I Second That Emotion ~ Session #11, 12, & 13
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Session #11 ~ Holy Post It Notes
Our Goal Today ~> To fall in love with God’s Word and the guidance he provides in its pages.
Page 82 ~ Have you ever read all 176 verses of Psalm 119? C’mon now, honestly? Every verse? If not, I dare you. In fact, I double dare you. Here’s why: those verse are like POST-IT note reminders for our zany emotions. But because it’s such a cotton-pickin’ long chapter, we’re tempted to start reading but not finish.
Page 83 ~ In its original Hebrew, Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic (you know I LOVE those), meaning its lines use each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. In addition to the clever, easy to remember structure, it is full of necessary reminders to keep us on the narrow path.
Six Ways God Speaks To Us Through His Word
1) “I would not be ashamed”, live so that you do not have to be ashamed (v6)
a. Page 83 ~ Shame is a dark cloak of human misery that dimishes all light (we talked about God’s light last week)
2) “That I might not sin”, steer clear of sin (v11)
3) “I may see wondrous things from Your law”, look for God to do wondrous things (v18)
a. Page 85 ~ Reading Scripture will help us get a grip on our geneology.
4) “For You shall enlarge my heart”, let God enlarge your heart (v32)
5) “I will walk at liberty”, walk in liberty (v45)
6) “This is my comfort in my affliction”, let God comfort you in affliction (v50)
a. Let Him speak life into you from His Words
God’s Word is our defense, our sword (Ephesians 6:17)
Page 88 ~ You see, when fear is dictating your actions, “bizarre” can become your norm. Imbalance becomes your scale. Survival drives you to the absurb. So Gideon and I…we be tribe mates.
Page 90 ~ God isn’t reasonable; in fact, often his ways are outrageous to our way of thinking. We’ll never figure out God; he doesn’t add up on paper. Not even a brilliant mathematician could get God to fit into a tidy column. He is not only deity but also holy mystery. He does, though, reveal parts of himself to us in Scripture, which is why we’re abmonished to search it diligently to be approved as one who need not be ashamed.
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Session #12 ~ Becky’s Bangles
Our Goal Today ~> To discover how God helps us untangle our zany emotions.
How to Add Sparkle to Your Life
1) Love the LORD
a. Page 95 ~ I have found that when I offer up to God the imbalances in my life and aplpy his principles, my eyes are opened. I begin to see (heart enlightenment) why he gives us scriptural guidelines and counsel. And as my desire for his ways grows, my capacity to love him increases.
b. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) ~ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
2) Care About Others
a. “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” ~ Napolean Hill
b. Page 97 ~ I’ve also learned the best therapy to help you over an emotional slump is to get up and do something for someone else.
c. Page 172 ~ Jesus said to take the same care and concern you have for yourself and apply it to everyone you encounter.
i. So what will you do when someone at work makes a mistake that affects you?
ii. So what will you do when someone you love misunderstands something you said?
d. 1 Peter 5:2 (NIV) ~ Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
3) Work Hard
a. Did you know that the word WORK is in the Bible (NIV version) 538 times?
b. Apparently WORK is important to God
c. Proverbs 31:17 (NIV) ~ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
4) Laugh a Lot
a. Page 99 ~ Honestly, I don’t think we can discuss emotions without having to hit the balance button again and again. I promise you thatin this topsy-turvy, inside outside world, we won’t be able to maintain balance, but it should always be our goal. And along the journey let’s take time to chortle every day (laugh). It will smooth out some of the bumps in the road and help others up steep inclines.
b. Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) ~ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
5) Never Give Up
a. “Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.” ~ Dave Berry
b. Romans 5:3 (NIV) ~ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
c. Page 100 ~ I don’t know what has your rubber band emotions in knots today, but I do know that God is still in the resurrection business. And while others may judge us, Christ waits with open arms to restore our dignity and guide us to a higher path. Never, ever give up!
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Session #13 ~ Emmaus Road
Our Goal Today ~> To see ourselves the way God sees us and to embrace the marvelous lives he has designed.
Page 101 ~ Promise me you’ll always remember: you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh
Page 101-102 ~ God made us gals emotionally wealthy, giving us the potential to be prosperous in our dispositions and institutions. We all have regrets, but we must learn to receive what Christ offers freely; forgiveness. And we must realize that Jesus redeems our failures for his divine purposes.
Read Jeremiah 29:4-14
Strategy For Dealing With Life’s Problems
1) God knows where you are (v4)
2) The problem isn’t a destination (v5-6)
3) You have something to do (v7-9)
4) God is faithful (v10-11)
5) God’s plan is for spiritual renewal (v12-14)
Page 102 ~ He will take our rubber band bundle and make sense of it. He will give us definition, he will guide us toward resolution, and he provides us the hope of a a divine destination. But it’s a process, so don’t be discouraged. It’s an Emmaus Road of ongoing revelation.
Page 102 ~ Pack up your rubber bands and follow the narrow road; it leads to the widest joy. Along the way, enjoy your rich emotional design.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) ~ 13″Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Page 174 ~ God doesn’t need you to be someone else. He already has people assigned to those tasks. He needs you to do what no one else can do – be YOU! Pray and thank God for using people like us to deliver his love to a doubting world.
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Thanks so much for participating in our weekly Book Study on Patsy Clairmont’s book, “I Second That Emotion”. We would love to continue to pray for you, send you information about other upcoming Book/Bible Study Groups, and our Praise & Coffee nights. Please make sure that we have your contact information so that you are in the loop as to what’s going on in the future.
Seeking JOY on the Journey,
