Welcome to “Grow”! These stories are from the hearts of regular, everyday women just like you in the GT Community. They are boldly sharing how God has grown them, met with them, strengthened them, and taught them solid truth as they have discovered anew that Jesus is our everyday Savior! Today’s story is shared from the heart of Amanda Ackerson.
Where do I even begin on what God has taught me this year?
In the beginning of 2017, we were studying Abraham and I never seem to enjoy his story because I always find myself under conviction.
Grow, Day 1
Who loves conviction, right?
My least favorite part of his story is always Hagar.
Couldn’t Abram just say no?
Why didn’t he tell Sarai that God had a plan and they just needed to wait?
(Check out the story here: Genesis 16
And here’s a Digging Deeper Study to help unpack it: Desperate For Significance: Digging Deeper )
Well this year God hit me in the heart with,
‘Amanda, my beloved, you have your own Hagar’.
Everyone wants something so bad in life
they would do anything to achieve it.
Sarai wanted a baby and God had promised her a son.
I was desperately needing financial relief and God promises if we ask we will receive.
At the time my husband, Chris, and I were fighting to keep our heads above water financially. It really felt like we were nose deep and about to drown, and I mentioned bankruptcy. I knew this wasn’t what God wanted for us, and so did Chris, but I was pushing it.
I was praying like crazy and nothing.
Chris went as far as contacting an attorney and then decided against it.
He finally reminded me that God always takes care of us and we just needed to hold out and everything would be ok.
When I really believed and trusted that God would take care of us,
I started breathing again.
I realized bankruptcy was my ‘Hagar’ and just like Sarai,
I was willing to give up what I knew God had in store for me
in exchange for my own agenda.
Patience isn’t easy but it is necessary in our walk of faith.
I’m thankful I didn’t have to wait as long as Abraham and Sarah,
but I also know my journey isn’t over.
I’ve never read Scripture and just prayed God would speak to me through it and let His Word soak in all day until this year. Gracefully Truthful has really opened my eyes to what and how to study God’s word and what worship can really look like.
I’ve never read Scripture and just let the Holy Spirit just speak to me, but when I did…Wow!
It’s been amazing and eye/heart opening.
It has become my favorite way to hear from Him.
The verse I’ve held on to and read over and over again is Romans 8:26. (New Living Translation)
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
He is with us!
He is faithful!
Study Him,
give yourself over to Him,
and rest in the benefits of His faithfulness as you walk into your New Year!
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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Grow 2018! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all stories in Grow 2018!