LGG~Source of Gratitude Study - Week 2 - Friday

Good morning Girls~

 

Happy Friday. Even though this is the last day of our Source if Gratitude Study, it isn't our last day together. I will be sending out another email sometime over the weekend to start the introduction process again. I am adding three new members to our group. Three beautiful and dear friends. Jeni Hinton, Debbie Hudson and Jan McCurdy. We will continue to study via email since not everyone has a FB account. I will continue to add graphics to FB just for fun. But please continue to use email so no one is left out.

I've heard from most of you that you will be continuing. Please let me know by Monday, if you already haven't, that you want to continue. If not, it's okay. I will remove you from the the group. Please remember at any time if this becomes too much, please let me know and we will work something out. Also, if you have a friend or two who would like to make a commitment to our group, please let me know. I'd love to add them.

 

Sisters, it has been an honor to get to know you and to share with you. This has been the best group I've been in. I've grown and learned so much. I'm thankful to be on this journey with each of you.

Reading 1Peter 1:3-9

S: 1Peter 1:8-9 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

O: Love. Trust. Rejoice. Joy. Salvation.

A: I'm overjoyed knowing that I am saved by a Savior who loves me so much. All I need to do is trust him. If I don't know the answer, turn to him. If I'm lost, turn to his map. His word has all I need for every situation. I'm not going to be stuck in the rut anymore. My attitude is one of thanks and praise. An attitude of gratitude! When I'm faced with a negative or difficult situation, I'm turning to him for answers. FIRST. His opinion and direction is the only one that matters. Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. That is how I build our relationship.

P: Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for allowing me to trust you. I do see you. I see you in the world around me. Yes there is darkness around me, but you live in me and in other Christians and we are your light. Thank you for these women. Thank you for letting us grow together. Thank you for giving us the desire to continue to study your word together and to grow in your holy word. Be with each of us as our group grows. Let us open our hearts to new Sisters and welcome them and teach them. Let us also learn from them. Give us all a restful weekend as we prepare for Thanksgiving next week. Let us have a thankful heart and not become overwhelmed in the preparations of the day. ~Amen

 

Have a beautiful weekend.

LGG~Source of Gratitude Study - Week 2 - Thursday

Good morning Girls~

Reading Ephesians 1:18-21

S: Ephesians 1:18 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.

O: Flooded. Understand. Confident.

A: I don't often consider how mighty and powerful He is. I know it and think about it. I need to realize the power I have in Christ. In him I can do all things. He is in control of everything, here on earth and in the galaxies. I have been given the same power, all I need to do is believe. I make things much harder than they really are. God makes them simple.

P: Father, give me the confidence to simply believe and be confident. Rid me of the stinkin thinkin. Let me be full of hope and light. I'm so blessed to be called your holy people and have the assurance of your inheritance. Thank you. ~Amen

 

I am thankful for friends. Old and new. Young and old. Near and far.

 

What are you thankful for?

LGG~Source of Gratitude Study - Week 2 - Wednesday

Good morning Girls~

Reading Psalm 100:1-5

S: Psalm 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. (this week's memory verse)

O: Be thankful. Praise Him.

A: I remember as a kid, being invited to a retreat with a friend of mine. I had the best time. This was one of the verses we learned and I remember it to this day as a turning point in my life where I started to know The Lord and want more. Even today as I read this chapter, I sang it like we did back then. Isn't it wonderful to give thanks and praise? Isn't it wonderful to know He loves us no matter what and forever? And that he will continue to love every family member forever.

P: Praise your holy name, Father, forever and ever. Thank you for your promises. Even though I had a long way to go from that retreat until you got my whole heart, thank you for starting a good work in me way back then. I will sing of your praises all day long. ~Amen

 

Ladies, believe it or not we are nearly done with this two weeks of study. I would like to continue our group even in the break between this study and the next. Please let me know if you or if you have anyone who you would like to ask to join us for the Advent Study which runs 12/1 thru 12/24 please let me know. Either way, send me a quick email letting me know if you'd like to continue.

 

Today is witness Wednesday. Who will you witness God's unfailing love to today?

 

Be blessed and a blessing.

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 2 - Tuesday

Good morning Girls~

Reading 2Corinthians 12:9-10

S: 2Corinthians 12:10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

O: Weak then strong.

A: I am not going to sit and pretend that I enjoy one minute of my weaknesses or any of these other trials. But when I really think about it, I do realize I am stronger and sometimes even better after I have endured a hardship. I need to only remember when I am struggling though a difficult time, that this world is not my home and whether or not what I may be enduring is going to make me stronger or better, it is all for the cause of Christ.

