Days like today

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Hello Ladies, friends.

I do not have a whole lot of fluffy things to talk about for this post. So I am just going to let all out. Bare with me and do your best not to judge me:)

First let me start by saying that I love my family. I love my parents. I completely understand why God chose them for me and me for them.

With that being said, lets just say that we have some baggage. Who doesn't, really. We all do to some degree. Most of us have a time in our lives that we think back on as the "messy years". Unfortunately, my parents "messy years" happened to coincide with my childhood....all of it. They have since moved on to brighter days. And we are all happier for it. My life back then was filled with arguing and insecurity. I am a strong person and I am willing to stand up for myself. I do not usually back down from confrontation. But when confrontation gets tense or ugly I get a knot in my stomach and I feel like I am 9 years old again. Its a terrible feeling. When I was a kid I could not wait to grow up and not feel that knot.

Here I am at 31 years old. God has faithfully and wonderfully crafted my marriage and life in such a beautiful way. It is so rare that I ever feel the "knot". My husband and I do not fight. We might disagree here and there, but it rarely ever gets to a fight. My kids stress me out just like most kids do. But I never get the knot from them.

Yesterday, I got the knot. Things have been happening around here that finally came to a head yesterday. The confrontation came from the outside and from a person that I love dearly. I do claim some responsibility for the knot. You know in the heat of the moment you say things that you do not mean. I did that.

As I tucked my babies into bed last night I was feeling so heavy. As I was looking at them I did not feel like their mom. I felt like a 9 year old little girl. I was downright sad. It sounds silly maybe, but I could not wait to get into my bed with some hot tea and pray to God. I needed forgiveness, reassurance that things would be ok and love. Big love. So, that is what I did. I crawled into my big girl bed with my little girl prayers. These prayers felt so familiar to me.

I am clearly not 9 anymore. God has grown me into a mother and a wife. I am not the same as I was back then. Isn't interesting how familiar circumstances will catapult you right back into a certain place and time?

This morning when I woke up I felt lighter. I felt the sun on my face through my bedroom window. Yesterday seemed so cold to me. Outside the weather was nice but it had a nip in the air. Today, however was Gods gift to me:) It was a cool and sunny 82 degrees. No wind. Nothing but happiness and sun. When I woke up this morning I knew that God had answered my prayers for forgiveness, clarity and security.  Things that were messy yesterday were easily reconciled in the light of this beautiful spring day in January.

I guess what I am getting at is this: Love each other. Trust God. And grow up! Be who God has created you to be all of the time. I never want to feel 9 again! No matter what the circumstance is.

Thank you for reading and loving me anyway!

Randi

Just a Mom

'And Adam called his wifes name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.'

Genesis 3:20

Hello girls! I am back after my extended hiatus. 

When I was thinking of what the Lord would have for me to share with you, my mind was clouded with other thoughts. Thoughts of being busy. Thoughts of feeling overwhelmed and under appreciated. Thoughts of inadequacy. 

And then it hit me. 

God wants me to share these thoughts with you! Yes, you.

 If you are not in my boat, you have been in my boat or you are going to be in my boat.

 These feelings are not popular to talk about among our friends at church or home school group. We might talk about them with a dear friend. But never openly in a group of ladies. No way! We dress our best and make darn sure the kids are clean. We threaten them within an inch of their lives to not get dirty before we get to where ever it is we are going. Then we threaten them some more to behave in public. I don't know about you but I usually feel like I am skidding in at the last second for everything. Why??

Let me tell you why. I feel that if someone sees that I don't have it all together that they might think that I'm not a great mom. They might think that I am a slacker. They might have thoughts that I can't even think of...but I'm sure they're terrible. 

Here is the secret to all of this stress. GOD!

God is the secret sauce. I know God is with me all day and all night. He knows what I am going through or dealing with. He knows that I sometimes raise my voice to my sweet little kids. He knows that I sometimes take an extra long shower so I can have just a few more minutes in silence. He knows this, girls! He also knows that my desire to be a wonderful mom is not my only desire. I want to create beauty, I want to be productive aside from my family responsibilities. I have knowledge and experience that I want to share. Does that make me less of a mom? God knows all of these desires and doubts. He does. 

In my quest to form a well rounded post on the matter I consulted the Merriam Webster Dictionary on the matter. The definition of Mother is as follows:

                                         noun; 1. a female parent 2. a woman of authority

                                              verb; to care or protect someone.

According to Merriam Webster I am a mother. I am a female parent and I do wield some authority in my home...sometimes:) I also care and protect my little people from potential dangers such as rogue chickens and neighbor dogs. So, as far as the world is concerned I am an efficient mother. 

