Tag Archive | faith

A Spring Song of Worship and Praise adapted from Psalm 21 & 64

Apr4

Jehovah-Mephalti – Lord my Deliverer

O Lord, I delight in Your strength! Yes, How great is my joy in Your saving power!

You bless me with the desires of my heart, keeping nothing from me.  For You meet me with gifts of good things, crowning my efforts with success. You give me life, a long life forever and ever. You make me glad with the joy of being with You.

 Please hear my voice when I pour out my heart. Keep my life safe from the fear of those who hate me. Hide me from the secret plans of the sinful and from the noise of those who do bad things. Their tongues are sharp like a sword. They use poison words like darts and shoot at me without blame. They are quick and are not afraid to hurt me.  For their heart and inside thoughts  are deep and pursue sinful things. These things rob me from the joy I feel when I am with You.

Because of Your loving kindness, I will not be shaken. I will pray as written in the book of Isaiah: 

 

“Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness;

Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together…”

For Your hand will find all who fight against You. Your right hand will find those who hate You. They will be made to trip and fall. Their own tongue is against them. But for the one who is right and good, they will be glad in You and will give You praise.  

O Lord, our deliverer, Your righteousness will prevail. In Your strength, I am glad! Yes, How great is my joy in Your saving power!

You continue to bless me with the desires of my heart, keeping nothing from me.  For You meet me with gifts of good things, crowning my efforts with success. You give me life, a long life forever and ever.  You make me glad with the joy of being with You.

PRAYER: Lesson 11 Bonus Content

Apr1

 

 Adjusting prayer time to quiet moments alone was so out of my comfort zone.  When I came to the realization that prayer is not dictated by place and time; that it’s place is everywhere, it’s time is any time, this revelation was the beginning to a pray life of truly knowing Him and experiencing His presence in my life.

Scripture Memorization:   “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.”  Jeremiah 29:12

 I see how my life was similar to the struggle of Martha in the story of Luke 10. I was so busy serving, working and doing that I was not spending time daily preparing my heart for service by having conversation with God, listening to God, spending time in worship and singing praises, and reading God’s Word.

Read the story of Martha and Mary. Are you a Martha or a Mary? Read their story in Luke 10

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were considered good friends of Jesus, often hosting him in their home in Bethany on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Martha is said to have run the household, although she was the middle child—Lazarus was the oldest and Mary the youngest of the three siblings.

Early historians believed Martha to be the daughter, wife, or widow of Simon the Leper, and that the house became hers when he died. This has not been substantiated, but what is clear is that Jesus did not return to his own home for rest and relaxation during his three years of ministry. It was to the warm, hospitable home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus at Bethany He retired. We also know that their home was large enough to host Jesus and his followers, and we suppose the family had means because the Bible does not mention a family trade, although they were never noted as being wealthy.

All we know about Martha and Mary come from two encounters with Jesus that were documented in all four Gospels. The first is a visit from Jesus to Martha and Mary’s home during one of his many trips to Jerusalem. We realize that because of the casualness of their visit that Jesus visited their home often. On this day Jesus arrived in time for dinner and Martha became angry that she was doing all the work in preparing for the meal while her sister was simply sitting around listening to Jesus. Martha insisted that Jesus tell Mary to get up and help her. Jesus rebuked Martha and told her that her sister had it right—she was focused on what was important (Luke 10:38-42). The next encounter comes after Martha and Mary’s brother fell ill and they’d sent word for Jesus to come, but several days had passed. Lazarus died. Martha meets Jesus outside their home—her brother had been dead four days. After complaining about his tardiness, Martha affirms her belief that even now God will do anything Jesus asks. Jesus says that he is the “resurrection and the life” and asks if she believes this. Martha confesses, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (John 11:27). Her words are similar Simon Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15-16). Martha was a woman with managerial talents, the gift of hospitality, and a woman of means. Once she recognized Jesus as her Messiah and confessed her faith in him, her whole world changed. She found new meaning, purpose, and life.

