GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 6 Day 5

2 Timothy 3:15-17

S:  You have been taught in the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

O:

• taught young
• given wisdom
• trust Jesus
• inspired by God
• useful to teach truth
• discern right from wrong
• corrects us
• teaches us what is right
• prepares and equips us to do good work

A:  It's never too late to teach.  Keep on with my faith and keep being a good example.  It's never too late.

P:  Father, thank you for this scripture this morning.  I love how you give us your word for instruction for our lives and give us your holy spirit to guide us and help us know the difference between right and wrong.  Give us all a good day in you and bless each of these ladies weekend.  I am thankful for each one and their faithfulness to this group.

~Amen

Fun Fact Friday:  My grand babies are coming home this weekend.  I cannot wait to get my hands on them.  I haven't seen them since Christmas.  Please pray for safe travel as we are expecting another foot of snow this weekend.

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 6 Day 4

Matthew 18:5-6

S:  "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.  But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

O:  Trust.  Fall

A:  I probably need to treat adults more like I do children and be less critical and more loving.  I love children and they seem to be drawn to me.  I have been such a skeptic of adults lately.  Critical and judgmental.  This week has brought out an old frustration in me that I didn't raise my children in a Godly home.

P:  Father, no excuses here.  I had the opportunity to raise our children in a Godly home and didn't.  Please forgive me and help me move forward.  Help me to be a good example to my children in their adulthood.  Help me be a good example to my nieces, nephews, grandchildren and all I come in contact with.  Guard my heart and mind.  Make be ever mindful of the words of my mouth and my actions that I would reflect your love in my life.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 6 Day 3

Psalm 127:3-5

S:  Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.  Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands.  How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!  He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

O:  Gift/reward.  What does a warrior do with his arrow - hit the mark, go for the bulls-eye, have good aim.

A:  The reminder in the daily reading helped me today.  Children are a gift and thank God it is not up to me alone to make sure they know Him.  God has this.  Unless He builds the house, unless He protects the city......My work is useless without Him.  That does not let me off the hook, but it sure gives me hope.  I didn't start to seek Him until I was an adult.

P:  Thank you Father that your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you for your hope.  Thank you for loving me so much and giving me peace in your word today after really struggling with the scriptures yesterday and today.  I know you hold these kids in your hands.  I can keep aiming for the mark and be a good example and witness.  You will do the rest.

~Amen and amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 6 Day 1

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

S:  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house an on your gates.

O:  Keep the commands of God in the forefront of everything I do and say.  Talk about them constantly. Put them everywhere to keep my mind and heart focused on His Word.

A:  I need to keep writing God's word on my heart and mind.  Memorizing and focusing on His commands.

P:  Father help me this week to remember and focus on the scriptures you place on my heart.  Help me with my focus this week which is to be in constant prayer for those I come in contact with this week.  Be with each of these ladies this week as they study your word.  Bless them Father as they are a blessing to me.  In Jesus name I pray.

~Amen

GMG ~ Week Six ~ Let's Be Intentional

Week Six Challenge:  As you "walk along the road' with your children this week (at the dinner table, driving to activities, during the bedtime routine, etc.), intentionally make a point to talk about "the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done (Psalm 78).  If you don't have children of your own, find time this week to visit a child in your life (nieces, nephews, neighbors, children in your church, etc.) with the same intention.

Week Six Memory Verse:  Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.  ~Psalm 127:3-5

Week Six: This week I'm going to be intentionally focused on: Prayer.  Praying for not just my children, but my friends, family and all who come to mind.  Asking God to meet them where they are.  Comfort, guide and protect them.

Your Children: "In the end, the measure of my success as a mother will not be how well I have taught my kids or cared for hem but whether I have been faithful in helping them respond to God's call on their lives." ~ Sally Clarkson, Ministry of Motherhood

GMG Week Five ~ Focused Questions

1.)  When we think of "superheroes" from our childhood-even they have a sidekick!  Do you seek to walk your path alone, or do you search out others to walk alongside of you, as we see in this verse, to give us strength and accountability?