What does Gods word have to say about the matter of my being a mother?

Genesis 3:20 

And Adam called his wifes name Eve because she was the mother of all living. 

Wow! How do you like that for pressure! 

God thought enough of my ability as a woman to be called mother. To be tasked with raising two little beings that would one day follow the Lord and be productive in His sight. 

I guess it is time to get to my point. As mothers we naturally stress out about our abilities. We are certain that every other mother has it more together than we do. We just know that we are messing our kids up in some way. Guess what! Those thoughts are  Satans plan...not Gods plan. Instead of looking at my life and abilities and picking them apart I need to look to what God has to say about it all. I need to turn to Him for council. Let us not forget about those desires that tug at us to create and share and grow. God gave us those desires. If He places a path in your life that allows for those things then you need to do them! Instead of looking around I clearly need to look straight up to Him. 

Girls, remember this. We are all in the same boat. We are all human. We have nothing to prove other than who can love the biggest and walk in the Lord. If you are a young mother I encourage you to nurture your prayer life. Reading your Bible daily is essential as well. I am a young mother. I am exhausted most days. I fall asleep reading. I fall asleep praying. I fall asleep when I sit still for more than 10 minutes. God knows my heart. He knows where we are in our walk with each other. This time in life is a short season. Don't worry so much and just love on your babies. Kiss them, hug them and play a little longer.  

Thank you for reading and hugs to my fellow Moms!

Randi 

Day 30- Convenient Christianity

Good Evening Ladies,

Wow! We made it...and we are still alive! This past 30 days has been tremendous. As I look back on this journey I cant help but marvel at how much has happened in such a small time span. God has done so much in my life in 30 days. I hope He has touched you in ways that you will never forget as well.

Today's lesson talks about following God wholeheartedly. No matter the circumstances just follow Him and seek His will. The plain truth is that we are totally human. 100% flesh and bone, self-seeking human. The good news is that while that may be a grim fact, we have a huge God that is not human! God requires more of us than our humanness would readily provide if it were not for His commands. 
Think back to the beginning of Judges 6. Gideon was a fearful no-name guy in his tribe. God came to him and required him to complete a task that would alter history. Think about that for a minute. Imagine yourself folding the laundry or washing dishes when out of nowhere the Angel of Lord comes to you and asks something big of you. All you are required to do is trust Him. God never promises us bodily safety. He never promises us an easy road. What He does say is that if we do His will it will bring glory to him. But wait a minute, I am not finished with my laundry or the dishes yet. God is going to need to wait. As soon as I am finished with what I have on my list I can jump right on that! Doesn't that sound like us? Well, it absolutely sounds like me!

As I sat down to open this last days study I felt like I was standing in front of a firing squad! I read the title and sunk in my seat a little bit. Like most moms I am busy. Really busy. I have my days and months scheduled out. This summer was no exception. While I was planning to participate in this study I looked at my schedule and I had the time. Let me tell you ladies something you probably already know. God has His own plans for my life, daily! God had so many adventures on the calendar for me this summer that I had no clue about. So plans changed! My life is not usually this interesting. This summer however my plans would change right up to the minute before I was to walk out the door. At first I would get tight in the chest and get frustrated. I would just like to highlight a few of my unforeseen adventures. At the beginning of the summer we started off with 2 rounds of seasonal allergies with the kids and wrapped up with them each getting a virus that I had never heard of. An uncle passed away after a long hard battle that truly brought him closer to the Lord and I believe healed some large cracks in my family. My brother had routine surgery to remove his appendix which turned out to be cancerous. He, his wife and new baby waited weeks to learn that it was only contained in his appendix and had been removed. It is a miracle that it was found in the first place. Praise God! This has also lead to some major family healing! My dad has major heart issues. Usually once a year for the past 3 or 4 years he has been in the hospital for a stint and once for bypass surgery. It looked like this summer was no exception. He felt that he had a heart attack but waited until the next day to tell anyone! MEN!! So, we went to the doctor to get him checked out, fully anticipating the worst. After the doctor gave him the once over it was discovered that he only had vertigo. Sheesh! This was a blessing because it really got his wheels turning on his health again. He is recommitted to cleaning up his health. (This is a very frustrating topic for me because I just want him to fix it. But then I am reminded of my lack of will power and shut down my judgements) During most of all of this my sweet mother in law was battling a nasty virus of her own that is just now subsiding. It has taken all summer. She is usually my biggest help with the kids. The kids and I had alot of time together this summer:) I have also dealt with an intestinal issue for years that became a huge problem for me this summer. Then I was introduced to a new way of eating that has taken away every single symptom! Praise God!!

