Relax and enjoy this last chapter of John.  Notice how Jesus continues to reveal Himself to His disciples, talking with them and meeting their physical and spiritual needs.

Ask Him to meet your needs in a deeply personal way.  Just as Jesus did long ago to His early disciples, He longs to reveal Himself to you.  His longing to give far surpasses your ability to receive.  Open your heart to Him and allow Him to bless you.

Take some time during the weekend to record your reflections.

Plan a time this week to take a leisurely, relaxing walk with God.  Let this be a time you look forward to and talk to Him about.  Ask God to bless the time you set aside to take a walk with Him.  Ask Him to prepare your heart to experience His love in an extravagant way.

Find some time during your busy weekend to relax with Jesus as He speaks to you through these chapters.  Imagine Him washing your feet just as He washed the feet of His disciples.  What is He saying you?

This Defrazzler will not only affect you, but will affect the life of another person.  During your waiting times this week, focus on an individual; your waitress, a bank teller, a receptionist, or the person sitting in the next car.  Ask the Father to direct you.  He will draw you to a particular person.  As you wait, pray specifically for that individual.  The Holy Spirit will always impress upon you how to pray if you ask Him.

Anywhere you find yourself waiting, begin to pray.  Your waiting time will take on a new meaning.  Write about some of your prayer moments in your journal.

May the Lord bless you this week.

Take a mini-retreat this weekend and Read John 9-12.  Consider Jesus' life as painted in these Scriptures.  Hear His authority as He heals the blind man.  capture His tenderness as He weeps with Mary and Martha over the death of Lazarus.  Imagine the aroma of the perfume as Mary lovingly bathed her Savior's feet.  Is your mind capturing the love of Jesus like never before?

Sometime this weekend, journal about your experience.  

These Chapters of John talk about the healing power of Christ.  He was rejected by many in these verses, but just as today, many of us are blind to Jesus.  We do not see the real Jesus.  Reading these verses makes me see that sometimes I do not do the things God wants me to do, but we must live as Jesus lived and be committed to give our lives and works to him.

May God give me answer this week to my role at my new church and my life here in DC Metro.  May he give me the strength to do and live as he wants me to live.

Amen.

Ladies here is a great idea for Defrazzling your life.

This week you are going to create a detail book.  Find a small notebook in which you can jot down your to - do list each day.  List things you really need to or want to do before day's end:  stop by the grocery, pick up dry cleaning, call a neighbor who is sick, make an appointment.

Take a few moment in the morning or the evening before to make my list and pray over each item.  My day goes more smoothly when I lift these items to the Father before I do them.  Praying over your to-do list is a way of offering your entire day - even the little things - to Him.

Write this thought in your book.  Lord, here's my list of details, I'm recording things to do, errands to run, items to pick up, places to be, calls to make ... all the things that can drive me crazy if each one is not committed to You!  Thank You for being the Lord of my details!

Week 3 – Day 1  God is in Control

Focus:  Focus on God instead of circumstances.

Scripture:  Prayerfully read Exodus 2:1-10.  Open your heart to your Father, asking Him to bless this time.

JOCHEBED and Her Circumstances

God had given Jochebed, the mother of Moses (Exodus 6:20, NIV) the gift of beautiful baby boy, yet Pharaoh had ordered the death of every Hebrew male baby.  How overwhelming her circumstances must have seemed!

The mother of Moses knew God, Knowing Him led her to trust Him to take care of her child.  Hebrews 11:23 tells us she disobeyed the king by hiding Moses for three months.  What a courageous act of faith to place her baby in the bulrushes at the river’s edge.

As a woman who loved God and understood the yearning of her own heart.  Jochebed trusted Him completely with the welfare of her child.  Her faith was rewarded as God inclined the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter to save the child, making his mother his nursemaid.

Underline what you think may have been three of Jochebed’s most intense emotions as she lowered Moses into the basket.

Anger                    expectancy                         hopelessness                    gratefulness

Loneliness           hopefulness                       distress                                                weariness

Fearfulness        desperation                       anxiety                                 determination

Peacefulness     excitement                         helplessness                      victimization

Faithfulness       guilt                                       worry                                    inadequacy

Give a reason for each emotion you chose.

1.

2.

3.

 

Life Can Be Unsettling

Jochebed was in the middle of an unsettling circumstance yet she trusted that God was in control.  You no doubt have experienced unsettling circumstances as well.

“What causes you to be frazzled?”

Mark an X on the line – indicating how much time you have for each area of your life. Skip the ones that don’t apply to you.  0 = no enough time.  5= adequate time; 10 = too much time.

