It's Thursday, so it's time for us to gather around and share how we've been growing in the Lord this week!
Our focus for the week was to experience God's personal love and call as the very foundation for our lives, and we've been praying that we understand that God alone, His glory and salvation, is the goal of our lives and that everything else in life is but a means to achieve that goal.
We spent a day searching out how God is calling us to be a part of Women's Encounter, and a day dwelling in the richness of His endless love. We reminded ourselves of the many ways God has blessed us throughout our lives, and then we took a couple of days to gain a right perspective of ourselves in relation to God and to understand that we are His adopted, beloved daughters. We wrapped up the week by writing a letter from God to ourselves.
What I want you to think about now is 1) which of these devotions spoke to you the most, 2) which was the hardest for you, and 3) why?
Narrow your thoughts down to just a few sentences, and post them in the comments below. And if you don't feel like posting your thoughts out where others can read them, you can email them to womensencounter@ccchutch.com, with "Discussion Question" as the subject line. Feel free to reply to and interact with other servers' comments, too; just make sure to keep your own comments encouraging!
We can't wait to hear from you all!
Please note, we are having difficulty getting comments made from a
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week 1 day 1 God calling spoke to me the most.I did not want to be a server I wanted to go as an attendee. Then through friends who told me That my gift in life is serving others.Then I heard and felt the Lord telling me to go. He was specific about what he wanted me to do. He wants me to pray for whoever he directs me too. He also said he would give me the words. This will be the hardest for me because it is hard for me to pray out loud.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say Day 2. I love my family and friends so much, it was hard for me to even imagine how much greater God's love is. I am finding that as I grow in this ministry, my love for people grows everyday! I have been doing my teaching this week, and all of these verses has given me some inspiration. I am excited every morning to wake up and do these devotionals to see what He has to tell me for that day!!! Thank you God for loving me!!!
ReplyDeleteReading Romans 2: 1-5 on day 5 spoke to me about how important it is that whatever we do we do for God, and God alone - not man, for God has ultimate judgement in our lives. It is also such an important concept to understand that we cannot pass judgment upon others. I have learned to fully love others - when I was able to stop judging them and worrying about what others thought of myself. God's love for us is so powerful and I hope to learn to understand just a small part of it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so hard to remember not to do. I think as humans we find it hard to accept others if they are different than we are. I am working hard on this.
DeleteDay 3 was the best and hardest for me. I am prone to forgetting how blessed I am. Life can seem so hard and dark at times! But God is working on me to remember that if my focus is on Him life, while still hard is still beautiful. It is hard to have perspective when my priorities are wrong.
ReplyDeleteGod used each devotion this week to speak to me not only about the upcoming Encounter and the call to serve but about my daily life and how He loves me, blesses me, and views me as his daughter. It is amazing to consider that this almighty God thinks of me and calls me as a special child of His and uses me to do His work on this earth. We, who are so unworthy and still so "fleshy" in many ways can still be used because of Christ in us who makes us clean and intercedes with His father for us. It puts into a new light how when I get smaller He gets bigger. I am really enjoying the daily devotions and I appreciate that the weekly discussions provides a sort of accountability to study and meditation of the word.
ReplyDeleteJessica,
DeleteI'm with you...it is SO incredible that God the Creator, the Almighty, the King of Kings would chose to love someone as lowly as myself. It humbles me and makes me want to worship Him even more!
Day 5 was big for me because it emphasized my place in God’s Kingdom – I am desired, but not essential. His Kingdom will still exist whether I am part of it or not. He will still reign whether I submit to Him or not. His work will continue whether I contribute or whether I refuse...because He is still God, and I am still His creation. He wants me to be a part of it all, but I am not essential to His success. Sometimes it's easy to think of myself as irreplaceable, when in reality the only One who fits that description is God.
ReplyDeleteThe blessings lesson was a good reminder for me. I get so busy with everyday life. I treat my "blessings" as chores or inconveniences. I need to be reminded constantly that everything - even laundry is a blessing. God has showered numerous blessings on me to precious to measure.
