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We are now in week three of our ladies Bible study.  We have completed the first two lessons presented by Priscilla Shirer:

Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David

The Anointing

This week, Beth Moore leads us through the subject of “moving past our devastation.”  Have you ever done something you thought was inspired by God only to discover later that He didn’t bless your efforts?  David did.  David did not like the idea of living in a “palace of cedar” while the Ark of God was housed in a simple tent.  He wanted to build a suitable dwelling for the Ark.  It was a great idea and David’s heart was in the right place, but it wasn’t God’s plan.  God had a different plan for David but God honored David’s heart.  He declared to David that He would build a house for him.

Devastation:  Do you find it difficult to move past it?

Listen, Beloved.  You aren’t – nor have you ever been – a failure.  Anything God has stopped you from doing for Him was only so you’d be still enough to let Him first do something for you.” – Beth Moore, from Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed

God blessed David.  David wondered who he was and who his family was that God would bring him “so far.”  Have you ever thought about the blessings God has poured on you and your family and then wondered what you did to deserve such favor?

After suffering through circumstances that leave us in a state of devastation, we might feel hurt, angry, and confused about God’s plan for our lives.  After such doubt, we might feel worthless, but then God reaches down, touches us, makes us whole again, and blesses us abundantly.

Deep devastation comes when we are expecting a celebration, but end up in the middle of a tragedy instead.  While David and his men were transporting the Ark back to Jerusalem, they were in the middle of a celebration when Uzzah touched the Ark and died.  Their celebration quickly turned into devastation.  This can happen to us in many ways, some ways being more severe than others but all result in broken hearts.

In this section of the study, we were asked to recall a time in our lives when we were expecting a celebration, but suffered devastation instead.  I thought of March 16, 1997.  We were expecting our third child, a boy. We were thrilled.  I had already purchased a diaper bag and a couple of outfits in the anticipation and excitement of baby number 3.  Our son and our daughter were excited about their new baby.  Then, suddenly, without warning, he was gone – taken to Heaven before I ever heard his first cry.  I can still hear his heartbeat from the last doctor visit before he left us.  That sound is permanently etched into my auditory memory until someday when I believe I will hear his voice for the first time in Heaven.  My celebration quickly turned into devastation.  Like David, I experienced anger and fear.  I was angry because God chose not to intervene and save the life of our baby boy.  Later, I was afraid we might again suffer such a painful loss.  I feared I would never be the same again.  My suffering was so painful, so deep.  I wasn’t sure I could ever be happy again.  The following year, God blessed us with another baby, a girl.  She didn’t replace the child we lost.  We will always miss Gabe, but our Megan is such a blessing and joy in her own right.  God brought us through that valley and now we celebrate the gifts of three young adult children.  They are all Godly men and women.

After Uzzah’s death, David experienced anger and fear.  A little later on, the Ark was eventually brought back to Jerusalem and David once again rejoiced in God’s blessings over him.

Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? – 2 Samuel 7:18 NIV

In this section of the study, Beth encourages us to pray scripture-laced prayers for our families.  We are instructed to find Bible verses applicable to our families and then reword them into prayers for our families and/or specific loved ones.

Like David, I wonder who I am and who is my family that God has brought me “this far.”  I believe families experience many “this far” moments after enduring various trials throughout our lifetimes.  I sincerely hope that you and your own family has experienced a “this far” moment and will experience more to come.

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is  our refuge.” – Psalm 62:8 NIV

When we face devastation, God is our safe place.  The throne of God is a place where we can safely pour our hearts out to Him.  We can share out greatest joys and cry buckets of tears and shout out our deepest griefs.  He listens.  He already knows our hearts.  We might as well kneel down before Him and lay all our cares at His feet.

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. – Psalm 145:18

Our fifth session this week covered the “fear of the Lord.”  After facing devastation during the transportation of the Ark, David was afraid.  Like David, we might be afraid after experiencing pain from devastation in our lives.  There is an unhealthy fear of the Lord and there is a healthy fear of the Lord.  To overcome the pain of devastation, we must nurture a healthy fear of the Lord.  An unhealthy fear will drive us away from God while a healthy fear draws us nearer to God.

David then went back to the Ark and took every ounce of his shaken heart to the God he’d loved since childhood.  A bruised heart that chooses to beat with a passion for God amid pulsing pain and confusion may just be the most expensive offering placed on the divine altar.  He esteems yours as much as He esteemed His beloved David’s. – Beth Moore

Wow, what a powerful week of study!  My summaries of these studies are only a tiny glimpse of the entire study.  My hope is that you will decide to complete the study on your own or preferably with a group of ladies, perhaps within your church or even in your own home.

You'll find all my posts about the Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed Bible Study here.

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The Anointing – from Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed

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Until I saw the movie War Room, I had not heard of Priscilla Shirer.  I thought she was amazing in the movie and now I’m learning that she is an amazing Bible study leader.  Last week, I introduced our new ladies’ Bible study.  We are studying from Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur.  This week, we studied the anointing.

