Holloween Grace

Isn't it funny that this chapter actually fell on Halloween! ;P

We met at Ellen's, three of us gathered.  We spent a lot of time sharing, talking, praying.  I am so thankful for my sisters in Christ.  I am thankful for the time each week we can spend together in person. The time we lift each other in prayer.  The txts we share through out the week.  Knowing we are connected, when we are sturggling there is someone to pray, to lift us up.  When we are happy; there is someone to rejoice with us!

This chapter was a little hard, definitely thought provoking; with lots of discussion

Chapter 8: Fierce Love and Halloween Grace

God's love is a topic that can not be exhausted.  As we grown in our walk with Him, we will discover more and more how big and fierce his love is for us.  And all of us experience His love in different ways because as broken people, we all need a different touch. 

Personally, I love how God reaches out and meets each of us where we are.

1. Describe your understanding of God's love for you.  Try and use words that communicate your personal experience, not just what you know from Scripture. It is almost as if there are no words.   We all had a really had time describing God's Love in words.  There are no adequate words.   I love though how God always seems to give us exactly what we need.  I have been struggling with worry for our finances and such.  In my devo that day I saw the key verse for November was Philippians 4:19... And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. For me it was reassuring and confirmation that God was aware of where we are and what we need.
   
   
2. What imagery come to mind when you think about the phrase "unconditional love" used to describe God's Love for us.
   
   "I worry that by constantly using the phrase-- and seldom explaining what we mean by it-- we've robbed it of its orginial forse.  People today tend to think that when they sin against the Lord, He'll respond, "It;s okay, don't worry about it.  I'll love you anyway", when I think He really responds with something more like, "I'll love you forever, and that's why it's not okay." (pp. 92)
   
   God's Love cannot be fully comprehended.  His love often leaves us confused for a time.  One for the hardest passages for believers and nonbelievers alike is the story of Abraham and Isaac.Read Genesis 22:1-14
   
3.   As you reflect on this passage, know that Abraham was also in the dark as he followed God to Mount Moriah.  How does this passage leave you in the dark?  It seems so cruel and heartless for God to tell him to sacrifice his son. His only son, that God had given him as a promise.  Also today the act of child sacrifice is inconceivable to us. 
   
   
4. There are three strong imperatives from God in this story: "Take," "go" and "sacrifice him".  In what ways did these words stretch Abraham beyond what he thought he could bear?  Does God explain why?  I think he must have been confused and sacred.  And yet he follows God's direction the very next day and sets off on his journey with Isaac.
   
   
5. What did Abraham learn about God's love through his trust in God? That God would provide and take care of him.
   
   In the darkest hours of Abraham's life, he is able to say, "the Lord will provide" in a way he had never known before. 
6. Abraham named the site of the alter, Yahweh-Yireh.  What does it mean (see v 14)?  The Lord will Provide

We have many examples in the Bible of broken people who endured profound suffering. Hebrews 11 is full of such people.  As you read through the list, you maybe aware of their major mess ups and character flaws.  Yet God used them in mighty ways to reveal His goodness....

Draw a "road" that God took you on where all you could do is trust.  yours might have been more than a three-day trek like Abraham's; maybe you have been a few years on this unknown road.  Mark it with symbols to show "the Lord provided" in ways you did not expect.  What would you name the final destination?