Sunday Scripture

 

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of April 13.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Prepare food for week of TWNE ministry.

2)  Cook for work team and staff at TWNE.

3) Work on blog posts.

So, pretty much all ministry this week.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week, other than fearing I might run out of energy.  .   

Joys: Ministry is always a joy, as is hospitality.  Combining both, as I get to do in my off-season meals ministry at TWNE, is s special joy.  Blogging is a joy that I find such a blessing when I am able to find the time to do it.

Worries: I try not to worry.  It accomplishes nothing, and Jesus commands His people not to do it.

Desires: That God will be glorified and believers edified and encouraged through the events of this week.  

Stressors:  The limitations of time, energy, mobility, and aging.  Glitches in communication at times.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... aware of all that this week will hold.  You know the challenges that I face with time and energy limitations.  You are able to help and strengthen me and to overrule each limitation that I face.

* Lord, I feel ...  inadequate to do any of this -- and I know that's a good thing as it pushes me to depend on You.  I feel a bit discouraged because I am so slow, and a bit overwhelmed with all that there is to do .

* Lord, help me with ... all that is on my plate this week.  You know what must be done and what can be left undone, and I pray You will help me to have the wisdom and discernment to know the difference.  Help me with my attitudes , with my words, with self-control, with wise use of time.

* Lord, forgive me for ... any time when I fail to exercise self-control in any area.  I know that as a Christian woman I need to be living a life marked by temperance.  I'm so thankful that forgiveness for sin is available from You on a moment-by-moment basis.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; other friends with serious health issues; a couple facing a major life change.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Ephesians 3:30-21, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

"Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen."  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

O= Cross-references for "Now" -- Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began."  (Romans 16:25)

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."  (Jude 24)

Cross-reference for "Him who is able"  (v.20) -- "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work ."  (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Cross-references for "according to the power" -- ""Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power."  (Ephesians 3:7)

Cross-reference for "to Him be glory" (v. 21) -- "For of Him, and through Him,  and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever."  (Romans 11:36)

Cross-references for "church" (v.21) -- "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel ... To the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."  (Ephesians 3:6, 10)

"There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling."  (Ephesians 4:2)

"And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ."  (Ephesians 4:11-12)

"Christ is the head of the church."  (Ephesians 5:23b)

"Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16:18) 

"Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."  (1 Peter 2:5)

"It is upon Christ Himself that the church is built."  -- C.I. Scofield

A=  The words of Ephesians 3:20-21 are a benediction, as are the first two cross-references listed -- Jude 24 and Romans 6:25.

The purpose of a benediction is to express praise to God and comfort to those listening, "while focusing on both the character of God and His gifts of grace, peace, and divine enablement." -- Rand Hummel, In Christ

To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything that we can ask or even think.  His power is incredible!

'The able to do is the incomparable capability of an unlimited God" -- Rand Hummel

He is deserving of all honor and glory forever.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

My God, my King, my Heavenly Father, is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that  I could even think to ask.  I am a person in whom God's power is at work ... the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should always seek to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him.  I should live my life in absolute trust in my all-powerful Heavenly Father, who is able to do far above anything I could ask or even think.

P= "Lord, How thankful I am for all that You have done in saving me!  I am so grateful that You drew me to Yourself and transformed my life.  I'm incredulous that You loved me enough to do this at such cost to Yourself,, that Your unlimited, incomparable power is at work in mu life every day.  I praise You that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything I could ask or think, and I pray that You will bring that power to bear on some concerns I'm praying about.  

  "Help me to live my life every day in a way that brings appropriate honor and glory to You!  I praise You for all that You will do,  in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to us over the past week and to list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) God's wisdom in planning menus and preparing food for TWNE volunteers.

2) Strength to cook for volunteers on back-to-back weeks.

3) Wisdom and time to work ahead on Sunday School lessons.

4) Wisdom to write and schedule Sunday Scripture blog posts.

5) Being able to spend good quality time with fellow believers as we volunteer together, including a friend we hadn't seen win 10 years!

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on SERVING.  We were to think about what resources we have available -- time, finances, prayer, etc. -- and how we could serve those in need this week.    [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

My plan for serving: This is a week of service as I cook meals for volunteers and also use some of my time to clean and do computer tasks at my volunteer job.  I can also serve those with serious health issues and trials as I intercede in prayer for them.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

God works powerfully in me.

This is amazing  thought to take into the week ahead.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that works in me!

