Elizabeth George's Blog, page 26

9 Ways to Better Your Marriage

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When you take time to nurture oneness with your spouse, you bring honor to God. And as an incredible result, you’ll experience the fullness and blessings that God designed for a married couple to enjoy!

Take time now. Read through the following ideas. Set aside five minutes and pray, “Lord, how can I express my love today?”

1. Read your Bible every day

Keep in mind that something is better than nothing, so aim to read your Bible at least five minutes a day of Bible reading. That’s about how long it takes to read one chapter in your Bible. Then, take a few moments to pray.

2. Pray for your spouse three times every day

Pray for your husband in the morning when you wake up, at noon, and at the end of his workday. It’ll be easy to repeat this exercise every day for a week. Then, you’ll want to do it for life!

3. Follow God’s guidelines for good communication

Are your words soft, sweet, suitable, scant, and slow? Begin reminding yourself each day to “put away” speech patterns that don’t match up to God’s standards and ask God to guide you when communicating with your husband. 

Also, identify any speech patterns that must go. Read Jesus’ words about “radical surgery” in Matthew 5:29-30. I remember going through such an exercise (and exorcising!) when I became convicted about screaming at my family. I knew it was wrong and destructive. And yet I did it...until I reached the radical surgery stage. Sure, there were slip-ups and change took a l-o-n-g time! But progress was made day-by-day, word-by-word.

4. Encourage and thank your spouse

Thank your husband for the hard work he does at his job and for your family. Instead of complaining about something he’s left undone, praise him for his diligence, desire to do things excellently, and efforts in providing for you and your family.

Keep your eyes and ears—and your heart!—open for big and small ways to encourage your spouse.

5. Be quick to say you’re sorry

Ideally, both you and your husband are walking humbly with God and apologizing quickly. But whether he does or not, the sooner you can say you are sorry for your temper, for negative responses, for hurtful words, or for sinful attitudes, the better!

This is the quickest and best way to defuse a situation that could get worse or clear up any disturbance in your relationship.

I’ve also learned that if I regularly acknowledge my sin to God, it’s much easier to apologize to my husband because I’m already in the habit of saying “I’m sorry” to God. 

6. Ask how you can help

Every day ask two questions: “What can I do for you today?” and “What can I do to help you make better use of your time today?” Stand by with a notepad and pen in hand, a prayer in your heart, and a willingness to help your spouse in the ways they need.

7. Talk about and schedule sex

How does that sound to you? Cold? Sterile? Unemotional? Lacking in romance? Talking openly with your spouse and planning ahead as a couple can revolutionize your sex life. Intimacy doesn’t just happen. So to ensure that it does for you and your hubby, schedule it. Talking about sex with your calendars in hand also gives you both an opportunity to express the frequency you’d like to see in the Intimacy Department of your marriage.

8. Create a budget

Of course, the best scenario would be for you to create a budget together. But if your husband is not interested or too busy to think it through, make—and keep—a budget for the areas of the family finances where you are involved. Follow these three steps in keeping a budget and become an expert at the financial management of those items in your daily sphere:

Determine...a reasonable amount for each category
Record...what you spend
Wait...until the funds are available

9. Start your day on a high note

Do what you can the night before so everyone isn’t yelling at each other the next morning, when they’re running late and frustrated because they can’t find what they need. Set out clothes and cereal. If anyone takes a lunch, fix as much as you can after dinner. Put school books, backpacks, and briefcases by the front door. And don’t forget the devotional book and Bible!

Everything you do the night before pays huge dividends the next morning! Not frantically rushing allows you to speak kindly, have an unhurried devotional time, and send everyone off in a good mood.

A big part of this is knowing your household’s schedules and setting your priorities every day. Reviewing these each morning will help you keep your marriage, family, home, and job in perspective and running smoothly. Which, of course, betters your relationships!

RESPOND

Dear Lord, please give me Your grace to better my relationship with my husband. Thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit that guide me. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

A Couple After God’s Own Heart by Jim and Elizabeth George teaches the secrets to a great marriage by learning from biblical couples. Get started by taking our fun free challenge here: 5 Ways in 5 Days to be a Closer Couple.

Pick up this book for couples and workbook today!

REFLECT

Pick one of these 9 topics to focus on this week. Keep a journal of any changes you see for the better in your relationship.