 

Building my relationship with my spouse

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Doing fun things with my children

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Exercising

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Showing kindness to others

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Being involved in church

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Being with friends

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Doing something just for me

O-----------------------------------------------------------------5------------------------------------10

Choosing words from the list of Jochebed’s emotions,  List some of your own feelings about the unsettling circumstance of TIME.

Meeting Life’s Challenges

 I’m sure Jochebed drew from her maternal instincts in designing a plan she hoped would protect her baby.  More importantly, she drew strength from her God who led her through a mission to protect and preserve not only the life of her young child but an entire nation of God’s children.  How the Hebrew people would be blessed through the faithful leadership of Moses!

Through Jochebed’s example we can learn two important principles of time management.  First, Jochebed relied on God.  Secondly, Jochebed was persistent.  Her firm faith gave her the strength she needs to do what God called her to do.

Place a check by the items on the last activity with a score less than 5.  How many did you check?  Pause right now to pray, Ask the Father if He wants you to give more time to these areas of your life.  See His counsel about how to spend more time in each area.

It takes tremendous faith, discipline and persistence to manage your time God’s way.  As we work on time management principles this week, be open to God’s guidance.  Perhaps it’s time for you to seek His counsel about what you do with the time He has given you.  Just as He did for Jochebed,  He will reward you with His strength, joy and provision.

What is God revealing to you about how you are managing your time?

 


 

As you close today’s study, start your prayer time with this prayer:

Dear Father, I often feel overwhelmed with all I have to do.  There never seems to be enough time to get everything done!  Right now I’m seeking Your guidance.  Please show me how to make the most of my time so I may bring glory to You.  I love You.

Week 3 – Day 2 More….

Focus:  Making time with Jesus a priority will lessen the pressure of time issues.

Scripture:  Let the reading of Matthew 6:19-34 draw your focus to Jesus and His intense love for you.  Worship Him as you Read.

NEVER ENOUGH TIME

Betty read the Sunday church bulletin that a ladies’ Bible study would begin next week.  Her heart jumped with excitement as she anticipated gathering with Christian women to study and talk about Scripture.  She longed to grow in her relationship with the Lord.  She wanted to experience His peace and joy in her life on a daily basis.

By Thursday night, Betty was exhausted from working at her daily job and coming home to begin “second shift”: the title she gave her responsibilities at home.  Once again, she shelved the idea of the Bible Study, feeling she didn’t have enough time.  She would attend when life wasn’t so busy.

Write YES in the blanks beside the phrases you identify with in Betty’s story.

¾     Longing to grow in relationship with the Lord

¾     Wanting to experience His peace and joy

¾     Exhausted from working at daily job

¾     Coming home to begin second shift

¾     Not enough time for a Bible study

¾     Will join a Bible study when life isn’t so busy.

Name something you put off  because you were tired and busy.

Did you go back and do it?  Yes or No    How do you feel about your decision?

Treasures in Heaven

I pray as you go through this week’s study you will be open to the Father’s revelation concerning time issues.  He along can give you specific guidance to deal with the “time stress” in your life.

Pause and prepare your heart to receive His message for you through the Scriptures.  Thank Him for caring about your time.

Consider these scenarios:

Sue’s daughter, Heather plays soccer.  During soccer season Heather’s afternoon are filled with soccer practice.  After work Sue goes to watch practice.  She and Heather usually grab a bite to eat on the way home.

Is that an example of storing up treasures in heaven? Yes or No.  Explain.

Lisa shared this with our Bible study group. “When I walked into my kitchen at 6 a.m. I looked at the dirty dishes in the sink and then my Bible.  For a moment I was torn about what do.  Doing the dishes would give me a head start on my day, but I wouldn’t have time for Bible study.  I decided to read my Bible; I had the most wonderful experience with God.  The rest of my day went smoothly because I was filled with His peace.”

Is this an example of storing up treasures in heaven?  Yes or No Explain.

Have you ever had an experience similar to Lisa’s?  What happened?

HAVING MORE

Both of the above experiences could be examples of storing up treasures in heaven – depending on how you use your experience to glorify God and what He wants you to do with your time.

I can’t possibly know what’s best for you in any area of your life, but your Father does.  That’s why it’s so important to talk to Him about it.  You will not have more time if you make Jesus a priority in your life, but the time you have will be MORE!

More is what Lisa experienced when she made time with Jesus a priority over household chores.  He gave her what she needed to complete each task.  What a divine thing He does for us when we spend time with Him.

How often do you make time with Jesus a priority?  Circle the number.

