a little spring note...

This morning in reading my Bible, Matthew 4:4 stood out as something special. This is the passage where Jesus is in the wilderness fasting, and Satan has come to tempt him. Jesus responds to temptation with this: "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of GOD." 
In looking up some of the meanings of the words in the verse, I read that the word for "live" in this verse is zao - this means: not lifeless... active in the kingdom... powerful, fresh... to enjoy real life.  The word for  "word" is the Greek word, rhema. This caught my eye! The Greek word, rhema, refers to a specific statement in the Bible that applies to a specific situation or circumstance. It's different than the other Greek word for "word" - which is logos. Logos refers to the Word of God in general. This is something very specific that speaks to a particular need or temptation you might face.

So, how do we live influential lives for the Kingdom of GOD? We must be in the Word of GOD. We must know the Word. We must listen, read, meditate, apply, memorize, and pray the Word! Is there a particular situation you're in today? some temptation you're facing? some need that you have? Go to the Word. Search. Ask GOD to open your eyes to truth. There is LIFE for you in the Bible. GOD wants us to daily depend upon HIM through daily Bible reading and prayer. This is true living. All through and by CHRIST.

Some notes from my BSF reading: Never be content with an experience, whether your conversion, filling of the Holy Spirit, or any other special encounter with God. We must live on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Experiences with God are precious. But any experience or crisis will be followed by a process. The experience must be lived out in daily dependence by daily Bible reading and daily prayer. God's power must be received constantly from God to meet every changing circumstance.


Matthew 4:4, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Matthew 6:11, Give us today our daily bread.

John 6:63, The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Psalm 27:8, You have said, “Seek My face.” My heart says to You,“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.
Proverbs 30:5, Every word of God is purified; He is like a shield for those who take refuge in Him.

February notes! -walk in love

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:4-6

"I love that it is written to a woman {most likely a reference to a certain ancient church, but, whatever}, love that it includes children, and love that it boils the Christian faith down to the most basic requirement – to love one another. It’s in the actual doing {the walking} when love makes a difference. Remember our ultimate purpose: to love. Walking in love doesn’t requiring much more than a few extra minutes and some thoughtfulness. The best part of it all is that it doesn’t matter what’s on our feet – high heels or flats, boots or barefoot – we can all walk in love."

 {Jones Design Company blog post from January 23^rd}

Read Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:9, Romans 8:31-39 and talk about the verses. What do these verses have in common? The proof of love is a sacrifice given. This is how GOD showed HIS love for us! He gave HIS Son! Love, agape love, always shows. It cannot help but be expressed. Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared from of old to me [Israel], saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.

~Nothing can separate us from HIS love!
Deuteronomy 7:6: we are HIS prized and most dearly treasured possession!

Agape love comes from the heart of GOD. We must surrender to HIS Holy Spirit fully. When we've failed, when we haven't walked in love, when we haven't obeyed - it should cause us to remember how much more fully and totally we are to be depending on GOD. Rely on HIM! Only HE can help us to walk in love… to grow in love… to respond to others in HIS love. HE is the only one Who can change our hearts and fill us with HIS love. Depend on HIM! Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint).

~The Spirit produces love in our lives.

John 13:35, By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

~it’s a witness to the world around us

(Read Nancy Leigh DeMoss devotional on 1 Corinthians 13)

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Amplified (notice all that the word love is actually agape love, and each time it is mentioned, it is followed by a verb. Remember that loves shows itself!), Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].  Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

You can have more of a Christian lingo than really have the Christian life. We can think we’re living with Christ –when we’re really only talking about Him.

Your hands can so work in service for Christ — that you forget to fall in love with Christ.

~Ann Voskamp

Who do you love the most? List 10 people. Do they know without a doubt that you love them? In what ways are you demonstrating agape love? Have you had to sacrifice for them?

Are you resisting showing love to someone (especially within your family)? GOD calls us to express love even if we don’t feel love. Where is it difficult? Agape love is not a feeling! Pray good things for them!

The key to all of life is one thing: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength. It’s the most important commandment!