Have you found success in this world and yet still wonder if all your hard work here amounts to anything? Have you been frustrated that God was not there when you needed him most? Martha can speak to you:

  • Martha was doing what she thought God was calling her to do—serve him with her gifts and talents, but when Jesus rebuked her, she learned a great lesson. All of her ‘doing’ needed to be balanced with time for ‘being.’ You can’t work your way into God’s favor. He is already impressed with you, so take time to sit at his feet and allow his approval to shine upon you.
  • Martha’s disappointment in Jesus was great. Have you been disappointed in God? Yet, Martha didn’t hide her disappointment from Jesus. Instead she took her anger, fear, and belief directly to him. Then, in spite of her doubts, she declared her faith. Great was her reward, and great will be yours, too, when you have the courage to share even your disappointments with God. Then declare your belief in spite of your doubts and new life will come to you, too. He is your resurrection and your life.

The Study                                                                            

study mockupComplete page 53 in Excellence with Simple Elegance: The Study. 

If you have no format for your daily prayer life, please take the opportunity this week to use this simple format from Nehemiah. These will be the beginning steps to having a Mary heart. A.C.T.S.

Adoration

 It is a time of praising God for Who He is, His attributes, His Names, and His character.

Exalting the Name of Jesus Christ “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me.”

I challenge you to select one of Jehovah’s Name each week and praise Him for that particular attribute and character.

Jehovah’s Name (prayertoday.org)

  • Jehovah – The Lord – Exodus 6:2-3
  • Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha’arets- Lord of Earth – Josh 3:13
  • Jehovah-Bara – Lord Creator – Isaiah 40:28
  • Jehovah-Chatsahi – Lord my Strength – Psalm 27:1
  • Jehovah-Chereb – Lord the Sword – Deut. 33:29
  • Jehovah-Eli – Lord my God – Psalm 18:2
  • Jehovah-Elyon – Lord Most High – Psalm 38:2
  • Jehovah-Gador Milchamah – Mighty in Battle – Ps 24:8
  • Jehovah-Ganan – Lord Our Defense – Ps 89:18
  • Jehovah-Go’el – Lord My Redeemer – Is. 49:26, 60:16
  • Jehovah-Hamelech – Lord King – Psalm 98:6
  • Jehovah-Hashopet – Lord My Judge – Judges 11:27
  • Jehovah-Helech ‘Olam – Lord King Forever Ps10:16
  • Jehovah-Hoshe’ah – Lord Saves – Psalm 20:9
  • Jehovah-Jireh – Provider – Gen. 22:14, I John 4:9, Philip 4:19
  • Jehovah-Kabodhi – Lord my Glory – Psalm 3:3
  • Jehovah-Kanna – Lord Jealous – Ex 34:14
  • Jehovah-Keren-Yish’i – Horn of Salvation – Ps 18:2
  • Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – Sanctifier – I Corinthians 1:30
  • Jehovah-Machsi – Lord my Refuge – Psalm 91:9
  • Jehovah-Magen – Lord my Shield – Deut. 33:29
  • Jehovah-Ma’oz – Lord my Fortress – Jer. 16:19
  • Jehovah-Mephalti – Lord my Deliverer – Psalm 18:2
  • Jehovah-Metshodhathi – Lord my Fortress – Psalm 18:2
  • Jehovah-Misqabbi – Lord my High Tower – Psalm 18:2
  • Jehovah-M’gaddishcem – Lord my Sanctifier – Ex 31:13
  • Jehovah-Naheh – Lord who Smites – Ezekiel 7:9
  • Jehovah-Nissi – Banner – I Chronicles 29:11-13
  • Jehovah-Rohi – Shepherd – Psalm 23
  • Jehovah-Rophe – Healer – Isaiah 53:4,5
  • Jehovah-Sabaoth – Lord of Hosts – I Sam 1:3
  • Jehovah-Sel’i – Lord my Rock – Psalm 18:2
  • Jehovah-Shalom – Peace – Isaiah 9:6, Rom 8:31-35
  • Jehovah-Shammah – Present – Hebrews 13:5
  • Jehovah-Tsidkenu – Righteousness – I Cor 1:30
  • Jehovah-Tsori – Lord my Strength – Psalm 19:14
  • Jehovah-Yasha – Lord my Savior – Isaiah 49:26
  • Jehovah-‘Ez-Lami – Lord my Strength – Ps 28:7
  • Jehovah-‘Immeku – Lord Is With You – Judges 6:12
  • Jehovah-‘Izoa Hakaboth – Lord Strong -Mighty – Ps 24:8
  • Jehovah-‘Ori – Lord my Light – Psalm 27:1
  • Jehovah-‘Uzam – Lord Strength in Trouble – Is 49:26

CONFESSION

Scripture says that God is faithful in forgiving us and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

THANKSGIVING

God requires us to believe and to be thankful. Be thankful in all things. Offer a prayer of praise each morning using the words of the psalmist. Note that I have 2 categories of adapted prayers from the Psalms that you can access Worship & Praise and Petition & Blessings. Simply use these prayers daily to offer your words of admiration to our wonderful heavenly Father.