ReplyDeleteThrough all things God is good. He spoke to me each day which made me realize we have to listen and be still to hear him. His endless love is so much more than we could ever give him, but he still loves and protects us. Day 3 - Blessing stood out and was the most difficult. I struggle with receiving it because I feel I'm not worthy, but I'm a child of God and deserve the blessings he pours out to me. God loves us so much and we must remember he gave up his son.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 struck me the most this week. Feeling called to serve at Womens Encounter is something that i struggle with. I want to serve the Lord and other women but I dont always feel like my attitude is what it should be all the time. I have had frustrations with this encounter and I'm trying to work through those and still feel like I can be a blessing to others. I think it will be an ongoing process and i pray that through these devotions that my attitude brightens. Thank you Angela for taking the time to put these together!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I'm excited to serve with you. Your testimony, healing, and servanthood have blessed and will continue to bless other women.
DeleteBlessings devotion was the best for me as it reminded me of all God has done for me and where He has led me from to get where I am. Day 5 Job: was really good and hard at the same time as God gently tapped me and said, "I have adopted you , but I am still GOD and you cannot do anything on your own.
ReplyDeleteThe one that was hardest for me was the last one. writing a letter from God to me....I got the connection with all that I read but knowing what He would write....that's difficult!! I definitely know He would say He loves me. I think He would say He was proud of me for changing for the good and being kinder. But I know he would also say He's still working on me!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDay 1 struck me as well this week and feeling called to serve at women's encounter is what I struggle with. That in each of our every day lives we all have our struggles and being able to help others while I deal with my own struggles. I know that just apart of me and the fear of not being good enough and I know that I am good enough and that in dealing with my own struggles I can relate to help others. It will be an ongoing process and I know that thru the holy spirit I do have something to offer because I am his child. So lots of prayer is needed. And I look forward to helping others.
ReplyDeleteThat was hard for me too, Diane, because I tend to only think of myself as how I see me.
ReplyDeleteDay 2 Gods Love for Us spoke most to me. I can only compare Gods love to my parents love for me and my love for my children. I ache when my children ache, I worry about them constantly and want nothing but the best for them. I cannot fathom Gods love for me exceeding that. Days 4-5, seeing ourselves the way God Sees us; I find this hard to swallow. Our images of ourselves are so blurry. I know that I need Gods love because I know I don't always love myself. This is such a comfort.
ReplyDeleteI was truly blessed by each day. It was tough to choose one. I feel like the message that kept coming to me was that God's love is boundless, endless, abundant, and I am not worthy of it... and yet he blesses me with it a new each day. And though, as much as HE loves me, I am really nothing. I cannot offer HIM anything that HE needs. I am feeling humbled and desire to serve the LORD... not man, and not myself.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 was a shock to my system. Being a helper by nature, of course I want to serve at every Women's Encounter. I have to be intentional about not "getting ahead of God's plan" and committing to every ministry that my ears hear about. I have received God's thumbs up to serve at this encounter, but it was a sweet time of me listening to Him to hear it. I have to work on hearing His voice and shutting out my voice.
ReplyDeleteDay 3 spoke to me the most. I have had so many blessings in my life and writing them down helped me to see this. My Grandparents and Parents were great examples of what a marriage should be and that has helped me build such a strong relationship with my husband. We have been together 25 years and have had our share of hard times but we have been blessed with a loving relationship that has seen us through. The hardest was day 5. I do not always agree with the choices of others and it is hard for me to not judge them. I struggle every day to let God be the one who guides the plan for their lives. Maybe they need to make a choice so they can learn from it, not because it is right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteEach day this week spoke to me in a different way. It has been a while since I have really "dug in" and spent time each day listening to the Lord. Day 5 was probably the hardest for me. I know that God is the only one who really has control over my life, but I struggle to not try to control things myself anyways. I also was questioning my ability to serve at Encounter. Not that I am incapable, but with all of my imperfections how could I possibly serve and lead others to God. As I listened to God this week I was able to realize that serving is exactly what God wants for me. He has given me exactly what I need to do this! God is so good!! I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you wonderful women!
