Enticing Eve - Intentionally Focused {Week 4}

Wow! How many times have I read the book of Genesis? Maybe a hundred! (at least the first few chapters anyways). Even so, this morning in my Good Morning Girls study, my heart was taught even more from Genesis chapter 3.

This week in GMG we are focusing on being intentional in our marriage. And what a week to focus on this, as Valentine's Day is this Friday!

Today we read through chapter three and focused in on verse six. I want to share this scripture with you and what I took away from it today. I hope that it encourages your heart - whether you are already married, single, and hoping to be married one day in the future.

We all remember that God made Adam and Eve and set them in a beautiful garden. He told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or they would die. Even so, when temptation came along, Eve buckled. Why? What was it that caught her eye and so moved her heart to disobey God and to persuade her husband to disobey God too?

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her and he ate."

Genesis 3:6

In this verse, Eve's heart was pulled away from pleasing God by her desire for three things:

1. Provision - she saw that the tree was good for food, even though the entire garden was FULL of food that she and Adam could enjoy together.
2. Pretties - The tree and its fruit was pleasant to the eyes.
3. Power - the tree could make her wise, thus giving her an edge, an upper-hand.

Oh my heart! How we as women are drawn to these three things daily! The pleasures of life, those things that could lead our hearts from God, always look or sound appealing or we wouldn't even want them!

Because Eve caved to her flesh and listened to a lie, she chose to disobey her Creator and lead her husband down the same path. She LEAD her husband! Right there is part of the problem!

We, as wives, are to be helpers to our husbands (Gen. 2:18). We are to help lighten the load that they carry and encourage their hearts. We are to cheer them on when the world comes against them and we are to be their safe place, where they can be themselves and be accepted.

Eve was enticed by provision, pretties and power, all things that we as women want and are drawn to. Yet instead of receiving these things God's intended way (because none of those things are evil or wrong), she went about getting them HER WAY and in the end that lead to separation from God. Death was the outcome of Eve's disobedience to God. Death not only came to her, but to her husband as well, as she encouraged her husband in disobedience.

I have much more to learn from Adam and Eve, as from so many other people's life stories in the Bible. But today I choose to be more aware of what I'm enticed by in this life, how I respond to it, and how I try to sway my husband's decisions about these things as well. Temptation WILL come, but it's how I respond to that temptation that's important.

Today I choose to support my husband, pray for him and be his cheerleader. I choose to follow his lead as he follows God. May we as wives, and women in waiting, draw nearer to God and be aware of the devil's schemes.

God bless you abundantly,

Colossians Study {Week 6} and Harvest Party Time!

Today is a busy day around our house as we prepare for our annual F4K Kids Club Harvest Party tonight!

 
In Texas it goes from summer days to COLD, end-of-fall-almost-into-winter days... and that happened last night. Praying for an enjoyable time tonight and for the weather to reach the 60's  :o)

 
Here are a few pics from last year's fun!

We enjoyed carnival games, a puppet show on Dark vs Light,

prizes and a hayride.

 

Dear friends blessed us by helping with food and games!

 

Face paint was a HIT!

 

A hayride topped off the night!

 

We are down to only 2 weeks left of our GMG Online Bible Study!

This week's challenge is a BIG one, for sure! And with Gods' GREAT help, we can walk victorious!


Here are the verses we studied:


 ^{7 "}in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

⁸ But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
 
¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."

Colossians 3:7-14


As believers, filled with God's Spirit, we are to:

• Walk in NEW LIFE!

• Renew our knowledge in Christ

• View others as created in His image and LOVED by the King - no matter their lifestyle

• Love one another

• Bear with one another

• Forgive one another - just as Christ forgave us (again and again)

• Walk in the Spirit - dead to ourselves and alive in Christ!

I am challenged by God's Word to watch my tongue - not speaking in anger or frustration. This is a tough one, especially when teaching my children, who push the limits often.


These verses also encouraged me in speak and walk in love:

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

Proverbs 16:32

 

 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Proverbs 18:21

 

 

"The righteous mom walks in her integrity;

her children are blessed after her."

Proverbs 20:7 (italics are my application)

May God bless you with hope for the future and peace in your heart and home.



In His GREAT Grace,

I'm linked up with:

 



 

 

Colossians Study {Week 5} And a Few Fall Photos!

God's Word is such a source of encouragement and correction. I am very thankful for it and for my Good Morning Girls group who keep me accountable to dig deeper every day!

Hide and Seek at the pumpkin patch!

