January Gathering :-)

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

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!

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

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

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

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 made like 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 For everyone 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