Ladies Bible Study

A personal note on waiting

It seems like we did a lot of waiting a period of our marriage. I know Pastor has mentioned that he had many jobs since we were married. Different circumstances took him from job to job. Nothing seem to work out for him or so we thought. We know now that every job he had prepared him for God's perfect will, being a pastor. But during this time, God provided for our needs, definitely not our wants. We struggled financially. I always had a good job, teaching. It's hard to raise a family on a teacher's income. Pastor had some good jobs (as far as the pay) and some really low paying jobs. We seem to be spending our first 15 years of marriage- waiting on God's promise-God's will in our lives. Some days I absolutely thought Pastor would never find the will of God concerning a job. With much prayer, he felt led to give up a decent job and go back to school to be a teacher. He was definitely called to be a teacher. Teaching and pastoring seem to be IT! For years we pastored and taught school. Then he felt led to leave the church. And the waiting began again. We attended CCI in Dothan for years. God had given us a promise of starting a new church. We thought it would happen at least 6 months. NOT! It was very difficult to just be a member when you have been a pastor. But we learned so much and during this time Pastor got his B.S. and Masters in Theology and what was so beautiful about this time spent in Dothan was we made many new friends from Chipley that we didn't even know. GOd brought us all together to be the beginning of COP. God orchestrated this so beautifully. Another great blessing about "waiting" in Dothan- I have my two wonderful, Godly son-in-laws. One of my favorite verses came from waiting.

Isaiah 40:29-31 (the message)

29 He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. 30 For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. 31 But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.

Love always,

Pastor Brenda

So sorry

Please please tell me that someone else is behind. I think I fed off of the last two lessons a little to long. It was something I needed and I just stayed there until I was full. So this is giving everyone extra time to think about the study. Share something that has really touched you, that has changed your way of thinking, that has set you free. Let us in on what this study is doing for you, or maybe what the comments are doing. Can you tell Im trying to get you to open up more and let us in on your goodys. I like to taste from everyones table. Lol! Loved and highly favored, Kristen

Week 4 Day 1&2

I hope that there is someone out there that is caught up and can share my excitement with these two lessons. I enjoyed these two so much that I'm waiting to write about lesson three. All I can say is WOW! Thank you God! I don't know about you but I so needed this. Ok so I will try to control myself and write.

Day 1 A Mother-In-Law's Request

1.Has there ever been a time in your life that you felt your answer was never going to come?

Waiting is something I don't do. I am a now kind of person. It doesn't have to be fast but I need the ball to be rolling ASAP! When I read "Discovering a solution doesn't always mean we don't have to wait for it" it hit me right between the eyes. I can relate so much right now. She wrote about being given a promise or sensed a change but had to wait. I am so there right now, this very minute, this very second. I can almost see something but it isn't clear and I'm tired of waiting. I will now sit here patiently and wait for God to reveal everything in the right timing. Sorry to go on and on!

2. Have you ever experienced a new title like Naomi gave Ruth from someone that showed how much they cared or loved you?

3. If you were Ruth on your way to the threshing floor, what part of the process would have required the most courage?

I will answer and be honest. I would of had no trouble fixing up and getting all pretty and putting on my best. I would of had a hard time waiting for him to eat and drink. I would of wanted Boaz to notice me immediately. I would want him to want me before the food and drinks. I know some of you are laughing but I'm just bing honest. It's not hard to uncover someone that may of had something to drink. Just my opinion.

Day 2 A New Day

I could of gotten up and shouted with this lesson but all 4 kids (counting the one I keep) were a sleep. This lesson got me excited and ready to move forwards.

1. Are you in clothes of mourning right now?

I have been. I can't really go into everything but I have been stung and hurt, have had on clothes of hoping, wishing, praying for, but I'm taking them off, no I'm throwing them off, burning them, and moving forward. I'm moving forward and filling my horn with oil. I'm letting go of the old and the use to be and the could of been, and walking in the new, in the promises. I loved it when she said "When we're wrapped in garments of mourning we're unavailable for whatever else God has for us. God may not remove the memory, but He's able to take the sting out of it."

