You Are Loved ~ Week 8

The last week of “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls brings everything together… how we live! God loves us and calls us to love others in return, for others to learn about how much God loves them. The only way for others to learn this is through us living a life that will glorify God.

What kind of life will you lead?

“What kind of story are you going to write with your life? You are the one who will determine your reputation… will you chase after the world or will you chase after me (God)?
~ Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 8

We need to put others before us…

Loving others is not natural, it is supernatural! Becoming a great lover does not happen by accident. We can only leave a legacy of love if we decide to make it our goal and yield our egos and will to the Holy Spirit by practicing love as an act of our worship.
~ Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 8

Peter writes, out of his own experience, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8
He says that love covers not just one sin, but a whole multitude o sin. In other words, when we love our spouse, or our children, or our friends, we should cover a multitude of their sins – over and over and over – even as we hope they will do for us.
~ Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 8

Without love we are nothing, without love all that we do is for nothing… we need to hold onto what love truly is: patient, kind, not envious, does not boast, is not arrogant, nor rude, not resentful, nor rejoices if someone messes up – it rejoices with others and bears all things, is hope, endures all things. We find love in Christ Jesus who is all of these and more!

How will you share Him?

You Are Loved ~ Week 7

The “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls this week brings us to our Kingdom Work.

Photo credit: Brenda McCullers

We’re called to love others. Simple? Sometimes, but others – not so much – BUT God gives us everything we need to do just that LOVE!! Get this:

God’s love was initiated to us before we even knew to ask Him to help us.
Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 7

As we’ve been learning throughout this study He knows all about us and still loves us. Loved us before we could even love Him! Our past does not have to define us – don’t allow it to hold you back from God’ grace – forgive yourself too. Understand we’re able to loves others because He loves us first (See 1 John 4:19-21). He pursues us, providing love and all that we need… we need to return that to others. Remember its not about us – we can’t just go around loving ourselves, we’re called to love others. Even when its hard, He will equip you to love as he greatly desires, and the more we practice this – humble ourselves – the greater we’re able to continue in this forgiving way – loving others. (See 1 Peter 4:8)

Love is an obedient choice. When you choose to love others, that is the moment you are most like Jesus.

Love heals relationships.

Love is a salve to wounds.

Love is the beginning of friendship.

Love initiates.

Love inspires others.

Love comforts.

Love says, “You are worth knowing and I want to be friends with you.”

~Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 7

We can’t worry about how others receive our love either. It’s not up to us if/how someone receives or responds to our love – we’re just to continue to love. We need to remember others and that God calls us to put their needs before ours. (See John 15:12-13)

https://flic.kr/p/fMqhFX
(See John 13:34-35)

We’re to lean on the Spirit to direct us how to love others under all circumstances and He will provide exactly what we need. (See 1 John 3:16-24)

What steps can you take today, each day, to show love to others? Is there anyone specific that you need to reach out to? Give the person (people) a call, write an encouraging note, make a meal… do something as we’re never promised tomorrow!

Sharing Him,
HL

You Are Loved ~ Week 6

This week of the “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls we’re told You’re Invited! Can you guess to what… to do what?!? I’m excited to share:

Photo credit: Amy Taylor

Are you excited to? We’re invited to share Jesus with others so they can become co-heirs with us! It doesn’t matter who we are or what we do – we’re His, belonging to our great God!

Because of our relationship with Jesus, we already are somebody, a treasured and loved daughter to the King of kings (Romans 8:16-17), and Jesus has already equipped us for the task He is calling us to do (Hebrews 13:21).
~ Angela, You Are Loved, Chapter 6

And no, being God’s children does not make our life easy (Romans 8:16-17), we’ll still go through hard times, but we have the Holy Spirit to help us through. We’re invited to show Jesus’ love for others:

• Invite someone to church… I love the situation shared in chapter 6 that this simple act is all it took!
• Pray for/with someone
• Encourage others, be uplifiting
• Share what Christ has done for you to bring Him glory (Jeremiah 29:11)

Don’t for a second place a value on your life by what you see. What you are doing in your home with your kids, in your neighborhood and community, matters. Your walk with our Lord is important. How you choose to invest your life matters. Be women who plant simple seeds of faith in your homes, work places, and schools. Then trust God to water whose seeds and create a mighty harvest.
~ Angela, You Are Loved, Chapter 6

Don’t fret over how… our God of peace will prepare us to do every good thing He wants that is pleasing to Him. Al the glory belongs to Him.
We don’t need to try of our own will to complete anything, as God give us all we need. We just need to step out in faith that He will do so! (Hebrews 13:21)

We need to remember who we are: blessed, His bride and that nothing can separate us from Him! (Revelation 19:9)

Spend time in prayer to figure out the plans God has for you and how He wants to work through you to share with others

Sharing Him,
HL

You Are Loved ~ Week 5

Continuing through the “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls we are focusing on Trusting Him!

