A Heart For Discipline

Connection Group - 06.24.11

Hey ladies,

This past week Elizabeth George shared some amazing biblical truths for our life. In our discussion time some of you said when you spend time with the lord in your day: “Your day goes  smoothly” and “when a door closes then you know God did not want you going in that direction”.

Here are the things we learned:

Daily Discipline: Faithful attention to spiritual disciplines(Like praying, Bible reading, and meditating on God’s Word) puts believers in a position to experience God’s richest blessings. In Luke 2:36-38 we see the example of Anna a woman after the heart of God.  

What plan have you developed to become more disciplined in prayer and Bible study?

Daily Time: Finding daily time with God in prayer and Bible study requires personal sacrifice. Romans 12:1-2

One key to finding daily time with God is simplifying your life. What steps have you taken this week to simplify your schedule and reduce the demands on your time?

Daily Walk: Walking daily with Christ transforms our values, decisions and behavior. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

How does the Lord help you to stay in step with Him throughout the day?

Daily Desire: Studying God’s Word helps us identify and curtail those selfish desired that lead to trouble. 1 Peter 2:1-3

What help does the Lord provide so we can manage our selfishness and submit to His way of life?

Daily Commitment:  God commands us to commit to Him all that we are and all that we have. 

As you look at your life- everything you have and you are- what parts of your life are most difficult to release to God? 

This next week we are going to see “A Heart for Your Husband” What does the Bible has to say to us wives?  I hope you are preparing your heart to see what God has to say   to your lives. 

Love,

Carla 

A Heart for Passion in Prayer

Connection Group- 06.17.11

Ladies,

This past Friday we learned "a passionate prayer life transforms everything"and more blessings that comes from a great prayer life.

- The Blessing of Greater Confidence in Decision Making: We can have confidence in our decisions when we make prayer an important part of daily life.

 What role if any does prayer play in your decisions?

-The Blessing of Greater Contentment: Selfish desires rob us of contentment and damage relationships with others. Contentment is gained by orienting ourselves to the ways of God and allowing Him to reorder our priorities and values.

What aspects of our day tend to make us discontent with life? Why prayer is a pathway to greater contentment?

- The Blessing of Greater Ministry though Prayer: Praying for others, known as intercessory prayer, is powerful, effective ministry.

How did others' prayers for you help you through difficult times?

- More Blessings:  The more we realize our utter dependence on God, the more we will be blessed through prayer.

Too often we don't realize we are dependent upon God until we are in a crisis and have nowhere else to turn. What, if anything, reminds you of dependence on God during an average day?

I hope to see you all on Friday at 10:30 am.

Love,
Carla

A Heart for Blessing in Prayer

Connection Group - 06.10.11

We are very excited for Carly and for her baby on the way! This past Friday we brought refreshments and gifts to celebrated the new addition to the Jeffers's family.

Before Carly opened her gifts and we all had a great time of fellowship.

In our study we learned that anyone who seeks God earnestly will find Him and hear from Him.

" But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29

The three great blessings that comes from praying continually are:

1.-The Blessing of Greater Faith: Faith in God increases as we abide in Christ, we pray often and see God respond to our prayers.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15 

2.-The Blessing of Greater Peace:  By keeping close to the Lord in prayer, we can experience His peace regardless of the circumstance around us.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. " John 14:26

3.-The Blessing of Greater Purity: Prayer is an important avenue to greater purity as we confess our sins(very important), seek God's forgiveness, and make amends to those we have sinned against.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1 John 1:8-9

As believers God commanded us to pray throughout the day in any circumstance at any time.

"pray continually" 1Thessalonians 5:17

I hope to see you all on Friday at 10:30 am and I hope you have the chance to work in your workbooks. We are in Week 2.

Love,
Carla

A Heart for God's Word

Connection Group-06.03.11

Our connection group started back last Friday and my prayer is that God will speak to your life through this Bible study and answer any prayer requests you may have. 


Our introductory lesson "A Heart For God's Word" emphasizes how important it is to spend time in the Word of God every day. Our devotional time should be a source of strength, guidance and refreshment.


Elizabeth George shared two ways a women can draw near to God's heart. 


1.Develop the habit of drawing near to God: refuse to miss a day to spend time in the Word of God. Check your calendar every day after you spend that quality time studying the Bible and think about what you read? Even if it is only one verse that impacts you that is a great start!


2. Design a personal time for drawing near to God: the when and where is important. Choose a place and time when you can have your quite time. I know it is difficult with little kids around but not impossible. At least 10 to 15 minutes, something is better that nothing. 


I hope you prepare your hearts for the next lesson "A Heart for Blessing in Prayer" We will see how important prayer is in our life and the blessing that comes from praying. 


So I hope to see you on Friday@ 10:30am. 




Love, 
Carla