Women of Encouragement

  how To find Christmas Spirit . . . And save and savor it this Christmas Season . . .  Just for now, as you read, take this time for yourself. Grab a warm beverage, put on your favorite instrumental holiday playlist, maybe even light a candle, and settle into a cozy spot. Carve out a little me-time where you don’t need to perform. Me-time isn’t selfish, but if you struggle with that, give in to a selfish snippet. Invite Jesus in to talk to your heart and brighten your spirit. The toughness of the day may not disappear, but no one goes unchanged after spending time with their Creator! So hang in there as we dust off an old Christmas carol, look past the traditional aspects and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into your weary heart with this holiday devotional and the Christmas affirmations of faith that follow.  CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATIONS FROM SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT In this busy season, I am able to rest.   I take every opportunity, even in the busiest times, to give and receive

  An Advent  A-B-C {Christmas Alphabet Poem} Christmas Story Alphabet Poem A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.” Luke 2:13. B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2. C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7. D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone. “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32. E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar. “Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king o

  Linda Underwood https://m.facebook.com/groups/2197904716944207/permalink/6443398295728140/?mibextid=Nif5oz Shiela Richerson https://m.facebook.com/groups/2197904716944207/permalink/6036337376434236/?mibextid=Nif5oz L.J.  https://m.facebook.com/groups/2197904716944207/permalink/6059705034097470/?mibextid=Nif5oz Sherry https://m.facebook.com/groups/2197904716944207/permalink/6080639028670737/?mibextid=Nif5oz.  Nancy (Robert Haussler) https://m.facebook.com/groups/2197904716944207/permalink/6099456616788978/?mibextid=Nif5oz.      

  3 Promises of God’s Peace Peace. It can be elusive in a time of panic. We ask ourselves and question how to find peace so I want to encourage you to lean on these 3 promises of peace in the bible. How To Find Peace One of my favorite scriptures on peace to remind me to turn my focus back to God is found in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Right now with a chaotic, panic-driven world, it is very easy to get caught up in trying to secure our peace within our means. Not that we shouldn’t take precautions and make wise decisions with regards to preparations for our health and safety, but our security and peace cannot be bought from a store, stocked in our homes, or purchased over the counter. So when we wonder how to find peace and we’re trying to secure it for ourselves, what do we do? Peace is one of the special gifts that sets us apart as Christians. We’ve been given God’s blessed assurance His peace alone can calm our hearts and sou

  Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?   To do the will of Jesus—this is rest. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?   On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?   In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?   Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. – EDWARD HENRY BICKERSTETH, 1875

  Jesus speaks to me in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Come, Take and Learn.  Come to Him and quit seeking answers from myself or others. Take His yoke by surrendering myself to His will in my life. Learn from Him how to handle the trials. And learn that He is all I need to have joy and peace. If you also lose your peace at times, I suggest you join me.  Together let’s Come, Take,  and Learn.

 Peace Scriptures  John 14:27 John 16:33  Phillipians 4:6-7  2 Thessalonians 3:16 Psalm 29:11  Romans 15:13  Ephesians 2:14 Psalm 34:14  Proverbs 12:20 Isaiah 26:3    Please pray for our Group this week.  Several ladies are working hard behind the scenes to bring you devotionals,  and crafting projects.  Our daily hostesses spend many hours researching our daily greetings  Charlotte provides our daily scriptures.  As July winds down please pray this week for our little mini study in Peace.    Linda Underwood will be presenting Camp Grandma  Plans for August are underway! 

  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 A Safe Place Read: Psalm 46:1-7 Weekly memory verse: Psalm 46:1 “Safe! I’m on base, I’m safe! You can’t get me now!” Remember playing the game of tag as a child? The person who was “it” chased all the other players hoping to tag one, making them “it” for the next round. Most of the players ran quickly to the safety of home base. However, at least one player would usually tempt fate by continuing to run around, barely darting out of the grasp of “it” again and again. Not me though. I always ran straight to home base and the protection it provided. I haven’t played tag in a very long time, but I still need a safe place to run to when the troubles of life threaten to overtake me. I need a refuge – a shelter, a place of safety that protects me from danger and trouble. In John 16:33, Jesus said His followers will have trouble in this world. We live in a fallen

  Group Prayer will be posted daily at 1:00 p.m.  Sunday Pray for member requests Monday pray for our topic study Refuge. Pray for members presenting devotions/studies and My Bibles Story  Linda Underwood and classes Laura Jo and Tricey.  Tuesday kids going to summer camps and vacations Wednesday pray about how you can help the group.  There are lots of opportunities to serve.  Thursday Thank God Friday pray for your family and home.  Saturday pray for the weekend 

  Good morning ladies! Today I'm sharing a devotional from Max Lucado. I hope it is a blessing to you today. Have a great day. 💕 God Is Using Your Struggle God is using your struggle to toughen you up! It’s like viewing a movie after you’ve read the book. When something bad happens, everyone else gasps at the crisis on the screen. But not you. Why? You’ve read the book. You know how the good guy gets out of the tight spot. God views your life with the same confidence. He’s not only read your story, he wrote it. His perspective is different, and his purpose is clear. One of God’s cures for weak faith? A good, healthy struggle. Consider it a gift when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. Under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. Scripture says, “let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (James 1:4 The Message). Join with Isaiah who resolved, “I will trust in him and not be afraid!”  see