REMEMBER

God’s goal for all of His women—married or single—is that we be a perpetual spring of goodness!

Making Godly Friendships

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Scripture tells us of the lasting and faithful friendship of David and Jonathan. Each promised their forever friendship to the other. 

Finding Friends

It’s extremely hard to find a true friend like David and Jonathan were to each other, or like the one described in Proverbs 18:24, a friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister. And good friendships with godly women are even more rare.

Finding a friend who likes to shop is one thing, but finding a sister of the soul is much more difficult.

I don’t know about you, but I want those friends who are closest to me to know God and to understand my faith and trust in Him. I want that special person to be someone I can confide in.

A friend who believes that when loyalty is called for, loyalty is given. When support is needed, support is given. When correction is crucial, correction is given. Like David, I want my closest friends to be part of the family of God—true soul mates in the Lord.

Built-In Friendships

As we age, it can become more difficult to make friends. But here’s the good news: many of us already have built-in friends with our family. First is friendship with your spouse.

How can you recapture that friendship you enjoyed with your spouse while you two were dating? To begin, think back on those days. What did you do to nurture your relationship with your them? Take a moment to write a list.

Then make a commitment to do some of these activities again—the activities that helped you to become best friends. After all, after your friendship with God, your spouse’s friendship is the greatest treasure you possess.

Next is friendship with your parents. There is nothing weird about having your mom and dad as best friends. They are God’s gift to you. No one loves you more, or cares for your best interests more, than your parents.

And, you also have friends in your brothers and sisters. As a child, you probably thought, Friends with my goofy brother or pesky little sister? You’ve got to be kidding! But in truth, your friends throughout life come and go. You may stay in touch with some, but most of your friends will move on.

But your family is just that – your family. They will always be there, especially if you work at building and maintaining friendships with them. 

Building Friendships

God also provides other people with whom you can and should have friendships.

Women you meet at church are a natural starting point. Ask about small groups, morning-out gatherings for moms, or committees you could volunteer on and hopefully meet new women at.

Set up a playdate with another mom and her kids at a local park. Pick a regular day of the month to have coffee with 2-3 women. And have fun! Plan a game night or a meal prep afternoon. Have a crafting party, where each woman teaches a craft she excels into other women. While you’re talking, ask about ways you can pray for and fill any practical needs they may have.

And what about making friends with those in your community? Recently I spoke at a women’s conference in California, and while I was there, I spent time visiting with a former next-door neighbor I hadn’t seen in several decades. Amazingly, we picked up right where we had left off, before we both moved away those many years ago!

Do you know your neighbors?

A Forever Friend

Most importantly, as a Christian, you already have a perfect friendship. You have a friend in Jesus Christ. God’s Son, Jesus, has chosen you to be His friend. Just as with His disciples, Jesus speaks of you as His friend: “You are My friends… I have called you friends” (John 15:14-15)

RESPOND

Lord, please help me find and nurture close friendships with sisters in Christ who love You and strengthen and encourage my Christian walk. And Lord, I hold up my friends to You today, thanking You for Your gift of likeminded and faithful friends and soul mates in the Lord. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George—As you embrace God's plans for you, you will build a strong bond with your husband and improve your relationships with family and friends. Pick up a copy of this Bible study, now in large print, today!

REFLECT

Pray and ask God to guide you in nurturing your friendships.

What are 3 things you can do today to encourage a friend?

REMEMBER

Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times.”

Waging Spiritual Warfare

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The Super Bowl is this Sunday. Are you hosting or attending a party? Me? I’m not really a football fan, but after growing up with three brothers and my dad, living with my husband, Jim, and having two sons-in-law, I’m somewhat familiar with the game. When the players on a team gather in a circle during a game, this is called a huddle. That’s when the players are told what the play will be.

Well, today I want you to imagine such a huddle...a huddle of two. The pair is made up of a seasoned coach—the apostle Paul—and a young player—timid Timothy.

Perhaps with his arm affectionately around the young Timothy’s shoulders, the aged Paul gives his protégé a few words of exhortation on how to handle the battles he’s encountering at Ephesus.

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience.” (1 Timothy 1:18)

Waging Spiritual Warfare

How about you, my friend? Do you need some encouragement today? Do you need a little advice for handling your difficult situations? Like many good coaches, Paul uses images to help explain to Timothy his position on the team.

