October 2024 Bible Study: You Are His Precious Child

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By Major Sybil Smith
Torrance, CA Corps – Southern California Division

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a

Welcome to, “You are His precious child.” In this study, you will read and listen to the words of “Who You Say I Am” from Hillsong Worship. They are amazing words that can bring confidence, hope and encouragement to your heart. You will also be looking into the Scriptures, the Word of God; which inspired the words of the song.

When we know this truth, not because Hillsong Worship proclaims it, but because the Word of God declares it; it will go beyond just the heart and will give strength, hope and joy to your soul!

Don’t rush through these Bible Studies. Really, take time to read, listen and contemplate the truth God is needing you to hear. It’s ok if this takes more than one sitting to complete. Take as many sessions as you need to get through the study.

Ok, let’s get right to it. First let’s look at the song that has been chosen to go with the truth of being His (God’s) precious child. The song is “Who You Say I Am” from Hillsong Worship. Please take a moment to read through the words of this song. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Maranatha-Music/Who-You-Say-I-Am-1

Now take another few moments to listen to the song:

After you have done the above, take a moment to pray that the Lord will have favor over you as you take time in this study. That His favor will affirm who you are. That His favor will challenge you to not put anything about you down … but rather show you … wherever you are right at this moment … the truth of who you are and how God, through Jesus Christ His Son, can reconcile anything in you that makes you feel anything less than His precious child.

I know you may very likely be someone who already knows the Word well and you know where this song stems from Scripture. If you know that, then you know Scripture enough to understand that there is not any amount of time you can re-read God’s Word that He won’t speak into your heart every time. So, whether you are someone new to the Bible, or someone who has read it cover to cover a few times; you will find joy in being reminded – or discovering for the first time – how you have been created to be His precious child!

VERSE 1
As you read the first verse in the song, the first three words are, “Who am I?” May I propose that whatever you say you are, or whatever others have said you are, that God’s Word says you are MORE?

You are more in these three ways:
⦁ You have more worth than you may see.
⦁ You are more cherished than you may realize.
⦁ You have more purpose than you may know.

Let’s take a moment to break down these three truths that help to illustrate the fact that you are created to be His precious child.

You have MORE worth than you may see.

Having Great Worth- Value, significance. The opposite would be worthlessness which can’t be you because you’re here, on this earth … No person makes it to this earth without worth, value, or significance. You have been born into this world because God knew your specific life was going to be significant, of value, of great worth to someone else.

Write out Jeremiah 29:11 here:

What does this say about you right now?

You are MORE cherished than you may realize.

Cherished meaning loved, held in high esteem. The opposite would be abandoned, not cared for, forsaken which is something far too many people feel right now.

If you have been made to feel abandoned, unloved or forsaken … there are those who cherish you, who love you and want to invest in your life and help you feel and know you are cherished.

Write out Psalm 139:14 & John 15:12-13:

What does this say about you right now?

You have MORE purpose than you may know.

Having absolute, innate Purpose meaning, natural hope, and expectation.  The opposite would be hopelessness, without purpose.  You have been chosen to be here on this earth at this time. It doesn’t make sense that you would be here for no reason. It is a guarantee that your life has made an impact on that of another life. Good or bad, you have made an impact. 

Write out Psalm 139:13 & John 15:16 here:

What does this say about you right now?

This song has beautifully captured who we are in Jesus Christ.

The greatest thing about who we are- is it doesn’t matter what WE say we are, or what OTHERS say we are. Who we are is who God declares us as being. He made humanity from the dust of the earth. 

Write down Genesis 2:7:

He formed us in our mother’s womb.

Write down Psalm 139:13-14:

Write your thoughts concerning these verses you just wrote down, and you, where you are right now in life.

When someone takes so much care, detail, time, focus, attention and love in creating something … that someone will want to ensure what they have created will be cherished, will be taken care of. They will not want to see it harmed, broken or marred.

God created you with that kind of care and love.

Another few words in the first verse of the song is, “I was lost but He brought me in. Oh His love for me.”

