BRAVE! Week 6: I AM BROKEN

The dictionary says that broken means: 

* Having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order

* rejected, defeated, or despairing 

* sick or weakened 

* a relationship ended by betrayal or faithlessness

* a family disrupted or divided

* a promise not kept

I am grateful to tell you that God does not flinch away from broken women; he moves closer. He does not shake His Holy head in disgust. 

Day 1: MY KUNG PAO LIFE

Some times life gives us a little more pao than kung.  

Psalm 34 (Read it!) Psalm 34 is David's reflection on God's goodness in our troubles. 

The Brave woman picks up all her broken pieces and places each in the strong hands of God. 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:22

He takes the broken and makes them whole.  He makes the old brand-new and the dead come back to life.

DAY 2: BROKEN-DOWN JESUS GIRL

Choosing to live for the glory of God is a choice you make with your heart and your mind.  I believe God loves to wrap His glory around the redeemed. He gets all the praise.  His name is lifted high.  

I'd rather be broken and close to God than whole and afar away.  The never-been-broken don't know what they are missing.  

Brokenness causes pain.  Stand in your pain and God who is near will come and make you brave.  

All throughout scripture we see God as our Rescuer, our Redeemer.  His ultimate act of redemption  came when He  sent His only Son, Jesus, to  rescue us from the penalty of our sin and redeem our lives from the bondage of sin.  

DAY 3: RUTH and NAOMI

The story of Ruth and Naomi is a series of struggles, brokenness, redemption, and ultimately the glory of God.  Check out The Book of Ruth

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  Ruth 1:16-17

Keep in mind one thing in the hardest times.  When it seems everything is falling apart, God's hidden work always remains.  When you think God is distant or maybe even He has turned against you, remember that in the unseen, God is plotting fir your joy.  He is planning redemption of your brokenness.  

Our Brokenness is temporary.  

Ephesians 1:1-14 

Through Jesus, we are God's sealed with the Holy Spirit as a promise of redemption.  We face heartache on earth, but brokenness does not win. 

The Brave woman meets new challenges with a renewed commitment to become stronger, better, and more like Christ. 

DAY 4: RUTH and BOAZ

God's Love is so deep that He sent a kinsman-redeemer to buy back our lives from the penalty of death.  The kinsman-redeemer is  Jesus! 

1.  He must be near of kin  Philippians 2:7-8

2.  He must be able to redeem 

Jesus assumed our debt, brokenness and sin, and paid for it with His life.

3. He must be willing to redeem  Mark 10:45

4.  Redemption was fully realized when the price was completely paid Ephesians 1:7

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

DAY 5: TO LIVE LIKE RUTH

First God is always working in the unseen realm for His Glory and to redeem his people.  

God would send Jesus to be my kinsman-redeemer takes my breath away.  Ruth was a beautiful role  model of godliness for all of us.  

1.  Ruth was a woman of  commitment Ruth 1:16-17

2.  Ruth Worked with humility Ruth 2:7

~I think brokenness gives a humility we might not have ever known otherwise. It's the kind of brokenness that teaches us that everything is a gift.~

3.  Ruth was a very hard worker Colossians 3:23

4.  Ruth took refuge under the wings of God Ruth 2:11-12

Ruth is so much more than these four characteristics but may her life remind us of what we long for:

* to live fully committed to the glory of God

* to live as the redeemed whose stories point to the compassion of God

* to live as brave women who find their strength hidden underneath the wings of God

Let yourself keep praying:

God, I need to hide myself underneath the wings of Your Love. Please be my hiding place. Would you protect me and heal me and begin to pull all my broken pieces back together?  And God please make me brave.  

If your waiting on God, just keep waiting!  He is coming! 

Have a Beautiful Day! 

Christina

BRAVE! Week 5: I am Invisible!

I know it's two weeks late but with my surgery, and the Hubby's, then me getting sick, I've been a little busy! :) I hope you understand!

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Feeling invisible isn't unusual for us women, or atleast the ones I talk to! At times we all feel like we are invisible to those around us! This weeks lesson was very real to me! I have many times times felt the sting of being invisible!







