Staying in Love

Marriage Theme: Staying in Love 

Matthew 19: 6

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Many of us can look back on our wedding day and smile and remember how excited we were or how nervous we were. We even sometimes get nostalgic about it as we walk down memory lane. But sometimes through the years after many difficult storms the giggles & smiles have often faded. And we wonder what happened? Secretly inside we long to feel that rush of excitement we had on our special day but we just can’t seem to spark it. We can get discourage or become complacent in our marriage watching it grow stale day by day.

All marriages require nourishment and care daily. We can’t just leave it hanging while focusing on everything else. It is our first what I like to call “Ministry Garden”, that has to be tended. I like to keep house plants. By no means am I a gardener nor do I have a green thumb. But what I have learned from watching my grandmother years ago is that plants need regular attention. You have to water, pinch leaves, cut back, give it food, turn over soil and often repot to prevent roots from becoming bound. So does our marriages they need attention. Daily attention in fact.

I thought about it for a while and decided that our theme for the rest of this year at least will be “Staying in Love. I will be sharing what I am learning with everyone. Let’s call it our mini devotional. I am not going to say I’ll be doing it daily but as I gather information I will share what I learn. 

The first book I’m reading is Living in Love by James and Betty Robinson. The three areas that I will cover will be commitment, communication and challenges. I will also be sharing tips on maintaining a healthy outlook on marriage. 

We have a Women Only Facebook group called “HTBT AMarriage that Honors God”. Men Only group coming soon. Join us in our journey to growing our marriages and  staying in love.

Tip for the Week

Pray Daily for your Spouse

Sometimes we have to pray not just once in a day but throughout the day. This is vital. It helps us to 

1. See them through the eyes of God. 

2. Take the focus off of our needs and focus on their needs. 

3. Build a tender spot in our hearts for them. 

4. It helps us to reshift from fault finding to compassion. 

Women of the Bible Week Seven Disscussion

Welcome to Week Seven Discussion of “Twelve More Women of the Bible”. 

For our study this week we are looking at the life of Priscilla. She was the wife of Aquila. She and her husband were believers of Christ and tent makers by trade. Paul stayed with them while in Corinth and they also accompanied him on his journey to Ephesus. This week we will be learning how God uses ordinary people to accomplish His will.

Please view the video synopsis and answer the selected discussion questions from your study guide. Be sure to read others comments and engage in dialogue about this week’s study.

Let’s get started!!!

Father, we thank You that You accomplish Your will through ordinary people. Lord prepare us to be useful vessels to bring You glory and honor. In Jesus name Amen 

Discussion Questions

Please put Q1, Q2, Q3…… before your responses.

Q1.  Why do you think people spend so much time looking at the lives of others and making comparisons? Why is this dangerous? How can it be discouraging?

Q2. How do our lives appear different when we look through the lenes of this world instead of through the eyes of God? In what ways are you tempted to look at yourself through the lenses of this world? How does this influence how you see yourself?

Q3. Read Acts 18:1-3 and 18:18-26. What were some of the challenges that they were facing? How did this new friendship and ministry partnership become a blessing to them?

Q4. Read 1 Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:3-5; 2Timothy 4:19. How would opening your home as a place of ministry stretch and grow your face? What are some ways you are using your home, or could use your home, as a place of ministry?

Q5. How can we emulate Priscilla’s example when we need to comfort and correct someone? What should we do? What should we avoid?

Thank you for your participation this week. I look forward to reading your responses and engaging in an active and open discussion.😎😎

Week Seven Video Link 

https://youtu.be/U0cj6p00zrk

Comparison Trap Week One Day One

I am doing the Comparison Trap: A 28-Day Devotional for Women written by Sandra Stanley. Now although the devotional was written for women to finish in 28 days I’m going to do this at my own pace and share what I discover from the devotional.

Week One

Main Scripture: 

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 

I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Day One
Video Highlights By Andy Stanley 

1. Comparison drives a wedge between relationships.

2. There is no win in comparison. 

3. People determine where they are based on where everyone else is.

 I so agree that comparison drives a wedge between relationships.  I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I have concluded that when we compare ourselves to others it also leads to competitiveness. We end up striving to either be where that person is or to be better than they are. 

