Making My Home A Haven is important to me. Sharing homemaking skills. Recipes and food. Bible Studies. This is a treasure chest of goodies. So take a seat. Have a glass of tea and enjoy. You will learn all about who I am.
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 […]
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!
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.
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)
Introducing the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study
From Sarah:
FROM SARAH I WILL BE STARTING WEEK ONE TOMORROW : MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
This study started last week for everyone else. I had to delay starting it due to being sick. Truly sorry about that. The first part was posted early October. It Introduced The Making Your Home A Haven Study For The 11TH Year. The following are the posts that followed. Women Living Well /Good Morning Girls Check Out The Printable Book Mark And The Coloring Book For Children In The 2nd Post.
“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!
Our souls desperately need a deeper connection with God.
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.”
“Self-care is a very popular concept these days, but I believe that soul care IS self-care.
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.
Each week, I will provide for you a practical challenge of something I do in my home that makes it more of a haven. I hope you will take the challenges. They do make a difference!
Each weekday, we will pause, give thanks, pray and meditate on God’s Word through SOAKing in the daily scripture reading for the day.
Also, you will find 4 videos, one per week, that correspond with the scriptures we are studying.”
All the resources are free for this study but there is an optional Study Guide available on Amazon titled: Delight in the Lord
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/
Here’s the topic schedule:
Week 1: Delight
Start a daily gratitude list and delight in the Lord, the giver of good gifts.
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.
Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Week 2: Draw Near
Slow down, be still, listen, pray and commune with the God of the universe. He is near.
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.
The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:5)
Week 3: Desires
Take your desires to the Lord in prayer this week.
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.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Week 4: Dependence
It takes faith to rest in the Lord and depend solely on him but he is trustworthy. Delight, draw near, and exchange his desires for yours and depend on God. He loves you so!
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.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)”
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, […]
Who We Are At Home Is Who We Really Are By Women Living Well And Good Morning Girls. October 20, 2015 by Courtney This is the same Bible Verse that I did for my morning Bible Verse and Study. “This Week’s […]
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
Welcome to Good Morning Girls! I’m so glad you are here.
It’s time to announce the NEW Winter 2020 Bible Study!
From Sarah : I honestly don’t remember if I even posted this back in December. Forgive me for not being ready for this study. I am LATE. Considering I should have been posting about it the last few weeks.
It actually started this morning. I may be late but at least you don’t have to be. I will share as much as I am able to during this study. I will be working through it but MAY NOT SHARE EVERY DAY. My 2 groups from my old churches are thriving. So I haven’t completing messed up. I just have some amazing people in the groups. Danny and I leave for Mulberry, Florida on Wednesday. It’s not far away. Again, barely out of POLK COUNTY. We will be RAIL FANNING. Staying in a Questionable Motel. Wishing there had been an AIRBNB close by. Not sure I want to be that close to Danny for so long. My temperament hasn’t been all that well. Emotions running crazy. Danny is drinking and I don’t handle that well. Not after his hospital stay in September and his long convalescence afterwards. I AM ANGRY. I also leave for Illinois 2 days after we get home and emotionally and physically I am not ready for it. The trip is NEEDED. It’s the preparation for it that I am not up to. SO my posts on this study will be HIT AND MISS. I will try and POST the WEEKLY POSTS SUNDAY NIGHT/ MONDAY MORNING.
Have a great week. Love Sarah
It’s the book of 2 Kings!
This is an exciting Old Testament book to study in the midst of cold, winter months!
We are going to learn so much together as we read one chapter a day, through the book of 2 Kings.
This study begins on
Monday, January 13th.
For those who have been following the Good Morning Girls Bible Studies – you know that we studied 1 Kings last spring. You do not have to have completed that study to join us – I’ll be sure to catch you up! Last fall, we were in the New Testament studying 1 Corinthians, so I’m excited to get back to the Old Testament and complete 2 Kings.
What is 2 Kings all about?