Day 1: UNSEEN
~I have many times unfairly compared myself to someone else.  Her gifts. Her life. Her skinny jeans. Everytime I do it, I always lose my mind.~ 
When we feel unseen/invisible we do a few things
1.  Striving~ trying to hard, talking to much, etc...
2.  Sulking~ I'm not good enough, giving up
3.  Seeking~ Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
You don't have to choose striving or sulking instead God is telling us to seek Him!


Day 2: RUNNING. AWAY! 
Check out Genesis 16. We learn a little about Hagar.
~Hagar was in despair, hopeless, weary, alone, a woman in a male-dominated culture, pregnant, rejected, cast out after being used, surely feeling no one cared for her. No one understood.~
Hagar honey I have felt this way many a times! <3 
Now I've never actually packed a bag an ran away! But I have wanted to!  


The Hurt and disappointment lie to you and call you invisible!  God says you are seen! 

Psalm 121:3-8 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The LORD watches over you—    the LORD is your shade at your right hand; ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—    he will watch over your life; ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

DAY 3: THE GOD WHO SEES
 GOD SEES YOU! 
I know God is here.  He sees me.  He is guiding me.  He LOVE'S Me! (you too!) 

You hear O'Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. Psalm 10:17

My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

I believe God sees our heartache and our pain, and He desires to  intervene in our lives with mercy, instruction, and promise.  

Cast your burden on the Lord releasing the weight of it and He will sustain you; He will never allow the consistently righteous to be moved made to slip, fall, or fail. Psalm 55:22

Day 4: YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE TO GOD


Trusting in the presences of God everyday is a very brave thing to do.  

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 

Psalm 9:10 For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you 

God never forsakes any who call out to Him, He sees your pain and does not turn away. 


The most important thing Hagar did was to respond to God's instructions with obedience.  I can't imagine how she felt when she was told to return.  But her obedience is what stands out to me!  I want to be that obedient! (I try!)


Obedience: The act or instance of submitting to the restraint or command of an authority: compliance with the demands or requests of someone over us.  


Obedience to God is our faith in action, the overflow of our love and gratitude.  

Obedience to God = Blessing

Disobedience = Consequences 

Hagar was obedient, and God blessed her.

Day 5: LIVING IN HIS SIGHT

Am I only a God  nearby, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord.  Do not I fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.  Jeremiah 23:23-24 

God is glorified when we live every day aware and changed by His presence.  


1. Because God sees, let us live in obedience. 
~The woman who understands God's Love for her wants to honor God's Love with her obedience.   

You are my friends if you do what I command John 15:14

2. Because God sees, let us live with hearts set on God
~A woman devoted to  God will be led, redirected, protected, guided, and blessed along the way.

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. 1 Chronicles 22:19

Everything-and I mean everything- that you need comes from a devoted relationship to God.  


3.  Because God sees,  let us live with expectancy and hope.

~Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

4. Because God sees, let us live gratefully.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.  Psalm 107:8-9

Our God Sees. 

He Directs. 

He Goes with us.

 He Promises.

 Let us Live like women who know God Sees!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

BRAVE! Week 4: I am Trembling Inside!

Day 1:  Living Along Side Trouble!
In this world you will have trouble.  (John 16:33) not might, not maybe, not sometimes, but YOU WILL!  comforting thought huh!  But hear this:  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the World! (John 16:33)


In this world we will have trouble in Christ we will have PEACE


God promises the victory overcoming to those who are in Christ.  We are saved from being swallowed up by this world's trouble.  


We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Day 2:  The God of all Comfort
Only God can give a divine powerful comfort that comes to us from the depths of his character.


The God of all Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3) means that God is able to bring ease and freedom from the pain, even in our sufferings.  


All Comfort Means receiving completely what you need.  But to receive all that we need from God means that  we must remain consistently connected to the One who gives all  that we need.  


Day 3: The Purpose of Receiving Comfort


2 Corinthians 1:4-5 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive form God. 5For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ.  


Paul said God uses our inward suffering to turn us outward toward others.  Have yo seen this to be true in your own life?  I know I have! 

Day 4: When God is Silent!


