Good morning girls!!! It's Friday!!! Any fun plans this Easter weekend for anyone? Tomorrow is my last long walk before my race. I hope everyone has a great weekend!
S - Luke 9:60 "But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
O - I feel like this person is standing in front of Jesus saying, "But I..." Jesus calmly replies, "Follow me." The person says again, "But I..." "Follow me." "But I..." "Follow me." There is always something I can do. Something on the agenda. Something that is on my to-do list, but Jesus says, "Follow me." This week has been all about putting the most important things first. Luke 9:60 confirms that. No matter what I can come up with nothing replaces the task of following Jesus and spreading His name. Am I rushing through this life fulfilling my agenda or am I taking the time to follow Jesus?
A - Today's email was real good. She brought out three points: 1. Self denial - this is a laying down of all parts of our lives for Jesus. 2. Carry the cross - we will suffer for Jesus. 3. Follow me - to follow our Master in faith & repentance. I think for me the one that I need to concentrate on is self denial. Giving up those things that are so important to me...primarily my time. This morning the Lord brought to my attention how I can get irritated when customers come in and totally interrupt whatever project I am working on. This loan season has been busier than any I have experienced before. I have more to do than is humanly possible to complete in a day. So often I'll have my desk full of all my piles and then a customer walks in. I have to move all my piles, find a place for them, help the customer, chit-chat with them and then pull all my piles back out once they leave. I have found myself getting really irritated with this system. It's time for me to take a step back, take a deep breath and just go with it. Paperwork can wait (even if I think it can't). People are the most important. Taking the time to listen to them is the priority Jesus would have. So, y'all have my permission to ask me if I am being nice about having to clear my desk every time someone walks in, or if I am huffing and puffing!
P - Lord, thank You for what You are teaching me and showing me through this study. I specifically pray that I would have Your attitude when customers come in. Please give me patience during this busy time at work to put people first and the to-do list second.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 1, Day 4
Good afternoon girls!!! I hope it is as pretty where you are as it is here. I'm so glad the warmer temperatures are coming back! Happy Spring everyone!
S - Luke 9:47-48 "But Jesus, knowing [what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
O - I am learning a lot about leadership through this study. The giant theme I have picked out is priorities. Jesus was a great leader because He had His priorities in order. He has focussed on people and meeting their needs.
A - I let my agenda and my needs get in the way of helping people. Sometimes I just don't want to stop and take the time to talk or help. I want to retreat to my quiet house and just chill. God has given me a great opportunity at church to step out and help more through our Women's Ministry. I'm excited about it! I also want to do more with reaching out to my neighbors. I'm fixing to get some new neighbors and I want to start out right with meeting them and visiting with.
P - Lord, I want to put people first. Serving them, meeting their needs and telling them about You. Please let me stop and see the opportunities before me to help others. Let me loosen the grip on my own agenda and be more flexible when it comes to taking time for others.
S - Luke 9:47-48 "But Jesus, knowing [what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
O - I am learning a lot about leadership through this study. The giant theme I have picked out is priorities. Jesus was a great leader because He had His priorities in order. He has focussed on people and meeting their needs.
A - I let my agenda and my needs get in the way of helping people. Sometimes I just don't want to stop and take the time to talk or help. I want to retreat to my quiet house and just chill. God has given me a great opportunity at church to step out and help more through our Women's Ministry. I'm excited about it! I also want to do more with reaching out to my neighbors. I'm fixing to get some new neighbors and I want to start out right with meeting them and visiting with.
P - Lord, I want to put people first. Serving them, meeting their needs and telling them about You. Please let me stop and see the opportunities before me to help others. Let me loosen the grip on my own agenda and be more flexible when it comes to taking time for others.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 1, Day 3
Good Morning Girls!!!
S - Luke 9:25 "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?"
O - Jesus is enough. He's more than enough! He's all I need. I could have all the things I've ever dreamed of wanting...I could have skinny, smooth thighs and look good in shorts...I could be tan and have long, thick hair...I could be smart and answer everyone's question at work...I could have an immaculate house and always have friends over and entertain, BUT if am not totally in love with my Savior then everything else amounts to nothing.
