Welcome back to online bible study as we finish our study of Duty or Delight by Tammie Head. We ended the study with a bang…as Tammie confronts the truth behind spiritual warfare and encourages us to claim our victory. It is a delight knowing God has secured our victory and all we need to do is equip ourselves for the battle. Tammie writes “If you’re getting more serious about following Jesus Christ, then Satan is more serious about watching your every move.” When this happens to you, do not run in fear or fall to temptation…look UP…and know that God is near. The fact that Satan is now interested in your heart shows how valuable you’ve become to God’s heart. When we recognize it and have the tools Tammie mentions to overcome it…God continues to open more doors and a deeper relationship with Him. Spiritual warfare means you’re treading on the enemy ground and he dislikes you, especially when Jesus is revealed in you. Rebuke the devil with scripture, claim your spiritual territory and do not fear the enemy. Know when he’s present and know how to shorten the duration of his lies, temptations and other tactics. If you don’t know what they are, you will not know how to fight them. “Our job is to prayerfully live from our new identities by standing secure in Christ,” writes Tammie. Be sure to print a copy of page 150 and read your rights until you have them memorized.

On page 133 in the book Tammie recommends three books on spiritual warfare. We’ve studied The Invisible War by Chip Ingram here at the Womens Bible Cafe and it was a very powerful study. Our new study by Beth Moore called When Godly People Do Ungodly Things is an in-depth look at enemy schemes: how they affect our past and present lives, and how to protect ourselves against future attacks. I highly recommend it and hope you’ll join us in another six-week online bible study.

Prayer Requests

Visit the Prayer Wall and post a prayer request or a praise report. We look forward to lifting your name up to the Lord in prayer.

Tammie Head Quotes

• Spiritual warfare isn’t a metaphor; it’s a reality.
• Satan cannot attack us without permission.
• The Devil is furious that his time is short.
• We cannot truly resist Satan if our walk doesn’t match our talk.
• The shield of faith completely snuffs out the fire of the enemy.

For Next Week

• Join our new online bible studies starting Aug 29, 2011

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. How do you know when the Devil is attacking you? (page 137 )
2. What do you do when you’re feeling attacked? (page 138 )
3. How is your relationship moving from duty to delight with God?
4. Would you recommend this bible study to a friend? Why or why not?

We’ve just finished week five of Duty or Delight by Tammie Head, and next week is our final lesson in this workbook. I pray you are growing in faith as you complete your study. Stay the course and never let the enemy pull you off the path of God’s will.

This week we paid attention to God’s command to love. Tammie shared her personal story of unloving people and people who hurt, then encouraged us to break through the walls of self-protection and follow the path of Jesus. In Him, we learn to forgive those who hurt us and to embrace the greatest commandment of all: Love one another. In Him, we learn to release sin-shame and hurtful pasts, so we can embrace the King of Kings with godliness and a pure heart. You’ll miss the Kingdom blessings and purest of love when your eyes are focused on the past. Let go and let God become the center of your life. With God as the center of your heart, love flows through your brain and in your words and actions. As a Daughter of the King, it is your inheritance to live loved and to share His love with others.

It is critical for you to walk in forgiveness and freedom as a child of God. Tammie writes “Forgiveness means we are free from the cage of our wounds and pain.” If you continue to walk by pain, you miss the blessings and spiritual gifts the Lord wants to bestow upon you. You may have forgiven someone for hurt and abuse, however you must also forgive yourself. Dig deep and look for any resentment or unforgiveness you harbor against self. Stop walking in cages of your past and start walking as a child freed with the blood of Jesus. Walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor 5:7 NKJV

Our next online bible study called When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore addresses how Satan uses the past to hinder your present. If you struggle with unforgiveness, please join us in this life-changing study.

Prayer Requests

Please visit our Prayer Wall and post a praise report or prayer request. Take time this week to pray for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you if you are loving others as Jesus would do.

