Oh, oh, oh…I am sooooooo excited about the book our Proverbs 31 Gather & Grow group will be studying this year: the Bible study “trilogy” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – “Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness”! As one of the girls in our group said, “We are a strange group of women indeed who would get excited about ‘brokenness’.” Well, the Bible does say we are a peculiar people. 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light…”
Just the words “Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness” leave me breathless (they are some serious, fruit-flowing postures of the heart!) and excited at the work the Lord will do in our lives as we yield our hearts to Him. May our hearts always be postured in humility and teachability toward Him. “… yield your hearts to the LORD…” Joshua 24:23
This study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss is rich and deep. I am so excited about it that I would like to give a gift to one of you of this Bible study trilogy. If you are desiring a rich and deep Bible study, please leave a comment (with contact information if you don’t have a Blogger Profile). The recipient of the gift will announced on Wednesday 9/9.
My heart’s passion is to encourage women to daily soak in His Word. Not because I have arrived in any way, but because I know my own need for Him and His Word every moment. I know His Word brings life. He arrived. He came. He has taken up residence and lavishes His grace, mercy and love on us. My motivation and heart’s joy in giving the gift of “Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss is that a precious soul would grow closer to the Lord through this Bible study trilogy. Have I mentioned that I am so excited?
Here is a small excerpt of Chapter 2 of “Brokenness”:
“Our idea of brokenness and God’s idea of brokenness are usually quite different. Some people think of brokenness as always being sad or gloomy. They assume it means having a downcast countenance. They imagine people who never smile or laugh. How could a broken person possibly be happy or at peace? In reality, brokenness brings a release, which produces a deep sense of joy and peace.
So, what is true brokenness? Someone has said that brokenness, like a fragrance, is easier to detect than to define. How is brokenness to be recognized in our lives?
Brokenness is not a feeling or an emotion. Rather, it requires a choice, an act of the will. True brokenness is an on-going, constant way of life. True brokenness is a lifestyle — a moment by moment lifestyle of agreeing with God about the true condition of my heart and life — not as everyone else thinks it is but as He knows it to be.
Brokenness is a shattering of my self-will–the absolute surrender of my will to the will of God. It is saying ‘Yes, Lord!’–no resistance, no chafing, no stubbornness–simply submitting myself to His direction and will in my life.
True brokenness is the breaking of my self-will, so that the life and spirit of the Lord Jesus may be released through me. It is my humble and obedient response to the conviction of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.
Brokenness is the stripping of my self-reliance…the softening of the soil of my heart. Believers with broken, contrite hearts are receptive and responsive to the Word. The broken, contrite heart is easily molded by the hand of God.”
Wow! Isn’t that beautiful? This small excerpt whets the appetite for more. This book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss puts you into God’s Word, the best place to be. Whoooeeee!
Visit Nancy Leigh DeMoss at: Revive Our Hearts
Learn more about Proverbs 31 “Forever 31 Gather & Grow” Groups by contacting Wendy Pope at: Proverbs 31 Gather & Grow
“I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.”
Psalm 119:16