James 2:8-11

Scripture: James 2:8-11
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
 

Observations: 
I love love love love that we are free and righteous in Christ. We are all lawbreakers. That’s why He chose the cross. How horrible and hopeless would we be if we were just “lawbreakers” and had no hope or freedom? But we are forgiven, not just for the sins we confess, but for all sins! Out of LOVE and out of a grateful spirit, we live as though we are still under the law. We strive to abide by the law. Praise God, that when we fail, He sees our hearts and intentions. He knows that we are imperfect, and Christ’s righteousness is ours. God looks at us and sees Jesus, because we love Him and He dwells in us. We are redeemed lawbreakers. This should fuel us to be loving to all, because we are SO loved.
 

Application: 
We love to love ourselves. We like special treats, we like nice clothing, we like to be warm and comfortable at night. Extending this to others? Well that’s a little difficult. That would mean surrendering a lot of possessions and getting out of our comfort zones. Can we live this out? It’s easy to do it with our family and “loved ones” but we’re called to extend the term “loved ones” to those around us. 
 

Prayer: 
God, let us not hoard our blessings. Let us give to the poor. We love you and we are so loved. Let this overflow into our actions. I pray for a generation that acts out your love. I am blessed by this group of women, who act it out. They long to feed the poor and minister to the homeless. They care for the sick. God, open doors that we may be effective. In Christ’s name I ask, amen.

James 1:7-8

Scripture: James 1:7-8
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
 
Observations: 
These verses are so reassuring when I'm not doubting, and so convicting when there are areas in my life where doubt creeps in. Especially praying about  healing! If it is the will of God, He will heal. Whether He can heal or not is not the issue. There's nothing He can't do. I just need to continue praying to see situations with HIS eyes, not with the statistical, scientific, "what the world says" viewpoint. If we only saw science and statistics, we wouldn't pray much about healing when somebody is really sick. You'd just pray for comfort. I want to be the stubborn girl that prays for healing because I know God will do it if it's His will.

 
Application:
My life application to these verses is to self-reflect on what areas of my life feel "unstable" and why. Is it because of doubt? Am I praying strong, confident prayers?

 
Prayer:
Lord, this morning I pray that You forgive our doubting, and help us in whatever areas in our lives that we've ever doubted You could fix. Let us see beyond what the world says is possible. You are all powerful, God! No plan of Yours can be thwarted, and nothing is impossible for You! God I pray you give us strength in the difficult trials we face. Help us to be voices of hope, confident, encouraging, fully focused, single-minded ambassadors of Christ. In Jesus' name, amen!

Ephesians 6:21-24

Scripture: Ephesians 6:21-24
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.

22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Observations:

Much like Tychicus, God sent you ladies into my life to encourage me! So thank you, dear sisters in the Lord!

Application:

I can think of several people today that need my encouragement. I hope to make it my "very purpose" to do so. 

Prayer:
Father, use each woman in this group to be a voice of encouragement. Help us to portray your grace. With undying love, we praise You! In Christ's name, amen.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise--
3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Observations:
It's funny because when I read this (since I don't have kids) I put myself in the children category and think of how I can honor my parents. I'd like to think I've been a good daughter, but I've said some terrible things to my mom before. And with my dad, I've struggled with unforgiveness. I thank God that He makes me new, and gives me hope that even when I feel like I've botched relationships, He reassures me that I can mend them. My mom and I are really close now. I have gotten to the point where I really truly enjoy her and my stepdad's company. She has a talent of saying things that rub me the wrong way,  but I eventually realized everybody's mom does that haha! It's my choice to receive her words knowing she means well and loves me. It's my choice to not be defensive or lash out. I get to practice the fruit of gentleness. With my dad it's another story. He wasn't around to raise me, and it took him a really long time to apologize. It took me even longer to forgive. And when I did forgive, I forgave with conditions of him. "I'll forgive, but now you have to follow through! You have to pursue me! You have to stay in touch!" and that backfired to hurt me more, because he didn't. He's come to visit this year and I struggled with all those mixed emotions. I wrote about it back then here if you want to see what was going through my mind. We email somewhat regularly. I get to see him again next month. It's a work in progress :) Good thing God is in charge, otherwise it'd never get done.

Application:
We are called to honor imperfect people whom we know well. We know their flaws, and they raised us, so they really know our flaws. God's design for family is beautiful! He carefully places us in families to shape us into who we are. We care for each other and struggle together. It's impossible to be part of a family without learning what it feels like to be wrong and be wronged. Whether we're the parents or the children, the closeness of a family puts a magnifying glass on the ways we fall short. It highlights how much we need Christ in order to be a good parent and child.

Prayer:
Father, You knew exactly what You were doing when You placed me in my family. I'm so thankful that they brought me up knowing You exist. I praise You for each woman in this group, and how You've purposefully placed them in the families they're in. Give them the strength and the wisdom to bring up their children as loving disciples of Christ. Bless their children with every good thing. Help us also to be gentle and graceful daughters, with loving hearts. God we need You to step in and give us patience, courage, and encouragement.  All these things I ask in Christ's name, amen.

Ephesians 3:7-9

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-9
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Observations
I really like how Paul humbles himself. Here's this powerful preacher, hand-picked by God, still reaching so many people (even me!) and yet he considers himself "less than the least of all God's people" and even calling himself the worst of sinners (1 Tim 1:15-16).

Application
I can take a humility lesson here, for sure. It also makes me think of how I'm serving and how I can better serve to spread the gospel. I often don't feel qualified, but Paul shows his calling is by grace, through God's power. This is available to all of us, so we have no excuse :) granted we're not all called to be preachers, but as a body we are called to further God's kingdom and to live as witnesses of Christ's love.

Prayer
Father, thank You for grace and the power You give us. I praise You for the unsearchable riches of Christ. Help us to be humble, loving, and bold servants for Your Kingdom today.  In Jesus's name I pray, amen!

Ephesians 3:1-6

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-6
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles --
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit of God's holy apostles and prophets.
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Observation
When I read verse 5, I thought about how fortunate I am to be living in this age, after Christ. All these "mysteries" that Christ's coming revealed, and the law He came to abolish would still apply to me otherwise. I also thought about the great division between Jews and Gentiles back then. How amazing that God granted us a spirit of unity, and such a wonderful feeling of communion as a body! Christ came and didn't leave anybody out of His promise, or outside of His grace.

Application
The concept of grace is often still mysterious to me. Something so undeserved, freely given. It goes opposite to the world's teaching of having to earn things, then the constant boasting when we do earn them, then our constant comparison of what we have earned to what other people have earned, then an overall feeling of dissatisfaction with the whole process. And repeat. The more we pursue God, the further we get from that vicious cycle. With grace, we can see others as co-heirs of a beautiful promise, in a loving and unselfish way.  Instead of bitter, we can be encouraging. Instead of feeling dissatisfied, we can focus on all that God's faithfully providing and His eternal promise. I struggle personally with my current single state. BUT God's been so faithful in providing accountability and opportunities for me to grow and serve. I know He will provide the rest in His time. Meanwhile, I can enjoy fellowship with all you awesome moms and wives, and not feel out of place, as we are all members together of one body :)

Prayer
Thank You God for easing the anxiety in my heart. Thank You for providing this group of Godly women to give me a better understanding of unity. God, forgive us when we discount Your grace and take for granted Your provision. Help us to grow together in love, and encourage each other as co-heirs of Your promise. In Jesus's name, amen.