Tammie Head Quotes

• God set my entire life (heart, soul, mind, strength) ablaze with His love.
• The greatest disaster to our faith is making Christianity about rules instead of relationship.
• God created us for utmost dependence.
• We are ministers of each others aloneness.
• Only God should occupy the throne of our hearts.

For Next Week

• Read Week Six in the workbook
• Watch the Duty or Delight Videos (Look under Support Materials at bottom of page)
• Join our Womens Bible Cafe Chat on Facebook
• Register for one of the three online bibles studies starting on August 29

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. In our study with Tammie we’ve learned: God chose me, God redeemed me, God fills me with the Holy Spirit, and God prunes me. Which of these speaks to your heart the most and why? (page 110 )
2. How can you love a difficult person the way God requires? (page 120 )
3. What is the difference between biblical love and earthly love? (page 128 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s study.

Welcome back to summer online bible study as we discuss week four from Duty or Delight by Tammie Head. During our week long bible study, we read about repentance, pruning,  and sowing to please and the Holy Spirit. Tammie really dug deep into our hearts as we examined scripture verses and applied them to our present lives. This chapter was filled with so many great thoughts, I hope anyone who is thinking about doing this study at church or alone, will order a copy of the book. It’s that good!

On page 98 in the workbook, Tammie Head reminds us of these truths:

• Sin resists, but repentance yields.
• Sin numbs, but repentance wakes.
• Sin separates, but repentance restores.
• Sin turns, but repentance faces.
• Sin is duty, but repentance is delight.

If you are not already standing in these truths, get connected with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead you. Set yourself apart from a life of sin and shame and regret and guilt, by embracing the love of Jesus from arms stretched across a wooden cross. Read the Consecration Prayer authored by Tammie Head on page 101-102 of your workbook. Better yet, print the prayer and make reading it a daily practice. Allow today to be the proper time for God’s correction, and His resulting beauty to be revealed in a harvest of spiritual fruit. Tammie writes “Repentance isn’t ‘I’m sorry, I got caught.’ It’s a ‘I’m totally undone here. Please, Lord, forgive me, wash me and make me new.’ “

If you are a new believer and Tammie’s words have inspired a change inside you as you feel pulled into the arms of a loving Christ, get connected. Contact your pastor, local church, Christian counselor or even a Christian friend and begin a discussion about what you are learning and where God is leading you. Grab onto the power of the Holy Spirit…and let Him direct your steps (Psalm119:133) through the narrow gate.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matt 7:14 NIV

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall is a place where you can post a prayer or praise report. Please visit the page and while you are there take a moment and send up prayers for someone else in need.

Tammie Head Quotes

• If we stay in tune with the Spirit, He will lead us in every way.
• Pruning narrows our focus and strengthens the quality of our fruit.
• Repentance destroys the devil’s work
• Sin never gets better. You can’t manage it, wish it away, or pretend its not there.
• The devil loves to upsize our problems and downsize our God.
• If we live lives that please God’s Spirit, then He shares more of His life with us.
• Nowhere does the bible promise us health, wealth and pain-free living.

For Next Week

• Read Week Five in the workbook
• Watch the Duty or Delight Videos (Look under Support Materials at bottom of page)
• Join our new bible studies which are begin in August 29, 2011

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Describe a time when you wish you had relied more on the Holy Spirit for leadership. (page 86 )
2. What might be classified as weight that is not necessarily a sin? (page 104 )
3. Think of a painful time when you saw God’s peace and righteousness in the midst of hardship. What did you learn? (page 105 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s study.

Welcome back to our summer bible study. We’re reading Duty or Delight by Tammie Head, and just finished week three, so we’re halfway through this study. Are you amazed at how fast the study is going? I as touched by your comments to the discussion questions last week. Your transparency inspires and leads others. While just a few are posting the answers, many are reading them!

