Welcome to the Wilderness (Week 2 Review) & (Week 3 Session Guide)

Week Two: The Wilderness

The Lord often chooses a wilderness experience for us because His goal is to make us more dependent on Him. 

    The Isrealites, didn't get lost and get stuck in the wilderness, their GPS didn't malfunction.  God led them there, directing their steps according to His divine plan.  He wants to do that for us, as well. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 says "You may have had to suffer greif in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith --of greater worht than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proven genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor."   

We (I) often don't understand why the wilderness is so important (until we are through it).  Thankfully, God always listens to our questions, even though sometimes He dosen't respond to them in the way we'd like. Instead, He cups our faces tenderly in His hands and whispers, "Follow me."   

Isaiah 55:8 "For my Thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord.  God wants to take us on the paths that fosters a deeper relationship with Him.  He wants us to lay aside our determination to do life our way and follow Him.   The wilderness fosters humility and strengthens our commitment to obedience.  In His grace and love for His feeble children, the Lord showed His presence so that they could be certain He was with them on the journey.  He still wants to make Himself fully known to us and does so by working through what He has created. 

God Loves you and has not forgotten you. And He will never lead you into a place that will not work toward accomplishing  His purpose for you.  

What are some verses that bring you comfort?  Here are some our favorite scriptures that bring us comfort:

Habakkuk 3:18-19  Romans 8:26-28  Deuteronomy 31:8 Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 45:2-3 2 Peter 1:3-11

Week 3  (Experiencing God)

God is predictable in HIs character, but He is completely unpredictable in His activity. 

We are to:

BE FEARLESS 

 Philippians 4:6-7

BE STILL

Psalm 46:10

BE  WATCHFUL 

 (Open your eyes)

BE SILENT 

 (Be Quiet!)

The Isrealistes trusted God for their deliverence, but not their circumstances and that is evident in Exodus 14 as soon as they began to face a struggle they complained, they were afraid, and they wanted to turn back.  What they couldn't see was the the things that concerned them also concerned God. 

Abundant life, promised land living is not for tomorrow-- it is for today--watch for it.

Take delibert pauses and be aware of  God's activity in your life.  (He is active, Just ask Him to show you)

Praying you all will have an Amazing Week, Experiencing God!

Christina