LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 7 - Friday

Happy Friday and Happy Birthday Mom~

Can't wait for a hug from my mom and some of my mom's cooking, too. Please pray for safe travels for my uncle, aunt and mom as they are about to head down the road this morning.

From today's LGG blog: (I love this)

Let’s be women who are not ashamed of the gospel but who are so in love with our Saviour that we cannot keep his beautiful message to ourselves.

Looking to Jesus,

Reading Matthew 28:16-20

S:  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

O:  Go.  Teach.  Always with me.

A:  There are so many ways to share Jesus with others around us.  We don't need to use words.  We can serve in so many ways.  But we need to be in his Word and placing it on our hearts so that when we are in a situation to need to witness to others who have questions, we are able to answer intelligently and with HIS words.  It can be difficult and put us in uncomfortable places, but we only need to trust that He will be by our side.  He never leaves us.  He will direct our words in a way to bring honor and glory to Him.

P:  Father, as I do each and every morning, I come.  I ask.  Give me opportunities to serve in this dark world.  And when words are necessary, give me your words.  Words that will direct people to you.  My hope and prayer is that everyone I meet knows I am your child and that they would want to know you, too.  Forgive me when I fail.  Help me to learn and be better for you.  Place your word on my heart in mind in a way that I would be able to use them wisely in situations where words are needed to help someone on their way.  I ask these things in Jesus name.  ~Amen.

Have a wonderful weekend ladies.

~Darla

So excited for the next study. Please let me know if you plan to participate. I mean REALLY DIG into God's word with us. Remember this takes commitment. I look forward to studying this. One of my favorite books.

LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 7 - Thursday

Thankful Thursday~

What are you thankful for?  I am thankful for my Mom.  Tomorrow is her birthday.  She is coming for a visit and will be staying with us for a whole week!!

Reading Luke 10:30-37

S:  "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.  The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."  Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same.

O:  Mercy.

A/P:  Father you are full of mercy and show me mercy each day of my life.  Let me show even an ounce of your mercy to others, especially those closest to me.  Please forgive me for my impatience and for not loving with my whole heart.  Thank you for loving me right where I am.  ~Amen

Be safe sweet sisters.  We got nine inches of beautiful white fluffy wet snow here in NC.  It is beautiful from my window.  Work was closed today as is everything else here in our area even McDonald's is closed.  Unheard of in PA!!  Makes me giggle.  Thankful for not losing power and having a warm home.

Love,

LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 7 - Wednesday

Good morning Girls~

Reading Matthew 25:34-40

S:  For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

O:  Invited.

A:  I am given many opportunities to serve and disregard these opportunities so many times.  Why?  Because I am tired, lazy, my house is messy, my dogs are in the way....the list goes on and on.  While I love to entertain, that is not what it is all about.  It is about doing what needs to be done right now, in the midst of the excuses.  Even when I am tired and don't want to be bothered.  It is when everything isn't perfectly in it's place.  It is in the store lines.  It is in the traffic.  It is in the office.  It is everywhere.  I need to pay attention.  I didn't deserve any of what God gave to me yet he gave it anyway.   Who am I to hold anything I have back from another?  It isn't mine anyway.

P:  Father, you gave.  Simply.  Gave.  Let me do the same.  ~Amen

LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 7 - Tuesday

Good morning~

Reading Matthew 5:13-16

S:  You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

O:  Light.  Shine.  Praise.

A:  Have you ever felt yourself drawn to someone?  Felt that something different in a person?  Saw that light in their life?  See the shine in them?  I have.  I love how God draws us to those who are His.  When we are following Jesus, he directs us to those other kids of his.  If I am not shining, how will others know I am his?  

P:  Father, thank you for the light you bring into my life.  Thank you for putting your other kids in my path.  I love the bond we share in you.  Let my light shine bright for you in this dark world.  Let me bring honor and praise to you in all I do.  In Jesus name I pray.  ~Amen

It's snowing here in NC.  Kaylee is half way to school and they called a delay.  I see PA is on a delay today, too.  Be careful out there.  Enjoy it if you love it.  I don't mind the snow, it's the bitter cold I don't like.  Stay warm.

In His arms.

LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 7 - Monday

Good morning~

Please lift Kim's family in prayer this week as they say good bye to her uncle.  Please also remember Amy and her family as they deal with damages and repairs to their house several states away from where they live.  And the many other prayer requests our group has.

This week's challenge:

Week 7 Challenge

This week, join us in reaching the nations with God’s Word! You can do that a number of ways:

1. Forward our studies on to your mission directors at your churches or colleges.
2. Email them to friends in other countries or who are involved in ministries who serve our sisters in Christ in other countries.
3. Share our images on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and tag your friends or family who might know of women who could benefit from our studies. We each have a part to play in spreading the good news of God’s love to the ends of the earth!

Reading John 3:14-19

S:  For this is how God loved the world:  He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

O:  Love.  Gave.  Eternal life.

