~ Merry Christmas ~

Video: Cynthia Heald - Becoming A Woman Who Loves

http://wpc.a28a.edgecastcdn.net/00A28A/MP4/Cynthia_Heald_Becoming_A_Woman_Who_Heals.mp4

Please click on the link above to watch Cynthia Heald share insights from her book. 

Week Twelve: Love Never Fails (Chapter Eleven)

In the Preface of Cynthia's book, she she posed these four questions to herself and us as the readers:
* Could I really learn to love as Jesus loved? 
* What exactly would that look like?
* Could I actually grow in this love so that it would become part of my daily life? 
* What would this godly love cost me?  

I have learned to love like Jesus and even as I write this, I am still learning. I love how Andy Mineo defines it:"I'm just a product of grace that is still in the process and I don't gotta be great because my God is." I have come quite far in these past twelve weeks but I am not perfect. I am still learning to love others - yes even those EGN (Extra Grace Needed) folks that spring into my life from time to time. Is it possible to love like Jesus? Absolutely. Is Christ-like love real? Without a doubt. What does it cost? My pride - you know that desire to be right and heard and seen. Loving others the way that Jesus loves means I need to let go of putting myself first and really live that J-O-Y lifestyle (Jesus First, Others Second, you last).

I want to pose one question to you.  What love is there that never fails, gives up, runs out and yet overwhelms and satisfies your soul?  Check out the link below for the answer:
http://youtu.be/GoYgi0sdOqc

As you reflect on these past twelve weeks, I hope your life has been transformed and that the Creator of your heart has shown you that He can make all things new.  As you get ready to close out 2014 and start a new journey in 2015, may you walk with humility, love everyone genuinely, be transparent, truthful, encouraging and accepting of all that come across your path.

It has been an honor and a privilege to take this Journey with Jesus alongside of each of you.  Now may we go and live For His Renown...

Write On God's Heart

God, Thank You for Your unfailing love. You have been patient and gentle as I have been journeying to become a woman who loves. Thank you for loving me even on my cringe-worthy days. 

Share your gratitude for what God is doing in your heart this week by posting a comment below.  

Enjoy the "Love Never Fails" video from Brandon Heath by clicking on the YouTube link below: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nQy-aP_Koo&list=RD8nQy-aP_Koo

Memorize By Heart

What are you doing this week to memorize and share our verse for this week?

"Love never fails."   1 Corinthians 13:8

Share a comment below on what you are doing to pass along this week's memory verse to others.

Love Notes to OBS Group from East Campus AM Session

Jesus said to abide and remain in Him, the Vine, and we will bear much fruit.  This includes the fruit of our lips. Hebrews 13:15 "Through Him (Jesus the True Vine) let us offer the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name!"  Because Jesus loved us first, love Him back with our lips of praise and thanks for loving us.  See how this transforms our words for others.  

Practical acrostic THINK before you SPEAK: 
T, is it Truthful? H, is it Helpful? I, is it Inspiring? N, is it Necessary? K, is it Kind? 

Save The Date: Special Evening with Cynthia Heald

For those unable to attend in-person, Calvary Chapel will stream the event live at www.CalvaryTucson.com starting around 6:25PM (Arizona Time).  Even if you cannot view the footage at that time, the session will be archived.  

You have the opportunity to submit questions for the Q&A portion in advance.  Please submit your questions for Cynthia by 9:00AM on Tuesday, December 9th by emailing to AbidingWomenOBS@gmail.com.  

Week Eleven: Loving Words (Chapter Ten)

By: Michelle Guevara

Online Facilitator

In Genesis, we read how God spoke things into existence.  Think about that for just a minute. He spoke WORDS and everything was formed.  In Genesis 1:27 we are told that God created us in His own image.  So let's put this all together.  The Creator of all things used words to bring form to the formless and life on earth.  He then made us in His image and gave us the ability to use words to speak life into others.

These five-letters formed together, W-O-R-D-S, has the power to do so much in our life and the lives of others.  How is it that we can run off at the mouth by speaking things that grieve the heart of Jesus?  Or worse, remain silent when our very word could transform someone else's life and point them to their loving Father?  To quote James 3:10, "Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"

Cynthia Heald shared in chapter 10 (page 93), "Truth and love must go hand in hand."   Isn't it amazing that in order for our words to be powerful and anointed by God's Spirit, they must be drenched in truth and love?  As we close out this chapter and move into the final week of our Bible Study, I want you to meditate on three (3) five-letter words that cannot appear without one another if we are to become women who love like Jesus does.

WORDS

TRUTH

AGAPE

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let every word that comes from my mouth be anointed, consecrated and sanctified by Your Spirit.  I desire for my words to reflect a heart that is selfless, transparent and filled with unconditional love for others - a true definition of agape love.  I aspire for Your truths to be before my eyes and on my lips each day.  Teach me to speak words that urge others to follow You, encourage those who are timid, speak tenderly to the weak, show patience with everyone, exemplify true joy in You, and show deep gratitude in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:14-18).  I belong to You, Jesus, and I want to continue to become a woman who loves.  

Write On God's Heart

http://youtu.be/0W2dhV7aY44

As we close out the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I wanted to share Chris Tomlin's video "Thank You God For Saving Me". We are all blessed in different aspects of our lives, yet the greatest blessing is the fact that Jesus died for our sins.
Thank You God for saving a wretch like me.

Share with us what you are thankful for today. Now the pen is yours...

Heart Check

I know we usually do heart checks on Tuesdays but with the week off for Thanksgiving, I thought it would be great to have a heart-to-heart. What is a lifetime pursuit that if left unchecked can take off without us and wreck havoc that cannot always be undone? You guessed it: Taming Our Tongues.