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

Sunday Scripture

 Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of March 30.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Ministry  --phone calls,  Sunday School lesson prep, TWNE meal planning and food prep; Easter food prep; attend memorial service; blogging.

2)  Health -- exercise, walk daily, drink more water, get early light, get more sleep, work on UFO projects which will be good for my mental health.

3) Homemaking/Etsy-- clean house prior to two upcoming ministry weeks; Etsy listings and mailers; clean fridge; change out winter decor.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.  Maybe a  few concerns that I won/t have everything ready for next week's ministry.

Joys: Ministry is a joy.  Preparing for and celebrating Easter and our daughter's birthday (on the same day!) will be a joy.  It will be a joy to see dear, old friends at a memorial service.  Seeing grandkids use their musical gifts and talents at church is a joy.

Worries: No real worries, but a few small concerns. 

Desires: That God will be glorified in the events of this week.  To see not-yet-believing friends come to the Lord. To see visitors from the community come out to our Easter services.  To change over to spring decor even if I'm not very enthused about it.  To be well organized and prepared for a week of ministry at TWNE.  To be able to leave a neat and orderly home to return to at the end of the week.

Stressors:  Tiredness, partly a result of staying up later than usual.  The limitations of time, energy, and aging.  The quirks of other people.  How long everything seems to take as we're aging.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ...in full control of this week and all that it will hold.  You hold time and are able to to expand it for us -- I have seen You do this countless times.  You are able to give us good sleep.  You are so worthy of our praise and unending gratitude as we celebrate the Resurrection this week!

* Lord, I feel ... completely inadequate in and of myself for all of the planning that will be necessary this week for the week of ministry next week.  I feel blessed and grateful to celebrate Your resurrection on Sunday.  I feel tired and physically unready for all that needs to happen this week.  I feel thankful for all that You have given me and the opportunities You give me to minister to others.

* Lord, help me with ... everything that's on my plate this week.  With planning meals for TWNE for the following week.  With getting proper sleep, rest, exercise and healthy foods so I can remain strong and energetic for what needs to be done.  Help me with staying in touch with people who are hurting and need encouragement..

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I so easily get off track with diet and exercise.  Times when I would rather just be quiet and withdraw into myself rather than make the effort to reach out to others.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; another couple with health needs and medical testing related to those; a friend who just had surgery.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Ephesians 2:10, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  (Ephesians 2:10)

O=   Ephesians 2:10 is considered the key verse in the book of Ephesians.

The ESV reads, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

The Amplified Bible makes this verse even more meaningful: "For we are God's [own] handiwork [His workmanship], recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined [planned beforehand] for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."

The Phillips translation of this verse reads, "The fact is that what we are we owe to the hand of God upon us.  We are born afresh in Christ, and born to do those good deeds which God planned for us to do."

The verse starts with the word "For", which prompts me to look back at what comes before it.  It helps, in this case, to look back at verses 8-9:  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."  

Scholars tell us that in the Greek, the word "His" is placed first for emphasis.  So  "His for we are workmanship" is the literal order of the words.  Another way to read it is "For of Him we are a product."  We are a masterpiece, not of our own making, but of His handiwork.

"Workmanship" is the Greek word POIEMA, meaning "something that is composed or constructed, something that is made, that which is manufactured, a product, the thing made, a design produced by an artisan. Poiema meant any work of art --it could mean a statue, a song, architecture, a poem or a painting. It conveys the idea of something artfully created."

A= So as believers, we have been saved

by grace,

through faith.

It is nothing we can do ourselves -- it is the gift of God.  

Our salvation has nothing to do with any works of our own.

Instead, we are God's workmanship --

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

that God has ordained for us to walk in.

Spurgeon wrote (and how I love this!):"Nothing without Christ Jesus, you see.  The mark of the pierced hand is on everything.  'We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.'  If there is any good thing in us, He put it there.  It is not for us to boast."

To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is the Creator.  He has created us for good works.  He has planned good works for us to walk in.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I' am God's workmanship, His handiwork, His "poem".  I am blessed that God has created good works for me to walk in, that He has prepared these works ahead of time for me.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should seek to live life in a way that glorifies God, out of thankfulness for all that He has done for me.  I should prayerfully seek out those good works that God has created for me to walk in, and I should prayerfully walk in them.