A - Jesus puts his attention where it matters the most. Just like today's email says, He was in the process of getting away to have some solitude when suddenly all these people appear wanting to hear Him teach. Jesus did not send them away. He took time to teach them. If I am to lead as Jesus led, then I must take the time to help, teach, minister, etc. even when it interrupts my set agenda. All I need is Jesus, everything else can wait. How often do I do this? How often do I look at an interruption as a good thing? Not very. It's more of an inconvenience. If I want to think big, like yesterday talked about, then I've got to take time to see opportunities instead of viewing them as an annoyance.
P - Lord please change my heart to be in tune with You. Help me to sense when I need to stop and take time to investigate an opportunity a little farther. Whether it's stopping to chat with someone at work or taking the time to check in on a friend. Help me walk through out my day thinking about what You would put Your attention on.
S - Luke 9:25 "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?"
O - Jesus is enough. He's more than enough! He's all I need. I could have all the things I've ever dreamed of wanting...I could have skinny, smooth thighs and look good in shorts...I could be tan and have long, thick hair...I could be smart and answer everyone's question at work...I could have an immaculate house and always have friends over and entertain, BUT if am not totally in love with my Savior then everything else amounts to nothing.
A - Jesus puts his attention where it matters the most. Just like today's email says, He was in the process of getting away to have some solitude when suddenly all these people appear wanting to hear Him teach. Jesus did not send them away. He took time to teach them. If I am to lead as Jesus led, then I must take the time to help, teach, minister, etc. even when it interrupts my set agenda. All I need is Jesus, everything else can wait. How often do I do this? How often do I look at an interruption as a good thing? Not very. It's more of an inconvenience. If I want to think big, like yesterday talked about, then I've got to take time to see opportunities instead of viewing them as an annoyance.
P - Lord please change my heart to be in tune with You. Help me to sense when I need to stop and take time to investigate an opportunity a little farther. Whether it's stopping to chat with someone at work or taking the time to check in on a friend. Help me walk through out my day thinking about what You would put Your attention on.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Ginny LLJ - Week 1, Day 2
Good Afternoon Girls!!! I'm on the right scripture today! Got a little confused yesterday. Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!!!
S - Luke 9:13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”
O - Here Jesus has a crowd of people around Him and they are getting hungry. It's been a long day. The disciples come to Jesus and offer suggestions of possible remedies and Jesus answers back with - "Feed them." If I am to lead like Jesus led, then I can not limit the possibilities. The only solution the disciples saw was to send the people away to take care of finding their own meal. Jesus knew a better plan :)
A - Sometime I feel like my resources are limited or I am not qualified, but Jesus can still work with that. It just takes me having the faith to take the step & see what He does with it. One area I want to apply this to is in building relationships with other women. I can drag my feet in picking up the phone to call someone the Lord has laid on my heart or I hurry out the doors of church without making myself available for chit chat. I always give excuses...they've got a lot going on they won't have time to talk on the phone, or she has a husband & kids how can I even begin to relate to her. I want to get better at making myself available to encourage, support and putting effort into spending time with other women in my church and other female friends. The times I do it, I'm always glad I took the time to share & listen. I believe that God will use those relationships to stregthen us as sisters in Christ.
P - Lord I pray that You would move mightly among the women in my church and my other girlfriend relationships. I know You can do mighty things when we bond together and strengthen each other in Your name. I pray that I would not miss an opportunity or limit the possibilites to how I simple phone call or conversation can encourage and recharge a fellow sister in Christ and myself.
S - Luke 9:13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”
O - Here Jesus has a crowd of people around Him and they are getting hungry. It's been a long day. The disciples come to Jesus and offer suggestions of possible remedies and Jesus answers back with - "Feed them." If I am to lead like Jesus led, then I can not limit the possibilities. The only solution the disciples saw was to send the people away to take care of finding their own meal. Jesus knew a better plan :)
A - Sometime I feel like my resources are limited or I am not qualified, but Jesus can still work with that. It just takes me having the faith to take the step & see what He does with it. One area I want to apply this to is in building relationships with other women. I can drag my feet in picking up the phone to call someone the Lord has laid on my heart or I hurry out the doors of church without making myself available for chit chat. I always give excuses...they've got a lot going on they won't have time to talk on the phone, or she has a husband & kids how can I even begin to relate to her. I want to get better at making myself available to encourage, support and putting effort into spending time with other women in my church and other female friends. The times I do it, I'm always glad I took the time to share & listen. I believe that God will use those relationships to stregthen us as sisters in Christ.
