Together again

3:14 p.m. Today's project was to begin our Thursday Bible study for the year. We are continuing in I Samuel, where we'll see God's move from the first (unsatisfactory) king of Israel to David, the "man after God's own heart."

It was a busy morning. My neighbor Cindy arrived at the house by 9:00 so we could go to the home where our childcare will be offered. We had a lovely time of prayer with our volunteers, and then headed over to Debbie's house, where we were greeted by a number of ladies who were already arriving.

It was so good to get our group together again, and to welcome my decades-long friend Pati into the fellowship. Even though we see each other at church regularly, and Pati and I communicate online and visit when we can, there's something magnificent about Christians gathering around God's Word, fellowship and prayer for one another and our families' needs. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren (or "sistren!") to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1 states.

Jesus promised in Matthew 18:19-20,

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

We began with a review of the period of the Judges, and the prophet Samuel's transitional role as prophet, priest and judge, continuing on to the anointing of the first king of Israel, Saul. We reviewed Chapter 13, where Saul loses his kingdom because of disobedience, and then marvelled at God's rescue of the nation by using Jonathan, his armor bearer, and an earthquake, to put the Philistines to flight.

As we all reflected upon and discussed the key spiritual points found in the verses, I was blessed to be instructed, encouraged and humbled by the caliber of these women of the Word! We all shared freely our impressions and our testimonies concerning trust, courage, obedience, consistency, leadership and many more virtues God wants to develop in His women.

But the sweetest portion of our session is always our prayer time, where we lift one another up to our Father, certain that He hears us, and will answer, and that He loves our loved ones more than we ever could!

A precious season has opened up, and we welcome all women to join us at 10:00 on Thursday mornings!