As we studied through
Psalm 84,
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 9:7-10
Romans 8:28-30
& John 10:27-30
we’re reminded that God made us, knows us, and controls all things!

He asks us to:

Photo Credit: Amy Taylor

We need to remember that God is our sun and shield and He grants favor and honor as He blesses those who trust in Him. God wants us to lean on Him – Him alone – not self, nor other people. I’ve come to think some of my disappointments in others come because I was leaning on them too much. I still find myself doing this and once again find myself alone to learn He is with me and He is the only one I need to and can trust fully. By fully trusting in Him I’m giving Him all the glory He desires of me. No this is not an easy task… being human can cause me to be unconscious of being selfish and not leaning on Him 😦 when I greatly need Him the most. He created us to be glory to Him.

That is the true purpose of our lives – to bring God glory (Matthew 5:16). This life is not about me, and it is not about you either. It is all about God and telling others about Him through the lives we have been blessed to live.
~ Angela, You Are Loved, Chapter 5

We need to consciously take time to look back on (keep a journal maybe) how God has been faithful in the past to help us to trust Him for the present and future! Take time each day to thank Him for being for us, with us, and in control of all things.

Trusting as best I can,
HL

You Are Loved ~ Week 4

Week 4 of the “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls we studied Scripture on how much God Loves You! We need to understand there is nothing we can do, except to accept His love by believing in Jesus and His death and resurrection, to gain His love. I used to look at God as the one who only disciplines, ready to strike me with lightning and send me to hell if/when I did something wrong. I feared this greatly and this perception truly ruined my relationship with Him for quite some time. As I continue to meditate on His Word I learn while He does discipline – it out of compassion, He already knows and accepts we’re weak. When we do mess up, we simple need to return to Him in repentance and ask forgiveness to get back to a right relationship with Him… to get back to obedience that He desires from us.

Angela reminds us so many times in different ways in Chapter 4 that You are loved… because you are His. She shares of a time of shame and rejection (in her own mind) from childhood that followed her into adulthood, that our great King helped her to understand He is great in our weaknesses and you don’t have to be perfect to be perfectly loved by God. I love that – we’re perfectly loved by God!

Holley Gerth – Perfectly Loved – Christian Journal

Here’s more truth…

The secret to God’s working powerfully through you is not your abilities, but God’s. It is His power working through you that makes all the difference. We simply have to say yes to His call and daily seek to walk with Him, not looking to the right or the left, but keeping our eyes focused on Him. He will lead us. He will guide us.

…Release the heavy burden of perfection and live in the love and grace Jesus freely offers to you (Matthew 11:30).

~ Angela, You Are Loved Chapter 4

God uses thorns in our lives to keep us humble and close to Him. Stop listening the lies our enemy is trying so greatly to take us away from pleasing God. Meditate on His Word and He’ll be your strength!

This week we drew closer to knowing that God Loves us by meditating on Romans 5:6-11, Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:6-10, 1 John 4:10-12, and Hebrews 4:15-16.
Helping me to understand that God sent Christ to die for us while we still sinners, His great love for us is shown here!

Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you, remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him. If God loved you when you were a rebel, He can surely strengthen you, now that you love Him in return.
~ Life Application Note – Romans 5:5,6

There is nothing here that shares we need to get our act together first… He loves us just as we are. And as we grow in relationship closer with Him our actions change and become more like Christ over time. Yes, we’ll still make mistakes, but we’re His children and He loves us greatly! Although we do need to understand that sin and following the ways of this world separate us from God and deserves God’s wrath – but He is a God of compassion and mercy that we need to be grateful for. We can go to God in confidence knowing that Jesus understands our trials and temptations. He expects us to come to Him in times of need and wants to help us.

What in your life helps you understand just how much God loves you?

You Are Loved ~ Week 3

During week 3 of the “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls we discussed The Rival – Satan wanting to steal our joy and try to pull us away from knowing just how much God loves us! We have to intentionally read and meditate on God’s Word to overcome Satan. He tries many things to bring us down, he’s sneaky, deceitful and conniving. Make sure to put on the full armor of God daily to stand firm against Satan’s schemes… no this is not always easy, but it’s necessary. And understand that no matter what, if you’re God’s child, God loves you – don’t allow Satan to steal that truth away from you.

The truth is, you will never have to perform for God, because His love for you is endless, infinite, constant and abundant once you put your faith in Him.
~ Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 3

Did you get that, really get it? Read that part again, God’s love is endless, infinite, constant… !

Replace any negative thoughts with truth from Scripture to overcome the enemy. That’s what satan is, our enemy out to get us to live in the flesh and not of the Spirit.

