A Spiritual Journey to God's Best: 40 Lessons Revealed: Fear to Faith by Understanding the Relationship with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit & You

By Michaelyn Hodges

Powerful tools for victorious Christian living.

Birthed out of Michaelyn Hodges’ own spiritual battle in the crucible of life, this book teaches about spiritual warfare and victory through prayer. The seeker will learn foundational principles—while the seasoned believer will advance on the path to a more intimate relationship with Christ.
 
This 40-lesson bible study exposes the lies of the enemy—and replaces them with God’s truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781683503385

Michaelyn Hodges

Michaelyn Hodges is a seasoned prayer warrior. It is through her own fiery trials that she learned the power of God’s word and prayer. Her degree in Horticulture gives her a unique perspective on the tapestry of God’s creation. Michaelyn volunteers with small children at a women’s recovery program teaching them about God’s love, works at a UGM women and children’s crisis shelter where she also teaches studies from her book and is on the intercessory prayer team for her home church. Born in California, she and her family live in the Inland Northwest where she enjoys gardening and traveling.

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Introduction to Week 1

SEEKING THE TRUTH

In the verses below, Jesus is telling us to seek the truth of His Word. He came to this world to reveal the truth to us. Seek His truth with all your heart by diligently studying His Word, which is the seed, so that it may be planted in good soil and take root. Persevere by reading and understanding His Word as you go through life’s trials and reap the harvest of blessings that He has in store for you.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will speak to me through Your Word and provide divine understanding of Your truth. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to understand. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

And he said to them, Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. Mark 4:13–20 (ESV)

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, But I shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10–11 (NKJV)

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31–32 (ESV)

You are king, then! said Pilate. Jesus answered, You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. John 18:37

We should begin this journey by eliminating things in our lives that prevent us from growing closer to God. It has become common to walk into a store and see a variety of statues of false gods. They are often seen in a garden or on a shelf in someone’s home. Two examples would be a Buddha statue or an Indian fertility carving. If you have any false idols that you are knowingly or unknowingly worshipping, now is the time to get rid of them. The Bible tells us that God’s blessings for us are withheld when we worship idols. God is jealous for us. He says to love Me with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) and have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)

And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Isaiah 45:21b

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:2–6 (ESV)

Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD’S anger will burn against you, and He will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Deuteronomy 11:16–18

Suggestion for Group Bible Study

Together read the Prelude and Introduction: Seeking His Truth and answer the Group Questions and Discussion. Review the Quick Reference Prayers at the end of the book. Then read Lesson 1: Where Does Fear Come From? out loud. Pray for one another to stay on course to finish this study together. Perhaps assign a buddy and share contact info to help encourage one another each week.

For the next 10 weeks, as a group, begin in prayer and then review the lessons from the past week and answer the group questions. If possible, play one or two of the suggested songs from the past week with a cell phone and a Bluetooth speaker. Next, read together the first lesson of the following week, individually answer the questions for this lesson and then pray for one another. The rest of the lessons for the week can be done at home or with your buddy.

FIRST DAY

GROUP QUESTIONS

According to the above passage of Mark 4:13–20

1. What does the seed represent? (Reference Luke 8:11)

2. Which best represents the condition of your heart? (Reference Luke 8:15)

3. Who can come and take the word away from you on the path?

4. What does the rocky soil represent?

5. What chokes out the word in the thorny soil?

6. How do we plant the word in good soil and have it take root?

7. What kind of harvest does God promise us in His Word?

(Isaiah 55:11) God’s Word never returns ________

(John 8:32) What will set us free?

(John 18:37) Why did Jesus come into the world?

(Jonah 2:8) Those who cling to __________ _________ forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

(Isaiah 45:21b) And there is no God apart from _____, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but me.

(Exodus 20:2–6) You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord God am a _____________ God.

GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss the false gods that you see in today’s culture.

2. How is our society being affected by removing God from our lives?

3. As a group, go to the back of the book to the Quick Reference Prayers and review the prayers so that in the week ahead you may use them as needed as you begin this study. These prayers are tested and full of God’s promises. They are a good start to being effective in your prayer life.

Week 1

OVERCOMING FEAR

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4 (ESV)

Lesson 1

Where Does Fear Come From?

