Online Women's Bible Study

A letter from Kari Powell

Hi Ladies!
Jennifer Dukes Lee sent out another “Top Ten with Jen” 10 things to refresh your heart, encourage your soul, and nourish your spirit.  I love these and want to share them with you.  I hope you can take a few minutes to click on this link to read something positive.

November is here, and that means a new topic of scripture reading/writing.  This month, let’s focus on contentment.  Thanksgiving is coming, and thankfulness and contentment go hand in hand.  Shannon Long, the author of these scripture plans writes the following about contentment.

Contentment is such a struggle in our world for so many today. Because of social media, it’s easier than ever to compare our lives to others and feel we are lacking. Relationships, homes, jobs, kids, friendships- you name it, we compare ours to others. 
We see the pretty perfect pictures and many posts on Instagram and Facebook and look around at our own lives thinking….my life is so NOT like that. 

When we compare, we often spend lots of time thinking “If only….”. 
If only I had a bigger house, a bigger bank account, better-behaved children, a better job, more friends, a more romantic husband, etc. When we focus on “If I only had…” we start to wallow in it and almost always become discontent.

We have to remember that God has placed us or allowed us to be right where we are right now. 
He wants us to fix our eyes solely on Him and to look to HIM for our worth, not our circumstances, or our position in society. 
The truth is, we don’t have to like where we are or what we have, but if we will choose to thank God for His provisions regardless of our feelings towards those things, we will grow content. 
It’s difficult to be thankful in imperfect circumstances, but Jesus enables us to be content through His power and His strength.

My prayer is that this month, as we focus on these verses about contentment, we take our eyes off of others and instead fix them on Jesus. May we find the peace that comes only from Him, no matter the circumstances of our lives.  
May we find gratitude in all that He has provided for us and peace so that we may truly be content in His faithful provision and blessings.

I hope and pray you can spend some time with God this month and focus on the amazing blessings he’s given us.  We just have to stop and look for them a little harder sometimes.  Let’s remember to be positive, thankful, shining lights for Jesus in this uncertain and negative world.

You can download the November Scripture Reading and Journalling plan by clicking this link: November Plan

Hugs and Prayers,
Kari