Girls Really Living

January Gathering :-)

2012-01-21T16:54:00.001-06:00

Today we’d like to share about beauty - what’s beautiful in God’s eyes, and in the eyes of those around you. And we’re also going to talk about those things that turn others off, that irritate and provoke... things we should purposefully think about and avoid.

We first of all need to realize that God has created us for a personal relationship with Himself. He loves you and He loves me... so much that He gave Jesus as the atonement for our sins. Do you know Him as your personal Savior? Because of Him, we are “accepted in the Beloved.” Secondly, it’s important for us to study and know who we are in Christ. He’s saved us, He’s called us, He loves us. We are made righteous and clean in His eyes through Jesus. We’ve been adopted, set apart, prayed for, given the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are forgiven, healed, redeemed, satisfied, renewed. As you read your Bible, take note of WHO you are in Christ! Meditate on it. Pray prayers of thanks. Let it sink down into your heart. (talk about His Princess book, by Sheri Rose Shepherd). Thirdly, you need to come to the place where you realize that you cannot change or control anyone except YOURSELF. Life is full of ups and downs. People will come and go in and out of your life. There will be frustration, joy, pain, and laughter. You cannot guarantee how everything will turn out! You can only be responsible for how you respond to what God allows. What does this mean? Well, the challenges you face today - a brother or sister who irritates you... a hard school assignment... sickness or pain... the loss of a loved one... an unsaved family member... trying to fit in... making friends... these are things God uses to shape you into the girl He wants you to become. A girl growing in character. A girl seeking God’s approval. A girl delighting in Jesus. A girl falling more and more in love with the Lord. A girl getting into God’s Word. A girl praying and listening to God. A girl that is willing to be used as God sees best. Surrendered. At peace. Beautiful!

1 Peter 3:4, let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. This is what God delights in! Invest time with Him!! Inner beauty, the hidden person of the heart (your desires, your emotions). Proverbs 3:5-6

...captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in (the Message, 1 Peter 3:3-4).

As you grow into the girl God wants you to become (by praying through tough things... by seeking Him despite discouragement... by being grateful for who you are in Christ), you will become a powerful influence to those around you! This is what is so beautiful. It’s not merely you... but Christ in you, Who shines to those around you. He makes you a sweet fragrance! Read 2 Corinthians 2 :14.

What should we purpose to avoid? how about complaining? you know, a negative attitude is just as contagious as a cheerful attitude. (Pollyanna!) Do you tend to irritate others with your words? Do you find joy in seeing another becoming provoked??! Do you nag and nag, and then nag some more? Criticize? Do you act out of fear? What about acting out of envy or jealousy? These things will only push your family and friends, and even onlookers, far away from you. They create disappointment and discouragement.

Read Hebrews 3:13. You only have today to make a difference in another’s life. So do it!

--Ask yourself: what needs do I see around me? what can I do to help meet those needs? who can I encourage today? Write a note... send an email... make a phone call... talk to God about them. Can you see the blessing in the challenge you’re facing? How’s your heart (a glad heart is like a good medicine!)?

A Woman of Discretion: using wisdom to avoid damaging attitudes, words, and actions and giving insightful counsel. –avoid getting involved in fruitless and endless arguments. Value God’s Word. Discern needs around me. The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning - Prov.17:27

The key verse we want you to remember is from Proverbs 11:22, Like a ring of gold in a pig’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who rejects discretion (NET). What a lovely verse, right?!!!

Here are some other translations:

-As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion. Amplified.

-Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful face on an empty head. The Message

-[As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion. KJV

-A beautiful woman lacking discretion and modesty is like a fine gold ring in a pig’s snout – The Living Bible.

Notes: physical attractiveness without inner strength soon wears thin. We are to seek those qualities that help us make wise decisions, not just those that make us look good.

Commentary—

How absurd to think that a ring could make a pig look beautiful!!! It’s just as silly to think that a woman’s physical beauty can excuse her lack of discretion (moral perception). Are you beautiful, but lacking in values and morals, thoughtfulness and love towards others? Then you’re just like the pig described here – kinda ugly.

What are others attracted to? People around you will not be interested in a “hot girl” who doesn’t have compassion and joy.

So!, a fair and attractive and beautiful woman – WITHOUT discretion is not a pretty sight!

The word “without” means to turn aside, depart, avoid, take away, dispose. This woman had been a discerning woman. But, she. left. it. She purposely turned away from discretion.

“discretion” is taste, discernment, reason, judgment. No moral sensibility, no propriety, no good taste, unchaste (not pure).

Remember this:

Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

The way the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) translates this verse is:

As a ring of gold in a nose of a pig, so is beauty to an evil-minded woman.

The word for evil-minded in Greek (kakophrwn) is only used one other time in the Bible, also in the Proverbs of the Old Testament:

Proverbs 19:19 - An evil-minded man shall be penalized much; and he shall add even his life if there should be injury. (( “If you deliver [him by paying the fine for him once], you will have to do it again”)) Evil-minded, without discretion. You can't serve two masters! Either you're pursuing the wisdom of God's ways, or you're being pulled by the flesh. Submit to God! Resist the devil! Pray and ask God to help you desire to the wise, all discerning heart that He so delights to create in you.

The heart must be changed first, before any beauty can be a blessing to those around you! Seek wise, God-honoring choices. Do not turn away from solid truth. Live pure! Fear God! Let your beauty be from Him. Your physical beauty is a reflection - a glimpse of the beauty of your godly character and wisdom...and that is a reflection of God's ultimate beauty and wisdom and love. It's all a reflection - of something which is the greatest beauty. And it all points to God.

Beauty. Pigs. Discernment. Knowing who you are in Christ. Encourage. Reflect.

New Year's Thoughts

2012-01-02T17:43:00.002-06:00

New Year's day is a good time to fix one's eyes on the Only One Who knows what the year is to hold.

Here is the opportunity offered. Be patient. Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. He holds every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month in [2012] in His hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there.

"Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup" Psalm 16:5. Shall we not gladly say, "I'll take it Lord! YES! I'll trust You for everything. Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

~quotes from Mrs. Elisabeth Elliot Gren.

Christmas Gathering!

2011-12-21T15:39:00.000-06:00

What a joy to gather together and have some fun mother-daughter time earlier this month! Our little devotional was based from a blog post from One Love for Christ. This particular posting was on Ruth, and her story of sacrifice and surrender. With Ruth, there was no turning back. To truly follow Christ's leading, He calls us to surrender our own lives and trust Him with all our hearts.

Mary is also a timely example to us of a gal who gave herself wholly to God and His will. She said: "I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let is be with me just as You say."

You and I have the opportunity to be Marys and Ruths in today's generation. Are you willing to be His servant? willing to be part of a whole new generation who will be an instrument of light and truth to this world? May this be our prayer!!

Christmas decorations

having fun with the ornament exchange

November notes

2011-11-22T09:52:00.001-06:00

Waiting on the Lord. In waiting, sometimes we think we’re just waiting on God to hurry and make up His mind about our circumstance. He is God. He is Sovereign = He is in control. Do we realize that?? What does it mean for you and for me?

Let’s look at some Scenarios on Waiting:

waiting for plants to grow/bloom: you have to give them time, right? They won’t bloom until the proper season. You have to wait for a garden to produce. And so it is in our lives. There are certain things that are good for us, but God knows the right timing for those things. He wants us to learn to wait joyfully! Truly trust that He knows the right season. He has made everything beautiful in its time, Ecclesiastes 3:11. Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing, James 1:4. Are you trusting God for each season in your life?

waiting for water to boil: they say if you watch a pot of water, it will never boil! Sometimes this is true in our life too. Our eyes might be so fixed on the problem or situation, that we become obsessed with it. Nothing is to become bigger than God in our lives (it should not block your vision of Him). Are your eyes on the problem/situation more than on God? Is the problem bigger to you, or is God still greater? Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2, Amplified. Fix your eyes on Him!

waiting to become accomplished: this might apply to school or music, or sports. You’re just waiting for the day when you can feel good about what you’re pursuing... when it brings some satisfaction.... when all your hard work finally pays off. David wrote many Psalms about waiting on God. He came to learn that God is the One who gives him strength and confidence for each task and life situation. Do you feel tired? Are you ready to give up? What is really wearing you out? Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For He is the one who gives me confidence. Psalm 62:5 But those who wait for the Lord's help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles' wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:31 Live pure. Work hard. Leave it to God. - Tim Tebow

waiting for God to show you His will for your future (school/college/calling): This does take time. Don’t grow discouraged. Elisabeth Elliot said “do the next thing” and this is so true. God just lights one step at a time, and really, this is all we need. Trust Him for today. Tell Him your desires. He knows your heart. Ask counsel from your parents. Take advantage of some of the tools out there that address things life your spiritual gift and life calling. Ultimately, seek God, and seek Him first! Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew. 6:33

waiting for Mr. Right: this can be a hard one. haha! After all, we’re still single. A godly man once said, “Jennifer, you only have one choice: marry the right man.” You may be tempted to ask - where are the right men? Are there any left? Yes, there are. God has a plan. Start praying for the guys around you. We’d encourage you to pray in general terms here. Pray that God equips them and brings godly mentors and role models into their life. Pray for spiritual protection. There is power in prayer, and you never know what God is doing behind the scenes. We also have an enemy and we need to stand against him with the Word of God. Pray God’s word. But don’t grow discouraged and never decide to settle. God may bring a husband your way in the near future, or further off. There is no doubt that you are deeply loved and that He has GREAT things planned for you. Believe that! The Lord is good to those who trust or wait in Him, to the one who seeks Him. It is good to wait patiently for deliverance from the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26. wait in patience. wait patiently. But don’t stop there. Get busy about ministry and service to the Lord. Pray for vision. Use your talents and time to further His kingdom now. You’ll never have the opportunity to serve Him like this again once you’re married (there will be other distractions and greater responsibilities than you’re facing now). Asking God to change your circumstances? He may be using your circumstances to change you! -Max Lucado When a godly guy does come into your life, be sure to “release and receive.” Waiting for God’s best timing throughout the whole process; being willing to give your relationship to God; being willing to receive what He wants to give you. Value purity! Remember, you are God’s royal daughter - a princess. Never allow anyone to treat you as anything different that that. Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are complete in Him. Your wholeness comes from Christ.

DON’T LOSE HOPE: "Hope waits but does not sit. To wait is not to sit idly by, whittling our life away until something happens. That is killing time, distracting ourselves to death. Hope strains with eager anticipation to see what may be coming on the horizon. Hope does not pacify; it does not make us docile and mediocre. Instead, it draws us to greater risk and perseverance." -Allender (The Healing Path)

Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure.–Psalm 16:5

Heb “you take hold of my lot.” The psalmist pictures the Lord as casting his lot (a method used to allot landed property) for him, thus assuring that he will receive a fertile piece of land (see v. 6). As in the previous line, land represents security and economic stability, thus “you make my future secure.”

Lot – bible dictionary: a destiny, as assigned by God

God controls our lot in life. It’s a special assignment. It’s one of security. It’s beautiful.

(Habakkuk 2:3)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (NET Bible: Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass - it will not arrive late.)

Mercy may seem slow, but it is sure. The Lord in unfailing wisdom has appointed a time for the outgoings of His gracious power, and God's time is the best time. We are in a hurry; the vision of the blessings excites our desire and hastens our longings; but the Lord will keep His appointments. He never is before His time; He never is behind. Come, my soul, canst thou not wait for thy God? Rest in Him and be still in unutterable peacefulness.- Charles Spurgeon

the "appointed time" in this verse means, a sacred season. A time that's set apart, a season or place that's appointed by God to bring Him glory. We can surely wait for His perfectly timed will, for it is good, and He has plans that are ultimately far beyond ours! So, today I hope and pray that I can rest in that. TODAY, this season right now, is appointed by God for me. Rejoice in that!

A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace. ~Elisabeth Elliot

Read Psalm 37:1-9, underline all the things that are God’s job. Go back and circle everything that is your job.

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve you while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord - John Waller

October Bible Study notes

2011-10-26T16:08:00.000-05:00

P.U.R.I.T.Y
*Passion* for Christ: We desire purity because our passion is for Christ and what He did on our behalf.
*Unite*: We seek to unite our desire with Christ’s desire for our lives.
*Repentant*: We repent of our sins and turn our hearts to Christ.
*Identity* in Christ: Our identity is in Christ because God sent Him to earth for us, Jesus died for us, and the Holy Spirit came to live in us.
*Transformed* : We are being transformed into Christ’s likeness as we seek Him through time spent in His Word, through prayer, and through study and meditation on God’s principles and character.
*Yielded*: We yield our wills and desires to Him.

Passion for Christ - what He did on our behalf. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ~ Eph.2:4-10

We love Him because He first loved us! passion: strong and barely controllable emotion Think about a fire... Deut.4:24 (Jealous God. A Consuming Fire. Intense. Chasing us.) Girls are known for being emotional, moody. We have strong feelings that often consume us and easily control our responses to life! It’s how God has wired us. :) So, we especially, need to take these feelings to God in prayer. Pray that HE becomes the delight of our life and that we are totally consumed with Him. Ps.63: hunger and thirst for Him.

Unite Psalm 86:11, Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. What is His desire for our lives? Any ideas?? Matthew 28:19 (go. make disciples. baptized. teach others/be taught His commands.) 1 Timothy 2:4, God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We’re here to be salt and light! Shine. Love others - point them to Jesus. So what are your desires? Psalm 37:4: delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires/requests of your heart.

Repentant literally means to turn around and go in a different direction! not my way, but God’s way. Matthew 4:17, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Acts 3:19-20, Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Have you asked God for salvation? What is God convicting you of right now? (testimony of His conviction in our lives- the need to respond and obey!) Ask God for a clean heart - Psalm 51. Spend time in prayer. It’s humility! Proverbs 1:23, If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you (see the warning in the next verses too). Respond to God’s Spirit now -- today.

Identity what is your identity in Christ? God accepts us in Christ. Hebrews 10:14, For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified (the word perfect here does not mean without sin, but perfectly adequate. Jesus’ death on the cross is the only sacrifice ever needed. He alone makes us acceptable and adequate in God’s sight.

Transformed transformed into His likeness. Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 2 Corinthians 3:18, And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. It is our responsibility to pursue holy lives! Daily, we have decisions that set us apart from the world. God’s freedom = liberty to live as you should, not as you please. good quote- if you expect to resist temptation, it will be in direct proportion to your abiding in the Word.

