Encouragement for Today
Welcome to Encouragement for Today, a free devotional from Crosswalk, the world's largest Christian website.
September 1, 2008
The Pure in Heart Will See God
Glynnis Whitwer
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
There once was a Pharisee named Simon, who was quite sure that if God had a list of favorites, he would be near the top. As a member of the Jewish elite, he prided himself on keeping the Ten Commandments and wore robes to set himself apart from the common rabble of humanity. And as a Jew, like generations before him, Simon was waiting for God to send the promised Savior.
There once was a woman who was just as certain. However, she was certain to be on no one's list. She knew she was worthy of nothing but contempt from the men and women she encountered. She was a woman who had kept neither God's nor man's rules, and had no hope of ever being accepted.
Then there was Jesus in the middle of it all. Confusing and bewildering, He was breaking man's laws to follow God's, and showering love on those who believed they deserved it least.
These three individuals are the key players in a story found in Luke 7, verses 36-50. Simon had invited Jesus to dinner, then showed Him no common courtesy. Jesus' feet weren't washed, His cheeks weren't kissed and His head wasn't anointed with oil. Everyone in attendance would have noticed these breaches in polite behavior. The air must have been thick with tension. It was as if Simon had slapped Jesus in the face.
As the dinner progressed, a woman crossed the courtyard. She knelt beside Jesus, tears coursed down her checks, landing in splashes on Jesus' feet. She took her unbound hair and gently wiped the muddy spots from Jesus' feet. She then anointed them with perfume. Jesus' feet were dirty, cracked and calloused. But they were beautiful to her.
Scripture doesn't tell us how this woman knew about Jesus. But it is clear she knew enough to act with an extravagance that speaks of great love and gratitude.
Simon must have been disgusted with this display of emotion. Simon the judge, whose heart was bound by pride, judges the woman and Jesus. There was no love in Simon's heart.
It's at this time that Jesus reads Simon's thoughts. Simon said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of a woman she is -- that she is a sinner."
Jesus then goes on to acknowledge Simon's thoughts, and teach a lesson about forgiveness and love.
What strikes me about this story isn't the parable that Jesus teaches, which is important enough to address on its own. But it is the fact that Simon had been waiting all his life to see the Messiah. Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise to all of Simon's ancestors. And yet, when the Messiah -- God incarnate - walked into Simon's home, Simon didn't recognize Him.
In Matthew 5, Jesus taught what we now call "The Beatitudes." In verse 8, Jesus speaks these words, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." The truth of these words was demonstrated in the story of Simon.
Simon made sure the outside of his life looked really good. But he neglected the condition of his heart. Simon didn't see his need for forgiveness, or his need for a savior. The woman in the story had just the opposite condition. The outside of her life was a wreck before she met Jesus, but she knew her desperate need for salvation. Her heart was stripped of pride and was overflowing with love. Now consider, which one saw God?
A pure heart ...the ability to see God ... is it possible for me? Only with God's help and a willingness to be brutally honest about the sin that's been hiding in my heart. I know I would rather have the heart of that woman and see God act in my life, than be bound by pride and miss Him.
Dear Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to those who humbly seek You. Help me to uncover any ignored or overlooked sin in my heart. I long to stand before You with a pure heart, and I know I need Your help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
The Confident Woman: Knowing Who You are in Christ by Anabel Gillham
P31 Woman Magazine
Application Steps:
Pray Psalm 139:23-24. Ask God to reveal any sin lurking in your heart. Commit to asking God's forgiveness for this sin, and His help in dealing with it.
Reflections:
What risk does this woman face in coming to Simon's house and bowing at Jesus' feet?
What are some sins that are easy to keep hidden in our hearts?
What risks and benefits do we face when we are honest about the sin we can keep hidden in our hearts?
Power Verses:
Luke 7:47, "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (NIV)
Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NIV)
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
www.Proverbs31.org
September 2, 2008
What's Left?
Micca Monda Campbell
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
Times are tough. People everywhere are losing their jobs, their homes, and their hope. If it has happened to you, then you know how devastating loss can be. You know what it feels like to be at the mercy of a job interviewer, or enslaved to a credit lender. It can leave us feeling less than.
Most of us seek identity in our jobs, dreams, talents, or peers. The people we love, the things we own, and the job we do often defines who we are. When we lose those things, we feel as though we have lost our identity. After that, what else is left?
The good news is--there is more left than we realize. This was true for Daniel after King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The king ordered for some royal family Israelites to be taken into captivity. The order specified those who were attractive, smart, healthy, and who would make good servants to the king. Daniel was among them. They were also told what to eat and what to drink.
I imagine most the captives were distraught by all they had lost. They had been taken from their home, their land, and their people. But Daniel and his friends responded differently than most. They chose not to look at what they had lost but rather what they still had left.
Daniel had faith. He knew that the true King was large and in charge. Nebuchadnezzar may have been king of Babylon , but God was the King of Daniel.
Trusting God to work on his behalf, Daniel asked that he not have to defile himself by eating the king's food. Despite the official's hesitation, he granted Daniel's request due to God's favor.
As children of God, we do not have to lose heart or succumb to the world's ways either. No matter what kind of situation we are placed in, God can make the impossible possible. The Lord also gave knowledge and understanding to Daniel along with his three friends. This caught the king's attention. No one else in the kingdom could compare to these four. So, they entered the king's service without violating their faith and remained there until a new king took the throne.
Unfortunately, everyone experiences times of loss--a job, a friendship, a dream. Even so, our worth and identity are not found in these things. Nor is it found in our failures or losses. Your value and mine is in God and the amount of faith we have in Him.
When we find ourselves in our own Babylons, let's not look at what we've lost but at what we have left--our faith! It may be shaken but it can't be taken. Faith, like Daniel's, provides hope in a God who is large and in charge over every authority. That, my friend, is no loss. That is great gain.
Dear Lord, My focus has been on my circumstances instead of on You. Today, I chose to put my trust in You. I believe that You are aware of my situation and are working on my behalf. Fill my soul with peace and help me to rest in Your care. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Micca Campbell's blog
Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow by Janet Eckles
Application Steps:
Read about Daniel's story and exercising your faith in trying times at Micca's blog.
Instead of focusing on your loss, make a list of all you still have left.
Reflections:
Where do you get your worth from?
How can faith in God see you through hard times?
Power Verses:
Psalm 138:7, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes, with Your right hand You save me." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." (NIV)
September 3, 2008
Sharon's Bible
Marybeth Whalen
"Share with God's people who are in need."
Romans 12:13a (NIV)
Devotion:
Has God ever laid it on your heart to do something that sounded totally crazy? What was your response?
Last fall I had a wonderful adventure on the high seas as several of us set sail for the Girlfriends' Getaway Cruise. My roommate was a fellow P31 speaker team member that I didn't know very well yet, but grew to love during our time as roomies. Sharon Glasgow's heart for God and sweet disposition made me so thankful that I had a chance to get to know her better.
One day during some downtime, I noticed Sharon reading her Bible. Now, let's just say that Sharon's Bible was well-loved. Some might go so far as to say it was falling apart! I noted the duct tape holding it together and the whole sections falling out. It was clear that Sharon's Bible was precious to her, but I wondered how she could stand its fragileness when she traveled.
I love my Bible dearly and use it faithfully--the same Bible I have had since I was 17 years old! So, I totally understood what I perceived as Sharon's reluctance to use any other Bible. When I got home and saw that I had a copy of the exact same kind of Bible as Sharon's just sitting unused on a shelf, I smiled to myself. This Bible was in "like new" condition. At that moment, I felt God giving me a little nudge to send Sharon that Bible. I did what I am prone to do and argued with God about how it might offend her and that I didn't want her to think I was judging her dilapidated old Bible. God assured me He would take care of that and I was to just obey. So I mailed the Bible off and that was the last I thought of it. Little did I know that Sharon had always wanted another Bible to replace her old one, but it was a limited edition that was no longer made. She had searched and searched but couldn't find a new Bible that was just like the one she had. I couldn't have known that when I sent her my new Bible - it was a much bigger gift than I imagined!
I couldn't have imagined, but God did.
Is there something little--something so insignificant sounding--that God might be nudging you to do today? Are you arguing with Him, giving Him a list of reasons why you shouldn't do what He has laid on your heart to do? No matter how silly, how small, or how awkward what He is asking is, might I urge you to just do it? You might never know why or what the significance could be to the recipient unless you do. I was so grateful God allowed me to participate in His answer to Sharon's prayers. What a blessing! How could I have known what a forgotten Bible on my shelf would mean to my sweet friend?
"Give what you have, for you never know--to someone else it may be better than you can even dare to think." - Henry Wordsworth Longfellow
Dear Lord, Thank You for caring about the details of our lives and answering our prayers so specifically. Thank You also for the times You allow me to be a part of that. Help me to listen when You direct me to do something--no matter how small or insignificant or crazy it might sound to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
Sanctuary: A Devotional Bible for Women
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
Is there something God has laid on your heart to do? If so, don't put it off another day!
Reflections:
Have you ever had something like this happen to you? Did you find out that it blessed the person more than you could have known? Marybeth is going to be discussing this on her blog today if you would like to share your story and encourage others to follow God's leading.
Power Verses:
Matthew 10:42, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (NIV)
Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'." (NIV)
Hebrews 13:3, "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (NIV)
September 4, 2008
An Ordinary Glass Window, A Timely Marriage Reminder
Lysa TerKeurst
"Marriage should be honored by all ..."
Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
About a year ago I woke up early one morning and saw the strangest sight. Condensation had collected on one of my bedroom windows. Etched in the condensation were two perfectly drawn circles. They were joined at the center and looked exactly like two wedding bands.
I stared at this marking on my window and tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. I could not for the life of me figure out how two perfect circles could have gotten drawn into the condensation of my very high up bedroom window. Later that day I went back to look at the window, but the hot afternoon sun had long since caused the window to dry out. The wedding bands were gone. For days I looked for their return, waking each morning eager to see them and ponder their existence. But when the days turned into weeks without seeing them, I eventually stopped looking.
Then one morning they reappeared. Only this time they were there for several mornings straight. Each morning when my eyes would open, the two etched wedding bands were the first thing I'd see.
On about the fourth morning as I stared at this strange phenomenon my heart started aching. There was a kind of urgency suddenly pulsing through my chest. I tried to brush it off but couldn't quite shake the feeling. It was a conviction - but not a condemning kind of conviction, rather a tender conviction to love my husband more intentionally. And not just in the convenient ways, in the inconvenient as well. In ways that take a little more thought, intentionality and effort. Ways that are easy to let slip when the everyday urgencies seem to take precedence and seem more important.
So, I mentally made all kinds of promises and grand plans for a priority overhaul. And for a few days, I did great. But then life... lots of life distracted me and my attention got redirected. The window circles soon disappeared and so did my resolve. All my good intentions slipped back into a comfortable getting by of sorts.
Well, at the risk of starting to sound like a Hallmark movie, the circles came back. I don't want to sound presumptuous. I fully realize that there could be a perfectly good reason for the circles. One friend suggested that they could be leftover marks from when the windows were installed. But then why are they only sometimes there? We've lived in this house and had that same window for 15 years and they are just now showing up? And why do they only seem to appear when God needs to send me a perfectly timed reminder to give my marriage and my husband, more attention?
Do you think that maybe, just maybe, Love of the most divine kind has reached down to touch an ordinary glass window?
Dear Lord, I think we'll be amazed one day when we get to Heaven and realize how intimately involved You've always been in our lives. Lord, thank You for this message in the form of two circles on my window. Even if there is an explanation for them besides You drawing these circles, I thank You that through them You've reminded me to love my husband more intentionally. Please help us all to make our marriages more of a priority in our lives. Show us how to love the way you intended us to love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog today to learn how to conquer one of the most challenging aspects of marriage - expectations!
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Make a list today of some attitudes and actions that you could change as a blessing for your spouse.
Attitude: Have you been struggling with any negative attitudes toward your spouse such as disrespect, unforgiveness, resentment, or frustration?
Actions: What are some little everyday things that you could do to make your spouse's life better, more fun, or less stressful?
Reflections:
I know from personal experience that marriage can be both wonderful and incredibly hard. One of the most important things I can do as a wife is to actively pray for my husband, and myself in my role as a wife. What are some things that you could commit to praying for in regards to your marriage? After all if God can speak to me through an ordinary window, I know he can certainly speak to us and advise us about our marriages during focused times of prayer.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 3:1, "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives." (NIV)
1 Timothy 3:11, "In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." (NIV)
September 5, 2008
The Healing Power of Hope
Amy Carroll
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
Our whole table was doubled over with laughter. The meeting had begun somberly with formal introductions, but all it took was a little fun to make my diminutive tablemates relax into our time together. Last summer on our team's trip to Ecuador with Compassion International, we had the opportunity to share lunch and craft time with a group of elementary school aged children at a Compassion project near Quito . Each child had shyly introduced themselves with their beautiful Spanish name. When we got to one shiny-haired, sparkly-eyed boy, however, he announced his name loudly--"Stephen Segal!" The whole group erupted with laughter.
Dr. Wess Stafford, in his book Too Small to Be Ignored, says this about poverty, "More than any other emotion, the poor feel overwhelmed. Without financial resources, shelter, food, education, justice, or skills to address their plight, they succumb to the downward spiral that leads to hopelessness and despair. That, my friend, is the essence of poverty." As president of Compassion, Dr. Stafford has seen the most extreme poverty and its effects on children all over the world. He has watched the light leave children's eyes, seen their shoulders begin to slump, and their hearts begin to believe that all hope is completely beyond them.
As I watched these children laugh, I was struck with how little it takes to restore hope. A sponsor's small, monthly donation of money is only part of the story. There are many other means of building hope in Compassion's ministry. I entered a home later that day and delighted as a young girl brought out her treasured stack of letters from her sponsor. Each of those letters was a reminder that someone else in the world loves her, believes in her and has found her valuable. The kind words and smiles from the Ecuadorian Compassion staff also nourished the souls of their small students. I hope even their visitors from America stoked the fragile fires of hope in those children's hearts.
There are children all around us that need an infusion of hope. They are longing for a kind look or an affirming word. It doesn't take much to rekindle hope in a child, but it does require paying attention to those in need. Most of all, they need to hear about the God who created them and who cherishes them as His own special child. The children in Ecuador had heard The Message and received the hope that would forever save their inner selves from the ravages of poverty even though they still faced great physical need in their communities each day.
Before we left that day, I asked the children what they wanted to be when they grow up. "I want to be a policeman," my precious sponsored child replied. "I want to be a teacher," said another. One stunning little girl told me she wanted to be a fashion designer. Tears filled my eyes as I hugged these children good-bye. My heart was full, too, with the dreams and hopes of an amazing group of children.
Dear Lord, I want to be tuned in to helping restore hope in a hopeless child's life. Will you bring me a divine appointment with a child today who needs a loving smile or a kind word? Help me to be ready to share your grace and love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Compassion International
You Are Special by Max Lucado
Visit Amy Carroll's blog
Application Steps:
Go to the Compassion link and sponsor a child. The blessings will come back to you as you join with Jesus to restore hope in a child's life!
Look for a child to encourage today. A child in need could be anywhere--next door, in the grocery store, or even in your own home.
Reflections:
What am I doing to help address poverty in the world?
How does God see people in poverty? (Use your Bible's concordance to do a word study.)
Power Verses:
Acts 10: 4, "Cornelius stared at him in fear. 'What is it, Lord?' he asked. The angel answered, 'Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.'" (NIV)
Proverbs 22:9, "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (NIV)
© 2008 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 8, 2008
He Prays For Me!
By Lisa Jones, She Speaks! Graduate
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)
Devotion:
One time while I was going through a serious trial in my life, I felt as if I were all alone. I felt discouraged and powerless. I would spend hours every day in prayer for everyone else and their situations, asking God to intervene on their behalf, and yet I wondered who was praying for me. Was there anyone out there who cared enough about me and my suffering to bring it before God and beg Him to touch my life? Was there anyone who shared with the Lord that I was hurting? Shortly after that God encouraged me through His Word, and through today's verse, that His Son Jesus does care for me and prays for me faithfully.
I wander what would have happened to Peter after he denied Christ if Jesus had not previously prayed for him? Would he have turned to the world, denying Jesus for eternity? Only God knows the answer. But the good news is God would not have it happen. Instead, God heard the prayers of Jesus for Peter. Therefore, after denying the Lord three times, Peter wept, repented, and drew near to God.
Jesus prays for me as well. He intercedes on my behalf. He knows what is set before me and desires that my faith in Him will not fail. He prays that I will have the strength to keep my eyes on Him, never straying too far behind, and that I will stay close to His side.
Jesus is my prayer partner. I am indebted to the Lord for He is at all times working on my behalf. He is my High Priest, mediating between me and God. Because of Jesus, I am made strong when I am weak. Because of Jesus' faithfulness to me, I have experienced what joy feels like!
Jesus prays for you as well. He understands that Satan wishes to sift you like wheat. Do not despair, Jesus has prayed for you! He desires to wipe the tears from your cheek and replace it with the joy that faithfulness brings. When you feel all alone and like the world has forgotten you, when you feel as if you can continue no longer, do not fret--the Savior is there praying for you! His Father always hears his prayers. They will strengthen you, and then in turn you can help strengthen others.
Dear Lord, sometimes I feel all alone and weary, as if I have no strength left within me. Yet, I will seek You in prayer. I will make my request before You, for I know You are there for me and interceding on my behalf. You know what is before me and what I need. Give me strength when it feels as if Satan is trying to sift me like wheat. Create within my heart faithfulness and steadfastness. Thank You for praying for me, taking my request to the Father so, through You, I may gain strength. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers
Dear Jesus by Sarah Young
Listen to Today's P31 Radio Show
Application Steps:
Consider your personal prayer time with the Savior. Are you spending time daily with Jesus building your relationship with Him? If not, set time aside each day to talk with the Lord.
Continue in God's Word, seeking out His wisdom so that when the storms of life come along you will stand strong in the confidence that you are not alone! Christ is there for you and will pray that your faith will not fail!
Reflections:
Am I coming before God boldly in prayer, making my requests known unto Him?
If not, what is keeping me from coming to the throne of grace?
Where do I seek out strength - in my own flawed self, or in the mighty strength of Christ?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (NKJV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 9, 2008
Born To Run
Marybeth Whalen
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
Running was always something I told myself I simply could not do. I reasoned that I was not born a runner and lacked the physical endurance and stamina that runners possess. Plus, I had a whole list of reasons for why I could not run:
If only I had a good pair of running shoes.
If only I had more time to run without kids in tow.
If only I had an Mp3 player so I could listen to music while I ran.
Then, I reasoned, I could take up running.
One day I realized that all these "reasons" were just thinly disguised excuses to avoid the work that I knew running was going to be. I didn't want to extend myself outside my comfort zone. I didn't want to strain every muscle in my body. I didn't want to take time out of my already busy days and devote it to running. I liked to talk about running someday but I didn't actually want to do it.
Eventually, I laid all my excuses aside and ventured out for that first run. It was grueling and humbling. And, surprisingly, I loved it. As I was running the other day, I thought about how much my attitude about running has changed since I started. If there's a day that goes by that I can't do it, I crave it. I look forward to my runs and have even learned to include my children in my trek around the neighborhood. As I thought about all the excuses I once used to avoid running, I was so glad that I eventually stopped hiding behind them and took the plunge. What I would have missed out on if I hadn't!
Perhaps you have been hiding behind some excuses of your own lately. Maybe your excuses involve exercise like mine did. Or maybe they involve other things like why you can't give up a bad habit, why you aren't able to forgive someone, or why you are continuing in a sin God has been convicting you of. Maybe you have been letting excuses keep you from a more intimate relationship with God, or maybe you have been excusing the fact that you need to accept Christ as Savior. Even as you read these words, God is impressing on your heart that there is something you need to do--but you have been letting excuses serve as a barrier between knowing it and actually doing it.
Today I invite you to remove the excuses in your life. To choose one excuse today and begin to tear it down, taking just one brick out of the wall. Over the next days and weeks, choose more bricks to remove until one day, nothing is standing between you and that scary thing you know you need to do.
I am glad I stopped listening to my own excuses and accepted the invitation to venture beyond my comfort zone. I learned that we were all born to run, as long as we grip the Father's hand with all our might and stop letting excuses keep us from taking that first step.
Dear Lord, I don't want excuses to stand between me and whatever You are calling me to. Help me to rely on You and not hide behind excuses as You invite me to experience abundant life in You. Lord, I trust You to catch me when I fall and to be my strength in all situations--even the ones that scare me and stretch me beyond what I feel capable of. With You I can do anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
As you think about excuses in your life--emotional, physical, spiritual, etc.--make a personal list of what God reveals to you in the days to come. Ask God to help you remove those excuses and equip you to tackle whatever you are avoiding.
Reflections:
Can you think of a time when you used excuses to avoid something and found that once you removed the excuses, you were glad you did what you'd been avoiding? How can remembering this experience help you face similar situations now?
Is there someone in your life who needs you to hold them accountable for removing the excuses in their life? How can you reach out to them today?
Power Verses:
John 15:22, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin." (NIV)
Luke 14:18a, "But they all alike began to make excuses." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 10, 2008
Salty, Shiny, Sheep
Luann Prater
"You are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." John 10:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
The world fills us with false descriptions of what we should strive to become. An entrepreneur like Bill Gates, a gardener like Martha Stewart, and you know some have stood in front of the mirror dreaming of becoming the next American Idol!
Being raised in the 70s, I always wanted to be the girl on the commercial who sang, "I can bring home the bacon; fry it up in a pan; and never ever let you forget you're a man; 'cause I'm a WOMAN!" What a lofty goal...ugh and tiring! We wear ourselves out trying to fit the image that Satan has painted.
Need a different image to conform to? How about salty, shiny, sheep?
Let's take a look at how Jesus described us. We are salt. Do you know that salt is used in greater quantities and for more applications than any other mineral? It has more than 14,000 known uses! Every living creature requires salt for life and health.
Salt can soften hard water, remove impurities; preserve and cure foods; tan hides and it's even been used to seed clouds to produce rain.
When Jesus refers to us as salt he means that we are essential to every living creature. We have thousands of uses in His hands. We can help soften, heal, separate, remove impurities, fill, preserve, cure and even tan hides!
Jesus also tells us that we are to shine like stars in the universe. Have you looked up and seen the stars in the sky? They twinkle at us from the middle of extreme darkness. Likewise, our world is often dark and we are called to brighten up our spot with the light of God's truth and an attitude of grace.
Jesus also called us sheep. I can relate to this metaphor most of all. Whenever I do something brainless, I belt out a "baaa" sound. Like sheep, we wander off, we make the same mistakes again and again, and we mindlessly follow the crowd. Yet Jesus said when He speaks, we are able to recognize His voice -- just like a sheep obeying a shepherd.
Ok, close your eyes and visualize a salty, shiny, sheep. Now, let's go live like one!
Dear Lord, thanks for giving us clear images that we can relate to. Teach us to be versatile enough to be salty; bold enough to be shiny, and intent enough to listen for Your voice, like sheep In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance Sisk
Visit Luann Prater's blog
Application Steps:
Look for ways to be salt today to those who are hurting.
Ask God to show you ways to shine His Light on others.
Find some quiet time to listen for the Good Shepherd's voice.
Reflections:
What keeps me from allowing myself to be poured out like salt?
When was the last time my life shined?
How can I be intentional when listening for God's voice?
Power Verses:
Mark 9:50 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." (NIV)
Philippians 2:15 "...so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (NIV)
John 10:4 "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." (NIV)
© 2008 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 11, 2008
A Dime in my Pocket
Karen Ehman
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long."
Psalm 86:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you remember pay phones? My kids are just sure I'm ready for the senior citizen's discount when they hear me speak of them. But maybe you're one of my fellow 'old folks' and know exactly what I'm talking about. They hung on the walls at restaurants and airports; in shopping malls and at gas stations. When you needed to get a message to someone back home that the ball game was over or the outing was finished, you dug for the dime your mother (being the proper parent she was) always made sure resided in your jean's pocket. Then you reached for the receiver, slipped your other hand up to the slot, dropped the silver coin in and dialed. Soon help, or a ride, was on the way.
I used my dimes sparingly in the olden days--you know, the 1980's--reserving them only for completely necessary calls and occasional emergencies. In the course of a month, I resorted to my waiting dime only a time or two. If it was to be used, I wanted to make sure it was really worth it. If not, then it stayed conveniently tucked away in my front pocket, waiting for the day it would be called upon to come and rescue me.
Contrast this with today's cell phones and some teenagers. Oh dear, at times it appears those electronic contraptions are glued to their ears!!! These kids don't make a call once or twice a month, but once or twice a minute in some severe cases! They feel free to dial at any time, call at their convenience, and to use their 'phone a friend' lifeline at the drop of a hat. Now, least you think this is going to be a devotion that scolds these talkative teens, let me make my point clear. I actually think they are on to something!
Think with me in terms of our relationship with God. I'm afraid that often I am much more like a teen in the 80's when it comes to calling upon the Lord. I reserve my spiritual dimes for the times I really need Him, making sure it is worth the effort of prayer. (And earnest prayer is sometimes effort, you know!) When I fear I will be spiritually stranded without a ride, feel a bit scared and need someone to rush to my side, or any other such divine emergency, I call upon the Lord. Other times, sadly, I must admit my spiritual cell phone sometimes stays shut.
Instead, my prayer life should emulate the actions of the chatty teens of our current culture. I should feel free to call, text and mobile-to-mobile my Lord about any and everything and, as a result, stay constantly connected to Him throughout the course of my day. I should realize that His line is never busy, His ear never tires and He longs to connect with me more than an occasional time or two a week. I too can call (pray), text (journal), save a message (memorize Scripture) or return a message (praise Him) no matter the time or place! Oh, if only God's presence in my everyday life became as precious and desired as a teen's cell phone use addiction!
How about it, fellow phoner? Perhaps this week when we spy a cell phone, let it trigger our memory of today's key verse. Call upon the Lord. All day long. He will answer every time. No roaming charges, no busy signals and best of all, no dropped calls!
Dear Lord, please forgive me for resorting to prayer only when I need You for something. I resolve now to keep connected with You all through my day. I'll call upon You in times of need as well as when I just want to thank You or spend time with You. You are my only lifeline. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more thoughts on prayer, visit Karen Ehman's blog
The Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer, by Cheri Fuller
Application Steps:
What other visual reminders can you use to help you build prayer into your day?
What does "praying without ceasing" look like? Why don't we do this more often?
Reflections:
When do you find yourself most often calling upon the Lord? In good times to praise Him or in bad times to beg Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 17:6, "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." (NIV)
Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (NIV)
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (KJV)
© 2008 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 12, 2008
The Pain of Rejection
by Tracie Miles
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or God? Or am I still trying to please men?
If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
If there is one thing that can make someone feel like they don't have a friend in the world, it's rejection. Whether it be rejection from a spouse, a co-worker's gossip, a friend's betrayal, an unappreciative boss, an unfriendly neighbor, or a teenager who suddenly doesn't want to be seen with you anymore - rejection hurts.
A few years ago I was dealt a harsh blow of rejection from someone I thought I had a positive relationship with. In the midst of this rejection, I became so focused on my hurt feelings that it became nearly impossible to think clearly, or rationally.
For most of us, when we are drowning in the pain of being rejected by someone, our thoughts are often, "How could that person have done/said that to me? Do they know how much I have done for them? Have they taken a hard look at themselves?"
Do those words sound familiar? They certainly do to me. These are some of the exact thoughts I had when I was thinking vengeful thoughts about my "rejecter."
My human nature wanted to get back at the one who hurt me. Maybe give them a taste of their own medicine. But God had a different plan in mind.
God desired for me to handle this challenging and painful situation with understanding and compassion. He wanted me to pray for that person, and see them as His child who had made a mistake and didn't realize how their words and actions affected others. He wanted me to forgive them.
Yes, that was His plan, but I didn't really buy into it at first. Instead, I chose to harbor anger and pierce the ears of my family and friends with all of my woes, forcing them to be an involuntary guest at my ongoing pity party. I chose to feel sorry for myself, and shed as many tears as possible, as if that would drown out the hurt.
However, despite my procrastination in handling things God's way, over the next few weeks, God repeatedly intervened and reassured me of His love. I stumbled across sweet Bible verses dealing with overcoming rejection. My weekly Bible study topic was on rejection, my daily email devotions touched on rejection, and my pastor's sermon was about rejection that Sunday.
Could all of those things just have been incredible coincidences? Definitely not! I knew it was the awesome work of my Lord and Savior, who cared about me enough to let me know that He was with me during this time of turmoil. He gently reassured me of my worth in His eyes, and reminded me that I did not need 'man's' approval, only His approval.
God's love helped me to wash away the pride from my eyes, and allow Him to wash my soul with His mercy and grace. In His arms, I was reminded that I am His and that He loves and adores me despite my flaws and insecurities. As a result, I was able to take my focus off of my rejecter, and instead focus on my approver -- Jesus.
Isn't it so comforting to know that you never have to try to earn Jesus' approval, and that you can live with a peace of mind knowing that He accepts you, no matter what.
Although Jesus may not always approve of our actions or choices, He always approves of us as a person whom He created, whom He loves, and whom He thought was important enough to die for.
Dear Lord, I pray for Your wisdom on how to deal with situations in which I feel hurt, rejected and worthless. Fill me with Your love so that I can love others, even when I do not feel loved in return. Please help me to remember that the only One who I need to seek approval from is You, and that it is in You alone, that I can truly believe that I am worthy and unconditionally loved. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Reinventing Your Rainbow, by Tracie Miles
The Five Languages of Apology: How to Experience Healing in All Your Relationships by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas
Visit Tracie's Blog for more encouragement.
Application Steps:
Ask God for the supernatural ability to forgive your rejecter. Remember who you are in God's eyes is all that really matters.
Reflections:
Are you allowing the opinion of one person to affect how you feel about yourself?
Power Verses:
1 Kings 8:50 And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy. (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. (NIV)
© 2008 Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Then & Now - Week of September 8
"God Is With Him."
1 Samuel 16:18
Call it American Idol, 1,000 BC.
King Saul's people were looking for a new musician for the palace. They scoured the countryside, looking for the right talent. King Saul was very choosy, very irritable. So they couldn't make a mistake.
Their search led them to David, a young man still in his teens. David had all the right qualities.
He was goodlooking.
He had courage.
He was an incredible musician.
He was an eloquent speaker.
But there is one quality David possessed that stood about above the rest. "The Lord is with Him," people said.
Who said teenagers can't be passionate for God? Who says teenagers can't experience God's presence in their lives? Who says teens can't be a light in a dark world?
Let me ask you a question. If a journalist traveled to your school, your home, your sports practice, your iPod, your mySpace, your scrapbook, your journal—would it be said of you, "The Lord is with him," or "The Lord is with Her."?
In other words, do people know you're a Christian? Do they see it in the way you live your life?
I'm not talking about bumper-sticker Christianity. I'm not talking about wearing a WWJD bracelet or sporting a Fish symbol on your car or wearing a loud Christian t-shirt. That works for some people.
But what really shines the light of Christ into a dark world is your transformed life. How you treat people. The way you carry yourself. Integrity in the classroom. Grace toward your parents and siblings. Love for those who treat you wrongly.
That's Christianity in shoe leather. Christianity that makes a difference. Christianity that attracts.
Think:
Do your closest friends even know you're a Christian?
Would people say about you, "Wow, there's something really different and refreshing about him or her."?
Daniel Darling is an author and pastor with a passion for young people. He is the author of Teen People of the Bible, a 100-day devotional for teens. Visit him at danieldarling.com
September 15, 2008
In Jesus' Name
Micca Monda Campbell
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
Children learn by copying their parents. They may not always understand their parents' actions or words, still, they often adopt them as their own. The other day, our son offered the mealtime prayer. In usual fashion he finished the prayer by adding the tag line, "in Jesus Name." This time, he questioned the "why" behind the words he had been taught to say.
Looking up from his plate, Parker inquired. "Why do we end our prayers in Jesus' Name?" Great question! I don't know if you've noticed, but we end our daily devotions with the same phrase. Perhaps you've also wondered why.
Growing up, I was taught that praying in the Name of Jesus meant we were in agreement with Him. That sounds good, but what exactly are we agreeing with?
In the book of Luke, we find a woman who knew the importance of agreeing with Christ. During Christ's absence, his beloved friend Lazarus took ill and died. When Jesus eventually returned to town, He found Lazarus' two sisters, Mary and Martha, in deep grief because of their loss. Martha ran out to meet Him. "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you" (11:21-22).
Martha's statement of faith, "I know whatever you ask of God, He will give you" is significant to why we pray in Jesus' Name. Martha understood that God had given Jesus all authority over heaven and earth, and wouldn't deny the requests of His Son. In other words, Martha agreed--by her expression of faith--that Jesus had the authority to change her present situation if He so desired. That's exactly what He did by resurrecting Lazarus from the dead!
Martha may not have been sure of much that dark day, but she was certain of who Jesus was--who God was--and the importance of their relationship with one another. Martha knew there was no higher court to petition than Christ.
In times of helplessness, you and I understand the importance of authority and what it can do for us. It's why we ask to speak to the manager of a store in order to solve a problem the clerk has no authority over. We do so because we know the manager has the power and authority to act on our behalf. In a similar manner, we pray in the Name of Jesus because He has the authority--and the power--to accomplish what we cannot without Him.
When you and I pray in the Name of Jesus, we are exercising the same kind of faith Martha expressed. We are agreeing with and claiming the authority of Christ over our circumstances. And we are praying with power--the same kind of power that raised Lazarus from the dead!
We may not be sure of much. But we can be certain that through the authority given Jesus, you and I can boldly make our requests known to God.
Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that whatever you ask God, according to His will, on my behalf, He will give you--and He will give me. My request is __________. I ask it in the powerful Name of Jesus who has all authority over heaven and earth, Amen.
Related Resources:
My First Story of Jesus by Tim Dowley
Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your in Life by Sarah Young
Do you know Him?
Visit Micca Campbell's blog
Application Steps:
The next time you pray in the Name of Jesus, think about what you are saying. You are confessing and agreeing with Christ's authority given to Him by God. You are praying with power. And you are saying that you believe God will not ignore Christ, or you.
Reflections:
What new insight have you learned about praying in the Name of Jesus?
How does praying with the same kind of power that raised Lazarus from the dead impact your prayer life?
Who gave Christ power and authority?
Will God ever deny Christ's authority--why or why not?
Power Verses:
David 7:14, "He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (NIV)
1 Peter: 1:6-9, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (KJV)
Luke 4:6, "And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to." (NIV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 16, 2008
Poison Ivy
Van Walton
"... watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.
But you must subdue it and be its master."
Genesis 4:7b" (NLT)
Devotion:
My friend Wendy brought her children and their friends to my house for several hours of play in the backyard pool. We chatted while they entertained themselves.
I remember observing young Griffin's curious mind as he ventured into the woods. His busy and energetic body refused to adapt to the games the other children wanted to play. Following his heart, he crept out of the pool and found purpose after strolling around the yard. For a few minutes he handed branches to my husband, helping him feed the chipper. Then he picked up a rake. In no time he began to change the landscape. He cleared a path for my dog and piled leaves creating a soft bed. He set stones in place creating a protected space for the food dish and water bowl.
What an industrious boy! He amazed me with his vision, strength, and positive attitude. I wanted him to come live with me - surely his presence would keep the atmosphere in my home lively. I remember thinking, "What a good boy!"
When he completed his project he asked, "Would you like to see what I did?" In single-file we followed him, listening attentively as he pointed out each accomplished task.
Then I spotted it. I never expected to find what I stumbled upon while admiring my newly landscaped yard. My delighted heart turned to dread, for there surrounding all of Griffin's hard work ... was Poison Ivy!
My countenance grimaced and my stomach flip-flopped.
Innocently, without suspecting, Griffin had walked through a bed of nasty plants. Never mind that he was involved in good works or that He had done nothing wrong. He had not purposefully stepped into a bad place. It just so happened that the vine had crawled along the ground, hiding under dead leaves and climbing tree trunks, camouflaged by other clingy vegetation.
We had no idea whether Griffin had come in contact with the evil poison. Regardless, we had to devise a plan to protect him from the outcome: miserable days filled with an itchy rash.
I grabbed Wendy and told her to get Griffin into the tub. Mixing a concoction we hoped would bring relief, we doused that unsuspecting boy. We rid him of any residue that might leave its painful mark.
The encounter with the poison ivy reminded me that not a day goes by that we don't step out into life with a plan to accomplish our goals. We may set out to do good things, to change the world, and to serve others. But what we don't realize is, temptation and sin can be just around the corner looking to grab hold of us and spread its poison all over our best-laid plans.
We need to know and teach our children what poisonous plants look like. But even more, we need to teach them to recognize sin and run from it. Even a minor brush with sin can leave its poisonous mark.
Thankfully, when we get too close to sin, we can rid ourselves of its toxins by confessing to Jesus and asking for His cleansing.
Dear Lord, You have taught me many lessons about sin. I know it's seriousness, and how it prowls around seeking to destroy me. I know first-hand how easily we can fall prey to its creepy deception. Please forgive my sins and give me the wisdom to recognize sin ahead of time and flee. Help me influence the young ones in my life and teach them the truth about sin. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van's blog
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Little Halos, a teaching tool for parents created by Van Walton
Application Steps:
Soldiers prepare for the enemy by learning their foes' tactics. Take time to teach your children about the nature of sin.
Reflections:
Without frightening my children, have I explained sin and its consequences?
What common situations in the daily life of my children can I use to warn them about sin?
Power Verses:
Matthew 24:22, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect..." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 7:1, "...let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (NASB)
Titus 2:4, "He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." (NLT)
© 2008 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 17, 2008
Longing To Be a Lily
Luann Prater
"See how the lilies of the field grow.
They do not labor or spin." Matthew 6:27-28 (NIV)
Devotion:
"They are simply stunning," she raved, referring to the massive clump of iris blooms. Two years ago we moved that batch of flowers with us to this house, even though they had never produced one single blossom. We had hopes that given enough sun, space and care, they might just surprise us. And they did -- just like my daughter, Tiffany.
We celebrated our youngest daughter's college graduation recently, followed immediately by her engagement. It was during this gala event that our friend noticed the striking array of blooms leading up to our door. The lilies captured her attention.
The day after my visitors left, I sat at work pondering my daughter's life. I had been thinking that day about how close I came to aborting my Tiffany, how incredibly hopeless I felt 22 years ago. But in the midst of it all, God had sent a 96 year-old angel by the name of Mrs. Metcalf to gently pat my hand and proclaim, "This baby will be a blessing." Soon after, those 6 words echoed in my mind as I sat in the waiting room at Planned Parenthood. When they called my name, I cried and ran for the door. I did not abort my baby.
While I was thanking God for Tiffany's life, the phone rang. It was my counseling minister at church calling to ask for help. He'd just hung up from talking with a distraught mother who discovered she was pregnant...again. Her life was in turmoil and she had an appointment the next day for an abortion. He knew my story and asked if I would consider calling her. Isn't God amazing?
Please know that my life was not without many challenges after I made the decision to have my child. But this particular week I rejoiced that God urged a neighbor to come along side me and whisper words of hope.
So here I was with the opportunity to share my story with someone so close to the same decision. I called her. I didn't preach, but simply told her my story. I told her how much I understood her panic, her fear, and her doubt, and it brought us together. Then I shared that 22 years ago I could never have imagined standing and applauding my daughter at her college graduation. Tiffany in turn has touched many others by her joyful, bubbly life. How could I have known the plans that God had in store for that precious baby in my womb? I didn't, but God did. And He used Mrs. Metcalf to speak to me.
Mrs. Metcalf was my lily -- my attention getter. She didn't toil or spin trying to figure out what to say to me, or force her influence on my decision. Instead, she simply glowed with God's beauty.
Is there a life near you that needs a lily -- a display of God's love, a place to feel His care? Are you willing to just simply be there for someone today and let God love him or her through you?
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us beautiful examples of how we should live our lives, like the lilies; simple, fragrant, outstanding. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
* We praise God for this beautiful story from Luann's life. However, we realize that some of you may have suffered through the pain of an abortion. Therefore, we are running a devotion tomorrow written by Lysa where she'll share her story, and the hope and healing that can be found following an abortion.
Related Resources:
Traveling Together, by Karla Worley
Who Holds the Key To Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst. (Lysa wrote this book and Bible study specifically for people who are suffering in silence due to regrets from their past.)
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Luann's Blog
Application Steps:
Live this day as if there was no one to impress. Focus on God. Simply be.
Reflections:
What do I busy myself with in an effort to please God?
How do I spend my day?
Why do I worry about being useful?
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 3:7, "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." (NIV)
© 2008 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 18, 2008
My Secret
Lysa TerKeurst
"I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant. Their faces are never covered with shame."
Psalm 34:4-5 (NIV)
Devotion:
The young teenage girl named Sidney sat across from me with eyes full of emotion. Her voice choked out a whispered, "thank you," as she turned and kissed the chubby-cheeked little boy sitting in the baby carrier beside her. Just one year earlier, I'd sat across from this same precious girl listening to her plans to have an abortion the next day. Panic, confusion and fear consumed her and made her feel as though she had no other choice. As soon as she spoke those words, tears fell from both of our eyes. Hers were tears of relief. Mine were tears of redemption. Both were wrapped in the hope that God truly can take even our worst mistakes and somehow bring good from them.
Yesterday, you read Luann's beautiful devotion about her making the last minute decision to not abort her baby. Sixteen years ago I was also a young woman panicked and sitting in an abortion clinic. Only unlike Luann and Sidney, tragically, I kept my appointment. And I can honestly say, the grief that entered my life that day has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to face. For years I kept this secret buried deep within my heart. I was so ashamed, so horrified, so convinced that if anyone ever found out I'd had an abortion, I'd be rejected by all my church friends and deemed a woman unfit to serve God.
So I suffered in silence, wrapped in a cloak of shame.
Going to church was incredibly hard during those years. I was convinced I was the only Christian woman who'd ever had an abortion. I'd never heard another Christian woman share this as a part of her testimony. Never did I hear of anyone speak of the hope and grace that Jesus provides to those of us who were suffering from making that decision. I only heard well-meaning Christians debate the issue of abortion with very strong words. Their words stung, made my heart seize and my eyes feel like they'd explode into a flood of a million tears.
Don't get me wrong, the issue of abortion is serious and we should take a strong stand against it. But we must also remember that it's more than a topic of religious and political debate. For one in three women within the church, it is one of the most painful parts of their life story. One for which they want to find forgiveness and healing, but are too afraid of being judged to share their secret with anyone.
So they suffer in silence, wrapped in a cloak of shame.
Sweet friend, is this you? Are you in this place? Can I offer you a lifeline today? There is hope and healing that can be found. It is possible to be forgiven and to let go of the emotional pain. For me, there were three things that helped my healing more than anything. First, I sought help from my local Crisis Pregnancy Center who offered a Post Abortion Bible Study. Secondly, I named my baby and wrote a letter promising to make his life count by sharing our story to help others. And lastly, I kept my promise to my child and asked God to give me the courage to share my story with someone in order to help them.
Remember Sidney ? She was one of the first people I ever told. Seeing God bring good out of what Satan meant for such evil in my life, did more to heal my heart than almost anything else.
Dear Lord, please tenderly give us the courage to face the secrets hidden in our hearts. Lord, we ask for your forgiveness. And we ask for your healing. Please help us see some kind of good come from our past mistakes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to read the letter she wrote to her child that she referred to in today's devotion.
Who Holds the Key To Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst. This book and Bible study were written specifically for people who are suffering in silence due to shame from their past.
Reflections:
Spend some time asking Jesus how He wants you to respond to today's devotion.
Application:
Take time to pray for women in your community and church who are suffering from the pain of abortion.
Consider giving your time and resources to help your local Pregnancy Care Center minister to women in your community.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (NIV)
Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.
September 19, 2008
When I'm Not There, God is
Glynnis Whitwer
"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
I watched the weather report with heightened concern. A winter snowstorm in the White Mountains was normally great news. It meant the ski lifts would soon be open and that our dry state would benefit from moisture. Today, however, it had a more ominous meaning, for my son Dylan was in the path of the storm.
Dylan and his high school wrestling team had been at a tournament in the mountains for a few days. They were due to be leaving soon, and my concern turned to dread as I pictured those desert dwellers trying to navigate through a snowstorm. My panicked mind reviewed all the horror stories of school sports teams, in vans or buses, going off the road. As I imagined the curving Mogollon Rim road with blinding snow, my heart started to pound.
The ringing of the phone jarred me from my unhealthy thoughts, and I heard my son's voice on the other end. "Mom," he said. "We're leaving right now to try and beat the storm." I breathed a prayer of thanks for those coaches who cared more about the kids' safety than finishing the tournament, but continued my worry.
Never before had I experienced such a longing to have my son safe in my arms. But that wasn't possible. Dylan had to make that journey home in the care of others. Thankfully, in the midst of that worry, God reminded me that Dylan wasn't just in the care of those coaches, but that He was watching over Dylan.
I've struggled with this issue of worry over my children's safety since they were born. Because of my tendency to worry, I have the potential to be over-protective. However, years ago, God revealed to me that my fears were born more out of my lack of trust than a healthy concern. The truth was I believed my children were only safe when they were in my care. The reality of this fallen world is my children are only safe in the care of God.
As school starts, and many children head off to classes, sports and clubs, many of us will deal with anxiety over their safety. Instead of being overcome with worry, I've learned to identify the worries that come when I've misplaced my trust. It prompts me to pray more, trust more, and enjoy more of life with my children. By the way, my son and his wrestling team made it home safely that day. We'll be gearing up for more out of town matches in a month or two, and I'll be increasing my prayers.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for caring for my children even more than I do. Thank You for hearing my prayers, and for protecting my children. Help me to learn to trust You more, and to pray more about even the smallest details of their lives. I want to be a mother who trusts You, the true source of all help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Traveling Light by Max Lucado
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog
Application Steps:
Make a list of the times when you are most concerned for your child's safety. Commit to praying every day for a week regarding these specific needs. Hopefully this will jump start a pattern of consistent prayer. If you aren't currently parenting a child at home, identify a child you know and pray for him or her.
Reflections:
Why is it important for a parent (or any adult) to pray for children?
According to Psalm 91, from what does God protect His people?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (NIV)
Psalm 4:8, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (NIV)
Matthew 18:10, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." (NIV)
© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
Who is Jesus
The Prince of Peace... The Word made man... Savior and Lord... The King of Kings... The Lion of Judah... The Lamb of God
When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his followers, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They answered, "Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah, and still others say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Then Jesus asked them, "And who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because no person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am." (Matthew 16:13-17, NCV)
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When Christians answer the question "Who Is Jesus?" they build their answer on the Bible – on the things Jesus said about Himself, on the prophecies from the Old Testament that foretold his coming, and the doctrines laid out about Christ through the rest of the New Testament.
There is little historical question that Jesus existed (click here to study the evidence from non-Christian sources, collected by Probe Ministries), but people do often wonder about His divine nature, His miracles, and His offer of eternal salvation through grace "first to the Jew and also to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16)... in other words, to all mankind.
Because the love that Jesus offers comes in the form of a "personal relationship" with Him, many believers have particular definitions about who the Lord is to them. At Crosswalk.com, we want to give you the Biblical basics about this amazing, paradoxical Savior who is simultaneously the Son of God and Son of Man.
The gospel of Jesus is literally "good news," so we hope you enjoy exploring the miracle and wonder of what the God of all creation did for you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 22, 2008
Please Don't Leave!
Marybeth Whalen
"Do not leave here, I pray You, until I return to You and bring my offering and set it before You. And He said, I will wait until you return."
Judges 6:18 (AMP)
Devotion:
My two year-old daughter has learned a new phrase that tugs at my heart. Whether I am going on a date with my husband, or walking out of the room after putting her to bed, or just running quickly to the library to return books, I hear the same thing: "Mommy, don't leave me!" As she has gotten older and more aware of both my presence and my absence, she is much quicker to express the desperate feeling she experiences when I am not with her. She responds with a heartfelt cry--one that is not unique to a two year-old. Whether we are saying it to our spouse, our children, or our friends, we all know that desperate feeling of not wanting to be left.
It is no different in our walk with God. In the story of Gideon, we see him wrestling with many issues that we wrestle with today. Did God really ask me to do that? Am I capable? Am I worthy? Do I have what it takes? And we see him reacting as I think many of us do. We look to God in the midst of our wrestling and say, just like my two year-old, "Don't leave me while I sort this out!"
The more we walk with Him, the more aware we become of the benefits of resting in His presence. We know what we receive from Him and we crave more. We have felt the warmth of His embrace and we want more time in His lap. We know the power only He can infuse us with and we want to stay connected to that. And yet, as we scurry about in our busy lives, we are likely to look over and accuse Him of leaving us--when really it is the other way around.
I love God's response to Gideon as he desperately cries out for Him not to leave. Very lovingly and patiently God replies, "I'll be right here." I see God saying the same thing to all of us today. As you race to pick up your child at school, you call out over your shoulder, "Don't leave me!" As you rush off to work, your mind filled with the things you need to do, you say to Him, "Please don't leave God!" As you carry out the things He has called you to, needing Him more than ever, He lovingly replies, "Go do what you need to do, and I will be right here." The New American Standard version of this verse says, "I will remain until you return." He is a God who remains.
Gideon's story comforts me not because he went on to fight a victorious battle and become a hero in Israel. Gideon's story comforts me because he knew he needed the Lord and he understood his profound need for God's presence. He experienced an abiding relationship with God that became his foundation and his fortress. I love knowing that when I desperately call out, "Don't leave me!" He will lovingly reply, "I'm not going anywhere." Every time.
Dear Lord, I praise You for being the God who remains. Even though I might run off, I know You are always there waiting for me. Thank You for Your patience with me and Your abiding love. Help me to draw close to Your presence no matter what is going on in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
Is there someone in your life who needs to know that God has not left them? Find a way today to share with them that God remains. He is Yahweh Shammah, "The Lord is there."
Reflections:
Do you need to be assured today that God has not left you? Have circumstances in your life overtaken the truth of scripture and convinced you that God is not aware of your situation? How can you reconnect with His presence and experience His abiding, steadfast love today?
If you have some tips to share or would like to learn more about how to remain in God's presence in the midst of the busyness that distracts us, Marybeth will be discussing this on her blog today.
Power Verses:
Joshua 1:5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)
Psalm 146:5-6, "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--the Lord, who remains faithful forever." (NIV)
II Timothy 2:13, "If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 23, 2008
Do You Want to Get Well?
Wendy Blight
"Pick up your mat and walk."
John 5:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
Are you familiar with the story of the man on the mat found in the Gospel of John? As the story opens, we find Jesus entering Jerusalem after a tiring journey. His Father led Him to a dirty, smelly pool of water. Every day the lame, weak, and sick gathered at this pool, believing an angel would come down, touch the water, and fill it with healing powers. Whoever entered the pool first received instant healing. As Jesus wandered through the crowd, God drew his eyes to an invalid lying on a mat.
Jesus looked deep into his soul and asked, "Do you want to get well?"
"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
Have you ever felt like this invalid? Are you paralyzed by fear, despair, isolation, or self-pity? Do you believe you are the victim of unfortunate circumstances?
I lived like that invalid for over a decade. In 1986 at age 21, I was raped by a masked stranger hiding in my apartment. Before that day, I loved my life. I had just completed four years of college and graduated with honors. I had dated and become engaged to a wonderful man. I had even been voted a homecoming princess and had an amazing job waiting for me. After that day, worldly praise and blessings meant nothing. My attacker's vile and cruel act shattered my hopes and my dreams.
After that I lived in a prison of fear and despair. Then I encountered Christ in this gospel story. The words Jesus spoke to the crippled man pierced my soul. I realized that I was the man on the mat. I enjoyed being the victim. I had become accustomed to my place of sorrow. Worse, I was comfortable there.
I came to know the truth of Hebrews 4:12: "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." God's Word spoke personally to me. I knew I needed to take a first step.
I surrendered my fear, my pity, and my grief, and opened my heart to God's Word. I learned He had a plan for my life and a purpose for my pain. I knew I would never see it until I had the courage to get up and walk.
If you find yourself on a mat, will you trust me and open God's Word? God will speak into your heart promises of hope and healing. However, before you can take that step off your mat, you must surrender your fear, self-pity, and despair. Sweet friend, God is waiting. Will you take the first step?
Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You, My Creator and my Savior. I love You and thank You that You love me with an everlasting and unconditional love. Since You created me and chose me as Your own, Father, I give myself to You now, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I give you permission to come in and wash me clean. Heal me of my hurts. Take away my pain. Remove anything in my life that hinders my relationship with You. Fill me with the fullness of Your Spirit and enable me to take the first step off my mat. Show me the great plans You have for me. I ask this in the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight (To be released February 2009 -- pre order your copy today!)
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
List some practical steps you are going to take to make this happen. Write a prayer asking God to implement your plan.
Reflections:
Are you stuck on a mat? Do you find yourself giving excuses?
Is there something in your life keeping you from God's plan? Are you willing to trust God with whatever "it" is, get off your mat, open His Word and let Him bring His hope and healing into your life?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 41:17, "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs." (NIV)
Psalm 40:1-2, "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." (NIV)
© 2008 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 24, 2008
One
Wendy Pope
"We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
What difference can one make? In a world of over 6 billion people, what can one do? In Jesus' three years of ministry on this earth, thousands followed Him. Thousands needed Him. Out of the thousands Jesus ministered to, one mattered ...
the one waiting at the pool of Bethesda .
the one leper who was healed.
the one woman at the well.
the one whose son died.
the one who touched the hem of His garment.
the one whose demon was cast out.
the one whose sight was restored.
One matters. One can also make a difference. One has power.
One mattered to us as a ministry when we received a plea through our prayer line. She was about to take her life. She felt she had nothing to live for, no reason, and no hope. We heard her cry, the soul-reaching, heart-breaking cry of one.
At Proverbs 31 Ministries, the cry of one stops our "normal" work day noise and we gather together to pray. As we joined hands and prayed for the cry of this one, the room was filled with God's presence and His love for this one. He answered our prayer for one and, with praise and thanksgiving, she cried out again:
"Lord, Jesus, I give you praise and humble thanks. I was in extreme distress. I screamed out in pain into cyberspace, overwhelmed and gripped in an attack. I was caught in a suicide space falling and planned to die. I was trapped and could not escape this. I was terrified and ashamed, caught in a deep undercurrent of self destructive feelings. There was no way out. The pressures were too much. Then I received an answer to my cries. Help, love and concern flooded into this dark space, people who cared and stayed with me, passing all kinds of lifelines, they prayed for me. Thank you Lord for these dear and true daughters of Yours."
As daughters of Christ, His chosen ones, it is our delightful purpose to reflect Jesus, the One and only, to one at a time.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to think of Jesus sending us into the world to preach the good news. But it doesn't have to be. When we reach out to just one person in Jesus' name, we change the world.
Did you know that you are one of 250,000 subscribers to our Encouragement for Today devotion? Just think if every one receiving this devotion reached out in Jesus' name today to pray for a hurting soul, help a neighbor, bless a co-worker, encourage a child, mentor a friend, or come alongside a ministry and partner together to reach just one. What a difference we could make!
Dear Lord, In this world one seems insignificant but with You one is very powerful. It is my desire to be one who reflects and pleases You in everything I do, everyday of my life. Forgive me when I fall short. Help me see the world through the lenses of Your eyes and respond to what I see with the actions of Your hands and Your feet, with the words of Your mouth and the thoughts of Your mind. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to find out how you can partner with Proverbs 31 Ministries to make a difference through the power of one.
Do You Know Jesus, the One and only?
Application Steps:
Become a Proverbs 31 Ministries' prayer partner and join us as we pray for the ones that cry out to us through our prayer line every day.
Pray about partnering with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Later today, our Executive Director will share the financial needs of the ministry and invite you to join us by giving one dollar, for all the ones this ministry reaches with the love of Christ.
Reflections:
What can I do differently to reflect God more clearly to those around me?
What keeps me from choosing to give to one?
What is God teaching me through today's devotion?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV)
James 1:22, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." (NASB)
© 2008 Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
September 25, 2008
What Should I Say?
Renee Swope
"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and petitions." Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
My prayers used to feel kind of flat. I didn't know what to say so I stumbled over my words when I talked to God. I especially didn't know how to pray when I was struggling or when a friend was going through difficult times. I wanted to say the right things because I thought that if I prayed the right way, then God would listen and answer my prayers, the way I wanted Him to.
It took me a while, but I finally got up the courage to talk with a friend about my fears and struggles. She explained to me that prayer isn't about saying or asking the right things; it's about building a relationship with God by talking to Him, and listening. She taught me how to be still and listen for His still small voice in my spirit before I started praying. I found that if I waited for Him to lead the conversation, the Holy Spirit would guide my thoughts and my prayers.
Over time, I also learned the power of praying God's words written in the Bible. I read books and heard sermons that taught me that when we pray God's Word, we pray God's will. I loved that idea. It gave me a sense of confidence and direction when I didn't know what to say in my prayers.
I also wanted my prayers to be filled with power. I wanted to believe that God was able and willing to accomplish what I was praying for. The Bible says that scripture is "alive and active" so I knew that when I prayed in agreement with God's Words, I could expect those prayers to come alive in a situation and become active in the person's life that I was praying for.
Oftentimes when I pray now, verses that I've read in the Bible will come to mind. For instance, when I feel like my plans are spinning out of control, Jeremiah 29:11 will pop into my thoughts. On those days, I'll pray:
"Lord, you know the plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a future and a hope. You say that if I come to you and pray, you will listen and you will lead me. So, today I surrender my plans for Your plans. Please guide my decisions and thoughts to match Yours so that I can experience hope and not harm. Even though things aren't going so great today, I trust the plans You have for me."
I love knowing there isn't a certain way I have to pray to get God's attention. In fact, prayer has become one of my greatest passions and joys. I don't feel any pressure to say the right things anymore. Sometimes I just sit still and let Him whisper His promises into my thoughts and then I ask for their fulfillment with my prayers. Other times I simply pour out my thoughts to Him. And when I need a little direction, or I am not sure what to say, I open up the Bible to align my words with His Words -- knowing that I'm also aligning my heart and desires with His will.
Lord, I'm so glad I don't have to say that right things to get Your attention. Thank You for Your Spirit that lives in me and leads me -- in my daily activities and even in my prayers. I would love it if today You'd give me a verse to pray so that I can see Your Word come alive in my circumstances and become active in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For a list of scripture prayers to pray for you, your family and friends, visit Renee's Blog.
31 Days of Prayer: Moving God's Mighty Hand, by Ruth Myers
A Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer by Cheri Fuller
Do You Know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Find one of your favorite verses and turn it into a prayer. Here's an example:
May the God of hope fill ______ with all joy and peace as ______trusts in him, so that ________may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
To find a verse on a specific topic or keyword, click here to go to Crosswalk's online Bible search tools.
Reflections:
Do you ever avoid prayer because you feel like you don't know what to say?
Power Verses:
Psalm 66:19-20, "God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. 'Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!'" (NIV)
Romans 12:12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (NIV)
Philippians 1:9, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight," (NIV)
© 2008 by Renee Swope . All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
September 26, 2008
A Reflection of God's Glory
Susanne Scheppmann
"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures . . . May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works." Psalm 104:24, 31 (NIV)
Devotion:
Modern technology is amazing. I remember as a child watching high-speed photography of a flower budding and blooming. The photography captured days of nature's movement and beauty, so that in a few minutes I could see and understand what took place in my garden.
Even though we can see pictures, movies, and read books on the wonder of nature, there is nothing like experiencing it for ourselves.
So often, we miss the glory of God in nature. Stress and busyness hinder our senses from recognizing the beauty of God's creation. We allow life's mundane tasks to strip us of opportunities to increase our faith. Yet the earth's Creator gifted us with the five senses--sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. He did this so we can experience His character and personality.
Our God rules nature--nature does not control God. The Creator spread out the stars in the heavens and set the foundations of the earth. He covered it with water and then set the boundaries of the seas. He assigned the rivers to their places in the mountains. He provides water to all living things. God causes grass and plants to grow. He provides nutrition and lodging for His creatures. He enables us to cultivate and work the earth so we, in return, will glorify Him.
The Lord has given us proof through nature that He exists and that He provides for His creation. My faith increases when I stop to think about the miraculous beauty of nature. If God can take care of the mighty heavens and the spinning earth, then I know He is able to take care of me.
Dear Lord, open my eyes to Your wonders. Forgive me for taking for granted so many things that are amazing creations formed by Your hands. As I watch for nature to display Your wonder, increase my faith in You, my Creator. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Birds in My Mustard Tree: For Those Who Struggle with Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Perplexing Proverbs -- A Woman's Bible Study by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Plan a day this month to enjoy nature and God's presence. Take a journal along to record your experiences and thoughts while outside.
Reflections:
Am I too busy to enjoy nature?
What can nature teach me about God's character?
Do I praise God when He reveals a glory of nature to me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 8:3-4, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" (NIV)
Psalm 19:1-4, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." (NIV)
© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 29, 2008
Upside Down
Luann Prater
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
Everything in my closet is shrinking! Do you notice it too? It is amazing how a little extra around my waist causes my pants to rise above my ankles! And I am sure that since I hit the 50 mark, the Michelin Tire Man has taken up residence inside my skin. I don't need an inner tube when swimming in the lake with my grandkids; I have one permanently affixed to my middle!
Recently I made a commitment to get back on track with my eating habits, choosing vegetables instead of bread, and fruit instead of snacks. Even though I know this is the right approach, I have found that it tends to consume my thoughts. Aren't we funny creatures? We seem to major in the minors of life.
The Bible teaches us to put first things first; to seek God before all else. And yet, we continually put Him somewhere on the to-do list with everything else. He has proven to me over the years that if I put Him first, all the other things will fall into place. So why is it so hard to do that on a day-in, day-out basis?
1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us, "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." So what do I do instead of seeking the Lord? Often I seek my own will or pleasure before I seek God. Sometimes I'm more interested in getting what I want before I ask what He wants. Other times, I operate in my own logic and strength -- calling my own shots according to what seems right to me.
When I live that way, I turn the guidance of the scriptures upside down. Matthew 6:33 clearly instructs us, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
So here is what I've learned recently on my quest to eat right. When I begin my day seeking Him, my appetite stays in check. Period. When I truly focus on my relationship with Him, eating is just where it needs to be. It becomes part of my day but not the focus of my day. God's ways do work -- we just have to follow them. So I challenge you, turn your logic upside down this week and begin each day seeking the One who created you.
Dear Lord, thank You for being enough. Teach us each day to seek Your face before all other things in our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes
Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Luann's Blog
Application Steps:
Rise each morning this week and spend quiet time seeking the Lord. Spend this time only focused on Him, who He is, and what He has already done in your life. Save the "I wants" and the "please help me" for later. Then record how your days become drastically different than the norm.
Reflections:
What challenge am I facing today?
Why do I try to conquer challenges on my own?
How can I turn my prayer habits upside down?
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (NIV)
Luke 12:31, "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
Acts 17:27, "God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." (NIV)
© 2008 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 30, 2008
G.F.I.
Susanne Scheppmann
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NASB)
Devotion:
I pulled in the driveway grateful to be home after a five-day conference. I pressed the remote and the garage door rolled open. Bloodied water trickled toward me as I stepped from my car. I knew immediately what had happened - the freezer had gone out. All the meat had thawed and the bloody, watery juices had drained out of the freezer into a maroon stream that slowly ran toward the driveway. Yuck.
Mark, my husband, was out of town. I stood in my garage disgusted and slightly freaked out. Of course, I called my husband for help. I didn't care if it was late and there was a three-hour time difference between us.
He patiently said, "Check the G.F.I."
"The what?"
"The ground fault interrupter. It's in the electrical outlet where the freezer is plugged in."
Sure enough, the G.F.I. had tripped and in response the freezer shut down. Nothing was technically wrong with the freezer, except now it had hundreds of dollars of rotting food sitting inside it. Because of a tripped G.F.I., my evening turned from one of anticipated relaxation to hours of vexing cleanup.
Isn't our faith sometimes like that, too? We are believing and trusting the Lord, when all of a sudden something unexpected happens -- our own G.F.I (God Faith Interrupter) gets tripped. In response, our faith shuts down and we melt like a gallon of vanilla ice cream in a hot garage.
It's certainly difficult to understand the twists and turns in our journey of faith. When a God Faith Interrupter occurs, we grope in the darkness for something to reassure us that regardless of our circumstance, the Lord is loving, merciful, and He will guide us. God Faith Interrupters might shake our faith. They can be scary. They certainly will be unexpected and uncomfortable, but the Lord holds the charge of power to uphold our faith even when it shuts down temporarily. We must turn to Him.
Express to the Lord your fear of a "God Faith Interrupter" tripping you up. Then thank Him that He will be with you, showing you mercy and loving-kindness, no matter what happens in the days ahead. Then resolve to stay plugged into Him, no matter what.
Dear Lord, I prefer those times when my life goes smoothly. However, I ask for an extra measure of faith when my life takes an unexpected twist. Teach me to trust Your sovereignty in my life, and to rely on Your strength. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Birds in My Mustard Tree: For Those Who Struggle with Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Sanctuary: A Devotional Bible for Women
Visit Susanne's Blog
Application Steps:
Read Genesis 39. Note the G.F.I. in Joseph's life. Consider how our Key Verse correlates with Genesis 39:20-23?
Reflections:
What G.F.I. (God Faith Interrupters) have occurred in your life?
Did you believe that God was with you throughout the ordeal? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 31:3, "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (NIV)
Genesis 39:20b-21, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." (NIV)
Psalm 57:1, "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." (NIV)
© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 1, 2008
A Blameless Heart
by Sharon Sloan -- She Speaks Graduate
"I will walk in my house with a blameless heart." Psalm 101:2b (NIV)
Devotion:
Living a life of godly integrity happens within the walls of our own homes first. That's really where we are authenticated. For me, what God sees and knows of me in my home and with my family is most important to me, rather than how others perceive me elsewhere. If I am living a life surrendered to Him inside my home and with my family, that life will flow naturally and freely everywhere else. It will be genuine and self-evident.
God sees and meets me when I spend quiet time with Him. God sees me when I love and serve my husband with respect and joy. God sees me when I handle His Word with tenderness and invest it into my children's hearts. He also sees me when I fail miserably in these areas and fall to my knees for forgiveness as my heart aches with the godly sorrow that leads to repentance and thus brings forth His life. He sees and knows the real me.
If my husband sees and knows that I am seeking God daily and abiding in Him continually, then my heart is at rest and filled with joy knowing he has confidence in me. He knows I desire an authentic life before our God and in our home. My husband's confidence in me because I love and fear the Lord is priceless. I want the same to be true of me as it is written about the Proverbs 31 woman. "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." Proverbs 31:11 (NIV) I want to be that crown on his head and jewel around his neck, and that must happen in our home with deep authenticity. It doesn't happen in social settings with shallow facades.
A wise woman seeks to have a blameless heart in her home. "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) The destructive hands of pride and selfishness will tear apart the beautiful gifts with which God has entrusted me. I so earnestly and passionately want to be the wise woman building up my home and family.
Walking with a blameless heart is a standard set by God. Blameless does not mean sinless. The NIV study note clarifies that blameless means "spiritual and moral integrity". Even when we really blow it, our godly integrity, born out of a vibrant relationship with Him, brings us back to a humble heart before the Lord. When we do fail, God and those around us will see our true remorse and desire to be right with Him and with those we have offended.
God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to depend on Him for our godly integrity. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Gentle Father, You desire me to walk with a blameless heart. You have generously given me all I need for life and godliness. May my life honor you in my home and before my family first, such that Your life spills out to all those around me naturally. Strengthen my heart and hands that they may continually build my house in Your perfect love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click to learn about Gather and Grow Groups which encourage women in Biblical truths and godly authenticity.
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
God's Purpose for Every Woman General Editors, Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 26.
Pray and ask God to search your heart to see if you are walking with a blameless heart in your home. Ask Him for His strength and passion to do it. If you are not, ask God and your family for forgiveness. Remember He has given you everything you need for life and godliness. Depend on Him.
Reflections:
Are you the same person in your home as you are outside of your home?
Consider how an authentic life before God and your family also has lasting effects on those around you.
Power Verses:
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." Psalm 26:1 (NIV)
© 2008 by Sharon Sloan. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
October 2, 2008
Good Mom, Bad Mom, Good Mom
Lysa TerKeurst
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26(NIV)
Devotion:
Good Mom?
Bad Mom?
Good Mom?
Bad Mom?
Do you ever feel as though you are the ping-pong ball in a heated match bouncing constantly between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?
One minute I have a great discussion where my child finally gets it... GOOD MOM!
The next I get an e-mail from a teacher that lists the three parents who have yet to turn in that permission slip and I am on the list for all the world to see... BAD MOM!
I calmly handle the stresses of the morning routine... GOOD MOM!
But then during the afternoon homework session, my child's irresponsibility over a last minute project just about sends me over the edge. I find my neck muscles tensing and my voice rising... BAD MOM!
I make sure they pack something healthy for lunch... GOOD MOM!
The schedule falls apart in the late afternoon and I wind up feeding them sugar cereal for dinner... BAD MOM!
Sometimes I feel like that ping-pong ball mom bouncing from feeling good to bad. Yesterday morning I sat down at the kitchen table after getting everyone where they needed to be and cried. Sometimes having kids is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. Other days I feel like the task of parenting little people is driving me to the brink of craziness.
Just the other day I was processing some recent family things with my friend, Renee, over the phone. Suddenly a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that so many of my days seemed to tell the same kind of story... I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent time with Jesus and He made things better.
Renee quipped back to me, "Well, isn't that where most of us live every day?"
Not that we are on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know as a mom, I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience, and grace.
Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God.
Anything I do wrong as a mom is because of trying to do things in my own strength and slap wearing myself out.
That's where grace steps in. And I need lots of grace. God's grace steps in and says, "Lysa, you are doing better than you think. Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank me. In the not so good times, call out to me quickly."
And suddenly it occurred to me; with God I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom.
God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me.
Forgiveness is there.
Love is there.
A second chance is there.
You are a good mom my friend even if, like me, you've had a few bad moments... you is the exact mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today.
Dear Lord, being a mom is a great privilege but one that can be so challenging at times. Teach me how to lean on You with every action and every reaction. And when I mess up, please help me to not define myself by my mommy failures. Help me to only be defined by Your love that assures me and Your grace that covers me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for a list of Scriptures every mom should have.
Love Notes in Lunchboxes and Other Ideas to Color Your Child's Day by Linda Gilden
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Find a verse today that could help redirect an angry or frustrated response with your kids. There are some good ones listed below in the power verses. Or you can search out one that specifically applies to your unique struggles. When you feel your temper about to flare, have this verse handy and quote it out loud. In that moment ask God to give you a wiser response than your natural feelings.
Reflections:
Do you ever struggle with being defined by your mistakes rather than by the truth of God? Spend some time in prayer today asking God to give you His loving perspective of how He sees you. Rest in his lavish love. If you need to ask for forgiveness for some of your actions, do this and then let these things go.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)
James 1:5-6, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." (NIV- emphasis mine)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 3, 2008
Exit Numbers
Marybeth Whalen
"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
Job 23:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever driven on a long road trip, with the responsibility of getting from point A to point B falling squarely on you? It can be a bit overwhelming if you are not used to it. When you anticipate the many highways and unfamiliar cities you will pass through, you think it will take a miracle to get you there! I have always admired people who have driven long distances to unfamiliar places, but never thought I could do it myself.
I recently had the opportunity to travel from my home in North Carolina to my sister's home in Florida . It took nine hours to get there, with many roads to travel during those nine hours. As I looked at the directions I had printed off from the computer, a plan of action formed in my mind. I quickly circled all the exit numbers for each point on the trip. When I got to a new highway, I simply noted what exit we were on, and then gauged how far we had to go based on the exit numbers. By focusing on those numbers, I was always able to take the right way. In the end, what had overwhelmed me became quite simple because I had my exit numbers as my guide!
God has provided us with exit numbers in our lives. He has provided us with His Word as a map for how to find our way. He has promised in His Word that He will provide us with a way out when we face temptation. He has given us the Holy Spirit to whisper directions to us when we feel lost, confused or panicked. He has written these exit numbers on our hearts. The challenge for us is to focus on them and not get sidetracked or overwhelmed by the cars speeding past us, the neon signs flashing at us, or the scenery that can divert us from the right way.
We all have these elements in our life - each one taking a form that is unique to us but no less devastating in its potential. Satan loves to taunt us with these, waving them in front of us and telling us how hopeless our situation is. He wants to destroy us, to cut us off from the Father. He wants us to stop focusing on those exit numbers so we will lose track of where we are on our journey with God.
Have you lost sight of the exit numbers because other stuff has distracted your attention? Do you need to go back through your directions and mentally place a big red circle around those things that keep you on the road He has for you?
Maybe today you feel like you have pulled off to the shoulder of that road and all the other cars are just whizzing past you. Everyone else seems to be intent on where they are going and how they are going to get there. But you just feel lost and hopeless. Do you need someone to come along and help you accelerate back into the flow of traffic? Just for today, I invite you to pray and ask God to help you get where you are going. I challenge you to listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to you - to open up God's Word and let it guide you. The exit numbers are all there. And, with God's help, you will get where you are going.
Dear Lord, I need Your help to make it where I am going. I confess that sometimes I don't even know where I am going and get overwhelmed by the distance it is going to take to get me there. Yet I know that You have provided me with the Way to get there. Help me to trust in that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Spend some time today doing a word search in your Bible concordance on words like "way," "road" or "path." Choose one or two verses that minister to you and write them down somewhere visible in your home or car.
Call a friend who can help you find your way on the road to where you need to be.
Reflections:
Reread the last paragraph of this devotion -- which of those questions do you really need to ask yourself today?
If you are not in a place of needing "exit numbers" to find your way, perhaps God is laying someone on your heart who needs you to be that friend who helps them get back on the road. Who could that be in your life?
Power Verses:
Job 23:11, "My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside." (NIV)
Isaiah 48:17, "This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." (NIV)
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 6, 2008
I Will Do Something New
Melanie Chitwood
"'Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.'" Isaiah 43:18-19 (NAS)
Devotion:
Several years after a friend weathered a huge storm in her marriage, I asked her, "How do you not remember and not get angry all over again when you're reminded of the hurt your husband caused you?"
Her answer was simple but not easy: "I choose to believe that God loves me, my husband, and my children. And I choose to trust God."
The key word here is "choose." Today's key verse in Isaiah is also about choosing. In our marriages, we can choose to remember the hurtful times, or we can choose not "to call to mind the former things."
Let's look at some real-life examples where we can chose to look ahead rather than behind:
I can choose...
to forgive my husband for forgetting my birthday.
not to repeat in my mind the hurtful words my husband said in the heat of an argument.
to appreciate my husband for what he does now, rather than wishing he'd send me flowers like he did in the beginning of our marriage.
to be merciful and gracious when my husband loses money in an unwise investment.
not to hold grudges.
to forgive my husband for unfaithfulness.
not to wonder if I married the right man.
We can make choices like these every day in our marriages, and as we do, I believe we will see God do something new and miraculous in our marriages. After all, He's the God who makes a "roadway in the wilderness" and "rivers in the desert" as our verse says.
I saw my friend choose to trust God during the storm in her marriage. Then, over and over again, I've seen her choose to look ahead to the new things God promises to do in her marriage, rather than dwell on the hurts of the past.
I'm inspired by my friend's ability to rejoice over the new life God brought to her marriage. As our conversation concluded she said, "What we went through was absolutely heartbreaking, but I prayed to see it through God's eyes. I believe that God can make all things new, that God can work all things to our good if we believe in Him. God transformed our marriage as I rested in Him and trusted Him."
Dear Lord, I rejoice that You make all things new! Lord, You can even raise a dead marriage to new life. Lord, I choose to look ahead not behind in my marriage. I choose not to call to mind hurt from the past. I can't wait to see what good things You bring to my marriage as I trust and obey You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Listen to P31 Radio Show
Application Steps:
Right now, what hurt or anger can you leave behind so God can do something new in your marriage? Pray now, confessing to God that you've been holding on to hurts of the past, and ask Him to begin a new work in your marriage.
Reflections:
What would happen if you forgave your husband for the way he hurt you?
What role does fear play in your inability to look ahead in your marriage?
Do you trust God to do something new in your marriage?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:26, "...Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NAS)
Ephesians 4:22 , 23, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, ...to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:32, "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (NLT)
© 2008 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 7, 2008
Is Jesus Enough?
Lysa TerKeurst
"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I stopped in my tracks the other day as I was mindlessly singing a beautiful praise song. I say mindlessly not because I wasn't focusing on God. I was definitely lifting up my heart to Him. But the mindlessly part came when I realized I had no clue of the weight of the words in this song. Did I really mean what I was singing? The song said this to Jesus: "You're all I want. You're all I ever needed."
Really? Did I really mean those words? Is my Jesus enough? Ultimately the question should be: Is my relationship with Jesus in such a place that if He was truly all I had today, would I still stand and sing those powerful song lyrics?
The economy is shaky, funds are tight, prices at the gas pumps and grocery store keep rising. Am I going to let my heart be drawn into a place of worry and fear over all this instability? Or will I quiet my soul and calmly proclaim, "Jesus is my Provider and He is enough."
Today my son Jackson, who just got his driver's license, will be driving to a friend's house to watch the football game. His friend lives less than five miles from our house. But statistics show that most car accidents happen on the roads we are most familiar with, those closest to our homes. Will I be able to smile, tell him to be careful and let him drive down our driveway with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?
I don't know what kinds of twists and turns might come during my life journey. But, I know the only way to travel with a joyful peace is to settle in my heart the answer to this question once and for all. So, today, I declare Jesus is enough. Before I even know in what way this declaration will be tested, I've made the decision to say it, believe it and settle it.
Jesus is enough.
I think this is why Proverbs 31 is my favorite portrait of a godly woman. Proverbs 31:25 reminds us, "she can laugh at the days to come."
She was filled with such incredible joy not because life was perfect but simply because she had decided to make laughter, peace, and truth the hallmarks of her life. Proverbs 31:30 goes on to say this was a woman to be praised because she so reverenced God in the shrine of her heart. She knew without a doubt, He was - and still is - enough.
Dear Lord, Thank You that in this world we don't have to live consumed with fear of the unknown. For You know all things. Nothing will happen to us that does not first pass through Your hands. May I find peace in Your love, which is so consuming for us that You only have our best interests in mind. Help us to believe and trust in that truth no matter what. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's Blog today for a list of reassuring Scriptures about God's love.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
The next time you start to fret over the "what if" questions, verbalize that Jesus is enough no matter what. Write down the power verses below and keep them in your purse until you've memorized them. Being able to have access to God's truth will guard your heart and your mind.
Reflections:
Have you ever thought about whether or not Jesus is enough in your life?
What are some ways to put this devotional thought into practice in your life today?
How would your relationships improve if you had this kind of peace?
Power Verses:
Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me..." (NIV)
Isaiah 54:10, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:12, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 8, 2008
Gut-Honest Prayers
Rachel Olsen
"The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer."
Psalm 6:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever grown frustrated with God over situations in your life? Have you gone to Him and poured out those feelings in prayer?
If so, you'll be able to relate to the prophet Habakkuk, who lived roughly 600 years before Christ. His book of the Bible begins with this complaint: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save me. Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?" (Hab.1:2-3, NIV).
God answered Habakkuk by telling him to be patient and to watch, that He will do amazing things and usher in justice -- but only in His timing.
Passionate, honest, gut-level prayers have been recorded through out the Bible. Habakkuk wasn't the only one to complain. Moses, Gideon, and Elijah all questioned God. Job even cursed the day God made him and said, "I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul." (Job 10:1, NIV).
In his anguish, Job accused God of afflicting people for no reason (Job 9:17), overwhelming them with misery (Job 9:18), and not caring about injustice (Job 9:22, 24). Job even wondered if maybe God was laughing at the pain of the innocent (Job 9:22). None of these accusations are accurate -- far from it -- but we can sometimes feel that way in times of severe suffering or testing. God knows our deepest thoughts and feelings, so it's futile to think we can hide them from Him. Better to come clean with how we really feel, get it off our chest in prayer, and hopefully clear the way to hear and receive God's reply or comfort.
I've complained to God in the past for allowing my loved ones to die or fall deep into sin, for allowing valuable things to be stolen from me, for allowing my reputation to be unfairly tarnished, for allowing physical suffering in my body, or for not allowing what I felt I deserved. My goal is to be a woman of faith who can take such things in stride with Him. But when I'm losing that stride, I've found the best thing I can do is honestly take these feelings to God where they can be traded for His perspective and His comforting assurance.
Though God does not always change my circumstances the way I want Him to, He can and does change my perspective on those circumstances -- enabling me to endure them.
God listens when we complain about injustice. He understands when we feel shortchanged or opposed. Read through the gospel accounts of Jesus' life and you'll be reminded of just how much Jesus can relate to undeserved opposition!
Be honest before God in prayer today. While maintaining a holy respect for Him and thanksgiving for His saving grace, pour out the good, the bad and the ugly of your feelings. As Habakkuk, Job and others discovered, God can handle our intense emotions and questions. He may not explains Himself fully to us -- perhaps because we can't fully understand -- but He will flood us with His love when we come humbly and honestly before Him and pour out our heart.
Dear Lord, it is often hard for me to deal graciously with the difficult situations in my life. Help me to see them through Your eyes. Help me to endure, with grace, all that You allow into my life. Fill me with Your peace and love today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Glynnis Whitwer
Do You Know Him?
Visit Rachel Olsen's blog today and feel free to share your prayer request there.
Application Steps:
Read through one of the New Testament gospel books that records Jesus' life, noticing all the times and ways that He was opposed, or let down by those around Him. Notice also how He responded.
Reflections:
Are you angry with God over what He's allowed to happen to you, or a loved one?
Have you taken those feelings to Him honestly in prayer and asked for His perspective and comfort?
Are you willing to settle for the comfort of God in your situation, or are you only interested in having God change your situation to suit you?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV)
Psalm 86:6, "Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry." (NLT)
© 2008 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 9, 2008
The View from the Top
Whitney Capps
"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Devotion:
I'm no thrill seeker. It's rare that my heart rate rises above the normal level. The last time I felt the white-knuckled exhilaration of terror, I was harnessed to the top of a 40-foot pole being steadied by our group's guide for a team-building activity. I had shimmied up this pole, hoisting my weight from step to step, until only one step remained between me and success.
What is success in this scenario? I'm glad you asked. We were challenged to climb the pole, reach the top and in our final step, pull both feet to the top of this pole and stand there swaying in the breeze, taking in the view.
At this point in my climb, I was in a precarious position. My final push would be to stand up on the leg positioned at the top of the pole, and shift my weight to that leg, thereby standing erect on a one foot platform 40 feet in the air. No problem, right?
Here's the inner dialogue I was having: "I don't really have to go all the way. I'm exhausted and cramping. This is good enough for me. So you stand at the top of the pole. Is twelve more inches of height really going to change my perspective?"
A voice interrupted my thoughts. My husband Chad who had successfully completed this exercise was yelling to me, "You can do this. I want you to go all the way. I've been there. Don't look down, and don't give up. He's got you if you fall. It's totally worth it."
So, with every ounce of energy left in me I pushed up and ... fell. I didn't stand atop that pole, but I gave it my all.
The exercise that day was a picture of my relationship with God. Somewhere near the top of my journey, just shy of full-on devotion, I stopped. I had little spiritual stamina. I realized that the emotion that helped me start my journey would never be enough to finish the exercise. It would take a level of devotion I wasn't sure I had.
Then I heard a voice saying, "You can do this. I want you to do this. He's got you if you fall. I've been there. Don't look down, and don't give up. It's totally worth it." It was the voice of my Savior.
Friend, Jesus is calling out to you with the same message of encouragement. No matter where you are on the pole or why you want to quit, don't give up. Keep taking the next step. Jesus reminds us that God is more than able to catch us when we fall. He alone can attest that the view from a position of total devotion "is totally worth it."
I'm not disappointed that I fell in the last second. I'm glad that I didn't believe the lie that "close was close enough." The difference between emotion and devotion may only be a few inches, but the view is dramatically different. Emotion can get you near the top, but that's about it. Only devotion lets you experience a view so grand it takes your breath away. I caught a glimpse of it before I fell. It was well worth the effort.
Dear Lord, help me remember that in my moments of desperation and fear, You are in control. Help me fight the temptation to worry or doubt Your provision. Grant me the peace to accept Your will, and to believe Your promises to protect and provide for me and my family. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Confident Woman: Knowing Who You are in Christ by Anabel Gilham
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Visit Whitney Capps's blog
Application Steps:
Begin yourself, as well as helping your children, to act not just on emotions or feelings, but with a will that desires to do what is right even if it doesn't feel good at the moment.
Reflections:
Do you find that you make decisions, pray for needs, or deal with relationships, based on emotion or on a clear direction from the Word of God?
Have you faced trials or opportunities for maturity with perseverance, or did you settle for less than God's perfect plan?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:1, "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV)
© 2008 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 10, 2008
Setback or Cutback?
Micca Monda Campbell
"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that is will be even more fruitful."
John 15:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
My eldest son is a born leader. That's a nice way of saying he's strong-willed. I've often heard Dr. James Dobson, President of Focus on the Family, describe determined, strong-willed children this way: "They come into the world smoking a cigar and asking to speak to the administrator of the hospital to complain about the temperature of their room."
That's a good definition of my son. For example, in Jr. High, Mitch struggled in his relationship with his basketball coach. Why? Because he didn't think he was a good coach. While Mitch never said so, his attitude reflected this mind-set, which in turn affected his game. The coach ultimately benched him, and his attitude. Devastated, Mitch couldn't understand why the coach would bench one of his starting players.
We've all been there. You and I have experienced "setbacks" in our jobs, relationships, and even in ministry. These setbacks cause us to wonder, "What's going on? Why is this happening?" If we're like my son, you and I may not always see what God is doing behind the scenes. That's where our key verse comes in.
God is more interested in our character than our comfort. He desires that we produce more spiritual fruit. Therefore, He's always at work pruning the areas of our lives that don't match His plans. So, when God allows our world to be turned upside down, we are not experiencing a "setback" but rather a "cutback." In God's economy, a cutback can be a good thing because it makes room for more good stuff to come.
However, sometimes the pruning process can feel like it's going to kill us. I remember one fall when I was pruning my rose bush. My daughter, who loves flowers, was distraught when she saw what I had done to the bush.
"Why did you kill it?" she asked with horror in her voice. I reassured her that I didn't kill the bush. I only cut it back so that next year it would produce larger and more beautiful roses.
Though it may feel like it at times, I assure you that God is not trying to kill us either. The Lord cuts us back in order to produce more--more Christ-like fruit in our words, attitudes, and deeds.
Eventually, Mitch apologized to his coach for his attitude and for not performing up to his potential. Ah, a new bud of humility was beginning to sprout! That's the positive effect of pruning. It stimulates the growth of good fruit. So take a look at your life and see where God may be pruning. Then get ready to produce some fresh fruit.
Dear Lord, at times, Your pruning may be painful, but I will trust You. Help me to see from Your perspective that it's not a setback, but a cutback that can help me grow in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca Campbell's blog for more encouragement.
God is Not Through with Me Yet: Holding on to the One Who Holds You Close
by Thelma Wells
The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle
Application Steps:
If you're experiencing a cutback, ask God what He is trying to produce in you? Is it the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)? Allow God to work, and watch how fruitful you become.
Reflections:
What do you think God is trying to produce through your cutback?
Have you experienced pruning in this area of your life before? If so, why do you think God is pruning you again?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (NIV)
Matthew 7:20, "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (NIV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 13, 2008
A Harvest of Fruit
Susanne Scheppmann
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law,"
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Devotion:
Autumn harvests laden our table with fresh fruits and vegetables. We decorate our homes with a hollow, horn-shaped wicker basket called a cornucopia, or the "Horn of Plenty." Apples, oranges, bright gourds, and multi-colored Indian corn spill from the basket as reminders of the abundance of God's blessings in our lives.
The apostle Paul speaks of another kind of fruit -- the fruit of the Spirit. He writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23)." We do not need to worry about over indulging this type of fruit. God desires us to be so full that we absolutely overflow with His Spirit.
However, in order to harvest the fruit of Spirit we must sow it in our lives. Galatians 5:25 gives us a tip on how to begin to reap this crop, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." As a farmer labors to produce his crop, so we must work hard, too. When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives, we choose to react in a godly manner when people annoy us and circumstances move beyond our control. We must determine to keep in step with and surrender to the Holy Spirit rather than allow our human nature to overtake us. Think about the following circumstances in which we could allow the Spirit to take control of our attitudes and emotions:
· A fight with our husband
· Parenting teens
· Neighbors who annoy us
· An unappreciative boss
· A fender-bender in a parking lot
· The dishwasher overflowing
· An uncaring doctor
What would you add to the list? Whatever creates irritability, impatience, or discontent could be added. Of course, the key to any type of adversity is to remember the words of Jesus, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7, NASB)." The Helper is the Holy Spirit. He will help us produce the fruit of the Spirit if we allow it. With the Spirit's help, we can obtain an overflowing abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and of course, self-control.
Will you join me in a harvesting the fruit of the Spirit this autumn?
Dear Lord, teach me to walk in Your Spirit. I want to harvest all the aspects of Your Spirit. Infuse me with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When I find myself in adverse circumstances, remind me to keep in step with Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Birds in My Mustard Tree: For Those Who Struggle with Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Susanne's blog for more encouragement.
Application Steps:
Place a cornucopia on your kitchen table during this harvest season as a reminder to yourself to pursue the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and, self-control. Make a mental note to keep in step with the Spirit throughout your day.
Reflections:
Which traits of the fruit of the Spirit do I need the most?
Am I willing to pay the cost to obtain a harvest of righteousness?
In what circumstances do I need to call on the Holy Spirit as my Helper?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:25, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (NIV)
John 16:7, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." (NASB)
Ephesians 5:8-10, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (NIV)
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 14, 2008
Until the Whistle Blows
Glynnis Whitwer
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
Luke 18:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
My oldest son Josh played offensive line on his football team when he was younger. Solid and strong, Josh's job on the line was to hold the opponents' defensive line back long enough for the quarterback to do his job. The offensive line isn't the most glamorous job on the field, but when they don't do their job well, everyone is quick to see the results. Normally, these steadfast players hold firm, protecting their guy.
Sitting at the practices night after night, I noticed a common issue among the novice players on the field. They often stopped blocking too soon. Shouts of, "Block 'til the whistle blows!" filled the sweaty September nights, and time and again the tired players lined back up and tried again.
The boys knew what they were supposed to do, but they often gave up when they thought the play was over. Sometimes they gave up because holding back a powerful defensive player was tiring. Unfortunately, the play wasn't over until the coach or referee blew the whistle. Until that whistle blew, anything could happen.
The parallel to our prayer lives is astounding. Too often, I have given up praying about a concern, believing the play to be over. Perhaps I think God answered "no" when I don't see an answer in my timeline. Sometimes I see things with human eyes, and give up too soon. I wonder how many times we've stopped praying just shy of experiencing healing, freedom from addiction, or the salvation of someone we love. I'm thankful my family and I never stopped praying about my dad's salvation. He came to Christ two weeks before he died.
Just as my son learned to block until the whistle blows, may we be encouraged to pray until the trumpet blows, revealing that Jesus has returned to earth. In other words -- never give up!
Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your power and majesty. There is nothing in the universe that is too big for You to handle. Help me to remember that You want to hear my prayers, and You delight in answering them when it brings glory to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog to read the touching story of her father coming to know Christ.
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
31 Days of Prayer: Moving God's Mighty Hand by Ruth Myers
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Identify one situation in your life that seems hopeless. Commit to praying for this concern for the next 30 days.
Reflections:
Is there any situation you consistently neglect to pray about?
In some respects, a person who prays for another is like the offensive lineman protecting his quarterback. Is there someone you should be praying for right now? Identify that person and pray.
Do you think your relationship with God affects how He answers your prayers? Explain.
Power Verses:
1 Thessalonians 4:16, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." (NIV)
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV)
John 14:12, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (NIV)
© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 15, 2008
Puddle Dancing
Marybeth Whalen
"But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt ." Acts 7:39 (NIV)
Devotion:
We'd not had rain in many, many days. I don't know how large of an area this drought has affected in the US , but I know it has been much larger than my immediate area. I've heard on the radio that the drought was the worst we had seen in 100 years. So, that gives you an idea of how serious it had been.
As day after day of record heat combined with no rain waged on last summer, I caught myself scanning the skies for a stray cloud or any sign that rain was coming. I heard that Atlanta , GA was about 60 days from being out of water. Even closer to my home, Monroe , NC was about 110 days from being out of water. We don't think about it often, but can you imagine life without water? In short, things were getting desperate.
I was happy when the rain finally came. I rejoiced in it. I thanked God for it. I even prayed that it would keep on raining. I had hope that this rain would begin to replenish our 14 inches of water-level deficit. Come on, rain, I thought. As I loaded children and bags of groceries in the car, I tried not to be grumpy about the rain. I tried to smile even as my hair was getting wet; even as my son was splashing in puddles, soaking his shoes. Every time I felt myself getting grumpy and wishing it would stop raining, I focused instead on how much we needed the rain -- and how this rain was an answer to prayer. And yet, I must confess that after it went on for a while, I was anxious for the rain to go away and dry weather to return. Even though I knew that God was giving us what we needed most, I started looking backwards.
And then God gave me a vision of how much I was like the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. The scripture tells us that oppressive Egypt was starting to look good to them again. They had prayed for deliverance from slavery and God had provided it. He had answered their prayers and given them what they needed. Yet as day after day of walking and wandering began to take its toll, they started to forget God's goodness and concentrate on their circumstances instead. Oh, to be back in Egypt , they thought.
How often do we do this? We ask for deliverance from something, we are thankful for the deliverance, but then as we walk through the hard parts of actually being delivered, the flesh begins to cry out in opposition. We start drifting backwards in our spirits to that place that was familiar, instead of walking obediently towards where God wants to take us.
I know this has been true with our family's finances. We prayed for deliverance from debt and God began to show us a way out. Yet as we have walked through what it has taken to be debt-free, I have often caught myself looking back at when I used to charge things freely, with no thought as to how we would pay for it. Oh, how nice that was to just be able to go buy something without having to scrounge and save, I find myself thinking.
I don't want to look backwards or give into the comforts my flesh craves. I want to push forward, straining for the prize God has for me. I want to seek Him with all my heart -- no matter where that takes me. I want to live in that sometimes uncomfortable place of walking in total obedience. When the rain comes pouring down, I want to choose to dance in the puddles instead of longing for the shelter of past sunny days.
Dear Lord, I want to focus on Your plan and not my comfort level when things get hard. I want to live a life that seeks You instead of a life spent looking backwards. Help me to thank You in all circumstances and to trust completely in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson
A Thankful Heart: How Gratitude Brings Hope and Healing to our Lives by Carole Lewis
Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement to dance in the rain!
Application Steps:
Spend some time today praying for God to show you where your attitudes and actions have been more "backward thinking" than "forward thinking." Write down anything God shows you as a result, and any verses of scripture you might need to cling to as you walk forward with Him.
Reflections:
Have you been looking backwards lately?
Is there somewhere God is taking you right now that feels uncomfortable, yet necessary?
Power Verses:
Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Luke 9:62, "Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God .'" (NIV)
Numbers 11:18-20, "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, 'If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt !' Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month--until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it--because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and you have wailed before him, saying, 'Why did we ever leave Egypt?''" (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 16, 2008
While You Are Sleeping
Renee Swope
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
The silence startled me! I shot up in bed so I could see the neon red lights that told me it was three in the morning, time to feed the baby. Andrew hadn't made a sound. Was something wrong? Or, could he be sleeping through the night? I wavered between panic and joy as I felt my way down the hall to the nursery and leaned over Andrew's crib. I listened for the sweet sound of his breathing and carefully rested my hand on his tiny chest to feel the gentle rhythm of its rising and falling.
Moonlight slipped through the blinds helping me to see that he was perfectly fine. Most sane mothers would have gone back to bed. But not me, I stood there for a while watching my child sleep. The love and joy that I felt at that moment was almost overwhelming. How could I love someone so much? My heart longed just to be near this little guy who set my days in motion with his cries and smiles.
Andrew developed a routine of sleeping through the night soon after, yet I would listen for his cries hoping I would have a good excuse to check on him. While he was sleeping, I'd sneak into his room just because I wanted to be with him. Then I'd tiptoe into my older son Joshua's room, and watch him slumber. As I looked at their faces, I'd dream of the little guys God was shaping them into. I'd whisper prayers for them to know Jesus in a personal way. I'd ask God to calm their fears, to fulfill their dreams, and to establish their steps to walk in His ways and not in the paths the world would pave for them.
There are still many nights that I sneak in to watch my children while they are sleeping, simply because I want to be with them. They aren't doing anything to make me feel proud or happy. They may have even driven me to my wits' end that day, but I enjoy them because they are mine. God feels the same way about you and me. He wants to be with us, even while we are sleeping!
God delights greatly in you my friend, and He is always there to quiet your heart with His love. He dances and sings over you and I bet He dreams of the woman He's designed you to be while gently leading your heart to know Him more.
What a great reminder for days when nothing's going right -- when we feel like the whole world is against us and nobody understands what we're going through. I hope the next time you have one of those days, you'll imagine the love of a parent watching their child sleep and remember there's a God who loves you even more than that!
Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are always with me and that You love to watch over me, every minute of every day -- even while I am sleeping! Help me to completely believe the truth about Your love towards me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Visit Renee's Blog for a list of Bible promises and prayers to remind you of God's love today.
31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God in New Ways by Ruth Myers
Do You Know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Be still and believe that God is watching over you at this moment. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God's love reaches down to hold you in His embrace. Bow your head and tilt your heart to listen to Him whisper, "You are precious in my sight and I love you." Now breathe in and breathe out the reality that He hears your cries, He knows your needs, and He's constantly by your side.
Reflections:
Do you ever imagine that God is watching over you, smiling and delighting in the fact that you are HIS child?
Would you like to begin a love relationship with Jesus today, accepting your secure position as God's child? Click here to find out how you can know Him.
If you could use more daily reminders of how much God loves you, read today's power verses, write them on an index card and carry them with you all day! Also, visit Renee's Blog for a list of Bible promises and prayers to remind you of God's love again and again.
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." (NIV)
Psalm 139:1-3, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways." (NIV)
Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love." (NIV)
© 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
Judy, that may well be the best one yet. Our children bring out the love in us. When my oldest son's wife was pregnant with their first child I remember telling them that when that child was born and as they watched the child grow and develop, they would experience a love that is greater than anything they had ever known. They now have 2 children and my son reminded me of what I had said and he said Dad you were so right our children are so special and the love we feel for them is like nothing we have ever known. They can melt your heart.
Isn't it wonderful that God loves us like that...........and HE taught us to love each other, but espeically our
children and that LOVE is NEVER ENDING!!
sweet and I am just so sorry that I did not know Jesus until after my family was raised. I always believed in something,
but had never, never leaned on Jesus, and therefore life was completely different than it is now.
I do hope they (my kids) forgive me and in their search that they find Him, too.
My oldest did before he passed on, the other two I have given to God............they think I preach, too much.
You think? I don't care. I believe and will believe for them.
thanks Frank........there have been a lot lately (I mean these devotions) that are fitting the bill with me and I hope you all are
getting your peace and grace from them.
God bless
Quote from: frawin on October 16, 2008, 07:42:24 AM
Judy, that may well be the best one yet. Our children bring out the love in us. When my oldest son's wife was pregnant with their first child I remember telling them that when that child was born and as they watched the child grow and develop, they would experience a love that is greater than anything they had ever known. They now have 2 children and my son reminded me of what I had said and he said Dad you were so right our children are so special and the love we feel for them is like nothing we have ever known. They can melt your heart.
Never having had children I have a small lack of knowledge about the love of a child or grandchild. What I can say is that if it beats the love a child feels
from their mother, then maybe I need to rethink not having kids.
October 17, 2008
Your Roots are Showing
Zoe Elmore
"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
Okay, I admit it, I color my hair. Like millions of women, I color my dull, dingy, drab, lifeless, gray hair. Ordinarily I wouldn't think of mentioning this, after all a southern woman never admits two things: her age, or that she colors her hair. However it's more than obvious that my roots are showing. My appointments are always scheduled months in advance because of the overwhelming demand for my hairdresser's time and talents; but circumstances dictated that I miss my last appointment.
While you may be thinking this is a simple, vain complaint there is a spiritual application here. As believers we each have spiritual roots and those roots feed and nourish our spiritual lives. For instance, if our spiritual roots are planted deep in God, strong and well nourished, the roots may not be seen but our lives will show forth the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5.22: "... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." However, the opposite is also true. If our roots are shallow or showing, they will be too weak and frail to nourish the growth of spiritual fruit. Our lives and our witness for Christ will be dull, dingy, drab, gray and lifeless just like my hair.
Although a professional hairdresser uses her skilled hands to color my hair, her work is only temporary and I must return on a regular basis to maintain the desired results. The same thing can be said for maintaining deep roots in Christ and a fruitful life.
The benefits and power we receive from spending time with Christ can only be maintained as we commit to a regular routine of spending time with our sweet Jesus. Sadly, too often we allow circumstances to dictate our lives and we miss our daily Jesus appointment. It is in those times of neglect that our weakened roots begin to show. If you're anything like me, living with my roots showing is not a good thing. My attitude and actions soon become unpleasant and unattractive. My focus turns to selfish desires and my witness for Christ soon turns from positive to positively ugly!
Our Jesus is in constant demand but unlike my hairdresser, we are assured He has time for us in every day. He is always available to listen and to provide exactly what we need to maintain the desired results of a spiritually fruitful life.
If we are to be strong witnesses for Christ, maintaining a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit even in difficult and stressful times, we must spend time with our "root specialist" Jesus on a regular and routine basis.
Dear Lord, thank You for always being available to me, and for the power I receive through Your Holy Spirit to live a fruitful life. Restore my desire to begin my day in quiet time with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Come Thirsty by Max Lucado
The Busy Mom's Guide to Bible Study: A 15 Minute Daily Plan by Lisa Whelchel
Visit Zoe Elmore's blog
Application Steps:
If you are concerned about your attitude and actions, and you long to produce mature spiritual fruit, commit to returning to Jesus on a regular and routine basis.
Reflections:
How can you restructure your daily routine to ensure strong and fruitful spiritual roots?
Power Verses:
Hosea 14:5, "I will be like the dew to Israel ; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots." (NIV)
Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)
© 2008 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 20, 2008
Give Them a Chance
By Lynn Cowell, She Speaks! Graduate
"For if they fall, one will lift up his companion, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."
Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Recently, I read an interview of a seventeen-year old girl that absolutely blew me away. In the interview, she talked about how badly she wanted her parents to know what was going on in her life: who she was dating, how far they had gone, how he treated her and the mean things he had said to her. She didn't tell them, though. She was afraid; afraid of how they would react.
As a parent, this scenario crushed my heart. I want my kids to be able to tell me the hard things in life that they are struggling with. I want to be that safe place for them and for them to know that they are not alone. I want to be able to pray for my daughter, love her and hold her when she needs to cry. None of that is possible though if my child does not feel that she can be honest with me.
Honesty. That is a tough one. We expect our kids to be honest with us, yet how do we respond when they are?
The Lord has made us, as parents, to be His hands and feet to our children. Yes, we need to discipline them. We also need to be the ones to show them the Father's love and forgiveness. We need to be the ones who love our kids when they find it hard to love themselves.
Give your kids -- or any kids in your life -- a chance. Let your child know that you are aware of what is going on in her culture (make sure you do!). Through non-confrontational conversation, open the doors for honesty and let them know beyond a shadow of a doubt that no matter what happens, you will be there for them.
And when they come to you, lovingly point them towards the guidance and grace offered by our Heavenly Father.
Dear Lord, Show me today how to open the doors of conversation with the children in my life so that I can be a safe place where they are heard and cared for deeply. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Related Resources:
Growing Godly Women: A Christian Woman's Guide to Mentoring Teenage Girls by Donna Greene
Pull a chair up next to your daughter to read together Living With Purpose: A Radical Revolution devotions, written just for tween and teen girls. Today's RadRevolution devotion provides a teen's perspective on "Give Them a Chance," challenging daughters to give their parents a chance!
Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh
Application Steps:
Plan a time when you can get one-on-one with your child. Try a walk at the park or dinner out. See it as an investment in them. Begin to share some of your own struggles growing up and let them know you understand how hard it is in today's culture.
Pray and ask the Lord to help you build a trusting relationship with your child where you trust them and they trust you. Ask Him to show you when is a good time to start conversations with your child ... such as on the way to school, while decompressing after school, or while out for a walk.
Make yourself available to a child who does not have a parent who is attentive in her life. Ask the Lord if He would have you to start a mentoring relationship with that child.
Reflections:
How do I respond when my child tells me something about her culture or life that I am not comfortable with?
Do I take steps to understand the current culture so that when my child shares with me I am not shocked by it?
Do I pray for my child and ask the Lord for wisdom to give to her for the things she faces each day?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor." (NKJV)
Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (NKJV)
Psalm 51:6 "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom." (NKJV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 21, 2008
Rejected Again?
Glynnis Whitwer
"This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself,
through the angel who appeared to him in the bush." Acts 7:35 (NIV)
Devotion:
Rejection is never fun. Most of us avoid situations where we know we'll be rejected, and sometimes we give up too soon. Parents, worn down by the defiance of children, give in rather than discipline in love. Friends avoid giving biblical advice when it's rebuffed repeatedly. Many of us just stop sharing the good news of the Gospel when someone seems uninterested. We may know God asked us to do something, but trying repeatedly is just too hard when we've been rejected before.
There is wisdom in knowing when to press on and when to back up. Only the Holy Spirit can give us direction on what to do when we meet resistance. But many times, I wonder if fear, insecurity or exhaustion drives our decision to stop obeying God's requests. Unless God specifically tells us to stop, we should consider our past marching orders as standing orders and face that possible rejection again.
Moses is an example of someone God called to help people who had already rejected him. In Acts, chapter 7, we read Stephen's final sermon. It included the story of Moses, an Israelite, who was raised in the Egyptian Pharaoh's house, full of wealth and privilege. At the age of 40, Moses visited his fellow Israelites who were enslaved by the Egyptians, and in his anger he killed one of them. When other Israelites discovered the murder, Moses fled to the wilderness for 40 years. That was when God asked Moses to return to Egypt to free His people.
Moses was an unwilling servant in the beginning, full of excuses. In Exodus, chapter 3, Moses begins the list of reasons why he shouldn't go back to Egypt : That he was nobody, that he wouldn't know the name of Who sent him, the Israelites wouldn't believe him anyway, and that he wasn't eloquent. Quite an inventory of excuses, wasn't it? Stephen, over 1,500 years later, cuts to the heart of the matter when he said Moses was sent to the people who had rejected him.
Moses was just like you and me. I think he loved God, but he didn't want to open himself up to criticism and rejection. And so he quickly identified the list of reasons why he couldn't do what God had asked. But God had important plans for Moses. Moses was the one God chose to bring freedom to the Israelites. God saw value and worth in Moses, and God sees that same worth in you.
With God's help and power, Moses returned to the Israelites and led them to freedom. Obedience wasn't easy, but the end result brought God glory, and freedom from slavery to a million people. Sometimes God may send us back to speak truth and freedom to someone who has rejected us before. When that happens, we can trust that God sees our potential and that pressing through rejection will be worth it in the end.
Dear Lord, thank You for including stories in the Bible of people who faced rejection. Obeying Your will isn't always easy. Thank You for being with me always, for being my courage and for working miracles every day around me. Help me not to give up too soon. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Move Me Aside CD by Lindsay Kane
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog
Application Steps:
Make a list of people who have rejected your attempts to invite them to church or talk with them about your faith. Pray over this list. Then try again with one or two of them.
Reflections:
Why is rejection so painful?
What are some common behavior patterns we adopt when we are afraid of rejection?
What truths can you hold on to from God's Word that will help you deal with rejection?
Power Verses:
Galatians 1:10, "Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." (NLT)
Luke 10:16, "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." (NIV)
Psalm 66:20, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" (NIV)
© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 22, 2008
Cooked Through
By Gina Parcells, She Speaks! Graduate
"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)
Devotion:
Despite the fact that I cook every night, my spiritual gift is definitely not in the kitchen.
Last night, I was running behind as I cooked burgers on the grill. I needed the meat to cook more quickly so, novice cook that I am, I figured that turning up the heat was a pretty good option. I cooked, I flipped, and I added cheese. I garnished each masterpiece with lettuce, tomato, and onion, and I waited for the compliments to rush in from my beloved family.
"Mom, why is my bun soaked?"
"Whoa, look at how gushy and red this meat is."
My youngest tried to come to my rescue, "Well, from the outside, this burger looks amazing!"
The outside...I thought that if it looked good on the outside then surely the inside must look just as good.
As women, we can be so focused on our outward appearances that we neglect the meat of what God sees.
Each morning, we spend time applying our makeup and fixing our hair, but do we have the same resolve to prepare ourselves inwardly to face the day, every day? Maybe the shine from the lip gloss is imperative for the world, but what about the shine that God wants to develop from within?
We take time to dress in our stylish clothing and accessorize with our fashionista jewelry, but even with these condiments, we become like that burger--cooked on the outside but not yet ready on the inside. The pathetic truth is that quite often the necessity for personal grooming to look good to the world pushes aside the quiet times of grooming that would make me look better to God.
I have to wonder whether God looks at me some mornings and says, "Are you going out looking like that? Baby, you're not ready. Why don't you let Me help you?"
What I really need to realize is that it's only man who looks at my outward appearance. The Lord is looking right at my heart. All the makeovers in the world will do nothing for my beauty compared with the daily heart makeovers that He wants to perform.
Next time I'm grilling burgers, I'll be certain to leave enough time to cook them completely. And tomorrow morning, beyond the primping time, I'll be certain to leave plenty of room for God to work as the Master Chef ensuring that I, too, am "cooked through."
Dear Lord, show me what it means to have a heart that is wholly devoted to You, and help me to desire the inner beauty that only You can provide. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Women's Devotional Bible
Do You Know Him?
Family Enrichment Toolkit by Michelle Weber
Application Steps:
Designate a time to intentionally meet with God each day, and commit this time to Him even if it's only for five minutes.
As you prepare dinner for those you love, pray for your resolve to be "cooked though" for the One who loves you.
Reflections:
If God were to describe the condition of my heart, what might He say?
Specifically, how do I need to adjust my schedule to ensure that I have time to let God help me get ready for each day?
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:8a, "I have set the LORD always before me." (NIV)
Psalm 143:6, "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land." (NIV)
1 Peter 3:3-4a, "Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart." (NASB)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
ctober 23, 2008
No Small Affair
Lysa TerKeurst
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few years ago, I sat with a beautiful young woman and watched the tears stream down her face. Six months before our meeting, her world was filled with so much -- a loving husband, a healthy toddler, and fun friends.
Life was full.
But some part of her heart still felt restless, unsettled, and a little empty.
She started to feel detached from her husband and disappointed in their relationship. Why couldn't he make her feel loved? Wasn't he supposed to right her wrongs, fill up her insecurities, and give her a lasting feeling of love?
Then one day she met a man who said things she'd longed to hear her husband say. He made her feel pretty and witty. Soon, she rationalized that she'd never really loved her husband in the first place. A web of lies was spun. She fell into the arms of the other man.
She had not wanted to come to the women's retreat. She knew it might make her feel guilty and she was past having any guilty feelings. She was just waiting for the right time to leave her husband and start over with the new love of her life. But her friends had started to grow suspicious of her pulling back from so many church activities. So, to appease them, she went.
Over the course of the weekend, the walls she'd so carefully constructed to keep everyone at a distance and her secret safe started to crumble. By Saturday night, she sat down with me and confessed her affair. She desperately wanted to know how I felt so full of God's love. She was now convinced it wasn't the love of another man her heart craved; it was the love of God.
Chasing love outside the will of God invites the exact opposite of love into our lives. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 is picture of God's perfect love. It is patient. It is kind. It does not envy... it is not self-seeking... it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth... it always protects... it always perseveres. Love never fails. The things we chase in this world are opposite from God's love. False attempts at love will make us impatient, unkind, envious, self-seeking, resistant to the truth, reckless and temporary.
1 Corinthians 13 is not a description of what is inherently ours when we fall in love with another person. It is a description of God's love. This kind of love can be ours as we become more Christ-like. It is never focused inwardly. It is never about what I'm going to get from another person. It is deciding that this is the kind of love I will give away.
I am challenged by this. Because our souls were designed for God's fulfilling love, if we aren't staying closely connected to Him everyday, our hearts will start to feel empty. Restless. Unfulfilled.
Let us never get to the place where we think we are strong enough to not be tempted in this way. If we are all completely honest, we are only a few bad decisions away from the same kind of mess my sweet friend is now trying to untangle herself from. While I have complete hope in God's ability to restore her, the consequences of her chase for love will be severe on many levels.
The kind of love our souls crave will never be found in the things of this world. Lasting and perfectly satisfying love will only be found when we stop chasing the wrong kind of love and start living out the truths of God.
Dear Lord, help me rest in the security of Your love. Make me wise in how I guard my heart. May I never get lured into any kind of worldly, fake love. But if I ever start to get drawn away, God surround me with people who are bold enough to speak truth into my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog
Who Holds the Key To Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Oh sweet friends, can we make a commitment together today? If something or somebody in this world seems appealing enough to draw our hearts away from the truth of God, let's commit to being women who will readily admit it to another godly woman and ask for help.
Reflections:
Who are my friends that help hold me accountable? Who are my friends that I can foster this kind of mutual openness with?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (NIV)
Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 24, 2008
Walking Wisely
Amy Carroll
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you have an important decision to make today? Rehoboam's story in I Kings 12:1-19 has a lesson for each of us in the midst of making hard choices. Rehoboam had a dilemma. He had an important decision to make, and he didn't know what to do.
Following Solomon's death, the people of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam king. About that time, Jeroboam (I know these names are doozies, but hang in there!) came to speak to Rehoboam on behalf of the people. He said, "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." The people were worn out. Solomon had been a great king, but he had worked the people into exhaustion with all of his building projects. They were pleading for rest during Rehoboam's reign in exchange for their undying loyalty, but Rehoboam wasn't sure of the kingly response. He asked for three days to come to a decision. Great idea, right? He started well with a request for time to seek counsel.
The first group that he asked for advice was a group of elders who had served under his father. These were men of experience both from years lived and from the places where they had served. They advised Rehoboam to answer the people affirmatively. The elders encouraged him that the people would follow him faithfully if only Rehoboam would humble himself to be a servant leader.
Rehoboam didn't like their answer, so he sought out a different group to ask. This time he decided to ask "the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him." Are warning bells going off for you, too? Not only were these men young and inexperienced, they also were on Rehoboam's payroll and stood to lose or gain by their answer. Here was their advice: "Tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions'" (I Kings 12:10b-11 NIV). Rehoboam foolishly listened to his friends.
If we want to make wise decisions, we need to seek wise counsel. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel." (NAS) How can we make sure that we pick the right people to seek advice from?
Choose a godly person. Proverbs 2:6 tells us, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (NIV). When I choose to seek advice from someone who knows scripture and seeks God in personal quiet time, I can be assured their advice is based on a foundation of truth.
Choose a person with experience. It's always been helpful to me to learn from other women who have walked before me. I've sought out other teachers, wives, and mothers who are purposeful about building godly relationships and behaving righteously to give me counsel as I live life. It's the principal of the older believers teaching the younger believers that's found in Titus 2.
Choose someone who will tell the truth in love. Ecclesiastes 7:5 explains, "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools" (NIV). So many around me would rather "sing me a song" than tell me what I need to hear. I have several friends that I trust to tell me the unvarnished truth when I ask for advice. They love me, but they fear God!
Rehoboam's decision changed history. He reaped a rebellion that ripped the country in two. He lost his following, his potential for enormous power, and the favor of God. We don't have to make those mistakes. We can head the warning taught by Rehoboam's story and follow God by seeking wise counsel.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
At the Feet of Wise Ordinary Women by Angie Conrad, et al
Visit Amy Carroll's blog
Application Steps:
Read the full story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam in I Kings 11:26-12:24.
List the people that you most often turn to for advice. Do they meet the three suggested criteria above?
Reflections:
Do I usually seek counsel when I am making a decision?
Who in my life will tell me the truth in love rather than saying what I want to hear?
Has there been a time when I've reaped the consequences of following unwise counsel?
Power Verses:
Job 12:13, "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." (NIV)
Proverbs 20:18, "Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance." (NIV)
© 2008 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 27, 2008
The Power of Encouraging Words
Renee Swope
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I hate open heights. I can't stand balconies and when driving across a bridge, you'll find me hugging the rail along the inside lane.
Some friends tried to help me conquer my fear of heights by inviting our family to an indoor rock-climbing center. My heart stopped as we entered the doors and I scanned the highest peak at 25 feet! The instructors assured me that a web of ropes and harnesses would hold me tight. Before I could say "no thank you," I was strapped in and signing an injury waiver.
Towards the end of the day, our friends John and Laura encouraged their eight-year-old son Steven to climb to the highest peak -- promising tokens and ice cream if he did it. Steven was afraid of heights, too, but he loved a dare. The promise of reward, mixed with the challenge and faith of his father evoked courage in him.
I watched with admiration as Steven started the climb with confidence. He made it to 10 feet, then 15, then 20. But as he inched past the next face of the wall, he saw how far he still had to go. In fear, he looked down with tears and claimed he couldn't do it. Then he cried out for his daddy's help.
By this time, Steven's dad was holding their very tired 3-year-old and his mom was feeding their hungry baby girl. I don't know where my brave husband was, but I quickly realized I was the only one standing there who could do something.
Suddenly courage and strength surged through my body and I called out, "Don't give up buddy. You can do it. I'll help you!"
In record time, I reached the 20-foot marker, crossed over the peak and up beside Steven to encourage him, reminding him of how far he'd come. I told him he could do it with God's strength and that it would be worth it if he'd persevere. With my words and my confidence in him, I helped Steven turn his thoughts towards a higher goal, an inner peak, a reward much greater than ice cream and game tokens -- the reward of getting to a place he had stopped believing he could reach.
Funny how I stopped thinking about my fears when I was focused on helping someone else overcome theirs. I realized that the same promises I had claimed for Steven were true for me, too. I could do it with God's strength and I did!
Each day we have the same opportunity. Like God did with Joshua in today's key verse and like He does with us, we can come alongside each other in some of life's hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, "Don't give up, you can do it. I'll be with you and help you."
When we take our eyes off our fears, our doubts, our struggles and focus on someone else's needs, we somehow forget our own, for a little while. In believing the power of God's promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us seems to grow as well. And that my friend is the power of encouraging words!
Lord, Thank you for the power of Your Words that give me courage to become who You've created me to be -- to go to places You're calling me to go and climb spiritual heights that are out of my reach without Your help. Give me Your encouragement today, and help me encourage someone, too. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child CD, a message for parents about the power of encouraging words for our kids, by Renee Swope
Visit Renee's Blog to join in giving and getting encouragement from women around the world today.
The Power of a Woman's Words by Sharon Jaynes
Application Steps:
Ask God to encourage your heart today with a promise from His Word that offers hope and power in the midst of your circumstances.
Write a note, leave a message or send an email with a promise and a prayer to someone who needs encouragement.
Reflections:
How has someone's encouraging words impacted my life in the past? How has God's words of encouragement helped me do things I never thought I could?
Power Verses:
Psalm 69:32, "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged.'" (NLT)
Deuteronomy 3:28, "But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." (NIV)
Psalm 10:17, "You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, (NIV)
© 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
October 28, 2008
A View Through Sarah Palin's Eyeglasses
Kelli Regan, She Speaks! Graduate
"Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.'"
Luke 18:42 (NIV)
Devotion:
In the midst of the media storm surrounding the upcoming elections, there's one news item you may have missed. An economic crisis is upon us--and Sarah Palin is at the center of it. What's the cause of this crisis I'm talking about? Her glasses.
In less than one month's time Sarah has become a household name. Everyone has an opinion about her. But whether you're Republican, Democrat or Independent, there's one issue regarding the vice presidential nominee on which the majority agrees. We love her glasses! I suppose not since Ben Franklin invented bifocals have spectacles captured our fancies so.
Women (and even men) are flocking to their opticians in search of Governor Palin's Kawasaki 704 series designer specs. In less than two weeks, the Japanese company that manufactures the $375 frames received 9,000 global orders. That's more than they normally produce in a year! I'm no economic analyst but there's no way supply can meet that demand.
According to Governor Palin's optician, she selected her now-famous frames from hundreds of choices. I've worn glasses almost my entire life and know what a difficult decision this is! After much searching she selected just the right pair for her--and the rest, as they say, is history.
I imagine many of those buying frames like Mrs. Palin's will later regret their purchase. Something about their new glasses will look "off." Maybe the frames won't flatter their face shape, match their personality, or complement their coloring or hairstyle. Why? Because eyeglasses simply aren't an off-the-shelf purchase. One size does not fit all.
Sometimes we do this with our faith. We see movers and shakers in our church, in our favorite ministry, or in our Bible study who appear to have it all going on. They glow under the spotlight, and we think they must know or have something we don't because...well...just look at them. So we not only admire their godly ways, we try to emulate them as well--we try to "wear" their faith. We might try to copy how they pray, or worship, or talk, or sing, or have devotions, and so on. But when we do, something doesn't fit quite right.
That's because nothing is more one-of-a-kind than our walk with the Lord. While we can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters, we can't order up elements of their walk to accessorize our own. To do so is to lose sight of what God wants from us more than anything: our individual devotion focused on Him. He wants us to love Him with a sincere faith that's custom-made with our own unique personality, passion, experiences and gifts.
Have you been borrowing someone else's faith? Do you want to be custom-fit with a prescription of your own? Go to Jesus, the One who gives sight to the blind. And when He asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" respond, "Lord, I want to see." (Luke 18:41)
As popular as they are today, Sarah Palin's glasses will become yesterday's news. While much of our attention is fixed on who will lead our country come January, we must remember politicians come and go. But there is one leader who has, does and will stand the test of time: Jesus. As we set our sights on the future, let's never forget on whom we need to fix our gaze. And let's offer Him our one-of-a-kind devotion.
Dear Lord, I give you my heart. Open my eyes so I may see and help me stay focused on You as the ruler of my life and the hope of my eternal future. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
At the Feet of Ordinary Wise Women by Angie Conrad, et al
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
Application Steps:
During the remaining days leading up to the presidential election, become an educated voter, but maintain an eternal perspective.
Reflections:
Have you been striving to mimic aspects of someone else's walk instead of developing your very own?
Are you caught up in the popularity of your faith more than the sincerity of it?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:18-19, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 29, 2008
Keeping Our Joy
Micca Monda Campbell
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
She waited until I had spoken to every woman in line. Once the room was empty, the woman timidly made her way toward me. Before she spoke a word, I could see and sense her grief. Her face was marked with depression and her shoulders hung low from the burden that she carried. With quivering lips and tear-filled eyes, she spoke words no mother wants to hear coming from her own lips.
"Please pray for my fifteen-year-old daughter. She's pregnant."
This godly woman has loved and served God in her home, church, and community for years. Now, she does nothing. Ashamed, she blames herself for her child's choices, and because of them, considers herself unworthy to serve. Not only has this woman allowed her situation to steal her peace and joy, but her service too.
Many Christians fall into this same trap. They allow the enemy to rob them of their peace, steal their joy, and kill their witness over situations beyond their control.
It's true. Satan has always been a tempter, but where he catches us off guard is by thinking he tempts us to do bad things. Our flesh mostly takes care of that job. The fact is Satan tempts us in order to lose what God has given us.
If Satan can rob our joy and steal our witness, then he makes us useless in the kingdom of God. Just like this mother, we become unproductive when our faith is stripped by unexpected heartbreak. Nevertheless, you and I must not let Satan use our circumstances to steal our joy.
That sounds good, but how do we find true joy in midst of heartache? We find it by depending on the Lord. David reminds us, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song" (Ps 28:7).
First, David believed God heard his cries. Second, he relied on God's provision and strength. Third, David trusted in God's help with all of his heart. This kept him from growing weak, losing heart, and giving up. Finally, because David believed God was for him, in him, with him, and behind him one hundred percent, David was able to give thanks with a joyful heart.
Like David and this mother I spoke with, we will experience situations that can steal our joy and leave us feeling unworthy to serve. To think this way is to see ourselves outside of God's grace. You and I don't serve God because we are good enough. We serve God because He's good enough. It's His perfection working through our imperfections.
By the same token, our joy is not defined by our circumstances. It's based on our relationship with God who, in due time, will bring us out of our present situation.
Exercising faith in God - not circumstances - aids the discouraged heart so that Satan cannot steal our joy or our purpose.
Dear Lord, Today I refuse to let Satan steal my joy. I long for the fullness of life that You have given me. As I trust You in my present situation, I also trust You to restore my peace and joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight, pre-order yours today!
Hope in the Midst of Depression by Mary Southerland
Visit Micca Campbell's blog
Application Steps:
Using David as an example, follow his steps found in Psalm 28:7 ...
1. Cry out to God.
2. Rely on His provision and strength.
3. Believe in and wait on His help.
4. Praise Him with a joyful heart.
Reflections:
Has Satan stolen your joy?
How has this affected your witness; your life; and your service to the kingdom?
Power Verses:
Nehemiah 8:10b, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (NIV)
Ps 27:6, "Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord" (NIV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 30, 2008
Don't be Enticed
Melissa Taylor
"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." 2 Peter 2:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
"I Kissed a Girl" is the title of a song that was recently number one on popular radio stations for many weeks. It's been performed live on the Fox Network TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance." It was also the number one iTunes download this past summer. "I Kissed a Girl - and I Liked It," as the lyrics go, has become a trendy saying, even printed on t-shirts for teen girls and women. However, it is not just a trendy saying - it's a deceptive enticement.
As a mother of four children ages 7, 11, 13, and 15, I want to be aware of the things they are being told by the world. As much as I wish I could guard their eyes and ears so they are not exposed to the deceptive influences that can creep in, I know I can't be with them all the time. Therefore, I want to be informed so I can help them deal with what comes their way. I need to know what they are exposed to when they leave the walls of our home.
The cries for acceptance and love are loud today. Can you hear them? Just look at what some women and young girls will do to feel noticed, loved and accepted. Maybe you know someone like this. Maybe you are someone like this.
The truth is -- we are loved, completed, noticed, and accepted. Maybe not by everyone in this world, but by Someone much greater and much more important than anyone we know -- our Creator.
We were created in the image of God, but we are not God. We are human and have human feelings. Too often, we use this as an excuse to sin. If God created me to feel this way, then how could it be wrong? Ever since the fall of man we have struggled with sin. That is our human nature, but we have the ability to make choices.
The Bible says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2, NIV). I know what it is like to live the world's way. I've been there. The pleasures of this world are enticing but only temporary. We need to guard our hearts and the hearts of those we love by not being persuaded by or giving into the "in thing." We are worth far more than that. As daughters of the King, we are deserving of royal treatment. We do not need to "conform to the pattern of this world," or do inappropriate things for recognition.
The song, "I Kissed a Girl" is written and sung by singer/songwriter Katy Perry, who is a wealthy woman today because of it. She's gaining a lot of attention, popularity, and fame. It may interest you to know that in 2001, she released a Christian album titled "Faith Won't Fail" under the name Katy Hudson.
Not one of us is immune to the influences of the world, and neither are our children. We need to remain intentional, and strongly aware that each of us can be deceived. We can give in to enticing temptations if we are not careful. So let's prayerfully guard ourselves and our children from going along with worthless boasts and appeals to fleshly desires, often found in popular songs of today. Instead, let's look to God to fill our mouths with edifying words, and fill our hearts with a strong sense of acceptance that is grounded in Him.
Dear Lord, Give me the strength to remain on Your path. Help my eyes to remain focused on what is right. Do not let me be deceived by sexual sin or enticed to believe the world's lies. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst
Teen Virtue Confidential: Your Questions Answered About God, Guys, and Getting Older by Vicki Courtney
Visit Melissa's Blog, "I Am Beautiful" for more encouragement about how God sees you!
Living with Purpose: A Radical Revolution - a website for teen girls.
Application Steps:
Fill your CD player, MP3 player or car radio with Christian music today and worship Him.
If you do not know how God sees you through His Son Jesus Christ, click here to find out how you can know Him.
Reflections:
Do I care too much what others think of me? Enough to be enticed away from God's truth?
Am I making godly choices, or worldly choices?
Power Verses:
1 John 2:16, "For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." (NIV)
Colossians 3:5, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (NIV)
© 2008 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
October 31, 2008
My Grand-Pumpkin
By Susanne Scheppmann
"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."
2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever considered if your life matters? . . . Or wondered what legacy you will leave behind? Those questions flit through my thoughts on occasion. However, when I baby-sit my "Grand Pumpkin," I realize I have the potential to leave him a legacy of faith.
I nicknamed my grandson "Grand Pumpkin" because he's my sweet pumpkin and just grand! However, I want him to live up to his given name - Michael. Not Mikey, or Mike, but Michael. I want him to grow into a mighty warrior for God. The biblical Michael is an archangel who fights for the Lord. So I ask myself, "As a grandmother, what can I do to increase my grandson's faith?"
Fortunately, the Bible gives specific instructions about leaving a legacy for my children and my grandchildren. Deuteronomy 4:9 says, "But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren" (NLT). This verse cautions me not to forget the wonders the Lord has done in my life. In addition, I must share them with my children and grandchildren.
So, I intend to influence Michael's faith by sharing the miracles of God every chance I am provided. The Lord has done a mighty work in our family. I will never run out of stories concerning the goodness of the Lord. There are enough to last a lifetime and beyond.
Will you join me in this endeavor to leave a legacy for our future generations? Let's live out the truth of Psalm 145:3-4 (NIV).
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
Dear Lord, You have instructed me to share with my children and grandchildren the wonders You have done in my life. Give me words that will glorify You and will allow my grandchildren to witness Your miracles in their own lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Pocket Guide for Parents Raising Godly Kids
The Grandmother's Bible (NIV)
Birds in My Mustard Tree: For Those Who Struggle with Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Buy a journal and begin to write down your memories of what the Lord has done in your life and family. It doesn't have to be chronological, just jot them down as He brings them to mind.
Pray for God to give you opportunities to share your memories with children in your life.
Reflections:
Do I hesitate when I speak about my faith with my children or grandchildren?
What type of legacy do I want to leave?
How can I make a difference in my family's faith?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 12:28, "Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." (NIV)
Proverbs 17:6, "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children." (NLT)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
November 3, 2008
Duty and Privilege
Micca Monda Campbell
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord"
Psalm 33:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
Tomorrow, November 4th, millions of Americans will have the opportunity to elect new leaders of government. If you live in the United States , I encourage you to be among them and exercise your right to vote. I encourage you to vote for both your national and your local leaders.
While the Bible does not command us to vote, it does command us to be good citizens wherever we live. One way we can be a good citizen, honor God, and assist in guiding our nation is by voting.
As a woman, I'm honored to take part in determining the direction of our nation. Before the 1900's, women in America were not allowed the privilege to vote, and in some countries they still cannot. I look at voting for our leaders not only as my citizen's duty, but also as a privilege millions of people in the world do not have.
I take my right to vote so seriously that in 1992, while nine months pregnant and restricted to bed rest, I had my mother drive me forty-five minutes to vote in the presidential election. I allowed nothing to stand in my way of exercising my right to vote. Eight days later, I gave birth to a healthy little girl - to whom I hope to pass on my political passion for voting.
There's no doubt about it, voting is both a duty and a privilege. However, I realize that some people won't take the time and trouble to vote because they don't believe their ballot will make much of a difference. That's not true. Statistics show that many elections have come down to only a handful of votes.
What would happen if most people felt that their vote didn't really matter and didn't bother to vote? It would mean that our country's future would be decided by only a few of its citizens-- who perhaps don't hold the same convictions as yours.
Deciding whom to vote for can seem a daunting task. But voting is easier once you and I pray about it, and seek out good information about the candidates and the issues they address. The fact that there is moral haziness in politics these days indicates our need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance when examining the issues as well as the candidates.
November 4th is a day of opportunity for America . It's a day to stand up for what we believe in. It's a day to voice those beliefs and be heard. It's a day to take the time to vote as we honor our Christian heritage, and bring glory to God. For "blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Dear Lord, in this upcoming election, I pray that You will move in the hearts of Your people in this nation to vote. I pray You will work in and through our leaders to guide and bless this nation -- may it be so in all nations, Lord! Guide us by your Spirit, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Micca Campbell's blog
31 Days of Prayer: Moving God's Mighty Hand by Ruth Myers
Through All Generations Worship CD with Gwen Smith
Application Steps:
Read I Timothy chapter 3, and compare these traits to those running for leadership in America today (or your country if you do not live in the U.S. )
Reflections:
What are your main concerns for America and the world today? Economy? Terrorism? Health Care? Energy? Education? Taxes? ...
Inform yourself of the candidates' stances on these issues and then decide which candidate, in your opinion, has the best plan for our nation.
Will you take the time to vote in the upcoming election?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 14:24; 26-27a, "The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?" (NIV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 4, 2008
Read Through the Word
Wendy Pope
"For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you ever set a goal for yourself you truly wanted to accomplish, but in your mind doubted that you would be successful? It seemed every goal I set, I would fail. My failure to meet goals would make me feel less of a person and unworthy. This had happened to me so many times I subconsciously refused to set goals. Then one day, a few years ago, I decided to accept a challenge that was made through the air waves of a local Christian radio station. The challenge was to read the entire Bible in a year. This was something I had longed to do for years but was completely afraid I would fail. Short terms goals were hard enough for me, but more manageable than a long-term goal such as this one. I felt the Lord's encouragement like I never had before. I knew this was something He wanted me to do.
Fear of failure raced through my mind, arguing with the truth that God wanted me to know His Word and use it as a light for my path. I feared that I would not understand His Word, but remembered God had given me an ear to hear and learn His instruction. I feared I would not have the discipline to complete a yearlong goal. I did not want to disappoint my Father. God reminded me that as part of my salvation I received love and self-discipline, not fear. I had almost convinced myself that it was impossible when I heard the words of Jesus saying, "With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible." I begin to feel His confidence building in me. Recounting His truths over and over, combating the lies of the enemy who wanted so desperately for me to give up, I accepted the challenge.
I shared the goal with my husband. He supported my goal by giving me a Bible with daily readings. My bookshelves were full of different Bibles with different translations. Why would I need another Bible to accomplish this goal? I asked myself.
The Bible my husband gave me was unlike any Bible I had ever seen. It was a Chronological Bible written in the New Living Translation. The format fascinated me. The Bible was written in the order in which things happened and in an easy to understand translation with daily readings that were not overwhelming. The goal was beginning to look more attainable than ever. I could not wait for the New Year to start so I could begin the challenge set before me.
With fear and trembling as well as great anticipation, I began reading through the Bible on January 1, 2006. I missed days and many times gave ear to the attempts of the enemy to make me lose sight of my goal. However, I made up the days I missed, overcame the enemy, and finished reading the Bible in 2006 ... then again in 2007 ... and I am on my way to completing the readings again for 2008.
I don't share this with you to receive any "atta girl" or other praise. All praise and glory go to God. I share this with you today to encourage you to read through the story of God's Word. Maybe like me, God has prompted you before, but you have left Him at bay. January 1st is not far away and the Chronological Bible I will read again in 2009 is now available through our resource center at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Will you take the challenge to know the Savior's story like never before and join in me reading through God's Word in 2009?
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect gift of salvation, love, and self-discipline. I know that all things are possible with You; will You help me believe it? With the help of Your Holy Spirit's guidance, I can make Your Word a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The One Year Chronological Bible
God the Builder-Audio CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy Pope's blog to hear more about reading the Bible in a year.
Application Steps:
Commit to reading through God's Word in 2009. Through prayer and today's power verse, overcome your doubts and the enemy's attempts to convince you this goal is unattainable.
Purchase the Chronological Bible early, and begin to pray about completing this goal ... become empowered to accomplish the goal in 2009.
Reflections:
Do I fear setting goals? Why or why not?
Do I truly believe all things are possible through Christ? Explain.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 50:4b, "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." (NIV)
© 2008 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 5, 2008
Handprints of Love
By Renee Myers, She Speaks Graduate
"Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."
Proverbs 31:31 (NLT)
Devotion:
Oh, the memories of summer days spent with my husband's parents at their cozy lake cottage. My mother-in-law Jeanette was a wonderful hostess who always made us feel welcomed and loved. Their peaceful home sat on a canal that led to the lake. The views from the windows looked across a tree-shaded yard to the canal where their boat was docked. At any time you could look out to see ducks wandering in the yard or floating by, cranes flying overhead, boats motoring along, or fish jumping out of the water. Our young son loved to stand at the windows with his hands pressed against the glass to catch these fascinating sights.
While talking to Jeanette after one of our visits she said, "This might sound funny, but I haven't washed the windows since you were here last. I still enjoy seeing your son's handprints on the glass and just can't bring myself to wash them off." Silently I thought to myself, "No, that doesn't sound funny at all. I never wash our windows either!" Then my heart allowed me to be touched by what she'd just said. Although she was an excellent housekeeper who liked everything neat and tidy, she looked past perfection and sought preservation of the moments her grandchild spent in her home, leaving his handprints behind as evidence of the happy times they'd shared.
Hmmm...I had a lot to learn from her. I was so busy trying to be a good mom and keep up with my tasks (which included wiping off all the sticky handprints I found), that I was overlooking precious "handprint moments" with my own son. I wasn't allowing myself to stand back and cherish them as my mother-in-law had so wisely done.
Psalm 127:3 tells me that children are a gift from the Lord. In the busyness of motherhood, I failed to see and cherish him as such. Wisdom spoke through the loving words of my mother-in-law to remind me.
I've learned many lessons from Jeanette's kind and gentle ways. She treated me as a daughter-in-love, not a daughter-in-law. I've never heard her raise her voice or speak negatively of others. Although Jeanette was a retired elementary teacher, she never stopped teaching the things that mattered most. She took pride in her duties as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother up until the day she lost her life to cancer.
She left handprints of love on my heart that will never be wiped away, evidence of deeds that publicly declare her praise (Proverbs 31:31).
Dear Lord, please help me to leave handprints of love on my loved ones hearts, just as You have done on the hearts of those who turn to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home by Karen Ehman
A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado
Application Steps:
Think about ways you would like to be thought of and remembered by your loved ones. Read Proverbs 31:10-27 for reminders of how the Bible teaches us to be loving women.
Reflections:
Whose handprints of love are on your heart?
How might you live your life so that you can leave handprints of love on the hearts of others?
How can you honor those whose love-lessons have made a difference for you?
Power Verses:
Titus 2:1, "But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching." (NLT)
1 Peter 1:22b, "Love one another deeply, from the heart." (NIV)
John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
November 6, 2008
Hiding My Junk
Whitney Capps
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
My husband and I put our house on the market this week. We've been prayerfully considering moving closer to our families, but couldn't settle in our hearts the ideal timing for such a change. God answered our prayers for clarification when we discovered that we are pregnant with our third child. That means three babies, three pregnancies, three varied and growing sets of stretch marks in less than four years. God has been so faithful and gracious. So, we are moving closer to home. Here we grow...
We spent all weekend cleaning our house to get it ready to show it. It's amazing how much more junk I notice when I think about strangers walking through and evaluating our home. It was a full day's work. We cleaned out, threw away and hid an obscene amount of really unnecessary stuff (i.e. junk). I have watched enough HGTV to make this process a little bit easier. I knew ahead of time that less stuff equals more open space. Without the visual interruption of clutter, the eye can take in the full size of the room, the bones and beauty of the space. We all know that buyers appreciate a clean slate. It's easier to see the good stuff without all the junk around. I know this, but in the midst of all the cleaning out, I still questioned if people really care.
Let me be a little more specific. Could a buyer overlook the winter coats and hats dropped in the bottom of my pantry floor? Would they mind the empty video game boxes stacked neatly in the corner? I know they'll look in my junk drawer to see empty medicine bottles, matches, broken sunglasses, playing cards and takeout menus. But doesn't everyone have a junk drawer? Surely, visitors won't mind boxes of the boys' winter clothes clogging up the closet space.
During the process, I couldn't help but wonder if it was time for a spiritual open house. I sense that I've been storing unsightly clutter for far too long. It's a lot of junk really. I think I could make a better use of the space if I'd just let some things go. I'm afraid when people look at my life they see spiritual clutter (i.e. sin). Can they appreciate the bones and beauty of the work of God in my life or does their eye stop on all the junk? Do they see an overcrowded life that squeezes out the space God longs to fill with His peace, presence and holiness? Will they notice good but unnecessary things that fill the void?
Let me be a little more specific. Could someone look past my too-often indulged habit of gossip? Will they really mind the irritability I often display with my husband, and what about the petty jokes made at his expense? I know they will look at me and see gluttony, pride, a love of television and a lack of discipline. But doesn't everyone have stuff they struggle with? Do they wonder about a woman who leads small group, teaches women's conferences and disciples youth, but has a hard time regularly sitting and being still before the Lord?
My personal challenge for the next few days is to look at my life not the way a perfect stranger would, but the way a Perfect Savior would. It's unlikely He will look past the things that I'm far too complacent about. Once I've taken a spiritual inventory I'm not going to just hide the junk. I don't know about you, but that junk always seems to reappear and at the worst possible time. No, I'm going to do my best to let my junk go. Friends, I'm moving closer to my Father. Here I grow...
Dear Lord, I want to live free of the junk of sin. Forgive me and help me make the move to living according to your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life by Keri Wyatt Kent
Sanctuary, a Devotional Bible for Women (NLT)
Whitney Capps's blog
Application Steps:
Look for examples of sinful clutter in your life.
Identify these trouble spots and make a plan to begin dealing with each area.
Reflections:
Have you been avoiding dealing with areas of sin in your life?
Are there negative effects of sin keeping others from seeing the work of God in your life?
Power Verses:
Luke 12:15, Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (NIV)
© 2008 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 7, 2008
Little Noises
Marybeth Whalen
"You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing." Isaiah 42:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
The squeaking that was coming from under the hood of my car was getting louder and louder, to an unavoidable degree. "Mom," my son said as he got out of my car in the carpool line at school, "Please do something about that. It's embarrassing." I had to admit he was right. Something was definitely wrong with my car. The funny noise was a warning sign to attend to the problem lest I end up stranded on the side of the road with smoke billowing from the hood. Even though the noise was annoying and embarrassing, I had to admit I was grateful for the chance to attend to a problem before it got serious.
Whether it's a squeak, a ping, a knock, or a rattle, we all have those little noises in our life as well. And even though they might drive us crazy, we have to admit that they can serve a great purpose. We need to be alerted to the more serious underlying problems that exist, lurking where we might not see them. God is gracious to provide those for us--if we will only learn to listen and respond. Those noises might annoy us, nag at us, and be most unwelcome sounds, but just think where we might end up without them!
There is that whiny sound that comes from a child who needs your attention and affirmation--an indication that perhaps a special day for just the two of you or a heart-to-heart conversation is needed.
There is that grumbling sound that comes from a husband who is feeling neglected--an indication that regular date nights need to be reinstituted in your marriage, and that less time should be spent on distractions and more time spent on him.
There is that rumbling earthquake noise that comes from a boss who has made one too many little comments about your job performance--an indication that it's time to pray for God's wisdom and for job security in these uncertain times.
There is that loud chainsaw noise that comes from bills that are stacking up and creditors that are calling--an indication that it might be time to get some help with managing your money.
There is that nails on chalkboard sound of all those little worries that nag at you--an indication that it's time to get intentional about turning your worries and doubts over to God, laying them at His feet and trusting Him to take care of the rest.
Most of all, there is the noise of a gentle, rushing wind that is God's constant whisper calling out to us--an invitation to draw close to Him and experience His presence, banishing the loneliness, hurt and rejection when we do.
What little noises are you hearing in your life? Do you need to attend to them now before a relationship suffers, or you lose something valuable? It's hard to stop in the midst of all our busyness and attend to things that aren't quite urgent yet. Still, those little noises are often big indicators of much deeper issues. Don't ignore the warning signs in your life. Ask God to help you hear them when you need to. I know I need to turn my ear towards those noises instead of away from them as I am prone to do. Ignoring them won't make them go away. I don't want to end up on the side of the road in my relationships, my job, or my life because I didn't pay attention to those little indicators that something was wrong.
Dear Lord, I need You to draw my attention to those little noises in my life. Sometimes I get so busy and forget to listen. And sometimes I hear them but I just ignore them because I don't want to deal with what's not right in front of me. Lord, I know those noises are little indicators of bigger problems lurking. Help me to hear them and respond before it's too late. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When You're Running on Empty by Cindi McMenamin
He Speaks To Me: Preparing to Hear from God by Priscilla Shirer
Listen to today's Radio Show for more encouragement
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
Do you have a story of a time when you ignored one of those little noises and later wished you hadn't? Maybe you have learned good ways to deal with little noises in life that you could share with others. If so, drop by Marybeth's blog and leave a comment.
Reflections:
What is a little noise in your life that you have been ignoring? Has God brought it to mind even as you have read this devotional? Take time today to pray for wisdom in how you can best address this little noise--and the need behind it--in your life.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 6:10, "Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." (NIV)
Jeremiah 6:10, "To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 10, 2008
Clean House and Clean Heart
Tracie Miles
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
I was tired of tripping over shoes, left over belongings, stray hangers, and dirty clothes!
I finally admitted I had to clean out my closet. After hours of sorting clothes, I stepped back to admire my clean, neatly organized closet. I breathed a sigh of relief and reveled in my success. Although it took quite a long time, it was well worth the effort. I could hardly wait to get up the next morning and enter my tidy closet, looking for my clothes with a fresh, new perspective.
Cleaning is something we all prefer to avoid, but its something that is necessary. When it comes to cleaning house, the more we neglect doing what is needed, the worse things get, and the longer it will to take to get clean again. That was the case with my closet.
As I admired my coordinated closet, I considered how our hearts are like messy houses at times. On the outside we look in order, but on the inside our hearts are full of clutter -- clutter such as unforgiveness, bitterness, self-condemnation, sadness, lack of joy, worry and much more. All this clutter makes for a huge mess behind the closed doors of our hearts. Just as putting off cleaning our homes creates chaos around us, the longer we allow our hearts to stay cluttered and messy, the more messes our bad habits make in our lives. Think about the havoc negative self-talk, selfishness, or grumpy attitudes have caused in the past.
I felt God nudging me to do a little house cleaning, or should I say, heart cleaning. For example, in a house with two young teen daughters with changing hormones, busy social lives, and lots of drama, sometimes I have to remind myself that they need a happy mommy, not a grumpy mommy. They need a patient mom, not an impatient mom. They need a forgiving mom, not a mom who constantly reminds them of their mistakes. My husband needs a happy wife. My friends need a faithful friend. My church needs a willing servant.
The mentality of cleaning up our heart can apply to every area of our life -- marriage, family, work, relationships, and even self-image. Let's face it, as nice as a clean house is, it is more important to have a clean heart!
Today's verse reminds us how we should desire a clean heart. When David prays this prayer, he desires a new heart, a clean heart, and a spirit that desires to be like Christ. David knew that the only way he could achieve a clean heart, was through the power of Christ. So it is the same with us. Therefore, we must ask God to create a new heart, a clean heart, within us and believe that as a result, our spirits will be renewed.
Maybe you know you have some serious house cleaning to do, but could it be you have some heart cleaning to do as well?
Dear Lord, I seek Your face today and ask You to restore in me a clean heart. Help me to rid of all the clutter in my heart which is keeping me at a distance from You, and preventing others from seeing You working in and through me. Infuse me with a desire to maintain a clean heart throughout each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Cleaning up the Clutter by Emilie Barnes
My Heart's At Home: Becoming the Intentional Mom Your Family Needs by Jill Savage
Visit Tracie Miles' blog
Application Steps:
Pick an area of your home to de-clutter this weekend. As you clean, pray for God to purify your heart.
Reflections:
What has been burdening your heart lately? Is there some unforgiveness there? Bitterness? Or doubts?
Ask God to renew your perspective and help you begin the cleaning process.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 17:9-10, NIV "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
© 2008 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 11, 2008
"What If?"
By Susanne Scheppmann
"Then Esther sent this message to Mordecai:
'Go and gather together all the Jews of Shushan and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day; and I and my maids will do the same; and then, though it is strictly forbidden, I will go in to see the king; and if I perish, I perish.'"
Esther 4:15-16 (TLB)
Devotion:
"Are you afraid of snakes?" my friend's son asked with a smirk.
I felt a surge of fear at the question. Then I noticed his hands hidden below the kitchen counter. I swallowed hard as I realized he probably held a snake in his twelve-year-old hands.
What if I answered, "Yes"?
What if, he tossed it in my lap to watch my horrified reaction?
"Not much," I answered.
Sure enough, he came around the corner holding a wiggly, white and orange snake.
However, my answer had clearly deflated his mischievous intentions. He brought the harmless critter closer but held it tightly in his hands. Bored with the result, he left the room with the snake in tow to find a different surprised soul with a phobia of snakes. I breathed a sigh of relief and unclenched my sweaty palms.
Don't we often react in the same manner with God? We fear that if we decide to trust Him, He will allow something horrible in our lives. We ask ourselves all sorts of fear-filled questions. What if God sends me to be missionary in a remote country? What if I get cancer? What if He wants me to live a life of poverty? What if He takes one of my children? What if He desires I stay single? What if? What if? What if?
An ancient queen, Esther, faced a tremendous "what if" in her life. She was called upon to stand up to an evil man, Haman, at the risk of losing her life. At first, she reacted with a stout refusal. But her cousin Mordecai challenged her with these words, "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14 NLT). Esther overcame her fear and responded with the words found in our Key Verse, "though it is strictly forbidden, I will go in to see the king; and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:15-16 TLB).
I want that kind of courage. I desire to have God's Spirit to overcome all my "what if" fears. I desire to trust Him in every area of my life. Whether it is in overcoming a fear of a silly, wiggly snake or a terrible, malevolent tyrant, I need His peace in my life.
Dear Lord, help me to overcome my fears of "what if" and to trust in Your divine purpose in my life. Give me Your peace when my fears rise up. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
This devotion is excerpted from Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
List the "what ifs" that you fear. Browse through your Bible concordance to find Scriptures that will help combat your fears.
Reflections:
Are my "what ifs" a result of needless worry or a likely reality?
How can I push through my fear?
Do I trust the Lord's sovereign will in my life?
Power Verses:
Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)
Daniel 3:17-18, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (NIV)
[Excerpt © Randall House Publishing, 2008. Used by permission.]
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
November 12, 2008
Home: More than Just a Word
Marybeth Whalen
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
I opened up my email to discover another one of those forwards we all get from time to time. I almost hit "delete" but my eye landed on this acronym for the word "Home":
Honor the Lord
Obey His Word
Minister to one another
Establish walls of truth
I was glad I took a look at this forward, because it made me think about whether or not these four components are present in my home. When looked at it in this light, the word "home" means so much more than just a place to live. Isn't that what we want all of our homes to be? More than a place to sleep and eat and occasionally clean, we want our homes to be a place where lives are shaped into God's design. This little acronym zeroes in on four important goals we should have for our home. The exciting thing is, no matter who lives there, or what problems we are facing, or what limits we feel like we have, with effort and intention our homes can be places where these four things happen.
Honor the Lord: We can honor God with our lips, but yet our hearts can be far from Him (Mt. 15:8) -- and the people who live with us will be the first to know when we do this! Let's seek to honor Him behind the closed doors of our homes, living out our devotion to Him in a visible, gentle way as we realize that our families are watching.
Obey His Word: Obeying His Word at home is not always easy. The Bible tells us to be submissive to our husbands, to love others more than we love ourselves, and to pick up our cross (as we pick up after our children, or care for our elderly parents). When we do these things with humility, those we most want to impact will notice. More than that, they will file it away in their hearts, and our lives will echo in theirs in ways we can't possibly foresee.
Minister to one another: Ministry requires us to love others, to reach others, and to lay down our lives for the sake of those God has placed in our sphere of influence. This must happen at home first. And yet, if we're honest, it's usually the last place it happens. We go out and give the best of what we have to offer to others, then give our leftovers to the people we profess to love the most. Let's minister to those in our own homes first.
Establish walls of truth: When I first read this, I will confess that something prickled in me. Establish walls? How is it Biblical to establish walls? I questioned. However, I soon realized I was thinking of walls as a means to keep people out. When in actuality, we need to be building walls of truth--God's truth, designed not to keep others out but to guard our hearts and give us a safe place to retreat and to rest. These walls of truth make our homes into fortresses--a place to run to when our daily battles wear us out.
These are not things we can just do once and move on. They are daily requirements, regular sacrifices, and even personal struggles. We won't ever do it perfectly and there will be days we feel we are taking one step up and two steps back. But with God's help, we can keep working to make H.O.M.E. mean so much more.
Dear Lord, make my home a place that includes these four components. I want my home to be more than just a place to live in--I want it to be a place where lives are impacted and relationships are strengthened. Lord, I need Your help to do these things. Thank You for Your promise to always help me when I ask. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
To talk about practical ideas for our homes, visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
Choose one of the four components of the word HOME and concentrate on it today. Ask God to show you creative ways you can live for Him within the walls of your home.
Reflections:
How do you honor God, obey His word, minister to your family, and establish walls of Truth in your home? Can you share some practical ideas--even simple little things you have seen work? Pop over to Marybeth's blog today and share your ideas if you wish.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 32:18, "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." (NIV)
Proverbs 3:33, "The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 13, 2008
Even a Great Husband Makes a Very Poor God
Lysa TerKeurst
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'I am the LORD your God..."
Leviticus 18:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
I've often wished I could travel back 16 years ago and give my "young bride self" some advice. But since that's not possible, I love sharing what I've learned with others.
Recently, I had dinner with a 28 year-old friend who would love to one day be married. During our time together the conversation flowed freely about all sorts of things. Blogs. Writing. Leaving your comfort zone because God said so. Biscuits. You know, girl stuff. And then we moved on to the subject of relationships and marriage.
I shared with my friend that when I was single I thought marriage was all about finding the right partner. I thought if you find "the one," you'll be happy, secure, and fulfilled. I do think it's good to have a list of standards that you look for in a spouse. However, it can never be with the expectation that if you find that special someone, he'll right all your wrongs and fill up all your insecurities. The problem with this thinking is the pressure it will eventually put on your spouse.
To expect another person to make you feel happy, secure, and fulfilled will leave you disappointed at best and disillusioned at worst. Even a great husband makes a very poor God.
Only God can settle those deep heart-needs. A man can never do this. If a husband could meet every need his wife had, we'd have no need for God. Therefore, instead of just focusing on finding the right partner, let God work on your heart to help you become the right partner. The time to start working on becoming a wife is now. Before the white dress, delicate bouquets, unity candle, bacon wrapped shrimp, and reception punch, there is some heart stuff to consider:
Getting married doesn't instantly make you selfless... it makes you realize how very selfish you can be at times.
Getting married doesn't make you feel loved... it makes you realize love is more of a decision you make than a feeling you feel.
Getting married doesn't take away loneliness... it makes you realize true companionship comes not when you demand it but rather when you give it to another person.
So, what does marriage give?
A beautiful chance to make the choice to ...
Laugh whether or not the jokes are funny.
Love by folding his collar over his tie every morning.
Pretend like you don't need flowers, but delight when he buys them anyway.
Cheer him on through both failures and successes.
Tell him he's a great man everyday.
Thank God for the privilege of being his wife.
After our time together, my friend thanked me for our talk. She said it gave her a lot to think about. To be honest, it gave me a lot to think about as well.
Dear Lord, only You can fill my heart, right my wrongs, and make me feel loved. I pray that You would show me how to keep my expectations of my husband in check. Help me to be the wife he desires. And help me to remember that marriage was never meant to make me happy all the time. Marriage is a decision to honor You by honoring the one you've entrusted to me to be my husband. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog today and read about how she met her husband.
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst... perfect for those married or those just thinking about marriage!
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
If you aren't married yet, think of some ways God might want to work on your heart before marriage.
If you are married, think of a way you've tried to get your husband to fill a need that only God can meet. Pray and ask God how you can rely on God for this need instead of your husband.
Reflections:
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I could be a great wife if only my husband would..."? Or, "If only I was married, I could really be..."
Remember, it is impossible to control what another person says or does. Therefore, waiting for your spouse to change in order for your relationship to get better, will only cause frustration. If, however, we take responsibility for our own actions and reactions, God can help us make real progress.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3: 5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 14, 2008
Psalm 131
Rachel Olsen
"... I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother ..."
Psalm 131:2a (HCSB)
Devotion:
I found Psalm 131 curious at first read. It is very short -- only three verses long. (You can read it in the power verses section below.) In it, the writer David portrays himself as a child who has been weaned.
Several places in scripture God is depicted as a mother, even a nursing mother. This may seem jarring if you are used to His "God the Father" title, but it's a warm and nurturing picture of God. It conveys a loving life-giver who wants to see their child grow up healthy and strong. Psalm 131 shows us that weaning must take place in order for that to happen.
My first-born would rather nurse than do just about anything the first 12 months of her life. She was not interested in crib toys, stuffed animals, blankets, the baby swing, a pacifier, or a bottle. She only wanted to nurse, nearly all the time. She didn't need that much food -- all that nursing made her happy but it also made her chubby. Plus, she couldn't go on nursing forever. While she was getting more nutrition than she needed at the time, it wouldn't provide all she would need in the coming years. She had to wean and learn to eat the more mature food I put on the table.
Weaning caused some anxiety for my sweet daughter. She did not like having what was comfortable and familiar taken away. Sometimes she would even throw tantrums over it. However, once the weaning process was complete, she was content with her new reality. Through the weaning process, her appetites were changed. It also gave her more time to master walking and enjoy playing. She was now able and eager to stand at her mother's side and explore her world as a toddler.
Determining the right time to wean depends on the child and the parent but when the time comes, weaning involves withholding from the child what he wants, but no longer needs. God often withholds things we want but do not need, in order to change our appetites. This is not meant to inflict anxiety or pain, but to mature us and prepare us for the next level in our walk with Him. Too often we want life to be easy and comfortable. We don't want to grow up and face responsibilities. But that would lead to stunted development. We forget that growth and maturity are almost always forged through some type of hard work or difficultly.
Other times, however, we do want to grow up -- WAY UP -- and we get in a hurry to do so. We're like the toddler who assumes she is can do everything herself. Psalm 131 speaks to this tendency in us as well. David says in the first verse that he keeps his soul from being too proud or overly ambitious. Basically, David is saying he has to make sure he doesn't get too big for the britches God has given him!
The Message writer Eugene Peterson puts it this way: "God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be king of the mountain. I haven't meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart ..." (Psalm 131:1-2a).
Psalm 131 ends with David urging us to place our trust and hope in God. So today, I will not hope in my ambitions or grand plans for the future, nor will I desire an always-easy path so I don't have to face difficulty. Rather I will leave all that to Him and I will simply stand at God's side, ready to explore my day.
Dear Lord, remind me through Your Spirit to keep my ambitions and desires in check. May I grow and walk with You today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Visit Rachel Olsen's blog
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 131 in its entirety below.
Click over to Rachel's blog to discuss today's reflection questions.
Reflections:
Can you recall something you have "weaned" off of, and now your appetites are changed?
Is there something you are being weaned from now? Or something you know that God wants to wean you from?
Are you obsessing over ambitions or roles that you have created for yourself?
Power Verses:
Psalm 131, "My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore." (NIV)
© 2008 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 17, 2008
License to Sin
Tracie Miles
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I heard the following story on the radio one day ...
Since her divorce, a mother had been consumed with guilt for not being able to hold her marriage together. She felt bad for her children in the wake of the divorce, and wanted them to be happy. So she refrained from punishing her children. She felt that if she could be the nicest mom in the world, her children would be happier. As a result, she continually allowed her teenage son to treat her disrespectfully and take advantage of her. The younger children eventually began to mirror the actions of the teenager. The result was that the children were not happier and their mom continually struggled with feelings of insecurities.
I felt sad for this mother. The radio host stated that the actions of this mother were actually giving her children a "license to sin." That statement really struck me. Do I give my children a license to sin?
I thought about the process of teaching a child to drive. We ride beside them, teaching them the rules of the road, and when they master those rules, they can get their license. In the same way, as children grow, we teach them the ways to live and to treat others, and at a certain age they are given a license to live independently. What we've taught them up until that point will greatly determine the direction they will go once on their own.
When we avoid disciplining our children, we neglect to help them develop godly character. Not teaching them what the Bible says about respecting parents and other adults, and holding them to it, is like an invitation to sin. Not disciplining them is like giving them a license to continue sinning this way day after day. If children are allowed to behave in ways that are not only disrespectful, but also displeasing in God's eyes, they will eventually begin to believe that the misbehavior is acceptable, and this can cause life-long problems.
Throughout scripture, we find biblical references on the importance of teaching children to respect and obey their parents. Although disciplining our children is not pleasurable, it is a part of parenting according to God. Being a parent is not just a responsibility, it is a calling. If God has blessed you with children to raise, or even just to influence, then He has called you to instruct that child in the ways of the Lord. He has given you a ministry to carry out each and every day right inside your home. That ministry includes providing loving discipline.
Although you want what is best for your children, perhaps you hesitate to hold them accountable for their actions because you have grown wary of being a disciplinarian.
Maybe you have a health issue that prevents you from doing all the things you would like to do as a mom, so you feel guilty when you have to punish your children.
Maybe you have financial restraints that prevent you from buying things for your kids that all the other kids seem to have.
Maybe you harbor guilt for being unmarried, separated, or divorced.
Maybe you simply do not feel qualified to hold the title of "mom."
If you are practicing the art of self-condemnation due to any of the above circumstances, or for different reasons, friend, you are listening to the wrong voice. The enemy lurks at all times, waiting for opportunities to pull our children away from us and ultimately away from God. As parents, we must be dedicated to developing our children into all that God intends for them to be, and that requires not only discipline, but a faith that depends on the Lord to guide all of our actions.
The happiest and most secure children are ones whose parents strive to both nurture them and to teach them appropriate conduct according to the Bible. God disciplines His children for their benefit, and expects us to do the same with those He has entrusted to our care.
Dear Lord, grant me the courage to be the parent You want me to be. Help me control my temper and my anger, so that I can discipline my children in a loving way that will help them see You in me. Help me both display and teach godly character. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Be the Parent, Seven Great Choices You Can Make to Raise Great Kids by Kendra Smiley
Being a Great Mom Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes
For more parenting tips and discussion, visit Tracie Miles' blog
Application Steps:
Read the sixth chapter of Deuteronomy.
Reflections:
Am I neglecting to teach my children appropriate behavior? Why?
If I were stricter with my children about their behavior, would it help them to better build godly character?
Power Verses:
Leviticus 19:3, "Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God." (NIV)
Ephesians 6:1-3, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother -- which is the first commandment with a promise -- that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (NIV)
© 2008 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
November 18, 2008
Making the Christian Life a Reality
Micca Monda Campbell
"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
I Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
For a long time I was confused about the Christian life. After I trusted Christ to be my personal Savior, life didn't change as I had hoped.
At first, I was filled with genuine joy and passion. I couldn't get enough of God and His Word. I prayed a lot, attended church a lot, shared my faith a lot, and spent a lot of time reading my Bible. But somewhere along the way, I grew weary. My attempt to live the Christian life in my own strength quickly gave out. Why didn't it last? I wondered.
I'm not alone in my struggles. Many believers I meet are just as confused as I was. Guilt ridden, some give up while others choose to just pretend. Then, there are those that still desire but question, "Is a changed life even possible? If so, why isn't it a reality in my life?" It's often why we came to Christ in the first place -- for freedom, forgiveness, peace, and purpose. Yet, instead of living an empowered life, many of us are living an exhausting one.
I could sense there was something more, but I couldn't put my finger on what was missing. Discouraged, I'd speculate...Could it be that God isn't holding up His end of the agreement? Or, is it me? Maybe you've asked yourself the same questions.
It took a long while before I realized that the Christian life isn't about following a bunch of rules. It's not even about trying my best to be good. The Christian life is all about relationship. It's about knowing and loving the God who already knows and loves us. It's about being a friend of God. This changes everything.
Friendship requires commitment. The same is true in our companionship with the Lord. We often neglect vital portions of our relationship with Him. Sometimes that neglect is due to a lack of understanding in how to commune with Him. Other times it is sin or apathy in our lives causing us to overlook our need to fellowship with God.
In order to stay passionate about our faith, and live an empowered life free from sin, you and I must participate in our friendship with God by:
1.) Abiding in Christ. (John 15:4, NIV)
2.) Praying daily. (Mark 1:35, NIV)
3.) Meditating on God's Word. (Joshua 1:8, NIV)
4.) Putting off the old and putting on the new. (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)
5.) Being continually filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)
6.) Exercising God-given gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV)
7.) Actively sharing the gospel with others. (Mark 16:15, NIV)
Which of these areas are you lacking in? Could that be the key to jump-starting your empowered-by-the-Spirit life?
The Christian life is real, satisfying, and available to all who are willing to have an on-going daily relationship with the Lord. Once I came to understand my role and participate in the relationship, I found the empowered life I was looking for. I'm convinced you can too.
Dear Lord, I have neglected my relationship with You. Forgive me. Lord, I want to know You and Your ways. Reveal Yourself and Your power in my life as I commit to uphold my friendship with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio
Visit Micca Campbell's blog for more in-depth information on living out steps 1-7.
Application Steps:
Look again at steps 1-7 above ... what is missing from your daily routine? Implement those things and watch your relationship with God come alive.
Reflections:
How has your life changed since you came to Christ?
Would you describe your Christian life as an empowered one or an exhausted one? Explain.
What areas of your relationship with God have you neglected lately? What do you plan to do about it?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 13:14, "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (NIV)
John 10:10 b, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have life more abundantly." (KJV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November19, 2008
Power Surge
Amy Carroll
"Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by gettingto know, personally and intimately, the One [Jesus] who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!"
2 Peter 1:3 (Message)
Devotion:
After another act of childish disobedience, my tiny cousin stuck out her chin, grit her teeth, and spat out the phrase that had become her signature: "I didn't do it, and I won't do it again!"
Unfortunately, her slogan is often too close to the truth of my own life. In my own strength and with a huge dose of denial, I struggle with my weight, plus trying to control my wagging tongue, and to fight my self-sufficient attitude. Now, I've aired my (partial) list of dirty laundry and bad habits. Do you have a list of your own?
If you do, you can take a trip to Barnes and Noble and find a whole shelf or two of self-help books to aid you in overcoming these. There will be authors who address everything from negative thinking to bad behavior in your marriage. However, I'm not convinced about the power of the human spirit to overcome these problems. I have gone from Weigh Down to weight back up. I've moved from South Beach where the beautiful people live, back to the North Beach where those who could stand to lose a few reside. I've done "Weight Watchers," only to rejoin Cake Watchers. I'm pretty disciplined in lots of areas, but in others I fail over and over again. As many times as I repeat "...and I won't do it again," I end up doing it again.
Our struggle with sin is the same way. I think everyone would say they want to be a good person, but most of us also often feel powerless to do so. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that He Himself gives us the power. All we have to do is tell Him that we need Him, ask forgiveness for past sins, and build a relationship with Him personally. In 2 Peter 1:3 in the New International Version it says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (emphasis added).
The truth is, I really am powerless to overcome sin on my own. The Good News, though, tells me that God has provided all the power that I need through a relationship with His son Jesus. I think I'll head back to Barnes and Noble to return that stack of self-help books. I'm definitely a work in progress, but I have all the help I need.
Dear Lord, I turn to You for help. I can't deny that I act in ways that offend a perfect God, and I acknowledge these things as sin. I ask for Your forgiveness. I want to give my life to You and build a personal relationship with You. Thank you for loving me and accepting me. I'm so grateful that in You I find the power for change. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Amy Carroll's blog
Application Steps:
Read the Gospel of John in the Bible. It's a great way to get to know Jesus!
Find a person who has been a Christian for a long time. Ask him/her to teach you about Bible study, prayer, and living the Christian life.
Reflections:
What areas in my life am I obviously powerless to change?
Have I come to the end of my own rope? Am I ready to agree that I need a Savior?
Power Verses:
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (NIV)
Romans 10: 9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (NIV)
© 2008 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 20, 2008
What if I Don't Want to Trust?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..."
Proverbs 3: 5 (NIV)
Devotion:
I hated middle school. It was one of the worst times of my life. I constantly felt my life was like one of those snow globes. As soon as things would settle and seem normal, something would come along, turn life upside down, and pieces of my scattered world were suddenly tumbling all around me.
Interestingly enough, my daughter who is in middle school right now, collects snow globes. Oh, the ironies of life. And her life has taken some upside down turns lately. Friendships, academics, emotions - they all seemed to be in constant upheaval.
I know a lot of this is normal for middle school. I've lived through the angst of these years with my two sons and my oldest daughter. But with this particular child, I was sensing a change was going to be needed.
For over 3 years, she has been attending a small Christian school that I love. The classes are small. The students get lots of attention and hands on learning. And they start everyday with a beautiful devotion time. This seemed to me, to be the very best environment for her to be in.
But this year, things just started falling apart. Doors started closing. And as much as I wanted to force the doors to stay open and to make things work for her in this small schooling environment, I knew I had to back off. I love to fix things... a.k.a. control things to make them easier to deal with.
Then the Lord started challenging me to turn all my fix-it energy to prayer and embrace what He was doing. I won't lie, it was very hard.
Things unfolded that I didn't want. Tears were shed over things I could have fixed, but knew the Lord was challenging me not to. And then one day my precious, full-of-life girl refused to get out of bed and go back to school.
So, I embraced another option. The option the Lord had been impressing on my heart that I'd been so resistant to even consider. I took her by the hand and walked her into the halls of our local public middle school containing over 1,400 kids.
I got her enrolled and watched the tears roll down her cheeks as it was time for me to leave her in her first class.
I pressed a card full of handwritten Bible verses into her back pack that I had also doused with my perfume that morning. I reminded her that every time she smelled it, to remember the many, many prayers I'd be praying for her all throughout the day. I gave one last hug and walked away.
Everything in me wanted to run back and whisk her away. I think just about everything in her wanted me to do some whisking as well. But I knew the Lord was challenging both of us to embrace this. To trust Him. To lean not on our own understanding but to press into His.
And you know what? She survived.
She got into her big brother's car that afternoon where I was waiting on his cell phone. Breathlessly she exclaimed, "It was great. I made two new friends but I don't remember their names. I didn't like my first or last class but I can deal with those. I loved everything else."
Now, I'm no fool. I know there will be hard days to come. But our plan is to keep embracing what God has for her today. To trust Him with today. And then tomorrow. And then the next day.
Dear Lord, forgive me for sometimes having a hard time trusting Your plans. Forgive me for trying to lean on my own understanding rather than embracing Yours. Help my faith and trust in You grow, day by day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
What are you having to trust God with right now?
Visit Lysa's blog for more practical thoughts on trusting God.
Reflections:
Remember...
One day at a time. We can't let fears or worries over tomorrow steal our joy for today.
One prayer at a time. We can't forget the source for all wisdom, perspective and peace is but a prayer away.
One step of faith at a time. If I'm going to call myself a woman of faith, I'm going to have to be willing to live a life that actually requires a little bit of faith.
Off to write some more verses and spray some more perfume...
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 17:7, ""But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." (NIV)
John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 21, 2008
The Best I Can Do
Marybeth Whalen
"Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise." James 5:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I waited for my friend's small group leader to finish her conversation with another lady before I shyly asked her if she had heard from my friend, whose husband had left her just a few weeks before. I knew my friend was probably not going to be at Bible study but I wanted to make sure she was doing okay. Her small group leader told me she had spoken with my friend and that she was, considering the circumstances, doing well. I told her I was glad to hear that, and asked if she knew of anything I could do for my friend during this difficult trial. Her leader put her hand on my shoulder and replied, "I told her that people will say that all they can do is pray. But really, that's the best we can do. We can pray for her. We can storm the gates of heaven on her behalf. She needs our prayers right now so we will just keep praying."
As I walked away, I thought about our conversation and wondered how many times I had idly commented that praying was "all I could do." What I meant was that my prayers were a last resort, something to do when there was nothing else I could do -- no meals I could bring, no Band-Aids I could apply to the hurt, no actions I could take. And yet, I was missing the best possible response I could have. I needed that reminder that praying is not a last resort, it's a first response. It's not the action of a powerless, hopeless person whose hands are tied in every other way. It's the powerful, Heaven-summoning activity of a warrior who doesn't want to fight alone. Praying, as I learned that morning, isn't all I can do, it's the best I can do.
Are you facing a situation right now that you can't do anything about? Maybe you are watching someone go through something that you can't help with. Do you wonder what good it will do to pray? Do you despair of anything changing, or of your prayers helping? Have you, like me, shrugged your shoulders and commented that all you have left is prayer--when really your prayers are exactly what is needed?
Let's focus today on doing what's best. Let's get on our knees for ourselves, our family members, our spouses, our children, our neighbors, our friends and our nation. Let's focus on the power in our prayers. Our intercession, and nothing more, might be exactly what God desires. Let's not forget that we can offer the most help when we are on our knees.
Dear Lord, Thank You for being there any time I need to come to You. Thank You for giving us a way to talk to You and for Your promise that You will hear us when we pray. Help me to remember that prayer isn't all I can do, it's the best I can do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers
Recipe for Christmas Joy e-book by Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
Is there someone on your heart today who needs your prayers? Spend today lifting that person up, then send them a card telling them that you have been praying and will continue to. Include any verses that God brought to mind as you prayed. You never know when these verses will serve as a powerful comfort or confirmation of what God is doing in their life.
Reflections:
Do you see prayer as the best thing you can do or is it a last resort?
How can you make a shift in attitude and begin to see the power of prayer, going to God first when trouble comes instead of after all other efforts have been exhausted?
Power Verses:
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (NIV)
Luke 18:1, "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." (NIV)
Psalm 50:15, "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 24, 2008
Thank You Power
Rachel Olsen
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
In my (part-time) job as a university teacher, I'm frequently reading research. I know, I know ... it sounds as dry as an over-cooked turkey. Sometimes it is but often I find interesting stuff in that scientific prose. For example, this week I read about a study from the University of California that showed just how great it is to be grateful.
The researchers found that grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, more satisfaction with life, and more vitality and optimism. All good qualities I want more of in my life. They also found grateful people show lower levels of depression and stress - two things I'd like to experience less in my life.
What's more, they found that people who keep journals about gratitude on a weekly basis are healthier. They exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better in general than people who journal about neutral or negative life events. That sounds great, and I'll take all the help I can get in the exercise department.
Finally, the research showed that people who daily count their blessings report higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, and energy. Wow, the benefits of being grateful are remarkable and many! I guess that shouldn't surprise me after considering today's key verse. The Bible urges us to give thanks ... all the time ... in every situation ... because this practice is the will of God.
Let me be clear, there are terrible things that happen to us that may not be the will of God, but us praising God and giving thanks in spite of them certainly is the will of God. As Christians, we can always find reason to give thanks -- thanks for the salvation of Christ, the nearness of God, and the counsel of His Spirit for starters. The psalmist declared, "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High" (Psalm 7:17, NIV). We can do that too.
Christian poet John Milton once wrote about every grey cloud having a silver lining. Purposing to give thanks, no matter the weather, will train us to look for it. Continuing in this manner day after day ensures that gratefulness will become our normal mode of operation.
No wonder those researchers found that people regularly counting their blessings grow happier, healthier, and more optimistic. After all, that research wasn't discovering anything new, but rather confirming the will and wisdom of God. God already knows how great it is for us to be grateful. Now "science" does too.
What can you give thanks for today?
Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your Son and Your Spirit, given to me. Thank You for the provision of shelter and food I have today. And Lord, thank You for this reminder to become more mindful of my blessings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Visit Rachel Olsen's blog
Thankful Heart by Carole Lewis
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Start a gratitude journal. At the end of each day between now and Christmas, take a few minutes to jot down 3-5 things you are thankful for. Keep the notebook and pencil by your bed. Your list can include "big" things like good health, or "little" things like pansies in bloom. Give thanks to God for all of these.
See if you feel any happier, healthier, or more optimistic after a few weeks of regularly giving thanks. I'll be doing this right along with you, so stop by my blog to let me know how it's going with you, and to read some of the things for which I'm thankful.
Reflections:
How often do I give thanks to God?
Do I notice, or remember, the little blessings in my days?
Do I want to feel happier, be healthier, and think more optimistically? More importantly, do I want to do the will of God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 118:19, "Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD." (NIV)
© 2008 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 25, 2008
I'm Right There With Ya'
By Sylvia Basham, She Speaks! Graduate
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
John 14.18 (KJV)
Devotion:
"I'm right there with ya'!" a mom of a three-year-old boy commiserated to another mom of a three-year-old boy. We were at an all-day volleyball tournament for our daughters and the little tikes (as well as the moms) had already had about as much excitement as they could take. We were all having a late-afternoon meltdown.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I overheard this exchange, and I thought, "I wish I was right there with ya'." My son Jonathan, had he lived, would have been three also.
Before the trickle of tears could become a raging river, God's truth proclaimed in my heart, "I AM right there with ya'!" I smiled through my tear-blurred vision and thanked God for His comfort, and for the hope I have in Him. I thanked Him for sustaining me through this journey of grief.
I am thankful that I can be content that I have Christ and He is all I need. As our key verse tells us, Jesus will not leave us comfortless. He will be there. It is a journey to get to that place of contentment in Him, and wanting more than anything else on this earth to be right there with Him. It is also a destination that can be reached if we don't misplace our hope.
My experience has made me realize there are hurting people, especially as we approach special days during our holiday season, who will be grieving and missing a loved one. This grief may feel all-consuming at times, and they may forget that Christ is right there with them. They will have misplaced their hope. Just as mine had been misplaced in the past, their focus will be on what they don't have instead of Who they do have. The temporary will displace the eternal, leaving them feeling empty.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says, "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him" (NIV). Having hope when others do not is a choice to believe that this scripture is true.
Now there's where I really want to be. As Isaiah 35:10b says, "Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." That's what a life filled with hope looks like.
It's incredible how the grief still sneaks up on me sometimes -- how moments like that one at the volleyball game make me feel so alone and how my heart is still so tender especially around those special dates. At those times, the journey continues as I draw closer to my true Hope. He is right there with me as I remain right there with Him.
Dear Lord, In times of grief, help me remember You are my Hope and You are right there with me. I pray You open my eyes and heart to others who are hurting and help me remind them of the Hope. Please give me boldness and compassion during this season to introduce the ultimate Hope to others in need of hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Spend time in the shelter of your Hope with the Sanctuary Devotional Bible (NLT)
Through a Season of Grief by Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard
Listen to Today's Radio Show to hear how God showed up with hope on a rainy day.
Application Steps:
Read and meditate on Psalm 42.
Reflections:
Have I forgotten where my hope lies? What things am I allowing to blur my hope? What should be my remedy?
Am I spending time refocusing on my Hope, right there with Him in His word and in prayer, each day?
Is there someone in my life who is in need of direction, or redirection, to true Hope?
Power Verses:
Psalm 42:11, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV)
Psalm 16:8, "I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (NIV)
Jeremiah 31:13, "Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 26, 2008
Gift Giving Wisdom
Sharon Glasgow
"She sees that her trading is profitable." Proverbs 31:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
This weekend holds the busiest shopping days of the year as people rush out to buy holiday gifts for friends and family. It's so hard to find the "perfect gift" for everyone on your list.
I'm reminded of a gift I once received that I didn't much care for. Everybody was staring at me as I opened the present. My acting abilities aren't exactly silver screen quality, but as I pulled the suit out of the tissue, I mustered every ounce of enthusiasm I could, "Thank you ... you shouldn't have!"
The style of the clothing just wasn't "me." With a quick glance, I also noticed that it was about 3 sizes too big. Whew, that will be my excuse, I thought, its just way too big. She asked me to try it on. "Oh Sharon , it's perfect on you!" What was she looking at? It swallowed me whole.
I was thankful that she had blessed me with a gift but after staring at it for a week, I just couldn't bear the thought of wearing it. There were no price tags on it for me to exchange it, so I decided I would take it to a consignment store to sell.
The next week I was shopping with my girls. Walking by the suit section of a department store, my eyes caught glimpse of the same suit I had just taken to the consignment shop. A hot flash went over my face as I saw the price.
The price tag said $280. What?! How could anyone spend that much money on me? Immediately I called the consignment shop I'd left it at. They were closed until Monday.
Monday morning 15 minutes before they opened I was at their door waiting anxiously. As soon as it was unlocked, I pushed through the door and quickly asked if they still had my suit. They had to go to the back to find out. The minutes ticked by like years. They found it! "Funny thing is ma'am that was the most popular suit this past weekend, many tried it on but it didn't fit anyone." "Thank you," I said and I took the suit back out of the shop.
I took it back to my friend, thanked her, and told her it was a beautiful suit but it just wasn't my style and didn't fit properly. No, I didn't tell her the whole consignment shop story, I probably never will - unless she reads this!
My point is, choosing gifts is hard even for talented shoppers or even for those with plenty to spend. Receiving gifts can be just as hard sometimes. This holiday, speak up if someone asks you what you need or would like to receive. Try asking friends and family to window-shop (online or in a store that you have access to) and make a list of items they like. Or ask them if there is a service you can treat them to like a car wash, a night of babysitting, or a manicure. Gift certificates are usually a good choice as well.
Shopping this way may not seem "special" enough, but it's better to be wise with the money God entrusts you with than to gamble on buying an expensive gift the recipient might dislike, or worse, consign to sell. Not only the money, but the time you spent shopping would be wasted.
Finally, remember that the good news of the baby Jesus is the greatest Christmas gift ever given, and it doesn't cost a dime to share it with those on your gift-list this year.
Dear Lord, help me to be wise this year in my gift-giving and make the best use of my shopping time and money. Help me bless others and bring glory to You this Christmas. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Homespun Gifts from the Heart by Karen Ehman
Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? by Brenda Poinsett
Consider sharing God's peace, perspective and purpose with a gift subscription to P31 Woman Magazine
Application Steps:
Be a good listener throughout the year and when someone mentions something they would like, write it down for future shopping.
Consider how to show the eternal gift of Christ's love to your loved ones.
Reflections:
Are you anxious about holiday gift-giving?
Have you set a pre-determined amount you will spend on gifts?
You'll have more time to celebrate Christ this Christmas if you get organized regarding your budget and gift-giving now.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:7, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. " (NKJ)
Luke 6:38 , "Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (NKJ)
Ecclesiastes 7:12 , "Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor." (NIV)
© 2008 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 27, 2008
My Thanksgiving
Rachel Olsen
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. For His lovingkindness is everlasting." 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NASB)
Devotion:
This morning I will wake up thankful. Not because my life is perfect and I have everything I could want or need, but because I'm taking the time to count my blessings and give thanks to God.
¨ I'll be thankful that my husband and I are off work today, and that we have work to return to.
¨ I'll be thankful that my children are able to enjoy a day of play at home, and thankful that they have days of learning ahead that will help shape them into who God intends them to be.
I'll go downstairs. As I pass my desk on my way to the kitchen, I'll select one of several Bibles on my shelf.
¨ I'll be thankful for the Word of God that I am able to freely read, distribute, and teach in this country.
Mostly likely, I'll do as I did last year and put on my "Through All Generations" CD. It's an album of hymns recorded by my friend Gwen Smith.
¨ I'll be thankful for the various friends in my life -- both far and near -- who enrich me, challenge me, lend me their ear, pray for me, and make me laugh. And I'll be especially grateful for the friendship of God.
¨ I'll also be thankful for the blessing of music and its ability to lift my mood, touch my heart, energize my body, and connect my soul to an eternal God.
I'll turn the lights of my Christmas tree on -- I like to have my tree up by Thanksgiving Day. The lights and ornaments will twinkle amidst the backdrop of an evergreen tree.
¨ I'll thank God for giving us some trees that stay green all year long despite the cold weather.
¨ I will thank Him for giving us the day and the night, and the stars that twinkle in the sky. I will also be grateful for the Light of the World and the eternal life that He brings, represented by the evergreens in our holiday decorations.
Soon it will be time to start cooking the Thanksgiving meal. In my home that will be turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh, and deviled eggs.
¨ I'll be thankful for God's provision of food -- including thankful for the farmers and ranchers, and for the kind family member who gives us a turkey and a box of sweet potatoes every year.
¨ I'll remember contributing to a local church's Thanksgiving ministry for those less fortunate, and I'll be thankful for the people who act as the hands and feet of Christ in ministry -- they inspire me.
As I cook, I'll set aside any cans, plastic bags and cardboard boxes to put into our recycling bin.
¨ I'll be thankful for this beautiful planet teeming with life and flowing with water that God entrusted to humankind to steward. And I'll look forward to the day when I, like the writer of the book of Revelation, see a new earth recreated by God, free of Satan's influence.
More family members will join us and we will gather around my kitchen table to eat. We are no Norman Rockwell painting - our family has its struggles and issues just like the next family. But on this evening, we will set aside any differences as we laugh together, talk together, pray together, and eat together.
¨ I'll be thankful for the bond of family -- that there are people who know you fully, and love you anyway. And I'll be grateful for the family of God to which I am bonded through Christ.
After dinner we'll play cards or board games, or perhaps watch a movie. Then I'll say goodbye to our guests, tuck my children in bed, sit and reflect on the day. I will ask God to show me any blessings I missed or failed to count, because I'm convinced each one of us has more to be thankful for than we ever notice. Today, let's purpose to notice, and to be grateful.
Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings You have bestowed -- help me notice them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Through All Generations CD by Gwen Smith
As we close this year with thanks, let's open next year with gratitude by spending each day in the Word with the One Year Chronological Bible (NLT)
Submit a praise report of thanks and gratitude!
Visit Rachel at her blog today .
Application Steps:
Pause to count your blessings today. A grateful heart can usher you into God's presence.
Stop by my blog and share something you are grateful for today. The ability to connect with others via the internet is one of the blessings on my list!
Reflections:
Perhaps you don't have family at home with you today, or much food to prepare, or a Christmas tree to gather by. But you have a godly purpose to fulfill in this earth, a world of beauty outside your door, and most importantly, you have eternal life and the friendship of God available to you. Do You Know Him?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (NASB)
© 2008 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
November 28, 2008
Advent All Year
Marybeth Whalen
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
The word "advent" means "to come." So the advent season we are entering is a time of preparing for Christ to come. Figuratively, we are to see ourselves in the place of those who sought the newborn Savior: the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna. This season becomes a time to turn our hearts towards the practice of seeking Him. And indeed, during this festive time on the calendar, many hearts are turned, and many intentions renewed. This is part of the excitement of Christmas!
In the gospels, Jesus refers to the Church as His bride. He speaks of a day when He will come for the Church and there will be a wedding ceremony like no one has ever seen! In the midst of a struggling economy, failing marriages, and brokenness everywhere I look, that is a vision that motivates me beyond my circumstances. And yet, is it a vision that is kept within the confines of Christmas? Or can we look for Jesus to come all year?
When Jesus used the marriage analogy to describe His relationship with His people, He knew that His listeners would attach certain cultural perceptions about marriage to this word picture. In Biblical times, it was common for an engaged couple to spend a year apart. The bride would spend time with her mother and other women she respected, learning to run a household and getting prepared, becoming a student of the desires and expectations of her groom. She took this time very seriously as she readied her heart and life for what was to come. The groom also spent time preparing. He would spend his time making a home for them to live in, the place he would bring his bride to with pride. Both parties had a pivotal role to play.
What a beautiful picture this is for the Church and her Bridegroom! Christ has, as promised, gone to prepare a place for us. While we are apart, we can trust that He is working to build something beautiful. But we have an equally important role to play. While we are apart, we must learn what it takes to be His bride. We must study Him, learning how to keep His house in a way that pleases Him. This is not merely a suggestion, but an expectation. We can't lose that expectation in the shuffle of changing times and cultures! We know that He keeps His promises, so we can trust that He is building our house for us. Don't we want to be a bride who is prepared?
Though traditionally the season of advent is hemmed in between the dates of Thanksgiving and New Year's, let's not leave it there. Let's make this season merely the beginning of our preparation for what is to come. We can commit this time that we are apart from our Bridegroom to prepare for Him, to anticipate His return, and to focus not only on when He came, but when He is coming again.
Dear Lord, thank You for coming and thank You for the promise that You will return. Lord, I want to prepare for You as Your bride, learning about You and drawing close to You. Thank You for preparing a place for me and finding me worthy to be Your bride. I want to make my whole life a season of advent--a time of anxiously anticipating what is to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Advent: Making Christmas about Christ by Lisa Robertson
Marybeth's Christmas e-book, A Recipe for Christmas JOY
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
What are some ways that you personally are preparing for Jesus' return?
Make a list of ways that you can be intentional about becoming a student of your Bridegroom.
Spend time in prayer, thanking and praising Him, for what He came to do and for the promise of His return.
Reflections:
Have you ever stopped to consider what your role is as Jesus' bride? How has thinking of it this way altered your perspective?
How can you celebrate advent all year, every year?
Power Verses:
Matthew 25:5, "The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep." (NIV)
I Thessalonians 5:6, "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled." (NIV)
Romans 13:11, "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 1, 2008
Joy to the World
Katherine R. Cottle, She Speaks Graduate
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Uh-oh, my son had begun the dreaded potty dance. He had gotten so engrossed in the beautiful, giant, Christmas ornaments suspended from the shopping mall ceiling that he totally ignored his almost 4 year-old bladder. It was warning him to get to the potty. We were only seconds away from an accident, without a change of clothes.
Doctors had recently given my little son a great big label: Pervasive Developmentally Delayed. Simple translation: he learns differently than most and things that "typically developing" children are able to do easily, he finds challenging. For example, being able to recognize that his body needs to go to the potty and communicating his need to me. I had 20 other things to accomplish in the mall and I was not prepared for this.
Thanks to a mother's ability to quickly maneuver through crowds and leap tall mounds of Christmas presents in a single bound, we made it to the restroom just in time.
Frustration began to overwhelm my heart. I wasn't just overwhelmed by the pressure of the things I had on my to-do list, but also by my son's struggle with being able to recognize and verbally acknowledge his needs. Lord, will he ever be able to tell me what is going on in his head? How are we going to reach him?
As we were washing our hands, he suddenly began to sing with all his heart, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King." Where was this coming from? I wondered. Quieting my frustrated mind, I slowed down to listen. The song was playing over the intercom. I had totally tuned it out.
My beautiful little boy with his great big label had heard what I had not. Women coming out of their stalls smiled and sang with him. I think the angels would have included us in their choir that day.
In that moment I felt the Lord assure me that He had created my son and knew his needs and exactly how to reach him. After all, this is what Christmas is all about. Our loving Father, knowing our need of the gift of salvation, reached the world through Jesus Christ. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let us receive our King!
Dear Lord, Thank you for knowing my needs, sending Your Son and creating a way to reach me. This Christmas, please help me quiet my frustrations and busy to-do list and listen to Your song. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? by Brenda Poinsett
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement.
Application Steps:
Write down the names of two people to pray for this Christmas season. Pray that they will hear the message of the carols this season, and realize the full grace extended to them through Jesus Christ.
Reflection Points:
In a busy setting have you ever stopped to listen to what is being said
around you?
What is your joy level today?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."(NIV)
Matthew 6:8, "for your Father knows what you need..." (NIV)
1 Timothy 1:15, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (NIV)
© 2008 by Katie Cottle. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 2, 2008
Handling Daily Frustrations
Lysa TerKeurst
"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop" Luke 8:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently, I had a conversation with a customer service agent. I use the words "customer service" very loosely. There was not a lot of concern over me being a faithful customer nor any expressions of service.
Let's just say, I wasn't feeling the love. I remained calm, but it seriously took everything in me to do so.
I know the lady on the other end of the phone was just following procedure, but I wasn't getting anywhere with a very simple request. It made no sense. It wasn't right. And it certainly did nothing to make me fond of this particular company.
Later on, I started thinking about the woman on the other end of the line. After my call, she probably moved on to the next frustrated customer. And then the next. And then the next. Suddenly, I felt so sorry for her. I decided it wasn't her desire to not be able to help me. She was truly just following the orders of the higher-ups at her company.
I imagined her packing up her things at the end of another long day and heading home. A home where she is having to face her own daily aggravations and frustrations. That's when it hit me. While on the phone, I never pictured her as a person really. To me, she was just a voice on the other end of the phone that was causing me extreme frustration.
How might my reaction have been different if I'd stopped to think about her as a woman just like me? ...What might it be like to be her, to live her life, and to have to go to her job everyday?
I decided God was trying to get my attention to be more aware of those around me, those that He loves dearly. Those that I, sadly, sometimes don't even see. In Luke 8:15 Jesus reminds us, "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." I want Jesus' message to fall on a heart that is humble and fertile enough to:
Receive God's word...
Retain God's instruction, and...
Reflect God's character in both my action and reactions.
When I stop to think about this I am challenged. Whether I am talking with a frustrating customer service representative that I don't know or interacting with those I know and love, I must work towards being a woman who displays godly character. Just like Luke 8:15 encourages, whether I'm having a frustrating conversation or a friendly one, may God's messages of truth have such an impact on me that my heart remains noble and good.
Dear Lord, It is easy to honor You with my carefully thought through actions but, sometimes much harder with my reactions. Even when I'm caught off guard, may Your love and patience be the spillover from my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for an exciting Christmas Give Away today!
Do You Know Him?
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Use this formula for studying God's word this week:
Receive God's word ... write out the verses you want to focus on.
Retain God's instruction ... memorize and internalize the truths you've been studying.
Reflect God's character in both my action and reactions ... focus on practicing the truths you've been learning.
Reflections:
This week as you interact with many people, how can you prepare your heart for reactions that honor God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:30-31, "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 3, 2008
I Can't Believe My Husband Feels Dishonored
Renee Swope
"Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest." Esther 1:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
My son Andrew was having a rough afternoon; he was tired, he'd been disappointed by a friend and he had homework. He tried to hide the tears dripping down his cheeks as he gritted his teeth and completed his worksheet.
My husband JJ was sitting across the room watching football, occasionally glancing over at our son and me. I thought about something fun JJ could do with Andrew to cheer him up. Then I thought about how it would encourage Andrew if his dad recognized he was upset and "engaged" with him.
That wasn't happening. So, I invited JJ into the situation by suggesting he turn off the TV and come talk with Andrew. At this point, I was not thinking very honoring thoughts towards my husband. It got messy. JJ felt insulted. I felt frustrated. Finally JJ said, "Tell me what you want me to do."
So I did. Andrew loved my idea to go do something fun with his dad. In minutes, his homework was done. His tears were gone, and so was my husband. JJ was very frustrated. It wasn't because he had to miss football. It wasn't even what I said. It was how I said it. He felt dishonored by the timing and tone of my words. I couldn't believe he felt dishonored. I felt so misunderstood!
I calmed down and thought more about what had happened. I remembered that JJ's preference is for me to call him into another room away from our kids when I don't agree with him. He's also asked me to share my thoughts in a non-critical tone. It was very hard to admit, but I knew God wanted me to honor my husband's perspective and preferences.
Just a few months ago God had taught me the importance of honoring my husband through the story of Esther. Esther was chosen by the king to be his new wife because his first wife, Vashti, dishonored him. The king's advisers insisted the king remove the queen from her throne because they were afraid her decision to dishonor the king would influence other wives to dishonor their husbands.
That passage reminded me that, although I may not influence a whole kingdom, my daily decisions are far-reaching. As wives, our words, actions and attitudes towards our husbands influence many. We influence the kind of women our sons will marry. We influence how our daughters will speak to their husbands. We influence how our friends might talk to their husbands after hearing how we talk to ours.
So, now I had the opportunity to apply this truth to my marriage. I have to admit it wasn't easy. My pride insisted that I had the best of intentions. I thought so highly of my husband that I wanted him to be the one to speak into Andrew's hurts and right whatever was wrong.
Maybe Vashti had good intentions. Maybe she was trying to prove what seemed like a good point, but it lead to her downfall. Whatever the case, a bigger point was proven: a wife's influence is far reaching when she dishonors her husband.
I couldn't change what I'd done that day. But I could change how it was impacting my little kingdom. With God's help I told JJ, "I'm sorry for dishonoring you," and I said it in front of my sons. My pride was hard to swallow, but it went down a little easier knowing that honoring my husband honors God, and also influences my sons who I hope will one day look for wives who will honor them, too.
Dear Lord, I want to be a woman who honors my husband, but it's hard when that means giving up my desire to be right. Help me to honor You, my husband and others in my thoughts, actions, words and decisions. I pray that my life would have a Godly influence on those around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
Visit Renee's Blog for practical ways to honor your husband and strengthen your marriage.
Application Steps:
Ask God if you need to adjust the timing or tone of your words to honor your husband, your parents, your kids, your friends, or someone else.
Talk to your husband about what makes him feel most honored.
Reflections:
Do I need to apologize for any thing I've done or said that dishonored my husband, or someone else in my life?
Power Verses:
Romans 15:5, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement, give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus ..." (NIV)
© 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 4, 2008
Credit Crunch or Christmas Contentment?
By Lynn Cowell
"Owe no one anything except to love one another for he who loves another
has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8 (NKJV)
Devotion:
The TV blared the news: the economy is tightening and a credit crunch will definitely affect Christmas spending this year.
Credit card companies are lowering credit limits and raising interest rates. Gone are the days of zero percent interest for your first few months on a newly opened card. As I watched the news, I imagined many families would share similar concerns of mine. Will we have enough money to celebrate and give Christmas gifts? Can we be content with less than usual? Is there any possibility this could be a good thing?
Overspending during the holiday season winds up being a joy-robber. Many of us spend our December evenings and weekends searching frantically for that perfect gift or worrying over keeping everything "equal" (this is my personal worry with my three kids). The more I shop, the more I spend, and the less joyful I become. Sometimes, I find myself wishing the holidays would hurry up, get here and get over! There has got to be a better way to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Isn't there?
Yes, there is! Romans 13:8 encourages us to owe no one anything except love. This verse brought to mind my sister's special Christmas last year. Her family practiced the very gifts of love this verse speaks about. They all chose one family member to buy a gift for. In addition to this gift, they wrote a letter of love to the receiver. Their letters included words of encouragement and appreciation. They asked for forgiveness of past wounds and sought renewed relationship with one another.
My sister told me that reading these letters outloud before they opened gifts brought tears of love, healing, and restoration. She never gave the gifts a second thought after this wonderful experience. As the tears flowed from her family, in her heart she celebrated their best Christmas. The boxes may have been the fewest ever, but the love was the most! She was content.
My sister inspired me. How can I encourage my family to focus on spreading God's love to each other and those we come in contact with this holiday? How can I encourage others not to "keep up with the Joneses," but instead to "keep up" with Jesus' idea of extravagantly given love?
How about your family as this Christmas season approaches? Is the tight economy exactly what your family needs to prompt you to rein in your traditional spending and refocus this year? I know it is for me and my family.
Dear Lord, may the tough times so many of us are experiencing financially, point us back to You. Help me hear Your voice this season and truly demonstrate what this precious holiday is all about. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes
Pampering Gifts: Crafting a Ministry of Treating People Well for Less by Lara Krupicka
See Dave Ramsey's website for sound financial advice.
Application Steps:
Sit down with your spouse and make a strategy for staying within a budget this Christmas. Check out financial expert Dave Ramsey's website. Follow this link and scroll down to find special savings on his "Budgeting Bundle."
Can you plan one gift for each of your children that costs very little, but says so much about how you love them?
Sit down with your kids and set the expectation for this Christmas if it is different than what your family has experienced in the past.
Reflections:
What motivates me to give at Christmas more than I can afford?
What is one thing I would like to receive this year that money can't buy? Is this something I can give to another?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." (NIV)
Proverbs 19:23, "The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble." (NIV)
Job 36:11, "If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment." (NIV)
© Lynn Cowell 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 5, 2008
Hope for the Holidays
Micca Campbell
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Devotion:
God gave each of us what we needed most--a Savior to save us from ourselves. Therefore, the holiday season should be a time of cheer. For some, however, it can be lonely and depressing. While the days leading up to Christmas should be filled with peace, joy, and hope, sadness over past mistakes can hover like clouds on a rainy day. We all have a tendency to define ourselves by what we have or haven't done.
We tend to label ourselves by our past mistakes, and then we wear these labels as if there were no alternative. Failure; Unfaithful; Unfit Parent; Liar; Gossip; Addicted; Bitter.
The Bible tells us that as a person thinks, so they become. Therefore, if you want to live an unhealthy life, you can. If you want to punish yourself, you will. However, being self-destructive is not God's plan for your life. In fact, to think this way is to see yourself outside of God's saving grace.
That's why the Christmas season offers such hope ... because God gave us what we needed most--a Savior to save us from ourselves. The key to putting your past behind you, and moving forward with a bright and hopeful future, is to accept Christ's forgiveness for you.
You'll find it comforting to know that you are not alone in your troubles. The Bible tells us, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NIV). That means there is not one perfect person in the entire world. We have all made mistakes. I know I've made my share. Still, no matter how hard we try to do everything right on our own, we can't. So God gave His only Son as payment for our sins. In other words, Christ paid our debt. This payment is a gift of God which He freely offers to you and me.
The awesome thing is, we don't have to earn this gift. Through Christ's death on the cross, God simply says, "Your sins are paid in full."
All you and I have to do to receive His forgiveness is to agree with God about our sins. You might say something like this in prayer. Yes, God, I did that thing ... I receive your free gift of forgiveness for the wrong I have done, and I accept heaven as my eternal home. Cleanse me and change my life. Fill me with your love, hope, joy and peace.
If you sincerely mean what you've confessed, then you have been forgiven. Your slate is clean. God remembers your sins no more. It is as if they never were. That's the good news of Christmas and the open doorway to peace!
The next thing you must do is forgive yourself. You will stay in bondage if you continue to label yourself as a bad or unworthy person for what you have done instead of focusing on the changes God can bring about in you. You must stop defining yourself by your past and read the Bible to learn how God defines His people.
Just think; this could be a Christmas where you experience real peace, joy, and forgiveness. It's why Christ was born ... to set you free.
Dear Lord, I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose from the grave to forgive my sins and secure me a place in heaven. Come into my life and take control. Forgive all my sin and help me to forgive others. I'm now turning from my sin and I trust You alone for my salvation. Fill me with your love and peace, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores a Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Micca's Blog
Application Steps:
Whenever you start to define yourself by your past, recite Philippians 4:8 ... "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things"(NIV).
Reflections:
Do you define yourself by your past mistakes?
Do you define others by their past mistakes?
What steps can you take to forgive yourself or others?
Power Verses:
Psalms 51:2, "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (NIV)
Mathew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" (NIV)
© 2008 Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
December 8, 2008
Burnt Snowmen
Susanne Scheppmann
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands."
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
The snowmen dressed in red mufflers and black stovepipe hats stood cheerily on the dining room table. Amidst all the Christmas decorations, their presence brought the most oohs and ahs. Everyone at the party asked my friend, "Where did you buy them?"
I smiled. I had bought the snowmen candles for my friend as her Christmas gift. I thought to myself, "You did well!"
A group of us chatted around the dining room table, nibbling on sugar cookies. Holiday gaiety floated through the room. We laughed together until, all of sudden, I noticed smoke emitting from all three of the wax snowmen candles. Before I could speak, flames spewed up and out of the stovepipe hats. The candles burst into flames, igniting the other table decorations! My friend shrieked for help. Her husband, a firefighter by profession, ran into the room and doused the candles with the bowl of fruit punch that sat on a side table.
We sat in shocked silence. Instead of feeling pride over my gift, I hung my head in embarrassment. Now everyone wanted to know where I had purchased the fire hazard, because they didn't want to buy anything of the same nature!
The apostle Paul encourages us "...to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you ..." (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV). Much like the candles burst into flames from a catalyst within, our gifts are to burst forth through the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Our God-given gifts are to be used to bless others.
Maybe you're thinking, "That's great for others, but I don't have any gifts to share." My friend, God's Word promises "...each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that" (1 Corinthians 7:7, NIV). I encourage you to seek the Lord and ask Him to show you what gifts He's placed within you.
Consider Romans12:6-8, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (NIV).
So what spiritual gift do you have that Christ wants you to use this Christmas season? I encourage you to allow your spiritual gifts to burn brightly during the Advent Season. And, as we fan our gifts into flames, let's pray that others will see and recognize the glory of the Most High God.
Dear Lord, Thank You for giving me spiritual gifts. Please show me the gifts You've placed within me. Teach me how to use my gifts so that others may see You and desire to know You more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Giver of gifts?
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
Walk With Me Today Lord by Emilie Barnes
Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-30; Romans 12:3-8; and Ephesians 11-13. Read the Power Verses below and search your concordance for scriptures that speak of spiritual gifts. Then ask the Lord to reveal your personal spiritual gifts.
Reflections:
Do I know what my spiritual gifts are?
How do I utilize the gifts that God has given to me?
Am I fanning my gifts into flame to burn brightly for the glory of God?
Power Verses:
Exodus 35:31, "And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:10, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (NASB)
© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
December 9, 2008
Let It Be With Me Just As You Say
Wendy Blight
"Yes, I see it all now: I am the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me just as you say." Luke 1:38 (MSG)
Devotion:
Have you read the Christmas story yet this season? Join me today for a fresh look at this familiar story.
In Luke's first chapter, he introduces us to a young woman named Mary. We can glean from the gospels that she was an ordinary girl, much like you and me. Scripture tells us she was betrothed to a man named Joseph. Luke does not tell us much about her every day life, but we can beleive one thing...Mary knew and loved God. How do we know this? By the truths taught in her story.
In one moment in time, this ordinary girl who lived an ordinary life came face to face with an extraordinary God. The angel Gabriel greeted Mary with these words: "You will become pregnant and give birth to a Son and call His name Jesus. He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.'"
Mary asked Gabriel how this would happen since she had never slept with a man. He answered that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, hover over her, and place the child within her. He then told her, "...the child you bring forth will be called Holy, Son of God."
Considering the immediate impact this message would have on Mary's ordinary life -- she'd have to explain to her family and her fiancé that she was pregnant -- her response is powerful and such a witness for you and me. She told Gabriel, "Yes, I see it now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say." How could she have so quickly and easily put aside all that this surprising proclamation would mean and surrender her will to God's?
How did Mary come to that place? I believe that in her journey up to that point there were many small steps of obedience where she had experienced and witnessed God's faithfulness. Perhaps places where she said, "Yes, Lord," even when it was difficult or did not make sense. Choosing to say "yes" on ordinary days prepared her heart to say "yes" on this extraordinary day!
You and I have those ordinary moments in our lives too ... moments that in and of themselves do not seem significant but when weaved together create a heart of obedience. One day God will ask us to trust Him for something extraordinary. Where will our heart be? Will we be ready to say "yes" to God, even when what He is asking seems impossible?
My prayer for you and for me is that we use this day to prepare our hearts for those moments when our extraordinary God will invite us to join Him on an extraordinary journey. Say "yes" to Him today.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are my Savior and Redeemer. I pray I would know and trust You the way Mary did. Would You give me a heart of obedience and help me to say "yes" in the small, every day decisions? In the busyness of this season, please remind me to humble myself before You and hear Your voice. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and make Your Presence known in real and powerful ways. Help me to be faithful in the ordinary, and in that, prepare me for the extraordinary. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know this extraordinary God? If not, click here to learn more about Him
Pre-order your copy of Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight (available February 2009)
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Move Me Aside by Lindsey Kane
Application Steps:
Spend some time alone with God this Christmas season, asking Him to reveal Himself to you in very personal ways. Pray for opportunities to say "yes." Listen for Him to speak. Expect to hear Him and expect great things to happen as you obey what you hear.
Reflections:
Is something in your life keeping you from saying "yes" to God? Will you trust God with whatever it is? Ask Him to help you surrender it to Him so that you can discover the extraordinary and wonderful things God has in store for your life.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (NIV)
Mark 11:24, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (NIV)
© 2008 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 10, 2008
God Does Not Make Mistakes
Lara L. O'Brien, She Speaks Graduate
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
Devotion
Have you ever felt like one of those toys from the Land of the Misfit Toys in "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer?" Boy, I sure have! Growing up, an overwhelming sadness haunted me. Inferiority and worthlessness were constant companions and I wondered if God had been sleeping on the job when He created me. Those feelings manifested themselves in a deep depression.
By the time I was a teenager, anorexia consumed me and I was determined to destroy myself. Because my life felt so out of control I needed something I could control. In my case, it was what I did or did not put in my mouth.
Years spent in my anorexic prison molded my self-image into one of self-hatred. Why would anyone want to be with me? Why am I here? Do I even want to live anymore? These were just a few of the questions that constantly bounced around in my head. Feeling like a square peg in a round hole, I quite honestly wanted to die. The pain of day-to-day living was so hard for me.
Despite being surrounded by amazing family and friends who loved me, I believed many things that were not true. I whole-heartedly believed I was a mistake. I believed I could get the affirmation I desired from guys, most whom were abusive towards me. I believed I was worth nothing and deserved the hits, scratches, and horrible, hateful words. I thought they were my rightful punishment.
Growing up I believed something else too...I believed in God. But did I believe Him? Did I believe all His wonderful promises were meant for me personally? Did I believe God could love me when I was such an absolute mess?
After years of depression, suicide attempts, abusive dating relationships, and starvation, I had an encounter with my Savior. I met God with my pain and messy, mixed-up life and He met me with His love and acceptance. He showed me I was His child, made in His own image. The Lord also led me to an amazing Christian counselor. Revisiting my painful past through counseling was a hard journey, but well worth it. I felt God's infinite healing and love for me, and for the first time I began to believe that God had a plan and a purpose for my life.
The Lord is now using my life and experiences for His good. I have a passion to minister His healing and love through written and spoken words to those who suffer or have suffered as I did. How about you? Are you hurting? Do you feel worthless and like you do not matter? Please don't. You are not a misfit toy.
A friend once told me that if God had a refrigerator, my photo would be on it. Your picture would too! God loves you so much and created you in His beautiful image. His Word says you are made with love. Choose today to believe it.
Dear Lord, I pray for those who are hurting and who believe that they do not matter. Please meet them in the middle of their pain, and shower Your love and affection over them. Thank You that You created all of us in Your wonderful image. You never make mistakes. We praise You for that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Healer of All Wounds?
Your Scars are Beautiful to God by Sharon Jaynes
Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
1. Dive into God's Word...His love letter to you, His child. Let His love for you
pour off the pages into your heart.
2. Keep a journal. Writing is a wonderful way to express your feelings.
3. Talk to God...He loves you and wants to hear from you.
4. Seek godly professional help if you need it. Please do not feel ashamed to do that.
Reflections:
What experience or situation caused you to feel the way that you do (or did) about yourself?
In light of God's Word, do you now believe how special you are to Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:13-14, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
1 Timothy 4:4, "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." (NIV)
Colossians 1:16, "For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lara L. O'Brien. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 11, 2008
Does God Really Care about Me?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." Psalm 61:1-4 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever feel lonely?
Recently, I was at an event full of people. Everyone else seemed gabby and like they were effortlessly making easy connections with others. I just felt out of sorts. Someone had said something to me earlier that day that hurt my feelings and knocked me off kilter. It was one of those, "I would really like to be at home alone, in a bubble bath, eating something chocolate" kind of nights. But I had to go to this outing, so here I was -- feeling lonely.
My shifting emotions caused me to get in such a down state, I even started wondering if God cared about me.
I politely smiled my way through the evening, and finally got to go home. As I crawled into bed that night, I asked Jesus, "Why am I letting some thoughtless comment made by someone affect me like this?"
There was no deep explanation. There was no Bible verse that instantly popped into my head. There was no sudden rush of peace through my heart. Only a very gentle reminder in the depths of my soul that Jesus loves me - insecurities and all.
Jesus loves me, that simple little song I learned all those years ago. Very simple, yet so powerfully profound, that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am. Friends can't make you feel accepted all the time. Accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure. Having lots of people around you does not mean you won't ever feel lonely. And chocolate, while it is deliciously distracting, is just a little too temporary.
So, I turn to the One who is Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel - God with us. I draw close to Him so He can help me separate solid truth from shifting emotion.
See if you can identify with any of the shifting emotions listed below. Then, rejoice as you read God's solid truths upon which we can find a firm place to stand and a sure place to park our feelings.
Shifting Emotion:
I don't always feel noticed by other people. Everyone just seems to be wrapped up in their own lives. Sometimes I even wonder if God notices me.
Solid Truth:
God not only notices us, He is with us at all times. We are to keep ourselves in God's love whether we feel Him or not. By praying, and filling our minds with God's truth, His love will grow in us and through us. Then we won't be so consumed with wanting others to notice us. We will become people who notice others and let God's love shine on them. Jude 1:20-21, "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (NIV)
Shifting Emotion:
I don't feel very loved. Therefore, I don't feel like being very loving towards others.
Solid Truth:
We are dearly loved by God. His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don't feel like it. Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (NIV)
Shifting Emotion:
Does God really care about this situation I'm in?
Solid Truth:
God is with us. As we cry out to Him, we are reminded of His help. Proverbs 61:1-4, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." (NIV)
Dear Lord, Help me rid my mind and heart of the doubts shifting emotions cause, and be filled with only Your solid truths. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to enter to win a resource package
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Print these solid truths off and carry them with you. When shifting emotions start to tug at your heart, be reminded of God's truths that can turn around any situation.
Reflections:
What are some other verses that might specifically apply to areas of struggle for you right now?
How might it help to keep these verses close at hand and reflect on them often?
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:24-25, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 12, 2008
Anne's Devotion
Wendy Pope
"Nicodemus said, "But if a person is already old, how can he be born again?"
John 3:4 (NCV)
Devotion:
If there was ever a woman who fully displayed the hope of Jesus, it was my dear friend Anne Belk. Anne was a beautiful wife, caring mother, and gifted woman in ministry. Around Proverbs 31 Ministries, she was not only a beloved board member but she was also an inspiration to us all. Earlier this year, Anne received the fulfillment of her promise of eternal life. She went to be with Jesus after a painful battle with cancer. This month Anne would be celebrating her 46th birthday.
Even through her illness, Anne spent her life living with an eternal point of view. She did not focus solely on her own promise of eternal life. Anne longed for others to receive the gift of eternal life too and celebrate their own spiritual birthday. Her ways of sharing her faith were quiet and gentle, yet powerful and significant. Her influence carries on. It is the reason for this devotion, to celebrate Anne's devotion to her Savior. Anne had the hope she carried because she was born again.
Like Nicodemus in today's key verse, perhaps you are asking, "How can a person be born again?" Being born again simply means you experience a spiritual rebirth. Maybe you are making it more personal, "How can I, a woman with my past, be born again?" Maybe you believe the guilt of your past is too much. Or, that the Lord won't welcome you because of sin in your life. Friend, these are lies.
It is because of God's grace we can be born again. Grace is the unmerited kindness of God. This free gift was demonstrated on the cross, when God gave His only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for your sin. He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that you might live free from the bondage of your past sin, the stronghold of present sin, and the allure of future sin. Later in today's key passage Jesus tells Nicodemus this, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NLT).
Eternal life is our spiritual birthday gift from God when we are born again. How do we receive this gift? By following what God tells us in His Word: confess and believe. His Word says "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NIV).
As we celebrate our dear friend Anne today, we'd like to share a part of her eternal point of view,
"I woke up in the middle of the night Wednesday singing, 'This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.' I had not heard that song in a month or two so I know it was God reminding me of it. It is so important for us to recognize God's power. It is so important for us to recognize the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit is the light shining within us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us that light can be seen by others. They see it in the deeds we do...in our attitudes... in the way we share the gospel...in our care of others.... in the truths we speak...in our longing to be closer to Christ...in our desire to do His will. And the wonderful thing about letting our own light shine is that it encourages others to do the same.
(Excerpted from Anne's journal, used with permission.)
Anne would have no greater joy than knowing that our celebration of her physical birthday led to the celebration of your spiritual birthday. Today is your day! Will you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart He came to save you?
Dear Lord, Thank You for the promise of a future full of peace and contentment and free of pain and suffering. That You would sacrifice Your only Son for me takes my breath away. It is my desire to live my life allowing Your light to shine through me so that all may be drawn to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Application Steps:
We would love to celebrate this day with you. Please follow this link to share with us your decision to be born again, or to recommit your life to Christ.
Perhaps you already have the light Anne spoke of but you know someone who does not. Would you consider shining your light by forwarding this email to them? Like Anne, you can let your light shine and share the gospel.
Reflections:
How do I let the light of the Lord shine through me?
What can I do to show my devotion to God?
Power Verses:
Acts 13:38, "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." (NIV)
Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
© 2008 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 15, 2008
Sitting in the Middle of My Mess
Glynnis Whitwer
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." Luke 10:38-39 (NIV)
Devotion:
I tend to consider myself a "Martha" type personality. And I don't mean Martha Stewart. By this time in December, that Martha probably has her hand-made cards mailed out, 10 batches of candy made and gift-wrapped, and her entire home decorated.
No, I'm nothing like Martha Stewart. In fact, last year I didn't even manage to decorate the tree. It got put up and because it was pre-lit, it had lights. I managed to put a few gifts under it before Christmas. That only happened because my dear children kept looking at me with those big hopeful eyes, asking when I was going to wrap SOMETHING. But that was it.
Last Christmas ended one of the most stressful years of my life. I'm thankful nothing devastating happened to my family. But the demands on my time exceeded my available time. When that happens, I get behind ... on everything. So I spend lots of time just trying to keep my head above water.
Back to being a Martha. If you know the Luke chapter 10 story of Martha and her sister Mary, that's the Martha I'm talking about. And it's not a flattering comparison. That Martha had the privilege of hostessing Jesus. Jesus actually came to her house. Instead of sitting at His feet like her sister Mary did, Martha worked and actually complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping her enough.
Jesus gently chided Martha, and affirmed Mary's choice to sit and spend time with Him in the middle of all the work that had to be done. I remember the day clearly last December when I decided to follow Mary's example and sit in the middle of my mess to spend time with Jesus.
Normally, I feel as if everything has to be clean before I can "treat" myself to some down time. I believe I have to have the dishes clean, counters cleared, urgent emails addressed, laundry going, home-based business checked for orders, etc. Normally, by the time I've done all that, something else has demanded my attention, and my time with Jesus is neglected - much like what happened to Martha.
But not that day. That day I sat at the kitchen table and looked at my mess. It was big. There were papers strewn over every surface, a lunch box left on the counter from the day before, breakfast dishes everywhere, jackets from yesterday, blankets that had been left on the couch, dog fur forming balls, and the list went on. I had to fight my instinct to get up. And I won.
I sat in the middle of my mess, and spent time with Jesus. I pictured Him sitting across the table from me. It was pure pleasure ... and the mess amazingly faded from my view. My stress melted away, and I felt renewed.
This Christmas, whether you've gotten your house decorated or not, whether you've mailed out cards or not ... Jesus has come to your house for a visit. I had such a good time sitting in the middle of my mess with Jesus last year, I'm planning on doing it again. Will you join us?
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to be a companion during my hectic days. Help me to remember that peace can only be found when I choose to set aside the pressing demands of my life, and quiet myself with You. Teach me to look for Jesus' presence in the middle of my mess. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? by Brenda Poinsett
Do You Know Jesus?
Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman, Kelly Hovermale and Trish Smith
Visit Glynnis's blog
Application Steps:
Identify 30 minutes sometime this week when you normally would be working -- then commit to spending that time with Jesus.
Reflections:
What are some of the hurdles you face when trying to find a quiet time with God?
This month, what practices can you implement to recognize Jesus' presence in your home?
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:7a, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him ..." (NIV)
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (NIV)
© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 16, 2008
Are You Ready for the Holidays?
By Van Walton
"What matters is not your outer appearance... but your inner disposition."
1 Peter 3:1 (MSG)
Devotion:
This year I am tempted to keep a close count of the number of times I hear the question, "Are you ready for the holidays?"
What does that mean exactly? If I were to guess what people mean when they ask one another if they are "ready for the holidays," I would say most are not talking about spiritual readiness. I bet what they typically mean is, "Have you made a list of all the stuff you need to do before the 25th and have you checked it off?"
Usually the answer that follows is a long list of to-do's before Christmas day. Baking, sending Christmas cards, buying and wrapping gifts, hiding presents from the children, or delivering them to neighbors, choir or play practice, preparing for guests, or preparing to travel. My list also often includes planning and attending parties, house cleaning, and finally -- my favorite -- decorating.
I wonder, if Jesus were making a holiday preparations list, what would He include? What if those who were there on Christ's birth day could advise us on getting ready for Christmas? What would be on their list?
Joseph might recommend we listen closely to the voice of God to prepare.
Mary may suggest we ponder the miracles of heaven.
Perhaps the angels would propose we sing about the King.
The shepherds may gently guide us to follow their act of worship.
Possibly the wise men would teach us to give Jesus our most valuable gifts.
The innkeeper may suggest "Hospitality: open your heart and home."
And Jesus' list would likely encourage us to be a light on the hill pointing the way for others to know Him.
Comparing my to-do list to the ones above, I wonder if I lived at that time, would I have missed Christ's birth? Would my busyness have kept me from slowing down to take time to worship in the stable? Unfortunately I have "missed" many Christmases in the here and now because I've not slowed down long enough to bow my knees and experience the miracle.
I want Christmas for my family to be more about an act of worship and awe than a frenzy to decorate, shop, and jump through the world's hoops. I don't want to miss the true reason we celebrate.
A few years ago I set out to purposefully plan the way I celebrate. As a result, my Christmases have become increasingly simpler and at the same time my heart has become increasingly more satisfied.
Are you ready for the holidays?
Father, Thank You for sending Your son to point the way to You. Please remind me that preparing my heart for You is more satisfying than any other preparations I could make. Simple and pure devotion to You is what makes this season so special. Help me balance my time and keep my focus on You this year. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Advent: Making Christmas About Christ by Lisa Robertson
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
Visit Van's blog
Application Steps:
In addition to reading the Christmas story in the New Testament click here to read about the prophecies that gave hope to the Old Testament generations.
Reflections:
What traditions can I develop for myself and my family that will keep Jesus as the focal point of Christmas?
What holiday practices might I eliminate in order to create a more worshipful and meaningful Christmas?
Power Verses:
I Peter 3:15a, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." (NIV)
2008 Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
December 17, 2008
Four Special Gifts
Tracie Miles
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
I love everything about the holiday season, and Christmas morning is no exception. As I watch my family members excitedly unwrap their gifts, I find myself truly understanding the meaning of the phrase, "It is better to give than to receive."
As much as I love giving gifts, I admit that I love receiving them too! I can't help but be excited about a pretty box with a big bow with my name scribbled on the tag. Recently I began thinking about all the gifts that God gives me throughout the year, and then realized that I often forget to thank Him for those gifts.
Our key verse today really wraps up the true meaning of Christmas. In this one little verse we are given four amazing gifts. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we got as excited about the gifts of God, as we do the gifts under our tree?
The first of these gifts is love. God loves us more than we can imagine - more than we can love our children, our spouses, or our family. He loves us with a measure of love we cannot understand. For some, the holidays are a difficult time. They may bring feelings of loneliness and being unloved more than any other time of the year. Through this verse, we learn the magnitude of God's love.
The second gift is His son; His only begotten son Jesus Christ. God not only gave Jesus in birth to live as man, but to die as man as well. He gave the gift of Jesus' life as our example, and the gift of payment for our sins through His death. He paid the ultimate penalty so that our slates are wiped clean in heaven.
The third is the gift of faith. We can believe in Him -- for life, for love, and for the power to overcome. Power to overcome even death. This gift requires trust, and helps us get through every day, every circumstance, and every period of trouble. It is a gift that offers a holy hand to hold and a holy shoulder to cry on. A gift that holds the answers of hope and joy.
The fourth and most precious gift is the gift of eternal life. This gift promises a secure future: a life after death, free of pain and suffering. It is a gift we do not deserve, can never repay, and will not fully understand or appreciate until we are face to face with Jesus for eternity.
If you handpicked a special gift for someone and they pushed it aside or discarded it, I imagine your feelings would be hurt, as would mine. I wonder how God feels when He gives mankind these four priceless gifts and so many choose not to accept them?
As we celebrate the holidays, we'll get excited about presents, even though eventually most of those gifts will be forgotten, broken, or discarded. But God's gifts never expire, never spoil, never break, and never perish. The gifts of heavenly love, a Savior, faith and abundant eternal life are given to each one of us. We have the choice to unwrap and enjoy them or push them aside.
God has four special gifts for you this holiday, and on the tag your name is written in red. Will you remember to unwrap these gifts this season?
Dear Lord, Forgive me for taking for granted the amazing gifts that You have blessed me with in life, and for eternity. I praise You for who You are, and for being so willing to pour Your gifts into my life when I humbly reach out to You. Help me remember that You truly are the reason for this season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence message on CD or DVD by Renee Swope
For more holiday encouragement, visit Tracie's blog
Application Steps:
Wrap four empty boxes in red, and on the gift tags write "From God." Put them under your tree to help you remember the most special gifts this Christmas.
If you never have accepted Jesus as your Savior, click here to find out how you can open and accept His special gifts today?
Reflections:
Am I more concerned with about sharing gifts from the store, or sharing the gifts of God?
Power Verses:
Romans 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (NIV)
© 2008 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 18, 2008
Gold, Incense, and Myrrh
Marybeth Whalen
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
Whether you grew up in church or not, you've probably heard the story of the three wise men placing gifts before the baby Jesus, throwing their own little royal baby shower. Christmas carols tell of it and many a Christmas pageant has featured children with crowns askew, tottering in with their royal gifts.
Yet far from soft blue blankets and a selection of baby toys, these three kings brought seemingly odd gifts for the tiny Savior. They placed at His feet gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Bible doesn't tell us what Mary and Joseph did with Jesus' gifts, but I have to wonder. Unless she understood what they meant, I can almost picture Mary saying, "Wow, umm, thanks. I know just where I'll put these!"
I recently learned that each of these gifts has a symbolic meaning. When we study these meanings, the wise men's gifts take on much greater significance, a significance that is at once sobering and amazing.
Gold has always been a symbol of royalty. This gift signaled the wise men's understanding of who this child was, and how we should receive Him. Because of this child, we are transformed from lowly paupers to royalty seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). He had to leave the perfection and grandeur of heaven in order to walk among us, trading His royalty for a time, but never losing His deity.
Incense was a symbol of His purity. Because He was born sinless and lived a perfect life, Jesus was that perfect lamb, without blemish, offered up for our sins. Incense was used as a fragrant offering to God. But the beauty of the scent couldn't be released without being touched by fire. Jesus' life became a fragrant offering through the flames of affliction. And in His death, we receive His purity.
Myrrh symbolized death, as it was used for embalming in those times. Nothing says "congratulations on the birth of your baby" like a little symbolic death! As these men laid this odd collection of gifts at the feet of this child, a little shiver had to have run down His mother's spine when that last one was placed before Him. Already Lord? She had to be thinking. Do I have to start letting Him go already? But I suspect Mary knew that to accomplish His purposes on earth, Jesus' life had to end. And now as we seek to follow Him, our lives have to end as He asks us to die to self and to take up our cross and follow Him.
Have you ever asked yourself why the wise men chose those gifts? While we will never know for sure this side of heaven, I think it's because they listened to God. He directed them to bring these gifts as an outward statement of Jesus' ultimate purpose. Each one points to suffering and death that ultimately leads to transformation. Jesus didn't come to earth to be born, He came to earth to die so we could be reborn.
This Christmas I pray we keep our hearts focused on the meaning in the wise men's gifts -- and give our lives to Him, just as He gave His life to us.
Dear Lord, I praise You for being willing to come here, be born in a stable and endure an agonizing death so that I might be saved. I thank You for allowing me to know You, and I pray You would keep my heart focused on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know this sweet Savior?
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (e-book) by Marybeth Whalen
Pursuing the Christ: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions for Christmastime by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
Application Steps:
In your personal quiet time, use your Bible concordance to look up additional verses on gold, purity, and dying to self. Write down a few and meditate on them this Christmas season.
Reflections:
Have you always wondered about the gifts the wise men gave the baby Jesus? Does this explanation help you grasp what their gifts said about the recipient?
How can you live your life in such a way that it is a gift to Him?
Power Verses:
Job 23:10, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (NIV)
I John 3:2, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (NIV)
Isaiah 53:12, "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 19, 2008
The Beauty of It All
Rachel Olsen
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)
Devotion:
Everywhere I go this month I take in the splendor of Christmas. Twinkling lights. Sparkly ornaments. Decorated cookies. Packages with shiny bows. Warm, spicy gourmand scents, mixed with the smell of fresh evergreen. A warm, crackling fire. Sounds of carols filling the air. Christmas is a feast for the senses!
Beauty pays a visit when we celebrate Christmas. Yet when I think back upon the story of Jesus' birth, there seems little lovely about it. The weariness of travel. No vacancy signs. A dusty manger. No running water. Smell of farm animals. The pain of childbirth. Damp, night air. Hay poking and scratching through makeshift blankets. I wonder then, why do we celebrate the day of Christ's birth with such decoration and adornment?
Then I notice how God marked the birth of His Son those thousands of years ago, and I begin to understand more about the ways we celebrate.
God heralded the arrival of His Son with a divine outdoor concert. According to the gospel writer Luke, shepherds sat on a hillside watching over their sheep that evening, when an angel of God appeared to them, surrounded by bright light. He said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12, NLT). Just as quickly as the first angel appeared, a large group of angels -- a whole choir full -- appeared. Praising God together, they declared, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests" (2:14, NLT). Suddenly our tradition of singing Christmas carols seems fitting.
God also announced the birth of His Son to the entire universe, according to the gospel writer Matthew, with a glorious new star in the sky. Millions of light years away, a massive ball of explosive gas began to blaze that day. Through it, God called wise men from far away lands to find and worship the true king. These wise men brought Him gifts: the spicy scents of frankincense and myrrh, as well as sparkling treasures of gold. Suddenly, the twinkling lights, the smell of fresh-baked gingerbread houses, and the carefully chosen gifts under the tree seem perfectly fitting.
In fact, the sharp contrast between our homes and towns at Christmas time and Jesus' first days on earth makes me realize just how humble Jesus is. It foreshadowed the entire life and ministry of this man who lived quite simply on earth, yet reigns as King of heaven.
I'm certain the most beautiful thing about that night centuries ago was the radiance that surely shined from the newborn cheeks, and twinkled through the precious eyes of that promised child. Yes, Beauty paid a visit that first Christmas, and He remains with us today. How glorious that we have become this king's temple. How splendid that our hearts become His majestic throne -- with no lights, ornaments or holly branches required.
I think I'm beginning to understand the beauty of it all.
Dear Lord, Give me eyes to see and ears to hear all the beauty that You bring into my world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Rachel's blog -- where she is posting daily advent readings.
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (e-book) by Marybeth Whalen
Creation Globe for children.
Application Steps:
Let the Christmas decorations you see carry your mind back to that night some two thousand years ago, and reflect on the beauty of God's plan for salvation.
Reflections:
How can I allow the beauty of Christ to shine through me today?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:7-8, "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 3:11-14, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God." (NLT)
© 2008 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 22, 2008
A Christmas Solo
Zoe Elmore
"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NKJ)
Devotion:
Though I'm an untrained singer, I had the privilege of singing a solo in our church's annual Christmas program for over ten years. You can imagine how thrilling it was to hear the orchestra and one hundred voices behind me as I sang "Oh Holy Night." Each and every time I sang that song, I was transported into the presence of the Lord. I felt as if my feet were leaving the ground as each note climbed higher and higher until the final crescendo. I think I now understand why angels fly as they live in God's presence!
This wonderful annual experience came to an abrupt end several years ago after an illness and medical condition removed my ability to sing. My ability, but not my desire! While my mouth can no longer sing praises very loud, my heart still soars as I squeak out the words to Handle's "Messiah." I still love to sing spiritual songs, especially those of the Christmas season.
The Lord knows this, and has given me one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received: a new inward heart-song of worship and awe. Even with such a tender and lovely present from the Holy Spirit, I'm amazed at how easily I become distracted by the shopping, parties and food of this season. The "need" to decorate and bake often shouts louder than my need to sing my heart-song. While none of these holiday preparations are bad in themselves, they can easily overshadow the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The trimmings and trappings can far too easily eclipse the true meaning of this marvelous season, stealing my new heart-song and silencing my worship.
This Christmas I have made a commitment to concentrate on celebrating the name of Jesus by continuously singing my heart-song. It is the Name we bless in times of thanksgiving; the Name we call upon in times of trouble; and, the Name that brings us the love, joy, peace and salvation we need at all times.
Will you join me in making the name of Jesus the centerpiece of your Christmas celebration this year? In the midst of the songs your mouth will sing, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the gift of a new song in your heart. A new heart-song celebrating the powerful, lovely, wonderful, life-giving, everlasting Name of Jesus! Sing forth praises to the name of Jesus today!
Dear Lord, I bow before You as my Savior, Lord and King. I ask You to help me celebrate Your presence in my life with a new heart-song of worship with You as the centerpiece. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus by name?
Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
For more ideas of celebrating Christ at Christmas visit Zoë's blog
Application Steps:
What can I change about my Christmas celebration to foster a new heart-song of worship?
Reflections:
How can I encourage my family to celebrate this Holy season with a heart-song of their own?
Power Verses:
1 John 5:11, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (NIV)
Psalm 40:3, "He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God..." (NKJV)
© 2008 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 23, 2008
Christmas JOY
Marybeth Whalen
"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
Devotion:
Presents to buy. Presents to wrap. Groceries to buy. Parties to attend. People to see. Wishes to fill. So much to do, so little time! We might have begun the Christmas season with the intent of finding joy this year, yet lost our good intentions somewhere between our children's case of the "gimmies" and the crowded parking lots at the mall. Where is the joy we sing about in all those Christmas carols? Where is the Christmas spirit we are supposed to have?
As our verse tells us today, it's not in any of those things that fill our days this time of year. It's not in the candy-streaked faces of our little children. It's not in the guilt we feel that we can't possibly see all the family we want to. It's not even in those moments of giving or serving our families. We can't manufacture joy, or create eternal pleasures, though we try so hard to. Oh, we might get glimpses of joy--but we won't experience the fullness of joy unless we immerse ourselves in God's presence.
You might be thinking, How can I do that? You haven't seen my "to do" list!
Might I offer a suggestion? Tomorrow morning, set your alarm for fifteen minutes earlier. Just fifteen. Then turn to a psalm, or a chapter in one of your favorite books of the Bible. I love the richness of Isaiah, the encounters with Jesus in John, and the wisdom in Proverbs. Ask God to help you choose what you most need to hear from Him. Then get out a journal or spiral bound notebook and write out some concerns you are having, jot down a verse that meant something to you. This is yours, so there is no right or wrong way to do it!
Next, spend a few minutes praying, marking the beginning of a conversation that will go on throughout the day. Then go and begin your day, taking God's presence with you. When stress mounts, ask Him for peace. When chaos reigns, ask Him for clarity. When anger boils, ask Him for gentleness.
I am not promising a perfect life will result. Nor am I promising instant change. What I am promising is that slowly but surely, as you build on this habit, your time with the Lord will increase out of desire for more, and your dependence on Him will too. This is not something you do out of guilt or obligation. It's not something you do to be a "good Christian," scanning the ceiling as you dutifully have your quiet time, hoping He sees you and pours out His blessings in return. Instead this is about experiencing what it means to have a "friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24, NIV). It is about knowing the joy that is only found in His presence, because you carry it with you--at Christmas, and all through the year.
Dear Lord, Thank You for helping me realize that I can't make joy happen this Christmas. Help me in the coming days to intentionally enter into Your presence, and help me find true joy when I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Recipe for Christmas JOY (e-book) by Marybeth Whalen
Share your story about spending time with God. Visit Marybeth's blog.
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Spend some time today planning for your time with God tomorrow. Anticipate and prepare for it. Gather your Bible, your notebook, a pen, a candle, and any other supplies you might want to have. Have everything in one place, waiting for your date with God. You might even want to have a special tea or flavored coffee creamer waiting for you, to make your time with God even sweeter!
Reflections:
If you are already beginning your days with God, yet still feeling overwhelmed, have you spent time praying about it? Ask God to show you ways that you can experience His presence - even when the kids are crying and the bank account is strained. Jesus promised us that in this world, we would have trouble (John 16:33, NIV), but He also promised us that He would send a Comforter to be with us (John 14:16, KJV) . Do you need to be comforted today? Ask God to supply this need, and trust Him to do it!
Power Verses:
Psalm 89:15-16, "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness." (NIV)
Hosea 6:2, "After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 24, 2008
Will They Know What it Cost?
Glynnis Whitwer
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Devotion:
My daughter Cathrine went on a field trip to the Grand Canyon last year with her fourth grade class. As I picked her up upon her return, she couldn't wait to show me an adorable little stuffed brown bear. She started to say that it was for everyone, and then her words got jumbled up as she tried to explain how she ran out of money when she was trying to buy gifts. I could see she was distressed but wasn't sure why.
To understand the rest of the story, it might help to know that Cathrine was born in Africa and experienced deprivation of every sort for the first 11 years of her life. Although she has made remarkable gains, she struggles with communication and math - especially money.
After we got home that night, I understood what Cathrine was trying to tell me about the bear. She had originally taken $20 of her own money to buy a souvenir of some kind. Before buying herself something, however, she wanted to buy some small gifts. So she started with two of her teachers and bought them each a small ring with the first initial of their last names. I looked at the price on the rings and saw each was $3.99. Times that by two, add tax, and Cathrine would have been left with $11 for other gifts and herself.
I imagine she stood at the gift store counter bewildered by what she had just done. She probably was embarrassed to ask any of her classmates for help. And maybe the teacher wasn't around. There she stood with just over half of her money left, and three brothers and a sister left to buy for. She decided to get a group gift, and that's where the bear came in.
Standing in our kitchen, looking at the three items she purchased
I smiled brightly and told her how everyone was going to love their gifts, and what wonderful purchases she made. She smiled back and the night ended well.
The next morning as she wrapped up the little rings, I kept thinking about those two teachers who were going to receive a gift. All they would see is a little silver ring. They are wonderful women and I knew they would be very loving and appreciative. But would they truly understand the sacrifice Cathrine made?
Would they understand that their gifts cost Cathrine half of what she had? Will they understand the frustration and worry it caused Cathrine as she realized she didn't have enough to buy her family gifts? Would they treasure those little rings, or would they put them in a drawer with gifts from other students throughout the year?
As I pondered these thoughts, I considered a gift I was given 2000 years ago as God sent His son into the world as a baby, knowing Jesus would die on a cross for me. Do I truly understand the sacrifice of that gift? Do I understand the anguish God the Father must have felt? Do I treasure this gift, or do I take it for granted?
Christmas is a time for celebration. It is also a time to remember God's sacrifice. For it is in understanding the cost, that we fully appreciate the gift.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You this Christmas season for the gift of Your son, Jesus. Help me to fully grasp what this gift must have cost You. As I give and receive gifts this month, help me to remember that the relationship I enjoy with You, and the eternal life I look forward to, came at a great cost. For that I am truly thankful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
A Thankful Heart by Carole Lewis
Provide educational opportunities and important life skills to a child in need through Compassion International
Visit Glynnis' blog
Application Steps:
List one thing you can do this week as a way of saying "thank you" to God for the gift of Jesus.
Reflections:
Have you ever given a gift to someone, only to have them not appreciate it? How did you feel?
Consider what it cost God to send us Jesus. What do you think was the greatest sacrifice?
Power Verses:
John 4:10, "Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'" (NIV)
2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (NIV)
© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 25, 2008
The Ultimate Gift
By Gina Parcells, She Speaks! Graduate
"... God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11b (NASB)
Devotion:
Christmas day at my house had become all about the presents. The décor, the shopping, the parties, the tree...it all culminated with those gifts when it should be culminating with the Gift. Something needed to change.
What can I do to see Jesus as a gift, and to help my family see Him as well? I wondered. A light bulb went on in my head, about the same time the light strand went out on my tree, and a plan was birthed.
Phase one: Baby Jesus was removed from the displayed nativity set. He was carefully boxed and wrapped in my fanciest paper, intentionally labeled with a specific name, and gingerly hidden under the myriad of gifts at the foot of our tree.
Phase two: During our family gift exchange on Christmas morning, the disguised gift was handed to my unsuspecting daughter, the named recipient, just one of her many gifts. It could have been an I-pod or a sweater or another book...after all, there was no host of angels announcing the valuable contents. But knowing what I knew, I watched with great anticipation as she opened it.
Phase three: A bewildered look came across her face. Haley didn't speak. I asked, "Haley, what did you get?"
"I got Jesus."
An entire family discussion ensued as we discussed the ultimate Gift in the midst of all of our other presents. We compared the gift of Jesus with other gifts that would wear out, that would be outgrown, and that would eventually lose appeal.
We began to ask and answer lots of questions such as:
What is a gift? What is the purpose of a gift? What can we know about the giver of the gift? Why might the giver choose to give a gift to you specifically?
Together, we came up with truths about God...that He gave us the Gift that we need, that we want, and that we could never afford to get for ourselves. He wrapped that Gift in a blanket and gave -- voluntarily, sacrificially, and lovingly -- to each one of us, the named recipients of His greatest Gift.
We've invited Jesus back into Christmas to take His place as the perfect Gift that never stops giving. I can hardly wait to experience today's conversation as a new family member opens the box and announces, "I got Jesus!"
Dear Lord, Too many times I have excluded You from my Christmas and been satisfied with presents and stuff. Let me not be content until I experience the gift of You in my heart. Cause me to see You as the ultimate Gift. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have You Received the Ultimate Gift?
Homespun Memories from the Heart by Karen Ehman, Kelly Hovermale and Trish Smith
You are Special Today Plate
Listen to today's radio show for more ideas of celebrating Christmas all year!
Application Steps:
Try wrapping up your nativity baby Jesus for a family member or a friend, and discuss the Gift He is during your gift exchange.
Print and store this page with your nativity set as a reminder next year to value Jesus as a gift.
Reflections:
Have you "got Jesus?"
How can I help my family to view Jesus as a gift?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 9:6, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (NASB)
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (NASB)
Romans 6:23b, "... the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
December 26, 2008
Treasured Thoughts of a Mother
By Wendy Pope
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Luke 2:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
I remember it like it was yesterday: the long-awaited arrival of my first born. Conception had evaded us for two years, so when she finally arrived and was placed in my arms, I could hardly contain myself. I counted all her fingers and toes, then inspected every inch of her soft, pink wrinkled skin.
Family and friends came from many miles away just to see our little one. As I stared at this long-awaited miracle I wondered about her life. What would it be like? The thoughts and emotions I felt were too much for words. I treasured these moments in my heart like another young mother I once read about.
This mother's name was Mary and the name of her long-awaited miracle was Jesus. Her baby was born in a stable. People heard of his birth and traveled many miles just to see her little one. She must have wondered what his life would be like. Her thoughts and emotions were too much for words. She treasured and pondered them in her heart.
Mary, a young teenage girl, was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. I have often wondered exactly what Mary knew about her son's future. Did she know he would heal the sick and raise the dead? Did she know that he would calm storms and feed the hungry? I am not sure what she knew, but according to scripture she got a glimpse into to her son's future as well as her own when she and Joseph, following Jewish custom, brought the newborn into the temple to be consecrated to the Lord. A man by the name of Simeon was in the temple that day and was moved by the Spirit to speak prophecy over the infant child.
He spoke, "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35, NASB).
I can't even imagine what this young mother thought as she heard these words prophesied about her tiny miracle. How does a mother respond to hearing the news that a sword would pierce her soul, the very soul that days earlier had treasured the wonders of the birth of her first born son? Did Mary spend her entire life wondering, "Is today the day my soul will be pierced?"
Her soul was pierced 33 short years after she pondered the first moments of her son's life. Her soul was pierced on a hill called Calvary where she was an eyewitness to the purpose of her son's life. The events that took place on that hill tell us what her son's life was all about: He was born to die. The purpose of His life was to give my life and your life purpose. For a moment, will you treasure these thoughts and ponder them in your heart?
How will you respond to the treasured thought that Jesus' death means life for you? Perhaps your thoughts are leading you to desire to call Him Savior for the first time. If so, would you let us know?
Dear Lord, I want to live a life of gratitude. Thank You for the sacrifice You made to make sure that I would spend eternity with You. Consume my thoughts today. Awaken my soul to new delight in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence CD by Renee Swope
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Join Wendy to talk more about this topic together on her blog.
Application Steps:
Re-read Luke's account of the birth of our Savior. Take your time. Treasure up all the details of the story and ponder them in your heart.
Reflections:
What does Jesus' birth mean to me?
What is my reaction to God when He calls me to do a God-sized task?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (NIV)
Luke 1:29-33, "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'" (NIV)
Luke 2:11-12, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (NIV)
2008 Wendy Pope. All Rights Reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
December 29, 2008
Cutting it Close to the Line
Karen Ehman
"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
James 1:13-15 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Impossible!! How can this be? Why, I'm certain I never crossed the line!"
Out tumbled the words from my disbelieving mouth during a recent trip with my family to nearby Illinois . My husband and I stood staring at the two left wheel wells on our family mini-van that now sat spattered with bright yellow paint. While driving through construction in the Chicago area, it seems I traveled a little too close to the freshly painted yellow line that separates traffic.
While I was keenly aware that the workers had just finished placing the sunny stripes on the pitch-black pavement, I was sure I had driven in a manner that, although closely hugged the lines, had not crossed them. Much to my dismay, when the van's tires rolled to a halt at a local rest stop, the truth was revealed. Crossed the line? No, I actually hadn't. There was no paint on the actual tires. However, my getting ever so close was enough to cause the wet paint to stick itself stubbornly to my vehicle's wheel wells resulting in a nearly neon public display of my too close behavior.
Sometimes we do the same thing with sin. Oh, we make sure we don't actually cross the line, but we dangle dangerously close to it. We toy with temptation. We wink at seduction. We let bad behavior beckon us.
Perhaps it is with our tongues as we say just enough that it borders on gossip and gets our point across, while still technically remains innocent. Maybe it is fudging a slight bit on our taxes or other financial papers. What about the books we read, the shows we watch or the sites we visit? How about "innocent" but bantering relationships forged with members of the opposite sex. Do we reason and reckon that some of these behaviors aren't "that bad," but in reality they come so close to the line that they drag us away from God. And once the dragging starts, we're hooked. Then we just might find ourselves standing in a very public way with sin spattered all over us.
Instead of asking ourselves how close we can get to the line, perhaps the opposite approach is best. We must remind ourselves just how desperately near we must stay to the Lord Jesus. So near that wandering even slightly away feels foreign, not familiar. Let's vow together to stick safely by our Savior and a world away from that nasty line of sin.
Dear Lord, Prick my heart when I begin to veer from Your perfect path and wander dangerously close to the line of sin. At those times, may I obey Your commanding voice, however still and small it may be, and rush back safely to Your side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Confession of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Pierced by the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
For more on this topic visit Karen's blog
Application Steps:
What practical actions can help me from coming too close to crossing the line of sin in my life?
Is there someone who could be my accountability partner, asking me tough questions about my seemingly secret behavior? What could I have them ask me each week? Could it be about my viewing habits, how I spend my free time or even how I relate to members of the opposite sex?
Reflections:
Is there a time in my life when I wandered so close to the line that it got me into trouble? In retrospect, how could I have handled the temptation differently?
What tempting topics covered in scripture could be beneficial for me to investigate and memorize? You can use Bible Gateway to search for verses by keyword. Then you can cement them in your mind and have them on your lips when you need to draw from your arsenal of scripture to fight temptation.
Power Verses:
I Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
Psalm 119:10-11, "With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (AMP)
© 2008 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 30, 2008
Spiritual Curfew
Tracie Miles
"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I thought my parents were from another planet. As a young teenager, I just didnt understand how they could sit at home on the weekends, which I was sure had been created for the sole purpose of endless socializing. As is the norm for most teens, I was convinced the curfews my parents had set for me were overbearing and pointless. But now I know that although I couldn't see the benefit of curfews then, my parents knew what was best for me.
Have you ever felt like God's Word has too many "don'ts" and not enough "do's"? I have heard non-believers say that being a Christian is too rule-oriented, too strict, or simply no fun. At times, this could be the viewpoint of Christians too, who are trying to live a life for Christ but finding it difficult to turn from their old ways.
For many years in my Christian life, I played by my own set of rules. I thought that God's commands were for religious fanatics. However, I now realize that early on, had I adhered to the "spiritual curfews" set out for me in God's Word, many painful experiences and bad decisions could have been avoided. As it turns out, God knew what was best for me!
If you are like I once was, you too may think that some of the biblical guidelines for Christian living are overbearing, maybe even pointless. But consider this: if parents allowed their children to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, with whomever they wanted, is it likely that they would learn right from wrong, take the right paths, and make decisions that are in their best interest? Of course not! Children need guidance, encouragement, discipline and direction from their parents. As children of God, we need those same things from our heavenly Father.
Sometimes it is hard to understand why God asks us to think a certain way, do certain things, or refrain from doing other things that are not indicative of someone living for Christ. That is where our faith must come in. Faith is our motivation to abide by the spiritual curfews that God outlines in His Word. If we doubt His reasoning, wonder why certain guidelines matter, or change the real meaning of a scripture to accommodate our own selfish purposes, then we are setting out on a path that will dishonor God and lead to sin.
What godly principal are you battling to obey today? I remember my mother telling me to choose my battles, since not every situation was worth fighting for. Living a Godly life is sometimes a battle. This is one battle we should always fight: to honor God's Word. If we believe the Bible is truth, we should follow its guidelines. In a world where moral values are crumbling around us, Christians need to fight the good fight.
Even though God's Word may sting our hearts at times, and we may feel convicted by the Holy Spirit when we do wrong, let us never forget that God truly does know what is best for us.
Dear Lord, Please give me the strength and courage to stand for what is right in Your sight, even if those around me do not agree or understand my beliefs. Help me to fight for what I believe in, and obey Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in your Life by Sarah Young
Visit Tracies' blog
Application Steps:
Read Exodus 20:1-20 and Ephesians 5.
Reflections:
Consider any things or behaviors your life that you know do not please God. Pray for strength to fight the battle of breaking that habit so that you can achieve victory over that area of your life. We'd love to pray for you! Click here to let us know how we can.
Power Verses:
Hosea 10:12, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." (NIV)
Exodus 20:20, "Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.'" (NIV)
© 2008 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 31, 2008
The Night I Lost All Hope
By Elaine Bonds, She Speaks Graduate
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Devotion:
I remember it so well -- the night I lost all hope. I had been hoping that my prodigal son was not lying to me. While I was 99% sure he was, I still clung to the 1% chance he was telling the truth. My heart simply refused to give up that final thread of hope.
As a condition of living in our home again, we asked that our 21-year old son attend a weekly support group meeting. We wanted him back home; his other living choice was not a good one. But we needed to establish boundaries, offering a safe place to live without tolerating or enabling his destructive behavior. We wanted to start rebuilding the trust we had lost. One building block was his Friday night support group meeting. Though our son said he was attending, in my heart I felt something was wrong.
One night I just had to know if he was living up to his commitment. I drove to the place where his meeting was held and my fears were confirmed: he was nowhere to be found. I went right home and waited. When he came home I asked about his meeting. "The meeting was fine. I'm tired and going to bed." I had caught him in a lie!
Hope left me and discouragement came quickly to replace it. I couldn't even confront him -- at least not yet. I needed time to wrestle with the loss of the 1% of hope. It was just a tiny bit of hope. No big loss, right? ... Wrong! That last 1% of hope is what I held onto the tightest. I was so angry and crushed. But then, God spoke. He chose a friend to speak His Words to me the very next day. She had no clue what was happening with our son. She just prayed what God prompted her -- for me to have HOPE! She emailed me her prayer:
"Father, You are the God of all hope. Your Word tells us that those who hope in You will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint. I pray this for Elaine this morning ... that she will place her HOPE in You and You alone ..."
Reading her prayer, it suddenly became clear to me. My hope had been in my son and in that weekly meeting. The hope I had lost -- that 1% I'd been clinging to -- was human hope. That kind of hope is in limited quantity, and when it runs out, you are left drained, discouraged, disappointed and ...hopeless! Oh, it may masquerade as "hope," but it is completely different from the hope that God provides. God's hope renews and refreshes. It empowers, uplifts, and strengthens. God's hope does not disappoint! There is an unlimited supply of God's hope.
God knew I had been clinging to human hope, and He knew that last 1% of weak, feeble hope would run out. He wanted me to cling to Him, the God of true, lasting, unlimited hope. So, as I wiped my tears, I waited as the winds of God's hope blew my way. My circumstances were still the same, but my heart was now filled with the hope that only God can provide.
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your wonderful, everlasting hope. Please help me always put my hope in You and You alone. Thank You that with You all things are possible. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the Giver of hope?
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
Finding Hope in the Midst of Depression by Mary Southerland
Join us for more Everyday Life Encouragement
Application Steps:
Pray today about a situation you've considered hopeless. Ask God to give you His perspective and His hope.
Reflections:
Ask God to reveal where you are placing your hope. Are you hoping in your husband, your bank account, your job, a program, a promise from someone? Or, are you truly placing your hope in the Lord?
Let 2009 be a year that you place your hope in God alone.
Power Verses:
Psalm 42:5, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV)
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
Psalm 147:11, "The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (NIV)
© 2008 by Elaine Bonds. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
January 1, 2009
A New Year's Prayer for You
Wendy Blight
"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord."
Lamentations 2:19a (NKJV)
Devotion:
It's a new year. What is on your heart? What would you like to accomplish? What would you like to change? Have you made any New Year's Resolutions?
A few years ago, I gave up making New Year's Resolutions. I could never keep them. One year, instead of a resolution, I wrote a prayer. Throughout the year, I watched in amazement as God worked in my life and in the lives of others through my simple prayer.
Today, I would like to pray for you. Below is the prayer that the Lord put on my heart. As you read it, I invite you to use it as a model. Sit with the Lord and ask Him to help you personalize this prayer for you.
Father in heaven, thank You that You are Sovereign. Thank You that You know each precious woman reading this devotion. You planned for her to meet You here today. You created her heart. You know her every need, her deepest desires, and her open wounds. Lord, I ask that in this new year, You would fall afresh on her.
Father, You are Holy and call us to be Holy. Yet, we confess that so often our hearts wander from You, our speech does not glorify You, and our actions do not honor You. Soften our hearts to receive the words Your sweet Spirit has to speak to us. Clothe us with humility. Take away our desire to always be right and have our own way. Help us to seek Your Word in all that we say and do. Help us to submit to Your Word; allow it to penetrate those deep places in our hearts that resist change. If necessary, put us through the refiner's fire to burn off those things that keep us from walking in step with Your character.
Give us hearts that love and seek after Truth above all else. Give us wisdom and discernment to reject the lies of this world and the evil one. Guide us into all Truth. Guard our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Grow in us those things that will make us more like You. As we study Your Word, fill us and saturate us with You!
Today, Father, we surrender our thoughts, our speech, and our hearts. Thank You that You are Faithful and True. We trust You will do a mighty work in us and through us this year and carry it on to completion until the day we step into eternity with You. Help us to trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways so that we can hear Your voice as You say, "This is the way, walk in it."
Lord, we love You and thank You that You love us. May our lives be a living testimony of You. We ask this in the powerful and mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who will do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story (available February 2009) by Wendy Blight
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
31 Days of Praise and 31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers
Application Steps:
As you write your prayer, is there an area of your life in which you consistently struggle? Would you be willing to give it over to God this year?
If you answered yes to this question, I invite you to surrender that area today. Boldly ask God to speak Truth into this area, no matter the cost. Ask Him to teach You His way, give you a mind to understand, and a heart to obey. Hold fast to what you hear so that your walk in that area will be established and ordered according to His will, not your own.
Reflections:
Spend time praying the prayer above or your own prayer aloud. Believe God that He IS able to answer your prayer. Watch expectantly for His answers. Thank Him every time You see His Hand at work. He will be faithful!
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Ephesians 6:17-18, "Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints." (NKJV)
Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (NKJV)
© 2008 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 2, 2009
Just a Little Heart Cleaning
By T. Suzanne Eller
"If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God."
Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)
Devotion:
Yesterday I swept the mahogany dark wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn't even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.
I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn't say something. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn't seem to be big enough at the moment.
I've heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, "Jesus forgave, why don't you?" The reality is that you and I aren't Jesus. It's an uneven journey at best as we accept His grace and strive to learn from His example. The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it's not something that we just find along the way. It's a purposeful intent to move beyond the burden and restrictions of bitterness, anger, rage, or unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.
Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understand the joy and freedom that comes through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.
Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9: 2 NLT) Isn't it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man's heart before attending to his physical body?
He hasn't changed. He still sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life's challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, but also invite Him into the process.
Maybe you're like I once was; dealing with the hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn't mean that abuse can continue or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to live life free of entanglements to the past.
Maybe you have grappled with the big issues and they no longer hold power over you, but the little stuff is the big stuff and you are tired of it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us". As I talked with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. Yesterday my house got cleaned, but so did my heart.
What happens when we are willing to forgive? It moves us one step closer to deep-seated faith marked by grace.
Dear Lord, Help me to forgive one person today. I lift up my heart. I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt, but I am willing to forgive. I'm not always big enough, but You are and I am grateful. I won't forgive based on a person's response, or even what is fair, but instead I will trust that You desire my heart to be free so that You can love in and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Sandpaper People: Dealing with the Ones Who Rub You the Wrong Way by Mary Southerland
The Woman I am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's Blog
Application Steps:
No matter whether it is a big or small issue, invite God into the situation today.
Reflections:
Think about unforgiveness as a wall. We build it around our heart to keep people from hurting us. What keeps you inside that wall?
What can we miss when we live in a fortress?
You don't offer forgiveness to hear someone say they are sorry. It's nice if it happens, but even if it doesn't it's foundational to wholeness - in you!
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:5, "Love does not demand its own way. [Love] is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged." (NLT)
© 2009 by T.Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
January 5, 2009
New Year's Traditions
Tracie Miles
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
Devotion:
In December, my friend Karen challenged her blog readers to think about our Christmas traditions, and determine if certain traditions were worth continuing or simply another "one more-thing-to-do-but-nobody-really-cares-about" tradition.
While driving to school one morning, I asked my daughters what their favorite Christmas traditions were at our house. They quickly answered in unison, "We don't have any traditions at our house." My heart sunk. I replied with irritation in my voice, "You mean all these years I have been trying to make special Christmas memories for all of you and you honestly think we don't have any special traditions?!"
I could feel my holiday spirit diminishing as my blood pressure rose. They seemed a little scared about what to say next to their mom who was hyperventilating behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. So they meekly asked me to describe some of the traditions that I was referring to. I provided an exhaustive list of family holiday activities and other things we have done every year since their birth, for goodness sake!
When I stopped to take a breath, as they sat wide-eyed at my flurried rundown of the Miles' Christmas traditions, one said, "Oh, I just thought those were the things we do every year; I didn't know they were traditions."
Okay, so at least they were aware of our family traditions and truly did treasure them. The problem was that they never considered them "traditions," because they didn't understand the meaning of the word.
Later, I looked up the definition of "tradition." The first definition is, "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice." The second definition read, "a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting and a continuing pattern of culture, beliefs or practices."
When I read the second definition, still feeling a little perturbed about the lack of appreciation for all of my holiday attentiveness over the years, I felt God gently speak to my heart. With a fatherly voice He said, "Tracie, the tangible traditions that we carry out are not the only things we pass down to our kids; the true traditions come from the heart."
The thought almost stopped me in my tracks. I realized I had been fretting over my children remembering that we drank hot chocolate while putting up our Christmas trees, when I should really be focusing on the spiritual traditions that I am creating throughout the year in their hearts.
As a result, I made a New Year's resolution to focus on the spiritual traditions that I can pass down throughout the entire year in the Miles' home. Traditions that will matter long term, and make a difference in the hearts of others. Traditions like the importance of attending church and doing Bible studies to learn about God's Word; helping families in need; putting others first; caring about our sisters and brothers; honoring my husband; being respectful to parents and elders; being polite and considerate; forgiving others; and making Christ a priority year round, not just at Christmas.
But most of all, I don't want these spiritual traditions to be passed down simply by word of mouth, but rather by practice and a continuing pattern of others seeing God at work in me. I know I need to live out these traditions in my own life before I can pass them down to anyone else. The tradition of making Jesus a priority, is a tradition worth passing down.
Dear Lord, Forgive me for losing sight at times of what is really important. Help me to see ways I can build new spiritual traditions in my home which will impact hearts and lives for generations to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman, Kelly Hovermale and Trish Smith
Love Notes in Lunchboxes by Linda Gilden
For other great ways to start the New Year, visit Tracie's blog
Application Steps:
It is never too late to start new traditions. Ask God to show you what new traditions you can begin in your family to help them learn to depend on God's Word and His activity in their lives.
Reflections:
Consider what traditions you focus on in your house. Are they all attached to a holiday, or are there spiritual traditions that create a bond to Jesus year-round?
If your children were asked what your spiritual traditions were, what would they say?
Power Verses:
Mark 7:9, "And he said to them: 'You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
January 6, 2009
Running Prepared
By Lynn Cowell
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
A twelve mile run. I had known all week this long run was part of my training for an upcoming half marathon, yet I really hadn't given it much thought (except how badly I didn't want to do it). The day before, it was business as usual I didn't drink much water, ate a double bacon cheeseburger and fries, and didn't get a good night's sleep. Friends advised me I needed to make changes to my eating and sleeping habits, but I hadn't followed through.
The next day, my husband, Greg, and I mapped out our run. I knew it was going to be hard, but with my IPOD and water bottles, I thought I would make it. I couldn't have been more unprepared!
About half way through exhaustion and frustration became my running partners. My ear bud headphones kept falling out, my water seemed to evaporate into thin air, and the miles were not passing by fast enough. Lord help me finish, I pleaded. I ended up walking the last mile, my body racked with pain.
After returning home, things went from bad to worse. I paid dearly for my lack of preparation. Dehydration set in with shivers, cramps, and dizziness. Greg and the kids waited on me all afternoon and nursed me back to health.
Two weeks later, our training schedule called for another twelve mile run. This time, I got it right! I started hydrating days before, ate a carb-filled diet Friday night, and went to bed early. Before the run, I filled my fuel belt with Powerade, snacks high in electrolytes and Chap Stick. I was good to go!
Saturday morning, we had a wonderful time (as good as it can be when running twelve miles!). The sun was out, nature was beautiful and our conversation was enjoyable. I'm sure all of these circumstances were the same two weeks prior, but I was different.
After my run, I thought how this scenario is not so different from our spiritual race with the Lord. We know trials are ahead; He tells us in His Word they are a part of this life. Knowing this, we have choices to make.
We can be neglectful and not prepare. If that is our choice, like me, our trials can be very painful with tough consequences to follow. Or we can choose wisely and get prepared in advance. Preparing is essential if we want to keep running when tough times come.
So, how do we prepare? First, we ready our hearts by hydrating ourselves each day with the Living Water of God's Word, feasting on our Daily Bread through worship, and resting in the shelter of the Most High by investing time in our relationship with Him. These fuel and replenish us with faith, hope, and encouragement, and steady us in the everlasting joy of our Father.
I also find it helpful to get my house in order - things in place such as schedules, finances, and good relationships with family members and friends. Having our life in order means one less stress when trials hit.
I think the biggest mistake I made with my first twelve-mile run was assuming that if I just "showed up," I'd get through. That was so unwise! I don't want to make the same mistakes on my spiritual run. The Lord has given us everything we need to run our race, but we need to prepare, and by doing so will gain victory in our trials and finish strong!
Dear Lord, Please help me prepare ahead of time for the trials of this life. Teach me to dig into Your Word and invest in my relationship with You. I want to be ready to run well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The One Year Chronological Bible (NLT)
Get Over It and Get On With It by Michelle McKinney Hammond
Visit Lynn's Blog
Application Steps:
Do a check-up on your life: are there things out of order that you need to get right before your next trial hits?
Life is hard. Find a "running" partner you can count on to encourage you and you can encourage in return!
Reflections:
Have you been putting His Word into your heart so that you have the hydration you'll need for your spiritual race?
What changes can you make in your every day life that might help make trials to come easier?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 33:12, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders." (?)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 7, 2009
You're a Can Do Kid!
Renee Swope
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Devotion:
"I can't!" My four-year-old shouted as tears streamed down his cheeks. Joshua, his older brother, was trying to teach him how to use the Etch A Sketch,® but Andrew gave up before he even touched the little white knobs.
"I can't" had become Andrew's favorite phrase.
"I can' t," he cried when I encouraged him to put his face in the water at the pool that afternoon.
"I can't," he muttered, when I asked him to tell me the first letter in the word apple.
As I watched him sit in defeat, I thought to myself, "I can't take it anymore!"
Life with a child who is afraid to try new things can be very difficult. Frustration had been creeping into my heart all day because I didn't know how to help Andrew overcome his fears. So I stopped what I was doing and asked God to show me how to help my little boy.
I thought back on our week and remembered how Andrew had given up most easily when trying things his big brother could do well. Then I remembered an article I'd read about helping children become "can-do kids." I felt like God reminded me of that because He specializes in helping His children become can-do kids, and that's what He wanted me to do for mine. I remembered Gideon, a man God called a "mighty warrior" even while he was acting like a wimp. I thought about when Jesus called Peter a rock, although he acted more like shifting sand. But over time, both of these men became who God called them to be. And my son could, too!
I bent down and looked into Andrew's tear-filled eyes and announced, "Andrew, from this moment foward you are my 'CAN DO KID'. There are so many things you can do. The Bible says you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength."
It was time for dinner so I told Andrew we were going to set the table together. I handed him the forks and showed him where each one went. I gave him one plate and cup at a time and watched him complete each setting. Once he finished, Andrew looked at me and proudly said, "Mommy, I can do it!" And from that day forward he called himself the "can-do" kid!
Our kids need us to believe in them and show it through our words and actions. I was so grateful God gave me such a powerful lesson and promise from His Word to pass on to my child in the midst of a challenging parenting moment. It changed Andrew's perspective and mine, too.
God wants you to know that you are His can-do kid! You can do whatever He's calling you to do today, because He believes in you and He's with you! He wants to pass that truth on through you, and use you to help your child know that they're a CAN-DO kid, who can do all things through Him who gives us strength!
Dear Lord, help me see beyond who my child is to who he can become in Christ. Show me if there are areas in his life where he is comparing himself to others. Help me notice and nurture his personal strengths and remind him that he can do all things through Christ. I pray you would open the eyes of my heart to learn Your truths in my everyday life and pass them onto my children. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child: Character Chart and Message on CD by Renee Swope. Positive and practical ways to connect spiritually with your kids in everyday moments!
Visit Renee's Blog for practical ways to raise "can-do" kids! Also, sign up to win some great give-aways for moms this month!
The D6 Conference -- helping parents and churches raise spiritual champions!
Application Steps:
Think of your child (or someone you know) who needs you to believe in them.
Show them your confidence by trusting them with an assignment or special task.
Give them encouragement through a letter, phone call, card or email.
Reflections:
Read Judges 6:11-16, and notice how God used words of encouragement to help Gideon. When your child gets fearful, instead of being critical, look for ways to be creative. Click here for a list of promises God gave to Gideon that you can offer to your children.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:1b, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." (NKJV)
Judges 6:12, "When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." (NIV)
© 2009, Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
January 8, 2009
Brain Blips, Mishaps, and Feelings of Failure
Lysa TerKeurst
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew: 7:24-27 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you know what amazes me about those verses above? Both the person doing right and the person doing wrong experienced hard times. In both cases the rains came, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against the house.
Just because we're Christians living out God's principles for life, does not mean we won't face difficult circumstances. The difference being a Christian makes is how the difficulties affect us. If we are hearing and heeding God through our prayer time and reading His Word, then we will be able to stand strong in the storms of life. Our faith will not be shaken and our identity will not be rattled.
I once heard my pastor lament to my husband that sometimes he only feels as good as his last sermon. I can so closely identify with his comment because as a friend, wife, and mother, sometimes I only feel as good as my last interaction with someone close to me. A friend tells me I hurt her feelings and suddenly I feel like a bad friend. I forget to take the cookies I signed up to bring to the church nursery and suddenly I feel unreliable and disorganized. My husband asks me where his passport is, and when I can't find the file, suddenly I feel like a wife that can't be trusted.
The passport thing is still very fresh on my mind because it just happened recently. My normal reaction would have been to get frustrated, short tempered, and beat myself up while tearing the house apart looking for the missing passports.
But God's Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "Let me invade your natural flesh reaction. Call your husband and pray about the passports instead of getting frustrated."
So, Art and I prayed. I went from defining myself as a failure of a wife to being a praying woman who can face a hardship in a godly way. The frustration was diffused and we determined to look at this from God's perspective. If we find the passports, we'll praise God! If we don't find them, we'll see this as God's protection not to go on a planned trip later this month and we'll still praise God.
When hard times come and beat against our stability, we must be determined to hear God's words and put them into practice. Then nothing can topple our peace, security, or true identity.
Dear Lord, Thank You that my identity does not have to be determined by the circumstances of my life. Help me to hear Your Words, put them into practice and stand firm on Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog today to register for an exciting giveaway!
Looking for a good devotional to start this year? You You can purchase the book this devotion was excerpted from: God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Write down something you've been mentally beating yourself up over lately. Find three verses that deal with this issue and commit to praying these Scriptures into your situation. Stand firm on God's solid truth that you are a godly woman who will face this circumstance in a godly way.
Reflections:
Do you ever struggle with feelings of failure? Ask God to help you see your value apart from your performance.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:3, "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." (NIV)
Psalm 32:10, "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 9, 2009
Of Enoch and Long Walks
Karen Ehman
"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
Genesis 5:24 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you have a favorite Bible character? One who inspires you, challenges you or one whose story you simply love? Perhaps it is Moses and his vast leadership skills. How about Esther, the compelling queen who, being both gorgeous and smart, used her quick thinking to help God save an entire nation? Maybe Joseph is your pick as you contemplate how someone so mistreated could continually take the high road; the road that lead him not only to political power but also to family forgiveness. All of these are marvelous choices, but none are my pick. I like Enoch.
Since first hearing of Enoch as a young teen, that guy has fascinated me. Not a lot is written about him in the pages of scripture, but what is there sure piques my interest. He "walked with God and then he was no more because God took him away." Hmmm. My young mind pondered that strange description.
As I grew as a believer, I learned a bit more about this biblical mystery man. In Hebrews 11:5-6 we catch more of the story. "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)
Ah ha! Enoch was whisked away, spared the pain of death and transported immediately to God's side all because of one simple thing. He pleased God. I say simple. But I don't say easy. It is a simple thing to please God. You just do what He says in His word. Straightforward enough, right? However, my years as a follower of Christ have taught me that simple is not always easy. Choices present themselves. The world screams. Our flesh gets in the way. We want revenge or our own glory. We lack faith and instead try to control our own destinies. We mess up the "pleasin' God" part with our very own hands.
Enoch "walked with God." Oh, don't we long for that to be said of us? I'll admit I don't always walk with God. I take a stand for God; believe the right things and make it known. I may walk after God. And sadly, sometimes I run ahead of God; make my own plans and then say, "Oh yeah. By the way God, do ya mind blessin' these plans? I made them in Your name. I may have forgotten to consult You in the midst of them, but they are for You all right!" What a shame and a sham!
No two ways about it, walking with God means that we daily give up our right to navigate our own lives. We place our faith in Him, admitting He knows what is best for us and realizing He might not always reveal the hows and the whys until the very last second. Remember, God is seldom early, but never late. Only day-by-day faith-walking pleases God.
Oh, dear one, do you long to be one who pleases God this way? One who makes Him smile as He sees you daily place complete trust in Him and His infinite wisdom? Maybe then we just might be like my Bible hero Enoch; the one who walked so closely by our Creator's side that one day, during one of those long walks, God looked at him and said, "You know, we've been walking together for so long now that we are actually closer to my house than yours. Why don't you just come on home with me right now?" Glory!!!
Dear Lord, I am ready to learn to walk with You in faith; not ahead of You or behind You, but right by Your side. Show me how, step by step. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more thoughts on walking with God, visit Karen's blog
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Do I run ahead of God or do I walk with Him? What actions (or inactions) would have to go in order for me to walk daily with God?
What keeps me from placing total faith in God and His will for my life? Fear? Distrust? A longing to be in control?
Reflections:
For more inspiration, do an Internet search to read of some heroes of the faith who learned to live by daily walking with God. Try George Mueller, Dwight L. Moody, Amy Carmichael or Jim Cymbala.
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (NIV)
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (ESV)
© 2008 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 12, 2009
Her Children Arise and Call Her Busy
Sandy Cooper, She Speaks Conference
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
I Thessalonians 4:11&12 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Mom, will you please tell me a story?" my eight-year-old daughter asked me recently. It had been one of those insanely packed days, full of errands, chores and activities... and it wasn't over yet. My mind strained to keep everything in order for the remaining events we had planned for the evening. I was coordinating our homeless outreach followed by plans to attend my husband's softball game. Kids had to be fed, pottied, properly clothed, and in the right places at the right times. I had to remember to bring supplies, snacks, drinks and driving directions to our various destinations. There was no brain reserve left for creative stories.
"I'm sorry, honey. I can't tell you a story right now. I just have too much on my mind."
"That's okay," she said. "I'll tell you a story. Once upon a time," she began, "there was a very busy mom."
Uh oh. This ought to be interesting...
"She woke up every day and she was tired. She made a big pot of coffee and went into her room to pray. She prayed and prayed and prayed...but nothing happened. She did the laundry and went to Target and to the grocery store where she spent lots of money. She made dinner and cleaned the house. She went to help the homeless children. At the end of the day, she was still tired so she went to bed. The end."
Wow. I'm like a twisted version of the Proverbs 31 woman, only much less effective.
I managed to fake a smile and kiss my precious daughter on the head as I blinked back tears. Is that really how she sees me? As a tired woman with a futile prayer life? Overwhelmed and overscheduled? I had always taken pride in the fact that I wasn't busy. Years ago I learned to say "no" to activities that ate into our family time. I value simplicity and solitude. I had even taught Bible studies about it! Yet, somehow in the midst of my un-busy life, I managed to get very busy. And now the children were taking notice. This was something I promised myself would never happen.
That night I couldn't sleep (a very rare thing for me...being as "tired" as I am and all). So at 1:00 am I got up and began journaling. For two hours, I poured out my anxious thoughts to God as I sifted through my schedule to identify where and when things had gone wrong. I listed every activity in which I am currently involved, as well as every household responsibility that was taking up my time. The process was very revealing. I discovered that it wasn't one nasty "culprit" I could quickly cast out of my life, but a series of little culprits to address:
o Mismanaged time--like checking and responding to e-mails over ten times a day.
o Commitments which were longer than anticipated--like the freelance job that was supposed to be completed two months ago.
o Time management systems I previously put in place, but failed to maintain--like my mail filing system and my "write-everything-on-a-master-list" system.
o Piles of clutter in my home--which often left me feeling exasperated because they represented areas of my life that were out of control.
That night God helped me identify a few key areas I could immediately cut in order to be less busy. He helped me draw up and prioritize a master list of projects to tackle, as well as new chores to delegate to my children. But mostly that night, He reminded me - for what seems like the millionth time - that my children would only be little for a season. And in comparison to the pages of other tasks and responsibilities I had just written in my journal, my commitment to be a Godly wife and mother stood far above them all.
And then He reminded me that He doesn't view me as some kind of "ministry production machine." Nor does He value me because of what I can accomplish in a day. He cherishes me because I am His daughter. When I remember this, I'm much less inclined to add many things to my plate. Instead, I rest in the peace of knowing who I am in Christ and what He has purposed for me to do and be.
Dear Lord, I offer my schedule today to You. Help me remove from my schedule things not in Your perfect will for me. Help me add anything to my schedule that I may have overlooked but is important to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Out of the Mouth of Babes by Wendy Pope
Becoming the Mom I Always Wanted to Be, by Renee Swope
A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes
Application Steps:
Prayerfully look over your week's schedule. Decide what can you do to simplify your life.
Reflections:
If time, money or "reputation" were not an issue, what kinds of things would you want to do?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
January 13, 2009
Returning
Amy Carroll
"Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?'" Exodus 5:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
Tears stung my eyes and my heart ached as I climbed into my car. My emotions swung wildly from assurance that I had said the right things, to doubt in the stance that I had taken. Was I wrong to share with the group that I feel scripturally responsible to teach my sons from II Corinthians 6 to marry a Christ-follower and be "equally yoked" in marriage? I longed to go back to the offended woman and tell her of my great compassion for my fellow sisters who are married to unbelieving husbands. Instead, I pulled out my cell phone to call a friend for some consolation and advice. It was then that the lesson I had learned from the Bible earlier that day pushed its way to the front of my anxious mind.
I'd read in Exodus that morning about Moses in the midst of a very discouraging situation. After years of mistakes, lessons in the desert and insecurity in his speaking skills, he had finally done exactly what the Lord said. He had gone to Pharaoh and said, "Let my people go." Surely now all the pieces would fall into place. He was at the right time and place, and he had obeyed what the Lord had told him. Moses was about to learn a lesson that many of us are facing: The blessings that follow doing God's will are not always the ones we expect.
He may have expected Pharaoh to get a thoughtful look and say, "Of course you can go, Moses. I know that God is leading you, and we just need to do what He says." That's not what happened, though. Not only did Pharaoh mock God, he doled out even harsher treatment to the Israelites by forcing them to continue to make bricks without the provision of straw. The people were outraged, and they turned on Moses. How discouraging! Things weren't going at all the way Moses had imagined. Now that he was on track with God and walking in obedience, life was supposed to get easier. Right?
All the lessons Moses had learned in the desert shepherding for 40 years served him well now. We see that despite his disappointment, he turned to God in prayer. It was a distressed prayer, but it was real and heart-felt. When he faced an indignant Pharaoh and his angry people, Moses returned to God and poured out his heart. Exodus 5:22-23 tells us, "Moses returned to the Lord and said, 'O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.'" (NIV)
When Moses returned to the Lord with the pain that he was feeling, the disappointment in his circumstances, and the confusion about his calling, God met him there. God didn't respond to Moses with anger or rebuke. He answered with a glimpse into future freedom and a rousing message for His people straight from the very heart of God. Moses' struggles didn't end there, but God had given him the encouragement that he needed to forge on toward the calling.
In the car, I set my cell phone down, closed my eyes and bowed my head. I poured out my confusion and disappointment to God, and He met me there. My emotions settled, my mind found rest and God's peace poured over me. He is good! Doing God's will is rarely easy, and the blessings of growth may come wrapped in pain. However, we will find Him to be faithful and His Word sufficient when we return to Him.
Dear Lord, Doing Your will and following You is its own reward. Even though the way may get bumpy as we obey, You are always with us. You are faithful to reassure us and encourage us when we come from the places that our own thoughts take us and return to You. Thank you! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
Developing the Character to Match My Calling message on CD, taught by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Amy's blog for more encouragement today.
Application Steps:
Are you disappointed in your circumstances despite the fact that you know that you are in God's will? Return to Him in prayer today.
Ask Him to show you verses of encouragement from His Word. Ask Him to strengthen you to complete the task.
Reflections:
Where do I turn when I'm plagued with fear, doubt, disappointment or anger?
What reminders could I put around me to return to God in prayer during these times?
Power Verses:
John 16:33, "'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'"(NIV)
I Peter 4:12-13, "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." (NLT)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 14, 2009
Dramatic Sunrise
Van Walton
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete..." James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you ever risen early in the morning with one purpose – to watch the sun rise? I especially like to take time for sunrises, so I purposefully chose to rise early each day during my vacation.
One morning I found myself sitting on the dock facing east, looking for the sun to rise up over the lake.
Another morning I sat on the long veranda of a century-old hotel gazing at the Ohio River, waiting for the golden glow that would announce the sun's arrival.
Days later, toward the end of my trip, I wrapped myself in a heavy blanket and curled up in the glider on the front porch of the cabin where I had spent the night. Peering over the Utah landscape, once again I searched the horizon.
Soon a bright orange blaze appeared, forcing me to close my eyes because of its brilliance. In a few seconds, with wide-opened eyes, I continued my search for the morning's drama, only to see a half globe sitting on top of the mountains. I kept watching, not wanting to miss the spectacular sight. Then, in another blink of an eye, the sun lifted itself from the peaks, and hung there in the sky - a perfect golden circle.
That was it. It went so quick. The sun had come up, creeping into the day, and now it simply dangled – a yellow ball in the air, surrounded by blue, looking like a child's simple drawing.
For a few minutes I pondered my disenchantment with this particular sunrise. Is there such a thing as an incomplete, imperfect sunrise? At that moment I believed there was. I had just experienced it. And, I remembered others like it, somewhat lackluster.
Why had the sunrise not impressed me this day? Where was all the drama I had expected? Then I realized there is no drama in a sunrise without clouds.
Clouds - they've been given a bum rap, but all along, these predictors of bad weather, these symbols of negativity, sadness, blues, and gloom really serve to expand light, reflect color, cast dazzling rays, and paint incredible scenes in the sky.
A sunrise without clouds is like a life without trials and hardships. I do all I can to avoid challenges and difficulties, but the fact is the so called "clouds" in my life can cast me in a certain aura of God's splendor. A life free of complications and struggles can resemble a bland sunrise ... little contrast, seemingly dull artistry, and little context in which I can reflect the Son.
Truth is, the people I respect and admire most are those whose lives have been filled with "clouds" but they walk through any weather with God. These people walk in splendor, surrounded with a certain attractive and hard-to-capture beauty. They are people I seek out on a regular basis. I pursue them because I want to bask in their glow and confidence. They leave me in awe.
One thing is sure. I'm never disappointed when I find myself in the company of those who have learned to rise up in the midst of clouds. They don't seek to avoid cloudy days; rather they stand up to walk in dignity, accepting the brilliant contrasts and magical rays God can create despite and through their adversity.
It is in their presence I realize, a life free of clouds holds no attraction. Now I see cloudy days in a positive light. May I never shun them again, for I realize clouds build character, add color, and separate the bland from the brilliant.
Dear Lord, I praise You for the lessons You teach me through nature. Forgive me for choosing to retreat from the clouds You allow to come my way. I know You can use the clouds of adversity in my life to cause me to be more relational and compassionate. I pray the beauty of brokenness will attract others to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Van Walton's blog
Trials of Today Treasures for Tomorrow by Janet Eckles
For more encouragement when days are dark listen to Today's Radio Show
Application Steps:
Think through or list of some of the "clouds" in your life. How can you reflect the Son in those circumstances?
Reflections:
Who do I know whose life has been surrounded by clouds, yet who has emerged beautiful?
When was the last time I encouraged someone, explaining what a witness their "cloudy" lives have been to me?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 1:6-8, "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (NASB)
© 2009 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 15, 2009
Just Desperate Enough
Glynnis Whitwer
"She came up behind him and touched his cloak and immediately the bleeding stopped." Luke 8:44 (NIV)
Devotion:
Having three little boys in five years just about did me in. There was no such thing as a routine, as much as I tried to implement one. Just when I thought I had one behavior issue figured out, another one popped up. Parenting books were somewhat helpful, but they didn't address how to manage three kids, with three unique personalities, at once. What worked for one didn't work for another. I was drowning and desperate.
My husband and I signed up for a parenting class at church, and received a glimpse of hope. We wanted more than one class, but there was no one to head up a parenting ministry. Our pastoral team was overwhelmed with existing responsibilities. Even though their hearts wanted to offer more, their time was limited. So when one of the pastors asked us to help out with the parenting ministry, we were desperate enough to say "yes."
As we stepped into a leadership role, we discovered most people declined to help, saying they didn't feel qualified. "Neither do we," we replied. But we were ready to try anything to get support, even revealing to everyone that we weren't perfect parents. For the few years we led the parenting ministry we had to step far out of our comfort zone and risk much in order to get help. But it worked. As we shared our problems with other parents, we received wise counsel and practical suggestions that made a big difference.
Thousands of years ago there was another woman who was just desperate enough to get help. She had been bleeding for 12 years and no one could help her. But when Jesus came to her neighborhood, she was ready to try anything. I imagine she was embarrassed, and weakened because of her bleeding. She must have gathered every ounce of energy and courage to get to Jesus.
The Bible tells us there were crowds following Jesus that day. Yet somehow, this determined woman navigated her way through the rush of humanity to touch the cloak of Jesus, and the Bible tells us she was healed immediately. In spite of the people pressing around Jesus, He knew someone had touched Him. As He stopped, the people stumbled into each other, turning their heads to determine what happened. In a gentle voice, Jesus asked, "Who touched me?"
After everyone denied they had touched Jesus, the woman came trembling before Him. She told Jesus and the assembled crowd why she had touched Jesus and how He had healed her. Jesus then said to the women, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
Desperation causes people to do different things. Some people make wrong choices, believing their backs are against a wall. Some people go into hiding, hoping a problem will go away. Yet others are desperate enough to do something risky and full of humility to get help. Sometimes God uses other people to help us, and sometime He is the only One who has the answers.
In the difficult times we face, many of us have problems that push us to the point of desperation. It is my prayer that instead of desperation defeating you, it motivates you to seek help. Whether God Himself provides your deliverance, or He uses someone else, trust He already has a plan to help.
Dear Heavenly Father, Only You know the desperation I feel right now. Only You see the troubles that weigh me down. I confess that I don't have the strength or wisdom to find an answer. However, I trust that You are already planning my deliverance. I trust in Your perfect timing. Please show me what to do next, and direct me to the source of help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Visit Glynnis's blog
When You are Running on Empty by Cindi McMenamin
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Feeling desperate as a mom? Click here for more encouragement, and be sure to sign up for some great mom give-aways, too.
Application Steps
Identify one problem in your life that seems overwhelming. Commit to telling one person about that problem this week, and asking for prayer.
Reflections:
What happens when we share our weaknesses with other people?
What keeps you from getting help sometimes?
Read James 5:16 below. Why is there healing power in confessing our sins to another person?
Power Verses:
Psalm 142:6, "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me." (NIV)
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 16, 2009
Quirks And All
Marybeth Whalen
"We love because he first loved us."
I John 4:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
We have lived in our house for just a few months, and the quirks are starting to show. One of the burners on the stove doesn't work on the low setting. A piece of tile on the counter top is not glued in all the way. Several of the outlets in the bonus room were wired wrong, which means sometimes the electricity in that room works, and sometimes it doesn't. And sometimes, if someone turns the water on in the upstairs bathroom, there is a high-pitched squealing noise in the pipes of the downstairs bathroom. This has even happened in the middle of the night, jolting me out of a deep sleep.
Before we moved, I was so ready to get out of our old house. I wanted to get into our new one so we could get away from the old house's quirks. The faucet in the kitchen sink that didn't work quite right. The place in the floor where the linoleum had buckled by the back door. The neighbors that were loud. When we first moved into this house, I thought I had escaped all of those annoying traits. And I had. I just hadn't counted on all the new ones that would pop up in the new house! I had counted on perfection on the other side of the fence, forgetting for a moment that we live in an imperfect world--a place where quirks abound.
The thing about quirks is that they usually aren't evident on the surface. You usually have to spend quite a bit of time, digging deeply to unearth the quirkiness of a person, place or thing. I didn't see it in my brief walk-throughs of our house before we signed on the dotted line. It took living here for several weeks before they became evident.
The same is true with people. You usually have to spend day in and day out together before they let their guard down enough to show you their quirks; before they trust you enough to let you see who they really are. The trick is to keep on loving them after you get that glimpse, seeing their faults and failures, their insecurities and idiosyncrasies. Am I sticking a sign in the yard of my new house because I see some problems? Not at all. I realize that my house is bound to have quirks--some I can work through and some I will just have to live with.
The other night I went to the movies with an old friend who knows me, quirks and all. She and I have had moments of struggle as we have learned to accept each other's quirks. Through the years, we have learned to laugh about most of them and talk about the ones that we just don't get. As we sat together in the movies, I thought about how freeing it is to know and be known. To truly love someone is to embrace who they are, quirks and all. As we dig deeper and see what lies beneath the surface, we can choose to walk away or we can choose to stay, no matter what. While this might be hard at times, it is what God requires of us. Why? Because it is the kind of love He has showed each of us. As our verse for today says, we love because He first loved us. If He loves us, quirks and all, then He must want us to do the same, extending love in the same way we have received it.
Dear Lord, Thank You for loving me and all my quirks. Please help me to love others in the same way--extending grace and compassion like You do and seeing past their quirks. Help me to appreciate the people You have put in my life and to not look elsewhere for happiness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Traveling Together: Thoughts on Women, Friendship and the Journey of Faith by Karla Worley
Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
If you are struggling with someone in your life, take time today to intentionally lift up that person throughout the day in prayer. Pray blessings over them and ask God to help you see their positive qualities and not just their quirks.
Reflections:
Are your loved ones' quirks bugging you? Are you letting your irritation affect your relationships? How can you refocus on their good qualities and spend less time focusing on their quirks?
Power Verses:
James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)
Psalm 19:12, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults." (NIV)
Psalm 90:8, "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31
January 19, 2009
A President and a King
Susanne Scheppmann
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
Devotion:
I tucked away the last of the Christmas decorations. My house appeared tidy again after the Christmas disarray. I began to dust the furniture and shelves when I came to the Nativity set. I had purposely left it out as a reminder to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus all year long.
I reflected on the recent holidays and sweet joy filled my heart. My thoughts leapt forward, "What is the next celebration coming up?" I realized it is the inauguration of our 44th President.
I gazed at the Nativity scene. Several times during December I heard the familiar verse from Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Then I recalled the next verse that speaks of Jesus' role in government—an eternal government. "Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:7, NIV). What joy! What peace to know that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords – that is a cause to celebrate no matter what country we live in.
This month, the United States is inaugurating a new President. It's a time to observe and utilize our religious freedoms. Let's start by praying for our newly elected President and all government officials. Let's honor God's command found in our key verse, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." As followers of Christ who is the Prince of Peace, let's honor, respect and pray for our President.
As I look at the baby in my nativity manger, I remember that He is not only the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Wonderful Counselor who guides Presidents, leaders, and you and I as well. Let's lift them up in prayer.
Dear Lord, I pray for our national leaders. Allow their hearts to be open to Your wisdom and guidance. Remind me to pray for them fervently and frequently. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
Make a note on your calendar, weekly or monthly, to pray for our leaders in government. Pray for them specifically by name. Pray for wise decisions as they work with a myriad of problems including terrorism and the economy.
Reflections:
Do I complain about our government or pray for it?
In what issues should I pray for our government?
Power Verses:
Romans 13:1, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (NIV)
Daniel 2:19-21, "During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: 'Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.'" (NIV)
Revelation 19:11,16, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True . . . On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 20, 2009
Let Go of Legalism and Embrace Grace
Wendy Pope
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
New Year's resolutions: we all make them and most of us fail or give up on them, usually by the end of February. I believe the reason we fail or give up on these resolutions is because we don't give ourselves any grace to slip. We set goals with a pass/fail mentality. We become so focused on the goal "I am going to ," determined not to fail, that the obsession sets up the failure. We become so legalistically determined to meet the goal we forget about giving ourselves grace as we strive towards it.
So I say this year let's let go of the old tradition of pass/fail legalistic-minded resolutions, and embrace grace in setting God-driven, Spirit-inspired goals for 2009.
How do we that? First, we need to seek God in setting the goals. Many times we set goals that are not intended for us. We are made in the image of God and the goals we set should be made with the purpose of becoming like Him. Ask God what you can do in 2009 to become more like Him. Perhaps it is spending more time in His Word, or praying for others. Maybe, like me, you forget your body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and you don't treat it as the temple that it is. Perhaps God wants you to be more evangelism or mission minded in 2009.
Second, go to God's Word for support for your goal. Websites like Crosswalk.com and Biblegateway.com are excellent resources for researching scriptures on specific topics. Record the scriptures along with your corresponding goal in a spiral index card notebook. This notebook will be your quick scripture support when you need it, and it is small enough for your purse.
Third, enlist accountability. This doesn't necessarily mean announce your goals to your entire Sunday School class or put them on the class prayer list, unless God tells you to. These goals have been prayed over and inspired by God. Ask God to lead you to those who will pray for you, as well as hold you accountable to your goal. Keep in mind that God might lead you to someone other than your best girlfriends. Allow Him to surprise you and work in new ways in your life.
Fourth, embrace grace. Give yourself a break if you slip back a bit. Keep your eyes on the big picture, the end goal of becoming more like Christ. Remember God inspired your goals. When He calls you to do something, He supplies all you need to accomplish it, even grace. Showing yourself grace does not mean you are giving yourself permission to continue to slip. It means that if you slip, you admit it, step up the prayer, and keep pressing forward.
Lastly, set a monthly or quarterly check point with your accountability partner(s) and allow for the Holy Spirit to work in tweaking the goal. Setting long-term goals is difficult for me. If I tell myself that I only have to make it until next month, I am more likely not to slip.
Sounds so easy doesn't it? Probably not. Obtainable? Most definitely. Ready, get set, pray. Start praying today. He has amazing things waiting ahead in 2009.
Dear Lord, thank you for the hope of a New Year. Will You help me to set the goals that You would have me set? I want to become more like You in 2009. I know this is Your plan for me. Thank You in advance for supplying all my needs to meet the goals You will lead me to accomplish. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Living Free: Experiencing Life as it was Meant to Be message on CD by Wendy Pope
One Year Chronological Bible
Visit Wendy's blog to find out what goals God has inspired her to set.
Application Steps:
Write down or print out the steps listed in today's devotion. Commit to following the steps. In a journal record the amazing things God does in and through you in 2009.
Reflections:
Is setting goals hard for me? Why or why not?
What are my thoughts about 2009?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 21, 2009
Knowing Where to Start
Renee Swope
"You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great." Psalm 18:35 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was talking with friends who recently read my devotion about helping my son become a can-do-kid. One said she wanted to raise can-do-kids, but she didn't know where to start. Another shared how she wished she enjoyed being a mom as much as I do.
The truth is, I haven't always enjoyed being a mom. I didn't start out as a can-do mom with can-do thoughts and can-do kids. In fact, my son's "I-give-up attitude" that inspired my devotion earlier this month was probably inherited from me. I had stood on the sidelines of motherhood and declared, "I CAN'T" many times.
I would get so discouraged.
Once my kids became toddlers who would not listen to me and obey like little robots, I panicked. I looked at other moms who seemed to know what they were doing and wondered, "What is wrong with me?" Their children listened when they told them no. Why wouldn't my child keep his hands to himself in the grocery store or the toy isle? Why didn't someone tell me this would be so hard?
I often felt like a failure.
I compared how I felt on the inside to how other moms looked like they had it all together on the outside. My feelings of inadequacy and thoughts of insecurity were held up in comparison to moms who dressed their children in matching outfits and adorned themselves with attitudes of grace and wisdom. I wondered how in the world they pulled it off with a smile? I could barely get a shower, get my kids dressed, or get us out the door before lunch!
I wanted to quit.
One day I came home from running errands with two tired, fussy toddlers. I put them down for a nap and searched for pink construction paper so I could write "I QUIT" on it. I was going to hand my "pink slip" to my husband when he came home from work that day. It was just too hard, and I was tired of feeling like I would never measure up as a mom.
And that's where I started.
I didn't really start being a mom until the day I almost quit. Because that was the day I fell on my knees before God and choked out the words, "I can't do this." And in that place of surrender, it felt like God bent down on His knees before me and spoke to my heart: "You are right, Renee. In your own strength and through your own perspective, you cannot do this. But I am here with you. With my grace, my promises, my mercy, my presence, and my power -- all things are possible. I will help you become a great mom."
That day reminded me of Psalm 19:35, "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."
It was a new starting place for me. When I acknowledged that on my own I was a mess, God came to my rescue. He showed me that with His gentleness, grace, wisdom and guidance, I could become the mom He was calling me to be, the mom my kids needed me to be, and the mom I wanted to be!
Dear Lord, I need Your shield of victory to protect me from discouragement. I pray that You would extend Your right hand to sustain me; Your grace to strengthen me; and Your wisdom to lead me. Thank You for Jesus, who stooped down to make me great because of Your great love for me. Today, I find a new starting place with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to find out what God did next to give Renee new direction and purpose to parent her children.
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising above your Past to give your Kids a Great Future
by T.Suzanne Eller
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child: Character Chart and Message on CD Positive and practical ways to connect spiritually with your kids. By Renee Swope
The D6 Conference -- helping parents and churches raise spiritual champions!
Application Steps:
Write a letter, telling God how you feel. Be honest and open. Sharing your heart and thoughts with Him is the first step toward freedom and hope.
Ask Jesus for His perspective of you as a child of God, so that you can start becoming a Godly mom. We've got to receive His love before we can give it.
Visit Renee's Blog to find out how she did these things, and for a list of practical ways to shape your children's hearts, not just their habits.
Reflections:
As you read today's devotion, what struggles can you relate to? Have you ever wanted to quit? Start over today by acknowledging that you can't do it on your own but with God's help, nothing is impossible.
Power Verses:
Luke 1:37, "For nothing is impossible with God." (NIV)
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NIV)
Psalm 113: 5-7, "Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;" (NIV)
© 2009 Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 22, 2009
Critiquing Criticism
Glynnis Whitwer
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Matthew 5:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was a junior in high school, I had a particularly hard teacher. On her first test, I got a C. I was a good student, and went into her classroom after school one day to learn how to do better on the next test. I'll never forget her sarcastically-spoken words "You aren't an A student are you?" Many years later I can think of lots of snappy comebacks, but as a relatively shy 16 year-old, I only remember mumbling something and leaving the room. Her critical comment left no doubt about her purpose -- to put me in my place.
Criticism takes many forms, from "innocent" questions and comments, to direct insults. But the effect of criticism is the same; it can set a woman on the sidelines of life faster than anything. Out of the race...out of God's service. This is especially true in churches, where many women avoid serving in order to avoid criticism.