A Christian must be a good soldier. Paul encouraged Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (verse 18). Paul isn’t referring to a single battle but to a military campaign.

Like Timothy, we too must... 

maintain a hold on faith and a good conscience
cling tightly to our faith
refuse to give in to temptation
live out our faith with a clear conscience

A Christian must be a good sailor. In 1 Timothy 1:19, Paul switches from the picture of a military campaign to that of a shipwreck. What will help you and me navigate through sin and error? A good conscience—one that is guided by these forces:

God’s Word
prayer
Christian fellowship

A Spiritual Battle

The Christian life is a battle—a spiritual battle. We may not like it, and we may wish otherwise, but it’s true. Therefore we, like Paul and Timothy, must fight the good fight. We must cling to two inseparable, valuable, dispositions of the heart—faith and a good conscience.

Is the Holy Spirit sounding any warning to your conscience about some aspect of your behavior? Are you doing what you know is right in every area of your life? Or are you deliberately ignoring an inner tug?

Take some time to reflect on these tough-but-important questions.

Huddle with God and ask Him for the game plan. Heed His wisdom and instruction. When you fumble, when you drop the ball (and it will happen), God has given you a way back to His plan: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

And then accept God’s forgiveness and grace and get back into the game.

RESPOND

Lord, You know I need Your guidance and instruction daily. I confess my sins to You today so that I can continue in Your plan. Please lead me through the battle to victory. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

Relying on the Power of the Holy Spirit by Elizabeth George—Learn about...

the Spirit's promises and provision, and what they mean to you
your unique place in God's church and how the Holy Spirit uses you
being a blessing to both believers and unbelievers

This encouraging Bible study will draw you closer to God.

REFLECT

Are you doing what you know is right in every area of your life? Or are you deliberately ignoring an inner tug? 

REMEMBER

Accept God’s forgiveness and grace and get back into the game.

Navigating Seasons of Life

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Here’s something I’ve discovered over the 40 years that Jim and I have been married. I’ve found that, like other areas of my life, our marriage has its “seasons.”

For instance, we experienced the season of child-raising and its wear-and-tear demands on us as a couple. Sometimes I didn’t approve of Jim’s way of disciplining our children. At other times I thought he should spend more time with them. And then we had to agree on how, when, and where we would take vacations (not to mention how we would pay for them!).

At each season and step along the way—through the preschool years, the grade school, junior high, and high school years—evaluations and adjustments had to be made. You see, even though I was going through these stages and phases as a mother, I was also going through them as a wife. And Jim and I, as a couple, had to go through them together.

Working as a Team

We had to work as a team in order to meet the challenges and make it through. Then we moved into our girls’ college years—years when our daughters came and went. One day it was just the two of us...and the next day they would show up with a gang of friends. These were the days, too, when young men began to show up, adding new elements to the mix...and new tests to our marriage and family.

Again, Jim and I went through these days as parents, but we also had to go through them as a couple. This meant we were constantly fine-tuning, re-tuning, and re-turning to our basic roles of leading and following.

In God’s timing, we next entered the period of being the parents of newlyweds—a whole new remarkable-but-different season as we had to figure out our new roles in our daughters’ lives and welcome two wonderful sons-in-law into our family. Again the adjustments had to be made... together. 

Then came Jim’s transition from being a full-time professor at a theological seminary to being a full-time, stay-at-home writer. How does a wife go from 35 years of getting her husband off to work to suddenly working alongside him every minute of every day? (And you would not believe the number of women who have asked me to write a book on this “season”!)

Back to the Drawing Board

What did I do? Once again, back to the drawing board I went—God’s drawing board! And, sure enough, nothing had changed. I was still to help, follow, respect, and love my husband as we entered this surprisingly joyous season of marriage. 

Jim and I have endured—and enjoyed!—a few other seasons, such as the deaths of our parents and additions of grandbabies.

What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned as a wife through all these changes? Following God’s plan makes a difference in the atmosphere in our home and improves the climate of our marriage. 

The Bible lays out a set of guidelines for husbands; they are to lead, love, and work hard to provide. Here are some guidelines Scripture gives to wives that I followed:  

Submit to your husband: here’s how God expresses it: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord...as is fitting in the Lord....Be submissive to your own husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22)

Respect your husband. God instructs, “Let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).

Love your husband. Here’s where the fun begins! Married women are “to love their husbands” (Titus 2:4). In other words, we are to be affectionate and treat our husbands in a loving manner—to cherish and enjoy our husbands as a best friend! 