Yes, I do seek out a sidekick at times but mostly walk alone.  People can let you down, but God never does.  We do need others though to keep us accountable and to sharpen us.  I need to try harder to cultivate good and Godly friendships.

2.)  Compare John 15:9-17 with 1Peter 4:7-8.  We should be living expectantly-Jesus is coming!  This means continually growing in our love for God and for others.  Your stuff won't matter-but people do.  The souls of our loved ones last eternally.  How are you reaching out and sharing God's grace, love and mercy INTENTIONALLY this year?

This is God's command to LOVE ON ANOTHER.  What a better witness than to show love without judgement or conviction.  I am trying to be this kind of person.  Loving everyone is a challenge.  I try to ask myself when faced with a difficult situation or person, 'This person is loved by the same God who loves me.  Why should I not love them?'  Now that doesn't mean I ALWAYS do this and this is where I fail in my flesh.  I know I need to try harder and be a friend at all times.  He loves me in my filthiness.

~Peace

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 6 Day 2

Psalms 78:6-7

S:  so the next generation might know them - even the children not yet born - and they in turn will teach their own children.  So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

O:  Generations. Teach them. Hope. Don't forget his miracles and commands. 

A:  This is a wonderful follow up to yesterday's scripture. If we repeat them. Talk about them. Tie them to our hands and wear them on our foreheads. Then it would be easier than if we didn't do this. 

P:  Father I know my children are grown and I didn't raise them in your word as I should have.  I'm so sorry. Now my grandchildren may be raised in a godless home. It breaks my heart. But I know you are God and you hold those babies in your hands and you are in control not their parents. Help me to be a good example of your love. I know it's never too late. Thank you. In Jesus name. 

~Amen 

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 5 Day 5

Proverbs 27:17

S:  As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

O:  Iron=A strong, hard magnetic, silvery gray metal used for construction and manufacturing.  Figuratively used to show firmness, strength or resistance.
Sharpen=Improve or cause to improve.

A:  I love how Jen said in the blog today, "It is not common interests that solidifies a friendship, but a common Savior."  I know I have relationships built on both common interests and built on Jesus.  I know which of these relationships have a strong foundation.  It isn't that I don't love the common interest friends, because I do, very much, but the relationships built on Jesus are the ones that stand the test of time.  We hold each other accountable.  We sharpen one another.

P:  Father, thank you for the friendships I have where you are what we build our relationship on.  Help me to share you with all my friendships and love them the same.   Thank you for giving me more and more relationships built on you.  Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Thank you Father for being the central cord in my friendships.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 5 Day 4

Ephesians 4:29, 31-32

S: Don't use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving and another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

O: foul/abusive - good/helpful   Be an encouragement.
bitterness/rage/anger/harsh words/slander/evil behavior - kind/tender hearted/forgiving - God gave us His ONLY son to cover these sins.  Should we not honor that kind of love?  OH MY!  Makes me weak to think about this.  Bring everything back to LOVE.

A:  God gave us His Son to cover these behaviors.  I try every day, some days harder than others and some days I don't even think too much about it, but one thing is for sure, I fail everyday in my flesh.  I need to remember my "wardrobe" and put all these behaviors in the dirty laundry and not wash them, but burn them.  I need to keep putting on my LOVE clothes and pushing forward to be an example of His love.

P:  Father, God.  Thank you for your Son and his blood to wash away my filth.  Keep placing me in the refining fire to burn away all these terrible behaviors so that the people I encounter everyday, friends, family and strangers alike see only the LOVE that you have given me to share.  I am not worthy to be called your child, but I am washed in your son's blood and covered in your grace and proud to say, I am yours.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 5 Day 3

Colossians 3:13-14

S:  Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

O:  Don't judge.  Forgive. God forgives me everyday and I don't deserve it.  Do all things in love.

A:  I love the Message version of this verse:

12-14So chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.  Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.  Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.  And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.  It's your basic, all-purpose garment.  Never be without it.

I often times forget my heavenly wardrobe.  I become sloppy and forget to to be compassionate and kind.  God hand picked these garments out for me, how disobedient am I not to put them on.  Oh my!  Just makes me cringe.

