Women of Grace Christmas Party

Come and celebrate Christmas with us. :)

Wednesday December 19, 10 am

at Amy's

We will be doing...

.... a cookie exchange (Let me know by DEC 2, if you want to participate in the cookie exchange)
.... an ornament exchange (bring a wrapped ornament if you care to participate)
.... bring a snack to share

Something Bigger

Chapter 10: Called to Something Bigger

"Our walk with God is Full of paradoxes.  The worst day can end up being the best day.  Sometimes darkness helps us see God's light all the more.  God even used the darkest and foul places to reveal His truth and beauty."

1. Think of a dark experience or place.  How did God show up unexpectedly for you?  Were you able to discern that He was there right away or after it was over?
   Read Matthew 15:21-28
   
2. How does Jesus respond to her request at first?  How did the disciples respond?
3. Though He was in Gentile territory and healed other gentiles why did Jesus make a point to tell her He came for the lost sheep of Israel?
4. According to verse 25, what was this Gentile woman's reaction to Jesus response?
5. Sometimes we compare our level of brokenness with others and convince ourselves, Well I can't reach out to this person; he is just too far gone to help.  Jesus proves throughout Scripture that there is no darkness that he can not expel.  No situation or place is void of His presence.  How does the Canaanite women's faith clearly penetrate the darkness of her lineage?
   
   "When Jesus speaks in verse 28, He speaks with great conviction and emotion: "women, you have great faith!"  The text says her daughter was healed at that very hour.  After this, Matthew reveals more and more miracles Jesus preforms for Gentiles.  The blessings begin to clearly flow for both Jew and Gentile."
6. Pray and read. Read Ephesians 3:3-4 and write out what it means in your own words.
7. Pray and study. Read 2 Timothy 2:15 and write out what it means in your own words.
8. Pray and ransack. Read Proverbs 2:3-5 and write out what it means in your own words.
9. Pray and think. Read 2 Timothy 2:7 and write out what it means in your own words.
   "When we truly embrace the darkness that surrounds us, our own brokeness doesn't have to be something we are afraid of.  God can handle it, and there is freedom wgen we let go of trying to compensate for what we lack.  We need to exercise our faith in Him, not in us.  Write down something in your life you know weighs down on you."
10. Close this study by writing out your prayer of faith.  Take comfort in the fact you can start with "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24 NKJV) End with words of belief that He is setting you free.

(God Loves Broken People, pp 202-203)

We will not meet next WED for Thanksgiving Break, we will meet the following wed (26th) at Amy's.

Choose

We had a great study yesterday.  Lots of sharing, encouraging and prayer.  I am truly thankful for my wonderful friends that make up this little group.

We talked a bit about our church.  About the struggle that can go on, on Sunday Mornings.  How the devil loves to keep us from attending Church or even distracted enough that though we were there we leave feeling disconnected and empty.  The latter has been me lately.  I shared my struggles with the group yesterday.  I love teaching the k-1 Sunday school class...and truly feel that it is my place.  But I miss being part of a adult Sunday School class as well....yet am not sure where I fit anymore.

But as we studied yesterday it all come down to choices.  We need to be in the Word, and seeking God's guidance in every aspect of our lives...not just the big ones.  He longs to be apart of every moment of our days.

In our study we talked about Job.  He was definitely a man with struggles, I can not even fathom the pain he must have endured.  And yet he remained faithful to God...even though all others seemingly abandoned him.

Chapter 9 Nothing to Protect, Nothing to Lose

"Choice is something God gives us, and sometimes we do choose our own way, thinking it will keep us from suffering.  But usually it means we miss out on a blessing God has for us.

Think about a time you willfully chose to go your own way and later saw the missed blessing.  How did this impact your relationship with God?"

Read through the scriptures below that ask us to make a choice toward God's ways.  Which one are you choosing to do today, though it maybe hard?

•  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9
• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
•  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16
• Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:23
• Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.  Hebrews 13:15

"To state the purpose of the book of Job in one statement is difficult, as it is multifaceted.  We see a look at reality that is much like our world; broken people responding to suffering; an honest man trying to submit to the will of God; the reality of Satan trying to discourage us and keep us from God's plan; and how humanity can clash with God's divine purposes.  Job also illustrates that though we are often sinful, weak and ignorant, we can be upright and purely devoted to God in the midst of adversity."

