Today’s memory verse Today is the third day of Making Your Home A Haven Bible study. My gratitude and prayer list. There are so many verses to pick for my SOAK today.I particularly liked this verse, Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord , and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily […]
Making Your Home A Haven Bible Study-Week 1, Day 3 —
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/11/how-to-delight-in-the-lord-delight-in-the-lord-week-1/
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
{Cue the Confetti!!!}
It’s time to begin the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! This week’s spiritual focus is to Delight in the Lord! Join me for Week 1’s video as we discuss How to Delight in the Lord —then pull out your journals and begin!
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/11/how-to-delight-in-the-lord-delight-in-the-lord-week-1/
Week 1 – Delight
When our schedules are full and our to-do lists are overwhelming, it’s hard to stop and enjoy life to the fullest. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins, we have a personal relationship with God. Not only should we delight in God as our savior and friend, but God is also a giver of good gifts, that he wants us to delight in!
So how do we delight in the Lord and the good gifts he has given us?
We must stop.
We must stop and open our eyes to the generosity of our God. When we sit still in his presence and simply enjoy the Lord, we find that our souls can be satisfied in him. He is a delight to know!
Once we are still in God’s presence and delighting in him, the fullness and richness of all God has given us, comes to life. Suddenly we see God’s hand in everything. We see God’s love in the chirping birds, a crispy apple, a hot cup of coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a hug from a friend, a beautiful sunset, a powerful storm and the changing leaves on the trees.
People who work too much, don’t delight in life. Instead of experiencing freedom in Christ, they lack the self-control and faith to simply stop, rest and delight.
Every evening the sun sets, signaling it is time to rest. And on the seventh day of creation, God rested. Rest and delight are God given, built-in needs for our souls.
So, it’s time! It’s time to take 15 minutes a day to stop and be grateful, pray, meditate and delight in the Lord and then go forward with the day, delighting in the good gifts God has given us to enjoy. Let’s get started.
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/11/how-to-delight-in-the-lord-delight-in-the-lord-week-1/Week 1 – Challenge
Start a daily gratitude list!
Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, let it remind you to say a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for peace in your home.
I will be starting mine in the morning but you can start yours at dinner time or whenever is convenient for you. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Let’s make our homes feel like a warm hug and a sweet haven all month long!
You see when we do not take the time to tend to our own souls – we have nothing left to give to others. So many times I have found myself busy and running on empty and then I snap – in a moment of frustration and weariness I say or do things that I would never do if I was more rested and connected with the Lord.
And so this month – let’s be intentional!
Begin your gratitude list now.
Pull out a pen and paper and begin. As you set your pen to the paper – wait on the Lord. Seek God and ask him to show you all the ways he has shown himself to you lately.
Give thanks to God for both the big and small blessings in your life.
They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
(Psalm 136:1)
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/11/how-to-delight-in-the-lord-delight-in-the-lord-week-1/
This Week’s Bible Verses:
MondayTuesday
Wednesday
ThursdayFriday
October 4, 2020 https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/10/introducing-the-11th-annual-making-your-home-a-haven-bible-study/
“Welcome to the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! 11 years ago, we began this series and never could I have imagined how much it would resonate with so many women around the world!
So many times we try to mask our struggles, pain, confusion or emptiness by keeping busy and distracted, eating food, going on vacations, seeking success or elevating certain relationships. While many of these things are blessings from God, they are not good substitutes FOR God.
This Bible Study is going to help you slow down.
It is going to force you to pause every day and enter into the presence of our Almighty God.
God’s pace is much slower than this world’s pace.
We must slow down to catch up with God.
We must create calm moments in our day because it’s in the unhurried moments, that we can clearly see and hear the voice of God.”
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/10/introducing-the-11th-annual-making-your-home-a-haven-bible-study/
So, let’s take care of our souls by intentionally creating a physical environment, as well as a spiritual environment, in our homes that brings us closer to God. As a result, we will experience peace and a sense of calmness inside our souls, no matter what we are facing.
October 21, 2020
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/10/resources-for-the-delight-in-the-lord-bible-study/
The Study Guide is optional, as I will provide for you the daily Bible Reading Plan and many free resources each week here on the blog. BUT I highly recommend the Study Guide. It provides space for your daily gratitude list and daily prayer requests, plus a place to keep all of your Bible study reflections/SOAKs and video notes.“
https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/10/resources-for-the-delight-in-the-lord-bible-study/
Go buy an extra-large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, stop, pray and give thanks.
Keep your candle going and add to it soft music everyday in your home. Choose worship, classical or another form of peaceful music that helps you focus on the Lord.
Keep your candle burning, the music playing and purchase a small bouquet of flowers for yourself. Let that bouquet be a daily reminder of God’s love and presence with you.
Rest is a need not a want. Rest is not optional and it is a blessing from the Lord. So, seek out a place of solitude to rest and pray. Get alone with God outside or in your home. Be still with God and take a much needed bubble bath, nap or still time with the Lord.
