WHO'S CALLING...?

Is your heart faithfully driven to God's Word? It is my hope to encourage you and remind you to live abundantly, wherever God has placed you

FYI, I have moved to faithfullydrivenhearts.com, come join me there! And if you have enjoyed getting these devotions and Bible studies in your inbox then I encourage you to subscribe to my new site, Faithfullydrivenhearts.com

Here is my most recent post. Enjoy!

Thanks for all your support and prayers! Katie

Dear Lord,

I want to be pleasing to You in thought, word and deed. Sometimes I worry about what others may think of me. What I say or how I say it. How I look or how I should look.
I have learned this lesson, to not only abide in You for all things, but to except myself as Your own. Help me LORD to do the things I know to be right, so I may glorify You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

---

As I prepare for our Bible study on Defining Your Noble Character, I stumbled across my old Bible study notebook. I'm guessing I wrote this prayer over ten years ago. My oldest was just a baby then, now twelve.
Just got goose bumps reading the part; excepting myself as Your own. Yes, I am a child of the Living God and He Loves me. (OK just made myself hold back a few tears so I can keep writing)
If you have ever prayed this prayer or you have now for the first time, please know that you are not alone.

Jesus is calling you to be His own. You are a child of the Living God and He Loves you!

Over the past decade I have grown in my faith so much. A big hurdle has been learning how to submit to God over everything ells in my life, including my husband. (we will tackle the 'S' word more in D.Y.N.C.)

---

On a lighter note I thought I would share a little devotion that my daughter and I shared the other day. It's from Elizabeth George, A Girl After God's Own Heart.
One quick not here, try not to look over scripture that you are already familiar with.

God's Word is Living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  (Hebrews 3:12-13)

Without sharing all the details of how my daughter was feeling this particular day. Lets just say she had had enough with one of her siblings. If you have siblings, then I need say no more!

God is Love (1 John 4:8). What do you learn about God in this verse?
Her answerer; God is love and always caring.
God so loved the world (including you!) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus, God's one and only Son, died for sinners. What does this tell you about how much God loves you?
Her answerer; God will do anything for me.

What a joy to see the Holy Spirit active and alive in those who are close to you. We had a wonderful talk about how God will do anything for us ,that is in His will for us. We just need to ask. He loves us so much that he sent His Son to die on the cross, to take away our sins so that we might be with him in heaven one day. What a beautiful message the Gospel tells us!
And this sums up one joyful mom;

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). How will the Bible help you?
Her answerer; The Bible helps me feel happy and I like it when songs are made with words from the Bible.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). How will learning and memorizing God's Word help you?
Her answerer; It helps me be closer to God.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how God works in our lives and the lives of our loved ones!
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Blessings!
Katie

YOUR 'HAPPY PLACE'

You have made known to me the paths of Life; You will fill me with joy in your presence. (Acts 2:28)

Have you ever lost your ‘happy place’? Better question might be have you ever found it? You know that place or feeling that know...

To continue reading this message please go to www.faithfullydrivenhearts.com / Blog / YOUR 'HAPPY PLACE'

If you are reading this from your email (or this is your first time here) and you would like to continue (or start) receiving messages from me,  please subscribe to my new site, Faithfully Driven Hearts. 

(this may be your last email from Women of Faith Study)

Blessings!

Katie

FRESH START

We have a fresh new platform for our Bible studies, plus I get to add in some fun and practical tips for us Alaskan-grown women of Faith. Join me over at www.faithfullydrivenhearts.com

The site is still a work in progress but I managed to get my first post up! Check it out!

TRUE FACE TIME

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (Hebrews 10:24)

Do you remember the time when you opened your Face Book account? When you first re-connected with old friends? It was exciting and addicting all at the same time, right?  More then likely you have made even more 'friends' because of social media. But have you really taken the time to examined weather you are in good company or not?

Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Social media can appear to be the best way to connect with people. Especially for those of us who feel like we live 'in-the-middle-of-know-where' ( you know, when your package you just ordered online says 'undeliverable', physical address unknown or no shipping outside the continental USA, aka Alaska and Hawaii) Or quite possibly in the middle of a big city. I could only imagine how it could very well be the same for those who live in a BIG city. Where there are SO many people it seems impossible to connect with anyone.

Don't lose site of God's Word. And, although Face Book is a great way to stay connected and meet new people it can also take you away from 'true face time' with people who need Christ's light. That's you! When Christ called you to be His, He also gave you The Holy Spirit in order that you might be light for Him. (Read Matthew 5:13-16)

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25)

(Note: The 'Day' when Christ returns)

How would you examine your 'true face time'? In your journal today write down ways you have reached out to someone 'face to face'. Also consider how you might meet with one of your 'face friends' (aka face book friend).

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father In heaven. (Matthew 5:25)

Blessings!

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

Sounds sweet and all but what if you didn't choose where you are today? What if you live where you live by calling and not by choice? 

