Under Attack

Hey everyone, this week has been very busy, I feel like I am constantly busy, and that's great we all should be busy with whatever life throws at us but sometimes I sometimes feel like I would like to just escape from it all. And today I would like to ask you all, are you suffering? are you alone? do you feel like theirs no hope? Do you feel like ending it all? If you answered yes to any of these I would like to just take a moment to tell you that I pray over these blogs and I pray for the reader to receive whatever healing you are in need of.

I'm going to break this blog into parts to make it easier to process and dissect. 

Part 1 // When we are going through a dark place and you feel you need to escape from your circumstances and you feel like theirs nothing you can do. Well your wrong. When you feel alone in your circumstances whatever they may be turn to The Lord. 

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

When you feel like things are getting on top of your, and you can't cope anymore and you need to escape from it all. Escape by running into the arms of your loving and protective Lord and Savior. 

Recently I've started new and exciting journeys within my church and when things where starting to pile up and get on top of me, I ran to him. I sprinted and didn't look back. I know my place is with him and surrounded by the Holy Spirit. 

A few weeks ago I felt like I wasn't coping very well at all with anything, just walking down the street would bring anxiety and dread. I honestly felt alone and down in my faith, but while I down and saddened God came to me in a thought and gave me his idea. This idea was a mad idea and something that I took from a simple but wild idea and turned it into an action. Sometimes God places ideas and thoughts in you and it will help you escape from the darkness into the light. 

I feel much better now for running to him, and just giving him all my worries and burdens. 

Part 2 // God doesn't just provide us with ideas and thoughts on how to escape when were under attack from the devil. He can provide physical and literal ways to escape. 

I was thinking about ways God uses to help us escape from our situations and Noah came to mind. I love Noah! What a Godly man! #RelationshipGoals. 

Genesis 7:6-10 Noah was 600 years old when the floodwater covered the Earth. Noah and his wife and sons and their wives boarded the ship to escape the flood. Clean and unclean animals, birds, and all the crawling creatures came in pairs to Noah and to the ship, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. In seven days the floodwaters came.

11-12 It was the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month that it happened: all the underground springs erupted and all the windows of Heaven were thrown open. Rain poured for forty days and forty nights.

13-16 That’s the day Noah and his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, accompanied by his wife and his sons’ wives, boarded the ship. And with them every kind of wild and domestic animal, right down to all the kinds of creatures that crawl and all kinds of birds and anything that flies. They came to Noah and to the ship in pairs—everything and anything that had the breath of life in it, male and female of every creature came just as God had commanded Noah. Then God shut the door behind him.

I love this scripture - My interpretation of this relating to escaping is that when your in a bad situation God will send you help whether it be instructions to build a boat or a thought on how to get out of the situation maybe strength and courage to help you along the way. And when your out of the situation and your safe away from your situation - the floods, God shuts the door he stops the floods from harming you. God guides you, if you simply just ask him. Pray to him. Talk to him, speak aloud, speak in your heart, just communicate with him and he will always be their for you. 

So next time you are lost and don't have any idea on how to escape your problems, just think of Noah and how brave he was trusting in the Lord and how amazing God is for guiding Noah away from the terror of the world, he gave him and his family a fresh start. A new beginning of life. 

Part 3 // Temptation is a huge topic for this blog. Because when you are tempted in whatever way God helps you escape from temptation so you can live a free and pleasing life. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 

Next time you are tempted, just tell yourself, God knows your limits and he knows how strong you are and whatever attempts to tempt you you are stronger that this and you can just simply walk away from it in because God wouldn't let anything you couldn't handle come your way. You are his children and you are protected. 

People think because your a Christian or Christ follower you life is easy and you live in happy land and we don't sin. Which is all false!! Life is never easy! We struggle, we have hopeless days, but you know one thing, Gods love lasts forever and whatever problem we face we can turn to him for guidance and he will help us escape from whatever situation we have gotten in. We need to face reality just because we are Christians doesn't mean we are happy every single day, our twitters and instagram might show us smiling and posing with out friends but only God knows our hearts and he knows how we truly feel inside, we might be frightened we might be thinking about ending it all, but God sees that and he will put in place an escape route you just need to turn to him and trust him, he is a faithful God.

So today girls I pray that you will escape from your floods and keep safe and just pray for an escape route because God has one for everyone and every situation all you need to do is ask. 

Thank you for reading, have a blessed week everyone. 

Love Jessica Louise xoxo 

Kerrington Sweeney Love Blog {Valentines Week - 14th February}

Welcome to another Love Blog... This piece was written by a pen pal of mine in Canada and I really hope you enjoy her writing and check her own blog out Uniquely Yours which is an amazing and impacting blog. 

About Kerrington: Kerrington, is truly a Passionate servant of Jesus Christ! She is 17 years of age...And even at her young age, she is still super-busy volunteering in any way she can at her home church and in her community!

She's definitely a work-in-progress but, feels so incredibly blessed to be able to continue serving God with her whole heart. She has a sincere burning passion within her, to see Single Women of all ages rise up and be everything God has called each of them to be. She too is in a ‘Season of waiting’ for her Prince Charming to show up but, in the meantime... Kerrington fills up her time with writing for her Online Women's Blogging Ministry and constantly being a source of encouragement to her many peers.

With Kerrington’s Women’s Ministry, she bestows her personal views on modesty, sexual purity, and having a strong faith, through each blog-post. She writes quite frequently on the ‘Season of Waiting’ and about how True Love will find its way to you, all in God’s timing.