Read and meditate on Psalm 22

1. Remind yourself Who God is. v.3, v.9,v.19
2. Review God's faithful v. 4-5
3.  Recall who you are. v. 9-10
4.  Evaluate other options. v. 11 (Psalm 73)
5. Wait. Hold on. v.19
6. Anticipate God's renewed presence. v. 27-31

Day 5: Becoming Brave:

Divine comfort does not come to us in any mysterious way or arbitrary way.   It comes as the result of a divine method.  The indwelling Comforter brings to our remembrance comforting things concerning our Lord.  If we believe them, we are comforted by them.

God has supreme independent authority!

He works our everything!
He brings everything under His Lordship!
He sustains everything!

Ladies I hope this week brought you some comfort!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

BRAVE! Week 3: Undisciplined!

Week Three  UNDISCIPLINED!  
Hmmmmmmmmm!  Wonder if this is only a problem for me?(Being that it's Sunday Evening I have only completed through day 4 and I have started this post three or four times only to get distracted by other things!) Apparently not! I have heard from of few others in our study that they too are a little undisciplined this week.  Thankfully, God is BIG enough to change us! God can change every lack of discipline in our lives and be the strength we have not known.   




Day 1:  We are not alone!  Check out Romans 7: 15, 18-19, 21-23 

In Romans 7 24:25 Paul gives us  all hope, Who will rescue me (insert your name here) from this body of death? (this death is our personal struggle in not doing the good we desire) Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

Day 2:  The Spirit Helps us! I Love this!  It's ok not to know what or even how to pray, the Holy Spirit will do that for us!  I love this verse in Romans, but never really thought of it as a verse that dealt with being undisciplined, more for when I am worn out or facing a thorn like the past two weeks studies but it fits so very perfectly here this week when I am severely struggling with being disciplined. Here it is 

Romans 8:26-28 The Message:  ^26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good

I love the prayer Angela includes for this day:

 Lord, I am weak.  Facebook, Pintrest, Blogger (fill in your blank) have a ridiculous control over me.  And now the Spirit is going to pray for me because I don't know what to do.  

Day 3: Living on Fire!   Who inspires you to live more passionately? I can't answer this question with one name.  For me it's many different people that inspire me in different ways.  I think the common thing they all have is a Passion for following God's plan for their life.  now I know it took time and work to follow that plan so that gives me hope that with the proper training I too can live a life on fire.  


Becoming a more disciplined woman will require training, commitment, sacrifice, and focus.

1Corinthians 9:24-27:  

 Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵ Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified

The power to live a disciplined life is already in you!  

God, make me a disciplined woman.  I want all of the blessings that come from choosing to follow the Spirit.  I want to live on fire! For Your glory and for Your name.  Oh Lord, train me. Teach me. Remind me. Nudge me. Rebuke me. I know you haven't given up on me, but Lord, help me not to give up on myself.  I Love you and I need you!  Amen

Day 4: A word to the LAZY 


The Bible has a lot to say about about sluggards (lazy people), we need to be on guard to not become one of them, or allow their traits to to ever have a place in our hearts.  
How do we do this?  These 10 steps are a great place to start! 
1. Start with small things
2. Get yourself organized
3. Don't constantly seek to be entertained
4. Be on time
5.  Keep your word
6. Do the most difficult tasks first4
7. Finish what you start
8. Accept correction
9. Practice self-denial
10. Welcome responsibility






Day 5: He is my strength 


No matter how weak you are or how undisciplined you have been, dependence on God changes everything.   The victory over our lack of discipline will be won when we realize this one thing: We must maintain an intimate, consistent, dependence on the Spirit of God inside us.   He is able. We are not.  He is strong.  We are undisciplined.  He is consistent. We are wishy-washy.    The more you train yourself to be dependent on God, the more He bears His fruit in your life.   

Galatians 5: 22-26 (The Message)

 ^22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

 ^23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

 ^25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original

The Lord knows our needs, weaknesses, and propensity toward a lack of discipline.  But He has made a way: When we obey the Spirit, God's strength is set free inside of us. 




Praying for you today! 


Have a Beautiful Day!


Christina

BRAVE! Week 2: Thorns Summary

Thorns nobody likes them, however I have come to acknowledge that I can not grow closer to God if I am constantly holding on to this thorn trying to "fix" it myself.  



Day 1:  The Pain of a Thorn


The problem with thorns is that they can hide unseen, and no one wants to feel the jab of their pain. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

 ⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Day 2: The Barbs of a Thorn


~Cannot be removed by your own Power~

2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I begged the Lord to take it away.