Read Job 1 

1. What do we learn about Job's life in verses 1-5?
2. How do we know from verse 6 that God rules over all of evel?
3. How does God describe Job to Satan (v. 8)?
4. What losses does Job experience through the hand of Satan?
5. How does Job respond to his troubles, according to verse 20?
6. When we experience profound suffering, our natural tendency is to find someone to blame.  Do you tend to blame yourself, others or God?

"My prayer is that you are finding it easier to embrace the reality of the brokenness in your own life.  We don't have to fear it because God is using it all to draw us near to Him."

How is God using your brokenness to set you free?

God uses broken things.  It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength.  It is the broken alabaster box that gives froth perfume.  It is Peter weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever. 

Streams in the Desert-- p 113 

Next WED we will be at Magda's. :)

Holloween Grace

Isn't it funny that this chapter actually fell on Halloween! ;P

We met at Ellen's, three of us gathered.  We spent a lot of time sharing, talking, praying.  I am so thankful for my sisters in Christ.  I am thankful for the time each week we can spend together in person. The time we lift each other in prayer.  The txts we share through out the week.  Knowing we are connected, when we are sturggling there is someone to pray, to lift us up.  When we are happy; there is someone to rejoice with us!

This chapter was a little hard, definitely thought provoking; with lots of discussion

Chapter 8: Fierce Love and Halloween Grace

God's love is a topic that can not be exhausted.  As we grown in our walk with Him, we will discover more and more how big and fierce his love is for us.  And all of us experience His love in different ways because as broken people, we all need a different touch. 

Personally, I love how God reaches out and meets each of us where we are.

1. Describe your understanding of God's love for you.  Try and use words that communicate your personal experience, not just what you know from Scripture. It is almost as if there are no words.   We all had a really had time describing God's Love in words.  There are no adequate words.   I love though how God always seems to give us exactly what we need.  I have been struggling with worry for our finances and such.  In my devo that day I saw the key verse for November was Philippians 4:19... And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. For me it was reassuring and confirmation that God was aware of where we are and what we need.
   
   
2. What imagery come to mind when you think about the phrase "unconditional love" used to describe God's Love for us.
   
   "I worry that by constantly using the phrase-- and seldom explaining what we mean by it-- we've robbed it of its orginial forse.  People today tend to think that when they sin against the Lord, He'll respond, "It;s okay, don't worry about it.  I'll love you anyway", when I think He really responds with something more like, "I'll love you forever, and that's why it's not okay." (pp. 92)
   
   God's Love cannot be fully comprehended.  His love often leaves us confused for a time.  One for the hardest passages for believers and nonbelievers alike is the story of Abraham and Isaac.Read Genesis 22:1-14
   
3.   As you reflect on this passage, know that Abraham was also in the dark as he followed God to Mount Moriah.  How does this passage leave you in the dark?  It seems so cruel and heartless for God to tell him to sacrifice his son. His only son, that God had given him as a promise.  Also today the act of child sacrifice is inconceivable to us. 
   
   
4. There are three strong imperatives from God in this story: "Take," "go" and "sacrifice him".  In what ways did these words stretch Abraham beyond what he thought he could bear?  Does God explain why?  I think he must have been confused and sacred.  And yet he follows God's direction the very next day and sets off on his journey with Isaac.
   
   
5. What did Abraham learn about God's love through his trust in God? That God would provide and take care of him.
   
   In the darkest hours of Abraham's life, he is able to say, "the Lord will provide" in a way he had never known before. 
6. Abraham named the site of the alter, Yahweh-Yireh.  What does it mean (see v 14)?  The Lord will Provide

We have many examples in the Bible of broken people who endured profound suffering. Hebrews 11 is full of such people.  As you read through the list, you maybe aware of their major mess ups and character flaws.  Yet God used them in mighty ways to reveal His goodness....

Draw a "road" that God took you on where all you could do is trust.  yours might have been more than a three-day trek like Abraham's; maybe you have been a few years on this unknown road.  Mark it with symbols to show "the Lord provided" in ways you did not expect.  What would you name the final destination?

This I Know...

We had a small group last week.  Just Ellen and I gathered around my kitchen table.  But we had a wonderful time of sharing and prayer.  The chapter we covered in the book was the best yet in my humble opinion.  I apologize for my tardiness in posting. But here it is....

