Lesson Seven: Who Am I?

"Who Am I?" That's the question Moses throws to God and is the focus of Lesson Seven of the "I Am Bible Study" series.

Key Verse:Exodus 3:11
"But Moses said to God, 'Who am I, that I should to to Pharaoh and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?'"

God is asking no less of us today than to believe He is sufficient to accomplish any and everything He could ever ask of us. He doesn't choose us because we are qualified, but because He wants to trust us with His Wonders. The thing about Wonders is that they aren't very wonderful if they do not originate from the ordinary.

1. How would you answer the questions, "Who Am I?"

I am a child of God, His wonderful workmanship created for good works. Most of the time, I'm am mommy! :-)

2. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt inadequate because of your lack of a 'tagline'?

I've felt inadequate lots and lots of times but it's seldom because I feel a lack of a 'tagline'.

3. Do you have skills or position that you believe God could use mightily if only He would?

I believe I've God given talents and also skills I've picked up in life that God can use and for all I know He IS using. I believe He uses us in everyday little ways even when we are not aware. But yeah, if He would He could also use them Mightily!

4. Have you ever lost a position or station in life you believe could have 'helped God out' with something He has asked you to do? If you haven't lost out, do you perhaps feel you have to gain this in order to be useful to the Kingdom?

At the moment I have to work on spending time with Him regularly. That's what I feel is "lacking" in my spiritual life.

5. How are you with your dialogue vs. doubt conversations with God? Which does God hear most from you?

Usually when I have issues, I begin with doubts, after a while I voice them to God and after an even longer while I finally dialogue with Him. That's kinda my pattern.

6. Do you believe God's Wonders become more wonderful if they originate in the ordinary? Any Scripture references come to mind?

Yes. Eph 3:20- Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...

Lesson Six: West Side of The Wilderness

I've reached Lesson Six where Moses finally meets the burning bush and is commissioned by God.


I like what Lisa says in this lesson,
"our God is one of present-tense. There is no situation where you have ever been, are in now, or are going any time in your future where He will not prove Himself to be a current solution... God's eyes are ever on you, even in the west side of the wilderness and for everything you are not - He IS. He can and will redeem a life not lived for Him and use it for His present glory but just like Moses, sometimes that calls for a cleansing."

1. How current is your God? Is he up to date on all your issues or do you have old hurts you still hold behind your back?
HE is current on all issues that are known to me past and present. But I bet there's at least one that I'm not aware of and is affecting me. I'm praying for God to reveal.

2. Has the enemy ever told you there are situations that are 'old news' that are better left stuffed down? Or perhaps because they were so long ago they can't possibly be affecting you now?
Yes. Good thing is I'm an emotional person and when my emotions are affected I pray and God reveals after a while and I surrender. I truly believe in God's inner healing and that we need it.

3. In the matter of established authority, does God truly reign in your life? Where are you when He calls your name?
In my heart He does. My problem is discipline and dwelling in His Word and working out my faith. When He calls even though I may resist at first (and for goodness knows how long) but ultimately I'll say yes, at least I hope I will. He's my God.

4. Do you ever feel God has forgotten you in your 'west side of the wilderness'?
Yes. I talked about this in the last lesson.

5. Have you ever experienced a time of cleansing where God has illuminated and rejuvenated you? If not, do you find you are in need of this now?
Yes I've experienced it. Not sure if I DON'T need it now again.

A New Journey

Read more about the progress of my NLIP (Not Like I Planned) at my main blog - click here to get there.

Lesson 5: I Am - 'Your Am Nots'

Hi, I'm back again! Today I move on to Lesson 5 of the I Am bible study titled "I Am - Your Am Nots". Isn't that a great title? I love it. Praise God for He is able and more than willing to be our am-nots.

1. Have you ever found yourself 'in faith' yet bewildered or demoralized?
Yes, most recently I went through this just last year wondering what happened to my faith. I was too busy, stressed and tired after the birth of my second child. Managing a newborn and a toddler was too exhausting. When things got better/managable I was still feeling low and demoralized wondering if it was a mistake to stay home and take care of my kids. It didn't help that number one was throwing major tantrums and began waking up in the middle of the night. I felt like a "failed" mommy and a "failed" child of God as I wasn't walking with Him. I hardly prayed and when I did it was "Help me God" kind of thing. Yet I knew He was still watching over me but I felt far from Him.

2. Do you consider yourself content? Would you describe it as Decidedly Content or Dreamily Content?
Decidedly content but by grace of God moving a little towards Dreamily Content.

3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling?
N.A. at the moment. Wow, that's how far I've come this year. I started this year praying for God to help me love Him again (like I once used to).

4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by?
Hmm... I can look back to a period where my faith was really strong. I loved God so much and was just living in His grace daily. I was literally basking in Him and I saw things so differently. That was when I first REALLY knew what it meant to accept His love. That was "the" height of my Christian walk but I can't really say I missed a great opportunity then because I took many steps of faith in serving Him then. I'm saddened that I'm not as zealous but I do believe I'm in a different season and a different place.

5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now?
Yes. Read the above.

6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of "I Was"?
Yes, after reading Moses and going through this bible study I'm reminded that with Him all things work for good (Rom 8:28).