Write down Romans 5:6-8:

Write down John 3:16:

Write down 1 John 3:1:

What do these three verses say about Gods love for you as a precious child of God?

God’s love for you is so much that He sent Jesus to suffer and die for your sins, so you would have the hope of salvation despite the sin in your life. He loves you enough to forgive any sin you can ask Him to forgive. He not only forgives, but then helps you to not return to it.

The moment you acknowledged sin, confessed that sin to Jesus, asked Jesus to forgive your sin and live within you to help you and guide you- that’s when you became a precious child of God.

What other verses can you find in the Bible about God’s love for you? List them here along with any thoughts about the verses you write down.

VERSE 2

The words in this second verse to take a closer look at is, “His grace runs deep. While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me.”

You touched on this in some of the verses you’ve already written down. While you were a slave to sin, Jesus died for you. If you are reading this study and you find yourself at this moment overwhelmed by sin, by the shackles, or the effects of sin… understand the Lord Jesus Christ loves you right now, this very moment, just as you are. You don’t need to do a thing to gain that love… it’s already there and it runs very deep for you.

Write down Ephesians 2:4-5:

What do these verses say about you and any sin that may be present right now?

Write down Romans 6:20-23:

What do these verses say about the grace of God?

Every person has found themselves a slave to sin at some point in their lives. Every person has had, or will have to come to a point where that sin is acknowledged, confessed to the Lord and asked to be forgiven. In God’s Grace, He forgives, forgives and forgives again.

God sees you. God knows you. God loves you. God knows your heart. He is able to be what you need and lead you by His Holy Spirit.

CHORUS
The best thing is that while God loves you just where you are, even if where you are is in the throes of sin; His love doesn’t want you to stay there. He wants more than anything to pick you up out of that place and put you down in a place of freedom, joy, strength and hope. From being a slave to sin, to being a precious child of God.

Read these words from the chorus:
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a precious child of God
Yes I am

Write down Romans 6:17-18:

What do you think of the concept of being free from sin, and becoming a slave to righteousness?

A slave is a person who is someones property. They are bound to obey their master who owns them. I don’t know anyone who wants to be considered a slave. But the truth is, we are all slaves to the one who controls us. Who controls you? Do you control you? Does satan control you? Does God control you?

You have a choice everyday who you will serve. There is only one master who will truly let you live in freedom and it’s not you or satan. Only God, in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, brings freedom and so much more as His precious child.

Let’s look at the second part of the chorus:
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a precious child of God
Yes I am

Write Down John 14:1-4:

What does this verse say about life after death? How does that make you feel as you think of your life in Jesus not just for today, but for forever?

You are a precious child of God not just while you are here on earth, but forever in the hands of God. He’s got a home all set for you when your time here has ended.

Write down 1 John 3:2-3:

What are your thoughts on this verse? Focus on these key words: “not yet been made known”, “shall be like Him”, “purify themselves”. What do you think this verse means for you, and your standing, as a precious child of God?

BRIDGE
This to me is the best part of the song:
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I am who You say I am

This has some powerful words:
I am Chosen.
You are for me.
I am who You say I am.

Write down John 15:16-17:

What does this say about your life as a precious child of God? Especially focusing on the latter part of the verses.

It’s important to realize that you are seen, loved and accepted as a precious child of God because of who you are. That you are a benefactor if His grace when you yielded your life to Jesus in repentance and in serving Him. Read Galatians 5:22-23 to be reminded of some of the benefits God gives you as His precious child.

You are a precious child of God. Not just so you can relish in that truth. Not just so you can benefit from His work in you. Not just so you can receive the gift of eternal life.

You are a precious child of God so that your life can also draw others into a relationship with Jesus. It is not just for yourself that you are saved. It is also for the benefit of others that you are saved.

Write down 1 John 3:16-18:

You are a part of the family of God. As a precious child of God, in reference to these verses you wrote down; how are you supposed to treat others ego are in the family of God along with you?

Write down 1 Peter 4:7-11:

List ways in which your life, as a precious child of God, displays the kind of living described in the verses you just wrote down.

Do you see how you are precious? Do you see how you are more?