You can never win by comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone better at something or someone not as good as you. The goal should be to be where the Lord wants for us and to be content there. Philippians 4:11

The third highlight was an eye opener for me. Basing success at any level there is a tendency to look around at like people and measure your success. That is such a no no. Our measuring device for success is the word of God. How do we measure up in God’s eyes should be our concern. 

Day One from Devotional

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast it is not proud. 

That was very convicting for me because you think you’re not comparing yourself but often you are. 

When asked the challenge question, I had to admit that I had fallen for the comparison trap.  I did realize that yes I had been comparing myself to someone and secretly was glad when it didn’t seem like whatever they were doing was successful. How ugly of me is that? So my prayer to the Lord  was this, “All I can say today is Lord forgive me.”

 Then my action plan is to purposely be kind to the person and genuinely rejoice at their success. 

Comparison really is a trap that we must avoid.

Challenge 

I can be kind to ________ by _________

Example: I can be kind to my husband by asking him about his day before I tell him about mine. (Comparison Trap by Sandra Stanley Page 15)

Scripture Memory Journey

It is so easy to start out with a plan but fall away from that which you spent so much time organizing. Even if it is something you enjoy doing. Any of us can fall victim to busy schedules, life issues and sometimes just orndinary forgetfulnes. 

I enjoy memorizing things. It helps to keep the mind sharp. It also helps to redirect our attention when we are anxious. 

Four years ago I started memorizing scripture with a group however it was to large of a group for my liking. I like to engage with others. So I created a Scripture Memory Group on Facebook. 

It stared out active but as with many things participation dwindle. I have tried to kick start it but even I have failed to be comitted to learning my verses as I should. For me this is very important. Hiding God’s word in my heart is very special to me. So the question I asked myself is Why have I slacked off memorizing scripture? And to be honest I couldn’t come up with a valid reason. 

What I did discover after careful contemplation was there was a need in my life to do what my grandmother use to say about the garage every summer, “It needed airing out”. I needed to do some reprioritizing and recommiting to those things that have proven to keep me grounded through the years of my walk with the Lord. 

I know that this type of life cleaning is usually done at the beginning of a new year. Since I am prone to being different I think August is a good time as any to begin. 

I want to invite others to join along with me. Now before you say I have a hard time memorizing, that’s okay. Memorize what you can. 

Plan of Action

This is how I will he doing it.

1. Join my Facebook group “Treasure God’s Word Through Memorization”

2. On August 1, 2017 I will post a thread and share my verse for the month. 

3. Those who are joining will share their verses on the thread.

4. When sharing your verse be sure to type out your verse and say what Bible version you are using. 

5. Then each month on the 1st we will post our new verse, verses or even the same verse for the month. 

6. Each week we will post our progress for accountability. 

7. Be encouraging to one another as we learn our verses.

8. During the month  I will post a tip or two about memorizing. 

It’s that simple. So who would like to join with me? If interested just send me an email to htbtbiblefellows@gmail.com.

Women of the Bible Week Six

Welcome to Week Six Discussion of “Twelve More Women of the Bible”. 

Our study this week we are looking at Esther. The Book of Esther is one of two books in the Bible that is named after a women. The story of Esther has been read by many or at least parts of the story is known by many. While studying the Book of Esther and looking at it this week we will see a young woman face with obstacles that in light of the time in which she lived would have seemed impossible. Although in the Book of Esther you do not see a mention of the name God but you clearly can see his sovereignty within the story. This week we will be learning how to allow God to be in control.

Please answer the selected discussion questions from your study guide. Be sure to read others comments and engage in dialogue about this week’s study.

Let’s get started!!!

Father, you are in control of everything . You are sovereign O Lord .  We honor and praise you  and thank you thank You Lord for Your word and Your faithfulness. Teach us O Lord how to remain faithful and trust your ability to handle things. In Jesus name Amen 

Discussion Questions 

Please put Q1, Q2, Q3…… before your responses.

Q1.  Read Esther 2-4. How do you see God in control of what is happening in this part of the story? How is God clearly working behind the scenes?

