Cultivating Worthwhile Weekly Bible Studies for Military Women & Groups
ROOTED Bible studies by Planting Roots are designed with military women in mind. They are short but not shallow, using only a Bible, a blank journal or notebook, and a desire to draw near to our God Most High. Whether doing this study at home or as part of a group, we hope you will gain spiritual strength as you encounter God.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_postslider layout=”posts” excerpt=”15″ category=”design” limit=”2″ lightbox=”yes” class=”” id=””][/fusion_postslider][fusion_text]
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#6a6970″ background_image=”” background_parallax=”fixed” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”#e5e4e4″ border_style=”” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”0px” padding_right=”0px” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”left” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”right” animation_speed=”1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]God Knows[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
For you have done wonderful things,
Plans formed of old faithful and sure.
Isaiah 25:1
I read a quote the other day that made me smile. “Marriage is a walk in the park. Jurassic Park.” The truth is that marriage is hard and trying. It reveals the best in us and also the worst in us. My husband and I have been married for over 22 years and we have had our honeymoon moments and our trials. All the normal ups and downs were accentuated by the military life.
Deployments, long hours, PCS… My prayer life developed quickly as I faced those issues along the regular stress of parenting and life in general. I have cried out to God for answers, for guidance and too often for quick fixes. I doubted His presence at times. Answers did not make sense or did not come. Quick fixes were not the norm. My inability to remove myself from the equation rendered my prayer life ineffective. Too often I prayed for things to go my way. I prayed for the answer I wanted. I prayed for guidance over a situation but in my mind I already had the outcome figured out.
Fellowship with other sisters has taught me that I am not alone in this conundrum. Military women have learned to be self sufficient, problem solver and action oriented persons. Yet God is urging us to rely on Him, trust that He has the correct answer and rely on His timing.
“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel – and God knew.” Exodus 2:23-25
Allow me to share a timeline with you. Jacob and his family moved to Egypt around 1876 BC. The actual days of slavery are uncertain but we do know that Moses was born around 1526 BC. The cry that God heard was at about that time. The first Passover, the day the Hebrews were free from slavery was 1446 BC. Over a 100 years passed from the time God saw the people and heard them and their actual freedom. 100 years!
When I put myself first, I forget that there is a bigger plan in place. God’s ultimate goal is to save the world. He works His plan in such a way that no one shall perish. Thus He is not slow to answer our prayers. (See 2 Peter 3:9). God knew the Hebrew people needed to be free from slavery and He knew that Moses was the man for the job. God knows the situations you are in and the trials you are facing and He knows the perfect time for the answer to come.
God knows.
There are a few times when I earnestly sought God for answers and waited. As I sought the answers, I also asked what He wanted me to do. I wish I could say that I was thrilled about the response but that is not the case. His answers do not always make sense and sometimes they are not the answers we want to hear. But I can say for a fact: God NEVER disappoints. I can think of several deep and troubling issues I faced where God showed up in a big and mighty way. It was not quick and not easy. The lessons learned along the way have sharpened my skills and strengthened my faith.
Sisters, pray without ceasing, seek wisdom always and wait patiently.
Think about it:
- List major issues that you are facing right now.
- Give those issues to God and seek wisdom on what He is asking you to do.
- Find an accountability partner and share the insights with her.
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Daily Reflections
Day 1: Read Exodus 2:23-25
Use this verse as a template for your prayer today. Replace the first half of the verse with one of the issue you listed. Write God heard me. God remembered His covenant. God sees me and God knows.
Day 2: Read Joshua 5:13-15
What was Joshua’s answer to the commander of the Lord’s army? What does this say about Joshua’s character? How can you do the same in your prayer life?
Day 3: Read James 1:2-4
Let me be honest with you. I am just now appreciating the value of this verse. Who likes to be tested right?!? Identify the areas you are being tested right now. Ask God for wisdom so that you will know what the next step needs to be. Trust me, the sooner you learn the lesson, the sooner the test is over. Always journal your experience. A faith journey is worth journaling.
Day 4: Read Romans 8:24-25
What does the second half of verse 25 urges us to do? What are you hoping for right now? Can you hope in what you do not see and trust?
Day 5: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:8
According to this verse where is our hope found? Write a prayer of thanksgiving today. Thank Him for your salvation and the hope that comes with it. Remember this truth and let your faith grow through the trials.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]This week’s author:
Muriel Gregory[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”fixed” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”#e5e4e4″ border_style=”solid” padding_top=”60px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”0px” padding_right=”0px” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Welcome to Monday Minute With God.
A place to start the week right and tools to keep you in the Word all week long.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
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