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What is God’s will for your life?

Whenever you can spend time with high school or college women, jump on that opportunity! It’s always refreshing! In a recent gal’s bible study, we tackled these questions,“What are the biggest questions do you think high school women in America are asking? Is it social, philosophical, or moral? ” We divided up and began tossing out ideas varying from “Personal Appearance” to “Guys”! After looking at their responses and countless years of similar questions from a variety of Christian groups, here’s our “BIG THREE BIGGEST QUESTIONS”! (There are 2 “power words responses” for each question.) My prayer for all of us -regardless of age-can ask women these questions. This is how the generations can come together and represent Jesus!

I. “What am I called to do in life?” 

Do what you know now- OBEY AND PRAY!

Proverbs 2:1-11 “My son (daughter!) , If you receive my words and treasure my commands, turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding…yes, if you call for intelligence, and to understanding raise your voice; If you seek wisdom like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out, then will you understand the fear of the Lord the knowledge of God you will find. For the Lord gives wisdom from his mouth come knowledge and understanding He has success in store for the upright is the shield of those who walk honestly guarding the paths of justice protecting the way of his faithful ones..then you will understand what is right and just, what is fair, every good path; For wisdom WILL enter your heart, knowledge will be at home in your soul, discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you.”

II. “When am I actually going to date someone? What do I need to know?”

Know yourself first-PRIZE AND PRINCESS!!

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 “I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided. An unmarried woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.”

III. “How can I have closer friends? How can I be a friend?”
INITIATE AND ENCOURAGE!

Proverbs 17:17″A friend is a friend at all times, and a brother (sister!) is born for the time of adversity.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”

IV.Application: You have the power to choose a response!
*”I control my life!” ” OR “I will let God be in charge. If He’s truly God, HE may know the exact career that uses my gifts and talents..and that will be an amazing adventure. “

*”I don’t care-I’ll date when I want and who I want.” OR “I can let Him guide me with godly principles. If He’s truly God, HE might know best and have a huge blessing for me if I’ll trust Him.”

*“Even though my friends drag me down, I’m afraid if I don’t have them, I’ll be lonely.” OR “This is hard but I know that who I hang with is who I’ll become. I want kind and unconditional friends who point me to God.”

Tell yourself the truth:
“I want blessing over my life. I want joy in my spirit. I want God’s will because He loves me more than I can ever understand. I don’t want a life of bad choices which result in pain and despair. He says His plan is best and will bring only things that are for my good.”

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A simple overview of HOSEA! Part 1

This is what I have been studying for the last 3-4 weeks with a few friends and we have all been SO BLESSED by it, I knew I had to share it with you! Nobody ever thinks of an inductive study of HOSEA (usually) but I literally fell into a verse that has changed my perspective these last weeks. HOSEA CHAPTER 10, VERSE 12. I’m not planning on writing a study about this, but simply sharing ONE verse with you and how it can change your year! Many of us have read the bestseller REDEEMING LOVE by Francine Rivers and so we have a bit of background on this book. For those of us digging deep..it’s obvious we must understand the context of the book, why the author wrote it, and the spiritual state of Israel.

  • HOSEA, considered a “minor” prophet wrote this book of the Old Testament. HIS NAME MEANS SALVATION.
  • He wrote this book (like his contemporary Amos) to Israel also called Ephraim here. Other prophets ( like Isaiah) would be called to prophesy to the southern kingdom of Judah. But, the key thing to remember here is HOSEA is primarily addressing Israel as the tribe of Ephraim.
  • This all happens during the reign of JEROBOAM II.
  • During this time, the people were materialistically prosperous, but spiritually bankrupt.(Is it me or does that seem familiar?) Idol- worship replaced their worship of YAHWEH. Judgement from God would come to Ephriam (Israel) through the FALL OF ISRAEL TO ASSYRIA.
  • Most of think of HOSEA and think of his sad marriage to GOMER. In summary, God specifically called HOSEA to “marry a woman of harlotry”. He did and she bore him 3 children with sad names reflecting Israel’s spiritual condition.
  • Next on the time-line, GOMER deserts HOSEA to resume relationships with other men. Perhaps the most emotionally moving point of this book is that GOD called HOSEA to go find his adulterous wife (new being sold as a slave by a new boyfriend) and BUY HER BACK. Needless to say, the theme of REDEMPTION that GOD is trying to show us is apparent.
  • HOSEA delivered all these messages in his 50 years as prophet of YAHWEH.

As always, we understand that the church does not replace Israel (see Romans 9-11) or here Ephraim. BUT, THE TIMELESS PRINCIPLES OF YAHWEH’S REDEMPTIVE LOVE IS CONSTANT. This is the lesson and blessing we receive as we read and study this tragic, yet powerful book. Consequently, chapter 10 verse 12 reflects our calling as a people redeemed!

HOSEA 10:12 “SOW TO YOURSELVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, REAP ACCORDING TO KINDNESS, BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND, SEEK YAHWEH, UNTIL HE COMES AND RAINS RIGHTEOUSNESS ON YOU.” 

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Why This Pain?

Tragedy seems -by nature -to be sudden & unexpected. It chills us, wrecks us, yet centers us. Instantly, all other “important” becomes unimportant. As believers focused on the next kingdom (which is currently alive & thriving with the Prince of Life), death baffles us. Why do we weep if we know we will be reunited ? Why this pain? Our fragile flesh always astonishes us. Humans were created with deep capacity to love each other. We hurt because we love. Jesus cried when His dear pal Lazarus died. Why? He knew what He would do-stun the known world with the most inhuman act of raising a dead man. Why did the Son weep? Could it be He (in His divinity) is also showing His humanity? Is He showing us the awful tension of human life & heavenly life? None of us knows or understands fully. No quick verses or platitudes can alleviate pain. Maybe that’s it…in our flesh pain, we have to trust the One Who Understands. We hand Him our questions, our anger, our anguish, our fear, our discomfort of death . He loves His creation -He knows things we don’t, and by faith (only tried through trial) we choose to trust Him. He who spoke the world into existence also wept when His friend died. This Savior is real, approachable and so very lovable. #john11  #death  #pain  #trial15284920_10154782006859817_1175309095435773705_n-3