Choose Ye This Day Whom You Will Serve

Choose Ye This Day Whom You Will Serve 

There are two very different eternal choices for your soul.

When you call out to God and believe his son was sent for your redemption, your name is added to the Lambs Book of Life. After this happens, you will be Born Again.

Subsequently, when you reject God and the salvation of his son, Jesus, and do not believe the truth of God's word, you are then choosing to live eternally separated from God. This called the second death which is the lake of fire. 

"Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." 

Revelation 20:15

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death." 

Revelation 2:11

Jesus talking to Nicodemus, a very prominent Pharisee and leader of the Jews. "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying. You must be born again." 

John 3:3-7

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 
John 14:6

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 

2 Corinthians 5:17

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." 

Ephesians 2:8-9

"God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 

2 Corinthians 5:21

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women encouraging women

Women Gone Wise - Week Four

Women Gone Wise - Priority 2 Husband
by Amy Gentry

"However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, 

and let the wife see that she respects her husband." 

Ephesians 5:33

ICEBREAKER:

What is one meal you cook that makes your husband wish for prison food?

Where do your likes and his likes differ?

CONVERSATION STARTER:

Are you on the crazy cycle or energizing cycle? (see below)

The Crazy Cycle: When you react with disrespect he reacts to you without love which in turn causes you to react with disrespect and there goes the crazy cycle.

The Energizing Cycle: Your respect motivates his love and his love motivates your respect and the Energizing Cycle is on.

 Resource: Cycle PDF from Love and Respect, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

CONVERSATION STARTER:

Women talk with a pink megaphone and men hear with blue earmuffs. 

Men talk with a blue megaphone and women hear with pink earmuffs. 

Has your husband ever said something that you heard completely differently?

Resource: Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

CHALLENGE: Ask - "What 3 things can I do each day that will make my husband feel welcomed home at the end of his day?"

Prayer: 

Father, Thank you for these very helpful and wise resources. Please guide us as we take steps to learn new information and to correct bad patterns. Lord, we know that marriage is targeted by the enemy, please help us to prevent being used by the enemy to destroy our own homes. We pray if strife enters our lives that we will recognize it and use the tools we will learn to correct it before too much damage is done. May we not only use the helpful tools to keep love, respect and harmony in our homes, but lead and encourage other women to the truth that keeps their marriage strong. In Jesus name, amen  

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women encouraging women 

You Have An Enemy

You Have An Enemy 

Ladies, Do not be mistaken. 

You have a very real enemy seeking whom he may destroy. 

Just as any perpetrator does, he knows how to spot the downtrodden, the hopeless--the one who doesn't have much fight left in them. 

The enemy of your soul is lurking sneakily, waiting around patiently for the right timing to feed lies to whomever will listen. 

A master manipulator that won't "abduct" you, but instead he tricks you into following his perfectly laid out plan. Once he has your attention and then your thoughts under his control and you dwell there, you will do all the work for him. 

His target?? 

Your heart and soul. Your faith. Your family. Your relationships. Your marriage. Your attitude. Your freedom. Your hope & future.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 
 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  
1 Peter 5:8

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:10-12

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women encouraging women

Women Gone Wise - Week Three

Women Gone Wise - Priority 2 Husband
Amy Gentry

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, 

but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Proverbs 12:4 A

ICEBREAKER: 

What is your 60 second love story?

CONVERSATION STARTER:

Imagine yourself walking on a tightrope, the Marriage Line. The best way to strengthen your marriage is to stay on that marriage line. Walk that tightrope, don't let yourself step off because of complacency, or lose balance because of not knowing what to do next in your relationship, or become frozen due to fear of unforgiveness.  When in doubt, always walk the line.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

Assume good will. Be very aware of False Perception. Trust what happens, even in the disappointments that come your way. Do not defend yourself! This includes protective walls, holding grudges, bitterness, and unforgiveness. These reactions only isolate you further, and in hindsight, seem so foolish. Assume goodwill.

RESOURCE:

It's All Perspective by Kim Hawkins

http:/titus2womendevotional.blogspot.com/2015/09/its-all-perspective.html?m=1

CHALLENGE:

Make a plan for date night and give a report next week.

Virtuous Habits

Virtuous Habits 

You've heard it said that you are what you eat. 

The same is true with our daily intake of things we watch, read, our thoughts, but also our actions. 

What we are feeding on always produces something. 

Consider what you are willingly bringing into your world that is causing harm. If you don't like what certain things are producing in your life, it's time to weed some things out.

I pray that all of us get anything that is not productive out and stop it's influence on you. If you do not know what needs to go, just ask the Lord for direction..he will show you.

"In the beginning, the man makes the habit, In the end, the habit makes the man."

"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8 

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women encouraging women 

Women Gone Wise - Week Two

Women Gone Wise: Growing Together in a Titus2 Women’s Group
Amy Gentry

  ^"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 

John 21:15-16

ICEBREAKER:
Count your many blessings - name something you are thankful for that begins with each letter of your first name. Example:
                                       AMY
                                       A -  Anointed by God
                                       M - Moving to Owasso, OK
                                       Y - Yams

CONVERSATION STARTER:
High/Low: When was a time you felt like you were on a spiritual High? Low? Discuss.

CONVERSATION STARTER:
Read John 21:15-17.  If Jesus were to ask you, "Do you love Me?" What would your answer be?
Take Stock. At what love stage of your life are you in right now with Christ?
Are you in the:
Phileo - Affectionate love 
Agape - Unconditional Love
What would Jesus say? Would He agree?
 