In 2 Kings, we will see the spiritual decline of Israel and Judah, as they refuse to turn from their idols and follow God wholeheartedly. As a result, they will be taken into captivity. But before they are taken into captivity, God continually raises up prophets to warn the nation of Israel, to turn from their wicked ways. One of those prophets is Elisha and he performs 14 amazing miracles in 2 Kings! You don’t want to miss this! We are going to learn so much about the God we serve.
Happy New Year! I’m so glad you are here! We are about to begin our study through the book of 2 Kings on Monday, January 13th and EVERYTHING you need to get started is below – so keep on scrolling down. There is a lot of information below but the most important part is where you leave a comment and let us know where you are joining us from. If you have an open GMG group – please leave your link in the comments so women looking for an open group – can find you.
Here at Good Morning Girls all the resources are free
but there is an optional 2 Kings Journal for purchase
exclusively on Amazon!
This journal includes:
* An introduction and background to the Book of 2 Kings
* The Daily Reflection Question
* The Verse of the Day
* The GMG Coloring Chart
* An explanation of the SOAK Method
* Blank pages for SOAKing each chapter of 2 Kings
This is not the same as the Paperback Journal – this eJournal has been created for low-cost printing on a home printer and does not include the Introduction to 2 Kings, Verses of the Day or Reflection questions.
It’s Time to Begin! {Intro and Resources for 2 Kings 1-5}
You do not have to have studied 1 Kings in order to study 2 Kings with us.
While 2 Kings is a continuation of 1 Kings – the book stands alone and is understandable on it’s own. But for those who missed the 1 Kings study or for those who need their memory refreshed about 1 Kings – here’s what 1 Kings was all about.
In 1 Kings, we saw the rise and fall of both good and bad kings, starting with David. One of the well-known stories from 1 Kings is when God offers Solomon anything he desires, and he asks for wisdom. Solomon is given the gift of wisdom and he builds a magnificent temple for the Lord. Following this great project, Solomon falls into sin and does not end as well as he started.
Once the kingdom is divided, the kings go from bad to worse and commit idolatry and other evil acts. The bright lights in the midst of those dark days were the great prophets of Elijah and Elisha, who were faithful to God in all they did.
Originally, the books of 1st and 2nd Kings were one book. These books cover almost 500 years of the kingship of Israel and Judah. This video below is a great explanation of both 1st AND 2nd Kings!
Time Period: This book was written around 550 B.C.
Key Verse: 2Kings 10:32 “In those days the Lord began to cut off a part of Israel.”
The Outline:
The Ministries of Elijah and Elisha (1:1-8:15)
Ahaziah reigns (1)
Elijah is taken to heaven and Elisha succeeds Elijah (2)
Elisha and the war against Moab (3)
Elisha’s ministry to the widow, Shunammite & prophets (4)
Elisha heals Naaman (5)
Elisha, the recovered ax head and the chariots of fire (6)
Elisha’s promise of food (7)
The Shunammite’s land is restored & Hazel’s oppression (8)
The Kings of Israel and Judah until the Exile of Israel (8:16 – 17:41)
Jehoram &Ahaziah of Judah (8:16-24)
Jehu of Israel (9 & 10)
Athaliah and Joash of Judah (11 & 12)
Jehoahaz and Jehoash of Israel (13)
Amaziah of Judah & Jeroboam II of Israel (14)
Azariah of Judah, Zechariah of Israel, Shallum of Israel, Menahem of Israel, Pekahiah of Israel, Pekah of Israel, & Jotham of Judah (15)
Ahaz of Judah (16)
Hoshea of Israel & the exile of Israel (17)
Judah from Hezekiah to Babylonian Exile (18-24)
Hezekiah (18-20)
Manasseh & Amon (21)
Josiah, Jehoahaz, & Jehoiakim (22-23)
Jehoiachin & Zedekiah (24)
The fall and captivity of Judah (25)
This Week’s Bible Reading Plan:
(Facebook Leaders: You can use this as your Facebook Header this week. Just right click and “save as” or screen shot it.)
This week’s Reflection & Discussion Questions
(Leaders: Copy and paste these into your groups. If you do not have a group, use these for a personal time of reflection.)
