This study was built a little more different than previous Beth Moore studies. In James she created different levels of participation. Level 1 was just watching the videos. Level 2 was videos and homework (for those who have done a Beth Moore study in the past, you know the homework alone can be intense). Level 3 consisted of Levels 1 & 2 & handwriting the book of James. Level 4 was Levels 1-3 plus reading some articles Beth's daughter, Melissa, wrote and included in the workbook. And finally, Level 5 was all 4 levels plus memorizing the book of James. I thought the different levels were very interesting and I decided I'd go up to level 4. I was really going to push myself and try to hand write the book. I figured reading Melissa's short articles would be a breeze. I thought for sure those who chose to MEMORIZE the WHOLE book of James were out of their minds.
So, without knowing what to expect, I started handwriting the book of James. Slowly, painstakingly, I wrote every word that James penned so long ago. It was a very interesting process. I've never written down the scriptures that were used in Bible study before. Unless one jumped out that I wanted to write in my scripture spiral. This was a completely different exercise. God really used this time to help write these scriptures on my heart. At times it was it was difficult to force myself to do, but I also looked forward to it each day. It was a precious time that I got to spend with God. Forever more I will be able to look back at my own handwriting and see what God helped me accomplish and remember the sweet times that we have spent together going through those ancient words.
But God is still working on me. He's not done with me yet, Praise His Holy Name! It has been during this study that He showed me an area of my life that I needed to get under control. I'd tried and failed to do it under my own power. I'm learning that all spiritual issues are like that. But this issue needed more ammo. The battle was waging and I would quickly run out of my resources. God showed me that what I needed was to have a supply of spiritual weapons that would not run out: Scriptures. I thought I'd try to read my scripture cards more. Failed. I tried to pray more when I would come under the enemy's attack. Epic Fail plus mental exhaustion. One thing remained. Memorization. I wasn't sure why it kept coming up. Besides, I couldn't memorize. I've always struggled with it, all my life through school I struggled to memorize anything. There was no way I could memorize scripture. But more and more God pressed on my heart that He wanted to me get His book not just on my heart through writing James, but into my head by memorizing it. After a little time, what I thought was so crazy suddenly seemed sane. I guess that's what happens when you get pushed to the edge of something so much bigger than you. Things that used to seem way out there are really very much within reach. So, I started. Some days its a struggle. Some days I'm too mentally pooped to pick up my cards and try to remember more words. Some days I fall off the memorization waggon. But this I know: that He who created a good work in me will carry it on to completion and that He is using this task to renew my mind and help me to overcome some more strongholds.
I thought when we tackled a few Goliath sized strongholds that, those would be them. That I'd be free, finally. But, after one falls, another is brought up, and off to battle we go again. I am just so thankful that God will not stop working on me. I know He's making me into something beautiful for Him and I am so very thankful.
Finally, for His glory, my handwritten version of the book of James:
