Just two more weeks!

Then I won't feel so guilty for not getting these posts up on time.  :-/  What can I say, other than it's been a rough few weeks for me.  I can't really talk much about it but I'm going through a bit of a rough patch.

And I was all set to post last night and save it when lo and behold, a stray cat bounded into our living room!!  It was cold and rainy outside so I can't say I blame him.  Needless to say it caused a bit of a ruckus around here...now our kids want to adopt the cat.  I am a little hesitant, but we'll see.  Deep down I'm just a big softie so I'm sure I'll be won over eventually.

Anyway...this week we are reading about "Self-Control" ...something I need to work on for sure!

2 Peter 1:3-8

New International Version (NIV)

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

 ³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Day 1: INITIAL READ/CONTEXT
With an expectant heart, read this week’s passage. Keep a pen and your journal handy. On this initial read, simply write down anything that jumps off the page and ministers to your own heart.
If you are unfamiliar with the passage, look into the context of the verses. Why were these words written? By whom, to whom?
Read the passage again. This time write down any questions you may have about the passage.
The purpose of the initial read is to get familiar with the text, not to answer all of your questions.

My head is spinning!!

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We were out of internet for a while...but I've been doing well at getting up on time.  I am going back to scheduling posts since I can't ever seem to remember to bring my laptop into the living room.  I am afraid to wake up my husband (and son who sneaks into our bed at night!).  They need their rest and let's face it, Momma needs her quiet time!!

Advent started this past Sunday so my Abiding Fruit study has taken a bit of a backseat.  I am still doing a Bible study and wouldn't ya know, one of the first study verses is the Galatians verse we studied earlier!  If I remember I'll go find those questions, they were doozies!

I want to know how I can pray for you...so please let me know.  Courtney from Women Living Well wrote a post on The Better Mom yesterday about how to keep Jesus the focus of your holiday season.  I SO need prayers about that.  I tend to stress.

Well we had a rough morning, and so I need to rush out the door and bring my oldest her lunch at school.  This should nominate me for Mother of the Year for sure.  Forgetting lunches and yesterday I forgot my younger girl's coat!!  Fantastic.

Hope y'all have a wonderful morning and a great day.  I'll schedule the posts for next week so they are up on time!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm afraid to say...this week will be sporadic too.  I decided to paint my dining room, and have been cutting my study time a wee bit short so I would be able to finish before we go out of town today.  It's red, so it required three coats.  But I did (finally) finish!!

I hope each and every one of you are feeling as blessed as I am this week.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope you continue on with the study of faithfulness (I will be--just in a place without internet! gasp!!).

One last thing.  I know you probably all read Ann Voskamp's lovely blog.  If you don't...please please please rush to that link and soak up her beautiful messages.  She wrote a book called One Thousand Gifts, and it is wonderful.  Perfect reading this time of year (or any time of year).  There is an iPhone/Android app for her book, so if you don't want to write your own gifts you can use your phone to keep track.  It is so neat!!  I think you will all enjoy her blog so I just wanted to mention it today.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Faithfulness, Day 1

This week, up until Wednesday, I won't have any kids around (they are at my in-laws) and so it will be easier to come back here and comment!  Woo hoo!  This week's verses are about faithfulness.

Hebrews 10:19-25

New International Version (NIV)

A Call to Persevere in Faith

 ¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:35-39

New International Version (NIV)

³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

 ³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For,

   “In just a little while,
   he who is coming will come
   and will not delay.”^[a]

 ³⁸ And,

   “But my righteous^[b] one will live by faith.
   And I take no pleasure
   in the one who shrinks back.”^[c]

 ³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Day 1: INITIAL READ/CONTEXT
With an expectant heart, read this week’s passage. Keep a pen and your journal handy. On this
initial read, simply write down anything that jumps off the page and ministers to your own heart.
If you are unfamiliar with the passage, look into the context of the verses. Why were these words
written? By whom, to whom?
Read the passage again. This time write down any questions you may have about the passage.
The purpose of the initial read is to get familiar with the text, not to answer all of your questions.


Hope y'all have a wonderful day today!

Goodness Day (2 and) 3

I got behind again yesterday, and this will have to be fast since I'm behind again today.  My parents and in-laws are coming tomorrow (!!!) and my husband is out of town for work.  Stress!  I have been praying (it's the only thing that keeps me sane) but haven't had as much time for study the past couple of days.

We are still on Proverbs 31:10-31


Day 2: TRUTHS
Lies fill our world and seep into our homes. If we don’t know His truths then lies will
take us captive. Lies have taken me captive. If lies bind us, we doubt God’s love and
question His faithfulness when difficulties arise. If lies fill our minds, we define God’s
character based upon our circumstance rather than based upon His revelation. We must
maintain an arsenal of truths in our hearts and souls in order to combat lies. - Savoring
Living Water
With your journal and pen ready, look for specific TRUTHS in this week’s text. Read the
passage three times, each time answering one of the following questions:
• What does this passage teach about God?
• What does this passage teach about the author?
• What can I learn about who I am in Christ?
As you find truths, list them in your journal. Consider making a master list of all you learn
through your studies about the Holy Spirit, the fruit that comes as you keep in step with the Spirit
of God, and what is true of those who are in Christ.


Day 3: PROMISES
At times He speaks conditional promises, meaning they will only be experienced when
a condition is met. For example, He promises to guard our hearts and minds with peace
as we lay all of our anxious thoughts before Him with prayer and thanksgiving. (Phil.
4:6-7) Peace comes after we come to Him.
Other times He gives unconditional promises, meaning that they will happen
regardless. For example He promises to never leave or forsake His children. Never.
Once His, He will not leave us. We may try to walk away from Him, but He remains
our Father. He promises. - Savoring Living Water
Today read your passage while looking for PROMISES. Remember to note whether a promise
is conditional or unconditional.
• What is promised to me in this passage?
• Are these promises conditional or unconditional?
• If conditional, what does He require for the promise to be fulfilled?

I'll try to come back later and comment.  Know that I am praying for all of you regardless of whether I get back here and comment.  I still read them and add your requests to my 'prayer list'... :)

Goodness.

Goodness...meaning 1) MY GOODNESS what a couple of weeks I have had.  I have fallen way behind, and 2) Goodness is the study topic this week.

Another one of my favorite verses is on the table this week: Proverbs 31:10-31.

It was actually one of the readings at church yesterday!  How coincidental (or not *wink*).


Day 1: INITIAL READ/CONTEXT
With an expectant heart, read this week’s passage. Keep a pen and your journal handy. On this
initial read, simply write down anything that jumps off the page and ministers to your own heart.
If you are unfamiliar with the passage, look into the context of the verses. Why were these words
written? By whom, to whom?
Read the passage again. This time write down any questions you may have about the passage.
The purpose of the initial read is to get familiar with the text, not to answer all of your questions.

How was your week last week?  What impressions does this verse give you?  Is there any way I can pray for you this week?  Your family?  May God bless our efforts--and my efforts to get back on track!!

Patience, Day 1

First off, I want to THANK YOU all for your incredible patience with me...I am so behind that even today this post is late.  I'm so sorry!

This week's subject is patience.

1 Samuel 1:1-18

New International Version (NIV)

1 Samuel 1

The Birth of Samuel

 ¹ There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite^[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ² He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. ³ Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD. ⁴ Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. ⁵ But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. ⁶ Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. ⁷ This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. ⁸ Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
 ⁹ Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s house. ¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
 ¹² As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
 ¹⁵ “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. ¹⁶ Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
 ¹⁷ Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
 ¹⁸ She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Samuel 1:1 See Septuagint and 1 Chron. 6:26-27,33-35; or from Ramathaim Zuphim.

Day 1: INITIAL READ/CONTEXT

With an expectant heart, read this week’s passage. Keep a pen and your journal handy. On this

initial read, simply write down anything that jumps off the page and ministers to your own heart.

If you are unfamiliar with the passage, look into the context of the verses. Why were these words

written? By whom, to whom?

Read the passage again. This time write down any questions you may have about the passage.

The purpose of the initial read is to get familiar with the text, not to answer all of your questions.