Being a precious child of God is redeeming … it is freeing … it is affirming … it is something that’s secure and eternal.

Write down your thoughts as to what you understand your life to be as a precious child if God.


FOR FURTHER STUDY
For further depth into God’s Word. Use a concordance to look up verses containing these key words don’t just read the verse indicated but read the passage surrounding it to get a full understanding of its meaning. Write down the verses and your thoughts concerning them:

Child/Children
Love
Free
Chosen
Grace

Download a printable version of the Bible Study:

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October 2024 Devotional: His Precious Child

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By Captain Leilani Armendariz
Hemet, CA Corps – Southern California Division

This devotional coordinates with this month’s craft: His Precious Child Painting

I was sixteen years old when I held my firstborn child. I was a child myself. And I remember looking at that little face and being completely in love. I knew, even then, that I would do absolutely anything for that child. My instincts to protect and care for him immediately kicked in and all I wanted to do was make sure that this little boy always knew that he was loved and wanted. He was my precious child.

When I was nineteen, I married a man who loved my son as I did. Though they did not share a biological connection or a last name, my husband raised that little boy as his own. He cared for him and provided for him as he grew up. He showed up to school plays, football games, and graduation ceremonies. He was there for every heartbreak and every celebration. As far as my husband was concerned, that boy was his precious son.

When my son turned nineteen, he found himself planning his own wedding. The now young man said to my husband, “As my wedding day approaches, and as I imagine what my life will look like starting a family of my own, I cannot imagine not having my dad’s last name. That’s the name I want my wife and my children to have. That’s the name I want.” He then asked my husband if he would adopt him and give him his last name. My husband’s response was that he had always been his son and with great joy, he adopted him just weeks before the wedding.

Friends, we have been given the opportunity to be adopted by God, to become His children.
God’s Word tells us in John 1:12-13, “Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

We are all created by God. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 139:13, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” God sees us and loves us simply because we are His creation. And while it is true that we are all created by God, we must be adopted by Him to be called His children.

John reminds us of three truths in verse 13. The first truth is that being a child of God has nothing to do with our natural birth. Other biblical translations read “not of blood” meaning that this spiritual adoption has nothing to do with a physical blood relationship.

The second truth is that being a child of God does not depend on human will. Many of us have loved ones who are believers and who pray for us, but simply knowing someone who knows the Lord, and prays that we would know Him too, does not make us a child of God.

The third truth is that being a child of God is not dependent on human decision, meaning that we are not the source of this adoption. We cannot simply decide that we are His child and then live however we want to live. This adoption is only possible through God. His word tells us that He makes us His children only when we receive His Son, Jesus Christ, and believe in His name.

But once we make that choice, we bear a new name: His precious child. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

From the moment you and I choose to believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives, God sees us through the lens of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and we are accepted and adopted. With our new name, we also receive the inheritance of our Heavenly Father – eternal life. God wants to make sure that you and I know that we are loved and wanted. We are His precious children.

The chorus of Hillsong Worship’s song, “Who You Say I Am” says this:

“Who the son sets free, oh is free indeed; I’m a child of God, yes I am.
In my Father’s house, there’s a place for me; I’m a child of God, yes I am.”

My son wanted my husband’s last name because it said to the world that he was his son. As he lives his life and grows his family, it’s my husband’s name that will live on in generations to come. When we come to Jesus and we are adopted into God’s family, we are given God’s name. Our daily lives tell the world that we belong to Him, that we are His children. As we live in the full understanding that we have the
inheritance of eternal life, we can love people into the Kingdom who are still looking to be loved and wanted. As more choose to receive Jesus and believe in Him, they are adopted into the family of God and the name of the Lord will live on for generations to come. What a blessing it is to be His
precious children!

Download a printable copy of this devotional:

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October 2024 Craft: His Precious Child Painting

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By Captain Leilani Armendariz
Hemet, CA Corps – Southern California Division

This craft coordinates with this month’s devotional: His Precious Child.