Yielded Jesus is the ultimate example of this. He prayed, not My will, but Thine be done (Luke 22:42). God is a good Shepherd... He leads you in right paths. He is to be trusted! So, have you set aside your goals to follow Him? Yield (how does it work when you’re driving? or, how is it supposed to work??) Let someone else go first. God’s plans and thoughts for your life are so much better than yours. His way is perfect. Remember the old hymn, have Thine own way, Lord. Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. good question: If the Holy Spirit were to completely pull out of your life--would you even realize He was gone?

September Bible study notes- Bartimaeus

2011-09-12T22:02:00.000-05:00

Take heart. Get up. He is calling you! ~Mark 10:49

Do you ever get discouraged, thinking that God is overlooking you… that He doesn’t notice you? The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, had been blind for… well, we don’t know. It could have been since birth, or maybe since childhood. But he was now a man. And he was a beggar. He was helpless. He had no wealth. No position. No power. Not only did he not have resources, but he had no sight. He could only sit by the side of the road, calling out for coins… begging.

Before you look down on Bartimaeus, remember that without Jesus, we too are beggars. We are poor. We are helpless. In fact, it says in Isaiah 66:2, But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The Message says it like this: You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

Blind Bartimaeus the Beggar must have heard some good things about Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps his parents were good Jewish people and had told him of a deliverer coming from the line of David. It’s important for us to know WHO Jesus is. His name. His power. His might. To believe that He is God and that He can do what He says He can do.

Who is Jesus to you? Do you praise Him for His name(s)? What name of God is special to you? (look for His names as you read the Bible)

What had been prophesied about Jesus came true, Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

Bartimaeus believed enough to shout out to Jesus, to call to Him. To ask Him to have mercy, and to pity him. To help him! Many of the people told him to be quiet. Perhaps he was a nuisance to them. Maybe he was too loud. But this didn’t stop him. He called out all the more for mercy! Do we let the opinions of others dictate our actions? Do you do things, or, do you not do things, just because someone else might think differently of you? Don’t live from the fear of man. Live out of fear of God!

Also, he didn’t give up. Whether Jesus responded or not, he was persistent in calling out. Do we have the faith to continue persistently in prayer? Not so much of insisting on our own will/desires, but truly pouring out our heart before God and being open and honest before Him. It’s something to work on.

So, Jesus did hear Bartimaeus. He told his disciples to tell him to come. The disciples told him, Take heart. Get up. He is calling you!

Take heart. Be of good courage. Cheer up. We can receive this word in our own lives. Don’t get discouraged about trials and hard times. What hard thing are you facing? Family. School. Church. Friends. Fires. Drought. John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] -- The Amplified. Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ours is the God of endurance and encouragement (Rom. 15:5).

Then they told him to get up! Ephesians 6:13 tells us to stand. (in the Greek, To stand immovable and firm. In place. Ready and prepared. Safe. One who does not hesitate or waiver.) In Jesus, we have nothing to fear. We can get up. We can respond to His call. Isaiah 51:12 "I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is madelike grass… 1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 5:4 Foreveryone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

He is calling you! God is a personal God. We – you and I – each of us, has to respond to His call. You can’t rely on your parents’ faith to get you into heaven. It has to be yours. God is calling you. He is offering a personal relationship to you. So Bartimaeus got up right away and ran to Jesus. Run to Him! Like the father of the prodigal son, He is always there. He is ready and waiting to receive you. He told him he wanted his sight and Jesus gave it to him. His faith had made him whole.

Believe that God can do the impossible. Believe Who He is. Call out. Tell Him what you need. Don’t give up. Listen. He’s calling you. Get up and run to Him.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God. -Amplified.

On another note, Jeanette shared her blog with us, and we wanted to share it with you. The Lord is teaching her much... and she's seeking to bless and encourage others through her writings.

sweet summertime

2011-08-17T20:08:00.000-05:00

Reviving Etiquette

2011-07-30T18:12:00.000-05:00

notes from Summer Gathering

2011-07-30T14:40:00.006-05:00

Kind. Sweet. Polite. Graceful. Pure. Refined. Modest. Thoughtful. Sensitive. Christ-like.

“Our goal is to put others at ease so they can enjoy their meal and our company”-Emily Post

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice- the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is it too much to ask? (see Romans 12:1-2)

~ Boredom is dangerous - Beth Moore ~

I must decrease so He can increase, John 3:30. Let God take the wheel. don't be a control freak- they have fits, but they do not have fun! don't control every bit of the Abundance out of your life. let the wind of the Spirit blow your hairsprayed hair! you're not the one driving... it's gonna be a wild ride (Beth Moore).

All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds that we sow today! (unknown author)

We’re here to reflect His beauty, to shine! (Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:16). You are an heiress! a princess. a daughter of the King. Live like it! (...leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps,1 Peter 2:21) -Follow in His steps!

It is remarkable how great an influence our clothes have on our moral state - Anatole France

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

On Being a Lady – by Mrs. Emily Post "The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S's: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy, and Serenity."

Sincerity: honest, pure.

Simplicity: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, lack of folly or silliness, innocent

Sympathy: what affects another affects you, loyalty, sharing in others’ feelings

Serenity: clear and free of storms or unpleasant change! Unruffled repose. Peaceful.

such a fun evening together, complete with chocolate :)

Our Goal:

to bring glory to Jesus Christ!

happy summer :)

2011-07-25T13:22:00.003-05:00

O the deep, deep love of Jesus

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free,

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In its fullness over me.

The love of Jesus is without limit and without end. You are loved!

that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge... Ephesians 3

Take your candle... Go light your world!

2011-06-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

A small candle is significant in a dark room.

In fact, the darker the room, the brighter the candle.

An old Indian fable tells the story of a businessman who came to retirement age and

wanted to leave his business to one of his two sons. He could not determine which

deserved most to inherit his work, and so he devised an unusual test. He gave each of

them a coin, with instructions to buy something that would fill the family’s house.

The coin was small, but the house was large. The task seemed impossible. Nonetheless,

the older brother set out immediately for the market. He soon discovered that the

cheapest material he could buy was straw. So he purchased all the straw his coin could

buy and carted it home. Unfortunately, he could cover only half the rooms of the house

with it.

The younger brother knew that for this unusual test, unusual wisdom would be needed.

He thought long and hard about his plan, and set out for the market just as his older

brother was returning with his cartload of straw. When he came back, he had a small

package under his arm. His brother ridiculed him: “I couldn’t fill the house with all the straw I could buy; what

can you possibly do with that tiny box?” The younger brother said nothing. He took from

his box several small candles. He placed a candle in each room of the house. And when

he had lit them all, the house was filled with light.

One candle at a time, we can take the Light of the world to everyone Jesus came to save.

Will you light a candle in the room where you live?

a bit of encouragement

2011-05-24T12:01:00.002-05:00

learn to run to God for your emotional comfort!

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

I'll Live for Him Who Died for Me

2011-04-27T12:08:00.001-05:00

The chorus of this hymn came to Darlene's heart as she stood in front of the soldier, waiting to be beheaded. She said, "Lord, this is a strange song to sing for someone who's about to die!"

My life, my love I give to Thee,
Thou Lamb of God Who died for me;
O may I ever faithful be,
My Savior and my God!

Chorus:
I’ll live for Him Who died for me,
How happy then my life shall be!
I’ll live for Him Who died for me,
My Savior and my God!

I now believe Thou dost receive,
For Thou hast died that I might live;
And now henceforth I trust in Thee,
My Savior and my God!

~Ralph E. Hudson

O Thou Who died on Calvary,
To save my soul and make me free,
I’ll consecrate my life to Thee,
My Savior and my God!

He Giveth More Grace

2011-04-27T12:05:00.002-05:00

He Giveth More Grace - Darlene put this hymn to memory right before she was taken. She couldn't sleep one night, so she spent time memorizing this poem which some missionary friends had put to music. God knew she would need it later as she was in the camps. When she thought she could not handle another interrogation, these words came to mind. God reminded her that His grace would be sufficient for each trial. He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

~Annie Johnson Flint

Only Believe

2011-04-27T12:01:00.003-05:00

a hymn that Darlene learned as a little girl. Verse Three spoke to her as she was closed in her cell (on death row).

Only Believe, by Paul Radar
Verse 1
Fear not little flock, from the cross to the throne,
From death into life, He went for His own,
All power in earth, all power above,
Is given to Him for the flock of His love.

Chorus:
Only believe, only believe,
All things are possible, only believe,
Only believe, only believe,
All things are possible, only believe,

Verse 2
Fear not little flock, He goeth ahead,
Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread,
The waters of Marah, He'll sweeten for thee
He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.

Verse 3
Fear not little flock, whatever your lot,
He enters all rooms, the doors being shut,
He never forsakes, He never is gone,
So count on His presence, in darkness and dawn.

Only believe, only believe,
All thins are possible, only believe,
Only believe, only believe,
All things are possible, only believe.

April Girls Gathering

2011-04-27T11:39:00.004-05:00

We have learned so very much from Darlene! Here are some notes from our third session with Darlene Deibler Rose~

Those He loves, He chastens - "be a good soldier for Jesus Christ"

Memorize God's Word now! Fill your mind with Truth.

If God calls you to a place, He equips you.

God understands ALL of our needs. With God, you can stand tremendous pain. His grace is sufficient for you (right now!).

God delights to give! He gives 100 fold. We don't have to help Him out (give Him hints about how He could meet our needs).

He is the exact same God who led the people of Israel through the wilderness. The God who delivered, delivers, and will deliver yet again (2 Corinthians 1:10).

We're always under the greatest Hiding Place of all.

She knew God would restore her - body, soul, and spirit. Be available to Him. Like gold tried in the fire, He wants to make us like pure gold. Go anywhere for Him. Don't stop to count the cost.

Royal Fever, anyone?

2011-04-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

Will and Kate's wedding seems to be on everyone's mind right now! As you look forward to this royal event, keep in mind that you are part of God's royal family. You are a princess! Start shining!!

The King's daughter is all glorious within. ~Psalm 45:13a

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. ~1 Peter 2:9

March Gathering

2011-03-14T18:49:00.003-05:00

This past weekend we gathered together for a special story from Gina and part two of the video testimony of Darlene Deibler Rose. It was a tear-jerker. Here are some notes:

Read Psalm 91

-The native people loved to hear the story of God’s love for them "just once more!"

-Accept things from God and be happy with His plan for your life

-Everything God allows into our lives is for our good and His glory

-God is not an evil God. He loves us... enough to give us His only Son

-they had to live with what they had -contentment

-they spent much time in prayer. "God, what do you want me to do?"

-"This is where God wants you to be, and you can trust Him" Romans 8:28

-Her husband's last words to her: Remember one thing... God has said He will never leave us nor forsake us

-Psalm 34:7, the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him

-Isaiah 43:1-2, when you pass through the waters, He will be with you

-"don't lose your smile, Darlene"

-"God has brought me to this place and time for you"

-Where the love of God is, there's no room for hatred

I trust in God where ever I may be

Upon the land or on the rolling sea

For come what may from day to day

My Heavenly Father watches over me

He makes the road an object of His care

He guides the eagle through the pathless air

And surely He remembers me

My Heavenly Father watches over me

The valley may be dark, the shadows deep

But on the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep

And through the gloom He leads me home

My Heavenly Father watches over me

I trust in God

I know He cares for me

On mountains bleak or on the rolling sea

The billows roll

He keeps my soul

My Heavenly Father watches over me

-W.C. Martin

February Girls Group!

2011-02-23T14:01:00.003-06:00

What a blessing to gather together as friends and sisters in Christ. Gina continues to inspire us with her special Storytimes... remember to be faithful in the revealed will of God in your life! This month we were so excited to be able to share part one of Darlene Deibler Rose's testimony on dvd! The God of the Bible, with all His ancient power, is our same God today! We are including some of our notes...

• Darlene and her mother walked 4 miles in a blizzard to find God in a church... that would take well over an hour, one way! -are you giving your ALL to seek Him? are you that desperate?

• They prayed earnestly for all their family to come to know Christ, claiming the verse from Acts 16:31, So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. -whose salvation are you praying for? why not begin today?

• Darlene gave her whole life to Jesus... whatever the cost... she would go where He said. She walked before Him with nothing between her soul and the Savior -what might you be holding back from God? Hymn: Nothing Between
Nothing between my soul and the Savior, Naught of this world's delusive dream; I have renounced all sinful pleasure; Jesus is mine, there's nothing between.
Nothing between, like worldly pleasure; Habits of life, though harmless they seem, Must not my heart from Him e'er sever; He is my all, there's nothing between.
Nothing between, like pride or station; Self or friends shall not intervene; Though it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved; there's nothing between.
Nothing between, e'en many hard trials, Though the whole world against me convene; Watching with prayer and much self-denial, I'll triumph at last, with nothing between.
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,So that His blessed face may be seen; Nothing preventing the least of His favor, Keep the way clear! Let nothing between. ~Charles A. Tindley, 1905

She checked everything with her Lord. -you can have a relationship with the Lord like this too!

• Darlene said, "God is in all the details of my life!" -do you think any details of your current situation have escaped God's eyes?

• She learned from people of God. Absorbed from those who knew God. -who in your life can you be absorbing encouragement from?

• Harbor Lights. Suffering. Sorrow. -put God in charge to guide
Darlene said, "I thank God for every storm that has shipwrecked me upon the Rock Christ Jesus, and there I stand."

• What are beautiful feet? bring a message of HOPE to those around you!

• People are important - things are not. We used to love people and use things. But now we use people and love things. Love people. Use things.

Check out this website on Darlene, an amazing woman of faith.

Keep leaning on Jesus!

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Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33)

But, remember...

God Is Always With Me — I Will Not Fear
God Is Always in Control — I Will Not Doubt
God Is Always Good — I Will Not Despair
God Is Always Watching — I Will Not Falter
God Is Always Victorious — I Will Not Fail

So, be of good cheer! He has overcome the world!

January Bible study!

2011-01-22T16:50:00.003-06:00

And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

breaking these verses apart~

How can my love abound more and more? In the Greek, this “love” is agape love. It is unselfish love, and indicates a direction of my will (choose to love!). Not so much as a feeling, but a choice. It is the word that describes God Himself in 1 John 4:8. Jesus said, “Love (agape) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love (agape) your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:37-39. It’s unconditional love. Pray for it! Ask God to teach you how to love. (ex. choosing to love others... how can you do that even when you don’t feel like it?)