The Anointing

Anointing is “a divine enablement to accomplish a divine task or supernatural empowering to accomplish supernatural goals.”

The following quote from Priscilla best describes the meaning of “anointment.”

God’s goals and plans for us require His power.  In our natural abilities, we might be able to teach the class, mother the children, stay in the marriage, or write the book, but to fulfill the supernatural purposes of these natural activities demands an anointing of God’s Spirit.” – Priscilla Shirer

The anointed have a fierce enemy, the devil.

Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

In week two of this Bible study, we are encouraged to stand firm and face the enemy knowing that our victory is already guaranteed.


Disappointment might sometimes follow the anointing.  Have you ever known someone to declare that they have been called into a particular ministry only to live in disappointment because the opportunity to fulfill that calling didn’t happen immediately.  God’s timing doesn’t always match our timing.  From the time David was anointed to be king of Israel and the time he actually took the throne was 22 years.  I never really thought about that 22 year span.  What did David do during that 22 years?  He went back and tended the sheep.  He also spent time as a cup bearer and as a musician.  He served.  This made me think about my own purposes here and how I might be in the middle of my “22 years.”  Truth be known, we are all in the middle of a “22 years” – waiting for something we believe will come to pass as God has promised us.  How do we handle that time span, the waiting?  David set a good example.  We serve the Lord and remain content in our circumstances while He works his miracles in His timing.

On the fourth day of the Bible study, we learned that there are several benefits of the anointing.

The first benefit of the anointing is having the “ear of God.”  When we face adversity, it is most definitely in our best interest to ask God about the situation before we take any kind of action.

“If we truly believed the great God of the universe listens intently to the cry of our hearts and responds with power in our circumstances, we would never meet any circumstance without deciding to access the ear of God.” Priscilla Shirer

The second benefit of the anointing is having the mouth of God.  One of the things that struck me most about this section of our lesson was realizing a more personal communication with God because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit doesn’t speak to us on His own behalf.  The Holy Spirit hears directly from God and then communicates God’s message to us.

But when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.  He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak and He will disclose to you what is to come. – John 16:13

Anointing comes with responsibility.

“And from everyone who has been given much, much shall be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask the more.” – Luke 12:48  NASB

Obedience is not only essential to our relationship with God.  He demands it.  We must commit to be obedient to our good, good Father.

While some have decided to skirt the issue of sin in exchange for a more gentle gospel, the Bible never does.  You and I must take a staunch stand against this cultural trend away from obedience to God and His Word.  We must determine to obey Him fully and completely regardless of what others may do.”  – Priscilla Shirer

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Atlanta, Georgia welcomes residents and visitors with a variety of activities for the entire family. Rich in cultural history, Atlanta offers museums, theaters, festivals, restaurants and parks to suit a variety of tastes. When planning a trip to Atlanta, consider a variety of activities for children.

Things for Kids to Do in Atlanta in November

Macy’s Tree Lighting 

Plan to attend Macy’s Annual Tree Lighting. Family activities begin earlier in the evening, usually around 6:30 p.m. The event typically takes place Thanksgiving Weekend and includes appearances by various vocal artists and celebrities. Prepare to hear the Macy’s All-Star Holiday Choir sing a collection of Christmas carols.

The Georgia Aquarium 

The Georgia Aquarium offers enough activities to fill an entire day’s schedule. The aquarium features a shark tunnel and provides opportunities for a behind-the-scenes tour, a deep sea diver show, a 4D theater and various seasonal displays such as “The Titanic.” Check with Georgia Aquarium event planners for a full list of seasonal displays as they can vary.

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Zoo Atlanta 

Zoo Atlanta houses a large variety of animals and plants. Safely and well-maintained animal habitats offer visitors various views of the animals. The zoo offers a variety of camps, scavenger hunts and a small amusement park for younger children. Parents can schedule birthday parties at Zoo Atlanta or sign up for various workshops.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta 

The Children’s Museum offers opportunities for children to integrate learning with play. Exhibits allow children to play while learning about subjects such as water, solar and wind conservation and energy. Children learn about the concepts of farming and wildlife. Other exhibits offer children opportunities to explore and enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.

Stone Mountain Park

Plan to spend a day at Stone Mountain Park. Take the children on a train ride around Stone Mountain. Either hike or ride to the top of the mountain, where children can roam freely and take in a mountaintop view. Stone Mountain offers a variety of shops, small museums, animal exhibits, parks, picnic areas and a nightly laser show and fireworks.

World of Coke 

Visit Atlanta’s World of Coke museum and learn about the history of the soft drink. The museum offers exhibits featuring a variety of media resources, including paper programs, videos and a 4D Theater. Allow children to taste various versions of the soft drink sold around the world. View a bottling line that actually produces a glass bottle of the soft drink for each World of Coke visitor.

Read about more great places to visit in the state of Georgia here.