1                               2                             3                              4                              5

hardly                                                   sometimes                                         every Day

TURNING A MARTHA DAY INTO A MARY DAY

Jesus speaks directly to Martha in Luke 10:42, “Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”  When we daily make a divine appointment with Him, we will experience tremendous blessings to deal with our daily activities.  Satan will use the “I don’t have time” attack to try to keep us from Bible study and prayer.  But it’s our responsibility to make sure nothing stands in the way of our time with Jesus – especially when we don’t have time!

In what areas of your life do you specifically long to experience His blessings?  Underline them.

As a mother                       as a wife                              at work                                 cleaning house

In my friendships             serving others                   in my time with God       other____________

Do you believe spending time with Him each day will lead you to experience His blessings?  Yes or No

Explain

 

Circle three blessings you long for right now in your life.

Peace    joy          patience                              intimacy with Jesus         faithfulness       

Obedience          Christlike love                    endurance                          gentleness

This week’s defrazzler will help you experience greater peace in your daily activities.  Some women are tempted to make only a mental list.  I encourage you to write the items down daily and pray over each one.  One excited Bible study member exclaimed.  “This is how you turn a Martha day in a Mary’s day!”

What are some truths He is revealing to you about time issues in your life?

 

As you close today’s study, start your prayer time with the prayer:

Dear Father, I long for Your peace in all I do.  Lord, I want to do what’s to my advantage and to Your glory.  Help me commit to sit at Your feet daily.  Give me the persistence to do this, especially when I don’t have time.  I want to experience Your peace and joy in my life. I love You.

Focus:  Exercising the power given to us by God to live a life that brings Him glory.

Scripture:  Read Ephesians 2:1-10.  Ask the Father to open your eyes to the reality of His power.

GOD's Power In My Attitude

Yesterday we began to explore the availability of God's power.  We learned that as His children we have the gift of accessing His power in every situation we face, including our daily attitudes!  The power available to you to have positive attitude is the same power God used when He raised Christ from the dead.  How powerful is that?  What's your part in accessing this power?  According to Ephesians 1:19, it is to believe.

I need to believe God for a positive attitude in ... Check all that apply to you.

• relationship with my husband
• cleaning my house
• relationship with my children
• time I spend at work
• trouble in a friendship
• errands I have to run
• helping with homework
• doing yard work
• being a caregiver
• other ____________________

It's not difficult to find negative things to think and complain about.  We live in a much less than perfect world.  It's more natural to behave in a negative way than in a positive one.  The challenge comes in choosing to be positive in a negative world.  Only God can provide that positive attitude when daily living is so filled with stress.

SO, LORD HOW DO I DO THIS?

At times I intellectually grasp a concept but I can't quite "plug it in" to my way of doing things.  I find it so frustrating to  understand what God is saying and yet remain uncertain as to how to put it to work in my life.  When I get in one of these situations, I ask the Lord "How do I do this?"  

Write two "How do I do this? questions to the Lord.


1.




2.

He will always answer when you call out to Him.  As you seek Him and long to hear from Him, remember to be still long enough to experience His answer.  Following are some of my experiences you may find help.

THE WORRY BOX

Anxiety and worry can lead to an extremely negative attitude.  Ephesians 2 tells us this kind of thinking gratifies the craving of our sinful nature.  Negativity keeps us busy with "self" obsessions.  The enemy uses these as distractions to keep us from experiencing the peace of God which leads to distractions to keep us from experiencing the peace of God which leads to a positive attitude and a life that glorifies God.  Ephesians also states that because of God's great love for us, we have been made alive in Christ.  And this new life of ours is a gift from God!

Years ago, I was impressed to give a gift back to the Father, I thought of worries that were occupying my mind, producing a cynical and negative attitude, and robbing me of my joy.  I wrote them on separate sheets of paper and placed them in a box, giving them to the Father for a while week.  I committed to not think of these issues for a week.

Find a container or box and try this.  Put your worries in the box.  Write them on slips of paper.

Place a check by the sentence when you have completed your task

• I have placed my worries in the worry box.

How does giving these worries to the Lord makes you feel?

SCRIPTURE CARDS

I try to have a Scripture card handy while I'm waiting in line or anticipating a negative encounter.  This keeps me from allowing negative thinking to creep in.  Instead of focusing on a negative thought, I pull the card out and focus on the Scripture.  

Share a situation from the last couple of days when focusing on a Scripture could have helped you avoid negative thinking.


FOCUSING ON PRAISE


When I'm involved in a task that causes me to be irritated, "praise focus" becomes a delightful challenge.  I often paraphrase Colossians 3:17 "Lord! I'm tired of cleaning up this kitchen, but I'm doing this for You and in Your name, I praise You for my family who made this mess at mealtime and for a physical body that can clean it up."

