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!

James 1:5-6

Scripture: James 1:5-6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Observations:
I love these verses! I lack wisdom all the time!! It's funny that the older I get, the more I realize how much I DON'T know! Either that or I'm forgetting all I knew back when I was a teenager, because I'm pretty sure I knew everything back then ;) But God is so faithful to lead me and give wisdom! Even during the times when I didn't really know what He wanted me to do, I was assured that He was in control and would tell me what to do at the right time. This makes me think of proverbs, and how important and pleasing to God it is when we desire and seek HIS wisdom.

Application:
I've been praying a lot of "really out there" kinds of prayers, especially for the mission trip. And these I have to pray with conviction and faith that God will answer, however "unlikely" they may seem. God loves to make me eat my words haha as soon as I say "no way, not me" He says "my way, yes you!" so I'm learning to be careful of what I pray for and what I say the Lord won't do. He's sovereign, no doubt about it! What kinds of things do you ask the Lord, but doubt He will answer?

Prayer:
Lord, I ask that You give me and these ladies the wisdom we need today for whatever trials and choices we are facing. Thank You for being such a faithful and generous Father to us. Thank You for leading us. I pray You make us into patient, wise, strong, bold, confident, courageous women. Let our perseverance be a testimony to others, to lead them to You. In Jesus' name I ask, Amen!

James 1:3-4

Scripture: James 1:3-4
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must  finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Observations:
I was having a conversation a couple of days ago about exactly this: that only through hardships can we develop perseverance. The Lord grows us and refines us through trials, and this is why we should consider them pure joy. It means we are growing. I've had a friend ask me "Helena, does God always make something go wrong? It feels like things aren't ever all right? There's always a kid sick, or a problem at work, or money running short, or the job I can't get, or my car breaks down, or a stressful situation... Is that how God works?" and a little part of me winced because well... we are living in a very broken world. Heaven isn't here. And until we get there, Jesus did warn us that we will have trouble in this world! But He also told us to take heart, because He's overcome the world. We are called to persevere through trials with hope and joy, and these trials will mature us and make us more faithful and Christ-like in the end. We are works in progress!

Application:
I always think to look back at trials I've gone through, and see how much God taught me through it. It always gives me perspective to remember how the Lord used my trials to make me trust Him more. For a whole semester in college, my financial aid didn't come in. There was a clerical error, and it didn't come in until November 28th! I remember trusting in the Lord to provide, and He did. It's hard to doubt Him with money after that! I know He is so faithful to provide for my needs! He tested my faith while I persevered that semester. It gives me hope through the fundraising madness I'm facing now, that He's called me to missions and He will provide. Just in the last 4 days, I've had 5 people (very unlikely, random people I haven't seen in years, or ever expected to help me!) say "Helena, I want to support your mission trip!" and I fought back tears. I didn't even ask those people, God laid it on their hearts. When He tests your faith, however He does it, expect Him to deliver you and provide :) He always does. That's what the next verses are about, which I love!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You this morning and praise You for your provision in our lives. You created us, and blessed us with the people we have in our lives. You continue to sustain us and give us hope. God, I pray You keep growing us. Lord, I pray we don't stray from You and always realize how desperately we need You, even in the moments when the trials are small. I ask that You give us strength, comfort, patience, and JOY in the trials we are facing today. Let us see Your hand at work in our lives. In Christ's name, Amen.

Ephesians 6:16-20

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16-20 

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Observations:
Whenever I open my mouth, I want to be fearless and efficient. Not just saying what is hard to say, but saying it in a way that reveals the truth and grace of Christ! Yes, please!

Application:
What flaming arrows is the evil one attacking me with? How can my faith shield me from them? Is it my past? Guilt? Worry? Is he telling me that I'm unhappy or lacking? Is he saying that I'm unloved? All those are untrue and void because of Jesus. Our faith shield needs to be held up. When we set it down we get hit.  All the armor we've put on is defensive except for the sword. The word of God is our weapon, our way of fighting back. When we know it, share it, speak it, sing it, read it, pursue it, and live it, we are taking a swing and a stab at Satan.

Prayer:
Jesus, help us to be fearless warriors for You. Women of prayer and strength. Women who don't fall for Satan's lies. Women who use our words not to hurt others, but to make Your grace evident. Help us to hold up our shields of faith. Encourage our hearts to pursue You with renewed vigor. Unfold the hearts of our loved ones and friends, and help us to be bold and talk about You. All these things we ask in Your holy name, amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Observations
Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.... wow. This always brings me back to healing. I have a very dear friend who is sick. I pray and pray for healing, and I have to have the strength and faith to believe God will heal. It's hard because as Christians we say "if it is Your will, God" and that's very true... but do we doubt that He would heal? He surely surely has the power to do so. I can't question that.

Application
Again, pushing my faith to beyond "reasonable"... I can't limit God. He can do IMMEASURABLY more than I can even imagine.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me despite my limited mind. Help me to have more faith, to push aside my "human understanding" and ask boldly and without wavering. Give the women of this group the encouragement they need to seek You fervently. To You, God, be all the glory, forever and ever. 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.