It’s time for another online bible study at the Womens Bible Cafe! Welcome back as we review week four of Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Last week we asked some tough questions and one in particular is worthy of re-posting here. Though we’re each in a different season of life and have different relationships with God, you’ll notice a common thread: we are loved.

Words to Wear Inside Your Princess Crown (from last week’s group discussion)

• We are all children of God, by His grace mercilessly forgiven and loved no matter what
• You are loved.
• Welcome home, what took you so long.
• You are the apple of My eye.
• You are my child and not a victim or afraid. My beautiful child.
• Forgiven.
• Believing the truth… will set you free.
• God’s dearly loved child.
• You will soar on wings like eagles; you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint. You are a chosen.
• Put the crown on your head (I loved this one…. )
• Let go and Let God control your life.
• You my daughter are an heir to the King, your are loved and cherished.
• You are loved with an everlasting love.
• I am here, beside you. Walk in my path and you will have troubles no more.
• I am beautiful to God.
• Always remember I love you and you are precious to me.
• I don’t have a clue at what my crown would say…. most days I feel like a peasant not a princess!
• To my daughter, remember nothing can separate you from my love.
• Let go and let God. It’s ok to let go of past mistakes and continue to do better through belief in his word.
• Always remember that you are My child and you are as I am, the greatest Love of all.
• Stand fast. (Or it could say “put the safety helmet on and trust your Father…”)
• There is nothing you can do to make me love you more or love you less.
• Trust in me my daughter with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge me your loving Father and I will direct your path.
• The inside of my crown would simply say “I love you, my daughter.”
• Daughter, as you put on this crown remember that beauty comes from within. Reflect my love in all you say and do – a more beautiful sight I will never see.

Recognize that your name belongs in this list and you are loved by God. After reading of chapter four, you now realize that your sin NO MATTER HOW BIG is forgiven by your Father God. When you look at the nail scared hands realize that those scars are for you and me. They are not for someone else…someone “more Christian”…or someone with smaller sins. Ladies, when you look at the hands of Jesus you are looking at God’s love for His daughter. Never again look away and say “not me. I’m the one who’s sin is too big for Jesus.” If you do reject His forgiveness, you’re in bondage to a lie.  Recognize that your sin- big or small-  is washed away by the blood of the Lamb. “Don’t let the enemy bind and hold you hostage anymore”  writes Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Quotes From Nancy Leigh DeMoss

• One of God’s purposes in delaying divine retribution is to give us time to repent.
• Every time we choose our way instead of God’s way we are revolting against God and the King of the Universe.
• The way to see the truth about sin is to see it in the light of who God is.
• No matter how great a “sinner” you have been, His grace is sufficient for you.
• To believe that our sin is “too much for God” is to underestimate the power of the cross.
• Salvation does not make us sinless.

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall is the place to reach out with your prayer needs and praise reports. Please visit the page and pray for those people who are asking for you to lift them up in prayer.

For Next Week

• Pray for the women who are doing this study with you.
• Read Chapter Five in your book and companion guide.
• Look at the list of Key Resources on page 269 for topics addressed in this book
• Check in with your Small Group Leader

Group Discussion- Answer ONE question or as many as you like

1. What would you say to someone who thinks her sins are “too big for God” to forgive?
2. Which of the lies revealed on page 112 was encouraging or helpful to you?
3. After reading this week’s lesson, what new understanding do you have about sin?
4. Share your thoughts about this week’s lesson.

Have a great week…share what you are learning with others as you grow in truth!

God is good…always!

Welcome back to the Womens Bible Cafe as we review and discuss week three from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This week we focused on lies women believe about themselves. Nancy writes “What we believe about ourselves determines how we live.” By now you realize that if you believe you are a victim- of your past, of a relationship, or poor health, for example- then you will live your life like a victim.