How many of us have looked back on a conversation and wished we would have just remained silent. We can all relate, right? And what about that seven-letter word that always gets each one of us: B-U-T-T-O-N-S. You know what I mean. Those little triggers in each of us that people know how to press to make the horrid, little troll come out.

The result of those pushed buttons is not always loving or becoming. But here we sit in the final weeks of our Bible study and we have to face the struggle to use words that heal instead of hurt, build instead of break, and motivate instead of mortify.

Let's be intentional this week and really take the challenge to tame our tongues. Share with us how you have chosen to use loving words to build up instead of tear apart a relationship at home, work, school or church.

Loving Words Ripple Effect

Take the Loving Words Ripple Effect Challenge to encourage five pals this weekend. The conditions are this:
1. Use only five-words to write on your pal's heart (Exp: You are unique my dear).
2. Close out the message with our memory verse this week from Ephesians 4:15: "But we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ, the head."
3. Encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same (Hello Ripple Effect).

Love Notes to OBS Group from East AM Session

Reconciliation happens between a sinner and Jesus.  Our ministry is to introduce others to Him who has reconciled us to Himself. Forgiveness is putting the offence and the offender in God's hands and leaving it/them there. Reconciliation can only happen if the offender repents and he or she is reconnected to Jesus. There are just some offenses that cannot be reconciled between people on this side of Heaven, but all who repent can be reconciled to Jesus!

You can't reconcile if the sin is the center of attention - like Ham's brothers, they walked in Noah's tent backwards and covered their dad. We need to forgive and practice edification.  

Week Ten: Love Reconciles (Chapter Nine)

By: Diane Hernandez

West Campus Overview Leader

"But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant for good..."  Genesis 50:20

Love, Forgiveness and Reconciliation or Forgetting are all 'one' in the same.  When Jesus died on the cross, LOVE became the cross bow that bound them together.  Therefore, FORGIVING & FORGETTING are like Siamese Twins.  They were never meant to be separated and will go hand-n-hand together.  From God's perspective, Love, Forgiveness & Reconciliation or Forgetting are all the same!

They will forever be grounded on the ROCK which is the foundation of Calvary, the mountain of Surrender!  The Cross is the greatest example that God gave us about Unconditional Love.  What we have gone through our whole lives will always come back to the Cross!  

Forgive and Forget were the two poles that God used where Jesus' head, back & legs were placed against. And Love was the beam that turned those two poles into a Cross. Jesus Forgave us. We are to follow His example and forgive all the people that have hurt us.  

"Father, forgive them.  They don't know what they are doing."  Luke 23:34

Jesus FORGETS all of our sins, so we must do the same with all the people who have hurt us.  

"Once again you will show loving concern for us. You will completely wipe out the evil things we've done. You will throw all of our sins into the bottom of the sea." Micah 7:19

Jesus' Love for us is so amazing! And we must love everyone exactly like He did.God loves the whole world, so in His eyes, there is no such thing as an unlovable person. 

"How did God show His love for us? He sent His one and only Son into the world. He sent Him so we could receive life through Him. What is love? It is not that we loved God. It is that He loved us and sent His Son to give His life to pay for our sins." 1 John 4: 9-10

Surrender all your wants, desires & hurts over to God just like Jesus did! His life never was nor should yours be about what you want.  Your life has always been about God's Will, not your will.  It pleased God to allow Jesus to suffer and so must we.

"My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from Me. But let what You want be done, not what I want."  Matthew 26:39

 In September, I started preparing for my overview and mistakenly thought that I was going to cover chapter eight's topic on forgiveness.  I must confess that I am a bit OCD so I had all my ducks in a row by early October. But I was mistaken and my subject to cover was "Love Reconciles".

Four weeks ago, a life changing incident took place and I began to wonder if I should step down from presenting the overview today.  You see, my family was involved in a senseless attack and I could not fathom how I could present "Love Reconciles" when I could not bring myself to forgive those that hurt us. 

During the aftermath, a good friend reminded me that in the Hebrew language there is not a word for coincidence.  That comforted my heart because a lot of my thoughts were filled with "What if's". I was struggling with asking God, "WHY?" 

I found myself thinking of the renown Footprints poem and wondering what mine have looked like these past few weeks.  Before the incident you would have seen two sets of prints (Jesus and me walking side by side).  Days after the incident, you would have seen one set of footprints (Jesus holding me).  But as the days progressed, there would be one set of footprints with many prints off to the side in a circle (Jesus walking and me throwing a tantrum to the side); and the next would be one set of footprints with two parallel lines next to them (Jesus walking and me dragging my feet the entire way).   

Before this incident, I would listen to Matthew West's song, "Forgiveness" and marvel at Renee Napier's heart to forgive the drunk driver that killed her daughter.  Not only did she chose to forgive her daughter's killer, she and the other family appealed to have his sentence reduced from 22 years to 11 years.  I love how Matthew West summed up Renee's actions to forgive Eric.  