Directions:

  1. Paint a background on a canvas. Be as creative as you want. Let it dry. I would suggest painting first, letting it dry as the rest of the program proceeds and saving time at the end to finish it.
  2. Using either a Circuit, print outs or your own handwriting, add the lyric from “Who You Say I Am” that says: “I’m a child of God, yes I am.”

While you are crafting, enjoy these songs, reminding you of who you are in Christ – you are a child of God!

Hello, My Name Is Child of the One True King

On my best days, I’m a child of God. On my worst days, I’m a child of God. Oh, everyday is a good day, and You’re the reason why.

September 2024 Flourish Newsletter

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This month we are focusing on being deeply rooted in the spiritual discipline of Listening Prayer. Prayer is a dialogue between us and God. Often we view prayer as a monologue – where only one person talks (You). In her book, Spiritual Disciplines: Practices That Transform Us, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun writes that listening prayer, “turns us away from elaborate internal commentaries, noisy inner chaos and catastrophic thinking (which makes things worse). It invites us to let go of dramatic internal dialogues and listen to a voice besides our own or that of the evil one.”

Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:32-34

Inside you will find a devotional, conversation starters, a prayer idea, a monthly Bible reading plan and other helps all around the idea of listening prayer.

Download this month’s newsletter:

September 2024 NewsletterDownload

September 2024 Devotional: 11 Powerful Daily Prayers to Help You Start Your Morning Off Right

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By Captain Irene Castro
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Del Oro Division

Some people of faith might not want to admit it, but most can probably remember a time when reciting a daily prayer or two was not exactly a part of their everyday routine. For many, daily prayer is something they turn to when life becomes stressful, difficult, or saddening. It can be easy to forget about the habit when life is busy or when everything is going well. But having a daily habit of healing through prayer is a great way to stay grounded in your faith on a day-to-day basis and prioritize reflective time between you and God. Reading a prayer for today will not only help you feel closer to God but can also relieve daily stress and anxiety. But if it’s been a while since you read Bible scripture, finding a place to start can feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s helpful to have some short go-to Bible verses and prayers that can provide guidance and strength through every season of your life, whether you pray every day, week, month, or barely at all. The most important thing to remember, though, is that no matter how often you pray, God is always ready to listen. Here are some helpful tips on how to get started.

Prayer 1: Prayer for Mornings
Good morning, Lord! Today’s a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it all regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It’s a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be. Amen. — Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Prayer 2: Prayer for Strength
Father in heaven, I stand before You today in Your omnipotent presence to ask that You grant me strength. I want You to give me the strength to power through all of the tasks today — whether little or big. It is by Your will that I live oh Lord. And I know it is also by Your will I will not go weak today. I will not go lazy nor I will fail to do all things set before me because You strengthen me. Thank You for Your everlasting presence, Lord and in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Prayer 3: Prayer for Strength to Endure
Lord, I am weary and don’t know when this “race” will end in my life. I feel like I’ve been running forever, trying to outrun this trial. Help me to stop trying to outrun my pain but rather run with endurance the race you have set before me. I know that because of you I am ultimately a victor over the trials in my life. I know that nothing in this world can separate me from your steadfast love. Please give me a measure of your love today; give me the strength to endure this trial. Thank you for your love for me that never ends! And thank you for the crown of joy that awaits me forever in your Kingdom! — Adrian Rogers

Prayer 4: Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, forgive; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. — The Prayer of St. Francis

Prayer 5: Prayer for Forgiveness
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. — The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer 6: Prayer for Comfort
The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff — they protect me. You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the LORD’s house as long as I live. — Psalms 23: 1-6

Prayer 7: Prayer for Gratitude
Lord, thank you for your abundant, abounding grace. Thank you that we don’t have to earn a drop of the mighty river of grace that flows freely for us today. Thank you for the unexpected, unmerited favor you’ve showered on my life. Help me put myself in the path of your love and grace. Help me not neglect the disciplines I need to meet with you regularly and to drink from the water of life. Thank you for your rich love. Amen.— David Mathis

Prayer 8: Prayer for Serenity
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen. — The Serenity Prayer, Reinhold Niebuhr

Prayer 9: Prayer for Counsel
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. — Lead Me, Thomas Merton