As a semi-perfectionist and recovering people-pleaser, I'm particularly sensitive to criticism. In the past, I have reacted either defensively, or with tears to unkind comments. By looking at Jesus, however, I'm learning to deal with those who find fault with my decisions, either in ministry or in my personal life. I've learned a few questions that help me critique criticism when it comes my way:
What is the truth? Unfortunately, our response to criticism is muddled by a sinful nature. We aren't always able to see the true motives behind our critics. If we have been deeply hurt in the past, we may see criticism as rejection, when it isn't. So I start by asking if the person speaking has a history of truthfulness. If the answer is yes, then I look for the truth in the message. Sometimes, well-meaning people offer important feedback in an inappropriate way. If the person speaking unkind words has a history of unfounded negative attacks, or has manipulative motives, then I probably won't place as much stock in her comments.
Is it just a matter of opinion? Sometimes people just disagree on the details. For instance, if you are planning an event in May and you decide to use orange napkins. Someone could say that orange is a poor choice for May and that it should only be used with autumn colors. This is just a matter of opinion and shouldn't be taken personally.
Is this a sin issue? This may be harder to identify as we are often blinded to our own sin. The sin of pride is one that many women struggle with and easily overlook. While we may miss it in our own lives, you can be sure others won't miss it. When someone criticizes you, humbly approach the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal any sin in your life. The Psalmist offered this approach in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (NIV).
Our lives are too short, and our callings too great, to be sidetracked by critics. When I have whined at God that I can't take the negative opinions of others any more, He gently reminds me that His Son got lots of criticism. Looking at it that way, when I'm criticized for doing God's will and work, it can be taken as a badge of honor and not a reason to quit.
Dear Lord, I long to do Your will, but sometimes my feelings get hurt by the unkind comments of others. Help me to discern the truth in those comments and to seek Your will above all else. Please reveal if there is anything in me that needs to change. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You when the negative words of others make me feel like quitting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sandpaper People by Mary Southerland
Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Glynnis' blog
Application Steps:
Consider the most critical person in your life. If you hold a grudge against that person, or have any unforgiveness in your heart, confess that to God so that you may be healed from bitterness.
Reflections:
What are some reasons people are critical of others?
What can I learn from criticism?
Responding to criticism with kindness is disarming. What are some kind responses you can use when someone criticizes you?
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ..." (NIV)
Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 23, 2009
When Your Worst Fears are Realized
Marybeth Whalen
"You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear.'"
Lamentations 3:57 (NIV)
Devotion:
All my life, I had two very real fears: that I would have a child with a birth defect, and that my marriage would break up. Even before I was married, I worried about how I would handle these things if they happened. Perhaps that seems silly to some, but some of you might know exactly what I am talking about. Your fears are always lurking, taunting you with their possibility.
In Isaiah, God told Hezekiah of the impending exile of his descendants to Babylon, but assured him he would already be dead by the time this happened. In our humanness, we can identify with Hezekiah when he thought with relief, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime" (Isaiah 39:6-8, NLT). That was Hezekiah's fear talking--fear that something terrible like that would happen in his lifetime. And what a loud voice fear can have. Sometimes it can even overpower the voice of God as He lovingly reassures us of His nearness.
As you can probably guess, my two worst fears were realized. My third child was born with a severe birth defect that kept him hospitalized for months, then with full-time nursing care when he was home. He was dependent on a trach and a g-tube just to live. I had entered a world I knew nothing about, the very world I had feared all my life. Later on, in the aftermath of our son's birth, my marriage also fell apart. The years of struggle and financial stress took their toll and left my husband and I virtual strangers. We would have to fight to save our wrecked marriage. I was living my worst nightmare.
But I was living.
I learned in the midst of our struggles that our verse today is so true. God does draw near to us in the midst of our worst fears. Even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death--the death of a loved one, the death of our dreams, the death of a marriage--He is with us, just as He promised. Not only is He near us, He is working things out, growing our faith and our character as we wrestle with our fears and learn to accept His will. While we can't understand why He allows our fears to materialize, we later realize that we have come to know Him in a whole new way through them. He is our reward for persevering.
I know that, for me, I have come to appreciate what I went through and, while I would never choose to go through it again, I also am grateful (yes, grateful) for what God birthed within me as I lived out my worst fears. I learned that in our struggles we will see Him. In our trials we will learn to trust Him. And in our fears we will come to a new level of faith.
Dear Lord, Help me to trust in You even as my fears are realized. Help me to hear Your voice telling me that You are with me, and that I don't need to be afraid. Help me to feel your nearness. Most of all, Lord, help me to see Your purpose for me even as I am walking through trials. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you ever trusted Jesus with your fears?
Pre-order your copy of An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears (Release date March 1) by Micca Campbell
Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado
Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement.
Application Steps:
If you have had to face your greatest fears and learned something from them, venture over to Marybeth's blog today, where she will have a place for you to share what you learned, how you were changed, and how you got to know God in a deeper way. You never know how your story will encourage someone else!
Reflections:
What are some of your greatest fears? Spend time today contemplating why these fears have taken root in your heart and telling God how you are feeling.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:1b, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." (NIV)
Genesis 15:1, "After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 26, 2009
Good Choice
Rachel Olsen
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you."
James 1:5a (NLT)
Devotion:
I have a tween-age daughter. She told me the other day she wants to begin babysitting for others. She is quite good with young kids, and a natural born leader, but I'm not certain she is ready for this. It's a lot of responsibility to be totally in charge, even if only for a few hours.
Solomon was the son of King David. Born nearly a thousand years before Christ, Solomon was installed as king just before his father's death. He was a tween-ager at the time. Only twelve years-old and now in charge of an entire nation – can you imagine? Makes babysitting for a few hours sound simple.
A while after Solomon's ordination, God appeared to the young king in a dream and invited him to make any request. "God said, 'What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!'" (1 Kings 3:5b NLT). Imagine your tween-aged or even teen-aged self from years ago. Now imagine God – in almost genie-like fashion, though God is most certainly not a genie – asking you to make a request. What would you ask for? My young self might have asked for a pony, new roller skates, a little sister, a car, or maybe a date with singer Shawn Cassidy.
However, none of this is what Solomon asked for. He replied:
"Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people; a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?" (2 Kings 3:7-9, NLT)
Good choice! Feeling the weight of his responsibilities, Solomon asked God for the knowledge he would need to fulfill his purpose – to lead the people and judge fairly between them. Approving of Solomon's request, God answered:
"Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies — I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for — riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life." (1 Kings 3:11-14, NLT)
Solomon was granted wisdom from God, and as he followed it, all God promised came true. In short order, Solomon's wealth grew tremendously. In today's market, he would be a multi-millionaire, or even a trillionarie. He owned property, livestock, and mines. He had 12,000 horsemen alone on his payroll, to drive his 4,000 chariots.
His reputation was renowned. Kings from all over the world came to listen and learn from Solomon. Indeed Solomon still holds the title of the wisest man that ever lived. (Jesus not included in a list of mere men.)
Solomon's wisdom – flowing from the throne of God – brought the nation peace and prosperity like it had never known before. The forty years that Solomon sat as king were the best years in all of Israel's Old Testament history. All because he asked God for the wisdom he would need to fulfill his purpose, and then he followed that wisdom.
My purpose on this earth isn't to lead my nation like Solomon, but nonetheless I have a purpose. And I have people I'll lead. And responsibilities. And you do too! So, we need to make good choices. Let's take our cue from the wisest man to ever live and ask God today for the knowledge we'll need to fulfill our purposes well.
Dear Lord, today I eagerly ask You for wisdom for my life. Please give me knowledge, understanding, discernment, and the heart-set needed to follow it. May I rightly fulfill Your purposes for me today, and each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Perplexing Proverbs for Women by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Rachel's blog
Application Steps:
Choose any chapter of Proverbs (written by Solomon) and read it. Take notes on the wisdom for living recorded there.
Then choose a different chapter tomorrow and do likewise.
Reflections:
Do I seek the wisdom of God? Do I believe He will grant it to me?
Do I follow the God-given wisdom I have gained? How might my life look different if I answered that differently?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 2:2-3, "Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding." (NLT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 27, 2009
A Silent Intruder
Susanne Scheppmann
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Devotion:
The box was out of place. I held my breath in frightened suspense. I sensed someone or something had been in my home while I was away for the weekend. My eyes darted around the family room looking for signs of intrusion. Everything appeared to be in order. However, I spied a small box of dog biscuits in the middle of the kitchen floor. The biscuits were scattered and broken into small pieces. Only the box confirmed my suspicion -- everything else seemed to be in order.
My husband and I decided it must have been a mouse which found its way into the house through the garage and munched on the doggie treats. There was no trace of it now and our dogs were calm and indifferent. So, we cleaned up the crumbly mess and went about the evening.
Much later that night we snuggled on the couch watching the "Deadliest Catch." (It's a full-of-testosterone reality show -- a man's version of a soap opera.) We concentrated on the drama in the high seas when suddenly we were jolted by a screeching "Meoooooow!" We jerked our heads to see a giant black cat with an arched back perching on our kitchen counter. Its yellow-green eyes stared like illuminated orbs. With another cry, the intruder darted down the hallway and out the doggy door. So . . . that was the mysterious intruder. Evidently the feline had been lurking silently about in the house all afternoon with neither the dogs' nor our awareness.
Like the black cat slipped into our home unannounced, sin can slink into our hearts. Sinful thoughts slip into our mind and we ignore them, believing them to be harmless. But sin is an intruder intent on damage. Sin-filled thoughts can burgeon into sinful behaviors. Our key verse today states, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." It is our responsibility to keep watch for the silent intruders in our thought life. We must analyze, for instance, what we watch and listen to each day.
Let's block our hearts' doors from sin, because once allowed in, it can do harm. It can also be hard to get rid of -- just like that sneaky cat. Our feline friend continued to return night after night through our doggy door. Finally, we found the stray cat a home.
We need not, however, find sin a home. There is no room for sin in our life as Christians. Let's block the entry and be vigilant against the silent intrusion of sin by guarding our eyes, ears and hearts in Christ Jesus.
Dear Lord, Help me guard my heart against evil. Make me aware of holes in my life where sin can sneak in and make itself comfortable. Holy Spirit, teach me to live a holy life devoted to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
Mentally walk through your day's activities. Ask yourself if there is an activity that could easily turn into sin. Example: Could chatting with a girlfriend spin out of control into gossip? Walk through your home. Is there anything in your home you would not invite the Lord Jesus to participate in with you? Example: Are there DVDs that promote ungodly behavior?
Reflections:
Do I care if my life is holy and honoring to the Lord Jesus?
How can I be more vigilant in guarding my heart this year?
When am I most vulnerable to sin sneaking into my life?
Power Verses:
2 Timothy 1:14, "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (NIV)
John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 28, 2009
Finding God's Treasures
Renee Swope
"Your word I have treasured in my heart..."
Psalm 119:11a (NAS)
Devotion:
A few years ago, my husband planned a father-son camping trip with a group of friends that included a Friday night treasure hunt. The week before, I found my sons mysteriously searching our house for cardstock paper. The next morning I discovered a few soaking wet pieces hanging to dry in the shower. After further questioning, they told me they were making secret treasure maps.
Of course, the treasure hunt wouldn't be complete without the reward of what they'd find. Two days before departure, my husband took our boys on a preliminary treasure hunt to the Dollar Store to buy water guns and other trinkets for eleven little pirates. That Friday, my husband took half a day off work so they could get to the campsite early and bury the treasure box. I'm convinced they spent more time planning and anticipating the treasure hunt than they did the camping trip.
I loved seeing how excited my boys were, and I couldn't help but wonder how I might tap into that excitement. As a mom, I'm always looking for ways to weave spiritual lessons into everyday life experiences. I want my kids to see the Bible, not as a book of rules to follow, but like a map that leads us on God's great adventure.
I started praying about ways to get creative and connect my kid's interest in treasure hunts to my desire for them to treasure God's Word in their hearts, like King David describes in today's key verse.
King David was a man who searched God's Word for wisdom and treasured it in his heart like gold! He depended on God's promises and was personally guided by God's precepts. Although David had countless worldly riches, God's Word was his greatest treasure, so much that he would meditate on it and write it deeply into the fibers of his thoughts.
I don't know about you, but I want to have the passion David describes and the anticipation my kids displayed when planning that treasure hunt. I want to be so convinced that if I make plans and set aside time to read God's Word, I will be rewarded with promises and insights I can depend on. Instead of reading my Bible because I should, I want to search through it each day like someone looking in a field for a treasure.
As a mom, I want to instill that same desire and confidence in my kids. I want them to see me anticipating all that God has for us, and then follow my lead as we begin each day in His Word on our own treasure hunt for Truth!
Lord, You are my greatest treasure! Your words are more precious than gold. I come to You with a renewed desire to search the scriptures for nuggets of truth, and apply Your wisdom in my daily life. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Chart and CD: Wisdom and tools to help parents search for and store up treasures of Truth in their children's hearts. By Renee Swope
Visit Renee's Blog for practical ways to connect spiritual truths to your everyday life, for you and your kids. And sign up to win some great give-aways for moms.
A Walk to Remember: Living and Leaving a Legacy -- 2 Session DVD taught by Renee Swope
The D6 Conference -- helping parents and churches raise spiritual champions!
Application Steps:
· Buy or make a treasure box to hold index cards. If you have children, they'll love decorating it.
· Write Bible verses and promises on index cards and put them inside.
· Choose a treasure of Truth to read, reflect on and hide in your heart daily or weekly.
· Carry your treasure with you. Write it on sticky notes and put them on mirrors, in lunch boxes, on the fridge, etc.
· At mealtimes, share how the treasure of truth applied to life that day.
Reflections:
Do I read God's Word like I am looking for treasure, or do I skim over it to fulfill an obligation?
Do I believe there are rewards in seeking God, or do I fear He'll just give me more rules to follow?
How does my mindset influence my children's perspective of God's Word?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 2:1-6, "My child, listen to Me and treasure My instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. "(NLT)
Psalm 19:9-11, "The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
January 29, 2009
Unsettled
Lysa TerKeurst
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.." Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
It's been almost a month since many of us resolved to do some things differently this year. So, how is it going? I only had a couple of resolutions this year. But the one closest to my heart and most deserving of my attention is the prayer I scribbled out on New Year's Day.
Unsettle me.
These are the two words rattling about in my brain today. I almost wish it was a more glamorous prayer. Surely more eloquent words could be found for what I'm feeling led to pursue during this new year. But these are the words - this is the prayer for my 2009.
The funny thing is I've spent my whole existence trying to find a place to settle down, people to settle down with, and a spirit about me worthy of all this settled down-ness. All of this is good. A contented heart, thankful for its blessings is a good way to settle.
But there are areas of my life that have also settled that mock my desires to be godly woman - compromises if you will. Attitudes that I've wrapped in the lie, "Well, that's just how I am. And if that's all the bad that's in me, I'm doing pretty good."
I dare you, dear soul of mine, to notice the stark evidence of a spirit that is tainted and a heart that must be placed under the microscope of God's Word. Yes, indeed, unsettle me Lord.
Unearth that remnant of unforgiveness.
Shake loose that justification for harshness.
Reveal that broken shard of pride.
Expose that tendency to distrust.
Unsettle me in the best kind of way. For when I allow Your touch to reach the deepest parts of me - dark and dingy and hidden away too long - suddenly, a fresh wind of life twists and twirls and dances through my soul.
I can delight in forgiveness and love more deeply.
I can discover my gentle responses and find softer ways for my words to land.
I can recognize the beauty of humility and crave the intimacy with God it unleashes.
I can rest assured though harsh winds blow, I will be held.
Goodbye to my remnants, my justifications, shards, and tendencies. This is not who I am, nor who I was created to be.
Goodbye shallow love, sharp words, self-focus, and suspicious fears. I am an unsettled woman who no longer wishes to take part in your distractions or destructions.
Welcome deeper love, softer words, unleashed intimacy, and the certainty I am held.
Welcome my unsettled heart.
Welcome 2009.
Dear Lord, Make me a courageous woman who isn't afraid to pray this prayer over and over this year. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to read about prayers that move the heart of God.
Do You Know Jesus?
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Spend the next couple of weeks reading through the book of Hebrews in the Bible. Write on 3x5 cards every verse that speaks to you personally. I've included some of my favorites in the Power Verses below. Hebrews is such an amazing book full of truths about who Jesus is and how powerfully He can help us in our pursuit of becoming unsettled in the best kind of way.
Reflections:
What are some things in my life that could stand to be unsettled a bit?
Is there someone who I could extend some forgiveness to?
What part of my life do I have the hardest time trusting God?
How might I make progress this year in those areas of struggle?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 1:3, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." (NIV)
Hebrews 2:18, "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (NIV)
Hebrews 5:13-14, "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 30, 2009
Run Another Load
By Gina Parcells, She Speaks Conference Graduate
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NASB)
Devotion:
Laundry ... I'm running another load right now. It seems like once I have washed, dried, folded, and put away the clothes, I discover someone has slipped yet another dirty item into the hamper. The thing about laundry is, its just never-ending.
I've considered taking a sabbatical from the never-ending task, but I'm certain it would accumulate into a heap causing a pervasive stench in my house. Then, I'd hear grumbling from the masses about how they have nothing to wear and, of course, I would cave. My sabbatical would ultimately lead to my own panic as I surveyed the overflowing hampers.
So, no laundry sabbatical for me. Instead, I accept the need to wash clothes regularly. And I do it. It's better for everyone that way.
You know, God has that constant laundering thing going on too, except He's cleansing our hearts instead of our clothes. I'm sure He would rather we not dirty our hearts with sin, but He knows we do and He is always willing, day or night, to cleanse us.
The problem is sometimes I'm unwilling to put my stinky garments in His hamper to be washed. I have favorite sins, like favorite shirts, that I'm resistant to take off. Sometimes, I just wear my sin day in and day out, and the idea of confessing it and asking for grace doesn't even cross my mind. It's like He has a pile of clean clothes ready to go, but I walk right past them.
Fortunately for us, God never takes a cleaning sabbatical, and He doesn't get overwhelmed when our sin hampers seem filled to capacity. In fact, you can dump ten loads of sin in front of Him and He'll wash them all. He's a pro with the delicate cycle. If we can mess it up, He can clean it up ... we just have to ask. As our key verse states, if we confess, He will faithfully forgive.
Dear Lord, I confess to You _________. Thank You for Your faithfulness to cleanse me now, and every single time I come to You. Please help me to recognize my sin and to remember to seek Your forgiveness daily. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado
Daily Prayer Journal
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 32 as if you wrote it to God.
Spend time asking the Lord to search your heart and reveal if there is any offensive way in your heart (Psalm 139:23-24). Use these times of listening and confession as a regular part of your prayer time each morning.
Reflections:
What keeps me from regularly confessing my sin?
What can I use as a trigger to remind me to spend time confessing my sin everyday?
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:2-4, "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight." (NIV)
Psalm 51:10, 12, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
February 2, 2009
Noble Plans, Noble Deeds
Marybeth Whalen
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recent spikes in gas prices. A collapsing housing market. A stock market that fluctuates dramatically. Record foreclosures. Inflation. Bank bailouts and eleventh hour negotiations. It's hard not to notice the economic turmoil our nation has been facing in the last several months. It's also hard not to feel anxiety when we see the latest news reports. When will we come out of this? How far will things go? And yet, Jesus told us not to worry about anything. Right now we might be asking ourselves: How can we not?
Isaiah 32:8 says, "But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands." One part of learning to live without worry as Jesus commands is to begin making wise plans for our financial future. God doesn't want us to leave things to chance or foolishly count on things to never change. Noble plans will bear up in the most shaky environment. Noble deeds will stand even when everything else is crumbling.
About five years ago, my husband and I made the decision to do whatever it took to eliminate our debt and live financially free. When we did, we began living a life that was drastically different from the status quo. I can't say it was easy. But we set our sights on our plan and, with God's help, worked towards the future. Today we are breathing a sigh of relief that we aren't where we once were. There is no doubt in my mind that, had we not made the changes we made five years ago, we would be in serious financial trouble right now. Our monthly debt payments would have been too much on top of the significant increase in the cost of living.
Even though we are out of debt now, we still have to keep working our plan lest we fall back into old habits and rack up new debt. When we sold our home this past summer, some lenders told us we could afford a lot more home than we were anticipating. I will admit that it was tempting to buy the big "dream home" and throw caution to the wind, hoping that my husband would always make his commission and we would "get by." As we prayed about our decision, we knew that wasn't what God wanted us to do. We bought a house that was a much smarter choice financially. It wasn't the "fun" solution and the house we bought wasn't fancy or impressive. And yet, as we have watched the continually declining financial picture of our nation, we know with certainty that we made the right choice. By following God's guidelines and seeking His will, we have experienced the freedom of being able to stand on solid financial ground. Left to our own devices, we would be in a big mess.
This time in our nation can be viewed as either devastating or as a needed wake-up call. Has it got your attention? Are you searching for solutions for your money issues? We can either let it shake us or let it serve as an impetus to make noble plans--plans that line up with God's design for our spending, saving and tithing. We can sign up for a class at church or purchase resources to help us finally create that budget or assess our spending habits. We can talk to our children about scaling back our lifestyle. We can draw closer to our spouse and pray together for God's guidance as we navigate these uncertain times. Most of all, we can discover a new reliance on God as our Provider, our Protector and the source of our peace, no matter what the financial reports say.
Dear Lord, I want to live a financially responsible life. I want to honor You with my financial choices and make plans that reflect Your purpose in my life. Help me to seek You in my finances just like in the rest of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learning to Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Total Money Make-Over by Dave Ramsey
Today's P31 Radio Show
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
Application Steps:
Marybeth will be discussing ways to plan for your financial future on her blog today. Head on over there to join in the discussion.
Reflections:
What is one step you can take today that will help you plan for your financial future?
Is God nudging you to make changes in your spending habits or the way you view money?
Do you have a noble plan for your finances that can serve as a comfort in these uncertain times?
Power Verses:
I Timothy 6:5, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." (NIV)
Proverbs 20:18a, "Make plans by seeking advice." (NIV)
© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 3, 2009
You Are Not Alone
Wendy Blight
"All that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it to dry land." Exodus 14:21 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you feel alone?
Does God feel far away?
Does life seem dark - are you afraid?
At one point in my life, I answered "yes" to each of these questions. Following a tragic incident in my life, fear filled my heart. God seemed so distant. I felt completely alone.
It was then that God placed a familiar story before me from Exodus chapter 14. It tells the story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Initially, Pharaoh agreed to let God's people go, but soon after they left, he changed his mind. He began to pursue them with 600 of his best chariots. The approaching army terrified the Israelites. They cried out to Moses. Moses reminded the people of God's promise that He would deliver them. But their circumstances told them otherwise. They heard the rumbling of the chariots charging toward them. They saw the huge body of water blocking their only escape.
Can you imagine their fear? The reality they knew was that Pharaoh's finest soldiers were pursuing them, and there was a huge obstacle, the Red Sea, preventing their escape. God's people had no idea the miracle awaiting them.
When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, Scripture says, "All that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it to dry land" (Exodus 14:21). Because it was dark, the Israelites could not quite see what God was doing. In the dark of night, God tirelessly worked on behalf of His children to deliver them, just as He had promised.
It's as if the words of this story leapt off the pages of Scripture and into my dark, desolate heart. Although the Israelites could not see or hear God, He was working in the midst of their darkness. I too could not "see" or "feel" God, but He was at work around me in invisible ways -- present and active, working on my behalf to carry me through my dark place.
In the dark, we have two choices. We can take matters into our own hands, turning to drugs or alcohol to numb our pain, seeking out friends' advice, or the latest self-help book, never really knowing if any of them is the way to healing and wholeness. Or we can look to God. We can open His Word and know that He guarantees healing and wholeness.
Would you like the Truth of God's Word to come alive for you? Would you like Him to come along side of you? You need only ask. The Lord promises, "When you seek me with all your heart, you will find me." (Jeremiah 29:13). You don't have to feel alone - seek God today!
Dear Heavenly Father, it is so difficult to walk through darkness. You feel so far away. I feel so alone. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me or forsake me, and that there is nothing in all creation that will ever separate me from the love I have in You and in Your Son. Walk ever so closely with me during this darkness, Lord. Speak to me. Give me hope. Show me the treasures in my darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
For more on Wendy's story, visit her blog
Sanctuary Devotional Bible
Application Steps:
Sometimes God allows difficult circumstances to do a mighty transformational work in our lives. Will you examine your heart and honestly ask the Lord whether your difficult circumstances might not be a part of His refining process for your life...to make you more like Him? Journal what you discover.
Reflections:
Reflect on this verse from Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to...bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners..." Allow God the Healer, Jesus the Redeemer to come bind up your brokenness, show you the way to freedom, and release you from the darkness. He is waiting.
Power Verses:
1 John 1:5b, "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." (NIV)
Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 4, 2009
Rest
Zoe Elmore
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Who knew that rest was something to seek after like one would pursue a virtuous quality? After all, aren't virtues supposed to be difficult and even require heroic action? I consider rest to be passive, a do-nothing kind of thing. What is the value of that in our daily lives, especially in the life of a busy woman?
Rest, like all things, is only good if it is taken in the right measure and at the right time. When I was a singer (in my former years), I learned that a properly placed rest is as effective as any note. By putting rest into practice in our lives, we reap the benefit and value it brings. As women, many of us have forgotten the importance of rest and how to employ the proper placing of the pause.
When people ask how things are going, more often than not the response is, "Busy as usual," or "There aren't enough hours in the day to get it all done."
Why are we so busy and why do many of us feel this way?
I think one reason may be that our society has sold women a false sense of self-worth by connecting our value to our level of busyness. We should ask ourselves the important question found in Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or God? Or am I still trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Now please don't think I am suggesting all women go on permanent rest and take to our beds leaving our responsibilities and families to suffer. Heaven forbid! What I am suggesting is this. When faced with another opportunity to "do" one more thing, "go" to one more event or "host" one more party, resist the urge to immediately throw up your hand and volunteer. Pause and pray, asking the Lord's direction regarding each matter. Perhaps the Lord has someone else in mind to "fill" the position.
Some women have discovered the secret to living a full yet balanced life. Their busy life is punctuated with periods of rest, and that rest consists of a time of prayer. When I see women who rest in the midst of their busy lives I do not see them frantic and harried like myself. Their spiritual balance allows them to accomplish more with less stress.
Perhaps they have learned to employ the truths found in Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (NIV). Just like farmers hand-crafted a yoke for every work-animal to help and assist them in their work, these women have learned that the Lord's yoke is perfectly fitted to us in order to assist us in the work He has ordained. And resting is one component of that work. When we are obedient to do the work God has called us to we can experience the joy and benefit of a balanced spiritual life as we utilize the proper place of rest.
Dear Lord, Thank You for reminding me that rest is an important part of spiritual balance. Teach me to seek Your direction as I prioritize my life's busyness. I want to experience and enjoy the balance of work and rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life by Keri Wyatt Kent
Do You Know Him?
Visit Zoe Elmore's blog
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Editors. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
The next time your life becomes frantic and harried, pause for a time of restful prayer. Memorize the power verses below and learn the benefits of rest; it will help you achieve balance in your spiritual life.
Reflections:
What can you do to ensure proper rest is a part of your life?
What is the Lord calling you to "give up" as a way of making room for proper rest?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:3, "And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." (NIV)
Exodus 33:14 "The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" (NIV)
Hebrews 4:10, "For anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." (NIV)
© 2008 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 5, 2009
Orange and White Barrels
Van Walton
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths... I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Last spring I monotonously approached my neighborhood exit where a newly posted sign announced that I could not make my normal left turn. Lined up on the road as far as I could see around the bend was a neatly laid row of orange and white barrels. Road construction had interrupted my usual routine.
My daily plans would now be detoured due to the construction. Faced with this disruption that would surely put a kink in my life, I felt agitated and even hit the steering wheel with my fist. I would have to design new ways to reach my destinations and I wasn't happy about it.
One day when construction was completed enough to allow some through traffic, I turned left and surveyed the sights. I couldn't believe what I saw. No more lovely forest. Gone were the inviting trails into the woods. Decades-old wooden fences and bridges had disappeared. Honestly, the place resembled the combined affects of earthquake and fire. That whole summer I rolled up to the intersection with its orange and white barrels, and it triggered in me negative thoughts and feelings.
Soon after, my life was more seriously interrupted. A disturbing phone call forced me to drop everything. The bad news exploded like a bomb - my heart and mind quaked with emotion. Spiritual frustration filled my soul in the following months. I can't remember how many times my fist hit hard places. I screamed at God when life carried me away from the direction I wanted to take.
"How long will You take me out of my way?" I questioned God. I longed for my life before the interruption. Managing my days on autopilot was no longer an option as I faced my new circumstances. Slowly I began to see that this spiritual reconstruction paralleled the roadwork outside my neighborhood.
Once all the orange and white barrels were gone and I was free to turn left at that intersection, I appreciated the results. Smooth asphalt spread out before me. Two lanes of traffic moved steadily. The "earthquake zone" had been transformed into a park-like setting. A tree-lined sidewalk encouraged pedestrians to walk toward the ballpark and the neighborhood church. Admiring the new landscape, I realized I'd been inconvenienced, but now I could see that the long delays were worthwhile.
Today, although my life continues to zigzag through various "construction sites," I realize God allowed me to experience the orange and white-barreled roads to illustrate a truth. He is at work up ahead rearranging the landscape of my life. Psalm 37:34 says, "Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land." (NLT)
I may not be able to see what that land looks like, but I believe His Word. So, with His help, I put my hope in Him, traveling the paths He lays out for me, even though they are not the familiar roads I would normally take.
Father God, You know how difficult life is right now. My interrupted life and the difficult roads You have me traveling feel like they'll break me. Give me the capacity to graciously travel the paths You lay out before me. Help me trust You, In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
Application Steps:
Memorize one of the referenced Bible verses. Pray it out loud when disruptions threaten to interrupt your life.
Reflections:
How has my life been interrupted recently?
How would God have me respond to this most recent disturbance?
Power Verses:
Psalm 25:4, "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow." (NLT)
© 2009 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 6, 2009
Risky Behavior (The Good Kind!)
By T. Suzanne Eller
Peter said to Jesus, "If it is You, Lord, tell me to come to You on the water.
Jesus said, "Come!" Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus.'"
Matthew 14:28-29 (New Life Bible)
Devotion:
A long time ago I took a risk with God. Opening my heart to Him meant that I would be vulnerable. I had learned that if I stepped outside my carefully constructed walls, I could be hurt. Was I willing to let God past those barriers? Letting Him in became a first step in a life of risky behavior - the good kind! My mantra -- the beat to which I marched -- became "do it afraid."
God had plans for me that I could never imagine. If I could go back in time, I would find a young girl sitting outside on a curb, afraid to go back into her home because of the chaos. She was hurting. She was angry. She wanted to run away and never come back. I'd wrap my arms around her and tell her that God loves her. That He had plans for her life that she couldn't even imagine. I'd tell her to take risks.
It was a risk to become an author. It was a risk to become a speaker. But there were other, more personal, risks that came first. It was a risk to believe that I could have a loving, safe and fun family. It was a risk to break free from the entanglements of my past and embrace who God intended me to be. It was a risk to take the mask off and be myself with others.
Every time I took a step outside my comfort zone, I grew spiritually. I discovered God's destiny rather than operating within the limitations of my own experiences. I discovered a powerful truth along the way: When we take calculated risks, we discover talents and facets of our personality waiting to be developed.
But Suzie, what if I put myself out there, make myself vulnerable, and wind up getting hurt? Fear can be our largest obstacle to stepping out in courage. A step of faith might not look like success to others, but every risk can ignite more courage. But still, what if I fail? Take time to consider the other "what if's?" ...
¨ What if you live in authenticity and discover new and lasting relationships (even with those in your own home)?
¨ What if you face your fears and overcome them?
¨ What if you unmask your emotions and actually deal with them?
¨ What if you tell your secrets and they no longer suffocate you in the hidden places of your heart?
Step out of your boat, as Peter did, and discover who you are and what you can do as a child of an amazing God. It's a calculated risk, and it's worth it.
Dear Father, I am climbing out of the boat today just like Peter. I hear Your truth instead of the voice of doubt and fear. I trust that You know me as my Creator. Help me to take a baby step today toward You and my destiny. Thank You for reaching out and helping me walk on unfamiliar and exciting waters. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog.
Application Steps:
Write down this word in five places where you can see it throughout the day: ANTICIPATE
(Begin to anticipate what God can do in your life.)
Reflections:
It is important to differentiate between a calculated risk and risky behavior. Risky behavior--the bad kind--is anything that goes against Scripture or that has the potential to physically or emotionally harm you or your loved ones.
A calculated risk:
o Is planned and has a specific goal in mind. (I want to be a speaker, so I will go to a training conference, take a course, connect with others with the same passion.)
o May cost you something (thus the word "risk"), but you've weighed the cost vs. the benefits and the possible advantages are worth it.
o Is trying new things, exploring talents that lie dormant, and reaching out to new friends.
o Is believing that you can be accepted and valued for who you are.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:19-20 "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms." (NLT)
© 2009 By T. Suzanne Eller. All Rights Reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 9, 2008
Hand-Made Heart
Lee Merrill, She Speaks! Graduate
"He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do."
Psalm 33:15 (NLT)
Devotion:
I love hand-made gifts. Just knowing that someone loves me enough to take the time to create something just for me touches my "I feel loved" button!
Personally, I can't sew, paint, or do anything remotely crafty. In fact, when I was a high school summer missionary working with underprivileged children in Houston, Texas, I wore a pin every day that said, "I Don't Do Crafts."
One Christmas, as a money-deprived newlywed, I decided I would take on the creative gift-giving task of decoupaging glass platters with decorative tissue paper. The craft show that inspired me turned out these gorgeous serving platters resembling stained glass. Well, mine looked like crumbled up tissue paper glued to the bottom of a glass platter. I can still remember the shame I felt after giving one of those ugly platters to my creative mother-in-law.
My lack of talent in the crafts department gives me a deep appreciation for the skills of others. I love admiring hand-made scrapbooks, cross-stitched wall hangings, hand-painted pottery, and all kinds of other crafty things. The scrapbooks my mother-in-law have given me over the years are some of my most prized possessions. (Glad she didn't hold the ugly platter against me!)
Did you know that our Heavenly Father is a crafter? Psalm 33:15 says that God, "made [our] hearts, so He understands everything [our] do." (NLT)
How does it make you feel to know that the Ultimate Crafter--Almighty God--fashioned your heart individually?! You have a hand-made heart!
God is such an amazing crafter that He doesn't even have to spend countless hours toiling over the task. Psalm 33:9 tells us, "For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." (NIV)
I can just picture my loving Lord almost four decades ago thinking to Himself, Hmmm...the 1970's are quickly approaching. It's time to create Lee. I'm going to make her tender-hearted and full of compassion. I know she'll have a leaning toward laziness and inconsistency, but I'll give her victory over that when she's ready. I want to use her to point people to me and to the power of prayer. I want her to be there to lift up the downcast and point the defeated to triumph through My power!
If you are feeling less-than-precious today, pray these words based on Psalm 139:13-14 out loud, and take comfort as you their truth them into your heart and soul:
God, You created my innermost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I'll praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The works of Your hands -- including me -- are wonderful, help me know that full well.
Dear Lord, we can be very critical of Your one-of-a-kind creations called "us." Please forgive my lack of thanksgiving for all the beautiful things You hand-fashioned in me. You and I both know I have flaws that need work, but nevertheless, I am fearfully and wonderfully made by the Master Crafter--You. Polish and shape me into exactly who You had in mind when you knit me together in my mother's womb. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Your Creator?
Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
She Speaks! Conference
Application Steps:
In your journal, write out a prayer of thanksgiving to God as you reflect on the beautiful qualities He created in you. Include the qualities that will be made "beautiful in His time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Keep an eye out for someone who needs to be reminded that she is a one-of-a-kind creation of the Master Crafter.
Reflections:
When you declare you are "no good," what are you telling God about His skills as a Creator?
Do you truly believe God's Word when He says you are wonderfully made? If not, ask Him to change your mind!
Power Verses:
Song of Solomon 4:7, "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." (ESV)
Psalm 139: 13-14: ". for you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image..." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lee Merrill. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 10, 2009
Pleading for Salvation?
Luann Prater
"...for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Kay was a prodigal. She had been stunningly beautiful, but now her beauty was hollow and worn. Downcast with shoulders slumped, she walked through the doors of her childhood church. The reaction of the congregation burned an image that remained in my young mind. Heads turned and steely whispers followed her as she made her way forward during the invitation. She fell to her knees at the altar. A group gathered around her and prayed for what seemed like an eternity. She slowly rose to her feet and was asked, "Did you pray through?" to which the weary wanderer replied, "I think so."
I don't remember ever seeing Kay back in church again.
"Pray through." In my small town church this phrase was synonymous with striving, straining, and working to find grace and deliverance. When I became a prodigal myself and wanted desperately to find answers and deliverance, I remembered the forlorn look of Kay and decided to keep wandering. It just seemed easier than trying to "pray through" somehow.
Have you been wandering through life looking for answers? Do you long to return to the Father after being far away but hesitate, wondering what it will cost?
When coming "back home" we often have the same mentality as the prodigal son in Luke15:18-19, "'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants (ESV).'" Feeling worn down and unworthy, we return to our Heavenly Father thinking we have to work like hired servants to earn our place.
After many years, I discovered that forgiveness and salvation aren't chores for us to labor over. They are tremendous free gifts from an amazing God! How incredibly liberating to know that Jesus offers these to any and all who believe on His name.
Jesus says, "Come to me." Period. It really isn't any more complicated than that. He loves you. He has been waiting for you and He welcomes you with open arms. We don't have to work for forgiveness or "pray through" like those well-meaning people in my childhood church felt the need to do. God's heart for us is the same as the prodigal son's father in Luke 15:20. "So he [the prodigal son] got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (NIV).
When you allow Jesus to walk through the doors of your heart, no pleading is necessary, only faith that His salvation and grace are your gifts.
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. Today I come to You and believe that You are my Savior. I ask You to come into my heart and forgive me. Help me to live in the freedom that You promised to give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores a Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Visit Luann's Blog
Application Steps:
If you don't know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, ask Him into your heart today.
If you are a believer and have seen weary wanderers walk through the doors of your church, show them unconditional love. Be the grace-filled Jesus with skin on to them.
Reflections:
Do I understand God's grace; His unmerited favor towards me, His daughter?
Who in my world needs a kind word or touch from me?
Have wandered away from home - even in some small area of my life - and need to return to the Father?
Power Verses:
John 6:37, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." (NIV)
Hebrews 10:22, "...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)
Matthew 11: 28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
© 2009 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 11, 2008
What Has God Done For Me Lately?
Tracie Miles
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Is the glass half full or half empty? Is it partly sunny or partly cloudy? Perspective makes all the difference.
Even for strong Christians who are grounded in their faith, discouragement can easily sneak its way into hearts and minds as life deals us chaos. As we struggle with the challenges and difficulties of everyday life, or things that happened to us that were unfair or unwarranted, it is easy to get pulled into a habitual mindset of negativity. Just like that old song from the '80s says, we may find ourselves asking God, "What have you done for me lately?"
Our answer to that question will depend entirely upon our perspective. God does more for us each and every day than we deserve, but it's so easy to lose sight of the good, because we are caught up in the reality of the bad. How do we combat this perfectly human attitude?
Prayer.
Resolve to have an attitude like Christ.
Take inventory of our every blessing.
Life. Your every breath. Your every heart beat. A spouse or loved one. Children. Clothes that need to be washed because God gave you clothes to wear, and a way to wash those clothes. Good health to help those whose health is failing. Trusted and educated doctors to treat you when you are facing health challenges. A house that needs cleaning. A car to drive. The ability to purchase gas for the car. A job to go to. The ability to be a stay at home mom or wife. Healthy kids who can play music or sports. Friends. Family. Freedom. Jesus. Eternal life.
What is on your inventory list today? If you were honest with yourself, would you say you have been looking for the positive aspects of the situations in your life? Are you considering how God could be using those things to draw you closer to Him? Or have you been primarily focused on the negative?
During times of negativity, we actually become our own enemy. We wage a battle in our mind because we look at our situation from our own perspective, instead of what God may be doing through our situation. So in order to change our minds, we have to choose to change the way we think -- our perspective. Attitude is a choice.
Winston Churchill once said, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." What do you usually see?
To quote an old cliché, today is the first day of the rest of your life, and it is never too late to become an optimist! I have heard it takes 21 days of doing something for it to become a new habit. The more you practice challenging your thought patterns, the more automatic it will become. Changes may not take place immediately, but over time, the challenge gets easier, and optimism becomes the norm instead of the exception.
Are you willing to take the challenge to become an optimist today? The rewards of looking for God's goodness in every situation will be a healthier and happier heart.
Dear Lord, help me with my human tendency to be critical or look for the negative in situations. Forgive me for a lack of gratitude for all You have given me. Thank You for Your patience with me as I strive to be a Godly example. Guide my heart to recognize You at work, instead of seeing things from an earthly perspective. Lead me into a closer relationship with You by helping me remember to count my blessings every day. I n Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
A Thankful Heart: How Gratitude Brings Hope and Healing to our Lives by Carole Lewis
Visit Tracie's Blog
Application Steps:
Draw two columns on a piece of paper. On the left side, make a list of the difficult situations or daily frustrations in your life. On the right side, write down something positive about that situation or frustration, and how God can grow your faith by depending on Him about that situation. If you have a hard time finding something positive, pray and ask God to show you.
Reflections:
Is my attitude typically one of negativity or optimism?
If a close friend were asked to describe me as a pessimist or an optimist, which one would they choose?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 1:1-3, "Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want." (The Message)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 12, 2009
Unexpected Treasure
Amy Carroll
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Where is that goat?" the young Bedouin shepherd muttered under his breath in frustration. He clambered over the rocks as he moved up the cliff on his search. It was hot, and he was impatient. Rather than going into the darkness of the cave near him to look, the shepherd tossed a rock into the opening and listened for a protesting "Bahhhh!" Instead, he heard the breaking of a pot. Suddenly the goat was forgotten, and the shepherd's curiosity prevailed. He entered the cave to find one of the greatest archeological and religious treasures ever discovered--the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Visiting an exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls recently captured my imagination, and my mind pictured the story above. The tale continues that this nomadic shepherd took the scraps of paper rolled in a cloth and stored in the pot to a merchant in Bethlehem. From there, the treasure passed from hand to hand until they came to rest in a special museum at Hebrew University named the Shrine of the Book. The fact that these ancient documents of God's own Word lay moldering, unfound in a cave for over a thousand years before being found in the search for a wandering goat seized my heart and mind.
Paul tells us that each believer is a jar of clay that contains treasure. When we look through scripture, we can see that we contain peace (Philippians 4:7), the forgiveness of sins, redemption, the riches of God's grace (Ephesians 1:7), joy (John 15:11) and the resurrection power of Christ (Philippians 3:10).
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls provides a powerful and biblical picture of how a broken vessel can release the power of God into our lives and those around us. Brokenness, although painful, is one of God's means of showing His all-surpassing power in our lives. Even when the cause of our brokenness is the result of living in a fallen and sin-filled world, God is able to show Himself as the Redeemer by pouring out His treasures through us.
Are you a broken or crushed pot today? Are you suffering because of the loss of a job or the current financial crisis? Are your emotions broken and bruised because of the rejection of a friend or husband? Are you experiencing crushing loneliness because of the loss of someone dearly loved? Is your heart torn and bleeding for a wayward child? If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, He says even in catastrophic times He is not only with you but longing to pour out through you. God's Word that you have been storing away in the quiet times with Him can be revealed through your brokenness. He sees your pain, and His heart breaks with your every hurt. You are dearly loved. Hold on to His promise that your brokenness is not wasted but releases His Spirit to do works of perseverance, power, character and hope.
At times, I've been a very intact pot, moldering and hidden in a cave while the world around me sinks into the abyss of the absence of His Word. I pray with my broken sisters today that God would use the broken places in each of us for His great glory and our ultimate good. I pray even as He walks with us through the broken places of our lives that His Word would be exposed and powerful in a lost and dying world.
Dear Lord, I come to you in brokenness today. I give myself over to you even in my weakness and frailness. No matter if I've been broken by sin or circumstances, I ask you to fill my broken pot and pour out through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Redemption by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley
Visit Amy's blog
Application Steps:
Read the power verses below.
Memorize one of them and quote it often as you struggle in a difficult time.
Reflections:
How can I come to know God's Word better so that it can flow out in times of brokenness?
Power Verses:
Phillipians 3:10-11, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (NIV)
James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (NIV)
Romans 5:3-5, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 13, 2009
Be Mine
Rachel Olsen
"My lover is mine, and I am his." Song of Solomon 2:16 (NLT)
Devotion:
While I spent the last few months thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, another group of people likely spent it focused on Valentine's Day: greeting card writers. Valentine's Day is the second-biggest card-buying holiday besides Christmas. More than 200 million cards will be exchanged this weekend. That's a lot of love.
Have you ever watched somebody pick out a greeting card for someone special? Growing up, my family owned a chain of Hallmark stores where I worked as a sales clerk. The occasional customer would breeze in, look at two or three cards and then head to my cash register. However, most would spend 10, 20, even 30 minutes reading through cards, searching for the just right expression of love.
In Christ, God sent us the ultimate Valentine. "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life" (John 3:16, The Message). Whole and lasting, two things we desperately seek but rarely find in this world. Long after the greeting cards I might receive are forgotten, I know that God's love for me endures.
Jesus demonstrated His love for us and taught us how to live and love each other. He received criticism, testing and rejection -- and yet gathered strength from God to turn the other cheek. Jesus prayed for us, and His enemies. He even suffered crucifixion in order to save us from our sin. Jesus is God's perfect expression of love. His life and death are God saying to me and you, "Be Mine."
Yes, God loves us so much that He gave us His most valuable gift, Himself. And after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to heaven, God sent His Spirit to remain with us. As He shares Himself with us through His Son and His Sprit, God says, "You are my beloved." Hearing that is better than any sentiment the best card-writer could pen. God Himself, given for you and me -- as well as anyone willing to open their heart to Him -- demonstrates the ultimate expression of love. Like melt-in-your-mouth chocolates from a heart-shape satin box, He invites us to taste and see that He is good.
Close your eyes and hear Him whispering to you today, "Be Mine."
Dear Lord, Thank You for first loving me, and for showing me what love truly is. I'm so grateful You invited me to be Yours. Like a bouquet of exquisite roses in a simple earthen vase, I treasure Your presence in this "jar of clay." May others see You displayed in me this Valentine's, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have You Received God's "Valentine" in Christ?
My Prince Will Come by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Want More Love? For teens by Kathy Wierenga Buchanan
Stop by Rachel's blog
Application Steps:
Take some time to read through scriptures about love. You can read through them in Paul's writings online here at Biblegateway.com.
Reflections:
Do I realize the great extent of God's love for me?
How do I respond to that? What does it look like to "Be God's?"
Power Verses:
John 15:12-13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)
1 John 3:16a, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." (NIV)
Romans 5:5, "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (NLT)
1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (NIV)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 17, 2009
Keep Chalking the Line
Lynn Cowell
"And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'" Genesis 2:16 -17 (NIV)
Devotion:
When it came to football, my mother-in-law gave me great advice, "You can either get mad or learn to love it too." I took the latter part of her advice. So, along with 90 million other Americans, I was recently glued to my TV watching the Super Bowl. It reminded me of several years ago when my husband and I had the opportunity to be one of the screaming fans attending the Super Bowl.
Knowing this was once-in-a-lifetime, we arrived at the stadium hours before the game to watch preparations. We took in everything, including the caretakers pushing their carts up and down, carefully chalking in the boundary lines.
At any football game, depending on the weather, these lines might be facing a tough day. Rain, snow, cleats, smashed bodies might beat against them for hours. At the end of the game, they are no longer white, straight and clean. In some places, they may have been completely rubbed away. But when game time rolls around again, the caretakers pull out their carts and chalk the lines back in.
Often, as a parent of two teens and a pre-teen, I grow weary of "chalking in the lines." Peer pressure, TV, music, and FaceBook all beat against the boundary lines of safety and obedience I have helped create for them. I am prone to think to myself as my children leave the house with keys in hand, "I don't have to remind them to not blare the music. They know. I've told them before." Or, "It isn't necessary to tell them not to have the opposite sex in the house when you are gone. You have told them that many times." But then I remember that the world is constantly repeating its opinion on what is fun, acceptable, and okay. So I must chalk in the lines by reminding them of the boundaries the Lord has called me to put in their life.
The Lord is our example of setting boundaries with those we love. In the Garden of Eden, He made it clear to His children that they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He set the boundary. It was then up to Adam and Eve to obey.
Just recently, I had to chalk the lines again. My son asked me if he could attend an event, to which my answer had to be "no." With tear-filled eyes, I explained why. Needless to say, he was not happy! But then I remembered another conversation we had several months ago when he said, "Mom, thanks for my curfew. It has kept me out of trouble many times." That was evidence enough for me that when we set the boundaries, with love, they know we care deeply about them.
When the day has been long, when you are tired, trying to cook, run a load of laundry and figure out what time you need to leave for the next rehearsal, my hope is that you will not grow weary in "chalking in your lines." I pray that one day soon, your child will thank you, too.
Dear Lord, help me. Sometimes as a parent, I get tired: tired of going against the world that seems to have no boundaries. In Your strength, help me to lovingly show my child the way. Soften their heart to accept and obey. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Boundaries: When to Say Yes & How to Say No by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Lynn's blog
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Application Steps:
Write a list of boundaries for your family and your home. During natural conversations (in the car, during breakfast) casually bring these up a little at a time, making sure your child knows what your boundaries are.
Reflections:
Are there any areas in your own life where you have overstepped God's boundaries?
Do you discuss boundaries with your child at times when it won't turn into a heated argument?
Power Verses:
2 Thessalonians 3:13, "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." (NIV)
Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 18, 2009
A Brownie Knife
Sylvia Basham, She Speaks! Graduate
"But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."
1 Corinthians 12.18 (ESV)
Devotion:
Oddly enough, I'm thinking about plastic knives today. You know, the kind you get with your to-go meal at restaurants, packaged with a plastic fork, spoon, and napkin?
For years I ditched the plastic knife, thinking they are a waste of energy and not very useful at cutting my food. Steak, chicken, pot roast ...metal knives slice right through these, but not plastic knives. Hard foods are not their forte. Where plastic knives do excel, however, is in cutting fresh from the oven, piping hot brownies!
Have you ever cut brownies with a table knife and made a ragged mess out of them? Well, I've discovered a way to enjoy them, and keep them in tact, while they're still warm. I've used this trick successfully for years, as my hips will attest. Nice squares of warm, gooey chocolate goodness with smooth edges can be yours when cut with a plastic knife.
Knowing plastic knives' special knack for cutting brownies, I use them specifically for that purpose. I don't try to cut cardboard, steak or wood with them. That would be a senseless misuse of their gifts.
Oh, but how often have I misused my gifts or stepped away from my natural talents, attempting something I am not really cut out to do? This usually leads to frustration and a mess.
The point is this: God designed each one of us with certain abilities, but we tend to look at the abilities of the other women and we get caught in the comparison trap. We try to emulate her gifts and her talents when God has called us to something totally different.
Some of my friends have better culinary skills. Some of my friends train their children better than I. Some of my friends are well organized. Some of my friends...well, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is this: What am I going to do with what I am?
Paul puts it this way in I Corinthians 12.17-19: "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?" (ESV)
In what way has God gifted you? Have you yet to use that talent for His glory? Are you a wonderful hostess? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who is a teacher. Are you an organizer? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who is creative. Are you great with children? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who writes the newsletter.
After many years of anguish over my place in this world, or in my church, or in a women's group, I've come to embrace that which God has blessed me with. And I've decided I love being a plastic brownie knife!
Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts and talents You've given each of us. Please show us where we are most useful for Your kingdom and Your purposes. Give us boldness to carry out Your will especially when it might be an unexpected task. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
She Speaks Conference
Youniquely Woman: Becoming Who God Designed You To Be by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes and Donna Otto
Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope
The Confident Woman by Anabel Gillham
Application Steps:
Pray and ask God to reveal your gifts and passions which can best be used to further His kingdom. Embrace and excel in your uniqueness. Be available when opportunities arise for which your talents are best suited.
Reflections:
Are you grateful for your gifts or do you dismiss them as useless?
Are you second-guessing God and making comparisons with the talents of others?
Will you choose to love who God created you to be?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (NIV)
Matthew 25:22-23, "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 19, 2009
Pause Before Reacting
Lysa TerKeurst
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few years ago, Art and I hit a rough place financially. Some investments we'd made went bad and we lost nearly our entire life savings. I was knee deep in 3 small children at the time and hadn't a clue that financial danger was looming on the horizon.
That is until Art came home one day and the look on his face spoke of utter defeat. How could we have lost so much? He'd been wise with our finances. He'd done his research. He was a faithful saver. I stood stunned in our foyer that day, as Art told me the news.
There were many different directions my reaction could have gone in the minutes that followed. I was upset. When Art first talked of making these particular investments, I shared with him that I didn't have a good feeling about it. But, in the end, I let him make the final decision.
So many times in my marriage, I've chosen the wrong words - words that were tainted with bitterness, words that were emotionally toxic. But I'm so thankful the Lord had been working on preparing my heart for this moment and instead of reacting immediately with what would have been a disastrous response, I paused. I allowed the Holy Spirit a few seconds to interrupt my natural flesh feelings.
Then, because of God's Spirit working in me, I was able to wrap my arms around my husband and speak life-giving words into his weary heart. "I love you Art. I loved you yesterday when we had everything. I love you today when we have nothing. I love you for who you are, not what you have."
A few years later, Art and I were on Dr. Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program. On the show Art was asked, "I know you and Lysa had a rough start to your marriage. But what happened that made you know you'd stick by her forever, no matter what?"
Without hesitation, Art recounted my reaction over the lost investments.
I cried.
Had I been left to my own flesh reaction that day, it could have set us on the road to marital disaster. But, because of God's response being stored up in me, this situation wound up bringing us closer together than we'd ever been.
I realized how crucial it is to always be aware of God's preparation in our lives. Because He stands in our yesterday, today and tomorrow, He sees all. And He knows the perfect way to prepare our hearts for every situation.
When we embrace His preparations, even a girl with firecrackers in her blood like me can have reactions that honor God and breathe life into relationships.
Dear Lord, remind me to pause before I react. Sometimes the stresses of life pull at my emotions, which cause me to have reactions that tear at my relationships. Please forgive me for poor reactions in my past. Thank You for second chances. Thank You for the way You prepare my heart for everything You see that I'll be facing today, tomorrow and in all my tomorrows to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Part of embracing His preparations are to pray prayers that make God my focus rather than my circumstances--- Here are a few I've been inspired to pray:
God, despite my circumstances, I will find reasons to praise You.
God, even when I feel disappointed by what life brings, I will trust You to bring good out of bad.
God, no matter what, I will hold on to You and Your truths.
God, my deepest desire is for more of You in me. And if that is the desire of my heart, I will never be disillusioned.
Reflections:
When hard situations arise, do I tend to react out of my emotions or out of a well-prepared heart of love? How might pausing help me to react better?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:4, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (NIV)
John 15:4, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 20, 2009
The Whitening Process
Marybeth Whalen
"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow."
Psalm 51:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
When my dental hygienist of a mom gave me a free whitening kit from her dentist's office, I was elated. The cost of the whitening treatment had been far too expensive for me in the past, so I had never pursued it. But free I could do! Unfortunately, I quickly discovered this whole teeth whitening thing wasn't the blissful experience I had anticipated. It was far more painful and complicated than I understood when I began. As I thought about this, I realized it was a parallel to the Christian life.
Whitening is painful. The chemicals they use in the bleaching process can cause pain. The nerves under the gum-line that are exposed to these chemicals can really hurt, making things you used to do without thinking--like eating, for example--impossible. I thought about how this applies to God's process of making us white as snow, as today's verse says. We want that process to be quick and easy. We don't want Him to make things we used to do to become painful or unpleasant. And yet, by exposing those nerves--the stuff we keep hidden under the surface--we are forced to change things about ourselves. We don't want the pain, and yet sometimes pain is the only thing that will cause the change God wants to bring about in us.
Whitening takes a long time. I was asking my mom why they don't just make a product that works in one application. Why does this process have to be so drawn out? "Because," she answered, "The chemicals are so harsh you couldn't take it all in one application, so they break it up a little at a time." I thought about how gentle and loving our Heavenly Father is, allowing us to go through a process of refinement, instead of being exposed to more than we can take all at once. He leads us along the path of righteousness -- a journey. He never gives us more than we can take, balancing just the right amount of pain mixed with just the right amount of perfectly timed relief. It might take longer than we want, but we can find peace in knowing that the end-result will be worth waiting for.
Whitening isn't convenient. I couldn't find an ideal time to submit myself to this process. Finding three hours to wear a tray full of chemicals in my mouth just wasn't happening. The refiner's fire is like this. It is never convenient and it certainly won't fit into your neatly ordered life to develop the character of Christ. And if you wait until you are "ready" to submit to it with your whole heart, well, it likely will never get done. God wants us to come before Him and say, "I will make the time to undergo what You have for me, because I want to be all I can for You, Lord." When He hears this from us, He moves within our lives to bring about dazzling change.
God's whitening process--it might not be easy, or tidy, or even close to what we expected, but we can trust it will be for the best.
Dear Lord, the cry of David's heart is the cry of my heart: I want You to cleanse me, to make me whiter than snow. I understand that pain, discomfort and inconvenience will be part of that process. Help me to submit to that process every step of the way and to trust You at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
Sit quietly with the Lord asking Him, "Lord, what areas in my life need to be cleaned?"
Enlist the encouragement of a good friend in Christ for accountability in making and keeping the choice to be refined.
Reflections:
Have you gone through a painful time that you can now see was part of your "whitening process"?
Do you struggle with submitting yourself to the inconvenience of God's maturation process?
Power Verses:
I Peter 4:12-13, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (NIV)
Psalm 23:3, "He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (NIV)
Zechariah 13:9, "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 21
Read Numbers 19 -- 20
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Your heart will break as disobedience by two men of God results in a terrible judgment. You will find two deaths recorded here, as well as a nation sealing its own fate by refusing to help the people of God. How gloriously Christ is typified twice in today's reading.
The law of the red heifer was introduced following the death of 14,700 Israelites (16:49). And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin (19:9). The Israelites had falsely accused Moses and Aaron of killing Korah and those with him who had attempted to overthrow the leadership of Moses and Aaron (16:3).
Although 14,700 had died, all the congregation of the children of Israel had murmured against Moses and Aaron (16:41). The survivors were equally guilty and God warned them: Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the Tabernacle . . . lest they . . . die (18:22). A new revelation of the exceeding seriousness of sin and its consequences was made known through this new ordinance. We would have not known sin, but by the Law (Rom. 7:7).
If an Israelite touched a dead beast he was unclean for one day, but if he touched a dead man he was unclean for seven days (Num. 19:11). The sinfulness of a man's corrupt nature is viewed as seven times more defiling than any vile animal. The slightest touch of a bone from a dead man defiled one for seven days. It taught Israel not to ignore the defiling effect of what is often dismissed as little sins. Even when he touched a grave he was unclean for seven days. This points out how even hidden things such as evil thoughts defile, for they are the source of all sins (Prov. 23:7; Matt. 12:35).
All the sacrifices illustrated the various aspects of the death of Christ for the sins of the world. The red heifer sacrifice was instituted for the faithful who, as they go through life, sometimes fall into sin and need to be forgiven and cleansed (comp. I John 1:7,9). Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matt. 15:11,19).
Thought for Today:
Just because we are doing a good thing does not make it acceptable to God. It still must be done with no ulterior motive.
Christ Revealed:
Through the rock that Moses struck (Num. 20:8-11; also Ex. 17:6). Christ, our Rock, who was struck once through His death on the cross, can not be struck again. That spiritual Rock that followed (accompanied) them . . . was Christ (I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
19:2 spot =defect; 19:6 hyssop =bushy, leafy plant that grows in the walls in Jerusalem similar to mint; 19:10 stranger =foreigner; 20:3 chode =expressed anger; 20:10 fetch =bring; 20:12 sanctify Me =hold Me in reverential honor; 20:13 strove =contended; 20:14 travail =hardship, affliction; 20:15 vexed =mistreated; 20:24 gathered to his people =died; 20:29 house =people.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Duane & Mary Ann Seaburg • Staff: Mary Kay Wagner • Government Officials: Rep. Charles Boustany (LA), Rep. Phil Hare (IL), Rep. John Lewis (GA), Rep. John Shimkus (IL), and Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME) • Country: Botswana (1.5 million) in southern Africa • Major languages: English and Setswana • Limited religious freedom because of local chiefs • 58% Christian; 40% Indigenous; .8% Baha'i; .2% Muslim; .2% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Forgive others without exception, and then ask the Lord to forgive you (Matt. 6:12).
Optional Reading: Luke 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9
February 23, 2009
How is Your Marriage?
Melissa Taylor
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (NASB)
Devotion:
A while ago, I wrote a devotion where I revealed portions of my past that continue to affect my marriage today. I followed that up with another one recounting the struggle I've had being intimate with my husband. I received hundreds of letters from women of all ages who could relate to what I had written. Because I also reported that my marriage was now thriving, I received a lot of questions and concerns:
"How did your marriage go from just surviving to thriving?"
"What if your husband won't go to counseling?"
"I don't love my husband anymore; what do I do?"
"My husband doesn't make me feel good; he doesn't even notice me."
"I'm exhausted from trying to be happy."
"All my husband wants is sex; I'm just too tired."
"What if your husband is not a Christian?"
"That's great for you, but what about me?"
I wish I was equipped to answer these questions. Wouldn't it be nice if we could go to Someone who could answer all of our questions for us? We can.
One thing that helped me was prayer. I know that sounds simple. I also know it's not. It can be difficult to pray and be satisfied with God's response. We need to be committed to receiving what God offers, not just asking for what we want.
For years, I spent my time praying for God to change Jeff, my husband. I blamed Jeff for me not feeling good about myself and my life. I thought:
If he would only pay more attention to me ... then I'd be happy.
If he would just be more romantic ... then I'd be fulfilled.
I wish he understood me.
He loves his work more than me.
I wish he would read the Bible more, or pray with me.
I bought the book, Power of a Praying Wife, certain if I began praying diligently for my husband everything would be fixed. I opened the book, ready to change my husband through prayer. Imagine my surprise when the first thing the author suggested was that I pray for myself! My intentions in reading this book was to change Jeff through my prayers, not to change me. That really opened my eyes. Maybe God didn't want to change my husband; maybe He wanted to change me!
This shifted my focus on what God could do in and through me. Instead of trying to figure out how His Word applied to everyone else (especially Jeff), I focused on how it applied to me. What a difference that made!
As I prayed for myself, I also began praying for Jeff. This time I stayed out of God's way and let Him work in both our hearts. There was not quick, but steady improvement. Looking back to when I first made the decision to focus more on my role in our marriage and less on Jeff's, and compare it to today, it is like night and day.
I am a wife, but even before that I am a child of God. I pray my marriage lasts forever, but I have no guarantee of that. I do have the guarantee that my relationship with Jesus will. That's the relationship I must work on first. Amazingly, when that one is right, the rest falls into place for me. It doesn't mean that all is well, but it means I am well.
The next time you find yourself yearning for more from your marriage and husband, think about this. Instead of asking, "How is my marriage doing?" or "How is my relationship with my husband?" Ask "How am I doing?" or "How is my relationship with Jesus?"
Dear Lord, help me to turn over all of the desires in my heart to You. Work on my relationships, beginning with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage: Protecting Your Relationship So It Will Last a Lifetime by Stormie Omartian
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Visit Melissa's blog
Application Steps:
Commit to having a daily quiet time with God each day this week.
Reflections:
How can I make a difference in my relationships?
Could it be me who needs to change?
Power Verses:
Galatians 6:9, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (NLT)
Mark 11:24-25, "I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." (NLT)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 24, 2009
The Love of The Father
Wendy Pope
"For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes."
Hebrew 12:6 (AMP)
Devotion:
"This hurts me more than it hurts you." These were the exact words my mother and father used before they disciplined me. Have you ever heard these words? Have you ever said these words?
As a child it was hard to understand how my parent's correction and discipline could hurt them more than it hurt me. After all, I was the one on the receiving end of the pain and suffering! I had many mental conversations with myself on this very subject. How can they say that when I am the one confined to my room for the week?
Growing up I thought I would only use positive reinforcement as disciplinary tools to raise my children into civilized, well-behaved members of society. My plan worked perfectly until I actually had children. Then I begin to re-think my mindset and seek the counsel of the Word as my guide for disciplining my children, as well as for receiving my own discipline from the Lord.
As a young mother correcting her children, my heart began to understand the Father's correction. It helped that I had already made the decision to allow God to be the Lord of my life. I was surrendered to His leadership in my life. Surrender meant accepting and submitting. Accepting His unconditional love and undeserved grace for my sin and submitting to His correction and discipline in my life. Trusting Him to use His Word to shape me into the person He wanted me to be. I was and I am today the object of His great love.
The Lord's correction and discipline is given to everyone He loves, accepts, and cherishes in His heart. According to Ephesians 1:5, through Jesus Christ we are adopted as sons of God. Therefore, as His children we are entitled to His great love and His loving hand of discipline.
Admittedly, it took me some time to willingly submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord. At times, the process was painful and difficult, asking me to give up things I took pleasure in. When I obeyed though, I always saw a positive result. Two truths came to life: discipline is good, and discipline is necessary to help me become like Christ.
I felt His great love as God would tell me, "No honey, don't watch that show anymore" or "Wendy, that relationship is not really beneficial to you. It would be in your best interest to break away from it." When I submitted to the discipline, I could see that He really loved me and wanted what was best for me.
As a young mother, I began to understand how giving the discipline really does hurt more than receiving the discipline. How? Because of the love. The giver loves so deep and in a way the receiver cannot understand until the discipline is accepted and applied, and the receiver matures. Eventually, the one receiving the discipline and correction realizes that discipline brings what he or she has always longed for: security, comfort, and peace.
The next time you need to accept discipline, remember the love of the Father who uses correction to shape you into the person He has designed you to be.
Dear Lord, help me to accept and apply Your loving discipline to my life. Thank You for loving me enough not to overlook my faults. You want me to be all that You have planned. Forgive me when I stubbornly stand in the way of the work of Your great love. It warms my heart to know that You accept and cherish me in Your heart, even enough to discipline me when I need it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Out of the Mouths of Babes by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy Pope's blog
Application Steps:
Read Hebrews 12:1-12. Look for and write down all the benefits of God's discipline.
Reflections:
How do I typically respond to God's discipline?
Do I really believe that discipline means love? Why or why not?
How does discipline really provide security, comfort, and peace?
Power Verses:
Job 5:17, "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." (NIV)
Proverbs 10:17, "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." (NIV)
Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 25, 2009
Clean Hearts
Luann Prater
"It is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'." Mark 7:15b (NIV)
Devotion:
Most women dislike feeling unclean. We prefer to shower, perfume and powder! But it takes more than dirt to make a heart unclean, and it takes much more than perfume to make it pure.
Jesus told the people, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'" (Mark 7:15b-23, NIV).
Whew! That is some list of issues! But why did Jesus take the time to name each one of those evils? We know that not one word in the Bible is wasted, so there is purpose behind the Savior spelling out each one to this crowd. Maybe there were folks in the crowd who looked good on the outside, but their hearts were unclean.
It is easy to understand why the Lord would mention the so-called "big sins" like murder, adultery, or theft making us unclean. But Jesus lumped in some seemingly "small sins" like arrogance, envy and greed too. Those are sins we often cover over with some perfume and powder.
The dictionary describes arrogance as "an offensive display of superiority or self-importance; or overbearing pride." At first glance, we may think that doesn't apply to us. But if we let the Holy Spirit shine His search light on our heart, we may find times when we have thought, Well, at least I'm not THAT bad, or, It's amazing her kids turned out as good as they did.
Envy is pretty sly at hiding in our hearts as well. It is the feeling of discontent with regards to another's advantages, success or possessions. Does your friend have a new car, a new flat screen TV, or a nicer home? And does that make you look at her or at your possessions with disdain? If so, that's envy. Ouch!
Then there is greed, the excessive desire for wealth or possessions. Maybe we don't think we are excessive in our desire for things, but how much time do we spend trying to make more money? How stingy are we with what we have? Compared to what most nations have, we live in abundance, and yet we seem to have one eye forever focused on getting more.
What would it look like to take those three definitions and clean them up?
Un-arrogance -- a gracious display of selflessness
Un-envy -- being completely content with all of my blessings
Un-greed -- an excessive desire for God and His righteousness
That sounds like a clean heart to me! So today I challenge myself with the words Jesus spoke, "It is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" Today, I will set my mind to being un-arrogant, un-envious and un-greedy. Yes, today I want to live with a clean heart.
Dear Lord, thank You for shining Your light on my heart so I can see where it is unclean. Illuminate those sins that I dirty myself with and cleanse me from the inside out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Visit Luann's Blog
Application Steps:
Make a list of the things that occupy your mind. Do any fall in the categories mentioned by Jesus of an unclean heart?
Ask Jesus to replace those desires with a clean heart.
Reflections:
How do I hurt others or myself with my arrogance, envy or greed?
Who needs me to be selfless, content and godly today?
Power Verses:
Matthew 15:8, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (NIV)
Luke 3:14b, "He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely -- be content with your pay." (NIV)
Matthew 19:21, "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." (NIV)
© 2009 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 26, 2009
An Emotional Affair
Lysa TerKeurst
"Flee from sexual immorality."
1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few years ago, I watched a friend get tangled up in an emotional affair. She was a strong Christian woman who loved her family but the attraction to this other man seemed unavoidable. She tried to talk herself out of it but her heart played tricks on her mind, and the justifications for letting things continue down this path soon led her to a very dangerous place. She was becoming emotionally attached to this other man.
In a moment of desperation and fear, she confided in me what was going on. As she described how she got pulled into this place, I found myself being challenged by the realization of how subtly this had happened. She hadn't planned on being emotionally attracted to this other man. As a matter of fact, she'd always prided herself on being a woman of strong conviction and had scoffed at the idea of ever being tempted to have an affair.
It starts off simple enough - his comment that you mull over one too many times, a conversation in which you find a surprising connection, a glance that lingers just a second too long, or one of a thousand other interactions that seem innocent yet aren't. These are the dangerous seeds that can easily sprout into an emotional affair.
Some think it is a safe way to enjoy the lure of being attracted to someone other than your spouse without crossing any lines. But God boldly and plainly says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality." God doesn't say walk away from sexual immorality. No, He says to flee as if your very life is at stake! The time to prevent an emotional affair is before it ever starts. For me to rest on my spiritual laurels and think that it could never happen to me, made me a prideful, open target for Satan.
Jesus warned his disciples in Matthew 26:41,"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." The Life Application NIV Bible commentary says, "Jesus used Peter's drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties, spiritually equipped to fight it."
Watching:
I now realize that I need to be aware that I am just as prone to this temptation as anyone. One of the best ways to be watchful is to be praying with and for my husband. We need to be open and honest about meeting each other's needs and investing wisely in our marriage. If we get into a rough place, we need to be willing to get help. I love the quote, "If you are busy rowing the boat, you won't have time to rock it." The more my husband and I are taking care of each other, the less attractive temptations will seem.
Sensitive to the Subtleties:
I will have to be honest with myself that temptations do exist. When another man says or does something I wish my husband would say or do and doesn't, it can make me lessen my husband in my heart and build up this other man. This is a seed of poison. If watered and fed, this seed will sprout and spread and devastate. Seeds seem so small until you realize that within them they contain the potential to become huge. So, I will be steadfast to keep the fertile ground of my heart pure.
Spiritually Equipped:
Philippians 4:8 reminds us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (NIV). I must park my mind with the truth and the truth is I am married to an amazing man. He is not perfect and sometimes our marriage can be hard, but I made a commitment to Him in a covenant before God and there are no Biblical reasons in our marriage why we should ever part. Therefore, I've made the decision not to part - in big ways or small.
My friend did the wisest but hardest thing she could have done in telling me about her emotional affair. Not only did it help her to see she needed to flee and have someone else hold her accountable, but it also made me aware and alert to the dangers lurking in any kind of unhealthy emotional connection with another man.
Dear Lord, may I forever treasure my marriage and see it worthy to be protected. Help me to be a courageous woman who absolutely flees from any and every situation where there is even a hint of danger. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Lysa's blog
"Come hear Lysa speak in Dallas, Texas at the National Christian Book Expo. For more information, click here."
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
The Man You Always Wanted is the One You Already Have by Paula Friedrichsen
Application Steps:
What are some practical ways I can be:
Watching:
Sensitive to the Subtleties:
Spiritually Equipped:
Reflections:
Are there any proactive steps I need to take to guard my heart and protect my marriage today?
Is there any person or any situation I need to flee from?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 27, 2009
Courageous Living
Micca Monda Campbell
"'O man of little faith,' Jesus said, 'Why did you doubt me?'" Matthew 14:33b (TLB)
Devotion:
My daughter has struggled with fear her entire life. We first noticed it when she was a baby. She would hold her breath when we carried her down a flight of stairs. Then, at the age of five, she passed out while riding the Ferris wheel at the state fair. Her fears sometimes hinder her from even participating in life--from being an active contributor to society.
Over the years, my heart has broken for her as I've watched her hold back from doing the things she really wanted to do. Playing it safe only left her depressed. She lived most days looking at the world from behind a wall of safety glass, longing to be free. She'd often ask the same question, "Mom, why can't I be full of faith instead of fear?" My answer was always the same. "You are full of faith. You just let fear crowd it out."
Freedom came when Peyton decided that she didn't want to live with regrets any longer. She pushed through her fear by exercising her faith in God. In doing so, her life is now marked by joy, peace, adventure, and courage.
Let me ask you, how many times have you wanted to do something, plan something, or even dare to dream something, but were too afraid? You know deep within that your torment isn't right. You know you're missing out on life and opportunities, but you're too scared to do anything about it.
Those of us who live with anxiety are living below the mark of what we were created to be. Worry and its accompanying emotions are not and never were part of God's plan for His children. Yet thousands live this way each day.
I've often wondered about the eleven disciples who stayed in the boat instead of stepping out onto the water like Peter (Matthew 14:33). Did they live with regret? I don't know. They did, however, miss an amazing opportunity to walk on water with Christ! Sadly, most people stay in the safety of the boat their entire lives and then wonder why life seems so empty, miserable, and dull. They go through life missing opportunities because they're afraid to really live the way God intended. What's Christ response to all of this? He asks "Why do you doubt me?" (Matthew 14:33).
Doubt was the disciples' trouble. When Peter threw one leg over the side of the boat, nobody believed he could walk on water. I can almost hear his friends calling out, "Peter? Have you lost your mind? You can't do that!" And yet, while that thought was still fresh on the minds of his friends, Peter was already doing it. He was walking on water!
Is there someone in your life planting doubt in your heart and mind over something you're already doing? If so, don't listen. Don't look back. Keep your eyes on Jesus and your faith will enable you to walk on water. Exercising your faith is key to courageous living. Like Peter, we are then able to step out of the boat into a world of possibilities.
Dear Lord, I'm ready to get out of the boat by trusting You with my fears. Be visible before me so that my faith will be strong and doubt will flee. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pre-Order An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than My Fears (Releasing now on March 1) by Micca Campbell
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Join us for more Everyday Life Encouragement
Visit Micca Campbell's blog
Application Steps:
Conquer your fears by exercising your faith. Look up some verses to add to the Power Verses listed below. Commit these to memory. When doubt and fear enter your mind, block them with your faith verses.
Reflections:
Are you living with regrets due to fear?
What fears are you facing now?
What are you already doing that doubt is causing you to quit?
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" (NIV)
Psalm 56:11, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 2, 2009
What if I was Broken?
Tracie Miles
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
Micah 7:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
His question made me stop and think. It was a simple comment, said in a teasing manner, but it instantly struck a chord in my heart.
I was cleaning out a kitchen cabinet, which had become cluttered with items that I rarely used. One of those items was an old broken can opener. I handed it to my nine year-old son and asked him to throw it away, but instead of just tossing it into the trash can, he asked if he could keep it. Why in the world would a little boy want an old, dirty, useless can opener?
He continued to try to convince me that he needed to keep it, until I finally said, "Honey, it is broken, I don't want it or need it anymore, so throw it away please." Then came his question, "Well if I was broken, would you just throw me away?"
Huh? This conversation about a silly can opener had gotten way too complicated. I assured him that I would never throw him away, no matter what, because he was too valuable to me. I gave him a hug, and he skipped off into the den to watch TV, while I stood there stunned, pondering his question.
I was reminded of a time when I was so broken, and felt dirty and useless. I remembered how a bad decision I made as a young girl caused me to spend years believing that I had no redeeming value in God's eyes. I recalled the regret that suffocated my heart for years, and how I felt God could never really love a sinner like me. I vividly remembered the overwhelming pain and regret of feeling broken, and void of worth, beauty or value.
But a smile came to my face as I remembered the day when God healed that brokenness. Sitting alone on a pew during a worship service eight years ago, tears were pouring down my face. I begged God to forgive me for my sins, just as I had done for fourteen years, but this time it was different. This time I felt God's presence and believed in His forgiveness. For the first time, I had heard His voice ring in the ears of my heart, reassuring me that I was way too valuable to be thrown away.
The following day I realized something was different. My past was still my past, but I was no longer broken. The damaged pieces of my heart were mended, and I set out on a wonderful journey to discover my worth in Gods eyes, not my own eyes. I believed that I really was too valuable to be thrown away, and that God not only could love someone like me, but that HE DID.
Are you feeling broken today? Do you see yourself as someone who God could not possibly love? Do you spend each day condemning yourself for past sins, current habits, damaged relationships, poor choices, or even self-harming behavior?
Do you wish you could stop feeling broken, or stop continuing a pattern of sin in your life, but simply do not know how? Do you ever feel like you are just too messed up to be "fixed"?
Friend, despite what you may think, you are not beyond repair. You are nothing like that dirty, broken can opener. As a child of God, you are precious, beautiful, and yes, even more valuable than gold. Whatever your situation, God can mend that crushing feeling of hopelessness and brokenness. With faith, ask Him to.
Will you delight Him by accepting His grace, mercy and forgiveness? Will you give Him the opportunity to mend you today?
Dear Lord, forgive me and heal me. Mend my brokenness. Give me hope. Help me to see myself through Your eyes only. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the Mender of broken hearts?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
You are Special (chubby or hardcover) by Max Lucado
Application Steps:
Accept God's forgiveness.
Trust His Word.
Believe in His sovereignty over your heart and life.
Believe in His power.
Ask Him for strength to fight off the temptations that keep you buried in feelings of unworthiness.
Reflections:
Do you frequently think negative thoughts about yourself?
Has something or someone made you feel worthless?
Have you asked God to mend your brokenness and truly believed that He can and will?
Power Verses:
Matthew 9:12-13, "On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (NIV)
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NIV)
Isaiah 54:11-12, 14, "O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you." (NKJV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 3, 2009
Goodness Under Pressure
Micca Monda Campbell
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."
Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I didn't know it then, but before my husband's accident, God already had a plan to care for me. I was far along into my pregnancy with my first child when my dad approached Porter and me with a heartfelt concern. With a new baby on the way, Dad advised us to invest in life insurance. It was a great idea, but we just couldn't afford it. Under the circumstances, Dad felt compelled to pay the premium until we could pay it ourselves. Porter accepted. Little did we know what the future held. Just two short weeks later, Porter tragically died. What would my son and I do now that our sole provision for food, shelter, and clothing was gone? The pressure was on as I tried to make sense of it all.
Sometimes God allows us to become pressured - not to terrify us or cause us undue pain but to purify our character. It's interesting that God uses pressure in our lives this way. In the same manner, pressure is what makes a diamond pretty, precious, and priceless. Diamonds are treasured stones that many desire. God wants you and me to become His treasured stones that shine with His glory. He uses the pressures in our lives to create in us a thing of rare beauty that many desire. When we allow the stress of life to purify our nature, we permit God to work for good and His glory.
Just when I thought I had to put my newborn son in daycare and find a job, it happened. It was nothing short of a miracle. It was God at His finest. Although the life insurance policy had only been signed two weeks before the accident and was still in the probation period, the company decided to honor it. Because of God's goodness, I was able to stay home with my son for a while longer. Sure, the pressure of my trail was hard, but learning to lean on God's goodness had its rewards. I saw a promise come to pass, my character and faith were sharpened, and I had the privilege of experiencing God at work in my life.
It may be different for you. God's goodness under pressure may show up in a job offer that you weren't expecting. It may be as simple as someone buying you dinner or offering to baby-sit so you can have some time to yourself. Whatever the form, it's His goodness showering you with care in your time of distress. Acknowledging these acts of kindness, which flow from God's heart, builds our character and our faith. Before we know it, our life shines with the brilliance of a diamond that draws others to our God. And that, my friend, is a good thing.
Dear Lord, sometimes my stress feels so heavy I think I can't go on. I have no breath or life left in me. But Your Word says that You make me lie down in green pastures. And Your goodness and love will follow after me. Oh, how Your Word refreshes my soul and renews my spirit. Be my strength; be my rest; be my ever-present help under pressure. With You, I can make it through. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
His Princess: Love Letters from Your Prince By Sherri Shepherd
Visit Micca's blog
Application Steps:
Recall each and every time God has shown goodness to you under pressure. Thank Him by writing out a prayer, song or poem. Keep it so that the next time you find yourself under stress, you can trust and watch for a sign of goodness.
Reflections:
What causes you the most stress: home, job, raising kids, etc.?
How do you lean on God's mercy during times of pressure?
How can trusting God with your stress bring peace to your life?
Power Verses:
Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." (NIV)
Psalm 23:2, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters," (NIV)
Psalm 23:3, "He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 4, 2009
Peace-full
Renee Swope
"You will keep in perfect peace, [her] whose mind is steadfast,
because [her] trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
One of my favorite things to see is a rocking chair on a front porch. Looking at it makes me feel peace-full. I don't have a rocking chair, or a front porch, but I sure would like to!
Worry is the opposite of peace-full. It leaves me peace-less!
There are times when I don't even realize I'm worried. My mind is wired to think a lot so I get used to the constant flurry of motion in my brain. Worry will start to slowly creep in, and then before I know it, there's a stirring in my heart, my neck is tense, my mind won't shift gears and little concerns have kicked into full-blown worry.
Author Linda Dillow says, "Worry is like a rocking chair, it will give you something to do but it won't get you anywhere!" So much for my image of peace-full! Oh, but she is right. Worry, like a rocking chair, gets me nowhere! And when I stop worrying, I realize I've wasted valuable time and mental energy thinking about something I can't change when I should've been talking to God - since He's the only one who can change things.
In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul tells us how we can find peace to replace our worries. He reminds us the Lord is near and tells us, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)
In the NIV translation, verse 7 reads, "...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I love the promise that God's peace could transcend my need to understand! Sometimes that's my biggest problem; I wouldn't be so worried about what God is doing if He'd just explain why so I could understand better.
But God doesn't say He'll give us understanding in this verse, He says He'll give us peace in the midst of not understanding. And that's what I want. I want God's nearness to be my good and trusting His sovereignty to be my goal. According to the Word, all I have to do is:
1. Stop worrying -- press the pause button on my consuming concerns.
2. Start praying -- open my mouth and tell God what I need.
3. Start thanking God -- remind my heart of God's faithfulness by thanking Him for what He's done.
Now that is doable! So why is it so hard to do? Why do we naturally do the opposite? I think it's because we listen to the enemy's whispers: Do not be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do and take control if He doesn't listen. Before we know it, our concerns are consuming us and our worries are robbing us of God's promised peace.
But we don't have to live that way. God promises to provide just what we need -- to keep us in perfect peace, as we put our trust in Him and not in our worries. So, today when our concerns consume us, let's choose to stop and empty our hearts of our worries, talk to God about what we need and thank Him for His faithfulness and provision. It's amazing how "peace-full" comes when we stop worrying, start praying and begin thanking God for what He has done and will do.
Lord, thank You for the promise of Your peace that comes when I put my trust in You! When worry or concern threaten to consume my thoughts, help me remember to stop, pray and thank You so that my heart will remember how faithful and capable You are of taking care of me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's Blog for more ways to experience God's peace in the midst of your worries.
Beyond the Shadow of Doubt message on DVD by Renee Swope
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
The D6 Conference -- Are you worried about your kids? Join Renee Swope and Proverbs 31 Ministries at this groundbreaking conference to help parents and churches raise spiritual champions for Christ.
Application Steps:
Make a list of your concerns and tell God about them. Next, make a list of anything you can think of that God has done to provide for your needs or other's needs. Thank God for them.
Ask God to give you a peace that transcends your need to understand as you commit to trust Him instead of your worries.
Reflections:
How much time do I spend worrying? How much time do I spend talking (praying) to God or reading my Bible so He can talk to me and calm my concerns?
Does my desire to understand and figure things out cause me to worry?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:27, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (NIV)
John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 5, 2009
Women Judging Women
Lysa TerKeurst
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble..."
1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
How differently might our lives be if we women didn't have to fear the harsh criticisms of other women? Might we be willing to step out a little bolder for Jesus? Might we be willing to be a little more vulnerable? Might we live our lives a little less guarded?
Oh sweet sisters, women judging other women must absolutely break God's heart. The crazy thing is when we judge others, we elevate ourselves past the ability to recognize our own propensity to sin in the very area we are criticizing. Show me a woman who is leveling a judgment against another person, and I will show you a woman who is wrapped in sin herself.
If it's not the very same sin she's criticizing, it will be a sin just as dangerous - pride.
It is a subtle shift that Satan invites us into. Voicing criticisms against others will coat the eyes of our soul with smut so thick, we become blinded to our own sin. Pride and self-righteousness will detour us from God's best path and lead us on a treacherous journey of denial. We'll deny our own sinfulness. We'll deny our own need for grace.
Those who can't see their own desperate need for grace, refuse to freely give grace to others.
Now, if you're like me, you may be tempted to start making a mental list of those who you have felt judged by and you started praying a few sentences back: "Please let so and so read today's devotion. Oh I hope she sees herself in this and gets a whammy of conviction."
But, let's stop making that mental list and receive this message personally. Even if we aren't naturally critical people, this is an area we can all grow in.
I recently read a wonderful quote outlining a beautiful plan when we feel tempted to judge someone else. Francis Frangipane in his book Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God says, "Anyone can pass judgment - but can they lay down their lives in love, intercession and faith for the one judged? Can they target an area of need and rather than criticizing, fast and pray, asking God to supply the very virtue they feel lacking? And then persevere in that love - motivated prayer until that fallen area blooms in godliness? Such is the life Christ commands we follow!" (pg.11)
I know just posting this devotion will not suddenly make the world tip on it's axis and shake all of us women into breaking the cycle of criticisms and judgment. However, maybe, it will be a start. If it causes even one of us to fall in front of Jesus in repentance and allow Him to wipe the smut of pride and self-righteousness from our spiritual eyes- it will be a great start. Now, let me be that one.
Dear Lord, may I first fall in repentance into Your loving arms of grace. Thank You for the harsh ways I have been judged lately for it opened my eyes to this stinging way we women can be. Forgive me for not extending grace at times to others. I am a woman who desperately needs it - so, I should be a woman who freely offers it. When I am tempted to be critical of someone else, help me hold my thoughts and my tongue. Instead of voicing those things, help me bring them to You in honest and heartfelt prayers for that person. May I be one who is so motivated by love, that I will persevere in my prayers for that person until I see You working in glorious ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog where she posts daily.
Lysa is one of the featured keynote speakers at what is billed as the "largest Christian conference ever held in this country" - CBE in Dallas, Texas. Click here for more information. Lysa would love to connect with you there. If you are interested in the special Proverbs 31 Ministries get-together at CBE, request more information by e-mailing Holly@Proverbs31.org.
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue: What You Say (and Don't Say) Will Improve Your Relationships, plus companion Workbook by Debbie Smith Pegues
Application Steps:
The next time I feel critical of someone else, I want an action plan so that I can respond biblically. Don't you? Why not write out today's scripture verses on an index card and carry them in your purse. Below the Scriptures write, "Instead of criticizing, I will commit this person to prayer. I will stand in the gap for them with love and persevere in my prayers. I commit to keep my mouth closed but my heart wide open."
Reflections:
How did it feel the last time I was judged by someone?
Why not resurrect that stinging feeling each time we are tempted to be harshly critical of someone else? That way the hurt we felt can be put to good use if it prevents us from falling into the trap of judging others.
Power Verses:
1Peter 5: 5-6, "...All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 'Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.'" (NIV)
Luke 6:37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (NIV)
March 6, 2009
Be Mindful
Melanie Chitwood
"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."
Colossians 3:2 (NAS)
Devotion:
About a year ago, my husband and I, along with another couple, began moving forward with a dream of opening an indoor basketball/volleyball gym. We've prayed and taken steps on this path, and now our business has opened. In the midst of starting this new business, the economy began a downward slide that we never could have anticipated. So what was already a risky endeavor has become even riskier.
I watch the news, and it's easy to feel fearful and to think, Are we crazy to continue to pursue this new business?! People ask me if we're afraid, and just their questioning leads me down a road of thinking we should be more afraid than we are. Others express their skepticism, and then it's easy to wonder, Should we just bail out and cut our losses now?
When I take my eyes off my circumstances or stop focusing on what others say, my perspective changes. Then I can say to myself and others, We're walking in faith as we set our eyes on God. We're trusting Him each step of the way, and we're trusting Him with the outcome, whatever that may be."
As you read today's devotion, I'm sure you have some worries also. You worry about losing a job, paying bills, or medical problems. You may be worried about a wayward child, aging parents, or a crumbling marriage. It's so easy to let our circumstances determine our thoughts and feelings, isn't it? Today's verse tells us we have a choice about what we choose to think about. In other words, do we set our minds on our circumstances or on God?
It's also easy to listen to the lies of this culture, lies that say that faith is really impractical. Don't be deceived by this wrong thinking. In the midst of a whole lot of uncertainty, set your mind on the one certainty in life: God loves you and He is in control.
Dear Lord, thank You that in the midst of uncertain times, fearful times, and heart-aching times, You are the One I can be certain of. Thank You for being a Sure Thing, for now and always. Let my mind be filled with You, and then I will know Your peace which is supernatural. Lord, I pray that You will strengthen me in this trial, and during it, I ask that You will cause my heart and my mind to continue to turn to You. Lord, don't let this hard time cause me to be bitter or despairing. Instead, let me come out of it on the other side with a stronger trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Traveling Together: Thoughts on Women, Friendship and the Journey of Faith by Karla Worley
Trial for Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life by Janet Eckles
Financial Survival in Uncertain Times by Deborah Smith Pegues
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement on topics such as marriage, finances, and relationships
Application Steps:
Are your thoughts fixed on the news of the media, or on God's Word? Consider limiting how much you watch or read the news. Don't be tempted to think that this is denying reality. It's not. It's setting your mind on things above.
You can direct your thoughts to God by reading Scripture, praying, or listening to praise music. Let these remind you of who God is and that He is in control.
Reflections:
Are you taking time to talk to God about all your fears, concerns, and worries?
Are you leaving your burdens with the Lord, or do you carry them around yourself trying to come up with a solution on your own?
Have you talked to a godly friend about your situation, or are you trying to hide your concerns from others so you appear strong?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10, "'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'" (NAS)
John 14:27, "'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'" (NIV)
March 9, 2009
Time to Pray
Rachel Olsen
"Keep on praying."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
Devotion:
GUILT. Many Christians I've talked to equate this word with their prayer life, and I can relate.
I used to feel guilty because people would ask me to pray, or I would volunteer to when I heard they were going through something difficult. With a heart of compassion, I'd reply, "Oh, I'll pray for you!" And I fully intended to. But then I'd forget ... get busy ... say that to five other people in the meantime ... and often never get around to doing it despite my good intentions. I'd put off praying in the moment, in favor of waiting until I had a big chunk of time to spend in prayer. Then life would happen and that chunk of time wouldn't materialize. By the time I carved some out, I couldn't remember all I'd intended to pray about.
One of the perceptions I had about prayer was that I needed to spend a lot of time in prayer in order to do it "right." I thought short prayers wouldn't have much power or impact. Then I noticed something that shifted my thinking. In Matthew chapter six, Jesus is teaching about prayer. He says, "When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask" (Matthew 6:7-8, CEV). Wow, so I don't have to talk for hours, coming up with many ways to phrase my petitions? It was so freeing to see this coming from Jesus' lips.
That was followed by another ah-ha moment. In the next verse, Jesus said: "You should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven. Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil " (Matthew 6:9-13, CEV). This is often called "The Lord's Prayer."
Pause, look at the clock, and then say the Lord's Prayer aloud. Now check the clock again. How long did that take? This was Jesus' illustration of how to pray - so what does that tell us about feeling we need to pray l-o-n-g prayers to be effective? Hear me on this, I do believe there are needs that call for extended time in prayer (see Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-46 for instance). But many things can be prayed for in short prayers as we move through out our day.
Now, when a friend sends me an email with a troubled story, I rarely respond by saying, "I will pray for you." Instead, I pause and pray for her before hitting reply to say, "I have prayed for you." If someone calls me on the phone, or tells me in person about their prayer need, more often than not I'll offer to pray with them right then. If I encounter a reason to pray while reading the newspaper, or reading scripture, I do it in the moment. My aim is not to be lengthy and elaborate with these prayers, but rather to do it while my mind is on it.
If I feel the need to pray for someone repeatedly or over time, I follow through with my carefully considered plan because I've gotten more intentional about this prayer thing. But deciding several years ago to pray short, in the moment prayers was key for me. It is very doable way of "praying continually" and it helped relieve a lot of feelings of failure, pressure and guilt. Most importantly, this ensures that people's needs are in fact being prayed for - which is the ultimate goal, right?
I'm convinced the Enemy often keeps us from praying by getting us to procrastinate until later, making us think we need more time or more words to do this thing "right." As I read the Bible, I see instructions to pray frequently, to pray with faith and persistence, and to pray over all our cares and concerns. But I do not see that we must talk for hours over each request for God to hear them. I hope that does for you what it did for me -- replaces feelings of guilt with a renewed passion to pray.
Dear Lord, help me to pray frequently and persistently with faith, in accordance with Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more about prayer, or to leave a prayer request, visit Rachel's blog
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Purpose to pray in-the-moment-prayers today.
Reflections:
Is prayer a regular part of my day, or something I only "save up" for later?
Power Verses:
Psalm 66:20, "Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me." (NLT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 10, 2009
Time to Pray -- part 2
Rachel Olsen
"But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly."
Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
Devotion:
I hope many of you felt the sense of release that I did upon reading Jesus' instructions in Matthew chapter six yesterday on how to pray. I was so relieved when I realized Jesus didn't require me to hold a weekly all-night prayer vigil.
I confess, while I really wanted you to get that point, I feared giving you the impression that all we ever need to do is throw up 3-sentence prayers here and there. There is another component to a truly vibrant prayer life.
A common problem I see and have experienced myself is we're so busy each day that we don't pause to pray - for ourselves or others. We don't plug into God, until a crisis happens. Even then, sometimes we're so used to dealing with things without praying that it can take awhile for us to remember to turn the problem over to God. So developing a pray-as-I-go-through-my-day mindset is important.
Equally as important as taking God along with me through my day and my to-do list, is to set aside and spend time with Him. To commune with Him. To read scripture. To pray, and to listen for His response. To be still in His presence and worship Him. This kind of thing can't be done on the run.
Plus, some issues we face in life, for whatever reason in the spiritual realm, cannot be solved with one or two quick prayers. We have to persist praying with faith. We may need to gather others to join us in praying, and to intercede on our behalf. It's always necessary too, to keep in mind that God may not answer in the way we expect.
EM Bounds writes, "We would not have anyone think that the value of prayer is to be measured by the clock." He also asserts, however, "The short prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance." I believe what the good pastor is saying is that when we find God faithful in the issues of life that have required much prayer and faith, it provides a foundation of trust, experience and relationship on which our short daily prayers can rest.
When I look at the life of Jesus and His prayer practices, I see lots of brief prayers He prayed. I also see instances when He spent extended time praying and communing with God. For instance, in Mark 1:35 we find Jesus alone in a solitary place, very early in the morning, praying. And in Mark 6:46, after miraculously feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus leaves His disciples and goes up on a mountainside to pray. Matthew adds to Mark's account that Jesus remained there alone until evening (Matthew 14:23).
So let's examine our prayer life for a moment. Could you benefit from learning to pray quickly during your day as needs arise? Is a set-apart time of leaning deeper into God with stillness and prayer what your soul is truly craving? Whichever it is, or both, decide to make it happen. We can start with a quick prayer for God to guide us in this.
Dear Lord, show me how to pray. Show me how to stay connected with You through prayer through out my day. And show me how to also steal away alone with You and be refreshed through prayer. Lead me, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
31 Days of Praise and 31 Days of Prayer by Ruth and Warren Myers
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer
Join us in becoming a prayer partner
Visit Rachel's blog for more about prayer
Application Steps:
Plan a time this week when you will steal away for some quiet prayer time with God. Maybe get up early one day, or head to a secluded park for lunch hour, or crawl in bed early one night with your Bible and pray.
Luke 11:1-12 teaches us to pray as Jesus did with confession, thanksgiving and glorifying God. This passage also shows us the importance of persistent prayer. Try modeling your prayers after this passage.
Reflections:
Corrie Ten Boom once asked, "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 11, 2009
Bootleg Faith
Susanne Scheppmann
"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith."
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)
Devotion:
A skeleton hangs in my family's history closet. It's very quiet. No one brings the skeleton to our family gatherings. It seldom rattles, but when it does, we all look at each other appalled. How can our family have a history of bootlegging?
During the Prohibition of the 1920's when the government forbade the making or selling of any type of alcohol, my forefathers saw opportunity. My great-grandfather and grandpa contrived a small distillery in a basement and bootlegged alcohol. The original term, bootleg, comes from the attempt to conceal something, usually whiskey in a flask, inside a high-top boot. However, during the Prohibition, the term "bootleg" was used to refer to brewing a drink that was a copy of the real thing.
So, our "family wealth" expanded from the illegal activity of making "liquid gold" in the form of moonshine. Though it may have looked like the real stuff - whiskey - it smelled like oil and tasted like acid, according to those folks who remember the brew.
Sometimes our faith is bootlegged. We try to imitate the appearance of faith we see in others. We copy or fake their faith so we can feel or appear spiritual. Or, like my "family wealth," perhaps our faith is passed down to us. "Family faith" feels comfortable, like a well-worn leather boot. We may participate in rituals, celebrations, and prayers that we don't understand or even care about. Bootlegged faith is never authentic growing faith. It's fake.
I want my faith to be genuine and not a hand-me-down, don't you? Let's pledge today to grow our own faith by reading God's Word, praying and attending a Bible-based church. Let's show our communities an authentic faith that glorifies God.
Dear Lord, help me not to "bootleg" my faith from others, but to walk with You. Grow authentic faith within me. Thank you for the privilege of glorifying You through my faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
Read Acts 2:41-42. List the spiritual disciplines of the early followers of Christ. Choose one to practice in your own life. Ask God to increase your personal faith as you seek a closer relationship with Him.
Reflections:
Do I try to falsely imitate someone else's faith?
How can I develop a strong faith of my own?
Power Verses:
Acts 2:41-42, "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (NASB)
Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (NIV)
1 Peter 1:6-7, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (NIV)
Based from Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 12, 2009
Just Remove It!
Van Walton
"...lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
This past January, our close friends moved in with us for the weekend when temperatures dropped to the single digits. Frigid weather coupled with their mal-functioning heating system forced the family and their dog out of their house.
As a recent empty-nester, I welcomed the prospect of having children in my home again. And I love dogs. At one point, an opportunity presented itself to teach them a powerful spiritual lesson.
While talking with their mother, I heard the two little people collectively scream out, while giggling, "No! Bad dog." Their mother and I looked over to see their darling little cocker spaniel on my kitchen table. We removed her from the table. The kids explained, "She does that. We don't let her, but she does it anyway."
"Oh?" I walked around the table and pushed each of the chairs up under the table.
"What are you doing?" six year-old Morgan asked.
"I'm removing the temptation."
"What's that?" Her crinkled up expression gave away the fact that she was not familiar with my vocabulary.
But her older brother Terrelle was. "You know -- like the apple in the garden. That's temptation."
Morgan nodded, remembering the story. I showed the children how a chair, left out, allowed their doggie to use it as a stepping stool to hop up on the table.
Temptations are like that, I explained -- stepping stools to wrong choices...steps to sinful behavior.
Then I added, "Removing temptation helps us all make good choices."
It was a moment for learning spiritual truths. We discussed how removing temptations from our lives could be highly beneficial.
Their mother, who was dieting, chimed in saying, "I've removed cake mixes from my grocery list." Her children's eyes widened. They understood.
Terrelle immediately jumped in, pouting I might add, "Mommy and Daddy don't let me have a TV in my room." Yes, because televisions tempt children when they should be sleeping or studying.
"We can't take mommy's lap-top into our bedroom either," Morgan chimed in. Yes, there are many dangerous perils on the internet that threaten young minds.
I thought about my own house-rules set up for my boys as they grew up. Many of them were developed to spare them from temptation:
1. On school nights, quiet time began at the same time every night. Overly-stimulated children don't sleep well, and tired teens fall asleep in class and struggle with self-control.
2. My boys could visit friends only if their friend's parents were present. Unsupervised teens tend to find trouble.
3. There was no "hanging out" in malls and stores. Loitering leads to boredom, which may lead to overspending, vandalism or shoplifting.
I'm not naïve; I taught high school for years. I know my children faced temptations. As their mom, setting these house-rules helped remove a good portion of the fuel from temptation's fire. Plus, studies prove children make better choices when parents make clear their expectations and set boundaries.
Keeping this in mind, I accept that no matter how well I tried to parent, my children are inherently sinful. Jesus said, "There is no one good, no not one" (Mark 10:18). But my sons are precious in Jesus' sight and in mine too.
Just like that cute cocker spaniel, we face temptations to do what we've been taught not to. And we must learn to choose right from wrong. But if I can remove even one temptation that might cause me or my children to stumble, we're one step closer to victory!
Jesus, You asked the Father to "deliver us." Thank You for teaching me how to pray for my children. Help me guide them in paths of righteousness. Please give me wisdom and resolve to just remove the temptations that would distract my family from Your narrow path. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more discussion on removing temptation from children's lives visit Van's blog
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture by Mary E.DeMuth
Boundaries: When to Say Yes How to Say No by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Application Steps:
Too many rules turn a home into a prision ward! Ask God to reveal to you the deal breakers: those activities that will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Reflections:
Am I a wise mother who understands the battle for my child's soul or have I refused to deal with the truth that my child is capable of falling into sin?
Am I proactive? Have I considered the paths my children might take and how I will respond to their misguided choices?
Power Verses:
James 1:14, "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away." (NLT)
Hebrews 4:15, "For our high priest [Jesus] is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin." (NCV)
© 2009 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 13, 2009
Jealous Much?
Marybeth Whalen
"So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Do you ever get jealous?" my friend asked me. I could tell she was hesitant to ask me this. What if I said I don't struggle with jealousy, and she was left alone with her feelings spread out in front of us, vulnerable and exposed.
In that moment, I had a choice to make - be honest and vulnerable with her or gloss over the truth with some spiritual platitude. To say out loud what I wish weren't true, or purport those feelings I wish were true. In a split second, I made the decision.
"Of course!" I responded. "I struggle with jealousy more than I wish I did." I watched her breathe a sigh of relief that she was not alone. And then we spent some time talking about the things we find ourselves being jealous of, how petty we feel about it, and how we keep our focus in the right place, redirecting our thoughts to where they need to be instead of running off on a jealous tangent.
I wish I wasn't prone to those jealous feelings. Jealous that this person got a book contract by a company that turned me down. Jealous that this person got booked to speak at an event I really wanted to do. Jealous that this person gets waaay more blog comments and waaaay more hits than I ever dreamt of. Jealous at this person's true gift for writing, and that person's unique blend of humor and profundity. Jealous of houses, clothes, weight. It's so base, so silly, so human.
God has taught me much about jealousy - how to turn from it, how to guard myself against it. But unfortunately, knowing what to do and actually forcing my mind and my will to do it are sometimes two different things. Through the years, God has shown me "the rest of the story" when people I was jealous of in the past had terrible things happen to them. And I heard His whisper: "Still want her life?" Oh, how ashamed I was for wanting what was never mine to have, because I couldn't handle the burdens that accompanied that life. He knew it, why couldn't I accept it? Yes, the big green-eyed monster does rise up within me unbidden, too often for my taste. I want to slay him forever but he seems to have multiple lives, returning again and again to take up residence in a heart that isn't supposed to be his home.
Do I ever get jealous? Absolutely. Do I want to be jealous? Not at all. Each day I focus on who God created me to be (complete with gifts as well as limits) and the situation He has placed me in. I re-situate my mental blinders so that I am not tempted to look to my right or my left. I keep my focus on Him, and Him alone. When I do that, jealousy has no place in my life. The trick is to keep doing that every day, learning to be content where He has me and resting fully in that.
Dear Lord, please help me not to be jealous of others. I know I can do this when I stay focused on You and trust Your will for my life. Please help me to keep blinders on, not looking to the right or to the left at the people around me, but constantly training my eyes to look to You and Your Word. Thank You Lord for Your perfect plan for me and I am excited to see what You will bring about in the fullness of time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Traveling Together: Thoughts on Women, Friendship and the Journey of Faith by Karla Worley
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
Synonyms of the word jealous are: anxious, resentful, possessive, demanding, and begrudging. Antonyms are: satisfied, confident, trusting, content, and unresentful. Ask the Lord to reveal friends or situations in your life that you feel jealous (anxious, resentful) of. Confess these to the Lord and ask Him to replace those emotions and thoughts with satisfaction, trust and contentment.
Reflections:
Am I jealous of friends or family members?
Do I trust the Lord to satisfy my needs? If not, why?
Power Verses:
I Corinthians 3:3, "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" (NIV)
Philippians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (NIV)
Proverbs 27:20, "Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 16, 2009
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Micca Monda Campbell
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand..."
Isaiah 40:12a (NIV)
Devotion:
My family and I love to vacation at the beach. As my husband and I sit digging our toes into the warm white sand, our children play in the emerald green salt water. The massive size of the ocean always reminds me that God is bigger and more wonderful than my mind can comprehend. I'm always compelled to quote out loud Isaiah 40:12 while sitting on the beach:
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" (NIV)
What a superb reminder of God's mighty power in the creation of the universe and galaxies. Even more amazing, He measured the span of them between His thumb and first finger. Hold those fingers up and look at their span for a moment. Now imagine God looking at the space between His thumb and first finger while saying, "I think I'll make the universe about that big." If that doesn't give you a picture of just how big our wondrous God is, think about this: He poured the oceans from the palm of His hand! Oh, friend, when I gaze upon a huge body of water that could swallow me up in an instant, and I realize that God, at some moment in time, held the entire ocean in the palm of His hand, it simply blows me away!
As I consider this truth, I find myself awestruck by the greatness and glory of our God. The Lord God is so gigantic that He knows every creature that lives in that great body of water. He sees every ship that sails its waves. With a God this big, what could ever escape His attention? What need could we have that He cannot handle? Where could we go that we are not in His presence? What on the earth, above the earth, in the earth, or below the earth can make us afraid? Certainly, we can place our trust in a God so big that even the ocean waves obey their boundaries.
And yet we doubt instead of having boundless faith in an unbound God. We live in fear instead of living carefree in the care of God. Let me ask you--what person or thing can compare to Him? Who or what is more stable than God? Is anything more powerful or glorious? Too often I forget the wonder of God even though all of creation declares His glory. I need to remind myself daily of His greatness. In doing so, all my fears tend to fade in the light of His presence.
Today will you take time to recall how great and magnificent He is? Do it again tomorrow and the next day, too. See if you don't find yourself awestruck by the One so magnificent we can scarcely wrap our minds around the thought of Him. But, oh how we need to try! It will do wonders for our faith and put to death our fears that smother our peace. Nothing gives me hope nor soothes my anxieties like meditating on the attributes of God. For what's impossible for a God who holds the whole world in His hands? Nothing--absolutely nothing!
Dear Lord, You are Lord of all and over all, whether Your people acknowledge it or not. All of Your creation declares Your greatness and beauty. Stir my heart to worship You so that the rocks don't have to cry out. You are worthy of all my praise. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew by Ruth and Warren Myers
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
Application Steps:
Take time to recall how great and magnificent God is. Do it again tomorrow and the next day, too. See if you don't find yourself awestruck by the One so magnificent we can scarcely wrap our minds around the thought of Him.
Reflections:
When did you last sit and ponder God's creation?
How does His creation speak of His greatness?
How can you use God's creation as a witnessing tool to unbelieving friends and family?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (NIV)
Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (NIV)
Luke 19:38-39, "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!' And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples.' He answered, 'I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.'" (ESV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 17, 2009
What People Notice Most
Glynnis Whitwer
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?"
1 Peter 3:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
My husband and I run an online store from home. On any given day, you'll find me wrapping file folders in bubble wrap or typing up a shipping label. I'm a stickler for customer service because I know the woman ordering online needs someone on the other end of the computer making sure she has a high quality product.
Even with the utmost care, every once in a while we make a mistake (like shipping the wrong product) or we overlook a small flaw. Such was the case with the woman who ordered a white wire bathroom shelf. When she opened it, apparently a small section was damaged. We must have missed it, otherwise we would never had shipped it. She called me and asked what she should do about it. I told her we'd ship a second one out to her immediately and not to worry about returning that one. If we didn't have another one in stock, I would credit her account.
The next morning she called and left a message saying the damage was so small that her husband was able to fix it and touch up the paint. Now that's going above and beyond what she should have done, in my book. But she did it. I didn't give the incident further thought until we received her feedback on the order.
It's part of our procedure to send every customer an email asking for feedback on our service. I was shocked when I read this woman's response. I wouldn't have been surprised to see some negative comments about shipping an inferior product, but that's not what happened. She responded giving us "excellent" ratings for everything. Then proceeded to comment on how we handled her problem and how impressed she was by the service. We were touched by the kindness and grace she showed us.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. We can run our business smoothly, get everything out in a timely manner, ship product that's in perfect condition, and everyone is pleased, but not terribly surprised. But when we handle a problem in a manner that's respectful, prompt and shows we take responsibility, people sit up and take notice.
Making a mistake isn't the end of the world. In fact, I've noticed it's actually an opportunity to be a witness for God. People notice how you handle mistakes much more than how you manage success. Admitting mistakes is hard. It always takes me swallowing the pride that threatens to surface. But people are always watching to see what I do.
I'm so relieved I don't have to do everything right. I tried that life for many years, and ended up discouraged. This incident reminded me once again, that even in my weakness, God can still use me to touch another person's life, or reflect His character.
I will probably never meet this customer who purchased a wire bathroom shelf, but I pray she knows there is a God who stands for honesty and justice, and that there are people who are trying to follow Him, who stumble, yet keep pressing on.
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for being perfect, and for sending us a perfect Savior. There are so many times I fall short, and make mistakes. Thank You for loving me in spite of my weaknesses. And I thank You for calling me into Your service and seeing my potential, even when I don't see it in myself. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Work@Home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home by Glynnis Whitwer
The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
Visit Glynnis' blog
Application Steps:
Think about the last time you made a mistake. Identify one thing you wish you would have done differently. Ask God in prayer for help to make a change the next time.
Reflections:
Many women would rather go to the dentist, than admit they made a mistake. Why do you think that is?
How does covering up mistakes harm us?
What is freeing about admitting we made a mistake?
Power Verses:
Galatians 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 10:4, "If your boss is angry at you, don't quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes." (NLT)
James 3:2, "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." (NLT)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 18, 2009
A Divine Love Note
Karen Ehman
"He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'"
John 21:17 (ESV)
Devotion:
Long before the current craze of texting messages back and forth on cell phones, in my junior high we had our own way of communicating with peers: it was called passing notes. When the teacher wasn't looking, we shot a simple, folded piece of lined notebook paper to our friend sitting a few rows back. We crossed our fingers and hoped the teacher's second set of eyes--the ones in the back of her head--were focused elsewhere. Otherwise, our note just might get read to the entire class!
While notes from our girlfriends were fun, what really got our excitement up was when the folded and scribbled message was from a boy. Usually it read something like this:
Do you like me? Check one: Yes ___ No ___ Just as a friend ___
Of course we would think long and hard before taking our pencil and marking our answer. Then it was passing time again; back to the boy who had posed the all-important question. It seems to me in today's scripture Jesus was sending a divine love note to Peter, quizzing him about the strength of his love for Him.
We pick up the story a few verses earlier when after breakfast, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter seems a bit surprised and says, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus then tells him to feed His lambs. No sooner had he finished talking than He asks Peter the same question again. Then, a third time. Each time it appears as if dear Peter answers the same way. In a nutshell, "Ah...yeah Lord. You know everything. You know I love you. Haven't I made that clear? Why the twenty questions?"
This passage of scripture used to puzzle me, until one day I discovered, with the help of my husband's old Greek textbook from college, that Peter and Jesus were using two different Greek words for love in this famous exchange.
The word rendered 'love' in our English Bibles here is really two distinct words. One is "phileo" and one is "agape." Phileo is defined as brotherly and tender affection; true friendship. It is based on common interests. Agape, on the other hand, is sacrificial and giving love; a love that can't stand being apart from the other. It isn't based on having a common interest with someone. It loves the other not for what they do, but for who they are. It is the laying down your life for another kind of love.
It is helpful to know that the first two times Jesus posed the question to Peter, He asked him "Do you agape me?" Peter answered, "Of course I phileo you!" It was as if Jesus was asking, "...so you really, sacrificially love me, based on Who I am? And you'd gladly lay down your life for me?" And instead, Peter was checking the box that said "Just as a friend!"
The third time Jesus posed the question, He asked Peter, "Do you phileo me?" And Peter truthfully answered "yes." Now, before we are too hard on ole' Simon Peter, we must assume that He indeed did grow to love our Lord in the agape sense of the word. History tells us that Peter met his death by crucifixion. However, he did not feel worthy to be crucified in the same manner as the Lord, so he was crucified upside down!
What about us today, in 2009? If Jesus passed us a divine love note asking if we love (agape) Him, which box would we check? Undoubtedly, many people today would scoff and check the "No" box. There are millions who care nothing of Christ and His love. Others would check "Yes." They are fervent Christ followers who love until the end. I am reminded of many modern day martyrs who have willingly given up their life for Christ.
I fear that many of us would check the "Just as a friend" box. We love, but just to a point. We aren't afraid to hang around Jesus, we just don't want to be asked to share in His sufferings! Oh may God turn our temporal phileo fascination with Jesus into an all-out, agape, laying-down-our-life, love for the Lord.
Pencils sharpened? He is asking us this question today!
Dear Lord, I don't want to be just Your casual friend. I want to love You sacrificially and passionately. Help me learn how. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God's Love by Max Lucado
For more on loving God, visit Karen's blog
Application Steps:
Take time this week to be encouraged by reading the life stories of some great heroes of the faith who truly loved God. Try Jim Elliot, Fanny Crosby, Dwight L. Moody, Bill Bright, Mother Teresa or William Wilberfource.
Reflections:
How would you rate your love of Christ right now? Cold? Lukewarm? On fire?
Was there a time in your walk with the Lord that your love and devotion for Him was very strong? Why? What happened to change it? More importantly, what steps do you need to take to rekindle that fire again?
Power Verses:
John 14:23, "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 19, 2009
Venting
Lysa TerKeurst
"A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back."
Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Yesterday, I was just mindlessly looking out the window of an airport watching a few seagulls dart about overhead while airline workers were busy loading bags. Nothing about the scene outside the airport window spoke of danger. But then suddenly I remembered the flight from New York just a few weeks ago that was brought down by a few geese. That seagull that faded into the background just moments before became a point of extreme interest to me. What if?
It's amazing if you stop to think about it that a huge airplane could be brought down by just a few birds. Birds. Who would have thought? It makes me think about other seemingly small things that can cause great destruction as well . especially when it comes to my marriage.
Words vented in frustration can seem so small.
Slightly disrespectful attitudes can seem so small.
Complaining about lack of finances can seem so small.
Brushing off his desires can seem so small.
Making mental lists of things you wish were different about him can seem so small.
But each one of these seemingly small things can so easily and tragically wedge itself into the core of a marriage and send it screaming toward destruction. Entire families have been ripped apart by things that once seemed so small.
Listen to the heartbreak in this note that was anonymously posted on my blog the other day:
"Girls...I know this seems small...but, it's really not. Take it from someone who has blown it more times in marriage than not. Now I have blown it enough to make myself a single mom. It's too late for me. But, it's not for you. Please be aware of the little things. I wouldn't have you join me for anything in the world. Be on your guard and protect your marriage." - Anonymous
I am challenged by this. I can't just mindlessly assume that my marriage is coasting along okay and that little problems can't topple even the most seemingly stable of legacies. I can't get complacent. I can't get prideful. I can't get lazy. I can't take the gift of my marriage for granted.
I have a great marriage but sometimes I slip into automatic and stop getting as intentional as I should about investing richly and deeply into our relationship. So, I've decided to declare this my get intentional week. Today I'll focus on my words. I'm praying for God to interrupt my mouth at every turn today. I am going to hold my tongue against saying anything careless. I am going to intentionally use my words as gifts to my husband today and nothing else.
Not that one day of doing this can protect my marriage forever - but it sure is a good start. Care to join me? Oh you know there will be challenges ahead sweet sister, but I'm up for it. What about you?
Dear Lord, help me to realize that with each word I speak, I am making the choice to bless or to curse. Please help me to speak words that are pleasing to You - even when my emotions run high and my feelings beg me to betray this commitment. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to see a list of more helpful Scriptures about stopping careless words.
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Identify the areas of your marriage you may be struggling with -- complacency, pride, laziness. Look up verses in God's Word that address each.
Spend intentional time in prayer this week for your marriage and your husband.
Reflections:
What have I said recently to my spouse that seemed so small initially?
What have I done recently to my spouse that seemed so small initially?
What have I thought recently about my spouse that seemed so small initially?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)
Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 20, 2008
A Smashing Success
T. Suzanne Eller
"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."
Jeremiah 18:6b (NIV)
Devotion:
The first time I spoke to a large group I was age 16. My knees knocked together with such force that I was sure no one could hear what I was saying. I was fresh in my knowledge of Jesus, but my youth pastor had faith in me. I decided to speak on Revelations. Not just about Heaven, but the whole book! About 45 minutes in, I saw the panicked look on the youth pastor's face. My audience's eyes were glazed over. When I was through I stumbled to my seat, making a promise: I would never, ever speak again.
Funny how promises like that can be broken!
Three years ago, I was with a team of women speaking across Europe. We spoke in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria and were on our way to Germany to meet with military spouses to complete the 10-day tour. That night I sat in the small room snuggled in the high vineyards and I prayed. Thank You God for what You did today in the hearts of these families, and women. I will always obey You. I will walk through the doors You open.
In the darkness I felt God. The words that rang inside of me were gentle, but a rebuke.
It is good that you obey, but when will you embrace who I made you to be with joy?
I was a speaker because doors had opened for me to share my love for Him. I studied. I prepared. I prayed. I loved what God did every single time! But mentally, I showed God the error of His ways: Lord, can't You see her? I think she would be great at this. What about that woman, Father? She's creative and funny! Why don't You pick her?
I was a strong woman of faith, but in this one aspect I was still the young teen inside, my knees knocking, grateful but absolutely sure that God had made a massive mistake.
The Potter's plans were not deterred by a painful past, or how shy I once was, or who I thought might fit the call better. That night God smashed the clay down and with it, all my pre-conceived notions. The next day I spoke in Germany. Absolute joy filled my heart as I embraced what my Heavenly Father had allowed me to be. Not just as a speaker, but as a mom, as a wife, as a woman, and as His child.
What about you? Do you see yourself through the eyes of your past, or through the words of others? Do you point out the hurdles or obstacles to overcome rather than the Creator who personally created your DNA? He may not be calling you to speak, but there are certainly tasks He has for you. There are areas where He believes in you! Do you struggle to see it the same way? Are you willing to put it all in the hands of the Potter today?
Heavenly Father, success is not about the applause of people. It's in beautiful brokenness as You remold us and remake us into what You intended from the very beginning. If there is a pebble or a mar in me today, remove it and reshape me according to Your plan. I offer my life--every aspect of it--to You today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 She Speaks! Conference
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she'll list links to additional sites or resources about this topic
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and companion CD by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
Are you willing to redefine "success"?
Do You Know the Potter? What area of your life do you offer up to the Potter today?
What tools or resources do you need to help you embrace this new direction?
Reflections:
God shapes the course of our lives as we submit it to Him.
You might stumble as you take steps out of your comfort zone, but you will also grow.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 17:7, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 23, 2009
Drawing Near
Amy Carroll
"...and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 10:21-22 (NIV)
Devotion:
As he passed the entrance to each home, the inhabitants rose and moved to their doorway. They watched as Moses passed by them and walked beyond the boundary of the camp to enter the Tent of Meeting. The man who had endured such disrespect suddenly felt reverence from his people, for both God and himself.
As I read Exodus 33 which contains this story, I felt a deep sense of relief. The Israelites were finally back on the right track after a colossal derailing. I had read chapter 32 and grieved at their failure. Even after seeing miracle after miracle--the parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, manna and quail--it had only taken the Israelites 40 days of Moses' absence to fall back into idol worship and immorality. God was so offended by the sin of the people that He announced His intention to send an angel to direct them as He withdrew His own presence.
So I was comforted to read about their return to worship. I rejoiced that God gives second chances and that the Israelites were rising to the occasion. They finally understood their need for God and for Moses' leadership. Moses set up a tent outside the camp where anyone could go who was inquiring of the Lord. They had a place to go to speak to the Lord, but the people responded by watching as Moses went to meet with God while they worshiped in the entrance of their tents.
In a discussion about this passage, my friend Tricia brought up some great questions. Why did the people stop at the entrance to their tents? Why did they worship from so far away? All the people had been given access to the Tent of Meeting and were invited to meet God there. Why was their journey toward God only partially complete?
Her questions resounded in my mind all week long. I started to realize that I identified with the Israelites that stood to worship in the doorway of their tents. There are times when I too worship God from a distance. Sometimes it's from a sense of unworthiness. Sometimes there's sin that separates me from Him. Sometimes its residual shame or fear from past sins that keep me from drawing near to where God waits for me. Sometimes I'm disappointed when I don't understand God's ways, and occasionally I'm just world-weary.
In looking at this Old Testament scripture, I remembered that there were times when God in all His holiness drew a line for the sinful people and basically said, "You can only come this close to me." He did it as the people stood in awe watching His presence approach Mount Sinai. Jesus' life, though, was purposed to erase any of the barriers for those who desire to know and worship God in a completely up-close way. As Hebrews 10 tells us, Jesus is our great priest who allows us to "draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith."
I ask you to come with me and draw near to God. Let's start walking away from the safety of our "tents" and shed all the fear, shame, weariness and unworthiness as we move toward His throne to worship. He has invited us to come close through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. I accept!
Dear Lord, help me to worship you in the closeness that You desire. Your Spirit has issued an invitation for me to draw near, and I want to be in Your presence. Thank You for making that possible through your Son. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores a Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Visit Amy's blog
Application Steps:
Remember that you are God's precious child. If you have accepted Jesus as Lord, you are adopted into His family.
Read the power verses below and ask God to help you develop a new intimacy with Him.
Reflections:
What keeps me from worshiping God up-close?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV)
Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31
March 24, 2009
Scribbled-On Dreams
Marybeth Whalen
"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently I learned that a book that I had given up on was miraculously going to be published after all. I was amazed at God's power and His timing. I was ecstatic that He opened doors that I thought were shut forever. As I dug out the original notebook I had once designated to hold the papers and notes I would need for this project, I was shocked to find that almost every page in that notebook was scribbled on by my youngest child. Her artwork made every page unusable! I chuckled to myself as I closed the notebook and went in search of another one to use instead.
Later I reflected on my decision to hand over that notebook to my child. What had made me do that? I knew that it was because the project was, in my estimation, worthless, forgotten. The notebook represented something that would never be. It epitomized the death of a dream. Why not let my daughter fill in the pages with her toddler scribbles? I must have reasoned that nothing else would ever fill those pages!
And yet we serve a God who can blow new life into a dead dream. I had forgotten all about the book I once yearned to write. I had moved on in search of a new dream. But God had not forgotten. His plan was different--and longer--than mine. His vision was further reaching. His outcome never consisted of me writing my dream off as worthless and unachievable. Instead He wanted me to trust in Him even when the situation looked hopeless.
Do you have a dream that looks dead from where you are standing? Have you thrown in the towel, chalked your efforts up to experience and moved on? Just don't move so far that God can't bring you back to the dream when He is ready. Don't fill in the pages of your notebook with hopeless scribbles and not give Him room to fill the pages with His Word, words of life and hope and vision. Yes, surrender your dreams--holding onto them lightly and always keeping His plans as your purpose, ready to lay down anything He asks because no dream is more important than Him. But also remember that God loves to bring about the unexpected, throwing us little surprise parties that bring joy to His Father's heart.
My notebook now serves as a reminder--in childlike script--of God's ability to overcome the impossible and open doors that were once slammed shut. I wouldn't trade those scribbled-on pages for anything! Now I look forward to filling the pages of a new notebook with all new dreams. Dreams that were handed back to me when I least expected it.
Dear Lord, please help me to trust You when things don't work out and I have to surrender my dreams. Help me to rest in the fact that You see things from a much bigger vantage point than I ever could. Help me to know that You always have my best interests in mind, even when You close doors I wanted open. And help me Lord to be ever mindful of Your power that is always at work--even when I can't see it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Learning to Live Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
Do you have a dream you believe is dead? Spend some time writing about that dream in your journal today. Describe it in detail, and then ask God for His purposes to be revealed and His plans to be accomplished. Then spend time praising Him in advance for what He will do with your dreams.
Reflections:
Why do you think dreams are important to us? Do you allow yourself to dream? Have you allowed broken dreams to stop you from dreaming altogether?
Power Verses:
Psalm 75:1, "We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds." (NIV)
Psalm 136:6, "Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." (NIV)
Psalm 105:4, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 25, 2009
Despairing Parents
Susanne Scheppmann
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word."
Psalms 119:28 (NIV)
Devotion:
Thud! I heard my son's feet hit the dirt outside his bedroom window. My heart sank. I had been right when I told my husband, "He's going to run-away. Watch."
The whole afternoon and evening had spun into a disaster. My adolescent son had gotten into trouble. We were in the middle of discussing it with him when the phone rang. My husband listened as his ex-wife told him that his daughter had run away that afternoon. I watched the panic cross my husband's face as he dug for more details about what had happened.
In addition, I spied my son's alert face and witnessed a light bulb go off in his adolescent brain. I could tell he thought, "I'm going to run away too!" We sent my son to his room while we managed the bigger problem of the moment -- my stepdaughter.
Sure enough, he went on the lam. My thoughts raced. Should I go after him? Should I lock him out of the house? Or should I wait and search for him later? I felt emotionally and physically exhausted.
Both my husband and I were stricken with confusion and sadness as we battled through all the drama and trauma in our family. That evening we despaired. How could this happen? We tried to be good parents. It seemed that with three teenagers, life was a never-ending crisis.
Things did turn out OK. My stepdaughter returned home to her mother. We found my son, and my husband coaxed him home. Everyone went to bed, and two exhausted parents prayed for a better tomorrow.
That was several years ago. Children mature. Time heals. And God is faithful to the prayers of a despairing parent. He feels our heartaches. He sees our tears. He grants us the courage and guts to keep on parenting.
Our key verse today acknowledges the pain we may experience, but it also points the way to gaining strength--God's Word. If you are a despairing parent, seek the Lord's comfort, wisdom and strength by reading and praying Scripture each day. God is our source of strength when we come to our wit's end in the life-long career of parenting.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of my children. I am honored You set me apart to be their mom. Yet, at times parenting is hard! I ask You for guidance and strength. Remind me of the joys of parenting when I despair. Help me keep a balanced outlook. I ask You to provide me with special Scripture that I can pray for my children. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppman
Blended Families by Maxine Marsolini
Listen to Today's Radio Show for more encouragement when parenting is hard.
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
Read and memorize Psalm 4:3 and 5:3. Then pray for your children and know that the Lord hears you call to Him. Wait in expectation for His guidance.
Reflections:
Where do I place my trust and hope when it comes to my child?
Do I recognize that Jesus loves my child more than I do?
Power Verses:
Psalms 144:12, "Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace." (NIV)
Psalms 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NIV)
Isaiah 49:25, "But this is what the Lord says: 'Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 26, 2009
Finding God's Purpose and Perspective
Renee Swope
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few weeks ago, I shared a devotion about the day I wanted to quit being a mom. I spent time that afternoon writing in my journal, processing my emotions with God and asking Him to help me. Later that day I read something in Zig Ziglar's book, Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World, that God used to completely change my perspective as a mom and as His child. Here's what I read:
Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America in the early 1900s, so wealthy that he employed over 42 millionaires! One day a reporter who was intrigued by Carnegie's wealth asked how he developed these men to become so valuable that he would pay them that much money. Carnegie explained, "Men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold, but one doesn't go into the mine looking for dirt -- one goes in looking for gold. And the more he looks for, the more he finds."
After this story, Ziglar challenged parents to look past their children's mistakes and mine for gold in them. I'd been buried in the dirt that day! My discouragement and feelings of failure as a mom left me so disappointed in myself. I was also convinced God felt the same way about me.
Pity set in and I started wishing I had a gold-miner in my life who could see beyond my mistakes and find the gold in me. That's when God whispered to my heart, "Renee, I am that gold-miner. You are the one who is so critical of yourself. You are the one who focuses on your faults. But I see the gold of My image in your heart, and I want to bring it to the surface so your kids can see Me in you."
As I sat there trying to process what God was whispering to my heart, stories and promises from the Bible started flooding my thoughts helping me believe that God really does see beyond who I am to who I can become. It would take time for those truths to sink in, but that day God used His thoughts to give me a new perspective - of Himself and of myself. Then He challenged me to look for ways to transfer that perspective to my children.
It's easy to get buried in the dirt of discontentment, disobedience and discouragement. You may even be thinking, Where's the gold in it all? I wondered, too. But after reading Carnegie's story and hearing God speak to my heart, I wanted to become a gold-mining mom.
As I thought about the gold I'd like to find in my children, character traits like patience, kindness and contentment came to mind. I decided to make a list of golden attitudes and actions and look up Bible verses we could learn together. I even made gold nuggets by balling up foil and spray-painting them gold. I decided that each time my kids showed a golden attitude or action, I'd reward them. When they saved up enough nuggets, they'd get a special treat.
Each week we'd find a new character trait and Bible verse, write down ideas to live it out and make them part of our family devotions. God's Word became a part of our everyday lives as He taught me to take my eyes off of my children's habits and focus on their hearts. Not only did it change my kids' attitudes and actions, it changed me, too. For the first time in months, I was excited about my role as a parent. God had given me a new perspective, and a whole new sense of purpose as a mom!
Dear Lord, thank You for not focusing on the dirt in my life but seeing beyond who I am to who I can become. Help me believe that, receive that and give it away to my kids, my husband and my friends. Help me look at their hearts and encourage the glimpses of You that I see in them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's Blog for more practical ways to connect spiritually with your kids. Also, sign up for a chance to win D6 Devotional magazines for parents and children.
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Chart and CD: Wisdom, encouragement and tools to develop character in your kids. By Renee Swope
The Mom I Want to Be, by T.Suzanne Eller
Application Steps:
Encourage character in your kids by noticing and celebrating things they do like sharing a snack (generosity), putting away toys (responsibility), feeding the dog (initiative), concern for a friend (compassion), and saying thank you (kind words).
Reflections:
What character trait and Bible verse can you and your kids learn and demonstrate together this week?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:1-2,"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering to God." (NIV)
Colossians 1:28, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
March 27, 2009
Under My Skin
Lynn Cowell
"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of depair..."
Isaiah 61:3a (NIV)
Devotion:
It wouldn't stop burning. Like a sunburn after hours at the beach, the heat on my hands stayed for hours. As a blessing to my family, I had made Aunt Carol's jalapeno peppers. With the sharp knife and chopping block, I transformed eighteen forest-green peppers into little boats of tasty fun. What I hadn't counted on was that ten minutes of exposure to the pepper's oil to my dry, cracked winter skin produced a burning that lasted for hours.
As I looked at my red, cracked hands, I was reminded of another part of me that looked dry and under-nourished not so long ago. In the heat of the summer months, my heart was in bad shape. It felt like a stone. When I would go to church, I sang the songs, but my heart was not truly singing praise to my Love, Jesus. I assumed it was the church. Surely, something had changed. We needed new music; something fresh.
Soon after something did change, and it was me. I re-discovered the oil of gladness and oil of joy by personally coming into the Lord's presence daily. Although I had never stopped reading my Bible and praying, I hadn't been taking the extra time and effort to come into His presence.
With the help of a prayer journal, I started beginning my time with the Lord each day by exposing myself to Him in praise. In her journal, Intimacy with God; Your Daily Guide to Prayer, Tara Furman suggests several ways to come before Him: repeating His attributes, calling out His names, and singing hymns or worship songs. My favorite is reading out loud the Psalms. Just yesterday the repairman heard Psalm 103 coming loudly from my lips as he banged away on my wood floor.
Opening the day with praises to my King has transformed my heart. Now, when I go to church, I no longer wait to enter into His presence; my heart is already there. I have found that my outlook through the day is different. Like the oil from the peppers, the burning effect of His presence is felt in my heart many hours after the exposure.
Dear Lord, as it says in Psalm 100:4, help me to enter into Your gates with thanksgiving and into Your courts with praise. Help me to give thanks to You and praise Your name. You are good and You deserve my heartfelt worship each day. I love you! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
His Princess: Prayers to My King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
Put your favorite worship music on and find a place where no one can see you. Spend some time worshipping Jesus as you feel He would enjoy: singing, arms raised, clapping, dancing, whatever you feel would bring glory just to Him!
Choose some new worship music to breathe fresh air into your time with Him. Check out our Shop P31 page for new CDs.
Ask a friend what her favorite Christian worship music is and swap for a week.
Reflections:
What holds you back from worship?
Does your heart feel dry and cracked, like it needs some ointment? Ask the Holy Spirit to soften your heart.
Power Verses:
Ezekiel 11:19, "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh." (NIV)
Psalm 103:1-2, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (NIV)
Psalm 9:1-2, "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 1, 2009
The Truth About Fear
Micca Monda Campbell
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever noticed how some TV commercials mix just enough truth with their product to make it believable? While that's called false advertisement, the product still comes off convincing. It's not until we purchase the product, and it fails, that the trickery becomes exposed.
In the same way, Satan specializes in false advertisement. He's good at making our fears look real when they are not. Does that mean all fears are wrong? No. The fear of standing near a high cliff protects us from getting to close to the edge and toppling over. One the other hand, Satan's spooks are full of trickery. They are usually disabling and keep us from progress. This kind of false advertisement can choke our faith and fuel our fears.
Have you ever wondered where our struggle between faith and fear began? I have. According to author and teacher Malcolm Smith, fear was introduced to the human race by a satanic lie.
The Garden is the first place where the serpent deceived Eve by twisting God's word. The Lord told Adam not to eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). If he or Eve ate from that tree, they would surely die spiritually. Not only did Eve eat the forbidden fruit, but she offered it to Adam and he ate too.
As soon as Adam disobeyed God, their relationship changed. Adam was not only afraid, but he doubted God's authority, friendship, and provision. Satan's lie told Adam that he didn't need God. In fact, Adam was persuaded that he could be his own god, self-sufficient in every way.
The same can be true for you and me. At times, you and I live independent of God's presence. We act as if everything depends on us. We wouldn't dare admit that we are in over our heads. We want to appear in control. But God never meant for you and me to be strong in and of ourselves. We were meant to show His strength in our weakness as He provides for our needs. We were created to live like little children, dependent on the care our heavenly Father.
The times we insist on living life our way, in our own strength, we experience the same result as Adam and Eve. We will live in fear. This is right where Satan wants us.
If we're afraid to try, we never will. If the enemy can keep us contained by fear, we won't be able to fulfill our potential or make a difference in the life of another. Satan knows what we are capable of with Christ. To prevent us from that realization, he poisons us with fear.
The truth is what we fear rarely comes to pass. This kind of fear that is fueled by Satan's lies can be described by this acrostic:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
It's not that we shouldn't be concerned about certain issues of life such as safety and health. But when worrying takes over by keeping us up at night and shutting us down during the day, we've moved into a place we were never meant to live. We must return to living in God's presence and relying on His promises and provision. Only then will we be able to distinguish between truth and lies. Only then will our lives be marked by faith, not fear.
Dear Lord, help me to discern between false fears and real concerns. As I commit Your Word to memory, make Your truth alive in my heart so that I can battle fear and live by faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Finding a Faith Stronger Than All My Fears (3 CD set) by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog.
Application Steps:
Determine if your fears are real or if they are only False Evidence Appearing Real. If your fears are real, heed their warning. If they are smoke and mirrors performed by the enemy, take those thoughts captive and give them to God in prayer.
Reflections:
Do you doubt God's provision and protection - why or why not?
Are you living independent of God's presence, or carefree in His care?
How can depending on God's resources and strength eliminate your fears?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV)
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 2, 2009
The Principal's Office
Lysa TerKeurst
"...for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth."
Psalm 26:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently, one of my kids got called to the principal's office. On the very day I received an invitation to speak at a national parenting conference. Thank you very much.
Have you ever struggled with letting a circumstance that came your way suddenly define you?
This seems to be a lesson God lets me live over and over. He wants to be my only definition of who I am. I am a child of God, holy and dearly loved. I know this. I teach this. I believe this in the very depths of my soul.
Yet, it is so easy for me to slip into redefining myself when situations arise.
With my head, I was able to see the "principal's office" situation for what it was. My child is in a process of being shaped. My child is strong and while this will serve her well later in life, strength in an immature little person begs to be disciplined. She is a sweet child who made a not-so-sweet choice. All of this is part of the process of growing her up.
I could see all of that with my head.
However, with my heart, I felt like a failure. I wanted to decline the opportunity to speak at that conference and go crawl in a hole somewhere. A hole stocked with chips and salsa, brownies made from a box mix, and ice-cold diet soda.
A part of me felt like I'd been called to the principal's office as the voice of condemnation started haunting me, "You are a bad mom. You have a bad child. You have a bad home."
So, quietly, I slipped away with Jesus. And I did what I've done a hundred times before. I held those condemnations up to the Lord and asked him to help me see this situation the way He wants me to see it. Not the way others see it. Not the way my heart is tempted to see it. But the way He sees it.
And once again He reassured me.
I am not a bad mom.
My child is not a bad child.
My home is not a bad home.
This situation is a call to action. There is a character issue that needs to be addressed within the heart of my child. And kids are supposed to have character issues that need to be addressed.
That's why God gave them parents. That's why God gave me this specific child. God sees within me the ability to be the one He's perfectly designed to raise up this strong little person.
Today is a new day. A day where we can choose to only be defined by God's truth and grace as we navigate this wild wonder called parenthood.
Dear Lord, help me to realize that You have perfectly and purposefully planned my life. Today I am going to make the choice to see the good in each situation with my child. Please help me to be a parent that pleases You with my every thought, word and deed. I admit my dependence on You Lord, and ask for Your guidance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog today where she'll be giving away a copy of her book, The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained.
Application Steps:
Spend intentional time in prayer this week for your children and their character development.
Spend intentional time in prayer for wisdom as a parent.
Reflections:
How can I turn a seemingly stressful situation into a positive learning experience for my child?
Power Verses:
Psalm 25:5, "...guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (NIV)
Matthew 6:13, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (NIV)
Proverbs 16:20, "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." (NIV)
James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 3, 2009
Walking Through a Valley
Glynnis Whitwer
"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell."
Psalm 43:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
I live in a valley. Every direction I look there are mountains. Living in the West, my family also vacations in mountains. Because of that, it seems I spend lots of time in valleys. One truth I've learned is if you keep walking, you will eventually get out.
One summer we took a trip to Southern Utah, with a stop at Bryce Canyon. It was warm outside, and it only got warmer as we headed down into the canyon. It was a great hike as we circled the interesting rock spires called hoodoos. We wound our way down the valley with steep mountains on all sides. After a while, I was hot, tired and ready to sit down and relax.
As I rested on a rock, I looked up at the canyon rim, wiping salty sweat out of my eyes. It looked very far away. I wished for a shortcut to get out, but knew there wasn't any. Short of calling in a helicopter, there was only one way out, and it was to walk across the valley and up the mountain. Sitting there on that rock might give me a moment's rest, but it didn't get me out of the valley.
I've also been in other valleys: those of fear, worry and hopelessness. I'll be honest. When I'm in those valleys, my inclination is to sit. Fear paralyzes me. Worry straps itself to my feet like weights. Hopelessness misconstrues reality so I'm blinded to the truth. And so I stay, planted firmly in the valley of misery. Over and over, I review how others have hurt me, and forecast possible fearful outcomes. None of those choices gets me out of the valley of misery. In fact, they get me nowhere.
What does get me out of those difficult valleys is when I keep walking, and walking to me is when I keep praying even though it seems like my prayers hit the ceiling. It's when I keep reading my Bible, even though the words seem to have less meaning. It's when I keep going to church or a small group even when I'd rather stay home. It's singing songs of worship, even though my heart isn't soaring with joy. But when I keep doing those things, I take steps toward truth and eventually get out of the valley.
Walking through a valley to me means doing the things that are healthy and God-honoring, even when I don't feel like doing them. There is always a way out of a valley. But it means I have to keep walking, then climb a mountain, and that takes work. But when I do the work, God rewards me with a breathtaking view.
Dear Lord, please speak to my heart in my darkest valleys. I need to remember that You are the truth, and not my circumstances. Help me have the strength to do the right things, and not stay planted in misery during a time of difficulty. I long to be out of this valley. But I will praise You now at the bottom and I will praise You from the mountain top -- for You are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew by Ruth Myers
Visit Glynnis's blog
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Application Steps:
If you are in a valley of suffering, what is one spiritual discipline you can incorporate into your life today, even though you don't feel like doing it?
Reflections:
Why do many Christians stop doing spiritually beneficial activities when they are in a dark valley?
List five things you can do to keep your faith strong during rough times.
Power Verses:
Psalm 23:4, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." (NLT)
Psalm 90:1-2, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (NIV)
Luke 3:4b-5, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 6, 2009
I Know How I Designed It
Van Walton
"...we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus..." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
My amazing husband can do anything. He's a fix-it man. There isn't anything he can't repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn't a gift and we didn't steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!
After two days of taking the chair apart - performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage -- followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new.
"Wow!" I said, impressed.
"Sit in it and rock back," he encouraged.
"Rock back? I don't think so! What if I break it?"
"Oh, believe me. You won't."
"How do you know?" I asked, not convinced.
"I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take" he responded with a smile of confidence. "Go on. Sit in it and rock back."
I sat down and rocked back.
The chair was solid. I don't care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.
I think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, "Time out! I can't take any more!"
God responds, "Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you."
I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband's hands to the work of God's hand.
Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb, the one who is called the Potter.
He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl.
My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today.
Lord Jesus, You are the Carpenter. You know exactly how to build a piece that will withstand pressure and stress, a work of art that will not easily crumble. You created me the same way. Rather than tremble in the face of despair, help me trust in Your design. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
Beyond the Shadow of Doubt (DVD) by Renee Swope
Visit Van's blog
Application Steps:
Memorize this phrase and repeat it whenever you feel you "can take no more" pressure or stress: "God knows my stress and pressure points. He will not allow me to be crushed. He knows because He has designed me."
Reflections:
What brings me to the edge of despair?
Can I trust God that I may have to undergo stress and feel some pressure before I reach His final design for me?
Power Verses:
Malachi 3:3, "He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver..." (NLT)
2 Corinthians 4:7-9, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed..." (KJV)
© 2009 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 7, 2009
Following My Father's Directions
Karen Ehman
"The Lord said, 'IIt is because they have forsaken my law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed me or followed my law.'" Jeremiah 9:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
The car was packed; the gas tank full; a cooler stood chock-full of sandwiches for the long ride. This was it! My three kids and I were excitedly off on a summertime adventure. In the midst of a stressful and busy move and while waiting for the kids' bedrooms in the basement to be finished, we threw caution to the wind and took my friend Marybeth up on an invitation to join her at an ocean beachfront home she was being allowed to use for free.
Now this was no small undertaking. It was going to be a 17-hour trip with three kids in the car. Besides the necessities we needed to pack, most of all we needed directions. We had to see on paper just how to get from our little home in the middle of Michigan to sunny Ocean Isle, North Carolina, without getting lost!
Should be a piece of cake in this era of online sites that spit out detailed directions, right? Of course! So I printed them off, tucked them in a folder and revved up the car's engine. Before I left, however, my father called me. He winters near Ocean Isle and he wanted to give me verbal directions since he has traveled that course twice a year for the past 18 years and is very familiar with how to get there.
I reluctantly wrote down his instructions, complete with highways to avoid and exit names, etc. Then, I tossed the directions into the glove compartment. I thanked him for the gesture but assured him I probably wouldn't need it since I had the newest, slick Internet directions already. But "Father knows best!' he assured me. I smiled and headed off.
About half-way to our destination, I noticed that the exit number and name on the Internet's directions didn't match up. I began to panic. Should I take the exit number it gave or the exit name it listed? I chose the exit number. Soon after that, we became completely lost. None of the directions made sense any more. We got off the exit, headed back to where we'd made the turn and tried again.
But this way didn't work either! We were soon heading north instead of south and there wasn't an exit in sight for miles! When we finally got off, I popped into a gas station and asked for help. The attendant smiled and handed me a piece of paper with corrected directions already written on it. It seems that the Internet site does not completely have the directions. In fact, the station gets dozens of lost souls wandering into their establishment everyday longing just to get back on the right track. They were ready with printed directions to give out to such weary travelers.
Worried that the rest of my Internet directions might be wrong as well, I quickly fumbled through the glove compartment to find my father's handwritten instructions. I ran them by the gas station attendant. "Perfect!" he commented. My father knew the way without any wrong turns. "Just stick to your father's instructions and you won't be lost" I was told.
Like so much of life, we hear of new fangled shortcuts, ways to find happiness or even new paths for getting to heaven. Celebrities say they have found new spiritual dimensions or perfect peace in a New Age practice. We must resist the desire to trust these so called 'new ways' completely and instead follow our Father's original instructions: the Holy Bible. His ancient words ring true. He is the way, the ONLY way, and following His instructions will never result in our souls being lost.
Perhaps it is time we did away with the new and went back to the old. God's instructions are never wrong. They lead to peace and contentment and a home with Him in heaven forever. Why, that is even better than a week at the beach!
Dear Lord, help me to get and stay forever grounded in Your ancient instructions, the Bible. May I follow only Your holy ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
For more on following God, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
What new ways does the world present for finding happiness or achieving eternal life?
How do these ways measure up to what the Bible says?
Reflections:
What are some actions I can take that will keep me grounded in God's Word? How can a friend help me in this endeavor?
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (NIV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 8, 2009
What I Hate, I Do
Marybeth Whalen
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do,
but what I hate I do." Romans 7:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
He came home from work, feeling tired I am sure. But instead of complaining, he rolled his sleeves up and jumped right in making french toast and frying bacon for our dinner. As he worked, he told me about the rough day he had--more than 100 people had been laid off at his company. While he had not been laid off, he felt sorry for those who had been, and wondered if he would be on the next list of names.
After dinner, he tackled bath times with the younger kids. After they were safely tucked into bed, he took one son with him to the store. He returned home happy, reeling off the things on the list he had gotten for me.
"You didn't get the vitamins," I told him. "That was the whole reason you went!" His smile disappeared. Bewildered, he offered to go back out and get the vitamins if we really needed them. "Well, of course we do or I wouldn't have asked for them," I said. He left again. It was late. He was tired.
He returned home for the second time, happy again, brandishing an off brand bottle of the vitamins I had asked for. "These were buy one, get one free!" he said, waving two boxes, one in each hand. I took one look at those boxes and sneered.
"There are some things you don't bargain shop for," I chided. He slunk off to the kitchen to stow the vitamins in the cabinet, out of sight. Later, he fell asleep on the couch, the book he had attempted to read rising and falling on his chest as he slept.
This is an actual scene from life at my house. This morning as I was in prayer, God brought that scene to mind, allowing me to see my ugliness. Here we see this really great guy trying to serve and love and give - and here we see his snippy, unappreciative wife totally dropping the ball on loving and serving him in return. Instead we see how she wants her own way and pouts like a two year-old when she doesn't get it. We see that, once again, her need to say little unnecessary comments surfaces. We see her focusing on the negative and missing so much positive in the process.
Today I was reminded again of what I have - and what I stand to lose. My words wound or, at the very least, fall far short of what they could bring to my husband's life. I choose to nitpick instead of nurture. I choose to litigate instead of love. I hate these choices I make, and yet, again and again I go back to this same driving need to plead my case, assert my rights, get my way, and be first. When God asks me to be willing to be last (Mark 9:35). In life. And in marriage.
I want to do better, to speak kinder, to look for the many good things instead of seizing on the bad. I want to be a wife who brings him good and not harm all the days of her life (Proverbs 31:12). I am working on it, but some days I fall right back into flesh patterns that are so evil and ugly I recoil at my own image when it's played out for me. I know better - I should do better.
Tomorrow, I will try again. And, Honey? Thanks for hanging in there on days when I don't.
Dear Lord, help me to honor my husband with my words, my deeds and my thoughts. Help me to realize that my words matter. I can choose to build him up or tear him down. Help me to choose to build him up and give me the strength to do so. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
The Love Dare
Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage: Protecting Your Relationship So It Will Last a Lifetime by Stormie Omartian
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
The next time you are tempted to speak unkind words to your husband, pray first, recognizing that God can give you victory over your flesh through His Spirit.
Reflections:
A question I ask myself often is: Is it more important for you to be right or in relationship?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:6, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV)
Galatians 5:17, "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
April 9, 2009
The Satisfaction of the Cross
Rachel Olsen
"When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied."
Isaiah 53:11 (NLT)
Devotion:
Approximately 600 years before Jesus was condemned to the cross, the prophet Isaiah foretold of the event. Open up and invite those words to penetrate your soul today:
"See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about.
Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.
But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners." Isaiah 52:13 -- 53:12 (NLT)
Approximately 2,000 years after Jesus hung on the cross, the passion of our Christ is still the power of God unto salvation. His suffering accomplished righteousness for us, and through it, both He and we are satisfied.
Dear Lord, may I realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for me. Forgiveness .. Freedom ... and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May I always find my satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know The Christ?
Rachel has been writing about Easter this week, visit her blog and join her in celebrating the passion of Jesus
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Take satisfaction in the love and power of God today -- it is given for, and directed at, you!
Reflections:
What sins do I need to confess and release under the power of the cross?
Am I walking in the freedom Christ accomplished for me?
Power Verses:
Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (ESV)
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence." (GWT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 10, 2009
Draw Me Nearer Lord
Wendy Blight
"My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death..."
Mark 14:34 (NLT)
Devotion:
How God moved my heart as I sat with His Word yesterday morning! I opened to Mark Chapter 14 and read these words:
"He [Jesus] took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, 'My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.'"
In this scene, Mark describes Jesus' intense anguish as He contemplates the next step in His earthly journey...death on a cross. Jesus' emotions, deeply distressed and troubled, come from the Greek word "ekthambeo" which means, "to throw into terror; to alarm thoroughly." Scholars believe that in this moment the devil visibly prowled around Jesus. He was desperate to stop Jesus, to drive Him to despair, to steal His hope and belief in the goodness and faithfulness of His Father. Satan needed victory. If he failed, and Jesus walked in obedience to the Father's will, Satan would be vanquished forever! What a powerful moment in Scripture. When God's Word tells us Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, our Lord and Savior knows first hand!!
Jesus' words, My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death, reveal that He fully knew He was about to endure the sin of all mankind. The King James version says, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful," which is from the Greek word "perilupos" which means "deeply grieved." Jesus, who knew no sin was made sin for us. His Father, our God, is perfect in every way. Jesus knew that when He took upon the sin of the world, His Father would have to turn His back on Him. He could not look upon His own Son. The weight of that sin crushed our Lord.
Sweet friends, as I read these words anew, I sat on my bed amazed at what my Savior did for me. Not very often do I deeply ponder the agony Christ suffered before He went to the cross. I asked myself, do I feel this agony for my own sin? Am I exceedingly sorrowful for my own sin? I think not. Shamefully, I realize that I rotely confess my sin, but I do not know if I ever appreciated as much as I did yesterday morning the absolute gravity of my sin and the incredible gift given me that day at Calvary.
I invite you to sit with these verses today. Drink them in. Sear them into your heart. May we never forget the sacrifice made by our precious Savior.
Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. I praise You and thank You for the gift You have given me through Your Son, Jesus. Jesus, thank You for struggling that day in Gethsemane. Thank You for standing strong against the evil one, for loving me, for loving us, so much that You would endure such anguish and sorrow. I am so sorry for not living a life worthy of what You did for me that day. Keep my heart tender and ever aware of Your immense sacrifice. Keep me close to Your heart, show me my sin. Give me a repentant heart when I see my sin. Wash me with Your love, fill me with Your Truth, and draw me ever closer to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
If God's Word spoke to you today, visit Wendy's blog to share your thoughts.
Application Steps:
As you finish reading today, don't just close the window and move on. Sit a few minutes with the Lord. Press into Him. Ask Him to show you the places in your heart that grieve Him. Surrender those places to Him at the foot of the cross. Claim the incredible gift of forgiveness given you at Calvary. Receive the freedom of that forgiveness and walk in the joy of that freedom!
Reflections:
God's Word is living and active, meant to speak to you today. Read the Easter story with fresh eyes. Invite the Lord to "open the eyes of your heart" that you may see wonderful new Truths this Easter. Write a prayer thanking Him for the new Truths He reveals to you.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 53:3b-6, "We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down...But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins! He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all." (NLT)
Ephesians 1:18-21, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (NLT)
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 13, 2008
Believe What You Know, Not What You Hear
Tracie Miles
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." Ephesians 4:14 (NIV).
Devotion:
I was thrilled to hear the good news. I had a bad case of winter blues, and the television weatherman had forecasted unusually warm spring-like days for the entire week. However, as I was driving to church that evening, I heard quite a different forecast on the radio. The announcer predicted cold days ahead; highs in the forties, and rain.
What happened to the amazing forecast that the TV weatherman had predicted? I felt my spirit drop as I thought about yet another cold week to endure. Immediately I shared my disappointment with my husband and friends, even convincing them that the weather forecast had obviously changed.
But as I watched TV later that evening, the weatherman was predicting sunny weather once again. Beautiful days, mid-seventies, with the possibility of breaking a record high.
What?! I was so confused. I finally determined that the radio must have been playing the wrong forecast by accident. Somehow, I think the wrong buttons had been pushed, and the wrong information was sent out over the air for thousands of people to hear...if they had heard the television forecast too, they were surely as perplexed as I was.
I had heard information that contradicted what I knew to be true, but since it seemed to be from a trustworthy source, I readily believed it. I even shared that information with friends and family, only later to realize that I had been misled and misinformed.
In the same way, today's culture does an excellent job of sending us wrong information, misleading us about right and wrong, and convincing us that their opinion is accurate.
Take tolerance, for example. The term "tolerance" seems to imply, by today's standards, that anything and everything is morally equivalent. Society tries to convince people that the truth is relative, open for interpretation, and apt to be changed if anyone wants it to be different.
With this in mind, and due to the fact that there is a smorgasbord of beliefs to choose from, it is imperative that Christians stay keenly aware of whether or not we are believing what we know, versus believing what we hear.
The Bible clearly states that God set moral laws for His people, and the outline of what is right and wrong is written with great clarity. Knowing that, do we allow ourselves to be swayed by information that does not line up with God's Word? Do we follow the crowd, even when it is operating on inaccurate information? Do we act on questionable truths, just because it seems that everyone else believes it to be true?
As believers, we have the incredible responsibility of being sure that we place what the Bible says over what well-intentioned (even trustworthy or respected) people may say. If we doubt that the Bible is the one absolute truth, what other source of truth are we looking to?
1 Thessalonian 5:21 says, "Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil" (MSG). The thing that is good, is what is written in The Bible -- the inspired Word of God.
If you ever question whether or not something you hear is true, and before you share it with others who could be influenced by your statements, check it out against God's Word. The truth will be confirmed in the scriptures, and that is a source you can believe in.
Dear Lord, help me to be strong in knowledge of Your Word. Give me the inner strength to stand up for what is right in Your eyes, even if it goes against the consensus opinion of what is right and tolerated in the eyes of man. Make me a person who influences others with Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Tracie's blog
Application Steps:
Watch what you say and do -- you never know who you may be influencing.
Stand up for what is right in God's eyes.
Reflections:
Have I allowed someone to cause me to doubt God or the truth of His Word?
Is it possible that I sometimes send the wrong message to others, and a distorted view of who God is, through my own compromised words or actions?
Power Verses:
Acts 17:11, "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 15, 2009
Afraid to Fail
Rachel Olsen
"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance." Matthew 25:29a (NLT)
Devotion:
In Matthew 25 Jesus tells a story of a master who divided his money (unequally) into the care of three servants while he went on a trip. "The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money" (Matthew 25:16-18, NLT). When the master returned, he praised and rewarded the two servants who had multiplied his money.
Jesus continues the story:
"Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.' "But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultivate, why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.' "Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (vs. 24-30)
I was surprised when I first read this parable that the master called that servant "wicked and lazy." After all, it doesn't say he was an axe murderer or a freeloader, right? It seems he just played it extra safe with his portion of money. Does that really make him "wicked and lazy?"
Maybe I could understand the "lazy" label because he just buried it and left it there. That doesn't take much effort compared to opening a savings account or investing in stocks, mutual funds or real estate. Plus, if you invest it, you need to manage it to minimize your losses should there be a stock market crash, or mortgage loan crisis. Yes, it is easier to stash money under a mattress than try to navigate the financial world of investments.
However, what really threw me was the label "wicked" applied to him. I don't know much about investing, and I've made some financial mistakes before, but does that make me wicked in God's eyes? Since I trust whatever Jesus says is true, I asked Him to show me why this man was deemed wicked.
I realized the overall topic of this parable is personal responsibility for use of our assets. By "assets," I refer to the things God has entrusted to us like our money, time, talents, mind, body, family, etc. The clear message is that God wants us to manage these things with excellence, and if we do, we will be rewarded. If we fail to, we may be penalized.
The master, who represents God in this parable, was chastising this servant because his "asset management style" required little effort, and even less faith. What made him "wicked" was believing the whispers of the Wicked One telling him that his master was too fickle to please and would surely punish him if he tries and fails.
What displeased the master was the servant's failure to bother to try when given the assignment.
Taking responsibility for, and seeking to be productive with our assets feels risky -- much like navigating the world of finance can -- but that should not cause us to bury our heads in the sand. I now see that this servant let Satan back him into a corner, with fear of failure and skewed notions of God, and immobilized what could've been used to glorify God and increase His Kingdom.
So today, I purpose to use my all in service of God when He gives me an assignment, no matter how risky it feels. Otherwise, I am denying the amazing grace of God available to me, and rendering useless the gifts my Master has given me. So let's learn from this servant by refusing to remain immobilized when we're afraid to fail.
Dear Lord, help me manage my time, talent, money, body and relationships in ways that please You, and grow Your Kingdom. Deliver me from fearing of failure. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers
Visit Rachel at her blog and tell her what task you plan to target with more effort and faith.
For sound financial guidance, check out Dave Ramsey's site.
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Make a list of answers to the questions below. Choose an area to target this month with prayer and effort.
Reflections:
In what areas am I just lazy and need to put forth effort?
In what areas am I purposely not trying because I'm afraid to fail?
Power Verses:
Mark 13:37b, "Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." (MSG)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 17, 2009
Better in the Boat
Amy Carroll
"By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. Then God said to Noah, 'Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.'" Genesis 8:14-16 (NIV)
Devotion:
The same thought came to me over and over again. "Call Jennifer," the thought repeated insistently. I really couldn't imagine why I would need to call her. Jennifer had been in the youth group that Barry and I briefly led years before. Although I had been very close to her at the time, I hadn't thought about Jennifer for years, so I ignored my thoughts and didn't call.
Months later, I ran into Jennifer's mother at the mall. At the exact time that I had felt such a need to call her, Jennifer had been lying in bed in the hospital close to death. She had complications with the delivery of her baby and had almost died. Suddenly, I knew that it wasn't just my own thoughts that had prompted me to get in touch. God, who knows all things, had been urging me to connect with Jennifer again during a period of great need in her life. To this day I grieve that I ignored God's direction and wonder how I might have been of help to my friend. If only I had listened and obeyed.
In the account of the flood in Genesis 7 and 8, God speaks to Noah very specifically each step of the way. First, God gives Noah stunningly specific directions on how to build the ark. After the rains, flood and drying out period (a total of 371 days), Noah again waits for God's voice to come out of the ark.
I find that amazing. I imagine myself in a boat surrounded completely and utterly by water with my family and innumerable animals for 371 days. I'm afraid that I would be scrambling out onto land for a little "me time" as soon as it looked dry enough! For two verses (Gen. 8:13-14), it is clear that although the land was dry, Noah was waiting for God to speak. He was not going to move until he heard God's voice with the next set of directions.
In a beautiful scene in CS Lewis' book The Horse and His Boy, Hwin, a wise horse in the story, faces a fierce lion. The lion, Aslan, is the perfect picture of the Lord in all His glory. The story continues like this: "Then Hwin, though shaking all over, gave a strange little neigh and trotted across to the Lion. 'Please,' she said, 'you're so beautiful. You may eat me if you like. I'd sooner be eaten by you than fed by anyone else.'"
Noah seems to have come to the same place as this wise creature. In Noah's case it's as if he is saying to God, "I would rather spend the rest of my days in this boat (and he lived to be 950!) than to take one step toward land without You." Noah trusted God and believed that God would speak to him to give him the best direction. He is a model of righteousness that is lived out in complete obedience to God's voice.
One of my greatest struggles is self-sufficiency. I long to be changed, though, into a woman who lives straining to hear God's voice in every circumstance. God is looking for men and women today who will commit to the life-style that Noah embraced. He longs for children who will "rest in the boat" until He moves them forward.
Lord, so often I run ahead of You. Please help me to walk with You, listening for Your voice with each step. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
The Bare Bones Bible Handbook: 10 Minutes to Understanding Each Book of the Bible by Jim George
Visit Amy's blog
Application Steps:
Include a time of silence in your prayer time. He wants to speak to you!
Pay attention to those "strong feelings" as you go about your day. Ask God if they are from Him. For those who have entrusted our lives to Him, we are filled with His Holy Spirit and can trust His leadings.
Reflections:
Have I ever missed an opportunity by ignoring God's voice?
How can I make sure that I don't miss future opportunities?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 30:21, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (NIV)
Proverbs 8:34, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 20, 2009
God Sees You
T. Suzanne Eller
"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:30-31 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently Darrin came up to me in the hallway at church. "Ten years!" he said, grabbing me and crushing me in a bear hug.
Wow. Ten years. It doesn't seem possible. You see, ten years ago Darrin was 21 when he tried to take his life. Someone found him and called for help. The doctors said he's fortunate he didn't die, but for a long time after the attempt Darrin felt anything but lucky. It was hard for me to understand his perspective, but the fact that his suicide attempt didn't work was one more "failure" in this broken young man's mind.
Darrin left the hospital and came to live with our family for the next two years. We had a front row seat as we watched God perform a miracle. It wasn't easy, but Darrin began a journey to wholeness. He started to understand what it meant to be a child of God. He discovered who he was, separate from his past, separate from what people thought or spoke about him.
Today Darrin is a licensed pastor. He is married to a beautiful woman named Sarah. He is a father to three young children, and he loves and delights in each of them. His oldest daughter is named Abi, after Abba -- Heavenly Father -- a reminder that she is one of many gifts from God.
Darrin is healed in every way, but he has not forgotten where he once was and that's why he allows me to share his story today. It's also why he shares it one-on-one with others who find themselves in a similar place. This type of anniversary might be one that some would want to forget, but Darrin sees it as a day to celebrate life and second chances. His story offers a powerful message: that when others have given up on you, or maybe you've even given up on yourself, there is still hope.
For some, like Darrin, depression wraps around life choices. You may experience a chemical imbalance. Or, feelings of hopelessness might result from emotional or physical exhaustion. While it can take time to pinpoint the root cause, it's vital that you know from this moment on that God sees you. He loves you and He cares. He's a God of hope and healing. So today I pray that you will feel His arms reaching for you, just like he did my friend Darrin.
Dear Lord, I believe that today a woman is reading this who believes she has been forgotten. I thank you that You will wrap Your love around her and remind her that You are with her. May she know You see her, and that she is precious and valuable in Your sight. Give her hope, wisdom, peace and renewed joy, beginning today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Listen to our Radio Show for more encouragement about the Father's love.
Hope in the Midst of Depression: How to Embrace Life Again by Mary Southerland
Defeating Depression: Real Hope for Life-Changing Wholeness by Leslie Vernick
Go to Suzie's blog to read an interview with Darrin.
Application Steps:
We need to differentiate between a bad day or a series of bad days and depression. Dr. Leslie Vernick has created a test you can take called How Do I Know If I'm Depressed to help discern the difference. Please seek professional help if you have three or more symptoms of depression.
When someone we care about is depressed, it is hard to know what to say. Sometimes we try to talk them out of it by saying things like:
"Just trust God."
"Just get over it."
"If you would just do ..."
"You have lots going for you. You shouldn't feel so bad."
These statements are not helpful because they make the person feel ashamed of being depressed. They want to get well, but it is usually not that simple. Instead, we can encourage them by first, listening. And also by:
Giving a hug -- touch is powerful.
Letting them know you'll do whatever it takes to help, then do it. (Drive them to a counselor's appointment, pray for them daily, etc.)
Let them talk, or cry.
Ask them how you can pray for them, and write down their answer.
Let them know though you may not fully understand what they feel, you care about what they are going through.
Reflections:
Do I believe that God cares about me?
Do I know the God of hope and healing?
Am I willing to take steps toward wholeness?
Power Verses:
Psalm 42:11, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (KJV)
Psalm 71:5, "For thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth." (KJV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 21, 2009
Don't Dance Around a Cactus
Glynnis Whitwer
"You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!" Matthew 5:21-22b (NLT)
Devotion:
We were all straining to see over the heads of other cheering bystanders at the start of the race. My husband and middle son were among those waiting to start the half-marathon, and the rest of the family sought a glimpse as they took their first steps across the starting line. Being tall, I managed to find a place where I could see, and tucked a child in front of me. My youngest daughter found a landscaping rock just a few steps back and planted herself on top of that.
As I took turns looking at her and then back at the starting line, I realized she had turned the rock into a dancing stage. Completely oblivious to the race, she now took little jumps and turns on the rock. I wasn't worried about her falling off, because the rock was only six inches high. But I was worried about the Saguaro cactus next to the rock. In fact, she had noticed it too, and stopped dancing long enough to try and touch the cactus. I called her name and told her not to touch the cactus. She began to watch the race.
By that time, the starting gun had sounded and hundreds of racers crossed in front of me. My attention was focused on finding my husband and son, and I caught a glimpse of them as they passed by. Before I could turn around, I felt a tug on my sleeve and looked down to find my daughter holding out a hand with a few cactus spines sticking out of it.
Thankfully, I removed them easily. But instead of letting the matter go, I just had to ask what happened. I said, "Why did you touch the cactus after I told you not to?"
"I didn't touch the cactus," she answered. "I was just dancing."
Her answer made me think about the times I had danced around something dangerous, confident in my safety because I wasn't "touching" it. In reality, there is injury that can happen even when I'm not taking the wrong action. I've caught my mind wandering to a wrong place many times, and sometimes even settling on those wrong thoughts. Even though I may not commit the deed, in Jesus' words, I've done wrong.
Matthew 5 contains what I think is some of the hardest teaching in the Bible. Jesus is calling His disciples to a higher level of obedience, one that holds us accountable for our thoughts. In verse 22, when Jesus says we face judgment for being angry, I'm convicted. I know Jesus is talking about anger that wishes another harm. Based on His teaching in Matthew 5, He's saying I'm just as guilty as if I had committed murder when I have those thoughts. I can apply that lesson to other areas of my life too.
The reality for me is I can't "dance" around sinful deeds, thinking I'm safe because I haven't acted on them. Jesus is calling me to stay far away from sin ... in my actions and in my thoughts. If I dance around a cactus long enough, I will eventually get stuck. And if I dance with sin long enough in my mind, I'll get stuck too. And while forgiveness and healing is available through Christ, that kind of stuck leaves scars I don't want.
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us warnings about sin. I sometimes think I have no control over my mind. But I know that's not true. You have offered me help to take thoughts captive. Please reveal those areas in my thought life that need to change. I want to bring honor and glory to You in all areas of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Consider joining or forming a Gather & Grow Group for accountability.
Visit Glynnis's blog
Application Steps:
Is there an area of your life where you have been dancing around sin? Identify one area that might be a danger point and confess it in prayer. Then commit to tell someone about it for ongoing accountability.
Reflections:
What are some practices you can implement into your life to keep your thought life pure?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-5. What hope and help do we have against the pull of the world?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
Matthew 12:25, "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.'" (NIV)
April 22, 2009
In God's Hands
Tracie Miles
"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
As I aroused from sleep, my first thought was, "Uggg. It is going to be cold outside." But to be honest, my anxiety wasn't so much about the cold mountain weather, but about my teenage daughter's safety that day.
We had been planning the trip for weeks and the girls were so excited that their snowboarding day had finally arrived. The wind was cold and the snow was slippery, but the sun was shining, the mountains were beautiful, and the enthusiasm of three teenage girls outweighed their shivers. We had arranged for them to take a one-hour snowboarding lesson that morning, as this was their first time on the slopes. Once we got them bundled up in their coats, scarves and protective gear, we parted ways as they walked off with the rest of the group to begin their lesson.
Suddenly, I felt this little rush of panic come over me. It was a familiar feeling, because for the past 15 years I have mastered the art of worrying about the safety of my children. When there is even the most remote possibility one of them could be hurt, my mind floods with irrational thoughts about what could happen in the worst of circumstances.
What if she has trouble getting onto the ski lift properly, and slips and hits her head? What if she can't get off the lift quick enough at the top of the mountain, and falls off and gets hurt? What if she falls off the lift seat while hoisted five stories up in the air? What if she gets too close to the edge of the slope and falls off the side of the mountain? What if she gets separated from her friends and panics all alone? What if she breaks her arm/leg/neck? What if ...
As I said, irrational thoughts. Unwarranted panic.
Since I could not run up the ski slope after her, looking like a crazed, over-protective mother, I headed back to the lodge. There I found myself praying a simple prayer something like this: Oh, Lord, I cannot be with her today. I cannot protect her. I cannot watch after her. She will be out of my sight, at the top of a mountain, far from my reach. Only You can see her. Only You can protect her now. Please keep her safe. Instantly I felt God's reassurance, and heard Him quietly speak to my heart, "Put her in My arms Tracie. Entrust her to Me."
Although I secretly preferred to hold her in my own arms and keep her safe, just like when she was a little girl, I knew I had to entrust her fully to God -- just not on the ski slope, but every day of her life. I am a mere human, but God is a sovereign and powerful God. Any physical protection I could offer her pales in comparison to the spiritual protection given from our Savior.
As each of my children grow and live, I know they will face new dangers. Peer pressure will be heavy, temptations will prowl, people will hurt their feelings, dangers may cross their path and life may be hard. Our modern culture will cause them to face challenges and decisions that I did not have to deal with as a child. My comfort must come from believing that they will be in God's hands, and that He will always be with them, no matter where they go. Not just on the top of a mountain, but every minute of every day in every circumstance.
Do you know that the word "children" appears over 450 times in the Bible? Our children matter to God, and He loves them, even more than we love them. Being a parent allows us a window to see God's amazing perspective of that love.
Dear Lord, forgive me for forgetting how much You love my children and that You are always with them. Thank You for surrounding us with Your angels. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Authentic Parenting In a Post Modern Culture by Mary E. DeMuth
Join us for more Everyday Life Encouragement
Visit Tracie's blog
Application Steps:
Choose to entrust your family to Christ today.
Reflections:
Do I allow doubts and fears for my children's safety to take precedence over my belief in God's protection of them?
Am I worrying about things that I have no control over, or trusting God to protect my children in the way that He knows is best?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:11, "For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go." (NLT)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 23, 2009
This is Love
Renee Swope
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was driving my son to school one morning when out of the blue I started wondering what makes him feel loved. I assumed it was when I buy him something, or when I make his favorite food, or when I let him have a friend over. Basically, I figured he feels most loved when I give him what He wants.
I decided to ask him. "Andrew, what makes you feel loved?"
He sat there quietly, thinking. Then he blurted out a surprising answer.
"THIS!"
"This?" I asked.
"Yeah, Mom. This. You being with me. You driving me to school and talking to me about my day. You telling me you'll be there when I get home. That makes me feel loved. Thanks, Mom. I love you, bye!" And he hopped out of the car.
This is love?
You mean I don't have to run out and buy something? Me being there for him is love? Even after I was harsh with my words yesterday prompting him to ask if I was mad about something. Still, this is love?
As I drove away, I wondered if God were to ask me what makes me feel loved, what would I say? Immediately my heart whispered, "Lord, this is love. You asking and caring. You being there. You keeping Your promises like You said You would."
This is love.
A promise that is kept.
A place that is certain.
Someone who asks.
Someone who listens.
Someone who is present again and again.
We are loved. We don't have to wait for God to show it. He already has! He sent His Son so that we could know Him in an intimate relationship. Then promised He'd always be there for us, and He is. He is present and listening. Asking and caring. No matter what we are going through today, we can live in His love. And we can love from the overflow of being loved. We can know and rely on God's promises and presence, and be made complete in Him.
This is love.
Dear Lord, thank You that You first loved us. Remind us and embrace us and pour out on us Your perfect, completing and unfailing love today. As we think of those we love, and the ways we want to be loved, remind us that we are Yours and we are loved! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Visit Renee's Blog today to find out how you can experience God's love in a powerful way, and then give His love to others.
Application Steps:
Ask your child, or someone you are close to, "What makes you feel loved?" Then look for simple ways to love them in that way.
Visit Renee's blog for a powerful way to experience God's love and show God's love to others in a way they'll never forget.
Reflections:
What makes you feel loved by others?
What makes you feel loved by God?
It's easy to believe God's love when He gives us what we want, but God showed His love by giving us what we need, Jesus. If you've doubted God's love, tell Him today and then take time to thank Him for His immeasurable love! And, if you'd like to know more about how God demonstrated His love through Christ, click here.
Power Verses:
1 John 4:9, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (NIV)
1 John 4:16, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (NIV)
1 John 4:17-19, "God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day--our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love--love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." (MSG)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 24, 2008
What We Can't See
Marybeth Whalen
"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.'" II Kings 6:16-17a (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever asked God to help you see what He's up to in the spiritual realm?
In II Kings 6:15-17, the prophet Elisha prays for his servant to be able to see beyond his circumstances. They are surrounded by a great army and the odds look to be overwhelmingly against them. He asks God to show the servant what is taking place beyond what the eye can see. The servant's eyes are opened to a supernatural realm and he is able to see the Lord's armies gathered to fight on their behalf. Elisha knew his servant was feeling hopeless and simply needed a different perspective.
We need eyes to see just like that servant did. Make no mistake, we are fighting a war. As Christians, we must suit up every day and face another battle. We have an enemy who wants to defeat us. And some days it seems like he gets the victory. We look around at the failing economy, the fractured families, and the fast pace of our lives and feel that the odds are overwhelmingly against us. We grow weary and feel like giving up.
In those moments we need to stop worrying and pray for a new vision. We need to ask God to change our perspective so that we can look past what we can see to what He is taking care of in the unseen. We need to remember to trust Him and to ask Him to help us see His activity--no matter how overwhelmed and unworthy we may feel. God sees us and He will send help when we need it.
The odds are never stacked against us because God is waging a battle we can't see. I love that He is always fighting on our behalf, even when we don't see it--and especially when we need it the most.
Dear Lord, please help me to remember that You are fighting even when I don't see it. Help me to have a vision for what You do daily on my behalf and not grow discouraged by the battles I face. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know The One Who Fights for You?
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
For monthly encouragement, get our P31 Woman Magazine
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
The next time you face something and feel overwhelmed, unworthy or discouraged about it, remember Elisha's servant and what he saw when God opened his eyes. Ask God to open your eyes when you need encouragement.
Reflections:
How would living life aware that God is fighting on your behalf change your outlook?
Power Verses:
Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (NIV)
I John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
April 27, 2009
God's Masterpiece...Who Me?
Melissa Taylor
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
You've got to be kidding me? If I didn't see it for myself in God's Word, I wouldn't believe it. Ephesians 2:10 says "...we are God's masterpiece."
Wait a minute, this cannot be right. I don't feel like a masterpiece. I certainly don't look like a masterpiece. But God's Word says that I am a masterpiece. And not just anyone's masterpiece; I am God's masterpiece.
According to Merriam-Webster's online thesaurus, synonyms of masterpiece are: showpiece, blockbuster, success, gem, jewel, prize, treasure, and piece of the master. Insert any of these words into today's verse in place of masterpiece.
Doesn't it just take your breath away to know that there is Someone that feels this way about you?
God loves what He created, so shouldn't we too? I struggle not to get down on myself. Often I focus on what I do wrong more than what I do right. I look in the mirror, compare myself to someone else and I just feel blah. That's right, blah.
I wonder, "What's special about me?"
It is very hard for me to believe that I am God's masterpiece. Do you have thoughts like these? If so, stop right there! Don't let those lies penetrate any deeper. That's not what our Creator thinks.
When I listen to the Truth, which is His Word, not my thoughts, then I hear Him saying things like, "Oh Melissa, you don't always get it right, that's true, but I love you so much. Look in My mirror and see what I see, My beautiful creation, My treasure, My masterpiece.
The sooner you see yourself for who you really are, the sooner you can take your reign as My priceless princess with a purpose - My masterpiece. You were created in My image and you are indeed a piece of the Master."
Dear Lord, thank You for creating me in Your image and calling me Your masterpiece. Please help me to live like the one You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Related Resources:
Listen to Today's Radio Show for more on the Father's love
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
My Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Sheppard
Visit Melissa's blog
Application Steps:
Take note of the way you think about yourself today. If you notice a lot of negative thoughts occupying your mind, intentionally choose to think about what God says about you. Remind yourself that you are a masterpiece of our almighty God.
Reflections:
Do I believe that I am God's masterpiece?
How do I view true beauty?
What can I do to remind others and myself that we are true treasures of God?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:21-22, "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (NIV)
Ephesians 1:4, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-GMatthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 28, 2009
Divine Prayers
Susanne Scheppmann
"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
I lifted myself from my knees and wiped the tears of frustration from my eyes. Once again, I felt like my prayers had bounced off the ceiling and rolled into a dusty corner, unheard by God.
Since my children were babies, I have prayed for them. The prayers continued through their elementary school years. All during those years, I felt peace and confidence flow throughout my soul--God would be with my children. Of course, I "helped" Him with my wise mothering and daily prayers.
However, adolescence struck my family. Three teenagers infiltrated the serenity of motherhood. Suddenly, my children didn't listen to my wisdom. I couldn't protect them from outside influences any longer. All I could do was watch them spread their wings of independence and fly out of the cocoon of our home. Their eyes rolled at my advice. Their mouths wagged words at me. Their faith fluctuated.
I responded with fear and a feeling of failure that haunted my prayers. My words were cumbersome. My own faith faltered as I watched each of my children struggle with different issues in their lives. I asked myself, "What can I say to God to make a difference during these tumultuous years?" Discouragement dogged my prayer life.
However, God didn't want me to give up. He brought a friend who had been through a similar experience in her prayer life and had learned to pray Scripture for her children. She taught me how to choose a verse from the Bible that would fit my troubled teen's situation and apply it in prayer. My friend practiced with me praying the verse aloud and inserting my child's name to personalize it.
Within days, I felt my prayers begin to soar again. I no longer felt defeated, but knew I was praying divine prayers. Divine prayers that arose to the throne of God because of the promise, "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11, NIV). As a mother, I no longer held the ability to control everything in my children's lives, but I could pray with God's power.
Thankfully, those turbulent teen years eventually passed. My children are now adults and I still pray for them using Bible verses, because His Word is purposeful and achieves its purpose. God's Word makes divine prayers.
Dear Lord, as I pray for my child, remind me to pray Your Word. Give me verses that will apply to my child and our situation. Increase my faith in believing that Your Word will achieve the purpose for which it is sent. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
For Parents Only: Getting inside the Head of Your Kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Visit Susanne's blog for more encouragement!
Application Steps:
Search through your Bible concordance to find Scriptures that apply to your child and your situation. Find them in your Bible and highlight each one. Write them on index cards. Begin to pray these verses inserting your child's name. For example, "For God so loved your child's name that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16, NIV).
Reflections:
Have I given up praying for my child?
Why will praying Scripture increase my faith?
Do I believe in the divine power of God's Word?
Power Verses:
Psalms 119:89, "Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." (NIV)
Psalms 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)
Psalms 119:140, "Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 29, 2009
Slow It Down
T. Suzanne Eller
"God called the light day and the darkness he called night. And there was evening and there was morning." Genesis 1:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was reading my Bible one day and noticed a huge mistake in Scripture. Everyone knows that morning comes first, and then evening follows. Right? But there it was in black and white. Genesis 1:5 reads, "and there was evening, and there was morning."
Of course, it was no mistake. Somehow, God started with evening -- a time of rest -- and a day's productivity came out of that.
We live in a culture where rest is often viewed in a negative light. When we work, we work hard. When we play, we play hard. We know how to fill our time with e-mail, activities, carpooling, cleaning, aerobics, and our to-do list. Our focus is work all da, and then eventually rest.
Seventeen years ago, at the ripe age of 32, I found out I had cancer. I mentioned to the doctor that I didn't have time for cancer, but cancer didn't consult my schedule. My life changed as I put aside a lot of things I once thought were absolutely vital while going through chemo, surgery, and radiation. Funny, but one thing that came out of that difficult time was a new list of priorities. The first? To balance my life.
I learned how to climb between the sheets and put aside my worries. To rest my body and my mind. To slow down when life becomes crazy and weigh what is important, and what is not. I began to see evening as the first part of my day. From rest, sprang morning.
It's a concept that changed my life. Not just physically, but also spiritually. Recently I had two speaking events sandwiched together. As the date approached, my time with my Heavenly Father became "evening." Of course I prepared, but spiritual time came first all week. Once I arrived in the city where I was to speak, I closed the door of my hotel room and listened to the heart of my Father instead of going over my notes. And out of that rest, sprang fruitful ministry. I was refreshed and filled by His presence, instead of my efforts.
How often do we run out of steam because we are out of balance? I wish that I could say that I became forever balanced. But I'm not. There are times that I have to slow it down and reconsider my priorities all over again. And if physical rest or spiritual rest has been pushed to last place, I have to put it all on the table and let God help me sort through it so I can put "evening" back where it belongs.
Dear Jesus, when I push You to last place, I miss out on hearing Your voice. When I keep going until I drop, I get all tangled up in my to-do list. I know that life is busy, but help me to discern between what is important, and what is not. Reorganize my life, and reveal true rest that only comes from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
10 Minutes a Day with Jesus: Growing in Your Love for the Savior by Jim Reapsome
For more in-depth articles, check out our monthly P31 Woman Magazine.
Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity by Kerri Wyatt Kent
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares tips from author, Kerri Wyatt Kent on creating a Sabbath rest for your family
Application Steps:
Write down all the to-do's that consume your time. Are there any that aren't absolutely necessary?
Pray for direction. Do you need to say "no" to one or two so that you can say "yes" to a more restful family and a more rested you?
Reflections:
As women, we often take care of the needs of our children, our community, our church, our spouses, our jobs, our homes, and we leave ourselves out of the nurturing process. What is one thing you can do today to nurture yourself physically or spiritually?
Power Verses:
Mark 6:30-31, "The followers of Jesus came back to Him. They told Jesus all they had done and taught. He said to them, 'Come away from the people. Be by yourselves and rest.' There were many people coming and going. They had had no time even to eat." (NLB)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
April 30, 2009
God's Provision -- Part 1
Lysa TerKeurst
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything ..." 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
It seems you can hardly turn anywhere today without seeing reminders of economic hardships. A couple weeks ago the news reported we are experiencing the highest unemployment rate our country has seen in 60 years. Friends and family members are suffering due to the loss of jobs, investments gone bad, and cutbacks that seem to be everywhere.
I have a friend who has owned a thriving car dealership for over 30 years. This man and his family have been pillars in their community who are known for their generosity and kind Christian spirits.
This week he declared bankruptcy and has literally lost everything - including their cars. If that isn't cruel irony, I don't know what is.
So, I've had to have some discussions with God about the absolute heartbreak of this situation. I know God is the great provider, so why isn't He providing for my friend? God is a miracle worker, so why isn't He working a miracle for my friend?
These are fair questions about what seems like a terribly unfair situation.
Whenever I face situations I am having a hard time understanding, I have to park my mind with what I know to be true. Keeping my mind saturated with truth keeps Satan from being able to whisper dangerous assumptions, false accusations, and faith-eroding perspectives.
So, what is true in this situation? What is true no matter what situation we are facing?
God is a good provider.
This is true. This is where I must park my mind. This is the reality that must saturate my thoughts. This truth rises above our troubling circumstances and calls us to see life from a perspective outside our screaming realities.
God richly provides us with everything we need. Therefore I must trust that God is providing for my friend. What is in front of my friend is God's provision. God hasn't stopped providing just because my friend is in financial turmoil. This situation hasn't caught God off guard. God hasn't somehow run out of resources to help my friend.
Part of God's perfect provision for my friend is to walk through this. I may not like it. I may not understand it. But, because my friend knows and loves God, I have peace that he will make it through this.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8-9 that if we think on what is true, the peace of God will be with us. And ultimately, isn't peace what we want? That's what I really want for my friend. I want this precious man and his family to have peace more than I want their dealership to be saved, their finances restored, and their old life to suddenly come back and settle into place.
Praise God, His peace is but an utterance of truth away. So, sweet sister, park your mind with His truth today. And watch God's perfect provision of peace flood whatever dry and lacking ache you are experiencing right now.
Dear Lord, thank You for being my provider each day. Help me not to fear these times of hardship. Rather, help me to trust in You and Your ways more each day. My desire is to focus on what is true and believe that You will make the rough places smooth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
For a list of encouraging verses about God's provision, visit Lysa's blog.
Application Steps:
Every time a discouraging thought comes into your mind today:
? Replace it with a verse from God's Word.
? Replace it with the truth that God is a good provider and that His unfailing love for you will not be shaken.
? Replace it by seeking Him and calling on Him for He is always near.
Reflections:
How can God's peace restore your faith today?
How can God's provision restore your situation today?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:1-2, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 1, 2009
God's Provision -- Part 2
Lysa TerKeurst
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
Yesterday's devotion on God's provision may have struck two different chords with people. For some it may have resonated and reassured. For others it may have caused a clashing and clanging that invited honest reactions to bubble to the surface.
Like I said, God and I have had to have some serious conversations about all this. It is hard when you know God could provide but doesn't seem to. That's why I have made the choice - and it is a choice - to park my mind with the truth no matter what.
Easy? Nope. Necessary? Absolutely.
Look at the same passage we looked at yesterday in The Message translation:
1 Timothy 6:17-19, "Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage--to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."
So many times in my life, I've discovered God's provision in packages way different than I think I need, want or expect.
Let me give you a recent example of this.
Many of you know the story of our adopted son, Mark. If I were choosing Mark's provision, it would come in a package complete with good grades, a college degree, and a professional job insuring he could provide for his one day family. These things speak of success in my limited scope.
However, it's not Mark's reality. No matter how much I have prayed and begged God to work a miracle with Mark's learning disabilities, at this point, college is not going to be in his future.
Recently I was sitting at my kitchen table pouring over an application Mark is filling out hoping to get a summer camp job. To be honest I was beyond discouraged at his misspelled words and misunderstanding of some of the essay questions. The application was a disaster.
Suddenly the phone rang. The lady on the other end was a mom from another student at Mark's high school. Apparently, her son was jumped by a boy in the school parking lot yesterday. Many students stood around and watched her son get pummeled by this angry student. Out of nowhere Mark ran and pulled the boy off her son and settled the situation down.
With a catch in her throat, she was calling to thank me and assure me of what a fine young man Mark is.
I wouldn't trade the depth of character in my son that phone called revealed for all the A's and perfect SAT scores in the world.
Is God providing for Mark?
Yes.
I just have to change my definition of success to match what I know to be true about God.
And then in God's timing - according to His plan - with His truth firmly planted in my mind - I can see this verse coming to life...
"Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage--to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."
Dear Lord, help me to park my mind on the truth no matter what. Even though I don't always understand Your provision Lord, I will trust You and walk in Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you'd like to read more about Lysa's adoption story and see pictures of her family, visit her blog.
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Live out I Timothy 6:18 by sponsoring a child in need through Compassion International
Application Steps:
List out some verses of Scripture about God's provision (see Lysa's blog for some great suggestions).
Commit to memory some of these promises that most apply to your situation..
Verbalize your trust in the Lord every day this week.
Reflections:
Do I trust that the Lord has my best interest in mind?
How might I learn to trust God even more deeply in times of trial?
What are some things right in front of me today that prove God's provision for me?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (NIV)
Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (NIV)
Proverbs 11:25 "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 4, 2009
He is Risen! Indeed!
Susanne Scheppmann
". . . It is true! The Lord has risen . . ."
Luke 24:34 (NIV)
Devotion:
Last month, I heard the phrase, "He is risen!" Somewhere from the recesses of my memory the return phrase, "He is risen, indeed!" sprang from my mouth.
The phrase "He is risen! Indeed!" is termed as the Paschal or Easter greeting. The term "Paschal" comes from the original Hebrew word pesach referring to the Jewish Passover. Experts on Christian customs believe the greeting originated shortly after Christ's resurrection. It is popular among both Catholics and Protestants. One person rejoices with "He is risen!" The other answers with the joyous response, "He is risen, indeed!"
A risen Savior changes lives not only for eternity, but right now--today--here on earth. That is a fact to celebrate! Recently my home church illustrated this truth on a Sunday morning by having fifty people stand on stage while holding hand-painted signs. In the beginning, the audience saw only a white piece of poster board. Then, as music played softly, one by one each person flipped his or her own sign over to display the power of the risen Savior in his or her life. The signs read:
Methamphetamine addiction--Drug free
Cancer--Healed
Suicidal--Abundant Life
Lonely--Fellowship
Alcoholism--Sobriety
Filled with bitterness--Learned to forgive
Insecure and unloved--Loved and secure in Jesus
The stage was filled with humanity at its worst, but Jesus at His best. This humble display of the power of Christ moved many members of our congregation to tears. Then, slowly, applause erupted from the auditorium in praise of God. The Apostle John finished his gospel with these compelling words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25, NIV). These words apply today just as much as they did in the first century.
I often take for granted what the risen Christ has done for me for eternity, and for today. I lose my gratitude for the ever present power of Jesus' death and resurrection. But today I have regained my wonder of living in the power of the resurrection. Christ is risen ...Indeed!
Dear Lord, You have risen, indeed! Help me to remember each day of the year that You are triumphant in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Through All Generations CD by Gwen Smith
Consider joining an Online Community where you can praise the risen Lord and discuss daily life with others.
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
If you do not know the risen Savior, Jesus Christ, please click on this link. If you are a Christ follower, show the world, "He is risen! Indeed!"
Reflections:
How does Christ's resurrection affect me on a day-to-day basis?
Do other people recognize that I am a Christ follower?
Power Verses:
Luke 24:6-7, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (NIV)
Mark 16:6, "'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'" (NIV)
John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 5, 2008
Little i
Marybeth Whalen
"He must become greater; I must become less."
John 3:30 (NIV)
Devotion:
The other night my husband and i were at an event where the words to the worship music were placed on a screen for all to see. But this night i noticed something: every time they used the word "I" on the screen, it wasn't capitalized. My editor's eye was drawn to this glaring error, and i spent much of the time that i was supposed to be singing trying to discern why they had done this. Oversight? Trying to be cute? It bugged me.
Then i felt God's whisper to my heart, causing me to go a bit deeper. "Why are you stressing about capitalizing the i?" He asked me. "Why does it need to be capitalized? Who decided that? Maybe these folks recognize that "i" am not important -- but I AM is."
While i am not proposing a little i revolution -- shaking up tradition and causing a crisis in the grammar world -- i am wondering, what does a little i life look like?
Sacrifice?
Surrender?
Slaying self?
Setting apart?
Seeking Him?
Serving others instead of doing what i want?
This little i thing could catch on. It should catch on, because it's the life Jesus called us to. We don't need to be capitalized. We need to be small, insignificant -- just a jot and a tittle, the littlest marks in the alphabet. Instead of a capital letter that announces our importance. At least, that's what i am learning these days -- and trying to live out.
Sacrifice, surrender and servanthood are hard. But i know that's what God calls us to do; laying down our wants, needs and desires and straining towards His.
Dear Lord, I want to make Your name famous and mine unimportant. Help me to be mindful of my tendency to make things about me. And help me Lord to keep the focus on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Share with your children the joys of focusing on the Lord with The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
God desires all areas of our lives to be set apart, even our finances. Read Marybeth's story of surrendering to God in this area in Learning To Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
While not capitalizing your "i's" might not be proper or practical, journal some ways that you can consciously choose to make Jesus become greater in your daily life as you become less.
Reflections:
Do you struggle with taking the focus off God and putting it on yourself? Are there certain times or situations when this happens for you? What can you do to change your response when this happens?
Power Verses:
John 3:31, "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 6, 2009
Yellow Ribbon Round Your Tree
Lynn Cowell
"...Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord..."
Numbers 15: 38b & 39a (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you seen yellow ribbons around your community serving as reminders of our men and women serving in the military? I love to see them. It is so important to remember and pray for those who serve to protect our country each day.
Reading Numbers 15 today, I discovered the Lord used a similar means to help His people remember. Numbers 15:37-41 reads: "The Lord said to Moses, 'Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the Lord your God!'" (NLT). Put a tassel on your clothing to remember.
Recently, my daughter Mariah and I set aside some time to watch a chick-flick together. We were in the last few minutes of the movie, wrapping up the plot, when I looked up at the clock and thought, "I need to go and pray for my husband Greg. He needs me to pray for him right now." Then the other part of my mind said, "You can't, the movie is almost over. What would Mariah think if you got up and didn't finish the movie with her?"
I sat and struggled for about 15 minutes, going back and forth between wanting to obey what I believed the Lord was asking me to do, and wanting to finish the movie. I had already invested two hours building up to the finale and I wanted to see how the movie ended!
I was struggling with my own desires, just like the Lord talked about. Finally, I got up and went to pray for Greg. I only hoped that while I sat and struggled over obeying, I hadn't missed something important the Lord had in mind. (In Numbers 14:40 the people obeyed too late and missed out on the blessing of the Lord!)
Following my own desires and obeying the Lord is something I struggle with everyday. So, like the Israelites, what "tassels" can I put in my life that will serve as reminders to obey in all areas, whether big or small in my own eyes?
Sometimes I write out verses on index cards, carrying them with me as reminders of what the Lord is currently trying to teach me. I have a friend who writes verses on her bathroom mirror with dry-erase markers. Another friend has his Blackberry alarm go off at 10:30 a.m. each morning to remind him to take a few minutes to pray. Like the Israelites, we need something to draw our minds back to the Lord in the middle of our busy days. Maybe it's time to make tassels the new style!
Dear Lord, today help me to set aside my own desires in order to follow You. You know that I am prone to follow my own way, so cause me to be reminded to obey You, and obey on time! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
God the Builder: Surrendering to God's Building Power in Your Life by Wendy Pope
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
What can you do to bring to mind during the day the areas that you need to obey in, or things that the Father is teaching you?
Ask your friends for ideas of how they remember the Lord during their day. Ask a friend to hold you accountable for following Him in an area of your life and not follow after your own desires.
Reflections:
In what area in your life are you following your own desires? The way you spend your time? The way you spend your money? The way you relate to your family?
When you feel the Lord prompting you to do something, do you follow through in His time table or your own?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:11, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 7, 2009
Finding Our Place
Rachel Olsen
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
Mark 9:35 (NLT)
Devotion:
Ever noticed how upset people get when someone cuts in line? In elementary school, it was one of the greatest offenses a classmate could commit. Watch a driver's reaction when someone cuts them off in traffic, and you'll realize things haven't changed much. We don't like people getting ahead of us. We want to be at the front of the line ... the head of the class ... in the preeminent position.
Jesus knew this about us. And in his last few days with the disciples before His crucifixion, He talked to them about it.
In Mark chapter 8, Jesus predicts His death for the first time. Then He called His disciples to His side and told them: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it" (vs. 34-35, NLT).
Soon after, as they walked down the road to Capernaum, Jesus again told his disciples of his coming death, but they still didn't understand. The disciples began talking among themselves as they followed along behind Jesus. They were arguing about which of them would be at the front of the line in God's kingdom. Once they arrived, Jesus asked them, ""What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because they had argued about who was the greatest. Then Jesus sat down and called the Twelve to Him and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all" (Mark 9:33-35, NLT).
After leaving Capernaum, the group met a wealthy young man -- a man of status -- on the road. He came over and asked Jesus what he could do to gain eternal life. After a short discussion, Jesus told him to sell his possessions and follow Him. However, the man did not wish to give up his elite life of comfort and power ... even if it would lead to eternal life. As he left his encounter with Jesus, he went away with a sorrowful heart.
The disciples, while not nearly as wealthy to start with, had done what Jesus told this rich man to do. They had left everything to follow Christ. When Peter mentioned this fact to Jesus, He replied, "And I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property--along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then" (Mark 10:29-31).
A while later, on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus predicted His death a third time. Then James and John told Jesus, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left." Jesus told them they didn't understand what they were asking for and, He added, "I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen" (Mark 10:40).
"When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many'" (Mark 10:41-45, NLT).
Jesus was teaching them the essence of true greatness -- helping others with a God-centered heart. He was letting them -- and us -- know that greatness in His kingdom is not determined by status but by service.
So, I suppose the quickest way to the front of God's line today, is to let someone else in front of you.
Dear Lord, help me be more sensitive to notice and meet the needs of those in my family, in my neighborhood, in my church, and in my place of work today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Rachel at her blog today.
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Find a way to serve today -- put someone else ahead of yourself.
Reflections:
How much do I serve, and how much do I jockey for a better position?
Power Verses:
John 13:3-5, "Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 8, 2009
Cast and Present
Melissa Taylor
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
We were driving home from my mom's house when it happened again. I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw my son Hayden. His eyes were fluttering and his face was pale. I could tell he would be out in a matter of seconds.
My husband stopped the car and I crawled quickly to the back, shouting Hayden's name. His body went limp. Although he was only out for about twenty seconds, it seemed like an hour. This was the third time Hayden had passed out in the last two weeks. I was so scared about his condition. He had some tests scheduled, which hopefully would tell us and the doctors what was going on.
What was causing him to pass out? Would the doctors be able to help him?
The next morning I opened my Bible study book, eager for some time with God. I could not believe my eyes. The title of the lesson was The Great Physician. Immediately I felt a sense of comfort and peace over me. I know the Great Physician well. And I trust Him. At that moment I was no longer worried about Hayden. I knew he was in very capable hands, the mighty hands of the Great Physician. Regardless of what happened, I know the Great Physician had great plans for Hayden, no matter his condition.
The Great Physician is here for all of us. He wants us to come to Him for healing. How stubborn we can be sometimes. I remember once when I was sick. I needed to go to the doctor but didn't feel like making an appointment, passing hours in a waiting room, and spending money on a prescription. I figured I would feel better eventually. I put it off each day until I was so sick I could hardly get out of bed. Finally I went to the doctor. He diagnosed me with strep throat, administered a very painful shot, and I was better within twenty four hours! If only I had gone sooner I would have saved myself a lot of trouble!
The same is true with the Great Physician. How many times do I worry for days or try to solve a problem on my own? When I finally release it to Him, I think, Why didn't I turn it over to Him a long time ago?
God's Word tells us to "cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall" (Psalm 55:22). It also reads, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).
We aren't supposed to fix ourselves. We aren't supposed to worry and fret. We are supposed to "cast" and "present." Cast our cares and burdens to God, and present our requests to Him. When we do what His Word tells us to do, we can then experience peace and comfort (Philippians 4:7).
I'm happy to report that Hayden is fine. I can hear him in the next room right now talking and laughing with his little sister. I'm so thankful for the laughter. I'm so thankful for the Great Physician who has given me a peace so that I can enjoy the laughter.
Dear Lord, in our lives there will be times of trial and fear. Remind us to cast our cares and present our requests to You, and leave them there. Thank You for the peace only You can give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the Great Physician?
Little Blessings from a Big God: Finding More of God through the Lives of Your Children by Michelle Medlock Adams
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Visit Melissa's blog
Application Steps:
The next time you find yourself carrying more than you can handle, cast and present.
Reflections:
When was the last time I asked the Great Physician for help?
Is there a burden I am carrying that I need to give up?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 11, 2009
What if Jesus Walked in Your Church?
Glynnis Whitwer
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name,
I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20 (NAS)
Devotion:
Singing in the worship band gives me a unique viewpoint of our church on Sundays. On my assigned weeks, I stand on stage waiting for the service to begin. People are still filing in as the pre-recorded music stops and the worship leader steps up to the microphone to welcome the congregation. The lights dim as the tap of the drumsticks signal the band to begin.
Soon the swell of the music and a chorus of voices -- young and old -- fill the room. By the second song, the house lights are completely off and the only lights shining in the room are on us. Except for the back door. And that's where I face.
Each time the door opens to let in latecomers, outside light shines brightly for a brief moment. From where I stand, it's like a spot light. It's so bright, and so far away, that I can't see the faces of those who come in late. But every once in awhile I dream ... sort of one of those awakening dreams. But this one feels real. I dream that Jesus walks in.
In my mind, I see Him walking up the aisle. No one notices Him because their eyes are focused on the words on the screen, or they are closed in worship. He slowly looks left then right. He keeps on walking toward the front. Finally, He reaches the steps below me and slowly ascends them. When He gets to the top of the stage, He turns to receive the worship that is being offered Him.
I wonder what Jesus feels as He looks out over the flock of people. Is He pleased? Is He frustrated that so many minds are on today's lunch? Does He want to reach out and grab the hands that are raised in worship?
Sometimes I long to see Jesus walk in my church so desperately, I can feel my heart pound. Can you imagine what would happen? Can you imagine how people would grab their friends with diseases and go running toward Him? Can you imagine parents carrying their hurting children to Him? The press of people would be intense. Those with addictions, emotional hurts and illnesses would stretch out their hands just to touch Him. People would drop to their knees in adoration.
Before I "awake" and realize it is only a dream, I remember the words of Jesus: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20). And I realize that Jesus has come to my church. He is there to receive my worship. He is there to touch the hands of the broken hearted. He longs to heal those who are hurting.
Unfortunately, many times I'm simply hoping that God will "show up." As if He might be too busy to stop by my church that day. Yet by Jesus' very own words, He is already there. My waking dream is a reality. Maybe Jesus doesn't stand next to me, but He's in the room. I need that truth to soak into my heart every time I gather with other believers.
The same Jesus who healed the blind man and raised the dead, has come to our church this week.
Dear Lord, thank You for the amazing reality of Jesus. Thank You that I can count on Your Word to be true, and for You to be present whenever two or more believers are gathered. Help me to really understand what this means, and to have this truth revitalize my worship and prayers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Submit a Prayer Request
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' Blog
Application Steps:
Take a few moments and close your eyes. In your mind, picture your church sanctuary and Jesus walking in and sitting down next to you before the service starts. Imagine Him saying, "Hello" and wrapping His arms around you. Just enjoy that feeling for a moment.
Reflections:
How would our church services, or small group meetings, change if Jesus were physically present in the room?
If Jesus was coming to your church this Sunday, who would you bring? What would you ask Him to heal?
Power Verses:
Matthew 14:14, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (NIV)
Mark 2:2, "So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 12, 2009
What's Your Story?
T. Suzanne Eller
Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field." Matthew 13:24 (NLT)
Devotion:
I perched on the top of my car. Water rolled the vehicle down the swollen creek. How in the world did I get in such a mess? I had spoken in Tulsa. As I drove home, rain pelted my car. I listened to the scratchy radio blaring wicked weather warnings.
Maybe you should stop. I ignored the still, small voice.
It's only an hour, I reasoned. Surely I'll be fine.
I was only five miles from home when I rounded a corner and heard a whoosh. The engine cut out. I opened the car door and water poured in. I slammed it shut. I tried to start the car, but it would not start. I tried again. And again. I heard a terrible clunk. I turned the key to battery power position and managed to get the window half-way down. I looked into the inky darkness and what I saw took my breath away. The creek that bordered the road had taken over and my car was in the middle of it. Water poured in around the bottom of the car door, covering my feet, my ankles, then my knees. I grabbed my purse and my Bible. I pulled off my heels and wrangled through the window. Finally, I sat on the top of the car and it started to float.
God, I prayed. Help me.
Bright lights flashed at the edge of the water, about 50 feet away. A long Buick, made sometime in the '70's, plunged into the water and chugged toward me. It looked like Heaven to me. That is, until the guy rolled down his window.
"Jump in!" he said. "Hurry!" He and his buddy wore T-shirts with cut-out sleeves. He had a pack of cigarettes rolled in a bandana around his tattooed arm.
I looked at the water. I looked at the Buick ... I jumped.
I love telling this story. I can tell it and hear the audience roar with laughter. Humor is such a gift. I can tell the story and share how important it is to listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. I can use it to illustrate how God can use the most unlikely angels to rescue you.
You see, we all have life-baskets filled to the brim with stories. I picture Jesus sitting with the disciples sharing the parables. I think about my own mother telling me what it felt like when she finally grasped God's grace. I hear Lysa TerKeurst sharing her story of adopting her two precious sons from Africa.
The question is, have you told your story lately? Maybe your life-basket contains stories about hard times, or moments when you felt alone, or perhaps good times like when God became so real that it transformed you. Somewhere there is someone who will identify with that story, and perhaps find encouragement, or hope, or maybe just a good belly laugh.
Dear Jesus, I am a witness. A story unfolded and written by Your hand. Give me courage to tell it to someone who needs to hear it. Thank You for being the Author of every chapter of my life. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Listen to Today's P31 Radio Show to hear more about God's unexpected treasures lying within you!
The Woman I Am Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she offers a giveaway and tips on communicating your story.
Application Steps:
Look at your life basket. What stories do you find?
What was impossible to see when you were in the midst of that story?
What do you see now clearly?
Ask God to show you someone who needs to hear that story.
Reflections:
Stop comparing your story to any one else's story. You are unique. Give God the pen and let Him write the next chapter.
Power Verses:
John 1:6-8, "There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light."
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 13, 2009
Failing Forward
Renee Swope
"The steps of a [woman] are established by the Lord, and He delights in [woman] way. When [woman] falls, [woman] will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds [woman] hand." Psalm 37:23-24 (NASB)
Devotion:
I admire, maybe even envy, people who aren't afraid to fail. You know, those people who see personal setbacks as another goal to conquer. People who don't even consider defeat when they blow it.
I wish I were that kind of person. But honestly, I am not always so courageous in the face of failure.
Failure is painful. It's embarrassing. And sometimes it makes me want to give up, mainly on myself.
God is teaching me a lot about failing. In fact, He is giving me a little push these days, to fail forward.
This week He's been challenging me to determine in my heart and mind that I am a work in progress and move forward even when I have a setback. He is reminding me that I am a woman who is becoming all He created her to be.
A woman who is growing.
A woman who is getting better and better each day.
A woman who is not perfect - but who tries to surrender to God's perfect love and perfect power at work in her.
Failing forward.after I shoot harsh words across the room to "shoosh" my child when he announces that the yogurt in our near empty refrigerator has expired and there is nothing to eat! That is, after I'd just opened the large container of perfectly good yogurt, eaten some myself and served it to his brother for a snack.
Failing forward...after I criticize my husband and realize I failed to honor my man, again. Instead I've added to an already stressful day for the husband and father who just brought home groceries.
Failing forward...after I let myself be "too busy" to take the time to encourage, sit with, talk to, and listen to my always-giving-and-forgiving-mom who stopped by unexpectedly this afternoon.
Failing forward...after I tell God that a certain ministry assignment is too stinkin' hard so I can't do it because surely I don't have what it takes.
Every time I fail to be the woman God calls me to be, or the woman I expect myself to be, God reminds me of the progress we've made. Because, even though I may not be who I want to be, I am not who I used to be!
And I get that much closer to who I am meant to be every time I fail forward.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful that with Your help, I can fail forward!! I don't have to see my setbacks as a step back. In fact they can lead me forward if I let them. Today, I will take Your hand and trust Your heart as You pull me back up again and use my failures to help me become the woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and CD by Renee Swope
Youniquely Woman: Becoming Who God Designed You To Be by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes, and Donna Otto
Beyond the Shadow of Doubt: Learning to Live Confidently in Christ, Message on DVD by Renee Swope
Visit Renee's Blog for practical ways we can fail forward with God's help in the areas where we most often feel defeated.
Application Steps:
List one or two areas of your life where you have felt like you were failing. Then ask God to show you how you can take one step forward with His help. And also ask Him to show you the progress you've made and how you are becoming the woman He created you to be.
Let Renee know how she can pray for you today by clicking here.
Reflections:
Do I allow failure to discourage me and make me feel like I'll never move forward or make progress?
Am I willing to believe God's promise in today's key verse: That the LORD establishes my steps, and delights in my ways. And even when I fall, I don't have to be hurled headlong, because the LORD is willing to hold my hand?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 24:16a, "...though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (NIV)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 14, 2009
Am I Messing Up My Kids?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Okay, moms, let's get gut honest today. Have you ever had these thoughts tug at the corners of your mind: What have I done wrong? Am I messing up my kids?
I've had two in-depth conversations this week with friends and the same theme wove throughout both conversations. Our kids sometimes struggle and when they do, often our first thought is What have I done wrong as a mother? So many of us moms worry that we are somehow messing up our kids.
Certainly good can come from a healthy assessment of how we're doing in our crucial role as moms. However, when the question comes in the form of a personal assault rather than a call to action over a specific area of improvement - it's not healthy.
It's paralyzing. It's draining. It's defeating.
It's evidence of a hole in the spiritual filter of our mind.
My friend, Holly, and I have been doing something since the beginning of the year that has become an absolute delight to my day. I've been determined to fill my mind with the truth. I figure the more truth I have crowded into that tiny little space I call my mind, the more untruths will get crowded out.
So, we've been taking a book of the Bible and going through it slowly - reading one chapter a day. Then we discuss what spoke to us the most.
The other day, before my conversation with one of my friends, I read John 9. One verse jumped out at me and seemed to swirl in my thoughts constantly. John 9:3, "'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" The way this verse kept bumping into my conscious thoughts let me know it was crucial that I think on it - pray through it - and let it seep into some deep places needing this truth.
Later I was talking with my friend and heard little hints of that question - "What have I done wrong as a mother?"
What a delight it was to have that verse right on the top of my mind. Like a healing balm, I soothed my friend with the truth that what her son is going through right now has nothing to do with her mistakes or even his for that matter. God is helping her son work through some fears that will eventually be a mighty display of spiritual depth in his life.
Sweet sister, have you caught yourself asking lately "What have I done wrong as a mother?" Maybe, some adjustments need to be made.
Or maybe, this line of thinking should be redirected with a different question - "How might God work in this situation so that His work can be displayed in my child's life or in my life?" Either way, remember this truth - you are loved by God and so is your child!
Dear Lord, help me process my motherhood journey using the filter of Your truth and nothing else. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to take the "Motherhood guilt quiz" and learn practical ways to overcome this.
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Real Moms, Real Jesus by Jill Savage
Application Steps:
Find a godly friend who can help you process your struggles with your child without condemnation. Ask this friend to spend some time praying with you and for you. Then offer to do the same with her. You'll know you've found the right friend to do this with when she's not afraid to admit she has some of the same struggles as you.
If you're having a hard time finding a friend who will be honest and vulnerable, ask God to bring this type of friend into your life. In the meantime, check out my blog. I think some of my motherhood stories will make you feel right at home. I'm in the trenches with you sister and I'd love to encourage you in your motherhood journey.
Reflections:
Is there something your child has struggled with lately that made you feel like you've done something wrong as his mother?
Prayerfully ask God if there is any thing you can do better as a mom. Also, ask Him to help you see all that you've done right as a mom and how to accept that some of your child's struggles have nothing to do with your actions at all.
Then, spend some time in prayer asking God how He is working in this situation.
Power Verses:
John 3:17, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:13-14, "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 15, 2009
Pick Me!
Tracie Miles
"...so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."
Romans 12:5-6a (NIV)
Devotion:
So I said to God, "Absolutely not. Is there a plan B?"
That was my answer to God many years ago, when I heard Him impress upon my heart, quite loudly I might add, that He was calling me to speak and write. Until that divine moment, I had never desired to serve in those capacities. Although I served in other areas within my church, I wasn't ready to serve in such a way that would cause me to take risks, make sacrifices, and put my heart on the line for all to see.
Do you remember as a child, when the teacher asked "Who wants to clean the board," or, "Who wants to be the line leader?" All the kids would jump up and raise their hands, while yelling out in unison, "Me! Me! Pick me! Pick me!" Then the teacher would carefully choose someone, and the chosen child would beam with pride as they quickly assumed and carried out their role with great enthusiasm.
I imagine that God wishes we would be a little more like school children at times. As a child, when given a possible opportunity to lead in any capacity, we didn't stop to think how long the act of service would last. We didn't care so much what would be required of us ... would it cost us anything, or if there might be something else that we would rather do.
As adults, we tend to over-analyze everything and as a result, we find ourselves procrastinating, which causes our desire to serve to wane. When God called me to be a speaker and writer, I wasted several years trying to pretend that I did not really understand God correctly, or hoping that He would have sympathy for my fears and hesitations and give me an easier task. Oh, how He would have been so pleased if instead I had responded with, "Pick me Lord! Yes, pick me!"
When God calls us into service, often the timeliness of our response is a measure of our faith. Procrastination is a sign that we are not trusting that God will lead the way and guide our paths. Procrastination leads to confusion and indecision, giving the enemy an opportunity to work at convincing us that we are unworthy, unqualified and incapable of carrying out God's will. As a result, we become paralyzed with fear, doubts and insecurities.
Stepping out in faith requires us to fully rely on God, and not on our own assessments of our abilities. Philippians 4:13 reads "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Do you believe it? Is God is calling you to a task that is beyond what you think you are capable of; one that may require you to make sacrifices and choose God's plans over your own? Are you willing to say, "Pick me!" and then depend on His strength and sovereignty to carry out His will?
Dear Lord, give me ears to hear Your voice and to know when You are calling me to serve. Help me to put my faith in You, and not in my own abilities. Fill me with a desire to serve in whatever way You have ordained for my life, and bless me with the opportunity to use the spiritual gifts that You have equipped me with. Help me to have confidence to move forward in faith because of who You are, not because of who I am. Pick me Lord! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more encouragement about determining God's will for your life, visit Tracie's blog
Check out our She Speaks Conference
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Pray for God to make His will known to you, and to give you the desire to step out in faithful obedience to it.
Reflections:
Has God been calling me to a task that I am running from?
What can I do to take that first step towards obedience?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 18, 2009
Greener Pastures
Micca Monda Campbell
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV)
Devotion:
What kind of pressured situations do you face? Is it the constant stress of trying to make ends meet? Perhaps discontentment is the villain that adds pressure to your life? For me, it varies. I feel most stressed in being a wife and mother. There are days where it seems that everybody needs me all at once! Do you ever feel like the whole world is gathered at your door demanding your time and attention?
The most stressful hour of the day for me is shortly after the kids arrive home from school. It's when the chaos begins. There is homework to do, dinner to prepare, and baseball and dance practice to attend. When the pressure is more than I can handle, I panic. I panic because I don't have enough of me to go around! Suddenly, it's as if horns pop out of my head knocking my heavenly halo to the ground. This is what's called, "blowing your top." It happens when you and I are under pressure.
Something else happens when we feel the demands of life pressing in as well. We become annoyed by the very people we love most. I don't want to live this way, and neither do you.
The truth is the pressure and responsibility of caring for so many can drain me. I get tired and worn out. David got tired too. His job was just as stressful as ours as he protected, guided, and tended to his sheep. How did David manage? He looked to his Good Shepherd for rest and the Lord provided. "He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul" (Psalm 23:2-3).
It's important for us to rest, but do we? Can we? Perhaps you find it difficult to sleep at night because of the stress that plagues you. Sometimes, I lie awake making out my to-do list in my mind. In the morning, I wake up as tired as when I went to bed. The real problem is I didn't get enough sleep. The average person needs seven to eight sound hours of sleep a night, but most people only get five, six or seven hours of restless sleep. When we have insomnia we may turn to faulty methods for rest such nightcaps. Sometimes exhaustion takes over in the form of a cold or flu and we're forced to rest.
God has a better plan to relieve our stress. The Lord leads us to "lie down in green pastures" in order to revive and refresh us emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Whenever I think of green pastures, I think of warm summer days when my dad and I would lie down on the soft green grass in the yard. We didn't have a care in the world. We simply rested and discussed the floating clouds hanging in the sky. Perhaps your green pasture is a quiet moment in your favorite chair, a walk on the beach, or curling up in bed with a good book.
The truth is, God never put us in charge of everything, just certain assignments. While the stress and pressures of our duties can deplete us, God has not left us empty. He desires to refill all of our dry places so we have supply for tomorrow. The secret is stealing away with God to places of unending rest.
Dear Lord, I often feel guilty taking time for myself. Today, I understand that this is Your plan for me. Help me to rest. Guard my time and help me manage my responsibilities so that I can renew myself emotionally, spiritually, and psychically each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Piecing It All Together CD by Micca Campbell
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
Application Steps:
Where do you find relaxation--in a bubble bath; by taking a walk; gardening; visiting a spa or taking a nap? Plan to rest each day even if it's only 10-15 minutes. It will do wonders for your stress and recharge your batteries.
Reflections:
Are you getting enough downtime to recharge? If not, how can you change that?
Do you sometimes feel guilty when you do rest? Could this be a sign that you're doing too much?
Power Verses:
Palms 62:1, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." (NIV)
Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 19, 2009
Trusting God During Difficult Times
Susanne Scheppmann
"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Horrified, I placed the phone back in its charger. My mind reeled. What could I say to one of my dearest friends after this new tragedy had struck? First, she experienced the loss of a fourteen-year-old son to brain cancer. Now her eldest son, only eighteen, had been discovered mugged and murdered. Incomprehensible.
She asked, "Why?" I had no answer other than, "I don't know, but I cling to the factual knowledge that God is good, regardless. Tragedies in this life are beyond our understanding this side of heaven."
I believe Jesus is good, and that knowledge sings from the depths of my soul. This nugget of truth is more precious than life itself to me. We have been taught and recognize that faith is not something we can necessarily see, hear, feel, taste, or touch. It is stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting God--regardless of how we feel emotionally. The Bible explains, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).
The true story of Horatio G. Spafford demonstrates this type of faith in God's goodness. Spafford wrote the familiar hymn, "It is Well with My Soul" in 1872 after his four daughters drowned, soon after his own financial bankruptcy. He, somehow, held onto the fact that despite the outward circumstances, God was good. He wrote, "And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight." He knew that his faith was not in vain, and that someday he would see the meaning and purpose of all the tragedy surrounding his life at that moment.
For myself I think my greatest lesson of faith has been in the acknowledgement that God is good--all the time. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character must be proven trustworthy in our own minds."
There will always be moments of uncertainty. I find comfort in the words written by David Jeremiah in My Heart's Desire:
You may sometimes feel awkward and uncomfortable, and find yourself saying, "Is this really true? I don't see anything in it. I don't hear God's voice. I don't feel His presence." There are days like that for all of us. The pursuit of God has no shortcuts. You simply must keep walking, keep seeking, and keep yearning. Keep at it, and you won't be disappointed.
God is good, even as I mourn with my friend. I have witnessed her grief, anger, and doubt. But throughout the passing months, I have watched her cling to Jesus with hands wet with tears. My friend believes God is good all the time even when she can't feel it with her emotions. Her faith rests in the fact, "The Lord is good and his love endures forever."
Dear Lord, grant me the faith to know that You are good all the time, even during the most difficult circumstances of this life. When I am weak, lift me up. Enable me to accept the love and comfort from others who love me, but let me rely on Your everlasting love for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
Trials for Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life by Janet Eckles
Visit Susanne's blog
If you are in the Dallas metro area, you're invited to be in the studio audience for the appearance of P31's own Lysa TerKeurst on the LIFE Today show with James & Betty Robison, one week from today on May 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free, but you must reserve your seat. Call 817-354-3655 or email audience@loi.org. The studios are located at 1801 West Euless Boulevard, Euless, Texas 76040.
Application Steps:
Memorize one of the Power Verses below to repeat and remind yourself of God's goodness during difficult times in your life.
Reflections:
What situations in my life do I feel are out of my faith-comfort zone?
Do I believe that God is good all the time?
Power Verses:
Psalms 91:2, "I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."(NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
Psalms 27:5, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 20, 2009
Father, Comforter, Disciplinarian
Melissa Taylor
"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever opened a book and read a passage and been amazed because it was exactly what you needed to hear? And you felt like it was written and sent just to you on that day at that moment? Some may call it a coincidence, but I call it a gift from God!
Last night I did not sleep. I recently had surgery on my left foot. Yesterday the doctor gave me the green light to put full weight on that foot again. For the first time in three weeks, I walked using that foot. I was so happy not to use crutches or limp around that I got a little carried away. Last night I awoke in such great pain, I cried. Finally I took some pain medication, but I never could go back to sleep.
This morning I am absolutely exhausted! I'm tired physically, mentally, and emotionally. I'm tired from no sleep. I'm tired of trying so hard to function. I'm ready to run and I can't. I'm frustrated. I'm weak. I'm what Isaiah calls "weary."
This morning I opened my devotion book for a healthy dose of God's Word. I was overjoyed when I read the words from Isaiah. It was exactly what I needed to hear: "My strength will be renewed because I have hope in the Lord."
I have hope in the Lord because He is my Father. I can trust Him and count on Him to keep His Word. My heavenly Father is always with me, something my earthly parents can't be.
I have hope in the Lord because He is my Comforter. My foot may hurt and my emotions are unbalanced. I don't feel very comfortable at the moment, but I am comforted. My Comforter supplies me with the love, peace, and hope I need to know I'm going to be okay.
I have hope in the Lord because He is my Disciplinarian. I have to admit, this isn't my favorite characteristic of Him. But I know without it, I'd be out of control! I need a strong hand to guide me and keep me in line. I actually feel safe and secure because my Father disciplines me. I know it is through that discipline that I am strengthened. I also know He disciplines me because He loves me.
I may be weak today, but what a great place to be. It draws me closer to the One I need most. My Father, my Comforter, my Disciplinarian.
Dear Lord, I have found my hope in You! Thank You for being there to provide for me as my Father, Comforter, and Disciplinarian. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Woman I am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Self Talk Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Melissa's blog
Application Steps:
If you are exhausted, drained, and ready to quit, read Isaiah 40:28-31.
Rest in knowing that the Lord will renew your strength.
Reflections:
Where do I go for hope and comfort?
Maybe I need to have more time with God today.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:28-31, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk, and not faint." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 21, 2009
Embracing Who I Am
Lysa TerKeurst
"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.'"
Luke 1:30 (NIV)
Devotion:
Ten years ago I sat in a seminar listening to a very organized mom talking about how she parented her kids. She was an amazing woman; a super mom in my eyes.
I held up my feeble efforts with my three toddlers and determined I stunk as a mother. I thought that maybe if I went home and imitated her, I could enter into the world of super moms.
I mentally listed out what I discerned must be her secret to success and set about to be just like her. But it didn't take me long to become absolutely miserable. I mentally beat myself up for not having what it obviously took to be a great mom. What was wrong with me?
I begged God to make me just like her - that really good mom. And then one day in Bible study I read the story of Mary, the teenage mother of Jesus. My heart beat fast as I realized she didn't meet the standard of super mom I'd set for myself.
Somehow, just as she was, God chose her to be Jesus' mother. And the only qualification that she seemed to have was her willingness.
I made the choice to try and let go of all those expectations I had for myself as a mom. I let go of the comparisons to other moms. I laid down the measuring stick of perfection. And I simply bowed my head and gave God my willingness.
Slowly, I started to see my own unique qualities as a mom instead of always focusing on the places I felt I fell so short.
I may not be the most organized mom, but I'm a fun mom willing to drop my to-do list in the name of spontaneity.
I may not do sit-down devotions with my kids every morning, but I'm good at helping my kids see God working in situations all throughout our days.
I may not sew a lick, but I know where to find an alterationist that is the bomb.
I may not always keep my cool in the everyday aggravations of life, but throw something big at me and somehow I'll be the calmest person in the room.
Sure, I have a lot of room for growth in my mothering. God and I work on things daily. But over the past ten years I've learned how to embrace who I am and the beauty of living fully as me.
And while I still fall short at times, I'm finally learning that being fully me is so much better than an imitation version of someone else.
I have the exact qualities God knew my kids would need in a mother. So, each day I hold up my willingness and ask God to make me the best version of me I can be.
Dear Lord, I admit that I am dependant on You in every area of my life, as a mother, a wife, a co-worker, a daughter, and a friend. Help me to understand the depth of Your love for me. Thank You for being familiar with me in all my ways. Thank You for laying your hand upon me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are in the Dallas metro area, you're invited to be in the studio audience for the appearance of Lysa TerKeurst on the LIFE Today show with James & Betty Robison, Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free, but you must reserve your seat. Call 817-354-3655 or email audience@loi.org. The studios are located at 1801 West Euless Boulevard, Euless, Texas 76040. Lysa would love to see you there.
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Have you ever struggled with this?
How can you keep yourself from falling into the comparison trap?
How will you begin to embrace the person God created you to be?
Reflections:
Whether it's in the arena of motherhood, or your workplace, or one of the many places we unfairly compare ourselves to others -
- realize your great qualities and be fully you
- realize how much God loves you
- realize He created your inmost being
- realize He has laid His hand upon you
- realize His right hand will hold you fast
- realize His promises never fail
Power Verses:
Joshua 21:43-35, "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. " (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 22, 2009
God's Messengers
Sharon Glasgow
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." I Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
God uses His people as messengers of hope to those in need. Every dark storm I have been through is chronicled by someone God sent to help me through it.
This past year our family experienced extreme hardships: our daughter and her husband's baby died at birth; six weeks later she was in the hospital hemorrhaging from complications of the birth. We experienced financial stress. A dear friend of ours lost her job, found out she had cancer and needed a place to live, so she moved in with us. We had a fire on our property that burned down barns, fences and animals. We had a flood in our house...and this was not all! I cried out to God for help. He heard my cry and sent helpers.
I can imagine God sounding the alarm in heaven when we pray for His help: the angels standing to attention ready for their ministering orders, and the Holy Spirit quickly nudging people in the path of the needy saint with urgency and direction. The ones who have become accustomed to obeying the Holy Spirit's leading quickly follow and run to help.
When we were going through our hardships, our help came in various forms through different people. Some sent money, others prepared meals, some helped with the funeral. One friend came and cleaned our bathrooms; others sent notes and cards of encouragement with verses that spoke God's promises of hope. Friends came and helped remove rubble from the fire, while others sent gift cards to help us get through, and some even helped anonymously. Every act of grace was needed and got us through our darkest of days.
In the Bible, there are many examples of people who helped serve others faithfully. In Acts 6, we read that Stephen, a man who was martyred, was chosen to serve tables! In Acts 9, Dorcas was full of good and charitable deeds. In Exodus 17, Hur held Moses' arm up and the battle was won. These are just a few of the servants mentioned in the Word who helped others.
God watches the servants' hearts that follow the call and sacrifice for the needs of others, and He is well pleased. I believe all of Heaven watches and applauds the one who carries out God's assignments. God commands everyone to serve others, but not everyone moves to action when nudged by Him.
Everyone has different abilities to help with - never underestimate what your ability is. God created you to use your ability for His glory for His people. Many people are going through hardships today. There are people in need living next door to you, working with you, going to church with you. Strangers that you meet and even your own family may be those who need help.
God's words tell us to be constantly alert for what God wants us to do. It is required that we show love in action - not just in our words, but in deeds and in truth. When we wake in the morning, let's ask the Lord to help us hear His voice more clearly, to have spiritual eyes to see, and to give us His ability to carry out the mission He has for us this day.
I will be forever grateful for all the grace given to our family this year. After this year, I see the urgency to keep my eyes open to God's call to helping daily. Can you imagine what the world would look like if we all obeyed the call to serve others daily?
Dear Lord, I want to be faithful when You call me to help someone. Help my spiritual eyes and ears to become more acutely in tune with Your leading. Help me not to be so controlled by my own plans that I miss Your assignments. Thank You Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sharing Grace: A Collection of Recipes-Family Traditions-Gift Ideas by LeAnn Rice
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance Sisk
Form or join a Gather and Grow Group to love and support those around you.
Application Steps:
Ask the Lord daily to show you who He wants you to help.
What are your abilities? If you cook, you may need to prepare a meal.
If you have money, you may be asked to give a financial gift.
If you are a caretaker, you may need to take care of an elderly person, handicapped person or small child.
Are you a doer? You may need to accomplish a "to do" list for a hurting person.
Does God give you His Word to give others? Send cards or letters with verses that He gives for them.
There is a "Grace Epidemic" starting. People are being challenged to purposely show acts of grace. There is a website to track how far-reaching a single act of kindness can be. To be a part, visit Grace Epidemic.
Reflections:
How have I been helped? How can I do the same for others?
Am I prepared to help a stranger God brings to me today, wherever I am, even at the gas station or grocery store?
Power Verses:
John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (NKJV)
© 2009 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 25, 2009
Rescue the Abandoned
Amy Carroll
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
I Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
The thought of callously abandoning an infant without nourishment or protection seems incomprehensible. Unfortunately, it happens every day. Often it happens in the church.
Sometimes I've been the one who abandons. Many times newborn Christians are sent out into their fresh spiritual life with little more than a "God bless you" and pat on the back. These excited new followers of Jesus set off on an unfamiliar path brimming with zeal and hope. But they often begin to stumble and fall quickly without mature Christians to answer their questions, clear up confusion and encourage them through the inevitable rough spots. Although no one can snatch them from their Father's hand, many new Christians fall prey to discouragement and walk paths that are less than the ones for which they were created.
There are many reasons that baby Christians are abandoned and left to walk alone without nourishment or protection. I think that one of the main reasons is the busyness of our culture. Our time is demanded by our families, jobs, friendships, computer, tv.... Nurturing a baby Christian takes time. It takes patience. It takes commitment; but most of all it takes true love. Robert Coleman, author of The Master Plan of Evangelism, says, "There is a lot of talk in the church about evangelism and Christian nurture, but little concern for personal association when it becomes evident that such work involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence."
Ouch! I really wish he would move along and get out of my personal space! He continues, "Unless new Christians, if indeed they are saved, have parents or friends who will fill the gap in a real way, they are left entirely on their own to find the solutions to innumerable practical problems confronting their lives, any one of which could mean disaster to their new faith."
God has recently delivered a precious new soul into the lives of our family. One of my son's friends, Lindsey, had begun asking some very big questions. He had the chance to talk with her about Jesus, and at a church youth retreat, Lindsey gave her heart to the Lord. It's a thrill to watch her as she falls in love with her Savior and begins a brand new life. She still has lots of questions though, and it is very obvious that many are being called to come alongside. Lindsey's Christian friends surround her with support at their high school and are committed to bring her to church. Adult friends visit her home and are building relationships with her family. I am leading a small group to help teach some of the basic foundations of the faith and practices that lead to growth.
Lindsey is an example of one of the sweetest of babies, but what about the others? Not all newborns are rosy-cheeked and smell like powder! Many Christian babies are entering their new life dragging lots of baggage. Financial crisis, promiscuity, addiction and bitterness are just a few of the very real problems new Christians may tow.
Will we commit to feeding, cleaning, nurturing and loving these babies? It may seem easier just to pack them off and walk away, but the toll is too high for the Kingdom. Trusting in the transforming power of Christ and asking Him to make us an instrument of His grace, let's commit to being workers in the "infant nursery" of our church as we care for these precious new believers.
Dear Lord, You are a kind, loving and nurturing Father. Help me to follow in Your footsteps as I nurture your newest children. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donno Otto
Apples of Gold: A Six-Week Nurturing Program for Women by Betty Huizenga
Visit Amy's blog
Application Steps:
Feed--Ask a young Christian to attend a Bible study with you. Go out to coffee to discuss it afterward.
Bathe--Call a new Christian to share something that helps you to grow. Ask for requests and pray with her.
Protect--Do you see a new Christian struggling with a sin with which you've found victory? Be transparent and share your story!
Reflections:
Who do I know that may need to be nurtured in the faith?
How might I reach out in support?
Power Verse:
I Peter 2:2, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 26, 2009
Ancient Words
Tracie Miles
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
It caught me off guard. While standing and singing praise and worship songs during our Sunday morning worship service, the choir began singing a song that I was not familiar with. It was called Ancient Words, written by Lynn DeShazo in 1999. As we came to the chorus of the song, each member of the choir held their Bibles up in the air, and within moments, scores of people in our congregation began lifting their Bibles to the heavens as they sang. The sight of all of those Bibles lifted high in the air, resting on the melodies of praise that were being sung to our God, literally took my breath away.
I began to consider the importance that we put on ancient things. Antique furniture, our grandmother's fine china, estate jewelry, old pictures, and precious family heirlooms all come to mind. I began to wonder why these things are so important to us. Is it just because they are old and from another point in time? Is it because they belonged to people we love? Or is it our desire to simply have a piece of something that came into existence before we were born?
I believe that we not only long for antiques, or ancient things, but we often long for how things were in the ancient days. The days when morals were the driving force for how to live one's life. The days when God was an integral part of our education system, our workplace, and our communities. The days when we could speak of our faith without worrying about offending someone. The days when we could raise our children based on biblical principles without feeling like the minority. And the days when our country was founded on Jesus Christ, and proud of that foundational belief.
As time passes, things change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. But our hope lies in knowing that there is one thing never changes...God's Word and the truths that are found in His Word.
In ancient days, and today, the Bible invites us to discover the covenant relationship that the Lord desires to have with each of us. Through the words of those holy pages, we are taught how to live a life that pleases Him, and how to embrace His commandments for living. Through God's Word we learn how to deal with adversity and stand strong in the face of opposition and suffering. We find hope, grace, forgiveness, peace and purpose.
Those ancient Holy words give us the courage, freedom and strength to live in a world that may not value the most precious antique of all.
God's ancient words will never change, and our hearts do not have to change either if we hold tight to our faith. God's Word is timeless.
Just as the passing of time makes an antique even more valuable, the same goes for God's Word. Its value increases with each passing day, encourages every generation, and holds true to the end of time. It is our choice whether or not we will treasure God's Word in our hearts.
Dear Lord, build in me a hunger for Your Word that can only be met by spending time with You. Help me treasure the Bibles in my household more than any other items I own. Help me to pass down a passion for Your Word to my family and friends so that I can pass down the most valuable of all antiques. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The One Year Chronological Bible
Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Visit Tracie's blog
Application Steps:
Commit to spending time in God's Word every day.
Reflections:
The lyrics of the song "Ancient Words":
Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world
They resound with God's own heart; O let the ancient words impart
Words of life, words of hope; Give us strength, help us cope
In this world where'er we roam, ancient words will guide us home
Holy words of our faith, handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice; O heed the faithful words of Christ!
Martyrs' blood stains each page, they have died for this faith
Hear them cry through the years, "Heed these words and hold them dear!"
Chorus:
Ancient words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
Power Verses: '
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)
John 17:16-17, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth". (NIV)
Psalm 119:50, "This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me." (NASB)
May 29, 2009
Do the Next Thing
Marybeth Whalen
"Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways.'"
Haggai 1:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was a new mom, I often felt overwhelmed by my circumstances. The crying, the whining, the mess. I would look around at it all and just want to sit down and have a good cry. At some point during that time, I heard Elisabeth Elliot speak on the concept of "do the next thing." She talked about how, after her husband Jim died, she would have been overcome if not for this simple concept. When her emotions would start to run away with her, she would simply ask herself what the next thing she needed to do was. And then she would do it. And then she would do the next thing, and the next, and the next. And all those little "next things" made up her days.
I adopted this principle and began to whisper to myself, "Just do the next thing." Sometimes the next thing was to change a diaper, or start dinner, or return a phone call. Even now I move through my day doing the next thing. Sometimes my next thing is to homeschool my children. Sometimes it's to tidy the house. Sometimes it's to sit down and hammer out an article I have due. Whatever it is, I focus on that one task until it's done. And then I ask myself what's to be done next.
I always knew I learned this concept from a godly woman, but I never thought about this concept being from God. My reading in Oswald Chamber's timeless devotional, My Utmost For His Highest has helped me see that it is indeed a spiritual truth that God wants us to learn. Consider these two quotes:
"We look for visions from heaven, for earthquakes and thunders of God's power... and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us. If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we shall see Him."
"When the Spirit of God comes, He does not give us visions, He tells us to do the most ordinary things conceivable... whenever God comes, the inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things--the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there."
Chambers referenced the scene in I Kings where Elijah is running from King Ahab. He is hungry and tired and very depressed. (Ever been there?) In that scene God sends an angel to him who says simply, "Arise and eat" (I Kings 19:5). What was Elijah's "next thing" he needed to do? Get up and eat something! Sometimes just moving forward in the most basic way is all God needs from us. With our obedience comes the solution we are seeking.
I hope this thought will help you or someone else who is feeling overwhelmed and even depressed. What "next thing" is God asking you to do? Get up, do whatever it is, and find Him there.
Dear Lord, help me to do the next thing when I feel overwhelmed. Help me to remember that You are right there waiting in that next thing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
30 Days to Taming Your Stress by Deborah Smith Pegues
Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time by Donna Otto
For more encouragement tune into our Radio Show
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
Make a list of things you need to accomplish today. Now, instead of getting overwhelmed by your list, pray over it and ask God, What is the next thing I need to do? It might just be to cross some of those things off your list!
Reflections:
What is a "next thing" you can do right now?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 10:23, "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." (NIV)
Proverbs 20:24, "A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 28, 2009
A Lifetime Heart Warranty
Renee Swope
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
We've had workers in our house hammering, banging, scraping, and fixing things for the past two days. It's been so noisy! I've really missed having my home office to myself and being able to leave when I need to.
In the midst of the clamoring and interruptions, I've been telling myself to be thankful. After all, this work is being done for free as part of our one-year home warranty. The process was optional. We could have let our home warranty expire and waited until things were so broken that we had to do something. But why would anyone pass up having things repaired at no cost?
So, we opted for inconvenience and lots of noise with the promise of our "broken-ness" being fixed.
This morning while I was running, I asked God to help me have a good attitude about all the interruptions. I knew it would help if I had a grateful heart, so I decided to thank God for our home warranty and each item on the repair list.
I thanked Him for helping us notice the leaking toilet upstairs, the gap behind our counter tops, the hardwood floors that started popping, the loose carpet, and creaking stairs. I was especially grateful that He helped me see the hairline fractures in our bathroom, kitchen and laundry room tile, which I almost missed.
My prayers transitioned from my house to my heart as I asked God to show me areas of my life that needed repair. He reminded me of hurt feelings from a difficult conversation, disappointment and broken trust from my son's disobedience, grief for a friend whose husband committed adultery and deep concern for another friend with cancer. I hadn't realized all that was bothering me.
Walking through each room in my heart, God showed me that I had my own brokenness to address. But He also reminded me that like my home-warranty, Christ has promised me a lifetime heart-warranty with unlimited repairs.
As I let that truth sink into my broken places, His comfort came. His Spirit ministered to mine as I exposed my hurts to Him. I remembered Jesus' promise to bind up the brokenhearted as I held up my heart and all that is in need of repair. I finished my run and headed back to the house soon to be filled with repairmen. Just before I got home, I smiled towards Heaven and thanked God for setting His seal of ownership on me, His lifetime heart-warranty, guaranteeing what is to come.
Each day, Jesus invites us to come to His throne of grace with confidence and ask Him to repair whatever is broken in our lives. We don't have to wait for a scheduled walk-through. We don't have to make a list and coordinate any appointments, or even be at home for Him to do the work. We can come to Him with full assurance knowing that He's available right now. Right where we are. With mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
Dear Lord, thank You for always being there for me, and for promising to make me new, even when I sometimes feel so broken. I pray that You would help me see the ways you are working in my life, fulfilling your promises to me as I put my hope in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
The Wonder of His Love, by Nancy Stafford
Visit Renee Swope's blog for more encouragement today.
Application Steps:
Take time to thank God for His promise to make all things new. Then tell Him about the areas of your life that feel broken and in need of repair. Ask Him for mercy and grace in your time of need.
Visit Renee Swope's blog to share what Jesus' lifetime warranty means to you and enter to win a copy of Who Holds the Key to Your Heart?
Reflections:
What are some areas where I have seen God repair my brokenness in the past?
How can I remember His faithfulness so that I have confidence that He can and will be there to help me again and again?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:21-23, "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:5, "Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (NIV)
Revelation 21: 5, "And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (NAS)
Lamentations 3:21-25, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
May 29, 2009
Unfailing Love
Luann Prater
"What a man desires is unfailing love." Proverbs 19:22a (NIV)
Devotion:
"I LOVE this dress!" she exclaimed, "I simply throw it in the washer and it comes out looking new!" My friend was trying to convey to us just how necessary this garment had become in her closet. She "loved" it.
We use the word "love" so indiscriminately that often the true meaning of love gets lost. Or worn out from overuse. Today's key verse tells us that everyone desires love and not just any love, but unfailing love.
One of the lessons I learned when I became an adult was the realization that things wear out and need to be replaced. At my first wedding (yes, I said first), I remember receiving several sets of towels. One wise older woman told me to tuck a set away to save for later. She was so right. After many washings and years of use they became my favorite rags. I needed to pull out another set because these failed to provide that warm-fuzzy you need when stepping out of the shower.
Is love like that? Does it just wear out or fall apart? I wondered.
For years, many things in my life fell apart. Moving every year when I was young caused loving friendships to fall apart. Loving family relationships were also fractured. And the very first sexual abuse I can remember was in second grade, then fourth grade, then by a church leader when I was 13. "Love" became a numb, meaningless word to me.
So my question became, "Where could unfailing love be found?" Does lasting love exist when everyone around me is falling in and out of what they call love?
In 1 John 4:7 I found my answer, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." The Greek word for "beloved" is agapetos, which means "dearly loved." The very first thing this verse tells us is that we are dearly loved by God. The second piece tells us we can love one another because of God's love.
The only way we can fill that gaping hole that needs unfailing love is to fall into the arms of our Everlasting Father. When the Bible tells us, "God is love," it is saying that without Him, we can only create temporary, fragile and indiscriminate love.
Our abilities are limited, but oh sweet sisters, we are daughters of the very God who IS love! He is the only one to turn to for unconditional, uncompromising, unfailing love. When we accept His love for us, then and only then, can we pour out true love onto others.
Dear Lord, how can we comprehend the love You have for us? There is nothing on earth that even comes close to it! Teach me to accept Your love and then shower others with the grace and love You have given me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know this Great Love?
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Visit with Luann on her blog and find out more about her new radio program "Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends." Beginning Saturday May 30th from 2-3pm(EST) you can listen, laugh, learn and call in to share a cup of thoughts around a cozy table of friends. Listen online or find a station near you at www.wtru.com.
Application Steps:
Make a list of all the things that fall into the category, "I love..."
Have you tried to fill your need for unfailing love with anything on that list?
Write a prayer to God asking Him to replace your worn out list with His unfailing love.
Reflections:
What fills my love list?
How can I accept God's love for me?
Who around me needs His love to flow through me and to them?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:37-38, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:8a, "Love never fails." (NIV)
© 2009 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 1, 2009
Believing is Seeing
Tracie Miles
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'." John 20:29 (NIV)
Devotion:
Notice how I titled today's devotion "Believing is Seeing," and not the other way around?
If you think about it, we believe without seeing every day. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true. Even though we may see the broadcast, we did not actually witness the events. We listen to the gossip of others and believe their words to be fact.
However, when it comes to believing that God is God, and that the Bible is holy and true, many people struggle.
Why is it that we have a much harder time believing in a sovereign God, than we do a story on the news or from a friend? Why is it difficult for some to comprehend and believe that God created the universe, is in control of everything, and ordains life?
DOUBT.
Doubt is an incredibly powerful weapon that the devil uses to attack the minds of those whose faith is weakened due to struggles in life, feeling distanced from God, or who have never truly known the Savior.
Doubt occurs when we begin to think we have to see God to believe in Him, and when our faith is dependent on what our eyes can see.
But faith is not something we can see. There is no visual evidence. The official definition of faith is a "firm belief in something of which there is no proof."
Faith requires that we believe, despite not having any visual evidence.
If seeing were believing, then faith would be irrelevant and unnecessary. Jesus would forever be trying to convince us that He is the Holy One through signs, wonders and miracles. Our faith would always be teetering on the edge, and likely decline as soon as we felt the need to see just one more example of proof of His existence, His sovereignty, or His power. If we could see Him, we would probably never truly believe in Him.
Faith only comes by hearing God's Word, and believing it - no matter what - without a shadow of a doubt - without needing constant visual proof.
The cold hard fact is that we live in a world that thrives on proof. As a result, Christians will face pressure to doubt that God is real and alive. We will face opportunities to turn away from God and believe in other religions, which may seem trendier, more appealing or visually legitimate. We will face ridicule for believing in the unseen.
But that is where true faith comes in. Faith that is not swayed by new ideas, impressive people, or eloquent preaching. Faith that will not die because something easier comes along. Faith that is based on the belief that He was, is and will be the Savior of the world. Faith that can withstand the pressure of difficulties in life.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV).
We can't see God, but we can see His activity in our lives...if we believe.
We can't see God, but we can see His power working within us...if we believe.
If you ask me, we see what we want to see. We choose to believe...and then, we see.
If you have felt lured to doubt God's presence, power, and omnipotence as a result of listening to false teachings, being persuaded by others, or dealing with doubts that have been planted in your mind by those who don't believe because they cannot see, pray for God to remove those doubts today.
If you have been doubting God's existence because you cannot see His activity in your life, pray for Him to open your eyes to see His divine intervention. Pray for Him to saturate your life so powerfully that you cannot doubt that He is at work. Pray for Him to make His presence known to you.
If your heart desires to believe, your eyes will see the truth. Your faith will result in vision.
Dear Lord, impart in me an unshakable faith. Forgive me for any doubts. I love You and believe in Your sovereignty, forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
My First Story of Jesus by Tim Dowley
Visit Tracies' blog
Application Steps:
Pray this verse and ask for God's power to transform your life:.
Romans 8:6 "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." (NLT)
Look up Romans 8:6 in other translations.
Reflections:
Are there any doubts in my heart today?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 2, 2009
Soul Mates
Rachel Olsen
"People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall." Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)
Devotion:
Earlier this spring a friend contacted me needing to share something going on in her life. She is a Christian who suddenly found herself in desperate need of clarity and support. She was falling into an emotional affair.
A former boyfriend contacted her out of the blue. At first it was a fun blast from the past to hear his voice and find out what he was up to. But it didn't take long before he confessed he had been thinking about her, missing her. She is single and has been at peace with that ...until his words stirred up feelings of loneliness and longings for affection. He is married with children.
He told her his marriage wasn't doing well, and hinted that he longed to be with her again. Sure enough, feelings of attraction bubbled to the surface of her heart. My friend said she and this man had not reconnected face-to-face, but they were reconnecting voice-to-voice, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart with the computer or phone.
Have you ever had the feeling someone else is really meant to be your soul mate? That "soul mate" notion can cause a lot of damage, because once someone pledges themselves to another in marriage before God, they essentially become soul mates. "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together" (Mark 10:7b-9, NLT).
Christians may be more likely to engage in emotional affairs, thinking that it doesn't really count as sin if there is no skin. "The defining characteristic of an affair is not whether there is sex involved, but the concealment that surrounds it and the fact that someone is being betrayed," says Dr. Jill Hubbard in her book The Secrets Women Keep.
Years ago I witnessed a woman begin an emotional affair with a man she "had more in common with" than her husband. Never mind the fact that she had her school-aged children in common with her husband. She was eventually confronted by members of her church, but did not end the relationship. She is divorced today.
Listen, we have to be honest with ourselves and with God. Jesus said we can commit adultery in our minds (Matthew 5:28); we can also commit an affair in our hearts. Plus, an emotional affair is often just the beginning stages of a physical one.
My friend struggling with this is single, but the man she's falling for is not. This isn't just a "married women's issue." We all have to guard our hearts. The Bible says they are the wellspring of our lives.
If you are in some type of affair now, I urge you to end it. Stop feeding that addiction. Run quickly from sexual immorality. Change your phone number, your email address and your daily routine if necessary to avoid him. Thankfully, my friend stopped speaking with her temptation.
If you are not entangled in this presently, guard yourself from falling into the trap. Be alert to slippery slopes. Don't go trolling the internet to check on past loves. Beware confiding anything too personal, especially your marriage woes, to members of the opposite sex - find a female friend or counselor to talk to instead. Have an accountability partner periodically ask you how you're doing in this area. And if you are married, invest in your marriage.
Finally, let's turn our attention to the One who is Love (1 John 4:8) and who knows our hearts better than anyone else can. Let's draw near to Christ who is truly our souls' mate. We can safely satisfy our hearts in His.
Dear Lord, strengthen my friends to do what is right. And help me keep pure - mind, heart, body and soul. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Your Soul's Mate – the One you were made for?
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Torn Asunder: Recovering From an Extramartial Affair by Dave Carder
For more on the topic of emotional affairs, visit Rachel's blog today.
Application Steps:
Read Jesus' words to a woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11.
Invest in your marriage – the Love Dare is a helpful resource for this.
Reflections:
Am I guarding my heart?
What is the current intimacy level in my marriage? In my relationship with God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
Hebrews 10:22, "Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." (NLT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 3, 2009
Time is in His Hands
Wendy Pope
"So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies." Joshua 10:13a (NLT)
Devotion:
Do you need more time in your day? Has there ever been a day when you needed just a little more light to accomplish your task? If you need time, ask God for it. Time is in His hands.
In today's key verse we find Joshua in need for a little more time in his day. Joshua and the Israelite armies are in battle against five combined Amorite armies to conquer the land allotted to them after crossing the Jordan. Joshua and his men are tired. The warring for the land has been intense. As the leader, Joshua decides to travel all night for a surprise attack. We find Joshua asking God to hold the sun and moon still so they could fight.
Over a decade ago God called me to radically trust Him with my time and get up each morning before the sun rose to spend time in prayer and in His Word. "How can I do this?" I remember asking the Lord. I argued, "I am a busy wife and mother. The baby is only a few months old. I need sleep".
I obeyed, but not wholeheartedly. It never occurred to me to ask God to help me by adjusting my time so that I could walk in obedience to Him as well as take care of all my other responsibilities.
My problem wasn't that I did not want to know God better through prayer and His Word. My problem was that I believed I could manage the time in my day better than He could. I believed the lie that told me I was in control, arranged my day, and accomplished much. The lie told me I did not need God for the little details of my day-to-day living. The lie told me I did not need to tithe the first fruits of my day to God. The lie, lied.
Like the Southern Kings were defeated, so was my lie. Over the last decade I have learned to call on God like Joshua to "let the sun and moon stand still" so that I can accomplish what He has ordained for me to accomplish. It is my desire to be at peace with His timing and not to complete my checklist. Do I believe He has held time in His hands for me? Yes I do. How can that be? He is God, the great I AM, and the Creator of time. I am just a little "i am not" enjoying the story of God one day at a time.
Will you trust Him to hold your time in His nailed-scarred hands?
Dear Lord, help me know You are good. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Yes, No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life CD by Wendy Pope
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Wendy and over 1000 others are reading the One Year Chronological Bible together. Join them for the last half of the year by visiting Wendy's blog.
Application Steps:
Choose a place for your time with the Lord. Set your alarm clock 10 minutes earlier to spend time with Him. Ask Him to help you set your agenda for the day and accomplish what He needs you to accomplish. Record in a journal what God teaches you about your time.
Reflections:
What or who determines your schedule?
What can you do to slow down your pace?
Do you trust God to be in charge of your daily routine? If not, why? If yes, praise Him for His work in your life.
Power Verses:
Genesis 1:3-5, "Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness 'night.'" (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 3:1, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 3:11a, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time." (NLT)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 4, 2009
Beauty After the Storm
Holly Good She Speaks! Graduate
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
My first personal "storm" occurred when I was 14 years old. It was filled with heartache, death, mystery, fear and freedom. It's a storm that took me years to piece together.
And many more years to realize the beauty born from it.
School was out for the summer. I had just finished the 8th grade and could hardly wait to go to the beach with my family. I can remember the harried havoc as if it was yesterday - snack food, suitcases, and beach necessities were strewn all throughout our kitchen. We were excitedly packing that evening, getting ready for the next morning's early departure for Ocean City, New Jersey.
My memory also perfectly recalls the knock on the door that evening which would define the next 12 years of my life.
It was my friends' dad who lived down the street. "Did you see Evie today? Do you know where she might be?" he asked with hope. "She never came home tonight."
I had not seen her that day. Nor would I ever again.
A neighbor of mine had asked my girlfriend Evie to clean his house. As it turns out, he had other plans in mind for her that day.
Shortly after she arrived at his home, he forced her into his car, restrained her hands, gagged her and drove to a densely wooded area several miles away. Over an undisclosed period of time he performed unspeakable acts and then he left her for dead.
It took the authorities more than 6 months to find her body and solve what had come to be a nation-wide mystery.
During the many months they searched for her, and worked to piece it all together, I became consumed with fear. I promised myself that I would never be at home alone again. And for the most part, I stuck to that vow for many years.
Eventually I found freedom from this fear. It was a gradual process that came to fruition as I grew in my faith. Christ intervened, and I gradually let go. I am no longer consumed by the details of her death or the remnants of my fear.
Several years ago the Lord quietly revealed a most special memory of Evie that I had long forgotten. We were having a sleepover one evening. As we were lying in my bed laughing, talking, and dreaming as girlfriends do, she very nonchalantly asked me if I wanted to be sure to get into Heaven. Of course I wanted to be sure. I knew that Heaven was a wonderful place. I waited in eager anticipation for her next words.
"Ask Jesus into your heart," she pronounced. "That's it? Just ask Him into my heart?" I quipped. "Well yes. There's more, but that's the start..." she said.
And that precious little Evie prayed with me right there in the wee hours of the night, helping me to ask Jesus into my heart.
One young God-honoring friend.
One unutterable death.
At least one life saved...
...this was the beauty that He faithfully revealed to me years after my storm.
Dear Lord, thank You for the life You have given me. I praise You for the ways You have spoken to me through Your Word, through prayer, and through other people. Thank You for healing me and delivering me from my fear. Help me to focus on You today and not become distracted by anything that is not of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Traveling Together: Thoughts on Women, Friendship and the Journey of Faith by Karla Worley
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
To read more about how God delivered Holly from these fears, see her post on Lysa TerKeurst's blog
Application Steps:
What is God revealing to you about a storm you are experiencing right now?
What storm from your past can you pray for clarity in a lesson that you never learned?
Reflections:
Who can you thank for sharing their faith with you?
Who can you share your faith with?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (NIV)
John 17:26, "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (NIV)
© 2009 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 5, 2009
God's Lifeboat
Micca Monda Campbell
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
I recall the first time my youngest son, Parker, water-skied. He was having a great time while he was being pulled along by the boat. When he fell and let go of the rope, the connection to the boat was broken. Panic gripped his face as he watched the boat leave him behind. Dangling in unknown waters filled Parker with a sense of uncertainty. Anxious thoughts plagued his mind as he wondered whether or not his lifejacket was trustworthy.
It was only when the boat turned around and headed back in his direction that peace took hold again. When we pulled Parker back into the boat, he said with relief, "I didn't think anyone saw me fall. I thought you were gone for good." This is the kind of fright and worry we live with when we are not connected to God. We know that we can only tread water for so long on our own without the security of a boat.
The cross of Christ is our lifeboat that saves us from drowning in a sea of sin and selfishness. Christ's work on the cross has mended the partnership between God and us. However, some people don't realize that life is a partnership with God. Because sin separates us from God, the anxieties and burdens in life weigh heavy on our souls. Until we learn to trust Christ's provision, we'll never find peace. In fact, anyone living apart from God can expect to be plagued by phobias, fears, and anxieties. Until a person is reconciled to God, they are unpredictable and anxious creatures. Like Parker, their greatest need is a lifeboat.
Fearless living is achieved by making the choice to partner with God. Only then will our faith become stronger than all our fears. If you and I want to be rid of worry, we must first stop trusting in the things of this world. Instead, we must learn to put the weight of our burdens and cares on Christ who died for us.
Secondly, we need to refocus. Self-centeredness breeds anxiety. In truth, worry and stress are really symptoms of self-sufficiency and a lack of trust in God. When we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on God, it makes all the difference. Our troubles look small in comparison to our great God.
Finally, we must commit ourselves wholly to God. The Bible says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NIV). That means that you and I have missed the mark. We can't get to God any other way except through His Son, Jesus. Whoever wants Christ, and believes He is the Son of God, has been given the full benefit of being God's child.
The truly happy person is the one who has placed her trust in Christ alone for salvation. She has discovered that Christ's saving grace is the solution to sin, egotism, waywardness, and fears. You can see a profound difference in the person who chooses Christ as her lifeboat. Anxiety dissolves away and peace rules the heart and mind.
Dear Lord, I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose from the grave to purchase a place for me in Heaven. Lord, Jesus, come into my life and take control. Forgive all my sin and save me. I'm placing my trust in You alone. Thank you, Lord, for saving me, forgiving me, and filling me with Your peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Visit Micca's blog
Application Steps:
If you are full of worry and apprehension, then it may be that you have not fully given every area of your life to God. You can do so right now! All you have to do is acknowledge that you are a sinner and have been living a life separated from God, seeking your own will instead of His will. By using the prayer above as a guide, you can refuse your sins and commit your life totally to God.
Reflections:
Worry and stress are really symptoms of self-sufficiency and a lack of trust in God.
Do you agree--why or why not?
Do you sense God inviting you to trust Him as your Savior today? Will you say "Yes?"
Power Verses:
John 1:12, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (NIV)
Romans 10:10, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 8, 2009
The Other Woman
Cheri Bunch, She Speaks! Graduate
"For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."
Genesis 2:24 (NASV)
Devotion:
Our son Luke is in college and has just moved into his first home. I have been receiving many calls from him lately.
"Mom, how do you make fruit salad?"
"What do you use to get spaghetti stains out?"
"What setting should I wash my good jeans on?"
And the list goes on. It makes me smile when I get one of these calls. I realize that I am the woman in his life right now. He still looks to me for advice, counsel, direction and support. The Lord hasn't brought the one who will take my place into his life yet, that we know of. But I am sure she is on her way.
When she comes into Luke's life, it is not that I will not be important to my son anymore. I will always be his mom. He will always love me and remember me as a big important part of his life, but I will no longer be "the woman" of his life. That role must be turned over to someone else.
My husband is the older of two sons in a family with no daughters. I was the woman who "took" him away from his mother. It has been a rough transition, and now I am experiencing it from the other side. I believe this is one the hardest transitions in life. It is so important to realize that God has ordained that this transition take place -- see today's verse. It is one of the pillars that makes a house a home and a family secure, but it is difficult.
Women have such a power of influence. It is a strength that God endowed us with and we can use it for good or for evil. When there is a mother and a wife in a man's life, the wife is to be the dominant influence. As a wife, I know this has been important to my marriage. But as a mother, I cringe at the thought of letting go.
Our older son, Caleb, has found the girl meant to be his lifetime soul mate. We are going through this tearing away process as I write. It is so important and I am so proud of him, but it is very hard for me.
I am soaking up my limited time with Luke. I realize that the wife he chooses might have a better fruit salad recipe, a different way of removing spaghetti stains, and perhaps will wash her good jeans in hot water, and I must rest from my ways and be content with hers. I hope that I will be the kind of mother-in-law that will look for the good in my son's wives. I want to encourage my boys and tell them what a good choice they made, and thank them for waiting for her. I will encourage them as couples and tell them that they are great parents.
And perhaps my new "daughters" will call me someday and ask me how I make my fruit salad, and how I remove certain stains, and what setting I wash my jeans on. I will be so happy to share my secrets with them.
Dear Lord, thank You for the sons You have given me. Help me enjoy the time I have as being the most important woman in their lives. Help me to use my influence wisely. When the woman You have chosen for them comes along, help me to surrender to Your plan. Help me to be an encouragement to them in every way. I pray that I will not feel threatened but may our relationship be one of love and respect for one another. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
That's My Son, How Moms can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character by Rick Johnson
Use the extra time you have from an empty nest to invest in your marriage! Love Notes on His Pillow: And Other Everyday Ways to Keep Your Love Alive by Linda Gilden
Or invest in a friendship! I'll bring the Chocolate: Satisfying a Woman's Craving for Friendship and Faith by Karen Porter
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Application Steps:
Enjoy every season that God has ordained for you as a mom.
Reflections:
Are you available when your son calls with how-to questions?
Do you know that you will always be a pillar in the home and that you will always be an integral part of your children's lives even though a new pillar may be added?
Are you a daughter-in-law struggling with a mom that is having a hard time letting go?
Do you have a small son? Can you imagine releasing him to someone else?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:25, "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future." (NASV)
© 2009 by Cheri Bunch. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 9, 2009
21st Century Community
Lynn Cowell
"Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away."
Proverbs 27:10 NKJV
Devotion:
When I moved to Charlotte, it was one of the loneliest times of my life. I was pregnant with my third child, in a new city with no church and no close friends. When Madi was born, I quickly realized just how badly I missed my small group back in Davenport, Iowa. There were no hospital visits from friends, no meals from my group and no play dates for my other two children from friends who wanted to help. These were all things I had experienced with my second child; I realized just what they meant to me when I no longer had them.
With email and internet, community has taken on a new meaning. Some ministries have "online communities" and bloggers everywhere have friends all around the world. Technology has done some amazing things for us when it comes to friendships.
But what happens when you need a friend to hold you? To come and lay hands on you and pray for you? To bring you a meal for dinner because you are sick? It is at times like these that we need the kind of community that comes from neighbors and those who live nearby.
Recently, a dear friend called me and said, "Lynn, can you come over?" She didn't need to say any more. My friend wasn't physically sick; she was heart sick. I was there within 20 minutes. Later on that day, supper was there for her too. These are the types of friendships that we need and can depend upon day in and day out. You just can't fully get that when your community doesn't live in your community!
Proverbs 27:10 encourages us, "Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." When I was growing up, I remember my mother having a friend over some afternoons for coffee. They didn't have to make an appointment on their calendars to meet at Starbuck's a few weeks down the road.
Sometimes, I wish I lived in those days of a slower pace of life. Obviously, I don't, but I can still invite a friend, spur of the moment, to come over for tea and chat about the important and not so important things in life.
Far away friends are great; I am so thankful for each and every one that I have. But in the middle of our fast paced, email raced society, let's not neglect our relationships that are right outside our front door. A friend when in need is a friend indeed!
Dear Lord, help me to slow down enough to embrace the friendships you have placed in my life. And if I am lacking true friends, please open my eyes to those in front of me who would be just that. Not only may I find true friends, Lord, but make me one as well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Hearts and Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Girlfriends' Road Trip CD by Renee Swope
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
What friendships do you have that have been neglected lately? What can you do to show these friends they are important to you?
If your life lacks deep friendships, make a commitment to meet some new friends. Think of where you can go to meet some new people. Bible study or small group at church? Taking an exercise class? Having a tea in your home for your neighbors? Volunteer at the school, or for a ministry?
Reflections:
Is there some reason in your life that you do not have deep friendships; possibly a healing that needs to take place?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:" (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 4:10, "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 10, 2009
When Faith Struggles
Susanne Scheppmann
"Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:3-4 (NIV)
Devotion:
My faith struggles. It occurs most often when something happens in life that is beyond my understanding. My faith plunges to below sea level depth when I witness a natural disaster, a family tragedy, or another Christian's failure. In my humanness, I cannot comprehend the "Why?"
Regardless of my stinkin' thinkin,' God is faithful. Scripture states the following three truths explicitly throughout the Bible.
God is faithful.
"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!" (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT)
God always works in our best interests.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11, AMP)
God's ways are beyond our understanding.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).
So what do I do when my faith plummets? I need to look to the truth that is deeper than my human reality. I need to acknowledge this fact - my faith can only grow when I have to trust God without the benefit of understanding every aspect of His divine will. I also need to realize that faith fluctuates and I am not the only one that struggles with the issue of doubt.
A biblical example of a person who struggled with his faith is the disciple Thomas. Thomas spent three years with Jesus. He watched the Lord perform miracles. But still his faith floundered. Jesus never gave up on Thomas but kept encouraging him to believe and to trust.
So when my faith struggles to stay afloat in a sea of doubt, I will look to Jesus for support. I will readily admit that I do not understand the why of the situation. And I will accept that it is part of the process of growing my faith. I will hold onto our Key Verse as a faith preserver. "Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4, NIV).
If your faith is struggling today, join me in the journey of faith. We can walk in encouragement together knowing we are persevering and maturing and that one day our faith will be complete, not lacking in any area.
Dear Lord, at times my faith struggles. Help me to hold onto the truth of your Word. Allow me to remember my faith is in a state of growth in every circumstance. Grant me strength in my faith so that it may persevere and mature. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Birds in My Mustard Tree: When Faith Struggles by Susanne Scheppmann
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Susanne's Blog
Application Steps:
Copy onto note cards the following verses: Deuteronomy 32:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 55:8-9, and James 1:3-4. The next time your faith feels shaky, read these verses to strengthen you. Ask God to reveal the truth of His faithfulness.
Reflections:
Are there certain areas where my faith quakes?
Do I feel guilty about my lack of faith at times?
Power Verses:
Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (NIV)
1 Peter 1:7, "Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory." (MSG)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 11, 2009
Honestly
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." I Timothy 4:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
I think we all get to a place sometimes in our life where we have to honestly assess, "How I am doing?"
It's not really a conversation I have with a friend or family member. It's one of those middle of the night contemplations where there's no one to fool. There's no glossing over the realities staring me in the face.
I know certain things about myself need to change but it's easier to make excuses than tackle them head on. Rationalizations are so appealing:
I'm good in every other area.
I make so many sacrifices already.
I need this comfort in this season of life- I'll deal with it later.
I just can't give this up.
The Bible doesn't specifically say this is wrong.
It's not really a problem, if I really wanted to make a change, I could - I just don't want to right now.
Oh for heaven's sake, everyone has issues, so what if this is mine?
And on and on.
But excuses always get me no where fast. This is especially true for me in the area of healthy eating. Even if that's not your issue, I suspect this same script of rationalization has played out in your mind over other things.
So, the cycle continues day after day, week after week, year after year.
A whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating myself up for not sticking to my resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can't change.
And I don't want to spend a lifetime in this cycle.
Nothing will change until I make the choice to change. I have to want it, spiritually, physically and mentally. The battle really is in all three areas.
Spiritually: In Colossians 3 1-5 we are told to set our minds and our hearts on things above. In order to do this, we have to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature which sets itself up as an idol in my life.
Idolatry is trying to get my needs met outside the will of God.
Bingo. Can't deny it. This described food for me at times. Again, it wasn't a huge problem where I was medically in danger. But, any idolatry, no matter how small is a problem.
Physically: According to an extensive study done by Northwestern University, calorie restriction is the key ingredient for managing weight issues. (The link to see this study can be found on Lysa's blog today.) Of course, they state that exercise is also important but good nutrition is crucial.
Bingo. Can't deny it. It does matter what I eat. My weight is a reflection of what I consume.
Mentally: Don't settle. Don't compromise. What happens when you cut the "com" off of the word compromise? You're left with a "promise."
We were made for more than compromise. We were made for God's promises in all areas of our life.
Honestly. I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing - eating, gaining, stressing...
I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them - spiritually, physically, and mentally - to the glory of God.
Dear Lord, help me be courageous enough to speak honestly to You and to myself in those areas I'm giving in to compromise. Show me how to rely on Your strength for more self-discipline in my life - not for my glory but for Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to see her progress with this and to enter a contest you don't want to miss.
Do you know the One who can help you overcome?
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Application Steps:
So, how are you doing spiritually, physically, and mentally?
Decide today to set your mind on things above and ask God to reveal to you an area in which He wants to usher you to victory. It will take prayer. It will take faith. And it will take the encouragement of a friend.
Reflections:
What issue do I have that consumes way too much of my mental energy and produces stress in my life? Why not start tackling it today?
How might I apply the insights from this devotion to my particular situation?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 4:16, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (NIV)
Philippians 1:25-26, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (NIV)
Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 12, 2009
Surf or Swim?
Marybeth Whalen
"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
James 1:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
It's easy to look around right now and get discouraged. The news is certainly grim, with little hope on the horizon. Something we used to take for granted--the state of our economy--has turned out to be a house built on shifting sand. We wonder: why did we ever trust in something that has turned out to be so fragile? As a nation, our confidence has been shaken.
But how about as individuals?
As we move through these uncertain times, it's normal to question many things. Some of us might be questioning God right now--wondering where He is in all of this and whether He cares enough to intervene? Our questions can lead us away from God, or they can turn us closer to Him as we seek His will. Instead of trusting in the almighty dollar, we can trust Him like never before.
I recently read a quote in Oswald Chambers's classic devotion, My Utmost For His Highest: "The surf that distresses the ordinary swimmer produces in the surf-rider the super-joy of going clean through it." As I thought about this idea in light of the current economic distress, I realized that we all have a choice to make. We can choose to let the current overtake us and drag us down. Or we can choose to ride the crest of the wave and soar through these challenging times, allowing God to teach us valuable lessons and turn our focus to where it needs to be.
We can do this by taking steps we might have never taken before. Intentionally working to pay off debt, tithing to your local church, setting up a monthly budget, communicating about spending with your spouse, and doing away with credit cards are all good steps to begin taking. When we make these kinds of choices, we honor God with our money. And as we honor Him, our eyes are opened to His activity on our behalf and we learn to trust Him all the more. As we move towards a life of financial freedom, we experience the abundance that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. We realize it's not about material abundance, but something so much better.
I have heard many people talk about how the collapsing economy is causing people to take a good hard look at what's important; to push the reset button on a lifestyle of spending and excess, and choose instead to make wise, informed decisions in the days to come. If you are struggling financially right now, perhaps God intends to use this trial to teach you to overcome with His help. We can choose to go under in despair, or ride the wave with confidence--not in ourselves and not in the economy--but in God alone. Surf or swim? I know which one I choose!
Dear Lord, please help me to overcome these circumstances with Your help. I confess that I have let the bad news and uncertain times pull at me. I want to learn to trust You in a whole new way and to honor You with my money like never before. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Learning To Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Financial Survival in Uncertain Times by Deborah Smith Pegues
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
If you are struggling financially, pray for wisdom as to the changes you can start making in your finances. Whatever God guides you to do, do it.
Reflections:
Do you allow the economic climate to affect your outlook? How can you shift your perspective away from the world and keep your focus on God?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
Psalm 37:18-19, "The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 15, 2009
Praying the Word of God
Wendy Blight
"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe."
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you pray?
If you pray, why do you pray?
Most of us pray when we are broken, hurting, and need God's intervention. God has a grander purpose for prayer. He desires to meet us in prayer so that we can know and be filled with more of Him.
If you pray, what do you pray?
If you are like me, you pray specific prayers asking God to fix something, provide something, or change something in your life. That is how most of us pray. Richard Foster calls these simple prayers. But the real power in prayer comes when we learn to pray God's Word back to Him.
John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." This "word" is "logos." Logos refers to that which comes from God to fulfill His purpose in and for the world, and in and for our lives. God is His Word. When we pray God's Word, we are speaking the very being of God into our situation.
When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God's Word, the Word, lives in us. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, "And we also thank God continually because when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe."
Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us, "The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of spirit and soul, bone and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Jeremiah 23:29 says, "'Is my Word not like fire,' declares the Lord, 'and like a hammer that breaks rock in pieces?'" God's Word, spoken by us in and through our prayers, is powerful and effective, so effective it can move mountains, heal the sick, transform hearts, and change lives.
Isaiah 55:11-12 states, "...so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Jeremiah 1:12 says, "The Lord said to me, 'You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my Word is fulfilled.'" The word "watching" here means "wakeful." God is ever watching, night and day. He never sleeps, ensuring His Word is fulfilled.
Meditating on Scripture, filling ourselves with His Word, causes God's Truth, through the power of His Holy Spirit, to saturate every part of our being, from the top of our head to the tips of our toes. Thus when we pray, we naturally integrate and incorporate it into our prayers. Not only do we align our will with the Lord's, but His will becomes our will. His desires become our desires.
How does this change our prayer life? First, knowing and praying His Word helps us know when we are praying outside His will. But even more than that, it ensures that God will answer our prayers in grander ways than we could ever ask or imagine.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
Visit Wendy's Blog and sign up to join Wendy, beginning June 17th, as she leads an on-line study using her book: Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story.
Application Steps:
Find a Scripture (or maybe a few) that speak to a concern in your life, perhaps fear, worry, or anger. Write out your verse, memorize it, and begin to pray it back to God. Be faithful to pray this verse for 14 days. Please stop by my blog and share with me how God has worked in and through your prayer.
Reflections:
Open your Bible to Psalm 119 and invite God to open the eyes of your heart so that you will see the wonderful things in His Law.
Power Verses:
Read all of Psalm 119.
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 16, 2009
Once ... Always?
Melissa Taylor
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ; he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
Once a liar, always a liar. Once a bitter person, always a bitter person. Once a failure, always a failure. Once impure, always impure. Once a bad mom, always a bad mom. Once a person living in fear, always a person living in fear. "Once a ____, always a ____."
What did you fill in the blank with? Do you have anything from your past that still defines you? I have good news for you. You can stop living like this today.
Who is Jesus to you? That is a question we all need to answer. Jesus' disciples were asked this in Matthew 16:15. "Then Jesus asked them, 'But who do you say I am?'" (CEV). Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (v.16). How would you answer Jesus' question?
So many of us know and believe Jesus is indeed the Son of the living God, but what does that mean to us in terms of our identity? The Bible tells us in John 3:16-18 that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but live forever in eternity. "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned." (CEV)
Did you notice that last part? Jesus did not die for our sins so that we would live under condemnation of them. Nor did He die so we would forever be labeled and falsely identified by our sins. He died so we would be set free from our sins and their shame, labels, and condemnation. Don't believe anyone who tells you different. Know who Jesus, your Savior from sin, is and rest in that truth.
Maya Angelo said, "When people show you who they are, believe them...the first time." I will have to disregard Ms. Angelo's statement. "Once a ___, does not make me (or you) always a ____." Why? Because of who Jesus is in us. Our God is not only a God of second chances, He is a God of infinite chances, forgiveness and grace.
We can't change what people think about us. Sure, we can try to explain how we've changed, but often others will define us by one or more sins we've committed in the past. It's happened to me before. Even though I may have once earned the "Once/Always" names I was called, I know that's not who I truly am. Our identity is NOT in what we did, but in who and Whose we ARE.
"Once a ___, always a ___"? No ma'am, that is not true in the context of Christ! In Christ, you are washed clean. Look again at our key verse, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the old has gone, the new has come." The old has gone. Gone. Gone. It's gone! Answer the question Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?" And believe the answer that He is your Savior from condemnation. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. No person or past action can take that from you because, "Once a beloved child of God, always a beloved child of God." That is the truth!
Dear Lord, I pray today that You will remind me that I am precious and washed clean in Your sight. The shed blood of Jesus on the cross is proof that I am no longer captive to what I've done or who people say I am. I am Yours! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Melissa's Blog
Application Steps:
Take a piece of paper and write down all the labels that define you that you would like for people to forget. Write down the negative names you call yourself. Read them outloud to God, ask for forgiveness and ask Him to remove them. Tear or burn this sheet of paper - watch it go up in smoke. That's the old you. It's gone!
Now take another piece of paper. Search the Bible or visit my blog for verses that tell you who you are in Christ and write them down!
Reflections:
Are your thoughts reflective of who you really are?
Do you look at yourself the way God looks at you?
Who is Jesus to you?
Power Verses:
Psalm 86:5, "You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you." (CEV)
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands." (CEV)
Romans 3:23-24, "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins." (CEV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 17, 2009
The Strength of Love
Micca Monda Campbell
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, 'says the Lord, who has compassion on you" Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
When my first husband died I was devastated. Weakened by grief, I ached inside as if someone punched me in the stomach and knocked the breath out of me. Perhaps you know that painful, empty feeling too.
At times, my need for his comforting touch was so strong it would play tricks on my mind. Once, I saw a man with brown, wavy hair driving a red truck just like my husband's truck and I followed him for miles. As my heart pounded with hope, nothing else mattered more in that moment than me catching that truck. I was willing to drive to the ends of the earth if necessary. When I finally caught up with him at a red light and our eyes met, my fantasy ended with a devastating halt. It felt as if the man in the truck had played a cruel joke on me. Weakened by the truth, I pulled over into a nearby parking lot, laid across the seat of my car and wept for hours. Night began to fall as the sun set in the sky. I was chilled as the temperature inside the car turned cool. Sitting up, I wiped my face, zipped up my coat, and headed for home--alone.
Awful things may happen to us as a result of living in this fallen world, but our hope lies in God's everlasting and unchanging love. I'm learning that God's love strengthens us, restores us, and is always available to us.
When darkness surrounds me, I remember that Christ experienced dark days too. Even though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. During His early ministry, Jesus experienced times of pain and anxiety just as we do. In the garden of Gethsemane, He endured great pain as He faced His fate--death on a cross. Never once in the garden did Christ thank God for the pain. He didn't rejoice in His fear, nor was He grateful for His suffering. In the flesh of man, He experienced deep sorrow, desertion, and anxiety. How did Christ manage to press on?
Christ endured because regardless of His circumstances, He trusted in His Father's love. Christ knew that God's love was the source of His strength. I imagine Jesus found comfort by quoting Isaiah 54:10 many times during His darkest hour:
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you."
Hear this and allow the truth of it to warm your heart, soothe your pain, and calm your fears. God knows. He's been there, and He is there still.
Dear Lord, may every hardship we encounter be measured by the cross--Your greatest expression of love for us. Help us to see how great Your love for us truly is. And then, make us instruments of Your love for the healing of others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Your Comforter?
When Your Family's Lost a Loved One by David and Nancy Guthrie
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than my Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
Application Steps:
God's love is like a healing ointment when we apply it to our wounds. Mediate on the power verses below and allow God's love to comfort and heal you.
Reflections:
Do you find it difficult to believe God loves you? Why or why not?
Will you let the love of God fill your heart and transform your life today?
Power Verses:
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 18, 2009
Did You Hear the Latest Scoop on Her?
Lysa TerKeurst
"And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." Philippians 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
When we hear of another person's struggle is our first desire to more closely examine ourselves or more closely scrutinize this other person? It's a question worth considering. It's a question worth holding up to Biblical truth.
Over the past couple of days I've received three e-mails about an acquaintance of mine that is on the cover of many tabloid magazines right now. This devotion is not meant in any way to defend, offend, discuss, rehash, or remark about this woman I care about. This devotion is about you and me.
And those three e-mails.
The first e-mail I received used such hateful remarks it hurt my head to read it. Seriously, I could have skipped my run for that day because reading that e-mail set my heart racing as much as a good cardio workout. It was dripping with judgment, condemnation, and venomous words like "shameful" and "hate."
The second e-mail I received was a "Christian" call to action. It was strong and slightly demanding that I do something harsh about this situation. You know, rain down a little hell fire and brimstone in an effort to correct the actions of this woman in question. All in "love"' of course.
The third e-mail was completely different. It still expressed concern, and rightly so. However, in complete humility she said she's using this situation as a call to pray for this woman's life, and as a call to action to examine her own.
She said as she watched this woman being featured on TV, she saw things that bothered her. So, she asked herself some very tough questions about her own life - her own marriage - her own attitude about the importance she places on God. And she found herself falling short. With great honesty and courage, she set aside her judgments of another, and got down on her knees.
If I could have jumped through cyber-space, I would have thrown my arms around the author of the third e-mail and hugged her.
Sisters, I do believe with all my heart that there is a place for Christian accountability. I believe it is biblical and necessary. However, making judgmental remarks, rolling our eyes, belittling someone we don't personally know or do life with in the real world, and sending hateful e-mails is neither biblical or necessary.
It's sin.
It's totally missing the mark of what God has called His girls to be and to do.
If the actions and attitudes of another person hurt our heart and rub our soul the wrong way -- be it a neighbor or a woman on the cover of a tabloid -- I pray we handle it with the grace and dignity Jesus enables us to have. "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment" (Phil. 1:9).
And may we always remember the person in question is loved by God. He may not love their actions and He most certainly doesn't love anyone's sin, but the person, He loves.
They are loved.
She is loved.
We are loved.
Totally and immensely, unfathomably and remarkably, beautifully and abundantly loved.
Dear Lord, before I start picking at the splinters that are so easy to spot in other's eyes, may I have the humility to examine the plank I don't want to see in my own eye. Search me Lord, see if there is any wicked way within me and reveal it. Give me wisdom to know what to do about my own sin, a filter of grace by which to see others' sins, and a heart restrained from rash reactions because of Your love in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog today for more on this topic.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Join or begin a Gather and Grow Group for accountability, spiritual growth and deep friendships.
Application Steps:
When confronted with someone judging another person, how will I respond? What is a good, biblical answer that I've thought through in advance to offer up in this kind of situation? Why not read through the Scriptures in this devotion and on Lysa's blog to prepare yourself?
Reflections:
Imagine yourself standing at the grocery store line seeing all of your actions, reactions, mishaps, and misquotes splashed across the magazines for all the world to see? Thinking about this really makes me pause to remember, those are people. Real people with real feelings. No amount of worldly success or popularity takes away the sting of cruelty being thrown in their direction. What an opportunity Christians have to pray for those people - really pray for them. And what a testimony of the reality of Jesus when we make the uncommon choice say, "no comment."
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:3, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (NIV)
Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NIV)
Proverbs12:18, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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June 19, 2009
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
That is What He Needs from Me
Renee Swope
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,
and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
Devotion:
I have a confession to make: when my husband JJ and I got married over 15 years ago, I took out the words "honor and obey" from my wedding vows. I didn't say I would submit to my husband either. I vowed to "submit my ideas and dreams" to my husband and trust God's leadership in our marriage.
I had some serious issues going into marriage. I was a young Christian, who was afraid of the "S" word, and I wanted to make sure God and my witnesses didn't catch me in a lie. Like many women, I was terrified that if I submitted to my husband I'd become a doormat and lose myself somewhere in the middle of letting my husband lead. I regretfully remember one time JJ told me it was easier to let me lead because it wasn't worth the argument to him.
You'd think that's what I wanted - to get my way - but it wasn't because my husband became apathetic. Soon I realized I was losing respect for my husband and it was mostly my fault. I wanted him to lead, but when he tried I'd often criticize how he led. It was a mess.
One day I was praying God would change JJ and make him more decisive, more confident, more protective and, well, just more what I wanted him to be. God strongly impressed on my heart that my criticism wasn't getting me any closer to my desired result. In fact, my frustration with JJ only contributed to his own doubt as a man trying to follow God and lead His family.
God's also reminded me that I was fueling Satan's flaming darts of condemnation aimed at my husband's heart. I was joining efforts with the one who wanted to take out my husband as the leader of our home. Through prayer, God showed me that my husband needed me to be his greatest cheerleader and his biggest supporter verbally, emotionally and spiritually.
God challenged me to keep my mouth closed when JJ did something I didn't like or led in a way I didn't want to follow. He encouraged me to tell my husband when I saw things I appreciated and use the power of my words to build up and not tear down my man.
I started doing what God showed me. I looked for and found things in my husband that I'd never really noticed before. I got intentional about finding things I respected and letting God take care of things I didn't. I made many choices to honor him in big and small ways. And you know what? I discovered things about my husband that were worthy of respect.
We've been through a lot together. I have followed God as I trusted many of my husband's decisions that scared me: job changes I didn't want him to make; financial investments that seemed too risky; parenting issues that were hard. It hasn't been easy, but I am so thankful that my husband has become the leader of our family. And I'm more comfortable following his leadership than I ever thought I'd be!
Dear Lord, I want to respect my husband and build Him up with my words. Help me to measure my thoughts carefully and come to You with my complaints. I want to become my husband's biggest cheerleader and watch You do Your thing in His life. I know this is possible as I depend on You to live Your life through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's Blog for powerful scriptures to pray for your husband.
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Tell your husband that you believe in him!
Don't point out his mistakes, just fill in the gap.
Ask God to show you ways to serve your husband.
Don't ever say "I told you so."
Say "I'm sorry" and mean it when you dishonor him.
Say "I forgive you" and mean it when he dishonors or hurts you.
Tell your husband that you thank God for giving him to you (and be sure you do).
Let him overhear you telling someone something you appreciate about him.
Support and encourage his decisions.
Praise him when his decisions turn out well and encourage him when they don't.
Tell you husband each day about one thing you are thankful for - about his character, his work ethic, his provision, his humor or something he adds to your family.
* Several of these ideas are from What A Husband Needs from His Wife © 2006 by Melanie Chitwood.
Reflections:
What do I value and respect about my husband?
How often do I criticize or encourage him?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (NIV)
Proverbs 17:9,"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
.
June 22, 2009
Do It
Marybeth Whalen
"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
Matthew 17:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes God asks us to do something we don't understand. It might seem unnecessary. It might seem crazy. Or it might seem like something God shouldn't need us to do because He is capable of doing it without our involvement. So why does He require our action?
When Jesus was asked to pay a tax, He told Peter to go catch a fish. Miraculously, the exact amount He needed was found in the mouth of the fish he caught. Peter had a moment where he had to either accept Jesus' methods or question them. In our limited human understanding it's easier to question, "Why didn't He just make that coin appear?" But Peter knew Jesus, and he knew he was better off to just do whatever Jesus had asked of him (Matthew 17:24-27).
Sometimes we have moments like Peter had. We stand there blinking, wondering if we heard Him right. In those moments we have to make a decision to just DO IT:
Deliberate
Obedience
Intentional
Trust
Certainly Jesus could have produced the amount needed in many different ways, but He required Peter to be involved. He required Peter to take action, just as He does with us at times.
When God showed my husband and I that we needed to begin tithing when what we wanted was to get out of debt, it didn't make sense to us at all. We had to simply respond with deliberate obedience and intentional trust.
When God challenged me to stick with my marriage when it seemed over, I wondered if He realized what He was asking. He wanted me to deliberately obey Him and intentionally trust Him. He didn't want me to look for the easy button. He wasn't offering a supernatural rescue. He needed me to walk through the process, learning lessons along the way. Instead of handing me a solution, He allowed me to be involved in it.
Is there something He is asking you to do that doesn't seem right, or normal, or natural from your human perspective? Are you ignoring His still small voice urging you to just trust and obey? Whether it's catching a fish or building an ark, you can rest assured that you are in good company. God has a plan--even when you can't see it. Sometimes you have to DO IT to reveal that plan.
Dear Lord, I want to learn to respond with obedience to Your requests. When I hear Your voice speaking to me, I want to willingly do it--whatever "it" is. Thank You for reminding me that sometimes You require me to be part of my own solution. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Learning To Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage by Stormie Omartian
For more from Marybeth, visit her blog as well as her resource page.
Application Steps:
In your journal, write about a time when God asked you to do something you thought wasn't necessary or was crazy. What was the result?
Reflections:
What is God asking you to do? How will deliberate obedience and intentional trust figure into your response?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:15, "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
.
June 23, 2009
Power to Overcome
Rachel Olsen
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
Devotion:
Do you find yourself doing what you know you should not? Do you find it hard to stop? Yeah, I know.
I've had several discussions lately with people stuck in patterns of behavior they want to quit. They're stuck in sin. What's more, they feel completely awful about it. Guilty. Shameful. Some to the point of hating themselves. And yet they feel powerless to stop -- powerless to resist.
The Bible says when we return to our vices again and again, we are like dogs returning to our vomit (Prov. 26:11).
Ick!
So why do we do this? According to the Bible, Christ has conquered sin on our behalf and we have the capacity to be free from its power. Yet that is far from the reality of many Christians' lives. Why?
Why does sin have any power over us? Why does it have any dominion in our lives? The answer is the same reason a dog returns to her vomit. She likes the taste.
Sin has power because we enjoy it. It promises something we want ... pleasure, escape, wealth, etc. Sure it always has consequences we don't want, but in many cases those don't over power its feel-good moments or perceived benefits. In short, sin has power because we love it.
Earlier this year I quit drinking my favorite drink, a particular diet cola. Now, I'm not saying diet cola is evil or sinful - just go with me here. The first time I tasted diet cola I didn't think it was all that yummy. BUT it promised to save me calories so I decided it was worth the slightly strange chemical taste. In short time, as it grew familiar, I began to like the taste.
Wasn't long before I was flat out addicted -- wanting, even needing to have my beloved drink every day or I grew headachy and irritable. Sad thing is it didn't help me lose weight at all. But that didn't matter because now I loved diet cola. Furthermore, I was convinced if I gave it up, I'd not only get headaches but I'd gain more weight. I was enslaved in a way.
It was my drink of choice. It made me smile when I had it. It also made me frown if I ran out, or if a restaurant didn't serve it. And I'd get worried anytime a health report questioned the safety of aspartame, a main ingredient in my diet cola. But I loved it, so I returned to it day after day.
What helped me give up diet cola? I found a different drink I really liked. I developed a taste for it. I was willing to give up that because I now had this. It's the same way with sin.
What can help us overcome the sins that we have love-hate relationships with? A surpassing love. A greater love that carries with it no hate, no guilt, and no shame. A love that actually delivers the many, many benefits it promises. A love that is full of wisdom and compassion, not vomit. A love more attractive and powerful than the allure of sin. It is the love of God displayed in Christ.
When we catch hold of that love - when we read of it regularly, drink it in, and see it at work in our lives - we cannot help but love Him back with all our heart, soul and mind. And in that state of all encompassing love, sin pales in comparison. Its power grows feeble. When we immerse ourselves in the everlasting love of God that has chosen us as its object, we're more than willing to walk away from the vomit. We can give up that because we have this.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the sins I return to. Cleanse me with Your majestic love and grace. Reveal to me the depth of Your love, the extent of Your sacrifice, and the beauty of the mercy You grant me daily. Open my eyes to see Your love afresh and may I be empowered to walk away from sin towards Your heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him Who Loves You So?
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
To learn more about how to find God's love and find freedom from sin, head to Rachel's blog and join the discussion.
Application Steps:
Fill your mind and heart today with the love of God. Read the power verses below, look up others in your Bible, or visit Rachel's blog for more.
Reflections:
What sin do I return to? What is the benefit I feel this sin provides me?
Can I seek that benefit in Christ instead?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 8:17, "I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me." (NLT)
Jeremiah 31:3, "Long ago the Lord said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'" (NLT)
John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (NLT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
June 24, 2009
Childlike Wonder
Luann Prater
"Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." Luke 9:48 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Look grandma, this makes super-duper bubbles!" my grandson squealed. The new bubble gun I bought him at Cracker Barrel was indeed a marvel at propelling hundreds of soapy spheres at the touch of a button. He entertained himself for hours, shooting bubbles then chasing them across the yard.
At some point he decided catching them in his mouth might be fun, to which I warned it might make him sick. Grandpa chimed in, "That bubble might go down in your tummy and get bigger and bigger!" Matt stopped in his tracks, fixated on my husband, and replied, "Is that what happened to you grandpa?" This four-year old comment made me chuckle and then ponder.
What does God see when He looks at me? Does He see a wide-eyed child who simply believes Him? I'm afraid that innocent, uncomplicated girl got lost. And I don't think I'm alone in this. Simple faith is a rare find.
In this information age, the journey for knowledge has become the driving force in our society. As Dragnet's Sgt. Joe Friday always said, "Just the facts, ma'am." Faith gets pushed aside in exchange for internet wisdom. If you haven't been bitten by the know-it-all mentality, you simply haven't let your fingers do the walking across your keyboard! Do you want to find out how to build a house, take apart an engine, or stay up on the latest news? Google it. You can instantly become an expert in almost in field! So if God tells me to, "Go," my first instinct is to research the web for direction, instead of trusting His voice.
During a concert performance recently, our church choir wore costumes from Bible times. It struck me as I watched and saw only their faces showing, how each one had a childlike image. No one out-dressed the other. No one was thinner or heavier. No hair was perfectly styled. They all had rosy cheeks, bright smiles and joy in their eyes. The prevailing trait we find in children - innocence - shone through. I found myself wondering if that is what God sees when He looks at us, simple children.
When we come to Jesus it is critical to come like a child, innocent and amazed. My grandson simply believed his grandpa. When was the last time you simply believed God? No analyzing the situation. No studying alternative theories. Plain and simple, childlike trust in the One who created the heavens, the earth and you.
Today, I want to focus on coming to Him as a child. I want to stop the grown-up worry and gaze lovingly into His Word. Today, I want to enjoy being "the least among you all" so I can spend time with the greatest, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, You made the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, even the brilliant minds that created computers and the Internet. Yet none can match Your wisdom and splendor! No one has the knowledge that You possess. So I lay down my quest for seeking answers from this world and exchange it for Your simple and glorious truth. Impress Your words on my heart today I pray. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit with Luann on her blog
Application Steps:
Find quiet time today. Turn off the computer, the radio, and television. Silence your phone and go into a room with no noise at all. Speak out loud to the Lord. Then read His Word to hear Him answer.
Reflections:
What pulls me away from simple faith?
Will I trust my grown-up life to an Almighty God who loves me as His child?
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:25-26, "At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.'" (NIV)
Isaiah 54:10, "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
.
June 25, 2009
Disappointment
Lysa TerKeurst
"He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." Ecclesiastes 5:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
The other day a friend asked me if I ever get disappointed.
I said "yes" and threw out a spiritually sound answer of how I process disappointment. It was an answer that would make most preachers proud.
And then the next day happened.
The day where a really big disappointment whacked me upside the head and sent my heart sinking. I'd been asked to speak at a really big event - one of the biggest of my life - and then things fell apart.
Invited- thrilled- excited- honored-included
turned into
Uninvited- bummed- sad- disillusioned- left out.
And while I still have solid spiritual perspectives to hold on to, my flesh just needs a minute to say, "Bummer!"
Sometimes things that come our way are a major bummer.
But right when I wanted say, "bummer" a few more times, I spotted a bowl that's been sitting on my dining room table for weeks now. Brooke found some caterpillars a while back, put them in a bowl, and has been holding them hostage ever since. I mean she's been lovingly admiring them underneath a layer of cellophane.
Wouldn't you know that those caterpillars formed cocoons inside that unlikely environment. And then today, as I was muttering "bummer," I glanced across that bowl and sucked the word back down my throat.
The cocoons were empty.
Expecting glorious butterflies, I had to chuckle when I got right over the bowl and closely examined the product of my little girl's hopes for new life.
Moths.
I just had to chuckle. Yet another thing in my day that wasn't quite right.
Or was it?
When Brooke spotted the moths, she was beyond thrilled. Grabbing my hand, she led me outside, ripped off the plastic barrier, and watched the beauty of tiny wings beating- beating- beating and finally fluttering into flight.
As I watched Brooke's sheer delight with the rich evidence of life before her, she couldn't have cared less if it was a moth or butterfly. A creature that once only knew the dirt of the earth had just been given the gift of flight. Reaching- soaring-up- up- and away.
And with that, this simple creature pulled the corners of my mouth up into a smile.
Disappointment only stings as long as I let it.
Dear Lord, I freely offer up whatever has been a disappointment to me lately as a sacrifice of praise to You. I know You love me so much, that this disappointment is really Your way of protecting me, providing something better, or just part of the process of growing me more like You. So, for all three of those I praise You- praise You- and praise You again for the good that is wrapped in this disappointment. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to read more about how God can bring good out of disappointment.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Ask God to help you find some Scripture verses to serve as anchors of truth as you process your disappointment. Write them on note cards and carry them with you. On the back of each note card start listing the good that is in your life. Focus on praying prayers of thanksgiving over the good.
Reflections:
How might God use even this disappoint for good in my life? Instead of asking God, "Why?" why not ask God, "Since this is my reality, what now? How can I glorify You through this, Lord?"
Power Verses:
Hebrews 13:15, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:2, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (NIV)
Mark 9:35, "...If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
.
June 26, 2009
Hidden Treasures
Susanne Scheppmann
"And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name."
Isaiah 45:3 (NLT)
Devotion:
Secrets. Riches. Mysteries. Treasures. These words bring spine-tingling excitement. Around the world, Pirates of the Caribbean became an unexpected blockbuster movie. The Indiana Jones DVD series, after over twenty years, sells consistently as a top gift item. Adventure novels prevail in the bestselling book lists. The hope of finding treasure enthralls us.
This applies to followers of Christ as well. We read in Matthew 13:44, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field" (NLT). When I read this verse, it makes me ponder the last time I felt excitement over the kingdom of God. To be truthful, my excitement is usually based on the "performance" of God in answering my prayers.
