Week 3 Assignments were posted yesterday. Click here if you missed it.
Monday: Read Chapter 6, Establishing Priorities. Read and begin to memorize Romans 12:2, our memory verse.
This is your assignment for today. You are going to get so much out of Chapter 6! My eyes were really opened as to how as the years have gone by, my lack of prioritization has really contributed to my lack of organization. And often also contributed to wasting time I can never get back.
Note these powerful statements you will read in this chapter:
“When we don’t set and live by priorities, we establish patterns of regret.” ~ Glynnis Whiter
“You can either choose the pain of discipline now, or the pain of regret later. Regret lasts longer.” ~ Kevin Lehman
***Think on that a moment.
Our memory verse this week will really help us focus on understanding God’s will for our lives and living our lives with purpose and contentment. In doing this, we will also become more intentional on living by our priorities and in turn become more organized.
Begin your efforts to memorize Romans 12:2 today.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Go ahead and get started. If you have time, leave me a comment and share with our group the “aha moments” you had while reading Chapter 6. We will go a little deeper with our priorities tomorrow, so make sure you come back tomorrow.
Have a wonderful Monday friends!
Much Love,
Melissa
Sponsor a Child
{ 36 comments }
Oh Melissa, I have had SOOOO many “ah-ha” moments in Chapter 6 I could write a book on them!!!! For me, the best reminder is this: “God has given each of us enough time, energy, finances and resources to accomplish what He wants us to accomplish”. Like Glynnis, I’ve wasted so much time doing things that other people should be doing. No wonder at times my life has been so out of balance.
“God has given me enough time, energy, finances and resource to accomplish what He wants us to accomplish.” Amen! There are some things the Lord is clearly asking me to do, other things I used to do that others now can do better. I can’t continue to do all that I did in the past! My lack of energy is related to age (76) and physical limitations (rheumatoid arthritis) and God doesn’t expect me to do what I used to do, even though I’d still like to do those things. I need to accept that, and with God’s help, I will.
Wow!!! What a great chapter. I’ve found it amazing through the years how when my priorities are correct, things just seem to “fall into place.”
Once again, thank you for an awesome post! You are so down to earth and tell us like it is, and has been for you, – makes me feel normal and not like an outcast. Thankful for the chance to learn from Glynnis this week in Chapter 6! I already love this statement:
“You can either choose the pain of discipline now, or the pain of regret later. Regret lasts longer.” ~ Kevin Lehman
WOW – seems my life motto! Love you Melissa! Thanks for all you do!
My aha’s have been plentiful the last few chapters! That quote by Kevin Lehman cut me to the core.
I know to everyone else that may just be rambling, but I feel for me, these thoughts are the beginning of something new and beautiful! 
I’ve been thinking about the not conforming to the pattern of this world a lot…even before I did this study. I happen to be at a point in my life where I can drastically change my schedule, my time, and the way I spend my money. And I constantly feel convicted about the “go,go,go” in my life.
So, that is one way my priorities are going to change. I seek calmness. And peace. And the world is chaotic and busy. So, I am going to all my mind to be renewed by the peace I crave. I’m not sure how all of it is going to pan out yet, but I’m trusting God wholeheartedly to help me accomplish this in me.
Melissa,
Thanks for such a great study!! I loved the two quotes that you have pulled out and I love the following: 1) “Every day I have a choice to make: God’s priorities or mine? When it’s a good day, and I make a choice to seek God’s priorities before my own, a mental adjustment, a renewing happens and clarity follows. ” 2) “God has given each of us enough time, energy, finances and resources to accomplish what HE wants to accomplish.” 3) “Old orders are standing orders. Meaning, if God asked you to so something years ao, and didn’t revise the directions, He still expects you to do it. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE OBEDIENT.” 4) “To be a woman who lives accordingly to priorities, I MUST FREQUENTLY CHECK MY MOTIVES. I choose to pull my heart back to a place of submission when I want to run ahead. I’m learning to wait on God’s confirmation of something rather than challenging him to stop me.”
Need to put all four plus your two into action in my life!
Love this Donna B! This chapter is jam-packed and I loved reading your thoughts!
I am loving the study and learning so much. The quotes and statements made in the book seem to speak directly to me, as though she is writing the book just for me, even though I know she didn’t. LOL. I love the quote on page 72 of ” Old orders are standing orders”. I had a call on my life years ago that I didn’t begin to fulfill until about 4 years ago; after 14 years of ignoring it. I know God wants us to remember what He has called us to do and set the right priorities. Another good question in the book was ” what passion or dream has God placed in your heart.?” I know as mothers, sometimes our dreams, passions and interests get pushed to the back burner, but God has given each one of a passion or dream, and now it is our time to set out and accomplish all He has for us.
“God has given each of us enough time, energy, finances, and resources to accomplish what he wants us to accomplish.” Total AHA moment for me. Also, “Every day I have a choice to make: God’s priorites or mine?” I have walked with the Lord a long time and I still find myself asking Him to sit on the sidelines and watch me work. WHAT AM I THINKING?!? Here I have the LORD willing to reveal Himself to me, and I take control over and over. I pray things are different today. Not my will, but HIS be done!