How can I grow in knowledge and discernment? In Colossians 1:9, Paul prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. In the Greek, this kind of knowledge enables you to avoid error. It’s knowledge that influences your life and moves you to action! So, pray that God helps you to know, or to judge, what is pleasing to Him, and for grace to act upon that knowledge! It’s a knowledge that KEEPS ON growing! you never stop! Never think you’ve reached a point where you’re so mature spiritually that you can’t fall into temptation. Pray for God's wisdom to enter your heart and alter your path. (read the story of the Communist dictator, Nikita Khrushchev from A Man Worth Waiting For, pages 128-129. discuss how head knowledge needs to turn into heart knowledge)

How can I approve what is excellent? In the Greek, the word for approve means to test, to see whether a thing is genuine or not. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul urges the people to examine everything carefully and to hold fast to what is good. The word excellent means what is better. It is of value. It surpasses other things. It’s what really matters. A Girl Really Living lives in what really matters! :) Am I living in a more excellent way? -involved in things that count for eternity? living a life of prayer with Jesus? The things of this world do have an effect on you; the culture is not harmless. Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. You want to be the kind of girls who pursue what is best! An old quote says, the good is often the enemy of the best! The mind is so important - what you think on shows itself in actions and attitudes. Renew your mind (Scripture!! God-honoring thoughts).

Being pure and blameless- these words mean purged, unmingled, judged by sunlight - tested as genuine, innocent, holy, inoffensive, not leading unto sin, faultless, to not stumble. I Thessalonians 5:23, And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). God is concerned about the purity and wholeness of our body, soul, and spirit. Pray for Him to give you discernment so you can pursue holiness in EACH of these areas. Spirit (purified through the blood of Christ). Soul (purified through the Word of God). Body (purified through living in a careful, Godly manner - exercise, healthy eating, pure decisions). Remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. You have been bought with a price- the blood of Jesus. You are not your own (Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your bodyand in your spirit, which are God’s -1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Quote from John Adams:

From all that I have read of history and government, of human life and manners, I have drawn this conclusion - the manners of women were the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue of a nation.

Your attitude, character, and manner influences others! It is powerful. Have you given any thought as to if you are influencing, or causing offense? For girls, it is so important that we pursue modesty! You can be cute and darling and modest and pure and free. Think about it! Does your dress attract inappropriate attention to yourself? Reject the lie that says you’re only as good as you are sexually desirable. Cover up. You want to be known as a virtuous woman! (Proverbs 31:10) The kind of girl who is far more precious than jewels and whose value is far above rubies or pearls! Another verse to think about is from Matthew 16:23, when Jesus rebukes Peter and tells him he is a stumbling block to Him. Peter was not setting his mind on God’s interests, but man’s. Colossians 3:1, set your mind on and keep seeking the things that are above!

Being filled with the fruit of righteousness from Jesus Christ- “being filled” indicates an action that has continuous results. This righteousness is a fruit - a result- of belonging to Christ! You have to be His in order to have it, in order for it to be lasting. “you’ll know them by their fruits” The word for righteousness means acceptable to God, purity of life. Jesus makes us acceptable to God. 2 Corinthians 5:21, For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]. In John 15, Jesus says His Father is glorified as we bear much fruit.

Living to the glory and praise of God! The word glory means very apparent - it catches the eye and attracts attention, honor and worship. We’re to live so as to make Jesus attractive to all! Who are you living for? Who/What are you trying to attract attention to? Ephesians 1:12 says that we are to be to the praise of His glory. Daniel 12:3 (shine, turn many to righteousness!) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Christmas Cheerfulness

2010-12-15T18:43:00.004-06:00

Girls Really Living had a very special Christmas party this week! From listening to a Christmas story, to playing Pictionary with Christmas carols, to enjoying cookies and an ornament exchange- the evening was filled with sweetness and laughter.

the ornament exchange

so many beautiful ornaments!

playing "guess the Christmas carol" - like Pictionary

We enjoyed being with you all! Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

Remember... it's not the things you do at Christmastime, it's the Christmas things you do all through the year.

Giving Thanks for You!

2010-11-24T14:24:00.003-06:00

Dearest Girlfriends,

We are so grateful for the gift of knowing each of you! You have been a huge source of encouragement and sunshine to us! Praying you and your families are blessed with a very special Thanksgiving!

with love,

~Jennifer and Jaimee

Psalm 107:9 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."

It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. ~Abraham Lincoln

Are You a Good Person?

2010-11-16T12:17:00.000-06:00

Take a minute to watch this video!

November notes!

2010-11-14T16:52:00.002-06:00

What to do when discouragement hits! Psalm 42:5, Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

When do you sense discouragement in your life? Sometimes it comes after you’ve just had a great spiritual experience... a victory in a certain area... when you are being criticized or corrected.... when you’re sick... when a good friend moves... or during a stressful/trying time of life. God addresses discouragement in the Bible, so we know that it’s something people do struggle with. Let’s see what He says about it, and what to do when you sense it in your life!

1 Kings 18-19, the story of Elijah (he had just experienced God’s incredible power in his life: raising the widow’s son, confronting King Ahab, seeing God defeat the prophets of Baal, and then seeing God answer his prayer for rain after years of drought). But he got scared due to the threats of Queen Jezebel and ran for his life! He then asked God to take away his life! He was so afraid and so depressed that he wanted to die! He lost sight of all the other prophets (7,000!) God had in the land and thought he was the only one left (listened to Satan’s lies). He gave up on God’s call for his life. What was he focused on? -SELF. ME. Focusing on self can often lead to depression. (note that depression is when you actually want to die; whereas discouragement is when you are emotionally spent) What did God do? He let him sleep - let Elijah rest (Come to Me, says Jesus, and I will give you rest!). He sent an angel to feed him... then He let him rest again.... and then he appeared to Elijah with a still, small voice, telling him what to do next (He was preparing to bless him with the assistance of Elisha).

Proverbs 15:13, A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Think about Pollyanna and “the glad game” that she played. :) It’s true that sadness leaves when you force yourself to have a grateful spirit! 1 Thessalonians 5:18a, In everything give thanks.... Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus. So gratefulness is important when dealing with discouragement... it takes your eyes off of self, and points you to Jesus. Consider making a list of all the blessings relating to what you might be facing... start by thanking God that His grace is sufficient! This even is a part of “renewing your mind” - changing your way of thinking by meditating on Scripture, praying to God, and expressing thanks to Him (index card idea).

The Psalms are full of David’s heart cries to God. He was often facing death, ran countless times for his life, was attacked and betrayed by his closest friends, etc. If anyone had good reason for being depressed, David did. What did he do? Psalm 42 is a picture of David telling his soul to trust God... to keep on hoping... he knew he would praise Him yet again. Psalm 73:26 reminds us that, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! ”Remember it is the very time for faith to work when sight ceases” - George Muller. Don’t use up all of your emotional energy rehearsing to yourself how terrible your life is! Importance of “preaching” to oneself, to remind yourself of how God has delivered in the past; praise Him that He will bring you out of this darkness again! Hebrews 12:3-4, Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.

Think of Jesus. Consider Him. Greater is HE who IS IN YOU! Psalm 112:4, Even in darkness light dawns for the upright! Satan is called the “accuser” in Revelation 12:10. That’s what he delights in doing: accusing us, condemning us. Remember that when you sense conviction about something, Jesus offers restoration with that conviction. Satan only presents you with defeat and despair. Micah 7:8, Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. Sometimes you just need to speak the Word of God aloud... telling the discouragement to flee! (believe and speak... power in the spoken Word which is our sword, our offensive weapon... 2 Cor. 4:13). Ephesians 6:12, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Galatians 6:7-10 to become weary doing good means to give in to trouble, to become exasperated by difficulty, be defeated in spirit, discouraged or faint-hearted, to despair, lose heart (Lexical Aids). The Complete Word Study Dictionary says... to turn out to be a coward, to lose one’s courage. So don’t become defeated! don’t lose heart! God’s promise to you is a harvest of good! Cure for depression - Isaiah 58:6-11, go out and minister! Self-absorption + boredom = a TOXIC BLEND.

Life is worth living because *Jesus lives*! (song ~ Because He lives I can face tomorrow; Because He lives all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives.)

Good things to remember: get good rest/sleep, spend time with Jesus and in the Word, memorize specific Scriptures (claim the promises), pray - cry out to the Lord for help and mercy, ask for your parent (s) to verbally bless you, rebuke the enemy, replace toxic thoughts and enemy-lies with truths from God’s Word, make a list of gratefulness and write notes of gratefulness, keep going! Serve, be occupied with something for the Lord (don’t cut yourself off from others - from encouragement). Don't forget to EXERCISE! A little bit of exercise every day will do wonders in lifting your spirits.

Jesus is always with you. He remains the same - yesterday, today, forever.

read “Jesus Calling” - November 8 & 9

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I’ll be;
O how could I this Friend deny, when He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend, beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.

~Will L. Thompson, 1904

Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 4:8, Romans 8:28, Psalm 3:3, Lamentations 3:22-24, Romans 15:13, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:31

2010-10-25T10:58:00.002-05:00

Prioritize your day!

Remember to put JESUS first in your life!

As you form a schedule for the day, keep the following in mind:

1.) Write down the things you absolutely must do

2.) Write down the things that are important for the day

3.) Write down what is not necessarily important, but what you would like to do

For more help in discovering what God wants you to do, we encourage you to check out this excellent resource!

Girls Really Living notes from October!

2010-10-25T10:37:00.004-05:00

As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42, The Message

Pop Quiz!

Mary indicated her value of:

a. getting preparations for the meal

b. owning material possessions

c. having a good time of entertainment

d. spending time with Christ

We all have the same amount of time in a given day... it’s how we learn to manage ourselves that makes all the difference.

Time. It’s a witness to the world. God says to live wisely. Time is gone quickly! Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever. ~Horace Mann “Make what you do today important because you’re exchanging a day of your life for it”

First key: humility! Only God can complete His to-do list! We are not God. We can not do it all. Humble yourself and cry out to God for His grace and strength. Make it your goal to do all that you can, when you can (Mark 14:8), ultimately leaving all in God’s hands and trusting Him for the things we can’t get done. Remember that the Lord never requires of you what He does not give you the resources and stamina to accomplish. Remember the promise of Romans 8:28 (there are benefits to everything that happens!). So pray about your life and what fills your day- Phil. 4:6.

Jesus is not so much condemning Martha's activity as commending Mary's. He is saying that her priorities are in order. To disciples Jesus says, "Sit at my feet and devour my teaching. There is no more important meal."

Priorities: 1.)God! -delight in the Lord. Seek Him first (Matt. 6:33). what are your goals, spiritually? how can you be more effective? what do you want to happen in your life before age____? what are the time wasters in your life? Questions: will this benefit God’s kingdom? will it make me more Godly? will I grow closer to God? will I still have time for God? will my involvement in this make any difference 10 years from now or in eternity? Our destinies are determined by our choices! 2.) Authority, education, ministry, vocation -keep under your parents authority (Eph. 6:1)...

Pop Quiz!

Finding God’s will for your life will in large measure be determined by:

a. how much you read the Bible

b. the unusual providential circumstances that come into your life

c. how skillful you are at establishing goals and objectives

d. your wisdom in making daily decisions with Christ as your guide

Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.

think about this: be like Jesus, depart. “Now when it was day, He departed” (Luke 4:42). get away. think. ponder. He determined the time, selected a place. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Follow the example of Jesus, who “often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:16). “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31)

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day - John Bunyan.

notes from September gathering!

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Whereas she who lives in pleasure and self-gratification [giving herself up to luxury and self-indulgence] is dead even while she [still] lives. ~1 Timothy 5:6~

Why would we choose to live in pleasure and self-gratification rather than in God’s ways?

One reason might be that we haven’t truly encountered God in our own lives... have a personal relationship with Him... made the decision to follow Christ! This would be walking in death even while we live (example: Like a plant that has lost all its leaves and has no bloom- living in cold existence and in need of nourishment and sun).

We’d like to share one of the most important truths of the Bible with you. It is this: that God loves you.

has this truth gone deep into your heart? Are you convinced that God loves you?

Romans 5:8, But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 8:32, He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

He is for you and not against you. He wants good for you. You can know of all these things, but unless you go a step further and respond to these truths, it will not make any difference in your life. Your knowledge of Him should lead to your love for Him (salvation - trusting in Jesus for eternal life, repentance -turning from my way to God’s way, and entering into true fellowship with God by having a personal relationship with Him). Give testimony.

Fellowship is God’s idea. Sin is what breaks our fellowship with Jesus. When we repent, our fellowship is restored.

~~~Until you break up with the world - you won’t be able to “go steady” with Jesus! (Pastor Don)

Do you have a personal relationship with God? have you said “yes” to His knock?

Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Our response is to love Him back! He begins to fill your thought-life more and more, you live to please Him, you are thrilled with His Word -- basically, you love Him with all your heart! We need to fuel our growth!

Mark 12:29-31, Jesus answered, "The most important is,'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God,the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'The second is this:'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandmentgreater than these." Ephesians 3:17, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith... you, being rooted and grounded in love... John 10:10, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Psalm 31:19, Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You and worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind! I Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

What are some of the themes in these verses? all your heart, soul, mind and strength (that covers everything!). rooted and grounded in His love. Experiencing God’s true life. Abundant goodness. things unimaginable!

He wants you to feel His love, to sense it every day. Fullness of joy. The abundant life.

My job in life is to love Jesus!

Your love for Jesus will drive you to obey Him (to honor your mom and dad, to serve Him, to stay in fellowship with Him, to pursue Him). You have nothing to lose when you give your all to Him!

As you obey Him, it will lead to you experiencing Him in your life!

Spend unhurried time with God and His Word. Pray, asking Him to speak to you, Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. Listen to Him. Take the words that you read in the Bible and pray them back to Him.

Going back to the verse from 1 Timothy... think about the words pleasure, self-gratification, luxury, self-indulgence. what do these words mean to you? do they describe someone who has a personal relationship with God? someone who fears God? someone who knows that God holds them responsible for their choices? someone who has a fear of sin? (they describe someone who does what is right in her eyes... who’s walking in disobedience)

~~~ So how do we say no to self and yes to Jesus Christ?

Read excerpt from Ruth Bell Graham’s book, Coffee and Conversation (pages 28-30)

thoughts: One of our greatest enemies to loving Jesus and following Him is our unpredictable emotions! Did you notice what Ruth did? took her feelings to Jesus in prayer. she was honest before God.

~~~ Pray - speak to God directly, tell Him all that is in your heart. Be honest, tell Him what you want - and what you don’t like that’s in your life (struggles). Speak OUT LOUD.

If the enemy's hitting us, we've got to show ourselves steadfast and strong.

