He Does More Than We Can Imagine

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
(Ephesians 3:20, NKJV)

Have you ever had something in life happen to you that was hard for you to believe? I have. When I won a full scholarship to a writers retreat, I had never expected that. I felt like the odds were stacked against me. At the time, I had no transportation to get there or didn't think my family would even allow me to even attend. About a month before, I had some unexpected circumstances transpire that would allow me to attend this much needed retreat. That just goes to show that when we least expect it, God comes in and shows us that, Yes I will do this. You just need to wait on me. Is there something that you really want to do but just don't see a way to get it done? Let me encourage you, just wait on the Lord and if it's His will, He will allow you to do the thing you really desire to do.

Don't Worry!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
(Phillipians 4:6 NKJV)

How many of us have a problem with worry? This verse plainly states that we're to be anxious about nothing. That's saying to me, let the Lord handle the situation. I know that in life, we will all have those things that bog us down, but ladies, we need to give it completely over to Him! I know that's a lot easier said than done sometimes, but once we do that, we will begin to have peace. Are you struggling today with a trial that's bogging you down? I want to encourage you, give your wory to the Lord and let Him take care of it!

Peace for Today, Hope for Tomorrow

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." - John 14:27 (NLT)

Have you ever felt like you were living out your life on your own? Have you felt like the struggles and challenges you face were unlike anything anyone ever experienced before or could even relate too? Have you felt hopeless or forgotten about by God? If you have ever felt like this in any way, then know today that the LORD has an eternal message for you. In fact, He has gifted you with infinite promises and assurances in His Word.

Over and over again, the LORD provides countless messages of love to His beloved children. He communicates all that He is and all that He has for those who trust Him and place their hope and their future in Him.

Not only has the LORD shared His Spirit with those who follow Him in the way of Christ, but He has also shared His peace. And it is this peace that can comfort the soul who feels alone, that can provide resolution to the soul who struggles, and that can give grace to the soul with little to no hope.

No matter what you have to deal with in your life in the day-to-day, the LORD has peace for today and hope for tomorrow.

Challenge: Go forward today being intentional in claiming God's peace, being purposed in celebrating and rejoicing in God's love, and being renewed in spirit.

A Prayer for You: Most Holy Father, You have promised us perfect peace. Our hope is in You; we trust You. Help us to live each day believing the words You have said. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Kim Teamer (The Phone Tree Bible Study Group), Guest Blogger

Have You Left Your First Love?

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
(Revelation 2:4, NKJV)

When couples get married, everyone knows, there is the honeymoon phaise. You're so happy to be married and you're so thrilled to be able to have your own place. After a few years, the honeymoon period is over. In our walk with the Lord, we can have the same problem. Do you need to return to your first love today? Do you need that renewed fire and zeal? When we first get saved, we're so on fire for God and we want to do all that we can to please Him. After awhile, again, He becomes routine to us. We'll attend church because it's a ritual. We've always done it so we know that's what we're supposed to do. It's the same with our Bible reading and devotion time. There again, we've always done it, so it's just something we check off our list. Let me encourage you, stop making devotion time a thing we check off our lists, let's make it a priority!

Psalm 23, Week 6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(Psalm 23:6 NKJV)

When this verse says that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, does it mean that it will always be a good day? No, absolutely not! Far from it actually. To dwell mean to live, and when we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, that means whatever bad thing happens to us, He will turn it into good. If we let the Lord use our lives, He will use it for His glory. When He begins to use our experiences in that way, ladies, you won't hardly believe some of the thing that He will accomplish through you. Did I ever think I'd be a writier and leading an online Bible study for women? No, not in a million years. When I surrendered my life over to God and said "Lord use it how ever you see fit," then he turned it into more than I could've dreamed possible! That's because He's living inside of me and I'm letting Him use my life fully and completely. Is it always easy? No! Is it always worth it? Yes, absolutely! Ladies, as we end this Bible study, let me encourage you, let the Lord use you! With Psalm 23 being such a familiar Psalm, let's also remember, don't let the words become verbatum to you. I pray this has been an encouragement to you and also a reminder of just how good our God is! Can I pray for you?