There was actually more to write but I want to get to my point. God has His plans for us. Each day He has our day laid out. All we are required to do is get in the thick of it with Him. We need to do the inconvenient things. As I looked back on this summer and all of its drama I am blinded by the fact that God delivered me through it all. Did I loose 2 uncles to Heaven this summer? Yes. Did the family have more than its share of health scares? Yes. Did my kids go to more funerals and viewings and doctors appointments and road trips than either of us cared for? Yes! But when each situation is looked at individually I can see what God wanted me to learn or how He wanted to change my perspective on something. It was almost as if He was showing off! He really did deliver my family in so many ways this summer. 

Back to the firing squad. Nearly a year ago God started working on me to do a study in a public format. It turns out that it was this blog. Once I quit dodging His request I committed to this study. However, I have not been faithful in staying on the schedule. I know that I had a lot going on. That was my excuse for lagging behind. The truth is I was exhausted by the end of the day when I sat down to work on the study. Getting up early was not always an option either. I was tired!! It was not convenient for me to stay the course and stay up later or to rise earlier. I have felt convicted about this. God has given me numerous lessons this summer that were so perfect. Stay the course, He has me! He can change hearts that were once so hard. Live a life so much for God that when you die that is what people remember. 
Do not be so wounded that you don't let God reach you. This world is not for us, do not get too comfortable here. Learn from the lives of older folks. Be kind and generous with your words. Love on people, it will touch them in ways that you may never know.

Something that Priscilla said in her study was that 'our convenience does not trump Gods rules!! 
There are so many reasons we give for not attending church, reading the Word, praying, getting involved. Just don't. Save the excuses and get into Kingdom work. Start at home. Keep your life Christ centered! I am talking to myself as well here. Remain humble because the minute you get it all together on your own, God will show you otherwise. The best part about doing Gods will is seeing His glory shine! 


My hope is that this blog was helpful to you in your walk. Ladies, I love y'all so much for supporting this Blog and for loving our Lord! Your love for the Lord will always encourage others. I would love your suggestions on what you would like to see next on here. Or would you like to take a break? I'm open and praying:)

~Randi 

Judges 6:12
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."

You are what God says you are.

Day 28

Hello Ladies!

As I said before, today we welcome a guest blogger. Christina is a work from home mother of two, wife to a great guy and friend to many. As I was feeling overwhelmed a few weeks ago I thought to ask her to guest blog for us. Actually God really placed her on my heart and here we are. I love that she accepted the challenge. As I mentioned above, she is a work from home mom! Its a hectic life:) I am blessed to call her friend. Please leave her some love in the comments! 

~Randi

Feeling Fine:

Hello Ladies how are you feeling today? Hopefully, great. I am the guest blogger today and my anxiety has been sky high over being a guest blogger. This is my first bible study and I am anything but a great writer/blogger. I have read these pages about 100 times over the past few days praying for the words to come to me.

" Put me on trail, Lord and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart." Ps. 26:2

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." Luke 12:31

This chapter talks about emotions, idols, who we turn to in times of need. Do we give credit where credit is do...A couple of weeks ago I had a really stressful week. One that was tough on my emotionally, physically and spiritually. I was so overwhelmed and had so much anxiety that day I was I couldn't even make a grocery list. As, I sat there I felt the anxiety creeping up to me chest and squeezing...in desperation I called a friend who suffers with anxiety from time to time and she was able to talk me off the ledge. As, we started talking we brought up God and how we need to turn to him in times of need. That in the mornings instead of checking FB and instagram for new post and pictures we need to thank God be quiet with him in prayer and in the Bible. This was a huge help and eye opener for me. As, I was reading about idols and distractions I realized these two things are huge idols in my life. Am I proud of that? No! But, I know now that what I need to make the most important thing in my life. What I need to center my life around. It is really simple! GOD.

"Therefore if you have been raised up in Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind of things above, not on the things that are on Earth." Col 3:1-2

I kid you not I have seen this scripture more than once this week on different wall, post etc. Think God was trying to pass the memo to me!! It was like the light went on in my head and heart. Seek me first, for comfort, guidance, reassurance anything that I may need seek to my God first and for most! I love this too Priscilla writes at the end of the chapter "Restructure your life to exclude the idols that have become your go-to activities or relationships. Cement boundaries in place and enlist accountability to keep you on track."

