Bydesign winter2015

Inside By Design

FROM THE EDITOR "The fact that I am a woman doesn’t make me a different kind of Christian, the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot This quote by Elisabeth Elliot recently came to mind when confronted with a situation that made me want to put my Christian testimony on hold and give someone a good tongue-lashing. However, my faith in God won out over my fleshly instinct, and it’s then I realized how spending time with God has made me into a “different kind of woman.” There was a time when I would have gladly have lost it—yelling, screaming and belittling the person who did me wrong, but…

I’ve been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:19-20

Women’s Ministry Strategist

I praise God for my salvation and the way He is constantly working in my life.

Time with Jesus makes me better. Praise God, I’m a different kind of woman!

RESOURCEReview Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg Fall in love with God all over again. Awaken to God’s majesty, splendor and grace by noticing the wonders of His handiwork in the midst of the mundane, ordinary everyday world around you. Live your life wonderstruck.

In the Bible study Wonderstruck, Margaret Feinberg invites you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life God intended.

In this 7-session Bible study, you will be reminded what it means to awaken to wonder every day by learning to: • Develop a renewed passion for God • Identify what's holding you back in prayer • Find extraordinary moments on ordinary days • Discover peace in knowing you're wildly loved • Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine Margaret Feinberg is a popular Bible teacher, speaker and author. She has written more than two-dozen books and Bible studies including, The Organic God, Scouting the Devine and Wonderstruck. Her work has sold nearly one million copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage from CNN, the Associated Press, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and more. Christianity Today has named her one of 50 women most shaping culture in the church today.

On a more personal note, Margaret lives in Morrison, CO., with her husband, Leif, and their super-pup, Hershey. She spends most of her mornings with good friends, coffee and God. Feinberg states, “Without coffee, mornings would be difficult, but without God, life would be impossible.”

EXPERIENCE MARGARET FEINBERG LIVE AND IN PERSON at Spotswood Baptist Church in Fredericksburg on April 11, 2014. For more information, visit SBCV.org.

To reserve this resource, or to view our complete list of Women’s Ministry

resources AVAILABLE FOR LOAN to your SBCV church, visit SBCV.org.

2

By Design

winter 2015

By Design

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! –Psalm 34:8

THE MAGAZINE FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN AN ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE SBC OF VIRGINIA Editor Donna Paulk Creative Director/Online Publisher Patti Spencer Production Creative Partner Innovative Faith Resources (IFR) Vice President, IFR Brandon Pickett Published by the SBC of Virginia Executive Director Brian Autry Church Strengthening Team Leader Steve Bradshaw Women’s Ministry Strategist Donna Paulk

Beautiful Beginnings Saturday, January 10 with Sheri Rose Shepherd The Southwest Higher Education Center Abingdon, VA. Host: Rosedale Baptist Church For more information visit: RBCabingdon.org

Banana Bread

with a Cheesecake Fillling I’m always looking for yummy banana recipes because in no time at all the bananas turn brown, and I’m throwing them into the freezer to use at a later date. Recently, I came across this recipe—two of my favorite things married in delectable blissbananas and cheesecake. Not only does it make the house smell wonderful as it bakes, it is scrumptious-delicious! Mix, bake and enjoy!

BANANA BREAD: 1c sugar 1/2 c butter, softened 2 eggs 3 mashed ripe bananas 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 3 Tbsp sour cream 2 c flour 1 c chopped nuts CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE: 8 oz softened cream cheese 1/3 c sugar 1 egg 1 Tbsp flour Directions: Mix 1-cup sugar, butter and 2 eggs. Add bananas, salt, the soda dissolved in sour cream, and 2-cups flour. Mix well and stir in nuts.

Divide 1/2 of this mixture into 2 greased and floured loaf pans.

Combine cream cheese mixture ingredients and spread over mixture in pans. Spread remaining banana bread batter on top.

Bake at 350º for 1 hour. Test for doneness. Cool and slice.