2. If you feel comfortable, share about a time in your life when you've taken off your "clothes of mourning" and moved forward in obedience.

I'm going to stop here but I could go on and on. Is anyone else enjoying this study as much as I am! I must say that the more we get into it the more I'm loving it. I'm pretty sure I may think of something else to write because it has done volumes in my life today but I will just write it in the comments. Woohoo! SO excited with joy and new oil!

LOVE AND HIGHLY FAVORED,

Kristen

Week 3 Day 4&5

Several things have really spoke to me in these two lessons and made me THINK.

1. Ruth giving out of her poverty. I have given many times but it was not in my poverty. Have I given $5 when it was my last $5? (just an example) No! Have I given when I was broken, depressed, or depleted? Probably not many times.

2.You have to learn to receive. This was hard for me to learn.

3.Serve? God is dealing with me in some areas that I may serve others.

4. There was a time that I felt God had abandoned us. But praise God through this time He taught me that Man IS NOT MY SOURCE BUT HE IS!!!! I am so appreciative to God that I learned this and KNOW that I can hold on to it. Was it easy? NO NO NO!!! I cried many tears But now I'm very grateful to my Daddy God. You can trust Him!

5. I have really been thinking on our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus. I am praying for a greater revelation of the great sacrifice Jesus made. Jesus willingly chose to redeem us. He also humbled himself to become man. Our Spirit Man needs this revelation in order to truly worship Him.

Do you have any thoughts on these or other thoughts for Day 4 &5?

Willingly and joyfully Jesus laid down his life to become our Redeemer!

Love,

Pastor Brenda

Week 3 Days 1,2,&3

WooHoo I did it. I caught up and I'm now on track. I'm still thinking about only blogging 2 times a week. I think every Wednesday and Friday will be good. Is that ok with you all?

Day 1:Unexpected Kindness

Isaiah 58:6-12 (the message) 6 "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. 7 What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. 8 Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. 9 Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.' A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places "If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, 10 If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. 11 I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places - firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. 12 You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.

1. How does this encourage you to show kindness, self-sacrifice, and loyalty to those in need, especially to your family?

2. How have you found shelter under the wings of the Lord? Share specific examples to help encourage each others faith.

I must say that here lately I have really been drawn into a relationship with Jesus. It started a couple of years ago when I realised how much he loved me and the relationship that he wanted to have with me. Since then I have dug deeper but now especially the things I have went through recently I have had to crawl under the wings for guidance, wisdom, for healing, and support.

Day 2: Humility This lesson really spoke to me. I have always tried to think about others but never lowered my self to anyone. This lesson showed me that it is ok to be thought of as the lower one at times. It is ok to be in a position that is on your face looking up. I don't always have to be the one on top. The one with all the answers. The one who never gets hurt. The one that tried to fix everything. I can be the one who needs to be fixed. The one who needs answers. Its ok to express my weakness and my faults. Ummm did I mention that this lesson was great to me.

1. How did this lesson impact you?

2. In what area of your life is showing humility specifically challenging for you?

Day 3: Invited to the table 1. After reading about Ruth and Mephibosheth's invitation to the table, how did this help you more deeply appreciate your own invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb?

2. Is this a new concept for you, please feel free to discuss your questions and feelings.

Loved and Highly Favored,

Kristen

Day 4&5 A Days's Work/A First Encounter

To be completely honest with you, I am way behind! Studying for Wednesday night took all my time and made me behind on our bible study. However I promise to catch up this weekend. I apologize! Here are a few question for you to answer or think about.

1.What stood out to you the most this week-something that really made you think?

2.How did Boaz's kindness to Ruth encourage you to show extravagant kindness to others? What are specific ways of showing kindness to the poor and vulnerable around you?

3.What do you notice about Ruth's character and how it is making a name for her. How do we make names for ourselves-through our character and integrity or through other less important things such as materialism?

If you get time, look up these songs that goes with this weeks lessons.

