I AM So You Don’t Have To Be Study Lesson One – Just In Time

I am so happy you have joined me for this blog Bible Study. Obviously anything I am able to present to you here will be greatly abbreviated for space and time’s sake, but I pray God will use these teachings as a reminder that there is but ONE God and that He is for you. It took many years for me to finally embrace the fact God was working all the details in my life towards peace, rest and wide open spaces. So many times He held Canaan out to me and I turned my back on it for Egypt. I also finally understand after following Moses through this study that when God asks us to do something on His behalf, He is enough to accomplish the desired end. He delights in our ‘yes’ and how that spreads His fame. I want to be a girl with a ‘yes’ in my Spirit – don’t you? When we can exchange God’s I AM for our Am Nots, we’ll proclaim as David, “With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall.” (Psalm 18:29) The most important thing I’ve learned? Unless the circumstances are dire, unless the situation hopeless, unless the task impossible, God is not assured the glory when the miraculous happens. He is still a God of Wonders. What a thrill when He asks us to hold the staff.

Today’s lesson will focus on the birth of Moses and Stephen’s description of this event in Acts 7:17-20.

Just In Time
Acts 7:17-20

“But as the time for the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt. It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home.” (NASB)

 
*Note – All word definitions and lexical references are taken from the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN. Edited by Spiros Zodhiates or Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.* This reference is a nightmare in its syntax, but this is a blog, not Broadman Holman…Ya’ll will forgive me, right??**

 

 
Have you ever considered that your placement on planet Earth, in your generation, in your county, state, city, family, circle of friends was completely intentional? That you are not the accidental end of a long list of ‘begats’ that just happened to spring forth when you did? No doubt in every span of time, God could pull out any individual to accomplish His will but how much more thrilling to know He dreamed you up and placed you, on purpose, to experience life and react to its circumstances so as to potentially aid in the deliverance of someone close to you. I say ‘potentially’ because we will see in a moment how our ‘yes’ or ‘no’ could affect our privilege of participation in God’s Wonders.

Notice in the verses above that Moses birth took place as the time of God’s promise of deliverance to His people was approaching. Clearly, Moses’ birth was intentionally planned ‘just in time’ so he would be the right age, in the right place, at the right time to be pulled from the reeds and placed in Pharaoh’s house.

What is fascinating is the ‘time’ word used when talking of the timing of Moses’ birth. It is not the word ‘chronos’ which describes a succession of moments. The Greek word used is ‘Kairos’ (Strongs 2540) and means “an occasion; a set or proper time. ‘Kairos’ implies not the convenience for the season but the necessity of the task at hand whether the time provides a good, convenient opportunity or not. The English language sometimes translates this word as ‘seasons’ at which foreordained events take place or necessary accomplishments need to take place.”

Are you beginning to get the idea of what this time word implies? Moses was not born as one of many in a succession of moments, days, weeks, or years but was created to accomplish a necessary task. God would orchestrate the ‘convenient opportunity’ and Moses was the man whom He would bring forth to deliver His people, beloved Israel, from bondage. The implications of this concept are mind-blowing to me. I realize that God does not have national deliverance in mind for most of us, but what is that convenient opportunity, that necessary task, He is setting up for me and for you? Dear Girls, there is a reason God has placed us just in time in our particular circle of influence. Let’s take our thoughts a step further.

The Hebrew (OT) equivalent of the ‘Kairos’ word used in the New Testament is ‘Eth’. Just glance at that word, think of the words of a favorite verse “for such a time as this” and draw some creative conclusions of a person’s name you can derive from ‘eth’. Do you see it yet?? EsTHer. That may mean nothing, but I would like to suggest Esther’s name symbolized the time she was placed specifically for – the deliverance of her people. (Esther 4:14) ‘Eth’ means “the appropriate time for an unrecurring incident.” I want to jump out of my seat as I think about what that means. Hear me well…I believe with all my heart that our entire lives are a series of unrecurring incidents in which we have the opportunity to use our ‘yes’ for God’s fame. Just as Mordecai stated (paraphrase), “If you say ‘no’, God will raise up a deliverer from somewhere else. But who knows that you were placed in your position for such a time as this?” Esther could have said no. We can say no. But heaven help me if I cause my God to resort to Plan B. I want to be His ‘go to’ girl -the one He knows will say yes, Lord! May it be done to me as You have said! “Hmmm, I think I’ll call forth Lisa in this situation..I can trust her with My glory.” Let it be, Lord. Let it be.