SUPPLICATION

Scripture says we have not because we ask not. Share with God your needs and your heart’s desires. As you are faithful to His call on your life, watch how He blesses you. Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?” Again if you feel you lack the words, please use the adapted prayers found on this blogsite http://www.bonnieliabenow.com and http://www.facebook.com/bonnieliabenow The petitions to God is our ‘want list’ the adapted prayers from the psalms titled Petitons and Blessing will launch you into His presence and into a meaningful personal time with God.

“Pray without ceasing”

Just like many of you there are situations that I have no control.  It is in these moments that have driven me to pray.                                    My life as a Christmas tree farmer lead me to pray often as farms are vulnerable to environmental attacks.  The days of summer of 2013 had brought extreme heat, dry weather and sunny skies to Michigan which is unheard of up north. And of course the fraser fir farm suffers greatly in these weather conditions. No problem! I will turn on the irrigation system.  But the irrigation didn’t respond. No water! Equipment breakdown!  This can’t be happening and the worse news was it could not be fixed for several days. “Lord, what do I do?” PRAY! I walked thru the fields asking God to protect these trees and to send rain soon.

My Psalm reading for that day– Psalms 65 “You take care of the earth and send rain to help the soil grow all kinds of crops. Your rivers never run dry, and you prepare the earth to produce much grain. You water all of its fields and level the lumpy grounds. You send showers of rain to soften the soil and help the plants sprout.”

The next day–Rain, 50 degrees and cloudy skies! Thank you Lord for taking care of my “bit of earth”.

Complete pages 54-55 in The Study.

Are you excessively critical of the language and style of your prayer? Do you find yourself stumbling along and groping for words? I always felt my language was too simple, kinda uneducated far from sophicated so I didn’t prayer much. But I have since grasped the understanding neither God nor others are concerned with eloquent words, only that genuine communication takes place. Paul assures us in Romans 8:26 that” In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. We do not know how to pray or what we should pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays to God for us with sounds that cannot be put into words.” Many times the best prayer is the one most difficult to express,coming from the heart and reflecting genuine concern. As John Bunyon said. “In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

The Lord’s Prayer is the model of prayer that Jesus taught us, as recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke consider beginning with this prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever. Amen
The Lords prayer, or the “our Father prayer” is prayed daily by thousands of Christians, and can be seen both as a model for prayer, and as to be repeated as part of our daily prayer. It starts by addressing God as our Father in heaven, that although His name is honored, and above all other names, we are His children. As such, we occupy a place of privilege, and He wants us to spend time in prayer with Him. The Lords prayer then moves on to pray that God’s Kingdom, or rule, will become the norm on earth, replacing human rules and governments, which too often are driven by greed and power. Only then do we turn to our own needs, and ask our Father for our basic human needs to be satisfied, and that He would forgive the wrong things that we have done. We ask for God’s guidance and protection as we journey through life. Finally we turn back to God, and acknowledge His supremacy and position as the Almighty ruler.
Pointers for Prayer : Pray the Lords Prayer through, and then take one of the phrases. Spend a few moments reflecting on that phrase, for example, imagining what it means for God’s Kingdom to come, or how we forgive those who sin against us. Then use these thoughts for further prayer, finally coming back to pray through the Lord’s Prayer again.Promise“Ask…, Seek…, and Knock, and it will be opened to you”Blessing“May the LORD grant all your requests”

 Excellence with Simple Elegance

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THE HEART OF EXCELLENCE: Lesson 10 Bonus Content

Mar20

 True beauty comes from the inside. It comes from the heart. This is an everlasting beauty which is most precious to God. It’s a beauty that is gentle and of a quiet spirit. In God’s sight this is of great worth and no amount of money can buy it.                                                                         1 Peter 3: 3-4Maggie

God is most concerned with what 1 Peter refers to as the ‘hidden person of the heart’. Our heavenly Father understands that out of our hearts, our inner-being, flow the issues of life. He has a way of equipping our hearts for each season of our lives. There are three specific God-given elements to the heart of a woman of excellence: prayer, grace, and forgiveness.