AMEN!!! AMEN!!

Today I took a vow with God that every morning I will wake up and praise him. I will pray to him, I will give thanks and take time for him, with him and him alone. I will read scripture and devour it as hungry as I am for it now. My heart feels so happy tonight as I write this. I hope and pray yours does too. Thank you wonderful ladies for being here with me today and letting me share with you a newbie's insight. Have a happy, blessed day! Christina

Day 24- Weary, Yet Pursuing

Good Evening Ladies!

The title of today's study is perfect! Weary-Yet Pursuing. 
The reason that yesterdays post is posting today is because ladies, I am weary! I am tired! I do not have any more on my plate than any of you but I am worn out. 
Between my kids, the house, my business and the Lords work I have found myself run down. I know...I'm preaching to the choir:) 
As a woman in today's world I feel a ton of pressure to do it all and to do it well...with a smile and a killer figure! I am not quite there girls. Not by a long shot. I am actually at the point where I strive to hit the high points, making sure that the kids are taken care of and most days that I have studied Gods word. My house is usually a mess and if I am not leaving the house I stay in my jammies. For real. I watched my Mom stress out about the house, the kids, the neighbors thoughts and on and on. I just don't have it in me to do all of that worrying. Thank God! 
God has a task for each of us to complete. We need to focus on that. 
As we work through the study of Gideons story has it hit you that our problems are not new? They are ancient problems. The solution is still the same as well. Take it to God. Listen to God and stay in His word. 
We must stop running to people to solve our problems. I'm guilty of it. I go to my husband or my best girl friends with my gripes and I want sympathy. We don't really want our friends to solve our problems. We want justification or sympathy. GO TO GOD WITH YOUR PROBLEMS

When we focus on the task at hand that has been laid out by God we need to stay focused on Him. Completing His work may not be easy and it may take a while to finish. We will get weary. People will disappoint us. God will not. 

Favorite Quote from Today 

{Passion does not negate weariness; it just resolves to press beyond it.}

Isaiah 40:28-29,31

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases powers...Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. 

God is good. He provides for all of our needs. Let each of us remember that. 

Ladies, I love you and pray for you daily. Please continue to pray for me:) 

Randi

Day 23- Friendly FIre

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

Ladies, I love God's timing! I have said it before and I will say it again, God has His hand on the pulse of every single thing....always. I actually read ahead last night and completed the study for today. As I read through the passages and answered the questions I felt a little luke warm about the subject. I already knew what Priscilla was discussing. We need to be kind, we need to not fight among ourselves and use that energy toward working for the Kingdom. I knew these things already. Do not be critical and if you are, figure out why and change it. OK, I know that too.

Fast forward to this evening. A news story broke about a local woman that had left her small child in the car while grocery shopping. It was well over 100 degrees today. When she finished with her shopping she discovered that she had left the little one in the car. The child was alive and rushed to the hospital. This is a terrible story to hear. I know, as a mother, that this woman must feel like dirt for forgetting her child. This little one could have died. We know she suffered. The south Texas heat is brutal and unforgiving. This story bothered me. It made me sad to hear about the pain of the child and the pain of the mother. Then I checked my Face Book. Good old Face Book... Let me just say that I really enjoy Face Book because it allows me to keep up with my friends from far away and I love seeing the kids pictures and accomplishments. I enjoy Face Book...there, I said it! As I was scanning through I saw so many posts about this incident. People were rightfully upset. However, the majority of posts were much like the weather today...brutal and unforgiving. It almost made me more sad to see peoples reactions. It is so easy for us to take in information and then judge away! I am guilty of it as well. One person said that this mother should die, and more than a few said that she should go to prison! Really? Have we never made mistakes? Big, ugly, what were you thinking mistakes? I have never left my kids in the car but I have run over my own dog. I just did not see her. It was terrible, but it was a mistake. Our society is so fast to jump on the band wagon and bash any mistake that goes public. I am sick of it! I have had my fill of others dumping on weakness. God wants us to do our very best. He wants us to also forgive others and to treat others as we would like to be treated. We need to Love more and judge less. I need to love more and judge less. I do not think that the people that post hateful things in cases like this are bad people. I do think that if we were to sit across a table from them and have a rational conversation about our own mistakes and their own mistakes that folks would be more forgiving. I hear people say all the time, "I hate Face Book, its nothing but drama." Folks, its not Face Book that's all drama, it is us. This issue of being prideful and looking down on others goes way, way back. Gideon and his troops dealt with it even in their day. 