Prayer 10: Stand Strong in You
Dear Lord, I don’t know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. Help me to anchor myself to You today. Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today. Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings. Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You. Thank You that You love me, and nothing can ever take that away from me! Even if I fail today and fall short, you whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Thank You for meeting with me today. Would You wake me again tomorrow with the same sweet whisper of Your love? I can’t wait to meet with You again. In Jesus’ name, Amen. — Wendy Blight

Prayer 11: A Powerful Prayer
Today is a new day and it’s filled with different possibilities. I pray that You oh Lord in above perform miracles in the life of “insert name.” He/she shall not lack, and any mountain set before him/her today shall be reduced to a steppingstone. As today ends, let songs of praises be sung in Your Holy Name. Miracles, blessings, and divine protection will “name” have in each and every one of his/her days. I exalt You Lord and I thank You for the grace. Amen.

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September 2024 Bible Study: Prayer Stations

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By Captain Irene Castro
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Del Oro Division

Note: Since the spiritual discipline we are focusing on this month is “Listening Prayer” this month’s Bible Study is in the form of prayer stations, that will incorporate Scripture into each specific prayer station.

Supply List for Station:

  1. Blocks or Bricks with different words that can cause us to stumble like gossip, love for money, lust and more.
  2. Long mirror with dry erase markers.
  3. A standing cross with pieces of paper. Also pens, hammer and nails.
  4. Put a circle of chairs for people to pray and have the officer lead this one while praying for others.
  5. Nails, tools, and wire (see picture in the prayer station description below)
  6. Have a fake tree, printed prayers or promises from the Bible for people to grab, paper clips to hang their papers on the tree. Also have blank papers and pens in case people want to write their own.
  7. Scrabble Board game
  8. On a board hang up lines with hearts for them to grab and then hang back up, pens
  9. You can do this one in a lot of different ways. Have the word written out so they can read it themselves, have it on the CD and have it playing over and over, or have someone read it out loud.

Prayer Station 1: Stumbling Blocks
Supplies: Blocks or Bricks with different words that can cause us to stumble like gossip, love for money, lust and more.

Isaiah 57:14 And it will be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.”

As we know there are a lot of things in our life that the devil can use for us to stumble. We see some on the table. What are some things in your life that you need to remove so that you can stand firm and not fall. Take a moment and reflect on your life and see what those things are and pray that God helps you to remove that from your life or helps you to be strong to face it.

Prayer Station 2: Image of God
Supplies: Long mirror with dry erase markers

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come the old as gone the new is here.

When you see yourself in this mirror what do you see? Are you happy with what you see? Is God happy with what he sees? There are things sometime that we still hold on to from our past and have not allowed God to change us complete. Pray that God make you a new creation from the inside and out. Pray when people see you, they see God and not the old you. Take a moment to talk with the Lord but also write on the mirror one thing you don’t want to see anymore.

Prayer Station 3: Forgiveness
Supplies: A standing cross with pieces of paper. Also pens, hammer and nails.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.

When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but you sure do change the future. Remember God went on the cross to forgive your sins and take all that pain and suffering away from you. Write something you need to ask God to forgive you for or write down someone’s name that you still need to forgive. Take a moment to pray. Put paper on the cross as a symbol of allowing God to start the healing process.

Station 4: Sickness
Supplies: Put a circle of chairs for people to pray and have the officer lead this one while praying for others.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  

We all have a loved one that is sick, or we are self or going through some sickness. Pray and believe that God will heal and restore that body back to what it once was.

Station 5: Christ Dying on the Cross
Supplies: Nails, tools, and wire

 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

As you see the nails on the table remember the sacrifice that God did for you. Remember he loves you and died on the cross for your sins and pain. Make a cross with the nails as you see the example on the table but while you are building your cross meditate on him and his goodness.

Station 6: The Tree of Prayer
Supplies: Have a fake tree, printed prayers or promises from the Bible for people to grab, paper clips to hang their papers on the tree. Also have blank papers and pens in case people want to write their own.