Using imagery, I want you to visualize yourself wearing the princess crown God created for you as His daughter. Imagine you have removed the crown… you’re looking at the inside etchings and you eyes fall on beautifully written words. Do you see the word “victim” written inside your crown? Are you a cancer victim, a sexual abuse victim, a victim of past abortion, a victim of an affair…or are you a Daughter of the King? We don’t want to minimize your pain and downplay your experience, as healing is very important for you. However you might need a reminder of who you are in Christ. With Christ in you…how can you ever see yourself as a victim.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.  1 Cor 1:30 NLT

When we live in our past and condemn ourselves for having an alcoholic parent, a neglectful father, a mentally ill relative or another challenging relationship… we are believing lies about who we are and not living in Christ.

When we choose to be in relationships where we feel rejected, shamed, unempowered and helpless… we are believing lies about who we are and not living in Christ.

When we exhaust ourselves trying to do everything and be everything as daughters, mothers, girlfriends, sisters and wives….we are believing lies about who we are and not living in Christ.

When we look in a mirror and see an aged woman, overweight body and unattractive features…we are believing lies about who we are and not living in Christ.

As I review the list of lies I see a common factor within: all the lies stem from what we read in magazines, watch on television and feed our minds. When our focus is on the things of the flesh, we miss seeing the things of Christ. Examine your heart and see if there are any distortions that do not belong. When Christ sees you…what does he see?

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  Galatians 3:26-27 NIV

To be a victim is to blame Satan when we fall into temptation. To be a princess is to acknowledge our mistakes (sin), ask forgiveness and receive grace from our Father God.

“Once we have received His love, we will not have to compare ourselves to others; we will not focus on “self” at all. Instead, we will become channels of His love to others,” writes Nancy DeMoss.

Imagine yourself putting the crown back on your head and this time imagine what God would say to you. Remember what Nancy said in our lesson this week that “we as Christian women should seek to reflect the beauty, order, excellence, and grace of God through both our outward and inner person.”

Be the one to reflect Jesus to others by the beauty of your heart.

Quotes From Nancy Leigh DeMoss

• What we believe about ourselves determines how we live.
• Successful relationships are not built on claiming rights but on the yielding of rights.
• God made us in such as way that we can never be truly satisfied with anyone or anything less than Himself.

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall is the place to reach out with your prayer needs and praise reports. Please visit the page and pray for those people who are asking for you to lift them up in prayer.

For Next Week

• Pray for the women who are doing this study with you.
• Read Chapter Four in your book and companion guide.
• Look at the list of Key Resources on page 269 for topics addressed in this book
• Check in with your Small Group Leader

Group Discussion- Answer ONE question or as many as you like

1. Imagine yourself putting the crown back on your head and this time imagine what God would say to you. Post a comment below and share what you think the Lord would say to His daughter. What words are engraved inside your crown?
2. How has the longing for human acceptance- being addicted to the approval of others- shaped your past choices in life?
3. Which of the lies revealed on page 87 has the most importance for you? Why?
4. Share your thoughts about this week’s lesson.

Have a great week…stay on track with your reading and may you grow in truth!

God is good…always!

Welcome back to the Womens Bible Cafe as we review and discuss week two from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Last week when we asked you to find one scripture verse that would help you walk away from Satan’s lies more than 100+ of you replied! Great job ladies…..you inspire me as well as the others who are participating in this bible study!

In week two of  Lies Women Believe Nancy DeMoss helps us realize the lies we believe about God. The first time I read this I was shocked to realize that Satan had planted the seeds of deception and that I believed these lies. When I was 12 years old my beloved uncle lost his life to lung cancer and I assumed a false belief that God was not good. During my prodigal run, I wrongly believed God did not love me, God could not see me and God was only good to certain people. Since God didn’t answer my prayer to spare my uncle’s life, I assumed He did not love my family. I walked in the darkness searching for a love only God would be able to provide. We can’t hide from God under false assumptions and lies; we’re only hiding from ourselves.