ReplyDeleteI would also have to say day 1 spoke to me the most. At first I signed up as an attendee for a second time, questioning how I could help others while continually dealing with my own issues & struggles. But, a wonderful friend reminded me that no one will ever be in a "perfect place" to feel 100% qualified to serve. I believe He is calling me & through His love & guidance... I will have the confidence & courage to help & serve others. I'm feeling blessed to have this opportunity through Women's Encounter!!
ReplyDeleteI am proud that you decided to serve!!
DeleteDay 1 spoke to me the most. Every encounter I struggle as to whether I should go serve. It's hard to see myself serving other women when I'm such a wreck myself but God calls me to be there every time. My most difficult day was the day on blessings. This was really hard for me because I know that I'm blessed and I'm so thankful for all that I have but I'm in a season of my life where I don't feel blessed at all. Which of course makes me feel very guilty because I can't seem to stop focusing on my discontent.
ReplyDeleteMisti, I know God has big plans for you! You have carried yourself very well through your trials from my perspective, so keep your head up, straight up, and you'll be fine! Love ya girl!
DeleteMisti, oh how I pray you will come to see how truly amazing you are! I love you so much, and am always overjoyed to spend time with you! Your brokenness makes you perfect. God has so much in store for you and I am blessed to witness all the things He has already done in and through you.
DeleteIt is hard to pick one day, but days 1 and 2 spoke to me the most. Day 1 God reminded me that I let the "busyness" of my life get in the way of listening to Him! I need to remember "be still". Day 2 just hit my gut! Whom shall I fear with God on my side! He protects me from the evil one-He restoreth my soul! He knows my thoughts, how unlovely some of them are and He loves me anyway. I am thankful for the devotions and the accountability the discussion provides. I have served once and I am ready to serve again. I have 2 lovely ladies I have invited to come with me to encounter the Heavenly Father!!
ReplyDeleteDay 1 was the hardest for me to wrap my head around. I guess I have never questioned why I keep attending encounter. I also have never stopped and asked God why He had me attending and serving in the first place. I don't have a story to tell or a teaching to give so I think the reason for me to keep going is me. I take something new away each time I serve and I'd like to say that it's making me a better person. Maybe some weekend when I go he'll reveal His meaning for me all along?
ReplyDeleteHello, my anonymous friend. :) Will you email womensencounter@ccchutch.com and let us know that you're the anonymous commenter? We're keeping track of who all has commented, and we don't want you to go uncounted!
DeleteIt's Nicole Chronister,I accidentally selected the wrong choice and didn't take the time to correct it.
DeleteOk! :)
DeleteWow! Good stuff! Every day was powerful, but the one that spoke to me the most was day 5. I am just me. Yep! That’s it! Humble me! It’s a fine line between feeling self worth, yet remaining humble before God. I want to feel valued, but when I start to feel valued, I have to remember my humility Geeze! That’s tricky! BUT, keeping a humble perspective of myself makes me more open to receiving the Holy Spirit. He does not dwell in the proud!
ReplyDeleteDay 5 also spoke of submission to God. I think we can take that one step further and be submissive to everyone else. Matthew 25:40 says “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” If we are submissive to one another, then we are showing our deep reverence and submission to The Almighty too.
Can’t wait for next week’s devos!
I think day 2 spoke to me the most, but they were all very good!!
ReplyDeleteDay 1 really hit home for me. I feel that God is definitely calling me to stay involved with womens encounter. The things He has led me to do over the past year since Janel's death have taken me far out of my comfort zone!
ReplyDeleteThe hard one for me was day 5, because I have a hard time remembering my limitations, especially when it comes to evangelism. I want everyone to know and live for the awesome God that I do, but I have to be reminded that I can't do the things God can. All I can do is plant the seeds, and nurture their growth, but it is God who has to change their hearts.
As I was reading day 1. I had no idea why God wanted me to serve. Boy did he get my attention during the reading and listening to my music he revealed why.