 



Our verses this week were Colossians 2:16 - 3:6...

^{16 "}So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

²⁰ Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ²¹ “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,"



This week I have been challenged to:

• Look to Christ - the substance of the Old and New Testament customs and prophecies. (vs. 17)

• Walk as a dead man - dead to self, alive in Christ!

• Receive TRUE wisdom from above, not having the appearance of wisdom only. (vs. 23)

• Stay connected to the Head (Jesus Christ) to see growth and fruit in my life. (vs. 19)

• Seek things that are above - things found in Christ. (vs. 3:1)

• Hide away in Christ - He is my fortress, my safe place. (vs. 3:4)

Praise God for His loving kindness and mercies that are new EVERY day!

We are enjoying the last weeks of warm weather and looking forward to snow! Yes, my 3-year-old asks about snow almost every day! Last year we got nothing besides a deep freeze. Hoping we have piles of snow this winter - just for her.

Playing in mounds of snow - two years ago.

But for now...

Fall is here!

 

A happy hearth

 

 

 

Framed branches

 

 

 

Painted pumpkins and fall candles... a few favorites.

 

 

Loved seeing many animals at Yesterland Farm.

 

Pretty fall colors found in nature!

Have a blessed, beautiful weekend!



In His GREAT Grace,

Colossians Study {Week 4}

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING!

 

 
We are half way through our study of Colossians and boy, have I been reminded of some powerful truths this week!

⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
 
¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 
 
¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
 
Colossians 2:6-15 (NKJV)
 
 

HOW WONDERFUL!

 

 

 
Truths from the Word this week (preaching to myself here):

• Walk in Christ, let your roots go deep in Him.

 

• Give thanks in everything!

 

• Let everything you learn be found in Christ, not man's ideas and traditions.

 

• Christ is the head - leads us and gives us growth.

 

• Christ cuts away our sinful flesh and gives life through His death.

 

• Requirements, that I couldn't live up to, are satisfied through Christ.

 

• The enemy of my soul has been made into a fool, as Christ conquered death and rose victorious!

 
 
What a wonderful Saviour we follow! We were separated from God in our sin, even Jesus-haters, and in that state Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8)

 
 
Jesus IS & WAS:

• ALL God in a man-suit

 

• Head of all principality and power (things seen and unseen)

 

• Victorious over sin and death

 
 
Here's what He did:

• Wiped out the accusation against us

 

• Took our sins upon Himself on the cross

 

• Disarmed principalities and powers

 

• Made a public spectacle of our enemy

 

• Triumphed over sin and death

• Set the greatest example of love, ever

 
I am ALIVE and FORGIVEN because of Christ's death on the cross. I am able to walk in victory today because Christ is my victor, my Saviour, my Friend. He walks with me, giving me strength to overcome!

  
                                                                ************

Be encouraged today - you are special, you are worth Christ's sacrifice, you are loved. If you are doubting Christ's amazing love, receive the truth today. YOU ARE LOVED, just because you are you. Because you were created by a loving Father. He longs for a relationship with you.
 
 
Just let Him know that you are ready to die to self and live for Him. Repent, turn away from sin. Believe that Jesus died for YOU. Walk in newness of life today! There is nothing on this earth that compares to the joy, freedom and life that comes from a relationship with your Creator.

                                        ************


Be rooted and grounded in Christ - He is the giver of life and He does not disappoint!

 

Learning to walk victoriously,
 

I'm linked up with:

 

 

 

 

Colossians Study {Week 3}

What a blessing my Good Morning Girls group is! They are digging in to the Word of God and each has a different application and insight to share. I really look forward to my quiet time each morning and the chance to connect on line with like-minded women of God!

Me and Val, my amazing GMG co-leader

This week we are reading Colossians 1:24 to 2:5.


Here are a few truths that have stood out to me:

• I am to walk in the calling that God has given me. I am to be a good steward of His gifts. (vs. 25)
• Rejoice always - no matter the physical afflictions that come. (vs. 24)
• Christ in me (the Holy Spirit) reveals the mystery of God to those around me. (vs. 27)
• Making disciples of Christ requires action! Preach, teach, warn, strive, labor and love. (vs. 28-29)
• We, as believers, are to be knit together in love. (2:2)

 

 

"How wonderful and pleasant it is

when brothers live together in harmony!"
Psalm 133:1

I am learning so much as we walk through the book of Colossians one verse at a time. So thankful for the encouragement, correction, and insight I receive each day from God's Word. It's only up to me to take the time to sit, be quiet, and listen. God is near, He is waiting for an open heart and a listening ear.


