GMG ~ Interim Study - Ecclesiastes

Reading Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

S:  Ecclesiastes 3:11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 

O:  Made everything beautiful for its own time. Planted eternity in the human heart. Cannot see the whole picture. 

A:  God has a perfect plan for our lives. We cannot see the whole picture here. I love to do jigsaw puzzles and one day it stuck me shortly after my sister passed away that our lives are like these puzzles. We see pieces fitting into place as we travel the path of our lives. A piece here, an edge there. Our Master finishes our puzzle in heaven when He puts that last piece into place when we reach eternity and we see our entire life puzzle put together and finally understand His good and perfect plan. Ah, I cannot wait. 

P:  Father, you are awesome. Thank you for this scripture this morning. You know what we need and when we need to hear it. I'm glad you are the one putting my puzzle pieces into place. I don't understand here in my flesh. Sometimes I'm angry, hurt and don't understand. But you will reveal all to me when I stand before you. Please allow me to be your chosen child so I will be able to enter your kingdom on my final day on this earth. Allow my life to be one that is pleasing to you. In Jesus precious name.  ~Amen

GMG~ Interim Study - Ecclesiastes

Reading Ecclesiastes 2:29-26

S:  Ecclesiastes 2:25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 

O:  Who can enjoy anything apart from him?

A:  This makes me think of all the times I've said the old saying 'the rich get richer and the poor get poorer'. What a terrible thought in light of this passage. The rich may get richer and enjoy the things they have, but apart from Christ they have nothing. Even in poverty and strife, with Christ you are rich. It's not the things of this world that make us rich. It's our storehouse in heaven that makes us rich. It's the crowns we are gathering to throw at His feet. 

P:  Father forgive me for worshiping idols of this world. My sinful nature attracts me to those things. Give me the desire to do your work only to bring honor and glory to you and to give all the credit to you. ~Amen

GMG ~ Interim Study - Ecclesiastes 2:1-19

Reading Ecclesiastes 2:1-19

S:  Ecclesiastes 2:14 For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. 

O:  See. 

A:  This sounds so desperate.  I thank God he has given us his plan to not walk in darkness but to walk in light. I thank God we don't have the same fate as those who walk in darkness. 

P:  Father thank you for your light. Thank you for not allowing me to walk around wondering in darkness. Help me to see and follow your path laid out before me. ~Amen

GMG ~ Interim Study - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Reading Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 

S: Ecclesiastes 1:4-8 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. 

O:  Never changes. Never satisfied. Not content. 

A:  I never studied this book before and I'm excited to see what He has to show me. Already these verses strike a cord with this season if my life. As I was praying for what he wanted to show me today I realized there is nothing in this world that will every satify my soul as much as my desire to learn more from his word and what he wants from my life while I am here. Not the love of my parents, husband, children, friends or pets. Not the house or car of my dreams. Not a fulfilling job. No material thing. NOthing will ever be enough. This world cannot fill the void. There is only one savior that can fill me up and that is Jesus. 

P:  Father as we begin this new study in your word and this new group of women, I pray you will open our hearts and minds to what you would have each of us hear. Let us share what you put on our hearts without hesitation so we can learn and grow with each other. Thank you for your word this morning and guiding me right where you would have me. Please give me the nudging throughout today and each day that this world is not my home. Give me the desire to follow you. Give me the heart to love others and show them there is an eternity with you in heaven and no matter what this world puts in our way, there is something so much better; something we can't even imagine with you in eternity. ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 8 - Day 5

S:  Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself.  I am The Lord. 

O:  No revenge. No grudges. Just LOVE.

A:  I sure have a lot of work to do. Praise God he gives me the desire to follow him and gives me his word to continue to learn and grow. Praise God, I am loved. 

P:  Father thank you for showing me I am loved - unconditionally - without guilt.  Thank you for giving me the desire to follow you. Help me share your love with the lost. Help me show them there is eternal life. Help me to let them feel your love. This world is filled with darkness. Let me be your light. Thank you for these eight weeks of sharing with these beautiful women. Thank you for allowing me to be part of their lives. Thank you for hearing our prayers.  Continue to be with each one right where they are. I especially ask that you be with Amy. She has been a blessing even in her trials she continued to lead us for Your glory. Praise you Jesus. ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 8 - Day 4

S: 1Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever -  faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love. 

O:  Greatest is love. 

A:  This study has really taught me I am loved unconditionally by my Creator. But most of all how much more I can love others. It is the most important thing I can do each and every moment of every day. Even if it's by a simple prayer whispered for someone. 

