GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 4 - Day 5

S:  Hebrews 4:15-16  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  there we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

O:  Understands weaknesses.  Come boldly.  Receive mercy.  Find grace.

A:  It amazes me to think Jesus came as a man, was tempted beyond what I have ever been tempted, never sinned, yet took on all my failures so that I could come boldly before God and receive His love and mercy.  Like Whitney said this morning it is His glory and my good.  I can come before him and confidently ask God for help.  I need to remember that even in my trials and when things don't go my way, it is for his glory and my good.  I like to think of this as sharpening me for things to come.  Making me stronger to be able face the challenges of tomorrow.

P:  Father, God, thank you for your sinless precious Son you sent to save me.  I am a failure but through his blood I am victorious.  I come before you boldly and with confidence and ask for your mercy.  I am so sorry for doubting and not trusting you.  You know my future and know what is best. ~Amen

FFF ~  Father I lift each of my friends in this group.  They are faithful.  We love you.  Help us when we are weak.  Let us know that each situation we may face is one we should use to bring you glory and even though we may not know it at the time, it is for our good.  I especially lift Amy to you.  She is your faithful servant.  In Jesus name I pray.  ~Amen

Have a beautiful weekend ladies.  We have a busy one ahead of us.  Showing today at two.  Meeting with the movers at 4:00 and heading out of town for the remainder of the weekend to spend time with family. 

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 4 - Day 3

S:  Ephesians 2:8,9 God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

O:  By GRACE when you believed.  No credit.  Gift.  No reward for anything I have done.  No bragging.

A:  I did nothing to receive salvation.  I only need to believe and confess.  I can do nothing.  NOTHING!!  It's a gift.  Wrapped in the blood of Christ.  Without this precious Gift I would have no hope.

P:  Father, forgive me for trying to earn this gift.  I am a giver and find it hard to receive.  I do not deserve your Gift.  I believe!  I accept!! I am saved!!!  Thank you.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 4 - Day 2

S:  Ephesians 2:4  But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much.

O:  So rich in mercy.  Loved us so much.

A:  Realizing what a desperate position I was in.  So lost.  Without hope.  But he loved me so much.  He poured out his mercy to the point where no parent would ever want to be.  Such sacrifice and love. 

P:  Father, your mercy, new each and every day is breathtaking.  Your love is beyond measure.  I am an undeserved child and fail miserably but you love me in spite of all my failures.  Help me to turn from my sins.  Help me to think of your mercy and love on the verge of each sin and turn me in the opposite direction.  In Jesus precious name.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 4 - Day 1

S:  Romans 5:6,8  When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.   But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

O:  Utterly helpless.  Right time.  Great love.  Still sinners.  Died for us.

A:  I can do nothing and am nothing without Christ.  He came at the perfect time to save me. 

P:  Father, I am a sinner and need your love and forgiveness to save me.  Thank you for sending your Son to save me from my wretched self.  Help me to feel your ever presence throughout each moment to help me know I am forgiven and yours.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 3 - Day 5

S:  Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

O:  Faithful love.  Never ends.  Never cease.  Faithfulness.  Mercies new each morning.

A:  If you haven't read Jen's message today, I encourage you to do so.  It is wonderful.  In it she quotes John Piper, "If we don’t wear it, we can’t wield it."  He is speaking of the Sword.  I need to remember how stealthy satan is.  He uses my weaknesses to work against me.  I realize I am not worthy of God's unconditional love and his mercies or his compassions at all, but He rescues me constantly.  Praise Jesus that he has brought me into His fold; for if not, I would belong to the evil one.  Oh, praise Jesus.

P:  Father, I praise you for your faithfulness and Love.  Thank you for saving me from the lies of the Liar.  He doesn't deserve the victories he gets out of me every time I sin.  I hate to think of the smirk on his face when I sin and can't even bear the thought of the pain on Your face when I sin.  Oh my heart, dear precious Savior.  Forgive me.   I am in tears at this thought.  Forgive me.  Help me to serve you and have just a mustard seed of the faithfulness you pour out.  Give me your mercy.  Help me to be a light for You and only you.  Help me not give the deceiver one victory.  I want others to only see You.  I love you Lord.  Oh what joy to be able to come to you in prayer and pour out my heart.  Oh my soul.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 3 - Day 4

S:  1Peter 2:9  But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.  You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession.  As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

O:  Chosen people.  Royal priests.  Holy nation.  God's possession.  Goodness of God.  Wonderful light.