I love the memory verse. It is one I often pray for myself and my friends. What can be better than giving my mind to God and letting Him transform it? If He has my mind, then the things I will think about, and ultimately do, will be what HE wants me to do. It makes obedience so much easier.
Thanks Melissa for your dedication to us! Hope your week is going well and you are finding all the blessings God has planted in your path today!
Love you girlfriend
My aha moment seems to be the same as many others. The one quote that I starred while reading was…”God has given each of us enough time, energy, finances, and resources to accomplish what he wants us to accomplish.” So very eye opening!
Wow, loving the reminder that I don’t have to do “everything”! Sometimes things need to go undone because they aren’t what God has for me at that time! I struggle with figuring out priorities sometimes. I realize I need to seek His plan and ask Him where to spend my limited time! I love the reminder that we each have a certain amount of time, energy and resources!
Exactly. Such a key point and so refreshing. When we want to do so much for God, we have to remember that God gave us those resources to do His will and He will choose the “how” sometimes. Thanks for your post!
Wow, are you sure that I didn’t write the first paragraph in this chapter?! Haha!
My favorite quotes from this chapter were: “When we don’t set & live by priorities, we establish patterns of regret.” and “No one else can nurture my personal faith in God.” Here’s to setting out priorities!
Melissa you pulled out some great quotes! It is so true that when we try to plow ahead or even when we sit in complacency and defeat, possibly afraid to go to God for the next step, we ideally only take our place back on the “hampster wheel” of life. I have been convicted over the past few weeks, with the beginning of this study, that we must be prayerful each morning to determine the course of the day. It is between God and I. I have to impress on someone today that, even the most “well-meaning” friends may try to steer you away from the steps that God wants YOU to take that day. You are living, breathing and working for an audience of one! Your story is His story so prepare for the fact that your plan may not always be someone else’s plan. Your only concern: Is it God’s?
Loved the questions on p. 70-72! And, this quote just sank down deep into my soul-”If God asked you to do something years ago, and didn’t revise the directions, he still expects you to do it!” I’m pondering on that quote right now-my life may look different from 5 years ago but God has a purpose and plan for me. (Jeremiah 29:11). And, the memory verse for this week is key to taking action in discovering that plan in our lives: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Thanks for your blog post today Melissa! I’m praying that many of our ladies will feel God move greatly this week!
Old orders are standing orders unless the orders are changed by God, not me. This is perfect for where I find myself. I’ve tried to change the orders, ignore the orders, and makeup new orders…and I’ve been miserable! So, I have to get my priorities straight once again. I originally realized this a few weeks ago, and it’s nice to have confirmed for me over again.
Melissa,
When I read Chapter 6 my name was all over this chapter. This was definitly my aha chapter and God was speaking right to me. God opened my eyes and me realize that I have put him in the back seat of my life many times. and I did blog about it you can read it at Trulyblessed1981.wordpress.com. Your blog is truly amazing and I look forward everyday to reading what God has put upon your heart to share with each and everyone of us.
God Bless,
Michelle
Lately I’ve been feeling like I’m not doing anything for God. Reading this chapter has really opened my eyes to what God has for me at this time. The part of the chapter on my priorities really spoke to me. My priorities right now are my husband, our children, our aging parents. I AM honoring God by what I am doing right now and I don’t need to feel guilty!!! I am so thankful, Melissa, for you doing this study with us and for Glynnis writing this book!!!! This has definitely been an aha moment for me!!!!! God is so gracious and loving to woo us to Himself!!! : )
taking care of aging parents is always the right thing to do, even if it means pain for you and your family later on. I know that first hand. Watched my dad die for a month, cost me half my job. Now they will only let me teach part time. But I did the right thing! I know I did! So I know you are doing the right thing too!
Chapter 6 was confirmation for what I’ve been learning recently. If I don’t know what my priorities are other things come in and occupy time and space in my life that eventually leads me on a downward spiral of busyness, tiredness, and feeling overwhelmed!
Taking time each morning to seek God’s will in my day helps to keep my priorities first and foremost. This my friends is a daily work in progress!
I love this chapter and all of the quotes mentioned are also ones I highlighted. Another thing that spoke to me is the text from Ephesians 2: 1-3a. Glynnis says, “A self-centered life is one in which we consistently choose what the Bible calls the ‘ways of the world.’ That typically means following our own desires, regardless of whether they line up with God’s ways.”
I often think of the ways of the world as what is “out there” not what’s “in here” in my heart. It’s all about my relationship with God, how I choose to spend my time and putting him first. I can’t rely on or blame anyone else for those choices. God is looking at what’s in my heart!
Beth, love your comment about what’s out there and not what’s in here! Great visual for me!