"By Renee forgiving Eric, she has made a choice to humbly follow the example Christ set for us, and God has used her step of faith to release healing into both of their lives, leading Eric to find his own personal freedom in Christ.  And what is it about Renee that would allow her to see her perpetrator through eyes of grace and not anger? When one's heart and soul are awake to the need of forgiveness in one's own life,k then they will be more inclined to see their enemy through eyes of compassion.  Jesus laying down His own life for our sins is the truest example of how we should forgive others. And the reward of forgiveness is great."  (Excerpt taken from http://www.matthewwest.com/the-stories/the-story-forgiveness)

I am sure there are many reading these words that have also been wounded and hurt by the words or actions of another.  Forgiveness and Reconciliation are difficult.  If you find yourself in the same boat as me, you are not alone.  And I don't mean that you and I are together.  I mean that there is someone greater in the boat with us.  JESUS.  He was with my family on that night and protected us from even greater damage.  He continues to be with me as I sit in court rooms viewing the faces of my attackers and hearing their words.  And He will be the one to help me truly live out the words of Matthew West's song, "Show me how to love the unlovable. Teach me how to reach the unreachable. Help me now to do the impossible. Forgiveness. I want to finally set it free. So show me how to see what Your mercy sees. Help me now to give what You gave to me. Forgiveness."

As I sit with tears in my eyes, I cannot fathom how hard these three words are to utter but I know with God's prompting, I will one day be able to say to each of my attackers, "I Forgive You."  

***ABIDING WOMEN DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE LYRICS AND CONTENT SHARED FROM MATTHEW WEST.  ALL CONTENT BELONGS TO MR. WEST AND HIS RECORDING LABEL.***   

Quotes and Song Notes on Reconciliation

QUOTE: 
Mary from our online Bible study shared this great quote from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest":
"If you...remember that your brother has something against you..."  Matthew 5:23
"These verse says, 'First be reconciled to your brother...Our Lord's directive is simple - First be reconciled.'  He says, in effect, 'Go back the way you came-the way indicated to you by the conviction given to you at the altar, have an attitude in your mind and soul toward the person who has something against you that make reconciliation as natural as breathing.'  Jesus does not mention the other person - He says for you to go. It is not a matter of your right. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus."

SONGS WITH VIDEO LINK:
Meredith Andrews - "The New Song We Sing"

http://youtu.be/S5nSd2YxBOw

"You are the God who reconciles / The wayward heart through Christ / The old has gone, the new has come / We are reconciled by love / We are reconciled by love."

Christ August - "7x70"

http://youtu.be/n5-Q1zAhqpA

"Seven times seventy time / I'll do what it takes to make it right / I thought the pain was here to stay / But forgiveness made a way / Seven times seventy times / There's healing in the air tonight / I'm reaching up to pull it down / Gonna wrap it all around / I lost count of the ways you let me down / But no matter how many times you weren't around / I'm alright now,,,cause / God picked up my heart and helped me through / And shined light on the one thing left to do / And that's forgave, I forgive you."  

Addison Road - "Start Over Again" 

http://youtu.be/mBC6T71XtGg 

"Every moment is a second chance / At starting over / Move from the past to the present tense / You can start over / Yesterday is gone / Today is all you've got / You don't have to be who you've been / You can change within / It's never too late / To start over again."

Royal Tailor - "Black and White"
http://youtu.be/A2nPTSDbXgk
"I can't go, one more night / Without telling you / That I am sorry / For all the pain that I caused / I've been gone for so long / Without telling you that I am sorry / Can you hear me? / Please forgive me."  

**ABIDING WOMEN DOES NOT OWN THE COPYRIGHTS TO ANY OF THE SONGS LISTED ABOVE.  ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE ARTISTS AND THEIR RECORDING LABELS**

Write On God's Heart

To write on God's Heart today, use the comment section below to share what you love about God. Try using our theme this week of LOVE RECONCILES to write a love note to God, "who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18) Now the pen is yours...

The Heart Never Forgets

Week Nine: Love Forgives (Chapter Eight)

By: Michelle Guevara

Online Facilitator 

As we sat on the porch of the cabin, Kathe's words astonished me, "Michelle, some journals are meant to be burned."  As someone who loves writing and the formation of words, I could not understand the method to her madness.  Why would I burn pages of words that flowed from my heart through my pen?  It just made no sense to me.  But my dear mentor explained, "There are moments where God walks with you through hard circumstances. Moments where your emotions are so raw, that only Jesus can understand and see the beauty through the pain. If outsiders read your words, they would question your walk, but not Jesus.  He understands."

Writing is a tangible way for us to process what is going on in our hearts.  When we are struggling to forgive someone, we can say repeatedly in our heads, "I forgive, I forgive, I forgive."  And yet still stumble when we see this person, hear their voice or have the offense replayed in our minds.  Let's face it, forgiveness is hard. But we know from our memory verse this week in Ephesians 4:32 that God calls us to forgive others QUICKLY and THOROUGHLY just as He has forgiven us.

If you find yourself struggling to forgive the actions of another, I want you to try something. Go out and purchase a cheap composition notebook.  It does not need to be pretty, just small enough that you can tote it with you each day.  When you first start the journal, use it as an open conversation with God.  Write how much this person has hurt you, how hard it is to find forgiveness or your desire to just let go of this bitterness from your heart.  Keep going to Jesus every single time you are wrestling with forgiving someone else. As you use the journal in a tangible way to walk the path of forgiveness, try writing the following when this person comes to mind:
"I forgive ... for ....  I no longer hold them by the throat but I release them and hold out open hands for You to take away my hurt, bitterness and anger.  Fill me, Jesus, with Your love, peace and strength as I walk this path of forgiveness."

Some pages may be gritty.  But the process is necessary.  And once you have released this person or offense, strike a match my dear.  It is time to see the beauty for ashes unfold in front of your very eyes. Just like a fire consumes quickly and thoroughly, God's love and mercy does the same in our lives and the lives of others.  Continue to become a woman who loves and forgives...