P= "Lord,   I stand before You and all that You are in complete amazement.  You saved me by grace through faith.  It is a gift from you -- I could never obtain salvation in and of myself, through any works of my own..  I am Your workmanship.  You artfully created me.  I can barely grasp the meaning of this.

"Even more astounding, You have planned good works for me to do.  I pray that You will help me to be more sensitive to Your leading and to prayerfully seek out, and walk in, those good works You have planned for me.  I can only do this in Your strength and with the enablement of Your Spirit.  I praise You for all that You have done and are doing in my life!  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Longer  hours of daylight.

2) God's sovereignty over events in our world.

3) God's occasional re-ordering of our days, which always turns out to be for our good and for His glory.

4) The blessing of being able to host our Ladies of Grace meeting this month.

5) Time to work on a crochet project each evening.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FELLOWSHIP.  We were to make a plan to fellowship with friends this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

On the Tuesday we had fellowship with dear friends from Wisconsin over dinner and a memorial service.  We made a plan to fellowship with family and friends through Easter breakfast and services, as well as Easter dinner with our family.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

God has planned good works for me to do.

What an amazing and humbling thought to take into our week ahead!  Are we sensitive to God's leading as to what those works will be?

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

Just one or two

 Trying again this week to get in on the Wednesday hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang at From This Side of the Pond.   And again this week I'm not attempting all of the questions.  One or two will have to do!

1. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

"Out of this world" as in fabulous -- well, two of our favorite places to get away are York Harbor, Maine and Back Lake, up north in Pittsburg, NH. They are both out of this world in their own way, though both are very different.

Sunset at Back Lake

Back Lake at dusk

York Harbor, Maine

"Out of this world" as in other-worldly -- I would have to say south-central Idaho, where God's creativity is on full display with such features as springs gushing out of hillsides, brown pelicans floating down a river, flowering trees, stunning rock formations, and much more.  You can read a little more about one of our visits there in this post.

Thousand Springs

Castleford, Idaho

Niagara Springs

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

A favorite verse is Psalm 104:24 -- "O LORD, how manifold are Thy works!  in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches."

But when I first read this question, this is the verse that jumped to my mind:

"O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD."  (Jeremiah 22:29)

And there's my feeble attempt at this week's Hodgepodge...

Sunday Scripture

 

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of March 23.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Homemaking --   Start a 7-day home reset; continue decluttering and beginning to downsize.

2)  Ministry  -- Tea time with friends on Wednesday; phone call with Rebekah Thursday; Sunday Scripture/other blog posts; teach Sunday School,  lesson prep, etc.; host missions team meeting on Thursday evening,

3) Etsy/creativity  -- Prepare at least 5 Etsy listings; prep and send Etsy orders; hopefully find some time to craft and create, including working on mailers for Etsy orders and unfinished craft projects. 

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.   

Joys: Creativity is a joy; ministry is a joy; homemaking is a joy when I can take time for it.  In fact, all of my priorities this week are things that bring me joy when I find time for them.

Worries: No real worries going into this week -- and worry achieves nothing anyway.

Desires: That God will be glorified in the events of this week.  That I can be an encouragement to other believers in our various interactions.  To list as many items on Etsy as possible.  To nurture creativity in my life.

Stressors:  Mud, and the grit that comes in on our feet this time of year.  Limitations of time, energy, and aging.  The uncertainties of living in a fallen world.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... in complete control of this week and all the twists and turns that it will take.  You are sovereign over all of the events in our world and in our lives.  You are aware of all of my stressors and You are able to help me manage them.

* Lord, I feel ...  optimistic about the week ahead.  Energized and encouraged by longer hours of daylight.  A little discouraged when I think of how much mud season is still to come.  I feel thankful and blessed as I see how much You are still using me in the lives of others.

* Lord, help me with ... all that needs to be accomplished in this week.  With wise use of my time and energy.  With motivation to work in my Etsy shop.  With completing some unfinished projects.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I procrastinate or lack motivation.  Times when I allow people to irritate me.  Wasting time or energy in any way.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; two granddaughters with health issues; the family members of a friend who recently passed away.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Romans 12:10, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another."  (Romans 12:10)

O=   In the ESV this verse reads, "Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor."

Brotherly love is the Greek philadelphia, which normally referred to the love members of a family held for each other (this was the way it was used in secular Greek) and would not normally be used to describe the love between members of different families.

