It’s our last day of week five with Priscilla Shirer, reading One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. Our focus of the lesson is moving on from grief, so we can go forward in the journey of promised land living. God wants to do something new for us, and can only do so when we leave the sackcloth behind and move on. There is an excellent chart to fill out on page 125 of your workbook, as you record the specifics of your loss, how you grieved, actions you need to stop and hindrances to your progress. I hope you found time to do this exercise, reflecting on your answers.

We learn in the lesson that our journey requires “we leave behind the familiar and embrace the new,” as written by Priscilla Shirer. She uses the example of the death of Moses, who lived to the age of 120, leading God’s people and earning their trust. A new leader would arise for the remainder of the journey. Maybe you’ve experienced a similarity in your job, when a favorite boss retires, and you’re anticipating the new replacement for your leader. Or like Priscilla, you’ve entered motherhood and are adjusting to the transition. Or possibly you care for an ill child, knowing that life changes are necessary in order to care for her. Many are unaware of the grief and loss associated with these seemingly innocent transitions. It takes a loving God to reveal the loss to us through the Spirit, and then to help us heal and move on in the journey to abundant living. A favorite Priscilla Shirer quote from today’s lesson is “Grief comes in seasons. Don’t allow it to define your life.”

Prayer Requests

We pray that our hearts will heal from any grief and loss, so we can experience the joy of the promised land.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Grief comes in seasons. Don’t allow it to define your life.
• Make a wise decision to stop the actions of mourning so that your heart can be encouraged and begin to heal.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

For His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NKJV

Group Discussion

Please complete the chart on page 125 of your workbook. Feel free to discuss anything you want to share about it.

Following Him,

We’re learning today about an invitation from God, as we read lesson four in the fifth week of  One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. Author Priscilla Shirer lists eight invitations from God at the top of page 119 in your workbook. Below this, she has listed resources (scripture verses) showing God’s invitation for you. During the exercise, we listed those things which you felt exempt from. As we continued in our study, we had an opportunity to learn that these invitations are always available to us. Sometimes, trough the work of Satan, the Father of Lies,we do not see the invitation from God, or we are convinced that the invitation does not apply to us.

The lesson today is a reminder to keep your eyes focused on God, reach for the invitation, and take part in the abundant life He offers you.

Prayer Requests

Dear Father, we are in awe of your invitation to the promised land, living an abundant life filled with your blessings. Open our eyes to the Satan’s attempts to distort our invitation, reveal to us the dark shadow that blinds us to Your word. We come to you God, in obedience and in love, accepting your gift in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• God’s invitation to eat at His table and live in His grace belongs to all who accept it.
• Satan blinds people’s minds so they can’t see the light of the gospel.
• Satan’s goal is to keep believers from fully recognizing all that their relationship with Christ can offer them.
• God doesn’t revoke invitations to a dynamic relationship with Himself.
• Whether you have a tainted life like Rahab or have wandered from the Father like the prodigal son, God still offers you full access to the abundant life.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

As you read over what I have written to you, you’ll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God’s Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board. Ephesians 3:6 Message

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Group Discussion

What changes do you need to make in order to accept God’s invitation for you?

Following Him,

We begin our lesson today with a story of window shopping, as a metaphor of seeing something we may not necessarily have. We’re on chapter five and day three of One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. As we follow the wilderness journey we can almost picture Moses in his long coat, standing on the tallest mountain and looking at the magnificent view prepared for him by the Lord. He was viewing the Promised Land and all its glory.

In our lesson, we are encouraged by author Priscilla Shirer to enhance our vision, praying specifically for “a view of the breadth and height of the abundant life God has for me.” Let’s make this our prayer today, and everyday of our lives.

Prayer Requests

Father, you bless us with Your presence today, as we come to you with open hearts ready to listen and study your word. We pray to fully see the breadth and height of the abundant life God which you have created for us. Fill our hearts with knowledge of the JOY you have planned for us, the unlimited LOVE you have for us and the eternal HOPE you give us. We praise you for being the creator of all things, and the author of our promised land. Amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Lack of faith stops the believer’s journey with God at the edge of the promised land.
• If I want to experience all that God has for me, then obedience is the key.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms Ephesians 1:17-20 NIV

Group Discussion

On page 117 of the workbook, Priscilla suggests that we conclude the lesson by personalizing Ephesians 1:17-20 as a prayer. Click on the link to translate the verse into your favorite Bible version, and then write out your prayer.

Following Him,

Moving forward in the journey to the promised land, we read in chapter five about obstacles in the path of destiny. When we  read One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land we learn that Satan will make attempts to thwart our progress and his most valued resource is our complacency. In our workbook on page 112, Priscilla Shirer has listed some scripture verses to be used as defensive weapons against the enemy’s attacks. Hopefully you took time to write these on a note card, or print them from BibleGateway.com and keep a copy for handy reference.

Joyce Meyer once said, “when you accept Christ Jesus as your Savior, you already have victory over the Devil.” Remember these important words, because when confronted with a spiritual attack, we may withdraw in fear and try to hide. Your power over Satan is the Word of God and your knowledge of it. Study your bible, and never put it down! Like Moses, we need the continuous presence of God in our lives in order to fight the flaming arrows. Complacency is not going to win the battle.

Another strategical error is running ahead of God, not listening for His direction, and taking things into our own hands. A quick glance at one of those bumper stickers reading “Never drive faster than your angel can fly” should give you a good perspective-SLOW down! Listen for His voice and direction and if you are uncertain, wait and be still. God will answer in His intimacy with your.

Prayer Requests

How blessed we are Father, to have the Word in our hands and the ability to read and understand it. We are armed for battle, wearing your shield of faith and standing firm in praise for You. If we need to adjust our battle gear, reveal it to us. If we need to remove excess baggage, reveal that to us. If we need to polish our armor, then let us know. We desire to fight in Your name, with Your word and with our faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• Our enemy the Devil hates Christians who intend to enter a new territory with God.
• We cannot allow complacency or a false sense of security to numb us to Satan’s advances.
• I became more focused on the journey than the One who called me to it.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Group Discussion

Is there a scripture verse that is your favorite for standing up to a spiritual attack? Please share it with us.

Following Him,

We’re catching up  with Priscilla Shirer, reading week five of One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. If you’ve been listening to Audio Session Five of the study, then you heard Priscilla say “I want to be a magnet that draws down the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.” This week of study is specifically about breaking barriers as we find our destiny in our wilderness journey. In today’s lesson we learn that it’s time to turn, change direction with a new course, and go forward. The Israelites are breaking camp and moving in a new direction of their journey. They’re finally moving towards the Promised Land, after camping for 38 years and waiting for direction from God.

Imagine the life changes that occurred during those 38 years, as children were born, elderly were buried, marriages made and a cultural identity was created under the leadership of Moses. They are now ready to leave the comforts of their home, and move onward in their journey.

Prayer Requests

Father, we come together in unity as you teach us about changing our course and charting a plan for our journey. Speak to each of us, in a way that we can hear and listen to the Spirit. Give us wisdom to know your direction for our lives. Keep us centered on You and Your presence. May we find fullness in your love, wisdom in your words, and grace in your presence. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Priscilla Shirer Quotes

• When our souls begin to stir and the Holy Spirit begins gently nudging us to turn, set a new journey, and go, we can know that God is moving us in a new palce in our relationship with Him.

Today’s Scripture Verses (NASB)

“The LORD our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. ‘Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negev and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. Deut 1:6-7

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Group Discussion

Are you at turning point, and if so, have you charted a plan of action based upon God’s will for you? Please share your story.

Following Him,