ReplyDeleteDay one and two spoke to me the most. I was not sure if I am ready to be a server. god spoke to me thru the teachings and scripture a lot this week.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 spoke to me and helped me see that I do want to be a server and serve him thru Women's Encounter. I am a nurse so it is natural for me to want to help others. I want to continue to grow in my spiritual journey and I think serving will help me do that. Day 3! Blessings! I am SO very blessed. I am reminded of that daily. There are so many people who take their blessings for granted. I see it on a daily basis at work. There are so many people out there that struggle with everything. My heart goes out to them.
ReplyDeleteDay one for me was the best..I asked a few friends, if i could go as an attendee. of course you can they replied. but after days and weeks of prayer and reading the bible very faithfully. He told me this is what he wanted me to do. I had tears the day I signed up. It is amazing how he can help me and guide me in the the right choices and decisions I make.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest was week 4: I have never looked at myself as somebody special. I have always just been myself and never seemed to feel or look special. Although for years (with what i have gone through in life) my friends have always said you are so beautiful, smart,kind hearted. Since I attended the encounter for the first time : My life, love, and all will always center around my heavenly father. I love the bible, I love his word, i love his everything. He has helped me through so much in the last few years, and I never really knew how much. He has helped me become a greater person then I ever thought i was.
We just a series on the story of Abraham, Issac and ESAU, turned Jacob, over a bowl of soup. {The point being, what is your "bowl of soup"? What little thing in life, is making you give up a lifetime of blessings? It was very powerful.} Anyhow, hearing again about the power of blessings for the second time in a week, made me sit up and take notice.
ReplyDeleteUp until about 2 years ago, I felt myself to be abundantly blessed by everything I had asked and imagined as a child. I knew it was my reward for living a God pleasing life through out high school and college, and remaining pure for my spouse.
It's amazing how one single event can strip you to your core and rob you of any safety and joy you felt in your life. The beauty of the God we serve, is that He speaks blessings and joy over me now and always, even when I thought He had forgotten me. He was holding me in His arms and murmering in my ear, "You are Mine, Beloved. Through the valley I am with you. Rich blessings for your obedience are coming, just trust me....I have such great plans for your life, plans to bring you hope and a future."
Day 1 took me back. Was I really doing what God wanted me to do? Then I remembered moments after I signed up that God was totally going to be using me this weekend and I would grow in my relationship with Him through it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's always a good idea to never dwell on who we were, but we shouldn't forget. By that I mean we must be forever humbled that we have been chosen by God. For most us He met us where we were, in the midst of our sinfulness. The joy comes from knowing we have been chosen. I once heard it said that biological children are born of the body, adoptive children are born of the heart. We were born of God's heart. He has called us to serve Him, just as Christ did, in service to others to bring glory to his name!
ReplyDeleteI thought they all were good. I am very blessed. .... an amazing husband, amazing friends, amazing daughters, and so much more. I sometimes feel as though I don't thank the Lord enough for EVERYTHING he has allowed me to have!
ReplyDeleteDay 5 spoke to me the most. Lately, well actually since having coffee with Mary Roots several months ago, the Lord has been reveling the damage pride causes and how present it is. It rears it's ugly, destructive, head in our lives in so many ways. I have had to make a concious effort not to allow it to control my behavior. Being a daughter the King is an honor but as it said we are still merely his child.
ReplyDeleteI felt that Day 1 both spoke to me the most and also was the hardest for me. I do feel called to serve, but constantly question my ability to be the light that Christ calls us to be in this world. I struggle with shyness, and being able to open up to others that I don't know well, so Encounter can really take me out of my comfort zone. But I think that is what God wants for me, because it is the only way I will ever grow in Him. So, whether I feel good enough or not, I am saying yes to God.
ReplyDeleteDay 2 is the one that really spoke to me. I have been fighting a lack of feeling loved. Day 2 made me realize that no matter what is happening in my life I am the loved by the only one that truely matters! I think Day 3 blessings was the hardest for me. It is very easy to get hung up on the bad. While day 3 was hard it is probably the one I needed the most lately.