Cost $20.00

By Design winter 2015

3

by Donna Paulk Women's Ministry Strategist

A New Chapter Women by Design is facing a transition with Tammy Bennett’s relocation to California. Tammy’s husband accepted a new position in California, and they will soon begin a new chapter in their lives. The launching of Women by Design two years ago gained nationwide recognition and reached the hearts of women across the United States. We will miss Tammy’s articles that inspired us, her recipes that fed our families, and her inspirational interviews that gave us insight into the lives of amazing Christian women.

I am honored and humbled to serve as the Women’s Ministry Strategist for the SBC of Virginia. My love for women and women’s ministry began 26 years ago when I came to Christ, and God sent mature Christian women who mentored me for more than 12 years. God sent the right women to help me grow in Christ through some very tumultuous times. As a result of that experience, I have invested the last 16 years of my life mentoring other women and helping them overcome obstacles that keep them stuck. As Women’s Ministry Strategist, I am able to partner with the SBC of Virginia to help with areas of ministry I believe essential for Christian growth.

Our women’s lending library has current Bible studies and resources that are available for women’s ministries in churches with limited budgets. These studies are invaluable resources for strengthening and equipping women to make disciples.

Leadership training for women is essential for success, so we provide a leadership conference for women annually focused on different aspects of leading an effective women’s ministry. The conference gives the SBC of Virginia women’s ministry team an opportunity to pray for and encourage women who struggle with disappointment and discouragement in ministry.

4

By Design

winter 2015

I am honored and humbled to serve as the Women’s Ministry Strategist for the SBC of Virginia.

We also provide the Fit2lead discipleship training series free of charge for all women. Equipping women to serve was the subject of the first installment of Fit2Lead. We have yearly women’s ministries conferences featuring well-known Christian speakers and breakout sessions offering topics pertaining to specific areas of women’s ministry.

These are just a few of the ministry highlights of women’s ministry in the SBC of Virginia designed to facilitate spiritual growth for women. I am grateful to serve in a ministry that equips women to serve their local church. My husband has been the shepherd of a small Baptist church for fourteen years, and we have experienced many challenges. The SBC of Virginia provided resources we could not have purchased. Those resources facilitated growth in our women’s ministry and church body.

Women who are growing in Christ affect their women’s ministries and likewise growing women’s ministries strengthen their churches. As the Women’s Ministry Strategist, I am a small part of what God is doing in women’s ministry throughout Virginia.

Please partner with me in prayer to see women transformed by the gospel and established into reproducing disciples who strengthen their local churches through a thriving women’s ministry. I know in our strength this is impossible, but Christ makes the impossible possible (Matt. 19:26).

Women, Ministry,

and Time Management Fall and winter seems to summon hectic fall calendars filled with school, work and ministry. Juggling schedules becomes a balancing act of major proportion and often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and worn out.

1.

PRIORITIZE

Prioritize in order to make better use of your time. Prioritize your goals. A list of goals will help you orchestrate your schedule, including your discretionary time, and attain your objective.

2.

PARTICIPATE

Engage in activities consistent with your goals. Pursuing your goals will help you work toward them and eliminate activities that do not align with them.

3.

PURPOSE

Aim to stay the course even when things happen that are out of your control. Things often happen that interrupt our plans and shift our focus. Keeping your eyes on the goal will help you stay the course even when life is unpredictable.

4.

PLAN

Organize your schedule, workspace and computer in a way that will make you the most productive.

Remove clutter and reduce waste by scheduling your time more wisely, arranging your workspace more efficiently and routinely syncing your computerized devices, such as your laptop, tablet and phone.

5.

PRODUCE

Avoid waiting to the last minute. Produce results in a timely manner. Procrastination leads to stress and often prevents us from doing our best.

6.

PASS

Learn to say “no.” Pass on things that don’t align with your goals.

7.

PRAY

Each of us are given 24 hours in a day, but its what we do with that 24 hours that defines what we are able to accomplish. Below are seven practical ways to make better use of your time so that you can relieve stress and feel more productive at the end of the day.

Pray and ask God to guide you. Proverbs 16:9 states, “The mind of man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.”