Cross-reference for "Be kindly affectioned one to another" -- Let brotherly love continue."  (Hebrews 13:1)

Cross-references for "love" -- "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law ."  (Romans 13:8)

"A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another; as I have  loved you, that ye also love one another."  (John 13:34)

Cross-references for "preferring one another" -- "Render, therefore, to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due: custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."  (Romans 13:7)

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."  (Philippians 2:5)

"Honor all men.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the king."  (1 Peter 2:17)

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

God has a specific way He wants His children to treat one another.  That way involves showing brotherly love and honoring one another.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a child of God in need of His guidance and instruction for interacting with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 "I'm to love my brothers and sisters in Christ with kindly affection.  I'm to outdo myself in honoring other believers.

"Paul writes at full length upon the doctrines, but he is very concise and pithy upon the precepts, for things of daily practice need to be short and easy of remembrance. Let us learn each one of these weighty sentences by heart and put them all in practice." -- Charles Spurgeon

Dave Egner writes in Our Daily Bread, "New Testament fellowship goes much deeper than merely socializing when we get together at church. It takes place when we consider how we can lift up, build up, and brighten up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian fellowship takes place when we offer encouragement to our friends, pray for them, and confess our sins and weaknesses to one another. These are the elements that make fellowship genuine."

Another writer has said, "to honor someone is to show genuine appreciation and admiration for the other individual. Believers who are being transformed by the renewing of their mind should be becoming more and more sensitive to showing respect, to acknowledging the accomplishments of others, to demonstrating genuine love by not being jealous or envious. These are the marks of a sincere faith which is maturing."

P= "Lord, I thank and praise You once again for the clarity of Your Word!  You give us such clear specifics as to how You want to see Your children live.  Here, specifically, we see some of the ways in which You want Your children to treat one another.

  "I pray that You will help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ with kindly affection and to live out all that this means,  Help me daily to make a conscious effort to put others ahead of myself.    I can only do this in the power of Your Holy Spirit, so I praise You for how You will lead and guide me in this. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to us over the past week and to list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Food prepared and frozen for our family's canceled visit could be used to feed a large missionary family and our church missions team on very little notice, with minimal work for anyone.  A huge praise to see how God worked that out!.

2) Getting to attend the concert of a granddaughter who plays with a regional symphony orchestra.  So thankful for this opportunity for her to use her skills and talents.

3) Finishing off a cross-stitch project I'd completed some time ago but had not decided how to display.

4) The semi-annual church business meeting going well.

5A delightful tea time with Jennifer, Grandma, and the children.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FASTING.  We were to think about what we could fast from, and to make a plan for how we might replace our fasted item with the pursuit of God and His Word.    [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

My plan for fasting: Our regular intermittent fasting makes room daily for more Bible reading, study, and a lengthy prayer time.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

I will seek to serve and honor others first.

This is a challenging, even rebuking thought for the week ahead.  It takes forethought and humility to plan to serve and honor others before ourselves.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

One, two, three Hodgepodge

 

Finding a a few minutes today to spring into the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang at From This Side of the Pond.   And again this week I'm not attempting all of the questions.  Three of them looked fairly simple.

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

We're retired and seldom have to pay anything for income tax, but we find it more reassuring to have our accountant prepare them just in case.  We did our own taxes for years, though.  

Something I've found "taxing" lately?  Oh, I don't know.  Planning, I guess.  I am doing a lot of planning these days for our ministry at a Christian camp, especially for the weeks that I cook for volunteers.  It takes a lot of planning, not only for the meals themselves but for when to do what.

Daffodils that grew at my childhood home

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I tend to be a last minute packer, my hubby even more so.  I might start packing the day before.  I work very hard at packing light; we try to manage with just a carryon and a duffel bag for short trips and only one suitcase for longer trips.

Packing tips:  I don't have anything really great, but one is to always store suitcases with a bar of soap inside.  It keeps them smelling fresh and there is always a bar of soap at hand if a soap dish needs replenishing at any point during a trip.  I also like to keep a half dozen clip-type clothespins in a suitcase or carryon.  They are handy in many ways; hanging laundry or swimwear to dry; clipping motel curtains together; holding a chip bag closed.

Silk daffodils in a syrup can on the kitchen island

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? 

I did not know grilled cheese got its own month!  I was thinking maybe a day!  I do love a grilled cheese sandwich, though it's been awhile since I've had one (other than a tuna melt at a favorite diner).  I think the ingredient that takes any grilled cheese sandwich to the next level is real butter spread on the outside.  