She truly believes that Women were created to be beautiful on purpose, and that purpose is to shine with unfading beauty and release God’s Kingdom every place their foot touches the ground. Kerrington absolutely adores journaling, clothes shopping, wearing high-heels, the smell of clean laundry and Star-bucks with a friend! She feel's God's 'call' to become a Women's Counsellor and Women's Pastor one day, and by God's amazing grace she hopes to fulfill both of those callings! Kerrington continues to cultivate her passionate love for writing day by day, and hopes to one day be a published Author. Kerrington can always be found with a kiddo in arms, hot tea in hand, and notebook in lap.

"Kerrington looks forward to the days ahead and laughs at the future." ~Proverbs 31:25

Right now that we have been acquainted here's Kerrington's guest blog for the Love Blogs [Valentines Week]

The day all the single people of the world dread and all the happy couples look forward to.
Today, I am neither.

Happy Couples, Heart shaped everything, Chocolates,
teddy bears, Flowers, Music, the works.

The day Facebook and Instagram overflow with couples selfies, pictures of bouquets, and
Happy Valentines day statues...
Oh, yes we all know that day :)

I can picture all the stores and
flower shops bustling today
with dozens of men shoppers,
who are picking up all those
last minute items to make it
the best Valentines day ever!

I personally often dream of the day,
I will wake up on a Chilly, February 14th to a dozen Red-Roses and a hand-written letter on my night table and a new Valentines Pandora charm, under my pillow.
Aww that will be the day ❤️

I dream of all the sweet things couples do for each other on Valentines day! I dream of those unforgettable moments... ;)

Like I have said to people before,
I feel that Valentines day is just another "Holiday" created by Stores to make more money between Christmas and Easter. But none the less, It's a "must" in any relationship...you're seeing someone, you're dating, you're married, Valentines is a must in the eyes of us women!
You forget, you're dead.
(Plain and simple)

Today, I pray a special Love- blessing on all the happy couples. Lord, I pray someway that you would be the centre of their relationships and I pray a prayer of protection over every guy that forgets it's valentines day today. Lord, keep him safe when he returns home without that dozen bouquet of red roses.
Jesus last, but certainly not least I pray for us Single Ladies that are still in that "season of waiting" for our future Prince Charming(s). May we never ever forget that you have someone so very incredibly special for each of us and all we have to do is just wait. Thank you Jesus for the blessings you have given us single ladies and Lord I ask you just to multiply them in our hearts even on this day we celebrate Love.
Multiply Love in our hearts, that we may then turn and Love on the hurting, desperate people.
Let us be so very filled with an abundance of your Holy presence.
In your Precious name,
Amen!!!

...May you all have a sweet day whether it be spending time with that "special someone" or spending it with Our Saviour (just as special someone, if not more ;)),
Under a cozy blanket, eating heart-shaped chocolates, while praying for your future hubby!

Happy Valentines to you all Ladies! ❤️

Until next time,

~Kerrington

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the American readers out their! 
I thought that with it being thanksgiving it would be a great opportunity to express what I'm thankful for and urge you to do the same. 
I wanted to tell you of F I V E things in which I am thankful for in 2014......

1. Jesus! I am so thankful for Jesus. If Jesus hadn't sacrificed his life for me and guided me, I wouldn't have anything to be thankful for. 

2. I am super thankful for my Au Pair Job, I have asked God to help me with this for over 3 years and now I am super blessed to living in a beautiful city, five and a half hours from my hometown. But I am enjoying it, it's challenging 90% of the time but I am excited and blessed to be on this life changing journey.

3. I am thankful for my boyfriend. We met in New York 4 years ago and dated for less than a year and then didn't speak until January this year. And we started dating again in February. I never thought in a million years that this relationship would ever happen. But our God is unlimited in love and amazement. God Amazed me when my boyfriend came back into my life. It was something I never thought would happen. It was a miracle and I'm so blessed to say that were planning a future together and if it wasn't for God we wouldn't be here. So thank you GOD! THANK YOU! 

4. Health and Safety of my family. Most of family are happy and healthy and I am thankful to have them all and that they all have there health. 

5. I am thankful for my life. I am thankful for every day I get to wake up and have meals, hot meal to eat, to have clean water to drink and shower in. I am thankful for the roof over my head, the bed I sleep in. I'm thankful for my daily life which Jesus sacrificed himself so I could live my life. I live my life in his name because he reigns forever and ever. 
His love never fails for us. He loves us.

What are you thankful for today?

Thank you for reading my thankful Thursday / Thanksgiving Blog.
Have a great Thanksgiving. 
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 
E: jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk
@bibleblogwomen

Studying Joel : Bible Study

Hey everyone welcome to the Studying Joel blog. 

I recently decided to write a study every month (hopefully) on a different person or book or theme. This idea came to me when I was reading through my bible and realised that even though I've read the Bible cover to cover I still don't understand certain things. Therefore I hope you enjoy these new blogs, they are written in a simple way so you can get a little information and hopefully leave the blog and do some scripture finding yourselves. I pray that these future blogs bless you and enriches you with wisdom and understanding. Thank you Amen.

Outline of the book of Joel.

- He didn't say that much about himself

- Resident of Jerusalem

- His message is timeless

- Disaster strikes

- Son of Pethuel

- Preached to the people of Judah

- The locusts he mentions in Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25 are best understood as real insects

The theme of this book is Restoration. 

- Restoration and blessing will come only after judgment and repentance.

Joel 1:1-12- An Invasion of Locusts

Joel 1:13 - A Call to Repentance

Joel 2:1-11 - The Day of the Lord

Joel 2:12- Return to the Lord

Joel 2:18 - The Lord Had Pity

Joel 2:28 - The Lord Will Pour Out His Spirit

Joel 3:1-16 - The Lord Judges the Nations

Joel 3:17 - The Glorious Future of Judah

Joel 1:13

13 Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;
wail, O ministers of the altar.
Go in, pass the night in sackcloth,
O ministers of my God!
Because grain offering and drink offering
are withheld from the house of your God.