Love Notes to OBS Group from West PM Session

                                               F                

                            L   O   V   E

                                  R

                                  G

                                   I

                                  V

                                  E

                                  S  

There has been 3 key verses from Matthew West's song, "Forgiveness" that keep playing over & over in my mind.  (Check out the music video here: http://youtu.be/h1Lu5udXEZI) 

"Show me how to love the unloveable. . ."  Jesus did in Luke 23:24.

"Show me how to reach the unreachable. . ."  God did in John 3:16.

"And the last thing on my mind today. . ." This was the 1st & only thing on Jesus' mind.  Hebrews 12:2.

Why?  His beautiful love He had for each one of us that filled His heart with joy!  James 1:2-3.

When we can truly surrender all of our hurts, trials & tribulations over to Him, He will come in & 

fill you with His beautiful peace, joy & love! John 16:33.

My mind knows all of this, so God sent me this visual with my un-smartphone: Calls will go through, but I cannot hear what the caller is saying or it is garbled. Their words echo and are not clear or my phone will drop the call and I become frustrated. If it is an important message the caller will call back until they can be heard. Many times I will tell them to call me on another phone so I can hear their message clearly.  

  

This is my heart as I try to forgive others that have hurt me.  Right now it's having a hard time trying to receive this message. Forgetting is what I think is blocking the message about forgiveness.

I have been praying because this is consuming me.  I desire to be a woman who loves.  And I know that this is hindering my walk.  Throughout the day, I keep on looking up & back to the Cross.  This is where it all started.  Then God gave me another visual.  & I know that with Jesus' help, He will help me to be an overcomer so that I can do the impossible!  Philippians 4:13.  

All because if I say I love God, then I MUST forgive just He did to me!  

****************************************

Without forgiveness and mercy we cannot love.  We can’t do this without the Holy Spirit.  We need the Holy Spirit.  We need each other. 

Love Notes to OBS Group from East AM Session

Forgiveness is an act of obedience in faith to receive what Jesus has given us, and to give what He commands us to extend to others from the deepest part of us, our, hearts.  It is an Act of Love.  Sin hurts.  Jesus body on that cross reveals how much He loved us to deal with our sin and others sin.  All sin, every sin.  His Words from the cross say it all.  “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”  This does not mean we don’t have feelings and need to grieve these hurts with Jesus.  The ultimate wonder of forgiveness is intimacy with Love Himself, Jesus.

We see that forgiveness has so many facets, all of which begin with the obedient act of extending forgiveness(in response to Jesus’ command).

It is part of “taking up our cross daily”, because we must deny ourselves (this would include our feelings) and follow Him. Emotions may follow after- but not always. 

You don't forgive others for them; you forgive them for you and Jesus.  When you forgive, Jesus frees your heart and lifts your burden and keeps your heart from bitterness.

Forgiveness can be a process. The restoration that occurs initially is in the heart of the forgiver between Jesus and the hurt heart.  He/she releases the offender which keeps bitterness from developing. 

Forgiveness is hard but God requires it and Jesus wouldn’t require it if He had not made it possible for us to forgive because of the cross.

Heart Check

Here are some great teachings on FORGIVENESS 

AUDIO TEACHING: 

Pastor Robert Furrow - March 16, 2014 (listen from minute 17:00 - 28:00)

http://wpc.a28a.edgecastcdn.net/00A28A/MP4/40_MAT_006_011.mp4 

"Forgiveness and LOVE”  “We are the most Christ like when we forgive…Christians, little Christ’s”  “With the command comes the power to do what He commanded us to do.”  “Forgiveness is not restoration…Forgiveness is letting them go and saying ‘they don’t owe me anything.’”  “Keeps us from being bitter.” 

VIDEO TEACHING:

Teaching by Pastor Joseph Gros on Matthew 18

http://wpc.a28a.edgecastcdn.net/00A28A/MP4/40_MAT_018_015SG.mp4

 

Quotes and Song Notes On Forgiveness

This weekend I asked a group of friends to share with me their favorite quotes and songs about Forgiveness.  One gal-pal shared:

“Forgiveness is a very complicated matter; it is a process that takes time…it has many layers, but when the last layer comes off there is freedom.”  

I hope you enjoy the list below as you continue your study in Chapter Eight titled “Love Forgives”.  

QUOTES: 

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”  C.S. Lewis

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice” Abraham Lincoln

“Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.”  Anonymous 

“A true apology has 3 parts: I am sorry; It is my fault; What can I do to make it right?  Most of us miss the third part.” Greet2K.com

“When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but you sure do change the future.”  Bernard Meltzer

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  John 1:9

“Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.”  Oscar Wilde

“You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday’s junk.”  Louise Smith

“Forgiveness doesn’t excuse their behavior.  Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying your heart.”  #beyondordinary

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”  Louis B. Smedes 

“Remember, the way we treat others is the only thing that matters in eternity, and it impacts our prayers on earth.  So today, choose love, choose forgiveness, and choose to treat others with respect so that your prayers can be powerful and effective the way God promises!”  Krexy.com

“Forgiving does not erase the bitter past.  A healed memory is not a deleted memory.  Instead, forgiving what we cannot change creates a new way to remember.  We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”  Louis Smedes 

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred.  It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”  Corrie ten Boom

“God loves you even in your darkest hours.  He comforts you even in your darkest moments.  He forgives you in your darkest failures.”  www.jarridwilson.com

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constants attitude.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.  