Last week a few of the ladies in our group shared their testimonies... what awesome stories of God's grace and mercy! I encourage you to share the story of how God saved you from sin with someone else. It will bless them and honor God - as He alone will receive the glory!

via

I pray that you are encouraged this week to know God more. He is more than enough for your every need.



Growing hungry for HIM,

Colossians Study {Week 2}

As I read through Colossians, a couple verses at a time, I can't help but close my eyes once in a while and picture my Jesus...

He is King, yet He is humble. He is Lord, yet He is the servant of all. He is Royalty, yet His presence graces my home and my heart. He is God, yet He is here. Emmanuel, God with us!
 

Learning to let God's Word dwell richly in me.

 

 
Here are this week's verses from The Message translation:
 
^{15-18 "}We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
 
^18-20 He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

^21-23 You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message." Colossians 1:15-23
 
 

I am PROOF that Christ's powerful blood changes lives. I am PROOF of His peace that surpasses understanding.

My life isn't prefect and without flaw, but it is vastly different than what it once was! Praise God, I am a NEW creation! You are welcome to read my testimony here.

 

 

 

 

 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

2 Cor. 5:17

 

 

I can forgive others, because I have been forgiven much.

 

I can love God and others, because He first loved me.

 

I can trust that God has a good plan for my life, He is faithful and never changes.

 

I can lead my children in peace, because of Christ's shed blood on the cross.

 

His sacrifice is enough for me!

May Christ's abundant love and grace pour over you today as well. May you know His peace and joy as you receive His forgiveness of sins and become reconciled to God.
 


In His GREAT Grace, 
 

I'm linked up with some amazing women here:

 

 

Colossians Study {Week 1}

 
I'm very excited to be co-leading another GREAT group of ladies as we study the book of Colossians this fall! Good Morning Girls makes it easy to get into God's Word each day and to apply what we are learning to our lives!

My study materials, ready to go!

 

 
So far I have been encouraged, challenged and corrected by the Word and it's only day #4!


 
Here are a few observations and applications that I have come away with this week, after reading Colossians 1:1-14.

• Paul, even in his imprisonment, prayed for the believers in Colosse. I am reminded to pray for my brothers and sisters in the Lord consistently, so matter what difficulties I face in life. (Col 1:3)

• The Word of truth, the gospel, brings forth fruit! (Col 1:5-6)

• Being fruitful in good works and increasing in our knowledge of God pleases Him! I'm reminded that fruit in our lives comes from intimacy with God, just as intimacy in the natural produces fruit of the womb. (Col 1:10)

• God's great power strengthens us to have patience and to suffer long with joy. This sounds like a contradiction, and it is - according to this world's ways. (Col 1:11)

• The Father has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints- His power, His kingdom, and eternity with Him! (Col 1:12)

• God has delivered us from the power of darkness and propelled us into His glorious light! We don't need to live in fear of spiritual darkness but live in the His light. (Col 1:13)

• And lastly, all of this in only accomplished by the power of Jesus' blood. His sacrifice has redeemed us from the power of sin. (Col 1:14)

We are not "good enough" without God's life-changing power in our lives. He is big enough and strong enough to work in and through us!

 

So many of these things I have learned before but what a blessing to be reminded of them again.
 



This momma is learning to pray and then walk it out with God's help!

Today I'm clinging to this prayer: 

"Help me to be patient and kind to all I encounter today. Bring joy to my heart, even when I have to suffer long. Remind me of your Son's sacrifice that redeemed me from sin and the power of darkness and eternal death. Thank you for qualifying me to inherit your kingdom! Amen."
 

 
God bless your week,
 



PS. Our study of Colossians is 8 weeks long. My goal is to share a little each week of what God is teaching me. May you be encouraged to know God more and dig into His Word as well!

I'm linked up with:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 13 ~ Our Reward!

We are at the end of our Good Morning Girls summer book club/Bible study. (I know I skipped blogging about quite a few weeks, that's what happens when you are a wife and mom first :o) Our study has been on Proverbs 31. What a great encouragement and challenge this study has been to me, especially in the area of working hard in my home.

My sweet babies - my blessings!

This week we find out what the Proverbs 31 woman receives as her reward for all her hard labor. It is....

PRAISE!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Proverbs 31:28-29

It may not seem like enough of a reward, but if you think about it, this reward is better than anything that fades - flowers, jewelry, chocolate, or a cruise (although that would be nice too :o).

