Extraordinary Hope: Week 1 of Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith

Hello Ladies, I hope you all had a wonderful summer break. We are going to get started on week 1 in this post. If you have the book you have probably noticed that the book is broke down into days, please do not let this stop you from reading this book, because you feel you do not have the time. I try to get in a few pages here and there, also this book is available in Kindle Edition ( you do not have to have a kindle to buy it that way I have a Kindle app on my phone which is perfect when I'm on the go). I pray that God will give us wisdom and understanding as we go through this book, to help us live a victorious life, and to encourage others to have a victorious life also. you will notice I did not put each question down, if there was a question you wanted to talk about please write it in the comment section or on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/groups/InHim2011/. Please encourage one another throughout this week and feel free to blog about your experience and share your link also. you will see my thoughts posted in a different color.

Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith by: Julie Clinton

Day 1: Tenacious Hope: Pages 5-10
Read 1st Samuel Chapter 1

Questions:
1) What is something you have hoped for over a long period of time?
     Has God answered your prayer?
 (I have been hoping to see my family and friends desire to have a relationship with Christ. I have seen some open up to God and I have seen some come and go, but God has revealed to me to never give up on them because He never gave up on me.)

2) How do you think we can discern the difference between God saying, "Keep hoping and waiting," or "No it's not My Will"?
(I would say to get in Gods word, His word reveals truth into our lives, and when we ask for understanding His will comes alive in our hearts)

3) How can we leave our heart open to the idea that God may answer differently than we expect?
(God gave me this scripture) 
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Day 2 God moments Pages 11- 14
Read John 4

1)What drives someone to be involved in serial, broken relationships? Why do you think this woman was open to Jesus that day?

2) How can we prepare our hearts so we're ready when God shows up in unexpected ways to fulfill our hopes?


Day 3 Shattered Dreams Pages 15-18
Read Psalms  42

Questions:
1) Has your soul been downcast? Did you pour your heart out to God, like David did?

2) Read Proverbs 13:12 Describe a time when your heart was sick, because your hopes did not come true. Did anyone help you through that time? Did you let anyone help you?

Day 4 Purified Hope Pages 19-22
Read 1 John 3

Questions:
1) Do most people you know spend too much time thinking about the future when they will see Jesus or pursuing today's pleasures? What about you? What is the result of each focus?

2) How does focusing on hope for a glorious future with God purify your choices, motivations, and relationships today?

Day 5 Even When We Falter Pages 23-26
Read Isaiah 40

Questions:
1) Has there ever been a time when you felt God had abandoned you? What was it like for you?

2) How might focusing on the goodness and greatness of God encourage you to keep hoping today?

you might notice this blog will be updated from time to time as I get time. Have a blessed day.

Lioness Arising Chapters 7 & 8 Session 6

     Good evening Ladies,
I hope you all have had a wonderful week. I know mine has been busy, but I'm starting to catch back up on some things. This session is over 2 chapters. I pray you all are enjoying this book as much as I am.

     Chapter 7 Greet & Groom
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day (a least). For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone." - Sam Levenson

When Lisa talks about greet and groom, she refers to the lionesses and how they nurture their cubs. The lioness is saying "You belong with us. You are welcome to be at ease, discover your strengths, and grow up among us. There is provision and safety for you here in the pride." (Kindle edition 1820)
When I first read this I thought it was neat how the lionesses treat ALL the cubs this way, not just their own cub. This got me thinking about not just our children and the children around us, what about spiritual children ( adults new to faith). We need to be saying the same things to them.

Have you ever noticed Paul's writings to the church. He always makes sure he tells them how much he loves and appreciates them. No matter the circumstance.

1 Corinthians 4:14-15 (MSG)

^14-16I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God's Message to you that I became your father. I'm not, you know, asking you to do anything I'm not already doing myself.

Do we really care about others? People know, they see our actions.

When we are part of a community that grooms one another, we help each other keep our lives clean.