Looking Ahead

I know there are more seasons (Lord willing!) awaiting us as we continue to grow in our marriage. But I also know that God’s rules, God’s guidelines, God’s precepts for me as a wife will never change. They make up His unchanging plan for me as a wife, as well as for you as a wife. 

So I ask you to please stop, pray, and revisit God’s blueprint. Refresh your commitment to actively follow His plan for your roles in your marriage. And remember, the goal is to work together as a team, today and every day throughout life and its seasons.

RESPOND

Dear Lord, I long to be a woman and a wife after Your own heart. Please guide me and help me. Amen.  

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

A Couple After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George—Enrich your marriage and learn the essentials for enjoying life together by developing better ways to communicate and drawing upon God for unity and strength in hard times. Click to read more about this Bible study for couples.

REFLECT

Are you doing what you know is right in every area of your life? Or are you deliberately ignoring an inner tug?

REMEMBER

And remember, the goal is to work together as a team, today and every day throughout life and its seasons.

A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

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Do you get frustrated by the world’s lack of cooperation with your faith and your spiritual goals? Do you wonder, Why can’t the world make being pure and holy easier? 

This has always been and will always be a dilemma for Christians. During Peter’s time, Christians were being accused of defying Caesar, of causing social upheaval and unrest with their new religion, and of causing riots. But Pastor Peter shows believers—both then and now—how to bear up under persecution.

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)

Living Your Faith

The world won’t make living your faith easy, but God’s wisdom will make it easier to understand:

The World. You and I have a status in this world that differs from that of unbelievers. We are sojourners, pilgrims, aliens, and strangers. Adjust your perspective of the world and your ties to it.




The Christian Walk. While we’re dwelling in this strange land called earth, there are things we must do and can do to keep ourselves from sin. Put away your desires for money, power, and worldly success so that your walk isn’t destroyed or marred by these temptations.




The Why. We’re given two reasons to abstain from indulging fleshly cravings. First, so that our conduct as Christians honors Christ. When our inner life is under control, then our outer life will honor the Lord. And second, so that when critics examine our lives in order to prove our beliefs false, they will find us blameless and might be inspired to know God. 

Honorable Conduct

Honorable conduct. Now that’s a wonderful lifetime goal! The Greek word for honorable is rich in meaning and implies the purest, highest, and noblest kind of goodness. It means “lovely,” “winsome,” “gracious,” “noble,” and “excellent.”

To live honorably means to live in a way that is so clean no charges against us can stand up. Attractive, gracious, upright behavior will always be our greatest defense...and our greatest witness.

Mistreatment and misunderstandings will come, but how you handle them speaks of your faith. Your conduct, lived out in a holy lifestyle, commends Christ to others around you. 

Do you have an unbelieving husband or children or parents or brothers or sisters? Do you work with non-Christians? Are you continually misunderstood because you don’t think or live like the rest of “the gang”? Then rejoice that you are wearing God’s soft garment of a gentle and quiet spirit! Draw it around yourself, and conduct yourself in a winsome way—a God-glorifying way. 

RESPOND

God, I’ve never viewed the world’s opposition to my beliefs as an opportunity. I’ve always viewed it as an obstacle. Please give me patience and a spirit of perseverance so I can overcome mistreatments and misunderstandings in ways that lead other people to a greater desire to know  and understand You. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

Putting on a Gentle and Quiet Spirit by Elizabeth George—Discover how to handle trials and persecutions, including: suffering for doing good; understanding the mysteries of God; and fanning the flame of faith through this Bible study.

REFLECT

How do you view the world’s opposition to your beliefs? Pray about ways God will help you turn them into an opportunity to share about Him.

REMEMBER

When our inner life is under control, then our outer life will honor the Lord.

Handling Life’s Pressures

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Perhaps because our family lived in Southern California for 30-plus years, I dearly love the ocean. Surprisingly, every time I read God’s Word, I think of the Pacific Ocean. I recall the many times I reveled in the sights and sounds of its surf, with the incessant splashing, crashing, sloshing-on-the-shore waves following one after another...and another...and another.

God Delights in Giving Grace

Reading Ephesians 1:7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,” is like that repeating and splashing ocean. This verse is powerful, thrilling, and breathtaking—so spectacular it’s hard to imagine another verse as exhilarating.