~~~ How? Confess - this is like cleaning your heart - sweeping the house clean. Confess the sin, your need for help. Speak His Name (there is Power in the Name of Jesus!) Take inventory of anything that could be pulling you down and get rid of it. (friends, a facebook friend, movies/books that fuel bad thoughts). Once the house is clean, don’t leave it empty - fill it up with good, With God - His Word. Psalm 119:11 I havestored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

do not back down. do not back off. stay in the Word.

~~~ What about when we fall? Sometimes we do fall (Luke 22:31-34 Peter with Christ, and Luke 22:54-62). First, any of us can fall, any can deny Christ. We’re all capable. Peter was certain that he could not be “had.” But from falling, Peter learned how to stand. He fell, but his faith did not fail. Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. I Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. Christ is merciful!

We may fall, but then we grab back onto Christ and get up! Don’t stay down. Don’t lose heart. God created us with the freedom to choose. Choose life! Hold onto Christ! We are far more likely to trip and fall from tiptoeing behind Christ than we are by stomping loudly and deliberately in a set of steel-toed boots. B.Moore Be determined. Be obvious. You follow Christ. Let there be no room for doubt.

Forget Self. We can “forget” about ourselves because Christ never forgets us. We can afford to be less important to ourselves because we are vastly important to God. We can willingly be crucified with Christ because we are raised to walk in resurrection life.

Commit your heart to Christ. Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

This is what Judas did with Jesus - he was one of the 12 disciples, and yet he betrayed Jesus with a kiss; he came near to Christ with his mouth that night, but his heart remained far from Him. What about you? Where is your heart?

Bruce Milne, “the level of our prayer ministry will be the level of our dependence on the Lord.” We can do nothing without Christ. Fully rely on Him!

Adrian Rogers, "the greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. ~Zephaniah 3:17 read encouragement from these verses here

The Difference

2010-09-10T11:14:00.003-05:00

Our grandfather, who we affectionately call Poppie, quoted the following poem at our brother's wedding last summer. While waiting in his chiropractor doctor's office, he came across the poem and quickly decided it would be worthwhile to memorize. For years he has taken to heart meaningful poems, and shares them with us from time to time. Read it, and remember to make your day different by talking to Jesus!

~The Difference~

I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish,

I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

and heavier came each task.

Why doesn't God help me? I wondered,

He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

but the day toiled on, gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didn't show me,

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence,

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning,

and paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish

That I had to take time to pray.

Can you recite your ABC's?

2010-07-21T10:33:00.005-05:00

take your pick on the verses... what a great idea, to have a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet!

A - As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
A - As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30
B - Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household. Acts 16:31
B - Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22
C - Commit your way to the Lord. Psalm 37:5
C - Children, obey your parents. Ephesians 6:1
D - Depart from evil and do good. Psalm 34:14
D - Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
E - Early will I seek thee. Psalm 63:1
E - Even a child is known by his doings. Proverbs 20:11
E - Every good and perfect gift is from above James 1:17
F - Fear not: for I am with thee. Isaiah 43:5
F - Forgive and you shall be forgiven. Luke 6:37
F - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
F - For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
G - Glory to God in the highest. Luke 1:14
G - God gives us richly all things to enjoy. I Timothy 6:17
G - God is love. 1 John 4:8b
H - Honor thy father and mother. Exodus 20:12.
H - He that keepth the Law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
H - He is not here; He has risen! Luke 24:6a
I - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. I John 1:9
I - If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14
I - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis1:1
J - Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
J - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
J - Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me.' Matthew 19:14
K - Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us. Psalm 100:3
K - Keep thy tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13
L - Lo, I'm with you always. Matthew 28:20
L - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4
M - Make a joyful noise unto the lord, all ye lands. Psalm 100:1
M - My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2
N - No man can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24
N - Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
O - Obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
O - Obey them that have rule over you. Hebrews 13:17
O - O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalms 118:1
P - Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God. Psalm 147:1
P - Praise be to the Lord...who made heaven and earth. 2 Chronicles 2:12
P - Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17
Q - Quench not the Spirit. I Thess. 5:19
Q - Quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17
R - Rejoice in the Lord always. Psalm 33:1
R - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8)
S - Sing to the Lord a new song. Psalm 96:1
S - Seek ye first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33
T - Thou shall not steal. Exodus 20:15
T - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
T - The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1
U - Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it. Proverbs 16:22
U - Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks. Psalm 75:1
U - Unto you is born a Saviour. Luke 2:10)
V - Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me has everlasting life. John 6:47
V - Victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:31b
W - Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye to them. Matthew 7:12b
W - When I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3
X - eXcept a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
X - eXceeding great and precious promises are given unto us. 2 Peter 1:4)
Y - You shall not bear false witness. Exodus 20:16
Y - You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3
Z - Zion heard, and was glad. Psalm 97:8
Z - (Be) Zealous for the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 23:17

May Girls Group

2010-05-23T14:38:00.002-05:00

Ephesians 4:29 is The Standard! Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. -Amplified, Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.

9th Commandment - do not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16). What we say about and to others is very important in God’s eyes.

What comes out of your mouth proceeds from the heart - Matthew 15:18. We must make it our aim to keep our heart with all diligence, because the heart is KEY! focus on thinking and dwelling on what pleases the Lord - Psalm 19:14. Our minds are like a tape player - we tend to hit rewind and play things over and over. What do you allow your mind to dwell on?

~Scriptures on The Tongue~

Even before a word is on my tongue, You know it - Psalm 139:4

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! - Psalm 141:3

Death and life are in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding - Proverbs 17:27

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble - Proverbs 21:23

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every personbe quick to hear,slow to speak,slow to anger. James 1:19

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24

She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26 (When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. -the Message)

A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things- Proverbs 15:28

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing - Proverbs 12:18 (don't wound others with your words!)

Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.” - Proverbs 26:18-19 (even those words said in jest, come from the heart)

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire (the Message)- Proverbs 15:1

James 3:1-12, the tongue, like a raging fire. it cannot be tamed.

prayer - Psalm 17:3, I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Do you tear down or build up when you communicate? to others? blessings. curses. To God? pray Scripture. meditate on His Word. To yourself? speak the truth in your heart (Psalm 15). don't "curse" yourself by saying things like, I'm worthless. or, I don't like myself. or, I'll never succeed. Speak words of LIFE to yourself!

The key to personal change - is time with God. It can happen no other way. You become like the people you hang out with. -Doug Small

toothpaste demonstration.

they had to squeeze out every last drop!

the first one to get all the toothpaste back into the tube wins $20!!

after a bit of effort, they came to the conclusion that it was nearly impossible.

You just can't get the toothpaste back in!

And this is like our tongue. Once our words have been spoken, we cannot take them back. How careful we must be to guard our words, and pray to the Lord for His help!!

12 Tongue Tamers

April girls group!

2010-04-25T15:42:00.004-05:00

Psalm 144:12 “that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace” corner stones should be translated Corner Pillars Amplified, our daughters as sculptured corner pillars hewn like those of a palace NIV, our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace

a pillar carved to adorn a palace is beautiful! it attracts attention!

We affect the atmosphere of our home by our character, our attitude, our actions - we influence!

the result of this Psalm is happiness. Happy- for these peoples’ God is the Lord.

How can we be like a beautiful, ornate, carved pillar, cut for a palace?

Heart purity- God looks at the heart: "The King's daughter is all glorious within" Psalm 45:13. Beautiful for Christ dwells in your heart. have you given yourself, all of yourself, to Him? Trusted in Him completely for salvation? 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 - the heart, the spirit, the body. honor God with your body. Romans 12:1-2, Have you given your body to Him? Who owns you? Who are you sold out to? If Christ doesn’t have your body, He doesn’t have you!

if you are closed/shut off to God, then you are open to the world. 3 hearts in the Bible: 1.)Burning heart, Luke 24:32, the Holy Spirit at work, listening with your heart to the Word. 2.)Cold heart, Matthew 24:12. 3.)Lukewarm heart, Revelation 3:15-16, neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm - nauseating to God! ~so, are you only respectable in how you live... no passion? or, does Christ have your whole heart, so that you live with a burning passion for Him? zeal. energy. joy. Heb. 12:29, our God is a consuming fire. He is holy! He needs your permission to consume, burn to ash, all that is not pleasing to Him. Eyes on Jesus, the world grows dim - and the opposite is true too! Rev. 3:20 - stay open.

So, we have to be connected to The Source - to Jesus Christ (light bulb analogy). God fills only what we offer to Him.

You have a royal status - you’re a King’s daughter! you’re part of the Bride of Christ! live like it! Live so as to please Him! For the sake of the Gospel, reflect Christ! think about being dressed in royal apparel - what is fitting for one who belongs to Jesus? are you set apart? bright! Life is not about me.

You cannot separate what is on the inside from what is on the outside. How is your body language? your tone of voice... your eyes? What do your clothes communicate about you? what attention are you trying to get? and from whom? man looks on the outward - it’s seen! it is important! your clothes are giving a message to the world. are you giving the message that your friends and their approval of you is more important than that of your parents? Lust begins with the eyes - your dress affects others (especially guys) and their heart. It is possible to be fashionable and modest!

STAND! you may have to stand alone. Like a pillar, standing strong against the pressures, temptation, and storms of life. Holding up as a light to those around you (others are looking to you... they may want to even imitate you). Pointing others to Jesus. Phil 2:15.

1 Peter 3:4, adorn yourself inwardly! there’s beauty in a gentle and quiet and peaceful spirit (not anxious or wrought up) - the hidden person of the heart is very precious in God’s sight. the hidden person. God looks on the heart.

“carved” “cut for a palace” -How do we let God work in our lives, and how can we let Him shape us?

what does God use to shape you into the person He wants you to be? (parents, authorities, circumstances, siblings, hardships, other people, disappointments, friends, church, activities, books, etc!)

Principle of Design - you are a diamond in the rough (show picture)! think of a rock- rough, jagged, very common... but some are lined with crystals on the underneath side (called geodes - show rock)! God has placed beauty within us. He’s patient with us... letting the Holy Spirit work on us, digging out the sin in our lives, and uncovering the treasure He’s put within us. Seek the grace of God. We need His help. Let Him “polish” what is naturally rough - carve, shape, chisel, cut... shaping you into what is beautiful and bright and ornate. You are of great value to Him!

Job 23:10, when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold

Isaiah 54:11-17, Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I'm about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise, Lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, Your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher— what a mentor for your children! You'll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear! far from terror—it won't even come close! ...no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged... This is what God's servants can expect. I'll see to it that everything works out for the best.

(picture of geodes)

So what does it mean to you?

Proverbs 5:6, forbidden and strange woman - she does not ponder the path of life (who are you? where are you going? do you know when you’re wandering?) personal disciplines help to keep us from going astray. Proverbs 4:29, ponder the path of your feet!

Application: have you offered yourself to Christ? are you open to Him working in your life (including, accepting the hard things in your life)? have you talked to Him about this? Take time to pray!! each morning wake up giving yourself anew to the Lord. How important is holiness to you? Are you ready for The Wedding??! (Revelation 21 and Nancy Leigh DeMoss' book, Holiness- read the story in the last chapter). If not, what would you do to be ready?

Hymn to Ponder: Take My Life and Let It Be, Frances R. Havergal

You are His Princess!

2010-03-23T16:21:00.003-05:00

We'd like to recommend a wonderful little book called- His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd. Sheri Shepherd was a former Mrs. United States, who battled with depression, drugs and an eating disorder as a young woman. She has such a gift for reminding us of how much we are loved and cherished by our Heavenly Father. We like to read a page from her book every night before going to bed. Buy her book! Be blessed! :)

March notes!

2010-03-20T18:23:00.004-05:00

Honor, Submission, Respect, Harmony at Home...

What is the level of honor that you give to your parents? -high, medium, or low?

What the Bible says about honoring our parents:

Exodus 20:12, Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.

Exodus 21:17, whoever was guilty of cursing his parents would be put to death! This word simply means to lightly esteem.

Ephesians 6:1-3, Children, obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise--That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.

Romans 13:1b-2a, For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment.Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order].

Colossians 3:20, Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

2 Timothy 3 gives a description of people in the last days, including- lovers of self, utterly self-centered, disobedient to parents and ungrateful.

Proverbs 30:17 gives a strong warning to those who despise their parents: you’ll lose all spiritual discernment! The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young vultures will devour it.

we should make it our aim to bring our parents joy! Proverbs 23:24-26, The father of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall greatly rejoice, and he who becomes the father of a wise child shall have joy in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart and let your eyes observe and delight in my ways...

Real Life Family Situations

Issue: lack of manners

So, I’m sitting at the dinner table, enjoying my spaghetti, when I hear someone (we won’t mention names), who’s making all sorts of detestable noises as he’s eating! smacking, slurping -- ah! I’m disgusted!

Response: how do you respond to irritations? Instead of complaining, sighing, or poking fun at them, just let it go. God loves laughter, but not at the expense of others. Be grateful you even have that person in your life. Use it as a reminder for you to not offend in your manners. God wants to love others through you. Phil.2:3 1 Cor. 13:5, 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].

Issue: a decision you don’t agree with

I won’t get into the details, but sometimes my parents do things that I just don’t think is right... like, maybe a Christian shouldn’t be doing that.

Response: sometimes you need to step back and remember that God sees the bigger picture. He is the Potter. He is in control. Take the situation to Him in prayer. If appropriate, make an appeal to your parents (Esther- wise and gracious in making appeals - she didn’t despise Mordecai and his plan for her to go before the king). Entrust yourself to God (1 Peter 2:23, 3:9, 4:19).

Issue: Wayward sibling that’s made poor choices in life

I have a friend whose brother ran away from home. He’s way over his head in sin. Things aren’t looking good. It’s causing so much stress on them. What do I tell my friend?

Response: Ask God to bless them with the qualities they are lacking. Pray!!! Leave the results in God’s hands and have HOPE that He can do the changing in someone else! Phil. 1:6, Matt. 5:44 (love them, pray for them). Romans 12:10, Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. never quit reaching out to them, or loving them.