 

I remember one of the most difficult times of my life in trying to understand why my sister was taken from this life at such a young age and from her two precious young children; I was at camp sitting around a fire and one of my friends was preaching and she used the scripture from 1Peter 5:10, I had an AHA moment:

 

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore support and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

 

He has been so gracious to me to place me on a firm foundation of his truths. I lean more on him after this difficult time. I find myself in his lap more often. And spending more time following the Map he has given me to follow and isn't that what He has asked of me?

P: Father, when I'm enduring difficult times and not understanding your plan for my life, I only ask that you comfort and hold me during those times. Reveal to me, in your time, what your plan is. Thank you for the strength you give me. Thank you for holding me in your arms. Thank you for choosing me. I love you and am so thankful for your love for me. In Jesus' precious name. ~Amen

 

Sisters, I love each one of you. I want you all to know that this study has changed me. This has been the most impactful study of all the others I have done. Thank you for being part of this with me. Thank you for your honesty. You are all such a blessing to me.

 

Have a beautiful day.

 

I almost forgot. Please add Chris to our prayers. He is a young man I met yesterday. He and I were going through orientation on our first day of work. He broke his hand Saturday and is facing surgery to repair a tendon. He is married with a new baby and has no insurance. Please pray all the details be ironed out for him. He was scared, especially after just being hired that he could lose his job before even starting.

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 2 - Monday

Good morning Girls~

 

What a wonderful weekend. But I'm ready for today. Get into my new routine of work again. I hope all of you had a wonderful,restful weekend. I will continue to pray for Audrey please let us know how she is.

This week's challenge:

This week, instead of paying so much time and attention on what we wear on the outside, let's spend time in prayer thanking God for what he has already done and ask him to work in our lives to clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

This week's memory verse:

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Reading Colosians 3:1-2. 12-14

S: Colossians 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

O: God chose me.

A: I need to make my actions be in line with the qualities that he chose me for. If I'm not clothed in the attributes listed in this scripture, how then can I be a good example of God's love? How will others know of His love if I don't treat them the way he would have me behave? This really brings to mind the question: 'What would Jesus do?'

P: Father, I don't need to ask what would Jesus do, I already know what he would do. He is the perfect example of being tender hearted. Help me to be all of what you need me to be in every situation you present before me. I am placed in many situations where I can be your example and light. Give me the words and actions of one you will be proud whom you have chosen. ~Amen

Please pray for my friend Britt and her son Kaiden. He is a cancer survivor and is having some stomach issues. She is very concerned and scared.

 

What can we pray about for you this week?

Be blessed and a blessing,

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 1 - Friday

Good morning Girls~

Happy Friday!! I'm excited to have our first visitors this weekend. My husbands parents and sister are coming tomorrow afternoon and spending the night with us.

Reading: Romans 5:6-8

S: Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

O: while we were still sinners.

A: It's amazing to me that Christ came at the exact time to save us, even while we were still sinners, and as Matthew Henry says in his commentary, 'we were in a sad condition'. The interesting thing here, to me is that it says WERE. I looked up the definition of were, and it says passed tense which means not any longer. So he died for us while we WERE still sinners. I mean we are still sinners, but he washed us clean by his blood so I need to stop living my life like I am not worthy of God's love and redemption! I am worthy. He sent his precious son to die for me. To make me worthy. I need to let go of the past because I'm not in the past anymore and move forward and be who he created me to be in Christ. Can I get an AMEN? I mean I'm preaching it here. I've had a holy break through this morning Sweet Sisters. God loves me! He sent his son to die for me, to save me from my wretched ways and live for him. He loves me!

P: Father, I can't imagine a love like yours. I am not humanly able to love like you, but I can keep learning and reading your holy word to show me the ways to live this life the way you would have me live. Yes, I will stumble but I know you are right beside me all the way to pick me up and dust me off and even carry me if need be. Thank you for letting me be refreshed this morning by your word. Thank you for you son, who without him, I'd still be living in my sins. Thank you for loving even me.  ~Amen

 

Have a beautiful weekend Dear ones. I will be praying for each of you, as always.

 

In His Love,

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 1 - Thursday

Good morning Girls~

 

Thank you for your prayers.

Reading Lamentations 3:21-25

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: His love and mercy never ends and are new every morning. Never and every morning stand out to me. Whoa! My God is faithful. His love never ends. His mercies never end and are new every morning.