There are women in our midst who are dying – emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically. What are we going to do about it? How are we going to protect our sisters from the enemy? When are we going to stand firm and proclaim to Satan – Enough! You can not have her! My heart burns with indignation towards the enemy for the constant turmoil he places in our lives – the heartache, temptation, and oppression. Satan also understands the time concept and places obstacles to prevent us from possessing our lands of Promise – the place we can dwell unbound and able to bless. So his plan? Keep us spiritually and emotionally unhealthy. If we are weak, our hurting sisters our weaker. It is that simple. It is time to stand, to be the healthy ones, to be the women who will take our place between Satan and our broken sister until she is able to stand on her on.
 

 

 

Here are some ‘Burning Questions’ I would like for you to consider in response to what God is showing us in these Scriptures:
 

 Are there any circumstances or relationships in your life where you can see God has intentionally placed you to be a light for Him?

Can you honestly describe yourself as a woman with a ‘yes’ in her spirit?

Are you in an emotionally and spiritually healthy place today? If so, what will you do with your series of unrecurring events? Will you commit to ask for spiritual eyes to see opportunities to defend a weaker sister?

If no, are you taking steps to seek out wise counsel from a sister you admire or perhaps a Christian counselor if needed? If not, will you resolve to do so?

 
I look forward to reading your comments. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of new friends to study with!

Blessings on you, my girlfriends!

Lisa McKay

 



 


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April 9, 2007 | Filed Under Bible Study, I AM Study 

Comments

41 Responses to “I AM So You Don’t Have To Be Study Lesson One – Just In Time”

  1. Jen on April 10th, 2007 5:00 am
    1

    As a mother I see how God has intentionally placed me to be a light for Him

    Can you honestly describe yourself as a woman with a ‘yes’ in her spirit?
    Im working on it

    Are you in an emotionally and spiritually healthy place today? Im again working on it
    Its actually helpful to be helpful to be reminded that if Im weak, there are other sisters out there who are hurting who are weaker than me. I particularly liked the last paragraph. .

    I am taking steps to seek out wise counsel from my sisters. I do admire many Christian women.

    Thank you for hosting this study Blessings

  2. Jungle Mom on April 10th, 2007 8:02 am
    2

    Thanks for this study. I have a lot to think about, now.

  3. Anonymous on April 10th, 2007 8:34 am
    3

    something i needed to hear. i appreciate what you are doing with these studies. i do realize i have a lot to work on but im pushing to get back where i need to be.

  4. Deedra on April 10th, 2007 9:25 am
    4

    Great lesson, Lisa! I am so glad you are doing this study on your blog since I missed out on the trip!

  5. Lori Madison on April 10th, 2007 11:11 am
    5

    Hi Lisa,

    I found your site through Laced with Grace and I am glad I did! I really enjoyed doing this bible study with you today and I look forward to your next one.

  6. Dana on April 10th, 2007 12:03 pm
    6

    Lisa, I really enjoyed this study. I am going to print out those questions and work through them. I can’t wait to read more. Thank you for taking the time to do this – I can’t wait to participate.

    Beth Moore has talked plenty of us being here at this time. I remember in her Believin God study she used DC Talk as an example, Like could you see them in our grandparents or great grandparents time? They are here in this generation for a reason. I love how God plans out His creation. Nothing is by accident.

  7. Crystal on April 10th, 2007 4:30 pm
    7

    Wow, this looks like it will be a really great study. I’m so glad I checked in today! :)

  8. Macromoments on April 11th, 2007 2:01 pm
    8

    Lisa, this is such a timely post, I may email you about an unplanned conversation I had just yesterday. If we could all grab ‘hold of the thought that God placed us here intentionally “for such a time as this,” I believe it would change our lives dramatically.

    Thank you for writing from your heart. You’ve really blessed me today.