Scripture Memorization

“A sound heart is life to the body” Proverbs 14:30 NKJV

Several winters ago I read RC Sproul’s book, “The Holiness of God”.  In his writings, Sproul reminds his readers that…The task that is given to us, mankind, is to bear witness to the holiness of God–to be His image bearer. As a image bearer we are made to mirror and reflect the holiness of God. Essentially we are made to be His ambassadors.

In this pursuit of excellence we embark upon, Matthew 7:14 tells that the gate is narrow, the path is difficult and only few ever find it.  So this speaks to us, that living God’s way and being His reflection is not easy, especially when life experiences brings constant hurt, emotional turmoil and disappointments. So we must draw from the elements of the heart of prayer, fasting, worship, unconditional love, grace, and forgiveness. To be motivated to do this, you have to be passionate about your faith and intentional about living God’s way. In 1 John 5:3 says living God’s way and keeping His commandments are not troublesome to those who truly adore and love Him.
Living out our faith in love and commitment is seen in the way we conduct ourselves; in our family relationship, our work relationships and our community relationships.

The StudyThe Study (workbook)

Complete pages 51-52

Even with our incredible drive, our energy and among our successes we get off track. We are experiencing exhaustion, discontentment, unfulfillment, maybe even depression and discouragement. I know this has happened to me. Just the other day, I must have experienced every emotion that a person can experience.  Instead of laying my concerns at the feet of Jesus, I did the opposite I held on to every obstacle and every worry.  Thinking I could control others and the situation I was facing, my misguided path only successfully put me on a emotional roller coaster ride.

Distracted and Riding a emotional roller coaster?

 In this lesson you have the opportunity to write one of your stories where you were distracted, maybe treated unfairly and hurt.  As you write this story, take time to reread the words you have committed to paper. As you read , you will gain clarity of your struggle then pray for God’s healing. Give it to Jesus.  Lay it down daily.  Allow God’s divine strength to move you pass the brokenness. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Read Ephesians 6. And Once again experience emotional health knowing truth.  God has it in His hands.

Between our work lives and our home lives, we all have moments that are chaotic, crazy, stressful, unpredictable and uncomfortable. This is reality. This is life. Life happens and it throws us off track. In all this chaos, there is one thing that I know is true: Women, we desperately need God and His healing touch. There is only One who can steady your heart.  Take time to Worship, Read God’s Word, Pray, Seek His Grace and His Forgiveness. And when you have experienced God’s love, grace and forgiveness; then in His strength you will freely extend love, grace, and forgiveness to others.

“Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.”
―    Mother Teresa,    In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers  

  Promise

“a glad heart has a special supper all the time”

  Blessing

   “May He give you the desire of your heart”

 Excellence with Simple Elegance

 

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A Winter Song of Worship and Praise adapted from Psalm 3, 22, & 29

Mar20

Jehovah-Kabodhi – Lord my Glory

I will be faithful to honor You, Lord, for the glory of Your name. In the splendor of Your holiness, I will fall down and worship You. Be close to me! You bring me strength. In Your faithfulness, You answer me and save me.   Lord my glory!

Salvation belongs to You alone for Your blessing is upon me. You shield me. You are the One who lifts up my head when I do not have the strength. I cry to You and You hear me.

I will make Your name known. I will praise You. I fear You and will give You all my praise. I will honor You and fear You, for You have not turned away from my suffering or trouble. You have heard my cry. My praise will be from You. I will keep my promises to You in front of those who fear You. Those who look for You will praise You. May Your heart live forever!

O Lord, be close to me! O my Strength, save my life for You are faithful to answer me. Save me, O my God!

Salvation belongs to You alone for Your blessing is upon me. You are a shield and the One who lifts up my head.  I will be faithful to honor You for the glory of Your name. In the splendor of Your holiness, I will fall down and worship You.

