Finally Free Online Study - Week 1

Welcome to week 1 of our online study of Finally Free...Living Free & Loving Life by Kim Tabor.

What a great way to start the new year! We currently have 27 women (representing 16 states and 2 countries) signed up to study God's Word together!

Whether you are participating in the study or not, please know that I am glad to have you visit. Schedules are busy and I'm honored that you would spend a few minutes here with me.

Below is the suggested reading schedule for this week. Look for posts related to each week's reading toward the end of the week.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the study.

Have a great week!
In Christ,
Laura

Week 1: Jan. 6 - Jan. 12, 2013

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV

Monday/Tuesday – Read the Introduction “My Story.”

During the week –

*Consider this:

-What baggage from the past do you carry with you? Think about it throughout the week. You don’t have to tell anyone (or write it in the comments) so be honest with yourself.

-Are there behaviors (either known or not realized until now) continued because of the past?

*Journal your thoughts throughout the week. What from the introduction has stayed with you all week?

*Spend time in prayer…ask God to show you any lies the enemy is telling you, and ask Him to remind you of His Truth.

*Visit Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith

Isaiah 43:10 {Something to Think About}

"You are my servant.

You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,

and understand that I alone am God.

There is no other God—

there never has been, and there never will be."

Isaiah 43:10 NLT

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Jumping Tandem - The Sunday Community.

Starting Small

I’m excited to be starting the new year over at 5 Minutes for Faith today talking about goals and starting small. Will you join me there?

Here’s a bit of what you’ll find…

It’s the beginning of a new year…the time when many of us think of changes we want to make…big changes. 

We start out strong, energetic, and ready to make things happen. 

And then it gets harder. We get sick. Tired. The unexpected happens and throws us off course. We’re so busy that we don’t have the time or energy to figure out how to do things differently.

And we feel like giving up.

Before throwing in the towel, I invite you to back up for a moment and start again. But this time, start small.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin… Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Join me at 5 Minutes for Faith to continue reading my post…

What goals or changes are you hoping to accomplish this year?                                                                                                               

Let me encourage you…don’t be afraid to start small.

In Christ,

Laura

Here are a few resources for the new year:

The “Do What You Can” Plan…21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better by Holley Gerth

Research shows it takes 21 days to form new habits. Let Holley encourage you through 21 days of taking small steps to new changes.

Finally Free by KimTabor

Start your year with a 6-week online Bible study. There are no meetings to attend, and only one chapter to read per week.

One Word 2013

Join me and a community of others in ditching the list of resolutions, focusing, instead, on one word for the year.

Linking up with Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Fridays, and Spiritual Sundays.

My One Word 2013—Praise

Are you familiar with One Word 365? It’s a campaign to forget the New Year’s resolutions, choosing, instead, to focus on one word all year—intentionally keeping that focus in front of you every day.

It’s become quite a community of One Worders, sharing and encouraging each other along the journey.

2012 was my first step into the community. I chose the word Trust and it was a powerful year. (You can read about my year here: Trust—My One Word 2012.)

When I chose the word Trust for 2012, I also chose Hope for my One Word 2013.

That’s right, early in 2012, I chose my word for the following year. I like to plan ahead. (Don’t judge.)

So, early in December, I reflected on my year of Trust and I thought ahead to my next word—Hope.

Praise.

The word was in my head, but I hadn’t been thinking about it. It was as clear as if I said the word to you. Praise.

I had a feeling God was telling me something, but I didn’t do anything about it. I had my word planned. Hope. It’s a good word.

Days later, the same thing happened. Again, I knew, but ignored it anyway.

Have you ever sensed God trying to get your attention, but you chose to ignore it? Uh-huh, that was me. Until one morning while I drove to work…

As I drove, I complained and vented to God. I was frustrated and upset about a situation involving a particular person, and I wanted God to do something about it.

Praise.

Again? God, I’m not really in the mood for this right now.

Praise Me.

Huh?

And then it clicked.

Imagine a light bulb moment, complete with stunned face (although I didn’t actually look in the mirror) and the feeling as if everything froze for that brief instant.

Oh, I get it now, God!

Immediately, I thought of what a blessing it was that I could talk to God about what was bothering me. And I felt thankful I could do that. Thankful that He’s always there to talk to—no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

In that short drive to work, I let go of Hope as my One Word for 2013 and I embraced Praise.

What I’ve already realized is there is always a reason to praise God. I’m not saying praise for the terrible things we each have to endure in this life, but rather praise for who God is.

For His incredible, unimaginable, never-ending love He has for each and every one of us.

For the good He brings out of anything and everything.

For the way He draws us close by His side. And never lets us out of His sight.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 103:2 NLT

What’s your One Word for 2013?

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with One Word 365, Soli Deo Gloria, Only a Breath, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Home, The Weekend Brew, and Faith Barista Jam Thursdays.