  9. gretchen.hanna on April 11th, 2007 5:51 pm
    9

    Hi Lisa,
    I’ll email you my thoughts to your questions. Thanks for such an empowering study.

    -Gretchen

  10. eph2810 on April 11th, 2007 7:57 pm
    10

    What a beautiful study of His Word, Lisa…I will email you with a couple of questions I have on the study :)…I will also be linking to it from my Thankful Thursday post for tomorrow (13th)…

    BTW – Yes. I want to be His ‘go-to’ girl…

    Blessings to your Wednesday evening and always.

  11. Cyndi on April 11th, 2007 9:43 pm
    11

    LOVE this. I’m going to read it again.

    I was just at a “log cabin village” today (on a field trip) stepping back in time to the 1800′s and I’ve been thinking all day about why I’ve been placed in this generation, at this time (okay, and sort of thankful, LOL) but there are profound, sovereignly-ordained reasons why. I am looking forward to thinking through this study further, and for future posts! Thank you so much!

  12. Denise on April 12th, 2007 6:03 am
    12

    Thanks so much for this wonderful study.I will be answering the questions on my blog, thanks for making me think.

  13. Timalee on April 12th, 2007 8:56 am
    13

    I found you through Thankful Thursday. This is wonderful, something I really needed to hear. I will be answering the questions on my blog, and look forward to more. Thanks so much for making me think about this.

  14. Beckie on April 12th, 2007 12:05 pm
    14

    I also found you through Thankful Thursday. Thank you for this study and please add me to the list to receive notices of future issues. Thanks and blessings to you and on your work for Him.

    I’m printing it out.

    Homefries2005@hotmail.com

  15. Nise' on April 13th, 2007 9:27 pm
    15

    Thank you for allowing us to take part in this study. Please email me when the next lesson is posted.

    Deciding whether or not I am going to post answers on my blog.

    tanglephd at yahoo dot com

  16. Anonymous on April 17th, 2007 10:14 pm
    16

    Thanks for this—
    my email

    christa dot allan at gmail dot com

  17. eph2810 on April 22nd, 2007 2:39 pm
    17

    Okay, girl – I finally posted my answers to your first lesson. Which in turn made me think more and more about the sisterhood of believers in Christ. Thank you for making me think…

    Blessings on your Sunday afternoon and always…

  18. Cyndee on April 24th, 2007 10:23 am
    18

    I just decided to try this. It looks like a wonderful study!

    Cyndee

  19. Cindy on April 26th, 2007 8:16 am
    19

    I posted my answers to lesson 1 today!! This is a great study, thank you!!!

  20. Grandparents Corner on April 30th, 2007 11:23 pm
    20

    Lisa, I finally have my Lesson One answers done and posted on my Tuesday, 5/1/07 post at my blog. Thank you again for allowing this Bible Study to be self-paced. I’m really enjoying it, and I’ll begin Lesson two now. Hugs, Bonnie

  21. MorningSong on May 1st, 2007 3:06 pm
    21

    Thank you for this great study! I am loving it! I was needing a Bible Study to work on! Thanks so much! Love it, love it, love it!

  22. AdoptedAsHisOwn on May 1st, 2007 5:04 pm
    22

    Found this through MorningSong. I am excited about this bible study!

  23. Susanne on May 2nd, 2007 9:41 am
    23

    Hey Lisa…I reposted because (A) I forgot to link to my I AM post specifically, and not my blog itself and (B)the comment options are not all that clear, so I tried to explain. Thanks again for doing this study…it is TOTALLY rockin’ my world!!!
    Your Sista in Jesus,
    Susanne

  24. Etta on May 3rd, 2007 10:02 pm
    24

    You are just one of the many instruments God has used to speak this very lesson to me. Thank you for being His “go-to” girl to speak to complete strangers!
    God bless you!

  25. daisyaday on May 5th, 2007 2:36 am
    25

    The blogosphere is a wondrous place, is it not? How else would I have “met” you to participate in this study? Thank you for doing what you do.

  26. Bernadine on May 5th, 2007 4:03 pm
    26

    I’ve read through your study and it totally spoke to my heart today. There’s so many times when I question God as to why he has placed me in certain places and to my effectiveness in those places. However, this study really gave me something to think about.