14 Consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.

15 Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is near,
and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.

16 Is not the food cut off
before our eyes,
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?

17 The seed shrivels under the clods;
the storehouses are desolate;
the granaries are torn down
because the grain has dried up.

18 How the beasts groan!
The herds of cattle are perplexed
because there is no pasture for them;
even the flocks of sheep suffer.

19 To you, O Lord, I call.
For fire has devoured
the pastures of the wilderness,
and flame has burned
all the trees of the field.

20 Even the beasts of the field pant for you
because the water brooks are dried up,
and fire has devoured
the pastures of the wilderness.

Confronted with this crisis, he calls on everyone to repent: old and young (1:2–3)

drunks (1:5), farmers (1:11) and priests (1:13).

He describes the locusts as the Lord’s army and sees in their coming a reminder that the day of the Lord is near. The locusts are known to be actual insects and not representations of the Babylonians, Romans etc.

The locust plague and severe drought was known to be the 'great and dreadful day of the Lord'.

The main idea throughout this scripture is ' Repent. for the day of the Lord is near'.

Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love.

Define Boundless - Having NO Boundaries 

How amazing is that? His love has no boundaries. He is boundless in loyal love for us. Repent your sins, and return to him, your creator, your author, your father, your Lord Christ Jesus.

Christ in Joel

The coming of the Holy Spirit, who applies Christ's redemption, is predicted in Joel 2:28. Jesus Christ is the only one who judges nations but who also restores his people. [Trust me, I know this as a fact, I have been restored].

In Joel 2:18-20 Is Gods response, his agricultural blessing, his promise. He informs us of our glorious future. The people of Judah repented and God restored. There is no restoration without repentance. 

The promise of God follows in Joel 2:25-32 This promise is the greatest promise of hope in the Old Testament. Restoration is so important as a Christian. We need to leave the dignity and proud outer characters out of the picture and just be true to God and ourselves. And ask him for guidance and speak to him about your own pros and cons and he will help you be the person he created you to be. 

Define Restoration - The action of returning something to a former owner, place or condition. 

We need to be restored and returned to God.

Emphasis in the study

Joel 1:1- 2:11 Desolation

Joel 2:12 - 17 Exhortation

Joel 2:28 - 3:21 Restoration

This book shows that no matter what we go through in life, no matter how dark and challenging things might turn, God will always be there to restore you. In the future remember your past and when he has pulled you through a messy time and then have hope for the future as he's helped you before so why wouldn't he help you again? He wants your companionship, your friendship, your communication and obedience. He wants to be in a relationship with you and by repenting your old ways and habits, he can restore you 'The sins I haven't already forgiven, I'll forgive' God has moved into Zion for good'.

Scriptures to check out-

The book of Joel [it's not that long so if you have time, just sit and study, meditate this book, it's such a great book]

If not check out these:

- Joel 2:12-14

- Joel 2:18

- Joel 2.25-27

Thank you for reading this study I hope it helps you in your studies and bible reading. 

Enjoy your day. God bless

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo

 

Women with Jesus - Josephine Wolley

Welcome to A Guest post from Josephine Wolley 

Women with Jesus. 

Josephine is apart of the Bible For Women team! She has already guest posted before in the Natural sparkle Finale and I'm very humbled to welcome her back to the website with this awesome blog! I hope you all enjoy! 

Decisions. Everyone has ever made decisions. But is that the best one for our future? And how do we know that the decision we make is the best decision from other choices? As women who believe in God, sometimes, even often we dont rely on God in making decisions. How important it is for we to rely on God in making decision? I emphasize to you that God is the all-knowing God. He has fearfully planned our lives. He has known what we'd be in the future and what  we can do to pass it. So, why do we still rely on ourselves? But I invite all women who read this to start making decisions with Jesus. What we think isnt always same as God's will.

-Women without Jesus- Sometimes when we rely on God alone, the situation still looks bad and we can imagine if we did not rely on Him..how it would be a mess..so even though we still hand the downs when we surrender our decisions on Him, keep on believing that God has guaranteed the best for us! Thats why we need faith to see something that's unseen. And don't forget to make sure your decision is in line with God’s Word. (Psalm 119:98) We will consistently make better decision when we line up with what God wants in our lives already.

We each need to listen to our heart and the prompting on the Holy Spirit to know what things are okay for us to do. Just because something may not be wrong, doesn't mean it's right for you at this time and in this situation. You'll consistently make good decisions if you're spending time in God’s word and acting on the advice you receive there.
So, sometimes the most difficult choices in life are not those between wrong and right, but choices of what is good and what is best.

Thank you for reading this blog and I hope to hear from you soon! 
Enjoy future blogs and the previous blogs that have been uploaded this week! 
Email me on jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk

Thank You God Bless 
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo 

Team Work Guest Post - Anna Nicholls

Hello Girls! I welcome you all to a fresh new guest post all including wisdom on teamwork. This girl is a super sweet 14 year old girl and she's the youngest guest blogger we've ever had on the blog. site . But she speaks with so love and passion about Christ so age doesn't really matter, so please read on and enjoy her.  

Working together as a community using team work to spread the word of God is something anyone is capable of doing. For example some Christians struggle to get to know God as personally as they wish, some are good at building a relationship with God yet they may not be able to talk about God to their friends or maybe someone is a better preacher than another person however this is what allows anyone (using teamwork) to be known within a Church.