My life was transformed when I saw the goodness of God. He didn’t just push an “on switch” and transform me. Instead He walked me through painful events during the same time I was seeking Him and participating in bible study. Through a tidal wave of trails I saw a magnified God whom I had abandoned in unbelief. I saw a Father who loved and cared for my family and I saw God was good. It was during these trials that I needed Him, trusted Him and gave my life to Him. Today I see God as my Father, not a punisher. I see myself as His daughter and I see my circumstances as His will and an opportunity to learn and grow near to Him. God is my Rock and I will never again be shaken by unbelief.  When I changed my view of God, I changed my view of myself.

Lies Society Widely Accepts as True (answers from last week’s group discussion)

• …the lie that we should all be superwomen. Tend the family, work the job, keep the house, spend NO time on ourselves!
• …the lie that I missed the mark, will never live up to God’s standard & will only tread water with mediocre ministry.
• …the lie that it’s OK to charge that now. Just pay it off in a year….
• …the lie that you must go to college, find a great job, have a successful career, find a great husband, have children, buy 2 cars, 1 house, and etc.. etc.. etc.. IF YOU don’t do these things, you are nothing and your life doesn’t matter.
• …the lie that I cannot stand up for myself without coming across as a jerk or for fear of hurting someone else’s feelings.
• …the three lies: that I am unsuccessful, unattractive, and insignificant,
• …the lie that there is no value in taking care of the home and children, and that women need a fulfilling fast paced career in order to feel valued.
• …the lie that I am not good enough in my marriage
• …the lie that to be successful, loved, respected, women must be young, beautiful, thin, groomed and dressed very fashionably and expensively.
• …the lie that women need to be busy and I thank God for His Word and commandment to rest.
• …the lie that we have to control most things in our lives and are not taught to rely upon God and put our faith in him that he will take care of us
• …the lie that is continually accepted by society: Racism
• …the lie that we need MORE,MORE,MORE…..bigger is better, new car, new hourse, it is ok to be in debt, everyone else is…….the lie that money and objects make you happy.You have to have lots of “stuff” to be happy or successful.
• …the lie that if you do a good deed, then you will have a place in heaven.
• …the lie of having to have/keep up a certain appearance….I mean, between the media, fashion industries & the Jones, this world has forgotten that none of that ever mattered…
• …the lie that I can’t lose weight or I don’t look good
• …the lie of doubting that God is in control and will take care of me, husband, and the rest of my family and friends.
• …the lie of not being loved. I live alone and my children are not close. I can go for days and my phone never rings.
• …the lie that  success is measured in dollars in our world and not in the health of our relationships with others – our God, our families, etc.
• …the lie that I won’t be rewarded for the sacrifices I’ve made and that it won’t get better.
• …the lie that you have messed up to much and will never be”God enough”
• …the lie that wealth equals blessing
• …the lie of blaming others for your bad attitude and not taking responsibility for it yourself.
• …the lie that there is no absolute truth – all people’s beliefs are right.
• …the lie that you need to preform perfectly to be accepted.
• …the lie that women needing to be so “independent”.
• …the lie that “It takes both parents working to make a living and provide for a family”
• …the lie that said that God is not enough.
• …the lie that you can do it my way and that you are a queen of your own destiny.
• …the lie of Satan throwing the weight of my sins back on me daily… Shame, Guilt.
• …the lie that ” As long as I’m not hurting anyone (or breaking the law), I can do what ever my heart desires. If it feels good, it must be good.”
• …the lie that how you live will have control of your future destiny.
• …the lie that “A fetus is not a baby”

From our group discussion, it’s apparent that we see and recognize the obvious lies. Yet when you look at our study this week, we now realize that some lies are less obvious. Some lies are deep inside our hearts, planted with a tiny seed that guides our decisions and beliefs. Some lies are formed when we are small children and some lies are formed as adults. As we continue this journey with Nancy Leigh DeMoss we’ll discover more lies we believe and the truth to set us free.

At the end of chapter two Nancy has created a list called Countering the Lies with Truth. I want you to read this list again, and this time insert your name before each truth. For example, you will say” (your name) believes God is good and God does not make mistakes.” Write these truths out or make a copy of this page and carry it with you until you have embedded the Truth into your heart and mind. We need to recognize the truth because there is so much pressure from family, friends and society to accept lies.

