "Boundaries" Oh how the Lord used her to tell me about that at just the right time. Ya might think, how do those two connect? Trust me they do!!! I have several other devotionals as well, but these two are my main ones. I find myself slowing down to soak in and dig deeper than just the homework, I want everything out of it that I can get.. So in the midst of these study's, we have been hearing some really good messages... We just recently started attending regularly at a new church the past few weeks, the messages have been along the same line God is dealing with us and me on.. Last Sunday during Sunday School they were talking about our Focus and to examine our motives... that brought to my mind "Boundaries" I'm like OK GOD I GET IT... I NEED ME SOME BOUNDARIES!!! Sometimes it can be painful to do, well it still is, and not just because others don't understand, its painful to find out exactly WHAT and the WHY our motives were in the first place ,for LACK of boundaries or misplaced boundaries. Here are a few notes I jotted down during class, Do I have a Worldly Focus, or a Godly Focus? Where my focus is, thus how I will function. Self serving? or Christ Honoring? There is only one " I " in ChrIst!! and He commands us to first serve Him and than each other.Hebrews 10:24-25- says " And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. " ( not less MORE as the day is approaching) So you are probably wondering how in the world does this go together? Well this is in my brain so bare with me.. In putting all the different pieces together that God has been giving me it hit me, that even with the purest of heart we can still have our Focus, Function, and Boundaries all out of whack and if I do not let God put them back in order, well it will be one big mess.. ( I know nothing profound) BUT in that moment it was to me because well... I needed to be reminded of that.. Started making me examine myself, my relationships,( If they are toxic, and it pulls you down or away from God, gotta let them go, doesn't mean in a wrong spirit, just place boundaries, if that doesn't work than scripture does say to LET IT GO)*Beth Moore* and start doing some digging... OUCH!!! Ever have a GOD MOMENT, where you were hurt by something or someone and without even noticing it slipped into self pity? some denial of your own? maybe ya carried the hurt a little to long and it slowly started turning into that ugly thing called resentment? and when ya realized it, took it to God expecting HEALING right away? Ya I had one of those moments this week.. Took a situation I had given to God a few years ago and with recent circumstances that were very similar, took it back and added to the baggage without realizing it. Told God, but I was hurt, I felt the reply.. AND? You think that is good enough excuse for how you are reacting? OUCH!!!!! So humbling bowing before my Master, asking for forgiveness AGAIN, HE not only gave the forgiveness, but because He loves me so much.. is giving me the tools to fix( through His grace) the core of the problem. ITS ME.. and my lack of BOUNDARIES, therefore throwing how I perceive things, how others perceive me, and most importantly, how I perceive God all out of order. Reminds me of when Peter was walking on the water and he only looked down at the waves for a moment, that is all it took for him to start sinking...BUT JESUS didn't let him sink, He reached down in time to pull him back up(Matthew 14:28-32) yep that is how it happened to me too. I am so thankful Jesus loves me enough to forgive, restore, teach me consequences, and hold me through it all!!! My husband has kept telling me, keep your eyes straight, and only look to once place for guidance, GODS WORD it is our road map to Heaven.. If it is not in the Word, than don't let it in. there is that boundaries thing again.. So to say the least the past few months have been, how shall I put it, a season of change.. a much much needed change. On a side note, I want to say"change" that comes from GOD, never makes us act in haste, nor all of a sudden get "new" light, it is only a means of God shedding MORE light ( or reminding us of CURRENT light we are not acting on)on the same narrow path towards Heaven. If we do not conform to Christ we are conformed to this world... What's your Focus?