However, the Lord doesn't promise to answer every one of our prayers as we expect. But He does promise to reveal treasures hidden in darkness. Sometimes our seemingly unanswered prayers are the secret riches that God wants to reveal to us. It reminds me of lines from the old Garth Brooks' song, Unanswered Prayers. "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers...Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."
Instead of acknowledging this truth about prayer, I find myself waiting and watching for the expected results of my prayers. What I should be doing is seeking God for who He is. God told the patriarch Abram, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1, NIV, emphasis added). So God, Himself, is the great treasure that I need to unearth. He has promised we will find Him when we search for him with an intentional attitude. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV).
Today I desire to change my shallow-hearted expectations of God. I want to seek Him and His Kingdom as if I am an explorer on a treasure hunt. Right now, I choose to know God, seek Him, and treasure Him.
Dear Lord, teach me to search for the hidden riches of Your Kingdom. Help me to seek You with an excited heart. Remind me that the answers to my prayers are only the beginning of a relationship with You --You are the treasure! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
For more from Susanne, visit her blog as well as her resource page.
Application Steps:
Today when you pray, intentionally ask God to reveal Himself to you in a new way. Ask Him to reveal to you "treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches." Begin a journal of God's revelations of Himself to you.
Reflections:
Am I disappointed when my prayers are not answered in the way I expect?
How can I better search for the secrets and treasures of God's Kingdom?
Do I believe that the Lord is the greatest treasure?
Power Verses:
Colossians, 2:2-3, "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (NIV)
Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV)
Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
.
June 29, 2009
A Mom Who Keeps Her Promises
By Glynnis Whitwer
1 Corinthians 13:6-7, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV)
Devotion:
One day, just before the start of school, my middle son sat cross-legged on the ground, playing at the foot of my desk while I worked on the computer. Since he'd been out-thinking me from the time he was two, I shouldn't have been surprised at the conversation that ensued.
"Mom," he started simply. "When you were little, did Grandma ever tell you she'd get you a pony and then didn't?"
"No, she didn't," I answered, fully engaged and wondering where this line of thought would go.
"Well, you told us you'd take us to Toy's R Us this summer and you didn't. That's a true lie," Dylan solidly proclaimed.
I was shocked that he remembered a promise from three months back, but more stunned by his reasoning. In the midst of being impressed by how his mind worked, I was convicted. He was right! Every time we drove past the toy store, my three little boys asked to stop and I'd put them off. It wasn't that we didn't have the time, but taking three boys into a toy store was pure torture. Either I should have taken them or I shouldn't have promised we would do it.
I stopped my work, joined him on the floor, and sincerely apologized for not following through on my commitment. That little 6-year-old taught me a lesson I'm still learning: I need to keep my promises to my children!
It's tempting to think the kids will understand when my schedule changes and it becomes inconvenient to keep a commitment. After all, they are "just" kids. Right? Wrong! I've discovered that after God and my husband, my children are the most important people to whom I should honor a promise.
The truth is while children may say they understand when we don't keep a promise, depending on their ages, it's really hard for them to fully grasp our complicated lives. All they know is they are eating a cafeteria lunch alone when mom said she'd bring a Happy Meal. Or they are in front of a TV when mom promised to take them to the park.
We all know life happens and interrupts even the best-laid plans. That's part of what we need to teach children -- to be flexible. The problem arises when it becomes a habit. A mom who consistently backs out of promises will teach her children to do the same, and will leave them insecure and possibly resentful.
To become women who keep their promises, we need to guard our words and follow some daily practices. Don't make a promise simply to stop a child's repeated requests. Carefully consider your schedule and commitments before offering to do something. Start with small promises and build up to larger ones. If the promise has to do with an outing as a family, work together as a family to get everything done before going. Look beyond a child's words to her heart. Does her request have more to do with spending time with you than going to the park? If so, offer an alternative before you commit to something you probably can't do.
A mother has the high calling of modeling the faithfulness of God to her children. More than words, children watch actions. Will they find a mother who keeps her promises? If so, it will lead them to a God who keeps His promises.
Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your unchanging nature. I praise You for Your faithfulness in keeping Your promises throughout the generations. Please forgive me for the times I haven't kept my promises to the people I Iove. Help me become a person who keeps her word, even in the hard times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work From Home by Glynnis Whitwer
Subscribe to The P31 Woman Magazine edited by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog.
Application Steps:
Think of one promise you can make to your child(ren), or someone you love, this week. Make that promise and keep it.
Reflections:
When someone keeps a promise they have made to you, how does it make you feel?
What are some areas in your life where you have trouble keeping promises?
Identify some daily practices that will help you keep your promises.
Power Verses:
2 Peter 3: 8-9, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (NIV)
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
.
June 30, 2009
Unaware
Tracie Miles
"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the
Good News to everyone.'" Mark 16:15 (NLT)
Devotion:
I recently heard about a little boy who was involved in a serious accident, and lay in a coma in the hospital with massive internal injuries. The following day, the little boy's kindergarten teacher was talking to the students about the accident, and asking for suggestions on what they could do for their injured classmate.
Several children made suggestions such as taking food, writing cards and drawing him pictures. Then one little girl suggested that the class could pray for him. A few seconds passed, and then a young boy, who had been intently listening to the discussion, asked quietly, "What is prayer?" The little girl proceeded to tell him how Christians pray to Jesus. The boy looked at her inquisitively for a moment, and then said, "Who is Jesus?"
This little girl, along with a few other classmates, proceeded to witness to this young boy, telling him all about Jesus. They shared that He is God's Son and was sent to earth to die on the cross for our sins so that we could have eternal life and go to Heaven. The teacher stood there with tears in her eyes, as these precious little children, barely knowing their ABC's, shared the gospel with intense knowledge, passion and commitment, and without any hesitation or fear. They were proud of their Jesus, and wanted to share God's love and promises with this little boy, who was completely unaware of Jesus.
This story touched my heart and I wished I could have been there to see it taking place. It was then that God pricked my heart, and said, "You can be there too, just in a different circumstance, with different people, and at a different time." I was reminded that opportunities for sharing the good news of Jesus are everywhere: around every corner, in the next cubicle, in every neighborhood, and in every classroom. We simply have to grasp the opportunities that are presented.
As a mother of two teen and pre-teen girls, I have the opportunity to interact with a lot of adolescents, many of whom are completely unaware of Jesus, just like that little boy. Unaware, not because of any fault of their own, but because no one has ever taken time to share Jesus with them. Unaware, because they were raised by parents who were unaware themselves. And for some, they have heard of Jesus, but have chosen to reject Him because they are unaware of their need for a Savior.
They all began just like that little kindergartner who had not heard of Jesus, and have grown into young adults who don't know Him. Completely unaware.
Reaching the teens of today's world can sometimes be intimidating, and at times, out of our comfort zone. But I wonder what the world would be like today if teenagers reached for Jesus for stress relief and comfort, instead of drugs, alcohol or physical intimacy. What would happen if every teen was impacted by the witness of a Christian?
Scripture tells us that everyone will be accountable to God (Romans 14:12), even if they have not heard of Him, which is the basis for global missions work. But what about the mission field right in our own back yards? Are we really reaching out to those who are reachable? As Christians, it is our duty to make sure that people become aware of Jesus, including teens that seem to need nobody but themselves. The people we encounter can be a divine appointment...even an unaware soul, longing to be rescued.
I heard a statistic once that stated that 80% of people who accept Christ do so by age 18. We have a window of opportunity to reach young people, and God is calling us now, to make an impact on the future generations of our world, one heart at a time.
Dear Lord, give me passion and courage to reach out to those who are unaware of Your sovereignty. Impart Your wisdom to me, so that I can be equipped to witness in such a way that peaks their interest and makes them aware of their need for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit the Next Generation blog for girls 12-17 years old
For information about Next Generation sessions that Tracie offers, visit her blog
Application Steps:
Think of three people you know that are unaware of who Jesus really is. Pray and ask God to open doors to share your faith with them.
Consider hosting a Next Generation Gather and Grow Group.
Reflections:
What can I do to reach out to a child or teen that I know?
Power Verses:
Matthew 28:19a, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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July 1, 2009
A Statement of Power
Wendy Pope
""But the LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth."
Psalm 11:4 (NLT)
Devotion:
Are you in a season of uncertainty? Do you find yourself in need of an infusion of power? Today's key verse holds the key to the infusion you need. The power is summed up in three simple words: But the Lord.
"But the Lord" is a powerful phrase. The word "but" is a conjunction and used in this sentence it means "contrary to." Contrary to what? In the proceeding verses of Psalm 11, David proclaims how he trusts the Lord for his protection. He followed his proclamation with the details of how the wicked are preparing their weapons for attack against him. Then he belts out the transition statement of power: But the Lord.
Maybe you feel like King David. You have been surrounded by the Lord's protection in the past. You have marveled at His work in your life, however, in this present season of life you feel as if the enemy is stocking his armory against you. It seems Satan spends his days sharpening the arrows and stringing his bow.
Regardless of his current circumstances, David could be assured of two certainties: the Lord is in His Holy Temple and the Lord still rules from heaven. Oh, the peace this must have given King David. God is constant.
This statement of power can infuse you and help you look at your life through a different set of lenses. In the midst of downsizing or divorce, buyouts or payoffs, layoffs or let downs, disappointments and despair, we can count on the same two certainties as the great King David. We can put our faith in the certainty that the Lord is in His Holy Temple and the Lord still rules from heaven. Oh, the peace this can bring to us. Rest in the peace this statement of power offers and don't look back.
Dear Lord, Your power is indescribable. Forgive me for failing to remember the power that is mine as a child of God. Thank You for remaining constant when life is not. I rest today in the comfort that You are in Your Holy Temple and You still rule from Heaven. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Trials for Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life by Jan Eckles
For more from Wendy, visit her blog and resource page.
Application Steps:
Claim this powerful phrase for yourself. Write down a current circumstance that you feel is uncertain. Copy Psalm 11:4 as your next sentence. Then read the entire passage a prayer.
Reflections:
What is my usual way of handling life's uncertain circumstances?
Do I truly trust the Lord to change my perspective of life's uncertainties? If not, why?
Power Verses:
Psalm 14:6, "You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge." (NIV)
Psalm 18:18, "They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support." (NIV)
Psalm 118:13, "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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July 2, 2009
Alive
Rachel Olsen
"Everything that touches the water of this river will live."
Ezekiel 47:9a (NLT)
Devotion:
One Sunday I woke up feeling overwhelmed. Several projects on my plate were consuming my focus, and closure was eluding me. I'd only been awake a few minutes when my family suggested we go to the beach for an hour or two before church. What? Go to the beach before church? Go get all sandy before church? You want me to body surf before breakfast?
That's exactly what we did.
As soon as my toes hit the sand, I knew this was a good idea. Each shifting step toward the glistening water, brought me closer to refreshment. As I eased into the surf, slightly chilly water rushed over my ankles. Catching my breath, I pressed forward, breathing deep as the water reached my knees and waves splashed up to my waist. I kept walking until my chest was submerged under the flowing water, and the tension drained from my body and mind. The only thing I could or cared to do was focus on the beauty of God's creation around me and the nearness of my family. Projects and decisions that had threatened to overtake me, were washed to the backburner of my mind. For the next hour or so, I floated over swells, dove through waves, and surfed on the salty sea foam. I walked out of that water feeling alive again.
A favorite Bible passage of mine is Ezekiel 47 where the prophet experiences a vision of God's temple. He is shown the Temple by a heavenly host -- perhaps an angel, or perhaps even Christ Himself. Out of this Temple, past its altar, flows a stream of water that becomes a massive river. Read for yourself Ezekiel's experience there:
"Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing eastward from beneath the Temple threshold. This stream then passed to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the stream flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
Measuring as he went, he led me along the stream for 1,750 feet and told me to go across. At that point the water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and told me to go across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to cross without swimming.
He told me to keep in mind what I had seen; then he led me back along the riverbank. Suddenly, to my surprise, many trees were now growing on both sides of the river! Then he said to me, 'This river flows east through the desert into the Jordan Valley, where it enters the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will heal the salty waters of the Dead Sea and make them fresh and pure. Everything that touches the water of this river will live. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will be healed. Wherever this water flows, everything will live.'" (Ezekiel 47:1-9, NLT)
Are you feeling overwhelmed with problems, projects or decisions today? Are you feeling mentally drained, physically spent, or spiritually numb? Take a dip with me into the river of God, the river of healing, and be awakened to life in God. Let this living water flow over, into, and through you today -- for wherever this water flows, everything will live!
Dear Lord, forgive me of my sins and plunge me deep into Your river. This is where I want to be. Cover me, wash me, cleanse me, heal me, and purify me. Make me spiritually alive and in tune with You today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Stop by Rachel Olsen's blog
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Spend a few minutes in prayer, imagining yourself walking into the river of God. Feel the presence of God wash over you as you turn your heart towards Him and receive cleansing from His living water.
Plan a trip to a local swimming spot and get some exercise as you contemplate living water. Invite a friend to come along, and tell them about the river of God described in Ezekiel 47.
Reflections:
Have I touched this river of life? Everything that touches it will live!
Have I gone beyond sticking my toes in -- have I submerged myself in my walk with God?
Power Verses:
Revelation 22:1-2, "And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations." (NLT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
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July 3, 2009
Sweet Smell of PineSol
T. Suzanne Eller
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
I admit it. I'm the world's worst when it comes to preserving photos. I have boxes of photos stacked in various cubbyholes. I tried to organize the pictures once. I divided them and placed them in large envelopes. My next step was to put them in albums. They are still in the envelopes--stacked in a box.
Melissa, Ryan, and Leslie are now in their 20's and newly married. The chances of me ever getting these precious memories organized are slim to none, but I'm realizing something powerful. Memories aren't limited to pictures.
Remember when, Mom..? is a common phrase in my house now. We have become the hub, a privilege once reserved for my husband's parents. At holidays and special weekends, they drive up, unload luggage and pile into the guest rooms. We laugh and reminisce a lot around the table. Remember when we went on treasure hunts in the pasture? Remember when you jumped on the bed and popped Ryan up in the air so high it scared you? Remember that yellow Slip N' Slide?
I do remember. But I also remember a young mom who worried that her house wasn't spotless when an unexpected guest showed up. I remember the angst of trying to do everything and the fatigue when my day ended before my chores did.
But there were days that I threw caution to the wind and jumped on the bed, even though it might make others frown. I grabbed a shovel and gave the kids plastic buckets and we looked for old bottles and trinkets at the abandoned homestead nearby. We mixed Dawn dishwashing liquid and water and I laughed out loud as the kids flew like greased lightening across the yellow slippery slide. Some of those memories were captured in that pre-digital age, but most were not, but they are etched on the heart of my young adult children.
They reminisce about what we did together. They don't reminisce about the smell of PineSol. Whether my house was perfect or how it compared to others' isn't even on their radar. It makes me wonder why I worried about it. Is it good to have order and structure? Sure. But don't allow the pressure to be the perfect mom keep you from the beauty of simply playing with your children. The unmade bed will still be there, but I promise that a child will grow quickly and leave the nest.
Take a moment today and look past the clutter and the to-do list and play like a child again. It might not be a picture-perfect moment, but it will be a memory.
Dear Lord, time passes so fast. Slow me down, God. Let me enjoy the smallest pleasures around me. Let me play with my child instead of knocking down a to-do list. Let me laugh with my teen instead of fussing at him. Thank You for the sweet memories of today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by T. Suzanne Eller
Go to Suzie's blog where she shares "Are You in Your Teen's Cluster?" (Chapter Three of Real Issues, Real Teens) and check out her other books here.
Application Steps
Carve out time today to play. Turn off the TV. Put down the schedule. It doesn't have to be an event. Just play.
Are you better suited to a schedule? Mark a day for play. Protect it. Give it the importance it is due.
Reflections
Is life too busy? What is one nonessential task or activity that you can eliminate?
Does play seem foreign to you? Jump on the bed. I know. It's crazy, but do it anyway. Break the seriousness cycle.
Will we really care that much about what others might say?
Power Verses
2 Samuel 6:14, "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might..." (NIV)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
July 6, 2009
A Graceful Pillar
Lynn Cowell
"May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace." Psalm 144:12 (NLT)
Devotion:
Where did the time go? I remember like it was only yesterday...the dark-haired little princess dancing on top of the coffee table, star-studded sunglasses gracing her face, singing as though she was the next "American Idol."
Now, she's a beautiful young lady in the making, grinning at me from the dressing room. Her smile still says, Look at me, Mommy, don't I look pretty? And she does, in so many ways. Her beauty is more than just physical. I see a tender heart that is learning who she is and becoming who the Lord made her to be.
Vickey Courtney says, "Girls who are 'sugar and spice and everything nice' are made, not born." This is so true. Girls today have so much pressure on them to be this and do that; attempting to please the ever-changing culture around them. They often find themselves caught between the daytime world of school and evening world of family. Their desire to be accepted is deep and very real. They want to know that they are valuable; that they have worth.
Maybe that is why God created mothers - to be the conduit for the power of God's truth to be given to the next generation. It is our place to teach our daughters exactly how He sees them. To be the voice that says, "All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you." (Song of Solomon 4:7, NIV). When they are looking in the mirror picking themselves apart, we can pour into them God's Word. Psalm 45:11 "The King is enthralled by your beauty..." (NIV). "Enthralled" means captivated. They are desperate to have someone say, "You make my head spin" and who better to say it than their Creator who is flipped-out over them!
As I think about today's key verse, "May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace," I am reminded that pillars are not found in the wild. Pillars are not born. Pillars are formed. Carefully, an artesian chisels away at the stone little by little, creating a masterpiece. You can be the artesian in the life of your daughter. Don't be afraid. The Master Artesian is your teacher. You can be the one that the Lord has appointed to take the rough piece of stone and carve it into the graceful pillar, fit for a palace.
Dear Lord, this task seems too big for me. Raising a daughter that glorifies You could not possibly be more contrary to our culture. I do want my daughter to be like a graceful pillar; a graceful pillar that brings You honor. Show me opportunities today where I can lovingly speak that Truth into her life. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Resources:
Secret Keeper Girl: 8 Great Dates for You and Your Daughter by Dannah Gresh
The Mom I Want To Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
One way that I pour into my daughters is to have special days with them. On these dates, we do fun things: at-home facials, day at a tea room, a special shopping trip. During these dates, I incorporate a lesson that teaches them one of God's truths. Secret Keeper Girl is filled with these types of dates. It is a perfect way to build memories and relationships too!
Learn who you are in Christ. Study scriptures that teach these truths. As you learn them for yourself, it will give you a fresh revelation to share with your daughter.
Begin a Gather & Grow group with Proverbs 31 Ministries for teen girls. Be a part of forming not only your own daughter, but the many girls today who do not have a godly woman in their life.
Reflections:
Do you feel comfortable having conversations with your daughter about the Lord, or do you need a little help with some conversation starters?
Find another woman who has a raised a godly daughter and ask her for wisdom on this.
Power Verses:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
Song of Solomon 4:7, "All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you." (NIV)
Song of Solomon 2:16a, "My lover is mine and I am His." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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July 7, 2009
Exposed
Micca Monda Campbell
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I have a talent for embarrassing myself. A few years ago, at one of our Proverbs 31 Ministries' Conferences, I was alone in the elevator on my way to a meeting, when I noticed that my panty hose were sagging. I had been running non-stop since the conference began, so naturally I needed to freshen up. I figured since I was the only one in the elevator, it was safe to lift up my skirt, bend over, and pull up my hose. I'm sure you have done something similar.
There was only one problem. When I entered the elevator at the bottom floor, it had a back wall. As I rode the elevator from one floor to the next, I noticed something had changed. The back wall had magically transformed into a glass wall! Ingeniously, the hotel was built in a circle with a large floor-to-roof atrium. This design meant that all of the glass elevators overlooked the center of the hotel as they moved up and down. What was in the center of the atrium with the translucent elevators? The hotel restaurant. What time of day was it? You guessed it - dinnertime. The room was packed with people unaware that they were getting both dinner and a show!
I was horrified! Aren't we all when a side of us is exposed that we would rather keep covered? I think sin is like that. We try to hide it, but at some point it reveals itself, leaving us embarrassed, sorrowful, and ashamed. Not all sins are exposed; there are some that we manage to keep concealed. In doing so, it gives us the false illusion that no one can see them. While others may not, we forget that God can see all. And He doesn't need a glass wall to see what is hidden.
What does our sin do to the heart of God? The Bible says that our sin grieves the Holy Spirit within us (Ephesians 4:30, paraphrased). I don't know about you, but knowing that I can break the heart of God does something to my own heart. Not only am I ashamed, but a deep sense of separation from God comes over me. The good news is God doesn't keep a record of our sin. What He keeps a record of is when we believe Him.
The Apostle Paul tells us, "Consider Abraham: 'He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness'" (Galatians 3:6, NIV).Therefore, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). That's a promise. There is no need to hide our sin or defend our wrong actions when we can simply have God's forgiveness.
In the historical event found in Matthew chapter 26, Jesus sat down with His twelve disciples to prepare for the Passover. During this time, Jesus reveled to His followers something only He could see. "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." (Matthew 26:21, NIV). I love the disciples' reaction. They didn't become defensive at Christ's words.
When I know that one of my three children have disobeyed in some way, but I don't know who, I say to them, "One of you has broken a rule." They usually respond by blaming one another or defending themselves. The disciples did not. They didn't try to play cover up or debate the matter. They didn't even point fingers at one another. Instead, each one examined themselves. Even Judas asked Jesus, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." (Matthew 26:25, NIV).
Once Judas' eyes were open to his sin, he had a choice to make. He could either fess up and be done with it or he could carry out his betrayal. He chose the latter. That choice determined his tragic destiny. Yet, Judas' fate didn't have to end that way. If Judas had responded to his conviction before he betrayed Christ with repentance, someone else would have had to fill his role in history. Why? Because Christ our Lord was sent to free us from sin and restore us back into fellowship with God.
You and I need to understand that Jesus doesn't expose our sin to embarrass us or condemn us. God didn't send Christ into the world to condemn but to save. When you and I sin, God is simply waiting for us to look inward and say, "Lord, it is I?" In the instant we confess with faith, Christ is ready and willing to make all things new.
Dear Lord, I confess to you my sin of _________. I'm sorry that my sin breaks Your heart. Cleans me and restore my relationship with You. Fill me once more with Your peace and presence, In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
For more from Micca visit her blog and check out her additional resources .
Application Steps:
When you know that you have sinned against God, confess it immediately. Don't wait.
Reflections:
Do you often try to hide your sin or are you quick to confess it?
How are you betraying yourself by not confessing your sin?
Power Verses:
Romans 10:9, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (NIV)
Ephesians 1:7, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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July 8, 2009
Faith Book
Susanne Scheppmann
"They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." Nehemiah 9:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
A new addiction slipped into my life recently - Facebook. Internet social networking slid in quietly and unobtrusively. Each day I found myself reading and posting a bit more. I learned how to create my visual bookshelf, so my "friends" could check out what I was reading. I linked my blog. My time seeped into Facebook like grains of sand slide through the hourglass.
My addiction soon took a turn for the worst. I began to put off my personal quiet time with God until after I had Facebooked. Sadly, scripture seemed boring next to my friends' postings. Strangely, the mundane posts intrigued me. I had fallen under the spell of social networking.
Then one day, I dragged myself away from my laptop. I had Bible study that night and needed to finish my lesson. The lesson pointed us to the book of Nehemiah. I read, "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." (Nehemiah 9:3, NIV).
Yikes! They read God's Word for a quarter of the day, then spent another quarter of the day in confession and worshiping? These words haunted me the rest of the afternoon. When was the last time I spent that much time with God? How much time did I spend on the Internet? I felt a deep conviction about my Facebook addiction.
I determined that day to read my Bible, my FaithBook, before I turned on my computer each day. I would network with God, before networking with my friends. When I made this decision, I saw scripture jump back to life. God's Word spoke to me with a freshness that seemed as if He had just posted it Himself.
The addiction stopped. Oh, I still enjoy Facebook and other social networks, but I have learned to keep them in proper perspective. Psalm 119:59-60 sums up my new intent: "I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands" (NLT).
Will you join me in the commitment to spending time in God's Word before time spent on Facebook?
Dear Lord, I recognize that I spend too much time on the computer. Forgive my inattention to Your Word. Help me each day to place You first in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Listen to Today's Radio Show for more about spending time with God.
Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
For more from Susanne, visit her blog as well as her resource page
Application Steps:
Today, take notice of how much time you spend on the computer for personal enjoyment. Decide to make your quiet time with God a priority. Read Psalm 119 and then ponder the benefits of time spent in God's Word.
Reflections:
Do I put off my quiet time with God in lieu of "social networking?"
Am I willing to commit more time to reading the Bible?
How can I begin to keep my life in a healthy balance?
Power Verses:
Exodus 24:7, "Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, 'We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.'" (NIV)
Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (NIV)
Joshua 1:8, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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July 9, 2009
My Great Brownie Debacle
Lysa TerKeurst
"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Rewarding. That's what this particular day was supposed to be, my shining-star day at my kids' school. Finally, I was going to get the "Really Good Mommy Award."
Not that this is an official award on a frame-worthy piece of fine linen paper. It is not. It's just a feeling--that feeling of getting a thumbs-up and acceptance nod that you are in fact doing an okay job as a mom.
I had volunteered to make 100 individually wrapped homemade brownies. And I was going to be completely fancy and use the turtle brownie mix that comes in a box. That's as close to homemade as I get.
After baking all those brownies and allowing them to cool, I cut and lifted each one into the safety of its own little baggie and recruited my daughters to help me finish up. We bagged up brownies 95, 96, 97, and then a disaster of epic proportions occurred.
Nuts.
These turtle brownies had nuts in them. Lots of nuts. And there I was standing over individually wrapped brownie number 97 listening to my daughter's reminder that our school is, in fact, a peanut-free school.
My arms started flailing about as if to gather the pieces of my scattered brain and tuck everything back into place. I sent the kids out of the room and ate brownies 98, 99, and 100.
No shining star. No Really Good Mommy Award. No happy, proud kids elated with their mom's efforts.
I spent the rest of the day trying to process this great brownie failure. I saw it as a debacle that defined my motherhood journey. Grand visions that led to big messes that led to unmet expectations that heaped more and more guilt on my already slightly fragile motherhood psyche.
And that's exactly where Satan would have loved for me to stay. That's his daily goal, actually. If Satan can use our everyday experiences, both big and small, to cripple our true identity, then he renders God's people totally ineffective for the kingdom of Christ.
These were brownies for a school bake sale. And these brownies had somehow knocked me to the ground. I didn't want to smile. I didn't want to be kind. I didn't want to be a disciple for Christ that day. Ever been there?
Satan wants us to entertain a very dangerous thought: "Why doesn't Jesus work for me?" This is never the right question. Instead, when circumstances shift and we feel like we fall short, we should ask, "How can I see Jesus even in this?"
The only way I can ask myself this question is when I pull back from whatever situation I'm facing and separate my circumstance from my identity.
Now let's state what is true. Despite my feelings, my identity stayed the same. I am a loving mom. I am a giving person. I am a woman who takes her responsibilities seriously. I am a daughter of the King.
All of this is true despite my failures. So, though I have a whole mess of extra brownies with nuts laying around and the school won't have any brownies for the bake sale today, this mishap doesn't define me. The only thing this means is I need to read the bake sale instruction sheet a little more closely next time.
That's it. It's simply a call to action not a call to condemnation. And did you notice the response of the righteous man in the key verse above? Though he fell time and again, he kept getting up. May we do the very same thing.
Dear Lord, help me separate my circumstances from my identity. Help me only determine my worth by Your truth and not my performance in any situation. Thank You for looking at me not as I am, but how Jesus has enabled me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to register to win 4 copies of her new book "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" which will help you apply God's truths to your everyday situations.
This devotion was excerpted from Lysa's soon to be released book, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl." To pre-order your copy, click here.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Write down a failure you've experienced lately. What is a truth from God's Word that can help you? Write down 2-3 verses you find particularly encouraging in your area of struggle.
Reflections:
Have I let a failure define my worth lately? How might I separate my identity from my circumstance?
Power Verses:
Romans 9:15-16, "'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." (NIV)
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 10, 2009
Bring It To Me
Marybeth Whalen
"Bring them here to me."
Matthew 14:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Mo-om," my six-year-old son calls from the den where he is working on math, "I can't do this!"
I am in the kitchen washing dishes. "If you can't do it," I call back, "Just bring it to me."
And in a whoosh, I hear God's still small voice, coming in on the heels of what I have just spoken aloud. "Isn't that what I say to you?" He reminds me.
When I am overwhelmed: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
When I am angry: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
When I am hurting: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
When I am confused: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
Thousands of years ago, the disciples faced a situation they couldn't do. They couldn't feed 5000 men and their families lunch even though the people were hungry. They knew that allowing them to leave would mean missing a great ministry opportunity... but their resources were sorely lacking. And then one little boy stood up and offered his lunch. Jesus responded, "Bring them here to me." He took that meager offering--the tiniest bit offered in faith--and multiplied it beyond anyone's expectations.
I need God to do that for me every day. When I think that I can't do something, I need to faithfully take what little I can do and place it in His hands. And then I need to stand back and watch Him multiply my humble offering into something amazing.
What are you feeling like you can't do today?
Take on a challenge God is calling you to?
Respond to a ministry opportunity even though it is scary?
Stay in a marriage that looks over from where you're standing?
Persevere in your efforts to pay off debt?
Offer forgiveness to someone who hurt you?
Whatever it is, know this: You are right. You can't do it. So bring whatever it is to Him. Picture yourself offering it up, just like that little boy's lunch. Then stand back and prepare to be amazed.
Dear Lord, I praise You for being my burden bearer. Thank You for always taking my "I can'ts" and transforming them through Your power and Your blessings. Help me to remember not to be anxious or worried when I face difficulties, but to simply bring my issues to You again and again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Read other real-life stories each month with our P31 Woman magazine
Learning to Live Financially Free Marybeth and Curt Whalen
For more from Marybeth, visit her blog as well as her resource page.
Application Steps:
In your journal, list all the reasons why you can't do some aspect of your life--paying off debt, staying in your marriage, homeschooling, getting a job, etc. After you list all those reasons, take a red magic marker and write over top of the list the words "Bring it to Me." Rejoice that these are Jesus' words personally to you today!
Reflections:
Is there something you are telling God that you can't do? Spend some time today telling Him to take your pitiful efforts and multiply them as only He can. Every time you start to worry, go back and bring it to Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 115:11, "You who fear him, trust in the Lord--he is their help and shield." (NIV)
Psalm 116:7, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 13, 2009
SHINE
Van Walton
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
"If I only knew God's will for my life, I could plan my future."
Have you ever made that statement?
I think we all do some time in our lives. I know I do.
I have heard teens say so as they peer into the future. I've known young adults who say so while choosing a career. I've had this discussion with friends when they realized a little time management allows for a few extra hours in each week. Other mothers and I have wondered the same when we became empty nesters. I know those about to retire search for "God's plan for this phase of my life."
So what is God's plan for our lives? If you are like me, you want particulars. Only I am not sure God always gives us the step-by-step instructions we desire.
I remember a time in my life when I asked God to give me direction. I asked that He tell me where to move. My husband and I had a choice, but had to give an answer quickly. "Tonight," my husband said, "I have to respond to the offer this evening." He suggested I spend the day in prayer and give him the verdict by dinnertime.
I sat down at my dining room table to pray. I explained to God what He already knew: "We have these opportunities. Do we go here or there?"
Silence.
"We want to go where You lead us. Where would that be?"
Silence.
"We want to honor You."
Silence.
"Do You know that we have to give an answer today? I'm waiting to hear from You." I sat as still as possible, trying to be patient.
God never told me where to go that day, but He did remind me that His plan for each one of us is universal and at the same time unique.
As I considered my two alternatives, my mind traveled back in time to the many moves my husband and I had made. Wherever we had lived, God had laid out unique opportunities for us to serve Him and each chance to minister appeared under one universal command, "Let your light shine. Love one another."
He had never specifically told us to start a bus ministry, serve as youth leaders, host a neighborhood Bible study, or mentor teens in a youth home.
I began to realize that God was not going to tell me where to move. He had a message for me. I remember it to this day, twenty-two years later.
"It really doesn't matter where you are. You are in me and I am in you. Wherever you live, wherever you go, wherever you work, you will find people who need Me. Introduce them to your heavenly Father. Live a life that encourages others to seek Me. Love all people. Teach them how to live. Use your life, your actions, and My Word. This is what you can do whether you live here or there. Remember, wherever You go, I am with you. Wherever you go take me with you and let your light shine."
As I said, God never told me where we should move. We made our choice to take God with us asking Him to use our lives to bring His Light into others' lives.
Ever wonder what God's will is for your life? Simple ... shine!
Dear Lord, Your Word clearly details Your plan for my life. Forgive me for wanting all the specific details before I step out to reflect Your glory. I want to spend my days shining as a light in the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog for more thoughts on how to know God's will for your life.
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
What Happens When Women Say "Yes" to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Take an inventory of your actions and attitude. How can you arrange your life to reflect God's glory, shining so others might find their way to the Father?
Reflections:
Do I use the excuse that "God has not told me His will for my life" to keep me from serving Him and others?
Have I taken time to understand my spiritual giftedness to better understand God's will for my life?
Am I well enough acquainted with God's Word so I can confidently live a life that is pleasing to God?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)
Philippians 2:14-16, "...go out into the world... Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night..." (MSG)
© 2009 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
~
July 14, 2009
The Humanity of the Cross
Whitney Capps
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
Several years ago our church showed Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to commemorate the Easter season. I will never forget feeling physically sick watching the scene at Golgotha. What I remember is pieced together from a few fleeting, tear-blurred glances at the screen.
Crucifixion was one of the most brutal and inhumane forms of torture ever conceived. I'll admit that I have been guilty of trying to move quickly over the carnage it portrays. When in moments of worship or reflection, the Holy Spirit has led me to consider the Cross, I try to soften its jagged, bloody edges by reminding myself that Christ was God, trinitarily divine.
I want to protect Jesus (and myself) by pretending that He didn't need to feel every bone-crushing blow that nailed Him to that beam for my sin. It seems to make it just a little easier to think of Jesus on the cross not as man, but as God. That Jesus is God is a certain and theological truth, but I must not diminish the act of His suffering by thinking He would abuse His divinity.
Jesus didn't recoil into His divine nature to escape the pain of death on the Cross. He didn't sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane simply to prove a point or for dramatic effect. Jesus agonized over the pain He knew He would endure.
In Matthew 27, Scripture tells us that Jesus cried out from the Cross on two separate occasions. The first cry in verse 45 reflects Jesus' torment over His alienation from the Father. The second cry in verse 50 reveals His body's physical release from the pain of death as "he gave up his spirit." I believe Scripture records both of these cries to indicate that each outburst represents a distinct reaction - one spiritual, one physical.
I wonder if we aren't meant to relate to the Cross in similar fashion: spiritual and physical. I also wonder if we aren't guilty of reserving our concentration on the Cross for the yearly Easter celebrations. After Easter, is the reality of the Cross still poignantly fresh? In his book "Outrageous Mercy: Rediscovering the Radical Nature of the Cross," William Farley says of the Cross, "There is nothing deeper. It is a bottomless well, a fountain of vibrant truth, a pinnacle of wisdom and knowledge. In it lie the depths of the mysteries of God. The first sign of spiritual maturity is when one increasingly thinks about, ponders, marvels, and wonders at the mystery of the cross."
One of my ambitions is to think regularly about the Cross. I want to see the whole picture of the Cross. I want to experience it eyes wide open in painstaking reality. I don't want to deceive my heart in thinking it was less than horrific. My sin demanded such horror. I hope that in enduring the Cross with Jesus, I'll worship more deeply, weep more sincerely and rejoice more abundantly at His Resurrection.
Dear Lord, thank You for the grace of the cross. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Sanctuary: A Devotional Bible for Woman in the New Living Translation
Whitney Capps's blog
Application Steps:
Reread each gospel's account of Jesus' crucifixion. Try to read them as though you've never heard the story.
What sights would you see? What sounds would you hear? What emotions are particularly real to you?
Reflections:
Do you believe that Jesus really endured such torture for you? How does that affect your confidence in today's Power Verses?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 2:14-18, "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (NIV)
© 2009 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 15, 2009
Be Big!
By Renee Myers, She Speaks! Graduate
"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4 (NLT)
Devotion:
My son had a great experience playing on a Christian competitive basketball league last year. He was asked to play in their "select" division. It was limited to a specific number of players. Each player brought his own skills, talents, and gifts to the league. Some were quick. Others had great agility, or good instincts for handling the ball. One of my son's gifts was that he was taller and bigger than most of the players.
His coach was excellent. He knew how to maximize each player's performance by being positive and motivating. He also recognized each player's strengths and helped them make the most of what they had to offer.
My son is a "gentle giant", so often the coach would encourage him to be more aggressive and remind him to use his size to his advantage. "Be big!" His coach would often yell. "Be big!" This meant he wanted my son to raise his hands higher, reach wider, and make the most of his gift of size. My son quickly caught on and began using the "be big" approach to do his best and improve as a player.
All of the boys did an outstanding job of bringing their gifts and talents to each game, recognizing the offerings they could give that made them unique. The players played with confidence, not comparing themselves or trying to be like the others. The coach was wise to make the most of each player. Together they were an incredible team!
I think God wants us to "be big" too. He has given each of us our own set of gifts, talents, and abilities that make us uniquely qualified to do the things He wills for us to do. He wants us to make the most of these things so that we can improve as His players and work together to form an incredible team for Him.
The next time you want to shrink away from something God puts before you or feel that you're not up for the task at hand, imagine God coaching you from the sidelines, calling your name and yelling, "Be big!" Then reach higher and wider to make the most of the gifts, talents, and attributes He gave you to use, and feel confident knowing you've done your best for Him, and the team.
Dear Lord, Thank you for creating each of us with Your plans in mind, and for making each of us is special with our own unique ways to be part of Your team. Help us all to be winning players for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
God's Purpose for Every Woman by various P31 authors. Gen Editors Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Recognize your importance to God despite challenges or circumstances you might face. Know that He has a place for each of us on His team -- no try-outs required! Accept everything about you that is God-given as your personal gift set from Him and find ways to make the most of those things.
Reflections:
What things make me unique?
What do I do best? What do I enjoy?
What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses?
What weaknesses can I give to God to use for His glory?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:9, "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (KJV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)
© 2009 by Renee Myers. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
`
July 16, 2009
The Real Me
By Renee Swope
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together
in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat in the circle dreading my turn to talk. The facilitator of our team-building activity had asked our group of eight to answer these questions: What do you love to do? If finances were unlimited and failure was unlikely, what would be your dream?
I started praying we'd run out of time before it got to me. But just in case I had to answer, I listened to everyone else describe their dreams, hoping to get ideas. One wanted to be the first female president of the United States. Another friend said she'd always wanted to sing in a Christian rock band. I knew I was in trouble.
Here I was 32-years-old at the time, and I didn't know who I was or what my dreams were. Eventually everyone looked at me for a response. I stumbled over my words but finally admitted that I didn't really know what I loved to do. I didn't have a dream. I felt like a third-grader living in a grown woman's body. Did I want to be a nurse, a schoolteacher or a movie star?
Who was I and what did I like to do?
Unfortunately, I'd never taken time to think about or answer that questions. Instead, I had tried to be who others wanted or needed me to be. But honestly, I wasn't very good at it. I often had this uneasy feeling in my heart and a sense of just not being happy. I was also a constant candidate for burn out.
Later the group facilitator encouraged me to ask God what His dreams were for my life and to spend time getting to know myself better. She also suggested I read some books on personalities. I took her advice and began a process of getting to know the "real me" who had gotten buried in the busyness of life and people pleasing.
As I read books about different temperaments and personality traits, I started to recognize what I liked, strengths that came natural for me, and what I needed emotionally to encourage my heart. Instead of wanting to be like women I knew and admired, I realized there was a reason I was who I was -- with my passionate preferences and mixed bag of emotions. For the first time I felt like someone (the author of those books) understood me. I also sensed that God wanted to use the unique way He made me to shape my heart for ministry.
Isn't it easy to completely neglect ourselves to meet the needs of everyone around us, and call it self-sacrifice? It sounds godly, but in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God's dreams and gifts are waiting to be revealed. It's not self-seeking but God-seeking to intentionally get to know and become the woman He created you to be.
So, how well do you know the real you? Have you ever taken time to think about what you like to do? How would you fill your free time if you had no fears, no insecurities and no doubts? (You probably have no free time, but what if you did?) What are your dreams?
I hope you'll take time to get to know the woman God created you to be. In doing so, I discovered the life I was meant to live, the dreams I was meant to dream.
Remember, God made you. He knows you and He loves you just the way you are. The only change He desires is that you become more like Him, as you become more like you!
Lord, I want to know the woman You had in mind when You created me. I don't want to grow old and never know Your purpose for my life. Show me your dreams for my life so I can offer what You want to give to those around me through my unique desires, personality strengths, spiritual gifts, abilities and experiences. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Uniquely You! Read more about getting to know the real you, and share your thoughts/questions on Renee's Blog.
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and CD: A Practical Guide for Discovering Who You Are, by Renee Swope
Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
Click here for more of Renee's Resources.
Application Steps:
In her book, Personality Plus, Florence Littauer describes four personality types. See if you can relate to the desires and emotional needs of one or two of these:
Phlegmatic: Desires PEACE
Needs times of quiet, reduced stress, feeling of worth, relaxation
Choleric: Desires CONTROL
Needs appreciation for achievements, opportunity for leadership, and participation in decisions
Sanguine: Desires FUN
Needs attention, affection, approval, activity with people
Melancholy: Desires PERFECTION
Needs sensitivity, stability, support, space, silence
Reflections:
Reflect on today's verse, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 (NIV)
Do I believe God created me with unique traits and dreams? Do I know what they are?
Do I like who God created me to be? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:13, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth," (NIV)
Psalm 139:1, "Lord, you have searched me and you know me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
`
July 17, 2009
Driving Tips for the Narrow Road
Glynnis Whitwer
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Devotion:
I found myself leaning hard to the left from the passenger's seat of the car. You know the type of nervous-passenger move when you are sure something bad is about to happen, and somehow you think you can stop it -- or at least move away from it. Only nothing helps when your offspring is learning to drive.
I'm going through this learning process with my second child, and it's not getting any easier. He still has to pry the car keys from my clutched fingers. And yet I know he needs the practice, so into the big boat with wheels we go. It's not that this son is a bad driver, it's just he has one very nerve-wracking tendency -- he drifts to the right.
Whether he's in the left, middle or right lane makes no difference. He consistently drifts over the dotted line or too close to the curb. As I try to help with my leaning, cringing and bracing for impact, I wonder when the lanes became so narrow. They seem wider when I'm driving. Now they are closing in on us as we barrel down the road.
The narrow road is breathtaking, in the very scariest sense of the word. A wrong move brings the promise of unpleasant consequences. I know -- I've crossed over the line before in my own life, and live with regrets. And I wonder, as I ponder this concept, is it possible to stay on the narrow road? Jesus clearly calls us to it in the book of Matthew. We read in chapter 7, verses 13 and 14, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." But can we do it?
Jesus believes so. He knows the road to a faith-filled life isn't easy, but it can be found. As I've thought about staying true to my faith in Christ, I realize that I've given my son some driving advice that applies to my own life:
Stay alert to who is around you. Choosing the right friends is one of the top lessons I've learned about staying true to my faith. It's amazing how a friend's suggestions or words can take you on a detour from where you want to be. Yet the right words and encouragement can bring joy and peace.
Keep focused on the road ahead. Knowing where I want to be spiritually is a big step in the right direction. When I have a vision of what a follower of Jesus looks like, I'm better able to follow through.
Don't be overconfident. Overconfidence in my own power and abilities is very dangerous. Every time I think I've got a problem under control, I discover once again how much I need God. However, living daily with my desperate need for a Savior keeps me on the right path.
We've all been called to a different life as Christians. We don't walk the same road the world walks, and at times it feels scary and uncomfortable. Yet the good news is we've been given sisters and brothers in Christ to walk beside us and help keep us focused. Although I may not ever relax when a beginning driver is in control of the car, I know I can relax because God is in control of my life. Recognizing that, the narrow road isn't quite so intimidating.
Dear Lord, You know how much I long to stay on the narrow road in my faith. Yet I find myself drifting across the dotted line too many times. I know I can't do this without You. Please help me be the woman You have called me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more encouragement today.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Do You Know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Identify an area of your life that you know is crossing the line of where you want to be. Make a decision to change one habit or activity this week that will keep you on the right path in that area of your life.
Reflections:
What are some common areas Christian women find themselves crossing over the line?
What are one or two habits women can establish to help them stay true to their faith?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)
Matthew 25:21, "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
~~
July 20, 2009
The Wedding Ring
Marybeth Whalen
"An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband."
I Corinthians 7:34 (NIV)
Devotion:
While shopping for some nail polish remover, I stumbled upon a bottle of jewelry cleaner. As I picked it up and tossed it into my cart, I reflected on the days when I always kept jewelry cleaner so that I could keep my wedding ring sparkling and shiny. Somewhere in the rush of life, I stopped doing that, and it had been years since I polished up my very dirty, dingy diamond.
When I got home, I cracked open the new bottle and put my rings in to soak overnight. The next morning, I fished them out and used the little brush to scrub away any remaining dirt. As I slipped the rings on, I couldn't believe the difference! I knew my rings were dirty but I had no idea how sparkling the cleaner would make them. All day I kept looking down at my hand to admire the way the diamond reflected the light, brilliant and shiny instead of dirty and dingy.
God reminded me that my experience was a great illustration for how I have treated my marriage at times. Where once I worked hard to look nice for my husband, I often meet him after a long day in my pajamas--unshowered and unprepared to welcome him. Where once I took time to really listen to him, I let my thoughts wander when he talks, figuring I had heard it all before. Where once I looked forward to our time alone, I get in the car with a bored sigh, and a, "Where do you want to eat?" My shiny, sparkly, exciting marriage that I couldn't wait for had turned into a dirty, dingy drudgery that I forgot to take care of.
As I admired my diamond that day, I thought of ways I could "clean" my marriage, restoring it to the brilliance that God desired for us:
Taking time to at least brush my hair and put some gloss on my lips before I saw my husband at the end of the day.
Committing to regular exercise and taking care of myself, so I would feel better and look better.
Treating him respectfully and watching both my words and my tone to him.
Apologizing when I blow it and humbly seeking his forgiveness.
Investing regular, consistent time into us by making the effort to plan date nights and secure a sitter.
Really listening to him when he confides in me, not letting my thoughts wander to my to-do list.
Spending time with him without feeling like we have to talk all the time.
Respecting the differences in each of us, instead of fighting against them.
Of course I don't do these things perfectly every day, but I do have a renewed vision for what my marriage needs. Just like my diamond needed to be restored after neglect, so did my marriage. I can't become complacent or despondent about this most important relationship. I have to strip off the buildup of stress and busyness, scrub away any resentment or distance. When I do that, God has shown me that He will restore my marriage to its original brilliance and sparkle, reminding us both why we said "I do" all those years ago.
Dear Lord, it's so easy to let life and busyness keep me from giving my marriage the attention it needs. Help me to love my husband the way You do and to seek You for inspiration and insight. Help me to be intentional about working on my marriage instead of just drifting through it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Love Notes on His Pillow: And Other Everyday Ways to Keep Your Love Alive by Linda Gilden
Learning To Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog and resource page
Application Steps:
If you are married, clean your diamond today. If you don't have any cleaner, go and get some! (It's near the fingernail polish remover.) If you are not married but hope to be, spend time praying to have God's heart for your husband and for a marriage that will stay sparkling and shiny long after you say "I do."
Reflections:
What is one thing that you can do today for your marriage? Don't do it because your husband "deserves" it. Do it because it honors God.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 21:9, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." (NIV)
I Peter 3:6, "Like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 21, 2009
Spiking a Temp
Karen Ehman
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Lawn chair? Check! Extra blanket? Check! Team roster? Check? Piping hot drink to ward of any chill? Check!
It was one of my favorite events of the year; opening day for my son's travel baseball team. On that early spring day, I'd gathered all the components for a picture perfect time and headed up to our town's ball fields. I unloaded my car and made my way to the sidelines. Now all I had to do was sit back and watch my son throw strikes and hit balls while I hollered and cheered for the red and black Redwings.
After about half an inning, I sensed something was missing. I ran through my checklist again in my mind. It was then that it hit me--my drink! I'd left it in the car. I waited for the third out and then quickly trekked back to the parking lot to get my drink and return so as not to miss any of the action.
When I got back to my lawn chair, I settled in and took a sip from my cup. Now, this wasn't just a cup of black coffee. Since it was opening day, I'd sprung for a treat. I'd ordered my current favorite: a tall, decaf, skinny, sugar-free mocha with a shot of sugar-free hazelnut, light whip, and no garnish. How I'd looked forward to sipping on that hot specialty latte! Only now it wasn't hot. It was lukewarm. And, it wasn't very appetizing. In fact, it tasted awful. When it was hot, it was delicious. Why, even when it was cold, served over ice during a sunny, scorching July baseball game, it was wonderfully refreshing. Now, in its subdued temperature, it was just plain awful.
Sometimes we are just like that ho-hum drink. We lack an extreme temperature. We are complacent, idle and ineffective. Today's verse tells us that God had the very same problem with the church in Laodicea. Because they were neither hot nor cold, but had turned a disappointing temperature of lukewarm, he was ready to be rid of them. While there are differing views of the interpretation of the temperatures hot and cold, Jesus words are simple and clear. "I wish you were either one or the other!" In biblical times cold water was good. It was refreshing. And hot water was good. It could be healing, as in a steaming hot bath. There was, however, little need for lukewarm.
May we see today's verse as a challenge. Knowing God has no need for lukewarm, may we seek to be those who offer refreshment and healing to a dying world. May our thoughts and actions not earn us the label of indifferent or ho-hum. After all, the God of the universe is on the sidelines watching us in the great game of life. May we please Him with our heart's desires and our deeds done only in order to glorify Him!
Dear Lord, teach me to be intentional in my spiritual life and not complacent. May my words, thoughts, deeds and actions please You and not be considered lukewarm. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
For more on this topic and to take the spiritual temperature test, visit Karen's blog
Application Steps:
What spiritual disciplines can help me avoid becoming lukewarm? Prayer? Scripture memory? Concentrated Bible study? A personal retreat to be alone with God?
Plan now to make time for some of these disciplines in your everyday life. See if a friend would like to journey with you in this venture.
Reflections:
When in my spiritual life have I felt I was really on fire for God? If that fire died down, what happened?
How do I feel when I am living a lukewarm life? How does it affect my attitudes and relationships?
Power Verses:
I Peter 4:11, "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 22, 2009
A Place of Thus Far
Wendy Pope
"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, 'Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'" 2 Samuel 7:18 (ESV)
Devotion:
Have you been in a place of "thus far?" A place where you find yourself in the constant misting of God's blessing and favor on your life. Not blessings and favor by the world's standards of materialism and wealth, but by the Lord's standard of provision, protection, providence, and peace that come from walking with the Lord on a daily basis.
You arrive at the place by faith, following the Lord's leading and trusting His ways, not your own. One day, as you meet with the Lord, like David, you sit and take summary of all the Lord has done for you. With compulsory praise and complete humility you say to the Lord, "Who am I that you have brought me thus far?"
Oh the places David had seen in his lifetime! From the grassy meadows, to the splendor of palace life, a drafty cave, back to the throne itself. Yes, King David had arrived at a place of "thus far" in his life. He had experienced every emotion that exists, from confidence to fear, love to hate, and sadness to joy. After all that King David had been through I can certainly understand why he needed to go sit before the LORD and ask, "Who am I?"
He was overwhelmed at the goodness of God and the faithfulness he had experienced. He had been through some of the toughest situations a person could go through, yet because He remained faithful God was allowing David to receive his just reward. I have to think the reward of kingship and royalty paled in comparison to knowing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Have you been there? Life has taken twists, turns, and changes at every bend, yet somehow for a season you have arrived at a place to receive abundant blessings from the Lord. You realize your place of thus pales in comparison to knowing and experiencing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
No matter what current circumstances you find yourself in, with our Living God there is always a place of "thus far" awaiting around the next bend. This is a place of celebration, praise, complete humility and gratitude before the Lord. I have discovered the hardships we go through are all worthwhile when we get to our place of "thus far." In compulsory praise, with a humbled heart, we can pour our blessings back out to the Lord in praise and cry, "Who I am Lord, that you have brought me thus far?"
Dear Lord, forgive me when I fail to sit and take summary of Your tremendous favor in my life. The misting of blessings and favor are far superior to anything this world can afford me. Help me to remember my place of "thus far" when Your plan for my life leads me to another season that may be risky and cause me to walk by faith and not by sight. I offer this praise of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Living Free in Christ-CD by Wendy Pope
i am not, but I know I am, by Louie Giglio
Visit Wendy's blog and resource page
Application Steps:
Find a place to sit quietly with the Lord. Take summary of His blessing and favor on your life. Write down all the Lord brings to mind. Read the list back to Him as a song of praise.
Reflections:
Is there anything in my life preventing me from entering the place of "thus far" the Lord has for me?
How can I use my time while in a place of "thus far" to be a blessing or encouragement to others?
Power Verses:
Psalm 52:9, "I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints." (NIV)
Psalm 63:4, "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
'
July 23, 2009
Temptation
Lysa TerKeurst
"The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of God is on his heart; his feet do not slip." Psalm 37:30-31 (NIV)
Devotion:
I think I've discovered one of the biggest tricks Satan plays on us girls to get us to give into temptation.
"It's not fair." It's not fair that others seem permitted to have this, do this, act this way.
It's not fair that God won't let us eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden... one little bite wouldn't be so bad, right?
It's not fair I can't buy that new thing I really want... just a little debt wouldn't be so bad, right?
It's not fair that I have this body that I have to watch everything I eat when that girl eats junk and stays a size 4... one piece of cheesecake wouldn't be so bad, right?
It's not fair that we can't have sex before we're married when we're so in love... experimenting one time wouldn't be so bad, right?
Our flesh buys right into Satan's lie that it's not fair for things to be withheld from us. So we bite into the forbidden fruit and allow Satan to write 'shame' across our heart. Once you taste the forbidden fruit, you will crave it worse than you craved it before, giving temptation more and more power. And given enough power, temptation will start to consume our thoughts, redirect our actions, and demand our worship. Temptation doesn't take kindly to be starved.
I don't know what tempts you today. But, I do personally know this vicious cycle and I'm here to give you hope it is possible to get past it. Just typing that sentence gives me chills. Just a couple of months ago, I wondered if that would ever be true for me.
I've been on a very strict eating plan since April. Part of this plan is no sugar. Which doesn't sound so bad until you realize sugar is in just about everything we enjoy eating. Breads, pasta, potatoes, rice and not to mention all things bakery-licious.
It has been challenging at times that's for sure. But while I was on vacation recently and watching others enjoys an abundance of treats, I started to have a little pity party and those words crept into my brain: "It's not fair." In that instant, I squirmed in my chair and thought, "I'll just take one little bite... maybe two... I've been so good... this is vacation... everyone else is indulging ... OH MY STARS WHAT ARE YOU DOING LYSA!"
In that moment of extreme temptation, I realized me having a pity party was a clue I was relying on my own strength... a strength that has failed me before and would fail me again. I had to grab hold of God's strength and the only way to do that was to invite His power into my situation. I mentally gave God control of the situation by reciting truths I'd been banking up in my heart. "I'm more than a conqueror." "Lead us not into temptation but DELIVER us from the evil one." "The law of God is in his heart; his feet do not slip."
Soon, it was time to get up from the dinner table and walk back to our room. And I've never felt so empowered in my life. Had I said yes that first night of our vacation, there would have been more compromises in future meals. Compromise built upon compromise equals failure. Instead, resisting temptation allowed promise upon promise to be built up in my heart, which equals Holy Spirit empowerment!
Like I said, I don't know what you might be struggling with today but I can assure you God is fair and just. There is a reason we must face this. The struggle may be painful in the moment but it is working out something magnificent within us. As James 1 promises, "This testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature, complete, not lacking anything."
Oh sweet sister, that is the cry of my soul. My taste buds lie as they make empty claims to satisfy me. Only persevering with God will make me truly full, complete, not lacking anything. Press on sister. Press on.
Dear Lord, help me to see my sacrifice in light of Your truth. The truth is, this sacrifice is a necessary part of me seeking You - the only true fulfillment and satisfaction of my body, mind and soul. Give me strength, Lord. Remind me to rely on Your truth and Your Spirit to empower me moment by moment. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for more Scriptures that will encourage you and empower you to find victory over whatever is tempting you. Lysa wants to hear your thoughts on this. Dialog with her today through her blog.
Be one of the first to receive Lysa's new book! Pre-order her newest release, Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Write some of the verses Lysa gives here and on her blog on 3x5 cards and carry them with you. Recite them over and over when you face your temptation, and persevere in resisting.
Reflections:
What does this statement mean to you personally: "Compromise built upon compromise equals failure. But promise built upon promise equals success."
Power Verses:
Psalm 73: 26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
James 1:15-16, "Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
.
July 24, 2009
What Did You Do With What I Gave You?
Luann Prater
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Devotion:
"How can I make sure she doesn't become self-absorbed as she grows up?" a young mother asked me as we munched warm chocolate-chip cookies.
Our culture struggles with the "I wants." When children receive "things without strings" they begin a life of self-centered discontentment. Adults, in an effort to find happiness, reach for whatever they don't have, thinking that thing must be what is missing. In the United States we often convince ourselves that our wants are really needs.
I had the privilege of joining my Proverbs 31 Ministries sisters on a trip to Ecuador to visit the Compassion International projects. We came face-to-face with real poverty, real needs and real happiness. Many moments will remain etched in my memory, but two stand out as a glaring disparity to life as we know it.
First, we visited a family with three children who live in a block home, tin roof, dirt floors and have only one bed. I asked the parents if they could have just one thing what would it be. They thought about it, discussed it, then said, "We have everything we need."
Wow! Are there many in the U.S. who would say that? Furthermore, I wonder if the response in this country would be, "Only one thing?" They have the love of their family and more importantly the love of a God who fills their desires.
Second, I met Jonathan, a college student from a family of eight who is a Compassion International sponsored child. He is studying to become a math teacher. When asked why he chose that path he said, "The boys in my village drop out of school when they become freshmen so they can work and help support the family. I want them to know that if they continue on and learn math it can open many more doors in their work life. I also know that one day I will stand before God and He will ask me, 'What did you do with what I gave you?' I want to help change the reality in my own world."
Wow! This young man has been given an opportunity for a different life and now he gives back.
So, back to my conversation with my friend as we were eating cookies. My answer to this young mother was, "Go on mission trips, help the needy, sponsor a child and serve others." When we serve, the focus shifts from self to selfless. It is only then that the resemblance of Christ can be seen in our reflection.
How will we answer the question, "What did you do with what I gave you?"
Dear Lord, we are so blessed and yet we often live with impoverished hearts. Fill us with the Spirit that encourages us to go, to serve and to bind up the brokenhearted. Empty us of self so Your reflection can shine to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford
Sponsor a child in need through Compassion International
Watch a brief story of our journey to Ecuador.
Visit with Luann on her blog and her radio show "Encouragement Café" website.
Application Steps:
Give up eating one meal out a month and prayerfully consider sponsoring a child in need through Compassion International.
Reflections:
What self-centered thing occupies my time?
How can I increase my efforts of serving others?
Who around me needs God's love to flow through me and onto them?
Power Verses:
Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (NIV)
Mark 12:30-31, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)
© 2009 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 27, 2009
Starting Fresh
T. Suzanne Eller
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Devotion:
It was a typical holiday scene. My mother hummed an off-key tune in the kitchen. My father lounged in his faded blue recliner, while my husband and brothers talked about the football game on TV. The younger children played cards, while the older kids talked about my daughter's recent acceptance into college.
As I viewed the scene, I stood still in my tracks. Wait! When did we become a "typical family"?
My past will never resemble a Hallmark card. My mother had her first baby at 15. She lost her footing as she tried to be a young mother and wife. She was physically and verbally abused by her young husband and fled at 20 to start over. Alone and pregnant--with me--mom met a good man and later they married. But the emotional baggage took its toll on that relationship, and later on our entire family. She often threatened suicide. She raged. She lashed out physically. She begged for forgiveness. If I let my guard down to love, the next day or the next week a new scene would unfold. My heart hardened at a tender age.
Flash forward 25 years. I am no longer a child. I'm a woman with young adult children of my own. God has healed my heart.
As I stood in the living room I realized that I still viewed my family through the past. I had let go of the resentment, the anger, and I loved my mother and father, but I still saw my extended family as broken. In far too many ways our relationship was founded on that perception.
I stepped back and took a good long look. Who was my mom now? How had she grown? Did I recognize what God had performed in her life?
The answer was no, and I was not alone in this thinking. My siblings also wrestled with this. No matter what my mother did, no matter how much she had overcome, she still had a scarlet letter branded on her. She was marked "B" for broken.
My family had been "normal" longer than dysfunctional. I realized it was time to step into the present and leave the past behind.
That day I fully transitioned from child to adult. I reflected on what God can do in spite of a broken past. I rejoiced in what had taken place in the heart of my mother and our family. It didn't just change me, but it changed my mother and our relationship. Somehow she knew we had crossed a new threshold. The burden of guilt was eased as she looked into my eyes and realized I saw her fully as the woman she had become.
Several holidays have passed since that day. My mother still hums off-key. I still bring desert. But when I look at my family, I don't just see a family gathering, I see a portrait of God's grace.
Dear Jesus, do I recognize the miracles You have done in my loved ones? Do I hold on to resentment even if that person has changed? Give me new eyes to see. Paint the picture fresh for me as I extend the mercy You so freely gave to me to one person in my life today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Youniquely Woman: Becoming Who God Designed You to Be by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes, and Donna Otto
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares what to do when a dysfunctional loved one hasn't changed. Make sure to check out her other resources here!
Application Steps:
Refocus: Take the spotlight off your childhood and put it on to the present.
Be Realistic: Even normal families have conflict. There is no such thing as a perfect family.
Relent: Do you rehash bad family memories or bring up the past to punish a loved one? Are you willing to begin a new conversation?
Receive: Amends may be awkward and not what you think they should be. True grace is receiving a gesture with the same spirit with which it is offered.
Reflections:
"If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." ~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Power Verses:
Matthew 9:13, "Then he added, 'Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'" (NLT)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
``
July 28, 2009
Women: Friend or Foe?
Rachel Olsen
"I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules." Psalm 119:63 (MSG)
Devotion:
Not long ago I would've told you that I don't much like women. I counted a few as friends, but the rest of the gender I dismissed categorically as too much trouble. Never a "tomboy" by any stretch of the imagination, I just found guys so much easier to deal with. They generally say what they mean, let you know where you stand, and never size you up to determine who has the better haircut.
I didn't want to distrust women, but the majority of females in my life at the time evoked that response. They were catty, competitive, and conniving. They gossiped, backstabbed and manipulated. I have to admit that I often responded in kind. Isn't it strange how addictive relational drama can be?
I'm told you can put a frog in a pot of cold water on the stove and gradually turn up the heat, and it will stay in the pot until it reaches a fatal boil without attempting escape. Evidently the frog doesn't realize how unhealthy the situation is slowly becoming. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that fable - I'd never boil a frog! - but I've been in a few friendships that were like that. I stayed way too long in the pot before I realized this isn't healthy for me, and I got burned.
So what lead me to flip-flop my position on having girlfriends? First, I decided to follow Christ. This sparked many beneficial changes in my mind and spirit. Where I had been cynical and guarded, God's love penetrated and softened my heart. I learned the meaning of Proverbs 18:24, "There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (RSV). Christ was now my forever friend who could be trusted completely.
I also made changes in my choice of girlfriends. With the help of the Holy Spirit and lessons on character from the book of Proverbs, I learned to recognize which people and relational patterns were unhealthy for me. I was ready to be rid of the drama! The Bible teaches, "He who walks with the wise grows wise" (Proverbs 13:20, NIV). I wanted to walk with wise women through life. Many of my current-at-the-time friendships ran their natural course and dissolved. A few transformed along with me. But a few I deliberately phased out because my own character wasn't strong enough yet to remain Christ-like in their company.
Meanwhile, I prayed for quality friendships with women of faith. God heard my prayers, just as the Bible promises He does. Fun-loving, God-loving, gracious women at my church sought me out and invited me out. And I made the choice to trust them and invest. I discovered how beneficial it is to surround yourself with women who inspire your walk with God.
Over time, God birthed in me a huge love and great compassion for women. I began seeing them through His eyes and not just the lens of my own hurtful past. I realized that not all women are like those I had known. I also learned to forgive and pray for those who've hurt me. Today I cherish my friendships with the women in my life.
What about you? How are your friendships? Do you find yourself entangled in an unhealthy relationship? Are you in emotional hiding after being burned? Maybe you've written off the entire gender because of the trouble you've seen. Take that to God and ask Him to heal and bring restoration to your heart. Ask Him to send godly, wise women into your life. Then muster up the courage to respond and befriend them.
Neither gender is categorically a foe -- but I count myself happy to be sipping tea, playing Dominos, doing Bible study, shopping and sharing my dreams with sisters of the fairer sex. Won't you join us?
Dear Lord, I want to have good friends, and to be a good friend. Help me to develop godly friendships, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
I'll bring the Chocolate: Satisfying a Woman's Craving for Friendship and Faith by Karen Porter
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance V. Sisk
Connect with Rachel today at her blog.
Application Steps:
Study the book of Proverbs in the Bible and learn the traits of trustworthy character so you can develop them yourself and recognize them in others.
Is there someone you can befriend? Striking up a friendship can be a great way to introduce a gal to Christ.
Reflections:
What is the current state of your friendships -- are they nurturing? Godly?
Are you open to making new friends? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
James 2:23, "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend." (NIV)
Proverbs 22:11, "If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend." (GNT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
July 29, 2009
Nowhere to Hide
Tracie Miles
"God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart."
Psalm 44:21 (NLT)
Devotion:
Recently my friend Amy was telling me that when her daughter Caroline was three years old, she believed that if she closed her eyes tightly, nobody could see her. This especially came in handy when she wanted to hide. For example, when she had to eat her peas at dinner. Since she did not like peas, she would sit very quietly at the table and squeeze her eyes tightly shut, assuming since she could no longer see her parents, they couldn't see her and therefore didn't know that she wasn't eating her peas!
She tried to hide behind her eyelids, unaware that it was a completely futile effort!
While chuckling over this story, I thought about how we are often times so much like little Caroline. We think that we can keep our sins a secret, but the truth is, God sees all, and knows all.
There are certain sins in our lives that we may feel are justified and therefore we are not worried about who "sees" them - such as gossip, anger, revenge, jealousy, slander, envy, impatience. We know in our hearts those are not behaviors that please God, but they don't seem to be the "big sins," so we continue doing them.
On the other hand, there may be truly secret sins that we don't want anyone to know about. Sins that if made public, could result in serious negative consequences, broken relationships, personal problems, or embarrassment. The only difference between secret sins and public sins is that they result in even more sinning as lies and deception take place to cover them up, giving Satan an even deeper stronghold on our hearts.
Regardless of whether we view our sins as big or small, public or secret - sin is sin, and God sees. Although we may be able to keep secrets from others, we cannot keep secrets from God. He is omnipotent, meaning "all knowing," and there is nowhere to hide from God.
This acceptance that God knows everything can make us feel weak in the knees. Understanding that He sees all of our sinful thoughts and behaviors can even make us feel broken, worthless, ashamed and hopeless; however, that is not God's desire, but instead, the enemy's ultimate goal.
Satan wants us to feel broken and worthless because of our sin; God wants us to feel convicted to change. Satan wants us to feel ashamed; God wants us to feel redeemed. Satan wants us to feel hopeless; God wants us to see the grace and mercy that He offers. In fact, although God despises our sin, He takes great joy when we recognize our sin, and seek His cleansing forgiveness. He is pleased when we ask for His supernatural power to enter our hearts and help us overcome those private and public sins in our lives. He is proud of us when He sees that we tremble at His Word, and recognize our need for His omnipotence.
Yes we are sinners, but God loves us unconditionally, and His forgiveness is infinite and always available.
Trying to hide our sins from God is as futile of an effort as Caroline trying to hide behind closed eyelids. God desires that we open our eyes and see our sin through His eyes, repent in prayer, and thirst for healing forgiveness that only He can provide.
Dear Lord, I praise you for loving me despite my sin, and for forgiving me time and time again. Thank You for dying on the cross so that I could have eternal life, even when I don't deserve it. Please fill me with hope and strength to overcome, and continue to bless me with Your grace and mercy. Help me to have a heart that longs to think and behave in ways that please You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Reinventing Your Rainbow, by Tracie Miles
Visit Tracie's blog and resource page.
Application Steps:
Have a heart to heart conversation with God today.
Reflections:
If I were to consider what God sees me doing and thinking, would He be pleased with me?
Are there any sins that I have yet to confess to God, that are keeping me from being who God wants me to be?
Power Verses:
Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Jeremiah 23:24, "'Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the LORD. 'Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the LORD." (NIV)
Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
``
July 30, 2009
Learning the Hard Way
Whitney Capps
"A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke." Proverbs 13:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
As of January, I am now the mother of three boys under four years of age. Our house is full of testosterone and a loud, unbridled enthusiasm for life. This is most true of our middle son Dylan. He is wild and rambunctious - a boy through and through.
If you were to watch him enter a room, you would notice that he makes a mental list of every structure that he can scale, leap off of or turn over. He is as creative as he is fearless. It's a dangerous combination.
To make matters worse, he has an extremely high tolerance for pain. My husband Chad and I are regularly amazed at the bumps, scrapes and knots that do not elicit tears or pleas for comfort. He is remarkably tough. Or stubborn. I am not sure which.
Unfortunately, he has gotten more brazen in his attempts of late. He has noticed that I spend most of my day incapacitated with a nursing child in my arms as my primary responsibility. This has greatly slowed or halted my efforts to keep Dylan from his version of "extreme sports." If the mere warning from my voice was enough to stop my little acrobat, he'd be fine. However, my two-year old doesn't always listen the first time I say, "No."
So I have resigned myself to the fact that he is going to learn a few lessons the hard way. He is going to fall. He might even get hurt. I can't always be there to physically remove him from every obstacle he scales. I can't prevent every painful consequence of doing precisely what he chooses.
While I was praying for him the other night I asked God to make him more sensitive to my voice and to protect him when he ignores me and falls. I prayed for a gracious and forgiving attitude when he does need my comfort. In the quiet of my bedroom the Creator whispered, "I'm pretty good at that; that's how I often parent you."
I knew in an instant what God meant. I regularly dive head-first into a situation analyzing how I'll attack it. It's not long after God has chastened my heart that I move onto the next dangerous display of independence. If I would simply listen to His voice, I'd be fine. He has desired on many occasions to protect me from painful consequences, to protect me from myself. Instead I chose to learn the lessons the hard way. I wish I could say it only happened once or twice, but like my two year-old, I am remarkably tough, or stubborn. Neither is a good characteristic for a child.
I finished my prayer that night asking my Heavenly Father to forgive my toddler-like ways. I am trying to listen more carefully to His voice. I want to respond immediately. I am sure to encounter fewer bumps and bruises along the way. More importantly, I am sure to enjoy the smile and warm embrace of my all-gracious Father.
Dear Lord, thank You that You are patient and kind with me in my follies. Help me heed Your warnings the first time. It is good to rest assured that You guard me, smiling on Your daughter as You watch my steps. Thank You that You discipline me because of Your great love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Messy Faith: Daring to Live By Grace by A.J. Gregory
Real Moms...Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands by Jill Savage
God's Purpose for Every Woman -- A P31 Devotional, Written by various P31 authors. General Editors Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
Visit with Whitney on her blog today.
Application Steps:
Look for ways to extend grace to others who are suffering the consequences of their own poor choices.
Reflections:
What painful circumstances have you endured because you didn't heed the Father's voice?
In what ways are you testing the Father?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 8:5, "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you." (NIV)
Hebrews 12:5-6, "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.'" (NIV)
Numbers 6:24-25, "God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you..." (MSG)
© 2009 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
``
July 31, 2009
The Bohemian Skirt
Susanne Scheppmann
"Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin." Psalm 19:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
I knew the world was seeing a flash of white thighs and cellulite. Somehow in the gust of a whirlwind, my long gypsy-like skirt flew straight up and over my head. I tried to bat in down, but it stood stubbornly straight up like a corn stalk. It seemed the garment had a mind of its own. The more I struggled to keep it down, the higher it flew. (At least my face was covered and no one would know who owned those stocky dimpled legs.)
The skirt was my favorite attire. I adored the fabric. The colors displayed were bright and varied. Dark rusts, velvet black, and fireman red circled around the turquoise satin. Golden metallic threads highlighted the colors like trees on an autumn day. The skirt's bohemian qualities tickled my eccentric personality. That is until the day of the whirlwind, because the skirt continued to behave badly.
Later the same day, I was attempting to go through security at McCarran International Airport. For some reason, I set off the metal detector--twice. The security personnel sent me to the "wand and pat down area." The wand floated across the lower part of my body. Beep, beep, and beep--it warned. I was completely flummoxed. Why was I setting off these metal detectors?
After much wand waving, hand patting, and scrutinizing it was determined that the metal threads in my skirt were the cause of the security breach. What? My unruly skirt seemed intent on deliberately ruining my day. The security guards suggested I not wear the flagrant fabric again to the airport. I agreed whole-heartedly.
These two episodes caused me to reflect about sin--especially deliberate sin. There are certain sins that I don't want to give up because I like them. They are comfortable. They might even appear "cute" to my friends. However, as a follower of Christ, I must not allow sin to control me--even when others approve.
Sin doesn't fit a follower of Christ. We have to put on love, put on righteousness, and put on grace.
Later in the evening, I made the decision to part with my beloved bohemian skirt. I did not want a repeat of the airport episode. I also chose to part with one of my deliberate sins--laughing at others when they are caught off guard in a ridiculous situation like I was in. Yes, I used to laugh at others and think to myself, "So, how did that work out for you?"
Not now! Because I flashed the world with my thunder thighs and set off the airport alarms all because of one strong-willed, metallic-thread skirt, I don't snicker anymore. I quickly pray, "Mercy, Lord. Help her!"
Dear Lord, set off an alarm in my head when I contemplate committing a deliberate sin. I ask for the Holy Spirit to strengthen me in my resolve. Keep me free of sin and guilt. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Perplexing Proverbs for Women Bible study by Susanne Scheppmann
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Visit Susanne's blog as well as her resource page
Application Steps:
Take a spiritual inventory of known sins in your life. Ask a friend to hold you accountable for ridding yourself of particular sins that have a hold on you. Decide today that you will not allow sin to control you any longer.
Reflections:
Do I have a favorite sin in my life?
Why does it have a foothold in my life? What benefit does it seem bring?
How can I eliminate it?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:133, "Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me." (AMP) (emphasis added)
Psalm 18:32, "Is not this the God who armed me, then aimed me in the right direction?" (MSG)
Romans 6:11-12, "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 3, 2009
What if No One Knew?
Glynnis Whitwer
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:35 (NIV)
Devotion:
This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to chaperone my son's high school trip to Europe. Although my purpose in going was to invest in my son and be with him before time forever changes our life together, God had a few lessons tucked in surprising places for me.
One such place was Germany. In our short time there, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall by painting a section of wall that will be ceremoniously knocked down in November. We were thrilled to help remember the freedom of so many.
In spite of all the freedom enjoyed in the last 20 years by Berliners, our tour guide told us that Germany school children are not allowed to wear or bring to school any "religious" symbols. For Christians, that means no jewelry, clothing or books that would reveal their faith.
Upon returning home, I tried to confirm his statement. Although I couldn't, it challenged me to think how I would share my faith if I couldn't tell anyone through words or symbols. My thoughts immediately turned to all the followers of Jesus throughout the ages who couldn't share their faith openly. Although we might believe we need political freedom to share our faith, history shows us we don't.
In many instances, Christianity thrives under persecution because God's freedom shines even brighter in comparison. Believers don't need symbols to share their faith, they do so with their lives. Imagine living or working in a place where you couldn't say the name of Jesus out loud? How would people know?
As I read the New Testament, I see pictures of Christians who lived in such a way that their lives drew people to them and reflected the loving God they served. Here are just a few of the ways early Christians shared their faith without words:
· Going where others would not go.
· Giving generously to those in need.
· Taking care of each other.
· Forgiving great wrongs done to them.
· Showing hospitality to strangers.
This is just a short list of the many ways Christians "witnessed" to others. The Bible is full of examples of how God-followers told the story of their faith without using symbols or words. World history tells the same story. And I know there are believers in the world today facing life-threatening persecution.
It's prompted me to really consider what "rights" I need in order to spread the Good News of our Savior. Do I really need a government that guarantees my religious freedom? I like that, and want that, but is it needed? Based on the stories of the heroes of our faith - yesterday and today - maybe what I really need is a life that tells about my God louder than any words.
Whether or not you live in a country that affords religious freedom, what are you doing to share your faith with others?
Dear Lord, today I pray for my brothers and sisters who are living under persecution for their faith today. Lord, be their peace, hope and freedom. Please help me to live a life that reflects who You really are. I long for others to know You and love You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me in all things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog and resource page
Application Steps:
Take some time today to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution today. If God prompts you to do more, please visit Voice of the Martyrs website for some options on how you can help.
Reflections:
How would others know you are a Christian if you couldn't say a word?
Are there areas of your life that need to change in order to live more like the believers in the New Testament?
Identify some of those areas.
Power Verses:
2 Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted ..." (NASB)
Psalm 34:19, "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all ..." (NIV)
Acts 4:34-35, "There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 4, 2009
I Choose NOT to be Offended
Wendy Blight
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
What did she mean by that?
Why does she always hurt my feelings?
Why does she treat me that way?
Do any of these phrases sound familiar to you? It took my 15-year old daughter to show me that these words played through my head on a continual basis. She ended many of our conversations over the last few years with, "Why do you get your feelings hurt so easily?" or "Gosh, Mom, we are always hurting your feelings." Or, "Mom, you're so sensitive." At first, her words angered me.
Over time, I finally began to hear what she was saying. God used my daughter to teach a powerful truth to me. For years, I allowed people's words to hurt my feelings. In turn, I harbored anger for those words. The anger took root. Satan fed the words to me over and over again. I replayed them in my mind. Each time I replayed them, the anger grew deeper roots.
I would find myself sitting in church listening to a sermon and saying, "I wish ______ was here. They really need to hear this sermon." I never heard the sermons for myself because the words of others consumed by thoughts and stole my time.
About this time, God called me to teach a Bible study on the book of Proverbs. I spent days and weeks absorbed in this amazing book of Wisdom. One afternoon, God brought this verse across my path, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 18:11). Wow! It leapt off the page and into my heart.
I had a choice here. Up until now, I received people's words, jumped to a conclusion, and chose to be offended. God's Word spoke and said, "Wendy, you have another choice...choose to look past their words and not receive them with an offended heart." I discovered that I needed to LISTEN objectively and ask: What is driving their words? Do they have a valid point? Do they have a deep hurt? Do they need something I am not giving? Are they someone who is just plain mean and negative?
The responsibility was on me to stop the words from entering my heart and taking root.
I discovered in this process that I NEEDED the approval of others. Yet, God's Word clearly says that He is the only One whose approval I need. When I accepted this, my heart changed.
Yes, it took time, and I am a work in progress. But, now when someone speaks a hurtful word, I check it at the door of my heart. I hear the words, I recognize my issue, and I speak Truth over my heart. I literally say, "It is to my glory to not receive this as an offense." God is pleased because I honor Him with this choice. It is a win-win for everyone because I do not ruin the rest of the day by pouting and making it all about me. I do not soak in self-pity. I let the words go.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am created in Your image. Thank You that in You I find my identity. Thank You that it is only Your Words and Your opinion that matters. Lord, give me Your ears to hear. Help me not to be easily offended and easily angered. Help me lay down any offenses to which I am currently holding. Let me live in the freedom of Your love and forgiveness. Help me live not in my flesh, but supernaturally in the fullness and freshness of Your Spirit. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, My Lord, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue plus workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
Visit Wendy's blog Living Truth
Application Steps:
Over the next week, listen to your conversations. I encourage you to journal what you hear and what you learn.
After a week, ask yourself if God has God placed people in your life as He did in mine to point out a spiritual Truth. With a humble and contrite heart, invite God to help you be free from being easily offended and angered by the words of others.
Reflections:
Read 1 John 1:8-10 and meditate and reflect on its meaning in relation to what you have learned through this devotion.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4: 26-27, "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 5, 2009
Genuine Faith
Micca Monda Campbell
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:5 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Today if you were to ask someone what a genuine Christian is, you might hear something like this: "They are someone who is at church every time the doors open. They serve on committees, teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, feed the hungry and pray for the needy. They never get discouraged, never doubt, but have little time for fun. They're too busy working for the Lord."
I think Satan has deceived us with the illusion that a busy Christian is a genuine Christian. It's just not true.
Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying these are not good things to do, but I fear we've turned our walk with God into a frenzied pace by adding to our faith a lot of extra baggage that we don't need. We need to get back to real, genuine faith.
The trouble is we are no different than the Galatians. They started with faith, but then added works as well. In Galatians 3:3, Paul asks the people this question: "Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?" (NLT)
Good question. I can't tell you how long I lived doing that same thing. I tried to live for God by my own efforts instead of allowing Him to live in and through me by faith.
Genuine faith is not about doing. It's about believing God. It's a relationship between us and God that begins by faith, is lived by faith, and ends in faith. It's that simple. Everything else - such as good works - flows from the source of this relationship.
However, some Christians fall into the trap of organized religion instead of practicing simple, genuine faith. This kind of oppression is growing in our world today because nothing is simple anymore, especially our faith. We do a lot of extra stuff for all the wrong reasons, such as impressing others or trying to win God's approval. It's not that we shouldn't do good deeds, but we need to ask ourselves, "Why am I doing what I'm doing, and who am I doing it for?" We just might surprise ourselves with the answer.
Life is heavy enough with the responsibilities God has given us. I'm finding that women today are burned out from trying to do it all and then feeling guilty because they can't. I know. I was a lot like the The Little Engine That Could. Do you remember that children's story? At some point in my life, I adopted the engine's motto as my life's purpose. "I think I can, I think I can..." Whenever someone asked me to do something - especially at church - I quickly responded, "I think I can!" Only to discover, I can't do it all.
I had the same problem that plagued the Galatians. I was practicing religion instead of relationship.
Genuine faith is not a long list of performances we do to impress others. It's about maintaining our relationship with God. This is the secret to the Christian life.
Perhaps you've been trying to do all the work yourself. If you and I will daily stay connected to our source, then the natural outcome will be a simple life of genuine faith.
Dear Lord, I humbly lay all my works, efforts, and life before You today. I long to pursue You. Draw me closer to You, Lord. Teach me to live by simple, genuine faith in You alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
Piecing It All Together CD by Micca Campbell
Pre-Order your copy of Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl
by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Micca's blog for step by steps instructions on how to maintain your relationship with God. Make sure to check out her other resources here!
Application Steps:
Cultivate your relationship with God through daily prayer; join a Bible Study; fellowship with other believers; walk in obedience to God's Word. Finally, trust God to produce in you the fruit of His character found in Galatians 5:22.
Reflections:
Ask yourself, "Why am I doing what I'm doing and who am I doing it for?"
Are you trying to win God's approval or impress others with your works?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 1:19, "Holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." (NIV)
Jeremiah 17:7, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." (NIV)
2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 6, 2009
Still a Pretty Good Day
Lysa TerKeurst
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
Several months back, my daughter Ashley had a gymnastics meet that didn't go so well. She fell on almost every event. She scored well below her expectations and I thought there would be lots of tears at the awards ceremony. But, much to my surprise, she bounced up to me and exclaimed, "Mom, did you see I landed my vault on my feet. That's a good thing about today."
She then flitted off with her teammates to get ice cream. One of the other moms grabbed my arm and complimented Ashley's good attitude. Though I did feel sad for Ashley - after all she had worked so hard to prepare for this meet, my heart still swelled with joy. That compliment meant more than seeing my daughter with a neck full of gold medals. Do I want Ashley to win? Yes, of course. But seeing a good attitude displayed in the face of adversity - well that's simply priceless.
Ashley's outlook challenged me. How many times do I have something bad happen in my day and it just seems to turn my whole attitude south? Instead of just resigning myself to being emotional or sensitive, I've decided to see this as a call to action. I've started making the choice to say a simple statement that often diverts a bad attitude. And the statement is this, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
Boy does this statement put things into perspective. I guess it's an everyday way to do a little heart check up. The Bible tells us that we should intentionally make our minds think of things that are good, true, excellent, and praiseworthy. The more I think about things like these, the more my perspective seems to stay in check. In Colossians 3:15 we are instructed to, "Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts... and be thankful." Verse 16 goes on to say that we should also, "Let the word of God dwell in us richly..." Finally, verse 17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."
Letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and letting the Word of God dwell in us richly doesn't just happen naturally. We have to intentionally make those choices. And we have to challenge ourselves to deal with the bad while focusing on all the good that is there as well.
So, what aggravation or disappointment are you facing today? If that's the worst thing that happens - I bet you could say it's still a pretty good day too.
Dear Lord, help me to put daily aggravations into proper perspective. Give me the wisdom to choose to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. And give me a hunger to get into Your word and let Your word get into me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
*Be one of the first to receive Lysa's new book! Pre-order her newest release: Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl.
Visit Lysa on her blog and click here for more of her resources.
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Click over to Lysa's blog to post a comment about how you will choose to see the good rather than focus on the bad in your day today. Each time something aggravates you, make the choice to say, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
Reflections:
Are there some areas that are consistently tripping up your attitude? Find some verses that you can memorize to help redirect your outlook when negativity starts to creep into your heart. Intentionally recall things you are thankful for and focus on praising God for those circumstances.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all..." (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15-17, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 7, 2009
Learning to Give
Curt and Marybeth Whalen
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
Marybeth and I are going to admit something that you don't usually hear in Christian circles. For most of our marriage, we haven't tithed regularly. Even though we both grew up in church, heard all the sermons about tithing, and knew what the Bible had to say about money. We had all the head knowledge any one person would need.
We just never participated.
When we decided to become debt free, part of our process was to recognize our need to surrender. We surrendered our mistakes, our marriage, and our money to God. We humbled ourselves, confessed our pride, and asked Him for help. Surrendering control of our money was a hard but important step to take, and we knew that regularly giving an offering to God was part of the equation.
During this time, Marybeth and I finally admitted out loud what we had always been convicted of in our hearts. When it came down to it, we didn't trust that our Heavenly Father was really going to take care of us. Giving, we've learned, is an expression of love and worship, but our fear outweighed our love.
Even so, we were determined to start. It wasn't easy. We argued with God about giving Him money that He didn't really need when we could have used that money to pay off our creditors. Little by little, we began giving to our church. At the time, it wasn't a full 10% of my paycheck, but it was something, and we began to develop the habit of giving on a regular basis. We began to understand that giving God 10% of our income, or tithing, has nothing to do with whether we need the money to pay bills, whether it's an old covenant command that Jesus changed (as some suggest), something we do out of guilt, or something that will bring us unlimited financial blessings.
It's much simpler then any of those things.
Giving God our tithe is an expression of love. We give God the first of what shows up in our checking account to acknowledge that He loved us first. We worship Him with our gift because God gave us the ultimate gift: His life, dying a brutal death on a cross to save us from the horrors and consequences of sin. We, like God who sacrificed His Son, give to demonstrate love.
When we began consistently giving it was hard, painful, and even scary to develop the habit. But year after year, month after month, we stayed committed. And now, I can tell you that nothing is more meaningful to us than to write God that tithe check.
My encouragement to you if you don't currently give is to simply begin. Don't be overwhelmed with what you don't do, should do, or have to do. Just start small. Take something to church this Sunday and experience the joy of worshiping God with your money. Challenge yourself to be consistent and to increase what you give. Ask God for help and share the joy of giving with your children. Pray over your gift before you leave for church, sharing with your kids your "thanks" for the many blessings that God has filled your life with -- the roof over your head, the clothes on your back, the food on your table, and His love in your hearts.
Dear Lord, I pray that You would transform me into someone who demonstrates love with the gift of my money, my time, and my talents. Please teach me what it means to be a cheerful giver. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Learning to Live Financially Free Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Visit the Whalens' financial blog and click here for more resources by the Whalens
Application Steps:
Determine to give this Sunday at church or write a check to an organization you have been blessed by. Don't get hung up on the amount. Just give in response to what God has given to you. Then build from there. Pray that God would unleash a spirit of giving within your family.
Reflections:
Do you trust God to provide for you and your family, even when you give money that you feel you should keep "just in case"? How has this viewpoint affected your ability to give with joy in the past? How can you begin to give out of joy instead of guilt and obligation?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 8:7, "But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (NIV)
©2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 10, 2009
One Good Reason
Lisa Whittle, She Seeks Coordinator
"Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live,
not the way you talk, that counts." James 3:13 (MSG)
Devotion: `
It all started with a girl named Debbie.
Debbie was about 18 when she attended my family's local Baptist church. I was 8 and entering an awkward stage. She was brunette and beautiful. All the boys wanted to date her, and all the girls wanted to be her. I just wanted her hair.
Debbie successfully got her hair to form glorious, sweeping cowlicks in the front, with perfection matched only by 70's singers on album covers. I admired it from afar, coveting its style. I bugged my mom so bad about wanting it, she finally decided to pick up the phone and ask Debbie how she did it. Seems a little Aqua Net and the blast of a hairdryer did the trick. At least for Debbie.
You may be interested to know that I never did achieve the style of my hair-icon Debbie. Apparently Debbie did not have fine hair such as mine. But boy did she give me a good reason to spray, tease and blow-dry my little heart out trying. She wore her hair so beautifully that I believed I would look just as beautiful if I had her style.
This silly childhood example reminds me of the very real influence we have on each other. Even as adults we see another woman's fashion style and we try to copy it. We watch another woman's success, and we try to match it. We want what others have...try to be what others are...and believe that we will be more and live better if we can only become like someone else.
The truth is, even though I want to be a trendsetter, an individualist, a unique woman with a mind of my own, I have to admit I am just as impressionable as the next person. Let's face it, no matter our age, we influence and are influenced by each other.
As ironic as this may sound, the thought of how impressionable we are gives me great hope as to how we can help other women find Jesus. I Corinthians 11:1 talks about the type of influence we can have on one another -- a way of living that comes from within and attracts those around us to want what we have. "Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ," speaks directly to this type of Godly influence.
It's about wearing Christ with the authentic beauty of a heart that's been changed, giving other women a reason to want what we have. To look like we look. To live like we live. To be what we are. Make no mistake, our hurting girlfriends are looking for one good reason to change their lives. The reality is that our lives may be the only reason they find to seek out something different than what they have known. It's a beautiful, important responsibility.
May we always remember that our mission in life is not one of perfect hair or worldly achievement, but of living and breathing the message of Jesus Christ by our words, our actions, and most importantly, our life. May we embrace the privilege of imitating Christ, so that our girlfriends and others we have influence over will see something in us that they want desperately to have. May we wear Him well so His beauty is fully and completely represented. For the influence we have through Him will last much longer than a fashion fad...a social trend...or even, a coveted hairstyle like Debbie's.
Let's have what they want, and show them how to get it.
Jesus, You are the reason to love, to live and to breathe. You alone make the journey possible. May we remember that we represent You always, and help us understand how to do that in such a way that it will lead others to a saving relationship with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit our new She Seeks site, P31's exciting new ministry for women 18-29!
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
Becoming a Woman of Influence Message on CD by Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Remember - why your life with Jesus is better than your life was without Him.
Pray - for a passion to represent Christ and draw others to Him.
Live - authentically, genuinely, and purposefully.
Reflections:
How often do you think about how you represent Christ in daily living?
Do you care enough about the hurts and needs of others to offer them a solution through a relationship with Jesus Christ?
Is something hindering your ability to be the influence for Christ you want and need to be? If so, why and how can you change that?
Power Verse:
Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your good deed shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT)
© 2009 by Lisa Whittle . All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 11, 2009
Choosing God's Plans
Tracie Miles
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
Several years ago, I was sitting in a management meeting, when my manager suggested we kick off the meeting by allowing each person the opportunity to say what they felt was their most important contribution to the company.
One by one, each person spoke, stating things like, "to decrease overall expenses"; "to lower headcount"; etc. When my turn came, my heart fluttered, and I felt compelled to share that I felt my primary purpose was to counsel employees, encourage them, and help them work through personal or work related issues. You could have heard a pin drop in that room, as everyone stared at me with blank faces.
You see, the months leading up to this meeting, there had been a lot of issues going on in the company. There were office politics, power struggles, lofty egos, and people had been hurt.
As a result of my position, people would often come to me for guidance. God had been leading unexpected people into my office for weeks and opened the door for me to minister to believers and non-believers with the love of Christ. He'd also given me the desire and courage to be a light for Him, in an environment that didn't operate under Christian principles. He had ordained opportunities for me to share how Jesus gives true peace and acceptance, even when people and politics cause pain and disappointment.
My supervisor was not a believer, so he didn't appreciate my answer to his question. He wanted to hear how I was going to streamline procedures and improve his department, not what was on my heart, and as a result, our relationship went downhill from there.
A year or so later, I resigned from that position. The atmosphere had simply become too difficult, but more importantly, I knew God had been nudging me to make a change. I felt called to serve in ministry and to be a stay at home mom. All that time, I had been walking in disobedience.
When I resigned, it felt like a sacrifice. However, I quickly discovered that God's plan was so much better than mine. I realized that I had been unable to understand His plan, until I was willing to lay aside my own, and that I had to choose Him, before He could show me His will for my life. Had I simply said what I knew my boss wanted to hear in that meeting, I might still be working there, climbing the corporate ladder, and striving to reach my career goals.
But God had been working on my heart for years, preparing me for that moment. He had gradually shifted my desires to building His kingdom, more so than building my resume. He had inspired me to see the hearts of the people in my office, not just the problems in the people. And He had helped me to see that lasting success and happiness could be found in Him alone, not through my own accomplishments.
Was making that change easy? Or course not. Did I have to make difficult sacrifices? Most definitely. But was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
Regardless of where you work, you can make a spiritual difference in people's lives. Whether you work in corporate offices or a Christian ministry, when facing a difficult choice, you can trust that God has prepared and equipped you for such a time as this.
Pray for strength to stand up for God's truth, even against all odds, and ask Him to lead you in your decisions.
Choosing Christ's plans, over our own plans, will always result in more peace or blessing than we could never imagine.
Dear Lord, it is not always easy to stand up for you in the face of opposition, or to make choices that seem outside of our understanding. I seek your guidance, and your divine wisdom and discernment regarding the decisions in my life. I do desire to do your will. Thank you for never leaving me. Please help me to be strong in You, and for you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie Miles' blog
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
What Happens When Woman Walk in Faith, by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Consider a hard decision that God has been calling you to make, and pray for His wisdom.
Write down the steps you can take to begin working towards a goal that God has placed in your heart.
Reflections:
Is God calling me to make a change or a decision that requires sacrifice?
Do I trust that God ordains all things?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (NIV)
© 2008 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 12, 2009
I Picked Up a Runaway
Holly Good, She Speaks! Graduate
"My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place." Jeremiah 50:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I picked up a young runaway a few months ago.
She was dirty, wore baggy sweat pants and a yellow sweatshirt, and had muddy feet. I was stopped at an intersection when she sauntered across the street right in front of my car.
I continued on when the light turned green.
But I could not get those bare feet out of my mind. Those muddy, bare feet.
Why was this young girl walking across a busy intersection with no shoes on in the middle of a school day? About a mile down the road I felt the Lord encouraging me to turn around and go find that girl with the bare feet.
It was a gentle, but direct nudge I could not refuse.
I found her several minutes later outside a convenience store with a cup of water in her hand. I pulled up, rolled down my window and said, "Hey, what's going on with you?"
With little emotion she replied, "Oh nothing."
"Well...what are you doing? Can I take you home?" I offered.
"You can take me to my friend's house," she answered.
"I'd rather take you home," I said. "Where do you live?"
"Well, I'm running away from home, so you can't take me there," she said.
"Oh. Well, I would like to. Where do you live?" I asked again.
She eventually complied and trustingly got in my car. (And, oh how my heart was pounding!)
My new friend Sarah was only in 8th grade, skipping school and leaving home because she got into an argument about friends with her parents. She had been gone for two days. The previous night she had slept outside.
I prayed for just the right words to come from my mouth with my fragile but captive audience of one, on that short 18-minute ride to her house.
As I dropped Sarah off at her home, I prayed that the Lord would take over from there. I drove off and felt a peace in what He had led me to do that day.
It just so happened that a minor traffic accident had occurred around the corner as I was leaving. So I pulled over and told one of the officer's about Sarah, hoping they could also help her in some way.
Find her. Stop her. Detain her. Guide her. Protect her. Save her.
As I pray for my runaway friend each day, I realize that she is not much different from you and me. From a place we have journeyed or perhaps a place we are in right now.
Most of us have found ourselves running away at some point in our lives. Running from someone or something. Looking to escape.
Running, yet desperately hoping to be found.
She is lonely. She is angry. She feels betrayed. She feels misunderstood. She feels unloved. She is searching. She is confused. She is bitter. She wants to rest.
Oh my friend, I pray that you will have eyes to see, ears to hear and a place to finally find rest. For you are loved.
You are loved indeed.
Seek Him right now.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me today and every day. I am grateful that You bigger than all of my problems. Give me the courage and the wisdom to seek You today, regardless of my circumstances. I want to be found by You Lord. And give me a heart to be able to see and help others near me in need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog today to hear more from Holly.
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Application Steps:
Please read Luke 15:11-32. Focus on the father's actions and reactions and journal your thoughts. What does this story teach you about God's love for you?
Pray that you will have eyes to see that God's love is constant, patient and welcoming.
Reflections:
Am I running from something today? Spiritually, physically or emotionally?
How can I seek Him more today?
Read Psalm 71:20-21. Record these verses on a 3x5 card. Do you know someone you could give these verses to as an encouragement?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:14, "'I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity...'" (NIV)
Luke 15:32, "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and his found." (NIV)
Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (NIV)
© 2009 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 13, 2009
Distorted Vision
By T. Suzanne Eller
"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
My husband went back to school three years ago. It's been an adventure! We sold our home to lessen our debt load. We moved to a new city, buying a smaller home closer to the university. I worked full-time as a freelance writer the first two years while he attended school full time. Our budget was minimized to the essentials, like food and shelter and tuition! There were many times I was reminded of what we could or could not have, like when I was shopping with a friend who dropped cold hard cash on a purse or shoes, or was invited to join friends at a special restaurant. The money for those things was not in the budget--or the bank!
Have you ever wished for something you couldn't have? We all have at one time or another, but what happens when it's something you really can't have. Like being model tall instead of average height, or a different nose or longer legs, or the pounds to be distributed differently (a little more in the bust and little less in the stomach, please!). Maybe it's not your body, but your house, your wardrobe, or the car you drive. If only you had ten times more money, then you'd have all you want!
What's wrong with wishing for what you can't have?
It can distort your vision as you become fixated on what you don't have, and fail to see what you do have. It can get scary and mess with your health or your relationships as you pursue quick fixes. At some point it can even become an obsession.
Right now Richard and I can't jet to Hawaii (or even New Jersey), but watching my husband walk across the stage to receive his degree was priceless. Out of the view of the public he did a dance and his joy was contagious. The sacrifices haven't ended for us. He's started over in his career at an age most are settling into success. He's pursuing his Master's degree at night. We continue to pay tuition and live on a tight budget. And yet I feel rich with contentment.
How do you avoid distorted vision? The first step is to change your focus. You may not be model tall, but are you healthy? Do you have a circle of friends, or a caring church? Did your child wrap her arms around your neck this morning? Has a friend walked with you through a difficult time? Has the presence of God wrapped around you in your quiet time?
The next step is to focus on others. Something happens when you take the time and energy and thought life previously devoted to your thighs or that beautiful house on the other side of town. You begin to see the needs of others. You find joy in generosity to others. You become others-centered.
Contentment becomes like a new set of contacts or binoculars. Our world expands as we see beyond ourselves and invite God into the picture. It becomes a spiritual act of grace, a work of God in our hearts as we give it all to Him.
Dear Father, Today I will not grumble. I will not compare myself to others. I will praise You for the blessings all around me, and Your song of praise will be the words of my mouth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Woman I Am Becoming: Embracing the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny by T. Suzanne Eller
God's Purpose for Every Woman by various P31 authors, Gen Editors: Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olson
Visit Suzie's blog
Application Steps:
Define what contentment is not:
It is not complacency -- it's not saying "that's all I'll ever do or be"
It is not self-righteousness -- it doesn't come from your own efforts
It is not repression -- it is not staying in abuse, hunger, or harm's way
Define what it is:
It is sufficient -- pray that God will give you joy to fill the empty places
It is enough -- it is a work within that opens your heart and eyes
It is to be full -- it reveals your true blessings
Reflections:
Are you willing to trade discontentment for contentment?
Start today by making a list of what truly makes you "rich" in Christ.
Power Verses:
Psalm 73:25, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 14, 2009
Bringing Out the Best in Our Children
Glynnis Whitwer
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
Devotion:
I threw up my hands in despair, and sighed with a dramatic and disgusted exhale of breath. At that moment, all five of my children were the focus of my frustration. I was tired of correcting the same behaviors, the same tones of voices, and the same irresponsibility from the same children. It had not been a good day, and I told them so --individually and collectively -- in not-so-nice terms.
The lecture ended and they all went their own way, as upset and annoyed as me. Instead of changing their behaviors and attitudes, the negativity went underground. We were like a simmering pot, ready to blow its lid. My angry response only exacerbated the problem, not helped it. What I wanted was for them to get along, speak kindly to each other and do their chores respectfully. What I got was more of the same.
As I returned to my own chores, I realized how ineffective my tirade had been in achieving my true goals. While I got them to stop bickering momentarily, I hadn't really made an impact on their hearts. In fact, I'd done more harm than good by not modeling gentle and respectful words. The rest of the day confirmed the truth: I'd not brought out the best in my children. I just stamped down the bad for a while.
My children are not so different from me. I know how I feel when someone speaks in an angry tone to me. It certainly doesn't spur me on to show kindness to them. In fact, I tend to take my frustration out on someone else. That's just what happened in my family that day. We had a domino effect of irritation.
In Hebrews 10, verse 24, the Bible encourages us to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." In my experience personally and with my children, showing love and good deeds spurs others on to show more love and good deeds. The Bible also tells us that we reap in greater measure than what we sow (Hosea 8:7). Which means love multiplies more love, and kindness multiplies more kindness.
As a mom, I have an opportunity to bring out the best in my children. But it consistently means I have to bring out the best in me. I can't model impatient behavior and expect my kids to learn patience. I can't model a self-focused lifestyle and expect my kids to learn how to serve others. Nor can I model an ultra-busy schedule and expect my kids to find time for God in theirs. Spurring my children on to greater love and good deeds means they need to learn it by watching and listening to me.
Dear Lord, thank You for calling me to be the mother of my children. I confess that at times I fall far short of where I want to be in this area of my life. I know I can't do this high calling of motherhood without Your Spirit within me. Help me to submit my selfish will to Your perfect way. Thank You for loving me and seeing my potential to grow and change. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis's blog
She's Gonna Blow! Real Help For Dealing With Mom Anger by Julie Ann Barnhill
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Application Steps:
Identify one area of your personality that hinders you from spurring others on to love and/or good deeds. Commit to submitting that area of your life to God for the next seven days.
Reflections:
Think about how someone has spurred you on to love in greater measure. How did they do that?
What are some ways your family can do "good deeds" for those around you? Make a list together and commit to doing one or two a month.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." (TNIV)
Galatians 6:8, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
August 17, 2009
Getting Ready for Tomorrow
Wendy Pope
"Then Joshua told the people, "Purify yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you," Joshua 3:5 (NLT)
Devotion:
Last year the Lord whispered to my heart to stop watching a certain television show. This show came on once week in the evening. It was not anti-God, but let's just say it did not promote healthy family and personal values, nor did its' writers use the Word of God as a basis for the show's content.
I would love to say I obeyed the Lord with a glad heart and immediately did as He asked, fully confident that He had my best interest in mind. I wish I could say that but I can't. I believed I had the right to challenge the Lord on His request. Can you imagine my nerve?
I remember huffing and puffing like the wolf when he tried to blow down the little pigs' house. I wanted to watch my show and could not understand what I was doing wrong for the Lord to discipline me in such a way. I argued, "My watching this show is not causing anyone to stumble in their walk with the Lord." I was not influencing anyone else to watch, in fact my family was all in bed. It was my time. Time set aside each week for just me. What possible reason could the Lord have for asking to do this?
Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I realized the audacity of my attitude and understood my egoistical reasoning. I thought since I had been obeying the Lord in other areas of life I had the "right" to negotiate His other instructions. I finally saw the fallacy of my arguments to the Lord but up until that point, I'd failed to see that I was the person I was causing to stumble and being wrongly influenced.
Shortly after my tantrum was over and I obeyed God, He introduced me to today's key verse. He also used an incredible book to hammer in His point. His point being: God has something planned for tomorrow and He wants me to be ready for it. In his book i am not but i know I AM, Louie Giglio suggests that we are "i am nots" playing supporting roles beside the star of the story, the great I AM.
Joshua told the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. God was going to do something amazing in His story the next day and He wanted them to be a part of it. But they needed to prepare for that. They needed to purify themselves. Purify, or sanctify as it is written in the NKJ version, means to wash, to deal with your sin, and perhaps even make a sacrifice so that heart, body, mind, and soul are ready for the day. I was not preparing for my role in God's Story by continuing to watch the TV show God asked me not watch. I was ending my day in disobedience and separation from the Lord. How could I be ready to take my supporting role beside Him the next day if I was not purified before Him?
Do you realize God wants to do amazing things among you each day? Are we ready each morning to wake up and join the story of God? In order to prepare ourselves for our supporting role in God's story we need follow His instructions -- meditate on the "book of instruction day and night" (Joshua 1:8). Be ready my friend! He has a role only you can fulfill.
Dear Lord, help me to know what I should and should not do as Your child. Will You give me a desire to mediate on Your Word day and night? I want to see You at work and join You, fulfilling the role You have for me. Thank You for wanting me to participate in Your story. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
i am not but I know I AM: Welcome to the Story of God, by Louie Giglio
The Yes, No and Maybe of a Balanced Life -- audio CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog and view her other resources here
Application Steps:
Personalize today's key verse and pray each night: "Dear Lord, help me to be ready for tomorrow. Show me the ways I need to purify and prepare myself for my role in Your story." Read a few verses of Psalm 119 each night and listen to what He has to say.
Reflections:
What if anything is the Lord asking me to do to purify myself for Him?
Do I mediate on the Word of God day and night? If not, why? If yes, how?
Power Verses:
Psalm 147:15, "He sends His command to the earth; His Word runs swiftly." (NIV)
Psalm 119:1, "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (NIV)
Psalm 119:11," I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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August 28, 2009
Let the Rope Come to You
Pat Layton, She Speaks! Graduate
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was very young, my dad taught my three sisters and me how to water-ski. You might imagine the amount of patience that took! We would go out in our family boat into the middle of the lake where one of us girls would jump into the water. Then we would each take our turn around the lake as many times as we could go without falling.
Once you fell, another sister was waiting to jump in and take your place. If I fell too soon, before I was ready to give my turn up, I would struggle with all of my might to grab the ski rope back and try getting up again before another sister jumped into the water to take my spot.
I remember gathering up all the 8-year-old strength I could muster to get to that rope back into my hands. I floundered and struggled in the water with all that gear attached to me - a life jacket that seemed the size of a small car and water skis that seemed a mile long. I would get exhausted trying to get to that rope in time not to lose my turn.
One day I remember my dad calling out, "Pat, just relax, lay back on your life jacket and I will bring the rope to you!" And he did. I would rest in the water and my dad would drive the boat slowly and carefully around me until the ski rope would just float right into my hands. No struggle, no fear of missing it, no one jumping in and taking my place.
After 22 years of women's ministry, I have often found myself or watched a sister in her struggle to grab something she was afraid she might loose. A ministry spot, a child, a husband, a friend.
Sometimes, we feel that if we don't struggle and strive, we will lose our "turn." That somehow, what God has called us to do, have or be, will be missed or that another "sister" might jump in and take our spot. When those times come in my life, I try to remember the words of my dad, "Pat, just let the rope come to you."
Maybe you can relate. Have you been struggling to make something happen in your life or to protect a position or opportunity that you are afraid you will miss if you don't strive for it?
Let's listen to the words of our Abba Father, let's just relax in the moment and trust God to "bring the rope to us." If it's His best for us, He will do just that.
Abba Father, thank You for reminding me that You have control of the boat in my life. You will not let me miss my turn, Lord, when I'm following You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life by Donna Partow
A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God's Love by Max Lucado
Application Steps:
Write down each thing that is going on in your life that feels like a struggle to you. List the things you want to do that seem to be slipping away. List relationships not going the way you wanted. List dreams not coming to fruition. Write anything that creates a feeling of stress or struggle in your heart. Then read Jeremiah 29:11 and pray it over those situations.
Reflections:
Consider the things that you have written and ask yourself: Have I been in this spot before? How and when has God shown Himself faithful to complete something in my life without my having to do a single thing but reach out and take hold of it?
Power Verses:
Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2009 Pat Layton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
August 31, 2009
Birds in My Mustard Tree
Susanne Scheppmann
"He said to them, 'Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.'" Matthew 17:20 (AMP)
Devotion:
What are birds in a mustard tree? Let me see if I can explain.
My pomegranate bush resembles a Christmas tree decorated by the hand of God. Its branches hang heavy with crimson bulbs of fruit. It sways in the wind and I catch a whiff of the overripe fruit. Various sparrows and robins sit on the branches like "twelve partridges in a pear tree." I hear the high-pitched music of finches and hummingbirds beyond the lush fruit, deep within the branches. The birds on the outer limbs dance while the hidden birds sing a bird medley.
To me this pomegranate bush reflects in the physical world what happens in the spiritual world of faith. Our faith may be small and sometimes hidden, but it can make our souls sing. We find Jesus speaking about faith in our key verse, "He said to them, 'Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you'" Matthew 17:20 (AMP). He taught that even small faith could move a mountain.
But what are birds in a mustard tree? It's my phrase for recognizing God's response to my smallest faith and most doubt-filled prayers. The birds in my mustard tree are proof to me that God works as long as I have the tiniest bit of faith in His almighty power.
Author David Jeremiah wrote in My Heart's Desire:
"You may sometimes feel awkward and uncomfortable, and find yourself saying, 'Is this really true? I don't see anything in it. I don't hear God's voice. I don't feel His presence.' There are days like that for all of us. The pursuit of God has no shortcuts. You simply must keep walking, keep seeking, and keep yearning. Keep at it, and you won't be disappointed."
One example of mustard seed faith comes to mind as I think back to when my two sons were little boys. I began to pray for their future wives. So, I made a "shopping list" of prayers for daughters-in-law. My list included: godly, kind, sense of humor, good cooks, and fun families. Those prayers have been answered completely. I consider my "daughters-in-love" to be two of the most evident birds to result from my faith.
What would you list as evidences of your faith?
If we combined our lists, we would be amazed at the variety of "birds" we would see. In the days and years ahead, we will see many more birds come to roost in our mustard trees of faith.
Even if my faith is as tiny as a mustard seed, God can bring about miraculous results. He can grow my faith so large that it can host a multitude of His wonderful deeds. I call these the "birds in my mustard tree."
Dear Lord, show me the variety of truths about faith. I ask today for You to reveal to me the unseen aspects of my faith. Grant me the knowledge, wisdom, and revelation to perceive the birds that rest in my mustard tree of faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Susanne's Blog and find other books by her here.
Application Steps:
What actions can I take in response to this message?
Reflections:
Do I consider my faith to be weak or strong or somewhere in between?
What would I declare as the fruit of my faith--the birds in my mustard tree?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)
Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (NIV)
Acts 3:16, "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 1, 2009
He Speaks - Part I
Amy Carroll
"She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
'...only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:39, 42 (NIV)
Devotion:
I remember driving down the road with my verbose 3-year-old son riding in the back seat. He had been talking for quite some time, and this listener was getting tired. I broke into his monologue with a suggestion. "Anson, sweetheart, why don't you take a breath and rest a while?" With only a pause for my words, he blurted out, "But Mommy, I don't like to breathe. I like to talk..." and he continued his stream of speech. I sighed, chuckled and resumed listening.
Years later, that scene came back to my mind after a dinner with my friend Maggie. I had been listening to Maggie talk excitedly about the work God was doing in her life. She was a new believer, and she was experiencing the transformation of her life with wide-eyed wonder. Everything about her new relationship with God was fascinating and fresh. She emanated joy.
Although I was enjoying Maggie's passion, I started to wonder, "Where did my joy go?" I too could think of times when I had been consumed by watching and participating in the awesome work of God. I remembered mountain top experiences when I felt full of passion, fire and overwhelming joy. Yet here I was in the midst of one of the greatest times of kingdom building that I had ever experienced, and I felt empty, depleted and downright exhausted. "How did I get to this place?" I wondered to myself. I was teaching Sunday school, speaking and writing with regularity. God had opened doors wide for ministry, but my batteries were running low.
At the end of dinner, Maggie and I exchanged prayer requests. She gave me a few, and then it was my turn. I struggled internally with how real I could be. Maggie was a new Christian. Surely I would discourage her if I confessed a lack of joy and passion. God's still voice urged me to be transparent, though, and I found myself pouring out my heart in frustration. "I'm in God's Word every day as I prepare to teach," I explained to Maggie. "I'm always praying for the events and women where I'm going, but I feel wrung out and joyless. Please pray for me."
My sweet, wise friend looked compassionately at me for a minute before she asked an essential question, "When was the last time that you spent time reading the Bible and praying when you weren't preparing for something? How long has it been since you just spent time with God to enjoy Him?"
She had seen through all the spiritual rhetoric right to the source of the problem. Like my young son, I had been so busy talking to God--preparing, studying, delving, interceding, teaching, speaking--that I hadn't taken time to breathe in a deep breath of His Spirit. I hadn't taken time to worship God for who He is, to meditate on a juicy piece of His Word or to bask in His presence. In my drive to do all for an audience of One, I had forgotten to slow down and take time with the One I love.
Every day God reaches out to us with an incredible offer to spend time with our Creator and the Lover of our soul. Through prayer, Bible study and silence He faithfully fills us with His riches. We can walk away from time with Him full instead of empty; hopeful instead of despairing; peaceful instead of tumultuous.
After my discussion with Maggie, I chose to set time aside to just commune with God. Preparation time was separate. God is faithful! Joy returned and my passion was stoked. Join me now...one...two...three...breathe deep!
Dear Lord, still my heart. Silence my voice. Open my ears and eyes. Help me to breathe in a deep breath of your Spirit. Only You are sufficient to fill me, and I long to find fullness in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
10 Minutes a Day with Jesus: Growing in Your Love for the Savior by Jim Reapsome
Visit Amy's blog
Application Steps:
Make a daily appointment with God. He will meet you there!
Reflections:
Do I see my time with God as one thing on my checklist or a pleasure?
How can I use time with God to know Him better?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84 1-2, 10, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 2, 2009
He Speaks--Part II
Amy Carroll
"I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
Psalm 119: 16 (NIV)
Devotion:
In the Westminster Shorter Catechism, this life defining question is asked, "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is simple yet profound. It says, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." One way we can bring Him great glory is by using our gifts and fulfilling our calling - by serving. It's too easy to fall short, though, by forgetting the second part of our chief duty. We are called not only to work for Him, but to enjoy Him.
John Piper takes this thought a step further in his philosophy of "Christian hedonism." Piper summarizes the idea this way, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." Christians aren't to pursue pleasure as its own end, but we are to pursue with all our might the pleasure of knowing God. When our need for pleasure is satisfied by Him, only then are we able to bring God the glory He deserves.
One way God has been developing my ability to know and enjoy Him lately is through deeper Bible study. Too many years I'd race through passages without taking time to reflect and digest. I'd like to share a method that has helped me gain greater understanding and has given me more personal application than my past methods of study. I picked up this tool at an Anne Graham Lotz crusade, but it is also used by Bible Study Fellowship. It's very simple and contains just three questions that I write at the top of three columns on a page.
What does it say?
The rule of thumb is to begin by looking at exactly what God says in the passage without our own interpretation. Act like a reporter in this section, and just write the facts and major details. This includes answers to the "w"s (who, what, when, where). Write each fact in a brief summary sentence. Do not paraphrase, but use significant words straight from scripture. (i.e. holiness, redeemed). Underline repeated words or phrases. Important things start to jump out.
What does it mean?
The next step is to find the lesson in the passage. Ask yourself the question, "What are the spiritual truths or principles in this verse?" The Bible is meant to be interpreted as a whole, so sometimes single verses are confusing or seem contradictory. If that happens, look at the verse in the context of the whole chapter or entire book. If I'm still unsure, I also read several commentaries to make sure I'm avoiding error.
This is a great acronym to look for spiritual truths:
S--Is there a sin to confess?
P--Is there a promise to keep?
A--Is there an action to take?
C--Is there a command I need to heed?
E--Is there an example to follow or to avoid?
How do I apply this?
The final step is applying God's Word to your own life. This is where something very exciting happens. If you are studying with a group, the group's first column would be very close to identical. The second column might vary a little, but many would come to the same conclusions. On the application column, though, every member of the group might have a different application. That's God speaking directly and personally to you!
Ask yourself, "How will I act on this lesson?" Create open-ended questions for yourself. For example, "How can I become a man or woman after God's own heart like David?" or "In what area do I need to cry out to You like Hannah?" Finally, take time to pray and listen. Write a response to each question that is an action to take in your own life.
My notebooks with 3 handwritten columns headed by these questions may look messy and elementary to others, but they have led me to a deeper knowledge and more joyous walk with God. He still speaks, and He is just waiting for you and me to listen.
Dear Lord, Your Word is a lamp to my feet. Please place within my heart a deep desire to know Your Word and the self-discipline to carry through. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Amy's blog
Application Steps:
Pray about what scripture with which to practice this method and try it.
Reflections:
How do my perceptions of God's Word change when I start with His words and thoughts instead of my own?
How might my life change as I start to apply His Word in my everyday life?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119 12-15, "Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 3, 2009
Great Sermons are Not Preached, They're Lived
Lysa TerKeurst
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
What if someone followed me around with a video camera all day documenting my every move? Catching on camera all of my words, facial expressions, actions, and reactions. And then what if someone packaged it all together and played it on some sort of reality TV show for all the world to see? What would be the glaring message of my life?
I am convicted thinking about this.
You see, if someone were to ask me, what are you all about? I would have some nice sounding answers. But what actually happens during the strains of everyday life can sometimes betray my best intentions.
I want to be a loving wife. Yet I can sometimes be found in a grumpy, selfish mood and view my husband as a business partner that better hold up his end of helping out.
I want to be a wise and patient mom. But my kids know the exact buttons to push that send me into a tailspin of emotion and exhaustion.
I want to be a strong witness for Christ. So why is it that I can read my Bible first thing in the morning and then find myself honking at the person that cuts me off in traffic just an hour later?
I realize there is a place for God's tender mercies for me in all this. But I also know that while no TV cameras are following me around, my life is speaking a message about what I really believe and I want that message to honor Jesus. I once heard, "Great sermons are not preached, they are lived." Oh how I long to live a message that speaks loud and clear, "Jesus is true and the principles found in His teachings work!"
Let's just be honest, it's tough being a sold out soul for Christ stuck in a body that is so tempted to sin. That's why it's essential I view my time with God each morning as a preparation and an invitation.
Preparation: Every verse, devotion and prayer is all part of God's preparation for me that day. Instead of just rushing to check off my to do list that I spent a few minutes with God, I must allow His teachings to seep into my heart and mind. Then I must ask God to interrupt my natural flesh response and remind me throughout the day the truths He taught me that morning. That's the preparation part.
Invitation: The next essential view of my quiet time each morning is recognizing I've just invited Jesus to do life with me today, so I need to look for His activity throughout my day. My minute by minute theme then becomes, "Not my will God, but Yours be done." So if my husband forgets to do something he promised, or my kids push my buttons, or a person cuts me off in traffic, or one of the other one million things happens that causes my flesh to want to rear up and act ugly... I can say, "Not my will God, but Yours be done." This slight pause and acknowledgement of God redirects my frustration and replaces it with grace. And most wonderful of all, it helps me connect my time with Jesus to everyday life choices. Making that connection is how we personally hear from and experience God!
I know, sometimes it's hard to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning. And I'm certainly not trying to make this just another demand on our time. But, why not spend just a few minutes... even if it is just a few... letting Jesus prepare us for whatever we'll be facing that day and invite Him to intervene before our natural reactions to things betray our best intentions. Then and only then will my life speak to the fact that I have spent time with Jesus... and without saying a word, my imperfect life will be a God-honoring sermon.
Dear Lord, please teach me how to reveal more and more of You through the way I live my life. I want to tell the whole world about You using words only when necessary. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to register to win a free CD of Lysa's new message, "The Most Powerful 2 Word Prayer."
This devotion was taken in part from Lysa's new book, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl." Order your copy today, by clicking here.
Do You Know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Are you having a daily quiet time first thing in the morning? Even if it is just for a few minutes, invest this time and you will see what a difference it can make.
If you need help getting started or you want fresh life breathed into your devotion time, Lysa's new book, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" is the resource you've been looking for. Click here to order your copy today. Your order will help support Proverbs 31 Ministries in our efforts to keep sending out our free daily devotions. Thank you!
Reflections:
Who is someone today that might have the propensity to push your buttons? What are some Bible verses that you could think on and pray through today to prepare your heart to respond with grace?
What is your typical response when something in life happens that frustrates you? What is a more God honoring response?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 6:1, 3, "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity... and God permitting, we will do so." (NIV)
Romans 7:21-25a, "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 4, 2009
The Bigger Picture
T. Suzanne Eller
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."
James 5:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
I overheard a conversation while in an airport. I wanted to jump into the dialogue, but I had a plane to catch and more importantly, I would have to admit that I was eavesdropping, so I moved on. "He's just in it for the money," the man said while we waited in line at security. He named the author of a best-selling Christian book. "It's simplistic. Over-hyped. I can't believe it's sold so many copies." This conversation made me think about my daughter's best friend, Emily.
When I first met Emily she was a new believer. Occasionally our pastor would ask families to pray together. On those Sundays we opened our arms and Emily joined us. But as much as she loved the Ellers, it wasn't her family.
Her parents didn't understand her faith. Her older brother mocked her faith.
Emily went on mission trips. She was involved in youth group. She left for college and organized campus ministries, and even traveled to Africa to minister to children with AIDS. The longing for her family to love Jesus intensified, but from the outside looking in it appeared that her prayers were hitting the ceiling.
What Emily didn't know is that her brother was watching closely. His little sister's faith had grown and now she was a woman of faith.
One day he bought a book and read it straight through the night. Somewhere between dark and dawn Emily's Savior became his. In the next few months he led his fiancé to Christ. He shared his faith with his parents, and now that both of their children's lives had been changed, they too became believers.
That was four years ago. Recently Emily came home to visit her family, and they all came to church. I couldn't help but look back with excitement when I heard these words, "Could families gather together and pray?" Emily walked down the aisle. Her family wrapped her in their arms. It was a beautiful sight.
And the book that the man in the airport said was simplistic and overhyped? That was the very book that Emily's brother read that changed his life. It was an answer to a faithful girl's prayers.
What does this have to do with you and me? As a writer, every day I'm in my home-office wearing jeans and a T-shirt writing on a laptop, hoping that someone might actually hear the message. But I can't see the bigger picture. I don't know if the words are making a difference or not. All I know is that God called me to communicate a message and to be faithful to that call.
Maybe there are days that you struggle, too. Maybe all you hear are the negative comments like those of the man in the airport. But does that mean that nothing good is happening? Absolutely not!
When I think of Emily, I am encouraged to place my ministry in God's hands and allow Him to do the miracles while I type one word at a time.
Will you trust Him to do miracles with your faith and your work as well?
Dear Father, I don't always see the bigger picture, but You do. Today I place my discouragement and comments of others in Your hands. Thank You for wisdom, encouragement, and renewed joy as I trust You with the bigger picture. Amen.
Related Resources:
The Woman I'm Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Destiny, Faith, and Identity
by T. Suzanne Eller
Has God called you to speak or write for Him? Find wisdom and encouragement in The Reason We Speak and For the Write Reason, Gen. Ed. Marybeth Whalen
Visit Suzie's blog where she interviews Emily and shares a giveaway of one of her books. Also, check out her other resources here!
Application Steps:
What is one act that someone did for you that changed your life?
Encourage them today by writing them a note or e-mail thanking them.
Reflections:
When people encounter Jesus, no matter how they find Him, it changes their lives. Stay faithful as you spread the Word.
Power Verses:
Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:13, "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." (ESV)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 7, 2009
When Your Child is Afraid
Glynnis Whitwer
"'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.'"
Psalm 91:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was a child, my sister and I would set out on our bikes early Saturday morning. No helmet, cell phone, sunscreen or water bottle accompanied us. We might be gone for hours without communicating with our mother. Now as an adult, I wonder how I survived my childhood.
Those days are long gone for most children. The carefree days of yesterday have been replaced by vigilant protection and numerous warnings. Sadly, it seems our children have more to fear than we did 20 years ago. If not more to fear, then at least we are more aware of the dangers facing children. Consequently, many kids struggle with anxiety and fear.
There was a time when my youngest son Robbie struggled with fear. Nothing traumatic happened to him as a young child. It's just he has always been more sensitive than his siblings. Perhaps having two older brothers, Robbie was incorporated into games or television shows slightly above his maturity level. It's hard to pinpoint the reason for the fear, but when he was younger it manifested itself mostly at night. Robbie consistently had trouble falling asleep, and then would awake with bad dreams. It was a difficult cycle.
Being a fear-inclined person myself, I knew no amount of my reassurances would really help Robbie. And as he got older, Robbie knew my ability to protect him was limited. So night after night, I was startled awake by a shake on the shoulder and whisper in my ear, "Mommy, I can't sleep." I knew I had to do something to help Robbie rest easy, and for me to get some sleep.
We did two things to help Robbie deal with the night fears. The first was to personalize Psalm 91:14-16:
"'Because (Robbie) loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect (Robbie), for he acknowledges my name. (Robbie) will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with (Robbie) in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy (Robbie) and show him my salvation.'"
I wrote it on a 3"x5" note card, which he kept by his bed. Reading that Scripture at night reminded Robbie to place his trust in the One who could protect him in times of trouble.
Second, we specifically prayed for God to protect Robbie from bad dreams. This is a nightly habit we developed over 10 years ago, and continue to this day. Every night I hold the hand of my now 14-year-old son, and pray the prayer I started praying so many years before. We can both testify to God's amazing faithfulness to protect Robbie even in his dreams.
The times I have struggled most with fear are the times I have placed my trust in someone or something other than God. It is my prayer as a mother, that my children will learn at an early age there is One in whom they can trust, and who is ready and able at the breath of a prayer to intercede on their behalf.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness to answer my prayers. I know only you are powerful enough to protect me and my children in every circumstance. Please guide me and give me wisdom as I deal with fear in my own life, and in the lives of those I love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To learn more about how to help your children when they are hurting, check out Glynnis' newest book When Your Child is Hurting
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Glynnis' blog and other resources
Application Steps:
Identify one thing you (or your child) are afraid of. Can you identify in what or whom you have placed your trust, other than God?
Reflections:
List some of the attributes of God that remind you of how powerful God is in the face of your fears (unchanging, all-knowing, etc.).
Why do we choose to trust in things other than God?
When have you seen God's protection in a fearful situation? How have you seen Him provide for your basic needs?
Power Verses:
Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)
Psalm 34:4, "I sought the LORD, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (KJB)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org`
September 8, 2009
Invisible Miracles
Tracie Miles
"And my God will meet all of your needs
according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently, I "tempted fate."
I teetered on the brink of death, gazed at hundreds of feet upside down, and heard blood piercing screams from all sides. There were tears and fear in people's eyes, including my own. I took a ride on a rollercoaster!
I was a good sport during our family outing at the theme park and rode several rollercoasters. But there was one in particular that made me think. It was called The Ricochet: an erratic ride where one would practically fall off the edge of the track just before abruptly (and painfully I might add) jerking back to safety.
Each time we neared the edge of the track my stomach sunk and quick thoughts popcorned: what if a chain broke? A gear jammed? A mechanism failed? And how close would I be to my demise if these happened?!
Teetering on the brink of death, praying nothing would break and I would be jerked back to safety even if it hurt, I wondered how many times God has protected me from danger, whether I realized it or not.
I thought back on my college years and question how I ever made it out alive. God was surely there protecting me when I made bad decisions and gave little thought to the consequences of some of my actions.
I thought about how fearful I was that I would never be able to have a baby, but remembered how my heart was overwhelmed as I drank in the glow of Christ's forgiveness and mercy shining through the big blue eyes of my first little girl.
I thought about my son who was born with premature lungs and could not draw his first breath, and how God protected him and helped him grow into an active little boy.
I thought about when my 18 month-old daughter fell through an attic in a two-story home, landing on the hard garage floor, miraculously escaping injury without even one broken bone in her tiny little body.
I thought about how each of my children are healthy and happy, and how God has protected us from illness or harm.
I thought about how my marriage is still thriving, despite the trend of divorce that plagues couples today.
I thought about the day I miraculously averted a major collision, a seemingly near-death tragic experience. A deep gash in the bumper of my car reminds me of how close death was, but how God pushed that truck away just far enough to miss us. A millimeter of movement, in a millisecond of time.
I cannot help but wonder... how many other times has God protected us when we were not aware? How many times have an army of angels surrounded me and my family with a cushion of protection? How often has God stepped in between me and danger and I didn't even know it?
A close call with death is a stark reminder of God's protection. When I see the gash in my bumper, I am reminded how He stood in the gap for us. When I look at the precious faces of my children, I am reminded of God's mercy to allow me to have them; of the angels that caught my baby when she fell from the roof; and how God breathed breath into my son's newborn lungs when he couldn't take one on his own.
I am reminded to thank Him for His goodness and protection, even during times I didn't realize His presence. I am reminded to consider the invisible Savior that is always walking closely beside me.
Be on the lookout for the invisible activity of God in your life, and don't take anything for granted.
Dear Lord, thank You for who You are, and for protecting me and loving me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Visit Tracie's blog and resource page
Application Steps:
Think back on the little miracles God has done in your life and thank Him.
Reflections:
In what ways has God provided for and protected me and my family?
Have I given Him credit for all He has done for me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:7, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." (NIV)
Psalm 40:11, "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 9, 2009
So Yesterday
Priscilla Richardson, She Speaks Graduate
"Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119:89 (NASB)
Devotion:
We live in a society that prizes change. Whether it's the most recent dictum of haute couture from the world of fashion, or the latest in technical gadgets, we are enamored with the idea that newer and different is better.
Let the word "change" fall from a politician's lips, and his or her future is suddenly golden. Discontented with the ordinariness of our lives, we are often an easy sell. So much so, in fact, that one of the quickest ways to kill an idea or project is to describe it as "so yesterday."
Obviously, some changes are positive and some are negative. But too much change, or change for the wrong reasons, can leave us scrambling for the higher ground of stability. When we are forced by circumstances to ride those roiling seas of change, to what do we cling to maintain our emotional and spiritual equilibrium? In Psalm 61:2, David said, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (NKJV).
Isn't that what we all want - a sense of permanence in a world of change and restlessness? Solid ground when we can't touch bottom? Stillness in place of agitation?
God's Word tells us that all these are possible because of one man, and His name is Jesus. "For he himself is our peace," (Ephesians 2:14, NIV), the One who never changes. The "same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV). The unshakeable foundation beneath our feet when everything in our world totters (Psalm 40:2).
How comforting to know that our lives are encompassed by an eternally present Christ. He is our Alpha and Omega, our Beginning and our End. Who He is and what He says stands...
Uncontradicted.
Unoverturned.
Forever.
Long after you and I are considered history and "so yesterday," Jesus will still be. Describing the uniqueness of our God, Eugene Peterson in The Message asks, "Are we not at bedrock?" (Psalm 18:31).
Indeed.
Dear Lord, as everything around me changes, may I rest my heart on the firm foundation of Your Word, which never goes out of style or needs revision. May I rejoice in its timeless truth and rest in its awesome strength to transform my sometimes erratic life into a place of peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sanctuary: A Devotional Bible for Women
Season of Change: Parenting Your Middle Schooler with Passion and Purpose by Rebecca Ingram Powell
Torn Asunder: Recovering From an Extramarital Affair by Dave Carder
The Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents by Julie-Allyson Ieron
Through a Season of Grief by Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard
Application Steps:
List the major changes that have occurred in your life within the past year. How have these changes impacted your life?
As you identify your reactions to the changes - disappointment, anxiety, fear, loneliness, grief - spend some time in the Word to see how Jesus, the great "I AM," provides stability for you in the midst of your rocking world.
Reflections:
Can you recall another time in your life when God worked good for you out of what appeared to be a negative change in your life?
Is it possible to look at an unexpected or negative change in a positive way?
In what way does God's Word provide an anchor for us?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (NIV)
John 8:58, "'I tell you the truth,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!' "(NIV)
Psalm 27:5, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." (NIV)
© 2009 by Priscilla Richardson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 10, 2009
Mean Girls
Lynn Cowell
"The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 (NLT)
Devotion:
The words on FaceBook glared back at her. "You are so ugly! You are fat, annoying and I hate you!"
Lindsay just sat there, staring at the screen, baffled. "What did I say? What did I do?"
Maybe this has happened to one of your children, or in some way they've faced this type of rejection. Maybe you have felt it yourself. I recently spotted a t-shirt at the mall that read "You're no one until someone talks about you." What a sad state of affairs.
Growing up in a world where "Mean Girls" and "Gossip Girl" are movie and TV titles, it comes as no surprise that "mean" defines many females today. How can we guard our hearts against this? As a mom, what can we do when our children's hearts are crushed by meanness?
Feeling unaccepted is definitely nothing new. In Song of Solomon 1:5a, we are introduced to a young girl who felt this way: "Don't look down on me because I am dark..." (MSG). She felt rejected. Those feelings are so opposite of what our children want to feel. They want to be accepted! Matthew Henry concludes about this passage in Song of Solomon that we, as represented by the young girl, are "often base and contemptible in the esteem of others, but excellent in the sight of God."
We counteract the poison of meanness by remembering who we are in God's eyes. I am in. I am excellent in the sight of God. So are you. Song of Solomon 1:5b reveals the tanned girl's acceptance of this truth; she knows full well that her Lord finds her lovely. When I know that I am accepted by the Lord, it puts me exactly where I need to be to slough off insults and to help my child do the same.
As a sixth grader my daughter was 5'10". One day as she got off the school bus, I noticed she was holding back a flood of tears. Once again she had been made fun of for her height.
On that day, her youth pastor wasn't there. Her teacher, counselor and small group leaders weren't there either. But her mom was. I began telling her how her Father saw her. Sharing truths like these:
· "My beloved is mine, and I am His..." (Song of Solomon 2:16a, NKJV).
· You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless" (Song of Solomon 4:7b, MSG).
· "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord" (Psalm 45:11, (NIV).
These are the types of verses I poured back into my daughter that day and continue to remind her of still. I put them everywhere so that together we can read them over and over again. When we feel rejected, these words remind us that we are, in fact, accepted! Let them remind you today.
Dear Lord, help me to be purposeful in putting Your truth about who I am into my heart and mind so that am not swayed by the opinions of others. And when the time is right, I can pour Your truth into the hearts and minds of my children and friends. When my child feels rejected, help me remind them that in You they are accepted. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit our Radical Revolution site for encouragement for your 12-17 year old and our She Seeks site for your 18-29 year old.
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-Apart Young Woman by Leslie Ludy
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
Create a list of verses such as the ones above and below to have on hand to review or to share with your child when they are hurting.
Choose one verse per week and memorize it with your child. You can speak it to them as they are eating their breakfast in the morning, when they come home from school, and before they go to bed.
If you have your own set of "mean girl" stories, share them with your children so they can know you understand and have been there too. When we're vulnerable with our children, we create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable to open up.
Reflections:
How can I help my child set boundaries so the rejection doesn't continue?
Am I teaching my child to forgive when they are hurt by others?
Do you feel that you have a strong understanding of how Jesus sees you? How can you pursue learning more about His heart toward you?
Do you have young girls or young moms who need to have another woman come along beside them and help them to see this truth?
Power Verses:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
Zechariah 2:8, "For this is what the Lord Almighty says, '...for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye...'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org`
September 11, 2009
Shelter from the Storms
Melanie Chitwood
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8 (NAS)
Devotion:
The thunder and lightning of a powerful storm rattled our house last night. As rain slashed against the windows and lightning lit up the dark sky, I woke up just long enough to make room for my youngest son and yellow lab to join me and my husband in bed. I remember thinking with surprise that I didn't even know it was going to storm.
What a picture of my life lately. It's been a year of unexpected rain. Some just drizzles, but others, like the storm hitting me most recently, have rattled windows with wave after wave of thunder and bursts of lightning.
What about you? Is there stormy weather in your life right now? Where are you finding shelter from the storms?
My friends and family have been a shelter for me this year, just like my family was last night as we all huddled together in bed. They've encouraged and supported me. And most importantly, they've pointed me to the strongest shelter from the storms, my Heavenly Father.
As I've turned to Scripture this week, I'm amazed at the number of times it reminds us God is our shelter. God knows that we will encounter hard times and His Word reminds us that the strongest and safest shelter is God Himself.
As always we have a choice: get drenched in the rain or seek shelter. You see, the storms of life can cause us to run toward God, but just as easily they can cause us to turn away. A whole range of emotions can leave us standing in the rain to get drenched: bitterness, anger, confusion, helplessness, or hopelessness. If you can relate to these emotions, you might feel badly for having these emotions, but don't let these feelings keep you from God.
Read the Psalms and you'll see that God can handle every emotion. Negative emotions are not a reason to turn away from God. They're the very reason to turn to Him, desperately wanting the kind of faith and strength only God can provide.
Keep turning to God, continue to tell Him in prayer how you feel, and leave your emotions with Him. As you do, you'll start to feel His nearness, His hope, His promise, and His comfort. If you find yourself returning to feelings of fear or hopelessness, just go back to God. Be honest in your prayers. Acknowledge that you're having a hard time, but that you want to trust Him in your circumstances. Know that He loves you and will consistently and constantly be your shelter from the storms.
Dear Lord, "Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings" (Psalm 61:1-4, NAS). In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Fear Less, message on CD by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Find comfort as you read Psalm 61, 62 and 91 today. Write out and display in a prominent place in your house a particular verse that helps you keep your eyes on God.
Reflections:
Have you been turning away from God? Can you turn back to Him today? He is waiting for you with open arms and a loving heart. He loves you and wants to be your strength and comfort in the storm you're facing.
Power Verses:
2 Chronicles 20:12, "... For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (NAS)
Psalm 91:1-2, "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." (NLT)
© 2009 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 14, 2009
A Good Kind of Reckless
Tracie Miles
"'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" Matthew 14:29-30 (NIV)
Devotion:
A while back, I opened my daily devotion and the theme verse was the passage above. When I first began reading I thought, "Oh, I know this passage backwards and forwards: Peter stepping out onto the stormy waves. A great story of faith and keeping focused on Christ." But in this particular devotion, there was a different focus. The key word used was "reckless." It explained we are to be reckless in our faith - not habitual, not routine, not guarded. Reckless.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of reckless: Utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution. If you ask me, reckless doesn't sound like a good thing! When it comes to acting without caution, usually the consequences are negative, resulting in pain and problems that could have been avoided had common sense been used.
But when it comes to our faith, acting without caution is an awesome quality. Reckless faith is...
Living out loud for God, regardless of the consequences.
Opening ourselves up to be Christ's hands and feet in situations where most people close themselves off.
Reaching people others have deemed unreachable.
Loving those who are not very lovable and do not return our love.
Forgiving when forgiveness is not justifiable by the world's standards and making others wonder if we have our head on straight.
Changing direction in life because God called us to even if it doesn't make sense.
Reckless faith is being abandoned for Christ, completely surrendered to Him without restraint, and at peace with the consequences of what might happen.
Peter was reckless in earthly terms. He jumped onto the sea during a raging storm without a flotation device, into waves big enough to capsize his boat. However, if you think about it, it really wasn't Peter's earthly actions that were reckless; it was Peter's spiritual faith.
He had reckless faith: Without thinking, without distress over consequences, without anxiety over what might happen, and without concern for what his friends might think, Peter had faith.
Peter had reckless faith. And we can too! Reckless faith means doing what God has called us to do, commanded us to do, and prompted us to do - because it brings Him glory. Those who witnessed Peter's reckless faith didn't ooh and aah over Peter. Instead, like Peter, they fixed their eyes on Jesus. "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (Matthew 14:33, NIV).
There are a few times in my life when I've exhibited reckless faith, and found God blessed me immensely as a result. Unfortunately, there are many more times I've chosen to remain safely in my boat. It is so much easier to stay afloat in the safety of our comfort zone than to step out into stormy waters, putting all of our trust in Christ.
Reckless faith requires a vibrant and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. When we climb from the safety boat and exhibit that, we spur those still in their boats to fix their own eyes on Him, and worship the Son of God.
How is God calling you to be reckless for Him today?
Dear Lord, truly You are the Son of God. I know You have called me to reckless faith, but it is hard to step out. Infuse me with courage to climb out of my boat in whatever way You have called me to. Please help me hear You and give me bravery to move beyond my comfort zone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman
Visit Tracies' blog
Application Steps:
Read Hebrews 11.
Reflections:
Has God called me out of my comfort zone?
Have I been paralyzed by doubt or fear?
Do I really believe I can trust God enough for me to be reckless in my faith?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:9, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)
2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 15, 2009
The Empty Chair
Shari Braendel
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you,
we have not stopped praying for you." Colossians 1:9a (NIV)
Devotion:
What is one thing I would not live without?
The answer is a team of prayer warriors.
I surround myself with specific groups of women who pray for me and me for them. I have a Moms in Touch group at my son's school, an "around the world team" made up of friends in different states, local girlfriends, and P31 sisters.
For years these women have been praying for me. I have shared my dreams with them, and we have prayed together over God's calling and plans for me. The power of prayer is amazing, and we've seen God work in unbelievable ways. Let me share one instance that was undeniably prayer in action.
About two weeks ago, I was running out the door to my weekly prayer group at school. Just before I left, my husband reminded me to send an overdue e-mail. Telling him I'd do it later, he chimed, "There's no time like the present." So I quickly turned on my laptop and as I did, a new email came in.
Have you ever waited on an answer to come through email? It could be about a job, a test result, or maybe a response from a friend or family member. Regardless, you know when the answer comes it will impact your life. I was waiting on news about a ministry endeavor.
What I found in that hurried moment was an email telling me there would be a meeting at 10:00 that morning to determine the outcome of the matter. I was asked to pray that they would seek the Holy Spirit together as decisions affecting the ministry I serve in were made.
Quickly I forwarded the e-mail to my "around the world team" and headed out the door, with emotions running high. I cried all the way to the school prayer group, where I told them about the 10 o'clock meeting as well. The girls gathered around me and prayed.
When I got home, I read the prayers that had come in from my "around the world team." Bev had prayed there would be an empty chair in the room in which Jesus would be sitting, leading the conversation at the meeting.
Later that afternoon I received a call. The ministry opportunity was going forward! I had prayed about this for two years and approached it many different times. Praise God, things had moved forward in ways I never could have dreamed or imagined!
Recently, I met with one of the women who sat in the 10:00 meeting. She told me the meeting had gone so well it was as if Jesus Himself was right there in the room! I asked her what I'd wondered: "By any chance, was there an empty chair at the table?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact there was. We sat around the table with four chairs and there were only three of us." I imagined Jesus in that fourth spot.
Oh girls, the power of prayer! Believe that God will perform a miracle for you! Never, ever underestimate the power of friends praying. Find some girlfriends today and commit to praying for each other.
Dear Lord, thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for bringing into our lives other women who lift us up in prayer. You know the plans You have for us, dear Father, and we lift our prayers to You, waiting for Your direction and timing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Gather and Grow groups are the perfect place to pray with girlfriends!
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Shari's blog
Application Steps:
Pray and ask God who you should invite to be on your team of prayer warriors.
Join a Moms in Touch prayer group at your child's school or start one by going to www.momsintouch.org.
Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Prayer Team.
Reflections:
Do you need a miracle for your marriage, child, job or health? Pray without ceasing.
Do you have a calling that you need to take to your prayer warriors and spend some time praying over?
Power Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." (NASB)
James 5:16b, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (NIV)
© 2009 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 16, 2009
Finding God in the Laundry Room
By Lara Krupicka, She Speaks! Graduate
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
1 Samuel 17:37a (NIV)
Devotion:
As I carry a load of clothes into my laundry room, I glance at the breakfast dishes in the sink and the piles of toys in the family room. Here we go again, I think. Another day of cooking and cleaning that will only be repeated again tomorrow. What is the point of it all? Why am I stuck with such a meaningless existence? When will I ever get to spend my days doing things that have a lasting impact?
Everyday life can be so uninspiring at times. I want action and excitement. I want something to happen. But then when it does (like the day the washing machine overflowed into my basement), I get all out of sorts. I have a hard time handling the disruption to my simple routine. This is not the kind of excitement I'm wanting, I think to myself. I grumble and complain my way through the problems that come my way.
When I consider this verse from 1 Samuel, I realize that, unlike me, David had learned the benefit of being faithful in seemingly insignificant work. He did not despise the lonely job of shepherd. Instead day in and day out he patiently watched in the fields, making sure the sheep didn't wander or get eaten. He took his work seriously, and in doing so he trusted God to be with him in the simple task of herding sheep. He didn't say that once he was a mighty warrior like his older brothers were, then he would trust God. He did it right where he was. Then when trouble came to his quiet field, in the form of a lion or a bear, it was God he relied on to come to his aid.
This dependence of David's is what prepared him for one of the turning point moments in his life. He was able to face the giant Goliath with confidence, not because he'd fought in many battles. He could do this because he'd seen God work in the everyday and knew God would show up on the battlefield too.
I still have a lot to learn about dependence on God. Yet I know that as I depend on Him in the routine tasks of my life, He is preparing me for circumstances yet to come. When I turn to Him in the midst of my laundry room troubles, I experience His care for me and I grow in my ability to know that He will "deliver me" from things both great and small. And in my dependence on God, the chores of cooking, cleaning and laundry begin to take on meaning. My life isn't as pointless as it once seemed.
Dear Lord, thank you for being with me today. Help me to see You in the mundane things of my life and show me how You can bring significance to those things. Teach me dependence on You as You taught the young shepherd, David. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
My Heart's at Home: Becoming the Intentional Mom Your Family Needs by Jill Savage
P31 Woman magazine
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
Application Steps:
As you engage in the rote tasks of your day, take the time to acknowledge God's presence. Ask Him to be a part of your day and the things that your hands find to do. Take even the smallest problems that arise to God in prayer and ask for His help with them.
Reflections:
In what area of your life can you begin seeking a greater dependence on God?
How can relying on God bring significance to the everyday things of your life?
Can you think of a time that God "delivered you from the paw of the lion"? How can recalling that help you through other circumstances that you come upon?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
Phil 4:11b, "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
`
September 17, 2009
I Want What She Has
Lysa TerKeurst
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
Proverbs14:30 (NIV)
Devotion:
Chances are, if you're like me, you've struggled with comparison and envy.
My house looks great until a friend redecorates. Her clever color combination and crafty restoration abilities have created rooms that look as though they've stepped straight from a magazine. Suddenly my home feels outdated and plain.
My kids seem great until I'm around someone else's who excel in areas my kids struggle in. I see her kids quietly reading books that are well advanced for their age and loving every minute of it. I compare that to mine who would rather have their right arm cut off than to read books that are barely grade level all the while asking me when they can go do something else more exciting. Suddenly I judge myself for not making reading more of a priority when they were younger and feel like a sub-par mom.
Suddenly all that I'm blessed with pales in the face of comparison. I'm blinded from seeing what I do have in the face of what I don't have. My heart is drawn into a place of ungratefulness and assumption. As I assume everything is great for those that possess what I don't, I become less and less thankful for what's mine.
And here's the real kicker... things for the person I'm comparing myself to are almost never what they seem. If there's one thing that living 40 years has taught me, it's that everybody has not-so-great sides to their lives. Whenever I get an idyllic view of someone else's life, I will often say out loud, "I am not equipped to handle what they have, both good and bad."
God has taught me a lot about how to nip a comparison in the bud so it doesn't develop into full blown envy and jealously.
The statement, "I am not equipped to handle what they have, both good and bad," has been one of the greatest realizations God has given me. Every situation has both good and bad. When I want someone else's good, I must realize that I'm also asking for the bad that comes along with it. It's always a package deal. And usually if I'll just give something enough time to unfold I can often be found thanking God that I didn't get someone else's package.
One of the first times I came to understand this truth was in middle school when I met a beautiful girl at the Children's Theater in my town. We were both budding child actors cast in a Christmas play. During rehearsals I can remember seeing her long dancers legs move in ways my stubby limbs never could. Her legs were muscular and lean and graceful. Mine couldn't be described with any of those adjectives.
One day there was an unusual pain in her left leg. And then a doctor's appointment turned into a battery of tests that turned into a hospital stay that turned into a diagnosis. Cancer. A surgery to remove a tumor turned into an amputation turned into a complete life change. Her world became filled with words no child should ever have to know: chemotherapy, prosthetics, hair loss, and walking canes.
As a young girl I was stunned by the whole thing. Especially because I clearly remember night after night after watching her glide across stage, I would ask God for legs exactly like hers.
... not equipped to handle what they have, both good and bad.
I don't want to paint the picture that every good thing someone else has will end with a tragedy. That's not the case. Sometimes others' good things are simply fantastic. But they are fantastic for them - not me.
...not equipped to handle what they have, both good and bad.
Dear Lord, thank You for only entrusting me with what I have and who I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a give-away you don't want to miss! You could win four copies of Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl to share with your friends.
Today's devo is taken from Lysa's new book just released: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl. If you enjoyed this devo, you will want to order the book!
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
What I must remember is to consciously make the choice to redirect my thinking when I find myself comparing and wanting.
Think of something you've wanted that someone else has. Have you been lured into thinking, "If only I had _______ like that person, my life would be great!"
Now, practice redirecting those thoughts by instead saying:
I am not equipped for their good.
I am not equipped for their bad.
I am not equipped to be them in any way.
I am, however, perfectly equipped to be me.
Reflections:
When I compare myself to others and start wanting what others have, it quite simply wears me out. I start feeling weary from wanting and burdened by trying to figure out how to have more, be more, and do more.
In light of all we've been talking about, isn't it interesting what Jesus instructs worn out people to do? Look at the power verse below.
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:28-30 finds Jesus instructing us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 18, 2009
The Six Most Dangerous Words Ever
Glynnis Whitwer
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few months ago, I heard the most horrible news report. It was about a couple who owned a python. One night, the snake escaped from its cage and killed a two-year-old baby. It was heartbreaking. I kept asking, "Why?" Of course, those people never thought that would happen to them.
That's where I ended up in my thoughts ... with what I have decided are the six most dangerous words in the English language:
THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME!
I don't judge this couple for having the snake. My heart just breaks for them. And my heart breaks for anyone who finds themselves in a devastating situation because they didn't think anything would happen. The hard truth is, every one of us has the potential to make a serious mistake, or a life-altering miscalculation, because we thought we were immune to trouble. Here are examples we see every day:
A woman who enjoys an "innocent" flirtation at work
A kid who gets in the back of a truck
A girl who gets in the car with someone who has been drinking
A couple who moves and stops attending church
A mom who starts an email communication with a man who makes her feel young again
The list goes on and on. Every woman, man and child is a candidate for making a mistake. This is because of our sin-drenched DNA. It's also because we have a tendency to forget this sin-nature, and ignore the fact that we desperately need God's help ... every minute ... every hour ... every day.
When I think "That will never happen to me," I let down my guard. I imagine myself above my circumstances and above the need for God. It's like I open a door for pride to sneak in.
The reality of this world is we are in a battle. Only many people either don't know that, or forget it. We wake up thinking it's going to be a peaceful day. However, for those who have chosen to follow Jesus, we have an enemy who is preparing for a fight. No wonder we are blindsided by the results of our choices. We are in a fight we don't know about.
A passage in 1 Peter reminds me to be on guard, and gives me hope:
"Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you. Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow. Stand up to him. Stand firm in what you believe. All over the world you know that your brothers and sisters are going through the same kind of suffering. God always gives you all the grace you need"(1 Peter 5:7-10a, NIRV).
That last verse is what I hang on to when the sadness of this world threatens to overwhelm me. No one is immune to making a mistake that ends with devastating consequences. No one. It's a call to remember that I need God's help every day. And that His grace is enough for me.
Dear Lord, I know how desperately I need Your help. On my own, I'm no match for Satan's schemes. Yet I know You have given me grace to be alert and to stand firm in the face of temptation. Help me to make the right choice in every situation. Forgive me when my selfishness or inattention causes You sadness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus invites us to come to Him to repair whatever's broken in our lives? Hear more and be encouraged by this truth on our Radio Show .
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Visit Glynnis's blog and browse her other resources here
Application Steps:
Have you made a choice recently you regret? If so, take this opportunity to confess that to God and ask for His forgiveness. Commit to praying for God's strength to stand firm.
Reflections:
What are some dangerous paths women tread, believing they are immune to making a wrong choice?
What are some habits you can develop to keep you alert to the devil's schemes?
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:23-24, "If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, or the LORD upholds him with his hand." (NIV)
Proverbs 2:6, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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September 21, 2009
Finding Shelter
Mary DeMuth, She Reads Featured Author
"And I say, 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest." Psalm 55:6-8 (ESV)
Devotion:
I'm not normally one to sense family secrets about people's lives, but this time I did. The moment "Sarah" walked through my front door for a Bible study, God whispered to me, "She needs help."
A few weeks later she asked if I could come over and talk.
She welcomed me to an immaculate house and peppered me with questions about how I managed our home. At first I answered her questions directly, but as she kept asking, I realized she was really asking something else: Why can't I be enough for my husband's expectations? She seemed frightened, jumpy.
That day my new friend Sarah confessed that her husband abused her. Emotionally. Physically. Psychologically. I prayed for her, gave her my phone number, and felt her burden in my gut.
She called after a violent episode, her two children crying in the back of her car. "I'm afraid," she told me.
I encouraged her to come over. Nearly at that moment, a friend of mine arrived and, through a series of God-moments, we worked together to get Sarah and her two children to a safe place.
In doing so, we feared for our safety. Her husband stalked us, called us in the middle of the night screaming. During one conversation, my husband asked him, "Why are you in seminary?"
"Because I want to pastor people." He said it as if the answer were obvious.
My husband cleared his throat in the quiet of our room. "If you can't shepherd your own family, you can't expect to shepherd others."
The man erupted, spewing obscenities. "She just needs to learn to submit!" With that, he hung up.
Since this time, we've encountered several hurting women married to men who pursued, or were active in, ministry. These women felt trapped, worried, and afraid. And because their husbands held the position they did, these wives didn't know how to find a safe place.
As a fiction author, I have written a series of novels with the purpose of exposing this kind of pain in Christian families. I didn't write to impugn or to harass, but to shed light on a sad reality. So that silent sufferers wouldn't feel alone. So that redemption could shine on such a dark family canvas.
Do you know a "Sarah"? Whether she is a friend, acquaintance, or the woman you look at each day in the mirror, there is something you can do. Pray fervently that God will give you the wisdom to find shelter. Pray for the courage to tell the truth, or to be a safe place for her to tell the truth. And believe that no one "deserves" punishment, violence, or verbal thrashings by a spouse. Remember that God's heart for marriage is unity, mutual understanding, longsuffering, love that overlooks shortfalls, and camaraderie.
May we all seek God's design for marriage and may those who need to find shelter hurry towards it.
Dear Lord, whether I am a Sarah, or a friend of a Sarah, give me wisdom. Make me aware if You desire for me to take a role in helping someone. I give You everything, including my fears, worries, and stress. Shine Your light on my family, I pray. And lead me to Your safe place. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth. This book is one of the three fall selections for our recently launched SheReads Fiction Book Club.
Mary will be guest posting on the SheReads blog this week. If you would like to ask questions anonymously or dialogue further about this devotion, she welcomes you there and would love to hear from you!
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Application Steps:
If you're a Sarah: Seek solace in a safe friendship and share your story. If you fear for your life or your children's lives, contact your local battered women's shelter.
If you know a Sarah, pray that God would show you how you can be used in her life to help her find shelter from what she is going through.
Reflections:
Who benefits from me keeping a family secret like this?
How is it loving to allow someone to hurt you or others?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:15, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every aspect into him who is the head, into Christ." (ESV)
Ephesians 5:11, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead, expose them." (ESV)
© 2009 by Mary DeMuth. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 22, 2009
Feel The Burn
Luann Prater
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
Devotion:
Jagged rocks sunk deep into my knee. They left a hole the size of a quarter and deep enough for my mom to wrap her finger in a washcloth and stick it down in it to clean it out! (How is that for way too graphic?) This 3rd grade bicycle accident left an impression, literally!
My knee always gave me trouble after that. Bike riding was still possible because I had the leverage of the other leg. I could walk for miles. But running was a different story. Running a lap in gym class caused my knee to swell the size of a small cantaloupe! If the teacher insisted I keep running, the knee would go limp and I would fall on the track.
The school nurse told my mom to take me to the doctor. He drained it, then wrote a note and handed it to my mom. A prescription? No, a note excusing me from EVER taking another gym class....EVER! Woo Hoo! I felt like I had just been released from exercise-prison!
What that did over time, however, was clip the wings of this butterfly. That note was my "get out of jail free card" and I pulled it out whenever exercise was mentioned. At first I was fearful that my silly weak knee would let me down and embarrass me in front of my friends, so I would just excuse myself from the fun. Then I just gave up all together, thinking I could never do anything physical beyond walking.
A few years ago, my sweet friend Lysa began running every morning. I remember thinking, I wish I could do that. My neighbor also runs every morning and asked if I wanted to join her. "Wish I could," I'd say.
Dealing with congestion in our chests one day, my hubby and I decided to go for a walk. Suddenly I blurted, "Let's run and get active enough to break this stuff up!" He looked to see if I was joking, then saw my serious face. So we ran.
And I liked it! I didn't even consult my knee! We made a second lap and I finally felt it -- the burn.
People talk about feeling the burn but I never really "got it." However, that day the warm sensation in my limp, lazy muscles felt good. Stretching past the norm made me feel alive.
Complacency is never good, not physically or spiritually. Fear of what might happen took the drive out of my physical life. Sometimes fear of what might happen can take the power out of my run with Christ.
Are you pulling out your note of excuses, explaining why being an active Christian just won't work for you? Or are you regularly feeling the burn in your walk with Jesus?
My husband and I are running twice a day now. I feel the burn and I'm LOVIN' IT!
Is God calling you to get off the couch and out in the world to make a difference? If so, get up and go with gusto.
Dear Lord, You never sat lazily on the sidelines and watched life happen while You were here on earth. You were active in the lives of others. Help me Father to love the burn that comes with stretching my faith. Take my hand Lord and teach me to run! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Luann's Blog
Listen to Today's Radio Show
Application Steps:
Stretch yourself today. What can you do to get off the sidelines of life and get into the race?
Reflections:
What excuses have I made to stay in my comfort zone?
Will I take that first step and decide to run my race with faith?
Who could I share this word of encouragement with to spur them to live an active life with Jesus?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV)
Proverbs 31:17, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." (NIV)
© 2009 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 23, 2009
A Divine Appointment
Wendy Blight
"He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27(NIV)
Devotion:
Every Memorial Day weekend my friend Karen and I travel with our families to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, for five days of rest and relaxation. We just cannot wait to dig our toes in the sand, take long walks on the beach, and enjoy the island's incredible sunsets. Every trip is special, but this most recent trip stood above all others.
Karen and I ran to the local grocery. Feeding nine people for five days resulted in two carts overflowing with food and supplies. We approached the checkout lines looking for the shortest line. We chose a line with an older woman without a cart. Apparently waiting on someone else, she motioned for us to go ahead of her. Moments later, a young woman scurried up pushing a crying child in a half-full cart. It was clear the older woman was frustrated that they now had to wait behind us, so we offered to give her back her place in line.
As the young woman and her child passed by me, my heart began to pound. I physically began to tremble. I felt God impressing upon my heart that Karen and I were to buy her groceries. I hesitated, but past experience caused me to obey. I tapped the young woman on the shoulder and spoke these exact words, "I know it sounds strange, but God told me that we are to buy your groceries."
She graciously accepted with tears in her eyes, and then she and the older woman left. A few minutes later, the older woman returned to share an incredible story. The young woman was her daughter. Her name was Micah.
Micah's husband had walked out on her and her young son a few months before. He had abused her for years before leaving. She could barely make ends meet and felt completely abandoned by everyone, especially God.
Days before this God-ordained meeting in the grocery story, Micah and her mother had prayed. Her mother prayed that God would draw Micah back into relationship with Him. Micah prayed, "God, if you are real, if you love me, show Yourself to me!" As her mother shared these words, it was a powerful moment. Micah, in the midst of her deepest sorrow and pain cried out to God for His Presence. Karen and I simply walked in the store that day to complete an ordinary task. And God crossed our paths at one point in time to show each of us He is active, involved, and OH SO REAL!
Yes, it was a great day for Micah. But what a day it was for Karen and me as well! Our obedience to the Lord's prompting touched this woman's life in such a powerful way that she KNEW He was real and had not abandoned her, and that He answers prayer. A divine appointment ... a day I will treasure forever.
Heavenly Father, Sovereign Lord, the Great I Am. Thank You that You have planned every day of our lives before we have lived a single day. Thank You that You speak into our lives today. Thank You that You invite us to join You in Your work. Father, give us opportunities to be Your hands and feet. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see the broken and hurting people all around us. Give us a heart of obedience. Give us boldness to speak. May all glory and honor and praise go to You. In Jesus' Name Amen.
Related Resources:
Please pray about becoming part of a child's life through Compassion International
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance Sisk
Visit Wendy's blog, Living Truth
Application Steps:
Over the next few days, pray for the Lord to bring opportunities in your life to minister to others. Pray that He will open your eyes to see and your ears to hear.
If you have a story to tell, please share it on Wendy's blog, Living Truth.
Reflections:
Read Luke 10:25-37: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Focus especially on Luke 10:27. How does this lesson relate to our devotion?
Power Verse:
Proverbs 11:25, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes another will himself be refreshed." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
September 24, 2009
A Morning Prayer
Lysa TerKeurst
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
It is very early in the morning. Not many people are stirring yet.
Though my body begs me just to roll over and go back to sleep, my soul is stirring to get up and go sit with Jesus.
Though I can't physically see Him, I know He is present.
I decide to open my Bible to the Psalms and use the verses I read as prayers to start my day. And the more I pray those verses out loud the less I hear all the nagging things of the world. A beautiful melody of truth starts to rise up and suddenly my worries fade in the light of God's truth.
His perspective on things that are troubling me starts to overshadow my anxiety. Like shade on a hot summer's day, I feel relief in His presence.
I know that He is preparing me for what I will need throughout this day. He is already standing in every minute of my day and He sees what I will face. So, He's equipping me to be able to handle what is ahead of me with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.
In Psalm 81:10b, God instructs me, "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." He will give me what to say today. What to say in happy moments. What to say in aggravating moments. What to say in moments where I feel insecure and what to say when I feel completely confident. What to say in disappointing moments. What to say in response to questions.
He also reminds me that sometimes it is good to keep my mouth closed and say nothing at all.
All the words that rumble about in my brain and those that will proceed out of my mouth, Lord, You be the author of those.
Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely. So, I ask God to dwell in me richly. I want Him to be what radiates about me. I want Him to be my pretty today.
Not my hair. Not my outfit. Not my efforts. But simply Him and His spirit dancing invisibly about me... shifting a wrong attitude, guarding my words, and whispering constant truths into my heart.
Psalm 86:11 is what I ask the Lord to give me. "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart..."
Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the truth and not my feelings.
Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.
Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity...rather than a personal inconvenience.
And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13a, "Great is your love toward me."
You already see all the many ways I will surely fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all.
Have mercy, that's amazing.
But what's most amazing is that the God of the Universe, the Savior of the world, would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this.
Dear Lord, I love You. All that I have read here is the desire of my heart. I know and confess that sometimes my actions and reactions betray my love for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for Your grace that is able to recognize this new day as a new chance to walk closer with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Lysa's blog to register to win a free conference call with Lysa to do a Q&A with your Bible Study group!
This "morning prayer" is taken from Lysa's new book just released this month called, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl. If you've ever wanted a book that will show you how to move into a closer relationship with God, this is the book you've been looking for. Order your copy today!
Application Steps:
Set aside time today to personally pray through the verses in Psalms listed in this devotion. Personalize them by inserting things personal to you. For example: Psalm 86:11 talks about having an undivided heart. List out those things that divide your heart and pull you away from the closeness you desire with Jesus. Spend some time confessing these and asking for wisdom to know how to better handle them.
Reflections:
What distracts me from spending time with Jesus?
Is it important to spend time with Jesus in the morning or is there another time I'm more alert and able to concentrate?
Power Verses:
Mark 1:35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (NIV)
Luke 5:16, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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September 25, 2009
A Financially-Productive Woman
Glynnis Whitwer
"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes."
Proverbs 31:24 (NIV)
Devotion:
In today's economy, I look for every way to save money. I'm a sale-shopping, coupon-clipping, leftover-loving woman. I'm a firm believer in Benjamin Franklin's well-known adage, "A penny saved is a penny earned." And this past couple of years, my family has certainly had to apply that to our lives in greater measure.
Sometimes, however, saving money just isn't enough. As many families face a reduced income due to layoffs and company closures, there are only so many ways to cut corners. So I'm also a believer in trying to make money in creative ways. As many of us wonder what the future holds financially, I'd like to suggest we look at a biblical example of how to use the resources we have within our homes to increase our families' incomes.
One of the best examples I know is found in Proverbs 31. Throughout chapter 31 we meet a woman who was a good manager of all her resources, and in verse 24, we learn that she used her weaving skills to make money. As I consider this women's ingenuity, I learn that she identified a need (merchants needed sashes) and then used her skills (making garments) and energy (selling them) to increase her family's financial well being.
I wonder if many of us overlook this principle as we face a financially shaky future with dread. Perhaps we don't need to look for an employer that is hiring, but instead should consider how to use the resources God has already given us. On a recent trip, I met a wonderful example of a woman doing just that. She is past retirement age, lives alone and wanted to bring in extra income. Since I'm a small business owner, our commonalities got us talking.
This productive woman buys used wool sweaters, shrinks them and sews them into designer mittens using other fabrics and decorative accents. Then she sells them in a local shop where she has a booth. That's not all she sells. She has added hand-made products made by women working at home in other countries, plus some unique new clothing items she buys and resells. It all started with a creative idea, the use of her talents and some energy to sell them.
Artistic talents aren't the only resource we have to help our families. Many people have other skills that can be used to increase incomes. Some examples are physical strength, athletic training, organization, planning, love of travel, cooking, gardening and cleaning.
Many have families that can help. This past summer I watched a local landscaper work every week with his two sons by his side. They are a family pulling together when it counts most.
No one wishes for hard financial times - though we can learn much in them. When God is on our side, there are always opportunities waiting to be uncovered. Instead of dreading the future, perhaps God wants to tap into the unique resources He has planted within our lives and family for such a time as this.
Dear Lord, I thank You today for the many resources You have given me. Thank You for my life, for my mind, for what health I have and for the hope you offer. Please help me to see how I might use these resources to become more financially productive. Only You know the true depth of my needs. So today I ask for Your help. I know I can do all things through You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Work@Home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home by Glynnis Whitwer
Learning to Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Visit Glynnis' blog to read suggestions for home-based businesses you can start with little money.
Application Steps:
If you are in a place of financial need, take some time to evaluate all the resources you have. List five that could possibly be used to increase your financial health.
Reflections:
God often uses our finances to teach us lessons. What have you learned about God as a result of a financially difficult time in your life?
What is one wise money management principle that you should apply to your life now?
Power Verses:
Matthew 25:21, "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (NIV)
Proverbs 21:5, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." (NIV)
John 21:6, "And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.' So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish." (NASB)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
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September 28, 2009
A Different Way to Look at Suffering
Micca Monda Campbell
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Jesus had a unique way of clearing up misconceptions by helping people see truth as it was meant to be. For example, in John 9 we find Jesus refuting the traditional explanation of suffering when His disciples point to a man born blind and ask, "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" In other words, they wanted to know Why did he deserve blindness? Jesus answers frankly, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
The disciples looked backwards to find out why the man was blind. Jesus redirects their attention by pointing forward and upward with a new and different perspective.
Usually, our response to challenges or suffering is determined by our perspective.
When our focus is inward on ourselves or outward on circumstances, our natural response is fear, insecurity, grumbling and despair. I know. I've been there far too often. Have you?
Yet, Jesus redirects our questions and our focus. In doing so, it causes us to see suffering in a new light that disproves the old tradition. Not all suffering is a direct result of sin. Pain has a higher purpose in our lives. It's not necessarily there because we deserve it. It's to reveal God's glory.
Suffering is meant to refine us. James says it makes us "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (1:4b, ESV). Pain drives us to seek the heart and will of God.
Perhaps you and I have been going at it all wrong. We've been looking backwards in the rearview mirror of life asking, "Why? What did I do to deserve this?" Instead, we should look forward and up asking, "What's the purpose of my pain? What's the end result? What is God trying to do, accomplish, or teach me?"
These types of questions enable us to hold out hope for the future. They remind us our suffering can be transformed or redeemed. Tragedies and hardships like the loss of a spouse, a child, a limb, a job, or a home can be used to display God's work and make us more like Jesus.
Isn't it time you and I looked up? An upward focus brings about a supernatural response that reflects trust and confidence in God, as He brings about His glorious work in each of us.
Dear Lord, give me a new perspective today. Help me see the real meaning of my suffering. Enable me to trust You with the good work You are accomplishing in my life through this pain. I long for You to be glorified in this trial. Give me the strength I need to make that happen. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Get Over It and Get On With It by Michelle McKinney Hammond
Visit Micca's blog, Reflections, and find out more about her resources here.
Application Steps:
Choose not to look in the review mirror of life today. Instead, look forward. Ask God "to what end" is my suffering. Look for evidence of how God is at work refining your faith and character to match His.
Reflections:
What do you think God is trying to accomplish in your life through your suffering?
The blind man learned something about Christ from being healed. What have you learned about Christ from your experience?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 4:12-13, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (NIV).
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 29, 2009
A Mere Piece of Bronze
Marybeth Whalen
"He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan)." II Kings 18:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
I used to have a quote, cut from a magazine article, taped above my desk. I can't recall the exact quote, but the gist of it was that while our children are gifts from God, it's easy to let them become little idols. I remember the shock value of reading those words printed on the page. My children? Idols? It sounded like heresy! But as I allowed the words to sink in, I realized that the person who penned those words was right. Most anything can become an idol in our hearts -becoming more important than our relationship with God, taking priority over His place in our life.
In Numbers 21:8-9, God told the Israelites to raise a bronze snake on a pole and look to it in order to be healed. Seven hundred years later, the Israelites had gotten off track. They had turned that snake - something that was God's idea -into an idol they worshiped. In our verse for today, we see Hezekiah destroying the snake in an effort to turn the people's hearts back to God. The word Nehushtan in the verse means "a mere piece of bronze." The bronze snake was not the answer to the people's problems. They had attached too much significance to it. Hezekiah had no choice but to refocus their attention where it needed to be by physically removing the idol.
Idols can take many forms in our lives. Family members and friends can become idols. Doctors and medicine can become idols. Work and hobbies can become idols. Entertainment - movies, TV, music, games - can become idols. Food can become an idol. An idol by definition is anything that we place our trust in, anything that takes precedence over God. While we may not pray to it and burn incense to it, it becomes more important than anything, including God. Just like God designed the snake to be a good thing in the lives of His people, so He allows us to have good things in our lives. He just doesn't want us to get things out of whack, as we are prone to do. It's not that the thing itself is the problem; it's our attitude about that thing.
God showed me that I needed to destroy any idols in my life. For me, I had to spend a lot of time refocusing my priorities. I started with how important I had made my husband and children. Yes, my family needed me. Yes, I needed to spend time with them. Yes, I loved them dearly. But they couldn't take the place of my relationship with the Lord. I had to put them in their proper place and renew my perspective.
This can only be done with intentionality and continual heart work. God gives us good things to enjoy - family and friends and work and food and hobbies and entertainment. But He has also given us Himself, opening the door wide for us to come before His throne. May we keep good things in their place and keep God on the throne of our lives.
Dear Lord, please get my attention when I get distracted. Help me to keep the good things in my life where they belong and to keep You first. Help me destroy any idols I have placed ahead of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pierced by the Word by John Piper
The Reason We Speak, General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog, Cheaper by the Half Dozen, and find out more about her other resources here
Application Steps:
Read Numbers 21:8-9. Think about the difference in how the snake was created versus what happened with the snake 700 years later.
Reflections:
Is there something God is bringing to your mind that was a good thing that has gotten out of whack in your life?
Power Verses:
I Timothy 6:17, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (NIV)
John 3:14, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 30, 2009
Turtle Neckin'
Amy Carroll
"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."
Proverbs 16:31(NIV)
Devotion:
"There comes a moment when you know that your face has changed; when that effortless glow you always had going for you suddenly requires serious effort. For me, that moment came on the first of August at 4:13 pm, Eastern Daylight Time, while buying a pound and a half of chicken breasts at Simchyk and Sons." - Lisa Kogan
At first I laughed hysterically when I read those lines from an article. Pretty soon, though, I realized that the laugh was just hysteria and that it had a real note of panic in it. It hit a little too close to home, because I had my own well-defined realization of my aging recently. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of my car window, and I almost turned to see who was standing behind me.
Unfortunately, the neck that was reflected was my own. I just couldn't understand where all those little crepe-y lines had come from. I had never seen them before. Upon reflection, I think I must even do the turtle neck in the mirror. You know the move. It's the stretch I do with my neck during pictures to try to eliminate any extra chins. Evidently, I've been doing it in the mirror, too, and that's why I hadn't seen any of those wrinkles on my neck!
I had a significant birthday this year, and there were almost instant changes in my face. I've enlisted my good friend Holly to be my dealer -I mean supplier - of skin care products. Even though Proverbs assures me that my gray hairs are a crown, I still want my crown hidden for a while under color from a bottle. I want to age gracefully but not suddenly!
With all the angst over a few wrinkles, I have to admit that I'm also embracing all the good stuff that comes with age. There's actually a lot to celebrate. I have gradually felt myself feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Although I strive to make my words godly, I also feel bolder and more empowered to stand up and speak up. I've increasingly realized that although I have nothing to offer, Jesus in me has everything to offer. I'm relishing becoming the older woman who knows a little bit about the world, mothering, pursuing a passion and cultivating a walk with God.
My outward body may be deteriorating, but I know that running hard on the heels of Jesus will keep me spiritually fit and beautiful. I can revel in each year as long as my image is more closely matching His image.
I see the stretch of the years in front of me as the stretch to truly begin looking more like Jesus. It's the stretch where, if I do it right, the outside matters less and less. The world is less and less attractive. Heaven becomes more and more my home. My character is more and more submitted to Jesus, and my final destination is in sight. I may decide to apply specialized creams to my neck and dye to my hair, but the increase in years is worth it to gain from God the things I need to be a woman of substance!
Dear Lord, help me to keep laughing about all the changes in my body as I age, but help me to take inner change seriously. I truly want to grow older and godlier instead of older and grouchier. In Jesus' precious Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Amy's blog, Ponderings from the Pathway
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A Compilation of Favorite P31 Devotions by various Encouragement for Today authors.
Do You Know Him?
Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be by Donna Partow
Application Steps:
Make a list of the blessings that have come with age.
Thank God even for the hard things that come with age. They are the things that make heaven become more appealing and more like home.
Reflections:
What steps can I take to look more like Jesus every day?
How can I encourage the older people around me that they are valuable and loved?
Power Verses:
Job 12:12, "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" (NIV)
Isaiah 46:4, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 1, 2009
Thorns and Petals
Lysa TerKeurst
"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."
Luke 8:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
My life has not been a bed of roses.
What an odd statement. It is supposed to mean that I haven't lived a life without snags and hurt. However, think of an actual bed of roses. Doesn't it have both thorns and flowers?
Let me say, if I was reading this devotion and I saw it was going to be about roses, I might be tempted to click "delete" while rolling my eyes and thinking the last thing the world needs is another cutesy Christian analogy. But stick with me here. There is something significant to be discovered about roses and thorns.
My aunt has grown roses for years. When I was in middle school and my family was falling apart, I went to live with my aunt for almost a year. I remember her telling me not to run through her rose garden. After all, she had what seemed like hundreds of other acres that unfolded in wide open fields. I could run there.
But I didn't want to.
I only wanted to run through the rose garden. I wanted to spread my arms wide open and run between the rows brushing my fingertips across all the velvety blooms. I wanted some of the blooms to burst and shower petals all around. Then I could gather the petals and spread them along my path.
As if I could carve a new place in this world lined with beauty and void of adult words like divorce, rejection, and hate ... I wanted my world to be soft, pink, and lovely. So, I took a running start with my arms outstretched only to be shocked with searing pain within the first few steps.
Thorns. Big, mean, vicious thorns. Thorns that ripped my flesh and opened up the flood of tears I'd been so determined to hold back. Suddenly, I hated that bush. I wanted to chop it down and beat it into the ground. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to destroy something that produced such beauty.
I stood back from the source of my pain and wondered should I call it a bush of thorns or a bush of flowers. Really, it could go either way.
Suddenly I wasn't just staring at a bush. I was staring at my life. My life. Such a bed of roses. Would I see the hurt or would I see the beauty?
Luke 8:14 says, "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." The seed being referred to here is the Word of God. Isn't it interesting that people who are choked by life's circumstances and never mature are referred to as having thorns in the soil of their soul? Yes, life sometimes hands us thorns but we have the choice to park our mind on the thorn or on the beauty it can eventually produce in us if only we'll cling tightly to God's Word. For however a person thinks is how they will eventually become.
If we dwell on and think about the negative in life, we will become negative and God's Word will have a hard time taking root in our souls. If, however, we acknowledge the negative but choose instead to look for the good that can come from it, God's Word will take root in our souls and produce a lush crop of beauty.
It all comes down to choice. That day in my aunt's garden, I chose to be aware of the thorns but park my mind on the petals.
And I guess you could say, I've been making that choice every day since.
Dear Lord, it can be really hard to focus on the petals rather than the thorns of life. Really hard. Will you help me? I want the soil of my soul to be healthy and ready to receive Your Word. I want to produce beauty in my life despite the thorns by which I've been so hurt. Will You show me how? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of verses that will help you further process the thorns you are facing right now.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book has more details about the rest of Lysa's story and how she made the choice to see beauty from life despite horrific tragedies.
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Look at today's key verse again and list out the ways people are choked by life's circumstances.
Isn't it interesting that it's not just the worries of life that can choke us but good things too? What are some things that might be hindering you right now?
Reflections:
What does this verse reveal is the outcome of the person consumed with focusing on thorns? Have you ever struggled with feeling like you aren't maturing in your Christian walk?
I did... for many years. That's why I wrote Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl to help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus and understand how Jesus can help us process the snags of life in a healthy way. Why not order a copy for you and one for a friend?
Click here to order. And also know that your purchase from P31 helps support our free daily devotions...so, thank you!
Power Verses:
Hebrews 6:8, "But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned." (NIV)
Mark 15:17, "They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 2, 2009
If You Say So
Van Walton
"Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." Luke 5:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Shortly after Jesus began His ministry, He sat down in Peter's boat and began teaching those on the shore. Finishing His lesson He told Peter to go back onto the lake and let down his fishing nets.
Peter had already worked all night. Discouraged and tired he didn't jump at the chance to sail back into deep waters. He was ready to quit.
Reading this story in Luke, I detect a bit of defiance. Do you, like me, sense some push back, a little attitude in Peter's response in our key verse? I do. I perceive it because it sounds like me!
If I don't feel like doing something or if I don't understand its purpose, I question the idea. I doubt the instruction. Especially if I have already gone down that path unsuccessfully. Why repeat it? Been there, tried that. I just want to give up and go home.
So when Peter had a rough go of it, working hard to bring home a night's wages and didn't succeed, he wasn't sure that repeating the action wouldn't change the outcome.
He questioned Jesus. Can you imagine?
"Master, we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing."
I can totally relate! In my words, "Master, I already tried that. It didn't work."
What was Peter thinking? Jesus doesn't know what he's talking about. After all he's no fisherman. Or, Jesus doesn't have a clue how tired we are! We've already put in an eight-hour shift.
There have been times I've felt Jesus' prompting: Be kind to her. I respond, "But Jesus, she ignores me." I hear Him whisper, Include her. I respond, "She wouldn't fit in." Invite her to join you . "Ok, if you say so." I finally obey.
I remember when I first heard, develop a ministry for Hispanic women. The words weren't the same as God's words to Peter but the meaning was the same: "Let down your nets again."
The thought overwhelmed me. I had attempted to reach out to my Latina sisters before. Teaching ESL, Bible, and parenting classes had at one time fit into my volunteer schedule. For one reason or another - cultural differences, changes in leadership, and family relocations - I had grown weary of working so hard to eventually experience empty nets.
"Been there. Tried that." But the Holy Spirit kept pressing and finally I replied, "OK. If you say so." That's when a member of the P31 team asked me to consider developing a ministry for Latinas.
I wondered how in the world I could provide devotions, speaking engagements, prayers, and resources for women from another culture in another language.
First Angela, a Colombian soccer player's wife, joined me. She attended She Speaks and began translating and writing devotions. She started a teaching ministry to Latinas.
Next Ana attended the writers' track at She Speaks and wrote devotions for our weekly publication.
Judith heard Lysa and Renee on the radio and she called the office. Soon after, she began to volunteer by translating our devotions into Spanish. After attending She Speaks, she stepped into a speaking ministry.
Then Laura e-mailed me asking if she could help the team by editing the devotions before we posted them.
Wendy also e-mailed asking if she could volunteer somewhere within Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Lupe called the office. She too offered to volunteer. She attended She Speaks and now writes and translates our Spanish devotions.
Have you felt that God has asked you to do something impossible, something you have already tried, and your efforts have left you exhausted? Are you ready to quit?
Let me encourage you to never give up. Always let your response be,
"Master, if You say so, I'll try again."
Jesus, forgive me for questioning You or Your plans. Continue to challenge me because I never want to miss the joy that comes when I experience a "full net." In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A Compilation of Favorite P31 Devotions by various Encouragement for Today authors.
Click here to see the work Van and all of her Latina amigas have done!
From the Pound to the Palace book and DVD by Van Walton
Visit Van's blog, Created for the Garden, but Lost in the Jungle
Application Steps:
Look around your immediate community. Is there a ministry waiting for you to step into or start? Has God called you to this work? What is stopping you from "letting down your nets?"
Reflections:
What is God asking me to do that I have resisted?
Am I willing to follow and obey Jesus?
Do I believe God wants to bless me through this?
Power Verses:
Luke 5:11, "...they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." (NIV)
Romans 10:14, "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" (NASB)
© 2009 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 5, 2009
The Shape of His Love
Susan Meissner, She Reads Author
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8 (NIV)
Our guest writer today is Susan Meissner, award-winning novelist, mom of four, and pastor's wife. Her book The Shape of Mercy was chosen as a P31 "She Reads" fall selection. We asked Susan to share a devotion with us that touches on one of the themes of her novel.
Devotion:
Have you ever let fear influence your perspective? My husband still teases me about a time that I did.
When our family lived in Minnesota we experienced what we called "bat season." It was a time of the year when bats regularly got into our home and needed help finding their way out. The usual mode of encouragement was a bucket and a tennis racket. A calm bat could be gently coaxed into a bucket with the racket, and then released outdoors. I wasn't overly afraid of them but I didn't want them near me and their flapping wings were a bit more than I cared to bear.
One night during bat season, I awoke to the sound of those wings. I looked up into the darkness and there on the ceiling was the chevron shape; its wings spread like the Caped Crusader. I had a sleeping husband next to me and no tennis racket.
I jostled Bob awake and rasped out the frightening news.
"Bob! There's a bat above us!"
He jolted upright and I hushed him quickly. "Where?" he whispered.
"Right there!" I pointed to the ceiling. "See?! What are we going to do?"
He looked beside the bed for a shoe, a magazine, anything. "I don't know," he said. "I think I am going to have to turn on the light."
"No! He'll start flying around!" I squeaked.
"I need a racket."
I was practically hyperventilating as Bob reached over to his bedside table and turned on the lamp. We braced ourselves for chaos. Light replaced darkness, revealing not a bat but our adjustable ceiling lights, shaped like a V because I had put them that way nine years earlier.
I had let fear convince me something was true when it wasn't. Not only did I rush to judgment, but I used my fear to convince someone else that what I believed was true.
Too often we pass judgment on people and situations we know little about. History has shown us that when we judge in ignorance we can make terrible mistakes. When we allow our view of someone or something to be swayed by suspicions or what the crowd says, we can make a tragic error of assuming something is true when it isn't. Fear tutors us to think that way. It warps our vision.
Jesus said He has only two expectations of us: Love God, and love others--including those whose ways we don't understand, who behave differently than we do, and who "flap their wings" when we'd rather they didn't. When we love God completely, we find the grace, mercy and wisdom to love the rest of the world. Plus, we are told in 1 John 4:18 that there is no fear in love.
When we make love our highest and best pursuit, fear and judgment dissolve as quickly as the shadows in my bedroom when I turn on the light. I am learning to let His light show me the shape of His love.
Dear Lord, You are the essence of love itself. We know that the more we love, the more we bear Your image to a world that so desperately needs to see it. Help us love more and judge less. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The award-winning novel The Shape of Mercy, by Susan Meissner, is a fall pick for P31's new fiction division She Reads. Order a copy from Proverbs 31 today.
Want a chance to win a free copy of Susan's novel? Ten winners will be drawn, with the grand winner also receiving a beautiful leather journal and pen set. Hurry over to P31's new site for fiction fans and enter the giveaway.
Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman's Guide to Peace in Every Situation by Grace Fox
Application Steps:
Choose an organization in your hometown that ministers to the homeless and spend a couple hours offering compassion, hospitality an service. Check and discard any preconceived notions you may have about the homeless, letting God replace these impressions with His love.
Reflections:
Have you ever been judged by others or had presuppositions placed upon you? How did it make you feel?
Look at Romans 8:14-16. What does the apostle Paul say here about fear?
Reread our key verse--have you left the debt of love outstanding?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:13-14, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (NIV)
Matthew 7:1-3, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susan Meissner. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
October 6, 2009
Coffee, Anyone?
Shari Braendel
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV)
Devotion:
As I tried to catch a few more minutes of sleep, my husband leaned over and whispered that he was going to the pool. We were on a Florida vacation so going to the pool would be a normal activity for many people, just not my husband. He is not someone who "goes to the pool." Ever. The beach, maybe, but usually only when I go with him for a walk.
So, when he kissed me and headed out the hotel door alone I was curious, although not curious enough to miss a little more shut eye! As I rolled over thirty minutes later, I realized he hadn't come back yet, so I did a little snooping.
I went onto our balcony to see if I could get a glimpse of him, wondering what he might be doing. As I scanned the pool area, I caught sight of a homeless man sitting on the side of the road leading to the public beach entrance. I remembered passing him the day before as he was sleeping in the grass. Today, however, he was sitting with his legs crossed, coffee in hand, talking to someone. I leaned a little further over the edge of the balcony and my heart skipped as I realized it was my husband. The two of them were sitting on rocks, drinking cups of coffee, engaged in conversation.
I watched them from a distance for about twenty minutes until they parted ways. My husband looked so comfortable talking to this man. They were laughing, smiling and having a nice time. I learned he offered to do the guy's laundry, and then sent him on his way with a little cash.
I had to pause a moment and ask myself if I would have been gutsy enough to do the same. Would I approach a complete stranger just to sit and talk? Would I offer someone hungry a coffee and a breakfast bar as my husband did?
As I pondered their encounter I thought about the kind of man my husband is. You see, he's not the type to get up early and read his Bible every single day, and he's not on any committees at church. What you will see him do though, is talk to homeless men, give money to needy strangers, and be kind to people. You know, "be Jesus" to others.
I believe God asks each one of us to step out and "be Jesus." Sometimes, though, we get so consumed with everyday life we just don't do it, or we say we'll do it later because we don't have time now.
I also believe that God doesn't ask us to do anything that He hasn't already prepared us for. You see, my husband was homeless as a teenager. He was forced to live on his own from the time he was 15 years old. He learned to find shelter in snowdrifts, basements, and abandoned cars. He has a heart for the unlovely, the runaways, and those whose clothes aren't so clean.
We each have gifts, talents and past experiences that allow us to reach out and touch others in ways that will be meaningful to them. It often doesn't cost us more than a cup of coffee to do so. What experiences or passions do you have that would make you a perfect candidate to reach out to someone today?
Dear God, open my eyes to the people around me so I can make a difference to someone else. I know the circumstances of my life are not left in vain when I offer myself to You and Your service. Provide a way for me to "be Jesus" to someone today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God's Love by Max Lucado
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Wess Stafford
Do You Know Him?
Visit Shari Braendel's blog
Application Steps:
Pray and ask God if there is someone whose life He wants you to touch. Pray that He will bring that person into your path and that you will have the courage to reach out.
Make arrangements today to serve at a local food closet or soup kitchen.
Reflections:
What experiences or hardships have I experienced that I can use to help another?
Will I be bitter about my past, or use it to connect with someone else who needs Jesus?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:11, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..." (NIV)
Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 7, 2009
Younger, Cuter, Skinnier
Melanie Chitwood
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
While I waited in the carpool line to pick up my 10-year-old son Tyler, I watched the other moms coming and going with their kids. When Tyler got in the car, we talked about his day. Abruptly changing subjects, I asked, "Tyler, do I look 46?"
He quickly answered, "No, mom, you look ... 37." I smiled, wondering how he came up with that number, but liking that it was much lower than my actual age.
I said, "Good answer!"
"Except for those wrinkles," he added as he studied my face.
"What?!"
"And ..."
"Okay, we are finished with this conversation!"
As we drove back home, I wondered what prompted me to blurt out that question. Instantly, I knew the answer. While watching the other moms, I had started comparing myself. My comparison led me to think that the other moms were younger, cuter and skinnier.
Can you relate to these thoughts? We can fall into the comparison trap in an instant. For example, we flip through the pages of a magazine and compare our bodies to the images of skinny models. We go to a new Bible study and hesitate to speak up because we're sure the other women know more than we do.
Comparison usually leads us down a dangerous path of feeling insecure and "not enough," or else prideful and "better than." Neither path of thinking is one God wants us to take. God's Word tells us exactly what to do with faulty comparison thinking in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (NIV).
What does this mean in practice? First, we have to become aware of our thoughts. Next, we clarify if our thoughts are God's truth or the enemy's lies. We can be sure that any condemning or prideful thoughts are not from God. Finally, when we recognize a thought which is a lie, we need to replace the lie with God's truth. The verse I memorized to combat the lies resulting from comparison is a personalized version of today's key verse in Ephesians 2:10: "For I am God's beautiful masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things He planned for me long ago."
Take time today to ask God to reveal to you any lies you believe about yourself. Confess pride or insecurity, and ask God to fill you with His truthful perspective.
And don't ask your child how old you look!
Dear Lord, keep my mind centered on the truth of who You say I am. Don't let my thoughts be tossed all over the place by the lies of the enemy. I know I am not defined by my circumstances, what I see in the mirror, or even what other people say about me. Let me rest in Your confidence as I acknowledge who You say I am, a masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Read similar encouragement at Everyday Life!
A Woman Who Fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30) T-Shirt
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George
Application Steps:
Memorize a verse, such as Ephesians 2:10, to fill your mind with God's truth.
Have an honest discussion with a close friend about any tendencies you have to compare yourself to others. How can you encourage one another and hold each other accountable to "whatever is true" (Philippians 4:8)?
Reflections:
In what areas of my life - appearance, weight, work, motherhood, marriage - do I feel inadequate?
In what areas of my life am I prideful?
Consider the answers to these questions, and ask for God's true perspective on these areas of your life.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You." (NASB)
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 8, 2009
How Can I Make my Prayer Life Come Alive?
Lysa TerKeurst
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." Matthew 6:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was tired of my prayer life seeming a bit stale. I used words that sounded official but my heart wasn't connecting. Too many times I found myself praying because I felt obligated - it was just something good Christians did. But I didn't want my prayer time to be like an awkward conversation with someone I barely knew. I wanted more. As I examined the way I had been praying for years, I started to realize most of my prayers seemed to be centered around me and the ways I wanted God to bless me:
God, bless my kids and keep them safe.
God, bless me and my family with good health and strong, capable bodies.
God, bless my husband's business.
God, bless this food that you so richly provide.
God, bless our day today.
Now, it's not wrong to pray these prayers. They are honest prayers. These are heart-felt prayers. These are the prayers of many women who are rising to the daunting task of taking care of their families.
But, they set my expectations of God to be what I want, without taking into consideration the possibility of God's bigger plan. Praying only these types of prayers was stunting my growth with a focus on convenience and comfort, rather than growing me into a woman of character, perseverance and maturity.
Nancy Guthrie wrote an article a couple of years ago for the magazine, Today's Christian Woman, entitled, "Prayers That Move the Heart of God." In this fascinating article she says, "There's so much to want--healed bodies, restored relationships, changed circumstances. But asking, seeking and knocking aren't secret formulas for getting what we want from God; they're ways to get more of God. As I listen to God speak to me through His Word, He gives me more of Himself in fuller, newer ways. Then, if healing doesn't come, if the relationship remains broken, or if the pressures increase, I have the opportunity to discover for myself He is enough. His presence is enough. His purpose is enough."
Nancy goes on to share in the article that through changing her prayers to be more about getting to know God rather than getting what she wants from Him, she is changing from just knowing about God to experiencing Him in deeper ways than ever before.
I still present my requests to God but I don't make this the focus of my prayer. My focus when I pray is to better align my heart with God's heart. Instead of filling up my prayer time with my requests and my words, I spend more time listening to whatever He might have to say. Power enters our prayers not by our words sounding powerful, but rather by listening for even the slightest whisper from the One who is All-Powerful.
And that's when our prayer life really comes alive.
Dear Lord, forgive me for always praying, God bless me. Give me the courage to sometimes pray, God inconvenience me... so that I might constantly be reminded to draw near to You. Interrupt me, Lord. Shake things up in me, Lord. Reveal what's in me that's not of You, Lord. Oh Lord, more than anything, I want more of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to learn more about "The Most Powerful Two-Word Prayer" and a chance to win her new CD message on this topic.
This devotion is taken in part from Lysa's new book Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Take some time to just sit and listen for the Lord to speak to your heart. I remember this being a frustrating exercise at first, but as I kept asking the Lord - sometimes begging Him - to reveal something to me, eventually He did. Sometimes the most powerful way I hear His voice is through reading and thinking about His words in the Bible. Let listening to Him help make your prayer life richer and more meaningful.
What do you think about the prayer written out above? I'll be talking more about this on my blog today ... I'd love for you to join in the discussion by clicking here.
Reflections:
Have you ever felt your prayers were a bit canned and stale?
How might you change to make your prayers more God focused?
Power Verses:
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (NIV)
Jeremiah 42:3, "Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 9, 2009
Forgiveness is Like Spinach
Zoe Elmore
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I've heard it said, "Forgiveness is like spinach. You might not like the taste, but it's good for you." I recently had the opportunity to "chew on" this spiritual wisdom, when someone close to me hurt my feelings.
We'd been friends for ten years, so her comment stunned me. Her words cut the silence of the room, "You and your personality are just too much for me today, I want you to leave my home immediately!" I thought she was joking but the look on her face and tension in her voice were clear, she wanted me to leave without delay.
I quickly gathered my things, said good-bye to the others in the room and left her home. I was hurt and embarrassed at what had just transpired. How could she have been so mean to me? What had I done to cause such hurtful words?
Over the next few days my hurt feelings turned to anger. Again and again her words rang in my ears. Soon unforgiveness crept in, spoiling my attitude. Knowing it would be easy to slip from an unforgiving attitude to sinful actions, I began searching God's Word for wisdom on this subject.
In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus tells of a servant forgiven a huge debt by his king. When the same servant has an opportunity to forgive someone a minor debt, he chooses to inflict punishment instead. The king finds out and is outraged:
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:32-35, NIV)
These words pierced my heart as I thought of my bitter attitude toward my friend. As I meditated on these verses, I was reminded of times I had said or done hurtful things to others. At those times the forgiveness of God was extended to me. I could no longer allow myself to withhold forgiveness.
I invited my friend for coffee to ask her forgiveness for whatever I had done to cause her displeasure with me. Sadly, she was unwilling to explain or acknowledge her actions and we parted without any resolution to the situation.
It's been months since that meeting and there are times I have to remind myself to "eat my spinach" as I continue to forgive the one who hurt me. As I have struggled with this issue, God has shown me biblical steps to take as I forgive someone who has hurt me:
1. Recognize and confess my sins.
Psalm 41:4, "I said, 'O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.'" (NIV)
2. Rejoice in God's forgiveness for my sins.
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)
3. Remember that forgiveness is a continual process.
Matthew 18:21-22a, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (NIV)
Has someone hurt your feelings or been unkind to you? Try God's steps for a forgiving spirit. I believe you'll experience Psalm 34:8 for yourself: "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
Dear Lord, I acknowledge the unforgiving spirit I have had toward my friend. Help me forgive her as You forgive me. Put a guard on my mouth in order that my words would be pleasing to others and to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hear Lysa TerKeurst's thoughts about "stabbing words" on our radio program today.
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sara Zacharias
How to Get Along with Difficult People by Florence Littauer
Visit Zoe's blog - Called by a New Name
Application Steps:
Begin a forgiveness page in your journal and write out verses dealing with this subject.
Read the entire passage in Matthew 18:21-35.
Ask the Lord to show you who you need to forgive.
Reflections:
Am I a peace-maker or a grudge-holder?
Am I willing to go to those I may have hurt or offended and ask for forgiveness?
Am I willing to forgive those who have hurt me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (NIV)
Colossians 1:13-14, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)
© 2009 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 12, 2009
Cartwheels in Heaven
Tracie Miles
"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love." Psalm 33:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
Something was missing. I tried to write, but no words came. I tried to focus, but my attention wandered. I tried to pray, but words were few.
I finally realized what was missing: hope.
My sweet sister has been fighting a battle with Multiple Sclerosis for twelve years. Each day brings new difficulties, new hurts, new medicines, and new reasons to lose hope. As I watched her struggle day after day, my heartbreak became overwhelming, and I had lost sight of any reason to be hopeful.
One day recently as I chatted with my sister, she told me about a dream she had the night before. In this dream, she was running, doing cartwheels, and playing rambunctiously with her children. She said the dream seemed to last for hours, and she vividly remembered laughing and feeling happy.
Then she woke up. To reality. A reality where she can barely walk, much less run. A reality where carefree romping and playing is nothing more than a memory. A reality filled with pain, disappointment and a lack of hope. She awoke and cried.
I've prayed for her healing so many times that I've wondered if God is tired of hearing it. I've pleaded with Him to give her comfort and peace. I've pressured Him for discernment and a glimpse of His plan so I can understand her plight.
I've found myself wondering if hope is realistic when a situation appears hopeless? Is physical healing possible, when all odds seem against it? Is comfort and freedom from pain attainable, when every cell inside a body is raging a war against itself? Is peace actually available for those who find no end to the hurting?
In my quest to find an answer, I looked up the definition of hope: The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence; to feel that something desired may happen. And the last definition said this, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it.
As I pondered that, my spirit leapt. This was the meaning God wanted me to understand today.
Thinking back on the prior week, I could see how God had filled my days with gentle, subtle reminders of hope through verses, emails, and devotions. He had heard the cries of my heart. I felt His Spirit leading me to a place of truly believing in the hope that only He can offer, even when the earthly outlook does not warrant it.
He had been sweetly nudging me to seek hope in Him. To allow His reassurance to saturate my heart, and fill that empty, dry space. I was reminded that hope is as essential for survival as food and water. Hope is life-giving.
My sister's 10 year-old daughter responded to her dream that morning. She told mommy not to be sad, because one day they could do cartwheels in heaven together. Upon hearing this, I felt hot tears and caught a glimpse of unfailing, eternal hope--right out of the mouths of babes.
Whether any of us do cartwheels on earth, or in heaven, is God's decision. But hope begins in believing that He was, is, and will forever be the source of our hope.
Sweet Jesus, forgive me for losing sight of where true hope is found. Infuse my heart and mind with the hope that can only be found in You. Please quench my thirst for understanding with reassurance of Your faithfulness. I ask that You guard my heart from the temptation to focus on the problem, instead of the One who holds everything in His hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Receive fresh encouragement each month with the P31 Woman magazine
Hope in the Midst of Depression: How to Embrace Life Again by Mary Southerland
Visit Tracie's blog - Seeking Peace in God's Will
Application Steps:
Believe that all things are possible with God.
Reflections:
Have I lost hope?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV)
Psalm 62:5, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 13, 2009
My Savior, a Worm?
Whitney Capps
"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people."
Psalms 22:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
One of my favorite books is Roy Hession's Calvary Road. In the last few days, one of my most oft-read passages from this book has come to mind. Probably because of the current state of my heart.
Here's the context: I'm struggling right now. My emotions are raw. My responses are harsh. My patience is tested. I am tired. Relationships that should bring comfort bring conflict and criticism. My flesh wants to plead my innocence and maintain my right to be annoyed. My will protests the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I will not bend "the proud, stiff-necked I," as Hession would say.
In Calvary Road, he writes a lot about brokenness. In my regularly-visited passage I'm asked to consider Christ:
"For this reason we are not likely to be broken except at the cross of Jesus. The willingness of Jesus to be broken for us is the all-compelling motive in our being broken too. We see Him willing to have not rights of His own, willing to let men revile Him and not revile again, willing to let men tread on Him and not retaliate or defend Himself. Above all, we see Him broken as He meekly goes to Calvary to become men's scapegoat by bearing their sins in His own body on the Tree. In a pathetic passage in a prophetic psalm, He says, 'I am a worm, and no man' (Psalm 22:6).
Those who have been in tropical lands tell us that there is a big difference between a snake and a worm, when you attempt to strike at them. The snake rears itself up and hisses and tries to strike back--a true picture of self. But a worm offers no resistance, it allows you to do what you like with it, kick it or squash it under your heel--a picture of true brokenness. And Jesus was willing to become just that for us--a worm and no man."
I am not fond of this passage. I prefer to think of Jesus as valiant, mighty and strong, even in death. In my struggle with picturing my crowned King as a worm, I argued with God about the accuracy of such a portrayal of Jesus. I protested. Surely Hession had overstepped and not balanced the greater message of the Word that ascribes Jesus the glory, honor and power due His Name.
In the midst of defending my Savior, the Risen One interrupted my thoughts and asked my heart: Do you defend My character or your arrogance? My darling daughter you rail against the idea of Me as a selfless worm while resting on My provision as a spotless lamb. Is it because you hate the idea that I ask you to be just as selfless, just as broken?
It was true. I don't hate the idea that Jesus is likened to a worm; I hate the conviction that I must submit like one as well. This dialogue with the Lord occurred nearly nine years ago during my first reading of Calvary Road. The Spirit brought it to my mind again today. So if you'll excuse me I've got to go dig out my copy and walk the path of brokenness. It's time to bend that "proud, stiff-necked I."
Father, forgive me for pleading my rights and innocence. I don't have rights, and I am certainly not innocent. Show me how to silence my mouth and soften my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Find peace in everyday life here!
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry about Being God Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Visit Whitney's blog - Speak When Spoken Through
Reflections:
Think about one person in your life who would benefit by seeing you not strike back. Make a plan to minister to that individual today.
Application Steps:
Think about the difficult relationships in your life. Is your pride making these relationships more strained?
What would a worm-like reaction be to those who frustrate you?
Power Verses:
James 4:6-7, "But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (ESV)
© 2009 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 14, 2009
Facing Our Frenemy
Karen Ehman
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Proverbs 27:6 (ESV)
Devotion:
I am a sap for words and reading. I adore books--their look, the feel of their pages and even their smell. Not content to sit still in a waiting room, I'll pick up anything within reach and read it. Why, I still even read cereal boxes at breakfast!
I especially love to learn new words, thereby increasing my vocabulary. And I am intrigued by the new words that are added to our language as the years go by. Ask any of my forty-something friends. In high school we'd never heard the words Internet, blog or download.
Every so often, dictionaries must be updated with new words or with new meanings to old words. In fact, Merriam-Webster has added more than 100 entries to the latest edition of its Collegiate Dictionary. One of the new words listed in this latest round literally leapt off the page at me. It is the word "Frenemy " Yes, frenemy. It is defined as: One who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy.
Sadly, I have had my share of frenemies in my life. Even more discouraging is that sometimes, I have been one.
In middle school there were the girls who I thought liked me and wanted to include me in the popular group. However, they were just pumping me for info on a few of the latest boy-girl crushes. Once they'd garnered their data, they dumped me.
Then there were the athletic boys in high school who seemed to really like me, and wanted to hang around me. As sports editor of the newspaper, I should have known they were just hoping to get a mention in the latest issue of the school publication.
And there were the people I sometimes befriended, but not because I liked them. I didn't. It was because they could get me somewhere or something that I wanted.
Fast forward to today. This era of social networking sites has only given rise to the number of frenemies who come out of the woodwork. I've heard school-aged girls talk about "accepting" someone as a friend on Facebook, not because they like her and really want to be her friend, but to "spy' on her and keep up on what is happening in her life. You know, who she likes, where she goes, who she hangs with.
Even grown women befriend someone on these sites just to nose around, when in all actuality they can't stand the person they are "friends" with. So the backbiting and tongue-wagging continues, all while our posted profile faces smile at each other. False, fake ... frenemies.
The worst frenemy, however, is the greatest deceiver of all. He, in his worldly way, promises happiness, but delivers sorrow. He tricks and traps and leaves us regretful of our choices. His ways sparkle and glitter and entice. But in the end, they are dark. Like a lion in sheep's clothing, He comes to steal, kill and destroy. Beware! "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" I Peter 5:8 (ESV). Flirting with the devil in a friendly way NEVER has a happy ending!
Let's take our new vocabulary word today, and vow to be on our toes about frenemies. Let's avoid them and certainly not be a frenemy ourselves. And let's watch out for the biggest one of all--Satan. Our friendships should be pure and honest and true. We should seek to be authentic and real and to bring out the best in our friends. As for our enemies, Jesus told us exactly what to do about them, ""But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you" Luke 6:27-28 (ESV).
May God give us that kind of others-centered love, as only He can give.
Dear Lord, keep me watchful for those who do not have my family's best interest or mine at heart. Send me true friends, Make me an authentic friend. Keep me from the snares of the greatest frenemy of all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit our Everyday Life encouragement page
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman (check out Karen's other resources here)
I'll bring the Chocolate: Satisfying a Woman's Craving for Friendship and Faith by Karen Porter
For more on the friendships of women, visit Karen's blog -Helping Women Simplify Life and Glorify God
Reflections:
Do I recall a time in my life when I had a frenemy? Once the truth was revealed, how did I feel?
How does society blatantly or subtly encourage women to be frenemies?
Application Steps:
How can I guard myself from being, or having, a false friendship?
When in the past has Satan appeared to be my friend, but in reality had nothing but evil planned for me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 109:3-4, "With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer." (ESV)
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times." (ESV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 15, 2009
Raising Children with Moral Courage
Glynnis Whitwer
"Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
1 Samuel 17:26b (NIV)
Devotion:
I grew up loving the story of David and Goliath. I read about it in little Golden Books, and Sunday school teachers retold the drama using flannel boards. I can almost picture the shepherd boy David standing his ground in front of the giant Goliath with only a slingshot, while the entire Israelite army quaked in fear. Woosh, woosh, woosh, around his head the slingshot swung. With a strong arm, David let the stone fly and bam! The giant fell, and David was victorious.
What a great story! But is it a story to be left in the history books, or are we to learn anything from David's example? As I read the passage in 1 Samuel, chapter 17, a few things jumped out at me. First, David wasn't planning to get in a fight that day. He was just an errand boy sent to deliver food to his brothers. So truly, he was just a bystander to the fight. But as David neared the front lines, he quickly realized what was happening. He heard the taunts of Goliath, and got drawn into the situation. Something within David's heart started to stir. David tried to get someone to answer his questions about this bully. He wanted to know what was going to be done.
David finally asked in exasperation: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" David's anger wasn't for the threat given to himself, nor his brothers. His anger burned because someone dared to threaten and defy those chosen by his God.
When the trained professionals wouldn't step forward, David - confident of his God's power and protection - put five stones in his shepherd's bag and approached the bully. Calmly, David said to Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).
We could write off the courage of David as a legend to be enjoyed, but not applied to our lives today. Except for two biblical truths: 1) David was a man after God's heart (Acts 13:22) and 2) God doesn't change (Malachi 3:6).
Although Jesus calls us to a life of forgiveness and compassion, even He didn't tolerate those who dishonored God's holy temple. With righteous indignation, Jesus turned over tables, and drove out money changers and those who were selling doves within the walls of the temple, accusing them of turning His father's house into "a den of robbers" (Mark 11:17).
The Bible records many stories of men and women with moral courage. These individuals knew what was right, and were willing to take a stand in spite of their own fear. They weren't perfect, but the heroes of our faith saw injustice as more than a personal offense, they saw it as an offense against God.
As it becomes easier to settle into a life of ambiguity, our children are finding it harder to summon moral outrage. Today a challenge is set before us as parents to raise, and to be, men and women who will stand for what is right. We live in a world that needs the touch of God through the hand of His people. We can't be bystanders and make a difference.
As parents we can instill moral courage into our children by stepping out in faith to help someone else, in spite of inherent risks. You see, we can't learn moral courage from a book. We can only learn it by being brave once. Then doing it again
Dear Lord, there's a part of my heart that stirs when I read of the brave heroes in the Bible. I know there is so much to do in the world. But you know my fear. Help me to trust You more, so that I can stand up for what is right in spite of the danger. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for tips on raising kids with moral courage.
Support Proverbs 31 Ministries as we encourage women in bold faith.
Application Steps:
Identify one thing outside of your comfort zone that you can do to help someone else in the next six months.
Reflections:
What should a Christian's response be to injustice?
What are some ways to increase courage?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." (NLT)
Psalm 9:8-10, "He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you." (NLT)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 16, 2009
When God Comes Near
Micca Monda Campbell
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
Even in the darkest and most trying hour of our lives, God is near.
Not long ago, tragedy struck Pastor Walters' home. Both his wife and daughter were ill and in the hospital at the same time. The husband in him longed to sit with his wife, while the daddy in him ached to care for his daughter. As he stood in the hallway between their two rooms, Pastor Walter knew he couldn't physically be in two places at once. So he knelt down on his knees and entered the throne room of grace. As he drew near to God, God drew near to him and made provision for his needs. Family and friends poured into the hospital as representatives of God's hands and feet. They ministered comfort, support, and love to him, his wife and daughter.
Sadly, Walter lost his wife. Though things didn't turn out as he had hoped, he didn't fret or fear. He understood that while his wife was with God in heaven, God's Spirit was also with him on earth sustaining him with strength, hope, and faith.
Though his heart was crushed, Pastor Walter stood before the church family and spoke of the reality of God's Word, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me ... Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:4,6a, NIV). It was clear that God had come near in his darkest hour with the comfort and strength he needed to endure.
Regardless of the road you travel--Lonely Lane, Brokenhearted Boulevard, or Poverty Parkway--there's no place you can go that God can't follow. No heartbreak, no betrayal, no rejection, no failure, no disappointment, and no evil can stop Him from coming near. God will always come for His people. He cannot fail you. He will never quit you, never forget you, and never leave you. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18, NIV).
Dear Lord, my heart is breaking. I hurt deeply. Come and save me. Comfort my spirit and strengthen me so that I may endure. Be my shelter until my storm has passed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Visit Micca's blog - Reflections. More of her resources can be found here.
Application Steps:
Often times we miss God's activity in our lives. Ask God to help you to seethe evidence of His care.. It may come in a card, a hug from a friend, a comforting conversation, etc. However your support comes, recognize it as God's provision.
Reflections:
Do you often feel like you're going it alone or do you look for God's presence?
Do you find it difficult to ask for or receive help from others? Why or why not?
How has God encouraged your heart lately?
Power Verses:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (NIV)
Isaiah 49:13b, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 19, 2008
The Day I Sat in God's Lap
Tracie Miles
"Come near to God and he will come near to you." James 4:8a (NIV)
Devotion:
A couple months ago, I found myself in despair. I had been hurt and felt betrayed by a friend. How was I going to fix the issues I was suddenly facing? My heart and mind were overwhelmed with the storm that had unexpectedly raged into my life.
One Sunday afternoon, I was feeling especially sad and worried about it. To hide my tears from my family, I wandered quietly into the solace of my bedroom. It was a rainy day and the room was dim, so I clicked on the lamp beside my bed. As the warm glow of light bathed the room, my eyes fell upon the little glass box a sweet friend had given me a few weeks earlier.
This beautiful engraved box, wrapped in a soft yellow bow, was filled with little slips of carefully folded papers, and on each slip of paper was an encouraging Bible verse. This would have been a wonderful gift in itself, but to make it even more special, my friend had inserted my name into each of the verses. When I read them, I felt as if God was speaking directly to me, as if He was calling out to Tracie, by name.
As I sat quietly alone in my bedroom unfolding each little slip of paper, tears streamed down my face. I read every verse silently, asking God to hear my prayers, comfort me, take away my hurt, and show me the way.
After a few minutes of intense prayer and focus, I became aware of God's presence in the room.
I felt Him wrap His holy comforting arms around me and pull me into His presence. Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind. Instead of putting the papers back in the glass box after reading them, I spread them out all around me. Most were in front of me so I could read and focus on them over and over. But I placed several to my right, several to my left, and even put a few behind my back.
As I sat on my bed, fully surrounded on every side by holy words, God impressed upon my heart that I was virtually nestled into His lap; the lap of my heavenly Father. The thought nearly took my breath away.
What an awesome privilege to be positioned right smack in the middle of God's Word. To be sitting in the lap of the One who created me. To be entirely physically surrounded by His truths. To see His written promises speaking specifically to me.
I realized I wasn't merely surrounded by slips of paper. I was surrounded by countless reassurances that He heard my prayers. What a gentle reminder that I needed to put my trust in Him, and I really could find rest in Him.
I thanked God for reminding me that when I seek Him, I will find Him, and for helping me see just how alive His Word really is.
Dear Lord, thank You for who You are. For the privilege of getting to spend time with You and sit quietly with You. Thank You for engaging in conversation with me, a broken and needy soul. Help me have the strength through You to overcome the obstacles that Satan would love for me to trip over. Give me the passion and commitment to continue seeking You with all my heart, even when life gets tough or people disappoint me. Thank You for always being there when I need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
His Princess: Love Letters from Your Prince by Sherri Rose Shepherd
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
To hear the rest of the story, visit Tracie's blog - Seeking Peace in God's Will
Application Steps:
If you are struggling with a problem in any area of your life, ask God to lead you to verses that can reassure you of His truths.
Write or type these verses out, inserting your name into each one, and spend some time sitting in God's lap this week.
Reflections:
Am I carrying a burden in my heart that I have not talked to God about yet?
Do I really trust that God hears my prayers and desires to work in my situation?
Have I sought God with all my heart, and listened intently for the truths that He wants me to know?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 20, 2009
The Ram is on its Way
Glynnis Whitwer
"So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.'" Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever been in a situation so desperate that it looked hopeless?
Have you ever sat at the kitchen table wondering how you were going to pay the electric bill? Have you ever stood at a door that's been slammed in your face by an angry teenager and despaired at ever having a relationship with him again? Have you ever had your heart broken so deeply that you wondered if you would ever feel whole again?
Sadly, we live in a broken world where desperate situations happen every day. I know someone reading this devotion is wondering how she will make it through the day because her situation looks hopeless. If that is you, I encourage you to keep reading. I believe God has a message of hope for you today.
That message is found in the Bible, in the story of a man who was dealing with his own desperate situation. His name was Abraham and he faced the greatest testing of his life. After longing for a son for many years, God finally gave Abraham a boy, whom he named Isaac. Abraham never imagined God would test his faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. But it happened.
It had to have been the darkest day of Abraham's life as he trudged up the mountain, with firewood strapped to his son's back. Every step took Abraham closer to what he believed to be the sad ending of a hopeless situation - the death of his son. Yet in spite of his sorrow, Abraham trusted God. His heart wasn't soaring with joy. He wasn't dancing up the mountain. But he put one foot in front of the other. Walking through the darkness of the situation; obeying His God's commands.
Unbeknownst to Abraham, something else was walking up that mountain. Quietly. Out of sight. On the other side of the mountain. Something else was putting one foot in front of the other. Only Abraham couldn't see it.
For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step.
All Abraham saw that day was his solitary journey of pain. As he got closer to the top of the mountain, his dread must have increased. I wonder if he asked himself any questions. I would have. I would have wondered why hadn't God intervened? Why hadn't God stopped this testing? Couldn't God see that Abraham was a man of faith? Why test him in this way?
But there was no answer. There was no voice from heaven. And so Abraham kept obeying his God's command. He put Isaac on an altar and prepared to sacrifice his one and only son.
And just at that very moment, at the very last second, when it looked like the end had come, God spoke, stopping the sacrifice. Abraham looked up and there caught in the thicket was a ram. Abraham took his son off the altar, replaced him with the ram, and offered the sacrifice to God.
Abraham named that place "Yahweh-Yireh" or "The Lord Will Provide." And the story was written down for generations of God-followers to read. It was written so that you and I today would read it as we face our own hopeless situations. It was captured in print so that you and I would know that God is already planning for our provision. We don't see it. We don't hear it. But we can trust that our God is at work. On your behalf, and on mine.
I choose to trust God today. A ram is on the way.
Dear Lord, You know how desperate I am today. You know that my faith has wavered. Although I want to trust You, I'm having trouble doing so. I ask for Your intervention in my situation, and for an increase of my faith while I wait. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Can we pray for you?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Talk with Glynnis at her blog - Welcome Home: Where Your Heart Longs to Be!
For more resources from Glynnis, click here.
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 91. List the promises God has for those who love Him.
Reflections:
God's timing is not our timing. What are some reasons God might wait to answer our prayers?
Read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. What are some of the things Abraham did right that you can apply to your situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:14, "'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.'" (NIV)
Psalm 22:5, "They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 21, 2009
Whatever It Takes
Marybeth Whalen
"For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."
Psalm 66:10-12 (NIV)
Devotion:
This school year, my husband and I made some big changes in our house. We took the kids' computer out of the bonus room and gave them use of our two laptop computers in our presence only. We took the extra TV out of the bonus room. We got rid of all the extra channels on our satellite service, leaving the basic few. And we began requiring that our two children who have cell phones turn them in for the night at 8pm.
Why did we implement these seemingly harsh decisions? Because last school year our children made some bad choices... and their grades reflected it. They chose to watch TV in the bonus room instead of going to bed at a decent hour. They chose to play on the computer when they were supposed to be working on assignments. They chose to text their friends instead of focus on their schoolwork.
After repeated lectures and warnings, they still made the same mistakes. This pattern of behavior left us no choice but to come in and remove the things that were a stumbling block. The kids didn't like our decision and to them it seemed unfair. But we stood firm. We knew that we were doing the right thing for our children. We could see a future they could not, and we had to protect that future for them--even if they didn't understand our method for doing so. As their parents, we have to do whatever it takes.
Sometimes God has to do the same for us. At the time His plan may seem harsh and unnecessary. We may not realize that He can see a future we cannot. We are His children, and He will remove all stumbling blocks that keep us from being all that we can be. Even if it hurts. Even when we cry and beg Him not to. Even when we pout and tell Him it's not fair.
It's because I love you, He tells us, that I do this. I am creating something beautiful in you if you will just stop fighting me. I have a place I am trying to get you to. You can't see it, my precious child, but I can.
Is there something God is doing in your life that feels unjust? That has you pouting or crying or wondering why? Maybe you identify with the verses from today. You feel imprisoned, burdened, trampled, burned. Do you trust Him to bring you out of the place where you are to a place of abundance? The most beautiful prayer we can pray is: I trust You, I trust You, I trust You. He is a loving Father who only wants the best for us and He will do whatever it takes to get us there. Instead of fighting Him, let's rest in that Truth.
Dear Lord, I trust You. I trust You. I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Everyday Life encouragement is just a click away!
Becoming A Woman of Influence, CD message by Marybeth Whalen
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen
Application Steps:
Is there a time that God did whatever it took and you later realized it was good for you? Spend time journaling about that today.
Reflections:
How is God doing whatever it takes in your life right now? Are you recognizing it or rebelling against it?
Power Verses:
Psalm 143:7-8, "Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." (NIV)
Psalm 18:19, "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
October 22, 2009
The Most Important Time of My Day
Lysa TerKeurst
"'... Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
Is it really that important to have a quiet time with the Lord everyday? I mean the Lord knows how busy my life is, so if I just toss up a few prayers and listen to a Christian song on the radio while rushing into my day, that should suffice. Right?
It's easy to let the busyness of life crowd out time for prayer, Bible reading, and sitting with the Lord. There are a million things on all of our to-do lists, time is tight, and quiet moments seem few and far between. But I've learned that if I make the choice to be with the Lord first thing in the morning, my outlook on life that day and my ability to handle things seems to go so much smoother.
Also, I've had to change my mindset on having a quiet time. Spending time with the Lord in the morning doesn't end when I say "amen" and put my Bible back on the shelf. I've just invited the King of kings to participate in my day. So, I get up from spending time with the Lord in the morning and start eagerly looking for His hand of activity in my life.
I think about the Bible verses I read that morning and look for ways to apply them to my life that very day. I watch the circumstances that come my way hour by hour and ask the Lord to constantly give me wisdom to process life in the way that would be most honoring to Him. My mindset is healthier, my attitude more positive, and my ability to extend grace to those who rub me the wrong way is increased just by setting aside some time to be with the Lord.
If you are struggling with having quiet time with the Lord each day, try these helpful ideas:
Be honest with God and admit your struggle. Ask God to give you the desire to set aside time to be with Him.
Start with just a small amount of time. Even if it is just 5 minutes at first, give this 5 minutes solely to the Lord without any other distractions. Over the next weeks and months, your desire for more time with Him will increase.
Use a version of the Bible that lends itself to study. I use the NIV Life Application Study Bible and I love it. It helps me understand the context each book was written in and gives me commentaries to understand specific verses.
Ask God for understanding as you read the Bible. When I first started reading the Bible I had a hard time. So, I started praying that God would open my spiritual eyes to see the truths in a life changing way for me.
Write some of the verses that seem most applicable to your life on 3x5 cards and use them in your prayers. For example, Matthew 6:19-20 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." So, I could use this verse in my prayer time by praying, "God, help me to know how to store up treasures in Heaven. Help me to relinquish my tight hold on my earthly possessions so I can use them to build Your kingdom now. Show me how to best use that which You have blessed me with. Give me Your mindset for the money I have."
Get involved in a Bible Study with friends. This will help hold you accountable to getting your study time done and will open up great discussions to deepen everyone's understanding of applying God's truths to everyday life.
I've found a daily quiet time with the Lord is very important and very doable as well.
Dear Lord, I want a more vibrant relationship with You and I know having a daily quiet time is an important part of that. Help me make this my most important priority each day, no matter how busy life is. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa wrote her new book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, specifically to help women learn to more effectively understand the Bible and apply truth to their life. If you are tired of going through the Christian motions, this is the book you've been looking for. Click here to order.
Visit Lysa's blog today for some more suggestions on having great quiet times with God
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
If you don't know which book of the Bible to start with, I'd suggest either Matthew or Philippians. These are two of my favorite books that are rich with life application opportunities. You may also want to read a chapter from the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters, one for each day of the month.
Reflections:
The fall months seem to be a time where schedules pick up, time gets tight, and some things have to fall by the wayside. But, we have to be careful to never take a break from having time with the Lord. How can we safeguard this time and make it a priority each day?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:11, "Give us today our daily bread." (NIV)
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 23, 2009
A Praying Momma
T. Suzanne Eller
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Mickey's son was raised in church. He once served as a leader in his youth group. When he first started drinking, she and her husband weren't sure what to do. Then he was arrested. Then they discovered that he was using drugs. For the first time in her life, Mickey felt helpless as a mom.
Their home was a safe place where faith was lived out. And yet her son continued to spiral downward, no matter what they did. The night he broke into their small business and emptied the cash register was the bleakest night of all.
Mickey looked around the church and realized there were other moms with similar struggles. She started a Prodigal Prayer Group that met on Tuesday nights. They prayed one year, two years, and then three. Mickey saw others' children come back to their faith, but her prayers for her own son seemed to be going nowhere. Nonetheless, she continued to show up, joining in strength and support with other praying mommas.
I wish my sweet friend had a video camera recording her son through those dark days. I wish she could have seen Austin rediscover his faith, overcome his addictions, and see Austin grow into the godly man he is today.
But the reality is that Mickey didn't have a video camera. All she had was her faith. And that faith was tested over and over. She was aware of the realities of her son's choices, but she continued to pray. She continued to believe. She had to make hard choices like setting boundaries. She had to listen to other moms whose children were not straying and who did not understand her struggle.
Mickey says that during that time she began to see her son through the eyes of faith. She knew that it wasn't in her power to change her son, but that God could be her source of strength as she stayed the course.
We often say we would do anything for our children. If someone had told Mickey that it would take years of praying and believing like she did without seeing any sign of change, I wondered would she still do it? Mickey says yes, she would.
Maybe you identify with my friend. You raised your son or daughter with love. You provided a safe place. You showed them Jesus, and yet somehow they lost their way. Today I want to encourage you. The Father loves you and your child. In Jesus' story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32, NIV) we see a son who has hit rock bottom. He finally decides to go home and this is the reaction of his father:
So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found. (verses 20-24)
Jesus told this story to illustrate the love of the Heavenly Father. The beauty of a praying momma is not lost in the chaos of your child's choices. You are not alone as you pray, because He's waiting, just as you are, to welcome your child in His embrace.
Dear Father, thank You that You love my child even more than I. I am not alone. You are with me. Walk with me today. Give me Your strength. Give me renewed hope and eyes of faith. In Your powerful, precious name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by T. Suzanne Eller. For more resources from Suzie, click here.
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Suzie's blog where Mickey talks about her journey, and how praying with others helped.
Application Steps:
Invite others who may be interested in joining you in prayer for prodigals. Choose a time to meet.
Begin by reading the story of the prodigal son.
Reflections:
How does the Father feel about your child?
"Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays." Soren Kierkegaard
Power Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:11, "So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it." (MSG)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 26, 2009
Forgotten No More
Rachel Olsen
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure..." Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
My mind was suddenly four thousand miles from the quaint outdoor café I sat in. I laid the book on the table and visualized the garbage-strewn streets of Quito, where the poorest of the poor struggle to survive. The title of the devotional entry in Daily Prayers from the NIV was "Ecuador's Forgotten Ones" and it painted this picture of a place I'd been two years earlier:
You see them on the well-worn, two-foot wide median that divides the city's busiest street. Vehicles zip past at alarming speeds while preschoolers play tag, oblivious to the danger. But when the traffic halts, these little ones press their dirty faces against closed car windows, begging for pennies. At night older children join them and spit gasoline into the air, lit by matches into flaming, dragon-like plumes, hoping for a coin from a passing motorist. These are Ecuador's forgotten ones: slum-dwelling children with no hope for a future.
Tears filled my eyes. I couldn't shake the thought of the damage that gasoline was doing to their young bodies and minds. Yet I knew their feeling of hopelessness was even more damaging. These kids must feel as if they have no help, no anchor, and no future. I silently pleaded with God to send help and hope to these fire-breathing forgotten ones. For I know God has not forgotten them. He sees them.
My mind drifted to the reason this entry caught my eye: Mauricio. My husband and I sponsor him through Compassion International. A few years ago, I traveled with the Compassion organization to Ecuador to see the children impacted by poverty, and meet Mauricio. Another team from P31 Ministries leaves for Ecuador today with Compassion International.
Ecuador's economic structure suffers. Several years ago their government abruptly switched the money system to the US dollar. Overnight everyone's bank accounts were frozen. Many people were unable to access their money for months ... others never got their money at all as many banks folded. Even those too poor to have bank accounts suffered due to inflation near 300%.
Multiple government leaders have taken office, made drastic or selfish changes, and then defected the country - leaving the Ecuadorian people forgotten. But God has not forgotten them, and He doesn't want us to forget them either. Someone has to pray for them, someone has to help them, and someone has to hand them the anchor of hope. Someone has to declare to them the words of the author of Hebrews: "We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation" (6:9, NLT).
Just as God has not forgotten the Ecuadorian people, He has not forgotten you. Are you in need of an eternal anchor today? Are you suffering financial hardship? Is your soul adrift in the traffic of life? If so, click here to meet your Hope.
Are you able to be God's hands of hope to Ecuador's forgotten ones? If your heart is quickened to help a child from Ecuador or elsewhere, don't ignore that impulse and forget it. Do something about it today. Hebrews 6:10 assures us, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them" (NIV).
You can demonstrate to one child that he is forgotten no more.
Dear Lord, my heart aches for Your people facing poverty, injustice, and infirmity in this world. Help them, Lord. Be their anchor and hope. And help me as Your servant to know how to help them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sponsor a child through Compassion International
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Wes Stafford
Visit Rachel's blog - My Life in Chapter and Verse
P31 Ministries' Compassion blog - For the Least of These
Application Steps:
Pray for the children of Ecuador today. Pray for their salvation, their health, their economy, and their leaders.
Pray for God to send workers to support and help children in poverty - and pray for the P31 Ministries' team leaving today to love on the underprivileged children in Ecuador.
Consider how you can get involved.
Reflections:
Imagine what daily life feels like for one of these children.
Read Matthew 25:34-40 below and reflect.
Power Verses:
Matthew 25:34-40, "Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will say, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" (NLT)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 27, 2009
Abba Father
Ariel Allison, She Reads Featured Author
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."
Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)
Devotion:
We welcome Ariel Allison as our guest writer today. Ariel is the author of eye of the god, one of P31's She Reads fall selections. Ariel is the mom of four boys under the age of 7 and wrote a suspenseful novel in her "spare" time.
The cross that marks my father's grave is nothing but a broken tree branch lashed together with twine. Knee high weeds grow above the sunken ground where the rustic casket lies. The last time I visited his grave was late at night as I stared at the makeshift cross with the help of flickering headlights. The sharp chill of a Tennessee autumn surrounded me and once again I felt the longing.
What I longed for, as I stood on that frigid hilltop, was not the physical presence of my father. It was what I had never really gotten from him--the feeling or assurance of his love.
A year earlier I sat beside a dying man and choked on my sorrow as I asked, "Daddy, do you love me?" I got my answer hours before he slipped into eternity.
He looked at me with startling blue eyes. My resolve to hold it together began to crumble. I feared his answer. What if he said no? How would I live with that knowledge? But even worse was the thought of standing over a grave and never knowing his answer.
His blue eyes clouded with tears. "I'm sorry," he said, his tongue swollen and dry. "I'm sorry I haven't said it. I do love you."
For the first time in my life, my father and I wept tears of joy together. It was a holy moment, a gift from the God who loves me more than my earthly father ever could. Before he passed on, I got but a taste of what our relationship should have been. It was a drop of water on the tongue of a thirsty woman.
Jesus taught us to refer to God as "Abba" or "Daddy." Jesus knew it would be difficult for some of us to approach God as our Father. However, only God can fill the empty places in our hearts that long for a father's love. He offers a living water, a living love, that quenches our thirst. We simply need to admit that we are empty and thirsting for our Father - our heavenly Father.
I've longed to be the delight of my father. Not for a moment on his deathbed, but for the entirety of my life. This longing has caused my heart to hunger deeply for my heavenly Father. My Abba. He says that I am His child, and assures me that He loves me. In those words my heart finds the father I've been looking for my entire life.
The rustic cross above my dad's grave represents the truth that I have a Father who loves me. I have a Father who will never leave me nor forsake me.
And so do you.
Father God, help me to know You as my Father, the One who will never leave me nor forsake me. Heal my broken places and teach me what it means to be loved. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
eye of the god - Christian suspense novel by Ariel Allison
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Talk with Ariel and join the She Reads blog discussion where this week we'll be talking about the father-daughter relationship and it's affect on lives and literature.
Application Steps:
It is hard to know the love of Father God if you've never known the love of your earthly father. If you feel distant from your heavenly Father, ask Him to come closer, and invite His Spirit to dwell within you.
If your earthly father has been a source of pain in your life, pray that God will give you the courage to forgive.
Reflections:
Do you need to allow yourself the freedom to grieve the loss of a father's love, and seek the love of your Father God? Be honest with yourself, and God about this.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (NIV)
Psalm 10:14, "But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless." (NIV)
Psalm 68:5, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." (NIV)
© 2009 by Ariel Allison. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 28, 2009
The Lord Is Their Refuge
Marybeth Whalen
"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge."
Psalm 14:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I read today's key verse, I thought about the people who contributed to the financial mess within our country this past year. These people lined their own pockets without concern for the ramifications of their choices. They knowingly deceived those who trusted them. They covered themselves, while leaving others exposed in the process. They were like the evildoers who frustrated the plans of the poor. Sadly, lot of us were left feeling poor - financially and spiritually - as our plans were frustrated.
Thankfully, this is not where the verse ends. Yes, bad things happen. Yes, we have all seen our private finances affected by this public crisis. But this verse reminds us that the Lord is our refuge. I started thinking about what the word refuge means, and found this definition in Webster's 1828 Dictionary: "That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy."
Then I cross-referenced the word "refuge" in the Bible. I found many other scriptures that remind us that God is our refuge. Second Samuel 22:2-4 and Psalm 18:2-3 are the same verses repeated by King David while facing troubled times:
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior - from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of my praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
I love how both the definition and the verse talk about a refuge being a place where your enemies can't get to you! Do you need that reminder today? I know sometimes I need to remember that He offers me that safe place I can run to ... a place where my enemies can't touch me!
We can claim the promise that is found in Psalm 17:14: "O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children."
People who make money their god receive their reward in this life. But they will spend eternity in longing. That doesn't sound like a good trade to me!
God promises those who place their trust in Him He will keep from going hungry. He will make sure our children have plenty, and He will give us wealth to store up for our children. That doesn't mean wealth like our world defines it. Jesus said that He doesn't give as the world gives. In God's economy, wealth exists in hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Unlike money, these are the things that last, and bring about eternal blessings.
Do you need to take refuge in God instead of letting bad news rule your heart and mind? Do you need to spend time today searching His Word for promises and assurances that will comfort your hurting heart and settle your anxious mind? Maybe you need to journal your feelings, pouring out your heart to God and seeking His answers. Maybe you need to pray without ceasing, allowing His presence to give you rest from worry. Whatever troubles you, seek refuge in God.
He is right there waiting for you to find shelter and safety in Him.
Dear Lord, I need You to be my refuge. Thank You that Your Word promises You will be a refuge for me in times of trouble. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Listen to Lysa TerKeurst share on our radio show about the peace of Jesus.
Learning to Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen (for more resources by Marybeth, click here)
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen
Application Steps:
Spend time journaling today what the word "refuge" means to you. Pour out your heart to God and tell Him you need Him to be your refuge. Write down some verses that bring you assurance and meditate on those verses when you feel anxious.
Reflections:
If you are going through a crisis, financial or otherwise, have you sought God as your refuge?
What false shelters do you find yourself seeking refuge in?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
Isaiah 25:4a, "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 29, 2009
If Only I Had ...
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32 (NIV)
Devotion:
There's a simple little script many of us play in our mind--simple, yet incredibly dangerous. Dare I say it's one of the biggest things that hold us back from feeling fulfilled in our relationship with God. It's a script tangled in a lie that typically goes something like this: I could really be happy and fulfilled if only I had ...
... a skinnier body.
... a husband.
... a husband who was more tender and romantic.
... more money.
... a more successful career.
... a better personality.
... a baby.
... smarter kids.
I don't know what your "if only I had" statements are, but I do know that none of them will bring fulfillment. They might bring temporary moments of happiness... but not true fulfillment.
In the book I just wrote, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl," I expose the "if only I had" lie with this truth: Apart from a thriving relationship with God, even if we got everything on our list, there would still be a hollow gap in our soul.
Instead of saying, "If only I had" and filling in the blank with some person, possession, or position, make a choice to replace that statement with God's truth. Here are some examples that have helped me battle the temptation to let people, possessions, or positions take God's place in my life.
People
I no longer say, "If only I had a daddy who loved me...." Instead, I say, "Psalm 68:5 promises God will be a father to the fatherless."
`
Maybe your gap isn't left by an absent father but by a friend who hurt you. Or perhaps a husband who left you. Or the children you've longed to have and still don't. Whatever that gap is, God is the perfect fit for your emptiness. Pray this paraphrase of Luke 1:78-79: "Because of the tender mercy of my God by which the rising sun will come to me from heaven--to shine on my darkness and in what feels like the shadow of death to me--I will find peace."
Possessions
I no longer say, "If only I had more possessions ...." Instead, I recite Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Any possession I ever long for, no matter how good it may seem, will only be good for a limited time. In light of eternity, every possession is in the process of breaking down, becoming devalued, and will eventually be taken from us. If I set my heart solely on acquiring more things, I'll feel more vulnerable with the possibility of loss.
Possessions are meant to be appreciated and used to bless others. They were never meant to be identity markers. It's not wrong to enjoy the possessions we have as long as we don't depend on them for our heart's security.
Position
I no longer say, "If only I had a better position ...." Instead, I say the words of Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." I don't need a better position to get where I should go. I don't have to figure out my path and jockey to get ahead. I need God's Word to guide me. As I follow Him and honor Him step-by-step, I can be assured that I'm right where He wants me to be doing what He wants me to do.
Whatever "if only I had" statement you are struggling with, you can replace it with solid truths from Scripture that will never leave you empty. It's a bold assertion to make but it's true. When God's Word gets inside of us, it becomes the new way we process life. It rearranges our thoughts, our motives, our needs, and our desires. Our soul was tailor-made to be filled with God and His truth, therefore, it seeps into every part of us and fills us completely.
Dear Lord, I acknowledge only You can fill those empty places in my heart. Help me to stop the "if only I had" cycle and instead be set free with Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to read a chapter from her new book, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl."
Click here to order Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
What "if only I had" statements do you struggle with?
What are some verses you could use to replace your "if only I had" lies?
Reflections:
Why do we struggle with trying to get our needs met by people, possessions and positions?
What are some dangerous outcomes of this pattern?
Power Verses:
Luke 1:78-79: "Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." (NIV)
Psalm 119: 30-32, "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 30, 2009
Calling the Great Physician
Tracie Miles
"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
Mark 2:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently I came down with an infection. After ten days of misery, I finally went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis. Feeling much better after a few days of antibiotics, I wished I had sought out a physician's help sooner, preventing all those days of unnecessary suffering!
As I considered my stubbornness in deciding to call on a doctor, I thought about how our walk with Christ is often just like that.
For example, we have problems in our lives, but we think we are qualified to handle them ourselves. We have burdens, but we assume we can carry the weight on our own. We have questions, but don't really trust God to supply the answers. We need help, but stubbornly refuse to ask.
Some people call God the "The Great Physician." Although we think of this in terms of physical healing, Jesus walked the earth to provide something more: spiritual healing.
In Mark 2:13-17, the Pharisees asked Jesus why He was eating with sinners and tax collectors. Jesus explained that He came so we would know Him, and be healed from the inside out. You see, if the world were a righteous place, there would have been no need for a Savior. But God knew just how much we needed a Great Physician. Out of compassion for us, He sent His Son to fill that role. In order to tap into His healing power, we simply have to seek Him. And the sooner, the better.
In another recent situation, I quickly and desperately sought God's intervention. A few days later, I happened to notice I felt a peace I could not explain. In fact, I was confused as to why I was so calm. I thought to myself, "Why am I not obsessing about that problem every second? Why am I not more distraught and worried?"
Then God quickened my heart and reminded me that I had turned that problem over to Him. He had taken the weight off of my shoulders. He had given me spiritual healing in the form of peace.
I had sought a cure from the Great Physician, and He had provided it. Not a cure for the problem, but a cure for my heart as I dealt with the problem under His care.
If you need a physician who knows your suffering, understands how you are feeling, and has the cure, make an appointment to spend time with God today.
Dear Lord, forgive me for sometimes coming to You for help only after I have exhausted all efforts to handle the problem on my own. Please fill me with a peace that surpasses all understanding in the situations I am facing. Grant me spiritual healing, and help me see You working in and through me. Thank You for always being available and on call. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Visit Tracie's blog - Seeking Peace in God's Will
Application Steps:
Put God on your virtual speed dial - make a commitment to call Him every morning.
Reflections:
Is my heart and spirit in need of some spiritual healing?
What specific sins in my life desperately require God's intervention? Have I asked Him recently to intervene?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (NIV)
Philippians 4:7, "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)
Jeremiah 17:14, "Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 2, 2009
Read Through the Word
Wendy Pope
"For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you ever set a goal for yourself you truly wanted to accomplish, but in your mind doubted you would succeed?
There was a time in my life when it seemed like every time I set a goal I would fail. These failures made me feel less of a person and unworthy. It happened to me so many times I subconsciously refused to set goals.
Then one day, a few years ago, I heard a challenge that our local Christian radio station gave to its listeners. The challenge was to read through the entire Bible in a year. This was something I had longed to do for years but was completely afraid I would fail at.
Short term goals were hard enough for me but less daunting than a long term goal such as this. Yet I felt the Lord's encouragement like never before and knew this was something He wanted me to do.
Racing through my mind were fears of failure which argued with the truth that God wanted me to know His Word and use it as a light for my path. I feared I would not understand His Word. I feared I would not have the discipline to complete the goal of studying God's Word for an entire year. I feared I would disappoint my Father.
But I remembered God had given me an ear to hear and learn His instruction. He reminded me that as part of my salvation, I received love and self-discipline, not fear. I had almost convinced myself that it was impossible when I heard the words of Jesus, "With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible." I began to feel confidence building in me. I recounted His truths over and over, combating the lies of the enemy who was sure to do all he could to cause me to fail.
I accepted the challenge. My husband showed his support by giving me a Bible with a daily reading guide. I knew my bookshelves were full of Bibles in different translations. Why would I need another Bible to accomplish this goal? I quickly found out. This was unlike any Bible I had ever seen. It was a Chronological Bible in the New Living Translation, whose format fascinated me. It's organized in the order events happened and written in an easy to understand translation. Plus, the daily readings aren't overwhelming. I could not wait for the New Year to start so I could begin the challenge.
With fear and trembling, as well as great anticipation, I began reading through the Bible January 1, 2006. I missed days and many times gave ear to the attempts of the enemy to make me lose sight of my goal. However, I made up the missed days and met my goal of reading the entire Bible in 2006. I did it again in 2007, and am in the process of reading through once more in 2009.
I don't share this with you to receive an "atta girl." All praise and glory go to God. I share this with you today to encourage you to read through the story of God's Word. Maybe like me, God has prompted you but you have left Him at bay. January 1st is not far away and the Chronological Bible I will read in 2010 is available through our resource center. Last year over 1400 people accepted the challenge to read through the Bible with me. Will you take this year's challenge to know the Savior's story like never before and join me in reading through the Word in 2010?
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect gift of salvation, love and self-discipline. Your Word tells me that all things are possible with You; will You help me believe it? With the help of Your Holy Spirit's guidance Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Author of the Word?
The One Year Chronological Bible
God the Builder CD by Wendy Pope. Find more resources by Wendy here.
Wendy is leading a year long Bible study in 2010 on her blog Experiencing the Real Meaning of Free To learn more and read comments from those who participated in 2009, click here.
Application Steps:
Commit to reading through God's Word in 2010. Through prayer and today's power verses, defeat the enemy's attempts to convince you this goal is unattainable.
Purchase the Chronological Bible and begin to pray and become empowered to accomplish the goal in 2010. Subscribe to Wendy's blog to receive daily encouragement throughout the year.
Reflections:
Do I fear setting goals? Why or why not?
Do I truly believe all things are possible through Christ? Explain.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 50:4b, "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." (NIV)
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)
Proverb 2:1-5, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (NLT)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 3, 2009
I Would Have Made a Great Pharisee
Glynnis Whitwer
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."
Matthew 23:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
Give me a list of rules to follow and I'm happy. I can follow rules like nobody's business. My left-brain dominated thinking likes order and routine, blanketed with no surprises. There's some comfort, I guess, in being able to assess my performance according to a set standard. If I'm obeying the rules, I must be doing ok. Right?
There's one big problem with that line of thinking. It tends to redirect my focus from what really matters: the condition of my heart. Jesus identified this problem with a group of religious people back in the day called the Pharisees, and it didn't make Him happy. In fact, He reserved His harshest comments for those people whose insides didn't look anything like their outsides.
I wonder if the Pharisees were well-intentioned. Did they really want to serve God and thought they were by following the rules? Or was it more of a power play to gain respect? Either way, Jesus split open their pretty packaging and revealed the ugliness of their hearts. Just like He does with me.
It seems God continually brings me to the end of my endurance, both emotionally and physically, to reveal the truth about my heart. What's revealed in those moments of pressure is usually something that needs addressing, like selfishness, insecurity, jealousy or bitterness. Getting split apart isn't pleasant. In fact, it's often painful and embarrassing. Yet, it's required if I want to become a true follower of Christ.
The reality is I would have made a great Pharisee. But the truth is I'd rather be a great disciple. I'd rather be sitting at the feet of Jesus than teaching in the temple. I'd rather share a simple meal of bread with Jesus than a fancy feast elsewhere. And if that requires the ugliness in my heart gets spilled out, then so be it.
Cause at the end of the day, I'd much rather hang out with Jesus who loves me in spite of all that junk. The other option is pretending it isn't there, but that's not fooling anyone. So, I'll welcome God's holy intrusion in my life, submit my need to rank my performance, and spend more time attending to my heart. That's what really matters.
Dear Lord, You are holy and righteous, and yet You love me just as I am. Thank You for calling me to a higher level of obedience, one that requires I submit my heart and my life. I long to follow You more than anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer.
When Your Child is Hurting and other resources by Glynnis Whitwer.
Visit Glynnis' blog - Welcome Home...Where Your Heart Longs to be
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Identify an area of your life where following the "rules" has taken priority over having a right heart. Submit that area of your life to God in prayer and ask Him to reveal anything in your heart that needs addressing.
Reflections:
How does a strict adherence to rule-following hinder us at times from obeying all of God's commands?
Read the key verse at the top of the devotion. Why is hypocrisy such a dangerous condition in our lives?
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
Matthew 23:23, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
November 4, 2009
When Healing Never Comes
Wendy Blight
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Today she is 16. A newly licensed driver, varsity cheerleader, confident, strong, funny, and beautiful, inside and out.
Then she was 13. Sitting in a doctor's office, between tears and trembling, we heard these words: "scoliosis," "a curvature of the spine," "back brace," " 23 out of 24 hours a day," " two years."
Words cannot explain life those next weeks and months as she faithfully wore her brace ... a brace that deformed her body, caused sleepless nights filled with pain and sorrow, and required her to quit something she loved: competitive cheerleading.
Questions plagued her heart. Why me, God? What did I do, God?
Questions plagued my mind. Why her, God? What did I fail to do? Please take this from her and give it to me, Lord...PLEASE!!
I cried out for healing. We obeyed Scripture. Elders of the church prayed over her. I laid hands on her and anointed her with oil. Hundreds of women prayed for her healing.
Healing never came.
Many nights she lay in my bed, locked in her brace, sobbing, asking, "Why me, Mom?" I lay next to her, tears rolling down my cheeks, exhausted, feeling helpless, wondering how we would make it to the other side of this.
Healing never came.
Her back worsened despite the brace, so we tried alternative methods.
Healing never came.
Oh, for a time, they kept her curve at bay—until six months ago. Her curve and the pain resulting from it had increased with astounding speed since then, until it reached the point that we had to face the reality of surgery. A surgery that requires this precious child of mine to put her life on hold. A surgery that means rods and screws will line her spine from top to bottom. A surgery that requires months and months of rehabilitation. A surgery that prevents her from ever tumbling again.
Healing never came ... or has it?
At first glance I'd say "no" because the Lord did not heal in the way I so specifically and faithfully prayed.
But, when I look at the promised result - it will straighten her spine and allow her to live pain free - I must say, "yes" healing is coming, just not in the way I hoped and prayed.
The passion of my heart, the call on my life, is to point others to find answers to their struggles, great and small, in the Word of God. So what do I say to myself as I kneel before the Lord? I allow the tears to come. I shake my fist, asking why has it had to come to this? I ask why did He not choose MY way?
And then, I surrender.
I take my own advice.
I go to His Word. His Word that speaks sweetly to me:
"Wendy, trust Me with all your heart. Do not lean on the knowledge of chiropractors, physical therapists, and others. Do not lean on your fears. Acknowledge Me, Wendy. My Name. My Power. My Strength. My Love. I promised to direct your path, and I have. This is the path I have led you to follow. Trust Me." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"Wendy, I do not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"Wendy, remember My ways are higher than your ways, My thoughts higher than yours...TRUST ME with her because I have a plan and I love her more than you will ever know." (Isaiah 55:8)
I wish I could tell you today that I am not afraid. But I would be lying. I am afraid. I am afraid of the day they will roll her away to cut into her spine and insert foreign objects into her body. But I can tell you that I trust my God, and I ask Him daily to help me with my unbelief.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that it is TRUTH. Father, for every woman whose heart aligns with mine today, direct us to Your Word. Speak truth into our circumstances. Help us with our unbelief. Help us take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Fill our hearts and minds with whatever is lovely, true, pure, excellent, and praiseworthy. Father cover us with Your wings. Help us to fully trust in You. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic, listen to today's Radio Show, Valley of Grief
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Visit Wendy's blog - Living Truth
Application Steps:
If you have a struggle, take a few minutes today, go to God's Word, and ask Him to speak into your circumstances. Note the verses to which He draws you and personalize them as I did above. Pray them every day this week and watch what God will do.
Reflections:
Read the following verses and reflect on what they speak to your heart: Hebrews 4:16, Romans 10:17, and Hebrews 12:2.
Power Verse:
1 Corinthians 2:16, "For who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." (NIV)
Isaiah 44:2, 21b, "Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not....I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me." (ESV)
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 5, 2009
Rejection
Lysa TerKeurst
"For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance."
Psalm 94:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few months back I got a phone call I'd been hoping for over 15 years to receive. It was the slightest crack in the doorway of a dream.
I was hesitantly excited. When you have wanted something for a long time and it comes close to becoming a reality, it's thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. Suddenly, your heart shifts from neutral into this vulnerable place where acceptance co-mingles with rejection. And you are all too aware things could go either way.
Following the call, I packaged up my application to send and let my mind prematurely celebrate.
Then I waited.
And waited.
And nothing.
Feeling like a foolish girl who'd bought a prom dress before actually being asked to the dance, I sheepishly called to inquire whether or not my application had been received. I was told it had been and if I hadn't heard anything yet, I should assume it was a "no."
Ouch.
That's when you go sit on your back deck, close your eyes, and decide whether to let the tears slip quietly down your cheeks or blink them back in an act of courageous defiance.
Rejection stinks.
I mean it really stinks.
It stunk when Saxon Palmer didn't ask me to couple skate in the 5th grade. It stunk when my Dad left our family. It stunk when I thought I was getting engaged at the very dinner my college love broke up with me. It stunk when each of my book proposals for years were declined by publishers. And it stunk when I sat on my deck and processed this situation.
Sometimes things like this just simply stink and there's no cheery rainbow or pot of gold around the next corner. The music doesn't crescendo as the hero in the story scoops you onto the side of his horse and the two of you ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after.
Sometimes it just is what it is. And that's that.
But God's girls have a beautiful promise tucked in our pocket that lets us smile even when tears puddle in the corner of our eyes. Even when there's no rainbow, pot of gold, or galloping prince, we have the promise of redemption.
On the other side of every death there will always be a resurrection of some sort. Maybe not a resurrection of our circumstances. And maybe not a resurrection of things lining up like we thought they should. But there will be a resurrection. Jesus has insured that.
Nothing in this world can permanently strip hope from our lives when we know we do "not follow cleverly invented stories...about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" but we follow the reality of the Risen One (2 Peter 1:16, NIV). He is our resurrection.
He is our hope.
He is that beautiful reminder that rejection from man never means rejection from God.
And He is the one who is weaving a story into our life that will one day make sense.
Dear Lord, I know You suffered the sting of rejection in a much more intense way than I ever will. And while this rejection is small in the grand scheme of life, it feels huge in my heart right now. Will You help me process this? Will You help me see past it? Will You let this fragile heart feel the warmth of Your acceptance and love today? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to talk about keeping our identity secure even when circumstances make us doubt.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
The reality is our identity in Christ is always certain even when circumstances are constantly shifting. We must park our mind on the truth of who God says we are. Read Lysa's blog today for more on how to do this.
Reflections:
How can I separate my identity from my circumstance? Spend some time contemplating this today.
Power Verses:
Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
Isaiah 54:10, "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 6, 2009
Serving Rolls and Switching Roles
Karen Ehman
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:15-16 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Mommy....look at her eat that turkey and mashed potatoes! She must be sooooo hungry!" my then four-year-old daughter Mackenzie whispered in my ear. Her eyes were riveted on a beautiful, chubby-fingered toddler. The child's coiled chestnut hair nearly cascaded into her plate as she leaned forward and eagerly consumed her holiday meal, complete with all the trimmings.
On Thanksgiving Day that year, my husband and I opted to skip the normal extended-family holiday feast and instead signed up to serve at a soup kitchen in the heart of the inner city. We took our preschool daughter along. Since then, all three of our children have had several opportunities to don an apron and serve mothers and fathers; children and grandparents; precious people who normally don't enjoy a well-rounded, home-cooked and piping-hot meal.
We often choose to serve a noontime meal at the soup kitchen while we skip breakfast ourselves that morning. As a result, our stomachs growl and our mouths water as we pass out the relishes, serve the rolls, or scoop the sweet potato casserole. After serving we discuss how, in a very small sense, we are switching places with the people we are ministering to that day. We get a tiny glimpse of their hungry plight.
Many of them live at poverty level. Some are homeless. For them, the noontime meal at the soup kitchen is the only hot nourishment they receive each day. They are accustomed to going hungry while watching well-fed others around them.
Our family has experienced financial struggle, to a much lesser degree, over the past year. My husband was laid off last Christmas Eve and spent over 9 months waiting to get called back to work. During this budget-tightening time, our children learned to go without; to see others acquire what we could not afford. To make ends meet, we ate more simply at home, and cut out restaurant trips. We bought only the clothing necessities on sale at deep discounts or at a resale shop. We learned what it was like to live at an economic level that was less than what we were used to.
And God was faithful. Many dear friends helped to lighten our load by giving us food, gift cards, and gas vouchers. They helped to smooth the rough bumps in our financial load.
So often, as in today's key verse, it is easy to talk the talk, yet utterly fail to walk the walk. What good is it to say, "I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but do nothing about another's physical needs? What is the point of declaring, "God bless so-and-so" in our prayers, yet never lifting a finger to bless "so-and-so" ourselves?
Let's vow together to put feet to our prayers; to love on people in tangible ways. Let's commit to step out of our comfort zones and help others enjoy the necessities and pleasures we often take for granted. Even during our own financially difficulties, we can volunteer our time or offer someone a needed hug.
This holiday season, let's try switching roles and serving rolls. I'm convinced if we do, we'll experience the immense privilege of being Jesus to a hurting soul.
Dear Lord, help me to not just say I care about others. Give me an opportunity to physically love and serve them, giving credit only to You. It is an honor to be Your hands and feet. I am ready. I am willing. I want to love and serve like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Homespun Gifts from the Heart by Karen Ehman
To discover more ideas for blessing others during the holidays and to be entered in a Thanksgiving giveaway, visit Karen's blog
Application Steps:
Put your creative cap on and do a little brainstorming. What are some tangible ways you and your family could reach out to those affected by our current sluggish economy during the upcoming holiday season? List three or four ideas and purpose to enact one.
Who are some friends you could include in such a "blessing adventure?" Think of others you could invite to serve those struggling financially at this time of year. Make a few phone calls or meet for coffee to plan your strategy.
Reflections:
How might you introduce others to Jesus as you serve at this time of year?
Power Verses:
James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (NIV)
Matthew 25:43-45, "'I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 9, 2009
Communing Over Chaos
Whitney Capps
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
I am out-going and chatty. I like to make fun of myself. I love to laugh. I enjoy being with people - until I don't. You see, at heart I am an introvert. At some point I can sense my energy waning. I begin to crave quiet, silence and solitude.
This is why I cherish quiet time with the Lord. I love the stillness of sitting and reading the Word or a book that turns my heart toward Jesus. My husband knows that one way to fill my love tank is to give me an evening of going out to dinner alone: just me, Jesus and a good book. (All you extroverts just cringed at the thought of eating alone didn't you?) Don't get me wrong, I adore my family, but I need mental white space.
However, with three kids under age four, quiet time with the Lord is an endangered species. I don't often get to go the bathroom by myself. If the water closet isn't a quiet place, you can imagine the chaos that follows me to my prayer closet.
For a few months after our youngest was born I lived in a spiritual desert. My soul was parched. I was desperate for quiet time with Jesus and prayed earnestly for God to help me find time to be alone with Him. Faithfully, He always provided, but often my tired and flesh-wrapped spirit dozed off in prayer or got distracted by other things.
I couldn't consistently make it work. After several months of mostly failed attempts, I cried out to God, "I don't know how to be alone with You!"
"Daughter, you don't have to be alone with Me. Just be with Me. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you."
Rather than give up on being with Jesus because it's not like it used to be, my Savior is asking me to abide with Him all day. God has ordained this season of my life and He knows even better than I do how much my children demand of me. In the clamor of the sword fights and confusion in the playroom, He is my hiding place.
I am learning to seize each moment, and see it as an opportunity to fellowship with Jesus. While my kids recite "God is great; God is good," I have a chat with Jesus. When I feel alienated from girlfriends, I read a magazine article. P31 Woman and Today's Christian Woman magazines are spiritual lifeboats for me in this season. While my kids do art at the kitchen table, I read a psalm or two. Whenever possible I try to have praise music playing in our house. Sometimes singing those lyrics is the closest my heart may come to meaningful prayer time all day.
Please hear me. I am not suggesting that these brief moments should replace consistent, focused times of prayer and Bible study. Those habits are hallmarks of Christian discipleship and growth. I am learning, however, to rethink my ideas on fellowship with Jesus. In this season of my life it's not so much the quantity of quiet reflection as it is the steady communing over chaos. But hey, at least we are together!
Father, Your daughter longs to be with You. Remind me of Your constant presence. May I seize opportunities to enjoy You throughout my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement
Real Moms, Real Jesus
P31 Woman magazine
Whitney's blog - Speak When Spoken Through
Application Steps:
Look for ways in your day to carve out time alone with God. Examine first how you spend your free time.
Is it possible that activities like television watching or surfing the internet should be cut back or eliminated to make time for Jesus?
Reflections:
Study John 15. Assign times of your day where you can practice abiding with Christ.
Power Verses:
John 15:7-8, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (NIV)
© 2009 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 10, 2009
The Battles Within
Marybeth Whalen
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" James 4:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Our verse for today gets to the root of why my husband and I get in arguments: the desires that battle within me. Desires I wish weren't there. Desires that are ugly and selfish and petty. Desires that motivate me to seek my own way. Desires that battle within me, then spill over into my actions.
There is a battle raging within each of us. It is a battle between flesh and Spirit, between reaching out and focusing inward, between living for Christ and living for ourselves. How can we find victory in these battles without claiming more casualties? I have found there are several ways:
Praying: James 4:2 goes on to say, "You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God." James is telling us how to avoid fights. Take our unmet needs, desires, expectations and complaints to God. We don't need to expect our husbands, children, neighbors, co-workers or friends to fulfill our every need.
Walking in truth: It's easy to believe the lies of the enemy or our flesh: If you were only married to someone else, you'd have a better life. If he would clean up after himself, you wouldn't have so much work to do. No one around here appreciates you. The lies escalate the battles. We spiral quickly into feelings of self-pity and anger. Instead we can learn to recognize those lies and refocus on Truth—God's Truth. We can go to His Word and read what He has to say about the people we love and the position we are in. Psalm 26:2-3 says, "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind, for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth."
Taking each thought captive: 2 Corinthians 10:5b tells us that we are to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." There are two action verbs in this statement: take and make. These are strong words that indicate effort. It's not something we can sit back and hope will happen. It's something we have to be intentional and insistent about. When our thoughts start wandering down those dangerous "if only" paths, we can instead find a fork in the road and change direction, remembering who Christ is and how He lived His life on earth—as a loving, humble servant.
Being silent: I have often regretted my speech. In the heat of battles, I've found it is almost always better to walk away and pray. If I feel I have been wronged then I need to ask my Father to defend me. If I feel that battle still waging inside me then I know it's time to ask Him to quiet my heart. Being silent is hard work! But I know that my silence is not as likely as my angry words to hurt the people I care about. Proverbs 17:28 says, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."
When the battles rage within us, we can change the results and stop the arguments that ensue. It's up to us to pause and choose a different reaction. I hope these things will help us today as we rise to the challenge!
Dear Lord, please help me to remember to pray, to walk in truth, to take each thought captive and to be silent. Help me honor You when the battles rage inside me. I don't want to fight with the people I love and I need You to help me with that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen
Application Steps:
In your journal, write down the four things you can do when you feel those battles raging inside you. Spend time praying and thinking about how you will do these things instead of being angry.
Reflections:
Think about the last argument you had. What battle was raging within you when it happened? What would have changed if you had done the things listed in today's devotion?
Power Verses:
I Peter 2:11, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (NIV)
Galatians 5:16, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 11, 2009
The Power of Encouragement
Renee Swope
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I hate open heights. I can't stand balconies, and when driving across a bridge, you'll find me hugging the rail along the inside lane.
Some friends tried to help me conquer my fear of heights by inviting our family to an indoor rock-climbing center. My heart stopped as we entered the doors and I scanned the highest peak at 25 feet! The instructors assured me that a web of ropes and harnesses would hold me tight. Before I could say "no thank you," I was strapped in and signing an injury waiver.
Towards the end of the day, our friends John and Laura encouraged their eight-year-old son Steven to climb to the highest peak - promising tokens and ice cream if he did it. Steven was afraid of heights, too, but he loved a dare. The promise of reward, mixed with the challenge and faith of his father evoked courage in him.
I watched with admiration as Steven started the climb with confidence. He made it to 10 feet, then 15, then 20. But as he inched past the next face of the wall, he saw how far he still had to go. In fear, he looked down with tears and claimed he couldn't do it. Then he cried out for his daddy's help.
By this time, Steven's dad was holding their very tired 3-year-old and his mom was feeding their hungry baby girl. I don't know where my brave husband was, but I quickly realized I was the only one standing there who could do something.
Suddenly courage and strength surged through my body and I called out, "Don't give up buddy. You can do it. I'll help you!"
In record time, I reached the 20-foot marker, crossed over the peak and came up beside Steven to encourage him, reminding him of how far he'd come. I told him he could do it with God's strength and that it would be worth it if he'd persevere. With my words and my confidence in him, I helped Steven turn his thoughts towards a higher goal, an inner peak, a reward much greater than ice cream and game tokens - the reward of getting to a place he had stopped believing he could reach.
Funny how I stopped thinking about my fears when I was focused on encouraging someone else to overcome theirs. I realized that the same promises I had claimed for Steven were true for me, too. I could do it with God's strength, and I did!
Each day we have the same opportunity. Like God did with Joshua in today's key verse and like He does with us, we can come alongside each other in some of life's hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, "Don't give up, you can do it. I'll be with you and help you."
When we take our eyes off our fears, our doubts, our struggles and focus on someone else's needs, we somehow forget our own, for a little while. In believing the power of God's promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us seems to grow as well.
Lord, Thank you for the power of Your Words that give me courage to become who You've created me to be - to go to places You're calling me to go and climb spiritual heights that are out of my reach without Your help. Give me Your encouragement today, and help me encourage someone, too. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's Blog for more encouragement today!
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child CD and Character Chart - a message and method for parents to see the power of encouraging words in the lives of their kids, by Renee Swope
Girlfriends' Road Trip - a message on CD about building Godly friendships, by Renee Swope
Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, by Jennifer Rothschild
Application Steps:
Ask God to encourage your heart today with a promise from His Word that offers hope and power in the midst of your circumstances.
Write a note, leave a message or send an email with a promise and a prayer to someone who needs encouragement.
Reflections:
How has someone's encouraging words impacted my life in the past? How has God's words of encouragement helped me do things I never thought I could?
Power Verses:
Psalm 69:32, "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged.'" (NLT)
Deuteronomy 3:28, "But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." (NIV)
Psalm 10:17, "You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, (NIV)
© 2009 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 12, 2009
Please Interrupt Me
Lysa TerKeurst
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I wonder if the greatest witnessing tool available to us Christians is often pushed aside because of our busyness.
The other day I was focused on all the items on my seemingly never ending to do list. As I was sitting at a stoplight a friend called me and started lamenting that her son had forgotten his lunch and his belt required by the school's uniform policy. She was stressed and trying to get in touch with her husband who'd just dropped her son off at school. She was at home with a new baby feeling groggy from a sleepless night and overwhelmed by her situation.
Her son could probably get his friends to share their lunches with him. But, the belt would be a problem. The school would call her when they noticed the missing belt and require her to bring one. She lives over 20 minutes from the school.
As I sat at the stoplight listening to my friend, I looked to the store off to my right. That store has belts. That store has lunch food. I was faced with a decision. Could I help? Well, I could but my schedule would have to be rearranged a bit. Would I help? My friend wasn't asking but in that moment I knew it would be a tremendous blessing for her.
This day I wouldn't let my busyness take precedence over the blessing of divine interruptions and opportunities to love. So, I helped.
I don't know this for sure but I suspect my friend had been asking Jesus to please help her. It's hard being up half the night with a sleepless baby. It's hard to find a new normal when life gets a little off kilter by changes in the family dynamic. It's hard when you need help but feel like everyone is so busy you hate to bother them.
Now, I'll admit, I'm a task-oriented person so it doesn't come naturally for me to look for ways to be interrupted in the midst of my busyness. But sitting at that stoplight, I realized the power of pausing. Pausing just long enough for Jesus to tap on the edge of my heart and say, "Could you? Would you? Do this as if it's the most important part of your day and not an unwelcome interruption."
The Bible teaches one of the most important precepts is love. When we love others we are living the message of Jesus. And listen to what Psalm 19:8 says, "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."
Oh how many times have I missed the joy of pausing to live and love and light the world for Jesus?
Dear Lord, help me to pause today and remember my great witnessing tool is to simply be available to love others. Show me where I can love. Make me courageous enough to step aside my carefully planned to do list and look for ways to be an answer to the prayers someone has prayed today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a fun contest to win a gift for you and one to share with a friend!
Speaking of friends... we'd like to invite you to the girlfriend's get-away of a lifetime! Join Lysa TerKeurst, Karen Kingsbury, Angela Thomas, Renee Swope and some other gals from Proverbs 31 Ministries for the Girl's Getaway Cruise in 2010! It's surprisingly affordable and just the getaway we girls need to get recharged and refocused. For more information, click here.
And if you are looking for a great Bible Study to do with your girlfriends, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst is a great one to consider.
Application Steps:
Spend some time praying about an opportunity to be interrupted today. Remember when the interruptions come...connect them with the prayer you prayed and enjoy your experience of God.
Reflections:
Is there anyone in my life that is currently going through some changes where I could practically lend a hand?
How can I create some more white space in my life to make myself more available to help others?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 15:7-8, "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs." (NIV)
Psalm 19:8, "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 13, 2009
The Unique One
Amy Carroll
"You shall have no other gods before me."
Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Are there really 330 million gods and goddesses in the Hindu religion? How can that be true? I wondered as I prepared for my trip to India. I began to think surely that number was made up by some cynical Christian, but as I read through a secular source the number was confirmed. Even so, I was completely unprepared for the overwhelming influence of idol worship in the culture of Calcutta.
There were idols of gods and goddesses everywhere I looked. There were idols at the entrance to the hotel, at the archway into the dining room and in booths all along the streets. Everything had religious significance. From fashion—the dots on women's foreheads and the bangles on their arms—to transportation, where the drivers had a goddess on their dashboard for safety. I started asking about each idol. "This is the god of milk," one store owner explained. "That is the goddess of candy," said a waiter. Suddenly I began to understand how there could be so many gods and goddess. Everything within my sight and senses had an idol attached to it.
This was hard to process for an American raised in a culture that is mostly monotheistic. I felt a little tug of pride until I began to think about the idols of my own country: wealth, leisure, youthfulness, work, children, power. The idols that surround me in America may be invisible. There may not be temples built to them with a beautifully sculpted statue in the center where offerings and sacrifices are laid. But America definitely has idols.
The Christian pastors in Calcutta explained to us that it is difficult to share the Gospel of Jesus with Hindus. Many times a Hindu will respond receptively to the Good News of Jesus with this sort of response, "Sure, I'll accept Jesus and add Him to all my other household gods and goddesses." It's difficult for a Hindu to understand and accept Jesus as the One and Only, so the pastors preach about the uniqueness of Christ.
While in Calcutta, I learned of the beautiful ceremony of baptism for new Indian believers. The new Christians line up their idols at the edge of the baptismal pool. They turn their backs on the idols to be baptized, and then the idols are disposed of. The exquisite symbolism of this practice pierced my heart.
I began to ask myself, Have I turned my back on my idols? Have I trusted and believed in Jesus more than anything else in my life? Do I value Christ as uniquely sufficient, or have I just added Him to my list of comforts and priorities?
I thought back to the year when my family had moved into a house that was badly in need of renovation. As a lover of all things decorative, I plunged head first into paint swatches, wallpaper books and HGTV. One morning when I finally had a quiet time with the Lord, He spoke to my heart that I had an idol that needed demolishing. An idol? God clearly showed me that feathering my nest had become my number one priority and had displaced Him in my heart. He asked me to fast from all the things that fed my decorating addiction for a year.
Sadly, I cancelled my subscriptions to Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. My husband even agreed to cancel our cable subscription so I wouldn't have access to HGTV. The reward came as my heart's desire turned back to Jesus, the Unique One. I turned my back on my idols and their consumption of my time and focus was demolished.
When the year was up, I sought God's direction and permission to re-subscribe to my magazines and decorating shows. Knowing He had re-ordered my heart and taken up preeminence in my life, I felt His approval. My idol had been cast down, and I was able to enjoy these things as God's gifts put back in their proper place.
Dear Lord, help me to identify the hidden, invisible idols in my life. It is my heart's cry that I would put You first, above and over all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For encouragement on laying idols down, listen to today's Radio Show, Bring it to Me
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Visit Amy's blog - Ponderings from the Pathway
Application Steps:
Do You Know the One and Only?
Read the Gospel of John and fall in love with Jesus as the Unique One.
Reflections:
Are there things in my life that have become idols?
What do I need to do to remove them?
Power Verses:
Exodus 20:3-6, "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
Today, I am giving you a
DAILY SURVIVAL KIT
to help you each day............
Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.
Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.
Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.
Candy Kiss ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.
Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.
Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.
Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.
Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings.
This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day
:laugh: :angel:
November 16, 2009
Being the Stillness
Bonnie Grove, She Reads Featured Author
"Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great."
Job 2:13 (NASB)
Devotion:
I have sought comfort in the book of Job many times in my life. After I buried my infant son, I asked, "Why?" God reminded me that when Job asked the same question His answer was, "Who?"
While laying on a hospital bed knowing for certain I would lose the twins I had carried only a few precious months, God reminded me how in the midst of Job's suffering, God came. And in the whirlwind He answered. Not right away, not in Job's time, but in God's time - the perfect time when Job's heart could take in the words of healing.
In the years following those dark events, I trained in theology, counseling and psychology. I was on a quest to understand my brokenness, and that of others. I'm still on that quest, though my formal training is behind me.
One evening, I was in conversation with a man who was going through a divorce and was in obvious pain. He spoke of his daughter, and how his hopes for the future had been destroyed. When he finished speaking I sat in silence, knowing I had no great words to offer. Spent from telling his story, he too sat quietly.
Our silence stretched into minutes. Then, the man began to cry. I sat with him, keeping his tears company, and still said nothing. More minutes passed, and the man said, "That's the first time I've cried since this whole mess started." Then he said something surprising: "You've helped me so much. Thank you."
The silence had changed something for him. From my perspective, the silence was a result of my limitations as a counselor - I was empty handed. But it became clear to me there was something powerful at work. I remembered how Job's friends sat in silence with him for seven days and nights. With that in mind, I began to pay close attention to silence. I found that by being quiet, I could better understand my thoughts, fears, hopes, and desires. And in my long silences I was able to sense God's presence and hear His voice. When I sat with the man going through a divorce I listened to him without interruption. Then, by saying nothing, I helped him listen to what God had to say to him.
There are astounding lessons to be learned from the act of listening. I have learned that listening is an act of love. It is not passive; it is intentional, engaging with the heart and mind of another person. To listen you must turn off all outside distractions; say "no" to the world rushing by you. A sacred act of deliberate silence and meaningful pause, listening helps people clear a space in their life, heart, and mind in order to simply "be." Our listening is an important gift. I am learning to make it my first response. Through listening I want to provide the stillness God speaks into.
Dear Lord, bring me into a deeper silence before You, that I may hear Your voice, and in hearing, believe, and in believing, listen to the heart of others. When people hurt Lord, let me first offer them my listening, not my advice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit with Bonnie today, where she will be a guest at the She Reads blog
Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove is a She Reads selection!
When Your Marriage Dies: Answers to Questions about Separation and Divorce by Laura Petherbridge
Find encouragement in God's peace on today's Radio Show - How Difficulties Affect Us
Application Steps:
Practice stillness in your prayer life. Sit quietly; offer the sacrifice of love by listening long to what the Lord has to say to you today.
Practice stillness in your relationships. Begin to pay attention to the silences around you and offer yourself to a friend through the act of listening.
Reflections:
Do you believe God will meet you in your silence?
Can you recall a time when you listened as an act of love to a friend or family member?
Power Verses:
Habakkuk 2:20, "But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." (NASB)
Psalm 46:10-11, "Be still and know that I am God....The LORD Almighty is with us." (NIV)
© 2009 by Bonnie Grove. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 17, 2009
Stained and Ruined
Melissa Taylor
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Looking back, it seems like I'm viewing the story of another person. I hardly recognize the little girl I became in that dark moment.
I was walking home from the bus stop. The walk took about ten minutes unless I stopped to talk to a friend or neighbor, which I usually did. Mr. Parks, a retired man, was sitting in his driveway waving to all the kids walking by. He was so friendly. On this particular day, he invited me into his garage. He said he had some candy to give me. I walked in that garage an innocent trusting little girl. I walked out scarred for life.
Mr. Parks sexually violated me. I didn't understand what was going on. I didn't know what to do. He became someone else; I didn't recognize the man he changed into once that garage door was closed. He did things to me and made me do things to him that I never imagined existed. I was absolutely terrified. When he was done, he said, "Come back tomorrow." And I did.
The experience of being sexually abused left me devastated, feeling stained and ruined. In my mind, what I had done was so bad, I couldn't tell anyone. And because it happened more than once, I felt like it really was my choice; my fault. That's what he told me. I felt dirty and I was filled with shame. Shame is a joy stealer and my joy was gone.
Over the years I perfected the art of wearing masks. On the outside, I looked great. However, on the inside I felt completely unworthy of any good thing. When I experienced success, I would usually sabotage myself or quit. I apologized for being good at something and downplayed my God-given strengths.
It must break God's heart when we allow shame to steal our sense of worth. Jesus gave His life to prove how valuable we are. We were created to walk in God's confidence, not our own.
Our key verse tells us "By his wounds, we are healed." Jesus became stained and ruined on our behalf. We don't have to live in fear or condemnation over anything that has taken place in our lives, whether it was our fault or not.
When I accepted Christ as my Savior, I also accepted freedom from my past hauntings. Still, I have to remind myself of this every day. My thoughts must center on Jesus or they can easily slip back to the darkness of that garage. Yes, even 35 years later, I still have flashbacks of what happened to me. That's when I look up to heaven and say, "By Your wounds I am healed. Thank You, Jesus. I am not stained and ruined. I am clean, pure, and precious. Mr. Parks has no hold on me anymore."
My final triumph in this horrific ordeal was the most difficult: forgiveness. I claim forgiveness for my sins everyday through Jesus. In doing that, I am faced with the fact that I'm called to forgive. "Mr. Parks, I forgive you. I know you must have been very sick and your heart was stained with sin. I hope and pray you accepted Jesus before you died. What you did to me was the worst thing anyone could do to a little girl. I want to hate you. Instead, I choose to hate what you did, but forgive you." I can only do this with Jesus at my side. I'm not capable any other way.
No longer do I believe I am stained and ruined. I am clean. I am worthy. Jesus has set me free. "By his wounds, we are healed." I believe that. I hope you do too!
For more on becoming free in Christ, visit here.
Dear Lord, I need You every day of my life. Please remind me that I am worthy and delete the lies that haunt me. Help me live to the fullest for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
Visit Melissa's blog and read how feeling stained and ruined led to issues with sexual intimacy, weight, relationships, and success.
His Princess Bride, Love Letters from Your Prince by Sheri Rose Shepherd
For more encouragement, visit here
Application Steps:
If you are suffering due to your past, seek Christian counseling in your area.
Read your Bible everyday. Begin each day by saying, "Lord, because of you I am healed and valuable."
Stop by Melissa's blog and leave a comment - she will email you her "Top Ten Ways to Know You are Worthy" list.
Reflections:
Is there something in your past keeping you from living the life God intended?
Do you believe Jesus has washed you clean?
Have you shared what Christ has done for you with anyone lately?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 14:2, "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands." (CEV)
Isaiah 45:3, "I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 18, 2009
The Beauty of the Lord
Lynn Cowell
"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (ESV)
Devotion:
The jagged scar on his back may be gruesome to some. To me, it is a mark of beauty. It is a reminder of the love he showed that day.
It was suppose to be a day filled with wonderful memories with my husband's family in the foothills of South Carolina. The highlight of our trip would be Slippery Rock, a natural water slide in the cool Pisgah forest. However, under the guidance of a "local" we changed our plans to go to a different waterfall.
When we reached it, the waterfall wasn't quite what we were told or expected. Unprotected. Steeper. Less water. No lifeguard, no stairs, no rope. Though disappointed, we vowed to make the best of it.
Greg watched the kids start down the steep slope. Sensing everything was not as smooth as it seemed, he called to our nine-year-old daughter, "Wait for me, and we'll go together."
The laughter and squeals brought joy to my heart. Wanting to catch their expressions, I looked down to adjust my camera's zoom. Looking up, I caught his eye. Something was wrong. I pulled the camera away just in time to witness Greg sticking out his leg, causing him and Madison to spin. Instead of her head slamming into the stone wall, Greg's bare back took the blow.
The day ended then, with a trip to the emergency room. The four-inch gash on his back, evidence he saved our daughter. Today, it is a thick red scar; proof of his love for his family.
My First Love also bears scars of love. Though I haven't seen them, I know they're there. I was young, naive and taking the course with no stairs, no rope, no lifeguard. I wanted to "live a little." Just before I smashed against the rock of this world, I listened to Jesus' invitation: "Wait for me; let Me get you out of harm's way and lead you." I fell into His accepting arms, rescued and safe
Like I was, there are those who want to go their own way. They are oblivious to the rushing power of sin, which will smash them against the hard walls of this world. Thoughts such as "I can flirt with this sin; I just want a little fun!" or "I'm tired of responsibility. It's my turn. My kids will bounce back," or "I don't have to put up with him anymore. It's my life too," take precedence. Inevitable destruction follows. All along Jesus is at the top of the slope inviting them: "Wait for Me. Let's go together and I will lead you."
They've missed the Man. They've missed His strength. They've missed the scars that are proof that His love held Him to that gnarly cross when His mind and body screamed out. I see the price He paid to protect me from my own destruction and all I can say is "Oh, the beauty of the Lord."
Dear Lord, help me look to You every day. Help me trust Your instructions and warnings, knowing that You love me more than I love myself. You are my first love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Visit Lynn's blog - Leading Others to Completion in Christ
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Visit here for encouragement in your Everyday Life.
Application Steps:
Take some time away - away from laundry, tv and internet - to get quiet and worship Jesus. Thank Him for saving you and giving you new life!
Is there someone you know who is at the top of a slippery slope and needs to read this? Pray for them and forward them today's devotion.
Reflections:
Is there any area in your life you are flirting with something dangerous to yourself? Your family? Confess this to Jesus. Tell Him you want to fall into His accepting arms and help you walk away from this danger.
If you answered yes, think of a friend you really trust with whom you can share this. Have them pray for you and hold you accountable.
Accept Jesus' invitation for the first time, or renew your acceptance of His grace.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 53:3-5, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 19, 2009
I Don't Want to Raise Successful Children
Lysa TerKeurst
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I don't want to raise successful children. That's a shocking thing to read, and a shocking thing for a mother to type. So, let me clarify.
I used to define success according to my child's report card. Good grades and academic achievement would surely equal a good child with great potential in this world. But then several of my children wound up being average students with average grades. Though we carted them off to tutors and spent many a late night at the kitchen table helping them, they remained average. And I remained concerned and frustrated.
One report card day I found myself facedown in the fibers of my carpet crying and wondering, "Where have I gone wrong as a mom?"
I dug into Scriptures. I begged God for wisdom and discernment. I prayed for God's perspective with each of my kids. Finally, one day it dawned on me - what if I simply chose to embrace the natural bent of each of my kids as God's way to protect them and keep them on the path toward His best plans for their lives?
What if my A student needs academic success to prepare her for God's plans while my average to below-average student needs to be steered away from a more academic future? What if my sports star kid needs that athletic excellence for his future assignments by God, but my benchwarmer kid is being protected from getting off course by her lack in this area?
And that's when it finally dawned on me. My job isn't to push success for my kids. My job as a parent is to recognize the unique way God created each child and point them to Jesus at every turn along their journey toward adulthood. Yes, I want my kids to learn and thrive and grow up educated, but it's not a flaw in me or them if they don't have straight A report cards and trophy cases full of sports medals.
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (NIV).
I am challenged to ponder these words, "... in the way he should go." Are we training our kids that the "way he should go" is to chase worldly achievement or to chase God? Whatever they learn to chase as a child, they will chase as adults. Therefore, we must be challenged to honestly assess the way we are pointing them to go.
My daughter, Hope, is one of my average students. She has also warmed many a bench in the sports she's tried, and can always be found hiding on the back row of the stage during school concerts. Using the world's benchmarks for achievement, Hope wouldn't be seen as a child positioned for success. But God...
This past January, my 15 year old Hope, shocked me when she announced she wanted to go to Ethiopia with some missionary friends of ours and live in the remote African bush for the summer. Yes, she may not have trophies and straight A report cards but she does have a heart of gold. And because she's not entrenched in sports and academic pursuits that could have created obligations for her summer, she was free to go to Africa. Free to chase God in a really big way.
One of the first e-mails she sent me from Ethiopia read, "Mom, I've fallen in love with the AIDS orphanage children. They rushed at me when I held my arms out and I tried with all my might to hold all 30 of them at once. I love it here."
Now, don't get me wrong. I do expect Hope to return to her studies this fall, give 100% effort, and finish her high school career having done her very best. She will most likely then go to college. But she probably won't be delivering the valedictorian address or wearing the honors cords and medals. She'll be the one with a vision of a dying AIDS orphan pressing against her heart ready to chase God's plans to the ends of the earth.
So back to my original statement, I don't want to raise successful children. It's true, I don't. Though Hope's sister coming behind her is an A student and can always be found on the front row of school performances - we don't chase after success for her either. I trust God that she needs those things in her life for the plans He's unfolding in her life. We train with that bent in mind. But, we don't chase it. Just like Hope, we point her in the direction of God at every turn and pray like crazy.
I stand by what I said and I'll say it again, I don't want to raise successful children. Because--- raising God-honoring adults who will set the world on fire for Christ is just so much more rewarding.
Dear Lord, being a mom is a really tough job. Please help me, teach me and show me how to define success for my kids. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to watch a video of Hope's trip to Ethiopia
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Spend some time specifically praying for your kids today and ask the Lord how you can train them according to the way He created them.
Reflections:
What worries about my kids do I need to ask the Lord for His perspective?
How should I define success for my kids?
Power Verses:
2 John 1:4, "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us." (NIV)
Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 20, 2009
Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown
Micca Monda Campbell
"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before." Joshua 3:4a (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you have a fear of the unknown? If so, then you know how nerve-racking it can be. Fearing the unknown can cause us to live on pins and needles as we spend precious energy anticipating the worst-case scenario. There are two problems with this type of fear:
1. The future is not here.
2. The future is not ours.
While the future may be out of our hands, it's not out of the hands of an adequate and trustworthy God. When we face a worrisome unknown situation, we can look to Joshua as an example.
It's recorded in the first chapter of Joshua that before Moses died, God passed the baton of leadership to Joshua. The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for 40 years under the guidance of Moses. Now, their journey was almost over. Just beyond the Jordan River was their promised land—the land that God had guaranteed to Abraham and his descendants.
Upon reaching the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites set up camp by the stream and awaited God's direction. Much like their meeting with the Red Sea, God had to make a way for them to cross over the river. On the third day, God told the officers to instruct the people that when they saw the Ark of the Covenant (where God's Presence abided) to follow it because they had "never passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4). In essence God was saying, Follow Me and I'll see you through this unknown territory.
That's not all. The people were instructed on how closely they should follow the ark. Without this instruction, the people would have crowded the ark and God wanted every person to be able to see His presence ever faithfully leading them through the unknown valley. What greater encouragement could they have than this, that the Lord was their God, a God who was with them?
You see, friend, the Lord understands our fear of the unknown. He realizes that you may be in a situation that you've never passed through before and you're afraid. It may be the first time you've been without employment. Maybe you've just been diagnosed with an illness or your child is in rebellion. You've never been down this road before and you don't know which way to go or what to do. God will guide the way.
Joshua's life was unpredictable and full of unknowns much like yours and mine. Yet, he successfully resisted fear by keeping his focus on God rather than the events surrounding him. Just as God guided the Israelites through unknown territory, He will guide you and me too. When we come to a place we've never passed through before, God is always present to help us.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; (Isaiah 43:2,3b, NIV).
Even though the children of Israel were not told how they would pass over the river, the people went forth in faith. We too can move forward in faith sharing in the promised presence of God leading the way through our unknown circumstances.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promised presence. It comforts my heart to know that I am not alone. Lead me, Lord, through the unknown in my life. Make Your path clear and I will follow it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog - Reflections
Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears. Order your copy by clicking here.
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
The Bible calls us to walk by faith not by sight. God doesn't always give us the details we desire. He does give us Himself. Believing is certainty that He's laid out a path and He goes before us.
Reflections:
Have you ever run from fear? Where and when?
Where did you find comfort from your fear?
How can God's promised presence soothe your fears?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 23, 2009
Making the Most of Loneliness
Glynnis Whitwer
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
My little boy sat facing the back of the couch. His head resting on his crossed arms. He stared out the window. His little head moved from left to right as he watched two neighbor boys race past on bikes, laughing at a shared joke.
I watched my second-grade-son from the kitchen door, drying my hands with a dishtowel. My shoulders drooped as Josh took a deep breath and let it out in a despairing sigh. Mirroring his sadness, my throat tightened and hot tears burned my eyes. Throwing the dishtowel into the sink, I quietly stepped to the couch and slipped down next to him. Without saying a word, I scooped him into my lap and enveloped his little frame with my arms.
His face nuzzled mine and our tears mixed together. I could almost feel the wishing and hoping pulse through his small body: Will they stop by my house? Will they invite me to play? A smothered sob escaped from my little boy who was trying valiantly to be "big."
Ever since our move to North Carolina earlier in the year, Joshua had trouble making friends. The playgroups were established, and my shy son was painfully on the outside. His little brothers were good companions at home, but that didn't replace friendships at school or in the neighborhood.
The loneliness was oppressive, and I felt it too. In fact, that period of my life was one of my darkest times. We all left life-long friends when we moved. Those friendships had been born of common experiences, and years spent together. They were effortless. Now we faced unknown territory, not just geographically, but culturally and socially. This was a new world to us, and Josh felt it as painfully as I did. And yet, during that time, we all learned some things about God and ourselves that we wouldn't have learned had we stayed in Phoenix.
Although loneliness is painful, it isn't always a bad place to be for a time. C.S. Lewis said "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
God definitely spoke to us in our loneliness. And I started wondering if perhaps there are times when God allows loneliness into our lives as an invitation to pursue Him as our closest friend. When our friends have left us, or we have left them, God reveals His presence in new ways. Tim Hansel, author of Through the Wilderness of Loneliness writes, "Loneliness is not a time of abandonment...it just feels that way. It's actually a time of encounter at new levels with the only One who can fill that empty place in our hearts."
God longs to fill our hearts with Himself. Yet we often try to fill the desires of our hearts with the things of this world. We also discover those attempts to find replacements for God are fleeting and insubstantial, leaving us even lonelier than before.
As you or your child face a time of loneliness, take this opportunity to look to Jesus as a best friend. Jesus Himself calls us friends in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Even though we were designed for community, God has a purpose for loneliness. If we can learn from it, rather than resent it, I believe we'll find a life-long Friend who'll never leave us lonely.
Dear Lord, thank You being a friend who will never leave me. Sometimes the loneliness is overwhelming. Please be real to me today. I want to learn from this time of loneliness rather than resent it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life, by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for tips on how to help your child (and you) make friends.
Are you lonely today? Click here to meet a Friend who will never leave you.
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Spend 10 minutes sitting in the presence of Jesus. Invite Him to be real to you, and listen for His voice.
Reflections:
What characteristics does God display when He reveals Himself to us as a friend?
What can you do to be a better friend to God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:7a, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him...." (NIV)
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 24, 2009
Body Image
T. Suzanne Eller
"Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now."
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)
Devotion:
I walked by the mirror in the department store. I stopped, backed up, and took a second look. Was that really me? I was nearly nine months pregnant with twins and looked like Mrs. Potato Head. My arms and legs stuck out of a huge protruding stomach. My belly button looked like a cork ready to pop!
A few days later Ryan and Melissa arrived. I loved my babies! But as the months passed, I didn't love my body with all its stretch marks and a baby bump that remained no matter how hard I tried to get rid of them.
Flash forward twenty-five years. Melissa loves to serve as Mom's fashionista, and tries to keep me up with the times. One day she and I were shopping for a pair of jeans and she'd picked out a couple of things she wanted me to try on. She knocked on the door of the dressing room. "Let me in, Mom."
I cracked open the door. "I'll be out in a minute, hon."
She frowned. Later she confronted me. "Mom, you were hiding your stomach, weren't you? I don't get it. You just need to get over it."
How many times have I met a truly beautiful woman and complemented her, only to hear her say, "Well, thank you, but I need to lose five pounds," or "I'm having a crazy hair day," or "Did you see that woman over there, now she's beautiful." What I saw was a smile that was warm and welcoming, or beautiful hazel eyes that were filled with compassion, or a woman who was frugal and fabulous. My complements were sincere, but fell flat as she focused on her flaws instead.
My conversation with Melissa that day reminded me that I was doing the same thing. Worse, I was modeling this behavior in front of my daughter.
The truth is that I'm healthy. I have given birth to three beautiful children. And more importantly, I'm God's girl. I'm beautifully made in His image. That's a fact etched on my heart and my mind.
Now if only someone would remind my mouth.
In Bible times ancient mirrors were polished metal, easily tarnished, and the reflection was hard to see. If a woman had a flaw, she had to rely on her friends or sisters to give her a head's up.
But today we can scope out our features in detail with three-way mirrors or a 5x-, 10x-, or even 15x magnified mirror where every pore and every flaw is magnified! Too often, those mirrors are reminders of the cultural message of what beauty is - or is not.
But what would happen if we focused on the mirror Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:12 instead? The more we get to know God, the clearer things become. We stop checking out our own image and discover more about Him. That helps us see the bigger picture—5X-, 10X-, and maybe even 15X magnified!
And there's a bonus. The more we get to know Him, the more others see us through His reflection.
Now, that's real beauty.
Dear God, I am made in Your image. I matter to You. Make me wise. Let me be grateful for physical healthy. Will You join me as I pursue joy, wisdom, peace, and selflessness? I want to look like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Suzie's blog to talk more about this topic and to enter a giveaway for a copy of Suzie's book, The Woman I am Becoming.
The Woman I am Becoming: Embracing the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny by T. Suzanne Eller
Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Jennifer Rothschild
Tune in to the P31 Radio Show today: Do You Like Yourself?
Application Steps:
Name things that you believe will be important to you 10 years from now; 20 years from now.
Name one inner quality you'd like to nurture to help you work toward those goals.
What is one step you can take to begin that process?
Reflections:
"Scientists have concluded that there must be something more to us than our brains and our bodies. The Bible makes the same point: Whether it describes you with the words "soul", "spirit", or "heart," the meaning is the same - the real you, the deepest truest you is not your body. You are a living soul." Lael Arrington, author of The Things That Matter Most.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:30,"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (NIV)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 25, 2009
Thank You Power
Rachel Olsen
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
In my (part-time) job as a university teacher, I'm frequently reading research. I know ... it sounds as dry as an over-cooked turkey. Sometimes it is but often I find interesting stuff in that scientific prose. For example, I read about a study that showed just how great it is to be grateful.
The researchers found that grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, more satisfaction with life, and more vitality and optimism. All good qualities I want more of in my life. They also found grateful people show lower levels of depression and stress - two things I'd like to experience less in my life.
What's more, they found that people who write weekly in a journal about things they are thankful for are healthier. They exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better in general than people who journal about neutral or negative life events. That sounds great, and I'll take all the help I can get in the exercise department.
Finally, the research showed that people who daily count their blessings report higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, and energy. Wow, the benefits of being grateful are remarkable and many! I guess that shouldn't surprise me after considering today's key verse. The Bible urges us to give thanks ... all the time ... in every situation ... because this practice is the will of God.
Let me be clear, there are terrible things that happen to us that may not be the will of God, but us praising God and giving thanks in spite of them certainly is the will of God.
As Christians, we can always find reason to give thanks - thanks for the salvation of Christ, the nearness of God, and the counsel of His Spirit for starters. The psalmist declared, "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High" (Psalm 7:17, NIV). We can do that too.
Christian poet John Milton once wrote about every grey cloud having a silver lining. Purposing to give thanks, no matter the weather, will train us to look for it. Continuing in this manner day after day ensures that gratefulness will become a normal mode of operation.
No wonder those researchers found that people regularly counting their blessings grow happier, healthier, and more optimistic. After all, that research wasn't discovering anything new, but rather confirming the will and wisdom of God. God already knows how great it is for us to be grateful. Now "science" does too.
What can you give thanks for today?
Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your Son and Your Spirit, given to me. Thank You for the provision of shelter and food I have today. And Lord, thank You for this reminder to become more mindful of my blessings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Jesus Calling: A 365-Day Journaling Devotion by Sarah Young
Visit Rachel's blog - My Life in Chapter and Verse for more on this topic
Click here for refreshing ideas on giving thanks
The Tale of Three Trees (hard cover or chubby) retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
Application Steps:
Start a gratitude journal. At the end of each day between now and Christmas, take a few minutes to jot down 3-5 things you are thankful for. Keep the notebook and pencil by your bed. Your list can include "big" things like good health, or "little" things like a flower in bloom. Give thanks to God for all of these.
See if you feel any happier, healthier, or more optimistic after a few weeks of regularly giving thanks.
Reflections:
How often do I give thanks to God?
Do I notice, or remember, the little blessings in my days?
Do I want to feel happier, be healthier, and think more optimistically? More importantly, do I want to do the will of God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 118:19, "Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD." (NIV)
Psalm 107:22, "Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." (NIV)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 26, 2009
The Guest List
Sharon Sloan, She Speaks Graduate
"Then Jesus said to his host, 'When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors...But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'"
Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)
Devotion:
My husband and I were on the "B List" for the wedding. Honestly, we were excited to be on the guest list at all, so being "B List" guests did not insult us. Someone we watched grow up was now getting married. Their parents were prominent in the local community and several hundred people could have easily been on the guest list for their child's wedding. We were honored by the invitation.
Creating guest lists can be difficult. Today's key verse from Luke 14 teaches godly guest list etiquette. Jesus tells us that when we have a banquet to "invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." As a woman who enjoys hosting gatherings and birthday parties for my children, guest lists are something sacred to me. They have become an offering to the Lord. Jesus says to look beyond the obvious guests on your list, such as family and close friends, and reach out to the downtrodden.
While there may not be those who are physically crippled, lame or blind in our lives, there are those who are hurting, who feel unwanted and unworthy of an invitation.
When my children and I make their party guest lists together, we prayerfully ask the Lord to put those on our hearts who would be blessed by receiving an invitation. Perhaps a friend who is not financially able to host birthday parties themselves. Or someone who is dealing with paralyzing emotional pain. Maybe someone whose parents are going through a divorce. Perhaps a friend who is shy and tends to be socially isolated. Or the one who has rough edges, is not easy to be around and doesn't see God's loving acceptance of them. The poor, the lame, the crippled and the blind.