P:  Thank you Father for choosing just the right wardrobe for me to wear.  Help me to be ever mindful of all these virtues as I dress each day.  Remind me that is isn't about the fabric that's important, it's about the intentions of my heart.  May I always remember to forgive and not hold a grudge.  May I always remember to love and be compassionate.  I need to love and forgive because You first love and forgive me each and every day.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 5 Day 2

John 15:12-13

S:  This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

O:  Love each other as Jesus loves. That is a BIG command!

A:  I find it interesting this is the verse for today after what I've experienced these passed two days. I am usually the friend lending a hand and pitching in when needed. But the love expressed to me over this experience has been amazing and makes me question if I REALLY am the friend who would lay down my life for someone. A friend willing to leave work and be docked pay. Miss time at home with her two small girls. Eat dinner in an ER. Keep up on my care with the nurses and doctors who work here. That is love. A friend who has worked more than four, twelve hour days and stops what she is doing to come be with me. That is love. I can only hope to be half of the friend these ladies have been to me.   That goes without mentioning my family members who were here and other friends and co-workers checking on me. I am so loved. I hope I love as they love me. 

P:  Father, thank you for the love I have felt through this experience. Thank you for revealing this to me in a way I did not expect. Thank you for showing me what true love through a friend is. Help me to love and show love in the way I have felt the passed two days. In Jesus' name. 

~Amen

Thank you for the prayers. Hopefully will be home soon. 

xoxo

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 5 Day 1

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

S: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

O:  Two are better than one.  Being alone can cause trouble.

A:  I need to be more open to relationships and receiving help.  I spend a lot of time alone and actually enjoy being alone.

P:  Father help me be more accepting of help and relationships.  I know I tend to push people away as a defense mechanism in order to not be hurt.  You know my heart and my intentions.  Help me not to worry about what others think about me.  You know and that is all that is important.  Thank you for a new week of this study.  I can hardly believe we are into week five.  Bless each of us this week in our walk with you and studying your word.

~Amen

GMG ~ Week Five ~ Let's Be Intentional

Week Five Challenge:  Write a note to a friend who has "sharpened" you in your faith.  Thank them for their influence, mentioning specific ways God has used them in your life to help you grow closer to Him.  Then pray how God might use you to be that kind of friend to someone this week.

Week Five Memory Verse:  Bear with each other and forgive on another if  any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  ~Colossians 3:13-14

Week Five:  This week I'm going to be intentionally focused on:  My friendships and being more intent on listening, paying attention and responding with love and sharing the Lord.

Your Friendships "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one." ~C.S. Lewis

GMG Week Four ~ Focused Questions

1.)  Do you see the role of a wife as God intended, to be a help to the husband-not a slave-but one who completes Him?  What are ways that you balance your husband-and what are some ways that you can grow as a partner for him?  If you are unmarried-what are some ways that you see God as your husband, filling in the gaps in areas that you lack?

I do see myself as the one who completes my husband and he completes me.  I am so very thankful for our marriage, for our relationship.  We just work.  We have such a good flow.  We read each other well.  After 27 years I hope we have a great relationship.

2.)  Compare Ephesians 5:22-33 and Colossians 3:18-19,23.  How can we apply the concepts of both of these passages, with the focus being intentional-bringing Glory to the Lord?

I believe we do this by honoring each other in our marriage.  Loving each other unconditionally and protecting each other in all ways.  By loving and respecting each other and following the commands of the bible brings honor and glory to God.

~Peace

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 4 Day 5

Proverbs 31:30-31

S:  Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.  Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

O:  This scripture makes me think about aging.  How cute we are as babies and children.  As we grow older, we change and while we may still be attractive, our beauty hopefully grows more within.  Our hair grays, skin wrinkles, add a few pounds and we aren't as attractive in our aging bodies, but as we grow in the Lord we become more attractive in what matters most; being a follower of Christ.  (I may be way off base with this today, but it is what spoke to me as I was reading)

A:  I need to really pay attention to my actions.  Set a good example of internal beauty.  Show others that it is okay to go about your day's work and still serve the Lord in all I do and say.  Not laugh at lewd/cruel jokes just to go along with the crowd.  Be busy and follow the rules of the office and street.  Little sins are still sins all the same.  I need to be a good witness in ALL areas of my life.  (I loved this scripture.)