Our third week of study is a look at God’s promises and when I saw the list of six promises we’ll receive and stand on, I just had to print them onto an index card to memorize them. The list reminds me to LOOK UP at God’s promises- instead of looking across with a worldview. When I LOOK UP I depend on God for answers, and I’m no longer asking my friends, husband or my mother for their advice. The answers are from Him and the promises He places inside my heart. Because I am a Daughter of the King, I claim His promises. I pray, God answers. As Tammie says “God has given us a road map that steers us clear.”

When we stand on the promises of people rather than God, our navigation system can misdirect us. For instance, if I ask a friend for advice and my friend is cranky, tired or depressed- her advice is influenced by her emotions. She directs me based on her feelings.  When we rely on advice from self-help books, we may be directed to self-protect or self-promote, rather than seeking a faithful God or a protective Father. When we claim our inheritance as HIS- we stand on God’s promises.

Tammie reminds us “God declared ‘you cannot live up to My righteous requirements of obedience; but if you’ll trust Me, I’ll be your supply.’” Let God be your supply today, tomorrow, during the week and for the rest of your life! If you have not called Christ into your heart, please do so today. How we communicate and live our lives depends on our relationship with the Lord. “It all comes from the same heart,” writes Tammie. Do you carry stones in your heart, or the love of Jesus. Ask God to examine you.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV

The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them. Psalm 11:4 NIV

Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Psalm 26:2 NIV

In the back of the book on page 156, Tammie suggests an exercise for small groups. I encourage you to do this at home and then share your experience with us. Find a rock you can carry with you, and on it write an aspect of God’s character- one of His promises. Carry the rock as an act of faith in trusting God this week.

Prayer Requests

Please visit the Prayer Wall to post a prayer, pray for someone, or post a praise report. At the bottom of the wall is a link called “newer comments” to see the newest prayers.

Tammie Head Quotes

• Shame before God is not ours to bear.
• God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for surrendered people.
• Our sinfulness never took God by surprise.
• The Lord never uncovers an area without having a gracious plan to do something about it.
• When we rely on our own defenses, we reject God’s message of present protection.
• We choose spiritual laziness by hiding in the distractions of this world.

For Next Week

• Read Week Four in the workbook
• Watch the Duty or Delight Videos (Look under Support Materials at bottom of page)
• Join our Womens Bible Cafe Chat on Facebook

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Tammie says “When you ask Christ to come into your heart, He changes you from the inside out.” How does this change your view from seeing God as a duty to a delight? (page 65 )
2. How do you guard your heart from distractions, so you have time with the Lord? (page 75 )
3. How would your obedience change, if you viewed it as a way for God to love you more and reveal more of Himself to you? (page 78 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s study.

We’ve just finished week two of Duty or Delight by Tammie Head, and learned about our rights as God’s redeemed. On page 59 in the workbook Tammie lists three important rights. You may want to grab a 3×5 index card and write them down, then carry them with in in your wallet. Throughout your week, look at the three rights and remember them. Better yet, put a copy on your mirror and start your day reading them! Center yourself on God’s truth.

Tammie asked this question and then explained the difference between guilt and conviction.

People often ask me how they know when the difference between guilt and conviction and I refer to something Chip Ingram said in his book the Invisible War. He explained that guilt draws us away from God and conviction draws us near. It’s a good practice to ask yourself  “Is this thought bringing me closer to Jesus or making me pull away?” If you are still in doubt, pray and ask the Spirit for confirmation. You may see signs of conformation or signs to steer you away from a decision or action. “It is imperative that we keep God’s word in our mind and Satan’s lies out of it,” says Ingram. “You do not have to live where the condemnations of your heart take you.”

Tammie asked us to consider this important question: “What if we obeyed God not as a way to justify ourselves but purely as a way to bring God pleasure?” Give this some extra thought during the next week.

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall has changed and now you can post prayers or praise reports as comments to the page. Please visit the prayer wall and cover these men and women with prayers. Thank you.

