Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Psalms 95:1

Welcome back to Week 4! The final week of the Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! 

Join me for Week 4’s video as we discuss How to Live a Life of Celebration—then pull out your journals and begin!

 

Week 4 – Slowing Down for Celebration

David tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. 

When was the last time you made a joyful noise to the Lord?  Was it an hour ago, a day ago, a week ago or when? 

It is good for our souls to slow down and celebrate our salvation.

It is good for our souls to slow down and celebrate God’s faithfulness.

Does life sometimes feel like a blur?  One day bleeds into the next and the next and before you know it, another month and then year has passed?

God wants us to savor the moments and find joy in the present and the only way we can do that is by slowing down.  Once we slow down and assess our lives, we can see that there are many things to both celebrate and give thanks to God for.

When we are busy and on the go, we fail to celebrate all the good things in our lives.  And while we have special holidays for celebrating like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, we need to remember that each day we can celebrate God’s goodness to us.

I’m reminded of the early church and how they were persecuted and suffering and yet Paul told them to “rejoice always”. How could they possibly do that?  They couldn’t in their own strength, but joy is a fruit of the Spirit. 

Joy comes from God. 

In God’s strength, we can always have joy and a song in our heart, even in the worst times.

So, let’s take time this week in our homes to celebrate the little things.  Perhaps celebrating a day’s hard work looks like hot cocoa with marshmallows and a good book or maybe it’s a bubble bath with soft music going, or maybe it’s throwing a bonfire and inviting your friends and family to make s’mores.  For others, maybe it’s cranking up the music in your kitchen and having a dance party or maybe it’s taking a friend out for dinner to celebrate the gift of your friendship.  Whatever is good in your life – celebrate it!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord.

God is so good! 

He is worthy!

Week 4 Challenge

Seek out a place of solitude to get alone with God.  Stop your work, turn off your phone, the television, music and computer.  Be still.  Go outside or find a place in your home, where you can be alone and simply rest and be at peace.  Practice the presence of God.

Rest is a need – not a want.  Rest is not optional or something we wait to do when we are retired.  Rest is a blessing from the Lord, and it requires humility to admit we need it. I’ll be running a bubble bath and probably taking a much-needed nap this week.  Soul care is self-care. So, enjoy it!

{Share your pictures of your favorite place to rest on Instagram by using the hashtags: #MakingYourHomeAHaven and #WomenLivingWell}

Here is this week’s Bible Reading Plan

This Week’s Verses of the Day:

(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shot them.)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Printable Bible Bookmark

Printable Bible Coloring Bookmark

Signature GMG SOAK Bible Study Method

Don’t Miss the Daily Check-Ins on Facebook and Instagram!

Join us EVERY weekday morning ANYTIME after 7:00amEST on Facebook
to discuss the day’s reading assignment.

Share pictures of your candles, flowers, playlists and favorite places to rest on Instagram by using the hashtags: #MakingYourHomeAHaven and #WomenLivingWell.

***Unlike my other Bible Studies, this series will only have Monday blog posts.  For daily encouragement during this challenge follow me out on –> Instagram and facebook .  I’ll be there every day cheering you on!

It’s time to slow down and catch up with God.  Light your candle, give thanks to the Lord, then open God’s Word and drink deeply from the living well.

Enjoy your walk with the King,

I know this time of the year can be very busy for women,
so I created a 31 Day Christmas Prayer Journal for you!

Peace, Be Still is a 31 Day Christmas Prayer Journal
available exclusively on Amazon.

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now button below.

This Journal Contains:

• A weekly Scripture reading about the birth of Jesus
• A daily verse focusing on one of four themes: Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
• A daily thought and observation to help you focus on the verse of the day.
• A daily reflection question, with space to ponder and apply the verse to your life.
• A daily prayer prompt, with space to write out your prayer for the day.

HERE’S A LOOK INSIDE:

How is this different from other WLW journals?

1.). This journal is 7 days a week rather than just 5 days a week.

2.) This journal does not use the SOAK method.  It includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write your daily prayers.

3.) I will not be leading this as a Bible Study on-line.  But you can do it with friends and use the daily reflection question as a discussion question.

I will be taking a break here on-line during the month of December and then in 2022, we will be back into the New Testament for our Winter Bible Study! So check back for more details in December about what’s coming next!

What’s next?

Our next study will begin January 10th. 
More details and resources for this study will be posted soon!