I love how she states " she has no desire to control me only to make sure I don't have dirt on my face."

John 13:10

The Message (MSG)

^10-12Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

Matthew 23:25

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁵ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!
"Holiness is of the heart, God alone makes us clean."

"Confusion happens when our focus is on avoiding bad, rather than doing good."

     Chapter 8 Lionesses are Strategic
"No woman's portion or contribution is more significant than another's. We need you to be you!"
Each one of us are unique. We all have different talents and abilities that are given from God. We need to quit trying to be like our sisters and embrace what God has given us. When we choose to work together we can accomplish more than trying to do it ourselves.

Romans 12:5-6

The Message (MSG)

^4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
^6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.


"Not only should we rise together in the pursuit of God and His answers. It is time we rise in our pursuit of justice."

"We need to cut off the enemies air supply." We need to quit giving in to the way we talk badly about people, issues, things. We need to tame that tongue. We need to lift up, encourage, love, worship, praise. This is how we overcome.
.
That's it for session 6. See the blue words up top if you click on them it will take you to the web page I used to get the scriptures. I pray you all have a wonderful week. Please don't forget to encourage one another.

Lioness Arising Chapter 6

Chapter 6 Under the same Mission

In the lion world there is no gender confusion. Both are comfortable in their skin and celebrate their unique strengths of their respective gender.

One strength is no less important than the other is.

The lion protects, the lioness provides.

Sub= under

Mission= assignment

They will know our Jesus is real when we love and work well with one another.

Stop hesitating, ask how can I help, How can we help build your life.

Give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime and teaches other how to fish also.

God teach us to serve others, Help us to be women of honor.

What is your dream, do not be afraid to dream. Hope serves people.

We are supposed to serve our husbands and train our children.

We are guides not guards.

Do not dominate, yet empower one another. We are smarter together than we are separately.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (MSG)

^16-20Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons (1. to grow or develop quickly; flourish )! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

Lioness Arising Session 4 Chapter 5

Good Morning Ladies,
  I hope you all have had a great few weeks. I am sorry I have gotten behind on the blog. This is over Chapter 5 session 4. Strength is for service. I really enjoyed reading this chapter, it has made my mind really think about what can I do to help.

Romans 15:1-2 (MSG)

^1-2 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

I was also reading this verse out of the amplified version is it goes like this

Romans 15:1-2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves. ²Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].

Lisa made a statement that spoke volumes to me about helping those who falter

  "Will we be the type of woman who will take the time and make the effort to bring back the                 goodness we find in the newly opened expanses God is setting before His daughters?"

She states that "the deliberate extension of goodness, generosity, and wisdom always wins out in the end". (1288 kindle edition)

When are we as God's daughters going to quit resisting what God has already given us. We need to take what He has given us and use it to help others receive their victory.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 The Message (MSG)

^11-13Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!

We need to quit seeing with our eyes, and see with faith and know that God has called us all to serve. Strength is for Service!

Remember:

1 John 4:4 The Message (MSG)

 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.

"Open your eyes and remember who you are- a golden bearer of light who has the power to dispel darkness wherever She goes." --Lisa Bevere

Lioness Arising Session 3 Chapter 4

Chapter 4 The Sum of Fear and Wonder.

Psalm 139:14 New King James Version

 for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;^[a]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

How often do we deny this very scripture? How often do we find every single little thing in our lives to be negative, or unmeasurable? When we should actually believe that everything turn out for good to those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I love how Lisa compares and contrasts the characteristics of the lioness. How their teeth fight and kill, yet they also carry their young. They are comfortable in their own skin. We should be that way. We should have a very confidence about us that when people see us they know we love God and we KNOW that God loves us

John 16:27 (NKJV)  for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.

I love how this chapter challenges us to take a deeper look into our physical and spiritual beings and see where we are standing. Are we skinny fat or are we STRONG with our mind, body, and Spirit. Where does our strength fail us? What area's are we needing to work on.