I sat down tonight to type this up and I opened the study to run through it one more time. I did not feel so luke warm about it tonight. It felt fresh and relevant. I underlined a statement that Priscilla made. Let me share with you. 

 'The bickering among God's people cost precious time and energy that could have been reserved for more important tasks.'  

Exactly! Instead of us beating this woman up and even fighting with each other over how we should feel about what happened to her and her child, we should be thanking God that the child is going to live and praying for them both as they move forward. There was a law broken and the mother should face the consequences of breaking that law. We should not spend one more second worrying about this situation. God has it covered. What are nasty comments on Face Book going to contribute? Nothing but hurt. Move on doing God's work. 

This type of situations happens all day, everyday. Someone does something that is deemed terrible and then someone else begins to poke them with a stick. It happens at all levels. We are all guilty of it. As Christians we are commanded to handle these situations differently than the world. We are to show compassion and love. We are to show the world what Christ looks like.

You will be criticised for your efforts. Make the effort anyway. Be careful not to offend in your efforts to show Him. Its important to show Him and not show off. 

Ladies, I love you! Its easy to love y'all. Its not easy to love those that offend. But I have to love them anyway! So, I love that mother that left her baby in the stifling summer heat, I love the people that are calling for her to be jailed and I love the folks on Face Book that make it interesting:)  Ladies, I ask for your prayers. I feel like the deeper I get into study the more I get hit on all sides with temptation. I get tempted with anger, gossip, feeling high and mighty. You know, all the good stuff:) It is not easy following the Lord, but then again He never said it would be. 

Sweet Dreams

~Randi

Day 22-Finishing Well

Good Evening Ladies,

We have learned about listening to God and doing what He has planned for us. We have learned about fulfilling our God given potential to further the Kingdom of God. But what about when we are told that our job is finished and to let someone else bring it home? How about that for a concept? Let me be honest with you, here. As I began reading today's study I did not get what Priscilla was saying for a moment. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. God asks us to complete certain things for Him. We should do those things. But He never says that He is going to need us to complete each task past what His needs for us at the moment are. My definition of finished and God's definition may be different. He may think that I'm finished at the mid-way point while I am striving for the end of the line. 
Have you ever been horse back riding in a group? The horses always try to be first in line. If they are allowed to, they will race to finish first. Guess what? We are those horses. We race to the finish to be the best and to have a sense of accomplishment. Doesn't that mean, then, that we are completing our agenda and not God's agenda. Ladies, we must lay down our rules and parameters! God does not honor our parameters. He has His own agenda....our job is to honor Him and do our very best to do His will. Even when that means not getting to the finish line. Even when it means that someone else gets the credit for our ground laying labor. Do things knowing that God has His reasons and those reasons aren't for us to understand. One other important thing to consider is that we need to be as alert to Him telling us to hand it over as we were when He told us to begin the work in the first place. 
Ladies, I am almost speaking more to myself on this matter than I am speaking to you.  I want to please God. I want to make Him proud of me and what I can do through Him and for Him.  There have been times where He has told me that I am finished with a task. At first it was confusing and my pride was urging me to stay the course. After some prayer and forceful nudging from God, I was able to hand over the reigns to someone else. I worried that they would fail. I worried that they wouldn't fail and that people would think that my contributions were worthless. Then one day I was able to breath easy about the whole situation. I did not care what people thought. I knew that I was called to do what I did. I knew that my clear conscience and ability to breath easy was because God had His hand on the situation. I am happy to report that things have been sailing along great without me for nearly 2 years now. I am glad about it. My point is that when we listen to God things have a way of working out better in the long run. God is good to me. I need to be good to Him and faithful to His urgings in my life. Have you experiences anything like this? I would love to hear about it. 

Have a great night ladies! See you manana!

Randi

Session 5 Viewer Guide & Day 21

Week 5 Viewer Guide

1. Begin the Battle on your knees.

Joshua 6:20
When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.

Judges 7:15
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”

2. Face the Battle from a stance of Victory.

Judges 7:16
Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

Ephesians 2:10
 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

3. Advance into the Battle from your assigned place.

Judges 7:16
Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

Judges 7:21
 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

1 Corinthians 12

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placedthe parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Judges 7:19
 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands.

4. Approach the Battle at just the right time.

Judges 7:20
The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”

5. You win the Battle by using the right weapons.

Judges 7:21-22

 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.

