2 Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

(Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

Genesis 3:6

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.  She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Philippians 3:19-21

whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their mind on earthly things.  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

(Read Philippians 3:15-21)

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Psalms 139:14

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

(Read Psalms 139:13-16)

Proverbs 14:1

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Romans 12:13

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

(Read Romans 12:3-13)

1 Timothy 5:10

well reported for good works:  if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

(Read 1 Timothy 5:1-10)

Proverbs 31:27

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

(Read Proverbs 31:26-28)

1 Peter 4:9-10

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

(Read 1 Peter 4:1-11)

Reflection: {Week #6}

Wow, ladies, we've made it through Week #6 of our Intentionally Focused study!  Only 2 more weeks to go!  As this post is getting posted a little late this weekend, I hope you take the time this weekend to reflect back on this past week's study time.  What are some things that the Lord laid on your heart this week?  What did you learn through digging into God's Word this week? 

 

With only 2 more weeks to go, I wanted to ask whether we should continue with another study right away or take a couple of weeks off then start up again later...what do you ladies think?  I would love your feedback!

 

Now on to our questions for the week...

 

1.  What is your favorite animal?

 

2.  Do you have any pets?  If so, what do you have and its name?  If not, what pet would you love to have (if any)?

 

3.  What is the most unusual animal you have ever seen? 

 

4.  Would you rather go to a farm, a circus, a zoo, an aquarium, or a butterfly garden?

 

Have a happy Sunday, ladies!

2 Timothy 3:15-17

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(Read 2 Timothy 3:10-17)

Matthew 18:5-6

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

(Read Matthew 18:1-6)

Psalms 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

(Read Psalms 127:1-5)

Psalms 78:3-4, 6-7

v. 3-4 - Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

v. 6-7 - That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;

(Read Psalms 78:1-8)

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

(Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9)

Reflection: {Week #5}

Hi, Ladies!

 

It is Saturday!  Yay for the weekend!  It is also that time of the week where we get to reflect back over our time spent with the Lord this week.  What has challenged you this week in regard to your friendships?  What are some things that the Lord laid on your heart that encouraged you, taught you, spoke to you, or strengthened within you through your study time this week?

 

And, now, some questions for you to answer about yourself:

 

1.  What is your favorite color?

 

2.  Do you have a life verse?  What is it?

 

3.  Who is your favorite female Bible character?

 

4.  On a rainy day, would you rather watch movies all day, read a book, play games, go for a drive, or go out and run and dance and sing in the rain?

 

Enjoy this rainyish day today!  And, have a great weekend!

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Ephesians 4:29, 31-32

v. 29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

v. 31-32 - Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

(Read Ephesians 4:29-32)

Colossians 3:13-14

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

(Read Colossians 3:12-17)

John 15:12-13

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

(Read John 15:9-17)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

(Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Proverbs 31:30-31

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. 

(Read Proverbs 31:10-31)

Titus 2:3

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things --

(Read Titus 2:3-5)

Ephesians 5:22-23, 28-29

v. 22-23 - Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

v. 28-29 - So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

(Read Ephesians 5:22-33)

Genesis 3:6

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.  She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

(Read Genesis 3:1-24)

Genesis 2:18, 24

v. 18 - And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

v. 24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

(Read Genesis 2:18-25)

Happy 4th of July! Week #3: {Reflection}

Hi, Ladies!

 

Happy 4th of July!

 

Wow!  Where has the week gone?!?!  How was your week?  How was the Bible study in intentionally focusing your mind?  What's the one thing you learned through your study time this week.  Well, it's that time again to look back over your time spent studying God's Word this week...to reflect on what God pressed into your heart and mind...to perhaps catch up on the study...whatever you need this weekend for.

 

In light of our nation's birthday celebration this weekend, I thought our get-to-know-you questions would be themed around that...  Have fun answering!

 

1.  What is your favorite RED thing and WHY?

 

2.  What is your favorite WHITE thing and WHY?

 

3.  What is your favorite BLUE thing and WHY?

 

4.  What is your favorite thing to do on the 4th of July?

 

5.  If you could, which of our former U.S. presidents would you rather meet and talk to...George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan?

 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

(Read Colossians 3:1-3)

2 Corinthians 10:5

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

(Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-5)

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Read Romans 12:1-2)

Romans 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

(Read Romans 8:1-8)

Reflection: {Week #2}

Hi, Ladies!

 

It's the weekend again and that time of the week where we get to reflect back on our week...especially our times throughout the week spent with the Lord and digging into His Word.  How was your week?  What are a few things God has pressed on your heart or taught you this week in terms of intentionally focusing on your spiritual life?  Perhaps you need this day as a grace day to catch up on the study?  Take this time this weekend to reflect and be refreshed. 

 

Now, I'd like to turn the corner here to ask a few get-to-know-you questions.  Since the season is upon us and since our family is in the midst of one here (and it seems I can't think of anything else but this topic), I thought I would theme our questions about YARD SALES.  So, here we go:

 

1.  Do you go to yard sales?  If so, what is your best find at a yard sale?

 

2.  What 3 possessions of yours would you never want sold in a yard sale or any sale for that matter and would rather see passed on to your children, grandchildren, etc.?