Pray to love HIM with everything in you - God, give me a love for you that’s not even normal!!

Christmas Gathering!

What a special blessing to have mothers and daughters come join us for an evening of sweet fellowship and fun! Click here to read the special Christmas story that our mother read to us all.

Points of application:

There’s a promise in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that says, And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

GOD gives us much more than all we may seem to lose. When we think how Jesus Christ sacrificed everything for HIS love of us – what are we willing to sacrifice? 

Lay up treasures in heaven.(time-serve, sleep-devotional, fear-to tell of Christ)

Can you ask yourself: Am I giving anything that COSTS me? Where do I need to be obedient and step out in faith? GOD wants to provide for you in a way you never expected. 

Tests – opportunities to see God provide; to trust HIM.

What are some practical ways to show the generosity of God?

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

what really matters?

The LORD does not see as man sees; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart! ~1 Samuel 16:7

November Bible Study notes!

What does it look like to be a woman of faith? We all have our loved heroes of faith: men and women who we look up to and want to aspire to be like in character and godliness. Question: who comes to mind when you think of a faithful person? WHY? They are faithful people. Sometimes so committed to GOD, that they gave their very life for Him. Betsie & Corrie ten Boom. Gladys Alward. George Mueller. John and Betty Stam. Darlene Rose. And from the Bible – Paul, Esther, Joseph, Mary, Daniel. How were these men and women faithful? What did they have that made them give their all for Christ and the sake of the Gospel? Were they somehow different than us? Could we even try to walk after their pattern of faith? Faithfulness – Greek Biblical definition- firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth. From the dictionary: full of faith; steadfast in affection or allegiance; dedicated and loyal. Yes, we believe in God for salvation, and this is faith! For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast – Ephesians 2:8-9. We continue to live that faith out by believing Who He is and what He says – every day. He is worth believing and trusting. He can be believed. Faithfulness. Convinced and firmly persuaded that God is Who He says He is, and keeping surrendered and obedient to Him. 
You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God. ~ J.Hudson Taylor

To live so as to please GOD. We’re currently involved with BSF for young adults, and this past week, we studied about the life of Enoch, from Genesis 5:18-24. Not much is given about Enoch’s life, except that he started walking with God after his son Methusaleh was born – and he walked with God for 300 years and then God took him home (“he was not”)! Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us a little more about Enoch pleasing God.  By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Did you hear that part? Without faith it is impossible to please God! Enoch pleased God. Without faith it is impossible to please God! So faith pleases Him. A life set apart to please God. The faithful are those who please God. We’re to believe He exists. We’re to earnestly seek Him! He rewards those who do. 

So, how do we live, pleasing God? In the Old Testament, the people were commanded to give sacrifices to atone for their sin, to thank God, for peace, for unintentional sins, for guilt. Jesus’ blood has paid the full price for our sins - His death satisfied what God required. Ephesians 1:6, He made us accepted in the Beloved. So for us as believers, even though we’re accepted because of Christ, we can still offer sacrifices that please the Lord: Psalm 27:6, shouts of joy; Psalm 51:17, a humble spirit; Hebrews 13:15-17, a sacrifice of praise, to acknowledge His name and share what we have/do good; Psalm 116:17, a thank offering. These things are pleasing to God! But, back to faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Like Enoch, how do we walk with God every day, moment by moment? Any ideas? How do we “walk by faith and not by sight”? as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:7… trusting HIM, rather than just looking at our circumstances for peace and joy. How often do you struggle to maintain a cheerful spirit when the life around you is total chaos? It’s so easy to lose focus of GOD, and to instead have a magnified view of problems.  Nancy DeMoss has shared, we should say “yes, Lord!” every day! Surrender to Him. Obey what you know He’s asked of you in His Word. In order to believe Truth, you need to know it. Pray for heart knowledge, not only head knowledge. Moment by moment faithfulness. And when you sin, accept responsibility for that, turn to God in repentance and walk in obedience again. 