RESOURCES:

How do I Love Thee: Let Me Count the Ways?  Click Here for PDF
Book: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

CHALLENGE: Share your Bible verse excerpt you selected last week.  Talk about what it means to you and why you chose it.

In your quiet time this week journal, start to list 1,000 things you are thankful for.

PRAYER: Father, We praise you for this time of study and growth together as we grow in relationship with each other, but more importantly with you. Lord, guide our thoughts, hearts, talks and lead us to where you would have us go. Lord, we seek your will and your face. In Jesus name, amen

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women encouraging women

New Perspective > New Horizons

New Perspective > New Horizons

Written by Kim's 18 year old daughter, Grace 

 a Titus 2 Young Woman

"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up- one on one side one on the other- so that his hands remained steady until sunset."

~Exodus 17:12

"Life is not a solo act. It's a huge collaboration, and we all need to assemble around us the people who care about us and support us in times of strife."

~Tim loneliness

The single biggest mistake any women can make during a time of adversity is to think she is completely alone. It is incredibly easy to allow depression and anxiety to cling to your heart and entice you towards the wrong mindset, the mindset that it's you against the world. 

I'm here to tell you that a mindset similar to that one is the most toxic attitude you can possibly bring into your relationships and into your future. When I was a freshmen and sophomore in high school that is exactly how I felt and it was reflected in the way I treated people and the way my future was coming together. 

Through the help of an incredible support system, some counseling and nutritional supplements I was able to overcome the depression and anxiety that had overwhelmed me and reach my full potential. My sophomore year I was intimidated by the simple task of doing my coursework on time and I never would have dreamed of joining any sort of extracurricular. But by simply shifting my perspective, by my junior year I had acted in the school musical, discovered the confidence to walk into the debate room despite having never done it before and walked away my senior year with a STATE Championship and a newfound love for the activity, was awarded two high grade point averages, and got into the honors program at Texas A&M University. 

A couple of weeks ago I was sorting through the various grad gifts I have gotten and I saw one from my best friend's two aunts. It was an exceptionally thoughtful gift and bittersweet considering I had grown up knowing them and now I would have to say goodbye as I moved into an uncertain future. As I looked through gifts from other people who had caused an impact during my formative years I was suddenly moved to tears. It took me a couple of seconds to comprehend what I was feeling, but I realized that my tears were tears of sadness for my former self. As I considered my life, I knew that I have an amazing support system, made up of my parents and my friends and my family friends and all the other people in my life who have helped bolster me in my times of need and propel me towards who I am today and who I will still become. I cried for the person I was back during my freshmen and sophomore year, I cried because she had no idea that her sadness and her struggles could be so easily remedied if she had just reached out and asked for help.

Just because you are struggling doesn't mean it needs to get any worse. Let the scales fall from your eyes, like Paul's did on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and realize that your support system is there you just need to reach out to them. Your weaknesses are a part of you, embrace them and allow others to embrace you to reach your full potential. My suffering has become my testimony and my forlornness has been replaced by gratefulness for the people in my life who stood by me and refused to let me give up. 

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YOUNG WOMEN ENCOURAGING WOMEN

Graduation Keepsake Ornament Idea

Graduation Keepsake Ornament Idea

You can buy a clear ornament with a personalized vinyl sticker as a set and then add your own tassel. Just click on the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235472136/personalized-graduation-tassel-monogram?ref=hp_rv

You could buy a clear ball ornament at Hobby Lobby and just order the custom sticker from Etsy.com. Just make sure the measurements are what size you need. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/280412534/graduation-monogram-grad-gift-graduation?ref=hp_rv

You can buy a clear ball ornament and paint pens at Hobby Lobby and design your own customized keepsake ornament.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/163677767685258501/

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women encouraging women

Women Gone Wise - Week One

Women Gone Wise: Growing Together in a Titus2 Women’s Group

Amy Gentry

Week One: Priority #1 God

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 

Welcome Ladies to Week One of an Amazing Summer! This study is designed for you and a friend (or friends) to gain Spiritual Strength and a stronger friendship.  It is simply a collection of conversations you can have over coffee/tea, dessert/meal or a play date for your children. So let's get started!

Icebreaker:  

What is your New Testament birthday scripture?  (My birthday is January 3 so I picked Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”)  

You can choose your own using the Month as the chapter and Day as the verse or you can find yours at: Storkie.com/birthverse

Conversation starter:  

After salvation, when was a time you felt empty in your spirit?

Conversation Starter: 

Have you given God an invitation to speak to you and do you believe he speaks to us?

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow Me."

John 10:27 

Jesus points out a relationship (My sheep), a result (hear my voice), a reason (I know My sheep), and also a response (They follow me).  Strongholds prevent you from hearing the voice of God.  Search the Scripture to get to know God, not just to get from God.  When God speaks, your response is to obey, not to think.

RESOURCE: Discerning the Voice of God PDF by Priscilla Shirer

CHALLENGE: 

Keep a Quiet time Journal and share an excerpt next week.

Prayer: Father, we dedicate this time and group to you. We praise you for the opportunity and freedom to know you and grow together as a group. Let us be led by your spirit and allow us to gain wisdom, knowledge, understanding that only comes from you. Help each of us to share our hearts and support one another with loyalty and honor. In Jesus name, amen