Duty or Delight? Week 3

Knowing God has Promised Us!

Six promises to recieve and stand on this week.

1. God is our faithfulness. How certain is God's promised of the new covenant?  As certain as He holds the world together. God knows we're a mess, this is exactly why He steps forward and says: I know you can't; that's why I will.

2. God is our transformation.

God Himself said, I will step forward and rescue my people. Our desire to love God will never compare with His desire to love us. This is my favoritest verse ever.... and speaks volumes into my life.

3. God is our protection, Always.

What I love about the Lord is that He never uncovers an area without having a gracious plan to do something about it.

4. God is our Rock.

In Psalm 86:11 the psalmist makes to specific requests:

for the Lord to teach him His ways and to recieve an undivided heart.

We must come out of hiding so we may be caught in His magnificent, heart-arresting and transforming love.

5. God is our Counselor

God never asks us to do something that isn't for our own good.

6. God is Our Inheritance and We are His.

He has promised to inspire us toward following Him, but we must mix His inspiration with active faith.  We can always know where we stand with God. We know He bids us come and seize Him.  He is our Inheritance!

Here is the link to Session Three from Lifeway. Enjoy! ~Melanie

Duty or Delight - by Tammie Head - Lifeway Christian Resources

Duty or Delight? Week 2

Welcome to week two girls! Knowing God has Redeemed Us!

Leaping from duty to delight requires understanding; not only has God chosen us, but He has redeemed us. Building scripture for this week: I am Redeemed. "We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8

In John 6 we read that Jesus called Himself the 'Bread of Life'.

Meeting Spiritual needs as well as Physical.

Quotes: Think- it's time

it's time to allow Jesus to enter your life:

it's time we quit trying so hard.

it's time we relent of questioning God's motives.

it's time we identify with Jesus' sacrifices for us.

it's time we fully believe in Jesus' forgiveness.

it's time we renounce trying to surrender and just do it.

it's time we put an end to resisting God an begin resting in Him.

it's time we dump what we're not and reach for who God is.

it's time we plant our feet firmly on God's promises.

it's time you and I delight in God.

Maybe it's time we type this out and tape it to our mirrors to remind us:

it's time!

God has chosen us.

God has covered us with His blood and body.

God has lavished us with His acceptance.

God uses these three facts to break us free from cycles of guilt-driven performances.

He is not looking for perfection....Jesus has already been perfect for us.

Because of Jesus, we are covered in the grace of God forevermore. We can relax in His presence, enjoying acceptance, satisfaction, and ultimately delight. I pray this study is stepping you up further and to final delight with God.

Here is the link to Session Two from Lifeway. Enjoy! ~M

Duty or Delight - by Tammie Head - Lifeway Christian Resources



Duty or Delight? Week 1

I find the opening scripture to this study perfectly fitting.  Ephesians 1:4, to know that He chose me before the foundation of the world speaks volumes.  I pray it does to you as well, if not hang in there over the next few weeks and cherish all Jesus has in store for you.

"One thing is certain.  You're going to learn how to put your foot down and stop putting up with what you've been putting up with.  It's time for the condemnation to stop.  It's time for the guilt to stop.  It's time for all those false expectations to stop. It's time you enjoyed your God!"

-Tammie page 12

Our study takes us through four pitfalls this week.

1. our twisted theology

Phillipians 1:6 Jesus pursues us. He will bring the work he started in us to completion!

remember the old saying, not my timing, his perfect timing.  so hard to grasp at times.  but so rewarding in the close of that season and the journey with Jesus repeats to a new season.  Until the day of Christ Jesus.

2. our insecurity

Tammie refers to our scripture cards as 'confidence boosters'. Start working on memorizing number 1. Ephesians 1:4 {chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight}

how'd I do? :)

Let's relish on who the Lord is:

gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

good to all, everlasting, endures through all generations, trustworthy, faithful,

upholds all who fall, satisfy desires, near to all who call on him.

Psalm 145:8-9, 13-20 

3. our fear

Let us be fearless and confident knowing who we are in christ.

4. our shame

an old hymn, just as I am, really says it all on how truth will set us free from shame.

it's a long poem, but a good one, if you can stand just a bit more reading please read...

Just as I am

Just as I am - without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - though toss'd about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - Thy love unknown

Has broken every barrier down;

Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - of that free love

The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,

Here for a season, then above,

-O Lamb of God, I come!

Here is the link to session one by Tammie.

Enjoy, ~Melanie

Duty or Delight - by Tammie Head - Lifeway Christian Resources

DUTY or delight?

I can hardly type fast enough ...

So excited to begin another blog study with you. In preparation to facilitate this study, I have read the entire participant book front to back.  I can tell you without a doubt this will be a Soul gripping study that's gonna grip you to Jesus like never before. If you've been longing for a deeper relationship with God, this study is for you!



If you are able to come in person Sunday morning then I will see you there, if not, I hope that you will follow along here online Sunday evenings.

You can order the book from the lifeway website or your local lifeway store.

Here's a sneak peek of what we'll be discussing.....

God is not looking for us to perform for Him, He's looking for us to delight in Him. Many of us hit invisible barriers when we seek the Lord with questions like:

Is God happy with me?

Does He really love me?

Am I doing enough?

Why do I feel guilty all the time?

Why can't I seem to grow more spiritually?

Join us on a journey to overcome spiritual insecurity using six foundational truths from

Ephesians 1:3-23. You will discover the beautiful news that God has

{chosen you for a deep, soul-satisfying relationship!}

He also constantly supplies everything you need to know Him this way.

Watch the Introduction Session by Tammie.

Every week I will leave the link to the short videos.

Enjoy. ~Melanie