Good morning Princesses,
Some exciting information below regarding our upcoming video chat and next week details will be forthcoming about our 2018-19 Bible Study season (psst..., we start our new season September 2018!)
1. Our NEXT VIDEO CHAT!- Details Below...Hope you can join us
Summer Book Study Video Chat #2 -
Tuesday, August 14th @ 6:00 -7:30 pm
(Strategies 4-7), Pages 71-132
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/523792217
Meeting ID: 523 792 217
Or iPhone one-tap :US: +16699006833,,523792217# or +16465588656,,523792217#
Or Telephone:
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 646 558 8656
2. Our Purity ~ Inner Strength
How's the summer reading going? We are two-thirds into our summer study and boy is it good! Not sure about you, but the internal struggle is an area that we sometimes slack on because it's an area that no one sees. After all, the outward appearance is what people see, but as we know God does not look at the outer appearance, He focuses on our heart.
“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
While many times we read this verse we might be reminded of the story of David and Samuel's visit to Jesse's house in search of the next king of Israel. However, as I came across this verse recently, I was reminded that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Meaning, at a glance our outward appearance can portray a "put together" person, while the inside displays our endless season of war. Keeping up appearances for the sake of keeping up appearances. Better yet, keeping up appearances for people can be downright exhausting!
The point is that our God, our Father, sees all. He knew who we were even before we knew who we were. Try saying that 10 times! Oh, how He loves us and He knows that our life with Him is and will always be so much more rewarding and fulfilling beyond what we could ever think or imagine.
~ The Missing Piece of Armor ~
One sure way to relieve this exhaustive cycle of appearance practice is to ensure that you are wearing the right armor, the right clothes. Do you have your breastplate on? Remember that "breastplate of righteousness"? As described by Paul in Ephesians 6:14 the breastplate protect a major internal organ- the heart. When we wear our Father's Armor and pray fervently things start to become a little clearer. Our right living, our purity, our recognition that our life is not our own, that all roads lead to Christ becomes our major focus. We no longer focus on conforming to ways of this world but begin to understand that our heart transformation is about so much more. More, oh yes, into the image of Christ.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As our lives grow more and more conformed to the image of Christ our choices, our right living becomes more focused on Christ. Our energy to keep up appearances for people lessens while begin to build confidence, courage, and understanding that living for Christ is the only appearance that truly counts.
Proverbs 8:20
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
Psalm 23:3
...He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Is your armor on? All of it? Is it in place and properly secured? Protect your heart and continue to fervently pray. God's spirit lives in you and I. God's got you and that's victory!
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
4. Confronting Your Worries, Claiming Your Calling
5. Staying Strong in Your Most Susceptible Places
(running time 8:06 minutes)
Oh, princesses of faith...remember
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give."
Closing Thoughts-
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
· do things you couldn't;
· feel things you didn't; and
· know things you wouldn't.
GO! PLAYLIST...For your praise and worship:
GO! 8/13/18- New feature, contains a playlist of songs and Books of the Bible (from Bible Project) for your praise and worship time.
Housekeeping:
· Online chat- Tuesday, August 14th. See above!
Summer reading is underway!
Have you started the summer reading yet? If not, it's not too late! Below is the August 2018 schedule:
~~ August 2018 Reading Sections (Strategies 8-10)=> Pages 133-190 ~ Online Call=> Sunday September 9th
Please spread the word as you may know someone else who would like to join us reading this summer. Happy reading!
Fervent, A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve and GO! Krista