Truth is, without Jesus and His redemptive love, we are all "the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." Even in Christian circles, we can feel like the outcast or the unwanted guest. We've all experienced that "I wasn't invited" feeling. An invitation speaks of acceptance, inclusion, care, love, worth and friendship. God's Word tells us to extend invitations to unassuming guests.
The Lord of Hosts beckons us to come to His wedding banquet. As we unfold and accept His invitation, we are seated at the table of the King. Just as we are chosen by God to be guests of honor at His party, let's select unlikely guests and place them at the top of our own guest lists. You are honoring God by inviting the poor, lame, crippled and blind. "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God" (Proverbs 14:31, NIV). And to add to the joy of honoring God, He has promised us that "you will be blessed...you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (Luke 14:14, NIV).
Dear God, thank You that You have invited us to come and dine at the King's table. May we honor You with our hearts as we invite the poor, lame, crippled and blind to our own banquets. As we reach out to the unlikely guests in our lives, may Your perfect love fill their hearts with acceptance and joy. Give us the grace to be Your hostess on earth, and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pray about starting a Gather and Grow Group
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance Sisk
Click here for Tips for Friendship Gatherings
Application Steps:
Read Luke 14 and ask the Lord to speak to your heart through these scriptures.
Prayerfully invite some unlikely guests to your next gathering - perhaps to your Thanksgiving table today, or to an upcoming Christmas party.
Reflections:
Do I extend invitations to unlikely guests, such as the outcasts or the hurting people around me?
Am I teaching my children to invite the poor, lame, crippled and blind to their parties as well?
Power Verses:
Luke 14:23, "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'" (NIV)
Hebrews 13:2, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (NIV)
Jeremiah 52:33, "So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table." (NIV)
© 2009 by Sharon Sloan. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
November 27, 2009
A Thirsty Woman
Rachel Olsen
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
Devotion:
I sat in the crowded café of a bookstore working on my laptop. My stomach growled repeatedly—I'd not yet had lunch. Hunger urged me to pack up and head in the rain to a restaurant but I purposed instead to focus on the project at hand. Then something else caught my attention.
A woman wearing a green rain jacket walked by. I noticed because she walked with the gate of a person with a disability. Several steps past me she stopped, turned and looked at me. I smiled. She spoke to me in incomprehensible syllables. Not sure how to respond, I kept smiling. She repeated her groaning.
"What is it?" I inquired.
After "speaking" a few more sentences, she reached her hand toward me. All her motions were noticeably slow. With her arm extended, she wiggled her fingers while looking at me with soft eyes that didn't seem to fully focus.
Patrons at surrounding tables stared in our direction. The awkwardness was growing. She kept wiggling her fingers, uttering sounds no one understood. I looked around. She was alone. I smiled again and asked, "What do you need?" She came closer, her hand reaching for my wrist. Maybe she just wants to touch me for some reason, I thought.
Instead, she took my hand and pulled me up from my chair. My eyes made contact with the man at the next table. He looked at me with a mix of surprise and questioning. I suspect my facial expression matched his.
She lead me by the hand to the coffee condiments counter that housed a stack of plastic cups and a help-yourself pitcher of water. She grabbed the cup-stack, wrestling four off the top. For over a minute she struggled to separate one cup from the four. I held out my hands in a gesture of help but she never allowed me to reach the cups. I waited.
Once she had her single cup, she pointed to the water pitcher. I lifted it and poured her a glass. She drank the whole thing, and pointed to the pitcher again. I poured another cup. She downed it and reached for the pitcher herself this time. Uh oh, I thought.
I watched, gauging her ability as she attempted to pour her own drink. Moving ever so gingerly, she tilted the pitcher while holding the cup. She seemed in slow motion. Her aim was off a few fractions of an inch, so at the last second I maneuvered her hand with the cup to the precise spot to catch the water.
All this while she didn't look at me or speak to me. I just stood next to her at the counter.
When the cup neared full, I said, "OK." She stopped pouring and drank her third glassful in a row. Wow, she was thirsty. Maybe she just doesn't know when to stop. I wondered if I should cut her off when she began pouring a fourth cup. Instead I let her fill it, as slowly as before.
As she drank that fourth cup, I wiped the small spills from the counter. Suddenly this passage flooded my mind:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" (Matthew 25:34-40, NLT)
I'd just been chosen to share water, perhaps with a woman and perhaps with the Living Water Himself. This was the best thing I did all day. All week. All month even. Maybe all year.
After the fourth cupful, a caretaker came and led the woman away. She looked back at me one last time. I smiled. By the time I returned to my seat, the café patrons were no longer watching me or the woman—our interaction at the condiment counter had been lengthy and quiet. They'd gone back to reading their books. I, however, couldn't return to my project. My thoughts were captivated by Jesus' words, and the woman in the green rain slicker.
Dear Lord, I give thanks today for the food and drink on my table. Help me see ways to share it with those less fortunate. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to meet this King who rewards those who serve and share with others
Visit Rachel's blog - My Life in Chapter and Verse
Share Living Water with a Compassion International sponsored child
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional by various P31 Encouragement for Today authors.
Application Steps:
Share. Give. Serve. Bless.
Reflections:
What are two ways I can provide food, drink, clothing, medical care or hospitality in the weeks to come?
Read ideas of how you and your children can share A Cup of Cold Water.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 19:17, "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (ESV)
John 4:13-14, "Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" (ESV)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
November 30, 2009
Sleeping Through Christmas
Whitney Capps
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call Him Immanuel, God with us." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
The mall was crowded with shoppers. I struggled to hold my infant and my crying, wriggling toddler. He was uncomfortable and I was in the middle of a hot flash. Is that possible at 29 years of age? Music in the background played, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."
"Whatever!" I thought "This is NOT the most wonderful time for me!"
Last year was ten month old Dylan's first official Christmas. For two year-old Cooper, it was his first Christmas in many ways too. Sure we have video of him sitting in front of presents his first Christmas. But he was just four months old at the time. I think he fell asleep before my husband and I finished opening his gifts!
He wore more of Christmas dinner than he ingested. Nap time interfered with celebrations. Instead of It's a Wonderful Life we watched Barney. Because we had tried all of these celebrations with Cooper, we should have known Dylan would not be able to comprehend the festivities around him. Still we went through all the same pomp and circumstance.
Looking back over the pictures I marvel at the ways we tried to help our young boys celebrate the season. A drive to enjoy Christmas lights turned into a meltdown of historic proportions. Family celebrations proved to be more exhausting than exhilarating. We had done it all - enjoyed meals, read the Christmas story, opened gifts, and as best as I could tell our boys were none the wiser to the real meaning of Christmas.
I couldn't help but wonder, Am I more like my naïve children than I'd like to admit? Did I fail to understand all that was happening around me? Did I let the magnitude of the season pass me by unnoticed? Had I slept my way through the celebrations with family and friends?
Was the One who orchestrated the very first Christmas waiting for this child to enjoy all that He had done for me?
I wish I could say I celebrated Christmas like a spiritually mature mother of two, but I'm afraid I slept through it. I was entertained. I was distracted. I was only partly there. I whined and whimpered. I fixated on the wrong things.
So how does one who slept through Christmas 2008 prepare for Christmas 2009? By accepting God's grand invitation to celebrate Christ's birth every day. Perhaps this is the only way to appreciate its magnitude. A few weeks ago I went to our basement where we store our Christmas decorations. I dug out my favorite ornament and hung it in my office, hopeful it will remind me to celebrate Christ today. Maybe after a month of wide-awake worship I'll be ready to show my children - and myself - all that we missed last year.
Dear Lord, help me celebrate You every day in every way. Father, I don't want my children to think that celebrating Your entrance into this world is relegated to just the month of December. Your birth changed me forever; may I celebrate it accordingly. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pursuing the Christ: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions for Christmastime by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
My First Christmas Story by Tim Dowley
Visit Whitney's blog - Speak When Spoken Through
Has Jesus' birth changed you forever?
Application Steps:
Resolve to think about Christmas long before the hustle and bustle begins. Start discussing with your children the ways your family wants to honor Jesus this season. Prioritize the weeks around activities and events that celebrate the Christ child.
Reflections:
Would those outside my family and friends look at how we celebrate the season and know that we see it as the life-changing, history-altering event it is?
Based on how we fill our days and nights, what priorities do we esteem during the Christmas season?
Power Verses:
1 John 2:16, "For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world." (NIV)
Luke 2:13-14, 20, "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'...The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." (NIV)
© 2009 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 1, 2009
The Just-Right Present
Melanie Chitwood
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger,harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31,32 (NLT)
Devotion:
Remember as a child how you hoped for that one special Christmas present? Maybe after opening some great presents, but not the just-right one, you felt a little tug on your heart as you wondered if you were going to get that present.
Me too. Just as it seemed all the presents had been opened, my parents brought out one final box. I grabbed it with eagerness. The lavish wrapping and the sounds I heard while shaking the box confirmed this had to be the one. I ripped off the paper, dug into the box, and pulled out...a very nice sweater, not the just-right Christmas gift. I smiled and said thank you, but could barely hide my disappointment.
I've noticed how my expectations of my husband can often be like my expectations over the just-right Christmas present. I think that's true for a lot of us. Just like we admired the beautiful holiday wrapping, we admire our husband's handsome exterior. We've checked him out enough to be sure that he'll be the one to make us happy. Certainly he's the just-righ thusband! When the gift of our husband turns out to be not just-right, not just what we expected, we can barely hide our disappointment. We turn to unhelpful coping mechanisms to deal with our disappointment.
We might try to control and manipulate our husband to become the just-right gift we hoped for. Maybe we become critical and judgmental. Or maybe we just give up, withdraw, and settle for an empty marriage. Worse yet, perhaps we grow convinced we married the wrong person.
These ways of coping will not give us the marriage God longs for us to have, a marriage of intimacy, partnership and closeness like no other. In fact, they do just the opposite. Bitterness, frustration and anger take root in our heart. Consequently, instead of feeling united and close to our husband, we experience distance and disconnection.
So what's a girl to do when she's feeling like she got the not-just-right husband? How can she handle expectations and disappointments in marriage?
We lay them down. We open our hands and release our husband from the tight grip of our expectations. We pray with honesty, "Lord, I am feeling disappointed by my husband. Help me handle this in a way that will be best for our marriage and in way that will please You."
As we seek the Lord with an open heart, He'll show us when to talk to our husband about a disappointing situation, or when to be quiet. He'll mold our heart, so we can pour out His love and acceptance to our husband.
Now, if you're like me, sometimes you think, But wait a minute! My husband really does need to change...he should be more attentive, he should help outmore, he should have remembered my birthday. I don't want to live with these disappointments!
Maybe our husband should change, and maybe he will. I can promise you, however, that the Holy Spirit can do a greater work of transformation in our husband than we ever could as his wife.
ThisChristmas give your husband the gift of releasing him from your expectations. Give yourself the gift of a contented heart in your marriage. And give God thanks for your husband ... His just-right Christmas present to you.
Dear Lord, I release my husband and my marriage from all of my expectations. As I pray with an open heart and open hands, Lord, I thank You for the gift of my husband. Help me to view him as You do, as the just-right husband for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog - What Matters Most for more marriage encouragement!
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
For more marriage tips read Attack of the Killer Weeds.
Application Steps:
AskGod in prayer to reveal all the expectations you have of your husband. Ask Him to reveal any disappointments you have in your marriage.
Whenyou pray today's prayer, open your hands and imagine offering your expectations and/or disappointments to the Lord.
Take a step in love toward your husband: embrace him with a big hug or kiss when he comes home. Tell him you're so glad you married him. Many husbands will agree that the most loving thing you can do is spend a romantic evening inthe bedroom.
Reflections:
What expectations do you have of your husband? Your marriage?
How do you handle your disappointments in marriage?
Power Verses:
1Corinthians 13:5, Love "does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered." (NASB)
Philippians4:11, "...I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances." (NASB)
© 2009 by Melanie Chitwood. Allrights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-MintHill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 2, 2009
Invisible Woman
Shari Braendel
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
Margaret was new to the area and decided to visit a few local churches and Bible studies before she chose where to attend regularly. Unfortunately, it turned out the same everywhere she went: no one acknowledged her.
They didn't even seem to see her. She was left feeling like a small fish in a big sea. "How am I ever going to meet anyone, let alone make a friend?" she thought to herself, as she uncomfortably poured herself a cup of coffee in the foyer of a church.
Recently, I had a conversation with Margaret and she reminisced with me about the time she felt so alone in that foyer full of women. She made me giggle when she revealed how she entertained herself during those lonely times by wearing the same outfit on purpose for weeks in a row. She was convinced that it just didn't matter because no one would remember her anyway.
Although Margaret felt alone and invisible, she was not. Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7, NIV). Not only did God see her that day, but He knew what kind of hair day she was having!
I know how Margaret felt. My son started a new school this year and I found myself in a similar situation. As I attended my first PTA meeting, I looked around the room and didn't know a soul. I noticed I wasn't the only one by myself. There were other women who appeared not to know anyone either. Many were sitting alone, pretending to be at ease, yet not looking upward or outward; just awkwardly tending to their refreshments. Everyone else was talking and laughing in groups of two's and three's, unaware that there were isolated women in the room.
How do we become so involved with ourselves that we forget about others who might be new or lonely? I think about Margaret's story and I wonder, "Am I so caught up with what's going on with me that I forget it's not all about me?" Perhaps meetings, Bible studies or holiday parties aren't all about the girlfriends I already know, but about reaching out to someone who is searching for a welcoming friend.
I've been challenging myself to look beyond my familiar circle, and I want to invite you to do the same. Wherever you go, look around the room and find someone who is by herself. Walk up to her and say hello. Ask some questions about how long she's been coming and how you might help her feel connected and welcomed in that particular situation. You may just be the one that helps her realize she's not invisible - she's noticed - by God and by you.
Dear Lord, I pray as I go about my business that you will help me to become more aware of others. I pray that I seek out those who feel uncomfortable or who might be new. Help me step outside myself and approach someone who needs to be noticed. I pray I realize it's not all about me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Visit Shari's blog - A Beautiful Place
Connecting Women: A Relationship Guide for Leaders in Women's Ministry by Linda Lesniewski
Application Steps:
As you prepare to leave your home today, tell God you are willing to be used for His purposes. Tell Him you are ready for an assignment to welcome someone.
Ask your women's ministry leader or PTA advisor (or whatever group you're involved in) if there is a welcoming committee. Offer to help or head this up so no one has to feel like Margaret did. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what my friend Margaret did!
Reflections:
Do I feel like Margaret sometimes? Remember whose you are. The Lord says in Isaiah 49:16, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (NIV).
Is there a holiday party coming up that you would rather avoid? Go to it looking for the plans and the new friend God has for you there.
Power Verses:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
Acts 17:28, "In Him we live and move and have our being." (NIV)
© 2009 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 3, 2009
365 Days of Prayer
by Holly Good, assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
and She Speaks! Graduate
"He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Colossians 4:12b (NIV)
Devotion:
It will never be topped; that I know for sure. Inconspicuously wrapped in a handwritten envelope sealed with love was my most memorable Christmas present ever. In all of my 42 Christmases, I had never received such a treasure as I did last year. It was a gift that provided comfort, peace and joy for 365 days. And as 2009 comes to a close, I woefully watch my special gift coming to an end.
I attended a white elephant gift exchange with the Proverbs 31 Ministries' office staff last December. As I opened the gift I had chosen from Melissa Taylor, I read my card out loud: "Last night as I was wrapping your gift, God put an idea in my heart and I wholeheartedly agreed with Him. If you are the recipient of this gift, not only are you holding a new ornament, but also a promise from me. It will be my privilege and honor to pray for you every day in 2009. On your good days and bad days, you can rest assured that you are being prayed for by name by me. I love you. Merry Christmas."
Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks as I silently got up and hugged my friend. Her written words were an immediate healing balm to my soul. My mouth could not produce the thoughts I was longing to say aloud. I calmly folded my sweet letter and replaced it neatly in the envelope. And smiled.
Someone would be praying for me every day! Without fail. What a gift.
This was something I had never been promised before. Sure, friends will tell me that they will pray for me when I voice a struggle to them. Or someone will call me and tell me that I came to mind that day and they prayed for me. And still others will mention that I am in their prayers. But to have the comfort of a loyal daily prayer warrior was beyond my realm of thinking.
I suddenly felt inspired that day.
I felt encouraged, confident, and optimistic.
But mostly, I felt loved.
You see, I know the power of prayer. I have experienced healing, growth, miracles and peace through personal prayer, prayer with my family and corporate prayer. I have humbly come to a place where I recognize that I must completely depend on Him daily, and it all begins with prayer.
A prayer filled life is not necessarily a belief that God will do exactly what we ask for, but a trust that He will hear our desires and know what's best for us. A trust that He will lead, guide and direct us as we seek His will. I wholeheartedly rely on this assurance.
I went home from our party that day with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my yearlong gift of prayer. In turn, I committed to also pray for Melissa each day. What a challenging year this has been for her personally - she has needed my daily prayers.
As I think of her with a humble and thankful heart, I can't help but recall the beautiful words in 1 Corinthians 1:4, "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." Thank you for praying for me Melissa. What a comfort. What a commitment. What a rare gift indeed!
Dear Lord, thank You for friends who love us with Your love. Thank You for faithfully listening to our requests and responding as You see fit. We trust You and love You and honor Your Holy name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to post a prayer request for Holly and Lysa so they can pray for you during their early morning run this week.
Visit Melissa Taylor's blog to find out what inspired her unique Christmas gift.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Read Matthew 6:9-13. Jesus gave this prayer to His disciples as a model for them. How can you use this prayer, often referred to as the Lord's Prayer, as a model for your daily prayers?
Reflections:
As you spend time with friends and family, look for opportunities to ask, "How can I pray for you?'
Look intentionally for others you come across today that you can ask, "How can I pray for you today?"
Journal your requests and look for God to do a great work.
Power Verses:
Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (NIV)
Psalm 145:18, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (NIV)
Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (NIV)
© 2009 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:) :angel:
December 4, 2009
For His Name's Sake
Marybeth Whalen
"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23:3b (NIV)
Devotion:
Dear Lord, please show me Your will for my life.
Dear Lord, please let me know what direction I should go.
Dear Lord, I only want what You want. I just wish I knew what that is.
Have you ever prayed a prayer that sounded something like these? If you are like me, the answer is yes. Today's verse offers powerful truth that I had missed in spite of reading it many times. How often I had prayed for God's guidance and direction—yet still wanted my own way. I broke the verse down into three parts to better grasp the wisdom it contained:
He guides me: As followers of God, we want Him to guide us. We only have to do it on our own for a little while to realize that we are inept in finding the right way. Many of us have come to God after making an unholy mess of our lives. We have fallen before Him and asked Him to show us a way out of the mess. We are grateful for His promises to be our Shepherd who lovingly guides His sheep. We begin to follow Him, grateful that someone else is lighting our way.
In paths of righteousness: If God is leading us, we can trust that He will only direct us in paths that are right in His eyes. If we are tempted to walk down a path that we don't have peace about or is contrary to His character and Word, then that is a red flag that the path is not the right one. We can trust that He won't lead us down the wrong path. We just have to keep seeking His direction through prayer, godly counsel and His Word.
For His name's sake: To me, the crux of this verse is contained in this phrase. Why does God guide us in paths of righteousness? For His name's sake. He wants the way we take to directly reflect on Him. To bring Him, not us, glory. To make His name famous. To make our lives a living witness of His goodness, so that others are brought to Him. For that reason, He will always direct us to make holy choices—not necessarily the easy choices or the fast choices. If we submit to Him, we will find that He guides us to make the best choices. Not because we are the best, but because He is.
This simple verse served as a huge wakeup call for me. As I sought God's will for some decisions I was making, I had made the answer all about me. I needed to be reminded that, always, always, always, it needs to be about Him. My prayers were changed from "What should I do?" (a very me-centered prayer) to "What will bring You glory?" I had to shift my perspective from my humanness to His holiness. He will certainly direct me where I need to go. But I need to remember the reason as I seek that direction.
Dear Lord, my prayer today is reflected in this verse from Your Word: Please guide me in paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake. I want my life to reflect Your glory. I trust You to make that happen as you guide me in ways that are right in Your eyes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Becoming a Woman of Influence by Marybeth Whalen
The Reason We Speak, General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen
Application Steps:
Journal about a time when God directed you to do something that was not what you expected, but that ultimately brought His glory to the situation. How can you trust this example in future situations when you seek His will?
Do you know the One Who promises to lead you?
Reflections:
Is there a situation that you are seeking God's direction for right now? Have you considered that His direction is about His name and not yours? How could that change the way you seek Him and the way you approach the situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 31:3, "Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me." (NIV)
Psalm 115:1, "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :) :angel:
December 7, 2009
Christmas Treasures
Rachel Olsen
"For where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was 38 degrees when I woke the day after Thanksgiving. Yet, willing to brave chilly temps and frenzied crowds in search of crazy deals, I headed out shopping.
As I walked the aisles past slick gadgets, plush robes, and animated toys, one thought kept coming to my mind: The gifts we long for—the ones we ask for, save for, shop for, and wrap up in shiny paper with bows—will disappoint, eventually. They will age, wear, scratch, stain, fade or break. They may even get lost or stolen. Not long after the shiny newness wears off, the realization sets in that these objects don't provide the lasting happiness we'd hoped they would.
Am I a Christmas scrooge? Not at all! Beneath my tree sits several lovely gifts I look forward to giving my family. And I'm hoping one will appear there for me before Christmas Eve. But this thought, this realistic view of the contents of those packages, helps me keep the material aspects of this holiday in perspective — n eternal perspective.
It's so easy to get caught up in the commercial fervor that is Christmas. It's easy to think we must show our love through bought gifts. But often a warm hug and some relaxed hospitality, time spent together on a hobby, or a letter detailing your appreciation would mean so much more than another coffee mug or gift basket. And for those of us facing hard financial times this year, that's welcome news.
If I could give you one fantastic gift today, I'd take your hand and cause us both to travel back in time some 33 years after the birth of Christ. We'd sit together on the hillside and listen to Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount. We would hear our Savior say, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).
Perhaps hearing it from the Savior's lips would help us believe that it's important what we treasure. It's important where our heart is. And to remember that the objects we ask for, give, and receive are temporary, just like the pleasure they bring.
God, however, gives gifts that are eternal. They never age, fade, deteriorate or fail to delight. He gave the gift of love with a baby in a manger. He gave the gift of truth through the teaching of Rabbi Jesus. And He gave the gift of eternal life in the form of the crucified and risen Christ. God gives the best gifts!
I found a few good deals at the mall that early Friday morning, but nothing like the deal I found at a little church almost two decades ago when I met this risen Lord and exchanged my sins for His grace.
In the days of the Bible, times of great joy were frequently accompanied by the giving of gifts (e.g. Nehemiah 8:10; Esther 9:22; Revelation 11:10). This ancient custom, practiced in all nations throughout history, finds its greatest expression today at Christmas. As we participate in gift-giving this year, let's follow God's lead and look for ways to also share love, truth and the path to eternal life with those we care about. Perhaps we can help another to find the greatest gift of all, or to treasure it rightly.
Dear God, thank You for the treasures of Christ, the gift of grace, and the blessings of eternal light and life. Show me opportunities to share them with those around me this month. Help me keep my heart set on You as the only lasting source of delight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Family Advent: Keeping the Savior in the Season
Click here to find the greatest gift - forgiveness and eternal life
For more on this topic, visit Rachel's blog today
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A Compilation of Favorite P31 Devotions by various P31 Encouragement for Today authors
Application Steps:
Reflect on this devotion. Then look over your Christmas lists or plans and consider where your heart and treasure is.
Is there something you should mark off your list? Is there something you should add to it?
Reflections:
Where is my treasure? Where is my heart today?
Power Verses:
James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (NIV)
Romans 6:23b, "... the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB)
© 2009 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :angel: :angel:
December 8, 2009
What Hope Looks Like
T. Suzanne Eller
"Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them." Mark 10:16 (NLT)
Devotion:
I love visiting other countries to serve in missions work. But there are many times I've left a beautiful country overwhelmed by the needs of its people. People standing in line for medical care. Or children on a street corner selling candy, or worse - their bodies --so they could eat a meal. I've wept on the plane home, hiding my tears from other passengers behind the thin airline blanket.
Recently, however, I returned from a missions trip to Ecuador with Compassion International. Our travels to this country left me filled with hope! There are 52,000 children that are ministered to in 200 Compassion International projects across Ecuador.
I met Eric, a little guy who is 13, but looks seven. He was born with a syndrome that affects his motor skills, as well as his ability to communicate. Eric wasn't given a lot of hope. His mother has two other little guys, ten and six. Their home is nestled in a concrete cave honed out of rock and cinder block. I had to bend to enter the dark two-room habitat. Along one wall there is a small refrigerator, rusted by the years. A couple of cook pots sit by an open fireplace darkened by soot. Eric proudly showed me how he washes his clothes, beating his red shirt with a brush and suds.
Little Eric has had surgeries that allow him to run in his own makeshift fashion. His inability to communicate with words would lead you to believe he's not educated, but he is very intelligent. He and his brothers eat nutritious meals and receive schooling. And it's all because of Compassion International.
Later I met Jonathon, who became a Compassion International child at the age of five. He remembers proudly showing his first letter from his sponsor to his classroom. He held it high for the other children to see. "Jesus sent me someone who loves me," he said.
Next July, Jonathon will graduate from a university with a degree in physics. He wept as he tried to explain what Compassion International, and his sponsor, have done for him. A person he has never met gave him health, hope, and the opportunity to change the lives of many children. He plans to go back to his former project area as a teacher.
I often pray and ask Jesus how to spend my time, my finances, and my talents. But the funny thing is, I don't pray over the everyday expenditures that have very little lasting impact. I weigh them. I think about them. But pray about it? I don't. I believe I will start praying about my everyday expenditures, and asking God to reveal to me opportunities to invest in the things that really matter.
As I boarded the plane for home, I declined the offered blanket. I didn't need to hide my tears - not this time. Instead I praised God for a renewed vision of hope: a child who wasn't supposed to live who can now run and read; a little girl waving her hand in the air to be called upon in class to quote a scripture; a young man wiping away tears as he expressed his desire to educate little ones facing the odds he once faced and overcame. I settled back in my seat and smiled, reveling in the beautiful pictures of God's hope in action.
Dear God, You love the hungry, the poor, the hurting. Thank You for the opportunity to be Your hands and feet, whether in my own community, or around the world. I pray that I will invest my heart and life in those things that burn on Your heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learn about sponsoring a child through Compassion International
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares pictures of her trip to Ecuador and answers your questions about Compassion International and missions.
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford,
God sees you too! Find hope with the free devotion When Self-Rescue is Not an Option
Application Steps:
Pray: Ask God to reveal a need.
Prepare: How can you respond with one tangible action, small or large? Is it your time? Your talents? Your finances?
Proceed: Take action today!
Reflections:
Childhood—we get only one pass at it, and yet it dictates the quality of the rest of our lives. Dr. Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 15:10, "Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do." (NLT)
Matthew 25:37b-40, "'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (ESV)
© 2009 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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December 9, 2009
Divine Delays
Zoe Elmore
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
My schedule was tight and I was out of make-up, so I planned to pick up my favorite foundation at the local mall, leaving room to still arrive on time for my friend's annual Christmas tea. As I prepared to leave, the Lord whispered to my heart, Don't go to the mall; go to the make-up store near your home.
But Lord, I argued, I have my friend's Christmas tea and the mall is on the way. What You're asking me to do isn't convenient. I will have to go out of my way and I will be late for the tea. And You know how important punctuality is to me!
After more mental arguing, I reluctantly obeyed and went into the corner make-up store.
I knew the young woman working. She's not only pleasant, but quick and efficient with her customers. Lord, maybe this inconvenience won't interrupt my schedule too much after all.
As I entered the store, the familiar woman greeted me and offered to help with my purchase. I told her what I needed and added that I was in quite a hurry to be on time for my Christmas tea. Quickly and efficiently she found the needed product and walked me to the register to check out.
This was easier than I thought, I said to myself as she handed me my purchase. Then it happened ... the reason I had been led to go out of my way.
"I know you're in a hurry, and I will only keep you one more moment." The young woman shared. "I'd like to ask that you pray for me and my struggling marriage as you drive to your Christmas tea. I don't think my marriage can be saved."
In that moment I sensed the Lord, This is why I wanted to interrupt your busy schedule.
I placed my purchase on the counter, held her hands and prayed. As the Lord guided my words, the young woman began to sob, her tears landing softly on my hands. When I said "Amen," she hugged me tightly and whispered, "Of all the people I've asked to pray for me, you're the first one to stop and do so. Thank you. I've been very discouraged, and had thought no one would ever respond to my request. In fact, I had given up all hope that God even heard my cries for help."
I reminded her of Psalm 145:18-19, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them" (NIV).
She thanked me for my time, adding that she would begin to dig into God's Word for more strength and encouragement. The store began to fill with customers. There was one more hug and an exchange of phone numbers as I left for the tea.
Since that day we have talked and prayed together on several occasions and we plan to continue into the New Year. Each time she and I talk, it's a reminder that when I listen and obey the Lord's promptings, I experience the joy of His presence in a powerful way.
God's divine delay taught me that being used by the Lord for His glory in the life of others far outweighs arriving on time.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me enough to use me for Your purposes and glory. Teach me to listen and obey without reservation or hesitation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Apples of Gold: A Six-Week Nurturing Program for Women by Betty Huizenga
Visit Zoe's blog - Called by a New Name
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Desperate Prayers, Divine Answers, a free online article from P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Examine your relationship with the Lord; are you allowing the business of this season to crowd out His small quiet voice?
Reflections:
Are you listening to and obeying the Lord's promptings in your life?
Are you refusing to listen and obey because it might inconvenience you?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (ESV)
© 2009 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :angel: :D :angel: :angel:
December 10, 2009
Where was God?
Lysa TerKeurst
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'"
Acts 7:55-56 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes things happen in life that are so horrible our minds have a hard time processing them. Even our souls don't know quite where to place the horrific. So, we pull out our trite Christian answers and hope they are good enough to keep the honest questions at bay.
But somewhere deep inside us a question bumps around our heart. A question so honest we Christians feel we couldn't ever possibly ask it. Where was God?
Where was God when the students were shot?
Where was God when my sister's 18 year-old friend had a headache one day and died suddenly the next?
Where was God when my friend's baby wrapped the umbilical cord about his leg and he died days before he would have otherwise been delivered perfectly healthy?
Where was God when that precious girl was taken, and found a few days later in the trash dump?
Like I said, things so hard we can hardly process them. Sometimes we'd rather make an excuse for God than be brave enough to actually go to God and ask. I've been guilty of this. I've tried to make excuses for God. And I hated the feeling of faking my way through with plastic answers just to gloss over something my God is certainly big enough to answer Himself.
For years, I asked God to help me wrestle with this hard question. And finally an answer came tucked away in Acts 7:54-60, the stoning of Stephen.
It's easy to read the words of the story and miss the reality of what's really happening. Stephen is being brutally murdered. Stephen is living the horrific we can't process. Yet, in the midst of his most desperate moment, Stephen is absolutely not alone.
While I hate - absolutely hate - what is being done to Stephen's body, his soul is experiencing something completely separate. And what I discovered when I dared peak inside the horrific was a miracle that makes me weep with relief.
God was there. Jesus was there. And my Jesus wasn't just sitting by observing. No, He was standing. And please forgive me for daring to make an assumption here but because I know Jesus, I have a picture in my mind of what He must have looked like in this moment. With tears streaming down His face, full of the purest compassion ever known, Jesus makes sure Stephen sees Him. Locks His eyes on his.
And from what I can tell, Stephen never took his eyes off of Jesus.
In the midst of chaos and screaming and the most vicious of acts, Stephen's soul talks with Jesus. His body falls as Stephen cries out forgiveness for all who dare to hear. And with that, a merciful sleep takes Stephen away.
I know this is hard to process.
I know just reading these passages doesn't answer every question.
And might I encourage you to wrestle with this and pray about this and ask God the bold questions that knock around your soul? I'll be posting a little more on this topic on my blog today and I'd love to process this with you further. But, let me assure you I won't be offering cookie cutter answers. These are hard questions with no easy answers.
I don't understand why Stephen had to die this way.
I am still horrified by all of the events I listed above.
And while I don't have all the answers, there is one thing I know for certain. I do know where God was. He wasn't too busy. He wasn't cold and heartless. He wasn't caught off guard.
He was there. And I'm convinced with holy tears dripping in the midst, He is grieved over how sin has broken this world. And He walks to the edge of eternity and reminds us He will avenge, He will redeem, He will make all things right.
Especially those we can't possibly understand right now.
Dear Lord, it is so hard to understand the horrific events that happen. Thank You for this reminder in Stephen's story. Even though we may never have answers on this side of eternity we can still stand on the truth that You are good even when life isn't. But Lord Jesus, please pour out Your loving comfort and reassurances. Our hearts need Your touch in those deep hurting places. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for more on this tough topic
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. Lysa wrote a chapter in this book called "Deep Grief" which equips women to process the harder issues in life for themselves and to better understand how to help a friend through tough times as well.
And, releasing this month is Lysa's 6 week DVD teaching series that is perfect for personal or group studies. Each session is 15- 20 minutes in length. Participant's guides are also available. You can order yours today by clicking here.
Application Steps:
Read a couple of chapters in Psalms today and ask God to tenderly speak through His Word. Write down each description of God. Then pray a prayer inserting your name and what God promises to be for you personally.
Reflections:
Is there a person in your sphere of influence who has been wrestling with some tough questions? Why not forward this devotion to them and take time to talk and pray about it together?
Power Verses:
John 11:32-33, "When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." (NIV)
John 11:35, "Jesus wept." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :angel: :) :angel: :angel:
December 11, 2009
Re-gifting Christmas
Susanne Scheppmann
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11(NKJ)
Devotion:
My extended family no longer buys presents for each individual person. At our large family gathering, we have a "white elephant" gift exchange. Instead of a separate gift for each person, we just bring one present each, usually something from around our house that is no longer wanted or needed. Many times a white elephant gift turns out to be a re-gift. The idea of re-gifting appeals to me, especially when sanctioned by the family!
This year I have pondered how to re-gift the joy found in the Christmas story that Jesus gives - "a great joy which will be to all people." I believe the best way is to display our joy in all circumstances, good and bad. We may not enjoy the situations we find ourselves in, but we can have joy. Our joy can issue forth from the fact that Jesus came to earth as an infant, ministered, died on the cross and resurrected from the grave. He did this as a gift for all of us.
Will you decide with me to re-gift the promise of Christmas joy when days become stressful because of holiday schedules? Let's give joy when we can't purchase the "perfect" gift because of budget restraints. Let's share Jesus' joy and offer to help our neighbors, our churches, and our communities.
The wonderful thing about re-gifting the joy of the season is that you still get to keep your joy! Let the world know the truth about Christmas. It's not about the Christmas tree, the food, the festivities or the gifts - it's about Jesus being born as the world's Savior. It's about what the angels declared over 2000 years ago, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11, NKJ).
It's a gift we should give year round to everyone in this stress-filled world, because, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NIV).
Will you re-gift the joy found in the true meaning of Christmas both now and throughout this coming year?
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of joy this Christmas season. Teach me to re-gift this joy to the people who You bring across my path. Also, remind me to re-gift Your joy every day, not only at the Christmas season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know This Joy?
Birds in My Mustard Tree by Susanne Scheppmann
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen
Read about sharing Jesus' joy with The Blessing of Christmas in our Everyday Life encouragement
Application Steps:
Leave the Christmas nativity set in a prominent place in your home all year. Doubtless, people will mention it. Share the meaning of Christmas, Jesus the Savior of the World.
Reflections:
Do I display the joy of Jesus?
Why do I hesitate to share my faith in Jesus?
How can I "re-gift" Christmas each day?
Power Verses:
Philemon 1:6, "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (NIV)
Isaiah 49:13, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:8, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (NIV)
© 2009 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:) :) :angel: :) :)
December 14, 2009
Christmas Excuses
Karen Ehman
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:5-6a (NIV)
Devotion:
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" The loudspeaker blared out the joyful lyrics of the familiar holiday song that snowy afternoon on Christmas Eve. Everywhere I glanced, people were searching for last-minute gift purchases, holiday baking ingredients or that one final string of twinkle lights that would make their Christmas Martha Stewart'ish, HGTV approved, and downright Norman Rockwell perfect.
However, as I stood in line paying for the ingredients for my assigned Cheesy Potato side dish for our extended family gathering, a lump formed in my throat. Soon the lump made its way north as my lips quivered and hot tears fell onto my wind-chapped cheeks.
How can everyone be so happy? Why is the world going on as if nothing happened? My friend Julie died last night leaving behind a husband and eight children who need her. Doesn't anyone care? I wanted to scream. And I wanted Christmas to be promptly cancelled that year. I had no holiday cheer in me and I thought the rest of the world should follow suit and just 'humbug' the whole celebration.
Our family made it through that holiday. My young children, although sad about their friends' mother's death, perked up Christmas morning, eager to open their gifts. My husband and I carried on with our normal life and, over the next few months, tried to help lighten the load of our now widower friend. Several in our circle of friends made meals on a weekly basis. A college girl offered to clean their home. One of Julie's sons joined our homeschool for kindergarten a few days each week. Although we still experienced great heartache knowing our friend wasn't coming back, helping to lighten her husband's load and cheer the children made us feel useful and as if we were fulfilling the mission God had for us.
Ever since that year, our family has become even more aware of the fact that for many, Christmas isn't the most wonderful time of the year. It is downright painful. Loneliness looms. Depressions darken. Even suicides soar. While scores of us delight in the yuletide season, drinking in deep the sights, sounds and smells, others meander about, numb from pain, despising the season.
A sweet neighbor of mine once told me, "Christmas is an excuse for making someone's life better." She was so right! Right in our midst, there are souls waiting to be encouraged and included at the holidays. If only we would cease our own sometimes self-centered hustle and bustle long enough to see!
After that sad season, we have made it our mission to reach out at the holidays more than we play the commercialized "gimmee game." Christmas is so not about getting. Its very essence is giving.
When our family has been intentional about being Jesus' hands and feet at the holidays, He has allowed us to brighten the lives of many and, in return, make our own season even sweeter. We've Christmas caroled to shut-ins, decorated homes and addressed Christmas cards for widows, shopped for the needy, baked for the brokenhearted, taken in foreign exchange students with no where to spend the day and often included the lonely in our normal Christmas activities as if they were part of our family....
Because really, they are. Maybe it is your family God wants to set a lonely soul in this year.
Vow this Christmas to use the season as an excuse to make someone's life better.
As a result, your life too will be immeasurably blessed.
Dear Lord, at this time when You sent Christ to earth, may I too reach out to make someone's life richer, fuller and far less lonely. I want to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For a chance to win a Christmas goodie basket-in-a-box giveaway for you and a copy of P31 She Speaks' grad Jennifer Silvera's book "Believe: A Young Widow's Journey Through Brokenness and Back" for a grieving friend visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Homespun Gifts from the Heart by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Gather the family. Solicit responses to the following questions, "Who do you know that might be lonely at Christmas this year? Now, what creative way could we help to combat their loneliness and make them feel loved?"
List the action steps you will take to make the idea a reality. Mark the calendar to ensure it happens.
Reflections:
Has there ever been a holiday season where you were gloomy or feeling alone? Did anyone do something to make you feel loved and included?
How can reaching out to the lonely be a reflection of God reaching down from heaven to us on that very first Christmas?
Power Verses:
Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :angel: :D :angel: :angel:
December 15, 2009
The Ultimate Gift
Gina Parcells, She Speaks! Graduate
"...God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11b (NASB)
Devotion:
Christmas day at my house had become all about the presents. The décor, the shopping, the parties, the tree...it all culminated with those gifts when it should be culminating with the Gift. Something needed to change.
What can I do to see Jesus as a gift, and to help my family see Him as well? I wondered. A light bulb went on in my head, about the same time the light strand went out on my tree, and a plan was birthed.
Phase one: Baby Jesus was removed from the displayed nativity set. He was carefully boxed and wrapped in my fanciest paper, intentionally labeled with a specific name, and gingerly hidden under the myriad of gifts at the foot of our tree.
Phase two: During our family gift exchange on Christmas morning, the disguised gift was handed to my unsuspecting daughter, the named recipient, just one of her many gifts. It could have been an I-pod or a sweater or another book...after all, there was no host of angels announcing the valuable contents. But knowing what I knew, I watched with great anticipation as she opened it.
Phase three: A bewildered look came across her face. Haley didn't speak. I asked, "Haley, what did you get?"
"I got Jesus."
An entire family discussion ensued as we discussed the ultimate Gift in the midst of all of our other presents. We compared the gift of Jesus with other gifts that would wear out, that would be outgrown, and that would eventually lose appeal.
We began to ask and answer lots of questions such as:
What is a gift? What is the purpose of a gift? What can we know about the giver of the gift? Why might the giver choose to give a gift to you specifically?
Together, we came up with truths about God...that He gave us the Gift that we need, that we want, and that we could never afford to get for ourselves. He wrapped that Gift in a blanket and gave - voluntarily, sacrificially, and lovingly - to each one of us, the named recipients of His greatest Gift.
We've invited Jesus back into Christmas to take His place as the perfect Gift that never stops giving. I can hardly wait to experience today that same conversation this year as a new family member opens the box and announces, "I got Jesus!"
Dear Lord, too many times I have excluded You from my Christmas and been satisfied with presents and stuff. Let me not be content until I experience the gift of You in my heart. Cause me to see You as the ultimate Gift. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Immanuel: Praying the Names of God through the Christmas Season by Ann Spangler
Homespun Memories from the Heart by Karen Ehman, Kelly Hovermale and Trish Smith
Find more Christmas family traditions with P31 radio show A Cup of Christmas COCOA
Application Steps:
Try wrapping up your nativity baby Jesus for a family member or a friend, and discuss the Gift He is during your gift exchange.
Print and store this page with your nativity set as a reminder next year to value Jesus as a gift.
Reflections:
Have You Received the Ultimate Gift?
How can I help my family view Jesus as a Gift?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 9:6, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (NASB)
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (NASB)
Romans 6:23b, "... the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB)
© 2009 by Gina Parcells. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :) :angel:
December 16, 2009
Investing in Strengths
Glynnis Whitwer
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
My 18-year-old son stepped on the stage, grabbed a guitar and turned to lead worship for the church youth group. He looked so at ease that I grinned thinking how far my previously shy and distracted son had come. It made me glad once more I hadn't listened to his piano teacher when Joshua was in first grade.
Even back then, Josh's love for music and innate abilities were obvious. The child could hear a song once and sing back the melody line with ease. So when his school opened a music academy, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to invest in what we believed was a God-given gift. Piano was the natural choice since we had an unused piano at home. We registered our little boy for the class, bought the level one book, and began classes.
Week followed week, and Joshua struggled to sit still long enough to practice. It took ongoing involvement on my part to redirect his focus back to the keys and book. But we saw it as an investment and enjoyed the fruits of his labor when he learned the simple songs. It came as a surprise, then, when his piano teacher stopped to talk with me after his lesson one afternoon. Perhaps I should have noticed the stressed look on her face and anticipated her next words, but I didn't.
"Mrs. Whitwer," she said, "you are wasting your money."
She went on to explain that in her opinion, Josh was just too distracted for lessons and wasn't getting anything out of them. We happened to disagree. It was obvious though, she was not the teacher for our son. After that experience, we could have been discouraged and quit. But we knew God had placed something unique in our son, and just because other people didn't see it, didn't mean it wasn't there. God gave my husband and me the responsibility to build upon what He had already started. Not just so Josh would love music, but so Josh would be ready to fulfill whatever God's plans were for him.
We continued to invest in Josh's love for music. In the early elementary years he sang in our church's children's choir. When we lived in North Carolina for two years, he took a vocal class at a Christian music academy. When he was old enough to play in the school band, he started playing bass guitar in both the regular and jazz bands. In 7th grade he started playing bass on a youth worship band, and in 8th grade he learned electric guitar. Throughout those years we invested in occasional lessons, better equipment and lots of time with practice and concerts.
Only God knows where Josh will end up with his musical ability. He now leads a youth worship team at church, and has helped teach others beginning guitar so they can lead worship. I just know it's my job to invest in this strength for as long as I can, and not worry about the end result. And by investing in Josh's musical ability, it is my prayer that we have equipped him with other skills that will help him in the future, such as the disciplines of practice, perseverance, working with others, respect for authority, giving his best, and honoring God by using the abilities He has given.
Were we wasting our money back then? Absolutely not! We learned a valuable lesson: Sometimes it takes perseverance, creativity and patience when investing in a child's strength. Josh wasn't a musical prodigy, he occasionally forgot his guitar when going to band, and his dad and I had to remind him to practice. And yet the gift of music was inside my son waiting to be developed and used for God's glory. Helping to develop that skill was an act of obedience on our part.
What skills do you see waiting to be invested in and developed in your child, your spouse, or yourself?
There was an interesting ending to the piano lesson experience. At the final recital, about 25 kids took turns performing. Finally it was Joshua's turn. My little six-year-old walked up to the piano, sat down to play and carefully opened his music book. Not only did he play his piece beautifully, but he was the ONLY child who sang while accompanying himself - and he sang in perfect pitch.
All I could say was, "Praise God."
Dear Lord, thank You for placing seeds of ability in all of us. I know You see my potential, and You see potential in those I love. Help me to see with Your eyes, and to have the wisdom to know how to encourage others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer. This is a great resource to help parents navigate the often challenging years of childhood.
Visit Glynnis's blog where she shares more tips for investing in your child's strengths.
Discover more about Your Child's Personality
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
If you are parenting a child, identify one or two natural abilities he or she has. Consider how you can invest in those strengths.
How can you develop your own strengths and use them for God's glory?
Reflections:
Can you look back on your life and see early signs of natural talents that might have been overlooked by others?
What hinders parents from identifying and accepting their child's natural abilities?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (NIV)
Job 10:8, "Your hands shaped me and made me." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :) :angel:
December 17, 2009
A Gut Honest Look at Love
Lysa TerKeurst
"...if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
As the holidays approach, I have to be careful about developing an overly ideal view of love. Sometimes I'm guilty of setting the expectations so high of what a 'love filled' Christmas should be that it dooms me to feeling disappointed and grumpy. Ever been there?
Well, this year I am feeling challenged to look at love a little differently. I don't want to repeat a habit that I've had from the past where I expect unrealistic things from those I love. I used to hold out the little cup of my heart to my husband, "Will you fill my empty spaces? Will you do that one really romantic thing that makes me feel like I'm the most terrific and special woman in the world?"
Then I would hold it out to my children, "Will you fill up my empty spaces? Will you do something that makes me look really good as a mom so I'll feel a little more validated?"
Then I would hold it out to my friends, "Will you fill up my empty spaces? Will you provide something today that makes me feel more included and significant?"
Maybe Christmas is an odd time to consider such things.
Or, maybe this season celebrating Jesus is the perfect time to hit the reset button on my sometimes frail heart. Love is a tricky thing. Our hearts were created to crave it. But misplaced expectations from love can wreak havoc in a person's heart.
God proclaims in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that love never fails. And in the quietness of my heart that verse makes me squirm a bit. I see love failing all the time. Or do I?
If my only view of love is what it will give me, love from others will fail me every time. It's not that love fails. It's that other people were never meant to be my God. Even a great husband, wonderful children and a thriving ministry can never truly fill me up, right all my wrongs, and soothe those deep insecurities. Not at Christmas. Not at any other time of the year.
No, I can't read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 with eyes hungry to see what love should give me and then demand it from those around me. I should read those steadfast Scriptures with the realization that this is the kind of love God gives to me. And this is the kind of love I can choose to give to other people.
I can choose that my love will be patient. My love will be kind. My love won't keep a record of wrongs. (Ouch - that's a hard one, right?)
I can choose that my love will protect and persevere.
And I can choose to lay the cup of my heart at Jesus' feet and stop twirling, twirling, twirling...hoping- demanding- that those around me do things for me they were never meant to do.
Interestingly enough, when I read 1 Corinthians 13 again this morning I found an odd yet perfect verse toward the end of this chapter. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me" (verse 11).
Yes indeed. How funny I never connected that verse about putting away childish things with 1 Corinthians 13 - known as the chapter of love. Oh how we have the propensity to grow in other areas while keeping such a childish, selfish view of love.
Love isn't what I have the opportunity to get from this world. Love is what I have the opportunity to give. And I guess there's no more appropriate time to remember this than Christmas.
Dear Lord, thank You for the ability to see love in the proper way. Help me to know how to be filled with Your love so I don't try to get others to fill my empty spaces. Lord, give me wisdom with each of my relationships. Make me a woman that properly lives the principals in 1 Corinthians 13. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for some great Bible verses and perspectives on God's love for us
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. There are several chapters in this book on this very topic. Orders placed with Proverbs 31 Ministries today will be autographed by Lysa! Why not order one for yourself and one for a friend!
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Spend some time today asking God how you can get our cup filled with Him. For me, I have to spend time reading the Bible and writing out verses where God's love for me is clearly expressed. See some of those verses posted on my blog today by clicking here.
Reflections:
We need to learn to live the love in 1 Corinthians 13. But this doesn't mean we enable others to treat our love with disdain. Sometimes boundaries need to be drawn in relationships to keep things healthy. Choosing love doesn't mean letting others disrespect or abuse us.
Are there some relationships in your life that need some healthy boundary lines drawn? Are there some relationships where you need to get a pastor or Christian counselor involved? Pray and ask God to reveal to you how to properly live the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 with the people in your life.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:)
December 18, 2009
Not the Same
Lynn Cowell
"When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate." Ezekiel 46:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
As soon as my eyes opened I knew it was going to be one of "those" days. You know the type. The saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" was created for days like this. I was sad, disappointed, frustrated and empty. I couldn't put my finger on why I felt this ball of emotions; I just knew I had to get out before everyone woke up and my feelings steered our day in the wrong direction.
I put on my tennis shoes, grabbed my keys and started out the front door. Though unsure of where I was going to run, I was certain of the length: far! Far enough for me to come back a different person. What I needed was to get alone with Jesus and have Him fill me and exchange my negative emotions with His peace, truth and life.
As I started my run, old thoughts poured into my head. You are not beautiful. You are not special. Your life doesn't count. After years of reading the Truth, studying the Truth and even teaching the Truth, it was hard to believe I still struggled with these dark thoughts. I guess I shouldn't have expected the enemy to lie down and give up. He knows my weaknesses and all my buttons to push.
As lies poured in, I retrieved scriptures stored in my mind and heart. He sees me as beautiful. He says He is wild about me. He is more than enough for me. He is all I need.
Mulling over these precious chunks of God's Word, tears began to pour. This is what I needed. I didn't need more words of affirmation from my husband. I didn't need another pat on the back from a friend. I needed a new outpouring of love from my Love. I needed to be reminded of who He says I am, to give up the old lies and replace them with His Truths.
When we come into His presence, He fills us. The Lord changes us so that we are not the same as we were when we came to Him. Ezekiel 46:9 represents this exchange of old for new. The people of Israel were told when they came into the temple area to worship, they were to enter through one gate and exit through the opposite gate. So the same should be true with us; we are "not to go back as we came, but more holy, and heavenly, and spiritual" (Matthew Henry). As we enter into our special times with God, we need to come out the "opposite gate," different than the way we went in.
After an hour of running, crying and praying to God, I returned home a different woman. Now, I was ready. Ready to be the wife and mom I needed to be. Ready to be God's vessel to pour out. Being in the Lord's presence restored me. I had been filled and changed.
Dear Lord, I need You today. Living this life sometimes drains me and leaves me empty. As I come through Your gates and into Your presence, change me. Pour Your life and heart into me so that as I leave through the "opposite gate," I am not the same woman as when I came in. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Lynn's blog
Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope & Encouragement for Difficult Times by Holly Gerth
Application Steps:
Do you need help coming into the Lord's presence? Play worship music and let God's truth pour into your heart. As it does, respond to Him. Speak words of praise for who He is and what He means to you.
Here I am Again, Lord, a free devotion, will encourage you as well.
Be real with Jesus even when your feelings are negative. Honesty with Him and ourselves allows room for Him to take us out of our "pit" and move us closer to Himself.
Find a place where you can "run" when you need to be with Jesus. Maybe it is your bedroom, porch or going for a walk. Go there regularly to meet with Him.
Reflections:
What brings up old, negative thoughts? Harsh words with your husband? Rejection at work? Communication patterns in broken relationships? Begin to recognize these triggers so you can make a point to run to Jesus for truth each time they resurface.
Power Verses:
Titus 3:5-7, "...He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:21-22a, 23, "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life..let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes." (NLT)
© 2009 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :) :angel:
December 21, 2009
While Shepherds Watched and Women Work
Karen Ehman
"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." Luke 2:16-18 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Tell me about the shepherds again mommy. It is my favoritist part!" three-year-old Mitchell pleaded. It was a nightly December ritual; reading a Christmas book chosen from a basket perched underneath our tree. My mother began a tradition of giving us a nativity storybook each year. So we had many delightful volumes that illustrated the account of baby Jesus, the angels, shepherds and wise men.
Mitch's favorite part was always the shepherds. Ever since his chubby little fingers could grasp the pasteboard pages of the books, he'd pause and quizzically stare at the portraits of these rough and tumble Middle Eastern men wandering in the wilderness, watching over their flocks by night. In fact when the grandkids put on a Christmas pageant for Grandma and Grandpa each year, he begged to be cast as a shepherd. The director of the play, his older sister, obliged, even if one year he insisted on the shepherd making his grand entrance riding atop a John Deer tractor!
Watching my son's fascination with these customary characters prompted me to dig further into the lessons modern day moms can learn from the shepherds. After all, mothers have so much in common with them!
That first Christmas night, these humble and socially subservient men were busy going about their daily tasks. This included feeding and watering; prodding and protecting; nursing the injured and encouraging the timid. It also meant watching out for hungry predators that might hurt or kill their precious lambs. They had no idea when they heard the heavenly chorus that their lives were about to be changed forever. They may even have found the sudden interruption that night a strange inconvenience at first. After all, sheep need constant supervision. Taking their eyes off of them for even a moment might prove to be detrimental. Little did they know they were about to encounter a Person, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, who would better their lives for eternity and enable them to effectively shepherd as never before.
I think moms occasionally feel like modern-day, female shepherds. We certainly do our fair share of feeding, watering, prodding, protecting, nursing, encouraging and watching out for anything that might harm our own little lambs. And at times a mother's job is also dirty, sometimes unpleasant one with very few "atta girls!" and little social recognition.
But God in His boundless wisdom is waiting to interrupt our own ordinary lives. We may not audibly hear the angelic chorus singing, but the message is still the same. Christ came to earth to seek and save the lost; to offer hope and new life for all those willing to suspend their daily duties and turn their hearts to Him. And God longs for us, like the shepherds, to tell others of the amazing story of the Holy Child.
So, in the midst of this busy week, will you stop? Put down the tinsel; discontinue the decorating; forgo the mending on the pageant costume and cease stirring the cookie batter. Turn down the yuletide carols and get completely alone and silent.
Can you hear the angels' magnificent melody? Deep within their chorus God is calling out to us; humble, common you and me. He longs to interrupt our daily routine to introduce us to Someone extraordinary; the Christ-child who has a perfect place planned for ordinary women in His-story.
Will you pause, ponder, and then, like the shepherds, go tell others about this remarkable Babe? You'll be helping to restate the timeless message:
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10b-11, NIV).
Dear Lord, may I pause and ponder the wonder of You sending the Christ-child to earth. May I lovingly tell others of Your perfect, sacrificial Son. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The 3 Wise Women: A Christmas Reflection by Christian Ditchfield
For ideas to center your heart on Jesus and holiday traditions to teach your kids to do the same, and to enter to win a copy of her holiday book Homespun Memories for the Heart, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
What can you do at this hectic holiday time of year to pause and reflect on the real meaning of the season?
Reflections:
In what other manner do you think women going about their family tasks are like shepherds tending sheep?
How can you creatively use this season to tell others about the marvelous news of Jesus Christ?
Power Verses:
Acts 10:36 "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." (NIV)
Romans 10:14-15, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (ESV)
© 2009 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: ;) :angel:
December 22, 2009
A Mary Moment
Wendy Pope
"Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? ... You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.'" Luke 1:42-45 (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you ever said "yes" to God for what you believed was the assignment of a lifetime? When you said "yes" did you know you would never be the same again? I love the story of Mary - young, sweet, innocent Mary - who accepted the assignment of her lifetime.
I can only imagine what she was thinking when the angel Gabriel announced she would give birth to the Son of the Most High. Mary was also given details of how this son would be conceived. Without hesitation her response to this assignment of a lifetime was, "May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38, NIV).
Mary did what most women do when something "big" happens, she ran to tell a gal pal. I wonder if she ran out of fear or excitement about what she had just experienced. Perhaps she ran to hide until she could get a handle on the situation. Or maybe she needed a hug from someone that loved her and could assure her that everything was going to be all right.
Scripture tells us she "hurried" on a 5-6 hour trip to Zechariah and Elizabeth's house - a place of refuge. When she arrived at their home, her cousin Elizabeth's words confirmed that Mary indeed had been chosen to give birth to the long awaited Messiah. "In a loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!'" (Luke 1:42-44, NIV).
This was Mary's moment. All that she believed of what the angel had spoken was affirmed. In response, Mary praised God, saying, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name" (Luke 1:46-49, NIV).
Has something like this ever happened to you? Has the Lord spoke to you through His Word and prayer and in your spirit you sensed Him telling you something that seemed outrageous? Has He asked you to say "yes" to an assignment that would change your life forever? You shook your head to loosen the cobwebs and push out anything possibly obstructing your hearing. You walked around bewildered for a couple days, wondering if you really heard right. You replayed the scenario in your mind to get a clearer picture of the experience, but still could not get a handle on it. Then out of the blue you received confirmation. God used a pastor, scripture, song, friend, family member, or a situation to confirm the word He spoke to your heart. If so, like Mary, have you responded with a song of praise to the Lord?
Is God speaking to you today about accepting a divine assignment? Is this devotion confirmation of your own "Mary moment"?
Or, maybe you are still waiting on your lifetime assignment. God gives each assignment in His perfect timing. Let's stay close to Him and His Word so we will be ready to say "yes" when He speaks.
Dear Lord, I celebrate with You the assignments you have for me, big and small. I reflect today on the "Mary moments" I've had. With fear, trembling, and excitement, I wait on the next one. You are a right-on-time God. Thank You for choosing me to be part of Your story. With each assignment, help me to respond like Mary by saying, "May it be to me as you have said." In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
What to Do in the W.A.I.T.: Finding Contentment in God's Pause and Plans CD by Wendy Pope
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Visit Wendy's blog to share your "Mary moment," we would love to hear about it!
Application Steps:
Take time to answer this question: Is God speaking to me today about accepting a divine assignment? Is this devotion confirmation of my own "Mary moment"?
Read the full account of Mary's moment in Luke 1:26-45. Read Mary's song of praise (46-55) aloud. Praise the Lord for your "Mary moments," and those yet to come.
Visit Wendy's blog to inspire others with the story of your "Mary moment."
Reflections:
Do I recognize when God is calling me to a task? Have I said "yes" in the past? Did I follow through with it?
Am I ready to say to the Lord, "May it be to me as you have said"?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:13, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: ;) :angel:
December 23, 2009
Making a List and Checking It Twice
Amy Carroll
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
My kids are planners. They are on the ball. They look ahead and dream...at least when it comes to Christmas time! The rough drafts of their Christmas wish lists began somewhere around last March, but the final copies are now complete. Their father and me find great delight in hearing about their lists throughout the year and anticipating how we'll make their wishes come true.
Did you know that our heavenly Father delights to hear our desires, too?
Somewhere along the line, I began to believe that it was "unspiritual" to pray for myself. My prayers for others were fervent, but I thought that God would be especially pleased with my unselfishness if I left myself off the list. Philippians 4:6 contradicts this notion, however. God encourages His children to ask. He delights to give to us just like we delight to give to our children and others. In fact, Matthew 7:11 says, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (NIV).
God's been teaching me that I should present my list to Him, but I'm also learning to ask carefully. We've all seen how ugly it can get at Christmas with greedy, self-indulgent children. They want it ALL, and they want it NOW. Loving parents choose gifts carefully, though. They would never give a gift to their child that was unsafe or could cause harm.
Our Father is the same way. He is the most extravagant gift-giver ever, but He gives with wisdom. His desire is to give gifts that help us, His children, to learn and grow. What are some of His great gifts? Salvation from sin, protection from evil, the indwelling Holy Spirit, wisdom, purity, holiness, true freedom...these are some of the gifts that He loves to hear requested by His sons and daughters.
There is one prayer that is always answered. It is the prayer for God's will to be done.
So, this Christmas let's make our lists long with our eyes fastened on praying for God's will. Here's a little peek at my "grown up Christmas list:" protection for my children, a greater love and desire to know Jesus, chances (and the courage) to share the glorious gospel of Jesus with others, blessings for the staff at my church, peace and love for my friends and their families, and wisdom to handle everyday life. I rejoice to know that I can lay that list at my Father's feet with confidence that He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.
Dear Lord, I've left out my own personal requests for so long. I know that often it's because of pride or self-sufficiency. Sometimes it's just because I haven't trusted You enough. Please help me to come to You with everything—joys, hurts, anxiety and needs. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Amy's blog
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
P31 Woman magazine
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Make your own "grown up Christmas list."
Pray, and give your list to Jesus.
Reflections:
Assess your list. Are these gifts that would be within God's will?
Read and reflect on this prayer written for you!
Power Verses:
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Matthew 6:9-10, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel: :D :angel:
December 24, 2009
Planning for the Presence of Jesus
Glynnis Whitwer
"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made."
Luke 10:40 (NIV)
Devotion:
I tend to consider myself a "Martha" type personality. And I don't mean Martha Stewart. That Martha was ready for Christmas in October, I'm sure.
No, I'm nothing like Martha Stewart. In fact, a few years ago I didn't even manage to decorate the tree. It had lights on it ONLY because it was a pre-lit tree! I managed to put a few gifts under it before Christmas because my dear children kept looking at me with big hopeful eyes, asking when I was going to wrap SOMETHING. But that was it. No cards. No Christmas concerts or caroling. No trip to see lights. Just a busy life made even busier.
For those who know the Luke 10 story of Martha and her sister Mary, that's the Martha I'm talking about. That Martha had the privilege of hosting Jesus in her home. But instead of sitting at His feet, like her sister Mary did, Martha worked and complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping her.
Let's put ourselves in that scene for a moment. Jesus has come to YOUR house. To visit YOU. And not only are you too busy to spend some time with Him, but the time you do have you spend complaining. You complain about "someone" not doing her job, and how you have to do all this work, and if only "someone" would help you then you could actually sit down and enjoy some time with Jesus and blah, blah, blah...
Martha wasted an amazing opportunity. And many times, so do I. She let the demands of every day overshadow the call of the divine. In fact, Jesus gently chided Martha, and affirmed Mary's choice to sit and spend time with Him in the middle of all the work that had to be done.
In verse 42 we read that Jesus told Martha her sister did what was "needed." So in Jesus' mind, whatever Martha was doing wasn't needed at that moment...whether it was to impress, pamper or comfort Him. Jesus just wanted Martha to sit down and spend time with Him.
Imagine if you had travelled far to visit the home of a friend. And in her desire to serve you, she never spends time with you. Do you know anyone like that? Don't you want to say, "Sit down. Relax. All this stuff doesn't matter. I came to spend time with you."
That's just what Jesus was saying to Martha. In other words,
Martha, thank you for caring about my needs. But, you don't have to worry so much. There's only one thing I want right now, and that's to spend time with you. Mary gets it. Come sit down next to your sister. The dishes will wait. But you won't have this time with Me very much longer.
Martha probably wasn't given much notice of Jesus' arrival, hence her rushing around. We, however, have been. Just as you would prepare for the arrival of a special guest to your home, I invite you to prepare for the presence of Jesus this Christmas.
Have you ever let the demands of the everyday pull you away from the divine? Have you ever chosen a good thing over the best thing? You're not alone. Today, I invite you to set aside all the preparations and distractions and sit in the presence of Jesus.
We don't have to do anything special to enjoy Jesus' company. We just have to quiet ourselves from the busyness of the day, take a deep breath, and allow Jesus to fill our hearts with His joy and peace. It can be sitting outside looking at the stars, listening to carols, or sipping a cup of coffee in front of a fire. Just sit down with nothing else to do and invite Jesus to join you.
When I think back about the scene recorded in Luke 10, between Martha and Mary, I can tell which sister had more peace in her life. And it wasn't Martha. This Christmas I definitely want to plan for the presence of Jesus - that's really all I need.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Your son Jesus. As I go through this Christmas and the upcoming year, please help me set priorities that are pleasing to You. Help me remember to plan to enjoy the presence of Jesus more than I plan for the details. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life by Sarah Young
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares tips for simplifying your holidays
Pursuing the Christ: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions for Christmastime
by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
For more encouragement on intentionally focusing on Christ during busy seasons, click here
Application Steps:
Spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you His priorities for you this day and over the next year. Write down one or two things God brings to mind.
Reflections:
In holiday seasons past, when have you experienced the presence of Jesus most? Be specific.
How does time alone with Jesus change you?
Power Verses:
Luke 10:41-42, "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" (NIV)
Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 25, 2009
Light of the World
Melanie Chitwood
"This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5 (NAS)
Devotion:
Everywhere I look this time of year, I see lights: flashy lights adorning the mall and streets, the steady glow of candlelight during our Christmas Eve service, and the dazzling lights of outside decorations. Of all the lights at Christmas, however, I am most drawn to the white, twinkly lights on our Christmas tree.
A tradition I've enjoyed for years is to sit in my favorite chair in the darkened living room with only the illumination of the Christmas trees lights. I let the trees' lights remind me of the brightest light of all, Jesus Christ.
The Bible includes numerous references to light. As you read these verses, think about how Christ has been a light this past year, or think about what kind of light you need this Christmas season. Let Christ's light chase away any darkness as you bathe in the splendor of His light.
As the creator of light, allow God to create light in your life. (Genesis 1:3)
When you are fearful, let His light make you brave. (Psalm 27:1)
If you need direction, His light will show you the way. (Psalm 119:105)
When you are in a difficult situation, God's light makes the rough places smooth. (Isaiah 42:16)
Do you feel ashamed or guilty? Accept Christ's light of forgiveness. (John 3:19)
Chase away the darkness of hopelessness, loneliness, despair, aimlessness,
confusion, hurt, or anger as you follow Christ, the Light of life. (John 8:12)
Be a witness to Christ's light by the way you live your life. (Matthew 5:16)
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your Light. Renew my hope, joy, and trust in You, as all the Christmas lights remind me that You are the Light of the world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life by Sarah Young
Share on Melanie's blog how God is your light
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
This year start a tradition of sitting with your Bible bathed in the soft light of your Christmas tree's twinkly lights. While you do, think about the significance of Christ's light to you and your family this Christmas season. Use the verses in today's devotion in a private or family devotion time.
Reflections:
Are you sure you're a child of God? God promises you salvation and an eternal relationship with Him as you believe in His Son Jesus. If you would like to be sure of a relationship with Christ as your Friend, Savior and Light, you are only a prayer away. He loves you so much and longs for you to rest in the security of His love. Click here to learn more about having a relationship with Jesus.
Power Verses:
John 8:12, "'Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'" (NLT)
© 2009 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:D ;D 8) :-* :D
December 28, 2009
The Shelter
Melissa Taylor
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
It happened again. My sweet ten year-old son came home from school deeply wounded. Some kids at school who were making fun of him and calling him names. My heart broke as I tried to comfort my worn down gift from God, my beloved son.
When Dylan was just one year-old, he had surgery on his head. This surgery left a scar that is visible. It really never bothered him much because he can't see it. He's always known it was there, but since it was out of sight, it was out of mind. Until someone else reminded him it was there, pointed out that it looked weird, and then a few others joined in. Their words pierced my son's heart and he needed a safe place to hide.
I prayed for Dylan and tried to explain why some people say things that are hurtful. I did all I could do to comfort him, but after all my efforts, he still came back to the same feelings of not fitting in. I will never forget how helpless I felt as a parent as I listened to him cry for hours begging God to take away the hurt.
My husband called Dylan upstairs to our bedroom. I noticed after a while how quiet it was in the house. Peace seemed to have settled over our home. I walked upstairs to make sure everything was alright and what I saw brought tears to my eyes. There they were, father and son, tucked into a fort, a shelter, that Jeff had built for Dylan. He called it Dylan's Den. It was equipped with blankets, pillows, a roof, and the arms of his father. Dylan was lying in his daddy's arms with the most peaceful and content look on his face. The man Dylan trusts most of all came to his rescue and provided a refuge, a place of protection for him. What a beautiful example of our Father's love. I will never forget it as long as I live.
When the world is cruel, we need to remember that we all have our Father's shelter that we can run to. There He waits, ready and willing for us to come into His arms to provide us with the security and protection we need. And as our key verse states, when we dwell in His shelter, we will find rest. God never promises that we will be free from trouble, but He does promise His help whenever we experience trouble.
Are you experiencing doubt, disappointment, fear, or trouble? Remember that God's arms are open wide. The security of His shelter is there for you.
Dear Lord, Thank you for being my shelter and refuge that I can always run to. Help me to seek shelter and refuge in You alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's Blog for tips on how to comfort your hurting child, more power verses, and a chance to win a free book.
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Have You Found Shelter in God's Love?
Application Steps:
Find some time today to seek shelter in the arms of your Father. Tell Him all your are going through and then trust Him to take care of you.
Reflections:
When trouble comes your way, where do you seek shelter?
Do you trust God to protect you in all circumstances?
Isn't it a great feeling knowing that you have God as your refuge?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)
© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 29, 2009
Arise from the Wreckage
Micca Monda Campbell
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose"
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Devotion:
Recently I had an ah-ha moment as I was reading Acts 9. At first, the familiar story seemed dull. You know how it is when you've read or heard the same story over and over. Then a new revelation merged from the content. In my minds-eye I began to see the word "rejection," although it was not in written form. Perhaps I saw what I was feeling that day—rejected.
I was at the part of the story where Saul, a murderer, had just been transformed into Paul, a disciple of Christ. Even though Paul was a changed person, many rejected him because of his past reputation as a murderer. This was only the beginning of Paul's trouble. Throughout his ministry, Paul not only experienced rejection, but great suffering and harassment too. For a changed man, his adversity seemed unfair.
Paul was devoted to serving Christ. He sacrificed his education, his life, and remained single so he could better serve the Lord. And yet, he was shipwrecked on several occasions, falsely accused, and thrown into prison more than once. Doesn't that seem odd for a man called of God? Wouldn't God's favor protect him from such adversity?
I thought about an illness that lingered with me all summer. It was so severe I was all but bed-ridden for months, unable to do life and ministry. I began to feel rejected by God. It didn't make sense. I was serving God in more ways than I could count. Then, without warning, strong winds blew in. Clouds hung overhead and it began to storm. Before I knew it I was "shipwrecked." You've been there, too.
Some of us have been rejected by family, friends, and co-workers. Others have been falsely accused. Some are imprisoned by finances, or blown around by the consequences of someone else's sin. It seems so unfair. You've tried to live right. You walk in obedience the best you can. You take God at His Word and trust in His promises. Shouldn't faith like this call for smooth sailing, instead of stormy, shipwrecking seas?
Isaiah reminds us that God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts and plans are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8; paraphrased). It's tough to figure God out when He doesn't play by our rules or have the same agenda we have. We forget that God sees a much bigger picture.
If we follow Paul's journey, we find God working through the rejection, the trials, the prison time, and the shipwrecks. God used these hardships to position Paul. Not for fame, but to increase the Kingdom of God. Paul witnessed to the Pharisees through his rejection and imprisonment. People saw God's power at work when Paul survived the storms, when the snake bite didn't kill him, and when the jail shook, opening the doors and loosing chains. The Lord used these difficulties so others would witness His power and believe.
Paul allowed God to use him as a vessel. He didn't sit on the sidelines, full of self-pity and doubt. Instead, as Acts 16:22-31 tells us, after being stripped, beaten, severely flogged, thrown in the inner cell of a prison and his feet in stocks, Paul prayed and sang hymns to God. Others around him were listening. The power of God came in such a way, that the prison guard begged Paul to tell him, "What must I do to be saved?" He replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus" (NIV).
God doesn't waste our pain, our rejection or our "shipwrecks." He uses them to bring about His plan—to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.
If that's true, and it is, then our challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Master. Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of self-pity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.
Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Cultivating a Heart of Contentment CD by Micca Campbell
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement.
Application Steps:
God has called us to live by faith, not by sight. Even though we don't always understand our difficulties, they don't have to overwhelm us. Choosing to trust God helps restore a sense of hope and stability to our lives, and also allows us to rise from our ashes.
Reflections:
What will you choose to do today: will you wallow in self-pity or rise and praise the Lord?
Power Verses:
Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (KJV)
Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." (NKJV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
December 30, 2009
Return to Me
Marybeth Whalen
"Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty."
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
At first glance, this verse might seem like God is stand-offish and distant. Why do we have to make the first move? But actually, this verse depicts His great love for us. Like the prodigal's father, He waits patiently for our return. He doesn't find us, shake us and demand us to account for our whereabouts. Instead He scans the horizon for our return.
Hoping, but not forcing. Waiting, but not pressuring. Ultimately He gives us free will. We choose when and if we return. And when we do, He promises to return to us. He is a gentleman who doesn't force Himself upon us. God has to see us move of our own free will. That element of choice is intrinsic in His relationship to us.
Returning to God is a practice we will have to engage in over and over in life. The point is not how many times we return to Him, but that we make the effort to do so each time it is necessary. Perhaps you need to return to Him physically—recommitting to meeting with Him in church on a weekly basis. Perhaps you need to return to Him emotionally—determining to trust Him in a difficult time. Perhaps you need to return to Him spiritually—committing to regular prayer and time spent in His Word.
Whatever your return looks like, don't put it off any longer. And don't doubt that He will return to you. Don't believe lies that you are the exception or that you are asking too much of Him. His Word tells us differently. Hebrews 7:19 says, "...a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God" (NIV). God made the ultimate way for us to return—through His Son, whose death on the cross allowed us to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). By Him we draw near to God. Not because we are worthy, but because He is.
God wants us to return to Him. He stands waiting with open arms, at the ready to return to us. When He sees us coming, He runs to meet us. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20b, NIV).
Are you ready to make that first move today?
Dear Lord, I need to return to You. Thank You for making it my choice because You love me and want to be in a real relationship with me. I thank You for waiting for me with open arms. Today I am choosing to fall into those open arms again. Thank You that You gave Your Son so that I can always return to You without shame. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Visit Marybeth's blog - Cheaper by the Half Dozen
Becoming a Woman of Influence Marybeth Whalen
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Application Steps:
Using your Bible concordance, look up the word "return." Spend time today reading what God has to say about returning to Him. Write down some of your favorite verses in a journal.
Reflections:
Do You Know This Great Love?
Do you need to return to Him? How will that look for you? What is holding you back?
Power Verses:
James 4:8a, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
Joel 2:12-13, "'Even now', declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'" (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
December 31, 2009
A Sweet Aroma
Tracie Miles
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
A sweet thing happened recently. It was Sunday morning at church, and the congregation was standing, singing hymns. My precious little boy was beside me with his arms wrapped around my waist.
Every few minutes, he pressed his face into my shirt. After several times, I finally determined he was sniffing me, so I leaned down and quietly asked why. He stood on his tip toes, put his face close to mine and whispered, "Because you smell like fruit, Mommy! It smells really good!" I smiled and knew what he smelled was one of my favorite perfumes which has a clean, sweet, fruity aroma.
God turned my thoughts to how we're to be a pleasing aroma to Him, through thoughts, actions and behaviors carried out in the Spirit. Ephesians 5:2 encourages us to "...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV).
What does that really mean? How can we offer a fragrant offering that is pleasing to God and be a fragrance to those around us?
There is a Hawaiian saying, "Tiny is the flower, yet it scents the grasses around it." What a great illustration of how the smallest things can have impactful results. The fact that the flower is small and seemingly insignificant, does not keep it from spreading the fragrance it was created to share. In fact, often the smallest flower can have the most potent fragrance!
Sometimes we may feel like a tiny flower. We wonder if we are really capable of doing anything big or important for Christ. Insecurities, feelings of unworthiness or life challenges prevent us from seeing how God can use us to bless Him and impact others. It is not the size of the actions that matter, but the aroma that is created by those actions. Each time we do something in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness we offer a fragrant offering to God. And we help others learn how to be a little fragrant flower too, in a big world that can be pretty stinky.
Each one of us can choose what fragrance we exude. It might be a good idea to ask from time to time, What type of fragrance am I leaving behind? How am I affecting the world around me with the gifts God gave me? Am I exuding a spiritual aroma that is a fragrant offering to Christ?
Our lingering fragrance should be one of love and kindness, not anger and harshness. Patience and faithfulness, not intolerance and selfishness. And lifting people's spirits with joy and peace, not leaving them discouraged and broken. Our fragrance should be sowing seeds that point to the goodness of Christ.
When God created flowers, He intentionally created them to give off a sweet aroma. And He created us just the same. So, what fragrance are you wearing today?
Dear Lord, teach me how to smell like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions - Gift Ideas by LeAnn Rice
Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World by Tom Davis
Visit Tracie's blog today.
Application Steps:
"Spritz" on a sweet fragrance today that is pleasing to Christ.
Consider how you can "scent the grasses" in your life with God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
Reflections:
Think about the spiritual fragrance you have been wearing lately, and the impact it has on others.
Do you think God is pleased with your lingering fragrance?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)
© 2009 Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 1, 2010
A New Year's Prayer for You
Wendy Blight
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
New Year's Resolutions.
What comes to mind when you hear these three words?
Everywhere you turn the media bombards us with the latest and greatest New Year's Resolution ideas. Diet. Lose Weight. Exercise. Change your look. Change your life. A new year, a new you! Sounds great, doesn't it?
For many years, I made New Year's Resolutions, but I could never keep them. Oh, I succeeded for a few months, but then it was over. I felt worse about myself than I did before the year began because I had failed. So a few years ago, I quit making New Year's Resolutions. Instead, I wrote a prayer. Throughout the year, I watched in amazement as God worked in my life and in the lives of others through my simple prayer.
Today, I would like to pray for you. As you read this prayer, I invite you to use it as a model for writing out your own New Year's prayer.
Father in heaven, thank You that You are All Authority in heaven and on earth. Thank You that You led each woman here today. You know her every need, her deepest desires, and her hurting places. Lord, as she seeks to know You more, would You open the eyes of her heart to see the wonderful things in Your law?
Father, we confess that so often we live lives that do not honor You. Our actions and our Words seem so far from You. But, we do want to live lives that please You, so we ask today for You to soften our hearts to receive what Your sweet Spirit has to speak to us. Give us a hunger and a thirst for Your Word. As You reveal it to us, help us through the power of Your Holy Spirit to listen and obey. You tell us Your Word is living and active, like a double-edged sword. Father, we invite You to use it now to penetrate the deepest recesses in our hearts.
Give us hearts that desire You and Your Truth above all else. Your Word tells us that if we lack Wisdom, we need only ask and You will give it liberally. So we ask today for a fresh filling of Your Wisdom. Give us the strength to walk in Your Truth, no matter the cost. Guard our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Grow in us the fruit of Your Spirit...those things that will make us more like You. As we study Your Word, fill us and saturate us with more of You!!
Today, Father, we surrender our past and look to the future, thanking You that we are a new creation. No matter what we have done before today, we have Hope in You to take all things and use them for Your good and the good of Your Kingdom. Thank You that You are Faithful. Thank You that we can make our plans but You will direct our steps. We trust in You to do a mighty work in us through us this year and carry it on to completion until the day we step into eternity with You.
Lord, we love You. Make our lives a living testimony of Your Love. We ask this in the powerful and mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who will do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. AMEN.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
The one-year Chronological Bible (NLT)
Visit Wendy's blog-Living Truth to find steps to help you personalize your prayers
God answers prayers! Read Desperate Prayers, Divine Answers for more encouragement
Application Steps:
Personalize this prayer for you and your own life.
As you do, ask the Lord if there is an area of your life in which you consistently struggle.
If the Lord made you aware of a struggle, surrender that area today. Boldly ask God to speak Truth into this area, no matter the cost. Ask Him to teach you His way, give you a mind to understand, and a heart to obey. Hold fast to what you hear so that your walk in that area will be established and ordered according to His will, not your own.
Reflections:
Read Proverbs 4:20-27, then meditate and reflect on its meaning in relation to what you have learned through this devotion.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!" (NIV)
© 2009 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
January 4, 2010
Marriage Ups and Downs
Melanie Chitwood
"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
Colossians 1:17 (NAS)
Devotion:
Has there ever been a time when you thought that marriage is harder than you expected or more challenging than you want it to be? My marriage of 18 years to Scott has been a roller coaster of ups and downs this week, and today I'd prefer a whole lot more of the ups, or least some steadiness. We've argued about how often we're physically intimate and how often we have intimate conversations. We've argued about who works harder and who's giving more to the relationship right now. We've argued about really basic issues.
In the private place of my mind and heart I've had questions about my marriage. I've questioned how two people who are so different can be content to be married to one another. What will continue to sustain us and to create a stronger marriage through the years?
And to top it off, I think to myself, "Melanie, you write about marriage. Shouldn't you have this marriage thing figured out? What on earth am I doing writing about marriage?" Deep down inside, however, I know that's exactly why God asked me to write about marriage. I don't have all the answers, as that has been glaringly obvious this week.
But I know the One who does. I know the One who created marriage. I know the One who blesses my marriage. I know the One who holds my marriage together, as today's key verse reminds us.
This morning as I talked to God about me and Scott, I prayed, "Lord, I don't want to be at an impasse with my husband. I want us to find peaceful ground. I want us to find oneness. I want to help him, not hinder him." As I turned to God with my heart held in my hands offered up to Him, God changed me.
God answered my simple prayer in the most practical way. I prayed, "How can I please you today in my marriage?" God's answer to my heart was, Bring Scott lunch today. Make him a big, delicious, healthy salad because that's his favorite lunch.
"Really, God? Don't you think Scott and I need to talk through our issues?" And then I sensed God saying, There will be time for that, but for now, I want you to obey Me.
You see, time and again I've seen that as I let God mold my heart and as I respond in obedience, God's floodgate of love and power covers my marriage, leading us to the place He wants us to be. There will be time for more conversations between us, but for today God wants me to take one step of obedience.
Okay, God, I'm on it. I'm off to make a salad.
Dear Lord, Thank You for my marriage and thank You for my husband. Thank You for holding us together through the ups and downs of my marriage. Keep me focused on You, Lord, so I can honor You and be a blessing to my spouse. Lord, when we need to communicate, I pray we can do so honestly and peacefully. When we need to forgive, I pray we will both freely and readily forgive one another. And when we have misunderstandings, Lord, bring us quickly to a place of understanding. Where we need to extend each other grace, let us do so because You have so lavishly covered us with Your grace. As I trust You with my marriage, let my marriage bring You honor and glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Visit Melanie's blog for more marriage encouragement today!
Surrender your heart and your marriage to Jesus.
Application Steps:
Do one thing today to show your husband you love him. Here are some ideas:
Give him a smile and a really big kiss when he comes home at the end of the day.
Call, email, or text him to say how much you appreciate his hard work.
Tell him how much you respect what a great dad he is or you respect how he can do any kind of home repair.
Fix his favorite meal.
Don't be too tired tonight for intimacy.
Hold your tongue. Don't say those harsh words you're thinking about your husband. Instead, talk to God.
Promise not to bad-mouth your husband to your friends.
Reflections:
Consider the attitude of your heart and the actions of your hands in your marriage. Is there anything you need to confess to the Lord? Do that now. Remember that acknowledging your sin doesn't mean that you and your husband don't have issues you need to talk about and it doesn't mean that your husband doesn't have sin in his life. It means that you are seeing yourself clearly and that you are willing to do what God wants you to do. It means you're trusting your marriage to God and inviting His transforming power into your marriage.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:1-2, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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January 5, 2010
The Friendship Project
Whitney Capps
"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'
Luke:10:29 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was a room full of nearly strangers, barely friends-until that day. I asked the ladies to stand as I read from a list of life experiences. If they had lived through one of the descriptions they stood up. One by one, sobbing women rose to their feet as I read the list. They were family in name only - a family of believers from the same church gathered together for a women's retreat where I was the guest speaker.
Twelve women stood together when I asked if anyone had had a miscarriage. One woman had buried a spouse. Five came from unbelieving homes. One had lived through marital infidelity. Three had escaped relationships where they had faced verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Three ladies had struggled with depression. The list went on and on. By the time I had finished, every woman in the room was standing.
We were knee-deep in one another's junk, and yet I had never felt closer to a group of women. As we closed the session I asked them to share more about their stories at their individual tables. As I surveyed the room, women who had been strangers only minutes before were huddled around one another, embracing, sharing and weeping. God was knitting hearts together. It was a moment I'll never forget.
I am realizing that women of all walks of life crave friendships. And yet so many of us feel that we are lacking meaningful, authentic relationships. How is it that a church full of women with a common thread of faith are not friends? Worse yet, if we aren't friends, can we hope to offer authentic relationships to those who enter the doors of our churches every week?
I fear the answer is "no, we can't" unless we change and make a few necessary sacrifices.
Recently I've gleaned some life lessons from the story of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:30, Jesus paints a not-so-favorable picture of the religious and respectable. I wonder if He would have the same indictment of our churches today? The priest was seemingly too busy to befriend the one in need.
Can I be honest? I am regularly guilty of this sin. Before and after church my husband and I busy ourselves with the work of tending to our children, and doing the business of church. I move past people who are hurting, but I don't stop with my busyness to see their needs. I rarely get off my horse. I am the priest.
The Levite rode past the hurting man too. Perhaps he felt he was too clean to get dirty in the messy business of grace and mercy. Helping the man in need would have made the Levite ceremonially unclean. He wanted to preserve his position and place.
Let me do a little more truth-telling. I don't usually want to get knee-deep in other people's junk. If I don't get into messy relationships I avoid having to deal not only with my own junk, but other's as well. So I don't get off my horse. I am the Levite.
Here is the problem. Real relationships require time and transparency. If we want to move from being casual acquaintances to genuine friends you and I will have to share pain and joy in an authentic, sacrificial way. I believe this, but for right now it's just theory.
I'm curious. What would happen if we covenanted together to get off our high horses and got into one another's junk? I wonder if our churches would explode. I wonder if lives would be forever changed. I wonder if the Church would shed a little bit of its reputation of hypocrisy.
Want to see what would happen? It's not too late to add a New Year's resolution. Let's resolve to change lives through friendship. Let's slow down. Let's share our stories. Let's get knee-deep.
Dear Lord, give me eyes to see those in need around me, and give me the courage to respond. Father, I want to be a part of life-changing friendships by offering grace and mercy. You call us to love others as ourselves. Help me obey this all-consuming command. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
Visit Whitney's blog today.
Traveling Together: Thoughts on Women, Friendship and the Journey of Faith by Karla Worley
Join Whitney's Facebook group The Friendship Project for more details about this campaign
Application Steps:
How can you simplify your Sunday routine to allow more time for building relationships?
With whom can you share part of your story in hopes of offering encouragement and hope?
Reflections:
Do you have genuine, edifying friendships? Why or why not?
Are you reaching out and developing new friendships with those in need around you?
Power Verses:
Luke 10:27, "He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (NIV)
Luke 10:33-34, 36-37, "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds...and took care of him... 'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.' (NIV)
© 2010 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 6, 2010
Becoming Today
Amy Carroll
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
As my plane landed, I wondered if she'd be there. The retreat weekend simply wouldn't be the same without her. I would miss her encouraging looks as I spoke and the women of her church would certainly have hearts that ached with her absence. All year I had thought about the words that she had spoken the previous fall, and I needed to ask her more probing questions.
She had a secret that I longed to know. There were many women from the group who I wanted to ask about, but as the event coordinator and I waited at the luggage carousel, I started with my most important question, "Will Ruth Clark be coming?" My heart rejoiced as I heard the reply that was given with a smile, "Ruth has had a lot of health problems this year, but she'll be there!"
Entering the room at the retreat center, my eyes searched for Ruth among the small clusters of chatting women. I found her dear, smiling face quickly and headed to greet her. She opened her arms wide, hugged me and said, "I've been praying for you all year." After asking me to wait for a minute, Ruth opened her purse, took out a well-worn pink book full of small cards and began to leaf through it. Finally, she found the card for which she had been searching, and pulled it out. On it was a black-and-white photocopy of a picture of me with my name written underneath. She explained, "Each day I use this book to remember who to pray for. I put you in my book after the retreat last year, and I've prayed for you every day."
I looked at her face, creased with crows' feet and laugh lines, the product of many wide smiles and tender glances. I took in her white hair, the walker beside her and her comfortable shoes and had a single thought—"Beautiful!"
Ruth is the woman that I want to be when age has settled onto my features and slowed my steps. Her beauty is an internal light that has grown brighter with time and experience rather than being extinguished. Knowing Ruth has changed my life and set me on a journey. When we first met, I immediately knew she had something I wanted.
After listening to this delightful woman talk for a while, I asked her, "What is your secret? How have you continued to grow in the Lord, stay positive and exude joy?" She answered quickly and confidently, "Be today who you want to be tomorrow."
Profound!
So, how can you and I apply Ruth's advice in our lives while we're still younger women? We can ask to God to reveal our own sins and flaws, repent of them and ask for His mercy to start living differently today. He's given me a very personal and specific list of where to start! I can ask God's help to stop my tendency toward complaining about difficult circumstances and develop the habit of praising Him for molding my character through trials and tests. I can ask Him for the spiritual fruit of self-control so that I resist flying off the handle in a grumpy, hormone-fueled fit for no good reason. I can ask Him to stop my free-flowing river of words and help me listen to others compassionately before I speak. I could go on, but you're getting the picture. Are you starting to make a list of your own?
Although thinking about our own aging and watching loved ones age sometimes generates fear, we can face the future with tremendous hope and faith when we know that we can begin shaping our tomorrows today. I truly believe that becoming the woman today that we want to be tomorrow is the key to becoming the woman of grace, love and wisdom in our 70s and 80s that we so desire to be.
Dear Lord, I long to be a growing, godly older woman until my very last breath. Help me to begin today in developing the character and spiritual disciplines that I'll need to follow You victoriously throughout my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Find more encouragement from other "Ruths" with the P31 Woman magazine
Visit Amy's blog-Ponderings from the Pathway
Application Steps:
Imagine yourself in your 80s. Make a list of words that you would like others to use when they describe the 80 year old you.
Reflections:
Which of my personal character traits could become ugly when magnified by age?
Have I limited God by an "I'll work on that later" attitude?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 46:4, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV)
Psalm 71:18, "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." (ESV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
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January 7, 2010
The Secret of Contentment
Micca Monda Campbell
"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances"
Philippians 4:11b (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever noticed how overextending yourself tends to bring unwanted pressure into your life? I think we tend to busy ourselves in order to gain more, find acceptance among peers, land a better position, and gain riches of all kinds. Perhaps we live under the illusion that having such riches is what makes a person complete, content, and deliriously happy. Yet, when we discover that's not the case, we're left feeling empty and discontent.
Contentment and security are not found in career titles or in the kind of car we own. The logo on our car only tells others what kind of car we drive — not who we are. True satisfaction, in its purest form, is found in the wealth of who God is and the riches He graciously lavishes upon us.
Recently God's been showing me that when I constantly want more than He has given me, it reflects a heart that is discontent. What I'm saying to God is, "I'm not satisfied with what You have provided for me. I want more." In wanting more, I place undo pressure on myself in an attempt to get what God hasn't provided. Naturally, anxiety is the result when I focus on things other than God and His will for my life.
The pressure to have more and do more can lead us down paths we never intended. In our attempt to fill the vacuum of our empty souls, we discover that external luxury is only a cheap substitution for spiritual wholeness. As our key verse points out, Paul knew the secret of finding contentment. "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Take note that Paul wrote these words in a high stress situation as he sat in jail awaiting a verdict for a crime he didn't commit. I don't know if I could find contentment if I were in his sandals. I would probably strum my wooden cage with a rock singing pitifully, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows my sorrow." Finding contentment doesn't mean we have to like our current situation, but it may require an appreciation for it. Let me explain.
Paul learned that the fruit of contentment is developed when we are thankful for what God has provided whether we like it or not. That's because peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God and our attitude toward His provision in the midst of our stress. By expressing gratitude, Paul experienced richness of being, not having.
I realize you may be in a hard place right now and you're longing for freedom. Maybe you're in a job that feels like a dead end; perhaps you have two of them! It may be that you live in a space too small for your family and you hate it. You're not where you planned or hoped to be and you certainly don't like it.
The truth is, we don't have to like where we are or what we have, but if we will choose to thank God for His provisions regardless of our feelings toward them, we'll experience the same contentment Paul encountered.
We must understand that being thankful doesn't mean that God will eventually remove us from our situation. He may; He may not. Rather, being appreciative sets us free from the desire to have and lets us rest in the riches of contentment. And when we reach a place of contentment, we don't need earthly riches galore. God becomes our greatest treasure. In Him, we have everything we need.
Dear Lord, things could always be worse. I'm grateful for what You've provided for me. Fill me with Your peace so that I may be truly content in Your blessings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog-Reflections
Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears. Order your copy by clicking here.
Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
For encouragement during the tough times, read Surrendering Your Strongholds
Application Steps:
Instead of focusing on what God has not provided, make a list of what He has. Then, thank God for His provision.
Reflections:
Does your heart always long for more than what God has provided?
If so, why and what do you need to do to find contentment?
Power Verses:
Psalm 103:1-5, "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
January 8, 2010
A Patient Parent
Glynnis Whitwer
"Don't be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant." Galatians 6:7 (NLT)
Devotion:
One of the most damaging choices a person can make is to give up too soon when faced with a failure. I see this in children all the time. A child doesn't make the sports team in junior high, and gives up before his body has a chance to develop. Another stops singing because she doesn't get a solo in the school play, and her voice hasn't reach maturity. Children face "failure" in many ways, and discouragement can hinder their spiritual growth and potential. How can a parent help?
There's a biblical principle parents can apply when helping a child overcome failure and explore their potential. Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (NIV).
Paul used the analogy of planting to explain the principle of spiritual growth. He encouraged his readers to sow into the things of God, with the promise they would reap the things of God. In the life of a Christian we sow into God by how we think, speak, our actions, where we spend our money, and our time. These are investments in a God-honoring life, which reaps a harvest of blessing - but not in the same season. There is always a delay between sowing and reaping.
What if we considered our children's hearts and lives as a garden? The principles of sowing and reaping apply as well. Every day we sow into those "gardens" through our words, behavior, and the disciplines we teach them. However, just like a vegetable garden, if we plant carrot seeds, we will reap carrots - not corn. Consequently, if we sow negative seeds of discouragement, we will reap despair. If we sow seeds of impatience, we will reap frustration. If we sow seeds of laziness, we will reap stress.
Conversely, if we sow healthy seeds of good choices, we will reap self-discipline. If we sow seeds of patience, we will reap peace. If we sow seeds of perseverance, we will reap success. Our children's hearts are rich soil prepared by God to receive good seed. As conscientious gardeners, we need to plant those that will reap a harvest in our children's lives and prepare them for service in the kingdom of God.
What if you don't see results right away? That's normal. After a few days, the farmer doesn't get frustrated with slow growth and rip the seeds out of the ground. No. The farmer continues to water the soil, shoo the birds away, and pull the weeds. The farmer protects the seed until it has a chance to grow in its own time.
God designed our children to grow and flourish with love and care. However, failure can be the weeds in our children's lives. Weeds don't destroy the good seed, they just leech the nutrients out of the soil limiting the growth of the plant. Failure doesn't destroy our children's potential; it just removes the enthusiasm from their hearts.
In order to overcome the pain and heartache of failure, children need a parent who will step in with fresh water and bright sunlight, while replacing the weeds with healthy seed. With this tender care, perseverance and self-discipline will grow and develop. Then in time, our children will produce a harvest of confidence. May we be gardeners who don't give up until the harvest.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your almighty power and wisdom. Thank You for making me with potential to grow and change. Help me to see that same potential in those I love and to become a gardener of healthy seed in their lives. Help me to see failure as something to overcome, not stop me for a live of obedience. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
Identify one character virtue you would like to sow into your life, or your child's life. What do you need to sow in order to reap a harvest of that virtue?
Reflections:
Why is perseverance such an important Christian virtue?
When you have failed in the past, what have people done or said that was most helpful?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:31, "... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
Philippians 1:6, "... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
January 11, 2010
Hoarding What You Have
Wendy Pope
"I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back." Matthew 25:25 (NLT)
Devotion:
Reality shows are the craze today. You can watch children with problems set on the straight and narrow by The World's Strictest Parents. If you are not happy with your spouse, you can Wife Swap for another spouse while millions watch. The world is also even now invited into the private moments of drug and alcohol interventions.
One of the newest reality shows to hit the airwaves is called Hoarders. People on this show have made a lifestyle out of holding on to what they have. In Hoarders, individuals come face to face with the reality of their problem through intervention and encouragement to clear out their stuff.
Our key verse comes from a story of three servants who were entrusted by their master with his money while he was away. The first two servants pleased their master by multiplying or showing growth of what they had been given. The third servant disappointed his master. He had hidden the money, keeping it safe but also keeping it from earning interest. In other words, he hoarded what his master had given him. Why did he hoard what he had been given?
Scripture gives us the answer. The servant was afraid. He was so consumed by his fear that he did nothing. He was afraid of messing up. He was paralyzed by the thought of doing something wrong or reflecting poorly on his master. In fear, he hid the money and then gave it back.
As I pondered the events of this story my mind drew a picture, a picture I did not like. In the picture I was bowing before my holy Lord, giving back exactly what He entrusted to me, nothing more. I questioned, Am I responding to my Master as this servant responded to his master? Have I fully used or am I fully using, even developing, the gifts and talents He has entrusted to me? Am I hiding what He gave me in fear of messing up?
What about you? How would you answer these questions? It is easy to think we are not good enough or that we are undeserving of God's gifts. Our negative thoughts take us captive, leading us to believe we would reflect poorly upon our Lord if we dared to multiply and grow what He has given us. Today's devotion is our intervention. Now is the time to clear out what we've been hoarding or hiding. Praise God our intervention is not dramatized in front of millions of people. We stand before an audience of One - the only One who matters.
Dear Lord, I apologize for hiding and hoarding anything that You have given me. Help me be a good steward of everything You entrust to me. I want to be used to grow Your Kingdom. Supply the confidence I need to clean out my hiding places. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Shaped with a Purpose Workbook and companion CD by Renee Swope
Living Free In Christ CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog - Experiencing the Real Meaning of Free
The Gift Giver offers more encouragement on God's good gifts!
Application Steps:
In a quiet place, read Matthew 25:14-28.
Reflections:
How will I respond to my intervention?
Am I responding to my Master as this servant responded to his master?
Am I fully using, even developing, the gifts and talents God has entrusted to me?
Am I hiding what He gave me out of fear of messing up?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:6a, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (NIV)
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men..." (Amplified)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
January 12, 2010
At a Crossroads
T. Suzanne Eller
"'Who are you, lord?' Saul asked. And the voice replied, 'I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"
Acts 9:5-6 (NLT)
Devotion:
Lysa TerKeurst was on the stage sharing a message titled "Pursuing Excellence," but the Holy Spirit was center stage in my heart. That night at the annual She Speaks Conference was a crossroads moment, one of a handful in my life where I knew that God was speaking to me and asking me to turn either right or left.
Lysa challenged the audience to put aside anything that might stand between them and God's best. That night the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit showed me something that could possibly hold me back from excellence. No big sin. No hidden motives. And yet it mattered to God.
Did it matter to me? And what would I do about it? I spent time in the prayer room that night and I left with an understanding of what steps to take.
When I returned home, I quickly realized that the battle was bigger than I thought. God had shown me that I had allowed something "harmless" to claim my time and attention, to distract me from what He was calling me to do - write more books, develop new messages, and just hang out with Jesus more.
It wasn't about trying to be a super Christian, but a discovery process. What did God have for me as His girl?
In Acts 9, Saul was on his own mission, bustling towards Damascus to arrest followers of Christ. A voice and a Light stopped him in his tracks. He fell to the ground and asked, "Who are you, lord?"
This was Saul's personal crossroad. Would he stay on the same old path, or would he stop and allow God to take control? It wasn't easy, but Saul gave over the reins of his life to God and the rest is history. Where would Saul have ended up if he had ignored the voice of God?
He was a prominent man, a Roman citizen. A man feared by many. He could have stayed on that road and enjoyed the power and prestige. Instead Saul emerged with brand new direction that led him toward his destiny. He uncovered new paths. He discovered exactly who and what God knew he could be all along.
Perhaps you've felt that holy discontent lately. Maybe you are at your own crossroads.
What helped me the most was to ask the same question Saul did: "Who are you, lord?"
I looked at my time. I looked at my dreams. I looked at my relationship with the God who loves and knows me best. What had become lord in my life?
When I answered that question, I found renewed direction. I'm so grateful for a God that will stop me right where I am and show me the way.
Dear Father, thank You for loving us enough to stop us right where we are. I am grateful that You know us. You know what we can do, and You know our weaknesses. Thank You for leading us to an abundant and full existence through You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway by T. Suzanne Eller
What Happens When Woman Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Suzie's blog where she offers a giveaway of Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway and shares a devotion you can download to help you at the crossroads.
Application Steps:
If you feel the same nudge from God's Spirit Suzie did, stop and:
Ask: Ask for clarity.
Anticipate: When God speaks to us it is not to condemn, but to motivate. What does God see that you do not?
Act: Turn in the direction God is leading you.
Reflections:
According to Miriam Webster, a crossroads is a crucial point, especially where a decision must be made.
"Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. No one can hinder him." - A.W. Tozer
"The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray." - Charles Swindoll
Power Verses:
Acts 9:19b-21, "Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, 'He is indeed the Son of God!' All who heard him were amazed." (NLT)
© 2010 T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
January 13, 2010
The Colors of Emotion
Susanne Scheppmann
"This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:19-20 (NIV)
Devotion:
My feelings scoot across the emotion spectrum. Some days are happy days. Other mornings I don't want to crawl out of bed—I just want to wallow in misery and depression. I sigh and say to my husband, "I have the blues today."
I guess you could say I am a "colorful" person. Maybe you are too. Have you ever found yourself saying something like ...
· I am feeling blue today.
· I am so angry; I'm seeing red.
· I am green with envy.
· I am in black despair.
Often our emotions are not based on reality, but on a temporary perception of reality. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV). I don't always understand why I feel the way I do. My moods could result from weariness, hormones, or an unexpected surprise.
Fortunately, although our hearts are deceitful and trick us into colorful emotions, God is bigger and stronger than our weak hearts. Our key verse states, "This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (1 John 3:19-20, NIV; emphasis added). This makes me shout aloud, "Hallelujah!"
We still hold some responsibility, however, for our thoughts and emotions. Proverbs 4:23 instructs, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (NIV)." How do we do this? We should take care about the books, movies and television that we allow to influence our thoughts. Listening to gossip, rumors and discontent from friends can certainly stir up negative feelings as well.
Instead of infusing ourselves with emotional junk food, we need to nourish our minds with godly influences. For example, read the Bible, chat with godly friends, or listen to praise music. The more joyful and contentment-filled influences we filter our thoughts through each day, the more we'll experience a positive emotional state—in fact, we'll be tickled pink!
Dear Lord, grant me the ability to recognize my emotions are not always truth. I thank You that You are bigger and stronger than my deceitful heart. Teach me how to be most effective in guarding my heart from fickle emotions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Susanne's blog
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
The S.O.S for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms by Mary M. Byers
30 Days to Taming Your Stress by Deborah Smith Pegues
Here are a few tips for A New Year, A Better You
Application Steps:
Memorize the following passages to help you gain control over colorful emotions:
Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (NIV)
1 John 3:20, For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (NIV)
Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (NIV)
Reflections:
Do I rely on my emotions to determine the outcome of my day?
What circumstances influence my emotions?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT)
Philippians 4:8, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (MSG)
Galatians 5:22-24, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 14, 2010
I'll Start Again on Monday
Lysa TerKeurst
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Devotion:
New Year's Resolutions... some of us like them. Most of us loathe them. But the reality is, a lot of us make them.
And usually right up at the top of most resolutions lists is some version of the promise we'll eat better and exercise more. There is a honeymoon phase the first couple of days of starting a new healthy eating plan. But then you're invited to a party. Your friends are quick to say, "Oh come on, just one won't hurt. This is a special day."
That cheesecake does look good. The Mexican chips and dip are irresistible. It is a special night. I can start again on Monday.
It is so tempting to give in. Set things in reverse. Pretend it won't matter. But it does matter and not just for the physical or mental set back. It's the denial of a fundamental spiritual truth that will make our healthy eating plan fall apart time and time again. What is this truth? We were made for more than this. More than this failure, more than this cycle, more than being ruled by taste buds - we were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.
When I was a senior in high school I was invited to a college party. I had a friend who'd graduated the year before me and became my favorite person in the world the day she invited me to her sorority party. By the end of the night we were giggling over the attention given to us by two good looking college boys. As the party died down, they invited us over to their place.
Part of me was so flattered, I wanted to go. A much bigger part of me didn't. But plans got made and before I knew it we were getting into their car and driving away. I was not a strong Christian at this point in my life. Not even close. And I certainly can't say I'd ever heard God speak to me, but in the midst of this situation, I did.
"This isn't you, Lysa. You were made for more than this."
Truth. A gift of truth. Planted deep within me when God personally knit me together - untied and presented at just the right time.
I wound up making an excuse for a quick exit and walking back to my car alone that night. I mentally beat myself up for acting like a young, immature high schooler who couldn't handle being a college party girl. But looking back, I want to stand up on a chair and clap, clap, clap for my little high schooler self!
There were other seasons of my growing up years where I heard this truth loud and clear repeated within the confines of my soul but, sadly, I refused to listen. These were the darkest years of my life. I wasn't made to live a life that dishonors the Lord.
None of us are.
"You were made for more Lysa - you were made for more." I remembered it especially in those early weeks of my new healthy eating adventure when I was tempted by one million assaults on my sugar-deprived taste buds. I just kept mentally repeating ... made for more. Made for more!
And though my healthy eating quest pales in comparison to the importance of a high schooler trying to keep her purity - hunger is hunger. Temptation is temptation. Desire is desire. So, maybe they aren't so different after all.
We were made for more.
What a great truth to use while rewriting the "go to" script that plays in our head every time we're tempted. Rewriting the go-to scripts is one of the most crucial steps toward permanent progress. Remember the script that I mentioned earlier in this article? The excuses? The rationalizations? The "I'll do better on Monday" escape clauses?
We have to rewrite those by getting into the habit of saying other things. And the first of these is, "I was made for more."
Listen to these words from Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Trust in the Lord-you were made for more. In all your ways acknowledge Him-you were made for more. Don't try to be wise and do your new diet in your own strength, hold tight to the Lord and flee from temptations-you were made for more. This will bring health and nourishment to you and help you find victory in this struggle-you were made for more!
Dear Lord, I was made for more than getting stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat. I trust You and want to acknowledge You in ALL my ways. Help me to remember I was made for more with each choice I make. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of other "go-to scripts."
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
P31 Woman magazine - this devotion was featured as an article in this month's magazine. If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy a one-year subscription to our monthly magazine.
Application Steps:
If food is an issue for you, visit Lysa's blog for more "Go To Scripts" that will help you overcome tempting situations.
If food is not an issue for you, how does today's devotion apply to your area of struggle?
Reflections:
Who are some friends that can walk through this journey of learning to make healthier choices with me?
Is pursuing healthier eating a vain pursuit or could it have deep spiritual applications in my life as well?
Power Verses:
Psalm 78:18, "They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved." (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him..." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 15, 2010
Is Ignorance Bliss?
Leslie Nease, She Speaks! Graduate
"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused." Romans 1:21-22 (NLT)
Devotion:
A wave of regret swept over me as I looked up the nutrition information on the pumpkin muffin I'd just consumed. It had a whopping 530 calories, 20 fat grams and 80 carbohydrates! Stunned, I wondered why I would ever want to know this information? Why did I look this up? Now I wouldn't be able to eat my pumpkin muffin in good conscience!
Ignorance is bliss. Or is it?
If I didn't know this nutritional information I would eat the muffin thinking that because it contains vegetable, it must be good for me! I mean, honestly - have you tasted one of these? But the truth is, eating a pumpkin muffin every day for the rest of my life might lead to some serious consequences. Heart disease, obesity, lack of energy and diabetes could be in my future. Now that I'm in the know, I can't deny the potential negative affects this could have. I have a responsibility and a decision to make, whether I like it or not.
Similarly, it used to be easier for me to pretend God wasn't real--hell was made up and evil was something I could elude. But when faced with the reality that there is a God who I am accountable to, there is a hell, and evil is present; I knew I had some decisions to make. Instead of living in denial, I accepted that ignorance is not bliss and it was not doing me any favors. So I started to search for truth about God in the pages of His Word.
Scripture is the one place where we can be sure we will find all we need to know about God. However, many folks try to figure out God without the Bible; they want a god on their terms. This reminds me of diets that promise extreme weight loss while eating whatever you want without exercising. We would be in denial if we believed those promises. To lose weight, you have to know the nutritional value of food, work out regularly, and not eat pumpkin muffins every day! It's a conscious decision to daily invest in our health and there are no short cuts.
Denying God's existence is not going to change the fact that He is there either. Ignorance is not bliss - it is ignorance.
God makes Himself known to us through His Word. He says, "I Am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NIV). We must make a conscious decision daily to invest in our spiritual health through learning about God through time in the Bible. We must connect and remain with Him. With God's Word lighting our path, we are armed with truth, so we can make informed decisions that will help us grow, not lead us into deception.
Dear Lord, I pray our minds and hearts will be opened and softened to the truth of Your Word. Help us embrace it and learn, grow and walk in the freedom of knowing that You are real and You desire a relationship with us. I pray we will take Your hand as we walk through this life. Instead of living in ignorance, may we walk forward, realizing that Your Truth is what sets us free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pierced By the Word by John Piper
Perplexing Proverbs by Susanne Scheppmann
For more encouragement check out Hold It Up to the Light
Application Steps:
It's important that we surround ourselves with people who will be truthful with us. Having godly, honest friends can ensure we have the accountability and tools to grow in our faith.
Spend some time in prayer and in God's Word, asking Him to reveal any areas of your life you may be living in denial or deception. Be ready to respond to what He may reveal with humility and a desire to grow.
Reflections:
Is there a scripture that you find difficult to believe? Have you prayed and asked God to reveal the context and the reason He included this scripture in His Word? Spend time digging into different Bible Commentaries found on various websites to help understand God's Word.
Can you think of a time in your life when you believed ignorance was bliss?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:13, "Take hold of my instructions, don't let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life." (NLT)
Psalm 119:105, "Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." (NLT)
© 2010 Leslie Nease. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 18, 2010
The Desires of His Heart
Jennifer Erin Valent, She Reads Featured Author
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was young, my girlfriends and I used to play a game where we would choose different ideals we had for our lives, from whom we wanted to marry, to what car we wanted to drive. Life seemed so simple then! In just one short game, I could plan my life out from start to finish. Funny thing is, I never did marry Johnny Depp, I don't live in a mansion, and I don't drive a Porsche.
Well, I was young, and it's certainly a blessing that I didn't end up having to live out the life I planned for myself then. But what about now? As an adult, I've had plenty of dreams for my life. I think I'm pretty intuitive about myself, and I've got a good idea how I think things should go. And since Scripture says the Lord will give us the desires of our hearts, shouldn't these things be coming to pass?
Maybe not. The Lord knows a whole lot more than we give Him credit for, and maybe what He has planned for our lives doesn't match up with what we have planned.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (NIV).
What a promise! In just a few words, this verse tells us how much God loves us and how much He wants to bless our lives. He wants our short walk on this earth to be worth so much! But then, what about those desires of our hearts? Where do they fit in?
The Hebrew definition of the word delight in Psalm 37:4 is interesting; it involves the idea of being soft and pliable. Makes me think of clay. I've used small blocks of clay before, and in order to be able to work with one, I need to hold in it my hands and get it warm and soft, ready to be formed into the shape I intend for it to be. Sound familiar? "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:8, NIV).
As the Potter forms us, we begin to know Him more. His thoughts become our thoughts. That's when God does more than grant us the desires of our hearts; He actually provides us with those very desires. We no longer want what we want, we want what He wants. And it is most certain that whatever the Lord wishes to bring to pass in our lives, He also desires to freely give us.
We're so often caught up in our own ideas that we forget to listen to His. What a difference it would make if we had God's best intentions at heart. If we could just step out in faith that our Father wants our very best, and that of all things on this earth, we could never have better than what He gives. What peace that would bring to us all. What delight that would bring to our Lord.
And what gifts that would place at our feet when He both provides and fulfills the desires of our hearts!
Dear Lord, help me to see how much You love me and how much You want for me. Take my heart in Your hand and fashion it after Your own heart so that I will know the beauty of what You desire for my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Fireflies in December a novel by Jennifer Erin Valent. This book is a current She Reads selection - visit the site to learn more about the novel and its author.
Follow this link to P31's She Reads and enter today's giveaway:
One grand prize winner will receive the first two novels in this series by Jennifer Valent - Fireflies in December and Cottonwood Whispers—as well as two beautiful hard-cover devotional books: The Daily God Book: Words of Wisdom, and The Daily God Book: A Year of Listening to God.
Plus, a second runner up will win both of Jennifer's novels, and a third runner up will win Fireflies in December, the first book in the series.
Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Make a point of counting your blessings daily. When we focus on God's many blessings, we see more and more how much He loves us and how many good things He gives us.
Scripture is full of God's promises to us. Search for them and remember them! God's unchanging nature and unfailing love are the cornerstones of faith. If He said it, He meant it, and those promises are a reassuring haven when life seems out of control.
Reflections:
Which of God's promises will remind me during today's particular challenges that I can trust the Lord with my future?
In what ways has the Lord blessed me already today?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (NIV)
Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (NIV)
© 2010 by Jennifer Erin Valent, All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org :angel:
January 19, 2010
Richer or Poorer?
Shari Braendel
"One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth." Proverbs 13:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
I watched Maria as she put her arm around her young son and drew him to her side. He responded by leaning in. They were a family of little means and just walking around her house would make even the most hardened heart cry. The shack had a roof made of sharp tin with tree branches mingled in between the layers. It certainly could not keep the elements out and as I peered up and saw light peeking in I wondered how they kept dry when it rained.
The floors were made of cement in some places, dirt in others. Bricks surrounded the little house and as Eric proudly showed me the bedroom that he shared with his mother and two brothers, I smiled. I was then led into the meager kitchen that was stocked with some old pans, a bag of potatoes, some carrots and a sink that refused to release water from its spout.
There was not a bathroom or laundry area except for the ragged line that hung outside with a few items of clothing on it. For all of this bareness, the children were genuinely joyful. As the boys hugged their mom, there was that sense of sweetness that happens between a child and his mother that no amount of money or material goods can replace. This family had each other and they had Jesus.
Ecuador is extremely impoverished in regards to material blessings. I've decided, however, that many in the U.S., though they have an abundance of possessions, are much poorer in other aspects. Families in Ecuador don't seem to know they are poor. Ironically, so many people living around me don't know they're poor either - spiritually in need.
I arrived home from Ecuador with a new vision of blessing. You see, the families I encountered in the homes I visited may not be blessed with material things but they consider it a privilege and gift to know Jesus. When people place highest value in Jesus, not possessions, they gain a life of hope. Hope without end. I can collect everything money can buy, but if I have no hope, I have nothing of value.
Dear God, thank You for the richness and fullness that I have in my life because You sent Your Son. Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus instead of wanting more things that will never fulfill me the way You do. I know that it is only through Christ that I can be truly wealthy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Sponsor a child from Ecuador thru Compassion International
Too Small to Ignore by Dr. Wess Stafford
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
Visit Shari's blog to hear more about her trip to Ecuador
Application Steps:
Pray Romans 15:13 for the nations: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
Are you feeling hopeless today? Proverbs 11:25 says "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (NIV). Refresh someone today with the hope of Jesus—you will in turn be refreshed with His hope.
My visit with Maria and Eric in Ecuador was through the child sponsorship program of Compassion International. No matter who we are or where we are, we can bring Jesus' hope to the nations through the simple act of sponsoring a child. Compassion International makes certain each sponsored child hears about Jesus and is given the chance to accept true hope. Check out Compassion International today to learn more.
Reflections:
What in my home is excess?
Who can I give it to that needs it more than I?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 6:10, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." (NIV)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 20, 2010
Learning to Fear Not
Zoe Elmore
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Devotion:
Healthy fear warns us of danger and prepares us to react appropriately. However, the type of fear referred to in this verse is an unhealthy fear. It gets in the way of what our heavenly Father has already given us: His power, His love and His self-control.
Unhealthy fear overwhelms us with doubt and insecurity; it drains our spiritual life and physical strength. It steals God's peace from our hearts, and robs us of joy in our daily lives. It causes us to become stagnant; unable to move ahead with the things God has planned for us. It's important to remember that unhealthy, paralyzing, controlling fear is not from God. It is one weapon our enemy Satan uses to interrupt, discourage and destroy our relationship with our heavenly Father.
Are you struggling with unhealthy fear? In 1 Samuel 17:32, "David said to Saul, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him'" (NIV).
David could have cowered in the corner with an unhealthy, paralyzing fear at the thought of facing such insurmountable odds. Yet his confidence in God was so strong he actually volunteered to face the giant Philistine.
David saw his giant problem from God's perspective and knew he already possessed everything necessary to face his enemy head on (literally!). This confidence allowed him to rest in God's power and inexhaustible strength in order to defeat his enemy. Because David's reliance was not on himself, but on the One who supplies everything needed, the giant was defeated.
As we follow David's example and look at our giant problems from God's perspective, we have the same assurance that God's very presence will sustain us as we use the tools He has already provided.
For years, I battled unhealthy fear; I allowed it to interrupt my relationship with God and others. It stole peace from my heart and joy from my daily life. I now lean on the truths in Psalm 91:14-15, "'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation'" (NIV). These verses have taught me the value of replacing fear with hope.
Friend, are you living with unhealthy fear? Are you ready to replace it with the courageous and confident hope that's found in trusting God alone? By placing our hope in God and not in our circumstances, we're able to alleviate unhealthy fear. With God, we can face any giant in our path with confidence.
Dear Lord, I praise You as my deliverer, my refuge and shield. When unhealthy fear arises, remind me of Your ever-present help that hides me in the shadow of Your mighty wings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Moving from Fear to Freedom by Grace Fox
Visit Zoe's blog
"Fear-less" message on (CD) by Lysa TerKeurst
Trials for Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life by Janet Eckles
For extra encouragement, read No Need to Fear
Application Steps:
What present circumstances need your courageous attention?
How can you rest in God's power as you face them?
Use BibleGateway to search for "fear not," "do not be afraid," and "have no fear" verses. Read and meditate on one verse every day this month.
Reflections:
Will you choose to replace your unhealthy fear with hope in Christ as you face your present circumstances?
When faced with problems, do you rely on your own strength, or the One who provides what you need to conquer your enemy?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 12:9a, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 21, 2009
Supernatural Strength
Micca Monda Campbell
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man."
Ephesians 3:16 (NAS)
Devotion:
Last fall I began battling severe fatigue. Normal life activities became a real struggle for me. On top of it all, I had a heavy speaking schedule. Knowing I would need an extra measure of strength, grace and inspiration to keep going, I cried out to God for help.
On my way home to Nashville from Houston, God arranged an unexpected encounter with someone He would use to strengthen and inspire me beyond my wildest dreams.
Waiting for my flight at the Houston airport, I saw a recognizable face sitting directly in front of me. Quickly, I pulled out my cell phone and called my husband. "Guess who is sitting across from me at the airport - Beth Moore!"
"No way!" he replied.
"Way!"
"You should say 'hello,'" he encouraged. Heeding his advice, I made my way over to Beth and introduced myself. It was a great opportunity for me to thank her for her faithful service. She was her usual precious and humble self. After our short conversation, I returned to my seat, looking up occasionally to watch others meet and greet her as well.
A few minutes later, it was time board the plane. I got up, gathered my belongings, and headed for the gate. To my surprise, Beth was boarding the same plane. While standing in line together, she invited me to chat. I knew our conversation would be sweet but short because I had seat 1-A on the plane.
Upon entering the aircraft, I discovered yet another surprise. A frail, old man was sitting in my seat. The flight attendant explained that the man needed special attention and politely asked if I would mind exchanging seats with him.
I have to be honest. Even though I am short, I wanted the extra leg room that came with seat 1-A, but Beth was standing right behind me. Therefore, I put on my "spiritual" hat and replied, "Of course, I'll take his seat."
The flight attendant thanked me for switching seats and gave me my new seat assignment. "You'll be in seat 5-C," she directed. In response to my new seat, Beth added, "Why, Micca, that seat is right next to me."
I could hardly believe it. For over two hours, I had the privilege of visiting with Beth Moore. We talked, mostly about big hair and raising kids. Then, somewhere during our conversation, I heard God whisper, How'd I do? You said you needed some inspiration, didn't you?
How'd You do? I responded from my heart. You did more than I deserve—more than I would have ever thought to ask.
Sometimes what seems like a bad deal, like having to give up your seat, is actually God inviting us to experience Him in some way. God answer my prayer for inspiration and strength. Had I not submitted to the situation, I may have missed it.
I never imagined that asking for some extra inspiration and strength would come in such a wonderful package as Beth—but that's our God! He doesn't respond to our times of weakness by telling us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. No! He provides real help. God gives us supernatural strength that comes from the Spirit. Moreover, He can deliver it any way He chooses.
Sometimes God works in small quiet ways. Other times His actions are up there with the parting of the Red Sea. Whatever way God decides to work, experiencing Him always fills us with inner peace and strength for our journey.
Dear Lord, You are my strength for today, tomorrow, and for always. Sometimes You work in ways that leave me no room to doubt Your love and provision. Thank You for those sweet moments and help me to remember them when You require me to walk by faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Join Proverbs 31 Ministries on Facebook for more daily encouragement
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Visit Micca's blog - Reflections
Application Steps:
When you ask God for something in prayer, take notice of what happens next. It just might be His answer.
Reflections:
Do You Know Him?
How have you experienced God lately? If you haven't experienced Him, do you know why?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:28, "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" (ESV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (NAS)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 22, 2010
Fireworks
Van Walton
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God."
1 Thessalonians 4:16a (NLT)
Devotion:
When it comes to fireworks displays I want to sit front and center. I don't want to miss even one "Pop!" or "Boom!" And I want to take in every sparkle and colorful explosion. With my eyes wide open and my heart wildly beating, I exclaim, "Bring it on!"
Not everyone shares my enthusiasm though. I've seen children bury their frightened faces in parents' protective arms, and observed their little hands fly to cover shocked ears.
I feel sorry for those not prepared to enjoy the brilliant show in the sky. I remember my first pyrotechnic display. Yes, the noise shocked me. Yes, the incredible brilliance blinded my eyes. But I had been prepared and forewarned about the sound and light show - I was ready and wanted to watch!
When I scan the crowds at fireworks displays and see the fearful eyes of those caught off-guard, I am reminded of another heavenly display that will cause great fear for those who aren't prepared.
Today's key verse describes the moment Jesus returns to earth. His split-second return bursts forth from the pages of 1 Thessalonians 5 and the book of Revelation with out-of-this-world imagery.
Jesus' return will
· Be loud.
· Be displayed in the sky.
· Involve terrified bystanders.
· Intrigue adoring crowds who are waiting for His return.
Revelation 6:15-16 describes those who are not ready for the heavenly manifestation. They will not bury their faces or cover their ears, but will run to caves and beg rocks to fall on them. Why do they plead to die? Because they are not prepared for the great and glorious return of the Lord.
There are many ways to prepare ourselves for the Lord's second coming. The first and foremost is to believe in Him as Lord of All. Romans 14:10-12 tells us that eventually, "We will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God'" (NIV).
Why not choose this day to call on the name of the Lord and be saved? Jesus promises, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, ESV). That life doesn't end when we die. It carries on into eternity.
I have no idea how or when I will see Jesus face-to-face for the first time. I would be filled with excitement if I knew I'd see Him coming in the clouds. It is likely though that I will see Him the day I die and He ushers me into eternal life. My real concern though is not when I see Jesus, but how.
I want to be ready. I don't want to have an unhealthy fear of God's judgment or any desire to be covered by rocks! I want to be prepared to look into His face without shame.
Are you prepared for that day? If not, what better time for a new start than right now at the beginning of this New Year?
First John 5:12a, 13 promises, "He who has the Son has the life...These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (NAS).
God longs for everyone to be in relationship with Him. No one is excluded from the promise of eternal life, but "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13, NIV). He has invited each one of us to follow Him. Won't you accept His invitation and say "yes" to God?
Jesus, I don't know when I will see You face-to-face, but I ask that You prepare me for that day. Forgive me of my sins. Wash me clean. Take away my shame and fear; I don't want to miss one detail of Your beauty. Come, Lord Jesus, come. I pray in Your Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
My Prince will Come: Getting Ready for My Lord's Return by Sheri Rose Shepherd
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton. A great book and DVD to help you prepare your child's heart to meet Jesus.
Visit Van's blog for more encouragement.
Application Steps:
Reflect on the moment when you will first see Jesus face-to-face.
Reflections:
Am I ready to meet Jesus?
Power Verses:
Revelation 1:7, "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him..." (NASB)
Revelation 21:10, 23, "...the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God...has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it..." (NASB)
Romans 10:9-11, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes...and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [endif] salvation. The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him...will [endif] be put to shame or be disappointed." (AMP)
© 2010 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 25, 2009
When Your Mess Becomes Your Message
Micca Monda Campbell
"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
My brother is a recovered addict. For twenty years, he was absent from our family due to addiction issues. Countless times we thought he was dead, and according to statics, he should have been.
However, God happens to be in the restoration business. He is willing to restore and heal all who come to Him. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what has been done to you. God is willing and able to turn any tragedy into triumph. My brother is living proof.
After entering many programs with hopes of success and end results of failure, my brother finally found the answer: Jesus. It wasn't until my brother met the Lord that healing and true change occurred. Suddenly, all things became new.
What's most exciting is anyone can experience this kind of freedom!
The truth is, we don't have the strength, will power, or ability to free ourselves from bondage no matter what the bondage is—drugs, lust, gluttony, pride, anger, or fear. Until we renounce our sickness and surrender to Christ, we will never experience freedom. On the other hand, when we are willing to give King Jesus our mess, He turns it into our message.
Not a day goes by that my brother doesn't look for opportunities to brag on God and share His message of hope.
Take this past summer for example. He and his family came home for a visit. One evening, our families gathered for dinner at Red Lobster. His treat! Twenty-six year old Tiffany was our server. Right away, we noticed two things about Tiffany. She was a natural with people, and she was very pregnant. While we enjoyed her kind service, we had no idea that God would turn the tables and call us to serve her in a unique way.
It started when my sister refused to allow my brother to buy her dinner. While my sister loves to give to others, she's not so good on the receiving end. I, on the other hand, understood that it gave my brother great pleasure to pick up the check. The Lord knows I didn't want to deny him his blessing!
Poor Tiffany found herself caught in the middle of the argument. Eager to win, my brother said to our server, "You see, I was a drug addict for years. During that time, my sisters did a lot for me. Now, I just want to bless them as they have blessed me."
Tiffany's eyes widen. "You were a drug addict?" she inquired. "I would have never guessed."
"Yes. I was," my brother replied. "But Jesus changed all that." From there he told Tiffany his life-changing story.
"I went from being lost to being found; from being homeless to being a home owner; from being an employee to owning my own business; from being bound by drugs to being set free in Christ."
Tears filled Tiffany's eyes as we shared God's love with her. That's not all. Later that week, we confirmed God's love to her by presenting her with a baby gift.
Oh, friends, when you and I—like my brother—allow God to turn our mess into our message, He not only changes our lives, but He changes the lives of others too.
Dear Lord, Your mercy astounds me. Your goodness overwhelms me as I cry out "heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I will be saved." God, give me opportunities to speak of Your hope so that others may know Your goodness and salvation. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Be sure to visit Micca's blog today where she will be interviewing her brother.
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman
Application Steps:
Are you longing for freedom? Renounce your sin and ask Jesus to save you and heal you.
Then, tell people of His wonders this week!
Reflections:
What is keeping you from completely surrendering your struggles to God?
Do you look for ways to brag on God by sharing your story? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (NAS)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 26, 2010
Words of Life or Death
Melanie Chitwood
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
Devotion:
I often hear my husband Scott say something to my sons that brings a smile to my face. "Have you told your mom you love her today? Don't ever forget you have the best mom in the world." When I hear him praise me to our sons, I feel encouraged and appreciated. From my husband's example, I've learned to be careful about the words I say not only to my husband but also about my husband.
Today's verse tells us our words can bring "death or life." In our marriages, this means our words can either tear down our spouses or build them up. I've been noticing lately if I'm more likely to say words such as, "I'm married to the greatest man." Or do my words tend to be critical, such as, "I told you so," or "You don't even try to understand me"? What about you and your words to your husband? When you speak to your husband, do you fill him up with praise or make him feel like he's not measuring up?
Now let's consider the words we say about our husbands to others. What kind of things do you say about your husband to your children, best friend, sister, or mother? I tend to be a venter when I am angry or frustrated with my husband. Sometimes I turn to others because I'm seeking validation for my angry feelings. Often I vent when I haven't taken the time first to deal with the situation with God. I'm learning that if I go to the Lord first in prayer, pouring out my heart to Him, He changes my heart and brings me to a place of repentance and calmness. Then I'm able to let go of my anger and move on or talk to my husband in a loving manner.
Scripture gives plenty of evidence that God's words have the power of life. In Genesis we're told God created every inch of the world with His spoken words. John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus heals countless people with the power of His words. In a similar manner, God wants our words to bring life to our marriages. We can choose what we will sow—words of life or words of death—and we will reap the consequences many times over.
So will you take some time today to consider the words you use to and about your spouse? Use today's application steps to fill up your husband with words of life.
Dear Lord, let my words to my spouse and about my spouse draw us closer to one another. Teach me to communicate in ways that build my husband up. Help me hold my tongue when I'm about to say something that will tear him down. If pride, stubbornness, selfishness, or any other sin is preventing me from speaking words of life in our marriage, Lord, I confess that right now. Make me aware of any words of death I've spoken in our marriage, and as the Holy Spirit brings those to my mind, help me confess and turn from them, especially any words of divorce. Break any curse on our marriage from hurtful, angry, or destructive words. Guided by Your wisdom and love, may our words to and about one another build a protective wall around our marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Today's devotion is adapted from Melanie's new book What a Wife Needs from Her Husband
For more marriage encouragement visit Melanie's blog - What Matters Most
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
Application Steps:
Considering the list below, which words do you speak most frequently to your husband, "words of life" or "words of death"? Plan on blessing your husband with at least one phrase from the "words of life" suggestions.
Words of Life
I appreciate how hard you work.
You are an incredible husband.
You have great insight.
I'm really looking forward to going out with you.
I'm sorry.
I was wrong.
Will you forgive me?
Thank you.
I understand.
Words of Death
You never listen to me.
You just don't get it.
I told you so.
You should have...
I wish you could just try to understand me for once.
How could you think that?
Why did I ever marry you?
We'd be better off divorced.
Reflections:
What situations tend to cause you to speak "words of death" to your husband? What's a different way to handle these situations?
Are there certain words you need to make off-limits in your marriage?
In what other relationships do you need to practice speaking "words of life"?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:29, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." (MSG)
Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (NLT)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 27, 2010
Little Decisions Make a Big Difference
Glynnis Whitwer
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise ...."
Ephesians 5:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever get tired of making decisions? I do. Every day, decisions line up for my attention. I decide what I'm going to do, how I'll spend my money, and what I'm going to say. Conversely, I make decisions about what I am NOT going to do, spend or say.
One of the biggest challenges I face right now has to do with what I eat. You see, I'm on Weight Watchers. For the past 18 years, I've battled to be at a healthy weight. Coincidentally, my oldest child is 18. I'm certainly not blaming him...but, I'm just saying...
The first week on the program I recorded a respectable loss of 1.5 pounds. The second week on the program, I lost nothing. I was shocked. It seemed I had exercised and sacrificed more that week than ever. But the scale told the truth.
The kind lady at the reception desk tried to help me think it through. "Maybe you aren't eating enough," she said. No, that wasn't the problem. "Are you drinking enough water?" she asked. Yes; that wasn't the problem either.
Then it hit me. The problem wasn't what I was eating when I sat down for a meal, it was all the bites that led up to that meal. It was the French fry before dinner, and the bite of casserole as I put away the leftovers after dinner. It was the nibble of my son's double cheeseburger, and the extra scoop of dip with my carrots. No, it wasn't the big decisions that hurt my weight loss; it was all the little decisions.
Unfortunately, I had minimized in my mind the potential damage of all those little bites. Yet they added up to derail me from my goal of losing weight that week. The next week I took control of those BLTs (bites, licks, tastes and sips) and had a nice loss.
As I've pondered this reality, I've applied it to other areas of my life. I easily minimize the damage of daily unwise decisions. They aren't sin issues, so I can dismiss them as unimportant. However, when added up, they have a big impact on achieving some of my personal goals. For example, when I make a decision to not read my Bible for one day, there's no noticeable impact. But when I neglect this important part of my spiritual growth repeatedly, I find myself lacking in godly wisdom and discernment.
If you find yourself on a plateau in a certain area of your life, perhaps this truth can apply to you as well. You may be making all the right big decisions, but the little ones are having a cumulative negative impact on you.
Not only that, but I believe God desires to do amazing things through us, and is continually testing us to see if we can handle bigger responsibilities. It's in the arena of little responsibilities that our true dependability is revealed. The truth is those little decisions that seem minor, and inconsequential, really do matter. They matter to me as I pursue personal goals, and they matter to God.
My challenge today is to make every decision count. I ask myself, "Is this decision going to get me closer to my goal, or further away from it?" "Is this decision going to show God I can be trusted with the little things?"
Sometimes I ask this question every hour. Which is why I ate steamed vegetables for dinner, and my family had overstuffed burritos. (Not that it's Thursday night and I'm weighing in Friday morning or anything.)
Dear Lord, thank You for caring about every detail of my life. I know You have placed goals and dreams in my heart that will take diligence to carry out. Help me to look to You when faced with a decision, and I pray for Your wisdom as I make the right choice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares her top 10 list of important little decisions to make.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Dear Bathroom Scale, an excerpt from the P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Identify one big goal you have for your life. Name one helpful "little" decision you can make that will help you achieve that goal.
Reflections:
What are some examples of little decisions we make every day that can impact us positively over time?
Have you ever made a series of innocent choices that led you down the wrong path? What did you learn from that experience?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:8-10, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (NIV)
Colossians 1:10-11, "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience..." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 28, 2010
Lord, this is a Mess
Lysa TerKeurst
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness..."
Romans 8:26 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever been in a situation that seemed like such a mess you simply couldn't make sense of it? Like trying to straighten out a tangled necklace, you wonder how in heavens' name did all these knots get kinked and twisted and pulled so tight. And in the midst of trying to untangle a knot on one side you inadvertently form another on the other end.
It's frustrating when this happens with a piece of jewelry. And it's even more frustrating when it happens in relationships.
The other day I sat down to pray about a messy relationship and the knots were so consuming I couldn't even begin to make sense of it all. I didn't even know what to pray. I kept trying to think of wise words to offer up to the Lord that would surely unlock pieces and parts of this mess. But I was completely without a drop of insight. All I could see was a mess.
So, that's all I prayed, "Lord, this is a mess."
And then I just sat quietly and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
All that waiting time makes a doing girl like me feel like my nerves are going to bust out of my skin and start yanking my limbs into action. So, with all my might, I made myself sit and say nothing at all except, "Lord, this is a mess." And you know what? It was really hard to sit there with no answers. No wise words to pray. My usually very verbal self couldn't express anything but, "Lord, this is a mess."
I believe it's situations like this for which Romans 8:26-28 was written:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV).
In our weakness we can't objectively search our mind and spirit. And often in our weakness we can't untangle our knots according to God's will. We are too intertwined in emotion and assumption. That's why sometimes it's best if we just simply sit quietly and let the Spirit do some groaning, untangling and working on our behalf.
Like verse 28 says, there is good to come out of this. God is working and will work good out of this mess. Sometimes I think the only thing standing between our mess and His good work from it is our need to sit quietly. In the quiet beautiful things happen:
We calm down.
We create some white space between our harsh reaction and the way we'd want to react if we really thought things through first.
We can ask God to intervene with real wisdom instead of our assumptions.
God can show us where we need to change. We can't control the other person and parking our efforts toward trying will exhaust us. But we can let God help us change, which will create positive progress. (For more great things that can happen in the quiet, visit Lysa's blog linked below.)
I can't help but notice that the first four letters of Messiah spell mess. We need Him. Only the Messiah can take our mess and turn it into a untangled message of hope, forgiveness, and ultimately love.
Dear Lord, this is a mess. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of 10 great things that can happen in the quiet
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Am I Messing Up My Kids?...and Other Questions Every Mom Asks - a new book by Lysa TerKeurst. This is an expanded, updated version of her previous title, "The Bathtub is Overflowing But I Feel Drained."
Application Steps:
The next time I'm in the midst of a mess, where is a quiet place I can sit with the Lord? How can I plan now to not react in the moment?
What are some personal benefits that would happen if I heeded this advice and stopped rushing in to fix things, but rather gave God time to speak to my heart?
Reflections:
What relationship do I have in my life that seems to get tangled up and messy most often?
What are some ways I might need to change?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:10a, "Be still, and know that I am God." (NIV)
Romans 8:26b, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 29, 2010
Multi-tasking Mayhem
Karen Ehman
"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me."
Psalm 31:14-15 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Mom, quick...look at that lady!" My fourteen-year-old-in-driver's-education-child shouted at me as we were headed down Michigan's US-27 interstate on an errand-running Thursday afternoon. "She should not be doing that," he added for emphasis.
I glanced over at the car next to us, expecting to see someone without her hands gripped properly at the ten and two o'clock positions like my by-the-rulebook-boy does when he is behind the wheel. Instead, I nearly ran off the road while gawking at what my resident Driver's Ed patrolman had spotted.
Next to us was a woman who was doing all of the following: talking on a cell phone by cradling it on her right shoulder, holding an open fast-food salad container in her left hand, ripping open a salad dressing packet with her teeth and her right hand...all while steering her car with her knees! What in the world!? My boys and I thought surely, if she kept up this multi-tasking method of driving, she was going to cause a crash.
"I would NEVER attempt to do all of that when I drive", I smugly thought to myself. "Entirely too dangerous and probably against the law." Yep, when it comes to being a safe-driving etiquette expert, the apple doesn't fall far from the "Honey-you-didn't-use-your-blinker-back-there" maternal tree.
It wasn't until later that night that it hit me. Yes, I may not try to dangerously multi-task when it comes to driving my car, thereby putting myself and others at risk of a collision. But in my day-to-day life? In my schedule? In my "sure-I-can-take-on-one-more-responsibility-so-everyone-will-like-me" way? Well, I sometimes dangerously multi-task to the point where I too am headed for a crash.
God nudged my heart a few years back, after dealing with some stress-related medical conditions that would not go away, that I needed to do a major plate scraping in my life. Taking on too many responsibilities, no matter how "good" they may be, can often render women ineffective for service to God. He knows our limits. He understands are capacities. He is willing, if we will ask Him, to help us navigate the waters of busyness and activity that often drown many a woman.
On one of my so-busy-I-couldn't-breathe days, I read today's verse. While I'm sure that the author David was talking about actual physical enemies -- men who could chase you, catch you and ultimately hurt you - I thought that day of busyness as the enemy. Too many activities and responsibilities outside of my four walls were about to do me in. They chased me, they cornered me and worst of all, they were about to go in for the kill.
Thankfully, God rescued me from the barren life of busyness. And He can do the same for you. He's longing for us to hold our too-full plates up to Him, scrape off all the activities and responsibilities, and then, place back on our plates only the items HE longs for us to possess.
Then, we can create white space in our calendar and places of sweet respite in our days where we can connect with the God of the universe who is just waiting for us to slow down and sit still; to listen and learn from the very Creator of time itself.
So, how about it friend? Rubber spatula ready? Keep reading below and let's start scraping before we crash and burn!
Dear Lord, Forgive me for allowing busyness to overtake my life, crowding out others and worst of all You. Help me as I purpose to place only those items on my plate that You long for me to have. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To discover more on this topic and enter to win an organizational giveaway centered around Karen's book on time and home management, visit Karen's blog
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
List on paper all the commitments you have said yes to outside of your job or home responsibilities. Catalog approximately how much time you devote to them each week. Pray about what you discover.
Reflections:
What activities and responsibilities have I said "Yes" to that I know in my heart I shouldn't have?
How can I thin out my optional tasks and duties, freeing up more time for the places where God wants me to focus my efforts?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (ESV)
Genesis 2:2, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." (ESV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 1, 2010
Acts of Mercy
Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Assistant Director
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
My brother got off the plane with a child in each arm, and two trailing behind. He'd gone to Africa for three children - orphaned by civil war in Liberia - and came home with four.
A chance encounter in a poverty stricken village left him with a choice to make: rescue a starving baby or leave her to die. So when the young mother thrust her child into his arms, he promised that he would be a father to her. He made the decision without weighing the pros and cons or even consulting his wife. Mercy!
He spent the next two weeks spoon feeding his emaciated child, changing malaria-ridden diapers, and carrying her around in a baby sling. Not to mention keeping the other three children in tow. When he finally arrived in Nashville, a crowd of fifty friends and family greeted him with tears and applause. To see mercy first hand is to weep.
Merriam Webster's dictionary defines mercy in three ways:
"A compassion or forbearance shown to an offender."
"A blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion."
"Compassionate treatment of those in distress."
Mercy. It is something that God longs for us to lavish on others. Not just orphans on another continent, but the people in our homes as well. Those in our workplaces. Those in our churches. Strangers on a bus.
I often think of what my brother did in that moment, not because I'm faced with such extreme choices, but because my days are filled with countless opportunities to show mercy. A kind word to my defiant toddler. A welcoming smile when my husband is late for dinner, again. Sitting in silence with the friend who's just had her fifth consecutive miscarriage. Forgiveness when I'd rather hold a grudge.
For She Reads featured author Tom Davis, mercy means being an advocate to the fatherless by caring for AIDS orphans in Africa. But for you it could mean mentoring, giving, volunteering, or sponsoring a child.
It may mean writing a check so earthquake victims have clean drinking water and medical care. Or extending mercy might require you to get your hands dirty locally at a homeless shelter, or nursing home. Or mercy might mean choosing not to end an unplanned pregnancy.
Regardless, when we act justly and love mercy, we show the world that God is real. It's a lesson I learned first hand by watching my brother.
Today my niece is a beautiful, healthy five-year-old with no memories of her near death experience. The starvation and malaria that threatened to claim her are long gone. She laughs and dances and believes that her daddy is the kindest man on earth. But for a single act of mercy, her story could have ended in the dust of Africa.
What choice will you make today when faced with the chance to love mercy?
Dear Lord, make us a people full of mercy. May I act with justice not only in the big moments of life, but behind closed doors as well. Help me love when I want to hate. Help me give when I want to keep. And bestow on me the grace to be Jesus-with-skin-on to a lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
She Reads author Tom Davis knows what it means to walk into the darkest places on earth and show mercy. His novel Scared is the semi-biographical story of years spent working with AIDS orphans in Africa. The novel is a current She Reads selection - visit the site to learn more about the novel and enter today's giveaway:
Enter to win a grand prize - a custom journal like the one in the novel and a copy of Scared. Two other winners will each receive a copy of the novel.
Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World by Tom Davis
Application Steps:
Find some way to show mercy to someone today. Visit Compassion International.
Reflections:
Pray that God will show you a specific person who needs your mercy, and then offer it with no strings attached.
Ask God how you can be a blessing to someone you know, and someone you don't.
Pray that God will make you into a person who acts justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly with Him.
Power Verses:
Matthew 23:23, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." (NIV)
Zechariah 7:9, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." (NIV)
Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (NIV)
© 2010 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February.2, 2010
In An Ordinary Coffee Shop
Marybeth Whalen
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat down with my cup of green tea and breathed a sigh of relief. My kids were occupied for the morning and I was looking forward to the brief respite that I had coming. Three hours of quiet—no one asking me for anything, no one fighting, no one complaining. Just some good old-fashioned peace and quiet. I planned to make good use of my time by making an appointment to meet with God. But could I trust Him to show up?
I had originally planned to use this rare time alone to "get things done." I had even made a list of all that I hoped to accomplish. But after frustration with my kids, angry words exchanged with my husband, and a nagging feeling that something just wasn't right, I felt God whisper to my heart: Put away that list and spend some time with Me. I knew that was exactly what I should do.
The coffee shop was far from quiet. Loud jazz music played on the speakers and the voices of patrons and machines intruded on my thoughts at first. Could God speak over all the noise? I pulled out my journal and began to write how I felt, what was on my mind, and asked God to speak to me in the midst of this most ordinary of places.
I wrote down that I felt dry, barren, like my soul was cracking from lack of refreshment from Him. I confessed that I had not made time for Him like I should and that my soul felt the gap that had formed. And then I wrote "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening..." and I waited for Him to do just that.
I turned the page of my journal to find Psalm 107:9 written at the bottom of the next page: "For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Astonished, I found the verse in my Bible and began to cross reference the word "thirsty." I had come thirsty. I had come dehydrated. I needed Him to water my soul.
And He did. Frantically I scribbled what He was speaking through His Word. Again and again that morning I was astonished and amazed by what His Word had to say—the many promises of what He would do for those of us who come thirsty. Two hours later, I closed my Bible and journal with a big smile on my face and a full tank of the joy that can only come from spending time with Abba. Like Moses stumbling upon a burning bush in an ordinary desert, I had had an encounter with the Living God in the midst of a most ordinary place.
Do you need Him to meet with you today? Are you wondering if He will keep the appointment? I can promise you that there was nothing special about the way I approached Him. I didn't have a magic formula or extra special direct line to Him. I simply came to Him thirsty—parched and desperate for His living water. I opened up my heart and my life to Him and then I listened to what He had to say. It was that simple and that complex all at the same time. I am grateful that I put away my to-do list, cleared my calendar for that morning and kept the appointment I had made. God showed up and changed my life all over again. All in an ordinary coffee shop.
Dear Lord, thank You for being the God Who Is Near. Thank You for meeting with me wherever and whenever I seek You. Thank You for Your word, which speaks to me, reminding me of Your promises and refilling my soul. I need Your living water, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Journey to the Well by Diana Wallis Taylor
Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch by Max Lucado
Visit Marybeth's blog
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Do you need to schedule a time to meet with God? The next time you find yourself with some time alone, consider resisting the urge to get things done but instead find a spot to get away with God. See what He does with that time and prepare to be amazed.
Reflections:
How can you get creative with your time to make some for Him? Is there a to-do list you need to put aside?
Power Verses:
Psalm 63:1, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (NIV)
Psalm 107:35, "He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 3, 2010
Heavenly GPS
T. Suzanne Eller
"After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone." Matthew 14:23 (NLT)
Devotion:
It was a drama-packed day. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, was dead because a drunken king chopped off his head. Jesus tried to get away to deal with the news, but crowds of people called his name.
Heal me! Feed me!
He healed the sick. He fed over 5,000 people with a few fish and loaves of bread. These miracles caused the crowd to press in closer, to shout louder and to demand more from Him. It also caused conflict.
He's our new king!
No; he's dangerous; kill him!
Sometimes life gets complex. Many times we just keep on going even though we are pulled between the demands of the people we love - Feed me! Love me! - with those feelings festering just under the surface.
But what happens when you arrive at ground zero emotionally because of loss or pain or fatigue?
What did Jesus do? When His day was finally done, Jesus hiked into the mountains to pray. He needed strength. He needed guidance. He needed to be refreshed spiritually and physically. Jesus settled in to talk to His father.
I'll be honest. When I'm at that place, the temptation is to wrap up in my favorite blanket, turn on a mindless TV show, and veg.
But what waits for me in that alone place with God?
He knows us better than anyone else. He's willing to carry our burdens, soothe our hearts, and that prayer time becomes a shelter, an oasis where we are revived. At that point it's not about the time we spend, or even the words that we say, but what we discover when we settle in.
Prayer becomes our heavenly GPS system.
An earthly GPS system contains atomic clocks that are accurate to a billionth of a second! No matter where you are, it can find your location and give you direction.
Think about this: The God of the Universe is greater than any earthly GPS. God knows where you are, where you are headed emotionally, and how to recalculate so that you can find your way back to sanity, peace, and even to joy.
Dear Jesus, You know what it is to be emotionally and physically spent. You know what it is to hurt, to grieve, to long for quiet and peace and healing. Thank You that You understand how I feel, and that You carry my burden when it's too big for me to carry alone. I adore You. In Your Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild
Visit Suzie's blog today for a giveaway
For more encouragement, read The Most Important Time of My Day
P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Many of you, like me, probably talk to God throughout the day. But is there a sacred place set aside for you and God?
Don't set a time limit, or make it a duty.
Settle in with Him. Close the door.
Talk to Him about your day. Praise Him for His great love.
Breathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Don't rush it.
Let God do His work inside of You.
Reflections:
Prayer is a spot where we go just as surely as a church sanctuary is a place. When we pray, we are going into a place built from words. Or at least it's a place where words are the parameters, the walls into which we enter. Phyllis Tickle
Power Verse:
Psalm 19:7, "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." (NLT)
Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom trust.'" (ESV)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 4, 2010
Mismatched Candlesticks
Karen Ehman
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found..." Proverbs 10:12-13a (ESV)
Devotion:
They are an odd, but pretty pair; the two candlesticks we have perched on the antique dresser in our master bedroom. While both are crafted from solid brass with similar round and sturdy bases, the shafts of each candlestick couldn't be less alike.
One is straight and streamlined; not at all fancy, just functional; with tall lines, direct and strong. The second is designed with a touch of flair; two equidistant strands of brass whirl and swirl side-by-side in a "look at me" manner, as they ascend to the top of the shaft that holds the candle in place.
I found each candlestick at a different yard sale, both in the same month. While their styles aren't the same, somehow this eclectic pair is an interesting match. And more importantly, they are a constant visual reminder to my husband and me, providing a tangible picture of our marriage.
My husband is the first candlestick. No frills. Straight-forward. Only about function. I am the second one. Crazy. Winding. All over the map. Completely about fun. While we both are "forged from brass" in that we are followers of Christ with the same spiritual foundation, pair our opposite-end-of-the-spectrum personalities together and disaster could ensue. In fact, we often joke that if in our college-courting days, we would have been able to send our profiles to an online matchmaking website, instead of pairing us up with each other, the computer screen would have blinked a bright warning. DO NOT DATE!! TOTALLY NOT COMPATIBLE!
Beyond the normal male/female differences, we have a lot in our personalities that cause friction, conflict and sometimes (mostly from me) snapping and harsh words. In fact, it doesn't matter if it is in marriage, parenting or in a work or friendship situation, mismatched personalities can cause frustration, anger and at times, wounded feelings.
Someone who is not wired as we are, does not think like we do and who makes decisions and carries out actions we would never dream of, can just plain rub us the wrong way. It causes our feathers to ruffle and not-so-nice thoughts to invade our brains.
Usually, if dealing with a non-family member, we manage to keep our composure; tame our tongue; to not do or say anything in the midst of our frustration that we might later regret. With our children or spouses, however, sometimes we open the floodgates and spew out all sorts of cutting comments, nasty words, flying criticisms and awful accusations. My husband and I call it "throwing flesh balls." At that point, we are not "walking by the Spirit" but "gratifying the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).
My flesh just likes to be gratified sometimes and nothing gratifies it more than a good ole', all-out verbal assault on my "thinks-and-acts-so-different-from-me" husband. Instead, today's verse provides direction for how we should handle the inevitable conflicts that arise from trying to mesh two very differing personality types.
We shouldn't spew hate. We should seek to understand. We should ask God for wisdom. We should love. Not necessarily in an "ushy-gushy, touchy-feely" sort of way; but rather, in an, "I am going to choose to react gently and behave kindly because that is what God is asking me to do" sort of way. Cementing this line of thinking in our mind will help us to make the right choice. There are things we will do because we are doing them for God that we otherwise might never do for a spouse, co-worker or friend who makes us mad!
Will you join me today in purposing to stop stirring up strife when it comes to someone in your life who is oil while you are so water? Yes, even if it is your own spouse. The world is watching; sizing up how we behave. When we are one part of a divergence in personalities, what will they see? Stirred up strife or lovingly covered offenses?
Dear Lord, grant me the ability to speak kindly, respond gently and at times, to hold my tongue. I want my actions and reactions to please and reflect You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
For more on mismatched marriage and a chance to win a couples 'basket-in-a-box' giveaway, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Jot down the names of one or two people with whom you have difficulty getting along. Now, name at least one kind and thoughtful gesture you could do for them during this Valentine's season, even if anonymously. Do it this week.
Reflections:
In the past, how have you dealt with male/female differences with your spouse or, if you aren't married, with other personality clashes in your life? What were the results? What could you do differently in the future to promote a more harmonious relationship?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1-3 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." (ESV)
John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 5, 2010
Poisoned Pride
Luann Prater
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I love Stacie Orrico's song "Don't Look at Me." She sings, Don't look at me if you're looking for perfection. Don't look at me, I will only let you down. I'll do my best to point you in the right direction. Don't look at me, look at Him.
These lyrics remind me of a resounding theme I noticed recently in Mark 15:9-10, Matthew 23:1-39 and Luke 18:9-14: leaders who shined the spotlight on themselves. They had no interest in making Jesus the main attraction. God pulled a few lessons out of each passage for me to do the mirror test on my heart.
The problem that tripped up the leaders in Jesus' day might look familiar to you and me:
Lesson #1 - Envy
The chief priests were burning with envy over the popularity of Jesus. He had only been on the scene for three years, yet the marketplace was always buzzing with the latest Jesus story! Perhaps the chief priests wondered, Why is HE the center of attention? What makes HIM the authority figure?
Envy is a poison we may not even recognize. We give it a nicer title like "keeping up with the Jones" or "climbing the corporate ladder," but being upset with someone else's success is a bone-rotting toxin. Proverbs 14:30 confirms it saying, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" (NIV).
Lesson #2 - Practice What You Preach
The leaders were busy barking legalistic orders to others, but didn't apply the rigid rules to their own lives. Legalism is a strict adherence to the law and rules, and usually packs a punch of guilt if the regulations aren't followed to the letter.
James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (NIV). The leaders of Jesus' day had great amounts of scripture memorized, but did not live it out. They focused on the rules and making others follow them, rather than on pleasing God. If we are focusing on keeping rules and rituals, instead of building a relationship with Jesus, we too are missing the point. Maybe shifting our angle is in order. Look up. Let Bible study move us past just reciting scripture to allowing its life-giving Spirit to penetrate our actions.
Lesson #3 - All For Show
Dressing up and looking good made the Pharisees believe their own press. They seemingly had it all together. Do we act that way too? When asked, "How are you?" do we put on a happy face and respond, "Fine," when in fact, all is not fine? Do we fear what people will think or how they will react if they know we messed up again? It's easy to think, "My issues are nobody's business." Truth is, they are God's business because you belong to Him.
Lesson #4 - Clean The Inside
"Woe to you," Jesus repeated over and over to the Pharisees throughout Matthew 23. The junk that was brewing inside their hearts didn't resemble the righteous life they claimed to live.
Everyone sees our pretty outside attire, but God knows what's going on beneath the surface. When He cleans house, He starts on the inside.
What's lurking in your dark corners? If self indulgence, self-reliance, or self-centeredness has camped out in your heart, let the housecleaning begin! Soon your outer beauty will radiate your new inner beauty.
This mirror test revealed some junk in my life. What did you see in your reflection? A prideful heart, or a passion for Christ? Are you wanting others to look at you, rather than God? Psalm 10:4 says, "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Pride is a venom. Making room for God takes deliberate action.
As the song says, "Don't look at me, look at Him."
Dear Lord, pride can camp out so easily in our hearts. Will you clean us from the inside out and let us reflect You? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Encouragement Café and Luann's blog today.
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl book and DVD Curriculum by Lysa TerKeurst
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson and
Glynnis Whitwer
Messy Faith: Daring to Live by Grace by A.J. Gregory
Application Steps:
Write down all the things you don't possess that have captured your heart. Ask God to purify your heart and change your desires.
Reflections:
What do I use to measure myself?
When am I most prone to let envy master my mind?
How can I stop the comparisons?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (NIV)
Galatians 6:4, "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 8, 2010
Take A Walk On The Wild Side
Jenny B. Jones, She Reads Featured Author
"'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat,
walked on the water, and came toward Jesus."
Matthew 14:29 (NIV)
Devotion:
Who doesn't like to be safe?
While writing Just Between You and Me, I immersed myself in my Bible—studying fear, the novel's central theme. This was ironic coming from the poster child for fears. I fear rejection, success, heights, strangers, green peas, and skinny jeans.
I kept going back to Matthew 14. The disciples are in the boat, the winds are going crazy, and walking across the water is this dark figure. Peter says, "If that's you, Jesus, call out for me to join you." (I would've said, "If that's you, can you toss me a life jacket?")
Jesus does indeed call out to His friend, and things are going well until. . .Peter takes his eyes off his Savior and focuses on the wind. The wind that's tossed the boat and made the night scary.
The second Peter takes his focus off Jesus, down he goes.
So many focus on Peter's lack of faith here. I think the guy's cool just for getting out of the boat. Let's be honest. I wouldn't. Would you? Safety is comfort. But. . .what am I missing by playing it safe? What are we missing by not climbing out of the boat onto the waves?
God has huge plans for us. In Jeremiah He tells us that He has plans to prosper us, not to hurt us. What about you? Would you have taken on the giant if you had been a young David? The Bible is full of amazing moments that required blind faith—faith in something unseen that defies logic and does not make sense. Yet, moments in which a challenged child of God would have let his or her fears rule, would've turned out so much differently. So much. . .less.
In 2005, I had my David and Goliath moment. I went out to meet my giant with uncharacteristically giant faith. I had long had a dream of being a writer. But really hadn't done anything about it beyond wishing. Wishing is safe. And tidy. I had prayed a lot about it—but hadn't given my desire feet. I became burdened with the idea that my attitude was like saying to God, "I don't believe You're going to take care of me. I don't believe You can whip up anything satisfying for my life." I wasn't trusting God with all my life.
I traveled to my first writer's conference armed with nothing more than 20 pages of a book idea and supernatural faith built on months of prayer, claiming my dream, and relying on nothing but God. But I knew God was going to do what I began to call "The Amazing." I went to this conference expecting great things. And I think that is what made all the difference. Much like David, who went in knowing the battle was his. And God's.
That conference changed my life. Six months later I had my first book deal. The statistical chances of that happening given my lack of experience and writing? Zero. But I had to meet the giant on the battlefield for that to ever happen.
What are you dreaming of today? Or maybe for the last decade? All your life? Like me, are you living in your comfort zone? What dreams have lingered with you that won't leave you alone? Take your eyes off the raging waters, off all the logical reasons why not, reach out your hand and slip it into God's. He's been waiting for you.
Dear Lord, You have not called me to live a safe life, but a faith-filled life where I face my fears to achieve the amazing things You have planned. Help me to reach out to You, even when I'm afraid, and keep my focus on You. Bind up any fear, any excuses, any obstacles in my way, and show me Your will; Your clear path. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God by Jenny B. Jones
Pop over to P31's She Reads site today to enter a drawing for a Jenny B. Jones giveaway. One grand prize winner will receive a copy of her novel Just Between You and Me plus a fabulous gift basket: Zingerman's Baked Goods Dreambox. Four runner up winners will also receive the novel.
She Speaks Conference - P31's conference for aspiring speakers or writers
Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say when you talk to Yourself by Jennifer Rothschild
Application Steps:
Make a list of at least five things you'd do if you only had six months to live. Next to each one, list what stops you from achieving or going after this.
Do a scripture search on fear, or blessings. Pray these verses out loud and personalize them by inserting your name and your goals. Jeremiah 29:11 is a great place to start. I used Deuteronomy 28:1-6.
Reflections:
What are my greatest fears? How could these fears get in the way of God's plan for my life? Of my own dreams?
How has my past manifested into fears or control issues? Are there areas I'm not surrendering to God out of fear?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29: 11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future " (NIV)
John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)
© 2010 by Jenny B. Jones. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 9, 2010
Grace Covers
Melanie Chitwood
"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love
covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 (NAS)
Devotion:
Cartilage is a tissue that is found in many places in our bodies, including at the end of bones where joints form. It protects our joints from wear and tear, helps them move smoothly, and absorbs shock. When the cartilage in our knee, for example, is damaged, we feel pain.
Grace in our marriages is like the protective covering of cartilage in our joints. Couples who show each other a gracious attitude cover their marriage with understanding, protect their marriage from misunderstandings and short-tempered emotions, and help one another absorb life's jolts and shocks.
For example, the other day Scott came home late to discover that I had forgotten to turn off the hose after washing the dogs. The backyard was overflowing with water—an inconvenience and a costly mistake on my part. He could have gotten mad at me, but he didn't. His gracious attitude covered my shortcoming.
Today's key verse contains the word love rather than the word grace. That's because one aspect of love is grace. It's the part of love that is generous, forgiving, encouraging, and unconditional. It's the part of love that empowers you to fill in the gaps rather than notice what's lacking in your spouse. Grace asks, "How can I help you?" instead of growing frustrated or bitter when your spouse isn't measuring up to your standard.
Bringing criticism, judgment, and self-righteousness into your marriage is all too easy. Saying "Why didn't you..." "You should have..." or "I told you so" requires no effort. But being gracious is what we need in marriage, and that's what Christ calls us to be. We're human. We're going to disappoint one another. We're not always going to meet each other's needs.
When you are fully aware of your own weaknesses and of the ways you fall short of the glory of God, you are more likely to show your partner a gracious attitude. God's Word reminds us that "love covers." How can you cover your spouse with the love of grace today?
Dear Lord, search me, O God, and know my heart (Psalm 139:23). Soften my heart and make me willing to adopt a gracious attitude toward my spouse. Where I have been unforgiving, harsh, judgmental, or bitter toward my spouse, Lord, I am sorry and ask Your forgiveness. If we need to talk about an issue, Lord, I pray our conversation will lead us both to a gracious attitude toward one another. If there's something I need to be quiet about or just to accept, give me willingness and strength. Lord, I pray that my attitude toward my spouse will reflect Your gracious love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
This devotion was adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband. Order your copy today!
Visit Melanie's blog - What Matters Most for more marriage encouragement.
For more on grace, read Fighting Words
Application Steps:
What you can do today to show a gracious attitude toward your spouse? Some ideas:
· Let it go.
· Assume the best.
· In your quiet time, think about the different ways God has covered you with grace rather than burdened you with judgment.
· Hang around friends with gracious attitudes. Let their attitudes rub off on you.
· Be careful of keeping company with people who are constantly bashing and bad-mouthing their spouses. Their bad attitudes are likely to affect yours.
· Don't say, "I told you so."
Reflections:
What triggers in you a harsh or judgmental reaction toward your spouse rather than a gracious reaction?
How has Christ shown you grace, and how can His grace spill over in your marriage?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:2, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (NIV)
1 Peter 3:7, "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way..." (NAS)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 10, 2010
How to Grow in Love for God
Rachel Olsen
"Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations." Psalm 100:4b-5 (AMP)
Devotion:
I remember the late-night conversation with my dad, the one I'd been praying would naturally arise. The one about God, and Jesus, and salvation. I'd understood these things myself for the first time a few months before, and now it was my desperate hope that my dad would understand them too. But even more than grasping their meaning, I wanted my dad to be drawn to them, to feel them—to experience their truth for himself.
My dad has a strong intellect and I knew the likelihood was high that Dad would settle for a mere understanding of my newfound passion. Yet I longed for my dad to come to love this King of Glory in a way that would propel him to follow Christ.
"But how am I supposed to love someone I can't even see?" Dad said.
His words were ordered as a question but I couldn't quite tell if he was asking, or simply dismissing. Either way, I didn't know how to answer him. But I do now. I now realize a huge key to loving Jesus is gratitude.
1 John 4:19 explains, "We love Him, because He first loved us" (AMP). Even though we were sinful and He is holy, God loved us. Even though we were ignorant or hostile towards Him, He still loved us. Even though we were intent on making our own way in life, He still made a path for us—Jesus—leading to life with Him. It takes belief in this fact, and gratitude for it, for a heart to truly love God in return.
The religious leaders of Jesus' day, the Pharisees, were masters at following God's laws, but failures at loving Him. In Luke 7, a Pharisee invited Jesus over for dinner. A prostitute entered the dining room, knelt and began weeping, kissing, and wiping Jesus' feet with her hair. Then she perfumed them. The Pharisee grew indignant that Jesus allowed this from such a sinful woman.
So Jesus asked the Pharisee a question: If a moneylender cancelled the debts of two men—one that owed him $5,000, and one that owed him $50—which one would love him more after that? "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled," the Pharisee answered (Luke 7:43, NIV). Jesus told him he was correct. Then Jesus added:
"Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love." (Luke 7:44-47, NLT)
This woman realized the magnitude of her sins, and the extent of God's love for her to forgive all those sins and bid her to come to Him. And she was grateful. She was so thankful, that her heart overflowed with love for Jesus, sparking her extravagant display of affection and appreciation.
There is a direct correlation between our level of awareness of what we deserve—an awareness of our own sin—and our level of gratitude and love for God. A key to growing in love for God is to be aware of what He has done, is doing, and will do for us, and to remain grateful for it.
No one will ever do more for you than Christ has done—open your eyes to this fact today and be filled with gratitude. "Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations" (Psalm 100:4b-5).
Dear Lord, I am thankful today for the love You showed me, long before I even noticed it. I'm grateful for Your blessings and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To learn more about loving God through gratitude, visit Rachel's blog
God's Purpose for Every Woman: a Compilation of Favorite P31 Devotions by various Encouragement for Today authors; Gen Editors Rachel Olsen and Lysa TerKeurst
Saying Thank You offers practical ways to give gratitude to God
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Application Steps:
Reflect on the many reasons you have to be grateful to God. Rejoice and praise Him!
Reflections:
No one will ever do more for you than God, through Christ, has already done.
How does your perspective on today change when you consider the tremendous gifts of grace, mercy, love and eternal life given you through Christ?
Power Verses:
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV)
Hebrews 12:28, "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;" (NASB)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 11, 2010
Love, Respect and Admiration
Tracie Miles
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I married my wonderful husband twenty years ago, I fully intended to unconditionally love, respect and admire him. I had great intentions of being the perfect wife, with sweet words, a romantic kiss and dinner on the table every evening. But then careers took off, bills increased, children were born, laundry piles grew, and life got chaotic. Along the way I subconsciously created a measuring stick of expectations for whether my husband actually deserved my love and respect.
When marriage doesn't meet the unrealistic expectations we imagine before the wedding, and real life kicks in, women can inadvertently get lured into tearing down their husbands, and their marriages as well.
In fact, the longer couples are together, the easier it becomes to not only see each other's flaws, but to mercilessly criticize them. This eventually leads to low tolerances, short tempers, minimal patience, and a woeful lack of marital bliss. As a result, those gifts of unconditional love, respect and admiration that were once offered so freely become gifts that we are not so willing to offer at all.
A few months ago I picked up The Man Whisperer, written by my friend and author Rick Johnson. The title intrigued me, as I was anxious to rekindle some passion in my own marriage Little did I know that God would use the truths shared in this book to step on my toes and cause me to take an inward look.
Many relationship topics are covered, but as I read, God convicted my heart about things I had said to my husband just days earlier. As I recalled some of the critical comments that had rolled off my tongue so easily, I became overwhelmed with regret and disappointment. I had fallen into a bad habit of tearing down my man with my words, not fully realizing the toll it was taking on him. Most importantly, I began to realize the powerful influence I have on my husband and marriage by simply choosing words that encourage, instead of discourage.
As women, we have the power to build up or tear down our husbands every day, merely by the respect we give and the amount of faith we let him know we have in him. Respect and admiration are two of the most powerful tools a woman has to influence her husband. I realized I had fallen short lately in giving those two precious gifts to my man.
I prayed, asking God to help me control my tongue and fill my heart and mouth with words that would make my husband feel appreciated, admired, respected and loved, regardless of whether I felt he deserved it. I prayed that God would convict my heart when critical thoughts crept into my mind, and help me avoid the temptation to say them out loud.
Within just a few weeks, I saw a change - in me, in my husband's demeanor, and in our relationship: a change that rekindled that unconditional love, respect and admiration that I set out to give him all along, and that I also wanted in return.
Through a wife's gifts of unconditional love, respect, and admiration, we can help our husbands become the great men that God created them to be, and in turn, create the marriages we always dreamed of.
Dear Lord, help me to tame my tongue and focus on building up my man. Help me break free of the habit to criticize, even when warranted. Open my eyes to the positive, not the negative. Draw us closer, and help us both nurture a strong and loving marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog for more about this topic and to enter for a chance to win an audio CD by Rick Johnson called Power Tools for Women
The Man Whisperer by Rick Johnson
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and/or What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Love Notes on His Pillow: And Other Everyday Ways to Keep Your Love Alive by Linda J. Gilden
Application Steps:
Think about how important your husband's love is to you and consider that your respect means just as much to him.
If your marriage seems strained right now, think about your conversations with your husband lately. Have your comments been encouraging and uplifting, or discouraging and destructive?
Instead of chocolates this Valentine's day, give your husband what he really desires- respect, admiration and love.
Reflections:
Am I in the habit of tearing down my husband?
Do our daily conversations leave him feeling respected and admired, or unrespected and criticized?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:2-7, "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (ESV)
James 3:5b-6a, "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." (NIV)
© 2010 Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 12, 2010
When God Serenades You
Micca Monda Campbell
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17(NIV)
Devotion:
Growing up I had to watch whatever my sister wanted to watch on television because she was the oldest. She liked the black and white classics that featured Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Frank Sinatra to name a few. Over time, I began to enjoy them too.
I really liked the part of the movie when Dean Martin would serenade the woman he loved at her bedroom window. I thought that was so romantic! In fact, I would get a funny feeling in my stomach. Somehow, I knew deep inside that I, too, would be serenaded by some lovesick man. I didn't know when, but I was certain it was going to happen.
Well, guess what?
It never happened.
At first, I was bummed. Then, one day shortly after I had experienced tragedy in my life, and was feeling completely unloved, I came across our key verse.
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Right away, I knew God had led me to this truth. How else does a person stumble into the book of Zephaniah if not led there by God? At the time, I didn't know the book of Zephaniah existed. But it did exist, and the words on the page read like a personal note written just for me. Micca, I will rejoice over you with singing!
That's when it dawned on me. God delights in me so much that it causes Him to break out in song! Suddenly, it no longer mattered that no one else has ever serenaded me. God, Himself, serenades me. He sings to me. He sings over me and He sings about me! It's His joy to do so. Better yet, He delights in serenading you, too.
I pray that you will allow this verse to sink deep into your heart today so you'll have it when you need it. Trust me. There will be a day when you will need it. You see, we tend to believe that because we are children of God that nothing bad will ever happen to us. When the bad does happen, we believe the lie every time.
I knew it, God! I knew You really didn't love me.
Friend, that is a lie from the pit of hell. Nothing is further from the truth. God, indeed, loves you because He can't do anything less. You and I cause God's supernatural heart to skip a beat at the mere thought of us. Therefore, the next time you're feeling unloved because of some adversity in your life stop and say, "NO! That's a lie. God loves me so much that He can't help but sing about it!"
Dear Lord, I need Your loving touch today. Let Your love song wash over me and fill my heart. I release my feelings of doubt to You and rest in Your undying love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Micca Campbell's Testimony DVD by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement today.
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Application Steps:
Look up each verse and memorize them. When you need to experience God's love, close your eyes and repeat them to your heart: Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:16; John 15:16; Isaiah 54:10.
Reflections:
What causes you to doubt God's love?
Is there better proof of God's love than giving His own life for you? Have you experienced the power of God's Love through Christ? Accept His invitation today to know Him?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:8, "Love never fails." (NIV)
Isaiah 54:10, "My love and kindness will not depart from you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 15, 2010
Every Yes Involves a No
Glynnis Whitwer
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it."
Luke 14:28 (NIV)
Devotion:
So, how are you doing on your New Year's Resolutions? If you are like many of us, frustration has set in. Maybe you are already behind on your read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. Are the numbers on the scale increasing, rather than decreasing? Did that goal to reduce television watching stop when American Idol started?
While we love to set goals, and dream of becoming a slimmed down, spiritually mature and more well-read version of ourselves, the living out of those goals is infinitely more challenging.
That's because every time we set a goal for ourselves, a more appealing alternative is presented. Have you noticed this phenomenon? Just as you decide to diet, someone brings you a plate of brownies they "baked just for you." As soon as you decide to get up early and pray, the cold weather makes it much more appealing to stay in bed. And that decision to stop gossiping gets challenged when some interesting news about your boss finds its way to your inbox.
Every good intention will be met with a challenge at some point. Without a plan, most of us will abandon those intentions, telling ourselves we knew we couldn't _________ (fill in the blank).
The reason this happens is we overlook the fact that every "yes" we say, requires a "no" to something else. Without that understanding, we operate outside of how life works, and underestimate the cost of achieving our goals.
Here's an example of what I mean. When you say "yes" to reading your Bible every day, you have to say "no" to the morning news or your favorite novel. If you say "yes" to teaching a small group of women, you'll say "no" to your favorite Tuesday night tv show, plus free time to prepare.
There will always be a sacrifice of something when we desire to move forward in an area of our lives. Goals are exciting. Possibility of change is alluring. Sacrifice is hard, but worth it in the big picture of our lives. In fact, it's the road Jesus called His followers to walk daily.
The resolutions you set at the beginning of the year have great value if they are helping you grow into a more disciplined, mature follower of Christ. However, if you feel like you've reached a plateau, or hit a dead end, perhaps it's time to evaluate if you've said enough "no's."
I invite you to remove the "New Year's" label, and reevaluate the goals you set in January. Recommit to them and consider what you'll have to sacrifice to make them happen. The good news about sacrifice is we serve a Lord who lived it out on our behalf. When we are frustrated with the cost of achieving our goals, we can always turn to the One who understands.
Dear Lord, I praise You and thank You for sacrificing Your son, Jesus, so I could live forever with You. In light of that, help me keep my sacrifices in perspective. I ask for Your strength to fulfill the dreams and goals You have placed in my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Glynnis' blog for some tips on setting goals
Work@Home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home by Glynnis Whitwer
P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Identify one goal you have for yourself. What do you need to say "no" to for that to happen? Write down the "no's" for future reference when you get off track.
Reflections:
What mental battles happen when you decide to sacrifice one thing for another?
What are some ways you can keep your commitment to your goals fresh and realistic?
Power Verses:
Luke 9:23, "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (NIV)
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 16, 2010
The Wonder Bat
Lynn Cowell
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
"An asset to the team." That is how my daughter's coach described her. Madi was great behind the plate. Her arm could get the best of them out at second base. She could move from catcher to first base position with ease, and was flexible in the outfield. Yet her batting was weak and she was last on her team. Her coach's diagnosis: her bat. Madi had grown over the summer and needed a longer, heavier, stronger bat.
My husband began his research. Best bats for girl's softball was his Google criteria. He studied their size. He read recommendations and manufacturer's guarantees. He compared results, tests and costs. After days of investigating, he purchased the "weapon" as he called it.
The instructions said my daughter needed at least fifty good hits with that bat until she would be comfortable with the new feel. They were right; at first she didn't like it. It was uncomfortable and heavy. But she kept on using it. We played in the yard and went to batting cages. We put in the time and effort to be sure she would be well adjusted to her new equipment before she used it in a real game.
My daughter is now batting at the top of the order! Doubles, triples, even home runs are her norm. She wields that bat, smacks the ball and racks up points for her team.
Often, we are getting along pretty good in life, but there is just that one area where we are a bit weak. Maybe life has ramped up; trials have gotten harder and we haven't evaluated the tools we are using. Self-help books, chatting with friends, infomercials, time on the internet can be helpful, but there are other tools we can wield that will help us even more: the Bible and prayer.
As we grow in our faith, we need to look for passages in God's Word that will empower us in this game called life. We should ask Jesus what He sees that needs to change so we can live in His victory. When fear, doubt, anger, lust or pride are thrown our way, we can get equipped to swing back with memorized verses of the Word. Instead of allowing complaining, grumbling and discouragement to slide into home plate, we can strike them out of the game with continuous prayer.
The Word is called a double-edged sword, but unless we practice applying the verses to our lives, it does us no good. Unless we read the reviews, the testimonies of the men and women in the Bible, we may not be convinced that it will really make a difference. Unless we invest time to use the Word and prayer as our "weapons,", we will never know what it is like to bat at the top of the order.
Now, when Madi gets up to bat I feel confident. Her father and I have given her the "weapon" she needs to be successful in softball. Just like Madi, your Father has also given you what you need for life. Just like Madi, you are going to need to grab hold of those weapons and practice many, many times until you are comfortable with them. And, just like Madi, as you step up to the plate, you can hit a home run!
Dear Lord, I need You today. Show me where I need to use the weapons You've given us, Your Word and prayer, in my life in order to be victorious. Give me the strength to learn Your Word, meditating on it over and over and over again until I am comfortable with using it as a weapon against the enemy of my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Holding His Hand: A devotional for teen girls by Beka Dewitt
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
Go to BibleGateway and do a word search on your greatest struggle - jealousy, envy, conflict, etc. Write out one of the verses regarding this difficulty that speaks to you and read it several times a day until you know it well.
Visit our Everyday Life section to read how other woman are finding victory in the areas where you need a stronger weapon.
Reflections:
What areas in your life do you currently feel like you are losing a battle?
Do you have a friend that you could ask to pray for you on a regular basis in your battle?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:17, "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (NIV)
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 17, 2010
Out of the Mud Puddle
Amy Carroll
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name...who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion..."
Psalm 103:1, 4 (NIV)
Devotion:
One weekday my employer, the best boss in the world, held our quarterly meeting in a local salon. As the hard calluses were rubbed off my feet, my heart softened, too, and the news about our company became secondary to the news about the life of one woman. I was seated next to Brenda, a co-worker to whom I'm always drawn. We talked and laughed as we soaked our worn hands and rough feet. The atmosphere was relaxed and our conversation turned toward Brenda's mother, Lillian.
Brenda recounted one remarkable story after another of Lillian's last days as she lay in a nursing home bed dying of cancer. Her mother was a bastion of encouragement and regaled everyone with delightful stories of her past and of God's goodness despite her dwindling energy and the stupor usually brought on by pain medication. As I listened to Brenda describe this brave saint, I became overwhelmed with emotion, and decided I wanted to be just like Lillian when I grow up!
People were still drawn to her even as she struggled with declining health, removal from her home and loss of freedom. Brenda proudly told of her mother's positive attitude and how she refused to complain even on days that were painful and difficult. "She taught me everything about living," Brenda said with emotion, "and now she's teaching me how to die."
At the end of our conversation, I asked Brenda if her mother would be willing to talk to me. I wanted to know the secret of this outstanding woman's life. Brenda asked her mother if I could visit, and Lillian agreed. I arrived one afternoon to find her reclining with oxygen tubes running into her nose. She was diminutive in her large hospital-style bed and her voice was soft, but Lillian's eyes sparkled at the opportunity to tell some of her life's stories.
Like most women of her age, Lillian's life had held both joy and sorrow. She had grown up with scant financial means and struggled monetarily through many years in early marriage. She had married at 17 and had three children in three years. Her fourth child was to arrive 14 years later. Even though she described these years as difficult, she spoke on and on of her love for her husband, their happy marriage and their mutual joy in their children.
Her big heartbreaks came later in life when her beloved mother was raped at age 80 in her own yard. Later in a nursing home, Lillian's mother was abused physically by a staff member despite the fact that her children visited every day. Many years passed, and tragedy struck again. Lillian lost her granddaughter and a great-grandson in a terrible car accident one icy night.
Through all these difficult times, Lillian clung to Jesus and served those around her. She ended our conversation by telling me, "In all that we've been through, we knew that our strength comes from the Lord. Whenever we fell in a mud puddle, we just jumped right out into His arms." In a conversation rich with memories and wisdom, Lillian described an up-close, intimacy with God that both sustained and matured her through a lifetime of trials and triumphs. Jumping out of a mud puddle and into His arms is the kind of childlike exuberance and trust that can bring a woman to the end of her life with a still-growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Himself.
Lillian died soon after our conversation, but her legacy lives on. She was a woman of tremendous faith and resiliency who set an example for her children, her friends, the staff of a nursing home and me. She'll forever be one of my heroes.
Dear Lord, I desire to leave a legacy like Lillian's. Help me live a life that is completely dependent on You. I raise my arms to You and jump knowing that You will catch me, clean the mud off of me and hold me tight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog-Ponderings from the Pathway
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Seek out and listen to the stories of faith from an older saint. It will be a blessing to both of you!
Reflections:
What is my response when I've "fallen in a mud puddle"?
Who can I encourage with stories of God's goodness and sufficiency?
Power Verses:
Psalm 116:7, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." (NIV)
Psalm 116:13, "I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord." (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 18, 2010
Don't Read Your Bible
Lysa TerKeurst
"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word."
Psalm 119: 37 (NIV)
Devotion:
I have a request today. Don't read your Bible.
Does that shock you? Relieve you? Make you angry at worst? Curious at best?
Read on and see what I mean by my request.
There have been many days in my Christian journey where God was reduced to something on my to-do list. Somewhere along the way I picked up a checklist of sorts with what good Christians are supposed to do: Pray. Read your Bible. Go to church. Don't cuss. Be nice.
Being the rule following girl I am, I subscribed to the good things on that list and waited with great expectations to receive the zap of contentment and happiness good Christians girls are supposed to exude. But then I felt something was wrong me. I still felt restless. I still reacted in anger. I still felt a bit hollow.
I was going through all the motions but didn't feel connected to Jesus. Others around me seemed very connected. They would talk of being 'moved by the spirit.' They would hear from God Himself. They would clap their hands and shout amen in the middle of a sermon that sounded like Greek to me.
I often felt like a weightless soul grasping at the air hoping to somehow snag this Jesus that was just out of reach. Have you ever been there?
Have you ever sat in a church service watching everyone else eagerly flip open their Bibles to the exact right passage while you were left sweating because you didn't have a clue how to find what they were reading? Have you ever walked out of church watching everyone else smile and shake hands and seem so gentle while you mentally beat yourself up for throwing the orange juice carton across the kitchen that very morning?
Suddenly this nagging sense creeps in that you don't belong- that you'll never get it- that you don't have what it takes to be a Christian. That's where I was. I lived there for a long time until someone challenged me to stop simply reading my Bible because it was a thing on my Christian checklist. They challenged me to experience God.
In other words, look at the words in the Bible as a love letter. God's love letter to a broken down girl. A love letter not meant to simply be read... but a love letter meant to be lived.
I won't lie. It took a while. It took many days of sitting down with my Bible while praying gut honest prayers. I told God I wasn't connecting and didn't understand. I asked Him to help me. I begged Him to help me. Finally, one verse suddenly came alive to me one day. I literally felt moved when I read it. I think I read it 100 times that day. I memorized it and thought about it all day long. All week long. Maybe all month long.
I was overjoyed. I had a verse. A verse where Jesus spoke tenderly and clearly and specifically to me. It was Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." Slowly, I added more verses. Day by day. Chapter by chapter. And eventually my Bible became my greatest treasure, my love letter.
Every day now I open up God's word with great expectation and intentionally look in the chapter or two I read for my verse for that day. Usually one verse among the many I read during my devotion time, grabs my heart and I know was meant just for the day ahead. And then I attempt to live that verse out in some way that very day. When I make the connection between what happens in my life that day and why I needed that verse, I experience God. I see Him being active in my life and I become even more deeply aware of His constant presence.
I'm sure some Bible scholars would probably take issue with my simplistic approach. But it sure has helped me throw less orange juice cartons across the kitchen.
And 'less thrown cartons' sure seems like a step in the right direction to me.
So, back to my original statement. Don't read your Bible. In other words don't simply read it because you have to check it off the Christian to do list. Read it with great expectations of connecting more deeply and living more authentically with God.
Dear Lord, thank you for showing me the Christian life can be so much more than a checklist. I want to not only read your Word, I want to live it each day. Please give me the wisdom to understand and the courage to become more like You each day . In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for your chance to win a copy of her new DVD teaching series featuring a session on how to study the Bible for everyday girls like us.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 119 today and make a list of some of the amazing ways God's word can help us everyday.
Each time you sit down to read your Bible, ask God specifically to help you understand and apply what you're learning.
Reflections:
Which of the promises from Psalm 119 touch you most personally right now?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119: 15-16, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
Psalm 119: 66, "Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 19, 2010
Wandering Children
Susanne Scheppmann
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16b (NLT)
Devotion:
Research shows that our children are wandering from the faith. "Why?" we ask. The answer is not simple. Even the experts realize the reason our children wander from the faith is multifaceted.
The truth is our children are straying from Christianity rapidly as soon as they move into their twenties. According to a recent George Barna study, "In total, six out of ten twentysomethings were involved in a church during their teen years, but have failed to translate that into active spirituality during their early adulthood." Again, there is no concrete answer to the questions of why our children wander.
But I know this statistic holds true in my own life. I became a Christian at the age of 15. I was on fire for Jesus. I loved Him from the depths of my soul—with all my heart, mind and strength. But then in my mid-twenties I walked away from my faith. Why?
For me, it was because I could not understand pain and suffering. If God was good, how could He allow all this junk in my life? I remember going to my pastor's wife for help with this question. However, I felt she criticized me for my lack of faith rather than help me comprehend God's ways. So I didn't return to her for counseling; instead I turned to my friends who seemed to understand my confusion. Sadly, they weren't walking strong in their own faith and inadvertently led me further away from God.
For seven years I walked in a desert of destructive sin.
Finally, after years of frustrated living, Jesus drew me back to Him. It wasn't a big church event. It wasn't a friend who witnessed to me about my sins. It was the Spirit of God who nudged me back to being a devoted follower of Christ. It wasn't mystical. It was not full of fireworks—it occurred in a Volkswagen Jetta in the parking lot of Knott's Berry Farm. It was just Jesus reconnecting with His lost lamb because of the prayers my mother prayed for me.
I do believe wholeheartedly that my mother's prayers were answered. Her prayers never wavered. Her love never failed. She persevered when the future looked bleak for her eldest child's faith walk. Never underestimate the power of a parent's prayer. Our key verse declares, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." If you are a parent of a wandering child, hold fast to this verse in your mind and pray for your child.
God hears. He answers. I know this to be true because I was child who wandered, but was brought back by the fervent prayers of a praying parent and the loving hand of God.
Dear Lord, give me the strength and faith to keep praying for my child. Help me understand, though it might take years, You are a God who hears and answers the prayers of a praying parent. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Susanne's Blog
Raising a Spiritually Strong Daughter: Guiding Her Toward a Faith That Lasts by Susie Shellenberger
Find more encouragement with Spiritual Warfare and Praying for Our Kids
Application Steps:
Determine to pray for your child at least one minute every day. Ask God to touch your wandering child's heart. Determine not to give into despair and doubt. At the close of your prayer recite today's key verse.
Reflections:
Do I blame myself for my child's wandering?
Have I given up on the effort of praying for my child?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 1:16, "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (NIV)
Luke 15:4-6, "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'" (NASB)
Luke 15:20, "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 22, 2010
Jesus in the Fog
Tracie Miles
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (NLT)
Devotion:
I was full of emotions as my husband and I drove to pick up my dad for surgery. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach. I was worried about the extensive surgery that he would face later that morning. I was anxious, knowing that the possibility existed to receive very bad news from the surgeon. I was fretting over various circumstances, and as I prayed for God to intervene, I began to feel hot tears stinging my eyes.
But then, through those tears, I saw something in the fog.
Due to the dense, heavy fog, my husband was driving slowly when I noticed the figure in the distance, walking straight towards us. I thought it was odd for anyone to be walking outside on such a cool and foggy morning, but as we got closer, my eyes widened, and my heart began to pound.
This figure began to resemble a silhouette of someone I recognized - someone who should not be standing in the middle of the road on a misty, foggy morning. As we approached this person, in front of my dad's house, I noticed that he had on baggy tan pants, a soft white shirt, and was wearing no shoes. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with brown wavy hair and a full beard, neatly kept. He looked peaceful and kind.
He looked exactly like Jesus.
My heart skipped a beat. My thoughts were racing. My intellectual mind knew that Jesus would not be standing in the middle of a road on a foggy day in a small beach town in North Carolina, but my heart told me that He was there. I could not take my eyes off of this person, as chill bumps flushed my body from head to toe. As we drove slowly past him, this man in the fog made direct eye contact with me, and a sweet, gentle smile washed over his face.
For those brief moments, it felt as if I was looking into the eyes of Jesus, and a feeling of peace flooded through me. It was as if His holy peace penetrated my heart, and assured me that, regardless of the outcome, everything would be okay. Throughout that day at the hospital, I could not get the man in the fog out of my head, and I truly felt as if I had experienced a Jesus encounter.
Now I am not saying that I actually saw Jesus, of course, but I do believe that He divinely designed that meeting in the road, and that He used a sign that I would recognize as Him, to saturate my heart with the reminder that He really does walk among us. God knew I needed to know that He saw my daddy, understood my fears, and cared. He also knew I really needed to "see" Him that day.
Throughout life, we are all faced with fears of the unknown and personal problems that seem hopeless or scary, and it is so easy to get caught up in our emotions, forgetting to look for God. In some situations, we may even find ourselves wondering if God is really aware of our problems, and doubt if He really cares, but 1 Peter 5:7 is a sweet reminder that He is aware, He does care, and He is with us.
At times, life can make us feel like we are in a fog - a fog so dense and heavy that it seems nearly impossible to feel or see God at all. But even if we can't "see" Him, He has promised to be with us, if we surrender our hearts and sincerely seek out His face. Then as we walk with Him, and sincerely believe He is walking with us, we enter into a place to receive His provisions, His blessings, His comfort and His peace.
When we prepare our hearts to experience Him, He will prepare our eyes to see Him.
Dear Lord, I seek Your Face with my whole heart. Help me to see You in a special way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Journey to the Well by Diana Wallis Taylor
Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch by Max Lucado
Visit Tracie at her blog today
Application Steps:
If you are full of fearful or discouraged emotions today, close your eyes - picture Jesus walking in the fog, straight towards you, with eyes full of love, a heart full of compassion, and a smile that melts you heart.
Reflections:
Have I had a hard time seeing God in the midst of my life lately?
Are emotions and doubts clouding my vision?
Do I fully trust God to work in my situations?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (KJV)
Matthew 5:8, "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world." (MSG)
© 2010 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 23, 2010
Is Your Spouse Your Best Friend?
Melanie Chitwood
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NAS)
Devotion:
Although I can say today that my husband Scott is my best friend, that hasn't always been the case. When we first were married, I was so close to my twin sister that Scott felt excluded when the three of us were together. Gradually, however, we both learned to develop our friendship with one another.
We reached a big turning point when we left Atlanta, where I had been single and then newly married, and moved to Florida for Scott's new flying career. Living in a new city where we knew few other people, we learned to depend on each other for friendship in a way we hadn't learned before.
Scott now is the one I turn to first just to be my friend, not in the way a girlfriend is a friend, but in a way that only a husband can be. The support that this kind of friendship brings is reflected in Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Two are better than one."
What are some specific ways we can develop a close friendship with our spouse? First, we can take note of what's going on where we each spend a great deal of time, the workplace Has he talked about a stressful project? Has she said how energized she is by a new assignment? Follow up by asking for more details and remember to pray for these situations. This shows your thoughtfulness and support. If she's a full-time homemaker, acknowledge that you know her job never ends and that you appreciate her.
Secondly, a great way to forge bonds of friendship is to share an interest. What do you both like to do? You may need to think about what you did while you were dating. Our friends Tracey and Ron take short trips to the mountains. It's more Tracey's passion than Ron's, but he's learned to enjoy it too. My mom and dad are great cooks and have created some incredible meals together. Scott and I have watched countless basketball games together. If you don't already have a shared hobby or pastime, start trying out some activities. It's easy to let the day-in and day-out responsibilities of life to crowd out time for relaxation and laugher, so you'll have to make the choice to have fun together.
Finally, we need to ask ourselves if we're making friendship with our spouse a priority. Do we save our best energy for developing friendship with our spouse or are we too busy? Sometimes we have to say no to other pursuits so we can have time to protect and nurture the gift of friendship in marriage.
The seeds of friendship we plant today will continue to bloom later in our marriages. We've all seen older couples sitting at restaurant tables, eating their entire meal in complete silence. I don't want to look like those silent couples, and I'm sure you don't either. I want to grow old relishing my friendship with my husband, a friendship forged over years of sharing interests and making each other a priority.
Dear Lord, Show me ways to nurture friendship with my spouse, so we can continue to enjoy each other through the passing years. Lord, today, I commit to making friendship with my spouse one of my top priorities. Where I need to give up some activities so I'll have time for friendship with my husband, give me eyes to see that. Thank you for the lifetime friendship you've given us in marriage. In Jesus name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
This devotion was adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband. Order your copy today!
Visit Melanie's blog - What Matters Most for more marriage encouragement.
Application Steps:
Plan to do something fun with your spouse. Do this within one week's time, and don't let anything interfere with these plans.
Reflections:
What do you want your marriage to look like ten years from now? What can you do today to reach your desired outcome?
Is there room in your life for friendship with your spouse? Is there anything you can take out of your life to allow space for your friendship with your spouse to grow?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:18, "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; will make him a helper suitable for him.'" (NAS)
Ephesians 5:28, "So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself."
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 24, 2010
God's Cleats
Rachel Olsen
"Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life." Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NLT)
Devotion:
The Vancouver Olympics have me glued to my TV. Figure skating, downhill skiing, snowboarding, even curling - I'll watch most any Olympic sport. I relish the competition, the teamwork, the medal ceremonies, and especially the stories of athletes overcoming odds to perform well.
In fact, it reminds me a little of my husband Rick.
My husband grew up with a single mother, and very little money. In high school, Rick wanted to try out for track and field - he dreamed of running fast and long, and throwing a javelin. The problem was he didn't have the right shoes, and couldn't afford them. Thank God for good friends and a kind coach.
One of Rick's close friends invited Rick over to his house one day and said, "Try these running shoes on. They just don't fit my feet right and I'll never wear them." Rick wasn't sure if J.T. was telling the truth, but the shoes fit Rick fine. Those shoes helped him qualify for the state meet in the 800 meter race.
Running shoes allowed Rick to run much faster than his old sneakers would, but he would slip and slide in them while trying to throw the javelin. One day after practice, Rick's coach called him over and held up a big box of cleats. "Here's some unclaimed shoes students left in their lockers at the end of the school year. Find your size if you can." Rick found some that fit and the cleats made all the difference. Even the "crunching" sound they made on the track sent shivers of confidence and purpose up Rick's spine. Rick discovered it's much easier to strive for the goal when your footing is secure.
Many athletes dream of standing atop a podium during an awards ceremony with gold medals around their necks. For most, it takes talent, hard work, plus money to get there. But there is an ornament even more valuable than a gold medal. Proverbs 3:21-23 reveals:
"My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble."
Sound judgment and discernment are medals that become ours when we walk in wisdom. Money can take us places, for sure, but it can only take us so far. It provides but a measure of security. Wisdom is the footwear each of us needs to run the race God has set before us. Wisdom will help us make the important trek from this world into eternity.
When we walk in His wisdom - in God's cleats - He promises us solid footing. He does not promise a road that is always flat, or a route that is easy to run, but He promises us solid footing no matter the terrain. Wisdom - proper respect for the Lord and His ways - affords us ultimate security. Eternal security. Money can't do that.
Rick went on to compete successfully in high school, and on his college cross-country team. He also went on to gain godly wisdom. I'm so thankful for the friends and coaches that ensured Rick had what he needed to run his best.
God ensures - through the Bible, His followers, and His Spirit within us - that we each have what we need to run our best as well. He equips us to follow hard after Him. No money is necessary to be well-heeled in God's kingdom. Whether we're wearing nursing shoes, work boots, high heels, hand-me-downs, or flip-flops, we can walk securely by walking wisely.
Dear Lord, grant me wisdom and sure footing as I follow after You. I trust You to equip me with all I need. Whatever my path, I believe Your principals can keep me from slipping. You lead, I'll follow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Rachel at her blog today to chat about how God equips us with what we need.
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Consider what you usually walk in - fear? anger? depression? doubt? discontentment? a big hurry?
Reflections:
Who in your life can coach you in the ways of wisdom?
Who can help you "find your size" and follow after Him?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:7, "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment." (NLT)
Proverbs 2:6, "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 25, 2010
Trusting In Princes
Marybeth Whalen
"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes."
Psalm 118:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I had looked forward to this moment for days. I sat across the table from my friend and poured out my heart about a big decision I had to make. As I looked into her eyes, I just knew she would have the wisdom I needed. I waited expectantly for her advice.
Instead of an answer to my problems I got a mini sermon. One I needed to hear. My friend pointed out that I was looking to the answer and not the Source of all answers. I thought if I just made the right choice, I would solve all my own problems. "You need to take your focus off making the right decision and trust God," she said. "No matter what you decide to do, He will still take care of you and He will accomplish His purpose for you." (from Psalm 138:8)
I nodded soberly. My friend was right. I had gotten caught up in the outcome. I was placing my trust in princes—looking to people and circumstances for the answers—instead of accepting the truth that, no matter what decision I made, God was going to take care of me. I had made the decision so uber-important that it had eclipsed God's place in my life.
I had prayed to make the right decision. I had journaled pages to Him about it. But ultimately, I reasoned, since He hadn't written the solution in the skies for me, I had to make my own choice based on what I felt was right. I had forgotten that He would still be there working all things together for my good after I made the decision, just as He had before.
If you are facing a big or little decision in your life, seek Him above all. Don't let the outcome or the opinions of others become more important that the One who "opens His hands and satisfies the desires of every living thing." (Psalm 145:16)
No matter whether you make the right decision or the wrong one, He will still be there walking with you, loving you, and helping you. Pray about your decision. Read His word. Seek out godly counsel. And then make the best decision you can. Sometimes the biggest decision is to simply make one. Place your trust in Him and rest in the fact that He will meet you on the other side of whatever decision you make.
Dear Lord, thank You that because of Your grace I know You will always be there. Thank You for the promise in Romans 8:28 that You will work all things out for good. I pray that my life brings You glory and I trust You to work in all circumstances to make that happen. Help me to place my trust in You and not in princes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth Whalen's blog
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Look up Psalm 57:2 and Psalm 100:3, and write them in your journal. Spend time reflecting on these verses and how they apply to your life today.
Reflections:
Are you trusting Him to work out His purposes for you today? Are you offering up whatever decisions you must make or steps you must take to Him and letting Him take care of the rest?
What "princes" in your life are throwing you off track?
Power Verses:
Psalm 146:3, "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save." (NIV)
Psalm 60:11, "Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless." (NIV)
:angel:
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
February 26, 2010
Faithfulness and a Coffee Table
Lynn Cowell
"In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron's staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant." Hebrews 9:4 (NLT)
Devotion:
To most, it is just a coffee table. A table that has seen better days, and is maybe slightly out of fashion. But to her it is an altar of sorts. The coffee table is the place where she found Him; the day she received a new life in Jesus.
My mom has looked for new tables. Ones that match her decor. Ones that turn into spiffy serving tables. Ones with glass for displaying things of beauty. But still the old table remains.
The table serves as a reminder. A reminder of the things that God has done. A reminder of His faithfulness. A reminder of what He can do and lives that He can change.
The Israelites had reminders too. Hebrews 9:4 tells us that in the temple, in the Most Holy Place there was a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant. Inside this ark was a gold jar containing manna, Aaron's staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. All reminders. Reminders of things that God had done. Reminders of His faithfulness. Reminders of what He can do.
I am a person of change. I love new things. My husband and I were recently strolling the aisles of Home Depot and as we passed my favorite counter I announced, "I love paint." "You love paint?" he repeated. "Yes! I love the change that comes with new paint; new color." I don't care to buy expensive things like designer purses or diamond jewelry; things I feel I have to keep. Things I feel I have to use. I like things that I can change.
But this verse reminds me of the importance of "old things." The importance of the things in our past that remind us of God's faithfulness. My things: The dishes that remind me of my grandparent's marriage - one that was full of true unconditional love that lasted a life time. The marred chairs around my table that were for our "new" home when my now eighteen year-old son was crawling. The quilt in my bedroom, handmade to keep my mother warm in the wagon on those below freezing Minnesota mornings as a child. Piles of scrapbooks that document the life that Greg and I have built with our children. All of these testify that though life is hard, God is good.
I haven't told her yet, but I hope that one day Mom's coffee table will be a reminder in my home. You see, it is by that coffee table that I knelt with my mama as a young girl and began my new life with Jesus. Nothing on this earth would bring me joy more than to one day kneel by that table with another young girl and continue with the memories it holds
Dear Lord, I need to be reminded daily of Your faithfulness. Reminders such as these give me hope; hope that as You have been for all time, You will be faithful again today and tomorrow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Family Enrichment Toolkit
Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Marybeth Lagerborg
Visit Lynn's blog for more encouragement today.
Application Steps:
What in your surroundings remind you of God's goodness and faithfulness in your life?
What change can you bring to your environment that would invoke positive thoughts about God? Are there things in your home that you need to give a more prominent place? Are there things in your home that you need to remove because they cause you to have negative thoughts?
Take some time to attach positive stories to the things in your home with your children. The stories are in your mind, but our children need to hear them so that they too can build a history with God.
Reflections:
What are some specific times in your life when you saw God's faithfulness first hand?
Are you a "new" thing girl or "old"? Do you make a habit of reminding yourself of His goodness?
Power Verses:
Joshua 4:7 "Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."" (NIV)
Exodus 34:6, "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness," (NIV)
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 1, 2010
Too Many Eyes
Christa Parrish, She Reads Featured Author
"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body."
1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was twenty, my boyfriend said to me, "Christa, you're just not feminine enough," and he ended our relationship. I was devastated, not only because I loved him, but because I had been bombarded with the not enough message for the past three years, since I had become a Christian.
Those at the church I attended, while deeply committed to following God, had definite ideas about what a "good Christian woman" looked liked. I wasn't it. So I strove to throw off the "old" me. I read the right books and listened to the right speakers, and followed carefully constructed do and don't lists. And finally I gained acceptance in the church, but had completely lost myself - any shred of individuality.
I was just another eye (1 Corinthians 12:17) in a crowd of eyes.
For all the proper clothes and activities and friends, I found myself heavy with shame because there were still huge pieces inside of me that wouldn't squish into the "good Christian" mold held out for me. I prayed to be more like this woman or that woman, until one day I realized the only person I should be praying to be like was Jesus. Once I turned my sight to Christ, I began to see how my differences could be of value to Him. The more I became like Him, the more I became the person He made me to be.
My husband continually tells me, usually in response to some quirky idea I have, "I always want you to be who you are," and I hear the Lord's voice in those words. God is glorified through His people, and trying to shake off the personality with which He created us is dishonoring to Him. Each of our unique talents, idiosyncrasies, and abilities can and should be used for Him, and I've learned over and over again God will put us in situations that require just the skills and personality traits He has given us.
In my most recent novel, Watch Over Me, the main characters feel as if they are on the "fringe" of the church body, unable to fit in. For Abbi, it's because of her personal convictions; for Benjamin, it's because of the pain he's carrying around inside him; and for Matthew, it's a physical disability. But all three of them come to realize they are all necessary parts of the body of Christ. They - we - are the eyes and ears and feet and noses. Each of us fills a role in Christ's church, and in the lives of those around us, placed there by God to serve and love one another in our differences.
Dear Lord, You have created each of us in Your image, and also uniquely us. Help us to embrace who You made us to be, to see clearly the strengths You've given us, and rejoice in them. Use our individual weaknesses to turn us to You each and every day, giving us reason to cling to Your promises. Allow us opportunities to use our talents for Your glory and the good of the people around us, both those who are part of Your body and those who do not yet know You. Let our uniqueness be a light for You in the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish
Visit P31's She Reads site to learn more about Christa and enter to win a copy of her latest novel Watch Over Me. A grand prize winner will receive a copy of the novel along with a beautiful handmade vase from Arizona Pottery. A runner up will receive a copy of the novel as well.
Youniquely Woman: Becoming Who God Designed You To Be by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes, Donna Otto
Application Steps:
Reach out to someone in your church who may feel like she's on the "fringe" of things and doesn't fit in with the other women. Take time to encourage her uniqueness in Christ.
Take a few minutes to think about the talents God has given you. If there are some you aren't using now, ask yourself why that is. Go to the Lord in prayer and see if He reveals a way for you to serve Him with these abilities.
Reflections:
Do you suppress certain parts of yourself because you're worried about what other people may think? How can you overcome this "fear of man" that can prevent you from being all God made you to be?
Have you ever wished you could be more like another woman you know, because she seems more Godly? In what ways can you focus more on becoming "Christ-like" rather than "other-like"?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (NIV)
Jeremiah 1:5a, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." (NIV)
© 2010 by Christa Parrish. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 2, 2010
Hope in the Rubble
Lynn Cowell
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength" Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
Mind-boggling devastation filled the screen. I just couldn't wrap my mind around everything that had taken place by the earthquake in Haiti. Such suffering and pain. I went to sleep with the images firmly planted in my mind and heart.
When I awoke in the morning, I began to pray before my feet hit the ground: prayer for miracles, supplies and those who would arrive in that precious country to serve and minister to the broken. A picture of a crying baby being pulled from the rubble came to mind. After over 48 hours of no food, no water and being trapped under a collapsed house, the 18 month-old was rescued. It was truly a miracle.
My prayers moved from the Haitian crisis to praying for a loved one who has gone astray. The one I love has much in common with the newly rescued baby. He too is trapped. Trapped by the weight and destruction of bad decisions and flawed thinking patterns. What seemed like a common path many were taking led to a place of destruction.
What this precious baby and my loved one do not have in common is the desire to be free. The baby sensed something was wrong. Where was her family? Where was food and water? Why wasn't someone coming to her rescue? Such thoughts occupied her tiny immature mind. My loved one has yet to discover that he indeed needs rescuing. He has yet to recognize the weight of selfishness, unforgiveness and self-destruction pressing on him.
Do you have one you desperately love who is heading toward destruction and doesn't realize it? Do you have days when the rubble of sin seems too heavy- too much to be removed? And you just can't see how God is going to break through?
Help is arriving in Haiti. Armies, doctors, nurses and relief workers from around the world are helping. Rescue is taking place. People's lives have been saved, and in time, the destruction will be removed.
Rescue is available for our loved ones, too. Prayer is the place to begin as we hope that in the middle of their own destruction, they will see their need for rescue. When that realization becomes clear, like the tiny baby in Haiti, our loved ones will cry out for help. We know our God will be there to hear and rescue. He may use others to help them. He may call them to push away some of the debris. But more than anything, we know He wants them free.
Dear Lord, some days I grow weary of praying for my loved one. I am so glad that You don't. Please open their eyes to see the destruction they are in and give them the desire to break free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: What to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Holtz
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Visit Lynn's blog
Read one praying mother's story The Night I Lost All Hope
Application Steps:
Is your loved one a child? A husband? A friend? Find another godly woman who will partner with you to pray daily for this person; preferably one who has had victory in her life with a loved one in this area.
Pray for divine appointments in this person's life and others who will share compassion, love and Jesus' heart with them.
Get a notebook or journal. Write your loved one's name on the front. Begin to journal prayers, verses, etc., specifically related to your loved one. Fill in their name and use the word "you" i.e. "Today I prayed Ephesians 1:18-19 for you. It says...." Print prayers sent to you by others and put them in the journal. Believe that one day you will give this journal to your loved one as a testimony to what God has done.
Reflections:
Were you ever someone else's wayward loved one? If so, what did the Lord do to bring you to Himself?
Are you the wayward love one? If so, do not be afraid to call out from underneath your rubble. Those around you already see it. They see you and more than anything they want you to be free and to help you to get there!
Power Verses:
Psalm 106:8, "Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known." (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
:angel:
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 3, 2010
Retreat with Jesus
Amy Carroll
"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."
Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
When a new neighbor moved in next door, Caroline rallied the troops in her neighborhood to prepare a warm greeting. She and her friend planned a feast to take over to welcome the newcomer to their community. Caroline called her new neighbor and was surprised when her hospitality was met with suspicion.
"Why did you say that you wanted to bring me dinner?" the new neighbor questioned. Caroline explained that it was a tradition in their area and that they'd like to deliver dinner to welcome her personally. The neighbor responded, "I tell you what. I'll give you a call when I'm hungry." Click.
Caroline reflected on how many times we treat God the same way that her new neighbor treated her. Each day God lays out a feast and invites every believer to come eat our fill. I had to ask myself an important question: How many days do I rush by God's table and throw an "I'll come when I'm hungry!" back over my shoulder?
I think I'm full, but God knows that I'm simply ignoring my hunger. I need to sit down daily to eat and be filled from God's table. Luke 1:53 says, "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (NIV).
I long to have a heart to approach Him daily just as I am—poor and hungry. He invites me to come to Him so that I can leave rich and full. What a glorious exchange! What a divine pleasure!
Daily time enjoying God is essential, but sometimes God gives us an invitation to a private, extended feast. I am envious of one of my pastors. He takes a week each year for a spiritual retreat to a monastery. He goes where it's quiet and simple and spends a week with Jesus. Maybe someday when my children are older and I'm caught up on laundry I'll be able to do that, but recently God led me to do something equally wonderful on a smaller scale. I took a spiritual retreat during the school day in a room at my church.
As I walked up the stairs to the empty room, I felt nervous. I had spent hours in prayer with others, but I had never spent this long alone with God. Would I have enough to say to Him? Would He speak to me in the silence? Would the minutes drag by? Would I walk out unchanged or disappointed?
At the end of the day, my questions were answered. God met me there. We filled our time together with prayer, Bible reading and worship. God spoke words of direction to me in the silence. I came in knowing that I was hungry, and He was faithful to fill me.
Having mini-retreats with Jesus is something that I plan to do now at least twice a year. In the midst of a full life, it's necessary to intentionally set extended time aside to seek His face and worship Him. I'll still look forward to a week in an abbey, but in the meantime I'll bask in a school day retreat as I renew my relationship with God and feast on His goodness!
Dear Lord, help me know You are good. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Amy's blog
From My Heart to Your Throne: An Intimate Worship Collection (CD) by Melissa Melbourn
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Application Steps:
Pray and ask God to give you a desire for extended time with Him.
Mark a day on your calendar for a retreat with Jesus.
Reflections:
Have I ignored my spiritual hunger and run by God's feast?
Power Verses:
Mark 6:31, "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" (NIV)
Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 4, 2010
Help Us Moms, Lord!
Lysa TerKeurst
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
I wanted to tap the two girls sitting on the front row at our church service. And fuss at them in a not so gentle way I tell you. But they were five rows ahead of me and my arm couldn't quite reach.
Since I couldn't physically get their attention, I prepared my "look." You know the one that says a thousand corrective statements with just a cross expression and a raised eyebrow? Yes, that one.
The minute one of them stole a glance in my direction, they were going to know exactly how I felt about their wiggling and obvious lack of attention during the service. Oh, and I should mention, these two girls belonged to me. Well, at least one of them did. The other was my daughter's friend who sometimes goes to church with us.
I don't think anyone else really noticed them. They weren't being disruptive to other people. But they weren't acting the way I wanted them to. I wanted them sitting up straight, drinking in the message, and taking notes.
Suddenly, an annoying little thought started to tug at the corners of my mind. "You want your children to act perfectly because it makes you look good. Let that go. They don't need to be sitting up straight furiously taking notes to hear God's message. This is a beautiful time for grace."
Ouch.
I don't much like the Holy Spirit speaking the kind of truth to me that hurts. I was in the mood to fuss at somebody. Two somebodies. Give grace? Now? It wasn't what I wanted but it's exactly what I needed to do in that moment. Soon my daughter's friend peered back to look at me. Despite my feelings, I made the choice to smile, wink, and give her a little wave.
Then this wiggly, usually not very affectionate, middle schooler got out of her seat. She walked down the aisle, five rows back, and made her way to me. She threw her arms around me and gave me a hug that preached a thousand sermons right then and there.
Indeed, grace was exactly what was needed in that moment. The rest of the service she sat attentive beside me and even asked a few questions on the way home.
And that's what makes this parenting thing so hard. There are really no textbook answers. It's such a moment by moment balancing act between loving, shepherding, disciplining, extending grace, molding, modeling, loving some more and fussing a little along the way too.
The only way I can navigate this balancing act is to stay close to God. Really close. Rather than seeing God as far off, I have to rely on him as a desperate daughter who needs her Daddy. Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I like that verse but without quoting it in context, it's stripped of its power. The last 4 words of Philippians 4:5 are the power source that unlocks the peace of God that transcends all understanding.
Those four words are, "The Lord is near."
And because He's near, we don't have to be anxious- we can ask our Lord what to do, how to react, when to discipline and when to give grace. James 1:5 reminds me, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Only God can prepare me with the wisdom and discernment necessary for each and every parenting moment. So I must stay close to Him- ask Him- rely on Him- cry out to Him- and make Him the basis for my parenting.
My goal should never be to raise kids that make me look good. (But, oh, how my flesh craves this!) My goal should be to ask God moment by moment for wisdom to know how to raise kids who proclaim God's goodness in their hearts.
Blessings to you as you ever so delicately search for that balance between discipline and grace as well.
Dear Lord, I am asking for wisdom today to know how to best raise my kids. Help me to know when to discipline and when to give grace. Help me sense Your nearness so I don't feel so alone and overwhelmed with this task of being a mom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win a mom's encouragement package for you and a friend!
This devotion was taken from Lysa's new book: Am I Messing Up My Kids? If you've ever wanted to stop yelling and start loving being a mom, get this book here today!
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Only God can prepare us with the wisdom and discernment necessary for each and every parenting moment. Pray for wisdom and revelation today as you lead your children. The more you ask for the spirit of wisdom and revelation, the more your actions will be redirected, moment by moment. The more your actions are redirected, the more you will become like Jesus. The more you become like Jesus, the more deeply you will come to understand His ways and know Him personally.
Read Psalm 103:8-13 and journal your thoughts.
Reflections:
Who am I most likely to ask when I need parenting help?
What might be the benefit of turning to God first?
How can I become a wiser mom according to James 1:5?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 19:11, "A man's wisdom gives him patience..." (NIV)
Proverbs 24:3, "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established." (NIV)
Ephesians 1:17, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (NIV)
:angel:
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 5, 2010
Becoming a Woman of Dignity
Glynnis Whitwer
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
How could I have done it? How could I have gotten into an argument with my pre-teen daughter that reduced me to the level of: "Did not!" "Did too!" It was that bad.
I walked away knowing I needed a time out. Wasn't I supposed to be the grown up? Wasn't I supposed to be the mature, godly, Proverbs 31 woman? At that moment, I was anything but.
Frustration at the interaction with my daughter rushed through my veins like adrenalin after a near accident. I tried shaking it off, but the emotions stuck with me.
As I replayed the conversation in my mind, I thought of all the mature things I should have done and said. I saw myself as I wished I'd been - calm, gentle and dignified. And I wondered how I had drifted so far from the woman I wanted to be.
Dignified. The very word speaks to something in my spirit. I imagine a self-controlled woman making deliberate choices about what she says and does based on her priorities. I imagine a woman whose personality is not changed by circumstances, but exhibits grace under all kinds of challenges.
What is dignity anyway? We find it mentioned in Proverbs 31:25 as something to be desired, "She is clothed with strength and dignity." My dictionary defines it as "the quality or state of being worthy, honored or esteemed." Based on that definition and the entire chapter of Proverbs 31, I believe a woman clothed in dignity is one who knows who she is in Christ, and chooses to act in ways consistent with her high calling as a child of God.
Sadly, I have at times allowed the actions and words of another to impact my choice to maintain my dignity. In moments of frustration, I have set aside that dignity and allowed emotions to rule.
In the frustration of having a schoolyard argument with my daughter, I forgot I was a woman chosen by God and given the strength to deal with daily challenges. God invited me to clothe myself in His power, and I had rejected His offer of help.
I had a lot of apologizing to do: first to my daughter, then to God. I'm thankful both forgave me, and offered me an opportunity to try again to model dignity. It made a difference. The next time I felt emotions threaten to overtake me, I took a deep breath and thought, "I am a woman of dignity." Then I prayed for God to step in and clothe me with His power to be that woman.
Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me to be a woman of dignity. I know You see my potential, but the truth is I struggle daily to be that woman. Please help me to sacrifice my selfish nature and replace it with Your gracious spirit. I know I need Your help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Becoming a woman of dignity starts with inviting Jesus to rule in your heart. If you long for help with your emotions, and haven't invited Jesus into your heart, please visit
Do You Know Him?
Parenting Your Teen and Loving It: Being the Mom Your Kids Need by Susie Davis
Visit Glynnis's blog for more tips on keeping your cool under pressure
The Character of God by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Application Steps:
List two or three behaviors that define a woman of dignity. Commit to depend on God's grace to practice those behaviors in the coming week.
Reflections:
It's easy to blame others for our lack of dignity. How does blaming others hinder our personal growth?
What are some things you can do to prepare yourself to act with dignity in the face of a challenge?
Power Verses:
Titus 2:11-12, "God's saving grace has appeared to all people. It teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful longings. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today's world." (NIRV)
Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 8, 2010
Jobless - Hopeful
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst, She Speaks! Graduate
"... humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
James 1:21b (NIV)
Devotion:
My husband doesn't have a job. As the result of a merger he lost his job after having been with his organization for 21 years. In the world of banking we were quite used to mergers and the threat of losing his job throughout our entire marriage. But last summer the cyclical threat came to fruition. His job was eliminated and he came home.
Life has certainly taken an interesting twist. I now wake up before he does. I leave the house for work and he stays home. He has cooked most of our meals, has helped our daughter apply to colleges, taken on a more active role in our middle school son's schoolwork and sports, and fixed a water problem in our back yard. And just now as I write this, I received a text from him at the grocery store, 'Do you want cinnamon flavored dental floss or regular?' Yes, he now does a majority of the grocery shopping as well.
We have had our struggles too. The what-ifs rear their ugly head and make an unwanted appearance in our minds from time to time. In addition to fleeting thoughts of fear and doubt, we have had our share of unwanted financial burdens as well. Our air conditioner broke; we had two pipe leaks in our home, a gas leak, our garage door broke, dreaded car repairs, and unexpected vet bills.
But we wait. And we hope. And we wait and hope some more.
Just this morning I read the book of James and was completely encouraged by the message God reveals through James' words. I came away with renewed insight in two areas of my life: drawing near to God and humbling myself before Him.
As we wait and we hope, God is also waiting. Waiting for me to come near to Him for strength, hope and peace. True fulfillment in these three areas can only be realized and received from the Giver of life. The One who holds the world in the palm of His hand. The One who spoke us into existence. As I come near to Him, He will come near to me. Not always on my timetable or in the way I would predict or prescribe, but in His perfectly sculpted plan.
And humbling myself before Him is not robotically proclaiming, "I guess You are right God and I perhaps I am wrong." It means to come to a place where I can honestly admit that humbling myself before Him means that I recognize my worth comes from Him and Him alone. My very worth. Everything in and of me. I must submit and realize that I don't know the path without His guidance, power and favor.
It's so easy to run ahead and plan our attempts to work things for our good. Through the past seven months we have had to learn to wait, hope and trust beyond our comprehension. Beyond our plan. Beyond our wishes.
We've had to pause, wait and focus on the good that He is doing each day.
We've had to resist and flee the doubts and fears that creep in at a moments notice.
We've had to learn and relearn that as we humbly draw near to Him, we must trust, and leave the rest to Him.
And just in case you are curious, I asked for the cinnamon flavored dental floss.
Dear Lord, I admit that I need You today. Help me focus on what is true. Keep my mind from doubting Your plan. I know full well that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Change me and then use me Lord. Thank You for entrusting me with all that I have. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Please visit Lysa's blog for more insight and a chance to win a year's subscription to our P31 Woman Magazine for the best kind of monthly encouragement.
She Speaks! Conference
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Read the book of James. Prayerfully search the depths of your heart and ask God for wisdom as you read. He will teach you many things about faith, perseverance, compassion, service, speech, submission, concern for others and sharing.
Reflections:
In what areas did you find encouragement as you read James?
What have you learned about faith, trials and perseverance?
Power Verses:
James 4:8a, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (NIV)
James 3:17, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (NIV)
© 2010 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 9, 2010
I Want to Leave a Legacy
Melanie Chitwood
"I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known your faithfulness with my mouth." Psalm 89:1 (NAS)
Devotion:
What do your children think of when they think of you? Their answers would be very revealing, wouldn't they? One day in early elementary school, Zachary came home with a Mother's Day picture he'd created for me. In the middle was a lovely portrait of me, wearing a dress made in my favorite colors of pink and purple. Then around the picture his teacher had told him to write four different words to describe his mom. He wrote: reading, napping, chocolate chip cookies, and laughing. His words made me smile with their accuracy.
Every day we are leaving our fingerprints on our kids. What do we want our children to think of when they think of their parents? A mom who was gentle and firm in her discipline or a mom who flew off the handle easily? A mom who seemed permanently attached to her phone or a mom who was available for life's big and small moments? A mom who occasionally went to church or a mom whose love of God was a part of her everyday life?
A legacy can be defined as "something handed down." Every day through our words and actions we are developing a legacy to be carried in the character of our children. It's easy for the busyness of life to keep you from being purposeful in your parenting. Let's decide today to leave the legacy we really want. Let's make sure it's a legacy not born of busyness and urgency, but one born of purposefulness and prayer.
It always helps me to remember that God is a parent too. So who better to turn to for parenting advice? It also helps me to know that God loves my children even more than I do, and He will fill in the gaps for me and Scott as we seek Him first. No matter what kind of parent you've been, today you can decide to add to and improve the legacy you are leaving. These are the only days we have with our children. We don't get them back. Let's begin today to be the parents we really want to be.
Dear Lord, thank You so much for each of my children. I need Your help every day to be the parent You want me to be. Lord, I'm human and I know that as a parent, I've made mistakes and will in the future. Lord, redeem the past and strengthen me for the future. Lord, thank You that You will give me Your love, wisdom, strength, direction, and patience to be the best parent for my children. Help me to leave a legacy that brings You glory and one that will enable my children to know how much You love them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was adapted from What A Wife Needs From Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Season of Change: Parenting Your Middle Schooler with Passion and Purpose by Rebecca Ingram Powell
For more encouragement, read A Legend of Faith
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart and Message on CD, by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
Your children will learn to pray as they hear you pray. Pray with them on the way to school, throughout the day to thank God or to ask for His help, and tuck them in each night with your prayers. And don't stop praying with them when they're teens. Even though your teens may be pulling away from you, they still need to know you're covering them with prayer.
Choose a verse for the whole family to memorize each week. Display it in the kitchen or some other visible place.
Reflections:
Think about your everyday actions. Which of your actions point your children's hearts to the Lord?
Think about your attitude in frustrating or stressful situations. Are you modeling Christ's attitude in these situations?
What is one action step you can take this week to leave a legacy of faith for your children?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 6:5-9, "Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. (Message)
Proverbs 22:6, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (NLT)
Psalm 79:13, "So we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever; to all generations we will tell of Your praise." (NAS)
:angel:
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 10, 2010
Thinking Higher
Rachel Olsen
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
After becoming a believer nearly two decades ago, I've never been more excited about heaven than now. Honestly, I never gave it much thought before.
Perhaps I was too busy trying to figure out how to live in Christ on earth. And perhaps I was bit scared off by the oft-repeated adage that you can become "too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good."
I'd heard friends, loved ones and church leaders all warn of this. A focus on heaven can sabotage my walk with God? Really?
That's not what I'm seeing in the Bible, nor is it what I'm experiencing.
Jesus told us to seek the kingdom of heaven first and foremost (Matthew 6:33). The Bible tells us that heaven is where God and Jesus are. And a taste for it is God-placed in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). E.M. Bounds writes, "The power of the Spirit binds us to heaven because Jesus is there. We are bound to love it, think about it, and desire it, for Jesus is its center and glory."
So thinking about, longing for, and planning for this glorious point and place in eternity where we'll be united with our Savior is a way to worship Christ. It is a means of seeing and savoring Him. And, it fills us with hope. Hope, the Bible reveals, is the seed-starter of faith.
Hope can shore us up in the face of much heartache and trouble on earth. It can make us eternal optimists. C.S. Lewis writes, "In the truest sense, Christian pilgrims have the best of both worlds. We have joy whenever this world reminds us of the next, and we take solace whenever it doesn't."
"Strongly, insistently, the Holy Spirit uses heaven and its untold, manifold good to move saints to action, awaken them from death, and to increase their zeal and love," Bounds explains. Heaven, then, is a stimulant for us on earth - a stimulant towards action, love, and zeal for Christ. Not a distraction.
Besides, being too heavenly minded has never been my struggle. I am so much more prone to being so earthly minded that I'm of little heavenly good. I can become myopically focused on me: my wants, my needs, my troubles, my possessions, my plans. I grow obsessed with Rachel-like living. Or else, I become hyper-focused on the state of the world: the popular culture, the politics, the weather, the economy.
When the reality of eternity and heaven comes crashing through my heart and thoughts, it pulls my focus up. Way up. Much needed perspective is gained and I'm able to redirect my thoughts and actions towards Christ-like living. I begin living now, again, for this future place and goal.
I'm guessing the "too heavenly minded" saying originated to describe someone who - like the Pharisees - spent their lives becoming self-righteous through their spiritual actions. Or, perhaps someone who spent so much time in the pew that they neglected their family, friends, or serving their community. I suspect these people were hearers but not doers of the Word.
I'd also guess these people probably didn't think much about heaven at all. Because to gain a true grasp of heaven is to have your eyes spiritually opened. It is to understand where this all is heading, and what you are truly made for.
It is to think and live higher.
Dear Lord, give me a vision and passion for heaven. May I live for that kingdom - for its King and by its rules. And help me to be of earthly good as I pass through this place, preparing for the next. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the One who can usher you to heaven?
For more on this topic - heaven and living eternally-minded - visit Rachel's blog
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A Compilation of Favorite P31 Devotions by various Encouragement for Today authors; Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
A Woman Who Fears the Lord: T-shirt
Application Steps:
Are your ideas about heaven and the life to come fuzzy? Begin searching the Bible for passages about it.
Reflections:
Do you think about heaven much? Do you believe you can think about it too much?
How do you feel when you do ponder your life to come in heaven?
How do your views on heaven influence your days here on earth?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:11a, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men." (NIV)
2 Peter 3:13, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 11, 2010
What Does It Mean To 'Believe?'
Micca Monda Campbell
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I didn't take the time to discuss it with my parents or even tell them where I was going. Inside that large arena, I leaped from my seat and ran toward the stage. I was running to Jesus. My mother called my name and begged me to stop. As I looked back at her, a sea of people began to fill the gap between us. Normally, this would have frightened a small child, but I wasn't afraid at all. The pull towards the stage was much stronger than the fear of being separated from my mother. Luckily, a counselor reunited us and my mother was there to witness my introduction to Jesus.
I was seven years-old when I met Jesus for the first time. While attending a James Robison crusade with my family, I was captured by the words of the evangelist as he described Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. That divine night, my eyes were opened to God's message of hope. When Pastor Robison invited all who believed to come forward, I went.
That was an exciting day for me. However, as the years passed I noticed something disturbing. I wasn't experiencing the change I had hoped for. In fact, each time I heard a pastor say, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and experience freedom from sin and a life marked by peace, power, and joy," I became more confused. I do believe in Jesus. Why weren't those truths a reality in my life?
Like some today, I had misunderstood what it meant to believe.
To "believe" means much more than simply acknowledging Christ's death on a cross.
Unfortunately, for many today that word has been reduced to just that - a mere mental acknowledgement. Like me, multitudes have said the sinner's prayer because they believe Jesus died on a cross. But without the call to confess sin and commit to a life of following Christ in obedience, no transformation takes place. That's the problem with knowledge alone. It requires no commitment and brings about no lasting change.
The Bible teaches that to believe means to acknowledge what Christ did on the cross and to be so changed by it that we want to obey His will and His Word. Therefore, to believe is to obey. A person who truly believes is compelled by God's love, and responds with a desire to obey Him. Their belief not only motivates them to obey but to trust God completely with their life.
When I finally understood this truth, I made a new and final commitment: "God, I so believe in Your Son who died for my sins that I surrender my will for Yours." Then, I began studying and applying God's Word to my life. That's when I noticed real change taking place. I noticed something else too. My problems didn't instantly go away, but I wasn't carrying them alone anymore. That's not all. No matter who mocked me or what trouble came my way, I decided to trust God. Doing so brought peace to my heart like never before.
A true believer is not only identified by what she confesses, but by the fruit of her obedience. The only way to identify genuine belief in your life and the lives of others is by a life that demonstrates it. When a person has experienced real change through a surrendered life, others will know it by their actions.
If you are like me, wondering why no change has occurred since you prayed to become a Christian, perhaps you need to move from acknowledging Christ to living a life of obedience to Him. I promise you ... it's what you're looking for.
Dear Lord, for too long I have only acknowledged You as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I long for real change. Today, I surrender my will to You. I commit to a life of obedience. Forgive me for my sins and fill me with your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
This devotion was adapted from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart. Order your copy now!
Visit Micca's blog
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Application Steps:
Begin today with this commitment: "God, I so believe in Your Son who died for my sins that I surrender my will for Yours." Then follow through by reading the Bible and asking the Holy Spirit to help you life out it's truths by obeying what it says there.
Reflections:
How does your life reflect the fact that faith and action are inseparable?
Can you feel secure in your experience with God if it never leads to obedient action?
Power Verses:
James 2:24, "You see then that a person is justified by what he does, and not by faith alone." (NIV)
James 1:23-24, "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was." James 1:23-24 (NASB)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 12, 2010
With All My Heart
Zoe Elmore
"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'" Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
"I'm giving this to you with all my heart, Daddy." Annie spoke those words as she handed her daddy the wrapped gift. Dan opened the gift to find a small cardboard box, the lid had been torn off, mailing label still attached and a rubber band had been secured to fashion a handle. Dan scooped up his daughter in his arms and thanked her for his birthday gift promising to carry his new lunch box to work the very next day. Dan was true to his word and proudly carried the new lunch box to work the very next day.
Now how many people would actually carry their lunch to the office in a tattered and torn cardboard box? Talk about showing your love with your life in a world where talk is cheap and we value appearances over promises! Dan's tender act of love toward his daughter touched my heart and brought this verse to mind.
1 John 4:16, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (NIV).
While Dan's new lunch box fell apart within a day or two, Dan's love for his daughter is real, personal and lasting just like the love God has for us. God's love sees beyond our brokenness and sin and transforms our tattered and torn lives into something beautiful and precious.
Our heavenly Father's love is not based on appearance or gender, education or wealth; it's based on one thing: Love. It is God's very nature to love. It is the love of self-sacrifice. God proved His sacrificial love by sending His Son Jesus to die on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin. God draws us to Himself by forgiving us of our rebellion against Him, and by sending His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. God did this in spite of the fact that we did not deserve it. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV).
God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and loves us personally with all His heart. His love is a mighty love that has no beginning and no end. Why does God love us? It is because of who He is: "God is love."
If you're longing for the personal and individual love of a father and have never experienced the deep, rich, immeasurable love of God I encourage you to stop and follow these five simple steps.
1. Admit your sin and your need for a Savior.
2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you.
4. Through Prayer, receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior.
5. Surrender your will to His, and ask Him to help you trust and obey His ways.
Dear Lord, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask You into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Zoe's blog for more encouragement.
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Read more on Hearing God
Application Steps:
Begin to read your Bible everyday. This helps you grow in your faith.
Pray. Prayer is simply talking with God; you can talk to God any time.
Join a local church. Other believers will help encourage you.
Reflections:
Do you often feel like you're going it alone or are you looking for God's presence?
Power Verses:
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
Psalm 36:7, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings." (NIV)
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 15, 2010
Conditional Love or Covenant Love?
Melanie Chitwood
"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was pregnant with our second son, Tyler, I was not at my best. Actually, I was a mess. We lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, at the time, a lovely but really hot place for a pregnant lady. I was hot all the time and cranked our air-conditioner down so low that condensation formed on the windows. I was huge and uncomfortable. Tyler ended up being a big baby—9 pounds, 15 ounces—but that doesn't justify the other 40 pounds I gained.
I was hungry all the time but easily nauseated, so cooking anything involving raw meat was not an option. I was also tired, so after teaching and getting little Zachary tucked in early, I was done for the day. When trying to go to sleep, I soon became very sensitive to any outside noises, so we nailed several blankets over our windows, attempting to muffle the noise.
I pity my husband, Scott, for having to live with me during that pregnancy. Amazingly, he loved me with kindness, patience, and longsuffering. Although we joke now that he earned many jewels in his heavenly crown during that pregnancy, I needed to be sure of his love during that time.
That's a kind of love that only a husband or wife can give. A love that sees the good, the bad, and the ugly and still says, I love you now, and I'll always love you. I am sure Scott thought then and has thought many times since that he married a crazy lady, but he has loved me unconditionally.
A Christian marriage reflects God's love, a covenant love. God's covenant love does not depend on anything we do or don't do. God's love just is. In the same way, a Christian couple demonstrates this covenant love as they remain committed to each other during hard times. Their commitment does not depend on pleasant circumstances.
In other words, their love is not conditional, as so many marriages in today's world are. A covenant love promises, "till death do us part," and perseveres in the hard times.
A covenant love, loves always.
Dear Lord, thank You for my spouse. We want a marriage that reflects Your kind of commitment, Lord, the kind that lasts forever. Remind us, especially in the hard times, that we made a promise to each other and to You to be committed for a lifetime. Holy Spirit, please work in me so I will be the first to forgive and the first to say I'm sorry. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Check out Melanie's blog: What Matters Most for a chance to win a free marriage conference call. Also, you'll find more information about the "Building a Marriage that Will Last a Lifetime" conference call being taught by Melanie this week!
This devotion is adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood - buy your copy today.
Find hope with Strengthen Your Marriage
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Application Steps:
For many years I've had a prayer partner who prays specifically for my marriage, and I pray for hers. I can count on her to hold me accountable to God's principles in my marriage. Also, I trust her to keep my confidences. Is there someone in your life with whom you can partner in prayer for your marriage? Pray about it and then make that call.
If you are facing tough times in your marriage right now, I'd love to pray for you and your marriage, especially if you are facing tough times. Visit my blog today to leave your prayer request.
Reflections:
Read today's key verse. Name a specific way you protect your marriage. Are you trustworthy and do you trust your spouse? Do you have hope? How can you persevere in your marriage?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:6,"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (NAS)
1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (NLT)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 16, 2010
Soil vs. Dirt
Glynnis Whitwer
"But still others received the seed that fell on good soil. They are those who hear the message and understand it. They produce a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than the farmer planted."Matthew 13:23 (NIRV)
Devotion:
Being raised in the Arizona desert, I have a different approach to planting than folks in other parts of the country. This was pointed out to me clearly when I was in the beautiful and lush state of Oregon a few years ago.
Some friends and I were discussing the Bible story about sowing seeds and reaping a harvest. I made a comment about planting seed in dirt. "Actually," one of the ladies replied kindly, "seed gets put in soil."
I smiled, and said, "Maybe here it does, but in my part of the country, we've got dirt."
We laughed about that, but it's true. In many parts of the desert, in order to plant, we need to break up the dirt and replace it in part or in total, with good, nutritious soil. This soil is created with lots of additives, or brought in from somewhere else, like Oregon. Without healthy soil, our fruits and vegetables are only a poor reflection of what they could be.
Sadly, our hearts can sometimes be compared to hard dirt, resistant to the truth God longs to plant in it. When a seed of truth is presented to a hardened heart, it is not easily received or embraced. There might be an initial acceptance, but no long term change or "fruit."
Jesus told a parable recorded in Matthew 13 about those who hear the truth, and what they do with it. In the story, some of the hearers did not benefit from the good seed because their "soil" wasn't ready for it. As I read that parable, and considered the hard desert dirt, I wondered if there is any way we can soften hard hearts.
I believe the Bible, and the natural world, give us ways to do just that. Like planting in dirt, the first step is to break it up. We can break up the hardness of our hearts by asking God to search us and reveal the hard places. The psalmist asked God to do this in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me..." (ASV).
Then we can bring healthy "soil" in to those places. For example, if God reveals there is unforgiveness in your heart, mix in God's truth about forgiveness. You might memorize Luke 17:4, "If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him" (NIV).
Finally, keep your heart "watered" so it doesn't harden again. Jesus declared that He was living water, and that when we believe in Him, streams of water will flow from within (John 7:38). This water is the Holy Spirit, who lives in us when we believe and keeps our hearts receptive to God.
I believe God longs to bring many believers into a more mature and vibrant faith, but hardened hearts keep us from growing. Having a heart receptive to truth is an important part of living a life that's productive and used by God. We may have lots of dirt in the desert ... and our hearts ... but where God's living water is, there is always an orchard ready to grow.
Dear Lord, thank You for making a way for even the hardest heart to soften. Help me see the areas of my heart that are hard like dirt. Please replace those places with healthy soil so that Your truth can produce a harvest in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Visit Glynnis's blog for more encouragement.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Glynnis is the senior editor of our P31 Woman magazine. Start your subscription today!
Application Steps:
Read Matthew 13:1-23. Consider if you are like any of the examples given by Jesus.
Reflections:
Why do some people find it easier to accept the Bible as truth, while others struggle with it?
What are some reasons God's truth doesn't "stick" in our hearts?
What are some ways to increase your understanding of God's Word?
Power Verses:
John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
1 John 1:8, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (NIV)
:angel:
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
March 17, 2010
Prepared By God
Wendy Blight
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
In 1988 I entered Southern Methodist University School of Law. I invested three years of my life studying day and night so I could make law review, graduate in the top of my class, and land a job with a large Dallas firm. It all happened just the way I planned ... making law review, graduating in the top 10 percent, and landing that big downtown job. It was a good thing too because my husband and I went into debt for that education. But no worries. I got the high paying job I wanted.
I spent the next year applying all that I had learned, working day and night, researching and writing legal briefs. My long hours paid off as I began arguing cases before local, state, and eventually federal court judges. I even had the honor and privilege of writing a brief that went before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
But in the end, I hated it.
After investing thousands of dollars in my education and thousands of hours researching, writing, and arguing, I hated it. At age 28, I remember saying, "Lord, why do You have me here? I find no joy in what I do. What is it You want me to do? And, Lord, what about all this debt?"
I had no idea the wonderful way in which God would answer those questions. Twenty years later, those research skills taught me the methods that I now use to study and break apart God's Word. Arguing before judges prepared me for the speaking and teaching He has called me to. The writing skills prepared me for writing a book that tells an amazing story of God's hope and healing in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Now in my 40s, I realize that God created me not to be a lawyer, but to be a Bible teacher. He has called me to break apart His Word and teach it. There were steps along the way that I do not understand. There is a debt we still need to repay. But God has been faithful.
Friend, if you have landed here today wondering what in the world God wants to do with your life, I want you to know one thing. Not a single thing in your life will be wasted. God will use your past and your present to prepare you for your future. He has a beautiful plan ... a call on your life. He is waiting to reveal it to you.
Jeremiah 1:5 says, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nation" (NLT).
Psalm 139:16 says, "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (NLT).
Sweet friend, God brought you here today. He wants to remind you of a precious Truth. Hear it and never forget it...before time began, before God spoke the world into being...He had you in His heart. God chose you to be His child. God has a perfect plan for your life. No one else has your plan, your family, your gifts, your talents, your heart, your education, your past, and your present ... NO ONE.
He chose you to use you to do great things for His Kingdom ... things that only you can do.
He is preparing you...even now.
But to be used by God, you must TRUST Him with your past; BELIEVE Him for your future; BELIEVE He has a plan for you; SURRENDER your life to His Plan, and BELIEVE He will equip you to do what He has called you to do.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
Visit Wendy's blog, Living Truth, if you want prayer for this today.
For more encouragement, listen to Dealing with the Past
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Application Steps:
Take time today to look at your design. Prayerfully ask God to reveal your gifts and talents (for example: hospitality, teaching, encouraging, leadership, prayer, administration). What did you discover?
If you have a moment today, please visit my blog and share what you discovered. What is it you see that He is calling you to do for His Kingdom? And if you don't know, please leave me a comment sharing your thoughts so I can pray for you. God wants to reveal His wonderful plan for your life!!!
Reflections:
Read Ephesians 2:10. Read it again. Soak it in. Memorize it. Pray it. Believe it
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 18, 2010
Am I Messing Up My Kids?
Lysa TerKeurst
"'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" John 9:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Okay, moms, let's get gut honest today. Have you ever had these thoughts tug at the corners of your mind: What have I done wrong? Am I messing up my kids?
I've had two in depth conversations this week with friends and the same theme wove throughout both conversations. Our kids sometimes struggle and when they do, often our first thought is what have I done wrong as a mother? Maybe a lot of us moms have this worry that we are somehow messing up our kids.
Certainly good can come from a healthy assessment of how we're doing in our crucial role as moms. However, when the question comes in the form of a personal assault rather than a call to action over a specific area of improvement- it's not healthy.
It's paralyzing. It's draining. It's defeating.
It's evidence of a hole in the spiritual filter of our mind.
My friend, Holly, and I have been doing something since the beginning of the year that has become an absolute delight to my day. I've been determined to fill my mind with the truth. I figure the more truth I have crowded into that tiny little space I call my mind, the more untruths will get crowded out.
So, we've been taking a book of the Bible and going through it slowly- reading one chapter a day. Then we discuss what spoke to us the most.
The other day, before my conversation with one of my friends, I read John 9. One verse jumped out at me and seemed to swirl in my thoughts constantly. John 9:3, "'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" The way this verse kept bumping into my conscious thoughts let me know it was crucial that I think on it- pray through it- and let it seep into some deep places needing this truth.
Later when I was talking with a friend, there were little hints of that question- "What have I done wrong as a mother?"
What a delight it was to have that verse right on the top of my mind. Like a healing balm, I soothed my friend with the truth that what her son is going through right now has nothing to do with her mistakes or even his for that matter. God is helping her son work through some fears that will eventually be a mighty display of spiritual depth in his life.
Sweet sister, have you caught yourself asking lately, "What am I doing wrong as a mother?" Maybe, some adjustments do need to made.
Or maybe, this line of thinking should be redirected with a different question- "How might God work in this situation so that His work can be displayed in my child's life or in my life?" Either way, remember this truth- you are loved by God and so is your child.
Dear Lord, help me process my motherhood journey using the filter of Your truth and nothing else. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to request prayer for your specific motherhood situation right now. Lysa will be praying over every request submitted on her blog today. Click here to get to Lysa's blog and follow the prompts to leave a prayer request.
Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Find a godly friend who can help you process your struggles with your child without condemnation. Ask this friend to spend some time praying with you and for you. Then offer to do the same with her. You'll know you've found the right friend to do this with when she's not afraid to admit she has some of the same struggles as you.
If you're having a hard time finding a friend who will be honest and vulnerable, ask God to bring this type of friend into your life. In the meantime, check out my blog. I think some of my motherhood stories will make you feel right at home. I'm in the trenches with you sister and I'd love to encourage you in your motherhood journey.
Reflections:
Is there something your child has struggled with lately that made you feel like you've done something wrong as his mother?
Prayerfully ask God if there is anything you can do better as a mom. Also, ask Him to help you see all that you've done right as a mom and how to accept that some of your child's struggles have nothing to do with your actions at all.
Then, spend some time in prayer asking God how He is working in this situation.
Power Verses:
John 3:17, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:13-14, "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 19, 2010
More Worship, Less Whine
Marybeth Whalen
"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship." Job 1:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
When good things happen to you do you respond with worship? How about when bad things happen? I know my first instinct isn't to worship. It's to whine. I whine about my doubts, my fears, my own misgivings. I whine about what I think might happen. I whine about how unfair life is. Worship, I must confess, is usually the last thing on my mind.
When I read today's verse, I was taken aback at Job's response to the news that all of his sons and daughters had died. Poor, longsuffering Job earned his place in history as a man who stayed true to God despite his circumstances. He was faithful and trusted God no matter what got thrown at him. He lived in expectation that, even though things looked grim, God had a better plan. So when he received terrible, heart wrenching news, his first response was what we see in today's verse: worship.
I recently had a situation where I got a bit of good news, mixed with some bad. In that moment, I had two choices to make: praise God for the good or dwell on the bad. Guess what I chose? I went straight to the bad, lamenting the negative and worrying about things I couldn't control.
The next day in my quiet time I read this verse. God got my attention, reminding me of how I had responded; how my attitude was certainly not pleasing to Him. I confessed to Him that I was wrong and asked Him to help me remember to worship in good times and bad, to find a reason to praise Him no matter what. The point of our worship isn't to respond to our circumstances but to respond to His character, to seek His heart and not focus on ours.
My hope is that every day, in every circumstance, I will choose worship as my first response. I want to follow Job's example, even when I don't feel like it, even as worries and doubts threaten to take over. I want to build into my life the habit of worshiping a lot more and whining a lot less. Will you join me?
Dear Lord, please help me remember to worship as my first response instead of whine. Help me to seek Your heart instead of focusing on my own. I want to honor You in the bad times, as well as in the good. Help me to remember it is not my circumstances that matter, but Your character. And that is always worthy of praise! Most of all, thank You for Your patience with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
Visit Marybeth's blog
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
The Reason We Speak, General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Redirect your focus when bad things happen with Seeing God in All Things
Application Steps:
The next time you receive good news or bad, determine to respond in worship. Ask a friend to hold you accountable.
Reflections:
If you have already formed the habit of worship as a first response, how did you build that habit into your life? Visit Marybeth's blog today to share any ideas you might have on this.
Power Verses:
I Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." (NIV)
Job 5:11, "The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
Great Faith
Micca Monda Campbell
"Then Jesus answered, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.'"
Matthew 15:28 (NIV)
Devotion:
I used to covet others' faith. I'd watch the spiritual "giants" in my church and community and wonder why they were given a greater faith than me. It didn't seem fair. Even worse were people with great faith who never seemed to have any type of adversity. Do you know the kind of people I'm describing?
One day, I decided to get to know a person with obvious great faith. I think it was one of the best things I've done to increase my own faith. The first thing I learned was people with great faith got it from their abundance of trials, not from their lack of trials. Trusting God in one trouble gave them courage to trust Him in another. Before they knew it, they had developed great faith in God. Great faith didn't happen overnight; it was a process.
Through the course of trusting God, we discover several things about great faith. First, it leads to great undertakings. Take the Gentile woman with a demon-possessed daughter found in Matthew 15 - pause to read her story if you can. She cried out for Jesus to heal her daughter, but she received no response.
This action on Christ's part can seem confusing. Therefore, it is important to know that this woman was not only a Gentile, but was of Canaanite descent. The Canaanites were an immoral people God had commanded Israel to completely destroy during their invasion of Canaan under the command of Joshua. Israel did not fully obey God's order and some Canaanites survived the invasion. This woman was their descendant. Nonetheless, this didn't stop her from appealing to Jesus for mercy and help.
Annoyed by her attempts, the disciples urged Jesus to send her away. She was a nuisance to them, but to Jesus the woman was an example of great faith. She was determined to do whatever was necessary to get what she needed.
Great faith also brings about great expectations. If you're like me, you often don't expect great results from your labors and prayers. This is because we lack faith. This was not true of the Gentile woman. She expected the Savior to heal her daughter.
That's not all. Great faith awakens great earnestness. This woman didn't play by the rules so to speak. She didn't care what others thought about her actions. Crying, she fell at the feet of Jesus and worshiped Him. I've seen this kind of earnestness in others with great faith as well. They pray with persistence until God moves.
Great faith conquers great difficulties. The woman kept on pursuing Jesus even though He reminded her of her position as a Gentile, not a Jew. Christ responded to her begging, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs" (vs.26). In other words, why should He give her, a Gentile, what He had come to give the Jews?
Her answer to that was to agree with Him, "Yes, Lord." And then throw herself on His mercy again by adding, "...even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table" (vs. 27). She understood that even one morsel of God's power was more than enough to heal her daughter. Pleased with her faith, Jesus commended her.
Finally, great faith achieves great victories. Jesus rewarded the woman's faith by healing her daughter. Our difficulties can be overcome by expressing great faith in Christ's mercy and love, which provide for our needs.
Great faith isn't given to some and not to others. It is a choice we make to trust and pursue God even when at first there appears to be no response.
Dear Lord, my circumstances call for great faith. Today, I'm ready to undertake whatever I need to do in this situation. I expect You to hear and respond to all my concerns. With earnestness, I promise to seek Your will in this area so that I may be more than a conquer. Victory is already mine because I trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Micca's blog
Application Steps:
Do not give up. Find a mentor with great faith and become their student.
Practice great faith by expecting God to hear and meet your needs.
Reflections:
Do you ask God to provide for a need and then try to take care of it yourself? If so, why?
Do you think following the example of the Gentile woman will increase your faith?
Power Verses:
Mark 9:23b, "Everything is possible for him who believes." (NIV)
Psalm 130:5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, in his word I put my hope." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 23, 2010
Approval Addiction
Shari Braendel
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
One day I got tired of hearing myself talk.
During a time when everything seemed to be going well, I found myself in a whirlwind where God revealed to me that my life was actually out of control. I knew I was walking the path He had laid out for me and it lined up with my passion for helping others. The problem was that I had become so good at it I didn't feel the need to call on God's help anymore.
What I did come to need, however, was others to tell me I was doing a good job. In fact, if someone didn't pat me on the back, I would tell them about my good deeds!
Everywhere I went people told me how skilled I was at doing this particular thing. I had become so adept at it that I figured there was no need to consult God anymore. I stopped praying much about it and would just "do." In the middle of my doing, however, I would make sure and ask others if I was doing it okay.
One day I was talking to someone and God allowed me to see myself, almost like I was listening as an outsider. I hated what I had become. Who was this person? Why was she talking so much? Who cared that she did this or that? Oh my goodness, what had become of me?!
I decided that day to stop talking about myself. I decided to quit depending on other people's thoughts about what I was doing, or how I was doing it. I decided that the only One I needed to impress was God. I knew that it wasn't going to happen without thought and planning. This desire for approval was not going to go away by itself.
First, I sat down and had a good cry. Then I consulted God and prayed. I made a decision to be quiet about myself for 30 days. Whenever I talked to someone, I would not mention "me" at all. I would not recount my accomplishments, my breakthroughs, or my shortcomings. Nothing. I decided to begin listening to others as if hearing them for the first time. If they asked about me, I would simply answer, "I'm doing great, thank you." That's it. No more information. I wanted to turn outward and begin to invest in other people's lives.
Well, 30 days turned into 60 days, and then into 90. I will tell you...I'm different now. My friends would probably agree, but I can honestly say I don't desire their approval anymore. It's funny how when we turn attention away from ourselves, we end up feeling more complete in the end. Because truly, the only thing that completes us is God.
Dear Lord, forgive me for seeking approval from anyone but You. Teach me to be silent so I can hear others and most importantly, hear You. Bring to my attention, in a way that only You can, times when I am becoming self-absorbed during conversations. Thank You for loving me enough to help me grow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Shari's blog
Begin listening at home first! For more ideas check out Conversations Starters for the Dinner Table
Application Steps:
Spend some time in prayer and sit silently. What is God telling you?
If we practice sitting quietly and listening to our heavenly Father we are sure to become a better friend to those around us. Pray to become a great listener and decide to encourage others in what they are doing well instead of telling them about your good deeds or the good deeds of someone else you know.
Reflections:
When a friend tells me something that's happened to her, do I have to recount a situation that's happened to me or someone else I know? Why not let her tell her story and just listen?
Do I need to set aside some time to be silent and practice listening?
What would I observe if I stepped outside my conversations and looked in? Would I see an encourager or someone who talks a lot about herself or others?
Power Verses:
James 1:19, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (NIV)
1 Samuel 2:3, "Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed." (NIV)
Jeremiah 9:24, "'But let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD." (NIV)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 24, 2010
Tired of Waiting on God
Tracie Miles
"Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them." Genesis 25:26a (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever get tired of waiting on God to answer your prayers? Recently, I began to feel a sense of frustration with the wait, and also a little bit tired.
Tired of saying the same old prayer day after day, month after month, year after year. Tired of telling God about the same old problems that were still going on. Tired of hearing myself pray about the same old problems, leading me to wonder if God was as tired of hearing my prayer requests as I was of praying them.
So I bowed my head and admitted to God that I was simply tired of the wait.
In a heavy state of emotional tiredness, I turned to the crisp, white pages of my Bible. I was hoping God would illuminate a few verses that would jump out of the book and straight into my heart.
I began reading about when Isaac's wife Rebekah gave birth to twin sons. One particular sentence caught my eye and I went back to read it again and again. My heart leapt as I realized God was using this one little sentence to speak hope into my spirit. He used His spiritual highlighter just as I had wanted.
Genesis 25:26 tells us that Isaac was sixty years old when his twins were born; a simple Bible fact, yet profoundly meaningful to me on this specific day. You see, Isaac had been patient for the Lord to provide the perfect wife; he was forty years old when he married Rebekah. If you do the math you realize Isaac waited twenty years for Rebekah to bear him children! He could have chosen a concubine to bear him a son. But he was a man of great patience who waited on God. Eventually his patient faith was rewarded.
Isaac never gave up hope that his Lord could make the impossible, possible. He had learned that his Lord would provide. So he continued to pray the same desperate prayer for a son, day after day, month after month, year after year. In fact, we learn in Genesis 25:21 that "Isaac pleaded with the Lord" (NLT), meaning he earnestly and strongly prayed about his problem. He did not half-heartedly ask God for a son, he pleaded! He begged. He poured his heart out.
I can envision Isaac passionately pleading to God throughout those twenty years, with out-stretched arms and a tear-stained face pressed against the hot, dirty soil, begging God to answer his prayer.
Isaac was surely tired of the wait, but he never stopped praying or believing that his dreams could come true. And in God's perfect timing, they did.
If you are tired of the wait, you may be pleading to God just like Isaac. It may take twenty years for God to answer our prayers, or it may only take twenty minutes. But today, let us find comfort in remembering Isaac's patient faith and take hope in believing that God is not tired of hearing our prayers. Instead, He is simply waiting for the perfect time to answer.
Dear Lord, please help me have patience and faith while I wait to hear from You. Help me live in excited anticipation for the day when I will see how You answer my prayers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement about faith in the waiting
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
What to Do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
For more hope, read Scribbled on Dreams
Application Steps:
Consider prayers that have not been answered, but which you have not prayed about lately. Ask God to give you a renewed hope about those desires and faithfully wait on His timing.
Reflections:
Have I stopped praying about something because I've grown tired of waiting on God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (NIV)
Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (KJV)
© 2010 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 25, 2010
Tough Relationships
Lysa TerKeurst
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever feel like relationships are hard to navigate sometimes? Are you in the midst of trying to figure out a situation that's complicated, messy and unpredictable?
Sometimes I try so hard to figure out just the right words to say and talk through a situation. While talking is good, sometimes the conversations start running in a circle and there aren't any productive words left to say. When this happens it can make a girl feel like giving up. But before I give up, I've learned to hush up.
Spending some time getting quiet can really be the best remedy for tangled situations. Taking a step back from all the emotion, frustration, and exhaustion to sit quietly with Jesus will do more to untangle a mess than anything else I've ever found.
Here are five beautiful things that can happen in the quiet:
1. In the quiet, we can feel safe enough to humble ourselves.
In the heat of a mess, the last thing I want to do is get humble. I want to get loud and prove my point. I've learned I have to step out of the battle and humbly ask God to speak truth to my heart for things to start to make sense. Never have I had a relationship issue where I didn't contribute at least something to the problem. Usually, I can only see this something in the quiet.
1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand..." (NIV)
2. In the quiet, God will lift us up to a more rational place.
When we are in the heat of a tangled mess, crazy emotions drag us down into a pit of hopelessness. The only way out of the pit is to make the choice to stop digging deeper and turn to God for a solution.
1 Peter 5:6 continued, "...that he may lift you up in due time." (NIV)
3. In the quiet, anxiety gives way to progress.
We can pour our anxious hearts out to Jesus who loves us right where we are, how we are. And because His love comes without judgment, we can feel safe enough to humbly admit we need Jesus to work on us. Trying to fix another person will only add to my anxiety. Letting Jesus work on me is where real progress can happen.
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
4. In the quiet, we see our real enemy isn't the person with whom we're in conflict.
This person with whom we're in this tangled mess feels like the enemy. They might even look like the enemy. But the truth is, they aren't the real culprit here. Satan's influence on both me and the person offending me is the real culprit. I can't realize this in the heat of the moment. But in the quiet, I become alert and can gain a strategy for acting and reacting in a more self-controlled manner.
1 Peter 5:8-9a, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." (NIV)
5. In the quiet, I can rest assured God will use this conflict for good- no matter how it turns out.
If I make the effort to handle this conflict well, I can be freed from the pressure to make everything turn out rosy. Sometimes relationships grow stronger through conflict. But other times relationships end. Because I can't control the other person, I must keep focusing on the good God is working out in me through this and leave the outcome with Him.
1 Peter 5:10-11, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)
In the end, this entire struggle can be used by God to make me stronger and more capable in my relationships. If I am humble enough to receive from Him in the quiet what He wants to teach me through this, I can rest assured with whatever the outcome is.
Dear Lord, help me to stop trying to figure this situation out and just sit in the quiet with You for a while. God humble me. Help me see Your perspective. Show me Your steps toward restoration. Or show me Your steps toward a healthy parting. Take my anxiety and replace it with Your peace, wisdom, and security. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of Bible verses that are a must read for times of conflict!
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll love doing Lysa's new book, Bible study and DVD teaching series. There's a whole section on relationships where you'll learn the cure for envy and other relationship killers.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
How might applying the truths in this devotion help you today? Have you discovered anything else good that happens in the quiet? Let's talk about it on my blog today.
Reflections:
One of the most crucial parts of this is to realize my real enemy isn't this person with whom I am having this conflict. How does this help? Keeping this in mind, write out a prayer for this person. Sometimes praying for someone who I'm frustrated with softens my hearts and lets me see new possibilities for restoration.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand..." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8-9a, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 26, 2010
Caution: Mind at Work
Luann Prater
"'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" John 8:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Hey! I want a do-over!" she screamed. The sun was clearly blinding her as she struck the volleyball with her fist to serve. She didn't see the serve fly straight into the hands of the opposing team. It was interesting to watch the reaction of her teammates. Some agreed to offer her grace, others muttered, "Tough stuff! Too bad!" Middle school volleyball resembles a story that Jesus lived.
In the middle of an ordinary teaching day Jesus shared a revealing truth about our Savior. The Pharisees interrupted His lesson by dragging in front of the crowd a woman who had been caught in adultery.
This woman had obvious, visible sin in her life. She was caught red-handed. It was easy for the lawgivers to snatch this life and display it before the crowd. They had their motives for bursting onto the scene, but Jesus flipped their intentions upside down.
When these puffed up leaders asked Jesus if this woman should be stoned, "Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger" (vs. 6b, NIV).
Did you catch His reaction to the confrontation? Silence. His mind was at work, but His mouth was not. We learn from scripture that Jesus asked His Father in heaven about every decision before moving forward. Why would this situation be any different?
We've probably all heard that pausing to count to ten before getting angry can diffuse an argument, but I want to park here a minute to see what Jesus did.
Jesus' agenda had just been altered by a bunch of self-righteous leaders. He was preparing to teach truth, and now He had the opportunity to live it. Instead of a quick response He hit the pause button while the Pharisees continued the barrage. Jesus was in no rush to respond.
As He bent down, I imagine Him offering up prayers. He saw that broken woman, He heard that accusing crowd, and yet His focus was on truth. The verse tells us He didn't just stand up, He straightened up. Jesus knew about body language before it was hip to study it. The power of this visual communication meant that He was about to say something that would pierce their hearts.
Many scholars have guessed Jesus was writing on the ground all of the sins of each of the accusers there. His words, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (vs. 7, NIV), must have been the first glimpse of light this woman had seen in a long time. Finally, someone saw value in her beyond the bedroom.
Can you imagine the flood of emotions filling her at that moment? She witnessed hope in the middle of her circumstance. Jesus then straightened up to speak to her. He declared that He did not condemn her but she must leave her life of sin. She was given a do-over!
Have you ever wished for a do-over in life? I have. I've been that woman who had no hope. I'm a witness: Jesus is the master of second chances. Throughout the Bible He not only raised the physically dead, He resurrected the spiritually and emotionally dead as well.
Romans 3:10 tells us, "There is no one righteous, not even one" (NIV). Jesus wants you to see that you are not alone. If you look around and think that everyone else has it all together, this story is for you. No one is righteous, not even one! Everyone has their sins, some are just more visible than others. But Jesus knows your heart. He knows your struggles. He sees what plagues your life.
Where are you in this story? Are you the adulterous woman looking for hope? Are you the leader looking to condemn? Are you part of the crowd standing silently in the background? There was only One in this story without sin and He offered grace.
Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to live the truth. Quietly seek the Father's guidance. Think before we speak. Then straighten up and live redeemed.
He has come to give you a second chance; a do-over. Will you listen to His voice?
Dear Jesus, I need a do-over in my life! My sin may be hidden from others, but it is so obvious to You. I'm listening to Your Voice. Will You cleanse me and teach me to straighten up and live redeemed? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know this Redeemer?
Visit with Luann at Encouragement Café!
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Kneel down in prayer and ask God to forgive every sin in your life. As you stand, straighten up to experience the symbolism of the new redeemed life you are about to live!
Reflections:
What sin is hiding in my heart?
Do I offer grace to others?
Am I willing to listen to His Voice and live redeemed?
Power Verses:
John 1:16 "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." (NIV)
Psalm 71:23 "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 29, 2010
Backwards Bumper-Stickers
Karen Ehman
"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'"
I Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
Devotion:
Yesterday, when I was finished running—okay, so it was more of a slow trot—anyway, as I was leaving the gym where I work out, I ran into an old friend. She is a woman who attended the church where my husband was on staff twenty years ago when we were first married. She was raising her kids when he was the youth pastor and she saw us begin our family with the birth of our daughter Mackenzie, who is soon to turn 19.
Naturally, the conversation turned to where her children are now—marriage, kids, careers, location, etc. She asked what the future held for our three kids. Where would they go to college? What career path would they choose? She has offspring who all ended up in high-paying, prestigious careers, including one who is a prominent surgeon.
That afternoon encounter made me think about what we say 'success' is, especially when it comes to our sons and daughters. Is it having kids who grow up to do a job that society deems important? How do we measure success in our kids when they are still young and in our homes? Is it by having ones who are outwardly obedient, saying 'yes ma'am' and 'no sir' and 'pleased to meet you' on cue?
The more seasoned I become as a mom, the more I find this to be true: obedience, while it manifests itself in outward actions, begins in the heart. While I want to teach my kids to behave—sometimes not an easy lesson to instill—more importantly, I want to teach them to have their hearts right with God.
I used to want kids who did no wrong. Now, I have a different goal. When they do do wrong—as all kids and adults sometimes do—I want them to correct it rather than hide it. To be sensitive to the times they hurt someone's feelings or disobey God and His wishes. Then to listen to the Spirit's prompting, admit their fault, and right the wrong. I want the very same thing for myself.
As today's verse asserts, so often we humans look at what we can see on the outside—beauty, talents, smarts and such. God sees straight to the heart—motives, intent and character. His measuring stick is far more accurate and important than ours. So many spend countless hours and dollars perfecting the former while completely ignoring the latter. God's Word to us is clear. Who we are inside is really who we are.
One year, our daughter proudly brought home a bumper sticker we could display on our aging mini-van. Having completed seven years of scripture memory at our church's children's program, her sticker read, "My child earned a Timothy Award in AWANA." She had worked diligently and were we ever proud of her!
However, her younger siblings did not have the same knack for memorization nor the academic leanings she had. They too plugged away at their verses and assignments in the same program but just couldn't quite finish all the requirements for earning that high award and its accompanying bumper sticker.
It made me think, should we only be proud of outward skills and academic outcomes? Perhaps we should be just as pleased with character qualities and whole-hearted attempts that, on the outside, seem to fall short. Maybe we should be just as thrilled to display the following bumper sticker prominently on our family vehicle:
"Proud parent of a kid who nearly flunked math,
but whose heart is tender toward the Lord."
Dear Lord, help me strive to please You most with my inward self—my motives, intent and character— and to model for those in my life the importance of doing just that. I want who I am at the core to accurately reflect who You are to the world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic and a chance to enter an "Inward Beauty" giveaway, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Do You Know Him?
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart by Renee Swope
You Are Special by Max Lucado
Application Steps:
Name two or three people whom you feel display truly beautiful character. What about their personality makes them stand out?
Reflections:
What inward, God-honoring qualities do you most wish you possessed?
Patience? Peace? Self-control? Kindness? Faith? Perseverance? Pick one. Then, search BibleGateway for verses about this quality to memorize.
Power Verses:
I Peter 3:3-4, "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (ESV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 30, 2010
Here is the Way
Lynn Cowell
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Devotion:
Should we say yes? It is seems like such a great opportunity. Besides, we deserve it, don't we? I mean, we never do anything for ourselves ...
Once again, my mind is swirling with the pros and cons of the decision my husband and I face. I hear the things my mind is telling me...or is that my heart? Whether it is my mind or my heart, the real question is should I listen to it? Can I trust it?
Like most of you, I have been at this place before. The places of crossroads where choices are clear, but direction is not. The columns of "good" and "bad" on the paper don't seem to give us the answer we need. That is how logical people make decisions, isn't it? But it isn't working; so which way do we go?
My friend was recently running before sun-up. She was alone as her partner had run on ahead. She came across a patch of sidewalk where there were no street lights. It was dark and hard to see where to go ahead, and she began to feel afraid. "Lord, You are going to have to help me." she prayed. Then a car approached from behind, casting light onto her path. The closer it got, the clearer she could see. She sensed the Lord wanted her to know that just as He was with her when she was running, so in life He is behind her, shining light on her path and protecting her back.
Our key verse in Isaiah causes me to reflect on the whole decision-making process when trying to discern the right path. "...Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" But what about the voice we frequently hear, saying, "Follow your heart, it will never steer you wrong!" That voice is the voice from within, not the voice from behind.
Maybe some of you grew up memorizing verses like I did. Back then, so many of the verses didn't make sense to me. One in particular was Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (NIV). That seemed like a depressing verse! Yet now as an adult I am finally beginning to unpack the wisdom.
You see, we can't in fact follow our heart. Our heart can't be trusted. Our heart will lie to us and tell us things we want to hear instead of the truth we need to hear. It will convince us that what we want is the right way, even if that way is not God's way. I know; I've listened to it before.
When we find ourselves at the crossroads, the first place to turn is God's Word. So many of the questions we ask can be answered there if we are willing to hear the wisdom the Bible provides.
Open our ears, Lord, so we can hear Your voice behind us!
Dear Lord, I've grown so used to trusting my heart. In fact, it is all I've known to do most times. Please help me discern Your voice behind me and give me the discipline to read the wisdom You have already provided in Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Lynn's blog
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
Check out our radio program, Listening to God, for more encouragement
Application Steps:
Are there decisions in your life you are in the process of making and haven't yet consulted the Lord? Take some time to talk with Him and use a concordance or BibleGateway to study and see what the Bible has to say about your delimma.
Ask another person who is further along in their faith if they are aware of any verses that have to do with the decision you need to make.
Reflections:
Have you made some decisions in the past you regret? Try to identify the emotion or motivation behind that decision.
What types of questions could you ask yourself in the future to help you prevent making the wrong decision? Some might be: Does this pathway glorify God? Would I be comfortable sharing this decision with others such as my parents, my children or my spouse? Will this decision take me in the direction I want to go?
Power Verses:
1 Kings 22:5, "But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, 'First seek the counsel of the LORD.'" (NIV)
Psalm 119:24, "Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors."(NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 31, 2010
The Satisfaction of the Cross
Rachel Olsen
"When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied."
Isaiah 53:11a (NLT)
Devotion:
Approximately 600 years before Jesus was sentenced to the cross, the prophet Isaiah foretold of the event. Invite Isaiah's ancient words of prophecy to penetrate your soul today, and prepare your heart for Easter:
"See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about.
Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.
But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners." Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 (NLT)
Approximately 2,000 years after Jesus died on the cross, the passion of our Christ is still the power and path of God to salvation. Jesus' suffering accomplished righteousness for us—and through it both He and we are satisfied.
Dear Lord, may I realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for me. Forgiveness ... Freedom ... And the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May I always find my satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know The Christ?
Visit Rachel at her blog and join her in celebrating life in Jesus Christ.
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Editors: Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen, contributions by various members of the Proverbs 31 team.
My First Story of Easter by Tim Dowley
Application Steps:
Take satisfaction in the love and power of God today - it is given for, and directed at you!
Reflections:
What sins do I need to confess and release under the power of the cross?
Am I walking in the freedom Christ accomplished for me?
Power Verses:
Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (ESV)
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence." (GWT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 1, 2010
Life Springs Anew
Colleen Reske, She Speaks! Graduate
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
I see purple buds! The first crocuses are up! Within a day or two, the gentle little flowers emerge, oblivious to the fact that several inches of snow are forecast for later in the day.
Springtime in the upper Midwest is a very welcome guest. Its arrival is long awaited and much anticipated. We spend the long winter months navigating snow-covered frozen ground, wary of nearly invisible "black" ice and the potential to lose control of our legs or vehicles at any given time. As winter progresses, we watch the pristine white snow turn dingy along the roadways, and mountains of the dirty stuff are thrust up in parking lots, eliminating parking spaces. At times, the longing to see green again becomes almost overwhelming.
We would lose all hope, except for one truth that we know to be real. Under the frozen blanket of winter snow, the earth is only asleep. Soon, the snow will begin to melt, and the rivers and creeks will flow again. The geese, and then the cranes, will come back to the marsh as it thaws. Slowly, signs of life return as the natural world gradually awakens to the light of an ever-warming sun.
Knowing springtime and Easter are intertwined always lifts my heart. Just as the earth is coming back to life, we celebrate the resurrection of our Risen Christ. The earth seems to die during months of freezing temperatures and bone-chilling winds. However, we know the truth: the greenness of the earth will return. And so we wait, resting in the knowledge that springtime always follows the winter.
It is the promise that life will return which we celebrate through the Easter season. The parallels are apparent as we mourn our Savior's brutal death. Three days later we share in joyous celebration at the wonder and promise of the empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
This promise of life returning to us means we are Easter people. We can live the resurrection story at any time in our lives. We are constantly dying little deaths; in our relationships, our grief, and our personal journey carrying our own cross. But there is always the hope of our resurrection, and this can only come through knowing our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6, NIV).
The only way to know peace is to know the truth of our existence. We were made to love God, and to use the gifts He has given us to honor and please Him and to further His Kingdom here on Earth. He has given us the gift of abundant life, if we will only live our lives for Him.
I praise God for Jesus, giver of life everlasting. And I praise God for springtime, for it is the reminder of the promise that all things can be made new in Him, who gives us life.
Dear Lord, thank You for Jesus, Your ever-present reminder of our opportunity to know new life. Through the gift of Your Son, we can know You and know Your peace amidst the chaos in our lives. Lord, show us Your ways. For it is only when we surrender our will to Yours that we are able to follow the path that You have laid out before us; the pathway that leads to peace and a closer relationship with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
She Speaks! Conference
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Share this good news with your kids through My First Story of Easter by Tim Dowley
Are you walking in the freedom Christ accomplished for you? Read more at The Satisfaction of the Cross
P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Do you have something on your heart that needs to be surrendered to God: A loved one in need of God's presence? A relationship in need of His direction? An important decision in your life? Trust Him to provide you with the hope and direction you need.
Reflections:
Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt that you were given a second chance? Can you see God's grace in this season of your life?
Do you long for the hope that can only come from God's promises for us? There are 159 references to "hope" in the Bible, with 31 in the Psalms alone. Go to God's Word to find the hope you need.
Power Verses:
Psalm 25:4-5, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God and Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (NIV)
© 2010 Colleen Reske. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
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April 2, 2010
Victory is on the Other Side of Failure
Glynnis Whitwer
"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.'"
Matthew 28:5-6a (NIV)
Devotion:
Told by a teacher he was too stupid to learn: Thomas Edison
Fired from his job at a newspaper because he didn't have good ideas: Walt Disney
A music teacher told him he had no hope as a composer: Beethoven
Falsely accused, arrested, killed: Jesus Christ
The disciples of Jesus must have been shattered that Friday. For three years they followed the man from Nazareth. They watched Him heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, and even raise people from the dead. When Jesus said, "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46, NAS), they got it. Darkness enveloped the hearts of their countrymen. They needed a "Light."
Twelve ordinary men abandoned everything to follow Jesus: jobs, family, and homes. Not with regret, but with hope. Hope for the promise Jesus offered. Look where it got them that Friday. Good Friday, we call it now. But it was anything but good to them. Jesus was dead - they'd witnessed the crucifixion. Only 11 now, they must have gathered that night after scattering throughout the city. Other followers joined them to mourn the death of the man they loved, and the death of the hope He offered.
On Saturday, they still gathered. No one left - though they could have. They could have packed up their things and put this failed adventure behind them. Back to fishing, back to family, back to normal. But no one left. In spite of what appeared to be complete failure of this new kingdom, everyone stayed. Faithful.
Saturday inched forward to noon, dusk, and then evening. The beauty of the night sky didn't ease their pain. Perhaps they reminisced some. In hindsight, Jesus wasn't really what they were expecting. When the prophets of old foretold a king would come to rescue them, they figured it would be someone imposing, with power, maybe with chariots to whip their enemies into submission. Some took longer than others to readjust their expectations. But when God opened their eyes to the beauty of His plan, they bought into it with their lives.
I'm sure troubled thoughts stole their sleep that Saturday night. Finally, in complete exhaustion their tired bodies overtook their worried minds. Sunday morning dawned. I imagine some woke up hoping it was all a bad dream. Then reality settled in, like heavy summer storm clouds. Jesus was still dead.
Two women got ready first and went to the tomb. Expecting to find the body of their beloved Savior, God treated them instead to a display of His power. With a violent earthquake shaking the ground, an angel of the Lord came from heaven, rolled back the stone covering the tomb and sat down on the rock. Hello!
The angel looked at the women, and spoke words that transformed them from hopeless to hope-filled: "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee" (Matthew 28:5-7a, NIV).
Can you even imagine the celebration? It had only looked like failure. Instead, it was glorious victory! Hope wasn't dead. Jesus was alive! The disciples learned a lesson they would never forget: When God is involved, things aren't always what they seem.
Today we see problems and failures with the same eyes as the disciples. Even knowing that God is able to do things beyond what we can imagine, when we look at a "failure," we often only see an ending. God, however, sees an opportunity for a new beginning. As we celebrate Easter, may that truth nestle itself into our heart. With God all things are possible. He is risen!
Dear Lord, my heart is filled with thanksgiving and praise for You. How can I begin to thank You for sending Jesus, and for His sacrifice for me? Thank You also for the lesson that nothing is too big for You. Help me remember that truth when I'm facing what looks like failure. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is adapted from a chapter on helping your children deal with failure in Glynnis' book, When Your Child is Hurting
Do You Know Him?
Visit Glynnis' blog - Welcome Home...Where Your Heart Longs to be!
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
For more on the love of Christ, read The Most Beautiful Scars
Application Steps:
Have you had any "failures" in your life? Pick one that sticks out to you. Identify how God used that situation to open another door in your life, or redirect your path to something better. Then thank Him for His goodness.
Reflections:
From God's perspective, what is true failure?
When you have failed in the past, what have people done or said that was most helpful to you at that time?
Power Verses:
Luke 18:27, "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'" (NIV)
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 5, 2010
Finding God at the Bottom of a Bottle
Christa Allan, She Reads Featured Author
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. "
Romans 8:38 (NLT)
Devotion:
When I heard that God can meet us where we are, I didn't know that meant He would plow His way through the empty bottles of alcohol and beer cans that littered my life. Mind you, even had I known, I was not at a point in my life where I would have tidied up the place for Him. Drinking and good housekeeping were mutually exclusive. Sobriety and God seemed virtually impossible.
Being an alcoholic was never on my list of things I wanted to be when I grew up. Neither was being short, but I didn't escape either one of those. Now, with the perspective of over twenty years of living sober, I realize I drank like an alcoholic from the time I started, which was while I was in high school. If a place between sober and drunk existed, it never showed up on my radar. Growing up in New Orleans, the city where if you're not experiencing a hurricane, you're drinking one of the colorful rum drinks with the same name at Pat O'Brien's, any occasion could justify a celebratory toast. Birthdays, holidays, Tuesdays ...
For most of my adult life, God and I met at family reunions - Easter and Christmas. I didn't make an effort to exclude Him from my life; I just didn't bother to include Him. Drinking eased my pain and elevated my happiness. Why would I need or miss God? I didn't. At least not until, like my character Leah in my novel Walking on Broken Glass, I experienced something so unexpected and painful, that no amount of drinking filled the void. For Leah, it was the death of her child. For me, it was when one of my twin girls was born with Down Syndrome. And, like Leah, I lashed out at God. Dared Him to heal my child. Pummeled Him with anger. Then ignored Him for years.
But none of it—not my drinking, not my raging, not my rejecting—separated me from God's love. He used my weakness to demonstrate His strength. Over the past twenty years, I've come to realize that we all have strongholds, areas in our lives that prevent us from having a full relationship with God. Things that, even though we know they're wrong, we hold on to so tightly, we can't reach out to grab God's hands. Alcohol, gambling, food, drugs, shopping, pornography, power, gossip, status, anger, self-pity. Until we unclench our hands and let them go, these strongholds will control us.
Ultimately, God didn't heal my daughter; instead, through her, He healed me. And to prove His never-ending pursuit of me, He brought me into a relationship with Him through a recovery program as I reached the end of myself, laid down my stronghold, and took hold of His hand.
He can deliver you too. Are you ready to put down your "bottle," whatever that may be today, and reach for His hand?
Dear Lord, give me the strength to be weak so I can release anything that prevents me from seeing how deeply You love me. Open the eyes of my heart so You can reach me wherever I may be, to take me wherever I need to go. Remind me that it's only when I rest in Your promises that I can wage war to defeat the enemy. Thank You, Lord, for never giving up on me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit P31's website, SheReads, for great Christian fiction and enter to win a copy of Christa Allan's new novel Walking on Broken Glass. The grand prize winner will receive a copy of Christa's novel along with a New Orleans Sweet Treats Gift Basket from Cajun Creations. A second place winner will receive a copy of Walking on Broken Glass.
Walking on Broken Glass novel by Christa Allan
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and accompanying CD by Renee Swope
Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy
Application Steps:
Often, it's when the pain of holding on to the stronghold is greater than the fear of releasing it, that people turn to God. If you or someone you know is struggling with submission, ask God for the courage to enter the battle and the faithful persistence to win the war.
Keep a weekly or monthly journal that is a personal inventory of areas in your life where you identify thoughts or habits that reflect trusting in yourself more than in God. Find scripture passages that will arm you, praying with faith and persistence that God's promises will defeat Satan's lies.
Reflections:
Do you have a stronghold that has built a wall between you and God or one that is preventing you from experiencing a full relationship in your walk with Him? How can you use this awareness to draw closer to God?
What may have to change in your life, in your relationships, or in your thinking for this stronghold to be overcome? How can your victory in overcoming be used to glorify God?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." (NLT)
2 Samuel 22:33, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." (NIV)
Psalms 103:2-4, "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies." (NLT)
© 2010 by Christa Allan. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 6, 2010
What Makes a Heart Right?
Wendy Pope
"Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 32:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
As I read today's key verse, I am so thankful I can rejoice in the Lord and be glad. I am able to sing because my heart is upright. But I have to tell you, this upright heart was pretty downtrodden a few months ago. Have you ever been there, in a place of oppression so heavy your bones ached and you felt as though your energy had been sapped by the summer sun?
It started about this time last year, in the months leading up to our annual She Speaks conference for aspiring or established Christian speakers and writers. Our staff felt the Lord's leading to fast before the conference. Many fasted lunch each Tuesday, while others followed the Lord in obedience by fasting something else. I participated in the lunch fast but confess today to disobeying the Lord when He asked me to fast something else.
This was something I loved. Maybe, too much. It was something that brought me great pleasure. It put a smile on my face. It was...Dr. Pepper! Yes, the Lord asked me to give up Dr. Pepper in obedience to Him and I said no. I chose to live in rebellion to the Lord I claimed to love and continued drinking the soda. It was at this point my relationship with the Lord started to suffer.
The Lord did not abandon me during my rebellion, nor did He stop using me in His kingdom, which made me believe I was "getting away" with my rebellion. I was still speaking, writing, and leading my online Bible study. It appeared that I had my cake, well in this case Dr. Pepper, and was "eating it too."
Shortly after the conference my spirit became restless. I experienced sleepless nights that lead to draining days. My body and spirit became weak. It became more and more difficult to purchase Dr. Pepper. I knew I was in rebellion but chose to compromise instead of confess. When I ordered Dr. Pepper I would order a small and not get refills. When the grocery store had a buy-one-get-one-free special, I would only purchase one twelve pack. I was becoming a master at the "obedience clause" ... obeying my way. This went on for months.
David wrote about the cause and effect of living in sin in Psalm 32:3-4, "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer" (NIV).
These verses haunted me. There was the truth of my life in black and white. Fortunately in verse 5 David tells us what to do when the symptoms of rebellion become realities in our lives. "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD —and you forgave the guilt of my sin'" (NIV).
So, why am I able to today? Last December I acknowledged my sin to God and stopped covering my iniquity. In addition to my confession and repentance I finally obeyed what God had asked me to do months before, I stopped drinking Dr. Pepper. My strength has been restored and my bones no longer ache. My posture is upright and I'm confident because I am walking in obedience. Will I ever drink Dr. Pepper again? That is a question only the Lord can answer; but until He gives the answer, I want the posture of my heart to be upright, singing along the way.
What is the posture of your heart today? Is it up upright or downtrodden? Read Psalm 32 and follow God's instructions. I promise the results will be uplifting!
Dear Lord, thank You for inspiring David to write this amazing message. Help me to live the truths of Your Word so I can rejoice and be glad in my relationship with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
More encouragement can be found at Hearing God
Out of the Mouths of Babes by Wendy Pope
Living Free in Christ: Experiencing Life as it was Meant to be (CD) by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 32. Pray through the scripture, asking God to reveal any sin you have not acknowledged.
Reflections:
How do I respond when God asks me to do something?
Why is obeying God difficult for me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:1, "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." (NIV)
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 7, 2010
My Triple-Braided Cord
Karen Ehman
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
Devotion:
I've been embattled in a knock-down, drag-out fight for over a quarter-century now. Sometimes, I feel the little daily battles that are part of this clash completely defeat me, leaving me helpless and hopeless. And I feel alone in my battle.
What is this battle that consumes me? It is one that many women face. My constant, decades-long skirmish is with food. Or rather, with my desire for food. Bad foods. Wrong foods. Or just vast quantities of food.
A few years back, I felt I'd come to the end of my rope. Severely overweight and reeling from seven different medical conditions, I finally determined to do something decisive for fear I might wind up like my aunt. She died unexpectedly of a heart attack when she was only in her early forties. I had just celebrated my 40th birthday, was the same size my aunt had been, and shared many of her medical issues.
So one day with desperate determination, a pair of hand-me-down walking shoes, and my trusty calorie counter in hand, I set off to religiously follow a weight-loss and exercise regimen. And follow it I did—to the T! Eleven months later, I'd dropped over 100 pounds. All my health conditions disappeared without any medication and I felt better than I had in my twenties. I boldly determined that never, EVER again would I let that weight creep back on.
Fast forward three years. One snowy Christmas eve, my husband's company gave him notice of a layoff. It lasted for nearly 9 months. Money was tight. The future looked bleak. I was worried and teetering on the brink of depression. I hate to admit that, sadly, I again turned to food instead of to God. I made it my comfort; my distraction; my friend.
However, this familiar "friend" quickly became my archenemy. Over the course of those 9 months, I gained back over a third of the weight I'd lost! Now entrenched in the thick of the battle again, I was weary and weak; embarrassed and embittered. However, one day God sent me today's key verse. He whispered in my soul's ear that I needed to stop fighting the battle alone. Time to call in the troops!
I phoned my friend Lysa and asked her if she would pray for me, and allow me to "weigh-in" with her once a month to let her know if I'd lost or gained. She too has fought the battle-of-the-bulge and was gracious and willing to be my second strand, watching my back and enabling me to conquer.
Another friend, who also has fought weight issues, sensed how much my regain was bothering me. On one of my darkest days, she took my chin in her hand, looked me squarely in the eye, and told me I was beautiful and that I needed to stop allowing Satan to beat me up. Shari became my third strand. She also prays for me and I email her each month giving her a report from the front lines of the battlefield.
Knowing these "I've-been-there" sisters were both rooting, as well as praying, for me has made an immense difference. It also inspired me to initiate a Weight Loss Wednesday weekly feature on my blog where nearly 80 women encourage, cheer and comfort each other. Together, we form one thick rope of sisters, intertwining our very souls. And yes, newcomers are always welcome!
Whether it is extra weight on our thighs or excess baggage in our souls, we women all face heated, hard battles. Our key verse today teaches us to decide not to wage war all alone. Enlist another strand or two to strengthen one another in the fight to overcome strongholds and worship God alone. Satan shudders when God's gals band together, with Jesus at the forefront, to courageously face the battle before us.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I try to wage war alone. Guide me to someone who will come alongside of me and encourage me not to give up in my quest to glorify You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To take a peek at the Weight Loss Wednesday cyber group and enter to win a weight-loss jump-start giveaway, visit Karen's blog today.
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life by Donna Partow
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Share a good laugh and find solid truth with Dear Bathroom Scale
Application Steps:
What areas of battle can you identify where you might need to "call in the troops" for back-up support?
Reflections:
Have there been times in your life when your connection with other women allowed you or a friend to do something that could never have been accomplished alone?
Power Verses:
Matthew 18:19-20, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (ESV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 8, 2010
When My Mean Girl Wants to Come Out
Lysa TerKeurst
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
John 15:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever have days where someone tries to rip the joy right out of your life?
I do.
And it's really hard. It's a battle. The good girl part of my brain says, "Be nice. Honor Jesus with your actions. Your response is your responsibility. Self control, Lysa, self control."
But the mean girl part of my brain says, "How dare they act that way! I'll show you Buster Brown."
One part of me says fold your hands in prayer.
But another part of me says throw your hands in the air and throw a good old fashioned hissy fit.
Issues.
I have them. Maybe most of us girls do. Especially that one special week a month.
But God.
I love how those two words interrupt me. Redirect me. Remind me. Comfort me. Battle the mean girl in me. And cause me to pause.
Pause. Just for a minute, pause. And it's in that pause where we give the Holy Spirit room to interrupt the mean girl response just dying to come out and bloody the situation.
The Holy Spirit says, "Lysa stop and think. It might feel good in the minute to scream, retaliate, pitch a fit and flood the situation with scary emotions. But it won't feel good in the long run. It will feel awful in the long run. You'll feel the sting of regret. Come on Lysa... be rare. Be a girl who looks ahead and determines to do what's best in the long run."
Yes, it stinks that this other person is determined to steal my joy.
It really does.
But in reality, my joy can only be stolen if I let it be stolen.
In John 15:10-12 Jesus says, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Several things struck me as I read this verse. In each interaction I have with others, I'm faced with the choice to either remain in God's love or retreat from God's love. I can't control how this other person is acting towards me. But I can control how I act and react. If I chose to remain in God's love and react to this other person kindly, it affects my joy. Jesus interjects His joy right into the heart of a kind person. If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being depleted, it will be completed.
So back off mean girl part of my brain. The Jesus girl in me is taking over. And holding on to every ounce of joy that's rightfully mine. Circumstances can steal stuff from me. But not my joy.
And all Jesus' girls say, "Amen and amen!"
Dear Lord, this sounds so good in this moment. But it will not be easy when I have an interaction today with "that person"... the one who makes my mean girl want to come out. Will You help me remember these truths? Will You help me remember this person can not steal my joy? And help me remember if I react kindly my joy can be completed rather than depleted. And that's what I want. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a list of three practical things we can do to keep our mean girl from coming out today.
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book contains three chapters all about what to do when our mean girl wants to come out. Learn how to conquer your anger, envy, and stress today!
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD and Participant's Guide - Contains six sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD and a Participant's Guide for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club.
Application Steps:
If you know you will be interacting with someone who has a habit of trying to steal your joy, plan how you can remain calm and kind. Also, plan how you can limit the time you spend interacting with them.
Keep these three thoughts in your mind:
This person can only steal my joy if I let them.
I can't control this person, but I can control how I act and react.
If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being depleted, it will be completed.
For a list of three practical things we can do to keep our mean girl from coming out today, click here.
Reflections:
What situations in my life might get better if I apply what I'm learning in this devotional today? Do I want frustration or joy to be my reality today? What would it be like to live with Jesus' complete joy in my heart?
Power Verses:
John 15:10, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (NIV)
John 15:11, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (NIV)
John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 9, 2010
Potholes Required
Van Walton
"Dear...sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:2-3 (NLT)
Devotion:
Before moving to the warm South, complete with mild winters and smooth roads, my family lived in Wisconsin. The greatest contrast I noticed? Southern roads free from potholes.
Or so I thought.
Then one day as I sailed along a local street, my car sank into a deep hole. Water and mud splashed over the windshield and bounced off my side view mirror. The abrupt pitfall surely damaged my car. At the very least it was dirty and dented.
"Where did that come from?" I wondered. "A pothole on the streets of my fine city?"
Driving on, I considered the pothole. Every road we travel is susceptible to pothole blight. I remember my front walkway caving in and crumbling after a heavy rain washed out the ground underneath it. I've even found myself walking around muddy holes on forest paths.
Yes, every road we travel is susceptible to the pothole blight, including the road of life. God's Word guarantees it: "You will face all kinds of trouble ...Your faith will be put to the test" (James 1:2b-3a, NIRV).
At one time or another, the highway on which we travel will fall out from under us. Or, if we are not personally affected by troubles, we know someone who is. Potholes are inevitable, it seems, if we're going anywhere. Consequently, we can spend much time dealing with the destruction, or rescuing others from their deep pits. Writing these words distresses me and if I were to camp on this thought, I could find myself sorely depressed.
So I drive on, focusing on God's Word. Like the dependable tow truck that fixes damaged tires or the repair shop that aligns them, God's Word assures me that falling into an abyss is not the end of the ride. Life does go on ... with a high calling and meaningful purpose.
Consider these words:
"The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort...comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others ..." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)
"...we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair..." (2 Corinthians 4:7-8, NLT)
"...under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1:2-4, MSG)
And finally Isaiah 53:3a, 4a explains that the troubles our Lord Jesus suffered made us whole. He was "a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief...it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down..." (NLT)
Precious friend, are you stuck in one of life's potholes? Don't despair. You're not alone. Jesus knows. You may feel damaged, broken, or rejected but there is a high calling, a greater purpose for your troubling experiences. One day you will comfort others in their afflictions. Your light will shine on another's dark and difficult path. And when you step into eternity you will receive the crown of life.
Hallelujah!
Father, God, I have fallen into a deep hole. I am damaged, broken, and feel rejected. Please use my circumstances to strengthen me and cause me to shine so others may see Your glory. In Jesus; Name I pray, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van's blog
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton describes for your children how a relationship with Jesus helps us endure troubles.
Trials for Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life by Janet Eckles
For more hope and to take a free test How Do I Know If I'm Depressed? visit God Sees You
Defeating Depression: Real Hope for Life-Changing Wholeness by Leslie Vernick
Application Steps:
Read James 1:1-18 in several Bible translations.
Reflections:
What troubles threaten to destroy me?
Isn't God greater than any trial that comes my way?
Can I set my mind on trusting God rather than caving to defeat, confident that today's trials strengthen me for tomorrow?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:16-17, "...we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 6:4, "In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. (NLT)
© 2010 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 12, 2010
Attitude Adjustment
Melanie Chitwood
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."
Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
One day I opened my car door and was blasted with a horrific smell. I searched every inch of the car but could not find the source of the stench. I then took action to get rid of the smell: I scrubbed the carpet with deodorizers and sprayed air freshener. The stench persisted. I left the car doors open, deciding I couldn't possibly run errands in that stinky car.
I went back inside, opened the refrigerator, and noticed a small trickle of milk had leaked on to the shelf. After examining the milk container, I realized that the milk must have leaked into the car the day before when I got groceries. That explained the cause of my stinky car: spoiled milk, one of the most offensive odors I've ever smelled.
Negative attitudes are like the stench of spoiled milk, permeating our lives and affecting everyone we come in contact with. Think about some of these negative attitudes that might make you stinky: complaining, selfish, prideful, bitter, or unforgiving. Do any ring true with you today?
Now imagine a pleasing aroma. What comes to mind? A freshly baked pie, the scent of the ocean, newly brewed coffee, or a cinnamon candle. A pleasant aroma is so powerful that it can bring a smile to our faces and make us feel more positive. The same is true of our positive attitudes. In our relationships we can be like a fragrant aroma by adopting attitudes that please and reflect Christ. In fact, Paul teaches that we are a "fragrance of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Consider these pleasing attitudes: thankful, humble, generous, gracious, kind, and cheerful. You can ask God to be one of these fragrances through you today.
Our attitude provides an accurate litmus test for the true condition of our hearts. God cares first about the condition of our hearts because when God has our hearts, He knows that we're surrendered to Him. He'll mold us and shape our attitudes and actions to reflect His character.
Dear Lord, search me, O God, and know my heart (Psalm 139:23). Soften my heart and make me willing to receive an attitude adjustment from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion is adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband, companion to What a Husband Needs from His Wife, both by Melanie Chitwood
Visit Melanie's blog, What Matters Most
The S.O.S for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms by Mary M. Byers
Show your spring style with a She Speaks T-Shirt in Cranberry or Teal.
Application Steps:
Since our attitudes reflect the condition of our hearts, take some time to sit quietly before the Lord. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart.
If you know you've had a bad attitude, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the root of that stinky attitude. For example, if you've been grumbling and complaining, the root of this attitude might be a sense of entitlement. Once you recognize the root, confess it and ask God to remove it. Ask God to work His Christ-like attitude in and through you.
Reflections:
Consider the various relationships affected by your positive or negative attitude. What fragrance does your spouse smell when you come near? Spoiled milk or a fragrant spring candle? What attitude do your coworkers get a whiff of? What about your children? Or,.the cashier at the grocery store when you're hurrying and running late?
In which relationship is it the most difficult for you to be the "fragrance of Christ"?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:23, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life." (NAS)
2 Corinthians 2:14, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." (NAS)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 13, 2010
Discipline My Body
Marybeth Whalen
"I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." I Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)
Devotion:
As I shared with a woman I met about our family's journey out of $95,000 worth of debt, she posed a question that stumped me. "That's great that you guys did that," she said. "But do you really think that people out there are willing to do the hard work it will take to get out of debt?"
I confessed to her that I couldn't answer for other people. I could only share what we had experienced—what we knew worked. She responded that she thought people were looking for simpler, easier solutions than the arduous four-and-a-half year process we went through. I knew she was probably right.
Days later as I was struggling through the first mile of my run, I thought about her question and compared it to my lack of motivation to lace up my running shoes that day. I didn't feel like running. I didn't want to stop what I was doing at home and take time to go running. I didn't want to do the hard work. The phrase "I discipline my body" went through my mind. As my legs pumped and my muscles strained and my heart cried out for relief, I certainly understood what Paul meant when he wrote that verse.
As I ran, my mind cycled through the many other things in life that are worth doing, yet require us to "discipline our bodies" into submission to accomplish them. In some instances we must physically discipline our bodies. Taking care of ourselves, exercising, and making healthy eating choices requires resolve, sacrifice, and some hard work.
In other instances we must emotionally discipline our bodies. Choosing to honor our husbands, or our parents, with our words and attitudes requires a continual humbling process that our flesh rails against.
Still other times we must spiritually discipline our bodies. I am learning it's not enough just to say I want a close relationship with God. I have to "discipline my body" to pursue Him. This includes getting up early when my body wants to sleep longer so I can start my day by having a quiet time. And I can't say I want to live by His Word if I am not willing to spend time studying it, disciplining my body by foregoing my desire to veg out in front of the TV in favor of reading the Bible.
I am learning that most things in life that are worth doing aren't going to be easy. Yet my flesh—my lazy, insolent, ugly flesh—continually hangs onto the thought that it should be easy. Sometimes my flesh wins out, I won't lie. But for the most part I am learning that when I make the effort to "discipline my body" I am always glad later that I did.
Maybe there's something that God is urging you to do that's going to require disciplining your body. Maybe you have resisted it because you don't want to go through that. From someone who understands that battle, might I urge you to take the time, and submit your body, heart and mind to the process? On the other side of your effort is a transformed life waiting to happen.
Dear Lord, I know that doing the right thing is not usually the easy thing. Help me to follow Your ways and not my own. Help me to commit to the changes I know I need to make in my life. And let me feel You guiding and encouraging me every step of the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
Learning to Live Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
A Tip a Day: 12 Months Worth of Money-Saving Ideas by Ellie Kay
From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD) by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Do you dread talking finances with your spouse? Click here for tips on how to have a smooth conversation.
