Hi Sisters! Tonight we continued in our study of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount with Matthew 5:17-20. The highlights are below: Matthew 5:17-20: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." In this passage, Jesus is teaching us: 1. 1. Jesus fulfills Scripture. 2. 2. God's Word still carries authority. 3. 3. Knowing God's Word should lead to living His Word. 4. 4. Kingdom righteousness goes deeper than what's on the outside. Discussion Questions: -What is the difference between trying to "look like a Christian" and allowing Jesus to genuinely transform us? Let's answer the discussion question below in the comments!

Good morning, sisters, and happy Monday! I wanted to share what the Lord led me to today: James 1:19-20. "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." I'm in a season of growing and trusting God with the plan and future He has for me. I went into this season confused and angry. This Scripture reminds me to be quick to hear (listen) to God and what He's trying to communicate to me. After all, I prayed for clarity. After He tells me what He wants me to know, I need to be slow to speak (wisdom is having restraint) and slow to anger, because God is slow to anger toward us, and my being angry, even if it is justified, won't change the person's heart. Only the Lord can do that. The reason why the enemy wants to keep you angry and offended is that being angry doesn't produce the righteousness of God, as we see in verse 20. This week I invite you to be intentional with your responses. Choose responding over reacting, and I pray the Lord blesses you for your obedience 🧡 Love y'all, Shavonne 🧡

The Lord brought us together to worship Him, to celebrate each other, to speak life into one another. Jesus wanted us to leave with something beautiful from Him, and we did ❤️ Sometimes God blesses us from the generosity of other people. Gleaning Grace was a reminder from Ruth 2 that community comes together to ensure that no one gets left behind. Not on our watch 😉❤️ #JesusIsKing #teatimetestimony #gleaninggrace #sisterhoodinchrist

Happy Tuesday, Sisters! Remember when I told y'all that the Lord was teaching me patience in this season? Along with being patient is the waiting. I put it together, and I have to wait patiently. The Lord led me to this Scripture this morning 🧡 Psalm 27:14 (NLT) says, "Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD." The Lord wants us to know that waiting is not wasted when God is working. Give it to Him, and then trust Him with it. How can you remain faithful while you wait in this season?

Good morning, sisters! Happy Thursday 🧡 If I had a choice to go back to school for something, I would go back for agriculture. I love learning the why of plants (botany) and the how of plant growth (horticulture). I started raised-bed gardening this year and am growing vegetables through the fall. Listen y'all, the Lord is speaking and teaching me a whole lot through this garden! Every morning, I go out with my youngest daughter Morgan (my lil apprentice), and we water and inspect the plants for insects and for fruit. Today, as we saw little baby buds inside the white flowers of our red bell pepper plants, that put FRUIT on my mind and in my spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." -The Holy Spirit produces these traits of godly character. -Fruit is something produced through us, by the Holy Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is the life and character of Christ produced in us as we walk in fellowship with Him." - Tony Evans Fruit grows as we stay connected to Jesus. Jesus says in John 15:5 (NLT), "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." Is your fruit visible? I learned a few years ago, before I even had my garden, to become a "fruit inspector." To look for the fruit in people, their lives, and the fruit of my relationship with them. I also learned about my fruit, where I was strong and where I needed more help from the Holy Spirit. I'm not perfect; I'm human. But I do want to be more like Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) says: "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." Today, sisters, I invite you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit which fruit He wants to cultivate in you. Share with us what He told you in the comments 🧡