Chapters 7 & 8

Chapter 7 memory verse:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Chapter 8 memory verse:

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Prayers for the week:

• Bless these ladies and this group
• Bless our discussion -- that everyone feels comfortable sharing and we are an encouragement to one another on this journey
• Help us become women of purpose and have a fixed focus on You
• Help us cast our anxieties on you and be free from the bondage of worry
• We know if we could see things as You do, we could free ourselves.  We know if we could truly believe and have faith and fix our lives on You, we would be content and at peace.  We know this in our minds.  Help us know this in our hearts and live our lives like this.
• As the end of the Tobymac "Lose My Soul" song goes..."Lord, forgives us when we get consumed by the things of this world that fight for our love and our passion.  As our eyes are open wide and on You, grant us the privilege of Your world view, and may Your kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down."

Chapter 5 & 6

Chapter 5 memory verse:

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Chapter 6 memory verses:

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. (Psalm 119:14)

Prayers for this week:

• Bless this group and our desire to seek You and place our hearts and trust in You alone.
• Please give us the power to forgive others as You forgive us.
• Please help us to seek You over any and all earthly possessions.
• Please help us to be content with what we have and to use it for Your Glory -- to do good deeds and be generous.
• Please help us to search our hearts and be honest about our treasures and where our heart is....to cut the ropes and get rid of what we don't need, to avoid people and situations that make us fall into a trap of greed, to not overspend, to avoid seasonal greed, to have an attitude of gratitude and share our wealth.

Waiting Here For You

Great Friday morning song...

Chapters 3 & 4

I hope you all are enjoying the study so far.  Here are the memory verses for chapters 3 & 4:
Chapter 3
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:14)

Chapter 4
²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Prayers for our group from these weeks:

• God, we pray that you enable us to see the wisdom behind the way You framed us.
• We pray that our lives become more about growing our character and becoming who you created us to be, and less about busy doing and accomplishments.
• We pray that we can see others, the world and our role in it from Your perspective....to see our cup and portion as a gift, and not a cross...that we can glorify You in our given roles.
• God, help us remember that Your standard is not perfection or success, but instead faithfulness.
• Bless all of these ladies and their families.
• Bless our group discussion and desire to support one another in seeking You.

Week 1 (Chapters 1 & 2)

Hi ladies!  I am so excited about our study together.  This week we will be reading chapters 1 & 2. 

Bible memory verses:

Chapter 1:
¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Chapter 2:
⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:6-8)

When we get together again on Thursday (June 9) we will discuss the questions in the back of the book for these two chapters.  I'm looking forward to an amazing 6 weeks with you all.

Study Schedule & Homework

Each week we will read two chapters in the book.  The study questions are included in the back of the book, starting on page 210.  When we get together each week, we will discuss the questions as a group.

Bible Study Attendees

Here is a list of all the ladies in our study so we can pray for one another by name:

Prayers for our Study

• Bless this study and these ladies beyond measure.
• We know that where two or m ore are gathered in Your name, there you will be.  We pray You will show up mightily...to fill this place with Your Glory.
• Help us give 100% to the study this 6 weeks and not miss one ounce of what You have uniquely set aside for each of us.
• We pray and ask You to help us keep our hearts and minds focused on You.  To have no other gods beside You -- not our schedules, our busyness, our fears or anxieties.  Help us put You first.
• We pray we grow closer to You this 6 weeks.  That we love You more, that we become more obedient, that we see the world and people and circumstances the way you do.
• we pray that You will help us make time for reading, meditating on Your word and journaling this 6 weeks.
• We pray that in doing that, we will become closer to You and spending time with You will become a priority and habit in our lives.
• We ask that You will be pleased with our desire to seek You and put You above any anxieties we have and that You will bless each of us and our families.
• We pray that this group will be a place where everyone feels loved and comfortable sharing.  That we support each other in our journey to know You better and to be content in all circumstances.

Online Bible

For looking up passages in a variety of translations, you can go to www.biblegateway.com.  There is also a search feature below and on the sidebar of the blog.

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible
Include this form on your page

Joani Contact Info

Email:  joani.ross@comcast.net
Cell:  238-1268
Home:  384-3267

About the Study

Women worry a lot. We worry about our children, our friends, our careers, our families, our spouses-the list could go on and on. Yes, we want to be content and trust God with our worries, but it's a struggle to let go and free ourselves from the burden of anxiety. If you're tired of worrying about all the "what-ifs" in your life and want to experience the calm and contentment promised in Scripture, Calm My Anxious Heart is what you've been looking for. Filled with encouragement and practical help for overcoming anxiety, this book includes a Bible study to help you discover what the Bible says about contentment and ways to apply it to your daily life. With Calm My Anxious Heart you can let go of your anxiety and experience the contentment that comes from trusting God.