Praying For My Small Group and the Bible Cafe Leaders

As you continue your study, know that your small group leaders are praying for you by name. We’re praying to stop any distractions or obstacles which might keep you from learning the Truth and completing this bible study. We know if you make it past the third week of study, chances are you’re going to persevere and finish the journey. If you feel like you’re struggling, falling behind or lacking commitment…I strongly advise you to email your leader or contact me so you will not stumble on the journey to freedom.

Quotes From Nancy Leigh DeMoss

• We want God to fix all our problems. God says instead, “I have a purpose for your problem.”
• God is so powerful, He is able to bring results even out of evil circumstances.
• When we have God, we have all we really need.
• True freedom is found in obedience.
• God never promised to make life easy.

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall is the place to reach out with your prayer needs and praise reports. Please visit the page and pray for those people who are asking for you to lift them up in prayer.

For Next Week

• Pray for the women who are doing this study with you.
• Read Chapter Three in your book and companion guide.
• Look at the list of Key Resources on page 269 for topics addressed in this book
• Check in with your Small Group Leader

Group Discussion- Answer ONE question or as many as you like

1. Nancy says “Once we reject the goodness of God, we feel justified in rejecting His will and making our own decision about right or wrong.” Has there ever been a time in your life when you rejected the goodness of God? What happened?
2. How would your life be transformed if you grasped the greatness of God’s love?
3. What area of your life would be different if you gave it a fresh view of God’s goodness?
4. Share your thoughts about this week’s lesson.

Have a great week…stay on track with your reading and may you grow in truth!

God is good…always!

Welcome back to the Womens Bible Cafe as we review and discuss week one from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. As we learned from Nancy in the introduction on page 17, “reading this book won’t make your problems go away, but will point you in the direction of the Someone who can help.” The entire focus of our study is to unveil the lies and replace them with Truth based on scripture. We’ve been carrying the weight of past lies and hidden shame far too long…and its time for God’s children to reclaim their identity in Christ. Jesus says “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” John 10:10 NKJV. So my question is…how many of us are living abundant and joy-filled lives? Is your life “abundant to the full, till it overflows” John 10:10 AMP or is there room to clean out the lies? Let’s get started with our discussion….your participation is essential to add value to our bible study.

Last week when we launched our bible study we asked you what lies you wanted to break free from. There are 250+ women doing this study at the Womens Bible Cafe and 35% of you participated in last week’s discussion. Let’s do better this week! Pray and ask God to reveal to you any lies that are keeping you in bondage. Ask Him to reveal them so you can replace the lies with truth.

What Lies We Want to Replace With Truth (answers from last week’s group discussion)

• negative feelings that are not of the Lord
• “You Are Not Good Enough.” I often feel that I am not good enough as a mother, as a wife, as a teacher, as a friend, as a daughter, as a sister, etc.  Fear of not measuring up, I have to be better than others in order to get recognition, needing approval from others
• worrying about my children
• that a woman must be conventionally pretty to be happy or successful and that, as a 56-year-old I can no longer influence my family or impact the kingdom; insignificance that i can’t be better than i am right now and i wont be a mother; the lie that I do not provide value in my job and that I must work 24/7 to get ahead in this world. I would like to break free from the idea that what I do for a living is no big deal. I did not graduate from college and it is a huge regret in my life. I don’t feel like I met my expectations. I am always wondering “what if.” I would like to break free from entertaining the lies that I’m not smart enough, I missed my calling,
• the lie that I have to hold on to anger or seek revenge when a friend has hurt me
• “the need to be perfect,” “the need to only trust myself, because you can’t trust anybody else,” “there is no one to talk to when you are down because you look like you have issues and no one wants to inherit your problems”
• the lie that I can not lose weight, the lie that I’m not pretty
• I am great at comparing myself with someone else, then I can’t measure up. I hang on to guilt. I am horrible at asking for help. I feel like I am bothering someone by asking for help. I would like to not believe that I have to feel guilty for everything I do.
• one lie that I want to leave behind is that I have to do everything on my own. feeling like I have to be a martyr and do it all by myself when it comes to kids, work, home, etc. I then feel guilty to ask for help when I need it. the lie that I need to be the perfect mother, wife, room mom, housekeeper, well… everything.
• an even bigger lie: the media is more trustworthy than God or your faith.
• I want to break free of the lie of worry. but probably most importantly lies that I have to have a perfect home (always OCD clean!); I have to be perfect in the eyes of others and that people won’t like and love me for who I truly am. I want to live a God given happy and free life without worry or the need to control everything.
• I want to break free from the lie of Satan that I am not good enough in my marriage… I feel that I need to be a better wife which leads me to compare myself to other women. Having fear that I will not be here long enough to see my children grow up. I’d like to break free from believing I have to be the perfect wife, mother, daughter, worker and stop being such a martyr all the time.
• I want to break free from the lie that being “religious” is enough.
• I would like to fully accept that my identify is not based on what others think/say but on Christ and Christ alone
• I want to break free from the lie that it’s never going to get any better and that I am not going to get anything back from the “sacrifices” I’ve been making. Sick of listening to the doubt! Feelings that the Lord is disappointed in me when I don’t live up to what “I” feel that I should be. Or what I’m not.