By Design

winter 2015

5

5 MINUTE Make-over

Quick tips for looking good from the inside out

Your face is your main point of communication, so how you look from the neck up is important. One day after working out at the gym, I decided to buzz by the grocery store to pick up a couple of things, which was my first mistake. Doesn’t it figure, the only time I didn’t have on any makeup and my hair was uncombed, I seemed to run into everyone I know! To add insult to injury, one of the gals I ran into had just been to a seminar I’d presented about always looking and being your Always be prepared by keeping best, and I could tell I lost all credibility right there on the spot. From that day on, I’ve learned how to pull myself together in just five minutes. So whether everything you need in a single I’m running late or I’m just on my way home from the gym, I’m committed to bag. This way you can dump communicating a pulled-together look in hardly any time at all.

it, use it, and put it back in a matter of minutes.

1 In just one minute, you can…

FRESHEN YOUR FACE with a baby wipe.

Rub in MOISTURIZER containing an SPF.

2

In the second minute, you can…

Apply and blend a BLUSHER. Spread on a NEUTRAL EYE SHADOW.

Apply FOUNDATION.

In the third minute, you can…

BRUSH BROWS into place. (skip the brow pencil unless your brows are in desperate need of color)

3

Apply one coat of MASCARA to lashes.

In the fourth minute, you can…

Apply LIP COLOR.

4 J

BRUSH your hair.

In the fifth minute, you can…

Pull LONG HAIR back into a ponytail or quickly style SHORT HAIR with hair gel.

Put on a BASEBALL CAP. (I have a couple of cute cars with studs and rhinestones for this very occasion).

Add a pair of trendy EARRINGS.

6

By Design

winter 2015

Apply EYELINER, concentrating on the corner of your eyes (a selfsharpening style pencil is most convenient for saving time.)

5

ust as a five-minute makeover might seem impossible, the disciples didn’t believe that five loaves of bread and two fish were adequate either. They didn’t realize that Jesus was, is, and always will be, the great provider.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples to give to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers! (Luke 9:16-17) Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish to feed more than 5,000 people.

This measly amount seemed insufficient to the disciples, but in the hands of God it became more than enough.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:5 When you are faced with a seemingly impossible task, do what you can and ask God to do the rest. He can bless and use whatever you bring Him, whether it be time, talent, or treasure. God can do­—and will do—great miracles with what little you have. Allow Jesus to multiply your gifts, and you’ll be blessed by the leftovers!

On August 15-16, 2014, the SBC of Virginia Women’s Ministry Team hosted its

SECOND ANNUAL WOMEN’S MINISTRY LEADERSHIP RETREAT at the International Learning Center (ILC) in Rockville, VA. Ladies from 26 churches from around the commonwealth gathered for a time of refreshment, recommitment, renewal, and rejuvenation.

This year’s retreat theme was Connections: Connecting with God, Connecting with Your Leadership Team, Connecting with Your Community and Connecting with the Next Generation.

Jesus was there, the women showed up, and ministry happened. Lives were changed, new friendships were formed and the ladies deepened their relationship with Jesus. They laughed, they cried, they learned, they prayed and they worshipped together. It was an awesome time of faith, fun and fellowship.

Bottom line, it was AWESOMELY FABULOUS! You won’t want to miss next year’s retreat, so grab your calendar and pencil in August 14-15, 2015 (details to follow). I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait!

By Design

winter 2015

7

More

An Interview with MARGARET FEINBERG

by Tammy Bennett

Margaret Feinberg, was named one of the 50 women most shaping culture and the church today by Christianity Today.

She is a popular Bible teacher, speaker and author. She has written more than two dozen books and Bible studies including the critically-acclaimed The Organic God, The Sacred Echo, Scouting the Divine, and Wonderstruck. Her work has sold nearly one million copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage from CNN, the Associated Press, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and more.

had been out of the church for more than 30 years who said "Yes" to the Wonderstruck Bible study and now is reconnected to the church. We heard from another who came to know Christ through the Scouting the Divine Bible study just recently as well and that is awesome!

We hear of relationships being restored, friendships blossoming, and people hearing the words of Christ they need at just the right time. Such stories are the greatest reward.

What is your favorite Bible story and why?