SONGS: 

Forgiveness by TobyMac featuring Lecrae

http://youtu.be/xfkhqpl81NA

“Cause we all make mistakes sometimes/And we’ve all stepped across that line/But nothing’s sweeter than the day we find/Forgiveness/And we all stumble as we fall/Bridges burn in the heat of it all/But nothing’s sweeter than the day we call our for forgiveness”

East to West by Casting Crowns 

http://youtu.be/WyoVJfADlwo

“I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west/And I stand before you now as though I’ve never sinned/But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away/From you leaving me this way/Jesus, can you show me just how far the east is from the west/’Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve seen rising up in me again”

A Heart That Forgives by Kevin Levar

http://youtu.be/indCvnD4Ji4

“I want a heart that forgives/A heart full of love/One with compassion just like Yours above/One that overcomes evil with goodness and love/Like it never happened, never holding a grudge/I want a heart that forgives that lives and lets live/One that keeps loving over and over again/One that men can’t offend/Because Your Word is deep within”  

I Am Set Free by All Sons & Daughters

http://youtu.be/13_Py-6eRqI

“You broke my chains of sin and shame and you covered me with grace/You mend my life with your holy fire/You cover me with grace/You are the hand that reaches out to save/I am set free/It is for freedom that I am set free”

I Am Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

http://youtu.be/VzGAYNKDyIU

“Seems like all I can see was the struggle/Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past/Bound up in shackles of all my failures/Wondering how long is this gonna last/Then you look at this prisoner and say to me/’Son stop fighting a fight that’s already been won”/I am redeemed/You set me free”

Bitter by Andy Mineo

http://youtu.be/-4h7XT1JNwk

“It’s so hard for me to forgive him then I remember that I’m a sinner/And Jesus forgave me and washed away my sins/When I didn’t deserve it then I could forgive him/His power is such amazing love like when Jesus forgave the ones that pinned him up on that cross as He was hanging from it/Holy Spirit, teach me to be just like the Son/Remove the roots of bitterness/Don’t stop until Your work is done/God I don’t wanna be bitter/Teach me to forgive/Let me see my own sin”

Worship Together: Take Us To The River by Robin Mark

http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=573460

“Give us ears to hear the cry of heaven/For that cry is mercy/Mercy to the fallen sons of man/For mercy has triumphed/Triumphed over judgment by the blood/Take us to the throne room/In the city of our God”

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin

http://youtu.be/HkAZteruVAw

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear/And grace my fears relieved/How precious did that grace appear/The hour I first believed/My chains are gone/I’ve been set free/My God, my Savior has ransomed me/And like a flood His mercy rains/Unending love, amazing grace”

**ABIDING WOMEN DOES NOT OWN THE COPYRIGHTS TO ANY OF THE SONGS LISTED ABOVE.  ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE ARTISTS AND THEIR RECORDING LABELS**

Write On God's Heart

To write on God's Heart today, use the comment section below to share what you love about God.  Try using our theme this week of LOVE FORGIVES to write a love note to God sharing how He has cast your sins as far as the east is from the west or helped you to forgive others. Now the pen is yours...

The Heart Never Forgets

What are you doing today to commit to memory our verse this week from Ephesians 4:32? Try our exercise today by writing out the verse 20 times. Today choose to be gentle, sensitive, forgive quickly & thoroughly and remember who forgave you first and continues to do so. 

Love Notes to OBS Group

God knows your heart.  Allow Him to grow His love in you so that you ‘will’ become a woman who puts her love into action in thought, word and deed.  They are to always be sweet tasting, good and multiply like countless seeds that are found in a nurtured, well-watered, huge pomegranate.  

Numbers 13:18-20, 23, 27e

A Reflection Of Love In Action

By: Lisa Stokoe

Sweet Ellie is a little girl I met and she demonstrated such love so willingly and naturally in her daily life.  She is young, but she showed practical love for others so beautifully.  She toured our group and watched out for us with motherly care.  It is so refreshing to know that the next generation truly reflects love in action.  

Week Eight: Love In Action (Chapter Seven)

By: Lisa Stokoe

West Campus PM Leader

Our text for today's overview is found in 1 John 3:11-18.  It is John's first letter which reflects what he learned from Jesus.  It is not some new revelation or a type of new age philosophy.  It is what was from the beginning.  He wanted his audience to not be caught up in the tone of the day.  John wanted them to understand truth as he heard it from Christ.  We should love one another because it is a commandment.  It is not an option based on our feelings.

1 John 3:11  If we say we love and act the opposite, then we are a liar or have not truth, or we walk in darkness.  But if we do have love, then we walk in light, we have fellowship with one another and are forgiven.

1 John 3:12  John immediately shares what love should NOT look like.  He gives us an example from the book of Genesis with Cain and Abel.  It is quite fitting since we are talking about loving the brethren.  John warns us not to be like Cain whom went about doing things his way, even when he was told if he did it God's way he would be accepted.  He was stubborn to act as he wished and yet he was angry when God rejected his sacrifice.  His brother chose to do it correctly and was blessed.  This caused Cain to become angry which lead to jealousy, hatred and eventually murder.  All he had to do was submit to God's way but he chose to be disobedient.

1 John 3:13 The world hates righteousness and opposes the Christian lifestyle.  We have the imputed righteousness of Christ in our lives.  It is a gift that is given freely.  We are called not to be of this world or live by its standards.  The world will reject Christ's way and us if we stand for Him.  Light and darkness do not co-exist.  They are opposed.  What is dark? It is the absence of light.  How do we get rid of the darkness?  Turn on the light!