ReplyDeleteWill you tell us who you are? :)
DeleteSorry was commenting from my phone! This is Cassandra Seidel
DeleteWOW! What a week! So many things to read, think, and pray about! I believe that they all affected me in one way or the other. I know I'm not perfect and God is still working on me; however, I know that this women's ministry is what I have been led to do. The encounter from the mens to the women's has changed my life and my family's life so much! I want to serve with every thing I am and have, so others will have and know everything we know and have.
ReplyDeleteI really feel these daily devotions help to keep me focused daily toward serving. Day 1, God's Calling: Particularly spoke to me and reminded me to always be listening for that still, small voice. This a very appropriate series and I love the Captivated Heart title.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I have been very blessed in my life, even when I have been to the lowest point. I haven't always looked at my trials that way, but I feel God has called me to serve. To go with an open heart and an open mind.
ReplyDeleteI think that day 6 spoke to me the most. Actually stopping and thinking about what God would say to me in a letter. This means truly hearing what he thinks about me. For so long I have concerned myself with what others thought of me. I stopped listening to what others thought and put that focus into what The Lord thought and how I can be pleasing to him, I can easily accept who I am and put my focus on the correct things.
ReplyDeleteFor me the hardest and the best devotions was the one on Blessings. To be quite honest life is a bit frustrating right now and my first response was a little negative when I read this devotion. However once I started to journal things really turned around for me and I was overwhelmed by the blessings in my life. Even through the tough times the blessings far outnumber the frustration in my life. God is truly good!
ReplyDeleteday 1 was probably the best and hardest day. I realized that I had a lot of reasons for wanting to serve at encounter; I had a to do list of hearts I wanted God to clean and fences I wanted him to mend for the women in my life I have invited to encounter. I want this redemption for them so bad it hurts. God said "leave it at the cross". He said "lay it all down, I will do what I want, in My time, and in My way. You can put your list away, I don't need it." ouch. Nothing like God to remind you how much your attitudes are NOT like God!
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding "blessings" from God always hits a chord with me. Our idea of blessings rarely matches God's for sure, at least mine don't. One of life's hardest challenges is to simply accept that God never said it was easy. The blessing is in the crucial fact that He CHOOSES to walk through it WITH you. Never to leave you nor forsake you!
ReplyDeleteI first apologize to all you fabulous ladies. I was remiss in beginning to work the daily devotions, so I am about a week behind all of you - I am plugging away to catch up.
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about Week 1 I was reminded by all the things I KNOW, but it helped remind me that I must be INTENTIONAL in my walk with Christ. It is so much easier to walk the path I was on for 40+ years, so only through intentional thought will I relearn the path I should be walking. The Lord is more patient with me than I have ever been with anyone! I also need to focus on being HUMBLE. It is not about me!! It's about the Lord and what He does in our lives. And, there is only one person who can pass judgement and that is the Lord. He created it all, so only He can judge.
Blessings from God... Wow- I know there are too many to count. but I need to focus on those days when Satan yells I don't have any... I am thankful I have mounds of laundry to do, because that means I am blessed with a family to do laundry for. Thank you Jesus for my abundant blessings that only come from you. I am working on seeing everything as my blessings. Even the redundant things in life.
ReplyDeleteGod has given me a passion to bring the experience of the Encounter to women. It is through the leading of the Holy Spirit, through the counsel of others walking in the faith and through many affirmations that He calls me to partner with Him in His work. He has sent me to bring healing to the broken hearted and to proclaim freedom to women.
ReplyDeleteI too am catching up at the last minute!! The hardest day for me was Day 2 his endless love. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea of someone loving me that much. My first encounter was in June and now I am going back to serve. I am nervous that I am not ready, that I won't know what to say or how to respond to someone. I know He has been guiding me for a long time now. As I look back I can see it. Getting to my first Encounter wasn't easy but I am so blessed for the people He put in my life to provide the encouragement to make sure it happened. I want to be that person for someone else. I know he is in control of this situation too and I wouldn't feel so strongly about pushing forward if I didn't think he wasn't there to get me through it. I am so eager for this experience and the ability to grow in His word and of course see you lovely sisters again!
ReplyDelete