How to Delight in the Lord {Delight in the Lord: Week 1}
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
{Cue the Confetti!!!}
It’s time to begin the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! This week’s spiritual focus is to Delight in the Lord! Join me for Week 1’s video as we discuss How to Delight in the Lord —then pull out your journals and begin!
Week 1 – Delight
When our schedules are full and our to-do lists are overwhelming, it’s hard to stop and enjoy life to the fullest. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins, we have a personal relationship with God. Not only should we delight in God as our savior and friend, but God is also a giver of good gifts, that he wants us to delight in!
So how do we delight in the Lord and the good gifts he has given us?
We must stop.
We must stop and open our eyes to the generosity of our God. When we sit still in his presence and simply enjoy the Lord, we find that our souls can be satisfied in him. He is a delight to know!
Once we are still in God’s presence and delighting in him, the fullness and richness of all God has given us, comes to life. Suddenly we see God’s hand in everything. We see God’s love in the chirping birds, a crispy apple, a hot cup of coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a hug from a friend, a beautiful sunset, a powerful storm and the changing leaves on the trees.
People who work too much, don’t delight in life. Instead of experiencing freedom in Christ, they lack the self-control and faith to simply stop, rest and delight.
Every evening the sun sets, signaling it is time to rest. And on the seventh day of creation, God rested. Rest and delight are God given, built-in needs for our souls.
So, it’s time! It’s time to take 15 minutes a day to stop and be grateful, pray, meditate and delight in the Lord and then go forward with the day, delighting in the good gifts God has given us to enjoy. Let’s get started.
Week 1 – Challenge
Start a daily gratitude list!
Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, let it remind you to say a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for peace in your home.
I will be starting mine in the morning but you can start yours at dinner time or whenever is convenient for you. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Let’s make our homes feel like a warm hug and a sweet haven all month long!
You see when we do not take the time to tend to our own souls – we have nothing left to give to others. So many times I have found myself busy and running on empty and then I snap – in a moment of frustration and weariness I say or do things that I would never do if I was more rested and connected with the Lord.
And so this month – let’s be intentional!
Begin your gratitude list now.
Pull out a pen and paper and begin. As you set your pen to the paper – wait on the Lord. Seek God and ask him to show you all the ways he has shown himself to you lately.
Give thanks to God for both the big and small blessings in your life.
They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
(Psalm 136:1)
Here is this week’s Bible Reading Plan
This Week’s Verses of the Day:
(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shot them.)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Click HERE to print the Verses of the Day for Week 1.
Here’s the Daily Bible Reading Plan
Printable Bible Bookmark
Printable Bible Coloring Bookmark
Signature GMG SOAK Bible Study Method
Video explaining the Bible Coloring and SOAK Methods of Study
Here are the highlighters, pens and pencils I mentioned in the video:
Highlighters – Acid Free – Bible Hi-Glider
Fine Line Non-bleeding Pens – Micron Archival Ink and Multi-Colored Gel Pens
Colored Pencils – Crayola Twistables and Crayola Colored Pencils
I use the ESV Inductive Study Bible as my personal study Bible.
Don’t Miss the Daily Check-Ins on Facebook and Instagram!
Join us EVERY weekday morning ANYTIME after 7:00amEST on Facebook
to discuss the day’s reading assignment.
Share pictures of your candles, flowers, playlists and favorite places to rest on Instagram by using the hashtags: #MakingYourHomeAHaven and #WomenLivingWell.
***Unlike my other Bible Studies, this series will only have Monday blog posts. For daily encouragement during this challenge follow me out on –> Instagram and facebook . I’ll be there every day cheering you on!
It’s time to begin!
It’s time to focus on delighting in the Lord – because…
What we focus on – grows.
And complaining makes us weak -but living a life of gratitude and joy – will make us strong!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Walk with the King,
Chime In: ***Share with us in the comment section some of the things you are grateful for today.
Just look around the room where you are sitting right now. I am positive there are more than 10 ordinary things we could easily give thanks to God for. Share them with us!
I’m so glad you are joining us!
You can use any notebook you have
but if you want the optional journal, it is available
exclusively on Amazon here.
If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now button below.
Thank you, Courtney!
What a wonderful study this is going to be! So many times I try to start something like this and life gets in the way and it falls behind! This study reminds me to slow down and appreciate all the good that the Lord has given me and my family! I look around at where I am sitting and I slowly realize that everything I have is because of Him. I was able to retire early and enjoy the days with my husband. I am also able to play with my grandchildren because of early retirement and I get to enjoy my favorite hobby, quilting.