1 John 3:14  This is powerful!  How are we assured someone is a Christian?  When they have been born-again.  They have passed from darkness to light.  Words do not prove this - as we have seen in the lives of those who made a profession of faith but continue to live by the world's standards.  When someone gets saved it produces a radical change because to be saved from our unrighteous ways and pass from death to life is radical indeed!  The evidence of this extreme change is found in loving the brethren.  This is the proof in the pudding!  I love how Alistair Begg describes this, "Passing from death to life is about REGENERATION.  Not justification."  To be justified is to be "just as if I have never sinned."  Regeneration is about "Nature Changes".  It cannot be affected without the help of the Spirit of God and without the permission of the person.  New Life brings Light, which brings LOVE. Old life has darkness, which breed hatred, which delivers DEATH.  The old nature and the new nature cannot co-exist together.  The spirit of hatred cannot live aside the Spirit of Love.  One will drive the other out!

1 John 3:15  The apostle John brings to our attention the person who is not operating under the influence of Love.  In order for hatred to be non-existent in our lives, love must be active!

1 John 3:16  Here John shows us how love should be demonstrated in our lives.  John uses Jesus Christ as our example to follow.  We love because He first loved us.  He demonstrated His love for us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.  Jesus evidenced what this love should look like.
To lie down our lives for the brethren requires sacrifice.  Sacrifice usually does not feel good.  Dying to our desires for someone else's desires to be lived out, usually does not generate fuzzy feelings.  It hurts and is painful.  Philippians 2:3-4 is such a great supportive scripture.  This demonstrates our active and practical form of love for the brethren.  The love we ought to exercise should resemble that of our Lord Jesus.  So our love, though utterly unlike Christ's in measure, may be like it in essential nature. ~ W. Jones

The two (2) ways we are obligated to sacrifice is with willingness and readiness.  We need to have a willing heart to make sacrifices for our brethren and be willing to surrender.  And we need to readily meet the needs of our brethren.

1 John 3:17  True love expresses itself not only in big, enormous ways which capture attention.  But most often it is expressed in the daily little deeds of thoughtfulness and kindness that we demonstrate to others.  It also shows itself in ministry to the poor, needy and those that cannot repay, rather than to those who seem deserving.  Jesus not only gave his life, but He helped in many practical ways.  He fed thousands that were hungry, had compassion on the sick, defended those who were being persecuted or judged and spoke up for those who had no voice.  He was transparent and honest with the people.  He showed kindness to the rejected and lonely.  He did not consider hanging out with the in-crowd of the day.  It did not matter how busy Jesus was, He always took time to stop and care for others.  He loved practically as well as sacrificially.  There are many ways we can meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in their time of need and we should do so with a ready and willing heart.  Don't feel compelled to follow the masses.  Don't judge others that may not feel led as you do.  Remember that He calls and leads us all differently.  We should not give out of the wrong motives.  Pray, seek and be led by Him.  We cannot do it all!

1 John 3:18  True love is laborious and operates in Grace.  Grace is demonstrated in hospitality, giving, mercy, helps, etc.  It is shown by serving others, ministering to one another, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, praying for one another, building up one another, encouraging one another, admonishing in love, restoring with meekness, distributing and ministering to one another.  These are ways we love in deed.  This is love in action.  And it is Truth when it is truly from your heart and not done for show, pretension or selfish gain.  John says talking about it is not enough!  Real love demands action.  It is often small, everyday meetings rather than huge opportunities that come every now and then. Demonstrate love by looking out for the interest of others.

Truth and the Enemies of Truth:  There are enemies as I call them, to loving in deeds and in truth.  These enemies are false ideas that we may have and need to work to get rid of.

1. We may falsely believe we must feel love:  Reliance on the feelings...this makes us very self-reliant actually.  It can lead to a form of salvation by works.
2. Creating formulas to love or serve:  This is when we program love out.  We use committee's to determine the best way to love and express love to others.
3. Humanitarian efforts equate automatic love:  Believing that because we do a bunch of humanitarian efforts we love.  Being so busy in humanitarian efforts, we can mistakenly believe because we give in so many ways. then we must be loving in action.  Sometimes it can be a cheap scapegoat and can lead to a mindset, belief or justification by our works.  The caution here is that motive is the key!
4. Busyness in services at church equates love:  Doing a bunch of service within the walls of church must mean we are walking in love.  Or to think these outward external acts equates love.  Church service, communion, serving, etc. The truth is that motive is of particular importance.  Remember 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 it is possible to be doing a lot of things, good things, without agape love present.

The lesson here is sincerity!  Beware of self-deception.  It's easy to imagine what we will do for those in need.  But are you dealing truthfully with God?  Are you meeting regularly with Him?  Are you a reflection of His love to those around you?  If we have not love, no matter what service we do, we are just noisy and it profits us nothing.  If you recognize this lack of love in your life, ask for Him to shed His love abroad in your heart fresh and anew.  Then, listen to His whispers as His Spirit directs you in ways you can operate in actions of the fruit of the Spirit.  Then obediently follow His directives and share His love with the brethren around you.

~ Reflect on Luke 11:13, Romans 5:5 and Galatians 5:22-23 ~

Love Notes to OBS Group from East AM and West PM

Be a Christian of action, not just of words that we may glorify Christ.  

Praying to be God's hands and feet by the power of the Holy Spirit and being aware of needs around us.  Read Luke 10:23-37 - Go and do likewise!

1. Husbands need respect. 

2. Sick friends need a hand to hold either in the waiting room or by text message.

3. Neighbors that live alone - notice them and bring cookies.  

Overview of hospitality - can be done as seen or unseen having compassion, prayer, giving of our time - simple things.  Keep your spiritual fervor letting the Holy Spirit lead you to what actions you should do.  

Be hospitable even when your house is dirty!

Praying over the meal when preparing for people in need or ill - so heart has right motivation.  

Helping the poor or "Meals on Wheels".  Pray for one another.  Pray for God's direction in helping others. 