P:  Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me the desire to love others. Help me to show your love to all. Who am I to choose who to love and not love. When I think of the sacrifice you gave, there is no excuse for me not to love as you have. Father forgive me for not loving others as you have asked. Please live in me and guide me to do your will. In Jesus precious name I pray. ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 8 - Day - 2

S:  1Corinthians 13:1-3 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.  If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

O:  Without love=Nothing

A:  I can do many things. I can enjoy many things. But if I don't do it for the right reasons and without love in my heart it means absolutely nothing. God is love. Therefore, if I want to please Him, I must do all that I do with love. No grumbling. No complaining. No eye rolling. Only with love.  I have a lot of work to do. 

P:  Father, I am humbled by your word. I do a lot of things without love in my heart. I'm not a mean person. You know me inside and out but there are many areas in my life that I am not a good witness of your love. Direct my path that I many show your love to others in ways I have never done before. ~Amen 

GMG ~ You Are Loved Study Week 8 - Day - 1

S:  Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus replied, "You must love The Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. 

O:  Must love. Heart. Soul. Mind. Greatest commandment. 

A:  This sums up our entire study. We must love because he first loved us. I would tend to say its easy for him but not so easy for us in our human nature. But my goodness. When I look at me, I'm not so easy to love. I need to remember when I stand in judgment of others and I'm not loving someone, what it must be like to love me. I'm a mess and he loves me anyway. He sent his son to die in place of me and my wretchedness.  I need to love him will my entire being and when I do this I will want to please him with my entire being. 

P:  Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me the desire to love you and be your child. I am so thankful I am not lost. I'm so thankful you chose me. I love you and want to love you more. I need to be obedient to you. Help me in situations where I become ugly and unloving. Prod me back to being your loving child. 

Father, I lift Amy and her husband to you. Heal him Father. Give the doctors and people who care for him the discernment to know what he needs to get well. Be with Amy as she waits. Comfort her and give her peace. Let her feel your loving arms around them as a family knowing you are the Healer. In Jesus precious name. ~ Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 7 - Day 4

Good morning Girls~

Praise Jesus!  Out house is sold. Thank you for the prayers. He is putting the pieces in place. All in His precious timing. He knows what is best. I have been turned down for the one position I applied for. Still waiting for news on the other.  I am trying very hard to trust in Him. 

S:  John 15:12-13 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:  Greatest commandment: love in the way I love.

A:  This is quite a task. This study so far has been about how much He loves us. Now the tables have turned a bit for us to share that love He has so graciously poured out on us. This week I have been finding myself really working on that love for others. It's hard. I work in the medical field and come in contact with all kinds of people. People in pain. People who are dirty. People who are old and mean. People who smell. (Just being honest here) It can be hard to love these people. But who am I to pick and chose whom to show love and compassion. God loves even me. I've been in pain,dirty, old and mean and downright smelly!  He loves me anyway. I need to continue to work really hard on this. I can do better and need His help every moment. 

P:  Father God, help me today to show your love. Help me to be compassionate. Help me look beyond the physical and emotional pain on the faces I come in contact with throughout each day. Let them see You in me.  Forgive me for the times I have not given that love and compassion to those people and made snide remarks about them or rolled my eyes. I love you and want to be a good witness for your kingdom. ~Amen

~Darla

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And leave the rest to God.Good morning 

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 7 - Day - 3

S: John 13:34-35 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. 

O:  Love each other. Proof. 

A:  Seems so simple. But it's not. 

P:  Oh Father, I am humbled by your words. Thank you for loving me so much you sent your Son to die for me. I can only hope to have an ounce of that kind of love. Give me the heart to love all I come in contact with. Help me to show them you, only to bring honor and glory to you. ~ Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 7 - Day 2

S: 1Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 

O:  Most important - LOVE

A:  I know this verse well. I don't always do so good at it with all the people in my life. For instance there is a person whom I have had problems with and tried to make amends. This person is unwilling to resolve our issues. Sometimes there isn't a solution but we are commanded to still love. I have a hard time loving someone with evil tendancies. So while this scripture makes perfect sense, I have a hard time with it in situations where others aren't accepting of your love and forgiveness or where there is an evil presence. There is much more to this than I can write here but it confuses me. So I will love where I can. 

P:  Father you know the situation all too well that I am speaking of. Thank you for your grace to keep my mouth quiet in situations where we are both present. You know my heart. You know that I love. Help me to love in all situations. Help me to be your witness. I love you and want others to love you. ~Amen

Thankful Tuesday ~ We have a buyer, praise Jesus!  With a solid offer. I pray all things will work out to get this house sold. Please pray for travel safety for my mom and daughter as they both head off on separate vacations. 

