Amelia Rhodes

Author, Speaker, Community Connector

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Live Full Walk Free {Giveaway}

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I’m so excited to share with you a little bit about my friend Cindy Bultema’s new Bible study Live Full Walk Free. The study released just before Christmas and it is powerful! If you’re looking for a good Bible study to kick off the new year, this is it. I have a copy to giveaway too! Please leave a comment on this post by January 19 to be entered.

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Can you tell us a little bit about your new study and why you chose to use Corinth?

Live Full, Walk Free: Set Apart in a Sin-Soaked World is a six-session Bible study book and DVD series based on 1 Corinthians. I love how God’s Word contains instructions on every (yes, every) situation we might face in life—even instructing us on how to live set-apart lives right in the middle of today’s confused culture. Whether women have been studying the Bible for decades, or are still trying to figure this “Jesus thing” out, I hope they’ll find relevant material that meet them right where they are on their spiritual journey.

I picked 1 Corinthians because Paul wrote this letter to church members living in the “Sin City” of their day. (So when you see 1st & 2nd Corinthians, think 1st & 2nd Las Vegas!) The church members in Corinth were surrounded by immorality, idolatry and indulgence, much like our culture today. Together we can learn from Paul’s wisdom to the Corinthians as he addressed issues such as identity, unity, purpose, purity, as well as overcoming temptations. Good stuff!

What was one of your favorite “ah ha” moments regarding this study? 

Wow! So many! I think one “ah ha” moment was the fresh realization of how much our beliefs shape our behavior. If we really desire to live full and walk free, we must have our beliefs based on the Word of God.

This is very personal to me. You see, when I was in my teens, a peer scrawled on the chipped bathroom door of the girl’s restroom at my high school—“Cindy is a fat red cow.”

Unfortunately, those words defined me for the next two decades, attached to me like a sticky nametag. “Hello, my name is Cindy. I’m a fat red cow.”

I didn’t know the Truth yet, that God calls me something very different—His daughter, the apple of His eye, a princess of great price. So I believed a bathroom stall scrawl, and gave it tremendous power over my life and behavior. I allowed those words to chisel my worth and carve up my value. Whenever I thought about my body or my looks, I flashed back on those ugly etchings.

And when we believe the “lying labels”—as we often do—we start to behave in a way that lines up with that false belief. If we think we are (fill in the blank), we will soon begin to act that way.

For example, if we believe our bodies are worthless, we will begin to conduct ourselves in that way: overeating, drinking too much, starving ourselves, or maybe even engaging in unhealthy sexual relations.

But when we believe the Truth of who God says we are, we begin to experience the fullness and freedom that is ours in Christ. Woo Hoo!

We will never live full and walk free if our beliefs are based on the messages of the world. We must know and think God’s truth-filled thoughts on every situation. Wrong thinking leads to wrong living—every single time.

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What do you hope readers glean from Live Full, Walk Free?

Freedom in every area of their life—including their sexuality. I often meet women who are weighed down by the pain and humiliation of their sexual pasts, even many years later. I’ve shed tears with countless friends who expressed feeling intense guilt for premarital sex, having an abortion, affair, or other sexual sins. I’ve walked with beautiful women who disclosed their excruciating stories of childhood sexual victimization. They know it’s not their fault, they should “move on.” They’ve tried to live forgiven and free, yet, they can’t shake the shame.

Unfortunately I think sex is one of Satan’s favorite lures. Clearly he’s using sexual sin to hook our culture: Porn is rampant, sexting among teens is commonplace, and we can’t even go to the grocery store for salad fixings without seeing sexual images on the covers of checkout magazines.

For many women, living in our sex-crazed culture has drastically impacted one’s ability to live full and walk free. Trust me: I get it. For a girl like me with a past like mine, I know what it’s like to be burdened with regret, disappointment, heavy hurts. No judgment here, only grace.

This I know based on the authority of God’s Word: no matter what you have done, or what has been done to you—Jesus Christ came so you might live full and walk free. You are not the one woman who has outsinned the grace and mercy of God. There is no one too far gone from God’s amazing grace!

Can you offer a prayer for those of us who are struggling to live set apart in these turbulent times?

Dear God, thank You for my dear sister. Lord, how I ask that You would remind her in the deepest places of her heart and mind that she is lavishly loved by you. Please open her eyes to the purpose and plan that you have for her life. Help her to let go of anything she is holding onto that is getting in the way of the full, abundant life that You desire for her. God, I thank You that because of Jesus we can live victoriously—regardless of being surrounded by immorality, indulgence, and idolatry.

I pray that my dear friend would cling to Your Truth always—including when temptation comes, or old habits try to resurface. And for all of us seeking to live set apart lives in our sin-soaked world, may we know Truth, live Truth, and share Your powerful Truths, in love, with others everywhere we go.