Until you listen to what God is telling you is your calling/missioin in life, you will just keep filling your time up with busy work. You have to prioritize the will of God, not our own will. Listen for that whisper or scream in your ear telling you what God has planned for your focus, for you life. When you start to do that, the rest will fall into place. That was very helpful to me. I think I am doing what I am supposed to be doing now, finally, work does not feel like work. Isn’t that how it is supposed to be? But sometimes, the stress of that on top of parenting and family makes it hard to get it all done. THAT IS OK too!
Mary, I like what you said about work finally not feeling like work. I feel led to finish a degree in nursing for which I am passionate about but feel like the enemy is sitting on my shoulder telling me all the reasons I shouldn’t. So much fear of “what ifs” Praying for peace on which path to follow. I don’t Wang to regret giving up.
“You can either choose the pain of discipline now, or the pain of regret later. Regret lasts longer.” ~ Kevin Lehman
Typing from my Kindle…silly typos!
Melissa, this study is just what I have been needing! Thankful for Proverbs 31 Ministries!!!
This book is just what I needed to focus on this summer. I want to serve the Lord Jesus with all that I am. Thank you for reminding me that I am fully equipped to know and do His will!
Jenny …. love your heart!! Me too!!!
Me three
Knowing God’S will is simple when we are in tune to his voice and not compromising
My aha statement came from parts of two sentences in page 73. Here’s what I wrote in my notes: It isn’t easy…but the end result…more peace in my life, and the life of my family.
This spoke volumes to me. I am also doing a study on Proverbs 31 and I just love how the Holy Spirit confirms the word when I least expect it. There are definitely things that only I can do. Once I have prioritized, more peace for me and my family.
I am so glad to be spending my summer with you ladies!!
Stephanie
My aha moment came basically from the first word that I started reading, I journaled so much of this chapter but there were two statements that stood out to me that God is really using to change my heart and perspective and they were…
“When we don’t set & live by priorities, we establish patterns of regret”
I have really done some reflecting on this because my older two children graduated 8th & 5th grade this year and I feel like I have missed so much and regret not doing what I had wanted to do with them when they were younger. Even though every year I say I am going to spend more time with my family and make this year count by the end I look back and realize that I was always to “busy” to do those little special things. I never realized until reading the sentence above that I was actually living a pattern of regret, that is going to change starting yesterday
The second thing is “God has given each of us enough time, energy, finances, and resources to accomplish what He wants us to accomplish.” Oh man!!!! This is so what I needed to hear and to also let God bury this deep into the marrow of my soul. My husband and I for the past year have been struggling financially plus we are constantly exhausted and don’t feel like we have the energy to accomplish anything, so things sit around and don’t get done until I get so completely frustrated that I start acting like a “crazy” woman to get projects finished around the home. I need to realize that God has already given me what I/we need in this time of our lives and that we need to change our verbiage of “when you are finished with school and making good money, then…” “if only we weren’t financially strapped and barely afloat, then…” instead we need to say “God, what do you want us to accomplish today with what we have”. Thank you Glynnis so much for following your calling to write your book because God has been using it mightily to get my attention on where my heart truly is.
Kari-
For some reason, I wanted to share this with you. My brother started this with his children to help make them feel special. I think it would be easy enough to start. Every month on the date of that child’s birthday, it’s their ‘Special Day”. For example, my birthday is on the 16th, so every 16th would be my Special Day. That day is all about that child. He or she chooses what they eat, if they have time to go somewhere (usually during the summer), the child chooses where, or they may choose what movie to watch. They don’t do anything expensive on Special Days (unless it is the actual birthday), it’s just about making that child feel special. The whole family ate pancakes and bacon for dinner on Elijah’s special day.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 –
Our memory verse for this week!
I am learning a lot from this study – would love to be able to get in on the conference calls.
God has me caring for my 95 yr old mom who has dementia and my 2 kids and my job – when a couple of job offers were dropped in my lap, I was so thankful to be able to pray for His will – His good and perfect will – and His priorities for my life. As tempting as the money sounded, my mom is first for now. God is SO good! Thanks for this wonderful book and the blessing of on-line bible study!
“My personal reordering started with redefining my primary place of ministry from church to home.” (pg. 68)
When my kids were in elementary school, I was always head homeroom mom and very active in PTO by helping with fundraisers, in charge of Market Day and the teacher’s workroom. I led a Moms In Touch group, directed VBS, taught Sunday school, led small groups, and helped with youth. How I wish when I first became a Christian (age 33) that I had been mentored by some older women who told me that my home is my main place of ministry. I was way too busy.
I think I was most “a-ha”d by the two chapters on page 70 about “What Can Only I Do.” These are areas I take for granted (kids, husband, faith, self). But there are improvements to be made in each area and only I can make those improvements. Only I can work out with my body to be healthier and take care of what God’s given me, only I can be my hubby’s wife (a Godly wife, at that), only I can take time out of my day to spend with God (even if it means getting up a little earlier), only I can be my children’s mother.
Comments on this entry are closed.