He provided for others - food, healing, praying for others, extended forgiveness.

Be more aware of others needs and defend the weak.  

A new woman cam today and shared, "If you all weren't here to share Jesus' love for me, I would be alone.  Thank you for being here."  

Being available for giving at the spur of the moment.  Invite a friend for dinner or someone you don't know.  Invite a friend to church.  

Write On God's Heart

To write on God's Heart today, use the comment section below to share what you love about God. Take a look at the comments from previous Sundays for ideas. Or use your favorite scripture to write your own love note to God sharing how amazing He is and how He is worthy of our praise today. Now the pen is yours...

What Are You Doing to Memorize Your Memory Verse This Week?

Week Seven: Loving the Saints (Chapter Six)

By: Ellen Casadei 
East Campus PM Session Leader

Everyone who has received Jesus Christ by faith is a saint.  So, that’s us!  As Christians, we are saved and “set apart for holy use” by God, to glorify Him and share the good news with those who are not saved.
     

The world is looking for recognition and distinction.  It’s all about “ME” - what makes me happy, how does this advance me, what is in it for me?  God takes us and turns our world upside down by turning the M into a W and the ME into WE.  We as Christians are unified. We as Christians can love the unlovable.  We as Christians become a part of the body of Christ.

In 1 Peter 4:8-10 it says, “Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.”  He’s reminding us that it’s not always easy to love each other because we sin, but we should live with an attitude of love and use our gifts from the Holy Spirit to keep unity in the church.

God doesn’t want us to be an island.  He wants us to be a part of His body. Loving the saints is not loving them from afar - it’s being close to them to prop each other up during times of sorrow, trials and to use our gifts in service to each other “as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”

God is commanding us to love one another and it is a choice we must make if we truly love God.  

Love Notes to OBS Group from East & West Campus Sessions

East Campus AM Session: 

• Love through all circumstances regardless of how painful.  Because of God's love - we can love the Saints.  
• Encouraged by all of the different gits to build up the body and that each person is important in that process.  We are building blocks in God's Holy Temple.  Jesus was the firstborn creating life and was the firstborn in death, rising from the dead to once again give us life.
• Jesus knows how to build a well oiled machine for His glory through us!
• One insight which stood out to us was spiritual gifts.  While we have a primary gift or others.  At times we may have a specific gift given for a particular occasion.  Such as the gift of knowledge may be given for a specific purpose in a situation where it is need.  Or the gift of healing.  
• Our Spirit-given gifts can be used apart from abiding in Jesus.  When we use our gifts apart from Him, we are walking in our personal pride and hurting the body of Christ actually tearing it down.  Jesus is the ONE HEAD of the body.  What would we be like without our heads?  Useless and dead.  When we use our gifts in the power of His Spirit we are using our Head to build up His Body! 

West Campus PM Session:

• We who are in the image of Christ have different gifts working towards a common goal.  

Love Notes to OBS Group from West PM Session

Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble, gentle, patient and 'BEAR' with one another in Love." 

Love Notes to OBS Group from East AM Session

Love Note #1:  Jesus' love is not ever rude.  One definition of rude is "primitive" when we are rude to others we are like little, selfish toddlers..."Mine, Mine!"  The mark of maturity is Jesus' love flowing out of us when others are rude and we respond with long suffering and kindness by the Holy Spirit's power.  

Love Note #2:  When we fail to LOVE, Jesus is patient, kind, He bears all our sins and is faithful!

Love Note #3:  Love Endures Forever.

Love Note #4:  Love is eternal and is our eternal reward with God in Heaven.

Love Note #5:  Love is our badge of Christianity - we are identified with Christ when we exemplify love to others.  Also, it is personal because we put our own names on it.  Love in action believes the best of everyone and trusts God to bring about a transgressors repentance and restoration.  We show our love through our service to others by exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating Jesus' love to all.  

Love Note #6:  Jesus doesn't keep a record of our wrongs.  This chapter spoke a lot about envy and what goes with it (bitter contempt).  It had personal application.  

Week Six: The Character of Love (Chapter 5)

By: Jackie Billings

West Campus PM Session Leader

A Definition of Love

When my husband and I were dating, he didn’t tell me he loved me for quite a long time.  Finally, after a seeming eternity that was actually no more than a few months, he declared his love for me.  He prefaced it by telling me, he wanted to be sure he understood what love is so that when he said it, he could mean it.  So what does “love” actually mean?

In the last chapters, we have learned that love is supreme and eternal (1 Cor 13:13), comes from God (1 John 4:19), fulfills all the commandments (John 13:34), and is the ultimate “fruit” of abiding with Jesus.  (1 John 4:16 & John 13:35)  

Now, we really reach the heart of the matter, and learn a practical definition of love: 1 Cor. 13:4-8

Paul, the lawyer, gives an appropriate "lawyerly" definition of Love, sandwiched in between two discussions of spiritual gifts.  The Corinthian church was so focused on the spiritual gift concepts with their minds in the clouds, Paul’s practical definition must have brought the listeners back to Earth!  The passage is filled not with feelings, but with actions.

Loving like Jesus

Just as God demonstrated his love to us by dying for us (Rom. 5:8), we will be able to demonstrate love through our actions. Keep in mind, true Agape love is only able to be lived out through the Holy Spirit working in us, and unlike the other forms of love (stergae, phileo, and eros) cannot be achieved by the non-believer, because it comes from Jesus.  It’s not about “working really hard” to be loving.  Let’s look at each characteristic of love, remembering that Jesus is our example of how to live Love.

