It’s been a great blessing for us to hear about new Finding Glory Groups using the Finding Glory in the Thorns: Group Discussion Guide in Bible studies this summer and to see God increasingly at work through communities around the world! Thank you for your faithfulness in seeking the heart of God in your own life and being willing to share that with others. We always love to hear from current and past readers who want to continue growing and be encouraged in Christ and Bible-saturated relationships.
Today’s scriptures and discussion questions are:
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." JAMES 1:12
"Resist (the devil), standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 PETER 5:9-10
Many of us are waiting on God for something — answers, healing, rest, help, the transformation of our grief into joy, etc. Sometimes God's healing work looks different than we expect it to. In what obvious or even not-so-obvious ways might God be doing works of healing in your situation?
Is there a Bible verse(s) that encourages you when you are discouraged about your life situation (doubtful, fearful, confused or hopeless)?
For more information about Finding Glory Groups, visit http://www.findingglory.com/findingglorygrou.html.
Today's reflections are copyrighted excerpts taken from Finding Glory in the Thorns: Group Discussion Guide.
We just finished Week 3 and had great discussion last night. I have been on a path for healing for awhile because of neck/shoulder, then hand, then feet pain. A couple years ago the Lord told me to learn to praise Him through the pain and He taught me how. Then He told me to praise Him because of the pain and He taught me how. Praising the Lord is like getting a breath of the purest cool air that goes through your soul, mind and body, and healing starts. It isn’t that my pain has gone away (although it has really changed), but God does something mysterious when we listen and seek Him and then really listen and obey. Healing takes on a new meaning. Instead of focusing on myself, God calls me to love others unconditionally (which is really hard) and He is giving me understanding to see others differently (although I’m slow). I know I’m an intercessor for others and He slows me down (now that’s healing) to pray for others and the healing they need. It’s indeed a great puzzle that only the Lord knows how to put together.
ReplyDeleteOur family loves Psalm 62 and we have the 2nd verse on a huge rock in our yard. My hubby gave me this “big rock” for our 30th wedding anniversary. Also 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 have been verses that brought hope to me and many others in the last 3 years. My others life verses are 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 which I thought I was memorizing to share at a book club I facilitated but have ministered to me and others many times.