Ladies we are called over and over again to do what God has called us to do. We need to focus ourselves on praying and listening to what path God has for us. I feel like sometimes I get bogged down in the day to day junk that is going on that I can't see what God wants me to do. Do you have issues in your life that are bringing you down spiritually? I do! It makes me feel like I am wasting my time worrying about what is going in with this particular issue when I should be worrying about what God needs me to do! It is so totally a distraction set out for me by the devil. As long as I have my head down focusing on the crud then I can not focus on what God is working on. Seriously! I get in a funk for a few days after I deal with 'issues'. I sometimes even get to where I am ashamed of my feelings and the ways I have handled them that I can't even get my mind and my heart in the right spot to pray about it! That is ridiculous! That is so apart of the devils plan. Not Gods plan. Ladies, this is not ok. If you are like me and you also deal with 'issues' I ask for your prayers and support. I know the Lord has big plans for us. We have much to do in His name. As long as we are clogged up spiritually then we aren't accomplishing anything. Let me tell you something. As soon as this Bible study blog project began the devil set to work at distracting me. He came up with all kinds of ways to clog me up spiritually! It has been one of the craziest 5 weeks. Then along came day 21 of the study. Priscilla talks about spiritual warfare. {goose bumps!} She talks about the ways in which we are to fight spiritual warfare and how we are to trust God fully. Something else to consider is the point I made earlier. I am ashamed of myself for my thoughts and actions. That being said it will only glorify God more when those thoughts and actions are turned around because it is known that the only way I was able to overcome was by the strength of Christ. Not my own strength at all, because when it comes to these 'issues' I have no real strength! <---truth! Like the scripture says, we are just the vessel and the real value is God in us. Ladies, I encourage you as you are in your pit of 'issues' to look up for a minute and take a breath. Remember that God is bigger than your issues! Remember that it is a waste of your time to waste a second on the 'issues'. Pray, pray, and pray some more. One other thing that I have realized helps is to stay in the word daily. Ladies, please pray for me to mature in walk so much so that I notice an 'issue' coming my way and have the courage enough to step aside and move past it. God strength to please come and fill me up. 

I love you ladies and will see you tomorrow!

~Randi

Day 19- The "Dew" and the "Do" of Heaven

Good Morning Ladies!

Who doesn't like signs when you are driving somewhere? Especially when you are on an unknown road going to a place you have never been. I very much appreciate signs. But sometimes, in my spiritual life I would appreciate a little spiritual GPS. I would like to see every curve in the road, each intersection and I would like to know how long it will take before I arrive at my destination. Does that sound familiar to anyone? 
In Gideon's day He had only blind faith to take him on his journey. He had to trust that God was who He said He was. Today, however, we have faith but we also have the Bible. It may not tell us where each curve is or even each intersection. It does tell us how to move forward regardless of the circumstances. No matter where you are or where you are going the Bible gives you the direction you need. God gives us all the directions and encouragement to move forward for Him. Listen to His nudges and 'signs'. If we spend time is His word and in prayer daily then we will not need to ask God for signs. We receive God's grace and favor daily as followers of Him. Because of this we should be set apart from our culture. Do we feel comfortable being set apart in a world of like minded people? We need to embrace being different due to our belief and faith in Christ. At times it is not easy. I believe we all have a little kid inside that just wants to fit in. But here is the deal...it is time we all put on our big girl pants and embrace that we are different because of what Jesus Christ did for us! God designed each of us for a purpose. That purpose is always to advance His Kingdom in some form or fashion. What an honor! 
We live in a time where being a Christian is not popular or respected. We need to hold our heads high. Now more than ever the world is looking at us and watching for our next mistake. We need to stop preaching at the world in an attempt to save them but act as Christ did and move them with our walk. When people see the life we live it will speak volumes louder than anything we could ever say to them. 
God leads us daily. We need to get on board, do the right things, and enjoy the ride. If we do these things then God will be able to use us better. 

Move away from the ways of the world (Baal) and into the ways of Christ. Be a Jerubaal woman! 

Go to God with everything! He desires to hear from us on all things. Just as your best girlfriend wants to know it all, so does God. Being comfortable enough to go to God with everything is a big step but one we need to take in order to forge the relationship we need. (Phil.4:6)

I love you ladies!

~Randi

Day 18- The Fleece, The Dew, and the Threshing Floor

Good Evening Ladies!

Today's lesson talks more about seeking confirmation from God and asking Him to prove himself. I said yesterday that I do not think that we should ask God to prove himself. I still feel that way and it is scripture based. However, if you look at the context surrounding Gideon's relationship with God at the time, it is understandable why he would do that. Gideon had worshipped Baal his whole life. He was in a very new and fresh relationship with God. God was asking big things of him. So I can not really blame him for needing confirmation. Another thing that sets Gideon's circumstances apart from ours is that we have the Holy Bible as God's word to stand on. We have no excuse to question God. Gideon had nothing but the Angel of the Lord speaking to him. 

