~ 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.