Digital Project Life | Week Six


I'm gonna do my very best to keep the words minimal this week.
Mainly because I need to get caught up, also there are heavy winds and severe thunder storm warnings for the rest of the evening.  No big deal, we do live in OK.



Week Eight Homework | James Mercy Triumphs



Session Eight


Beth Moore Quotes:
God alone could have such faith in His indwelling Spirit to entrust humanity with the torch of the gospel.

Noone on earth recieved more divine insight that Peter regarding the rebuilding plan of a dwelling place for God's presence, a place where stone would be once again stacked upon stone.
To Christ's great credit, we did not quit!


Reflections:

According to 1 Corinthians 9:20: Paul said, I myself am not under the law - but to win those under the law. Same as I become like a Jew to win the Jews.
You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. You also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
God watches for someone willing to bring a lost soul back. Dignity, covering them with love.
Right now, in my own personal life. I do have family and friends that are in need of someone to show them how the Lord really wants to interven in their lives. That someone may not be me. Like Beth says, if your help isn't helping, then pray for someone to cross their path that can help them! That statement really spoke to me, making me realize that yet again, I am reminded the battle is not mine! I so need to get better at that.

Nehemiah 9:20-22 msg You gave them your good Spirit
to teach them to live wisely. You never stinted with your manna,
gave them plenty of water to drink. You supported them forty years in that desert;
they had everything they needed; Their clothes didn't wear out
and their feet never blistered. You gave them kingdoms and peoples,
establishing generous boundaries.

I don't know about you, but I am so thankful God is a God that gives generously!

I have to tell about a book I recently read... Boundaries ... looking for a better understanding of boundaries and exactly what it means to live within boundaries.  This is it.  I really enjoyed the authors fresh biblical approach to how and when to say yes and when to say no!

So fellow sojourner, what happens next... with you? I hope to have a heart filled with faith and expectancy when I ask God for wisdom, knowing that He delights to give it. I hope to resist the magnetic pull of this temporal world to shrink my life into a wilting wildflower in a dying meadow. I want to live for what endures. I want to live for Jesus. I want my life to reflect that how I live is what I believe, and what I believe is how I live. Period.


Remember:
1 Peter 2:5 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.
Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them.


Homework:
Read Acts 21:20-25 and watch what happened next in the narrative. In the margin briefly record what James and the elders requested from Paul.   I'm gonna go ahead and post the scriptures being this question was so loaded with numerous answers.....20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”  pg 189

Would you look up Acts 7:56 and record what Stephen said? I see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! pg 195

What did Jesus specifically prophesy in Luke 19:43-44?  The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”  pg 199

What two-word term did Peter give to believers in Christ in 1 Peter 2:5? You yourselves, as .... living stones, are being built into a spiritual house  pg. 203

Write the scripture reference and the concept that stood out to you most and , as much as space allows, why it resonated. I personally just went by memory here and jotted down the verses that I already new but truly -every time I read them on my tattered notecards they speak truth into my heart -every time! pg 209

James 1 - vs. 3 James 2- vs. 13 James 3- vs. 3 James 4- vs. 7 James 5- vs. 13

James life- I admire his willing to surround himself with other believers, yet stuck firm to his belief system. Non-wavering and truly lived it out!


The where's and what's about this study. 
Where:  9am Ladies Sunday School class. If you live locally I would
love to see you there. Miracles of Love Community Church Claremore OK 74017.  I will post an update for blog readers and regular attenders that simply want to keep motivated throughout the week during homework.



What: I have been involved with ladies group
study for over ten years. Love the word of God and pray my enthusiasm for the
scriptures will splash into the lives of others. This blog started in 2009 as an attempt to communicate with my 'small group table' throughout the week and has became so much more. So throughout the week I will post at least once about the homework. You are welcome to leave a comment anytime and link up, share thoughts or ask questions.. I'll do my best to answer. Main thing girls is to have a blast in the Word! Let it speak directly to your heart, as it speaks differently to all of us due to our own personal journey.