A:  Wow!!  Talk about packed full of goodness.  This verse picks me up!  I am going to keep this one around all the time.  When I am feeling down and beating myself up and letting the enemy win, I will shout this from my depths.  I am CHOSEN!  I am God's VERY OWN POSSESSION.  I am no longer in darkness.  SWEET JESUS!!

P:  Father, I need your forgiveness for allowing the enemy to let me think I am not worthy to be your possession.  I need forgiveness for beating myself up and letting myself belong to this world.  Thank you for your son, Jesus who saved me from the darkness and brought me into the wonderful light.  Thank you for choosing me.  I am yours, Lord.  I am yours.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 3 - Day 3

S:  Romans 8:1  So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

O:  No condemnation.  Belong to Jesus.

A:  I am free!!!  Hallelujah!!  I belong to Jesus!!

P:  Father, what a wonderful prayer for today!  I am free.  You have sent your Son, Jesus to free me.  I am not condemned.  Thank you for your saving grace.  Thank you for freeing my from condemnation.  Praise the name of Jesus.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 3 - Day 2

S:  Revelation 12:10  Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has come at last - salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth - the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

O:  Salvation and power.  Authority of Christ

A:  I am an over comer and don't need to dwell on the lies of the deceiver.  God has sent Jesus, his son to rescue me from all.  He can't accuse me of anything.  One of my favorite songs is by Mandisa - Over comer.  That is what we are!  No more living under the assumption of not being worthy.

P:  Thank you for shouting and proclaiming salvation and power!  Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to claim my unworthiness.  Help me this day.  Give me what I need to know the difference.  I don't want to follow the path of the deceiver.  Help me discern and follow the path of life.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 3 - Day 1

S:  1Peter 5:8  Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

O:  Stay alert!  Watch out.

A:  I need to really pay attention to this verse.  Satan uses every weakness to try to deceive me.  Any tiny thought to make me feel unworthy of God's love for me.  Any tiny words of gossip.  Any tiny path away from that which is not one my Father would have me on.  Satan uses them all.  I need to STAY ALERT and WATCH OUT and remember I have a God who loves me unconditionally and wants nothing but good for me. 

P:  Father, help me.  I am weak.  Satan lurks at every corner.  He comes in many deceiving forms.  We know he has come to steal, kill and destroy and boy do we know it!  All we have to do is watch the evening news.  But even in ways that aren't so news worthy, he uses my low self-esteem or pride to deceive me.  I need you Father.  Forgive me of my weaknesses and help me overcome.  My prayer today and each day is that you be with each woman in this study.  Give us the strength to bind Satan from our lives.  He is powerful, but your are more powerful than he is.  Guide us this day and every day into your path of righteousness.  Let us each feel your love and your hand leading us.  In Jesus precious name I pray.  ~Amen

Ladies, we had a showing this weekend.  It seemed to go well.  We also found a house.  I am flying down this week to look at it and possibly put in an offer.  I covet your prayers in any form, however the Father leads you this week.

Have a wonderful Monday.

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 2 - Day 4

Good morning Girls~

This was a really tough verse for me to digest.  I enjoyed digging deep to find the meaning He had for me today.  I looked at several versions and different commentaries to help me hear how he was speaking to me today.  I am looking forward to hearing what He has put on each of your hearts today.

S:  1 John 5:20  And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

O:  He has come.  He has given so we may know the only true God.  Eternal life.

A:  This was a tough one for me.  I really had to dig a bit.  The Asbury Bible Commentary shows a key word in the verse is 'KNOW' which God did point out to me in my observation.  He has also laid on my heart that to KNOW can have several meanings.  We can have head KNOWledge and be book smart.  We can also have heart KNOWledge and be spiritual smart.  I like to think of being spiritually smart being when we feel the holy spirit tugging at us knowing what is right and what is wrong.  Living in this world, my flesh tells me to do one thing but the spirit tells me the other.  My flesh sometimes wins.  But what a wonderful feeling it is to KNOW we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.  We KNOW that Jesus came to give us understanding of who the true God is and knowing Him we can live WITH Him and after this life we can enjoy eternal life with Him.  If we choose to live as part of this world and not KNOW God, well then we can suffer, truly suffer and belong to the Evil One.  Eternity is a long time.