Bloodroot is the first spring wildflower we see in our area.

And there's the Hodgepodge for this week!

Sunday Scripture

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of March 16.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Ministry  --phone calls, tea time discipleship, Sunday School lesson prep, prep meal for visiting missionaries/church missions team; take notes for Leslie at business meeting; blogging.

2)  Etsy and creativity -- do five Etsy listings, finish off some projects, make Etsy mailers.

3) Homemaking/family-- talk with Joanna, attend Julia's concert, clean in zones 3-4, start a 7-day home reset.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.  A few concerns about the weather -- heavy rains and high winds.

Joys: Nearly all the things on this week's agenda are things in which I take joy.

Worries: No real worries, but a few concerns.  I find business meetings very challenging.

Desires: To glorify God in the activities of this week.  To be an encouragement to other women in the various opportunities He gives me.  To complete a 7-day home reset.  To add to my exercise routines.

Stressors:  Limitations of time, energy, and aging.  Church business meetings are nearly always stressful.  Other people can be difficult to deal with.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ...in full control of this week and all that it will hold.  You are sovereign over every circumstance of life, including the weather.  You are so good to give opportunities to serve You and to touch so many lives in the course of a week.  You are able to help me to deal with every one of the stressors in my life this week.

* Lord, I feel ... encouraged that I've found time to exercise every day this week.  A little bit discouraged that as the week went by I only completed one day of the 7-day reset, but at least it was one and I feel hopeful about a new week coming up.

* Lord, help me with ... the stressors of this week, the business meeting in particular.  I can usually keep almost any meeting in perspective (whether town or church) if I can do some mindless needlework while listening.  I can't do that when I'm the one taking notes.  Help me to continue on with the 7-day reset and to get some work done in my Etsy shop.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I'm tempted to act in my own strength and wisdom -- both so limited that I should know better than to waste them.  Any time when I respond to others in a way not pleasing to You.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; a granddaughter with a bad cold and a busy week;  an older couple with health concerns and medical testing related to those.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, 1 Chronicles 16:34, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Oh, give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever."  (1 Chronicles 16:34)

O=   The ESV reads, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!"

 "Oh give thanks" is the Hebrew yadah, meaning "openly confess, gratefully acknowledge".

The ESV titles verse 8-36 of 1 Chronicles 16 as "David's Song of Thanks".  This was on the occasion of the ark of the covenant being brought to Jerusalem.

Verses 5-7 describe musicians playing harps and lyres, cymbals, and trumpets.  "On that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers."

In the KJV 1 Chronicles 16:7 says, "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm, to thank the LORD, into the hand of Asaph and his brethren."

It seems that this song was what we know as Psalm 105.  Verses 1-15 of Psalm 105 are almost word for word the same as 1 Chronicles 16:8-22.

Cross-references for verse 34 -- "Praise ye the LORD.  Oh, give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever."  (Psalm 106:1)

"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise.  Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting; and let all the people say, Amen.  Praise ye the LORD."  (Psalm 106:47-48)

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is the LORD, the self-existent One, the eternal I AM.  He is good.  He is merciful and His mercy is forever enduring.  He deserves thanks for His goodness and enduring mercy.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a person with so much to be thankful for.  I have tasted of and seen God's goodness and am a recipient of His mercy.  I see His steadfast love in my life every day.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should live in an attitude of thankfulness to the Lord, living life as a thank-offering to Him.  I should be so thankful that His goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life.  How blessed I am to be able to live my life in light of His steadfast love!

P= "Lord,  You are so good!  How blessed I am to be Your child!  I'm so thankful for Your grace and mercy that You showed in drawing me to Yourself with loving kindness.  I'm incredibly thankful for Your steadfast love in my life every day, and that Your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.   

    "I pray that You will help me as I seek to live every day of life as a thank-offering to You.  I pray in the merciful, steadfast name of Jesus,, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) God's sovereignty over every aspect of our lives and plans.

2) The comfort of knowing that our times are in God's hands.

3) Being able to get our for a walk each day that the weather cooperated.

4) A different wood stove that is so efficient and makes it much easier to stay at our cottage in winter .

5) Energy to be able to handle some housekeeping tasks.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on REST.  We were to make a plan to intentionally rest this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

We planned on spending two nights at our cottage.  So restful.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

God has steadfast love for me.

What an encouraging and uplifting thought to take into our week ahead!  

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!