Week Seven Homework | James Mercy Triumphs



Session Seven


Beth Moore Quotes:
God knows how everything will turn out. And, for every single person who belongs to HIm, it turns out well. We are not the exceptions.
If were willing, God is our song when we are happy, our escape when we are tempted, our hope when we're despairing, our joy in tribulation, our strength in weakness, and our immortality in dying. Ultimately, He Himself is our health.
A pair of hands clasped in earnest prayer is the best means we have this side of heaven to hang onto Jesus for dear life.
Sometimes it takes more faith to feel forgiven than it does to feel healed.

Reflections:
Between the Rains.... These three little words spoke volumes to me. Isn't it so true. Life just works that way. My current season is one of patience and endurance. Ironically, according to James our protagonist, endurance must do its complete work.
According to Romans 8:28 every single one of us are called to serve in some way. However, if you flood a crop, it won't come up. A season that follows of testing, act of doing.
Accept the beauty of the process. Beautiful thing because it its the Lord's way. His timing, perfect timing, not mine. I have found it to be the hard truth, but when I assume to think I'm ready for something sure enough it's the exact opposite. One of the hardest truths for me to realize was that God cares about me and wants me to succeed. I have to submit to his ways and trust him during the process of preparation. I had to admit, I'm not ready. There is a reason for everything and leave it at that. I believe the Lord will guide me to where he wants me ..when he is good and ready to. Its the truth, When I prayerfully, and I mean really prayerfully, consider decisions in my life combined with trusting him for an answer in turn handing my petition over to him. I have discovered the pouring out of blessings and answered prayers. Go ahead and do the process broken and be used mightily. I type these words to reassure you, this is truly God's way and it works. Similar to what I tell the kids when they are doing school work. "Focus on what you know, not what you don't know."
Ignite fresh resolve through the stories of others. We all have the making of a good story. Embrace life's journey and turn it into a marvelous story to help others. It's called my testimony and there is not another the exact same as mine. I was meant to do all I have done, go through all I have gone through, to tell it to others, not to keep it to myself.

Remember:
Romans 8:28  We know that in all things- God works for the good of those who love him.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.
1 John 3:18 Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Homework: 
What does Lev 19:13 say? Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. pg 158


What exactly was the outcome from the Lord {James 5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.} according to (Job 42:12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.)  pg 167

How does Hebrews 6:13 say God is unique regarding oaths? When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself!  He's not only the first. He's also the last. He's not just the beginning. He's also the end. No one is above Him and , below Him, all will bow. Imagine existing for an eternity and never running into a single soul who can outdo you. No one is greater. No higher name by which to swear.  page 168

Is anyone cheerful? He should sing. pg 175

Exactly what did Asa do to displease the Lord? Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.  2 Chronicles 16:12  pg 179


The where's and what's about this study. 
Where:  9am Ladies Sunday School class. If you live locally I would
love to see you there. Miracles of Love Community Church Claremore OK 74017.  I will post an update for blog readers and regular attenders that simply want to keep motivated throughout the week during homework.



What: I have been involved with ladies group
study for over ten years. Love the word of God and pray my enthusiasm for the
scriptures will splash into the lives of others. This blog started in 2009 as an attempt to communicate with my 'small group table' throughout the week and has became so much more. So throughout the week I will post at least once about the homework. You are welcome to leave a comment anytime and link up, share thoughts or ask questions.. I'll do my best to answer. Main thing girls is to have a blast in the Word! Let it speak directly to your heart, as it speaks differently to all of us due to our own personal journey.

Week Six Homework | James Mercy Triumphs



Session Six

Beth Moore Quotes:

The enduring message of James is that authentic faith cannot help but act; therefore, Abraham believed God and it was demonstrated in his obedience.
Face to Face or Presence to Presence, intimacy with Christ only comes intentionally.
Be deliberate in what you resist and what you draw near. But he gives greater grace.. submerge yourself in those five words like a pitcher tipped and sinking to the bottom of the spring surrendering to the weight of the water.  Faithfulness means all the things we think it does: loyalty, trustworthiness, attentiveness. faithful also means faith to the full.

Reflections:
Jesus is still flagrantly changing lives....

All I can say in response to this lesson is WOW.  What hard truth.  Really made me prayerfully consider missed opportunities in my life.  Opportunities I mean, that would really, truly, affect others.  I'm not talking drama, I'm saying, Really give of myself into the lives of others.  And not lives of others I have to go hunt for:  the lives of others I frequently pass with just a hello.  I have realized: Yes! I do need to do more.  What about you?