Application Steps:
Write down in your journal one thing that you feel God has laid on your heart that will require "disciplining your body" to make it happen. Maybe it's taking better care of yourself or losing weight. Maybe it's doing the hard work and submitting yourself to the process of becoming debt free. Maybe it's recommitting to spending daily time with God—foregoing some sleep to make that happen. Whatever it is, pray about it and consider asking a friend to hold you accountable.
Reflections:
What does your flesh want? Is it the best thing for you?
How will discipline change your circumstances in the long run?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:13, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." (NIV)
Galatians 6:8, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 14, 2010
Grabbing Hold of Shiny Thoughts
Rachel Olsen
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sitting in the overstuffed chair at Barnes & Noble I feel undersized. My feet don't quite touch the floor with my back against the cushion. So I pull my legs up and fold them beneath me, making a bird's nest of my lap. I pour my attention onto the pages of my selected book. People walk past me - surely, it's a busy Sunday afternoon - but I don't notice. I'm enamored with the words before me. I'm following in the footsteps of the author, from my perch in the enormous chair.
Twenty some minutes go by before I look up and stretch. The bookstore café sits in my sight line, just a few dozen feet before me. People are milling about. None of them in particular stand out. Until I spot the woman, coiffed like a porcelain doll. Ready to be someone's bright-eyed treasure. She's attractive, put together, and carries herself with that certain air only long time southern residents with a good bit of money seem to possess.
I stop scanning the café and watch only her. That is until a dark-haired man in a suit enters a few minutes later and heads to the tail of the coffee line. His suit is out of place for this time and space. But I suspect he could still stand out in a pair of khaki Dockers.
I watch him awhile, inching his way towards the counter, waiting his turn to order an espresso. Then I return my gaze to the woman, now seated at a table with her trendy bag, cell phone, coffee cup and papers, likely doing something important. Or at least doing something well. I notice my pulse has slightly increased. And when I inventory my thoughts, I find them discussing how to be as attractive and commanding as these two.
That's ironic, given that a few paragraphs back in the book, I'd paused at the author's line, "When did looking good become your god?" The question in the middle of the paragraph had begged me to pull the journal from my purse and write it down for future consideration. After dragging my attention away from the shiny café people, I decide now should be that future time. Placing my pen to the journal page, the ink forms this note to God and self:
"When I see someone, male or female, who looks good in my opinion—or in the world's opinion, as the two are entirely too synonymous at times—my attention fixates. I find my pulse even quickens. This happens whenever I like what I see—be it a person, a painting, or a ripe plum. I admire and desire it. And, honestly, I find myself longing today to elicit that kind of response in others. Why??
Probably because it seems powerful. Probably because a mind that is not set on Christ derives too much pleasure from being admired. But here I sit today, a bit disheveled, in need of a haircut, with my feet in my lap like a child. And what's equally honest is I want to enjoy sitting here like this without regret. Without worry that I'm not a shiny, suit person right now. I wish I looked my best at all times, and at the same time, I don't want to be driven by that wish. I see that for what it would truly be: slavery to image. I want to look nice when it's fun for me to, or necessary for me to look professional. But I don't want looking good to become my god. Thank You God, that You look at my heart and not my appearance."
And with that, having taken my thoughts captive, I return to my chosen book. Contented. With my feet in my lap like a child. And I walk some more in the author's footsteps, forgetting all about myself and the shiny people in the café. My mind has just tasted freedom in Christ—it tastes much sweeter than the world's best espresso and crème.
Dear Holy Spirit, help me be aware of my thoughts today. Bring them consciously before me, and help me line them up with Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A Compilation of Favorite P31 Devotions by various Encouragement for Today authors, Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets the Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
A Woman's Price Tag offers more truth for you
Application Steps:
Choose a certain bracelet, or tie a piece or ribbon around your wrist today to remind you to pay attention to your thoughts. When you catch sight of it, inventory your recent thoughts. How do they line up with scriptural truths?
Reflections:
Do you pay attention to what you are thinking? Are you quiet enough at times in your day to notice your thoughts?
What strategies do you have or can you create for taking your thoughts captive and submitting them to Christ?
Power Verses:
I Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'" (ESV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 15, 2010
Choose Where You Will Stand
Tracie Miles
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
Several years ago, I began playing tennis and became a member of a competitive team. Each week the team attends a practice clinic with our tennis professional to learn new techniques and strategies. He is always full of great tips and advice to help us improve our game, but one particular week he said something that really stuck in my mind.
He discussed the importance of court position; where we stand on the court could determine whether or not we keep the ball in play and if we win the point. Then he said that although we could not control what was going on in the court, we could always control where we stand.
I thought about how that statement is applicable not only to tennis, but to life. You see, even though we can't control what happens in the world, we can always control where we stand on issues of righteousness and integrity. Where we choose to stand will be evidence of the role that we are allowing God to play in our lives.
For example, we have no power over the sex, drugs, language and violence on TV, but we can choose whether we watch it or not. We have no power over the content of the movies coming out in the theatres, or how lenient the ratings are, but we can choose what we allow ourselves or our children to see. We can stand for purity.
We have no power to control the beliefs and actions of other people. We cannot control the downfall of morals in our society. We cannot control the decisions that Congress makes, which new laws are put into place, escalating gas prices, politics in the workplace, questionable practices in corporations, liberal tolerance, foreign affairs, war, or the state of the economy.
In fact, sometimes it may seem that we have no control over certain situations in our own lives, much less the things happening in the world. But there is good news - we always have the choice to choose where we will stand in the game of life.
Proverbs 20:5 says, "Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within" (The Message). That is really where court position begins - in the heart. If our faith is strong and grounded, then we will be able to pull from that wisdom when faced with opportunities to choose where to stand, knowing that the power of God within us will empower us to make good decisions.
Our only hope in fighting this battle of good versus evil, in our hearts and in this broken world, is to be prepared to stand tall and firm for Christ, despite what the opposition may bring.
You know, life is a lot like a tennis court. We each have our side. We try to stay on the right side, but sometimes the balls that get thrown at us pull us in the wrong direction. Other times they are difficult to defend, cause us to stumble, or throw us off track. But if we choose the right court position to begin with, that is, to stay on God's side and choose Him as our partner, we are much more likely to exercise the power we have within us. Drawing deep from the well of God's wisdom in our hearts, we can do the right thing.
There are times when standing up for our faith may cause us to lose the popularity contest, but it will allow others to see God in us. And, there may even be times when our court position speaks louder than words ever could.
Where will you stand today?
Dear Lord, help me have the strength and faith to stand up for what is right when I am faced with opposition, and not be swayed by the pressures in a fallen world. Help me live a life that glorifies You, instead of just taking the easy road and going along with the crowd. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Visit with Tracie on her blog.
Help your kids take a stand! Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris
Listen to Staying on Track for an extra dose of encouragement today.
Application Steps:
Consider ways you can stand firm in your faith in your home, at work, with friends and in your community.
Ask God to be your partner and seek His guidance where to stand on the court.
Reflections:
What opportunities have you recently had to stand up for truth? How did you do?
If you were faced with opposition to God's truth in some way today, would you be prepared to stand up for Him?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:14, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." (NIV)
Proverbs 11:4, "A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst." (MSG)
© 2010 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 16, 2010
Crows Have Landed
Luann Prater
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was 45 when it hit me. We were on vacation and the hotel had one of those cool magnifying mirrors in the bathroom. Well, it was cool until it showed the truth. It seems my "laugh lines" were running amuck and creeping out of the sides of my eyelids.
"What in the world!" I shouted. "How long have I had these trenches in my face? And when were you going to tell me?" I yelped. My wise husband knew a death trap when he saw it, "Honey, I love your eyes," he replied.
Now that I've hit the fabulous fifties, they don't wait for a smile to show themselves; no, the crow's feet have firmly landed and are forever etched in my face. I knew it was obvious one day when a client who works for a plastic surgeon told me she could get me a good deal, then she patted my face.
No one escapes the fact that we all age. One day we wake up and realize the spring in our step has a bit of a squeak, gray hairs are sprouting in the most bizarre places (like cascading from your chin), and everything that was once perky has headed south. Of course this is the exact moment I see a twenty-something bounce across the television screen and everything in me wants to burrow beneath a blanket on the couch with a warm chocolate chip cookie and pretend this will all go away.
Then I hear my grandkids squeal and run into the room. It's time for another round of "The Gramminator!" I roll to the floor and put on my best Schwarzenegger voice and proclaim, "No one escapes the Gramminator!" and the pouncing and wrestling begins.
It's at these moments I realize how much I love being 50-something. The road to get here was not easy; in fact, those lines in my face were earned. Every gray hair represents a tough time of losing a loved one, stressing over finances or crying over a wayward child. The main lesson I've learned along the way is everything in life is temporary. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (NIV). Whether I'm on the mountaintop or in the valley, neither will last but He will always walk with me.
Today, I choose to laugh and let the lines dig in a little deeper because this is the only day I am guaranteed. We are but dust, here today and gone tomorrow. Besides, my grandson just gripped my face in his sweet little hands and said, "Grandma, you're beautiful." His view is better than the mirror.
Come on, let's embrace this thing called age together and laugh!
Dear Lord, thank You for every gray hair and every wrinkle for they serve as reminders. Each one represents a time of leaning into You for strength. You have provided all I've ever needed. May You always be evident in my life as I laugh at the days to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Spend Saturday afternoons with Luann on the air at Encouragement Café
Instill these truths in your child with The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
Instill these truths in your tween with The Divine Dance: If the World is Your Stage, Who are You Performing For? by Shannon Kubiak Primicerio
Instill these truths in your twenty-something with Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-apart Young Woman by Leslie Ludy
Instill these truths in your heart with Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Application Steps:
Choose to laugh today. Take every care and give God thanks and praise for already taking care of it. Then find someone to laugh with.
Reflections:
What causes me to frown?
When will I see my age lines as triumphs?
How can I rejoice and not be afraid?
Power Verses:
Joshua 1:5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)
Proverbs 16:31, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 19, 2010
Maybe it was Hormones...
Melanie Chitwood
"...but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man
is being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NAS)
Devotion:
My husband Scott and I were watching a movie when we heard a great line: "Put the cuckoo back in the clock." We looked at each other and laughed, really hard.
I had been having some emotional days, and we both knew that this line from the movie was one aptly applied to me lately. While most women would agree that emotional days are not out of the norm, this new degree of emotional upheaval was a bit over the top for me.
In my early forties I discovered that my hormones were changing. That might be more than you wanted to know about me, but I think you'll be glad you read this because even if you're not in your forties, at some point as a woman you're going to feel the effects of hormones. (If you're a man, this devotion might help you to understand the female in your life when she seems unstable or overly emotional.)
When hormones change, you can experience all sorts of physical, mental, and emotional changes. You fluctuate between being so hot you want to jump in a cold swimming pool, and then a short while later you feel you need gloves and socks on. You are weepy one minute and a nanosecond later your child's presence makes you more irritable than you ever have been. You're sure at some point in your life you had the ability to remember things but that ability is long gone. Finally, one day your husband's comment about the cuckoo clock is funny, but another moment, it is the absolute wrong thing for him to say.
So how do we respond to these hormonally-induced changes? We must take into account that the hormonal changes we're experiencing are real, and that our "outer man," the term used in today's key verse, is changing. While we don't want them to master us, at the same time we cannot discount the real effects of hormones. We need to make adjustments in all areas of our life.
Spiritually speaking, the flesh may seem much stronger than the spirit, so we will need to counter these changes with spiritual weapons. We can be "strong in the Lord and the strength of His might" (Ephesians 6:10, NAS). We'll find that God's spirit renews our "inner man."
We also need to make adjustments in the physical realm. Sometimes we as Christians want to separate the physical from the spiritual or emotional aspects of ourselves, but it's all connected. Physically speaking, we need to take care of ourselves. Too much junk food, sugar, and caffeine will only exacerbate our emotions and thoughts. In addition, we may not have the stamina to do all we've done before. We may need more exercise and more rest. A doctor can advise you.
In the mental and emotional realm, we may have thoughts and feelings of insecurity, doubt, anxiety, irritability or anger in a way we never have before. It's so easy to perpetuate the downward spiral of our thoughts, beating ourselves up for having these negative feelings. Instead, we need to confess any sinful reactions against others and recognize that when our bodies are changing, we need to be purposeful about taking our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
In a nutshell, we need to seek a balance. On the one hand, we need to be gracious to ourselves, knowing that our "outer man" is changing. On the other hand, we need to take practical steps to prevent our hormones from ruling us. God created our hormones and He will give us wisdom and strength in dealing with them.
Dear Lord, thank You for hormones, even when they sometimes don't feel like a gift. Open my eyes to how my hormones affect different aspects of my life, and give me the strength to deal with them in a healthy way. Thank You, Lord, that because I'm Your child, Your Spirit lives in me, giving me the strength to do what I feel I can't do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog -What Matters Most for ideas to help on hormonal days!
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and companion book What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
She's Gonna Blow! Real Help for Dealing With Mom Anger by Julie Ann Barnhill
For an extra measure of encouragement, read Handling Daily Frustrations
The S.O.S for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms by Mary M. Byers
Application Steps:
Keep track of your emotional and physical changes in a journal. Can you identify a pattern? Be prepared for times that will be hormonally charged. Take some things off your schedule and eliminate some stressors. If you can, wait to make major decisions. Take a walk, read a book, sit outside. Even if it's just for 15 minutes, take care of yourself.
Reflections:
What's the most challenging aspect of hormonal changes to you? The mental, physical or spiritual aspects?
Do your changing hormones result in treating other people in a not-so-nice way? What can you do to respond better to others? Especially to family members?
What are some practical steps you can take to minimize any negative effects of changing hormones?
Power Verses:
Galatains 5:16, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
2 Corinthians 4:7,"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (NIV)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 20, 2010
Feeling Weak?
Mary DeMuth, She Speaks Conference Graduate
"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God."
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NASB)
Devotion:
I didn't know that when those older boys pinned five-year-old me to the earth, my backside poked by brambles, that someday God would choose that frightened little girl, sexually abused for a year, to shame the wise. But He chose a shattered me.
I didn't know that as my childhood home filled with drugs and unsafe parties, God would rescue weak and scared me. But, eventually, He salved my fears.
I didn't know that as I ran from other predators, the boys' marks on me like a beacon, I'd someday limp into the arms of a Savior. I felt debased, unworthy, ugly, dirty, ruined. But He welcomed me.
I didn't know that as my earthly father slipped from this earth, my Heavenly Father stood nearby, open armed. Though my earthly father's death left me fatherless, my Heavenly Father didn't orphan me. He grafted me into His family.
I didn't know that as I considered different ways to kill myself in junior high, as I faced a third parental divorce, that Jesus' own beautiful death provided a way of new life for me. He rescued me from taking my life.
I was all the things the apostle Paul wrote about in today's key verse, and then some. Neglected, needy, pained, lost, small, frightened. And yet God took those negatives and beautified them with Himself. That's the great paradox God brings to all of us, no matter how "easy" or hard our upbringing. It's not that we're strong and sufficient and wise, it's that He is.
Perhaps you've looked back on your past and shuddered. Perhaps you've questioned God about why He'd allow atrocities in your life. But consider this: God gets the most glory in the life fully surrendered to Him, and it's hard for a self-sufficient person to submit. He does the most work in our helplessness. (See 2 Corinthians 12: 9, 10).
Our weakness and frailty are not merely places of desolation; they are dance floors—holy places where the God of the universe is allowed to freely move in our lives. Our own lack allows for and welcomes this sacred dance where God's talent outshines our capabilities, where only He receives the glory.
Will you lay down your past today? Will you trust Him with the mess, the memories, the mayhem? If you do, He will take the marred pieces of your life, reassemble them, and make you fly. So you (because of Him) can shame the wise.
Lord, I confess I've seen my own injuries as reasons to blame you and keep You far from my heart. I'm sorry. Help me instead to see my weaknesses as a place where You can demonstrate Your strength. I welcome You into the painful places. Do something new and miraculous. I don't want to be embittered. I want to be free. And I want to give You all the glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
View the trailer for Mary's newest book, Thin Places: A Memoir and purchase your copy today of Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary E. DeMuth
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
For more encouragement, read Stained and Ruined
Application Steps:
Find a trusted confidant and share your story with her. Confess ways you've pushed God away. Ask her to pray for you so that you can allow God into the painful places of your life.
Journal a prayer to God about your difficult memories. His shoulders are big enough to carry your authentic, raw words.
Ask God to specifically guide you to Scripture that speaks to your past. Write them out, put them in your purse, and memorize them.
Reflections:
Look back on your life. When have you felt closest to God? The most distant? What were your circumstances at each time?
In what ways are you afraid to surrender your past to God?
How can you choose today to believe the truth that God's strength is stronger where you're weak?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." (NAS)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong." (NAS)
© 2010 by Mary DeMuth. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 21, 2010
Embraced by the Father
Susanne Scheppmann
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Her smile lit up the room when her daddy entered. Her rosebud lips spread into a wide beam of a smile. Her silky black hair leapt about her face as she bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet. She looked like Snow White after a large cup of espresso. The man started the music and began to walk toward her. He stopped and opened wide his muscular arms—the familiar invitation to dance. She raced to him and perched herself atop his feet. They began two-stepping to their special song, "My Personal Penguin." The princess was dancing with her Prince Charming—her daddy.
Bittersweet joy washed over me like a warm spring rain as I witnessed this scene between my son and granddaughter. Happiness for my granddaughter flowed into my heart, but there was also a tinge of sadness. I regretted never having experienced the same type of father-daughter relationship with my earthly dad.
My own father resembled the character of Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind. He was suave, handsome, and self-assured, but a rogue. I traveled through my childhood and adolescence wishing for a Rhett Butler type of man to whisk me off my feet. I desired a rogue to embrace me with a wild and untamed love. Because of my "father image," I actually desired imperfect love from people. A flawed love would hurt, but it still appealed to my broken heart. I believed falsely that love could only be achieved through volatile sparks of emotion, fueled by the uncertainty of the love.
Of course, it was all a misguided representation of a girl's broken heart. But now, I have learned to know a perfect love—the love of my heavenly Father. Only He has been able to fill my heart with a perfect love. The night I accepted His love, He began to reveal to me the character of a faultless Father. As the Father embraced me, my idea of errant love slid into oblivion. I learned the true meaning of love as I gained knowledge of God. He taught me His characteristics and personality through the diversity of His names, but my favorite will always be Father—Abba—my Daddy.
Do you know Abba—the heavenly Father? He is waiting for you with His arms wide open. Come and be embraced by the Father.
Dear Lord, thank You for revealing the true love of a Father to my broken heart. Help me learn to live out my life in Your perfect and holy love. Remind me that You love me just as I am—flaws and all. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Name of God by Susanne Scheppmann
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
Read Zephaniah 3:17. Write down the activities that sound like a father loving his daughter. Imagine yourself sitting on the Father's lap and allowing Him to sing over you.
Reflections:
What is my mental image of a father?
Do I believe that God loves me as a perfect father would? Why or why not?
What hinders me from accepting God's unconditional love?
Power Verses:
1 John 1:2-4, "The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete." (NIV)
Galatians 4:6, "And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, 'Abba, Father.'" (NLT)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 22, 2010
When God Hurts Your Feelings
Lysa TerKeurst
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Devotion:
Has God ever hurt your feelings? I'll be honest, sometimes I'll read those verses from Philippians listed above and think to myself, "This is a tough pill to swallow."
Content in any and every situation?
Really?
A few years ago my daughter was a state champion gymnast. To see her do gymnastics was like looking at God smile. She was beautiful, graceful, and captivating to watch.
Then one night while practicing for one of the largest tournaments she'd ever competed in, she fell. It was a move she'd done hundreds of times with the greatest of ease. But this time something went terribly wrong and that one mistake ended her gymnastic dreams.
We spent a year going from doctor to doctor only to be told she'd never be able to support the weight of her body on her injured shoulder again.
I'll be honest, this was a tough pill to swallow. Watching a 14 year-old girl wrestle with the fact that her dreams were stripped from her doesn't exactly lend itself to feelings of contentment. Now, I know in the grand scheme of life, people face much worse situations. But in her world, this was huge.
It was so tempting to want to wallow in the "why" questions and tell God He'd hurt our feelings.
Why did this happen?
Why didn't You stop this God?
Why weren't my prayers answered?
Have you ever been there? Have you ever had a big situation in your life where you just couldn't process why God would allow this to happen? Or maybe even a small annoyance like losing your keys or having a flat tire on a morning you really needed to be somewhere.
It's so tempting to wallow in the why.
Asking why is perfectly normal. Asking why isn't unspiritual. However, if asking this question pushes us farther from God rather than drawing us closer to Him, it is the wrong question.
If asking the why question doesn't offer hope, what will?
The what question.
In other words: "Now that this is my reality, what am I supposed to do with it?"
Philippians 4:8, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things" (NIV).
I like to call this verse "directions on where to park my mind."
And that's exactly what Ashley has had to do with her dashed gymnastics dreams. Instead of wallowing in why did this happen, I've had to help her say:
This is my reality, now what am I going to do with it?
What can I learn from this?
What part of this is for my protection?
What other opportunities could God be providing?
What maturity could God be building into me?
Switching from the why to the what questions paves the road to parking our minds in a much better place.
Is it always easy? Nope.
But is it a way to find a perspective beyond situations where we feel God has allowed something in our lives we don't understand and we absolutely don't like? Yes.
I pray this helps you today. You can also download a free resource on how to change your why questions into what questions. Just go to my blog, www.LysaTerKeurst.com and click on the button "When God Hurts Your Feelings."
Dear Lord, I want to process everything I face in life through the filter of Your love. I know You love me. But sometimes it's just hard to understand the circumstances that come my way. I find myself consumed with trying to figure things out rather than looking for Your perspective and trusting You. Thank You for this new way to look at things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to get your free resource mentioned above and to post your prayer request for whatever situation you are facing today. I consider it a great honor to pray for you.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book contains chapters that will help you better process tough times when God hurts your feelings.
Also, consider doing this study in a group setting by ordering Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set - Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99 and a free Leader's Guide!
Application Steps:
Mentally walk yourself through parking your mind in a better place by remembering an event that happened this week and looking for God's protection, provision, and process of maturing you.
Reflections:
Am I afraid to have honest conversations with God about how I really feel about some of my circumstances?
How might it be helpful to really talk to God about things that hurt me?
Why is it helpful to ask what now, instead of wallowing in the why questions?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 23, 2010
In Tents Again
Marybeth Whalen
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed feasts."
Hosea 12:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Many times in the Bible we read about God giving us direction, pushing us forward and providing us with a future. But have you ever felt like He has taken you backwards instead? Have you ever wondered why?
In today's verse we read about Him telling the Israelites that they were going to take a few steps backwards. They had gotten out of Egypt, moved on with their lives, stepped towards a future, but forgot their God in the process. He determined that the best thing He could do was to take them back to the days they lived in tents, back to the time they celebrated feasts and remembered His goodness. A time, the Bible notes, they were filled with indescribable joy in spite of their surroundings.
God has had to take me back many times, I am sad to say. I get in forward motion, so focused on what lies ahead, that I forget what He has done for me in the past. Living in fast forward gives me little time to rewind, to replay what He has done on my behalf, to rejoice over His sovereignty. Sometimes He has to take me back—not because He is punishing me, but because He knows how spiritually forgetful I can be. He simplifies my life for me, weeding out the distractions so I can refocus on Him. He puts me in "tents" again so I can remember where I started.
Maybe today you are feeling like you are in "tents" again financially or professionally. Maybe your marriage seems to be in "tents" again. Maybe you are going through something with a child that feels reversed when what you really want is to move ahead. Let God take you back, and trust that forward motion doesn't always mean growth.
Sometimes going backwards is what He knows is best for you. Trust the direction He is taking you. Settle into those "tents" and look for Him to dwell among you as He did with the Israelites. Instead of grumbling and complaining about where He has you, choose to feel His nearness and soak in His love. Sometimes He puts us in "tents" again because there is something He once taught us that we need to relearn. What might that be for you?
Dear Lord, I don't like going backwards. I want to move ahead but I know that isn't always what's best for me. I trust the direction You are taking me, even if it means going back. I want to draw closer to You and I trust Your guidance. Please reveal Yourself to me in "tents" again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For encouragement delivered to your door, order your subscription to P31 Woman
Visit Marybeth's blog
Becoming A Woman of Influence (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Application Steps:
Think of a time when God took you backwards. What did you learn from that time? Did you draw closer to God? Journal about that experience and write down today's verse.
Reflections:
Do you accept when God takes you backwards? Do you seek to learn whatever it is He is trying to teach you or do you rebel against where He has you?
Power Verses:
Nehemiah 8:17, "The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And their joy was very great." (NIV)
Exodus 29:46, "They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 26, 2010
When God Calls a Woman
Micca Monda Campbell
"I took you from the ends of the earth, from it farthest corner I called you. I said, 'You are my servant,' I have chosen you and have not rejected you"
Isaiah 41:9, (NIV).
Devotion:
Growing up in church, I was familiar with the term called although its meaning had little interest to me. Once I sensed God's call on my own life, the term took on new significance. The emotion I felt most was fear! Like Moses, I thought of everything that would disqualify me for ministry.
Later on, I realized those were only excuses. The God who calls us equips us. My mind understood this truth, but the rest of me struggled with fear. Anxious thoughts raced around my head such as, Did I hear God correctly or was this sense of service coming from my own desires? Eventually, I found peace in Paul's words:
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:1, NIV).
I noticed that Paul was called "by the will of God." That means that ministry is not something you and I choose. God does the choosing. We can choose to do any other profession on earth, but ministry. To do ministry, you and I must be chosen by God.
According to Billy Graham, people ago into ministry work for various reasons. Most are thankful for their salvation. Others have a genuine desire to help others. Many are merely following in their parents footsteps. And some desire the respect that comes with the profession. These are all good reasons, but the peace-giving key to being in ministry is knowing you were called there by God.
Each person should be able to pinpoint a time in which they became certain God called them into a lifetime of service. This is the first step to overcoming fear. This can be a Damascus Road experience like Paul's or a growing sense that God has separated you for His service. It may be a mixture of both. The important thing is not how you were called but that you were called. This person not only has God's favor but His promised presence and provision. Trusting that God will make up for what you lack is the second step to putting fear to rest.
Moses had doubts and fears about his ability to be in ministry, but God didn't. He knew just what He was getting when He called Moses. What's more, God knew what He was getting when He called you, too—someone about your size, with your heart, your personality, your accent, your background, your talents, and even your flaws. God looked you over good and said, "Yep, she'll make a fine partner! Someone who recognizes the reality of that statement understands that they are not working for God but with God. There is a huge difference.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are symptoms of doubt. Doubt often means our focus is on self instead of God. When we trust God to do what we can't, it takes the burden off us and places it on Him. Then, as we look to God, we see reflected in His eyes great potential that only He can accomplish as we join Him.
Lastly, we grow in confidence through confirmation. Many times others will notice the call on your life or your giftedness before you will. Take these comments as confirmation. Other ways to affirm your call is through a godly counselor, mentor, or pastor. My pastor played a huge part in my preparation and confirmation into ministry.
Another way to establish confidence is to attend a writer and speakers conference. Proverbs 31 Ministries holds this type of conference annually called She Speaks. Many have attended and left with the assurance to say "yes" to the call, along with the tools they need to fulfill it.
God wants you to be certain of His plan and purpose for your life. Whether you're called to serve within your church or in full time ministry, there's no need to fear. You can be confident that God will provide all you need.
Dear Lord, I don't always see the obvious—Your provision; but I trust it's there to empower and guide me beyond my imagination. I'm placing my fear aside today and saying "yes" to whatever You have for me. Lead the way with assurance and clarity. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We're giving away *one full scholarship* this week to our She Speaks Conference! Visit the Proverbs 31 Ministries homepage to find out how to enter!
Finding a Faith Stronger Than all My Fear (Three CD Series) by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for more tips on clarifying your call.
The Message of Leadership: 31 Essential Insights from Proverbs by Daniel Southern
If you feel called to speak or write, these two resources are for you! The Reason We Speak and For the Write Reason Gen. Ed. Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
If you don't know your purpose, seek God and wait and watch for the ways in which He answers. If you sense God has called you into ministry, make certain you were chosen by God. Relinquish your fear and commit to His will. Next, seek godly counsel and direction. Finally, gain experience and training by attending She Speaks.
Reflections:
What is holding you back from serving God with confidence? Identify it and give it over to God.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:8, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." ( NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:24, "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 27, 2010
Two Left Feet
Susanne Scheppmann
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
Devotion:
The accordion wheezed in and out with the melody, while the tuba burped out the rhythm—oompah pa pa oompah. The oompah band, dressed in traditional Bavarian attire—red knickers, canary yellow knee socks, small hunter green vests and green felt caps with bright red feathers wagging from the brim—played for the crowd. Each musician clutched his instrument as if it were his lover and then nodded toward the audience, encouraging them toward the dance floor.
Several members of my extended family stared at the video recording of my father-in-law's retirement party. We sat mesmerized as we relived the gaiety of those priceless moments. With oompahs playing in the background, we watched ourselves hitch arms and jig in a large circle. And, of course, human nature as it is, we all wanted to see ourselves dance to oompah music.
Suddenly, I spied myself. I thought, "Ugh!" Unfortunately, my father-in-law paused the video and said with an air of surprise, "I didn't know you had two left feet."
I have many deficiencies—two left feet is a minor one. Trust me, I have some real doozie problems in my life—like we all do. But I know for a fact that no matter how large or small my deficiencies, Christ is all sufficient in my life. I have been a Christ follower for over thirty years and not once has Jesus failed to meet my needs. I can say along with King David, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song" (Psalm 28:7, NIV).
I may have a myriad of deficiencies, but I can still sing for joy in His strength.
We all have deficiencies. God created us that way. Why? So that we would learn to depend on Him as our key verse states, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
So today, I am going to dance in faith with my two left feet. Will you join me in trusting Jesus, our Almighty God, with your deficiencies?
Dear Lord, I recognize my need for Your strength in my life. My day-to-day existence is fraught with deficiencies. Thank You for being more than enough in my life. Thank You for being my Almighty God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann This book will introduce you to God, through His names and the metaphor of dance.
Visit Susanne's blog
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Application Steps:
Consider in what areas you need the strength of Christ today. Take a short time to pray and ask Him to give you endurance and the hope to see you through each difficulty or deficiency you face today. Remember He is our Almighty God.
Reflections:
What type of "deficiency" do you feel you have?
Do you believe you can overcome it by yourself?
How can God's strength enable you to endure difficulties?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:20-21, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." (NIV)
Psalms 37:39, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble." (KJV)
Psalms 147:11, "Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength." (MSG)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 28, 2010
Love is Powerful
Rachel Olsen
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
Devotion:
Do you find yourself doing what you know you should not? Do you find it hard to stop?
Yeah, I know.
I've had several discussions lately with people stuck in patterns of behavior they want to quit. They keep sinning. What's more, they feel completely awful about it. Guilty. Shameful. Some to the point of hating themselves. And yet they feel powerless to stop - powerless to resist.
The Bible says when we return to our vices again and again, we are like dogs returning to our vomit (Prov. 26:11). Eww, ick!
So why do we do this when according to the Bible, Christ has conquered sin on our behalf so we can overcome its power? If, "by his divine power God has given us everything we need for living a godly life," why does sin have any place in our lives?
The answer is the same reason a dog returns to her vomit. Gross as it is, she gets some degree of satisfaction from it. She likes it. See what I mean:
· Lust - or its fulfillment, sexual indiscretion - feels pleasurable in the moment.
· Overeating—or its biblical term, gluttony - feels comforting in the moment.
· Power - called "lording it over someone" in the Bible - makes you feel significant.
· Lying is convenient at the time.
· Splurging and spending - compared to saving or giving -- feels fun and rewarding.
· Stomping and yelling feels cathartic and justifiable.
This list could go on ad nauseam. Sin has power because we enjoy it. It promises something we want - pleasure, escape, wealth, power, attention. Sure it always has consequences we don't want, but in many cases those don't over power its feel-good moments or perceived benefits.
In short, sin has power because we love it.
What can help us overcome the sins that we have love-hate relationships with? A surpassing love. A greater love that carries with it no hate, no guilt, and no shame. A love that actually delivers the many benefits it promises. A love that is full of beautiful grace and soul-deep compassion.
A love more attractive and more powerful than the allure of sin.
It is the love of God displayed in Christ.
When we catch hold of that love - when we read of it regularly, drink it in, pray for it and see it at work in our lives - we cannot help but love Him back with all our heart, soul and mind.
And in that state of all encompassing love, sin pales in comparison. Its power grows feeble. Immersing ourselves in the everlasting love of God, we become willing and able to walk away from sin
We can give up that because we have THIS.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the sins I return to. Cleanse me with Your majestic love and grace. Reveal to me the depth of Your love, the extent of Your sacrifice, and the beauty of the mercy You grant me daily. Open my eyes to see Your love afresh and may I be empowered to walk away from sin towards Your heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him Who Loves You So?
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Check out Rachel's blog today.
Application Steps:
Fill your mind and heart today with the love of God. Read the power verses below, look up others in your Bible, or visit Rachel's blog.
Reflections:
What sin do I return to? What is the benefit I feel this sin provides me?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 8:17, "I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me." (NLT)
Jeremiah 31:3, "Long ago the Lord said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'" (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 29, 2010
Undignified Worship
Glynnis Whitwer
"...It was before the LORD who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel -
I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this... ."
2 Samuel 6:21-22a (NIV)
Devotion:
I grew up in a traditional church, singing traditional hymns. Being a Christian was very matter-of-fact for me. I was a Christian in the same way I would have told you I was a student.
Nothing much changed in our little church. Every Sunday, faithful men and woman of God taught Sunday school, served on committees and made lemonade, coffee and cookies for after-church fellowship. It was a wonderful experience and I grew up loving God's Word, His church and its people.
When I was a high schooler in the late 70s, I was introduced to Christian "rock and roll." Being in Arizona, we got overflow from the California Jesus movement, and were familiar with many of the bands coming on the scene. I heard songs by Keith Green, Second Chapter of Acts and Phil Keaggy. These songs depicted a faith in God that was passionate and alive. Something stirred within me as I listened to their music over and over.
I can still vividly picture myself in a sold-out symphony hall before a live concert as one half of the room yelled, "We love Jesus, yes we do. We love Jesus how 'bout you?" I was on the other side, and we answered as loudly as we could, repeating the challenge. Joy and celebration vibrated through the hall as we shouted, jumped up and down and waved our arms in the air for love of Jesus.
It was completely undignified and I was completely undone ... never to be the same. I knew I wanted a faith like that. I wanted to be so excited about Jesus that it overflowed, and I didn't care what my worship of Him looked like.
A few years ago, I read the story of King David dancing before the Lord. Now there was someone who didn't worry what others thought. David had overseen the return of the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, and as it neared, he couldn't contain his joy. He replaced his kingly attire with a simple outfit and danced with all his might.
His wife, Michal, watched from the window and didn't approve of David's behavior. She was disgusted with him, and told him so. David wasn't fazed, and responded with words that encourage me today, "It was before the LORD who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel - I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this ..." (2 Samuel 6:21-22a).
David was so in tune with God's heart, that he was unconcerned with the judgmental comments of others. David's only focus was on worshipping his God with sincerity and abandon.
That is my hope and prayer for myself. I want to let go completely of the fear of man, and worship with uncontained joy. When I am older, too old to dance in some people's opinion, I hope you'll find my gnarled hands raised, my gray head bobbing and my body swaying in worship. My kids and grandkids might be embarrassed. But, yes, I will be even more undignified than that for my King.
Dear Lord, King David got it right, and I want to as well. You are worthy of all my worship and adoration. Forgive me for letting the opinions of others influence my worship of You. Help me to focus more on Your majesty, and less on myself. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you met a King who is worthy of your devotion? If not, click here to learn more: Do You Know Him?
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God a small group Bible study by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares more thoughts on worship
Pure Pleasure by Gary Thomas
Check out two of our event worship leader's CDs: From My Heart to Your Throne: An Intimate Worship Collection by Melissa Milbourn and Jason Catron by Jason Catron
Application Steps:
Set aside some time this week to worship God. Read the Psalms, listen to music or just sit somewhere quietly. Write down five characteristics of God that make Him worthy of our praise.
Reflections:
Read 2 Samuel 6:14-23. Describe the scene in verses 14 and 15. What are some of the ways people are rejoicing and worshiping God?
How can David's answer to Michal help us overcome the fear of other's opinions?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 29:25, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." (NIV)
John 4:23, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 30, 2010
Words of Life or Death
Melanie Chitwood
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
Devotion:
I often hear my husband Scott say something to my sons that brings a smile to my face. "Have you told your mom you love her today? Don't ever forget you have the best mom in the world." When I hear him praise me to our sons, I feel encouraged and appreciated. From my husband's example, I've learned to be careful about the words I say not only to my husband but also about my husband.
Today's key verse tells us our words can bring "death or life." In our marriages, this means our words can either tear down our spouses or build them up. I've been noticing lately whether I'm more likely to say words such as, "I'm married to the greatest man," or words like, "I told you so," or "You don't even try to understand me."
What about you and your words to your husband? When you speak to your husband, do you fill him up with praise, or make him feel like he's not measuring up?
Let's also consider the words we say about our husbands to others. What kind of things do you say about your husband to your children? Your best friend? Your sister or mother?
I tend to be a "venter" when I am angry or frustrated with my husband. Sometimes I turn to others because I'm seeking validation for my angry feelings. Often I vent when I haven't taken the time first to deal with the situation with God. I'm learning that if I go to the Lord first in prayer, pouring out my heart to Him, He changes my heart and brings me to a place of repentance and calmness. Then I'm able to let go of my anger and move on, or talk to my husband about it in a loving manner.
Scripture gives plenty of evidence that God's words have the power of life. In Genesis we're told God created every inch of the world with His spoken words. John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus heals countless people with the power of His words. In a similar manner, our words have accomplishing power. God wants our words to bring life to our marriages. We can choose what we will sow—words of life or words of death—and we will reap the consequences many times over.
Use today's application steps to fill up your husband with words of life.
Dear Lord, let my words to my spouse and about my spouse draw us closer to one another. Teach me to communicate in ways that build my husband up instead of tearing him down. If pride, stubbornness, selfishness, or any other sin is preventing me from speaking words of life in our marriage, Lord, I confess that right now. Make me aware of any words of death I've spoken in our marriage. And as the Holy Spirit brings those to my mind, help me confess and turn from them, especially any words of divorce. Break any curse on our marriage from hurtful, angry, or destructive words. Guided by Your wisdom and love, may our words to and about one another build a protective wall around our marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion is adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
For more marriage encouragement visit Melanie's blog - What Matters Most
Melanie offers more words of wisdom in her P31 Woman article Protecting the Oneness in Marriage
Application Steps:
Considering the list below, which words do you speak most frequently to your husband, "words of life" or "words of death"? Plan on blessing your husband with at least one phrase from the "words of life" suggestions.
Words of Life
I appreciate how hard you work.
You are an incredible husband.
You have great insight.
I'm really looking forward to going out with you.
I'm sorry.
I was wrong.
Will you forgive me?
Thank you.
I understand.
Words of Death
You never listen to me.
You just don't get it.
I told you so.
You should have...
I wish you could just try to understand me for once.
How could you think that?
Why did I ever marry you?
That was dumb.
We'd be better off divorced.
Reflections:
What situations tend to cause you to speak "words of death" to your husband?
Are there certain words you need to make off-limits in your marriage?
In what other relationships do you need to practice speaking "words of life"?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:29, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." (MSG)
Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (NLT)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 3, 2010
Other Mothers
Karen Ehman
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Syrupy, sentimental greeting cards carefully chosen the night before. A hand-made art project fashioned to be a practical, pretty potholder. Soft, pastel tissue-paper flowers twisted into a creative corsage, sure to be the envy of all the church ladies. A simple bottle of over-powering perfume purchased from the local dollar store. All delights designed to impress one very special lady.
Yep, Mother's Day is upon us again.
While many use this time to thank the mothers and grandmothers in their lives, each May I like to also remember my "other mothers." Women who touched my life, imparted their wisdom and shaped my character.
My Aunt Patty holds a treasured place in my childhood memories. Though our states sat side-by-side in the Mid-west, we had to travel an entire day down and around Lake Michigan in order to reach her home. As a result, we only saw each other about once a year. When we did, she never seemed to be in a hurry but always had plenty of time to talk or read to me. She would gently brush the rat's nest out of my waist-length blond hair when I'd been oh-so-lax in fending the snarly tangles off. She'd ask me to sing for her or perform the cheer I'd created for team tryouts. Though we still see each other no more than once a year, if I close my eyes, I can smell her sweet perfume; White Shoulders. Her very presence made this rough and tumble tomboy long to be just like her when I grew up; pretty, sweet and gentle.
I thank my God every time I remember my Aunt Patty.
Dee was my youth pastor's wife. Her cheerful smile made this awkward teenager feel completely confidant and right at home. Her house smelled of apple-cinnamon tea and her door, like her heart, was always open. Miss Dee's fridge never seemed to lack the needed ingredients for an impromptu teenage bash. In no time flat, she'd whip up a huge batch of taco salad, pull some cookies hot out of the oven and pour our favorite flavors of soda in glasses. Her family room transformed into a haven where we could ask questions, discover answers and just be ourselves. Being around Dee made me want to be a woman whose very life, like hers, says, "Welcome."
I thank my God every time I remember sweet Miss Dee.
Mrs. Esch lived across the street. Some in our neighborhood wrote me off, seeing only a latch-key kid from a broken home, desperate for attention. Not Mrs. Esch. She looked deeper. She purposefully discovered my interests, and learned all she could about them, even going so far as to join a softball team with me. She talked to me about what I wanted to do with my life some day. Most of all, she sensed in me an innate need to be introduced to the God who promises to be a Father to the fatherless. It was through this young mother of two that I became a follower of Christ. Soon after, she began to talk to me about "my calling," excitedly insisting she just knew God was going to use me in ministry one day. Thirty-one years later, she is now on my prayer team; the team that prays for me as I write and travel to speak.
I thank my God every time I remember my mentor Mrs. Esch.
Think about your life. Who were (or are) your "other mothers"? The ones whom you thank God for every time you remember them? And what about the younger women in your life right now? Perhaps God is calling you to be an "other mother" to a soul who needs a little guidance this side of heaven. You can give her a smile; a tender touch of grace, some taco salad, or a verbal "I believe in you!"
Women connecting with each other to encourage and dream and is a sweet aroma to Jesus.
Dollar-store perfume optional.
Dear Lord, I thank you for the other mothers you strategically placed in my path. Help me to be an encouragement, a loving shoulder and a voice of truth to other females in my life pointing them only to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For an opportunity to share a memory of your other mother and to enter to win a girlfriends basket-in-a-box giveaway, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Homespun Memories For The Heart by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Send a hand-written note to one of your "other mothers." If she is no longer alive, attempt to locate some of her family members. Let them know how greatly she influenced you and how you thank God every time you remember her.
Reflections:
Is there someone to whom you serve as an "other mother"? What is something tangible you can do for her to show God's love?
Power Verses:
John 19:26-27, "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (NIV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 4, 2010
God the Builder
Wendy Pope
"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
Hebrews 3:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
Anything my nine year-old son sets his mind to, he can build. Whether he is working with Legos, K'nex, or hammer and nails, you can count on him to build a masterpiece. When he was only seven he informed me he planned to build a clubhouse from scrap wood the "workermen" from the construction site down the road had given him.
I gave him a list of logical reasons why he could not build a clubhouse. My little guy listened, and then proceeded to tell me his logical reasons for how he could build a clubhouse. I knew in my mind I was right, but there was no convincing my "workerman."
It turns out I was wrong. He built that clubhouse: a floor, four walls (including cut outs for doors and windows) and a roof. This was proof positive he was born to build.
There was another young man who was born to build: Jesus. Jesus' earthly father Joseph was a carpenter by trade and customary to the times, taught his son carpentry skills. I picture Jesus as a young child carrying His tools of the trade, honing His skills. He probably hammered a nail or two in places His mother preferred He not. Perhaps He built benches for their humble home. Maybe Jesus even entertained thoughts of building a clubhouse! Yes, Jesus was born to build.
Jesus was born to build, but His primary building project was not buildings, furniture, or other wood items. Jesus was born to construct the majestic splendor of a living temple of God - His church. He does this through the lives of God's children. Jesus is our builder, fashioning us to reflect the image of God.
The Greek rendering for the words "built" and "builder" in our key scripture is the same. The definition for these words is quite interesting: to furnish, equip, prepare, make ready; of one who makes ready for a person or thing; of builders, to construct, erect, with the included idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary. Commentaries further explain the "house built" in our key verse is not a literal house, but a spiritual house.
God our Builder wants to erect, furnish, and prepare us to be ready to reflect His image. His desire is to adorn and equip us, His "living temples," with all things necessary to fulfill the purpose for which we were born. So many times we deny God access to our lives, giving Him logical reasons why we could not possibly be built into His image. He stands ready to give you reasons why you can be built into the image of God.
Are you ready to say yes to God's master plan for your life? He is the Builder of everything. He wrote the blueprint of your life before you were born. Will you let Him craft your life into the masterpiece it is meant to be?
Dear Lord, today I give You the keys to my heart, Your home. Forgive me for keeping You locked out of parts of my life. I want You to come into my heart and life to begin construction. You are the Master Builder; I give You permission to do all things necessary to craft me into the masterpiece I was meant to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted." (Psalm 127:1) Click here to find out how you can partner with Proverbs 31 Ministries as we build a home brick by brick, wall by wall.
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
In a quiet place, read Psalm 139.
Become a Proverbs 31 Ministries' prayer partner and join us as we pray for the ones that cry out to us through our prayer line every day.
Pray about partnering with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Later today, Lysa TerKeurst will be sending another email to invite you to join us as we seek be good stewards and build God's kingdom together.
Reflections:
What ways do I reflect the image of God?
What areas of my life do not reflect the image of God?
Am I willing to allow God my Builder to do all things necessary to build me into His image?
Power Verses:
Psalm 127:1, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (NIV)
2 Corinthian 5:1, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
1 Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 5, 2010
Extending Grace
Francine Rivers, She Reads Featured Author
"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39 (NASB)
Devotion:
Over the past three years, I have looked time and again at a small picture of my mother and grandmother together before they were estranged. I dreamed of having my mother and grandmother sitting with me and talking over a cup of coffee while I worked on a novel about the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Both women were strong Christians who served in their churches. Each of them had a heart for others. And yet, conflicting loyalties dug a chasm between them in their later years.
What caused the estrangement? Quite simply, Dad wanted to retire to Oregon where he and Mom would have a better and more affordable retirement. This meant selling their California property, and the cottage in which Grandma lived. Mom had promised Grandma she could always live with them, and Mom and Dad planned to build the house and then move Grandma up north to join them. In the meantime, Grandma would live in Merced with my aunt. Upon completion of the house, my parents extended the invitation to Grandma to move in with them. They had built the house for possible elder disability: wider halls and doorways, and lower kitchen counters to make it accessible if any of the three of them ended up in a wheelchair.
Grandma refused to come.
Though my parents made numerous trips south to visit her, Grandma never changed her mind. Nor did she ever travel north, not even to visit or see the beautiful home my parents had built. A few years later, Grandma had a stroke. Mom and Dad rushed to be at her side, but Grandma died before they could arrive. Mom grieved deeply. In tears, she said to me, "I think she willed herself to die just so we'd never be able to talk things out." Those words haunt me.
After my mother's death, my brother sorted through the family papers and boxes of pictures. We talked about Mom and Grandma's relationship. I told him how I wished they had worked things out and could have loved one another the way they did in the picture he had sent. My brother believed the picture indicated they had. My aunt, on the other hand, felt certain Grandma never forgave Mom.
I look at their faces now as I write this. I see how they leaned into one another. Their lips are relaxed and curved, their eyes shining. And I pray whatever grievances Grandma held so tightly, she relinquished in the end. God can work right up to our last breath. Of this I am certain: Grandma believed in Jesus. So did Mom. I hold to Jesus' promise that He would not lose a single one who belonged to Him.
Yet, having seen their earthly pain, I do not want to make the same mistakes with my daughter. I want to share my life with her, offer my experience and hope - and, above all, my faith in the God who will watch over and guide her, and fulfill the plan He has for her life. In order to encourage, I will say often, "I love you." "You are God's gift to me." "You are a daughter of the King of kings."
Dear Lord, I thank You for the mother and grandmother You gave me. I thank You for the lessons they taught me. You have a plan for each of us, Lord, and it is a plan to build up our faith and not tear us down. I love You, Father. I trust You. I rest in You. In the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, I pray, Amen.
Related Resources:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Visit the She Reads blog today where we are giving away a variety of books by Francine Rivers including her newest novel, Her Mother's Hope, and her bestselling Mark of the Lion trilogy."
The Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents by Julie-Allyson Ieron
For more encouragement, visit our free resource Family Connection Rituals
Application Steps:
Have you shared your past experiences with your children?
What holds you back?
Reflections:
Do I need to make amends with anyone?
If making amends might in any way harm the person I have hurt, how else might I make amends?
Power Verses:
John 15:12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (NASB)
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (NASB)
1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins." (NASB)
© 2010 by Francine Rivers. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 6, 2010
Sweating in Church
Lysa TerKeurst
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently, I was studying what causes people to feel spiritually frustrated. The two top reasons? Bible study and prayer.
I get it.
I can clearly remember sitting in church sweating because everyone else knew instantly how to get to every passage in the Bible the preacher man referenced. But not me. I was more interested in counting the preacher man's spit droplets than any of the fiery words he was spewing out.
Others seemed all wrapped up and excited in what this preacher man had to say. They'd shout loud, "Un-hunh's" and "Amens!" What was I missing?
And then there was my prayer life. Or the lack there-of. It's not that I didn't want to pray but the whole concept of talking to God felt weird. I tried to copy the prayers of those who seemed like they knew they were doing more than talking to the air.
But then my quirky self would sneak in and leave me feeling foolish for what I'd just said to the God of the Universe. "Dear Lord, take this food to the nourishment of my body. (Good so far.) And if you could change the molecular structure of these cheesy fries to be like carrot sticks that sure would be bomb-diggity." (Hunh?)
Like the saying goes, "We've come a long way baby." Except that I'm pretty sure you could still trip me up in finding certain passages in the Bible. And I'm pretty sure you might still hear me say bomb-diggity in my prayers. But according to what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:7, I think He's okay with that.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
For me, sincerity and simplicity are two keys to unlocking spiritual frustration with both my Bible study and my prayers. Why do we make it all so complicated? In Colossians 4:2 we are instructed to, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (NIV). I am challenged by these words today. Do I get up from reading my Bible and praying and start intentionally watching for God? Do I sense His activity and remember to be thankful? Watchful and thankful are great words to ponder when I start trying to overcomplicate my time with Jesus.
I think a few honest moments spent with God reading His Word, sharing our heart, and listening for His instruction are quite perfect. I might even say they are bomb-diggity.
Dear Lord, I want to connect with You through my prayers and my Bible reading. Help me to be watchful and sense Your activity in my life. Help me to connect the verses I read and the prayers I pray to circumstances You bring my way each day. Thank You for loving me even when I'm sweating in church. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog where she is featuring a list of verses that will help transform your prayer life!
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book is the resource you have been looking for to learn to read the Bible and really apply it to your everyday life. It would make a perfect gift for Mother's Day!
Also, consider doing this study in a group setting by ordering Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set - Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club, and it includes a free leader's guide.
Application Steps:
Read Colossians 1 and see what words stir your heart today. Write them on a 3x5 index card. As you go through your day be watchful and look to see why God drew your attention to these words. Then thank Him for His presence and His provision.
Reflections:
Do you find it interesting that Jesus told us not to babble in our prayers? Have you ever felt spiritually frustrated in your Bible reading and prayer life? How might simplicity and sincerity help with this?
Power Verses:
Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (NIV)
Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 7, 2010
The Dailyness
Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)
Devotion:
Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.
Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress - attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my coping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.
The daily-ness.
The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.
In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.
The daily-ness.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God... Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."
Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearly from a place of dependence.
So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.
Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit the She Reads blog where we've got a special Mother's Day book giveaway including Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers, So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore, and Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes!
P31 Resources for all stages of the daily-ness of kids:
Rattled: Surviving Your Baby's First Year without Losing Your Cool by Trish Berg
Season of Change: Parenting Your Middle Schooler with Passion and Purpose by Rebecca Ingram Powell
Parenting Your Teen and Loving It: Being the Mom Your Kids Need by Susie Davis
Blue Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God by Tricia Goyer
Application Steps:
Pray that God will help you embrace your daily-ness, whether it be young children, a physical ailment, or financial difficulties.
Make an effort to honor God with an attitude of trust during this season of life.
Reflections:
How can trusting God with my daily struggles point others to Him?
How would my life be different if I started each day thanking God for this season and the struggles it contains?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:11, "Give us today our daily bread." (NIV)
Luke 9:23, "Then He said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (NIV)
Titus 3:14, "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessitates and not live unproductive lives." (NIV)
© 2010 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 10, 2010
Reshaping My Family Tree
T. Suzanne Eller
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
The manager at Atwoods just might think I'm a stalker. I'm the one in the Red Durango driving slowly by the garden section every time I'm in town. I've already selected two hardy trees on the Atwood lot, and I can tell you exactly where I'm going to plant them when it's time.
Spring. Just breathing that word makes me happy. Flowers. Birds singing. Digging happily in the dirt. Yesterday I knelt to admire the dark shoots on my Knock Out rose bushes, and the green buds on my perennials.
But there is a tree that used to cause me pain. The branches of my family tree bent under the weight of addiction, of physical and verbal abuse, of parenting patterns that didn't work but that were handed down from generation to generation like bad apples.
When I became a mom, I determined that my family tree had to grow in another direction. I had nothing to cling to in the natural. My parenting knowledge was based on a broken childhood filled with chaos.
That's when faith was grafted in.
I prayed as I walked my colicky baby girl. I asked for strength when I was mentally exhausted from piles of laundry, from nursing, and from encouraging and disciplining three little ones. I closed myself in my bedroom, getting alone with God when I had a fight with my teen, admitting that, "Sometimes I don't have a clue, God." Faith didn't make me a perfect parent, but it did give me hope that I could be the mom I wanted to be.
Motherhood was often challenging, but it was also an immense blessing.
Today I'm still a mom, though my role has changed. I have two sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law I love like crazy. And now little Elle is on the way. My first grandchild will be born in July, and Gramma can't wait to hold her in my arms.
Even as I write this, I fight tears because I can clearly see how Jesus answered a young mom's prayers.
Maybe, like mine, your family tree is crooked and gnarled with disease. You don't have to do it alone. Grafting in faith is simply inviting Jesus into the process. Faith plants seeds of hope. It prunes away parenting patterns and legacies that caused injury and harm to you, so that you can give your children something greater.
And greatest of all, new branches sprout, taking you and your family in a new direction entirely.
Dear Jesus, I invite You into my family tree. Where there is brokenness, may You be the Healer. Where there is disease, may You prune so that new life can begin. Come alongside me as a mom. Let me see the beauty of these children You have placed in my heart and in my life. Thank you for walking with me every day.
Related Resources:
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog for a chance to win an autographed copy of her books
Building the Christian Family You Never Had: A Practical Guide for Pioneer Parents by Mary E. DeMuth
Read on for more encouragement with Raising a Godly Generation
Application Steps:
Growing tips for your child:
· Water: Encourage with sincere praise.
· Shape: Love the child always while addressing the behavior with calm, consistency, and reasonable consequences.
· Prune: Be honest about unhealthy parenting patterns that affected you as a child that continue on in your home. Replace unhealthy patterns with those that produce stability.
· Harvest: Look beyond the now (feelings) to the end result. Your child is a work in progress. Consistency will produce fruit.
Reflections:
"If our kids see us humbly committing each new day to Jesus, they'll learn that He truly loves and cares about every detail of our lives. That's humility." Susie Larson, author of Growing Grateful Kids.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (NIV)
Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (NIV)
© 2010 T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 11, 2010
6:47
Marybeth Whalen
'"How many loaves do you have?' he asked. 'Go and see.' When they found out, they said, 'Five—and two fish.'" Mark 6:38 (NIV)
Devotion:
I glanced at the clock on the bottom of my computer. It was 6:47 pm and the email had been sent hours earlier. I kicked myself for not checking my email that afternoon and regretted not being able to respond to my friend's plea for prayer as she prepared to share her testimony in a small group at her church. I scanned through her email again and saw that the time she was supposed to begin was at 6:30. Feeling a little foolish, I typed a quick email:
"Dear Karen," I wrote, "It is 6:47 and I am praying your testimony will be effective in the hearts of those who listen." I had no idea why I included the time, it just felt like the right thing to do. I guess because I wanted her to know I did what I could as soon as I could. The next morning, I woke up to this email:
"NO WAY!!!!!!!!!! I was told to arrive at 6:30 and we'd start once the ladies got their kids settled. The leader had me start.....AT 6:47!!!!"
There are too many times that I have been in a situation like that and done nothing because I couldn't do it "right." I beat myself up with thoughts like: A better friend would have prayed as soon as the email came out. A more organized person would have checked her email earlier. How often do we feel like we fall short of what we could be doing as Christians? We wish we could give more, pray harder, speak up more, offer more time. And in the end, because we can't do as much as we want, we throw up our hands and do nothing. Because we can't do it all, we don't do anything at all.
As I read my friend's response, I was glad I did something, taking the little I had to offer and giving it anyway. I was too late by my timing, but not by God's. I had missed the opportunity to pray for my friend before but God miraculously had me open the email at the moment she was beginning and pray then.
In Mark 6:35-44, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the 5000 men. The disciples told Him that they didn't have enough to feed the crowd. They were ready to give up. I love the question that He asks them in our verse today: "Well, what do you have? Go and see." When they turned over what they did have to Him, He was able to multiply it beyond what they could have imagined.
So many times I come to Him and say the same: "I just have this little tiny bit...of money, of time, of resources, of energy."
And He says, "Bring what you have to me. That's all I ask. Let me take care of it from here."
So I ask what little you might have to give? You might not be able to give $1000. But you could give $10. You might not be able to pledge hours and hours to serve at church. But you can serve once a month for one hour. You might not feel comfortable speaking to crowds. But you're great at sharing what God's doing in your life one-on-one. You might not be able to lead a prayer ministry. But you can pray for a friend who needs it, even if it seems like you're too late.
Let God take your little and make it much. Let Him take your 6:47 and make it right on time.
Dear Lord, show me how I can respond when I feel like I don't have enough. Help me to offer my little in Your name and watch You respond in multiples. Open my eyes to the times I need to offer what I can and let that be enough, trusting You with the rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog for more daily encouragement.
The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen
For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
For an extra lift, listen to Trust Him, one of our Radio programs
Application Steps:
Jesus is asking you: What do you have? Go and see. Spend time today seeing what you have.
Reflections:
What are the things that keep you from saying yes? Fear? Inadequacy? Insecurity? How can doing something little help you overcome these things?
Power Verses:
2 Kings 4:43, "'How can I set this before a hundred men?' his servant asked. But Elisha answered, 'Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" (NIV)
2 Kings 4:44, "Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 12, 2010
Instead of Shame
Susanne Scheppmann
"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs." Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
I turned and walked away from God in anger and disappointment. I tossed away the calling of ministry on my life. The Lord had hurt my feelings, so I left my faith to find a fresh path.
This happened during my twenties. With two toddlers climbing up my legs during the day and crying intermittently during the night, I was physically exhausted. Emotional turmoil began to disintegrate my marriage. My immature faith lacked the stamina to hold to God tightly. So, for seven years I wandered through sin, divorce, and miserable meanderings of my own making. It was a time of spiritual drought—the years of shame.
Although I walked away from God, He did not walk away from me. The Lord allowed me to experience life in the wilderness of doubt, but He was right there watching over me and waiting for me to return to the call of ministry placed on my life at age eighteen.
Eventually, I allowed myself to feel His presence in my life. Little by little, the Lord Jesus wooed me back to Himself. I remember the exact time and place that I felt Him whisper to my spirit, "Let's start over and do it right this time." I wept with relief and joy. I began to study the Bible and allowed it to change my damaged spiritual heart. This time it wasn't going to be head knowledge, but heart knowledge.
My faith was back on track, but I did not think my calling to ministry could ever be restored. Hadn't I traveled too far off the godly path? Surely, God didn't want me anymore in service to His Kingdom. Surely, He had more qualified daughters that could minister to others without the shame of a sullied past such as mine.
However, that is not how God thinks at all. The Bible says, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29, NIV). The Lord desires for us to move beyond the shame of past mistakes and into His calling for our lives. He will restore us to useful service in the Kingdom. It takes time and it is a process, but the Almighty God still has a plan for each of our lives. He intends to replace disgrace with rejoicing, so that we may show our world that we are living miracles.
Do I hear an "Amen"?
Dear Lord, thank You for having mercy on me. Display Your will for my life. Enable me to fulfill the gifts and call in my life, so that others will understand Your grace and mighty power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary E. DeMuth
Intimacy with God: Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time by Tara Furman
Visit with Susanne on her blog
Read My Daddy, a free resource from our P31 Woman magazine
Application Steps:
Consider the years of your life you feel might have been wasted. Reread and memorize Isaiah 61:7, today's key verse. Cast away your shame and look for your double portion of inheritance. Rejoice in God's mercy and grace.
Reflections:
Do I feel I have lost my chance to use my spiritual gifts?
How can I begin to use my spiritual gifts to display God's mercy in my life?
Power Verses:
Joel 2:26, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed." (NIV)
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
Romans 11:29-30, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 13, 2010
Remember
Luann Prater
"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope."
Psalm 119:49 (NIV)
Devotion:
I recall the moments of despair. I couldn't see my way out. Three small children were depending on me and that thought was overwhelming. I would cry in the middle of my mobile home floor, feeling desperately lonely. I wondered if I would have food to feed them or a way to keep them warm.
Child support was $142 a month, but I rarely received it. I worked a full time job, took in laundry, and worked as a waitress during holidays. When all three kids would get sick at the same time, my life felt like a nightmare. The thought of driving off a cliff entered my mind more than once, but I couldn't bear to think what that would do to my kids for the rest of their lives.
I wanted someone (I would have settled for ANYONE at times) to just even pretend to care about me. Would rescue ever come?
Then one day I made the decision to look for the good. My baby went to the potty (hey, that was a big deal). My oldest waved from the school bus. My son poured on a heart-melting smile. Choosing to laugh more than cry and finding the fun in each day was often like seeking buried treasure. But most days the good was there; it just wasn't as noticeable as the bad. Focusing on those moments felt like breath in my lungs.
My theme song was Carole King's "Beautiful" that says, "You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face." Gray had dominated my days for far too long, the sun needed to shine in my life again.
I remember purposely watching other moms who had happy kids to see what they were doing right. And those who seemed to have peace, even in the middle of their meltdowns particularly intrigued me. What did they have that my 'pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps' mentality wasn't fulfilling?
Jesus. They simply had found the Prince of Peace who sends the Counselor into your heart when you accept Him. Watching those examples made me hunger for that relationship in my own life.
Now, as I look back, I see the string of choices, the dots that all connected. They all brought me to this very day. This day when I am sitting at my breakfast table, peering at the stars glistening in the sky, writing this note to you, my friend. The note says, "You can do this. We can't possibly see the road ahead or try to understand where it is going, but I guarantee you the Creator of the universe is connecting your dots."
Dear Lord, I need your help to make it through today. I need to notice the good. Don't let me forget You've brought me through every struggle I've ever faced. Remind me to share that good news with others who need to hear it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
Visit with Luann on her blog and Encouragement Café
Am I Messing Up My Kids?...and other Questions Every Mom Asks by Lysa TerKeurst
The Busy Mom's Guide to Bible Study: A 15 Minute Daily Plan by Lisa Whelchel
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
Application Steps:
Reach out to a single mom who needs a break. Offer her help.
Reflections:
What memories allow me to see God's divine hand in my life?
How do I share that hope with others?
Who may be watching me, hoping to find lasting Hope?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
Genesis 21:16a-17, 19, "And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 14, 2010
Only One Thing
Zoe Elmore
"You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
Devotion:
I had a college professor who told our health class to be sure we had eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work, and eight hours of leisure. It was her opinion that this formula would bring about a balanced life.
I can see you rolling your eyes and thinking, "Really?"
While I don't agree with my professor's formula I do agree that our lives must have balance and in order to achieve that balance we must return to putting our relationship with the Lord first.
Remember the story where Jesus told Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus that she needed to rethink her priorities? Martha was upset with Mary because she dropped what she was doing to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha, however, continued with her hostess responsibilities until she had enough.
"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'" (Luke 10:40, NIV).
But Jesus told Martha that it was Mary who had put her relationship with the Lord first in her life. "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her'" (Luke 10:41-42,NIV).
Martha was one smart lady and she learned her lesson well. After this encounter, when Jesus arrived to call Lazarus from the grave, it was Mary who stayed in the house and Martha who went out to greet Him.
I love that it was Martha to whom Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26, NIV).
Her reply confirms just how much Martha's priorities had changed: "'Yes, Lord,' she told him, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world'" (John 11:27,NIV).
Setting priorities in today's fast-paced life can be challenging for sure.
We try to squeeze as much as we can into the twenty four hours in each day. Yet when we've had enough and can't take any more, that's when we find ourselves crying out to the Lord for help. If you're anything like me you will hear His sweet words whispering to your heart, "Only one thing is needed."
The simple truth is when we put God first in our lives; everything else will fall into place. Our responsibilities will continue and the demands of life will go on but God will be there to help us bring order out of chaos. "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6,NIV).
Dear Lord, I confess that my life is pulled in too many directions. When I am anxious about doing things I have trouble hearing Your Word. Help me to treasure the "one thing" that I need and trust You to put the rest in order. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Zoe's blog for more encouragement
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Find a bit more balance with our free resource, Good Thing or God Thing?
Application Steps:
Prioritize all the commitments and responsibilities you have.
Ask God to reorganize your list and follow His leading.
Reflections:
What is your number one priority today?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (NIV)
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 17, 2010
Catch the Little Foxes
Melanie Chitwood
"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NAS)
Devotion:
Holly has a hard time parking in the garage. It sits at a tricky angle, and she has run into the garage wall quite a few times. In fact, her van has plenty of scrapes and dents to prove it. Her husband Dan could choose many ways to respond—he could be angry every time, or he could berate her, but that's not his reaction. He has repeatedly chosen to forgive Holly. Their situation is an example of one of the "little foxes" mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:15: "Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!" (NLT). Theirs is a situation that could have become divisive, but because of Dan's gracious response, this "little fox" did not ruin their "vineyard of love."
Do any "little foxes" come to mind when you think about your own marriage? Maybe your spouse was abrupt when speaking to you, didn't give you the attention you wanted, wasn't responsive to intimacy, forgot your anniversary, or got home late without calling recently. Everyday married life presents countless occasions to choose to be offended or to choose to forgive, as today's key verses instructs us.
Without forgiveness, we'll find ourselves becoming irritated, hard-hearted, bitter, and disconnected from our spouse. A friend taught me one way to make sure this doesn't happen: The moment I feel offended, I can choose to forgive. If my spouse says something that makes me mad or hurt, I need to begin praying at that very moment to forgive. Doing this allows God to begin softening our hearts immediately.
In addition to dealing with the little foxes of small offenses, we will sometimes need to forgive our spouses for big offenses. We might be betrayed by unfaithfulness, our trust might be rattled by secrets our spouses keep, or our feelings might be stomped on by spouses who do the same hurtful things over and over again. If one quality makes a Christian marriage stand out from the rest, it's our choice to forgive our spouse. We might feel as if we're ignoring the offense or giving our stamp of approval by choosing to forgive. Our pride and fear might rise up: What if the offense happens again and again? Will I be taken for a fool? What will others think?
Choosing to forgive is an act of obedience to God's commands. Forgiveness entails choosing, often over and over again, not to dwell on the offense because that would allow a root of bitterness to grow in our hearts. But let's be clear: If you're dealing with a sin issue in marriage, choose to forgive but still spend the needed time talking about the situation, praying separately and together, and seeking godly counsel.
Forgiveness is a one of the most essential attitudes for bringing unity and oneness to marriage, and it flows from our relationship with Christ.
Dear Lord, Cover our marriage with a spirit of forgiveness. I confess that sometimes I want to hold a grudge, to retaliate, or to be right, rather than forgive. Lord, I don't want the enemy to get a foothold in our marriage, so through the power of the Holy Spirit, I slam the door on Satan by choosing to forgive my spouse. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Need Forgiveness from God?
For more about forgiveness, visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog, where Holly Good, Lysa's assistant, will be blogging today.
Adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Visit Melanie's blog What Matters Most
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
Dwell on Christ's forgiveness of your offenses.
Say, "I forgive you" today.
Say, "I'm sorry" today.
Choose not to dwell on your spouse's hurtful words or actions.
Don't hold a grudge or seek revenge.
Choose your friends wisely. Take care around others who bad-mouth their spouses.
The moment you feel offended, begin to pray that the Holy Spirit will work through you to forgive your spouse.
Reflections:
What "little foxes" come to mind concerning your marriage?
Have you chosen to be offended and hurt? Or gracious and forgiving?
Have you been avoiding talking to your spouse about a big offense? Can you choose to today to take the first step in talking about this situation, praying about it, and perhaps seeing a godly counselor?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:12-13, "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." (NLT)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 18, 2010
Controlling a Complaining Spirit
Glynnis Whitwer
"Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD,
and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and
consumed some of the outskirts of the camp." Numbers 11:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
As we were getting ready to leave for vacation, one of my children asked for a new video game to play on the drive. Knowing all of our available funds were ear-marked for the trip, I told my child "no" and explained in a compassionate and clear reason why I would not be spending money on a video game prior to a vacation. I explained how much fun we would have and how much this fun would cost. Which, as I was sure he understood, did not leave money for buying video games.
At what I thought was a perfectly logical explanation, that same child, who should have been agreeing with me and trying to find ways to help make this wonderful vacation happen, actually got annoyed. With me. He said, with a very frustrated voice, that he never got anything he wanted. Accompanied with a heavy dramatic sigh, crossed arms and pout.
The tone of his voice, his negative words, and his dramatic body language, raised my eyebrows (I would have only raised one if I could). My back straightened and one hand rose to my hip. "Really?" I said in a low and deceptively calm voice. "You never get anything you want? On the day before we are leaving for an amazing trip that your father and I have worked hard to give you, you can actually say that you have nothing you want?"
Can I just tell you that an ungrateful spirit really is really hard for me to deal with? Especially when I know what is in store.
Sometimes I wonder if that must be how God feels when I grumble about what I don't get. Like when I went through infertility for three years before getting pregnant ... three times ... then adopting. In hindsight, God was really giving me three more years of wearing a size ten and a brain that could finish a complete thought. At that time, all I saw was emptiness.
The truth is, my child was just demonstrating a human reaction to being told "no" or "not now" by someone who knows what the future holds. Sometimes God withholds a "yes" knowing we need to be prepared to receive His goodness in His time. Other times, when we've been told "no" due to our own bad choices or those of others, God withholds a "yes" to teach us something. Or it's a permanent "no" to protect us. Whichever way, God is always working things together for the good of those who love Him.
I don't think my son ever fully understood why I said "no" to the video game. But over time, as he grew and matured, he learned to trust me more, and believe that I really loved him in spite of saying "no." Even as adults, we have trouble understanding God's ways. Sometimes we may never understand. When that happens, I choose to do a few things that help me mature as a believer. Maybe they will help you too:
1) I choose to not complain to others about God.
2) I am honest with God about how I feel, but I don't accuse Him of evil or being out to hurt me.
3) I choose to trust Him. When the doubts start to surface, I choose again to trust Him again.
4) I sing His praises. It reminds me of God's true character, which is always good.
Hearing "no" is never easy. However, as children of a loving Heavenly Father, we can learn over time to trust that He really does have something planned that we are going to love more than what we want right now. When we trust God is working behind the scenes for us, we can control a complaining spirit that threatens to steal our joy. And restore our faith in God's goodness.
Dear Lord, I know I'm often like a child when I get told "no." Help me to understand in my head and in my heart, that You truly love me, and that You are planning something good. Forgive me when I doubt you and voice those doubts in a complaining way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are a mom who needs help dealing with common issues your child faces, you'll enjoy When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
30 Days to Controlling your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog
Application Steps:
Read Numbers 11. Write God's response to the complaining of the Israelites.
Reflections:
What does complaining to others reveal about your character at that moment?
What are some things you can do to stop the complaining cycle and start being more positive?
Power Verses:
Psalm 142:2, "I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble." (NIV)
Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 19, 2010
Climb Up in His Lap
Lynn Cowell
"..Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure, in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."
Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I thought I lost it!
I thought I lost one of the only things on this planet that is important to me: a delicate necklace that my husband gave me for our twentieth wedding anniversary. I looked on my necktie-turned-necklace rack. Not there. I unpacked my makeshift jewelry bag from my last trip. Not there. Was it stolen from our hotel room? I pulled out all my earrings. Not there. My heart was trying so hard to panic, but I knew I didn't want to go there. Still, I could never replace this necklace. I prayed. Even though it is an earthly possession, I knew Jesus would care about me.
I had the thought...go back and check again. There, hidden behind a bulky set of baubles, I caught a twinkle. My small jewel.
Some days, I feel like I have lost things much greater to me than my pendant. I miss my father who went to be home with Jesus. I miss dear friendships from my old town that just aren't the same on FaceBook. I miss times when life was simpler - little children laughing and playing. I miss my old body and energy level!
Do you have days when you mourn the loss of something important to you? A marriage that is no longer? A friend who moved away? A child gone astray? A parent who passed?
The writer of Psalm 73 certainly felt loss. Starting in verse 2 he says, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." He goes on speaking of the struggle he feels as he looks at those around him who seemed to have it all together. Then in verse 23 his heart comes back around to the truth about God: "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
The writer says, "I almost lost it! But then I remembered who I am; like a child with his father, you take my hand. I remembered who You are. You are all that I need." He laid aside his pain as God's strength came in with comfort and strength. Fear and frustration became faith.
Sometimes, pain or uncomfortable circumstances try to block us from seeing our treasured thing. It is hard to see God at work. We may think that we won't experience love again or that a relationship we treasured can never be restored. That is when we need our faith to help us to keep believing that God is in our situation and He will help us to find His treasures again.
Maybe you have experienced a loss, or maybe like my delicate necklace behind the hefty beads, you just can't see the good because of the bigger-than-life things that surround you. Breathe deep and take a moment to pray. Deuteronomy 33:12 says we are to rest between his shoulders. You know what is right between his shoulders? His heart! That is a place of peace, warmth and love. He wants to pull you into His lap so you can find the rest and peace you need for today.
Dear Lord, sometimes my sense of loss is a dull ache, other days it threatens to engulf me and I feel like I can hardly breathe. Today, Lord, I choose to climb in your lap and lean against Your heart and find comfort in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy
Treat yourself or a friend to a year's worth of the P31 Woman magazine
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
Write out Deuteronomy 33:12 and carry it with you today. When you feel sadness trying to overtake you, pull out the verse and read it. Then shut your eyes and picture yourself crawling up into your Father God's lap. I like to even picture Him stroking my hair, whispering His words of love to me.
Reflections:
Is the loss that you feel a real loss or is it a perceived loss?
In your grieving, is there a joy that you are missing? If you are grieving the loss of your child as they prepare to leave home, are you missing the joys of those still at home? If you miss a loved one who has gone on to heaven, have you spent time thinking of the great reunion that you will one day have?
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:13, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (NKJV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 20, 2010
Planning Funerals that Won't Happen Today
Lysa TerKeurst
"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"
Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
A couple of years ago my teenage son came to me and asked if he could take his brother and sisters to go get ice cream. How fun! How thoughtful! "Sure," I said, "Let me grab my keys and we'll go."
"No, Mom ... we sort of want to go just us kids," he quickly replied.
"Oh," and that's about all I could get my mouth to say as my brain started racing and reeling. In my mind's eye pictures started flashing of a terrible accident, a phone call from the police, planning a funeral, and then thinking back to this moment when I could have said no.
And it was that strange sense that everything depended on me and my decisions that made me want to say no. Absolutely not. You will stay home today. You will all stay home forever. I have to keep you safe.
Why do we moms do that? Most of us live with this gnawing, aching, terrifying fear that something will happen to one of our children. We carry the pressure that ultimately everything rises and falls on whether or not we can control things. And mentally, too often we plan funerals that won't happen today.
We do it because we know the realities of living in a broken world where car accidents do happen. Tragedy strikes old and young alike. We have no guarantees for tomorrow. And that's really hard on a mama's heart.
I stood at the front window of my house chewing my nails and watching as the entire contents of my mama heart piled into one car.
And I realized I had a choice.
I could run myself ragged creating a false sense of control that can't really protect them. Or, I could ask God to help me make wise decisions and choose to park my mind on the truth.
The truth is:
God has assigned each of my kids a certain number of days.
My choices can add to the quality of their life, but not the quantity. They could be at home tucked underneath my wings and if it's their day to go be with Jesus, they will go.
"When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:15-16)
Jesus conquered death so we don't have to be afraid of it any longer.
Of course, the death of anyone I love would make me incredibly sad, heart-broken and dazed with grief. But I don't have to be held captive by the fear of death.
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Death is only a temporary separation. We will be reunited again.
In 2 Samuel 12, when David's infant child died, he confidently said, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (v. 23). David knew he would see his child again--not just a faceless soul without an identity, but this child for whom he was longing. He would know him, hold him, kiss him, and the separation death caused would be over.
I know these are heavy things to process on a Thursday morning. And I certainly don't claim that these truths will help you never ever fear again. But I do hope these truths will settle your heart into a better place.
And the next time my kids go get ice cream together, instead of chewing my nails I'll only pick at them while awaiting their return. See progress? It's good.
Dear Lord, the fear of something happening to one of my children is so raw. And I guess the thing that makes it so hard is I know we live in a broken world and awful things happen to kids. But if I focus on this fear, it will consume me. Instead help me focus on You so I'll only be consumed with Your truth, Your love, Your insights, and Your power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for a list of three practical things we can do when we start to feel consumed with fear.
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book is the perfect 6 week summer book for personal devotions or group Bible Study!
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set - Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99. Perfect for your Bible study group or neighborhood Book Club.
Application Steps:
The next time you find yourself worrying and getting consumed with fear, see it as a trigger to pray and ask God specifically to use His truth to comfort you.
Think of what commonly triggers your heart to go to those fearful places and pray for Jesus to help you work through these. Ask for Him to show you verses in scripture that will speak truth into your situation.
Reflections:
How did this devotion comfort you today?
What is one nugget of truth you can commit to memory and use the next time fear grips your heart?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:15- 16, "When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (NIV)
Hebrews 2:14-15, "Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 21, 2010
Dying for Some Entertainment
Amy Carroll
"You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
Leviticus 20:26 (NIV)
Devotion:
"How can we allow ourselves to be entertained by the things that Jesus died for?" This questions bounded around and around in my head and heart as I watched TV, chose movies, and tuned my radio dial. I heard it at a retreat earlier this year, and it has stuck with me like a burr in my sock after a walk in the woods. It came to my thoughts so often as I soaked in the entertainment of my culture, and it brought conviction on a regular basis.
There was one night in particular that the quote broke powerfully into my life. My son had received a whole season's recording of one of our favorite television comedies. After watching several episodes, I found myself squirming in my chair. Our family has begun reading the Bible through in a year, and we had just completed Leviticus. Time after time as God finished a section of the Law, He would declare, "You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own" (Lev. 20:26). As a family, we had read this phrase over and over.
The Old Testament law makes it clear that the wages of sin are truly death. Until reading these passages myself, I had operated under the false assumption that the Israelites only made a few sacrifices a year. The fact is that 1,231 animals were sacrificed each year in order for the Israelites to fulfill the law. In God's grace, He allowed animals to be sacrificed instead of insisting on the death of the humans that had committed the sin. Can you imagine, though, being a priest in the temple and watching death and blood spilled every single day? Hebrews 9:22 explains it this way, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (NIV). I believe God's people must have had a very sobering view of the cost of sin and the price of forgiveness.
How lightly I often treat sin today! Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid the ultimate price in giving His life. He allowed His own blood to be shed so that He could be the Sacrifice of all sacrifices. He was the final and complete sacrifice. Jesus' death set us free from sin and death and paved our way to a life of holiness.
As I contemplated the sitcom I was watching in light of such a sacrifice, I realized that there was a choice to be made. I could continue to laugh at things that the Bible clearly calls sin and turn my back on the gift that I had been given, or I could choose holiness. It made my heart ache that I had chosen entertainment over Jesus for even a minute, so I hit the "stop" button. I turned to my boys and softly said, "How can we allow ourselves to be entertained by the things that Jesus died for?" I gently explained to them how God had been convicting my heart and asked them to choose holiness with me.
I'm sure this will be an ongoing struggle as God calls me to evaluate my entertainment, but I'm choosing to win one small victory at a time.
Dear Lord, we are inundated everyday with choices to be made about our entertainment. I desire to honor Your sacrifice. Help me to choose wisely. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Visit Amy Carroll's blog
Intimacy With God Prayer Journal
Application Steps:
Evaluate your own entertainment by scriptural standards.
Reflections:
Do I ever feel conviction as I watch TV, take in a movie, or listen to music?
Will I accept that "nudge" as a message from the Holy Spirit to make a choice that honors God?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 24, 2010
God Isn't Distant in Disaster
Micca Monda Campbell
"Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
Devotion:
The city of Nashville, Tennessee, was declared a national disaster after floodwaters rose last week. Meteorologists are calling the disaster the 500-year flood, which caught thousands by surprise. At least 90% of those hit by the flood are without flood insurance making this blow painful on all accounts.
My family was spared. While we experienced some local flooding, not a drop of water entered our home. Others were not as fortunate. As the Cumberland River filled, it spilled into places with no discretion. The famous Opryland Hotel, the historical Grand Ole Opry House and Schermerhorn Symphony Center, home of the Nashville Symphony, were among countless buildings damaged by the flood. Many citizens lost their homes, their cars, and their lives. When tragedy strikes, it causes some to question God's loyalty to care for us.
In the Bible, God promises His care and protection. Why then does God seem distant when disaster strikes? Is He snoozing on the couch? Is He on a coffee break? Worse yet, perhaps God isn't the promise keeper we think He is. Or maybe we're not looking at the whole picture.
Yes, God promises to care for us. At the same time, He never promised we wouldn't face adversity. Christ warned, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV). You and I experience Christ's peace when we realize that peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God in the midst of our chaos.
As the pressure of stress and worry weigh on us, it's easy to forget or ignore God's peace. Often times it's us who distance ourselves from God—not the other way around. But when you and I quiet ourselves and acknowledge God's presence, peace washes over our anxieties. The truth is God is always near in times of trouble and He cares deeply about our pain.
You and I do not have a God who doesn't understand our pain and emotions. He knows. According to dictionary.com the Hebrew word for "to know" is "yadaa." In Greek, it is "yada" which means "a deep emotional experience; a bonding between two people when one truly feels the emotions of the other." That's our God, friends! He may be working for a higher purpose that we can't understand right now, but He is NOT detached from our pain. Let this truth calm your fears and soothe your heart. God knows; He's been there and He's there still.
Often the trials we mourn are really gateways to the good things we long for, like a deeper relationship with God, greater patience, and a compassion for others. I see this natural disaster as a way for Nashville churches to reach our communities. Whatever God's plan is, we can rest assured it's a good one. While we wade through the process, we have His promised presence, provision, and understanding. Elisabeth Elliot states it this way, "It is God with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place."
Dear Lord, You are with me when I'm strong and when I'm weak. You never leave my side. Today and everyday help me to trust Your promises, experience Your presence, and feel Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Application Steps:
Sometimes God feels far away because we distance ourselves from Him, not the other way around. Draw near to God today. Tell Him your problems, fears, and concerns. Soon, you'll find yourself experiencing His presence and peace.
Reflections:
Why is it hard to trust God in times of trouble?
Does knowing God cares help calm your fears? If not, why?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 25, 2010
When Worship Makes No Sense
By T. Suzanne Eller
"Christian brothers, I ask you from my heart to give your bodies to God because of His loving-kindness to us.
Let your bodies be a living and holy gift given to God. He is pleased with this kind of gift.
This is the true worship that you should give Him." Romans 12:1 (New Life Bible)
Devotion:
The book of Romans stumps me. It doesn't make sense. Honestly.
It was written during the hardest part of Paul's life, a time when he was in jail and he had done nothing wrong. He wrote when the church people who once applauded him now plotted to kill him or waited in the streets, tearing their cloaks in rage because they couldn't stone him.
It puzzles me because it is filled with sayings like "nothing can separate me from God's love," and "my brothers, consider it all joy when you encounter trials." It is a book of hope, of joy, and of life. Yet Paul wrote it from such a place of darkness.
Paul was a real person, not a superhero. What did he discover during those hard times that prompted such rich writings? I think the treasure is found in today's key verse, Romans 12:1. He was a worshipper. I know he sang songs because Scripture shows him singing at the top of his lungs when he was in jail. I don't think, however, that Paul is limiting this to a hymn. It became a way of life. In spite of the dark places, he looked toward the Light, and there he found joy.
Ten years ago a drunk driver slammed into my son. I stood in the church several days after the wreck. I had a bag packed in my car, prepared to go back to my son as soon as service was over. I was weary. I felt helpless. I had come to church only because my husband made me.
"Babe, you have to have a break," he said, promising to stay by Ryan's side.
My son was in pain and had months ahead to heal. The drunk driver had passed away, leaving behind only an underinsured policy that left us with piles of hospital bills and debt.
I grieved for my son. I grieved for the drunk driver's family. I grieved for the loss of normalcy. I grieved--period.
All I knew to do was to raise my hands and lift my face. Tears washed down my cheeks. I wasn't praising God because of my darkness, but because He was the only Light I knew to reach for. "God, I don't know what the future holds. I don't know how we are going to make it. But I know You."
It was both a physical act - raising my hands - and an act of the heart. I climbed into my Abba Father's arms and wept out of gratefulness. I danced on the inside though there were no dancing shoes in sight.
I thought Romans confuses you, Suz.
That's what I love about it best. In the natural it makes no sense, but supernaturally I totally get it. Darkness holds no power when I hold on to the Light. How can I help but worship Him when I discover that immense truth?
Dear Father, I pray for my sister who feels discouraged, overwhelmed, or lost. I worship You, for You are our Light in the darkness. You see her and rejoice in her faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed but large enough when placed in Your hands.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway by T. Suzanne Eller
Six Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer and Brain Anderson
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares how to pray when you have no words.
Application Steps:
It's not wrong to acknowledge the darkness. It's there. It's tangible.
It's also not wrong to open the door, to flip the light switch to on, to open the shades and let the light come in.
Paul paints it as a physical act. It's overriding feelings to step into truth.
It is a gift to God, but ultimately it is a gift to you, also, as the Light blankets the darkness.
Reflections:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. ~ Reverend Martin Luther King
Power Verses:
Romans 8:35, "Who can keep us away from the love of Christ? Can trouble or problems? Can suffering wrong from others or no food? Can it be because of no clothes or because of danger or war?" (NLB)
Romans 8:37-39, "But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." (NLB)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 26, 2010
Homeless, Not Abandoned
Luann Prater
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
I got a text saying my sister was on the news in our home state. I raced to my computer to pull up the local station. As director of a home that houses young, troubled women, she was pleading that the homeless be counted in the 2010 Census.
It seemed like not too many years ago my sister and I could have ended up in that home. Our lives could have taken a "Mary turn." I met Mary at a fundraising banquet for the Rescue Mission. She sat next to me and we immediately connected. Two years earlier she had stepped into the wrong car. A man took what he wanted from her, then left her for dead on the side of the road.
She'd already known a hard life. As a child she'd rebelled against her parents and run away. For 21 years she had lived on the streets. But then she went with a fellow homeless girl to the Rescue Mission. When they entered, she witnessed something that touched her deeply. The Mission folks embraced her friend and told her how much they had missed her and been praying for her safety. In 21 years no one had ever done that for Mary.
There was something different in this place. Mary physically healed there while Jesus ministered to her soul through the love of His servants. She discovered what it meant to be a child of the King and gave her heart to Him. She learned how to make wise choices, obey Mission rules, and become faithful to herself and to Jesus.
Mary now has two jobs, lives in her own apartment and serves at her church nearly every time the doors are open. She glows with God's brilliant grace and looks like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Her smile lights up the room.
She said her momma never stopped praying for her. She now praises God for the years of heartache and hardships because they put her in touch with the Savior.
My parents, too, were on their knees for my sister and me many times. Maybe that person you see on the street has parents with calluses on their knees.
Watching my once wayward sister stand up for the homeless on TV that day made my heart smile. Our parents would be smiling too, for she displays the Lord's splendor in the Rescue Mission.
Are you His witness? Go display His splendor today because I see His brilliant grace shining on you!
Dear Lord, forgive me for walking right by the hurting without even noticing. Open my eyes to see the world through Your eyes. May I point a broken heart to the Great Healer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Great Healer?
Visit with Luann on her blog and Encouragement Café
Sponsor a child; change a generation - Compassion International
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance Sisk
Application Steps:
Volunteer at a Rescue Mission in your area.
Pray about releasing a child in poverty through Compassion International.
Reflections:
What am I really doing to reach out to the brokenhearted?
How can I make a difference in my corner of the world?
Who around me needs God's love to flow through me and onto them?
Power Verses:
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (NIV)
Mark 12:31 "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 27, 2010
Parking My Mind on Truth
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32 (NIV)
Devotion:
Whatever we are facing in this moment we can choose to grab on to the truth. Let everything else go. Let go of the anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and frustration. Park our mind with what is true. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
What truth can do for us is really amazing.
A few weekends ago I was wrapping up at a conference where I'd been speaking. My friend Beth and I were talking about where the team would be meeting for dinner that night. Suddenly, a very frantic arena staff member came over and told us there was an emergency and we were needed right away.
A lady attending the conference had just been told her two grandchildren had been killed in a fire that day.
We rushed over to find a lady surrounded by her friends. She was sobbing to the point she could hardly breathe. She'd just been with her grandbabies ages 8 and 4. They'd spent spring break with her last week. She'd held them, rocked them, stroked their hair, and kissed them all over their faces. How could they be gone?
It was too much for her brain to process.
The EMT stepped aside so we could hold her hands and pray over her. At first I stumbled my way through requests for Jesus to pour His most tender mercies into this situation. I prayed for comfort and the reassurance that these children were being held by Jesus in this moment.
It was so hard. My mommy heart ached so deeply for this woman. My eyes welled up with tears refusing to stay contained.
As Beth took her turn to pray I noticed something miraculous. Every time we said, "Jesus" her body calmed, her crying slowed, her breathing stopped sounding so panicked.
So, when it was my turn to pray again I just said His name over and over and over. This sweet grandmother joined me, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
As we said "Jesus" over and over, truth flooded my mind.
I remembered what I'd written in last week's devotion about fearing death... Death is only a temporary separation. We will be reunited again.
I remembered this truth from 2 Samuel 12... When David's infant child died, David confidently said, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (v. 23b). David knew he would see his child again- not just a nameless, faceless soul without an identity, but his very child. He would know him, hold him, kiss him, and the separation death caused would be over.
The only thing that seemed to calm my devastated sister was the name of Jesus and His truth.
What a powerful reminder to us all.
Hold on to His Word, sweet sister. Speak His truth and the name of Jesus out loud in the midst of whatever you are facing today. Our souls were formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of Jesus and truth.
Never has this been clearer to me.
Please pray for my friend and her family.
And remember in the midst of whatever you face today...
We can choose to grab on to the truth. Let everything else go. Park our mind with what is true. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," (John 8:32).
Dear Lord, I lift up my friend and her family today. I also lift up my mind, and ask You to help me remember to speak Your Name and Your truth in any situation I'm in that seems overwhelming- little things and big things. Truly my soul was formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of powerful verses every woman should memorize
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book is the resource you have been looking for to learn to read the Bible and really apply it to your everyday life.
Also, consider doing this study in a group setting by ordering Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set and leader's guide- Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club.
Application Steps:
When you face a hard situation today, determine to speak the name of Jesus and ask Jesus to help calm you and reassure you. Use the verses from my blog today to start filling your mind with essential truths. Click here to get those verses.
Reflections:
What situation are you facing today where you need some fresh insights and truth?
Why is truth so powerful?
Why is just the utterance of Jesus' Name so powerful?
Power Verses:
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (NIV)
John 6:47, "'I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 28, 2010
Becoming the Hands and Feet
Tracie Miles
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
We sat in an empty waiting room for hours, anxiously waiting for an update on my sister's surgery. When the doctor finally entered the room, the news was not good. He explained how it was worse than expected - not exactly comforting news - and proceeded to explain the lengthy recovery needed. He wanted to prepare us for the long road ahead.
You could have heard a pin drop as we all sat there with eyes filled with tears and hearts filled with worry. But the silence came to an abrupt halt as another family entered the room with a lot of hustle and bustle.
I immersed myself in my own feelings and tried to tune them out until I heard the Name of Jesus filling the room.
In that moment, when fear and anxiety hovered, just the mention of Jesus' Name was music to my ears. I lifted my head to see a beautiful white-haired woman, with sparkling eyes and an engaging smile. She sat in a wheelchair, telling her family how she was praying that the Lord would heal her precious husband. Despite her grim situation, her face was glowing with joy.
I quickly averted my eyes, but within seconds she was staring at me and hollered, "Hey honey! How are you?" I managed a pitiful smile, said "Fine, thank you," and intended to keep to myself. She, however, had other plans.
Before I knew it, she had rolled her wheelchair across the room and stopped right at my feet. She talked about her family, why her husband was in surgery, and what a wonderful godly man he was. She asked about our situation and began encouraging me with God's promises.
Although at first I wished she would stop talking, I soon found myself wanting to write down her every word as she poured out her sweetness all over me.
Then she said something I will never forget. "Honey, I hope God blesses your sister. If He can only save one person today, I hope it is her. My husband is 85 years-old and has lived a long and fruitful life."
I was literally stunned by her selflessness. I was shocked that she would even consider the thought of putting a total stranger's life ahead of the life of her dear husband. I didn't know how to respond to such a sacrificial, heartfelt, godly expression of love. Then she took my hands into hers and prayed for my sister out loud. Afterwards, I prayed for her husband, and she disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
I walked out of that waiting room having seen a glimpse of Jesus in the face of a frail, elderly woman, a woman who was willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
This sweet lady had countless reasons to be depressed, discouraged, and hopeless. Instead she chose to be expressive, encouraging and hopeful. Most importantly, she spread those gifts to everyone around her. She replaced her worry with concern for others. She filled her heart with joy instead of sadness. She put aside her own anxiety to ease the anxiety of a total stranger. She loved on me when she needed to be loved on herself.
She willingly chose to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and I can only hope to be just like this sweet lady one day. I hope
...to become such a strong woman of faith that I can have joy and contentment even during the storms of life.
...to become such a strong woman of faith that I would sacrifice my own needs and desires for those of a stranger.
...to become a woman that leaves other people feeling as if they have seen Jesus through the light that shone through me.
Dear Lord, give me a longing to be Your hands and feet to someone in need today. Open doors for me to spread Your joy and hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Inspire a man in your life to be the hands and feet of Jesus with Hero: Unleashing God's Power in a Man's Heart by Derwin Gray
For more encouragement, read our free resource God's Messengers
Application Steps:
Ask God to give you a heart consumed with meeting the needs of others.
Reflections:
Would I be willing to make a personal sacrifice for a total stranger?
Do I embrace opportunities that Jesus puts in my path to be His hands and feet?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." (NIV)
Mark 12:31, "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)
© 2010 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 31, 2010
Entering into God's Will
Rachel Olsen
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18 (NIV)
Devotion:
I remember many times in my life feeling desperate to know God's will for me. A lot of people want to know what the will of God is for their life. Usually it's a question we ask while agonizing over a certain decision we're facing - Should I go to this college, or that one? Should I accept or decline this offer? Should I move or stay put?
There aren't any verses in the Bible that answer these questions. Scripture is clear about God's will when facing a temptation to sin, but not so much in the "neutral" decisions in life - like choosing between two equally good choices.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes, "...when you go to the Scripture for insight on the will of God, you don't find a lot about things to do, places to go, or people to meet. That's because God's will is not so much a place, a job, or a specific mate, as it is a heart and a lifestyle." She is correct. And some verses nestled in 1 Thessalonians plainly reveal what those heart and lifestyle choices look like: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (vs. 16-18).
It's easy to read a verse like that - glossing through it with a general feeling of positive agreement - and not really digest the truth of what it says. So let's break it down.
Praying continually and giving thanks are specific actions we can begin today - we can do right now - to position ourselves inside of God's will. Praying our way through our days keeps us continually in touch with God, in synch with Him. When our heart and mind is in synch with God's, we're more open to His leading. The Holy Spirit has access to our thoughts. So prayer is necessary for the person seeking to operate in God's will. It doesn't take hour-long prayer sessions four times a day. Just keep God at the forefront of your mind and keep talking to Him as your day unfolds.
Why is it so important that we also give thanks in all circumstances? (Surely, it's not that God needs to hear "thank you" to feel appreciated.) Giving thanks helps us notice what we have to be joyful about. It also forces us to think about our God: His goodness. His faithfulness. His provision. His sacrifice. Giving thanks for our gifts includes the Giver in our thoughts. And it affords us a right view of Him - one that acknowledges He delights in caring for us, guiding us, and providing for us. That calms our oh-Lord-what-am-I-supposed-to-do worries. We need a right view of God in order to walk in His will.
This verse also instructs us to be joyful every day. That sounds like a hard one some days. But in my experience, praying and giving thanks with regularity goes a long way in developing a heart capable of joy in all circumstances. I want to point out that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. That means it is something produced by the Spirit of God in us. We can't totally produce or sustain it on our own apart from Him. So when we pray, we should pray for joy. And thank Him for supplying it.
The Bible states that it is God's will for you to pray, give Him thanks, and cultivate joy. So no matter which college you go to, no matter which offer you accept, and whether you live here or there, be joyful, pray daily, and give thanks regularly. Could it be that if we focus on these things, the path will unfold before us? Or that He will work all out for good, no matter which choice we make?
That means the pressure of making the exact right decision, or else entirely missing God's will, is off. And that's one thing we can give God thanks for today!
Dear Lord, thank You for your faithfulness and for the loving kindness You've shown me year after year. Please develop in me a heart of joy. I choose to trust You with my life, and to rejoice amidst my circumstances today. Guide me in my decisions today, to Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Read more, and share a praise or blessing at Rachel's blog today.
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Stop now and talk with God. Praise Him. Give Him thanks. Write out a list of your blessings. Lay any confusion, requests or decisions you are facing at His feet. Then ask Him for joy and peace in Jesus' Name.
Move forward into your day with the supernatural joy and peace of God, and a commitment to pray and praise Him again later in the day.
Reflections:
How often am I in God's will in terms of being joyful, praying and giving thanks?
Have I asked God for a joyful heart lately?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 1, 2010
Even This
Marybeth Whalen
"So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." Genesis 50:21 (NIV)
Devotion:
I hung up the phone, still not believing what I had just heard. My husband, our main income earner, the provider for our family of eight, had just lost his job. I felt numb. I felt sad. I felt angry at his employer.
But by later that afternoon, all of those feelings were melting away and being replaced by one feeling: peace.
In the months that have followed, we have seen God at work. We have felt His presence. We have learned to trust more and pray harder. And we have felt that abiding peace in the midst of uncertain circumstances. We have practiced true childlike faith in that we don't know what's coming next, and yet, we simply trust. Our faith has been shaken but not broken. We have come to a new level in our marriage and in our own individual walks.
As we have faced this trial of being jobless in a bad economy with six little faces looking at us for provision, we have learned what it means to not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). We have learned to say "We have everything we need for today" and leave it at that. We can't predict or control the future, yet we know with certainty that God has already been there, reaching where we can not go and making the rough places smooth, just like He promises in His word (Isaiah 42:16). God has used this job loss to make Himself more real and reachable to us than He was before.
Is it odd to say that this job loss has been a blessing? A pathway to a new place we could never have reached if things had stayed the way they were? God uses everything in our lives to draw us closer to Him. Even the bad stuff. Even the stuff we never would choose. Even the trials that shake us, that leave us different than before.
In my novel, The Mailbox, the main character Lindsey finds that God used some unexpected circumstances in her life to bring her to a place she would never have imagined. She learns that she can even be grateful for the heartache and welcome the paths that looked like wandering. These paths weren't on her map, but they were on God's. She can see His fingerprints on every wrong turn, every tear, every setback. And in the center of all of that, she can see the grace and mercy that were extended to her time after time. She sees a loving Father who can take our scraps and make a beautiful garment.
Throughout this trial, my prayer has been for God to take even this and use it for His glory. As I write, I do not know what will happen with my husband's job. I do not know what direction He will take our family in. But this I know: I can trust wherever He leads. And I can know that He does use everything—even job loss, even the hard things of life. In the end we will find Him faithful. In the end we will find Him true. In the end we will see what He has done and marvel at His ability to use everything and waste nothing. Even this.
Dear Lord, I know that You will use even this in my life to radiate Your glory. Help me to worry less and trust more. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You even as the waves crash around me, for I know that You are there in the midst of this storm in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
Visit She Reads for an exciting giveaway today!
For more encouragement, check out Jobless - Hopeful
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Spend time journaling about something that are hard in your life right now. Do you believe God can use even this? Write down what you are feeling and thinking and then copy today's verses in your journal.
Reflections:
Is worry or anxiety or fear gripping you? How can you stop hanging onto those feelings and let God's peace replace them?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 2, 2010
No More Backbiting
Susanne Scheppmann
"Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32 (MSG)
Devotion:
We heard a screech from my three year-old granddaughter. Bawling like a newborn calf quickly followed. My daughter-in-law and I rushed to Emily and found a purplish-red oval on her back. Ouch! It seemed her younger sister bit her on her back as they struggled for possession of a toy.
This childish episode caused me to imagine God gazing down on our behavior, shaking His holy head and saying, "Stop talking badly about one another. You're hurting her. Stop backbiting over such silly things."
Unfortunately, backbiting comes easily for us, doesn't it? We become put out over a co-worker, a neighbor, or even a sister in Christ, and begin to spew negative words. Our tongues wag and we injure people—sometimes the ones we love the most.
Remember the childhood rhyme, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"? Ha! That is a false statement. Hurtful words can damage and leave bite-marks for a lifetime.
So why do we do this? We backbite because our words are the most difficult thing for us to control. The Bible states in James 3:2, "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way" (NLT). We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will nudge us each time we are ready to fling a few disparaging words.
In addition, if we are the recipient of a bite on the back, we must learn to forgive quickly. Our key verse advises us to, "Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." This isn't as hard as it may seem. Realize that things are said that may be misspoken and not meant to hurt as much as they do. Understand that if you hold bitterness in your heart about the unkind words, the bitterness affects you, not the other person.
I witnessed this forgiveness in action with my granddaughters. The younger one, the backbiter, looked defiant, then confused, then sad. She said, "Sworry." They hugged.
Later in the day Emily, the granddaughter who had been bitten, said, "It hurt real bad, but now it's not." Yes, there are two lessons to be learned from our key verse and these two toddlers: don't backbite—and forgive.
Dear Holy Spirit, I ask You to nudge me the next time I begin to backbite. Give me the sense and control to shut my mouth before anything hurtful hurls itself off my tongue. Also, help me to forgive those who hurt me with their words. Mold me into Your image of grace and forgiveness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook
Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Susanne's blog
Application Steps:
Read James 3:1-12. Ponder what James compares the tongue to in these verses. Consider if your tongue is a "restless evil, full of deadly poison." Determine today not to backbite anyone—no matter how aggravating. Decide to use your tongue for the encouragement of others and to praise our God.
Reflections:
In what situations do I most like to use my tongue in a negative manner?
Why do I backbite? Is it jealousy, bitterness, or a power struggle?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 21:23, "Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble." (NLT)
1 Peter 3:10, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.'" (NIV)
James 3:5, "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 3, 2010
Winning the Lottery...or Not!
Gaining the Things Money Cannot Buy
Wendy Blight
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17b-18 (NIV)
Devotion:
What do you desire more than anything in your life? Health? Happiness? Comfort? Success? Peace? A good marriage? Obedient children?
In 1997, when I still practiced law, a group of ladies at my Dallas, Texas firm decided to pool money and buy lottery tickets. They offered me the chance to participate, and I agreed but had no cash in my wallet. Should I borrow the money to go in on the ticket? I wondered.
The ladies were planning to do this every week, so they assured me there would be plenty more opportunities. I didn't participate that day. They won. Thirteen women split $33 million dollars!!
I cannot even explain what it felt like to be so close to winning that much money, or, more accurately, what it felt like to lose that much money. Day after day I went into the office and the women shared their plans for their winnings. Jealousy filled my heart. I longed to have what they had...to feel what they were feeling. Going to work became more and more difficult. Why didn't I have any cash in my wallet that one day? Why didn't I simply borrow $5?
I focused on what I lost and what I could have had. What I should have had. Looking back now, it is so clear where the desires of my heart lay.
Thankfully, the Lord moved us from Dallas to Charlotte, North Carolina. I quit practicing law to stay home with our children. In those years, He stripped away many of the material things we had in Dallas because we could no longer afford them. He led me to my first Bible study. In that study, He ignited a passion in my life to study and teach His Word. Eventually, He called me into ministry with Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My husband Monty and I believe with all our hearts that if we had won the lottery and stayed in Dallas none of this would have ever happened. I never would have made my heart available to hear the call. God moved us to redirect the desires of our hearts.
I ask you again. What is it you desire above all else in your life?
Listen to the words of this worship song:
Give me one pure and holy passion.
Give me one magnificent obsession.
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after you.
A few years ago at our She Speaks conference, we sang this song. It was like hearing it for the first time. Never had I thought about knowing God being something to desire most in life. Yes, I desired the things of God...but not God Himself.
After the conference, God took me to Ephesians. Wow! What a journey He started that day. Over the next weeks and months, God uncovered amazing riches that I never knew were mine in Christ Jesus. My heart broke with how long I had lived oblivious to the fabulous wealth that is mine...that is ours...in Christ!
Heavenly Father, God of Heaven's Armies, King of kings and Lord of lords, give me one pure and holy passion, give me one magnificent obsession, give me one glorious ambition for my life...to know and follow hard after You. Change my heart to desire You above all else in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God's revelation from Ephesians was the catalyst for Wendy's new Bible study curriculum, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom to Everyday Life. If you'd like to discover the riches God has for you, join Wendy's blog series this summer, beginning Monday, June 14, to study the book of Ephesians together.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
Visit Wendy's Blog, Living Truth to learn more about all that is yours in Christ.
The One Year Chronological Bible (NLT)
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Application Steps:
Read Ephesians 3:16-20. Ephesians 3:17 says, "Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust Him" (NLT).
What does Paul mean when he says Christ will make His home in your hearts?
Is Christ at home in your heart?
According to these verses, what happens when Christ is at home in your heart?
Reflections:
Reflecting on Ephesians 3:17b-18, what is your part in God's process?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 3:16-17a, "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." (NIV)
Ephesians 3:17b-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 4, 2010
Why You Should Hang Up Your Robe
Glynnis Whitwer
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me..." Acts 20:24 (NIV)
Devotion:
My first instinct was to leave the clean, folded clothes on top of the dresser. Granted, my arms were filled with freshly laundered items, so it would have been difficult to open the drawer while balancing the stack. I had an excuse for leaving them on top. Didn't I? Instead, I pushed past my instinct, took 30 more seconds, and placed the clothes neatly in the drawer.
This tendency to not complete a task happens with surprising regularity. I toss my bathrobe on the bed, drape jeans on the tub, and set the television remote on the nearest counter top. However, sometimes, when I'm a bit more self-aware, I take the few extra steps needed to actually finish the task.
Years ago, I realized my practice of stopping short of finishing what I started, led to a cluttered home and office. Back then, I had a multitude of unfinished tasks that I just lived with. It wasn't all simple things like putting away clothes, but included larger tasks like leaving a wall half painted.
Starting a project is fun, and usually involves a burst of energy. Then, that energy wanes as I approach the finish line. Instead of pushing to complete the task, assignment or project with excellence, I lean towards settling for good enough. Unfortunately, when I settle for "good enough" consistently, I learn to live with mediocrity. And accepting mediocrity is far from where God wants me to be. You see, finishing what we start is more than a good organizational or home management skill. It's also a spiritual discipline.
As I identified the tendency to settle, I realized it affected me in a variety of ways throughout my life. In the past I accepted a distant relationship with God rather than one of intimacy. I've limited my understanding of Scripture to a surface level. My relationships with others have gone no deeper than, "Hi, how are you doing?" Instead of pushing to explore the fullness of what God offers in all areas, it is easier to stop short. Perhaps it's safer. Simpler. And with less personal discomfort or inconvenience.
Interestingly, it's actually been somewhat simple to address this issue. I admit the tendency within myself to settle, and I get firm with myself about it. Now, when I would prefer to leave the dryer full of clothes, or emails half typed, I say to myself, "Finish what you start." I make a conscientious decision to finish the task at hand before I move on to something new. Obviously, there are some projects that require more effort, but this works on a lot of my issues.
I'm not sure of all the reasons for stopping short of finishing with excellence, but I do know the results. I end up with a bunch of unfulfilled commitments, open loops and shallow relationships. That's a far cry from the life Jesus came to bring, which is full and abundant. Not a partial life, but one lived with pushing to the limits and exploring the outer reaches.
Maybe that seems a deep principle to pull from putting clothes in a drawer or a dirty bowl in the dishwasher. However, the discipline of finishing well is one that is woven through my life ... or it's not.
So I guess I'll take the extra step and actually hang up my robe. It's one more stitch in this tapestry of finishing well that God is trying to create in my life.
Dear Lord, thank You for demonstrating finishing well through the life of Jesus I know Jesus could have stopped short of paying the price for my salvation. But He didn't. For that I will be eternally grateful. Please help me push through mediocrity in my life and explore the fullness You long to bring. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for a list of common unfinished tasks and suggestions for the many things women deal with.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer & Lisa Whittle
For practical tips on finishing a task, read Make Piles of Paper and Magazines Disappear
Application Steps:
Identify one home or office task that would take you less than 30 minutes to finish. Commit to finishing this in the next five days.
Reflections:
What are some reasons we avoid finishing certain tasks?
Does procrastination reflect a deeper spiritual issue? Write your thoughts.
Power Verses:
John 19:30, "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (NIV)
Genesis 2:2, "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 7, 2010
I Got My First Stone
Jennifer Rothschild
She Speaks Keynote Speaker 2009
"Oil and perfume make the heart glad; so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend."
Proverbs 27:9 (NASV)
Devotion:
"I got my first stone."
That was my announcement at a luncheon a few months ago with some of my favorite women. Patty has a gathering of her older friends at her home to celebrate various occasions, and this time it was Billie's birthday.
I happened to be the youngest woman at the luncheon, and I love listening to and learning from these seasoned and sage ladies. We discussed spiritual things, home décor, and of course, their grandchildren.
Then came the moment for my big contribution to the conversation: "I got my first stone."
There was an awkward pause.
I couldn't figure out why they were so shy to respond. Maybe they're unfamiliar with stones, I thought, and how much better they are than traditional baking sheets. Or maybe they don't know how much better a pizza crust turns out on a stone.
But my thoughts were interrupted by a brave older woman as she asked, "Honey, what kind of stone, kidney or gall?"
I began to giggle. "I meant the kind you bake with!" They all chuckled, and reminded me that the kinds of stones that came to mind during their stage of life had little to do with baking. Yet these geriatric gals knew their stuff, and quickly began to tutor me on the proper use of stones.
"Don't use soap on it," one instructed.
Oh, and if it breaks in your oven, the sound is awful so don't be alarmed," another advised.
Since I left that luncheon, I have never used or thought of my stone in quite the same way. But here's what I have thought. "Thank You, Lord, for women who walk together, talk together, do life together, cry together, grow together and laugh together."
Do you have someone in your life who makes your soul blossom? Scripture reminds us that "oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel" (Proverbs 27:9).
Your faith will continue to grow as you fasten yourself to faithful friends who give good counsel. Whether they instruct you about baking stones or lead you to the "rock that is higher" (Psalm 61:2), they will enrich your life. And, if you don't feel you have that kind of friend, become one. Someone needs a charming gardener to bring joy to their life. You have a friend who sticks closer than a brother, lean on him, he will never leave or forsake you.
"Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around — what splendid friends they make!" (Psalm 16:1-3, the Message)
Dear Lord, Help me to become the kind of friend to other that I long to have. May my friendship with Jesus make me secure and wise and equip me to receive and be the kind of friend who glorifies You. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Related Resources:
Join Jennifer along with Lysa TerKeurst to upcoming Fresh Grounded Faith women's conferences - one in Washington and one in North Carolina.
Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit, by Jennifer Rothschild
Self Talk, Soul Talk, by Jennifer Rothschild
Application Steps:
Find a group of women to hang with who differ from you in age, race and marital status. The diversity will help you to grow in your faith and as a woman.
Think about the woman you really want to become. Hanging with the women who you want to be most like will help you become the woman you want to be!
It's easy to be too busy to invest in friendships. Do one thing today to encourage and connect with a friend and see how much richer your life becomes. What actions can I take in response to this message?
Reflections:
Do my friendships bring out my strengths or weaknesses?
Moses talked to God "like a friend." Do I? If not, how can I become God's friend?
To be like Christ, we must be full of "grace and truth." Is grace and truth a vital part of my friendships? If not, how can I change that?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:63, "I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts." (NASV)
Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." (NASV)
Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (NASV)
© 2010 by Jennifer Rothschild. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 8, 2010
The Blessings of Forgiveness
Marybeth Whalen
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat listening to my Bible study leader as she took us through our lesson in Genesis. I should have been paying attention but my thoughts kept drifting back to hurtful words and bad memories. It had been weeks since I had spoken to the person who had said those hurtful things, but the pain was still fresh.
I wanted to move on, but I didn't know how. I was caught and I could not get free. The hurt replayed in my mind over and over, a never ending film-loop of words and actions.
That day in Bible study we covered the story of Joseph. I will never forget as we got to the place where his brothers cowered in front of him after realizing who he was...and what they had done (Genesis 50:18). In that moment I will admit that in my humanness, I wanted Joseph to hurt them as much as he had been hurt. At the very least, I wanted him to turn them away as they deserved. Even though I knew the story, I still hoped for a different ending.
And yet, the ending went on just as it had before. Joseph offered his brothers—the brothers that had sold him as a slave—forgiveness. He reached out to them and restored them to a place they didn't deserve. He didn't do it because of them. He did it because of God. He knew what it meant to be forgiven, and he knew the power in extending forgiveness to someone else. I will never forget that moment when God spoke to my heart: "You need to forgive as Joseph forgave."
I will confess I didn't want to offer my forgiveness. God showed me that I was hanging onto my unforgiveness like a burlap security blanket. It was time to offer my forgiveness—not because the person had earned it or deserved it, but because God had asked me to forgive out of simple obedience to Him. Just as He had forgiven me. It was, He reminded me, the least I could do.
In my novel, The Mailbox, the main character Lindsey has several people she must forgive during the course of the story. She learns that there is freedom and peace that is released at the moment we forgive, which makes her eager to forgive even more. This happened to me as well. I heard once that unforgiveness is like eating poison while waiting for the other person to die. Better to walk in the freedom of simply doing what God has asked and let Him take care of the rest. God required me to sacrifice my pride in exchange for the blessing of peace in that relationship. It was definitely worth it and I would do it all over again.
Dear Lord, help me extend forgiveness to those who have hurt me, even when I don't feel that they deserve it. The truth is, I didn't deserve Your forgiveness. Thank You for forgiving me and please help me forgive others as freely as You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit She Reads for an exciting giveaway today - a copy of Marybeth's new novel The Mailbox and an ocean-scented candle.
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Receive more free encouragement with Forgiveness is like Spinach
Application Steps:
Is there someone you need to forgive? Spend time journaling about what's holding you back, then pray and ask God's help in extending forgiveness to that person.
Reflections:
Why is unforgiveness like eating poison while waiting for the other person to die? Have you ever experienced this personally or seen it with someone else?
Power Verses:
Luke 11:4a, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." (NIV)
Mark 11:25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 9, 2010
Hold That Thought!
Luann Prater
"Another disciple said to him, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.'"
Matthew 8:21 (NIV)
Devotion:
In the movie Bolt, a self-centered Hollywood agent constantly tells his child star, "We'll just stick a pin in that." He holds an imaginary push pin in the air and pretends to shove it into an invisible cork board as he says it. He's claiming he'll save that thought/question/request until later and revisit it. But what he really means is, "Get out of here with that request! Not happening!"
The disciple in today's key verse says basically the same thing to Jesus, "Uh, master, hold that thought. Love what you're doing here, want to be a part of it, really I do. Just need to step over here and handle this task first. You understand, right?" The three telling words in this passage are "first let me..."
We are busy, aren't we? If I tell you how busy I am maybe you won't ask me to do something else. Maybe you will think I'm super spiritual because I have so much going on in my life. Don't.
When I am the busiest I really am the most self-absorbed. I'm just being honest here. When there is so much to do often the most important things get shoved to the side or don't make the list at all.
Have you ever said this, "Once I get _____ done, then my life will calm down"? You are not alone. It's an easy habit to develop, but a hard one to break!
Hi, my name is Luann and I'm addicted to activity. Embarrassed to admit it, but got to have a real moment with you. God makes a simple request in my life and yours: "Follow Me." But all too often those four words, "first let me _______," slip past my lips. You can fill in the blank with whatever you put before what Jesus is calling you to. Instead of Jesus telling you, 'let the dead bury their own dead,' maybe He's saying:
"Follow Me, and let the kids wait a minute."
"Follow Me, and let the phone ring."
"Follow Me, and let the dishes sit."
"Follow Me, and reschedule the appointment."
"Follow Me, and let the Facebook and Twitter friends wonder where you are."
"Follow Me, and put everything else on your to-do list after Me. Deal?"
It's time to stop putting God on hold. It's time to stop using everything in our life as an excuse not to do "first things first."
Hold that thought ...first let me drop to my knees and pray that God will give me a yearning to put Him first.
Dear Lord, I'm sorry that anything has taken first place in my life besides You. Forgive me and teach me this day to begin with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
His Princess: Prayers to My King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Spend Saturday afternoons with Luann on Encouragement Café
Intimacy with God: Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time by Tara Furman
Application Steps:
Get in the habit of putting Jesus first by spending quiet time with Him before anything else happens in the morning. Beginning in John, read one verse a day and ask God to reveal something new to you. Then write down the first thing that comes to mind.
Reflections:
What is the most important thing in my life?
When do I put Jesus on the list?
How can I stop putting Jesus on hold?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
Luke 9:62, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 10, 2010
Desperate for Reassurance
Lysa TerKeurst
"Whatever is true...think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
For the past couple of months I've needed to sense God's most tender mercies more than ever. It's not that I'm going through any kind of crisis. I just feel completely desperate for Him.
If you've ever heard me give my testimony you know part of what I share is being a little girl twirling around next to my daddy wishing I could know that he loved me. Maybe in his own way, he did love me. But something was broken in our relationship that left me feeling desperate for reassurance.
Over the years, God has healed my heart in miraculous ways. God has whispered all those things I wished my earthly father would have said. I know for sure God's love for me is deep, unwavering, and certain.
But there are still times I catch myself twirling again. Crying out again. Wishing I could feel totally secure. Hating my insecurities. And mad that this struggle I thought was over, surfaces still.
Maybe it always will.
And maybe that's not such a bad thing.
For it keeps me desperate for a reassurance I can't get any other way. It keeps me desperate for God.
I can hear my husband tell me a hundred times that he loves me and no, my backside isn't big...and still feel my heart desperately twirling.
I can stand in an arena with thousands of people clapping for the message I just gave... and still feel my heart desperately twirling.
I can conquer my food demons and finally fit back into my skinny jeans... and still feel my heart desperately twirling.
The only thing that stops the desperation, the uncertainties, the insecurities, the twirling...is for the Spirit of God to lay across my heart and make it still. The blanket of His presence and His protection is the only perfect fit for the deep creases and crevices carved inside me.
I don't know what tough things you've been through in your life sweet sister, but I do know brokenness is universal. We all have things in life that trigger deep insecurities and our own personal twirling about looking for reassurance.
But here's the amazing thing.
While brokenness is universal-God's redemption is also universal for those who proclaim Christ as Lord. No matter what cracks and crevices we have in our heart, if we seek the truth of God above all else He is enough to fill in those raw places. "Whatever is true...think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9).
Have you caught your heart twirling, desperate for reassurance lately? Today, spend a few minutes letting these truths fill your mind and seep into those desperate places of your heart:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
I pray that you...may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17-18).
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).
Dear Lord, may Your spirit fall fresh upon each of us today. Remind us. Reassure us. Rest upon us. Help us to be still and know that You are our loving God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Leave your prayer requests on my blog today. It would be my complete honor and privilege to pray for you and whatever circumstance you are facing right now. Please leave your prayer request in the comments box on my blog and throughout the day I will personally be lifting you up.
I will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and I'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
And if you identify with tough life circumstances and insecurities, consider getting a copy of my latest book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by clicking here.
The accompanying DVD teaching series can be found by clicking here. - Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club. The Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Application Steps:
Print this devotion out and give it to a friend who may find great comfort in these truths. Spend a few minutes praying with and for each other.
Reflections:
What things trigger my heart to feel desperate? How can I keep these truths handy so I can refer to them in those hard moments?
Power Verses:
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
Psalm 48:9, "Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 11, 2010
Casting Your Cares
Micca Monda Campbell
"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Devotion:
God must have anticipated certain events in the lives of His children that would cause them to become "worry-warts." Even the most mature Christians today are quick to labor under the burden of anxious and excessive care. We worry over personal concerns, family woes, financial woes, cares of the past, and cares for the future.
The Apostle Peter saw this anxious care as a heavy burden and offered us some wise counsel for dealing with it. Peter's advice is to cast all our cares upon God. We are to throw the cares that distract us, wound our bodies and souls, and lay heavy on our hearts, upon the wise and gracious providence of God. You can do that because "he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Isn't that awesome? You and I don't have to carry the burden of our worries. God is willing to release us from our cares, and take our concerns upon Himself.
That sounds great. I have no problem casting my cares upon God. At first, the weight is lifted. That is, until God doesn't respond to my need like I think He should. Then it becomes hard for me to not retrieve the burden.
After I lost my husband, I suffered with severe stomach pain. It was how my body dealt with the stress. I assumed by casting my situation on God and asking Him to carry the burden, my stomach troubles would go away. I also expected to not have the burden of going to counseling once a week and not paying that extra bill. But none of that ceased. I kept having stomach pain, which meant I still needed counseling for my grief. I had also hoped that the counselor would at least ease my debt, instead, she went up on her prices.
What was the point of giving my burden to God in the first place if he wasn't going to make it all go away? I wondered.
The point is this: when you and I cast our cares on God, we are acknowledging that it's His responsibility to care for us. We often forget that God is painting on a large canvas. He sees the big picture. We only see what's happening to us at the moment. That's why God allows events to come into our lives—good things and bad things; things that make sense and things that don't.
What you and I may think is harmful and destructive God can use for our good—to bring us to completion in godly conduct and character. He will allow nothing to happen to us that isn't first filtered through His screen of protection.
Ultimate harm would be if God left our character in the state that He found us in. During turbulent times, you and I have this promise, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4: 8, 9; NIV). God will not let our hardships destroy us. Though they may be tragic in and of themselves, He will use them for our good.
You and I can cast our worries on God because it's His responsibility to care for us. As we trust Him with the bigger picture of our lives, the weight is lifted and peace washes over our anxieties.
Dear Lord, When hard times come, I will not be afraid. I trust in Your loving care to provide for my family and me. Take my burden, Lord, and replace my worry with peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was taken from Micca's Book, An Untroubled Heart
Do You Know Him?
Cultivating Contentment message on CD, by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca Campbell's blog
Application Steps:
Acknowledge God as your Provider. Talk to Him about your burden and place it in His care. When doubt temps you to retrieve it, remember that God is in control; He loves you beyond measure and is working behind the scene on your behalf.
Reflections:
Why is it hard to let go of your burdens and trust them to God?
What is one way you can wait on God until He shows up with a solution?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 14, 2010
With My Bible Pressed to My Heart
Karen Ehman
"Search me [endif], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 (Amplified)
Devotion:
It was an ordinary day. My friend Laurel decided, as she often does, to spend some time reading her Bible that afternoon, connecting with God in the midst of her busy day as a wife and mother. As she leaned forward to reach something with one hand, she held her open Bible close to her heart with her other. It was then that it happened. Through the leather-bound book pressed upon her heart, she felt a small lump on her chest.
A physician was summoned; tests were ordered; Laurel's worst fear became reality. She had breast cancer.
The days, weeks and years that followed brought hospital visits and radiation, probing and prodding, uncertainty and discomfort.
Now years removed from those emotionally trying days, my sweet friend's body is free from any traces of that often-deadly disease. She is a healthy high school foreign language teacher who goes about her commonplace days with a deep love for Jesus and eternal gratitude in her heart. Most of all, she is thankful that God arranged circumstances in such a way that her cancer was caught early; all because she held her Bible close to her heart.
I pondered Laurel's experience recently. Imbedded in a touchy relationship issue with a friend, I was angry. It was a situation in which I felt used, violated and unappreciated. I was ready to enter my alone time with God with a whine on my lips and an intense need to vent my mounting frustrations. It was then that He brought today's verses to my mind. I looked them up in the Amplified Version (one which sheds light onto the original Hebrew or Greek meaning of the words) It was then that my eyes fell upon this phrase,
"....see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Instead of complaining about the actions of my friend, I decided to hold God's Word close to my heart; to see if there was any wicked or hurtful way in me, not in her. When I did, He was quick to point out ways I was wrong; deeply rooted attitudes I displayed that rear their ugly heads and manifest themselves in awful, unattractive behaviors; behaviors no Jesus-following girl should exhibit. I saw I was as much to blame in the situation, maybe even more.
With scripture as a scalpel, God performed open heart surgery that day, and many days since. As I now go to the Great Physician for regular check ups, He is faithful to point out the errors of my ways; to nudge me to allow His thoughts to radiate my soul, burning out the nasty disease that tries to root and grow like a cancer, killing friendships and love.
I wonder, just how many relationship diseases could be cured if we were all more intentional to, early on in the situation, press our Bibles close to our hearts, feeling for any festering lumps of sin?
Dear Lord, please help me to love unconditionally and mind my own sin. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more on this topic and a chance to win an English Standard Version leather reference Bible, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
10 Minutes a Day with Jesus: Growing in Your Love for the Savior by Jim Reapsome
Application Steps:
What attitudes do I sometimes display that are the opposite of what God wants for me?
Instead of patience, annoyance? Instead of kindness, harsh words? Do I more readily display rejection rather than exhibit acceptance?
Reflections:
Has there ever been a time that someone extended grace to me when I was actually the one in the wrong? What transpired? How could remembering that kindness keep me from pointing fingers in the future?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 17:9-10, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (ESV)
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (ESV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 15, 2010
Time for Plan A!
Amy Carroll
"'But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go.'"
I Samuel 26:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
He had the perfect opportunity not once, but twice, yet he waited. Twice David faced a tempting decision. Should he kill the vulnerable king or wait on God's timing? David chose to wait while seemingly living out "Plan B."
David spent years waiting between the time he was anointed as the king of all Israel to the time when he officially wore the title. They were years spent in fields with sheep, in the palace as the reigning king's musician, and in caves on the run from Saul's murderous rage. However, the Psalms record for us that David never lost faith. Instead of despairing that "Plan A" would never surface and come to fruition, David declared, "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints" (Psalm 52:8-9, NIV).
He trusted that God would never waste one moment, circumstance or trial. He steadfastly believed that each incident could be used to bring about God's promise that had been given years before. He held fast to the hope that he would someday be king without taking matters into his own hands.
That day finally came. After lamenting Saul and Jonathan's deaths, David inquired of the Lord, followed His directions and declared himself as king. David was ready to step into God's perfect plan in God's perfect timing. He never looked back to the fields and caves, but rather walked forward into his destiny with all the experience and wisdom God had given him through the many steps it took to get there.
I've had to make similar decisions as I've asked myself these questions: Do I wait for God's promise to be fulfilled in His time or do I work to make something happen in my own strength? While I'm waiting to walk in the fullness of what I believe He's called me to, will I trust Him to use each step along the way for my good and His glory? When it's finally time to move into a new season of promises fulfilled, will I walk forward into that exciting new place or will I look back over my shoulder and choose to stay where it's safe and known?
These are the decisions that have been facing me this year. Over a year ago, I heard God whisper a calling and a promise into my heart. I could look back and see how all my education, previous jobs and experiences have been building blocks for this dream. At times, some of those places have seemed like "Plan B," but they never were. Each step of obedience has brought me to this new place.
In February, I had to make a decision to stay in my job or leave for something new. It's a job that I have been called to in the past, but this time God said "no." He brought me to the realization that choosing this job over the calling would be to choose "Plan B" and furthermore, it would be disobedience. God always calls His children to walk on the "Plan A" path. There may be discomfort, waiting, and trials on this path, but obedience is always "Plan A" and where the blessings lie!
Dear Lord, help me to always walk in Your "Plan A" even when it's hard. I want to make choices in Your perfect timing that lead me forward with You instead of simply staying where it's safe. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman
Visit Amy's blog
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
Check out our radio program, Do I Trust Jesus?
Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Application Steps:
Take some time for evaluation. List some ways that you can see that God has worked in your past to build your future.
Reflections:
Have you chosen a safe path that is not in obedience to God?
Is being outside of God's will really worth what you're missing in say "yes" to Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 31:14-15a, "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me." (NIV)
Psalm 37:18, "The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 16, 2010
Our Bodies, God's Temple
Tracie Miles
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was an odd conversation, I must admit.
As I was driving my sixteen year-old daughter to church, she expressed she was hungry. Pulling up to the drive through window, she ordered a Double Baconator Combo - you know, the hamburger with two thick patties, six strips of bacon, cheese and toppings, plus a large fry and drink.
I gently warned her that unhealthy eating habits would eventually catch up to her. Then the conversation took an interesting twist.
I had recently been studying the book of Leviticus, which focuses on the building of God's temple by the Israelites after they had left Egypt, and apparently I had "temple on the brain" syndrome.
I explained to my daughter that she needed to remember that her body was God's temple; therefore, she should take care of it, and part of taking care of our bodies, is eating healthy. She replied by saying (with her teenage facial expression of utter confusion), "Are you trying to tell me that eating this hamburger is a sin?!"
This comical conversation went on for several minutes while I attempted to convince her of the importance of treating her body as God's temple, and she held her ground that eating a hamburger was not a sin.
You see, after reading countless details about the tabernacle (the tent-version of the temple), I had a newfound appreciation for its sacredness. I felt encouraged knowing that the Lord actually resided in the Temple. I admired the hours of work devoted to building the Tabernacle, and the many rules and requirements that God set forth regarding honoring and caring for it.
In the New Testament, we are reminded many times about how we are now God's dwelling place. We no longer have to worship, pray or converse with God in a specific place, because He lives within us.
At first glance, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 implies an overwhelming responsibility to understand that we truly are God's temple, that we are the only ones who can take care of it, and that He has commanded us to do so. But thank goodness, caring for a temple is not nearly as hard as it was for the Israelites. Let's look at how we can care for God's temple today:
- The original temple had walls made of cloth. Their purpose was to protect the holy contents that were inside. In the same way, we also have to protect the contents of our temple, which is the Holy Spirit living within us.
- A lot of cleaning took place in the temple continually. We can keep our temples clean through purity of heart and mind.
- The temple was built for worshipping. God calls us into worship every day, inviting us to spend time with Him and in His Word.
- The Lord spoke in the temple and His voice was heard. The Lord is still speaking to us, in our hearts, and being able to hear His voice requires an intimate relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:20b, says we are to honor God with our body. Does that mean never eating another hamburger or doughnut? Of course not! God does not command us to have perfectly sleek figures, or infallible eating habits. Nor is He is concerned with what we wear, what color our hair is, or how many wrinkles we have.
1 Samuel 16:7 says, "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"
God cares about our hearts, His Temple. We are called to care for His Temple daily, through healthy eating, yes, but most importantly through purity of heart, mind and soul.
Dear Lord, prompt me to never forget that I am Your temple, Your holy dwelling place. Help me to honor You in all that I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement
His Princess: Love Letters from Your Prince by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be by Donna Partow
Visit our Everyday Life Health and Well-Being page.
A Woman Who Fears the Lord- T-Shirt
Application Steps:
Consider any changes you could make in your life to better care for God's temple.
Reflections:
Do I treat my body as the residence of God?
Am I committed to living a life of purity of heart and mind?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (NIV)
© 2010 Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 17, 2010
Fraidy Cat
T. Suzanne Eller
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Devotion:
I stood on the edge of the cliff, the slender bar clenched in my hands. An old chant came to mind as I glanced past the rocky threshold to the thin strips of smoke wisping above two live volcanoes.
Fraidy cat. Fraidy cat.
I was in El Salvador working with children orphaned by previous civil wars. Kings Castle was their sanctuary, and after a hard days' work several children and a counselor had pulled me and others up the cliff with stunning views.
"Jump!" they shouted. The children pointed to the volcanic crater below, its depths inviting but very frightening. The children pointed to a circling boat below, trying to assure me. Then, one after another, children grabbed the bars and flung themselves away from the cliffs, letting go and plunging into the water below.
I looked over at my fellow team members. One shook her head vigorously. "Uh uh," she insisted.
I grabbed the bar, noting that my knees were quaking. I closed my eyes, pushed off and swung through the air, screaming when I let go and plunged downward. I hit the icy cold water with a splash. Several children above me shouted and clapped their approval. But I could barely hear them over my own whoops of delight.
I wasn't afraid of jumping that day nearly as much as I was afraid of the unknown. There were elements that were familiar, like water and diving, but when you toss in heights and volcanoes, it knocked me right out of my comfort zone.
Sometimes parenting teens is like that. When my three children moved from tweens to teens, suddenly things changed. There were familiar elements, but lots of scary new developments like driving, dating, and requests for freedom. I wanted to cling to the familiar. I'm the boss, so that's just the way it is. I don't care if everyone else has a later curfew, yours isn't changing.
One day I noticed that my oldest daughter, Leslie, had shut me out, and it hurt. She was 16 years old and I couldn't have been more proud of her. I treasured our relationship, and so was confused by her silence.
I finally found the root of her problem. It was me. I was parenting out of fear.
Fraidy cat. Fraidy cat.
I said no to her, not because of her character or the trust she had earned, but because I feared poor influences, or letting her go and her free-falling. I saw some of the teens that used to frequent our home making life-altering decisions, and it shook me. So I pulled her in closer, tighter. I refused to let go—even an inch.
Though I had worked with thousands of teens over 20 years, I made a huge mistake with my own. I forgot to parent Leslie based on who she was, and what I knew to be true, and allowed fear to dictate our relationship instead.
Worse, I made her feel that she was untrustworthy.
That day I stepped up the scary cliff of parenting a teen and took a second look around. I noted the familiar. Leslie had made good decisions. She was maturing, growing into a woman. She wasn't perfect, but she tried really hard to do the right thing, not for me, but because of her faith and her own convictions.
Sometimes parenting is scary. Sometimes letting go a little bit at a time feels uncomfortable, but it's also a key ingredient in shaping our teens into confident adults of character.
But what if they break the trust? Pull the reins back in. Allow them to take responsibility for their mistakes. Then allow them to earn the trust back.
Today Leslie is a 28-year-old married woman, an attorney, and soon-to-be-momma. I wish that I could say that I never faced fear again as a parent, but that simply wouldn't be true. But I learned to recognize fear for what it is—an ineffective response that distorts reality and clouds the decision making process. Stepping back and looking at the whole picture allowed me to say yes to the opportunities to grow—opportunities for me as a parent, and for my teen.
Dear Lord, help me to see my child clearly today. If I need to set boundaries, help me to set them with love and wisdom. If it is time to encourage my child to grow, to stretch, give me the courage to let go. Thank You for my child's destiny. Thank You that You have a plan for my teen's life. I trust in that today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she digs deeper into this topic. Enter a giveaway on the site for an autographed copy of Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know.
Raising a Spiritually Strong Daughter: Guiding Her toward a Faith That Lasts by Susie Shellenberger
More encouragement can be found at In God's Hands
Application Steps:
Has your teen proved trustworthy in the past?
If the answer is yes, what are your fears?
Is there information that would calm those fears (where the teen will be, who they will be with)?
If the answer is no, when were they last untrustworthy and on what scale?
If it has been a long time, are you willing to release the reins a little, with the understanding that additional trust can be earned?
Reflections:
"There is always a moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."
-Graham Green.
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" (NKJV)
1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." (NKJV)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 18, 2010
More than a Job
Zoe Elmore
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)
Devotion:
Perhaps this economy has forced your child to move back home because they are unable to find a job. Our youngest son Joseph returned home almost six months ago and while my husband Tom and I enjoy having him around, we do struggle to offer words of wisdom when our son asks, "Why is this taking so long? Has God forgotten about me, and will I ever get a job as a pilot?"
Tom and I want to encourage Joseph without preaching to him and sometimes that can be difficult to do. I'm reminded of Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:7-9:
"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (NIV).
God rewarded Solomon's request and blessed him with great wealth and influence. Kings from all over the world sought out Solomon's wisdom. He is still considered the wisest man in the Old Testament.
While I don't come close to having wisdom like Solomon, I do have access to the One who is the source of all wisdom, Jesus Christ.
Our son needs a job, that's certain, but I'm more certain that our son needs to deepen his relationship with the One who provides all wisdom. When Joseph realizes that his relationship with Christ is more important than finding a job, our son will experience the blessings wisdom brings, just as Solomon did.
It's hard to watch our child struggle as he flounders in his faith. It's not easy to pray without preaching. I know that a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ is something I can NOT do for my son; Joseph must choose to deepen his relationship with Christ all on his own. I know God draws near to us in the midst of our times of trial and discouragement and I want my son to experience that. I long for him to trust God's perfect timing as He works behind the scenes to work things out for Joseph's benefit.
While I wait for my son to grow in his faith and knowledge of Christ, I hold onto God's promise in this verse, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Dear Lord, today I eagerly ask You to give our loved ones knowledge, understanding, discernment, and the perseverance needed to follow it. Help them to trust in You even through the waiting. Help them to hear Your voice whispering nearby. Allow them to feel Your very presence and see Your purpose in the midst of their circumstances. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
For more encouragement, read Building Faith
The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
Application Steps:
Make a list of verses on wisdom and take notes on what you find.
Reflections:
Where do you find godly wisdom for your life?
How might my life look different if I followed godly wisdom?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 2:2-3, "Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 4:29, "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." (NIV)
2 Chronicles 15:12, "They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 21, 2010
Can I Call You "Daddy?"
Glynnis Whitwer
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again,
but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Romans 8:15 (NASB)
Devotion:
Victoria gripped the phone, and dialed frantically. "Answer, answer, answer," she muttered. Finally, a deep male voice was heard on the other end.
Victoria's words tumbled out in a rush, "Daddy, I'm in trouble. I need you."
This scene was from a favorite show. While it's not the most intellectual program out there, I'll admit I'm hooked on the characters. One in particular. The father of the panicked woman mentioned above. He's not a perfect dad; not even a good one most of the time. However, his children know he will hire a small army, spend any amount of money or fly his private jet to come to their rescue.
His desire to help his children pulls at something deep within me. Although I grew up with a good father, I wouldn't have asked him for help. My father was scholarly. He was a teacher who adored his books, classical music and pipe. I knew he loved me ... that wasn't the issue. He just wasn't an active part of my life. My mother was my problem-solver and rescuer.
I never had any issues with my father. At least none that I knew of. Until someone told me that my relationship with my earthly father had already affected my relationship with my heavenly Father. Really? I thought I was pretty healthy. Then I started praying and thinking about it.
Although I loved God deeply, I realized I didn't see Him as a close father. Maybe a distant one. But not one I could call when I'm in trouble. Not one who would hold me while I sat on His lap and cried. Not one who would move heaven and earth, or fire up the private jet, to save me.
You see, I've never had a father like that. In the depth of my heart, I knew God could help me, but did He really want to? Was He motivated to help me with the same passion I have to help my children? Sadly, I realized I didn't know how to relate to God like a caring father. But I wanted to.
So I started to change how I pray. Jesus modeled a close relationship with His Heavenly Father. In fact, Jesus called Him "Abba" or "Daddy" (Mark 14:36). I started to pray that way as well. I'll admit it was awkward, and still is at times. Yet, as I have drawn near to God in this tender new way, I realized He has been waiting for me all along.
I'm coming to understand that God's longing for me is similar to how I feel for my own children. Even though my 18-year-old feels too big to need his mama, I still desire to mother him with protective and loving oversight. And just as I long for my growing children to come and sit on my lap or rest a head on my shoulder, God longs for me to come to Him.
I'm still learning what all of this looks like. What I know for sure is that I've been invited into a precious relationship with my heavenly Father. In fact, I've been invited to call Him "Daddy."
Dear Daddy, how I long to fully understand Your love for me. I know in my head You are a tender father, but my heart still doesn't understand. Please reveal Yourself to me as a caring daddy. Help me to overcome all barriers I have to living like a chosen and precious daughter of Yours. I want to know You more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father by Susanne Scheppmann
Do You Know Him?
Visit Glynnis' blog
His Princess: Love Letters from Your Prince by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Love Notes in Lunchboxes by Linda Gilden
Application Steps:
Make a list of five things a loving earthly father does for his children. Now consider how God does those same things for us, but in different ways.
Reflections:
How has your relationship with your earthly father affected your relationship with your heavenly Father?
If you could ask your heavenly Daddy for something today, what would it be?
Power Verses:
1 John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (NIV)
Matthew 7:11, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 22, 2010
The Return of Respect
Micca Monda Campbell
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was pregnant with my third child, I shamefully displayed a lack of respect for a police officer. It was a Wednesday afternoon and I was running late for church. On the way, I had to drop off my eldest son at baseball practice. The fact that he had practice on a church night already had my tail feathers up in the air, not to mention it was drizzling rain.
To make up for lost time, I sped right into the park where the police officer pulled me over. I was appalled! How could he set up a speed trap in the park on a rainy day to catch a pregnant woman who was running late for church! The nerve! I thought.
I'd had it. Before the officer could approach my car, I jumped out in the rain and met him halfway. "Are you going to give me a ticket?" I questioned with one hand on my hip and the other pointing in his face. He didn't speak nor did his expression change so I continued. "I thought it was outrageous enough that these boys have to practice ball on a church night in the rain, but nooooo! Being set up for a speed trap in the park takes the cake!"
"Ma'am, I'm sorry." He apologized.
"Well, you should be," I whispered under my breath.
"I can't do anything about your son's practice, but I can assure you I can do something about your speeding," he said while firmly pulling his ticket pad from his coat pocket. "Furthermore," he added, "if you continue to disrespect my authority, I can do something about that too."
Disrespect his authority? Is that what I did? Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. While I'd like to blame my behavior on my hormones, I can't. I was guilty on all accounts. As I cowered back to my car, I noticed my children's faces pressed against the window of the backseat. They were no doubt learning how to disrespect authority—from their mother.
I let what I thought were my rights blind me to truth. It was my duty to submit to the authority of the police officer. Regrettably, this kind of behavior goes on everyday in the workplace, the home, and even in the church. Why is that? I believe it's because our society today has lost a general lack of respect for one another.
God commands, 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18). We show honor to God by displaying reverential esteem of others. Respect for God alone should motivate us to offer grace by extending an encouraging word instead of thrashing another with a rude comment. Generally, those who tear down others usually have little respect for themselves. Their rude comments are a desperate attempt to make themselves look better. Sadly, the results usually turn out opposite.
Can you imagine what our world would look like today if we heeded God's command? Envision how great it would be if all spouses respected one another; if children honored their parents; and if citizens obeyed the laws of God and government. It would be a different world! We would have a feeling of security with gestures of love freely given and received. Common courtesies would be raised from the dead. We'd make an effort to know our neighbors and lend a helping hand to a stranger. The words "fear" and "anxiety" would be dropped from the human language. Peace and goodwill would be the heartbeat of our existence.
Let's not dream of a world where people live together in unity, love, and respect as God intended. We can make it happen together using one little word called respect.
Dear Lord, I confess that I don't always respect others' rights, feelings, properties, time or space. Help me to be more gracious and kind, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Taken from An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst & Sharon Jaynes
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Visit Micca's blog
Check out our free resource License to Sin
Application Steps:
Practice respect this week by holding the door for a stranger. Help out a sales clerk by re-hanging dropped clothing from the floor. Respect the privacy of your co-worker by not sharing her troubles with another. Respect your child by listening to their dreams. When your spouse speaks, give your undivided attention. And respect traffic laws by going the speed limit!
Reflections:
What can you do at home, church and the work place to revive respect among one another?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:14, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 23, 2010
In Search of a Zesty Life
Rachel Olsen
"Who out there has a zest for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty."
Psalm 34: 12 (MSG)
Devotion:
How's your day going so far?
I wonder if the weather where you are is pretty or if you woke to clouds and felt a little blue. I wonder if your family, friends, co-workers or boss have aggravated you today. Has it dulled your mood? Are you mulling over an unpleasant interaction, dreading a task, or maybe griping about some aspect of your life this morning?
I recently read that 80% of working Americans have no passion for their work. Do you find passion or beauty in your work? Be it an office job, a self-employed business, or the business of changing diapers and sweeping up Cheerios; are you reasonably happy as you go about your work? Could you be? What would it take?
What about the people in your life - your family, friends, church members, neighbors - have you enjoyed their company today? Or recently? Have you loved the ones you're with?
I wonder too, have you noticed any beauty today? Have you looked for it? Have you even looked up?
God is in the beauty making business. Just glance outside and see what I mean. Even if it's cloudy or rainy, there is beauty to be seen. And felt. And experienced. When did you last take a walk outdoors, maybe through a park or down a shady trail just to enjoy the surroundings? Just to breathe the air.
We see God's beauty most clearly in creation but you can also see it in the way a mother cradles her baby, or the way a woman looks adoringly at her fiancé, or the way a child splashes joyously through puddles in his rain boots.
You can hear it too, in the sound of birds, the sweet whisper of "I love you," or the sound of a choir joining voices in praise. Have you heard it today?
Throughout the Bible, especially the Psalms, I see a link between joy and worshipping God. I see commands to be joyful, to rejoice, to bless and be blessed. I believe the Bible calls us to cultivate a joyful, "zesty life" that looks for His beauty daily and thanks Him for it. "Who out there has a zest for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?" (Psalm 34:12, MSG).
Did you wake this morning with an expectation of encountering something of the splendor of God? Did you swing your feet out of bed anticipating enjoying the God-ordained beauty in your day? Are you cultivating a zesty life, or drudging through your days, ticking off your to-dos, oblivious?
If you've been less than zesty, or even oblivious, it's not too late. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart today to see and savor Him, in the miraculous and in the mundane.
Dear Lord, thank You for the beauty You surround each of us with daily. The greens of grass and trees, the reds of tomatoes and strawberries, the smell of the air after a rain. God you are magnificent in Your beauty and goodness! And You're gracious in your blessings. Open my eyes to notice them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog and share something beautiful from your day.
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew by Ruth and Warren Myers
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Application Steps:
Read the Psalms below in the Power Verses. Pull out your Bible and scan the Psalms yourself looking for clues to a zesty life in God.
Have you created any beauty yourself today? Have you hugged someone? Planted some flowers? Smiled at a stressed looking stranger? Written someone an encouraging note? Put on some pleasant background music? Have you mulled over your blessings, allowing them to beautify your outlook? Doing these things to the glory of God transforms them into worship, transforming your outlook in the process.
Reflections:
How apt am I to enjoy my day despite setbacks or frustrations?
What can I do to increase my ability to see and savor God in each day?
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:8, "Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him." (MSG)
Psalm 27:13, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (NIV)
Psalm 27:1, "Light, space, zest - that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing." (MSG)
Psalm 105:1-5, "Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered." (MSG)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 24, 2010
The Treasure of Thrown Away Food
Lysa TerKeurst
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
Devotion:
If there was ever a secret for unleashing God's powerful peace in a situation, it's developing a heart of true thanksgiving. My son, Jackson, knows this. I came to understand how powerfully he knows this when editing a paper he wrote recently. Jackson hasn't always lived in the safety and security of our home. For the first 13 years of his life, he lived in a forgotten orphanage in the third world country of Liberia, Africa.
Jackson's paper was about the corruption and greed that caused the civil war in his native land. He did a great job recounting the facts of the story. But the difference between Jackson and most other kids explaining a historical event, is before we adopted him - he lived in the midst of the horrific conditions of this war.
During one part of the paper, he described what it felt like to be naked digging through the trash looking for the treasure of thrown away food.
The treasure of thrown away food.
I can hardly type those words without crying. This is my son.
And yet, despite the horrific conditions of his childhood there was an unexplainable thread of peace woven through his recollection of the story. A powerful peace centered in the awareness of God's presence.
The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit no matter what to notice, pause and choose.
Noticing something for which to be thankful no matter what circumstance they're in.
Pausing to acknowledge this something as a reminder of God's presence.
Choosing to focus on God's presence until His powerful peace is unleashed.
I doubt any of us will find our treasure in thrown away food today. But will we be a noticer, a pauser, a chooser - a person of thanksgiving no matter what circumstance we're facing?
I find this truth about the power of thanksgiving over and over in Scripture. What was the prayer Daniel prayed right before being thrown in the lion's den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion's mouths? Thanksgiving.
After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah's heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving.
How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious? With thanksgiving.
And what is the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving is proclaimed? Peace. Powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:7, NIV).
One of Webster's official definitions of thanksgiving is: "a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."
I wonder how we might celebrate God's divine goodness today?
I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice, pause, and choose something for which we can truly be thankful....
Dear Lord, will You help me to notice things for which I can be thankful in each circumstance I face today? Will You help me remember to pause and acknowledge this as evidence of Your presence? And will You help me to remember to choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly? Thank You for the reality that being thankful truly changes everything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We are writing a thankful journal on my blog today. You can get there by clicking here. Be sure to visit and write down some things for which you are thankful and it will automatically enter you to win a signed copy of my latest book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.
I'm speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Get a copy of my latest book, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" by clicking here.
The accompanying DVD teaching series can be found by clicking here. It contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club. The Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Application Steps:
Start a thankful journal where you daily list five things each day for which you are thankful. Do this for the next 30 days and see how much more peaceful your mindset about life becomes.
Reflections:
What makes you grumpy and steals your propensity to be thankful?
Think of someone in your sphere of influence who is really thankful. Despite the circumstances they face, are they more peaceful? How does this inspire you?
Power Verses:
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (NKJ)
1 Chronicles 23: 30, "They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 25, 2010
Sharing Grace
LeAnn Rice, Executive Director, Proverbs 31 Ministries
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
Five years ago I took a spiritual gift test and failed! Well, in my assessment, I failed.
I had high hopes that the test would confirm that I have the spiritual gifts of wisdom, discernment, evangelism or mercy. You know...a good, useful gift. A change-the-world kind of gift. I was crushed to discover that I do not possess any of what I perceived as the "good" gifts.
Since I was sure I knew myself better than this silly test, I took it again. I ended up taking the spiritual gifts test five times! Sadly, each one confirmed that I was stuck with the frivolous gift of hospitality. Seriously? I wanted to be a wise sage and soul-winning evangelist, not a hostess!
Shortly after my testing marathon I read today's key verse. Reading it a second time, my eyes lingered over the words "whatever gift." It doesn't say, "Only those of you with the gift of leadership or evangelism go and serve others." As I pondered this verse I came to realize that as a body of Christians we could not accomplish nearly as much if we all had the same gifts. I began to embrace my gift of hospitality and God showed me that He could use my ability to create a fancy meal or decorate a beautiful table to make others feel special. I can administer God's grace through what I thought was fluff!
What gift(s) has God given you? If you haven't yet determined your spiritual gift(s), spend some time thinking about what you do well, what hidden talent you may have, and what you have a passion for. Ask your friends what they think your talents are.
Then ask God how you can use these gifts to share His grace with others. If you are a musician, consider playing at a local retirement center or soup kitchen. If you love to scrapbook, consider organizing memories for someone who is unable to do so for themselves. If you have great computer skills, consider helping women at a shelter put together resumes or teach them computer skills to help them secure a job.
I have learned that my "frivolous" gift of hospitality is not so frivolous after all. Extending hospitality, simple or extravagant, is a tangible way to share God's love and His grace with family, friends, co-workers, and strangers. My prayer is that every day, God will provide me with new opportunities to use the gifts He has bestowed upon me for His kingdom and for His glory.
Dear Lord, thank You that You have gifted each of us differently. Help me to discover the gifts You have given to me so that I may use them to administer Your grace to everyone around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit our new site She Cooks today!
Click here for an awesome giveaway and to see how LeAnn is using her gift of hospitality to reach others with the grace of God. Come for recipes, menus, and special event planning, but stay for much more! LeAnn is looking forward to spending time cooking together.
Do You Know Him?
Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions - Gift Ideas by LeAnn Rice
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and CD: Discovering Your God-given Gifts, Passions, Personality and Abilities by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
How can I purposefully use my spiritual gifts to share God's love and grace with those around me?
Reflections:
Reflect on 1 Peter 4:9-11a, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." (NIV)
Am I truly being a good steward of the gifts entrusted to me by the Holy Spirit, using them to serve others and to glorify Christ and not merely for my own personal gain or enjoyment?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:4-6a, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (NIV)
© 2010 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 28, 2010
The Touch of Your Hand
Glynnis Whitwer
"Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!'" Mark 1:41 (NIV)
Devotion:
The labor and delivery of my second child was fast. In fact, within three hours after the first inkling of pain, I was in the hospital being prepped for delivery. Although my husband stood at my side, the intense pain surprised and overwhelmed me. You see, my first delivery took 13 hours, with lots of pain intervention. This time, because of the speed, I had no pain relief.
I'll never forget looking into the face of the young nurse standing at my right, coaching me through the delivery. After an excruciating contraction, I said, "Would you hold my hand?" She smiled and grabbed hold of my hand while another wave of pain radiated through my body.
I knew it sounded pitiful and needy to ask someone I didn't know to hold my hand, but at that moment I needed her strength.
There have been other times I've needed to hold someone's hand. The first time I went snorkeling, I thought I was going to pass out I was hyperventilating so badly. I held my husband's hand on my left and my son's hand on my right until I could control my breathing and enjoy the incredible sights. Hiking up Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, I held someone's hand when I wasn't grasping on to rocks. I've held my mother's hand and my sisters' hands as we've walked through the pain of losing loved ones.
There's something about physical touch that brings comfort and stability in an uncertain world. The New Testament is filled with stories of Jesus touching those around Him. He laid His hands on women who had been scorned, children dancing at His feet and lepers ashamed of their faces. I picture His hands always reached out to someone.
In this world of virtual relationships, conversations managed via electronic devices and fear of inappropriate touch, I wonder if we are losing our physical connections to each other. And yet God designed us to need touch. In fact, it is critical to our health - both emotional and physical. Babies need touch for their brains to develop and children need touch for their emotions to develop. Experts say appropriate touch has a profound effect on the brain's programming and re-programming.
Perhaps it's time to become more intentional about offering loving and appropriate touch to others. We all need it, but often find it awkward to accept and offer. My immediate family is very comfortable with touch, as my children have grown up with lots of physical affection. But I have to be intentional about reaching out to others in gentle and creative ways.
I have discovered reading the New Testament that the first believers were very affectionate with each other. In fact at the end of Acts 20, we read that all the believers embraced and kissed Paul as he was leaving for a journey. They were also encouraged to greet each other with a holy kiss.
While I realize not everyone is ready to be touched with such intimacy, I am challenged to bring healthy touch into my relationships in greater measure. Whether it's a hug, pat on the head, stroke on the arm, or a holy kiss, touch is needed in our society. Maybe if we brought more healthy touch into our relationships, people wouldn't be driven to seek it in inappropriate ways.
For whatever reason, God designed us to need the physical touch of others. So the next time you need to hold someone's hand, I'm your gal.
Dear Lord, I know You designed us to need the touch of other people. It's not always easy to admit we need someone to hold our hand, or give us a hug. Help me to be more aware of the needs of those around me, and to offer healthy and loving touch in natural ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for tips on creative and healthy touch.
Consider starting a Gather & Grow group
Application Steps:
The next time you are at church, challenge yourself to offer healthy touch to two or three people. Become the person who offers a hug, rather than waiting for one.
Reflections:
Think about reasons why God would design us to need the physical touch of others.
What are some things that keep us from offering loving touch to others?
Power Verses:
1 John 1:1, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:14, "Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 29, 2010
Sanctuary Isn't a Great Pair of Jeans
Lynn Cowell
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf..." Hebrews 6:19-20a (NIV)
Devotion:
As I got dressed, the brand name label in my jeans caught my eye: Sanctuary. Really? They definitely are my favorite pair of jeans, but could they really be considered a sanctuary?
This word "sanctuary" keeps showing up in my life. My family recently took a much needed respite away from our busy and demanding schedules. We went to a place whose motto is "Escape completely." That sounded perfect to me.
One morning, I headed to a spot they called "The Sanctuary." Anticipating a great time with the Lord, I found a quiet chair overlooking the peaceful water. Settling in, I had my Bible open and journal and pen in hand when I heard "Excuse me Ma'am. Do you have your Sanctuary card?" Sanctuary card? You've got to be kidding? I have to have a separate card to get into "The Sanctuary?" I picked up my things and found another cozy spot two feet outside of "The Sanctuary" where I didn't have to have the appropriate card to meet with God.
Opening my Bible again I could hardly believe my reading:
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf..." (Hebrews 6:19, NIV).
I had not been allowed to enter "The Sanctuary" two feet away because I didn't have the right card, but because of Jesus, I could enter the true sanctuary...His presence.
The Bible says a true sanctuary is not a place created with comfy chairs, soft music and views of the water. It is a place where the presence of God pours over us like a healing balm and Jehovah-Rophe, our healer, is present.
Combining the many definitions of sanctuary in the dictionary, I created this one: A place in God's presence where I can find shelter or protection from danger or trouble, finding relief and escape, and exemption from liability and prosecution.
The Psalmist spoke of his need for just such a sanctuary throughout Psalm 73:
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
(Sometimes in life, I feel like I'm hanging on the edge. Something has happened; causing me to feel like I'm going to lose it. What are you doing, God?)
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth.
(Sometimes in the middle of our pain, we look around at others, and ask - "Why is their life going well? And why isn't this Christian life thing working for me?)
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
(He just doesn't get it. Why is his life a mess? Can you relate?)
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
(In the sanctuary of God, things changed. In the presence of Jehovah-Rophe my healer, I can find relief; escape and exemption from liability and prosecution. I find healing.)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds (verses:1-5, 12-14, 16-17, and 23-28).
Sounds like the Psalmist really got it and it doesn't sound to me like a sanctuary can really be a pair of jeans!
Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like I need to escape completely. May the only place I escape to be You. When I feel like I want to run, help me to run straight into Your arms! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Find sweet encouragement with our free resource The Shelter
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Want to learn some ways to run into God's presence in the middle of your hectic life? Join Lynn at her blog today for some fresh ideas!
Reflections:
Are you making it a point to come into God's presence, His sanctuary, on a regular basis in order to be refreshed by Him?
When you feel like escaping, what is the thing that you turn to?
If you are not running to Him when you feel like running, what can you do to change that habit?
Power Verses:
Psalm 73:28, "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 30, 2010
The Committee
Susanne Scheppmann
"You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him."
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)
Devotion:
A committee of voices live in my head. Most days they are quiet. However, when a pivotal decision develops, they all want to chime in with their points of view. All the personalities clash and clang about, making a ruckus rather than a decision. Here's an example of the conversations that might be heard on any given day.
Miss Scaredy-cat whispers, "Don't do it. You'll fail."
Mrs. I Can Do shouts, "Go ahead. Go for it! What's the worst thing that can happen?"
Ms. Prideful says, "What will other people think? I wonder what they will say?"
Miss Procrastination states, "Just wait to make the decision. Wait another day."
Now I know that Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27, NIV). Yet, I admit sometimes His beloved voice gets lost in the clatter of "The Committee." I lean toward being a type-A personality with lots of ideas and dreams. So, my own strong personality voices are difficult to squelch. Unfortunately, God's voice is usually the quietest whisper among the din of fear, pride and procrastination.
The Committee visits me frequently, and the bigger the decision, the more noise erupts in my thoughts. Life-changing choices create the biggest clash of voices. Decisions concerning relational conflicts, career changes, and ministry efforts generate non-stop thoughts in me.
So how do I keep The Committee subdued? For myself, I have found that I need to physically go to a place of quiet where I can sit and listen to God. I take my Bible and read a few Psalms. I sit. I wait. I still my mind. Eventually (it takes time), my spirit and my personality calm down and then I can begin to discern God's quiet voice. The Committee takes a recess and God takes command. When His voice is in control, I feel the "peace that passes understanding." It enables me to think rationally without all the emotional inner dialogue.
Although the decision making process will never be easy for me, I can make the process more palatable by listening for God's direction. I need to appoint the Holy Spirit as the chairperson. I must sit quietly and still The Committee in my head so that I am able to discern the whisper of God.
Dear Lord, quiet my thoughts. Teach me to sit still and listen. Train me to hear Your voice. Grant me the ability to discern Your thoughts and will for my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
More peace and perspective is offered with our Radio program White Noise
10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women by Grace Fox
Application Steps:
Determine to set aside 30 minutes for a time of stillness. Choose a quiet place to sit and reflect. Read three or four Psalms. Close your eyes and listen. Ask God to speak to your heart.
Reflections:
Do I consider making decisions a difficult process? Why or why not?
What types of "voices" try to influence my choices?
When a decision needs to be made, do I try to listen to the God's voice?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 28:23, "Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say." (NIV)
Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (KJV)
1 Kings 19:11-13, "The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 1, 2010
My Mother's Hands
T. Suzanne Eller
"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
She held out the soft white blanket scalloped in pink ribbon. "I'm not sure I want to give it to her," my mom said. The stitches were a bit looser than my mother's past handiwork, but I could see love in every crocheted inch.
I held her hands in my own. Her once slender fingers were bent and swollen at the joints. I imagined her holding the crochet needles and weaving the yarn in and out for hours, days, until the blanket was complete. It is an heirloom for her first great-grandchild, one created with pain and love.
I think I take my mother's hands for granted. They have caressed my cheek. They have made me wear a coat (even when I protested that I was a mother of three grown children). They have dialed the cell phone she loves, and hates, so she could talk to "her Suzie." Her hands have penned cards that showed up in my mailbox saying "I love you."
There's an old 70s song that says, "Time keeps on slipping, slipping, into the future." There is truth in those lyrics. I see the passage of time in my mother's hands. I also see it as moments pass into hours and then into days in a whirl. Life is always busy, like this month when the white board on the refrigerator lists church events, speaking engagements, dentist visits, showers and weddings and graduations, as well as other details like pay the bills, mow the lawn, clean the house.
Recently I realized that my mother was moving further down on that list. A week passed. A month flew by. The phone calls came. "Hey, Suz, just calling to say I miss you."
One day I received an e-mail from a friend. Her mom was sick. For the next few weeks I prayed, reading every update. One night I read the e-mail from my beautiful friend that expressed her love for her ailing mom, and prayer for strength to say goodbye. Suddenly it hit me how little time I actually devoted to my mother. I held the e-mail and wept. The next day I made a date with my mom. She was like a girl; she laughed on the phone as we made plans.
I pray that I have many more opportunities to hang out with my mom, but more than that I pray that I don't take her for granted.
Life most likely won't slow down. But as I devote time to worthwhile endeavors, I don't want to forget that in the grand scheme of things, holding my mother's hands is one of the most priceless investments I'll ever make.
Dear Father, thank You for my loved ones. Life gets so hectic, and sometimes it's hard to slow down long enough to show them how much I care. Please help me to slow down and recognize what is of little value so that I can invest in people with immense value. In Your precious Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she will give away a copy of The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future, co-written by Suzie and her mom.
The Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents by Julie-Allyson Ieron
Application Steps:
Love tokens:
1. Write. Leave a note in an unexpected place.
2. Give. Spend time with no strings attached (help work in the garden, go to lunch, sit and chat).
3. Touch. Especially if your loved one is older or widowed and they are not touched in positive ways any more. (Massage their hands. Hold their hand. Touch their face or hair.)
4. Affirm. Tell them one encouraging thing that you believe about them.
Reflections:
Is there someone you need to spent more time with?
"The most important thing that should totally absorb our lives down here is the practice of real love. Why? Because love lasts. Love will be the only thing that matters in eternity." ~Jill Brisco, author of Love that Lasts.
Power Verses:
John 15:12b, "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." (NLT)
Matthew 6:21, "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 2, 2010
Is God Enough?
Melissa Taylor
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
Is God enough? It's a question that my life circumstances force me to keep going back to. What I've concluded is that not only is God enough, but He has to be enough. I've also concluded that it takes effort on my part to keep myself aware of this.
As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize that I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad left our family when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand how God could bring healing at that time. I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better. Nothing worked.
As I grew older and began to move from being a Christian who simply believed to a Christian who was actively involved with Jesus, my life began to change. Because I was having conversations with Him directly and reading His Word consistently, my life was challenged. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask myself one question in order to move on. "Is God enough?"
When a friend betrays me, is God enough?
When I need to forgive someone for something that seems unforgivable, is God enough?
When my child is having issues that are out of my control, is God enough?
When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, is God enough?
When I am not forgiven by another person, is God enough?
When my mother is dying of cancer, is God enough?
When others don't recognize my value, is God enough?
When I am struggling professionally, is God enough?
When someone I love uses words to hurt me, is God enough?
When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, is God enough?
When I am reminded of something I did in the past, is God enough?
When the world is in turmoil, is God enough?
When my health is declining, is God enough?
When I am let down and disappointed in my life, is God enough?
Just last night, I sat in my room crying. Here I was again asking, "Is God enough?" I opened a box full of personalized Bible verses that someone very special gave to me. I began reading them out loud to myself. Verse by verse, I began combating the thoughts that were paralyzing me with self doubt. What I discovered is the conclusion I always come to when I ask myself "Is God enough?" Yes He is.
I could lose everything in life. There's not anything I have here on earth that is guaranteed. If I lost it all though, I'd be okay because no one can take away my identity in Christ. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or a shack in the swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and there I find my Jesus. His Word is planted deep in my heart and I believe it all.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lies you may be entertaining in your head. Instead, ask yourself, "Is God enough for me?" The answer could change everything.
Dear Lord, help me to realize that the secret to being content in all circumstances is You. Help me to be aware of Your presence in my life at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Melissa's blog
Read the story of how God was enough to two women in His Amazing Touch
Application Steps:
Honestly assess if God is enough in your life. Do you find yourself needing or wanting more? Remind yourself that God knows you inside and out. He loves you no matter what and He always will.
Reflections:
What can you do today to remind yourself that God is enough?
Is there a situation in your life that you need to turn over to the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." (NIV)
Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 5, 2010
Priceless in His Sight
Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director
"How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings." Psalm 36:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
Like many other Russian orphans, Masha was forced out of an orphanage at 15 and sent to a tech school - an underfunded holding tank for kids who learn how to lay brick or paint walls. One day, a group of professional looking, wealthy women came to the school and interviewed the girls for the best jobs in Russia. They were promised fancy clothes, expensive jewelry, and all the money they could hope for. Masha was chosen, and assumed her dreams had come true.
However, she quickly realized this dream had turned into an ugly nightmare.
She was taken to an apartment and beaten. In a matter of hours she would be entering the sex trade. The life that loomed before her was one of forced prostitution.
This is a story that's repeated across the globe in staggering numbers. In Eastern Europe alone, 200,000 women and children are sold into slavery every year. Innocents shipped off to brothels, never reported missing and never rescued. The sex trade is now a multi-billion dollar industry and the United States is one of the biggest consumers. I imagine Jesus weeping. We should as well.
Though some consider these women and children a commodity, something to be bought and sold, God sees their worth: priceless, cherished, beautiful. Our value as human beings is not calculated in assets or financial holdings, gender or age, or what we can bring on some shady black market auction block, but as image-bearers of God. Every human is priceless because we are formed by the hand of God for His glory, made for a purpose that was never meant to include slavery or violation. We believe this. And we must put that faith into action.
The good news is that not every story ends in suffering. Masha, for one, escaped her terrible fate. As she waited in that apartment for a group of men to claim her, she remembered a ministry center sponsored by Children's HopeChest - an organization run by She Reads author Tom Davis. She remembered being cared for and shown the love of Christ there. Masha escaped the apartment and ran to the HopeChest Ministry Center in Kostroma where the staff immediately called the authorities and gave her protection.
Today she is safe, receiving an education, and has a future - because of the caring work of believers, believers just like you and me. There is hope for girls like Masha and there are tangible things that every believer in Christ can do to help those who are not as fortunate. Starting with prayer...
Dear Lord, would You have mercy on the countless victims who are locked away, suffering the unspeakable? Comfort them. Redeem them. Be their hope and their ransom. But more than that, Jesus, would You show me what I can do to help? Show me how to be a voice for mercy and justice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
She Reads author, Tom Davis, knows what it means to walk into the darkest places on earth and show mercy. His novel Priceless tells the gripping story of a young Russian girl swept into the sex trade. The novel is this month's She Reads selection - visit the site to learn more about the novel and enter today's giveaway for coffee and a copy!
Priceless by Tom Davis
Consider sponsoring a child and help them be released from poverty through Compassion International - your sponsorship could keep them off the streets and safe from the slavery trade.
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford
Application Steps:
Visit Tom Davis's blog, www.sheispriceless.com to learn how you can help those trapped in the sex slave industry.
Pray that God's mercy will extend to every victim of this horrible situation.
Give to ministries that rescue women and children from the sex trade.
Sponsor orphans in need of shelter and protection.
Get educated on the realities of the sex slave industry.
Be vigilant to watch for victims near you - it happens in every city in the United States.
Reflections:
Does my heart break over the things that break God's heart?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:1, "But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'" (NIV)
Zechariah 7:9, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 6, 2010
Establishing Moral Authority
Glynnis Whitwer
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14-15 (NIV)
Devotion:
Talking with my son one day, I mentioned I thought I might have made a good lawyer. I love discovering facts, proving my point and standing for justice. It wasn't a real longing, just a passing comment in an afternoon filled with incidental but pleasurable conversation.
At my observation, my son adamantly replied, "You would make a horrible lawyer!"
I looked at him with curiosity and surprise dressing my face. He continued, "You would never lie. In fact, you could boast the fastest conviction rates in your ads. I can see you standing before the judge saying, 'Your honor, my client is guilty!'"
We both laughed at that comment. And I completely agreed with his assessment of my lawyering potential. I guess it's a good thing I stuck with writing.
My son made an exaggerated comment that day to make an observation about my character. We both know there are lawyers with the highest integrity. That wasn't his point. His point was his mother doesn't lie.
His comment snuggled its way into my heart and has stayed there ever since. I make a lot of mistakes in my parenting, but apparently I've done something right. My son knows the real me - the good, bad and ugly. And in this one area of my life, my son has made a crucial observation of my character: it's consistent with what I say.
I've discovered that I'm influenced most by people whose lives match their words. Interestingly, for these people, doing what's right is a natural way to honor God. Their influence over me is a by-product of that devotion, and I'm changed by watching the unspoken alignment of their talk and walk.
Jesus had both authority and influence because His character and actions completely matched His words. Twelve disciples watched His every move. Because they found no inconsistencies, they grew to trust Jesus. This gave Jesus a moral authority that superseded the authority of any other religious leader of the time.
That's the type of mother, wife and friend I want to be. I want to be pursuing God with all my heart, and in so doing, establish moral authority in my life with those closest to me. You see, I understand that even though I have authority with my children, I don't have influence unless there is consistency in my life.
Having my life match my words is one of my highest desires in life. People will eventually notice inconsistencies in my life and when they do, it erodes my influence. Sometimes, I only get one chance to influence the people around me. Sadly, once lost, moral authority is very difficult to regain.
I don't always get it right. There are plenty of times when my actions don't match my words. But my son's comment inspired me to examine my life, and see where there are inconsistencies. As I find them, I am being honest about my weakness, and seeking God's help to deal with them. That's the only way I'll ever develop into the woman I know God wants me to be: one who doesn't have to shout to make her point, but whose quiet actions speak louder than words.
Dear Heavenly Father, I need Your help. I want to be a woman whose life completely matches up to her words. You know there are areas where I fall short, like patience. I submit those areas to You, and ask for Your strength to be the women You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need help with parenting? You might enjoy When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog to continue this discussion
Help your teens strengthen their moral authority with Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Brett and Alex Harris
Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness: A Revive Our Hearts Trilogy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Application Steps:
Identify one area of your life that doesn't match what you say you believe. (Examples might be honesty, patience, kindness, forgiveness)
Using a Bible concordance, search for scriptures that inspire you in this area. Write them down and review them regularly. ( Bible Gateway offers a free keywords search.)
Reflections:
Why is moral authority so much more powerful that traditional authority?
What are some of the reasons we say one thing but do another?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)
Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God." (NLT)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 7, 2009
The Sticker Book
Micca Monda Campbell
"Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer."I Corinthians 7:5a (NIV)
Devotion:
It took creative measures when it came to potty training our daughter. No sweet treat was good enough to get her ready for her big girl pants. It was going to take something she really loved to lure her into this next phase of life.
Suddenly, it came to me. My daughter loves stickers. This gave me a great idea. I hung a large poster board on the bathroom wall. With colorful markers, I divided the poster into weekly sections. In a basket on the floor, I placed an assortment of sparkly stickers. Peyton's eyes widened with excitement when I showed her my newly decorated bathroom. "Each time you go to the potty, I will give you a sticker to place on the poster board," I explained. "When you get a certain amount of stickers, I'll take you to the store where you can pick out a prize."
I've never seen a diaper come off so quickly before in my life. The stickers were working!
My husband also noticed how well the training was going. One day, he came in from work and tossed a sticker book on the kitchen counter where I was preparing dinner. "What's that?" I questioned.
"I noticed how the stickers were working for Peyton and I thought maybe they'd work for you too," he answered. I narrowed my eyes at him and thought what is he up to?
"Every time you and I have a romantic night, I'll give you a sticker to put in your sticker book. When you fill it up, I'll take you anywhere in the world you want to go." He continued with a huge grin on his face.
It's not that I didn't want to have romantic evenings with my husband, but most of the time tiredness trumped romance. You know what I mean? As women, we wear a lot of hats that require much responsibility. We are constantly pouring ourselves out for others. At the end of the day, all I want is a soothing bath and a warm bed. I suppose my husband could interpret that the wrong way. He probably feels like he only gets my leftovers. This is not God's plan and why He gave married couples this passage:
The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control" (I Corinthians 7:4-6).
God must have known both women and men would struggle in this area. Whoever is holding out in this, the Bible is clear. The cause of withholding should be mutual, short lived, and discussed openly and privately between husband and wife. The reason for this is so that no one falls into temptation. Communication also helps your spouse hold on to their confidence when they know the reason behind the struggle. After I shared with my husband the cause for my tiredness, he started pitching in around the house. Nothing is sexier than a man running the vacuum!
Working together can bring about great results. On the other hand, buying your spouse a sticker book might also move things in the right direction. I'll be honest. I've not yet filled my sticker book, but I'm working on it. The best reward is really not about visiting some exotic place. The best reward is sticking it out with my husband as we learn to communicate, work together and trust each other through the struggles of everyday life.
Dear Lord, my spouse is a gift to me from You. Give me the courage to talk honestly and openly with him/her. Use communication to deepen and strengthen our relationship in all areas. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Check out Help! I Think I Misplaced My Sex Drive! for more free encouragement from one girlfriend to another
Application Steps:
Sometimes taking to your spouse is all you need. Other times seeking medical care is the answer. A hormone imbalance can stifle your drive. Being overweight, anxious or depressed can also cause a loss of desire. Start by being open with your mate. Use the "Reflections" question below to get you started. You'll be glad you did.
Reflections:
Why might you be holding out? Is it because you don't feel sexy, loved, or appreciated? Are you stressed, addicted to porn, or struggling with lust for someone other than your spouse? Are there other reasons?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:21, "Submit yourselves to one another in the fear of God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 8, 2010
Sometimes I Feel So Overlooked
Lysa TerKeurst
"After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.'" Acts 13:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
I'm sorry. I try not to complain very often. I do know that I am incredibly blessed to have a grocery store down the street and a washer and dryer to use when doing laundry. But sometimes I wake up on Monday mornings a little grumpy. Time to do it all again. I'll go buy food that gets eaten. I'll wash clothes that get dirty again. I'll sweep floors that just an hour later will be littered with crumbs.
Is there more to all this than just doing the tasks of everyday life?
Before I jumped into the normal routine this morning, I sat with Jesus. And this is what I found... some big truths by taking a little glance at David's life. Despite how other's saw him, his own propensity to sin, and his lack of position in his own family, David had the sweet reassurance of God and that was enough.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
To his older brothers, he was a pest. To his father Jesse, he was just the youngest son. To on-lookers, he was just a shepherd boy. But to God, he was the one destined to be king. And not just any king. His lineage was the one from whom Jesus would come.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Even how he was anointed to be the future king is such a telling story. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king and chosen one of Jesse's sons to be the replacement. Think of the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel's head as he pondered which of Jesse's sons would be qualified for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well mannered, regal, a natural born leader. "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. (meaning Saul who had these qualities.) The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (vs 7).
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Next Samuel has Jesse line all of his sons up before him. All of them were to be looked at. Yet Jesse doesn't call David in from tending sheep. Was this an oversight? An assumption? A judgment call? A necessity? A deliberate choice?
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
Samuel passes on each of Jesse's sons and then asks, "Are these all the sons you have?"
I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, "There is still the youngest but he is tending sheep." Surely one who spends his time taking care of animals is not the one to take care of a nation.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.
As soon as Samuel saw him, he knew he was the one. David was anointed to become king. But he was not immediately ushered to the throne. It was years before David would be recognized by the world. So, where did he go after being anointed as king? To a refining school? A government academy? Military training? Nope.
He went back out into the fields and continued to shepherd his flock. A king doing lowly tasks. A king whose character was being refined in the fields of everyday life to prepare him for his calling.
How like us. In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and that birthday gift that still needs to be mailed to grandma - there is training there. There is character building. There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining. There is heart grounding. All which must take place for us to become what God intends.
Ever feel overlooked by the world? Take heart sister - we are handpicked by God.
I am not just doing tasks. I am building a legacy. I am shaping God's kingdom. I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don't know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks, even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.
Dear Lord, thank You that even when I feel overlooked, I can rest in the fact that I am handpicked by You. Help me to live my life for an audience of One. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's new interactive website full of free resources and encouraging videos. You can get to www.LysaTerKeurst.com by clicking here.
Today's devotion is taken in part from Lysa's book and Bible Study, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl." This is the perfect 6 week summer study or one to consider doing with your women's group this fall. To order your book, click here, to order your Bible study workbook and DVD study click here and here.
Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Write down in your journal a list of qualities that you sense God is developing in you. Next write down why you think God might find it necessary to develop you in this particular way.
Reflections:
Are there any tasks that you particularly struggle with not wanting to do? Ask God for a new perspective and spend time listening for His voice while you do this job.
Power Verses:
Psalm 28:7a, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped." (NIV)
2 Samuel 7:22, "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 9, 2010
The Valve
Luann Prater
"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."
James 3:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
My husband asked me to pick up some diesel fuel for the tractor. I had his truck and he had put the gas can in a box so it wouldn't tip over. Now, I'm 5'2", so can we just start there? Things that taller-than-me folks can do becomes a bit more of an issue for this vertically challenged gal. I pumped the gas into the can then tried to lift it, not only up to the bed of the truck, but over the top edge of the box. It was then I discovered the little valve cover was open.
A cup of gas escaped through that tiny opening, and strategically ran from the top of my t-shirt to the top of my pants. I panicked that my cell phone might ring and light my fire! That wasn't the type of flame I was hoping God would fan in my life!
I scrubbed and scrubbed in the shower but the stench of gas remained in my nostrils.
My lips are like that little valve. It is such a small opening, yet the fuel that escapes can be unpleasant, caustic and even deadly. Loose lips have snapped at my family. Harsh tones have left friends feeling poisoned. Careless words have killed the spirit in a vulnerable child.
James tells us that our tongue is like a restless evil full of deadly poison. Ouch! My husband didn't want me to spill that gas; we wanted to use it for good. God doesn't want our tongues to open unless they are going to encourage and spur one another on.
Several years ago I made a very small, but very life-changing decision. When a hurtful thought comes into my head, I tighten my lips and force a pause button to appear in my brain. When I allow myself to have just a second to think about the potential hazard that could come from 'speaking my mind' it gives the Holy Spirit time to check my heart and motives. In that pause moment I say, "Lord, take control of this tongue." And He does.
Do I get it right every time? No. But I can see fewer wrecks in my life, fewer wounds, fewer poison-tipped darts flying out of this mouth. And I no longer reek of gasoline I added to the fire.
Want to join me? Pause. Seal up the valve and allow the Holy Spirit to work for good through the words you speak.
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that our tongue can rip a heart apart, or seal it back together. Teach us to pause long enough to give Your Spirit time to work in and through us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue: What You Say (and Don't Say) Will Improve Your Relationships and accompanying Workbook
Chat more with Luann on her blog or hear her on Encouragement Café every Saturday!
Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Jennifer Rothschild
For more daily encouragement, follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
Application Steps:
Before anything negative slips past your lips today, hit the pause button. Pray that the Holy Spirit take control. Ask God to make you a peacemaker.
Reflections:
Why do I say things I regret later?
When will I surrender my tongue to Jesus?
How can I allow my words to encourage instead of destroy?
Power Verses:
James 3:17, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (NIV)
Proverbs 27:15, "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 12, 2010
When I'm on My Knees
Melanie Chitwood
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9 (NAS)
Devotion:
Bending down with rag in hand, I wiped the coffee spills off the kitchen floor. Then my eye caught the spills dribbled down the cupboard door. I'm surprised I haven't seen that before, I thought to myself as I continued to clean. Okay, I'll just spend some time on my knees on this kitchen floor. Wow, there's more dog hair down here than linoleum. And there's that ball the boys have been looking for.
I thought I had thoroughly cleaned the kitchen, but on my knees I could see many things I had never seen before. So it is in my prayer life. Whether I'm literally on my knees or sitting in my big chair as I usually do when I pray, I'm often amazed to see how my perspective changes in prayer.
A quiet time of humbling ourselves before the Lord will allow Him the time to reveal anything that doesn't please Him. Psalm 139:23, 24 offers us a model of a prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
When we see the dirt in our lives, we need to make sure we don't move to self-condemnation, but instead take the step God desires from us: confessing our sin to the Lord.
It's important to recognize that sin grieves our Holy Father, so much so that He sacrificed His precious Son for our sin. We need to call sin what it is; it's not a bad habit, a bad choice, or a mistake. Sin is sin, and its roots are rebellion and independence from God. By His death on a cross Jesus has already forgiven us, but confessing our sins is a way of acknowledging and remembering that we need a Savior.
By being honest with God about our sin, we discover a great treasure: He loves us just as we are, and at the same time He wants to transform our character to be like His.
Dear Lord, thank You, Jesus, for Your death on a cross. I never want to take that lightly. In a world where it's more acceptable to be tolerant, I want to remember that You are a holy God who does not tolerate sin. I am a sinner in constant need of Your grace, forgiveness, and love! Thank You for paying the price for my sins. I need You every minute of every day to empower me to be more like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog What Matters Most
What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper
Application Steps:
Print out this devotion, look up each Scripture in the devotion, and spend time quietly meditating on them.
If you're not sure you're a child of God, you are only a prayer away from assurance! Click on Do You Know Him? for guidance in praying.
Go to Melanie's blog, What Matters Most, where you'll find a link to worship music to help you turn your heart and mind toward God.
Reflections:
Do you take time to be quiet before the Lord? Can you take time right now to confess your sin? Know that God loves you. He is not eager to condemn, but to forgive you.
Power Verses:
Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NAS)
Romans 8:1 "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (NAS)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 14, 2010
Timely Gifts
Lynn Cowell
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
Yesterday was my birthday and birthdays mean gifts! My family is very good about gift-giving and tends to give me something I might have mentioned that I like, but really wouldn't buy for myself. Whatever they choose, they always pick just the right thing at the right time. Several years ago...ok, many, many years ago...for my sweet 16 birthday, my parents gave me a unique keychain with a key to their car. I loved it! That key represented freedom and independence. Exactly what I was craving at that time. It was the right gift at the right time.
If my parents had given me that same gift when I was six, it would have been very strange and inappropriate. At six, I would have wondered what it was for and how to use it. My parents knew what to give and when to give it.
In James 1:17 we are told that God our Father gives good gifts to us, His children. Not only does He give good gifts, but He knows perfectly what to give and when to give it. His gifts are not spur of the moment because He forgot that a special day was on its way. His gifts are all about perfect timing.
When I was five, I couldn't reach my jacket that was hanging on the last peg just above the cement steps that led to our basement. I called out for help, but refused to wait. A tumble down those steps produced a black eye that stayed for a very long time. I didn't trust that those who loved me would come and do what I needed when I wanted it.
Many of us are asking God for help. We are crying out for something we need. The key is, can we wait patiently, trusting that His timing is perfect? Can we trust that He has our best in mind and is working on our behalf?
Sometimes we grow impatient. We want what we want and we want it now. So we make the mistake of trying to get it by ourselves. Have you ever tried to get something by yourself? Is there something in your life that you really want...now?
Is there one thing you feel if you could have, your life would be complete? If you could just have that job at that pay, life would be so much better. If God would just open your womb, the emptiness would finally be gone. If He would just heal your broken, cold marriage, your heart would be joyful. If He would just fulfill that lifelong dream, you would be content. Are you tempted, like me, to get that thing any way you can, even with the possibility you could end up with way more than a black eye?
There are times with all of our prayers He seems to answer "no" or at least "not now." It is here, where our desires intersect His will that we have to trust the Father knows best and every gift comes from Him. Every time, in His time, the gift is good and perfect.
I have seen God's perfect gifts in my life as I have waited on Him. Waited on Him for a husband. Waited on Him to open doors for ministry. Waited on Him to draw my kids to Himself. I see my history with Him and I'm going to choose to keep on waiting for His good and perfect gifts.
Dear Lord, waiting on You is so hard! My heart wants to get things moving, step up and take action. Help me to always bring my desires to You, knowing that You always have my best at heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Order Wendy Pope's CD What to Do in the W.A.I.T.: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans
Visit Lynn's blog to share and encourage others with your story of when you have waited and seen God's perfect and good gifts!
My Prince will Come: Getting Ready for My Lord's Return by Sheri Rose Shepherd
When God Says No, Keep Asking offers more free encouragement!
Walking with God in the Quiet Places: Devotions for Women by Various Authors including Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Begin a "Thank You" notebook. Start out by writing your history with God. How have you seen His faithfulness and His good and perfect gifts unfold in your life?
Reflections:
Am I currently in a waiting place? Am I waiting in faith, expecting to see God's good and perfect gift or am I living in a place of frustration because He doesn't seem to be doing things my way in my time?
How can I begin to honor God while I am waiting?
What type of testimony am I writing each day that I am waiting?
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (NIV)
Psalm 33:20, "We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 15, 2010
God's Provision
Lysa TerKeurst
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything..." 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
It seems you can hardly turn anywhere today without seeing reminders of economic hardships. During the past couple of years the unemployment rate in our country has been the highest we've seen in 60 years. Friends and family members are suffering due to the loss of jobs, investments gone bad, and cutbacks that seem to be everywhere.
I have a friend who has owned a thriving car dealership for over 30 years. This man and his family have been pillars in their community who are known for their generosity and kind Christian spirits.
This past year though, he declared bankruptcy and literally lost everything--including their cars. If that isn't cruel irony, I don't know what is.
So, I've had to have some discussions with God about the absolute heartbreak of this situation. I know God is the great provider, so why isn't He providing for my friend? God is a miracle worker, so why isn't He working a miracle for my friend?
These are fair questions about what seems like a terribly unfair situation.
Whenever I face situations I am having a hard time understanding, I have to park my mind with what I know to be true. Keeping my mind saturated with truth, keeps Satan from being able to whisper dangerous assumptions, false accusations, and faith-eroding perspectives.
So, what is true in this situation? What is true no matter what situation we are facing?
God is a good provider.
This is true. This is where I must park my mind. This is the reality that must saturate my thoughts. This truth rises above our troubling circumstances and calls us to see life from a perspective outside our screaming realities.
God richly provides us with everything we need. Therefore I must trust that God is providing for my friend. What is in front of my friend is God's provision. God hasn't stopped providing just because my friend is in financial turmoil. This situation hasn't caught God off guard. God hasn't run out of resources to help my friend.
Part of God's perfect provision for my friend is to walk through this. I may not like it. I may not understand it. But, because my friend knows and loves God, I have peace that he will make it through this.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8-9 that if we think on what is true, the peace of God will be with us. And ultimately, isn't peace what we want? That's what I really want for my friend. I want this precious man and his family to have peace more than I want their dealership to be saved, their finances restored, and their old life to suddenly come back and settle into place.
Praise God, His peace is but an utterance of truth away. So, sweet sister, park your mind with His truth today. And watch God's perfect provision of peace flood whatever dry and lacking ache you are experiencing right now.
Dear Lord, thank You for being my provider each day. Help me not to fear these times of hardship. Rather, help me to trust in You and Your ways more each day. My desire is to focus on what is true and believe that You will make the rough places smooth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit www.LysaTerKeurst.com by clicking here if you would like to request prayer for yourself or one of your friends who are having a tough time in this economy. Lysa would consider it a great honor to pray personally for every request posted today.
Be sure to check out Lysa's book and Bible study Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl. This is the perfect 6 week summer study or one to consider doing with your women's group this fall.
To order your book, click here. To order your Bible study workbook and DVD study click here and here.
Application Steps:
Every time a discouraging thought comes into your mind today:
Replace it with a verse from God's Word.
Replace it with the truth that God is a good provider and that His unfailing love for you will not be shaken.
Replace it by seeking Him and calling on Him for He is always near.
Reflections:
How can God's peace restore you today?
Could this devotion showing up in your inbox today be a reminder from God that He sees you and cares about your situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:1-2, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 16, 2010
Whatever
Susanne Scheppmann
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you know the most annoying word in the English language? By popular vote, the word whatever won the dubious award of most annoying word by a poll conducted by Marist College in October of 2009. And, admittedly, most people use the phrase, Whatever!—I do myself. Even my three-year-old granddaughter looked at me the other day and said, "Whatever, Grandma."
Can't you hear it ring in your head as an exasperated person says, "Whatever!" Or a teen rolling her eyes and whooshing out, "WHAT-ehv-errr." Yes, it can be an annoying word. It can be a hurtful word filled with dismissal of a person or a person's actions.
However, I believe the Apostle Paul would not agree that it is a word nominated for most annoying. He determined whatever was a word that encompassed all the good things we experience in this life. He preferred to use the term as a directive for us to consider all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Then he finished in admonishment to us with, "And the God of peace will be with you."
So what do we do with the word whatever? Such a contradiction found in one English word provides us with a spiritual opportunity. We can use whatever to provide a verbal cue to others that we found them or their actions to be ignored. Or whatever can be a prompt for us to search for the positive side of people and circumstances. The decision is up to us to determine what type of whatever we allow to inhabit our lives. Do we consistently complain? Or do we choose to engage in encouragement?
Will you take the whatever challenge with me today? Let's choose to believe and ponder on all that is a positive influence in our world—everything that proves itself to be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. And the best whatever is that the God of peace will be with us as we strive to experience the positive.
Dear Lord, teach me to concentrate on whatever is beneficial to my thought life. Grant me the ability to push aside whatever I find annoying in my life and let me learn to focus on the lovely and praiseworthy things You have placed around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary E. DeMuth
Application Steps:
Take a moment to make a list of things that are excellent and praiseworthy gifts from God, such as books, music, friends, church, etc. Today purposefully reflect on how these items enrich your life. Ask God to help you replace the annoyances of life with the thoughts of whatever is lovely.
Reflections:
What do I find exasperating in my life—what are my "WHAT-ehv-errrs?"
Am I thankful for my whatevers that are admirable and excellent?
Do I complain more than I praise?
Would my family, friends and co-workers describe me as a positive person?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
Psalms 33:21, "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." (NIV)
Philippians 1:27a, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 19, 2010
Rediscovering Creativity
Glynnis Whitwer
"But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NLT)
Devotion:
There are days when my inspiration well is dry. Cracked and dusty in fact. On those days nothing is flowing, not a gurgle or a drip. Try as I might, I can't manifest a single creative thought.
Dinner? Will toast and peanut butter work?
Writing? See Jane ... uh ... run.
Daughter's history project? Let's see what we can make with lined paper.
On those days, I'm convinced I'll never again write a witty word and my family is destined for mediocre meals. Even more concerning is the worry that I'm raising children who will perpetuate my blandness. What depressing thoughts!
Yet on other days, I'm the Colorado River of inspiration. A little muddy at times, but fast and free flowing. Thoughts with tinges of brilliance (and far above my normal level of thinking) burst from my brain faster than my fingers can type. Relief seeps into my heart. Gourmet meals are just an hour away! I'm not empty after all!
I've experienced both these conditions. And it got me thinking about the circumstances surrounding them. I've realized there are certain patterns that foster my times of creativity. Because I'm designed by a creative God to be creative, I want to dig in deeper to these ideas and work them into my life in greater measure.
The first circumstance that breeds creativity seems to be a new or renewed commitment to a God-given vision. In the past six months, God has refocused my personal ministry. Last year I had a sense He wanted to do something different in and through me, and spent time praying about it and waiting. As I embraced what God was showing me, He rewarded me with exciting ideas, more than I've had in years.
Turning to this new vision has meant leaving other things behind. That was painful. But as I listen to God and obey, I'm energized for the future.
The second circumstance that sparks my creativity is getting out of my routine, and positioning myself around something creative. A simple trip to a book or craft store can jump-start my thinking. I love going to a gourmet or niche grocery store. Farmer's markets, art museums, music stores, concerts or a model home might do the same for you.
We all have creativity designed into us. Yet many believe they were shorted in the idea department, while others got an unfair share. Not true! Perhaps you've put borders around what you think creativity looks like. A mom who whips up an amazing breakfast her toddler will eat is just as creative as a woman designing a line of fashion. God blesses both - they just don't look the same.
Take time to pray about God's vision for you, and position yourself in a creative environment. Who knows what amazing new thing God will do!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making life beautiful and creative. Thank You for placing a bit of Your creativity in me so that I can enjoy You more. Help me to shake off the negative thoughts about my own lack and be open to whatever new thing You long to do in me and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us, small group or individual Bible study by Glynnis Whitwer and Brian T. Anderson
Visit Glynnis's blog
Don't Panic-Dinner's in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead by Susie Martinez, Vanda Howell and Bonnie Garcia
Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping You and Your Kids Save the Planet by Tracey Bianchi
The Reason We Speak or For the Write Reason by Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Identify one hobby or creative activity you love but haven't spent much time on lately. What one thing can you do in the coming weeks to position yourself for a spark of creativity? Schedule that activity.
Reflections:
How do we see the creativity of God in our world?
What are the benefits of living a life where creativity is cultivated and advanced?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:13, "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." (NIV)
Exodus 35:30-33, "Then Moses said to the Israelites, 'See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 20, 2010
It's Not About You
Zoe Elmore
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
Devotion:
In his popular book The Purpose Driven Life, author and pastor Rick Warren makes one point very clear, "It's not about you." In a world where pursuing personal comfort and happiness is an obsession, many of us chafe and choke at the thought of any struggle or pain invading our lives. The thought that the world wasn't created just to keep us happy and comfortable seems counter intuitive to today's thinking. It can be difficult to swallow the fact that God is not most interested in our comfort, but more interested in our character.
To put this in perspective, I recently reread the trials and tribulations of the apostle Paul. It is eye opening to discover the very things we dread and run from in our lives are precisely where Paul found his contentment. Look at his words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. He's essentially saying: I am content when I lose. I am content when I am weak. I am content when I'm insulted. I am content when I endure hardships. I am content with persecutions. I am content with difficulties.
How can this be true? Paul shares his discovery: Because when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul's stunning contentment is a clear example of the way we should live our lives content in everything. This happens when we allow the divine strength available through the power of the Holy Spirit to permeate our human frailties and weaknesses.
Did you catch that? Paul's prescription for contentment is an attitude of unselfish humility. I think it's important to note Paul's selfless and humble attitude helped him see his imprisonment as a divine appointment.
Had I been imprisoned under Paul's circumstances, I'm sure I would have moaned and groaned, demanding the guards give me special treatment.
Mirroring the life of Christ, Paul empties himself of "self" and allows unselfish humility to drive his attitude and his actions. This is the first step to learning contentment. Paul encourages all believers to go one step further. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" (Philippians 2:14-15, NIV). Think about that for a moment; a life that lacks grumbling, complaining or arguing leaves room for only one thing...joy!
As we exchange our selfish attitude for one of joyful humility others will take note and be drawn closer to Christ. Friends, as we allow God to work in the midst of our brokenness and inability His strength rushes in to fulfill our need. Let's make a commitment to be joyfully humble for one week and experience God's transforming work in your life and in the lives of others. Living in His strength, our lives will reflect Christ and we will be content in all circumstances.
Dear Lord, You emptied Yourself of everything but love when You died on the cross for my sins and I am eternally grateful. Empower me through the Holy Spirit to be content in every circumstance or situation. Teach me to rely on Your strength and not my weakness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Visit Zoe's blog
Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness: A Revive Our Hearts Trilogy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
You'll find more encouragement with our free resource Honoring God with Your Life
Application Steps:
If you are in the midst of a struggle, ask God to encourage you through His Word. Write down the verses of strength you find and put your name in each one. Pray them every day this week and experience His contentment in all things.
Reflections:
Read Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (NIV). Reflect on this verse and write down what the Lord reveals to you.
Power Verses:
I Corinthians 1:25, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:5, "I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 13:4, "For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 21, 2010
The Time Traveler's Wife
Rachel Olsen
"We love him, because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19 (KJV)
Devotion:
I recently saw the movie The Time Traveler's Wife. In it a man has the unusual experience of being repeatedly, supernaturally plucked from where he is and in a mere nanosecond, transported in time to another location. After a short duration there, he is again miraculously transported back to the present. He never quite knows when he will go, or where he will land. The film, like the novel it's based on, is a love story with a science-fiction twist.
This morning as I was reading in the book of Acts I read a similar story - a love story with a supernatural twist.
In Acts chapter 8 we find a man named Phillip - not Philip of the twelve apostles, but another believer - preaching Christ to the Samarians. Before this point, following Christ's ascent to Heaven and the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down in Christ's place, the disciples were in Jerusalem. Rather than going out to the ends of the earth to preach the good news, they were remaining on familiar ground. It took persecution to drive the Jewish believers out of Jerusalem to surrounding regions where they would spread the message of Jesus.
Phillip had fled the city and taken up that task. He was teaching the Gentiles that God loved them and Christ died for them.
The end of Acts 8 tells one of these accounts. An angel of God instructed Phillip to walk a specific road in a certain direction. When he did, he saw an African man there returning to Africa from Jerusalem. The man, a eunuch, was an officer in the royal household of Ethiopia. Phillip heard the Holy Spirit instruct him to go near to his chariot. Obeying, Phillip found the man reading the book of Isaiah - God was already wooing this man's heart. Indeed, already planning for salvation to come to the continent of Africa. While Africa was still clueless about Christ and dead in its sin, God's love paved the way for redemption. I told you it was a love story!
Phillip helped the man understand what he was reading in Isaiah - a prophecy about Jesus - and explained to him the message of salvation. The Ethiopian believed the account of Christ. Then he spotted some nearby water and asked to be baptized. The entire story to this point is supernatural - all driven by the heart of God - but here's where the science-fiction-like twist comes in. Read it for yourself:
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:39-40, NLT)
Just like that - like the time traveler in the movie I saw - Phillip was supernaturally transported from that moment in the water with the Ethiopian to another town farther north where he would continue telling the Gentiles of Jesus. While this seems bizarre and amazing to us, it's really common to God.
God travels through space and time without being bound by it. Let that sink in just a minute. He is already in the middle of your day, and in the middle of your tomorrow.
Surely then, we can trust Him with our day. Surely He can handle whatever problems or emotions may arise.
In the movie I watched, the time traveler loved his wife fiercely - he loved her from childhood and wooed her across space and time. God - the true Time Traveler - loves you enough to woo and care for you too. As a believer, you are the Time Traveler's wife - the very bride of the ascended Christ.
Dear Lord, You are bigger, more powerful, and more magnificent than I can imagine. I place myself in Your hands today. I will trust You wherever I find myself today, and with whatever comes my way. I love You, and I know that is because You first loved me. Help me show others Your amazing love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are like the Ethiopian, trying to grasp who Jesus is and what that means for you, click here to find out.
Consider sponsoring an African child through Compassion International. Your chosen child will receive love, food, educational help, health care, and most importantly, the message of Jesus.
Visit Rachel's blog.
God's Purpose for Every Woman: a compilation of favorite P31 Encouragement for Today devotions, by various P31 authors. Gen. Eds. Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Is there something you are fretting over today? Pray and trust God with it.
Would you like to be a Phillip? Wish you could help others come to know Jesus? You can! Follow this link, choose a child, partner with Compassion International and begin writing your child letters.
Reflections:
Do I share the love and gospel of Christ with others?
Power Verses:
1 John 4:7, "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God." (NLT)
Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 22, 2010
God's Will for Me to Grieve
Melissa Taylor
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." Matthew 5:4 (MSG)
Devotion:
The past year has been extremely difficult. My mother died March 25th. On that same day a part of me died, too.
The months leading up to her death were filled with purpose. While I was going through the motions dictated by my circumstances, one thing was crystal clear: I knew what my priorities were and I was confident in what I was doing. For that season, I was to care for Mom.
I think it's amazing as I did God's will for my life, everything fell into place. Co-workers and volunteers did my job in my absence. Speaker Team members took my place at speaking engagements. My husband and mother-in-law picked up the kids from school and helped around the house. Friends brought meals. The Lord worked every detail out and because of that I was filled with peace throughout one of the hardest times I've experienced.
The way I handled life during that time surprised me. My normal reaction would be to freak out, especially since I have a history of anxiety. If you had asked me before my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer how I would manage that trial, I would have responded, "I'll fall apart. I can't take that." However, I did take it and I did very well. Of course, I had my moments when I cried and days I was physically and emotionally exhausted, but I had a purpose and my mom needed me. I chose to trust the Lord and felt His peace the entire time.
Since Mom's passing, I haven't had quite that same presence of peace or purpose. I still trust the Lord and know peace is available, but I'm struggling some with this new reality of Mom being gone. When my mom died, a big part of who I was died too. I lost her and I lost my position as her caregiver. I often feel uncomfortable, shaken. Sometimes I have to remind myself to breathe. Many times I have to tell myself that the same peace I had before is still available. God has not left me and despite how I feel, He still has a purpose for me.
Could it be that my purpose for now is to grieve? Grieving isn't easy and even though it's a natural part of life, it doesn't feel natural. It has required stillness and quiet, which is not simple to come by in my world. It's also required an understanding that my feelings are acceptable and it is okay to not have a clearly defined, tangible purpose for this season - other than grieving. I had to give myself permission to grieve and trust that through this God's will for me will prevail.
Life is filled with highs and lows, and God is there during them all. At times His will for our lives is very clear and at other times I think He wants us to seek Him and wait for Him to make it clear. It's during the seeking and waiting that we must hold on to our hope in Christ and claim the peace He offers us.
So for now, I grieve. The way I grieve may change daily, but one thing will not change: I am blessed, just as our key verse for today says. I'm blessed because of what I've lost. And I'm blessed because God is embracing me every step of the way (Matthew 5:4).
Dear Lord, I am so thankful for Your love. Please give me peace during the trials of my life. Help me be content where You have me today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey From Mourning to Joy by Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Melissa's blog to catch up on how she's doing today and find out how you can receive her "Top 10 Ways I can Choose Hope and Claim Peace"
Application Steps:
Don't worry if you aren't sure what your next step in God's will is. Instead, take time to "seek Him and wait." Carve out time to pray, process, reflect, and journal your thoughts and feelings. Post Scripture in places where you will see them as a reminder God is with you always.
Reflections:
Are you doing God's will in your life right now? How do you know?
Have you chosen hope in the midst of your trial?
If you've lost someone close to you, have you taken time to grieve?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:11b, "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (MSG)
Psalm 16:8, "I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." (NLT)
John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)
© 2010 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 23, 2010
For the Greater Good
Micca Monda Campbell
"But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
Devotion:
Beyond a doubt, Joseph was a beloved son. In reading Joseph's story recorded in Genesis 37-50, I couldn't help but think how Joseph would make a great guest on any talk show if he were alive today. The title of the TV program might go something like this: From the Pit to the Palace.
Joseph's story begins much like ours. He came into this world an innocent child. He didn't ask to be born. Joseph, like any of us, deserved to be cared for, loved, and nurtured by his parents. On the other hand, so did Joseph's brothers. But in the eyes of their father, they were second best to Joseph. The rejection of their father caused terrible sibling rivalry until one day Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit.
While Joseph's brothers were eating supper and discussing what to do with Joseph, the opportunity of a lifetime arose. A caravan of Midianites passed their camp on the way to Egypt. Seizing the opportunity, the brothers sold Joseph as a slave for twenty pieces of silver. In U.S. money, that amounts to $1.28.
Is that where you are right now, friend? Have you been rejected by someone and thrown into the pit? Don't fear. You're not lost. God has not abandoned you. He knows your whereabouts. He is using your circumstance as a stepping-stone for a greater plan just as He did for Joseph.
Several years later during a life-threatening drought, Joseph's brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain. It was Joseph, their brother, who had foretold the drought and prepared Egypt for survival. Many came from all over to buy grain, and so did Joseph's brothers. By now, Joseph had been promoted to second in command in Egypt.
In his powerful position, Joseph could have taken revenge on his brothers for betraying him. Instead, he chose to forgive them and reunite with his family.
As his brothers bowed before Joseph in fear of their lives, Joseph said, "But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:20). This verse is often compared to Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV).
When you and I let down those walls of fear and trust God for the greater good, we'll find a measure of healing and restoration just as Joseph did. Instead, we often want to cling to the pain. That kind of thinking only keeps us in the pit and allows our wounds and fears to fester and grow. God has so much more for us.
What was meant for evil in your life, God wants to use for your good. The Lord wants to bring you and me out of the pit and place us in His palace. The choice is ours. We can focus on our own bad experience and miss the joy that can be ours. Or, like Joseph, we can take the risk, venture out, forgive those who hurt us and truly believe that God has a greater plan for our future.
Dear Lord, Your promises are a gift to me. You've given them to sustain me, to provide hope and peace while I'm in a pit. Help me to trust in all Your promises until You bring me out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was based on Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears
Visit Micca's blog
Great encouragement can be found with our P31 Woman free online article Surrendering Your Strongholds
Treasured: Knowing God by the Thing He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy
Application Steps:
Shake off the dust of your past by trusting in God's promises today. His Word is a light unto our path and our thinking. Instead of thinking about the pit, think about how God is working for your greater good. This will open your eyes to His presence and allow you to rest in His promise.
Reflections:
Do you daily feed your heart, soul and mind with God's promises or are you starving spiritually?
Power Verses:
Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 26, 2010
The Waiting
Wendy Pope
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:14 (NLT)
Devotion:
Waiting: a virtue I aspire to obtain but often fail to achieve. How about you?
In our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture, we have been brain-washed into thinking there is something wrong with waiting and we shouldn't have to do it. Within seconds we can know the weather in southern Mongolia, order a cute blouse from a trendy store, or Skype a conversation with a friend on the opposite side of the country. We can instant message a friend or send a tweet to thousands in the blink of an eye; no wonder we believe waiting is hard to do.
The author of today's key verse was no stranger to waiting and knew full well of its difficulties. Out of nowhere, the prophet Samuel showed up at his home to anoint the next king of Israel who was to be chosen from his family. Only one of Jesse's sons would be anointed as God's chosen king for His beloved Israel. The son chosen was David. Scripture tell us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV). With such an anointing one would expect David to run to take his seat on the throne, but the only running David did was back to the pasture to do his job. Thus his wait began.
In the wait, God prepared David for his seat on the throne. The only vocation David knew was shepherding. He did not know the ends and outs of kingly protocol or the rules of royal deity. David did not have the support of the people or armies to defend him as king. He was only a lowly shepherd boy. Instead of taking the position he was promised David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace. In the wait, God made David ready for the move.
David learned many lessons about waiting. By examining and applying these truths we can find hope in the difficulty of waiting and determine that waiting in the present is beneficial to our future.
Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited fifteen years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.
God's ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. After being anointed and appointed David was called to serve Saul, the king who was sitting on "his" throne.
God doesn't waste time; He holds it in His hands. He redeems it by using our experiences to prosper us in each season of life.
If we allow it, our waiting will bring us to an intimate knowledge of the Savior that we would not other wise have. Most of David's beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns, and the wilderness, waiting on God.
God does not ignore the cries of His children. David cried out, and at times begged God for help, invention, and defense. God never let David down. He did eventually take the throne, didn't he?
Our waiting has a purpose for someone other that ourselves. It is not all about us. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope, and healing of his amazing poetry.
What awesome instructions David gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God to do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down He proves Himself faithful to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.
Dear Lord, help me wait. Help me wait well. I want to be still and allow You to bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can't do this without You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What to do in the W.A.I.T? CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog
Streams in the Desert: 365 Daily Devotions by L.B. Cowman, Edited by Jim Reimann
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Lead Me Lord, a free resource, offers more insight into waiting on God
Application Steps:
Read more about David's life starting in 1 Samuel 16.
Reflections:
What is my first response to waiting?
Do I grow closer to or further from God when I am waiting? Why?
What has God taught me in today's devotion about waiting?
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" (NIV)
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."" (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 27, 2010
Impulsive Shopping
Shari Braendel
"Imagine a person who lives well, treating others fairly, keeping good relationships...doesn't live by impulse and greed, doesn't treat one person better than another, but lives by my statutes and faithfully honors and obeys my laws."
Ezekiel 18:5 (MSG)
Devotion:
Have you ever run out to purchase a new outfit simply because you felt you had nothing to wear? Or better yet, you're shopping with a friend and see a blouse that is oh-so-fabulous, only to get home and decide it doesn't go with anything else you own; as a result it hangs in your closet with the tags on.
Our class reunion, a wedding, a special party or even our best friend's cook-out begs us to run to the nearest store to buy something new. We often end up purchasing an outfit that is just so-so on us because we're in a hurry to find something and we end up wearing it only that once. Oh, the life of an impulsive shopper! Oh, the money wasted!
I wonder if God thinks we've become a nation of impulsive Christians too. We quickly toss up a prayer pleading for help regarding an illness or impending bills. Or, we quickly scan through a book that promises spiritual health in three easy steps. In the end, the quick scan of the book and the one-time prayer doesn't afford us all we really need - but we hardly notice since we've moved on to our next impulse.
Again and again we put our relationship with God in a corner, then pull it out when crisis comes, then stick it back in the corner as normalcy returns. And we become confused as to why things are turning out the way they are. We struggle with reaching out to God, only doing so when we need Him to fix something for us. Then we get angry when He feels distant; kind of like how we feel unfulfilled when that new dress or pair of capris doesn't really solve our wardrobe issues.
Impulsive shopping and impulsive Christian living have much in common. Both cause confusion and frustration. Both require intention and a plan to overcome.
Just like a well-equipped closet doesn't happen overnight, well-equipped faith doesn't either. Haphazardly bought pieces of clothing aren't effective in creating a solid, workable wardrobe. In the same way, haphazardly spending time with the Lord isn't going to be effective in building a solid, knowledgeable relationship with Him. As a Christian fashion consultant, I can tell you it takes time to grow your relationship with God, just as it takes time to assemble an efficient wardrobe.
Let's take time today and examine the areas in our lives that need some work. Go into your prayer closet today and ask yourself: How can I get more intentional about my walk with God?
Dear God, thank You for desiring more of me than just quick, impulsive prayers. I want to grow more like You every single day and seek You with purpose, not impulse. Please show me how You want me to do that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Shari's blog to win a signed copy of her newly released book Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad. It is a full-color, complete style guide for women and is a long awaited resource for the Christian community. She will select 3 winners!
You may also download a free Wardrobe Plan Sheet to help you get organized with your clothes, too!
10 Minutes a Day with Jesus: Growing in Your Love for the Savior by Jim Reapsome
Application Steps:
Do you set aside time each day to spend with God in prayer? You can start today. Begin with 10 minutes and before you know it, the time you spend with God will fly by, just like when you talk with a good friend!
Think twice before acting on impulse. I have rarely regretted the times I have paused and prayed before making a decision.
Reflections:
What situations tend to bring out impulsive reactions in you? If nothing comes to mind, ask God to impress upon you where you get tripped up. Pray about how to change the process.
There is only one be-all, fix-all in life, and it's not a dress, a pair of shoes, or a 10-day guide to happiness. It is Him, the One who made us. If I begin my search in a conversation with God, I will find the answers I am looking for. (Don't confuse this with always getting the answer you are hoping for, sometimes God's answer is not what we want to hear!)
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:5-6, "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." (MSG)
Romans 8:26, "The spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (NIV)
James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 28, 2010
When Persistence Pays Off
Marybeth Whalen
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
Devotion:
I almost walked by her. As she looked over, our eyes met and recognition flashed between us. We crossed the room and hugged like the old friends we were. The usual conversation followed with a few minutes of catching up and then my tentative question: "Are you still going to church?"
My mind flashed back to years ago when we first met. I invited her to church and reached out to her about my faith but she wanted nothing to do with it. The look in her eyes told me that my efforts were hitting a brick wall she had carefully constructed around her heart. And yet, I still asked her to church, shared my own faith journey with her, and persisted in letting her know that God loved her.
This went on for years. Then one day she finally agreed to go with me. She visited with my family a few times, then told us that she was going to start attending another service that was better suited to her schedule. To be honest, I figured it was just a polite way to stop coming without telling me. You can imagine my trepidation as I asked if she was still going to church.
I couldn't believe it as she nodded in affirmation. A radiant smile filled her face. "Remember last week when the pastor asked people to raise their hands if they had prayed the prayer of salvation?"
I remembered the service clearly and smiled back as I nodded.
"Well," she said. "I was one of the ones who raised my hand!"
We hugged and laughed and promised to get together soon before parting to join the people we were with. I spent the rest of the night with a goofy grin on my face. I never thought I would stand across from her in a restaurant and hear that she had accepted Christ as her Savior! I had begun to believe that we would spend the rest of our lives with me pursuing and her running. I was glad I had persisted.
In my novel, The Mailbox, the main character Lindsey is a lot like my friend. She struggles with God and resists Him for years. Her best friend Holly is a Christian and continues to present God to her, giving her a Bible and praying for her, encouraging Lindsey to seek God when life delivers hard blows. Holly doesn't give up and even takes some rejection and ribbing from Lindsey through the years of their friendship. Holly has her eye on the prize and is undeterred by Lindsey's resistance. There might be someone in your life that God has given you a heart for—to reach out to, to invite to church, to pray for, to love, to be God with skin on. You look at their life and the deep need they have for Him and you simply can't turn away. You know you can offer the key to unlock the source of their fulfillment. This treasure is too important to give up on.
On my refrigerator hangs a magnet which says simply, "Never, never, never give up." This is true in sharing Christ with our friends and loved ones. Even when they turn away, we can persevere. I am glad I did.
Dear Lord, You know the person I am burdened for. You see their need for You. Help me to not give up in sharing You. Give me creative and non-threatening ways to make You real to them. And soften their hearts to receive what You are offering. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Visit Marybeth's blog
Application Steps:
If there is someone on your mind after reading this devotion, do not wait to reach out to them today. Continue to build a relationship with them and pray for them even if they seem resistant to hearing what you want to share about Jesus.
Reflections:
Is there someone you have given up on? If so, why? Do you need to begin reaching out to them or praying for them again?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:27, "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's wrath because he saw him who was invisible." (NIV)
I Corinthians 3:6, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 29, 2010
Becoming a Patient Woman
Rachel Olsen
"We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11 (NLT)
Devotion:
In a heart that values instant gratification like mine does, patience seems hard to come by.
In the last several weeks I've raced through a yellow light because I didn't want to wait at a red light - that's dangerous! I've looked up my symptoms on the internet because I didn't want to sit in a doctor's waiting room - that can be dangerous too. I've paid extra for an item off the internet because I didn't want to stand in line at the store - that's wasteful. I've also eaten dessert first, because I didn't want to wait until it was "time" for dessert - well, that's just called for sometimes! Though I can't recall a specific instance, odds are high that I lost my patience at some point and fussed at my kids.
We want stuff and we want it now. We want results and we want them now. Yet the Bible repeatedly says that patience should be a way of life for followers of Christ.
God is love and patience is part of His character. For you and I to love like God loves, patience will be required (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Loving as God loves is the ultimate goal as we walk through this life seeking to please God and become like Him.
I define patience as the ability to endure graciously. We all have to deal at times with people or circumstances that try our composure - an ungrateful child, an inattentive waitress, a slow moving line at the cash register, a spouse or friend taking our efforts for granted. How graciously do we behave in these circumstances?
The Bible says God will be faithful to complete the good works He began in us (Philippians 1:6). That implies there's going to be some "in the meantime" when we're all less than perfect and less than easy to love. This is where patience comes in. The apostle Paul instructs us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph.4:1-3).
We also have to exercise patience with God as we wait for His full plan to unfold. At times we must wait for answers to prayers, for deliverance, for provision, or for Him to dispense justice or reveal His will. We really have no choice but to wait in these circumstances, but a woman developing patience will endure the wait graciously. It helps to remember how very patient God has to be with us on a daily basis!
Exercising patience isn't just an exercise of the human will. The kind of patience Paul is talking about is a fruit of the Spirit developed in a woman's soul in tandem with God. It's a virtue that grows from her confidence in the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring all things to completion, in His timing, in a way that benefits His children and glorifies Him.
This patience-thing may take some time to develop, but I've decided to graciously endure the process. I started today by stopping and waiting at a yellow light. As I sat at the intersection, I thought about God and about developing patience. The light turned green a mere minute later, and I went on my way with a smile on my face, happy to be a woman who is embracing patience ... even if in a very small way.
Dear Lord, thank You for being so very patient with me. Help me to develop patience, and display that quality for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Related Resources:
30 Days to Taming your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
Visit Rachel's blog - and be patient if it takes a moment to load!
God's Purpose for Every Woman: P31 Devotional Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen General Editors
Application Steps:
Pray for patience - daily.
Keep the word "patience" in the forefront of your mind today and look for opportunities to be more patient.
Reflections:
Who in my life can benefit from me extending them more patience?
How would becoming more patient change my day, my outlook, my health, or my relationships?
Is my patience stronger than my temper?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 25:15, "Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition." (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 7:8, "Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." (NLT)
Romans 15:15, "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other." (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 30, 2010
The Source of Our Strength
Tracie Miles
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
When we arrived at her hospital room she was in the bed, looking very weak and frail. I fought back the tears as I watched her lie there, helpless to beat the disease that had waged war on her body. I found myself wanting to do something for her, but there was nothing I could do except wish to the depths of my heart that I could infuse her with the strength she needed to carry on.
But my strength held no power for her.
Later that day, I looked to God's Word for comfort. I came across some verses that seeped into the little cracks in my heart that so needed to be filled with something sweet of God. Those verses were Deuteronomy 11:8-9, "Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter. If you obey, you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors and to you, their descendants..." (NLT).
In this passage, through the mouth of Moses, the Lord instructs the Israelites about their soon-to-be entrance into the Promised Land. He reminds them of all the miracles and amazing things that happened during their journey. Based on their history of disobedient actions, God knew they were easily tempted and distracted - which caused them to lose spiritual strength.
Here in Deuteronomy, we find the Lord warning the Israelites about losing sight of their priorities. He reminds them that the only place they will find the strength to enter into what He had promised was through obedience to Him. The Lord also wanted them to understand that their strength could not come from merely desiring to be good, simply believing He exists, or by carrying out rituals or sacrifices in His honor. It would result from obedience to Him and His words. In fact, in verse 18 the Lord says, "So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine" (NLT). They drew their strength from full and wholehearted obedience to the Lord's commands.
God also wants us to understand the importance of obediently walking with Him every day. He desires that we obey Him in the big things, but also in the small daily things. In doing so, He infuses us with spiritual strength. That strength equips us to handle the tough situations which we feel are far beyond our human level of strength, regardless of whether we are in a hospital bed or standing beside one.
This daily obedience is where we find emotional strength to walk in His peace when we face doubts and fears; strength to walk in His joy when we cannot find any reason to be joyful; strength to stand firm in our faith when things seem hopeless; and strength to be strong when the painful things of life take their toll.
Whether we need strength to comfort a loved one who is hurting or strength to overcome an adversity of our own, a life focused on obedience to God taps into the strength we need to carry on.
Each time we get out of bed we have a choice to make - where will our strength come from to face the day ahead? Will we rely on ourselves or will we rely on God?
Even if our physical weakness is a reality, we can be spiritually strong by keeping our hearts focused on the only true source of unending strength.
Dear Lord, please hold me up today. Give me strength. Help me to lean on You. I am tired and weak and need Your strength today to face these hard situations and the pain in my heart. Draw me closer to You in the midst of this. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Visit Tracie's Blog
31 Days of Power: Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory by Ruth and Warren Myers
Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado
Application Steps:
If you have been trying to walk through your life in your own strength, confess this to God and ask Him for His strength. Admit that you cannot carry life's burden on your own and lay those things at the foot of the cross.
Reflections:
Have I been trying to live life in my own strength?
Are there days when I am focused on what I cannot do, instead of focused on what God can do?
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
1 Chronicles 16:11, 18, "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always...So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine." (NIV)
©Tracie Miles. All Rights Reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 2, 2010
Wild God, Extravagant Love
Tosca Lee, She Reads Featured Author
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few years ago, I faced one of the hardest, toughest decisions of my life. I wondered, "What if I make a mistake? What if I am wrong or choose the wrong thing? What if God cannot forgive me if I do?"
It was then that a wise counselor said to me, "God's grace is either enough for you, or it isn't."
I was stunned.
A believer in the redeeming work of Christ since the age of 11, I had grown up in the church. I had sung that Jesus loved me. I had witnessed that Christ was the Lamb of God, and that His gift was free. But in that moment, I was faced with the inescapable truth that I had been leaning for years on my own goodness to be enough.
I had always been a good girl, growing up. I had tried, all my life, to do the right thing. Perhaps not out of love as much as fear—I feared the displeasure of God. A perfectionist, I feared making mistakes. I was a pleaser, but regardless of the reasons, I was good. Not perfect, but good. And perhaps I had needed just a little less grace because of it. Yes, yes, I was still saved by faith. Yes, salvation was the free gift of God. But in that moment I realized that I had never entrusted the full weight of my most terrible mistakes, my most heinous self, and most sinful potential to God fully.
In the darkest moments of error, it was fear, not relief or gratitude that flooded me. Having grown up in the church and heard the message of grace for years, it had become a well-worn rut in my mind. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, we are saved by grace. But I was operating by fear rather than in freedom, because I was leaning on myself.
But this time I had no choice but to trust in God's wild, extravagant grace. To remember what an extravagant gift grace is. It is far too much. It is incomprehensible, because it cannot be earned or reciprocated. It is wild love from a wild God. I could not earn it with my goodness, with my right choices, or a lifetime of church attendance. I simply had to receive it.
God's grace is something more than the feeble songs we sing about it. It is enough to cover our greatest shortfalls and rebellion, to forgive what we fear to be unforgiveable. It is enough to set us free from the burden of our own righteousness.
What are you facing or fearing today? God's grace is enough for it—and you.
Holy God, let us know You for the extravagant God You are. Let us embrace Your grace fully and lean not at all on our own acts and righteousness. Let us conduct ourselves in the gratitude and freedom of Your outrageous love, rather than in fear of not being good enough. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit the She Reads blog where we are giving away copies of both Tosca's novels and a reading gift basket complete with book light, Starbucks gift card, coffee mug, and water bottle.
Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee
Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee
Messy Faith: Daring to Live By Grace by A.J. Gregory
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Application Steps:
Meditate on the wild extravagance of God. Consider creation. The expanding cosmos. The ultimate variety of life.
Consider what it means to be made of dust and clay...and yet to bear the image of God, and to be filled with the breath of life. To be forgiven and bought by the blood of God. What does it tell us about the dichotomy of what we are and what He is?
Read the story of the woman with the nard from Mark 14. What can this story teach us about extravagant gifts, and about forgiveness?
Reflections:
Where have you leaned on your own goodness? Are there actions or beliefs in your life that have become your righteousness? How can you surrender those acts or ways of thinking to God's grace?
Power Verses:
Zechariah 4:6b, "'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (NIV)
Psalms 46:10a, "Be still and know that I am God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Tosca Lee. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 3, 2010
Does God Still Speak to Ordinary People?
Glynnis Whitwer
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things
and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:25-26 (NIV)
Devotion:
The Bible tells amazing stories of God speaking directly to humans. God walked and talked with Adam. He spoke through a burning bush to Moses, and God had direct messages for His people after speaking with the prophets of old. Growing up, I wondered if God had stopped speaking to normal people after Bible times. After all, I never heard Him speak.
Years went by, I matured in my faith, got married, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and loved God and His people. But I never heard Him speak to me. Honestly, it didn't bother me much, because I figured God had said all He needed to say, and it was in the Bible. What more did I need to hear?
Apparently, God had something more to say. It wasn't until we moved across country that I discovered He longed to communicate personally with me.
Twelve years ago, my family moved from Phoenix to Charlotte. It wasn't a move I wanted, but I begrudgingly acquiesced to support my husband's dream of living somewhere else. Instead of embracing the adventure, all I saw was loss: my career, church, friends and extended family. I was heartbroken.
It was in that condition I started hearing God "speak" to me. It wasn't in an audible voice, or in any unusual way, just a clear voice in my spirit. One that hadn't been there before. God put Scriptures in my mind I didn't know I had memorized. He spoke words of encouragement specifically for me. He gave me direction to do things I never would have done on my own. Here's an example.
We had been church searching for a few weeks when God directed us to a small congregation meeting in a grade school. One week, a lovely young woman gave her testimony. My heart was moved. That very same week, I heard a radio spot by the woman who had spoken at the church. God spoke to me in a way I'd never before experienced and He clearly told me to call her and offer my services as a volunteer.
I was startled, but obeyed. It took a few phone calls, but I finally reached Lysa TerKeurst, the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries.
"Hi Lysa," I said. The next words came tumbling out of my mouth as I blurted, "I've just moved to Charlotte, I saw you at church, then heard you on the radio. I've got a degree in Journalism and I'm wondering if you need any volunteers."
There was a pause on the other end of the phone before Lysa answered, "We've been praying for someone with a degree in Journalism."
It was exciting to hear God speak to me, and I began to understand what Jesus meant when He said God the Father would send His Holy Spirit to communicate with us. I saw how God was orchestrating events when I listened to and obeyed His Spirit within me. In a conversation with a friend from home, I told her about this new experience. She said that perhaps my life had been too full to hear God before my move.
She was right, but there was more. I was very independent and made decisions without consulting God. In truth, I hadn't needed Him or His counsel, very much. Or so I thought. It wasn't until everything I depended on was removed, that I became empty and desperate for God to fill me. From my place of need, God's Spirit became my counselor, comforter and guider.
Years ago, I asked God for help in this area. I knew I had the potential to slip back into my independent ways, and I wanted to keep hearing His voice. I asked Him to always keep me humble and in need of Him. Although that was a hard prayer to pray, it's even harder to live out because God answered it. If that's the price of hearing God, I'll gladly pay it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to ordinary people through Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the times I get busy and independent. I want to hear Your voice above all else. Help me to trim things from my life so there is room for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for more on hearing God speak, and enter to win Lysa's book "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God."
God took Glynnis from volunteer to Senior Editor of our P31 Woman magazine!
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
Find more encouragement with our free Everyday Life article Hearing God
Application Steps:
Spend a few moments in prayer and ask God to speak directly to you. You might ask Him to answer a question or give you direction. When you get an answer, write down this experience and share it with someone else.
Reflections:
When do you know the thoughts you have are NOT from God?
How can you open yourself up more to hear God speak?
Power Verses:
John 14:16-17, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (NIV)
Acts 16:9-10, "During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 4, 2010
If Only
Zoe Elmore
"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Growing up, my cousin Thea was the epitome of everything I thought a young woman should be. She was tall and slender, wore the latest fashion trends and her hair was always perfectly coifed. I can't remember ever seeing even one hair out of place. She always made good grades and kept her room clean and organized. She was so graceful, seeming to float on air as she walked. I thought she surely must be a princess, royal and worthy of her beauty and grace.
I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. I grew up on the short side of tall and the round side of slender. My family didn't have the finances to dress me in the latest fashion trends and my hair was a wild mess of frizzy curls, hardly ever combed and never perfectly coifed. My grades were average and I hated cleaning my room. I didn't float on air; I fumbled and tripped my way through life. Growing up I considered myself to be the farthest thing from royal or worthy and I was convinced I was an embarrassment and disappointment to my parents.
I use to daydream of being just like Thea. Sometimes I would imitate her behavior and gracious character in an effort to please my parents, hoping one day I would be worthy of their love and no longer an embarrassing disappointment.
Sadly, it took many years for me to see myself as a beautiful princess and it took even longer for me to stop living my life through the eyes of "if only." In all honesty, I had to come to the realization that it's not about changing my clothes or hairstyle to become beautiful; it's about having a beautiful heart that has been changed.
It is a daily process to lay aside the "if only's," but that's achievable when we follow the exhortation in Ephesians 5:1. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children" (NIV).
Do you see it? I had been imitating the wrong person. My focus and attention needed to be on imitating the character traits of my heavenly Father, not another person. Focusing on and striving to imitate our heavenly Father is an important responsibility every believer in Christ has been given.
It's easy to look at other women and fashion our ideas of success and worth. We see the lovely and gracious exterior, we take note of another woman's success, and we fall into the trap of wanting what she has, wanting to be just like her. We delude ourselves into thinking that life would be better "if only..." The truth is, we will become beautiful women of godly influence when we put 1 Corinthians 11:1 into practice. "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (NIV).
As difficult as it may be to swallow, we were not created to have the perfect exterior appearance or gain the world's attention; we were created to live a life worthy of our calling and to reflect the beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we do that our lives will draw others to the saving knowledge of Christ. And that far outlasts any temporary "if only" condition.
So Thea is no longer my role model - Jesus is. Who are you trying to conform to?
Dear Lord, please forgive my patterns of "if only." I want to find my satisfaction and completeness in You. Help me to focus on reflecting You with my life. You are my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Zoe's blog
Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Jennifer Rothchild
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
Find hope and healing with our free resource, God Does Not Make Mistakes
Application Steps:
Looking back with the wisdom of years, what would you tell your younger self is beautiful and worthy of love? What would you tell her is beautiful about her?
When tempted to compare yourself to another woman, instead of listing her "perfections," pray for her and then for yourself.
Reflections:
What "if only's" do I need to confess and lay at the foot of the cross?
What Scripture can I memorize to combat the "if only's?"
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:28, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." (NIV)
Psalm 36:7, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings." (NIV)
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 5, 2010
Being Thankful Changes Everything
Lysa TerKeurst
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat on the bed, tears streaming down my face, negative thoughts racing through my mind ... Why does marriage have to be so hard sometimes? Why can't he see my side of things? Why won't he change? Maybe I married the wrong man.
This was a scene repeated over and over the first five years of my marriage. I was discouraged, overwhelmed and so tempted to give up. But here I am about to celebrate my 18th wedding anniversary so thankful I didn't walk away.
Ephesians 6:12 was a great reminder to me over the years that my husband isn't my enemy. Art may feel like my enemy but the truth is Satan is the real enemy who hates marriage and schemes against my husband and me. One thing we must always remember is Satan's goal to be one who casts something between two to cause a separation.
Satan wants to separate us in every way. He wants to separate us with conflict, hurt feelings, misunderstanding, and frustrations of all kinds. He wants to separate us from our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers, our parents, our spouses, our kids. He wants to separate us from God's best. He wants to separate us from God.
One of the best ways for Satan to start these separations is by luring us into a place of grumbling and complaining. If he can get us to focus only on what is aggravating and negative in life, then little cracks of distance start forming in our relationships. The grass starts looking greener everywhere else except where we are standing.
I can see this so clearly when I look back on the first five years of my marriage. Somehow, I became so hyper focused on all I felt was wrong with my husband, I became blinded to all that was good. I grumbled and complained and nagged and set out to change him. And I almost destroyed my marriage in the process. Satan had a field day as the separation between Art and I kept ever widening.
Then one day as I was in a fit of tears asking God to make things better, I felt challenged to start listing out things about Art for which I was thankful.
It was hard at first. I had bought Satan's whispers that there was only negative there with very little positive to find. But, with each positive quality I listed, it slowly changed everything. It was as if the clouds of negativity lifted and I could once again see his good qualities. There were so many good qualities; I was shocked how I'd gotten so blinded.
How sad I spent five years thinking the grass would be greener with someone else. Not true. The grass is always greener where you water and fertilize it. And being thankful --really intentionally listing out things for which we are thankful-- is a great way to start watering and fertilizing and changing everything.
Dear Lord, thank You for helping me see how beneficial it is to be aware and appreciative of the good qualities in those I love. Lord, help me to recognize Satan's schemes and combat them with the power of having a truly thankful heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What are you thankful for today? I am inviting each person who reads this to stop and take time to list just a few things for which you are thankful by hopping over to my website. Each person that leaves a comment on my website today will be entered for a chance to win a copy of my book "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl."
Be sure to check out Lysa's book and Bible study Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl. This is the perfect 6 week summer study or one to consider doing with your women's group this fall.
To order your copy of the book, click here. To order your Bible study workbook and DVD study click here and here.
Application Steps:
Every time a negative, separating thought comes into your mind today, intentionally combat it with something for which you are thankful about that person.
Reflections:
How does it make you feel to dwell on what you wish was different about another person?
Could this devotion showing up in your inbox today be a reminder from God that there are positive things for which you can be thankful?
How does having a thankful heart change things?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:15, "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 6, 2010
Come and Listen
Marybeth Whalen
"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me." Psalm 66:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Kids are fighting, complaining, whining.
To-do list is calling.
Emails are begging to be responded to.
Packing for a trip needs to be done.
Instead I sit with my journal and my Bible and drink Him in. I land in Psalm 66. What do you have for me today, Father?
Psalm 66:5, "Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf." (NIV)
Psalm 66:16, "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me." (NIV)
I begin to list the things in my journal, taking time to write out what He has done. My joy swells. The noise diminishes. My life is good, rich, full. He has brought me out to a place of abundance (Psalm 66:12, NIV).
I need this reminder, to come and see what God has done; to take notes on His goodness to me. I am so forgetful. I want to remember more than I forget. To record what He has done before I move on and leave the past in the past, as I am apt to do. Before I extend my hand, saying like a petulant child, "What have You done for me lately?" It is good to stop and remember instead of rushing into my list of needs.
This day, I will notice the abundance instead of the lack. I will see the fullness instead of the decrease. I will run my fingers across words that mark His goodness to me and whisper the most important prayer I can offer: "Thank You."
Dear Lord, let my mouth and my heart praise You. Help me to remember Your goodness, the awesome things You have done for me. I confess that I am forgetful but I don't want to be. Help me see You at work and take the time to remember. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox Marybeth Whalen
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
Application Steps:
Take time today to write down the things God has done for you. Spend time today praising Him for His goodness and remembering what He has done on your behalf.
Reflections:
Do you have a tool (such as a journal) to record what He has done and how He has moved on your behalf? If not, how would that add to your time with God and help you remember?
Power Verses:
Psalm 106:21, "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt." (NIV)
Psalm 71:15, "My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 9, 2010
Stinkin' Thinkin'
Melanie Chitwood
"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NAS)
Devotion:
It's 6:00 and you've got a delicious dinner ready for your family. Your husband calls at 6:30 to explain he's running late - he's going to have to grab a quick sandwich, change into his softball clothes and rush to the softball game starting at 7:00.
Softball game? you think to yourself. What softball game?
Before you can even hang up the phone, you find your mind filled with some "stinkin' thinkin'" about your husband and marriage. I am so sick of cooking dinners that he never even eats. I know he probably told me about that softball game, but I forgot and besides, he should be home. Great, I'll be home alone cleaning up the kitchen and putting the kids to bed, same old, same old. I think I'll just make plans for one night this week and "forget" to tell him about them.
Maybe this scenario has played out in your marriage. Maybe the situation is somewhat different but the stinkin' thinkin' sure rings true. You find yourself dwelling on and repeating to yourself destructive thoughts such as:
"He's so selfish. He never thinks about what's best for me, just for himself."
"He should know what I need by now. After all, we've been married five years."
"This marriage is not working out. I was crazy to marry him in the first place."
Stinkin' thinkin' in marriage will allow the dangerous weeds of bitterness and resentment to take root. These weeds will choke out intimacy, peace, and closeness in our marriages. We may find ourselves being irritable, harsh, distant, angry or unforgiving toward our spouse. We may even find ourselves thinking about or moving toward divorce.
If we're battling stinkin' thinkin', God provides strategies to combat these thoughts. First, we need to ask God to make us aware of any stinkin' thinkin' that might harm our marriage. Secondly, we need to confess these destructive thoughts to the Lord. Third, we need to ask God to take our thoughts captive to Him (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fourth, we need to replace the lies with God's truth.
Following this strategy in the above situation might lead to these improved thoughts:
"I'm mad and I want to lash out at him. Lord, help me be patient and not provoked."
"I know he needs some time to relax by doing something he loves."
"Give us a time later to talk, Lord, so I can explain to him in a calm way that I need some time for refreshment too. Maybe we can make plans for a date night next week."
Awareness of our thoughts about our husband and marriage is so important because our thoughts lead to our attitudes in marriage, and our attitudes lead to actions. When our thoughts are submitted to the lordship of Christ, we'll react in ways that build closeness with our husbands rather than destroy oneness.
Dear Lord, Your Word says that as a believer I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Make me aware of any thoughts that do not reflect Your truth. Help me not to dwell on stinkin' thinkin' about my husband. Give me Your thoughts toward my husband and marriage, thoughts that help our closeness and oneness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotions was adapted from What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Visit Melanie's blog What Matters Most for more strategies to combat stinkin' thinkin'.
How is Your Marriage? offers more free encouragement!
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
What pushes your buttons causing you to feel hurt, angry, or resentful? Do these situations lead to stinkin' thinkin' about your husband? Plan now to respond in a different way the next time this situation occurs.
Write down the four steps mentioned in the devotion as your action plan. Pray and ask God to give you His strength to think and to respond differently.
Reflections:
In our minds strongholds are developed by repetition. What strongholds have developed in your mind about your husband or marriage? Be especially aware of times you think or say "he always" or "he never." For example, God might reveal to you that one of the lies you repeat about your husband is: "He never listens to my opinion."
Our thoughts can be easily influenced by those around us and key people in our lives growing up. What messages about men or marriage did you hear growing up? What thoughts do other women in your life express about their husbands? Is their stinkin' thinkin' rubbing off on you?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 2:16, "...but we have the mind of Christ." (NAS)
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." (NAS)
Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 10, 2010
Faith-Full
Wendy Pope
"Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil."
2 Kings4:2b (NLT)
Devotion:
It had been almost one year since my husband began having serious health problems. We followed the correct protocol in regards to doctors. First we went to see his general physician, followed all his instructions but nothing changed. The general physician sent us to a specialist. We followed his instructions. Nothing changed. For months we rode the roller coaster of uncertainty, hoping each new physician and medication would give us answers. All efforts were to no avail. My husband continued to have problems without solutions. My faith wavered. I believed God for a miracle, but doubted one would ever come.
The process wore us down physically, mentally, and spiritually. There were people literally all over world praying for us. Why didn't God, the Great Physician, hear the cries of His people and answer them? Why couldn't my husband have a miracle? In a last ditch effort for answers...for a miracle...my husband prayerfully went to a specialist in another city. I was unable to make the trip with him. Little did I know God had a miracle for me right here at home.
That week, I read in the Bible of a woman who was long on sorrows and short on faith. She was desperate. I saw my own story between the lines of hers. This widow's husband had accrued a debt the widow was unable to pay; authorities were coming to take her sons as slaves in order to satisfy the debt. She exercised what little faith she had by bringing her sorrows to the one person she believed could help, the prophet Elisha. Elisha instructed the woman to have her sons collect empty jars from her neighbors and, from the one flask of olive oil she had left, fill the jars then sell the oil to pay the debt. The women obeyed. Miraculously there were enough full jars of oil to pay her husband's creditors.
As I pondered on this widow's desperate plight, God instructed me to follow her example. He asked me to bring my empty jars (figuratively) to the altar at the close of the church service the following Sunday morning. I did not understand nor did I want to obey. I was long on sorrows and short on faith. Throughout the week I felt His nearness and His prompting to bring my empty jars to Him. Throughout the week I continued to tell Him no. I was scared. I did not want others to make a fuss over me at the altar. I did not want to be disappointed again.
Sunday morning came, I was still arguing with the Lord. Imagine my surprise as I heard the pastor say, "Open your Bibles to 2 Kings 4:38-44." God had arranged a miracle for me. The miracle wasn't to heal my husband, but to heal my faith, to fill my emptiness with a new faith that I would carry throughout the journey of my husband's uncertain future. At the close of the sermon, with fear and trembling I took my empty jars to the altar. The moment was personal and precious. It was as if I was the only one in the sanctuary with the Lord. He met me there and made me faith-full.
Do you desire to be faith-full today? Are you long on sorrows and short on faith? Gather your empty jars and take them to the only One who can help you. The Lord will meet you there. It will be personal and precious. He will fill your jars with enough faith to get you through the known and the unknown. Only God can make you faith-full.
Dear Lord, sweet Jesus. I believe in You. Today, help me believe You. I bring You my empty jars of faith asking You to make me faith-full. I don't want to be a woman long on sorrows, short on faith any more. I know You are the only One who can help me. Help me know You are good. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Click here for a variety of teachings on CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog to hear the rest of the story.
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
A Woman Who Fears the Lord - T-Shirt
Application Steps:
Gather your empty jars and take them to the only One who can help you. Go to "the altar" in your kitchen, beside your desk, in the park, or wherever you are. Give Him your uncertain future, your desperate present, and the failures of your past.
Reflections:
What fear are you struggling with today?
Why is it difficult for you to bring your emptiness to God?
Do you believe God can make you faith-full?
Power Verses:
Genesis 15:6, "And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. (NIV)
Hebrews 11:6, "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (NIV)
James 2:14, "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?" (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 11, 2010
Beauty Wounds
Shari Braendel
"God heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few girlfriends recently confided to me about past wounds that still hurt. One sweet friend shared how she has worked for over 20 years to heal from the wounds inflicted by harsh words. "My mother always thought I was too heavy and called me her elephant. She was constantly making comparisons between my much smaller sister and me. She even went so far as to accuse me of being bulimic, which was a crushing blow to a 13-year old girl."
My other friend confided, "My mom's friend asked me what it was like to have a sister who was so pretty and then said how difficult it must be growing up with her, so beautiful and tiny, and me not being that way. I wasn't fat; it's just we are built completely different. I remember being surprised that someone would actually say that to me and wondered WHY she would say it. That one comment defined me for many years and still hurts when I think about it today."
Beauty wounds. Every single one of us has them. Some inflict deep pain and others prove to be a little nasty pinch that bothers us from time to time; regardless, all of them hurt.
There are many things that need to take place in order to heal our innermost being and assure we don't get caught in the habit of repeating this behavior with those we love or even those we don't know well.
It is important to extend grace and forgiveness to those who have wounded us. I know this can be easier said than done, but through Christ it is possible. Often the one who brought us pain has no idea the heartache they have caused. I often wonder whom I could have hurt without meaning to, and I hope and pray they forgive me for my thoughtless actions.
The Bible tells us words are powerful, but so are our thoughts. We often give too much value to the destructive dialogue that runs in our head from past wounds. We listen to the hurtful thoughts that play over and over like a broken record. The moment these thoughts pop up, we need to put an end to them by taking them captive. We need to immediately replace the wounded thinking with something more powerful and loving.
One thing that has helped me is to have scripture verses ready in my mind to shut down those damaging head games. For instance, when a critical thought about my beauty or my weight comes into my mind, I try to realize it and immediately say, "The king is enthralled by [endif] beauty" (Psalm 45:11,NIV).
I want to encourage you to not allow your heart to dwell on ugly thoughts. God is a big God and He's crazy about you. You are a treasure to Him. He did not make a mistake when He created you! I pray you will believe and stand on that truth my friend. For if I know one thing for sure, it is that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up every one of our wounds, including our beauty wounds.
Dear God, I know You see the deepest places of my heart and know the lies and words that continue to haunt me and hurt me. Will You take that hurt away, please? Heal me and help me to accept and understand that You didn't make a mistake with me. You made me perfectly wonderful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Enter a national makeover contest with Shari Braendel! Multiple winners will be chosen for additional give-aways including a $500 Visa gift card, a Skype fashion session with Shari, a webcam and more! Find out more at www.fashionmeetsfaith.com/contest .
Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad by Shari Braendel
Visit Shari's blog for more encouragement and some fun fashion tips.
Do you know the One who calls you Beautiful?
Application Steps:
1. Print out Psalm 139:13-14 and post it on your mirror. Let it be a daily reminder that you belong to God. Read it every day until that is what you hear inside your heart and mind.
2. Pray and ask God to help you forgive those who have inflicted pain upon you.
3. Choose this day to begin the healing process.
Reflections:
Would you want to be granted the forgiveness that another may need from you if you were in the same situation?
Is there a time you can remember being forgiven whether you deserved it or not? There is freedom in forgiveness that touches all parties involved.
Power Verses:
Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 3:9, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty." (NIV)
Psalm 139:13-14, "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." (NASB)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 12, 2010
Do You Have a Dream?
Lysa TerKeurst
"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones..."
Luke 16:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
Do you have a dream to do something? In my early twenties, I started and failed at five different jobs before helping start Proverbs 31 Ministries. Lately, I've been getting many emails asking how I helped start this ministry. I always wish I could reveal three well defined steps that led me to this place where I'm at today doing what I know I was made to do. But my journey was not well defined nor were there easy steps. I stumbled here.
My friend who asked me to join her in getting this ministry off the ground named it. I was with the ministry for close to four months before it occurred to me that maybe I should read Proverbs chapter 31 in the Bible. I had never done that.
I had an argument with God after reading Proverbs 31, telling Him all the reasons He had definitely called the wrong gal to be part of a ministry named after a woman who truly had it all together.
At that point in my life, I had one child who made me cry every day with feelings of being completely overwhelmed and a struggling marriage.
But God.
I love those two words when you put them together.
He makes a way where there is no way. He loves to use unlikely people so He gets all the credit for any good that comes from their frail and faulty efforts. I'm convinced He wasn't looking for the most qualified person, He was simply looking for a woman who would dare to say yes to Him.
So, how in the world did God ever grow this ministry from the tiniest seed to where it is today?
I'm convinced my job all along was never to figure out how to grow the ministry or how to run a successful ministry. My job all along was to simply be obedient to God. My job was obedience, God's job was results. That's true no matter what we're pursuing - be it a job, a spouse, a calling or a dream.
I had to be obedient to God in the small things and the big things. Some days as a woman in ministry my big job was to change diapers with a good attitude and apologize to my husband for acting so stubborn. Other days it was to have coffee with a woman and simply listen to her heart. Still other days it was to write an article that would only be read by 35 readers of our small little newsletter at the time.
You see God never let this ministry outgrow my capacity to be obedient to Him.
As I put together a team, I looked for people who had the same passion to say yes to God. As He found me and my team faithful with the little things, bigger opportunities came. It hasn't been easy and we certainly have not been found to be obedient every day, but we've been determined to never give up.
Proverbs 31 Ministries unfolded very, very slowly. This ministry has been 17 years of waking up each day, lifting up our willingness to be obedient to God that day, and simply following wherever He leads us with a "yes" heart.
If you feel a tug at your heart to pursue some sort of a dream, let it unfold slowly. And realize you can start today. Simply ask God to place that one obedience-assignment in front of you today and say yes. Who knows what could possibly start from there...
Dear Lord, no matter what the dreams are that You've placed on our hearts, may we be found obedient in the small things first. And help us to remember our job is to be obedient to You and then You will take care of the results. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's interactive website today for a list of three crucial things every woman following a dream should know...click here.
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here. Next month Lysa will be in Atlanta at Charles Stanley's church and then at the Fresh Grounded Faith conference in Seattle, WA. Click here for more information on Atlanta and here for more information on Seattle.
And if you'd like to move from just going through the motions with God to having a thriving relationship with Him, consider getting a copy of Lysa's latest book, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" by clicking here.
Application Steps:
If you are following a dream, keep track of the things God teaches you along the way either through a journal or another remembrance marker.
Reflections:
What are you hoping to gain by reaching your dream? If your ultimate goal is a richer relationship with God, you will never be disappointed.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:1-3. "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 13, 2009
Damaged Goods
By Carol Davis
A She Speaks Graduate
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
I walked down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain that I couldn't live without. It's always hit and miss in this store...and I had missed...again.
But, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels...no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. And suddenly, I knew just how they felt.
Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks bruise us, dent us and remove the label that defines who we are. We feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. Some people substantiate the lie that we are second class failures and all hope is gone.
So, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the can opener with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal....peaches!!! I let out a school girl squeal! I love peaches!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits. The can was damaged but the contents were still good...and sweet.
God must have smiled...because at that moment the sunshine beamed in my kitchen window. I knew in my heart there was a lesson.
I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my label missing and slapped on their own.
I've wanted to say, "Don't judge too quickly. My damage has not defined me...but, it is refining me." I may be at the bottom of the life's bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom as He did for those that are proudly displayed on the top shelf.
Look around you. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods"? Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good...and sweet.
Dear Lord, my life hasn't turned out exactly turned out like I thought it would. But, I know that You can still use me. Please forgive me for labeling others and judging them by their outside circumstances instead of the work that You are doing in their heart. Help me realize that we all have dents but that's what keeps us desperate for a Savior.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Treasured: Knowing God by the Thing He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy
Thin Places by Mary E. DeMuth
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Connect with Carol on her blog.
Application Steps:
Write down all the life circumstances that have 'dented' your heart. Ask God to use your dents and scratches for His glory.
Reflections:
Is there someone you are judging unfairly? By their circumstance? Or life situation?
What can you do to reach out to that person today?
Have you been judged unfairly? How did that make you feel?
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:18, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NIV)
Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (NIV)
© 2010 by Carol Davis. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 16, 2010
Shoot High in Prayer
Glynnis Whitwer
"'I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.'
And he worshiped the LORD there." I Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV)
Devotion:
As a mother of five teenagers, I find my prayers for them have a resounding similarity: "Father, please protect (insert child's name) at (insert location)." I usually elaborate on why that particular child needs protection, and move on to the next request for help.
You might call me a worrier. Statistics don't help to curb my worry. I know that if 99% of people don't get hurt walking to McDonalds, there is 1% that do. And, you guessed it, I'm certain someone I love will be in that 1%.
Over the years, God has addressed this issue in my life, and revealed my lack of faith in His ability to protect. God has also brought miraculous healing over paralyzing fear. Nevertheless, I still found my prayers focusing on keeping my children safe. Until I heard a pastor challenge parents to shoot high for their children in prayer.
It didn't take a detailed self-assessment to realize I'd reduced my prayers to the common denominator of safety. While that is critically important, I realized I had replaced my vision for their futures with worry about their presents. I've been caring for the needs of children for 18 years, and I find myself consumed at times with just making it through the day.
While I know I should be praying for more than that, I sometimes find it hard to rise above the daily needs and routines, and cast a vision for the future. Thankfully, the Bible tells the story of one mother who had a wonderful vision for her child's future. Her name was Hannah.
Hannah's story is told in First Samuel. She was the beloved wife of Elkanah, but she could not conceive a child. Hannah prayed for God to give her a child, and promised to give her child back to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11). God heard that prayer and promise, and blessed Hannah with a son, whom she named Samuel.
Hannah kept true to her oath to offer her son to the Lord, and after she had weaned him, she took Samuel to Eli the priest for training. Hannah continued to bless her son's calling, and every year made him a linen ephod (robe) and took it to him when she and her husband offered sacrifices.
Hannah could have stopped her prayers at the gift of a baby. Anyone who has ever struggled with infertility knows that it can be all consuming. Yet Hannah wanted more than a baby to treasure and love. Her plan wasn't for a child she could keep to herself. Hannah had a vision for a child who would serve the Lord all the days of his life. God heard and answered that prayer.
Praying like Hannah pushes me out of my routine. Most nights as I fall into bed, I'm thankful my children have made it through another day. I've lost a niece in a car accident, and so I'm particularly grateful for every breath. And yet, I'm missing a powerful opportunity to partner with God for their futures when I stop my prayers at protection.
As we start a new school year, I'm challenged to expand my prayers for my children. I want to re-dedicate my three sons and two daughters to God for His service. I'm committing to pray boldly for God to use them in a mighty way, and for them to be lights in the darkness. Oh, I'll continue to pray for their safety. But I won't stop there. Once I've taken the limits off my prayers, there's no telling what God will do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to approach You in prayer. Sometimes I forget that You are willing and longing to do more in my life and the lives of my children. Help me to remove the limits I've put on my prayers and to allow Your Spirit to lead and guide me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer. This is a great resource for ideas on areas in your child's life that need prayer.
Parenting Your Teen and Loving It by Suzie Davis
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares some ways to pray for our children at the start of school.
Application Steps:
Take a moment and dream about the future for a child you know. It could be your own, a neighbor or someone at church. Don't let "reality" hinder your dream. Now pray for that child, asking God to use him or her.
Reflections:
What limits you from praying bold prayers for others? Or for yourself?
What are some specific things you could begin to pray for a child you know?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:27, 33, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
Psalm 103:17-18, "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 17, 2010
A Place of True Belonging
Amy Carroll
"Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you -- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away."
Proverbs 27:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
As we sat around the table with the sun setting behind us, I breathed a deep sigh of contentment. The faces of my dear friends glowed in the fading light, and our voices were low and intimate. The conversation had turned to matters buried deep in our hearts; laughter pealed, tears were shed and our faces reflected concern and caring as the conversation ebbed and flowed. With darkness deepening around us, we reluctantly stood, said our good-byes and returned to our waiting families and beds.
Pulling the quilt up to my chin that night, I thought, "There's nothing on Facebook as good as that."
Please don't get me wrong. I love the social networking craze as much as anyone. I've enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, staying connected to friends I meet as I travel and connecting to my children in new and fun ways. It's entertaining and enjoyable. It's fascinating and engaging. It's educational and inspiring. It's not a place that I intend to abandon, but it's a place that I need to recognize for what it is and what it isn't. One thing that it's not is a place of true belonging.
Facebook is just one vehicle for social networking, but since it's my favorite, I decided to do a little investigating. From its inception in 2004, Facebook has grown from 1 million users to an astounding 103 million US users by the beginning of 2010. During 2009 alone, it had a growth rate of a whopping 145%! And it's not just for kids any more. The 35-54 years old demographic is now the largest population of users with women leading the pack. Amazingly, it's the 55+ group that is growing the fastest at a rate of 923% growth in 2009.
Wow! I've been wondering about the cause of the overwhelming growth in social networking. I haven't studied it in-depth, but I have some ideas of my own. Our culture has become increasingly insulating over time. Everything from industrialization when families began to move away from family farms, to air conditioning which drives us off our front porches and inside our cool homes, has made it more challenging to find a place of true belonging. Instead of joining churches for a lifetime, we're either moving to another town or another church. Instead of walking next door to ask our grandmothers for parenting advice, we're turning on our TVs or opening a book. Instead of meals around tables in our home, we're driving thru and eating on the way to the next activity.
If this sounds scathing, please excuse me. I'm writing with a broken heart out of my own experience. I am that woman. I'm a woman who has turned inward and turned on my computer instead of outward with open arms and an open life. I'm a woman who has settled for "friending" instead of friends because of some recent hurts. It's easier "out there" instead of close by, isn't it?
I was reflecting one day about the time and space into which Jesus was born. God could have sent Jesus into any time of His choosing. Why didn't He send Jesus during our day? Surely using television and internet would have been a more effective way to get the Word out. I confess that I don't know exactly why God sent Jesus into a day and age with no telephones, television or internet, but maybe, just maybe, His choice of time sends us a message. Jesus chose deep relationships as the way to transmit His message forward in time until He comes again.
He was the one who created us in His own image with an inescapable need for face-to-face, heart-to-heart relationship. Maybe a place of true belonging with God and others is the only way to satisfy the longings of our souls.
Dear Lord, I know that in You I will find a place of true belonging. Help me to build that relationship with others too. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Visit Amy's blog
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
Check out this moving devotion, God's Design for Community, for more inspiration
Application Steps:
Examine how you spend your time. Is the majority of your time being invested in face-to-face relationship with friends and family?
Pay attention to your true feelings after interactions on the computer or in person. In the end, is the interaction fulfilling or hollow?
Reflections:
Where do I find my place of belonging?
Is the belonging that I feel true or artificial?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (NIV)
Romans 12:5, "...so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 18, 2010
Move Over Myrtle
Lynn Cowell
"Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." Isaiah 55:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I could never figure out why my crape myrtle trees didn't look like "that."
When I drove my kids to school on those hot back-to-school days, I would see gorgeous myrtles all over the neighborhood, heavy laden with puffy flowers in hot pink, deep purple or pure white...but my myrtles never looked that.
One friend said they needed heavy pruning in the winter. So when the temperature dropped and all the leaves fell, I drug out my loppers and chopped away. There! That should do it! I thought. Summer came; summer went. No flowers.
Crape myrtles are not one of those trees that still look great without flowers. In fact, I grew tired of them in my front garden where they gawked at me, flowerless, day after day.
So, I called in a professional gardener. He informed me that crape myrtles need sunlight, so it didn't really matter what I did to those trees; they were not going to bloom in my cool, shaded yard. My choices were: put up with the lack of beautiful blooms, or pull them out. I opted for change.
Life can be a lot like my myrtles. Sometimes, we are just not blooming. We might try the recommendations of friends. You need a hobby. You need a different job. You need a man. Wait until this season is over and then make a change. Often, though, what we really need is Sonlight. The Professional Gardener will tell you getting in the Son is the only thing that is going to bring beauty.
In Isaiah 55:13 the prophet says that instead of briers, the myrtle will grow. Do you have any briers that need to be exchanged for myrtles in your life? Are you effective and are you living what the Bible refers to as an abundant life in Christ? Just as other trees in my yard cast too much shade for my myrtles, is there something in your life that is casting a shadow, blocking your Sonlight? If so, it is time to make the move into the Son.
Getting into the Sonlight, like moving a tree, is no easy task. It often involves change; sometimes a dramatic change. A change in habits, a ridding of addictions, a move in friendships, a laying down of dreams, or a picking up of one that you have feared. Part of soaking up the Son also includes spending consistent time with Jesus in prayer and reading His Word each day.
Don't be afraid of change, friend. The Psalmist said that pain comes in the night, but joy comes in the morning. In the end, the blooms that follow will tell the tale of the power of life in the Son.
Powerful Jesus, that is what I need You to be today. Powerful Jesus. I see the shadow on my life and often I fear that it will overtake me. You have promised that in You, with You, all things are possible. Show me where to move today Jesus, so that I position myself in Your Sonlight. Give me the discipline to study Your words so that my life will be for Your renown and an everlasting sign to others of life in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley
Have you ever had to move in order to get more light from Jesus? Stop by Lynn's blog today and be encouraged by others who have done the same!
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than my Fears by Micca Campbell
Intimacy with God: Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time by Tara Furman
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Go to BibleGateway and do a word search on your greatest struggle - jealousy, envy, conflict, etc. Write out one of the verses regarding this difficulty that speaks to you and read it several times a day until you know it well.
Visit our Everyday Life section to read how other woman are finding victory in the areas that are casting shadows in your life.
Reflections:
What areas in your life do you currently feel are blocking out Jesus' truth?
Do you have a friend that you could ask to pray for you on a regular basis in your struggle for victory in this area? Honesty is a powerful weapon in breaking the power of Satan in our lives.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:6-9, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 19, 2010
Mean Mom, Kind Mom
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Devotion:
Yesterday we were driving back from the joy called the beach vacation. All total we logged over 20 hours in the car. It was family bonding at its finest.
So, this is what I hear from the backseat:
Ashley: "Mom, Brooke just licked my hash brown! Ewwwwww!"
Me: "Brooke, why would you lick your sister's hash brown for heaven's sake?"
Brooke: "Because my arm hurts."
Me: "Oh. Well that just makes complete sense."
There may have been 127 other instances where the soundtrack of my life was, "Mom...she poked me and she is on my side and she just spilled her drink and she took my book."
My kids were getting on the last good nerve I had and I could feel an emotional eruption bubbling to the surface.
Do you ever struggle with the mean mom trying to come out? Or the mean girl? Or the mean sister? Or the mean wife?
How is it I can be marching along to the sweetest tune and then veer off so suddenly into a bad attitude?
I wish there was one simple fix-it plan where if we follow three steps all tendencies toward emotional eruptions would vanish. But that's not reality. If all we needed to follow was a plan, we'd have no need to follow Jesus.
And ultimately isn't that what life is supposed to show us - that we need to follow Jesus? So what does Jesus say about this? He says we must do three things. But these aren't three easy steps. They are three attitude shifts of the heart.
He says we have to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
Deny myself...
I have to look beyond the emotions begging to erupt and use self-control. I have to deny myself the momentary satisfaction of the quick comeback, the rude response, and the full out yelling.
Deny myself. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.
Then I must take up my cross...
My cross. Stop the blaming and finger pointing and wishing everyone else would change...and see my sinful reaction as a negative contribution to the problem at hand. I must take my issues to His cross and see my sin for what it is - sin. And I must be disgusted enough by my sin to truly want to do something about it.
Take up my cross. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.
Finally, I must follow Him...
Really follow Him. Follow who He is and how He is. I must close my mouth, pause long enough to let Him interrupt my eruption, and let His Spirit redirect me. Yes, my children need to be corrected but I can let the consequences scream so I don't have to. Only a calm mama can think of rational, reasonable consequences that instruct.
Follow who He is and how He is. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.
It's amazing how quickly my mean mom vanishes when I deny myself, admit my sin, and choose to let Jesus interrupt me.
Just don't be messin' with my hash brown if your arm starts hurting. Okay? I have to draw the line somewhere you know.
Dear Lord, please interrupt my natural flesh pattern today. I desire to change. I need to change. I realize and admit that I need You, Lord. Help me to stop the blaming and finger pointing once and for all. Help me to follow in Your footsteps today. I want to seek You with all of my heart. For I know that those who seek You will find You. Thank You for this promise. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's interactive website today for an article every mom should read, plus a chance to win a free book!
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! Next month she'll be in Atlanta at Charles Stanley's church and in Seattle with Jennifer Rothschild at Fresh Grounded Faith.
And if you'd like to transform the mean girl inside you, consider getting a copy of Lysa's Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.
The accompanying Bible Study workbook and DVD teaching series, which contains six sessions 15-20 minutes each, are perfect for your Bible Study group or Book Club.
Application Steps:
Do you struggle with your mean girl trying to come out? Ask a faithful friend to hold you accountable to change. It may be difficult to share this personal struggle, but having this honest accountability can make all the difference in the world.
Pray and record verses of God's promises and truths.
Reflections:
How do you deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him? Begin each day admitting to the Lord that you are dependent on Him. Ask Him to help you guide your words, your thoughts and your reactions in a way that would be pleasing to Him.
How do you begin to shift the attitude in your heart? The Lord promises to help those whose hearts are seeking Him. Are you seeking Him?
Power Verses:
Acts 17:28, "For in him we live and move and have our being." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, "Remember him - before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 20, 2010
Superman
Luann Prater
"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
"He's really big and tall," she said.
This six year-old had never heard of Superman before visiting the towering blue and red 200 foot figure in Metropolis, Illinois. She didn't know that he was an action hero; he just looked like a rigid statue to her. She didn't know that millions before her had watched him rescue Lois Lane again and again. She didn't know he was from the planet Krypton and could fly. The tall, rigid statue was her reality of Superman.
Then it hit me - we often view God through the same limited vision. Even though His Word tells us He is:
El Elyon - God Most High
El - The Strong One
Jehovah - I AM
Jehovah-Rapha - The Lord Who Heals
El Shaddai - the All Sufficient One
...we often just imagine Him as a statue. If we have never trusted Him to supply our needs, heal us, or be our strength, we just don't get it. We see one angle of Him, but not the whole picture.
I pulled up a photograph of the Superman statue on Google and stared at it for several minutes. I saw a family standing at the base of this larger-than-life monument. Have you ever looked at God as a cold, uncaring statue? Wondering if He even notices you're down here? I have.
There is nothing cold or sterile about our God. He is multi-faceted! As today's verse says, He is my strength, my song, my salvation, my God and so much more! Just because we may not have experienced His healing, doesn't make Him any less the Healer. Just because we may not have sensed Him shower peace on our turmoil, doesn't make Him any less the Prince of peace. As we trust Him, obey Him and seek His face, He will reveal more and more of Himself to us.
We gals may not be Lois Lane, but there is One who can rescue us from any situation. Jesus Christ is His name. And man, is He super!
Dear Lord, thank You for being all we need and so much more! Grow my vision of You Lord to see past my limited knowledge. Open my mind to see beyond my reality. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know My Strength, Song and Salvation?
Hang out with Luann on her radio program, Encouragement Café, and her blog!
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
When Self-Rescue is Not an Option, a free resource offering more encouragement
Application Steps:
Ask others to share their testimony with you. Find out how God has shown Himself in their lives.
Ask Him to grow your vision of Him.
Reflections:
What causes me to put God in a box?
When was the last time I looked at God from a different angle?
How can I trust Him in every area of my life?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 10:17, " For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes." (NIV)
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 23, 2010
Faith over Feelings
Tracie Miles
"For you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5b (NIV)
Devotion:
I spent months working on it, with big expectations and high hopes. But in the blink of an eye, it was crushed. This reality tore into my heart like a jagged knife, ripping my dream into tiny little shreds. Disappointment was so great; it was difficult to process my feelings. I had worked tirelessly on this project and now I was not only feeling disappointment, but rejection.
Disappointment soon turned to irritation, then resentment. I didn't FEEL it was fair.
Why didn't God answer my prayers? Why had He placed a dream in my heart only to allow it to crumble? Why had He let this happen? Why me?
I knew I needed to have a good attitude and not give up, but I did not FEEL like doing that at all!
Questions continued to pummel my brain. What is the use? Why try again? If God didn't answer my prayer after all this time, why bother to keep trying?
You see, I allowed my feelings to overtake my mind, and let my FAITH take a back seat.
All I could think about was how this disappointment made me feel, instead of what God may be doing that my faith could not see. I felt things weren't fair, without remembering God's ways are best. I felt a longing for immediate results, instead of trusting God's timing is perfect.
I soon realized my feelings were getting in the way of my faith. So I went to Psalm 25 (NIV), and allowed the following verses to wash over my spirit.
Verse 1, "To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;"
I felt discouraged, unworthy, hopeless, rejected. So I poured my feelings and my soul out to God. And He listened.
Verse 2, "...in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me."
God reminded me to trust Him, not a desire or a dream. Not the world's view of things. Not my abilities. Not my timeframe. Not my ideas. Just Him. I prayed about my enemies - intangible feelings such as self doubt, insecurities, frustration, and discouragement.
Verse 3, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse."
Regardless of whether or not my desires become a reality, I will not be put to shame, because God is my God. If His plans coincide with my dreams, I know He will keep His eternal promises.
Verses 4-5a, "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me,"
These words stopped me in my tracks. I began to think more rationally. Why have I been beating my head against a wall? Why have I been consumed with anxiety and frustration? Am I allowing God to direct my paths? God gently reminded me that He is the teacher; we are the students.
Verse 5b, "...for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
If I put my hope in my own desires and abilities, I simply set myself up for failure. My only hope for joy and fulfillment comes from Christ alone. Hope can only be found in Him, not people, careers, husbands, children, church, financial success, a carefree life, or dreams that come true.
Disappointments will always happen. With God, however, we can turn those disappointments into God's appointments to trust Him. The first step is exercise our faith over our feelings.
Dear Lord, You know the hurt in my heart and the sting of disappointments I have experienced. Please help me trust You, instead of being consumed by feelings. Empower me with a faith that is stronger than my emotions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
Visit Tracie's blog
Love's Perfect Plan, a free Everyday Life article, is a beautiful story of God's faithfulness
Application Steps:
Consider the disappointments you have experienced recently, and ask God to help your faith be more powerful than your feelings.
Unpack Psalm 25:1-5 and apply it to your situation, with open ears to hear God's voice.
Reflections:
Am I allowing my feelings to guide my actions, or relying on my faith to help me move forward?
Have I asked God how He can use my disappointments to strengthen my faith in Him?
Have I sought God's direction in my situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 78:7, "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments." (KJV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 24, 2010
Letter of Love
T. Suzanne Eller
"And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 (NLT)
Devotion:
I have only scraps now. Words penned on paper when I was a teen. I was a new Christian, trying to live my faith in a house of chaos. My mom was broken. My dad hid behind a newspaper, calling out words like "you belong in a loony bin" to my mother, spiraling her deeper into the abyss of rage and hopelessness.
I lived in parallel worlds. One, my very fractured home. And the second, a world of faith where people loved Jesus, and their lives reflected that love. Church was more than a building to me. It was a sanctuary, a shelter, from the roller coaster existence at home. I spent hours in the altar, weeping -- not out of grief, or self-pity -- but because I had discovered the most amazing truth: God is.
Two years after my encounter with Christ, I found a letter on my pillow.
Dear Suzie, I've watched you and I know what you have is real. It's a treasure, and I hope you hang on to it. . .
I sat on the edge of the bed and read through the rest of the letter, amazed. It was penned by my dad. A man who did not know how to express his feelings very well. A man who had faced his own demons growing up, and who believed that love was putting food on the table and going to work every morning at 7 a.m.
I look back now through the mirror of time and I see two adults, younger than I am now, who struggled. My mom with pain. My dad with the inability to know how to help. But that letter was a ray of light. I keep the tattered pieces because it came at a time that I needed it. I was praying often for my family, but came home to the same old mess day after day. I often thought about running away from home, but I ran after Jesus instead, all the while longing for my parents to discover what I had found.
My father never said a word about the letter left on my pillow. But he was baptized the next year. He and my mother started attending church. It was a long, hard road, but over time my mother was healed emotionally. Her smile came back, and it was beautiful.
In the 30 years that have passed, I've been reading another letter from a father -- my Heavenly Father.
The Bible has become an ongoing communication between me and Jesus. I don't know how many times I've sat with the Bible in my hands, and felt an encouraging word or a corrective nudge. A command to overcome, or a promise that I'd never have to do it alone. It's not specifically written to me, but the Holy Spirit marks it with my name as He reveals truth.
Just when I need it. Just when I've been praying for direction. Just when I've felt that my faith was running on empty.
Can I be honest? There are times I have allowed that precious Letter to sit idle. I've pushed it to the side, glancing at it as I passed, knowing I'd "get to it" later. And yet one day I realized the Bible is just as precious and affirming as those tattered pieces from my earthly father. In fact, the words are very much the same. I find in Scripture that Jesus knows what I've been feeling, but He reminds me that He sees me. He affirms that I have discovered real treasure, and encourages me to hang on to it, even in the hard times. Especially in the hard times.
Maybe it's been a long time since you picked up your Letter of Love. I pray that today that you'll pick it back up, hold it in your hands, and read it for the first time all over again.
Dear Father, You know my pressures. You know my shortcomings. Thank You that You know what I need. Restore the joy of my salvation today. Restore my hunger to communicate with You. Thank You for Your letter of love to me. I ask that Your Holy Spirit take Your word and mark my life with it. In Your Loving Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she will give away a copy of Making It Real and share tips on how to make Bible study more personal.
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future, by T. Suzanne Eller
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
It's not about checking off "read your Bible" on your list for the day. It's taking time to communicate with Jesus.
1. Make an appointment, as you would with a friend.
2. Don't worry about a set number of verses or chapters. It's better to study three verses and grow through them, than to read five chapters just because it's on your to-do chart.
3. Read with a pen in hand. Mark verses that speak to you.
4. Keep a journal next to you. Share your thoughts and questions as you read. (It's also great to write down those pesky thoughts like "pay the water bill." Write it down and it's out of your thoughts, so you can go back to hanging out with Jesus.)
Reflections:
"The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs to me; it has hands, it lays hold of me." ~ Martin Luther
Power Verses:
Revelation 1:8, "'I am the Alpha and the Omega--the beginning and the end,'" says the Lord God. "'I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come--the Almighty One.'" (NLT)
Revelation 3:20, "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." (NLT)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 25, 2010
The Truth is in the Handbag
Shari Braendel
"Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me." Psalm 31:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
I recently watched as a frazzled shopper fumbled around in her bag trying to find her allusive keys. As she dug through her overstuffed purse, multiple items spilled out, landing on the counter and falling to the floor. Quickly, she began collecting her items.
I thought about her pretty purse, beautiful on the outside but hiding an unruly mess on the inside. And then I started thinking about how alike women and purses can be.
Maybe you're like a small purse that only has the capacity to hold a few things. Yet you try stuffing more into your life than you can hold, only to get frustrated. Perhaps one of those things is God: He's been crammed into a tiny space in your world and you don't give Him much room to rule because you feel more comfortable when you are in control.
Perhaps you're like a big purse, carrying all kinds of things. You're involving yourself in so many activities just because you can; with no real purpose to why you're doing it. You end up flustered like the shopper digging for her keys because you haven't spent the time needed to organize your spiritual life.
I know you're not a handbag, but when applying biblical truth and application, what kind of purse are you most like?
It's not God's desire for our inside to be out of sync with our outside. He desires for us to have our hearts turned toward Him and have our very pulse in beat with what He is doing in us.
Where should we start to curb the chaos, release our controlling tendencies and lighten the busyness to fall in step with God?
Start by being still. For some, that will go against every fiber of your being, but try it. Perhaps you abide in chaos because it's masking what is really going on with you, just like your pretty purse hides the unorganized mess within. Sit quietly and pray for God to help you be keenly aware of Him. Nothing that you are going through is a surprise to God.
Next, relax and trust the Lord. Sometimes feeling out of control causes you to hyper-control everything around you. Let go of your fears, doubts and worries and make room for God in your life.
Finally, clear your calendar. We overbook and over-schedule out of habit and now busy feels normal. Is your fast pace driven by fear, or does it define your value or identity? If so, re-evaluate where your time and energy are being spent and why.
Making a change doesn't come easily, but it can be done. Although seeking out time with God, learning to trust Him, and reorganizing your priorities can feel uncomfortable and difficult at first, I know for sure that it's not nearly as hard as living overcommitted and out of control.
Together, let's commit to cleaning out our "purses!"
Dear Father, will You please meet me right here, right now and quiet my heart so that I can rest and regroup? Thank You for the comfort of knowing that while I sometimes get waylaid, You never take Your eyes from me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Shari's blog where she is giving away two spectacular handbags and signed copies of her brand new book, Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad!
Walking with God in the Quiet Places: Devotions for Women by Various Authors, including Lysa TerKeurst
Intimacy with God: Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time by Tara Furman
Take a quiet moment to read our free resource, Good Thing or God Thing?
Application Steps:
Take a moment to journal what you are thinking right now. This is for you only, so feel free to be absolutely honest and dig deep.
Challenge yourself to make one change; slow and steady wins the race.
Reflections:
Do I believe God is in control?
Do I trust Him with my whole heart? If not, what am I holding back and why?
If God has more planned for my life than just coping, can I embrace a change for the better?
Power Verses:
2 Thessalonians 3:3, "The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." (NIV)
Hebrews 13:20-21, "May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 26, 2010
The God of Learning
Marybeth Whalen
"Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary."
Isaiah 46:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Education is important. None of us would disagree with that. But how important is it and what role is it to play in our lives, especially as parents?
This has been a conflict for me as I have made my peace with the need for a good education for my children with my own desires for them to be "the best." While I recognize that education opens doors, I also wonder if perhaps I haven't at times fallen out of step with what God wants me to stress as a parent.
I will admit that I have valued academics over character growth at times.
A friend of mine once said, "Bible is not on the test." I asked her what she meant. She said that she always tells her children that, no matter what they score on standardized testing, she reminds them that there are things that can not be measured with grades or charts. My friend reminded me that our children's character growth and commitment to the Lord are more important than any grade, yet which gets more attention in our society?
In today's verse, Nebo, the god that burdens the Babylonians, is the god of learning. My breath caught in my throat when I read that note in my Bible. God pointed out in scripture that the god of learning burdened the people who worshiped it. I know the god of learning has burdened me during the time I have been a parent.
Whether I was a young parent making sure I exposed my child to all the right things to get them ready for kindergarten; a homeschool parent striving to provide all the right academic curriculum for my young students; or a mom of a public school kid pushing them to make the grades and try harder, I have felt the burden of making a god out of learning.
As parents we should care about our children's performance and grades. We should care about sending them to the right schools and their academic futures. But more than that, we should care about them growing closer to God. I want to give my children a hunger for His Word and ignite in them a passion to chase after Him. But as my friend said, none of that is on the test. At least, not any test the world devises.
With my eye on eternity, I can remove the burden of the god of learning by refocusing on the one true God, and helping my kids to do the same.
Dear Lord, as a parent I want my kids to know You first and foremost. Help me to keep my priorities in perspective and to not put too much stress on academics. Help me to find the balance between doing everything as unto You (including learning) and inspiring my children to follow hard after You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Learning To Live Financially Free by Curt and Marybeth Whalen
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart and CD by Renee Swope
Visit Marybeth's blog
For more great parenting ideas, read our free resource Full-time Job
Application Steps:
If you have children, set aside time today to read a Bible story or turn on some praise music. Praise them for the character qualities you see in them and not their academic achievements or shortcomings.
Reflections:
What place does learning have in your life? Has it become a god to you? To your children? How can you topple that idol in your life and put God first?
Power Verses:
Luke 2:52, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (NIV)
Isaiah 46:7, "They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 27, 2010
Just Because He Said So
Rachel Olsen
"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands." 2 John 1:6a (NIV)
Devotion:
"No more words, honey, we're going to be quiet for the rest of the ride home."
My four year-old daughter and my husband were out late at a church event. She's an extrovert so being around all those people had her excitedly talking non-stop on the way home. The more she talked, the more animated she became. Finally my husband issued the no-more-words decree.
"But why?" she asked.
"Because it's late and you are tired, and you need to let your body wind down to rest."
"I'm not tired at all," she insisted.
"You don't realize it but you are very tired; it's way past your bedtime and you need to settle down."
After a moment of silence she said very matter-of-factly, "You can't know how I'm feeling."
My husband, who has a Ph.D. in communication, came through the front door saying, "Our preschooler just out reasoned me!"
She wants to understand our plans, motives, and reasons for everything. If she doesn't understand the logic of something she has a hard time accepting it. She loves us and truly wants to please us, but she wants to know why before she obeys.
She's usually obedient, once she's heard our reasons. Nonetheless, in response to her questioning I'm often tempted to use that infamous parental phrase: "Because I said so!"
I wonder if God ever wants to use that phrase with me?
I sometimes challenge His rules. Do not murder - check. Do not take the Lord's name in vain - got it. Honor your father and mother - um, OK. Do not gossip - hum, not even in the form of a prayer request? Do not lie - you mean, not ever? What if it is a little white lie that prevents hurt feelings? Do not envy - is that even possible?
Other times I question His ways. Can't You just feed the poor by making crops grow? Why do unbelieving drug addicts conceive babies, but my own girlfriend who follows You cannot? Why didn't You give me more organizational skills if You were going to have me marry this man and do this job? Are You sure You weren't distracted when You made me? Or when you gave me this questioning child?
God is infinitely more patient a parent than I am, and He is abounding in grace and love. He can easily handle all my questions without exasperation. But I wonder if He wishes I would just simply trust and obey - just because He is God.
I sure wish I would!
The scriptures say: "Do what your king commands; you gave a sacred oath of obedience. Don't worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You're serving his pleasure, not yours. The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, 'What are you doing?' Carrying out orders won't hurt you a bit; the wise person obeys promptly and accurately" (Ecclesiastes 8:2-5, MSG).
I want to be that wise person.
The Bible also sets my questioning tendencies straight with: "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21, NIV).
Yes, He certainly does. I want to be the fancy pot but I have to trust I will find the greatest joy when I accept the purposes He's designed me for.
So my goal today is not to question God but simply to trust and obey...even if I don't understand why, and even if it's hard to do. I will accept the way that I am made and the plans that He has set before me.
Yes, I know I can take all my questions to the Lord and He will lovingly sift through them, but today I want to obey His commands in swift, willing obedience - just because He said so.
Dear Lord, help me to know Your commands and obey them. Give me the mind and obedient attitude of Christ today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Win a copy of Rachel's new book "It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by stopping by Rachel's blog. She'd also love to pray for your ability to be obedient to God.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Read our free P31 Woman magazine article, When God Calls, Answer Yes
Application Steps:
Write out a declaration of intention to obey God at all costs. Pray and ask God to help you grow in obedience.
Reflections:
Have you been challenging the Lord lately about the way He made you? Or the task He has set before you?
Are there commands that you are struggling with obeying?
Will you leave this place of questioning and doubt and move forward in obedience?
Power Verses:
Romans 6:16, "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" (NIV)
2 Corinthians 9:13, "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 30, 2010
Entertaining Thoughts
Zoe Elmore
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
As I entered the room, my old familiar feelings of inadequacy and insecurity welled up within me. I prayed that the "measuring tape of self-worth" sticking out of the top of my head wasn't visible to anyone but me. "You're not pretty enough, thin enough or smart enough" echoed in my head, and I found myself entertaining thoughts of critical comparison.
Did you get that? I allowed my mind to "entertain" those harmful thoughts.
You'd think that at fifty-something I would have stopped "entertaining" these thoughts and moved on to recognizing and dismissing lies from the enemy. But I still find myself believing them at times.
What about you, do you entertain lies from your enemy, Satan? Do you entertain thoughts of comparison and insecurity?
If you do, I want to encourage you to memorize and apply 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (NIV). In order to apply this verse, you and I need to recognize what is truth and what is lie. Once recognized, we should reject the lies and replace them with God's truth.
God tells us over and over again that He thinks we are beautiful; but not just on the outside. Look closely at the truths contained in Ephesians 1:3-6, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." (NIV)
Friend, critical thoughts filled with comparison and insecurity are not from your heavenly Father who has chosen you and loved you. When Satan whispers his lies, let's quickly respond, "That is a lie and I reject that thought. I will only entertain thoughts of God's truth."
When we entertain a lie, we allow the enemy to plant it in our minds. Once planted, it is hard not to entertain the lies and even harder to discard them. Satan's lies take hold in our minds just like weeds in an unattended garden. We need to take seriously the task of guarding our minds against Satan's lies. When we guard our minds, it's as if we are holding up a shield of truth that repels lies.
I've heard it said, "Every spiritual battle is won or lost at the threshold of the mind." While I do believe we can triumph over the lie once we've allowed it to cross over the threshold, we can save ourselves a great deal of trouble and heartache, if we begin to recognize Satan's lies, reject them and then replace them with God's truth. As a believer in Christ we have the Holy Spirit to help us in this journey. Our job is to outsmart the father of lies by "out truthing" him.
Dear Lord, I confess that I entertain thoughts that I know are not true. I compare myself to others; entertain lies of rejection and worry. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I want to reject the lies of the enemy as soon as they enter my mind. Help me replace them and entertain Your truth instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Zoe's blog
He is that Into to You (CD) by Lynn Cowell
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Write down the lies you believe about yourself. Write a corresponding truth verse from the Bible for each one.
Reflections:
What does God see when He looks past all the makeup, clothing and jewelry right into your soul?
Write down verses of truth in your journal and meditate on a different one each day.
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:1-4, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You." (NASB)
Ecclesiastes 8:1b, "Wisdom brightens a face and changes its hard appearance" (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 31, 2010
Secret Decoder Ring
Rachel Olsen
"You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not." Matthew 13:11 (NLT)
Devotion:
Did you catch that gem of a revelation in today's key verse? Jesus said there are secrets in the Kingdom of God.
I don't know about you but I have a hard time resisting secrets - especially God-sized secrets. So when I discovered this verse, I immediately wanted to know more. Don't you?
What secrets might God share with me? What secrets will He reveal to you?
To be perfectly honest, for years much of the Bible seemed like a giant secret I wasn't privy to. I just didn't get parts of it—many parts of it. Was I one of those "others" who hadn't been permitted to understand? I wondered. I suspected maybe if I went to seminary or became a nun, I could get a secret decoder ring and suddenly my Bible would make sense to me.
I just wasn't sure this average, everyday gal could ever figure it out all by herself. Turns out, I was right.
Today's verse starts a passage every woman needs to hear:
"You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them. That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don't really see. They hear what I say, but they don't really hear, and they don't understand." (Matthew 13:11-13, NLT)
According to Jesus, God grants us the ability to recognize Kingdom truths. Jesus promises if we are truly open to His teachings, He will help us understand spiritual realities. Therefore, it's not up to you or me to figure out the mysteries of God or the deep truths of the Bible with our own perception. No need to spend your days in seclusion, or your money on an advanced degree. Jesus is our secret decoder ring!
And we can wear it proudly because no ring shines brighter than He does! Peter, James, and John, three of Jesus' disciples, witnessed His astounding brilliance—His sparkling glory—when He took them to a secluded spot on a mountain top. "As the men watched, Jesus' appearance changed, and his clothing became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly process could ever make it" (Mark 9:2-3, NLT). Suddenly a cloud came over them and "a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him'" (Mark 9:7, NLT).
God never hides truth from sincere seekers. In fact, He came to earth in the person of Jesus to ensure that we'd learn His secrets and understand His ways. Our task is to open ourselves—ears, eyes, and heart—and listen intently to Him. To concentrate and apply ourselves to the process of prayerfully reading the Bible.
So, when I don't understand something I read in scripture, I look to Jesus. I ask Jesus to help me understand. I consider the example He set while here on earth - found in the gospels - and then I read the perplexing chapter or verses again in light of that. I ask His Holy Spirit to guide me into all spiritual truth. And I've been amazed by what I've found.
I won't say that I now understand everything in my Bible cover-to-cover, but I have discovered some truly empowering secrets to life in God's Kingdom. And I trust more revelation is to come, simply because Jesus said it would. He promised an abundance of knowledge to those who listen.
It's easy to miss the full impact of the first dozen words of today's key verse and zero in on the last four: "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not." Don't make that mistake. Don't assume you'll never "get it." If you are a follower of Christ, listening to Him with your heart, He will reveal to you victorious secrets for life in His Kingdom. Open your eyes to Him. Open your ears to Him. Open your heart to Him, and dig into His Word. Pray for revelation and understanding.
And be ready to record the amazing things He reveals as you do.
Dear Lord, I willingly and eagerly open my eyes, ears and heart to You today. Cleanse me and speak to me through Your Word, I pray. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
This devotion is based on the opening of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Needs to Know. Be the first to order your copy today!
Interested in learning the secrets Rachel discovered? Want to win a copy of her new book It's No Secret? Follow the link to her blog at www.RachelOlsen.com and read the book's opening, first chapter and Bible study. Click here.
Application Steps:
Listen as you read the Bible today.
Consider getting Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Needs to Know. Each chapter covers a different "secret," ending with a Bible study section giving you the opportunity to dig into God's Word for yourself.
Reflections:
Do I avoid reading the Bible because I've struggled to understand it?
What does Jesus say in Mark 13:11-13? Read it out loud.
Power Verses:
Colossians 2:2-3, "I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love so that they may be rich in their understanding. This leads to their knowing fully God's secret, that is, Christ himself. In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept." (NCV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 1, 2010
The Dream Book
Marybeth Whalen
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
Heads bent together, they study what to me looks like a mess but to them looks like something beautiful. The table is littered with glue sticks, magazines, scraps of paper, and scissors. "Mom," my daughter informs me as she looks up, "We're making dream books." Her eyes shine with possibility. It is clear that she believes in the dreams she is pasting in her book.
Looking at her, I am reminded of my own little girl dreams, of a time that I saw life as bursting with potential: I simply had to believe hard enough to make those dreams turn into reality. Life had not taught me otherwise then.
I listen as they discuss what they are pasting into their dream books. "This," says my daughter's friend, "is my desk area. And this will be my husband's, right beside me," she says with satisfaction. I don't tell her that she might not be able to afford a house that is large enough for two desk areas. That her marriage may get to a point that her husband might not want to be right beside her.
"These are my twins," my daughter says, her face shining with enough pride that they could be her real children. "Their names are Hunter and Hannah." I don't tell her that her husband may not like the names Hunter and Hannah. That she may not be blessed with twins, with children at all. I don't cloud their dreams with the realities of adulthood. I turn my attention to the dinner that needs to be cooked, the pressing needs that seem to overtake what I once dreamed.
But in my heart, I feel God whisper, What are your dreams? Have you forgotten? Have you lost hope? You could take a lesson from your little girl. I am challenged to hang onto what I once believed about life—to not let setbacks and heartbreak scream louder than the echoes of my dreams. What kind of woman can I be if I have stopped believing that dreams can come true? What kind of home can I create if it's a place where dreams are discarded like the trash?
God has planted dreams in all of our hearts. He did not intend for our dreams to get trampled by our own busy feet. Just like my daughter and her friend catalogued their dreams, maybe it's time for you to take some inventory in your life. 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (NIV). That includes your God-given dreams.
Do you remember your little girl dreams? What did they look like? Who did you dream of becoming? It's not too late to dream dreams, to envision a future that accepts reality, yet embraces potential. Just for today, allow yourself to remember your dreams. Smile, feel giddy, hope. Whether it's starting your own business, writing a book, having a great marriage, or running a marathon... whatever dreams stir your heart, don't push them aside today. Create your own dream book, even if the pictures are just painted on the canvas of your mind.
Dear Lord, I know You created me to shine for You. I know that You gave me unique talents and abilities, with dreams to match. Help me to remember my dreams and to trust You to fulfill them in Your timing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and accompanying CD by Renee Swope
What about your husband's dreams? Consider sharing this book with him Hero: Unleashing God's Power in a Man's Heart by Derwin Gray
Visit our Radio Show, Falling Forward, for more free encouragement!
Application Steps:
If you had a dream book, what would it contain? What parts of your life would you keep? What parts would you like to add? Write about this in your journal and consider clipping a few magazine photos for some visual inspiration.
Reflections:
What is one little girl dream you had that you have already seen come true?
Have you taken time to celebrate that?
Power Verses:
Psalm 62:5, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." (NIV)
Proverbs 23:18, "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 2, 2010
When People Let You Down
Melanie Chitwood
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8 (NASB)
Devotion:
Disappointment feels like a heavy rock sinking to the bottom of my spirit. I've felt disappointed in many situations - a business opportunity that didn't pan out, a writing door that didn't open, and a relationship that broke my young heart.
The heaviest disappointments for me, however, stem from people. And not just any people; people who I'm closest to. People who turn out to be not at all what I hoped they'd be, or not who I thought they were.
I know I'm not alone in wondering how to deal with people who let me down. Just this week a friend said with a choke in her voice, "I wish my mom and I could be closer, but I don't think we ever will be." Another woman said with despondency, "My husband and I just don't talk." I've heard the edge of bitterness in women's voices as they vow never to trust again because of a friend's betrayal. And most of us have swallowed the hopelessness that comes with a broken heart, "I thought he was the one."
I've tried different ways to handle disappointments in relationships. One way is to ignore the disappointment, to shut it in a box and hope the lid holds. Another way is to gloss over it with a quick statement such as, "People will let you down, but God never will." True, but does this really help me process the hurt?
One morning in my quiet time I was pouring out my sadness, anger and disappointment about a close relationship. As the tears slipped down my face, I begged God to show up. What do I do with all this? Show me and I'll do it because what I've been doing is not working.
Clear as a bell ringing in my spirit, Jesus said, Grieve.
Really? I questioned. I remembered that Jesus knew all about disappointment - Peter's denial, Judas' betrayal, and the disciples falling asleep during His anguish before His crucifixion (Matthew 26). I remembered people in the Bible who were well acquainted with people they loved letting them down, such as Joseph or Job. I felt reassured that Jesus wouldn't misunderstand my sadness as a lack of faith.
So I cried, feeling every ounce of the disappointment. I told God all the things I wish were different about this relationship, all the things I thought this person had done wrong, and what I wish this person would do differently.
After the winds of grief subsided, I was done. Grieving was the bridge I had to cross to move beyond the disappointment. On the other side I found myself in a place where I could embrace the relationship for what it is, not what it's not.
On the other side of grief lies a place where we can consider how to respond to the person who disappointed us. There are a number of possible responses. Sometimes we need to talk to the person or get godly counsel. Other times we may need to create healthy boundaries, or we may need just to let it go. Only after we've allowed ourselves to grieve, however, will we know how to respond to this person in the way that God wants. Then the words, "People will let you down, but God never will," will be truly comforting, not just empty words.
Dear Lord, I'm so thankful that when it feels like no one else understands, You do. You understand about being disappointed in people but You loved them in the midst of that. Lord, I want to follow Your example. I'm thankful You know this sadness is a part of healing from the pain of disappointment. Give me guidance in handling this -I trust that You can bring good out of this. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog What Matters Most
Struggling with disappointment in your marriage? Consider Melanie's books What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
Share in God's grace with our free resource, Just a Little Heart Cleaning
Application Steps:
Be honest with yourself as you consider someone who has let you down. Have you grieved over the disappointment? Take time to be alone, to be sad, and to cry if you need to. Let go of bitterness, anger, hurt and unforgiveness. Then ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment about what to do next in this relationship.
Reflections:
Have I unsuccessfully tried to deny that I am hurt or angry by this disappointing relationship?
Is it possible that I've depended on this person more than God?
How does God what to use this disappointment in my life?
Power Verses:
Psalm 42:11, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV)
Psalm 94:19b "When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up." (MES)
Lamentations 3:23, "...Great is your faithfulness." (NAS)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 3, 2010
Lumping and Loving
Karen Ehman
"Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon." Philippians 4:5 (NLT)
Devotion:
I usually cringe at generalizations. You know, stereotypes; lumping an entire group of people into a confining box.
Like "The _______ (nationality) are so ________ (bad character trait)." or "Those ___________ (age group) all are so ____________ (strange habit or behavior)."
However, every once in a while, in the lumping, a compliment is paid.
I was at my coffee-house-office-away-from-home recently. As I waited in line for a drink, a frail, elderly woman stood in front of me ordering a meal. She seemed distressed, her face reflecting her frustration as she fumbled for her change, paid the worker, then gathered up her bag of food and picked up her drink. As she headed for the door, her large purse began swinging off of her shoulder, nearly knocking her, and all of her lunch, to the floor.
"Oh....how am I going to do this. Oh my....oh dear...I can't....." she mumbled to herself, trying to shift her weight and her cargo while pushing open the door at the same time.
Though I'd just finally reached the front of the line, God used today's verse to tap me on the heart and shift my momentary schedule. I quickly hopped out of line. "Here. Let me get that for you." I uttered as I held the door open and steadied her drink. "Would you like me to carry your food to your car?"
This precious lady stopped dead in her tracks, her bright blue eyes looking up at me with gratefulness. "Oh dear...why you must still have a grandmother living that you love to be so kind to an old woman."
"No ma'am, I don't." I answered. "I just love Jesus and He wants me to help you."
Her face swiftly softened. She then shook her head slightly and decidedly declared. "Oh my...Of course! You people have always been so helpful to me. I don't know what I'd do without you."
You people.
She meant, "You Christians."
She didn't align herself with the group saying, "Oh thank you for helping a sister out." No. She referred to me--and others who loved Jesus--as "you people."
It made me wonder, how had other Christians helped her in the past? Did they take her a meal? Rake her yard in the fall or shovel her driveway in the winter? Had they given her a ride to a doctor's appointment?
It drove home again for me the age old truth: more is caught than taught. And it demonstrated to me that people are watching.
And lumping.
What do they see? Do they see us being considerate in all we do? Sadly, I have been told all of the following:
By a waitress: "Christians are the worst tippers in the world; especially after a big Sunday supper out. Sometimes they leave no money at all."
By an acquaintance in college: "You're a Christian? So do you stand in front of the science building and scream Bible verses at people telling them they are all going to hell for believing in evolution? I don't believe in evolution. I am just trying to go to class."
By a sweet, misguided teenager from a broken and violent home, looking for love with her heart and announcing it with her body: "Oh, I tried going to church once. There was a sign on the front door that said 'All are welcome but please dress appropriately.' I didn't know what appropriately meant, but I knew it wasn't me. So I turned around and left."
If people watching see uncaring or harshly condemning Christians, why would they want to become one?
My prayer today is that you and I, as true Christ-followers, will be lumped in the "you people" group my sweet coffee house friend saw.
Considerate Christians. They make God and His body of believers look good. Sure, believers already know He is good. But others? They are watching. And lumping. What do they see in you?
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I choose condemnation over love; rudeness over kindness; or decide to do nothing rather than do the right thing. Please prompt my heart and interrupt my momentary schedule so my actions accurately reflect who You are. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Karen's blog today for a chance to win a signed copy of her book A Life That Says Welcome and two Target gift card bundles (complete with dark chocolate); one for you and one to give to a stranger.