If you are looking to do a Bible Study
during our break, here’s a few I recommend:

Ecclesiastes – Wisdom for Living Well
A 6-Week In-depth Bible Study with a Free Video Series

With over 950 5-Star Reviews on Amazon – this is my most popular Bible Study!  It is a  verse-by-verse in-depth study of the book of Ecclesiastes. You can find all of the free resources for this study along with the video series —-> HERE.

Ruth – God’s Amazing Love for You
A 5-Week In-depth Bible Study with a Free Video Series

With over 1,000 5-Star Review, this is my second most popular study.  It is a verse-by verse, in-depth study of the book of Ruth.
You can find all of the free resources for this study along with the video series —> HERE.

Rest and Release
A 4-Week Bible Study with a Free Video Series

You can find all of its resources and the free video seres —–> HERE.

Other books of the Bible

You can find all of the books of the Bible we have already studied together and the free resources to go along with those studies on this page —–> HERE.

I encourage you to pick a book of the Bible and study it on your own and I’ll be back in January to study with you again!

This post contains an affiliate link.

The post How to Live a Life of Celebration {Slowing Down: Week 4} appeared first on Women Living Well.

      

Related Stories

• This One Change Will Change Your Prayer Life Dramatically! {Slowing Down: Week 3}
• Slowing Down to Study God’s Word {Slowing Down: Week 2}
• 5 Essential Habits for Slowing Down {Slowing Down: Week 1}

 

Christmas is coming and Advent Season is about to begin and I know this time of the year can be very busy for women, so these quiet times will be simple yet profound.

Peace, Be Still is a 31 Day Christmas Prayer Journal
available exclusively on Amazon.

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now button below.

This Journal Contains:

• A weekly Scripture reading about the birth of Jesus
• A daily verse focusing on one of four themes: Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
• A daily thought and observation to help you focus on the verse of the day.
• A daily reflection question, with space to ponder and apply the verse to your life.
• A daily prayer prompt, with space to write out your prayer for the day.

Here’s a Look Inside:

How is this different from other WLW journals?

1.). This journal is 7 days a week rather than just 5 days a week.

2.) This journal does not use the SOAK method.  It includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write your daily prayers.

3.) I will not be leading this as a Bible Study on-line.  But you can do it with friends and use the daily reflection question as a discussion question.

Jesus was born on a silent night.

He is: “Immanuel – God with us.” ~Matthew 1:23

This is the real meaning of Christmas.

It’s not about the holiday ham and cookies, or Christmas lights and decorations, or Santa and reindeer, or baby dolls and Legos. It’s about Jesus – coming in the flesh.

God dwelt among us. And he went from the stable to the cross because of his love for you and me. You are so very loved.

Let’s take the time to slow down — BE STILL — and linger at the feet of Jesus, each day in the month of December — by being in his word and prayer.

Peace. Be Still.

Jesus is with you and he is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 6:9

Walk with the King,

The Winter 2022 Bible Study will be announced in mid-December, so be sure to check back for that announcement!

You will want to start this journal December 1st!

Peace, Be Still
is available exclusively on Amazon.

Order NOW
to get it in time to begin in December!

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now button below.

This post contains an affiliate link.

The post Christmas is Coming!!! appeared first on Women Living Well.

       

Comments

• Hello ladies! My name is Alicia Bowyer, and I have an open ... by Alicia Bowyer
• In reply to Teresa. I just emailed you by Milena GH
• I have an email group and we will be doing this study together ... by Teresa

Related Stories

• Peace, Be Still: A 31-Day Christmas Prayer Journal

 

Do you struggle with gossip and the words that come out of your mouth?

God knows what you are going to say before you even say it.  He knows the intent of your heart. 

Consider…if God walked into the room today, would you change the way you talk? 

God is always in the room with you.

Let’s examine our words against the Word of God.

God’s Word brings freedom- He has the power to help you with your struggle to stop gossiping, so you can walk in obedience to Him!

Let’s take a look together at what His Word says.

Here’s 10 Verses for When You Feel Like Gossiping-

1. Do not be a fool- practice restraining your lips.

Whoever utters slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. ~Proverbs 10:18-19

2. Be gentle with others. Be quick to notice others strengths and slow to point out others flaws.

Speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people. ~Titus 3:2

3. Be wise with who you spend time with. If you are with people who always gossip, you might be tempted to do so as well.