Unbridled fear comes from the devil; it does not come from God. If you are afraid and have anxiety attacks during the day or in your dreams at night, they are not from God. He gives us power, love, and a sound mind. I have suffered from overwhelming fear for most of my adult life as well as gripping panic attacks. Only recently, God has shown me that I had to suffer, both physically and mentally, in order to learn how to fight the enemy. To experience victory I had to fully surrender to God and trust that my power comes from Jesus Christ, and then learn how to use the Word of God when the devil comes at me. Without a doubt, while you are on this earth, the devil will attack you or a loved one. God promised that once you learn to submit everything to Him and learn how to resist the devil, he will flee from you.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will speak to me through Your Word and provide divine understanding of Your truth. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to understand. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

God wants us to be courageous. We need to learn to use the authority we have been given by Jesus to resist the devil’s attack. In Revelation 21:8 it is revealed that the cowardly are included in the second death and will be cast into the burning lake of sulfur…let’s be courageous! I once read this quote on the billboard of a brake shop.

COURAGE IS FEAR WITH PRAYER

But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold fast to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Hebrews 3:6

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship. Romans 8:15

[As Jesus walked on water to the disciples in the boat he said to them] Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Then he climbed into the boat with them and the wind died down. Mark 6:50

Many ask the question, Why does God allow the devil to exist? The answer is that God gave us free will to choose our sinful nature (the flesh) that is influenced by the devil or to choose His way, which is guided by His Spirit, when we accept His Son. Lucifer was an angel with a privileged position who thought he knew better than God and could do it better than God. He chose to go against God and was thrown out of heaven. Adam and Eve also chose to go against God and listen to the serpent, and from this decision, sin entered the world.

Because we have free will and the devil is currently ruling on earth, we also need to ask for protection from the enemy. The devil will ultimately be destroyed by Jesus. Individually, we have to decide whether we will follow Jesus or not.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:20

Journaling Exercise

1. List your fears.

2. Over time, what is God doing to remove them?

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalm 84:10 (KJV)

Lesson 2

7 Tools to Resist the Devil

1. Jesus’ Name

Never forget the power of Jesus’ name. God gave Him the name Jesus and placed it above all other names. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will speak to me through Your Word and provide divine understanding of Your truth. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to understand. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9–11 (NKJV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39 (KJV)

Before I was a Christian, I was physically attacked by the enemy. During the night, on about four occasions, he tightly gripped my juggler, and I couldn’t utter a sound. He taunted me and told me what he would keep me from accomplishing. I would wake my husband, a Christian, to pray and eventually the fear would subside. Later on, after I accepted the Lord, he came again, but this time I forcefully spoke the words, Jesus is Lord. He left immediately.

Jesus has absolute authority over Satan and all the principalities of darkness. Principalities are evil powers that oppose everything and everyone that is of God. This authority that Jesus has over Satan and his demons is ours to claim through His name and He has given us the authority to use His name. If you feel under physical or mental attack by Satan, and can only say, Jesus Christ is Lord, he must flee. You can also say, Jesus is my authority or In the name of Jesus, I command you to leave. Command evil to go away in the name of Jesus and claim that all your thoughts are held captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. There can be a constant battle fighting fear and negativity at first, so use these words often. The enemy will come at you less and less as you grow in the strength of Jesus.

[Jesus said] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:12–14 (ESV)

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name! And he said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." Luke 10:17–19 (ESV)

[Jesus said] And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17–18 (NKJV)

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

Between dying on the cross and His resurrection on the third day, Jesus conquered death. Therefore, good has absolute power over evil. Jesus is victorious and the devil is defeated. Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. This means that the devil cannot physically kill you and only Jesus has the authority to send someone to hell. As believers in Christ, death has lost its sting because we know the fiery outcome of the devil and our victory will be eternal life with Jesus.

[Jesus said] Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Revelation 1:17–18 (NKJV)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14–15

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54–57 (NASB)

2. Jesus’ Blood

The blood Jesus shed for us on the cross is all powerful. We have been set free from our sins by His blood and it overcomes all the oppression of the enemy. His blood overpowers darkness and everything related to it. The book of Revelation reveals that the devil was overcome by the blood of the Lamb. From first-hand experience, I can tell you that when you feel under attack, you have only to say, I plead the blood of Jesus over myself or another, and the devil must flee. Plead the blood of Jesus over your family, pets, home, and as you start your car for protection.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will speak to me through Your Word and provide divine understanding of Your truth. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to understand. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13–14 (KJV)

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:12–14 (NKJV)

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18–19

They overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

The precious blood of Jesus Christ was the price that was paid for the atonement of our sins. The balance is paid in full. We now