It’s safe to say, we, the church as a whole, are pretty easily rattled by the enemy. Why is that? Why do we spend so much time under attack and under oppression? What if—crazy thought here—as soldiers in the army of God, we armor up, stand up, and fight back? This concept will be the focus of our final chapter.

Next week, I will be sending a study recap and some closing thoughts. Remember, if you aren’t done with earlier chapters, keep your roll slow. Read the chapters and complete the takeaways at your own pace.

I’ve enjoyed this journey with you.

Until next week,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Ten Video covers one chapter.
Chapter: “Rattle the Gates” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

Happy Friday!

Live in Safety and Live in Today’s Light will be your week’s two-chapter assignment. Both will encourage you to dance in the light of today rather than being a past or future dweller. While that may be difficult for most of us, Psalm 23 speaks of a present-tense Shepherd who walks with us. We are our safest walking where He is, in today.

After this week, we’re down to one more assignment. This has kind of flown by. Thanks to those of you who have stuck with the series. It’s always an honor to walk out our faith together.

See you back next week,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Nine Video covers two chapters.
Chapters: “Live in Safety” and “Live in Today’s Light” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

After what feels like a lifetime away from fiction, I’m thrilled to announce that Saving Joy will be available on Amazon for Kindle later in August. The print book will follow shortly after.

I can’t even express the joy—pun intended—I’ve experienced while writing this story. Fiction sure is my lane. I’m thankful for your patience as you’ve waited and for the emails asking when I would release a new book. Thank you for not forgetting me.

If you’ve read Room to Grow, then you’ll be pleased to know that Saving Joy is the second stand-alone book in the Nashville Series. Who knows, you just might hear a “Sophie-said” or two.

Love from Lisa!

About the story:
Joy is death-walking through life, neither dead nor alive, existing with one foot in the grave and the other dancing like a puppet beneath Martin’s manipulation. In the aftermath of the crash that took her family and shook her faith, past-tense Joy can’t seem to find a reason to participate in present-day life. Frozen in time, that’s what she is.

Enter Noah, her long-lost love, with his bold and vibrant walk with Jesus, and Joy’s prospects in life and faith no longer seem so bleak. If it weren’t for Martin, Joy might just see a future with Noah and a reason to step out of the grave.

“For us as believers, control is an illusion. Why then do we fight for control
in an out-of-control world?” – You. Are. Loved.

So, how is your fight for control going? Mine? Not so well. Our chapters this week are Live Out of Control and Live Under Control. We begin by considering how we often spend our time trying to control others and outcomes, when we should spend a little more time learning to keep our own selves under His control. Ultimately, we must trust that God is in control of the lives of those we love and submit our own lives and agendas to Him.

Hope you enjoy this week’s chapters.

Blessings,

Lisa

As we move into Session Seven, our focus will be on the Word of God and how we can expect to encounter Jesus, the Word made flesh, as we read. Oftentimes we underestimate the impact that Scripture can have on a believer’s life. When we do meet with Him through the Word, transformation and inner healing naturally occur as He grows our faith and our understanding of who He truly is. You can be certain that God will answer your questions and speak clearly and precisely to you.

I hope this week’s single chapter will inspire you to anticipate encountering the next-to-you Jesus when you set aside time to be with Him.

Grace and peace,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Seven Video covers one chapter.
Chapter: “Live in Expectation” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

Sorry for the confusion, but there was a problem with some of the links I sent earlier today. I apologize to those of you who may have already accessed the links. See the correct links below.

Let me know if you have any questions at lisa@lisaheatonbooks.com.

Assignment:
Session Six Video covers two chapters.
Chapters: “Live Your Heart’s Desire” and “Live the Love Letter” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

One of our anchor verses for Session Six is Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

If there’s one thing I can say about early Lisa, it’s that her heart couldn’t be trusted and tended to have a mind of its own. Much of the trouble that caused me should come as no surprise since we girls are raised from early childhood to long for our love story with a man and to seek human love above all else. Nothing could be further from the truth! This will be the topic for your week’s study, finding Jesus as your own love story and seeking Him through His love letter to you.

Just so you know, today’s Lisa can trust her heart’s desires a little more because her heart now knows its only true love is Jesus. Nothing could have tamed a wild-at-heart woman more than His faithful and forgiving love.

This week’s assignment includes two chapters and two takeaways, so remember to take your time in completing them. There’s no reason to hurry through. If you aren’t finished by the time I send next week’s assignment, just set the new one aside until you’re finished with this week’s reading and questions. This walk with Jesus should be as in the cool of the day.

You’ll find the video, chapters to read, and takeaway below.

See you back next week,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Six Video covers two chapters.
Chapters: “Live Your Heart’s Desire” and “Live the Love Letter” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

This week is the midway point of our You. Are. Loved. online study. The single chapter, “Live the Love Song,” is a bridge between the two sections of the book, so this will be a brief reading week. You will still have a video to reinforce the key points and takeaway questions to allow an opportunity to consider the material.

His love is the music that draws us to the dance floor, His Word guides our steps. Our faith walk is the day-to-day dance. – You. Are. Loved.

Thanks to those of you who are following along. I look forward to your input.

Be blessed,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Five Video covers one chapter.
Chapter: “Live the Love Song” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

Our Session Four chapter is a needed reminder that, while we may know God is present in our lives, we often miss Him in the day to day, in the little ways He makes Himself known. This week, rather than me coming up with something new and creative to say about the upcoming chapter, “In the Day to Day,” I decided to share the opening paragraphs with you.

“True love isn’t a feeling; it’s an experience. Love is action. Love is listening. Love is there for you and cares for you. Love is a thousand little things. We live in a physical realm where spiritual things often remain hidden. After looking at the world around you and experiencing disappointment, rejection, and heartbreak, your eyes must adjust to the inner life of love you live with Jesus.

A verse has recently taken my heart captive. Jesus says in the Book of John that He and the Father would come and make their home with us (14:23). Consider that. The Father and Son are at home with you: in you, around you, beside you, before you, holding you. You are at home with the Person who is Love. You live out your life–all aspects of it–with God at home with you. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you can talk to Him. You can call on Him. You can reach for Him.

Instead of cohabitating with God, most settle for weekend visitation with Him at church on Sunday…” – You. Are. Loved.

If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at lisa@lisaheatonbooks.com.

Happy Friday,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Four Video covers one chapter.
Chapter: “In the Day to Day” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions

No matter your season or situation, God is the One, the only One, who can meet your every need. Do you need guidance by the One who knows your yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows? Your heavenly Father is there to lead you in straight paths. Do you need an ear to listen? Jesus is a friend who is closer than a brother. Do you need wisdom or understanding? The Spirit who indwells you will teach you.

While you can’t see Jesus or touch Him physically, you can know that your Savior is in the midst of your every waking and sleeping moment, your big and little decisions, and your joyful and grief-filled days. When you belong to God the Father through Jesus the Son, you are never, ever on your own.

I hope you will join me for Session Four as we turn our eyes toward our inner, intimate relationship with the God of all our needs.

This week there is only one chapter to read. If you read the chapter material online, remember, you can print the takeaway via the second link without having to print the entire chapter. That will save paper and ink.

If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at lisa@lisaheatonbooks.com.

Have a good weekend,
Lisa

Assignment:
Session Three Video covers one chapter.
Chapter: “Intimate Relationship” can be read online with no printing necessary.
Printable Takeaway for easy printing to complete the questions