summer devotional study

this summer i am participating in such a neat bible study and book study. it started last week and i have already learned so much and been challenged by what God is teaching me. the bible study is only a verse or two every day. i was a little concerned that this would be enough but it really is and makes me think a bit deeper about the verses. i fond the study on a blog i frequently read http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/. it is linked up to another site, www.goodmorninggirls.org. the study is focusing on motherhood, raising a family, and building the home. perfect for me in my life right now! we follow a simple plan to study the verses called s.o.a.p (scripture, observations, applications, prayer).

this is what i learned this week:

•  Christ must be central in building the home/family Ps. 127:1
•  I must be totally dependent on God in all areas of my life, my childrens' lives, and my husband's life Jn. 15:4-5
•  Christ must be first in my life. seek Him first, he will meet all my needs (needs, not wants!) Matt 6:33
• timothy's mother and grandmother had a strong relationship with the Lord. they faithfully taught timothy and passed their faith to him 2 tim. 1:5
• as parents, our commands and laws should be the commands and laws of Christ. obeying the things our parents have taught us keeps us from evil.  prov. 6:20-23

some applications:

• do devotions and pray with my children
•  use verses to back up my discipline as well as when i'm praising them for doing the right thing
•  seek Christ even in the little things
•  be in the Word daily to continue learning about the fruit i should be producing in my life
• strive to put  Christ first: read the bible daily, pray fervently, memorize scripture, seek to serve others over self
• bring my children up to have faith as timothy did: keep my walk in check (be an example), teach them the things of Christ, pray fervently for them and their future families
• practice what i preach

tomorrow starts a new week of scriptures and the introduction to the book study. i will be reading the book the ministry of motherhood by sally clarkson. i'm excited to see what God has in store for me to learn through these scriptures and this  book.