All you have to do is reject his lies and live into the truth and strong foundations of love that God has communicated to you in scripture! There will always be a spiritual battle going on in your heart, because Satan come to steal your faith and confidence.
~ Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 3

I’ve gone through several times of depression and hard times that the enemy has had me defeated. I’m so thankful for God’s patience and loving hand to guide me back to Him and pull out of the pit! Yes, I’m unworthy of His love… but God loves me anyway! I constantly need to remind myself of who He says I am: His child, friend, beloved, accepted, secure, significant… the list goes on and on – I carry this list in my Bible and refer to it often!

https://flic.kr/p/o3WbtU

 This week we journeyed through many Scriptures to help us and blog posts from GMG:

Blog Post: You Are Loved – Week 3: The Rival… with video

1 Peter 5:8
O/A: Be self-controlled and alert (on guard) to all that is around as the devil prowls around like a lion looking to devour someone.
We’re to resist the devil and know that we are not alone as other believers go through the same things.

P: Father God,
Thank You for Your Word, direction and peace that helps me through each day. I pray to be alert, having the self-control, clear mind, and strength to resist the devil and his schemes against me. I lift up other believers to carry themselves as You desire to resist the devil as well.

Blog post: A Personal Message from the You Are Loved Contributors… with video!!

Revelation 12:10-12
SOAP v10
O: Salvation, strength, and the kingdom of our God with the power of Christ have come for satan who accused our brethren to cast him down. They overcame satan by the blood of the Lamb, by their testimony, and they didn’t love their lives to death. Rejoice… woe to earth and sea. Satan does not have much time.

A: Rejoice satan has been cast down. Be on guard, as he still comes around with great wrath because he knows he doesn’t have much time here on earth.

Blog Post: No Condemnation…

Romans 8:1

Our sin nature is not what we live by any longer as children of God. Jesus died for us, taking on condemnation … therefore we now live by our spiritual nature with the Holy Spirit’s guidance to meet God’s standards.

A: We cannot rely on our own flesh to guide us, we must lean on the Lord to resist the devil.

1 Peter 2:9
We are God’s chosen people to tell about God’s excellent qualities because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!

A: YouVersion devo: we belong to God and should find our identity in Him.

And closing up this weeks blog post: The Great Deceiver

Lamentations 3:22, 23
God’s compassion is never limited, not wiping out the human race … He had mercy upon us. His mercy is new every morning and His faithfulness is great.

A: Do not doubt God’s great love for you.

Most importantly, this one things jumped out to me…

Do you understand that loving yourself is a part of your spiritual worship?
~ Sally, You Are Loved, Chapter 3

What can you do today, everyday… to overcome the enemy?

You Are Loved ~ Week 2

Week 2 of the “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls was all about knowing God! We learned that God gives us the desire to know about Him. Once we have the desire to know about Him, we live our lives for Him…

We would be willing to let go of our quest for “finding ourselves” and truly focus on knowing Him.
-Angela, You Are Loved, Chapter 2

instead of observing Him from afar. Read through chapter 2 to learn the

5 Ways to Get to Know Jesus

The Love of Christ grows our desire to Know Him more as well.

Be sure to visit GMG for their sharing this week and the video in the first post:

• You Are Loved
• He Gives Us a Heart to Know Him
• When Doubt Comes…

We journeyed this week through Ephesians 1:17-19; Colossians 1:9-14; Jeremiah 24:6-7; 1 John 5:20 and Jeremiah 31:33-34 where I learned that it’s better to have a deeper relationship with God by reading His Word to be able to go to Him confidently and live in a way that is pleasing to Him so that we’ll have eternal life with Him! And if a time comes that we just don’t quite get something we only need to ask for understanding and in God’s timing it will come.

 

You Are Loved ~ Wk1 Day 5

We’re finishing up week 1 with the “You Are Loved” study with Good Morning Girls! Please make sure that you stop by GoodMorningGirls.org to read today’s post We Are Loved by Jen Thorn.

Friday’s Reading/SOAP
Psalm 86:15

¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God.
    You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

¹⁵ But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

New International Version (NIV)

O: Our Lord is compassionate and merciful! He is patient, always faithful and forgiving.

A: God is so giving, full of love, compassion and patience… much more then we can even imagine. He is the only One that can be this way, accept it as He so greatly wants us to! Christ is our example of this!

P: Father God, thank You for giving us Your Word, allowing us to try to understand how compassionate and loving You are. Thank You for being patient, slow to anger… Thank you for helping us to understand how You desire for us to act…

I feel like there should be more to share… but words are not coming to me 😦
Here’s another perspective I’m so glad I follow… agreeing with her in prayer, amen!

Walking in Love,