P/S: I actually only posted this today - 30 Aug 2007 but for some strange reason the date above says otherwise. Perhaps it's because I tried to writing this on 11th but stopped and saved it as a draft then and only came back to it today. ANYway... just for the record.

"When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned" Part 2

God's timing is really amazing. I'm actually more than 2 months behind in this online bible study simply because I've only just found it. BUT the timing in which I do each lesson is just perfect. The exact word I need to hear at the exact time. How wonderful is God?

(Click on icon to go to Lesson 4: When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned, Part 2)

My latest NLIP (Not Like I Planned) is having to bring my four year old son to a speech therapist for evaluation. A few weeks ago we met his nursery teacher and she recommended this course of action. We've noticed his delay and was concerned a while ago but decided to wait and see especially since he has shown marked improvements in the last 2 months. So to hear it formally from his class teacher was quite unexpected and a NLIP.

I was quite perturbed and disappointed. I'm afraid that my son may be labelled "different" and it scared me. I started wondering if he'd have a hard time in school and life in future. However in God's wonderful time I came across the verse 2 Cor 9:8 assuring me that God will provide me with all I need in every situation. Then this study to remind me to have faith in Him.

So the storm in me is calm now even as we'll be meeting the speech therapist in two days time. I'll probably post about the session on my main blog. So go there to check out the outcome at the end of this week.

'When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned' Part 1

It's lesson time for me again - Lesson 3 - "When Life Doesn't Work Out Like You Planned" Part 1.



It was stated in the Lesson that God has made you "once, twice, three times a lady." Where are you in this progression? Obviously we have all been physically born, but are you 'twice a lady'? Have you been born again spiritually?
Yes I have born again spiritually. I accepted Christ at 13 years of age a LONG time ago! Straight away I was a fervent Christian but I think along the way I had misconceptions of God's love. I had a more legalistic view and without knowing was striving to merit His love and acceptance by works. It was only in when I was 21 that I finally understood the meaning of God's grace and accepting His unconditional love. I went through some personal wilderness, was a mild case of "prodigal daughter" before I came to that realisation.

Are you three times a lady? Has God given you a stirring deep within your Spirit to be a 'deliverer'? Do you have a desire or are you already meeting a need in the life of the church, a particular ministry (such as jail ministry, food ministry, etc.) or perhaps individuals who share common issues?
I can't quite answer this just yet. It seems that God is stirring something in me very very recently esp since I started this bible study and reading some devotional material. I have vague impressions here and there but need more time to know. Just like Moses had that stirring at 40, I feel that God is only starting to stir me now and very much through this bible study. I believe He led me here.

Do you ever get tired of waiting for that opportunity to do something
worthwhile for God? Do you ever feel God is using someone else instead of you?
Yes for a while now. But that is changing, this bible study has renewed my spirit and I'm singing "I have a destiny I know I shall fulfill. I have a destiny in that city on a hill. I have a destiny. It's not an empty wish for I know I was born for such a time as this."

What do you consider 'worthwhile ministry'? Are you like me and sometimes find yourself mistakenly thinking it has to be Big to be Important?
I'm very like you and have to keep reminding myself otherwise.

Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If yes, what are yours? If no, here's a good one from Ephesians 4 Ministry. Will you take it and come back with a response?
I took the test at Ephesians 4 Ministry and apparently my no.1 dominant gift is showing mercy and no.2 is pastoring/sheperding.

Beautiful To God

Here I am back again doing the "I AM" online bible study. Today I move on to Lesson 2: Beautiful To God.

The scriptures leapt out at me. It's so beautiful and nourishing to read
"For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation." Psalm 149:4



What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?
It depends on when and by whom. If it's coming from someone close it lifts my spirits and kinda jolt me into thinking, "yeah, I'm not as bad as I think I am." But on BAD days when I feel terribly guilty about something I've done, I'd think, "yah right!"

Do you find you engage in a lot of negative 'self-talk'? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?
Again I'd do it if I feel guilty about something I've done. Just yesterday I felt so guilty about losing my temper with my little girl when I was having such a hard time feeding her. I kept thinking, "oh, I'm a terrible mom." Yeah, I know it's not right and it's only by praying, asking God to forgive me and accepting His forgiveness that I can forgive myself. It's something I've to work at time and again.

Has it ever occurred to you that you are a City Girl? How do you plan to use this knowledge?
City Girl conjures a whole different image for me as compared to the one described in the study as "high-born daughters of the King and when people look at us they are to see peace and joy in our countenance in such a measure they will say, "Wow, she isn't from around here is she? That, girls, is the kind of gorgeous we are after". It's been my resolution this year to live in the presence of God. I know that it's only by keeping close to Him then can I shine the peace and joy that comes from within. I've been there before but have let the busyness of life pull me away. So I'm taking baby steps to try and dwell in His presence daily. Unfortunately self discipline is one virtue I sorely lack!

In what ways has your view of Godly beauty changed as a result of these Scriptures?
It's reminded me not to be too caught up with the worldly standards, i.e. not to be obsessed with my weight, body, face, etc. I don't have to be "perfect" or strive to be "perfect". In God's eyes I'm beautiful. I think I need to say it again to let it sink in... In God's eyes I'm beautiful.