Micah 4:10-13

The Message (MSG)

^9-10So why the doomsday hysterics?
You still have a king, don't you?
But maybe he's not doing his job
and you're panicked like a woman in labor.
Well, go ahead—twist and scream, Daughter Jerusalem.
You are like a woman in childbirth.
You'll soon be out of the city, on your way
and camping in the open country.
And then you'll arrive in Babylon.
What you lost in Jerusalem will be found in Babylon.
God will give you new life again.
He'll redeem you from your enemies.
^11-12But for right now, they're ganged up against you,
many godless peoples, saying,
"Kick her when she's down! Violate her!
We want to see Zion grovel in the dirt."
These blasphemers have no idea

They don't know that this is the making of God's people,
that they are wheat being threshed, gold being refined.
¹³On your feet, Daughter of Zion! Be threshed of chaff,
be refined of dross.
I'm remaking you into a people invincible,
into God's juggernaut to crush the godless peoples.
You'll bring their plunder as holy offerings to God,
their wealth to the Master of the earth.

There will probably be many times in our lives where we feel like we are being Beeton, but really what is happening is we are toning up, getting rid of the unnecessary fat or baggage, so that when the real battle comes we are ready to stand strong and not waiver too and fro.  Lets take Gods word and ask God to shape us and mold us into the daughters He has called us to be.

Questions to think about.
What is our function in the body of Christ?
What are we made of?
Are we well balanced in our lives or are we too busy?
Are you ready to make a decision to live your life the way God intends you to live it. ( Which is better than we could ever imagine if we just put our trust in Him)

The other day I was driving down the road and a thought came to my mind.
When Jesus saw something He didn't like He did not go around complaining about it. He took action and did something about it. Today is the day take action...

I hope and pray you all got as much out of this chapter as I did. God is doing a mighty work in each and everyone of us. I love yall and God Bless.

Lioness Arising Session 2 Chapter 3

Good evening ladies,
   I hope and pray you all had a blessed week. I want to open in prayer. Dear Lord I ask you to bless  each and every woman that is reading this today, I ask you Lord to give her and ear to hear what your Spirit is saying, and wisdom to walk in your ways Lord. I thank you for the work you have started in her and I know you will finish it. I give you all the praise and glory in Jesus Name Amen. This week in chapter 3 Lisa asked many questions, and I have been pondering those questions in my heart. Not only how I responded to those questions, but what I see in others as an outsider. Are We Dangerously Awake?

She goes on to quote "Well behaved women rarely make history" -- Laurel Thatcher- Ulrich.
Lets think about this for a minute. Do you know any well behaved women who have made history? I will let you think about this one for awhile...

As Lisa talks about the lion and how  tranquilized him, but the lioness stepped in to protect her territory. This really made me think about the ways we as women, daughters,sisters, grandmothers, mothers,aunts, friends create a protective boundary around those we love, but it also made me think about how satan had to tranquilize Eve to get to Adam. Ladies we really need to make sure we are not deceived. DO NOT let the enemy sedate you.

Romans 13:11-14

The Message (MSG)

^11-14But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! Bible Gateway

"We need to be awake to see what God is doing, so that we know what we are suppose to do." Lisa Brevere

Do we really want to see the lost saved? Too many times I think people get comfortable and don't want change and to see more lost get saved they might have to step out of their comfort zone. Are you willing to do that. At some point or another we all need to take that step.

"Has a casual attitude towards sin slowed our actions, causing our responses to be delayed or dulled?" (Brevere)

I think so. When are we going to stand up for what Christ stood for. I pray now. Now is the time...


Are we just going around the same mountain over and over again? Are you tired of constantly being in the wilderness or seeing your loved ones in those situations? I know I am, but what are we going to do about it.

Luke 4:18-19

The Message (MSG)

^16-21He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,

God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to
the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place."