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to You. All the families of the nations will worship before You. For the holy nation is Yours, and You rule over all the nations. All the proud ones of the earth will worship. All who go down to the dust will fall to their knees before You, even those who cannot keep their soul alive. Future children will serve You, and they will tell of Your greatness to their children. They will tell of Your saving power to a people who are yet to be born. Your mighty voice  echoes above the sea. Your voice is powerful and majestic. Your voice strikes with bolts of lightning as You rule over the floodwaters. In all Your glory, You reign as King forever.

 Your blessing is upon me. It brings peace to my chaos. O Lord, You are a shield for me and the One who lifts up my head when I have lost all strength.  I will be faithful to honor You for the glory of Your name and will fall down and worship You in the splendor of Your holiness.

A Winter Prayer of Petition and Blessing adapted by Psalm 4, 6, 7 & 141

Mar20

An Evening Prayer

Jehovah-Magen – Lord the  Shield of my help; Deuteronomy 33:29

O Lord my God, in You I have put my trust.

                                                                                                                                             

 Awaken, my God, and help me for I cannot sleep. Prove what is  right.                                                                  

Build me up for I desire to be right with You. For You are right and good and the One who tests both my heart and mind. O Lord, do not speak sharp words or punish me when You are angry. Be kind to me for I am weak and so tired. Heal me for my bones are shaken. My soul is in great suffering.

Return, O Lord. Set my soul free. Save me because of Your loving-kindness.

I am tired of crying inside. All night long my pillow is wet with tears. I flood my bed with them. My eyes have grown weak with sorrow. Lord, You hear the sound of my crying and my desperate plea for help. Receive my prayer, tonight. Answer me, O my God Who is right and good! You have faithfully made a way for me when I needed help. Please grace me with Your kindness and hear my prayer.

 You, Oh Lord, set apart the one who is God-like for Yourself.

Hear me when I call. While I am on my bed, may I look into my heart and be quiet. May I feel the light of Your face shine on me.  Your presence has filled my heart with happiness and brought peace as I lie down to sleep.

I call upon You, O Lord. Hurry to me! Hear my voice when I call to You! May my prayer be like special perfume before You. May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening gift given on the altar in worship. O Lord, put a watch over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart turn to any sinful thing. I am kept safe as You save those who are pure in heart. You are always right in how You judge.

In the quiet of this night I will give thanks to and will sing praise to Your name Most High. For my eyes are toward You, O God. In You, I am safe. 

A Winter Prayer of Petition and Blessing adapted from Psalm 91 & 57

Mar20

Jehovah-Machsi:   “The Lord, who is my refuge”

 

Show me loving kindness, O God.

For my soul runs to You where I will be safe in the shadow of Your wings. I will cry to You, O God Most High, You, Who finish all things for me. You, Who reaches from heaven to save me. You will send Your loving kindness and Your truth. 

O Lord, You are my safe and strong place.

You are my God, the One I trust.  You will cover me with Your wings. And under Your wings You promise that I will be safe.  God, I know 

 

you are faithful like a safe covering and a strong wall. I will not be afraid of trouble at night, or of the arrow that flies by day. I will not be afraid of the sickness that walks in darkness, or of the trouble that destroys at noon. A thousand may fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand. But trouble will not come near me.

You, God, are the One I trust. 

  Because I have made You my safe place, and the place where I live, nothing will hurt me. No trouble will come near my home. You will please me with a long life and show favor that I may see Your saving power. You are the One I trust.

I have known Your heavenly name and will call upon You. You will reveal to me Your saving power.

O God, You will tell Your angels to care for me and keep me in all my ways. Your angels will hold me up in their hands so my foot will not hit against anything harsh. You will bring me out of trouble and set me in a safe place on high. You will please me with a long life and show favor to me. You will be with me in my struggle.

Be lifted up above the heavens, O God. Let Your shining greatness be above all the earth.

My heart will not be moved, O God.

My heart cannot be moved. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awaken, my shining greatness. Awaken, harps. I will rise early in the morning. O Lord, I will give thanks to You among the people. I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your loving-kindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. Be lifted up above the heavens, O God.

Let Your shining greatness be above all the earth and reveal to me Your saving power, for You are the One I trust.

