Hey there BCU family!

In keeping in step with our forgiveness series, special guest co-host and my beloved sister in Christ, the ultra-amazing Jewel Taylor,  joined us on our weekly Bible study live on Periscope (Thursdays @ 8:05pm EST on channel BlenCouragesU), to talk us through how to heal through forgiving.

Jewel, a beautiful, powerful woman of God, wife and undergirding to her husband, Minister Richard, and mom to two awesome children, gently leads us through the book of Jonah and challenges us to look at the story behind Jonah’s disobedience and subsequent need to forgive and be healed. Trust me–just listen in and be blessed! Jewel also provided study notes and key Scriptures as a guide for you, so feel free to print and make any other notations you’d like! Additionally, if you need the notes in a PDF format, just email us (Blen@Blencouragesu.com), and we can make it happen!

 

Click on the icon below to listen in!

Study notes

HEALING IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE

Why the book of Jonah? God dealt with Jonah in three major areas:

His pride
His arrogance
His lack of compassion
How can we heal and forgive from our hearts as dictated in Matthew 18:35 if our hearts are full of clutter? Healing through forgiveness starts with us.

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STOP RUNNING
Read: Jonah 1:1-4

Key verse: v2. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

What are you running from? What measures have you taken to avoid the person/people who caused you harm? What is God telling you to do and you are dragging your feet?

We must face our life situations/people in them regardless. When we stop functioning we open the door for depression, anxiety and other emotional & mental issues. We must face the situation.

Being hurt is not the sin, but living in it is.

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STOP PLAYING THE TAPE & DO NO HARM

Read: Jonah 1:5-17

Key verse: v10. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

>>Stop rehearsing what was done and do not play the victim. Do not meditate on what was done, who did it, why they did it etc.

>>How do you stop the tape? By filling your heart/mind with the things/thoughts of God. When the negative thought comes – change it.

Key verses:

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

>>Sometimes we don’t want to let go of the anger because it is comfortable and we feel justified in our anger. We feel righteous – as Jonah did (see Jonah 4:2).

Key verses:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

>>If you do not stop the tape – you will then lead yourself to cause harm (to someone else or to those who’ve harmed you AND continue the cycle of hurt, as Jonah endangered the men on the ship.

Key verse: Jonah 1:12 And he[Jonah] said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. 

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BCU family, this is a true call to ACTION! With God’s grace we need to give our hurt and disappointment, no matter who it was and how deep the cut to Jesus, the Master Physician, so He can heal us completely! Will thou be made whole?

Lord will, join us next time as we go into “Healing through forgiveness” part 2, as we continue in the book of Jonah. Thank you for tuning on and may God bless you, make His face to shine upon you and until we are together again, #StayOnTheWall!

 

Love,

 

BCU