M

Margaret, you’ve been recently named one of 50 women most shaping the culture and church today

by Christianity Today. What have you learned about leadership from your diverse experience authoring multiple books and teaching the Word of God?

M

I think the church within the United States (and around the world) faces incredible opportunities and challenges. One of the biggest and most foundational is simply grounding people in the truth that the church is worth fighting for, investing in, sticking with for the long haul. Many are throwing rocks at the church, leaving and never looking back. But the church remains the bride of Christ. She may have holes in her dress and smeared makeup on her face, but she’s still Christ’s bride. I want to walk among those who are strengthening and building up the church.

What is the greatest reward in the role you serve in?

M

8

By Design

It is a joy to see people of all ages growing in their relationship with Jesus, diving into the Word, and growing in their prayer lives.

Just recently, we heard from a woman who

winter 2015

I adore the opening chapters of Genesis that describe creation. They reveal so much about who God is—His majesty, power, splendor and beauty. They reveal our God as a God of generosity, order, and goodness. They show how our God is distinct from all the other gods people worship. I've read these chapters so many times and can read them again and again because they're so rich and full and give us such a solid foundation into the great big story of God—also known as the Bible.

How do you suggest that we mentor the next generation?

M

Many in the next generation aren't interested in a mentor because the word sounds scary. What they really want is someone to walk beside them, encourage them, and challenge them. They're looking for someone who is with them and behind them no matter what— who will pray for them and grab lunch or go for a walk once a month or every few weeks. Mentoring the next generation begins with you—no matter what age you are (20-80+)—reaching out to someone younger and asking, "Do you want to go to lunch?" or "Want to go for a walk one day and get some exercise?" See if there's a natural (unforced) connection that can be built on as you show interest in their lives and begin praying for them.

What kind of things make you cry?

M

Pain and suffering in all its forms make me weep.

Who is your biggest fan?

M

Forgive me is this seems like the spiritual answer, but my first reaction to this question was that God is my biggest

Do you collect anything?

While some people get a great kick out of buying things, I'm the opposite.

I love to get rid of stuff. The same shoppers high people get from adding to their closets or collections is the same "get-rid-of high" I get when I load a box to take to Goodwill. Sometimes my husband gets on me. Honey, did you give away our rice cooker again? Yep! So I have to work to temper my enthusiasm for getting rid of things.

M

fan. He is so for me that He sent His Son Jesus to die for me. He is cheering me on to a life of redemption and renewal that can only found in Him. He keeps sending the Holy Spirit as a source of comfort and encouragement.

He is committed that the work He has begun in me. He will bring about to completion. It's harder to find anyone more for us than God. Next up is probably my husband, Leif, followed closely by our super pup, Hershey.

What makes you afraid?

M

Love that answer, and no it is not too spiritual but right on! So tell us, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?

M

Ooh! I'm a big fan of various sitcoms that Leif and I catch up on when we can via Hulu.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

M

I'm a chip girl. I love chips. Tortilla chips. BBQ chips.

Doritos. Cheetos. If it crunches and is salty, what's not to love?

If you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

M

Amen to that! Now on a less serious note, who is allowed to see you without makeup?

M

M

New Zealand is on my dream list. The landscape is spectacular, and I've heard that if you look really hard you might find a hobbit.

Hiking is one of my great joys. I love getting outdoors and enjoying the beauty of Colorado.

What is your favorite (comfy) thing to wear?

M

I think one of God's great gifts to humanity is yoga pants.

They're like pajamas for the day. Plus the song by Tim Hawkins is hilarious… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrL17Dr_8kk

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

M

Less than 15. Considering all the seasons in Colorado, I think that's pretty good!

Everyone in Colorado. I don't wear it most days.

What else would you like us to know about you?

What is your favorite thing to do in your down time?

M

The same things that make most people afraid–not being loved, not being lovable, not mattering. I think we all wake up with these fears most days even if we don't say them aloud. That's why it's so important to take these fears to God, to listen for His voice speaking His love over us through His Word.

I'm a bit of a spiritual Dora the Explorer. I love learning more about God and, at times, will go on wild adventures like Scouting the Divine or try unusual experiments like those described in Fight With Joy in order to uncover more about the truth and depths of Scripture. When it comes to our wondrous God, we can spend a lifetime searching and pursuing and yet only have just begun.

