MOORE On MONDAY ~ BREAKING FREE ~ OBSTACLES

Reading Chapters 8 - 12  of Beth Moore's "BREAKING FREE"  (red= Beth's words, blue=mine, black=general)









 II. BENEFITS and OBSTACLES
Focus of Chapters 8-12 OBSTACLES


The Obstacle of Unbelief (M)
The Obstacle of Pride (T)
The Obstacle of Idolatry (W)
The Obstacle of Prayerlessness (Th)
The Obstacle of Legalism (F)
which block the benefits we looked at last week (in reverse order):

• BREAKING FREE ~ (7) BENEFITS: TO ENJOY GOD'S PRESENCE
• BREAKING FREE ~ (6) BENEFITS: TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S PEACE
• BREAKING FREE ~ (5) BENEFITS: TO FIND SATISFACTION IN GOD
• BREAKING FREE ~ (4) BENEFITS: TO GLORIFY GOD
• MOORE 4 MONDAY ~ BREAKING FREE ~ BENEFITS (3) To Know God and Believe Him
• **************************************
• What is UNBELIEF? 
• Apistia. (there is also apeitheia and apeithei) each is stronger
  Strong’s definition:
  1. Lacking confidence in the performer, unfaithfulness, faithless
  2. Want of faith, unbelief
  3. Weakness of faith
  According to Beth, apistos (unbelief) "not worthy of confidence, untrustworthy... a thing not to be believed, incredible."
  
  
  Description: Doubting God’s willingness or ability to alter the circumstances one is in. 
  Apistia is a form of unbelief that often shows a lack of a confidence in God to do what He has promised to do, and its cure requires repentance rather then merely overcoming intellectual doubt. 
  Apeitheia:
   Obstinate, rebellious, refusal to believe, apathetic.
  Apeithei is the hardest form of unbelief, and refers to a person who has dug in his heels and simply refuses to believe even if he knows he is wrong--possibly to the point of actually preaching against the truth.
• The opposite of faith is doubt, or unbelief. Belief and faith represent the same concept.
• We stand strong in Christ by faith (see 2 Corinthians 1:24); however, the reverse is also true: we fall away from Christ through unbelief. (1 Corinthians 10:12).
• The Bible mentions two kinds of unbelief.One kind of unbelief is doubt accompanied by a desire to believe. Another kind of unbelief is an obstinate, hard-hearted refusal to believe.
• Faith is the mean by which we enter into His will for our life not the means by which we get God to work in our lives. Doubt or unbelief hinders the potential of your faith.
• In "Breaking Free" Beth shared on the Hebrew ('aman) and Greek word for BELIEVED (pisteuo). 'Aman means "to stand firm, to make firm, to be enduring; to trust, to believe". I find it interesting that a similar word in Spanish, "aman" means they love.  Pisteuo means "to be firmly persuaded as to something, to believe ... with the idea of hope and certain expectation." It's not official but in my opinion, to love someone calls for belief... so since God loves me and I truly love Him, belief precedes my love. 
• Scriptures used in Chapter 8
• (8) UNBELIEF ~ 
• Isaiah 57:13-14; Isaiah 43:10; 
• Genesis 15:6; 
• Romans 4:3;
• Mark 9:21-24; Mark 9:24;
• Numbers 23:19; 
• Galatians 5:1; 
• Luke 4:18; 
• Psalm 139:1-3; Psalm 18:30;
• Ephesians 6:12; 
• 1 Peter 5:8; 
• Jeremiah 17:9;   
• Matthew 9:27-29; 
• Romans 14:1; 
• 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:12
• ********************************
• Questions for Chapter 8 ~ "The Obstacle of Unbelief" from Beth Moore's "Breaking Free"
• 1. What has God done in your life to prepare the road for His visit as King?
• 2. What is the difference between believing in God and believing God?
• 3. How has God proved Himself worthy of your confidence?
• 4. How has the study of Scriptures affected your faith?
• I will be back later with MORE or at least my answers here or in the comments.
• Father God, 
• Your Word declares that we, Your people, are witnesses and Your servants whom You have chosen, that we may know and believe You and understand that You are He. Before You, no god was formed, nor will there be one after You. (Isaiah 43:10)
• You have chosen me God, for the express purpose of knowing and believing You. I can't really begin to know You until I begin to believe You. Make me a person of belief, Lord. (Though I think I already am, reveal to me any unbelief You see in me)
• I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which You have called me,the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints and Your incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)
• Father God, According to Your Word, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to You must believe that You exist and that You reward those who earnestly seek You. (Hebrews 11:6) Lord, I want to please You. Build faith in me so my life will honor the life of Your Son.
• ~ taken from Beth Moore "Praying God's Word", Chapter 2 "Overcoming Unbelief", p.37-55 are wonderfully written prayers from scriptures on Belief/Unbelief
• 
  
