Every year in America, billions of dollars are spent on Valentine’s Day to express love to that special someone. I remember being in high school and watching the girls going to the office to claim the flowers that their prized stud muffin had saved his lawn mowing money to buy. Just for her to parade them around the cafeteria to show how adored she was, leaving us “un-loved “ peasants to grovel among each other about how we didn’t want flowers anyway.

The whole time, in our hearts, we were actually questioning, “Are we worthy of someone to love us like that too?’ Where’s our knight in shining armor to rescue us and parade us through the Kingdom crowning us with our “You are Loved” tiaras? Maybe you are still waiting for that man in your life.

My earthly knight in shining armor came just that summer. And I am married to him now. That man makes me feel like I am the queen of the castle daily. But, if I expect him to rescue me and I fall into the trap of believing I need him to make me feel like a worthy princess, then ladies, the road gets rockier here than a carriage trying to get home from the ball while the wheels are turning back into pumpkins!

So who is this real-life Valentine? The ONE who is standing right in front of us every second, holding a huge Love Letter that says “BE MINE” on the cover, and on every page? The one holding the flowers that will never wilt? I pray through this bible study, you will “experience His love, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.”

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:18-19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even though it cannot be measured, let’s get a better idea…

about just how WIDE, LONG, DEEP, and HIGH it really is.

Grab a copy on Amazon and join us here on Valentine’s Day as I blog through the study daily!

The study will help you journal your prayers and grow in your understanding of God’s great love for you!

Praying for you,

Amy

Mary and Martha// One thinks she has to have everything perfect for her King. The other one knows that there is absolutely no way she will ever get everything perfect and so she just sits there, mesmerized by the most beautiful sight she has ever seen, her Savior, her Maker, the Lover of her soul. She has already forgotten about all the imperfections in her home. 

Jesus says she has CHOSEN what is better. How I praise God that it is better to sit and adore him than to run around like a crazy woman making everything perfect. – excerpt from Refocused Bible Study, page 135

Although I’ve been focused on what’s to come, my heart has been overwhelmed with God’s goodness as I have heard from some of you about the way He has spoken to you through his Word as we have walked through #Refocused together. I am seriously blown away at the fact that I had so many sisters to re-fix our eyes on Jesus together for the new year.
This week’s projects will be year long tasks for me. I have many things I want to do in my home that I feel like I never get around to! Who’s with me on that? However, I knew that we had to, I mean had to study this passage to end our week on home and as a farewell passage to this whole bible study.

Luke 10

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I have studied this verse many times. Because I am a Mary. Yes, I have found that sitting still and worshipping Jesus is my ONE THING. But what I have had to learn through the years is how to stay in a position of worship and fellowship of my sweet Jesus in my heart and mind as my hands and feet work hard in my home and in every good work he sets before me.

Jesus knew all that frettin’ Martha was doing was not necessary. Can you hear him gently, lovingly confront her:

“All those are details Martha! I’m what’s important, and you are loosing sight of it!”

How often I do get sidetracked, worried over all the little details that will not matter for eternity as I push my Savior aside and try to do it all. Be it all. Have it all perfect.

Especially during this season where I have starting writing daily. Everyday I must refocus on Him and make sure I know He is my ONE THING.

What easily sidetracks you from Jesus being your ONE THING?

I pray that we will all remember his sweet, FREEDOM FILLING reply to Martha:

“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be take from her.” Luke 10:42

Mary is awestruck at Jesus’ feet. This is it girls. The only thing that is necessary. The better portion. Don’t miss it. Don’t miss his mesmerizing LOVE!

I have a little parting download to help you continue to put into place the principles we have learned in #Refocused.
#Refocused Prayer Journal & Goals Template

Parting with a prayer:

As we come before Our ONE THING,
I pray over all your daughters who have participated in #Refocused during the month of January. We close our books asking you to help us walk with you daily to put these truths into practice, to help us refocus our eyes daily on YOU, everyday in 2017and everyday until we see your eyes in clear sight.

 

In the Mighty Name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.

Refocused on Parenting 

Excerpt from Day 5:

“When God reminded me of this passage, all my immediate responsibilities of the moment grew dim in light of His responsibilities at that moment in time. I mean, Jesus was sustaining the whole world, here on a mission of salvation of all his people, healing people with time sensitive illnesses, imparting spiritual truths, and many more “important” activities at the very moment these children were brought to him. And he STOPPED. He praised their faith. He blessed them. I tear up thinking of the times I have failed to stop and snuggle and bless my children when I have thought myself too busy. But His mercies are new every morning, and I am so thankful he brought this passage to my attention to apply it to my mothering. I pray he does the same in your mothering.”