I Need A Savior by Anadara www.anadara.com

I Will Say by Lou Fellingham www.loufellingham.com

The Grateful by Tim Timmons www.timmonsmusic.com

Have a blessed weekend!

Loved and Highly Favored,

Kristen

Day 3 ARRIVING/A Mysterious Relative

First of all I am so embarrassed to admit this but I wrote this post last night and it took me 2 whole hours, a lot of problems. And then I didn't "publish" it correctly. So I lost everything. I am not going to be defeated so Holy Spirit I ask you to help me remember what I wrote. So her goes..........well the same thing is happening and I can not go down to the next line. This probably makes no sense to you but this the reason everything is all together. I hope it won't be too hard to read. The first thing that came to my mind as I was reading this was HUMILITY. Naomi was faced with poverty where she once lived as a wealthy woman. She was among the poor ( the reapers did not receive wages) as she looked for a field in which to glean just to find food for them. She did what she had to do. I once heard someone say that meekness and humility was like a magnet to God's favor.

Verse 1------Boaz also means "in him is strength". I think this was the first sign of hope for Naomi. ( well it is working now, who knows?) I think Naomi was familar enough with the Israelite family law and custom the she saw a glimpse of hope. I think we can see the heart of this kinsman redeemer. It is the same way we can see the heart of our redeemer. What did these laws tell us about God's heart? He had a heart for the poor, foreigner, and the widow. He provided for them. God was faithful, he always made a way. And the good news is He is no respector of persons! He is faithful to ALL and His provisions are abundant when we walk in obedience. This brings to mind the song "I am after your heart...What are you thinking?....What are you feeling? ...I have to know.

Verse 2----- Ruth was looking for someone that would show grace to her. She was a foreigner. She had no idea she would find grace or favor in Boaz's eyes. Sometimes we can act with a heart not like God. We can be cruel to people because they are diferent. God help us to have your heart.

Verse 3-------Ruth found herself in the field of Boaz. Coincedental? No, it was an expression of grace, working of our God to direct the paths of our lives. God operates in the circumstances of our lives beyond our knowledge and takes care of us when we have no clue what is happening. I will run the race you set before me. Lord open our spiritual eyes and ears so we will know God's purpose in our lives. I do not want to miss anything (easy or difficult) God has for me. I want to be like Ruth, when finding myself in a place of "hunger" that I will glean every handful of grain from the field.

More of you and less of me.

Pastor Brenda

Day 1&2: Coming Home, A Hopeful Glammer

So lets pretend that we are all together in a room and discussing these topics. Lets feed off of each other. Keep the discussions going. Answer the questions but also comment on others comments. Comment as much as you want.

Day 1: What do we as a culture tend to look tofor our primary source of identity?

Where was the last place you were ecstatic to arrive? (doesn't have to be a physical place)

In what areas have you been angry with or disappointed in God? Were you honest with Him in Day 1 study?

Day 2: Are you in a season of sowing, reaping, or both? Explain your answer.

How can you sew in your weeping?

Read Psalm 126:1-6. (the message)

1 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion's exiles. 2 We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations - "God was wonderful to them!" 3 God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people. 4 And now, God, do it again - bring rains to our drought-stricken lives 5 So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, 6 So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

How does this psalm encourage you to keep sowing in the middle of difficult times, and how can you practically do this?

Loved and Highly Favored,

Kristen

Catch Up

Their are several of us who need to catch up so I'm not going to write anything today. I will post today's lesson and tomorrows lesson together. In the mean time if you can many have asked who all is doing it with us. So go under the comments and write your name so we know.

Thanks,

Kristen

Day 5: Wherever You GO

I just want to end this week with a few questions. I hope all of you will answer!

1. What have you learned about the power of words?

2. How does Ruth's loyalty to Naomi encourage you to show this same type of committed loyalty to a friend or loved one who might not always be the easiest to love?

3.What was the most impacting moment for you this week? (Bible verse, principle, prayer experience, revelation, new understanding, conviction, or other)

See you back on Monday!

Loved and Highly Favored,

Kristen