And yet God delights in continuing to bestow His grace and His favor on us through His Son. The blessings just keep rolling in!

Another gift rolls in when we read verse 10. It’s the fact of God’s “dispensation” or management. He’s made known “the mystery of his will...to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment.”

The Master Manager

You’ve probably experienced managing a household, making a master plan, and creating a timeline for achieving or finishing a project.

Well, my friend, God is the Master Manager, and He is organizing everything according to His timing, culminating when everything in heaven and on earth is united under Christ’s leadership and authority.

Aren’t you thankful for God’s hand on your life? Your life is not hapless and purposeless. God has a plan for every step of your way. And He offers you truth and a solution for everything life throws at you...beginning with today’s challenges.

LIfe's Challenges

Whenever your life seems to be out of control or you feel like the world and its pressures are crashing in on you, realize God is sovereign. He is in charge, and He is a faithful, flawless administrator. He is working out His good and acceptable and perfect will. His purpose in saving you and showering a continuing multitude of blessings upon you has been established.

As God’s own dear child, your day and your future are secure in Him due to His kindness and mercy. God’s blessings are yours!

Your heart’s response to God’s plan of redemption for you will always be one of reveling in the truth and giving unending praise and thanksgiving to Him for all He has and will give you “according to the riches of His grace.”

RESPOND

Dear Lord, as I look into Your Word, I want to thank You for Your concern and care for the details of my life. Today has its difficulties and stress. May I be faithful to trust in Your perfect and personal management of the world around me...and me! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

Creating a Beautiful Life by Elizabeth George—Each new day presents opportunities to grow your faith, manage your work and goals, and make good use of the time God gives you. This book for busy women will help you create a more beautiful and productive life.

REFLECT

Are there areas in your life that you need to trust God more with?

Commit Ephesians 1:7 to memory: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

REMEMBER

Whenever your life seems to be out of control or you feel like the world and its pressures are crashing in on you, realize God is sovereign

One Word Themes for the Books of the Bible—Ruth

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One Word Theme: Redemption
Date written: 1030 –1010 b.c.
Author: Unknown/possibly Samuel
Setting: Moab and Bethlehem

The book of Ruth takes place during the spiritually dark days of the Judges. Ruth is the story of a woman (named Ruth) who lives during this evil period in Israel’s history but does not succumb to its moral decay.

Ruth's story is one of integrity, righteousness, and faithfulness. Her story covers about 11–12 years and shows how her faithfulness to follow the God of Israel leads to great blessing not only for her, but for Naomi, for Boaz, and ultimately for the world as she takes her place in the family line of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 1 Ruth’s Faithfulness

Ruth’s story opens with a severe famine that forces an Israelite named Elimelech to move his wife, Naomi, and their two sons to Moab from Bethlehem. While living there, both sons marry Moabite women but subsequently die, as does their father.

Now alone, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem and suggests that her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, remain in Moab with their people. Orpah chooses to stay. Ruth, however, clings to Naomi and follows the God of Israel, giving up her gods, culture, and people. 

Chapter 2 Ruth’s Service

Naomi returns to Bethlehem a bitter woman, thinking God is her enemy because of her losses. But God has plans she doesn’t know about, which begin to unfold when Ruth volunteers to pick up the grain in the fields left behind by the harvesters. Such gleaning was permitted to provide for the poor.

In God’s plan and providence, Ruth enters the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s. Boaz has heard of Ruth’s faithfulness toward Naomi and gives instructions to his workers to leave grain behind and thus provides for her and Naomi.

Chapter 3 Ruth’s Proposal

Over a period of several months, Ruth willingly works in Boaz’s fields to provide for her and Naomi. Naomi repays Ruth’s kindness by devising a plan that will force Boaz to make a more serious decision about Ruth.

Ruth is instructed by Naomi to engage in a common, ancient Near-Eastern custom of asking Boaz to take her for his wife in the place of her dead husband because he is a close relative (see the levirate marriage principle of Deuteronomy 25:5-6). This takes place at night on a threshing floor during the harvest.

Ruth’s proposal is accepted when Boaz throws a garment over her. Even though Ruth sleeps at Boaz’s feet through the night, there is no hint of improper behavior.