On a number of occasions in a day we need to work together along-side someone else such as - school work, running a business, looking after family etc. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that bodies don’t function well unless they work together. Neither does the Christian community - coming together with our separate talents and ideas makes learning about God so enjoyable. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us that, “Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad, because there is no one to help him. If it’s cold, two can sleep together and stay warm but how can you keep warm by yourself. Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone. A rope of three cords is hard to break.” 

Using team work is more effective and worthwhile than on our own. In Acts 24 Paul specifically mentions seven people who were part of his ministry team. He brought others along, not only to train them, but also to keep him encouraged.

Surround yourself with positive happy people that will help you and vice-versa.

- Anna Nicholls - London - 14 years old.

I hope you all enjoyed her writings because I sure did! Anna is also a great photographer and now has taken up the role as the Bible For Women's very own photographer... So most of the promo photos will have been shot by Anna her self! The Bible For Women Team is growing and flourishing into a beautiful organisation! 

Please Enjoy the site and email and contact me if you too want to be involved with the team. 

Thank you and God bless 

Jessica Louise Xoxo

Email: jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk

Eat Beauty 2

{Personal Beauty}

Do you believe you are beautiful?

Let’s get straight to the point! Everyone reading this right now, most of you will say no. But the truth is you are beautiful through the eyes of the Lord.

He created all things bright and beautiful. You are bright and beautiful! Fact!

Genesis 1:27- So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

Psalm 45:11- So will the King desire your beauty; because He is your Lord, be submissive and reverence and honor Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:11- He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Proverbs 31:30- Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

Do NOT be Vain!

Galatians 5:26- Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

This is super hard today, it’s difficult in today’s society to not think of what others are going to think of you, yes I love to get all dressed up and look all girly and pretty but that’s just me. But at the end of the day are others going to judge you at the end on your appearance? No!

When you leave this life people aren’t going to remember you perfect eye liner, your super skinny leather pants, you bright pink lips. There’s going to remember you by you and your personality, the things you did in your life, not the way you looked.

People will say ‘She was an amazing lady who loved God’.

People will NOT say ‘She was skinny, and tall and looked great in hot pants’

You are more bothered about your vanity than other people.

God is the only being to judge you, stop thinking about what others are going to think of you.  

You are either being judged or you are doing the judging! Think about that next time you’re walking down the street and you think to yourself an insult about a girl walking past you with a bright green hat. Don’t judge them on their fashion choices. Because fashion does not make you beautiful.

You are beautiful in your own skin. 

Your flesh and bones make you beautiful. Your wonderful structure is a masterpiece created by the Lord. Don’t change yourself. Love yourself the way you are.

 Love yourself as God loved you so much he made the blueprints for you.

Please girls! Be nice to each other, don’t judge each other because at the end of the day were all in this together and don’t have to like each other but we do have to LOVE each other.

Love each other and pay each other compliments.

You are beautiful girls! Sooo beautiful inside and out. Don’t forget your true beauty in your day to day life. Your true beauty is having the Holy Spirit inside you.

I hope you enjoyed this blog!

Email me on jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk

Have a blessed week, lots of love and prayers

Jessica Louise Xoxo

Expectant Prayer - Guest Writer

Welcome to The Bible For Women Blog! 
Please enjoy this writing from a lovely young lady who is super inspiring, she is called Lauren Smith.

Hello Sisters!!

My name is Lauren Smith. I am 24 years old. I live in Sacramento, California. I have a 3 year old son name Jaden. I love to teach women of all ages about God and the Bible! I am lauching a modest clothing line this summer called Adorning Grace! You can find me on Instagram @AdorningGrace_ (don’t forget the underscore)!

I’m excited to talk to you ladies today about praying in expectation!

Expectant prayer (or prayer in general for that matter) is not about what you say to God, or how you say it. It is about 1 thing . . . and that’s faith.

Having faith and trusting God is the very foundation of prayer.

 I’m sure having faith while praying seems very simple and obvious to many of you but there are so many times that we pray to God but think to ourselves “Oh, that’s never going to happen” or “God’s not going get me out of this situation, I’ve been this way for too long”.

When we think those thoughts we are letting God know that we do not expect Him to not think He can, give us what we ask.  James 1:6 tells us, “. . . when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

When we pray to God but don’t fully expect Him to come through for us, we will give up and lose hope at any sign of trouble.

Ladies, we are women of God! We walk by faith, not by what we see! We have to remember WHO we are praying to and WHAT He has promised us. God -- Creator of Heaven and Earth. He spoke this very world into existence. . . He is more than capable to answer your prayers! When we pray, we must KNOW that our prayers will be answered. Does God always say yes? No. Does God always answer prayers? YES!

 

God has the birds’ eye view on your life. When you pray, even if the answer is no, God is STILL working on your behalf. All things are working for your good because God has had your life planned out from day 1. Psalm 139 tells us that God had everyday of our lives written out before any came to be! Meaning, God knows what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year, and so on. If you lose your job tomorrow, God already knows, if you get that last minute call that you got the job you’ve been praying about, God already knew it was coming! So imagine how God feels when He has promised to take care of us, but we constantly doubt Him when we pray?

I love what God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And also, Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

From these we know that God has good things planned for us!

Meditate on these scriptures. Memorize them. Keep them in your heart.

There were times in my life where everything looked hopeless. But I kept my faith in God no matter what my situation looked like. And you know what? God carried me through! The answer wasn’t always exactly what I prayed for but it was perfect.

In 2008, I was 18 years old working in retail and my car was giving out on me, it was a problem that took way too much money to fix. I prayed to God, and told Him, “Lord, I need a new car. I don’t see how I will get through this situation but I KNOW you will take care of me” I didn’t just say it. I truly believed it. I expected God to help me.