As a believer: I must realize there really are real people doing the real thing all over the world.... do I do - what i can - to do my part?  This is know: I need to do even better.
 
[cynic: a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.]

1] always a sign of unbelief 2] form of brokenness
Do we think the scripture means nothing when it says......
Pride goes before destruction.

prov 16:18 18

Beware of destroying one another. gal 5:15

So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them. Luke 8:17

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. Heb 12:6-8

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Rom 3:23

Often our motives are neither completely pure nor impure. They're such a concoction of the two that we don't know where one leaves off and the other begins. God does, and I'm so glad He does. Nothing has the capacity to keep us out of trouble like the certainty of God's gaze piercing through all our pretense in the heart of our desires. Only He can sort out the blur of our motives. Let's have the guts to ask Him what's in our hearts and, when He reveals it, die to the self gratification and live for the greater glory That's when the attic door to the throne room of God will fall open and answered prayers will tumble out like boxed up treasures. page 133

WHAT IF? pg 153


-we understood down to the morrow of our bones that His is the only plan that really does end up prospering us?

-we really believed Jesus when He said that those who insist on finding their own lives will lose them and those who lose them for His sake will find them?

-we really believed that, if we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness, everything else of true value would be given to us, too?


-we really believed that He did not even spare His own son but offered him up for us all, how will he not also with him grant us everything.?

-we really believed that godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come?

{WE REALLY BELIEVED THAT GOD IS NOT ONLY GREAT, HE IS GOOD?}
Remember

Watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:15
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23

Homework: Week Five

According to James 4:3, what is another reason we might harbor an unmet desire?
wrong motives. spending selfishly on myself.
page 133

James 2:23 friend of god ._______________. James 4:4 friend of the world page 134

What is the distinguishing mark of friendship between Christ and His disciples according to John 15:15?
I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. You did not choose me but I chose you.

Christlike love = friendship. vs. 12 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. This is why Christ says ::We are his friends....I am his friend....You are his friend:: The unspeakably high
privilege of friendship with God makes a person humble and friendship with the world makes a person proud. The former He graces. The latter He opposes. Can you think of anything in this world scarier than standing opposite of God? Me neither. page 137

What light does Matthew 16:23 shed on Satan's schemes to frustrate our walk with Christ? He is a stumbling block. but we have the authority in Christ to stand against him. get behind me! page 143

To make sure we got a major point from Romans 2:2, what do we know about God's judgement? based on the truth.page 146

Similarities between
Ps 39:4-8

4 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere hand breadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.

6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.

7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
James 4:13-17

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.  page 151

Join the discussion about this study. Comments always welcome.

The where's and what's about this study. 
Where:  9am Ladies Sunday School class. If you live locally I would
love to see you there. Miracles of Love Community Church Claremore OK 74017.  I will post an update for blog readers and regular attenders that simply want to keep motivated throughout the week during homework.


What: I have been involved with ladies group
study for over ten years. Love the word of God and pray my enthusiasm for the
scriptures will splash into the lives of others. This blog started in 2009 as an attempt to communicate with my 'small group table' throughout the week and has became so much more. So throughout the week I will post at least once about the homework. You are welcome to leave a comment anytime and link up, share thoughts or ask questions.. I'll do my best to answer. Main thing girls is to have a blast in the Word! Let it speak directly to your heart, as it speaks differently to all of us due to our own personal journey.

Digital Project Life | Week Five




It simply amazes me how fast life goes by.... how just in.... One day my mood can change to a heavy heart....how just in.... One moment my heavy heart can turn into peace and joy.

Recently we watched the family movie Simon Birch.  Ruger put on my reading glasses as to look like Simon.


Week Five Homework | James Mercy Triumphs




Session Five

Beth Moore Quotes:
Faith is meant to do some good.
If you don't believe you won't live it.
To live the Good Life is to Live a Life that bears fruit... fruit that is everlasting.
If one thinks their free to live continually an completely absent of all signs of Christ Spirit in us,
something is dead wrong.
Be careful not to speak empty blessings to others, those words are simply...
a statement that is reprehensible, but functioning as a religious cover for the failure to act.
OUCH! Yep, that hit a nerve.