Tammie Head Quotes

• When we are desperate, we become willing to listen to whatever God says.
• God considers the lapse of time between slavery and freedom critical.
• Sometimes life isn’t working because God is stirring a holy dissatisfaction.
• Every hunger begins and ends with the sufficiency of Christ.
• Eat more bread by consuming larger doses of God’s Word.
• The blood of Jesus covers us with the rich approval of God.
• Satan, the ultimate accuser, uses our feelings of guilt to distance us from God.

For Next Week

• Read Week Three in the workbook
• Watch the Duty or Delight Videos (Look under Support Materials at bottom of page)
• Join our Womens Bible Cafe Chat on Facebook

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Remember a season when God did not take you down an easier route. What lessons might you have missed if given a quicker and easier path? (page 41 )
2. Why do we seek approval even though we already have it from Jesus?
3. How do you feel about the massive rejection God set Himself up for? (page 49 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s study.

Welcome back to the Womens Bible Study cafe! We’ve just finished reading week one of Duty or Delight by Tammie Head.  Our study begins with Tammie saying “at one time spiritual performance gripped me so powerfully that God was more a duty than a delight.” Spiritual performance puts the focus on ourselves and we take our eyes off God. Rather than learning how to be perfect Christian women of faith, our focus is on how to be authentic women of faith. Chosen.

When I looked up the word “chosen” in the online dictionary, I found this meaning: one who is the object of choice or divine favor; an elect person (Source: Merriam-Webster.com) In Hebrew, the word also means acceptable, appoint, excellent. (source: BlueLetterBible.org) Knowing that we are chosen by God as His Daughters, here are some scripture verses for you to read. Read them aloud and where there is a blank line, insert your name:

• For I have chosen __________, so that she will direct her children and her household after her to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for ________ what he has promised her. Genesis 18:19 NIV
• The LORD your God has chosen _________ out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deut 7:6 NIV
• They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful follower ________.  Rev 17:14 NIV

Beloved, you are chosen by God. No matter your past, no matter your shame, no matter the stones that have fallen upon your back by those who judge you- you are chosen as the object of divine favor. Don’t let the enemy convince you otherwise. Claim your ground as the chosen Daughter of the King, adopted into God’s family. Remember this:

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;

rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” Romans 8:15 NIV

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8 NIV

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall has changed and now you can post prayers or praise reports as comments to the page. Please visit the prayer wall and cover these men and women with prayers. Thank you.

Tammie Head Quotes

• Spiritual performance can wear a person out.
• A faith that originates with us paves the way for a lack of spiritual rest.
• A deep understanding of grace relieves spiritual perfectionism.
• Satan is outwitting us by using insecurity against us.
• Satan’s goal is to keep believers too self-absorbed to read God’s Word and pray.
• How we see God directly impacts how we see ourselves.
• God is not looking for a cleaned-up version of us. He’s just looking for us.
• God desires to deliver us from hiding.
• Jesus did not die to make us good rule followers.
• Shame is the personal imprint sin has left on our souls.

For Next Week

• Read Week Two in the workbook
• Optional: Watch the Duty or Delight Videos (Look under Support Materials at bottom of page)
• Join our Womens Bible Cafe Chat on Facebook

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Where are you at in your life right now- recovering, refreshing, dismantling or reassembling? (page 13 )
2. Have you ever hidden from God?  If you feel comfortable, please share why you hid. (page 26 )
3. Which pitfall most often stands in your way- twisted theology, insecurity, fear or shame?
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s study.

Welcome to Summer bible study as we begin reading Duty or Delight- Knowing Where You Stand With God by Tammie Head. Our six-week womens bible study encourages us to delight in God by freeing ourselves from spiritual insecurities. The first three weeks of our study will focus on God’s pursuit of us and the last three weeks focus on our pursuit of Him. Please begin reading week one this week, and be sure to also read About the Author and the Introduction pages 4 through 9.