None of this would have been possible if not for the Lord’s. He has blessed me and my family in so many ways that I can’t even begin to count. There have been times when Ive went through horrible trials but the Lord has ALWAYS carried me though! We just have to slow down and breath and remember, that HE has it ALWAYS!
I am thankful for God saving my soul at a young age. I was brought up in a Godly Christian home land because of that I have tried to serve Him to the best of my ability all my life. I pray that God would continue to use me for His honor and glory and praise!
Hi Courtney I paid for the printable version, how do I go by to download.
thank you,
cris
Dear Cris,
You should have received an email with a link to the download. If you did not receive it, please email me at Courtney@womenlivingwell.org and I’ll send it to you right away.
So glad you are joining us!
Courtney 🙂
Wow! I love how God just brings things together. I am going through Ann Voskamp 1000 gifts Devotional and she, as you probably know, has beensharing on God’s grace and goodness. I love how you put it. “Building on a relationship with God.” That will be my purpose in this study. To be thankful and grateful for His goodness.
And I have been making a list of gifts for a few years now. I love how this changes my attitude in my world. It is humbling to be grateful to our God for His goodness.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Powerful.
Hugs
Hi Courtney,
Firstly Thankyou for this beautiful study which is much needed at this time of year. I just wanted to ask are there downloadable reflective/discussion questions to go with the study as with previous studies. Joining in from Adelaide Australia.
Blessings Catherine
Hi Catherine,
This study is a little different. Instead of reflective questions – inside the journal there is space to SOAK the passage of scripture for the day and a focus on listing the things you are thankful for each day – along with the challenges. So there are no reflection questions. I’m sorry.
So glad you are joining us all the way from Australia. You guys are in a different season right? I think it is spring there! Enjoy!
Lots of Love,
Courtney 🙂
Thankyou Courtney,
yes it is spring here heating up 97 degrees today. I work in a Christian school supporting children with special needs. This year with Covid has brought many new challenges.
I love being able to refocus with your beautiful Make Your Home a Haven Studies. This is my third year to join in and am really looking forward to setting time aside to delight in my King. Blessings Catherine????????????
I am thankful for WLW & GMG and this Bible Study. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to slow down and stop and be in Your presence again Lord. Thank you for all of the little things in life Lord. I love you.
Hi Courtney! Looking forward to this study! Just checking, but are there any daily discussion questions? I didn’t see them above like I usually do. Thanks!
The scripture for Thursday is quoted as Col 3:6. But it is actually 3:16
I am so thankful for GMG, WLW, and fir THIS “on-time” bible study. I am in the midst of major transitions in my life, in multiple areas of my life, and it is imperative that I take time to rest in, reflect on, and restore in the presence of God. He is the God of purpose and perfect will. Being in this world, we sometimes need a little help and encouragement with maintaining consistency with making time to focus and keep God at the center of all.
I have shared it with my mom, sisters, and friends. They all agree it is truly a blessing. Thank you SO much for this. ????????????
#Thankful
#MakingMyHomeAHaven
Good morning from Texas,
I used your studies before on Facebook maybe 3 years ago. I woke early & eager to study with God & spend time with Him before all 3 boys arise…homeschooling mama. Not only has this blessed me but I realized this is a resource for my future womans bible study + homeschool children play as we stdy, pray, share & encourage eachother. Segeral things to be grateful for, including the 10 aceres + electricity, water well, 4 aceres cleared, septic & our rv we lived in for 4 months after we sold our house in the city to move to the country. I knew God had a plan. The rv for my parents to move out of a bad area soon and live in the country with us. Cleaner air from the chemical plants & drug dealer neighbors. So much to thank Him for my eyes swell with tears as I meditate on these scriptures & stop to delight in Him ! ???? I stare at the bookshelf aligned with books for our growing boys. My health improved. Warm belly of MaltoMeal. Clean well water to sip. The ability to write notes & journal. God’s revealed Himself to me through the creatures here & the stillness, the autumn breeze. Delight in Him! Again, delight in Him!???????? Praise God for Jesus & that we can daily go to our fathers thrown of grace. ???????? Thank you for doing all you do here & Youtube. – Tx MaMa
4 ladies & I are doing this 4-week study. Thank you so much !!!