Women's Website Study
Dr. Martin Luther Church, Oconomowoc
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 bsed on "Sacred Rhythms" by Ruth H Burton 
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 Self-examination

Bringing My Whole Self Before God

Scripture
        Psalm 139

The deepest longing of the human heart is to be known and loved unconditionally; that someone knows everything about you and loves you anyway; a love that is strong enough to contain our frailty and sinfulness.  Well, here is your opportunity!

 Healthy self-examination and confession done in the presence of a loving God, and being centered in celebration of the goodness of who we are as created beings is good for the soul because it opens us to the experience of being forgiven and gives us the gift of the “truth that sets us free.”

 Healthy self-examination also lovingly helps us to see ourselves more clearly.   When the process is complete, it results in a wonderful sense of unburdening.  In Psalm 139, scripture tells us we are fully known by God and loved, that there is no where we can be that we are not in His Presence.

Spend a few moments in silence, allowing yourself to be still and know how much God loves you.

Invite God to go with you in your search for evidence of His Presence throughout your day and in your search for self-knowledge.

Review the day and identify the major events of the day noticing where God seemed to be loving you, speaking to you, guiding you, or showing you something new about Himself.

Give thanks for each part of your day, His presence with you in the midst of it and for those moments when you sensed a growing freedom from sin and a great capacity to love God and others.

Confess using Psalm 139:23-24 as your prayer, invite God to bring to mind attitudes, actions or moments when you fell short of exhibiting the character of Christ or the fruit of the Spirit.  Reflect on what contributed to the situation and what might enable you to respond differently in the future.

Ask and be assured of God’s forgiveness (I John 1:9) and His power to continue leading you into the transformation you desire.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You God for letting Your Love become my safe harbor in which I am able to become more fully known and loved.  Amen.

“The nearer you get to Me, the more will you see your unlikeness to Me.  So be comforted, My children. Your very deep sense of failure is a sure sign that you are growing nearer to Me. “

-God Calling