• * there's a strong possibility I won't be able to participate with "Breaking Free" questions this week, but I do have the questions in a post each day for each chapter.
• Having problems with Kindle for PC, and as a result, it keeps closing down and causes other freeze up problems. I may have to uninstall and try again, but that's where my book is... and I don't want to chance loosing posts. Hope I can figure this out and get it working. Press on.
• BREAK FREE! (Looks like my obstacle is... internet issues.)

SUPER SUNDAY #4

BE PREPAREDforLOUD PRAISE(opening on this video)as I "RUN TO YOU"Lord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiwPhLmLJM
Run to Youmusic & lyrics by Thomas and Dita Rose
(vs 1)Your word is truth , Your love is lightYou will walk with me ,Through the darkest nightWhere else would I walk, except with You, with You
You are calling me, I will answer YouWhen I cannot see I will (wait for You)And where else (would I hide), except in You, in YouchorusWhen deception (clouds) my viewAnd secrets tear my heart in twoI will look to You, and I will reach to YouAnd I will run to You, I’ll run to YouWhen shame comes and leaves an empty holeAnd fears come to crowd my wounded soulI will look to YouAnd I reach to YouAnd, I will run to You
(vs 2)I will follow You, UndividelyWalking in Your truth, as You set me freewhere else would freedom come except from You(chorus)(bridge)And as I run through fire, through the stormI’ll find refuge in Your arms,And I’ll rest in the shadow of Your peace***AMEN!
This is the  theme song for Chapter 4 of Beth Moore's "Praying God's Word," Overcoming Deception. "Deception is the glue that holds every stronghold together. Nothing is bigger or more powerful than God; therefore, anything other than Jesus Christ mastering the Christian's life can keep it's grip only through pretension and deception. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). No truth is in him. His specialty is twisting a lie until it seems true. The list of lies we often believe when we are held in a stronghold can be unlimited." The definition of deception consists of using a lie to promote something that is not of value.

The song reminds me of my favorite Bible verseIsaiah 40:31
And also another "Run to You" song, which was one of my all time favorites of Whitney Houston's from the "Bodyguard" movie (along with another song) but I would sing this to God often! 

"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

Proverbs 14:8 NIV

* Be sure to go and say "Helloooooooooooooooo" back to Shortybear (Denise) is back at her Place and needs some prayer and loving hugs from us all!!!

Due to some logical changes being made with Linky Tools, I will not be able to continue with LINKYs on my blog, but I will still have SUPER SUNDAY every week (just not with a linky), so we will just have to put our links in the comments. Hope that won't deter you from joining each week. 

CONTINUING IN HIS PRESENCE and PEACE

"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. "

(Exodus 33:14)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JWwG02e4Tk
and my dear Don Moen has two more "Here in Your Presence"and a jivey one"In Your Presence"but this is enough for the entire weekendand then some
*and here's my dance... of beingIN HIS PRESENCE 
Sharing this one also because Saturday nightsI enJOY my worship with this worship teamand this is from one of my favorite CDs"WE SPEAK TO THE NATIONS"withCindy Cruse Ratcliff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKkVtVTOOSocontinues in this video under the anointing of Cindy's PRAYER SHOW ME YOUR GLORYI shared this oneover atTHE POWER OF YOUR LOVEfor SUPER SON SUNDAY(posts on Sat. eve. for Sunday)[just using the button, as far as I know there is no link up with One Heart]
"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

FREEDOM FRIDAY

Questions for next week BREAKING FREE with MOORE 4 MONDAY so
starting on Monday with Chapter 8, Tues. Chapter 9, Weds. Chapter 10, etc.


Chapter 8
The Obstacle of Unbelief

1. What has God done in your life to prepare the road for His visit as King?

2.What is the difference between believing in God and believing God?

3. How has God proved Himself worthy of your confidence?

4. How has the study of Scriptures affected your faith?



Chapter 9
The Obstacle of Pride

1. To what degree would you say that God's name and renown is the desire of your heart?
. 
2. In what ways is pride a dangerous enemy?

3. How do you feel toward someone who exhibits pride in their life?
How do you feel toward one who demonstrates humility?