Candles are an important part of the Making Your Home A Haven Fall Challenge. Do you have to have a candle lit in your home to take the challenge? Of Course not. Why wouldn’t you want to have one lit? I do understand there might be those of you out there that for some reason, […]
via Candles In The Home – Making Your Home Cozy — Sarah’s Attic Of Treasures
I was going to start the series with everyone else this week but due to being really laid up, I will be posting this weekend and officially starting on Monday. I am sorry for the delay.
Love And Hugs, Sarah
“God created taste buds, the sense of smell and the eye that is drawn to beautiful things. He created the crunchy green pepper, the hairy peach, juicy watermelon, sour lemons and sweet potatoes!”
“Edith Schaeffer says in The Hidden Art of Homemaking, “Cooking should not be thought of as a drudgery, but as an art. Just as it is good to get one’s fingers into the soil and plant seeds, so it is good to get one’s fingers and fists into bread dough to knead and punch it. There is something very positive in being involved in the creativity which is so basic to life itself. Home-made bread, home-made cakes and pies, home-made vegetable soup from home-grown vegetables or from vegetable market purchases, home-made jams and jellies, home-made relishes and pickles – these are almost lost arts in many homes.”
From Sarah :
I was fortunate to be around when Courtney first started her Making Your Home A Haven Fall Challenge. I wasn’t blogging as yet, I shared everything on Facebook .
I wish we had a week 5 instead of just the 4 weeks this year. But, then I actually started this challenge in October.
This post has Week 5. This year Courtney only did 4 weeks. This was from when she had a 5th week. I missed it this time around.
“Week #5 Challenge: Focus on the kitchen, the heart of the home. Cook things with pleasant aromas. Pick a meal the family can cook together – include everyone in a task and take pictures so everyone can remember moments in the kitchen together – test tasting, being creative, laughing and loving. Remove discontentment with your home or family and give thanks to God.
First – let’s focus on the spiritual side. Give thanks! In Luke 11:3, Jesus says to pray like this “Give us each day our daily bread.” Do we pray and ask God for our daily bread? In America – we are so blessed we rarely have to ask. We should be abundantly thankful for the food we have! Give thanks! Give thanks for your food and give thanks for your family you share it with.”
How To Fast And Pray : Making Your Home A Haven Week 4
Monday
Women Living Well And Good Morning Girls On Facebook.
https://womenlivingwell.org/2019/11/how-to-fast-pray-making-your-home-a-haven-week-4/
From Women Living Well:
“This week’s spiritual discipline is fasting and prayer. I know this is a holiday week in the states. So do not feel pressure to take this challenge this week. Instead, learn more about the power of fasting and prayer. Then, look at your calendar and ask the Lord to help you pick a day in the coming weeks or months ahead, where you can fast and pray. Planning makes all the difference! “
Good Morning Girls @GoodMorning Girls/WLW
From Good Morning Girls On Facebook:
“Good Morning Girls! Welcome back to Week 4 Day 1. This week is Thanksgiving week!!! What is one thing you are thankful for today?
Today we are reading Matthew 6:16-18. I have posted it below. {After you complete your reading – click like.} If you have a few extra minutes please share your insights, applications or daily SOAKs. Here are today’s verses for you to read…We look forward to fellowshipping with you!
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
ESV”
From Sarah :
I admit, I am not going to do a FOOD FAST this week. I am cooking Thanksgiving Dinners for 12 families, 5 couples and a number of singles. Not sure exactly how many. The list keeps growing. Danny and I have been cooking for shut ins in our church and the local area for 12 years. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, except for 2 years at Thanksgiving and last year at Christmas when we weren’t home.
We both really enjoy it. The church provides all of the food and most of the cookware.
Which means I nibble all day Monday and Tuesday cooking for the church. Then Wednesday and Thursday for us.
We cook everything. Except the desserts. We try and fill as many requests as possible. We have turkey, ham, roasts and chicken for the main dishes. Different stuffings/dressings, potatoes, green bean and corn. Even Brussels sprouts this year. Cranberries and salads. Gravy. Can’t forget the gravy.
We do use store bought rolls.
I have lists of what each family/couple or single has requested. We really do DO OUR BEST.
There are obviously many church members also cooking in their homes and at the church for this Annual Event.
On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Danny and I head to our manager’s house for a huge PARK DINNER.
Yes, I bring lots of goodies.
We are having duck and OUR favorite side dishes Thanksgiving evening.
Danny works Thursday and Friday. We are off Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
We are going to PLANT CITY. More on THAT SOON.
I AM THANKFUL to be able to give a little to others this time of year.
I am THANKFUL to have the money for all of the foods we cherish. Never having to worry about going hungry.
WE have so much to be THANKFUL FOR.
I love to cook. I love to eat and believe everyone needs a special meal at least once or 2xs a year.
Wish we could do it more often.
I do Intermittent fasting most days. A few 24 -36 hours fasts every once in awhile.
I do FAST from SOCIAL MEDIA at times. Not nearly enough.
In place of FASTING this week, I am planning on taking more walks. Long walks. Really taking the time to pray as I walk. TALKING TO GOD. LISTENING.
My prayer time has been longer the last few months. I am journaling more. Bible Time And Prayer Requests. I have several journals for my Bible study. Gratitude . Prayer. Bible Study in general.
Have a wonderful THANKSGIVING week.
May God Bless You And Keep You,
Love And Hugs
Sarah