Issue: What to do when your parents don’t have a peace about something

We went clothes shopping the other day. I saw the cutest outfit! It fit perfectly, and it was even on sale! But Mom said no. I’m so disappointed. Doesn’t she care?

Response: God’s placed your parents over you as a protection from unseen dangers (maybe it wasn’t modest -what you advertise for is what you will get-, maybe the material was such that it would shrink, etc.). He can provide something even better, if, in fact, you need it. Don’t put all your happiness on temporal things! Trust and obey. Matthew 6:32, your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. Romans 12:18, If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Welcome their correction. Don’t feed the lies (that she doesn’t care).

Issue: Complying outwardly, but still struggling inside (don’t feel submissive)

I was asked to help outside with yard work. It was hot, I still had things that I had planned to do... but I went and helped anyway. I wanted to be obedient in helping out, but my heart sure wasn’t happy. What’s wrong with me?

Response: don’t let your feelings dictate your obedience. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, in everything give thanks. Do all as unto Jesus! -Col. 3:23. Ask God to help you obey, and trust Him to change your feelings. Romans 12:16, Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. Learn to honor your parents’ spoken and unspoken wishes.

Issue: being told something that I didn’t want to hear

So I’m sitting at the computer, deep in work and being productive, when Dad walks in the room. He seemed to pause, and I could tell he was looking at me. Then he said - “you need to watch your posture... you’re all humped over!” Why does he always have to tell me what to do?

Response: God doesn’t waste your parents on you. He chose just the right ones for you, and He has a bigger plan. Say no to self, and to self-pity! Your dad has the right to instruct! He wants the best for you. Accept it graciously and gratefully. 1 Peter 3:9, Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

Issue: telling your story to those not involved

Mom woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning... if you know what I mean. Everything I did was wrong. Correction, correction, correction - all day! Yes, I know I have room for improvement, but it’s not like I was trying to do things wrong. I spilled it all out to my sister. Now I feel so much better. At least she’s on my side.

Response: Seek peace! Think the best of others (Philippians 2). Only go to those directly involved. Learn to guard your tongue! Murmuring: telling others about a situation that displeases you. It infects them with the same negative response. Numbers 14:27-28, Ps. 106: 24-27, 1 Cor. 10:10-12, Ex. 16:8b.

Matthew 25:45, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.

Read the story from Stay in the Castle (by, Pastor Jerry Ross- we are not familiar with all his publications, but this little booklet is recommended!) discuss: right now is your time of preparation. You are not guaranteed tomorrow. Live TODAY to its fullest for Jesus. Your “dream life” is right now. Choices always have consequences. Satan wants us to make rash choices, and he blinds us to the consequences. Stop, ponder, pray! The decisions you make today will affect your future - for good, and for bad. Gal. 6 - the laws of sowing and reaping (you reap what you sow, in a different season than you sow, more than you sow, etc.). Wake up each morning, choosing to follow the Lord (Joshua 24:15). Let God be God. Leave the results of your obedience up to Him.

Also, simple ways of showing respect: saying "sir" and "ma'am" introduce your parents to your friends, desire to spend time with your parents, sit with your parents in church, value their counsel, show honor to God by showing honor to them, include them in your decisions. Honor: give them value and worth! The question is- do you TRUST GOD? in all areas of your life??

Evaluation Questions to Prayerfully Ponder from StoryTime with Gina:

Supporting Scripture: James 3; Isaiah 53:7

What hardships in your life are perhaps blessings in disguise?

What comes from your mouth in response to those around you?

What do your responses and words reveal about your heart?

Do your words reflect the image and likeness of your Heavenly Father?

Do you share words of life with those around you unconditionally, without

strings attached?

Is there anyone in your life that you should prayerfully pursue in an attempt

to make things right?

Are you hiding God’s word in your heart? (See Psalm 119:10-12)

February girls group!

2010-02-21T15:50:00.005-06:00

Worry... Fear... Waiting on the Lord

Matthew 6:25-34 comes to mind as we think about not having fear or worry. Jesus says for us to “take no thought for your life” and goes on to talk about our food, clothing, etc. - the things of this world that affect us and that we tend to worry about. What do you worry about the most? What are you afraid of? What concerns you? (fitting in, the future, school, job, death, good-byes) In the Greek, the word “thought” means to be anxious about, to be distracted by, care, concern. The Amplified puts it this way- stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life!

This same Greek word is used in Luke 10:38-42, when Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” What caused Martha to explode in front of Jesus? What causes us to explode at our family or friends? (expectations of others, lack of gratefulness, pride, wanting praise, focus is on self - wanting to be noticed, thinking only of what others are thinking of me). Mary didn’t want to miss out on the presence of Christ. She sat at His feet. She did the one thing that was needful. What distracts us from listening to Jesus? (sleep, school, working out, music, being too busy, sin... the WORLD is anything that alienates you from God) How can you remove these distractions... or change your list of priorities? (choose to get up early, choose to spend extra time in the Word, pray, memorize His Word). What’s most important to you? Would others agree as they observe your life? Don’t waste moments.

~side note: things that cause us to “explode”... Enthusiasm is God in us. Think of a tea kettle. When you’re boiling/in the midst of difficulty, what kind of whistle do you give? My life is to shout the existence of God (so that others say, God must be in her!). Let’s pray for this! May we respond under the control of the Holy Spirit!

The same Greek word is used in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him.” The Amplified put it this way, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him. Here’s what we can do with these troubles and worries. Take them to the Lord in prayer. You can come to Him anytime, anywhere! Prayer is taking your mind and focusing it on God, and then re-focusing! Pour out your heart to Jesus (Psalm 62:8). Phil. 4:6, Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours]. 1 Peter 4:12 - don’t be shocked at hard things. Satan’s goal - to harass and paralyze us into thinking that nothing will ever change.

And here’s the amazing part - the second part of the verse, “for He careth for you.” Amplified, He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. This word for care means to take interest, to care; concern; it matters. How greatly we are loved! Preach this to yourself: He cares for me. What matters to me matters to Him. Remember Romans 8:28 and the promise that if it’s not going to work for good (that’s God’s goal), He wouldn’t have allowed it. He is good. The safest place for us is right in the middle of God’s will.

~side note: protection and the Umbrella analogy - you don’t hold the umbrella, only God does! to the degree you let Him hold the umbrella, you will have peace. we cannot be in control! be yielded to His authority. peace comes with authority. Christ is our peace.

Here’s just another way how this Greek word is used. 1 Corinthians 7:32, 34 He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord... The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. In a positive way, we are to care and be concerned about the things of God, how we can please God, how we can pursue holiness and be wholly separated to Him. Where are your concerns centered? Do you even care about the things of God? Ask God to help you desire Him more.

Waiting on the Lord think of Jesus and His example of waiting. He was peaceful in the wait. He waited thousands of years to become flesh and dwell among us. He waited 30 years to begin His earthly ministry. He waited until Lazarus was cold and decaying before He raised him from the dead. We must learn to wait as He does. What profit is there in the wait? Isaiah 64:4 (He acts for those who wait for Him).

“The more fretful we get with God, the less likely it is that He is going to do something fast. He wants us to learn to wait” “impatience accomplishes nothing except to shatter your peace”- Elisabeth Elliot. Put yourself completely in His hands. His timing is right. Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Are we assured that we are safe in the hands that hold the stars? Can we wholeheartedly surrender to God, leaving quietly with Him all of our ‘what ifs’ and ‘but what abouts’? ALL can rest quietly in His very capable hands. ~Elisabeth Elliot

“don’t strain your eyes to see the future – for you will not be able to see clearly what God wants you to see now." ~Elisabeth Elliot

“It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada

"Live each moment in such a way so as to bring glory to God. In Him we find our dependence - as we pray and seek God, He guides our daily choices. Not knowing the future, forces us to live in the moment. God has a plan for our life - but do we believe it enough to walk one day at a time. Faith like a child - not worrying about tomorrow, but having complete trust and faith in God. When we do not know the plan and are only able to see the steps before us, we need to look up and "see" God and where He is moving and blessing our efforts or what He is calling us to. The plan is kept from us - forcing us to walk in faith. Cherish and live in each moment God gives you. Be all there to live the moment revering God and bringing Him glory in all your thoughts, words, and actions. Live in the moment!" ~Mr. Jim Weidmann

"We may be missing the fact that it is here, where we happen to be at this moment and not in another place or another time, that we may learn to love Him - here where it seems He is not at work, where His will seems obscure or frightening, where he is not doing what we expected Him to do, where He is most absent. Here and nowhere else is the appointed place. If faith does not go to work here, it will not go to work at all." ~Elisabeth Elliot, The Path of Loneliness

Evaluation Questions to Prayerfully Ponder from StoryTime with Gina:
Supporting Scripture: Psalm 37:1-8. 23-34; Isaiah 40:28-31
· Who are the “wise women” in your life? Is there anyone speaking blessings and truth into your life?
· How have your parents sought to love and protect you? Is there anything that you need to talk to them about or tell them?
· Do you trust God with “Your Story”? Is there anything you need to surrender to Him?
· Whom are you trying to attract? Why?
· Do you resemble a Sleeping Beauty or might you better be called a Restless Beauty? What is keeping you from resting in the Lord?
· Do you journal? Consider beginning a journal, to record the blanks as God fills them in. This becomes an invaluable resource to boost and build faith as you look back at the great things He has done, recount today’s acts and anticipate His work in the future.

Scriptures!

2010-01-18T12:58:00.002-06:00

Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house.

Give it plenty of room in your lives. Colossians 3:16

there is no one I cannot love (Matthew 5:44)
I can give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
there is no one I cannot forgive (Mark 11:25)

God has made me beautifully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14)

God forgives me when I confess (1 John 1:7-9)
I can be sexually pure (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)

God is enough to satisfy my needs (Psalm 23:1)

I’m a new creation! (2 Cor. 5:17)

I am deeply loved by God (Jer. 31:3)

God is good and I can praise Him (Psalm 119:68a)

there is freedom in Jesus (Romans 6:6-7)

God is bigger than my challenges (Phil. 4:13)

I am free to live a life that pleases Him (1 Peter 1:16)

my mission is to attract others to Jesus (John 3:30)

my choices do affect my life (Gal. 6:7-8)

I can trust God when I’m afraid (Psalm 56:3)

my body belongs to Jesus (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

His grace is more than enough (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

honoring my parents pleases Jesus (Eph. 6:2)

life - Psalm 139

fear - Psalm 91

temptation - 1 Cor. 10:13

blessing God - Psalm 103

my thought life - Phil. 4:6-9

Visit the following website for more encouragement: www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com

The first step to living a radically transformed life...

2010-01-18T11:37:00.004-06:00

... is hiding God's Word in your heart!

God's truth says, The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple, Psalm 19:7. In John 15:3, Jesus says that we are clean by the Word He has spoken. As we apply God's Word to our soul - by study, memorization and meditation - our souls (mind, will and emotions) are cleansed and guarded.

The Word of God is alive and powerful. (“For the word of God is living and active” Hebrews 4:12). You can depend on it to change your life, deliver you from bondage, reveal His will for your life, and give you wise guidance. Instead of running to others first for advice this year, dig into God's Word.

Memorizing Scripture: get a partner, select specific verses (how many, what version), understand the words and look them up (try these websites: www.biblegateway.com and www.blueletterbible.org), think on them (meditate! pray it, paraphrase it, so it becomes a part of you, read and say the verses aloud. type/print your verses, place them in a big Ziploc bag, and tape them in the back of the shower!... use index cards... say them back to God as you go to sleep... take them everywhere you go... etc.

Ignorance of God’s Word makes us easy targets for the enemy! You can’t recognize lies if you don’t know the Truth. The truth is not about me, it’s all about HIM! 2 Cor. 11:3-4, they were led astray because the way of Truth is simple! don’t be one who constantly needs thrills and emotional highs. There’s no high like the Most High (Beth Moore)!

Pleasing God - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ - Gal. 1:10. Greek word for please means, to fit, to gratify, to accommodate oneself to, to be acceptable. A desire to fit in, to get attention, to gain someone else’s acceptance - a very good reason for our unhappiness and for us being so quick to sin (it can easily lead to sin). We become slaves to the people from whom we’re seeking approval. Only ONE knows us completely and holds our future and loves us with an unconditional love! Only ONE can satisfy! Jer. 29:11-13... in what way do we need to seek God?

Can you think of a time when you sought someone else’s approval and it led to sin?

For you, what would it mean to seek only God’s approval? how does He want you to respond?

This will not be easy. There's a battle between the flesh and the spirit (Gal. 5:17). they’re opposites! Paul’s struggle -Romans 7:7-25. Who’s our enemy? 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Peter 5:8, Gal. 5:19. Following your own heart: what does Jer. 17:9 say? When you feel overwhelmed... 1John 4:4! What has the Spirit given us - 2 Pet. 1:3-4. 2 Cor. 9:8, God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. In Jesus, we are successful! The battle has been won! He goes before us, and fights for us!

Make this year a Jesus-year. Be a doer, not just a hearer of the Word! Commit and plan to memorize His Word!

The Adventure of a Lifetime!

2010-01-14T19:55:00.000-06:00

take a minute to read this article... following Jesus is worth your all!

What I would tell myself at 12

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T09:02:00.003-06:00

some thoughts to ponder from Elisabeth Elliot...

Maybe this year will be the year of desire fulfilled. Perhaps, on the other hand, it will be the year of desire radically transformed, the year of finding, as we have perhaps not yet truly found, Christ to be the All-Sufficient One, Christ, the "deep, sweet well of Love."

Be patient. Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. He holds every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year in His hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there. "Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup" (Psalm 16:5). Shall we not gladly say, "I'll take it, Lord! YES! I'll trust You for everything. Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

December girls group!

2009-12-27T15:08:00.004-06:00

D.L. Moody once said, "A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine."

Life -think of a gravestone. Thereʼs a date that shows oneʼs birth. Thereʼs a date that shows oneʼs death. Whatʼs in the middle? (a dash!) What does the dash on the gravestone depict? The time that person was ALIVE. What will your story be? Do people know youʼre alive? alive spiritually? Life is not about us, itʼs about Jesus. Living for Jesus. “Only one life, twill soon be past. Only whatʼs done for Christ will last!”

Our purpose here in this time! Acts 13:36 tells us David served the purpose of God in his own generation. God has assigned us to the world for this particular time. "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world" ~Mother Teresa. Which inﬂuence will win? can others tell a difference between Christians (followers of Christ) and the world (unbelievers)? weʼre not here to live to ourselves... make a mark for the Kingdom! Inﬂuence! Be strong in Christ, yet relevant.

lose your life. live to others. itʼs not about me. How is this done? How can we live in an evil world and be pure and Godly? We must learn to resist on purpose. Godliness is never accidental. be consistent! be undivided. Know that your battle is His.

What is Holiness?

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’" (1 Peter 1:14-16) (Holy- set apart for God. sacred. uncommon. extraordinary. for a holy cause. exclusively His. pure. You are invaluable to your King!) holiness is being yoked with Christ, walking in step with Him.