4. What does it take to humble yourself before God?


Chapter 10
The Obstacle of Idolatry

1. Why does God create a nagging sense of dissatisfaction in every person?

2. Why does the Bible call seeking satisfaction in anything but God the sin of idolatry?

3. What forms have idols taken in your personal experience?

Chapter 11 The Obstacle of Prayerlessness

1. How would you paraphrase Philippians 4:6-7 into a formula for anxiety?

2. What is the difference between superficial and "meaty" prayer lives?

3. Why is prayer a key to peace?

4. How has prayer brought peace to you in a time of great stress?

Chapter 12
The Obstacle of Legalism

1. What is so appealing about legalism? Why do people continue to return to legalism?

2. Which condition do you find the greatest temptation: (1) regulations to replace relationships, (2) microscopes to replace mirrors, or (3) performance to replace passion?

3. How has legalism squeeze the joy out of your salvation?

4. Which of the five obstacles you have studied gives you the greatest problems? Which gives you the least?


************************************************
This past week, our focus was the BENEFITS that God intends to be the daily experience of every child of God. Beth Moore identified five benefits of our covenant relationship as being: to know God and believe Him; to glorify God; to find satisfaction in God; to experience God's peace; to enjoy God's Presence. As we read on in Chapters 8-12, we realize that the absence of any of these benefits in our lives is a good indicator of some form or degree of CAPTIVITY and one or more of these OBSTACLES are blocking our access to God blessings us with these benefits. 

"1. Unbelief, which hinders us knowing God."

"2. Pride, which prevents us from glorifying God."

"3. Idolatry, which keeps us from being satisfied with God."

"4. Prayerlessness, which blocks our experience of God's peace."

"5. Legalism, which stops our enjoyment of God's Presence."

                                                   ~ from Beth Moore, Breaking Free 

Definition of CAPTIVITY (per Beth Moore in Breaking Free)


"A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for him or her."


"One of the most effective ways we can detect an area of captivity (as stated above) is to measure whether or not we are enjoying the benefits God intends for each of His children."


As we proceed through this study, we will seek to get to know each of these benefits intimately and use them as diagnostic tools to determine what God wants to do in our lives to enable us to experience true liberty in Christ!


We don't have to wonder if Our King is ready or willing and able to deliver us from the bonds that are withholding abundant life. Remember, it is for freedom Christ has set us free. He's more than willing! He's more than ready! The question is whether or not we are ready to deal with this head on, confront our obstacles honestly (since it's His truth that sets us free) and are we ready to cooperate and prepare the way for Our Liberator, Our Deliverer. Our King has come just as described in Isaiah 57: 

And it will be said:

   “Build up, build up, prepare the road! 

   Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” 

¹⁵ For this is what the high and exalted One says— 

   he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 

“I live in a high and holy place, 

   but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, 

to revive the spirit of the lowly 

   and to revive the heart of the contrite. 

Read MORE here

To PREPARE us for Monday's lesson and questions on UNBELIEF, Beth shared a simple self test to measure our state of unbelief. Think carefully about each of the following and rate your belief from 1 to 10 (10 being I strongly believe) to indicate how strongly you believe or disbelieve each statement, what number would you give them? Think seriously... (you can look at the scriptures after giving a number)

disbelieve strongly=1 to 10=strongly believe

1. Christians can have areas of captivity. 
Galatians 5:1


2. Christ can set anyone free from captivity.
Luke 4:18


3. God is fully acquainted with you personally and wants what is best for you.
Psalm 139:1-3


4. Christians have an invisible but very real enemy called Satan who is a personality of evil rather than a "principle" of evil.
Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8


5. Your heart can sometimes want what is desperately wrong for you.
Jeremiah 17:9


6. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and true. 
2 Timothy 3:16; Ps. 18:30


"BELIEF is very important in the matter of our FREEDOM! (Matthew 9:27-29) Scripture is absolutely clear that God always wills the spiritual captive to be FREE!" ~ Beth Moore

"...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM."