Chapter 4 Ruth’s Reward

Boaz agrees to marry Ruth as a close relative, but reveals the next morning that he must first ask another closer relative, to see if that man wanted to fulfill the levirate custom. The man declines, thus permitting Boaz to marry Ruth.

God blesses Ruth’s faithful devotion by giving her a husband in Boaz and a son, Obed, who would later be the grandfather of the famous future king of Israel, David, and whose ultimate ancestor is Jesus Christ. 

The book of Ruth gives us an important analogy of the work of Christ. Like Boaz, Jesus is related to us by His physical birth, able to pay the price of redemption, willing to redeem, and able to redeem. And like Ruth, you must choose to accept redemption and leave the transaction to Jesus, who makes the redemption a reality.

RESPOND

Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and the many faithful saints who have shown us examples of integrity, loyalty, and hope. Amen. 

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

The Bare Bones Bible Handbook by Jim George—Today’s devotion is pulled from this helpful Bible study tool that features information about the people, places, and main points of each book of the Bible.

Order today and receive this free One Word Themes for All The Books of the Bible download!

REFLECT

Life Lessons from Ruth:

What you think to be a tragedy is God’s opportunity to show Himself faithful, and your opportunity to exhibit godly character.
Your abundance is an opportunity to help the less fortunate.
God honors faithfulness.

REMEMBER

God blesses faithful devotion.

How to Maximize Your Time—Teen Tuesday

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What do your evenings look like? Do you usually spend a few hours scrolling through your phone or texting with friends? I used to spend my nights plopping down in front of the TV with a bowl of Cheetos and a soda.

But over time, I made a commitment to use a part of my evenings to help my family and ministry. It took practice, but eventually, I began to maximize my time and do a lot of writing and Bible study prep at night.

Now I value—and use—my evenings that were wasted for so many years. I view my nighttime hours as being like icing on a cake.

Maximizing YOUR Time

It’s possible that before dinnertime, you’ve already finished most of your schoolwork (if not, here's help to not procrastinate!). So now it’s time for the fun to begin—your evenings (and weekends) become your time to shine! Let’s see how to maximize your time.

1. Evaluate your evenings—I recently heard the highest-paid sports agent in the world talk state that he plans his day in 20-minute increments. Do you know how you spend your evenings? Answering this question is an eye-opening exercise!

2. Plan your evenings—Here’s a tip: plan your evening early in the day. Why? Because by the time it rolls around, we’re too tired to put out the mental energy to even think about doing something useful! Try keeping a list of meaningful activities you can do at night, which is also a great way to not be bored. For example, you could wash a load of your clothes. You could do your nails. Organize your craft materials.

3. Prepare for your evenings—Before the sun goes down and you get too tired, set out the supplies you’ll need for your little bit of night work. If the family is going to watch TV, set up your work on a table. Art supplies? Check. Laptop? Check. Manicure kit? Check.

4. Use your evenings!—It’s great to evaluate, plan, and prepare, but ultimately you must use your evenings. And that calls for effort. The woman in Proverbs 31 “grasps the spindle with her fingers.” What do your hands reach for at night? Aim to make your evenings productive.

5. Use your mind in the evenings—Even if you’re doing dull, routine work, your mind can be active. With a little prompting, creative sparks can fly while your hands are busy. Whatever your no-brainer activity is, assign your brain a creative task. Or pray for others, or for God’s guidance on a decision. Or train yourself to dream!

One last thing … as you plan your evenings—plan to make it a great evening!

RESPOND

Dear Lord, please help me manage my minutes. I’d like to use my time wisely and in the best way. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

Beautiful in God’s Eyes for Young Women by Elizabeth George— Surround yourself with inspiring Bible verses and encouraging guidance to discover purpose and confidence you've only dreamed of having through this Bible study for teens!

REFLECT 

What keeps you from being productive in the evening?

Read Proverbs 31, verse 13. What is this woman’s attitude toward work?

REMEMBER

One last thing … as you plan your evenings—plan to make it a great evening!

God's Mercy

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Don’t you love weddings? A wedding is a wonderful celebration of the union between husband and wife and the start of a new journey together. What a great time to reflect on the power of love!

Another event that leads me to celebrate love and the beginning of a new journey is Sunday night at our church. Why? Because that’s when our church baptizes new believers. How blessed we are to hear the wonderful testimonies of those who have been delivered from darkness. It’s so inspiring to bask in the divine experiences of saved sinners giving thanks to God for His mercy and looking forward to eternity with Him.