A Winter Prayer of Petition and Blessing adapted from Psalm 115,140, 142 & 143

Mar20

A Prayer for Help

Jehovah-Ma’oz – Lord, my Fortress, my strength and my strong-place, my safe place in the day of trouble.   Jeremiah16:19                                                 

O Lord, You are faithful, kind and loving. You are my strength. Bring light where there is darkness, heal where I am weak and love where my heart fades. Let my life bring glory and honor to Your name and not to me, O Lord, not to me.

 Hear my prayer, O Lord. Listen when I ask for help. Answer me because You are faithful and right. Do not find me so guilty where there is no forgiveness, for no one living is right and good in Your eyes. This world is cruel and the one who hates me has made it hard for my soul. This torment has crushed my life to the ground and I live in darkness. My spirit is weak and my heart fades.

I cry with a loud voice and pray with my voice to You.  I talk and complain, telling You all my trouble.  When my spirit grows weak within me, You know my path. My enemy has hidden a trap for me in the way where I walk.  There is no one who thinks about me. There is no place for me to go to be safe. No one cares about my soul. Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to You once again.

O Lord, You are faithful, kind and loving. You are my strength. Bring light where there is darkness, heal where I am weak and love where my heart fades. Let my life bring glory and honor to Your name and not to me, O Lord, not to me.

You are my God. Listen to the voice of my prayers, O Lord.  You have covered me with Your grace. Please do not give the sinful what they want. Do not let their plans work, or they will be honored.  You are my safe place, my share in the land of the living. Listen to my cry, for I am brought down. Save me from those who make it hard for me, for they are too strong for me.  Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name. Those who are right and good will gather around me for You will give much to me.

You have been mindful of me, O Lord. I know You will bless me along with those who fear You, both small and great. May You give me increase more and more as I choose rightness and goodness. I will be thankful, as You are my strength.

O Lord,  let my life bring glory and honor to Your name and not to me, O Lord, not to me.

COMMUNITY: Lesson 8 Bonus Content

Feb22

The Great Commission

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16: 15Public domain image, royalty free stock photo from www.public-domain-image.com

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Matthew 28:16-20

Your career and community service can be your outreach or mission field that will give you a platform to put your faith foundation into action. Having a job affords you room to challenge yourself, to exercise your God-given talents, and to share God’s love.  The commitment to community is the third step in building the foundation that leads to a life of excellence.

Scripture Memorization

“Love your neighbor”

As a woman of faith, community should matter to you.  Jesus said to the scribes in the passage of Mark 12: 28-34, “The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Why should community matter to you? Because Jesus said there is no other commandment greater than loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor. In obedience to our heavenly Father, we are compelled to love others. And so this is why we serve in our community.

The Study

Complete pages 43-44 in Excellence with Simple Elegance: The Study.  The Study (workbook)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Become a mentor page 45 in The Study.

“God did not call us to have lots of friends, but to be a friend” Dr. Bill Anderson

As a mentor and a life coach for 20 years, I am totally convinced that we can positively affect our community one person at a time.  We  must first realize our need to have a lifestyle that reflects the excellence of God. We must actually live out our faith putting God first in all areas of our life. It is imperative that the actions of life model the words spoken.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
―    Mother Teresa

Mentoring is defined in the Merriam-Webster as “a trusted counselor or guide”.  A mentor is a coach, a tutor, or an advisor. One who speaks encouragement and wisdom to the one being mentored.  A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is not done for personal gain. To mentor, you must be sincerely interested in someone else’s growth assisting in goals setting and holding them accountable.

Be mentored page 45 in The Study,

Women’s ways of mentoring in the business world call it “wo-mentoring”.  It is a refreshing new approach that’s more about commitment and learning.  Women’s mentoring is about personal growth and development. You should pair with someone who, by her very nature, will challenge you.

New Rule of Mentoring: Everyone needs mentors. The old school taught that mentoring was for the young. The new style adamantly rejects such an antiquated notion.

The most important lesson that the women’s approach to mentoring has to teach: It’s not about a mentoring relationship. It’s about a mentoring mentality. You don’t need a single mentor. God can use different mentors during a lifetime. What you need is a mind-set that allows you to learn from those around you. My husband’s saying is “you are the average of the people you hang with” so with that in mind choose mentors who will challenge you, who are passionate about life, and foremost women who are in pursuit of living God’s way.