You can be creative with this.  And as you focus on the Lord and Scripture instead of the "event," you are empowered to glorify Him in everything you do.

Try thinking of a recent scenario where you could have practiced a "praise focus."  Write your paraphrase of Colossians 3:17 below.


What is God revealing to you during your time with Him today?


As you close today's study, start your prayer time with this prayer:


Dear Father, Thank you for the gift of Your power in my life.  Help me think of Your power often as i go about my daily activities.  I love You.

Week 2 Day 5 Being Positive in Negative Circumstances

Focus:  Being positive in the face of negative situations

Scripture:  Ask the Father to reveal His purpose and ways to you as you prayerfully read Romans 4:18-25.

No way! Glenda thought as she read her devotional about being positive in the midst of trails.  Through a simple story, the author challenged her at the very point of her vulnerability.

She had been engaged a year ago to a man she desperately loved and longed to spend her life with.  Three weeks before the wedding, he walked away pledging his love to another.

Check three feelings you imagine were at the top of Glenda’s emotional heap.

o   Anger

o   Confusion

o   Embarrassment

o   Loss of self-esteem

o   Betrayal

o   Shock

o   Rejection

o   Glad to be rid of him

Have you ever experienced these feeling or similar ones? 

Did you have a difficult time being positive.  Yes or No – Explain

The author received a call from a friend who was experiencing difficulty with the concept of being positive when her world was falling apart.  “It doesn’t seem humanly possible,” she said, “to be positive when so many bad things are happening to me.  It doesn’t seem realistic?

God does understand our inability and even our resistance to being positive when everything inside us feels negative.  He knows that in our weakness we are not able to overlook all of life’s negatives and immediately jump into a positive lifestyle.  He doesn’t want us to ignore the facts of the negative situation, but He does want us to rely on His power to get us through one step at a time.

Abraham was Hopeful

Based on your understanding of Romans 4:18-25 see if the following statements are True or False

­   Abraham believe God because everything He said was made sense

­   Abraham knew God would do what He said He would do even though he had reason not to believe

­   Abraham faced the face that his body was as good as dead

­   Abraham’s negative outlook got the best of him, and God did not receive glory

­   God continued to bless Abraham for his hope and positive attitude.

We Have a Reason to Be Positive

As Christians we have a reason to be positive.  At times God may ask you to be positive and hopeful about a situation simply because He is God and He is in charge of your life.

The world says, “seeing is believing.”  The Bible says that we must “trust in, adhere to, rely on God” (Romans 4:24, AMP).  God wants you to believe Him first, without knowing the outcome of your situation!

Pause and ask the Father to touch your heart about a particular situation where you need His power to be more positive.  It may be one you’ve already thought of during this week’s study.  Submit your free will to Him, asking Him to help you take small, positive steps of obedience.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not being negative, I’m just being realistic?”  Some people think being positive is not being realistic.  That line of thinking is contrary to Scripture.  Just like Abraham you can face each situation by choosing to place your faith and hope in God.  As you practice this, you will develop a mind that is open to the will of God – whatever that may be.

Consider Glenda who fiancé’ ran out on her.  By adopting a negative attitude, Glenda might say, “My life is over.  No one will ever want me again.  I’m going to be miserable the rest of my life.”

By being positive and realistic,  Glenda could say, “I hate that this happened and I hurt so much.  I know it’s going to take time to get through this, but I trust God to restore me.  He may send someone else my way if that’s His will for me.  God knows what’s best for my life.”

Self-talk day after day is encoded in our mind.  We can make it explosive and filled with doubt and criticism or positive and filled with hope.    Here are some examples of self-talk

“why don’t I just give up?”

“God is in control.  Things are going to work out.”

“I don’t understand, but I trust Him.”

“God must really be disappointed in me.”

“I’m never going to make it through this.”

“Father, I turn this over to You.  I choose to believe You will take care of it.”

Can you identify with one of these examples?  Is it positive or negative?

Our Part is to Believe

God sometimes wants us to mentally, emotionally, even physically back off from a situation, allowing Him to reveal his Glory as he resolves the issue.  Romans 4 tell us that Abraham was strengthened and credited with righteousness as he believe God.

As you close today’s study, start your prayer time with this prayer.

Dear Father, You are speaking to me through Your love about the negative in my life.  Thank You for understanding my weakness, my hurt, my frustration, I place ______________  in your keeping right now.  I believe You love me and You will take care of this situation.  Reveal Your glory, I love You.