First Timothy 1:12-13 is like a comet streaking across a black sky at night! “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”  

Paul’s testimony of his salvation shows us the “glorious gospel of the blessed God”! We get to see Paul’s new journey in Christ compared to his old journey without the Messiah in his life. What a difference! I hope you’ve made the decision to follow Christ too.

Saved Sinners

As saved sinners, you can give thanks to God by celebrating and honoring your...

Salvation. Paul never “got over” his salvation...and neither should you! As you reflect back upon your own experience, what words from 1 Timothy 1:13-16 describe God’s work in your life?

Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Strength. Paul thanked Jesus Christ for enabling him to be in the ministry (verse 12).

Service. Christ not only saves us, but He strengthens and trains us for service, to share the gospel message with others.

Exceeding Grace

Wow! My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God and Christ Jesus. As Paul put it, “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

Paul is telling us that God’s grace is “super abundant” and way more than adequate for all our sins. Why not do as Paul did? Why not make his response your response?

Give thanks to God for His mercy. Burst forth in a doxology—praising, giving praise, and expressing glory to God. Spend time now in an outpouring of praise and glory to God.

(You may also want to write it out. And why not share it with others?)

RESPOND

Lord, thank You for Your sweet mercy. It has covered my sinful past and provided me with a new journey that ends in eternity with You. May my life be an example of Your saving grace and my deep gratitude. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES   [image error]

Embracing God’s Grace by Elizabeth George—Working through 25 lessons, you'll better understand who Christ is and who you are in Him. Find encouragement to embrace His life in all its fullness through this Bible Study. 

REFLECT

Write out a doxology of your own, pouring forth praise and thanks to God!

Memorize this verse this week: “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14). 

REMEMBER

God’s grace is “super abundant” and way more than adequate for all our sins.

Studying God's Word Isn't a Chore

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Are you thirsty? Are you craving time in God’s Word? Peter instructs us to yearn for the Word of God as a baby needs milk: Laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:1-3)

This reflects the way our longing should feel as we thirst for knowledge of God. It’s also a lovely reminder that studying God’s Word should never be a labor; it should always be a delight. Filling up on God’s promises and instructions is a satisfying, nourishing, enlightening experience.

Inventory of Life

One way to delight in the maturing of your faith is to take an inventory of your current life. Have you ever faced an overflowing closet and made the decision to get rid of those things that are torn or no longer fit? Believe me, it’s not easy to part with those things you are familiar with, but the trade-off in orderliness, ease in finding items, and knowing what is there is worth it. 

Take the same approach to your spiritual life. Roll up your sleeves and discard these attitudes and behaviors that have no place in a believer’s life:

Guile or deceit—deliberately tricking and/or misleading others by lying

Hypocrisy—saying one thing and doing another

Envy—discontent and resentment arising from someone else having something you want

Evil speaking—slander, gossip, rumor-spreading, and ruining the reputation of another

Whew! It’s good to have those gone. Now add those things that are uplifting and life-giving: God’s Word and His truth. As a child of God, concentrate on learning and growing and maturing in Christ. 

Discarding the Bad

Beloved, it’s never too late to grow in the Lord. It’s never too late to discard behaviors that are unlike your God. And it’s never too late to embrace the spiritual truths found in God’s Word.

Discarding the bad and desiring the good can be actions you take each and every day of your life. Even believers of 10, 20, or 30 years still crave the Word of God. In fact, the desire increases the more you grow in Christ! Oh, how I hope and pray this is true of you!

We are called to discard and to desire. I used to struggle with gossiping. But through consistent prayer, accountability, and the desire to be like Christ, I was finally able to eliminate gossip from my life. I encourage you to purge whatever is not righteous and good in your life too. You’ll have times of relapse—we all do. But persevere!

RESPOND

Lord, I’m ready to purge gossip and other negative uses of my voice from my life with Your strength. I can’t believe I’ve become so comfortable with these useless and hurtful things. I’m ready to discard them and to replace them with the truth of Your Word. Help me grow in You every day. Amen.  

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George—As you embrace God's plans for you, you will find real purpose in a life of prayer and practicing God's priorities as you become A Woman After God's Own Heart. 

REFLECT

Take an inventory of your life: what needs to be discarded?

REMEMBER

Discarding the bad and desiring the good can be actions you take each and every day of your life.