How can we pray for you?

M

I would love for you to pray for my strength and healing.

This last year I've been fighting cancer, and I'd you to join us in praying for zero. Zero cancer cells. Zero complications. Zero pain. Zero sleepless nights. Zeros all around. Many thanks!

Margaret currently lives in Morrison, CO., with her husband, Leif, and their super-pup, Hershey. For more information about Margaret visit: MargaretFeinberg.com On April 11, 2015 Margaret Feinberg will be joining the SBC of Virginia in Fredericksburg, VA at Spotswood Baptist Church for the Women's Conference "More."

By Design

winter 2015

9

12

By Design

winter 2014

GIRLS

+

+

SCRIPTURE

PRAYER

PRAYER should always be a number one priority in a believer’s life. Yet

Gals Praying Scripture

it is often something we spend little time at or do half-heartedly. And why? It’s often because we don’t know what to pray or how to pray. The answer is to pray scripture. God’s Word is the answer to all your prayer worries. When you don’t know what to pray, pray scripture. God’s Word will never contradict itself. When you don’t know how to pray, pray scripture. God’s Word contains the will of God. Kay Arthur outlines the benefits of praying scripture best.

5

Five Benefits of Praying Scripture

by Kay Arthur

Praying Scripture deepens your prayer life.

“Bless them today” becomes “may they be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in the inner man.”

1 Praying Scripture makes it easier to pray for your enemies (Matthew 5:44).

2

Few things are harder than praying for someone who is persecuting you.

Praying a prayer directly from the Word gives you a guide which will keep the emotion out of it and keep your mind on track instead of letting it drift to and focus on the offenses they have caused.

Praying Scripture brings assurance that you are praying according to God’s will. Scripture is the Word of God, and praying it means that you lining up your request with His heart’s desire.

3 Praying Scripture teaches you the Word of God. As you are praying Scripture, your own understanding of the Word and the passages you are praying deepens.

4 Praying Scripture teaches you about the God of the Word.

5

By praying Scripture your knowledge of who God is grows. Scripture is the very word of God. As you engage with it you will know Him better and understand His will for all of us in clearer way.

By Design winter 2015

11

Take a Passage of Scripture and Turn it into a Prayer for the

Person

you are INTERCEDING for

12

By Design

winter 2015

The practice or discipline of praying the Word will accomplish as much in your own life as it will in the life of the people you are praying for.

FOR EXAMPLE: Calling 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 And so we keep on praying for ________, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the undeserved favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Confidence Hebrews 4:14-16 That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

Comfort

Endurance Colossians 1:9-12 We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need.

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.

Encouragement Colossians 3:16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Forgiveness Colossians 3:12-14 Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your heart and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.

Courage Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Guidance Ephesians 1:17-19 
 I’m asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him.

By Design

winter 2015

13

Humility Philippians 2:3-5

James 1:2-4

Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus.

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Joy

Power Philippians 4:4-5

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.

Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Love 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you.

Peace Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!

14

Perseverance

By Design

winter 2015

Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Refuge Psalm 17:6-8 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies.

Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

it into a PRAYER Renewal Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Repentance Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

Respect 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.

Rest Psalm 62:5-7 I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

Strength Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young

men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Thankfulness Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Trust Psalm 62:8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

Wisdom James 1:5-6 If you need wisdom­—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Worship Psalm 63:1-5 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy.

Women of ALL Ages MENTORING Women of ALL Ages

Engage Equip Encourage

resources available for SBCV churches' Women's Ministries

@

issuu.com /sbcv

Selecting a study doesn't have to be difficult.

SBC of Virginia WOMEN’S MINISTRY 4956 Dominion Blvd Glen Allen, VA 23060 888-234-7716 804-270-1848 (local) 804-270-1834 (fax) sbcv.org sbcv.org/women facebook.com/pages/SBCV-Womens-Ministries/145661312162290

Women’s Ministry Strategist

Donna Paulk dpaulk@sbcv.org — EMAIL 888-234-7716 — PHONE