~The originator of the thorn is satan~

2 Corinthians 12:7  Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

~A Thorn torments the soul with pain and doubt~
KNOW THIS: God may allow a thorn, but scripture teaches us  that what Satan means for evil, God can use for good.  (Genesis 5:20)


Day 3: The Barbs of a Thorn (Part 2)
~A thorn leaves discouragement into your heart~

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Philippians 4:6-7

 ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus

1 Peter 5:7

⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

~The Piercing of a thorn produces weakness~

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

~God decides when to remove a thorn~

Day 4: Humility

Philippians 4:12-13

¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less!

Accepting our thorns leads us toward true humility

Day 5: Sufficient Grace

Maybe the ability to accomplish  God's tasks does not rely on our adequacy or even our comfort but in God's ability to perfect His power in our weakness

Ladies It's my prayer that your will embrace your thorns even when they feel like their is no relief in sight.  And that God's Grace will be enough!

Have a Beautiful Day! 

Christina

BRAVE! Week 2: Thorns

Ok Ladies this week we are talking about the thorns in our life. I have lived with a thorn for several years with no relief in site but I find encouragement in God's word. This song also brings me encouragement to know that eventhough I have this one particular thorn God's got a good handle on it! I am not alone! Even though its been a rough road I know God is with me! I'll be back later to summarize the week! Know God Loves you! He hasn't allowed the thorn to punish you, but to grow you closer to Him!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

BRAVE Week 1: Worn Out Summary

Ladies I hope you are enjoying this weeks study as much as I am! Boy did week one speak directly to me.  I am exhausted, worn out, tired!  But I have hope, and a reassurance, that God will give me a rest! 

Day One: I am not Superwoman!  I can not do it all! <3 

~The truth of our humanity is that no superwoman exist on this earth~

~Facing my limitations and weakness forces me to do a few things.  First, I have to put my faith in God. 

 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19

Day Two: We will all become tired in some way, in some season. No one is exempt!

~God knows that good work makes a good woman good and tired.  

She has wearied herself with toil. Ezekiel 24:12

It is so easy to let our perspective slide. Lord knows, we just flat-out forget.  Before we realize it, our heart has fallen into anxiousness, our work has become anxious, and our focus has turned from God.  We are just exhausted.

Day Three: We need a rest only God can give.

~Where do you go  with your weary?  Where do you turn when you're tired? 

Many of us are doing great worldly things to care for ourselves and yet not living with an inside strength to counter our soul weariness.  What's a woman who loves God supposed to do?  ~TURN TO GOD FIRST!~

Isaiah 40:28-31

²⁸ Do you not know? 

   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom. ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak. ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

A hope firmly centered on the Lord renews our strength.  

Day Four:  A Brave Woman receives God's gifts for her weariness .

~Your creator gets you.  He understands your crazy life.

~God's compassion towards us is not consistent and faithful but it is unfailing.  With out interruption. Steady. Reliable. Promised and Sure.  

1.  The presence of God restores

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

2. Many times we experience A Divine Wait before refreshment

We wait in hope for the Lord.  Psalm 33:20

Sometimes He desires that we wait in His presence  until we receive His refreshment, we wait for strength, guidance, and healing

3.  The sabbath rest is God's gift to us

To observe the sabbath we should worship the Lord and rest from our work.

What will you do to observe a time of sabbath?

4.Jesus did not heal everyone or go to every town

I can't do everything! 

(I want to shout this from the mountains!) 

God is calling me to go only as He guides.  

Day Five: God has made a way for us!

5.  Jesus required physical, mental, and emotional rest.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.   1 Corinthians 11:1

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:31

6.   Repentance leads to refreshing

~Being cleansed of our sin gives refreshment to our weary souls over and over all throughout our journey.

7. If you walk in the good way, your soul will rest

-Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.  Jeremiah 6:16

~ I want all the rest that a good life will bring.

8.  Godly friends refresh your soul

Do you have a soul-refreshing friend?  I sure hope so!  I have a few and I thank God for them! 

I am praying for you, that if you are weary, worn out, that you will find rest in God! 

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

P.S.  It's not to late to join us!  Monday we will discuss week one, watch the video and pick our next weeks topic!  Hope to see you there!