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Do You Know Him?
She Cooks offers practical tips to be "You People!"
Saving Grace (E-Book) by LeAnn Rice
Application Steps:
Make a choice today to perform a simple, kind deed for a complete stranger. When they thank you, give God the credit.
Reflections:
Can you recall ways Christians have been lumped together? What was said? Was there truth to it?
What characteristics does the Bible say believers should be known for? List as many as you can.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 31:26, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness." (NKJV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 6, 2010
Labor Day Rest
Rachel Olsen
"And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." Genesis 2:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
In 1882 U.S. cabinet maker Peter McGuire introduced his idea for a new holiday saying, "Let us have a festive day during which a parade through the streets of the city would permit public tribute to American Industry." A dozen years later President Cleveland signed a bill into law designating the first Monday in September "Labor Day." For many Americans today is a day off from work, a chance to cook-out and hang-out in the lingering warm weather of summer.
A day off from labor, however, was not a new concept when McGuire suggested his holiday. The concept of a day of rest was first declared by the Lord in Genesis. In illustration, God rested the seventh day after creating the world and He deemed the day of rest holy (Gen. 2:2-3). He didn't call it Labor Day - He called it the Sabbath.
Sabbath is a not a day of tribute to workers, it's a day of tribute to their Maker. It's a day to rest your body while renewing your mind by making the focus of the day your Maker and your relationship with Him. In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is the focal point of the week - not just a day of laundry or list-making to gear back up for the week ahead. The Jewish people spent three days preparing for Sabbath, and three days reflecting on what they had learned or encountered of God during the Sabbath. They were a Sabbath-focused people, and therefore a God-focused people.
Keri Wyatt Kent, author of Breathe, writes, "This creates a rhythm of life that puts our focus not on our stuff or our schedule but on the opportunity to meet with God." Kent reveals:
"We are created in the image of God, and he modeled for us a way of life that makes sense for how we are created. Here's how to dance the dance of life, he said: work, be creative, use your imagination, throw yourself into it, whether you are washing dishes, reading to your kids and running a household, or trading stocks, reading corporate reports, and running a business. ...At the end of each day, stop. Take a rest, eat a good meal, get enough sleep, and refresh yourself. Take time to think about your day, to notice where God was in it and where you were blessed, and to say, "It's good." Then go back at it the next day. And after six days, take a whole day off. And say, "It's really good." Spend a whole day just pausing, just reflecting on how really good it is, and then start the dance again, at a sustainable pace."
That sounds really good to me. Whether you are here with me in the United States today, or someplace else on God's green earth, may this Labor Day mark the day that you and I decide to rest and become God-focused people.
Dear Lord, I want to rest in You. Show me how to live this way. Meet me there in my time of contemplation, reflection, and worship. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on learning to worship God through rest, get Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Written by several Encouragement for Today authors with Editors Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen.
Breathe by Keri Wyatt Kent
:angel:
September 7, 2010
The Pearl's Price
Rachel Olsen
"When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" Matthew 13:46 (NLT)
Devotion:
Famous jeweler Pierre Cartier purchased the Fifth Avenue mansion that is now his New York jewelry store for $100 cash. Plus a double strand of matched natural pearls.
Natural pearls, as opposed to cultivated ones, are rare and valuable. That double strand Mr. Cartier paid with in 1917 was valued at $1 million!
A few years ago I decided I wanted a strand of pearls - they're just so classy, and a staple of southern accessorizing. I quickly discovered the retail mark-up at brick-and-mortar jewelry stores can be three times as high as an online retailer. That's money I could save to spend on other things. But then again, I'd have to buy the strand sight-unseen when buying online. Could be risky.
What's a gal to do? Pay full retail with the assurance of getting something of quality, or save some money to spend on another desire and risk receiving something of little worth in return? Maybe even risk getting something counterfeit.
This is really the question of our lives.
What is worth "paying retail" for? Jesus tells us the Kingdom of God is—see what I mean in Matthew chapter 13. Here Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a pearl of superb quality: "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! (vs. 45-46)." Jesus compared His kingdom to jewelry—this is a God after my own heart.
The pearl merchant that Jesus spoke of searched single-mindedly for quality treasure. He wasn't swayed by just any pretty round gem; he was looking to invest in the best. It was his quest. And when he found it, he didn't hesitate to pay full retail price—to go after it with sacrificing gusto.
I admire him—ready to invest all he had once he found a treasure worthy of such sacrifice. He knew what was most valuable, and he stayed after it. He boldly invested all he had, and was happy with that decision. I want to be a woman like that—a woman decisively investing my life in the Kingdom of God without waver and without regret.
Yet there are so many distractions. Shiny things in the marketplace catch my attention. Esteemed things in our culture tempt me to seek glory. Fun things in my life make me feel good and forget my former focus.
Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, "All the children of men are busy ... one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned; but the most are imposed upon, and take up with counterfeits for pearls.... Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price ... in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever."
Do we truly believe that Jesus is enough to make us happy—not just in eternity but here as well? Are you willing to bank everything on the notion that Jesus Christ is the supreme pearl? That's the underlying question of the parable of the pearl buyer, and the underlying question of our lives.
I never did buy that strand of pearls; instead I'm seeking to live as if Jesus is the choicest pearl anyone could find. I want to settle it in my heart that any sacrifice I make for Him or His Kingdom is worth more than the time, money, or effort it may require of me.
I'm choosing to put on Christ as my million-dollar, double strand pearl necklace, day after day. Yes, friends, I'm sporting some biblical bling.
What about you—are you willing today to sell out to the one true thing worth selling out to?
Dear Lord, You are superb, supreme and of surpassing value! Help me remember that today and act accordingly. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to claim the Already Paid-for Peal of Great Price for yourself.
Want to win a custom Lisa Leonard Designs necklace with your name and a pearl charm? Come to Rachel's blog for a chance to win this fabulous necklace and a copy of her new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
What do you know Jesus has been asking you to do that you haven't done? Make the effort and do it. Pay the Pearl's price.
Reflections:
What are you tempted to sell your life out to more than Christ? And what is it's real worth?
Power Verses:
Mark 8:35, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 8, 2010
Out of the Waiting Room
Susan Meissner, She Reads Featured Author
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Picture a doctor's waiting room: cushioned chairs, a display of colorful magazines, soothing music wafting above your head, perhaps an aquarium of sparkling fish.
Why does the doctor provide such a calming environment? Because he or she knows that by and large, people do not like to wait there. Truth is, we don't much like to wait anywhere for any length of time.
And we often cringe at the mere idea of waiting on God - more than any other kind of waiting. He is so frequently not in a hurry. We don't want to learn patience by waiting, though it is often the best way to learn it.
But consider for a moment the flipside. Consider for a moment those times when the waiting room door has been thrown open but we're still sitting in the chair by the fish, afraid to get up, get out and get moving. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we sense God nudging us to step out, but instead we're oddly content to just wait it out - perhaps hoping someone else will make the move we're supposed to make.
Just as there are times when God wants us to wait on Him; there are times when He calls us to action. And just as we need to listen for His voice in times of waiting, we need to obey His prompting when the wait is over.
When God told Moses to send spies into the land of Canaan, only two of the twelve came back from the mission ready to do what God was prompting them to do. The others wanted to head back to the waiting room, grab a magazine and hang out with the fish! They were afraid to move forward in faith, even though they had seen God time and again prepare a way for them in the wilderness and then lead them through it. God asked that these people take a step of faith and trust Him for what lay past the waiting room door. He didn't kick them out of the waiting room. He asked them to leave it, and they chose not to. History shows us what they missed (Numbers 13:26 - 14:25).
Are there perhaps blessings you have asked for but then have refused to pursue? Have you been hanging back in the waiting room - perhaps because you've allowed fear to convince you it's better to be safe and ineffective than risk being used by God?
The waiting room has its purpose. It is the place where you get mentally ready for what comes next. You are not meant to live there. You were designed for the world outside. And it waits for you!
Dear Lord, enable us this day to throw off self-doubts and fear so that we may obey You, serve You and live out our purpose for You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and empower us to do all that You have called and equipped us to do. Forgive us for being content with sitting in the waiting room when You've called us to come out. Ignite in us a passion to live our faith loudly. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, a She Reads featured author
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Trusting God Despite Fear, free devotion to encourage you
Application Steps:
Stop waiting for a deeper prayer life and start prayer journaling. Visit the She Reads blog where we are giving away a prayer journal, plus the antique ring from the cover of the novel Lady in Waiting. Several copies of Susan Meissner's latest novel Lady in Waiting will be awarded as well.
Reflections:
Is there a decision pressing on you that you've been afraid to make? Pray for courage and wisdom from the Lord, and then share this need with a trusted friend who will help you take the next step of "getting out of your waiting room chair."
What keeps you from being strong and courageous? List those things. What would God have you do with thought patterns that originate out of fear and doubt?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susan Meissner. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 9, 2010
The Good Side of Conflict
Lysa TerKeurst
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was in my early twenties, there was nothing I disliked more than conflict. I won't use the tired cliché that I avoided it like the plague. But, since I just used it anyhow, I'll admit I tried to navigate around conflict at any cost.
I was a 'stuff it and smile' kind of girl. The problem with pretending to be fine when you're really not, is all that pent up steam will eventually come out. And if you've ever held your hand too close to steam, you know how it can burn.
A much healthier approach to the inevitable conflicts we all must deal with is to face the issue head on with grace and humility having asked ourselves one very crucial question. This question is so crucial that might I dare say not asking it could lead to extreme conflict escalation rather than relationship restoration.
So, what's this crucial question?
Am I trying to prove or improve? That's the question. In other words, is my desire in this conflict to prove that I am right or to improve the relationship at hand?
When I try to prove I am right, I use the circumstances of the conflict as an arsenal to attack the other person. I come armed with past hurts and offenses ready to state my case. I'm tempted to tear down the other person. I react from a place of hurt and anger and can often say things I later regret.
On the other hand, when my desire is to improve the relationship, I seek to understand where the other person is coming from and I care enough about the relationship to fight for it rather than against it. Instead of reacting out of anger, I pause and let the Holy Spirit interrupt my first impulses. I tackle the issues, not the person.
Here are some great questions to ask when we're dealing with conflict out of a desire to improve a relationship:
Can you help me understand why you feel this way?
Why don't we both agree to stick to the issue at hand and not pull in past issues?
What is your desired outcome in this situation?
How can we meet in the middle on this issue?
My husband I have renamed what we used to call "fights." We now call them "growth opportunities." And the more we've been practicing these principles, the less conflicts we've been having.
But I won't tie this devotion up in a neat bow and end all "cheerio." While Art and I are doing great right now and have had very few "growth opportunities" lately, conflicts with others seem to always be around the corner. So please hear my heart, I'm not saying all of this is easy. Just this week I've had to tackle some growth opportunities that made me feel like I had fire crackers burning through my veins.
Maybe you can relate.
What I will say is that it's possible to let those conflicts lead us to better places in our relationships. Improved places. And that is the good side of conflict.
Dear Lord, help me to realize that with each conflict I face I can make the choice to improve the relationship rather than try and prove I'm right. This is hard, Lord, really hard. But, I want to grow in this area and I know this is a good place to start. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For another conflict resolution tip, visit Lysa's blog today. Just for visiting, www.LysaTerKeurst.com you'll get a free resource being offered today!
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
If you identify with this devotion, consider getting a copy of Lysa's latest book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl
The accompanying DVD teaching series contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible Study group or a neighborhood book club. The Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Application Steps:
Take time to pause before jumping into any conflict resolution. Sometimes a simple pause is all that's needed to remember to attack the problem at hand and not the person. Keep in mind it's more important to improve the relationship than prove we are right.
Reflections:
How might it help your next conflict resolution attempt to use these questions?
Can you help me understand why you feel this way?
Why don't we both agree to stick to the issue at hand and not pull in past issues?
What is your desired outcome in this situation?
How can we meet in the middle on this issue?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 10, 2010
How to Deal with a Bully
Glynnis Whitwer
"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
Devotion:
As another year of school begins, stories of bullies will surface. The most shocking ones make the news, but those are a small percentage of the actual bullying that takes place. Sadly, victims of bullies often keep silent due to shame, intimidation and a silent unspoken code.
But the schoolyard isn't the only place we'll find bullies this month. Bullies are everywhere. They are in offices, committees, homes and community meetings. They are found anywhere they can dominate through force of will. And I believe they have intimidated a generation of people long enough.
Sadly, many well-meaning Christians have "turned the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) when bullied. However, a closer examination of that passage reveals something vitally important. Turning the other cheek involves us willingly ignoring an offense to us, even though we could defend ourselves. We don't turn away because we are afraid.
Jesus could have called down 1,000 angels to protect Him from being crucified, but He willingly laid down His life. Jesus states this in His own words, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:17-18, NIV).
Jesus saw a greater good in submitting to those who would take His life. He did it for us. In an instance such as that, turning the other check is the best response.
Although Jesus calls us to a life of forgiveness and compassion, even He didn't tolerate those who dishonored God's holy temple. With righteous indignation, Jesus turned over tables, and drove out money changers and those who were selling doves within the walls of the temple, accusing them of turning His father's house into "a den of robbers" (Mark 11:17). Jesus also trained His disciples to put themselves in the path of danger for the sake of others.
As Christians, I believe we are called to play an unusual role in dealing with bullies. It is not a role the world plays—filled with anger and vengeance. It is not a role of passivity. It is not a role of hate. We can't gratify our flesh and play tit-for-tat games. In other words, it's not easy.
We are called to love our enemies, to pray for them, but to stand firm against unrighteousness and injustice. We are called to draw a line in the sand about our beliefs. We aren't aggressive, but we are assertive. We aren't boastful, but we are confident about our God's wishes for His people. Most importantly, we can't ignore the problem.
Ignoring a true bully doesn't make the bullying stop. It just fuels his or her need for power. So what does help? First, pray for God's wisdom in the situation. Understand that God loves you, and all His people, and wants not one of His children to be victimized in any way. Then, if there are physical threats or violence, get to somewhere safe and tell someone in authority. If the bullying is of an emotional nature, determine to respectfully take a stand on what you believe God is calling you to do. If it's important enough, then be strong.
While that's not a guarantee a bully will back down, it's a start to developing a bully-proof life. Really, it's a start to building moral courage in your heart. And bullies can't stand that.
I believe God calls us to a life of passion for His people, and sometimes that takes moral courage. In fact, it's going to take a lot of moral courage to address the injustices in this world. And it's going to take a righteous indignation like Jesus had about the temple money changers. And it just might start with facing the bully in your life.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your holiness and righteousness. Your ways are perfect. Help me to know the right thing to do when facing the bullies in my life. Help me know when to stand firm and when to turn away. I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For ways to help your child deal with bullies and other everyday problems, Glynnis has written When Your Child is Hurting
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares tips from her book about how to bully-proof your child this school year.
The Power of One (t-shirt)
Poverty is a brutal bully. Prayerfully consider standing up to it on behalf of those suffering by sponsoring a child through Compassion International
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
If you are facing a bully in an area of your life, identify if you are responding in fear or confidence. If you have fear, then it's time to do something about it. Gather one or two wise friends and pray for God's guidance on what to do.
Reflections:
Consider a time when you faced a bully and backed down. What were your fears?
What are some practices you can put in your life now to prepare for the next time someone tries to bully you?
Power Verses:
1 Samuel 17:37a, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (NIV)
Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 13, 2010
Sanctifying Discipline
Wendy Blight
"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."
Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
Devotion:
Discipline hurts.
When on the receiving end of it, we hate it. We whine. We groan. We complain. Our sin nature rises up to defend, rebel, and justify.
The author of Hebrews recognizes this in Hebrews 12:11. He says, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful."
Yes, it is. Don't you love how God validates our feelings? Discipline hurts!
But when we examine the second half of this verse, God also makes a promise. He promises that afterwards there will be "peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." God promises to bring forth fruit from discipline. This fruit is the outward effect of His divine discipline. Each time God disciplines us, He moves us closer and closer to holiness.
Oh, how it hurts, though. Recently, I watched and listened as my husband spoke what I believed to be harsh words to my son about his behavior. I did not feel my son's childish behavior warranted my husband's reaction. I made my opinion known right then and there...in front of my son. Looking back, I can see that I disrespected my husband. But, of course, I did not see it that way at the time. In my mind, I was protecting my son's heart, believing I knew the right way, a better way, to say what my husband said.
Later that night, my husband addressed this with me privately. It felt like he was correcting me. I reacted as expected...defending and justifying my words.
God being God had already arranged for me to have coffee the next day with a dear friend who is about ten years ahead of me in parenting. I casually asked how her youngest son was doing. It opened the door to a conversation that led to how a woman needs to respect her husband and trust him with the discipline of a son. She stressed the importance of wives not only respecting their husbands but also trusting them and praying for them...for wisdom and strength as they father their children, especially sons.
Wow!! She knew nothing of my circumstances when she began sharing her wisdom. Tears fell from my eyes as I heard God speaking to me through her.
God softened my heart. Why? To be honest, it was probably because the words did not come from my husband.
I realized in that moment that I needed to change my heart. I learned through her words that my husband's admonishment about what I had done was God's discipline and sanctifying work. With this new perspective, I find myself more willing now to accept discipline and to work with God instead of against Him.
As we closed our time together, my friend prayed the most beautiful prayer that moved my heart to repentance. I could not wait for my husband to get home that night and share what God taught me.
God's promise does not end there. Hebrews 12:12 says:
"Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (NIV)
Friend, God uses discipline to heal. Our God wants the very best for us. He loves us. He delights in us. He has a plan for us. It is only when we willingly allow God to sanctify our hearts and remove sin...whatever it may be (pride, bitterness, fear, mistrust, shame, guilt, anger)...that God can truly use us and accomplish His plans in and through us.
Heavenly Father, give me a heart of glad surrender, one that willingly receives Your discipline. Father, whatever it takes, make me more like You. Bring forth a harvest of righteousness and peace in my life. Amen.
Related Resources:
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Visit Wendy's blog to sign up for her latest on-line Bible Study, The Heart of a Mighty Warrior: The Life of David.
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage by Stormie O'Martian
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Application Steps:
Read 1 Peter 5:5-6 and James 4:6. Who does God oppose in these verses? Who does God favor? What is His promise?
Reflections:
In what ways has God brought the strong hand of sanctifying discipline into your life?
How has God worked in and through that discipline?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:5b-6, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility....because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
James 4:6, "...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (NIV)
Isaiah 66:2, "...This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 14, 2010
The Gift of Listening
Renee Swope
"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray." Psalm 17:6 (NLT)
Devotion:
I was reading in bed one night when I heard my husband calling our dog to come get her treat. He was actually luring Chelsea, our thirteen-year-old daschund, to her doggie bed. She was sound asleep in her favorite chair, and nothing was getting her to budge, not even the promise of a treat.
When my kids came to tell me goodnight, I asked if they thought Chelsea had "selective hearing" because she didn't want to go to bed or if she was going deaf. I had a feeling it was the latter. We reminisced and laughed about how Chelsea used to hear every little thing, from the ice maker in our kitchen to the wind blowing a leaf outside our front door.
My son Andrew, who was nine at the time, looked at me with a concerned look in his eyes and said, "Mom, I hope when you get old you don't go deaf like Chelsea."
I laughingly told him it might be good if I can't hear everything when I get as old as Chelsea. She gets a lot more sleep and she's not offended by the doggy jokes we make about her old age.
My light-hearted response didn't wipe the concern off his brow, so I asked why he was afraid I won't be able to hear him. He answered without hesitation, "Well, sometimes you don't hear me now. Like when you're on the computer and I ask you a question. Sometimes you don't hear me."
Ouch! I had no idea my child thought I couldn't hear him. His answer almost plunged me into a bad-mommy moment with flashbacks from all the times I heard him but didn't listen because I was deeply distracted or listening to someone else via email and Facebook.
Instead of defining that moment with guilt, I pulled Andrew close and told him I was sorry for not listening sometimes. I didn't want him to fear aging might make it worse. So I explained how me being on the computer is similar to him watching a good movie or playing video games. He gets so involved that he doesn't hear things, like me calling him for dinner. He smiled because he could now understand my "hearing loss."
Still, I didn't want that to become my excuse. So I told him, "Andrew, I'm going to try really hard to stop what I am doing when you come to me, look away from my computer and really listen to what you're saying. What you have to say matters to me."
Today's key verse reflects our desire for God to hear us. It reminds me that in the same way I go to God because I want Him to listen and answer me, my child and others come to me because they want me to listen to them. When I stop what I am doing and listen, it tells them that they, and what they have to say, are important to me.
In our culture of constant contact through technology, it's easy for our attention to be divided and our focus to shift away from those who are in the room with us. Although we are physically present, often times we are mentally absent. At least I know I am. What about you?
That night God showed me the valuable gift we can give to our children, spouses, friends, co-workers and even strangers. It's the gift of listening. We give it each time we stop what we're doing and turn our full listening attention to them when we they talk to us. And, it's a gift God gives to us each time we talk to Him, too!
Lord, thank You for listening to me. Please help me be a better listener. It's easy to hear with one ear while the other is turned toward my computer, television or cell phone. I want to give the gift of listening because it communicates value those who want me to hear them. Make me aware and willing to push past this habit so that I can be a listener like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Living and Leaving a Legacy, 2 part message on DVD by Renee Swope
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child, Character Chart & Message on CD by Renee Swope
Visit Renee's Blog for more encouragement and practical steps to becoming a better listener, and enter to win a copy of her 2-part DVD teaching entitled Living and Leaving a Legacy!
God's Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional By various P31 authors with Editors Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen.
Application Steps:
Ask God to show you throughout the day how you are doing when it comes to really listening to those you live and work with.
Make a list of people you will give the gift of listening to this week.
Visit Renee's Blog for practical ways to become a better listener.
Reflections:
Take time to talk to God and enjoy the gift of knowing that He's listening with His full attention to you.
Power Verses:
Psalm 54:2, "Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth." (NIV)
Psalm 66:16, "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me." (NIV)
Luke 2:46, "After three days they found him [Jesus] in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." (NIV)
© 2010 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 15, 2010
Defined By God
Shari Braendel
"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Psalm 45:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
One word. Flabbergasted.
That was the emotion I had coursing through my body as I sat at the coffee shop discussing my weight issues with a friend.
I told her I had recently cut out certain foods from my diet, but was continuing to maintain my "happy weight," that number the scale just seems extremely happy to faithfully report whether I have eaten healthy and exercised that week or not. We had a good laugh as she described how sometimes she locks her scale away so she's not tempted to jump on it every day just to find out if she's still her same "happy" self.
As a result of this conversation I realized that if I am not careful I can easily allow the scale, or the mirror, to become a compass that shifts my focus and points me in the wrong direction. It seems illogical, yet at times I look to this digital device, or this earthly reflection to gauge my emotional status and essentially define me.
The Bible tells us that the God of the universe is enthralled with our beauty. Seriously? Yes, indeed! He thinks we are amazing and wonderful. Unfortunately, more often than not, we look in the mirror and only see our flaws; hair that's just a mite too frizzy; a tummy that's a bit too fluffy; and thighs that have a few too many dimples on them. My friend Renee likes to call her cellulite "the fingerprints of God." One time I shared that with a group of women, and one of them said, "Well then He must have REALLY big hands!"
So, what would life look like if we accepted God workmanship? Can you imagine how different we would feel about ourselves if we glanced in the mirror and told God "thank You for making me so wonderfully"? If you listen closely, I bet you would hear Him respond, "All beautiful, you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you" (Song of Solomon 4:7, NIV).
No matter your size or shape, the number on your clothes tag or your scale, you are beautiful! Let's embrace that we are fine just the way we are because if God says so, then it's true!
Dear God, thank You for making me the way I am. Please help me to have more confidence. I will practice defining myself through Your eyes and not my own. I am grateful, and humbled to be Your beautiful daughter, and I can feel Your approving gaze upon me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Shari's new book, Good Girls Don't have to Dress Bad: A Style Guide for Every Women is a complete, full-color, style guide with lots of pictures of real women of all shapes and sizes!
Visit Shari's Blog to continue this conversation and to enter a contest to win a signed copy of Good Girls Don't have to Dress Bad: A Style Guide for Every Women along with your own set of personal color swatches to help aid in choosing your best colors when shopping.
Do You Know Him?
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
Application Steps:
Make a list of five things you really like about your outer appearance.
When you find yourself in a funk, remember to define yourself through God's eyes.
Accept a compliment with a smile and a thank you.
Reflections:
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to treat yourself to something new? You are valuable to Him, and to those who love you. It is okay to take care of yourself too.
Does my scale define me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
Song of Solomon 4:1, "How beautiful, you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!" (NIV)
Ephesians 2:10, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
© 2010 by Shari Braendel. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 16, 2010
Nothing More and Nothing Less
Rachel Olsen
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."
Matthew 5:5 (MSG)
Devotion:
Lord, how can I become content with just who I am, nothing more and nothing less?
I'm certainly prone to want to be more, or less, than I am. To be smarter, prettier, funnier, fitter. To be more productive, perky and high energy. And then also to be lower key, calmer, more level-headed and focused.
I want to have better self-awareness, and yet I want to be less concerned about what others think of me.
I want to be a better cook, to sing beautifully and to keep the house neat without so much perceived effort. And did I mention fuller, thicker hair would be nice too? I want to be a better writer - one that's both highly creative and meticulously organized. And I want fewer propensities to run late, slack off or procrastinate.
Yes, I want to be both more and less of me.
Jesus shushes my endless listing of the things I want to change about myself - to improve about myself so I can have what I'm sure would be a better life. He asks me instead to humbly make peace with it all. To lay down my notions of a better woman and a better life by letting Him be the judge of that. To simply take what I'm given and offer it back to Him, in service and surrender. Willingly assuming that I am enough - I have what it takes to live a great life. One that pleases God, others and self.
Today's key verse is among several in the Bible that fuels a core conviction I hold: When I stop striving to create a life for myself, I find the life God creates for me. This, my friend, is a powerful truth, a divine secret. His life for me begins precisely where mine ends. My life ends in my sin and striving and begins again in God's grace and power. His empowering indwelling affords me everything I truly need and nothing I truly don't.
Do you too long to be content with just who you are in Christ - nothing more and nothing less? Jesus addresses us both in Matthew 23:11-12, ""Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." (MSG)
Amazingly, God's grace humbles a woman without degrading her, and His favor lifts her up without inflating her. The life she finds in Him makes her the proud owner of everything money can't buy - a life of contentment.
Dear Lord, help me to quiet my critical, striving spirit today and gratefully accept who I am and where I'm at in this moment. For You are here, ready to invisibly empower my life to count for plenty right where I am. Help me also to seek and hold your definition of "plenty" - nothing more and nothing less. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus personally?
Connect with Rachel at her blog where she describes an everyday moment when she needed and learned to be contentment with who she is.
If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll want to get a copy of Rachel's just-released book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
Application Steps:
It is possible to improve and grow - with dreams, plans and goals - and still be content today. Journal some notes to yourself about doing that - and schedule a time to return to read those notes in the future. Perhaps read it each Monday morning, or just whenever you feel yourself slipping into stressful striving.
Reflections:
Am I content today with who I am and where I'm at in life in this moment?
What can I do to find that contentment when it is missing?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:6-7, "So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." (MSG)
Zephaniah 3:12-13, "This core holy people will not do wrong. They won't lie, won't use words to flatter or seduce. Content with who they are and where they are, unanxious, they'll live at peace." (MSG)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 17, 2010
Where Your Treasure Is
T. Suzanne Eller
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 (NLT)
Devotion:
I was on my own at 17. I worked two jobs while attending a small community college and eventually left college because I ran out of funds. Three years later I married my husband. Over the next few years babies were born, with medical expenses incurred. Then I got sick: Cancer. It probably won't surprise you that because of these circumstances, there was a huge need in my life for financial stability.
I pinched pennies. I calculated paychecks to the last dime. I made lists of our debt month after month, figuring out how to pay them off quicker. I think financial gurus would say I was on the right track, but can I be honest? In the midst of my calculations and my overwhelming need for security, pinching pennies became not just a means to meet my goal and take care of our family, but it started to reflect my heart spiritually in the area of giving.
Even after I was secure. Even after our financial status was stable.
We tithed. We gave to others, even sacrificially. But my heart wasn't in it. As I placed a tithing envelope in the offering, I thought: What about our savings? Shouldn't we be building it? What about buying something new for us? Our car is older. The miles are racking up.
Friends would have been surprised at the battle that raged inside me. I was ashamed of it. They would have called me generous, but I knew the truth. I had worked so hard for such a long time that I had come to count on Suzie. I obeyed God in this area, but did I trust Him?
I desperately wanted a generous heart, no matter how much was in our bank account.
The first thing I felt God asking me to lay down was worry. As I prayed, I went back to all the times God had liberally cared for me. As an unsure young girl alone at 17, His love led me day by day. As a young mom overwhelmed at times, He wrapped me in security and grace. As a 31-year-old woman diagnosed with cancer, He filled me with faith that could only come from Christ.
My confidence in Him had nothing to do with money, but rather His presence in my life.
I put worry down, asking for the strength to abide in Him instead of fear.
The second thing I felt God asking me to lay down was resentment. Oh, Father, such a hard word. Are you sure that is the condition of my heart? And yet, there it was. Hidden from others, but clear as day to me and my Savior.
It's been years since that pivotal moment between me and Jesus. Recently I was talking with one of my daughters. "Remember when you used to worry about money?" she asked. I nodded, smiling. "You seem to be so different, Mom, and yet I know that you and Dad live on a strict budget, especially now that he's back in school. Do you have money I don't know about?" she teased.
Yes, baby, I do. But it has nothing to do with my bank account. It's a different kind of treasure, one that acknowledges how rich I am to have food on the table, a car that starts every time I turn the key, a family that loves me like crazy, and faith that runs deep. It's a treasure that is nestled inside, that is filled with joy when I drop off books at a shelter, or send a check to sponsor my beautiful Compassion International child, or respond to God's leading to give more than a tithe. It's a treasure that is a deep confidence in who God is.
In many ways I'll always be that 17-year-old girl wanting to be secure, but I've found a different kind of security. I may never be wealthy, but believe me when I say this: I'm rich beyond belief. I'm blessed, blessed, blessed.
Dear Jesus, You see my heart. You know my fears, insecurities, and hunger for stability. I pray I will see the vast riches around me, things others might not see as wealth, but in the end they are the most priceless. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she's giving away a few copies of her books and offering a unique challenge.
Learning to Live Financially Free is a great book for you and your husband, and Raising Financially Savvy Kids (CD) for your children. Both by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Application Steps:
List the things that money provides for you.
List the things you provide for yourself.
List the things God provides for you.
In each, describe your heart condition. Is it in balance with today's scripture (Matthew 6:19-21)?
Reflections:
Temptation to depend on wealth is insidious, but the real problem lies with attitude rather than with the amount of possessions we have. ~Anonymous
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:25-27, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" (NLT)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 20, 2010
Why Does My Husband...
Melanie Chitwood
"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Psalm 139:14 (NAS)
Devotion:
Have you ever found yourself puzzled about why your husband does or doesn't do certain things? Are you ever frustrated with his quirks and preferences?
Why does he have to have the proper tool for his project, when it seems to you he already has ten power tools that could surely serve the purpose? Or why does he not get the kids to bed on time, like you reminded him to do? Doesn't he know a schedule is important? Perhaps you've been on the other end of your husband's frustration when you want to socialize at the party as late as possible, but he's ready to leave after an hour.
While a couple's differences stem from many sources, one of the main sources of our differences is our unique personality types. Years ago when I stumbled across a book, Florence Littauer's Personality Plus for Couples, I felt like a light bulb turned on as it offered insight into my husband. This man who is very different from me.
This book explains that every person tends to fall in one of four personality types: Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, or Melancholy. Most people have a primary personality type and a secondary personality type, and each type comes with its positive and negative aspects.
The Sanguine personality type, also called the Popular Personality, is outgoing, adventurous, attention-seeking, talkative and social. Possible weaknesses of a Sanguine are they avoid anything that's not fun, tend to run late, and often do not finish projects.
When you think of the second personality type, the Choleric or Powerful Personality, think of a take-charge leader. Cholerics love challenges, are self-motivated, driven and determined. Their strong personalities can lend to weaknesses, such as being opinionated, stubborn or insensitive to other's feelings.
The third personality type, the Melancholy or Perfect Personality, tends to be introspective, creative, analytical and serious. Some of a melancholy's challenges are that they tend to be perfectionists, get their feelings hurt easily and can be critical of others.
Lastly, there's the Phlegmatic, the Peaceful Personality. Phlegmatics are laid-back, stable, calm and pleasant. While their peace-seeking personalities are helpful, they can avoid conflict at all costs, be scared to take a risk and may procrastinate.
Just reading this list makes me giggle as I think of a recent "situation" with my husband. As we prepared dinner for a cookout with neighborhood friends, Scott, a Sanguine-Choleric, got frustrated when he couldn't find the just-right knife for chopping up vegetables. To me, a phlegmatic-melancholy, it didn't seem like a big deal - any old knife would suit me fine for cutting up food. Later in the night when my more introverted melancholy side was showing, I was thankful for the talkative sanguine qualities of my husband who is great at making guests feel welcome.
Understanding my husband's personality type helps me to embrace him for the unique way God designed him. When I see how God gave each of us strengths and weaknesses, I see how we complement one another and how we truly are better together than apart.
Dear Lord, there are times when I just don't understand my husband, why he does or doesn't do certain things. Help us both to embrace one another's unique personalities. Lord, we trust that You can cause our differences to work for good in our marriage and in our individual lives. Lord, I want to go beyond just tolerating my husband's differences; I want to embrace them. I want to trust that our differences will complement each other, making us better together than apart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog "What Matters Most" where she is sharing more about personality types and marriage today.
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Today's devotion is adapted from Melanie's book, What a Wife Needs from Her Husband
Personality Plus for Couples by Florence Littauer
Application Steps:
Take time with your spouse to identify each of your personality types.
Make a list of ten things about your spouse's unique personality that you're thankful for. Be specific! For example, "I'm thankful that Scott is a strong leader." Even more specific would be, "I'm thankful that Scott is a strong leader to our two sons, teaching them a strong work ethic by his example."
Reflections:
How do you and your husband complement one another?
How do you frustrate one another?
What can you do to embrace the way you complement one another, as opposed to letting frustrations with your differences lead to conflict?
In what ways are you and your husband "better together"?
Power Verses:
Genesis 1:17, "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them..." (NAS)
Ecclesiastes 4:1, "Two are better than one..." (NAS)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 21, 2010
Testimony
Marybeth Whalen
"Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before." Psalm 68:28 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was the first day of the Bible study I was leading and I didn't know the women very well. When I asked them how they experience God's presence, I got the answers I expected: prayer, reading His Word, listening to music. Then one woman raised her hand. "My testimony," she said.
I know my face registered my confusion. This was not an answer I expected. "Your testimony?" I asked. I knew the word testimony meant her story of how she came to know Jesus as Christ or stories of His activity in her life, but I was not totally following her. "How do you experience God's presence through your testimony?" I inquired.
"Whenever I share my testimony, I am reminded of His faithfulness," she answered me, her dark eyes shining. "I remember what He did then and I feel Him there assuring me He will be faithful again. My testimony reminds me of God's presence throughout my life; that I can count on Him."
I wanted to let her lead the rest of the Bible study, because she clearly had a lot to teach me.
Since that moment I have thought about the woman's words. I have reflected on my testimony—the many stories I can share about the answers to prayer, the still small voice of reassurance, the mountaintop experiences, and the revelations in my depths of despair. I have many examples of when I have felt His presence in my life and those experiences have taught me that I can count on Him. He was there; He is there; He will be there. Our testimonies are not stories with a beginning and an ending. They are unfolding sagas of a lifelong love affair with the living God.
I have always thought of my testimony as something I can use to inspire and encourage others, but had never thought of it as something I could use to encourage and inspire myself. God is faithful and He has proved it over and over. I can look back over my life and trace His hand, feel His presence and trust His purpose.
What is your testimony? How can it inspire you today? What do you need to remember from the past that will speak into your life today? Let your testimony speak to you today.
Dear Lord, thank You for always working in my life. When I get discouraged, let me see that You worked in my life in the past and You are at work now. Help me to recall my testimony so that I can feel Your presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement today!
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary DeMuth
Micca Campbell's Testimony (DVD) and Lysa TerKeurst's Testimony (CD)
Application Steps:
Begin a list of times that God has come through for you in big and little ways. Keep that list somewhere you can access it easily. Add to it as God brings things to mind or as new things happen. During times of discouragement, pull that paper out and experience His presence.
Reflections:
Have you ever thought about your testimony ministering to you? Do you spend time thinking about God's past faithfulness or do you tend to always look ahead?
Power Verses:
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Psalm 145:18-19, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries and saves them." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 2010
I'm Not Good as New
Glynnis Whitwer
"He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them."
John 12:40 (NIV)
Devotion:
Years ago, I decided to save money and learn how to cut men's hair. With four males in my home, I figured electric clippers were a good investment. They were. After a few "oops" and "uh-ohs," I got the hang of it and have been cutting their hair ever since.
Recently, after finishing a trim, I dropped the clippers on the floor, knocking the blades from the holder. A quick examination revealed a very small piece of plastic had been chipped away. But the blades seemed to fit on fine, so I cleaned up the mess, brushed the clippers, and stored them in their box. Good as new, I thought.
Time for the next haircut arrived, and I retrieved the clippers from their box. I put the cape around my son's shoulders, snapped on the correct guide and proceeded to turn on the clippers. However, instead of hearing the normal electric purr, we heard a metallic grating. Apparently, that broken piece of plastic was actually important. Without it, the clippers didn't work right.
As I considered that incident, I realized many of us are like those clippers. At one time we have fallen emotionally. We've been hurt, betrayed, left out, overlooked. We carry scars from past relationships, jobs and bad choices. Most of us have been trained to pick ourselves back up and move on. We've been conditioned to put on a smile and pretend we aren't broken. The problem is most things that are broken don't fix themselves, and they don't work right until they are.
In the month between haircuts, that piece of plastic never jumped back on the clippers. Likewise, a leaking faucet doesn't just stop leaking one day. Buttons don't sew themselves back on. In every instance where something is broken, I've had to attend to it with care.
Sadly, I see many people walking around broken, pretending they are okay. Instead of acknowledging hurt and seeking healing from the One who can give it, they ignore it. Instead of seeking professional help when needed, they bury the pain, and hope it's deep enough to not bother them again. But the pain never really heals. It always pops up. And it affects current relationships and commitments when it does.
The truth is, none of us is as good as new. We are ALL broken in some way. We all have hurts we've buried and tried to move past. But that brokenness doesn't completely heal by itself. Thankfully, there is good news if you feel broken.
We serve a God who loves healing and wholeness. He knows it's painful to deal with past hurts. But He's willing to help. While we will never be "good as new" until heaven, we can be emotionally healed here on earth. Maybe we need to pick up our broken pieces, carry them in tender hands and present them to Jesus.
It may not be easy, and it will probably take time. But emotional healing is possible. After all, the One who conquered death, can certainly mend our brokenness.
Dear Lord, only You really know the depths of my pain and desperation. I've tried to hide it, even from You at times, but I won't any longer. Today I openly admit my pain and hurt, and ask You to heal me. Please give me wisdom to know other steps I need to take. Thank You for what You are going to do in me and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Gentle Healer?
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer. This book equips parents to help their children deal with everyday hurts in ways that prepare them for a healthy future.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
Visit Glynnis' blog if you'd like her to pray for you today
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
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Application Steps:
If you have tried to cover up a hurt in your past, perhaps today is the day to bring it out of the darkness. Choose someone you trust, and let them know the burden you've been carrying. Then pray for God's direction and healing.
Reflections:
Why do so many women pretend they are okay, when in fact, they are suffering on the inside?
Read James 5:16 (below). What are important steps to receiving healing? (The Greek word for "healed" here is "iaomai," which has multiple meanings, not just physical healing.)
Power Verses:
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (NIV)
Malachi 4:2, "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 23, 2010
Things That Seem So Small
Lysa TerKeurst
"A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back."
Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)
Devotion:
Yesterday, I was just mindlessly looking out the window of an airport watching a few seagulls dart about overhead while airline workers were busy loading bags. Nothing about the scene outside the airport window spoke of danger. But then suddenly I remembered the flight from New York a while back that was brought down by a few geese. The seagull that faded into the background just moments before became a point of extreme interest to me. What if?
It's amazing if you stop to think about it that a huge airplane could be brought down by just a few birds. Birds. Who would have thought? It makes me think about other seemingly small things that can cause great destruction as well... especially when it comes to marriage.
Words vented in frustration can seem so small.
Slightly disrespectful attitudes can seem so small.
Complaining about lack of finances can seem so small.
Brushing off his desires can seem so small.
Making mental lists of things you wish were different about him can seem so small.
But each one of these seemingly small things can so easily and tragically wedge itself into the core of a marriage and send it spiraling toward destruction. Entire families have been ripped apart by things that once seemed so small.
Listen to the heartbreak in this note that was anonymously posted on my blog:
"Girls...I know this seems small...but, it's really not. Take it from someone who has blown it more times in marriage than not. Now I have blown it enough to make myself a single mom. It's too late for me. But, it's not for you. Please be aware of the little things. I wouldn't have you join me for anything in the world. Be on your guard and protect your marriage."... Anonymous
I am challenged by this. I can't just mindlessly assume that my marriage is coasting along okay and that little problems can't topple even the most seemingly stable of legacies. I can't get complacent. I can't get prideful. I can't get lazy. I can't take the gift of my marriage for granted.
I have a great marriage but sometimes I slip into automatic and stop getting as intentional as I should about investing richly and deeply into our relationship. So, I've decided to declare this my get intentional week. Today I'm focusing on my words. I'm praying for God to interrupt my mouth at every turn today. I am going to hold my tongue against saying anything careless. I am going to intentionally use my words as gifts to my husband today and nothing else.
Not that one day of doing this can protect my marriage forever- but it sure is a good start. Care to join me? Oh you know there will be challenges ahead sweet sister, but I'm up for it. What about you?
Dear Lord, help me to realize that with each word I speak, I am making the choice to bless or to curse. Please help me to speak words that are pleasing to You - even when my emotions run high and my feelings beg me to betray this commitment. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Leave your prayer requests on Lysa's blog today. It would be her complete honor and privilege to pray for your marriage and whatever circumstances you are facing right now.
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you!
If you identify with tough life circumstances and insecurities, consider getting a copy of Lysa's latest book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl
The accompanying DVD teaching series contains six 15-20 minute sessions, perfect for your Bible Study group or neighborhood Book Club! Pair it with the Bible Study workbook.
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Application Steps:
Identify the areas of your marriage you may be struggling with - complacency, pride, laziness. Look up verses in God's Word that address each.
Spend intentional time in prayer this week for your marriage and your husband.
Reflections:
What have I said recently to my spouse that seemed so small initially?
What have I done recently to my spouse that seemed so small initially?
What have I thought recently about my spouse that seemed so small initially?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)
Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 24, 2010
Composed and Quieted
Van Walton
"O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me." Psalm 131:1 (NASB)
Devotion:
I watched the young mother deftly work in her kitchen, amazed at all she could accomplish with one hand. In her left arm she tenderly cradled her little one. With her right hand, elbow, shoulder and hip she opened drawers and shut doors; she pulled out cups, saucers, and spoons; she scooped coffee and poured water.
While Juan Valdez's aroma filled the air, she gathered pastries from her pantry and other refreshments from her refrigerator. When silence replaced conversation, she hummed a quiet melody into her baby's ear. Finally we sat down to enjoy our mid-day visit and I realized her tiny infant had slept through it all, mindless of the constant noise and swirling activity.
Oh, to rest in such peace while all around me chaos reigns. What secret lay hidden in that little heart?
The chapter which contains today's key verse offers the answer- such a short and simple Psalm, yet it says it all, "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother..." (NASB).
I long for an escape from life's challenges. Sometimes the force and frequency with which my trials torment me threaten to undue me.
I've been tested and tried this year to the point that I thought, "If the barrage doesn't let up, I am a goner." I held up my hand in the stop position and screamed out to God, "No more! Have mercy. I'm undone! How am I supposed to juggle all this?"
In that instant God whispered, "Like a child rests against his mother, quiet your soul."
Then the Master Artist sketched for me the picture I described earlier. His reminder recalled a young mother tenderly and safely holding her baby, while all around, life's responsibilities increasingly swelled.
Sweet friend, do you feel like you are losing your footing? Are you struggling to conquer the chaos? If you are like me you are on the brink, throwing up your hands and screaming, "I give up!"
That's good! Give up.
Yes, that is what I said.
Give up and like a child in her mother's arms, trust and rest.
Some matters are too complicated for us to figure out. Let God open and close the doors. Believe that He will prepare and provide. He created you, His precious child. He is protecting you in the crook of His strong right arm.
Father God, Your Word assures me that You are a strong shelter. You don't give me more than I can endure. Out of obedience I believe You and rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
From the Pound to the Palace Children's Book or Story on DVD by Van Walton
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado
We'd be honored to walk alongside you throughout your day. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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Application Steps:
Purposefully plan thirty minutes into each day with a goal to sit quietly. Begin this time speaking to the Father, "Like a child I rest in You. I trust You to take the matters to great for me and place them under Your authority."
If needed, repeat the above-mentioned prayer until your soul is "composed and quieted."
Reflections:
What areas of my life are too great for me?
What steps can I take to shed the burdens of my difficulties?
Who can I ask to pray with me and hold me accountable to give my burdens to God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:7, "For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory." (NLV)
Psalm 131:2-3, "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever." (NASB)
1 Corinthians 10:13, "...you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it." (NCV)
© 2010 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 27, 2010
Being Perfect
Rachel Olsen
"Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God." Romans 8:5-6 (MSG)
Devotion:
There's a moment I dread when going to the doctor for a check-up. It's not putting on that tissue paper rectangle they mistakenly call a "gown." It's not having my finger pricked for blood tests - though I'm really squeamish about that. It's the moment right after the nurse finishes her questions, grabs her clip board, and announces the doctor will be in to see me shortly. Pulling the door closed behind her, she leaves me alone with it.
I already know what it's going to say about me; I've read it before. It's going to say that I don't measure up. That I'm not reaching my potential. That I don't equal my ideal. It's the height/weight chart that declares the perfect weight for my height - and I'm several pounds away.
It extends no mercy. It offers no grace. It makes no allowances for how old I am, how many babies I've birthed, or the fact that my husband can eat three plates of food every night without gaining an ounce. It demands perfection.
A few years ago I heard a verse that seemed to be the scriptural equivalent of the height/weight chart. A single verse to measure my worth against, and feed my expectations for perfection: "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matt 5:48, NIV)
I figured this verse justified dressing my family in matching sweaters, in the middle of July, to take the Christmas card photo because I'd just gotten the perfect haircut. I figured it warranted pricey tooth whitening treatments because I drink coffee and tea, and it shows. And I figured it would be my defense when I drove my family nuts about deep-cleaning the entire house because my new friend said she might stop by.
While the verse came in handy when I needed to justify my quest for perfect teeth, perfect photos or a perfectly clean house, it added to my disappointment, guilt and occasional loathing when my life, body or family didn't match the ideal notions in my head. Rather than fostering perfection, it fueled my self-criticism. Surely this is not what Jesus intended!
In the years since hearing that verse, I've embraced a core conviction that goes like this: If God created life, He alone gets to define it. This conviction drove me to find out what exactly Jesus meant by "be perfect."
Matthew wrote this verse. And the word he used in the ancient Greek language means something a little different than Mr. Webster's English definition. The Greek word here is teleos and it means "complete, full grown, developing."
The first two pieces of that definition indicate something already accomplished, while the third indicates an ongoing process. So this perfection Jesus prescribes for us is already complete and yet still developing. Complete in Him; still at work in us. We're allowed to be a work-in-progress!
All parts of this definition, however, refer to maturity of character, rather than a flawless figure, immaculate home, or the faultless execution of a task. Jesus just doesn't care so much if there's dust on our mantle, a stain on our teeth, or a scratch on our car. He isn't interested in how well our bedspread matches our curtains; He's interested in our spiritual maturity. Jesus teaches I will not find my worth in my ability to reach my perfect weight or accomplish my to-do list flawlessly, but in the fact that I am learning to reflect His character. To graciously give and receive love.
That's good news for a recovering perfectionist. Plus, as John writes in 1 John 3:18-19 of The Message: "My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it."
Dear Lord, thank You for grace! Thank You for mercy! Thank You for empowering me to be like You as I submit to Your Word. And thank You for not caring about dust bunnies or stained shirts. Help me to care less about those things as well and focus my heart more on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For a chance to win an Amazon Kindle e-reader, come by Rachel's blog this week and enter to win! And if you enjoyed this devotion, you'll want to get a copy of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
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Application Steps:
Spend time reading through the gospels, noticing what concerned Jesus and what did not.
Reflections:
What surface-level thing(s) have you been worrying over lately?
If it's not about your character, let it go as imperfect and rest in God's grace today.
Power Verses:
Phil 3: 8-9, "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith," (NASB)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 28, 2010
Remain, My Love
Micca Monda Campbell
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
John 15:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Is it really possible to live in God's constant presence free from fear and sheltered by His love? Miraculously, it is. Living carefree in the love of God is doable and real.
It's the kind of life that Jesus lived on earth and the life He desires for each of us. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love" (John 15:9).
I want to experience God's love and grace every day. As believers, our life is meant to be wrapped in God's love, but many of us live in fear and defeat instead. Where is our power and victory? Where is our peace that flows like a river? If you and I are in a love relationship with God, why don't we reflect that?
Many of us are powerless and full of anxieties rather than love because we do not faithfully practice fellowship with God. We simply stand in the shadow of God, but don't draw near. Perhaps we feel confused, abandoned, betrayed, or afraid of God. Or maybe we just stay too busy to draw near. This is not the Lord's desire. He longs to be with us.
To really experience the loving personality and presence of God, we have to spend time with Him. Knowing about God and knowing Him personally are two different things. We can read the Bible and acquire knowledge about God's love, but that doesn't mean we will experience it in an intimate way. Knowing about someone and being involved in a relationship with them are two very different experiences.
Personally, I don't want to simply know about God and His love. I want to share in it. I want to open my heart to God by telling Him about my hurts and my joys. I also want to know what's on His heart too. I desire to hear from Him instead of doing all the talking myself. I want the kind of relationship that Christ had with His Father in heaven while here on earth. And, I can have that through abiding. You can too.
To abide means to stay where you are. Colossians 3:3 tells us exactly where we are to stay. "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
That's our position; we are to stay in Christ. We don't just run to Christ when we're scared or desperate. Abiding in Christ means to remain in His presence daily - during every season and through every turn of life.
Abiding takes more than a token prayer, reading a few biblical words, or singing some praise songs on Sunday. Besides, abiding is not about doing more but about seeking God and connecting with Him. Today that connection may be about basking in his unconditional love. Tomorrow, it may be His strength that you relish. Whatever your need may be, you can find it in God's presence daily.
Is it possible to live a life in constant contact with God and His love all day long? It was for Jesus. Therefore, it must be possible for us too.
Dear Lord, how I long to live each day with You—in Your love, power, peace, and strength. Lord, I will stay in this moment with thoughts on You until I experience Your connection with me. Come, Lord, and meet with me today. Teach me to remain with You always. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog
Taken from An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears 3-Message CD set Taught by Micca Campbell
Additional Resources by Micca
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
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Application Steps:
Carefully read John 15. Ask yourself, who is the vine and who is the vine-keeper? Who is abiding and why? What is the benefit of abiding?
Reflections:
What distractions keep me from having a deeper relationship with God?
Am I willing to make God my first priority every day? If so, how will it change my relationship with Him?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 6:5, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (NIV)
Joshua 23:11, "So be very careful to love the LORD your God." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 29, 2010
Accountability Counts
Marybeth Whalen
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
II Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat on my bed feeling disappointed in myself. I had been to a party and, instead of abstaining from the junk food they were serving, I had indulged. Why did I keep cheating on the healthy diet I was trying to stick to? Just last year I was unswerving in my commitment to eat healthy, never cheating. I kept my eye on the prize of weight loss and better living through proper nutrition. While I still cared about how I looked and, even more, how I felt, I had less willpower than before. What had changed? As I thought back, I realized one essential component had changed from last year to this: accountability.
Last year I saw a doctor every week who weighed me, measured me and talked to me about my choices. She held me accountable in every sense of the word and there were many times that accountability of knowing I was going to have to check in with her kept me from eating what I was not good for me. Accountability, I realized, counted.
This realization made me look at other areas of my life where accountability had made a difference. When I decided to chase my dream of finally writing a novel, I had a friend who held me accountable—even to the point of making me finish it when I wanted to do anything but. That same friend also holds me accountable for the way I spend my time. She challenges me to keep my priorities in check and to live my life according to what I say my priorities are. We have the kind of relationship where she can say hard things—even when that's the last thing I want to hear.
Sometimes we resist accountability, even when it's the best thing for us. My husband recently put a computer program on our children's laptops that keeps up with what sites they visit as well as the amount of time they spend online and then sends us a report. They didn't relish the idea of being monitored, but we assured them that this accountability will go a long way towards helping them form good habits. Knowing someone is checking behind us, asking the hard questions, and calling us on our actions can make all of us better stewards and servants of Christ. Sometimes we must enter into an accountability relationship—not because we like it, but because it's the best thing for us.
What do you need to be held accountable for? Maybe it's spending more time with your family, watching your words, respecting your husband, limiting time wasters, committing to regular exercise, breaking a bad habit, or avoiding weak areas in your life.
A single friend of mine asked several friends to call her after every date she went on. She knew that the fact that she was being quizzed on her conduct later would help her make better decisions in the heat of the moment. Sometimes just knowing we will have to answer for our actions changes the whole outcome.
In the end we will be held accountable by Christ. II Corinthians 5:10 says the things we do will be judged by whether they were good, or bad. The word "bad" in this verse means worthless. This was sobering for me to understand. I could fool myself into thinking as long as I didn't do something "bad" I was in the clear. Instead this verse tells me that God is going to ask me, "Did you make your time count? Were the things you committed to of value to My Kingdom?"
If I have to be accountable to Him someday, I think it's a good idea to install godly accountability in my life now: the right words, the right choices, the right voices speaking into my life. I have learned that accountability counts towards a more abundant life. I just have to submit myself to it first.
Dear Lord, please show me the people in my life who would serve as good accountability partners. Help me to see what areas I could use some accountability in. I want the things I do to bring glory to You and add value to Your kingdom. Help me to accept accountability in my life and to submit myself to it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
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Application Steps:
Pray for God to show you someone who can hold you accountable. Then humbly ask that person.
Reflections:
What area of your life do you need accountability? What keeps you from opening yourself up to it? How could being accountable to someone else for your actions change your life for the better?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 12:15, "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." (NIV)
Proverbs 19:20, "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 30, 2010
Words
Lysa TerKeurst
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in God's likeness." James 3:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few weeks ago two of my kids were having a growth opportunity. "Growth opportunity" is the new phrase us TerKeursts use for "fight." It's like when people say pink is the new black. Growth opportunity is the new fight.
Anyhow, back to the two kids who love each other but didn't like each other very much in the heat of the moment. I pulled out my proverbial soap box, got my hand positioned just right on my hip, and told these two young teens to look outside the window of our home. I told them that outside our home a world exists of people who may or may not be nice to us. There are no guarantees.
"But, inside this house," I continued as I turned them toward one another, "there are certain guarantees. Since the day I birthed you, I have preached one sermon about the words spoken in our home. It is a simple sermon. Before you part your lips to speak, you must ask yourself this question: Are my words kind, necessary, and true?"
"If the answer to all three parts of that question is yes...proceed ahead."
"If the answer to any part of that question is no...stop the words from coming out."
Does that mean there is no room to address hard issues with one another? No. But it will always be done with a spirit of kindness using only words that are necessary and true.
I then ushered these precious teens outside to a bench in my front yard and instructed them to figure out their issues between the two of them. But they were not going to bring words into our house unless they were kind, necessary, and true. Thank you very much. Have a nice time on this warm little bench on this warm little day.
Be sure when reading that last paragraph to do it with the mama attitude. I'll wait right here if you need to go back and re-read with attitude.
There are some verses in James I'm considering writing on the palm of my hand. Think of how handy it would be just to flash my palm up in the midst of my people's growth opportunities with this verse in bold ink: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My people, this should not be" (James 3 9-10).
That same chapter of James goes on to read, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (verse 16).
Have mercy. I do not want disorder and every evil practice to be invited into my home. And if envy and selfish ambition (which are where ugly words come from) are the key that opens the door for all that evil mess, then I will do everything with the power of Jesus in me to tame tongues.
And all my Jesus girlfriends said, Amen!
Dear Lord, help me to know how to teach my children how to be more like You. Help me to model You in my actions, my reactions, and in every word I say. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are on board with this, leave a comment on Lysa's blog today by clicking here . Just think what might happen if all of us commit to kind, necessary and true words only.
Plus, leave your name on Lysa's blog post and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Lysa's latest book!
To read more about taming the tongue using "Kind, Necessary and True Words," get a copy of Lysa's latest book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook
Application Steps:
Take a moment to think about the words spoken in your home. Are they laced with tones of harshness? Bitterness? Envy? What can you do today to begin to improve these words and tones?
Reflections:
Ask the Lord to help you shine a light on all of the words that are spoken within the walls of your home so you can recognize any flaws and begin to change them. Growth and a change of direction can only begin when we can see and admit there is an issue.
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Philippians 1:9-10, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 1, 2010
Dare to Hope
Wendy Pope
"Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this."
Lamentations 3:21 (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you ever cried until the tears would no longer come and your heart was broken in tiny pieces? Have you ever uttered, "Everything I hope for from the Lord is lost?" Then you, me and Jeremiah make three.
I won't ever forget those long nights of crying myself to sleep. Some nights only silent tears would fall; other nights loud wails accompanied questions and prayers. "Why Lord? What am I doing wrong? Why won't you just fix his problems?" The prayers would end with "if it is Your will," hoping that His will was different that what it appeared to be.
On these nights I would curl up in a ball under my covers, face the wall and hope this time there would be a break-through in my prayers. Many nights, as I cried myself to sleep, I believed everything I had hoped for was lost and the situation was hopeless.
Jeremiah, also known as the weeping prophet, found himself in a hopeless situation as he watched the Temple of the Lord being burned to the ground by the Babylonians. His heart broke. The elements of the Temple such as the water basin and lamp snuffers were stolen, taken to Babylon to be used to worship false gods.
Jeremiah prophesied God's words to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord's immediate future for His people was one of discipline and the utter destruction of Jerusalem as well as His holy Temple. Jeremiah was chosen by God to deliver these words to His people. He did his job and did it well, but not without punishment, ridicule, insults, and imprisonment.
Jeremiah cried until no more tears would come (Lamentations 2:11, NLT). His heart was broken for Jerusalem and for God's people, his people. In anguish he lamented the words, "Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost" (Lamentations 3:18, NLT).
Then, out of the midst of his despair, he dared. He dared to hope in what he remembered.
Many of us know someone who needs hope; perhaps we ourselves need hope, therefore it would serve us well today to know what Jeremiah remembered. What he remembered as he lamented gave him the courage to dare to hope again. The remembrance changed his perspective on his present situation. Jeremiah dared to hope and so can we, regardless of our circumstances. In reading Lamentations 3:21-24 you can hear the expression in Jeremiah's "voice" change from that of lament to that of optimism. In your mind's eye you can picture his facial features transforming. What Jeremiah remembered was the key to elevating him from the pit of despair to a place of expectancy. It is our key as well. Jeremiah remembered this about his covenant Lord:
His unfailing love for him
His new mercies meant for him
His never ending faithfulness toward him
His inheritance due him
God's Word is alive and active. It is designed to transform us from the inside out. Reading and applying its truths will change the expression in our voice and redirect our perspective for the future. During my desperate nights I longed for my circumstances to be different. I cried until the tears would no longer come. Many times I tarried in the pit of despair much longer than necessary. But when I remembered God's faithfulness and mercies to me, my expression changed.
Did the circumstances surrounding my sorrows change because I remembered? No. What changed was my outlook. Hope means to wait with expectation, and this is what I chose to do during those hard nights.
Are you in need of hope today? Will you choose to remember His faithfulness, love, and mercy despite the despair and destruction around you? Will you dare to hope?
Dear Lord, I want to dare to hope but life around me seems uncertain and tentative. Will You help me dare to hope? Will You help me remember Your faithfulness, love and mercy? Thank You advance for what You are going to do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog to read her story
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
Read Lamentations 3:21-24 aloud. Remember and write down God's expressions of faithfulness, mercy, and love to you. Dare to hope.
Forward today's devotions to someone who needs hope.
Reflections:
What is my biggest stumbling block that keeps me from daring to hope?
What is an area of my life in which I need to dare to hope?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love." (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 4, 2010
Biting My Tongue
Rachel Olsen
"If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
What a challenging verse Paul penned in Romans 12:18.
Several years ago someone close to me confided their plans to me. They told a few other people I know at the same time. None of us thought her plans were wise, yet no one said anything in response.
But me.
Feeling her plans weren't well thought out or grounded in God's Word, I feared she would wind up with regret and likely hurt other people in the process. I didn't want to see my friend make what I felt would be a big mistake. So I tried logically and lovingly to lay out for her the reasons I felt this way. She took offense and got angry with me. Honestly, I expected that. No one likes to have their plans blocked or their decisions questioned.
What I didn't expect was her to verbally to attack me, my character, my marriage and my role in ministry in response! But that's what she did, including some choice allegations and blatant lies.
I don't like to argue - at all - but that said, I'm pretty good at it when I'm mad. (I'm a communication instructor after all.) Once I reach boiling point, I can explode. And in the past I've let my emotions and my mouth run unchecked in situations like this.
I had a large load of ammunition I could fire back at her with, and more than half a mind to do so. But I also had the Spirit of God in my soul and the words of Paul memorized. So I chose to bite my tongue this time.
It was hard.
Feeling nudged by God, I resolved not to fire back or call her to task for what she had said. I resisted pointing out that my comments to her were an attempt to look out for everyone's well-being including hers. And resisted pointing out that her comments to me seemed hateful in return. Instead, I took all my anger, hurt feelings and lengthy "speeches" to Jesus.
I prayed while I waited for my hurting heart to catch up with my decision to overlook this offense. It took months for that process to complete in me. Hurt feelings often die hard.
As much as it was up to me, that's all I felt I could do.
It took a couple years for her to fully come back around, but she did. She also never went through with those plans. And the others in the group saw her attack for what it was: an unfounded tirade leveled in the heat of the moment.
Our relationship today is intact and she's even OK with me sharing our story. I firmly believe this is because I bit my tongue, and prayed with it rather than burning relational bridges. Though she questioned my character at the time, I let God be my advisor and my defense - and then let my actions speak for themselves. And I don't regret any part of that course of action, unlike those times in the past when I simply spewed.
One thing I've learned living on this planet is we sure have a hard time being at peace with one another. But when God's Spirit is given room to move in a woman's hurting heart, she can graciously handle conflict and overlook an offense. It's not easy, but it is worth it.
Hebrews 12:14 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord" (NIV). So today, as much as it is up to us, let's allow peace to reign and Christ to be seen.
Dear Lord, relationships can be so hard to navigate. Help me know when to hold my tongue and pray instead. Help me overlook the little offenses made in ignorance or the insults made in the heat of an argument. And help me to also know when I should stand up and speak up. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion touched a chord in you, you'll want to read chapter 4, "Keep a Heavenly Lawyer on Retainer," of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
Visit Rachel's blog and leave a prayer request if you need help biting your tongue or waiting on God to restore a relationship.
Application Steps:
Train yourself to pause and pray as soon as you feel offended. Begin that habit today.
Reflections:
How do I typically respond when I feel offended?
Read all of Hebrews 12:1-15.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:14-15, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 5, 2010
Greater Love
Luann Prater
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I'm a killer. Yes, you read that right. I'm laying it out there and admitting it. Although, it's probably not what you think ... I've been a friendship-killer for much of my life.
I've wondered if it is from my dysfunctional home life as a kid. We moved annually, which meant a different school every year until I was a teenager. For an extremely shy girl this was terrifying. Dread and cold sweats came the night before I had to face another new classroom, new stares, new whispers and new giggles.
The layers built up; I figured it didn't really matter if classmates liked me because I probably wouldn't be there long anyway. Occasionally I would open up just a bit. Then Mom would say, "Pack up," and along with the boxes, my heart would seal up too.
It just hurt too much to hope that friendships could ever last. I was certain they couldn't, so I killed them before they ever developed deep. End it now before I'm too invested, was my mindset.
Maybe you know exactly what I'm talking about. We can fool ourselves into thinking that we don't need to open up and risk the pain of rejection or the devastation of potential loss.
Girlfriend, let me tell you what I discovered. The apostle John paints a portrait of a warm, real Jesus. Through that portrait Jesus reached out to me. He came into my heart and at that moment the love of the Savior began changing my life. I now have a greater love. I have found the same living water that Jesus offered to the woman at the well in the gospel of John.
It's been a spring welling up to eternal life! And I've discovered that when you begin to live that effervescent life, it becomes contagious! The joy that bubbles up from the inside cannot be hidden. Others are drawn to you and wonder how you can have joy in all circumstances.
And then it happens. Friendships develop. The old me would shut down, walk away or sabotage a relationship. I just didn't think I had what it takes to keep a friendship alive and healthy. And I don't, but God does. The new me embraces friends!
Maybe you've struggled with friendships. God crossed our paths today on purpose. He is asking us to take a risk. Let your guard down and love, as He loved us.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and teaching me how to welcome friends into my life with a greater love. Open my mind to see beyond myself today and take the risk of relationships built on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
I'll bring the Chocolate: Satisfying a Woman's Craving for Friendship and Faith Karen Porter
Visit Luann's blog and Encouragement Café!
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Application Steps:
Read John 4
Ask God to open your heart to His greater love. Slip on your God goggles and look for hurting hearts around you today.
Reflections:
What relationship does God want to grow in my heart?
When will I take the risk?
How can I reach out to someone with greater love today?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:19b "...love your neighbor as yourself." (NIV)
Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 6, 2010
Friendly Not Feisty
Karen Ehman
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
I Peter 4:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Okay ladies," the guest speaker urged as she wrapped up her talk to my moms group that night, "Now go home and be friendly in your homes."
Ouch! Had she been in my home just a few hours earlier? "Friendly" was far from the way I had acted toward my brood. Unkind? Yes. Snippy? Certainly. Even caustic and cutting? Well, if I were honest, I'd have to declare a resounding yes.
Just what made this Jesus-professing mama behave in such an un-Christ-like manner earlier that evening? Had someone acted rudely toward me? Did my kids disrespect me or my husband utter something hurtful? Just what pushed my interior emotional buttons and sent me verbally over the edge?
Soiled socks. Smeared strawberry jam. Trailing bread crumbs. Dirty silverware and plates. And notebooks.
Oh, it wasn't just the presence of these items that sent ugly words soaring out of my mouth. It was the fact that, just moments earlier, I had spent vast time and great effort getting our great room spic-and-span clean. That meant a living area devoid of clutter, kitchen counters and tables wiped, all floors vacuumed and surfaces dusted. I wanted the house tidied up so my husband and kids could just relax while I was gone.
Then, in the short time it took to change from my daytime outfit of jeans and a t-shirt into something more suited for a night with the girls, spruce up my hair, add a dab of make-up and grab my purse, my kiddos had, in my eyes, completely undone all my hard work! They'd whipped off their socks, made a snack of toasted homemade bread slathered with strawberry jam and strewn their weekly scripture memory books from a program at church all over the place. It made my mama blood boil and resulted in feisty, not friendly words.
I was working on a book on hospitality at the time and had been unpacking today's key verse for my readers. I wanted to drive home the fact that hospitality—using our homes and lives as avenues of God's care for others—and love—the sacrificial placing of another human being above yourself—are closely connected. And, the most important element, we must both love and offer hospitality to others without grumbling. You know, be friendly!
Now, for the most part, aren't we able to do that when we have guests in our home? We smile and serve and really don't get upset at crumbs and such. We happily wipe them up. Why is this so? And on a grander scale, why do we find it much easier to be friendly to complete strangers than to our own flesh and blood? Do our tempers stay in check with the grocery store cashier or even the dentist (whom I hate to see twice each year, for crying out loud!)?
Why is it so easy to snap at our kids, give our husbands the cold shoulder, or roll our eyes at a dear family member, but remain gracious with those we meet in public, even when they do something that really grinds us?
I fear that many of us live out just such a contradiction in our daily lives. And just what lasting pictures are our cherished children depositing into their memory banks? "Mom held it together when the dry cleaners completely ruined her favorite sweater, but she yelled at me for accidentally spilling grape juice on the floor." Oh, sisters, this should not be!
Perhaps it is time to offer some friendly hospitality to the members of our own home; to keep our tempers in check and our grumbling at bay; to let perfect love wash over a multitude of sins. Not the jelly-smeared, crumb-laden kind, but the hideous-word-hurling, mama-mouthed variety.
Oh may we Jesus-lovin' women choose to hesitate before we hurl. Rather than feisty, may we be friendly instead.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I take out my temper on my family. I want instead to act like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic and a chance to win a basket of family-friendly fun with a copy of her hospitality book A Life that Says Welcome, visit Karens blog
Sharing Grace- Family Traditions-Gift ideas (E-Book) by LeAnn Rice
She's Gonna Blow! Real Help for Dealing With Mom Anger by Julie Ann Barnhill
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
What are some ways I can choose to be friendly when I feel like being feisty? How can my thoughts-turned-to-words either help me in or deter me from this quest?
Reflections:
Do you know people who remain calm when they want to snap instead? What makes them choose the better reaction? If you can't figure it out, ask them!
Power Verses:
Romans 12:9-10, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (NIV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 7, 2010
Why Am I Scared to Pray Boldly?
Lysa TerKeurst
"...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:16b (NIV)
Devotion:
I have to admit I'm sometimes scared to pray boldly.
It's not at all that I don't believe God can do anything. I absolutely do. I'm a wild about Jesus girl. Wild in my willingness. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God.
After all, I think Jesus would rather reign in a wild stallion than kick a dead mule any day of the week.
So, my hesitation isn't rooted in any kind of doubt about God.
It's more rooted in a doubt about myself and my ability to absolutely discern the will of God. The reality is sometimes God chooses not to do things. And if His will is no- while I am boldly praying for a yes- it makes me feel out of step with God.
Can you relate?
I so desperately want to stay in the will of God that I find myself praying with clauses sometimes. Like, "God please heal my friend but if it's Your will to take her, I will trust You." I wonder why I don't just boldly pray, "God, please heal my friend." And then stand confidently that my prayers were not in vain no matter what the outcome.
The reality is, my prayers don't change God. But, I am convinced prayer changes me. Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself.
Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can't see on my own. And I am convinced prayer matters. Prayers are powerful and effective if prayed from the position of a righteous heart (James 5:16).
So, prayer does make a difference - a life-changing, mind-blowing, earth-rattling difference. We don't need to know how. We don't need to know when. We just need to kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl's prayers, extend far wide and far high and far deep.
Letting that absolute truth slosh over into my soul, snuffs out the flickers of hesitation. It bends my stiff knees. And it ignites a fresh, bold and even more wild fire within. Not bold as in bossy and demanding. But bold as in I love my Jesus with all my heart so why would I offer anything less than an ignited prayer life.
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him," (Jesus speaking in Matthew 6:6-8, NIV).
What do you need to pray boldly about today? Don't delay - go ahead and ask. And ask again. Not so that we can cause God to move, rather so that we can position our souls to be able to see our sweet Jesus move in any which way He pleases.
Dear Lord, I believe that You are the giver of life and Lord over all things. Thank You for providing me with exactly what I need, even though it isn't always what I may want. I trust that You have my best interest in mind today. I desire to have an authentic connection with You right now. I need You Lord. Show me the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Visit Lysa's blog for a bold prayer every mom should pray over her children.
If this devotion resonated with you, you'll want to read Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set
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Application Steps:
Write down three bold prayers you would like to pray today. Pray them again tomorrow. And again the next day. Pray them for the next month even. And know with full assurance that the tremors of your prayers will extend far wide and far high and far deep. Pray and wait for God to respond.
Reflections:
How have I been praying lately? In boldness or in timidity? Why?
Do I believe that my prayers matter?
How can I position my soul today to be able to see Jesus move in any way He pleases?
Power Verses:
2 Kings 19:19, "Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God." (NIV)
Matthew 15:25, "The woman came and knelt before him. 'Lord, help me!' she said."
Luke 17:5, "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'"
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 8, 2010
If I Only Had the Nerve
Micca Monda Campbell
"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!"
Psalm 31:24 (NLT)
Devotion:
There are two choices. We will either cower away from hard situations or charge toward them with courage. As for the cowardly lion in the classical movie The Wizard of OZ, he did both. Of all the Oz characters, I best identify with him.
Like the lion, I believe I could do anything if I only had the nerve. The trouble is that in scary situations the only "nerve" I have is a nervous stomach.
I've faced some pretty hard circumstances in my life, and I've discovered that I'm more courageous than I ever dreamed. One of the hurdles that took real courage was the time I was asked to speak before a group of teens.
I was asked to give a devotional message to the band members of a Christian school as they prepared to compete with other high school bands, at the state competition. On my way to the school that fall morning, my heart was full of joy. I was eager and well prepared to speak to the teens. All was going well until I pulled into the school's parking lot.
Suddenly, I was paralyzed by fear. With my hands frozen to the steering wheel of the car, I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't believe I had said, "Yes" to speak to anyone! Doubts about my ability and message flooded my heart and mind. I was in full-blown panic mode. With my hands still glued to the wheel, I turned and looked at the passenger seat. In my mind's eye, Satan was sitting there with a boastful grin painted across his devilish face that taunted me with doubt. How am I going to pull this off? I anxiously wondered.
I had a choice to make. Either I could allow my anxiety to prevent me from speaking or I could face the platform with courage. How does one find courage when they're trembling in fear? Sometimes it comes down to deciding what is more important—the thing we need to do or yielding to our fear. Courage is not absence of fear as you might think. Rather, it withstands fear. Being courageous is being brave enough to move through our fears. How? We put our hope in God who will see us through.
That day in my car when fear gripped me, I searched my thoughts only to discover that my nervousness is based on pride. What will they think of me? I nervously wondered. Knowing my own limitations created doubt in my mind, which in turn could have caused me to back away. Instead, I decided to move forward in faith. My heart warmed as I considered what was more important. God wanted to use me to speak truth and encouragement to those teens. Sure, my heart was pounding and my knees were knocking, but I chose to be brave. I chose to speak--afraid. The result was amazing. That's the incredible truth about courage. It transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
When you feel fearful, what's at the source? Are you focusing on yourself? Taking our eyes off ourselves helps us to see past our fears to the needs of others.
Where has God placed you right now? Are you in an ungodly workplace? Perhaps, you're in a bad relationship with a spouse or friend. Maybe you're living beside unbelieving neighbors or you have to care for aging parents. Whatever your situation, you have a decision to make. Will you cower away or charge forth in faith? While you may face scary risks, think of the difference you could make in someone's life or a whole community if you simply choose to be courageous!
Whatever God is calling you to do, this is His promise. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). Through you and me God can make a difference, perhaps save a life. The possibilities are endless if you only have the nerve.
Dear Lord, break this stronghold of fear and worry in my life. Increase my faith in You. Be my stronghold and my provision and in You will I trust. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is based from Micca's book An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith That's Stronger Than All My Fears
Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears 3-Message CD set Taught by Micca Campbell
Additional Resources by Micca
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement.
Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Make your choice. Is it more important to yield to your fear or do the thing you need to do? Remember, you are not alone. God is our ever-present helper in times of need. Discover courage by pressing through your fear with faith. You'll be amazed at how brave you are.
Reflections:
What fears are you dealing with today?
How can trusting God help you overcome your fear and experience peace?
Power Verses:
Palms 27:14, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:24, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.
October 11, 2010
Putting Grace in Its Place
Beth Webb Hart, She Reads Featured Author
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5: 6-7 (NIV)
Devotion:
I came face to face with grace in the wee hours of a summer night at the tender age of eighteen. I had just returned home from my first year of college, and after making a series of bad and destructive decisions, I could barely stand to be in my own skin. My mother, a new Christian, sensed my despair, and she sat me down late one night when the house was quiet and insisted that I tell her what was wrong.
Weary and depressed, I told her everything - all of my wrong-doings and the darkness which was consuming my heart as a result. She cried as any mother would. And I cried because I was ashamed and sorry, and I knew there was nothing I could do to turn back the clock and make things right. When the last tissue was frayed to bits, I looked up expecting her to write me off for good. It was certainly what I deserved. However, when our eyes met, her face softened, and she straightened up and said, "Jesus loves you, and He forgives you." Then she walked across the room, embraced me and added, "And so do I."
Grace. There it was. In an instant I felt the full weight of the truth proclaimed on the church marquee signs along the southern back roads of my childhood: "Jesus Saves," "Washed in the blood," and "There is a Redeemer." Jesus had sacrificed His life, not while I (or the rest of mankind) were well-behaved girls and boys, but while we were downright bad ones. Imagine.
"Thank you," I prayed as I stepped into the light. I could almost feel the rewiring of my heart, the restoration of my soul and the redirection of my very life.
Now it has been more than twenty years since that summer night, and I sometimes I wonder if I extend grace more often than not to the people around me. Do I keep a list of grievances against those who have hurt me? Do I habitually tally the debts I'm owed in terms of my time, my money and my service? Do I give family, friends and even that stranger on the city street who zips into the parking place I've been waiting patiently for (with my blinker on, I might add) the benefit of the doubt? How I wish I could say the answer was yes.
In my new novel, Love, Charleston, three tight-knit cousins in their late thirties find themselves living lives far different than the ones they daydreamed about as young girls growing up together in downtown Charleston. Anne, a bell ringer at a historic church, has never found love while Lish, a successful doctor, is blind-sided by an illness just as her husband's affection begins to wane. Lastly there is Della, a struggling writer, who begins to doubt the simple scrape-by life she and her sculptor spouse have chosen. It takes a miracle of grace to provide a joyful ending for these three Charleston women, and the resolution does not come without a willingness to reach out and love each other in the midst of the tough times.
Here are the questions my characters (and I) continually ask ourselves: How can we put grace in its proper place? How can it form the foundation of our everyday actions? How can we keep it in our very bones so that we don't wind up like the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 who throws a debtor into jail just moments after the merciful king has cancelled his debts and set him free?
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me while I was a sinner. Help me not to grow numb to Your sacrifice, and show me how to extend Your grace to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit She Reads for a chance to win a beautiful St. Michael's Gates necklace, the children's book Of Mice and Bells, and copies of Beth's new novel Love, Charleston.
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that Got Me there, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
For more encouragement, read our free resource, Love is Powerful
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Application Steps:
Think of the person in your life who could never pay you back for a nice lunch or dinner. Prepare a lovely meal and invite them over.
Think of someone who has hurt or insulted you over the last year. Do something kind for them.
Reflections:
Do you, in your heart of hearts, believe that your good works keep you in good standing with God? Why must you get rid of this notion in order to fully receive His love?
Look around. Whose life appears to be a mess? Also, whose life seems picture perfect by the world's standards? Could a little unmerited favor and love set both of these folks free?
Power Verses:
John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)
Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (NIV)
© 2010 by Beth Webb Hart. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 12, 2010
Divine Design
Lynn Cowell
"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Boiling point. That is what I had reached as I sat on the floor in my office thinking, "How did I get here?" Was it the discovery of a third needed root canal in my son's mouth only one week before he started college? Maybe it was the discussion of who was going to take over his room when he left? It was also my daughter's new job which required me to provide transportation right in the middle of the day. I guess at that point it didn't really matter. I could feel a slow boil in my heart and I feared an explosion was nearing the surface.
Proverbs 14:1 instructed me that morning with exactly what I needed to hear, "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down" (NIV).
The choice was and is mine: to be part of the divine design or the devil's demolition. My kids don't make me blow up. My husband doesn't cause me to feel exasperated. Proverbs makes it pretty clear, it's my choice.
That is a lot of power. I think, at least in America where for years women have fought for equal rights, we've missed this enormous amount of power that we have held since Eve was created: the power to build a home.
We hear of women who build innovative businesses and women who build influential ministries, but how about women who build solid homes, investing in lifelong marriages and raising up godly children as the next generation? Proverbs says this woman is wise. Never mind what society says is valuable and praiseworthy. This power is of utmost importance. This tremendous power that is within us is the power to build or destroy and we, the women of the home, hold it.
Learning to wield this power isn't something that just happens. Jesus gives insight in Matthew 12:34 when He says that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Our mouths are one of our primary tools. So, what is the mouth's source? Our heart.
That is why we have to be so careful what we allow to linger there. Is it positive thoughts about our kid's, their behavior, their future, their friends? Do we think good things about our husbands throughout the day, thankful for their hard work, grateful for their companionship?
If our mouths are currently being used to tear down instead of build up, it's time for a heart overhaul; time to get the thoughts that we dwell on lined up with the good that is right under our roof.
Friend, I hope you will join me, inviting the Holy Spirit to empower you today to build your home. Look for ways to invest and opportunities to hold back those words that tear down. He wants to make us builders. Let's say "yes"!
Lord, I want to build today. I can see what this day holds: driving in carpool, washing dirty clothes, making another supper and learning third grade math...again. Open my eyes and shut my mouth when my actions are leaning toward destruction. May I choose inspiration, not irritation. Make me a builder empowered by your Holy Spirit with strength and wisdom. Thank You for this incredible opportunity. May I make You proud! Amen.
Related Resources:
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Would you like more ideas on how to build a bridge to your child's heart? Stop by Lynn's blog for an opportunity to win her teaching CD on doing just that.
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
She's Gonna Blow! Real Help For Dealing With Mom Anger by Julie Ann Barnhill
Application Steps:
Start a Bible study with some friends or neighbors choosing to focus on either marriage or raising kids. Click here to find some great studies to help you get started.
Visit our Everyday Life section to read more encouraging articles on family life.
Reflections:
What time of the day do you find most difficult when it comes to being a woman who builds and invests positively in your family?
In addition to spending time in prayer and reading God's Word, what do you need to do to be successful in building up your home: accountability with friends, more sleep, a better diet, exercise?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 14:8, "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 13, 2010
Praying for the Impossible
Lysa TerKeurst
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
Five years ago I sat beside my youngest sister and listened as she boldly rejected my views of God. She's always been a free spirit, much too non-conventional for traditional religion.
"Good thing I'm not into religion," I gently replied.
She twisted her face as if half expecting a lightening bolt to strike us both. "But you ARE religious."
I laid my head against the back of the lounge chair, closed my eyes to the sun now washing over me and simply replied, "Nope."
Deciding to let my statement just sit for a while, I decided not to clarify unless she asked. And ask she did.
That's when I explained that I follow God not a list of rules. I am passionate about getting into the Bible - God's teachings - and letting the Bible get into me. I no longer evaluate life based on my feelings. Instead, I let my feelings and experiences be evaluated in light of God's Word.
I have watched God chase me around with rich evidence of His presence and invitations to trade apathy for active faith. But I had to make the choice to see God. Hear God. Know God. And follow hard after God.
Then I took my sister's hand and told her I'd be praying for God to mess with her in ways too bold for her to deny.
Fast forward over five years later. My sister walks into one of her professor's office and sees one of my books on her bookshelf. I don't think she really believed anyone actually read my books. But there it was. And it messed with her.
She later went home and poked around my blog a bit where she found a clip of my testimony. Again, it messed with her. One verse in particular messed with her so much that she let the possibility that God exists slip into her heart.
A few days later she went and had Jeremiah 29:11 tattooed on the back of her neck. And she started calling wanting to talk to me. About life. About tattoos. And about God.
Last Thursday, I stood in the middle of the Atlanta airport praying for this precious girl who had called asking for those prayers. She had called. She had asked. And that's the miracle of our Jesus. He is the God of the impossible.
I wonder what might happen if we dared to ask God for the impossible just a little more often. I'm up for it? Are you?
Dear Lord, use me today to reach the heart of one. I want to trade any apathy I may have today for active faith. Lead me, and I will follow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win a book and video package called "Sun Stand Still" by Pastor Steven Furtick. These great resources address how to pray for those things that seem so impossible. Plus, you can leave your prayer requests and our prayer team will pray for you!
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Learn how to study the Bible in a fun and relevant way on your own by reading Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
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Application Steps:
Read the book of John over the next several days. Let the truths of Jesus' life resonate in your mind and soul. As you read and ponder each verse daily, let your feelings and experiences be evaluated in the light of God's Word.
Reflections:
Have you made the choice to see God recently? Hear Him? Take the time to know Him? And follow hard after Him?
How can you, right where you are, choose to see the rich evidences of God? How can you show this to someone else who needs to hear it?
Have you asked God for the impossible lately?
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)
Colossians 1:9, "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 14, 2010
Do You Hate Sin?
Glynnis Whitwer
"For in his own eyes he flatters himself
too much to detect or hate his sin." Psalm 36:2 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently, a publicity firm invited a group of editors of Christian publications to preview a Hollywood film. The film producers were looking to get the message of this film into churches and wanted feedback from people like me in Christian publishing.
The movie was dark, with a theme of unresolved guilt. Sadly, that guilt consumed the main character all his life, until he became a bitter old man. After we viewed the movie, the publicists turned on the lights and led a discussion. Basically, they wanted to know if we would recommend the movie to pastors. I stayed out of the conversation, because I'm a Pollyanna when it comes to movies. I like them happy and with a predictable ending. I know that's not very high-brow, but it's the truth.
However, the ensuing conversation intrigued me. Some people thought the movie was rich with important themes. They believed it would provoke thoughtful discussion. Others couldn't get past the language, and would never recommend it. One woman shared her opinion on the language with eloquence and passion.
She would never recommend it, she said, because of several instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. She defended her position by saying that too many people minimize sin. In fact, she explained, the film violated one of the Ten Commandments, to not misuse the Lord's name (Exodus 20:7).
The conversation continued with the challenge of relating to people without violating any of our beliefs. Our time together ended, and a few people got up to leave, including the woman who spoke against the movie. After she left however, another conversation began when a college-aged woman spoke up.
"My friends and I would never be bothered by the misuse of God's name," she said. "But we should." We sat in silence digesting her words.
That comment plays and replays in my mind. The honesty of that young woman touched me, as she identified a serious problem among those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus: we tolerate sin. In fact, at times we even re-label it as "normal." I know there's a fine line between being in the culture but not of the culture. But that's not the root of this issue.
That young woman identified the real source: our hearts. We are going to be around sin until we get to heaven. Sin is woven in our human fiber. That's not the issue. The issue is what I think about it. Do I hate anything that sets itself up against God or His character? Do I hate sin?
I guess there's a part of me that shies away from the word "hate." I've taught my children not to use it, and I guard my own thoughts and tongue. Yet in doing so I've tamed my response to something that separates me from God. I've weakened my response and dulled my senses to that which God hates. He hates it because it takes me away from Him. And He loves me...and He loves you.
Call it old-school religion, but it's time for me to reexamine my response to that which God hates. It's time to settle in my heart whose side I'm on. It's time to decide if I will ignore or hate sin. Yep. It's time.
Dear Heavenly Father, break my heart with the things that break Yours. Remove from me any tolerance for the things that oppose You. You are holy and righteous and worthy of any sacrifice I might offer. Forgive me for tolerating the thing that caused the death of my beloved Savior, Jesus. In His Name and for His sake, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
i am not but i know I AM by Louis Giglio
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog - Welcome Home...Where Your Heart Longs to be!
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Application Steps:
Read the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20.
Reflections:
Identify if there is a wrong word, thought or deed in your life you have been tolerating.
What one change can you make this week to turn from that sin?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:9, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (NIV)
Exodus 20:7, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 15, 2010
Could it be You?
Rachel Olsen
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1 John 1:9-10 (NIV)
Devotion:
I remember the day I realized I have Adam's Disease. It took me awhile to notice—in fact, most people with this debilitating condition don't ever recognize it. But the best doctor I know pointed out its symptoms, and though I hated to admit it, I've frequently displayed them.
Could it possibly affect you as well? Maybe so.
Adam's Disease is an insidious condition that interferes with the patient's ability to grow. It does this by preventing the patient from admitting and taking responsibility for their sin. Take a look at the first confirmed case:
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." (Genesis 3:8-12, NIV)
What we have here is a textbook case of acknowledgement-avoidance and blame-shifting. Classic traits of Adam's Disease.
Adam hid because he sinned—he did the very thing God personally commanded him not to, and he knew it. He ate the fruit. He held it to his mouth, bit in, chewed, felt the juice dripping from his chin—and then his eyes were opened. Opened to what he had done, and opened to how miserable it feels to disconnect from God.
Trying to change the subject and avoid talking about his sin, Adam said he was hiding because he was naked. Nakedness ... a lesser offense. A problem, not a sin. A state that wasn't really his fault. After all, he didn't make himself naked. God did.
And that's where the second most prominent feature of Adam's Disease kicks in: blame-shifting. After trying to minimize the severity of their sin, the patient enters a frenzied state of denial and begins casting blame. He searches for a scapegoat. God will do; other people work even better, particularly those who are not without sin either. So the patient turns the attention away from themselves, leveling accusations (no matter how old) to shift focus and blame on others.
If we are skilled orators or experienced arguers, this often works for us in our relationships. The problem is, we walk away from the confrontation feeling victorious rather than convicted. We actually talk ourselves into feeling self-righteous after sinning.
Without conviction, however, there is no repentance. Without repentance, there is no grace to change. Without change there is no growth. Only future sins to be committed, glossed over, denied and forgotten. And in the process, we don't realize how miserable we truly are - how sick our souls become.
The doctor that pointed all this out to me, the Great Physician, said He could heal me of this disease if I would come to Him with a humble heart, confess and be cleansed. He showed me that confessing my sin, rather than concealing it, would set me free. And He showed me it won't not hurt to say, "I'm sorry."
For those outside the faith, Adam's Disease is fatal. For followers of Christ, it is completely curable. So, could it be you? Could you suffer with this tendency too? My best girlfriend advice - make an appointment with your Great Physician today.
Dear Lord, today I am willing to say that I am a sinner in so many ways. And I don't like to admit responsibility for my poor choices and harmful actions. Please cleanse me of all unrighteousness and empower me to live humbly in Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion struck a chord with you, you'll want to read chapter 10 - "Crave a Clear Conscious More than Clear Skin" - in Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
We were made to live free from Adam's Disease! Visit Rachel's blog today to talk about it. She is also giving away a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
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Application Steps:
Quiet yourself in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and show you any sin problems you need to confess. Then enjoy the spiritual vitality that you'll experience afterwards!
Reflections:
How willing am I to admit my mistakes? To God? To my boss? To my spouse? To my friends?
Do I shift blame as a knee-jerk reaction?
Do I resist saying, "I'm sorry"?
Power Verses:
James 4:6b, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 18, 2010
A Slow Boil
Melanie Chitwood
"Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex."
Hebrews 13:4 (MSG)
Devotion:
There's a familiar story about the best way to boil a frog - not something I can imagine needing to know, but it offers a good lesson. The story goes that if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, his survival instincts will cause him immediately to detect the danger and he'll quickly jump out. On the other hand, if you put a frog in a pot of cool water and gradually turn the heat up to a boil, he won't recognize the threat until it's too late.
The lesson here for marriage is to be aware of gradual temperature increases. I've heard people say that an affair "just happened." That may be true in the sense that sexual sin often does not start with a blatantly willful act. A more accurate portrayal of marital infidelity would be to say that the attraction and "temperature" gradually increases the more you are around that person. In other words, affairs develop little by little.
A friendly conversation with a workmate moves to flirtatious comments. Perhaps you find yourself wondering if he finds you attractive. You look forward to your next conversation. Your talks move from chit-chat to more intimate emotional matters. The next step might be secret emails, texts, Facebook messages or phone calls. Then, like the boiling frog, you find yourself in the scalding waters of marital infidelity.
What are some safeguards you can establish to protect your marriage from gradual temperature increases? What can help you avoid being in situations that might cause you or your spouse to be tempted to be unfaithful? Here are a few suggestions:
· Avoid one-on-one time with someone of the opposite sex. If work or ministry put you in this situation, limit the amount of time spent with the other person. Keep in public places. Keep your office door open.
· Avoid friendships with other men, unless the friendship includes your husband. Be aware that many affairs begin as emotionally as a connection of the heart.
· Be careful how you talk about your spouse and with whom you talk. Aim to always present your spouse in the best light. Be careful not to vent about him, especially to another man.
· Give your spouse free access to your "technology." "No secrets" is a good rule of thumb when it comes to Facebook, texts, and emails.
Truthfully, I probably would have thought this devotion was pretty extreme when I had been married only a short time. So if you're thinking that, I understand. However, after nineteen years of marriage, after researching and writing about marriage for years, and after I've seen many Christian marriages fall apart because couples failed to take preventative measures, I assure you, this is wise.
Consider the ideas presented here, pray about this issue, talk to your spouse, and establish healthy safeguards for your marriage. And I pray you never find your relationship in the boiling pot of infidelity or divorce.
Dear Lord, deliver me from temptation. Make me wise in these matters. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for great gifts for Christmas? Need some extra incentive to buy a book you've had your eye on? We've got just what you're looking for and it's on sale! This week, all our resources are offered at a 31% discount. Click a title below to visit our P31 store and save big!
Today's devotion is adapted from What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood.
Looking for a gift for a couple? Pair Melanie's book above with her book What a Husband Needs from His Wife for a wonderful gift set - at 31% off.
Visit Melanie's blog "What Matters Most"
Application Steps:
Discuss with your spouse the safeguards suggested here to protect your marriage. Are there any you both want to agree to follow?
Consider being accountability partners with a friend concerning your marriage. Choose someone you trust, someone you can be honest with, and someone who is willing to hold you to God's principles in your marriage.
Reflections:
Do you think the safeguards discussed in this devotion are too extreme?
What safeguards do you have in place?
Do you pray daily for your spouse and marriage?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." (NIV)
Matthew 19:6, "'So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.'" (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 19, 2010
So This is What "Hard" Feels Like
Glynnis Whitwer
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."
Job 19:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you know what "hard" feels like? I'm not talking about the feel of stone by a river, or concrete under your feet. I'm talking emotionally hard ... spiritually hard. The kind of hard that makes you want to give up, go back to bed or slip into some sort of temporary abandonment of reality.
Do you know the kind of hard that makes you question everything you know, or thought you knew, about God?
The book of Job in the Old Testament tells the story of someone who knew hard. It's surely one of the most difficult to read because God removed His hand of protection and allowed all the pain that Job experienced. In fact, God even pointed Job out to Satan as blameless, which Satan twisted into a challenge to bring Job down.
Confident in Job, God allowed the testing. So one by one, Satan destroyed that which was dear to Job: his family, health and possessions. Then, just when you think it couldn't get any worse, Job's wife and friends step in to "help" with the most unhelpful advice. Job is beset on all sides, and at times he is ready to give up, even asking God to "crush" him and relieve him of misery.
Job was a good and honest man. A man of high integrity, He didn't deserve the hard times he experienced. Yet, in spite of unrelenting agony, Job battled to hold on to truth - truth about his feelings and truth about God. In spite of confusion and questions, Job refused to curse God. Though Job didn't understand why he was suffering, he chose to walk in honesty and integrity, believing God would bring something good out if it.
Job faced "hard" head on. He wobbled a bit, but then planted his feet and steadfastly held on to faith that his God who had never abandoned him before, would not do so now. No matter what he lost, and who abandoned him, Job knew God would always be with him. His emotions may have pulled a bit on this, but Job kept steering back to center. Job faced "hard" well.
To declare his faith, Job spoke words that echo through generations, off the lips of saints of old and suffering saints today: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."
Job's story has a happy ending. After passing the testing, the Bible says, "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first" (Job 42:12a, NIV). Although Job had to go through the hard times, and there were no easy answers, the Lord never abandoned him, and had a reward on the other side.
The good news is Job's story can be ours. Not that we would wish such catastrophe on ourselves, but we all face our own "hard." And Job's Redeemer is our Redeemer. If you are facing something hard today, Job's story can bring you comfort and hope, for our Redeemer lives!
Dear Lord, I praise You for being the same regardless of what I am going through. There is nothing that is outside Your control. Help me to suffer well, and to guard my lips against any falsehood. Turn my face toward You when I can't lift it myself. I choose to trust You today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources - all on sale this week:
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for tips on how to make the most of hard times.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
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Application Steps:
List attributes of God that you know will never change.
Keep this list handy the next time you face trouble.
Reflections:
What are some characteristics of a person who faces "hard" well?
What are some good daily practices when one is undergoing difficult times?
Power Verses:
Job 13:15-16a, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance" (NIV)
Job 42:12, "The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 20, 2010
Laying Me Down to Sleep
Rachel Olsen
"God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." Genesis 1:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
What time did your day begin today?
Did it begin as the sun poked through the widow urging you to wake? Or, did the alarm buzz at 5:30 AM? Or maybe at 6:45? Perhaps you slept until 8:00?
What if I told you your day began last night as the sun set - would you disagree?
In the modern, westernized world we think of our days as sun rise to sun rise. In other words, we rise, we work, and then we end the day in rest. We rest to recover from our work ... with whatever time is left over after the work is done.
However, in the ancient Jewish tradition the day runs from sundown to sundown. That's quite a different concept. In other words, we rest, then we rise and do our work. Rest becomes the source and fuel for the work rather than merely recovery from it.
Where did the Hebrews get this seemingly backwards notion of the day beginning in the evening? From the God who never sleeps, in the Bible. Notice in today's key verse - in fact, in multiple verses throughout the Genesis creation account - there was evening, and then morning and that was counted as a day.
A secular rhythm of life makes work primary. We work first, then go from work to vacation. In contrast, a sacred rhythm makes rest primary, moving us from God-ordained rest into our vocation. The sacred rhythm is rest, rise, work rather than rise, work, rest. Let that difference sink in and sway the seat of your soul.
Internalizing this difference is the basis for connecting with God through rest. Pastor and author Eugene Peterson describes this ancient rest-first rhythm:
"This Hebrew evening/morning sequence conditions us to the rhythms of grace. We go to sleep, and God begins his work. As we sleep he develops his covenant. We wake and are called to participate in God's creative action. We respond in faith, in work. But always grace is previous. Grace is primary. We wake into a world we didn't make, into a salvation we didn't earn.
Evening: God begins, without our help, his creative day. Morning: God calls us to enjoy and share and develop the work he initiated. Creation and covenant are sheer grace and there to greet us every morning."
I don't know why God's Word marks out time in this way in Genesis, but I am discovering I think and live differently when I adopt this view of my days. I see each night's rest as something important, something to prepare for - and something important that prepares me. I've long known that rest prepares me physically to rise and work again, and now I'm finding it prepares me spiritually to rise walk in grace and faith.
As I lie down, close my eyes, pray, and slip from consciousness, I do so with the understanding that it is God who holds everything together during my temporary absence from the world. And it's Him who will continue to hold everything together when I rise and work in the coming daylight. At no point - day or night - am I independent of Him. He even has the power to direct my dreams should He desire.
So I've developed a theology of sleep that punctuates my days. It helps me see my nights and my rest as set apart and holy. It helps me to see God as I lay myself down to sleep. In fact, it helps me see that it is He who lays me down for the gracious gift of rest.
What about you? How do you think about rest? How do you treat it? How might God be calling you to look at it differently?
Dear Lord, thank You for rest. Thank You that I can rest while You continue to hold everything together. Help me rest well and worship You through rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources - on sale 31% off this week:
If today's topic struck a chord, you'll want to read the chapter "Turn the Beat Around" in Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. Order now as it's ON SALE this week only at 31% off!
Visit Rachel's blog for six tips on resting well.
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Worry over wandering children keeping you up at night? For comfort check out Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppmann.
Application Steps:
Make intentional plans for how you will end this day in a way that is peaceful, restful and connects your heart with God.
Head over to Rachel's blog for some ideas on this.
Reflections:
Do I make time for rest, or treat it as an afterthought?
Can I worship God through rest?
Power Verses:
Genesis 1:7-8, "So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day." (NIV)
Psalm 3:5, "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." (NIV)
Colossians 1:17, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 21, 2010
I'll Start Again on Monday
Lysa TerKeurst
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever caught yourself compromising your healthy eating plan with the little "I'll start again on Monday" escape clause? Me too.
That cheesecake does look good. The Mexican chips and dip are irresistible. It is a special night. I can start again on Monday.
It is so tempting to give in. Set things in reverse. Pretend it won't matter. But it does matter and not just for the physical or mental set back. It's the denial of a fundamental spiritual truth that will make our healthy eating plan fall apart time and time again. What is this truth? We were made for more than this. More than this failure, more than this cycle, more than being ruled by taste buds - we were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.
When I was a senior in high school I was invited to a college party. By the end of the night my friends and I were giggling over the attention of two good looking college boys. As the party died down, they invited us over to their place.
Part of me was so flattered, I wanted to go. A much bigger part of me didn't. But plans got made and before I knew it we were getting into their car and driving away. I was not a strong Christian at this point in my life. And I certainly can't say I'd ever heard God speak to me, but in the midst of this situation, I did.
"This isn't you, Lysa. You were made for more than this."
Truth. A gift of truth. Planted deep within me when God personally knit me together. Untied and presented at just the right time.
I wound up making an excuse for a quick exit and walking back to my car alone that night. I mentally beat myself up for acting like a young, immature high schooler who couldn't handle being a college party girl. But looking back, I want to stand up on a chair and clap, clap, clap for my little high schooler self!
There were other seasons of my growing up years where I heard this truth loud and clear repeated within the confines of my soul and sadly, I refused to listen. These were the darkest years of my life. I wasn't made to live a life that dishonors the Lord.
None of us are.
"You were made for more Lysa - you were made for more." I remembered it especially in those early weeks of my new healthy eating adventure when I was tempted by one million assaults on my sugar-deprived taste buds. I just kept mentally repeating ... made for more. Made for more!
And though my quest pales in comparison to the importance of a high schooler trying to keep her purity - hunger is hunger. Temptation is temptation. Desire is desire. So, maybe they aren't so different after all.
We were made for more.
What a great truth to use while rewriting the "go to" script that plays in our head every time we're tempted. Rewriting the go-to scripts is one of the most crucial steps toward permanent progress. Remember the script that I mentioned earlier in this article? The excuses? The rationalizations? The "I'll do better Monday" escape clause?"
We have to rewrite those by getting into the habit of saying other things. And the first of these is, "I was made for more."
Listen to these words from Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Trust in the Lord - you were made for more. In all your ways acknowledge Him - you were made for more. Don't try to be wise and do your new diet in your own strength, hold tight to the Lord and flee from temptations - you were made for more. This will bring health and nourishment to you and help you find victory in this struggle - you were made for more!
Dear Lord, I was made for more than getting stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat. I trust You and want to acknowledge You in ALL my ways. Help me to remember I was made for more with each choice I make. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog today for a list of other "Go To Scripts" perfect for those trying to get healthy!
If this devotion resonated with you, click here to pre-order Lysa's upcoming book "Made to Crave... satisfying life's deepest desire with God not food." This will be a perfect book to use individually or in your January Bible study group. Preorder your copy at a 31% discount this week only and it will ship to you in December.
The "Made to Crave" DVD and Bible study workbook will be released January 10.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa is also a great resource to use for group Bible Studies and it's available now on sale!
Application Steps:
If food is an issue for you, visit www.LysaTerKeurst.com for more "Go To Scripts" that will help you overcome tempting situations.
If food is not an issue for you, how does today's devotion apply to your area of struggle?
Reflections:
Who are some friends that can walk with me through this journey of learning to make healthier choices?
Power Verse:
Psalm 78:18, "They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 22, 2010
Do the Work
Marybeth Whalen
"Then David continued, 'Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the temple of the Lord is finished correctly.'" I Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)
Devotion:
I pushed the computer aside, convinced that the task I was attempting was impossible. I couldn't fathom completing the work I had ahead of me and I needed a mental break. Picking up a Christian book I was reading, I carried it upstairs to the treadmill, deciding to pound out my frustration and read at the same time. I had no idea I was about to have my own personal revival.
Several pages into the book I read today's verse. Have you ever had a verse jump off the page at you? Well, this one did. I thought back to my frustration with the work I was facing earlier and felt God speak to me through this verse. Quit telling me how impossible the task is and just do the work, He said. Don't forget I will show up each time. Not so you can boast about your abilities, but so you can boast in Me.
After my time on the treadmill, I raced downstairs to email a friend of mine who I had complained to earlier that day. I told her how the verse had ministered to me, and how I was going to simply do the work. She wrote back that she had been praying for God to speak to me about the task that was overwhelming me. I had a new motto as I recommitted to the task at hand: Do the work. Whenever I started to get discouraged or overwhelmed by the hugeness of the task, I reminded myself: Do the work—three little words that got me through one of the biggest challenges of my life. Perhaps you need to hear those three little words today.
Are you facing a challenge in your job? Do the work.
Does your marriage need to be rebuilt? Do the work.
Are you worried about your ability to be a good mother? Do the work.
Are you dealing with a personal hardship that just seems too big to overcome? Do the work.
Are you struggling with debt and financial issues? Do the work.
Do you want to eat healthier, commit to regular exercise or lose weight? Do the work.
Is there a dream that God has planted in your heart that seems too big for you? Do the work.
Make no mistake: sometimes the work will be hard. Note that our verse today didn't say "Lay around and hope things get better." The challenge we face is not in focusing on how hard the work is, but in seeking the God who has promised to show up as we work. We offer our best efforts and trust that He will multiply them. We will see Him supply the words, the resources, the energy, the time, the patience, the grace we need. But first we must do the work. Just like the priests had to first step into the water before the Jordan could part in Joshua 3:15-16, so we must begin working before we can see the solution appear.
What work do you need to start doing—or keep doing—no matter how discouraged or disheartened you feel? I pray that you will see Him at work on your behalf today as you do the work He has called you to do. Do the work, and He will be with you.
Dear Lord, help me to look to You and not to the hugeness of the work I have ahead of me. Help me not to be afraid or discouraged. I thank You for Your promise that You are with me and that You will not fail me or forsake me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need a compelling reason to buy yourself a new book this fall? Or want to get an early jump on Christmas shopping? For the rest of this week only, we are offering a 31% discount on all of our resources! Click here to visit our P31 online store and save big on titles you've been wanting to read!
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
Learning to Live Financially Free by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
The Complete Guide to Getting & Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Spend time journaling about a challenge you are facing in your life. What work can you do today towards that challenge?
Reflections:
What discouragement or fear keeps you from doing the work? How can you avoid those crippling feelings?
Power Verses:
Haggai 2:4, "But now be strong O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work. For I am with you, declares the Lord almighty." (NIV)
Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 25, 2010
The Real Meaning of Perfection
Tracie Miles
"So you are also complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every rule and authority." Colossians 2:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
I recently earned the unofficial title of mom-of-the-year. How? I made muffins. Not just plain ol' muffins, mind you. Chocolate chip and blueberry muffins in the cute, baby-muffin pan.
I had risen early, pre-heated the oven, and wiped the sweat from my brow, as I quietly set about my muffin-making task, just like a good Proverbs 31 woman would do. As the muffins began to appear plump and golden, the savory aroma permeated the house.
Then it happened.
My children came bolting down the stairs as if the house were on fire. One of them jumped up and down and screeched in delight, while the other one yelled, "Yeah, muffins!" They paced the kitchen until the coveted pastries were done; then gobbled them up. Everyone was happy. I was thanked, appreciated and hugged. Even though they acted as if I had never fed them breakfast before, it was still awesome. I coveted my new mom-of-the-year entitlement.
Shortly after, it was time to leave for school. I hurried everyone along, with instructions for teeth brushing, book bag gathering, and snack grabbing activities.
Then it happened.
My son exclaimed that his coat was missing, even though it had been in his hand ten minutes earlier. Apparently the coat fairy had snatched it and hid his coat in her invisible closet.
In the process of his frantic coat search, my son accidentally stepped on my daughter's toe. Not just any ol' toe, but the toe that had incurred a serious stumping injury the day before. Instant drama, tears, accusations of doing it on purpose, and flying Band-aids filled the air.
In the midst of the excitement, my other daughter discovered that the coat fairy had taken her coat too - and possibly her shoes. She was having trouble locating her things due to the onslaught of incoming text messages that kept distracting her search efforts. Thus, threats were made about losing phone privileges if it continued to interfere with life itself.
Now that my son was going to be tardy for school - again - because my daughters were not ready, again (primarily due to excessive hair-straightening obligations as opposed to muffin eating) - a heated discussion took place before we finally made it out the door.
My wonderful mom-of-the-year-Proverbs-31-woman award fell to the floor and shattered in a million tiny shreds of disappointment. Calmness, patience, mercy and joy flew out the window quicker than those Band-aids had flown around the kitchen.
Our happy, peaceful, muffin-eating, hug-giving, laugh-sharing moments seemed fuzzy memories. As we drove to school, the chaos slowly slipped away. Emotions calmed. Tears dried. Positive, loving discussions occurred and I gradually began to feel like maybe I wasn't that bad of a mother after all.
Driving home, I realized that I was holding myself up to unrealistic standards - my own standards for perfection and performance, not God's.
You see, my heart longed to be like that seemingly perfect Proverbs 31 mom. The kind of mom who is always patient, helpful, calm, understanding and reasonable in every circumstance. The kind of mom who never loses her temper. The kind of mom whose children arise every morning and call her blessed, with or without muffins.
It's easy to get hung up on the woman described in Proverbs 31. We begin to believe that God holds us to an unrealistic standard of goodness and perfection. But God sees perfection differently than we do.
Webster's defines the word 'perfect' as "being complete; lacking in nothing." God knows we cannot be perfect physically, but He does desire that we become complete spiritually. Our spirit can be perfect through the blood of Christ, even when our flesh fails.
Our efforts to model the Proverbs 31 woman should be focused on the love that was behind her actions, not the actions themselves. This woman is simply one whose outward actions were a result of a heart being transformed into Christ-likeness. She was exemplary because God's intervention had influenced her life, not because her human efforts were perfect.
So I've decided that my love for my children, not what I cook them for breakfast, will be what determines my attitude and identity today. How about you?
Dear Lord, draw me close to You. Transform my heart, and motivate me to desire completion in You, as opposed to my own standards of perfection. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
The Mom I want to Be by T. Suzanne Eller
Application Steps:
Consider who set the standards that you have been trying to live up to.
Reflections:
Does my inability to be perfect cause me to feel discouraged or hopeless?
Have I forgotten that my identity and value come only from Christ within me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 18:32, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." (NIV)
Psalm 119:96, "Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit." (NLT)
© 2010 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 26, 2010
Rebuilt
Amy Carroll
"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Are you sure you're ready to have a tiger by the tail?" mom asked with a big grin. That was her first response when my then-boyfriend Barry asked my parents if he could marry me. It still makes me laugh, because I was certainly a strange mix of rule-following, first-child with a wide streak of sassiness and fierce independence. I'm still not sure Barry had any idea what he was getting into when he said, "I do."
That was over twenty years ago, so when Barry asked an unexpected question during our family vacation this year, it opened my eyes to some of God's difficult work in my life. Barry and I sat on the deck overlooking the ocean talking in low voices about the topics that concern many of us--finances, parenting, plans for the future... Suddenly, Barry asked his startling question.
"If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?"
My mind went blank except for the thought, "Whew! This is a really loaded question." At first I didn't want to answer (why ruin a great evening?), but I finally answered, braced myself and re-asked the question, "What would you change about me?"
I had a pretty good list going in my mind of what I thought he'd say--I wish you weren't so critical. I wish you wouldn't talk so much. I wish you would cook dinner more often.
What he actually said surprised me. "I want you to get your confidence back. When I married you, your favorite phrase was, 'I'll do it myself!' I've watched you lose your confidence over the years, and I want you to have it back." He replied.
A move, a couple of friendships with bad endings and struggling to find a place in my new home town had knocked the stuffing right out of me. I had fought and lost against my own tendency toward comparison, perfectionism and an overdeveloped sense of responsibility. Little by little, I became convinced that I couldn't and that I wasn't. My confidence was shaken and then it crumbled.
But sometimes things have to be torn down before they can be rebuilt.
Was it God's plan that I would move, fail in some friendships and beat myself bloody trying to be somebody else? No! He did, however, use this bad place to bring me to a better place. God began rebuilding in me about a year ago, but He capped it off when I got home from our She Speaks conference this year. There He spoke to me over and over again about trusting my life to His control. THe scripture in my Sunday school class the following Sunday was our key verse today, 2 Corinthians 3:4-6: "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (NIV)
I started with, "I can do it," but God brought me to "He can do it in me." He has brought me out of my own power, which is so limited and flawed, to being dependent on the infilling power of His Spirit. Confidence in myself has very limited power whereas confidence in Him brings limitless possibilities.
I know that I'll still have days of struggle with confidence, but my rebuilt and renewed sense of confidence is now firmly in Christ. It's a beautiful place to be.
Dear Lord, I have depended on myself so many times and fallen short. My confidence has been shaken. Rebuild me by helping me to put my full confidence in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Visit Amy's blog for more encouragement today!
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Read our free encouragement, Healing in Hurting Times
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Application Steps:
Journal a prayer thanking God for His limitless power and capabilities. Ask God to fill you with His power while giving up your own.
Reflections:
Am I truly dependent on God, or do I rely primarily on myself?
Where is my focus when I am struggling with confidence?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build...." (NIV)
Philippians 3:3, "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh..." (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 27, 2010
I Don't Want to Be a "good" Christian
Wendy Pope
"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instruction."
Psalm 119:18 (NLT)
Devotion:
A good Christian should read the Bible.
A good Christian should love the Bible.
A good Christian should understand the Bible.
A good Christian should live the truths of the Bible.
These statements shaped my life and summed up my thoughts about God's Word eleven years ago. In my mind I was not a "good" Christian because none of these statements were true of me. Have you ever made such assumptions about yourself and your thoughts toward the Bible? Do you feel like you can't tell anyone for fear of being judged?
I felt the same way. I truly believed that since I had not attended, nor had any aspirations of ever attending seminary, I was automatically disqualified from understanding the Bible. Therefore, if I did not understand the Bible how could I discover its truths and apply them to my life?
I did not love the Bible. I carried it with me to church. I believed it to be the inerrant and infallible words of God. I also opened the Bible to look up verses so I could fill in the blanks for my Bible studies. However, there was not a desire on my part to know the Bible better. How could I attend church for 30 years, call myself a Christian, and not have a desire to read and know the Bible? What was wrong with me?
All this changed in 2006 when I decided I was going be a "good" Christian and read the entire Bible. With all the self-determination I could muster, I set out to spend the year reading the Bible. I was going to make myself love and understand God's Word so I could be a "good" Christian. What I learned in the first year of reading the Bible was amazing and life-changing. All my wrong assumptions were made right through the light and love of God and His Word.
Did I learn spiritual truths that I could apply to my life? Yes. Did I understand everything I read? No. I learned God's Word is full of rich life application written to produce God's best in my life, however I should not pressure myself to understand it all in one reading. God desires for me to continue to read His Word so He can reveal to me its meaning when He is ready to teach me.
My mind wanted my heart to love God's Word. So, did I fall deeply in love with God's Word the first time I read it? Not right away. If that shocks you, imagine how I felt. The question is better asked in this way: Did I fall deeply in love with wanting to know God and His Word more intimately? The answer is a resounding yes. The love for His Word has developed and deepened over the time that I have invested in reading and studying it.
Of all the lessons I learned the first year I read through the Bible, I suppose the most valuable was I do not want to be a "good" Christian. Gasp. No, I did not nor do I want to be a "good" Christian. Gasp again. The word good is defined as satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree. Never do I want to be satisfied with the quality and quantity of my life as Christian. Never do I want to be a "good" student of God's Word, one who is a satisfied with her quality and quantity of time in it. I have made a commitment to learn, live, and love God's Word by reading year after year until Jesus comes.
Would you like to join me in 2011?
Dear Lord, thank You for leaving Your Word for us to learn, live, and love. It is our guiding light in our dark world. Will You help to make a commitment to read Your Word daily? I don't want to be a "good" Christian. I want to be a Christian who is never satisfied in my relationship with You and my knowledge of Your powerful, life-changing Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The One Year Chronological Bible
Visit Wendy's blog to find out how to be part of the amazing online study of The One Year Chronological Bible. Read testimonials of those who have been involved in this study for 2 years. And get to know Wendy face-to-face as you listen to her talk about how this specific Bible has changed her life and her love for God's Word.
Out of the Mouths of Babes by Wendy Pope
Application Steps:
Pray about making the commitment to read though the Bible in a year. After God confirms your prayer, purchase The One Year Chronological Bible from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Read Psalm 119.
Reflections:
What are my fears about reading through the Bible?
Am I satisfied with the quantity and quality of time with the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:32, "I will pursue your commands for you expand my understanding." (NLT)
Psalm 119:37, "Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your Word." (NLT)
Psalm 119:105, "Your Word is a lamp to guide me and light for my path." (NLT)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 28, 2010
Beginnings
Samantha Reed, P31 Executive Assistant
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth."
1 Corinthians 3:6 (NASB)
Devotion:
Every story has a beginning, middle and end. The same is true for the story of our life. Our education starts in kindergarten, goes through elementary and middle schools and ends in high school or college. A romantic relationship begins with friendship, passes into dating and culminates in marriage. Meals start with appetizers, lead to a main entrée and finish with dessert.
How about our salvation story? The middle of every believer's salvation story is a relationship with God, and the end is eternity with Him. What about the beginning? That's different for everyone. Maybe a salvation-seed is planted while attending church with a neighbor. Perhaps a grandma's prayers are rays of sunshine on a cold heart. Hard, bitter soil may soften through the kindness of a women making room on the pew. Or roots sprout when a stranger in the front of the line buys lunch for those behind her.
Yes, every salvation story has a beginning. Have you considered the possibility that you could be part of someone's beginning? Unbeknownst to me, I was part of my friend Javier's!
Javier and I were neighbors in college a decade ago. Our roommates dated, so we hung out often. We cooked dinner. Spent lazy afternoons watching movies. Cheered next to each other at football games. When I took guitar lessons, Javier taught me chords. Despite all this time together, I'm sorry to say I rarely brought the Lord up in conversation. Over the years we've kept in touch sporadically. So when Javier sent me this email, I was humbled and amazed.
Just wanted to thank you for being in my life in college. I came to Christ about four years or so ago and when looking back in my life, I think of people that were examples I wanted to follow. Even though we hardly talked about God, I knew you were a Christian and really admired that about you. Talk about planting a seed that didn't bear fruit right away. 10 years in the making. I am glad I am able to tell people who helped me find Christ how important they were.
The day I received Javier's email was one of the best days of my life! To know I had planted a seed in his salvation-story is an honor. Our key verse teaches we each can play an important role in bringing salvation to others. We may not always be fortunate enough to know the outcome of the seeds we plant, or water, but we can have confidence the Lord will cause growth.
Javier's story inspires me to plant more seeds by being intentional with my words, deeds and actions. I want to be the neighbor, grandma, woman or stranger... the friend or family member ... church member or coworker ... who plays a role in the salvation stories of others. How about you?
Dear Lord, You are in control of all things. Thank You for calling me out of darkness and into Your marvelous light. Please use me as an instrument in someone else's salvation story so they too may walk in Your light. I long to be a willing vessel; help me to do this for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Join Javier today on Samantha's blog where she is doing a Q&A and a giveaway!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Is there someone you have prayed to come to salvation for years? Re-read Javier's email and take heart. Seeds take time to grow. Keep praying. Our God is the God of hope (Romans 15:13, NIV).
Perhaps it's time to follow up with that person if you don't talk to them regularly.
Reflections:
Who in my life doesn't know the Lord?
How can I be part of their salvation story?
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)
John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (ESV)
Luke 15:10, "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (ESV)
© 2010 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 29, 2010
Joining the Geek Squad
Rachel Olsen
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you read the dramatic story of Daniel the Israelite becoming a key consultant to Babylon's king? Let me tell you about it - it's found in Daniel chapters 1-2.
Daniel was considered a wise guy—in fact, among the wisest in the ancient nations of his time. He'd been taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar's administrative assistant following Israel's loss to the Babylonians. He was forced to serve their king as an advisor. As part of what I call the "Babylonian Geek Squad"—a group of magicians, astrologers, and enchanters the king relied on to make decisions, solve problems and offer predictions.
Only these guys were not who anyone should seek wisdom from. They may have been smart, they may have had some pedigree or skills, but they lacked true wisdom. Can you imagine Daniel lumped in with the pagan wizards and fortune tellers?
Daniel did his best to keep himself pure before his God under these circumstances. The Bible says because he did, God gave him "an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the times. And God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams" (Dan. 1:17). The Bible also says that in all matters requiring wisdom and judgment, the king found Daniel's advice to be "ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom" (v. 20).
One night the king had a nightmare. When none of the astrologers, magicians, or enchanters could interpret his dream, he sent an angry decree for all his royal advisors to be killed. When Daniel learned of this he asked God for wisdom to interpret the dream. God granted it, sparing Daniel's life and the rest of the Babylonian Geek Squad.
Read carefully Daniel's response to God's provision:
Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and power. He determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he himself is surrounded by light. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. (Dan. 2:20-23)
After Daniel explained the dream—and the fact that both the dream and its interpretation were provided by Yahweh—King Nebuchadnezzar bowed before Daniel honoring him and his God. He lavished Daniel with gifts, promoted him to head of his advisors and made him a ruler over the providence of Babylon.
Daniel staked his life and security on his access to God's wisdom. And it secured him.
Mind if I ask what you tend to stake your security on?
Where do you get your wisdom from? On a daily or hourly basis, what guides your decisions?
Between the tissue-thin pages of your Bible, you too have access to the wisdom and power of God. Just like Daniel. I wonder, are we using it? Do we crack it open beyond Sunday morning or Wednesday night Bible class?
Have you called on God for wisdom today?
The wisdom in the Bible can guide, transform and secure us. Whether your Bible is a $20 paperback or an $80 leather-bound gold-embossed edition, it is the most valuable thing you own. Hands-down!
And there is nothing geeky about treating it as such. So open your Bible and seek out God's wisdom for today.
Dear Lord, I thank You for access to Your wisdom and power. I thank You for the wisdom the Bible shows and for the power in Your son's name. Incline my heart to Your Word and make me wise in Your eyes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
To learn how you can win a free copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret today, visit her blog at www.RachelOlsen.com
We invite you to grow in biblical wisdom with one of God's girls, check out It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen. It includes end-of-chapter Bible studies you can do alone or with a friend.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Commit to regular reading of the Word of God. Make a plan today for when and where you will read it tomorrow.
Do you feel you need some guidance digging into the Word? Get a copy of Rachel's new book It's No Secret, or follow a Bible reading plan—you can find them online.
Reflections:
What do I tend to think my security is tied to?
Do I treat my Bible as the most valuable thing I own?
Realize that Daniel was placed into a situation that seemed like it would be the farthest thing from God's will. But look how God used him there! What does this say about your current circumstances?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 8:10, "Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it." (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 1, 2010
iPod Faith
Marybeth Whalen
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was a kid, I had tapes of the music I liked. When I was in college, I had CDs. The point was, when I liked a song, I had to buy the whole tape or CD to get that song. Sometimes you could buy the cassette single and sometimes you could get lucky enough to tape it from the radio. (Anyone else remember sitting by the radio waiting to catch your favorite song so you could hit record?) But for the most part, you had to buy the whole enchilada.
A funny thing happened when you bought the whole tape or CD, though. Not always, but a lot of the time you found other songs you liked by that artist. Your eyes were opened to other possibilities. (Hang on... I am going somewhere with this...) You discovered a song that you felt like no one else knew about but you because you didn't hear it on the radio. It became personal because it wasn't popular. It was what you found when you were looking for something else.
Now music has changed. One of my kids hears a song and within moments they can get online and have it downloaded to their iPod for $1. No trip to the mall with your hard-earned money, no waiting for your mom to have time to drive you. Just a few clicks and press play. And you also don't have to buy anything you didn't want or know about. You just got what you wanted, when you wanted it. It has revolutionized the music industry. But is it necessarily better that way?
I spent time last week going back through old songs I loved, many of which were songs that were never popular, that most people never heard of. I found them because I had bought the whole tape of some band's latest release. I like them so much because they weren't popular, therefore they didn't get overplayed. They felt mine.
How often I want my faith the way I want my iPod—instant gratification without having to wade through the unknowns. I want what I want when I want it. Point click and play. I don't want God to require me to buy the whole album—to deal with the parts I don't know or like, to take the time to listen to things I might not want to hear.
And yet, I gained a lot from wading through the stuff I never would have tried without being forced. There were unexpected treasures to be found, surprises I ended up valuing more than what I originally set out to find.
I wanted to be a mother but I didn't want the sleepless nights and being stretched to the point of breaking. I wanted to be married but I didn't want to learn how to get along with another person day in and day out, to discover what sacrifice really means. I wanted to be a novelist but I didn't want to have to work so hard to make it happen. I wanted to lose weight but I didn't want to exercise daily or control my cravings. I wanted what I wanted, and God used those desires to build my character along the way, and draw me closer to Him in the process.
Call me old school (you wouldn't be the first) but I don't want an iPod faith. Just because it's more convenient or faster doesn't mean it's the best way. Sometimes being open to what you weren't expecting is the best way to find what you were looking for all along.
Dear Lord, help me to remember when You ask me to wait it is for my best. Help me to trust in the process You're taking me through. And help me remember that You are on the other side of every trial, waiting with a new perspective, a new vision, a new hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
Teach this lesson to your kids with Van Walton's From the Pound to the Palace
Share this lesson with your teens with Alex and Brett Harris' Do the Hard Thing
Re-visit this lesson yourself with Susanne Scheppmann's Birds in My Mustard Tree: How to Grow Your Faith
Application Steps:
An iPod has a list of songs it contains. Make a list of things you've learned through your trails. And make a list of what you feel God is teaching you in this season.
Reflections:
What are some things God has required you to go through that you would have chosen to skip if you could? Are you grateful for them now?
Power Verses:
Psalm 31:3, "Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me." (NIV)
Psalm 143:8, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 2, 2010
Child Adrift
Susanne Scheppmann
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:31-32 (NLT)
Devotion:
"My child is adrift. How do I let go?" my friend asked with tear-filled eyes.
"You hold on with a tether of prayer," I replied.
Our goal as parents is to raise our children to be independent, faith-filled adults. We teach them right from wrong. We educate them about God and the Bible. We exhibit table manners and good sportsmanship. We demonstrate compassion and empathy for humanity. We subtly point them in the direction of what we suspect will bring them happiness and success. Then they grow-up and seem to drift away from everything we have taught them.
Sometimes, no matter how great the parenting, some children flounder in adulthood. They wander into uncharted territory to test their independence. What's a parent to do then? If the child is of legal age, the best thing a parent can do is to pray. Our key verse demonstrates that this is how Jesus dealt with Simon Peter when he was about to fall into fear and doubt concerning his faith and love for God. Jesus didn't scold, plead or rebuke him. Jesus simply said, "But I have pleaded in prayer for you."
Jesus prayed with complete confidence in the power of God to bring Simon Peter back into the faith and fellowship with the other believers. My favorite part of today's key verse is when Jesus stated, "So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Many times when a child wanders away from family and faith, we tend to see it as only a negative. However, Jesus saw Simon's weakness in a different light. Jesus knew that after Simon drifted, he would come back stronger in his walk of faith than before. Simon would be able to strengthen other people.
As we pray for our children, their faults, foibles, and faith frailties, let's remind ourselves that these very things may be exactly what God will use for him or her to help others. It is through personal mistakes that our children can learn compassion and empathy for people—especially those who struggle in similar areas. So, as we pray, let's be encouraged by the knowledge that God never wastes a painful experience. He will use drifting children to minister to a hurting world. So go right now and tether your child to God with a lifeline of prayer.
Dear Lord, my child is adrift in a frightening world. Teach me how to pray for my child. Remind me that the most effective thing I can do is to plead for him/her before the throne of God. Help me to convert my worry into prayer. I thank You that You understand my feelings and I can trust in Your sovereignty in my child's life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Susanne's Blog
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
Application Steps:
Find a notebook or prayer journal and begin to journal your prayers for your child. Date each prayer. Every time you begin to feel stress and anxiety over your child's behaviors, write a prayer. In addition, as you see promises of hope and change in your son or daughter, jot them down as a reminder when you feel discouraged and overwrought that God is indeed at work.
Read Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents as an additional resource of hope.
Reflections:
Do I believe that prayer is the most effective way to handle my wayward child?
How can I remind myself to pray instead of worry?
When my child turns around, how will he/she be able to strengthen other people?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (NIV)
John 17:15, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (NIV)
Psalms 27:13-14, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (NIV)
© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 3, 2010
Charles
Rachel Olsen
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
Devotion:
"The gift enclosed was a new watch. A climbing watch made by Suunto. Called the Core."
As my eyes scanned these sentences on page 313 of The Mountain Between Us, I forgot momentarily about the novel's characters. Instead I pictured the watch the author had given my husband years ago.
A Timex Ironman with more buttons and functions than I'd know what to do with.
Rick and I met Charles at graduate school. The two men bonded over darts, basketball, Jesus, discussions of Walker Percy, hunting, music and Dr. Brown's doctoral communication theory lectures.
I'd often find the two of them in the computer lab engrossed in conversation. Or else, laughing so hard sound ceased to emanate from their gaping mouths. Rick's computer screen always contained academic-speak and research terms. Charles', more often than not, would reveal short stories he was composing. I still remember the first one I read. A piece about his sister Annie called Humble Pie...
The timepiece was accompanied by a letter. In a poetic way only a budding novelist could pen, Charles detailed all the characteristics about Rick that inspired him. All the challenges they faced and overcame together. And how much he valued Rick's friendship. He included the verse, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17, NIV).
Charles explained he'd given the same watch to a select few men in his life that had also been a significant source of inspiration. "Iron men" he called them. Men who had sharpened him. Charles described them in the letter too - each one impressive in their own right. Rick wasn't so sure he was worthy of the comparison. Of course, it wasn't really a comparison - it was a celebration. A symbolic token of friendship and appreciation.
Rick wore that watch until the battery died. Then he replaced the battery. He wore it until the band broke, then he put a new band on it. After all, it's not every day someone tells you you're an Iron Man. But each day Rick looked at that watch, Charles did.
Our time at graduate school came to a close causing the men to go their separate ways. Rick to Wilmington to teach college, Charles to Jacksonville to eventually publish stories. Moving stories. Stories where broken people heal and find hope. Stories that show the reader what love looks like.
In an interview Charles said a driving force in his novels is writing a story that answers the question, "What does it look like to really love somebody?" The characters' lives in Charles' books answer that question. So does the novelist's own life.
I asked Rick this week, "What do you think are Charles' strengths as a friend?" Rick paused for split-second and then said, "He is honest about his stuff and requires that you be honest about yours too." Then he added, "And he knows how to love."
Sounds like that sharpening thing goes both ways.
Dear Lord, thank You for strong friendships. Thank You for examples of how to love. And thank You for the prime example of what it looks like to really love somebody, seen in the life of Your Son. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Charles Martin's The Mountain Between Us is this month's She Reads pick. To learn more about the book, more about the author, and enter to win a copy of The Mountain plus a gorgeous scarf and several of his other novels, head to SheReads.org.
Want to read Rachel's review of Charles' latest novel The Mountain Between Us? Stop by Rachel's blog at RachelOlsen.com.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide women around the world. While we wish we could compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, we're a non-profit ministry. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Find a way to show your friend(s) who they are and what they mean to you.
Reflections:
Who in your life sharpens you the way today's verse talks about?
If you met Charles yourself, you'd get the feeling he would give you the starched white dress shirt off his back if you needed it. Do the people who know you sense that kind of gracious love in you?
What does it look like to really love somebody?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 27:9, "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." (NLT)
John 15:13, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
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November 4, 2010
The Cost
Lysa TerKeurst
"...in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
2 Corinthians 2:11(NIV)
Devotion:
Yesterday I sat at the DMV with my 15 year-old daughter while an officer talked to Ashley about how important it is to make good choices. She was getting her learner's permit and entering the often scary world of teenage drivers. "We've had 320 teens killed this year in fatal car accidents so we want to do everything possible to keep you safe," the officer said sternly as she highlighted for Ashley all the many rules for new drivers. Then she suggested signing a contract with her parents incorporating these rules.
I've never wanted to hug a DMV officer. But, it was all I could do not to reach across the desk and throw my arms around her. My husband and I wrote a driving contract that we've made each of our teenaged children sign. I'm sure our kids have thought our contract to be a bit over the top. After all, none of their friends have had to sign such a document with their parents. So, it was good to hear another adult speak truth into the life of my child. And the thing I loved about her sermonette on safe driving is how much she emphasized the cost of wrong choices.
How I wish we could see the cost of each of our choices as clearly as a price tag on items in a store. If I know how much something is going to cost me, I make such wiser choices. But we have an enemy who schemes against us to keep the cost of dumb decisions concealed until it's too late.
Satan wants to defeat, discourage, and destroy our families. His attacks are not just willy-nilly attempts to trip us up or knock us down. He wants to take us out. That's why, as parents, we've got to boldly fight for our families. We must get intentional with teaching our kids to think through their choices. And we must get intentional about modeling good choices as well.
Do you know why Satan's tactics are called schemes in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11? A scheme is a plan, design, or program of action. Satan's schemes are well thought through plans specifically targeted to do three things:
1. To increase your desire for something outside the will of God.
2. To make you think giving in to a weakness is no big deal.
3. To minimize your ability to think through the consequences of falling to this temptation.
Satan is a master of keeping that cost hidden until it's too late.
Sweet sisters, I think this is something worth thinking about. And I think it is something worth talking to our kids about. Think of age appropriate examples of how costly wrong choices can be. Be real and raw and bold as you walk them through different scenarios of temptations they will face.
That DMV officer was certainly bold in her explanation of how costly it can be when a teen gets distracted by their ipod, cell phone, or friends acting silly while driving. Hearing her explain to my daughter how costly other's poor choices have been made these "rules" seem more like life-saving gifts.
Think how differently life might be if we all paused and asked ourselves this crucial question, How much will this choice really cost me? If we teach ourselves and our kids nothing else this week than to ask this one question, we will have invested wisely. So, so very wisely.
Dear Lord, I am reminded that boldly following You is so much better than any short term experience that's not pleasing to You. Give me Your eyes so that I can see temptation and its many different faces. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a free copy of "The Driving Contract." This is something every parent should have!
For more wise advice on being a woman who can spiritually fight for your family don't miss Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. The best gift you can give your family is the gift of becoming a godly woman.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set
Pre-order Lysa's upcoming release Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desires with God Not Food.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Satan is a master of keeping that cost hidden until it's too late. Be honest with yourself and think of some of the costs that you have had to endure in your life. Consider coming to grips with these costs and telling your friends, children and others about what you have learned.
Reflections:
How can I, right now where I am, make a different decision with a situation in my life that has a cost?
Have I taken the time to consider the cost?
Have I taken the time to help a friend, my child or my spouse think through considering the cost of their choices?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 2:4, "For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you." (NIV)
Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 5, 2010
Getting Cleaned Up
Karen Ehman
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
Devotion:
"Oh Jenny," I quipped to my friend. "You totally crack me up! All right then, we'll see you next week."
With that, the expectant mom grabbed her purse and her Bible, gave me a quick hug, and dashed out the door. She'd just announced to our Bible study group that her mother-in-law was coming to town for a few days and would be arriving later that night. Grandma was making the trip in order to assist her daughter-in-law in deep-cleaning her house. The nearly belly-busting mom was succumbing to what is fondly referred to as the 'nesting urge:' that instinctive compulsion moms have just prior to delivery or right before that wonderful trip to bring their waiting child home from the adoption agency.
What gave me a chuckle that fall afternoon was what Jenny was actually headed home to do before her hubby's mom came to town. Was it to prepare a hot supper or make room in a child's bedroom for grandma's suitcase and such?
Nope. Jenny was speeding home so she could do one thing.
Clean her house.
Yep, clean her house. Just before her house-cleaning help arrived. She said she didn't want to be embarrassed by any killer dust bunnies or cowering cobwebs that just might be lurking somewhere grandma might spy them. So she was going to 'surface-shine' as much as she could before her mother-in-law pulled out the big guns...uh...er...vacuums and mops...to really tackle the hard-core, deep-cleaning.
Perhaps we've all done something similar; flossed our teeth for the first time in months—right before our bi-annual hygienist's appointment at the dentist's office. Or clipped our toenails and softened our heels—yep, the night before redeeming a pedicure coupon given to us as a birthday surprise from a friend. Something in us desperately doesn't want others to know just how dirty we actually let things get in our lives.
And this isn't just a matter of house-cleaning and hygiene. We humans do this another way; and on a grander scale.
An innate urge asserts we must somehow "clean up our act" before we can come to Jesus. We feel it when we meet Him for the first time. Our bulky baggage of sin burdens us down. So we try to "clean up our act" so we can then come to Him. But as that contemplative, shepherd-turned-psalmist David declared in today's key verse, we need not attempt to spit-shine our own hearts, but rather must plead "Create in me a clean heart O God."
Yes, we do the pleading.
He does the cleaning.
Even those of us who have walked with Him for years sometimes surmise, when wading in the swamp of our sin, that we too must surface-clean the tarnish so very hard before He will ever want to use us again.
But just one action is needed. We must come to the Cleaner; the only spirit-sanitizer there is. And we must beckon Him; imploring our Savior to create in us a clean heart and renew our spirits so we may serve Him fully.
Only then will the dust-bunnies of darkness that oft-times shatter our souls be swept away completely so a renewed spirit can truly shine.
What a wonderful and spiritually effective way to be taken to the cleaners!
Dear Lord, may I come to You, tarnish and all, trusting only in Your ability to make my heart clean. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For a list of ten heart-sanitizing scriptures and a "Clean Heart" themed giveaway, visit Karen's blog
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
First Love: Karen's keynote message from She Speaks 2010 (on DVD) by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Make a list of the habitual struggles you have in relation to the condition of your heart. Take your list and get alone with God. Ask Him in prayer to clean you up from the inside out and show you ways to replace your old thinking about these topics with His life-changing truths.
Use an online Bible verse-locater such as www.biblegateway.com to search by keyword for verses that relate to your struggles. Write these truths on a different list. Now, tear the first list up and place the second one in a place you will see it often—on your bathroom mirror, office desk or car dashboard. Let these words of truth penetrate your soul when you are tempted to revert back to your old ways of thinking.
Reflections:
When have I tried to "clean up my act" on my own? Was it successful or long-lasting? What could I do different this time in light of the words of today's key verse?
Power Verses:
Psalm 66:17-19, "I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." (NIV)
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 8, 2010
A Dying Faith Revived
Wendy Blight
"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)
Devotion: Law school. Two words that scare some and impress others.
I gave three years of my life to the study of law...compiling facts, reading case law, applying that law, and making arguments. I spent hour after hour in the law library. Researching, studying, and writing consumed my every day. My hard work paid off when I made law review.
It paid off again when I passed the bar.
It paid off again upon graduation when I walked through the doors to begin my first day at one of the largest, most prestigious firms in downtown Dallas.
It should have been the best time of my life, but instead it felt empty, without purpose. I found no joy, no satisfaction in what I did every day. I spent so much time and invested so much money to get to this place. Something was missing.
What I felt in the depths of my soul was the cry of a dying faith...hunger pangs of a weary soul. I had filled myself full of worldly knowledge, yet I had starved myself of spiritual knowledge.
Friend, do you feel that way as you read my words? Do you feel empty, dry, and weary? Faith feeds on the Word of God. Without a steady intake of God's Word in our lives, we grow weaker and weaker. I tried to feed my faith on a two minute devotional in the morning...maybe a few times a week...if that.
When we starve our faith, we move farther and farther from our Father's heart. We find it hard to trust Him. Sometimes we avoid worshiping Him. We feel guilty. We feel alone. Listen to words from our Father's heart:
"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)
"Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Blessed is the one whose "delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [she] meditates day and night. [she] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [she] does prospers." Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV)
Faith feeds on the Word of God. Our faith has no life apart from what we receive from the Word. I came to the realization that I needed to alter my diet. I needed to feed on something other than case law and legal memoranda.
God drew you to this devotional today. Ask Him why. Has the Lord pricked your heart? Does my story strike a chord with you? With all my heart, I encourage you to not ignore His Word to you today.
Let's be like the blessed one in Psalm 1 who meditates on God's Word day and night. Will you commit with me today to memorize one scripture? To start, find a verse, maybe one from this devotional, and memorize it. You will be putting "faith food" into your heart and mind. Throughout the next few days, feed on that verse, speak that verse, and share that verse. Watch what God will do.
God will bless your obedience. Your obedience will bear fruit. You will prosper.
Wait and watch and see!
Dear Lord, today I feel weary, empty, and so very far away from You. Please come near, feed me with Your Word, revive my dying faith. Make me like the tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit and prospering in all I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy's blog and share your memory verse with her. She would love to pray for you.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Proverbs 31 Ministries' offers many Bible studies! Shop online today for one that fits you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of life-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Pick a verse from the devotional or your own verse and commit to memorize it this week. Please stop by my blog and share your verse with me. I would be honored to pray for you as you take this step.
Reflections:
What is it that takes your time and keeps you from being in God's Word on a consistent basis?
What one step can you take to spend more time with God in His Word? Commit to take that step.
Power Verses:
Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 9, 2010
But I Can't See!
Lynn Cowell
"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'" John 1:43 (NIV)
Devotion:
Illuminating a small circle just in front of our feet, the flashlight provided safety and direction for only our next step as Rose and I took our pre-sunrise walk. Anxiety eventually gave way to comfort as we discussed the day ahead. We knew the light would lead us in the right direction. We just had to take the next step...
Taking the next step is something Jesus recommended a very long time ago. "Come and you will see." "Follow me." These were the words Jesus spoke to the disciples as He called them. He didn't sit them down and reveal what the next three years would hold. He knew they would be overwhelmed; possibly even turn around. He chose to keep it simple. "Follow me" was all He said. Take the next step...
As a teen, I wanted to know my future. Will all my dreams come true? What college will I attend? Will I work in a church; marry a pastor? Will I live in Iowa near my family? Jesus knew the answers to those questions all along. I didn't go to college. I don't work in a church, nor did I marry a pastor. He knew. In wisdom, He chose to reveal only enough light for me to take the next step.
Sometimes, I catch myself wishing again that I could see my future. I get wrapped up in fear or worry. Career worries: Will I still have this job in five or ten years? Mom worries: Will my children marry spouses passionate about Jesus? Marriage worries: Will my husband and I enjoy a long retirement together? I can spin around issues that really don't have anything to do with this day, with my next step.
Jesus knows. He knows which answers are "yes" and which ones are "no." He knows when and where to reveal to me my next step. My part is simply to take the next step in obedience.
When I was younger, I did not understand those times when He said "no" were stepping stones to His amazing "yes." I learned in the dark that when I step forward in trust and obedience, blessing is down the path. I also had to learn that even those pathways that held pain where part of the process. They were stepping stones in my journey of choosing obedience over worry, fear and control.
Now, when fear and doubt surface in the dark I silence the "what ifs." I remember Jesus' words, "Follow me," and get back on the path that is flickering just ahead-and simply take the next step...a step of trust. I ask Him what I need to do for just today. I walk away from worry by expressing my concerns to Jesus and trust His ability to take care of each and every step.
Dear Lord, the dark can be frightening. Jesus, sometimes my ability to trust seems so much smaller than the step I need to take. Help me to build a history with You. A history of seeing You will help me trust You over and over and over again. I want that. I put my trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lynn's blog to enter to win a copy of her CD "He is that Into You" and read one of her favorite God stories!
Divine Prayers for Desperate Parents by Susanne Scheppmann
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Purchase a spiral notebook and write on the front "My History with God." Document areas in your life where unrest lies. Leave space under each entry for room to record God's care for you in these areas. One day, this will be your testimony to pass on!
Life for teens can be confusing. Many choices come their way, yet often there is not enough light in their lives to guide them to the right decision. Would you consider investing in the life of a teen through mentoring? Lynn is sharing with teens today the benefits of being mentored at www.RadRevolution.org. Join in the conversation!
Reflections:
What areas in my life feel out of control, like I'm walking in the dark? Do I feel alone or am I aware of God's presence with me?
Have I had trustworthy people in my life in the past? How have these relationships influenced my ability to trust God?
Power Verses:
2 Samuel 7:28, "O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant." (NIV)
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Psalm 13:5, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 10, 2010
A Recipe for Relationships
Micca Monda Campbell
"Because he loved him as he loved himself."
1 Samuel 20:17b (NIV)
Devotion:
So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so few actually find them. My mother use to tell me to count myself lucky if I had just one "close friend." That's because close life-long relationships are hard to come by. Since we are becoming an increasingly private society, it seems that fewer people than ever actually have life-long intimate friends. Still, the desire for this kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.
Women are naturally drawn to other women. In fact, a girl's first experience with heartache may have been over a lost "best friend" rather than a "boyfriend." Women value friendships. When they are lost, we grieve; not just over the friendship itself, but also for the secrets shared, the trust given and the acceptance enjoyed. If betrayed, the pain runs deep causing us to wonder if intimate friendships are really possible.
When I think of a biblical example of real friendship, the story of David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 19, always comes to mind.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, was David's closest friend. The King despised David because he was growing in popularity and because God had anointed David to be king. These facts enraged King Saul, and he commanded his aids and Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan loved David; therefore he would not betray David.
Love isn't the only fruit of true friendship. A real relationship consists of sacrifice too.
We discover in this story that Jonathan stripped himself of the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt. Jonathan was the potential heir to his father's throne, but we see him sacrificing his future for David as he literally gives David his place as king.
You and I learn from this action that true friendship means a willingness to sacrifice for each other in love. It's the ability to put another's needs, desires, and wishes above those of our own.
Loyalty is also a mark of true friendship. We're told that Jonathan went to his father and spoke well of David. Jonathan also stood up to his dad and said, "Dad, you're wrong about David. He hasn't done anything against you, in fact, everything he's done has helped you." A true friend is a loyal defense before others; one who won't talk about you when you're not around. True friends stick up for each other and are ready to defend when others attack.
Finally, intimate friends give each other complete freedom to be themselves. In an intimate friendship, you don't have to explain why you do what you do. You're just free to do it.
When Jonathan gave David the sign that things were not okay in the palace and that his dad was going to kill David, the two were forced to say goodbye. The text tells us they wept together.
When your heart is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this and she'll understand. She won't try to comfort you in your misery or tell you to straighten up. Intimate friends let each other hurt and they weep together. If your friend needs to complain, you will listen. Intimate friends don't bale, they stay. They allow you to be yourself no matter what 'self' looks like.
If you're looking for a Godly recipe for relationships, look no further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend like Jonathan. Then, bless me with the same. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
Cultivating a Heart of Contentment (CD) by Micca Campbell
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
Turn Your Girlfriends into Sisters, our Everyday Life article offering great friendship tips!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Develop the kind of character that attracts others. While David had enemies, he also had a growing number of people who loved him. People are naturally attracted to someone who shines with God-like attributes. On the other hand, most are turned off by mean, selfish people. Whatever is on the inside will show on the outside - so ask God to develop in you the kind of traits that draw people of good characteristics.
Reflections:
What kind of friend am I?
Do I exhibit loyalty, love, freedom, and sacrifice in my relationships? Why or Why not?
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 11, 2010
The Mother Load
Lysa TerKeurst
"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62:11-12a (NIV)
Devotion:
We moms should never build the stability of our identity on the fragility of our kid's choices.
Have you ever felt like a failure as a mom because you got a not so great call from the principal's office? Me too. On the flip side, have you ever felt like the greatest mom ever because your child got some special recognition? Me too. So, let me say it again just so this crucial truth can sink in a little deeper. I'm repeating it for no other reason, sweet sister, than the fact I need this message. So, forgive me if this devotion preaches a message only to myself.
We moms should never build the stability of our identity on the fragility of our kid's choices.
I've got five amazing kids. I really do. They are wildly funny, imaginative, moody, opinionated, strong, weak, happy, sad, good and sometimes not so good. In other words they're pretty normal. And while I've done everything in my power to raise them to turn out amazingly awesome - and they very well might turn out amazingly awesome - there aren't any guarantees.
Sometimes bad parents raise terrific kids.
And sometimes terrific parents raise kids that chase bad things their whole life.
So, what's a mama to do?
Embrace the process. Learn from the process. Let God speak to us during the process. And see the process of raising kids as an ongoing opportunity to invest beyond ourselves.
We get to love our kids like crazy. Pray for them faithfully. Talk to them regularly. Listen to them tenderly. Model honesty and integrity. And point them to Jesus at every turn.
We get to do all that.
And tucked within these privileges is the reward. As long as I look for the reward within the process, I won't misplace my expectations. I have to rest in the assurance that God sees everything I invest in these kids.
And He will use every step of this process for good. The process will be good for me. And this process will good for my kids. It will be good. But this process won't always make me feel good or look good.
If I always expect my kids to make me feel good or look good, I am setting us all up for failure. My kids were never meant to carry the weight of a mama's need for validation. I can't let their failures send me to bed. And I can't wear their successes like mommy medals of honor.
Motherhood is tough you know?
It really is.
However, it's also our only opportunity to reach into the generations to come and make a difference. So, an imperfect but wonderful difference I will make.
Dear Lord, help me to embrace the privilege and process of motherhood. I see parenting as an opportunity to invest beyond myself. But I also admit that I really need Your help. Please guide me so that I can model You every day in every way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win the ultimate mom gift. You don't want to miss this!
For more gut honest and wise advice on being the mom you want to be, check out Lysa TerKeurst's book Am I Messing Up My Kids?
Lysa's best-selling book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, is helping women know how to better understand and apply the Bible. Every mom should read this!
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If we always expect our kids to make us feel good or look good, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Be honest with yourself and think of some ways you may be doing this.
Spend some time resting in God's daily assurance. See your parenting as an opportunity to reach into the generations to come.
Reflections:
Am I consistently pointing my family to Jesus? How am I doing this?
Have I misplaced any of my expectations?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:5, "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 12, 2010
There are No Shortcuts to Anyplace Worth Going
Glynnis Whitwer
"Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house."
Ecclesiastes 10:18 (NLT)
Devotion:
Life for a boy is measured in milestones. The first time you wear "big boy" underwear. The first time you are tall enough to ride a roller coaster. And the first time you eat a Big Mac meal all by yourself. For my youngest son Robbie, the last milestone came at age 6. And it also came with a life-message about the danger of shortcuts.
For a first grader, lunch in the cafeteria is a novelty. With two older brothers, Robbie knew it meant I would be joining him occasionally with a special lunch instead of his normal sandwich and fruit. He couldn't wait for his turn to have Mommy show up with lunch hidden in a paper bag, stamped with a familiar golden arch. The first time I did, he was thrilled.
Robbie majestically created a plate from the paper wrapping, dumped the fries onto the "plate," and sampled his soda. Like a king on his throne, he surveyed his lunch. Then Robbie dug in with abandon to his double-decker burger. And just as quickly, secret sauce started dripping down his little fingers.
He caught some with his tongue, but surplus sauce still oozed down his hands. I could see his shirt about to become a dining accessory, and started rustling through the bag and under wrappers. "Wait Robbie, I'm sure I brought some napkins," I said.
"It's okay Mommy," Robbie said raking his fingers through his hair. "My hair is a napkin." He grinned, thoroughly pleased with himself.
I stared. Speechless.
That was a teachable moment for me. You see, I didn't know I had to tell my children not to use their hair as a napkin. Now I know.
I learned something else from that experience. Convenience trumps correct almost every time when children are small. Which is why dirty clothes get dropped on the floor directly in front of the hamper. Or glasses get set on the counter above the dishwasher. Bad habits are easily formed, and it seems in our human nature to choose ease over diligence, quick over thorough.
Sadly, with enough choices like that, we end up with a life-culture of shallow rather than deep. Instead of pushing through to the next level of excellence, we settle. Instead of the few extra seconds it takes to find a napkin, we use our hair. And then we wonder why things aren't the way we wish they were.
I catch myself looking for the occasional short cut. But I've discovered there are no short cuts to anyplace worth going.
I'll never have a clean home unless I get to work. I'll never save money unless I shop smarter. I'll never be an excellent writer unless I sharpen my skills. I'll never be a great wife or mother unless I make it a priority. I will never wake up one day and find that my dreams have become a reality, unless I'm willing to do what it takes to make that happen.
Besides a good story, Robbie's "My hair is a napkin" experience is a great lesson. It reminds me that convenience isn't always best. Shortcuts don't always work. And I've still got a lot to learn about parenting and life.
Dear Lord, I praise You today for who You are. You are worthy of my best efforts. Forgive me when I try to take a shortcut in serving You. Help me to remember that Your way isn't always the easy way. But it's the best way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
P31 Woman magazine offers monthly encouragement in living a God-honoring life.
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement!
Six Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathy Reimer & Lisa Whittle
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we wish we could, we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
Identify one area of your life that needs more work. What two things can you do this week to make small positive changes in that area?
Reflections:
What "shortcuts" have you taken in life that proved to be bad decisions?
Why are shortcuts seldom helpful when pursuing the dreams in our hearts?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 13:4, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." (NIV)
Proverbs 31:27, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 15, 2010
Lending to God
Rachel Olsen
"If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!"
Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat in the coffee shop last week, slumped behind my laptop for cover, trying to act casual while blotting tears from my eyes with a brown paper napkin. I hadn't expected to be so touched by the brown eyes staring back at me through that screen.
I'd forgotten that God moves in the heart that focuses on the poor.
I was looking at children in poverty at the Compassion International website - trying to decide which one to sponsor. As I read their profiles, I felt my heart expanding two sizes. I'd experienced this before.
A few months earlier I learned that Mauricio, my sponsored child for the last few years, had moved with his family to another part of the country, exiting the Compassion program. I'd gone to Ecuador and met Mauricio, his parents and his grandfather. I'd written to him and prayed for him. He walks around in my memories, enlarging my heart. I hope he never forgets Jesus loves him so much that he used a woman from another hemisphere to prove it.
I planned to choose another child to sponsor right away, but then, I guess life happened. That task slid to the end of my to-do list before being forgotten. That is, until I sat down with my latte and remembered Mauricio.
I figured I'd search the Compassion website for a new "Mauricio," set up an auto-pay account, and get that to-do done before I forgot again.
I don't know why I thought that was something I'd do rather matter-of-factly in a coffee shop, like addressing envelopes or making a grocery list. I don't know how the tears welling in my eyes caught me off guard. I guess I'd forgotten doing the will of God regarding the poor is never just a task because God moves in us when we reach out.
Reading this story you might get the impression that I have a generous, giving heart. You'd be wrong. I'm rather stingy when it comes to money. But I've let God interrupt my stingy nature enough times and teach me that it's more blessed to give than receive. In the process, I learned the truth of today's key verse - that giving to the poor is virtually the same as depositing that money in a heavenly interest-earning account. God not only moves in the heart of, but rewards those who care for the poor.
Randy Alcorn writes in Money, Possessions, and Eternity: "God keeps an account open for us in heaven, and every gift given for His glory is a deposit in that account. Not only God, not only others, but we are the eternal beneficiaries of our giving." I wasn't just sitting in a coffee shop last week looking at a website; I was in line at the "Alpha & Omega Savings and Loan."
That's a truth I want to remember and teach my kids. This morning I showed my 9 year-old son the profiles of the children our family is praying over and asked if he had any thoughts about which one to sponsor. He sniffled a few times while sitting there; I wondered if he was catching cold. Then I caught him wiping at his eyes.
"Are you crying over those children, Caleb?" I tentatively asked.
"Yeah, a little," he admitted. I think his heart grew too.
God moves when we focus on the poor. When we reach out to help, He moves through us into their lives and for us into ours. He acts on our behalf when we act on theirs.
May we lend to God lots this season, giving Him plenty of room to move in, through and for us.
Dear Lord, it seems so strange to think that I can lend to You. But your Word says that when I help the poor, I am blessing both them and You. And you promise to repay that favor. Lord, soften my heart towards the poor. Help me be generous. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion touched your heart, you'll want to read the chapter "Have Eyes Bigger than Your Stomach" in Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
Visit Rachel's blog today for a chance to win a free copy of her new book!
Consider sponsoring a child at Compassion International
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity by supporting the many areas of ministry we provide at no cost - like this one! Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Honestly, it never feels like a good time to begin parting with $38 a month for the next several years to sponsor a child you've never met. The realization that the holidays and both of my children's birthdays are right around the corner ran through my mind in that coffee shop. Maybe I should wait until the new year, I thought.
But as German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Don't say that you want to give, but go ahead and give! You'll never catch up with a mere hope."
Reflections:
Do I help the poor?
Am I willing to "lend to God" in this matter, trusting that He repays?
Power Verses:
Psalm 41:1-2, "Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies." (NLT)
Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 16, 2010
Living in the Hear and Now
Renee Swope
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sat on the couch looking out the window, wondering what the future held. Some opportunities were on the horizon. My excitement, mixed with the fear of getting over-committed, ignited a rapid firing of thoughts: What would I say yes or no to? What was God calling me to do? How would I figure out His plans and purpose for my schedule?
Wondering and worrying wasn't getting me anywhere, so I decided to start praying. I wrote questions in a notebook: "Lord, what should I say yes to? Where do You want me to spend my time? Will You please show me Your plans for me this coming year?"
I wanted a sneak peek into God's calendar so I could adjust mine. Instead, I sensed Him telling me not to worry about tomorrow but to live each day in the hear and now.
I'd done pretty well when it came to listening to God in the big things. It was when God called me to small acts of obedience behind the scenes that I was most challenged. A few weeks after my conversation with God and my commitment to listen more closely for His voice, I noticed my husband's side of the closet was a mess. I thought about how J.J. enjoys things being orderly, although it's not his natural inclination.
I remembered how frazzled he seemed the day before. Then I sensed God whispering to my heart, "One way you could really love J.J. and bring peace to his world would be to organize his side of the closet."
"He's a grown man; he can organize his own side of the closet. I have two kids, two dogs and myself to keep up with. Have you seen our garage and attic?" I thought.
"Did you hear Me? Are you going to obey Me now?" God's Spirit nudged.
Just that week I had read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, and realized my attitude was like that of the third servant. He had not been entrusted with much and he buried his talent in the ground. Maybe he thought, "I wasn't given much so why even worry about being faithful with it? I'll just take it easy on this assignment. The master probably won't notice."
Sometimes I saw my role as a wife, daughter, mother and friend as "average" responsibilities - one-talent kind of assignment. Plenty of people have the same assignments, I thought. Without realizing it, I let myself slip into being selfish, inconsiderate or impatient here and there. But God wanted my willingness in every area of my life - hearing and acting on His promptings in my heart throughout my day.
Why does God want moment-by-moment, day-by-day obedience? Because He wants us to trust Him.
Obedience means actively exchanging our will for His. God knows it is hard for us to hear His voice and follow His plans for our tomorrows when we are not willing to obey Him in our todays. But He promises that when we are faithful with the little things, He will "put us in charge of many things" and give us a deeper joy than we have ever known (Matthew 25:21, NIV).
God is so patient as we learn to trust Him in the big and little things in life. And it's in our relationship with Him that we find the purpose, direction and meaning we're looking for. When we live in the "hear and now" our calling and our calendar begin to reflect our love for Him, not our need for fulfillment or the desire to be important in anyone's eyes but His.
By the way, I reorganized my husband's side of the closet. I'm almost sure I heard God chuckle and felt the warmth of His smile. May He smile on you today as you commit to live in the hear and now - acting on what you hear and living it out now.
Dear Lord, when You look at the assignments You've given me, do You find me faithful? Am I living and listening the way You want me to? Sometimes I fall into the trap of waiting for a better tomorrow or an easier assignment so that I can be faithful. Help me trust You. I want to reflect Your heart and extend Your hands today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Renee's talking more about listening to God and learning to recognize His voice at www.ReneeSwope.com. And she's giving away a book that's helped her follow through on her promise to live in the hear and now. Enter to win by clicking here.
The Power of a Purpose Driven Mom (CD) by Renee Swope
Shaped with Purpose Workbook; Practical Guide to Discovering God's Purpose for Your Life and message on CD, by Renee Swope
For more everyday encouragement, connect with Renee on Facebook
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of life-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to slow down, listen for His voice, and trust Him daily instead of running ahead of His plans?
Ask God to help you listen, recognize, and act on His gentle whispers as you go throughout your day. Visit Renee's interactive website for more encouragement and ideas on how you can distinguish God's thoughts from yours.
Reflections:
Do I desire to live in the "hear and now" - listening and obeying God in everything, believing I will discover His plans for tomorrow through my faithfulness today?
What roles and relationships has God entrusted to me? (mom, daughter, friend, classmate, wife, sister, etc.) How can I be more faithful in the little things in them?
Power Verses:
1 John 2:5, "If anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." (NIV)
Matthew 25:21, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." (NIV)
© 2010 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 17, 2010
Speaking...I mean Texting Their Language
Melissa Taylor
"Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)
Devotion:
"I'm not joining Facebook and I'm not texting you. Don't text message me either. If you want to tell me something, you'll have to speak to me! You kids don't know how to have conversations anymore," said the grandfather.
His granddaughter replied, "But Grandpa, you are missing out on so much in my life." Grandpa said sternly, "I don't care."
This conversation, which I overheard, stuck with me for days. I bet Grandpa did care. He just didn't know how to relate to his granddaughter, and new technology probably scared him. I admit it scares me too. I'm not fond of change, but I have to face the facts: the world is changing, with or without me.
When my children were younger, breakfast time consisted of a meal, devotion, and Bible reading together. I didn't work outside the home like I do now, so I had time in the morning to devote just to my kids. Now my time is much different; not only do I have to make sure the kids are ready, but I have to be ready too. There are six people running around, fighting for two bathrooms, grabbing a quick bite to eat, and racing out the door. I miss the simpler times when we weren't so busy. I especially miss the intentional time spent teaching my children what I consider most important: God's Word. It seemed so much easier to "train a child" when they were younger.
Watching my son, Hayden, with his lightning speed thumbs typing out text messages on his cell phone one evening, a thought entered my head. Would it make a difference if I text my kids a Bible verse each day? Quickly I dismissed the thought, thinking it silly to send a message to their phones, when they really should be reading God's Word for themselves. Then I thought of Grandpa. His refusal to his granddaughter and her reply about him missing out on her life saddened me. I decided I didn't want to be like Grandpa.
Texting my kids a verse each day may not radically change their lives, but then again it might. I wondered, Would Jesus text if He were here today?
While on earth, Jesus used language His audience understood, depending on where He was and the culture of that area. His purpose and message did not change, but His delivery and presentation sometimes did. He did whatever it took to reach the people. He walked, rode, sailed, and taught at homes, hillsides, banquets, and dinner tables. I bet if it had been possible back then, He would have texted too.
It's been about six months since I started texting Bible verses to my children. Usually I get a response like "thanks" or no response at all, but sometimes I'll receive a verse back. I send them all the same verse so if the opportunity arises, we can all talk about it together. Texting works for us because I am speaking their language. The message hasn't changed, but the delivery has for the purpose of effectiveness. My son, Dylan, even shared with me that sometimes he forwards the verse to a friend or two.
Texting may not be my favorite way to communicate, but if it ministers to my kids, I don't want to refuse it. It's just one more way I can continue to "train" my children. Is there a way God is calling you to change in order to communicate more effectively with someone in your life?
Dear Lord, change is hard for me, but if there is a way You'd like for me to change for the sake of another, then I will try. With Your help all things are possible. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Melissa's blog and find out how you can receive Melissa's "Top 10 Ways to Connect with Your Children."
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture by Mary E. DeMuth
Family Driven Faith: Doing What it Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God by Voddie Baucham, Jr.
Parenting Your Teen and Loving It: Being the Mom Your Kids Need by Susie Davis
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Think of one way you can change to better connect with someone in your life.
Reflections:
As a mom, am I doing my best to connect with my kids?
Am I stubborn like Grandpa or willing like Jesus?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)
Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NIV)
Proverbs 31:28-29, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 18, 2010
The Formula
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2a (NIV)
Devotion:
When I was a young mom, I was desperate for a formula. I truly thought there must be a formula I could plug my family into that would yield great kids. And there were plenty of moms that tried to convince me they had the formula.
"Bottle feed and never let them sleep in your bed."
"Breastfeed until they are 3 and give them the security of sleeping between you and your husband every night."
"Don't ever send them to pre-school. It will be detrimental to their social development."
"Send them to pre-school right away - it's crucial for their social development."
"TV is good."
"TV is bad."
"They must read by age 5."
"Let them take their time learning to read. You'll ruin their love for books if you force them."
"Step in and model healthy conflict resolution when they argue with their siblings."
"Let them handle things on their own."
"Be there 24/7 for your kids."
"Don't be a helicopter mom. Give your kids room to discover who they are without you hovering over them."
Seriously, it's a wonder we moms figure anything out with all the conflicting information and advice we get. I spent the first five years of motherhood convinced I was messing my kids up beyond repair. And it wasn't for lack of trying. Heavens no. I was serious about gathering every morsel of information I could and trying with all my might to decode "the formula."
Well, here's the deal. I now have kids ranging in ages from 22 to 11 and this is my very best advice in regards to the formula. There isn't one.
There is no perfect parenting formula. What works for one kid may not work for another. The seemingly perfect algorithm one family follows could be disastrous for another.
We weren't made to follow formulas. We were made to follow Jesus. Period.
This is true with parenting but it's also true with every other aspect of our lives as well. We were made to follow Jesus' lead in our marriages, our jobs, our ministries, our churches, our friendships, our everything.
In Romans 12:2 Paul so powerfully reminds us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will."
We weren't made to be robotic followers of this world's formulas. We were made to be transformed into the unique person God appointed to fulfill the assignments set before us. So, on a practical level what does this look like?
It's a simple woman who humbly acknowledges how much she doesn't know about life and readily admits how much she needs Jesus. Not just in spiritual sense...this woman needs Jesus in every way. All throughout her day, she can be heard whispering heart-felt pleas to her Jesus saying, "Show me the way, show me the way, show me the way."
And as she does this, she loosens her grip on all the formulas thrown at her and courageously embraces His gentle voice behind her saying, "This is the way, now walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).
Dear Lord, help me to follow You and You alone - not a pre-planned formula. Help me to see that I need You more than anything today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of Bible verses every mom should have.
For more wise advice on becoming the mom you want to be click here to order Lysa's book: Am I Messing Up My Kids? (This is an updated and expanded version of her book "The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained.")
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. The best gift you can give your family is the gift of becoming a godly woman.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
We weren't made to be robotic followers of this world's formulas. We were made to be transformed into the unique person God appointed to fulfill the assignments set before us. So, on a practical level what does this look like for you?
Reflections:
What formulas (if any) have you been following or holding onto?
Please pray over each of them to discern if they are in accordance with God's plan for you and your family.
Power Verses:
Matthew 4:19, "'Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.'" (NIV)
Romans 8:5, "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (NIV)
John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 19, 2010
Toxic Anger
T. Suzanne Eller
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary..."
Matthew 5:25a (NIV)
Devotion:
"Do you think we could stop by the auction on the way home from church?" I asked.
Hanging out at auctions isn't my husband's favorite thing, but he said yes. I noted that his voice lacked enthusiasm. "We don't have to go if you don't want to," I said. Then I calmly brought up an event from two months earlier. A time I had felt disappointed.
To be honest, he didn't have a fighting chance.
We arrived at church, tension hanging between us. Worship was wonderful. The sermon was great. But all I could hear was the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit showing me how I had used my words to pin my husband in a corner. I reached for his hand and apologized. He willingly forgave me.
When we think of anger we often think of destructive anger. Words and actions that violate and separate. But that's not how most of us operate. For many, our anger is cool and calm on the outside as we hide the resentment on the inside. Over time it becomes toxic, seeping out in seemingly innocent comments or hidden behind a wall that loved ones cannot penetrate.
Be angry and sin not.
Maybe you push anger down because you believe it is a sin. The reality is that we are going to be disappointed, even in the strongest relationships. Normal families do have conflict. We will get angry at the people we love the most. Anger in itself is not the sin; it's simply an emotion. Anger only becomes toxic when we use it to hurt others or ourselves.
Listen and be slow to speak.
I wasn't angry about the auction, or even my husband's lack of enthusiasm. College classes and other family obligations were taking large chunks of my husband's time. I longed for unscheduled time with my husband.
That was the real issue, something we could work through.
I needed not only to listen to the Holy Spirit to view the real issue, but to listen to my husband's perspective. In spite of my calm demeanor, Richard felt like he was fighting ghosts. My passive aggressive approach made it impossible for Richard to participate in a healthy conversation.
Settle matters quickly.
This incident may seem small, but how many fractured and broken relationships are due to once-small issues that festered under the surface for years? Toxic anger rarely ignites instantly, but simmers as the fire is fed until it burns out of control.
Healthy conflict means that you work through issues immediately, though never in the heat of an argument. It's admitting when we are wrong, and forgiving others for their shortcomings. It's putting yesterday behind us and starting fresh.
Hold up your wounds to the Healer.
Maybe you've been wounded and anger has become your defense mechanism. Are you willing to allow Christ to heal those wounds? When I look at my heart I find scars of old conflicts, but I'm not ashamed of those scars because a scar by its very definition implies healing.
Those marks remind me of the love of Christ, and to never let toxic anger rob me of living and loving fully.
Heavenly Father, I'm angry and I'm hurting. I've let small things become big things that are threatening my well-being, and my relationships. Give me the words to say, and keep the words that I shouldn't say from my lips. I offer my wounds to You today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Suzie's blog to download a free resource, Five Healthy Ways to Handle Conflict
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Admit it when you are angry.
Journal about the incident.
Read it out loud. Ask Jesus to show you the real issue.
Ask for wisdom (James 1:5).
Add a prayer, and one step you can take, to your journal entry.
Reflections:
Am I brokenhearted over my anger?
Have I asked Christ to forgive me?
Am I committed to turn in the opposite direction?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
(NIV)
James 1:19-20, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (NIV)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 22, 2010
Too Tired to Pray
Wendy Pope
"Then I prayed to the God of heaven..."
Nehemiah 2:4b (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever been in the midst of an ongoing challenge of life whose sting never ceased? As one day faded into the next, you wondered how you would have the energy to make it through. You looked for direction asking, "What can I do that will make my situation different?"
I have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. I am a survivor of some tough challenges. Challenges that stole my energy, zest for life, and belief that things could change. In fact, I am currently living such a challenge and have been for several years.
During difficult days my godly friends offer wise counsel. They point me to scripture with aspirations of encouraging me and bringing hope to what I deem hopeless. My friends hold me up in prayer. They remind me to pray. However, there are times when the weight of my circumstances are so heavy, when I bow my head to pray I find I am just too tired.
I am tired of moving forward one day, only to run into another obstacle that prohibits progress the next day. I am tired of expelling my energies trying to make a difference, only to find myself right back where I was before. Because this situation robs me of spiritual, mental and physical energy, I feel too tired to pray.
I am too tired to pray until I remember a man in the Bible. This man found himself in a challenge that had the potential to rob him of spiritual, mental, and physical strength. He ran into one obstacle after another and worked hard each day trying to make a difference. Unlike me, this man was not too tired to pray.
The man is Nehemiah. He wept and mourned over the condition of Jerusalem after the exiles returned from Babylon. He was motivated to help his people rebuild. Having the favor of the king and the presence of God on his side, one would assume the assignment would not be a challenge. However, government officials Sanballat and Tobiah, made it their personal business to undermine the rebuilding progress. Nehemiah responded to each insult and obstacle the same way: he prayed.
Nehemiah and the Israelites found praying was the needed prescription to revive them, restore their energy and continue building! Through the power of prayer their enemies were defeated and the wall was rebuilt. What a wonderful lesson for anyone struggling through life's challenges, too tired to pray. Let's examine this prescription for those who are overwhelmed.
We can simplify Nehemiah's prayer prescription as SAP (Stop and Pray). According to Dictionary.com the word sap means energy and vitality. Vitality is defined as exuberant physical strength or mental vigor; power to live and grow. Nehemiah had it right. He made prayer his first choice, not his last resort. He discovered prayer would revive his spirit and restore the mental and physical energy needed to overcome challenges.
Do you find yourself facing a challenge? Have you felt just too tired to pray? Join me today as I SAP— stop and pray. Let's allow the power of prayer to revive our spirit and restore our physical and mental vigor. By following Nehemiah's example we will have the energy needed to defeat the enemy and thrive in the midst of our challenges.
Dear Lord, through the power of prayer, today's challenge can be tomorrow's victory. Forgive me when I make prayer my last resort instead of my first choice. Help me remember the truths You have taught me today. Help me SAP when adversity comes my way. Thank You for prayer and the power I receive when I turn to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The One Year Chronological Bible
Visit Wendy's blog to find out how to be part of the amazing online study through The One Year Chronological Bible. Read testimonials of those involved in this study for two years and hear Wendy share how this Bible has changed her life and her love for God's Word.
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans by Wendy Pope
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: Words to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say by Susanne Scheppmann
Application Steps:
Write the word SAP and its meaning (energy and vitality) on several note cards. Place them in your home, car, work and Bible, to remind you to SAP.
Each time a difficult situation occurs, no matter how small, SAP.
Reflections:
How do I feel about my prayer life?
Am I willing to SAP whenever a situation occurs? If not, why?
Am I currently in a tough life challenge? Do I really believe prayer can change it? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Daniel 9:19a, "O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act!" (NLT)
Habakkuk 1:5, "Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (NIV)
Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (NIV)
Romans 8:26-27, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 23, 2010
A Little Help from Friends
Melanie Chitwood
"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset."
Exodus 17:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
It had been a challenging year for our family. Opening a new business, extended family issues, a series of health challenges, writing a book, and daily life with newly-turned teenagers were some of the stressors we experienced.
One evening, feeling especially weary and desperate for support, I drove to my friend Holly's house to vent. I plopped on the couch, put my head in my hands, and announced, "I just don't think I can do this." Without missing a beat, her husband Dan said, "That's why you need your friends this year."
How true. We were never meant to deal with stress, discouragement, pain, or just a hard day with the kids on our own. God created us to need encouragement from each other, especially during hard times.
Today's key verse shows how Moses, just like us, needed support. While Joshua and the Israelite soldiers battled the Amalekites, God asked Moses to hold up his staff, representing God's power, throughout the battle. As long as Moses kept the staff raised, the Israelites experienced victory. It was a long battle, however, and Moses dropped his arms in fatigue. Then the Israelites began losing the battle.
That's when Moses needed help and encouragement from his friends. Scripture explains, "When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset" (Exodus 17:12, NIV).
The Israelites ultimately were victorious, and a key to their victory was Moses' obedience to God as he held up the staff. But he couldn't have done what God asked him to do without the help of Aaron and Hur.
In the same way over the past couple of years I've needed my friends to hold me up, so I can be the wife, mother and woman God has called me to be. Friends have listened, prayed and helped me with practical matters of everyday life. Their support has given me courage to press on, to remain hopeful, and to find strength in them and the Lord.
Just like Aaron and Hur did for Moses, my friends have held up my hands and lifted my heart so I can be obedient to God's call on my life. We all need the help of faithful friends.
Dear Lord, thank You for the encouragement of friends - and for providing each one at just the right time. Forgive me for the times I've been prideful and independent instead of vulnerable and honest about my needs. Let me be an encourager to others the way they've been to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie at her blog "What Matters Most"
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Take time to thank someone who has encouraged you. Write an email, send a text, make a phone call or send a special gift to your encourager. You can forward this devotion to them and tell them "thank you" for holding up your hands!
Maybe as you read this devotion, you realize you don't have a friend to help you during the hard times. Start by praying for God to send someone your way. Then take the first step to initiate a new friendship.
Reflections:
Is it easier for me to help someone or to receive help? If it's hard for me to receive help, I'll ask the Holy Spirit to reveal why.
Am I part of a church community? If not, this week I am going to attend church regularly and to get involved in a service group, small group or Bible study.
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NASB)
Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." (NLT).
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 24, 2010
Perspective Precedes Thankfulness
Glynnis Whitwer
"Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm."
Deuteronomy 5:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
My little sister and I were an unstoppable team in the board game Scattergories. Within seconds we guessed each other's drawings, annoying our opponents in the process. Sometimes it was an unspoken memory shared by the two of us. Most often it was because we understood the concept of perspective.
For example, if we were attempting to draw a basketball, we immediately drew something else to create perspective. Otherwise, our teammates would waste time guessing that it was the sun, the earth or a face. A stick person holding the circle narrowed the guesses, because seeing objects in relation to each other helped reveal the truth.
Perspective made all the difference in the game, and it makes all the difference in how we handle life. Without perspective, small problems seem insurmountable, and we ignore warning signs. But with perspective, hard situations don't overwhelm, and we can find our way to thankfulness instead of despair.
To help me take a balanced approach to life's difficult times, I've developed a few perspective points. These points are hard-earned lessons in my life. By making them perspective points, I choose to find value in what would otherwise be dismal experiences. Now, when I'm faced with bad news, disappointment or failure, I grasp one of these perspective points, and like a compass pointing north, I can accurately assess the situation, and choose to be thankful.
One of the most difficult perspective points in my life is the death of my niece Christa in a car accident. In fact, at times I feel my life is divided in two parts: before and after Christa's death. With five children of my own, this devastating loss to our family has given me perspective on the challenges we face.
When one of my children makes a heart-breaking choice, I grieve and administer consequences. Then very quickly, like that magnetic force in a compass, perspective points me to thankfulness. Thank You Lord my son (or daughter) is alive.
Another perspective point is the economic downfall of the past few years. Finances have eased a bit, but we'll be battling our way out of that slump for years to come. Instead of being resentful, I find myself thankful for having money to spend at all. Thank You Lord for getting us through that rough time and for what I have to spend today.
In Deuteronomy 5:15 Moses gave the Israelites God's Ten Commandments. As Moses related "Observe the Sabbath day," he challenged the people with this sentence: "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." God was establishing a day of rest, but also a day to keep perspective and be thankful. He wanted people to remember the hard times so they could appreciate the good times even more.
Perspective points are an arrow to thankfulness. They remind me God was faithful then and He will be faithful now. They remind me God was greater than my circumstances then, and still is today. Most importantly, they help me cultivate a thankful heart for what I have. The truth is as long as we have breath, there is reason to be thankful and hopeful.
As we begin this Thanksgiving week, let's identify perspective points in our lives. It's how we can find value in what seems a waste. They prove God can use anything for good, and help turn our hearts to gratitude instead of grumbling.
Dear Lord, I thank You for the difficult times in my life. Although they weren't easy, I can see how You worked through them. Help me to keep perspective on my problems today by remembering Your faithfulness in my past. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Is there something you are thankful for that God has done in your life through Proverbs 31 Ministries? Prayerfully consider how you can support our ongoing ministry. Click here for more information. We're thankful for you!
Visit Glynnis' blog where she tells another story of how she kept perspective while trying to sell a house in a down market.
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
You Are My Hiding Place Lord by Emilie Barnes
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify a time in your life that was difficult. View your current circumstances in light of that difficult time. Thank God for what He is doing in your life today.
Reflections:
How can gratitude keep me from feeling like a victim?
Many times I want to forget the past. Is there a healthy way to remember my past difficulties?
Power Verses:
Joel 2:13, "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 25, 2010
Finding Thankfulness
Rachel Olsen
"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
In the American tradition, today is an official day of thanksgiving - a day to reflect on, celebrate and express gratitude to God for our blessings. Many will gather with family and friends ... perhaps by candlelight, or firelight, or the light of a TV screen broadcasting parades and football games. Many will eat turkey - some hot and moist, and some slightly overcooked and dry, but well-rescued by gravy or cranberry sauce. And many will acknowledge Who provides both family and friends, as well as food and fire.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, every day is a day to give thanks to God. In fact, each day that the Lord allows us to draw breath is cause to give thanks. Have you thanked Him today?
Have you praised His Name?
Perhaps this day finds you in a tight spot. Maybe this hasn't been your week, your month, or even your year. Maybe you're having trouble seeing what you have to be thankful for. How about your heartbeat? How about the sun that rose today to illuminate and warm the earth? How about the clothes on your body, or the food in your cabinet?
Take a moment to absorb the great gift that the forgiveness of your sins and the purging of your guilt through Jesus Christ is. And the fact that a day is coming when there will be no more sickness and no more tears. That's cause for deep gratitude.
One thing I'm giving thanks for today is my Bible, which is the living, active Word of God preserved for me and you. It teaches me to count my blessings and focus my mind on the gracious loving kindness of God. The Psalmist David leads me to do that through Psalm 145. Let me leave you with his words today, to jumpstart your own Thanksgiving.
A psalm of praise by David
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
~ Psalm 145 (NIV)
Dear Lord, today I want to say thank You for my life. Thank You for the chance to feel sunshine, to taste fruit, to swim in water and to watch lightening. Thank You for my home and family, my church and friends. Thank You for the chance to know and serve You, now and eternally. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog today where she shares a favorite Thanksgiving recipe from her table, along with a poem leading us to give thanks for both the bitter and the sweet. Leave a comment there sharing something you are thankful for today and you'll be entered to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
Application Steps:
Make your own list of blessings today.
Consider starting a gratitude journal, jotting down a few things you are thankful for at the close of each day. You can post your list today at Rachel's blog.
Reflections:
Do I focus more on what I lack than what I have?
Power Verses:
Psalm 107:1, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV)
Psalm 31:19, "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 26, 2010
Just Like the Leaves
Marybeth Whalen
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." Mark 8:35 (NIV)
Devotion:
As I write this, it is fall and the leaves are changing in a glorious display of color. Each landscape looks like God Himself personally painted it—red, yellow, orange and green. I marvel as I drive, soaking in the visual display that is a feast for the eyes, thanking God for His creativity and care for even the smallest of details on this earth.
When my daughter asked me one day why the leaves change color, I scanned the recesses of my brain for this most basic of elementary science facts. But there was nothing there. I patted my daughter and assured her, yet again, that we would learn this answer together. (Sometimes my children wonder if I ever went to school and—if I did—how it is I managed to retain precious little.)
We read a book together and learned why the leaves change color. The leaves are slowly dying, their hold on the tree loosening a little more every day. The more they detach, the more a substance within them called chlorophyll dissipates. Chlorophyll is green in color, which causes the whole leaf to appear green. But when the chlorophyll is gone, other colors have a chance to surface. The red, gold, and orange colors were within the leaf all along—they were just overshadowed by the presence of the chlorophyll. It took the process of dying for their glorious color to be displayed.
We are in the process of dying every day, just like those leaves. When we choose to follow Christ, He asks us to take up our cross and follow Him, engaging in a daily process of giving up our rights, our pride, and ourselves in the name of service, giving and submitting. It is the painful work of death, yet in it we find colors we didn't know were there emerging. Once our sense of self and entitlement overshadowed us, coloring us an eternal—yet common—green. In the dying process, we find that God designed us to be more brilliant and colorful as we surrender our lives to Him.
People are drawn to this colorful display. They want to know how they too can break out of their same old green-colored lives and live with this kind of brilliance. In our humanness, we want to cling to the security of the tree - the security of money, or family, or our comfort zones and routines. But God asks us to let go, to trust Him, and to die a little more every day. We must trust the dying process and encourage others to do the same, displaying our colors so that people far from Him are drawn to Him, just as He intended.
Dear Lord, I don't want to live a me-colored life. Please show me how, through dying to self, Your brilliant colors can be displayed in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
The Reason We Speak, General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
This fall, find a pretty colored leaf and press it between the pages of a heavy book. Then mount it on a page in your journal. Write down Mark 8:35 and some thoughts about how the dying process is making you a more "colorful" person. (If you don't live in an area where the leaves change color, then purchase some fall leaf stickers and decorate a page with them.)
Reflections:
What colors have I seen displayed in my life when I willingly let go?
Power Verses:
Matthew 10:38, "And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (NIV)
Romans 8:13, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 29, 2010
Learning to Trust Again
Micca Monda Campbell
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
John 11:40 (NIV)
Devotion:
Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus were in Jesus' inner circle of friends. As part of the "in" crowd, Mary and Martha felt certain Jesus would come to them when Lazarus got ill. They had seen Jesus heal and minister to complete strangers. Surely, He'd come to those whom He loved. However, we see in John 11:4-6 that was not the case.
Jesus indeed loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Yet, when He heard that Lazarus was sick He stayed where He was two more days.
Let's pause here for a moment. I find it very confusing that while Jesus loved His friends, He waited two days before He went to their side. These verses appear to validate our fear of rejection. We think, "If Jesus ignored His friend Lazarus, then He can ignore me too."
After my husband died, I felt unloved and forgotten by God. I had trusted Him and believed as His child nothing bad would happen to me. When something bad did happen, I bought Satan's lie. "I knew it, God. I knew You really didn't love me!" I believed Satan's propaganda which caused me to doubt God. He had promised never to leave or desert me, but there I was, alone. How could God betray me? I wondered.
Do you know that hollow, helpless feeling that accompanies the pain of rejection, loss, and loneliness? It may be the loss of your home, the loss of a pregnancy, or perhaps a loved one rejected you in some way. The pain of that rejection warns that trusting again is too risky.
The truth is, when you and I experience either emotional or physical trauma, and God doesn't respond like we think He should, we will do one of two things. Either we turn to God, trusting Him with the result; or we run from God and feed on bitterness. But it doesn't have to be this way. We can learn to trust again.
Perspective is often limited by circumstances. God knows exactly what He's doing in your life and it's always based on love. When I'm overcome with fear I'm not really looking for answers. I'm looking for the assurance that God is near, that He's in control, and He cares about me and my circumstances.
While others may reject us, you and I need not fear rejection from God. As I began to understand that God had not left me, but was in the pit with me, I started to see a deeper truth. Bad things are going to happen to me while on earth. Usually they are the result of living in this fallen world.
Sickness, abuse and death are part of life in a fallen world that God will someday restore. Until then, God may allow me to go through these things. It's not to cause me any undue pain, but rather He allow them and then use them to accomplish spiritual growth. Charles Stanley explains, "Some things are so important to God that they are worth interrupting the happiness and health of His children in order to accomplish them."
This was true with Mary and Martha. Jesus told Martha that she would see the glory of God if she believed. Did you catch that? Believing is seeing. If you and I choose faith over fear, we will see the glory of God turn our pain into life and blessings.
As Mary and Martha believed, they witnessed the glory of God when He raised their brother from the dead. Their fears vanished and their faith was restored. If you and I want to exchange our fear for faith, we must believe that what Christ has in store for us is worth our present pain.
Dear Lord, even when I don't understand Your actions, help me trust that You have my best at heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
Additional Resources by Micca Campbell
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Jesus told them to remove the stone covering Lazarus' grave. The stone can represent our hurt, anger or pride. In order to see your miracle, you may need to remove the stone that has hardened your heart against trusting Christ.
Reflections:
Can looking at my circumstances from God's perspective lessen my anxieties?
Will I chose to trust God (again) today? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 54:10, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed;" says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 30, 2010
The Gift of Hope
LeAnn Rice
Executive Director, Proverbs 31 Ministries
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
Wealth is something I didn't think I had.
As a single mom widowed over 13 years ago, I don't have money for extras like new clothes or weekend trips. Therefore, I didn't think it was possible for me to give much to others and this made me sad. Until I realized it's not the size of a gift that matters.
It's the amount of hope wrapped around the gift that makes all the difference.
I learned about true wealth through a sweet little boy I met during a missions trip to Ecuador with Compassion International.
Miguel lives in a one-room house with his mother and three siblings. They share a bed that lies on a dirt floor. They have no bathroom and no electricity. The vegetables his mother used to prepare their evening meal consisted of peelings and rotting parts that certainly would never have made it into one of my recipes. I would have mindlessly thrown them away.
My eyes filled with tears of sadness as I stared true poverty in the face. But Miguel's eyes were filled with a rare and precious joy. A sponsor had breathed the gift of hope into Miguel's life, which made all the difference.
This experience challenged me. I was compelled to figure out a way to sponsor a child and make this same kind of impact. Though I can't solve all the problems of the world, I can give the gift of hope to one life and that's a great start.
My brief encounter with Miguel taught me so much about the true meaning of wealth, and I think of him often. I think of him when I catch myself complaining that my 1,000 square foot house is too small, or when my power bill is more than I expected. But mostly, I think of Miguel when I need to be reminded that the gift of hope is priceless.
My friends, this weekend many of us will put up our Christmas tree and hang bright lights and stockings. We will set up our nativity scenes and sing Christmas carols. And in the midst of our Christmas traditions, we will turn our hearts toward the reason we celebrate.
What better way to celebrate Jesus than to wrap our hope around the lives of those with needs greater than ours?
We can share our hope by serving at our local soup kitchen, or filling shoe boxes with small toys and treats for underprivileged children to open on Christmas day.
We can collect coats and blankets to give to homeless families in our communities.
Or we can sponsor a child, like Miguel, which provides school supplies, spiritual nourishment, health care and clothing.
No matter how big or small our budget, we can make a difference. As we reach out to those around us in Jesus' Name, we provide something much more valuable than any earthly treasure. We share the gift of hope!
Dear Lord, give me Your eyes to see and Your ears to hear the needs of those around me; not just at Christmas, but always. I long to share Your passion for the poor and the needy. Help me remember true wealth is not measured by the size of my bank account, but by the size of my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit LeAnn's She Cooks website for practical ways you can bring hope to those around you this holiday season and throughout the year, regardless of your budget.
Prayerfully consider Sponsoring a Child through Compassion International as a Christmas gift to Jesus this year. Children sponsored through Compassion International learn about Jesus as they receive healthcare, tutoring, school supplies, clothing, and vocational training. When you sponsor a child you not only change the life of a child, you change the life of a family and a community, in Jesus' Name.
Do You Know Jesus?
Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions - Gift Ideas by LeAnn Rice
Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford
Application Steps:
Look for opportunities to share the hope and love of Jesus Christ with "the least of these" this Christmas and throughout the year.
Reflections:
Reflect on Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." (NIV)
If I take an honest inventory of "my" belongings, do I really need four sets of towels? Do I need to stop for my special coffee this morning? Do my kids truly need that many Christmas presents this year? Who could benefit if I say "no" to any of these questions?
Power Verses:
Acts 2:44-47, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (NIV)
Matthew 25:45, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." (NIV)
© 2010 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 1, 2010
Don't Overthink It
Rachel Olsen
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Devotion:
I don't know what I'm supposed to do with my life - and I'm running out of time to figure it out. What if I never find it? Will I always be unhappy and unfulfilled? Will I never achieve my purpose? What will God do about that - will He call me a bad servant? But I can't help it. Why doesn't He answer my prayers for direction?
Maybe I'm just too sinful or something. I know I should read the Bible more. Is this limbo I'm in some kind of punishment for that? Am I really so much worse than everybody else? Maybe I just don't have any special gifts or talents. Or they just never got developed. Maybe that's it, and maybe now it's too late. So what do I do now? I don't know what I'm supposed to do ...
Does this resemble your thinking sometimes? Perhaps not about your calling, but about finding a spouse, or affording a house, or exercising regularly, or a conflict with your mother or boss. Do you tend to overthink things? To worry and ruminate? To endlessly, passively, excessively ponder the meanings, causes and potential consequences of your problems? Do you dwell on them?
Many of us believe that when we feel down about something we should try to evaluate our feelings and our situation from every angle to attain insight and find solutions to relieve our unhappiness. However, a host of research in the last 20 years has shown that dwelling on thoughts like this creates negative outcomes: it sustains or worsens sadness, fosters negative thinking, depletes motivation, saps energy, interferes with concentration, and typically impairs our problem-solving.
Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky writes: "Although people have a strong sense that they are gaining insight into themselves and their problems during their ruminations, this is rarely the case. What they do gain is a distorted, pessimistic perspective on their lives." She adds, "You need to free yourself from the clutch of your ruminations - in other words, immediately stop overthinking."
Based on what he wrote in Philippians 4:6-13, I think the apostle Paul would agree with the professor. Pause and scroll down to read the whole passage now in the "Power Verses" below and then come back.
As we see, in verse six, Paul gives three clear instructions for those of us who ruminate on our problems. He says:
1) do not worry about anything
2) pray about everything
3) thank God for everything
What if today we took this instruction to heart and put it into practice? What if today we decided not to worry about anything? What if when we found ourselves worrying, we stopped and handed the situation over to God in prayer? What if we then thanked Him for taking care of the issue?
In fact, what if we spent most of our mental free-time today thinking about what good care our awesome God takes of us?
What if we counted our blessings and God's acts of faithfulness today - and again tomorrow and next week too? What would happen then?
Paul says in verse seven, we will begin to experience amazing peace - a kind of peace we can't even imagine. Peace that makes no earthly sense! This kind of peace is so powerful that it has a protective function on our hearts and minds - which only makes it easier for us to stop worrying and be thankful.
That sounds like a state of happiness to me! So let's not over-think it today. Let's not under-pray it either. Let's actively choose to have a happy, thankful day. And then let's get up tomorrow and do it again.
Dear Lord, I'm turning over all my fears and problems to You to handle today. I can't fix a single thing by worrying about it - but You can fix anything because nothing is impossible for You! Thanks for being in charge of my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you gotten a copy of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know?
Visit Rachel's blog today and leave a prayer request, or a statement of thankfulness. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a free copy of Rachel's new release It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know?
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity by supporting the many areas of ministry we provide at no cost - like this one! Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Open your Bible and highlight Philippians 4:6-7. Memorize those two verses.
Reflections:
Do I generally think about what is good, lovely, pure and right -or do I think about what is flawed, frustrating, unfair and wrong?
Day-to-day do I tend to over-think and under-pray? How often do I express gratefulness?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:6-9, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." (NLT)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 2, 2010
No One is Beyond the Reach of Truth
Lysa TerKeurst
"...I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." Romans 15:18a (NIV)
Devotion:
I'm more convinced than ever that people don't care to hear about our Jesus these days until they meet the reality of Jesus in our lives.
Don't skim past that last sentence too quickly. Our history with Jesus is our most effective salvation message to share with others.
If you look at the word 'history,' it's interesting to break it in half and see the words, "His story." That's the thing this world is dying to hear- how His story has been woven into our story. People can debate and argue theology all day long but they can't argue what Jesus has done personally in our lives. Truth lived out is the best sermon.
And while I find people are a little more receptive at Christmas to talking about Jesus, I still find it stressful sometimes with friends and family members. Do you? I think it's important to think about. We've all got people in our lives who need us to break past our hesitations and share the reality of Jesus.
I was profoundly reminded of this a couple of weeks ago when I spoke at a Pregnancy Care Center dinner in Florida. At the end of the night, the center's director asked a board member to come forward and close the evening in prayer. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this board member was a guy I'd known in high school.
Well, let me clarify that. I knew who he was. He didn't have a clue who I was.
He had been in the uber popular crowd - star athlete who dated the beautiful girls. I was one of those girls in high school who was easy to miss. I felt sort of invisible back then. And judging by the blank look on his face when I made the connection we'd graduated the same year, my assessment was pretty accurate.
He apologized profusely for his wild behavior in high school and acknowledged that he could have been voted, "Least likely to grow up to be a pastor." I agreed. But then again, I wasn't exactly on the fast track toward ministry back then either.
After we chatted for a few minutes, he got a very serious look on his face. Then he said something I won't soon forget.
"You know what is really odd, Lysa? All those years of high school and college, I was a very visible person. I had lots of friends. Then I got a college scholarship to play basketball at a major university and there were even more people who knew me. But no one - no family member, no peer, no girlfriend, no teacher, no coach, no professor, no fan - no one - not one person ever told me about Jesus. All those years, all those people, and not one time did someone try to tell me the truth. Finally when I was 21 years old, someone took that chance to share with me how they met Jesus and it radically changed my life."
His statement startled me. And I hope it startles me the rest of my life.
No one is beyond the reach of truth.
Not the wispy, invisible girl who thinks of herself as nothing more than a little background noise. And not the star athlete revered by thousands.
Everyone deserves to hear about Jesus sooner rather than later.
And we must never assume that surely someone else would do a much better job than we would.
Who is in your sphere of influence that needs to hear a bit of your HIS-story this week? Don't let Satan whisper that this message is meant for other people. It's not. If you read this, it's meant for you sweet sister.
And don't fret trying to figure out how to arrange the perfect situation to connect with that person that came to mind. Just tell Jesus you are willing. He's very capable of handling all the details. Our job is obedience. God's job is results.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me before I even knew You. Give me Your eyes and Your heart to be able to see anyone who needs to know about You today. And give me the right words and the necessary courage to share with my friends and family members. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For helpful hints on sharing Jesus through your life story, visit Lysa's blog by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
If you are looking for a non-threatening, but eye opening book to give to your unsaved friends and family members Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst would make the perfect gift.
This book is also a great resource to use in a group Bible Study along with the Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set- click here to order.
Shop With Us for Christmas!
Did you know when you purchase anything through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity? Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. We are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Who could you share your story with this week?
Pray. Seek God for the right words and the right opportunity. Take a step of faith. Trust that God will be glorified.
Reflections:
Don't let Satan tell you that this message is meant for other people.
Power Verses:
Philippians 1:27a, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (NIV)
Romans 10:20, "And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'" (NIV)
Philippians 2:4, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 3, 2010
Holiday Blues
T. Suzanne Eller
"There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right."
Psalm 106:3 (NLT)
Devotion:
"I don't like the holidays," I whispered.
I used to love holidays. Before I was married. Before I felt the pull to be everywhere at the same time. Before any decisions that I made left someone upset or angry or feeling left out.
I struggled with a desire to be home, to start my own traditions with my young children and husband. We were the first to be married in both families, and thus the first to break "how it's always been."
Thanksgiving was a time to be thankful. All I felt was stretched thin. Christmas was a time to be joyous but I usually felt frustrated.
As we had children, I tried to mask my frustration with enthusiasm. We had fun setting out pumpkins. We decorated the house. But inside I wrestled because I knew what was coming.
Looking back, I wonder why I didn't say anything. Instead, I simply let it fester. I didn't take into account that if I kept silent things would never change. I just simmered in anger.
Deal with others, but do what is right.
Thirty years later, I treasure the holidays. It took time, but we finally learned to share our needs. "Trying to be everywhere in such a short time is exhausting," we said.
We began by trying to see other's point of view. An empty nest left gaps that traditions used to fill. We didn't approach in anger, but with a willingness to work through the conflict with honesty and grace.
Some were open. Others were not, especially in the beginning. If they were flexible, we rejoiced. If not, we didn't take it personally. Change takes time.
Perhaps the greatest gift that we received came later. When our children married, suddenly there were several families in the mix. We told our children that it's not the date on the calendar that makes holidays special. It's the heart behind the holidays. It's spending time with people you love.
So, sometimes we get together on Thanksgiving, or maybe the week after. Maybe it's Christmas only, while Thanksgiving is spent with other family members. If they aren't with us on a specific day, my husband and I fill that time with a new tradition--just the two of us.
What we discovered is that by letting go, they come more often because there's no pressure. They let us in on their traditions. Regardless of the date, when we do get together it's so fun! It's a gift.
Maybe you've been singing the holiday blues. What is one step that you can take to change your tune?
Dear Lord, thank You for my family. I'm grateful for so many things, and one of those is family who loves me enough to want to be with me. Help me to share my needs with my loved ones, and to do it with grace and gentleness. Help me not to take it personal as they struggle with change. If I am the one that is inflexible, help me to bend and grow. Help me to be thankful every day for all that I have been given. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where she is doing a "Holiday" give-away!
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future
by T. Suzanne Eller
25 Days, 26 Ways to Make this Your Best Christmas Ever by Ace Collins
Click here for great ideas of how you can include others who may be in the same boat as you!
Shop With Us for Christmas!
Did you know when you purchase anything through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity? Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. We are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Have you shared your needs? Articulate them on paper.
Share them at the right time, in the right attitude.
Don't take responses personally. Change takes time.
Exchange the holiday blues for a new song. Worship God as you thank Him for all the good things around you.
Reflections:
If I am the one struggling with change, am I willing to be flexible?
Instead of focusing on a specific date, I can focus on the heart of the holiday.
I'll write down all the things for which I am thankful to share with my children.
Power Verses:
Psalm 106:1-2, "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?" (NLT)
© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
Monday, December 6, 2010
What's that Smell?
Zoe Elmore
" live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" Ephesians 5:2 (NIV).
Devotion:
I could smell the billowing smoke before I even opened the door to our garage, my nose was right, our house was on fire. Literally falling up the stairs I screamed for my husband and son to get out of the house! The firemen arrived and extinguished the flames then they escorted us away from our home. It was midnight, all the neighbors had returned to their beds so we took our smoky, smelling selves to the nearest hotel.
I returned to our home the next morning and was greeted by the awful, putrid odor only smoke can leave. As I walked through our home that horrible smell had penetrated and permeated everything inside. Even after months of repairs, rebuilding and repainting, that unwelcomed odor lingers and will not soon be forgotten.
In contrast, I fondly recall the warm and inviting fragrances of the Christmas season. The heady scent of freshly cut pine boughs intermingled with homemade chocolate covered cherries and Greek pastries. These are the smells I welcome wafting through our home.
While both smells have distinct characteristics and both make and leave a definite impression, one is overpowering. One leaves a negative impression and isn't something you want to be near, while the other is welcoming and inviting, leaving you wanting for more.
Have you ever considered the metaphor of fragrance to describe your spiritual life? For believers in Jesus Christ our lives should demonstrate the penetrating influence of Christ in our lives. As we allow our lives to reflect His goodness the unique and inviting aroma will be pleasing to Christ and to others.
This priceless fragrance isn't sold in stores, nor is something you can manufacture; this fragrance is a natural extension from knowing Jesus Christ in a personal relationship. As we abide in Christ we spread the sweet fragrance of His goodness, like a lovely perfume.
Everyday our attitudes as well as our actions exude a fragrance. Will it be one that draws others to Christ or deters them from ever wanting to know Him?
Dear Lord, teach me how to be a sweet fragrance. I pray that You are evident in my life and that other's see You and want to know more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Choose to wear your favorite fragrance today and throughout the day let it remind you to keep your eyes on what is pleasing to Christ.
Consider the lingering fragrance your life leaves behind.
Reflections:
What are the some of your best characteristics that invite others and welcome them into the family of Christ?
Is God pleased with the fragrance you're wearing? If not, how can you change it? Draw near to God and allow Him to redirect you.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)
© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 7, 2010
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence
Renee Swope
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call Him Immanuel, God with us." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
Plans for the perfect Christmas danced across the stage of my mind. My mom, my brother and my husband's parents were coming to see us. Plus my dad and his wife would be here Christmas day, and JJ's brother and family were coming too. Inviting our out-of-town families to our home for the holidays for the first time was a dream come true. The fact that they could all come at some point between Christmas and New Years was just short of a miracle.
I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but by the time everyone got here I couldn't wait for them to leave.
In the midst of all the preparations, I'd gotten tangled up in Christmas lights and unrealistic expectations. It all started when my husband and sons petitioned for blinking colored lights on the tree. We don't do colored lights on the tree. I am a "white lights" kind of girl, I insisted. But then JJ suggested our decorating decisions should be a "family activity" that year. Who was this man and why had he not brought this up in pre-marriage counseling? I wondered.
The control freak in me started to freak out. Don't get in the way of my perfect Christmas with white lights that make me and my home feel peaceful.
Further attempts to have the perfect house, perfect menu and perfect table settings were stealing my holiday joy. This being my first time hosting a holiday dinner, I'd failed to notice that my Christmas place mats didn't coordinate with my everyday cloth napkins, and I didn't have festive napkin rings. Worst of all, I didn't know how to cook a turkey.
In the midst of all the holiday obligations I'd placed on myself, I experienced one of my worst Christmas days ever. I had a house full of people, but an oh-so-empty heart.
As I walked through my living room picking up wrapping paper, I wondered why my dreams of the "perfect Christmas" hadn't come true. Many of the elements seemed to be in place: kids running around with remote control cars, adults on the couch snoring to the tune of Jingle Bells, and grown men playing sidewalk hockey in the driveway. We'd lit Advent candles and set out the nativities. Still, something was missing.
Trying to escape the holiday noise, I went upstairs to my bedroom and sat down on the floor in my walk-in closet. Taking a deep breath, I opened my Bible to read the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. Slowly, I let each word remind me of that first Christmas night and God's promise that came true in Bethlehem. "She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger..." Luke 2:7 (NIV).
A cross reference led me to Isaiah 7:14: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel, God with us."
Closing my eyes, I pictured Mary wrapping baby Jesus. Her hands carefully folding each corner of cloth. Like a beautiful bow on the perfect Christmas gift, she placed a kiss on his forehead.
That's when I realized what had been missing. In the hustle and bustle of creating the perfect Christmas, I'd forgotten to unwrap the perfect gift, the most important gift of all, the gift of Immanuel, God with us.
Bowing my head, I opened my hands and my heart, and unwrapped God's presence in my closet that day. I invited Jesus to bring calm to my anxious heart. To bring His perspective to my expectations and to help me enjoy the gifts of my family that were waiting downstairs. Simply pausing to acknowledge and thank Jesus for being with me brought peace to my heart unlike anything white lights and matching table settings could ever bestow.
It ended up being the perfect Christmas after all!
Dear Lord, no matter how busy life gets or how lonely I feel this Christmas, I want to unwrap the gift of Your presence each day. Help me to see You, hear Your voice speak to my heart, and pay attention when You lead me with Your peace and perspective. I seek Your purpose in all of my plans. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Immanuel, God with us?
Unwrapping His Presence, a Christmas Message on DVD by Renee Swope
Living and Leaving a Legacy - Two Session Conference on DVD by Renee Swope
Visit Renee's Blog to download a free Christmas prayer that is guaranteed to prepare your heart and home for the holidays! And enter to win her Christ-Centered Christmas give-away worth over $35!
Visit Renee's Facebook Page where she will be sharing ideas to keep Christ in Christmas every day in December!
Shop With Us for Christmas!
When you buy Christmas gifts through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer huge discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Application Steps:
Make a list of expectations and preparations that could steal your focus this Christmas. Place the list in a gift box and wrap it in a prayer, asking God to give you His perspective and peace for everything you listed. If you start getting anxious, remind yourself that each assignment and challenge is wrapped in God's peace. Trust Jesus and thank Him that no matter what comes your way, He is with you!
Reflections:
What days might be most challenging this month? How can I plan time on those day to be with Jesus each morning, sitting with Him, soaking in His perspective and peace before my busy day starts.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 26:12, "Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (NIV)
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
© 2010 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 8, 2010
Financially Free Christmas
Marybeth Whalen
"For nothing is impossible with God."
Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Devotion:
The reality of our poor financial choices hit my husband and me one night just a few days before Christmas several years ago. What should have been a time of festivities and celebrating became just another cause for stress in our lives. We didn't know how we were going to afford the expensive presents on our kids' lists. We didn't want to tell them no, yet to buy gifts meant adding to our already overwhelming debt load. We took God at His word when He said that nothing is impossible with Him. And yet, from where we sat, our financial situation looked impossible.
For years, we had been trying to do something to change our financial picture, to no avail. We desperately wanted to stop using credit cards, yet financial emergencies always cropped up that drove us back to credit card purchases. We wanted to begin tithing and saving, yet there was never any money leftover to do that. We wanted to begin chipping away at our debt, and yet we saw no way to do so. We felt trapped at every turn. We had gotten ourselves unwittingly into a financial mess. Never before had we felt so strongly about getting out of that mess than that night.
I watched from our parked car as the other shoppers "rushed home with their treasures" like the carol says. I vaguely wondered how many of them were slipping deeper into debt as they charged purchases they couldn't really afford. Meanwhile, my husband and I sat in that parking lot for over an hour. We talked through what it would take for us to change our spending habits and take steps towards achieving our dream of being debt free. God met with us there and united our hearts with a purpose and a passion to see it through.
The plan we mapped out was not a quick and easy solution, but it was the real picture of what it would take. Though neither of us realized it then, that night was the beginning of a major change in our lives. We were embarking on a journey that would enable us to escape the bondage of debt and begin to enjoy financial freedom. It took us four and a half years but we are so glad we did what it took to change our family's financial picture.
If you are approaching the Christmas season with that same sense of fear and dread, I urge you to not let another day go by without making a plan and committing to do whatever it takes to avoid debt. If you're married, have this hard but necessary conversation with your spouse. By next Christmas your financial situation might not be 100% better, but it will be better than it is this year. And each Christmas, with perseverance, it will get better. It won't be easy, but it will be the one of the best things you will ever do for your family. Ask me how I know.
Dear Lord, I want to honor You with my finances. I want to tithe and save and stop borrowing money. Please help me and my family to know what steps to take, and to seek out the wise counsel we need to change our financial picture. I trust You to do the impossible. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Financially Free - Everyday Life Encouragement
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you are already financially free, is there someone you can counsel who might need to know how to make wise decisions with money?
Reflections:
What one thing can I do today that is a step towards financial freedom?
Can I prayerfully set up a time to talk calmly with my spouse about what it would take to change our financial picture?
Is there a local church or organization that I can get counseling from to help me devise a plan?
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:25, "Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread." (NLT)
Psalm 34:9, "Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 9, 2010
The Gift Giver
By Rachel Olsen
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Devotion:
On Christmas morning I'll watch with joyful anticipation as my family opens the gifts that I've given them. I can't wait to see their faces light up with surprised pleasure and gratefulness. In moments like these I understand why Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35, NIV).
A few years ago my daughter reached the age where she could find the hidden stash of unwrapped presents if she really tried. So I warned her that if she peeked, and I found out about it, I would return those presents to the store and she would not receive them.
Sounds a bit harsh I know, but I really wanted her to learn some important lessons: to exercise self-control and delayed gratification, and to respect the act of giving by not robbing me of the pleasure of seeing her open her presents for the first time. I wanted her to see that giving and receiving are irreversibly linked, and good for both parties involved.
It's essential for God's children to respect the act of giving as well as receiving - He calls us to live a life of both. I also believe it can help us better understand God's core nature and our relationship with Him. God is a gift-giver! And He always knows the exact perfect gift to give. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17, NIV).
Let's unwrap today some of the awesome gifts He has given us ...
He's given us physical life: "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 (NIV)
And eternal life: ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
He's given us family: "God sets the lonely in families ..." Psalm 68:6 (NIV)
He's given us wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NIV)
He's given us peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." John 14:27 (NIV)
He's given us joy: "You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)
He's given us rest: "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'" Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
He's given us a personal counselor: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you." John 14:16 (NIV)
He's given us an inheritance: "...you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." Colossians 3:24 (NIV)
And He's given us freedom: "God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom." 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)
In return for all these glorious gifts, God simply wants us to receive and respond with thankfulness and a heart that is ready to emulate His gracious nature. I can't think of a better time than now to respond with gratefulness and enjoy the act of giving and receiving - Merry Christmas!
Dear Lord, thank You for Your graciousness towards me. I praise Your generosity! Help me to receive all you have for me in the coming year. And help me to value giving as much as I value receiving, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know The Gift Giver?
If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll love Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know - we think it makes a great gift for girlfriends!
Visit Rachel's blog today, where she is doing a giveaway, and tell her what gift of God you most want or need this holiday season.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost, like this one. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Curl up in front of the fire, kick back in front of the Christmas tree, or just steal away to a private spot for a few minutes today and connect heart-to-heart with The Gift Giver.
Reflections:
What gifts had God bestowed upon you this year? Thank Him!
What gifts do you need or desire from The Gift Giver? Ask Him!
Power Verses:
Re-read the thirteen verses contained above, letting them settle into your heart.
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 10, 2010
Birds of a Feather
Amy Carroll
"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.'" Luke 19:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Breaker of social norms. Savior. Messiah. The Christ. Maybe you can think of some other titles and characteristics of Jesus, but what do you think about that first one?
I read a challenging book recently that made me ponder Jesus as someone who flew in the face of socially acceptable relationships. As I thought, I realized that although Jesus' associations might not raise eyebrows in today's culture of "tolerance," He had some friendships that were very controversial in His time.
Jesus ate with sinners. He took time to teach women. He told favorable stories about Samaritans, a group hated by the in-crowd for their race. Turning things upside down, He chose to befriend the people that most of His culture rejected.
"Birds of a feather flock together" didn't seem to be true for Jesus, but I know it's been true for me. I have tended to befriend those like myself. I naturally gravitate toward women who look like me, think like me and worship like me.
But Jesus often calls us beyond our natural inclinations into the realm of the supernatural. In His counter-cultural world, Jesus calls us to love our enemies. He commands us to bless the poor. He invites us to love the seemingly unlovable.
I've been examining my own thoughts and habits, and I've recognized that often I think and act in a way completely opposite of Jesus. I have endorsed the religious and dismissed the lost. I have embraced my peers and ignored wise elders. I have elevated the educated and disparaged the simple. I've adored those with their feet on a pedestal and written off those with no platform at all.
Ringing around in my little girl memory, along with old friendship advice, is a Sunday school story about a man named Zacchaeus. He didn't have the right job, and he wasn't tall in stature or long on respect. Zacchaeus wasn't positioned well in society. He positioned himself to see Jesus, though, and for Jesus that was enough. They became friends for eternity that day.
It makes me wonder who I have overlooked that God may want to position as my friend? The gray-haired widow walking slowly down the hall at church? The woman sitting on the park bench that may have slept there the night before? The lady who speaks with an accent or may not speak my language at all? The poor, the lonely, the different-than-me? Let's make a pact to look up from our comfortable circle and look out at a world that's dying to have a friend like Jesus...or like you and me.
Dear Lord, I have not chosen my friends as You did. Would You help me to see value in each person the way You do? Help me to look beyond my current circle of friends and begin to include those that You include. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Amy's blog
The Guest List is a free resources loaded with inspiration to reach out beyond our circle
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Host a tea party for new friends with ideas from Tea with a Twist: Entertaining and Cooking with Tea by Lisa Boalt Richardson
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Plan to put yourself into a new situation where you might meet new friends.
Reflections:
Are all my friends very much like me?
Is God putting anyone different in my path that He might want me to befriend?
Who might be waiting for my friendship and the knowledge of Jesus?
Power Verses:
Luke 19:7, 9-10, "All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.' Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 13, 2010
Keeping It Simple
Melanie Chitwood
"...his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
My excuses for not decorating my home, not cooking a big meal on Christmas day, and not shopping till I dropped were valid ones. Our new business would be opening two weeks after Christmas, and I was working furiously to meet a book deadline. My husband and I had more to do than we had hours in the day.
When December approached, my neck stiffened and my heart skipped beats as I anticipated the stress more activities would bring to our already overstuffed lives. The thought of more clutter, even my favorite Christmas decorations, in our topsy-turvy home with all the undone laundry and crowded kitchen counters about sent me over the edge. So I began to think about how we could eliminate some stress to have a peaceful Christmas.
"Keep it simple" became my catchphrase. With my family's assurance they'd join me with the simple Christmas idea, I gave myself permission not to do it all. I wouldn't say yes to every invitation or fill the calendar every night, and I didn't even send the annual Christmas photo and newsletter. These choices brought me a large measure of peace.
Each family member named some traditions they wanted to keep. We included a live Christmas tree, a wreath on the front door, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, Christmas Eve church service, limited gifts, helping with a toy drive, favorite Christmas movies, and a few get-togethers with good friends. Being more selective about our Christmas traditions brought us less stress and more peace. In addition, because we weren't caught up in the seasonal frenzy, the activities we did include became more meaningful. We were able to focus on what really mattered: time with our family and hearts centered on the birth of Christ.
At the end of Christmas day we agreed that despite the stressors of a new business and meeting my deadline, and despite giving up some of our usual Christmas activities, we hadn't missed out on a thing. Simplicity had given us breathing room and fresh hearts to celebrate the Prince of Peace.
Dear Lord, don't let us miss You this Christmas season. Help us to simplify our activities and traditions so we can focus our celebration on Your birth. Thank You for being the Prince of Peace, and I ask You for that supernatural peace to reign in our hearts. Thank You for the simple but life-changing message of Your love for us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Prince of Peace?
Visit Melanie's blog -- What Matters Most
Pair Melanie's books as a Christmas gift! What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-book) by Marybeth Whalen
"A Simple Christmas" - Our "free" feature article from The P31 Woman magazine (December 2010 issue)
Shop with Us for Christmas!
When you buy Christmas gifts through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer huge discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Application Steps:
Ask your family which traditions are important to them. Can you focus on including these while letting go of other traditions that are not priorities?
Read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20.
Reflections:
What would a simple Christmas look like for you and your family?
How can I keep my eyes focused on the Prince of Peace?
In which situations of my life do I need the Prince of Peace?
Power Verses:
John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (NAS)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 14, 2010
Dressed for a Party
Rachel Olsen
"Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'" Revelation 19:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
For many, this time of year means party invitations populating our mailboxes - office parties, holiday parties, school parties or family gatherings. And every once in a while, an invitation to a Christmastime wedding. Each of them urge us to RSVP and save the date.
In Jesus' day, a person throwing a soiree sent servants door-to-door to issue invitations to the guests, and gather their responses. There were no card companies or postal carriers. The invitations noted the day of the gathering but not the hour. The hour depended on when everything was ready. Plus, there were no cock towers or Timex watches either.
Once everything was ready on party day, servants went out again to call the guests to the feast. Those who had said they'd come were expected to be dressed and ready, waiting for the call. When the servant knocked on their door, they were to head for the banquet.
This scenario mirrors what happens in the spiritual realm. God sent His Son and servant Jesus to issue an invitation on the cross. As I share in my book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know, "God's own hand addressed this invitation some two thousand years ago, at the desk of the cross, on the parchment of Christ's body, in the ink of His blood."
Those who accept, who "RSVP to God," are born anew spiritually—then expected and empowered to live in such a way that they are ready for the day Jesus will return, calling us to a heavenly banqueting table.
Though we don't know the day or the hour, we will be ushered to a great wedding feast: the marriage banquet for Jesus and His bride. Jesus' bride is the church - you, me and all who respond to His invitation throughout the ages.
But here's the thing, will we be dressed and ready for our groom at party time? Jesus once told this story:
"A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married, so he said he couldn't come." (Luke 14:16-20)
It upset the master that his planned guests were too busy with work, new purchases and their relationships to come to His lovingly prepared feast. So he invited others to attend the banquet.
This story makes me sad - sad for the master, but even more so for the distracted party guests. Sidetracked by the ordinary, they missed something special.
I don't want that to be me - or you - this month. With the coming holiday in celebration of the birth of our heavenly groom, I don't want to miss what is special and sacred about this time of year because I'm busy or distracted.
So will you join me in saving the date of December 25th and preparing your heart for its approach? Because savvy sisters are always dressed and ready for a party!
Dear Lord, thank You for your invitation to life - to spiritual life, eternal life, and life as Your bride. Open my eyes to the sacred today; let me see and celebrate it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you RSVPed to Him?
Visit Rachel's blog for some ideas for preparing your heart for Christmas.
This devotion is based on the chapter "Always RSVP: Revealing the Secret to Responding to God" in Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. Why not order one for yourself and a friend this Christmas?
Shop with Us for Christmas!
When you buy Christmas gifts through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer huge discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Application Steps:
Spend a few minutes quieting your mind, closing your eyes, and worshiping the Lord. Praise His holy name. Thank Him for His promises and provision. Express to Him your gratitude and love.
Visit Rachel's blog for a list a ways to prepare your heart for the celebration of Christmas.
Reflections:
What excuses do I make for not being ready - for not meeting with God?
Am I too busy or distracted with the ordinary to see the sacred?
Power Verses:
Revelation 19:6-7, "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." (NIV)
© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 15, 2010
You're the One I Want!
Renee Swope
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
Christmas was only days away and we still didn't have a tree. Living on a college-student's budget with our first baby on the way and barely scraping by, we couldn't bring ourselves to spend $25-50 on something we didn't need. It seemed kind of trivial when I told God how sad I felt that we couldn't afford a Christmas tree. Then I felt guilty knowing there were others who needed so much more.
But that year, I discovered how much God cares about the longings of our hearts and, if we're looking, He'll show us His heart for us in them.
On our way home from a friend's house the Sunday night before Christmas, my husband, J.J, and I noticed the tree lot near our apartment had marked all their trees down to $10! Grins stretched across our faces as we made plans to buy one Monday night as soon as J.J. got home from his part-time job.
The next evening we walked down each row of the tree lot looking for just the right spruce to fit in the corner of our one-bedroom apartment. Feeling sentimental and slightly maternal, I realized that picking our first Christmas tree was going to be almost as difficult as choosing our child's name.
I took way too much time. The sun went down quickly, the tree-lot started to close and the spotlights shut down. There we were, standing in the pitch dark without a tree.
My creative and very patient husband pulled his car into the rows of trees and flashed on his high beams. Suddenly, the bright lights dispelled the darkness and standing in front of me was the most precious tree I'd ever seen. Although it had some droopy branches and a gap on one side, I pointed at it and told J.J., "That's the one I want!"
I couldn't wait to get my little spruce pine home. Later that night, with my hands wrapped around a cup of hot cocoa, I sat on our couch looking at it. I thought about how sad I felt earlier when the darkness made it impossible to see the trees. Yet, when the beams of light illuminated the lot, my heart filled with hope.
Etched in my mind was a picture I wouldn't forget, a memory that drew me back to another time marked by darkness - a time when I wasn't choosing, but needed to be chosen.
Just when it felt like all my dreams had died and my hope was gone, the Light of God's unfailing love punctured the clouds of darkness and depression surrounding my mind. It happened on another cold winter's eve in January 1989 while I was sitting in the balcony of a church hoping to hear something that would fill the empty places in my heart. Feeling His spirit tugging on my heart, whispering words I longed to hear, I sensed God saying, "Renee, you are the one I want."
He'd been trying to tell me for years, but I had allowed the wounds of my past and the words of others to convince me that no one would ever want me.
At some point, I think most of us have felt like the little Christmas tree and me. Scarred by disappointments, we wonder if anyone would ever choose us. With gaps that make us feel like candidates for rejection, we hope no one will notice our empty places. Like the fate of my spruce pine, it seems the only way we'll get chosen is if all the good ones are picked first.
First Peter 2:9 reminds us that through Christ we are chosen! God sent His Son to light our darkness and fill the gaps in our hearts. Sweet friend, I pray that you will hold onto the truth that God sees you today, and He wants you to hear Him declaring with all His heart, "You are the one I want!"
Dear Lord, that spruce pine and I have a lot in common. Even with my gaps and broken branches, You chose me and made me part of Your family through Jesus. Thank you for sending Your Son to bring Light in the dark corners of my life and to bring endless hope to my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's blog where she talks more about our longing to be chosen, loved and accepted and how she learned to let God fulfill those needs while healing her hurts and filling the empty places in her heart.
Enter to win a "Confident Heart" gift pak that includes Renee's testimony on DVD, a gift certificate for her book, A Confident Heart, (coming July 2011) and a Starbucks gift card.
Letting God Fill the Empty Places in Your Heart message on CD by Renee Swope
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence message on DVD or CD by Renee Swope
Application Steps:
Paraphrase 1 Peter 2:9 to make it personal and remind yourself of who you really are as a child of God: I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to God, that I may declare the praises of him who called me out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Reflections:
Are there times when you feel rejected or forgotten? Tell God today about the gaps in your heart. Ask Him to heal the broken places that leave you feeling unwanted. Ask Him and show you how He sees you - holy and dearly loved - chosen and belonging to Him!
If you have never responded to God's invitation to be chosen and loved by Him, click here to find out how you can Know Him.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:1b, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:4, "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (NIV)
© 2010 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 16, 2010
A Call to Action
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food."
Romans 14:20a (NIV)
Devotion:
Three years ago I was stuck in a rut of wishful thinking and excuses with my weight. At the beginning of each day I would say I wanted things to be different. I would vow in my heart to make things different. I would even make a plan to stop the snacks, increase the veggies, and say no to the desserts.
But then life would happen. And the excuses were so very plentiful. So, my resolve would melt away like butter on a hot yeast roll.
Of course the next morning I would always get up and weigh myself hoping that somehow magic would have happened over night. Despite my indulgences from the day before, maybe the numbers would have gone down.
But the scale was not impressed with my wishful thinking. It could only tell the truth.
And so you know who I'd get mad at?
God.
I'd beg Him to help me one minute while scarfing down an order of fries the next. And then I'd be doubly mad He didn't steer my car away from that drive-thru.
I deemed myself a victim of tragic genetics, overactive taste buds and a stomach that demanded large portions.
What I failed for years to realize is there was a much more significant issue going on.
More important than the ever increasing size of my jeans was the deception going on inside my heart. My weight wasn't God's curse on me. My weight was an outside indication of an internal situation.
Honestly, I might as well have taken Psalm 23 which talks about the Lord being my shepherd and my comfort and replaced His name with various foods. I was relying on food to be my comfort, my ever present help, my guide. Food was the thing that got me through the valleys. It became the friend I wanted to celebrate with in the good times.
I don't write to point out anyone else's issue. There are certainly medical and genetic circumstances that can cause weight gain. But I discovered that my issue was truly a spiritual one. And no diet would have ever been permanently successful until I got to the real root of my problem.
The root of my issue was craving food more than God. I desired and depended on the instant high of physical gratification because I hadn't learned how to let God satisfy my deepest needs. This realization became a call to action.
Maybe as you read my story, something is stirring in your soul. I know this is a tough issue. I've walked through the tears and the feelings of failure. I was the girl mad at God about this whole deal. But I wanted freedom. And I realized that if I wanted to have my deepest desires met by God and not food, I would need to restore God to His rightful place by changing my old thought patterns. Here are some examples I wrote about in my new book, Made to Crave:
Old thought patterns:
"I need these chips. I deserve this ice cream. I must have that extra large portion."
New thought patterns:
Chips will only taste good for the moment. But the calories are empty and will do nothing good for my body. 2 Corinthians 7:1 reminds me, "...Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit... out of reverence for God."
This ice cream will give me a sugar high but then I'll crash and feel terrible. Psalm 34: 8 reminds me to get into God's word and let it satisfy the deep hungry places of my soul, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
This extra large portion will overstuff me and make me feel sluggish. I can't look to this food to soothe me. Psalm 34:5 says, "Those who look to [God] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."
Learning to do this has been a process that I have to intentionally choose day after day. Eventually, I did lose the extra weight I needed to shed and have kept it off. But the real reward was what I gained with Jesus in the process. He became the best part of my journey. And I wouldn't have missed this new found closeness I now have with Him for anything in the world.
Dear Lord, if this devotion is a call to action that I need to make, please help me. I want to see the root of my issue, I really do. I want to learn to crave and depend on only You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Find out what foods can sabotage even our greatest intentions to get healthy. Visit Lysa's blog today for a list of food alerts and tools every healthy girl should know about.
Sign up for a FREE webcast with Lysa based on her new book: Made to Crave. Lysa will be sharing more of her journey starting January 10th. For more details, click here.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider the 6 week Bible study using these additional resources: Made to Crave DVD and the accompanying Made to Crave Participant's Guide by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Keep a pocket sized notebook nearby all of this week. Every time you crave food, ask yourself if you are hungry or if you are craving something else like comfort or peace. Write down your old thoughts patterns and then rewrite them using new thought patterns.
Reflections:
Have I learned to let God satisfy my deepest needs?
What is one healthy choice I can make today?
Power Verses:
Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
Psalm 18:1, "I love you, O Lord, my strength." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 17, 2010
The Hush Among the Hustle
Karen Ehman
"But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings) weighing and pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:19 (AMP)
Devotion:
"Come on! Move quickly kids or those popcorn balls will harden before they're formed!"
"Step on it! The live nativity is about to begin and we want a front row view!"
"Hey, can someone get the door already? FedEx is here waiting for a signature on those packages!"
Dash; dart; hurry and scurry. The hustle amidst the holidays causes our stress levels to sky rocket and sets our Santa caps spinning. With added activities and gift-buying responsibilities on our December day planners, we find ourselves on a seasonal treadmill lacking any "slow down" feature. Instead, it only boasts a crank-it-up knob that somehow seems to be twisting itself!
I've often wondered why at this magical time on our calendars, our hearts don't always shoot to the "merry" stage on their own. Rather, they often migrate to the "weary" zone as our seasonal responsibilities parade through our minds. You know, instead of the visions of sugar plums that are supposed to be dancing there about now! Our minds swirl. And our hearts sink.
But when I stop and remind myself that Christmas is like everyone I love all having their birthdays on the same day—oh and they are coming to my house and expect it to be lavishly decorated, complete with a gourmet menu AND a twinkling tree standing in the middle of my living room—well, its no wonder my holiday cheer turns to holiday fear!
This festive frenzy is really nothing new. Even in the account found in the Gospel of Luke during that first Christmas in Bethlehem, urgency was afoot. A quick read through chapter two finds an angel abruptly appearing, a heavenly host "suddenly" filling the sky, simple shepherds deciding at once to go examine the scene for themselves and the words "so they hurried off" chosen to describe that investigative journey.
However, smack dab in the center of that fast-paced story we find two simple words:
"But Mary."
When the mother of the baby King is mentioned, the hustle halts. She isn't depicted as scurrying and hurrying. Nope. She is weighing and pondering. Her contemplating goes beyond the commotion, right to the heart of what the hustle is all about.
Jesus.
Jesus, the Savior of the world. The hope for the heart-broken widow; the rest for the worn-out woman; the answer for the maxed-out mom; the truth for the tormented; the way for the wayward; the only calm in our chaos.
Weighing and pondering.
Could we do the same? Could we dare find calm in the Christmas chaos? A holy hush among the hustle? More importantly, could we model for the wide-eyed kids in our lives just how to slow down and, like the Wise Men of old, actually look for the Savior? Here is one idea to try:
Have one evening where you use no electric lights, but do everything by candlelight. Prepare dinner by candlelight. Eat by candlelight. Wash the dishes by candlelight. Get ready for bed by candlelight. Then, set the family on the couch and read (by flickering flame, of course) 1 John 1:5, "God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all."
Talk about this truth. What would our lives be like if we had no lights to use? Discuss also where we'd be if we didn't have the light of Christ, sent to us as the baby in the manger so many years ago. For a memory-making conclusion, prepare a thermos of hot cocoa for the troupe, hop in the car and go look at your town's Christmas lights.
Pause. Ponder. Wait and weigh.
If we are intentional, as was Mary, we can suspend the season for a flickering moment; discovering Christ in the chaos and experiencing a holy hush among the hustle. Then, when the last strand of lights is taken down and the fruitcake is finished, we can look back on a Christmas season that was blessed, not stressed!
Dear Lord, calm my anxious heart. Whisper to me in the holiday hustle. I want to experience You afresh this year. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman
For more ideas of focusing on Christ with your kids this month, and to be entered in a Cool Christmas Basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog.
Pursuing the Christ: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions for Christmastime by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
Advent: Making Christmas about Christ, A four-week devotional by Lisa Robertson
Application Steps:
Are there some spots on your schedule where you could gear down from the break-neck speed of the holidays in order to be quiet and intentional? What will you do? When will you do it? Write it on your schedule now.
Reflections:
Why does it go against the grain of society to slow down and savor in December?
Do I have a fond memory of the holidays that has to do with reflection rather than activity? With hushing instead of rushing?
Do You Know Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:10, "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!" (Amplified)
© 2010 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
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December 20, 2010
When You Don't Know What to Do
Melanie Chitwood
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
2 Chronicles 20:12b (NIV)
Devotion:
5 a.m. Wide awake. Thoughts racing and whirling. Chest tight with anxiety.
My mom recently suffered a stroke, and my concern about her weighs heavily, causing my thoughts to spin. How long will Mom need to be in a rehab facility? How's my Dad holding up? Who will watch the boys when my husband's traveling for work and I need to be away to help my parents? We are in a situation we've never been in before, and we're finding that there are so many questions we can't answer.
There's a good chance you, too, are familiar with those middle of the night anxious thoughts and unanswered questions racing through your mind. Maybe your worry is about finances, a job or lack of one, a wayward child, a health challenge, marriage problems, or extended family problems. Or maybe your worries are not about big situations, but the accumulation of smaller challenges burdens your mind and heart. Your thoughts whirl as you wonder about the solution to your problems.
As I lay in bed that early morning, I remembered a familiar and favorite Bible verse: "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." I got up from bed, went downstairs, and opened my Bible to today's key verse which perfectly captured what I was feeling and thinking.
By reading the context of 2 Chronicles 20 we learn some key principles to follow in anxious situations. When King Jehoshaphat is told that "a great multitude" is coming to wage war against him, we see how just like us, the king is afraid (2 Chronicles 20:2, 3, NAS).
Instead of sinking in the quicksand of his own fearful thoughts or the inscrutability of the situation, King Jehoshaphat purposefully chooses to focus on the sovereignty of God. The king "turned his attention to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (v. 3).
Through prayer and fasting, the king and the people of Judah acknowledge what God has done in the past, and they voice their faith in what he will do in their future. They acknowledge they are powerless, but God is completely powerful.
In the same way through my mom's situation, I have seen how quickly my thoughts could turn to the problems I don't know how to solve. What will we do if she doesn't recover her ability to walk? What if she needs a nurse full-time?
I am learning, however, to turn from these thoughts by thanking my sovereign God for all the ways He has been faithful in the past and all the ways I see His faithfulness in the present circumstances. I am learning to ask Him for wisdom for every little detail. And I am setting my eyes on Him as I wait for His answers.
What problems in your life seem unsolvable or unanswerable? Follow King Jehoshaphat's example. Turn from your own anxious thoughts, acknowledge you don't have the answers, and set your eyes on the One who does.
Dear Lord, I praise You for being a sovereign God. You are in control. I don't have to be. When I don't know what to do, Lord, thank You that I can ask You for wisdom and guidance. You are my Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). I put in Your hands each of the concerns weighing on my heart and mind. Thank You that I can entrust them into Your loving care. I set my eyes on You, confident You will come to my rescue. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Melanie's blog, What Matters Most
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
When You Don't Know What to Pray: How to Talk to God about Anything by Linda Evans Shepherd
Shop with us for Christmas!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Application Steps:
Write out and post today's key verse in various places around your house, car, and workplace. Commit it to memory.
Imagine that each one of your concerns is a single rock. For example, I imagined my worry about the quality of mom's nursing care was a rock. Next, imagine placing that rock in Jesus' open hands. Feel the weight of that specific burden lifted from your hand to Jesus' strong and compassionate hands. Feel the relief and whisper this prayer for each concern: Lord, thank You that I can trust You to carry this burden for me.
Share your burden with a friend. Confide in her and ask her to pray for you.
Read all of 2 Chronicles 20 for more help when you don't know what to do.
Reflections:
Am I trying to solve the problem myself or am I asking God for wisdom, help, and direction?
Are my eyes focused on the problem or on God?
Do I truly believe that God can take care of my situation?
Power Verses:
2 Samuel 22:20, "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (NIV)
Isaiah 9:6b, "...And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (NLT)
© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 21, 2010
Pondering and Peaceful
Marybeth Whalen
"Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart." Luke 2:51 (NIV)
Devotion:
Not much is known about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is obvious from the Scriptures that she was a young girl who loved God and was willing to obey Him at all costs. We don't know how God chose her to be the mother of His Son — we just know He did. Her response to the angel when she finds out about God's plan for her is our first clue as to why God knew she would be a great mother for Jesus: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38, NIV).
Recently, my children and I were reading in Luke where Jesus goes missing as a young teen, and His parents find Him in the temple. After searching for three days! As parents, we panic if we lose track of our child for a few minutes in a store. Can you imagine searching a city for three days for your 13 year-old son?
When they finally found Jesus, He was in the temple and wondered what all the fuss was about. The Scripture says that He told them He was where He should be, in His Father's house. "But they did not understand what He was saying to them" (Luke 2:50, NIV).
As my children and I read this passage, I tried to put myself in Mary's shoes. Her son had been missing. I am sure she vacillated between trusting God and panicking. And this was how I know that I would not have been a candidate for the Mother of Jesus award: as I tried to picture my reaction to finding Jesus in the temple after searching for three days, I pictured myself joyous and relieved. Then I pictured those feelings giving way to anger and questions.
Okay, so that was before the days of cell phones. He truly had no way to let His parents know where He was. But why didn't He stay with them in the first place? I got angry for Mary! And then I read the next verse: "But His mother treasured all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51b, NIV).
The last time we saw Mary treasuring an event in her heart was right after her son was born. Once again, things were not going the way I would have wanted. She had given birth in a cold stable in dingy surroundings. Again, I was reminded of how accepting of her circumstances she was, and how her attitude reflected that.
Our verse for today reminds us of a young woman at peace with her circumstances, trusting God no matter how things would work out. Fast forward 13 years later and she is still that kind, gentle woman — no yelling at Jesus, no threats, no yanking Him by the ear when they finally find Him. Instead, the Scriptures tell us that she treasured "all these things." Would I have been able to treasure that dirty stable? Would I have been able to treasure that seemingly errant teen?
As I pondered these two times where Mary is seen treasuring her circumstances, I began to wonder how often things go wrong in my life and I react instead of reflect. So I'm allowing these two Scriptures to seep into my heart. Is my attitude, "May it be to me as You have said," or is it, "Okay, God, this is not the way it's supposed to be and I want You to fix it right away."
As we go through this season of celebrating Jesus' coming, I plan to work on my attitude when things don't go right. I plan to practice accepting God's plan when it doesn't match mine. I plan to learn to treasure and ponder instead of whine and complain. I plan to grow in my love and appreciation of Jesus, just as Mary did. I plan to marvel at His coming and revel in His glory. And most of all, this Christmas, I plan to search for Him everywhere, just as she did — and never lose sight of Him again.
Dear Lord, thank You for sending Your Son into this world. As we celebrate His birth, help me to focus on who He is and why He came here. Help me to be the kind of servant to You that Mary was and for my attitude to reflect that each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Find more from Marybeth on her blog and on her resource page.
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Shop with us for Christmas!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful
for each and every purchase. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you have children in your life, read Luke 2 with them and talk about Jesus growing up. This is one of the few passages where we see Jesus as a child. This is also a good time to talk about staying with your parents and what to do if separated!
Adjust your attitude today to be more accepting of your circumstances.
Reflections:
Am I allowing God to shape me through my circumstances—the good and the not-so-good? Am I trusting Him when things don't go right?
Power Verses:
Job 23:12, "I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread." (NIV)
Colossians 2:2, "I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery." (MSG)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 22, 2010
The Rich Home
Sharon Glasgow
"Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions."
I Kings 10:1 (NKJ)
Devotion:
The Queen of Sheba was wealthy and beautiful. She had everything a queen would want: gold, silver, ivory, precious jewels and servants taking care of her every need.
Well, almost everything.
She'd heard about the famous King Solomon and his miraculous God. Even though her people had many gods to worship, none intrigued her like the Lord God of Israel. Her heart was so moved by His name that she decided to take a 1,400 mile trip across the desert sands of Arabia to visit this man who knew this God personally.
Camels can travel around 20 miles a day, so the trip would take her six months each way. She took a great caravan of servants, loads of spices, gold and unusual woods to give as gifts to Solomon. Her heart and soul longed for riches that she did not have, and she sensed they would be discovered through him.
Finally, she arrived. It was the grandest palace she had ever laid eyes on. But her purpose wasn't to see the most beautiful archeological place ever built, it was to find a secret treasure.
She talked to Solomon for hours, asking him deep questions about God. She was exhausted, but satisfied by his answers. She found what she had longed for and she declared, "Blessed be the LORD your God" (1 Kings 10:8, NKJ).
Jesus mentions the Queen of Sheba in Matthew 12:42. He honors her desire for His wisdom. The Queen of Sheba took great pains to find wisdom, yet the wisdom available to her at that time was the lesser wisdom of a man. The wisdom we have access to through Jesus far out shines that of Solomon. If the Queen of Sheba would travel six months to find truth, how much more should we search for wisdom by opening our Bibles and our hearts to Him in prayer?
When people travel to our home this week, it is not the seasonal décor or the cleanliness that will ultimately impress our visitors. It is not a perfectly sculpted yard or a new car in the garage. It's the spiritual insight and presence of grace that they will be drawn to - through the Holy Spirit living in us. When we share the love of our God with them, then they will have visited a wealthy home.
As rich as Sheba's or Solomon's palace.
Your home is where your heart is. And your heart is Christ's home - a dwelling place for the Lord. Be sure to spend time with Him this week so you will be filled with love and prepared with wisdom to offer your guests.
May those who enter your home this Christmas, and in the New Year to come, find treasures that people have traveled the whole earth in search of!
Dear Lord, I want every person who walks into my home to find the riches that only You can deliver. Help me to be a conduit for Your wisdom and love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Sharing Grace - Family Traditions - Gift ideas (E-Book) by LeAnn Rice
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Shop with us for Christmas!
We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Application Steps:
God freely gives spiritual wisdom to those who ask for it. Seek God's wisdom through prayer and the Bible. Ask Him to help you remember all that you learn from Him, and to live it this week.
Reflections:
Do I spend more time fussing over the outward beauty of my home than the inward beauty of my soul?
Can I recall time spent in the home of a gracious, godly person? Do I remember the richness felt there?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 60:13,"...Beautify the place of my sanctuary..." (NKJ)
I Corinthians 3:12, "Now, If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is, if any one's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward." (NKJ)
© 2010 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 23, 2010
Why God Told Shepherds First
Glynnis Whitwer
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
If you had good news, whom would you tell first?
When something wonderful happens to me, the first people I want to tell are those closest to me, those most important in my life. They have proven themselves trustworthy over time, and will rejoice with me. They've stood by me during difficult times, and will share in a victory.
When God had the best news of the ages, whom did He tell first? Important religious people? Wealthy folk? Learned men? Actually, no. God told shepherds.
The Christmas story told in the book of Luke reveals this interesting fact. The story takes us right from the manger to the fields nearby, where an angel appeared to some terrified shepherds. Who wouldn't be if an angel and "heavenly host" appeared where there had only been scrub brush moments before?
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger'" (Luke 2:10-12, NIV).
It didn't take long for the shepherds to pull themselves together after the heavenly crew left. Knowing the "town of David" meant Bethlehem, the shepherds hurried there, and arrived in time to see Jesus in the stable. The Bible says after seeing the baby, " ... they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them" (Luke 6:17b-18, NIV).
This is a familiar and well-loved story. We treasure images of the nativity, and the humble nature of Christ's birth. When I delve a bit deeper into who attended the birth, I have to admit I'm surprised God chose shepherds to reveal the truth about Jesus so quickly.
Shepherds were in the fields among smelly and not-so-bright sheep. They had no power or influence. They had nothing to bring the baby King. So why did God choose the lowest members of society to entrust the greatest truth of the ages?
Why didn't God choose the religious leaders? Surely they would have been excited after waiting for thousands of years to meet their Savior. Why not choose a king or a rich man whose testimony would have carried more weight? Why shepherds?
Two reasons come to mind when I ponder that question. First, shepherds had the capacity to be humbled and amazed that God chose them to hear the news. Imagine how unworthy they must have felt, but how honored. Based on Jesus' opinion of the religious leaders of that day, I don't think they would have had the same reaction.
You've probably heard about the Pharisees. They were religious people back when Jesus was born who thought highly of themselves. They loved religion more than they loved a relationship with God. They probably wouldn't have been very impressed that God chose to reveal the secret of the ages to them. In fact, they might have thought they deserved to hear the news first.
But not the shepherds. They were amazed God chose them and they couldn't keep it to themselves.
That leads me to the second reason I think God chose shepherds. After they had seen the baby Savior, they "spread the word" concerning what they knew. They weren't like too-cool teenagers, worried about what others thought of them. They didn't over-think the situation and talk themselves out of telling the news. They were exuberant, overflowing with joy and probably still reflected a bit of the glory of being with Jesus.
You know what happened when those uneducated, simple shepherds spread the word that a Savior had been born? People were amazed!
God is His infinite wisdom chose just the right group of people to entrust the greatest news of eternity. Those humble men took the Good News of Jesus and did just what God wanted them to do - told others, and their lives were never the same.
Dear Lord, today I rejoice with the shepherds in the Good News of Jesus' birth. Help me to set aside those traditions that have become commonplace and explore the amazement of Jesus' birth. Thank You for sending a Savior for me. I want to spend my life sharing this news. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog and resources page for ideas on how to cultivate amazement in your heart.
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
Shop with us for Christmas!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase. Thank you!
Application Steps:
This Christmas, plan to do one thing that will cultivate amazement in your heart.
Reflections:
What are some reasons my amazement has dimmed at the true meaning of Christmas?
What can I change about myself so that others see/hear more of the amazing things of God through you?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (NIV)
Mark 1:10-11, "As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 24, 2010
The Wait is Over
Micca Monda Campbell
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation..."
Luke 2:29-30 (NIV)
Devotion:
Christmas is finally upon us! We've been waiting for it. We've been planning, dreaming, and hoping for something spectacular. For some, the magic of Christmas will come exactly as promised, while others may feel disappointed. Perhaps what we are looking for isn't found wrapped up in holiday paper tucked under a glistening tree. Instead, it's found wrapped in swaddling clothes tucked away in a manger among the oxen and sheep.
That may not sound spectacular, but it is. Come with me to Jerusalem and see for yourself.
As we arrive, the greatest event in history has just occurred! The shepherds are the first to receive the news that the long awaited Messiah has been born for all. News doesn't travel here as fast as it does in the twenty-first century. There aren't newspapers, television or the internet, so news spreads by word of mouth. As soon as the shepherds see baby Jesus, they begin spreading the news of His arrival.
The good news doesn't reach Jerusalem until weeks later. In keeping with the law, Mary and Joseph head to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord. By participating in this ceremony, they acknowledge their child belongs to God, who is the giver of life.
Let's tag along.
It's a busy day at the temple. Many have come with their firstborn son and offerings. Jesus looks somewhat plain compared to the other babies. They're all dressed up in their embroidered clothes and pretty booties, while Jesus is wrapped in a simple cloth. He may not look like much to others, but to His mom He is a jewel. Mary knows her son is a gift from God, and so does Simeon.
Simeon is a devout man who comes to the temple every day in hopes of seeing the promised Messiah who would deliver the people from their sins. Long ago, the Holy Spirit promised Simeon that before he died he would see the Son of God (Luke 2:26; paraphrased). Today is that day.
There's Simeon now, walking among the crowd. The Holy Spirit must have led him here. He sees Jesus. As he gently takes baby Jesus in his arms, he proclaims, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation..." (Luke 2:29-30).
Just as we anticipate Christmas each year, Simeon had waited his entire life for this day to arrive. Was he disappointed? Not in the least. Simeon could do nothing less than sing praises to the God who keeps His promises.
I realize that the big day may arrive and you may still be waiting for your Christmas miracle -- a new job, a healed relationship, or a baby of your very own. You don't have to live disappointed. Simeon shows us how to hold on to hope.
First, believe that God is faithful. Next, wait for God's perfect timing. It may be slow, but it's certain. Finally, take a step of faith. Simeon didn't sit still while he waited. He got up each day and went to the temple seeking the Son of God. As you and I seek God and His will each day, the Holy Spirit will direct our path.
Perhaps you've been wanting and waiting, like Simeon, to see the reality of Christ for yourself - perhaps you don't know this Messiah. Just as the Spirit of God led Simeon to Christ, He can lead you to Him as well. This world may offer empty promises that leave you disappointed, but Jesus never will. God is the same today as He was the day Simeon received his promise to see the Christ-child with his own eyes. God's promises are true.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV).
The wait is over. Whatever your circumstance, you can experience the miracle of Christmas. Like Simeon, reach out and receive Christ into your heart. Simply pray this prayer:
Dear God, I confess I want and need You. I have sinned. My life isn't what I want it to be, and I'm sure isn't what You want it to be either. I willingly believe You came to earth, died on the cross, and rose from the grave to purchase me a place in heaven with You. Jesus, come into my life and take control. Forgive all my sins and save me. Let me see the reality of You in my life. I'm turning from my sins and placing my trust in You for my salvation. Share with me with Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog and her resources page.
Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life by Sarah Young
Application Steps:
Experience Christmas like never before, give your heart to Christ.
Reflections:
Have I given up and given into doubt?
Do I persevere in faith like Simeon?
How can following Simeon's example revive my hope?
Power Verses:
Luke 2:11, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (NIV)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 27, 2010
Forget to Remember
Marybeth Whalen
"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits --"
Psalm 103:2a (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes it is hard to accept that God can bring about His purposes through our trials. It is hard to see past our circumstances to a future that, for us, doesn't exist yet. But God is not constrained by time. He is not reined in by our circumstances. Because of this, we have to trust that our limited perspective simply can not process His higher purpose.
There is a temptation during these times to wrestle back the control from Him, telling Him through our actions that He can't be trusted. We say to Him, "I got this one, God."
David writes of this tendency in Psalm 103:2, "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (emphasis mine). David knew that he had to remind himself not to forget what the Lord had done for him—and what He would do for him in the future. Like the rest of us, David struggled with remembering that God has a purpose in every trial, and a benefit waiting for those who will persevere.
I remember a time I ran impulsively ahead of the Lord because I didn't want to wait on His answer. We were in need of a computer and had a little money we could spend. Since we were in the stages of still paying off debt, it was money that could have been spent elsewhere. As I prayed about this decision, I felt God telling me to wait on this purchase. "God," I responded, "we can't wait any longer. We need a computer." I couldn't understand why He would tell me to wait, so I moved ahead with our plans to buy a computer.
I had wrestled the control back once again.
About a month after we got this new computer, my mom called me to ask if we still needed a computer. "Well, no," I told her, "we bought one already. Why?" She went on to explain that her friends were getting rid of a nearly new computer because they had decided to buy a laptop. Did we want it? In that moment I felt God remind me, "I told you to wait."
Even though this was difficult, it was a very powerful lesson that I have not forgotten. We ended up with two computers— but were minus a large chunk of money (that could have gone to paying off debt) invested in an unnecessary computer. God used this lesson to teach me that I have to wait on His purpose to be accomplished. When I do, my financial journey becomes intertwined with my spiritual one. This is part of growing in faith as we simultaneously grow in our relationship with Him. I can't forget to remember what He's done in the past, or I won't be able to cling to His promises for the future.
Dear Lord, I don't have this one. But You do. Help me to trust fully in You. Please bring to mind the things I can remember that will comfort me as I wait on You to act on my behalf in the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Do you forget to remember? Write down one example of God's goodness to you in the past.
Reflections:
Is there something that's happening to me now that I need to trust God to take care of in the future? How am I trying to take care of things on my own?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 4:9, "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." (NASB)
I Chronicles 16:12, "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced." (NIV)
© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 28, 2010
Just a Little Heart Cleaning
T. Suzanne Eller
"So iIf you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God."
Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)
Devotion:
Yesterday I swept the mahogany wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn't even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.
I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn't say something. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn't seem to be big enough at the moment.
I've heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, "Jesus forgave, why don't you?" The reality is it's often an uneven journey for us as we accept His grace, learn from, and strive to live out His example.
The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it's not something that we just stumble into. It takes a purposeful choice to move beyond the restrictive burdens of bitterness, anger, and other unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.
Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed already, and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understood the joy and freedom that come through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff with my friend tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.
Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2, NLT) Isn't it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man's heart before attending to his physical body?
Jesus hasn't changed. He still sees to the heart. He sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life's challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, and invite Him into the process.
Maybe you too are dealing with hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn't mean that abuse can continue, or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to follow Jesus' example, and to live life free of entanglements to the past.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." As I talked, broom-in-hand, with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. My perspective on the incident with my friend changed.
Yesterday my house got cleaned, and so did my heart.
Dear Lord, help me to forgive one person today. I lift up my heart. I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt, but I am willing to forgive. I'm not always big enough, but You are and I am grateful. I won't forgive based on a person's response, or even what is fair, but instead I will trust that You desire my heart to be free so that You can love in and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Woman I am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's Blog for more encouragement
How to Get Along with Difficult People by Florence Littauer
Redemption by Karen Kingsbury with Gary Smalley
Application Steps:
No matter whether it is a big or small issue, invite God into your situation today.
Reflections:
Think about unforgiveness as a wall. We build it around our heart to keep people from hurting us. What hurts keep me inside that wall?
What can I miss when I live in a fortress?
I don't offer forgiveness to hear someone say they are sorry. It's nice if it happens, but even if it doesn't, my offering forgiveness is foundational to wholeness - in me!
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:5, "Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged." (NLT)
© 2010 by T.Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 29, 2010
There's Always Something I Can Do
Glynnis Whitwer
"Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties."
Mark 6:39-40 (NIV)
Devotion:
Worn out. Hungry. Without resources. Needs on every side. That's what Jesus' disciples faced at the end of a long day of ministry. Even Jesus was ready for a rest. So He suggested they go by boat to a solitary place. Great idea, right? Well, it didn't work out that way.
By that point in Jesus' ministry, people followed Him everywhere. In fact, they were so desperate for His touch, they ran around the lake, and actually got to the other side before Jesus did.
Imagine the disciples' response seeing all those needy people. I imagine they felt empty. Have you ever felt that way? ... exhausted by the demands on you ... emotionally bankrupt ... at the end of your resources with nothing left to give?
Just when the disciples wanted to curl up and rest, Jesus started to teach to the people. Didn't He notice they were exhausted? They wanted to do nothing, because that's all they thought they could do.
The disciples even tried to stop Jesus from teaching, and send the people away so they could do nothing in peace. They said, "This is a remote place ... and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat" (Mark 6:35b-36).
So not only were the disciples exhausted, they were in a barren place with NO resources. I know what that feels like. There have been times in my life when needs faced me at every turn, circumstances and people thwarted my best efforts, and hope flickered like a weak flame. At those times, "nothing" seemed like all I could do.
On that day when the disciples felt they could not take on one more task, Jesus gave them a biggie. Instead of allowing them to send the people away, Jesus said, "You give them something to eat" (Mark 6:37).
Jesus then asked the disciples to present what food they had. It wasn't much, but they handed over five loaves of bread and two fish. Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups (v. 39).
While the disciples did that, Jesus thanked God for the food and gave it back to the disciples to pass around. Jesus worked a miracle that day, all the people were fed, and there were 12 baskets of food left.
I've read that story many times in my life, but recently something stood out to me. Why did Jesus ask the disciples to have the people sit? And why did they sit in groups? The most obvious answer is that in the face of an overwhelming situation, Jesus knew everybody needed order.
What if there was more than a need for simple order? What if Jesus wanted the disciples to shift their focus away from what they couldn't do, to what they could do? Then, Jesus did what only He could - He performed a miracle.
The disciples were so focused on their own lack, and how they couldn't possibly meet the overwhelming needs, they decided to do nothing. Worse than that, they forgot they were standing next to the One who could help. But Jesus put them to work on the practical task right before them, to prepare for the miracle He was about to perform.
As I face hard times in my own life, there is wisdom in this for me. Sometimes, all I think about is what I can't control. I focus on the problem and the unfairness of the situation. Even though I've prayed, confessed my needs and presented my resources to Jesus, I stay focused on what I can't do. It's a pretty limited view of the situation.
I somehow forget that I'm standing next to the One who can feed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish ... and have leftovers! Sometimes, instead of doing what God has placed in front of me, I do nothing.
Perhaps, instead of wringing my hands with worry, I need to get busy with what I can control. There's always something I can do to bring order to my situation. It's not a distraction technique ... it's an act of faith. Jesus is still in the business of miracles, and I definitely can't do those.
Dear Lord, forgive me when I focus more on my own limitations rather than Your power. There is nothing too great for You. Help me to turn my thoughts away from what I can't do, to what You have placed in front of me. I trust You to do the rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the One Who Can Meet Your Needs?
Visit Glynnis' blog for ideas on what you can do in overwhelming circumstances
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land by Priscilla Shirer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify a situation that has you frozen with inaction. Pick one thing you can do, and get started on it today.
Reflections:
What can I do to help myself overcome emotional exhaustion?
Why does doing a practical task sometimes help in overwhelming situations?
Power Verses:
Mark 6:42-44, "They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand." (NIV)
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 30, 2010
When the End Goal Seems too Hard
Lysa TerKeurst
"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance..."
2 Peter 1:5a-6a (NIV)
Devotion:
No matter what your struggle has been, victory is possible today. However, most of us don't think that's true. The problem is we tend to measure long term success while downplaying the absolute victory found in small successes.
Yesterday a friend of mine called to say she'd read my blog and, as a result, she walked away from indulging in a bag of M&Ms. That's a victorious small success. Now, I can't say that her scale will stand up and clap and reward her with much lower numbers today. But, if she builds upon this small success - choice by choice, day by day - she will see positive changes.
As the New Year approaches, many of us make some kind of healthy eating commitment. But even if that's not your resolution, this principle applies to other struggles as well.
If I choose not to snap at my child and instead respond with tenderness, that's a victorious small success.
If I choose to pause before responding to the rude sales clerk, thus giving her a smile instead of perpetuating her smirk, that's a victorious small success.
If I choose to give my husband the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to the conclusion he meant to hurt my feelings, that's a victorious small success.
I like the way our key verse puts it. In 2 Peter 1:5-6, we are reminded to "add" some things to our faith. Two of those additions are self-control and perseverance. For me, I have to decide to practice the self-control and perseverance that is mine since God's Spirit lives in me.
Think of it like a muscle. We have muscles as a part of our body. But we must add activity to those muscles to make them effective and strong. Our muscles will work for us if we exercise them. Self-control and perseverance will work for us as we practice these over and over. Start with the small victories and bigger victories will come.
Sometimes victory seems so far away because we measure it by the end goal. And end goals can seem overwhelmingly huge, daunting, and just plain hard to reach. Instead, if we start measuring our victories by the smaller choices we make each day, victory won't seem so impossible.
Big things are built one brick at a time.
Victories are achieved one choice at a time.
A life well lived is chosen one day at a time.
Dear Lord, I know that with You, victory is indeed possible. Day by day and choice by choice. Help me to believe this truth today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win her new book Made to Crave and to register for her FREE webcast on this subject. Thousands of women have already signed up. Reserve your spot today by clicking here.
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's new book "Made to Crave" is just what you've needed. Click here to order your copy!
This book can be a group Bible study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa TerKeurst
You touch eternity every time you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Although we wish we could offer the same prices offered by huge online warehouses, we simply can't. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Sometimes victory seems so far away because we measure it by the seemingly overwhelmingly end goal. If we start measuring our victories by the smaller choices we make each day, victory won't seem so impossible. Think of a struggle you are dealing with and daily record your moment-by-moment small successes. Pray over them, be thankful for each one. Watch them build one choice at a time. Remember, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!
Reflections:
A life well lived is chosen one day at a time. What does this statement mean to you? Do you find it encouraging? Or discouraging? Why?
Have you found that you tend to miss the victories found in small daily successes?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (NIV)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 31, 2010
My New Year's Prayer
Wendy Blight
"For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
Devotion:
The first day of each New Year carries with it a myriad of emotions that often lead to promises and resolutions. Some commit to lose weight. Some commit to exercise more. Some desire a more disciplined walk with the Lord. And some want to be better wives and mothers. We all want God's highest and best for the New Year.
But God knows too that these promises and resolutions are often grounded not in His Word but in our flesh. We focus on the end result and not on the process. There is nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight and exercise. It is a wonderful goal to be a "better" wife and mother. It is admirable to commit to daily Bible reading and quiet time. But we must beware of making these things a daily duty we check off.
Committing to a New Year's Resolution will not necessarily bring profound lasting life change. Committing your heart to God...studying, learning, and praying His Word...that is what will bring eternal, lasting life transformation.
I invite you to join me this year in writing a New Year's Prayer. To begin, examine your New Year's Resolution and prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal the heart issue behind it. Ask Him to lead you through His Word to verses that directly address what you hear.
Listen to the power of God's promise in our key verse today: "For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" Hebrews 4:12 (NLT).
Perhaps you want to lose weight because you feel unworthy of love due to your past, your present, or choices you have made. Find verses on God's great love for you. Believe and trust His promises that He created you just the way you are because He has a great plan and purpose for your life that only you can accomplish.
Perhaps you want to spend more time in the Word but you are too busy...you just can't fit it into your day. Find Scriptures on God's wisdom and priorities. Proverbs is a great place to start.
Perhaps you want to be a better wife and mother, but you have a temper that flares or a tongue that cuts like a knife. Open God's Word and find verses addressing speech, self-control, and patience. Proverbs and James are great places to start.
Once you have found your verses, take each one and personalize it. Then join them together, along with your own words to make a prayer. Copy your prayer into a journal or notebook.
Listen to God's promise in Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT):
The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my Word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Friend, Isaiah 55 is God's PROMISE to you. If you pray His Word over your life...over your heart...over your home, He will be FAITHFUL to prosper it and make it bear fruit!
Heavenly Father, invade my heart as I seek to surrender my life to You in 2011. Lead me through Your Word, show me the truths and promises You have for me. Help me to write them into a prayer for You today. I love You, Lord, and desire nothing more than to live a life fully surrendered to You.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy's blog to read her New Year's prayer for you.
Enter to win a "Living Truth" New Year's Gift Pack! From your comments on her blog, Wendy will choose two women to receive a New Year's Gift Pack including: The One Year Chronological Bible, a copy of her Bible Study e-book, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life, and a Starbucks gift card so you can escape to a quiet place to spend time in the Word with Him.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write your New Year's prayer, print it out, tuck it away in your Bible, and pray it often.
Reflections:
Read Psalm 139. Sweet friend, this is the very Word of God written for you. Believe what it says. Your Father created you, and He loves you greatly!
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:16b, "...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (NIV)
© 2010 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 3, 2011
Honestly
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." I Timothy 4:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
I think we all get to a place sometimes in our life where we have to honestly assess, "How I am doing?"
It's not really a conversation I have with a friend or family member. It's one of those middle of the night contemplations where there's no one to fool. There's no glossing over the realities staring me in the face.
I know certain things about myself need to change, but it's easier to make excuses than tackle them head on. Rationalizations are so appealing:
I'm good in every other area.
I make so many sacrifices already.
I need this comfort in this season of life - I'll deal with it later.
I just can't give this up.
The Bible doesn't specifically say this is wrong.
It's not really a problem; if I wanted to make a change, I could - I just don't want to right now.
Oh for heaven's sake, everyone has issues, so what if this is mine?
And on and on and on.
Excuses always get me nowhere fast. That's why a few years ago I had to get honest in the area of healthy eating. Even if that's not your issue, I suspect these same scripts of rationalization have played out in your mind over other things.
So, the cycle continues day after day, week after week, year after year.
A whole lifetime can be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating ourselves up for not keeping our resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can't change.
One day, I finally decided I didn't want to spend a lifetime in this cycle.
Nothing changed until I made the choice to change. I had to want it, spiritually, physically and mentally. The battle really is in all three areas.
Spiritually: In Colossians 3:1-5 we are told to set our minds and our hearts on things above. In order to do this, I have to put to death whatever belongs to my earthly nature which sets itself up as an idol in my life.
Idolatry is trying to get my needs met outside the will of God. I couldn't deny it. This described food for me at times.
For the sake of my spiritual health, it was time to get honest.
More times than I cared to admit, I turned to food when I should have turned to God. I relied on the temporary high of food to try and quiet the cries of my spiritually hungry soul. And no matter how I tried to excuse away my struggles with my weight, I wasn't at peace.
Physically: I couldn't keep my weight stable in a medically healthy range for any period of time. I would loose weight, but then I would always gain it back. And then to top it all off, when a doctor did some tests to determine my body mass index, my percentage of body fat had crept up to the "danger" category.
What?! I knew I was feeling sluggish and frustrated by the extra weight, but no one would have looked at me and thought I was at risk. Except now a doctor was telling me that if I didn't make some changes, I could be in trouble. The tests told me things the naked eye couldn't.
For the sake of my physical health, it was time to get honest.
I needed a healthy eating plan - not a fad diet. I needed a plan that would help me make realistic changes to improve my overall health and help me shed the excess weight the right way.
I couldn't deny it. It does matter what I eat. My weight is a reflection of what I consume.
Mentally: Don't settle. Don't compromise. What happens when you cut the "com" off of the word compromise? You're left with a "promise."
We were made for more than compromise. We were made for God's promises in all areas of our life. I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing - eating, gaining, stressing...
For the sake of my emotional health, it was time to be honest with myself.
I was made to consume food. But, food was never supposed to consume me.
Sweet friend, getting honest with myself- spiritually, physically, and mentally- in my struggles with my weight was a crucial first step to finding victory. Is there an honest admission you need to make today?
I'd love to walk with you through the process of change. It's why I wrote my new book, "Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desires with God, Not Food." And it's why I'm sharing realistic, researched-based eating plans I now use on my blog today.
Remember, as a Jesus girl, it is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, and using the Lord's strength in us, defeat them - spiritually, physically, and mentally - to the glory of God.
Dear Lord, help me be courageous enough to speak honestly to You and to myself in those areas I'm giving in to compromise. Show me how to rely on Your strength for more self-discipline in my life - not for my glory but for Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A great step to encourage you on this journey is the FREE webcast Lysa is offering every Monday night beginning January 10 - February 14. For more information, click here.
Visit MadetoCrave.org to read success stories of people who have found victory with their food issues using Lysa's new book, "Made to Crave."
Order your copy of "Made to Crave" by clicking here.
Visit Lysa's blog today for realistic, researched-based eating plans.
Application Steps:
Visit Lysa's new "Made to Crave" website to download free resources and watch her inspirational videos by clicking here.
Reflections:
What issue do I have that consumes way too much of my mental energy and produces stress in my life?
Power Verse:
Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 4, 2011
The God of Story
Ariel Allison Lawhon
She Reads Co-Director & Featured Author
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I think of Him first as a storyteller, this Jesus of mine. That might sound odd to some. He is after all Savior and Redeemer. Lion and Lamb. But I would not know Him as any of those had He not spoken to me first in the gentle whisper of story.
Given half a chance, I would sit at His feet and listen even now. I'd follow Him through those dusty streets. Stop and ponder in that crowded marketplace. Or lounge on a grass-filled hillside. Prodigal sons and lost coins, rich fools and fig trees, talents and tares - I would cross my legs and sink to the ground, chin on hands, to hear His stories.
So kind of Him to write them down so I can read them at my leisure.
As a writer I am intrigued by the parables of Jesus. Those thirty short anecdotes sprinkled through the first four books of the New Testament are the subject of countless sermons. Yet they are so personal to each of us. In many ways, they are our stories. The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus. At times we've turned our back to Him as well. The older brother stayed outside instead of joining the celebration thrown in honor of his prodigal sibling's return. He symbolizes our self-righteousness.
And that's the power of story, isn't it? To see ourselves in the narrative. To squirm and wrestle. To clap and celebrate. Jesus never says, "Oh, by the way, that bit about the prodigal son is really about you and God. Wanted to make sure you caught that. Instead, He lets us see our reflection in the story. He leaves us to wrestle over which part we play.
The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery explains why the stories of Jesus are so personal and profound:
"Only one of the characters (Lazarus) is named, yet as we encounter the characters of the parables we sense that we have known them already. They are universal types, possessing the traits that we and our acquaintances possess. Never has such immortality been thrust upon anonymity. We do not need to know the name of the woman who first loses and then finds her lost coin: she is every person. The family dynamics of the parables of the prodigal son and the two brothers whose father asks them to work in the vineyards could be observed at any family's breakfast table... We come to realize that it is in the everyday world of sowing and eating and dealing with family members that people make the great spiritual decisions and that God's grace works." (emphasis mine)
God's grace works. That is shown through the power of story and that is why He told them. In His simple tales we see grace and holiness in the everyday tasks of life: planting and harvesting, a wedding invitation, baking bread, lighting a lamp, traveling to a distant town. The parables teach us to trust that all those made in the image of God understand the unspoken language of story. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and every time we open His Book He says, "Come, let me tell you a story."
Dear Lord, You are the beginning and the end of this great narrative called history. Thank You for writing me into the story. Though I play only a small part, may I play it well. May I honor You with my days and my choices and may I truly know that Your grace works. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
eye of the god by Ariel Allison
Ariel's latest novel, eye of the god, is a story of obsession, greed, hope and grace. Visit our She Reads blog this week to download your free electronic copy of the entire novel! Also, post a comment on the She Reads blog to enter into our drawing for a free copy of Ariel's book.
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
Make a list of books that have taught you about the grace of God. Consider giving one as a gift.
Reflections:
Do I consider myself an important part of the story God is writing?
In which of Jesus' parables do I most see myself?
Do any of Jesus' stories leave me restless or uncomfortable? Why?
In looking at my life as a story, can I see the grace of God at work?
Power Verses:
Psalm 107:2-3, "Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south." (NIV)
© 2011 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 5, 2011
Keeping My New Year's Resolutions to Myself
Glynnis Whitwer
"The king of Israel answered, 'Tell him:
"One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off."'"
1 Kings 20:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
I'm done with announcing my New Year's Resolutions. I know some people thrive on accountability from announcing goals. I'm not one of them. Once, I announced on my blog I was losing weight, and I gained five pounds. There was something seriously wrong with that situation.
Recently, I heard successful entrepreneur Derek Sivers explain why some people shouldn't announce their goals. According to several scientific studies, it seems some of us get mental gratification just by talking about our goals without actually doing the work. While this opposes common understanding of accountability, I can see the truth in it.
There have been times when I've taken pride in myself for identifying a worthwhile goal. It's like there's this striving little part of me that puffs up ever so slightly when declaring what I'm going to accomplish. It's definitely a cousin of boasting, only so much more refined. Do I imagine your admiration just in the speaking of my goals? Does it make me seem smarter or bolder than I am?
You'd never know from the surface these thoughts dance around my subconscious. It doesn't even happen to me all the time. But for some reason, New Year's Resolutions are the worst. It's so much easier to declare a grand resolution than do the steadfast daily marching needed to cross the finish line.
Whether it's neglected resolutions, sales pitches that don't pan out, or political promises, we live in a society of sometimes lofty declarations. Yet I've learned the hard way that words are empty without the steadfast commitment to live them out. Time and truth go hand-in-hand.
The Bible is quite clear that actions speak louder than words. There's an interesting statement made in 1 Kings 20:11 that rings true. It's spoken by Ahab, king of Israel, when he faced attack by Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. Ben-Hadad sent threatening messages, trying to intimidate Ahab. Kind of like an athlete boasting assuredly that he will win tonight's game.
In the face of the final threat, Ahab said to Beh-Hadad's messenger, "Tell him: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.'" In other words, save the talking for after you've accomplished the goal.
Now those are words worth memorizing. And they speak vividly to me today in the face of yet another year of potential and promise. The biblical principal behind them is: Do not boast - and if you boast, boast in Christ. In our age of status updates and tweets, it can be tempting to make ourselves seem more interesting, important, ambitious or productive than we really are, yet.
I'm not saying it's wrong. It's just not right for me. So instead of making a public declaration of any New Year's Resolutions, I'm choosing to invest in my standing orders from God, while listening for His future assignments.
And I'm not telling anyone about it. Except you.
Dear Lord, thank You for the truth found throughout Your Word. Help me to grasp hold of this truth and apply it to my life. I long to be a faithful, diligent servant - one You can trust to do what she's asked. Help me be that woman. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog where she provides a link to Derek Siver's full message and some resolutions she's NOT making.
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, but we simply cannot. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Resolutions aren't bad, but the idea is to back them up with diligent work. Identify one goal you have and the next practical step you can take toward completion.
Reflections:
What are your thoughts about announcing goals? Have you ever announced something, only to quit before completion?
Should a Christian have a different approach to setting New Year's Resolutions? If so, how should we be different?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:10, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (NIV)
Proverbs 16:2-3, "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 6, 2011
Lonely In Families
Marybeth Whalen
"God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."
Psalm 68:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I used to think today's key verse was a sweet promise to the lonely, assuring them that God would remember them and surround them with the love of a family. And, while I still think this is true, I recently had a revelation while reading this verse that there might be another way to look at it.
I noticed in my Bible's notes that the word "lonely" means "solitary." The person the verse is referring to may not be the person feeling sad because she's alone. This could be the person who needs some alone-time to recharge - she thrives in silence. When life gets too chaotic or crazy or noisy, all she really wants is to be solitary.
That person, in other words, is me.
So what does this verse tell us God does with a person like me? He plops her smack in the middle of a family. He says, "I know you prefer being alone. I know that you can control your world much better when there's a population of one. But, my child, that is not what makes you a better person. You will never be all that I long for you to be if I leave you in your solitary-ness."
God saw fit to put me in the midst of six noisy, arguing, busy children and one husband with his own set of expectations, needs and preferences. Then He took a ringside seat and watched the drama ensue. He watched as I battled my own selfishness, learned to put other's needs ahead of my own, and lapsed into longing for loneliness.
Being a solitary person is not all bad. Jesus understood this propensity to need time alone. While He surrounded Himself with crowds of people, there are times in the gospels where He tells His disciples He's had enough and withdraws from the crowds to recharge. Luke 5:16 says, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Two words jump out at me in that verse: often and lonely. God doesn't try to take away our bent towards being solitary, but He doesn't want us to stay in that place all the time. We should take the time to go to our lonely places and pray. But we also need to come back and re-engage.
Maybe you're a solitary person too. Maybe you've found yourself rebelling against the needs of your family, lamenting that you just want to be alone. God created us for community. He knows that in isolation we do no one any good. He puts the lonely in families—and it's not always a pretty process. But the result He is going for is beautiful.
Dear Lord, I confess that I don't always see my family as a blessing and a tool to grow Your desires for me. Help me to balance my desire for lonely places with Your call in my life to be part of this family You've placed me in. And help me to praise You in both situations. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox -a novel about loss, hope, and the beauty of second chances by Marybeth Whalen
Walking with God in the Quiet Places: Devotions for Women by Various authors including Lysa TerKeurst
Love to get away with a good book? She Reads offers new selections, author Q&A, book clubs and more!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Commit today to be purposeful about finding your own quite place to withdraw to when you need to re-charge. Place a reminder in that place to pray.
Perhaps you love being around people, and your motto is the more the merrier. If so, consider inviting the lonely or those without family into your home regularly for a meal.
Reflections:
Are you one of the lonely people God saw fit to put in a family? Has your desire for solitary-ness affected your view of your children? Or your husband?
Is God calling you to step outside of yourself and connect with someone in particular?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:3a, "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young." (NIV)
Psalm 113:9, "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 7, 2011
In Tune
T. Suzanne Eller
"I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music."
Psalm 101:1 (ESV)
Devotion:
God seems to do an incredible amount of things for people, almost like a personal valet. "I found the perfect pair of shoes on sale," someone once told me. "It's like God knew I needed that little boost." Or the time that God helped another person find their glasses. They prayed and "poof" they found them.
This sometimes makes me question. How is it that people give God credit for helping them find shoes on sale, or that really great parking spot, and yet other people suffer? Loved ones get hit with disease. Financial problems cause sleepless nights. A hurricane hits Haiti as they struggle to overcome the effects of a devastating earthquake.
Maybe you too have pondered such things. Maybe it's caused you to question how much God loves His creation.
God is deeply interested in and intimately involved with us according to verses such as this one: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
The fact that God allows you to find that perfect-for-you little blessing one day, and come down with the flu the next doesn't negate His love for you. God's song plays strong and consistent over you, regardless of the good times or the hard times. His individual notes dance around us, inviting us to find Him, and then to find our part in His song.
Living in harmony with God, and finding our note in His song can compel us to look for ways to reach out to others who are needing to hear Him sing over them in their suffering. I also believe it can help us live in joy despite our circumstances. And I believe living out those notes will lead us to live lives of peace, even when times are not peaceful.
Today, let's close our eyes and open our hearts as we listen for our God singing over us. And let's take the time, eyes still closed, to imagine what it would look like for us to live in tune with Him.
Dear Lord, You do care about the intimate details. Just like the sparrow, You feed us; just like the lily, you clothe us in beauty. Father, for that I am immensely grateful. Help me to stay in tune with You and not stridently sing my own song over top You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway and to explore "How big is God?"
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and message on CD by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Visit Compassion International to sponsor a child in need. Haiti is in particular need of sponsors.
Reflections:
"What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God." ~Eleanor Powell
Power Verses:
Psalm 30:11,"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy," (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 10, 2011
weak places, Strong Places
Lysa TerKeurst
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge."
Psalm 18:2a (NIV)
Devotion:
We all have them. Weak places. Places inside that make us wonder if we'll ever get it together like the "together people." Places that make us feel less than. Less than victorious. Less than a conqueror. Less than strong.
My weak places frustrate me - especially this time of the year. I just resolved to do better a week ago at the New Year and already I'm slipping. And yet I refuse to resign that I can't ever change.
With the power of Christ all things can be made new. All broken things are subject to restoration. But sometimes I get so tired of trying and I just feel weak. Can you relate?
What is your weak place? A money situation that seems impossible? A marriage issue that frustrates you to your core? A temper that flares? An insecurity that stings? A family dysfunction that is always brewing? A food issue that rages even though you just signed up for that new diet program?
Let me breathe a little life into your weakness today. Whatever it is, however large it may loom:
"...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26).
We don't have to have all the answers. We don't have to make suggestions to God. It's okay to be so tired of our weak places that we run out of words to pray.
Look at the beautiful verses written to us Jesus girls tucked in around Romans 8:26 about weak places...
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit" (Romans 8:9a).
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b).
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
Maybe we need to sit still for just a moment or two today. Quietly sit without the weight of condemnation or the swirl of trying to figure things out. Quiet, with nothing but the absolute assurance the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
He understands our weak places. He knows what to pray. There is a purpose to this weakness. Though it doesn't feel good, things will be worked out in a way that good will come from it (Romans 8:28).
In that quiet stillness while the Spirit prays for us and we just simply soak in truth, there will be a flicker of light. A slight trickle of hope. A grace so unimaginable, we'll feel His power overshadowing our weakness.
In my new book, "Made to Crave- satisfying life's deepest desire with God not food," I write, "Even the smallest drop of God's strength is more than enough to cover our frailties, our shortcomings, the places where we deem ourselves weak."
I address this in my book so that we'll reject that title.
We aren't weak.
We are dependent.
Dependent on the only One powerful enough to help us. The only One sufficient enough to cover us in grace throughout the process.
Our relationships may not be sufficient. Our circumstances may not be sufficient. Our finances may not be sufficient. Our willpower may not be sufficient. Our confidence may not be sufficient. But He is and has been, and forever will be.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So instead of wallowing in my weak place, I will let the Spirit reveal the one positive step I can take today. I will wash away the condemnation with the warmth of His grace. I will receive His power. And I will rename the weak place, my strong place. "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10b).
Dear Lord, I know I am weak without You. Please help me to have just enough faith to get through the next situation I will face today. And then enough faith for the next. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If one of your weak places is compromising in the area of food, Lysa understands. For years she struggled to get her weight under control and make healthier choices. Finally, she found victory when she realized God made her to consume food, but food was never supposed to consume her. For a list of the three best things you can do when you're struggling with your weight, visit Lysa's blog by clicking here.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using the Made to Crave DVD set and the accompanying workbook Made to Crave Participant's Guide
A great step to encourage you on this journey is the FREE webcast Lysa is offering every Monday night beginning January 10 - February 14. For more information, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Remember to sign up for the FREE webcast Lysa is offering every Monday night starting tonight for the next 6 weeks! You will not want to miss hearing from one of the world's leading experts on nutrition tonight! For more information and to sign up, click here.
Reflections:
If God is truly a shield over my life, am I taking refuge in Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." (NIV)
Psalm 10:17, "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 11, 2011
Company's Coming!
Lynn Cowell
"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.'"
John 8:34 (NIV)
Devotion:
My kids knew the drill when company was coming. We would go through my cleaning notebook (yes, I have a cleaning notebook) room by room, and clean the house from top to bottom. That's the good part.
Doing my best to make everything perfect, the worst of me would show. That's the bad part. No hand prints on the windows. No streaks on the kitchen island. No spots in the bathroom sink. I wanted my house as close to perfection as I could get it; at least until company left. After that, all could go back to life as usual.
So what went through my kid's minds when this insanity happened? Did they just see this as my idiosyncrasy or something deeper? What was I teaching my kids? If lessons are better caught then taught, I have a feeling they might have caught the "performance bug" from me - the contagious belief that we need to perform in order to feel accepted.
Like catching a cold in the middle of the summer, the performance bug creeps up on me when I least suspect it. "Lynn, you're a terrible neighbor. Why don't you invite your neighbors over more often?" are my thoughts as I walk down my street.
"Lynn, you should be a better daughter. Look at your friend; she calls or stops by her parent's house every day!" assaults my heart as I prepare to give my mom a call.
Thoughts of "better" and "more" constantly pound my mind. In the past, the low immune system of my heart would catch the bug every time, flattening my sense of self-worth for the rest of the day. I allowed it to drive me. Pushed by the voice of my own insecurity, I forced more and more into my schedule. I tried to please everyone, everywhere, all for acceptance.
That is, until the Lord shined His light on the true motivations behind my performance: pride and fear. I was a slave to my sin. Once I admitted the source of my weakness, He could set me free! When the whispers came, I could shout back, "The Son has set me free; free of pride and fear. Now I am free indeed!"
I'm not saying I never struggle with performance, but the grip it once held on me is gone. With the Holy Spirit as my daily guide, I'm no longer a slave to performance. I'm released to live in true freedom.
Do you struggle, my friend, to do all and be all? Here is His promise, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31, NIV). If you are His disciple, cling to this truth. If you have yet to become His disciple, click on "Do you know Him?" below and find His freedom today!
Dear Lord, freedom is what I want to live in every day. Freedom to ask, "What is Your will for me today?" And freedom to obey only what You are saying. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Lynn's blog for Q&A with author Shannon Primicerio on performance and our teens. Shannon is giving away a copy of her book The Divine Dance: If the World is Your Stage, Who are You Performing For!
Be the first to pre-order Lynn's new book! His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You (releasing in April)
Send your teen to the RadRevolution site where Shannon Primicerio speaks to teens on escaping the trap of performance. They can win a copy of her book there.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down everything in your life you do and are responsible for. Make this list part of your prayer time for the month of January. Ask the Lord, "What do you want for my life, and which activities do I need to let go?"
Reflections:
Looking at the things in my life I do each day, am I doing these because God has called me? Or am I motivated out of pride or fear?
Considering the activities I encourage my children to do, are these activities in their lives because they enjoy them? Or is part of the reason because they make me look or feel better?
Power Verses:
John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV)
1 Samuel 15:22 "But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 12, 2011
Would I Know Him?
Glynnis Whitwer
" ... his sheep follow him because they know his voice."
John 10:4b (NIV)
Devotion:
Imagine if Jesus walked into your church this week. Would you recognize Him? When I was younger, I would have said "yes," believing He would wear a flowing white robe and look just like the painting on my Sunday school wall.
Now, I'm pretty sure He'd blend in.
But what would He wear? Some might say Jesus would show up in a coat and tie. Others would insist He'd wear a polo shirt and khakis. I think He could show up in a t-shirt and jeans, depending on what others were wearing. He seemed to be quite comfortable in whatever crowd He joined.
The question is academic, because the Bible says it will be obvious when Jesus returns (read Jesus' own words in Matthew 24:23-27). Yet the question has value because it guides me to the place of longing to know Jesus so well I'd recognize Him no matter what He looked like or wore.
It is possible to know someone you've never met. I began to know Jesus by reading the Bible. I love reading the New Testament - both the stories of Jesus' life and teachings, and of those who built His church after His resurrection. But if I closed the Bible, set it on my bedside table, and did nothing more - I would have a knowledge about Jesus.
Instead, I've chosen to know Jesus personally. Believing that it's possible is important.
Then, just as I would a friend, I seek to understand what Jesus thinks about certain things. His opinions and values are important to me. Reading His words, I try to sense His heart. Developing intimacy with Jesus takes practice and honesty, just like it does in any intimate relationship.
One busy morning, I abandoned the breakfast dishes, dirty clothes, and looming deadlines and sat at the breakfast table. My hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee, I took a deep breath and finally rested after the rush of getting five children out the door. In that quiet moment, I pictured Jesus sitting at the table with me. He kind of looked like the pictures I'd seen, with dark hair, a gentle face and kind eyes. He wasn't impatient but offered me His full attention. It was divine.
I knew Him because I'd spent time seeking to know Him. In my longing to know Jesus, He continues to reveal Himself more. Our key verse today is John 10:4. Jesus was warning the religious leaders of the day about those who would lead people far from the truth. Jesus, however, loved the people, and cared for them tenderly, as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Jesus said speaking of Himself, "... his sheep follow him because they know his voice."
The verse indicates a close connection, of knowing and trust, between the shepherd and the sheep. All it took was a word ... the sound of His voice ... and they knew it was Him.
If Jesus walked into the room, and we were faced the other way, would we need to turn around? Or would we recognize His voice? I hope we would smile and nod, saying, "Jesus is here!"
Dear Jesus, I long to know You so well that I recognize Your voice amidst the noise of this world. Help me learn new ways of knowing You better. I ask for wisdom and discernment as I read Your Word. In Your name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you long to know Jesus personally? You can - click here to learn how.
Visit Glynnis' blog for ideas on enriching your time with Jesus.
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify one or two common practices you use to know a friend better, and apply those to your relationship with Jesus.
Reflections:
Many of us are hindered in our relationship with God because we view Him based on our human relationships with flawed people. What difficult relationships might be influencing your view of or relationship with God?
How can you be a better friend to Jesus on an ongoing basis?
Power Verses:
Philippians 3:8, "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ..." (NIV)
2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 13, 2010
Time and Again
Rachel Olsen
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
We are creatures of habit, aren't we? Whether those habits are beneficial to us - or even if we regret them time and again - we tend to repeat the same behaviors day after day:
· We light another cigarette, even though we just said yesterday we want to quit.
· We eat the brownies in our pantry, even though we're aiming to lose weight in the New Year.
· We camp in front of the TV for hours most evenings, even though we want to be the kind of person that goes for walks and reads novels instead.
· We leave things laying where we last used them, even though we long for uncluttered surroundings.
· We buy a new Bible, figuring that will propel us to get in the Word more. Two weeks later it sits on the shelf.
We want to be the person God calls us to be, so we use January to make New Year's resolutions about how we're going to change this year. We give voice to that longing in our hearts to be different - to be somehow better. And we decide to give a heart-felt go at changing.
And there's nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, it's a move in the right direction. However, the Bible advises us to check our plans against the Lord's, and then ground our commitments in His truth and power in order to succeed.
Remember this, for the Holy Spirit to facilitate God's work and purposes in us, He must first (re)define our definition of reality, and our priorities.
For example, say that you wish to spend time in God's Word in 2011. Great - that's God's will for you as well. For that to happen, your habits must change. And for that to happen, your perception of reality must be redefined.
I'm guessing you currently believe, and your current actions demonstrate, that you don't have time to really pursue God like you want to. You're convinced you're too busy to join a Bible study, or have a regular quiet time of prayer and Bible reading, without quitting your job or neglecting your family in the process. But is that true?
"God has given everyone enough time to seek Him. It is there," says Francis Frangipane. He continues, "Those who would find God, find time." "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV).
When a favorite TV show comes on, we find time to watch. When a favorite store announces a big sale, we find time to go. When a friend wants to meet for coffee, we make time to meet her. We find or "make" time all the time! So rest assured that if you live a healthy, God-honoring life, there is plenty of time there to grow in your knowledge of, and connection with your Creator.
It is true that in our busy lives we cannot do everything. But we can choose which things absolutely will get done. We can choose what to do first. And that's precisely what the Bible tells us to do. Jesus calls His followers to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and then He promises we will have all we need (Matthew 6:33).
It is also true that our willpower is limited. Our dedication wanes. Our intentions are good but our follow-through is shaky. We don't have what it takes to revolutionize our entire lives. But God does — and He lives in us. "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3, NLT).
You absolutely have time to spend 10 or 20 minutes a day getting to know God and His promises for you in His Word. You also have the extra eight seconds it typically takes to put an item back in its place. Watch one less TV show a night and you'll have created time to read three or more books every month, and take a brisk walk after dinner. Seek God first - time after time - and you'll even have the power you need to put down the brownies or cigarettes.
We are creatures of habit - let's make it our habit in 2011 to seek God first each day and commit our plans to Him. I think we will marvel at the results, time and again.
Dear Lord, today I seek Your face, wisdom and Your will. I give my plans to You and I ask that I may operate in Your power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pop over to Rachel's blog for more on this topic.
Get your copy of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know and make it one of the books you read in your reclaimed time.
Application Steps:
Spend the next 10 minutes alone with God and your open Bible.
Reflections:
For the Holy Spirit to facilitate God's work and purposes in me, He must first (re)define my definition of reality, and my priorities.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act." (ESV)
Ephesians 5:15-16, "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." (NLT)
Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 14, 2011
Many Or Few
Marybeth Whalen
"Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, 'Come let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.'"
I Samuel 14:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
One woman has meager resources to fund her family's needs. She operates in the few.
One woman has so many opportunities to serve she feels overwhelmed. She wants to do what God wants, but she can't figure out how to handle it all. She operates in the many.
One woman wants to pursue a dream she's been secretly harboring but there never seems to be enough time. She operates in the few.
One woman has lots of extended family members who need her attention and time. She operates in the many.
One woman's husband has all but stopped talking to her. She misses the love they once shared, even took for granted. He has no time for her and hardly ever looks at her. She operates in the few.
One woman has fears that grip her. She worries about her future, her children's health, the economy, her marriage. She operates in the many.
What about you? What's your circumstance? What in your life needs to be saved? You might not be facing a deadly battle like Jonathan and his armor bearer, but one thing I can guarantee, we all need to be saved from something.
Here's the great part: This verse tells us that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving us in all circumstances—whether we are operating in the category of many or few. We can count on Him to move on our behalf.
So many times I look at my lack and throw up my hands. I only see the limits. Jonathan and his armor bearer were just two men. They knew their limits but they didn't let that keep them from trusting the Lord to move on their behalf.
Likewise, I can look at my abundance—of demands, of needs, of people, of financial responsibilities—that I need to attend to and let that overwhelm me. I only see the crushing load.
Jonathan chose not to look at the many men facing them, but to turn his eyes to God. He knew God is not hemmed in by earthly circumstance.
Many or few, it matters not. Our security can not come from our situation. Today as you face life's challenges, look for the few and for the many. Then tell God exactly what Jonathan said: Perhaps You will act on my behalf. I trust what You choose to do. Nothing can hinder You from saving, whether by many or by few.
Dear Lord, I am so grateful that You are not hindered by my circumstances. Help me to look past my lack or my abundance, straight into Your eyes. Help me to realize that You are at work in my many and in my few. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement today!
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Copy this verse into your journal and then write the statement: "My security can not come from my situation." Spend time thinking about that today.
Reflections:
What is your few?
What is your many?
How are you letting either keep you from trusting fully in God?
Power Verses:
Zechariah 4:6, "So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (NIV)
I Samuel 17:47, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 17, 2011
All of God's Girls Have Issues
Lysa TerKeurst
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Two years ago, I lost 25 pounds and for the first time in my life, I've kept it off.
However, my real celebration isn't over the smaller clothing size and reduced numbers on the scale. My real celebration is over the spiritual insights I gained while losing the weight and maintaining my healthy progress.
For me, this has been a spiritual journey—a significant spiritual journey with great physical benefits. I had been overweight physically and underweight spiritually and finally tying those two things together was life-changing.
One of the richest lessons has been realizing the amount of mental and spiritual energy I wasted for years just wishing things would change. All the while, I was beating myself up for not having the discipline for making those changes.
If you have an issue with weight and food, you know what I mean. But no matter what issue you are currently dealing with, can I offer a bit of encouragement? Jesus wants to help you with that issue. He really does. But you've got to stop beating yourself up about it and determine to follow His lead.
Have you ever looked at other people and thought to yourself, "How does everyone else have it all together? And why is it I seem to have so many issues?"
We like to identify our shortcomings, form them into a club, and beat the tar out of ourselves mentally. Over and over and over again. We label ourselves and soon lose our real identity to the beaten and bruised fragility we call "me."
We compare, we assume, we assess, we measure and most times walk away shaking our head at how woefully short our "me" falls compared to everyone else. How dangerous it is to hold up the intimate knowledge of our imperfections against the outside packaging of others.
If there is one thing that living 40-plus years has taught me it's this... all God's girls have issues. Every single one of us.
Now, hear me out.
Having issues isn't the absence of victory in our lives. It's simply a call to action reminding us victory is right around the corner.
I can make the choice to identify my shortcomings and instead of using them against myself, hand them over to Jesus and let Him chisel my rough places. The grace-filled way Jesus chisels is so vastly different than the way I mentally beat myself up. My mental scripts can so often be full of exaggerated lies that defeat. His chiseling is full of truth that sets me free.
Oh what a difference.
Jesus doesn't compare.
Jesus doesn't condemn.
Jesus doesn't exaggerate.
He simply says, "Hey, I love you. I love you just how you are. But, I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So, let's work on it together. You can do this."
There is something so powerful in really believing that with Jesus' help you can do this. Say it with me, "I can." In my new book, Made to Crave, I wrote, "I can is a powerful little twist for a girl feeling deprived and defeated."
I can helps me walk into the dinner party and find the conversation more appealing than the food table. I can helps me stay on the perimeter of the grocery store where the fresher, healthier selections abound and smile that I know this. I can helps me reach for my water bottle and find satisfaction in its refreshment.
I can helps me look at the drive-thru menu and order a fruit tray without even giving a thought to the fried foods I used to snack on. I can reminds me to look up a restaurant's nutritional information on the internet before going out, insuring wiser choices. I can reminds me no food will ever taste as sweet as victory does.
I'll say it again, having issues isn't the absence of victory in our lives. It's simply a call to action reminding us victory is right around the corner. Today is a great day to start believing you were made to walk in victory and to say to Jesus, "Yes, with Your truth as my guide, I can."
Dear Lord, help me to see myself the way You see me. Please help me to remove the lies that defeat me more often than I want to acknowledge. You have set me free. Help me to live like I truly believe that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A great step to encourage you on this journey is participating in the FREE webcast Lysa is offering every Monday night January 10 - February 14. For more information, click here.
Visit MadetoCrave.org to read success stories of people who have found victory with their food issues using Lysa's new book Made to Crave
Order your copy of Made to Crave and the accompanying small group materials
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify your shortcomings. Instead of using them against yourself, take some time today in the quietness of your mind to hand them over to Jesus and let Him begin to chisel your rough places.
Reflections:
When I read this part in the devotion, what went through my mind?: "Hey, I love you. I love you just how you are. But, I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So, let's work on it together."
Power Verse:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 18, 2011
Do You Think I'm Beautiful?
Melanie Chitwood
"The king is enthralled by your beauty..."
Psalm 45:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
My sons and I dance in the kitchen as we put away dishes while loud music blares. The sanctuary of our home is the only place I can dance without embarrassing them lately, a fact which usually doesn't stop me from car dancing when a good song comes on.
Besides, today I would dance anywhere because I'm in a dancing mood.
Why? I got a new pair of boots. And these are not sensible, forty-something year-old boots. These boots are high-heeled and impractical. Today they make me feel beautiful.
I hope you don't dismiss this devotion because you want to tell me real beauty comes from within. I know. Please keep reading.
I remember another pair of boots that made me feel beautiful once upon a time. Somehow I had convinced Granny to buy me what was the height of cool and grown-up in third grade: Go-go boots. They were white with a bit of a heel, zipped up the side, and stretched up my leg to just below the knee. Mere walking was not good enough for those boots—I pranced.
After going out to dinner, I strutted my nine-year-old self around in those boots, laughing and twirling, intoxicated with the attention from the adults along with the delicious satisfaction of feeling beautiful.
Do you remember a moment like this? Whether in third grade or in our third-plus decade, our feminine hearts long to feel beautiful, don't they?
Sometimes we hide from this longing. We wonder if a good Christian woman is vain if she admits she wants to feel beautiful. Shouldn't we be more concerned with our character than our outward beauty? Besides, every woman knows how easily we can be filled up with attention and admiring looks one minute, but deflated and insecure the next.
I remember vividly how that night in third grade, prancing in my go-go boots, ended with feeling just that, deflated. In the blink of an eye the enchanted night evaporated when an older relative rebuked me with her sharp comment: "That's enough. Quit showing off like that and come sit down." And that's what I did for the rest of the night. Quiet, ashamed, no longer feeling beautiful.
As little girls, and big girls, our beauty sometimes gets buried beneath critical comments like that of my relative. Or, it becomes the victim of our duty-filled lives, broken hearts and unfulfilled desires. So we try to discard our longing by telling ourselves that physical beauty is a useless pursuit.
But deep down this doesn't ring true.
I think what's more true is this: We don't want to be admired exclusively for our outer beauty, nor do we want it dismissed.
We desire to display both inner and outer beauty. One without the other is not really who we are, and we want someone to see who we really are. What we really long for is for someone to be enchanted with our entire being, our very essence.
What if instead of discarding this longing to be admired for our beauty, we embrace it? What if we recognize this longing as a God-given desire which distinguishes our feminine heart?
When I turn this over in my mind and heart, I find something incredible: Not only does God give us this desire, He also satisfies it. You see, the King is enthralled with our beauty (Psalm 45:11).
The King sees me completely. He sees the effort I put into creating a scrapbook of my teenager or revising a writing submission until the words line up perfectly. He sees me taking time to encourage a friend, or love my husband. And He sees my efforts to exercise and take care of my body.
Our heavenly Father is the One who created and fulfills the longing of our hearts. God sees us inside and out, and He's not disappointed or critical. He is delighted and enthralled. By you!
The King is enthralled with our beauty. That's why I'm dancing in my new boots today. Won't you join me? Put on your favorite stylish shoes, crank the tunes, and dance. His eyes are on you!
Dear Lord, nothing makes me more beautiful than Your love. Thank You for being a Heavenly King who sees me completely and loves my whole essence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog for a free resource of verses about how God thinks you're beautiful.
His Princess: Love Letters from Your Prince by Sheri Rose Shepherd
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-apart Young Woman and accompanying workbook, Authentic Beauty: Going Deeper by Leslie Ludy
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us.
Application Steps:
What can you do today to help you feel beautiful outwardly and inwardly?