Exactly 2 weeks before my car completely gave out. A woman crashed in the back of my car-totaling it. Now I’m thinking oh great, I’m out of a car sooner than I expected, but I still had peace in my heart and expected God to take care of me.  I had basic car insurance at the time so I got a check for $1500. I was grateful because I could at least afford a down payment on a new car. 

My dad and I came across a used car dealership and the salesman offered to give me a 2001 Ford Taurus in great condition for $1500 even- with no tax! It didn’t hit me until later that I had just gotten a car for free! If that lady never hit my car, I would not have gotten the $1500 that paid for my new one.

Initially, my situation went from bad to worse. But in the midst of that I kept my eyes on God, and my faith strong. I expected God to deliver me and He did! I have more and more stories like this that I wish I could share with you right now, but we’ll save that for another time =]

Sister, no matter what your situation looks like, no matter what your vision in life is, no matter how big your dreams are look to God to help you. Expect him to see you through.  Worry about nothing, Pray about everything!

 So, pray in confidence that God hears you! Expect Him to answer! Have faith and trust that no matter what the answer is ALL things in your life- the good, bad, the trials & hardships. ALL work together for your good, because of God’s love for you.

I am so happy I got to share with you gals today! & I pray that this touched at least one person! Have a great day!!!

Love,

Lauren Rachel =]

I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU! AMEN! Isn't Lauren a prayer and preacher warrior! Love it! Thank you my lovely for taking this opportunity to write a guest blog! You have put a huge smile on at least one persons face! 

 If any one would like to write a guest blog feel free to email me on

jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk

or Twitter or Instagram @bibleblogwomen

Have a very blessed day! 

Here are some scriptures on expecting from God which I personally picked out which help me in my day to day routines. 

www.bibleforwomen.co.uk

Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week.

Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week.
12th- 18th May 2014

Hello lovelies, just a short blog today to help everyone become more aware of anxiety and depression.
Please visit www.anxietyunited.co.uk 

For more information on the illnesses and how you can help support the cause. It’s a mental health problem what can so easily be fixed in time with the right funding and information. 

Personally I have been freed from them and I am now happy, and living happily with family and friends around me, yes I still have my problems but everyone does, where not perfect. 

But if you’re in crisis the website above will tell you your options and give you contact details of different people and organisations who can help.

I hope this information helps you if need help and guidance. 

Thank you and God Bless

Love Jessica Louise Xoxo

Don't forget to check out the new 3 part series too- Part 1&2 are up and running now! 

www.bibleforwomen.co.uk

He is Risen

HAPPY EASTER!!!
Welcome to The Bible For Women and welcome to the Easter 2014 Blog. 

First let's start with the story of Easter. Here are a few of my favourite (some are graphic and very powerful) videos all about Jesus, the cross, his resurrection and what we know to be as the Christian Festival of Easter.

I personally would say Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus, three days after he was executed. The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity.

Here's a copy of the Easter Story from a very awesome website, details below...

The Easter Story 

Waving Palms- As Jesus came closer to Jerusalem, he asked two of his disciples to go ahead of Him.  He said, "When you get to the town, you will see a donkey tied up.  Untie it, and bring it to me.  If anyone asks you about taking the donkey, just tell them, 'The Lord needs it and He will bring it back as soon as He's done with it.'"

So the disciples did as Jesus asked.  They soon found the donkey tied at a doorway.  As they were untying it, some people were standing nearby visiting and they didn't recognize the men and asked, "What are you doing?  Why are you untying the donkey?"

They replied just as Jesus had told them too.  Explaining that the Lord needed it, and the people let them go.

When they brought the donkey to Jesus some of the disciples took off their coats and laid them on the donkey's back.  They did this out of respect for Jesus.  Then Jesus rode on the donkey towards Jerusalem.

As He was traveling, some people saw Jesus coming and came running towards Him.  They had heard He might be coming and they wanted to see him, because he had just helped a dead man come back to life.

One by one they laid their coats on the ground for the donkey to step on.  Even the people that weren't wearing coats ran to the fields and trees nearby and cut palm branches and laid them down.

These people knew that Jesus was special.  It was like when a King or Queen come to town, and people roll out a red carpet for them to step on.  This is what they did for Jesus when they laid their coats, and branches down.

As they got even closer to the town more and more people noticed Jesus.  A crowd surrounded Him and started to shout praises to Him for all the miracles He had done.  "Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, Hosanna!"  

The word Hosanna means save us.  They said this because Jesus was helping them and doing amazing things.  They wanted to praise Him, and they wanted Him to keep helping them.

Some men named Pharisees (these men thought that they were important, and a lot of the people listened to them).  They heard the crowd praising God, and they said to Jesus, "Teacher, why don't you tell these people to stop praising you as if you were God?"

The Pharisees thought that Jesus was getting too much attention from the people.  They wanted to be the most important, but everyone was listening to Jesus instead.

Jesus replied, "If they were quiet now, even the rocks would cry out!"   Even the rocks knew that He was God,  after all, Jesus did make them.

Now Jesus could see Jerusalem and it made Him very sad.  He came to help the people, but no one realized that He was God, and they didn't accept Him.

The Last Supper 
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples asked Jesus, "Where would you like us to plan for you to eat the Passover feast?"  Jesus replied to them, "Go into the city and you will find a man, and tell him that we would like to come to his house for Passover."

First of all, what is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and what is the Passover?  These are actually the same things.  The Jews celebrated the Passover ever since the time of Moses, when the Lord saved all the Israelite babies.  This was when the Lord 'passed over' their houses, and they were kept safe.  This is another big story your teacher will have to tell you another time.