Nancy says there’s a common thread in the lies we desire to be set free from…“the best lies look like the Truth.” In the weeks ahead, we’ll open our eyes to deception and learn to recognize Truth. We’re on a journey to be set free!

Quotes From Nancy Leigh DeMoss

• Satan has used deception to win our affections, influence our choices and destroy our lives.
• What we believe will be seen in the way we live.
• Every act of sin begins with a lie.

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall is the place to reach out with your prayer needs and praise reports. Please visit the page and pray for those people who are asking for you to lift them up in prayer.

For Next Week

• Pray for the women who are doing this study with you.
• Read Chapter Two in your book and companion guide.
• Check in with your Small Group Leader.

Group Discussion- Answer ONE question or as many as you like

1. Find one scripture verse that would help you walk away from one of Satan’s lies or one of the lies listed above. Use www.BibleGateway.com type in a keyword, such as “worry” or “perfect” and post your verse below as a comment. Let’s see how many verses we can find!
2. Name one lie that is widely accepted by society as “true.”
3. How can we avoid being deceived and become more discerning?
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s lesson.

Have a great week…stay on track with your reading and may you grow in love and faith!

God is good…always!

PS- if you want to add a photo beside your email name, use Gravatar.com its free.

Welcome to our first week of Lies Women Believe at the Women’s Bible Study Cafe. We are leading this study because so many women have been deceived or know someone who had been deceived! This is a ten-week Bible study and focused on exposing the lies and replacing them with truth. We’ll be reading the book Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss as she gives insight into breaking free from deception and enemy schemes. As you read the book and companion guide, you’ll discover Nancy is a woman who is not afraid of telling the truth. She backs the truth with wisdom from scripture and reveals ways to avoid traps and temptation through these lies.

 As we participate in the study, we begin to discover lies we knew …and lies we were blinded to, just like Eve when she tasted the apple. “You and I have been lied to. We have been deceived,” writes Nancy and we’re about to take a 10-week journey to uncover specific areas of our lives where the enemy tried to deceive and destroy us.

As I write this tonight, my heart is breaking and the image above brings tears to my eyes. The image reminds me that we can be tempted by Satan as he makes the lie look appealing…or we can weigh the lie against the Truth of knowing God. We’re in a spiritual battle for our lives and if we don’t know the difference between the lie and the Truth, we lose.  We can choose to live in ignorance and battle the lies year after year, or we can choose knowledge and arm ourselves for spiritual battles. Through our own desire we can recognize the lies and guard our hearts, minds and souls. When we know the truth…we find peace and comfort by knowing God’s Word.