 

A: It amazes me that someone loves me this much even when I fail miserably at following his commands. But every morning when I wake up and open my blinds the sun is rising and there is a day prepared just for me. My God loves me so much that He sent his son to die for me and save me from my wretched self.

P: Father, thank you for this day, new and fresh and prepared just for me. Only I can live the life that you chose for me. You are great. And you are faithful. Thank you for being merciful to me because I do not deserve the life you have prepared for me. If it were up to me, I would be doomed to hell. Praise you for sending your Son to save me. I am humbled by your love. ~Amen

Thankful Thursday: I am thankful for my daughter. We have our ups and downs especially living together, but she is such a blessing and light in my life.

What are you thankful for today?

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 1 - Wednesday

Good morning Girls~

 

Did you have a chance to thank a Veteran yesterday? I did. I talked to my dad who has been in a veteran's home for a year now. He served in Vietnam Nam. He was sad that he didn't get a chance to go home yesterday or even get a visitor on his special day. That makes me sad. But we did have a nice chat and he was happy I called.

Reading Psalm 18:30-32

S: Psalm 18:31 For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? (this week's memory verse)

O: Only one true God.

A: There is only one God. I need to remember who my God is. I put many gods before me like food, work, things, etc. How very sinful I am. I need to remember there is only one true and solid God. One that never let's me down. One that holds me up when I feel I can't take another step.

P: Father, forgive me for putting things ahead of you. You are the one and only God that deserves my praise and worship. Thank you for never letting me down. Thank you for being my Solid Rock. I have a sure foothold when I stand on you and your word. Help me be your witness. ~Amen

Please pray for my son as he struggles with my dad being in the veterans home. It's a long and difficult story, but just know it needs covered in prayer.

 

Today is witness Wednesday. Who will you witness God's love to today?

 

Be blessed and a blessing,

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 1 - Tuesday

Good morning Girls~

 

It was so good to hear all of your responses yesterday. Seems we have some things in common. I love how God shows us our faults and gives us a clear way to work on our issues and continues to love us unconditionally.

Reading Daniel 2:20-23

S: Daniel 2:20 He said, "Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power'.

O: God has all wisdom and power.

A: Praise God! He knows how my last puzzles piece falls into place. If it were up to me, I'd still have a box of jumbled broken pieces. Praise God that he gives us the directions. He tells us in his holy word what we need to do for him to care for us. I need to spend more time reading his manual to help me get through this life when I hit road blocks and other difficult times so I know what to do.

P: Holy God, Mighty One, I praise your holy name! I am comforted knowing you have all the wisdom and power and that you love even me. That you would provide a light for my path and direct me. Give me the desire to always turn to you and turn to you first in all my ways. You are the one who can give me the answers to all of my questions.

 

Father, thank you for all the service men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. Please protect them and comfort their families. The price of our freedom is not free. Their are many sacrifices which I know I take for granted. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice your Son who died for us all. ~Amen

 

Take time to thank a veteran in some way today, even if it is just to offer up a prayer for them.

 

Be blessed and a blessing,

LGG ~ Source of Gratitude Study - Week 1 - Monday

Good morning Ladies~

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are ready to start our official study.

This week's challenge is:

"Every day this week, set your alarm thirty minutes earlier than your normal wake-up time. Purposely use this time to:
1. MEDITATE on God's wonderful works,
2. PRAISE God for what He has done, the ask Him to give you opportunities to,
3. TELL of His power in your interactions with others this week."

The memory verse this week is:

Psalm 18:31 For who is God besides The Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?

Today's reading is Psalm 145:3-8

S: Psalm 145:8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

O: Slow to get angry.

A: This speaks volumes to me. I am easily angered even by the smallest things. Someone didn't put something back in its proper place. There's a dirty dish in the sink. Someone is late. Someone is early. Someone didn't do what they said they would. Blah blah blah. Haven't I done all of these things and way more? Much bigger offenses? I don't deserve the love and compassion that God so graciously offers me everyday. Yet He loves me unconditionally and unfailingly. I need to be slow to anger and love like He loves me.

P: Father, help me to be slow to anger. Help me to love like you do. I know I will always be a sinner in this flesh, but I can take each moment to strive to be a better woman, a better example of your love. Give me opportunities to share your love with others around me to tell of how you are working in my life. Help me to see the sin in my own life in a way that would cause me to slow my anger towards others.

I would also ask you to be with each woman in this group to have a burning desire in our hearts for you. Even if we aren't posting in this group each day, please put the desire in each of us to study your word and put it to work in our lives so we can share you with the world around us. In Jesus precious name I pray. ~Amen

How can we pray for you this week?