Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Grace to Overcome - Trials and Tribulations


We Are More Than Conquerors!

As Christian Women, we sometimes forget that each of us is a work in progress. There will never be the "Ultimate Christian" and there is no graduation for us until Christ returns. Even then, He will test what we have done with this gift of life that He has given us.

This past week, a group of us discussed the personal trials that we are currently facing. As we all shared what was on our hearts, the Lord allowed us to see that there were many commonalities and patterns in what we were experiencing. In Matthew 18:20, He said, where 2 or 3 are gathered in His Name, there He is, and Wow, did He give us revelation!

Continue reading to see if there are any nuggets of wisdom for you:

KNOW WHO YOU ARE
First, if you have accepted Christ, you are more than a conqueror! Look at the pattern in your life - you were built and are equipped for the very challenge you are facing. God uses every situation and circumstance to prepare us for victory. We may waste His time but He does not waste ours! Romans 8:37

LAY DOWN YOUR WILL
Submit and allow God to use you through this process. He is ultimately in control, all things are under his feet and nothing catches Him by surprise. Stop trying to take charge; ask the Holy Spirit to help you in this area. This is the only way you will start to know His will for your life. Romans 12:2

BECOME SELF AWARE
Know that you are not perfect and He will change you through this. This is a good thing! Renew your mind and focus on the things of the spirit. Romans 12:2

ACCEPT YOUR GIFT 
We have a tendency to want what others have, not accepting the gift that God has given us. Even if others have criticized you in the past, exercise your gift with cheerfulness, bringing glory to our Father in Heaven. Romans 12:6-8

MAKE PRAYER A PRIORITY 
Prayer should be the first resort and not the last. Some people say "well all I can do now is pray..." Christ made it a priority to stay in prayer, this should always be the first step! Paul said to pray without ceasing - pray continually about all things. 1Thessalonians 5:17

SEEK WISDOM 
When you are facing a situation, don't let your prayers be fleeting. Find a scripture that speaks to your challenge and stay on it. Fast from media, friends, food, Whatever you need to do to get revelation. Lean not on your own understanding but on the one who can deliver you. Proverbs 3:5-6

YOU ARE NOT ALONE 
Christ is always there with you whether you feel it or not. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39 Find a Church and small group to share your burdens and gifts. We have to encourage each other to fight the good fight of faith. 1Timothy 6:12 Christ did not say we wouldn't have trials and tribulations, but what He did say was that He will be with us through it! John 16:33

Here are other scriptures that will help you through this time:
I know the plans I have for you. It is to give you a future and a hope.

His Grace is sufficient for me. His power is made perfect in weakness.

If God be for us, then who can be against us?

God comforts us in our tribulation so that we may be able to comfort others.

Do not lose heart. For our light affliction, which is only for a "moment" (compared to eternity) do not focus on the things that are seen, because those things are temporary. The things that are unseen are eternal.

If you would like prayer, please email us at cbcwomensgroup@gmail.com
You can always visit our small group in person on Sundays, please see the website for details. 

We would love to hear from you!

Be blessed and stay strong in Christ!

Stacey
Women of Grace Member
Community Bible Church


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Comprehending the Love of God - Part 2

For the past few weeks, we have been focusing on the Love of God. This topic is the cornerstone lesson of all - everything else hangs off this lesson, and once you understand the love that God has for us, you will be empowered in your walk to live the life of a victorious Christian.

Margaret Echols, Woman of Grace Facilitator, leads a lively discussion with the ladies, as we continue to explore what it means to have the love and attention of the Creator of the Universe. King David also grappled with this thought, as he says in Psalm 8:4, "What is man that you are mindful of him? And the son of man that you visit him." In this 2 minute video, Margaret discusses what it means for God to love us.


Margaret Echols
Woman of Grace Facilitator
Community Bible Church

Woman of Grace, if you get nothing else, get this lesson - God Loves You! Do whatever you need to do until you genuinely grasp what this means. Tell yourself everyday (or every moment of the day if you need to), that He loves you. Say it in the mirror, say it out loud, sing it in the shower, say it driving to work and driving home, in the grocery store, the last thing before you go to bed, the first thing when you open your eyes in the morning...you get the idea. Just say it. Then say it some more, until you believe it and your thoughts line up, and then your actions. Here are some scriptures to get you started:


It is our prayer that the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. We also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe Him. 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Comprehending the Love of God

At times we are all challenged with receiving God's grace and part of that challenge stems from not comprehending the love that God has for us as His children.  Knowing God's love is the beginning of receiving His grace and exercising our faith to live the victorious Christian life. 

Margaret Echols (Woman of Grace Facilitator), led a discussion to help us begin to understand the love God has for His children. Knowing how much He loves us puts everything else in order and frees us from bondage, strongholds, and condemnation. God exercised His faith through His love, and Margaret shows us the evidence for this in the following study.

Comprehending the Love of God
  • Genesis Chapter 1 - Read the entire chapter
    • Focus Verse: 1:26
    • Message: God says "Let us make man in our image, Male and Female, to be like us." NLT
  • Genesis Chapter 2 - Read verses 1 - 9
    • Focus Verse: 2:4 and 2:5
    • Message: Man had not manifested yet, nor any of the vegetation at this point although God already planned it. God spoke man into existence by faith, demonstrating for us the power of faith.
  • Romans Chapter 1 - Read the entire chapter
    • Focus Verse:  1:20 through 1:25
    • Message: God has made the truth obvious to man through His creation. Since sinful man refuses to accept God's love, and instead suppress the truth, God abandoned him to do the shameful things his heart desired. NLT
      • This further demonstrates that God loves us so, even to the point of allowing us to have what we say we want. He wants us to choose Him, but we have to come to that on our own accord. This same attitude was found in the children of Israel when they wanted a mortal king instead of the one true King. 1 Samuel 8:7




Margaret Echols
Women of Grace Facilitator
Community Bible Church