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. ~Proverbs 20:19

4. Do not speak evil against anyone and do not judge.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? ~James 4:11-12

5. Consider that your words might lead others to sin.

Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. ~2 Timothy 2:16

6. Think before you speak- you might risk ending a friendship based on the words that you say.

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. ~Proverbs 16:28

7. Watch critical remarks – they are red flags revealing a proud, envious, selfish or angry heart.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. ~Matthew 12:36-37

8. Focus on being a trustworthy person and not sharing others secrets.

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.  ~Proverbs 11:13

9. Give grace to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ~Ephesians 4:29

10. Practice self-control with your words. Spend time with God in His Word and in prayer.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! ~Psalm 141:3

You can know a person’s character by their choice of words. Would your family, friends or co-workers say you are a gossiper? 

It doesn’t matter how pretty your hair, make-up or clothes are, it’s the words coming out of your mouth that determine your true beauty.

Purify your heart through the reading of God’s word and put aside all anger, bitterness, malice, slander, envy, and self-pity. Put order on your tongue as you Walk with the King!

Do you want to print these verses? Click here to open the free printable.

The post 10 Verses For When You Feel Like Gossiping appeared first on Women Living Well.

       

Comments

• Thanks for the gentle reminder! Something that we all do,but it ... by Melissa
• I love this one! I totally need it! Thank you! by Danielle

Related Stories

• 10 Verses For When You Feel Tempted
• 10 Verses For When You Feel Confused
• 10 Verses For When You Feel Like You are Not Good Enough

 

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1

Welcome back to Week 3 of the Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! 

Join me for Week 3’s video as we discuss The ONE change that will change your prayer life DRAMATICALLY! —then pull out your journals and begin!

 

Week 3 – Slowing Down for Supplication and Prayer

God is already right there with you – you only need to acknowledge his presence.

When we slow down to pray, we grow spiritually and as we grow, our intimacy with God goes deeper. 

It takes effort to walk with the Lord daily because…let’s be real for a second, sometimes praying the same thing day in and day out can get boring.  If you are praying the same things over and over – like praying for your family, friends, finances, the church, and people’s crisis – it can get repetitive.

So, switch it up friends! 

Pray the Bible. 

Take one verse from Psalms or one verse from Proverbs and pray it over your family and your friends. 

For example, take Psalm 40 verse 1.  It says “I waited patiently for the Lord.”  Pray this over your children. “Lord, please help my children to wait patiently for you.”  Pray this over your friends. “Lord, please strengthen my friends in their waiting.”

Then move on to the next line. Pray God’s word line by line over your loved ones and if a verse does not apply, skip it.  You can do this using some of the New Testament letters as well.

We were made to be connected to God.  Our soul needs to be anchored to Christ.  God wants us to have peace and he tells us the way to get there is by turning our worries over to him, by prayer and supplication.

Prayer is simply talking to God. 

Supplication is humbly making a request of God and usually it is something we strongly desire.

So, this week, let’s practice the presence of God every single day through focused prayer and supplication.  Let’s bring our outer world and inner world into harmony through prayer. God loves you and is with you and he wants to hear from you.

Week 3 Challenge

Go pick a bouquet of flowers from your garden or a nearby field or buy yourself a small bouquet.  Each time you see the flowers, be reminded of God’s love and presence with you.  Our creator God is listening to your prayers.

I will be purchasing a small bouquet from my grocery store and placing it in a vase, in my kitchen.

{Share your pictures of your flowers on Instagram by using the hashtags: #MakingYourHomeAHaven and #WomenLivingWell}

Here is this week’s Bible Reading Plan

This Week’s Verses of the Day:

(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shot them.)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Printable Bible Bookmark

Printable Bible Coloring Bookmark

Signature GMG SOAK Bible Study Method

Don’t Miss the Daily Check-Ins on Facebook and Instagram!

Join us EVERY weekday morning ANYTIME after 7:00amEST on Facebook
to discuss the day’s reading assignment.

Share pictures of your candles, flowers, playlists and favorite places to rest on Instagram by using the hashtags: #MakingYourHomeAHaven and #WomenLivingWell.

***Unlike my other Bible Studies, this series will only have Monday blog posts.  For daily encouragement during this challenge follow me out on –> Instagram and facebook .  I’ll be there every day cheering you on!

It’s time to slow down and catch up with God.  Light your candle, give thanks to the Lord, then open God’s Word and drink deeply from the living well.

Enjoy your walk with the King,

You can use any notebook you have
but if you want the optional journal, it is available
exclusively on Amazon here.

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now button below.

---

I know this time of the year can be very busy for women,
so I created a 31 Day Christmas Prayer Journal for you!