When those I love the very most take note of my hard work it blesses my heart. Not that I care for my home and family to BE praised, but that will be my reward!

Blessing my husband is a joy for me. His praise is like music to my ears!

I have learned from Courtney, at Women Living Well, that even though our young children may not notice the hard worked we do to keep the home clean and healthy food on the table, they will "rise up" and call us blessed. When they are older, maybe not until they have children of their own, they will realize the sacrifices of time, energy, and finances that were given to bless them. They will rise and praise their momma!

How grateful I am for my own mother - an example of perseverance and faith in God. She taught me to bake, clean, and care for others. Her heart breaks for orphans around the world and her meals bless the body and soul of all who get to enjoy them. She is so very thoughtful and loving - a great blessing to all who know her!

My mother with my daughter, imparting her love of reading to her.

We, as women of the Word, are called to fear God not chase fashion. More important than our outward appearance is the state of our heart. Our honor and reverence of God will turn into diligence, excellence, and thoughtfulness when working in our homes and when serving strangers.

^"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates."

Proverbs 31:30-31

Verse 31 reminds me of another, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Galatians 6:7. When we put effort and care into the details of our work, we will reap excellent results! A shabby job will produce shabby results. We will partake in the outcome of our work - whether a clean home, a balanced budget, or a healthy meal.

I pray that I daily take to heart that my work in my home and outside the home matters. Even the repetitive, monotonous work matters. When I work with excellence I bless my Father God, my family, and others!

Have a blessed week,


PS - Even though our online study is over, the Proverbs 31 study materials are still available. I highly recommend this study to every wife and mom - whether you have been married for a month or for 40 years. We can all learn from this Biblical example of a godly woman. Visit this page on the Women Living Well site for the free e-book and video series!

Today I'm linked up with Women Living Well , New Life Steward and Good Morning Girls.

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 6 ~ Blessing the Needy

"She extends a helping hand to the poor and

opens her arms to the needy."

Proverbs 31:20 (NLT)

This week our Good Morning Girls study group is learning that a virtuous woman does mundane chores in her home with joy and blesses the stranger in need as well.

The poor and needy are always with us, in many forms. Not only are those who are physically hungry and thirsty but I believe there are many more who are spiritually poor and emotionally needy. We are surrounded by them daily.

You can see an emptiness in their eyes, a hollow echo in their voices, a void that only the living Spirit of God can fill. The Spirit of God brings love, joy, peace and string of other blessings! (Gal. 5:22-23) Without God's Spirit we are dead in our sin... walking corpses in this dark world.

Are you ready and willing to be a blessing? To be God's extended hands and arms to the needy?

God's arms are big enough and strong enough to carry you

and sustain you to bless others!

Here are a few ways we can bless those in need today:

• Share encouragement through an email, a letter or a phone call.
• Offer a listening ear and give of our time.
• Give a meal or a cool drink .
• Clothe those in need.
• Give finances as the Lord leads.
• Wash a car, offer to babysit for a single mother, mow an elderly person's lawn.
• PRAY for those you know who are facing a difficulty in life.
• Share a skill with someone in need - how to change oil in a car, how to bake lasagna, or how to sew with a machine.

Teaching our neighborhood girls how to make homemade pie!

People can be poor and needy in many ways. May our hearts be sensitive to the need on hand and ready to bless. Our hands and hearts are connected. As we open our hands to bless the needy, our hearts cannot stay hard. But a hard heart will produce closed hands.

"If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs."

Deuteronomy 5:7-8

Even when life is too busy to open your heart and home and give of yourself, you are called to! There have been numerous times when a knock on my front door appears to be an inconvenience, a burden. But if I obey God's Spirit and open the door and bless the little children standing there who are in need of love and Spiritual life I am always blessed in return.

God's laws stand and never change. His principles remain, just as He Himself is unchanging.

The overspill of a generous life is a thing of beauty!

Here is the law of "Water and Be Watered":

"The generous soul will be made rich,

And he who waters will also be watered himself."

Proverbs 11:25

A generous soul creates a vacuum of God's goodness and blessing. He will prosper you and your home and produce spiritual growth in your hearts. I long for this!

Be encouraged today! You may not always have $5 in your pocket to give to someone in need, but you can give of what you have. We are blessed to be a blessing!


In His great grace,

If you have a little time, please stop by any of these blogs.

They will no doubt encourage your heart!

I'm linked up with:

 Good Morning Girls, Women Living Well,

Time-Warp Wife, and Growing Home