James 2:1

Scripture: James 2:1  

1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.

Observations: 

 Favoritism, partiality, special treatment, bias... when we do this, we are saying we love one person more than another simply because of what they have/look like. God loves us all the same, whether we are dirty, broken, young, old, rich, poor, righteous, unrighteous. He LOVES us regardless, and we should love others because of our GLORIOUS Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Application: 

 I think a humbling experience is to visit with the poor, or visit a jail, or a nursing home (trust me, people view the elderly as useless... it's so sad) and let that equality sink through. God loves us all the same, no matter what. When Christ would eat, He would sit with the outcasts of society. He didn't care how it made Him look. It might be good practice for us to do the same when the opportunities arise.

 

Prayer: 

Lord forgive us for picking favorites. God, it's so much easier to be around people that are like us. Help us to broaden our hearts and see people the way You do, and reach out to them and love them unconditionally. In Christ's name I pray, 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 5:28-33

Scripture: Ephesians 5:28-33
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--
30 for we are members of his body.
31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
32 This is a a profound mystery-- but I am talking about Christ and the church.
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Observations:

Husbands are to love and care for wives as their own bodies. They become one flesh, one body to care for. I like the analogy of feeding and caring for the body, since that's something not only necessary but also continuous. It's not something that stops for a time then picks back up. No one stops eating for a month, or bathing for 2 weeks (I hope) and in the same sense, wives shouldn't be ignored. It shows a constant regard, much in the same way that Christ is constantly caring for the church.

Application:

I think it is so applicable to my life TODAY that I'm going through these verses. Tonight I went to the "Discover the Vista" class and became a member of the Vista family. Yay! I've been in THE church, but I'm so blessed by the Vista. God definitely led me here.
God gave us a small-scale example of the union between Christ and the church through marriage. We still need "power to grasp" the concept of being loved so much by Christ, belonging to His body. Oh what love :)

Prayer:
Father, thank You so much for the structure of marriage. Help us to grasp how much You love us and how Jesus sustains the church. God I praise You for bringing me to this community and plugging me into this group. Bless and strengthen these ladies and their families. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

Ephesians 3:14-19

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Observations
Just typing those words gave me chills! He prays that we have the POWER to GRASP how much Jesus loves us. This love is beyond understanding! I kept thinking of the song "How He Loves" by David Crowder Band :)

Application
It's easy to dwell on negative things and I have a problem with worry. I worry! This verse reiterates that Jesus loves us SO much. God will lovingly take care of each one of us. Having this kind of assurance that I am so loved gives me such a boost of confidence in whatever I'm doing or encountering. Paul is praying for us to be so empowered. That we are truly filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Prayer
Jesus, I love You! Thank You for loving us so much. Help us to keep in mind HOW much You love us. Strengthen my sisters in Christ and their families with Your power. Dwell in us. In Your wonderful name I pray, amen.