Reflections:
What is the "Good Life?" James 3:14
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

One that saves us from ourselves.

Insecurity is when your own mind turns against you.
What does one full of mercy look like?
James 5:11 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
In order to be merciful we must first be compassionate.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Be willing to YIELD.
Forgiveness is an act of yielding.
Words = Speaking less
Hearing = Listening more
Listening = Being quick to act
Being Humble = Always praying
Sometimes the things the Lord asks us to do are the hardest things to yield to.
Which almost always includes giving up something.

Remember:
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Homework: Week four
page 100



According to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-10, what is the relationship between faith and works?
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

There it is... TRUTH
We are chosen
We have been given a gift
We are God's handiwork
We are created in Jesus to do good works for Him
We have been given a plan to follow in order to perform good works

page 105
List everything works accomplish according to James 2:24.

24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
We will be blessed by what we do not what we believe?

22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
That girls is your answer to what exactly works accomplish...
faith + actions = complete
James said in verse 22, Abraham's faith was perfected by works.
page 110
Complete 2 Timothy 4:5 But...
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
page 114
Glance at James 3:6 again in your own Bible. What is the source of the tongue's fire?
_ hell _ in-laws _ the pit _ human depravity

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

page 123
Wisdom from above probably comes from James 3:17. Draw a circle around the first three descriptions and a square around each of the remaining descriptions.


James artfully and brilliantly etched these words on the page so that when they were read aloud, their glorious assonance would ring in their emphasis like a golden bell. The words circled all begin with an "e" in Greek. The words you squared all begin with an a. The words read aloud would have rang like "a" choir to the ears of the receiver.

Join the discussion about this study. Comments always welcome.

The where's and what's about this study. 
Where:  9am Ladies Sunday School class. If you live locally I would
love to see you there. Miracles of Love Community Church Claremore OK 74017.  I will post an update for blog readers and regular attenders that simply want to keep motivated throughout the week during homework.


What: I have been involved with ladies group
study for over ten years. Love the word of God and pray my enthusiasm for the
scriptures will splash into the lives of others. This blog started in 2009 as an attempt to communicate with my 'small group table' throughout the week and has became so much more. So throughout the week I will post at least once about the homework. You are welcome to leave a comment anytime and link up, share thoughts or ask questions.. I'll do my best to answer. Main thing girls is to have a blast in the Word! Let it speak directly to your heart, as it speaks differently to all of us due to our own personal journey.

Digital Project Life | Week Four + A Freebie



Yeah! Literally jumping up and down as I type! *clapping hands- hmmmm.  AND moving on....
Week four finished.  I even managed to make a giveaway.   It's been a crazy week, I have had PS open on my laptop everyday working on this spread. 
I must say every week I love this project more and more. 
Not only do I love it more....I appreciate life's moments more.
Memories that count no matter how large or small they may seem.
Jeff thinks my 'click-click' moments are {overkill}.  But always appreciates the results.
Remember the little things, cause one day they may become big things.
Isn't this true for even the best of us memory keepers?


I almost didn't include the scrabble board snapshot.  I was gonna put it in our homeschool adventures only.  I had a cool idea (well I think it's a cool idea)  to make a scrabble board journal card.  Not the board alone...O No! It must be complete with the scrabble tiles and all.

well. 

Believe me it wasn't as easy as the idea in my head.  After starting it ...
I was determined to finish it.  A few tries,  I had a board.  I had a journal card and some letter tiles.
Scrabble style journaling reads.. we dig super scrabble and reading.


All smiles.
you make me smile.
love. love that saying.
so true.

This week I had two inserts.. one 4 x12 and the second 6 x 12. I felt both stories needed a separate space.  The boys take guitar lessons on Wednesday nights. Jeff included. The other insert for this week was snapshots of the boys helping me shop at the market. We had dropped sissy off for dance class and only had an hour to get what we had to get. So each boy split my list and grabbed a hand basket and off they went.

I'm giving away my scrabble journal card and letter tiles.......they aren't set in place like shown in the preview.... all 26 tiles are seperate .png letters for you to create your very own scrabble 'word' board.


DOWNLOAD NOW
I would love to see what you do with it. 
~Melanie