Mark 10

Jesus Blesses the Children

13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them.
The parents brought their children to Jesus.  
But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
The world tells us children aren’t important.  
14When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples.

Words in other translations:
IRATE.
INDIGNANT.
MUCH DISPLEASED.
FURIOUS.
IRRITATED.

Jesus was hot about this! How dare they scold the parents and not allow the children to
come to Him!

He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

The disciples had it all wrong. Jesus saw the children not as a distraction from the important things, but AS THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

15I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.
Here is where the term “childlike faith’ comes from. We can learn so much from them!
16Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Our application: TAKE YOUR CHILDREN IN YOUR ARMS. Put down the seemingly important things, and pick up THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

Put your hands on them before they eat their meals at the table, and bless them in the name of Jesus.

Follow His example, and let his Words ring in your ears the next time your heart forgets.

Ask Him to help you see your beautiful children through his eyes.

I pray that this week has been a blessing to you as we’ve #REFOCUSED ON PARENTING!

Here’s an encouraging parting word for this week!If you have 3 minutes, watch this video where I “keep it real” about how this day of bible study came about. 

My kids were driving me bonkers and I couldn’t get anything accomplished. I think I probably yelled that day. And then I had a come to Jesus meeting with Him and myself. That’s when he reminded me of this story:

Enjoy your best gifts ever, your children,  this weekend! 

Challenge: BE PRESENT WITH YOUR “PRESENTS” TODAY!!!

This is a good way to remember to enjoy and engage with the children God gave us as our best gifts from Him!

I think about mothers in the bible and how it must have been easier to treasure their children “back in the day.” The pace of life was slower. There were no cars, no computers, no smart phones! Let’s commit to letting nothing get in the way from being fully present in our children’s lives. Listen to them intently. Play with them. Read to them. HAVE FUN WITH THEM!

The Lord is going to be watching and loving seeing us enjoy the most precious gifts He has given us!

Let’s commit to making this a reality this year. Everyday we will be pulling back a layer of the wrapping paper from these incredible gifts from God as we watch our children mature and grow.

We read about Hannah’s desire for a son today, and engaged in her story from 1 Samuel 1. She knew that once he was weaned (which was much later than 12 months old back then) that she would fulfill her vow and take him to the temple, as she had promised. I am sure that she treasured her sweet boy as she saw the day quickly approaching.

Let us learn from her story. Let us remember it was the Lord who gave us these precious gifts. Pray and ask Him today and everyday to enjoy them and praise Him for them.
Another Challenge: Think about (meditate) on this verse today:

“Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3
If you are behind in the study, didn’t get it printed out, don’t have time:

I have good news for you: Thinking and praying about God’s word can be very powerful. Simply do this if nothing else! I want to encourage you to be on the “do what you can plan.” A little of God’s Word is better than none at all!

BUT the activities in the study guide today are personal and fun! Personalize the illustration with your children’s favorite colors or patterns. My daughter picked out the colors and pattern of her present and loved it!

I’m going to sign off and be “PRESENT with my PRESENTS” until tonight! Thanking God for these most precious gifts! Praying you will do the same!

 

FAR MORE THAN RUBIES

That is your worth as a a “virtuous and capable” wife. Your strength comes and capability comes from the Lord your God as you wake up everyday and choose to let the love of Jesus flow through you onto these precious containers on your blessing table, your husband and children.

The first exercise today was to “translate” verses 13-16 into ways you can help your husband in the year 2017.

13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it: 

She sees her man needs some new clothes and goes to Kohl’s to buy them.

14She is like a merchant’s ship,

bringing her food from afar: 

She goes to the grocery store and buys the food to prepare home cooked meals. She may drive 3o minutes away to get organic food from Harris Teeter or Trader Joes. Or she may go to Aldi and Walmart to get good deals and stretch her dollar.

15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her householdand plan the day’s work for her servant girls: 

She rises early to spend a few quiet moments with the Lord, writing out a to do list an asking Him to help her prioritize and get done what needs to be done. She doesn’t have servant girls, BUT she has a washer, dyer, dishwasher, indoor stove, and microwave to help her.

16She goes to inspect a field and buys it;

with her earnings she plants a vineyard: 

She puts great thought into how she spends her money and thinks about how she can invest not only her money, but her time and skills for earthly and eternal profit.

These are just a few thoughts about how “Provie 31” can be translated into a real woman in 2017: 

To further engage with the passage, you were asked to ENVISION yourself as this virtuous woman, complete with all the gifts and talents you use to serve your family everyday. 

And last, but not least, Your coloring illustration was Proverbs 31:12, in the Message.  
I pray this day of studying the Proverbs 31 woman has encouraged you. Let’s stop striving and walk with Jesus to love and serve our families! Check back tomorrow for a very intense topic!!!