Good Morning Girls!

Jeannie at http://www.cupofjoewithjeanie.com/ peaked my interest in Good Morning Girls, basically a group of women who use email, facebook, texting or twitter to keep each other accountable for their quiet times. There was no way I could commit to a book group (I never finish them), a regular weekly meeting time, or a drawn out workbook study (I never finish those either). So I felt led to invite a bunch of women on facebook to start a group to read the daily Scripture given by GMG and then share what insights God revealed to them. I was humbled and excited to end up with 45 women, four of whom I don't even know, join the group. Actually I panicked big time because I was to be the facilitator of sorts for the group, many of whom far surpass me in spiritual maturity.

My group has shared such wonderful insights in the two days we have fellowshipped online together. It touches my heart to have women from college age to grandparents, from all different denominations and spiritual growth, and from three different continents in the group. You would be amazed at the spiritual growth and depth of knowledge that can come from a group of women meditating on the same verse or two throughout a day.

The two verse selections from the previous days were obviously inspired. They touched each heart in our diverse group in the way that particular verse needed. This is what struck me:

Monday: Psalm 127:1 - A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
As I read the verse I pictured pilgrims in Solomon's day climbing the hill toward the temple in Jerusalem with their sacrifices. Perhaps there is even construction going on at the temple or on Jerusalem's walls. As the pilgrims climb they sing this psalm as a prayer that God will protect Jerusalem. Even though the temple, palace, and city walls are strong they know that it is the Lord who blesses the building and protects the city.

The verse reminded me that I must have God at the center of my life and everything I do. Otherwise everything I do, no matter how busy I am "for God" or how good the thing seems, is in vain. That's hard to swallow for someone as bossy and Type A as me! As a busy mom I need to take the time to pray and meditate to ensure that all the things I do are really God's will for me. There is no way I can do all I think I should do, and in the end all that really matters is the things of God!

Tuesday: John 15:4-5 – “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
If you look back at verse one you see that Jesus says "I am the true vine". The people of Israel saw the grapevine as a symbol of their national prosperity. But the true vine wasn't Judaism or it's rituals and heritage, and today the true vine isn't church or our rituals. The Christian life is "abiding" (being vitally united to) Him. Secondly, it struck me that Jesus (for some crazy reason) wants to also abide in us. I pray that God would shape me into a vessel that would better fit such an honor! This verse honestly got me through a day in which my patience was repeatedly tested. I found myself mentally repeating "abide... abide... abide..." and seeking that ever elusive fruit of the spirit - patience. The only fruitfulness in my life that isn't rotten in the scope of eternity is that which comes from abiding in Him and doing His will in my life.