The core of the "everything you need" promise of 2 Peter 1:3 is that we have what we need, when we need it, for the things we need it for. We don't just have everything for anything. We havn't been promised, "His divine power has given us everything we need" for whatever we can find to do with it. We haven't been given this "everything" for the stuff we can't say no to, or what we allow others to obligate us to.

We have been given this everything "for life and godliness through the power of him who called us, by his own glory and goodness"  (2 Peter 1:3).

What does that mean for you and me, as women of God? How does that play out in our real lives? How do we work through the stuff we were given everything for, and what stuff doesn't belong?

First, we have to learn to believe that we really do have everything we need. It may take some study, to remind ourselves how often God has fulfilled this promise in scripture. Truly, its every where. From Adam to the disciples, God says over and over again, "I will give you what you need when you need it."  We have to believe this promise is true for us, too.

We can build that trust in the promise by paying attention to the provision in your own life. With open eyes you will see how often God provides for you. Have you noticed a friend shares the right verse or word at the right time? Do you open your bible to the perfect place when you need it? Did someone bring you a meal when you felt unable to even come up with dinner? Did you get a hug, a call, a check, a note or advise at the exact time that you know it was needed?

God provides you with everything you need. Believe it.

Next, we have to start being able to recognize what our resources are. We are covered in them. They are everything we have available to us to build your life, function in a day, pay the bills, get emotionally involved with others ...it's everything that makes up who you are. Its you personality, your relationships, your home, your paycheck, your time, your energy. Your resources have been given to you by God for a purpose.

Then, we have to be willing to consider where we may be misusing those resources. If God gave us everything we need, and we don't feel like that is true then its most likely that we have somehow misappropriated those resources. Consider your resources (your "everything") like a budget. if you have $XX for the month and you use it for any number of things besides the electric bill, then you wont have enough for the electric bill. Its not that you didn't have enough to start with, just that you lost those resources somewhere along the way.

Where are we misusing what we have been given? What expectations do we pour resources into that aren't of God? Where are we spending our time, money and energy and are these places where we believe God has given us those resources for?  Are these things worthy of those resources?

If we want learn to balance this crazy wonderful life, we have be willing to ask this difficult question and then be willing to do something about it if the answer isn't what we think it should be.

Most importantly, ask God to guide you all these things. He will be faithful. I promise.

So this will be the face of Everything You Need that everyone will see starting the end of September or the first of October! After some work, I am very happy with it. I still can't believe this will actually happen, that these promises will be able to share outside of my network of friends who have been gracious enough to share them with me.

I can't wait to hear how these words will bless woman who find themselves in the same place I often do, of struggling with feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with having to juggle all of our tasks. I am so looking forward to hearing about each journey that my fellow sisters will take as they discover these very great promises that they can apply to themselves, no matter the good work that God has for them right now.

I can't wait to hear what each of the women who will work through this study will add to it, how they will enrich it through their own stories, and how they will make it better by their sharing it with those they will share their hearts with.  I have already been so blessed to share with women of different seasons, of different experiences and with those who have already learned these lessons long before and simply encouraged those of us who were in the process.

Lord, take these lessons and make them benefit the work you are doing in your world. Let them be a blessing for your women. Let them find the hearts that need encouraging. Let them be used by you for your very good work, and thank you so much for letting me be part of it!