Go Eat Popcorn

I can remember this like it was yesterday. In Junior High and High School, my Youth pastor would tell us to turn to a certain book in the Bible. Most of the time we were all flipping hundreds of pages in search of the particular book He was reading from. One Wednesday night during our Youth Bible Study, he said "Turn to the book of Ephesians. If you don't know where it is then GO EAT POPCORN. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians." Time and time again he used this phrase to teach us how to to get there quick! He had plenty of cute ways to teach us how to find books in the Bible quickly, but this was my favorite.

As our study in John finishes up, I am excited about starting a new study. I wasn't sure if I was going to do another but the Lord has showed me clearly that I must continue to use my blog for a powerful purpose. What is that purpose? I want women all over the world to be empowered by the Word of God. For the past year I have really experienced God in a whole new way. The only reason it happened was because I got in His Word. I read my Bible before but I mainly read devotions, Bible Study books or Christian books. All of it contained scripture but I wasn't really focusing on it. Then there was all the time I spent reading magazines that did nothing to bring me closer to Him. Instead I was taken in by the stories of Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson! Finally one day while I was hurting pretty bad over some things happening in the church I attended, God got a hold of me. The Holy Spirit spoke to me clearly! "Put down the magazines, the self help books, the Christians books, the Bible Studies. Read my WORD." And, I did.

Just as my Youth Pastor's GO EAT POPCORN trick has been something that has stuck with me through the years, so have these three books of the Bible. These books are the bookends in my life and have taught me so much about my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Galatians gives us the Fruit of the Spirit. Ephesians teaches about the purpose of our spiritual gifts, the importance of the body of Christ and how the marriage relationship is supposed to be. Philippians contains the world famous scripture used by Christians daily, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And what about joy in suffering? It's all there! All of these things we can read about in these short books.

I am excited for those of you that have never read any of these books in the Bible. These are some of my favorites and God speaks to me every single time I read them. There is power in the Word ladies, power! So next Wednesday if you are still needing some accountability and you are not sure what to read next, join me for three weeks as I read Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. I am praying that the Lord will bring more women to this blog that need a push into God's Word. If you have studied John with me and decide to do something on your own, it will not hurt my feelings. As long as you are in the Word daily, my mission is accomplished. This is not about ME. This is not about ME knowing more than you. For I am learning just like everyone else. As far as referring to this as a Bible Study, I no longer wish to do. I want the Lord to get all the credit! This is about being Women of the Word! So if you wish to be one of these Women reading along with me, give it all you got. Read, read, read! It's one chapter a day. Don't let yourself think "I don't have time to read." You do! You have to make it a priority, you have to make it a part of your day. Ladies, you can always read your Bible while sitting on the toilet or taking a bath. You can do this!

The Guidelines are the same as they were for the John Study. I want to hear about what the Lord reveals to you in the chapters so post it in the comments. Or if you wish to read but don't feel comfortable posting comments, just post "I read." This allows all of those that have committed to the reading, to remain accountable. If you wish to discuss theology or debate scriptures, please use your own blog site to do so. This is not about denomination, religion or what spiritual gifts you do or don't believe in. Please know that I don't mean that ugly either. I just never want this blog to turn into a forum for debate. Oh and if you wish to know my theological beliefs or thoughts on spiritual gifts, email me. I'm am open book! I think you know that by now!

So next Wednesday, May 24th, let's GO EAT POPCORN!

Love to my ladies! Wow, you bless me!

Amanda
farmorethanrubies@sbcglobal.net

Larry, I am so glad I got to talk to you today. You and Cindy invested in me and made a difference in my life. When I am down and out I can still hear you say, "Amanda you are a minister! God's plan for your life is so big, you just can't even imagine. He's gonna use you!" I was only fifteen years old and wondered how on Earth God could use me. You taught me to trust Jesus and go to Him with everything. You have such a legacy and someday in Heaven, there will be a LINE of people waiting to talk to you about how you changed their life. All the times I called you and Cindy while sitting in my closet crying about my life. You always gave me hope, you still do. I love you Larry and Cindy. I know you are proud of me! Thanks for the Go Eat Popcorn phrase, it worked!