what do you want to present to others? is it brighter and better than what you really are? whose approval are we seeking? Gal. 1:10, Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ. Satan wants us to worship ourselves... anything but God. 1Peter 5:6 Seek God! not promotion or fame. we live in a self-centered culture. whateverʼs popular, desirable, religious, friendly, dangerous, intelligence, beauty, youth. a high regard for the things of this world always signals a lowering regard for God. Iʼm a daughter of the kingdom of God, not a daughter of Babylon (absorbed in the culture). Matthew 6:33. Seek one thing! Ps. 27:4 (ask, what cheats me of You, Jesus?) youʼve been chosen for a life worth living. feel cherished!! God is for you. -giving glory is drawing attention. Letʼs purpose to give glory to Christ! make Him famous. He isn't looking for perfection, but for purity of heart - the authentic desire to do His will and give Him glory.

WORLDLINESS= allowing my desires to control me. the world is attractive, but Jesus is Better! He is the abundant life.

Walk in the light!

1John 1:5-7. Be different!! BLENDING IN- don't blend in! be different... because God is different! Stick out... pointing others to God. 1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic

and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."It may mean youʼll have to stand alone. Donʼt be defeated by fear and by criticism. Know youʼre not really alone! Daniel 5:12 - "Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.” he had an excellent (extraordinary) spirit. Numbers 14:24 - "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." "But my servant Caleb—this is a different story. He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I'll bring him into the land that he scouted and his children will inherit it. - the Message. Caleb had a different spirit and followed God fully. Daniel and Caleb stuck out! God looks for those who are fully committed to Him - to strengthen their hearts. 2 Chron. 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

Making it easier Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8. Get rid of the images that make you want to “conform to this world.” Make it easier for your mind to be focused on what is true, noble, right, and pure…

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night (Philippians 2, The Message)

And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever (Daniel 12:3, The Message).

Nothing Between my soul and the Savior!

2009-12-03T09:17:00.003-06:00

some thoughts from Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“Revival” may be pictured as that state in which our lives, our homes, and our churches are aligned with the Lord Jesus in such a way that nothing stands between us and Him. Only then are we able to reflect His light to our world. As the hymnwriter put it:

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,

So that His blessed face may be seen;

Nothing preventing the least of His favor,

Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, the Light of the World. We have no light of our own—any light that shines from our lives is merely that which we reflect from Him.

However, when the things of this Earth come between us and the Lord Jesus, our view of Him is obscured and our light is diminished. And whereas a lunar eclipse happens only infrequently, it seems that our lives are prone to “spiritual eclipses.” Therefore, we must continually be alert to anything that might come between our soul and the Savior.

1. An exalted view of “self” will cause us to have a diminished view of Jesus. It is true that when we “turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of earth will grow strangely dim.” It is equally true that when we fix our eyes upon ourselves, our vision of Jesus will become “strangely dim” by comparison.

When He fills all our vision, the result is a humble heart that knows its own nothingness apart from Him. That is the heart God revives. But He is forced to resist the proud heart that causes us to live as if we were the center of our own world.

Pride manifests itself in so many subtle but lethal ways. In my own life, pride can sometimes be seen in a hidden desire for the praise and admiration of men, an insistence on being “right,” the desire to be noticed and appreciated, fear of rejection, or just preoccupation with myself—my feelings, my needs, my circumstances, my burdens, my desires, my successes, my failures. These are all fruits of that deadly root of pride.

A heart filled with itself will be unable to behold the loveliness of Jesus and will cease to reflect His light.

2. Indulging our flesh, even in what others might consider insignificant ways, will quench the free flow of God’s Spirit through us and erect barriers in our relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Less than 24 hours ago, in the privacy of my home, weary from days of intense labor, I found myself justifying a “small compromise.” From the initial moment of temptation, in spite of my internal rationalizing, I knew that what I wanted to do would defile my spirit and grieve the Holy Spirit, who lives within me and whose possession I am. But at that moment, I wanted “my way” more than I wanted to be right with God.

In saying yes to my flesh and no to God, I allowed an obstruction to come between my soul and the Savior. I rejected the light of His countenance and embraced the darkness—all for a few moments of earthly enjoyment. How grateful I am for the persevering grace of God that quickly engineered circumstances to turn my face back toward His light, granting the gift of repentance and restoring in my heart a fresh love and longing for holiness.

3. Breaches in our relationships with others inevitably create an “eclipse” in our relationship with God. It is not possible for us to be right with God and not be right with others. How can we walk in the light of His forgiveness and mercy if we are unwilling to extend forgiveness and mercy toward those who have wronged us? And how can we walk in harmony with a holy God if we have sinned against others and refuse to humble ourselves and make it right?

This morning as I was in the Lord’s presence, the Holy Spirit brought to mind an issue that had been minuscule to me but, from His perspective, had come between my soul and the Savior. Recently, in the process of handling a business matter over the phone, I had been impatient with a clerk whose answer didn’t satisfy me. Before I could continue seeking His face, I had to pick up the phone, call the company, and make the matter right with the woman with whom I had been annoyed. My conscience cleared with both God and man, the light of His presence could once more shine in and through my heart.

4. “Cares, riches, and pleasures of this life,” like thorns in a garden, tend to choke out the life of God within us. In the course of everyday living, we are bombarded incessantly with “duties, delights, and diversions” that seek to consume our time and control our hearts. These things, while not inherently sinful, have an enormous capacity to steal our affection for the Lord Jesus.

Sheer busyness, even in Christian work, can so fill our vision that we have no time or place for Christ, and we find our light “eclipsed.” The Shulammite bride in the Song of Songs laments having tended the vineyards of others, while neglecting her own vineyard and allowing it to fall into a state of disrepair. Only through concentrated, extended time alone in the presence and embrace of her Beloved is her soul restored, enabling her to go back out into the vineyards, this time in union and communion with Him.

5. Contentment with the status quo is one of the most subtle hindrances to revival. Comparing ourselves or our ministries with others tends to breed a sense of complacency in our hearts. It is much easier to rest on our laurels and enjoy the victories God has already given us than to keep pressing on to know Him in deeper ways.

We have settled for activity and results that make for impressive press releases, when God wants to shatter the darkness and overcome the strongholds of our world and establish His glorious kingdom in the hearts of men and nations. And on a more personal level, we have settled for living busy, productive, moral lives, when God longs to reveal His greatness and glory through us in ways that cannot be explained apart from Him.

How is it between your soul and the Savior today? Has any obstacle “eclipsed” your view of Him? Is there any hindrance that is keeping His light from being reflected in your life? If so, do not delay to deal with the issue, no matter how trifling or overwhelming it may appear to be. Pray with the psalmist that God will be merciful unto you and cause His face to shine upon You, “that [His] ways may be known on earth, [His] salvation among all nations” (Ps. 67:1-2, NIV).

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

He Loves Me!!

2009-11-02T18:11:00.003-06:00

October Girls Really Living was such a blessing! Gina came and shared "a modern day love story" - how the Lord brought her and Woody together as husband and wife. Here are some of our notes from our time together:

Happy endings are God-planned!

LIFE is now. My story is right now! If we're not living, then we're just wishing. Wherever you are, be all there (Jim Elliot).

1 Peter 2:9, 11-12, 15

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock]. For it is God's will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.

Courtship defined ~ Lordship/purposing to seek Christ first in all areas of life (God's will, God's timing, God's methods, God's person).

Revelation 2:4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

Guard your heart! Remain free from emotional entanglements. Life is about knowing Christ and making Him known.

I Corinthians 7:34 And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord, how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit... I have freedom to care about the things of the Lord!

He Loves Me!! You can't pluck the flowers off a daisy to know if someone really loves you or not... just like you can't go by your present circumstances to know if God really loves you or not. He loves you all the time. Believe it! Ephesians 1:4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

to read some of Gina's thoughts on singleness, visit her website here.

so, what's the purpose of your life?

2009-10-22T20:46:00.002-05:00

Who are you?

Where are you going?

How are you going to get there?

Most girls want to accomplish something more with their life, something meaningful, something great... but they don't know what that something is, nor do they know how to get there.

Life Purpose Planning is something every girl and her parents should do together!

We encourage you to visit the site and get your own Life Purpose Workbook. God has great things in store for you!

Now You've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face. Ever since You took my hand, I'm on the right way. ~Psalm 16:11

September Bible study!

2009-09-27T17:27:00.001-05:00

1 John 5:13, I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life.

The real you is a spirit in a body with a soul!

We are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) and God is a Spirit (John 4:24). 1 Thess. 5:23

Who can be saved?

2 Peter 3:9, He’s not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. examples: Rahab (a harlot... the lowest! saved and even part of the line of Christ). Abraham (friend of God, highest example of faith and trust in God.... yet still saved in the same way). Paul, chief of sinners.

When are you saved?

When you act on the grace and faith that God gives - Ephesians 2:8. It’s free to us, but was very costly to God. If it’s free, what is required of us? Accept. Believe. Our spirits are reborn when we stop trying to earn our own salvation with good works. We’re saved when we realize that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sin and receive Him into our lives as our personal Redeemer. “To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 (-note, no one can make this decision for you!) Trust is always evidenced in some form of action. Even the demons believe and yet they are not saved. Three kinds of attitudes are needed for salvation: humility in that I am a sinner; belief that God loves me and gave His Son for me; a turning from self and sin to God. examples: the thief on the cross next to Jesus - Luke 23:42-43; the jailer, Acts16:25-34

Can you lose your salvation?

Our spirits are eternal -our spirits are saved when we are born again, not our soul or our body. Our spirits are in an eternal blood covenant with God’s Spirit. The only salvation you can lose is that of your soul and body: the salvation of our soul by giving our mind, our will and emotions to Satan and worldly influences, and of our bodies by sowing to the flesh (Gal. 6:8, 1 Cor. 3:17).

You might find this version of John 10:25-30 helpful: Jesus answered, "I told you, but you don't believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don't believe because you're not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind."

According to the Bible, there is only one person who can fall from grace- the unbeliever who is attempting to work his way to heaven (one who refuses to be saved by grace). Galatians 5:4, You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Before you are saved, you are the keeper of your own soul, and you cannot do anything but fail in its keeping. But when you get saved, you turn your soul over to the protection of another--God. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul says: For the which cause I also suffer these things: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

Philippians 1:6: being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise

Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

John 1:12-13: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

If sin separates me from Christ - how much sin?? How far do you have to sin to break the security that you have in God? This is making your salvation depend on your personal faithfulness. Romans 8:35-39: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Evidence that you are saved (fruit, sanctification)

Sanctification is work (empowered by the Holy Spirit); it’s like peeling a potato: one layer at a time, a process, peeling away the desire to sin, fleeing temptation, pursuing holiness. Any part of your potato that has not been peeled is like areas of your life that have not been yielded to God. It is the salvation of your soul (James 1:21) - an ongoing salvation. There’s a continual battle between our spirit and our soul (1 Peter 2:11, Romans 8:6. Renew your mind, Romans 12:1-2. 2 Corinthians 2:4-5, taking your thoughts captive. Psalm 19:7 - the law of the Lord converts the soul. A greater awareness of right and wrong John 8:31 - a growing hunger and thirst for the Lord. note, much of James is speaking about sanctification (works, faith - being a doer, not just a hearer). Not one ounce of our obedience adds to our justification!! All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God, Romans 8:14- another evidence, that you are being led in the direction of His will by the Holy Spirit.

What about those who said they were saved, but they show no fruit?

If someone’s life is not showing fruit it may be true that they are not genuinely saved. Remember that God sees the heart. It’s not our place to judge (to be like a Pharisee and haughtily look down on others who are not living according to God’s Word). If they’re still breathing, God still has a purpose for them! Don’t lose hope! Keep praying for them, and be a loving, kind, sincere example. For a plant to grow, it needs to have good soil, sunlight, rain, pruning, etc. So, it may also be true that they are not receiving the proper nourishment needed to grow and bear fruit. What helps a believer to grow? Being in God’s Word (read, study, memorize), spending time with Jesus (prayer), sitting under Godly teaching (church and other forms of Bible study help such as books, radio, internet), fellowship among other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25), listening to the Holy Spirit’s convictions, etc. Someone who is truly saved and yet is walking in a way that is not honoring the Lord will face consequences for their life choices - lack of joy, a poor influence, chastening for their sin. The evidence of your faith is works (James, faith without works is dead)

What is the “unpardonable sin”?

Always remember that if you confess your sin, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The unpardonable sin is blaspheming the Holy Spirit by continually rejecting His conviction.The Pharisees saw Jesus’ works, heard His teaching... but their spirits were in opposition to Him. If you never repent and receive Christ, you will be eternally lost.

What about you?

Two pictures of an unsaved person: one who breaks all the laws and is bad (the younger brother in Jesus’ parable, Luke 15). The other who keeps all the rules and is good (the perfect, elder brother in Jesus’ parable - obeying to get things from God -God owes me). Both are lost. Both are alienated from their Father. Even if you obey all the rules and act like a “good girl”, it doesn’t mean you’re saved. what is the controlling passion of your heart? What is “God” to you? Who do you love?

False Religions

They all say that if you search hard enough and work hard enough, you will find God. But God came into the world to seek and to save us. Salvation is by His grace, not by our achievement. Because He accepts and loves us, we obey and love and serve Him.

Man has Sinned

Romans 3:23, all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.

James 2:10, whoever keeps the Law as a whole but stumbles and offends in one single instance has become guilty of breaking all of it.

Sin Has Punishment

Romans 5:12, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.

Romans 6:23, for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation

John 3:16, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:6, Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Romans 5:8, God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9, 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.

Salvation - Believe in the heart, confess with the mouth

Romans 10:9, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

John 1:12, to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

Be the Girl

2009-07-31T15:45:00.001-05:00

Take a minute to read this great article - important stuff and good thoughts!

Be the Girl

A Baby Shower in May

2009-06-04T09:49:00.004-05:00

Our dear friend Lauren (and her husband Colin) are expecting their first baby in June. We were happy to bless her with a baby shower at our last meeting. Here is Lauren and her mother.

We had a special cake and some other little treats.

Decorations for a baby girl!!

Opening gifts for the baby!

playing some fun games

We love you, sweet girls!

Thank you for blessing Lauren with your meaningful verses of Scripture at the shower.

Pray with us for a safe and smooth delivery for this precious new life!

notes from our April gathering

2009-04-27T11:19:00.002-05:00

Hearing God's voice in your journey of life!