P - Lord I pray that You would move mightly among the women in my church and my other girlfriend relationships. I know You can do mighty things when we bond together and strengthen each other in Your name. I pray that I would not miss an opportunity or limit the possibilites to how I simple phone call or conversation can encourage and recharge a fellow sister in Christ and myself.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 1, Day 1
Good evening Gals!!! So excited to be back blogging with y'all! I have missed this!
S - Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
O - When you read the title of this study..."Living like Jesus"...it can seem very overwhelming, almost unattainable. I can't even come close to living like Jesus. He was perfect. I am a far cry from perfect. Because this study can be a bit hard to swallow at first, I really appreciate the way Luke starts out this book. He already has calmed some of my anxiety and lets me know we are going to do this in small pieces. He's been watching and taking in everything, now he will write it down for us in a systematic way that we may understand. Thank you Luke!
A - The book of Luke is the story of Jesus, and whereas I have heard the stories of Jesus many times I don't want to pass through this study just skimming the surface. I want to learn something I didn't know before...or as Luke says in verse 4 "the exact truth about the things you have been taught." I want to get the most out of each day. Not rushing through it, but reflecting & thinking about what the Lord is saying in His Word.
P - Lord my prayer is that this study would be real and life-changing. That truth would shine forth in a way that I have never looked at it before. Please open my eyes, heart and mind to see & hear what You want me to learn.
S - Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
O - When you read the title of this study..."Living like Jesus"...it can seem very overwhelming, almost unattainable. I can't even come close to living like Jesus. He was perfect. I am a far cry from perfect. Because this study can be a bit hard to swallow at first, I really appreciate the way Luke starts out this book. He already has calmed some of my anxiety and lets me know we are going to do this in small pieces. He's been watching and taking in everything, now he will write it down for us in a systematic way that we may understand. Thank you Luke!
A - The book of Luke is the story of Jesus, and whereas I have heard the stories of Jesus many times I don't want to pass through this study just skimming the surface. I want to learn something I didn't know before...or as Luke says in verse 4 "the exact truth about the things you have been taught." I want to get the most out of each day. Not rushing through it, but reflecting & thinking about what the Lord is saying in His Word.
P - Lord my prayer is that this study would be real and life-changing. That truth would shine forth in a way that I have never looked at it before. Please open my eyes, heart and mind to see & hear what You want me to learn.
Leading LIke Jesus day 1 - Karlyn
It's good to be back!
S - Luke 9:6 Departing they began going throughout the villages preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Luke 9:5 and as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.
O - I got a feeling of urgency and intentionality when I read Luke 9:1-9. It felt almost like Jesus was saying OK you've seen my example now let's get to it there's not much time left. In verse 5 I think he's preparing them to not get caught up with those who just don't care because there will be plenty who do.
A - I need to take action when I know God wants me to minister to someone. I've had a lot of promptings lately and I'm just not hopping to it like he essentially told the disciples to do. It's also a good reminder for me to not get bogged down with those who don't care. I can still pray and minister to them but I don't let them stop me from ministering to someone who is listening!
P - God helpm e to stay focused. I've been so scattered. Take away distractions and time wasters and help me to use my time wisely so I can reach those who you put in my path.
S - Luke 9:6 Departing they began going throughout the villages preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Luke 9:5 and as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.
O - I got a feeling of urgency and intentionality when I read Luke 9:1-9. It felt almost like Jesus was saying OK you've seen my example now let's get to it there's not much time left. In verse 5 I think he's preparing them to not get caught up with those who just don't care because there will be plenty who do.
A - I need to take action when I know God wants me to minister to someone. I've had a lot of promptings lately and I'm just not hopping to it like he essentially told the disciples to do. It's also a good reminder for me to not get bogged down with those who don't care. I can still pray and minister to them but I don't let them stop me from ministering to someone who is listening!
P - God helpm e to stay focused. I've been so scattered. Take away distractions and time wasters and help me to use my time wisely so I can reach those who you put in my path.
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