Beyond Myself

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

As I was mentally preparing for my first night of "Living Beyond Yourself" study today, I quickly blogged on the Complacency Challenge how my January calendar was a little overwhelming. I half jokingly asked prayer warriors to pray for that schedule but was quietly begging God to have someone take my request serious.
I'm now home from my first night of "Living Beyond Yourself," another Beth Moore study. As I hurried to get there (I was a few minutes late), I wondered if it would be worthwhile. I prayed that it would be relevant. I asked God to really use it in my life and to change me.
Uh huh.
I'm not even sure where to start when I tell you how excited I am about this study. Let me attempt to break it down.

Reason #1:
When the video started, Beth quickly went into saying how we were all there for a purpose. As I was thinking, "This better be good. It better be worth the one night a week commitment on my calender," Beth caught my attention by saying "This is on His calendar."
He ordained this meeting. He is happening. Right now. Right here. Right in the midst of that 'every day, except for two, is booked solid' calendar.

Reason #2:
Remember I questioned if it would be relevant? She answered, or rather asked, that too. Bullet point one on living:
1. The in-depth study of this biblical concept offers an affirmative answer to an important question: Is this relevant? It is! Could he have hit me upside the head anymore than that?

Yes. Yes He can....
Which brings me to
Reason #3:
If you've gotten an email from me lately, you've maybe noticed the signature automatically attached at the end.
"The same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead is alive in me." (ref. Ephesians 1:19-20)
I've looked at this the last week and contemplated changing it. I've wondered if it even resonates in the slightest with anyone that is on the receiving end of those emails. Or, even, if others read that and think I'm self-absorbed or boasting (I'm not) that there is power in me.
But there is power in me. His.

And if you know Him, it's in you too.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Acts 1:8
This is not a personal power. It's not boasting or saying we are powerful. It is bigger than that. It is better than that. It is His power. He is in us. He fills us with the power for things we would otherwise face powerless. We can do all and accomplish all through Him and with His power.

Through the infiltrating power of the Holy Spirit, I can...
DO things I COULDN'T
FEEL things I DIDN'T
KNOW things I WOULDN'T

God is God. He lives in me. and if you know Him, He lives in you.

Reason #4 is a prayer request that I'll keep in between me and God for right now. But guess what, He answered it. He answered it better than I could have imagined.

Isn't He great?

Lord, Thank You. Thank You for for ordaining this meeting with You. Thank You for always being here. No matter how full my calendar is, You are always here. Lord, I pray for myself and for each one of my dear friends that as we look at the calendar in 2010 that we make time for You. Lord, please fill our lives with more of You. Please help us to see You in every single appointment on our calendars. Thank You for living in us. Thank You for Your almighty power that those of us that know you have. Lord I also pray tonight for those that don't know You and feel so powerless right now. I pray that You will use me to reach them and to share You with them so that they may be filled to the full with Your power. Thank You, thank You, thank You Lord. Amen.

Blessings! -Heidi