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 7 - Day 1

Good morning Girls~

Hard to believe how quickly the weeks are flying by. This is a busy and exciting week for us.  Today is filled with so many things. We need to address the house inspections on our new home.  An offer is expected today on our current house.  I find out if I got the position in NC.  And we lay to rest our dear friend's father today.  Please pray for them and also travel safety for my hubby as he heads back to NC after the funeral.

S: 1John 4:19-21 We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?  And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

 

O: Love - Period

 

A:  I fail miserably at this. It's not as though I don't try, but there are parts of my life that I just don't love like I should. I'm critical and cynical. I judge. I roll my eyes. I need to remember who I am in Christ all the time. I need to show love and forgiveness as I have been shown love and forgiveness. Verses that remind me of my downfalls tend to make me hard on myself and beat myself up. While I will strive to be more like Jesus with this reminder, I will not beat myself up. I will move on. I will love and forgive. 

 

P:  Father, God please forgive me for being negative and judgemental.  Help me to be more like you in all situations. Help me to love and forgive even the worst enemy. Show me ways to love that I didn't even know I could. I'm so sorry for letting you down. I want to be your obedient child. Stop me dead in my tracks when I am rolling my eyes.  Make me realize this and stop, show love and forgiveness as you have shown me.  Sometimes I need you to smack me in the forehead to show me my short-comings.~Amen

 

I hope you all had a blessed weekend and are refreshed for a new week to show God's love.  Amy, I will continue to lift you in prayer as I do all of you lovely ladies.  I am so blessed to be part of your lives.  I am thankful for each one. Thank you for all of your prayers.  I have felt them covering me.

 

Be blessed and a blessing, 

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 6 - Day 5

S:  Revelation 19:9  And the angel said to me, "Write this:  Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb."  And he added, "These are true words that come from God."

O:  Blessed.  True words that come from God.

A:  Don't you believe it?!  I do.  We are blessed.  His words are true.  He sent them for us.  We are his bride.  Oh what a wedding it will be!!  I think of our wedding.  It was an amazing day.  One of the best barring the birth of our children.  How much more amazing a day do I have to look forward to?!  The perfect bridegroom.  Talk about love.  I am humbled.

P:  Father, this study keeps getting better.  Thank you for leading me to it and these lovely women.  I am finally realizing the whole goal of the study which is that I am loved.  Thank you for your word, teaching and leading me to your will for my life.  It's hard to believe we have completed six weeks of this study.  Thank you for showing me how much you love us.  Thank you for giving us your word as a daily reminder of just how much.  Be with each of us as we head into the weekend.  Give us the strength to bear what is ahead of us.  Help us in our weaknesses.  Make us strong.  Let us be witnesses for your glory.  Let us be beacons in this dark word so others can know of you and your love.  Prepare us for what is yet to come.  Oh what a wedding feast it will be.  All glory honor and praise be to your name.  ~Amen

FFF ~ Father I lift my friend Dougie as he prepares to say good bye to his earthly father.  Give him strength.  Hold him when he doesn't feel he has the strength to hold himself up.  He is a faithful friend, Father.  Death is hard to understand, but let him use this difficult time to grow closer to you.  I ask strength for the entire family, in Jesus precious name.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 6 - Day 4

S:  2Corinthians 12:9  Each time he said, "My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

O:  Grace.  He works best in my weaknesses.  Boast to witness of Him.

A:  I think about when I lost my sister.  I was angry (still am at times)  I wonder(ed) why God chose to call her home at such a young age and leave behind two small children who need(ed) her so much.  Why my mother suffers daily by her loss (and the rest of us too).  But after praying and hearing Him speak to me in ways I have never heard him speak before (because I wasn't listening) I have begun to understand that it isn't about me.  While I still don't understand, I use  this experience of losing my sister to bring honor and glory to him.  To be a witness for him.  To show others I am loved and can go on because of his grace.  Yes, I am loved even in my weaknesses.  And these weaknesses are not an excuse.  These weaknesses make me strong and allow him to work in and through me.

P:  Father, Thank you for your grace.  It is all I need.  Thank you for your forgiveness in my weaknesses.  Help me to always use what you give me to bring honor and glory to your name.  Help me to be your witness so others will want to know you and have a life of grace and forgiveness but most of all to be loved.  I am loved.  Thank you Jesus.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 6 - Day 3

S:  Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord.  "They are plans for a good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

O:  Plans for me.  Plans for good and not bad.  For my future and a hope.