During the time of the Passover celebrations the people didn't eat or have any bread in their homes with yeast in it.  Yeast is what makes the bread all big and puffy.  Without yeast the bread is flat, and that is called unleavened bread.  Now back to the story.

The disciples did just as Jesus asked, and they found a place and got ready for the Passover.

The evening came, and Jesus and the twelve disciples sat to eat the meal.  The disciples were eating quietly, they had a lot on their minds.  They were worried because some people wanted to kill Jesus because he was getting so popular.

Jesus could see the disciples were worried.  He said to them quietly, "I tell you the truth, one of you here will betray me."  The disciples looked at each other in shock, and some of them asked Jesus, "It isn't me, is it Lord?"

Jesus replied, "The one who dips his bread into the bowl with me will betray me.  I will die, just as it is written, but the man who betrays me will feel sorry forever.

Then Judas, with his head down spoke quietly to Jesus, "It isn't me, is it?"  Jesus answered, "Yes, you are the one."  Judas' head went down even lower, he had hoped that the other disciples had not heard what Jesus said.  Luckily, they were paying more attention to Jesus breaking apart some bread.

He thanked God for the bread and shared it with the disciples and said, "Take this and eat it.  This is my body which is given for you".  Then he took a full cup, thanked God for it and said, "This is my blood, which will be poured out  for many people so their sins may be forgiven."  Then they all took a sip from the cup.

The meal continued after this, it was a long celebration.  The disciples took their time, because they enjoyed talking with Jesus and asking Him questions.  (Just like when you go out to eat with your parents and their friends, sometimes they seem to talk forever, and you just want to go home...).

After some time Jesus got up from the table and went to a different part of the room.  He took off his everyday clothes, and put a large towel around him, making himself look like a servant.  After that, he poured water into a large bowl and began to wash the disciples' feet.  Then dried them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

First of all, Jesus is like a King - but even greater than a king, He's the King of King's!  By washing the disciples feet He was doing something that only a servant would do.  This would be like if someone famous came to your house and started to clean your room, even getting down on their hands and knees to clean under your bed!  It probably would never happen.

When it was Peter's turn to get his feet clean he said to Jesus, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"  Jesus replied, "You don't understand what I am doing, but you will later."  

"No," said Peter, "you will never wash my feet."  He said this because he didn't feel right having Jesus wash his feet.  He knew Jesus was very special.

Jesus replied back to him, "If I don't wash your feet, you cannot be with me."  
"Then, Lord,"  Peter replied, "don't just wash my feet but my hands and head too."  Jesus then explained that He only needed to wash his feet; and that would make his whole body clean.
When Jesus had finished washing all of the disciples feet, he put his everyday clothes back on and returned to the table.  "Do you understand what I have done for you?"  Jesus asked them.  "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and that is who I am.  And now that I have washed your feet, you can also wash one another's feet."  


This is an example of how you should treat others.  You don't have to actually wash other people's feet, but by doing nice things to other's and acting like a servant for Jesus, that is what He wants you to do.  If you do these things Jesus will bless you.

Jesus Prays 
After singing a song at the Passover meal Jesus and his disciples went to a garden called Gethsemane.  It was getting to be quite late in the evening, so everyone was whispering.

Jesus was especially quiet, and walked a bit ahead of the rest of the group.  He looked as if He was sad and upset about something.  He stopped and whispered to some of the disciples, "Sit here, while I pray." 

Then with Peter, James, and John he walked just a little bit further and told them, "My heart feels heavy, and I feel very sad.  Please stay here and keep watch, I need some company close by."  The disciples looked at each other, they had never seen Jesus like this before.

Then Jesus walked a bit further by himself, next to a big tree he knelt down with his face to the ground and began to talk to God.  He prayed, "My Father, I know that I am about to go through some horrible things, I wish I wouldn't have to.  But it doesn't matter what I want, I will do whatever you want."

When He had finished praying he went back to where the disciples were and they had fallen asleep on the ground.  Jesus woke them and said to them, "Couldn't you have stayed awake for me for just a little while, you should also pray that you would continue to do what God wants."

The disciples felt bad, and tried to keep their eyes open.  But when they started praying,  they fell asleep.  Two more times Jesus went off to pray the same prayer as before, and when he was finished He came back to his friends disappointed.  They had fallen asleep again.

The third time Jesus woke them saying, "Are you sleeping again?  Enough!  It is time to go, here comes the man who is about to give me up to the people who want to hurt me."

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of Jesus' disciples was coming towards them.  He was followed by a large crowd of people who were carrying swords and clubs.  Judas walked right up to Jesus and gave Him a kiss on the cheek.  This was a sign to the chief priests that this was Jesus, and that he was the man that they wanted to arrest.

Jesus let them take him.  But one of Jesus disciples didn't like what was happening, he wanted to stick up for Jesus.  He took out his sword and cut off the ear of a chief priest.

Immediately, before the situation got more out of hand Jesus spoke firmly, "Enough!"  He reached up to the man whose ear had been hurt and healed it instantly.

Then Jesus spoke to all those around him. "If I wanted I could pray to my Father for help, and He would send angels to protect me, and stop this.  But I know this needs to happen to finish what it says in the Bible."  

The disciples didn't know what to do. They were afraid that they might be arrested for being with Jesus so they quickly left,  leaving Jesus to be arrested alone.  Peter was the only disciple that followed Jesus.  He was careful to follow at a distance, because he was afraid.  He wanted to see what would happen to Jesus.

They took Jesus to a man named Caiaphas, he was the high priest (he made a lot of decisions).  This is where all the other 'important' people had gathered.  They were trying to find a reason to arrest Jesus, but He had never done anything wrong.  People tried to make up bad stuff, but they knew it wasn't true.