Forward this devotion to a woman who needs to know the King is enthralled with her beauty.
Print out the verses on Melanie's blog to remind you of how God sees you.
Reflections:
Do I truly believe the King is enthralled with my beauty? What is the root of my doubt?
How would I be different if I really believed that God thinks I'm beautiful?
What am I teaching by my words and actions to others in my life about beauty?
Power Verses:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's masterpiece..." (NLT)
© 2011 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 19, 2011
Listening to God
Renee Swope
"The Son can do nothing by Himself; he can do only what He sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also." John 5:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
I want to be a woman who listens to God. But, sometimes I'm not sure if it's God talking or just me thinking. And if I'm really honest, when I do sense Him whispering to my heart, I'm not always crazy about what I sense He's telling me to do. Like the time I knew without a doubt God was calling me to share my testimony publicly. I pretty much ran from that assignment for a decade.
Yet, I've learned over the past twenty years that when I listen to God I discover His best for me. And, I grow my trust in Him. I've seen again and again that His ways lead to His goodness. And when I follow Him, His mercy follows me.
At the end of my ten-year spiritual sprint away from what scared me most — sharing the story of my brokenness with others — I surrendered to what God was calling me to do. I started listening closely to Him and trusting completely in Him, so that I could experience a day-by-day abiding in His presence and promises. From there, His plans unfolded day-by-day.
Honestly, I thought I had been listening to Him all that time. But one day while I was praying about God's direction in some decisions, the Holy Spirit showed me that I had a habit of asking God what He wanted me to do and where He wanted me to invest my time. Then I went about doing that, without depending on Him for direction each step of the way.
Oftentimes, I would seek God for the larger plans in life, convinced that if I figured out what He wanted me to do then I could become the person He created me to be and fulfill the calling He had for me.
Have you ever thought: "If only God would show me what job to take; what man to marry; what church to attend, what ministry to serve in - then my life would be complete and I could trust Him with my whole heart"?
The problem is that sometimes we get a glimpse of where He wants us to go and then assume we know how to get there. Or we get a peak at what He wants us to do and think we know how He wants us to get it done. How many times have I made that mistake and then wondered why I wasn't getting anywhere?
Over time, God has taught me that He wants my spiritual ears more than my spiritual efforts. He wants daily dependence, interaction and intimacy with me. And He is more concerned with my character than my calendar.
You know, Jesus depended on the Father for the large and fine print written in His life plan. He listened closely and obeyed quickly. In today's key verse, John 5:19, we see His absolute dependence: "The Son can do nothing by Himself; he can do only what He sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also."
Like Jesus, we will discover God's purpose for our lives through dependent hearts that seek to listen to His — day by day, moment by moment. Let's position our hearts, minds and souls to hear Him speak to us today.
Dear Lord, I want to become a woman who listens to You. I come to You today with a seeking heart, asking not only for direction but for discernment, humility and dependence on You -- each step of the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Rest Assured: How to Rest, Be Renewed & Remain in God's Promises and Plans
a message on CD by Renee Swope
Do worries and distractions ever drown out your ability to hear God's voice? Visit Renee's blog where she's talking about how we can quiet our run-away thoughts and learn to discern God's voice.
Renee's giving away a copy of What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, by Lysa TerKeurst. Click here to find out more.
Shaped with Purpose: Finding God's Purpose for Your Life workbook and message on CD by Renee Swope
When you buy resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Each purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us!
Application Steps:
Take time today to pull away from distractions and quiet your thoughts, even if it's just 10-15 minutes. Tell God about your desire to hear Him speak to your heart through a verse, a song, a person or a whisper in your soul. Talk to Him about your plans for the day and ask Him to show you His. Give Him permission to interrupt your thoughts and agenda and lead you in a different direction if He wants to. Get ready for a day filled with adventure and companionship as you walk hand in hand with your Maker.
Visit Renee's blog to find out how you can discern God's voice and recognize His promptings.
Reflections:
Do I read my Bible so that God's words and ways are familiar to me? Do I intentionally listen for God's voice, or do I assume I know what He wants me to do?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:16, "I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." (NIV)
John 14:31a, "but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father." (NLT)
1 Samuel 3:10, "The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 20, 2011
Role Reversal
Wendy Pope
"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me." Matthew 12:30 (NLT)
Devotion:
Confession: I have a control issue. More often than not, I take life's situations in my hands. I try to control and manipulate the outcome, then dare to ask God to bless it. In recent days the Lord has taught me a simple but profound truth: when I don't work with Him, I am actually working against Him.
This truth came to light during an early morning quiet time as I read Oswald Chambers' words in My Utmost for His Highest:
"Are we playing the part of an amateur providence, trying to play God's role in the lives of others? Are we so noisy in our instruction of other people that God cannot get near them? We must learn to keep our mouths shut and our spirits alert."
Chambers defines an "amateur providence" as someone who tries to play the role of God in the lives of others. These words pierced my heart as I identified myself as an amateur providence in another's life. Whose? My husband's.
You see, when the vow "I do" did not instantly morph my husband into the spiritual leader I thought he should be, I took it upon myself to help him. Yes, I played the role of "Holy Spirit" for my husband quite nicely. Manipulating situations, quoting the Bible, and using the silent treatment became an art.
Even with all the masterful skills I had developed over our years of marriage, my husband still wasn't the spiritual leader I wanted him to be. I prayed and worked harder at crafting my skills to no avail. Why weren't all my efforts paying off? What else could I do? The day I read Oswald's words I got my answer. I shut my mouth and boy, was my spirit on alert.
Manipulating, Bible quoting, and giving silent treatments hadn't helped my husband at all. My role as "Holy Spirit" in my husband's life was so noisy, God's whispers to him could not be heard. My obsession with improving my husband's spirituality was working against God.
I grew blinded to the man my husband had become, the man God wanted him to be. Somehow I had missed the benevolence of his heart. I failed to notice the way he was drawn to taking care of widows and quietly helping those who are less fortunate and in need.
Quickly I took the Spirit's alert to heart. Confessing my sin, I asked the Lord to forgive me for trying to do His job in my husband's life. I invited Him to change my heart and help me see my husband through His eyes.
Retiring the lead role of "Holy Spirit" to my husband was not easy. Controlling things is a real issue for me. There are people who I believe I can help and situations I believe need my assistance. However, discovering the lead role is best played by God and submitting to this truth has brought great peace to my life and marriage.
Have you cast yourself in a role you weren't meant to play? Are you working with God or against Him in the lives of those you love? Retire that role today. The view from the front row is more awesome than the one from center stage!
Dear Lord, God forgive me for trying to control the lives of those around me. Today I release control into Your very capable hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Are you an "amateur providence"? Share your thoughts on Wendy's blog and enter to win one of two copies of My Utmost for His Highest
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Ask the Lord to forgive you for trying to control the lives of those you love. As you do, lift your hands in prayer, opening them toward heaven, demonstrating the release of control.
Reflections:
Who do I try to control?
What is the Lord teaching me through today's devotion?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)
Mark 9:23, "'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for him who believes.'" (NIV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
© 2011 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 21, 2011
Return the Call
Karen Ehman
"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."
Psalm 4:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Ughhh!" I sighed as the telephone rang that morning...again. My frustration mounted as I replayed my morning's activities thus far in my mind.
I'd already answered a phone call from church, one from my son's teacher and yet another one from my other son's coach. I'd chatted with my hairdresser and made an appointment with the dentist, among about a half-dozen more connections that had to be made by phone. And it wasn't even noon yet!
My mind pondered as my heart began to race. "When am I ever going to get to the bottom of my never-ending "to do" list?"
I glanced at my caller ID to see who it was this time. The number flashing on my phone was a familiar one; that of my father. He is a retiree who has a great love for his grandkids and lots of time on his hands. I reasoned, since his schedule isn't nearly as full as mine, that I could call him back later at a time more convenient for me. So I ignored his call and turned my attention to my list.
On it were many tasks; some noble, some mundane. Normal errands such as "Pick up bread and milk" "Return library books" or "Fill car up with gas." But there were important items too like call a relative who was struggling with depression and ask the neighbor next door, who'd just had surgery, if he'd like our family to mow his lawn. There were even kingdom-building, ministry activities; finish my Bible study lesson and pray for a friend's operation taking place later that day.
Yes, my day was full; full of people and purpose. Why then did I feel so empty?
My thoughts returned to the call from my father. How many times had I ignored his calls, reasoning that, since his life as a retiree wasn't packed with activity, I could easily chat with him at a later time? But the reality of my hectic schedule, along with other relationship commitments, often meant that connecting with my father took a nearly permanent place on the back burner of life.
He was waiting; I was ignoring. I refused to return his call. And our relationship was at risk of suffering because of it.
It isn't just earthy fathers that sometimes get ignored. How many times have we "ignored" our Heavenly Father because of our screaming schedule and earthly relationship demands? Even though our lives may be full of good and "God" things—duties at church, connections with people—oft times we are so busy serving God and loving it, that we don't make time to actually love the God that we serve.
Today's key verse paints a picture of our loving God who is never too busy to answer us when we call. And He not only hears and answers, He gives us relief from our distress—even the too-busy-for-my-own-good kind of distress. The problem in our connection lies with us. He is calling. We ignore. And then, we don't bother returning His call.
Thankfully, God never gets tired of hitting or answering a "redial." He is waiting and longing, as He always has been, to have a deep, intimate relationship connection with us; one that requires we make one simple switch: We put Him at the top of our "to do" and our "must call" lists.
He is willing to answer, if only we will call.
Dear Lord, forgive me for ignoring Your calls to come and connect with You, free from any distractions. I'm ready now. Speak. I'm listening. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more on this topic and a Jesus Calling basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog
Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst
Rest Assured: Devotions for Souls in a Restless World by Nancy McGuirk
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
When it comes to carving out time to spend with God, do you:
a. Consistently make it a high priority
b. Have great intentions of doing it but often get sidetracked by life
c. Fit it in when you feel like it or happen to "find time"
d. Don't really have any plan for connecting one-on-one with God
Take action this week to get God off the back burner and into the forefront of your life.
Reflections:
Have I ever scheduled an "appointment with God," just as I would with a business contact, doctor, or friend? How could that help me in my quest to grow in relationship Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:14-16: "The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.'" (NLT)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 24, 2011
Made to Crave
Lysa TerKeurst
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was walking through the airport when an incredible aroma suddenly grabbed my attention and taunted, "Do you know how happy I can make you?" A candy shop had just made a fresh batch of nutty, caramel popcorn.
There's nothing wrong with caramel popcorn except that it definitely wasn't on my healthy eating plan to which I'd committed. I felt my knees get weak, because I love caramel popcorn. I started to rationalize buying this special treat, thinking, "I can't get this flavor at home, and I'll take half home to my kids. What harm will a little caramel popcorn do?" I felt an extreme gravitational pull straight to the object of my desire in that moment.
The only thing that stopped me was redirecting my thoughts away from the popcorn and onto a new truth God had been teaching me: desperation breeds defeat. This truth was the perfect match for my temptation and helped me walk away.
In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells an interesting story about twin brothers who illustrate this point. The elder son, Esau, was favored by his father, Isaac, because of his prowess as a hunter. In contrast, the younger son, Jacob, was a quiet homebody.
One day, Esau returned home from an unsuccessful hunting trip totally famished, and demanded some stew from his brother. "I'll give you food," agreed Jacob, "but first, trade me your birthright." Esau replied, "Okay, I'm so hungry, I'm about to die." So Esau traded the honors due to him as the firstborn son for a simple meal of stew.
Upon first glance, it's easy to ridicule Esau's decision. I cannot imagine selling my whole birthright for a pot of soup. But I had to look at my own life and ask, "What great thing have I traded for so little in return? How often do I trade healthy food for junk food? What temporary pleasure have I craved so much that I gave up lasting victory?"
Desperation does indeed breed defeat. But God promises answers for desperate situations in 1 Corinthians10:13, which is the key verse in this devotion.
The "way out" that God provides is the ability to decide in advance what I will and will not eat each day.
I plan my meals right after breakfast when I'm feeling full and satisfied. The absolute worst time for me to decide what I'm going to eat is when I've waited until I'm depleted
and feeling hungry. So I prepare a healthy snack to have on hand or keep in my purse.
When I'm unprepared or I've rushed through a proper meal, my stomach screams for something quick. And quick options usually come in a variety of unhealthy temptations, just as I experienced at the airport. However, that day I had decided ahead of time that I would keep an apple in my purse for a snack, rather than trade my healthy
progress for something like caramel popcorn.
Let me be clear. I'm not saying that we should flee food. However, we must prevent the control that food can take over our lives. In my book Made to Crave, I unpack the reality that we were made to crave God, not food. To crave means to desire greatly and to think about intently. Interestingly, we are reminded in Matthew 6:33 to, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..."
I was shocked to discover the original Greek word for seek is "zeteo," which means, "to crave." In other words, we were made to crave God first and foremost. In a practical sense this means consuming food without letting food consume me. It means never trading my identity- my birthright -the victorious woman I'm meant to be, for any kind of temporary physical pleasure.
If we purposely begin to think before we eat, we'll be better able to see the "way out" that God promises when we are tempted. And keep our cravings centered on God alone.
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I need You. I need You in my times of desperation and I also need You in times of jubilation. Help me to think ahead so I won't be weak when I am faced with a desperate situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A great step to encourage you on this journey would be to sign up for a FREE webcast Lysa is offering every Monday night now through February 14th. Join us tonight! For more information, click here.
Visit MadetoCrave.org to read success stories of people who have found victory with their food issues using Lysa's new book, "Made to Crave."
Order your copy of "Made to Crave" by clicking here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Visit Lysa's new "Made to Crave" website to download free resources and watch her inspirational videos by clicking here.
Reflections:
What is a temporary physical pleasure you crave?
How does it inspire you to learn the meaning of "seeking God" is actually "craving God?"
Power Verses:
2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (NIV)
1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 25, 2011
What's the Big Deal about Dwelling on the Past?
Melanie Chitwood
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"
Isaiah 43:18,19a (NIV)
Devotion:
A young married woman unloaded her marriage frustrations on a radio call-in show. Her husband had forgotten what the word romance meant. He never thought to bring her a sweet card or to plan a date. He didn't thank her or even notice her hard work, like laundry and keeping the house clean, along with working full-time.
I suspected her thoughts were leading her to a dangerous place. Sure enough, the young wife confirmed this with her next statement: After two years of marriage, she wondered if she'd made the right decision about this marriage. Maybe she should have married the guy she dated right after college, the one she regretted letting slip away from her.
Her fantasies of what might have been were leading her to a dangerous place of dwelling on the past. Thoughts of the past, or as today's Scripture puts it, "former things," can bombard our marriage mindset in damaging ways. See if any of these thoughts ring a bell:
· I wonder if I made the right decision about my marriage?
· I wish my husband were romantic (attentive or understanding) the way he was when we were dating.
· What happened to the great listener I used to have in my husband? Now all he wants to do is play sports or watch TV.
· Even though it was years ago, I just can't forgive the way he hurt my feelings.
· This isn't what I imagined marriage would be. What happened to all our dreams?
How can dwelling on the past damage our marriage? When we dwell on the past, we're robbed of the treasures of the present. We don't see the gifts God's given us right now in our husbands and marriage. Maybe he doesn't bring you flowers anymore, but he works hard every day to provide. He doesn't thank you for the clean laundry because he's busy with a house project he hopes will make you smile. He knows he made mistakes in the past, but he's trying hard to change.
The young wife on the radio found the world's answer to her marital frustrations. The radio hostess agreed that this husband was clueless and this young wife should question staying in this marriage.
I wanted to scream, Stop right there! You're going down a dangerous path! Maybe he wasn't a good husband. But I suspect he was just a human husband, one with flaws and shortcomings. Just like the husband had plenty to learn about marriage, so did this young wife.
God has a better answer for what to do when we find ourselves dwelling on the past in a detrimental way. He says, "See, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:19) In other words, God asks us to redirect our focus to the good things He can and will do in our marriages. As we continue in Isaiah we come to a question we need to ask ourselves, "Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (43:19).
God's is asking, Do you see the good things I'm doing right now... in your life or marriage? Pay attention or you're going to miss out!
To redirect our focus on the new things God is doing in our marriages, we can pray about our marriage mindset, asking God to help us see the blessings, not the drawbacks. We can choose to think about how our marriage has gotten better, and look forward to the future we have together.
Reading this devotion may have triggered thoughts of some unresolved issues in your marriage. This isn't meant to minimize the bigger issues you might be wrestling with in your marriage. These issues may need to be resolved before you can move forward. Pray about it individually and as a couple, talk with your spouse, and seek godly counsel. These steps might be necessary before you can see God "making a way in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19).
Dear Lord, You make all things new. Will You give me new eyes to see the good things I sometimes miss? Help me not to dwell on the past but to focus on the present and future. You are making a way, Lord, and I trust You with my heart, my husband and my marriage. Help us deal with any issues that are damaging our relationship, so we can appreciate the new things You're doing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog for more encouragement and a give-away that include her two marriage books.
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Speak words of blessing to your husband such as, "Our marriage keeps getting better. Thank you for being an awesome husband."
· Tell your husband something specific that makes you thankful for him. For example, "Thank you for playing with the kids last night while I took a walk. That was a great break."
· Let your husband overhear you praising him to your kids or to friends.
· Send him an email telling him you can't wait to have some private time with him later that night.
· In your prayers tell God how thankful you are for your marriage.
Reflections:
Have I gotten stuck in a damaging pattern of seeing what my marriage lacks instead of seeing the blessings?
When I'm with my friends, do we criticize and complain about our husbands and marriage? Or do we help each other look for and see the "good things" we have?
Do I need to get counseling to help me move beyond unresolved past hurts?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:18-21, ""Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say 'Thank you!' —the coyotes and the buzzards—Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me." (MSG)
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV)
2011 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 26, 2011
Abigail's Choice
Rachel Olsen
"Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor."
Proverbs 18:12 (NLT)
Devotion:
Marriages were often arranged in Abigail's era, and I wonder if this was true of hers. On paper her husband Nabal seemed like a "catch." He was wealthy, a good provider, and he liked to have fun and throw parties. But behind the scenes his self-control and integrity was seriously lacking, causing those closest to him to suffer.
Here is what we know about Abigail's husband Nabal from the Bible in 1 Samuel chapter 25:1-41:
*He is wealthy - that's partly due to David's protection of his land and flocks. (vs. 2,8)
*He's crude, and mean in all his dealings. (vs. 3)
*He sneers at guests who come in peace, and questions their character. (vs. 10-11)
*He shouts insults. (vs.14)
*He's stingy, not returning favors or repaying kindnesses showed him. (vs. 16, 21)
*He is so temperamental that people dread talking to him. (vs. 17)
*He thinks more highly of himself than he ought. (vs. 36)
*He drinks too much. (vs. 36-37)
Basically, Nabal was a self-centered, ill-mannered guy who didn't recognize God's provision or blessings in his life. And if you read his story, you'll see he was foolish enough to insult the most powerful man around (King David) but more importantly, he was foolish enough to insult the one true God.
God let Nabal face the ultimate consequence of his character - death (vs. 38-39).
Imagine yourself paired up in marriage to such a foolish, arrogant, sharp-tongued man as this. (I hope you have to imagine, and have not lived this.) How would you react towards him? What do you think living with him might do to your personality, or your character?
Might you grow depressed? Would you become withdrawn or timid? Would you nag him to do better? Would you grow bitter, angry and become argumentative back? Or, would you perhaps just "let yourself go" and decide not to care about anything?
Let's look at Nabal's wife Abigail, from that same passage in the Bible:
*She is smart and sensible. (vs. 3)
*People look to her for wisdom and leadership in times of trouble. (vs. 14, 17)
*She is decisive and wastes no time worrying, pitying her situation, or fussing at those who cause her trouble - instead she takes action to improve the situation. (vs. 18, 23)
*She is generous, (vs. 18, 27) even willing to lay down her life for others. (vs. 22, 24)
*She is humble (vs. 24, 41) and quick to ask forgiveness. (vs. 28)
*She speaks eloquently and tactfully - with a knowledge of God - as she gives one of the longest speeches by a woman recorded in the Bible. (vs. 24-31)
*She looks out for the well-being and reputation of others - even Nabal's. (vs. 25, 31)
*She trusts God, holds her tongue, and waits patiently for the right timing. (vs. 36-38)
Abigail has always been one of my favorite women in the Bible. She has it all - wisdom, character, courage, faith, eloquence, graciousness. She possesses both inner and outer beauty. But her life with this man Nabal was no picnic, and that's really why I admire her.
How many times did Nabal get drunk and say or do something demeaning to her? Yet she chose not to let her spirit die. How many times did she wish for revenge, though not seek it? How many times did he berate her, yet she wasn't paralyzed by his insults?
How many times did his foolishness cost her greatly, or those she cared about? Yet she chose not to count the costs to herself when she put her life on the line to spare his life and the other men's.
Abigail's praiseworthy character ran deep, which tells me her reverence of God did as well.
After Nabal's death, she married King David and they had a son. David would have seven other wives in his lifetime, but only Abigail earned his complete respect. Only she had a positive influence on him.
Abigail challenges me to choose differently - to be humble, wise and courageous. Her example teaches me that I can choose how I will allow my circumstances to shape my character. While Nabal's life clearly shows that haughtiness goes before destruction, Abigail's shows that choosing humility and wisdom allows God to shape my character and my circumstances. And it makes room for God to be glorified in both.
Dear Lord, today I humble myself before You. I confess my sins and ask You to help me develop and display the same wisdom and character as Abigail. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog for a chance to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
The One Year Women of the Bible: Then and Now Reflections on Women of the Bible and Women Today
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Open your Bible and read Abigail's story in 1 Samuel 25:1-42.
Reflections:
Do my words and actions typically reflect haughtiness or humility?
Who is my "Nabal"? A boss? A parent? My own sin-nature that combats my spirit?
In what current circumstance or relationship do I need to choose wisdom, humility and courage?
My circumstances do not control my character - I do.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:26, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." (NIV)
Proverbs 15:33, "The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom; and humility comes before honor." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 27, 2011
When the One You Doubt is You
T. Suzanne Eller
"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" Matthew 14:31 (NIV)
Devotion:
I walked away discouraged. It was a disaster! The end of the world! I mentally listed all the ways I had messed up.
Things had not gone the way I had hoped. Later that night as I lay in bed, going over the events one more time, regret plopped right in the middle of my chest.
I wish that I could say that self-doubt was never a problem again after that day, but it has tried to spring up again from time to time. It's just that I handle it in a different way now. I finally recognized self-doubt for what it is. It's an unhealthful twist on humility. It appears to be self-assessment, or even meekness. Instead, it is distracting to my dreams and the direction that God is trying to lead me.
Self doubt can be paralyzing unless we learn to unpack it. Asking questions like:
Is there a valid reason I am doubting? Maybe there are gaps that need to be filled with education, with knowledge, with training, or good old-fashioned time alone with our Heavenly Father.
Is it due to a certain person or my past? My friend and Proverbs 31 Ministries sister Lysa TerKeurst describes twirling around as a child, her dress fanning out around her, to capture her father's attention.
How many times do we twirl, trying to fill that place where a father's words or a mother's hugs didn't? We keep on twirling hoping that someone might notice, and we come up empty if they don't, even when there is no way that anyone can see that need.
Is it the enemy? We have an enemy according to Scripture. An enemy that desires to steal, to take away, to wound by distracting us from God's grace, call, and leading. Do we so intently focus on the things we didn't do "right" or well, at least in our eyes, and fail to see the good that took place?
When I stopped to take an honest look at the event where the world was coming to an end, the reality is that it was a small hiccup. A perfect learning experience, allowing me to fill in a gap that needed to be filled.
Self-doubt can either riddle us, consuming our thoughts, or it can be an avenue to honestly assess why it's there, and what we can do about it—with God's help.
Dear Lord, help me to look at the doubt I carry and then move forward. Let me leave this useless emotion behind and replace it with action, with knowledge, and most importantly with You. You know me. You know what I need, and You so graciously give it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where Suzie has a great giveaway.
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Unpack your most pressing doubt and ask the three questions in today's devotion.
After unpacking, what is the real issue?
What is one action step you can take today?
Reflections:
"What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful."-- Mother Theresa.
Power Verses:
Luke 24:38, "And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?" (ESV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 28, 2011
The Blessed Life
Rachel Olsen
"For the Kingdom of God is ... living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17 (NLT)
Devotion:
With each passing year I grow ever more convinced that the life of faith is a life characterized by peace and joy.
Sure it's a life of goodness as well, that's practically a no-brainer. Ask anyone what religion or Christianity specifically is about, and you're likely to hear, "Being good." But being good is not the sum total of it.
In fact, simply being good—doing what is morally right—absent of a peaceful trust in God and a joyful appreciation of Him can become legalism. And few things upset Jesus more than the legalism of the religious leaders of His day.
Legalism is living a life of rules with little room for the very thing Jesus affords us: grace. It's characterized by self-striving. In my book, "It's No Secret," I share how easily I can overlook the fact that no matter what rules we happen to keep - or fail to keep - God provides His people with grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace and joy.
Some may say that if I am experiencing more peace and joy it's because I'm being increasingly good. That it's because I'm being obedient and doing all the right things—praying more, trusting God more, walking in a manner worthy of my calling, and so forth. Well, yes. And, no.
I've come to realize that I have no real right to extra peace or happiness just because I pause to talk with God. I have no entitlement to contentment or joy just because I submit to His commands. I pray and obey simply because God is God, and I am not. He is the creator of my life. He holds the patent. And I'm created for His pleasure.
Yet in His gracious, extravagant kindness, He has made it so that when I pray rather than worry, I experience peace. When I gratefully accept what He has given me, and do not wish and whine for more, I find contentment. When I give away what I have, so often I get joy in return. And when I look steadily on Him all these blessings come into view.
Hannah Whitall Smith writes:
"This blessed life must not be looked upon in any sense as an attainment but as an obtainment. We cannot earn it; we cannot climb up to it; we cannot win it; we can do nothing but ask for it and receive it. It is the gift of God in Christ Jesus. And where a thing is a gift, the only course left for the receiver is to take it and thank the giver."
Simply because He is good, peace, contentment and joy are available to us regardless of our position, possessions, performance or circumstances. It's His loving kindness and the empowerment of His Spirit that makes living in the kingdom of God a life of goodness, peace and joy.
And that, my Yahweh Sister, is a blessed life -a gift. It's what life in the Kingdom looks like. Let's share that gift by introducing others to its Source.
Dear Lord, thank You for the grace afforded me. I so desperately need it, and I so deeply appreciate it. Please blanket me in the blessing of Your presence and guide me in Your will. Let me walk in goodness, peace and joy today, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To learn more about living as a modern woman in the Kingdom of God, get a copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
Visit Rachel's blog today for a chance to win a copy of her book It's No Secret.
Application Steps:
Pause and thank the Giver!
Allow your God-given blessings to come into view.
Reflections:
Would those who know me best use the words "goodness," "peace," or "joy" to describe my life?
What can I do to set my mind on peace and joy today?
Power Verses:
Luke 17:20-21, "Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 'The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst.'" (NIV)
Isaiah 55:12, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (NIV)
Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
:angel:
January 31, 2011
Chasing Love
Lysa TerKeurst
"I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land."
Psalm 143:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
A few years ago, I sat with a beautiful young woman and watched the tears stream down her face. Six months before our meeting, her world was filled with so much. A loving husband, a healthy toddler, fun friends, and a new starter home that her mom helped her decorate.
Life was full.
But some part of her heart still felt restless, unsettled, a little empty. She couldn't put her finger on it. She tried talking to some of her friends but they laughed it off as something related to hormones that would pass.
Only the feeling didn't pass.
She started to feel detached from her husband and disappointed that his love didn't fulfill her. Why couldn't he make her feel loved? She'd always thought of marriage as the ultimate love. He was going to be the one to right her wrongs, fill up her insecurities and give her a lasting feeling of love, or so she thought.
Questions bombarded her constantly... What is wrong with him? Why didn't he say what he's supposed to say? Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm not pretty enough, witty enough, good enough?
Then one day she met a man that said things she'd longed to hear her husband say. He made her feel pretty and witty. Soon, she rationalized that she'd never really loved her husband in the first place. She convinced herself she'd made a mistake marrying so young. That this new man was her true soul mate.
She fell into his arms. A web of lies was spun. The thrill of new romance clouded her every decision.
She had not wanted to come to the women's retreat. She knew it might make her feel guilty and she was past guilty feelings. She was just waiting for the right time to leave her husband and start over with the real love of her life.
But her friends had started to grow suspicious of her pulling back from so many church activities. So, to appease them, she went.
Over the course of the weekend, the walls she'd so carefully constructed to keep everyone at a distance and her secret hidden started to crumble. By Saturday night, she sat down with me and confessed it all.
She desperately wanted to know how I felt so full of God's love. She'd never known that kind of relationship with God. She was now convinced it wasn't the love of another man her heart craved; it was the love of God.
I think this is true of many people. We spend years chasing things in this world that we think will make us feel loved. But everything this world offers is temporary. Everything.
The kind of love our souls crave is lasting, eternal. And only God can fill up our hearts with that kind of love.
The sad thing about chasing love outside the will of God is it invites so much into our lives that is the exact opposite of love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 is a picture of God's perfect love. It is patient. It is kind. It does not envy... it is not self-seeking... it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth... it always protects... it always perseveres. Love never fails.
This is not a description of what is inherently ours when we fall in love with another person. It is a description of God's love.
This kind of love can be ours as we become more Christ-like and decide to give this kind of love. It is never focused inwardly. It is never about what I'm going to get from another person. It is deciding this is the kind of love I will give away.
False attempts at love will make us impatient, unkind, envious, self-seeking, resistant to the truth, reckless and temporary.
I am challenged by this. Because our souls were designed for God's fulfilling love, if we aren't staying closely connected to Him every day, our hearts will start to feel empty. Restless. Unfulfilled.
Let us never get to the place where we think we are beyond being tempted in this way. If we are all completely honest, we are only a few bad decisions away from the same mess my friend is now trying to untangle herself from. While I have complete hope in God's ability to restore her, the consequences of her chase for love will be severe on many levels.
The kind of love our souls crave will never be found in the things of this world. Lasting and perfectly satisfying love will only be found when we stop chasing and start living out the truths of God.
Dear Lord, please help us see our marriage for the sacred gift that it is. Help me to remain faithful in a way that honors You and brings joy to our home. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for one thing every wife needs to understand about affair proofing her marriage.
Lysa would be honored to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Join us for the free Made to Crave webcast tonight at 8pm EST. For more information click here.
Application Steps:
Oh sweet friends, can we make a commitment together today? Can we commit to be women who recognize how crafty Satan can be and how vulnerable we are when it comes to our need for love?
Reflections:
If something or somebody in this world seems appealing enough to draw your heart away from the truth of God, will you pray about telling this to another godly woman and asking for help?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:4 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV)
Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 1, 2011
One Stitch at a Time
Melanie Chitwood
"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other,
Let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18 (NLT)
Devotion:
When the four Chitwood family members settle in for some TV, we fight over who gets to snuggle with the patchwork quilt made years ago by Granny. The quilt comforts us with its warmth and the memories of Granny's love.
After years of snuggling, Granny's quilt displays signs of use: seams pulling apart, well-worn fabric with quilt-stuffing peeking through, and permanent stains.
One part of the quilt, however, remains completely intact: the quilting stitches. These are the smallest stitches in the whole quilt and interestingly also the strongest.
These small stitches offer us a lesson for our marriages. In Matthew 19:6 Jesus says, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate." God says a married couple becomes "one flesh" when they marry, and they work out that oneness all the days of their lives.
One way to establish that oneness is to make small, daily "stitches" to strengthen the fabric of marriage. These small habits don't take much time or effort, but they do require intentionality.
In my book, "What a Husband Needs from His Wife," I talk about three areas - thoughts, words, and actions - where we can choose some specific small habits to start practicing in our marriages.
Consider your thoughts toward your husband and marriage - When he's having a stressful day, do you think he needs to get over his bad mood, or do you think about how you can encourage and support him? Maybe you walk through the messy garage and think it's about time your husband cleaned it up. Instead you can think about how you and the kids can help with that project.
Consider your words - How do you speak to your husband? Do your words cut him down or lift him up? Also, think about your words to others about your husband. Decide today that your kids, mother, and best friend will hear you praise your husband, not criticize him.
Consider your actions - Jesus was a servant who laid down His rights to love others. How can you be a vessel of Christ's love toward your spouse? Show him your love by simple actions such as cheering him on at his softball game, picking up his favorite snack at the store, and making intimacy a priority.
Practicing these small habits will help our marriages stay intact, just the like the tiny quilting stitches of Granny's quilt. Prayerfully consider the various areas addressed here. Ask God to show you how you can strengthen the oneness in your marriage. You'll be glad you took time to sew some stitches today, knowing that the fabric of your marriage will hold tightly against the pulls and pressures of tomorrow.
Dear Lord, open my eyes and heart to small, daily habits I can practice today to strengthen the oneness of my marriage. Give me a willing heart to honor my marriage by investing in it daily. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog for more ideas for "Strengthening Your Marriage One Stitch at a Time."
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Becoming Your Spouses Better Half: Why Difference Makes a Marriage Great by Rick Johnson
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Make three columns on a piece of paper labeled thoughts, words, actions. Create a list of small habits you can practice daily to sew a strong marriage.
Consider getting together with a friend or a group to do the Bible study in Melanie's book, What a Husband Needs from His Wife.
Reflections:
What bad habits are ripping apart the seams of my marriage?
What are some daily habits I already practice to strengthen my marriage?
What is one small stitch I can sew today to strengthen the fabric of my marriage?
Power Verses:
Colossians 1:17, "... in him all things hold together." (NIV)
1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (NIV)
© 2011 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 2, 2011
The Book of Days
Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director
"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16b (NIV)
Devotion:
They say that smell is the sense most linked to memory. And I know this to be true. The earthy aroma of geraniums transports me to a porch in west Texas where my grandmother tended flowers with the hands that had worked the land her entire life. I see her, water hose dangling from her fingers, spraying the heat and dust from the cobblestone patio. Washing away the residue of a hot afternoon.
The memories of my childhood are bound up in a woman whose name, Ellen, means "shining light." Yet most of those memories are now forgotten to her. Stolen by an illness that I once called "Old Timers Disease." And she laughed at that, back then, when I was all elbows and knees and teeth. Back when she told me that her father suffered from Alzheimer's. The thief of memory.
The diagnosis came early last fall, just as her flower garden began to die, the red petals of her geraniums crisping around the edges, falling away. I now live the great sadness of seeing her slip into the haze of Alzheimer's, that shining light in her eyes replaced by confusion. And I wonder where her memories go.
Shelling peas with her grandchildren on the back porch.
Cracking open a watermelon and teaching me to spit the seeds across the yard.
Burying her second child, a little girl named Kathy, at the age of three.
Her wrinkled hand tracing the lines of Amazing Grace as we stand and sing the benediction.
Weddings and funerals and the births of grandchildren.
Her own husband of forty-plus years, gone on before her.
All these precious moments of a life falling away, like petals in an autumn frost. Is God catching them as they escape her mind? Holding them in His palm? Does He record them with a tender hand, each memory pressed between the pages of time? Will they one day be restored to her? Do our memories belong to us alone, or are they so special to God that He takes pains to keep track of each and every one?
In Psalm 139:16 we read the startling truth that every moment of our lives has been recorded by a knowing God. "Your eyes saw my unformed body; in Your book all my days were recorded, even those which were purposed before they had come into being."
God has already written down every moment of my grandmother's life in His book. He's done the same for me and for you as well. Our moments are precious to Him. The times we've knelt in prayer and shouted in praise. Tears and laughter. Celebration and sorrow. None will be lost forever. Not by us and certainly not by the God who ordered each moment before we were even born.
This spring I will fill my back patio with geraniums and I will inhale the scent of my grandmother. I will remember for her, until the day she sits beside her Lord and He opens His book to read the story of Ellen, a woman whose light shines brightly.
Dear Lord, thank You that my days are not forgotten to You. Each one is so important that You wrote it down, with Your own hand. My name is in Your book and Your love is written across every page of my life. For all the days that I have left, may I remember Your with the same passion that You remember me.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
She Reads: Discovering Great Fiction Together A division of Proverbs 31 Ministries
James Rubart's latest novel, Book of Days, is the story of a man who goes searching for God's book written about in Psalm 139 in effort to regain his lost memories. Book of Days is also our She Reads featured book. Be sure to visit the She Reads blog and enter to win a Kindle preloaded with this novel.
Application Steps:
Make a list of your sweetest memories and share them with someone you care about.
Pray for a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer's and thank God that no memory of theirs is lost.
Reflections:
Have you ever considered that your memories are precious to God?
How do you feel knowing that God recorded every day of your life before you were born?
How can you praise God today for this kindness?
Power Verses:
1Chronicles 16:15, "He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations." (NIV)
Psalm 25:6, "Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." (NIV)
Psalm 42:4, "These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng." (NIV)
© 2011 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 3, 2011
Stay In the Shade
Marybeth Whalen
"There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
Deuteronomy 1:31 (NIV)
Devotion:
Last summer I ran almost every day, often in the hottest part of the day. As I ran I would anticipate the moments when I would run under the shade trees, receiving cool relief for a few moments from the unrelenting summer sun.
One day as I was running under the shade trees, I said to the Lord (I talked to God a lot as I ran), "Why can't I just stay in the shade all the time?" To me this made perfect sense. I could run under the tree cover every day, always comfortable, always taken care of. Wouldn't a loving Father want that for me, I reasoned?
His answer—as it often does—hit me right between the eyes. Well, that makes sense now, but how are you going to feel about that shade when it turns cold? I had to smile at His point. Staying in the shade makes sense sometimes, but other times it's the last thing we need.
In Jonah 4, Jonah wanted to stay in the shade as he climbed up the mountain to pout about the salvation God had offered the Ninevites. God caused a branch to sprout up and provide him shelter so Jonah could rest under that branch. But then God caused a worm to eat away Jonah's shelter, exposing him to the heat once again.
Jonah became angry and grumbled about his lack of shade. He—like me—wanted to be comfortable. He wasn't thinking about what was best for him or what awaited him in the future. But God was. Jonah's immediate comfort wasn't God's first priority; eternity was.
Perhaps you're in a place of extreme heat bearing down on you. You feel the heat of bad decisions and broken relationships bearing down on you and you wonder why God doesn't provide some shade.
Or maybe you're feeling some cold temps invading places that used to be warm for you. A marriage has grown cold. Your finances feel frozen. Why doesn't God provide some warmth, you might be asking? Maybe because He knows that soon you won't need that shade or that in the future that warm place is going to keep you from becoming the person He wants you to be.
I ran recently in the cold, avoiding the shady spots because the temperature was much cooler there. I thought back to the summer and my conversation with God. He knew this time was coming but I didn't see it then. He knew that the shade wouldn't always be the best place for me.
God loves us enough to take us to different places—sometimes carrying us if necessary as our key verse says—always preparing us for what lies ahead. He will make sure we reach the place He has for us and that we are the people He wants us to be when we get there.
Dear Lord, help me to trust wherever You have me. I might think I know what's best for me, but I am not seeing what lies ahead the way You do. I want to submit to Your plans for me every day, in sunshine and shade. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog
Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
She Reads: Discovering Great Fiction Together (A division of Proverbs 31 Ministries
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If weather permits, take a prayer walk today. When you walk under shade trees, thank God for the times He's provided coverage for you. When you walk under open skies, thank Him for the times He's allowed the sun to shine on you. Use the prayer time to reaffirm your complete trust in His plans.
Reflections:
When I am feeling the heat or the cold in life do I tend to accept or question God's plan? Have I ever stopped to think about the fact that sometimes my environment is preparing me for a future I cannot see?
Power Verses:
Jonah 4:9a, "But God said to Jonah, 'Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?'" (NIV)
Psalm 28:9, "Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 4, 2011
Do You Have the Time?
T. Suzanne Eller
"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone. James 4:14 (NLT)
Devotion:
"Would you rather spend a weekend with your parent, or receive a $200 gift certificate to the mall?"
I hit send and the question went out to hundreds of teens. As a mom of three teens at that time, my research for a book was as much a project for me as it was for the publisher.
For months I had asked teens from all over the nation about the pressures they faced, about faith, about communicating with their mom or dad, and other pressing issues. When I sent out this question, I thought I knew what the answers would look like.
I was wrong. I received hundreds of fun, introspective, and sometimes sad answers. One girl tried to negotiate. "What if I spent the weekend at the mall with my parents spending the gift certificate?" she asked. Others were painfully honest. "I choose the gift certificate. It would be too hard to have an entire weekend with my mom."
One teen sent me a long list of grievances about her relationship with her parents, choosing the gift certificate. She later sent a second e-mail. "The last time I spent any time with my mom was like...never! So I change my vote. I really love her, even if we don't always see eye to eye."
I had expected the results to be about 50/50. It weighed in at about 95/5 in favor of time with a parent. It appears that time equals love to a teen.
This can be confusing to a parent because the messages they get from their teen might seem to be: I want stuff. I need cold, hard cash, please. I want to do this, and that. And in order to fulfill our teen's wants, we spin our wheels trying to make it happen. It can also be confusing when we feel isolated from a teen as he or she updates their Facebook status, texts, or sits in front of the computer with their IPod earbuds firmly entrenched in their ears.
It's understandable that mixed messages can make us feel that teens don't want time with us, but the answers to the other questions in the survey revealed that the world they live in is often tricky to navigate, and quantity time with mom or dad can make it better.
Teens said they felt most loved in the unplanned moments sitting around a table and telling stories, or laughing at something silly until milk comes out of their nose, or when mom or dad sits beside their bed at night and asks them about their day--and really listens. Time equals love to a teen, even if they don't tell us in those words.
Why is it important? I believe one teen said it best: "Time with my parents or with just one of them would help things a lot. I would probably feel better about talking to them about what's going on in my life."
What distracts us from time with our children? In every family this looks different, but it's important to take an honest look at our own schedules and to adjust so that we can come alongside our children as they walk through this tricky thing called life.
Dear Lord, time passes so fast and I feel pressured by so many things. Please take inventory of my life and show me the places where I need to adjust. Look at every area and help me to know how to find balance, and to connect with my beautiful child. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where Suzie shares 9 questions to help you and your family explore this issue further and for a free giveaway of Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
What is your wish list of priorities?
Take an honest look at the amount of time spent on each. Write it down.
What are your real (actual) priorities (where you spend the most time)?
Reflections:
I've learned that you can never be too old to hold your father's hand. ~Anonymous 4th grader
Power Verses:
Proverbs 16:1, "We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 7, 2011
Nothing Tastes as Good as Peace Feels
Lysa TerKeurst
"... seek peace and pursue it."
Psalm 34:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
Nearly two years ago I set out on what I thought would be a three-month fast from sugar to lose weight. Here I am today and I'm still fasting from sugar. And I can honestly tell you, I never thought this would be possible for me.
As a matter of fact, at the beginning I mourned over giving up sugar for three months. Big, crocodile tears dripped from my eyeballs on many a day during the early part of this journey. We're talking the ugly cry. I was breaking up with a lifetime love affair with sugar. And, excuse the pun, it's really hard to break up with something when it is really sweet.
However, in all honesty, sugar wasn't being sweet to me. It was sweet to my taste buds, but it was not sweet when it made my energy level skyrocket and then crash. It was not sweet to my attitude which went south every time I hit a sugar low. It was not sweet to my complexion nor to the ever increasing size of my backside.
Most of all it was not sweet to the battle that raged in my brain.
Before my sugar fast, I was constantly bouncing between feeling deprived and guilty. All. The. Time. I was either feeling deprived because I was trying to watch what I ate or feeling guilty because I'd slipped back into the 'eat whatever I want' phase. Deprived. Guilty. Deprived. Guilty. I couldn't stop this incessant bouncing until I stopped the sugar.
I realized after fasting from sugar for a month, my cravings started to release their awful grip on me. The sting of sacrifice started to not sting quite as much. Slowly, I made the choice to change one fundamental thought.
In my new book, "Made to Crave," I reveal the switch that changed everything. I switched from feeling deprived to feeling empowered.
Don't read over that too quickly.
I can now look at my kid-friendly pantry laden with treats galore and not sigh. I can walk by the bakery counter at Starbucks and say "no thank you." I can go to a party without being riddled with "pitiful me" thoughts about how unfair it is that everyone else is living it up sugar style.
Instead of being sad that I can't have something, I feel so thrilled to be courageous enough to say no. Shifting from feeling deprived to empowered is the most crucial change I've made on this journey. And it's what made me decide to keep going past the three month mark.
So, am I still fasting from sugar to lose weight? No. I lost my excess weight and reached a healthy place a year ago. Now my goals have nothing to do with a number on the scale. My goal now is peace.
Peace.
And I can assure you, no treat in this world tastes as good as this peace feels.
Dear Lord, help me to see how the temporary sting of sacrifice will be worth the peace I will find in You. Please help me to have the courage to say no to things that distract me mentally, spiritually, and physically. I long to be empowered with Your strength and Your peace today. I admit I need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you have been stuck in a rut with your healthy eating attempts, there are 3 crucial things scientists have discovered that you must know- click here to visit Lysa's blog today and be empowered to change!
Sign up for a FREE webcast with Lysa based on her new book: Made to Crave. For more information, click here.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider the 6-week Bible study using these additional resources: Made to Crave DVD and the accompanying Made to Crave Participant's Guide by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Lysa's new website at www.MadetoCrave.org for additional information on this project as well as fun freebies and encouraging videos to help you overcome struggles to find lasting peace.
Application Steps:
Look up verses on God's peace, such as the ones listed in this devotion. This week, how will you seek peace and pursue it?
Reflections:
"The sting of sacrifice started to not sting quite as much."
How can I take this statement and apply it to a situation in my life right now? Is there an area where I will need to endure a temporary sting, and persevere through to come out on the other side? What would that be? What would it look like?
Am I on the other side of a sting of sacrifice? Have I been able to stay there?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:9, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put in into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (NIV)
Proverbs 14:30a, "A heart at peace gives life to the body..." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 8, 2011
Just the Right Words
Renee Swope
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
Has someone ever spoken words that helped you see something valuable or unique about yourself that you had never seen before?
That's what happened between Jill and Leanne. They met when Jill was coaching a basketball team and Leanne's 13-year-old daughter, Shelby, was on her team. Years later, when she was in high school, Shelby got seriously injured and Jill reached out to her with encouragement, prayers and notes that spoke just the words Shelby needed to hear.
One day, Leanne sent a letter thanking Jill for the difference she was making in her daughter's life. She described the great qualities she saw in Jill and called her a "bright light" that shined in many lives, including theirs.
Leanne didn't know that months later Jill would go home to an empty apartment one night plagued with doubts, questioning her purpose in life. Battling clinical depression and living under the weight of feeling worthless, Jill contemplated suicide. That night as she pondered her fate, Jill opened her journal to write and a note fell out. As Jill opened the note, she read Leanne's words again.
God used Leanne's words to show Jill she did have a purpose and that life was worth living. Just the right words at just the right time.
When another woman speaks encouragement into our hearts, the course of our lives can be changed forever. And when we believe in someone else, God uses us to build confidence and security in a heart that may have otherwise been paralyzed by doubt and insecurity.
I'll never forget my friend Janet thanking me for words I'd penned from my heart to hers in a thank you card. To me it was only a thank you, but it was more to her. God touched her heart deeply through something I said. And in response, she encouraged me to write more than notes. Her prayers and confidence inspired this insecure young mom to eventually write a Bible study.
God used that tiny Bible study, written over 10 years ago, to uncover His plans and develop the future writer in me. He used a woman who believed in me more than I believed in myself to help me take the first step.
Just the right words at just the right time.
Perhaps you need to hear them today. If so, let God speak them over you through His promises:
· For you are a chosen [woman], you are a royal priest, a holy [daughter]. God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
· "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine....you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you."
Isaiah 43:1, 4 (NIV)
· For [you] are God's masterpiece. He has created [you] anew in Christ Jesus, so [you] can do the good things he planned for [you] long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
· In all these things [you] are more than conqueror through him who loved [you]. Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Just the right words at just the right time.
Let God's promises settle into those places in your heart that need for encouragement today. And then ask Jesus how you might share them. Perhaps there is someone in your life who needs them now more than ever.
Dear Lord, I need Your encouragement each day. Lead me to promises in Your Word that will strengthen me when I'm weary and build me up when I feel torn down. Help me see and believe what You see in me, and then share it with others. I pray You will give me just the right words at just the right time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God gave Jill just the right words at just the right time through Leanne, but that's just the beginning of their story. Renee is interviewing Jill and Leanne on her blog today and giving away a copy of their book "Letters from Leanne" along with a gift card and other fun stuff in a "Words of Encouragement" Gift Pack. Enter to win here!
Girlfriends' Road Trip (CD) by Renee Swope A message filled with encouragement and practical ideas for building Christ-like friendships
Letting God Fill the Empty Places in Your Heart Message on CD by Renee Swope
Connect with Renee on Facebook.
Application Steps:
Make a list of five people in your life who could use your words of encouragement.
Take five minutes each day this week to encourage one of them:
· Write a note of encouragement via email or in a card.
· Leave a voicemail with a short prayer and let them hear you thanking God for something special about them.
· Post a comment on their Facebook page telling them how much you appreciate them and why.
Reflections:
Do I realize the power of my words to speak hope and encouragement into the lives of others, as well as into my own life?
How often do I fill my mind with God's words of encouragement so that I know His thoughts to share with others?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 50:4, "The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught."
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 9, 2011
... and she lives happily ever after.
Glynnis Whitwer
"... your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me
were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:1(NIV)
Devotion:
I recently finished a bestselling novel. It was over 1,000 pages, epic in size and story, and consumed me for weeks. A respected acquaintance recommended it, and once committed, I stuck with it to the end ... in spite of wanting to quit, often.
By the end of the first chapter, I realized it wasn't going to be an easy read. The story was set in the middle ages, with uncomfortably real sections. Perhaps I'm a bit sheltered, but it seemed to contain unnecessarily graphic descriptions. Skimming over the uncomfortable spots, I kept reading.
The book ended well, but there were times when I was ready to close the cover, and move on to something happier. The antagonists were just too mean. The plot too painful. The abuse, greed and vindictiveness too ugly to dwell on.
If that book ended badly, I would have been disgruntled at spending weeks of my life on it. On the other hand, I would have been frustrated to quit before finishing. Here's why.
If I had quit reading at page 245, the story would have seemed hopeless. I might have thought the villains won, or the hero and heroine never reconnected. If I had read a bit further, to say page 576, the story would have ended with justice as an impossible dream, and hatred and revenge as unavoidable and all-consuming parts of life.
But now, after reading the book in its entirety, I can see the amazing story. The plot progressed steadily; there was tension, conflict and eventually resolution. Good did triumph, although not without many bumps along the way.
It got me thinking that our lives are a bit like that. For those of us who have accepted Christ, we will have a happy ending in heaven with God. One way or another, our story will end well. But not every page or chapter in our story is happy.
Today might be page 452 for me. And on page 452 there is conflict and tension. Last year might have been chapter nine. And in chapter nine, the protagonists struggle financially, and wonder why God allowed such pain into their lives. If I only read one page or chapter, I would have a very different view of the story.
Yet the Author of my story has a purpose for every page and chapter in my life. He's got a story in mind and is building and developing the plot every day. No story is conflict-free. No story is complete without a challenge. Victory is empty without a struggle.
Today, I'm considering my life as a grand story. Good will triumph. The victory will be sweeter because of the struggle. Today is not the story. It's just page 452. So I will press on, trusting in a loving and creative Author to bring about resolution. You see, I already know the ending - she lives happily ever after.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your creative and all-powerful nature. In light of the difficulties I'm facing today, I choose to trust You, believing You are writing an epic story in my life. Help me to press on when I want to give up. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Author of your story?
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion of books that have changed your life, and a book giveaway package.
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If your life was a story, what would be the title? What is the title of the chapter you are currently living?
Reflections:
How does knowing God has a greater plan for my life change my outlook on today?
Imagining one of my favorite heroes or heroines, what character trait do they possess that would help me live out my faith?
Power Verses:
Psalm 107:2, "Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story - those he redeemed from the hand of the foe ..." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 10, 2011
Sowing Times
Rachel Olsen
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
In the words of Henri Nouwen, "Our short lives on earth are sowing times."
January is a time to take stock, reorder priorities, and revamp schedules before plowing ahead into the new year with renewed vigor. And that's what last month was for me. I did meal planning, creating weekly menu options. I did chore planning, creating some cleaning checklists. I did task planning, so I can move effectively forward in my work and on my projects. I also set up a new calendar system to track it all - that's quite ambitious for a "type B" girl like me!
Nouwen's words remind me, however, that while I'm planning how I'll order my days and meet my current goals, I can't lose sight of what is temporary versus what is eternal.
How I will stay on top of my household's laundry this week is temporary - but how I love and raise my children is eternal.
How I get to all my emails is temporary - how I answer God's call is eternal.
What I put on the dinner table tonight is temporary - how I regard, feast on, and serve the Bread of Life is eternal.
Whether I complete my errands efficiently is temporary - whether I run my life's race with perseverance and joy is eternal.
Planning and organizing, scheduling and strategizing, can help me live life in a way that secures time to nurture what's eternal. But I must make sure - amidst the cooking, cleaning, planning, working and sleeping - that I take and keep an eternal focus. Because it won't just happen, no matter how organized I am.
I must fix my eyes on what is unseen.
And that is a challenge because the surface-things of life dance constantly before me, often convincing me they are most important. But learning to see the unseen is a challenge worth rising to.
Our short lives here are sowing times so let's you and I sow while we can. For a time is coming when the chance to store up treasure in heaven has passed. A time is coming when you and I will no longer be able to witness the truth and love of Christ to those still lost. Now is the time to sow into eternity.
"If there were no resurrection of the dead," Nouwen explained, "everything we live on earth would come to nothing." Instead, we will be raised from the dead - along with every eternal thing we've done.
What's eternal will withstand, and be rewarded.
Our hours on earth are the time we're given to plant the seeds we and others will reap for eternity. I think I'll revisit my plans for 2011 today with that in mind. And I'll look for ways to impact eternity in this common, ordinary day full of laundry and lists.
Dear Lord, give me eyes to see the unseen today. Help me discern what is temporary and what is eternal, and handle both well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus -- the One who longs to spend eternity with you?
Learn more about living for eternity in our modern world; get a copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
Connect with Rachel at her blog where she's giving away a copy of It's No Secret.
Connect with Rachel on Facebook, and Rachel on Twitter.
You impact eternity when you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide women around the world at no cost - such as this daily devotional. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Pause and pray, asking God to bring the eternal into view in your life today.
Read the story of a woman wanting water to temporarily quench her thirst, who finds a water that will flow through her soul eternally: John 4:1-42.
Reflections:
Where have my eyes been fixed lately?
Power Verses:
Luke 21:33, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (NIV)
2 Cor. 4:18, "There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." (MSG)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 11, 2011
Sweet Dreams
Karen Ehman
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating
the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
Psalm 127:2 (ESV)
Devotion:
I restlessly rolled over and squinted sleepily trying to focus my eyes on the bright blue digits still taunting me in the night. The alarm clock on my dresser flashed the awful news:
3:18 AM. Ughhhh!
I had crawled into bed nearly four hours earlier, eager to rejuvenate my body with a sound night's sleep. My ever-full schedule as a wife, mother, daughter, volunteer, neighbor, friend and part-time work-at-home woman had me worn and weary. Not only was my body tired, but my brain raced as well.
Random thoughts strung together like an annoying necklace of woes: Would my latest project be done in time? Is my adult daughter doing okay in her new job and living situation? Is my elderly mom going to slip and fall on the ice in this nasty winter weather? Did I offend my friend when she'd asked for my honest opinion about her child-rearing decision? Are my sons making wise choices when it comes to their peer groups? Would I gain back the twenty pounds I'd just lost.....for the third time?
And then...the dreaded "what ifs." What if the young mom in my Bible study discovers her husband is having an affair just as she suspects? What if my high school son with special needs doesn't do well on his ACT exam next year? What if my friends lose their home to foreclosure? What if my sister-in-law's ex-husband threatens her again...or worse?
And so I tossed and turned; and tried to no avail to induce sweet slumber that would whisk me away from all of my fears, both real and imagined.
Finally giving up, I dragged my flannel-clad self into the kitchen to heat some boiling water in my kettle and steep a bag of chamomile tea. I hoped it might do the trick.
Then, I recalled today's key verse.
Anxious toil. Yep. That pretty much sums up the state of mind in which I found myself:
ANXIOUS: "feeling nervous: worried or afraid, especially about something that is going to happen or might happen."
TOIL: "hard exhausting work or effort."
And all of this worry, unrest and wondering was costing me precious moments of sleep.
So that night, and many nights since, I have taken God at His Word. He says it is vain for me to toil anxiously. He says He gives sleep to His beloved. So I asked Him to give me the very sleep He promised!
As in many areas of my life, He doesn't simply wave a magic wand and make everything disappear. Oh, He is willing to grant. But sometimes, I also need to be willing to help in the process. So now, when the restlessness creeps in and threatens to rob me of another night's sleep, here is what I do:
With a notebook by my bed, I jot down my worries and leave them in the hands of the only One who never slumbers or sleeps. I transform my list of "what ifs" into a prayer page of "please advise," asking the God who crafted the entire universe out of nothing to show me, when He is ready, what action, if any, I need to take with regards to my list. For the time being, I request that He work on them, so I can get some shut-eye.
I also ask Him to show me if there is work for me to do that will require a temporary loss of sleep. Oh, not the flustering worry-work of fretting, but the pure, sweet work of simple prayer. I slide out of my comfy covers and get down on my knees. Then I pray a child-like prayer (about the only kind I can muster at that hour) and solicit the Savior. At times, I've even fallen asleep at the edge of my bed. (It may sound un-spiritual, but I see it as an instant answer to prayer! After all, I was asking for sleep and He granted it!)
If you too are tired of sleepless nights, will you join me in this quest for slumber? Stop counting sheep. Come to the Great Shepherd instead. You are His beloved and He has a little gift for you: rest for both your body and your soul.
Dear Lord, I am tired. I am weary. I want to be at my best so I can serve You fully. Will you please grant me, Your beloved, sleep just as You promised? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic and a Sweet Dreams basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog
A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
His Princess: Love Letters from Your Prince by Sheri Rose Shepherd
31 Days of Power: Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory by Ruth and Warren Myers
Application Steps:
Locate today's key verse in your Bible. Read each word slowly, pausing to let the words penetrate straight to your soul. For added effect, look up the specific definitions to any key words.
Reflections:
When have I been unable to sleep? What did I do? Did it work?
What other ways can I combat sleeplessness and restless thoughts?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 14, 2011
Be Mine
Rachel Olsen
"My lover is mine, and I am his." Song of Solomon 2:16 (NLT)
Devotion:
While I spent the last few months thinking a lot about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, greeting card writers likely spent it focused on today - Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is the second-biggest card-buying holiday besides Christmas. More than 200 million Valentine cards will be exchanged today.
Have you ever watched somebody pick out a greeting card? Growing up, my family owned a chain of Hallmark stores where I worked as a sales clerk. The occasional customer would breeze in, look at two or three cards and then head to my cash register. However, most would spend 15 or 20 minutes reading through cards, searching for the just right expression of their love.
You may or may not receive a paper Valentine today, one from a greeting card company, or one hand-made of red and pink construction paper stuck together with paste. But I know you and I are both the recipient of the best Valentine ever - one that shines like rubies, one that is bright white and blood red.
In Christ, God sent us the ultimate Valentine. "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life" (John 3:16, MSG).
"Whole" and "lasting" - two things we seek but rarely find in this world. Sweet friend, long after the paper Valentine cards exchanged today are discarded or forgotten, God's love for you endures.
Jesus is God's demonstration of His eternal love for us. Not only that, Jesus taught us how to live and love each other. He experienced criticism and rejection -- and yet gathered strength from God to turn the other cheek. He showed love to all around Him, regardless of class, status or nationality. He prayed for His friends and His enemies. He even suffered crucifixion in order to save us from our sin.
Jesus is God's perfect expression of love. His life and death are God saying to you and me, "Be Mine."
Yes, God loves us so much that He gave us His most valuable gift -Himself. And after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to heaven, God sent His Spirit to remain with us. As God shares Himself with us through His Son and His Sprit, He says to us, "You are my beloved."
Hearing that is better than any sentiment a card-writer could pen. God Himself, given for you and me, demonstrates the ultimate expression of love. Like melt-in-your-mouth chocolates from a heart-shaped satin box, He invites us to taste and see that He is good and His love endures forever.
It's time to open your Valentine. Close your eyes and hear Him whispering to you today, "Be Mine."
Dear Lord, Thank You for first loving me, and for showing me what love truly is. I'm so grateful You invited me to be Yours. Like a bouquet of exquisite roses in a simple earthen vase, I treasure Your presence in this "jar of clay." May others see You displayed in me this Valentine's, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have You Received God's "Valentine" in Christ?
Stop by Rachel's blog today to hear more about God's love for you and be entered for a Valentine's Day giveaway!
Pick up a copy of It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know and let the words on these pages spark your love for, and fan into flame your life in Christ.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Follow this link for a tangible way to show Christ your love this Valentine's.
Take some time to read through scriptures about love. You can read through them online here at Crosswalk.com or here at Biblegateway.com.
Reflections:
Do I realize the great extent of God's love for me?
What does it look like to "Be God's?"
Power Verses:
John 15:12-13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)
1 John 3:16a, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." (NIV)
Romans 5:5, "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (NLT)
1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 15, 2011
A Recipe for Relationships
Micca Monda Campbell
"... he loved him as he loved himself."
1 Samuel 20:17b (NIV)
Devotion:
My mother use to tell me to count myself lucky if I had just one "close friend." That's because close life-long relationships are hard to come by.
So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so few actually find them. We are becoming an increasingly private society, and it seems fewer people than ever have life-long intimate friendships. Still, the desire for this kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.
Women are naturally drawn to other women. In fact, a girl's first experience with heartache may have been over a lost "best friend" rather than a "boy friend." Women value friendships. When they are lost, we grieve; not just over the friendship itself, but also for the secrets shared, the trust given and the acceptance enjoyed. If betrayed, the pain runs deep causing us to wonder if intimate friendships are really possible.
When I think of a biblical example of real friendship, the story of David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 19, always comes to mind.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, was David's closest friend. But his father, the king, despised David because he was growing in popularity and because God had anointed David to be king. These facts enraged King Saul, so much that he commanded his aids and Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan loved David, therefore betrayal was impossible.
Love isn't the only fruit of true friendship. A real relationship consists of sacrifice too.
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt. Jonathan was the potential heir to his father's throne, but we see him sacrificing his future for his best friend as he literally gave David his place as king.
You and I can learn from this action that true friendship means a willingness to sacrifice for each other in love. It's the ability to put another's needs, desires, and wishes above our own.
Loyalty is also a mark of true friendship. We're told that Jonathan went to his father and spoke well of David. Jonathan also stood up to his dad and essentially said, "Dad, you're wrong about David. He hasn't done any wrong to you; in fact, everything he's done has helped you." A true friend is a loyal defense before others, one who won't talk about you when you're not around. True friends stick up for each other.
Finally, intimate friends give each other complete freedom to be themselves. In an intimate friendship, you don't have to explain why you do what you do. You're just free to do it.
When Jonathan gave David the news that things were troubled in the palace and that his dad was going to kill him, the two were forced to say goodbye. The text tells us that they wept together.
When your heart is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this and she'll understand. She won't try to dismiss your misery or tell you to straighten up. Intimate friends let each other hurt and they weep together. If your friend needs to talk it through, you will listen. Intimate friends don't bale; they stay. They allow you to be yourself no matter what "self" looks like in that moment.
If you're looking for a godly recipe for relationships, look no further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend like Jonathan. Then, bless me with the same. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog
Cultivating a Heart of Contentment (CD) by Micca Campbell
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Ask God to help you develop the kind of character that attracts others. While David had enemies, he also had a growing number of people who loved him. People are naturally attracted to someone who shines with God-like attributes. One the other hand, most are turned off by mean, selfish people. Whatever is on the inside will show on the outside - so develop the kind of traits that draw people of good characteristics.
Reflections:
What kind of friend am I?
Do I exhibit loyalty, love, freedom, and sacrifice in my relationships? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
(NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 17, 2011
Room for Cream
Marybeth Whalen
"The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Shall I leave room for cream?" the smiling barista asks me as I place my coffee order.
I smile back at her and nod, anticipating receiving my cup full of dark liquid so I can carry it over to the doctoring station and customize it with a generous splash of cream and two sweeteners.
As I wait in line to create my comfort in a cup, I ponder the barista's question. I think about the idea of leaving room for cream—not just in my cup, but in my life. I always leave room for cream in my coffee, but I can't honestly say I always leave room for cream in my life.
Cream sweetens and lightens and richens. How do I leave room in my life for the things that sweeten and lighten and richen? As I pour and stir, my thoughts drift to the last week. I've done the have-to's: laundry, carpool, dishes, exercise. But it's harder to think of those little extras that fill my cup to the brim... sweet, white, rich extras.
Sweet: Time with friends just laughing and enjoying each other. Turning on a favorite song and dancing in the kitchen. Listening to my children when they talk. Taking the extra time to hear their hearts. Putting fun things I look forward to on the calendar. Turning the pages of a novel just for the joy of experiencing a great story. Pushing pause on my life so I can rest and recharge.
Light: Time in God's Word, which the Bible says is a light for our path in life. Journaling what He's telling me and what I'm learning about life. Time to pour my worries and anxieties out to Him, then leave them at His feet. Time to press into Him so I can hear His voice above all the others in this loud, busy world. Stepping out of the rat race and worshiping Him with abandon lightens my load.
Rich: Giving of myself through my time and talent. Tithing regularly to my church. Finding people who need a meal, a donation, a word of encouragement and then making the effort to actually give it to them and not just think it's a good idea. Surrendering myself to God's will instead of holding fast to my own.
All of these are things that bring me great joy, that help me reach that place of abundance I believe Jesus wanted us to live in now. Abundance, I am finding, does not come from merely wanting it. It comes from intentionally reaching for it—a result that requires action. It requires leaving room in my life for these things—not packing my life so full of have-to's that the cup is already full.
When that happens, I can try to add the cream but it will only spill over, wasted. It starts when I leave room from the beginning or take a moment to pour out what is already too full. With a little thought and a little effort I can learn to hear Jesus ask me, "Did you leave room for cream?"
And I can smile back at Him and say, "You better believe I did!"
Dear Lord, I want to live the life of abundance You called me to—a life that is sweet and white and rich. Help me remember that I have to leave room in my life for abundance or it will always elude me. Help me to seek You first and let You show me how to leave room for cream. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen
She Reads a division of P31 for fiction fans
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you brew coffee at home or order a cup at a coffee shop today, while you're waiting for it spend time praying for God to show you ways you can leave room for cream in your life. Resolve to think about having an abundant life every time you fix your coffee.
Reflections:
What does an abundant life look like? What would fall in my sweet, white and rich categories?
Power Verses:
Psalm 65:11, "You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." (NIV)
Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 18, 2011
Free
Lynn Cowell
"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."
Psalm 119:45 (NIV)
Devotion:
Being busy, overwhelmed in fact, made me feel important. I loved nothing more than creating a to-do list, simply for the happiness of checking it off. Even better was recounting the day back to my husband; my life sounded so important! Running around had a purpose.
Busyness quieted the voices of insignificance that screamed inside my head. But it wore me down. The pay-off simply wasn't there.
Soon I sensed God asking me to take things off my plate. When I didn't, He started removing them...one by one. That is when I began to experience freedom and the peace that comes from simply being. I found my completion in being His girl. The more I embraced the Lord, the more His freedom became the thing I cherished.
Dictionary.com defines freedom as the state of being free or at liberty, rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.
Freedom is my word for 2011, a word I want to fully understand. A word I am defining for me as: unconfined by my human limitations; free to be an expression of my amazing God and His revolutionary love.
David must have been a bit like me; a man prone to have to preach to himself on occasion. He gave himself this command, "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts" (Psalm 119:45, NIV).
In the original language "freedom" here means spacious, broad, roomy. That's not exactly how most non-Christians would describe Christians. But spacious, broad and roomy is exactly what Jesus has for those who are His.
Since God is not a God of chaos or confinement, when I follow His ways He brings freedom. He causes the things He has not called me to do, or to be a part of, to fade in the background. That is where my purpose is peaceful.
Father, I need Your freedom - the ability to move about without being driven by compulsion or emotions. I seek Your direction to find Your freedom. I choose to allow my expectations to fade, enabling my family and friends to walk in a spacious and broad place. I choose to walk in Your ways, not cluttering life with me and my agenda, but having room to be led by Your Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for giving me what only You can give...true freedom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Stop by Lynn's blog today. She is hosting a special "freedom" give away!
The Mom I want to be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
He is that Into You (CD) by Lynn Cowell
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In what area of life do you struggle to experience freedom and peace? Take today's key verse and insert your struggle. For example: "I will walk about in freedom from controlling my family, for I have sought out Your precepts." Write this out. Memorize it. Make it your go-to place when you need God's freedom.
Maybe like Lynn was, you are addicted to frenzy and you don't want to exchange crazy for calm. Ask the Lord to give you a desire to experience His peace.
Reflections:
Why do I struggle to have freedom in certain areas of my life? (Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the root cause of the struggle.)
With the root revealed, what actions do I need to take toward freedom? (For example: pray for faith, choose forgiveness, focus on my completion in Christ, etc.)
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 21, 2011
Are You a List Maker?
Melanie Chitwood
"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
1 John 4:16 (NAS)
Devotion:
I'm a list maker. At my house you'll see a magnetic notepad on my refrigerator where I keep a running grocery list. By my bedside is a notepad for jotting down writing ideas. I have a notebook where I keep a daily to-do list and a long-term to-do list. And of course the best part of a list is checking something off when completed!
For years I kept another list. It wasn't written down. Instead it was a mental running list I didn't even realize I was keeping, until I experienced a perspective-shifting situation.
After my second son, Tyler, was born, I went through severe post-partum depression. It wasn't just the baby blues. It was days and days of crying, anxiety and no sleep. I had a newborn baby, a four year-old son, and a pilot husband who would soon go back to work. I was completely overwhelmed with everything. Finally, I called my doctor who prescribed medicine, but it would take a couple of weeks to work. Meanwhile, I had to figure out how to get through each day.
Every morning I woke up early, prayed, and begged God to take the depression away. But the depression didn't go away. In fact it deepened as I listened to the lies depression shouted: You're a failure. What's wrong with you? Why can't you do this? You only have two children and you don't even have to work full-time. Other people go through much harder things and you can't even do this.
One day when I just got sick and tired of being in such a miserable state, I yelled at God, What is this about, God? You're God. You could make this depression go away with the snap of Your fingers if You wanted to. Why won't You?
Finally, I was just still. As I sat there, I realized God wanted me to learn a life-changing truth. I had kept a mental running list of all the reasons God couldn't love me. I wasn't a good enough wife, a good enough Christian, and certainly not a good enough mother. When I was struggling with postpartum depression, I didn't feel like a good anything. So I sure didn't believe God loved me unconditionally. I believed God loved me - but I believed He'd love me more if I could get my act together.
I wonder if you're like me, keeping a running list of the reasons you mistakenly think disqualify you from God's unconditional love. Maybe like me you don't feel good enough at anything or you've struggled with depression. Maybe you have a secret that makes you feel ashamed - you've had an abortion, you've been unfaithful, you drink too much, you scream at your kids or husband. Maybe you've been divorced and that makes you feel unworthy of God's unconditional love.
When I gave God my list of reasons why He couldn't love me, I finally heard God's gentle answer in reply. Well, it's a good thing My love doesn't depend on you, My child. It's a good thing My love doesn't depend on you.
You can scratch all those reasons off the list. In fact you can tear up the list. I did that when I died on the cross for you.
Are you ready for a change today? Are you ready to stop beating yourself up for your flaws, shortcomings, or sins? God is not keeping a list of your mistakes, and you don't need to either. Tear up your list and don't start a new one. Choose to believe today God loves you. There is nothing you can do or not do to change His love for you.
Dear Lord, thank You for not keeping a running list of my mistakes, shortcomings or sins. Help me truly believe, to the core of my being, that You love me through and through, for now and always. I don't have to help You love me by being perfect. Let today be a defining moment where I tear up my running list and receive Your unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Melanie's blog What Matters Most
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down whatever has been on your mental running list of why you've mistakenly thought you're disqualified from God's unconditional love. Then pray, thanking Jesus for dying for you and nailing it on the cross once and for all. Then tear up or burn the list. This might be an activity you want to share with your husband or a good friend.
Look up verses or check out Melanie's blog for verses about God's love. Read them daily; choose some to memorize. This will help you believe how much God loves you.
Reflections:
Do I believe I can help God love me by being good?
Is God's unconditional love settled deep in my heart?
What keeps me from believing God loves me unconditionally?
Has listening to the enemy's lies about myself, such as You're not a good enough mom or God could never forgive me for that, kept me from believing God loves me?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 31:3b, "'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'" (NIV)
1 John 4:10, "This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (NLT)
© 2011 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 22, 2011
Why I Do What I Do
T. Suzanne Eller
"Again he said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.'"
John 20:21 (NLT)
Devotion:
Two sisters stood at the front of the church. Both were marked by a hard life. The younger sister sat down beside me. She had become a believer the year before. Just a few weeks earlier, she and a woman in the church had rescued her older sister from domestic violence and drug addiction.
"Can I pray with you?" I asked.
The older sister knelt on the floor, pressed her forehead between my knees and wrapped her arms around my legs. Her need was so tangible, her hunger so great. As she held tight to my legs, I felt her tears bleeding through the fabric of my pants. I was suddenly overwhelmed as God's presence flooded that moment and that space, and I felt His love for His broken, sweet daughter.
I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her and prayed, but it wasn't the words that mattered. It was God showing me all over again the truth: He transforms lives. He loves. He came to heal the broken-hearted and to place their feet on a new path.
Later that night I thought about that moment again, and I thanked God that I get to do what I do.
Sometimes the details of ministry life can take center stage. Whether you teach Sunday school, or work with youth, or are a pastor's wife, or lead worship, or anything you feel God has called you to do, sometimes people are difficult, or even discouraging. Sometimes you feel like a failure, even though you prepared and prayed for this.
No matter the challenge, it's nothing compared to what the early Christians experienced. I can only imagine the highs and lows these faithful people felt. But they kept their focus on the one thing that they got to do -- carry the Good News to those who were seeking truth. Perhaps they saw the fruit of their labor, but it's more likely that they didn't.
Transformation doesn't happen overnight. So while they were tossing seeds of hope here and there, it's likely that they experienced imperfect people, human nature, and obstacles, just like us.
In John 21, we find Peter, a guy pretty discouraged by ministry. He was enthusiastic in the beginning. But when he hit hard times in ministry, he almost forgot why he was doing what he was doing, and he ran in the other direction. But in verses 15-17 we see Jesus reminding Peter of the beauty of serving others. "Feed my sheep," He said three times. Peter rediscovered his mission. He went on to become a rock in the church.
Are you discouraged by the details, by people, by the mountains that keep popping up when it seems you just prayed them away the week before?
If so, today I pray that He will remind you all over again of why you do what you do. I pray He shifts your attention to those, like the beautiful young woman once abused and broken, whose lives are in the process of change.
You see, there will be many who "do what they do" who will come alongside the hurting woman. Sunday school teachers, pastors, women's ministry leaders, soup kitchen cooks, Christian friends—people just like you—and in the end they all will have written the Gospel on her heart.
Dear Lord, reignite my passion for ministry. Let me glimpse Your burden for those I come in contact with, and let me rediscover all over again why I love serving You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway of Suzie's book, The Woman I Am Becoming
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Lead Like Jesus: Lessons for Everyone from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of all Times by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges
First Love (DVD) by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
You need to refuel, to keep the personal fire inside of you lit before giving out to others. Create a time and place where you can connect with God with no other agenda than to know Him.
Reflections:
"Peter loved Jesus with the deepest of loves, but his illusions, his presumptions about himself, were stripped away. Three questions--three confessions--three commissions! Peter's heart soared in relief." ~ Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome by Kent and Barbara Hughes
Power Verses:
John 21:15, "After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, 'you know I love you.' 'Then feed my lambs,' Jesus told him. (NLT)
©2011, by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 23, 2011
Not Just Anyone
Rachel Olsen
"He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us."
Mark 6:3 (NLT)
Devotion:
Ever feel like you are just a wife, just a friend, just a daughter or just a mom?
Or, do you ever feel like you are stuck in some dead-end place that even God isn't much interested in visiting? We all feel marginalized at times. Jesus did.
Early in the gospel of John, the disciple Phillip eagerly tells Nathanael, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."
"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from there?" (John 1:46)
The Jewish people considered Nazareth a God-forsaken place but nothing was farther from the truth. It was the God-chosen spot for the Son of Man to grow up, study the scriptures and prepare for His world-changing ministry.
Apparently, God thought planting Jesus in a small, overlooked spot would not be a hindrance to carrying out His magnificent plan for Him - a plan for the world's eternal redemption. Do you view the spot you are in a hindrance to what God wants to do through you?
Once He'd grown, the people of Jesus' home region had a hard time accepting Jesus as the Messiah. How could this man they'd seen learning to walk, learning to talk, learning to hammer and saw, be God's Son? In fact, they leveled the strongest possible accusation at Him. They claimed, in Mark 3:20-25 after He healed a man on the Sabbath, He was working for the devil.
That's not just marginalizing someone, that's attacking them! Have you felt misunderstood or attacked? Notice that God did little to stop these people from running their mouths incorrectly about Jesus. Instead He kept right on leading Jesus down His destined path.
Jesus eventually left His home region to preach, teach, heal and deliver people throughout the Middle East. His preaching was unrivaled. He performed jaw-dropping miracles. And crowds mobbed Him most everywhere He went.
After stunningly raising a girl from the dead, Jesus returned home to Nazareth with His disciples. Still the people there were "deeply offended and refused to believe in him" (Mark 6:3b). Although He taught them with uncommon wisdom, they replied, "He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us" (Mark 6:3a).
How frustrating. How sad.
Jesus lamented, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family" (Mark 6:4). The Scriptures say Jesus was taken aback by their degree of unbelief in Him and, because of it, His ministry there was limited.
Do you come from a "could-anything-good-possibly-come-from-there" kind of town or home? Have you ever felt that your own family or friends couldn't see past your humanness to recognize your God-given potential? Has your parents' or peers' view of you limited you in some way?
After more ministry on-the-go, Jesus returned to Galilee once again in Mark 9:30-32. This time, however, He avoided towns-folk and focused on His disciples. From there, He made His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified.
He was about to endure His hardest test—I wonder if He just wasn't in the mood to take the skeptical jabs.
After His resurrection, do you know where Jesus went? In addition to His disciples, who do you think He appeared before in the truth of His resurrected glory? The people who knew Him the longest, yet hadn't believed in Him. He headed straight for Galilee, going to His earthly home before ascending to His heavenly one.
Being overlooked or misunderstood is hard to take. Jesus was no doubt disappointed by those in His home region, and by the leaders in the synagogues whose job it was to recognize the Messiah when He came. But ultimately Jesus' identity, worth and power came from His Heavenly Father and not from the validation of any earthly being.
The same is true for you and me.
If you feel overlooked or misjudged today, take those feelings to Jesus and let Him reassure you. If you haven't received love and support from the people important to you, take that disappointment to the Lord who understands completely.
He is more than just a carpenter. More than just the brother of so-and-so. Jesus has the ability to transform anguish into peace, to trade our sorrows for strength, and to replace pity with power. Let's trust our often marginalized Messiah to shape our identity and define our future.
Not just anyone can do that.
Dear Lord, I will believe that I am complete in You. My life is worthwhile in Your service. And I am who You say I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
Join us in our upcoming online study of It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen.
Connect with Rachel at her blog and on Twitter. Today she is talking about who you are in Christ.
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
If you are raising children, go out of your way to ensure they know they possess precious God-given potential.
Choose to believe it matters not where you came from, or who you are related to, or even what you have done up until now - but WHO you spiritually belong to.
Reflections:
Where do I draw my identity and strength from?
Can I articulate who I am in Christ?
Power Verses:
Colossians 2:9-10, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 24, 2011
God's Love Changes Everything
Micca Monda Campbell
"Go now and leave your life of sin."
John 8:11b (NIV)
Devotion:
In the story of the adulteress woman found in John 8:1-11, we can see clearly that Christ's love is greater than sin.
It must have been an unruly scene until Jesus stepped into the situation. Caught in the very act by the Pharisees, the woman's fate hung in the balance. I imagine that the adulteress woman felt unbearable loneliness and fear as she lay naked in the streets at the mercy of those whose desire was to stone her to death.
Sin does that. It separates us from God, causing us to experience isolation and fear. This is a sure sign we need to search our souls and confess our sins so that we can have peace and enjoy Christ's sweet presence again.
On the other hand, it's not a sign that God's love is absent.
For years, I held on to my mixed bag of emotions blaming God and others for my troubles. I was alone, afraid, and angry, but not by my choice I reasoned. I was this way because others gave up on me, I insisted. And Christ—well, if He really cared then why didn't He free me from the pain that haunted me day and night?
Over time, I opened my eyes to the real problem. Instead of looking at myself, my eyes were always on someone else. When I finally did take a good long look at myself, I realized I was a child of God who had stomped my foot, crossed my arms, and turned my back on Him for not letting me have my way. Holding the Lord at arm's length only prolonged the healing of my wounds. In that honest moment with myself, I let go of my anger and fear and re-opened my heart to God.
Broken before the Lord, I asked for His forgiveness. I surrendered anew to His plan for my life. What was God's response? It was pure grace. I got up from my knees a new person. I was no longer afraid or angry—just filled with Christ's love and peace.
The adulteress woman also found indescribable love when she came face to face with her sin and her Savior. Publicly caught in the act of adultery, she must have felt shame and brokenness. But feeling broken is actually a good emotional place to be when we need to reach out for Christ's love and forgiveness.
All eyes were on Jesus as the Pharisees waited with rocks in hand to see if Christ would condemn and punish her. Jesus said, "Let any one of you that is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" (vs. 7b). I picture the woman, hardly believing her ears, staring deep into the Savior's eyes. First with great terror, but then knowing by His gentle eyes that no matter what happened next, she could face it.
She must have felt relief when she heard the rocks drop to the ground and the scattering of feet. Then, "Jesus asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" (vs. 10-11)
Jesus gave this woman what every heart needs—love and forgiveness. Don't misunderstand. The woman was guilty and, according to the laws of the day, should have been put to death. However, instead of condemning her Jesus chose to save her.
He chose to save us all by dying on the cross as payment for our sins. Do you need forgiveness today? The Bible offers this promise: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).
Just look at me. I'm living proof.
Dear Lord, I have felt so guilty. Today, as I look into Your eyes of love, I believe that You are reaching out and offering me forgiveness. I accept. Renew my spirit as I turn from my sin and run into the safety of Your embrace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for ways to avoid temptation and sin
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that Got Me There, Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Turn from your sin, as Christ told the woman to do. And turn toward Christ. Find support to do so through church fellowship, Bible study, and daily prayer.
Reflections:
How does the truth that God wants to restore me instead of condemn me make me feel? Am I ready to confess my sin and start anew?
Power Verses:
Romans 6:14, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 25, 2011
Home Shaping
Karen Ehman
"But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
Devotion:
They stood piled high on the living room coffee table: pristinely wrapped boxes with curly, coordinating bows and snappy gift bags whose transparent tissue papers peeked out of their tops with anticipation.
Nearly three dozen friends eagerly gathered for an open house for my new found friend Thida. A Cambodian native, Thida met my friend Marcia's eldest son Keith when he was studying abroad in her country. Now married and living in the United States, our circle of friends showered Thida with well-wishes and the heartfelt welcome of an old-fashioned housewarming party.
What domestic treasures she opened that night! New fluffy towels in deep jewel tones; contemporary metal candleholders and spicy-scented candles; kitchen utensils and casserole dishes; picture frames and pots. Ever a soft-spoken and grateful soul, this sweet twenty-something new bride was visually humbled and verbally thankful with each package she unwrapped.
Every so often, she would look at the crowd and utter the same phrase, "Oh.....I want to thank you so much for helping me to shape our home."
We knew what Thida meant. She meant to "furnish" her home; to decorate and outfit it with needed and useful items. However, somehow when trying to get her sentiments across by speaking in English, her second language, the phrase she continually chose was "shape our home."
As I heard sweet Thida utter these words many times that night, it struck a chord within my soul. In essence this group of siblings, aunts, cousins, and grandparents-by-marriage, along with an abundance of new friends, were doing exactly that!
Thida is from a country where, of the 14.5 million inhabitants, only a few thousand claim to follow Christ. Over 95% of Cambodians are practicing Buddhists.
Thida began a relationship with Jesus through the example of an aunt and, although the rest of her family is still Buddhist, this strong woman now loves and serves the God of the Bible. She chose to break from her parents' tradition to begin a new life with Christ. And, aside from her aunt, she had no one who could help her to know just what it meant to live life as a woman and wife according to God's ways.
Thida made a choice. Rather than choosing the false god of her ancestors, she choose the true God of the Bible. And she and her husband desire nothing more than to build their home and grow a family someday according to the ways of the Lord. And now we, as her circle of support in her new country of residence, will try our best to encourage her in her endeavors; to model a Christian home with our actions and decisions. Yes, you could say in essence that we all have made a covenant to help precious Thida to do exactly what she declared—to "shape her home."
Do you know another woman who has made a decision for Christ? One who left her former ways to walk in the ways of the Lord? If so, there are eyes upon you, watching, soaking and learning. What will she see? Will you help her shape her earthly home, and her heart's home, with God's truths while building on the foundations of Christ?
Home shaping is significant business. May we all be mirrors that reflect Christ to those who are watching, soaking and learning. And yes....perhaps even shaping.
Dear Lord, may I be ever mindful there are others looking to me for an example of how to shape our lives according to Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and a "Home-Shaping" themed basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Treasured: Knowing God by the Thing He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and accompanying CD is a wonderful gift for women in your life!
Application Steps:
What are some ways you try to weave the Bible's commands into your home life?
List one practical way you could help a new believer to align their family relationships with Christ.
Reflections:
Have I ever known someone who gave up the religion of his or her ancestors to follow Jesus? What adjustments did he or she have to make? What obstacles were faced?
How can I help others who are new in the faith to ground their hearts in God, His Word and His ways?
Power Verses:
Luke 4:8 "And Jesus answered him, 'It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 28, 2011
Always the Same
Zoe Elmore
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)
Devotion:
Turn off the alarm, stumble to the coffee pot, get myself ready, eat breakfast, and drive to the office. My morning routine is always the same. I could probably get through it with my eyes shut and, truth be told, many mornings I do. Except for the part where I'm driving of course.
Upon entering the office I begin another routine. Five phone lines incessantly ring while clients impatiently wait to check in. Appointments are made, changed and cancelled, all the while I smile with a cheery attitude. After all, I am thankful to have work to do.
Anyone paying attention might think my life has been reduced to unending days of "always the same." That may be the case for now, but the reality is this time of sameness is simply one chapter in my life story.
Just as other life chapters have ended, this chapter will also end at some point, and God will turn the page beginning a new chapter with daily challenges of its own.
When I think about my different life chapters, I'm reminded to pray Psalm 31:14-15a over each of them: "But I trust in you, LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands" (NIV).
It's so important for us to remember that our heavenly Father has ordained our days, even our "always the same" days for our good and His glory. While we might see them as mundane, boring, frustrating or even miserable, the Lord can use the circumstances of these days to transform us into a clear reflection of Him.
In the midst of our circumstances we might long for change, but we can rest in the One who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 tells us "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (NIV). This verse is an encouragement to celebrate each day by persevering and staying the course because Jesus "ever lives, and is ever the same...merciful, powerful, and all-sufficient" (Matthew Henry).
The One who knows us best and loves us most is present to provide everything we need to continue on until He changes our circumstances.
Will you join me today, taking a closer look at our "always the same days" and begin to see them as opportunities to trust the One who never changes. The One who holds our time and our lives in His hands.
Dear Lord, sometimes I get overwhelmed by life's circumstances, but I thank You that You are my faithful Rock on which I can rely. I choose to place my confidence in You and ask You to help me persevere so I can receive what you have promised no matter what my days look like. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Visit Zoe's Blog
Application Steps:
Ask God to show you His purpose in your "always the same" days.
Reflections:
How would my life be different if I celebrated in the midst of this life chapter?
Power Verses:
Titus 3:14, "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessitates and not live unproductive lives." (NIV)
James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (NIV, 1984)
© 2011 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 1, 2011
What's Your Family Inheritance?
Nicole Seitz, She Reads Featured Author
"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."
Psalm 71:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
Every family has both baggage and facets of beauty. What blessings and curses does your lineage carry with it? What family troubles have you seen, what miracles of restoration?
My own family is dichotomous this way—I am the product of a messy divorce, yet the beneficiary of my grandmother's fervent prayers. I have in my lineage an excommunicated opera singer and a steadfast Sunday school teacher. I have teetotalers and those struggling with addiction. I have family members who don't speak to one another and others who work tirelessly to bridge the riffs.
For many of us, we spend the first part of our lives struggling to deal with our negative "family inheritance," and the rest of our lives desperate to undo the things we enacted in response. Many of us live in a state of regret for things we've done and unforgiveness for those who have done unto us.
This is not "living abundantly" as Jesus has promised His followers. We should not have unfinished business at the end of our lives, for we'll only pass it along to those who follow behind us.
In the Old Testament, we read that families could be "cursed." Generation after generation did evil and lacked favor with God. Yet it only took one person to break a family curse and start living anew with God's blessing. Likewise, a family could also be blessed, but it only took one to come along and lose favor with God and influence others for evil.
In 2 Kings 23:37, we read about a man who "did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father had done." And alternately, about a man who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father, not turning aside to the right or to the left" (2 Kings 2:22).
In the New Testament, however, we see that by receiving Christ, we are born into a new family: God's family. It is clear—we are not captives to our lineage here on earth but have the choice to be agents of change. We do not have to follow in the footsteps of our "fathers," right or wrong—yet we sometimes choose to do so.
Being a genealogy buff, I enjoy learning about the colorful characters in my lineage as they help me to understand where I come from. But where I'm going is up to me. I can choose to dwell on the problems from my past or the consequences of my "fathers'" sins that have come before me. Or I can choose to set my own path straight, and to understand and forgive the sins of my "fathers." I can choose to seek God in all that I do and ask for blessings upon my life, on my children's lives, and all who come after me.
I choose to be a blessing in my family tree. What about you?
Dear Lord, please help me understand the people who came before me, and who I am today as a result. Lord, on this day, I choose to let go of those things which hold me back, and to search for the beauty in my family inheritance. Please use me to be a blessing in my family tree. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Nicole Seitz is the author of five novels from Thomas Nelson. Her most recent book, The Inheritance of Beauty, explores the themes of family redemption and enduring love. Visit She Reads for more about Beth!
The Mom I want to be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Building the Christian Family You Never Had: A Practical Guide for Pioneer Parents by Mary E. DeMuth
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Ask God to remove any anger or resentment in your heart, and choose to forgive those who have passed along troubles to you. Choose also to forgive yourself.
Examine your family tree. If there are family members no one talks about, ask questions and break the silence where needed so true healing can begin.
Seek God when discerning where to go from here. Who do you want to be? Take full responsibility for the person you have become and choose to change those parts of you that are simply a result of past hurts.
Be a prayer warrior for your family, especially for those seen as "black sheep." Pray for your children and for all who will come after you. Pray for God to use you in a powerful way to positively affect their lives and lineage.
Reflections:
Whom in my family do I most take after? Who has had the biggest effect on my life?
What branches in my family tree are unfruitful? Which are full of life?
Is there any "unfinished business" I need to deal with?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 61:4, "They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." (NIV)
Genesis 12:2, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." (NIV)
© 2011 by Nicole Seitz. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 2, 2011
While You Are Sleeping
Renee Swope
"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Devotion:
Startled by the silence, I shot up in bed so I could see the neon red lights that told me it was three in the morning, time to feed the baby. But Andrew hadn't made a sound. Was something wrong? Or was he sleeping through the night?
Wavering between panic and joy, I felt my way down the hall to the nursery and leaned over Andrew's crib. I listened for the sound of his breathing and carefully rested my hand on his tiny chest to feel the gentle rhythm of its rising and falling.
Moonlight slipped through the blinds helping me see that he was perfectly fine. Most sane mothers would have gone back to bed. But not me, I stood there for a while watching my child sleep. The love and joy I felt at that moment was almost overwhelming. How could I love someone so much? My heart longed just to be near this little guy who set my days in motion with his cries and smiles.
Andrew developed a routine of sleeping through the night soon after, yet I would listen for his cries hoping for a good excuse to check on him. While he was sleeping, I'd sneak into his room just because I wanted to be with him. Then I'd tiptoe into my older son Joshua's room, and watch him slumber.
Looking at their faces, I'd imagine the boys God was shaping them into. I'd whisper prayers for them to know Jesus and love Him with all their hearts. I'd ask God to calm their fears, fulfill their dreams, and establish their steps to walk in His ways.
My sons are teenagers now, but I still sometimes go into their rooms to pray over them and watch them while they're sleeping. My heart feels just as full as it did when they were little guys. They aren't doing anything to make me feel proud or happy. In fact, they may have even driven me to my wits end that day, but I find so much delight in them because they are mine.
You know, God feels the exact same way about you and me. He loves to be with us and watch over us, even while we're sleeping. It's not because we are doing anything for Him, but simply because we are His. We might have even disappointed Him that day, but it doesn't change how He feels about us.
I sense God wants you to know today that He delights greatly in you my friend. And with His love, He is there today to quiet your fears, concerns, insecurities and doubts. I have a feeling the joy-filled songs He sings over you are written just for you, describing the beautiful woman He's created you to be, while gently leading your heart to know and rely on His love more and more each day.
What a great reminder for times when nothing's going right; when we feel like the whole world is against us and nobody understands what we're going through. I hope the next time you have one of those days you'll imagine the love of a mother watching her child sleeping and remember that Your Heavenly Father loves and delights in you even more than that!
Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are always with me and that You love to watch over me, every minute of every day - even while I am sleeping. Help me to completely believe this truth about Your love for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's interactive website for a list of Bible promises and prayers to remind you of God's love today. Also, enter to win a Living "Loved" gift pack that includes the CD and book below.
Rest Assured: Overcome Worry by Resting in and Relying on God's Promises a message on CD by Renee Swope
His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
Close your eyes and picture God watching over you at this moment. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God's love reaches down to hold you in His arms.
Bow your head and tilt your heart to listen to Him whisper, "You are precious in my sight and I love you." (Is. 43:4, NIV) Now rest in the promise that He loves you, He knows your needs, and He's constantly by your side.
If you could use more daily reminders of how much God loves you, read today's power verses, write them on an index card and carry them with you all day! Also, visit Renee's blog for a list of Bible promises and prayers to remind you of God's love.
Reflections:
Do you believe God is watching over you, smiling and delighting in the fact that you are HIS child?
Would you like to begin a love relationship with Jesus today, accepting your secure position as God's child? Click here to find out how you can know Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." (NIV)
Psalm 139:1-3, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways." (NIV)
Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love." (NIV)
© 2011 Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 3, 2011
A Space for Grace
Lysa TerKeurst
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground..." Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
Life is good. Life is hard. Life is full of amazing moments. Life is dotted with things that bump into my happy. Up and down and up and down... do you ever feel this way?
I can wake up cheerful and determined to keep a good attitude today and then someone makes a hurtful comment. Someone makes a mess without bothering to stop and clean it up. An unexpected bill makes my pulse race. I get an ugly email that starts off, "Shame on you." Lovely.
These things crash down on me like a wave I didn't see coming. I go under. My heart gets snagged. My emotions well up. My attitude heads south.
I suspect you understand.
Yesterday, after the "shame on you" email, I lifted up a little prayer to Jesus. It was honest. It was simple:
"What is the deal Jesus? Why do I always seem to have little pieces of brokenness in my life every day? It's so frustrating. I need your perspective on the brokenness or I need a break from it."
There was no answer.
No instant verse.
Nothing.
Until this morning.
With a tired heart I sat at my kitchen table and opened up my tattered and worn Bible. I read, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord..." Hosea 10:12 (NIV).
Sow for yourselves righteousness...
In other words, I must sow righteousness into my life - right choices that honor God. I have to remember I always have a choice in every situation. I can choose to honor Jesus in the midst of it all. Even when I am dishonored, I can choose to honor Him.
Reap the fruit of unfailing love...
There will be fruit in the midst of every choice that honors God. It will be the fruit of being able to remember God's unfailing love. Romans chapter 8 teaches me nothing shall separate me from the love of God. Yet, that is Satan's great tactic to get me entangled in little things, making me forget or doubt God's unfailing love.
I must resist the distracting entanglements by honoring God in this choice I am faced with right now.
Break up your unplowed ground...
The blessing in these broken circumstances can be found in the way it tills the ground of my heart. Breaking up the unplowed soil of my heart will make it ready for new life, new growth, new maturity.
For it is time to seek the Lord...
It's time for me to seek God like never before. And part of seeking Him is allowing for grace space in my life. When the circumstances of life leak me dry, I can see this emptiness as an opportunity. Instead of reacting out of emptiness, I can choose to see that this emptiness is the perfect spot for grace to grow deeper and more widespread in my life.
As I give grace to those who don't deserve it, the mercy jars of heaven will lavish it back on me. And, oh how I desperately need a lavish dose of heaven's grace.
"... for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you," Hosea 10:12.
The showers...
Then the growth comes. As I make right choices that honor Him, I start to look at life and people, and annoying circumstances differently. I change. I become more complete. I sense a new closeness with God. I don't go under quite as easily when the waves of life rush at me and over me.
And I even dare to whisper thank you when the need for grace spaces comes again and again.
Dear Lord, show me how to seek You more and more in the midst of everyday life. Please help me to see my emptiness as an opportunity. As space for grace in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you need a grace space in your weight struggles, Lysa would love to be a friend walking the journey with you in her book, "Made to Crave." Order your copy by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you To find a city near you, click here.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website. You'll find lots of encouraging articles to print and share with a friend!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Let's grab hold of the truths that will set us free. Open your Bible to look for truth. Start with Romans 8 and ask God to reveal His love to you.
Reflections:
We grow closer to God as we learn to look and act more like Him. The Bible calls this participating in His divine nature. Not only do our actions need to reflect the self-control the Holy Spirit affords us, but our sense of identity needs to reflect His presence each day.
What would it look like for me to reflect Christ's nature today?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)
Psalm 25:4, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 4, 2011
Where Would Jesus Sit?
Glynnis Whitwer
"When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating
with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples:
'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?'" Mark 2:16 (NIV 2010)
Devotion:
At a recent funeral reception, two choices faced me. Both concerned where to sit. Not that big of a deal, really. But it was. That day, I had to choose between where I felt most comfortable sitting, and where Jesus wanted me to sit. They weren't the same.
Normally when in this situation, I would look for a friend, or at least a friendly face. That day, except for a few family members who were surrounded by people, strangers faced me in every corner. My choice was between strangers who looked like me, and those who didn't.
It's not that they really looked like me, they just seemed like me on the surface - traditionally dressed, about my age, and talking about things I might talk about. Then there was the group outside on the back patio. I knew who they were, and they weren't like me. Their lifestyle choices were far from mine. Were they sitting outside because they didn't "fit" with the inside group? No one would have intentionally snubbed them, but they sat apart nonetheless.
Plate in hand, I stood beside the buffet table weighing my options. And I asked myself, "Where would Jesus sit?" Would He choose to sit inside with those like Him? Or would He be outside with those whose choices revealed a heart far from God? The answer was obvious; I headed for the back door.
"May I sit with you?" I asked. Smiles and nods greeted me. Immediately someone jumped to grab a chair, another introduced himself, and I was drawn into the lively conversation. The next hour flew by as we chatted and laughed about vacations, movies and community happenings.
They could have judged me for being obviously different from them, but they didn't. For that moment in time, they welcomed me into their group. As we parted ways, my mind imagined Jesus intentionally choosing to hang out with those shunned by the religious types. They welcomed His presence. In spending time with those far from God, He created quite a stir.
I can imagine a disciple or two trying to warn Jesus about the dangers of hanging out with "sinners." Perhaps they thought Him naive, or simply unwise. "What will people think?" some might have said. "Will others trust what we have to say after they see us having dinner with them?"
But Jesus didn't worry about what others thought. He didn't worry about His reputation being sullied by His choice of friends. Instead, He went out of His way to show acceptance and love to those who needed Him.
That's how I want to be. My choice of where to sit should expand beyond an hour at a reception - it should be a lifestyle of reaching out to those who need to know Jesus. Whether at church, the cafeteria at work, the bleachers on Saturday morning, or a child's birthday party, there will be people far from God.
Each time I have a choice, the questions will be the same: Will I gravitate towards the known? Or where Jesus might go?
We are called to be set apart in many ways; we don't live like the world lives. But Jesus also said we are to be a light. In my experience, lighting a candle in a well-lit room doesn't make much of a difference. A candle in the dark, however, changes the scene dramatically.
So the next time we have a choice of where to sit, let's think about Jesus and go where He would choose.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving this broken and hurting world. You've asked me to do the same. Forgive me for those times I've chosen the safe route. I know those times have been based in fear, and concern for myself. Help me to be a woman who trusts You enough with her reputation that she's willing to sit where Jesus would sit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Girlfriends Road Trip (CD) by Renee Swope A message filled with encouragement and practical ideas for building Christ-like friendships.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In the coming weeks, choose to attend an event where there will be people unlike yourself. At that event, make a conscious decision to interact with someone different from you.
Reflections:
Have I found myself in increasingly homogeneous groups? If so, what holds me back from spending time with people unlike myself?
To what extend should Christians interact with non-Christians?
Power Verses:
Mark 2:17, "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (NIV 2010)
1 Peter 2:12, "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (NLT)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 7, 2011
The Verse that Made Me Cringe
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
For years, I cringed every time I read a verse about honoring God with my body and my body being the temple of the Holy Spirit.
I wanted to please God. But did it have to be with my body? I had set out with great enthusiasm to get healthy so many times but always slipped back into complacency. I didn't want to try and just be reminded of my failures again.
Then I found the most interesting story in the Old Testament about how serious God is about people taking care of the temple entrusted to them. It stepped on my toes and messed with my heart in the best kind of way.
Before the Holy Spirit was given to us and our bodies became the temple, there used to be physical locations for the Spirit of God to dwell. In Haggai chapter 1 God's people had returned from being in exile in Babylon. One of the first things they set about doing was to rebuild the temple.
They started with great enthusiasm and wonderful intentions but slowly slipped back into complacency and eventually stopped their work on the temple all together. Other things seemed more urgent, higher priorities, and all together more appealing to work on. Haggai 1:2-8 says:
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' "
Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD."
Oh this reminds me just how divided my heart can be when it comes to taking care of my body - God's temple. Like these Jewish people, I could easily say, "I'm not in a season where it's feasible to take care of my body. I just can't find the time between the kids, my work responsibilities, running a home, paying the bills, and all the day to day activities."
However, if I was really honest, I made time for what I wanted to make time for. Just the same, the Jews who returned from Babylon obviously had time to do things they really wanted to do as well. They found the time and energy to put paneling up in their own homes while ignoring the home of the Lord.
So, where's the hope?
I found it in the challenge the Lord issues in verse 7: "Give careful thought to our ways" and make time to "build the house" so that he may be honored. Verse 8 says, "Go up into the mountains." In other words, escape the ruts of my same old patterns by heading onward and upward. Give careful thought to each decision I make from here.
I realized each decision mattered.
So, every day I started waking up and lifting up my willingness to head in a new direction to the Lord. As I took positive steps, the Lord strengthened my heart day by day. One good decision turned into two, turned into three, and eventually turned into victory. Like my Pastor says, "You must do what only you can do. Then God will do what only He can do."
Slowly, I rebuilt my temple and learned to honor God with my body. Me. The girl who used to cringe at the thought of this verse. Sweet sister, if I can do it, so can you.
Dear Lord, I want to honor You in every way. I want to honor You with my mind - help me release the excuses. I want to honor You with my heart - help me make taking care of my body more of a priority. And I want to honor You with my body - help me look at my body as Your temple and make caring for it a priority. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to listen to a short video of Lysa sharing some encouragement you don't want to miss.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst and the accompanying workbook: Made to Crave Participant's Guide.
Application Steps:
A great step to encourage you on this journey would be to sign up for the FREE 21 Day Challenge Lysa has written to help you find the spiritual encouragement to make healthier choices. For more information click here.
Reflections:
How did these verses challenge you?
What is one healthy choice you can make today?
Power Verses:
Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
Psalm 18:1, "I love you, O Lord, my strength." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 8, 2011
Desperate Dependence
T. Suzanne Eller
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
My close friend Ronnie and his brother witnessed a car accident and jumped out to help. Ronnie leaped over a downed electrical line to grab the car door, and thousands of volts of electricity entered his side and exited through both of his feet, pinning him to the ground as he was electrocuted over and over. His brother was able to pull him away with a broken limb. Soon, Life Flight whisked him away to a burn center.
When I received word that they were amputating both of his legs, I remember thinking, "He'll never make it." It's not that I thought he would die, but that the loss might crush him. He was an athlete. He was fiercely independent. When we were in college, he hurt his leg in a motorcycle accident and being dependent on others during his recovery frustrated him.
I arrived at the hospital and stood by his side. I wept at the sight of my unconscious friend. Over the next several months Ronnie went through multiple surgeries.
Over time we lost touch until one day he showed up at my church. He and his family, now complete with a son and a daughter, had moved nearby.
In many ways Ronnie was changed. He was a little gray around the temples. He carried a few extra pounds. But it was what was the same that was so beautiful. His sense of humor was intact. His faith was deeper than it had ever been.
He confessed there were dark days, especially in the beginning when he realized how dependent he had to be on his wife and a medical team. But in that time he had learned how dependent he could be on God, and how our Heavenly Father can somehow take tragedies and redeem them.
Ronnie is a teacher at a school for the blind, and it is his story that connects them in the beginning, though it is his sheer love for teaching that takes the student/teacher relationship deeper. He doesn't just walk on two prosthetic legs. He farms. He rides a tractor. He goes on mission trips. He walks with others who have recently lost their legs, helping them to stand again.
Ronnie is the first to admit that despite his independence in life, spiritually he is more dependent on God than ever, and it's a gift.
Desperate dependence is where you surrender, not to the circumstances or to loss, but to God. Author Max Davis says, "Desperate dependence is the place where we can stop living by our own power." It's where we discover God's strength in and through us.
That's what happened with my friend Ronnie. And it's what can happen with you and me.
Dear Lord, I'm in a hard place. I am used to being self-sufficient. Today I reach for You. I ask that You help me to place my trust in You completely, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Suzie's blog for an interview with her friend Ronnie.
Join Suzie's Live Free Facebook group for community, encouragement and a weekly video Bible study.
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn
Custis James
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In Psalm 95:6-7, David prayed: "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care" (NIV).
David was a man who knew desperation. Make Psalm 95:6-7 your own prayer today, inserting your name in the scripture.
Reflections:
Desperate dependence is the place where scripture becomes even more weighty with the truth of these words, "All things work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28, NIV)."
All things.
Power Verses:
Mark 6:47-50,"When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 9, 2011
The Power of Encouragement
Renee Swope
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I do not like open heights. I can't stand narrow balconies. And when driving across a bridge, you'll find me hugging the rail along the inside lane.
A few years ago, some friends tried to help me conquer my fear of heights by inviting our family to an indoor rock-climbing center. My heart stopped as we entered the doors and I scanned the highest peak at 25 feet. The instructors assured me that a web of ropes and harnesses would hold me tight. Before I could say "no thank you," I was strapped in and signing an injury waiver.
Towards the end of the day our friends, John and Laura, asked their eight-year-old son Steven if he wanted to try to climb to the highest peak. Steven seemed a little hesitant, but when his dad offered game tokens and ice cream if he reached it, Steven took the challenge.
Although Steven wasn't crazy about heights, he loved a dare. The promise of reward, mixed with the challenge and faith of his father, evoked courage in him.
I watched with admiration as Steven started the climb with confidence. He made it to 10 feet, then 15, then 20. But as he inched past the next face of the wall, he looked down. Realizing how high he was and how far he still had to go, he insisted he couldn't do it.
By this time, John was holding their very tired and fussy 3-year-old and Laura was feeding their hungry baby girl. I don't know where my brave husband was, but I quickly realized I was the only one standing there who could do something.
Suddenly courage and strength surged through my body and I called out, "Don't give up buddy. You can do it. I'll help you!"
In record time, I reached the 20-foot marker, crossed over the peak and up beside Steven to encourage him, reminding him of how far he'd come. I told him he could do it with God's strength and that it would be worth it if he'd persevere. With my words and my confidence in him, I helped Steven turn his thoughts towards a higher goal, an inner peak, a reward much greater than ice cream and game tokens – the reward of getting to a place he had stopped believing he could reach.
I surprised myself. I had silenced the voices of my own fears by focusing on helping someone else overcome theirs. In that moment, I realized the same promises I was claiming for Steven were true for me, too. I could do it with God's strength, and I did!
Each day we have the same opportunity. Like God did with Joshua in today's key verse, and like He does with us, we can come alongside each other in some of life's hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, "Don't give up, you can do it. I'll be with you and I will help you."
Isn't it amazing that when we take our eyes off our fears, our doubts, and our struggles and focus on someone else's needs, we somehow forget our own? In believing the power of God's promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us seems to grow as well. And that my friend is the power of encouragement!
Lord, thank You for the power of Your words that give me courage to become who You've created me to be – to go to places You're calling me to go and climb spiritual heights that are out of my reach without Your help. Give me Your encouragement and help me encourage someone else today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Power of a Purpose Driven Mom a message on CD by Renee Swope, about the importance of our words and God's Word to help shape our kids' character.
Rest Assured: How to Stop Worrying and Start Resting in God's Promisesmessage on CD by Renee Swope
Visit Renee's Blog for "Encouraging Words Wednesday" to join in giving and receiving encouragement from women around the world. And enter to win an "Encouraging Words" gift pack.
Get a dose of daily encouragement from Renee via Facebook.
Application Steps:
Ask God to encourage your heart today with a promise from His Word that offers hope and power in the midst of your circumstances.
Be part of Encouraging Words Wednesday – a place where we commit once each month to encourage someone. Whether we write a note, leave a message, send an email or simply say something encouraging.
Encourage someone with God's promises and a prayer. It could be the very thing they need today to overcome discouragement or defeat. Click here [S1] for some ideas.
Reflections:
How has someone's encouraging words impacted my life in the past? How has God's words of encouragement helped me do things I never thought I could?
Power Verses:
Psalm 69:32, "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged." (NLT)
Deuteronomy 3:28, "But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." (NIV)
Psalm 10:17, "You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 10, 2011
I Picked Up a Runaway
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
"My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place." Jeremiah 50:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I picked up a young runaway one afternoon.
She was dirty, wore baggy sweat pants and a yellow sweatshirt, and had muddy feet. I was stopped at an intersection when she sauntered across the street right in front of my car.
I continued on when the light turned green.
But I could not get those bare feet out of my mind. Those muddy, bare feet.
Why was this young girl walking across a busy intersection with no shoes on in the middle of a school day? About a mile down the road I felt the Lord encouraging me to turn around and go find that girl with the bare feet.
It was a gentle, but direct nudge I could not refuse.
I found her several minutes later outside a convenience store with a cup of water in her hand. I pulled up, rolled down my window and said, "Hey, what's going on with you?"
With little emotion she replied, "Oh nothing."
"Well...what are you doing? Can I take you home?" I offered.
"You can take me to my friend's house," she answered.
"I'd rather take you home," I said. "Where do you live?"
"Well, I'm running away from home, so you can't take me there," she said.
"Oh. Well, I would like to. Where do you live?" I asked again.
She eventually complied and trustingly got in my car. (Oh how my heart was pounding!)
My new friend Sarah was only in 8th grade, skipping school and leaving home because she got into an argument about friends with her parents. She had been gone for two days. The previous night she had slept outside.
I prayed for just the right words to come from my mouth with my fragile but captive audience of one, on the 20-minute ride to her house.
As I dropped Sarah off at her home, I prayed that the Lord would take over from there. I drove off and felt a peace in what He had led me to do that day.
It just so happened that a minor traffic accident had occurred around the corner as I was leaving. So I pulled over and told one of the officers about Sarah, hoping they could also help her in some way.
Find her. Stop her. Detain her. Guide her. Protect her. Save her.
As I prayed for my runaway friend in the days that followed, I realized that she is not much different from you and me. From a place we have journeyed or perhaps a place we are in right now.
Most of us have found ourselves running away at some point in our lives. Running from someone or something. Looking to escape.
Running, yet desperately hoping to be found.
She is lonely. She is angry. She feels betrayed. She feels misunderstood. She feels unloved. She is searching. She is confused. She is bitter. She wants to rest.
Oh my friend, I pray that you will have eyes to see, ears to hear and a place to finally find rest. For you are loved.
You are loved indeed.
Seek Him right now.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me today and every day. I am grateful that You are bigger than all of my problems. Give me the courage and the wisdom to seek You today, regardless of my circumstances. I want to be found by You Lord. And give me a heart to be able to see and help others near me in need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to read the follow up letter Holly received from Sarah's mother.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Please read Luke 15:11-32. Focus on the father's actions and reactions and journal your thoughts. What does this story teach you about God's love for you?
Pray that you will have eyes to see that God's love is constant, patient and welcoming.
Reflections:
Am I running from something today? Spiritually, physically or emotionally?
How can I seek Him more today?
Read Psalm 71:20-21. Record these verses on a 3x5 card. Do you know someone you could give these verses to as an encouragement?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:14, "'I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity...'" (NIV)
Luke 15:32, "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and his found." (NIV)
Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (NIV)
© 2011 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 11, 2011
Trust In Numbers
Marybeth Whalen
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
Recently my husband and I were discussing our ongoing efforts to build up our emergency fund. A series of setbacks that included car repairs, replacing an HVAC system and my husband's six month unemployment had left little in our emergency savings. It seemed every time we got a little bit of money in, it went right back out. I voiced my frustration to my husband. "If we could just get a certain amount in there," I said, "We wouldn't have to worry anymore."
The idea of not worrying appealed to me. I wanted something to stay the same. I wanted to be confident and stable. This all sounded like a good idea.
But that's not what was happening. So what was God trying to teach me?
A few days later I was reading the story of Gideon, the man God called a mighty warrior even as he was hiding out, scared of his enemies. In Judges 7 God finally convinces Gideon to assemble an army of Israelites to face their enemy. I am sure Gideon was pleased and surprised when 32,000 men responded to his battle cry. I imagine the strength of their numbers was a comfort to this less than confident soldier.
And then God told him to cut the army down in size. Then cut it again. God cut the army's numbers from 32,000 down to just 300. Contrast that with Judges 7:12, where the enemy troops are described as "thick as locusts." I can only imagine what Gideon was feeling. He had to think that more was better, that surely having a large army to count on was a good idea.
As I read this passage I thought of another time a soldier wanted to know the numbers he was dealing with. First Chronicles 21:1 tells us that King David was enticed by Satan to count his men. He knew that if he could get David's focus on the numbers instead of on God, he'd gain access to David's thoughts and trust.
These two biblical examples were a good wakeup call. God was trying to teach me to stop trusting in numbers – specifically in bank account numbers. He was gently reminding me that—as good as an emergency fund is—I can really only trust in Him. I didn't need to worry about my balance or my battlefield. I only had to believe He would supply all I need.
God calls us mighty, even as we are hiding out. God calls us powerful, even as our forces dwindle. God calls us wealthy, even as we are fretting about finances. God majors in the impossible. He can overpower terrible odds because He's free to shine His light on our situation. Are your numbers looking grim? Let your lack invite His might.
Don't trust in numbers that change like the tides. Trust in the unchanging God. Watch Him work against the odds. Just ask Gideon, who won a decisive victory with his 300 men. You can be victorious too, no matter what the numbers say.
Dear Lord, my numbers don't look good right now. The statistics are stacked against me. The account balance doesn't make sense. I'm in the red. I feel like I'm facing impossible odds. And yet, today I feel a spark of hope. Please fan it into a flame of complete trust—not in numbers, but in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriageby Marybeth and Curt Whalen
From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD)by Marybeth Whalen
She Reads
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
When you start to focus on the numbers recognize that as a trigger that it's time to stop and pray, giving your situation to God. Do this as many times as it takes.
Reflections:
Have I been trusting in numbers when God's trying to get me to trust in Him? What numbers are comforting to me?
Power Verses:
2 Chronicles 21:8, "Then David said to God, 'I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'" (NIV)
Judges 7:2, The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, 'My own strength has saved me.'" (NIV)
Deuteronomy 20:1, "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 14, 2011
What's the Big Deal?
Melanie Chitwood
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24 (AMP)
Devotion:
When my husband and I were arranging our first home, Scott wanted a TV in our bedroom. According to my set of rules, however, TVs did not belong in bedrooms. Although he didn't understand why I made a big deal about this situation, Scott graciously went along with my preference.
As I considered my "rule" about TVs, I realized it stemmed from the way things were when I grew up. We were a family of readers who rarely watched TV, so I expected this to be the case in my marriage. When my sports-loving, sports-watching husband wanted a TV in our bedroom, I just didn't understand why it was important to him.
As every married couple will discover, we each enter marriage with our own customs and habits stemming from our family of origin. Chances are these are going to result in some differences. As you're reading this, you might think of some of those differences right now.
One couple I know had a conflict over decorating. He wanted to adorn the living room walls with his prized hunting trophies and sports memorabilia, just like his family did while growing up. His wife was sure a pretty painting or two would add a touch of warmth and elegance.
A few other possible examples come to mind: your family ate in front of the TV; but your husband's family always ate at the kitchen table. Your family watched football all day on Thanksgiving Day; his family played games. Your family was sentimental and kept every bit of memorabilia; his family was relentless about not letting clutter accumulate. His family didn't make a big deal about Christmas gifts; your family gave all thirty-five members of the extended family at least one present.
These are just little things. But the little things can add up and become divisive wedges, threatening the oneness God wants a married couple to enjoy. Today's key verse offers a solution to this potential area of separation. Genesis 2:24 tells us that a married couple will "leave his father and his mother."
While the more obvious understanding of this verse refers to a physical leaving, it also refers to a shift in habits or customs.
Once married, our hearts need to shift from our family of origin to our new family. The family we've created with our husbands becomes our central relationship. One way to honor this shift in relationships is to embrace new customs, habits and traditions.
What does this look like in everyday life? For me, it meant being open to a TV in our bedroom, along with many other bigger changes, too. The young couple with the decorating conflict found a compromise where their bedroom displays his trophies but the living room is her decorating domain.
God will show you what changes to make and how to do so. At times this will mean adopting our extended family's customs, and other times it will mean creating completely new traditions to treasure as our own.
Making changes in the way we do things, whether putting a TV in the bedroom or changing how we decorate, is a key way to strengthen our marriage. As we negotiate this shift in traditions, customs and habits, let's pray we'll experience unity, not division.
Dear Lord, thank You for my husband and our marriage. Reveal to me anything I need to leave behind, so I can be united to my husband. Help us to find compromises and new traditions to cement us together as a family. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melanie's blog,where she helps couples develop "Magnetic Marriages"
This devotion is adapted fromWhat a Husband Needs from His Wifeby Melanie Chitwood. Pair it with What a Wife Needs from Her Husbandby Melanie for a dynamic combo!
Generation Next Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping it Together by Tricia Goyer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Take inventory of the "smaller" issues of your married life together. Consider things like family time, date nights, meal time, decorating, time with extended family members and holiday traditions. Take note of where you and your husband need to find a compromise or where you need to create your own customs.
Find a godly balance between your family of origin and your new family. Discuss with your husband ways you can honor your families of origin, while simultaneously establishing your marriage as your central relationship.
Reflections:
Is there anything my husband has wanted, even something small like putting a TV in our bedroom, which I've resisted because it's not in line with the way I grew up?
The issue of leaving and cleaving in marriage is really an issue of the heart. Do I allow the Holy Spirit to examine my heart to reveal areas where I need to let go of old ways?
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:2, "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (NAS)
1 Peter 3:8,"Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble)." (AMP)
© 2011 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 15, 2011
Secret Decoder Ring
Rachel Olsen
"You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not." Matthew 13:11 (NLT)
Devotion:
Did you catch that gem of a revelation in today's key verse? Jesus said there are secrets in the Kingdom of God.
I don't know about you but I have a hard time resisting secrets - especially God-sized secrets. So when I discovered this verse, I immediately wanted to know more. Don't you?
What secrets might God share with me? What secrets will He reveal to you?
To be perfectly honest, for years much of the Bible seemed like a giant secret I wasn't privy to. I just didn't get parts of it—many parts of it. Was I one of those "others" who hadn't been permitted to understand? I wondered. I suspected maybe if I went to seminary or became a nun, I could get a secret decoder ring and suddenly my Bible would make sense to me.
I just wasn't sure this average, everyday gal could ever figure it out all by herself. Turns out, I was partially right.
Today's verse starts a passage every woman needs to hear:
"You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them. That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don't really see. They hear what I say, but they don't really hear, and they don't understand." (Matthew 13:11-13, NLT)
According to Jesus, God grants us the ability to recognize Kingdom truths. Jesus promises if we are truly open to His teachings, He will help us understand spiritual realities. Therefore, it's not up to you or me to figure out the mysteries of God or the deep truths of the Bible with our own perception. No need to spend your days in seclusion, or your money on an advanced degree. Jesus is our secret decoder ring!
And we can wear it proudly because no ring shines brighter than He does! Peter, James, and John, three of Jesus' disciples, witnessed His astounding brilliance—His sparkling glory—when He took them to a secluded spot on a mountain top. "As the men watched, Jesus' appearance changed, and his clothing became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly process could ever make it" (Mark 9:2-3, NLT). Suddenly a cloud came over them and "a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him'" (Mark 9:7, NLT).
God never hides truth from sincere seekers. In fact, He came to earth in the person of Jesus to ensure that we'd learn His secrets and understand His ways. Our task is to open ourselves—ears, eyes, and heart—and listen intently to Him. To concentrate and apply ourselves to the process of prayerfully reading the Bible.
So, when I don't understand something I read in scripture, I look to Jesus. I ask Jesus to help me understand. I consider the example He set while here on earth - found in the gospels - and then I read the perplexing chapter or verses again in light of his example and character. I ask His Holy Spirit to guide me into all spiritual truth. And I've been amazed by what I've found.
I won't say that I now understand everything in my Bible cover-to-cover, but I have discovered some truly empowering secrets to life in God's Kingdom. And I trust more revelation is to come, simply because Jesus said it would. He promised an abundance of knowledge to those who listen to Him.
It's easy to miss the full impact of the first dozen words of today's key verse and zero in on the last four: "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not." Don't make that mistake. Don't assume you'll never "get it." If you are a follower of Christ, listening to Him with your heart, He will reveal to you victorious secrets for life in His Kingdom. Open your eyes to Him. Open your ears to Him. Open your heart to Him, and dig into His Word. Pray for revelation and understanding.
And be ready to record the amazing things He reveals as you do.
Dear Lord, I willingly and eagerly open my eyes, ears and heart to You today. Speak to me through Your Word, I pray. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Needs to Knowby Rachel Olsen
You don't need a decoder ring to uncover God's truths in your everyday life. Join Melissa Taylor along with hundreds of women for an online study of Rachel's book It's No Secret beginning March 20th. For a signed copy of the book at a 10% discount, call 877-731-4663 toll-free and mention you want to join the online study.
Visit Rachel's blog
Application Steps:
Pray and listen with expectation as you read the Bible today.
Follow this link to learn about the upcoming online study of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Needs to Know. Each chapter covers a different "secret," followed by a study section where you can dig into God's Word for yourself and hear His voice.
Reflections:
Do I avoid reading the Bible because I've struggled to understand it?
What does Jesus say in Mark 13:11-13? Read it out loud.
Power Verses:
Colossians 2:2-3, "I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love so that they may be rich in their understanding. This leads to their knowing fully God's secret, that is, Christ himself. In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept." (NCV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 16, 2011
Given
Marybeth Whalen
"The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, 'Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!'"
Joshua 6:16 (NIV)
Devotion:
Whenever I share my marriage story, I share the moment that I knew that God was calling me to hang in there when I wanted to give up. I was reading the story of the battle of Jericho in Joshua 6 and today's verse jumped out at me. More importantly, one particular word jumped out at me: given.
Past tense. It was already done even if from where the Israelites were standing it didn't look done.
God was telling them, "Hey I've done this thing. You've just got to be willing to do something that sounds a little crazy to take hold of it. March around the city for seven days." I know the people who were watching from the high walls of Jericho thought they looked crazy marching around the city over and over in circles.
Anyone who's ever heard the old song about it knows that they did what He asked and received a great victory in return. Joshua fought the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down.
But that's not the only time that one of God's people counted on something being given to them before it looked like it had been accomplished. In Judges 7 Gideon has snuck into the enemy camp and heard the soldiers there talking about a dream one of them had about their impending defeat.
Even though the odds looked stacked against them for a victorious battle, God was working behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes, in ways the Israelites could not have foreseen. Judges 7:15 says, "When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, 'Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands.'" Again the word "given" is used. Gideon was counting on a victory that hadn't happened yet, and was moving forward in confidence.
I think Gideon's response here is key. He immediately worshiped God as sure as if the victory had already taken place. He trusted God completely even though the circumstances weren't certain. After he worshiped God, he took action. He operated according to God's faithfulness, not his own perspective.
What has God given you that you need to take hold of—even if it doesn't look like it from where you're standing? Freedom in finances? A healed relationship? A better marriage? A job in an unstable market? A dream He's whispered to your heart? Can you move forward in worship and trust, counting on the fact that it has been given to you already? Focusing on what lies ahead and not what's happening now?Given. It's already happened. Are you living like it has ?
Dear Lord, I am thinking of the things You've given me that I've missed because I didn't trust You like I should have. Keep my eyes open to Your promises and let me take hold of them with confidence in You and not my circumstances. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriageby Marybeth and Curt Whalen
Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD)by Marybeth Whalen
She Reads
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down something in your life that you'd like to know God has given to you. Ask Him to lead you to some scriptures that will help you hear from Him about this particular issue. Then ask Him to help you see what response you need to have.
Reflections:
Can I think of a time when God has given me something and I knew it before it actually took place? Have I let these experiences build my faith?
Power Verses:
Joshua 6:2, "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.'" (NIV)
I Corinthians 4:2, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 17, 2011
The Lord Will Provide
Micca Monda Campbell
"Abraham, Abraham!" ... "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." Genesis 22:11b-12 (NKJ)
Devotion:
One of my favorite stories of the Bible is recorded in Genesis 22 where Abraham's faith is totally tested by God. God commands him to offer up his only son, Isaac, as a human sacrifice.
Whenever I read about this historical event, I picture the scene in my mind ... Abraham stands over his son, distraught in anguish, as sweat pours from his brow. For a moment he turns away to gain composure, then clinches his teeth and lifts the knife high into the air, pausing just long enough to secure control of his quivering hand. Suddenly, he hears a voice from heaven say, "Abraham, don't touch him!" (my paraphrase).
Instantly, tension melts into relief as he drops the knife and burst into tears of joy. I can almost hear the clang of the knife's blade as it falls against rocks. Abraham scoops his boy into his arms and kisses his face repeatedly. Under his breath, he praises the Lord, "Thank You, God. Thank You."
God's command, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and...sacrifice him," must have pierced Abraham's ever-faithful heart. Sometimes it feels as if God pierces my faithful heart, too. Perhaps you're feeling pierced today and battling to maintain your hope in God.
Let's face it, when everything seems to be against us it hurts, especially when we've been faithful.
· It hurts when you've been a good spouse, but the divorce papers appear anyway.
· It hurts when you've sacrificed for your friend only to be rejected in your time of need.
· It hurts when you deserve the promotion only to discover it went to someone younger.
· It hurts when you diligently save only to lose your lifelong savings in the stock market.
· It hurts when you've raised your teenager in church and he walks away from God.
Sometimes I want to scream, "I can't sacrifice anymore, Lord!"
It's when I reach the end of self-effort that I realize what God is after—my undivided heart.
The same was true with Abraham. God never wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son. He wanted Abraham's trust and his surrendered heart. It's what the Lord longs from you and me, too. He wants us to trust Him no matter our situation.
So, where did Abraham get that kind of trust? He got it from God's promise. Before Isaac was born, God promised Abraham that countless descendents would come through his son. If Abraham were to eliminate Isaac, God would still fulfill His promise. According to Hebrews 11:19, Abraham believed if he killed his son, God would raise him from the dead. Notice Abraham's faith when he said, "I and the boy [will] go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you" (Genesis 22:5).
Abraham not only took God at His word, he fully trusted Him with the situation. You and I would do well to do the same. The Bible is full of God's promises to provide for us in times of sorrow, hardship, weakness, and fear. Standing on His promises during adversity gives us the support we need until our troubles pass.
Dear Lord, teach me Your promises. Help me to hide them in my heart so that they may become the support and help You intend them to be in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fearsby Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blogfor a list of God's promises.
Trials for Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life by Jan Eckles
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Begin today memorizing some of God's promises. Each week add new ones to your list. Visit Micca's blog for a list of God's promises you can began with today.
Reflections:
Did Abraham know what the outcome would be of God's command?
Can I trust God with my children, job, health,________ even if I don't know the outcome?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 18, 2011
When I Am Free
Lynn Cowell
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Mom, the dog won't come! I think she has run away again."
Uggg....This was MY time. Why should I have to take care of the dog? I never wanted her any way! These were the stinky thoughts in my brain at 9:30 one evening after spending the day doing the "have to's." I was enjoying my few minutes of "want to's." I didn't want to be interrupted!
As I got up off the couch, my daughter asked, "What is wrong?" It felt as though the Holy Spirit Himself was asking me. What is wrong with you?
What was wrong with me was me.
Do you ever suffer from Me Syndrome? You know, that time of the day or the month when you feel that now is the time for me? I sure do; often in fact. If it doesn't help or benefit me, I don't want to do it! I guess that is why Galatians 5:13 jumped off the page when I read it recently.
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (NIV)
Ouch! That really hurt! Freedom is given so I can serve. Okay, Lord, so where do you want to free me so I can serve?
Here is the short list of what was downloaded to my heart in a mere two minutes of journaling my response to that question:
When I am free from ambition, I am free to serve with a joyful heart.
When I am free from selfishness, I am free from irritation.
When I am free from jealousy, I am free to rejoice in the good of another.
When I am free from judgment, I am free to pray from a pure heart.
When I am free from expectation, I am free to enjoy whatever comes.
When I am freed from controlling others, I am free to see the miraculous.
When I am truly free, I will see the Kingdom of God in my life.
That is what I want to see –the Kingdom of God come in my life. What is that going to take? It's going to take tearing free from my own selfish thoughts and feelings. It's going to take looking at things from God's perspective. It's going to take God's help. In order to be free, I have to be free of me.
Do you want to be free too? Free to find total and utter completion in Jesus? What steps will you take this week to make that freedom a reality?
Father, when I don't get my "to do" list done, I am irritated and frustrated. When I am tired and one more person needs me, I feel angry and annoyed. Only You can free me of me, Jesus. I give You permission to do it! In Your powerful Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Lynn's blog today where she is sharing her favorite "focuses" when her heart wants to fly off the handle!
He is that Into You(CD) by Lynn Cowell
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
It is normal as women to have moments when we feel like we just cannot give any more. We are spent. Choose to memorize today's verse for those times when you need to serve and struggle to do so.
Reflections:
Do I ever struggle with ambition, jealousy, expectation, selfishness, or control issues?
Choosing the one I wrestle with the most, I'll apply Galatians 5:1 and claim my freedom!
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)
Psalm 119:45, "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 21, 2011
I'll See You at the Party
Melissa Taylor
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."John 10:10 (NIV)
Devotion:
She asked to see the family, so of course, we complied with her request. After all, this woman, now in her ninety-second year of life, had earned our love and respect.
Just nine months ago, she was independent, full of energy, and involved in life. Now she was calling her family together to say, "Good-bye." We were saddened by Little Granny's announcement that she was ready to meet Jesus face to face, until she added, "Put away those sad faces...I am happy! Keep smiling."
Many would not understand her joy in the midst of the knowledge she was dying. But Little Granny knew something about where she was going.
I took my kids to see her to say their final good-byes. They hugged their great-grandmother and told her how much they loved her. She told them the same, her words faint and weak.
When it was my turn, I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I love you," I said. To which she replied, "I'll see you at the party."
At first I thought she might be disoriented. But as I looked at her through my tears, I realized she was thinking very clearly. Little Granny was on her way to "the party" in heaven, her eternal home.
I get the joy that Little Granny felt over going to the party. I'm so thankful that after this life journey is over, I'll join her at that party. But even in the joy of eternity, death is hard. It's hard on us who are still here.
My mother died one year ago. The ache that burns deep in my heart is like none I've experienced. She was my best friend, and now she's gone. Just today as I was grocery shopping, I caught a glimpse of the apple turnovers that she loved so much. We used to eat them topped with vanilla ice cream. I broke down right there in the frozen food section. I so badly want to enjoy an apple turnover with my mom. That part of my life is over and I'm left wounded. The only peace I have is that Mom is at the "party" and one day I'll join her. Until then, I must live my life.
I don't mean get through life; I mean really live life. As Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"(John 10:10). My Life Application Study Bible's commentary puts it this way: "In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately."
Sadly, too many of us spend our lives waiting to go to the party instead of living for the party - right now. We realize that our life here on earth is not always what we wished for but then we settle for a dull, just-getting-by life instead of the spiritually rich and abundantly full life Jesus offers.
How do we live that full life with so many trials? We stay close to the One who has promised us life; we stay close to Jesus. We remain in the Word of God and apply His promises to our lives. It doesn't mean all of our pain will be removed, but it does mean we can live full and free lives.
Little Granny said, "I'll see you at the party." Well Little Granny, I hope you are having a blast up there! And in memory of you and my mother, I think I'll have a little party right here of my own... a Jesus party, where I will strive to do just what He said and live my life to the full!
I hope to see you at the party!
Dear Lord, thank You for giving life to me through Jesus. Because of You, I have hope and reason to be joyful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join Melissa as she leads a community of online friends closer to Jesus so we can live out His Word in our everyday lives. All are invited! You can visit Melissa's blog to find out more and sign up for her online Bible study of It's No Secret. Today she's giving away an autographed copy.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen. All books purchased through Proverbs 31 Ministries will be autographed by Rachel!
Want to talk with Rachel, Melissa and others about the book? Sign up for the It's No Secret, Online Bible Study Conference Calls.
Share the joy of life with Jesus with your children through From the Pound to the Palace book and DVD by Van Walton
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are so grateful for every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
I want to invite you to a great big party on my blog, www.MelissaTaylor.org, where we are going to learn to live to the full! We may share a few tears, but we'll also celebrate this life with joy and laughter while reading It's No Secret together. It will take us from feeling tired, exhausted, bored, and sad to being filled with Jesus and the Word of God! What do you say - will you join me?
Reflections:
Am I exhausted, bored, or just sad about life? Isn't it time to change all that?
Power Verses:
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 22, 2011
When I'm Not There, God Is
Glynnis Whitwer
"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
I watched the weather report with heightened concern. A winter snowstorm in the White Mountains was normally great news. It meant the ski lifts would soon be open and that our dry state would benefit from moisture. Today, however, it had a more ominous meaning, for my son Dylan was in the path of the storm.
Dylan and his high school wrestling team had been at a tournament in the mountains for a few days. They were due to be leaving soon, and my concern turned to dread as I pictured those desert dwellers trying to navigate through a snowstorm. My panicked mind reviewed all the horror stories of school sports teams, in vans or buses, going off the road. As I imagined the curving road with blinding snow, my heart started to pound.
The ringing of the phone jarred me from my unhealthy thoughts, and I heard my son's voice on the other end. "Mom," he said. "We're leaving right now to try and beat the storm." I breathed a prayer of thanks for those coaches who cared more about the kids' safety than finishing the tournament, but my worry continued.
Never before had I experienced such a longing to have my son safe in my arms. But that wasn't possible. Dylan had to make that journey home in the care of others. Thankfully, in the midst of my worry, God reminded me that Dylan wasn't just in the care of those coaches, but He was watching over Dylan.
I've struggled with this issue of worry over my children's safety since they were born. Because of my tendency to worry, I have the potential to be over-protective. However, years ago, God revealed to me that my fears were born more out of my lack of trust than a healthy concern. The truth was I believed my children were only safe when they were in my care. The reality of this fallen world is my children are only safe in the care of God.
Many of us will deal with anxiety over our children's safety, as well as countless other things. Instead of being overcome with worry, I've learned to identify the worries that come when I've misplaced my trust. It prompts me to pray more, trust more, and enjoy more of life with my children. By the way, my son and his wrestling team made it home safely that day and my prayer life has been stronger ever since.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for caring for my children even more than I do. Thank You for hearing my prayers, and for protecting my children. Help me to learn to trust You more, and to pray more about even the smallest details of their lives. I want to be a woman and mom who trusts You, the true source of all help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement in trusting God.
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Usby Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application
Make a list of the times when you are most concerned for your child's safety. Commit to praying every day for a week regarding these specific needs. Hopefully this will jump start a pattern of consistent prayer. If you aren't currently parenting a child at home, identify a child you know and pray for him or her.
Reflections
Why is it important for a parent (or any adult) to pray for children?
According to Psalm 91, from what does God protect His people?
Power Verses
Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (NIV)
Psalm 4:8, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (NIV)
Matthew 18:10, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 23, 2011
Stay
Amy Carroll
"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
I failed my friend. Although I'd love to tell you how I stuck by her as an encouraging presence and practical helper through her darkest days, it simply wouldn't be true.
I didn't understand her choices. I couldn't endorse her actions. I struggled with the consequences of what she wanted to do, and so I left. I didn't actually go anywhere physically, but I withdrew my availability and my openness. I tucked my heart into a safe, little box and walked away from her situation.
That was years ago, but I still look back on that time with regret and sorrow. Although I've made attempts since to reach out and reconcile, my friend is understandably cautious as she guards her still-hurting heart. I hope one day that our friendship will be fully restored, but until then I've tried to use the consequences of my choice to learn some things. I desperately want to learn to stay.
Stay through conflict.
Stay through struggles.
Stay through suffering.
Stay through discomfort.
Stay through misunderstanding.
Mary Magdalene is a beautiful example of a constant heart. Because of her great love for Jesus, she stayed.
She stayed after He set her free.
She stayed as He traveled.
She stayed through His torture.
She stayed at the cross.
She stayed at His burial.
She stayed to pass on the news of His resurrection.
Mary Magdalene is a picture of steadfast faithfulness. But sometimes I have trouble staying.
When a church doesn't quite fit my desires, I long for a "happier" place. When a friend is going through a bad time because of choices I can't endorse, I tend to withdraw. When God does things I can't understand, I yearn to flee to a more comfortable setting. It seems easier and less painful.
Come Thou Fount is my favorite hymn, and I think it's because this verse resounds so loudly with me:
O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.
I want to leave sometimes, but I long to stay. I long to learn an abiding love for God, my family and my friends that extends a grace beyond my own strength —a strength from One who never leaves. The One who is teaching me to stay.
Dear Lord, sometimes it's not easy to stay when conflict, disagreements or differences get in the way. Would You give me the power to love people unconditionally and the wisdom to know how to love them well? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read the Psalms and reflect on God's faithfulness and steadfastness.
Pray that God would weave His constant character into yours.
Reflections:
Are there times when I fled instead of staying?
Would God have me go back and begin to make amends for those times?
Power Verses:
John 19:25, "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 24, 2011
Sometimes It's a One or Two Verse Day
Lysa TerKeurst
"My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight."
Proverbs 5:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever get overwhelmed when you sit down to read your Bible? There are so many books, deep thoughts, spiritual insights and life altering truths... where do we begin for today?
My sticky farm table and I have a long history of early mornings together. I gather up my Bible and my computer. I push past the sleepy feelings begging me to go back to my bed. And I look at the well worn book as my love letter from God.
I don't say that in a syrupy, flowery way. Truly, His words are a life line to me. A whisper from my King. A personal note. A treasure.
But right now I'm in a season where I don't consume chapters at a time. Some days it's just one or two verses so that I can live Proverbs 5:1. I want to really pay attention. I need to listen well to what God is saying. I look for one verse that I can savor word by word, letting it sink in deep... interrupting me, rearranging me, redirecting me.
And I pray...
"God, what plans have I made for today that this verse needs to interrupt?"
"God, what thoughts did I bring in from yesterday that this verse needs to rearrange?"
"And God, what heart attitudes have I been carrying that this verse needs to redirect?"
His Word is the protective covering over my plans, my mind, and my heart. For to let me run free without it, will surely find me tripping over my own selfishness, insecurities, and weaknesses. So, with His love letter, He reminds me to pause- pause- pause.
Pause and let the Holy Spirit intervene in my natural flesh response.
Pause so I don't make the conversations all about me.
Pause and remember I'm not always right.
Pause to see the blessings, so many blessings, and say "thank you" at least once an hour.
Pause to serve, pause to give, pause to encourage when everyone else rushes by.
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding...Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path" (Proverbs 2:1-3, 9).
Don't get overwhelmed with the enormity and depth of the Bible.
It's okay if we read just a verse or two today.
But more importantly than reading His words, we must choose to receive them. And even more importantly, we must live them.
Dear Lord, help me to see You today in a single word or in a single verse. You are all powerful and anything is possible through You. May Your words and Your truth seep into the plans I make and every thought I think today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog today for a list of great verses for you to use on a one or two verse day.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave which is full of encouraging scripture verses that will help you learn to crave God and His Word.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Search for some significant truths in your Bible and underline them. Write them on a 3'x5' index card and keep them with you. Refer to these verses for strength and application throughout your day.
Reflections:
How did the today key verse encourage me?
How can I pay attention and listen well to a verse or two today?
Power Verses:
Acts 1:8a, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." (NIV)
Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 25, 2011
Losing Heart
Marybeth Whalen
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart."
2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
In the mid 90's I chose 2 Corinthians 4:1as my life verse. At the time, God was teaching me a big lesson about truly appreciating where He had me in life. As a mom of several small children I could often be found complaining about the mess, the noise, the lack of "me" time. I thought often about running away, pointing my car at the horizon and driving until the road ran out.
God began showing me that being a mom was about having a ministry to these little people He had given me. When I found this verse, I felt that it summed up in one line all that I needed to remember: It's only through His mercy that I have these children and—while I am in the midst of my ministry—I should not lose heart, as I was apt to do. I clung to this verse as a spiritual life rope.
Fast forward to the other day as I was doing my Bible study. My circumstances have changed, as circumstances do. I am no longer that young frantic mother. This time I was struggling with something else as I flipped past 2 Corinthians 4:1. My eyes fell to the notation I'd made years ago: "MY LIFE VERSE" it said in all caps. I re-read the familiar verse, but this time I applied my current situation to it.
Years later, I am just as quick to lose heart. I have a ministry that looks different from the one I had then. This one involves new challenges, new feelings of inadequacy. Yet I was reminded again that it is only through His mercy that I have this ministry. And in the midst of this ministry—even as I struggle with challenges and inadequacies—I should not lose heart.
What can we do when we are losing heart in the midst of the ministry God has given us, whatever it might be? I went to scripture and found some answers to this question:
Luke 18:1 tells us we should always pray and not give up.
2 Corinthians 4:16 tells us we should remember that we are being renewed inwardly day by day.
Galatians 6:9 tells us that we should focus on the harvest that will come if we do not give up.
Ephesians 3:12-13 tells us that we should find comfort in the amazing ability we have to approach God with freedom and confidence.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 tells us that we should just keep doing what is right.
And finally Hebrews 12:3 tells us that we should think about Jesus and what He endured on our behalf. Nothing we are going through will compare with that.
These verses help me to keep things in perspective when I lose heart and I hope they will help you, too. Whether you are a single woman caring for an elderly parent, a mom of young children, a professional in a tough job, a wife in a struggling marriage, or a woman chasing after her dreams, it's easy to lost heart from time to time. It's not whether we will, it's what we'll do about it when we do. Armed with these verses we can remember that God in His mercy gave us a ministry, and we can live out our callings without losing heart if we will only keep turning to Him.
Dear Lord, I know I am where You want me, that You gave me this ministry. And I know that You do not want me to lose heart but to persevere. Help me to remember to focus on You when I want to run away - to find my strength in You. Thank You for Your mercy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Do you feel called to speak or write?For the Write Reason and The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen, is a wonderful resource to equip you!
Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD)by Marybeth Whalen
The Mailboxby Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Look up the verses mentioned in today's devotion and jot them down in your journal or on index cards. Go back to them when you feel like you are losing heart.
Reflections:
Have I recognized the ministry God has given me as a ministry?
Power Verses:
Psalm 18:45, "They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds." (NIV)
I Samuel 17:32, "David said to Saul, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 28, 2011
How Did I Get To This Place?
Melanie Chitwood
"For by grace you have been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8, 9 (NAS)
Devotion:
One of the things I love to do is to recall the ways God has brought me to the place where I am in my relationship with Him. Have you ever done that? Have you ever reflected on the events and people God used in your past?
As I trace God's activity in my life, I recall important people and pivotal situations contributing to my love for God. I remember my mom and dad who made going to church a priority. My grandmother's gentle love spoke to me of the tenderness of God's love. I recall my Aunt Kathy who listened and cried with me through the tumultuous teen years. My youth leaders proved week after week, even when they knew my weekends were filled with more drinking than Bible study, they would not give up on me, and neither would God.
A week spent at Young Life camp Windy Gap opened my eyes and heart to God in a new way. Sitting on a rock with the dark sky and glittering stars above, I thought about some of the empty places in my life. I spent my days trying to be pretty, smart and popular. But no matter how hard I tried, I felt like I was "not enough" of any of these.
The only escape from these feelings was found in the thermos of wine I kept hidden in my bedroom closet. Enough sips and I'd be filled up enough to believe, at least momentarily, that I just might be all those things I longed to be.
While sitting on that rock at Windy Gap, I acknowledged that what I got from a drink was temporary and only a shadow of what I really desired. My longings for significance and love could only be found in Someone who loved me and accepted me unconditionally. I knew that someone was Jesus.
I prayed a prayer that went something like this: Jesus, I don't know everything about You, but I know enough to know You love me so much You died on a cross to take the punishment for my sin. Thank You for doing that. I want to be Your child, now and forever. Thank You for being my Lord, Savior, and Friend.
Remembering that defining moment and the steps which led me to Jesus fills my heart with gratitude. My love for Jesus is renewed, and I want to pursue Him once again as I remember the way He pursued me.
I encourage you to take time today or this week to remember the people and circumstances God placed in your life as He drew you to Himself. Will you pause at each place, thanking God for that person or situation? Thank Him that His love reached you and that His love will never fail.
Maybe as you read this devotion, you've remembered a time when you loved and followed God more wholeheartedly, but somewhere along the way you've pulled back or distanced yourself from Him. Will you pray today, recommitting your life to follow God?
I don't know what your story is, but I do know God is pursuing you. Isn't it amazing that even when we're not aware of God, He is aware of us? He's always working in our lives to draw us to His love.
Dear Lord, I am filled with thankfulness as I remember how You pursue me with Your love. Thank You for loving me first, even before I was aware of You. Thank You for each person and situation You put in my life that lead me to You. Reignite the fire of my love for You, causing it to grow stronger than ever. Let everything I am, do, and say point to Your unfailing love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity! Your purchase supports many areas of hope-giving
ministry we provide at no cost. We are extremely grateful
for each and every purchase you make with us.
Thank you!
Application Steps:
Draw a staircase on a piece of paper. Ask God to remind you of the steps you took to get to this place with Him now. On each step, write the person or situation He used to bring you into a relationship with Him. Say a prayer of thankfulness for who or what you remember each step of the way.
Forward this email, write an email or write a letter thanking someone who God used in your life to draw you to His love.
Renew your commitment to spend time with God each day.
Reflections:
Do I need to remember that God loves me not based on what I do, but based on His grace?
Is there a friend who needs a relationship with Jesus? Can I forward this email to this person?
As you read this devotion today, perhaps you're not sure if you have a secure relationship with God. Will you pray a prayer like mine right now? Or click on this link for a prayer guide.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:4-5, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved," (NAS)
1 John 4:19, "...He first loved us." (NAS)
© 2011 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 29, 2011
Waging Kana
T. Suzanne Eller
"And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out'
So He said to them, 'This kind can come out by
nothing but prayer and fasting.'"
Mark 9:28-29 (NKJV)
Devotion:
I didn't know how to fix it or make it better. I felt helpless, really. Someone close to me was battling a serious illness. One morning I sat in the stillness, just me and my Bible and the sweet presence of God as I prayed for this person. As I did, I felt strongly compelled to fast.
The Hebrew word for fasting is Kana, and it means to subdue or to bring low. It is the scriptural word for either bringing down an enemy in combat or subduing your own soul in an action of humility. Fasting twice a week was a regular practice in the first century. There were minor fasts (from sunrise to sundown) and examples in both the Old and New Testaments of fasting for many meals and even days. Jesus Himself fasted in the wilderness for 40 days.
But how long should I fast? Her treatment was expected to take several months, and that created a dilemma. No one can go without food for that long, nor should they. My Heavenly Father wasn't calling me to be foolish, but to bring low the enemy by waging Kana.
As I dug deeper I discovered that in addition to abstaining from food, Kana was practiced in other ways. Some sat in the "low seats" in the tabernacle as they offered the "high seats" to others. Some gave up simple pleasures. As I studied, I realized that I could fast traditionally, but also creatively throughout my friend's treatment.
Aren't you supposed to be quiet about fasting (Matthew 6:16)? Are you boasting? You might be wondering.
I'm not sharing this to boast, but because I quickly discovered the power behind fasting. When I waged Kana the gaping holes, those where I lacked discipline, were revealed. Some of those discoveries were surprising. Giving up sugar? Not too hard. Giving up complaining? Not a big deal. Giving up TV? Such a struggle that it shocked me.
One week I felt compelled not to abstain from something, but instead to immerse myself in Scripture. As each week passed, I began to invite God in to show me how to fast, and to shine His love in the areas where I needed to abstain so that He could fill them up.
Kana taught me where my strengths lie, and where my weaknesses flourished. It wasn't a legalistic pointing of the heavenly index finger, but an opportunity to take an honest look at where I was bound, and how to grow.
My friend is ending treatment soon, but I have come to embrace the process of Kana. My prayer is that it brings low the enemy as my friend continues to heal, but I know that fasting not only touches Heaven for my friend; it can't help but touch me, too.
Dear Lord, help me hear You more clearly, to bring low the enemy of my soul, and to open the gaps in my life to Your touch. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway or join her Live Free Facebook group for community, encouragement and a weekly video Bible study.
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Life Unhindered! Five Keys to Walking in Freedom by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
31 Days of Prayer: Moving God's Mighty Hand by Ruth and Warren Myers
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas
of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but
we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses.
Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every
purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
What or who might God be calling you to fast for? Write this down.
Commit. Will you fast one meal, one food item, some other personal sacrifice? For how long?
Pray throughout your Kana.
Reflections:
Fasting is not an exercise in abstinence, but in drawing close to your Savior.
Power Verses:
Psalm 35:13, "But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart." (NKJV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 30, 2011
Fearing the Unknown
Micca Campbell
"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before."
Joshua 3:4a (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever fear the unknown? Perhaps it's your health or the uncertainty of your future. Maybe it's the decisions your children will make about following God or following their peers. Fearing the unknown can cause us to spend precious energy anticipating the worst-case scenario. There are two problems with this type of fear:
• The future is not here.
• The future is not ours.
While the future may be out of our hands, it is not out of the hands of our faithful trustworthy God. When we face a worrisome unknown situation, we can look to Joshua as an example of how to trust God in the face of uncertainty.
It's recorded in the first chapter of Joshua that before Moses died, God passed the baton of leadership to Joshua. The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for 40 years under the guidance of Moses. Now, their journey was almost over. Just beyond the Jordan River was their promised land -- the land that God had guaranteed to Abraham and his descendants.
Upon reaching the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites set up camp by the stream and awaited God's direction. Much like their meeting with the Red Sea, God had to make a way for them to cross over the river. On the third day, God told the officers to instruct the people that when they saw the Ark of the Covenant (where God's Presence abided) to follow it because they had "never passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4). In essence, God was saying: Follow Me and I'll see you through this unknown territory.
That's not all. The people were instructed on how closely they should follow the ark. Without this instruction, the people would have crowded the ark and God wanted every person to be able to see His presence faithfully leading them through the unknown valley. What greater encouragement could they have than this, that the Lord was their God, a God who was with them?
You see, friend, the Lord understands our fear of the unknown. He realizes that you may be in a situation that you've never passed through before and you're afraid. It may be the first time you've been without employment. Maybe you've just been diagnosed with an illness or your child is in rebellion. You've never been down this road before and you don't know which way to go or what to do. God will guide the way.
Joshua's life was unpredictable and full of unknowns much like yours and mine. Yet, he successfully resisted fear by keeping his focus on God rather than the events surrounding him. Just as God guided the Israelites through unknown territory, He will guide you and me, too.
As He promises in Isaiah 43, when we come to a place we've never passed through before, God is always present to help us. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (v.2-3a, NIV).
Even though the children of Israel were not told how they would pass over the river, the people went forth in faith. We too can move forward in faith sharing in the promised presence of God leading the way through our unknown circumstances.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promised presence. It comforts my heart to know that I am not alone. Lead me, Lord, through the unknowns in my life. Make Your path clear and I will follow it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears
Visit Micca's blog where she is giving away a copy of her book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears
Read about more of Micca's resources to encourage your faith
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas
of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but
we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses.
Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every
purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
The Bible calls us to walk by faith not by sight. God doesn't always give us the details we desire, but He does give us Himself. We can trust He's laid out a path and He goes before us.
Write down three fears of the unknown and a prayer from your heart, committing to trust God with them.
Reflections:
Have I ever run from fear? Where and when?
Where did I find comfort from my fear?
How can God's promised presence soothe my fears?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 30, 2011
Fearing the Unknown
Micca Campbell
"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before."
Joshua 3:4a (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever fear the unknown? Perhaps it's your health or the uncertainty of your future. Maybe it's the decisions your children will make about following God or following their peers. Fearing the unknown can cause us to spend precious energy anticipating the worst-case scenario. There are two problems with this type of fear:
• The future is not here.
• The future is not ours.
While the future may be out of our hands, it is not out of the hands of our faithful trustworthy God. When we face a worrisome unknown situation, we can look to Joshua as an example of how to trust God in the face of uncertainty.
It's recorded in the first chapter of Joshua that before Moses died, God passed the baton of leadership to Joshua. The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for 40 years under the guidance of Moses. Now, their journey was almost over. Just beyond the Jordan River was their promised land -- the land that God had guaranteed to Abraham and his descendants.
Upon reaching the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites set up camp by the stream and awaited God's direction. Much like their meeting with the Red Sea, God had to make a way for them to cross over the river. On the third day, God told the officers to instruct the people that when they saw the Ark of the Covenant (where God's Presence abided) to follow it because they had "never passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4). In essence, God was saying: Follow Me and I'll see you through this unknown territory.
That's not all. The people were instructed on how closely they should follow the ark. Without this instruction, the people would have crowded the ark and God wanted every person to be able to see His presence faithfully leading them through the unknown valley. What greater encouragement could they have than this, that the Lord was their God, a God who was with them?
You see, friend, the Lord understands our fear of the unknown. He realizes that you may be in a situation that you've never passed through before and you're afraid. It may be the first time you've been without employment. Maybe you've just been diagnosed with an illness or your child is in rebellion. You've never been down this road before and you don't know which way to go or what to do. God will guide the way.
Joshua's life was unpredictable and full of unknowns much like yours and mine. Yet, he successfully resisted fear by keeping his focus on God rather than the events surrounding him. Just as God guided the Israelites through unknown territory, He will guide you and me, too.
As He promises in Isaiah 43, when we come to a place we've never passed through before, God is always present to help us. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (v.2-3a, NIV).
Even though the children of Israel were not told how they would pass over the river, the people went forth in faith. We too can move forward in faith sharing in the promised presence of God leading the way through our unknown circumstances.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promised presence. It comforts my heart to know that I am not alone. Lead me, Lord, through the unknowns in my life. Make Your path clear and I will follow it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears
Visit Micca's blog where she is giving away a copy of her book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears
Read about more of Micca's resources to encourage your faith
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas
of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but
we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses.
Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every
purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
The Bible calls us to walk by faith not by sight. God doesn't always give us the details we desire, but He does give us Himself. We can trust He's laid out a path and He goes before us.
Write down three fears of the unknown and a prayer from your heart, committing to trust God with them.
Reflections:
Have I ever run from fear? Where and when?
Where did I find comfort from my fear?
How can God's promised presence soothe my fears?
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 31, 2011
How Can God Bring Good from This?
Lysa TerKeurst
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever faced a personal struggle and wondered how God could possibly bring good out of it? How could Romans 8:28 apply to my hidden issues -- the ones I don't like to think about, deal with, or even admit I have?
If you would have told me 10 years ago that God could bring good out of my weight issues and food struggles, I would have seriously doubted you. I would have rolled my eyes and excused myself to the bathroom.
Bathroom stalls are great places to cry in secret.
When a soul is rubbed raw from years of trying and failing, you don't want to hear, "eventually good will come from this."
I wanted something to instantly fix my issues.
I wanted to stop calling myself awful names I'd never let another person call me.
I wanted to be naturally thin like my sister.
I wanted to stop crying when I walked into my closet to get dressed in the morning.
I would have cared less about some elusive, eventual good. My jeans didn't fit. Even my sweatpants didn't fit. I felt horrible. I couldn't stay committed to a healthy eating plan to save my life. And I saw no hope in sight.
It's a terrible thing to scan the horizon and see no evidence of hope.
Maybe you've been there with some hidden issue. Maybe you've been there like me with food and weight struggles. Maybe you're there today.
Whether your issues are the same as mine or not, all of us Jesus girls have struggles. We all fall short in some way. And we all need to know more about this "good" mentioned in Romans 8:28.
But instead of a three point sermonette, I want to share with you a letter I recently received. As I read it, the mercy gates of heaven split wide open and reigned down "this working of good." It was heaven's salve soothing deep places in me.
It is a picture of the reality of God's Word being true. Always true. God does work for the good... in all things... every single thing... even our most raw and seemingly impossible things... but we must know it even when we don't feel it.
"Just want to say thank you for sharing your struggles, Lysa. I've had an eating disorder since August,1978. Full blown anorexia, which led years down the road to bulimia.
I became a Christian in 2002, but never could fully surrender my eating disorder to our Lord. Through your story and the advice you shared the Holy Spirit is empowering me as I never knew possible. I've had 7 days of no binging or purging!!!
This may not seem like a high number to you, but after 33 full years with this binge/purge addiction, this is AMAZING. Hallelujah!!
You shed such new light on scriptures that I have read, but never knew how to interpret in my life especially with regards to eating. I'll be honest I figured my eating disorder wasn't that big a deal to our Lord. In fact I had told myself that He made me this way so it must just be the sin I was born to deal with; so glad to know that it isn't, and that I matter to HIM." -- Melissa P.
As I read this, my tears leaked free. We don't have to figure out how God will bring good, we just have to stay on the journey with Him and watch Him work.
May this be a glimpse of hope in the midst of your struggles as well.
"And we know (we know it even if we don't feel it) that in all things (even the ones we can't even fathom being used for good) God works for the good. (He works for the good. Our job is to walk with Him day by day. His job is to work the good.)
Dear Lord, thank You for this hope. Thank You that You don't waste our tears, our struggles, or those places rubbed raw from years of trying and failing. Once we do what You've instructed us to do, You always do what only You can do. I know You will bring good even when I can't see it or feel it. And what a comfort that is to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's new book Made to Crave is just what you've needed. This is the message Melissa read that prompted the letter in this devotion. Click here to order your copy.
This book can also be a group Bible study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Application Steps:
Write out your struggle on the front of a 3x5 card this week and pray for the next 5 days for God to reveal some good that could come from this. Write some of the power verses on the back of your card and meditate on these truths.
Reflections:
God doesn't comfort us to make us comfortable. God comforts us to make us comfort-able. Able to comfort others with the same comfort we've received from Him. Is there someone in my sphere of influence who could benefit from hearing my story? Could this be some of the good God can bring from this?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:4, "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (NLT)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 1, 2011
A Place of Thus Far
Wendy Pope
"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, 'Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'"
2 Samuel 7:18 (ESV)
Devotion:
Have you ever been in a place of "thus far?" A place where you are experiencing God's blessing and favor on your life. Not blessings and favor by the world's standards of materialism and wealth, but by the Lord's standard of provision, protection, providence, and peace that come from walking in His presence daily.
I want to be in that place of faith, like David, following the Lord's leading and trusting His ways, not my own. I want to meet regularly with the Lord, sitting and taking summary of all He has done for me. With thankfulness and humility, I want to say, "Who am I that you have brought me thus far?"
Oh the places David had seen in his lifetime! From grassy meadows to the splendor of palace life. From dirty fields tending sheep to hiding in a drafty cave, and then to the throne itself, King David arrived at a place of "thus far" in his life. He had experienced every emotion that exists, from confidence to fear, love to hate, and sadness to joy. After all that King David had been through I can certainly understand why he needed to go sit before the LORD and ask, "Who am I?"
He was overwhelmed with the goodness of God and the faithfulness he had experienced. He had been through some of the toughest situations a person could go through, yet he remained faithful and God gave David his reward. Yet, I have to think the reward of kingship and royalty paled in comparison to knowing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Have you been there? Life has taken twists, turns, and changes at every bend, yet somehow for a season you have arrived at a place of seeing spiritual blessings from the Lord. Yet you realize your place of thus far pales in comparison to knowing and experiencing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
No matter what current circumstances you find yourself in, with our Living God there is always a place of "thus far" waiting around the next bend. This is a place of celebration, praise, complete humility and gratitude before the Lord. I have discovered the hardships we go through are all worthwhile when we get to our place of "thus far." From a grateful heart, we can pour our blessings back out to the Lord as we cry, "Who I am Lord, that you have brought me thus far?"
Dear Lord, forgive me when I don't sit and take summary of Your tremendous favor in my life. Your blessings are far superior to anything this world can give me. Help me to remember my place of "thus far" when Your plan for my life leads me to another season that may be risky and cause me to walk by faith and not by sight. I offer this praise of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Living Free in Christ message on CD by Wendy Pope
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Visit Wendy's blog and resource page for more encouragement.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas
of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but
we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses.
Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every
purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Find a place to sit quietly with the Lord. Take summary of His blessing and favor on your life. Write down all the things He brings to mind. Read the list back to Him as a song of praise.
Reflections:
Is there anything in my life preventing me from entering the place of "thus far" the Lord has for me?
How can I use my time while in a place of "thus far" to be a blessing and encouragement to others?
Power Verses:
Psalm 52:9, "I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints." (NIV)
Psalm 63:4, "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." (NIV)
© 2011 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 4, 2011
Faith vs. Fear
Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
Our pediatrician told me that my baby had a collapsed lung. The baby I'd given birth to just an hour earlier.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith."
They weren't the words I wanted to remember in that moment, but they came to me as I sat and listened to the doctor's news, jaw clenched and blinking back tears.
The trauma started the previous evening when my doctor declared that I needed to get to the hospital immediately. A series of sonograms and tests revealed that my son was in distress and dangerously underweight. We had to deliver as soon as possible. So my husband and I packed a bag and left our three other children in the care of my mother. We walked through the door of that hospital afraid that our worst fears were about to become reality. Faith did not come naturally in that moment.
I would have preferred that courage meant I wouldn't fear the path that lay before me. But no, my path would involve hours, and then days, learning the ins and outs of oxygen tubes, IVs, and heart rate monitors. I would learn terms like spontaneous pneumothorax and the dreaded pneumonia. My path contained a great deal of fear.
It is no wonder that God had to remind us in Deuteronomy 31:6 not to be afraid. Fear, it seems, is a natural reaction when we face a challenge, whether it is being led through the desert into the Promised Land, or being rushed to the hospital for an emergency delivery.
But the only antidote to fear is faith. And courage is not something we find within ourselves. It is the result of faith, and even that is a gift from God.
We spent five days in the hospital with our tiny son. And each day God took a little of our fear and replaced it with faith. I have wondered since if our stay in the hospital was as much for my healing as my son's. Thankfully, God healed us both.
Be strong, God said, and courageous. We can do this because He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He stands with us in battle, and He sits with us who hold the tiny hand of a newborn baby in the Intensive Care Unit. He never leaves our side. Never.
Dear Lord, thank You that You stand beside me today as I face this trial. Thank You that I am not alone. Would You take my fear and replace it with faith? You have said that You will never leave me nor forsake me. You have told me not to be afraid or discouraged. I believe that You will make me strong and courageous. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Susan Schoenberger's debut novel, A Watershed Year, is this month's featured novel on our She Reads blog.
A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of Critically or Chronically Ill Children by Jolene Philo
Perhaps you're facing a different faith journey with your child? Kelly Langston's Autism's Hidden Blessings, may be just the encouragement you need!
Application Steps:
Susan Schoenberger's debut novel, A Watershed Year, is the story of a woman who adopts a young boy soon after the death of her best friend. It is a story of loss and healing, what it means to be a mother, and the importance of moving forward. Visit the She Reads blog this week and enter to win a Kindle preloaded with a copy of A Watershed Year.
Join the She Reads online fiction book club as we discuss the themes found in this month's featured selection, specifically grief, motherhood, and grace.
Pray for someone else who is in a difficult season of life. Pray that they will trust God and not be afraid.
List five different ways that God has been faithful to you, and thank Him for these.
Reflections:
What is God calling me to trust Him with today?
Are there any secret fears that I harbor? If so, how can I release them to God and replace them with faith?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV)
Psalm 31:9, "Be merciful to me O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief." (NIV)
Genesis 15:1b, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." (NIV)
© 2011 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 5, 2011
When Healing Never Comes
Wendy Blight
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
I remember when she was 13. Sitting in a doctor's office, between tears and trembling, we heard these words: "scoliosis," "a curvature of the spine," "back brace," "23 out of 24 hours a day," "two years."
Words cannot explain life those next weeks and months as she faithfully wore her brace...a brace that deformed her body, caused sleepless nights filled with pain and sorrow, and required her to quit something she loved: competitive cheerleading.
Questions plagued her heart. Why me, God? What did I do, God?
Questions plagued my mind. Why her, God? What did I fail to do? Please take this from her and give it to me, Lord...PLEASE!!
I cried out for healing. We obeyed Scripture. Elders of the church prayed over her. I laid hands on her and anointed her with oil. Hundreds of women prayed for her healing.
Healing never came.
Many nights she lay in my bed, locked in her brace, sobbing, asking, "Why me, Mom?" I lay next to her, tears rolling down my cheeks, exhausted, feeling helpless, wondering how we would make it to the other side of this.
Healing never came.
Her back worsened despite the brace, so we tried alternative methods.
Healing never came.
Oh, for a time, the brace kept her curve at bay -- until she was 16. A newly licensed driver, varsity cheerleader, confident, strong, funny, and beautiful, inside and out.
A beautiful teenager with a curve in her spine and pain that had increased with astounding speed over three years, until it reached the point that we had to face the reality of surgery. A surgery that required this precious child of mine to put her life on hold. A surgery that meant rods and screws would line her spine from top to bottom. A surgery that required months and months of rehabilitation. A surgery that prevented her from ever tumbling again.
Healing never came...or has it?
At first glance I'd say "no" because the Lord did not heal in the way I so specifically and faithfully prayed.
But, when I look at the promised result -- it will straighten her spine and allow her to live pain free -- I must say, "yes" healing is coming, just not in the way I hoped and prayed.
The passion of my heart, the call on my life, is to point others to find answers to their struggles, great and small, in the Word of God. So what do I say to myself as I kneel before the Lord? I allow the tears to come. I shake my fist, asking why has it had to come to this? I ask why did He not choose MY way?
And then, I surrender.
I take my own advice.
I go to His Word. His Word that speaks sweetly to me:
"Wendy, trust Me with all your heart. Do not lean on the knowledge of chiropractors, physical therapists, and others. Do not lean on your fears. Acknowledge Me, Wendy. My Name. My Power. My Strength. My Love. I promised to direct your path, and I have. This is the path I have led you to follow. Trust Me." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"Wendy, I do not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"Wendy, remember My ways are higher than your ways, My thoughts higher than yours...TRUST ME with her because I have a plan and I love her more than you will ever know." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
I wish I could tell you I wasn't afraid the day of her surgery. But I would be lying. I was afraid. I was very afraid the day they rolled her away to cut into her spine and insert foreign objects into her body. But I can tell you that I trusted my God, and I asked Him daily to help me with my unbelief. And He did.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that it is TRUTH. Father, for every woman whose heart aligns with mine today, direct us to Your Word. Speak truth into our circumstances. Help us with our unbelief. Help us take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Fill our hearts and minds with whatever is lovely, true, pure, excellent, and praiseworthy. Father cover us with Your wings. Help us to fully trust in You. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
All Things Wise and Wonderful E-book by Wendy Blight
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Application Steps:
If you have a struggle, take a few minutes today, go to God's Word, and ask Him to speak into your circumstances. Note the verses to which He draws you and personalize them as I did above. Pray them every day this week and watch what God will do.
Reflections:
Read the following verses and reflect: what do they speak to my heart? Hebrews 4:16, Romans 10:17, and Hebrews 12:2.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 2:16, "For who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." (NIV)
Isaiah 44:2b, 21b, "Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not...I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me." (ESV)
© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 6, 2011
Hidden Potential
Tracie Miles
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Devotion:
Christ sees your value and hidden potential. Do you?
I was challenged by this thought recently after putting my son to bed.
Every night, I receive the same request when I tuck him in. He looks at me with big, blue eyes, pokes his bottom lip out for sentimental effect, and asks for a bedtime story. Last night was no exception. As usual, I skimmed the contents of his room. Searching for an item that might plant a story idea in my head, I noticed his gray sock monkey.
Instantly, my thoughts started weaving a tale about an old gray piece of cloth that lived on a shelf in a fabric store for many years. The story easily unfolded in my imagination as my little man sat wide-eyed, intently listening to the details.
When the story ended, I kissed my son goodnight and immediately felt a gentle whisper in my spirit reminding me of the truth held in today's key verse. "You were once just like that little, old piece of fabric, but God transformed you into a new creation, too."
You see, I started the bedtime story by explaining how this dull, gray piece of fabric would sit quietly on the shelf each day, desperately longing for someone to notice him. From his place on the dusty shelf, he had a bird's eye view of all the beautiful fabrics that held so much more potential.
He admired the fabrics of vibrant orange and pink polka dots that would one day be transformed into frilly toddler dresses; the fabrics with elegant stripes that would make fine draperies for beautiful homes; the fabrics with tassels and shimmering coins dangling from their edges; and the myriad of fun fabrics, adorned with colorful cartoon characters.
But he was just a boring old piece of gray fabric.
Nothing special. Nothing elegant. Nothing valuable. Old. Outdated. Worthless.
Certainly nothing worthy of being transformed into anything new and wonderful.
One spring day, a frail elderly woman wandered into the store. The gray piece of fabric could tell she was a seamstress by the wrinkled tape measure around her neck and the rusty thimble on her finger.
As she meandered around the store, continually brushing wisps of white hair from her face, she seemed to be searching for something special. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the little piece of gray fabric tucked shyly away in the corner.
He dared to think that maybe, just maybe, she would see potential in him.
As the woman drew closer, his heart began to race. She gently picked him up and headed towards the cash register, adding buttons, fabric scraps, and thread to her hands along the way.
When the seamstress returned home, she diligently set about her task. Gradually she transformed the piece of old gray fabric into an adorable new sock monkey, to be loved and cherished by her grandchildren. He made a difference in the hearts of children for many generations.
The little piece of gray fabric, who thought he had no purpose, was transformed into something new in the hands of the seamstress. Although he felt worthless at one time, she looked beyond what he was; beyond his old life as a scrap of fabric. She saw him as something new, and helped him discover his value and hidden potential.
After telling my son this story, God gently reminded me how I once felt much like that old piece of gray fabric sitting on the shelf. Ashamed, overlooked, unimportant, and paling in comparison to others. I didn't see how anything about me or my past — any of the old stuff — could be valuable. I felt like a scrap of leftover material.
I believe God helped my imagination soar that night while sitting on the edge of my child's bed. He helped me remember that I have been transformed by Him, and although I spent most of life not seeing my hidden potential, He always had a plan and a purpose for me.
Just like that little piece of gray fabric, which was transformed from something old into something new, we are new creations in Christ.
Remember, Christ sees your value and hidden potential. And He wants to help you see it, too.
Dear Lord, help me remember that I became a new creation when I accepted You as my Savior, and that my value is in You and You alone. Thank You for Your promise of having a plan and a purpose just for me. Help me to embrace the plans You have for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog to find out more about the potential God sees in you and enter to win a copy of her book, Reinventing Your Rainbow!
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Treasured: Knowing God by the Thing He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity. Your purchase supports many areas of
hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are
extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us.
Thank you!
Application Steps:
Ask God to help you understand your value in Him.
Reflections:
Would my life be different if I believed how valuable I am to God? If I believed that "the old has gone, the new is here"?
What hidden potential might God see in me?
Power Verses:
Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 7, 2011
Shocked by My Own Advice
Lysa TerKeurst
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Devotion:
The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.
Today's key verses are not easy for a girl who wanted nothing more growing up than to fit in. Don't cause waves. Don't stand out. Don't stand up. Don't rock the boat of norm in anyway. Just go with the flow in the same direction as everyone else.
But somewhere along my Christian journey, going with the flow started to bother me.
Verses like the one above in Matthew 7 and Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," started to mess with my status quo existence.
Conformed or transformed? The choice is mine. If I want to be a sold out somebody for God, I have to break away from the everybody crowd.
This is a message I shared with my son one day when he came to me scared. He admitted things had gone a little too far with his girlfriend and wanted help processing what to do. They hadn't crossed every line but enough that he knew they were headed in a dangerous direction.
We sat on the back deck and processed the situation together. We read a list of empowering Scripture verses seeking to filter every part of this situation through God's truth. In the end, he and his girlfriend came to the realization they needed to break up. It's really hard to put things in reverse after certain lines have been crossed.
I walked back into the house after that conversation with two things running through my brain. I was thrilled my son came to me to talk about such a sensitive issue. What an honor to breathe Truth into his physical struggle.
But, I was also feeling a little panicked at the realities of parenting older teenagers. And that feeling led me straight to the pantry, convinced I needed some chocolate. I deserved some chips! As I loaded my arms full of treats, I was suddenly struck by a gut wrenching question. How can I expect my son to apply Truth to his area of physical struggle but refuse to apply it to my area of physical struggle?
Ouch. I was shocked by my own advice.
If I wanted to model what it looks like to live out truth in my physical struggles, I would have to break up with unhealthy choices. God made me to consume food, but food was never supposed to consume me.
Making healthy choices with my food would have to be part of my breaking away. I would have to distance myself from my distraction if I wanted to become truly transformed.
What's your distraction? What's the one way you can start to break away from the everybody crowd?
The everybody crowd says, "if it feels good it is good." The everybody crowd says, "don't deny yourself... that's so old school." The everybody crowd says, "everybody's living it up – so should you."
Conformed or transformed? The choice is ours. If we want to be a sold out somebody for God, we have to break away from the everybody crowd.
Dear Lord, I want and need to live apart from the everybody crowd. Free me of my distractions. Remove my insecurities. Help me to follow You with my whole heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog today for the list of empowering verses Lysa mentioned reading with her son.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave. Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst
And the accompanying workbook: Made to Crave Participant's Guide.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,
you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas
of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could,
but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online
warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and
every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
The choice is ours. If we want to be a sold out somebody for God, we have to break away from the everybody crowd. Look at your life and honestly determine if there is any area where you need to break away from the crowd.
Reflections:
Am I living as conformed or transformed?
Do I have any distractions right now that are keeping me from being a sold out somebody for God?
What is one way I can start to break away from the everybody crowd?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 8, 2011
Drowning In or Drowning Out Distractions?
Karen Ehman
"I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints —
but let them not return to folly." Psalm 85:8 (NIV)
Devotion:
I am the lightest of sleepers. And being awakened at night by noises is often a disastrous recipe for exhaustion. That's why I love my white noise machine; a round, little electronic contraption that sits beside my bed. It's my nightly sanity-saver.
Before I obtained this clever contraption, I lost sleep due to a snoring spouse or midnight-snacking teenager. As a result, I was cranky and cantankerous; frazzled and fruitless. As a sleep-deprived soul, I became unproductive, easily distracted and down-right ineffective at life.
Thankfully, now my nocturnal helper ushers me quickly to la-la land (and allows me to stay there) with one of its many options: waves crashing, birds chirping, or a thunderstorm gently rolling in. The steady, constant stream of soothing sound magically drowns out any background distractions.
I have found the same to be true with our spiritual lives. If we want to focus on the importance of listening to God though prayer, Bible study and time simply sitting still before Him, we must drown out all distractions.
When our screaming schedules, messy houses, unpaid bills, or idle pastimes such as television or the Internet aren't intentionally blocked for a time, we will never reach the important stage of resting and receiving direction from God each day.
Jesus Himself was a master at drowning out distractions. A quick read through the New Testament will find Him often withdrawing to a lonely corner, getting up early to pray or locating a place of calm focus amidst a clanging throng of people.
Jesus purposed to find peace among the pandemonium.
Likewise in the Old Testament, the Psalmists often list peace, calm, and quiet as gifts given to those who earnestly seek the Lord and desire to walk in His ways.
Embedded in today's key verse is such a promise to us as well: peace to God's people. But the precursor to experiencing that peace is listening to what the Lord has to say. And for listening to occur, we have to be able to actually hear from God, focused and free from all that clamors for our attention.
So, just as I plug in my slumber device each night, we must also unplug for a time each day. Shut off the phone; the TV; the laptops and iPads. Ignore the dishes, the paperwork and the screaming schedules so we can drift off to a peaceful place where sweet Jesus is waiting — desiring for us to be still and listen long enough to actually hear Him speak to our hearts.
Drowning in so many daily distractions can keep us from hearing God's voice. Let's purpose together to drown out our distractions instead, and tune in to the life-giving Word. He is the only steady source from which we can ever find true and lasting peace.
Dear Lord, give me courage to unplug, determination to focus and patience to listen. I want to bask in Your peace and walk in Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic and a giveaway designed to help you unplug, focus and find peace, visit Karen's blog
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
Application Steps:
Why do we as modern-day believers not value and practice alone, silent times?
On a scale of 1 to 10, when it comes to getting unplugged, alone and free from distractions, (1 being calm and focused; 10 being completely discombobulated and distracted) where do you fall?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Reflections:
What are the distractions, duties and dilemmas that most clamor for my attention in my life right now?
Which of these can I simply not eliminate from my life?
Are there any that I could eliminate (responsibilities I've taken on or trivial distractions and pastimes)? As I ask God to show me what can be eliminated, I'll make bold plans to resign from those activities that are keeping me from spending time with and hearing from Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:10a "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God." (Amplified)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 11, 2011
Meeting Henry
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
He sat across the aisle from me, talking to himself. I had boarded a plane very early one morning in TX, after a weekend women's conference where I was serving with Lysa. I casually glanced over at him and thought, "Oh boy, this will be interesting." And I closed my eyes to settle in.
After several minutes, he realized he was in the wrong seat. He jumped up, grabbed his belongings and crossed the aisle to join me. And once again, I thought, "Oh boy, here we go."
I was a bit nervous to be honest. We exchanged pleasantries and I closed my eyes again, waiting for the plane to take off. He continued to mumble to himself as he looked out his window.
Several more minutes passed. I tried to fall asleep. And then finally, deep in my heart I felt compelled to talk to my seat mate, even though there was still a part of me that begged for my eyes to remain closed; shut off in my comfort zone.
"Tell me about yourself," I reluctantly smiled.
He told me his name was Henry. Then he started asking me just as many questions as I was asking him. With every answer I gave, he would kindly respond, "Well that sounds good."
I looked around somewhat apologetically as Henry continued to dialogue with me in a very loud tone.
It was then that I profoundly felt three words rush into my mind, "This is Me."
I stopped. I pondered. I swallowed. And I blinked.
"You, Lord?" I hesitantly questioned.
"This is Me," I gently but clearly sensed again. And then, "Look at Me."
I reflected for a moment and remembered, "'...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40.
My perspective abruptly softened. I looked at Henry with inquisitive eyes as he chatted away. I examined every detail on his face. I noticed his scruffy beard and bushy eyebrows and I looked deep into his eyes, which he told me did not work very well.
Henry was traveling to attend his grandmother's funeral several states away. He was about to see his father, whom he hadn't had contact with in 25 years. As our conversation unfolded, I learned that Henry had been born with a birth defect called Poland Syndrome. He had a small left hand with fingers that didn't move and permanent paralysis in the upper left side of his body. He dropped out of high school several years earlier because students were not nice to him.
I listened with interest as we talked about his love of computers. I was captivated by his knowledge, and continued with a long list of questions. We happily shared my granola snack over an animated conversation as he talked and I listened.
All of my previous inhibitions had completely vanished.
The last words Henry spoke to me were, "People never talk to me like you have."
I blinked back tears as I helped him read his connecting boarding pass. I gently smiled goodbye. But my heart was sad as we got off the plane. You see, I knew how close I was to being like everyone else. So very close. And how many times in the past I was like everyone else.
I had ministered to women the entire weekend, but I was resistant to talk to the fragile soul right beside me, begging for attention.
Meeting Henry changed me that day.
Meeting Henry taught me to pray daily for eyes to see deeper, ears to listen more intently and a heart to humbly embrace new perspectives.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord. I want to see others the way You do. Because when I do, I learn.
And the more I learn, the more I am drawn closer to the One who created it all.
Who might be your Henry today?
Dear Lord, I want to know You more. Help me to see beyond my normal routine and humbly embrace those around me with a desire to learn. Please teach me Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's book: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, by Lysa TerKeurst, along with accompanying workbook: Participant's Guide.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read the short but encouraging book of Philippians in the New Testament to discover the true joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ.
Reflections:
How did this devotion challenge you personally?
How will it challenge you to consider your reactions to those around you?
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (NIV)
James 4:14b, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (NIV)
Psalm 86:11, "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (NIV)
© 2011 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 12, 2011
What the Ravens Know
Marybeth Whalen
"He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call." Psalm 147:9 (NIV)
Devotion:
I watch as the bird perches aloft a swinging power line, oblivious to the current pulsing through his perch. He raises his beak and sings in the direction of the clouds above, his song more insistent than melodic.
Until I read today's verse I might've assumed that the raven was calling for his mate or trying to out sing the other birds. But with today's verse on my mind I wonder if he is not doing what all of God's creation inherently knows to do: call on their Creator for their needs.
Ravens are pretty plain as birds go. Missing the distinct markings of a bluebird or cardinal and the unique talents of the woodpecker or hummingbird, ravens strike me as being least likely to get God's attention. And yet, the Psalmist mentions this unremarkable bird in Psalm 147:9. He points out that when they call, God hears them and He provides for them.
Maybe today you are feeling unremarkable, forgotten, lacking anything special. You might be feeling plain, all black feathers in a forest full of bright plumage. Why would God answer your call? You have nothing to offer in return.
This verse assures us that God doesn't respond based on who we are or what we have to offer. He responds because we are His, plain and simple. He responds because it is in His nature to provide. Our call initiates His response. We must believe that with all our hearts and stand on that truth as we wait for that response.
I know that's easier said than done.
Perhaps you have been waiting a long time. Maybe you are feeling hopeless that your prayers will ever be answered. Or perhaps you are losing faith that He even hears.
I've been there, too. There have been times when I looked into tomorrow and saw blackness as dark as the feathers of a raven. Days when I read a verse like Psalm 147:9, and thought to myself, "Yeah, right. He might answer that bird, but He isn't answering me."
And in those times I've wondered what I needed to do to get God's attention. In John 6:28-29 the people ask Jesus what they must do to do the works God requires. They want to please God and they know Jesus holds the key as to how they can do just that. As they wait anxiously for His answer, I imagine they are expecting a laundry list of possibilities, bullet points they can jot down and refer to later.
Instead Jesus tells them that the work of God is simply to believe in the One He has sent. Jesus knew that believing is work. It is heart work. To believe in Jesus even when He seems far away or unresponsive is some of the hardest work we will have to do as we follow Him. But that is all what He asks us to do.
The ravens know that He always provides and they sing with confidence in that, no matter what their circumstances are. Oh how I want to do the same in my life. Will you join me today, singing, believing and standing on His promises as we persevere in song.
Dear Lord, today I am going to keep singing and trust that You will answer my call because I believe You love me and want the best for me. I am going to do the work that You require and trust Your provision. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
To hear of a time God provided for Marybeth in an unusual way, visit Marybeth's blog today!
From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen — a rich novel about loss, hope, and the beauty of second chances.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Today when you start to worry about the situation you're in, remember the raven confidently singing to his Creator. Then do the same. You might want to turn on some praise music and actually sing or you might want to read some Psalms or journal your own unique "song" to God. Whatever you do, keep in mind the work that is behind believing God.
Reflections:
Why did Jesus describe believing as work? Have I found it hard to believe at times?
Power Verses:
Psalm 145:16, "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." (NIV)
Psalm 90:14, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 13, 2011
Craving Connection
Renee Swope
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever catch yourself checking email repeatedly? One morning I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and when I got home, checked it once more.
Now, I admit I have a thing about keeping white space in my inbox, but this was about more than managing emails.
I was going back for a reason. I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask myself, "Why do you keep checking your email?"
I sat there and let my heart respond honestly. I wasn't sure if it was God or me answering, but my thoughts intertwined with His Spirit whispered: You keep coming back because your heart longs for connection with a friend.
Yet no matter how many times I checked email, it was never enough to satisfy my craving.
Somewhere in the busyness of life I had let many of my friendships reduce to quick connections via email. Over the past year my schedule had gotten so full with kids, school projects, family needs, investing time in my marriage, and new responsibilities at work that something had to give.
I didn't want it to be my family, so I asked God to help me find balance.
I had sensed Him leading me to cut back on the amount of time I spent talking on the phone, socializing with neighbors and hanging out with friends. Although I hadn't completely cut out my friendships, my face-to-face connection time with friends had been reduced to a minimum.
That morning as I sat at my computer, I realized I had not found balance. The pendulum had swung too far. Here I was checking email repeatedly, trying to fill a God-created need for relationships with a white screen and black alphabet keys.
My heart was craving more. God had revealed the source of my incessant email checking and shown me that I needed to fill the lonely place in my spirit with friends I could talk to and share life with — in person.
That day I called one of my closest friends. She happened to be available so I turned off my computer and took a break from work to spontaneously meet her at a coffee shop.
It was just what I needed: face-to-face, heart-to-heart, eye-to-eye connection and conversation.
I know friendships are not easy to build. They take time. And time is limited with lives that keep us so busy. But in this age of technology, it's important to evaluate things in our lives that create a false sense of connection like email, television, text messaging and overboard activities.
Although these things are okay in moderation, they can't substitute real-life relationships.
So what about long-distance and internet friendships? Aren't they important, too? Yes, they are. But God created us for relationships where we can see each other, hug each other and talk to each other face-to-face.
We need to pull away from our computers and televisions to intentionally carve out time for friends that are in close proximity. Times where we can meet face-to-face to share what's going on in our lives. Today's key verse instructs us not to give up meeting together to worship and encourage one another. As we see here and throughout the Bible "meeting together" is important to God.
Jesus needed face-to-face connections, too. So He surrounded Himself with intimate friends — first His Father, then His close friends John, Peter and James and then the other nine disciples.
He also had friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. People He spent time with sharing meals and having conversations about spiritual truths that applied to their everyday lives. Through His example we see how important it is to satisfy our craving for connections by spending face-to-face time with friends.
So, who will you connect with face-to-face this week?
Dear Lord, You created me with a need for friends. Yet, I find myself rushing through my days with little time for heart-to-heart connections. Help me to seek You first as my ultimate Friend, and then reach out to others so I can have and be a close friend. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's Blog and enter to win her "Friendship Gift Pak" that includes an advanced copy of Renee's upcoming book A Confident Heart as well as a Starbucks gift card to share with a friend.
Girlfriends RoadTrip message on CD by Renee Swope Learn how to connect to the heart of God and other women by looking at and learning from Jesus' closest friendships.
Find more encouragement through Renee's Resources.
Application Steps:
Make a list of one or two friends you enjoy being with. Call them on the phone to encourage them and set up a time to get together.
If you're not sure who to call, ask God to show you someone you can begin a friendship with. Invite them to join you for lunch or to go for a walk together this week.
Reflections:
How often do I check email or my Facebook page? Do I crave connection?
What are some steps I can take this week to develop a new friendship or strengthen an old one?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (NIV)
"I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15b (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 14, 2011
The Unsaved Christian
Lysa TerKeurst
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)
Devotion:
God wants us to have a relationship with Him. But what does this really mean?
Recently, I met a woman about my age at a conference where I was speaking. I don't know many details about her life but I do know she's been going to church for a long time.
And she's been serving, giving, and doing all the right church stuff.
But, something was missing.
"I never could quite put my finger on it until I heard your message," she whispered. "I never knew what it really meant to have a relationship with Jesus. But hearing you explain it, something clicked. I walked forward today. I gave my heart to Jesus."
I wondered: what part of what I shared made this profound click happen in her soul?
Of course, it was the Holy Spirit moving... but somehow in the midst of me sharing the broken places of my life, things came together in hers.
It got me thinking about us doing life together here through this daily devotion. Each day we spend a few minutes together over the internet learning how to navigate life as Jesus girls. But all that we talk about is for nothing if our hearts stay far from Jesus.
It's not about momentary motivation to make it through today.
It's not about spiffy quotes to ponder and put into practice.
It's not about relationship tactics and turnkey solutions.
It's not about bite-size pieces of peace to make life a little more manageable.
It's not about making our lives look and feel a little better.
It has to be about Jesus. And drawing our hearts into His reality. His grace. His love. His hope. His forgiveness. And most of all the free gift of salvation because of Him.
Have you ever felt like this woman who couldn't put her finger on what was missing? Have you ever felt like you bounce from one religious activity to the next, but your heart feels far from God? Sweet sister, can we chat?
God doesn't want us to have a religion. A religion is where we follow rules hoping to do life right, and serve God out of duty because we think we have to.
God wants us to have a relationship. A relationship where we follow Him. And we serve God not out of duty but out of delight because of the realization of who we are in Him.
For years, I went to church to get a little "God goodness" in my life. But it was like putting fresh paint on rotting wood. I was living just like those talked about in Isaiah 29:13, "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.'"
I realized I didn't need to be just following the rules; I needed to be following God Himself.
I didn't need a little "God goodness" to rub off on me... I needed God to invade the deepest parts in me.
So, I knelt down in the midst of my messy, chaotic, confused life... and started a relationship with Him by simply saying yes.
Yes, I am a sinner in need of a Savior.
Yes, I acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God, sent to die on a cross and be resurrected on the third day to save me from my sins.
Yes, I want Jesus to be the Lord and Master of my life.
Yes, I am now and forever will be a forgiven and saved child of the Almighty God.
Yes, I will follow Jesus today, tomorrow, and every other day I'm blessed with on this earth.
Oh sister, let me quiet the voice of Satan screaming to resist this process. He wants to trip you up by whispering how you won't be able to live this out perfectly. Jesus has never ever asked for us to be perfect. He simply wants us perfectly surrendered. I often pray, "Oh Jesus... I am such a mess, but I am Yours. Show me... help me... forgive me... reassure me... and pour Your tender mercy upon me."
And He does.
And He always will.
My imperfections are safely tucked within the reality of His perfection.
And I simply press on by continuing to say YES moment by imperfect moment... day by imperfect day.
Dear Lord, I am such a mess, but I am Yours. Show me... help me... forgive me... reassure me... and pour Your tender mercy upon me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for a friend to walk the next steps of your faith journey with you? Visit Lysa's blog by clicking here to get a spiritual growth plan for your next five days.
If you want to grow closer to God you must distance yourself from distractions. Lysa's new book may be just what you've been looking for: Made to Crave, Satisfying Life's Deepest Desire with God, Not Food
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
Application Steps:
In this devotion I stated "So, I knelt down in the midst of my messy, chaotic, confused life... and started a relationship with Him by simply saying yes." Think of simple ways you can say yes to God today. How would that look? Would that change the way you are living your life?
Reflections:
God wants us to have a relationship. A relationship where we follow Him. And we serve God not out of duty but out of delight because of the realization of who we are in Him. What does this look like? How can I serve Him today with a pure heart?
Power Verses:
Psalm 53:2, "God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." (NIV)
Mark 7:8, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 15, 2011
Pardon Me
T. Suzanne Eller
"O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you." Psalm 69:5 (NLT)
Devotion:
You love Christ, but you've blown it. Again. Maybe it makes you wonder if this "faith life" is even possible. Or is it just for perfect people who seem to have it all together?
Sometimes sin is a taboo topic, but I'm not sure why. It messes with our lives and knocks us off course. Let's take an honest look at it, and what to do when it happens.
In our key verse, King David is aware of his sin. He also knows that others are aware of his sins. That's a hard place to be. It may make you want to run and hide. It may cause you to turn away from the love of the Savior because you feel "less than."
Despite what others believe or think about him, David passionately loves God. He wants to serve Him, and longs for intimacy with God. Perhaps it is this characteristic, more than any other, that he is remembered as a man with a "heart after God."
Notice how David goes right to the Source. He is at the end of his own strength, but he is also cognizant of God's strength. David doesn't pull punches or try to hide from God, but stands in the wilderness and cries out to God, his Healer, his Redeemer, the One who pardons his sin.
How many times do we miss out on God's grace because of our feelings of inadequacy? Yet worshiping God has nothing to do with our worth, but everything to do with His. We walk into worship with our hearts soiled, but walk out cleansed because of His sacrifice.
Perhaps you'll have to prove to people that you've changed (that may be part of the growth process), but God promises that our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. You don't have to prove anything to Him after you've asked for forgiveness; just follow Him daily as He shows you how to take the next step.
David cries out, "Rescue me from the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! (Psalm 69:14a, NLT). We sink deeper when we turn away from God because of embarrassment or shame.
We find freedom when we cry out and receive the pardon of our Savior who reaches out for us. He longs to redeem our life and give us everything we need to live with freedom, hope, forgiveness, purpose and direction.
Dear Lord, I've sinned and I let it distance me from You. My faith is not about my strength, but living in Your love and strength. Restore the joy of my salvation. Fill me up with Your love one more time. Cleanse my heart and draw me close as I reach for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog or her Live Free Facebook group for community, encouragement and a weekly Bible study video.
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In Psalm 69, David shows us how to address sin:
• Honestly cry out to God (verses 1-4)
• Don't hide your sins (verses 5-8)
• Don't let the opinion of people keep you from God's grace (verses 9-12)
• Ask God for His strength (verses 13-19)
• Trust that God is bigger than your feelings (verses 20-28)
• Praise Him (verse 29-36)
Reflections:
"The primary reason we lose faith is because we forget the faithfulness of God. Maybe that's why the word 'remember' is repeated 250 times in Scripture." - Mark Batterson
Today: Remember His love. Receive His pardon. Reflect on His sacrifice and love.
Power Verses:
Psalm 69:33, "For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
April 18, 2011
The Truth About Fear
Micca Monda Campbell
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever noticed that some TV commercials mix just enough truth with their product to make it believable? While that's called false advertising, the product still comes off convincing. It's not until we purchase the product, and it fails, that the deceit is exposed.
In the same way, Satan specializes in false advertising. He's good at making our fears look real when they are not.
Does that mean all fears are untrue? No. The fear of standing near a high cliff protects us from getting too close to the edge and falling over. On the other hand, Satan's falsehoods are full of trickery. They are usually disabling and keep us from progress. Satan's of false advertisement can choke our faith and fuel our fears.
Have you ever wondered where our struggle between faith and fear began? I have. According to author and teacher Malcolm Smith, fear was introduced to the human race by a satanic lie.
The Garden is the first place where the serpent deceived Eve by twisting God's word. The Lord told Adam "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). If he or Eve ate from that tree, they would die spiritually. Not only did Eve eat the forbidden fruit, but she offered it to Adam and he ate too.
As soon as Adam disobeyed God, their relationship changed. Adam was not only afraid, but he doubted God's authority, friendship, and provision. Satan's lies convinced Adam that he didn't need God. In fact, Adam was persuaded that he could be his own god, self-sufficient in every way.
I have believed Satan's lies, and at times, I have lived independent of God's presence. I acted as if everything depended on me and wouldn't dare admit that I was in over my head. I wanted to look like I was in control.
But God never meant for us to be in control, strong in and of ourselves. We were meant to show His strength in our weakness as He provides for our needs. We were created to live like little children, dependent on the care of our heavenly Father.
When we insist on living life our way, in our own strength, we experience the same result as Adam and Eve. We will live in fear. This is right where Satan wants us.
If the enemy can keep us contained by fear, we won't be able to fulfill our potential or make a difference in the lives of others. Satan knows what we are capable of with Christ. To prevent us from that realization, he poisons us with fear — fear of trusting God, fear of surrendering ourselves completely to His plans.
Fear that is fueled by Satan's lies can be described by this acrostic:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
It's not that we shouldn't be concerned about certain issues of life such as safety and health. But when worrying takes over by keeping us up at night and shutting us down during the day, we move into a place we were never meant to live.
We need to live in God's presence and rely on His promises and provision. Only then will we be able to distinguish between truth and lies. Only then will our lives be marked by faith, not fear.
Dear Lord, help me to discern between false fears and real concerns. As I commit Your Word to memory, make Your truth alive in my heart so that I can battle fear and live by faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for more truths about overcoming fear and enter to win a copy of her book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears
Do You Know Jesus?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
Application Steps:
Determine if your fears are real or if they are only False Evidence Appearing Real. If your fears are real, heed their warning. If they are smoke and mirrors performed by the enemy, take those thoughts captive and give them to God in prayer.
Reflections:
Do I doubt God's provision and protection — why or why not?
Am I living independent of God's presence, or carefree in God's care?
How might depending on God's resources and strength eliminate my fears?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:31b, "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV)
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 19, 2011
Time is in His Hands
Wendy Pope
"So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies." Joshua 10:13a (NLT)
Devotion:
Has there ever been a time when you longed for just a little more light in your day to accomplish your tasks? When you need more time, do you ask God for it? After all, time is in His hands.
As we read in today's key verse, God knew Joshua needed a little more time in his day, so He gave it to him.
Joshua and the Israelite armies were in battle against five combined Amorite armies to conquer the land allotted to them after crossing the Jordan. Joshua and his men were tired. The warring for the land had been intense. As the leader, Joshua decided to travel all night for a surprise attack. And then Joshua asked God to hold the sun and moon still so they could fight.
Over a decade ago God called me to radically trust Him with my time and get up each morning before the sun rose to spend time in prayer, and in His Word.
How can I do this? I remember asking the Lord.
I argued: I am a busy wife and mother. The baby is only a few months old. I need sleep.
It never occurred to me to ask God to help me by adjusting my time so that I could walk in obedience to Him as well as take care of all my other responsibilities.
Eventually I obeyed, but not wholeheartedly. My problem wasn't that I did not want to know God better through prayer and His Word. My problem was that I believed I could manage the time in my day better than He could. I believed the lie that told me I was in control, arranged my day, and accomplished much. The lie told me I did not need God for the little details of my day-to-day living. The lie told me I did not need to tithe the first fruits of my day to God. The lie, lied.
Like the Amorite armies were defeated, eventually so was my lie.
Over the last decade I have learned like Joshua, to call on God and ask Him to "let the sun and moon stand still" so that I can accomplish what He has ordained for me to do. It is my desire to be at peace with His timing and not to complete my checklist.
Do I believe He has held time in His hands for me? Yes I do. How can that be? He is God, the great I AM, and the Creator of time. I am just a little "i am not" enjoying the story of God one day at a time.
When you need more time, will you ask God for it? Will you trust Him to hold your time in His nailed-scarred hands?
Dear Lord, help me know You are good and that I can trust You. Remind me today that my time is in Your hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Yes, No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life CD by Wendy Pope
i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Wendy and over 2600 people are reading the One Year Chronological Bible together in 2011. Join them for the rest of the year by visiting Wendy's blog today.
Do You Know Him?
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Choose a place for your time with the Lord. Set your alarm clock 10 minutes earlier to spend time with Him. Ask Him to help you set your agenda for the day and accomplish what He needs you to accomplish. Record in a journal what God teaches you about your time.
Reflections:
What or who determines my schedule?
What can I do to slow down my pace?
Do I trust God to be in charge of my daily routine? If not, why?
Power Verses:
Genesis 1:3-5, "Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness 'night.'" (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 3:1, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 3:11a, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time." (NLT)
© 2011 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 20, 2011
But Will He Conquer My "Death"?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was Easter, but I didn't want to celebrate. My head knew the truth of new life, but my heart felt like I was living in a valley of death.
Every Easter we had sung songs about Jesus conquering death and rejoiced at His resurrection. Normally it was a glorious celebration, but not that year.
An outsider might have scoffed. I wasn't dealing with real death, thankfully. Instead, an avalanche of daily deaths was burying me. My heart was breaking over the end of a ministry at church I loved.
We thanked God for our adopted daughters, but their severe needs forever ended my family the way it was. And because of those needs, I was having to close doors of opportunity that brought me great joy. One "death" after another faced me.
As I stood that Easter Sunday, arms raised in pleading more than praise, with tears streaming down my face, I begged God, "I know You raised Jesus from the dead. But will You conquer my death? Will You redeem what feels like death here and now?"
The power of my emotions poured out in waves of grief.
Before then, I had not admitted to myself that what I faced felt like death. But there it was. Putting a name to it helped. The song ended, I dried my tears, and the service continued. No lightning bolt flashed, but my heart felt a little lighter.
In the coming weeks I allowed myself to feel the grief of loss. When sadness swept over my heart, I returned to my same questions: God, I know You can, but will You conquer my death?
I prayed for new life to come into my areas of "death."
Interestingly, a month later I went to a conference where God opened floodgates of inspiration and ideas. I left more excited about the future than I'd been in years. One day that summer, I realized God had eased my heart over the loss of the ministry I had loved.
In late summer, God handed me an incredible gift of another ministry job that I could manage in my crazy schedule. In early fall we found a therapist who could help our family with one of our daughters. Within months of my pleading prayer, it became obvious God was resurrecting what seemed dead.
While my circumstances weren't changed in every situation, my heart was comforted. My hope was resurrected.
Jesus showed me He is the Conqueror of all death: here in this world and forever. God answered my question and prayer with a resounding "Yes!" Yes, He can and will conquer my death. I don't have to wait for eternal life to experience my own resurrection of the heart. And neither do you.
Dear Lord, I praise You today for Your power over all death — both physical and emotional — here on earth and for eternity. Thank You for caring about the loss in my life, and bringing Your resurrection power into my everyday problems. I give You my grief and pain, and ask for Your healing touch to bring new life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine for a monthly dose of God's peace, purpose and perspective from Proverbs 31 Ministries, Senior Editor Glynnis Whitwer.
Visit Glynnis' blog today for a list of encouraging verses.
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Bittersweet:Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity. Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read 2 Corinthians 4:10-18. If you feel overwhelmed by troubles, make a list of everything that is bothering you. Then, hold each concern up to the truth in these verses. Say aloud, "this is achieving eternal glory."
Are you facing the death of something you love in your life? If so, take time to acknowledge it, and allow yourself to grieve.
Is it difficult to acknowledge the depth of loss? If so, why is that?
Reflections:
Romans 6:4 (see below) speaks of the promise of "new life." What does that mean for a follower of Jesus?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 15:54, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" (NIV, 2011)
Romans 6:4-5, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his." (NIV, 2011)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 21, 2011
I Was Her
Lysa TerKeurst
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I saw her coming across the arena. Deliberately. Intentionally. Her eyes fixed on the stage... on me... on what I must have represented in that moment — a woman who might understand.
Through the crowd. Up the stairs. Across the stage. She stood next to me pressing her shoulder against mine as I was speaking to 6500 women.
And there she was staring out at thousands, but pressing into one. Needing more than words.
Later she explained she needed God and thought if she stood close enough to me, she just might be able to feel Him.
I didn't have time to carefully plan what to do. I've never had this happen before. I've never seen this happen. It wasn't even on my scope of possibility. But there she was. And there I was. Two women who simply, desperately need Jesus.
And because I am so hyper aware of my own desperation for Jesus every moment of every day, I simply wrapped my arm around her and kept on speaking.
It was a wrinkle in time. Something that wasn't supposed to be and yet was. And I think I now know why.
I needed to remember that ravenous longing I once had to press against somebody who knew Jesus. I was her. Looking at other people's faith wondering how to get that. That depth. That closeness. That unswerving conviction.
I truly thought if only a person with that faith would let me close enough, I'd discover their secret. I'd learn their routines. I'd mimic their obedience. I'd follow them to the ends of the earth until I got it right. Then, then, then, I'd feel close to Jesus. I'd understand the Bible. I'd pray powerful prayers. And all would finally make sense.
However, there is a big difference between being close to people who love Jesus and being close to Jesus Himself.
I can certainly learn from people. "He who walks with the wise, grows wise." (Proverbs 13:20a, NIV)
But if I want closeness with Jesus, I won't find that in following anyone but Jesus Himself. He is the One who must be pursued. There have been a thousand whispers from my heart, "Show me, Jesus. Show me how to follow You, be close to You, press into You, be more like You...show me. Show me today. Show me in this minute. Show me, please Jesus, show me."
A thousand whispers. And there will surely be thousands more that pour from my lips. For Jesus wants us to walk with Him. He says, "Follow me." Over 20 times in the Gospels, "Follow me. Follow me."
And those who dare to whisper yes and then walk in His ways, find the One for whom they are longing. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)
Yes, there she was. And there I was. Two women who simply, desperately need Jesus.
Dear Lord, I desperately need You. I want to know You for myself. Show me. Help me to follow You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Craig Groeschel's new book, Weird... Because Normal Isn't Working. Click here for more information.
Need a friend to help you experience God in your everyday life? Click here to find out more about Lysa TerKeurst's new 6 week teaching DVD "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God." And click here to consider the Participant's Guide that goes with it.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you want closeness with Jesus, you won't find that in following anyone but Jesus Himself. He is the One who must be pursued. Read the book of John in the New Testament to learn more about the life and heartbeat of Jesus Himself. Read where He walked, how He walked and what He said. It will change your life. Pray to find that closeness for which you've been looking.
Reflections:
There is a big difference between being close to people who love Jesus and being close to Jesus Himself. How does this look to me? Am I following Jesus or am I following others more?
Power Verses:
John 4:41, "And because of his words many more became believers." (NIV)
John 6:35, "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'"(NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 22, 2011
The Sweet Smell of PineSol™
T. Suzanne Eller
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
I admit it. I'm the world's worst when it comes to preserving photos. I have boxes of photos stacked in various cubbyholes. I tried to organize the pictures once. I divided them and placed them in large envelopes. My next step was to put them in albums. They are still in the envelopes — stacked in a box.
My children Melissa, Ryan, and Leslie are now in their 20's and newly married. The chances of me ever getting these precious memories organized are slim to none, but I'm realizing something powerful. Memories aren't limited to pictures.
Remember when, Mom? is a common phrase in my house now. We have become the hub, a privilege once reserved for my husband's parents. At holidays and special weekends, they drive up and unload luggage and pile into the guest rooms. We laugh and reminisce a lot around the table. Remember when we went on treasure hunts in the pasture? Remember when you jumped on the bed and popped Ryan up in the air so high it scared you? Remember that yellow Slip-n-Slide™?
I do remember. But I also remember a young mom with three little ones who worried that her house wasn't spotless when an unexpected guest showed up. I remember the angst of trying to do everything and the fatigue when my day ended before my chores did.
I also remember days that I threw caution to the wind and jumped on the bed, even though it might make others frown. I grabbed a shovel and gave the kids plastic buckets and we looked for old bottles and trinkets at the abandoned homestead nearby. We mixed dishwashing liquid and water and I laughed out loud as the kids flew like greased lightening across the yellow slippery slide.
Some of those memories were captured in that pre-digital age, but most were not. However, they are etched on the heart of my young adult children.
What they don't reminisce about is the sweet, sweet smell of PineSol™. Whether my house was perfect or how it compared to others' is not even on their radar.
Why did I worry so?
Is it good to have order and structure? Sure. But don't allow the pressure to be the perfect mom keep you from the simplicity of playing with your children. The unmade bed will still be there when you are through, but I promise that a child will grow quickly.
Take a moment today and look past the clutter and the to-do list and be a child again. It might not be a picture-perfect moment, but it will be a memory.
Dear Lord, time passes so fast. Slow me down. Let me enjoy the smallest pleasures. Let me play with my child instead of only knocking down a to-do list. Let me laugh with my teen instead of fussing at him. Thank You for sweet memories, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway and a fun quiz. Also, visit Suzie's Facebook community Moms Together.
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
The Power of a Purpose Driven Mom message on CD by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
Are you better suited to a schedule? Mark a day for play. Protect it. Give it the importance it is due. It doesn't have to be an event. Just play, if even for a few minutes.
Jump on the bed. It's crazy, but do it anyway. Break the cycle. Don't worry about what others will say or what else you could be doing. Enjoy yourself.
Reflections:
Is it hard for me to let go of perfection or walk away from productivity to play with my kids? Why?
When was the last time I did something fun to make memories with those I love?
Power Verses:
2 Samuel 6:14-15, "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets." (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 25, 2011
Little Decisions Make a Big Difference
Glynnis Whitwer
"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise ..." Ephesians 5:15 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever get tired of making decisions? I do. Every day, decisions line up for my attention. I decide what I'm going to do, how I'll spend my money, and what I'm going to say. Conversely, I make decisions about what I am NOT going to do, spend or say.
One of the biggest challenges I face right now has to do with what I eat. You see, I'm on Weight Watchers. For the past 19 years, I've battled to be at a healthy weight. Coincidentally, my oldest child is 19. I'm certainly not blaming him... but, I'm just saying...
The first week on the program I recorded a respectable loss of 1.5 pounds. The second week on the program, I lost nothing. I was shocked. It seemed I had exercised and sacrificed more that week than ever. But the scale told the truth.
The kind lady at the reception desk tried to help me think it through. "Maybe you aren't eating enough," she said. No, that wasn't the problem. "Are you drinking enough water?" she asked. Yes. That wasn't the problem either.
Then it hit me. The problem wasn't what I was eating when I sat down for a meal, it was all the bites that led up to that meal. It was the French fry before dinner, and the bite of casserole as I put away the leftovers after dinner. It was the nibble of my son's double cheeseburger, and the extra scoop of dip with my carrots.
It wasn't the big decisions that kept me from seeing progress; it was all the little decisions.
Unfortunately, I had minimized in my mind the potential damage of all those little bites. Yet they added up to derail me from my goal of losing weight that week. The next week I took control of those BLTs (bites, licks, tastes and sips) and had a nice loss.
As I've pondered this reality, I've applied it to other areas of my life. I easily minimize the damage of daily unwise decisions. They aren't sin issues, so I can dismiss them as unimportant. However, when added up, they have a big impact on achieving some of my personal goals.
For example, when I make a decision to not read my Bible for one day, there's no noticeable impact. But when I neglect this important part of my spiritual growth repeatedly, I find myself lacking in godly wisdom and discernment.
If you find yourself on a plateau in a certain area of your life, perhaps this truth can apply to you as well. You may be making all the right big decisions, but the little ones are having a cumulative negative impact on you.
Not only that, but I believe God desires to do amazing things through us, and is continually testing us to see if we can handle bigger responsibilities. The truth is those little decisions that seem minor, and inconsequential, really do matter. They matter to me as I pursue personal goals, and they matter to God.
You see, it's in the arena of little responsibilities that our true dependability is revealed.
My challenge today is to make every decision count. I ask myself, "Is this decision going to get me closer to my goal, or further from it? Is this decision going to show God I can be trusted with the little things?"
Sometimes I ask these questions every hour. Which is why I ate steamed vegetables for dinner, and my family had overstuffed burritos. (Not that it's Monday night and I'm weighing in Tuesday morning or anything.)
Dear Lord, thank You for caring about every detail of my life. I know You have placed goals and dreams in my heart that will take diligence to carry out. Help me to look to You when faced with a decision, and I pray for Your wisdom as I make the right choice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares her top 10 list of important little decisions to make.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
Dear Bathroom Scale, an excerpt from the P31 Woman magazine
Six Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity. Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministries we offer at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify one big goal you have for your life. Name one helpful "little" decision you can make that will help you achieve that goal.
Reflections:
What are some examples of little decisions I make every day that can impact me positively over time?
Have I ever made a series of innocent choices that led me down the wrong path? What did I learn from that experience?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:8-10, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (NIV)
Colossians 1:10-11, "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience..." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 26, 2011
Tight Places
Marybeth Whalen
"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 4:1 (NIV)
Devotion:
Though I looked okay on the outside, inside I was screaming and flailing about.
I was stressed, anxious, worried and overwhelmed. I felt like something was pressing in on me, pushing me down emotionally and preventing me from escaping my situation. The more these feelings built up, the more I wanted to lash out, strike out, or push back against my burdens.
Outside I looked fine; inside I was a mess.
Do you ever feel this way? Stress comes at all of us every day, in a thousand different ways. Kid stress, job stress, money stress, house stress, and medical stress, relationship stress — the list goes on and on. Try as we might, we can't escape it in this broken world. We feel trapped and imprisoned by these things we cannot change, and they weigh heavily on us.
When I read our verse for today, I was struck by the explanation in my Bible for the word, "relief." It literally means, "make room for me in tight places." Wow. I can totally identify with that idea!
I know what it feels like to want someone to come along and make room for me in my tight places. To remove the boundaries and burdens which threaten to smother me with their nearness.
My stress level mounts, my blood pumps in my ears, and my hope takes flight. Whether it is the little irritations in life like being trapped in a car with a screaming toddler, or the big burdens of wondering about the future of my husband's job, I know those tight places all too intimately.
We all do.
I love that Psalm 4:1 reminds us there is Someone who can come and offer relief. So many times, we try to make our own space in our tight places — handling things independently and attempting to solve problems without ever calling on the One who best knows how to make room for us.
God is faithful to give us emotional elbow room, easing our burdens and offering us His wisdom. He shows us mercy when we call on Him, hearing our prayers and rescuing us from tight places.
The next time you feel stressed, anxious, worried or overwhelmed, call out to God, and let Him find you in your tight place, making room where you thought there was none.
Dear Lord, thank You for being the God who is near. When my tight places press in on me, Your presence is what I need. Thank You for offering me relief no matter what my circumstances. Help me remember to call on You in my tight places. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has," She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
Visit Marybeth's blog for her top 10 encouraging verses for when she's in a tight place.
More great resources by Marybeth Whalen
Application Steps:
Determine some personal steps today that will help you remember to call on God in those stressful moments instead of giving into panic or worry.
Reflections:
What does my tight place look like today?
Have I called on God for relief? Have I asked Him to make room in my tight place?
How would relying on God help me deal differently with my stress?
Power Verses:
Psalm 94:13, "You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked." (NIV)
Psalm 143:1, "O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." (NIV)
Lamentations 3:55-57, "I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: 'Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.' You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 27, 2011
Pursued
Lynn Cowell
"But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.'" Isaiah 43:1, 4 (NIV)
Devotion:
I sit in the dark room, my heart beating wildly. "Hurry! Hurry!" my mind cries out. "You'll be too late!"
You'd think I'd never seen this movie before, but I have. In fact, I've watched it over and over. I know the hero will get there just in time. He will come to the rescue right at the last second and yell, "She goes free!" to the captain and his crew. I know he will risk his life to save hers.
It doesn't matter that I already know what will happen. The thrill of the pursuit and a heroic rescue sends my heart pounding every time.
I may be a little strange, but I know I'm not alone. Countless women curl up on their couches to watch the same chick flicks over and over, especially the ones where the hero gives everything to save the girl. Like the one rescued in movies, we want to be desired, fought for — pursued. And we are.
Someone is pursuing us but it's so much better than what happens in the movies. Our Creator and King is pursuing us. He gave up His life and paid a great price to come and rescue us.
There were times in my life where I had seen Jesus as my savior, shepherd and friend. But it wasn't until I read these verses below and realized the magnitude and depth of His love for me that I saw how valuable I am to Him.
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you."Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)
He'd give up everything just for me? That's crazy! But that's the radical love that revolutionized my life.
When I learned these verses, I began to see a side of Jesus I had never seen before. He pursues me. He loves me more than anything. And He wants to be my everything.
This truth satisfied a deep longing in my heart I didn't even know I had. It was what I wanted then, and what I still need to know every day. This is the love that fills the gaps in my wanting heart and settles the question, "Am I valuable enough to be pursued?"
Yes, I am. And so are you, my friend. So are you.
Dear Lord, this part of me that wants to be pursued and rescued...You created it. You created it to be filled by Your unconditional love. Jesus, thank You that You will never grow tired of me or stop pursing me. You want me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Do you have a young woman in your life that you want to know this truth? His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell empowers young women to discover God's love in a way that builds confidence, enabling them to make wise choices.
His Revolutionary Love DVD and CD
Stop by Lynn's blog today where she is giving away a "Revolutionary Love" bundle which includes: A signed copy of His Revolutionary Love, her His Revolutionary Love DVD and a t-shirt. She is also sharing her own story of how this truth transformed her life as a young woman.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write out Psalm 45:11 on an index card, putting in your name: "The king is wild for __________." Over the next few weeks, when you feel rejected, downcast or vulnerable remind yourself of this truth — Your King is crazy for you!
Think of a time in your past when you did not feel wanted or pursued. Rewrite that story in your heart, knowing this time Jesus is there to fill that rejection and vulnerability. When this memory comes back, replace it with the truth that God is there and He would trade the whole world for you!
Reflections:
Have I ever thought of Jesus caring for me and pursuing me like this? Why or why not?
If I had known the truth that Jesus was crazy about me as a young woman, how would that have changed the course of my life?
Power Verses:
James 4:4-6, "You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that 'he's a fiercely jealous lover.' And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that 'God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.'" (The Message)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 28, 2011
The New York Times
Lysa TerKeurst
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever wondered if the dreams tucked in your heart will ever come to be?
Me too.
I still remember sitting on my bed as a young girl and staring down at an old typewriter my dad brought home. I was fascinated with the way the keys struck the paper. I started to string together words — sentences — paragraphs. I whispered, "Maybe one day a whole book."
But the whisper got buried in a tangle of other things.
All the while the Lord had a plan. A hope. A future. If only I would seek Him, I would find Him, if I would seek Him with all my heart. Not just my Sunday heart. Not just my quiet time heart. But, seek Him in it all.
Seek Him.
Surrender to Him.
Trust Him.
Turn to Him.
Obey Him.
Say yes to Him.
Realize how significantly God can use inconvenience, interruption, and unlikely twists. Instead of always praying, "God bless me," I started praying, "God unsettle me. God inconvenience me, interrupt me, and redirect me."
The road was bumpy and hard. There were years of quiet service with no light on the horizon that God would ever use me beyond my own mailbox.
While others were chasing dreams, I was scraping dried up Cheerios from underneath the sticky farm table. And in that place I learned so much. "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Psalm 27:14, NIV).
Maybe you are in that place right now? Waiting and wondering if your calling will ever come to be. The road ahead seems so long... almost impossible. Sweet sister, take heart. The years of quiet service are a treasure. God must develop our character in the quiet if we're ever to be used effectively in public.
Yes, there were years of quiet for me. And those years were so very crucial. There was a rich purpose to the wait. There always is.
Then one day I saw a lady share her story at my church and I dared to whisper to my husband, "Could I? Should I try?"
His smile said, "Yes."
And I remembered the old typewriter. The words. The sentences. The whisper of a book. Of all the moments that rushed by long forgotten, that one snagged in the corner of my mind and lingered.
Seventeen years later, I wrote a book I thought only a handful of people would ever want to read. The message I never dreamed I could live. A book about my raw and secret struggles with food and how I learned to crave God above all else. My mess, touched by the Messiah, turned into a message.
And after years of waiting, I find myself staring down once again. This time my tears leak over one little square inch of newspaper... the New York Times bestseller list. An unlikely nod from the world that very rarely even looks in the direction of a Jesus message.
Today I whisper, "Thank You Jesus... thank You for the years of quiet service. Thank You for Your reminder to wait on Your timing. Thank You for healing me and allowing me the honor of breathing hope into so many other women with the same struggles. It was all worth it. Every day spent waiting, learning, developing and trusting. And in the end, the great joy isn't hitting a best seller list. The great joy is discovering how good and necessary times of waiting really are."
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect plans... Your perfect timing... and the perfect way Your development happens in my times of waiting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of 3 crucial things to do in a season of waiting
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave, Satisfying Life's Deepest Desire with God, Not Food. Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD and the accompanying workbook: Made to Crave Participant's Guide.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you are interested in learning more about Made to Crave, consider signing up for a FREE 21 Day Challenge Lysa has written to help you find the spiritual encouragement to make healthier choices. For more information, click here.
Reflections:
In what area is God calling me to seek Him for direction? How might God be using my season of waiting in good ways? I will turn to Him. Trust Him. Obey Him today.
God uses inconvenience, interruption, and unlikely twists. Today I pray for God to unsettle me, inconvenience me, interrupt me, and redirect me. There is no better place to be than in the center of His will while waiting.
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek." (NIV)
Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 29, 2011
Answer Envy
Karen Ehman
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever envy God's answers to someone else's prayers?
I remember almost choking on the words, "I am so happy for you!" in response to the breaking news that friends of ours from North Carolina had sold their house after it had been on the market for twenty days.
To them it had been a long twenty days. Houses were normally snatched up quickly in their area. In our shaky Michigan economy, however, it takes a bit longer. In fact, on the day she announced that her home now had a "sold" sign in the front yard, we turned another page on our calendar — marking how long our house had been for sale. Not twenty days, but twenty months to be exact.
Although I was genuinely thrilled for my friend, I was also a tad green with jealousy.
I call this answer envy. It is that "poor me" mentality that creeps into my heart when God answers someone else's prayers more quickly than mine. Or when He responds to them with a "yes" but His answer seems to be a "no" for me, or at least a "not right now."
I've had my fair share of answer envy outbreaks over the years, at all stages of life.
As a child, I was envious of the kids who came from two-parent homes while I resided in a family torn apart by divorce. No matter how hard I folded my little hands and prayed to God, my daddy didn't come back to us.
In high school, it was other girls' good looks, cute clothes or even cuter boyfriends that I longed for. Instead, I was granted average looks and wore department store blue-light-special fashions. And, as sports editor of our school paper, although I was every guy's pal, I was usually nobody's gal.
In college, I envied those whose prayers for a knight in shining armor, complete with sparkly diamond ring, were answered while I remained single. Once married, I struggled with miscarriage and dashed dreams of motherhood. So, for five long years, I slapped a smile on my face to mask my broken heart and attended yet another pale pink or baby blue church shower.
Over the years I have discovered that the cure for answer envy is not always easy because I must play an active role in my own healing.
What I need is a shift in perspective. When I "call to God" as encouraged in today's key verse, I must trust that He will keep His word. He will tell me "great and unsearchable things" that I do not know. Sometimes those things are the answers to my request. However, do you know what those great and unsearchable things more often are? They are the reasons He seems not to be answering my original request!
So, instead of only begging God to "sell my house" or "take away my pain" or "fix my kid," I need also to ask myself some questions. Questions like, "What is my Creator trying to teach me that I might never learn if He were to suddenly pluck me out of this situation?" Or, "What character qualities is He trying to grow in me? Patience, trust, compassion, contentment?"
Not available in quick microwave form, the cure for answer envy must be cultivated moment by moment.
We must believe that God will answer. He will clearly say "yes," "no," or "not right now." He is able, ready and willing to answer our prayers — here is the catch — as He sees fit and to grow us to be more like His Son in the process.
It took two years until our "for sale" sign was finally replaced with a "sold" banner. It was a long stay in God's waiting room. However, I now know this to be true: I must not merely seek the answer to my prayer. Instead, I must seek a deeper relationship with the answer Giver.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect plans... Your perfect timing... and the perfect way Your development happens in my times of waiting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For 5 Tips in Effective 'Wait' Training and a giveaway centered on this topic, visit Karen's blog today.
A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans by Wendy Pope
One in a Million: Journey to your Promised Land by Priscilla Shirer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Think back on a prayer request or two from your past where God seemed not to be answering. What else did you learn about Him as you waited for His reply?
List any personal prayer requests you currently have on a piece of paper or in a journal. As you continue walking through life in the next few months, next to your requests, chronicle all of the peripheral blessings that come from the waiting.
Reflections:
What category do my prayers to God fall into most often — help me, show me, rescue me or change me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 38:15, "I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God." (NIV)
Romans 8:25, "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (NIV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 2, 2011
I Need to Know the Truth
Ginny L. Yttrup
She Reads Featured Author
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)
Devotion:
The diagnosis was unexpected. Unsettling. And followed by tears of...relief? I climbed into my car, fastened the seatbelt, and wiped away the tears. Why am I relieved by difficult news? I wondered.
As my doctor's words ran through my mind, so did a surprising phrase: I'm not crazy. The relief, I recognized, was founded in the truth that the diagnosis revealed.
When did I start believing I was crazy? I recalled the chronic pain I've suffered for the last two years. As I did, familiar accusations ran through my mind: You're such a wimp. There's nothing wrong with you. You're crazy. Ah, there it was, the lie that had slithered unbidden into my mind and nested there.
I've spent many of my adult years uncoiling the lies I've believed about myself. Venomous lies that poisoned my mind following a dozen years of childhood sexual abuse: You're worthless. No one will ever love you. And the heartbreaker... God doesn't care.
I'm not the only one who has believed the lies, right?
You don't have to be a survivor of childhood abuse to believe lies. I think they're part of the human condition. And women seem especially susceptible. Perhaps that susceptibility is an imprint of the fall when Eve believed that first untruth the serpent hissed at her in the garden.
But good news comes with the truth. Not our truth. But the Truth — Jesus Christ.
The Bible says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1). In other words, when condemning accusations coil around my mind, I know — I can be fully assured — they're not from God. And if they're not from God, they're not worth believing.
I'm learning to combat the lies by submitting them to the Truth, Jesus.
When the enemy says, "You're worthless."
Jesus says, "You are a pearl of great value."
When the enemy says, "No one will ever love you."
Jesus says, "You are My beloved."
When the enemy says, "God doesn't care."
Jesus says, "I gave my life that you might have eternal life."
After my doctor's appointment when I recognized I'd fallen prey to the lies again, another thought went through my mind: You'll never get it right. Good grief! This time, I had to laugh. I was aware of the crafty serpent and wasn't falling for another lie. Instead, I turned to Jesus and thanked Him for the freedom found in Him, the Truth.
While the enemy will continue to try and thwart God's truth, we can know he's already lost the battle. It's a done deal. In Genesis 3 we read that the head of the serpent will be crushed under Jesus' heel, defeating him for all time. He holds no real power over us.
The longer we walk with Jesus, and the more we seek His truth, the more we'll recognize His voice and enjoy the freedom found in Him. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1, NIV)
Dear Lord, I pray that I'll recognize Your voice above all others. Give me ears to hear You. Teach me how to live in the freedom of Your truth and thank You for the gift of Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
WORDS by Ginny L. Yttrup
Ginny Yttrup, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, shares her story in this month's She Reads fiction selection, WORDS. Visit the She Reads blog today and enter to win a handcrafted sterling silver necklace that reflects the message of her novel.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down what you sense Jesus is whispering to your heart?
Ask Him to show you what lies you need to submit to Him, the Truth, today?
Join the She Reads online fiction book club as we discuss the themes found in this month's featured selection, specifically hope, healing, and redemption.
Reflections:
How would my life look different if I was living in freedom?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:1-2, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (NIV)
Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)
© 2011 by Ginny L. Yttrup. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 3, 2011
Feeling Emotional
Rachel Olsen
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1 (NLT)
Devotion:
Frustration hit me full force about a quarter 'til dawn that morning. I woke up to find my child was sick, again. With my husband away on business, it was up to me to help the young boy who was standing beside my bed coughing.
He'd been sick the better part of that month with cold after cold. I thought he was finally turning the corner. I thought we were done with decongestants, germy tissues, and Clorox wipes. That is, until that morning.
The first thing I felt was frustrated.
When my child is out of commission, it puts me out of commission as well. He was already behind on his school work, and I was already behind on about a half-dozen things. I could feel my stress level rising as I poured the cough syrup into the plastic measuring cup.
I thought about the things I was supposed to accomplish — the scheduled meetings, the deadlines, the errands. A scowl settled into my forehead. I closed the medicine cabinet door with much more force than really necessary.
I felt sorry for my pitiful son. And I felt disappointed that my prayers had not prevented this relapse in illness. I felt angry that yet another day would be interrupted by some virus. And I felt bad because I knew I wasn't handling it well.
I felt, I felt, I felt ... all I was doing was feeling, letting my emotions spread out and lay claim over every aspect of my day.
I had this notion in my head that a mature Christian wouldn't be feeling this way. Shouldn't I be so spiritual that I'm above getting upset over things like this?
After taking care of my son, I sat down and scanned the gospels to see if Jesus ever felt emotionally strained. Sure enough, I found instances where Jesus is described as feeling "deeply troubled" and "distressed." (Mark 14:33, John 13:21, John 12:27, NLT)
If Jesus got emotionally agitated, then it's unrealistic for me to expect to go through life without feeling some stress. The problem isn't my emotions, it's my reaction to them. The trouble comes when I give them free reign in my heart and mind.
That's when I become unstable.
That's when I lose sight of God.
That's when I say or do things I regret.
Jesus spoke today's key verse to His disciples, knowing what their futures would hold. He knew His death was coming and it would trigger fear, sorrow and doubt in their hearts. Not wanting them to wallow in those emotions, He counseled them ahead of time to keep their focus on God and all that He'd been teaching them.
Jesus, knowing what our day holds, speaks the same words to us. He tells us to not let our emotions fly about, creating an unstable and troubled heart. Instead, our trustworthy Lord tells us to focus our attention on Him.
Eventually, I made the decision that morning to pray and place my trust in God, despite how my day was shaping up and despite how volatile my emotions felt. He calmed my anxious heart, and my son seemed to feel better as well.
It feels good when I trade in my troubled emotions for a source of strength that will get me through my day. And that's one feeling I think Jesus would love for me to wallow in.
Dear Lord, I want to be ruled by Your Spirit, not by my emotions. Help me to focus on You today and not my troubles. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Are you able to help a child who might not have access to health care and cough syrup? Consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International.
Visit Rachel at her blog for more encouragement in trusting God on days when you're feeling emotional.
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
Application Steps:
Start your day praying for God to give you the mind of Christ, and emotions that are submitted to Him.
On days when you get off track, like I did today, resolve to shorten the amount of time between the emotional trigger and the moment when you release your feelings and the situation into God's care.
Reflections:
What is getting the best of me today? Anger? Bitterness? Depression? Fear? Lust? Greed? Frustration? Or Christ?
Am I willing to release these emotions to God and not let my heart be troubled?
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 4, 2011
Sometimes I Just Wanna Quit
Renee Swope
"You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great." Psalm 18:35 (NIV, 1984)
Devotion:
I love my kids, but I haven't always liked being a mom.
Once my boys became toddlers who wouldn't listen to me or do what I told them, I kind of panicked. I looked around at other moms who seemed to know what they were doing and wondered, "What is wrong with me?"
Their children seemed to listen when they told them no. Why wouldn't my child keep his hands to himself or stay in the cart at the grocery store? Why did he not understand when I told him I could not buy everything his little hand could touch? And how come no one told me that being a mom would be so hard?
I felt like such a failure.
Almost every day I would compare how I felt on the inside to how other moms looked like they had it all together on the outside.
I held up my feelings of inadequacy and thoughts of insecurity in contrast to moms who dressed their children in matching outfits and adorned themselves with attitudes of grace and wisdom. I wondered how in the world they pulled it off with a smile. I could barely get a shower, get my kids dressed and get us out the door before lunch.
I just wanted to quit.
One day I came home from running too many errands with two very tired and fussy kids. I put them down for an early nap and started looking for pink construction paper so I could write "I QUIT" on it. I'd decided to turn in my "pink slip" to my husband when he came home from work that day.
It was just too hard, and I was tired of feeling like I would never be "good enough" as a mom.
But instead, I needed a new place to start.
I didn't really start becoming the mom God created me to be until the day I was ready to quit. That afternoon I fell on my knees before God and choked out the words, "I can't do this."
And in that place of surrender, His peace came over me. His gentleness calmed my nerves. I felt like God bent down before me and spoke to my heart: You are right, Renee. In your strength and through your perspective, you can't do this. But with My promises, My presence and My power — all things are possible. I will help you become a great mom.
Looking back on that day, I'm reminded of our key verse in Psalm 19:35, "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."
When we acknowledge that on our own we are a mess, God rushes to our side to help us. He bends down to show us that with His grace, wisdom and guidance, we can become the mom He is calling us to be, the mom our kids need us to be, and the mom we want to be!
Dear Lord, I need Your shield of victory to protect me from discouragement. I pray that You would extend Your right hand to sustain me; Your grace to strengthen me; and Your wisdom to lead me. Thank You for Jesus, who stooped down to make me great because of Your great love for me. Today, I want to find a new starting place with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to find out what God did next to give Renee new direction and purpose as a mom, and also as a child of God.
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart Positive and practical ways to connect spiritually with your kids. By Renee Swope
The Power of a Purpose Driven Mom message on CD by Renee Swope. Personal stories, practical ideas and inspirational truths, this 45 minute message will help you discover your purpose as a mom and develop a plan to live it out each day!
Enter to win a "Purpose-Driven Mom Gift Pack" that includes Renee's parenting message on CD, her Character Chart and her favorite busy mom's Bible tool — the GoBible®. You don't want to miss all the great stuff she's giving away on her blog today!
Application Steps:
Write a letter, telling God how you feel. Be honest and open. Sharing your heart and thoughts with Him is the first step toward freedom and hope.
Ask Jesus for His perspective of you as a child of God, so that you can start becoming a Godly mom. We've got to receive His love before we can give it.
Visit Renee's blog to find out how she did these things, and for a list of practical ways to shape your children's hearts, not just their habits.
Reflections:
As I read today's devotion, what struggles are similar to mine?
Have I ever wanted to quit? What got me to that hard place and what do I need to do to rely on God's perspective instead of my own?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV, 1984)
Psalm 113:5-7, "Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap." (NIV, 1984)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 5, 2011
A Three Things Wife
Lysa TerKeurst
"Marriage should be honored by all..." Hebrews 13:4a (NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with expectations you perceive other people have of you?
When I first got married I was determined to figure out how to do this "wife" thing well. I wanted to truly honor my marriage like Hebrews 13:4 encourages. So, I made note of what I perceived other 'good wives' did.
• She cooks meatloaf.
• She vacuums every day so there are lines in the carpet indicating its cleanliness.
• She sticks love notes in her husband's brief case.
• She buys and wears lingerie.
• She likes wearing lingerie and wears it three times a week.
• She gives her husband his space when he gets home.
• She hangs up the phone when he walks in the door.
• She learns facts about football and watches games with him.
• She prays for her husband every day.
And the list grew and grew.
Eventually, the list in my head of what a good wife does so completely overwhelmed me I cried. I felt inadequate. I started to shut down.
I assumed the list in my head was in my husband's head too.
I grew bitter. And in a moment of complete exhaustion, I yelled, "Your expectations are ridiculous!"
To which he replied, "What expectations?"
"The list... the list of hundreds of things I need to do to be a good wife," I sobbed.
His blank stare dumbfounded me. He had no such list.
I had so broadened my scope of things to do, I had diminished my vision of simply loving him.
Can you relate? I knew I needed to do less so I could be more. But, how do we figure out which things to keep and which to let go of? We ask.
"Honey," I said feeling the entanglements of expectations loosening their grip on me, "I can't do everything good wives seem to do. But I can do three things. So, tell me your top three things and I will do those well."
After all, I could spend a whole marriage doing a hundred things half-way with a bitter attitude and an overwhelmed spirit.
Or, I could do three things whole-heartedly with a smile on my face and love in my heart.
His three things were simple... Be an emotionally and spiritually invested mom with our kids, take good care of my body and soul, and keep the house tidy. (Notice it says tidy — not perfectly clean.) That's it.
He could care less about so many of the things I'd been running myself ragged doing. And he was more than happy to take care of some of those things I can't stand doing like balancing the check book and getting the cars inspected. Whew... what a relief.
Of course, I do more than three things most days. But, if I don't have time to cook or vacuum, I don't feel like I'm letting him down. It's not one of his top three.
Now, he didn't say anything about lingerie. But, he could argue that's a subplot of me taking good care of my body. However, that's a topic for another day entirely.
For today, I've narrowed my scope to doing three main things really well which has broadened my vision for a great marriage.
I am a three things wife who really desires to honor her marriage. It's simple. And simple is good.
Dear Lord, I want to have a great marriage. Help me to see Your vision for my marriage so that I can honor You and love my husband well every day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog and read a fun interview with her husband Art. You don't want to miss this!
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you want more simple tips to improve your marriage, you'll want to read the marriage books Lysa has written — Capture His Heart (for wives to read) and Capture Her Heart (for husbands to read).
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Spend some intentional time with your spouse to find out what his three main things are. It may surprise you!
Reflections:
How did this devotion challenge me? Encourage me? Equip me?
What do I predict will be on my spouses three things list? How will I plan to honor him by knowing this?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:9a, "Love must be sincere..." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (NIV)
Psalm 26:3, "For your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 6, 2011
Last Things First
Karen Ehman
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)
Devotion:
As a woman, do you wear a lot of hats? During the course of your week, you may place on your head any of the following hats: wife, mother, worker, daughter, sister, aunt, grandma, cook and bottle washer, chauffer, nurse, maid, counselor, referee, PTA member, committee chair, oh, yeah... and a woman of God.
Sometimes these hats are stacked so high that trying to balance them all on our pretty little heads sends us toppling completely over!!!
And sadly, often the last hat we place on top is the crown we wear as a daughter of the King.
I love the simple, straight shooting words of our Lord in Matthew 6. He cuts to the chase, breaking commands down into bite-sized chunks. He simply tells us gently, but firmly, what must be done for our lives to get in order. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well."
However simple these verses may be, sometimes fleshing them out into reality in our lives isn't always easy. Especially in today's society, a climate of frenzied activity breeds busyness.
Years ago, success was determined by where you lived and what you drove. Now it seems that success is measured differently — by how busy you are.
We have no white space left on our calendar; our kids are carted from one activity to the next; why we hardly even eat dinner as a family anymore. Something in us longs to "do more" by painting our lives in a bright, bold shade of busy.
Although we live in a much different time than the original recipients of Jesus' words, we can learn from them nonetheless. They were concerned about where their food and clothing would come from. While we may still have those concerns, there are other issues we fret over as well. Like how we will get the house cleaned, the kids bathed and dressed, the laundry done, the kids chauffeured, the marriage prioritized, the relative visited, the work project completed...and on and on it goes.
While our tasks may shriek at us at every turn, Christ stands whispering... Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well.
Perhaps His words will prompt us to do a little hat-reduction, ridding our schedules of some of the activities that clamor for our attention and draw us away from time spent with Him.
Whatever set of hats God directs you to keep in your wardrobe, remember to don them in proper order. They will only stay standing when the crown you wear as a daughter of the King is placed on first!
Dear Lord, I'm sorry for the times that my hats are completely out of order. May I seek You and the righteousness You offer me first every day before I attempt to carry out any of my God ordained responsibilities. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To enter to win a busy moms giveaway including 5 Sanity-Saving Tips for Maxed-Out Moms and information about an upcoming online book & Bible study on organization visit Karen's blog.
The Complete Guide to Getting & Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
What does it mean to "leave your first love"? And more importantly, how can followers of Christ return to it again? Be inspired with First Love - a message on (DVD) by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Take a piece of paper and spend time alone with God for a few moments. Write in order what you would say your priorities are. An example might look something like this:
1. God
2. My husband
3. My children
4. My extended family members
5. My job
6. My friends
7. My commitments at church and in the community
Next, take a painstakingly honest look at how you spend your time. Does it accurately reflect what you say your priorities are? Are you allowing a number 6 or 7 to take precedence over a 1 or 2?
Reflections:
What are some commitments that I could bow out of in order to make more white space on my calendar and more time for God and my family? I'll have a friend hold me accountable to do so.
Power Verses:
Psalm 31:14-15a, "But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God. My times are in your hands...'" (NIV)
Psalm 70:4, "But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted!'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 9, 2011
Bring It to Me
Marybeth Whalen
"Bring them here to me." Matthew 14:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Mo-om," my six year old son called from the den where he was working on math, "I can't do this!"
I was in the kitchen washing dishes. "If you can't do it," I called back, "Just bring it to me."
In a whoosh, I heard God's still small voice, coming in on the heels of what I have just spoken aloud. "Isn't that what I say to you?" He reminded me.
When I am overwhelmed: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
When I am angry: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
When I am hurting: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
When I am confused: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."
Thousands of years ago, the disciples faced a situation they couldn't do. They couldn't feed 5000 men and their families lunch even though the people were hungry. They knew that allowing them to leave would mean missing a great ministry opportunity... but their resources were sorely lacking.
Then one little boy stood up and offered his lunch. Jesus responded, "Bring them here to me." He took that meager offering — the tiniest bit offered in faith — and multiplied it beyond anyone's expectations.
I need God to do that for me every day. When I think that I can't do something, I need to faithfully take what little I can do and place it in His hands. And then I need to stand back and watch Him multiply my humble offering into something amazing.
What are you feeling like you can't do today?
Take on a challenge God is calling you to?
Respond to a ministry opportunity even though it is scary?
Stay in a marriage that looks over from where you're standing?
Persevere in your efforts to pay off debt?
Offer forgiveness to someone who hurt you?
Whatever it is, know this: you are right. You can't do it. So bring whatever it is to Him. Picture yourself offering it up, just like that little boy's lunch. Then stand back and prepare to be amazed.
Dear Lord, I praise You for being my burden bearer. Thank You for always taking my "I can'ts" and transforming them through Your power and Your blessings. Help me to remember not to be anxious or worried when I face difficulties, but to simply bring my issues to You again and again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Becoming a Woman of Influence (Audio) by Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog or click here for more of her resources.
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has," She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
Application Steps:
In your journal, list all the reasons why you can't do some aspect of your life — paying off debt, staying in your marriage, homeschooling, getting a job, etc. After you list all those reasons, take a red magic marker and write over top of the list: "Bring it to Me." Rejoice that these are Jesus' words personally to you today!
Reflections:
Is there something I am telling God I can't do? I'll spend some time today telling Him to take my pitiful efforts and multiply them as only He can. Every time I start to worry, I'll go back and bring it to Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 115:11, "You who fear him, trust in the LORD — he is their help and shield." (NIV)
Psalm 116:7, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 10, 2011
Stained and Ruined
Melissa Taylor
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Looking back, it seems like I'm viewing the story of another person. I hardly recognize the little girl I became in that dark moment.
I was walking home from the bus stop. The walk took about ten minutes unless I stopped to talk to a friend or neighbor, which I usually did. Mr. Parks, a retired man, was sitting in his driveway waving to all the kids walking by. He was so friendly. On this particular day, he invited me into his garage. He said he had some candy to give me.
I walked in that garage an innocent trusting little girl. I walked out scarred for life.
Mr. Parks sexually violated me. I didn't understand what was going on. I didn't know what to do. He became someone else; I didn't recognize the man he changed into once that garage door was closed. He did things to me and made me do things to him that I never imagined existed. I was absolutely terrified. When he was done, he said, "Come back tomorrow." And for some reason, I did.
The experience of being sexually abused left me devastated. I felt stained and ruined.
In my mind, what I had done was so bad, I couldn't tell anyone. And because it happened more than once, I felt like it really was my choice; my fault. That's what he told me. I felt dirty and filled with shame.
Shame is a joy stealer. My joy was completely gone.
Over the years I perfected the art of pretending everything was okay. I was good at wearing masks.
On the outside, I looked great. However, on the inside I felt completely unworthy of any good thing. When I experienced success, I would usually sabotage myself or quit. I apologized for being good at something and downplayed my God-given strengths.
It must break God's heart when we allow shame to steal our sense of worth.
Jesus gave His life to prove how very valuable we are. Our key verse tells us, "By his wounds, we are healed." Jesus became stained and ruined on our behalf. And because of His promise, we don't have to live in fear or condemnation over anything that has taken place in our lives, whether it was our fault or not.
When I accepted Christ as my Savior, I also accepted freedom from my past hauntings. Still, I have to remind myself of this every day. My thoughts must center on Jesus or they can easily slip back to the darkness of that garage. Yes, even 38 years later, I still have flashbacks of what happened to me.
That's when I look up to heaven and say, "By Your wounds I am healed. Thank You, Jesus. I am not stained and ruined. I am clean, pure, and precious. Mr. Parks has no hold on me anymore."
My final triumph in this horrific ordeal was the most difficult: forgiveness.
I claim forgiveness for my sins everyday through Jesus. In doing that, I'm faced with the fact that I'm called to forgive. "Mr. Parks, I forgive you. I know you must have been very sick and your heart was stained with sin. I hope and pray you accepted Jesus before you died. What you did to me was the worst thing anyone could do to a little girl. I want to hate you. Instead, I choose to hate what you did, but forgive you."
I can only do this with Jesus at my side. I'm not capable any other way.
No longer do I believe I am stained and ruined. I am clean. I am worthy. Jesus has set me free. "By his wounds we are healed." I believe that. I hope you do too!
Dear Lord, I need You every day of my life. Please remind me that I am worthy and delete the lies that haunt me. Help me live to the fullest for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's blog to sign up for her free online Bible study of Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner. Join Melissa as she leads a community of online friends to come closer to God, find hope and healing, and move from victim to victor. All are invited! Today she's giving away an autographed copy of Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner written by Wendy Blight!
Words by Ginny L. Yttrup. This is the She Reads pick of the month. It is a compelling story that deals with the heart wrenching topic of sexual abuse. This story offers hope, healing, and truth.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: the Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight. All books purchased through Proverbs 31 Ministries will be autographed by Wendy!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you are suffering due to your past, seek Christian counseling in your area.
Stop by Melissa's blog today and sign up receive her "Top Ten Ways to Know you are Worthy" list. Also, sign up for her next online Bible study.
Spend at least a few minutes each day reading God's Word, His love letter to you. Begin each day by saying, "Lord, because of You, I am healed and valuable."
Reflections:
Is there something in my past keeping me from living the life God intended?
Do I believe Jesus has washed me clean?
Have I shared what Christ has done for me with anyone lately?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 14:2, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, in thirsty lands." (CEV)
Isaiah 45:3, "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." (NIV)
© 2011 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 11, 2011
Off-Season Training
Glynnis Whitwer
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Devotion:
The temperature was pushing 100° Fahrenheit on that hot summer evening. Golden sunshine tinted the trees and shadows lengthened, as the lone runner caught my eye. He looked like one of the high school boys on my sons' wrestling team. But what was he doing running now?
With wrestling season still months away, his dedication to training impressed me. Training in-season is common; training off-season, rare. And yet the off-season warriors consistently push themselves to their personal best, out-performing those who begin training in-season.
Readiness characterizes these highly trained athletes. They are ready at a moment's notice to face the next opponent. Seldom surprised, they move with grace and assurance. Their discipline pays off when needed most.
I've watched this same principle lived out in the lives of godly men and women I've known. They apply themselves to spiritual training, are committed to learning God's Word, and pursue a life of faith. Day in and day out, they discipline their minds and hearts to stay in alignment with the truth. They strengthen their devotion to Christ in spite of circumstances. They take false thoughts captive.
Then, when they least expect it, their training is called into action.
There's usually no warning. It's a phone call. A medical test. An email. In an instant, their "opponent" is raging. Fear, grief and despair threaten. But they aren't overwhelmed.
Shaken? Maybe. But not devastated.
These past few years I've faced events that have shaken me. From losing our savings due to the economy to having kids make choices far from how they were raised, life has rocked me a few times. I've faced things I never thought I would face, and no one gave me a map to navigate the details of these circumstances.
In the darkness of these times, I've held on to what I know to be true in the light. When my flesh wanted to panic and run screaming, God's truth told me He will provide. When I wanted to despair that I'd lost my child forever, God's wisdom reminded me that everyone sins. Without training, I'd have collapsed on the floor in a confused puddle of fear.
Being a woman of faith is easy when life is smooth. It's easy to love others, be a good steward and make wise decisions when everything is going great. It's when there's no warning and a storm hits that we need to be well-trained.
No one can do this for us. We are the only ones who can study God's Word. We are the only ones who can push through a dry season and spend time in prayer. We do this in-season (when circumstances are rough) and off-season (when circumstances are smooth), so that when the battles of life strike, we are ready.
The good news is you can start your training today. In fact, you already have by reading this devotion. Take time to read the scriptures below and answer the questions. Pray and ask God what He wants you to learn. Ponder the truths you find and let them burrow in to your heart. Each time you do this, you'll be stronger.
And when you face a battle, this discipline and training will pay off in peace, confidence and joy in spite of your circumstances.
Dear Lord, I praise You as the source of all truth. Help me to have the discipline to read and study the Bible on my own, so that I'm ready when faced with trouble. I ask for more of Your wisdom and discernment to build my life on a solid foundation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine General Editor, Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion of how to train in and off season.
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify one truth you've learned from the Bible that has helped you stay strong in the tough times. Visit Glynnis' blog and post your answer or just your thoughts on today's devotion. She's doing a drawing and giving away a copy of the One Year Chronological Bible to one person who comments.
Reflections:
What kind of mindset do we need to be able to train off-season?
How does knowing the Word of God equip us for "every good work," as our key verse mentions?
Power Verses:
John 8:31-32, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (NIV)
1 Timothy 4:7, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourselves to be godly." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
:angel:
May 12, 2011
Mine, Mine, Mine!
Lysa TerKeurst
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
I am a magnet for strange.
Seriously.
Recently I was outside with my three dogs soaking up the sunshine. After being in snowy Pennsylvania the weekend before, I needed the warmth of the Carolinas to soak deeply into my bones. Southern girls don't do snow in the spring.
Anyhow, back to the sunshine and dogs. We got a new puppy named "Willow" for Christmas. Well, our other dogs Champ and Chelsea aren't sure what to think of precious, little three-pound, Willow.
She annoys them. In every way.
I thought it would be a good investment for the dog relations in our home if I spent time with them outside to help them all feel the love. So, I sat on the ground and loved on each dog.
They enveloped me in a flurry of wet kisses, fur, and stinky dog breath. I was having a ball. And they were all getting along. Bliss.
Until...Willow came and sat on my lap. Claiming the prized location of closeness with me, I don't think she realized the signal she was sending. Champ suddenly backed up and growled. His tail stopped wagging. And he was not happy.
"Oh Champ," I reassured him, "Willow is a baby. Be nice."
More growling.
"No sir! Champ, be nice. Come here. I can love on you while Willow sits in my lap," I reassured him once again, while rubbing behind his ears.
He seemed to be happy again, and licked my cheek.
More bliss.
But then, out of the blue, he walked beside me, looked straight at Willow, lifted his leg, and drenched me in tee-tee!
What in the world!? I couldn't believe what was happening.
After recovering from my shock and changing my clothes, I Googled it.
Some say Champ was marking his territory. "That's MY mama!"
His strong expression of "MINE" was a stark reminder to me of just how disgusting a heart bent on self can be. Champ couldn't enjoy all he was experiencing in the moment, because he was so laser focused on the one way he felt slighted.
SELFishness! ME! MINE! MINE! MINE!
Several years ago, God challenged me to recognize and refute selfishness by seeing — really seeing all that I've been given. And never looking at a blessing I was given as something just for me. I always make myself think two things...
1. Thank You God for entrusting this blessing to me. I know it is a gift from You.
2. How can I use this as an opportunity to bless someone else? The blessing will be more rewarding if it's not all about me.
Do these things come naturally? Not at first. Not in a 'me first,' Mine! Mine! Tee-tee on others kind of world.
But we aren't called to live according to the norm, doing what comes naturally.
We are called to rise above. Be set apart. Be different. Be pure in every way. "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:3).
What blessing do you have that might need to be shared today? What blessing do I have that might need to be shared today?
Right in the midst of what we're doing today, how can we graciously and purely represent Christ as we RE-present Him everywhere we go?
Good stuff to ponder as I washed my smelly outfit that day.
Dear Lord, thank You for every good and perfect gift You have given me. Help me to put others before me and to have a heart to see them as You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog by clicking here and register to win a Bible Study kit for What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new 6 week DVD teaching set, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. For more information, click here.
The accompanying Yes to God Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
What opportunity has been given to you recently that you can in turn pass on to others? Will you take the initiative to do that today?
Reflections:
The journey will be more rewarding if it's not all about me. Do I agree with this statement? Have I done this before? How will I plan to implement this going forward?
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (NIV)
Romans 12:3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (NIV)
Psalm 133:1, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 13, 2011
Unexpected Treasure
Amy Carroll
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Devotion:
"Where is that goat?" the young Bedouin shepherd muttered under his breath in frustration. He clambered over the rocks as he moved up the cliff on his search. It was hot, and he was impatient.
Rather than going into the darkness of the cave near him to look, the shepherd tossed a rock into the opening and listened for a protesting "Bahhhh!" Instead, he heard the breaking of a pot. Suddenly the goat was forgotten, and the shepherd's curiosity prevailed.
He entered the cave to find one of the greatest archeological and religious treasures ever discovered — the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Visiting an exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls captured my imagination, and my mind pictured the story above. The tale continues that this nomadic shepherd took the scraps of paper rolled in a cloth and stored in the pot to a merchant in Bethlehem. From there, the treasure passed from hand to hand until they came to rest in a special museum at Hebrew University named the Shrine of the Book.
The fact that these ancient documents of God's own Word lay moldering, unfound in a cave for over a thousand years before being found in the search for a wandering goat seized my heart and mind.
Paul tells us that each believer is a jar of clay that contains treasure. When we look through scripture, we see that we contain peace (Philippians 4:7), the forgiveness of sins, redemption, the riches of God's grace (Ephesians 1:7), joy (John 15:11) and the resurrection power of Christ (Philippians 3:10).
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls provides a powerful and biblical picture of how a broken vessel can release the power of God into our lives and those around us. Brokenness, although painful, is one of God's means of showing His all-surpassing power in our lives.
Even when the cause of our brokenness is the result of living in a fallen and sin-filled world, God is able to show Himself as the Redeemer by pouring out His treasures through us.
Are you a broken or crushed pot today? Are you suffering because of the loss of a job or the current financial crisis? Are your emotions broken and bruised because of the rejection of a friend or husband? Are you experiencing crushing loneliness because of the loss of someone dearly loved? Is your heart torn and bleeding for a wayward child?
If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, He says even in catastrophic times He is not only with you but longing to pour out through you.
God's Word that you have been storing away in the quiet times with Him can be revealed through your brokenness. He sees your pain, and His heart breaks with your every hurt. You are dearly loved. Hold on to His promise that your brokenness is not wasted but releases His Spirit to do works of perseverance, power, character and hope.
At times, I've been a very intact pot, moldering and hidden in a cave while the world around me sinks into the abyss of the absence of His Word. I pray with my broken sisters today that God would use the broken places in each of us for His great glory and our ultimate good. I pray even as He walks with us through the broken places of our lives that His Word would be exposed and powerful in a lost and dying world.
Dear Lord, I come to You in brokenness today. I give myself over to You even in my weakness and frailness. No matter if I've been broken by sin or circumstances, I ask You to fill my broken pot and pour out through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog for verses you can treasure in a time of brokenness
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Living in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope (Pre-order your copy today).
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: the Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read today's power verses below and memorize one of them. Carry it with you on a card. Read it out loud to yourself when you feel your heart struggling to believe God's promises or when you are going through a difficult time.
Reflections:
How can I come to know God's Word better so that it can flow out in times of brokenness?
Power Verses:
Philippians 3:10-11, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (NIV)
James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (NIV)
Romans 5:3-5, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV)
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 16, 2011
Do You Want to Get Well?
Wendy Blight
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.'" John 5:8 (NIV)
Do you ever feel paralyzed by fear, despair, isolation, or self-pity?
Do you have a physical or emotional pain so deep that nothing can soothe the hurt?
If your heart cried "yes, that's me!" as you read these questions, come meet the man on the mat found in John Chapter 5.
As the story opens, we find Jesus entering Jerusalem, walking towards a dirty, smelly pool of water. Every day the lame, weak, and sick gathered at this pool, believing an angel would come down, touch the water, and fill it with healing powers. Whoever entered the pool first received instant healing. As Jesus wandered through the crowd, His Father drew His eyes to an invalid lying on a mat.
Jesus looked deep into the man's soul and asked, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6b, NIV)
"'Sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.'" (John 5:7, NIV)
Did you hear the man's excuse? He remained on his mat because no one would help him.
Friends, I lived like that invalid for over a decade. In June 1986 at age 21, just days after my college graduation, I was raped by an armed, masked stranger hiding in my apartment.
I had enjoyed four incredible years at Baylor University where I pledged a sorority, dated and eventually became engaged to a wonderful man, was voted a Baylor Beauty and homecoming princess, graduated with honors, and had an amazing job waiting for me. After that day, those worldly blessings seemed meaningless. My attacker's vile and cruel act stole my dignity...my worth...my security...my life. He forever shattered my hopes and my dreams.
I lived paralyzed on a mat of fear and despair. For years I could never stay alone. I suffered from panic attacks that often landed me in the emergency room.
Then I encountered Christ in this story. The words He spoke to the crippled man leapt off the page and into my heart. They literally pierced my soul. I was the man on the mat. I enjoyed being the victim. I had become accustomed to my place of sorrow. Worse, I was comfortable there.
Read Jesus' next words to this man: "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." (John 5:8, NIV)
Through this story, I came to know the truth of Hebrews 4:12 (NIV): "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
I surrendered my heart and all that held it captive to God. He whispered in my ear, "Wendy, I have a most beautiful and abundant life for you, but you will never know that life until you have the courage to get up off your mat and walk." God's Word came alive. He spoke personally to me, and in that moment, I committed to take a first step off my mat.
Are you on a mat? Sweet friend, will you join me and take your first step off of your mat?
Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You, my Creator and my Savior. I love You and thank You that You love me with an everlasting and unconditional love. I give myself to You now, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I deeply desire for you to come into my heart, heal my hurt, and take away my pain. Remove anything in my life that hinders my relationship with You and keeps me from living the abundant life You have for me. Fill me with the fullness of Your Spirit. Enable me to take the first step off my mat. Show me the great plans You have for me. I ask this in the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Related Resources:
Take the first step off your mat by joining us for Melissa Taylor's free online study of Wendy's book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: the Transforming Power of God's Story. Click hereto sign up on Melissa's blog.
Visit Wendy's blog to hear more about her story and share a bit of yours.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Are you stuck on a mat? What is keeping you there?
Commit today to take a first step off your mat. Identify your first step. As part of your plan, we'd love for you to join us for Melissa Taylor's free online study and let God bring His hope and healing into your life.
Reflections:
Spend some time in God's Word and in prayer. Listen for God's direction for your next steps.
Power Verses:
Luke 18:27, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." (NIV)
Psalm 40:1-2, "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." (NIV)
© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 17, 2011
The Lessons We Teach
T. Suzanne Eller
"In your anger do not sin." Ephesians 4:26a (NIV)
"You're worthless!" he shouted. "Why didn't you check under your seat?"
"I'm sorry, Dad," the boy said quietly, his face red with embarrassment. "You said we would miss our plane. I left it behind because I was rushing. I apologized, but there's nothing I can do now. What do you want me to say?"
"Stop shouting at me!" the father screamed.
I felt trapped in the tram. A teen stood, angry and quiet while a father raged. What could have happened that made this father so mad?
Those of us who were witnesses to this scene looked away, or wished that the doors would open so we could get away. I wanted to say something, and maybe I should have. I was afraid I would only make it worse, but my heart hurt as I observed this scene.
The teen had left a hat and sunglasses under the seat. Maybe they were valuable. Maybe the dad's nerves were frayed because of a missed connection, or circumstances that I didn't understand. But all I could see was a relationship, something of great value, unraveling over a hat and sunglasses.
It's not fun when a child is irresponsible, or when you have to pay for items only to have a child lose them. But I wonder if the father was missing a real opportunity to teach his son a lesson? Not to show him that he was lazy or irresponsible, but a lesson in what to do when you make a mistake.
The boy could simply replace the items with his own money, or perhaps do a few extra chores when they got home. But it became personal instead with words like "you're worthless" that mark the heart of a child.
And the lessons that were taught? How to lose control. How to shout unkind words. Saying one thing while you do another. The lesson that if you mess up and you apologize, it's not enough. That you are worthless compared to the loss of a material item. Parenting is hard, especially in stressful situations. All of us have experienced that moment when we lost it, and regretted it deeply. I know that I have.
But how can we learn from it? Will we step back and reevaluate our response and actions, or lash out and mark our children with words and actions that we can't take back? Will we teach them out of anger, or pause and ask God for help to show them how to meet life's challenges head on with consistency and calm?
What lessons will we teach?
Dear Lord, You are so patient with me. I make mistakes. I fail. And yet You continue to love me, to teach me, and to show me how to grow. Help me teach my own children in the same way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a great giveaway and for "4 Ways to Help Your Child Grow."
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by T. Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Rather than react in the moment, pause and prepare.
Pray for your children daily.
Actions speak louder than words.
Use words that lead to positive action, rather than condemnation.
See your child as a work in progress. Show them what to do.
Encourage your child. Catch them doing something right.
Reflections:
Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. — Ruth E. Renkel
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:14,"But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'" (NLT)
Psalm 4:4, "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah." (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 27, 2011
Lonely
Amy Carroll
"Turn to me and show me your favor, I am lonely and hurting." Psalm 25:16 (NIRV)
Lonely. It's not a word I thought I'd ever use to describe myself, but that's just where I was.
For many years after a hard move, I felt alone.
I had always had close friends, and the absence of intimate friendship left me feeling sore-hearted. I longed to have someone who could meet me for coffee spontaneously or help me expend some of my many daily words on the phone. I craved a woman who "got me" and would both listen and share.
Over time, I learned a lot about re-establishing friendships, and most days I feel connected and content. Recently, though, I read an editorial published in USA Today that included information from a fascinating but sad study. This study published by the American Sociological Review cited statistics that showed half of Americans only have two close friends. Even more heartbreaking is that one out of four Americans say that they don't have any close friends.
Not a single one. That's a lot of lonely souls and hurting hearts.
So, how can we be part of solving this epidemic problem?
If you're lonely...
Here's the advice that I gave myself over and over during my lonely days, because I believed they were true. When you don't have a friend, BE the friend to others that you would like to have.
There were things I told myself over and over during my hard time. "Amy," I'd say...
• "Would you love a friend who takes time to show that she cares by picking up the phone and asking about your day? Then pick up the phone and ask about someone's day."
• "Would you love a friend who keeps confidences and is trustworthy? Then be trustworthy."
• "Would you love a friend who asks you to go shopping (or to the movies, or for a walk...) at the spur of the moment? Then ask someone to go along when you go do those things."
It's easier to stay isolated sometimes than to reach out, especially if you've been hurt or disappointed many times. I know too well. But I want to encourage you to reach out, show love and care about others.
God taught me so many things during my loneliness. I learned to be more dependent on Him. I learned to appreciate the friendship of my family more. I took a hard look at some things that weren't so wonderful about myself and really worked to change those things.
During lonely times of life, be intentional about connecting to God and others. There's so much to be learned in these times.
If you're not lonely...
Remember today that many people are lonely. Remember one in four women would say she doesn't have a single close friend. Think about it in terms of your neighborhood. If there are 40 women who live near you, 10 of them believe that they don't have a friend in the world. Could God be calling you to be that friend?
Look for ways to open your circle of friends to new people. Watch for that new woman at church sitting by herself, the woman at work who eats lunch alone, or the neighbor who never seems to be invited. Reach out to someone new today, and be part of one less life feeling lonely today.
Dear Lord, You are the friend who is closer than a brother. In this time of loneliness and seeming friendlessness, show me how precious friendship with You can be. Please teach me everything that I need to learn in this phase of life. Would you also prepare a friend for me and prepare me to be a trusted, valued friend? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog for more thoughts on friendship.
The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship by Sarah Zacharias Davis
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you are lonely, take a step to be around people with whom you have things in common. Sign up for a class, join a book club or attend a women's small group at your church.
If you have a close circle of friends, plan a Silver and Gold get together. (Remember the old Girl Scout song? "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold!")
Reflections:
Is God truly my best friend? Have I let Him be enough for me? What could He teach me about friendship with Him through loneliness?
When is the last time I included someone new into my circle of friends?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes." (NIRV)
Ecclesiastes 4:10, "Suppose someone falls down. Then his friend can help him up. But suppose the man who falls down doesn't have anyone to help him up. Then feel sorry for him!" (NIRV)
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 30, 2011
Facing the "What Ifs" with Courage
Glynnis Whitwer
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 (NIV)
Once a year I sit in the same waiting room. They've valiantly attempted to make it lighthearted and cheerful. But it's hard to do when every woman there knows life could change based on the results of her testing.
Despite the smile on my face as I check in, questions swirl. What if they see something worrisome? What if they call me back for more tests? What if this year it's not normal? What if?
I'm no stranger to the call-backs. And each time it happens they tell me the same thing: You are lumpy, bumpy and your kids say you are grumpy. Or something like that. But what if that doesn't happen this year? Now that breast cancer is in my family history, the "what ifs" loom larger.
Thankfully this isn't my first rodeo - I've dealt with fear in the past. In fact, at times I've been consumed with worry, unable to eat or sleep. A health scare a few years ago sent me into a tailspin of anxiety. Fear tried to debilitate me and it almost won. I had to admit that I couldn't manage the fear on my own. My human attempts at overcoming fear were weak; I couldn't think or reason myself out of the fear.
Fear isn't always logical. If it were, I could spout statistics and they would bring me peace as I wait for answers. Or, I could gain comfort from assurances spoken by well-meaning friends that "nothing will happen."
But deep in my heart, I know there's no promise I'll be free from trouble in this life. In fact, I'm usually either getting out of trouble, currently in trouble, or about to meet trouble around the next corner.
Thankfully, Jesus was waiting all that time for me to relinquish my feeble and ineffective attempts at finding peace. As I gave up my grasping attempts at control, He stepped in to the space between my heart and the lies, and wedged His truth there.
I was trying to find my own path to peace, when it was His I needed all the time.
Jesus made this promise in today's key verse: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27). This is the same peace the Bible describes as passing all understanding. (Phil. 4:7)
I've learned that peace and courage manifested in my own strength will NOT stand testing. My peace is determined on circumstances. It's determined by my ability to control the situation. With my peace, there's always that little voice saying, but what if?
Jesus' peace, however, silences that doubting voice. That voice knows the response it will get. I'll be her peace, Jesus replies for me.
I'm now better armed to face the "what ifs" of life. Instead of focusing on what I don't know, I focus on what I do know. Above all, I know Jesus' peace will be with me. The storms may come, the waters will rise, but I can have peace. This is a promise from One who has never lied.
I may not know the future, but I'm clinging to the One who does; the One who is prepared to face what may come. I'm confident Jesus will not abandon me, He still works miracles, and will make sure that I'm cared for. That's what I know.
I still have worries and concerns that pop up; it would be false to imply otherwise. Yet, they don't dominate me. When I feel them starting to crowd their way in, I stop and pray: Jesus, I need Your peace. Mine's not working again.
Dear Lord, even You said there would be trouble in this world. You see the trouble I'm facing and You see how fear is threatening to overwhelm. Even in the midst of my storm, I know You have the power to bring me peace. I ask right now for Your peace to flood my heart. Only with Your peace can I face the future with confidence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares a way to pray that freed her from paralyzing fear.
Rest Assured (CD) by Renee Swope
Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman's Guide to Peace in Every Situation by Grace Fox
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Make a list of the benefits of having Jesus' peace in your heart. If you need to experience that peace, stop and ask Jesus for it now.
Reflections:
How is the world's peace different from the peace Jesus offers?
In the face of "unknowns," what are some things I know for sure about God?
Power Verses:
John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)
Romans 8:6, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV)
Ephesians 6:14-15, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
May 31, 2011
Purse, Bag, or Sandals
Marybeth Whalen
"Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered.'" Luke 22:35 (NIV)
I am a champion list maker and detailed packer. I've learned when traveling to pack protein bars in case I get caught somewhere with no food. I've learned to take clothes and shoes that can be dressed up or down because you just never know. I've learned to pre-purchase travel-sized toiletries if I am flying. In short, I like to be prepared.
Being prepared feeds my illusion that I can somehow control my future.
In Matthew 10 Jesus calls the disciples, gives them authority in His name and sends them out, telling them to go minister to the lost sheep of Israel. He then tells them to take nothing with them — no money, no bag of belongings, not even sandals for their journey. Can you imagine being sent out like this? No time to pack. No time to shop. No time to make a list. Just go. The planner in me shudders at the thought.
And yet the disciples do just as Jesus asks. They return and later, in Luke 22:35, we get "the rest of the story." When Jesus sent them out with nothing they lacked nothing.
This verse jumped out at me when I read it. I thought of my own propensity to prepare. I thought of the panic that would rise up in me if I'd been asked by Jesus to just go. Then I thought of the many times I've let my need to prepare actually become a cover for simply not obeying.
Instead of taking action, I've stalled. My excuses sound really good — even biblical: I need more time to pray. I need to make a list of pros and cons. I need to talk to some friends, receive wise counsel. I need to spend more time reading the Bible. I need confirmation.
While these are all good things, I am not sure God means for me to do them all every time. Sometimes I think He just wants us to obey like He asked the disciples to do. But the truth is, the thought of venturing into Jesus' call and trusting Him to provide as we do feels... dangerous. It goes against our penchant for planning and our strong desire to control.
As His disciples, He wants us to have the kind of faith it takes to say "yes Lord, I will go." He wants us to fully trust in His ability to provide our every need, overcome our every complication, and supply every piece of information.
Perhaps God has asked you to do something that feels a bit like running out without purse, bag or sandals. Maybe He's asking you to go on a mission trip that scares you, to reach out to someone who frightens you, to tackle a problem that feels bigger than you... and you feel unprepared.
Jesus wants us to step out in faith, trusting that, like the disciples, on the other side of this adventure we will be able to say that we lacked nothing. Sometimes we don't need purse, bag or sandals. What we need most is faith in Him.
Dear Lord, I don't want to plan if I know You're asking for me to move. I want to listen for Your prompting and go where You say go. I don't want to rely in preparation as my comfort but in You as my provider. Help me to put my faith in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog for her "Top Ten Tuesday" that is sure to encourage your heart.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has." She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Today instead of preparing and prolonging, accept whatever God's been whispering to your heart. Then take the first step towards answering that call.
Reflections:
Do I get caught up in plans instead of achieving God's purposes? Do I let preparation become a form of procrastination? Am I hanging back when He wants me to move forward?
Power Verses:
2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us according to his glory and goodness." (NIV)
Nehemiah 9:21, "For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 1, 2011
What They Didn't Realize
T. Suzanne Eller
"Love is patient. Love is kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4a (NIV)
I knew what it was like to sit on a curb and weep because I wanted to run away. I knew how it felt to be locked in a closet by an older sibling. I knew what it meant to feel fear as a parent grabbed a gun and threatened suicide.
But, when I became a Christian at 15, I didn't know anything about what it meant to live a Christian life.
I didn't understand Jesus or His love. I was far from mature in my faith, but the Christian adults in that small church began to show me what His love looked like. Without knowing my story, they still reached out and touched my life.
I was drawn in to my faith by the presence of God and His spirit, but grew in faith because of caring and well-meaning people. They taught Sunday school and youth group. They shushed us when we talked too loud during service. They herded teens onto the bus every Sunday afternoon so that we could go to the nursing homes and sing and let wrinkled hands rest on our smooth ones.
Looking back, I know I was trying at times. Like the time I kissed the boy on the youth group hayride. Or when I shared my testimony for the first time and I uttered a curse word in the middle. I ran out of the room in embarrassment, but a woman found me outside. "Maybe you could say it a different way next time," she said with a smile. Her hug made me feel safe and accepted.
Maybe there's a behaviorally challenged teen in your world. They act on impulse. They say things that make you cringe. They run after God, but fall just as hard in the process.
And yet you keep loving them, teaching them about God, and showing them that their life matters to God. Maybe their home life is a secret, like mine was. Lots of teens need spiritual moms and dads because, for some, the only way they see Jesus is through you.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit my old church. When I thanked a couple, now in their golden years, for all that they had done, the response was, "We didn't do that much. We just loved you kids."
What they didn't realize is that their love helped that sometimes annoying teen with a very hard home life grow up to be a good mom, a loving wife, and a grandma whose life is wrapped in Jesus. I want them to know that every word I write, every time I speak, every time I kneel and pray with someone to know Christ, it is somehow linked back to that group of faithful adults who loved me right where I was. Their patient example showed me Jesus. It inspired me to work with teens for years and to open our home to teens in crisis.
One day in eternity I know they'll understand. But for now I want them to know that they transformed my life.
I'll always be grateful.
Dear Lord, help me to be faithful to show Your love to a teen or a child who needs it. Help me to be patient and serve as an example. We don't know every story but You do. Thank You that small acts of faithfulness can be multiplied in Your hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway of Making It Real (a teaching study guide for teens)
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by T. Suzanne Eller
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
To impact a teen, you can:
• Open your home to your children's friends for a fun night
• Pay a teen's way to youth camp or a mission trip (if parents aren't involved, they normally don't get to go)
• Ask your youth pastor if there is an at-risk teen in the church. Commit to pray for them daily.
Reflections:
How can my faith be a model for future generations?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 2:1, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 2, 2011
Should I Quit?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
We all have those times in life where we wish the voice of God would audibly speak so loudly there's no way we could miss it, "THIS IS THE DIRECTION I WANT YOU TO GO." Then we'd know whether to stay the course or quit and head off in a new direction.
Have you ever wished for this kind of certainty?
I have.
We want to know what to do.
Sometimes we stay in a place too long. But I think the greater loss happens in those times we quit too soon. And we live with this nagging sense of "what if?" What if I'd persevered one more year, one more month, one more day?
What if David had been so put off by his dad's brush off, he refused to come in from the field and see Samuel? (1 Samuel 16)
What if David had assessed whether or not to face Goliath based on the shadow of his opponent rather than the shadow of the Almighty? (1 Samuel 17)
What if Abigail's pride or fear had stopped her a few steps shy of bowing low before David? (1 Samuel 25)
Knowing when to stop and when to keep on keeping on is a crucial life lesson. One I want to learn well.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus encourages us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
I used to get so frustrated when I heard this verse because I thought, I don't want rest. I want reassurance! I'm burdened by this decision I have to make. I don't want to mess up my life by missing a cue from You, God.
But the gift of the rest Jesus is offering here is not a spiritual Ambien. The Greek word for this kind of rest is anapauo which has as one of its definitions, "of calm and patient expectation."
In other words, Jesus is saying if you come to Me, I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation.
But how?
My friend Jennifer Rothschild does this enlightening exercise at some of her conferences. She tells the audience to imagine her writing two different words on a large chalkboard. She then speaks the letters as she draws the first word into the air... R-E-S-T. She does the same for the second word...R-E-S-I-S-T. Then she asks what's the difference?
The difference is, of course, "I."
I don't know what to do. I can't figure this out. I'm worn out. I've tried everything I know to do. I've given all I have to give.
I'm familiar with these "I" statements because I've said them myself.
We can only find anapauo rest — fresh hope — as we stop running ragged and simply take on the next assignment Jesus gives.
In verse 29 of Matthew 11 Jesus gives us the assignment to take on His yoke and learn from Him. Ask Jesus to show you just the next step. Not ten steps. Not the whole path. Not the Google map with the highlighted route. Just the next step.
Complete that step with excellence and an open, humble heart. Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in this next step.
This is your part of the equation.
But after the assignment, comes the reassurance in verse 30, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." We don't have to have all the answers. We just have to stay connected to the One who does. Where our strength ends is the exact point where His will begin.
This is God's part of the equation.
I must do all I can do. Then trust God will do what only He can do.
Should I stay? Should I go? Maybe the better question is, "God, what is the next step I'm to take today? I'm going to do my part. And trust the rest with You."
Dear Lord, I am tired and I can't seem to figure some things out today. Please help me to see Your part in this equation. Where my strength ends is where Yours will begin. Help me, Lord, to look to You for my very next step. I will wait in calm expectation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog by clicking here and register to win a Bible Study kit for What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new 6 week DVD teaching set, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. For more information, click here.
The accompanying Yes to God Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in the very next step you will take. Determine what your part is and then look to God for His. Trust His faithfulness today.
Reflections:
Jesus says to me, 'I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation'. What does this look like to me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:9, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." (NIV)
Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 3, 2011
The Secret of Contentment
Micca Monda Campbell
"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11b (NIV)
Have you ever noticed how over-extending yourself tends to bring unwanted pressure into your life?
Sometimes I think we busy ourselves in order to gain more, find acceptance among peers, land a better position, and gain riches of all kinds. Perhaps we live under the illusion that having such riches is what makes a person complete, content, and deliriously happy. Yet, when we discover that's not the case, we're left feeling empty and discontent.
Contentment and security are not found in career titles or in the kind of car we own. The logo on our car only tells others what kind of car we drive — not who we are. True satisfaction, in its purest form, is found in the wealth of who God is and the riches He graciously lavishes upon us.
Recently God's been showing me that when I constantly want more than He has given me, it reflects a heart that is discontent. It's like I'm telling God, "I'm not satisfied with what You have provided for me. I want more."
In wanting more, I place undo pressure on myself in an attempt to get what God hasn't provided. Naturally, anxiety is the result when I focus on things other than God and His will for my life.
The pressure to have more and do more can lead us down paths we never intended. In our attempt to fill the vacuum of our empty souls, we discover that external luxury is only a cheap substitution for spiritual wholeness. As our key verse points out, Paul knew the secret of finding contentment. "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Take note that Paul wrote these words in a high stress situation as he sat in jail awaiting a verdict for a crime he didn't commit. I don't know if I could find contentment if I were in his sandals. I would probably strum my wooden cage with a rock singing pitifully, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows my sorrow." Finding contentment doesn't mean we have to like our current situation, but it may require an appreciation for it. Let me explain.
Paul learned that the fruit of contentment is developed when we are thankful for what God has provided whether we like it or not. That's because peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God and our attitude toward His provision in the midst of our stress. By expressing gratitude, Paul experienced richness of being, not having.
You may be in a hard place right now and you're longing for freedom. Maybe you're in a job that feels like a dead end; perhaps you have two of them! It may be that you live in a space too small for your family and you hate it. You're not where you planned or hoped to be and you certainly don't like it.
The truth is, we don't have to like where we are or what we have, but if we will choose to thank God for His provisions regardless of our feelings toward them, we'll experience the same contentment Paul encountered.
Being thankful doesn't mean that God will eventually remove us from our situation. He may; He may not. Rather, being appreciative sets us free from the desire to have and lets us rest in the riches of contentment. And when we reach a place of contentment, we don't need earthly riches galore.
God becomes our greatest treasure. In Him, we have everything we need.
Dear Lord, I'm grateful for what You've provided for me. Fill me with Your peace so that I may be truly content in Your blessings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog and enter to win her giveaway!
Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voscamp
The Most Powerful Two-Word Prayer (DVD) by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Instead of focusing on what God has not provided, make a list of what He has. Then, thank God for His provision.
Reflections:
Does my heart always long for more than what God has provided?
If so, why and what do I need to do to find contentment?
Power Verses:
Psalm 103:1-5, "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 6, 2011
Coming Attractions
Marybeth Whalen
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow." James 4:13-14a (NIV)
I live life on fast forward, racing around with my to-do list in hand, eyes on the next thing that needs doing. I love setting goals and achieving them. Very little makes me as happy as crossing off something on my to-do list with a satisfying line of ink.
One day this summer I spent a lazy afternoon watching tv with my niece. She had a feature on her entertainment system that let you watch movie trailers to preview the movies first. We had started out the afternoon intending to select a movie but ended up spending quite a bit of time just watching the trailers. "Sometimes I spend all my time just watching what's coming and never getting to the main feature," she giggled.
Her words hit me as I realized that — too often — that's how I live my life. I focus on what's ahead and don't allow myself the simple pleasure of truly enjoying the main feature: this day, this moment, I've been given.
In my new novel, She Makes It Look Easy, the main character is someone who lives on fast forward too. She has set her sights on the kind of house she wants to live in, the kind of life she wants to have, the perfection she hopes to obtain. She seeks the advice of an influential neighbor in hopes of getting herself to that perfection all the faster. She doesn't stop to think that perhaps in her zeal to do more and better and faster she is losing the gifts and blessings that are in her midst right now.
Sad to say, this novel was born largely from my own experience. My life has been a continual learning process of reveling in today and suppressing the urge to try to lay hold of that elusive tomorrow.
A few months ago I got the very first speeding ticket of my life. As the officer who issued the ticket went back to his car I sat in stunned silence, unable to process what had just happened. My perfect record was tarnished by my inability to slow down and enjoy the ride.
Ever racing to the next thing, my habits had caught up to me. Instead of enjoying the scenery I had reduced it to a dull blur flying past my window. After the shock wore off, I realized the lesson: slowing down, pressing pause, will not only add to the life I live, it can also keep me from harm.
I have endeavored recently to be more deliberate about choosing to pause and see God at work, to catch the little winks He sends my way if I will only look up. I keep a list of these gifts He gives. I write in my journal about what I am learning. I seek Him through His Word and ask Him each morning to bring these truths to mind throughout my day. Sometimes in the roar of my life I stand perfectly still and just listen and smile and say Thank You, Lord. I am learning to focus on the main feature and quit speeding towards the coming attractions.
Dear Lord, today is a blessing from You. Help me to seek out what You have for me in it. I know that You hold my tomorrows in Your hand and in the meantime I can rest in the moment I've been given. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog and enter to win a copy of her new novel, She Makes It Look Easy.
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has." She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voscamp
Visit She Reads and enter to win the "She Makes It Look Easy" kitchen gift package! Thinking of the fun that the main character, Ariel, had learning about organizing her home, we're giving away a fun kitchen set that will help you make this summer easier. Register to win a plethora of kitchen goodies (including a Wolfgang Puck Digital Multicooker!) AND an autographed copy of She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Instead of focusing on a to-do list today, create a "to enjoy" list and check those things off instead.
Reflections:
What am I missing today because I'm focused on tomorrow? What gifts has God given me that are rushing past me as I race ahead?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 27:1, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." (NIV)
Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 7, 2011
Soul Mates
Rachel Olsen
"People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall." Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)
She was single and had been at peace with that ... until his words stirred up feelings of loneliness and longings for affection. He was married with children.
Here she was a Christian who suddenly found herself in desperate need of clarity and support. She was falling into an emotional affair and wanted to talk with me about it.
A former boyfriend contacted her out of the blue. At first it was a fun blast from the past to hear his voice and find out what he was up to. But it didn't take long before he confessed he had been thinking about her, missing her.
He told her his marriage wasn't doing well, and hinted that he longed to be with her again. Sure enough, feelings of attraction bubbled to the surface of her heart. My friend said she and this man had not reconnected face-to-face, but they were reconnecting voice-to-voice, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart through the computer and phone.
Have you ever had the feeling someone else is really meant to be your soul mate?
Once someone pledges themselves to another in marriage before God, they essentially become soul mates. "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together." (Mark 10:7b-9 NLT)
Years ago I witnessed a woman begin an emotional affair with a man she "had more in common with" than her husband. Never mind the fact that she had her school-aged children in common with her husband. She was eventually confronted by members of her church, but did not end the relationship. She is divorced today.
We have to be honest with ourselves and with God. Jesus said we can commit adultery in our minds (Matthew 5:28); we can also commit an affair in our hearts. Plus, an emotional affair is often just the beginning stages of a physical one.
My friend struggling with this is single, but the man she's falling for is not. This isn't just a "married women's issue." We all have to guard our hearts. The Bible says they are the wellspring of our lives.
If you are in some type of affair now, I urge you to end it. Stop feeding that addiction. Run quickly from sexual immorality. Change your phone number, your email address and your daily routine if necessary to avoid him. Thankfully, my friend stopped speaking with her temptation.
If you are not entangled in this presently, guard yourself from falling into the trap. Be alert to slippery slopes. Don't go trolling the internet to check on past loves. Beware confiding anything too personal, especially your marriage woes, to members of the opposite sex — find a female friend or counselor to talk to instead. Have an accountability partner periodically ask you how you're doing in this area. And if you are married, invest in your marriage.
Finally, let's turn our attention to the One who is Love (1 John 4:8) and who knows our hearts better than anyone else can. Let's draw near to Christ who is truly our souls' mate. We can safely satisfy our hearts in His.
Dear Lord, strengthen my friends to do what is right. And help me keep pure — mind, heart, body and soul. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Your Soul's Mate — the One you were made for?
Confessions of an Adulterous Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Continue the conversation on this topic with Rachel at her blog, and enter there to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
Application Steps:
Read Jesus' words to a woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11.
Invest in your marriage — these marriage books are helpful resources.
Reflections:
Am I guarding my heart?
Am I inappropriately flirting?
What is the current intimacy level in my marriage? In my relationship with God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
Hebrews 10:22, "Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." (NLT)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 8, 2011
Getting Up Again
Renee Swope
"...though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again..." Proverbs 24:16a, (NIV)
I've always admired people who aren't afraid to fail. You know the ones who don't even consider defeat when they blow it; people who see a personal setback as just another goal to conquer.
I'm not always so courageous. In fact, I can be really hard on myself when I fail, and it doesn't even have to be a biggie. You see, I have what I call a "meanie in me" who replays my mistakes over and over, reminding me of how badly I've disappointed someone, or how impatient I was with my husband, or how harsh I was with my kids, or all sorts of ways that I fell short that day.
But the greatest defeat comes when I allow a mistake, a bad decision, sin, or a broken relationship to convince me that I might as well give up. Perhaps you have also allowed failure to knock you down, tie you up with the ropes of regret and hold you hostage like I have.
When I surveyed over 1200 women for my upcoming book, A Confident Heart, I discovered that our past failures, and our fear of failing again, are two of the biggest triggers that make us doubt ourselves.
Today's key verse, Proverbs 24:16, has helped me release the regret, guilt, fear and shame that have weighed me down and held me back. Take a minute to read it now and notice how it says the righteous will fall. That is right. Even those of us who have received the gift of Christ's righteousness and redemption will fall down. But we were never intended to stay down.
Instead of giving up Jesus empowers us to get up again.
In getting up, we can apologize and ask for forgiveness. In getting up, we can choose to try again with our kids, in our jobs, in our ministries, in our marriages, and in all of our mistakes. Because we trust that although we fall, God will help us up. Listen to His promise in Psalm 37:23-24 and as you read it insert your name in the blanks: "The steps of ____________ are established by the Lord, and He delights in ____________ way. When ____________ falls, __________ will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds ________ hand." (NASB)
When we get up again failure can actually help us become the confident women God created us to be because it makes us stronger and better — when we go to God for help. Failure can stretch us to do more than we think we can and push us to try other methods of doing things when one way doesn't work.
Yes, failure can be hurtful but it can also be beneficial. Failure produces wisdom when we ask for it and maturity when we learn from it.
The truth is, following Jesus is not about avoiding failures and being perfect. It's about accepting our weaknesses and becoming more dependent on God's perfect love and power at work in us. So the next time you fail to be the woman He calls you to be, or the woman you expect yourself to be, ask God to remind you of this truth.
We will sometimes fail to be who we want to be but we will get closer to who we are meant to be every time we fall and then choose to take God's hand so we can get up again!
Lord, I'm so thankful for Your grace that reminds me there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because my steps are established by You, Lord, I will believe that You delight in me even when I fail or fall. Today, I want to take Your hand and trust Your heart as You pull me back up again and use my failures to help me become the confident woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is taken in part from chapter 7 of Renee Swope's upcoming book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. To pre-order your copy, click here.
If you want to lose the weight of self-doubt and defeat, sign up for Renee's FREE "7-day Doubt Diet." Click here to find out more and then sign up to receive a week's worth of FREE devotions from Renee's upcoming book A Confident Heart.
Visit Renee's blog for more encouragement and some practical ways you can get up when you feel like giving up. Also, enter to win her "Getting-Up Again" give-away.
Application Steps:
List one or two areas of your life where you have felt like you were failing and wanted to give up — mainly on yourself. Then ask God to show you how you can get back up with His help.
Reflections:
Have I ever wanted to give up? What got me to that hard place and how can I receive God's grace and rely on His strength instead of my own?
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:23-24, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." (NASB)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 9, 2011
The Seduction of Satisfaction
Lysa TerKeurst
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Temptation of any kind is Satan's invitation to get our needs met outside the will of God.
One of the subtle ways he does this is to plant the hesitant thought in our mind that God will not meet our needs — that God is not enough. Satan wants us to feel alone and abandoned, so that we turn to his offerings instead. It's the seduction of satisfaction.
Often the script that plays in our head is, "I need __________ so I can be satisfied."
It's what sends the wife on a budget off on a spending spree. She feels the thrill of the sale in the moment. But as she's hiding the bags from her husband, shame creeps in.
It's what pulls at the business woman to work harder and longer and refuse to build boundaries in her schedule. Always chasing that next accomplishment or that next compliment but it's never enough.
It's what sent me on many eating sprees. The kids were loud, the house was messy, the demands felt beyond my control. So with great justification I'd indulge only to have a bloated stomach and a deflated heart.
This subtle message sold to us by Satan can be exposed when we break it down to understanding the difference between a need and a want.
All of the examples above were wants — not needs. I won't patronize you with the definition of each of these words, we know them. But oh how Satan wants to make them one in the same.
When the difference between these two words starts getting skewed, we start compromising. We start justifying. And it sets us up to start getting our needs met outside the will of God. The abyss of discontentment invites us in and threatens to darken and distort everything in our world.
Listen, Satan is a liar. The more we fill ourselves with His distorted desires, the more empty we'll feel. That's true with each of the desires mentioned above. The more we overspend, overwork, or overeat — the more empty we feel. Remember, Satan wants to separate you from God's best plans. He wants to separate you from God's proper provision. He wants to separate you from God's peace.
God's provision sustains life. Satan's temptation drains life.
God's provision in the short term will reap blessings in the long term. Satan's temptation in the short term will reap heartache in the long term.
God's provision satisfies the soul. Satan's temptation gratifies the flesh.
Oh sweet sister, consider these realities when making choices today. God says, I will meet all your needs according to the riches of My Glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). Trust God. Embrace truth. Live His promise.
Dear Lord, help me to focus only on Your provision in my life today. I don't want to be separated from You, Your best plans for me or Your peace. Help me to notice when the enemy is trying to entice me with false desires, because they only lead to emptiness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you at her book table.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book, Made to Crave. Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst.
And the accompanying workbook: Made to Crave Participant's Guide.
You will also want to visit a new website at www.MadetoCrave.org for additional information on this project as well as fun freebies and encouraging videos to help you overcome struggles to find lasting peace.
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has," She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
All of the examples above were wants — not needs. When the difference between these two words starts getting skewed, we start compromising and justifying. Take some time to list some of your wants and your needs to help you determine if the difference between the two are getting skewed.
Reflections:
Have I grasped the concept that God's provision sustains life, reaps blessings in the long term and satisfies the soul?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:11, "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (NIV)
John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 10, 2011
Slow It Down
T. Suzanne Eller
"God called the light 'day' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning..." Genesis 1:5 (NIV)
I was reading my Bible one day and noticed a huge "mistake" in scripture. Everyone knows that morning comes first, and then evening follows. Right? But there it was in black and white. Genesis 1:5 read "and there was evening, and there was morning."
Of course, it was no mistake. God started with evening — a time of rest — and a day's productivity resulted.
We live in a culture where rest is often viewed in a negative light. When we work, we work hard. When we play, we play hard. We know how to fill our time with e-mail, activities, carpool, cleaning, aerobics, and our list of tasks. But do we know how to rest?
Nineteen years ago at the ripe age of 32 I was diagnosed with cancer. When I found out, I blurted, "I don't have time for cancer!" But cancer didn't consult my schedule. My life changed as I put aside a lot of things I once thought were absolutely vital as I went through chemo, surgery, and radiation.
One beautiful result that emerged from that difficult time was a new list of priorities. I learned how to climb between the sheets and put aside my worries. To rest my body and my mind. To slow down when life became crazy and to weigh what was important, and what was not. Before long I began to see evening as the first part of my day. From rest, sprang morning; I had earned a good day's work.
It's a concept that changed my life. Not just physically, but also spiritually. Recently I had two speaking events sandwiched together. As the date approached, my time with my Heavenly Father became "evening." I prepared, but spiritually rested as I communed with God. Once I arrived in the city where I was to speak, I closed the door of my hotel room and listened to the heart of my Father instead of going over my notes. Out of rest, sprang true ministry. I was refreshed and filled by His presence, instead of my efforts.
How often do we run out of steam because we are out of balance? I wish I could say I was forever cured. But I'm not. There are times that I have to slow it down and reconsider my priorities all over again. And if physical rest or spiritual rest has been pushed to last place, I have to put it all on the table and let The Boss help me sort through it so I can put "evening" back where it belongs.
Dear Lord, when I push You to last place, I miss out on hearing Your voice. When I keep going until I drop, I get all tangled up in my to-do list. I know that life is busy, but help me to discern between what is important, and what is not. Reorganize my life, and reveal true rest that only comes from You. In Jesus' Name,, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares a quiz to help you decide if you are too busy and enter to win her great give-away!
If today's topic struck a chord, you'll want to read the chapter "Turn the Beat Around" in Rachel Olsen's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
The Yes, No, and Maybe to a Balanced Life (CD) by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down all the to-do's that consume your time.
Are there any that aren't absolutely necessary?
Do you need to say "no" to one or two so that you can say "yes" to a more restful family and a more rested you?
Reflections:
As women, we often take care of the needs of our children, our community, our church, our spouses, our jobs, our homes, but we leave ourselves out of the nurturing process. Am I willing to nurture myself in one way today spiritually or physically?
Power Verses:
Mark 6:30-31, "Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, 'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.' For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." (NKJ)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 13, 2011
Daddy Envy
Marybeth Whalen
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5 (NIV)
In high school I had three best friends. We did everything together. But there was one difference between me and them. They had dads who lived in their homes and clearly loved them. I did not. I remember envying them and the daddies they had when mine was not interested. For a long time I let this void in my life define me.
Fast forward twenty years. The four of us decided to have a girls' weekend away and reunite in the mountains of North Carolina. I was excited to see them again and looked forward to catching up. As the weekend unfolded the talk turned to family, as it usually does. Amazingly, all of their parents are still married and they still have involved, loving, present dads in their lives. They are blessed. My dad is still not in my life, but over the course of that weekend I realized I didn't feel any less blessed. I realized, to my surprise, that my case of daddy envy was gone.
What had changed?
In the twenty years between then and now I had taken off that mantle of unloved, fatherless daughter and put on a new identity.
I had discovered that I was the daughter of the Most High King. I had felt the love of a Father that was perfect and constant and amazing. I had let His love envelop me in a way that filled my lack. That love had changed me from the inside out.
I had found a satisfying wholeness in the process. I was settled and peaceful, no longer the uncertain, anxious girl who used to look at my friends' fathers with longing. I even felt a bit sorry for them that weekend, knowing that they didn't have a dad as good as mine.
In my novel She Makes It Look Easy, both of the main characters have grown up without fathers. They have experienced the profound loss a father's absence can cause and the rejection that can damage a woman for the rest of her life. For these women, this loss manifests in different ways and ultimately affects decisions they make in their lives.
Their stories are like mine and maybe yours too. So many of us grew up with a case of daddy envy; their departures rippling through our lives in ways we could've never envisioned.
And yet, it doesn't have to stay that way. God promises to be the Father to the fatherless. He promises to give His perfect love (I John 4:18) that will work within our lives to heal us, if we will let Him (Matthew 9:22). He will not barge into our lives and insist. Instead He waits like the perfect gentleman to be invited in (Revelation 3:20). When we open the door to Him, we're opening the door to a new life—one that will end our pain and bring us peace (Isaiah 26:3).
Do you have a case of daddy envy like I once had? You don't have to be fatherless anymore. Let God be the Father you've longed for and let Him show you the love you've imagined.
There's something special about having the Daddy who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), never tires (Isaiah 40:28-29), heals the sick (Matthew 4:23), knows all your needs before you even can voice them (Matthew 6:8), and loves with lavish abandon (I John 3:1). You can discover what it means to be the apple of His eye (Deuteronomy 32:10).
Dear Lord, I have felt the loss of my earthly father so profoundly. I know that You can fill my need and I want to let You into my life to do that. Come into my life, heal me and give me a new identity — from rejected to embraced, from abandoned to welcomed. I want to be Your girl and let Your love change me forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Marybeth's new novel, She Makes It Look Easy, is the She Reads selected book for June. Please click here to stop by to learn more about this novel, and to leave a comment for Marybeth.
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has." She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
Daddy Do You Love Me? by Ariel Allison and Shelby Rowan
Visit Marybeth's blog
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Look up the verses that were referenced in today's devotion and write down some in your journal that especially speak to you. Why do these verses speak to you?
Reflections:
If you've lost your earthly father to divorce, death or simply disinterest, how has his absence in your life defined you?
