We spent the week in “Settle My Soul” looking more closely at the topics of influence, envy, and friendships …
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“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; and through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (Proverbs 24:3-4, NIV)
Three things are needed as we build our homes:
- wisdom
- understanding
- knowledge
We desire our homes to be a place for our families and friends to gather. We want others to feel welcomed and comfortable, and for God’s presence to be felt in our homes.
The study asks: In what ways do you focus too much on how your house looks? What are some ways you can begin to fill you house with “rare and beautiful treasures” or blessings?
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“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.” (1 Peter 2:1, NLT)
We are discussing the feeling of envy. Envy has been defined as: “a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions, etc.” (dictionary.com).
It’s wanting something not rightfully ours.
It’s a feeling we all have experienced in our lives. The questions we explored:
- Where does envy tempt you most?
- How can you begin to be grateful for what you do have and don’t deserve?
Envy will rob us of everything good in our lives. In our Scripture reading, we are told to get rid of it ourselves. We need to be “done with it.”
The way to combat is to let the Lord give us a settled soul. The author defines “a settled soul” as:
“… a settled soul – a soul anchored in the goodness and grace of what He has done for us in Christ.”
(from page 184)
Our focus needs to be fixed on all God has already given to us. Let’s begin to guard our hearts, keeping envy in check, so our souls are settled in Jesus.
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“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
(Proverbs 17:17, NIV)
We all needs friends; and yet, friendships can be challenging.
Friendship doesn’t always come easily and often requires much work. Friendship requires something of us – to reach out first.
How have you waited for the right kind of friendship? What is one way you can begin being the right kind of friend today?
The study challenges us to be the right kind of friend; and this may require us to reach out to someone.
Friendship is a blessing so may we not miss out on those the Lord would bless us with.
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Homes of influence,
and healthy friendships,
will require us to settle our souls in the goodness and grace of Jesus.
Photo 1: Photo 2:: Photo 3:
Today I am joining … Recharge Wednesday and Woman to Woman .
Let God give us a settled soul. Praying for that for myself and some loved ones today.
Good thoughts, Joanne. If we settle into His love for us and how much He had done for us, how much more content we will be than if we look at what other people have.