P:  Father, you know this week has been a rough week for many of us.  Thank you for making us uncomfortable.  Thank you for taking us out of our comfort zones and bending us a bit.  Thank you for ending this week with such an uplifting message.  Be with each of the GMG today and this weekend.  You know our strengths and weaknesses and are always right beside us to help us through each day.  I love you Lord and praise you for making me your child.

~Amen

FFF: Since this week was about husbands and wives, I wanted to share that my husband built from scratch a wood fired, brick pizza oven.  It is the talk of our friends and neighbors.  We love having people over and making all kinds of pizza.  We just love it and it brings us much joy.  When we decided to sell the house to move to NC and had the realtor here to list the house, we both cried when we went to show her the outdoor kitchen he built.  She was in awe of it.  Made listing the house very bittersweet.  I will try to post a picture.

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 4 Day 4

Good morning~


Titus 2:3

S:  Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God.  They must not slander or be heavy drinkers.  Instead, they should teach others what is good.

O:  Live a life that honors God.  Don't gossip and don't get drunk. Set and be a good example.

A: This week has been a difficult week for me.  Don't get me wrong, I have a very happy and fulfilling marriage.  But these scriptures struck a cord within my heart for some reason and I can't quite figure out why.  It is bringing some things to surface that I have shoved down in my being and THOUGHT I had moved on from.  Apparently God wants me to take care of these things.  And I will be obedient to Him.

Back to the focus scripture for today.... I am trying hard to live a life that honors God and I fall short in some areas and in my weak flesh, but I am trying and will continue to my best to honor Him. Gossip and slander. Those are tough, because the tongue is so evil even in the smallest way and even in a whisper it can hurt.  I need to choose my words wisely.  I don't get drunk, although I used to.  I love that God sent his Holy Spirit to guide me and give me that nudge when I am not being a good example to push me back to His ways.  This study is really helping put God's word in my heart and mind like never before.

P:  Father you are the author of my life and like any author you know the ending.  I am so glad YOU are the author of my life and not some fictional author.  You are the author of truth and knowledge and you love me and want the best for me.  I pray that I am honoring you in a way that you would be proud of me.  Thank you for being most important in my life.  Be with each of these women today and always.  Wrap your loving arms around them in all their struggles and victories.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 4 Day 3

Ephesians 5:22-23, 28-29

S: 22-For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  23-For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church.  He is the Savior of his body, the church.

28-In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies.  For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.  29-No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.

O:  Submit as to the Lord.
Ought= used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someones actions: they ought to respect the law - it ought not be allowed.  I needed to dig further into this word ought - used to indicate something that is probable; five minutes ought to be enough time.  It's origin-Old English ahte, past tense of agan 'owe'.

A:  I am struggling here this morning.  I guess you could tell.  I need to pray more and ask for guidance on this and finish/edit this post later. 

Okay so I am back to this scripture after a day of praying, thinking and talking about it.  I am struggling with something I should not be struggling with.  This is about me and submission to my husband.  Realize what God's command is here and that is 'submit to your husbands as to the Lord'.  God is not absent in this.  He doesn't disappear after his command.  He isn't an invisible God.  He is surely present. I just need to follow what He asks.  He will take care of the rest.  My husband is a good man, husband, father, provider, lover and friend.  My struggle was with the word 'ought' as I indicated in the O.  But that doesn't need to bother me.  God is in control.  I need to trust.  I battle between my head and my heart.  TRUST.  I believe this is what God is telling me right here and now.