1 John 5:14  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 

As you pick a paper think of a prayer that you want God to hear and hang it on the tree as a symbol of you believing to God. Know and believe that he answers or hears your prayer. Then take a minute to pray and talk with him or share your prayer with your officer or friend and ask them to pray for you.

Station 7: Encouraging Words
Supplies: Scrabble Board game

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

In this day of age, we have lots of people that can be mean or rude. We see people being bulled and people taking their life when we need to start encouraging people and saying nice things to people. As you see there is a board game in the middle, the word LOVED is there add or put another encouraging word with the letters you see so you can practice doing this.

Station 8: Marriages and Families
Supplies: On a board hang up lines with hearts for them to grab and then hang back up, pens

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

These words are among Paul’s final words of exhortation to the Christians in Corinth at the end of his second letter to them. He is encouraging them to work things out with one another and think more highly about others rather than of themselves. Paul wants them to live in peace and harmony, because then they will experience more fully God’s love and peace. By seeking restoration with their brothers and sisters in Christ, they would reap what they sowed restoration with God as well. Take a moment, take a heart and write down on this heart what you want God to start doing in your marriage, family and you. By writing this down you are believing and declaring that this will happen. God is able to restore that love and peace again in those relationships.

Station 9: Read and Pray
Supplies: You can do this one in a lot of different ways. Have the word written out so they can read it themselves, have it on the CD and have it playing over and over, or have someone read it out loud.

Read: Psalm 37: 1-8

We read in this Psalm that those that are doing evil things seem to be prospering. But we are not to get angry or upset about that because God will have the last word and He will judge. We are told here to trust in the Lord.

No matter what is happening around us, God desires us to trust in Him. Things can look really bad for a while – but God will come through. As we commit our way to the Lord and delight in Him, He will bring it to pass. He will give us the desires of our hearts. We need to be still and rest in the Lord, to wait on Him and to keep on trusting Him. God will never let you down. He is fully trustworthy. So often people can let us down – but God never will.

If there are things in your life today that are tearing you up inside, give it over to God completely and place your hope and trust in Him. Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (Proverbs 3: 5)

Lord, I give you my concerns, I lay them at your feet. Help me, Lord, to trust in you. For my daily needs.

Download printable instructions for the Prayer Stations:

Sept-Prayer-StationsDownload

September 2024 Craft: Haku Lei Making

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By Lt. Helen Reyes
Women’s Ministries Executive Assistant – Del Oro Division

Haku Lei Making – A Hawaiian Crown of Flowers

A haku lei, or lei po’o is a lei made for the head (haku literally means “to braid”). The tradition of making and giving lei stems from ancient Hawaii, where lei were used for ceremonial purposes, as adornment, and to signify rank).

Nowadays, wearing a haku lei is a symbol of Aloha – it can be worn on special occasions such as graduations, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, honoring, or welcoming a friend.

The Haku lei reminds me of God’s agape love. The beautiful crown of flowers represents people living in a community bonded with unselfish love by being a good example to others.

Supplies List:
⦁ Flowers, you can use any flowers listed here: Mums, bougainvillea, mini roses, carnation,
⦁ Greeneries: ferns, eucalyptus, baby breaths
⦁ Raffia
⦁ Bowl
⦁ Scissors
⦁ Water

Instructions:

Step 1: Grab a bowl and fill with water (half full)

Step 2: Grab a few strands of raffia and soak in bowl filled with water. Set bowl aside.

Step 3: Grab more strands of raffia and tie at end (see photo), separate the strands into three sections and start braiding the raffia. Halfway through braiding measure the crown of your head. Once finished with the braiding, tie a knot at the end. Leave about 2 inches on each end of the raffia – the excess raffia can be used to tie the haku.

Step 4: Separate your greens and flowers.

Step 5: Start separating the greens and leave a stem (1 ½ inch) for each green.

Step 6: Separate the flowers and leave a stem (1 ½ inch) to be used when wrapping into the raffia.

Step 7: Grab a string of wet raffia and tie into the braided raffia 5 inches away from the end. Take a leaf or two and wrap around the raffia using the wet raffia tightly. Take a flower and do the same process. Alternate wrapping the greenery, flower, and baby’s breath around the braided raffia. When you come across at the end of the wet raffia, grab another one and tie it to the end and continue wrapping the flowers.

