Kasey Van Norman - Named by God Bible Study: Overcoming Your Past, Transforming Your Present, Embracing Your Future

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Named by God Bible Study: Overcoming Your Past, Transforming Your Present, Embracing Your Future

Copyright 2012 by Kasey Van Norman. All rights reserved.

Cover and author photographs taken by Stephen Vosloo. Copyright Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Designed by Daniel Farrell

Edited by Stephanie Rische

Published in association with literary agent Jenni Burke of D. C. Jacobson and Associates, an author management company, www.DCJacobson.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible , English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-4143-6475-9

Before You Get Started

Some time ago I found myself sitting in a dark, confined placein part because of the hurt others had caused me and in part because of my own sin. While there, I constantly breathed in the fumes of mildew and dirt. I was cramped, bruised, bloodied, thirsty, and covered in filth. My eyes became so adjusted to this place of darkness that I began to get comfortable there and settle in.

But, all glory to God, that hollow trench could never be my home. Why? Because long before the foundations of the earth were laid, my body was woven together with the greatest of divine detail (see Psalm 139). Long before the stars were mounted in the sky, I was given a name . The hands of the Creator shaped me and formed me, like a potter shapes his clay (see Isaiah 64:8). These hands embraced my unformed body with a love the human mind cannot possibly comprehend. These hands were palm pierced with the jagged edge of a condemning nail. And as the nail broke the flesh to penetrate muscle and bone, blood began to flow. The Saviors blood has spilled precious grace and mercy into my lifeand that grace and mercy are available to everyone else who might reach for him.

Even in my darkest, dreariest times, those same hands were always there with me. Even in my loneliest moments, their presence was there to guide me. And when I finally chose to look up from my filth-covered habitat, those hands were reaching down for me, ushering me toward freedom. I had no strength to climb out on my own. I had been trying for so long, grasping and clawing at the dirt walls with all my might. But it wasnt until I placed my fingertips into the strong palms of my Savior that I was pulled into the light.

At first the light hurt my eyes, for it had been a while since I had beheld its brightness and beauty. But once my eyes adjusted, I ran toward the light and never looked back. He purified me from my sins that day; he washed me whiter than snow. He gave me back my joy and created in me a clean heart and a loyal spirit. He did not cast me from his presence but restored to me the joy of his salvation. He granted me a willingness to obey him (see Psalm 51:7-12).

From that moment forward, I committed to spending the rest of my earthly existence on a mission to teach his ways to others so they might turn back to him. I have vowed that, until I reach eternity, I will live a life radically for him, singing his songs of righteousness and declaring his praise. My spirit and heart were broken before him, and in that brokenness he was pleased (see Psalm 51:13-19).

For many years I questioned why certain experiences had to take place in my life, why I have had this burning passion in my heart to boldly profess his name despite my deep failings. But I have come to believe that God has good plans for his childrenplans to redeem even the most hopeless of situations. I know now that I could not effectively write of the Lords healing and restoration post-sin had I not personally experienced it. And I could not effectively challenge other believers to live radically reformed lives for Christ had I not made the same commitment myself.

This study began as a weekly devotional for the ladies in my small group at church and as a tool of healing in my own life. And now, loved one, as you embark on this journey with me, my prayer remains the samethat, by the time you reach the end of this study, you will be transformed from the person you were at the beginning of week 1. I pray that Gods Wordhis very breath of lifewill become so intoxicating to you that it will be like an addictive drug. I pray these daily readings from the Bible will develop a consistent pattern in your life and you will begin to crave the Scriptures like never before.

I also pray that you will allow the power of the resurrected Christ to overcome every area of your life that is ruled by the flesh, that you will give him the authority to transform your present state. Whether you are fresh out of the darkness of sin or your toes are dangling on the edge of a drop-off or youre just feeling a little complacent in your relationship with God, my hope is that, as you study the Word of God, you will experience a more intimate relationship with your Savior.

Before you proceed, allow me to offer one word of caution: you must want this! If you arent desperate for a deeper connection with Christ, save yourself the time and money, and put this book back on the shelf. Our Redeemer desires a relationship with us that is far beyond our earthly imaginations. But in return, he requires our complete abandonour letting go of self and all that this world has to offer. Are you willing to make this kind of all-out commitment?

If youre ready to work, your world is about to be rocked! If youve ever felt in bondage to your past, you are about to break those chains. If youve ever felt unprepared to serve God and others, you are about to be equipped. If you have ever questioned your purpose or meaning in life, you are about to discover Gods plans for your future.

As we dive into this adventure together, I promise that I wont ask you to go anywhere I havent already gone myself. Come on, what are you waiting for? I can tell you from personal experience that the waters exhilarating!

How to Use This Study

The God of the universe desires to speak to you, yes you , through the pages of his Word. And I believe he can use the next six weeks as you go through this study to bring permanent change into the depths of your soul.

This study is full of interactive exercises. And due to the fact that I am a no-fluff, to-the-point kind of girl, these exercises are meant to be challenging. They have been handcrafted with the intent of helping you peel back your layers and deal with them from a supernatural perspective. Didnt think you had any layers to peel back? Well, friend, from my own collisions with the human condition, I have learned that weve got more barricades around our hearts than an army platoon under attack. And on top of that, we dont readily allow other people past our barricadesnot those who love us, and not even the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. So as we take the first steps on this journey, it is vital that we tackle each exercise fearlessly.