P:  Father thank you for opening my head up to what my heart is telling me.  You clearly spoke the word TRUST to me.  Right here and now.  I know that I don't need to worry about the 'ought to'.  I will submit and trust.  Trust is not something that comes easy for me.  But you have never left me and are always faithful.  Thank you for my husband.  Thank you that he is a good man and he loves and cares for me.  Father I also ask that you be with the women in this group struggling.  Help us to always feel you near and hear your voice when you give us a clear answer.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 4 Day 2

Genesis 3:6

S: The woman was convinced.  She saw that the tree was beautiful and it's fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.  So she took some of the fruit and ate it.  Then she gave some to her husband, and he ate it too.

O:  She was convinced by it's beauty.  It looked good/delicious.  Pleasant for the eyes.  Wanted/desired wisdom.  He ate it because she gave it to him.

A:  This reminds me how easily tempted I can be by things that look good.  Beauty is all around us, tempting us to things that may not be good.  Satan is a tempter and will use all kinds of appealing things to try to get us to stray away from God.  How powerful we are as women to get others to follow us, especially our husbands.  I need to be very careful to not stray away from what God wants and not direct my family and even others away from what is good in the eyes of God.

P:  Father my prayer today is for you to keep my eyes fixed on YOU.  Keep showing me your ways and help me to discern the difference between the beauty of this world and the tempting ways satan tries to get my attention away from you.  I want to be your witness in all I say and do, not just with my husband but with all I come in contact with.  I struggle with the traps of satan.  We all do.  Sometimes we don't even know we are being tempted and realize our sin after.  I am so thankful for this study and bringing these thoughts to mind every single day.  How easy it would be to stay in bed and not read your word and not know the difference of the things you want me to seek and just be complacent and tempted by satan.  Oh God how thankful I am that you have grabbed hold of my heart and brought me to you.

~Amen

Thankful Tuesday:  Thankful for being a child of God.

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 4 Day 1

Genesis 2:18,24

S: 18 ~ Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper who is just right for him.

24 ~ This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

O:  Helper=Companion.
Leave his parents and EMBRACE/UNITE/CLEAVE to his wife.
Become one.

A:  I need to be a better helper for my husband.  His is so good to me and I take such advantage of him.  I need to realize how blessed I am and support him better.  I need to remember how much of a struggle it is for him to be gone all week just to provide for us.

P:  Father, thank you for choosing me to be Jeff's helper in this life.  Thank you for the dedication he has to our marriage.  Help me to be a better wife in our relationship.  I have so much work to do.  I am ashamed of the times I have failed him and You and not been the best I can be.  Thank you for this study and these women and for your word continuing to guide all of us to your ways.  Be with each of us this week in this journey.  It isn't an easy journey.  It is enlightening in so many ways to search your word and grow in your grace.

~Amen

GMG ~ Week Four ~ Let's Be Intentional

Week Four Challenge:  We all have husbands with different needs.  Don't miss the blessing of being a helper to your husband.  What are some areas you already help your husband in?  What are some areas where you could work to be a better source of support and encouragement?

I help my husband by being supportive of his work and being out of town all week.  I take care of the home and family things while he is away.  I could be more encouraging by helping him with other household things like bill paying and such.  I know I am a complainer.  It is one of my biggest areas of sin.  I could be more encouraging to him by realizing how blessed I am and stop complaining about little things.  Life could be much harder.

Week Four Memory verse:  The Lord God said, it is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him. Genesis 2:18

Week Three:  This week I'm going to be intentionally focused on:  Encouraging my husband and not complaining.  Stopping in my tracks even if it means physically holding my hand over my mouth not just in my marriage but in ALL areas of my life.

Your Marriage "Hour by hour we receive the love, forgiveness and grace of God, and hour by hour we must extend the same love, forgiveness and grace to our husbands."  ~Courtney Joseph, Women Living Well

GMG Week Three ~ Focused Questions

1) Philippians 4:8 is a great filter system for our mind.  Each time a thought pops into our head, we can run it through the characteristics mentioned in this verse.  If it doesn't filter through one of these areas-it needs to leave our mind.  In which area of your thinking do your thoughts often get stuck?  Stop and pray, asking God to help you focus your mind on things He calls us to.

I often get stuck in a negative and worrying place.  I need to rely on God more to get me through these spots of anxiety and anxiousness.  I need to stop right then and there in that moment and PRAY.  God is so much bigger than my problems and worries.