Please let me know your progress. I want to hear your stories. Take time to comment on this blog site.

Our pursuit of excellence demands that we have a routine of sharing our faith.  We have been called to share the biblical truth  about eternity with those we love. It is wonderful that we have the certainty of heaven but how much more joy we would experience  knowing that we are taking our family and friends.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Matthew 28:19

I believe we are not bold when it comes to sharing the Good News, the plan of salvation. Why? Is it a possibility that we truly don’t believe that hell is for real or that a loving God would condemn good people to a life of eternal damnation. And if there is hell, an eternal separation from God, then it must only be a mere annoyance and mild displeasure. It certainly cannot be fire!

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” Rev 20:15

When we truly understand the nature of the Holiness of God, we then will understand how unrighteousness and unrepentant violates His Holiness, insults His justice and be littles His grace. Jonathan Edwards is known for the most famous sermon preached in America titled, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’. In that sermon he says,” almost every natural man who hears of hell, flatters himself that he shall escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security; he flatters himself in what he has done, in what he is doing, or what he intends to do. Every one lays out matters in his own mind how he shall avoid damnation, and flatters himself that he contrives well for himself, and that his schemes will not fail.” God’s wrath is divine, fierce and everlasting. But God provided a way to escape His wrath by way of the cross.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

In your pursuit of excellence, make a routine that includes sharing this good news with your community.  Women of faith your community’s eternal fate should matter because Heaven is real and so is Hell.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16  
 

Promise

” His love never fails”

Blessing 

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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MARRIAGE: Lesson 7 Bonus Content

Feb21

 SERVE EACH OTHER IN MARRIAGE   A husband and wife who walk in love, unity and mutual respect for each other is God’s intentional design for marriage.

Scripture Memorization

Ephesians 5:22 NIV

“Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the LORD.”

The Study

Submission?

When I think of submission to my husband, I view it as a journey of joy and privilege. I choose every day to walk beside him and  support his many endeavors. This walk with my husband has been filled with wonderful adventures but also challenges. With each challenge we continue to face head on together.  I am mindful with every step that we are ‘One’  and  thankful for the man I chose 47 years ago  to walk beside. Submitting is truly bending down to raise up with the utmost respect .

 1 Corinthians 13       The Way of Love    The Message

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.    Love never gives up.    Love cares more for others than for self.    Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.    Love doesn’t strut,    Doesn’t have a swelled head,    Doesn’t force itself on others,    Isn’t always “me first,”    Doesn’t fly off the handle,    Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,    Doesn’t revel when others grovel,    Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,    Puts up with anything,    Trusts God always,    Always looks for the best,    Never looks back,    But keeps going to the end.8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8 (MSG)

A close friend, a single woman, said to me not long ago, “if it were not for you and your husband, I would not believe that a faithful loving marriage was possible.” Your relationship with your spouse is a testimony to others of the goodness of God and His faithfulness. A faithful loving marriage is possible for you when we are obedient to His guidance.  Proverbs 3:6 In everything you do put God first… The heart of submission is filled with love and respect that only God can provide. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within you that gives strength and courage to persevere through challenging chaotic moments in a marriage. Ephesians 5:21 says, Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. And after 45 years of married life, I can attest that it is a workout! Marriage isn’t easy, but NEVER GIVE UP! Stay the course of excellence in your marriage relationship. It is never too late to develop these attributes of unconditional love and respect in your marriage. Be committed, be loving, be respectful, but most of all be faithful renewing your mind to whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure.  God, who makes everything work together, will work into your marriage His most excellent harmonies.

THE STUDY

Excellence with Simple EleganceComplete pages 39-41 in Excellence with Simple Elegance THE STUDY  

READ Ephesians 5: 18-21.

To serve each other in marriage is a foreign word in today’s world. But let’s consider what is means to submit.  The wonderful truth to submission is found in vs. 21 “submitting to one another“. This means it is both ways. The husband and wife lovingly desires to serve, to lift up, and to fulfill each others’ longings. They are willing to set aside their immediate needs, preferences and comforts in humble sacrifice for each other.  A mark of a marriage that’s filled with the Spirit there is mutual submission.  The key to the act of submitting is stated in vs. 18  “be filled with Spirit“. When you are filled with His Spirit you are changed and you give from the heart.