  27. Alycia on May 23rd, 2007 1:02 am
    27

    Thank you for this study! I enjoyed my first lesson and it has given me much to think about! Be Blessed!

  28. Ann on May 26th, 2007 9:20 pm
    28

    Thanks for the great lesson–it echoed something I thought in my Bible study this morning, so I’m trying to figure out exactly what is the kairos God has for me–post in progress :) Thanks!

    The link to the “here” is broken…

  29. (((((HUGS))))) sandi on May 31st, 2007 11:51 am
    29

    Please forgive me for not remembering who’s blog I found this study on~but I am soo glad I did! WOOHOOO! I am already very, very blessed by it and just see that I really, really need this at this time in my life! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

  30. Belinda on June 9th, 2007 11:52 am
    30

    I followed Sandy here, and might have been a bit rebellious in my post, but I wrote where the study led me rather than a strict response to the questions. Thank you for establishing and moderating this study–I’ve only completed one lesson, but it’s awesome. God bless.

  31. Mommy-fied on July 17th, 2007 9:39 am
    31

    I’ve been very blessed by lesson one. I’ve posted my response at my blog and would love it if you could have a look and leave me your comments at http://mommy-mommyfied.blogspot.com/. You’ll have to see my second post to leave comments.

  32. Amanda on July 25th, 2007 6:23 pm
    32

    Thank you for the post. I can think of a few women that are broken that god has place in my life. I am encouraged by this lesson.

  33. HL on August 3rd, 2007 7:40 pm
    33

    Lisa,
    Thank you for offering this study! I’m excited at seeing where it leads me and others!

    HL

  34. Karen on August 8th, 2007 2:45 pm
    34

    Thank you for this lesson. It has challenged me. I look forward to the rest of this study.

    Karen

  35. Tammy on November 8th, 2007 7:44 am
    35

    Thank you for the study!

  36. Emily on December 8th, 2007 12:27 am
    36

    This study comes at such a perfect time for me, thankyou:)

  37. Amy Larson on March 10th, 2008 9:03 am
    37

    I praise God I found this! Many blessings to you. Your study brought on the tears. God was really speaking to my heart for such a time as this. My timing of birth, the position He has placed me in, the women He has surrounded me around. Wow! Thank you.

    http://www.ruebee.ning.com
    http://www.amylarson.blogspot.com

  38. debrah on June 14th, 2008 9:38 am
    38

    I am not sure if I linked this correctly. Are we to set up a study post…if so I am not sure how to do that.
    Thank you for this study…there is a lot to think about.
    Blessings to you.
    Debrah

  39. DeeDee on July 2nd, 2008 2:17 pm
    39

    I have always said “God needs to hang a picture. He needs the hammer but it’s out of reach, so He grabs the screwdriver instead. In my life I want to be available to God, I want to be the hammer. I want to be the most effective tool for the job!”

    God placed me in this town in the ministry for: the young mother upstairs who is Hindu. She comes down for a visit usually when I do not havethe time. She flips thru my chrisitan magazines and listens to me talk about Jesus. SO many times I am busy & don’t want to muddle thru the language barrier or her preschoolers behavior. I feel bad about that but know that when I am willing to take the time w/her, God is brought into the visit.
    The storms we have faced in this move to this church has had hurricane force winds but like our brick home in Mobile,Al…God’s word & the prayers from others have sustained us.

    John 15:11
    Debra

  40. Angela on July 15th, 2008 10:21 pm
    40

    That is an awesome way to think about standing strong against the enemy. I guess I am protective cause when I read that we need to be the strong ones for our weaker friends, it really motivated me. Thanks!

  41. Shelly on August 17th, 2008 11:32 pm
    41

    I’m a stay-at-home-mom, which can be very isolating at times. I have struggled with “bearing my blessings as if they are burdens” (I think that is in a song somewhere). God has to refocus me often that my kids and my job with them are no accident. To be intentional in teaching them. That the people I meet because of the places and situations I am in with my kids are no accident.

    I want to have a “yes” in my spirit. And lately especially I have been senseing a “I want more of you” from God. I am praying that I will see exactly what He has planned for me.

    Thanks for the study, Lisa!