This WED (Oct 24) we will again be meeting at my place. 9:30 am.  Contact me if you have questions and/or are interested in joining in.

Chapter 6 What Can I Know For Sure?
Three Rock Solid Truths to Keep You Standing

What Can I know for sure?  maybe the most important question you have in your life right now.  Maybe you're questioning God's love for you or struggling  with some aspect of your faith.  Maybe you are in a place where you are waiting on God's ultimate answer to a prayer.  Maybe you just received news that has left you reeling.

• Write out thoughts and complete each statement with a short paragraph....

I have to trust God right now because I'm uncertain that:

Though I'm unsure about my circumstances, I do know this is true:

 Sovereignty: The unlimited power of God; God's control over the affairs of nature and history; supreme ruler.

Scripture declares that God is working out His sovereign plan of redemtion, and the conlusion is certain: God wins.  Though we have fallen short and sinned against God, His plan for us overrides our brokenness.  His sovereignty is characterized by his justice and holiness.

Read the following scriptures in the sovereignty of God.

1.  Write down what each passage means to you:
   Genesis 14:18-20 - God will deliver/save us from our enemies
   Exodus 6:2 - "I am the Lord", He is above us, yet reveals Himself to us
   Luke 2:29 - as you have promised
   Acts 4:24 - He made the Earth and the Heavens and everything in them
   Revelation 6:10 - Holy and true, judge of all the earth
   
   Nothing happens in this world that God doesn't know about, and so we know that whatever is a surprise to us is not a surprise to Him.  He is prepared for all situations, and nothing challenges His control.  As we break down what it means for God to be sovereign over good and evil, let's look at three of his divine attributes, also known as the three "omni" attributes.  Omni is Latin for "all".
   
2. God is omnipotent (all-powerful)
   Mark 14:36- everything is possible for you
   Luke 1:37 - for nothing is impossible with God
   Because my God is all-powerful, I can be sure that____________________
   
3. God is omniscient (all-knowing)
   1 John 3:20 - God is greater & knows everything
   John 21:17
   Isaiah 44:7-8 - who is like me?  There is none
   
4. God is omnipresent (everywhere)
   Psalm 139:7-12 - you are there
   Jeremiah 23:23-24 - I fill the earth
   
5. Which on of the three "omni's" means the most to you right now?

Isaiah 46:9-10

⁹ Remember the former things, those of long ago;
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.
¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning,
    from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
    and I will do all that I please.

Hide & Seek

One thing I love about our group is our ability to be real with one another.  The ability to bear our hearts.  Share our joys, our hearts, our triumphs, our sorrows, our struggles.  To lift one another, to encourage, to rejoice, to cry.

I am so thankful for this group of ladies.  To know that the prayers we shared aren't left behind.  But that we share each other's burdens.  That we carry them through the week continuing to lift our sisters to our Father. 

Our study today....

Chapter 5-- Hiding, Pretending, and Other Failed Escapes

"We all wear masks in one way or another.  It's our way of trying to fit in, to belong.  The more broken we feel inside, the more we feel compelled to hide our brokenness from others so that they don't laugh at us or reject us.  Over the last sixteen years I've spoken to more than four million women from the platform at Women of Faith.  I hear the same things over and over:"

-I don't like the way I look.
-I don't like that way I feel.
-I hate what I see in the mirror
-If people knew the real me, no one would want to know me.

 

• Think about the various circles where you spend most of your time. What is a setting where you feel like you can be yourself and not wear any kind of mask?
• What settings are you more prone to where a mask? Why?

Part of the challenge of our brokenness is to tain our hearts to hear God's love above the din of our shame.  (God Loves Broken People, p. 62) 

"As Christians living on this side of the cross, we still have an instinct to hide from God.  What sin have you tired to carry yourself, thinking it is too big for God?
Because of the saving work of Christ, we don't have to hide from God, but can  hide in God instead.  when we seek the Lord's presence we are safe.  Believing that your sin is too great for God to reconcile rejects the power of the cross."