Peace, Be Still is a 31 Day Christmas Prayer Journal
available exclusively on Amazon.

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now button below.

This Journal Contains:

• A weekly Scripture reading about the birth of Jesus
• A daily verse focusing on one of four themes: Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
• A daily thought and observation to help you focus on the verse of the day.
• A daily reflection question, with space to ponder and apply the verse to your life.
• A daily prayer prompt, with space to write out your prayer for the day.

HERE’S A LOOK INSIDE:

How is this different from other WLW journals?

1.). This journal is 7 days a week rather than just 5 days a week.

2.) This journal does not use the SOAK method.  It includes a verse for the day, a thought for the day,  a reflection question for the day and space to write your daily prayers.

3.) I will not be leading this as a Bible Study on-line.  But you can do it with friends and use the daily reflection question as a discussion question.

I will be taking a break here on-line during the month of December and then in 2022, we will be back into the New Testament for our Winter Bible Study! So check back for more details in December about what’s coming next!

This post contains an affiliate link.

The post This One Change Will Change Your Prayer Life Dramatically! {Slowing Down: Week 3} appeared first on Women Living Well.

       

Comments

• Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, ... by ND
• I am really enjoying this study. I was late so I am working a ... by Jen
• This week I will keep my candle going and when I see that ... by Shawnna

Related Stories

• How to Live a Life of Celebration {Slowing Down: Week 4}
• Slowing Down to Study God’s Word {Slowing Down: Week 2}
• 5 Essential Habits for Slowing Down {Slowing Down: Week 1}

 

• Email to a friend •

What temptations do you struggle with?

Do you give in to your weaknesses far too often?

We all struggle with temptation. It’s what we do in those moments that will either draw us closer to God, or pull us away from Him. The enemy wants to pull you away. Satan wants to steal your joy, steal your peace, steal your love and steal your future. So why do we sometimes listen to his lies and fall into temptation?

Oh friends, do not fall for his lies!!! He hates you! But Jesus loves you.

Through Jesus’ death on the cross and the forgiveness of your sins – he offers you an abundant life of joy, peace, love and a future in heaven with him. Listen to God’s truth and do not give in to the lies of this world. Be strong!

God’s Word brings freedom- He has the power to help you in your moments of temptation so that you can walk in obedience to Him.

Let’s take a look together at what His Word says.

Here’s 10 Verses for When You Feel Tempted-

1. Jesus himself was tempted for 40 days by the devil.

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. ~Luke 4:1-2

2. Jesus sympathizes with you. Find comfort and strength in knowing that He understands your temptations.

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ~Hebrews 4:15

3. God will always provide a way out when you are tempted- look for it!

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ~1 Corinthians 10:13

4. Do not blame God. He is not the one tempting you.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ~James 1:13-14

5. Just as God is at work in the lives of his people… Satan is at work in the lives of people. Satan is pure evil. There is no good in him and he is seeking to deceive you and turn you against God.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ~1 Peter 5:8-9

6. Seek God in prayer and by studying His Word so that you can walk by the Spirit and not your flesh.

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ~Galatians 5:16-17

7. As we obey God and his Word, doing what is right becomes easier and easier and love, joy, peace and freedom – true freedom – appears.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:21

8. The freedom that comes from Christ is a freedom from the penalty and power of sin over us. When you confess your sins- you are forgiven!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  ~1 John 1:9

9. God is not just beside you, but he goes before you and behind you – he surrounds you.  He is always extending His mercy and grace to help you.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

10. The enemy lies to us and tells us that God’s way is boring, but we must reject those lies – those who follow God’s word will be blessed. Pray continually and be watchful!

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. ~Matthew 26:41

Each day, you have a choice…who will you choose to follow when you are tempted? God is not the author of sin. Satan is the author of sin and so through salvation we see that sin is not eternal. One day we will enjoy heaven without the pain and heartache of sin.

We will be free!

But until then, we are going to face temptations and spiritual warfare daily as we live in this world full of lies and opinions and goals and views that are contrary to God’s word.

Satan is God’s enemy and therefore our enemy. Do not give him a foothold or edge in your life. Choose God’s path no matter how hard it is. Remember you are a child of God and he is with you and he loves you.

Keep walking with the King!

Do you want to print these verses? Click here to open the free printable.

The post 10 Verses For When You Feel Tempted appeared first on Women Living Well.

      

Related Stories

• 10 Verses For When You Feel Like Gossiping
• 10 Verses For When You Feel Confused
• 10 Verses For When You Feel Like You are Not Good Enough