P:  Precious Savior, thank you for coming.  Thank you for giving us your Book of Knowledge so we can know about You, the one true God.  Thank you for delivering us from the evil one.  I am not worthy but you took on all my sins and all the sins of this world that we may know the Father and have eternal life.  I praise you for all the joys and trials of this life and that you use each of my situations to make me stronger for your kingdom.  Pour out your wisdom on each of us this day so we may know you better and live with you forever in eternity.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 2 - Day 3

Good Morning Girls~
 

It's a dreary morning here but how refreshing it is to start our day in His word, hearing what it is he wants us to hear today.

S:  Jeremiah 24:7  I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord.  They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.
 

O:  I will.  They will.  I will.  They will.
 

A:  God is a constant.  He is always giving.  Always brings us back to him.  If left on my own, I would be lost.  I love how in each parallel the verse says over three times, 'I will, they will'.  Point driven home.  He is in control and always to brings us back to Him.  We are His people as long as we recognize Him as Lord.
 

P:  Father, your mercy is astounding.  I am so unworthy of the love you have shown to me, but you continue to bring me back and show me that I am yours.  Forgive me for straying from you.  Thank you for bringing me back, like a lost sheep, time and time again.  ~Amen 
 
In a devotion I read 'Jesus Calling' today's devotion is a wonderful addition to today's reading:  Romans 8:6 The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  We are not to be upset about our weaknesses because He is constantly using those moments to make us stronger and draw us closer to Him. Ask Him to control your mind; He will bless you with Life and Peace.  Thank you Father.

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 2 - Day 2

S:  So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

O:  Constant prayer.  Complete knowledge.  Spiritual wisdom and understanding.  THEN  - you will produce all kinds of good fruit and grow as you learn to know God.

A:  What a journey!  A journey that covers us in constant prayer, gives us complete knowledge with spiritual wisdom and understanding and then producing all kinds of good fruit and  all the while we are growing and learning to know God better.  So the best gift of all through this journey is we get to know God better!  Like yesterday, He continues to provide us with what we need to grow in wisdom and understanding.  I again need to remember to stay in his word so I may not only learn about his love for me, but to get to know Him and His will better.  In doing this, I will have the tools I need to help me in any situation I may find myself in.  It reminds me to put on the full armor of God to get through each day and what it may bring.

P:  My Unfailing Friend, thank you for your love for me.  Your love that provides me with all I need and more.  Thank you for making your word readily available to me every single day of my life.  Thank you for the desire I have and these other women who wake ready to take the day on with you on the forefront of our minds.  I can't think of any other way to start my day.  I ask, Father, that you will make each of us examples of you and your love.  Help each of us produce good fruit so those around us will want to know what it is we have and want you too.  I am humbled and grateful.  Let me not take any bit of your love and knowledge for granted.  May we each, woman here, always realize that yours be the honor and glory forever.  ~Amen

Thankful Tuesday.  I am thankful for a loving and supportive husband who provides for our family all the time even hundreds of miles away.

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 2 - Day 1

S:  Ephesians 1:17-19  asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called - his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him.

O:  Spiritual wisdom and insight to grow in knowledge of God.  Hearts flooded.  His rich and glorious inheritance.  Incredible greatness.  Mighty power.

A:  I need to realize that God is openly giving me all that I need to overcome this life, to gain an inheritance in heaven.  I rarely take what he has given me and use it to the fullest.  I think about heaven and eternal life and want it, but I wonder if I want it bad enough to give up the riches of this life?  This life holds nothing in comparison to what heaven has.  He wants my heart to be flooded with LIGHT so I can understand what he reveals to me and be confident of my call to be HIS.  Whoa! Just whoa.

P:  Father, I need to be in your word, hunger and thirst for it as if it is the only food and drink available to me.  Give me that desire for your ways and your truth.  Forgive me for not taking your word and digesting it so that it becomes part of me.  I want to be confident that I will able to join in your rich and glorious inheritance. ~Amen

I have two prayer requests the first is for Bill he is our neighbor's father and is in ICU and not doing well.  The second is for my 80 year old uncle who witnessed a motorcycle accident this weekend and held the driver in his arms as he died.  He is having a very difficult time with this. 

Thank you sweet Sisters.

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 1 - Day 5

S:  But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

O:  Compassion and mercy.  Slow to anger.  Filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

A:  Who doesn't love all these attributes?  When looking for a friend, are not these the qualities we look for?  I know I do.  What better friend than Jesus?  He is filled with all the perfect qualities and so many more.  This is not to say that we don't need friends because we do, but we have the best Friend of all in Him.  I need to remember these qualities as a friend.  I need to be more compassionate and understanding.  I need to be slow to get angry.  I know get frustrated and angry so fast at times.  I need to remember the saying 'What would Jesus do?'.  Oh only to be filled with unfailing love and faithfulness!!  I try every day and fail miserably.