This was the topic of our April meeting. How do we hear God's voice? Through the Holy Spirit. God is a Spirit! He speaks to our spirits through His Spirit. John 4:23-24, "a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears...” Romans 8:16, “the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Even though you have three parts (1 Thess. 5:23), the real "you" is your spirit! You are a spirit in a body with a soul. When you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, He places His Spirit within you. Every day, we should ask that God fill us afresh with His Spirit and give us ears to hear Him. Luke 11:13 - “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Romans 12:11 tells us to be fervent in spirit. The word fervent means enthusiastic (en - in and theo- God). Since you are in Christ, you should be enthusiastic! Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant (The Message). Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord (Amplified). Pray that others are drawn to Jesus Christ Who is in you!

FAITH is essential to hearing God’s voice! - Hebrews 11:6. What is faith? You may not be able to fully understand or reason with your mind. Faith is something that your spirit does - believing! When God talks to us, He expects action. "Faith without works is dead... for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also," James 2:20, 26.

Pray Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.” Look for verses that stand out to you with special significance (does it convict you, challenge, warn, encourage? this is a rhema!). This is hearing the voice of God! Write it down, engraft it into your soul (pray it, memorize it, etc), and it becomes a part of your heart’s belief system. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 that man doesn't live by bread alone but by every word (rhema) that comes from the mouth of God. Ask God for a daily rhema!

Write down GodStops!

Savoring the Observable Presence
It is explained in the introduction of the 'Believing God' Bible study Beth Moore wrote. Here is an excerpt:
"... In essence, God's glory is any way in which He makes Himself recognizable. When I see a brilliant sunset I know no artist could paint, I recognize God through His masterpiece. Likewise, when something happens in my day that I know is more than a coincidence, I am learning to recognize God in it. Part of our faith-walk experience will be learning to recognize God in our midst by noticing visible prints of His invisible hands. We don't want to miss God when He makes Himself observable! I am convinced that the more we learn to recognize and appreciate His interventions and revelations, the more we are likely to receive them!... The stop in GodStop comes from the acronym God gave me: Savoring the Observable Presence. When God makes Himself observable, we want to stop and take notice. I want to learn to say to myself, That's God! Stop and savor the moment! A GodStop is any means by which God seems to go out of His way during your day to make Himself known to you........ I even consider a GodStop a time when God suddenly catches me in a sin of action or attitude that I didn't know anyone noticed. One way I know I am cherished is because God loves whom He disciplines (see Heb. 12:6). A sudden disciplinary action is a GodStop reminding me that He is ever present and loves me too much to let me get away with something that is displeasing to Him......" - Beth Moore, Excerpt from "Believing God"

Ask God for a hearing heart. This is what King Solomon did. Listen for Him to speak to you through His Word, His Spirit, through your parents, through circumstances. Remove the things that distract you from hearing (have that prayer closet! Matthew 13:22 - don't let the cares of this world choke out the growth that God wants to do in you).

Regularly and diligently feed yourself the Word of God. It’s daily fellowship with our loving heavenly Father. When we develop good communication with God, He promises to bless us in unimaginable ways! 1 Corinthians 2:9

Practical Application
Ask Questions: (about the truths that God has written)
Who, What, Where, When, Why, How

How can I delight myself in the Lord? (Psalm 37:4)
Pray Scripture. God speaks through His Word. It is alive and living!

Read Psalm 119 (one or two sections). Write down one rhema for each morning. What questions did you ask? How can you apply it?

March GRL notes

2009-03-31T16:45:00.003-05:00

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing

Christ Jesus my Lord! Philippians 3:8

This past month, we talked about the importance of seeking God early... now, before we're older... and early as in early in the day! In celebrating holy days and feasts, the Jewish culture actually begin at sundown on the day before. Genesis 1:5 tells us that the evening and the morning were the first day. So, start your day right by seeking God as your head touches the pillow at night!

At night, three parts of our body need to be strengthened: our body, our soul and our spirit.

Think of your bed as an altar to the Lord. In the Bible, altars were God's special meeting places with man. Put away distractions before going to bed! - other people, email, noises, an interesting book, phone.

Remind yourself and tell God that your body belongs to Him and that you desire for it to be used to glorify Him. Make sure there are no hidden sins in your life that would grieve the Lord and quench the power of His Holy Spirit- “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” Ps.66:18.

Yield every member of your body to God. Romans 6 tells us - But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Offer sacrifices of praise to Jesus. It’s natural to dwell on our own thoughts as we go to bed - concerns, hurtful wounds, lustful desires, future plans - God wants us to take all of these thoughts and sacrifice them to Him! Replace them with thoughts about Him and His Word. David did this: Psalm 63:5-6 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. When the people of God approached the altar at the Temple, they were to come with a grateful heart- Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, Psalm 100:4a. The Temple is the place where God’s presence dwelled.

Share a rhema of Scripture with the Lord. A Rhema is a verse of Scripture that stands out with special meaning. Keep a journal of rhemas. Hebrews 4:12 says His word is living and powerful! It is the light we need to conquer the darkness of sin. A key passage of Scripture overcomes spiritual darkness and opens the way for intimate fellowship with God. He will reveal deeper understanding of His Word as we meditate on it. The people of God placed animals on their altars- we can bring the food of God’s Word to our altar-bed. Jesus will be right there to enjoy a meal with us! Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door [of your heart], I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me- Rev. 3:20. His Word is essential for life! Luke 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Word - rhema - a precise scriptural command that God gives us to apply in our lives. Select a passage and memorize it. It’s letting His Word abide in us. If ye abide in me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you- John 15:7. Let them not depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion... When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet- Pr. 3:21, 24.

Give all your expectations to God. At the root of every bitter feeling, broken relationship, etc. there are personal expectations that were unfulfilled or violated. It is not wrong to have expectations. However, it is wrong to put them on people, events, or things rather than on God. David told his soul, “my soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” Psalm 62:5. As we place our expectations on the altar, we are then free to love others! We will not be expecting anything from them.

Other ideas in enjoying the presence of God:
Make it a habit of putting new thoughts in... use Hymns:
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
To God be the Glory

Use Scripture cards - like a shot of vitamin D!

Praise God for His many names. Baptist minister Adrian Rogers would say to his congregation: “go home and lay your head upon your pillow, and pillow your soul on the Word of God, and go to sleep and sleep well, for He Who watches Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” It’s not magical or a ritual to perform. It’s truly claiming by faith who God is to you - represented in His names. He’s the God of comfort, the God of peace, the God of all I need, etc.

Pictures from the February Tea Talk!

2009-02-24T11:03:00.007-06:00

Girls Really Living gathered together for a very special Tea Party this month!

We dressed up, picked out fun hats and gloves to wear, and were treated to a Tea Talk by our friend, Mrs. Sheryl.

Mrs. Sheryl shared how each tea cup is shaped differently and yet is still so beautiful. God has created us in a unique way and each of us are precious in His eyes!

enjoying scones and fruit
tea sandwiches and cheese
posing for a picture while enjoying tea with our dessert... cheesecake and fudge brownies!

Mrs. Sheryl taught us about the history of tea, gave us instruction on tea etiquette, and reminded us how special we are to God. He has placed us here "for such a time as this."

Lauren and Jaimee
We are so thankful to the Lord for blessing us with such a lovely afternoon!

June Journey to the Heart

2009-01-31T09:16:00.006-06:00

We have been given the amazing opportunity to lead a girls Journey to the Heart in June. The Journey to the Heart is a 10-day experience in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In the midst of 3,000 acres of woods and lakes you will enjoy Bible study with your team of other girls, have sweet fellowship, worship and prayer, and rich, personal time with God.

Out of all the retreats and Bible conferences we have ever attended, the Journey has had the greatest spiritual impact on our lives! We would love to see every single Christian young person go on a Journey. Prayerfully consider sending your older daughter(s) with us. This journey will help them learn how to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength!

To sign up, click here.

Should you have questions, feel free to email us or leave a comment.

Being an Example - notes from the January meeting

2009-01-27T11:41:00.004-06:00

1 Timothy 4:12, Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Setting an Example in Your Youth
God calls us, no matter how young we are, to live a life that is an example to other believers! Realize that God has positioned us where we are for a purpose. He is equipping you and giving you the power to follow Him now, right where you are. My obedience to God will encourage my generation to follow Him. I’m here for people! My life is to bless others. Do others see God’s love reflected in me? In some way, you’re impacting, shaping and causing others to become like you. Paul said, Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah), 1 Corinthians 11:1 (Amplified).
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loves us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV).

The time and day to love and follow Jesus is NOW! Who are you modeling your life after? Jesus should be the first one! Take time to read biographies and stories of men and women who lived their lives for Christ. Do you influence others, or are you easily influenced? Ask yourself: TODAY, does my heart belong to Jesus?
other verses: Ecclesiastes 12:1, Psalm 90:14

Speech
Your words reflect what’s in your heart: Out of the abundance (fullness or overflow) of the heart that mouth speaks, Matthew 12:34. Honor God in what you say. Do you speak the truth in love? - Ephesians 4:15. Are you loud or gentle in your speech? When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly - Proverbs 31:26 (The Message).

Life/Conduct
Today’s choices will influence the direction of your entire life. So now is the time to seek with all your heart what is best! Choose to live now for what counts for tomorrow and all eternity. It’s the springtime of your life! What seeds are you sowing in this season of youth? Your conduct/behavior/how you live- does it reveal Jesus to those around you? You shall know them by their fruit, Matthew 7:16.

Love
Eighty percent of Americans claim to be Christians... why don’t we act like it? What if Christians really were Christ-like? God Himself is love (read 1 John 4:7-21). By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another, John 13:35. We can love others well only when we are rightly related to the Lord and living according to His principles. Have I opened my heart to receive God’s love? Have I asked God to make me more aware of His presence? Have I taken out “the garbage” in my life? Mother Teresa, “We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending love letters to the world.”

Faith
“Above all,” you and I need to learn to take up our shield of faith. We also desperately need to know the Word of God so as to answer the enemy when he comes to us with doubts and deception. Where do I sense the enemy sending his fiery darts? Is my shield of faith up? What lies am I believing about God? What Scriptures should I use to resist the devil?
verses: Ephesians 6:10-18, Psalm 119:11, 1 Peter 5:6-9

Purity
The word purity here means sinlessness of life. This can only come through Jesus. He creates in us a clean heart. He gives us the desire to stay true to Him. Seek to please Him in all you do. Purity also means unmixed, not contaminated. We need to keep a check on what worldly things are influencing our thoughts and motives (movies, magazines, books, friends, etc.). Examine your heart and your motive every day. Purity also includes how you treat others - with respect, honor, and genuine love. Keep Philippians 4:8 in your mind! Is ____ true, honest, just, pure, lovely, etc.??
Have I examined my heart and my motives? What is influencing me?
verses: Psalm 51:10, Philippians 4:8

Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. NASB

Many now are watching the footsteps that we take,
Many soon will follow in the choices that we make.
So let us then be faithful, to be what we should be,
And leave a good example that they can clearly see.

Be an example of the believers in word and in conduct,
Be steadfast, in love, in faith, in purity of life;
For those behind us, let us stand within the gap
And make a difference in their lives.
Be an example to follow Christ.

Let us then be watching the weary, day by day,
Looking to encourage and to lead them in the way.
To run the race with patience, on Jesus fix their eyes
And challenge them with excellence, that they might win the prize.
~Mac and Beth Lynch

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,
By the very manner in which you speak,
By the way you employ your leisure time,
By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell on yourself by the things you wear,
By the spirit in which your burdens you bear,
By the type of things at which you laugh,
By the records you play on your phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,
By the things of which you delight to talk,
By the manner in which you can bear defeat,
By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the library shelf,
By these things and more, you tell on yourself.
- Author Unknown

Book Recommendation!

2008-11-25T19:10:00.003-06:00

Each girl was challenged to spend seven days working on developing gratefulness in her life! Each day's assignment came from this great little booklet by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, The Attitude of Gratitude: Developing a Grateful Heart.

Have you written any letters of gratefulness recently? Let this quote inspire you!

"A handwritten note is like dining by candlelight instead of flicking on the lights, like making a gift instead of ordering a product, like taking a walk instead of driving. Handwritten notes will add a lot to your life. You can still use the telephone or the Web for the daily chores of staying in touch, but for the words that matter, it's courteous, classy, caring, and civilized to pick up a pen."
-Margaret Shepherd

...so get writing!

A Thankful Heart

2008-11-25T18:58:00.002-06:00

This month's meeting was on developing a spirit of gratefulness.
Contentment is realizing that God has already provided everything I need for my present and future happiness.
The Lord is Good, Psalm 34:8.
He is the God Who Gives all things to Enjoy, 1 Timothy 6:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, James 1:17
Be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you, Hebrews 13:5

Gratefulness in Scripture
David - Psalm 92:1-2, It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. David was in communication with God all the time! (Psalm 55:17, Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.)
Job- when faced with deep trouble and after losing everything, he blessed the Lord, responding in faithfulness, not in anxiety. Realized that all comes ultimately from God. Job 1:20, Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. He was rewarded, God gave him double what he had lost.
Daniel- Daniel 6:10 -When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open (toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Paul- he learned to be content in whatever state he was (Phil. 4:11). 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 - Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We find IN HIM (not always in what happens to us) plenty of reason to thank Him and plenty of power to thank Him.
The ten lepers - only one took time to go back and say thank you, and he was made whole (healed) by his thanksgiving and faith. Be forever grateful to the One who has saved your life!

Look UP! -our thanksgiving should be directed towards God
Where is your focus? On me or God? It all depends on your perspective: thank God for allowing you to go through _______. He’s designed it for you to grow closer to Him. He knows and understands. He’s allowing it. Romans 8:28 - all things work together for good to them that love God. Character cannot be formed in ease and quiet!
Day in and day out, all the time, we’re to be grateful! Focus on the positive. You cannot be grateful and angry at the same time. Spend time with Him. Give Him the best of your time, talents and treasures. It lifts Him up, glorifies Him.

Psalm 119:63 - At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 103:2-5 thank God for His benefits, Ps. 104 bless the Lord, 1 Samuel 12:24 consider what great things He has done for you!
Hebrews 13:15 -Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Look AROUND -thankful for relationships, thankful towards others (Eph. 1:16, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers).
What does a grateful heart look like? it’s contagious!
It is revealed and expressed by thankful words, not in murmuring or complaining. Is a humble person. Conscious of God and others- seeking to bless them. Easily contented, not bitter (yield all rights to God). Life-giving.

Begin your morning by thanking God
Express thanks to other people
Rejoice in trials
Look for benefits instead of murmuring (remember Pollyanna!)
Pray for those who have benefited you
Thank God for your authorities and pray for them

does Jesus have your life?

2008-10-26T16:51:00.004-05:00

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. 
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. 