A:  I need to always remember that even though I am a sinner God loves me anyway and sent his Son to die for me.  I need to share what he has given to me with others so that they may know his love.  If I stand in judgment of them and not love, how will they ever know Him.

P:  Father, be with me each step of my day.  Let me be a sister to walk with in faith not a judge and critic.  Forgive me when I fail you.  Pick me up when I fall.  Allow me to find others in my path who know you to help support me when I need picked up.  Be with our group, Father.  You know our struggles.  You know our requests.  You know our hearts.  I thank you for each of them.  Thank you for bringing them into my life.  Thank you for bonding our group.  Thank you for being our core.  ~Amen

Be blessed and a blessing.

LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 6 - Friday

Happy Friday!

Today I want to share with you an email I received yesterday from some dear friends of mine.  They asked that we share this with anyone we felt led to share with.  I wanted to share with you gals.  God sent it right at the right time with our study.  I love how He does that.

Community,

First of all, I want to apologize for getting this out later than planned.  Time has been of the essence lately. 

In recent days, God has been planting a word in my head over and over again to have a challenge to all my brothers and sisters for the Lenten season and beyond.  It is often commonplace during Lent that people might give something up or decide to do without.  The word I have been getting is, let’s reverse that this year and add something Christ like to our daily routine.  I am not saying to ignore the idea of removing something, if that is God’s desire for you, just consider adding something this year.  This can be done on a personal basis or collectively as a group.  Maybe it needs to be one thing, maybe a combination of several things.  Examples would be: daily communion, extra time for prayer, intercession, taking extra time studying the Word, random acts of kindness, etc.  I believe it can be easy to remove something from our lives because it really requires little effort physically.  But I believe if we add something to remind us of Jesus daily, hopefully after a while it will become a habit since it encourages us into action for Him and then we can continue this challenge long after Lent is over.  By the way, if you miss a day, don't worry, just pick it back up the next day, God will give you grace.

That being said, Amy and I would like to challenge everyone to Step Up For Jesus this Lenten season and beyond and step out of your comfort zone and into His comfort zone and begin or increase the work we can and will do for Him.  After all, I believe this is what He would want and be proud of. 

Thank you and God Bless,

Jeff and Amy Pyle

Reading:

1Peter 4:7-11

S.O.A.P.

S:  God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another.

O:  Variety of gifts. God given.  Use them well.  Serve.

A:  I know I don't need to dig deep to know what my gifts are.  Quite honestly I can name a few off pretty quickly.  Now using them, I may not be as quick.  Many of my gifts/talents lay dormant for one reason or another. Fear.  Laziness.  Impatience.  Selfishness.  I think you get the picture.  All of those EXCUSES are from directed by satan.  So it all comes back to love of my neighbor, friend, stranger, family.  I need to pull these gifts off the shelf, dust them off and use them.  Time is wasting.  Life is short.  God has blessed me in many ways.  What a shame and sin to waste these God given gifts.  I need to use them well and serve as many as I am able.

P:  Father, thank you for a week of eye opening scriptures.  A few I have read many times over but have received new meaning and understanding.  Open my eyes to opportunities to use these gifts.  Use my feet and hands to accomplish the tasks you set before me.  Open my heart to loving and serving others.  I ask that you be with each of he women in this group.  We all carry burdens that only you are able to lighten.  You have given each of us gifts.  Help each of us recognize and use what you have given us so that we may further your kingdom and serve those who do not know you and those who are already yours.  Be with each of us this weekend.  The weather has been so cold in many areas.  Keep us all safe and warm and if there is need to care for those who are without shelter or food or just need a friend, let us be willing to open our hearts and homes to those in need.  In Jesus precious name I ask these things.  ~Amen

Stay warm Sisters.

LGG ~ Made for Community - Week 6 - Thursday

Good morning~

Thankful Thursday.  What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for making it home safely yesterday.  That was terrible.  I have a new appreciation for the PENNDOT road crews after having experienced just two blasts of winter here in NC.  PA girls you have not idea how blessed you are to have the crews you do.  The weather was worse than I have seen even in PA yesterday, but we just do not have the equipment here to handle it.  So all that to say, I am thankful for the PENNDOT crews having taken such good care of the roadways in PA.  Thank you CHRISTOPHER WILSON!!!!!  (Tammy's husband)

Reading:

Matthew 7:1-5;12

S.O.A.P.

S:  "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.  This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

O/A:  I really need to respect myself more.  If I am to treat others better, I need to realize what a gift I am, too.  I down myself regularly.  I don't take compliments well.  I don't eat right or exercise regularly.  How am I to have a healthy attitude toward others.  Yes I am respectful of others and try to be kind but am I really doing the best I can?  Remember the eye rolling that I claim to be so good at?  Yeah, I have a lot of work today, starting with me.

P:  Father, thank you for allowing me to see this verse in a different light today.  I realize I need to start with me.  In turn, with your help and guidance, I will be a better child for your kingdom.  Forgive me for falling short, daily.  Thank you for your mercies new each morning.  ~Amen