P:  Father, forgive me for my shortcomings.  Thank you for your mercy, new every morning.  For without them I am doomed to hell.  Thank you for loving me in spite of my anger and unfaithfulness.  I am humbled that you know my heart and know my intentions.  You are so compassionate.  Help me this day and always to remember these qualities and show them in my life as a witness to You.  ~Amen.

FFF:  Father, today I lift Jan to you as she prepares to stand beside her friend Ranatta and her children as they lay their husband and father to rest.  Hold them in your loving arms and give them comfort in the grief and sorrow.  Give them strength as the receive the condolences of friends and family saying good bye, way too soon, to Wayne. I also ask that you use this time to draw them to you especially those who don't know you as their Savior.  I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. ~Amen

Thank you, Amy for your prayers.  I am feeling better today, praise God!  And hopefully will have some answers on our relocation today.  We have been patiently waiting for people involve who have been on vacation.

GMG ~ You are Loved - Week 1 - Day 3

S:  Zephaniah 3:17 NLT For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

O:  Living among us.  Takes delight in me.  Calms my fears.  Rejoices over me.

A:  I take great comfort in theses words.  For they are not just words to me, they are God's love and commitment to me from my Creator.  I spend an awful lot of time alone.  God reminds me He is always with me.  He calms my fears of the squeaks and bumps in the night (okay maybe even in the daylight).  He is always right here with me.  He delights in me.  I think of my mother.  She is a kind and loving woman.  She loves me so much and truly delights in me.  God loves and delights in me even more than she.  That gives me butterflies in my stomach.  To be so desired by the one who created me amazes me.  At times, I am not worth this love and being rejoiced over.  I am a downright nasty woman at times.  God loves me and rejoices over me anyway.  So it is not about me.  It's all about his love for me.

P: Father, God, forgive me for being a grumpy, whining, miserable, complaining woman at times.  Thank you for loving me so much that you rejoice over me with songs.  Thank you for calming my fears, and you know I have many.  I know you hold my little life in your hands.  You are my creator and what creator would not love and care for their creation.  You are the almighty and everlasting God.  Father, please be with each woman today.  Give them comfort and rejoicing in your words for them this day.  Be with them where they are.  Let them feel your love and your calm.  In Jesus precious and holy name I pray.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 1 - Day 2

S:  Romans 8:37-39 NLT  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

O:  NO thing can separate us from God's love.  All things the Creator has made are not to be feared to separate us from the love of God.

A:  What struck me today is God loves me so much I am not to fear anything.  He is the Creator of all things, but he loves me so much in all the things he created that I am not to fear that any of these creations can separate me from him.  Nothing of this world or any world.  I think of a thunder and lightning storm (which I love) many people and animals alike are afraid in these storms.  We shall not fear because he is always there to love us and protect us.

P:  Father, thank you for making me and loving me.  Forgive me for thinking anything could ever separate us.  If there are any separations between us, it is because I have put up the barriers.  I am so grateful that you gather me up and fold me in your arms daily and remind me that nothing, no nothing can separate us.  I love you Father, God.  In Jesus precious and holy name.  ~Amen

Thankful Tuesday~I am thankful for the warm of the sunshine after this long, bitter cold winter.

GMG You are Loved ~ Week 1 - Day 1

Good Morning~

Here I am again at the beginning of another Good Morning Girls Study.  I am really looking forward to studying with these lovely ladies and see what God has planned for us during this time together.

S:  Psalms 139:7-10 NLT I can never escape from your spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell be the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

O:  Never escape your presence.  Your hand will guide me.  Your strength will support me.

A:  This scripture is such a comfort and confirmation of God's love for me.  Knowing I can never escape the one who loves me more than anyone in my life!  No matter how far I roam, he is there and his strength is what will carry me through when I am weak in the things this life brings that I cannot do alone.  Death, sickness, hardships, no matter what, he is there.

P:  Father, I praise you and thank you for your unfailing love for me.  Thank you for carrying me when I couldn't do it alone.  Thank you for loving me and directing me back to the path of righteousness when I was a wondering fool.  Thank you.  ~Amen

My pray request is the same prayer I have had for over nine months, please pray for the sale of our home.  I know God has a perfect plan for us.  Waiting is hard, but I know it will be worth the wait.

Have a beautiful day Ladies.  Looking forward to where this journey will lead us.