Chapter 1
After King Ahab died, his son Ahaziah took the throne but soon after, he had a serious accident. Ahaziah sent messengers to the god, Baal-zebub, to find out if he would recover. Instead, he received word that Elijah said he would die. Ahaziah did not like this answer and so he sent a captain and fifty men to question Elijah, but fire from heaven came down and consumed them. After repeating this mistake twice, finally his captain came with humility. Elijah went with him to meet Ahaziah and once again predicted that he would die. Then Ahaziah died, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy.
In his times of trouble, Ahaziah turned to the wrong god. Since his god was not real, he got no real help. We must be careful where we look for answers. We must not avoid God just because we are afraid that we may not like his answers. Who or where do you turn in times of trouble? Are the people that you turn to godly and wise? Is God the first place you turn or last?
Chapter 2
As the prophet Elijah is about to be taken up into heaven, he offers Elisha anything he asks. Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit. Then chariots of fire appear, and Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind. After this, Elisha takes Elijah’s cloak and strikes the water and parts the Jordan, demonstrating that he had indeed received the double portion he asked for.
In a tender moment, Elisha had the opportunity to ask for anything he desired. He chose to ask for more of God’s power. If you had the same choice, what would you choose? Also, we see the two men cross the Jordan together in verse 8. Then Elisha crosses alone in verse 14. It is not easy to step out alone and simply trust in God as Elisha did. Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to step out and walk alone? How can you trust God more as you walk this path alone?
Chapter 3
The king of Israel joined with 2 other kings against Moab and yet he still was not finding victory. They were without water and so they called for Elisha. Elisha called for a musician and notice how God used the musician to usher in God’s word to the prophet. (If you serve in music ministry, be encouraged – you have a sacred ministry!) The Lord responded in mercy and not only sent a flash flood to help them survive, but he also gave them the victory.
Once the kings were not only losing but also their people were about to die of thirst, they realized this was a spiritual issue and they needed God. Elisha told them, the water they were asking for was “a light thing in the sight of the Lord” and that God would give them even more – victory!
Sometimes we are just like these three kings and we wait too long to seek the Lord’s help. We do not realize that some of our physical issues are spiritual issues. Things that we think are simply too hard for even God, we fail to pray for. Are you fighting a battle right now that you feel defeated in? Write a prayer below asking God to deliver you. Our God is able!
Chapter 4
Elisha performed many miracles, but we see that it required radical faith from the widow, the Shunammite woman, the person who took the next bite of the stew, and the servant who fed the men. Elisha did not miraculously make the oil appear for the widow. She had to go to her neighbors and tell them about her situation. She had to ask to borrow their vessels and she only received as much oil as she was willing to ask from her neighbors. She had to die to herself and her pride and ask for help, in order to see the power of God displayed in her life. But it was in private, when the door was shut, that the oil flowed.
Is there an area in your life where you need help? Is it hard for you to let others know when you have a need? Write the need below and consider who you could ask to help meet this need. Perhaps you need to go to your pastor, a friend or a neighbor. Trust that letting others know your need, could be the very way in which the Lord wants to provide for you.
Chapter 5
Naaman, a mighty man of valor, was at the top of his game but he was dying of leprosy. A brave little girl from Israel told him about the prophet Elisha. If she had been wrong, she would have been in danger, but she was right. Elisha sent word that Naaman should wash in the Jordan seven times to be healed but this did not meet Naaman’s expectations. It angered him. He expected Elisha to come to him and cure him. Instead, it required Naaman to act in faith and do it himself. Naaman was healed without Elisha being nearby and as a result, God received all the glory.
Elisha repeatedly asked those who were seeking the Lord’s help to take part in their miracles. It required faith from those who sought the Lord. As a result, God received all the praise, rather than Elisha. Elisha’s instructions were simple yet very difficult for a prideful man. Naaman had to overcome his pride in order to receive from the Lord. Reflect on your own life. In what area do you struggle with pride especially when it comes to following the Lord? And in what area are you leaning too hard on another person, rather than on God?
To print the 25 Discussion Questions for 2 Kings – Click Here.
This Week’s Verses of the Day:
(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shot them.)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Click HERE to print the Verses of the Day for 2 Kings 1-5.
“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.”