2) Compare Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:1-5.  How can you put these two verses together and make a game plan for being intentional with your thought life?

I need to focus on the things of God.  Things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  I need to put behind all the obstacles that stand in my way of these things.  I need to stop the anxiety and negativity.  I need to use the tools God has given me to defend myself from these things.

~Peace

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 3 Day 5

Colossians 3:2

S:  1-2 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it.  Pursue the things over which Christ presides.  Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you.  Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ -- that's where the action is.  See things from his perspective.

O:   Above-Heaven  Minds-Affections  Above/Below  'That's where the action is'

A:  When I read this verse in the Message it made me smile.  Heaven is where the action is.  Oh, there is action here on earth.  Action that is sad and distracting to say the least.  But if I set my mind on the things of Christ and heaven, oh what glory.  FOCUS.  INTENTIONALLY.

P:  Good morning, Lord.  Oh what a blessed day.  Thank you for another week spending time focusing on your word.  Thank you for GMG putting this study together.  Thank you for all the reminders in your word.  Thank you FOR your word.  Be with each of us this day and help us to intentionally focus on things of heaven.  Things that you preside over and not the things of this earth.  Thank you for your blessings.  Yes, I am very thankful today.  Remind me when I am being a complainer later today.  :)  I love you Lord.

~Amen

Fun fact Friday:  I know this is silly but I still believe there are monsters under my bed.  They can't reach my feet if my husband is home or if the light is on.  Otherwise, I have to jump as quickly as possible into bed after I turn off the light and never let my feet dangle off the side of the bed.  Pretty crazy for a woman almost 50 years old!!

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 3 Day 4

2 Corinthians 10:5

S:  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

O:  Obstacle - Defense - Oppose - Demolish   /    Capture - Teach - Obey - Obedient

A:  This verse makes me realize how self absorbed I am.  I need to take a strong hold on my actions and emotions.  I have the tools I need.  God gives hem to me freely.  I need to learn how to use them to battle all the obstacles making me trip and fall.

P:  Oh, God, how I need your help.  Even this morning my anger and frustration got the best of me, first thing.  It's hard not knowing when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak.  Help!  Today I will spend time in thought and pray remembering and using the tools you give me to defend and capture those thoughts, words and actions that aren't from you.

~Amen

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 3 Day 3

Romans 4:8

S:  Finally Brothers and Sisters, 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.

O:  True. Noble. Right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. Praiseworthy. - Nothing negative here.

A:  I need to keep my thoughts on all the wonderfully positive things in my life and around me.   There are plenty!  I have been overwhelmed with stress and anxiety for the passed few weeks.  To the point of tears most days.  I need to bring these feelings to God and stop letting satan steal my joy.

P: Father, God, you are the only one who can calm this anxiety.  Everywhere I look and many people I talk to seem to be having issues with anxiety lately.  Please send your Holy Spirit to calm these feelings.  Help us to dwell on the positive.  Things that are pure, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  I ask you to bind satan from our thoughts and minds.  Make it clear to us what we are dwelling on and help us to turn our direction to you.  I ask these things in my precious savior's name.

~Amen

Witness Wednesday ~ Yesterday I was talking to my cousin about the anxiety that has been bothering me and that I was going to call my doctor for some medicine.  She told me she has been using some essential oils for similar issues and it has really helped her.  She also told me she will be praying for me.  I am so grateful for talking to her and that she had something positive to offer me, especially the prayers.  I love how God enters in.

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 3 Day 2

Romans 12:2

S:  Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

O:  Conformed=comply with rules, standards or laws. Socially acceptable.  Be similar
Transformed=changed, renewed.  Pleasing=acceptable.
Live as a foreigner.  Don't get comfortable.  Constantly seek God's help and guidance.  Listen and pay attention to what He is saying.  Respond.

A:  Fitting into this world is easy and is comfortable.  I want to live as a foreigner.  I want to strive to please God.  Not that I want to struggle or be uncomfortable, but I do by the standards of this world.  I don't want to be socially acceptable or similar by the standards of the world.  Heavens NO!!!  The darkness and struggling in this world is overwhelming.  The news is so depressing.  I need to be changed in a way that God is pleased.  If we comply with the world's standards we can't be transformed into what is good and pleasing and perfect.