Fighting the enemy will not be easy and you will experience resistance. I’ve completed the Lies Women Believe study with my church small group and the spiritual warfare I saw surrounding it was intense. Do you really think Satan wants you to know the lies he’s been using against you? Of course not! So he will discourage you, distract you, and even deceive you to entice you into quitting the study. He’s not willing to let go of his captives and the longer you’ve believed the lies… the bigger the battle. Decide now to live in ignorance to the lies you are permitting in your life…or decide now to discover the lies and reclaim the Truth in scripture. I’m on a journey to discover these lies and arm myself with the Truth…and I hope you’ll join me in this informative bible study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Prayer Requests

Our Prayer Wall is the place to reach out with your prayer needs and praise reports. Please visit the page and pray for those people who are asking for you to lift them up in prayer.

If This Is Your First Bible Study- How to Participate

Here is what you can expect from your participation in the Lies Women Believe  Bible study

• Pray before you begin reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to wisdom.
• This online Bible study provides flexibility and convenience for you. Just read your daily lessons, five total, lasting about 30-45 minutes each day. A good plan is to read each morning Monday through Friday, allowing the weekend to make up any lesson you missed during the week.
• Visit the Bible Cafe anytime on Tuesday and join in the group discussion by posting a comment.
• Seek truth. God uses the most ordinary people for his extraordinary purpose. Listen to each other and be willing to share, just remember to allow judgment and healing for God.
• If this is your first bible study, you may enjoy using highlighter markers. I start with a blue highlighter and mark the scripture verses, such as John 3:16, in my workbook. I’ll mark all the verses for week one, before I start my reading. This way, when my eyes leave the pages of my workbook to find a reference in my bible, I can quickly go back and locate my place in the workbook. The blue highlighter is a “place marker” when I study. I then use a yellow highlighter to mark my favorite words. If I like what the author is saying, I will mark the letter “Q” next to the sentence, and this reminds me I’ll want to quote the author and post it on Facebook or Twitter.

For Next Week

• Write a letter to God on the inside cover of your workbook. Put today’s date inside your book and tell Him where you are in your life right now, and where you hope He leads you during your 10-week study of Lies Women Believe.
• Read Chapter One in your book and companion guide.
• Check in with your Small Group Leader. Contact us if you have not heard from your leader.

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. What lie (s) do you want to break free from during this 10-week bible study?
2. Nancy says “”Anytime we receive input that is not consistent with the word of God we can be certain Satan is trying to deceive and destroy us.” How do you feel about this?
3. If you were sitting in a room with the other women participating in this study, what words of encouragement would you say to them?

We’re starting a new online womens bible study for women based on the book Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh  DeMoss and wanted to let you know who the other women are in your study. We have more than 200+ women registered for this online bible study. We’ve been asking you to describe your current season of life in one word, and it’s been a mixture of answers from seasons of joy to seasons of despair. No matter your season, the bible is always at hand and our goal is to ensure you spend time reading it during this bible study of Lies Women Believe. We’re excited to begin!

Here’s a summary of who we are as we study together.

Number of Women in Study: 249 registered (last updated: Jan 27 )

Where We’re From

• Australia-1
• Canada-4
• France-1
• Mexico-1
• Nigeria-1
• United Kingdom-1
• Arizona-3
• Arkansas-6
• California-16
• Colorado-1
• Connecticut-2
• Florida-6
• Georgia-7
• Idaho-1
• Illinois-3
• Indiana-6
• Kentucky-3
• Louisiana-3
• Maryland-3
• Michigan-5
• Missouri-3
• Minnesota-1
• Mississippi-1
• Montana-2
• Nevada-2
• New Mexico-1
• New York-2
• North Carolina-5
• Ohio-8
• Oklahoma-2
• Oregon-3
• Pennsylvania-12
• South Carolina-4
• Tennessee-5
• Texas-18
• Utah-1
• Virginia-5
• Washington-2
• Wisconsin-3
• not stated-44

I’m so excited to start reading our books! We’ll begin reading week one and each day you’ll spend 30-45 minutes in the Word. The following Tuesday, we’ll gather again online and have a group discussion about week one! If you have any questions, please read the FAQ page or email me.

To JOIN this online bible study, click here.

In Him,