His Girl

Tonight was the first session of HisGirl, a Bible study that is produced by Lifeway. We have been planning it for a couple of weeks, but Miriam was out of town last week. She is leading the study, and I am so excited to be helping her. The book has lots of great ideas about how to get conversation started, but Miriam has SO many ideas as well. This weekend, we prepared for the study by discussing who was doing what and going to buy supplies. We decided to prepare for about 15 people(and thought we were over estimating). We went to Walmart to get rings for the scripture memory cards, and they only had ten, but again we thought that would be plenty.

We planned the Bible study for 7 pm, right after evening worship. Georgiana volunteered to have it at her house, so we were going to take the van over there after service. When we went to get on the van, guess what? We wouldn't all fit!! Girls sat on the ground behind the last row of seats and squeezed together. They rode in other cars as well. When we got there, we realized that we didn't have enough of anything! How great is that? We ran out of rings, journals, and even pens! It was so exciting. There were 17 girls there, many who do not usually come to church on Wednesday nights, much less Sunday nights.

Those who prepared for and promoted this study, did such an incredible job! Pray for those who came, that they will continue to come and learn what God has to say about the way we live. It is so amazing to see that God's word has implications today, even though the time in which they lived was so different.

I will have to share with you a little about what we learned tonight. The topic was stress. We used 2 sets of scripture verses: Hebrews 4: 14-16 and Matthew 14. The verses in Hebrews tell us that Jesus went through everything that we go through. That is mind boggling, but also so encouraging.

Jesus was tempted sexually, yet He didn't give in. He was tempted to gossip, yet He didn't open His mouth to tear others down. He was "tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin"(Hebrews 4:15b). Therefore, I can bring Him all of my concerns, and He will, not only hear, but understand! This is the main lesson in dealing with stress: God is capable of taking all of our concerns. When we are stressed out, what are we supposed to do? The answer is so clear: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

Be in prayer for the youth. God is blessing this time. Pray that He will use this time to build community and ignite a desire for Him, the Lover of our Souls (and the rest of our being as well). Also pray this week for the entire church. VBS starts tomorrow and the youth is going to camp next week. There are tons of events plans, but our prayer is that they become more than events. When we recognize God's presence with us, that is exactly what will happen!

But for me, the presence of the Lord is my good! Psalms 73:28a