Finally Caiaphas asked Jesus, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?"  When Jesus replied that He was the Son of God Caiaphas couldn't believe it.  He even tore off some of his clothes because he thought what Jesus was saying was untrue.  These people didn't believe Jesus, and that's when they decided that they would kill him.

Meanwhile, Peter was just outside the building where they had taken Jesus.  A servant girl saw Peter and had recognized him and asked, "Weren't you with that man named Jesus?"  But Peter lied and said, "You don't know what you're talking about."   

Peter started to walk away, but the girl spoke louder so the other people who were around could hear, "I'm sure you are one of the men that is friends with Jesus."  Again Peter said, "No, I don't know what you're talking about."

After a while more people asked Peter the same thing, and Peter started to get upset by this, and he said in a loud voice, "I don't know the man you are talking about, I've never talked to him."

Right after Peter said this a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered something Jesus had said to him.  "Before the rooster crows, you will turn your back on me three times."  When Peter remembered this he was very sad.  Peter was one of Jesus closest friends, and now he had lied and said he didn't even know him.

Peter started to cry.  How could he have done this to Jesus.

Jesus Dies on the Cross
Very early in the morning, the soldiers brought Jesus to Pilate, the governor at the time.  Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?"  Jesus replied, "Yes, I am."  This upset the chief priests because they were jealous of him and the friends He had made with the Jews.

Pilate listened to the complaints of the people that brought Jesus, but he couldn't find any reason to punish Him.  Pilate questioned Jesus, but Jesus didn't stick up for himself (He knew that they wouldn't listen anyway).  He had done nothing wrong.

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "I have talked to Jesus, and I find no reason to kill Him."

After they heard that all the people shouted, "We want Jesus!  Release Barabbas instead!"  Barabbas had been in jail because he had killed someone, and the people wanted him to be free, and Jesus to be punished. ( It sounds strange but it was like peer pressure.  The chief priests went around telling people lies about Jesus, so that they would be afraid of Him, and want to kill Him).

Pilate didn't like this one bit.  He wanted to let Jesus go, so he tried to talk to the people but they didn't let him.  They just kept shouting, "Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!"

Pilate tried again, yelling, "What has Jesus done wrong?  I can punish Him but then I must let Him go, He doesn't deserve to die!"  But the people just shouted louder to crucify Jesus and Pilate wanted to please the crowd so he freed Barabbas and sent Jesus to die.

The soldiers led Jesus into the palace and made Him put on an old royal robe and they twisted together a crown of thorns to put on His head.  Then they made fun of Him and said, "Hail, king of the Jews."  They didn't understand that He was a king, that's why they made fun of Him.

Next the soldiers led Jesus toward a hill called Golgotha.  They made Him carry the cross on His back, but Jesus couldn't carry it the whole way, he fell down.  The soldiers had whipped His back and it hurt so much that Jesus couldn't handle the weight of the cross on His shoulders.

A man named Simon happened to be near Jesus when He fell, and the soldiers grabbed him, and made him carry the cross the rest of the way.  The soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh.  This was supposed to help make it less painful, but Jesus refused to have any.

When they reached the top of the hill they nailed Jesus to the cross.  There were three crosses, Jesus was in the middle and there was a criminal on His right and on His left.  Pilate made a sign to be put on the cross.  It read what He was being punished for: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

The soldiers watched Jesus and made fun of him, they even divided up his clothes to be even more mean.  And some people walked by and shouted, "You saved others, why can't you save Yourself?"  Jesus could have saved himself, but he chose not to, He wanted to save us instead.

Jesus ignored the people, but He did see his mother, his aunt, and some other women he knew.  Jesus felt bad for His mother, she was so sad to see her son die (just like your parents feel when you get hurt).

Then Jesus saw one of his disciples close to his mother, and he said, "Mother here is your son, and friend here is your mother."  Jesus couldn't say to much, he was very weak.  But he wanted his friend, the disciple to be like a son to his mother, and take care of her.  And from that day on he did.

Later, Jesus could not handle the pain any longer and He said, "It is finished."  That is when Jesus bowed His head and went to Heaven.


Suddenly, a huge curtain that hung at the temple was torn in half, from top to bottom.  And a man that had wanted Jesus to die saw all of this and he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"  He realized he had been wrong about Jesus.

Jesus is Alive
After Jesus died a man named Joseph (from a place called Arimathea) put Jesus in his tomb that nobody had ever used.  The tombs they used then were cut out of rock, almost like a cave,  they weren't buried deep in the ground like they are now.  Before Joseph left, he and some men rolled a large heavy stone in front of the tomb.

Mary and Mary Magdalene had waited a day to see Jesus, because they couldn't go on the Sabbath (it was a day of rest).  They made spices and oils as a sign of respect to Jesus, and went very early Sunday morning to go see Jesus' body.

As they were just about at the tomb the earth suddenly shook and an angel came down from heaven.  He easily rolled away the stone at the entrance of the tomb and sat on top of it.

The women looked at each other and rubbed their eyes, they couldn't believe what they had seen, plus it was very early in the morning, and they were still a little sleepy.  The angel was so bright, almost as bright as lightning.  His clothes were as white as snow.

There had been guards watching the tomb so no one would steal Jesus' body.  When they saw the angel they fell over and they couldn't move or speak because they were so afraid.

Then the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid.  I know you are looking for Jesus who has died.  But He isn't here; He has risen just as He said He would!  Come and see for yourself, the tomb is empty."