 Love suffers long

Some translations read, “Love is patient” but that doesn’t really encompass what is being said.  Love suffers!  Love waits!  Love is not impatient.  Jesus is described as “longsuffering” toward us in that he waits to bring his perfect judgment on Earth until all have had an opportunity to repent and turn to him.  (2 Peter 3:9)  He waits because of his love.  He forgives and forgives and forgives.  Likewise, Jesus instructed us that we shouldn’t just forgive others one time or seven times, but seventy times seven times.  (Matt. 18:22)  Will this make me a doormat?  Maybe… let’s keep reading.

Love is kind

This is the only place in the New Testament this Greek word for “kindness” is used! Strongs defines it as “to show oneself mild.”  Mild certainly describes Jesus.  He was so kind that he invited little children to flock to him.  Am I mild? Jesus tells us to humble ourselves as little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.  (Matt 18)

 Love does not envy

To envy is to “burn with zeal” or have “earnest desire.”  Clarke describes it as “not being willing for others to be preferred before you.”  The Bible says that envy caused the religious leaders to hand Jesus over to be crucified, because they didn’t appreciate the crowds following Him (and not them). (Matthew 27).  Envy caused Joseph to be enslaved and Abel to be murdered.  This is a hard one for me, and seems to masquerade as “holy concern.”  For instance, when someone is chosen for a leadership position, I might find myself saying, “Is she up for that?  That doesn’t really seem to be her gifting.”  Wow! My real motivation is not the well-being of my friend or her ministry, but under it all lurks the root of bitter jealousy. This root destroys otherwise healthy friendships, and turns me into a hypocrite—congratulating my friend to her face and bitter in my heart.   Jesus tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Rom 12:15)  That’s real love.

 Love does not boast

This is also translated, “love does not parade itself.” The definition of boasting? “Pride looking for glory.”  Although Jesus deserved all glory, He set aside his own glory to humble Himself and come to earth as a man.  (Phil 2:8)  Although He deserved a parade, he cloaked himself in humanity.  Likewise, Jesus tells us not to look for accolades from other people, but instead look to please God for eternal rewards. "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt 6:3)  Let your love be anonymous.

 Love is not puffed up

Love is not arrogant and self-focused.  We can fall into this trap with spiritual pride.  I.E. “look how spiritual I am!”  Jesus is quite the opposite.  He says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt 11:29)  Jesus’ humility allows him to offer us rest for our souls.  We will be able to share that rest with others when we focus on serving others instead of ourselves: “[Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Phil 2:3).

Love does not behave rudely

Rudely might better be defined as “unbecomingly.” The word is used one other time in 1 Cor. 7:36 in reference to sexually immoral behavior.  The idea is that love does not mistreat or use others.  In contrast to “using” people for His purposes, Jesus poured out his life for us. (Tit 3:4-6) We are called to pour out for others, with our time, resources, and selves.  (For I am already being poured out as a drink offering. 2 Tim 4:6)  Instead of sacrificing others for our own interest, we sacrifice ourselves for the needs of others.

Love does not seek its own

Love does not look out for its own self-interest. Jesus did not die for us to fulfill His own needs, but to fulfill our desperate need.  (Phil 4:19)  In the same way, we should give preference to one another (Rom 12:10) and look out for the interests of others. (Phil 2:4)

Love is not easily provoked

The Greek here does not contain the word “easily,” so really it should read: Love is not provoked.  Not provoked at all!  Love does not react when others behave wrongly.  On the cross, Jesus was beaten and oppressed, but he did not even open His mouth! (Isaiah 53:7) Unlike Moses, who was kept out of the promised land because he was provoked by the people, we are instructed to “turn the other cheek” when we are harmed by others.  (Luke 6:29)

Love thinks no evil

We certainly have a habit of assuming others have bad motives, and have a tendency to keep track when others do wrong to us.  Jesus has removed our sins as far as the East is from the West, (Ps 103:12) and He doesn’t even remember them. (Isaiah 43:25) How can we assume the best about others and forget the wrongs they have done? By remembering that God sees all things and will judge with perfect judgment.  (Heb 4:13)

 Love does not rejoice in iniquity

The proper response to sin was demonstrated by Jesus.  He had sincere sorrow when the effects of sin (death) overcame his friend Lazarus.  Paul points out that godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.  (2 Cor 7:10) May we sorrow over sin and encourage others to repent, and not rejoice at the sins of others, or compare our sin with others to make ourselves feel better. 

 Love rejoices in the truth

Jesus is truth! The truth sets us free.  (John 8:32) Being a truth rejoicer means that we celebrate when others are set free from the bondage of sin, and are filled with joy to meditate on and share the news of Jesus.  When sin is exposed, we do not gloat or condemn, but share the truth of salvation and forgiveness!

 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things

Spurgeon calls these four qualities, “patience, faith, hope, and perseverance,” love’s four soldiers.  We are able to be patient, faithful, hopeful, and persevere because we are able to see the cross as more prominent than sin.   Spurgeon encouraged that "We rest in expectation that gentleness will win, and that long-suffering will wear out malice, for we look for the ultimate victory of everything that is true and gracious."  This ultimate victory allows us to respond to others with an eternal perspective.

We can have patience and “bear all things” because "love will cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8).  We can believe all things because we are confident that God will continue the good work of sanctification in each one of us until he returns (Phl 1:6).  We can hope all things about others because our hope is Jesus himself (1 Tim 1:1)—our hope is not that others will do or be what we expect.  And we persevere because we know a crown of life awaits us at the end of any suffering.  (James 1:12)

May God fill us with his other-centered love and pour it out on others as we continue to become women who love!