P:  Father, God, please forgiving me for being comfortable in this world and it's standards.  I fall so very short of being pleasing and good.  Thank you for giving me the discernment of knowing the difference.  Help me to live as a foreigner in this world and knowing this really isn't my home.  I ask a blessing upon all these women that we would be able to show this world what they need to be transformed.  Show the world what they really need is you.  I love you and thank you for loving me first.

~Amen

Thankful Tuesday~ I started a gratitude journal at the beginning of this year.  I decided I needed to make note of the things I am thankful for and try to stop with my 'stinkin thinkin'.  So for my
thankful Tuesday, I am thankful for sticking with my gratitude journal every day so far this year.  For sticking with this bible study, for which I am greatly growing in my walk with my savior.  And also very thankful for all of you ladies.

If I could ask, I need prayer for the sale of my house.  My husband lives and works in NC all week.  It has been this way for more than a year.  Our house is on the market and needs to sell so I can move to
be with my husband.  Please pray that God's will be done in this situation. There is much more to this than I can put here, just know that it's a BIG struggle.  I don't know what His will is, but please
pray for peace and guidance.  It is so hard living apart and so hard on hubby driving down every Monday and back every Friday and trying to cram everything in that needs done on the weekend.  Thank you for your prayers.

GMG Intentionally Focused Study Week 3 Day 1

Romans 8:6

S:  So Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control our mind leads to life and peace.

O:  Carnally minded or spiritually minded?  Governed by flesh or governed by spirit?  Flesh without the Holy Spirit=Death (miseries arising from sin.  Selfishness)  Mind of the Spirit is life and soul=peace.

A:  I need to be mindful of where my intention is.  Pay attention to whether I am focusing on SELF instead of Spirit.  I am so easily distracted and need to REALLY focus on things of GOD and make sure I am doing things for the right reason.  To be about His work and not work to puff up self.

P:  Father God.  I am distracted by things of this world.  I know you are near to me.  I feel you.  Please help me to be more focused, more mindful of your presence.  Help me to focus of things that will direct others to You and for your glory.  Thank you for giving me that knowledge of your presence.  Be with each of us this week.  Help each one to be focused on what it is we are letting control our thoughts and be ever mindful to change the direction if we are following our flesh.  In Jesus' precious and holy name I pray.

~Amen

GMG ~ Week Three ~ Let's Be Intentional

Week Three Challenge:  Let's pray specifically this week for us to be more sensitive to the spirits working in our hearts, to the lessons he is trying to teach, the impressions he is making and the sin he is convicting us of.

Week Three Memory verse:  Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.  ~  Philippians 4:8

Week Three:  This week I'm going to be intentionally focused on:  Keeping a praiseworthy focus.  Listen and feel for the Holy Spirit's direction.

Your Mind "Christians must realize that just as a fire cannot blaze without fuel, so burning hearts are not kindled by brainless heads.  We must not be content to have zeal without knowledge...To follow Christ and become more like Him, we must engage in the spiritual discipline of learning." ~Donald Whitney

GMG Week Two ~ Focused Questions

1.) The refreshment of this world runs out and dries up.  It quickly leaves you thirsting for something more.  God's Living Water not only quenches YOUR thirst, you become the fountain that waters the lives of others.  Who are you intentionally reaching out to, so that you may share the fountains of Living Water - water that will ever run dry?

I believe I am intentionally reaching out to my family and coworkers.  I hope I am a good example of His love and forgiveness.  I hope they see His light in my life and know that my reason for being who I am is because of His love for me.

2.) Compare John 6:35, 8:12, 10:11, 14:6 and 15:5.  In all these passages, Jesus tells us who He is.  Who is He in your life?  Which one do you relate to Him the best as?  In what ways do you need to know Jesus more based on these verses?

I believe I relate to Him best in 15:5 and need to know Him more based on 10:11.

Any comments?

~Peace