A:  I need to always remember His plans are better than mine and they are always plans for good and to bring glory and honor to Him.  My ways are not always good even though I may think they are and get frustrated when things don't go my way. (Like Bunny said the other day)

P:  Father thank you for your good and perfect will for me.  Thank you for not listening to my plans to make me happy or satisfied.  My ways are not your ways.  Forgive me for being selfish.  Forgive me for thinking I know what is best.  Help me to do your work to bring glory and honor to only you.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 6 - Day 2

S:  Hebrews 13:21  may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.  May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.  All glory to him forever and ever!  Amen.

O:  Equip you with all you need to do his will. Produce every good thing pleasing to him.  All glory to him.

A:  This is all about him.  All about him using me.  All about him using me to do his will. 

P:  Father I am sorry for trying to make things about me.  I am a selfish child.  Forgive me.  I know this is all about you.  Use me.  Make me into what you would have me to be to further your kingdom and doing you will to direct souls to you so they can make it all about you, too.  ~Amen

Thankful Tuesday~ We have a potential buyer for our house.  They want to meet with us this week.  Praying all things come together for His good.

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 6 - Day 1

S:  Romans 8:16-17 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.  And since we are his children, we are his heirs.  In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory.  But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

O:  Joined.  Affirm.  God's children.  Heirs.  Together.  God's glory.  Suffering.

A:  After losing my sister, I questioned and still question why.  God affirms time and time again that we grow stronger in our suffering and I know that my suffering is nothing compared to His.  I love his reassurance that I am his heir.  I am his child.  And knowing I can share in his glory even through my suffering is sufficient for me even though it leaves me asking why and is painful, he is still my God.

P:  Father, I am grateful to be called your child and heir.  I am thankful for all you do for me and even in my questioning why, what good comes from this suffering, I know you hold me in your arms and love me anyway.  Forgive me in my questioning your divine plan.  I know you will reveal it all to me when I am called home.  ~Amen

I am behind and still need to catch up on the emails from last week.  Please forgive me for missing.  After my interview, (which went very well, thank you for all your prayers.  I felt the peace that passes all understanding) I ended up with shingles on my face and in my eyes.  It was very unpleasant.  Praise God I am feeling better. 

Please pray for a friend of mine who has just moved out of state with two children, one with autism.  Her husband took a new teaching/coaching position.  She as well is a teacher and is starting a new position today.  Please pray for a smooth transition for all of them especially her son with autism.  Bless you ladies.  I have missed my time with all of you.

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

S:  Psalms 9:10  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

O:  Trust in You. Search for You.

A:  I need to always remember, in all things and before all things to trust in God and search for Him. 

P:  Father, this should be a simple task.  I make it hard.  Instead of trusting you and searching for you in all things and before all things, I turn to friends or anger or frustration or or or.  But you are God and you know what is best in all situations.  Give me the desire to search for you and trust you alone and before all things.  ~Amen

GMG ~ You are Loved Study - Week 5 - Day 2

S:  Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

O:  Trust and seek.

A:  Oh my!  This speaks volumes to me, especially today.  How many times I have read these words.  How many times I have tried to do things my way and end with disappointment.  I know His way is best and His timing is perfect, yet I try to do things my way.  When I stop and look back at the events of my life and think 'If I had directed this or that situation, what a disaster'.  Thank God he is in control and knows what is best.  I need to trust and seek Him more and more every moment of every day.

P:  Father, oh how perfect your plan is.  Help me to trust you and seek you with my entire being.  Time and time again you show me that your way is so much better than mine but I still try to do things my way in in my time.  Thank you for seeing me through.  Thank you for loving me and directing my path.  Thank you for this wonderful man you gave me as my husband to lead me.  I am an undeserving child, saved by grace and receiving mercies new each and every morning.  I am humbled.  ~Amen

Please pray for me.  I got called for a second interview.  It is tomorrow at 1:30PM.

Thankful Tuesday ~  I am thankful for each of you and praying for each of you throughout the day.  I love each of you.  What a lovely bond we have. 

GMG~ You areLoved Study - Week 5- Day 1

S:  Psalms 84:11-12 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

O:  Grace and glory.  Will withhold no good thing.  JOY.  Trust in Him.

A:  I am reminded in these versus that God knows what is best for me.  I know what I want and when I want it, but I don't see the whole picture.  He knows the story, my story, from beginning to end.  I like to think of my life as a puzzle.  With each piece pressed into place, the picture becomes clearer and clearer to what He has planned for my life.  He knows best.  I need to trust. 

P:  Father, forgive me for my impatience.  Forgive me for being an ungrateful child.  I know you know what is best.  Help me trust in your ways.  Help me to see clearer when I am frustrated and not understanding.  Help me to follow your path.  I ask in Jesus precious name.  ~Amen