Sunday and school

So I don't know if I mentioned it here, but I really enjoy my Sunday school teacher and the class. ;)
And I have been meaning to have a conversation with her-her brain holds some incredible thoughts that I would like to get to know a little better. :)
Today we got to class a little early and Vicki was waiting for us at the door.
She is bright an chipper.....and there is a sweet spirit surrounding her.
When I walked up she said, "Hey, one of my favorite people!" And I can tell you now that I looked back over my shoulder. :) And when I realized she was talking about me...it touched my heart.
This venturing in to a new section of the body of Christ has been a slow one.
Once bitten- twice cautious.....twice bitten-and you go forward with full body armor in place. And some of you know what I mean. ;)

I smiled and walked on into to class to get my seat.
I love this class. I can't tell you how much I have missed having others who want to dig deep.
Not having someone to talk to and listen to....it left such a hole in me....a void that could not be filled by books or religious programs on t.v.
Today in class we talked about Christians who have their tickets to heaven and don't want to be bothered with going on any further. They know what they know...and they will be glad to recite what they have memorized but that knowledge has never made it to their inner man by the working out of that knowledge.
And then she said it, "It is those types of Christians who end up hurting us and the reputation of the body of Christ. They live as they wish.....never letting Gods discipline change the person they are".
And so hearts that would be changed by listening to the voice of the Spirit......they go on as normal. And when the world looks at them......they don't see any difference between a "Christian" and non Christian.

Things happen in their lives and the inner man who has been hiding comes roaring out.....ripping apart all in the way. And more than likely if they are not taking correction from the Spirit......they won't care when when you offer correction. And many of us have broken hearts because of their hard hearts.

Bottom line.....they have never moved from Knowledge to High Belief.
High belief is what I am aiming for-what we as Christians should all be aiming for.
And be warned....High Belief will not come easy.

You get to high belief by way of experience....example....Job. History with the Trinity working this thing out- that is what moves us forward. And just like Job.....you to have the opportunity to stop at WHY? and then live in anger and bitterness. But God wants to give us all of Him....that is why we got the HOLY SPIRIT.
No, the way is not always that hard......but it will not be easy. He was sent to be our guide, comforter and teacher.

Here is our assignment for the next week.
We are to look at where we think we fall in the following areas.

Holy Spirit Relationship

Relationship (salvaton-where we all must begin and can stay)

1. My identity comes from what I've accomplished for God.

2. It is enough that I know about God.

OR
Have you moved on to High Belief -proof of a walk and relationship with the Holy Spirit

Growing, Rooted relationship(with the Spirit in you)
3. My identity comes from what God has done through me.
4. It is crucial what I believe about God.

I can honestly say that I have worked my way from 2 to 4. What we believe shows up in our everyday life. You can know as much as you want about God....but until you have seen it in action-worked out.....it doesn't do you much good.
Kind of like writing the word gas on a piece of paper and putting it in the gas tank. ;)

What hit me was that I believe that God has been taking me this past year to a deeper level of number 3. Before we left Louisiana I was very involved in our little church. I lead our women's Bible study, taught children's church and occasionally I got the chance to teach Sunday school.
When my relationship with God was where it should be.....I felt good about doing these things. They became an evidence to me that God was pleased with me and He was blessing what I was doing. In other words He was proud that I had chosen to live for Him.
I took this responsibilty very seriously. And these experiences became who I was--for Him.
I knew that I could not do these things without His Spirit.......these things were proof that He was at work in my life.
They were my identity.

And then we left the churh and all acctivity as I knew it-stopped.
And for awhile it was o.k....I needed to rest and be refueled. I wanted to sit in a church and have someone minister to me.
But after awhile this teacher began to feel lost.....like I didn't know myself anymore.
I felt a rush to get involved with a church because I needed to start doing something again. If I was not a teacher for Him then who was I? And yes, I think I began to feel a tad worthless.
He was taking me on a journey. I knew that nothing of my past good came from me....it was all coming from Him. But, if He choose to sit me down for a while.....for a long while.....would I continue to feel worthless?
God has done a great work in my life in this area. I may not wear the title teacher.....but the things I see Him doing through me....they make me smile.
He is so tender in His teaching. He may have to provoke me to get me moving...but He always makes sure I learn if I have a hungry willing heart.

So where are you?
Yes, I would love to hear what you have to say. And if you have a different perspective...I would love to hear that too.

Love ya girl!