Know that your faithfulness/obedience impacts those around you and those who come after you. Romans 1:12, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

GOD is GOD. He is good. He is worthy of all my worship. We must “preach” this to ourselves over and over again. This is how we encourage ourselves in the Lord. Remind yourselves of the truth = God’s Word. Acts 5:38-39, if my current path is of ME only, it will probably fail. But if it is of GOD, then HIS plan will prevail. Do we really believe that God’s Word is true when He says His ways are higher than ours? (Isaiah 55:8-9). And, that He can do above and beyond what we could ever ask or think? (Ephesians 3:17). Our faith should not be based solely on what God is doing. When He appears to be inactive, He’s still at work. That’s why faith is believing what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). God does beyond what we could understand. His ways are wonderful. We love Him and He promises to work all things together for good – for His glory (Romans 8:28). Proverbs 16, God’s plans and purposes will prevail. Daniel 4:35, none can stay God’s hand, or say to Him, what are you doing? Ultimately, remember that He knows your heart: Isaiah 40:28, His understanding is unsearchable! His perfect plan for my life can be trusted. Let Him have His way! This is faith!

How do we get off the roller coaster of being up one day and down the next? What to do when you’re tired: confess it. Confession is agreeing with God and telling the truth about a matter. We need to get to the point where we can express it to the Lord – speak it to Him! Remember that Satan wants us to have distance and separation from God, but Jesus invites us to draw close to Him. Like David says in Psalm 62:8, pour out your heart to Him. And then you can then confess what is true about Him and what He can do – agree with Him as to what is true. This brings healing and hope and peace. Have faith based on WHO God is. You walk with Him and believe Him – to seek His heart. His heart is loving, good and faithful. Start having a life of gratitude. We have to learn to encourage ourselves in the Lord, as David did.

Extra Scriptures relating to Faithfulness: 

Faithfulness to God is impossible unless it springs from a trusting, believing heart!

Faithfulness is simply believing that God will keep His Word.

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

We live by promises, not by what we see. Encourage yourself daily in the Lord. Reject the devil's lies, and build up your faith upon God's Word.

Romans 12:1-2 - In becoming a living sacrifice which is acceptable to God, we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

To be transformed, we must put off the old sinful man ~ Colossians 3:9-10

Evil company corrupts good morals ~ 1 Corinthians 15:33

We should be a companion of those who fear God and keep His commandments ~ Ps. 119:63

In this world, we should be lovers of God ~ 2 Timothy 3:4-5

Just as we eat 3 meals a day to sustain our physical bodies, we must also feast on God's word daily to sustain our souls.

Why are people spiritually destroyed? Lack of knowledge of God's word ~ Hosea 4:6

The more we study the Bible, the stronger our faith will be ~ Romans 10:17

James 1:21 says the implanted word of God is able to save our souls.

We will grow spiritually when we desire and partake of the word of God ~ 1 Peter 2:22

Jeremiah 17:7-8

If there were no difficulties, there could be no triumphs!

we will face opposition.  We are told that, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).  As persecution comes our way, "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).

God defends those who put their trust in Him ~ Psalm 5:11

"we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age" (Titus 2:13) and "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

~This month we wrote notes of gratitude and encouragement to men and women serving overseas~

"Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, ' I will try again tomorrow.' " --Mary Ann Radmacher.

mid-month encouragement!

Be blessed knowing that your Sovereign GOD loves you and is using all things in your life to shape and fashion you into HIS image! What's bogging you down today? Don't lose heart. Keep seeking HIM humbly and rejoice that HE does all things well.

Wait on Me

Hey sweet girls! We came across something from Sheri Rose Shepherd that we wanted to share with you... it goes so well with our lesson from last Saturday! Sheri has written many devotional books (His Princess, etc.) and writes "love letters" as if they are written from the Lord just to us. Be encouraged as you wait on the LORD!

My Princess,

Wait on Me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. I know you're anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vindresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don't run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away.

Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.

Love,
Your King and Lord of perfect timings

"But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grown weary. They will walk and not faint." ~Isaiah 40:31, NIV~