I've often said that there are two kinds of Alaskan women; those who choose to live here and those who are called to live here. Don't get me wrong I love Alaska, its beauty and wide open space. But there defiantly has been seasons in my life where its not by choice I live in Alaska but by God's calling. I think some of you can relate with me. It may not be your location but your circumstances in life.

As I pondered on these thoughts today I went to the scriptures and found some encouragement for us.

 2 Peter chapter 1

Making One's Calling and Election Sure

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Read the full chapter on your own. Pay attention to the warm introduction from Peter and his conclusion as he gives all the credit to our Savior, taking non for himself.

Thank you for being on this journey with me!
I am blessed,
Katie

PS, I believe when the scriptures are referring to brothers, we as sisters in Christ are also included.

Beyond LadyLike

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior... (Titus 2:3a)

How old do you think these 'older women' were at the time Paul was encouraging them?

Although it is not clear of the age it is assumed, according to an esv commentary, the median age of death for women was 34 years!  Shocking, right?  As I studied our text further I realized that I am the 'older woman' to those younger then me. I have a responsibility to be reverent in behavior, teach, train and lead by example the road God has laid out before me. Recognizing that it is not for my gain but for the teaching of sound doctrine.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5)

If you, like me have past this age, know that you are the 'older woman' and someone is looking up to you. What would they say about your faith life? Do they know how much you honor the Lord by your actions or how you fail to do so? Don't be offended, our failure's are proof that we are by nature human and all humans are sinners in need of a Savior.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

My challenge for you this week is to think of a young lady whom your heart goes out to, pray for her and also pray, if it be in God's will, that you might have the opportunity to show her by your example what is 'good'.

When I was a teenager I was blessed with such a woman who loved the Lord and lead by example. She was someone I could trust and talk to. She wasn't afraid to pray with me and tell me the truth about growing up as a teen. Sadly she and her family moved away before I graduated. But God surprisingly brought her back into my life most unexpectedly. Just before we reunited I was off in collage living on my own, making my own choices, doing my own thing all wile going to church and realizing that I couldn't live a double life. I was drifting away from my faith. (Thank the Lord he will never leave us or forsake us!) We had no idea that we would have ended up in the same town, let alone going to the same church. Long story short I needed a place to stay for a few months and she lovingly opened her home to me. I felt a peace that only Jesus could give. Randomly she would leave little words of encouragement or scripture to remind me not to be of this world but to remember who Christ made me to be. How he loved me and had a plan for my life.

I hope you have had the blessing of being mentored in your life. If you haven't, I encourage you to be a mentor to the young lady your thinking about right now.

3 simple steps on mentor beyond ladylike

   1. Pray for her

   2. Listen to her

   3. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. (1 Peter 3:15)

Blessings to you Older Women of Faith

'Who do you say that I AM?'

The other day my father sang for me this song, 'Who do you say that I AM', by Andrew Culverwell.


Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17) Read Matthew 16:13-20 and look up this old song. You will be blessed.

Wow, there sure is power when the written Word of God is turned into music!

Years ago before I started helping with our song selection at church I really hadn't paid to much attention to the connection between the song and the scripture readings each Sunday.  I was just waiting and hoping that the song I liked the best would be played. I still have my favorites, but when a song comes along that I just don't know that well or I am having a hard time singing with everyone ells, I just focus on the words and trust that His Word is being delivered to me.

Next Sunday, when you hear a song that your just not too excited about, trust that there is a purpose for that song and keep praising Him!

I found this quote in my Grandmothers old Hymnal. I think it goes very well with this post.

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music. (Martin Luther)

New Look, Same Focus

What is your purpose?

This question was asked at the beginning of our first study here at Woman of Faith Study. Since then
our Bible studies have been engaging and insightful! Because of you I have been encouraged to continue our studies. My focus for this blog remains the same; to encourage Women of Faith to Study God's Word Faithfully.

If you are still asking yourself this question, 'what is my purpose'?  Please know that you are not alone. No matter what season of life you are in, Jesus is always nearer than you think. He is ready to walk with you and guide you through whatever it is that He has called you to do. You have a purpose. By daily growing in faith I believe God will reach out to you and reveal the noble characters within you.

With that said I will be taking this summer to put together our next Bible Study focused on the 'The Noble Woman'.

In the mean time I will be keeping you posted on how things are progressing. I will need some much needed feed back from you along the way. So, please subscribe to this blog and share with your friends who might be interested in learning more about revealing their noble characters.

My goal is to post once a week, check in with me and see how things are going. Thank you all for the encouragement and prayers. You are much appreciated!

Blessings!

Katie <><

Valuing Self-Control

Taming the Tongue

James preaches self-control in our use of God's gift of language. We often don't think twice about gossiping, using God's name in vain, telling "little white lies," or using foul language.

James warns his readers that teachers of the faith (particularly including pastors) must be aware of the fact that they will be held strictly accountable for what they say. Since people (including teachers of the faith) stumble in life, including in their speech, a teacher (pastor) must be constantly in control of his tongue.

Listening and Doing

My dear brothers(/sisters), take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21

 

 

 

Read the book of James in your Bible.