The women were confused.  How could this happen?  They were sure Jesus had died, and now He was alive?  They looked in the tomb and the cloths Jesus was wrapped in were laying on the ground, and the tomb was empty.  Then the angel spoke again, "If you want to find Jesus He's on his way to Galilee."

So the women hurried away, they were laughing and crying at the same time.  They didn't know what to feel, they had been so sad that Jesus was dead and now they were so excited He was alive!  They just knew they had to find Jesus, and they had to tell the disciples the good news.

As they were running down the path they turned a corner, and there was Jesus.  "Greetings," He said.  The ladies fell at His feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.  Go and tell my disciples to come to Galilee, that is where they will see me." 

The disciples came to Galilee, and had heard by this time that Jesus was alive.  They were sitting around talking about it, when Jesus walked into the room and said to them, "Peace be with you."  The disciples immediately stopped talking.  Even though they had heard He was alive, they were shocked to see Him standing there with them.

Jesus said to them, "Why do you like at me like you've just seen a ghost?  Why don't you believe what you're seeing?  Look at the scars in my hands and feet.  It is really me!  Touch me and see, I am not a ghost but a real person."

The disciples mouths were open in amazement because they still didn't know what to think.  They were so full of joy, and yet it was so impossible.  Jesus understood what they were thinking, so He said, "This is what I told you would happen, that everything must happen that has already been written in the Bible."

Jesus had told the disciples when they had the Last Supper together.  They took the bread at communion and Jesus said, 'this is my body which I have given to you...' but the disciples hadn't understood what it really meant.

Then Jesus told them, "You have seen these things that have happened, so stay in the city and soon I am going to give you what God has promised you, the Holy Spirit.

When we become Christians Jesus automatically gives us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us.  The Holy Spirit makes us know when we have done something wrong.  We might feel sick to our stomach, or just get a bad feeling, that is the Holy Spirit reminding us that we are doing something wrong, or that we need to stop and say sorry and ask for forgiveness for what we've done.

The story is almost done, but Jesus had one more person to see.  His name was Thomas, and he was one of the disciples that wasn't there when Jesus met with them.  Thomas had also heard that Jesus was alive, but would not believe until he saw Jesus with his own eyes.


A week later when Thomas finally saw Jesus, Jesus said to him, "Put your finger here; see my hands.  Stop doubting and believe."  But Jesus continued, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; but it is more amazing for those who don't see me, and believe anyway."

Jesus Loves You
Jesus appeared several times to the disciples after He rose from the dead.  This is a story of one of those times...

Peter said to some of the other disciples, "I think I'm going to go fishing."  The disciples that were there said, "Wait up, we'll go with you."

It was getting dark outside but the disciples thought they would catch more fish at this time of day.  They got into the boat and went out onto the water, and were out there for a long time.  The time passed and it was almost morning and they still hadn't caught any fish.

Jesus knew where His disciples were and went out to meet them.  He was standing on shore, but the disciples didn't realize who it was.  Jesus called to them, "Friends, haven't you caught any fish?"

"No,"  they answered.  So Jesus told them, "Throw your net on the other side of the boat and you will catch some."  What happened next was amazing.  The disciples who had been fishing all night without catching anything, threw the net over to the other side and within minutes the net was overflowing with fish.

Then one of the disciples realized who had been talking to them, "It is the Lord!"  As soon as Peter heard this he jumped out of the boat to go to Jesus.  (They weren't that far from shore).

The other disciples stayed in the boat, and worked hard to tow all the fish to shore.  When they met up with Jesus, there was a fire started with some bread laying close by.  Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have caught, we'll have breakfast together."

Peter helped the rest of the disciples to get the fish out of the boat.  There were so many fish and they were all so big that they all needed to lift together to get the fish out of the boat because it was so heavy.

Then they all sat together in front of the warm fire and Jesus took the bread and the fish and gave it to them.  This was the third time Jesus had met with the disciples since He rose from the dead.

After breakfast Jesus asked Peter some important questions.  He asked him, "Peter do you love me more than your parents and all your friends?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."  Again Jesus said, "Peter do you truly love me, no matter what?"  He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Then Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"  Peter's feelings were hurt because Jesus kept asking him, but he replied, "Lord, you know the answer, you know that I love you."


"Then follow me,"  Jesus said.

....... This was extracted from the DLTK's Bible Stories for Children website.
If you want to read more bible stories especially for children then check their website out. http://www.dltk-kids.com/ 

Celebrating Easter is all about remembering what Jesus did for you, before you were born, before you were even conceived, he died for you, he died for your sins. 

How amazing is that? So when your feeling lonely just remember Jesus was dead but he now alive forevermore. He is a living God.
so you can walk with freedom, grace and joy. 
  - "Gods not dead, he's surely alive, roarin' like a lion"- Newsboys 

Easter is a enjoyable and powerful time for a believer in Christ, as I personally hate the idea of Jesus being mocked and beaten but he did it all for us and we need accept that and be grateful and thank the Lord for this amazing blessing that our sins have been wiped away and the boards been cleaned. 

Have a lovely Easter for all means decorate eggs, bonnets, your homes. Also make Easter card.... get creative in Jesus' name! 
Here's some of my Easter Creations from the past few years (Easter Fun days with Church, College Egg Decorating, Nail Art) and I'm very excited to get creative on Sunday with the family for Easter, Easter egg hunts... after church of course! 
Don't forget your Easter Sunday service if you go to church or not, its a great way to hear what your Lord and Saviour has already done for you and what hes willing to sacrifice for you. 

Have an amazing Easter and let me know what you all get up to this weekend and email me on jessica@bibleforwomen.co.uk

Thank you for reading this lengthy blog... God Bless you all
Love Jessica Louise Xoxo