Here and Now...There and Then Week 3

Revelation this week was Great! I loved this video. In Bible Study we are doing Here and Now, There and Then, by Beth Moore. In Session 3 we had an overview of Chapters 2 and 3, and reviewed Revelation 1:10. How encouraging that each letter includes a promise to those who overcome! It is the will of God to use the things we are going through in life to strengthen us. In whatever crisis we may be in or facing (health, job, finances, family, friends)...we are not under it...it is under you! We are overcomers, live on top of it, not underneath it. Say that to yourself every time you think of that particular situation!

These seven letters make two facts unmistakable: He is completely PRESENT and acutely AWARE! There is nothing that happens to us that surprises our Maker. He is completely PRESENT and acutely AWARE, all the time! We praise you Lord for that!

I enjoyed learning about the church in Ephesus. They hated what God hated, but did not love what He loved. Wow, something we should examine in our own lives! Our two major commands as believers are number one, to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Love is our priority, we will never shine brighter than we love. The church at Ephesus had forsaken their first love. Jesus needs to be our first priority, when we fill ourselves up with Him, He is the one that will help us to love others. I often let the busyness of life sweep me away from my first love. What a good reminder to put God first, do not forsake your first love! Week three was great. I am excited to see what next week bring. I am praying for a fresh revelation from Jesus!

Do You Love God More Than You Love Yourself?

The quest to live a holy life does not seem difficult to understand. We are to love God, follow his commands, and love others. So, why is it so difficult? Well, it is so hard because we must die to self. We must put ourselves last and take all focus off what we want.

So hard to do, my friends. As we wrapped up our studying on, "Living Like You Belong To God," the thing that struck me the most last night was the phrase, "Do you love God more than you love yourself." Just take a minute and really think about that statement. Sure, if we were to answer that right now we would say, "Of course." Examine your actions, do they match up...are you spending more time focused on God than yourself. I would have to say I fail in this area. Maybe you do too. Never fear, let's get up, dust ourselves off and jump out from that mirror of looking at how everything affects me and what I want and desire and get moving in the opposite direction. The direction of loving God more.

Take some time this week to get with God, all by yourself, leave the distractions behind (no cell phone, email, etc). Lay out what a life that is completely focused on God would look like. What areas are you measuring up, what areas are you falling short? Take a good honest look, and don't get discouraged, you are taking a huge step in changing your mindset! Make a simple checklist for yourself of things you would like to do daily. Make it a realistic list (reading my Bible each morning for 15 minutes, praying for my day before I get out of bed, show love to a neighbor in need by the end of this week). You can add to this and increase your time spent with God as the days and weeks go by.

As you look at the check marks as the days and weeks go by, feel encouraged! You are well on your way to living a God centered life!

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 18: Influence

1. Read the eighteenth point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 227-235)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Post your comments on the Blog

• How can you tell when someone is exerting a negative influence? What are some symptoms?
• What are some common rationalizations that women use to justify keeping the wrong company?
• Describe a time when someone had a positive influence on you. What was it about him/her that impacted you positively?
• What is the best way to exert a positive influence on others?
• What do you need to do to be more wise and less wild when it comes to the influence you accept and exert in your life?

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 17: Speech

1. Read the seventeenth point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 217-225)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Download and complete the Conversation Peace Quiz
4. Post your comments on the Blog

• What’s the difference between a legitimate compliment and flattery?
• What’s the problem with talking excessively?
• How can using words to beguile, control and manipulate a man backfire on a woman?
• In which main area does your speech need improvement?

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 16: Reliability

What happens if you cross your heart with your right hand, and cross your fingers with your left? Do you still have to keep your promise? What if you’re really mad at the person with whom you’ve made the agreement? Can you get out of it then? The Wild Thing of Proverbs 7 thought so. In this Girls Gone Wise video book blog, you’ll learn about covenants. You’ll discover that even if you don’t cross your heart or sign a piece of paper—even if you just shake your head and say “yes”—even if what you said you’d do is just a little thing, your word is your word. A promise is a promise.

1. Read the sixteenth point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 207-215)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Post your comments on the Blog

• Describe a time when someone close to you broke a promise they made. How did you feel? How did it affect your thoughts and feelings towards that person?
• Why is it important that we are faithful in little things?
• Why is keeping our word particularly important in marriage?
• How can you be more faithful in the little things?

© Mary A. Kassian

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 15: You Deserve a Break Today

The underlying message of most ad campaigns is, “Indulge. You deserve it!” The Wild Thing would agree. She feels entitled to indulge in all sorts of pleasures… visits to the spa, beauty treatments, splurging on the sexy red dress and that pricey, exotic fragrance. And if she decides to indulge in a night of forbidden romance and pleasure, who’s to say she’s shouldn’t? It’s not anybody’s business but her own! In this Girls Gone Wise video book blog, you’ll learn that a woman who willingly forfeits gratification can be infinitely happier than the one who insists on
her right to indulge.

1. Read the fifteenth point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 199-206)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Post your comments on the Blog

• What are some things our culture tells us we deserve?
• How does keeping our eyes on a positive future reward help us forfeit immediate gratification?
• Explain what you think Paul meant when He said, “She who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.” ( 1 Timothy 5:6)
• Is there anything that the Lord is asking you to forfeit for the sake of the greater reward?

© Mary A. Kassian

Girls Gone Wise Book Blog 14: Shop Till You Drop

Calling all shopaholics… Is the pride-and-joy item in your closet a pair of Manolo Blahniks? Do you like to have a look at the label and see designer names like Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Armani, or Versace? If so, you may have a lot in common with the woman of Proverbs 7. She had impeccable taste! This Girls Gone Wise video book blog points out that Wild Things are intent on filling their homes and closets with designer-label fashion and all sorts of beautiful things—but that if you’re smart, you’ll set your heart on getting so much more!

1. Read the fourteenth point of contrast between a Wild and a Wise Thing (Pages 191-198)
2. Download and complete the Chapter Questions for Personal Reflection
3. Post your comments on the Blog

• What kind of “power” does luxurious living offer? Do you feel the pull of this attraction?
• What type of behavior would you expect to see in someone who “treasures the riches of the Kingdom more than the riches of the world?
• Other than money, what are your most precious resources?
• What can you do to invest yourself and your resources for eternity?

© Mary A. Kassian