* How do these verses in James encourage you to gain self-control and tame your tongue?

* How have these verses helped you speak God's promise of
Salvation?

* How can the book of James help your prayer life?

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

Gentlness

Approaching Gentleness

 

When we hear the word meek, we may well think of weakness and timidity. We might imagine a person who cannot stand up and deal with the problems in life or someone who has low self-esteem or is just plain shy. This is definitely not what Jesus has in mind. Meekness and gentleness describe an attitude of humility and self-restraint. The gentle man might be very powerful, physically strong, or socially empowered, but he interacts with others out of love and compassion.

 

Peter's Advice

 

In 1 Peter 3:1-6, Peter offers a case study in gentleness as an exercise of love and Christian concern. Imagine a situation where a Christian wife is married to an unbelieving husband. How shall she win him over to Jesus?

 

     * What non-verbal witness can a wife make to her husband?

 

     * What does the world define as "beauty"?

 

     * What does God see as beautiful?

 

     * Does what Peter say in these verses sound offensive to modern ears?

 

 

 

Words to Remember

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23

 

To prepare for "Maintaining Self-Control," read Proverbs 25

Faithfulness

The Messiah, Faithfulness Incarnate  

The prophet Isaiah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, looked forward to God sending a Savior who would bear the sins of all people. In Isaiah 11:1-5, he describes the coming Messiah.

   * List the seven characteristics of the Spirit that rest upon the coming Savior (v.2).

   * List the three characteristics of the Messiah (vv. 3-5).

   * How will the Messiah demonstrate His faithfulness? How does His faithfulness impact you?

   * Dig deeper into God's Word this week and learn more about Faithfulness.

   * Share an example of God's Faithfulness with someone you care for this week.


 
 

Blessed Lord, who has commanded us to love one another, grant us grace. Having received Your undeserved bounty, may we love everyone in You and for You. We implore Your mercy for all; but especially for the friends whom Your love has given to us. Love them, O Fountain of love, and make them to love You with all their heart, that they may will, and speak, and do those things only which are pleasing to You. Amen

(Anselm of Canterbury, 1033-1109)

Goodness

Goodness of God

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:9-10

     * What is Good or should I say Who is Good?

Good and upright is the LORD; ... Psalm 25:8a (read Psalm 25)

You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call to you. (Psalm 86:5)
  
    * How can you show goodness?

 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. (Proverbs 11:27)

Test everything. Hold on to the good.  (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

On a human level we use different criteria for determining whether or not practically anything is good. The label good, as we apply it in our daily lives, depends oftentimes on whether or not we like someone or something. Psalm 34:8 reminds us that, ultimately, "The LORD is good." He alone determines what is good and what is evil. Practically anything He has created and determined "good" (Genesis 1, specially v. 31) can be abused and become bad for us. But even in such cases, the Lord's forgiving goodness is palpable---it can be "tasted"---in the One whose body was broken for us, but whose bones remained untouched (Psalm 34:8, 20).

Kindness

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Would you be so kind as to forgive someone who hurt you and humiliated you in public?
Or would you repay evil for evil?

Joseph had made a choice to forgive the wrong done to him by his brothers.
Because God showed His kindness to Joseph (Genesis 39:2-3 & 41:39) he then was able to show kindness to his brothers.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:20-21

Another example of kindness is found in the book of Ruth.

  How does Boaz show kindness in Ruth 2:16?

  Why do you think Boaz is showing kindness in this way?

  What does Naomi mean when she says; "The LORD bless him!... "He has not stopped showing      kindness to the living and the dead." (Ruth 2:20-21)

James 1:22 reads, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

So then how do we show Love, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control? By your actions! We must be doers of the Word!

Share a time you have shown kindness to someone in need after forgiving them.

Christ the Ideal

Patience

We find no greater example of patience, especially in the face of suffering, than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed tremendous patience with His followers (see Mark 8:14-33, for example). The one place where His patience shines most brightly, of course, is Calvary. If God's patience can be defined as delaying punishment and showing mercy, then the cross stands as the purest and strongest example. Read John 18-19

* Does Jesus have the power to stop the proceeding? Why does He choose no to do so? (See John 18:11)

* What indignities does Jesus suffer during the religious trial, and why does He endure it so patiently (18:19-24)?

* What did His enemies accuse Him of in the religious trial? In the secular trial?

* In light if Deuteronomy 21:22-23, how does the cross provide the perfect and ultimate example of longsuffering?

Dear God! Grant us also peaceful hearts and good courage in our struggle and unrest against the devil, whom we cannot endure nor finally defeat. We desire to have peace, and to praise and thank You, and not to grumble nor become impatient against Your divine will. Grant that peace in our hearts wins the day, so that we hold nothing against You, our God, nor against our fellow man, because of impatience. Rather, help us to remain calm and peaceful, both inwardly and outwardly, to You and to all people, until the coming of that final and eternal peace.

(Martin Luther, 1483-1546)

 

Know this, my believed brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. James 1:19-20

To prepare for "Kindness in Action," read the Book of Ruth