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King 
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee 
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use every power as You choose.

Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine 
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet, it's treasure store 
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Here am I, all of me, take my life, it's all for Thee!

~based on the hymn by Francis Ridley Havergal

October notes - you are God's fine china plate!

2008-10-26T16:17:00.008-05:00

2 Timothy 2:20-22
~In a wealthy home there are dishes made of gold and silver as well as some made from wood and clay. The expensive dishes are used for guests, and the cheap ones are used in the kitchen or to put garbage in. If you stay away from sin you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold - the very best in the house - so that Christ Himself can use you for His highest purposes. Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts... but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.

keeping sparkle in my life

To the degree that we try to partake of the world, we diminish our brightness.

Just as God separated the light from the darkness on the first day of Creation, so He wants to separate the children of light from the children of darkness. God identifies all people as members of one of two categories:
children of light
or
children of darkness.

I Thessalonians 5:5, For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
Colossians 1:13, He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.
Ephesians 5:2, 8, And walk in love, ...for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
In I Corinthians 5, Paul explains that we will have interaction with unbelievers, however, we're not to become like them, but we are to be light to them! Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord.

A “dim” believer has too much light to be welcomed by the children of darkness and not enough brightness to be comfortable with the children of light!
Is the brightness of your witness being dimmed by the influences of the world? If so, ask God for wisdom today to “come out and be separate.”

1 John 1:7, If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His son cleanseth us from all sin.

being set apart for God’s purposes

Instead of seeing how close you can get to the line between right and wrong, create a large gap! Only with a pure heart can we grasp and express God’s love. Seek God wholeheartedly! Use God’s Word to purify your heart (praying Scripture to Him). “the enemy doesn’t have to destroy us, just distract us. Little distractions tolerated over a long period result in big disasters” - Daniel Henderson

You've been set apart - just like a fine china plate. You are more valuable than you can ever imagine. You are a special gift from God. The plate is a reminder of how God sees you- in Christ you have a new nature (2 Peter 1:4); you are beautiful, lovely, costly, perfect, pure. It's a privilege to be set apart. God wants to use you for His highest purposes. Be clean and ready so He can use you to serve others. You are God's fine china plate - to be used for His perfect purposes. Be set apart for God.
You may be the only Bible that people ever read... so what are they reading? Col.2:6 - as you have been taught, so walk in Him!

We read a short story called, The Secret of the Fine China Plate, from Robin Jones Gunn's book Gentle Passages.

You will be known by: what you flee from, what you follow after, what you fight for, and WHO you put your faith in (1 Timothy 6:11-12). Always remember how precious you are to God! Read Psalm 139 and write down how much you mean to the Lord.

How to be an Energy-Giver

2008-10-26T16:12:00.002-05:00

An energy-giver is someone who loves God with all of his heart, and therefore turns to love his neighbor as he loves himself.

As he focuses on loving and serving God, he invests his life in meeting the needs of those around him, freely giving of himself, his time, his talents, and his resources to make others successful, cared for, and appreciated. His heart is so full of the grace and love of God that he can’t help but share God’s love with others.

• He seeks after God’s face by spending time in Bible study and prayer, and he shares the insights he finds with others.
• He offers a ready smile and has a rebounding source of enthusiasm.
• Always looking for ways to serve those around him, he puts his heart into the tasks at hand and is diligent in simple and complex tasks.
• He does more than is required of him.
• He looks for the good in others and is quick to praise what he sees.
• He remembers those who have invested in his life and he is grateful for them.
• He enjoys good humor, but turns away from foolishness that hurts and harms others.
• He lives frugally so that he can give to others.
• He is quick to forgive his offenders and offer restoration.
• He seeks for the truth and applies it to his life; he is obedient to God’s words.
• He prays for others.

Notes from our September gathering

2008-10-26T15:56:00.003-05:00

Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
1 John 4:8, He who does not love has not become acquainted with God (does not and never did know Him), for God is love.

At this meeting, we had three scenarios that the girls read and discussed. We then talked about them as a group, and here are our notes:
Problem #1
I am never happy!
Nothing ever goes my way! I never get the things that I really want in life! I guess I’ll never be satisfied and happy until I am married and running my own home. Oh, when will that day come?!

Your character will be formed by the time you are twenty, so stop and think about how you act at home right now. Your choices today are forming habits- good or bad- that you will take into your future. Every action has results.
Seek to be an energy-giver to your family. Realize that an unsatisfied heart is a stronghold waiting to happen. Ask Jesus to satisfy you. Comparison destroys contentment.
O satisfy us with Your mercy and lovingkindness in the morning (now, before we are older), that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. ~Psalm 90:14

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. ~Galatians 6:9

Problem #2
My brother is so irritating! You would not believe how much he talks... he is constantly teasing me... he fidgets all the time and can never sit still... his room is so messy... what a cluttered person!... we seem to get in trouble a lot and my parents always tell me that I provoked him... don’t they know how big of a bother he is to me???! No one understands.
I try to act differently and want to love him, but he just never changes.

Start praying blessings on your brother - ask God to bless him with the qualities that he is lacking. Realize that you can never change another person; you can only change yourself and your perspective on the situation. Don’t try to make up your own love; cry out for the real thing: His love. Learn to yield your rights. All anger can be traced to unyielded rights. Strive to be a cheerleader for your sibling, and not their second mother.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ~Philippians 2:3-8

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. ~Proverbs 17:9

Problem #3
My parents are always telling me what to do. I never get a moment’s rest! I have so many responsibilities - my school work, helping out with chores, music practice... and sometimes I even have to make dinner! Everything needs to be perfect, but it’s just too much. Oh no, here comes my mom again - what is she going to ask me to do now??? Life sure is hard.

Your parents are not perfect, but you can be assured that God is and what He allows is for your good. God is big enough to change your parents heart if that is needed. Ask God to show you if you are being stubborn, rebellious or disrespectful in any way. Ask the Lord to clothe you in His humility and grace; to help you to submit & obey cheerfully and to respond respectfully. Submission places you under the protection of God. Trust in God’s sovereign plan. Appeal if necessary. Rebellion opens you up to the attack of the enemy.
But He gives us more grace. That is what Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. ~James 4:6

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just and right. Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother- this is the first commandment with a promise. That all my be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. ~Ephesians 6:1-2

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as something done for the Lord and not for men. ~Colossians 3:23

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. ~1 Samuel 15:23

God commands us to love each other. Love is not an emotion, but an action. Love is the things we do, and hold back from doing. Love is an act of the will. It is His fruit of the Spirit- His love. So what are you connected to? What are you rooted and grounded in? Is your root system healthy? To thrive and grow and show love - you must have a relationship with Jesus Christ! HE IS LOVE.

Summer gathering of Girls Really Living

2008-10-21T10:44:00.004-05:00

Questions to consider:
Who are my friends?
Do they fully love God?
Do I feel they draw me closer to God or do they make me focus more on the world?
Am I influencing my friends, or do my friends influence me? (for good?)
Do I have friends that my parents disapprove of?
What action do I need to take?
Purpose to experience God’s best in your friendships!

first impressions
you only have ONE opportunity to make a first impression on another! “For if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” Matthew 5:47. We "salute" by sending out a first impression, signaling our acceptance of them as they are, with the desire to bless them with what they could be. -overlook outward distractions -picture their potential in Christ -don't forget to entertain strangers -give a warm smile -use their name -don’t prejudge! -be careful at how you LOOK at others (giving a message of rejection)

making friends or making disciples?
The KEY to keeping standards is making disciples because they will hold you accountable... teaching others the commands of Christ. Have genuine love for others - John 13:35. Surrender your life to do it.

2 ISSUES we struggle with: either wanting to be like those friends who have rebelled and gone a different direction - peer pressure, wanting acceptance OR you look down on those who’ve gone astray, despising them, not having anything to do with them, not speaking to them, etc.
Don’t have contempt- like Jonah and the Pharisees. Don’t lose sight of other’s value. You don’t dislike them; you dislike the sin. Pray for the love of Christ.
The reason why you do or don’t do certain things should be from your love for Jesus Christ and out of your love for others (not wanting them to stumble or be offended).
“Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me “- Matthew 25:40b

Unity
it comes from the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t want us to all be uniform (look alike, dress alike, sound alike - all pressure from without), but humble (Phil 2, lowliness of mind/focus on inward).

How to be a Godly friend -Encourage (pouring courage into another’s life). Pray for them. Share Scripture with them. Notes. Phone calls. Emails. Birthday remembrances.
Have standards that will protect you. Yield your whole life to Christ (mind, emotions, will, body)! Having a dating spirit - singling out someone for special attention without intending to pursue marriage and without going through proper authorities. Flee from secret relationships. Honor your parents and things will go well with you! 1 Thess. 5:23 Guarding your heart, Proverbs 4:23, involves removing anything will hinder you from obeying the first and greatest commandment (Mark 12:30). It brings an unimaginable future - 1 Cor. 2:9b.

Witnessing to Unsaved Friends
1. a silent witness, how you live your life - dress, obedience, character, words
2. verbal witness, sharing and explaining why you do what you do

When thinking about friendship, remember that Jesus is your best and dearest friend! He loves you more than anyone else ever could. He will never leave you.

May Meeting on.... Modesty!

2008-10-21T10:14:00.003-05:00

OK, be honest! What do think about when you hear the word modesty?
-out of style, dumpy, nerdy, unattractive, old-fashioned, boring, legalistic, ugly, baggy clothing, long skirts? Maybe modesty is a word you don’t really want to think about. It may not have occurred to you that God has something to say about the clothes you wear!

1 Timothy 2:9, adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control
1 Peter 3:3-4, addresses how external looks are not as important as internal character
1 Corinthians 10:31, addresses how, for the Christian, whatever we do is to be done for God’s glory.
Your clothing and appearance reveal a lot about your values, character, and beliefs.

1 Timothy 2:3-6 tell us God desires all to be saved - this is mentioned before v.9. The gospel message is the motivation for modest dress. If we love Jesus, we wouldn’t want to distract from or reflect poorly upon the gospel. Let there be no contradiction between the gospel message and the clothes you wear!

Modesty is humility expressed in dress, a desire to serve others, neither promoting nor provoking sensuality or lust. Modesty, quite simply, is daring to live a life submitted to God. It is choosing to live outside of the norm. Modesty--“Propriety: The avoidance of clothing and adornment that is extravagant, showy, and sexually enticing.”
~you’ve given your life to Jesus! Be thankful He’s made you a woman and look like one!~
A girl can be covered from head to toe and still be dressed immodestly. Realize that there's a difference between dressing attractively and dressing to attract. Let’s walk among guys in a manner that seeks to protect them from temptation. Let’s serve our brothers through modest clothing.

What needs to change in MY wardrobe to reflect humility and self-control, so that I can better reflect the transforming power of Christ? Seek to shop for the glory of God!

Important thoughts: it's easy to turn a tool like this into a list of rules or to sinfully judge others who don’t agree, but we are not to impose personal preferences on others. Even if they aren’t like you, you should still be kind and genuinely interested in others. Make everyone feel welcome! Recognize everyone. Care about your heart.

Do all to the glory of God, for God, out of your love for God!

Romans 12:1-2, I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

A Way to Spend an Hour with God

2008-10-21T09:58:00.004-05:00

(note: spending an hour in prayer with God doesn't make you some great, wonderful Christian! If you don't pray for an hour at a time, it doesn't mean you don't love Jesus. It is simply a way of knowing God's heart, of communing with Him, of delighting Him. Remember that you can come to God anytime. Talk to God all throughout your day!)

Confession
Sin is the greatest roadblock to prayer; early in your prayer time, confess- agree with God about your sin. (Psalm 139:23-24, 51:10-11, I John 1:9)
Praise
Dwell on God’s attributes. He is an awesome God! (Psalm 34:1-3, 63:3)
Waiting
Quiet your mind and heart before God; focus on Him, being quiet in His presence. (Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31)
Scripture
As you open your Bible, ask God to bless you with concentration and understanding as you read His Word. (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 19:7-8)
Intercession
Develop a list of names of others to uphold in prayer. (1 Timothy 2:1-2, Psalm 2:8)
Petition
Make a list of your own personal needs, and check them off as God answers prayer. (Matthew 7:7, James 4:2)
Thanksgiving
Thank God for what He has done. We have so much to be grateful for! (Philippians 4:6, Psalm 100:4)
Singing
Sing Scripture back to the Lord, or use your favorite hymnal or worship CD. (Psalm 100:2, Ephesians 5:19)
Meditation
Actively ponder and digest a passage of Scripture or a character trait of God. (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-2)
Listening
Ask God for specific direction concerning the day’s activities. (1 Kings 19:11-12, Psalm 46:10)
Psalms
Read a psalm, and pray back portions to the Lord. (Psalm 95:2, 147:1)
Praise
You began your time with praise. What better way to end it? (Psalm 50:23, 150:1-2)

notes from our April meeting!

2008-10-21T09:43:00.003-05:00

Prayer: The first step is coming to HIM. Read Matthew 11:28-30. It's not reading the latest bestseller book or attending a dynamic seminar! Don't search for satisfaction outside of God's plan. Jesus says, Come to ME.

Mark 8:34, Amplified version - If any one intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. - if "any one" would come after Me... He's looking for one. He's looking for you. He's looking for me. He loves me!

Matthew 6:6, But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. Enter in and shut the door. The door is important- it shuts out and shuts in. Get alone. You don't need to perform. Talk out loud to Christ. Push the pause button on all the noise and distractions around you. You may have a quiet time, a quiet spot, but you also need a quiet heart. Create space in your life for God. Invite God in. Don't ignore Him! Prayer is celebrating and entertaining God. It's a delight to His heart (the prayer of the upright is His delight). So close the door, take a walk, go outside by yourself, and start speaking to God!

The enemy doesn't have to destroy us, just distract us. Little distractions tolerated over a long period of time result in big disasters! (James 4:8) We are being bombarded with messages every day - radio, email, music, web sites, text messaging, TV, magazines, books, movies, billboards, mail. We need to stop mindlessly absorbing any and every message that comes our way. Whether it's noise from outside, or noise just in our own head, we need to silence it so we can notice Christ and hear Him. We need to look at the ONE and ONLY source of TRUTH. Truth is Jesus Christ and His Word.

It's easy for us to become obsessed with vain imaginations or fantasies (things that aren't even true or real). 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 talks about high places- anything that grows bigger in my head than God. What is blocking your view of God? What do you think about constantly? Take it captive! Talk to God about it... confess, turn away. We're hungry, we're longing for things, we're thirsty. What are we drinking to quench our thirst? God is the only One Who can satisfy (Psalm 63). Have a heart satisfied by Jesus! Feed what you want to live and starve what you want to die.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17, ESV). We have a Helper! He will give us the help that we cannot give ourselves. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21, ESV). The Holy Spirit’s power at work within you; the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11), is able to do for you supernaturally what you could not do naturally: live for Jesus!