Remember to love one another on this journey. Jesus went around doing good.

Lioness Arising Week 1 Part 2

Good Afternoon Ladies,
 I pray you all are having a wonderful day. We are going to go over some key scriptures in this post and talk about what God has shown me while reading these first two chapters, then I would like you to post in the comments section about what God is showing you. If you don't mind. Remember we are here to encourage one another.

In Chapter 1 Awaken a Lioness, Lisa talks about a vision God has given her and for fifteen years she thought that vision was just for her, until God opened her eyes and expanded the horizon. The vision was for all daughters of God.

I love how she stated: "Daughters, look at the lioness. Watch her closely let her awaken your untamed nature, your fierce beauty, and your unbridled strength, so you can rise up and be the courageous women I have called you to be." (16)

RISE UP AND BE WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE.....

In Chapter 2 A force Unseen, Lisa talks about what could happen if the women of the world come together for the sake of mankind. Whats are some of the ways we can make our home, neighborhood, churches, community better? Don't sit there and tell yourself you don't have any money to donate its not about that. Yes money does help, but in what other ways can you contribute to the community or others well being. Its one step at a time.

I encourage you to take a good look around you and ask yourself how are you choosing to live. In what ways do we need to change to create a better impact on not just ourselves, but those around us.

NO matter the calling whether is be a teacher, mom, minister, encourager. The lifestyle we choose to live will impact those we come in contact with. Our children, our friends children, parents, family near and extended, etc. God has called them also they just might not realize that yet.

Here are some of the scriptures she has. She uses the message version, but I am going to use NASB version today.
When you get time take a look at the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman and a lioness.

Psalm 96:6-13

⁶ Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
^{7 [a]}Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
^[b]Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
^{8 [c]}Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an ^[d]offering and come into His courts.
⁹ Worship the LORD in ^[e]holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
¹⁰ Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with ^[f]equity.”
¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea ^[g]roar, and ^[h]all it contains;
¹² Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
¹³ Before the LORD, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.

John 16:13

¹³ But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

Luke 12:48

⁴⁸ but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of ^[a]a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more

Isaiah 30:15

¹⁵ For thus the Lord ^[a]GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
“In ^[b]repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,

Acts 17:28

²⁸ for in Him we live and move and ^[a]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

Matthew 10:16

    ¹⁶ “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so ^[a]be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

Proverbs 31:8-9⁸ Open your mouth for the mute,
For the ^[a]rights of all the ^[b]unfortunate.
⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And ^[c]defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Deat Lord, we ask you to lead us as we continue on this journey. We ask you Lord to help us realize your will for our lives, and that we will choose to follow your ways and not our own. Help us to be a light to those around us. In Jesus Name Amen.

Here is the link to the Bible software I used Bible Gateway

Lioness Arising Week 1 Part 1

Good day ladies,
  I hope you all have enjoyed your break, and if this is your first time joining us welcome. Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere is an 8 session bible study. (You can buy the book here). The Safari Guide is optional. Each week we will go over what God has been showing us or dealing with us. We will pray, and continue to encourage one another in the Faith. After the meeting I will write a post to highlight what we have gone over, so the online followers will be on the same page. I hope and pray you all continue this journey with us as we become the women God has called us to be. If you are behind that is ok. This is why we have the study online, it can be a self paced study, and its also great for those who cannot come to a meeting. Our meetings are Mondays at Faith Fellowship Church in Collinsville, OK in the welcome room. Here is a map @1 P.M. they are approx. 1 to 1 1/2 hours long.


Schedule
1/23  Chapters 1 & 2
1/30  Chapter  3
2/06  Chapter  4
2/13  Chapter  5
2/27  Chapter  6
3/05  Chapters 7 & 8
3/12  Chapter  9
3/26  Chapters 10&11

* there will be no meetings on 2/20 or 3/19

Please feel free to comment here and on our Facebook group  and encourage one another and show us how God is moving in your lives. God Bless you all.