An online meeting for 20 January 2014

 

Good morning dear Ladies ~ Since we cannot be together due to illness of our dear leader and friend Dotti this month, I thought we could have a ‘virtual meeting’.  I love our meetings and look forward to them each month and I know you all do too. May this bide us over until next month when we can be together once again, God willing.

Even though we cannot be together physically, we can still gather together via the web. It’s not the same, but I pray it will still uplift and bless our hearts.

So, with that in mind, let each of us raise our voices and sing this song below with thanksgiving to Jesus for His many blessings.

Sweet, sweet Spirit

 

In our newsletter this month Dotti wrote about the restoration that God does with we widows.  It’s not an instant thing, it happens over time. We learn patience, we are ‘strengthened’, we grow.

Dear Ladies ~ Let us remember that we can trust God to restore us daily, in all areas of our lives.

Each day is new, a gift from Him. 

What we do with this gift of a new day

is up to us.

We can live in gloom or we can live in joy and thanksgiving. He knows exactly what is going on with each and every one of us.  He is working all things out for our good and His glory.

***

Here are some uplifting scripture verses.

Let’s just stop and ponder these words from God to us, let them fill our hearts and minds with gladness and peace. May we go about our week as lights unto all those we meet, lights of God’s love and tender mercies.

******

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says Yahweh,
thoughts of peace,
and not of evil,
to give you hope in your latter end.
Jeremiah 29:11 (WEB)

***

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
Lam 3:22-24

***

weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning.
Ps. 30:5b

***

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:12 

***
 
though our outward man perishes,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
2Co 4:16b

***

But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isa 40:31

***

But let all those
that put their trust in thee rejoice:
let them ever shout for joy,
because thou defendest them:
let them also that love thy name
be joyful in thee.
Psa_5:11

***
 
Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psa_16:11 

***

Finally, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Php_4:8 

***

 

As we come to the close of our little virtual meeting, let us all lift our hearts and sing this song below.

Let us thank God for the times we have together, for friendships, for grace as we grow together in His love.

***

Loving God, Loving Each Other

***

Let us remember to make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

throughout our days and

to praise Him for His many blessings,

and

let us also pray for each other.

***

Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:6-7

Love and hugs

and God’s blessings

to each and every one of you,

Rainey

Prayers are Needed

 

Dear Ladies ~ Please pray for our dear Dotti and her eyes and pray for Peggy Heflin too as she is sick.

Because of these two dear ones not being well, we will not be having our meeting this coming Monday.

******

Dear Jesus ~ Right now we ask that you will touch these two dear ones with your healing hands.  Fill their hearts and minds with peace, love and joy knowing that you are always with them and know exactly what they are going through. May they feel your healing strength flowing through and surrounding them at this time.

Thank you for your Light and Love that they have shown to so many and bless them and keep them.

We ask this in your name Jesus ~ Amen.

Celebrate God-Won Victories, Then Move on in His Strength

 

The Christmas holidays as well as New Year's can be a time of looking back with nostalgia and, for the widow and those dealing with loss, a time of grief, even depression.  But we are learning through the study of God's Word that there are principles that we can learn from the lives of those chronicled therein that can safely guide us around these minefields of life. 

I am reminded of how the children of Israel responded to the miracle they had just experienced in crossing the Red Sea.  The story is recorded in Exodus 14 and 15.  It is a story that is familiar to most of us.  The Israelites were being pursued by the Egyptians as they approached the Red Sea and, as Moses stretched forth his hand, the Lord caused the sea to part and the Israelites walked through on dry land.  The Egyptians followed them, but the Lord caused confusion to overtake them and when they had gotten to the middle of the seas, Moses held out his hands and the Lord caused the waters to come together drowning all of the Egyptians as well as their horses.  One can only imagine the fear that arose in the hearts of the Israelites as they saw that they were being pursued by sophisticated soldiers with strong horses and chariots and they were a group of people with old as well as babies, male and female, making them no match for the Egyptians.  They were angry at Moses and God and even despaired of going on.  But God assured them that he would rescue them...and he did.  In chapter 15 we read of their song of praise to God for his deliverance.

There is most likely not a widow reading this who has not been through a time of confusion, grief, anger, even to the point of despairing of life, only to find that God is faithful to His Word and that He never left you comfortless in spite of the pain you endured.  Now, as 2014 looms ahead of you, you can look back with gratefulness and ahead with anticipation.

Shari