Incorporate the following 8 disciplines of love in your marriage relationship

couple0301.Respect your husband.  A man’s greatest need in this world is to be respected, and the person he desires that respect from the most is his wife. The trap that we’ve all been ensnared by is that they only deserve our respect when they earn it. Yes, we want our husbands to make decisions that will ultimately garner our respect, but the truth is that your husband is a human being. A human being who makes mistakes. This is the man that YOU have chosen to walk alongside you for the rest of your life, and to lead your family and he needs to be respected for that quality alone.
2.Guard your heart.  The grass is not greener on the other side. Guard your heart from things and people that will try to convince you that your life or your husband is not good enough. There will always be bigger, faster, stronger, or shinier – but you’ll never be satisfied with more until you’re fulfilled with what you have now. Live the life you have been blessed with and be thankful.
3.God, husband, children…in that order. My faith is of utmost importance, so God comes first in my life no matter what. Because of your faith foundation, your husband should come before your children. You cannot effectively parent your children if your marriage is falling apart. There will also come a time when your children leave the house to pursue their dreams as adults. If you have not cultivated a lasting relationship with your spouse, you will have both empty nests and empty hearts.
4.Forgive.  No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Forgiveness is a decision that you make daily for major mistakes to little annoyances.
5.Communicate. Talk to him about everything. He is your best friend and always speak highly of him.
6.Schedule a regular date night. Be lovers.
7.Never say the “D Word”. Plain and simple, threatening divorce is not fighting fair.
8. Choose to love. Marriage is a commitment. In sickness and health, in good times and in bad. Those vows are sacred.  “In good times and in bad”, implying that there will be bad times. It’s inevitable. So choose to love anyway. Your husband is worth it.

 A faithful loving marriage is possible for you, but obedience to Proverbs 3:6 is key, “In everything you do put God first…”

The heart of submission is  filled with love and respect that only God can provide. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within you that gives strength and courage to persevere through challenging chaotic moments in a marriage.  Ephesians 5:21 says “Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.” And as this lesson’s memory verse says,  we submit to our husbands as to the LORD.   After 40 years of married life, I can attest that it is a workout! Marriage isn’t easy, but NEVER GIVE UP!  It is never too late to develop these attributes in your marriage. Stay the course of excellence in your marriage relationship. Be faithful, be loving, be respectful, be humble and most of all be committed. And your reward will be God’s richest blessings on your marriage.                                 

                 

               PROMISE     

“the two shall become one flesh”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                BLESSING

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

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A Winter Prayer of Petition and Blessing adapted from Psalm 50, 55 & 56

Feb21

Jehovah-’Izoa Hakaboth – Lord Strong –Mighty.

The Powerful One, God, the Lord, has spoken. And He calls the earth from where the sun rises to where the sun goes down. God shines perfect in beauty. May our God come and not keep quiet.

 

When I am afraid, I will trust in You for You are my strength. I will praise Your holy Word. I have put my trust in You for You are strong and mighty. I will not be afraid for You give me strength. What can man, alone, do to me?

O God, many have walked on me. All day long they change my words to say what I did not say. They are always thinking of ways to hurt me. Lord, you have seen how many places I have gone. Put my tears in Your bottle.

Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not hide Yourself from what I ask.  Hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I have no peace, because of the voice of those who hate me and the power of the sinful. For they bring trouble upon me and in anger they keep on having bad thoughts against me. My heart is in pain within me. The fears of death have come upon me. I have begun shaking with fear. Fear has power over me. Please show me Your loving kindness.

 I know that You are for me, O God. I praise Your holy Word. In You I have put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? I am under an agreement with You, O God. I will give You gifts of thanks. For You have set my soul free from death. You have kept my feet from falling so I may walk with You in the light of life.

I would be able to take it if the one who hates me were putting me to shame. I could hide from her. It is not one who hates me who has put herself up against me. But it is a woman like myself, one who has gone with me, my close friend.  We shared together and we walked with the people in Your house.

I will call on You and You will save me.  I will cry out and complain in the evening and morning and noon, and You will hear my voice.  You will save my soul in peace. You sit on Your throne forever. I will continue to give all my cares to You and You will give me strength. You will never let those who are right with You be shaken. O God, I will trust in You, for You are faithful to give me strength.