Read Hebrews 4:14-16

• Who is Jesus likened to in verse 14? Our High Priest
• Verse 16 tells us we should come before the throne-  Boldly, with confidence
• We learn in this passage that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are.  We must not infer that life was easy for Him.  Though He was without sin, how does this human experience make it easier to approach him?  He has been here, He knows what we are going through.  He has been tired, angry, hungry...
• Read Hebrews 5:5  How does this verse show Jesus humility as God's appointed High Priest?  He did not ask to become High Priest, God is in charge, He appointed Jesus to that position.  A little further in verse 7 it states that he had reverent submission
• What does Hebrews 7:24-25 tell us about Jesus' priesthood? It is permanent, eternal, He lives to intercede for us, able to save completely.

One thing that keeps us close to God is confession.  We don't have to hide our sins from Him-- He knows them all anyway.  WHen we seek His forgiveness and thank Him for it, it is easier to recieve His grace.

• Write down one sin that you have tried to keep hidden, maybe even from yourself.  After  you have written it down, read again Hebrews 4:14-16.  Take time to thank Him for the mercy and grace that he freely gives today.

"You don't have to hide anymore.  You are loved as you are.  you needn't wear a mask; God sees you as you are.  you don't have to pretend to be okay: Christ is our righteousness, and we get to be human after all, to be real, to be loved, to be free. you don't have to deny the tturth: the Lord knows it all and offers you Christ."  (God Loves Broken People, p. 65)

This Week~ 

• Remember to do your daily Devo time! :D
• Look for your Gifts everyday
• Bring something for the Shoebox next time!  Need some ideas?? Check here :D

Source: faithfulprovisions.com via Amy on Pinterest

????'s

Sorry I am so late in posting this.  We had a great study last Wednesday.  Next Wednesday I believe we will be at Magda's.

Chapter 4-- Relentless Questions
His Presence and Peace in Your Darkest Nights and Longest Battles

There are many times God declines to answer our why questions.  The most difficult ones have to do with human suffering:

Why did her child get healed and mine died?
Was it my fault?
Should I have had more faith?
Why didn't you save my marriage?
What more could I have done?
Why didn't you stop me from playing the fool?

• List one of your own why questions you've been asking God:
• Why do you think God withholds answers sometimes? Isaiah 55:8-9
  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
      neither are your ways my ways,”
  declares the Lord.
  ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
      so are my ways higher than your ways
      and my thoughts than your thoughts.
• Reflect for a moment on your own suffering you have survivied has it brought you closer to God or farther away?

Read Matthew 8:5-13  Jesus Heals a Centurion Servant

• What barriers could have kept the Roman soldier from approaching Jesus for help?
• Jesus warned the Jews that their lack of faith in God could keep them from entering the kingdom.  We shouldn't over estimate faith-- somehow thinking that faith itsled is the source of God's goodness-- but acknowledge that faith is essentially a bedrock belief in God and what he can do.  Why do you think God despises our unbelief?
• Read verse 13.  Why was the centurion's servant healed according to the text?
  He believed Jesus could heal him.

God is in Control.  He will never, ever leave us.

Read John 11:1-44

The story of Lazarus is one of the most remarkable stories we have, and John is the only gospel who records it. This is account shows the anguish and pain of two sisters who dearly loved their brother, Lazarus, and who also dearly loved Jesus.  They know Jesus was the only One to help their sick brother.  But when He waited four days too late, according to their worldly prospective the why began to consume them.  They knew he could have come earlier, could have healed him before he died.  Jesus also showed his compassion, as verse 35 says, "Jesus wept."

• Why did Jesus wait, according to verse 4 and verse 40?
  For God's Glory
• As you wait on God for an answer, anticipate how the wait might bring Him more Glory.  Write down your thoughts.

"It can be a very, very rough road.  But that sort of trip was never the original plan.  God laid for us a smooth and beautiful road, but the detour out of the garden of Eden-- across sun-seared deserts and over treacherous mountains, through raging rivers and finally up to a cross on a hill-- is neither smooth nor beautiful.  But it is the way way home.  Of that I remain utterly certain." (God Loves Broken People, pp 51)

"I believe that when we weep God catches every tear.
I believe that no pain is wasted, and that even out of the greatest tragedies, God has promised to bring good.
I believe that you have never lived an unloved moment in your life.
I believe that He has been there too.  You are not alone! You were not alone then, you are not alone now, and He will never, ever leave you.
Detours then to kick up a lot of dust.  Sometimes we can still see where we are going, while at other times the road seems to disappear-- but always, Christ remains in control." (God Loves Broken People, pp52)