Hidden Joy~Week 2

by MELISSA TAYLOR

First, a prayer from Hidden Joy author, Wendy Blight:

[F]aith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for [she] who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

[You] can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.Philippians 4:13

Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

As you progress through Week 2, (Starting June 5-12) 2011

Read Wendy’s prayer. Read it often. Remember the Truths from God’s Word that she has highlighted in her prayer. They are for you. Isn’t it just wonderful that the author of this book, had you in mind when she wrote it? And here she is today praying for you? Do not think that hope and healing aren’t for you. (lie….pop with rubber band) They are. If dealing with a painful past is difficult, remember to keep your eye on the prize. As you read Chapter 2, you’ll see that Wendy never shows you an easy way out. She doesn’t disguise or downplay or sugar coat anything in her process to healing. But, what she does demonstrate is that if we are going to get where God wants us to be, it requires action on our part. Take note, that Wendy doesn’t just sit and then magically she felt better and found joy in God. She decided to learn about God. She pursued Him. She chose to seek answers….not just wait for them to appear. Justice was not served in her trial, at least not how we think it should have been served. She had to find peace. So she searched and took action.

I think you will love Chapter 2.

Words of the Week:

Why?

Pursue

Why ask why? Because you want answers that’s why! It’s great to ask! Asking God why doesn’t mean you have a lack of faith or trust. Maybe you do, but that’s OK too really. Asking why, shows you want answers. It doesn’t mean you’ll get the answers you want, in fact it really doesn’t mean you’ll get answers at all. But you never will know unless you ask, seek, and pursue. One thing that stood out to me about Wendy Blight’s story is that she did ask God why, but she also chose to pursue God for answers. She decided that she needed to find a different lens to see her circumstances. Her lens was too painful and did not and would never provide the answers she needed to move on and live life. She didn’t just sit and wait. She took action with the most powerful One there is. She pursued God. She took action. I want to invite and encourage you to follow her example.

I also want to invite you to interact on Melissa’s blog or the Online Bible Studies Facebook Page. There is a great community of women there, ready to be your friend, ready to encourage you, and ready to listen to you. Interact. We’ve already seen some pretty amazing things taking place within our group so far. I want to hear from all of you!!!!! You are a valued and important part of this group. :)

You may want to print the rest of this post for Week 2 Assignments.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday- Read over Week 2 assignments. Make sure your work space and Bible study materials are ready for the week. Read and pray through Wendy Blight’s prayer posted in this post. Stop by her blog orFacebook page and thank her for having the courage to write Hidden Joy. If it’s already made a difference in your life, let her know that! She will praise God about it for sure!

Monday- Read Chapter 2. Highlight anything that stands out. When a Bible verse is mentioned, highlight it in your book or make a note of it in your notebook.

Tuesday- Go back through Chapter 2. Look up the Bible verses in your own Bible. Underline them and make notes beside them. Example, in my Bible I record the date and the initials HJ. This reminds me of when I read the verse and what I was studying and why. Next time you run across these verses in your Bible you’ll remember what God was doing in your life through His Word at the time. Select a few verses you want to meditate on or post where you can see them. What verses speak to you where you are? Visit Melissa’s blog or the Online Bible Studies Facebook Page and share them. Also visit Melissa’s blog to get up close and personal with our sweet awesome counselor for this study, Stephanie Clayton! She’s one of the first guests on our Conference Calls (that begin next Monday) and someone I want you to know!

Wednesday- Complete #1, #2, #3, and #4 in the Bible study section of Chapter 2 on p. 180. Record your answers in your notebook. Is there anything you’d like to share with the group? Then do it! Did God’s Word speak to you today?

Thursday- Complete #5, #6, #7, and #8 in the Bible study section of Chapter 2 on p. 180-181. Record your answers in your notebook. Share anything you want to share or discuss on the blog or FB page. I’d really love to hear your answers to #6 and #7 if you care to share

Friday- Read and pray the prayer on p. 181. This prayer states over and over Who God is and what He does. I know we need all aspects of God, but which One do you need the most right now? (for example, for me it’s “the One who brings peace in the storm”) Visit the blog for the Friday Vlog and to visit with your sisters a while.

Saturday- Catch up if you need to on this week’s study. I realize some of you are just now receiving your books. Please don’t rush to catch up. I suggest you read Chapter 1 one day, complete the Chapter 1 Bible study questions one day, Read Chapter 2 one day, and complete the Chapter 2 Bible studies questions one day. You can catch up. We are moving slow. I will not have a blog post today, it is my day of rest. I’m probably out by the pool, reading a book, napping (hahaha I wish), or laughing with my kids right now. (Hubby is out of town on a beach trip with his high school buds this weekend….Miss you Jeff!) Hope y’all are having a great weekend!