November 2010 - Good Morning Girls

Angela November 30, 2010

Women In The Word Wednesday

“We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”- John 4:42

This past week I was reading in John chapter 4 and the story of the Samaritan woman really touched my heart. Many people from the Samaritan woman’s town came to listen to Jesus because of her testimony. They at first believed based on her testimony. After spending time with Jesus and listening to Him speak into their lives, their belief turned personal, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” They now believed because of what Jesus had done in their lives. Jesus took them from believing because of what they saw Him do in someone’s life to believing because of what Jesus did IN THEIR LIFE. Now they had a testimony to pass on and share with others. God has given us all a testimony, our only job is to share it. Jesus says that the fields are ripe, the harvest is now, all we have to do is share what He has done in our lives. We don’t have to have all the answers when we tell others about Christ, just what He has done in our personal lives. That’s what the Samaritan woman did, and that’s what we should do too.

What is your personal testimony?

If you are a blogger we invite you to blog about what you are learning in your walk with God and then link up below (this includes devotionals you have written). If you are not a blogger, we invite you to weekly share in the comments section what God is teaching you in his word.

Until next time…

Love God Greatly!

Filed Under: Women In The Word Wednesdays 3 Comments

Courtney November 30, 2010

Jesus – The Prince Of Peace

Life has gone into overdrive! Christmas seems to be coming at me at a fast pace and every year I feel organized in November and a little overwhelmed in December!

So I am thankful today for today’s quiet time in Isaiah 9:6 which says “”For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

We’ve looked at Jesus being the “Wonderful Counselor“, the “Mighty God” and the “Everlasting Father” and today I am pondering His name the “Prince of Peace.”

As I have been reading many blogs out on the web, I can see two common themes with women. One – we are stressed about the holidays ie. decorating, shopping, cookie baking, mailing Christmas cards, attending or hosting parties and on and on it goes. On top of our daily workload, these are added and if we do not manage our time wisely this can be disastrous to the peace God wants us to have in our hearts.

Secondly, I see the financial burdens that women are carrying. There is a lot of talk on the web world about America’s recession. Women are dealing with the layoffs of their husbands or their own cut hours. Some cannot sell their house and are desperate to get out from their mortgage payments while others are just wondering how they will pay the debt that they are creating with the holiday season.

I have one word I see – STRESS! But wait – it’s Christmas – and in Isaiah 9:6 it says that Jesus is the Prince of Peace - so why is there so much turmoil in our souls?

Are you experiencing the peace that only Jesus can give? As Christians, our lives should not look like the world’s - it should be baffling at how much peace we have in the midst of chaos – but can that be said of us?

Peace can not go hand in hand with rushing, hurrying, tossing, and turning. It can only come from turning to our Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace and just being alone with him – as our “daddy”. Pray and ask God to give you His peace in an area of your greatest need.

Right now on Women Living Well I am running a December Challenge titled “Peace On Earth”. Each Monday I am giving practical and spiritual tips for finding peace in the midst of the holiday rush. I hope you will join me there as I walk with the King!

Peace may be the best gift you can give your family this holiday season!

Walk with the King!
Courtney

Filed Under: God's Glory 3 Comments

Courtney November 25, 2010

One Day In My Father’s House

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb!
Revelation 19:9, NIV

Anne Graham Lotz writes:

“For the past several years, my husband and I, along with our family, have celebrated Thanksgiving at my father’s house. . . . The meal is always abundant and delicious – turkey with dressing and gravy, ham, green beans . . . my mouth waters just thinking about it! But the highlight of Thanksgiving is not the food, or the televised football games, or the fun. The highlight is always the fellowship around the dining room table. As we sip our coffee and gorge on one last piece of pie, my father presides at the head of the table as each person shares what he or she is most thankful for. . . .

One day, in My Father’s House, the table will be set and supper will be ready. One day you and I and all of the Father’s children will be seated around that table. One day our Father will preside as He gathers us to Himself, listening intently and lovingly as we share our love for each other and our love for Him. One day My Father’s House will be filled with His family, and it won’t get any better than that!”

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! I can’t wait to meet you all in my Father’s House for the ultimate thanksgiving feast - until then – Keep walking with the King!

To see the 10 things I am thankful for today click here.

Filed Under: Uncategorized 1 Comment

Courtney November 24, 2010

Women In The Word Wednesdays

I loved what Angela wrote yesterday about Being Intentionally Thankful.

Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall prayed, “Let not feasting, football and festivity end in forgetfulness of God.”

A few years back our family began a Thanksgiving Thankfulness journal. We pull it out on Thanksgiving day and each of us share what we are thankful for while I journal it. It is adorable to look back at the Sunday School teachers we have long forgotten, the favorite stuffed toy of the year, CD, or food that our children named. Places we went in the past year, extended family members who blessed us and simple things we usually take for granted made the list.

And then I wonder, why don’t we do this more often as a family than JUST at Thanksgiving? Are you looking to express more gratitude in the new year? Did you know that there is a Gratitude Community? Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience lists every Monday what she is thankful for and there are a community of women who join her there. Be intentional about giving thanks.

Psalm 92:1 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.”

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Being Intentional, Women In The Word Wednesdays 2 Comments

Angela November 22, 2010

Being Intentionally Thankful!

How many times have you thought to thank someone for something they did or said that really touched you, yet with all your good intentions you still never got around to it? I’m guilty too! Been there, done that! I read the above quote this week and it really got me thinking……I need to start being more intentional with telling others how thankful I am that God has placed them in my life instead of just being silent and thinking it. What good is it to them if we just keep our gratitude to ourselves? What a wonderful opportunity we have this week as we spend Thanksgiving with our family and friends to be intentional and tell them how thankful we are for them!

Psalm 92:1-2 reminds me that I need to also be intentional with my thanksgivings to God as well.

It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name , O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night.

We are told to proclaim God’s love in the morning and His faithfulness at night, as we model our gratitude with God and with those in our lives, we are teaching our children to be grateful as well. This week try to proclaim God’s love in the morning with your family as you’re getting breakfast ready or helping everyone get their day started. What a wonderful way to start the day off with the right thankful attitude! Then as you’re helping your family prepare to go to bed, talk about how faithful God has been to you and your family. Not only will you encourage them with your stories but I bet you’ll be encouraged as well as you recount God’s faithfulness!

Praying everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!!!