 

3.  Would you rather go yard sale shopping, grocery shopping, shoe shopping, or clothes shopping?

Psalms 63:3-5

Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.  Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

(Read Psalms 63:1-8)

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Read Hebrews 4:12-13)

John 4:13-14

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

(Read John 4:1-14)

John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

(Read also John 6:35, 8:12, 10:11, and 14:6)

Mark 1:35

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

(Read also Luke 5:16)

Week #1: {Reflection}

So, how was your week?  How was your time spent in the Word this week?  Take some time over this weekend to reflect on the passages we studied this past week.  What was the Lord teaching you this week?  No need to share your answers to these reflection questions...they're just here to challenge us to reflect and respond to what we were studying this past week.

 

And, without further adieu... 

 

In honor of my kiddos' last day of school today, I thought it would be fun to ask some school-related get-to-know-you questions.  My apologies if just the thought of you and school bring back any bad memories.  ;)  So, here we go:

 

1.  What is your best school memory?

 

2.  What were your extracurricular activities in school?  Band, choir, student council, sports teams, etc.?

 

3.  Who was the best teacher you ever had in school and why?

 

4.  What was your favorite subject to study in school?

 

5.  Would you rather go to gym class, art class, music class, library, or lunch?

 

Have a great weekend, ladies!  Have fun celebrating all of the dads in our lives!

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(Read Philippian 3:12-14)

Ephesians 5:15-16

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

(Read Ephesians 5:15-21)

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

(Read Hebrews 12:1-3)

Psalms 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:1

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

(Read Ephesians 5:1-14)

Just a Few Things Before We Begin...

Hi, Ladies!

I'm so glad that you are joining in this study!  I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses each and every one of you to teach, help, and encourage one another throughout this study.  

One thing that I think is important before we begin is to set some goals for this study so take some time between now and Monday to prayerfully consider setting 2 or 3 goals to look back on at the completion of this study.  You do not need to share these goals in the comments section as they are personal and between you and God.

Another thing that I want to stress is that you do not need to share anything that you do not feel comfortable sharing.  Please do not feel pressured to share anything that you do not want to and please do not feel judged for anything that you do share.

Next, for any of you who love technology or love using the Bible App by LifeChurch.tv.  This study plan is on there!  All you need to do is search for "Good Morning Girls Intentionally Focused" and then start the plan.  You can even set reminders for yourself for a certain time of day to study the verses for that day!

Okay, now it's time to get to know one another and practice sharing in the comments section below.  So, some time today or tomorrow, take the time to answer the following:

1.  Share a little bit about yourself.  Who are you?  Are you married and for how long?  Do you have any kids, how many, and what are their ages?  Where did you grow up at?  How long have you lived in the Mount Washington Valley?  Do you work and what is it that you do for work?  What is your birthdate (no need to give the year)? Share 3 words that you would use to describe yourself.  How old are you and how much do you weigh?  (Okay, you don't have to answer those last couple questions!  Hehe!)  :)

2.  Name 3 hobbies or things you like to do with your time.

3.  Would you rather go biking, hiking, or swimming?

I'm sure we are all looking forward to reading each other's answers!

Monday is almost here!

Welcome!

Hi, Ladies!

Welcome!  I'm so glad that you are here!  With summer fast approaching and a lot of the small group Bible studies on hold until fall, I thought this online Bible study blog would be a great opportunity for anybody to dig into the Word of God, connect with ladies that you may not otherwise connect with, and offer a little bit  of accountability to read and study God's Word along the way.  A group of ladies and I did a study through this blog a couple of years ago, and I personally loved it!  I think the other ladies did too!  It was perfect for me as I was a busy mom with little kiddos and a husband with a crazy schedule, and I wasn't in a place to be able to commit to going to a Bible study.  So, I hope you love this too!  More importantly, I hope you love the time spent with the Lord through prayer and reading and studying His Word...Enjoy!

 

Also, if you have any friends or know of any ladies that would love to be a part of this study, please invite them to join in too. 

So, how this online Bible study blog works is fairly simple... 

1. Print out the schedule of verses to read and study so that you have it.  (See below) 

I got this study schedule and idea through the goodmorninggirls.org website which unfortunately does not seem to have the Intentionally Focused study available through its website anymore.  The recommended method suggested to study the Bible is the SOAP method which is explained right on the schedule printout.  You may have a different method to study the Bible so do what works for you! 

2. Read and study the verses for the day.  Do it anytime during that day...whatever works for you.  Some of you may be early birds; some of you may be night owls...there is no right or wrong time...just read, study, and dig into God's Word every day!

3. Every day, the verse that you are to SOAP will appear on this website as a post for the day.  Simply click on the "comments" button at the bottom and share whatever it is the Lord taught you that day, a prayer, words of encouragement to other ladies who are doing this, etc...  If you are among the first to comment, you can come back later in the day to view the other ladies' comments. 

And, that's it for the Bible study portion.

On Saturday, I will try to post some get to know you type questions so that we can get to know one another on a more personal level even while doing this study.  So, if you want me to ask a particular question, please just shoot me an email.  It should be fun!

 

If I have thoroughly confused any of you or if you have any questions, please ask!  I'd be happy to answer them!