Matthew 16:4
An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.

John 20:29
Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.

What are the differences between seeking confirmation from God out of caution and seeking it because of doubt and disbelief?

When my 3 year old does something that she knows she should not do it upsets me. Because she knows the rules and has chosen to do the wrong thing. However, if my 15 month old does the same thing I will not react as harshly. He is still learning the rules, therefore, I cut him some slack. There is a difference in knowing and choosing to disobey and not knowing and disobeying. 

When we question God's desires for us and question what path He would have us go down we need to keep that thought in mind. Are we questioning Him because we do not trust that He has our best in mind? Or are we questioning Him because we do not want to submit to His will? Are we double checking His intentions? Tip- Do not question God, His intentions or go against His will. <---Sometimes that is easier said than done.

Let's make every effort to listen to what God has for us. Let us really pay attention. The desires in your heart are there for a reason. That nagging thing that you feel compelled to do but have no real reason for doing it. That might be God tugging at you to do His work. We never know how God uses us. I am willing to say that God has used us at times that we do not even realize that He used us to further His Kingdom. 

God has pulled me in some strange directions in my short 30 years. Never in a million years did I see myself living where I live but God brought me here and set me up on a blind date with the man of my dreams. We have two blond haired babies - we are both brunettes:)- that are so smart and kind. I have chickens that I truly love raising and I am about to embark on a homeschooling journey. WHAT? Those are obviously the extreme high points. When I was 20 years old I felt a pull back to this area, back to my families roots. Had I ignored God pulling on me to return I would not be the same person. I would have missed out on all of the blessings He had waiting for me here. There have been multiple careers come and go. Babies born. Friends that have touched my life in untold ways, that have passed away. My heart has broken and healed again. My faith has wavered and then strengthened beyond measure. Every single day, many times a day, God delivers me. These days I do not question Him. I have learned during our relationship to trust that where He wants me will be useful to Him. So, here I am blogging (of all things) raising 2 blond haired babies (and 6 chickens) embarking on another career as a homeschool mom. I also hope to be in ministry one day---God willing. 

Never at any point have I felt the need to place a fleece on the ground and ask God to show Himself to me. Our relationship is so strong that it would be silly of me to do that. Ladies, my prayer tonight as I go to sleep will be that every one of you feels the same as I do. If you do not, pray to God about it! He knows you! He knows your fears and where you are coming from. He knows the context of your life and has amazing patience to wait while you figure it out. I hope this blog tonight did not come off as me looking high and mighty. I do not feel like I have my life 'together' or that my faith is 'perfect'. I do have the everyday insecurities. But those insecurities are in myself, not in God. Im a work in progress:) 

Sweet Dreams

~Randi

Day 17- Gideon's Gifts

Do you remember a few weeks ago when I posted on how God's timing is perfect? How even when I try to be prepared and ahead of scheduled I am not and then when it comes down to it, the timing is perfect? Well, today's read (which was supposed to be yesterdays read) was perfect! Not to sound corny but I LOVE how God works! I don't always understand Him but I always appreciate His thoughtfulness. 

As humans we spend so much of our lives asking what we should be doing with our lives. What is my talent? What makes me shine? Then there are some people that just know from an early age what they are to do. My husband is one of those people. He has done his job since he was a kid. He was made for what he does. He is great at it! I, on the other hand have wondered what it is that I am supposed to do. I have wasted so much time asking this question. Time that I should have been asking God what He wanted me to do. Did I do that in my younger days? Nope. I ask God all the time now what it is that He would have me do for Him. I feel like I already know the answer. The role of wife and mother is one that I did not feel qualified for but I have so enjoyed. Thankfully my kids never know that I am 'winging' it:)  I also feel like the friendships that I have are so very ordained by Him. Maybe that is my ministry. Not that any of my friends need me to minister to them. But that we are uplifting with each other. We are graceful and encouraging each other in our common seasons. Most of all, we make each other laugh! 
Maybe you are a searcher or maybe you have it figured out. Either way, make sure that you pray about it and make sure that it is where God wants you. You will feel it if not. 

Priscilla says this, " Give back to the Lord the desires and gifts He has given you and then trust Him to use them when and how He chooses." 
Agreed!