Father, I lift up my readers to you. Lord I pray that you'll just bring the things to their mind that you want them to get. Lord get me out of the way of this study so you can do your work. Work in each lady's heart, whether she needs comfort, assurance, peace or whatever it may be. In Jesus name, Amen.

Are You in Need of a Friend?

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:24, New King James Version)

I have a dear friend by the name of Nan Jones. Our story of the way we started communicating was nothing more than a God-thing. I'd sent one email to her asking a question about writing. I really didn't expect a response from her because she was a writer and speaker. I thought she'd be too busy to answer an email from me, especially not knowing me. Sometimes, we think Jesus is that way. We think He's too busy for little 'ole me. This verse tells us that He sticks closer than any friend or brother. I know that Nan loves me and I know she encourages me, but at the same time, even she can't take the place of the sweet encouragement that the Lord gives. She loves me, but He loves me even more than she ever can no matter how hard she tried. Sweet sisters, if you're in search of a friend today, let me encourage you to run to the greatest friend you'll ever have!

Psalm 23, Week 5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
(Psalm 23:5 NKJV)

How many of us have or have had enimies in our lifetime? I'm sure if we're honest, we all have at some point. There's always going to be someone who doesn't like you as a person or they don't like what you do. In Scripture, we're told that until we get saved, we're God's enimy. God's enimy! That's hard to believe for some people. They say that how can a loving God have enimies? Once we're saved, we become his friends and we're treasured by Him. That, my dear sisters, should make our cup overflow with praise. We should always praise Him for that fact! To think, we can be a friend of the Creator of the universe? Wow! That's just mind boggling to me. I don't want to assume that every person that may be reading this Bible study is a Christian. If not, let me encourage you to do that. When we do, it will be the best decision you'll ever make in your life! It will also be the hardest decision you ever make because living the Christian life isn't always a bed of roses. When you get saved, you can become a friend of God! Let me encourage you to become His friend today!

Psalm 23, week 4

Yea, 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.
(Psalm 23:4, NKJV)

What does it mean to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death?" Some think of it as losing a loved one, and it can mean that. I think it's also when we're going through a trial in our lives. When we go through that storm or that trial, we feel as though we'll never make it out. We think we'll never make it to the other side. Though it may seem like an insurmountable obsticle, when we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, it's not. When we're going through that difficulty, we have the comfort of an almighty God! When we're feeling so alone and even deserted at times, He's there. Ladies, I want to encourage you to take that comfort when you need it. He never gets tired of us coming to Him for the comfort that we so desperately need at different times in our lives. I'd love to know your thoughts and comments.

Rejoice Always

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice!"
~ Philippians 4:4

Every circumstance that comes our way, whether good or bad, is an opportunity for the Lord to show His grace, love, and power on our behalf and for His glory. That's why in everything we can give thanks and always rejoice in the Lord.

Instead of moving into "panic mode" or that "knee-jerk reaction" when situations arise, we will find that by choosing to move into the peace and rest of the Lord we will rise above the situation and find His wisdom, strength, and hope to overcome. Instead of reacting, we respond to the Lord's calm assurance and presence.

I like the way Graham Cooke puts it:
"We can stand up in our spirits and live a life that really glorifies who God truly is. God is always delivering us from ourselves and promoting us into a place in Jesus."

Isn't it reassuring to know that God has placed us in the safest place we could possibly be in? My dear friend, Jesus is that safest place. And you are secure in His loving arms. So rejoice when the trials of life come against you and see God smiling upon you saying, "Watch my dear child; watch what I will do for you now!"

Let Jesus be big in you and everything that would overtake you won't!

by Lyvonne Snyder, Guest Blogger

Guest Blogger!

We're taking a break from our Psalm 23 Bible study this week to feature our guest blogger for September. Please welcome my friend, Lyvonne Snyder! I would also ask for your prayers this week. I will be attending a writer's retreat. Please pray that I will hear from the Lord while I'm there in the quiet and solitude. Love you all!