2 Corinthians 3:17

Christ sets us FREE by the power of His Spirit and then

He maintains our FREEDOM

as we learn to live from day to day in the

POWER

of His free Spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeRzTdoW35M
SO TODAY IS PRAYER TIME FOR MEhere are some places you may link to or go visitwith
FEARLESS FRIDAY
and
SWEET PEA's 
and
THE LIGHTHOUSE of PRAYER
also SPIRITUAL SUNDAY has prayer requestsas well as other individual blogs
* Remember to SAVE your answers to the questions until next week, OK? You're welcome to discuss anything on the BENEFITS and OBSTACLES or your simple test on Unbelief... 
Lord, help us with any unbelief You may see in us. Reveal our unbeliefs and other obstacles standing in our way of living free and abundant lives as witnesses of Yours! Help us to honestly search our hearts and lives so this time is well spent in drawing and coming closer to how You intended us to live with You and each other. Search our hearts and show us... strengthen us in the battles we face and teach us to overcome our weaknesses and flesh, our past hurts, hang-ups, habits, hindrances to our victorious life as Christians... in Jesus Name, set us free and deliver us from all evil, protect us and provide for us according to Your will and way, not mine but Thine... I love You!!! I thank You! I praise You and exalt You for ALL You are!!! ...

BREAKING FREE ~ (7) BENEFITS: TO ENJOY GOD'S PRESENCE

To Enjoy God's Presence


Chapter 7 Questions



1. Which is more constant, the presence of God or the evidence of His presence?
2. Is your enjoyment in God's presence increasing or decreasing?
3. What is the most satisfying part of your relationship with God?


I guess I believe that both the presence of God and the evidence of His Presence are constant in my life. It is the lack of evidence that causes me great distress in the times in which we are living and me being away from the comforts of USA home and in a foreign country makes this a daily need for me.


I agree with what Beth wrote when she says that "sometimes we receive the most benefit from seeing many visible "prints" of His invisible hands during a difficult season." And also that at "Other Times we profit most from seeing fewer evidences." I realize that God does not love me less but desires me to grow and walk by faith, yet because of my own inadequacies or insecurities, that lack causes me to feel as if God has rejected me for "something" and I'm off on a wild goose chase searching for who knows what, when my faith should lead me. I know that I cannot rely on my feelings but I know that I must admit that is my biggest downfall even with God. He knows that... ohhh, yes, He knows that ever so well. Rejection and rebellion are my biggest pit problems.


I clearly know that God's Presence is an absolute fact, even when I was in the darkest places of my life...sadly He was there with me, I brought Him there. I invited Him along with me and acted as if He wasn't there and did not know me. But He did and He does, even better than I know myself. I rejoice so much more now to now that He goes with me to the mountaintops and through the valleys and I no longer fear but gladly accept His companionship. 


I enjoy knowing that when I'm alone driving or even living here, He is my fresh breath of each day. I dive into His Presence now more than ever. I was ready long ago and accepted His ever-abiding Presence. I want to abide in Him and desire for Him to abide in me. I can ever so gladly declare like Beth that "He is the absolute JOY of my life...  I love loving Him!" He gets me! Beth says, "He works for me." When I read Beth's words I enthusiastically agreed, YES... that's how it is and not anything to do with sounding proud of our relationship with God... but I heard Beth's heart and knew that indeed this is the greatest JOY and she was speaking my heart. Inside of me, even did a little leap of JOY, Beth enjoys His aMazing grace like me!!! 


My enjoyment in God's Presence has been steadily increasing since 1990! Yes, there have been waves of higher corporal enjoyment mostly in my home church but my personal times with Our Lord have been much more intimate since my life and way was focused on Him and His way. I rely on Him and must sense His Presence to be able to move under and with His Presence wherever He sends me.


My prayer and worship time have increasingly become the most satisfying part. There is nothing like a dialog or communication with God through His Word or confirmed in your life. These songs just come from within me as I wrote this and they burst forth as I'm in His Presence! First one and then the next and then IN YOUR PRESENCE, the final one... so you may choose, or allow these videos to walk you into His Presence and know that you belong there... and He waits... (I think the last one is my favorite... if my tears of JOY count)

COME WITH ME INTO THE SANCTUARY

OF HIS PRESENCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNCFk0KsM40
[I moved the videos I had here to Saturday to continue being "IN HIS PRESENCE" and too shorten this already long enough post but I had to leave this link with this as my prayer today]
"I JUST WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE"is another Don Moen favorite and my prayerthis Friday day of prayer (be sure to view FREEDOM FRIDAY post for more)
LORD,I just want to be where You are
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don't want to worship from afar
Draw me near to where You are

I just want to be where You are
In Your dwelling place forever
Take me to the place where You are
I just want to be with You

I want to be where You are
Dwelling in Your presence
Feasting at Your table
Surrounded by Your glory
In Your presence
That's where I always want to be
I just want to be
I just want to be with You

Oh my God
You are my strength and my song
And when I'm in Your presence
Though I'm weak You're always strong

*******THIS IS WHERE I FIND MYJOY(My Word for 2011)