We love You, Lord, and we bless Your powerful and holy Name. In the life-changing, delivering name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

_________________________

cindybultema-bio-pic-smallCindy’s latest Bible study, Live Full Walk Free: Set Apart in a Sin-Soaked World was released in December 2016 at Thomas Nelson. Visit her blog to watch the study trailer, and download a FREE sample chapter and set of A-Z scripture cards: http://www.cindybultema.com/live-full-walk-free/

With nearly 20 years of ministry experience, Cindy is a popular women’s speaker, author, and Bible teacher. But don’t let her cheerful smile fool you—Cindy has endured single parenting, overcome bondage to addiction, and survived tragic loss. Cindy lives in Michigan with her husband and their four kids. Most days you can find Cindy walking her beagle Rocky, attending one of her boys’ hockey games, or serving hot lunch at her kids’ school. Connect with Cindy at www.cindybultema.com.

Leave a comment on this post by Thursday, January 19 to be entered to win a copy of Live Full Walk Free! What rang true for you in Cindy’s comments?

 

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Comments

  1. I met Cindy (and Amelia) at the Speak Up Conference. I’m excited to see how God is working through these beautiful women to encourage and strengthen others. Cindy’s newest Bible study looks wonderfully educational and insightful.
    Amelia’s A to Z cards sit next to my devoted time chair. I am using them to recognize daily blessings .
    May the Lord of peace and love continue to guide and bless these ministries.

  2. Thank you for sharing this. Since the post (and possibly this book) seem more directed at women. I’m wondering if you or Cindy could speak to any experiences men’s groups may have had with using her Bible study? I ask, in part, because we’re looking into doing something like this for our group.

      • Hi Bruce 🙂
        What a great question! Unfortunately since the book was just released, I don’t have any stories to share from a men’s group. I can tell you that my husband has read the book from cover to cover (more than once or twice) and he learned a lot of new insights from 1 Corinthians. I traveled to Greece in preparation from the book, and was able to add a lot of the background and cultural context , which my husband also really enjoyed. There are couples groups which are starting Live Full Walk Free this winter, so I will keep you and Amelia posted.
        Thanks so much!
        Warmly,
        Cindy 🙂

  6. I loved her Red Hot Book and would not only like to win her new book but find the study in Grand Rapids Michigan where I live, Does anyone know who is doing this study in the area.

    • I don’t know, Beverylann, but I’ve asked Cindy. I’d be surprised if there isn’t a group in the area. Will let you know what I find out!

  7. I was just introduced to who Cindy is through a book launch of Karen Ehman’s. This study and her previous study both look so good! Can’t wait to snag a copy

  8. Would love to win. Enjoyed hearing her speak at Grace Adventures. Would love to do this study with the women in my small group.

    • Isn’t Grace Adventures awesome? You had a sneak peek to some of the video lessons, Gloria. Keep me posted if your small group goes through the study. I have some fun goodies I could send your way!

  11. Love this ……”If we really desire to live full and walk free, we must have our beliefs based on the Word of God.”

    • Diane, thank you. Me too! The Live Full Walk Free Motto is:
      Know the Truth
      Live the Truth
      Share the Truth
      If we want to live full and walk free, we must stop listening to the world, and instead follow God’s powerful, life-changing Word. 🙂

  13. “This I know based on the authority of God’s Word: no matter what you have done, or what has been done to you—Jesus Christ came so you might live full and walk free. You are not the one woman who has outsinned the grace and mercy of God. There is no one too far gone from God’s amazing grace!”

    I was one of those women who thought I had outsinned the grace and mercy of God! I became a Christian at 41 years old, and my previous life was so full of sin, shame, regret, and brokenness, I was sure that God would never love anyone like me! It took some time and much counsel for me to finally be able to not only accept His grace and forgiveness, but also to extend that same grace and forgiveness to people who had hurt me in the past!

    I had the honor and privilege of being a member of Cindy’s launch team, and I am so grateful for this book! Some women from my church do online Bible studies in a Facebook group, and I am planning to introduce this study in the Spring! Thank you for the chance to win this package! ?

    • You are so sweet, Rachelle. Thanks for your authenticity and vulnerability too. I’m so thankful to have gotten to know you better through this journey. Glad we are on the same Team!
      xoxo

      • Thank you Cindy! I appreciate your kind words! I too, am grateful to have gotten to know you better. I am so thankful to know that I am not alone in my past! Like I said, it took some time to be able to accept God’s grace and forgiveness, but I know now that He is so loving and forgiving, and has removed my sins as far as the East is from the West! 🙂

  14. I love Cindy and how she speaks to each woman right where they are. Hoping to get my small group to do this study next. Would love to win a copy for my group leader.

    • Hi Anne B 🙂 thanks so much for your encouraging words! Please keep me posted if your small group goes through Live Full Walk Free. I’d love to send some fun goodies your way! 🙂

  15. This is awesome! Thank you for sharing. I talked just last night about whether or not to lead a bible study and whether or not to do this one. Where can I find her other book? Is it on amazon?

  17. I just love her way of expressing what she has gone through in her live and the transparent she is and would love the opportunity to win a book I would love to read all of the book

  19. I would love to win this. To be able to live free from passed sin and completely in God’s grace.

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