Psalm 23 Study, Week 3

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:3 NKJV)

When I read this verse, it makes me think of restoration. Think about when we restore a piece of furniture. When we get through with it, it's like brand new. When God restores us, He makes us new again. He takes our broken lives...our mess and turns it into something He can use to glorify Him. Like a friend of mine says, I'm so glad he takes my messes and uses them for His glory. He takes our mess, and if we let Him, He'll turn it into His message. Do you need restoration today? I encourage you to pray and ask God to restore the broken pieces of your life. I pray that this study is helpful and encouraging you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments. Let's make this as interactive as possible!

Meditating on the Word

Nevertheless I am continually with You;You hold me by my right hand.
Psalm 73:23 (NKJV)

I was given a chalenge today at a ladies conference and now I want to offer this chalenge to you. For the next week, I want to encourage you to sit for an hour with this one verse of Scripture and really meditate on the words of it. Let God speak to you through it. If you don't know how, that's ok. God will show you. Just sit down, pray and say, Lord I'm here if there's anything you want me to know, show me. Oh ladies, He will begin to show you things that you can't hardly believe. I'll be praying for you all as we take this chalenge together!

Psalm 23, Week 2

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
(Psalm 23:2, NKJV)

When we think of Green Pastures, we think of a very calm, a very serine place. That's what God is trying to get us to see here. When he tells us that we're to ly in green pastures beside the still waters, He's telling us that we need to find a place for our spirit to just calm. In the midst of the chaos of life, we just need to sit and be calm. I know that we find our spirit in so much termoil at times that it's hard for us to do that. God wants us to remember that in the midst of it all, He's there to give us calm in the midst of a chaotic world. I pray that if you're going through a chaotic situation, you'll take time today to just let Him lead you to those still waters.

Psalm 23 Study, Week 1

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
(Psalm 23:1 New King James Version)

When we think of a sheperd, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The first thing that enters my mind is a man shepherding his sheep. That's how the Lord is, He's our beloved shepherd. When anyone goes astray, He will search for that lost shepherd and bring him back into the fold. Ladies, whatever is keeping you from the shepherd today, it can never be enough to keep Him from you. We're always held in the palm of His hand, even when we stray. In my own life, I've recognized the role of the shepherd in a tremendous way over this last week. I' was having doubts about doing this study, the enimy was throwing his darts at me. In the midst of all of that, through the shepherd's gentle reminders and the reminders of a dear friend, they kept reminding me that there was someone that needed to be reminded of this Psalm. Sometimes things can become so familiar, it can lose its meaning and the words can lose their power. Let's take comfort that we have a shepherd today. Do you know what the best part is? The shepherd knows us each by name!! He knows us, and He calls us! Not only is He our shepherd, He's our need supplier! The second part of this verse says, "I shall not want." That doesn't mean He'll give us everything we ask for; sometimes His answer may be "No." Let's remember though that when God says "No" to something, He's got something even better waiting for us!

I pray you'll enjoy this study over the next few weeks. If you have questions, fill free to ask. If I don't know the answer, we'll find out together. I'll try to answer in my next post. God bless you all!

What Do You Choose?

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
“ In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
But you would not,
(Isaiah 30:15, NKJV)

Have you ever been in a situation where you had no idea how you were going to make it through? Let's stop and think for a minute. Maybe God is allowing this for you to behold your miracle. There's a catch here though. When those situations and ataks come, we have a choice. We can either panick and have a pity party, or we can say "okay God, I'm your child and I choose to behold you through this." Ladies, we have a choice. We can either watch our faith grow through each trial and difficulty, or we can sit on the sidelines and be in panick mode. By the way, our faith isn't going to grow by sitting and wishing! Faith requires action ladies, so let's show Satan that he has no authority and no demenion! I've had to make some choices this week. I have to either decide that the enimy can take control of my mind, or I can decide to look up and know without a doubt God will get me through this! Ladies, what will you choose today?