Why is this a hard concept for us? I do not know about you but I have grand ideas about how my gifts and talents will be used! Big things will be done with them! But, maybe not! What have I valued as big? Is it the worlds value of big? Sometimes....
Possibly, God wants to use my gifts and talents to nurture a quiet relationship. Or maybe, I am just to be an encourager.  Or even, I am to be the support for my family. These are not things that the world views as grand. 
We...I need to readjust my perspective a bit. 

{Side Note- This morning on the way to the Gym it was pouring rain. Which is much needed and much appreciated! My oldest (3 almost 4) says to her little brother (1), " Bubba, isn't it a such a beautiful day?"  I thought to myself, how great is it that she sees the need for rain and that we have prayed for rain and that she sees it as beautiful that the Lord blessed us with it. She saw it as a beautiful day! Now that is the kind of perspective we need folks!}

Moving on...

Growing up I was taught to not put demands on God, do not try to make deals with God. He is who He is and our job is to know it and believe it. Gideon needed more than that. He needed for God to prove that He was who He said He was. Amazingly the Angel of the Lord agreed.  God cared enough about what Gideon had to offer that God agreed to do what Gideon asked. I don't feel like we should ask God to prove himself to us. Maybe I should prove myself to Him. God has given us everything we have. Our talents and gifts. We need to quit throwing a pity party for ourselves and get on with using those talents and gifts for the glory of God! Right??!! Now, remember that we need to use them for His glory, not ours or the worlds glory. If you ladies gain anything from reading this blog give thanks to God! I do! Even though there have not been many comments, I imagine you ladies working on your study in the early morning hours while drinking coffee, in the middle of your crazy day while your kids are sleeping, or even in the middle of the night! Where ever you are at working on this God is working on you! How about that:) 

1 Corinthians 12:4
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit.


I leave you with this. As Priscilla pulls from the scriptures how we should handle our gifts (1.Prepare it. 2.Present it 3.Put it down 4. Pour it out) I encourage us all to write that on our hearts. And maybe an index card on the refrigerator. 
Ladies, I love you and I am blessed to be apart of this project.

~Randi

Day 15- The Unseen Supply

Good Morning Ladies!

I was woken up very early this morning by a sweet little girl talking in her sleep...loudly:) As I laid there trying to go back to sleep I was going over my to do list for the day. The list is not bad but I do have things to do. Still, I was trying to go back to sleep. God kept tugging at me to get up and start my day. So that is what I did. As I walked into the living room and was rounding the corner to the kitchen I was blinded by the most gorgeous sunrise. It was so beautiful that I literally stopped walking and smiled. God is so good to me. I love a good sunrise but I do not love to get up early:) I have come around to enjoying sunrises late in life. Around the time I started enjoying them was the same time that I needed to hear that God was constant and big! Bigger than me and my 'issues'. Every morning without fail He raises the sun in the most beautiful way! What better way for Him to show off how constant and big He is! 

I was awake and alone in my house. My family was asleep and I had a little bit of free time. I fed the chickens, made some coffee and headed up to my office to work on the bible study for today. Guess what! God had laid out my morning so perfectly that it tied in to today's study. 

God is big! All He requires of us it that we acknowledge Him and His power in our lives. We need to get out of His way and walk in His path with Him. When we do the things we are supposed to God can work so thoroughly in us. If we are doing our worst and do not acknowledge our need for Him then He will not use us. I don't know about you but I want to be used by God! When we walk with Him we are blessed with God's own spirit. God gives us the power and authority over all the bad. In His name we have divine power.

Let that sink in for a minute. As we move forward we should always keep that fact in our back pocket. Have no fear!! 

Luke 9:1-2
And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to perform healing. 

Each day we are to walk with God and to deal with the situations that arise. When those situations do arise we need to first ask for God's help in dealing with them. When He shows us the way we need to be obedient! When situations come up, be still and quiet. Think about what needs to be done. Pray about what needs to be done. DO NOT get on the phone with anyone who will listen and ask for advice and approval. Be quiet and still and wait for God's direction. It will come, maybe not immediately but it will come. Do not complicate the situation by involving more people. <---Just some friendly advice:) Can you tell I used to handle my 'situations' this way:) It never turns out the way you would like. Keep it simple and take it to God in the first place.

Use the following verses to be encouraged and to know that God has your best interests at heart.
 
 Romans 4:20
  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,


 Philippians 4:13
  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.


 1 Timothy 1:12
 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.


 2 Timothy 2:1

 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

 2 Timothy 4:17

  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

 Hebrews 11:34
  quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Have a beautiful day ladies! I will see you on Monday for the start of week 4!

~Randi