Words to Grow On

January 21

Living Beyond Yourself

 (A Beth Moore Bible Study)

Ann L. Bennett,

Soldier (Member)

at

The Salvation Army

Seneca, SC

“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.” Galatians 5:22,23

May 2006, Look at God was posted on this website.  It was a story about how God wanted my attention and I wasn’t ready to listen and obey.  Learning to listen for God took time and a lot of prayer.  My women’s ministry circle at The Salvation Army in Flemington, NJ, elected to be a part of the above mentioned Bible Study.  Today I am so grateful for this choice and how God used this study to once again bring about change in my life … only this time I was ready to listen and accept God’s plan. 

Appearing in the last lesson at the end of a ten week journey was a summary written by the author, Beth Moore.  Word for word, this summary is my testimony.   

What a gift from God!  What a powerful change in lifestyle!  What amazing joy!

What a new feeling of gladness based on love, grace, promises

and the nearness of God that belongs to me as I live for Christ.

Living Beyond Yourself served as an instrument for me as I desire each day to live life as a Christian woman in today’s world.

Inside me I found a “miracle waiting to happen!”  Week after week unfamiliar emotions and actions surfaced as the Holy Spirit was doing a mighty work in my life. The Holy Spirit showed me areas of my life that need serious attention – that night I would surrender those concerns to the Lord at my bedside.

As each week came and went, I felt more at ease with who I really am.  As a Christian woman, my heart’s desire is a deeper relationship with the Lord.  To be what God truly wants me to be is the desire of my heart.

A major rise in my confidence level, a quietness of heart and mind (peace), a growing faith … I’m at an all-time high with Jesus!

Oh, did I forget to mention patience …God is hard at work in this area and I know God has all the patience He needs to work with me.   The first lesson was entitled, “Free at Last”: that’s truly how I feel now!

I thank God for His love and mercy; for His wisdom and desire to do what is best for His children.  My life is very different now … I see my children, grandson and extended family members almost every day.  Ken and I found a new church home where we are loved and accepted as part of the family of God at The Salvation Army in Seneca, SC.  I am so blessed.

Each day as I continue to walk with God, I trust Ken and I are in good hands.  While taking your daily walk, are you remembering to STOP, LOOK “and” LISTEN?