Q2. Read Esther 6-7. Where do you see God’s Sovereign hand at work orchestrating his will and plan in human history?

Q3. Read Ephesians 3:20. What is an example of God doing an “Ephesians 3: 20” in your life?

Thank you for your participation this week. I look forward to reading your responses and engaging in an active and open discussion.😎😎

Women of the Bible Week Five Discussion

Welcome to Week Five Discussion of “Twelve More Women of the Bible”. 

Our study this week we are looking at Puah and Shiphrah from Exodus 1. These two women were put in an incomprehensible situation that most likely caused them some anxiety. Nevertheless they remained faithful to the God they served. And the result of their fortitude was a reward by God. Their fear was of the Lord not man. This week we will be learning how to deal with our fears.

Please view the video synopsis and answer the selected discussion questions from your study guide. Be sure to read others comments and engage in dialogue about this week’s study.

Let’s get started!!!

Father, thank You Lord for Your word and your faithfulness to us through Your word .  Show us Lord where we are fearful  and remind us to bring all our fears before You . In Jesus name Amen 

Discussion Questions

Please put Q1, Q2, Q3…… before your responses.

Q1.  Read Exodus 1: 8-14. What would it have felt like to be one of the Israelites during this time? How does this movement from protection to persecution seem to be repeating itself through history for those who follow God??

Q2. Read Exodus 1:15-19 and Proverbs 9:10. What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? How can an authentic fear of the Lord free us from fearing other things?

Q3. Shiphrah and Puah’s courage open the door for the life and work of Moses and also for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. How might the world have been a different place if Shiphrah and Puah had been paralyzed by fear? How would it have been different if they had failed to courageously resist the plans of the Pharaoh?

Q4. How can memorizing and reciting Scripture, even one verse over and over, help keep your mind on God and off the fear producing lies of the enemy?

Q5. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What are some practical ways to fight deer that we mentioned during the teaching? How could you use the following tactics to ballet fear you are facing today?

A. Deep breathing

B. Train your brain

C. Specify your prayers

Thank you for your participation this week. I look forward to reading your responses and engaging in an active and open discussion.😎😎

Week Five Video Link

Women of the Bible Week Four Discussion

Welcome to Week Four Discussion of “Twelve More Women of the Bible”. 

Our study this week is looking at Ruth Naomi’s daughter-in-law. She was a woman who left all that she knew to go be with her mother-in-law in a land she does not know, most likely be unwelcomed and with no guarantee of provision.  We will discover this week how to stay focus in the midst of distractions. 

Please view the video synopsis and answer the selected discussion questions from your study guide. Be sure to read others comments and engage in dialogue about this week’s study.

Let’s get started!!!

Father, we thank You for Your word. Teach us Lord how to remain focused when faced with distractions. In Jesus name Amen 

Discussion Questions

Please put Q1, Q2, Q3…… before your responses.

Q1.  Read Ruth 1. What do you learn about the character and heart of Naomi in the story? What do you learn about Ruth’s Faith, passion, and character?

Q2. What commitments did Ruth make to Naomi (see Ruth 1:16-18)? What were the implications of those commitments? What were some of the obvious distractions and off-ramps Ruth would have faced that could have moved her off this commitment?

Q3. One distraction that can keep us from fully following God’s will is the temptation to seek personal Comfort over God’s calling. How would the decision by Ruth to go home to her parents in Moab have been more comfortable and safer than a decision to follow Naomi to Bethlehem (see Ruth 2:8-10)? What message was Ruth sending when she turned down the opportunity to seek the comfort of home?

Q4. A second lesson we learn from Ruth story is that we can be distracted from following God’s Will by relying on our own reason more than God’s wisdom (see Ruth 1:11-13). How can reason and rational evaluation of a situation get in the way of us following God’s plan for our life?

Q5. A third common distraction for following God’s will is to seek the approval of other people more than the approval of God. How did Ruth actions show a deep concern for pleasing God more than pleasing people (see Ruth1:14-18)?

Thank you for your participation this week. I look forward to reading your responses and engaging in an active and open discussion.😎😎

Week Four Video Link