Step 8: When you are done wrapping the flowers tie the two ends together and you are finished. Enjoy your Haku Lei!

Download printable instructions for this craft:

Lei-CraftDownload

Speak, For Your Servant is Listening

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By Major Beth Desplancke

My son, Ryan, has a husky named Ayla, who spends a lot of her day chilling in the front entryway of our home, looking out the window. This is one of her favorite spots in the house, especially in the mornings. After Ayla has gone outside first thing in the morning, Ayla goes to the front room and lays her head on the window ledge and just relaxes, and she waits. She waits for the time Ryan gets up in the morning and opens his bedroom door.

Ayla is so tuned to her master, that she knows when she hears a door open in the house, whether it is Ryan’s or not. When it is Ryan’s door, her ears perk up, and she immediately goes towards his bedroom door, alert and ready for her master.

Now, I have listened to the various bedroom doors in our house, and they all sound the same to me. I can’t tell which of my three kids is opening the bedroom door, but Ayla can. When another door opens, her ears perk up, but then she relaxes back into her resting position.

Day in and day out as I watched the dog do this, the Lord started stirring my heart. Am I actively listening for God to speak to me, in my life? And when He speaks to my heart, am I quick to respond?

In 1 Samuel 3, we see a great example of one who is listening for the Lord to speak and ready to respond. Samuel is serving in the temple, under the tutelage of Eli. One night, Samuel was lying in his usually place and he heard someone call his name. He got up and immediately went to Eli and said, “Here I am, you called me” (1 Samuel 3:6). Eli said he didn’t call and told Samuel to go back to bed. Two more times this happened. Finally, by the third time, Eli realized what was going on. He told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). Samuel obeyed, went back to bad, and sure enough God called to him again. Samuel heard the voice and this time responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Then the Lord told Samuel what He was about to do in Israel, including the fact that Eli and his family would no longer serve as priests to the Lord (3:11-14; see also 1 Samuel 2:27-36).

Now, most of us will never have an encounter where God appears and calls us audibly by name, so how do we go about listening for Him? From Samuel, I learn 4 things I need to do in order to listen for and hear God: Sit in Silence, Stop Talking, Slow Down/Stay Put, Say Yes!

Samuel was in a quiet place. Our world is anything but quiet; we are surrounded by noise. We can’t eliminate all the noise around us, but we can choose to find a quiet place to meet with God each day, in order that we might hear Him. It may mean finding a quiet place in your home (a spare room, a closet, the bathroom, the garage). Or when driving to work, turning off the radio and driving in silence, spending that time with the Lord.


Finding silence also means to stop talking. Samuel only said 6 words: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” He acknowledges that he is ready to listen, and then he listens. It is God who does the speaking. When God is done, there is no record of Samuel speaking back to the Lord. God wants to talk to us, but we have to be willing to stop talking and allow Him to speak.

After we stop talking, we need to slow down and wait for God to respond. Samuel said he was listening to God, and then made himself available, and he allowed God to speak. Often when I pray, doing all the talking, say amen and move on, not allowing God a chance to respond. The same goes with my time reading His Word. Sometimes I speedily read through it, just to say I did it for the day, but I fail to linger, to contemplate, to think about what I read. The Bible is God’s Word; He speaks to us through it, but we have to slow down in order to hear Him. Margaret Feinberg wrote, “Listening forces me to learn patience. Nowhere in the Bible does God commit to running on our schedule or fitting into our time frame, though I wish it were that easy.” I must stay put, and wait, expectantly for Him to speak.

When the Lord speaks, I can’t pretend I didn’t hear Him (especially if I don’t like what He is saying to me). I need to respond by saying “yes” to Him. Samuel listened to what God had said to him, and in the morning when Eli asked about what happened Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him (1 Samuel 3:18). God had given Samuel a message, and Samuel said yes to God and obeyed.

Lord, may I tune out the noise of the world and lean in and listen to what you have to say to me today! May I be like Samuel, Speak, for your servant is listening.