Scripture & Meditation for February 2020 

                                            What does the Bible say about focusing on God?

Proverbs 23:17  Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
Isaiah 26:3  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
​Psalm 119:2  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.

What do you believe is your purpose in life? How does your response to a difficult situation change when you realize that how you respond is your choice? What distractions or influences are keeping you focused on your problem and not your purpose?​
3 Things to remember
Our future depends on the choices we make. 
Our life is a matter of choices.
We need to decide on things before doing it. 

                  Making Time for God
1, Make time for your faith every day.
2. Putting in a little bit of effort on a regular basis can help you stay connected to God all the time. ...
3. Block out distractions.
4. Commit your full attention to your spiritual practice. 5. Read your Bible
6. Pray. ... Reflect on God.               

                      How do I stay focused?
Tips to Stay Focused
Define your daily goals. ...
Divide each activity into smaller tasks. ...
Choose your moments. ...
Hang a Do Not Disturb sign. ...
Remove all distractions. ...
Organize your breaks. ...
Reward yourself. ...
Create an appropriate framework.     

7 ways to increase your spiritual attention:
Identify your distractions.
Pray–ask God to help you find practical ways to minimize distractions.
Ask God to speak through His word and show you one thing to focus on. Open your Bible and read.
Ponder and pray about the one thing that stands out to you as you read.

​“Life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy and some are exciting, but if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter has in store for you.”

Question for you: Have you ever found it challenging to turn the page over in your life circumstances? What has made it difficult for you to move on from those circumstances? What’s the biggest lesson that you have learned when it comes to how to move on and start a new chapter in your life?​

When we stay focused on our purpose, not our problem, we can be happy even when life seems to be falling apart.
Paul was an old man when he was in prison in Rome. He was a long way from home. He was awaiting execution. Everything has been taken from him — his friends, his freedom, his ministry, even his privacy, with a guard chained to him. 
But there was one thing they could not take away from Paul: his purpose. Paul made the choice to stay focused on his purpose, even when he had lost everything else. What was his purpose? Serving God by serving others.
Paul says in Philippians 1:22-25,  22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 

​               THE FOCUS OF THE BIBLE
​What God wants is a Person, not some thing. This Person is beyond our understanding. He is the infinite, eternal God. He is the Creator. Yet He became flesh. He lived on this earth. He passed through death, subdued it, and entered into resurrection. Then He became a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45). As such, He has entered into us and now lives in our spirit. Once He has entered us, He will never leave. He not only stays, but wants to settle down. He wants to make His home in all the inner chambers of our heart—our mind, our emotion, and our will.

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                                         1 Peter 2 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)  "GREAT READ!"
So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, 3 Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord. 4 Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men [a]tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. 5 [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen ([b]honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be [c]disappointed or put to shame. 7 To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, 8 And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own [d]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [[e]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock]. 13 Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service. 15 For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons. 16 [Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God. 17 Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor. 18 [You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked). 19 For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. 20 [After all] what [f]kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God. 21 For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. 22 He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. 23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. 24 He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [g][as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian ([h]the Bishop) of your souls. 
                                               

                                                      ​   God words of encouragement for us.

                                   We should always celebrate the power of forgiveness.
We are a divine work in progress—continually learning and growing. In the process of becoming all that we can be, we may make mistakes; yet when we know better, we do better. To remember the truth of our being, we breathe gently and pause for a sacred time of prayer. As we connect to our divine nature, we must surrender negativity and perspectives that do not serve our highest good. Self-limiting thoughts dissipate, and we can see who we are. From this higher perspective, we will recognize the wholeness within ourselves and others.
Even though we have made mistakes in the past, we should remember that we all are loved and loving. We celebrate the power of forgiveness that sets our self and all others free around us.
Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes ... mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Blessings and love to and for you!

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We must believe we receive when we pray, and we can have what so ever we believe. The word tells us we have to have forgiveness in our hearts when we pray.
Read Mark 11:22-25.                                           I am not trying to say that this is all the answers! We should really understand the power we have when we pray. God has given us a pattern to go by when we pray Gods word, according to His will. We have to be in order with His will not our own.
 Sometime we can be so focus on our problems when we pray that we forget about the promises that God Himself has given us through His word. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So is my word that goes out my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent” (NIV). That is awesome! God’s word cannot and will not return void! Praying God’s word we can never go wrong.

        Always remember
"Nothing goes right on the outside when nothing is going right on the inside"
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things has passed away, behold all things become new."
​Everyday from the first day I prayed this prayer, I'm just thanking Him everyday, it's already done, in Jesus Name!    
                  Carolin Morgan                    

​Beautiful words and encouragements, that different authors has given us to embrace.
enjoy each clip as they stroll by, and allow them to minister to you.

         Something to remember   
 Beauty is only achieved with a balance life, and having a personal relationship with Christ realizing His love for us and taking care of God’s work. Our lives are watched by the world. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Beauty should always be a complement to our inner spirit and never a hindrance to the Kingdom of God.
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We learn over the years that it is by love that God works. 
Love is His power to convert and change our lives. His power to heal and mend all brokenness, no matter what that is. Matthew 26:33 says, "I will not be offended in Him."
No matter what happens, His love calls us to obedience and makes it our joy to obey, no matter how rough the road or difficult the way. 
We learn, that the fullness of the truth that God's grace is indeed sufficient, and that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
His grace and His strength never fail, and with Him all things are possible. Matt 28:20 promises that, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

                                                   
Click on download, and read what Jeremy Binns wrote about pain and forgiveness; Awesome!

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If you haven't received Christ as your personal Savior, and you want to, just click download. 

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Faith: We place our faith in God and expect the best.
Having faith is having joyous expectation. Placing our faith in God, we must expect and accept positive outcomes. When we pray to successfully accomplish our goals, we receive clear direction. If we are praying for healing, we expect to be healed. When we pray for a loved one, we place our faith in the presence and activity of God at work within them to bring forth their highest good.
We must release negative thoughts, worries, or fears for they indicate our attention has drifted away from God. We must redirect our expectations with positive outcomes in mind. Growing in spiritual understanding requires ongoing practice. It's a lifetime journey. So we must step forward in faith with our mind and heart on God, secure in the knowledge that divine love is at work in each of us
1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us, "Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong." 

Chaplain Phyllis Murphy
Be who you say you are, learn your identity, and walk in your purpose

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Montella Wimbly:
Always stop, and take time, and smell the roses.

Jan Chandler: 
    God has called us all to greatness. Always Remember: "All's Well"

Sharene Thompson: 
Always take time to enjoy God's creation!

 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4;16 ,NIV

1. Pray that God would awaken the passion inside of you to live for Him and Him alone.
2. Ask God to set a fire within you — a hunger for more of Him and His Word.
3. Pray that your desire to be close to God would only continue to increase.
4.Spend a few minutes remembering and journaling about how you felt when you first came to know Jesus. Ask God to make you feel that way again.
​We are, WOMEN WITH A PURPOSE that stand together for a cause,  and we join together praying for one another. Prayer is a God given purpose, and when we pray we express our dependence on God, and at the same time, we are affirming God's promise for spiritual power. Prayer becomes an attitude of the 
​"Heart of God."

    We are praying for women all over the world. 
What ever you're going through, "we got you"