Each week there are five lessons in the Duty or Delight bible study. I found it a bit difficult to know where one lesson begins and the other one ends, because the days are not titled “day one, day two..” as other bible studies often are. Find a reading schedule that works best for you. For me, I read a few pages a day, five days a week.

The best way to stay on track and not fall behind is to wake up 30 minutes early each day. Get your hot coffee or tea, find a comfortable place to read and begin a  daily habit of spending your mornings with God. Put God first and begin your day in His Word. We know from past experience- those women who wait until lunchtime or evening to study the bible rarely finish the study. Life happens and it often interferes with bible study.

As you read your bible study, for six weeks you’ll put God first in your life. Your focus will be on Him at the start of your day. It’s interesting when we read in the morning, we’re often reminded of our lesson throughout our busy day. A verse or a phrase will simmer in your mind and then refreshes itself sometime in the day. For me, this is one of the greatest benefits of bible study and why I desire to share it with you as I lead the study.

Please pray for the 225+ women who are participating in the Summer bible study here at the Womens Bible Cafe. Pray specifically for the enemy to back off- and for each woman to grow in her individual faith journey.

We are having technical problems with the website (wordpress upgrade affected our site design) and hope to correct it soon. Pray our blog designer will find the time in her busy schedule to attend to our upgrade needs and for the process to flow without any major issues. For now, you need to click the category  link at the top of the page called “Duty or Delight“ in order to find the latest updates. When the site is updated, the updates will appear on the front page as they normally do.

We will “meet” here again next week and have a group discussion about what you read for week one. I am praying for each of you as you begin your Summer Bible Study!

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall has changed and now you can post prayers or praise reports as comments to the page. Please visit the prayer wall and cover these men and women with prayers. Thank you.

Homework for This Week

• Write a letter to God on the inside cover of your workbook. Tell Him where you are in your life right now, and where you hope He leads you during your 6-week bible study.
• Complete Week One  in your workbook.
• Watch the Free Video Sessions at Lifeway.com (the links are confusing and difficult to download, so this is optional)
• If you are on Facebook and want to have mid-week conversations with women in the group, join our private chat room
• If you want a photo next to your comments, visit the site Gravatar.com

Group Discussion- Please post a comment and answer these two questions

1. Characterize your life in this present season using ONE WORD.
2. Share a specific goal you have for being in this bible study.

By popular request, our Summer Online Womens Bible Study has returned! One of the books we’ll be reading during our six-week bible study is Duty or Delight: Knowing Where You Stand With God by Tammie Head. During this womens bible study, we’ll explore the six steps to take us from duty to delight in our relationship with God.  We’ll break down these steps into weekly sessions- Chosen, Redeemed, Promised, Supplied, Commanded, and Secured Victory. Each week we will focus on one of the six steps. In the back of the workbook you’ll find “Confidence Boosters” based on scripture and small cards to carry with you as you memorize a scripture truth each week. When our online bible study concludes in six weeks, you’ll have learned how to stop the spiritual insecurities and ignite your faith. Author Tammie Head assures us “You can stop living in guilt, confusion and duty. You can delight in the God who delights in you.”

Please join us once a week on Monday as we have an online discussion of Duty or Delight. You’ll read your workbook at home each day, answer the workbook questions, and then join us on Monday’s to participate in a group discussion. There is no set time for the discussions, just show up and participate! We recommend you register for the Womens Bible Cafe by email so you’ll know when the discussion has started.

We’re leading two bible studies this summer. You are welcome to participate in one study or both, the choice is yours.  Pray over your decision and see where the Lord leads you.

About the Duty or Delight Bible Study (from Lifeway.com)

You need to have a copy of the member book in order to participate in the study with us. We will start reading week one on July 11, 2011

How to Participate in the Duty or Delight Online Bible Study

• Read the Bible Cafe Getting Started Page
• Get a copy of Duty or Delight: Knowing Where You Stand With God
  
• Introduce yourself: Post a comment below with your name, where you are from, and answer to this question- What challenges you most in your walk of faith: guilt, confusion or duty?