Giving Thanks for You!

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?

Take a minute to watch this video!

November notes!

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

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!

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!

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 commandment greater 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 have stored 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

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.