Power Verses:
Psalm 17:8, "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." (NIV)
Isaiah 58:11, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 14, 2011
Faith that Moves God's Heart
Glynnis Whitwer
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless..." 2 Samuel 22:26 (NIV 2011)
"Are you scared?" my daughter asked. Nibbling on fingernails, she glanced at the harnesses hung on pegs, then to the mountain and finally to my face to assess my take on the situation.
Shading my eyes, I looked up the same mountain to the highest landing, barely visible between branches. Within a few minutes we'd be there, strapped into harnesses and hooked onto a thin wire. Her apprehension was clear.
"No, I'm not scared," I answered honestly. I trusted the harness and wires to keep me safe. I trusted the staff who'd done this with thousands of other people. Beyond explanation, I (the person who avoids wasting any adrenalin) had faith I'd be safe zipping through the canopy.
As I waited my turn to get trussed up, God whispered in my heart, "That's the kind of faith I'd like you to have all the time — only in Me."
That thought settled in my heart and begged me to explore it. My initial response was a tad bit defensive. Sometimes my faith is strong. Haven't I leapt into situations trusting You to make a way, I asked God. Before I could start reminding Him of specific instances, the Holy Spirit nudged me to go deeper. So I did.
In the most honest places in my heart, I had to admit that often — even those areas I almost bragged about — my trust was in God and my exit strategy.
I trusted God, but I also trusted the strength of my arm or my ability to negotiate a positive outcome. It was like I said, "I trust You but just let me get this harness strapped on and hooked to the wire."
I knew God was speaking about faith with no backup plan. Faith that really gets His attention — where there's no harness or wire. No experienced staff. No net. There's just God. I've tasted that faith, but not often enough.
God is calling me to a higher place of faith. It's a place where I believe God can and will provide for me. And therein lies the hard place. I've anchored my life in the belief that God can do anything, but somehow feel presumptuous believing He will for me.
That's doubt masquerading as false humility. And that, my friends, saddens God and limits His work in my life.
Scripture shows us God is moved by followers with faith. There's not enough space in this devotion to list the miracles God performed when people had faith. Nor is there space to list those times when doubt made a difference.
God's whisper challenged me to submit my unbelief to Him once again in my pursuit to become a woman of faith. My heart longs to be completely sold-out for Jesus, following Him without doubt. I want the same faith in God I had when I jumped off a platform 100 feet above the jungle floor and laughed with the sheer joy of soaring. Yes, that's the type of faith I want in God. All the time.
Dear Lord, I declare today that You are faithful and worthy of all my faith. You never lie, will never leave and never break Your promises. Help me to be a woman who follows You with complete trust. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for more on how to overcome doubt.
Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Pre-order your copy of A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Using a concordance, or www.Biblegateway.com, do a search in the New Testament for the word "faith." Make a list of what happened when people had faith.
Reflections:
Why is it easy to trust God in some areas of my life, but not others?
What areas do I wish my faith was stronger? What is the common denominator in those areas?
Power Verses:
Matthew 14:31, "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (NIV 2011)
James 1:5-7, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." (NIV 2011)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 15, 2011
Sharing Grace
LeAnn Rice
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Five years ago I took a spiritual gifts test and failed! Well, in my mind, I failed.
I had high hopes that the test would confirm that I have the spiritual gift of wisdom, discernment, evangelism or mercy. You know...a good, useful gift. A change-the-world kind of gift. I was crushed to discover that I do not possess any of what I perceived as "good" gifts.
Since I was sure I knew myself better than this silly test, I took it again. I ended up taking the spiritual gifts test five times! Sadly, each one confirmed that I was stuck with the frivolous gift of hospitality. Seriously? I wanted to be a wise sage and soul-winning evangelist, not a hostess!
Shortly after my testing marathon I read today's key verse. Reading it a second time, my eyes lingered over the words "whatever gift." It doesn't say, "Only those with the gift of leadership or evangelism go and serve." As I pondered this verse I realized that as a body of Christians we could not accomplish nearly as much if we all had the same gifts. I embraced my gift of hospitality and God showed me He could use my ability to create a fancy meal or decorate a beautiful table to make others feel special. I can administer God's grace through what I thought was fluff!
What gift(s) has God given you? If you haven't yet determined your spiritual gift(s), spend some time thinking about what you do well, what hidden talent you may have, and what you have a passion for. Ask your friends what they think your talents are.
Then ask God how you can use these gifts to share His grace with others. If you are a musician, consider playing at a local retirement center or soup kitchen. If you love to scrapbook, consider organizing memories for someone who is unable to do so. If you have great computer skills, consider helping women at a shelter put together resumes or teach computer skills to help them secure a job.
I have learned that my "frivolous" gift of hospitality is not so frivolous after all. Extending hospitality, simple or extravagant, is a tangible way to share God's love and His grace with family, friends, co-workers, and strangers. My prayer is that every day God will provide me with new opportunities to use the gifts He has bestowed upon me for His kingdom and for His glory.
Dear Lord, thank You that You have gifted each of us differently. Help me discover the gifts You have given me so I may use them to administer Your grace to everyone around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit LeAnn's amazing She Cooks site today for an awesome giveaway and to see how LeAnn is using her gift of hospitality to reach others with the grace of God. Come for recipes, menus, and special event planning, and stay for much more! LeAnn is looking forward to spending time cooking together.
Do You Know Jesus?
Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions - Gift Ideas (e-book) by LeAnn Rice
Shaped with Purpose Workbook and CD: Discovering Your God-given Gifts, Passions, Personality and Abilities by Renee Swope
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
How can I purposefully use my spiritual gifts to share God's love and grace with those around me?
Reflections:
Reflect on 1 Peter 4:9-11a, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." (NIV)
Am I truly being a good steward of the gifts entrusted to me by the Holy Spirit, using them to serve others and to glorify Christ and not merely for my own personal gain or enjoyment?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:4-6a, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (NIV)
© 2011 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
June 16, 2011
Before We Respond
Lysa TerKeurst
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1 Peter 2:15 (NIV)
Sweet friend, let's chat. About "those" emails. "Those" comments. "Those" words from another that make our heart beat, our throat tighten, and our smile fall.
Yes, "those."
Harsh comments seem so unnecessary to me. I honestly can't find any sort of justification in Scripture to hurl insults and ugliness at another person. But, these are a reality in my world. A small reality, thank heavens, but a reality none the less. Sadly, I bet you can relate.
And I'll be honest; I'm just as prone as the next person to feel like putting an ugly worded person in their place. Hurt when I've been hurt. Invent a slap button for my computer. Not so nice, huh?
That's why I don't react out of my feelings. This will only cause the conflict to escalate rather than dissipate.
I wait to respond until the hurt can be processed with more than my feelings. For me, hurtful things are first processed through the emotional part of my brain before the logical part of my brain. Honestly, I need both emotion and logic to be involved in my response, so I wait. And I need some Scripture to get involved before responding.
In 1 Peter chapter 2 we find a treasure trove of verses that relate to this issue.
So, here are three things I keep in mind before I reply:
Is a reply even necessary?
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15)
Sometimes the delete button is a lovely feature. Not every email needs a reply. Not every critic should be given an answer. Especially if someone's comments are sent to us anonymously. Don't let their comments derail you. Instead let it be a reminder of how more effectively your time could be spent doing something good. Invest in that good and let your actions reveal your heart.
A reaction and a reply are vastly different.
"When they hurled their insults at him (Jesus), he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:23)
It's hard to resist retaliation. It can feel quite justifiable to hurt the one who hurt us. But just because it feels right doesn't mean it is right.
We can turn our initial harsh reaction into a gentle response by pausing. Take some time to let our emotions cool off. Seek to see things from the other person's perspective. Realize there is probably a lot more hurt going on in their heart than what we'll ever know — and chances are it has very little to do with us. Wrap our response in kindness and truth. Leave the judging up to God. God knows. God sees. God honors those who honor Him.
Humility is a beautiful diffuser.
"For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25).
Sometimes a harsh comment from another is a reason to step back and honestly assess if some of what's being criticized is our fault. Ask for forgiveness. Seek to bring truth to light in a gentle and loving way. And offer grace. Giving grace doesn't make them right. It simply and humbly acknowledges we both need it, so I chose to freely give it.
Oh sweet friend...I hope you don't need this advice today. But, if and when you do, I pray it helps.
Dear Lord, show me how to seek You like never before. Please help me to see this hurt as an opportunity today. And opportunity to seek grace, model love, and expand past my initial flesh reactions. I want to make right choices that honor You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog by clicking here for three great tips on writing email responses that help diffuse hurtful situations.
Looking for a summer Bible study to do individually or with some friends? Don't miss Lysa's new 6 week DVD teaching set, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. For more information, click here.
The accompanying Yes to God Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year, and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
We need both emotion and logic to be involved in our responses. And we also need Scripture to refer to ponder, and pray through. Write a verse from this devotion that most resonated with your heart and post it next to your computer.
Reflections:
Giving grace doesn't make the other person right. It simply and humbly acknowledges we both need it, so I chose to freely give it. How will this thought help my with my responses going forward? Remember, God knows, God sees, God honors those who honor Him.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:22, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." (NIV)
Psalm 133:1, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 17, 2011
Mean Girls
Lynn Cowell
"You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless." Song of Solomon 4:7b (MSG)
The words on Facebook glared back at her. "You are so ugly! You are fat, annoying and I hate you!"
Lindsay just sat there, staring at the screen, baffled. "What did I say? What did I do?"
Maybe this has happened to one of your children, or in some way they've faced this same type of painful rejection. Maybe you have felt it yourself. I recently spotted a t-shirt at the mall that read "You're no one until someone talks about you." What a sad state of affairs.
Growing up in a world where "Mean Girls" and "Gossip Girl" are movie and TV titles, it comes as no surprise that "mean" defines many females today. How can we guard our hearts against this? As a mom, what can we do when our children's hearts are crushed by meanness?
Feeling unaccepted is nothing new. In Song of Solomon 1:5a, we are introduced to a young girl who felt this way: "Don't look down on me because I am dark..." (MSG). She felt rejected. Those feelings are so opposite of what we and our children want to feel. We long to be accepted.
Matthew Henry concludes about this passage in Song of Solomon that we, as represented by the young girl, are "often base and contemptible in the esteem of others, but excellent in the sight of God." [1]
We can counteract the poison of meanness by remembering who we are in God's eyes. I am excellent in the sight of God and so are you. Song of Solomon 1:5b reveals the tanned girl's acceptance of this truth; she knows full well that her Lord finds her lovely. When I know that I am accepted by the Lord, it puts me exactly where I need to be to slough off insults and to help my child do the same.
When my daughter was in sixth grade, she was 5'10". One day as she got off the school bus, I noticed she was holding back a flood of tears. Once again she had been made fun of for her height.
On that day, her youth pastor wasn't there. Her teacher, counselor and small group leaders weren't there either. But her mom was. I began telling her how her Father saw her. Sharing truths like these:
• "My beloved is mine, and I am His..." (Song of Solomon 2:16a, NKJV).
• "You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless" (Song of Solomon 4:7b, MSG).
• "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord" (Psalm 45:11, NIV).
I poured these truths and others into my daughter that day and continue to remind her of them still. I put them everywhere so that together we can read them over and over again. When we feel rejected, these words remind us that we are, in fact, accepted! I pray they will be a sweet reminder for you, and perhaps your daughter, today.
Dear Lord, help me to be purposeful in putting Your truth about who I am into my heart and mind so that am not swayed by the opinions of others. And when the time is right, I can pour Your truth into the hearts and minds of my children and friends. When my child feels rejected, help me remind them that in You they are accepted. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Do you have a young woman in your life that you want to know this truth? His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell empowers young women to discover God's love in a way that builds confidence, enabling them to make wise choices.
His Revolutionary Love DVD and CD
Stop by Lynn's blog today where you can find out more about the online study she is currently doing for mom's and daughter's this summer. Also, enter to win a signed copy of His Revolutionary Love, along with her Revolutionary Love DVD that she's giving away.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Create a list of verses such as the ones above and below to have on hand to review or to share with your child when they are hurting. To read Lynn's favorite list click here!
Choose one verse per week and memorize it with your child. You can speak it to them as they are eating their breakfast in the morning, when they come home from school, and before they go to bed.
If you have your own set of "mean girl" stories, share them with your children so they can know you understand and have been there too. When we're vulnerable with our children, we create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable to open up.
Reflections:
Do I have a strong understanding of how Jesus sees me? How can I pursue learning more about His heart toward me?
Are there young girls or young moms in my life who need me to come along beside them and help them see the truth in this devotion?
Power Verses:
Zechariah 2:8, "For this is what the Lord Almighty says, '...for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye...'" (NIV)
Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." (NLT)
[1] http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 20, 2011
Word That Heal
T. Suzanne Eller
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
I was searching in my husband's sock drawer when I found a familiar thick white envelope. I put on my glasses, sat at my vanity and started reading.
Tears followed.
"Dad, you are my hero." Ryan penned these words the day my husband, Richard, finished graduate school. The words in the three pages revealed a young man who was not afraid to open his heart and let his dad see inside.
Reading the letter once again made me want to write a letter to my son. I wanted to tell him that I remembered when he was a little boy and he offered drive-by kisses as he ran past. I desired to tell him that when I was an exhausted mother to three toddlers his lopsided smile and Kermit the Frog belly laugh made me happy to be a mom.
I longed to tell him that I remembered when he walked behind me, trying to gain my attention with "Mom, Mom, Mama!" I wanted to share that I was sorry when I wasn't as patient as I should have been.
Most of all I wanted to let him know how proud I was of him as a man and how I saw many of the same beautiful traits of his father emerging in him.
Why do we leave such precious words unsaid? Words that heal. Words that share the way we feel. Words that become treasures one day when words are all that remain.
Today's key verse from Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that the power isn't in the tongue as a muscle, but in the words that fall from the tongue. We often talk about the negative words we should hold back, but what about the words that we can freely offer to those we care about?
Those are powerful words, indeed.
Dear Lord, scripture is filled with words that remind me of Your love. May my tongue be used to affirm, to encourage, to lift up, and to share simple words that say "I love you" to the treasured people You put in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway. Are you a mom and need a thriving community? Join Suzie's Moms Together Facebook group.
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Maybe you are unsure of how spoken words might be received, especially if they are rare. Share those words in a letter. Write a note to your loved one. Share one thing that you love that they do, or about who they are to you. Share a treasured memory, or a moment when they brightened your day.
Leave it somewhere unexpected — in a lunchbox, on a pillow, taped to a steering wheel.
Reflections:
Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is. — Blaise Pascal
Power Verses:
Matthew 12:36, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." (NIV)
Matthew 12:37, "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 21, 2011
I Don't Read Owner's Manuals
Glynnis Whitwer
"The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting." Psalm 119:160 (NAS)
I don't read owner's manuals. Never have. Perhaps I should clarify that statement and say I don't read owner's manuals... until I have a problem. By then, I'm usually in trouble.
A perfect example is a new vacuum/steam cleaner combo I just purchased. It promised to do away with messy buckets, chemicals and mops when cleaning tile floors. That promise appealed to me because with three dogs and five children at home, my floors need lots of cleaning and sanitation.
The first time I used the steam-cleaning component it worked great. The second time it worked ok. The third time it barely worked. And the fourth time I just dragged a dry machine around the tile. Then I read the owner's manual. Seems I should have used distilled water to protect from clogging.
I don't know too many people who make a habit of reading owner's manuals before they need them. In fact, the most popular time to read the owner's manual of a car is when there's a flat tire or a weird light pops up on the dashboard.
There was a time when I treated my Bible like the owner's manual of my car and steam cleaner: only read when necessary. My reading of it was limited to a few verses printed in my church bulletin, or an occasional flurry of interest. That approach proved ineffective when faced with the challenges of college and early-married life.
I wasn't equipped to deal with the self-sacrifice needed in marriage, or the allure of finding my identity in work. I frantically juggled all the demands on my time before I read that God had good advice on how to order my priorities.
By the time I looked in the Bible for answers, something in my life needed repair. Some days it was a broken relationship; other days it was a bitter attitude or bad decision I had made. Eventually I realized I had to stop using my Bible like a reference book and start using it like a life manual.
I started reading the Bible to prepare me for life, rather than rescue me from it.
I joined small groups to study with others what God's Word said. What a difference that approach made! I discovered God really does know how to navigate this thing called life.
Bit by bit, God's guidelines for living have become a part of my everyday thinking. While I may not become an expert in repairing steam cleaners, I'm trying to be a life-long student of God's Word. My floors aren't any cleaner, but my life makes a lot more sense following the ultimate "owner's manual."
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us comprehensive and helpful owner's manual. Help develop in me a hunger for Your Word. I ask for wisdom to understand the hard things, and strength to live out Your commands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the One who wrote our life's manual?
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
One Year Chronological Bible Also, you can join Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker Wendy Pope as she leads women through the Chronological Bible this year.
Visit Glynnis' blog to read a list of her favorite, life-changing Scripture verses.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Set aside time each morning to read God's word and ask Him to use what you read to prepare you for that day. Consider joining Wendy Pope as she leads women through the One Year Chronological Bible. Visit her blog to join in. It's never too late.
Reflections:
What has been the biggest benefit to me personally when reading the Bible?
What is my biggest challenge in reading the Bible?
Power Verses:
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (NAS)
John 8:31-32, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (NIV 2011)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 22, 2011
A Ready Answer
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" Matthew 16:15 (NIV)
Have you ever met someone who left a lasting impression you'll never forget? Is there a memory of them permanently engraved in your mind or on your heart?
I will never forget a gal I once knew named Stephanie. Many years ago we attended the same college. We were very different, yet we enjoyed each other's company. We shared a conversation one evening which still rings in my mind today.
We were taking a walk through campus when she matter-of-factly informed me that she was an atheist and did not believe in God. Without hesitation and a calm assurance, she simply shared her beliefs with me. She then paused, and graciously proceeded to ask me what I believed.
More than 20 years later, I can so vividly remember my answer as if it were yesterday. I was able to tell her that I had faith in Jesus, but I was not able to tell her about my faith in Jesus.
I am still convicted by how I felt then, even now. Do I have a ready answer for the very next person I meet?
When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter was prepared with a ready answer and responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16 NIV)
But what about me? Who is my Jesus? What has He done in my life? Why do I follow Him?
Today I have a ready answer in four simple words — He is my Hope.
When we are in the midst of a catastrophic situation, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps our eyes open and our heads held up.
When we are in the midst of a frustrating situation, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps us looking beyond the disturbance.
When we are in the midst of our daily routines, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps us believing for something more.
That glimmer of hope is assurance in the One who did not stay in His grave. The One who saves, forgives, loves and carries us through it all. This hope is all we need. This glimmer of hope is Jesus.
It is my heart's desire to be ready at a moment's notice to explain my faith to anyone who asks. My faith is in a God who offers hope beyond our circumstances. Beyond reason, beyond logic, and beyond the ordinary things we can see.
It is a hope worth clinging to.
I am now able to tell those I meet not only that I have faith in Jesus, but also about my faith in Jesus.
If asked today, what would you say you believe? Is Jesus your Lord? If so, what does that look like in your life? Do you have a ready answer?
Dear Lord, You are my hope every day. Thank You for loving me and guiding me. Help me to see You in my circumstances — all of them. You are that glimmer of hope that keeps me hanging on. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Connect with Holly on our P31 Devotions blog today.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst, along with accompanying workbook:Participant's Guide.
Do You Know Him?
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If someone were to randomly walk up to you today and ask you about your faith, what would you say? Do you have a ready answer?
Reflections:
Are you sure of what you hope for?
Are you certain of what you do not see?
How can you use these answers to lead others to Jesus?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (NIV)
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV)
© 2011 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
June 23, 2011
Because I am Loved
Lysa TerKeurst
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5: 6-7 (NIV)
My friend, Kathrine Lee, once challenged me with this question: Are you doing this because you are loved or so that you'll be loved?
Her question is a great one.
Doing something "so that we'll be loved" is a trap many of us can get caught in. When I do something because I'm trying to get someone else to notice me, appreciate me, say something to build me up, or respect me more, my motives get skewed.
I become very "me" focused. I put unrealistic expectations on myself and the other person. And I can get stinkin' angry when I don't feel more noticed, appreciated, or respected.
I can get all twisted up and take my frustration out on myself and that person in an unfair way. I typically sabotage my own efforts and bend to discouragement and defeat.
But, doing something because I am loved is incredibly freeing.
I don't view the relationship from the vantage point of what I stand to gain. Instead, I look at what I have the opportunity to give. I am "God focused" and love directed. I keep my expectations in check. And I am able to lavish the grace I know I so desperately need. I live free from regret with clarity of heart, mind, and soul.
So, how do I know if I'm doing things because I'm loved or so that I will be loved? See how easy or hard it is to apply this Scripture:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5: 6-10 NIV)
Because I am loved, I can humble myself.
When I'm trying to be loved, I must build myself up to look better.
Because I am loved, I can cast all my anxiety on Him.
When I'm trying to be loved, I cast all my anxiety on my performance.
Because I am loved, I can resist Satan and stand firm in my faith.
When I'm trying to be loved, I listen to Satan and stand uncertain trying to rely on my feelings.
Because I am loved, I know God will use this to make me stronger - and I want that.
When I'm trying to be loved, I don't want to be made stronger - I want life to be easier.
Indeed, I want to pursue life, relationships, and the goals I set from a healthy and free vantage point — because I am loved.
Dear Lord, I don't want my motives to get skewed today. Help me to not be so 'me' focused. I want to live each day knowing that I am loved. Living because I am loved is freeing. I long to stop trying so hard. I know You love me, Lord and that You are making me stronger. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Tired of people pleasing? Read this article on Lysa's blog today. She's also giving away several helpful resources as well.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's book: Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Isn't it interesting how much easier it is to apply scripture when we're doing it because we're loved? As you read your Bible this week filter each word, teaching, and story through this perspective. Record the difference between reading God's truths because you are loved vs. trying to be loved.
Reflections:
Doing something "so that we'll be loved" is a trap many of us can get caught in...but, doing something because I am loved is incredibly freeing.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:4, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." (NIV)
John 8:12b, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk In darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 24, 2011
But Will It Make Me Happy?
Marybeth Whalen
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NIV)
When my son Brad was about three years old, he went through a little phase of playing on my emotions when he wanted something. If I told him "no," he would reply, "But mommy, that will make me happy." Then he would give me his most adorable smile and bat his eyes at me for effect.
Boy did he know how to work me over! Some of the requests were for things like a lollipop before dinner or staying up several hours past bedtime. And while I knew those things might make him happy for a moment, they definitely weren't the best choice for him. As his mom, I knew that sticking to my "no" was the wise choice — no matter how many manipulation tactics he tried.
And yet, how many times do I act just like this before God?
I kneel before Him and present Him with a laundry list of things I think would make my life better. In reality, I don't have any better idea about what is best for me than my child does. My view of happiness is very temporary and circumstance based.
While I think I know what will make me happy, I am learning that, in truth, I have absolutely no idea. And this is where trusting God and submitting to His will is always the better choice.
How many times in your life have you wanted something so badly — yet when you got whatever it was, you realized, "Nope, this didn't do it for me either." That house you wanted to move into so badly, that person you wanted to date, that achievement you thought would bring success, that child you longed to have — they all brought you momentary happiness, but they didn't fulfill you as you had hoped or bring you the significance you longed for.
I am learning slowly that whenever I find myself begging God for something, with some whining thrown in for good measure, I have to step back and ask myself the question: But will it make me happy? I know that whatever "it" is, it doesn't have the power to bring me lasting happiness — that deep indwelling joy that only God can bring.
I may have a flash of happiness, only to lose it mere moments later. I am learning slowly to push aside these momentary longings and seek God instead. To tell Him, "Here's what I think I want. But I trust You to do what's best for me."
I have learned that a book with my name on the cover, an outfit hanging in my closet that looks great on me, an accolade for my child, a trip to the spa, or an address in the right neighborhood will not make me happy, as much as I think it might. I can't look for happiness in the things of this earth, or I will certainly live in a state of disappointment.
Instead I can spend my time seeking God, and allowing Him to bring along unexpected blessings — little bouquets of happiness along the way.
That doesn't mean I don't still look longingly at a new iPod or a sleek new laptop and think fleetingly, "Oooooh, now that would make me happy." But I am learning to pull back and refocus my perspective when I have those thoughts.
Will it make me happy? Maybe for a moment. But in the long run, only God can bring me the joy I seek. I am learning that, minute by minute, day by day.
Dear Lord, please help my perspective to be Your perspective. Help my focus to stay where it needs to be — fixed intently on You and not on the things of this world I think will make me happy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has." She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
Marybeth's new novel, She Makes It Look Easy, is the She Reads selected book for June. Please click here to stop by to learn more about this novel, and to leave a comment for Marybeth.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down in your journal anything God has brought to mind that you are looking to for happiness. How can you take your eyes off these things of this world and refocus on God and His Son, Jesus Christ? Write down personal action steps you need to take and begin taking these steps today.
Reflections:
Am I being honest with myself about what truly makes me happy? Am I looking to the wrong things to make me happy? What part of this devotion is speaking to me today?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 5:19, "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift from God." (NIV)
Isaiah 33:6, "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." (NIV)
Proverbs 10:2, "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 27, 2011
Where Did the Time Go?
Lynn Cowell
"May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace." Psalm 144:12 (NLT)
I remember like it was yesterday...the dark-haired little princess dancing on top of the coffee table, star-studded sunglasses gracing her face, singing as though she was a rock star.
Where did the time go? Now, she's a beautiful young lady in the making, grinning at me from the dressing room. Her smile still says, Look at me, Mommy, don't I look pretty?
And she does, in so many ways. Her beauty is more than just physical. I see a tender heart, and it makes me long for her to learn who she is in God's eyes. There is nothing more that I want than for her to become who the Lord made her to be.
Vicki Courtney says, "Girls who are 'sugar and spice and everything nice' are made, not born." This is so true.
Today's key verse says the same thing a bit differently. It reminds me that pillars are not found in nature. Pillars are not born. Pillars are formed. Carefully, an artesian chisels away at the stone little by little, creating a masterpiece.
You can be the artesian in the life of your daughter, with the Master Artesian as your teacher. You can be the one the Lord has appointed to take the rough piece of stone and carve it into the graceful pillar, fit for a palace.
But it will take time, prayer, grace and patience.
Our girls are under so much pressure to be this and do that; striving to please the ever-changing culture. Caught between their daytime world of school and their evening world of family, the push and pull can often bring confusion.
What our girls long for is to be known. To feel like they matter. To believe someone sees them as valuable and significant. Maybe that is why God created mothers — to be the conduit for the power of His truth to our children.
It is our place to teach our daughters exactly how He sees them. We can be the voice that says, "...out of all creation, [you] became his prized possession." James 1:18 (NLT) When looking in the mirror picking themselves apart, may they be reminded of God's promises and prayers we have spoken over them.
Dear Lord, this task seems too big for me. Raising a daughter that knows and trusts You is contrary to our culture. I want my daughter to find her fulfillment in You. Show me opportunities today where I can lovingly speak Truth into her life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you have a young woman in your life who needs to know God's perspective of her? His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell empowers young women to discover God's love in a way that builds confidence, enabling them to make wise choices.
His Revolutionary Love DVD and CD are a great resources to share with your daughter, small group or Sunday school.
Stop by Lynn's blog today where she is sharing specific ways that you can be used by God to be an artesian your girl's life. She is also giving away a copy of her DVD Revolutionary Love.
Application Steps:
Learn who you are in Christ. Study scriptures that teach these truths. Lynn shares some of her favorites here.
Ask the Lord to show you a young woman whose life you can make a difference in. Consider giving her a copy of His Revolutionary Love. Invite her to lunch and share your story of finding Jesus' love.
Plan a "Revolutionary Love" conference at your church or community group. Or start a Radical Revolution group for teen girls. Lynn offers a free leadership guide on her website as well as one-on-one advice as you get started!
Reflections:
How would my life be different if I'd known, and believed, the unconditional love of God as a teen?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:1-4, "...Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." (The Message)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 28, 2011
Memory Stones
T. Suzanne Eller
"Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day." Joshua 4:9 (NIV)
I discovered an old journal in a box in my garage. As I thumbed through its pages, I found prayers I had written as a young mom. There were prayers that my children would grow up to love the Lord. Prayers when I needed guidance. Prayers written years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer and my children were in elementary school.
When I penned those words, I had no idea what the answers would look like, only that my strength was replenished when I turned to God in prayer.
When Joshua led the nation of Israel across the Jordan River, it was harvest time and the Jordan was at flood stage. As the priests stepped to the water's edge, suddenly the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away and the water flowing downstream was completely cut off. Miraculously the priests stood firm on dry ground while all of Israel passed.
God commanded that each tribe take one stone from the middle of the Jordan and take it with them. They placed the stones in a pile and later, when their children asked, "What do these stones mean?" they were told about the day God supernaturally stopped the flow of the Jordan River.
As I read the journals, I could clearly see my own memory stones. God had held me and my family close during those times. He had answered a young mom's prayers in His timing. It may not have been clear then, but now I could recount how God cared for us.
Comfort. Provision. Even miracles. The prayers were a glimpse of our history and God's hand over our family.
What memory stones will you share with your children? It might be a story of God's love shared at bedtime. Or comfort to a teen as you recount a moment when God stepped in for you in the midst of your own struggles and obstacles. Perhaps it is a memory shared with an adult child who is struggling and wonders if God cares.
Memory stones can be powerful stepping stones, leading your child straight into the arms of a Heavenly Father as you recall God's faithfulness together.
Dear Lord, sometimes I pray, but then I fail to rejoice in the answer, having moved on to the next need or next prayer. Today I thank You for every memory stone. You are a powerful and loving God. I am grateful for Your provision over me and my family, In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to discover how to create a prayer journal and start collecting memory stones of your own.
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life by Sarah Young
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
• Write down one story of God's faithfulness.
• Thank God for it in your personal time. Ask for insight on the right opportunity to share it with your child.
• When you share it, don't make it a lesson, simply a praise.
Reflections:
People create scrapbooks so they can treasure memories. What would a scrapbook of my life as a believer look like? What a legacy that would be in the hands of future generations!
Power Verses:
Joshua 4:5b-6, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?'"
Joshua 4:7a, "Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord."
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 29, 2011
Dead Weight
Karen Ehman
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:21 (NIV)
Ever have a reoccurring bad attitude drain the life right out of you? It can cause your spirits to wither and your joy to die, leaving you limp and lifeless like a water-deprived plant.
I was feeling that way recently when I remembered something my husband's mom had taught me. She is famous for growing wonderful herbs and colorful perennials. In fact, her garden boasts an array of color from the first hint of spring until late fall.
One day I asked her to share her green-thumb secret. She explained that the secret to helping plants thrive is called "dead-heading." Here is how it is done: As soon as any beautiful blooms begin to whither, fade, or turn brown, they must be removed.
I've discovered it is a tedious, never-ending task. Just when I think I have removed every dried up blossom, the next day a dozen more appear. But if I want my flowers to keep blossoming, I have to dead-head daily because the deceased blooms sap nutrition and strength from the core of the plant. They rob the flowers of energy that could be used for new growth.
However, if the dead and debilitating weight is properly plucked, the stems will give gorgeous petals throughout the entire life of the plant.
As I pluck my dead flower heads, I am reminded of my life with Christ. There are places in my heart, thoughts in my mind, and actions in my will that stem from bad attitudes. And they are nothing but dead weight to my spiritual life.
Often these deep-rooted thought patterns and their companions — doubt, fear, wrong choices, old habits, nursed grudges, or current conflicts — threaten to choke our growth and prevent us from displaying the splendor God intends for us to show.
We start our day hopeful yet give in to the hurtful. Our self-doubts or judgments of others often take root in negative thoughts and counterproductive actions that not only have the potential to ruin our day, but also affect those around us. However, if we are intentional in nipping these at their first appearance, we will be more likely to experience new growth in our walk with Christ and health in our relationships.
Today's verse from James tells us to get rid of such issues and instead to humbly plant God's word deep in our hearts. So, instead of dwelling on a temptation in our thoughts and allowing it to morph into sin, we quietly focus our hearts on a truth from scripture such as "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 5:14)
Dwelling on scripture empowers, rather than drains us. It is spiritual dead-heading at its finest. This switch in our thought pattern can save us from wrong choices, unhealthy relationships and self-inflicted heartbreak.
Could your heart use a dead-heading session? Are there faded blooms you have been carrying around that are sapping your spiritual energy and strength, causing heartache and tears? Get rid of the bad. Plant God's good Word in that spot instead. Then stand back — patiently now — and watch beautiful blooms begin to appear.
Dear Lord, I admit to You the faded flowers of my heart that I have been carrying around for much too long. Grant me courage to pluck them for good. Replace them with Your word planted seriously in my soul in an intentional manner. Let me drink deep of your bottomless nourishment so that the blooms You choose to grow and display in my life might point others to the Savior. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Related Resources:
For five tips on spiritual dead-heading & a chance to win a great gardening giveaway visit Karen's Blog.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Do You Know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Gather some note cards, a pen, and colored markers. Get alone with the Master Gardener and ask Him honestly and earnestly to reveal those areas of your life that are sapping your strength and rendering you ineffective for His kingdom.
In your best grade-school attempt, draw some faded, brown flowers, one per card. Next to these lifeless blooms write something that has been sapping your spiritual strength and must be removed from your life. Now turn over each card and write a corresponding verse that helps combat these strength-sapping attitudes and behaviors. Decorate these sides, if you wish, with colorful flowers.
Reflections:
How does this spiritual dead weight my relationship with God? And with other people?
What part does bible study or scripture memory play in "dead-heading"?
Power Verses:
Psalm 40:11-13, "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me." (NIV)
Psalm 66:18-19, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." (NIV)
Psalm 119:10-11, "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
June 30, 2011
Don't Despise the Small
Lysa TerKeurst
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13 (NIV)
What seems small in your world? That place where your vision is grand but your reality isn't. Your influence? Your opportunity? Your business? Your ability to give? Your ministry?
Look at that small place and tell me what you see.
Now, might I be so bold as to slip a little note into your world to tell you what I see?
I see the strings of a gift that when appreciated will spill forth as wisdom and understanding you can't get any other way. I see the possibility of James 3:13 churning to break free in your life, "deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
I see the place from which humility is birthed. That glorious rare quality that doesn't take too much credit. That knows real success is laced with upward glances, bent knees and whispered praises to the One. The only One.
He who gives.
And He who withholds. Not out of spite, not out of ignorance, not out of deafness, and certainly not out of comparisons where others are found to be more deserving.
No. He withholds out of protection. With more urgent restraint than we'll ever possess, He presses back the big to protect the workings of the small.
The small we should not despise.
The quiet nurturing taking place, the unfolding, the stir beneath where none can see.
Soon, a fork in the soul's path must be chosen. One way to haughtiness. One way to humility.
If that soul has never tasted small, it will detest the humble pallet. And crave big, only big, until it is so full of big that being big inflates and distorts and eventually bursts. All things haughty will eventually be made microscopic.
But for the soul that has tasted small, humility becomes their richest fare. The taste that fits. The thing most desired to be consumed. All things humble will eventually be made great.
Oh the beautiful gift of small.
The delight of knowing what small really is.
Small isn't a belittling of one's calling nor an indication of one's future.
It's a place. A grand unnoticed place. A place to be protected and remembered. A place that keeps all things big in good and right perspective.
Small isn't what keeps us from that grand vision.
Small is what keeps us for that grand vision.
Dear Lord, help me to embrace the small today. I want to see with Your eyes what You have planned for me today. Give me the ability to understand the beautiful gift of small. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Read part 2 of this devo, "And Don't Be Afraid of the Big," by clicking here. Don't miss your chance to win a free Bible Study Kit as well.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
But for the soul that has tasted small, humility becomes their richest fare. When have you tasted small? Record how it felt in the moment. Then record how you feel about it now. What have you learned? How have you grown?
Reflections:
What seems small in my world? That place where my vision is grand but my reality isn't. My influence? Opportunity? Business? Blog? Ministry? Small isn't a belittling of my calling nor an indication of my future.
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)
Psalm 37:11, "But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 1, 2011
Trading Fierce Independence
Glynnis Whitwer
"Elisha said, 'Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few.'" 2 Kings 4:3 (NIV 2011)
Problems. I prefer to keep them to myself. Being fiercely independent, my instinct is to slam the cellar door shut at the first sign of high winds. In other words, no one's getting in until the storm is past. I'll let God in, no problem. But you — I keep out.
Over the years, God has challenged me on this independent approach, calling it was it is: pride.
It's not overt arrogance, but by keeping others at a distance, it implies I'm all-sufficient and don't need your help. Plus, the insecure little girl in me worries that if you see weakness in my life, you'll question my competency. As so, I've kept to myself, creating a prideful façade of control.
That didn't work very well, however. Repeatedly, God has called me to a place of greater interdependence with others. He's worked miracles in my life when I've humbly asked for prayer. He's broken down walls of distance when I've allowed people to see the real me. I've seen His hand move at the request of my godly friends.
It's now obvious to me God designed us to work together. We are pieces of the same puzzle, and life makes more sense when we are connected.
There's a story in the Old Testament that shows God's plan for interdependence. It's found in the book of 2 Kings and concerns a widow who had a big problem. She needed resources, but the coin jar was empty. Her husband died, leaving her with no means of support, and a pile of debts she couldn't pay. Creditors demanded restitution. Since there was no money, they planned to take her children as slaves.
Desperate, she sought help from Elisha, a man known to be set apart for God. Elisha asked her to do something unusual: go to all her neighbors and request empty jars ... lots of them. Then, she was to return home, take what little oil she had left and pour it into the jars.
The widow did as Elisha instructed. When she returned home, she started pouring. As each jar filled, her sons brought her another. They filled every borrowed jar with oil. Elisha then told her to sell the oil, pay the creditors and live off the rest. She did.
What I love about this story is that the quantity of the miracle oil was in direct proportion to the number of neighbors she asked for help. If she had asked five neighbors, that's how much oil she would have had. Ten neighbors meant ten jars. And so on. The more people the widow asked for help, the greater God's provision.
There's another part of the story not told by the Bible passage, but I can't help but wonder if it happened. At some point, the widow would have returned the borrowed jars. When she did, I imagine she would have told each neighbor what God had done for her, and how that neighbor played a part in the miracle. What a testimony that must have been!
God could have worked a miracle in any way, but He chose to involve each member of that little neighborhood. I imagine they were never the same after being part of something so amazing.
This story speaks clearly to me. God often plans to meet my needs through others. Yet if I keep my problems to myself, I might hinder His plan to bless my friends and broadcast His faithfulness. I'm learning to deny the lies of a prideful spirit in exchange for a humble plea for help. I'm trading my fierce independence for God's plan of community.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I've kept to myself, believing I have everything necessary to solve my problems. In doing so, I may have missed Your plan for meeting my needs through others. Help me to identify pride and submit it to You. Help me to have a humble and teachable spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion on pride, and a give-away of the Bible study she co-authored, "Welcome to Community."
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Do you have a problem you've been keeping to yourself? Commit to telling one trustworthy friend and ask her to pray about it.
Reflections:
Why is it hard for many women to share their problems with others?
Is there pride that has kept me from experiencing true biblical community?
Power Verses:
Psalm 10:4, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (NIV 2011)
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (NIV 2011)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 4, 2011
Little i
Marybeth Whalen
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30 (NIV)
My husband and i were at an event where words to the worship music were placed on a screen for all to see. But this night i noticed something: every time they used the word "I" on the screen, it wasn't capitalized. My editor's eye was drawn to this glaring error, and i spent much of the time that i was supposed to be singing trying to discern why they had done this. Oversight? Trying to be cute? It bugged me.
Then i felt God's whisper to my heart, causing me to go a bit deeper. "Why are you stressing about capitalizing the i?" I sensed Him asking me, "Why does it need to be capitalized? Who decided that? Maybe these folks recognize that 'i' am not important — but I AM is."
While I am not proposing a little i revolution — shaking up tradition and causing a crisis in the grammar world — i am wondering, what does a little i life look like?
Sacrifice?
Surrender?
Slaying self?
Setting apart?
Seeking Him?
Serving others instead of doing what i want?
This little i thing could catch on. It should catch on, because it's the life Jesus called us to. We don't need to be capitalized. We need to be small, insignificant — just a jot and a tittle, the littlest marks in the alphabet. Instead of a capital letter that announces our importance.
At least, that's what i am learning these days — and trying to live out. Sacrifice, surrender and servanthood are hard. But i know that's what God calls us to do; laying down our wants, needs and desires and straining towards His.
Dear Lord, I want to make Your name famous and mine unimportant. Help me to be mindful of my tendency to make things about me. And help me Lord to keep the focus on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has." She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Application Steps:
While not capitalizing your "i's" might not be practical, journal some ways that you can consciously choose to make Him become greater and you become less in your daily life.
Reflections:
Do you struggle with taking the focus off God and putting it on yourself? Are there certain times or situations when this happens for you? What can you do to change your response when this happens?
Power Verses:
John 3:31, "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 5, 2011
Bad Boats
Lisa Wingate, She Reads Featured Author
"Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" Matthew 14:31 (NIV)
If you could step away from one thing that is dragging you under, what would you leave behind?
Years ago, we moved into someone else's dream house. We purchased it from the bank after it had languished empty — built with great hope but then sadly abandoned. Soon, we began hearing stories about the place. There were whispers of substance abuse, violent fights, young children in foster care, a father in jail.
While I repaired damaged walls, my boys explored their new territory. One evening, they brought in a treasure they'd found outside. Holding the weathered Ziploc baggie, I studied the contents — two small clay pipes and seeds of a sort that undoubtedly shouldn't go to show-and-tell when the drug dog sweeps the school.
There are those moments when the world as it is collides with the world as you wish it were. It's hard to explain to little boys that their treasure must be disposed of in the nearest dumpster before someone gets arrested.
The lost treasure was still on their minds at bedtime.
"That's too bad about those people," my older son observed. "I'll never touch drugs. Drugs are stupid."
"It is sad," I agreed.
His brows wrinkled. "Why didn't they just quit before somebody took their house?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Sometimes, things that aren't good for us feel good in the moment. Sometimes people don't see the damage they're doing."
My younger son turned our way. "It's like they're on a boat."
His brother responded with an eye roll. "We're talking about drugs, not fishing. Hello."
"Uh-huh," the little brother remained uncharacteristically serious. "It's a really bad boat, and it's sinking, and they won't get off — like in my Bible story, where the man was too scared of the water to walk to Jesus. It's like that, huh Mama?"
A lump rose in my throat. "You're right," I whispered, thinking about the bad boats in life — destructive habits, painful relationships, defeating self-talk, debt, lust, jealousy, a reliance on food, drink, or shopping. There are so many.
My new novel, Dandelion Summer is a story about bad boats — the sort that trap women into unhealthy choices to gain approval from men, and the sort that can pull the elderly into grief, isolation, and anger toward God. It's so easy for my characters, Norman and Epie, to see each other's bad boats, but they're blind to their own.
I see myself in both of them. So often, I find myself riding out the storm, clinging to the boat, when the truth is that Jesus is just an arm's length away. He's unperturbed by the waves, unshaken by the currents, waiting to help me conquer the storm, if only I'll focus my eyes on Him instead of the ocean.
Are you in a boat that is sinking? A relationship that is unhealthy? A habit that is destructive? Ask Jesus to help you get out of that boat and walk to Him.
Dear Lord, help me recognize the bad boats in my life, whatever they are. Help me to stop looking at the water, feeling trapped, and saying "I can't." Help me to gather the courage to reach for Your hand — to know that no matter where I am, no matter what the storm, my security isn't in the boat, but in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Lisa's sixteenth novel, Dandelion Summer is a story for every person who has ever felt trapped or alone and found a friend in an unlikely place. Visit She Reads and enter to win the"Dandelion Summer Kindle-n-Bling Giveaway" gift package, featuring a Kindle e-reader, a bit of bling, and an autographed copy of Dandelion Summer!
She Reads ~ where we're discovering great fiction together!
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Is there a bad boat you'd like to leave behind? List steps you could take (even small ones) to move away. Consider sharing your plan with a supportive friend. Pick one item from your list and commit to it each day.
Reflections:
How will my life be better, how will I be more of what God wants me to be, when I've left this boat behind?
Who could I talk to about it? Who would be a prayer partner?
Does this require outside intervention? Where can I find resources?
Power Verses:
Mark 9:23, "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (KJV)
Isaiah 43:2a, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you" (ESV)
© 2011 by Lisa Wingate. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 6, 2011
Trenches
Lisa Whittle
"Share each other's burdens..." Galatians 6:2a (NLT)
There are times all of us find ourselves in the trenches in life — those deep places we can't seem to climb our way out of.
Sometimes those places involve decisions of our own, where we made a conscious choice to do something that wound up hurting us. Other times, someone made a decision for us that put us there, without our permission.
Either way, there is a great need — a need for someone to understand, someone to listen, someone to be available for us, to grieve with us and cry with us — no matter how dark it may get.
I've been in the trenches at different times in my own life. I found myself there when I was in college and my pastor-father was facing potential prison. I wound up there, again, when I partied hard to numb the pain, causing even more for myself. Years later, I found myself in a trench when my husband lost his job and was out of work for an extended period of time.
It was in those moments that I longed for someone to say to me, "I'm here with you. I won't leave you. You will get through this, and I will love you no matter what." Because at the end of the day, all of us want to know that there is someone who won't walk away from us, even when they see how ugly things can get in our biggest moments of struggle.
It is the mark of a true friend. It is a rare find.
I once heard a speaker say how in her community, it was not unusual for people to sit with one another for up to seven days during times of loss and grief. As I listened to her speak, I thought about how amazing and important that aspect of community could be to us in our greatest moments of pain — those moments we find ourselves in a deep trench from which we won't easily emerge.
Our key verse refers to this beautiful aspect of friendship when it says, simply, "Share each other's burdens..." For the believer, this is not a suggestion. It is something Jesus expects us to do as we represent Him.
One of the best ways we spread the love of Christ is through our selfless acts of love and serving another. It's not easy to share in someone's burden, especially when that burden is great. But it is right. It is good. It is what Jesus does for us.
Many of us have been in the trenches, so we understand this hard position. It is where some of us are even now. Some of the greatest ministry Jesus will ever do in our lives is when we find ourselves in a place we can't maneuver, claw, or dig our way out of. It is the place He meets us because our desperation finally drives us to Him — a place we most need to be.
Friends, let's keep our eyes and ears open for the opportunity to get in the trenches and share in the burdens of another. Let's be willing to be there with our friends who find themselves in a position they don't want to handle alone. Let's remember the One who is always present in the trenches with us.
And let's thank Him for His care, presence and faithfulness in the midst of our needs...the trench moments of our life.
Dear Lord, we are grateful that there is no trench too deep, no place too dark that you can't reach us. It is because of You we are never alone. Thank You for Your care and faithful love. Help us to share in the burdens of another, and seek You in our greatest moments of need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Share your thoughts and stories with Lisa on her website.
Will you join Proverbs 31 Ministries in the trenches of women's lives? To find out how you can be part of bringing the hope of Christ and the life-giving power of God's word to women around the world, click here.
The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Understand the importance of community by reading the characteristics of the first church in Acts 2:43-47.
Ask Jesus to give you His eyes to see others' needs, and His heart to help people in trenches by making yourself available to them.
Remember times when you needed someone to be in the trenches with you. Think about how Jesus has met that need in your own life and thank Him today.
Join Proverbs 31 Ministries in the trenches of women's lives. Find out how you can be part of bringing the life-giving power of God's Word to women around the world by clicking here.
Reflections:
Have I recognized the ways Jesus has gotten in the trenches with me?
Am I willing to get in the trenches with someone in need?
Power Verses:
Psalm 55:22a, "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you." (NLT)
John 13:35, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (NLT)
© 2011 by Lisa Whittle. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 7, 2011
Self-Control
Lysa TerKeurst
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a discussion with a loved one and suddenly your blood pressure skyrockets, your nerves fray, and the worst version of you begs to come out?
Not that this ehhhhhver happens to me of course.
Ahem.
Of course it happens to me. I live with other humans. But what I'm trying to better understand is this whole concept of self-control. So many times in the Bible we are told to display self-control: Proverbs 25:28, Galatians 5:23, 1 Peter 4:7, and many others.
But it's hard to display self-control when it feels like someone else does things out of our control and yanks our emotions into a bad place. So, here's one little tidbit I'm learning. When someone else's actions or statements threaten to pull me into a bad place, I have a choice. I do. It may feel like I don't have a choice. It may feel like I have to react according to my feelings, but I don't. I have a choice.
My choice is whether or not to give them the power to control my emotions.
When I react by yelling or flying off the handle or making a snappy comment back, I basically transfer my power to that other person. When I'm void of power, I'm void of self-control. So, it seems to me if I'm going to remain self-controlled, I have to keep my power.
Now, when I say "my power," I don't mean something I conjure up myself. I am referring to God's power working in me. When I react according to God's Word, I feel that power. When I react contrary to God's Word, I feel powerless.
Isaiah 55:10-11 is such a good reminder of how we can tap into God's power no matter what situation we are facing:
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (emphasis mine)
Did you catch that? The answer to keeping God's power with me and working in me to produce self-control is letting His Word get inside me. His Word seeping into my mind and my heart will accomplish things - good things - powerful things - things that help me display self-control.
So, here's my new tactic. When I'm facing a situation where someone is getting on the last good nerve I have, I'm going to start quoting God's Word in the present tense. Take 1 Peter 5:6-8 for example. Here's how I plan to use these verses if one of my sweet children starts acting NOT SO SWEET:
In this moment I'm choosing to be self-controlled and alert. Your actions are begging me to yell and lose control. But, I realize I have an enemy and that enemy is not you. The devil is prowling and roaring and looking to devour me through my own lack of control right now. But, I am God's girl. That's right. I am. So, I am going to humbly and quietly let God have His way in me right now. And when I do this, God will lift me and my frayed nerves up from this situation and fill me with a much better reaction than what I can give you right now. So, give me just a few minutes and then we'll calmly talk about this.
Girl, that's some power right there.
And that will make you shine with so much self-control your kids, friends, spouse and co-workers won't know what to do with you.
That statement was just taken from one little set of verses found in 1 Peter. Can you imagine what might happen if we wrote out powerful responses using God's Word on 3x5 cards and pulled them out every time we found ourselves in a situation?
I love being God's girl. Don't you?
Dear Lord, I am reminded after reading this devotion that I am Your child. You made me. You know me. And therefore, You designed my heart, mind and soul to receive and respond to the power in your Word. When I lack my own power to be self-controlled help me to turn to Your truth for good, calm responses. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you struggle with anger, click here to learn how to be a RESPONDER rather than a REACTOR.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you struggle with having self-control with your food choices, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
When you're facing a situation where someone is getting on the last good nerve you have, start quoting God's Word in the present tense. Write out powerful responses using verses on 3x5 cards and keep them with you so you can refer to them as needed.
Reflections:
The answer to keeping God's power with me and working in me to produce self-control is letting His Word get inside me.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 4:7, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:8, "But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 8, 2011
It's Not What You Think
Micca Monda Campbell
"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD.'" Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
When the phone rang in the middle of the night, I couldn't help but wonder if one of my greatest fears had become a reality. It was the police. They were calling to tell us my 21-year-old son had fallen asleep at the wheel while driving home from a friend's house.
Mitch was only four months old when his biological father died. Since then, I've have had two fears; that my son's life would be greatly affected by the loss of his father and that he would die young, too.
When Mitch was four, one of those fears was relieved. God brought Pat into our lives, filling the role of both father and husband.
Like any good father, Pat is a wonderful man who supports his family in the good times and bad. This night things were bad. When Pat arrived at the scene, he found our son's demolished car hugging the mangled 50 foot guardrail that had kept him from crossing the highway into oncoming traffic.
Mitch, however, didn't suffer a single scratch, bruise, or broken bone — not one. His dad was stunned, but the police officer was astonished even more. In fact, the officer had this to say to our son.
"If I were you, I wouldn't go home and go to bed. I'd go to the nearest church and thank God for saving your life because He obviously has a purpose for it." It was as if God was speaking directly through the officer. Pat drove Mitch home in silence. The police officer had said it all. What more could he add?
Sunday afternoon, we drove to the junkyard to retrieve Mitch's personal belongings from the car. The first thing I noticed about the damaged vehicle was the date, 9-9, painted in large orange numbers across the windshield of the mangled car.
That's when it hit me. Mitch's accident occurred on the anniversary of his biological father's death. Stranger still, they were exactly the same age. As my eyes fixed on the date, I realized it was a message from God — an undeniable clear sign from above. Mitch was in the hands of God.
That truth pierced my mind and Satan's lie was broken. I was no longer afraid of losing my son to death.
God has a different plan for Mitch than he had for his dad. I always knew that truth intellectually but, that day in the junkyard, it became a reality. How could I doubt God anymore when my son walked away from a near death experience on the anniversary of his father's death? I couldn't.
Regardless of my doubts and fears, God has a plan. Usually it doesn't look like mine. This experience reminded me that my thoughts are not the same as God's thoughts. He sees the bigger picture. He knows His plans. It also taught me to fall on my knees and relinquish all my fears to God while trusting in His good and perfect will for my children.
You see, the only power and control you and I have over any fearful thought is to place it in the hands of God. Doing so keeps us from being taunted day and night by "what if?" Instead, we can rest in the assurance that God's thoughts, ways and plans are more marvelous than anything we can imagine ourselves.
Dear Lord, help me to see my circumstances through your eyes and not mine. Teach me that your ways are good and marvelous and they can be trusted. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement
Cultivating a Heart of Contentment (CD) by Micca Campbell
Do You Know Him?
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Trade your thoughts for God's thoughts. Say something like, "God, here is what I think will happen. Yet, I know Your ways and Your thoughts are bigger because You see the bigger picture. So I chose to trade my understanding for Yours."
Reflections:
Do I anxiously worry about something out of my control?
Do I find myself taunted by "what ifs?"
God's thoughts and plans toward me are good. How does this calm my fear and increase my faith?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." (NIV)
Proverbs 3:6, "...in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 11, 2011
More for My Girl
Lynn Cowell
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe..." Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV)
More. More than the empty promises from boys. More than the masked protection of makeup. More than the false assurance of outfits.
More. It's what she wants for her daughter. She wants her girl to grow up with courageous confidence and without raw regret.
Even though my friend practically grew up under a steeple, during her teen years the truth that Jesus was crazy about her slipped through the cracks of her low self-worth. She turned to easy choices laid out by friends and gave away so much of herself in hopes of finding love.
But the more my friend gave, the emptier she felt. Eventually she lost hope and wondered, "Is there such a thing as lasting love?"
This is the opposite of what she wants for her own daughter. Yet, she sees things in her girl's life similar to her own teen years. Chasing after attention. Wearing layers of makeup. Flirtatious outfits that draw others' eyes. Her daughter is turning to everything and everyone to fill the hole that only God's love can.
I want God's best for my girl, too. And if you have a daughter, I bet you do as well.
The question is: how do we give our girl the assurance she needs? How can we help her find the confidence to make wise choices that lead to God's best for her?
I've found that it's important to start by praying verses like today's key verse, asking God to enlighten the eyes of our hearts. Then we will see the hope Jesus calls us to and we can share it with our daughter.
You see, as we possess the confidence that comes from knowing we are loved and accepted by the Lord, our daughter will take notice. When she sees her mom live out of the hope and love of Jesus, our girl will discover that she too can make choices based on His love for her and seek the hope only He can give.
When we need to make hard decisions, we can turn to Jesus for understanding and courage, modeling an example of confidence for our daughters. As moms, we can take them further on this journey of growth by asking them to pray with us, read His Word with us and speak hope to others with us. They will see how to transition from simply reading the Word of God to applying it and living out its truths. They'll witness firsthand what it means to view this world, themselves and others from His perspective.
When our girl sees His incomparably great power working in us, filling our hearts, it makes God's promises believable. As we find our fulfillment in God's love for us, instead of looking to someone or something else to fill us, our daughter will see a life that blossoms with purpose.
It may not be immediate. In fact, it could possibly take years for her to want what we have. But we can trust in the goodness of our God. He wants more for our girl, too!
Dear Jesus, I am desperate to see my girl walk in the freedom that comes when her heart is filled by You. Fill my heart, Lord, so I can model this fulfillment. Help me turn to You. May my daughter see me run to You first and may she run to You too! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
His Revolutionary Love Bundle by Lynn Cowell — Purchase this phenomenal bundle (t-shirt, book and CD) today! You may also like the DVD!
Visit Lynn's blog to hear some of the ways that she fills her own heart with truth each day. She's also giving away a signed copy of His Revolutionary Love for you to give to the teen girl in your life and offering something special for you too!
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Take an inventory in your own life today. What things do you run to instead of Jesus? Husband, food, best friend, FaceBook? Tomorrow, when you see this same pattern, make a deliberate choice to pray. Invite Jesus to fill that spot instead.
Reflections:
What would my daughter say she sees me run to when I feel anxious, fearful or rejected?
What changes would have to take place in my life for me to find my confidence and hope in Jesus instead?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 3:17a, 18-19, "And I pray that you...may have power, together with all the Lord's people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 12, 2011
Laying Me Down to Sleep
Rachel Olsen
"God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning— the first day." Genesis 1:5 (NIV)
What time did your day begin today?
Did it begin as the sun poked through the window urging you to wake? Or, did the alarm buzz at 5:30 AM? Or maybe at 6:45? Perhaps you slept until 8:00?
What if I told you your day began last night as the sun set — would you disagree?
In the modern, westernized world we think of our days as sun rise to sun rise. In other words, we rise, we work, and then we end the day in rest. We rest to recover from our work ... with whatever time is left over after the work is done.
However, in the ancient Jewish tradition the day runs from sundown to sundown. That's quite a different concept. In other words, we rest, then we rise and do our work. Rest becomes the source and fuel for the work rather than merely recovery from it.
Where did the Hebrews get this seemingly backwards notion of the day beginning in the evening? From the God who never sleeps, in the Bible. Notice in today's key verse — in fact, in multiple verses throughout the Genesis creation account — there was evening, and then morning and that was counted as a day.
A secular rhythm of life makes work primary. We work first, then go from work to vacation. In contrast, a sacred rhythm makes rest primary, moving us from God-ordained rest into our vocation. The sacred rhythm is rest, rise, work rather than rise, work, rest. Let that difference sink in and sway the seat of your soul.
Internalizing this difference is the basis for connecting with God through rest. Pastor and author Eugene Peterson describes this ancient rest-first rhythm:
"This Hebrew evening/morning sequence conditions us to the rhythms of grace. We go to sleep, and God begins his work. As we sleep he develops his covenant. We wake and are called to participate in God's creative action. We respond in faith, in work. But always grace is previous. Grace is primary. We wake into a world we didn't make, into a salvation we didn't earn.
Evening: God begins, without our help, his creative day. Morning: God calls us to enjoy and share and develop the work he initiated. Creation and covenant are sheer grace and there to greet us every morning."
I don't know why God's Word marks out time in this way in Genesis, but I am discovering I think and live differently when I adopt this view of my days. I see each night's rest as something important, something to prepare for — and something important that prepares me. I've long known that rest prepares me physically to rise and work again, and now I'm finding it prepares me spiritually to rise walk in grace and faith.
As I lie down, close my eyes, pray, and slip from consciousness, I do so with the understanding that it is God who holds everything together during my temporary absence from the world. And it's Him who will continue to hold everything together when I rise and work in the coming daylight. At no point — day or night — am I independent of Him. He even has the power to direct my dreams should He desire.
So I've developed a theology of sleep that punctuates my days. It helps me see my nights and my rest as set apart and holy. It helps me to see God as I lay myself down to sleep. In fact, it helps me see that it is He who lays me down for the gracious gift of rest.
What about you? How do you think about rest? How do you treat it? How might God be calling you to look at it differently?
Dear Lord, thank You for rest. Thank You that I can rest while You continue to hold everything together. Help me rest well and worship You through rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If today's topic struck a chord, you'll want to read the chapter "Turn the Beat Around" in Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
Visit Rachel's blog for six tips on resting well.
Jesus says, "Come to Me, and I will give you rest." Do you know Him?
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Make intentional plans for how you will end this day in a way that is peaceful, restful and connects your heart with God. Head over to Rachel's blog for some ideas on this.
Reflections:
Do I make time for rest, or treat it as an afterthought?
Can I worship God through rest?
Power Verses:
Genesis 1:7-8, "So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning — the second day." (NIV)
Psalm 3:5, "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." (NIV)
Colossians 1:17, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 13, 2011
When Worry Makes Me Wonder
Renee Swope
"She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'" Luke 10:40b (NIV)
When life gets overwhelming, do you ever wonder if God notices everything you have going on — like how you're trying so hard to take care of everyone and everything? Staying up late to pay the bills, and feeling stretched between relationships at home and in ministry while caring for aging parents, commuting to work and carpooling kids?
Several years ago, I couldn't keep up with all of the commitments I'd made. I felt like I was suffocating under everything I needed to do. Slowly, I let worry weave it's way into my thoughts, making me wonder how I was going to do it all. I knew I should trust God more, but I was concerned that if I stopped worrying about everything and everybody He would too.
Eventually, I came to a point where I was exhausted and ready to resign from just about everything. I ran out of fuel. I didn't have enough energy to handle all of my roles, relationships and responsibilities.
I also ran out of faith. I started doubting my ability to manage my life, to hear God clearly and to do all I assumed He wanted me to do.
And all those worries that made me weary, also made me wonder. I wondered why God wasn't doing something to make life easier. I wondered if God noticed and cared about all I was doing for Him, and others.
One day I was reading my Bible and noticed how Martha's worries were making her weary, and making her wonder if Jesus cared that her sister left her in the kitchen to do all that work, all by herself.
And listen to how He responded: "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" (NIV)
So, how do we choose what is better? How do we let go of our worries and take hold of confident peace that assures us God notices and God cares?
First Peter 5:7 tells us: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NLT)
The apostle Paul tells us the same and he tells us how: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)
It sounds so doable, but why is it so hard? I think it's because Satan whispers the opposite. He tells us, "Don't be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do. Then take control if He doesn't listen. And concerns that consume you will become like acid in your heart, eroding your confidence with worry and doubt!"
Instead of giving into the whispers of worry, spoken by the enemy, let's listen to God's promise for peace. When we feel overwhelmed by life this week, let's commit to ...
• Stop worrying — Press the pause button on our consuming concerns.
• Start praying — Talk to God about all we're doing. Ask if there's anything we need to cut back so we can seek Him as much as we serve Him, and others.
• Keep thanking God — Thank God for what He's done in the past and will do in the future. This helps us remember how good He is at being God.
Lord, when my concerns consume me, help me remember that You are with me, holding me by the hand and guiding me. I want to seek You as much as I serve You and others. Help me balance my life and give my worries to You, knowing with confidence that You care about me and are good at taking care of me! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is taken in part from chapter 9 of Renee Swope's upcoming book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. To order your copy, click here.
Join over 5,000 women who have signed up for Renee's "7-day DOUBT Diet" — you'll receive a week's worth of FREE devotions from her new book, A Confident Heart. To find out more, click here.
Visit Renee's new website where she's offering a free download of her favorite peace-giving promises and giving away two copies of her new book, A Confident Heart.
Application Steps:
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you," 1 Peter 5:7.
Write your concerns on an index card and physically give them to Jesus. I have a table-top cross by my bedside where I lay my "concerns card." Maybe you could get one, too. Then, when you start worrying, go back and write more on your card and commit once again to cast your cares upon the Lord.
Reflections:
Are there concerns that are consuming me? Have my worries made me wonder if God notices and cares about the details in my life?
Power Verses:
Psalm 138:7. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me." (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 14, 2011
Just a Little Sin?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him." Genesis 37:17b-18 (NIV)
Today, there will be a moment. No one will snap a picture of it. It probably won't make it into the journals of those who journal. Or linger in the thoughts we carry with us to sleep tonight.
It will come.
It will go.
It will slip by seemingly unnoticed. But its affects won't slip. They'll stay. And if fostered, grow to epic proportions.
This moment where something creeps into our heart and pulls our focus from right to wrong. It will be just a hint of distortion. The smallest amount. But a slight and seemingly insignificant amount of skewed thought will take root.
And grow.
Beyond what you can even imagine.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is where Moses goes to Pharaoh and sings that song, "Oh Pharaoh, Pharaoh, woah ohhh, gotta let my people go. Huawh! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."
Totally a loose translation, but you know what I'm talking about.
But here's an astounding chain of events to trace and consider. Why was the nation of Israel in captivity? Why was the entire nation of Israelites — all God's people — all twelve tribes — enslaved in Egypt?
As I trace this story backwards I find it's because of one seemingly insignificant moment.
The course of history was changed because a few family members got a little cranky and a little jealous of their brother Joseph. Envy and anger slipped in. Just a hint. But just enough.
It doesn't take much.
Joseph was thrown in a pit and eventually sold as a slave.
Years went by.
Years of heartbreak and confusion passed.
Eventually, Joseph landed in a position of great power in Egypt and had authority to provide food for his family. So, all 11 of his brothers and their families moved to Egypt. Joseph and his 11 brothers make up what became the 12 tribes of Israel. As these tribes multiplied they became the nation of Israel.
What the brothers meant for evil, God used for good. He saved the Israelites from the famine. But there were still lasting effects of the brothers' choices that came out years later.
After Joseph died, "Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 'Look,' he said to his people, 'the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.' So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. (Exodus 1:8-11)
So, the entire nation of Israel suffered oppression and slavery. Why?
Because a few brothers on an ordinary day got a little jealous and allowed anger and envy to slip in.
And the moment it slipped in, the course of history changed.
In a moment.
May we never assume our moments don't matter. The decisions we make every second of every day matter.
There are no little moments or little sins.
There is a domino affect to it all.
So, I fall hard upon soft grace. I thank God for this realization. I ask Him to make my soul even more sensitive, more aware, more in tune to my constant need for forgiveness.
Though I am weak, I walk in the strength of utter dependence.
And I refuse to beat myself up for mistakes made yesterday. Today is a new day. A new chance to set things going in a different direction.
Joseph's brothers had years to try and rescue Joseph — find out where he was — help him — set their past mistakes right.
Years. They had years. But they never did set about to turn things around.
Oh sweet sister don't let today slip by.
Moments matter.
Watch for a moment today where you are given the choice to let anger, envy or something else negative slip in. Recognize it. Refute it. And replace it with God's spirit of love.
Dear Lord, You made me. You know me. I need Your help where I am weak. Make me aware of any place where I'm off course today. Give me the desire to do what pleases You. I want to do your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to read about the cure for jealousy on Lysa's blog.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If today's devotion touched your heart, consider reading Chapter 8, "But I Want What She Has" in Lysa's book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
When you are facing a situation where jealousy is involved, take a step back and examine your heart. Ask God to show you what His desire is for you and use His power to help you overcome this debilitating emotion. Submit to God's control and let Him work through you.
Reflections:
I refuse to beat myself up for mistakes made yesterday. Today is a new day. A new chance to set things going in a different direction.
Power Verses:
James 3:16, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (NIV) Proverbs 27:4, "Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 15, 2011
Gathering Peace
T. Suzanne Eller
"Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 (NLT)
We were on a road trip and my husband started it. He sang the chorus to an old hymn, one I hadn't heard in years.
"Peace, peace, wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above...."
The words came back and we started singing together. Sounds beautiful, doesn't it? It wasn't. Neither of us are singers, but we belted out the old tune as we drove down the road. It was a silly moment, and one I wouldn't want anyone to see (or hear!), but when I think about it, those words are powerful.
The chorus about peace was more than words. There was a time when I had no answers; yet peace pervaded and showed us how to hold tight to His promise that He was enough. When I was diagnosed with cancer, peace wrapped us close as we wept and prayed together.
Peace. Peace. Wonderful peace. Doesn't that sound inviting in a chaotic world? What would happen if peace, peace, wonderful peace covered my marriage, my relationships with my children, or my thought life?
Where is that peace found?
Just as we stopped on that road trip several times for necessary food or a bottle of cold water, God designed us to continually need Him. We gather peace throughout the day. We can ask for His peace to show us which way to turn when our instinct is to go down a dark road of sadness. We can seek His peace to cover our thought life when we want to get even or when unhealthy emotions try to take root.
His peace creates stability even if everything around us is topsy-turvey.
He's the Source of peace. There will be times when your peace quota is low. Maybe today is one of those days. Rather than worry, what might happen if you went to the Source instead? Tell Him what you need rather than carry it alone.
Thank Him for all He has done so that you can see the blessings as well as the challenges. Ask Him to give you sufficient peace for the moment. Just to carry you through the feelings to the Truth.
He offers peace, peace, wonderful peace without ever exhausting His resources at all. There is enough peace for you today, and you can find more in Him tomorrow.
Dear Lord, thank You that I don't have to live on a drop of peace, or make a cup of peace last through tomorrow. You offer me a river of peace today, and tomorrow, and continually. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway!
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Have you ever lost weight and was surprised at how you carried those extra pounds around? Often we do the same thing with worry. As we fill up with God's peace, the burdens were never meant to weigh us down are set aside. Write down the burden you have been carrying. Ask God to take it from you, then give it to Him.
Reflections:
"When God created us he put a vacuum in our hearts which can only be filled by himself." Helen Kooiman
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:19, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (NLT)
Isaiah 53:5b, "He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 18, 2011
Do I Have Anything to Offer?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Moses said to the LORD, 'Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.'" Exodus 4:10 (NIV 2011)
When a move took my family from one side of the country to the other, insecurity surprised me. Despite being a confident woman in most areas of my life, I suddenly felt out of place and questioned my abilities.
Don't get me wrong. The people were delightful and welcoming. It's just that I felt so different. It seemed all the women I met were smartly dressed and spoke with charming accents. I, on the other hand, wore casual clothes and spoke in what suddenly seemed like a boring monotone.
But that wasn't all. God placed me in a work situation with women who had impressive resumes and accomplishments compared to me. These women had also been working together for years. They knew their purpose and seemed self-assured. As a newcomer, my confidence was shaky as I compared my experience and talent to theirs.
Over time, the differences magnified as my friends achieved more success. My gifts and talents seemed insignificant. I wondered how or why God would use someone like me, a somewhat simple and straightforward woman, when there were so many beautiful and charming ones nearby.
Although my head spoke words of doubt, God was strengthening my heart with His truth. He was teaching me that His love for me and my potential weren't tied to performance. It didn't matter what my "resume" looked like, or what level of "success" I achieved.
He wanted me to accept His love...just as I was. This truth shouted freedom to an achievement-based woman like me.
It didn't happen overnight, but as I learned that my value was found in being a beloved daughter of God, I realized God had never compared me to anyone. He wasn't counting accomplishments or gauging my impact. He was simply interested in what I did with what He entrusted to me.
After years of disqualifying myself, I finally accepted that God created me unique for a reason. The way I think, my personality and talents are all tools to accomplish God's plan for me. What I saw as flaws, He saw as potential. And the more I invested in how God made me, the greater He was glorified, and the more impactful I was at work and in ministry.
The same is true for every woman. God's design of you is intentional. You aren't like your mother, sister or friend for a reason. Your life and ministry will never look like the manager you admire, the women's ministry director at your church, or the woman who lives next door.
And that's a good thing, because God doesn't want you to be like them. He wants you to be YOU.
The challenge today is to release the expectations you've placed on yourself and explore God's amazing plan for you. You'll discover what I did: Everyone has something to offer.
Dear Lord, thank You for placing potential within me. Forgive me for neglecting the gifts and talents You've given me, or for wishing I had someone else's abilities and experiences. Help me to embrace Your design of me, and to explore the incredible plan You have for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares more about how God took her on a journey to where she is now.
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Take some time this week to do a personal assessment of your unique talents and personality. List ways God made you unique.
Reflections:
Why are many women dissatisfied with how God made them? Dig deeper than the obvious answers.
Have I ever derived self-worth from an accomplishment or a responsibility and then lost the ability to continue that responsibility: Perhaps from a move, having children or losing health? What did God teach me because of that pain?
Power Verses:
Exodus 4:11-12, "The LORD said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'" (NIV 2011)
1 Corinthians 2:4-5, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power." (NIV 2011)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
July 19, 2011
Following God's Blueprints
Tracie Miles
"The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord's presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul." 2 Kings 23:3a (NLT)
Dozens of long sheets draped across the desk, falling over the side like a cascading waterfall of paper and ink. My general contractor husband was working diligently on another project bid, combing over every detail on each page.
I am always amazed by the size of a roll of blueprints. There are so many layers of papers, and countless instructions on every facet of constructing a building, from the underground foundation to the last shingle on the roof. If even one aspect of the blueprint is overlooked, tweaked, or ignored, the entire structure of the building is compromised.
Today I was thinking about the blueprints we've been given in God's Word. Every word of wisdom is meant to build us up to avoid sin and be rooted firmly in Christ.
The story of King Josiah in 2 Kings 21-23 shows the importance of this. King Josiah loved the Lord and desired to follow His plans; however, he strayed from God's blueprints and allowed sin in his kingdom.
One day, Josiah sent his secretary, Shaphan, to speak to the high priest about the restoration of the Temple. There, Shaphan learned the Book of Law, thought to be the original writings of Moses, now known as Deuteronomy, had been discovered in the Temple (22:8). This may have been hidden for its protection during the prior reigns of evil kings.
This book contained dire warnings of what would happen if God's people did not obey His law. Since the last documented reading of God's Word was 250 years earlier, it is possible that neither King Josiah, nor his people, had ever seen the Book of Law. But now Josiah had paper-and-ink proof that his people were doing things God instructed them not to do.
As Shaphan read God's "blueprints" outloud, Josiah became acutely aware the foundation of his nation was sinful. The king set out to rebuild a healthy spiritual foundation for himself and his kingdom by relying on God's blueprints found in His Word. He immediately removed and burned items and shrines from the Temple used to worship idols. He did away with idolatrous priests. He destroyed the living quarters of the prostitutes. And much more!
Like Josiah, I sometimes find myself following my own blueprints not based on God's instructions. Sin weakens my spiritual foundation and my ability to stand strong against things I know are not pleasing to God.
Perhaps sin has caused you to stray from God's blueprints for your life. Maybe a harmless flirtation turns into dinner that turns into an extramarital affair and the foundation of your marriage crumbles. Or maybe a word of gossip turns into slandering a friend's character and years of a solid friendship crumble. Or maybe...
It can be easy to conform to this world and ignore or forget God's instructions for daily living. I am thankful God shows through His Word how to build ourselves up to guard against sin. Reading my Bible each day helps me follow His blueprints and build a godly life.
God calls us to have tender and humble hearts toward His instructions, just like Josiah. When we do, our spiritual foundations are stronger, built on the Rock and His paper-and-ink truth.
Dear Lord, forgive me for trying to live by my own agenda, and forgetting to follow Your guidelines set forth for me in Your Word. Help me to hunger for Your instruction and to have the desire to live a life that glorifies You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on how to stand strong in your faith even if when it feels like you are standing alone.
Six Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Recommit your life to Christ and ask God to give you a spiritual revelation for living.
If you want to know Jesus, click here.
Reflections:
Have I inadvertently, or purposefully, been ignoring God's blueprints for living?
Do my daily actions portray a life built on a strong foundation of faith?
Do I need to do any "house" cleaning?
Power Verses:
2 Kings 23:25, "Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since." (NLT)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 20, 2011
Trigger Points
Renee Swope
"'But Lord,' Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.'" Judges 6:15 (NIV)
Wouldn't it be great if becoming a Christian meant that all of our doubts and fears went away? Have you ever wondered why you struggle with insecurities and self-doubts even though you know you are a child of God?
Maybe God is leading you to join or lead a ministry, but doubt has convinced you that you're not smart enough or gifted enough. Perhaps you wanted kids and now you have a family, but question if you have what it takes to be a good mom. Or maybe you've wanted to change jobs and have the opportunity, but you don't want to go because you doubt you'd succeed at something new.
I remember feeling a sense of paralyzing self-doubt about a ministry commitment I'd made. I had begged God to zap me with confidence, but eventually realized it wasn't going to happen. So, I asked Him to show me what caused me to feel so insecure and give me His perspective instead.
I thought of Gideon, a man who was called by God but paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy. From reading his story in Judges 6, I knew Gideon overcame his doubts and fears by focusing on what God thought about him, instead of what he thought about himself.
But first, he processed his doubts with God in a very honest way. Recent conflicts and defeats caused Gideon to doubt God's presence and promises. And when the angel of the Lord called him a warrior and told him to go and defeat the Midianites, Gideon turned to the angel and asked, "'How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest...and I am the least in my family.'" (Judg. 6:15)
His perception of himself made him feel completely inadequate. Damaged emotions and insecurities from our past have a powerful influence over how we see ourselves today.
I knew it was time for me to get honest with God, too. I needed more than a quick fix. I wanted to figure out what triggered my self-doubts and led me into such a yucky place of uncertainty.
A conflict with a friend that week made doubt I should even be in ministry. After all, self-doubt whispered, if I can't maintain healthy relationships at all times in all areas, how can I help others?
I also received feedback on a project that week. One harsh criticism overshadowed several positive comments and consumed my focus. I'd also been comparing my abilities to speakers who'd been booked for an upcoming event with me. Self-doubt convinced me I wasn't as gifted as they were.
What about you? When conflict arises at work or at home, do you ever assume it disqualifies you from other ministries or callings? Does criticism ever paralyze you from believing you can do certain things? Or, has comparison ever convinced you that someone else can do it (whatever "it" is) better than you can?
I used to think insecurity was simply a negative emotion, a lapse of faith, a dip in self-confidence. I wanted God to take it away, but instead He used it to lead me to a place of deeper dependence on Him.
Over time, I've learned to rely on God's power to defeat my insecurities which has empowered me to fulfill His calling on my life. And so can you. When you start feeling uncertain or insecure, try to identify what triggered your thoughts and emotions. Then process that trigger point through the filter of God's perspective and promises.
Ask Him to show you what you can learn from it, and if there are any lies that need to be replaced with His truth. Then ask Him to change the way you think by focusing on His thoughts towards you, instead of your thoughts about yourself.
When we change the way we think, it will change how we feel and eventually transform the way we live.
One thing I know for sure: God wants us to live beyond the shadows our doubts! But it is not always so much what He wants us to do — as much as what He wants to do in us as we learn to completely depend on Him!
Lord, I'm tired of doubting myself and feeling paralyzed by insecurity and uncertainty. Show me what triggers my self-doubt and then help me focus on Your thoughts about me instead of my thoughts about myself. I want to rely on and live in the power of Your promises. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is from Renee's new book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. Renee has a page on her new website where you can download and read Chapter One for free.
Renee recently had a wonderful conversation with Ann Voskamp, New York Time's best-selling author of One Thousand Gifts, about her doubts and fears and how God helped Ann name them so she could then seek His help to overcome them. Visit Renee's website today where she's sharing their conversation via video and giving away 3 signed copies of Ann's book!
Application Steps:
Ask God to show you your most common triggers and help you process them through the filter of His truth.
Take Renee's Doubt Index Analysis. It's a free short quiz to help you identify your most common self-doubts, find out what triggers them and how they may be affecting you.
Reflections:
What triggers my doubts? What negative thoughts paralyze me as a result of them?
How does self-doubt affect my relationships?
Power Verses:
Judges 6:14, 16, "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'...The LORD answered, 'I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.'" (NIV, 1984)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 21, 2011
Why I Want to be More Leaky
Lysa TerKeurst
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater." Isaiah 55:10 (NIV)
On my back deck I have two identical flower pots. They were planted at the same time. They contain the same variety of flowers and the same soil. They both get the same amount of water, shade, and sun. They are similar in every way but they look vastly different.
One is thriving.
The other is not.
One is full of flowers cascading down its sides. It is lush, full of blooms, and an absolute delight to look at.
The other has a few flowers among the greenish brownish leaves. It is sparse with a few gangly sprigs — not exactly a gardener's delight.
So, I asked my husband the other night why he thought the two containers were turning out so differently. "Simple," he said, "one's got holes so excess water can leak out and the other doesn't."
Interesting.
The one that has the ability to leak out excess water is the one that's thriving.
The one keeping all the water in its container is the one that's not such a beautiful display.
This morning I was reading Isaiah 55:10-13 and it made me think of my flower pot situation.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
Water is supposed to be poured out, create growth, and leak out so it can evaporate, having accomplished what it was created to do.
It was never supposed to be poured out, sit stagnate, hoarded by the container thus stunting the growth of life within.
So like God's Word.
God's Word should be poured out into our lives, creating growth, and leak out through the way we live our lives. People should notice we've spent time in God's Word. They should see our joy and peace.
We should be a little less prickly like the thorn bush and briers. We should be a little more fragrant and lovely like the juniper and myrtle.
We should leak God's Word.
Which got me thinking about how I respond to criticism and harsh emails. And I am challenged.
It's not enough for me to just respond properly when I am criticized. I should use those criticisms to remind me how much the world is desperate for encouragement.
I should be a little more leaky with positive emails or notes or thank yous to the businesses and ministries and staff members of my church who bless me week after week after week.
I'm not one to criticize. But I also shouldn't be one to stay neutral and stagnant either.
In order to be the grand display of God I should be, I need to be, more holy...or holey as this case may be.
Be a little leaky this week sweet friends. The one that leaks is the one that thrives.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the time I've been stagnate. I want Your Word to leak out of me so others see peace and joy. Use me today Lord as I seek to respond to others in a way that always pleases You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Where can you be a little more leaky this week? Are your daily responses pleasing to God? Or are there areas in your heart that may have grown complacent or despondent?
Reflections:
The one that has the ability to leak out excess water is the one that's thriving. The one keeping all the water in its container is the one that's not such a beautiful display.
Which am I right now?
Power Verses:
Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." (NIV)
Psalm 63:1, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 22, 2011
Friends in Action
Marybeth Whalen
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV)
What makes a good friend? Someone who runs errands for you when you're sick? Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you? Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?
In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of friendship in action. Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job's friends came to help him as he faced hardship. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend — even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.
Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us. Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing. Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.
Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter's friends couldn't be with him because he was imprisoned. But that didn't stop them from doing what they could. They gathered together to pray. The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying "without ceasing." These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.
Whether we physically go to our friend's side or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends in action.
In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking physical action in real time can mean. We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness. We choose to act because we understand that we are God's hands and feet to those He puts in our lives. Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend. But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live according to the examples God has given us.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action. When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf. Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Listen to Today's P31 Radio Show
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Application Steps:
Look up the passages that were discussed in today's devotion and read them for yourself. Jot down any thoughts in your journal about the kind of friend you would like to have, and the kind of friend you would like to be.
Reflections:
Is God asking me to be a friend to someone that takes more effort than I want to give? How will I respond?
I'll continue praying for my good friend and won't give up! Today I'll persevere in prayer that God will provide for that special friend.
Power Verses:
Acts 24:23, "He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs." (NIV)
Job 42:10, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 25, 2011
When Your Walls Don't Come Tumbling Down
T. Suzanne Eller
"Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle — even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me." Habakkuk 3:17-18 (GW)
Bills stacked up like accusations. If only you'd worked smarter. If only you had started smaller. What were you thinking?
I wondered if anyone saw me walk around the dairy barn seven times. I was desperate. My young husband worked 80 to 100 hours a week, trying to keep the farm from going into foreclosure. I remembered Joshua, in the Old Testament, walking around the walls of Jericho. God saw Joshua's faith and made those walls come tumbling down.
I hoped marching around our dairy barn might create a miracle for us so I prayed, asking God to bring down our walls of adversity.
Looking back at that time brings mixed feelings. Farming was my husband's dream. This city girl bought into it because she loved her handsome young farmer.
A recession hit the farming industry after ten years of hard work and sacrifice. Our paycheck shrunk smaller and smaller. Friends sold their farms and ventured into the unfamiliar world of 40-hour work weeks and twice-a-month paychecks. But we hung on.
The day came when we realized that our walls of Jericho were not coming down for us. I stood by my husband's side as his dream was loaded up in cattle cars, and then bumped down the dirt road and out of our lives.
I had no words for my sweet husband. The only truth we could hang on to was that God is faithful. It was our anchor during that year of uncertainty.
The prophet Habakkuk also faced immanent disaster, and he too comforted himself as he recalled the faithfulness of God over the years. Life was uncertain, but God's love and providence was not.
Years later I can see clearly how God walked with us through that very hard time, though it was hard to see at the time. We changed careers. We sold our farm. It took years to climb up and out of the debt that remained. Yet somehow God wrapped His arms around a young couple during that time.
Like in Habakkuk's life, God provided moments of gladness for us that didn't make sense. There was laughter as we clung together. Precious family memories of inexpensive outings such as picnics in the park and splashing at a local public pool. Trusting God together became our new normal.
Are you facing a hard time? If so, here are some ideas to encourage you — as you hold tight to Him.
Do your part: Whether financial or other, acknowledge the challenge. We opened the bills. We created a budget and lived within it. We asked if there were actions on our part that led to this challenge, and addressed them if there were.
Let God do His part: Pray for your situation. Praise Him for the blessings you do have and focus on those gifts. Do what you should, and then place what you cannot do in His hands.
Overcoming challenging circumstances involves teamwork as you and God work through it together. Sometimes the greatest miracles come when God changes us and gives us joy in Him, even though our prayers aren't answered the way we prayed they would be.
Dear Lord, times are hard and I need You. I place my trust in You. Even when there seems to be nothing...I want to find my happiness in You. Please give me joy in the midst of this difficult time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog as she shares "3 Truths in Troubled Times."
Learning to Live Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth Whalen
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Often, overcoming a challenge involves teamwork as you and God work through it together.
Do your part: Whether financial or other, acknowledge your challenge. Ask God if there were actions on your part that led to this challenge, and addressed them if there are.
Let God do His part: Pray for your situation. Thanks Him for the blessings you do have and focus on those gifts. Do what you should, and then place what you cannot do in His hands.
Reflections:
What are five blessings in my life that I can take time to thank God for today?
Power Verses:
Psalm 100:5, "The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." (NLT)
Habakkuk 3:19, "The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 26, 2011
Perfect Weakness
Micca Monda Campbell
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)
It started out like any other evening at home. Donny made dinner while Annie attended aerobics class after work. It was a good arrangement. Donny got to practice his cooking skills and Annie got to exercise. Once Annie was home, dinner was served.
Unknowingly, their lives were about to change forever. In the middle of dinner, Annie's right hand suddenly went numb. Unable to hold her fork, she dropped it to the floor.
"Are you okay?" Donny asked. Annie felt ill. Her head pounded like never before. Something was wrong.
The next day, Annie's MRI exposed bad news: a brain aneurysm. The good news was it was operable. Alarmed by the dreadful findings, Annie fell to pieces as the doctor explained the procedure. He would start by shaving her head where the incision would be made. Then, the brain specialist would remove the left part of Annie's skull.
Her heart would have to stop for a split second in order to put a metal clamp around the artery in her brain. This would definitely affect her speech for a while. The doctor couldn't guarantee how things would turn out, but he was hopeful. Distressed, both Annie and Donny melted with grief.
After sharing the news with friends and family, Annie sank into a deep depression. The unknowns of her condition left her scared stiff. Her mind raced with possible outcomes. She didn't get out of bed or bathe for days until she visited her pastor. Surely, he could offer her the peace to face her illness. But peace didn't come during their conversation.
"I need something more," Annie confessed to her pastor.
"He is what you need," the pastor said, as he pointed to the large cross hanging at the front of the church. Annie walked slowly toward the cross, knelt down in front of it, and cried out to the Lord. She didn't ask God to heal her. She didn't even ask to live through it. "Just give me the strength to do Your will," Annie pleaded.
At the moment Annie placed her life before God, she was filled with His peace and power. She had no more tears. Annie knew in that moment, no matter what — live or die — everything was going to be fine.
Annie's surgery was a success. Though it took several months before she could speak again and nearly a year to heal fully, she had something better than a life without trials or sickness. She had the companionship of Christ and the assurance of His strength and enabling grace.
The world's philosophy says, "What can't be cured must be endured." Our key verse says the opposite. What can't be cured makes us dependent on the power of God. In that dependency, His power is given and we are made strong. I've come to learn this truth myself. God doesn't always remove me from my painful circumstances, but He supports me in them. This strengthens me like none other.
Something amazing happens when we faithfully cry out to the Lord in our weakness and believe in His perfect care. We experience His super-natural power and peace. Our faith suddenly becomes stronger than our fear, and our trust becomes a strong witness to others. Go ahead and be weak when the crisis comes. His strength and grace are sufficient.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your strong grace when my circumstances look bleak. In my weakness, I cry out in utter dependence on You. Make Your power known to me. Be my hope, my peace and my strength. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Today's devotion was taken from, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog and enter to win her 3 CD set of Finding a Faith Stronger than All My Fear.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Tell God your needs. Sounds simple but how often do you do cry out and allow His peace and strength to carry you?
Reflections:
How often do I pray for a miracle but expect no response?
How can my expectations keep me from experiencing God's care?
Power Verses:
Psalm 4:1 "Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer" (NIV)
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (NIV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 27, 2011
Measuring Up
Renee Swope
"When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12b (NIV)
Do you ever compare yourself to others and feel like you don't quite measure up? Maybe you think you're not as smart, capable, personable, or as godly as they are.
It is so easy to think that if we had more or knew more, we'd be secure. But the truth is, even people who "have it all" still struggle with feelings of insecurity. The Bible opens with the story of a woman who had everything, but it wasn't enough (Genesis 2).
God had established Eve's worth as His child and the crown of His creation. He also gave Eve every woman's desire: intimacy, beauty, security, significance, and purpose. Yet Satan conjured up feelings of insecurity by getting Eve to take her eyes off what she had and focus on what she didn't have.
Boy, can I relate. Like Eve, I've heard Satan's whispers telling me I'm not all I could be — or should be. One day I was reading her story in Genesis 2 and I noticed that his questions and suggestions were intended to plant seeds of doubt in Eve's heart. He wanted her to doubt God and herself.
The enemy's whispers tempted Eve to try to "be" more and "have" more by seeking significance apart from God's provision. He convinced her something was missing in her life and that the forbidden fruit would make her be "like God."
It was a foolish comparison, but all comparisons are. Yet don't we do it all the time? If only I was like her...if only I had a house like hers, a husband like hers, a job like hers...if only my children behaved like hers...If only _______, then I'd feel significant, satisfied and secure.
In today's key verse, Paul warns us that those who "measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, are not wise" (2 Cor. 10:12 NIV). Comparison will always leave us feeling like we don't measure up. We can try to do more and be more, yet it's never enough.
If only Eve had focused on who she was and what she had as a child of God. If only we could too.
Yet Satan wants us to focus on our flaws and feelings of inadequacy, then exhaust our energy figuring out how to hide them. But we don't have to go along with his schemes. Instead we can recognize his lies, refute his temptations with truth, and focus on God's acceptance, security, and significance. Then we can thank God for His provision and His promises that remind us of who we are in Him:
I am accepted...
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.
I am secure...
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from condemnation. I can't be separated from God's love.
Philippians1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
I am significant...
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Lord, thank You that in Christ I'm accepted, secure and significant. When I'm tempted to find my significance and security apart from Your provision and promises, help me recognize Satan's lies, refuse his temptations and stand firm in my faith. Remind me that such confidence as this is mine through Christ — not that I am competent in myself to claim anything for myself, but competence comes from Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen. (see 1 Peter 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5)
Related Resources:
This devotion is taken in part from chapter 6 of Renee Swope's book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. To find out more or order your copy, click here.
Visit Renee's new website for a wonderful list of "Our Identity in Christ" Bible verses and enter to win her "Contagious Confidence" give-away!
Application Steps:
When you're tempted to use the measuring stick of comparison — be sure to measure UP by focusing upward on Christ — whose you are and who you are in HIM!
Reflections:
"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!" Dr. Neil T. Anderson
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:9, "Stand firm against him [the devil], and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 3:4-5, "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 28, 2011
This is What I Wish
Lysa TerKeurst
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34 (NIV)
For my daughters, for your daughters. For my sons, for your sons.
This is what I wish.
You are young with eyes that spark and speak of innocence. Don't trade. Don't trade the pure peace that greets you each morning for a taste of something meant for later. Later, when a person handpicked by God will want nothing more than to protect you. They won't want from you. They will want for you.
For you.
This is what I wish.
When I was young with eyes that sparked and spoke of innocence, I found myself lured by the pull of a want. A want that welled up from deep within the heart of a girl desperate. For love. For kind words. For that feeling of being wanted, noticed, and told she's pretty.
I tucked my peace in my pocket feeling so certain it would stay even if I stuck my toes in the current of my want.
I waded out into forbidden waters. Ankle deep the rush felt thrilling. Knee deep I felt old enough, strong enough and a bit annoyed that people I respected didn't trust me. I knew what I was doing. This didn't feel dangerous so I reasoned it wasn't dangerous.
But it was.
I was wrong.
This is what I wish.
That I had listened.
Listened to voices of truth to turn back, run back, get myself out of the current. Resist the pull. Refuse the lie that feelings are to be followed. Feelings are to be brought up on the solid ground of truth. Truth that doesn't shift. Truth that doesn't betray.
But I kept walking out further and further. Deeper and deeper. And into a current so strong I didn't realize how far I'd gone. Until it was too late. Waves of regret, anxiety, and fear swept over me. The one that told me I was pretty was gone.
And so was something else. I shoved my hand into my pocket now empty. I'd been so sure peace would stay. I was wrong. It had slipped away.
Oh if only I'd known even at that point to turn, run back to the truth, get back to solid ground. I would have seen peace had washed up there. When peace slips it always finds its way back to stand hand in hand with truth. Just like I eventually did. But to have never walked away and dipped my toes where they shouldn't have gone would have prevented years of heartbreak and ocean of tears.
Make that choice now. No matter where you are.
This is what I wish.
Dear Lord, help me to run to the truth and get back to solid ground. I desperately want each of my daily choices to lead back to You. Only You. Here and now. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you struggle with having self-control with your food choices, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
What do you wish for young people today? What is that one thing you wish you could tell them? Now what can you do this week to reach out to someone who needs to know? Who will that be?
Reflections:
Feelings are to be brought up on the solid ground of truth. Truth that doesn't shift. Truth that doesn't betray.
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 29, 2011
Are You Ready for a Do-Over?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 'Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.'" Jonah 3:1-2 (NIV)
Do-overs don't come along often. When they do, I've learned you need to be ready. One second it's a normal Sunday night, the next second God hands you a do-over on a silver platter.
That weekend my youngest son Robbie and my husband went to Rocky Point, Mexico, on a short mission trip. A team of nurses set up a weekend medical clinic, and my guys spent the day assisting the team, and playing games with the waiting children.
They had a great time and arrived home for dinner with the family on Sunday. Robbie helped me clean the kitchen afterwards, while we talked about the trip. My husband had already told me Robbie loved it, and bragged on how hard he worked. But at that moment it was just me and Robbie in the kitchen.
Robbie had his back to me, washing a counter. In a voice that sounded somewhat shaking and unsure, I heard him say, "I think I found my calling."
My response that Sunday night was VERY different than it would have been seven years ago. Seven years ago, if Robbie had made that same comment, shamefully, I would not have been very supportive.
ALL I would have thought about is how far away that might take the boy I desperately love. I would have thrown in a few "motherly" cautions and warnings. I might have expressed my concern not so much in words, but in held back affirmations. I've done it before.
Seven years ago, when his oldest brother wanted to go to Honduras at age 13, that's how I responded. He'd already gone to Mexico on a mission trip and it deeply shook his little suburban-self up. He wanted to pursue mission work and was excited about the idea of Honduras. I never said no, but in subtle ways, I influenced my loving son by what I said and didn't say. Josh eventually dropped the subject.
I'm ashamed. I've repented with many tears. I've regretted how I allowed my fears to hold back my son from obeying God's calling. I've lived with the "what ifs" for years. What if I had encouraged Josh to explore this potential calling? What would it have done in Josh's heart?
Sunday night, Robbie got a very different response. This time, I had to restrain my enthusiasm so he didn't feel embarrassed by my emotional response. A second chance had just been placed in my lap, and I wasn't about to mess it up.
"That's awesome!" I said. Then I stopped cleaning and turned to face him. "Have you thought about another trip you'd like to take? The church sponsors lots of trips, you know." (I could feel myself getting excited, and tried to rein myself in.)
"I'd like to go back to Mexico."
"What about Uganda or Honduras?" I suggested. (I was having trouble reining myself in.)
"I think I'd like to try Mexico again before taking a bigger trip." (Okay, so he's still got a bit of me in him.)
"Robbie," I said, making sure he saw the confidence and pride in my eyes. "We will do whatever it takes to allow you to go on any mission trip you want."
"Thanks Mom."
And in my heart I heard a whisper, Thanks Glynnis.
I smiled as I turned back to the dishes and bowed my head. No, thank You Lord, for a second chance.
Dear Lord, that You for forgiving me for the times I've allowed my fears to hold my loved ones back from obeying Your call. I want to be a woman who trusts You completely with the lives of my family. Help me to walk in faithful abandon, believing fully that You know what You are doing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for more on how to teach your child to overcome fear (and help yourself overcome fear in the process).
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman's Guide to Peace in Every Situation by Grace Fox
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Think of one thing you or a family member would like to do, but fear has held you back. Take some time to identify the root of the fear, and ask God to help you overcome it.
Reflections:
Do my fears affect anyone besides me? Family, friends, others? Describe.
List some of the attributes of God that tell of how powerful God is in the face of fears. (unchanging, all-knowing, etc.)
Power Verses:
Revelation 12:11, "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (NIV)
Psalm 34:4, "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 1, 2011
Finish Like You Started
Marybeth Whalen
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3 (NIV1984)
If you've ever felt God call you to something, you know the sheer excitement — and sheer terror — of stepping out in response to His call. You know what it means to walk in faith, to follow Him into the unknown. You know the huge spiritual growth that can take place when you say yes to Him and learn to trust Him implicitly.
Even though these "yes" times in our lives can be taxing and frightening, they can also be exhilarating. I've never felt closer to Him than when I've stepped out in faith and set my sights on a goal He has provided for me: a goal that is bigger than me, that is clearly God-designed.
And then time goes by. The first tremors of excitement fade into the daily monotony of continuing to walk forward, sometimes doing the smallest of tasks along the way. The big goal that seemed so paramount begins to shrink the closer we get to it. We feel our excitement give way to apathy.
And, too often, we get out of step with the Spirit and start trying to do things ourselves.
The less afraid we are, the more we try to do things on our own. We start feeling capable — and our capability makes us less reliant on the very One who called us.
When I read today's key verse I literally gasped in conviction. My answer to both of the questions Paul was asking was yes. I was being foolish. I was trying to attain my goals by human effort.
What had happened to that daily reliance, that absolute need for God to work through me? I realized I had become stronger, more confident, and less needy. My flesh had taken over and all but silenced the Spirit within me.
Maybe you've found yourself in a situation where — somehow — you've taken over. Your capability has made you complacent like mine did.
I don't ever want to be complacent. I want to stoke the fire, stay on the edge, be ever-mindful of my own inadequacy in whatever place God has me.
After I read Galatians 3:3, I wrote it down on an index card and laid it on my nightstand so I would see it often. And every time I saw it, I asked God to make me mindful of His Spirit within me, to keep me from getting in my own way, to help me realign my goals with His. Even if it takes humbling me. Even if it takes giving me a new calling so I am out of my comfort zone again. Even if it means starting all over. I began with the Spirit, and I want to finish still holding tightly to Him.
I imagine you do, too.
Dear Lord, I began with the Spirit and I want to stay in step with the Spirit. Help me to rely on You and not my own effort. When I am capable, allow me to be reminded of my own inadequacy so that I would never try to do things by human effort, but always through Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog where she will be talking about ways to align yourself with the Spirit again. Stop by and share your ideas!
Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Spend today getting back in touch with the call God has on your life. Redefine what He's asked of you, and pray specifically for new challenges that will make your more dependent on the Spirit and not do anything by human effort.
Reflections:
Am I trying to attain my goals by human effort? What do I need to do to get back in step with the Spirit?
Power Verses:
Romans 4:2, "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not before God." (NIV1984)
I Corinthians 1:26a, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called." (NIV1984)
I Thessalonians 5:19, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 2, 2011
Uncaged
Mary DeMuth
She Reads Featured Author
"We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:7-8 (NIV 1984)
As women of faith and joy, we're all birds of paradise, meant to freely soar, to live so fully engaged in the present that most folks wouldn't be able to tell that we've had difficult pasts.
That's how big God is compared to our past trials. He has already uncaged us, and He longs for us to spread our wings.
But I don't always live that way. Much like the main character Willa, in my recent novel, The Muir House, I've been stranded in my past, believing if I could discern all the devastation, I'd finally be free. Unfortunately, secrets in families don't always present themselves all bright and shiny. In their aftermath, I'm left with the question, "If I don't know everything, can I still be free?"
As I examine what the Lord has wrought in my heart, I know He has uncaged me. This is something I couldn't do on my own; it's His sheer gift of grace. Nor is it that I'm a Pollyanna now, rejoicing when bad things happen. It's that my perspective on my life is shifting from introspective pessimism to Jesusy optimism.
Why? I learned this truth: I no longer need to be defined by the trials in the past. I am not Mary who suffered (though it is part of my story). I am Mary who has been set free. Uncaged. Because of Jesus' radical, freeing act on the cross and His mind-boggling resurrection, I don't need to wallow back there; I can rejoice here, now.
We women sometimes live caged lives. Our cages (usually created from our painful past) have become comfortable. We've made our nest in them, letting them become our normal. Soaring is too scary, too new. We'd rather live trapped in our strange comfort zone.
Recently God directed me to fowler verses like Psalm 124:7-8. A fowler is someone who catches a bird in a trap. He is a hunter who observes the behavior of birds to predict what they'll do next. Then he snares the bird based on what it typically does. In like manner, Satan is our fowler. He knows our cages. He convinces us that the door to our cage is locked, that we can't flee. The truth? The door is open, but we're too afraid to fly.
Charles Spurgeon, in his commentary on fowlers, wrote this freeing sentence: "No bird of paradise shall die in the fowler's net."
My heart for you is that you'll experience uncaged, joyful freedom. That you'll be wily enough to silence the enemy's lies that holler, "Your cage is locked." That you'll take one step away from the comfortable cage and flex your wings a little. Dare to be brave today and trust that when you extend your wings, you will fly.
Jesus, please show me if I've made my past a comfort zone or an excuse not to grow. Help me picture the cage of my life as wide open. Give me the courage to step outside, to live uncaged. Oh how I want to fly, fly, fly. I trust You right now to help me soar. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary DeMuth
This month's She Reads book club selection is The Muir House by Mary DeMuth. The Muir House is a novel that explores trauma, healing, love new and old, and the life-changing choices people make to keep their reputations intact. Please stop by the She Reads blog and enter to win a copy of Mary's novel, a Kindle, a Nook, or a Starbucks gift pack!
Application Steps:
Ask your spouse or a close friend this question (and be willing to hear the answer): "How have I been afraid to live freely today? How am I living caged?"
Journal about one thing that you keep rehashing from the past that you can't move beyond. At the end of your entry, write a prayer to Jesus, asking Him to shed light on the issue, then be brave and pray, "Jesus, please set me free from this pain."
Reflections:
Who in my life lives uncaged? What is it about him or her that inspires me?
What would my life look like today if I truly believed Jesus has uncaged me? How would I act? Think? What prevents me from being uncaged today?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (NIV)
Psalm 107:14-16, "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron." (ESV)
Psalm 94:17, "If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence" (ESV).
© 2011 by Mary DeMuth. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
Elisha said, 'Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few.'" 2 Kings 4:3 (NIV 2011)
Problems. I prefer to keep them to myself. Being fiercely independent, my instinct is to slam the cellar door shut at the first sign of high winds. In other words, no one's getting in until the storm is past. I'll let God in, no problem. But you — I keep out.
Over the years, God has challenged me on this independent approach, calling it was it is: pride.
It's not overt arrogance, but by keeping others at a distance, it implies I'm all-sufficient and don't need your help. Plus, the insecure little girl in me worries that if you see weakness in my life, you'll question my competency. As so, I've kept to myself, creating a prideful façade of control.
That didn't work very well, however. Repeatedly, God has called me to a place of greater interdependence with others. He's worked miracles in my life when I've humbly asked for prayer. He's broken down walls of distance when I've allowed people to see the real me. I've seen His hand move at the request of my godly friends.
It's now obvious to me God designed us to work together. We are pieces of the same puzzle, and life makes more sense when we are connected.
There's a story in the Old Testament that shows God's plan for interdependence. It's found in the book of 2 Kings and concerns a widow who had a big problem. She needed resources, but the coin jar was empty. Her husband died, leaving her with no means of support, and a pile of debts she couldn't pay. Creditors demanded restitution. Since there was no money, they planned to take her children as slaves.
Desperate, she sought help from Elisha, a man known to be set apart for God. Elisha asked her to do something unusual: go to all her neighbors and request empty jars ... lots of them. Then, she was to return home, take what little oil she had left and pour it into the jars.
The widow did as Elisha instructed. When she returned home, she started pouring. As each jar filled, her sons brought her another. They filled every borrowed jar with oil. Elisha then told her to sell the oil, pay the creditors and live off the rest. She did.
What I love about this story is that the quantity of the miracle oil was in direct proportion to the number of neighbors she asked for help. If she had asked five neighbors, that's how much oil she would have had. Ten neighbors meant ten jars. And so on. The more people the widow asked for help, the greater God's provision.
There's another part of the story not told by the Bible passage, but I can't help but wonder if it happened. At some point, the widow would have returned the borrowed jars. When she did, I imagine she would have told each neighbor what God had done for her, and how that neighbor played a part in the miracle. What a testimony that must have been!
God could have worked a miracle in any way, but He chose to involve each member of that little neighborhood. I imagine they were never the same after being part of something so amazing.
This story speaks clearly to me. God often plans to meet my needs through others. Yet if I keep my problems to myself, I might hinder His plan to bless my friends and broadcast His faithfulness. I'm learning to deny the lies of a prideful spirit in exchange for a humble plea for help. I'm trading my fierce independence for God's plan of community.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I've kept to myself, believing I have everything necessary to solve my problems. In doing so, I may have missed Your plan for meeting my needs through others. Help me to identify pride and submit it to You. Help me to have a humble and teachable spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion on pride, and a give-away of the Bible study she co-authored, "Welcome to Community."
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Do you have a problem you've been keeping to yourself? Commit to telling one trustworthy friend and ask her to pray about it.
Reflections:
Why is it hard for many women to share their problems with others?
Is there pride that has kept me from experiencing true biblical community?
Power Verses:
Psalm 10:4, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (NIV 2011)
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (NIV 2011)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
UPDATED for Wednesday, August 3, 2011
August 3, 2011
Don't Throw Away Your Confidence
Renee Swope
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our countertop. It wasn't until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I regretted how quickly I'd thrown it away.
Then, as I reached to pull it out, I sensed God showing me that's how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.
It's usually very subtle. Sometimes I'll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can't do that. You're not good enough. Out of the blue, I'll just get that awful, insecure feeling.
Too many times in the past I've gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.
For years, I didn't tell anyone about my lack of confidence because I figured if I told them all the reasons I doubted myself, they'd see my flaws and agree with me. Honestly, I was convinced I was the only one who struggled with doubt.
However, I didn't call it doubt. Maybe you don't either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.
Other times I'd call it fear—fear that I wouldn't measure up, fear that I'd look stupid, fear that I'd look prideful thinking I could do something special for God. What I've realized over the past several years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt.
Looking back, I see a pattern in my thinking that led to the pattern of my doubting.
As a child I thought I wasn't worth keeping. My insecurity kept me from riding the carousel at an amusement park, because I doubted my dad would wait for me. In school, I thought I wasn't smart enough. I avoided some great opportunities because they came with the risk of failure.
Even as a young bride, I doubted my worth in my husband's eyes. Although he gave me no reason to fear he'd ever leave me, our newlywed memories include a lot of arguments based on my insecurities.
What about you? Do you ever question your worth as a woman? How often do you agree with the whispers of self-doubt and throw away confidence that should be yours as a child of God?
I've learned to ask God to show me when I'm tempted to throw away my confidence and then depend on Him to help me throw away my insecurities instead. Want to join me? Let's hold onto God's promises and depend on His truth for the security we need and the confidence we long for:
• When self-doubt whispers, "I can't do that. I'm going to fail and look foolish." Throw away that lie and hold onto this truth (even say it out loud): "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)
• When self-doubt whispers, "I'll never change." Throw away that lie away and claim this truth: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
• When self-doubt whispers, "This is too hard for me. I don't have what it takes to..." Throw away that lie away and hold onto this truth: "No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me]." (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will you help me recognize when I throw away my confidence, and remind me to throw away my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tells me I can't do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We're celebrating the release of Renee's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Be sure to visit Renee's new website and enter to win a copy of her book, A Confident Heart as well as a gift card and her message on CD entitled, "Don't Throw Away Your Confidence."
Download Renee's Twenty Promises to Personalize — a list of powerful verses that have blanks inserted so you can personalize them for yourself and for others, too.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Take Renee's Doubt Index Analysis — a free quiz to help you see what makes you throw away your confidence, and how it affects you and your relationships.
Reflections:
"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!" Dr. Neil T. Anderson
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:39, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (NIV 1984)
Mark 9:23, "'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel: :angel:
August 4, 2011
The Moment
Lysa TerKeurst
"And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol." 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:1 (NIV)
So familiar can some of our relationships be, we forget. We rush. We assume. We feel like we have forever.
And feeling like we have forever cheapens the right now feelings.
Each morning I have a routine with my man. It's simple. Nothing profound. Nothing for which we'd ever stop and snap a picture.
It's just a moment.
He asks me to help him pick a tie. He then goes away to fuss with this fixture of his professional job. Soon, he returns with a flipped up collar and a pressed down, knotted tie. He needs gentle hands to fold the collar over. No, he doesn't need. He wants gentle hands to fold the collar over.
And I do.
It's just a moment.
But it's a moment we follow the excellent way mentioned in the verses above. And in the intersection of this moment we're establishing once again, "I love you. I love you too."
Now, please don't get an overly idyllic picture in your head of our marriage. Heavens, no. We have plenty of those "growth opportunity" moments too.
But this moment with the tie, it's like a spot of glue ever tightening the bond between us day by day. It's so simple and yet something I would miss with the deepest ache imaginable if today was the last of the moments.
If today.
Tears slip as I think about this. Dear God, help me think about this. Let me snap a hundred of these moments with the lens of my heart to be stored and appreciated and thought of as the great treasure they are.
Let my mind park there.
Let my heart relish there.
Let my mouth dare to whisper what a joy this is. "I love you. I love us. I love this moment each day."
No, our relationship isn't perfect. No relationship is perfect. We're two very strong willed people with vastly different approaches to life. And oh how easy it would be to list out all the differences. He likes the towel hanging in the same spot. I am more creative. But I stop the list here.
I stop because great love isn't two people finding the perfect match in one another.
Great love is two people making the choice to be a match.
A decision.
To fold his collar and snap the heart lens and find myself grateful to the point of tears.
Tears of relishing today are so much better than tears of what was missed.
It's just a moment.
Or is it?
Dear Lord, help me to appreciate each moment given to me. I want to park my mind on my daily moments I so often take for granted. Thank you for this joy so simple but so sweet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, you can sign up to receive daily notes of encouragement from her by clicking here. Just fill in your email address in the blue box on the right side of your screen.
Want more simple tips to improve your marriage? You'll want to read the marriage books Lysa has written — Capture His Heart (for wives to read) and Capture Her Heart (for husbands to read).
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
What are your 'if today' moments? Discuss them with your spouse, family, and friends, and relish these occasions together.
Reflections:
Dear God, help me think about the teachings in this devotion. Let me snap a hundred of my moments with the lens of my heart to be stored and appreciated and thought of as the great treasure they are. Great love is two people making the choice to be a match.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (NIV)
Hebrews 13:4a, "Marriage should be honored by all..." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
August 5, 2011
When Good Isn't Always God's Best
Glynnis Whitwer
"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you." Job 22:21 (NIV)
I always thought I would be a professional woman. I'd gone to college, bought the briefcase, suit and heels, and planned my future. Although I wanted children, I envisioned them complementing my life, much like a pretty piece of jewelry. Little did I know God had a completely different agenda.
In a span of four years, my husband and I had three little boys. All active.
I just about lost my mind. Seriously. I remember grocery shopping alone with them...once. Four-year-old Joshua promised he would walk next to me, which of course he didn't. So there I was, chasing Josh, with two-year-old Dylan trying to climb out of the cart to follow and baby Robbie screaming because he hated being confined. I felt like climbing over the cart, and running down the aisle screaming myself.
From that day on, I embraced bribery with no shame. If it got me through a shopping trip, I tried it.
But it wasn't just shopping that did me in. I dragged my three little boys places I saw other mothers take their children. Only their little ones sat quietly, playing nicely with small toys. My boys however, saw an adventure waiting to happen everywhere we went. If they were quiet, that meant trouble. I lost track of the number of meetings and events I left in tears, angry at what seemed like limitations on the life I thought I was supposed to have.
During those early years of parenting, I tried to regain my old life, and find the old Glynnis, but it just wasn't happening. My personal goals slammed into reality on a daily basis, leaving me frustrated and questioning what I thought was my calling.
With a college degree, wasn't I supposed to be pursuing a career? Didn't God want me to use my administrative talents in the church? Wasn't I supposed to volunteer to lead women's ministry, direct vacation Bible school, head up an outreach program and sing in the choir? If so, why couldn't I do it all anymore?
I had been going a hundred miles an hour my own way. And not once did this God-following girl stop to see if I was letting Him lead. I didn't ask for His priorities. After all, my responsibilities and choices were all "good" things. And, God had equipped me with talents to do them. But there was a problem I ignored — they weren't God's assignments for me at that time.
It took a mini earthquake in the form of a cross-country move to get my attention. With that move, God took away all those "good" things. For a time, I rebelled in my heart. I blamed my husband for taking me out of God's will as I saw it.
My life felt empty, with nothing left. When I finally stopped feeling sorry for myself, I looked up and saw there was something: a loving husband and three precious little boys.
In my determination to serve God the way I always had, I missed that He had changed my mission field. No longer was it focused outside my home. God showed me that my first line of ministry was to my husband and children. This realization rearranged my priorities and changed my relationship with God and my family.
I learned that good things aren't always my assignment. And just because I can do something doesn't mean I should. Those three little boys are now teenagers, and God added two girls to our family six years ago. He also added back in career and volunteer responsibilities that I do from home. But one thing has not changed: I must seek God's will for my life in this season...because this season isn't last season, and good isn't always God's best.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me in spite of my stubborn and determined ways. I'm sorry for the times I've neglected to seek Your will for me. Help me to become a woman who submits her dreams and goals into Your loving hands. You have never failed to bring me joy and satisfaction when I do so. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
Glynnis is celebrating the release of her newest book, I Used to Be So Organized. If you'd like to order a copy, click here.
Visit Glynnis' blog for a giveaway of her latest release, I Used to Be So Organized.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Is there commitment or responsibility in your life that has stopped bringing you joy, or adds stress to your primary relationships? If so, ask God if it's time to release this responsibility.
Reflections:
What fears do women have when it comes to submitting their dreams and goals to God?
What are some of the benefits to embracing the season (and inherent limitations) I am currently in?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:23, "'I have the right to do anything,' you say — but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'— but not everything is constructive." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 8, 2011
The Prayer that Changed My Life
Wendy Pope
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Twenty-two thousand women sat on the edge of their seats as the teacher standing center stage asked, "Do you want to have an insatiable love for Jesus?" Her words hung in the air. Then she answered, "Pray to. If you want an insatiable love for Jesus, then pray to."
Scrambling to find my pen and struggling to spell the word insatiable, I wrote these simple yet powerful words in my conference notebook. The words stung my heart. As they fell from her lips, I knew this was a love for Jesus I did not have.
What I did have was church membership, a lot of church service, and some love. While Jesus was my Savior, something was missing.
I realized I had asked Jesus to be my Savior but not allowed Him to be my Lord. I loved Him for what He did but not for who He was. At age 34, I wanted to cry out this "pray to" prayer. But I wondered, "What must God think of me?"
Service to Him had been my life. Dedication to my church was paramount. But love? How could I not really love Jesus? Certainly He would be disinclined to hear such an elementary prayer from a grown woman who'd been a Christian much of her life.
My thoughts were misguided. It was a prayer God wanted to answer immeasurably more than I could think or imagine. He wanted me to have an insatiable love for Him!
The speaker's challenge that day became a lifestyle of prayer for me. Over time the emptiness in my heart was filled with a love for Jesus I had never known. My heart not only praised Him for what He had done in my life, but now loved Him for who He was: my Lord.
My obedience and service started to flow from a heart of love instead of duty. Lies that once shaped my life and negative feelings about myself where shattered by the honesty and power of His Word. The security of knowing Him as Lord gave me what I had been looking for my whole life. I found freedom in knowing who I am and courage to live like it's true.
The promise and power of today's key verse proved faithful in my life, changing me forever. Today, I want to challenge and invite you the same. Do you want to love Jesus with an insatiable love?
If you want to, then pray to.
Humble yourself before the Lord and ask Him to help you love Him. He will give you immeasurably more than you can imagine. Over time the emptiness in your heart will be filled with a love for Jesus you have never known. Your heart will praise Him for what He has done and for who He is—your Lord. If you want to, pray to.
Dear Lord, I want to love You with an insatiable love. Answer my prayer immeasurably more than I can think of or imagine. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The prayer that changed Wendy's life gave her an insatiable love for Jesus and opened doors for her to surrender her life in ministry. God has uniquely gifted Wendy to teach a daily online Bible Study on her blog. Visit today and sign up to receive her daily posts at Walking with Women through the Word.
Wendy wrote about the changes God made in her life as she prayed the "pray to" prayer in her book, Out of the Mouths of Babes. Read it today to see what God can do when you "pray to."
Living Free in Christ: Experiencing Life as it was Meant to Be (CD) by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Commit to "pray to." Pray the "pray to" prayer until you begin to experience Him every day. Journal the changes God is makes in you life.
Reflections:
What is the Lord teaching me through today's devotion?
How will I respond to this "pray to" challenge?
Power Verses:
Psalm 54:2, "Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 69:13, "But I pray to you, LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation." (NIV)
Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (NIV)
© 2011 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 9, 2011
It Just Takes One
Marybeth Whalen
"But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!" Romans 5:15 (NIV)
"I just wanted to tell you," she said. "It just takes one." She knew we had our house up for sale and wanted to offer me a word of encouragement. She had also recently been through having her house on the market and knew what I was facing.
As she grabbed my hands in her own, she looked at me earnestly and said. "It just takes one person to come along and love your house and want to buy it. Hang onto that when you get overwhelmed. God will send that one."
I have thought about what she said to me, and how this Truth applies in many aspects of my life. God will send that one. The one person who can best encourage me. The one person who will provide the answers I am seeking. The one nugget of Truth my soul is craving. The one bit of hope when everything seems desperate around me.
What is that "one" thing you are waiting for God to send you right now? Maybe it is that one test result you are waiting for. Maybe it is that one check you need desperately to show up in the mail so you can make it to payday. Maybe it is that one affirmation you need to hear, but rarely do.
Do you believe that God will send that one? Do you walk in that belief, even when circumstances around you say otherwise? Do you focus on what is happening, or God's promises?
God's most wonderful promise came through the One who could be tempted yet sinless, Lion yet lamb, human yet God. God's plan for redemption came through His one and only Son.
It just took one—one sacrifice, one resurrection, one hope for eternity. Humanity cried out for restoration and God responded by sending that One.
"It just takes one," the woman told me. And that is true, even in this broken, fallen world. So many times that "one" seems far away, so insurmountable, that we despair of ever seeing it come to pass.
Make today the day that you live believing in that one thing happening—whether it is a sold sign in your yard or healing in a relationship; turn to the Creator of all things with whatever is on your heart. Spend today reflecting on that one sacrifice He made on your behalf, because of His unfailing love for you. Trust Him to do what is best for you—whatever His answer may be—and live in expectation of the abundant life He has promised.
Dear Lord, help me to trust in You to send the answers I need. Help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus solely on You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your precious Son so that I could have salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.
For more encouragement from Marybeth and to view all of her resources click here.
Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life, by Sarah Young
Application Steps:
In your journal, write a letter to God telling Him about that one thing your heart is crying out for. Offer the letter up to Him with a prayer of sacrifice and humble surrender. Reaffirm your trust in Him.
Reflections:
What is God teaching you through your time of waiting? How can you best use this time? In what ways is it making you stronger spiritually and in your relationship with Him?
Power Verses:
Acts 15:11, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (NIV)
Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." (NIV)
Romans 5:10, "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 10, 2011
Beat Up or Built Up?
Renee Swope
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 (NIV)
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt: I can't do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, a speaker, a writer and all the other things God has called me to. My thoughts were against me, and my feelings were too.
As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. With confident assurance, she spoke truth to my soul, telling me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to lose my vision or be carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all that I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control. [1]
As I heard these words, my thoughts aligned with God's truth. It changed my whole perspective. I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined and from feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God's truth build us up.
If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God's power and His promises to live with a confident heart. But it won't just happen because it's possible. We have to take action.
When my alarm came on that morning, I was so glad I'd set my radio to that station the night before, so I would wake up hearing encouraging music and truth. Just like I tuned into that station, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts into God's thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either AM (against me) or FM (for me) thoughts. The truth is, we are often our worst critics and have a lot of AM thoughts.
And if our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
So, the next time you get those feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you are thinking that is making you feel that way. Then compare your thoughts about that situation to God's thoughts, which are reflected in Scripture. Do they match? If not, find a promise in God's Word to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Here are few to get your started:
• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)
• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You are calling me out of the darkness of my doubts so that I can tell others about the Light I've found in You. Thank You that You are with me to fight for me against my enemies of insecurity and inadequacy. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more AM/FM thoughts visit the FREE resources page on Renee's website. That way, when doubt tries to beat you up, you'll have God's promises to build you up instead!
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. If you'd like to find out more or order a copy, click here.
Join over 25,000 women who have gone on Renee's "7-day DOUBT Diet" — it includes a week's worth of FREE devotions from her book, A Confident Heart. To sign up for "7-day DOUBT Diet," click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
When feelings of self-doubt come, write down the AM (against me) thought you are thinking and look for a FM (for me) promise in scripture to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Click here for a list of more AM/FM thoughts.
Reflections:
What area of my life—as a woman, mom, wife, friend, daughter, housekeeper, professional, leader, etc.—do I currently have the most "against me" thoughts in?
How can I get intentional this week about replacing my AM thoughts with FM—God is for me—thoughts from His Word?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 20:4, "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (NIV)
Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)
[1] "God Is In Control," © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 11, 2011
The Slippery Slope
Lysa TerKeurst
"...to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God..." Acts 26:18 (NIV)
Have you ever felt yourself pulled into a forbidden but exciting situation? You sense red flags but convince yourself you can handle it. "I'm just having a little fun. This won't ever amount to anything. It just gives me a little something to look forward to."
That's the way a friend of mine felt when a nice guy at work started paying attention to her. Her marriage was hard and she was tired of trying so much. She found herself putting extra effort into getting dressed in the morning and being more than willing to work late.
She felt a spark in her heart every time he came near. Soon, they were talking in secret. Texting in secret. Meeting in secret. And down the slippery slope she went.
The slippery slope has one major tell tale sign—things are done in secret.
The minute we start hiding things from those who love us, doing things in a sneaky way, lying or telling half-truths, and figuring out ways to cover up evidence of our activities—we're on the slippery slope. And we're headed downhill fast.
Satan is the master of darkness. As long as he can keep us operating in our dark secrets, we are deceived. In the Message, Acts 26:17-18 we are reminded:
"'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.'"
Oh sweet friend, we need to see the difference between dark and light and choose light. We need to bring our choices out into the light of Jesus so He can expose the truth. Only then can we truly discern the difference between being led by Jesus or deceived by Satan.
Things done in secret are an indication of being led by Satan. That's a strong statement but one worth really considering.
Satan keeps dangers off our radar screen and blinds us to the harsh realities coming our way. My friend was blinded. And when she finally woke up to the deception, the devastation horrified her.
If you're keeping secrets today, bring them out into the light:
• Find a trusted Christian friend and ask them to help you hold your choices up to the truth.
• Get honest with people who love you.
• Build accountability measures in your life.
• Ask Jesus for help, forgiveness, and a clear understanding of how to put on the brakes and throw things in reverse. Let His truth speak louder than the feelings that are begging you to keep things hidden. Like the end of verse 18 says, "begin real living by believing in me."
The path to real living—the living that will sustain you and lead you to a true discovery of real love, real provision and real satisfaction—is found only by following Jesus.
Dear Lord, protect me from the darkness of Satan today. Help me to bring my choices into Your light, because only You can expose the truth. You are the only way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are tempted to hide your struggles with food, or other pleasures that pull you away from God, don't miss Lysa's book: Made to Crave. Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you're keeping secrets today, bring them out into the light. Find a trusted Christian friend and ask them to help you hold your choices up to the truth. Get honest with people who love you. This can be the beginning of lasting change for you.
Reflections:
Jesus can resurrect everything brought down by Satan. He is the lifter of my head, the redeemer of my circumstances, and the One who can set me back in flight.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV, 1984)
John 3:19, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." (NIV)
Ephesians 5:8, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 12, 2011
Unlovable
Samantha Reed, Executive Assistant
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away." Song of Solomon 8:7a (NIV 1984)
"I'm unloveable."
How many times has this thought consumed your mind? It swirls powerfully, like muddy rapids. Thrashing heart and mind round and round like a toy boat in a damaging river of doubt, fear and lies.
The "I'm unlovable" thought often tosses us from one painful situation to the next.
Rejection from a parent leads to a heart desperate to fill the void that leads to an unloving abusive relationship. A broken heart is patched up with food that leads to weight gain that makes us feel less than beautiful and unworthy of love.
The bruised parts of our hearts can lead us down dark alleys littered with regrets and sadness.
I don't assume to know the tongue lashings, torturous words or deeds, and taunts you've endured. I don't know what rejections, rudeness, or raw aches have slayed your heart. I don't know what choices you've made—what choices were made for you—that pushed you into the roaring rush of this river that tries to drag you down with lies and pain.
I only know this—you will drown in that river unless you grab hold of this safety rope: You are loveable.
Yes. You. You are loveable.
There is an all loving Creator who is sovereign. This is a big word with bigger meaning: all powerful. He had the choice to concoct you in His mind. He had the option to create you. He had the wherewithal to call you by name. He didn't have to.
He could have said,
Nah, I know how that one turns out.
Depression and doubts are her go-to's instead of Me.
Guys are allowed to violate her body.
Her marriage falls apart.
Her relationship with her parents isn't good.
Her kids can't stand her.
She's frumpy.
She's not worthy of My time or talent.
She's not lovable.
But He didn't. No.
Instead, He said,
I know how that one turns out.
She trusts me despite her teetering emotions and difficult circumstances.
She redeems her past to inspire purity in young girls.
She encourages and invests in other's marriages.
It's My delight to be her Father and call her My daughter.
Her knees hit the ground in fervent prayer for her children.
She's beautiful.
She's worthy of my Son's life and death.
She's so lovable, I call her Mine and nothing she does—nothing that happens to her—can take My love from her.
I don't know why you don't feel you're lovable. Or what lies come trying to convince you that your past, your actions, your shame, your guilt disqualifies you from love.
What I do know is this: you are worthy of love. You are loveable. And you are qualified as a child of God. But don't take my word. Take His...
This is what the LORD says: '[Insert your name] who survives [insert what makes you feel unlovable] will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to [her].' The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build [Insert your name] up again and you will be rebuilt.'" (Jeremiah 31:2-4a, NIV 1984)
Dear Lord, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Thank You for knowing me fully and loving me completely. Please help me know...truly know...I am loveable. Thank You for the freedom You give from the hurt and lies. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Partner with us and Compassion International to share God's love and lift a child out of the "I'm unlovable" river. Click here to sponsor a child!
In her book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope shows us how to live in the promise of God's Love, and find security knowing that HIS LOVE will never fail, even if we do. Click here to find out more.
Visit Samantha's blog for more encouragement and enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.
Application Steps:
Write a love letter to the Lord, thanking Him for all the ways He has shown His love to you. Remind yourself of these ways God has shown His love for you when you feel unlovable.
Reflections:
What sin, shame, doubt or fear am I holding onto that cause me to feel unlovable?
Do I need to forgive someone, or myself, for what happened that left me feeling unlovable?
Power Verses:
Micah 7:18, "Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love." (NASB)
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 15, 2011
Why You Should Hang Up Your Robe
Glynnis Whitwer
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me..." Acts 20:24 (NIV)
My first instinct was to leave the clean, folded clothes on top of the dresser. Granted, my arms were filled with freshly laundered items, so it would have been difficult to open the drawer while balancing the stack. I had an excuse for leaving them on top. Didn't I? Instead, I pushed past my instinct, took 30 more seconds, and placed the clothes neatly in the drawer.
This tendency to not complete a task happens with surprising regularity. I toss my bathrobe on the bed, drape jeans on the tub, and set the television remote on the nearest counter top. However, sometimes, when I'm a bit more self-aware, I take the few extra steps needed to actually finish the task.
Years ago, I realized my practice of stopping short of finishing what I started led to a cluttered home and office. Back then, I had a multitude of unfinished tasks that I just lived with. It wasn't all simple things like putting away clothes, but included larger tasks like leaving a wall half painted.
Starting a project is fun, and usually involves a burst of energy. Then, that energy wanes as I approach the finish line. Instead of pushing to complete the task, assignment or project with excellence, I lean towards settling for good enough. Unfortunately, when I settle for "good enough" consistently, I learn to live with mediocrity. And accepting mediocrity is far from where God wants me to be. You see, finishing what we start is more than a good organizational or home management skill. It's also a spiritual discipline.
As I identified the tendency to settle, I realized it affected me in a variety of ways throughout my life. In the past I accepted a distant relationship with God rather than one of intimacy. I've limited my understanding of Scripture to a surface level. My relationships with others have gone no deeper than, "Hi, how are you doing?" Instead of pushing to explore the fullness of what God offers in all areas, it is easier to stop short. Perhaps it's safer. Simpler. And with less personal discomfort or inconvenience.
Interestingly, it's actually been somewhat easy to address this issue. I admit the tendency within myself to settle, and I get firm with myself about it. Now, when I would prefer to leave the dryer full of clothes, or emails half typed, I say to myself, "Finish what you start." I make a conscientious decision to finish the task at hand before I move on to something new. Obviously, there are some projects that require more effort, but this works on many of my issues.
I'm not sure of all the reasons for stopping short of finishing with excellence, but I do know the results. I end up with unfulfilled commitments, open loops and shallow relationships. That's a far cry from the life Jesus came to bring, which is full and abundant. Not a partial life, but one lived with pushing to the limits and exploring the outer reaches.
Maybe that seems a deep principle to pull from putting clothes in a drawer or a dirty bowl in the dishwasher. However, the discipline of finishing well is one that is woven through my life...or it's not.
So I guess I'll take the extra step and actually hang up my robe. It's one more stitch in this tapestry of finishing well that God is trying to create in my life.
Dear Lord, thank You for demonstrating finishing well through the life of Jesus. I know Jesus could have stopped short of paying the price for my salvation. But He didn't. For that I will be eternally grateful. Please help me push through mediocrity in my life and explore the fullness You long to bring. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for tips on ways to address the loose ends in your life and a giveaway of her new book, I Used to Be So Organized.
I Used to Be So Organized: Help for Reclaiming Order and Peace by Glynnis Whitwer
P31 Woman magazine Senior Editor, Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify one home or office task that would take you less than 30 minutes to finish. Commit to finishing this in the next five days.
Reflections:
What are some reasons I avoid finishing certain tasks?
Could procrastination reflect a deeper spiritual issue for me?
Power Verses:
John 19:30, "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (NIV)
Genesis 2:2, "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 16, 2011
Greater Love
Luann Prater
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV)
I'm a killer. Yes, you read that right. I'm laying it out there and admitting it. Although, it's probably not what you think ... I've been a friendship-killer for much of my life.
I've wondered if it is from my dysfunctional home life as a kid. We moved annually, which meant a different school every year until I was a teenager. For an extremely shy girl this was terrifying. Dread and cold sweats came the night before I had to face another new classroom, new stares, new whispers and new giggles.
The layers built up; I figured it didn't really matter if classmates liked me because I probably wouldn't be there long anyway. Occasionally I would open up just a bit. Then Mom would say, "Pack up," and along with the boxes, my heart would seal up too.
It just hurt too much to hope that friendships could ever last. I was certain they couldn't, so I killed them before they ever developed deep. End it now before I'm too invested, was my mindset.
Maybe you know exactly what I'm talking about. We can fool ourselves into thinking that we don't need to open up and risk the pain of rejection or the devastation of potential loss.
Girlfriend, let me tell you what I discovered. The apostle John paints a portrait of a warm, real Jesus. Through that portrait Jesus reached out to me. He came into my heart and at that moment the love of the Savior began changing my life. I now have a greater love. I have found the same living water that Jesus offered to the woman at the well in the gospel of John.
It's been a spring welling up to eternal life! And I've discovered that when you begin to live that effervescent life, it becomes contagious! The joy that bubbles up from the inside cannot be hidden. Others are drawn to you and wonder how you can have joy in all circumstances.
And then it happens. Friendships develop. The old me would shut down, walk away or sabotage a relationship. I just didn't think I had what it takes to keep a friendship alive and healthy. And I don't, but God does. The new me embraces friends!
Maybe you've struggled with friendships. God crossed our paths today on purpose. He is asking us to take a risk. Let your guard down and love, as He loved us.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and teaching me how to welcome friends into my life with a greater love. Open my mind to see beyond myself today and take the risk of relationships built on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Luann's blog and Encouragement Café!
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
God's Purpose for Every Woman a Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotional Book
Application Steps:
Read John 4. Ask God to open your heart to His greater love. Slip on your God goggles and look for hurting hearts around you today.
Reflections:
What relationship does God want to grow in my heart?
When will I take the risk?
How can I reach out to someone with greater love today?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:19b "...love your neighbor as yourself." (NIV)
Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 17, 2011
Is God Enough?
Melissa Taylor
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV 1984)
Is God enough? It's a question that my circumstances bring me back to quite often. Over a lifetime I've concluded not only is God enough, but He has to be enough.
It takes effort on my part to make sure my heart is staying in this truth.
As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad left our family when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand how God could bring healing at that time. I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better.
Nothing was enough to meet my needs. Nothing worked.
As I grew older, I moved from being a Christian who simply believed to becoming a Christian actively seeking and following Jesus. And my life began to change.
Because I was having direct conversations with God and consistently reading His Word, I was challenged. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask one question in order to move on: "Is God enough?"
When a friend betrays me, is God enough?
When I need to forgive what seems unforgivable, is God enough?
When my child has issues out of my control, is God enough?
When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, is God enough?
When I am not forgiven by another, is God enough?
When my mom is dying of cancer, is God enough?
When others don't recognize my value, is God enough?
When I struggle professionally, is God enough?
When someone I love uses words to hurt me, is God enough?
When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, is God enough?
When my past haunts me, is God enough?
When my health declines, is God enough?
When I am let down and disappointed in my life, is God enough?
The last time I asked "Is God enough?" I opened a box of personalized Bible verses someone very special had given me. Reading verse by verse out loud silenced the thoughts paralyzing me with self-doubt.
I discovered the answer I always came to when I asked "Is God enough?" Yes He is.
Nothing here on earth is guaranteed. If I lost everything, I'd be okay because no one can take away my Jesus. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or a shack in the swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and find my Jesus.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lie God is not enough. Instead, ask yourself, "Is God enough for me? Then plant His Word deep in your heart so you'll always have the ready answer, that yes He is. He is enough for me, for you: "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)
Dear Lord, help me to realize and remember the secret to being content in all circumstances is You. Help me to be aware of Your presence in my life at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's blog to sign up for her free online Bible study! Join Melissa as she leads a community of online friends to learn how to stop doubting ourselves and start living in the security of God's promises based on Renee Swope's new book, A Confident Heart. All are invited!
Enter to win an autographed copy of A Confident Heart, by Renee Swope by clicking here to visit Melissa's blog
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
The Women's Devotional Bible
Application Steps:
Honestly assess if God is enough in your life. Do you find yourself needing or wanting more? Remind yourself that God knows you inside and out. He loves you no matter what and He always will.
Reflections:
What can I do today to remind myself that God is enough?
Is there a situation in my life that I need to turn over to the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, "For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 18, 2011
My Triple-Braided Cord
Karen Ehman
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
I've been embattled in a knock-down, drag-out fight for over a quarter-century now. Sometimes, I feel the little daily battles that are part of this clash completely defeat me, leaving me helpless and hopeless. And I feel alone in my battle.
What is this battle that consumes me? It is one that many women face. My constant, decades-long skirmish is with food. Or rather with my desire for food. Bad foods. Wrong foods. Or just vast quantities of food.
A few years back, I felt I'd come to the end of my rope. Severely overweight and reeling from seven different medical conditions, I finally determined to do something decisive for fear I might wind up like my aunt. She died unexpectedly of a heart attack when she was only in her early forties. I had just celebrated my 40th birthday, was the same size my aunt had been, and shared many of her medical issues.
So one day with desperate determination, a pair of hand-me-down walking shoes, and my trusty calorie counter in hand, I set off to religiously follow a weight-loss and exercise regimen. And follow it I did — to the T! Eleven months later, I'd dropped over 100 pounds. All my health conditions disappeared without any medication and I felt better than I had in my twenties. I boldly determined that never, EVER again would I let that weight creep back on.
Fast forward three years. One snowy Christmas eve, my husband's company gave him notice of a layoff. It lasted for nearly 9 months. Money was tight. The future looked bleak. I was worried and teetering on the brink of depression. I hate to admit that, sadly, I again turned to food instead of to God. I made it my comfort; my distraction; my friend.
However, this familiar "friend" quickly became my archenemy. Over the course of those 9 months, I gained back over a third of the weight I'd lost! Now entrenched in the thick of the battle again, I was weary and weak; embarrassed and embittered. However, one day God sent me today's key verse. He whispered in my soul's ear that I needed to stop fighting the battle alone. Time to call in the troops!
I phoned my friend Lysa and asked her if she would not only pray for me, but allow me to "weigh-in" with her once a month to let her know if I'd lost or gained. She too has fought the same battle and was gracious and willing to be my second strand, watching my back and enabling me to conquer.
Another friend, who also has fought weight issues, sensed how much my regain was bothering me. On one of my darkest days, she took my chin in her hand, looked me squarely in the eye, and told me I was beautiful and that I needed to stop allowing Satan to beat me up. Shari became my third strand. She committed to pray for me, and I started emailing her each month with a report from the front lines of my battlefield.
Knowing these "I've-been-there" sisters were both rooting, as well as praying, for me has made an immense difference.
Whether it is extra weight on our thighs or excess baggage in our souls, we women all face heated, hard battles. Our key verse today teaches us to decide not to wage war all alone.
God wants us to enlist another strand or two to strengthen one another in the fight to overcome strongholds and worship Him alone. Satan shudders when God's gals band together, with Jesus at the forefront, to courageously face the battle before us.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I try to wage war alone. Guide me to someone who will come alongside of me and encourage me not to give up in my quest to glorify You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Karen's blog today to find out more about an opportunity for encouragement, connection and accountability as you face your unique battles.
Made to Crave — Satisfying Your Deepest Desires With God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
Share a good laugh and find solid truth with Dear Bathroom Scale
Application Steps:
What areas of battle can you identify where you might need to "call in the troops" for back-up support?
Reflections:
Have there been times in my life when my connection with other women allowed me or a friend to do something that we could never have accomplished alone?
Power Verses:
Matthew 18:19-20, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 19, 2011
I Fully Intended To...
Tracie Miles
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
When I married my husband over twenty years ago, I fully intended to unconditionally love, respect and admire him. I had great intentions of being the perfect wife, offering kind words, a romantic kiss and dinner on the table every evening.
But then careers took off, bills increased, children were born, laundry piles grew, and life became chaotic. Along the way I subconsciously created a measuring stick of expectations for whether my husband actually deserved my love and respect.
When marriage doesn't meet those unrealistic expectations we had before the wedding, and real life kicks in, it's easy to fall into the habit of tearing down our husbands and our marriages as well.
In fact, the longer couples are together, the easier it is to not only see each other's flaws, but to mercilessly criticize them. This eventually leads to short tempers, less tolerance, minimal patience, and a lack of marital bliss.
As a result, those gifts of unconditional love, respect and admiration that we fully intended to offer become gifts we are not so willing to give.
A few years ago I picked up a book for wives written by my friend and author Rick Johnson. I was hoping to rekindle some passion in my marriage. Little did I know, God would use truths shared in that book to get my attention and help me make some inward changes.
As I read, God convicted my heart about things I had said to my husband just days earlier. I recalled critical comments that rolled off my tongue so easily, which I now regretted deeply. Although I had fully intended to be my husband's biggest encourager, I had become one of his worst critics.
Over time, God helped me see the powerful influence I have on my husband and my marriage when I choose words that build up. Words that encourage instead of discourage.
As women, we have the power to build up or tear down our husbands every day, merely by the respect we give and the amount of faith we let him know we have in him.
Respect and admiration are two of the most powerful tools a wife has to influence her husband. When I realized I had fallen short in giving those two precious gifts to my man, I asked God to help me control my tongue. I asked Him to fill my heart and mouth with words that would make my husband feel admired, respected and loved, regardless of whether I felt he deserved it.
I wanted His help following through on what I intended to do from the beginning, so I asked Him to convict my heart when critical thoughts crept into my mind, and help me avoid the temptation to say them out loud.
Within just a few weeks, I saw a change — in me, in my husband's demeanor, and in our relationship. A change that rekindled unconditional love, respect and admiration. A change that reflected what I set out to give him all along.
Through our words of respect, and admiration, we can help our husbands become the great men God created them to be, and in turn, have the marriages we fully intended to build.
Dear Lord, help me to tame my tongue and focus on building up my man. Help me break free of the habit to criticize, even when warranted. Open my eyes to the positive, not the negative. Draw us closer, and help us both nurture a strong and loving marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog and sign up to receive her free e-book "14 Days to a Happier Marriage."
Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and/or What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
Think about how important your husband's love is to you and consider how your respect means just as much to him.
If your marriage seems strained right now, think about conversations with your husband lately. Have your comments been encouraging and uplifting, or discouraging and destructive?
Reflections:
Am I in the habit of tearing down my husband? How can I make sure our daily conversations leave him feeling respected and admired?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:2-7, "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (ESV)
James 3:5b-6a, "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." (NIV)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 22, 2011
Planning to Rest
Glynnis Whitwer
"He said to them, 'This is what the LORD commanded: "Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning."'" Exodus 16:23 (NIV)
Preparing to go on vacation takes a lot of work. By the time I finish all the laundry, clean the house and get completely caught up at work before I can enjoy a break, I'm exhausted.
This year, my family vacation came two days after a huge deadline at work. By the time I locked the front door and turned towards the car, mental and physical fatigue overwhelmed me.
Once we arrived at our destination, I could have cried with relief. The months of planning and weeks of hectic last-minute preparation were worth it. After a few days of complete rest, I felt recharged and ready to go.
Although this pattern of planning before rest is common to holidays and vacations, it wasn't until recently I applied it to honoring the Sabbath. Every week I'm faced with the opportunity to rest. Actually it's more than an opportunity, it's a commandment from the Lord. But instead of planning for it to happen, I usually slip into a day of work.
For some reason, I expect a day of rest to happen with no effort. But it doesn't. The truth is I need to rethink how I approach God's commandment to rest. It requires intention for it to happen, or I'll just use it as a catch-up day.
For years God has been gently convicting me of dis-honoring His day. Although I know it's one of the Ten Commandments, I've prioritized work over obedience too many times.
I've even tried to redefine work and call it rest, as if that could fool God. The truth is, I've created a seven-day workweek, and neglected to plan for rest.
It's easy to find excuses not to rest: I'm a mom of five children, my work is ministry-related, or it's just a few e-mails. Those excuses sound weak to my ears when weighed against God's request to obey Him in something that's pleasurable and for my own good.
The Sabbath is a gift from a loving heavenly Father to His children. It is a day to breathe a sigh of relief, and rest from our labors. It is a day to soak in the companionship of those we love. My spirit, mind and body long for rest. To reject this healing gift hurts me and those I love. It also sets me in direct disobedience to God.
Given my tendency towards work, I have to plan for a day of Sabbath rest to happen. It will take me spreading housework throughout the week, finishing the laundry a day early and preparing meals in advance. It will take a weekly plan. But when I make the Sabbath a priority, I'm obeying one of God's caring commandments and teaching my children to do the same.
And when my thirsty soul tastes the refreshment of rest, I realize why God asks me to honor His day.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have made excuses and dishonored Your Sabbath. I know You gave me this day as a gift, and I have often rejected it in favor of my own way. Help me to plan the rest of the week wisely so that I'm prepared for a day of rest. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me another chance to obey You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for some practical tips on managing your time and to enter to win a copy of her new book, I Used to Be So Organized.
We are celebrating the release of Glynnis' newest book, I Used to Be So Organized.. If you'd like to find out more or order a copy, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
What practices can you implement in your life this week to allow you to take a Sabbath rest?
Reflections:
What benefit does rest bring to me, mentally, physically and spiritually?
What are common reasons I neglect to honor the Sabbath?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:3, "Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." (NIV)
Ezekiel 20:11-12, "I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live. Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy." (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 23, 2011
Arise from the Wreckage
Micca Monda Campbell
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28 (KJV)
I'd read the book of Acts before and honestly, it fell dull and familiar as I read again. But when I came to chapter nine, something new jumped out at me. I began to see the word "rejection," although it was not in written form. Perhaps I saw what I was feeling that day—rejected.
I was reading at the part of the story where Saul, a murderer, had just been transformed into Paul, a disciple of Christ. Even though Paul was a changed person, many rejected him because of his past reputation and lifestyle.
Not only that, but as Paul became fully devoted to serving Christ—sacrificing his education, his life, and remaining single so he could better serve the Lord—he was falsely accused, thrown into prison more than once and shipwrecked on several occasions. Doesn't that seem odd for a man called of God? Wouldn't God's favor protect him from such adversity?
I thought about an illness that had lingered with me for months. It was so severe I was all but bed-ridden week after week, unable to do life and ministry. I had felt rejected by God. It didn't make sense. I was serving Him in more ways than I could count. Then, without warning, strong winds came and ushered what felt like a storm into my life. Clouds hung overhead and before I knew it, I felt "shipwrecked."
Perhaps, you've been there, too. Maybe you've been rejected by family, friends, and co-workers. Or you've been falsely accused. Maybe you're imprisoned by finances, or being blown around by the consequences of someone else's sin?
It seems so unfair. You've tried to live right. You walk in obedience the best you can. You take God at His Word and trust in His promises. Shouldn't faith like this call for smooth sailing, instead of stormy, shipwrecking seas?
If we follow Paul's journey, we find God working through the rejection, the trials, the prison time, and the shipwrecks. Paul shared the gospel with the Pharisees through his rejection and imprisonment. People saw God's power at work when Paul survived the storms, when the snake bite didn't kill him, and when the jail shook—opening doors and loosing chains.
Paul didn't let his circumstances wreck him with a sense of rejection. He didn't allow self-pity and doubt to overtake him. Instead, we see in Acts 16:22-31 that after being stripped, beaten, severely flogged, thrown in the inner cell of a prison and his feet in stocks, Paul prayed and sang hymns to God. And others around him were listening. The power of God came in such a way that the prison guard begged Paul to tell him, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" He replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus" (vs. 30b-31, NIV).
God kept His promise to work all things together for the good of this man who loved Him and was called according to His purposes. As Paul depended on God and trusted His faithfulness in the midst of his adversity, many witnessed God's power and believed.
And the same is true for us. God doesn't waste our pain, our rejection or our "shipwrecks." He uses them to bring about His plan—to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.
If that's true, and it is, then our challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Jesus. Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of self-pity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.
Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Today's devotion was taken from, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Cultivating a Heart of Contentment CD by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
God has called us to live by faith, not by sight. Even though we don't always understand our difficulties, they don't have to overwhelm us. Choosing to trust God helps restore a sense of hope and stability to our lives, and also allows us to rise from our ashes.
Reflections:
What will I choose to do today: will I wallow in self-pity or rise and praise the Lord?
Power Verses:
Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (KJV)
Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." (NKJV)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 24, 2011
Rebuilt
Amy Carroll
"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NIV)
"Are you sure you're ready to have a tiger by the tail?" mom asked with a big grin. That was her first response when my then-boyfriend Barry asked my parents if he could marry me.
It still makes me laugh, because I was certainly a strange mix of rule-following, first-child with a wide streak of sassiness and fierce independence. I'm still not sure Barry had any idea what he was getting into when he said, "I do."
That was over twenty years ago, so when Barry asked an unexpected question during our family vacation, it opened my eyes to some of God's difficult work in my life. Barry and I sat on the deck overlooking the ocean talking in low voices about the topics that concern many of us—finances, parenting, plans for the future. Suddenly, he asked his startling question.
"If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?"
My mind went blank except for the thought, Whew! This is a really loaded question. At first I didn't want to answer (why ruin a great evening?), but I finally answered, braced myself and re-asked the question, "What would you change about me?"
I had a pretty good list going in my mind of what I thought he'd say—I wish you weren't so critical. I wish you wouldn't talk so much. I wish you would cook dinner more often.
What he actually said surprised me. "I want you to get your confidence back. When I married you, your favorite phrase was, 'I'll do it myself!' I've watched you lose your confidence over the years, and I want you to have it back," he replied.
A move, a couple of friendships with bad endings and struggling to find a place in my new home town had knocked the stuffing right out of me. I had fought and lost against my own tendency toward comparison, perfectionism and an overdeveloped sense of responsibility. Little by little, I became convinced that I couldn't and that I wasn't. My confidence had been shaken and finally crumbled.
But sometimes things have to be torn down before they can be rebuilt.
Was it God's plan that I would move, fail in some friendships and beat myself up trying to be somebody else? No! He did, however, use this bad place to bring me to a better place. God began rebuilding confidence in me a few years ago, and He capped it off when I got home from Proverbs 31 Ministries' She Speaks conference that year.
There He spoke to me over and over again about trusting my life to His control. The scripture in my Sunday school class the following Sunday was our key verse today, 2 Corinthians 3:4-6: "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (NIV)
For years I walked in my own strength of "I can do it," but God brought me to His strength and the knowledge that "He can do it in me."
He has brought me out of my own power, which is so limited and flawed, to being dependent on the infilling power of His Spirit. Confidence in myself has very limited power, whereas confidence in Him brings limitless possibilities.
I know that I'll still have days of struggle with confidence, but my rebuilt and renewed sense of confidence is now firmly in Christ. It's a beautiful place to be.
Dear Lord, I have depended on myself so many times and fallen short. My confidence has been shaken. Rebuild me by helping me to put my full confidence in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Amy's blog for more encouragement on how to trade in wavering self-confidence with lasting God-confidence, and enter to win a copy of Renee Swope's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Journal a prayer thanking God for His limitless power and capabilities. Ask God to fill you with His power while giving up your own.
Reflections:
Am I truly dependent on God, or do I rely primarily on myself?
Where is my focus when I am struggling with confidence?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build...." (NIV)
Philippians 3:3, "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh..." (NIV)
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 25, 2011
God, Forgive Me
Lysa TerKeurst
"...and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10 (NIV)
Have you ever seen the social injustices of the world and felt they were too big for you to make a difference? I have felt that way. So instead of doing something—even something small, I did nothing.
Recently, several friends and I spent almost a week living at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. The Dream Center is a converted hospital run by Pastor Matthew Barnett and his church, Angelus Temple. It is a 700 bed facility that is a homeless shelter, a drug rehab, a healing place for those rescued from sex trafficking, an education facility and a ministry hub for over 120 outreach programs to help people in need.
I went as a woman in ministry.
I went to help meet needs.
But I quickly realized I was there as a woman in need.
A woman who needed God's reality to fall fresh and heavy and close and real and too in my face to deny.
Because sometimes I find myself talking about God so much He becomes an identity marker but not an identity changer in my life.
Having God as an identity marker is nothing but a label, a language, and a lifestyle. I'm a Christian. I talk like one. I act like one.
But having God as an identity changer is something so much more. It's lavish abandon to who God is and who He's made me to be. Holding nothing back.
Only lavish abandon to God can do what I saw at the Dream Center.
It's what changed the ex-gang member with eight bullet hole scars into a Jesus loving servant. So gentle.
It's what changed the ex-prostitute into a counselor for girls being rescued from the streets. So pure.
It's what changed the ex-drug addict into a loving father teaching his son how to be a godly leader. So integrity filled.
What in heavens has been holding me back?
Seriously.
What has been stopping me from absolute lavish abandon to God?
I need to know.
I'm desperate to figure it out.
So, I asked Pastor Matthew—a man who lives this lavish abandon, "Aren't you afraid sometimes? You run a facility where you have to raise half-million dollars a month—a MONTH! Do you walk around with the weight of that on you all the time?"
And his answer cracked my heart wide open. "No. When you experience God the way I've been experiencing God for 17 years, you stop being afraid. I've seen too many miracles."
Oh. Tears. The woman who doesn't cry was flooded with a crack in the dam of her soul.
My. God. That. Is. It.
Pastor Matthew lives our key verse from Isaiah 58:10. He spends himself in behalf of the hungry and oppressed. And honest to goodness I've never seen someone so happy, so positive, so on fire for the things of God. Like our verse, his light rises in the darkness.
He sees the miracles therefore he dares to be part of them.
I can't say the same about myself and I'm challenged by this.
I've stopped positioning my life for miracles. In an effort to never make God look bad, I've sought only that which I can carefully measure and predict and manipulate into being.
God, help me.
God, forgive me.
If I truly want to be a woman who lives by faith, I must live a life that requires a little bit of faith.
Fresh faith.
The kind that changes everything.
The kind the Dream Center is built upon.
I want to be part of the miracles happening at the Dream Center. And I'd love to invite you to join me. Dare to dream sweet friend...read more about this simple but profound opportunity below.
Dear Lord, I want fresh faith. The kind of faith that positions my heart to experience you. I don't want to be held back. Even if it's in a small way, I want to be available and willing to help those oppressed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to read more about her "Dare to Dream" Gift Card campaign. You will have the opportunity to write a letter of encouragement and enclose a gift card that will be used to help women in the rescue and rehab programs through the Dream Center.
For more information click here.
Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God now has a 6 week DVD teaching series that is perfect for women's Bible Study groups. For more information click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If we truly want to be women who live by faith, we must live a life that requires a little bit of faith. What does that look like for you today? This week? This month?
Reflections:
Having God as an identity marker is nothing but a label, a language, and a lifestyle. I'm a Christian. I talk like one. I act like one. But having God as an identity changer is something so much more. It's lavish abandon to who God is and who He's made me to be. Holding nothing back.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 58:6-8, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 26, 2011
What do I Have to be Angry About?
Lysa TerKeurst
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy..." Psalm 30:11 (NIV)
When my girls were little we had a love-hate relationship with kid's menus. I loved that they had creatures to color and crayons were provided. However, it never failed that someone would color on someone else's sheet and squeals and screams would have all heads turning our way.
Then I would sit there in disbelief that my kids had caused such a fuss over colored on menus. Menus that would soon be covered in ketchup and juice and tossed in the trash.
I thought about these menus last week. I thought about them at the strangest time.
I was standing on Hollywood Boulevard looking at the stars walk of fame when a woman approached my friend, Amanda, looking for money.
It took my brain a few seconds to figure out why her face was familiar. So familiar. It was my friend from skid row, Juanita. We'd gotten Juanita off the streets the day before and taken her to the Dream Center. A safe place for her to detox and find healing.
But less than 24 hours later she'd walked away. Away from help. Away from hope. Away from restoration.
There she was begging for money to buy a bus ticket to get back to skid row. And in a city of 13 million people, somehow our paths crossed again. What are the odds? Surely it was a sign to her of how much God cares.
"Oh Juanita, why did you leave the Dream Center? Can I take you back? I can call for a Dream Center bus to come get you right now. Please, please let's go back." I asked Juanita. I begged Juanita. But she just shook her head and quietly whispered, "I have to go back to the streets 'cause I know where to put my blankets there. I don't know where to put my blankets anywhere else."
"To skid row?" I asked with tears brimming my eyes. She nodded.
I asked if we might pray for her. She agreed. We circled and prayed and then watched her walk off. Up to another to beg for money. And then another. Rejected most of the time. But slowly walking away-away-away.
It was in that moment I thought of those stupid kid menus. Menus that were fought over. And then covered in ketchup and juice and tossed in the trash.
And my anger burned. Not at my kids. But at myself. And all the many dumb things I can find myself getting all bent out of shape about.
I am no more mature than my kids arguing over throw away menus. How dare I get angry over things so inconsequential? God, forgive me.
Yes, there are things that should make me angry. Like Juanita not knowing her whole life she could put her blankets somewhere safe. And now the place she keeps returning to is skid row.
Heroin alley on skid row to be exact. Where pimps sell women to do unspeakable things in make shift tents right on the street. And where kids play with dirty needles. And where teens are passed out with needles in their toes because they don't have veins good enough to shoot drugs into their arms.
Yes, there are things to get angry about today. But not slight inconveniences and little things that bump into my happy.
God help me and my kid menu life. If Psalm 30:11 is true in my life, that God has turned my wailing into dancing and removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, might I dare look for a way to help the Juanita's of the world.
Yes, might I dare help instead of getting in a huff over the small stuff.
If you want to help women like Juanita who are caught in a world of drugs, sex trafficking and destitution, visit Lysa's blog by clicking here for a simple yet profound way you can make a difference today.
Instead of being paralyzed by the enormity of the problems of this world, what if we all determined to do something? When we do what only we can do, God will do what only He can do—and the world will be changed.
Dear Lord, help me step outside my world and to see people with Your eyes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to read more about her "Dare to Dream" Gift Card campaign. You will have the opportunity to write a letter of encouragement and enclose a gift card that will be used to help women in the rescue and rehab programs through the Dream Center.
For more information click here.
Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God now has a 6 week DVD teaching series that is perfect for women's Bible Study groups. For more information click here.
Application Steps:
Determine to not walk away from embracing a chance to help someone today.
Reflections:
Yes, there are things to get angry about today. But not slight inconveniences and little things that bump into my happy.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:29-32, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 29, 2011
A Dying Faith Revived
Wendy Blight
"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)
Law school. Two words that scare some and impress others.
I gave three years of my life to the study of law...compiling facts, reading case law, applying that law, and making arguments. I spent hour after hour in the law library. Researching, studying, and writing consumed my every day. My hard work paid off when I made law review.
It paid off again when I passed the bar.
It paid off again upon graduation when I walked through the doors to begin my first day at one of the largest, most prestigious firms in downtown Dallas.
It should have been the best time of my life, but instead it felt empty, without purpose. I found no joy, no satisfaction in what I did every day. I spent so much time and invested so much money to get to this place. Something was missing.
What I felt in the depths of my soul was the cry of a dying faith...hunger pangs of a weary soul. I had filled myself full of worldly knowledge, yet I had starved myself of spiritual knowledge.
Friend, do you feel that way as you read my words? Do you feel empty, dry, and weary? Faith feeds on the Word of God. Without a steady intake of God's Word in our lives, we grow weaker and weaker. I tried to feed my faith on a two minute devotional in the morning...maybe a few times a week...if that.
When we starve our faith, we move farther and farther from our Father's heart. We find it hard to trust Him. Sometimes we avoid worshiping Him. We feel guilty. We feel alone. Listen to words from our Father's heart:
• "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)
• "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
• Blessed is the one whose "delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [she] meditates day and night. [She] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [she] does prospers." Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV)
Faith feeds on the Word of God. Our faith has no life apart from what we receive from the Word. I came to the realization that I needed to alter my diet. I needed to feed on something other than case law and legal memoranda.
God drew you to this devotional today. Ask Him why. Has the Lord pricked your heart? Does my story strike a chord with you? With all my heart, I encourage you to not ignore His Word to you today.
Let's be like the blessed one in Psalm 1 who meditates on God's Word day and night. Will you commit with me today to memorize one scripture? To start, find a verse, maybe one from this devotional, and memorize it. You will be putting "faith food" into your heart and mind. Throughout the next few days, feed on that verse, speak that verse, and share that verse. Watch what God will do.
God will bless your obedience. Your obedience will bear fruit. You will prosper.
Wait and watch and see!
Dear Lord, today I feel weary, empty, and so very far away from You. Please come near, feed me with Your Word, revive my dying faith. Make me like the tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit and prospering in all I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy's blog and share your memory verse with her. She would love to pray for you. Also, be sure to sign up for her next on-line Bible Study on the book of Hebrews that will begin in October.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Proverbs 31 Ministries offers many Bible studies! Shop online today for one that fits you.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Pick a verse from the devotional or your own verse and commit to memorize it this week. Please stop by my blog and share your verse with me. I would be honored to pray for you as you take this step.
Reflections:
What is it that takes my time and keeps me from being in God's Word on a consistent basis?
What one step can I take to spend more time with God in His Word? I'll commit to take that step.
Power Verses:
Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 30, 2011
A Ram is on the Way
Glynnis Whitwer
"So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.'" Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a situation so desperate that it looked hopeless?
Have you ever sat at the kitchen table wondering how you were going to pay the electric bill? Have you ever stood at a door that's been slammed in your face by an angry teenager and despaired at having a relationship with him again? Have you ever had your heart broken so deeply that you wondered if you would feel whole again?
Sadly, we live in a broken world where desperate situations happen every day. I know someone reading this devotion is wondering how she will make it through the day because her situation looks hopeless. If that is you, I encourage you to keep reading. I believe God has a message of hope for you today.
That message is found in the Bible, in the story of a man who was dealing with his own desperate situation. His name was Abraham and he faced the greatest testing of his life. After longing for a son for many years, God finally gave Abraham a boy, whom he named Isaac. Abraham never imagined God would test his faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. But it happened.
It had to have been the darkest day of Abraham's life as he trudged up the mountain, with firewood strapped to his son's back. Every step took Abraham closer to what he believed to be the sad ending of a hopeless situation—the death of his son. Yet in spite of his sorrow, Abraham trusted God. His heart wasn't soaring with joy. He wasn't dancing up the mountain. But he put one foot in front of the other. Walking through the darkness of the situation; obeying His God's commands.
Unbeknownst to Abraham, something else was walking up that mountain. Quietly. Out of sight. On the other side of the mountain. Something else was putting one foot in front of the other. Only Abraham couldn't see it.
For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step.
All Abraham saw that day was his solitary journey of pain. As he got closer to the top of the mountain, his dread must have increased. I wonder if he asked himself any questions. I would have. I would have wondered why hadn't God intervened? Why hadn't God stopped this testing? Couldn't God see that Abraham was a man of faith? Why test him in this way?
But there was no answer. There was no voice from heaven. And so Abraham kept obeying his God's command. He put Isaac on an altar and prepared to sacrifice his one and only son.
And just at that very moment, at the very last second, when it looked like the end had come, God spoke, stopping the sacrifice. Abraham looked up and there caught in the thicket was a ram. Abraham took his son off the altar, replaced him with the ram, and offered the sacrifice to God.
Abraham named that place "Yahweh-Yireh" or "The Lord Will Provide." And the story was written down for generations of God-followers to read. It was written so that you and I today would read it as we face our own hopeless situations. It was captured in print so that you and I would know that God is already planning for our provision. We don't see it. We don't hear it. But we can trust that our God is at work. On your behalf, and on mine.
I choose to trust God today. A ram is on the way.
Dear Lord, You know how desperate I am today. You know that my faith has wavered. Although I want to trust You, I'm having trouble doing so. I ask for Your intervention in my situation, and for an increase of my faith while I wait. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Glynnis on her blog for more encouragement and enter to win a copy of Renee Swope's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 91. List the promises God has for those who love Him.
Reflections:
God's timing is not our timing. What are some reasons God might wait to answer our prayers?
Read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. What are some of the things Abraham did right that I can apply to my situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:14, "'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.'" (NIV)
Psalm 22:5, "They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 31, 2011
Living Beyond the Shadow of My Doubts
Renee Swope
"You are a chosen [woman], a royal [priest], a holy [daughter], God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
I stood in front of my bathroom mirror getting ready for a large event while begging God to zap me with confidence, or send Jesus back before it was time for me to speak. I had been struggling with paralyzing self-doubt that week, and it was making me question everything.
Although I was honored when the event leader called months before, now I questioned why I'd accepted the invitation. And my internal dialogue was relentless...What if I forget what I'm going to say? What if my points aren't that powerful? What if they don't connect with my stories or laugh at my humor? What if...?
When I turned around to put something in my suitcase behind me, I noticed a huge nine-foot shadow on the wall. I was surprised how big the shadow was and how much it distorted the image of my five-foot, two-inch frame.
All of a sudden, I realized my uncertainty had also created a huge shadow—a shadow of doubt. It was distorting my thoughts and overpowering my emotions.
As I stood there looking at the humongous shadow, I sensed God whispering to my heart: Renee, you can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.
Slowly I turned back toward the lights above the mirror, and realized I was no longer standing in the shadow. And, I also realized I had created the shadow by blocking the light.
Shadows are created all around us when something blocks light. And so it is with the shadow of doubt. When we focus on ourselves and how inadequate we feel, or what others are thinking about us, we cast a shadow of doubt in our minds and block the light of God's Truth in our hearts.
Yet, we were not designed to block the light or to be the light.
We were created to live in the Light, by focusing on what God thinks about us instead. I love how John the Baptist is described as "a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light." (John 1:7-8, NIV)
The same is true for us. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12b, NIV) When we follow Jesus closely in our thoughts, we find our confidence in Him.
As we shift the focus from our feelings of inadequacy to His promises of all-sufficiency, we can exchange our lack of self-confidence with lasting God-confidence. And in doing so, our lives become a witness, testifying of the One who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).
Are you ready to become a more Jesus-dependent, God-confident woman whose assurance is found in Him alone? If so, when you find yourself standing in the shadow of self-doubt, instead of wishing for more self-confidence, pray for lasting God-confidence! Then turn towards the Light so your heart can focus on and live in the security of His promises:
• When you feel inadequate, remember God says: You are CHOSEN.
"'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.'" (Isa. 43:10a, NIV)
• When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE.
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab. 3:19, NIV)
• When you feel unworthy, remember God says: You are LOVED.
"You are precious and honored in my sight, and...I love you." (Isa. 43:4a, NIV)
Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You have called me out of the shadows of my doubts to tell others about the Light and hope I've found in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
You can download a list of more powerful promises from Renee's blog where she's also giving away a series of Confident Heart conference calls. Click here to find out more and enter to win!
We're celebrating the release of Renee's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. To find out more about this life-changing message or order a copy, click here.
Join Melissa Taylor's FREE Confident Heart online Bible study based on Renee's book, A Confident Heart. It starts September 19th! Sign up here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Thank you for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
What are your most common thoughts of self-doubt and how do they make you feel? (inadequate, uncertain, indecisive, etc.) Click here for a list of powerful promises to replace them.
Reflections:
"When we focus our attention on ourselves, we turn our attention away from God. We leave no room in our thoughts to listen to what God is thinking about us, because we have given that place away to be occupied by other people's opinions." — from A Confident Heart
Power Verses:
Luke 24:38, "Why are you frightened?" [Jesus] asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt?" (NLT)
Romans 8:6, "The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (NASB)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 1, 2011
When My Mean Girl Wants to Come Out
Lysa TerKeurst
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11 (NIV)
Do you ever have days where someone tries to rip the joy right out of your life?
I do.
And it's really hard. It's a battle. The good girl part of my brain says, "Be nice. Honor Jesus with your actions. Your response is your responsibility. Self control, Lysa, self control."
But the mean girl part of my brain says, "How dare they act that way! I'll show you!"
One part of me says fold your hands in prayer.
But another part of me says throw your hands in the air and pitch a good old fashioned hissy fit.
Issues.
I have them. Maybe most of us girls do. Especially that one special week a month.
But God.
I love how those two words interrupt me. Redirect me. Remind me. Comfort me. Battle the mean girl in me. And cause me to pause.
Pause. Just for a minute, pause. And it's in that pause where we give the Holy Spirit room to interrupt the mean girl response just dying to come out and bloody the situation.
The Holy Spirit says, "Lysa stop and think. It might feel good in the minute to scream, retaliate, pitch a fit and flood the situation with scary emotions. But it won't feel good in the long run. It will feel awful in the long run. You'll feel the sting of regret. Come on Lysa... be rare. Be a girl who looks ahead and determines to do what's best in the long run."
Yes, it stinks that this other person is determined to steal our joy.
It really does.
But in reality, my joy can only be stolen if I let it be stolen.
In John 15:10-12 Jesus says, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Several things struck me as I read this verse. Each interaction I have with others I'm faced with the choice to either remain in God's love or retreat from God's love. I can't control how this other person is acting towards me. But I can control how I act and react. If I chose to remain in God's love and react to this other person kindly, it affects my joy. Jesus interjects His joy right into the heart of a kind person. If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being depleted, it will be completed.
So back off mean girl part of my brain. The Jesus girl in me is taking over. And holding on to every ounce of joy that's rightfully mine. Circumstances can steal stuff from me. But not my joy.
Dear Lord, this sounds so good in this moment. But it will not be easy when I have an interaction today with "that person"... the one who makes my mean girl want to come out. Will You help me remember these truths? Will You help me remember this person can not steal my joy? And help me remember if I react kindly my joy can be completed rather than depleted. And that's what I want. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a list of three practical things we can do to keep our mean girl from coming out today.
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book contains three chapters all about what to do when our mean girl wants to come out. Learn how to conquer your anger, envy, and stress today!
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD and Participant's Guide — Contains six sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD and a Participant's Guide for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club.
Application Steps:
If you know you will be interacting with someone who has a habit of trying to steal your joy, plan how you can remain calm and kind. Also, plan how you can limit the time you spend interacting with them.
Keep these three thoughts in your mind:
This person can only steal my joy if I let them.
I can't control this person, but I can control how I act and react.
If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being depleted, it will be completed.
For a list of three practical things we can do to keep our mean girl from coming out today, click here.
Reflections:
What situations in my life might get better if I apply what I'm learning in this devotional today? Do I want frustration or joy to be my reality today? What would it be like to live with Jesus' complete joy in my heart?
Power Verses:
John 15:10, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (NIV)
John 15:11, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (NIV)
John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 2, 2011
Faith over Feelings
Tracie Miles
"...for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5b (NIV)
I spent months working on it, with big expectations and high hopes. In the blink of an eye it was crushed. This reality tore into my heart like a jagged knife, ripping my dream into tiny little shreds. Disappointment was so great it was difficult to process my feelings. I had worked tirelessly on this project and now I felt disappointment and rejection.
Disappointment soon turned to irritation which morphed into resentment. I didn't FEEL it was fair.
Why didn't God answer my prayers? Why had He placed a dream in my heart only to allow it to crumble? Why had He let this happen? Why me?
I knew I needed to have a good attitude and not give up, but I did not FEEL like doing that at all!
Questions pummeled my brain. What is the use? Why try again? If God didn't answer my prayer after all this time, why bother keep trying?
I allowed my FEELings to overtake my FAITH.
All I could think about was how this disappointment made me feel, instead of what God may be doing that my faith could not see. I felt things weren't fair, without remembering God's ways are best. I felt a longing for immediate results, instead of trusting God's timing is perfect.
My feelings had gotten in the way of my faith, so I turned to Psalm 25 (NIV) for perspective. The following verses washed over my spirit.
Verse 1, "In you, LORD my God, I put my trust."
I felt discouraged, unworthy, hopeless, rejected. So I poured my feelings and my soul out to God. And He listened.
Verse 2, "I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me."
God reminded me to trust Him, not a desire or a dream. Not the world's view. Not my abilities. Not my timeframe. Not my ideas. Trust Him alone. I prayed about my enemies—intangible feelings such as self doubt, insecurity, frustration, and discouragement.
Verse 3, "No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause."
Regardless of whether or not my desires become a reality, I will not be put to shame, because God is my God. If His plans coincide with my dreams, I know He will keep His eternal promises.
Verses 4-5a, "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,"
These words stopped me in my tracks. I began to think more rationally. Why did I beat my head against a wall? Why was I consumed with anxiety and frustration? Was I allowing God to direct my paths? God gently reminded me He is the teacher, I am the student.
Verse 5b, "...for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
If I put my hope in my own desires and abilities, I set myself up for failure. My only hope for joy and fulfillment comes from Christ alone. Hope is found in Him, not people, a career, your husband or children, church, financial success, a carefree life, or dreams that come true.
Disappointments will happen. With God, however, we can turn those disappointments into God's appointments to trust Him. The first step is to exercise faith over feelings.
Dear Lord, You know the hurt in my heart and the sting of disappointments I have experienced. Please help me trust You, instead of being consumed by feelings. Empower me with a faith that is stronger than my emotions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Compassion International helps turn children's disappointments into God's appointments to trust Him. You can too! Sponsor a child today.
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement in trusting God.
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Consider the disappointments you have experienced recently. Ask God to help your faith be more powerful than your feelings.
Unpack Psalm 25:1-5 verse by verse and apply it to your situation, with open ears to hear God's voice.
Reflections:
Am I allowing my feelings to guide my actions, or relying on my faith to help me move forward?
Have I asked God how He can use my disappointments to strengthen my faith in Him?
Have I sought God's direction in my situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 78:7, "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments..." (KJV)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 5, 2011
Beauty and Meaning in Unlikely Places
Sarah Jio
She Reads Featured Author
"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls forth each of them by name." Isaiah 40:26a (NIV)
If you told me I'd find something of beauty in the middle of a patch of weeds in my backyard, I'd doubt you. But that's what happened one overcast spring morning in my Seattle garden.
Newly pregnant with my third baby and experiencing extreme first-trimester exhaustion, a sweet older gentleman came over to tackle the weeds threatening to overtake the garden. Randy—in his oversized straw hat—asked me to come outside and inspect something he'd found while weeding in my yard.
"Look," he said, pointing to a patch of weeds.
"What are they?"
"They're wood violets," he replied.
I marveled at the sight: little clusters of light purple flowers encircled by dark green heart-shaped leaves. "They're wild," he continued. "They pop up where you least expect them. Some people don't care for them, but they're kind of pretty." He paused and looked at me. "Do you want me to leave them?"
How stunning their lavender petals looked against the backdrop of weeds. Their sight caused something inside me to stir.
I'd been struggling with pregnancy-induced nausea for weeks. Plus, I was neck-deep in a major revision of my novel—all while taking care of my two rambunctious little boys and juggling deadlines for my "day job" at the magazine. Life felt like a grueling marathon—and I was running out of steam.
As I stood in my garden that morning, I realized that I'd been so intent on running the race, I'd forgotten to stop and smell the roses—or rather, notice the violets. Was God trying to get my attention? Could something as small and delicate as a violet pushing up out of the ground, unannounced and uninvited, have significant meaning for me?
Goosebumps covered my arms. "Yes," I said to Randy. "Please keep them!"
That afternoon, with my eyes now open to God's creation, I noticed another patch of wood violets growing like a carpet along the roadside. I vaguely remembered passing them before, but I hadn't truly noticed until that moment. What else had I been missing?
As I continued to work on my novel, I couldn't get the wood violets out of my head. I realized that my story needed these fragile, yet bold petals. They soon became a key symbol of redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation in the story.
Weeds often distract us from the things of beauty and joy in our own lives. Our problems and schedules pull our eyes from the starry hosts and the One who made them. In my life, they became a needed reminder to simply be present instead of always pushing ahead to the next task. A reminder to look for God, especially in His creation.
Elements of the natural world—from wildflowers to birds—are frequently used in the Bible to illustrate larger points. Matthew 6:28, for example: "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin."
God has sprinkled treasures in our lives—gifts just waiting to be noticed. I wonder, what things have you and I missed while too busy to look?
Notice the beauty of God's creation today—from the tiniest star in the distant sky to the vibrant blue shade of dragonflies' wings. Raise your eyes to the heavens and take in the starry hosts. For sometimes God infuses seemingly insignificant things with great beauty and meaning.
Dear Lord, thank You for the beauty of Your creation. Help me to open my eyes, to be present, and to hear Your voice even in the small, seemingly insignificant moments. I pray that I will never be too busy to notice the beautiful and meaningful things You place in my path to guide me and delight me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio is the story of a woman whose life has unraveled. When her career plummets and her marriage fails, she packs her bags and travels to Bainbridge Island, to the home of her great aunt hoping to regroup, heal, and let the saltwater ease her pain. She finds a diary from 1943 hidden in the home—a diary filled with secrets that have the power to change her life, and her family's. It is a story of loss and healing, enduring love, and how the choices we make can haunt us for a lifetime.
Visit She Reads this week to learn more and enter to win a bag of books from the publisher, as well as a gift basket filled with Northwest treats.
Application Steps:
Pray for someone you know is too hurried or overburdened to notice the sweet ways God is communicating to them.
Choose five things from the natural world that inspire you or make you smile—thank God for these.
Join the She Reads online fiction book club as we discuss the themes of emotional infidelity, family secrets, and reconciliation found in the novel The Violets of March.
Reflections:
Do I need to press the pause button and be still so I can hear God's voice and see the beauty of His creation?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:26a, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." (NIV)
Isaiah 6:3b, "The whole earth is full of his glory." (NIV)
Psalm 65:12-13 and 66:1, "The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Shout for joy to God, all the earth!" (NIV)
© 2011 by Sarah Jio. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 6, 2011
Being Thankful Changes Everything
Lysa TerKeurst
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 (NIV 1984)
It was 1992. I sat on the bed, tears streaming down my face, negative thoughts racing through my mind...Why does marriage have to be so hard sometimes? Why can't he see my side of things? Why won't he change? Maybe I married the wrong man.
This was a scene repeated over and over the first five years of my marriage. I was discouraged, overwhelmed and so tempted to give up.
But here I am 19 years later, feeling so thankful I didn't walk away.
Ephesians 6:12 has reminded me over the years that my husband isn't my enemy. Art may feel like my enemy, but the truth is Satan is the real enemy who hates marriage and schemes against my husband and me.
Satan's goal is always to be one who casts something between two to cause a separation.
Satan wants to separate us in every way. He wants to separate us with conflict, hurt feelings, misunderstanding, and frustrations of all kinds.
He wants to separate us from our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers, our parents, our spouses, our kids.
He wants to separate us from God's best. He wants to separate us from God's heart.
One of the strategic ways Satan starts these separations is by luring us into a place of grumbling and complaining. If he can get us to focus on what is aggravating and downright negative in life, then little cracks of distance start forming in our relationships.
The grass starts looking greener everywhere else except where we are standing.
I can see this so clearly when I look back on the first five years of my marriage. Somehow, I became so hyper focused on all I felt was wrong with my husband, I became blinded to all that was good.
I grumbled and complained and nagged and set out to change him.
And I almost destroyed my marriage in the process.
Satan had a field day as the separation between Art and I kept ever widening. We went to counseling but my heart was so hurt—so hardened, I refused to connect on any level. I was bitter, grumpy and miserable.
Then one day as I was in a fit of tears asking God to please make things better, I felt challenged to start listing out things about Art that for which I was thankful.
It was hard at first. I had bought Satan's whispers seeing only the negative and believing there was very little positive to find.
But, with each positive quality I listed, slowly my perspective changed. It was as if the clouds of negativity lifted and I could see his good qualities once again.
How sad that I spent five years thinking the grass would be greener somewhere else. Now I know the grass is always greener where you water and fertilize it. And being thankful — really intentionally listing out things for which we are thankful — is a great way to start watering and fertilizing. It changes everything.
Dear Lord, thank You for helping me see how beneficial it is to be aware and appreciative of the good qualities in those I love. Lord, help me to recognize Satan's schemes and combat them with the power of having a truly thankful heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst and Ann Voskamp invite you to join them tonight, Tuesday, September 6, 8-9pm EST for a free live webcast to prayerfully come before God, and say a wholehearted "Yes" to Him. Just one night/one hour. If you've been looking for a fresh igniting of your soul, don't miss this! For more information click here.
Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God now has a 6 week DVD teach series that is perfect for women's Bible Study groups. For more information click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Every time a negative, separating thought comes into your mind today, intentionally combat it with something for which you are thankful about that person.
Reflections:
How does it make me feel to dwell on what I wish was different about another person?
Could this devotion showing up in my inbox today be a reminder from God that there are positive things for which I can be thankful?
How does having a thankful heart change things?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV 1984)
2 Corinthians 4:15, "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 7, 2011
No Condemnation
Melissa Taylor
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Do you ever hear the whispers of condemnation telling you that you're not what you should be, that you're always disappointing someone and that you'll never change?
I do. Unfortunately, self-condemnation is a default for me and, if I let it, it can wipe out my confidence as a woman, wife and mom.
Thankfully, I'm just as familiar with God's promises as I am with Satan's lies. My heart has heard Jesus' gentle reminders of His love and goodness, like His "there is now no condemnation" promise in today's key verse.
However, although I know this truth that He speaks over me, I've learned that it's up to me to pause and respond to it. If I don't keep my ears tuned to His voice and my mind set on His thoughts, I forget His promises.
Condemning thoughts come back in and drown out the confidence I have through Christ.
One morning I was struggling with self-condemning thoughts and God guided me to these words written in my morning devotion: "Do not listen to voices of accusation for they are not from Me."
I opened my journal and responded from my heart:
Hello Lord. You know I often feel disappointed in myself and call myself names. You know my feelings have been hurt by someone's comments. Comments that cut me down and stole my confidence. Instead of feeling worthy, I feel like a loser. I hear You telling me not to listen to voices of accusation. Thank You for this reminder right when I needed it.
The devotion continued, "Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me."
Again, I reached out to Him:
Lord, You know I spoke unkind words to my friend. Thank You for gently reminding me to "pause before responding." You are so faithful to speak truth to me. Thank You for these words—a reminder of what You want from me. I needed this today, right now.
If left to defend ourselves from self-condemnation or the condemnation of others, we'd be defeated every time. Thankfully we don't have to defend ourselves. In fact, God's Word promises, "the Lord himself will fight for" us. (Exodus 14:13-14, NLT)
We have the greatest defender in God and His Word. His truths re-build confidence that condemnation breaks down.
Our part is to know God's promises, respond to His truth, and believe it! Staying saturated in His Word and taking time to listen to His voice is the only way we can overcome condemnation. Reading devotions, digging into books on our specific area of struggle, participating in Bible studies and talking to Jesus through prayer helps re-build the confidence that is ours in Christ.
As we take the time to listen to Him today, let's ask Him to remind us that He is with us, He loves us, and that it's true: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."And, that means you and me!
Dear Lord, when I forget, please remind me that I am not condemned. Help me to keep my eyes and thoughts on You. And to accept Your Word as truth so my confidence stays strong in You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Ask Jesus to build back your confidence and join thousands of women who are doing the same by taking part in Melissa Online Bible Study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope! Sign up for this study on Melissa's blog.
You can also participate in the life-changing accompanying A Confident Heart Conference Call series! Click here to sign up!
Find out more about A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
The encouragement Melissa found which she shared in today's devotion was from Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Application Steps:
When spending time with the Lord, pause and ask Him if there is something He's trying to tell you. Ask Him to help you apply His Word to your life.
Reflections:
Are there condemning thoughts about myself that I believe?
What are some of God's promises I can read, hold onto and believe to replace my accusing thoughts with His affirmations?
Power Verses:
Exodus 14:13-14, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (NLT)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 8, 2011
Just Because
Amy Carroll
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
"How are you doing?" she asked. "I heard about the death of your grandmother and have been thinking about you." My eyes widened in surprise and pleasure as I recognized my friend Melanie's voice on the phone. She's a friend I dearly love, but we live long-distance and don't stay in close touch.
I told her about my sadness, but also my joy over the fullness of my grandmother's life, and we continued to catch up on old friends, kids and church. I started to wonder when we'd get to the reason for her call. Finally, there was a pause, and she explained that she needed to go back to her work day in a minute.
I was stunned. That was it?
There was no other agenda or hidden need. Melanie had just carved out the time in her day to call and check on me.
Melanie is a young widow whose precious husband died suddenly. She is dealing with raising children alone, running a business they used to manage as a couple and all the other curve-balls life inevitably throws her way. Yet she made time in her day just to check in with me. I told her how grateful I was that she had been so intentional and kind.
That is when Melanie explained that after her husband's death, worship time at church was the time when the flood-gates of grief opened. She would often stand and cry throughout the service, pouring out her heart to God and receiving comfort from Him. And there was one woman who often sat by Melanie and silently held her hand.
One woman.
In silence.
Offering the ministry of presence.
A profound gift.
Melanie continued, describing the impact this gesture made on her. "I've learned how much sharing time means. If I can only run by and take a cake to someone who is hurting, I do it. All of life's busyness can be overwhelming, but I make time for people now. People are the most important thing."
I thought of how my friend reflects Jesus—of how Jesus made people more important than His to-do list. There were so many He stopped for. Countless faces in the crowds who made Him pause, just because.
The woman at the well.
Zacchaeus.
The woman with the issue of blood.
His disciples.
Mary at His feet.
The list could go on and on.
As I write, I think about the day's to-do list. A long list. There are lines and lines of things to do that aren't checked off yet, calling for my attention and time. They're all important, but how do I process my list through today's key verse? How do I become more like Jesus, numbering my days aright so that I might gain a heart of wisdom?
I think I'll start a fresh to-do list and take a lesson from Melanie. I'll leave room at the top of my list—room for names instead of tasks. My new first line on my checklist: "Be more like Jesus. Make people the most important thing today."
Dear Lord, I need Your help to plan my day with Your priorities. You know how task-driven I can become. Will You teach me to put people first? Sensitize my spirit to listen to Yours and to pause for people like You would. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
A Life that Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Amy's blog for a list of creative ways to reach out in love to those around you.
Application Steps:
Pray and ask God to reveal "just because" pauses that He's created for you as you go through your day.
Be ready to stop and make time to reach out. As you go on your way, pray that God will show Himself through your act of kindness.
Reflections:
When has someone reached out to me when I was hurting with no other agenda than to care for me? How did God reveal Himself to me in that act?
Have I ever reached out to someone when they were hurting with no other agenda than to care for them?
Power Verses:
I John 4:19, 21, "We love because he first loved us...And he has given us this command; Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (NIV)
John 15:12-13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 9, 2011
Retreat Required
Karen Ehman
"...He said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" Mark 6:31 (NIV 1984)
Are you an addict? I am. Sadly, my addiction is sometimes serious. And statistics indicate that many share my awful obsession. You see, I am addicted to busyness.
My habit began in high school. To escape a less-than-perfect, broken home and to numb the emotional pain I was feeling from its fallout, I stumbled upon busyness. Yep, sign me up for sports, the school newspaper, foreign language club, youth group, volunteer work and a part-time job to boot! By the time I graduated high school, I was involved in more activities than a set of triplets should be.
Unfortunately, the 'busy buzz' carried over into adulthood.
Current culture doesn't help. Society not only encourages a hectic lifestyle, it even applauds and rewards it! And what gal in her right mind doesn't want an "'atta girl" now and then?
To be an effective woman of God, however, we need to not only slow down, regularly scraping commitments off of our too-full plates, but sometimes we need to cease the frenzy altogether.
I am just coming off of a month-long Internet break and Facebook fast. No status updates, posting cute pictures or cruising the blogging super-highways for 31 days. It was both terribly hard and yet, in the end, wonderfully worth it.
During my break, I hunkered down at a 1950's retreat center. Dorm-like with its cinder block rooms, it is very inexpensive ($10 a day), and yet, set in a lovely slice of nature: hills overlooking a grape arbor, a fragrant pear and apple orchard.
Even though it is near impossible to break away from life, I come here sometimes to get alone with God; to read; ponder; write and reflect.
I walk the white pine and perennial-laced grounds in solitude. There are no blaring television sets, internet connections or ringing phones; only unfamiliar, but blessed, quiet.
It has taken me YEARS to get used to this ceasing of activity for occasional 24-48 hour periods of time each year. I fret and fuss as I am packing. "What about the kids? Oh, maybe I should just stay home. I could get caught up with so many tasks and projects. Am I being selfish by going away alone?"
But Christ beckons me, and He beckons you. It is the theme of today's key verse: "Come with me by yourselves...."
Alone. By yourself and for yourself. It is for our own good.
And, most of all, it is necessary. When we retreat we can best hear from God who often prefers not to scream over the sounds of our busy lives, but instead gently whispers to us in the quiet alone.
We can't always afford the time and money to physically leave our home. However, occasionally we can intentionally unplug. We can focus our hearts and center our minds on the Word and His words to us for a good chunk of a day.
Perhaps you could even find a friend who wants to do the same. Maybe trade off watching each other's kids. Or even trade homes. (You'll be less distracted at your friend's and most likely won't feel the urge to fold her laundry or mop her floor!)
Yes, in the Christian life retreat is required. Even Jesus Himself had regular times of rest and withdrawal. He leads by His example. Why not consider today a time, very soon, that you too will cease, retreat and refuel. You won't regret it.
Dear Lord, forgive me for ignoring Your command to come away with You for a while. Please arrange my circumstances so that I might spend uninterrupted time with You. May I drink deep of Your lavish love and receive the calm and comfort I crave that only comes from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For Five Simple Mini-Retreat Tips and a chance to win a quiet time basket or a free night's stay at a quaint Michigan Bed & Breakfast, visit Karen's blog.
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Rest Assured: Devotions for Souls in a Restless World by Nancy McGuirk
Application Steps:
Put pen to paper and craft a pie chart of your life. What percent of the time do you spend each month on these various activities: working-away or at home; sleeping; eating; caring for kids; homemaking; church; outside activities; hobbies; Internet or television; etc...?
Evaluate how much time you spend alone with God. Not "going to church and church activities," but rather you and God alone? Now take a look at the chart in front of you. How would you like to see it change?
Reflections:
When was the last time I slowed down, cleared my calendar for at least an afternoon and connected with Jesus all alone?
What was the result? Why don't I do it more often?
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." (Amplified Bible)
Psalm 131:1-2, "O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me." (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 12, 2011
Into Her Pain
Samantha Reed, Executive Assistant
"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him." Luke 10:33 (MSG)
We inhaled the muggy evening shrouding the back porch, too warm to even rock in our chairs. Not a slight breeze of mercy murmured. The quiet moment urged me to be still. Listen. Administer mercy.
Knees kissed her chin, her eyes pleaded, "I need someone to crawl in my pit with me. Someone to help me out of the pain."
A lump in my throat responded to her grief. Circumstances had beaten her down; left her half-dead on the side of life's road. Uncomfortable empathy warned, press the escape hatch quick, before awkward mercy takes over. Obvious quick fixes lunged at me:
Time heals all wounds.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
God's timing is perfect.
To everything there is a season.
But when he saw the man lying there,
he crossed to the other side of the road
and passed him by. (Luke 10:31b NLT)
I wouldn't disrespect her loss with a walk-by. Wouldn't slap thoughtless words into her pit as I stepped over her pain. A word aptly withheld is often better than a word care-lessly tossed. Be still. Listen. Administer mercy.
A Samaritan traveling the road came on him.
When he saw the man's condition,
his heart went out to him. (vs. 33 MSG)
I try not to deal in slick mercy if possible. You see, slick things don't stick. Instead I plastered a cast of mercy on her broken heart. Comfort doesn't come in clichés. It is delivered in a still presence, a listening ear, a merciful hand. Comfort ushers in healing when the truth of the Word is coupled with merciful deeds. Into the pit we're called. Into silence we wade. Be still. Listen. Administer mercy.
He gave him first aid,
disinfecting and bandaging his wounds.
Then he lifted him onto his donkey,
led him to an inn,
and made him comfortable. (vs. 34 MSG)
The Good Samaritan did more than throw a nickel, blanket or splash of water. He leaned into, learned of the need, loved the broken with what resources he had. He was the first in a line of others who attended to the man, aided him in getting up and getting well. The Good Samaritan stopped, stooped and secured additional help.
That humid night with my friend, her journey of healing began. I didn't have much, but a meager offering from a willing heart: it is capable of great things. My arm lingered still, touching hers—a reminder life begets life. I listened to her hope levels, refilling when low. Administered merciful possibilities of trusting again, believing once more. Others counseled, covered in prayer, spoke truths. We tucked arms under my friend, lifted her up and out. Onward to healing.
In the morning he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper, saying,
'Take good care of him. If it costs any more,
put it on my bill—
I'll pay you on my way back.' (vs. 35 MSG)
Years later, my heart cracked open, pieces clattered out like marbles from a jar. Flailing about, I slipped headlong into my pain.
My friend crossed the road to me, leaving convenient clichés of "chin up" and "better to have loved and lost" on the other side. Toward my pain she leaned; still, listening, administering mercy. One temperate morning on the same back porch, the breeze stirred slightly. The only thing between us, two mugs of coffee.
"You'll be whole again, you'll heal. Once more you'll believe He's always been good; has plans, a future; never left you."
With a wink my friend glimmered, "Someone once told me that and she was right. I believe again; I trust." Mercy nodded at her and together, they wrapped their arms on either side of me. Ascending out of my pain. Time to leave; time to heal.
"Now which of these three would you say
was a neighbor to the man who was
attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.
The man replied, "The one who
showed him mercy."
Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go
and do the same."(vv. 36-37 NLT)
Dear Lord, thank You for Your healing mercy. Thank You for sharing in my pain when You died on the cross. Please give me eyes to see those hurting around me, and teach me to be still, to listen, and to administer mercy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need a friend to walk you out of your pit? Then you won't want to miss Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. Click here to sign up and click hereto purchase your book!
Also consider the Four-Part Conference Call Series that accompanies this Bible study. Click here to join Melissa, Renee, and other encouraging guests!
Click here to download the first chapter of A Confident Heart for free.
Hop on over to Samantha's blog for more encouragement and enter to win a book or conference call.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Pray and ask the Lord if there is someone in your life He is calling you to help out of their pain. With whom can you be still, listen, administer mercy?
Ask for words and deeds of mercy to show that person, rather than a quick pat on the back or cliché.
Reflections:
Are there pits in which I've stayed, not allowing in truth, help or healing? What do I fear will happen if I am still, if I listen and if I accept mercy administered by others?
Power Verses:
Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (ESV)
Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (ESV)
1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (NLT)
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 13, 2011
I Would Have Made a Great Pharisee
Glynnis Whitwer
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." Matthew 23:25 (NIV)
Give me a list of rules to follow and I'm happy. I can follow rules like nobody's business. My left-brain dominated thinking likes order and routine, blanketed with no surprises. There's some comfort, I guess, in being able to assess my performance according to a set standard. If I'm obeying the rules, I must be doing okay. Right?
There's one big problem with that line of thinking. It tends to redirect my focus from what really matters: the condition of my heart. Jesus identified this problem with a group of religious people back in the day called the Pharisees, and it didn't make Him happy. In fact, He reserved His harshest comments for those people whose insides didn't look anything like their outsides.
I wonder if the Pharisees were well-intentioned. Did they really want to serve God and thought they were by following the rules? Or was it more of a power play to gain respect? Either way, Jesus split open their pretty packaging and revealed the ugliness of their hearts. Just like He does with me.
It seems God continually brings me to the end of my endurance, both emotionally and physically, to reveal the truth about my heart. What's revealed in those moments of pressure is usually something that needs addressing, like selfishness, insecurity, jealousy or bitterness. Getting split apart isn't pleasant. In fact, it's often painful and embarrassing. Yet, it's required if I want to become a true follower of Christ.
The reality is I would have made a great Pharisee. But the truth is I'd rather be a great disciple. I'd rather be sitting at the feet of Jesus than teaching in the temple. I'd rather share a simple meal of bread with Jesus than a fancy feast elsewhere. And if that requires the ugliness in my heart gets spilled out, then so be it.
Because at the end of the day, I'd much rather hang out with Jesus who loves me in spite of all that junk. The other option is pretending it isn't there, but that's not fooling anyone. So, I'll welcome God's holy intrusion in my life, submit my need to rank my performance and spend more time attending to my heart. That's what really matters.
Dear Lord, You are holy and righteous, and yet You love me just as I am. Thank You for calling me to a higher level of obedience, one that requires I submit my heart and my life. I long to follow You more than anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
I Used to Be So Organized: Help for Reclaiming Order and Peace by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog — Welcome Home...Where Your Heart Longs to be
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify an area of your life where following the "rules" has taken priority over having a right heart. Submit that area of your life to God in prayer and ask Him to reveal anything in your heart that needs addressing.
Reflections:
How does a strict adherence to rule-following hinder us at times from obeying all of God's commands?
Read the key verse at the top of the devotion. Why is hypocrisy such a dangerous condition in our lives?
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
Matthew 23:23, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 14, 2011
My Thoughts vs. God's Word
Melissa Taylor
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 (NKJV)
Do you ever question if you are good enough? Are you more likely to dwell on what's wrong with you than what's right with you?
One day I realized I was scrutinizing myself to find out what my problem was. The more I picked myself apart, the more it dawned on me another voice was egging me on; the voice of the enemy, Satan. As I listened to his lies, my sense or worth and security were zapped.
For a long time I didn't even recognize him for who he was. The negative thoughts and deceitful suggestions simply sounded like my own voice.
The Bible opens with a serpent slithering into the lives of Adam and Eve. He filled their heads with lies they believed which separated them from God. Jesus, too, was tempted by this liar. He was ready though, with the Word of God, to defeat the evil one.
We too can have this weapon in our arsenal. As we fill our hearts and minds with Truth, we can defeat the lies we tell ourselves and the lies Satan whispers to our hearts.
When I compare my negative thoughts to God's Word, the differences amaze me:
My thoughts: I want to give up.
God's Word: Be committed. Matthew 5:33-37
My thoughts: I'll feel lost.
God's Word: He watches my paths and establishes my ways. Proverbs 5:21, 4:26
My thoughts: No one loves me.
God's Word: He loves me more than life. John 3:16
My thoughts: I'm ugly.
God's Word: I'm wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
My thoughts: I'm all alone and no one understands me.
God's Word: He will never leave me. He has plans for my life. Deuteronomy 31:6, Jeremiah 29:11
My thoughts: I'm just not good enough.
God's Word: I was created in His image. Genesis 1:26
Are you ready to replace lies with God's truth, so when the enemy tries to slither back in with false accusations, you'll be ready to combat him with what God's Word says about you?
To get started, evaluate your thoughts and pray for wisdom to distinguish the voice of the enemy. Condemning thoughts that steal your confidence of who you are in Christ aren't from God. Let's commit today to renew our mind with the Word of God each day, and replace those worn-out, deceitful lies with Truth.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your life-giving truth. Please fill me with Your Word so that I can live in freedom and confidence! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Dive into God's Word with Melissa's Online Bible study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. Click here to be a part of this powerful study and community!
You won't want to miss the dynamic A Confident Heart Conference Call Series either! To purchase the series click here.
What others are saying about A Confident Heart:
• This book pierced my heart, as no other reading, hearing, or experience has.
• This is so what I need! I love how you remind us to pray God's Word. His truth is only what makes a difference with toxic thoughts.
• I felt like you were writing about me. I find myself not doing things that would bring joy because of not being good enough. This book describes how I have felt all my life.
We invite you to join thousands of others participating in Melissa's Online Bible Study! Visit her blog to sign up and also enter to win a free Conference Call Series for you and a friend!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read the verses in this devotion and write down what God's Word says.
Reflections:
Are my thoughts reflective of who God's Word says I am?
If not, what are one or two I will begin to change by memorizing some of the verses above?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (1984 NIV)
Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2011 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 15, 2011
When God Hurts Your Feelings
Lysa TerKeurst
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV 1984)
Has God ever hurt your feelings? I'll be honest, sometimes I'll read those verses from Philippians listed above and think to myself, "This is a tough pill to swallow."
Content in any and every situation?
Really?
Several years ago my daughter was a state champion gymnast. To see her do gymnastics was like looking at God smile. She was beautiful, graceful, and captivating to watch.
One night while practicing for one of the largest tournaments she'd ever compete in, she fell. It was a move she'd done hundreds of times with the greatest of ease. But this time something went terribly wrong and that one mistake ended her gymnastic dreams.
We spent a year going from doctor to doctor only to be told she'd never be able to support the weight of her body on her injured shoulder again.
I'll be honest, this was heart wrenching. Watching a 14 year old girl wrestle with the fact her dreams were stripped from her doesn't exactly lend itself to feelings of contentment. Now, I know in the grand scheme of life, people face much worse situations. But in her world, this was huge.
It was so tempting to wallow in the "why" questions and tell God He'd hurt our feelings.
Why did this happen?
Why didn't You stop this God?
Why weren't my prayers answered?
Have you ever been there? Have you ever had a big situation in your life where you just couldn't process why God would allow this to happen? Or maybe even a small annoyance like losing your keys or having a flat tire on a morning you really needed to be somewhere.
It's so tempting to wallow in the why.
Asking why is perfectly normal. Asking why isn't unspiritual. However, if asking why pushes us farther from God rather than drawing us closer to Him, it is the wrong question.
If asking why doesn't offer hope, what will?
The what question.
In other words: "Now that this is my reality, what am I supposed to do with it?"
Philippians 4:8, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
I like to call this verse "directions on where to park my mind."
And that's exactly what Ashley has had to do with her dashed gymnastics dreams. Instead of wallowing in why did this happen, I've had to help her say:
This is my reality, now what am I going to do with it?
What can I learn from this?
What part of this is for my protection?
What other opportunities could God be providing?
What maturity could God be building into me?
Switching from the why to the what question paves the road to parking our mind in a much better place.
Is it always easy? Nope.
But is it a way to find a perspective beyond situations where we feel God has allowed something in our lives we don't understand and we absolutely don't like? Yes.
I pray this helps you today. You can also download a free resource on how to change your why questions into what questions. Just go to my blog, www.LysaTerKeurst.com and click on the button "When God Hurts Your Feelings."
Dear Lord, I want to process everything I face in life through the filter of Your love. I know You love me. But sometimes it's just hard to understand the circumstances that come my way. I find myself consumed with trying to figure things out rather than looking for Your perspective and trusting You. Thank You for this new way to look at things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog to get your free resource mentioned above and to post your prayer request for whatever situation you are facing today. She considers it a great honor to pray for you.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book contains chapters that will help you better process tough times when God hurts your feelings.
Also, consider doing this study in a group setting by ordering Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set - Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99 and a free Leader's Guide!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Mentally walk yourself through parking your mind in a better place by remembering an event that happened this week and looking for God's protection, provision and process of maturing you.
Reflections:
Am I afraid to have honest conversations with God about how I really feel about some of my circumstances?
How might it be helpful to really talk to God about things that hurt me?
Why is it helpful to ask what now, instead of wallowing in the why questions?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:8-9, "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 16, 2011
Your Thoughts Have Wheels
Tracie Miles
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7a (KJV)
The day started off just fine, but ended with confusion and tears. As a timid middle-schooler, I climbed the steps of my school bus eager to get home after a long afternoon.
Sitting quietly in my seat, all of a sudden I got this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Although my surroundings appeared to be the same, something was not right.
The bus was the normal sunshine yellow. The seats were standard black vinyl, displaying rips and tears from years of students. The floor was littered with the usual misplaced pencils, erasers and wadded-up papers. Yet, I felt out of place.
That's when I realized I did not know any of the kids sitting around me. And I had never seen the bus driver before. Frantically, I searched for anything familiar. My cheeks grew hot and my heart raced with panic as I realized I was on the wrong bus.
Although I WAS headed somewhere, it was NOT where I wanted to go.
I'd been distracted by conversations with friends, thoughts of sleepovers, and how much homework I had. My thoughts were not focused on where I was going. The actions that followed caused me to end up somewhere I did not want to be.
Thinking back on that day, I've considered how our thoughts determine a lot about the direction of our lives. Like my school bus, our thoughts will always take us somewhere, but it may not be somewhere we want to end up.
If we spend time thinking about how our boss does not appreciate us, our thoughts will take us straight to a bad attitude at work and possibly poor performance.
If we focus on how much we do for others and how little we feel appreciated, our thoughts will take us to a place of resentment, with lack of patience and love.
If we spend an entire day fuming over something our husband or kids did, and mentally practice the harsh words we plan to say to them, those thoughts will lead us into a place of arguments, hurt feelings and damaged relationships.
If we dwell on why God has allowed certain problems in our lives, we will transport ourselves into a state of insecurity and unhappiness as we stop trusting God.
If we focus our thoughts on money, career, success and pleasure, we will find ourselves in the land of the lost—feeling frustrated and discontent.
Our thoughts are powerful and require great self control. If we allow them to run rampant, focusing on things that lead us away from God, then we will wind up at a destination we would never deliberately choose.
In today's key verse, God shows us why we should choose carefully what we think about, because our thoughts determine who we are and how we live.
My childhood memory reminds me to consistently ask God to help me keep my mind on Him and on the thoughts He has for me. That way I can live according to His plans and with His perspective, seeking to be acutely aware of where my thoughts may lead me.
Our thoughts really do have wheels. Where are your thoughts taking you today?
Dear Lord, please help me take my thoughts captive, and focus on things that are pleasing to You. Please give me the desire to honor You and abide by Your Word in any area of my thoughts I am struggling to do so. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Visit Tracie's website for "5 Ways to Direct Your Thoughts in the Right Direction." Also, enter to win a journal as well as a signed copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Make a list of all the negative or sinful thoughts you may have had lately. Ask God to help cleanse you of those emotions and start anew, with a fresh attitude and a positive, Godly perspective.
Reflections:
Have I been guarding and guiding my thoughts, or have my thoughts been leading me to a place I don't want to go?
Is there anything I need to remove from my thought life?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
Romans 12:2a, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:23-24, "Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (NLT)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 19, 2011
The First Desperate Housewife
Micca Monda Campbell
"And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, 'Lie with me.'" Genesis 39:7 (KJV)
I admit it. I used to be a soap opera fan when I was a teenager. Lured by the romance and drama, I assumed real life as an adult would play out in the same fashion. Boy was I wrong! While there's plenty of drama in my life, romance is something that has to be scheduled most of the time.
Real life isn't like what we see on TV or read about in romance novels. In fact, these images can be dangerous to both single and married people alike. When our ideas about life leave us dissatisfied, we can easily be tempted to look at other options. Soap operas, pornography and romance novels encourage risky behavior that can lead to sin.
Often married people convince themselves that just looking or dreaming about being with someone other than their spouse is okay as long as they don't actually do anything about it. Likewise, some single people feel that they can lust after another as long as they remain "physically pure." Jesus said, "'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'" (Matthew 5:28, NIV) That goes for us gals, too.
I imagine Potiphar's wife, referenced in today's key verse, could be described as the "first desperate housewife." She didn't have TV to watch or a romance novel to read. She had something in real life to fill her eyes and mind: Joseph. He was the head workman in charge who conveniently lived in her home and was pleasing to her sight. Unknown to Joseph, he was about to become the prey of a desperate housewife.
This Egyptian woman didn't happen to just notice Joseph one day and then on the spur of the moment, ask Joseph to lie down with her. No. Our key verse tells us she "cast her eyes upon Joseph." In other words, she watched him with her eyes which led to sinful thoughts which gave way to action. With the lust in her heart, she was daring and shameless in her sin.
How do we keep from falling into such sin? Perhaps we should follow Job's example. "'I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl [or boy]'" (Job 31:1, NIV 1984). We too have a great need and responsibility to make a covenant with our eyes to not look at others with lust. Remember that children's song often sang in Sunday school, "Be careful little eyes what you see? Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see."
We can protect our eyes by choosing not to watch movies, pornography or TV shows that glamorize sexuality and lead us into temptation. If we're married, we can ask our husband to make a covenant with us and pray for each other asking God to protect us from looking at others. And it'd be good to remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side. I guarantee that guy doesn't clip his toe nails regularly either.
I realize we are human and make mistakes. No one is perfect this side of heaven. That's why it's so important to be watchful. Another way to safe guard ourselves is to commit to taking hold of any lustful thoughts and quickly cast them out of our minds. Temptation is not a sin. It's when we dwell on the temptation that we are led to sinful actions. Let's not be like Potiphar's wife. Instead, let's ask God to give us pure "eyes" set on Him and if we're married, set on the spouse we have.
Dear Lord, forgive me for where I have fallen short. I commit to You today to take every lustful thought captive so that it doesn't lead me into sin. May all my thoughts be pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learn more of God's truths in Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart
Micca would love to pray for you. Please visit Micca's blog to leave your prayer request. She's also giving away a copy of her message on CD, Cultivating a Heart of Contentment.
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you are having trouble in this area, find a trustworthy accountability partner who you can share honestly with about your struggles. Agree to hold each other accountable to God's truths and to pray for one another. When these thoughts enter your mind, turn to God's Word, prayer and your accountability partner.
Reflections:
In what ways can I protect my eyes from lustful images?
Practice thinking on what is true, right and pure.
Am I addicted to soap operas or romance novels? If so, what steps will I take today to move away from this stronghold in my life?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 20, 2011
Back to Fishing
Marybeth Whalen
"'I'm going out to fish,' Simon Peter told them, and they said, 'We'll go with you.' So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing." John 21:3 (NIV)
Have you ever found yourself in a place where all your hopes and dreams have fallen apart? What did you do?
Jesus' disciple Peter had betrayed his Lord, and watched Him die. Now Jesus was gone. So what did he do? In John 21, we see Peter going back to what he was doing before he met Him. I sometimes wonder what he must've been thinking as he sat aboard the fishing boat and scanned the horizon.
Did he wonder if it was all just a dream? Did he worry about the future? He had been at a spiritual pinnacle—walking with Jesus, hearing from Jesus, planning for a future that included Jesus. But in the blink of an eye, he and his comrades were back to their old pursuits as though nothing had happened at all.
God was still at work, but during this time He let Peter and the other disciples go back to fishing. He let them have those days of wondering and worrying. He allowed them to scan the horizon looking for Him—and find nothing. For a time He allowed them to feel alone and even forsaken.
When we feel that way, we tend to go back to what we knew before. We might go back to old habits or old friends who weren't necessarily the best for us. We might go back to old pursuits or old crutches that once propped us up. We might be like Peter and find ourselves sitting in a place we never thought we'd see again.
And yet, this time, something is different. This time there is that glimmer of hope that—while we might have gone back—we don't have to stay back.
I love that this story ends with Jesus on the beach waiting for Peter and his friends to stop fishing and come to Him. And, when Peter saw Jesus, he jumped out of the boat to get to Him.
Perhaps you've walked away from your own dreams and returned to what is familiar. Maybe disappointment or failure has left you wondering where God is. I hope you will cling to this story today. I hope that as you scan your horizon, you will see God waiting for you to return to Him. And when you do, you will run towards Him as fast as you can.
He may have let you go through an alone time. He may have allowed you to wonder if He was still there. But in that time, I pray that the flicker of hope did not die out for you. You may have gone back to "fishing," but He doesn't want you to stay there. He's got so much more for you to do. He is still at work. His plans involve going forward, not going back.
Dear Lord, I have felt alone and forgotten. I have wondered if any of my spiritual experiences were real. I've gone back to what's familiar because it was all I knew to do. But I know You don't want to leave me there. I want to see You when I scan the horizon. And when I do, help me to have the courage to run toward You as fast as I can. I trust that You still have a plan for me. And that plan involves going forward, not going back. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen
Visit Marybeth's blog or click here for more resources from Marybeth.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read John 21 today and write down some of the verses that speak to you directly. Spend some time journaling what this passage has made you think about.
Reflections:
Am I in the boat like Peter was? Am I looking for Jesus to appear? Will I be ready to swim for Him when He does?
Power Verses:
John 21:4, "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." (NIV)
Luke 5:11, "So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 21, 2011
Finding Hope for My Future Despite the Pain of My Past
Renee Swope
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"God works all things together for good."
"You were created for a purpose"
"God has a plan for your life."
What do you feel when you read these promises? Do you believe them, or do you sometimes question if they're true for you?
I've doubted, and I've believed.
Soon after I surrendered my life to Christ, I started struggling with painful things from my past that made me doubt God's promises. I wondered: If God loves me, why has He allowed so much pain in my life?
If He loved me, why did God allow my family to be broken by adultery and divorce, shattered by confusion and chaos, shaken by alcohol and drug addictions and so much more? And why didn't He stop me from the pain I brought on myself, or keep me from the darkness of depression?
One afternoon I got the courage to tell my friend Wanda about my doubts and questions. I remember how she didn't give me a pat answer, but looked at me with understanding in her eyes and told me she was sorry. Then she told me her story, which included many disappointments and heartbreaks. Yet, I didn't sense doubt or pain in her words. Instead, I sensed confidence and hope.
Turning the pages of her Bible to Jeremiah 29, Wanda read today's key verse as a promise to me: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (v. 11)
She then told me God wanted to heal the pain of my past and use what I'd experienced to pave the way to His plans for my future. But I didn't want God to use my pain or my past. How would any of it do anything good for anyone, especially me?
Have you ever felt that way or asked: "If God loves me, then why...?"
These are the kind of questions that can linger in our hearts when we've been wounded and disappointed. And hurts that aren't healed can lead to bitterness and bondage. Yet, in the security of a relationship with Jesus, God invites us to ask hard questions and look for answers that usher us into the depths of His redeeming love and healing power.
Can I whisper some hope into your heart today? If you are living and breathing, your purpose has not yet been fulfilled. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God does have a plan for your life.
So, how can you discover those plans? Let's read the premise that follows the promise in Jeremiah 29. After God declares He knows the plans He has for us, He says, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (v.12-13)
We find God's plans when we surrender ours to Him each day. It's a moment by moment process of coming to Him, talking to Him, believing He listens and letting Him love us into a place of hope and healing.
God's love is not a quick-fix for our wounds, but it has the power to redeem and restore us into confident hope. When we allow the Holy Spirit poured out like Living water to go deep into our pain, He can heal our hearts from the inside out.
As we process the pain of our yesterdays and live through the disappointments of our todays, doubts may still creep up, threatening to steal our hope. But each time that happens, we can stop and seek God in that place. We can ask Him to show us His purpose by revealing what is true about who we are and what we have been through to make us start doubting.
Then we can ask Him to help us re-define our future, not through the filter of our past and pain, but through the power of His life-giving truth. And do you know what happens when we do that moment by moment, day by day, doubt by doubt? God tells us in Jeremiah 29:14, "I will be found by you...and will bring you back from captivity."
We find Him again and again. We find the One who longs to lead us out of captivity to our doubts into a place of freedom and hope. I know this is true because I have walked it, wrestled with it, resisted it and finally surrendered to it.
God's love is not only unfailing, it redeems and restores. His Truth cuts to the core of our struggles, bringing purpose to our pain, redemption from our past and hope for our future!
Lord, heal my hurts and give me hope as I learn to trust the plans You have for me. I'm coming to You and seeking You with all my heart today. Please set me free from my doubts and lead me into a place of confident hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Have a Relationship with Jesus?
This devotion is from Chapter 4 of Renee's book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Visit Renee's blog to learn a powerful way to process your pain with Jesus so you can fully experience His healing and hope! And enter to win A Confident Heart book and conference call. Find out more here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost.
Application Steps:
Has the pain of your past ever made it hard for you to believe God's promises and plans for your future? What do you sense He wants to change in your perspective?
Reflections:
God's love is not a quick-fix for our wounds, but it has the power to redeem and restore us into confident hope.
Power Verses:
Psalm 71:5, "For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 22, 2011
Is God Looking for You?
T. Suzanne Eller
"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one." Ezekiel 22:30 (NLT)
I loved her dearly. I prayed for her often, but I reasoned with myself as I kept silent. I didn't have all the facts. It wasn't my place. I didn't want her to think that I was judging her.
She was falling into sin while pushing aside the consequences for her and her loved ones. For a long time it was secret, but now it was not. Still I said nothing.
If a car sped through a red light, I would have warned her. But sin recklessly careened through her choices, and I didn't even wave a red flag. Until one day God stopped me in my prayers with today's key verse from Ezekiel 22:30: "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in th wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one." (NLT)
Are You looking for me, God? I wondered. Is she so heavy on Your heart that You are searching for someone to stand in the gap?
My conversation with her wasn't easy. But, it was bathed in prayer. Cloaked in words of love. And truth, sweet truth between two women.
I let her know that I loved her, and so did Jesus. In fact, He loved her so much that He had placed her on my heart for months. I told her my silence was not proof of my love, but evidence of my fears. I wanted her to know she mattered more than my fear of rejection or misunderstanding.
How many times do we watch a friend, a child, a loved one walk in the opposite direction of God and say nothing? How often do we fail to pray?
When God called Ezekiel to rebuild the wall of righteousness and stand in the gap, it was not an easy job. Ezekiel was called to speak the truth to the Israelites. God didn't promise that they would listen. Or that they would change their ways. Ezekiel was to tell them that God watched them, like a Father watches an errant child. He hated their sin but longed to lead them in a new direction, one marked with intention rather than indulgence.
My friend received my words well, and now it is up to her and God. I have promised to always be truthful with her, and in doing so, encourage, love and pray with her.
Is there someone you love, someone close to you, who has fallen into the trap of sin? Is God asking you to share the truth? Is God looking for you to stand in the gap?
Dear Father, You love this person even more than I do. You have a purpose for her life. Give me the words to say. In truth. But also in love. Help me to stand in the gap today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a PDF file on how to speak the truth in love.
The Woman I Am Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Faith, Identity, and Destiny by T. Suzanne Eller
Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace that Saves Them by Tammy Maltby
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you feel God leading you to speak to a loved one:
• Pray. Ask for wisdom.
• Don't accuse, but speak the truth.
• Don't lecture, but encourage.
• Don't argue, but listen.
• Don't fail to remind them of God's love and mercy.
Reflections:
"Geography has little to do with the difference you make. What matters is that you are making the best use of your life by loving the people in it. This is the difference that endures." Dr. Leslie Parrot, You Matter More Than You Think (Zondervan)
Power Verses:
Isaiah 59:16, "He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him." (NLT)
Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take you your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 23, 2011
I Can't Please Everyone
Glynnis Whitwer
"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
I started texting four years ago when we hired Kortney, a 21-year-old, to help with our business. On the way to work one day, she texted me and asked if I wanted a coffee. I received her text, but labored to respond. Before I could finish typing my answer, she texted me a second and then a third time.
Finally I just gave up and called her. "Kortney," I said. "If you would stop texting me I could respond!" We laughed about it for weeks. Actually, I think she was laughing at me, but I enjoyed it too.
In our current culture, people expect us to respond to their requests with increasing speed and efficiency. Whether it's a call, text, email, instant message, or Facebook comment, there's an understanding ... no, an expectation ... that we will respond.
I'll admit I fall into this as well. It appeals to my need to be needed. Someone wants my opinion or my help. At the very least, they want to connect with me. If they are willing to share their lives with me, my desire is to respond. Promptly. With creativity. And a bit of humor, if you please. But honestly, it's exhausting.
Dealing with the expectations of others is especially hard for us as women. It's impossible to meet everyone's needs. There are no firm lines between our private and public lives, and it's turning some of us into people-pleasing maniacs. Sadly, this is self-sabotaging behavior.
Jesus identified a similar people-pleasing tendency in His disciples. They were torn between obligations to others and obedience to Him. They wanted to follow Jesus, but on their terms. Jesus challenged this line of thinking, and called them to a new level of obedience, one that forced them to choose what was most important. Here are some examples:
• "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'" (Matthew 16:24-25, NIV)
• "Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:61-62, NIV)
When the demands of others threatened their immediate obedience, Jesus called them back to Himself. He challenged them with the same unspoken question He asks us: Who are you going to please first?
Without settling our hearts on the answer to this question, we end up with an over-whelmed and over-committed life. Our lives operate like a bumper car, crazily racing in one direction, only to crash into an obstacle and wildly turn another direction.
My life has felt that way at times. But my heart gained clarity and direction when I declared Jesus Christ to be my leader. Now, please know that even though I believed those words in my heart and spoke them with my mouth, it took years to bring every area of my life into alignment. It is still a process, and at times I have to check my reality against my intent.
Declaring Jesus as our leader breaks our bondage to the approval of others, and helps clarify our motives. Plus, it reduces stress as we accept the fact that we can't please everyone, and God never expects us to try.
Dear Lord, You alone are worthy of following. Please forgive the times I've chosen to follow others before You. I long to be a woman with an undivided heart. Help me overcome bondage to the approval of others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement on the topic of people-pleasing and a giveaway of her book, I Used to Be So Organized
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
To bring some simplicity and sanity back into our minds, schedules and homes, we must address the root of the problem. It may take some time to think this through, but start by answering these questions:
1) Who is the master in your life?
2) Who is defining your priorities?
Reflections:
What are some of the negative side effects of people-pleasing? How does it impact my family, church service and work?
Women struggle with people-pleasing tendencies for many reasons. If I struggle with this, can I identify some of my reasons?
Power Verses:
James 4:4, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (NIV)
Matthew 6:1, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 26, 2011
The Valve
Luann Prater
"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." James 3:5 (NIV)
My husband needed some diesel fuel for the tractor so he asked me to pick up some on the way home. He had put the gas can in a box in the back of his truck. Now, I'm 5'2", so things that taller-than-me folks can do become a bit more of an issue for this vertically challenged gal. I pumped the gas into the can then tried to lift it, not only up to the bed of the truck, but over the top edge of the box. It was then I discovered the little valve cover was open.
At least a cup's worth of gas escaped through that tiny opening and strategically ran from the top of my t-shirt to the top of my pants. When I got home I scrubbed and scrubbed in the shower hoping to get rid of the smell, but the stench of gas remained in my nostrils.
My lips are like that little valve. It is such a small opening, yet the fuel that escapes can be unpleasant, caustic and even deadly. Loose lips have snapped at my family. Harsh tones have left friends feeling poisoned. Careless words have killed the spirit of a vulnerable child.
The book of James tells us that our tongue is like a restless evil full of deadly poison. Ouch! My husband didn't want me to spill that gas; we wanted to use it for good. God doesn't want our tongues to open unless they are going to encourage and spur one another on.
Several years ago I made a very small, but very life-changing decision. When a hurtful thought comes into my head, I tighten my lips and force a pause button to appear in my brain. When I allow myself to have just a second to think about the potential hazard that could come from 'speaking my mind' it gives the Holy Spirit time to check my heart and motives. In that pause moment I say, "Lord, take control of this tongue." And He does.
Do I get it right every time? No. But I can see fewer wrecks in my life, fewer wounds, fewer poison-tipped darts flying out of this mouth. And I no longer reek of gasoline I added to the fire.
Want to join me? Pause. Seal up the valve and allow the Holy Spirit to work for good through the words you speak.
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that our tongue can rip a heart apart, or seal it back together. Teach us to pause long enough to give Your Spirit time to work in and through us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Chat more with Luann on her blog or hear her on Encouragement Café every Saturday!
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue: What You Say (and Don't Say) Will Improve Your Relationships and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
For more daily encouragement, follow us on Facebook!
Application Steps:
Before anything negative slips past your lips today, hit the pause button. Pray that the Holy Spirit take control. Ask God to make you a peacemaker.
Reflections:
Why do I say things I regret later?
When will I surrender my tongue to Jesus?
How can I allow my words to encourage instead of destroy?
Power Verses:
James 3:17, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (NIV)
Proverbs 27:15, "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day." (NIV)
© 2011 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 27, 2011
Why It's Not Meaningless
Rachel Olsen
"A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?" Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV)
Is your work always fulfilling? Are your days endlessly satisfying?
I can almost hear you saying, "Um, no—not even close." Mine either.
I teach college students. I love learning and sharing what I've learned. I adore the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. I enjoy the honor and challenge of shaping the next generation.
What I don't much like are the hours of grading, or the occasional unmotivated student that make my best efforts feel wasted. My job has its perks, and its downsides. I'm sure yours does as well.
There's a prevailing notion in our culture that if we could just find the perfect job-our dream job-we'd have day after day of blissful purpose. But even the noblest task, the most glamorous profession, or the most acclaimed work has its frustrations.
King Solomon realized this and resented it. He grew to loathe life when his meals, his money and his work didn't prove endlessly satisfying (Ecc. 2:18). He was wise to realize no carnal, earthly or material thing will ever fully satiate us. No dinner party, employee-of-the month award, new home, relationship, merit raise, coffee drink or end-of-season clearance sale.
Solomon looked at life's inability to truly satisfy, and the fact that one day he'd be gone and his work may not be remembered, and decided all was vanity—all is meaningless here under the sun apart from God.
I found his book of Ecclesiastes perplexing with its "everything is meaningless" refrain. In it Solomon seemed to call everything life has to offer pointless. Something in my own spirit understood what he meant, yet also rebelled against the idea that life's pleasures and accomplishments are all for naught.
So I spent a year reading Ecclesiastes, seeking God's insight on this. I wanted to know how to approach work and leisure, how to view frustration and pleasure.
My driving goal became to craft a meaningful life that is pleasing to both me and God. I took cooking classes and learned to make delicious meals—I even learned to enjoy the effort involved in making them. I read novels as well as the Bible on my back patio. I invested myself anew in my teaching. I grew better at glorying in life's little pleasures, and letting them fortify me against discontent, depression, or worse, sin.
That year I discovered a divine secret. Today's key verse shows Solomon saw it too. The moments of enjoyment found in our work, our laughter, or even our daily food are sheer gifts from God.
Gifts to relish. Gifts that remind me—in a world often dark, cold and disappointing—that God is good.
These gifts don't offer continuous bliss—they punctuate days of toil and tears. They give me a taste of an afterlife that will exceed the earthly pleasures of a good meal, a tulip in bloom or a job well done.
These gifts satiate me over and over with—here's the key—gratitude to God. They not only gratify me when I enjoy them but they point me to a loving Creator who holds pleasures evermore in His right hand (Psalm 16:11).
That realization makes me enjoy the gift and the moment even more.
I find this gratitude deeply satisfying—it's pleasing to both me and God. So I eat, and drink, and take satisfaction in my work, for without Him there would be no enjoyment. And in them I can honor God with my pleasure.
Dear Lord, thank You for each and every source of enjoyment You provide in this life. Lord, every good and perfect gift comes down from Your hand, and I am grateful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. Inside the pages you'll learn twelve more divine secrets.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Do something today that gives you satisfaction. Then give God thanks.
Take pleasure in your work, no matter how mundane or demanding it is. Give thanks to God for the ability to work and to rest.
At your next meal, chew slowly. Taste the flavors. Feel the texture and temperature—and give thanks to God for your food, regardless how simple or gourmet.
Reflections:
Do I pause to open the gifts of enjoyment God affords me?
How often do I give Him thanks in return?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 8:15, "So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun." (NIV)
Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!" (NLT)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 28, 2011
Sanctifying Discipline
Wendy Blight
"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
Discipline hurts. When on the receiving end of it, we hate it. We whine. We groan. We complain. Our sin nature rises up to defend, rebel and justify.
The author of Hebrews recognized this and says so in our key verse today: "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it's painful."
Yes, it is. Don't you love how God validates our feelings? Discipline hurts!
But when we examine the second half of this verse, God also makes a promise. He promises that afterwards there will be "a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." God promises to bring forth fruit from discipline. This fruit is the outward effect of His divine discipline. Each time God disciplines us, He moves us closer and closer to holiness.
Oh, how it hurts, though. Recently, I watched and listened as my husband spoke what I believed to be harsh words to my son about his behavior. I did not feel my son's childish behavior warranted my husband's reaction. I made my opinion known right then and there...in front of my son. Looking back, I can see that I disrespected my husband. But, of course, I did not see it that way at the time. In my mind, I was protecting my son's heart, believing I knew the right way, a better way, to say what my husband said.
Later that night, my husband addressed this with me privately. It felt like he was correcting me. I reacted as expected...defending and justifying my words.
God being God had already arranged for me to have coffee the next day with a dear friend who is about ten years ahead of me in parenting. I casually asked how her youngest son was doing. It opened the door to a conversation that led to how a woman needs to respect her husband and trust him with the discipline of a son. She stressed the importance of wives not only respecting their husbands, but also trusting them and praying for them...for wisdom and strength as they father their children, especially sons.
Wow!! She knew nothing of my circumstances when she began sharing her wisdom. Tears fell from my eyes as I heard God speaking to me through her.
God softened my heart. Why? To be honest, it was probably because the words did not come from my husband.
I realized in that moment that I needed to change my heart. I learned through her words that my husband's admonishment about what I had done was God's discipline and sanctifying work. With this new perspective, I find myself more willing now to accept discipline and to work with God instead of against Him.
As we closed our time together, my friend prayed the most beautiful prayer that moved my heart to repentance. I could not wait for my husband to get home that night and share what God taught me.
God's promise does not end there. Hebrews 12:12-13 says:
"Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (NIV)
Friend, God uses discipline to heal. Our God wants the very best for us. He loves us. He delights in us. He has a plan for us. It is only when we willingly allow God to sanctify our hearts and remove sin...whatever it may be (pride, bitterness, fear, mistrust, shame, guilt, anger)...that God can truly use us and accomplish His plans in and through us.
Heavenly Father, give me a heart of glad surrender, one that willingly receives Your discipline. Father, whatever it takes, make me more like You. Bring forth a harvest of righteousness and peace in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Visit Wendy's blog to sign up for her latest on-line Bible Study on the book of Hebrews. It's going to be deep and rich...don't miss out.
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Read 1 Peter 5:5-6 and James 4:6. Who does God oppose in these verses? Who does God favor? What is His promise?
Reflections:
In what ways has God brought the strong hand of sanctifying discipline into my life?
How has God worked in and through that discipline?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:5b, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility...because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV 1984)
James 4:6b, "...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 66:2b, "...This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 29, 2011
In the Flow
Lysa TerKeurst
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
This past summer my family and I were at a wonderful place called Camp-of-the-Woods tucked in the Adirondack mountains. It's an amazing get-away for families. Great chapel preaching every morning, no TV, beautiful lake, campfires, fishing, putt putt golf, shuffleboard, and more game playing than you can imagine.
Nature erupts with untarnished beauty and begs to be explored. So, when my exercise loving friends suggested we join them for a moderate family hike, we agreed.
Well, their definition of the word moderate and mine didn't come from the same dictionary. Actually, not from the same planet if I'm being completely honest. Honey, honey, honey...this was no moderate hike.
I pictured a path with a gentle, winding, upward slope.
What we actually hiked was a full on upward scaling of rocks and roots.
Not kidding.
In an altitude where the air seemed so thin the inside of my lungs felt like they were sticking together and refusing my chest full breaths. Lovely.
Up, up, up we went. And when another group passed us on their way down and cheerfully quipped, "You're almost halfway there," I wanted to quit. Halfway? How could we only be halfway!?!
I pushed. I pulled. I strained. I huffed and puffed. And I might have even spent a few minutes pouting.
But eventually, we reached the top. I bent over holding my sides wondering how a girl who runs almost every day of her life could be so stinkin' out of shape! Going up against the pull of gravity was hard. Really, really hard.
But coming down was a completely different experience. We navigated the same rocks and roots without feeling nearly as stressed. I enjoyed the journey. I noticed more of the beautiful surroundings and had enough breath to talk to those with me all the way down.
And about halfway down the trail, it occurred to me how similar this hike was to the Christian walk.
Starting at the top, working with the pull of gravity was so much easier than starting at the bottom and working against it.
Though we navigated the exact same path both directions, going in the flow of gravity made the journey so much better.
Just like when I face an issue in life, operating in the flow of God's power is so much better than working against the flow of God's power.
In other words, seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing will position me to work in the flow of God's power. I'll still have to navigate the realities of my situation but I won't be doing it with my strength.
My job is to be obedient to God. Apply His word. Walk according to His ways- not the world's suggestions. Participate in His divine nature rather than wallow in my own bad attitude and insecurities.
Then I won't have to huff and puff and pout while trying to figure everything out. I stay in the flow. God, in His way and timing, works it all out.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
So, the question of the day... will we work in or out of the flow today? Go with the flow of God's power. This divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. Wow, when I let that sink in, I'm so inspired to handle everything I face today the way God instructs. Every thing!
And if you're thinking of asking me on a hike, I require pictures of the path first. Okay?
Dear Lord, help me to operate in the flow of Your power today and not against it. Your divine power has given me everything I need for a godly life. I pray believing this truth today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you are having a hard time relying on the flow of God's power in your food choices, be sure to check out Lysa's book: Made to Crave.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Made to Crave DVD by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Will we work in or out of the flow of God's power today? What are some ways that you can intentionally choose to do things God's way today?
Reflections:
When I face an issue in life, operating in the flow of God's power is so much better than working against the flow of God's power.
Power Verses:
Exodus 15:2, "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." (NIV 1984)
1 Chronicles 16:11, "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 30, 2011
Why Am I in Such a Hurry?
Lynn Cowell
"This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses." Numbers 8:4 (NIV)
During the thirty-minute drive downtown, I felt nothing but irritation. Who has time for driving school? Yes, I had received two tickets in the past three years, but I was going to change. Slowing down was on my agenda!
As soon as I found a seat, my computer-like brain turned on, allowing me to multi-task while sitting in the tiny classroom. Three "mental windows" were running: my to-do list for the day; my to-do list for the upcoming holiday; and my to-do list for a home project.
Honestly, that class could not end fast enough. Finally, when I was free to leave, I rushed out of the building. Looking down at my watch, I realized I had one hour to run to the carpet store, pick out the right color and get to the bus stop before my kids did. The store was almost 30 minutes away, but I knew I could do it.
I found the perfect color carpet and was on my way home in no time. Threw the car into reverse and...BOOM! Looking in my rearview mirror, I discovered my bumper curved around a 15-foot cement store sign. All I could do was lay my head on my steering wheel and cry, "Lord, this can't be the way You want my days to go!"
I was exhausted from the mental and physical pace I'd set for myself. I knew God had a better plan. Around that same time I was reading in Numbers 8:4, and was amazed at how God took time to attend to the details of a simple lampstand. The Bible tells us it was created out of gold with blossoms at the top. God wasn't just concerned about the function of the lampstand but also its beauty.
I knew then that if God cared about these types of details, He cared about the details of my life, too. I also realized I needed to slow down enough to seek His plans for my days, instead of cramming them with everything on my own hurried agenda.
I decided that each morning I would start praying through my schedule. Sometimes He'd show me I had too much I was trying to accomplish in too little time. Other days He'd show me I needed to say "no" to some things so I could enjoy what He had called me to say "yes" to, instead of just flying through it.
Perhaps you too are caught in the frenzy of trying to get everything done. Do you ever lay awake at night wondering if you'll finish the tasks on your list? I want to encourage you to try something that has helped me. Tomorrow, before your feet hit the ground, tell the Lord: "This is Your day, not mine. Whatever You want me to do, I will do. Whatever You don't want me to do, I won't."
Throughout the day, as your desire to get more done in less time moves in, and stress tries to take over, repeat your prayer. Soon you'll discover that handing the details of your day over to God will lead you out of chaos and into His plans for peace and purpose in your life!
By no means is my life perfect now, but most of my days are surrendered to the Lord's plans rather than the busyness of my own. And, I'm learning more and more how to live according to God's beautiful timing and pattern for my life each day.
Dear Lord, every day there seems to be so much that has to get done and so little time. I know that living life stressed and frustrated is not what You created me for. Please help me each day to only do what You want me to do and not try to do more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell — Purchase this phenomenal bundle of book, CD & DVD today!
I Used to Be So Organized: Help for Reclaiming Order and Peace by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Lynn's blog where she discusses ways to slow down so we might enjoy those around, especially our children. And, she is giving away a copy of Glynnis's new book, I Used to Be So Organized
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
One a sheet of paper, create three columns. Label the first: Things No One Else Can Do. Label the second: Things I Do, but Could Delegate; and the third: Things I Choose to Do. Carefully place the things that fill your life in the appropriate column. Over the next week, use this as your prayer list, asking the Lord which of these things He wants to stay on the list, which He wants delegated and which He wants completely removed.
Reflections:
This is Your day Jesus, not mine. Whatever You want me to do, I will do. Whatever You don't, I won't.
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 3, 2011
The Trust Factor
Alison Strobel
She Reads Featured Author
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Yesterday I went into a job interview—junior high substitute teacher; how brave am I? When I walked out of it, I had a whole new calling.
Thing is, I don't want a new calling. I like the ones I've been living with—wife, mom, novelist, children's author. I didn't think God had anything else up His sleeve, and I was okay with that. I'm not a big fan of change.
The man interviewing me told me he has a gift of discernment. Then he did something I've never seen or experienced: he spoke a word over me.
This kind of thing didn't happen in the church in which I was raised. To me, a gift of discernment meant having a reliable sense about whether or not someone's teaching was biblical, or if someone was telling the truth. It didn't mean God could give someone else a glimpse into His plans for me. Yet what this man told me fit, like the one missing puzzle piece, into the changes I've been going through lately on both a personal and a professional level. As he spoke, I knew that what he was saying was truly from the Lord.
But I didn't leave his office glowing with excitement. In fact, I wasn't excited at all about what he told me, despite the fact that it spoke directly to my heart. It would require that I open my hands and release things I've been holding too tightly. And I'll be honest, part of me really doesn't want to.
I like my life just as it is. Remember, God, how I'm not a fan of change—even when it means seeing another dream realized?
The bottom line is this: I struggle with trusting God.
In my novel Composing Amelia, Amelia struggles with the same thing. She'd rather stay with what is familiar than trust God to give her a calling she'll love but can't envision right now.
I don't want to be like Amelia. I don't want to be short-sighted, dubious of God's desire or ability to bless me, or resistant to the future He has for me. But my lack of trust, fear of the unknown, and reluctance to give up my comfortable life are threatening to hold me back from obeying Him. And that's definitely not good.
So I have a choice to make. Will I believe that God's plans are better than my own? Will I risk stepping out of my comfort zone? Do I believe the growing pains I'll face will be worth the blessings that will come? Do I trust God to really take care of me? Or am I going to cower beneath my desk with my fingers in my ears and pretend like yesterday's meeting never happened?
What about you? What changes is God nudging you towards that have you digging in your heels and tightening your grip on whatever you know you need to release? Do you believe the rewards are worth the pain? Or that God's perfect plan is worth leaving your complacency and comfort behind?
Do you trust Him? Or are you hiding and hoping He passes you by?
The unknown is scary. But ultimately—for me anyway—it's scarier to think of what I might miss if I don't let go. And so I say a prayer, open my hands, and peer beyond the edge of what I know, into the vast expanse of the future where a giant question mark dominates the landscape. Do you see it, too?
Today let's choose to trust God and not require that we like or even understand what He is calling us to do. Let's submit to Him, believing that the path He calls us to take will always be worth the change, worth the risk, worth the effort, simply because He has chosen it for us.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your love and for Your desire to see me grow. I thank You for the promise in Scripture that You are always with us, every step of the way, regardless of whether or not we see or feel You there. Forgive my uncertainty and doubts about the future, and give me the strength to take the next step You are directing me to take. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know God?
Stop by She Reads to learn more about Alison and her novel Composing Amelia. When Amelia's and Marcus's dreams pull them in different directions, will their love for each other keep their relationship alive? Or will the distance—and their emotional baggage—threaten to destroy both their marriage and Amelia's sanity?
Enter to win a music-themed gift basket inspired by the novel, Composing Amelia.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Take time this week to memorize one of the power verses below, and spend some time journaling or praying about a situation in your life to which you can apply it.
Reflections:
Where is God calling me to step out of my comfort zone? What is holding me back?
What would help me take that first step? Some accountability? Marking a day on my calendar on which to start? Determine what will help, and commit to it this week.
Power Verses:
Psalm 9:9-10, "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Psalm 56:3-4a, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid." (NIV)
© 2011 by Alison Strobel. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 4, 2011
How to Deal with a Bully
Glynnis Whitwer
"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
As another year of school begins, stories of bullies will surface. The most shocking ones make the news, but those are a small percentage of the actual bullying that takes place. Sadly, victims of bullies often keep silent due to shame, intimidation and a silent unspoken code.
But the schoolyard isn't the only place we'll find bullies this month. Bullies are everywhere. They are in offices, committees, homes and community meetings. They are found anywhere they can dominate through force of will. And I believe they have intimidated a generation of people long enough.
Sadly, many well-meaning Christians have "turned the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) when bullied. However, a closer examination of that passage reveals something vitally important. Turning the other cheek involves us willingly ignoring an offense to us, even though we could defend ourselves. We don't turn away because we are afraid.
Jesus could have called down 1,000 angels to protect Him from being crucified, but He willingly laid down His life. Jesus states this in His own words, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:17-18 NIV).
Jesus saw a greater good in submitting to those who would take His life. He did it for us. In an instance such as that, turning the other check is the best response.
Although Jesus calls us to a life of forgiveness and compassion, even He didn't tolerate those who dishonored God's holy temple. With righteous indignation, Jesus turned over tables, and drove out money changers and those who were selling doves within the walls of the temple, accusing them of turning His father's house into "a den of robbers" (Mark 11:17). Jesus also trained His disciples to put themselves in the path of danger for the sake of others.
As Christians, I believe we are called to play an unusual role in dealing with bullies. It is not a role the world plays—filled with anger and vengeance. It is not a role of passivity. It is not a role of hate. We can't gratify our flesh and play tit-for-tat games. In other words, it's not easy.
We are called to love our enemies, to pray for them, but to stand firm against unrighteousness and injustice. We are called to draw a line in the sand about our beliefs. We aren't aggressive, but we are assertive. We aren't boastful, but we are confident about our God's wishes for His people. Most importantly, we can't ignore the problem.
Ignoring a true bully doesn't make the bullying stop. It just fuels his or her need for power. So what does help? First, pray for God's wisdom in the situation. Understand that God loves you, and all His people, and wants not one of His children to be victimized in any way. Then, if there are physical threats or violence, get to somewhere safe and tell someone in authority. If the bullying is of an emotional nature, determine to respectfully take a stand on what you believe God is calling you to do. If it's important enough, then be strong.
While that's not a guarantee a bully will back down, it's a start to developing a bully-proof life. Really, it's a start to building moral courage in your heart. And bullies can't stand that.
I believe God calls us to a life of passion for His people, and sometimes that takes moral courage. In fact, it's going to take a lot of moral courage to address the injustices in this world. And it's going to take a righteous indignation like Jesus had about the temple money changers. And it just might start with facing the bully in your life.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your holiness and righteousness. Your ways are perfect. Help me to know the right thing to do when facing the bullies in my life. Help me know when to stand firm and when to turn away. I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you enjoyed Glynnis' devotion, click here for additional resources she's written.
Visit Glynnis' blog for tips from her book on how to bully-proof your child this school year.
Poverty is a brutal bully. Prayerfully consider standing up to it on behalf of those suffering by sponsoring a child through Compassion International.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you're facing a bully in an area of your life, are you responding in fear or confidence? If you have fear, it's time to do something about it. Gather one or two wise friends and pray for God's guidance on what to do.
Reflections:
Have I ever faced a bully and backed down? What were my fears?
What are some practices I can put in my life to prepare for the next time someone tries to bully me?
Power Verses:
1 Samuel 17:37a, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (NIV 1984)
Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 5, 2011
Damaged Goods
Carol Davis
She Speaks Graduate
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV, 1984)
I walked down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain that I couldn't live without. It's always hit and miss in this store...and I had missed...again.
But, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels...no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. And suddenly, I knew just how they felt.
Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks bruise us, dent us and remove the label that defines who we are. We feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. Some people substantiate the lie that we are second class failures and all hope is gone.
So, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the can opener with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal....peaches!!! I let out a school girl squeal! I love peaches!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits. The can was damaged but the contents were still good...and sweet.
God must have smiled...because at that moment the sunshine beamed in my kitchen window. I knew in my heart there was a lesson.
I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my label missing and slapped on their own.
I've wanted to say, "Don't judge too quickly. My damage has not defined me...but, it is refining me." I may sometimes be at the bottom of the life's bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom as He did for those that are proudly displayed on the top shelf.
Look around. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods"? Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good...and sweet.
Dear Lord, my life hasn't turned out exactly turned out like I thought it would. But, I know that You can still use me. Please forgive me for labeling others and judging them by their outside circumstances instead of the work that You are doing in their heart. Help me realize that we all have dents but that's what keeps us desperate for a Savior. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
Connect with Carol on her blog where she's sharing more encouragement and giving away a copy of Renee Swope's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Application Steps:
Write down all the life circumstances that have 'dented' your heart. Ask God to use your dents and scratches for your good and His glory.
Have you been judged unfairly? How did that make you feel?
Reflections:
Is there someone I am judging unfairly? By their circumstance? Or life situation?
What can I do to reach out to that person today?
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:18, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NIV)
Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (NIV, 1984)
© 2011 by Carol Davis. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 6, 2011
Running Aground
Marybeth Whalen
"Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island." Acts 27:26 (NIV)
Have you ever been going along, intent in your calling, certain of your direction, sure of God's goodness, only to have something happen that throws you completely off course?
When my husband and I resolved to become financially sound, we were dismayed to quickly have an appliance break, shelling out the entire emergency fund we'd built up to repair it. Instead of moving forward we were going backwards.
We had two choices to make at that moment: thank God that we had the money to cover the repair or doubt God's sovereignty in allowing the appliance to break.
In the book of Acts, chapter twenty-seven, Paul tells the people he is traveling with that God has called them to their mission. Not only that, he is certain the Holy Spirit is on their side. And yet, for reasons he doesn't go into, we read in our key verse that he also tells them they must run aground, which means they'd be delayed on some island before their purpose would be accomplished.
This delay, it turns out, is part of the plan. This setback is actually sovereign. But of course at that moment they can't see that. All they can see is a looming shipwreck, a deserted island.
Perhaps you are on your own deserted island—a personal exile that has been painful and prolonged. You wonder if God sees where you are, if He cares. You remember the time you were moving along, the wind in your sails, full speed ahead. And you miss that time. You wish God would rescue you from the island, put you back on course. Perhaps you're beginning to doubt God really does have a plan for you.
I don't know what your deserted island looks like. It might be the desolation of a marriage, the barren land of motherhood, the wasteland of a career. It might be the emptiness of simply not knowing what your purpose—your passion—really is, even as you watch other women seem to steam forward.
When I start to feel this way, I think about this verse. I remember that even Paul ran aground, even Paul faced setbacks. But I also remember that the island wasn't the end of the story. Rescue was coming. Running aground doesn't mean you've run outside of God's will. It might just mean you are exactly where you're supposed to be. Use this time to increase your trust in God and to see Him work on your behalf, even when the palm trees obscure your view.
Dear Lord, I admit I've been feeling lost and forgotten on this island. I haven't realized that this setback might just be what You allowed. Help me to find You, even in this. Help me to press into You and to trust Your goodness and love. I can't wait to see what waits for me on the other side of this island. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.
Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Spend some time today reflecting on the desert islands you've run aground on in the past. Think about what waited on the other side of that setback.
Reflections:
Am I struggling with a setback today? How can this verse serve as a comfort to me as I wait and trust?
Power Verses:
Acts 27:25, "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." (NIV)
Psalm 23:6, "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 7, 2011
But Everybody Else is Doing It
Tracie Miles
"Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" 1 Kings 3:9 (MSG)
"Just because everybody else is doing it, doesn't make it right." The infamous words my mother would say to me were now flowing out of my own mouth.
Each time I utter these words, my teenagers know they won't be allowed to do whatever "it" is that "everyone else" is supposedly doing.
I know being a teenager is hard. I remember the deep need to feel accepted, well-liked and included. I also remember that my desire to do what "everybody else" was doing was sometimes so overwhelming, the pressure to conform could override good judgment.
Even as a grown woman, I sometimes find myself grappling with those same emotional needs of feeling accepted, liked and included in social circles, whether at work, my children's school, church or neighborhood. As a result, I can become so focused on "fitting in" with other moms I inadvertently succumb to the pressure to conform to what "everybody else" is doing.
Have you ever hesitantly pushed aside your convictions, by reasoning that "all the other moms are letting their kids do 'it'...so maybe I should too?"
I admit I've fallen for that line of reasoning before, and later regretted it. But it has helped me remember whether I'm young or old, the desire to belong and the pressure to conform is very real.
Being a Christian parent of teens can be an overwhelming calling. As life gets more complicated and parenting decisions get tougher, emotional exhaustion can slowly creep in, giving the devil a crack to wiggle through.
Recently I experienced a bad case of parental exhaustion. I remember asking God for wisdom and discernment about a decision we needed to make. Immediately, God reminded me of a time when Solomon felt a lot like I did.
In 1 Kings 3, we learn that when Solomon took over the throne from his father David, he felt overwhelmed and under-qualified to rule as king. One day he went to the shrine to worship and pray and God appeared to him in a dream saying, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!" (NLT)
Solomon could have asked for anything, such as riches, power, victory over his enemies or a long life—but instead he asked for wisdom to carry out the assignment God had given him. And it pleased God greatly.
Solomon was not equipped to lead until he sought God's direction above all else, and we won't be either. In the same way that Solomon knew he needed God's wisdom to fulfill his calling as king, we need His wisdom to successfully fulfill our calling as Christian parents.
When we rely on God's Word, His judgment and His understanding in our parenting decisions we will have what we need. When we choose not to go along with the crowd and encourage our children to take the road less traveled, God will be pleased.
Although we'll never be perfect parents, aren't you glad we can always seek and rely on wisdom from the One who is?
Dear Lord, give me a God-listening heart that seeks your wisdom. Come alongside me in this journey of parenting, and help me stand strong against the pressures of the world. Infuse me with Your strength to persevere, and help me not to give the devil any wiggle room in my heart, or the hearts of my teens. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on staying strong as a Christian mom.
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by T. Suzanne Eller
The Divine Dance: If the World is Your Stage, Who are You Performing For? by Shannon Kubiak Primicerio
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Make a list of times you are tempted to do what "everyone else is doing" as a parent or in other areas of your life. Then write prayer asking God for wisdom and the desire to please Him above anyone else, including your kids and their friends' parents.
Re-establish some rules if needed, based on God's Word, and have a heart-to-heart talk with your teens about them.
Reflections:
Have I allowed my teen to participate with people or social activities that I do not feel good about, just because it seems that all the other moms are?
Is it possible I have allowed my parenting exhaustion to affect my decisions?
Power Verses:
James 1:5, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." (NLT)
Proverbs 22:6 "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (NLT)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 10, 2011
Adopted
T. Suzanne Eller
"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." Romans 8:16 (NIV)
We found out in early June that a beautiful gift might be coming to our family. It was something for which my sweet daughter and son-in-law had longed for over three years.
We'll never forget the day they got the news they'd been chosen by a birth mother to receive the gift of her child. A whirlwind erupted as we all came together to create a nursery and buy the necessities. Five days later a perfect little baby boy was born, and Josh and Melissa brought their long awaited, beautiful miracle home.
Walking with them through the adoption process has made me treasure even more these words in Romans 8:15: "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father." (NKJV)
Initially, we didn't know the baby's name, what he might look like, or what his ethnicity might be. We didn't know how old he would be, or whether he would be a boy or a sweet baby girl. All we knew is that long before my daughter and son-in-law held him in their arms, they loved him.
Now that the gift of this sweet baby being adopted into our family is a reality, his parents are changing diapers and slogging through sleep-deprived nights. It's not easy, but he is so worth every bit of sacrifice they are making.
He's still wanted. Still treasured. Still loved. Still a miracle in every way.
Sometimes we may look at God and wonder if we are a bother. After all, we're a work in progress. We get busy and forget to treasure our times with Him. We promise ourselves we'll grow spiritually, and then lose our temper with a loved one.
Perhaps today you struggle with accepting God's love. Our key verse says you don't have to fear rejection, because you are adopted. God loves you just like Josh and Melissa love their new son, but in a God-like measure.
And, in the same way when our grandchild was adopted, he went to court with his mom and dad, and a judge, who had the authority, pronounced the adoption as official. It was irrevocable.
Did you know God's Word is your authority? Romans 8:14-16 promises that God's love for you is also irrevocable. You are signed, sealed and officially His child. Today, as His adopted child, ask the Holy Spirit to gently remind you one more time of Whose you are and how very loved you are by Him!
Dear Lord, You are my Abba Father! Today I place all fear aside and place my trust in You. I walk into Your arms where I am welcome. Thank You for that marvelous gift, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to download a PDF file with scriptures that remind you that you are God's child.
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
The Woman I Am Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Faith, Identity, and Destiny by T. Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down Romans 8:14-16 and place it where you can see it every day. Read it outloud until it becomes anchored in your spirit.
Reflections:
When I feel fear in my relationship with God, perhaps it is because I am putting my trust in feelings, or the words of others. If my Abba Father says I am His, that's the final word. How does that change the way I view my relationship with God?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (NIV)
Galatians 3:26, "So in Jesus Christ you are all children of God through faith." (NIV)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 11, 2011
Calming the Mama Drama
Lynn Cowell
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 (NIV 1984)
Oversleeping on picture day is not a great way to start the morning. I ran to my daughters' rooms, blurting out words of panic. At first there were groans, "Oh no! Not today!"
I braced myself, sure that the drama would start any moment. Yet minutes later, I heard silliness and singing downstairs. I was shocked to hear kindness instead of quarreling. They were choosing not to take the stress they felt out on each other, and I for one, was happy!
I wish I could say my girls learned this from me, but that is not the case. In fact, God has been working on me about my own mama drama, challenging me with truths like today's key verse that instructs me to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Too often, when my expectations aren't met or I'm faced with things I can't control, my emotions and thoughts spin out of control. Before I know it, I start talking before I even think about what I'm about to say. And all that wise instruction about being humble, gentle and patient is quickly forgotten.
What about you? Do you ever yell at your kids or let frustrations mount when plans and expectations spin out of control? Do you suffer from a little of your own mama drama?
That morning God gave me another "opportunity" to choose humility, gentleness and patience with my girls. As we were walking out the door, I realized I had not filled out the picture order forms. Scrambling to find the papers, my check book and a pen, I felt the pressure mounting again.
I had a choice: let my emotions explode under the strain into mama drama or diffuse the drama by choosing humility before God, which would lead to patience and love with my daughters.
Thankfully I can say, that morning, I paused and gave way to the Holy Spirit's leading. And my desire for peace to become my new norm and to leave mama drama behind was successful!
So, how do we do this on an ongoing basis? How do we choose to be humble, patient and bear with our kids in love?
If time allows, I have found it's really good to pull away from the situation and give myself a time out. Removing myself, if even for just a moment, affords me the opportunity to humble myself before God and ask Him to help me regroup my runaway emotions and submit my thoughts to the control of the Holy Spirit. Pulling away also shows my kids the benefits, like patience and gentleness, that result when I don't allow my emotions to rule over me.
If there isn't time to physically remove myself from the situation, there is always enough time to take a deep breath and invite the Holy Spirit to bring me wisdom and self-control.
When we surrender our emotions, our actions and our reactions to God, peace can become our new norm as we choose to leave mama drama behind!
Dear Lord, today help me to leave behind mama drama and use me to be a peace maker in my home. I want to learn to give myself a time out and ask the Holy Spirit to enter each situation I find myself in. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for a way that you can connect to your girl and work through girl drama together? His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell is a study for girls ages 13-18. It is a great resource for moms and their girls to do together!
A free small group guide for His Revolutionary Love can be found on Lynn's website www.LynnCowell.com for you to use with your girl or a group of girls.
Visit Lynn's website where she is sharing additional ways to make peace the new norm! She's also giving away a copy of her CD Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart and a Starbucks gift card for you and your child to enjoy together!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In the next 24 hours, you'll probably have the opportunity to display some mama drama. When this situation arises, if you have time, give yourself a time out!
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of mama drama triggers. When you sense your heart and mind being pulled in the direction of frustration, offer a quick prayer for the power to choose humility, patience, gentleness and peace.
Reflections:
When we want our home to be a place of peace and unity, we can do that by choosing discipline over drama.
Power Verses:
James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 12, 2011
I Haven't Got Time for the Pain
Renee Swope
"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help." Psalm 18:6a (NIV, 1984)
I knew I needed to talk with someone about the pain that was still buried in my heart, but I didn't want to talk about it. I was tired of hurting and afraid I'd fall apart or slip back into depression if I let it all come to the surface.
I didn't have time for falling apart. Plus it was in the past and I thought it would eventually just go away.
Have you ever avoided dealing with pain because it would take too much time? Or have you tried to pray away the pain only to realize healing is a process, but one you're not sure you want to go through?
Although we can't go back and change circumstances or relationships that wounded us, we can go back and process our pain with Jesus. In fact, we won't heal from our hurts unless we do.
When left unresolved, the pain from our yesterdays can creep up in our todays and keep us from experiencing all God has for our tomorrows.
This happened in my relationship with my husband several years into our marriage. I don't know exactly when it started, I just remember feeling a lot of anger and realizing I had a critical spirit towards JJ.
One day I sensed God showing me damaged emotions from my childhood I hadn't dealt with or healed from. Circumstances that happened in my past were now hindering my present, casting shadows of fear and doubt over my future.
I decided to make a time line of my life, marking key "emotional" events. As I prayed over it, I wrote down any painful emotions and memories I could remember.
Although it wasn't easy, I asked the Holy Spirit to remind me of experiences and relationships that had wounded me, what affects they'd had on me, how far from God they took me and how they had hurt me and others.
Years of disappointment as a child in a broken home with a broken heart led to a significant sense of loss. Yet, I never grieved the happily-ever-after I longed for but didn't have. Unfulfilled hopes led to bitter expectations.
During that time God showed me how I wanted JJ to make up for what my dad had never been as a father to me, or as a husband to my mom. Hoping to create my own version of "happily-ever-after," I became controlling and critical.
I thought if I could get JJ to be the husband and dad I wanted him to be, my broken dreams would get put back together. Maybe he could provide security and shelter for the little-girl-emotions that were still crushed inside my heart.
But my strategy wasn't working. Instead, I needed to cry out to God with my hurts and call on Him for help. And, I needed to take time to respond to what He was showing me.
Time to seek God for my security and hope by letting Him be the father I longed for. Time to grieve things I wanted from my father that I would never have. Time to invite God into my hurting places so He could heal my wounded emotions and set me free from my fear of never having a happy ending.
Finally, I needed to forgive my father and release my feelings of anger, abandonment, disappointment and hurt. I also needed to confess my sin of unrealistic expectations and let go of what I thought was my right to "happily-ever-after."
It was a process that took time, prayer, courage and tears, but it was worth it. Over time I was able to let go of my past and my pain as I took hold of hope and healing. I was also able to accept JJ for who he was and trust God to make him the husband He knew I needed, instead of the one I wanted.
When we allow Jesus to search our hearts and bring His perspective into our pain, redemption comes. Whether it is the pain from our yesterdays or hurts from our todays, when we give Jesus time to pour His truth into our wounds, His love flows into our pain and makes us whole again.
Dear Lord, please give me the courage and help me take the time to walk through the process of letting You heal my hurts and restore my heart with hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
This devotion is taken in part from Chapter 4, "Finding Hope for Your Future Despite the Pain of Your Past" of Renee's book, A Confident Heart.
Is there pain from the past you need to process with Jesus? Renee would love to pray for you. Visit Renee's website where she shares more of her story and the healing hope she's found. Also, enter to win 2 copies of A Confident Heart — one for you and one for a friend!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost.
Application Steps:
Make a time line with key events that brought painful emotions and memories. Ask Jesus to reveal how they affected you, your relationship with God and others. Then ask Him to walk you through the process of replacing your pain with the healing balm of His presence and promises.
Reflections:
"Although we can't go back and change the circumstances or relationships that have wounded us, we can go back and process our pain with Jesus." — A Confident Heart
Power Verses:
Psalm 18:1-2a, "I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 13, 2011
A Better Way
Wendy Blight
"I am the way." John 14:6a (NIV)
Are there times when you are hesitant about going to God? Maybe because of unkind words you've spoken. Things you've done. Unforgiveness you've harbored in your heart. Do these things ever make you feel guilty and unworthy to enter into the presence of our holy God?
The Old Testament law forbid Jews from ever being in the presence of God. According to Jewish law, the glory of God resided in the Temple in a room called the Holy of Holies. Only the High Priest could enter into that room. God hand-picked this man and appointed him to enter into the Holy of Holies one time a year to make a sin offering for the forgiveness of the people.
Why? Because sin had created a barrier between God and man. So, the High Priest made sacrifices on behalf of the people, since a blood sacrifice was required, to remove the barrier erected by sin. But, the people didn't just sin once a year. They sinned daily, and this system of sacrifice continuously reminded them of their guilt.
Can you imagine living with this constant reminder of your sin?
I can. Not too long ago, I realized I was living this way. Every time I lost my temper, disrespected my husband, held on to unforgiveness, I erected a wall between God and me. I felt shame and guilt because I could never get it right. I would tell God how sorry I was, and then within days, I would do it again!
But I...you...we...do not have to live like the Old Testament Jews.
With Jesus, God made a new way. He sent the Great High Priest; the One Who is the better way. God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus' sacrifice does not need to be repeated every week, every month, or even every year. Christ made one sacrifice that once and for all removes any sin that ever was committed or will ever be committed. By shedding His own blood, Jesus forgave our sins and made us pure and holy in the eyes of God.
Jesus says "I am the way." His death on the cross made a way for you and me to be in His presence, to boldly and confidently come before Him with our every need, even when we feel the weight of our sin.
When we sin, we can simply come before God with a sincere heart, ask forgiveness, receive that forgiveness and our sins are gone.
Never again do we need to be filled with shame and guilt. Sweet friend, we have been set free! In Jesus, God gave us a better way!
Dear Jesus, thank You for leaving Your heavenly throne to live among Your people. Thank You for being my Great High Priest. Thank You for making a way for me to receive forgiveness of sin. Give me the courage to set aside my shame and guilt, to come boldly before Your throne and receive that forgiveness, and live confidently in it now and forevermore. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Wendy's blog to sign up for her new online study on the book of Hebrews.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Are there times when you fear going to God? Maybe because of unkind words you've spoken. Things you've done. Unforgiveness you've harbored in your heart. Do you ever feel ashamed and guilty, unworthy to enter into the presence of our holy God?
Read Hebrews 4:14-16. Rewrite it using "I" and "me" in place of "we." Read it outloud. What does this mean for you in your life today?
Reflections:
Jesus calls us to "come boldly" to the throne of grace. Will I do that today? Today I'll spend some time with Jesus today. It can be in car pool line, on my lunch break, or anywhere else I can find to be alone. Then whatever it is that is on my heart, whatever it is I'm afraid to bring to Him, I'll bring it to Him today. Sit quietly before Him. Pray. Listen.
Power Verses:
Leviticus 5:13a, "Through this process, the priest will purify those who are guilty of any of these sins, making them right with the LORD, and they will be forgiven." (NLT)
Hebrews 4:14a, 16, "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus....let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (NLT)
© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 14, 2011
A Slice of Cheesecake, or Dirt?
Rachel Olsen
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8 (NIV)
Get-togethers with my friends or family typically wind up the same way. The men gather by the grill or TV, and talk about music or sports. Meanwhile, the women congregate in the kitchen for some old-fashioned "girl-talk."
For women, people and relationships tend to be the common ground of conversation. We are the more emotional and relational gender. And of course we gather in the kitchen—it's the heart of the home. Plus, that's where the food is. After all, girl-talk is deliciously enhanced by coffee or cheesecake.
However, there is a side of girl-talk that is dangerous and addictive. It's called gossip.
Why do we gossip? I believe it's the same reason we do other things we know we shouldn't, like flirt with the boss, or gorge ourselves on cheesecake—because it's pleasurable.
In the case of gossiping, we like the feeling of being "in the know." At least for the moment, we can command everyone's attention. Eyes widen and adrenalin pulses as we tell our friends the unbelievable news. They hang on our every word.
Hearing gossip can make us feel almost as good as telling it—like we've been chosen and trusted with a secret. Gossiping feels good to everyone—except those who are the object of it.
When I look inward at my own motives for gossiping, what I see is not appetizing. I see pride, carelessness and judgment. I see a self-serving attitude that likes the feelings gossip brings. Although gossip may taste good at the time, just like too much cheesecake, it can negatively affect my well-being. Gossip goes down into my soul bringing with it the weight of guilt and sin.
I've come to realize that when I dish the dirt, or even listen to it, I'm serving dirt to my own soul.
Next time the girls gather, I've decided I'm going to fast from gossiping. I've pre-decided I'll redirect the conversation, or simply excuse myself to the bathroom when gossip arises. I don't wish to dish or devour dirt. When my heart is sensitive to God's, gossip only gives me a sick feeling later.
I will, however, have a cup of coffee and small serving of dessert. Which would you rather enjoy—a slice of cheesecake, or dirt?
Dear Lord, please forgive me for gossiping. I know that it hurts others and harms me as well. Help me be sensitive to when I'm starting to gossip and give me the courage to hold my tongue or change the subject. Fill me with words of wisdom, discernment and encouragement. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For her favorite fall cheesecake recipe and a chance to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know, visit Rachel's blog today.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
God's Purpose for Every Woman a P31 Devotion book by various P31 authors with General Editors Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Pray the prayer above and commit to neither dish nor digest gossip today. If you read celebrity gossip online or in magazines, fast from that as well.
Reflections:
Have I ever jumped full force into a gossipy conversation? Have I regretted it later?
If I regretted it, how did I handle that regret? If I didn't regret it, what might that tell me about the condition of my soul?
God is fully able and willing to cleanse us of the dirt we've spoken or ingested.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 11:13, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." (NIV)
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12, "Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living." (NLT)
Psalm 139:4, "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 17, 2011
Full Busy vs. Empty Busy
Glynnis Whitwer
"We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies." 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NIV)
I love empty calories. I confess. Chocolate brownies are my favorite.
Although I try to tell myself the eggs inside make them healthy, the truth is there is little in that fudgy goodness that brings value to my body. Besides the moment of pleasure in my mouth, brownies only fill my need for calories but offer little nutrition.
Being busy can have the same effect. We can fill our days with busy-work, then flop on the couch after dinner, exhausted and empty. And yet we look around our homes and wonder why a week's worth of mail is stacked on the desk, dirty clothes drape over the hamper and the kitchen floor is a sticky slip and slide...but we were so busy!
Much like the woman who spends $100 at the grocery store and has nothing for dinner, if we aren't wise about our busyness, we will find ourselves frustrated at how little gets done. Like the brownies and their empty calories, there is activity that keeps us "busy," but produces little benefit.
One area of temptation to empty busyness is my computer. The nature of my work requires that I spend a lot of my workday at the computer. If I sit down without a plan, two hours can pass and nothing is accomplished - except for watching videos of really cute puppies. However, when I've taken the time to set goals for my day, it's easier to stay focused.
The same is true for my housework. When I take a few minutes to identify my priorities for that day, the tasks that need to be accomplished usually get done. Otherwise, it's 7 p.m. and I'm wondering what's for dinner.
Today's key verse caught my attention recently. I realized we're no different from those early believers addressed in it. Only our idleness looks different—it looks like busyness. In fact, we often convince ourselves that it was necessary to get caught up on the news, visit a friend's blog or research next year's vacation. Important? Yes. A priority for today? Maybe not.
There is a time for brownies, getting caught up with friends and online research. There is a time for rest. After all, God ordained the Sabbath. There is a time for play. Even Jesus enjoyed a wedding reception with His friends. The key for productive busyness is to know what time it is.
Instead of trying to figure it out ourselves, a wise woman seeks God's direction for her work and rest. What has helped me avoid empty busyness is taking the time to pray about God's will for me each day. My quiet time always includes a to-do list. In addition to spending time just enjoying the Lord's presence, I also seek His guidance for my day.
I sit at my kitchen table, cup of coffee in one hand and pen in the other, and ask God to show me His priorities. He is always faithful to help me create a list of what needs to be done that day—not the next day or next week, but that day.
My challenge is to be a good steward of my time—both at work, play and rest. I've spent too much time on empty pursuits. Busy isn't always bad, only when it's empty. And brownies aren't bad either, at the right time.
Dear Lord, You are the Creator of time, and so often I neglect to seek Your will for my days. You have called me to a place of stewardship with my time and I need Your help. Please show me when and how to be productively busy—and when to set it all aside and rest or play. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for more on time management and a giveaway of her newest book, I Used to Be So Organized
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify one small project you've been putting off tackling. Commit this week to completing that project.
Reflections:
What are some of my biggest time stealers?
What one thing can I do differently to make the most of the time I have?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:" (NIV)
Proverbs 20:4, "Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 18, 2011
Tired of Waiting on God
Tracie Miles
"Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them." Genesis 25:26b (NIV)
Do you ever get tired of waiting on God to answer your prayers? Recently, I began to feel a sense of frustration with the wait, and also a little bit tired.
Tired of saying the same old prayer day after day, month after month, year after year. Tired of telling God about the same old problems still going on. Tired of hearing myself pray about the same old problems, leading me to wonder if God was as tired of hearing my prayer requests as I was of praying them.
So I bowed my head and admitted to God that I was simply tired of the wait.
In a heavy state of emotional tiredness, I turned to the crisp, white pages of my Bible. I was hoping God would illuminate a few verses that would jump out of the book and straight into my heart.
I began reading about when Isaac's wife Rebekah gave birth to twin sons. One particular sentence caught my eye and I read it again and again. My heart leapt as I realized God was using this one little sentence to speak hope into my spirit. He used His spiritual highlighter just as I had wanted.
Genesis 25:26 tells us that Isaac was sixty years old when his twins were born; a simple Bible fact, yet profoundly meaningful to me on this specific day. You see, Isaac had been patient for the Lord to provide the perfect wife; he was forty years old when he married Rebekah. If you do the math you realize Isaac waited twenty years for Rebekah to bear him children! He could have chosen a concubine to bear him a son. But he was a man of great patience who waited on God. Eventually his patient faith was rewarded.
Isaac never gave up hope that his Lord could make the impossible, possible. He had learned that his Lord would provide. So he continued to pray the same desperate prayer for a son, day after day, month after month, year after year. In fact, we learn in Genesis 25:21 that "Isaac pleaded with the Lord" (NLT), meaning he earnestly and strongly prayed about his problem. He did not half-heartedly ask God for a son, he pleaded! He begged. He poured his heart out.
I can envision Isaac passionately pleading to God throughout those twenty years, with out-stretched arms and a tear-stained face pressed against the hot, dirty soil, begging God to answer his prayer.
Isaac was surely tired of the wait, but he never stopped praying or believing that his dreams could come true. And in God's perfect timing, they did.
If you are tired of the wait, you may be pleading to God just like Isaac. It may take twenty years for God to answer our prayers, or it may only take twenty minutes. But today, let us find comfort in remembering Isaac's patient faith and take hope in believing that God is not tired of hearing our prayers. Instead, He is simply waiting for the perfect time to answer.
Dear Lord, please help me have patience and faith while I wait to hear from You. Help me live in excited anticipation for the day when I will see how You answer my prayers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement about faith in the waiting
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
What to Do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans (CD) by Wendy Pope
Application Steps:
Consider prayers that have not been answered, but which you have not prayed about lately. Ask God to give you a renewed hope about those desires and faithfully wait on His timing.
Reflections:
Have I stopped praying about something because I've grown tired of waiting on God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (NIV)
Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (KJV)
© 2011 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 19, 2011
The Gift of Hope
LeAnn Rice, Executive Director
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Wealth is something I didn't think I had.
As a single mom widowed over 14 years ago, I don't have money for extras like new clothes or weekend trips. Therefore, I didn't think it was possible for me to give much to others and this made me sad. Until I realized it's not the size of a gift that matters.
It's the amount of hope wrapped around the gift that makes all the difference.
I learned about true wealth through a sweet little boy I met during a mission trip to Ecuador with Compassion International.
Miguel lives in a one room house with his mother and three siblings. They share a bed that lies on a dirt floor. They have no bathroom and no electricity. The vegetables his mother used to prepare their evening meal consisted of peelings and rotting parts that certainly would never have made it into one of my recipes. I would have mindlessly thrown them away.
My eyes filled with tears of sadness as I stared true poverty in the face. But Miguel's eyes were filled with a rare and precious joy. A sponsor had breathed the gift of hope into Miguel's life, which made all the difference.
This experience challenged me. I was compelled to figure out a way to sponsor a child and make this same kind of impact. Though I can't solve all the problems of the world, I can give the gift of hope to one life and that's a great start.
My brief encounter with Miguel taught me so much about the true meaning of wealth, and I think of him often. I think of him when I catch myself complaining that the square footage of my house is too small, or when my power bill is more than I expect. But mostly, I think of Miguel when I need to be reminded that the gift of hope is priceless.
My friends, in just a few short weeks many of us will put up our Christmas tree and hang bright lights and stockings. We will set up our nativity scenes and sing Christmas carols. And in the midst of our Christmas traditions, we will turn our hearts toward the reason we celebrate.
What better way to celebrate Jesus than to wrap our hope around the lives of those with needs greater than ours?
We can share our hope by serving at our local soup kitchen, or filling shoe boxes with small toys and treats for underprivileged children to open on Christmas day.
We can collect coats and blankets to give to homeless families in our communities.
Or we can sponsor a child, like Miguel, and provide school supplies, spiritual nourishment, health care and clothing.
No matter how big or small our budget, we can make a difference. As we reach out to those around us in Jesus' Name, we provide something much more valuable than any earthly treasure. We share the gift of hope!
Dear Lord, give me Your eyes to see and Your ears to hear the needs of those around me; not just at Christmas, but always. I long to share Your passion for the poor and the needy. Help me remember true wealth is not measured by the size of my bank account, but by the size of my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Untangle your holidays so you have more time to reach out to others by visiting www.UntanglingChristmas.com. And enter to win a free copy our new Ebook, Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice
Prayerfully consider Sponsoring a Child through Compassion International as a Christmas gift to Jesus this year. When you sponsor a child you change the life of a child, a family and a community, in Jesus' Name.
We're giving away a copy of Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday to anyone sponsors a child through Compassion this week. Leave a comment atwww.UntanglingChristmas.com to let us know you did and we'll send you a download link.
Application Steps:
Look for opportunities to share the hope and love of Jesus Christ with "the least of these" this holiday season and throughout the year.
Reflections:
Reflect on Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." (NIV)
If I take an honest inventory of "my" belongings, do I really need four sets of towels? Do I need to stop for my special coffee this morning? Do my kids truly need that many Christmas presents this year? Who could benefit if I say "no" to any of these questions?
Power Verses:
Acts 2:44-47, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (NIV)
Matthew 25:45, "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 20, 2011
Vanished
Lysa TerKeurst
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
I don't have a lot of nice jewelry. Usually, you'll only find me wearing my wedding ring and another ring Art gave me for our 15th wedding anniversary.
Other than those two rings, I only have some other simple things that have been given to me over the years. Little treasures. Not that they are worth a lot of money but special because they hold a lot of memories.
A child's ring my stepdad gave me the day he asked my mom to marry him.
A bracelet my mom gave me for Christmas several years ago. And another bracelet Art gave me for Valentine's Day this year.
A legacy ring given to me the day my first daughter was born.
A baby's signet ring - with the faint initials of my Dad that left and never came back.
Simple, but special.
A week ago I noticed the bracelet Art gave me wasn't where I thought I left it. I spent several days searching and wondering where I'd put it. Convinced I'd simply misplaced it and would find it soon, I wasn't too worried.
On the third day, it dawned on me that maybe I'd put it in a drawer where I kept my other jewelry.
When I opened the drawer it took my brain a moment to catch up with the sinking feeling in my heart. Everything was gone. The rings. The bracelets. The one possession in this world I had of my biological father. Little things that held big memories.
My first reaction was to grab both of my ring fingers. Much to my relief I'd worn my wedding and anniversary rings that day. They were safe.
But everything else had vanished as if I'd never had them. But I did. And now I don't.
I stared at the open drawer, sat down on a little stool in my bathroom and willed my tired mind to start making a mental list of reasons to be...thankful.
Strange I know.
Trust me there were many other lists begging to take up the mental real estate in my brain. Lists of suspects. Lists of all that was missing. Lists of memories and how irreplaceable those pieces were. Lists of when this might have happened and how. Okay, let's be honest, I wanted to come completely unglued and kick into aggressive figure-it-out mode.
But sometimes refusing the pull to come unglued is the only way to prove to ourselves it is possible to have a different kind of reaction. So, I willed those other lists aside. After all, I'd already had enough taken from me in that moment. I didn't need to freely hand over my heart as well.
For in my heart I trust, "...we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken..." And because I know, I know, I know that to be true, I can choose to... "be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28)
I am thankful for my children who are here and not taken.
I am thankful for my husband who will let me stick my cold feet underneath his legs tonight.
I am thankful for today's sun that shines and the moon whose light will dance with tonight's shadows.
I am thankful for the steady breaths I take thousands of a day and never have to think about.
I am thankful for memories that flicker and ignite on command.
I am thankful to still be able to retrieve those memories.
And on and on I went. Until I could close the drawer and ask God for just one thing. Okay two things.
"First, Lord, the person that took these things of mine, wrap Your hope about them right now and show them another way. They must be in a really bad spot right now. Lord, come near them. And secondly, if possible, might they just return that one thing. Lord, you know what that one thing is. If possible...and if not...thank You still a hundred times over."
For even in the midst of things stolen, I have been given the great gift of remembering all I still have.
Dear Lord, help me to remember who You are today. In the midst of life's hard spots, I will thank You and respond to Your goodness. For You always see, know and are in control of all things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles to help you process everyday situations according to Biblical principles that you can print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Maybe you're going through something right now where things aren't what you wish they were. Try listing today 3 things that are right today.
Reflections:
Even in the midst of things stolen, I have been given the great gift of remembering all I still have.
Power Verses:
Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV)
1 Timothy 2:1, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 21, 2011
Testing Fences
Marybeth Whalen
"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:6 (NIV)
Each morning when I let my dog out he does a lap around the perimeter of our yard and then comes back to ram his body against the gate, just to see if he can get out of the confinement we've put him in. He looks over at me as he does it, as if to say, "Just checking." The other morning I was laughing about what a silly dog he is. Then it occurred to me that I am not that different from him when it comes to the fences in my life.
Like my dog, I have a Master who has constructed boundaries to keep me safe. But I don't always like those boundaries. I don't understand why they have to be there. Why can't I just be free to roam where I please, call my own shots, make my own decisions? Why must there be fences to hem me in?
Like my dog, I am quick to forget that those fences are there for my protection. And so I go around kicking them, testing them, pushing against them instead of accepting them. Instead of trusting, I just feel trapped.
As I look back over my life, I can see many fences I've tested. When God made me a mother, I questioned the position I'd landed in. Perhaps I'd be better off somewhere else, doing something else.
When God directed us to do whatever it took to get our finances under control, I longed for the days when I could run free with my credit card.
When marriage got really, really hard, I wondered if I was meant to be bound to this one man forever.
When God called me to homeschooling, I resisted being tied to my home and children, slow to realize that God placed me there to teach me things I could've never learned otherwise.
As I've surveyed the path of my purpose, I've found myself wondering if another path would be better—if I am truly where I am supposed to be.
It seems I have struggled with every boundary, pushing against every fence God has ever erected in my life. Instead of seeing the place He puts me as a reason for my safety, I dwell on how it inhibits me.
I can see how those boundaries kept me in a place where He could reach me. And when the time came, I saw the benefits of those boundaries. Through motherhood, I learned to be a servant. Through marriage I learned to forgive and accept forgiveness. Through paying off debt, I learned the blessings of financial freedom. Through homeschooling I learned to lay down my agenda for His. I am a better person—and I know God better—through the boundaries in my life.
Have you struggled with some boundaries of your own? Maybe today you're looking at the fences in your life and wanting to throw yourself against them instead of seeing them as pleasant places and trusting that within those confines waits your delightful inheritance. Maybe you've forgotten that your Master erected those perimeters for your good.
This morning a neighbor knocked at our door. My dog had pushed against the fence and this time it had given way. He had escaped and gone for a romp through our neighborhood, happy and free, oblivious to the cars that could have hit him, the dog catcher who would be only too happy to put him in the pound.
The neighbor brought him back to me and I put him in the fence, this time making sure the gate was securely latched. He still didn't understand the need for his fence. But I, his master, do. He just has to trust that I have erected the fence for his safety, and dwell in his pleasant place. Just like me.
Dear Lord, help me to stop pushing against the boundaries You've erected in my life. Help me to instead see those perimeters as existing for my protection and my good. Let me see where You have me as a pleasant place, no matter where that might be. I want to stop testing the fences and dwell in Your safe pasture, trusting and content. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog
Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD) by Marybeth Whalen
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen is a novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has," She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship, and to rejoice in the fences God sets up for us.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
As you are going about your day today, notice the fences you pass. When you pass them, thank God for the boundaries He has placed in your life.
Reflections:
What is a boundary in my life that I need to see as a pleasant place?
Power Verses:
Psalm 147:14, "He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat." (NIV)
Psalm 139:5, "You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 24, 2011
In the Darkness
Amy Carroll
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:4-5 (NIV 1984)
Slowly I tried to acclimate to my shockingly unfamiliar surroundings. The straw mat I sat on crinkled against the dirt floor of the deteriorating brick building. I was in the community center for a group of refugees from Bangladesh.
If this place is where severely impoverished people escaped to, my American sensibilities couldn't even begin to imagine where they had escaped from.
The smell of Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta), a mixture of pollution, meals cooked street-side, excrement and trash, permeated the room and filled my nose and thoughts with each new waft. Our missions team and the women we had come to visit sat cross-legged, knees touching, both for the sake of space and intimacy.
Because there were women, there were also children—beautiful dark-eyed, raven- haired children. Their smiles were as full of hope as my own two boys' thousands of miles away.
But the women, beaten down by poverty and the harshness of their lives, were different.
My eyes roamed the room as my heart cried out to Jesus for His redeeming love. Although the faces were beyond beautiful, the eyes set into them were dark with despair and hopelessness.
As I stood before them and spoke, bleak eyes met my own which were full of pleading for them to accept the Hope-Giver. Then I saw her.
One woman's face in a crowd of darkness radiated light. It held a beauty that went beyond the physical. I couldn't wait to find out what God was doing in the bright heart behind that one illuminated face.
When our service was complete, I moved through the crowd toward her and asked, "What was Jesus doing in your heart as I spoke?"
The woman joyfully replied, "I already love Jesus. I was happy to hear you speak of Him."
Oh! I'm sure my face lit with understanding as I heard this woman's story of meeting Jesus in such harsh conditions.
Jesus came as the Light of the world, full of mercy, truth and grace. His life within a believer is so completely transforming that His light chases away darkness and shadows. It was stunning to see the reality of Light in the darkness in the life of one shining woman in a crowd of faces that had not yet met Him.
This past Saturday, October 22, I boarded a plane once again to speak with women in India, covered with support from friends, family and Proverbs 31 Ministries. I went full of His light, simply because I'm His child. I pray as I share the hope that dwells within me, more faces will light up the darkened rooms with an internal luminosity that only belief in Jesus gives.
As children of God, we can all be spreaders of the hope we've been given in Christ. I invite you to pray about your own way to share the light of God's redeeming love—on a missions trip, with a neighbor in crisis or in a lunchtime conversation at your workplace. Oh how I'd love to hear about what God does and join you in praying for hearts to be illuminated with His light.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your light that floods Your children. You've taken us out of darkness and given us a new home in Your light. Let our thankfulness compel us to share The Light with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog to read about how she prepared for her missions trip to India. She'll be blogging as often as she can while she travels, so be sure to watch for updates and pictures. Will you join us in praying for the women in India that she'll be ministering to?
Application Steps:
Please pray for Amy and the team from Encouraging Words. Their hearts' desire is to bring Jesus' light into the darkness!
There are so many ministries that equip others to spread His light. Pray and ask God how you can take part and/or support these ministries.
Reflections:
Am I called to spread His Light where I live, in my neighborhood, workplace or community?
Is God calling me to spread His Light to the nations?
Power Verses:
I Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 3:19-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 25, 2011
Choosing Well
Lisa Whittle, She Seeks
"A wise person chooses the right road..." Ecclesiastes 10:2a (NLT)
There are times when I do not choose well.
I watch things on TV that tarnish my heart. I behave in ways that erode my marriage. I spend money I do not have, say things I do not mean, leave things undone that need to be finished. I react in anger and it misrepresents Jesus.
I have holes: internal voids that limit and define me...and it shows.
If that were the end of my story, I would be in deep trouble. I would break things that couldn't be fixed. I would destroy things that couldn't be restored. I would damage relationships, beyond repair. I would live, unfulfilled and prideful, without my soul feeling settled. Left alone, sometimes my holes have produced such things.
But there is another element to my story, and it brings me great hope. Jesus...with the supernatural ability to fill even my broadest of gaps...draws me into Him, asking me to choose the thing that will make my soul well. It is an important choice to make, for every believer. It is one that results in wholeness.
The decision to choose what will make our soul well is not always easy. Sometimes it will require us to break from something we love that has become a toxic habit. Often it will ask us to give up our will for the will of the Father.
I love today's verse in Ecclesiastes that talks about this choice, "A wise person chooses the right road..." This verse shows us that even when things happen to us without our permission or by the choice of another, we still have a choice in what we will do next.
In my book, {w}hole, I share the story of my family being involved in a scandal that turned our lives upside down when I was in college. In the wake of our turmoil, I did not choose well...acting in ways that ultimately hurt me and others.
But at a certain point I decided I wanted to be different. I wanted to be better and allow God to change my course by committing to truth, even if it hurt. It was a choice I have never regretted, a choice that set me on the "right road" — a road that led to healing and wholeness.
Wholeness—soul wellness—does not come to those who are only halfway committed to it. It is for the person who is tired of living for themselves or as a victim to their experiences...the one who desires to find their true identity...the one with worldly success who still longs for more. Wholeness is available to the person who wants to no longer be defined or limited by anything and is willing to do whatever it takes to change.
Any sacrifice we must choose to make our soul well is always worth the price. Abundance of joy, richness of God's favor, stability of truth and completeness of fulfillment are ours when we decide we are no longer willing to live with holes but instead, desire to be whole.
When we offer our holes to Jesus, we give Him the opportunity to fill them up with Him.
And that, my friend, is always choosing well.
Dear Lord, I want to choose well. Help me not to stand in my own way of wholeness and healing. Where habits need to be broken, I ask that You give me the strength to break from them. Help me not to invest in things that erode my heart; instead, help me press into You and draw from Your deep well of wisdom, peace and love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
{w}hole: An Honest Look at the Holes In Your Life and How to Let God Fill Them by Lisa Whittle
Video Trailer for {w}hole
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
Be among the first to read Lisa's new book, {w}hole! Visit Lisa at www.lisawhittle.com and leave a comment to win a free book, plus a personal phone call with Lisa!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
How have you chosen well in your life (things that have brought you freedom, etc.)? When you have not chosen well, what has been the difference, and what can you learn?
Reflections:
What do I need to do to position myself to make better choices? Is there something I need to break from that prevents me from this choice for wholeness?
Power Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, "May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He'll do it!" (MSG)
Isaiah 56:4, "For this is what the Lord says: I will bless those...who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me." (NLT)
Isaiah 9:6, "His names will be Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings." (MSG)
© 2011 by Lisa Whittle. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 26, 2011
What's Wrong with Me?
Renee Swope
"And he said, 'Who told you that you were naked?...'" Genesis 3:11a (NIV)
Do you ever ask yourself: What's wrong with me?
One day I noticed how many times I do. When I lose my keys, when I'm mean to my husband, when I don't keep a commitment, when I'm late for a meeting, when I yell at my kids, when I forget to do something important—the list goes on.
It dawned on me that every time I asked, "What's wrong with me?" I was actually telling myself something was wrong with me. Then I would try to figure out my elusive fault so I could change it.
I realized what I needed to change was the way I talked to myself. I didn't want to keep convincing myself something was wrong with me every time I asked, What is wrong with me?
That's not what God wants us doing to ourselves. However, we have an enemy who loves to cast the shadow of self-doubt over us. He tries to get us to focus on all that is wrong with us (real or perceived), instead of anything that is right with us.
Scripture tells us that when Satan lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). The word lie means a falsehood with the intent to deceive. Satan intends to deceive our hearts by getting us to take our eyes off of who we are in Christ and focus on our flaws—then spend our days figuring out how we can hide them.
One of his goals is to get us to believe lies that leave us feeling inadequate and unsure of ourselves. It's just what he did with Eve in the garden. In fact, I wonder if Eve might have thought, What's wrong with me? when she became aware of her inadequacy.
Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden...and they hid from the LORD God...But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." (Gen. 3:7-10, NIV 1984)
In verse 11 God responds with a question, asking Adam who told them they were naked. In other words, "Who told you that something is wrong with you?" By asking this, God acknowledged there was someone casting shame on them—and it wasn't Him.
I believe He wanted them to be aware of their enemy who was whispering lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and from each other. God also wants us to be aware that we have an enemy who is constantly trying to convince us that we're inadequate and that something is wrong with us.
Sadly, we often go along with Satan's lies and live like they are true. Rarely do we stop to ask, "Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Is there something from my past that led me to believe this? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?"
But we can change that today. First, we need to realize Satan's schemes are the same for us as they were for Eve. Second, we need to determine we are not going to keep falling into his traps. Instead we can refute his lies and accusations with truth. If we have put our trust in Christ as our Savior, we can stand on these promises:
• When we feel defeated, God says, "In all these things [you] are more than [a conqueror] through him who loved [you]..." (Rom. 8:37, NIV)
• When we feel worthless, God says, "You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you." (Isa. 43:4, NIV)
• When we feel inadequate, God says, "'You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.'" (Isa. 43:10, NIV)
Lord, help me recognize the enemy's accusations and my own self-doubts. Please remind me of Your unconditional love and help me turn away from the lies so I can listen to and live in Your Truth! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
This devotion is taken in part from chapter 6, "When Doubt Whispers, 'You're Not Good Enough'" in Renee Swope's book: A Confident Heart. To find out more or order your copy,click here.
Visit Renee's website for a link to download these promises and more to print and carry with you. Also, enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries,you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost.
Application Steps:
When you have thoughts of doubt or self-criticism, instead of assuming something is wrong with you, turn towards the One who created you and say: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14 (NIV 1984)
Reflections:
When I feel like I've messed up, do I turn to God for His thoughts about me, or do I beat myself up with my own critical words? Would I talk to someone else the way I talk to myself?
Power Verses:
Psalm 138:8, "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 27, 2011
You Don't Like Me
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not be anxious about anything..." Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
"You are not liked."
"Who are you to think you could do that?"
"Why did you say that? Everyone thinks you're annoying."
"Your kids just illustrated every inadequacy you have as a mom."
"You are invisible."
Have you ever been taunted by these thoughts? I have. Why do we let such destructive words fall hard on our souls? Toxic thoughts are so dangerous because they leave no room for truth to flourish. And in the absence of truth, lies reign.
The other day I was discussing something with my husband and I said, "I know you think I'm being annoying and overly protective about this but..."
He stopped me and said, "How do you know that's what I'm thinking? Please don't hold me liable for saying things that are really only thoughts in your mind."
Wow. He's so right. He hadn't said those things. I was assuming he was thinking them and operating as if those toxic thoughts were reality.
I think we girls do this way too often. People aren't thinking about us and assessing us nearly as much as we think they are.
As Christian women we should hold our thoughts to a higher standard. How dare these run away thoughts be allowed to simply parade about as if they are true and manipulate us into feeling insecure, inadequate, and misunderstood! Oh how much trouble we invite into our lives based on assumptions. We are instructed:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:6-9 NIV 1984)
This is probably a verse you've read before. But, have you thought of applying it to your every thought...especially the toxic ones?
We are to think on, ponder and park our minds on constructive thoughts—not destructive thoughts. Thoughts that build up not tear down. Thoughts that breathe life not drain the life from us. Thoughts that lead to goodness not anxiety.
So, here are three questions we'd do well to ask ourselves when thoughts are dragging us down.
1. Did someone actually say this or am I assuming they are thinking it?
If they actually said it, deal with it then. If I'm assuming it, that's unfair to them and unnecessarily damaging to me. Instead of staying anxious, I need to seek truth by seeking God and asking Him for peace.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
2. Have I been actively engaging with truth lately?
The more we read God's truths and let truth fill our mind, the less time we'll spend contemplating untruths.
Thinking run-away, worrisome thoughts invites anxiety. Thinking thoughts of truth wraps my mind in peace and helps me rise above my circumstances.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3. Are certain situations or friendships feeding my insecurities?
If so, maybe I need to take a break from these for a season.
I need to seek friendships that are characterized by truth, honor, and love.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Good gracious I know this is tough stuff. I know these issues can be more complicated than three simple questions. But it's a good place to start holding our thoughts accountable.
After all, how a woman thinks is often how she lives.
I think we need to read that one again, don't you? How a woman thinks is often how she lives. May we think upon and live out truth—and only truth today.
Dear Lord, reveal to me untruths throughout my day that can so easily distract and discourage me. Help me see You and Your truth in all I do. You have taught that only Your truth will set me free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Give your friends an amazing gift today. It's free. It's life changing. It will strengthen her heart and make your friendship feel safe. To read more about this gift, visit Lysa's blog today by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports many areas of ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
We've got to hold our thoughts to a higher standard. Oh how much trouble we invite into our lives based on assumptions. Look up powerful verses on truth in the Bible. Seek wisdom and peace in the words of truth Jesus spoke.
Reflections:
The more I read God's truths and let truth fill my mind, the less time I'll spend contemplating untruths.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:15, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (NIV 1984)
John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 28, 2011
A Divine Interruption
Wendy Blight
"The word of the LORD came to Jonah...." Jonah 1:1 (NIV)
I couldn't wait to spend the whole afternoon alone. My husband was mountain biking and both of our children had plans for the day. All I could think of was the fact I would spend hours by myself...no one asking for anything...no one needing me. It was going to be a glorious day!
But then it happened. My daughter came bursting through the door saying she forgot she had a project due the next day. She needed me to take her here and rush there to purchase items she needed to complete it. Soon it became our project.
Frustration rose up within me with every step of the way. My words were few and short. I was clearly irritated and did not hesitate showing it. She was interrupting my plans.
Jonah experienced an unwelcome interruption, too. Jonah was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He was popular, successful, and highly respected. Then one day it happened. "The word of the LORD came to Jonah."(Jonah 1:1 NIV) and God interrupted his life of comfort with a command to leave his beloved country and people to preach—not to God's people—but to one of their most hated enemies.
God's call would take Jonah's life down a completely different path than the life he currently enjoyed. Jonah felt angry and frustrated...the same way I did when my daughter came bursting into the house...the same way we all do when an interruption disrupts our lives whether it be an adult child coming back home to live, an unexpected pregnancy, a job loss, a startling diagnosis or an unforeseen move.
Jonah was frustrated to such an extreme that he not only disobeyed God's instruction, he ran in the opposite direction to get as far away from God as he could.
If only Jonah could have seen the end of the story. He would have seen that this "divine" interruption was an invitation to participate in one of the more miraculous events in history, an opportunity to be part of God's eternal plan for His Kingdom.
Eventually Jonah obeyed, and God used him to bring about the revival of an entire nation of people. Jonah spoke only eight words, "Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed" (Jonah 3:4 NLT), and within 24 hours the people of Nineveh repented and turned from their wickedness! Some scholars believe this to be the greatest revival in human history.
Jonah's story helps me redefine "interruptions." In fact, it has made me examine every interruption to see if God's hand is in it...if there is something divine in which He is inviting me to partake.
Just a few weeks ago, we took our daughter to college. I would give anything to have that divine interruption back...to have an entire afternoon to shop with her and spend time working on a project together.
How might Jonah's story help you see the interruptions in your life differently? Join me today in trusting God with His plan, accepting His divine invitation to experience Him and be part of His plans in ways you may not expect. Will you yield your plan for His today?
Heavenly Father, thank You that You have a plan for my life...a plan to prosper and not to harm me...a plan to give me hope and a future. Thank You that You allow divine interruptions in my life to draw me back into that plan if I ever wonder away or get too comfortable with where I am. Please give me eyes to see and a heart to respond to each and every divine interruption. Enable me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to obey. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Visit Wendy's blog to learn more about her online Bible study on the book of Hebrews.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports many areas of ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
Is there a divine interruption in your life God is using to bring you into His plan? How will you respond?
Reflections:
Read the book of Jonah (only four chapters) and discover how God brought Jonah back on track with His plan.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
Jonah 3:4-5, "Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.' The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth." (NIV)
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
October 31, 2011
A Time to Pray
Rachel Olsen
"Never stop praying." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
GUILT. Many Christians I talk to equate this word with their prayer life, and I can relate.
I used to feel guilty. People would ask me to pray, or I would volunteer to when I heard they were going through something difficult. With a heart of compassion, I'd reply, "Oh, I'll pray for you!" And I fully intended to. But then I'd forget ... get busy ... say that to five other people ... and often never get around to doing it despite my good intentions.
I'd put off praying in the moment, in favor of waiting until I had a big chunk of time. Then life would happen and that chunk of time wouldn't materialize. By the time I carved some out, I couldn't remember all I'd intended to pray about.
One perception I had was that I needed to spend a lot of time in prayer in order to do it "right." I thought short prayers wouldn't have much power or impact. Then I noticed something that shifted my thinking. In Matthew 6, Jesus is teaching about prayer. He says, "When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask" (Matthew 6:7-8, CEV).
Wow, so I don't have to talk for hours, coming up with eloquent ways to phrase my petitions? It was freeing to see this coming from Jesus' own lips.
That was followed by another ah-ha moment. In the next verse, Jesus said: "You should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven. Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil" (Matthew 6:9-13, CEV). This is often called "The Lord's Prayer."
Pause, look at the clock, and recite the Lord's Prayer aloud. Check the clock again. How long did that take? This was Jesus' illustration of how to pray—what does that tell us about feeling we need to pray l-o-n-g prayers to be effective?
Hear me on this, there are needs that call for extended time in prayer (see Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-46 for instance). But many things can be prayed for in short prayers as we move throughout our day.
Now, when a friend sends me an email with a troubled story, I rarely respond by saying, "I will pray for you." Instead, I pause and pray for her, and then I reply, "I have prayed for you." If someone calls me, or tells me in person about their prayer need, more often than not I'll offer to pray with them right then.
If I encounter a reason to pray while reading the newspaper or scripture, I do it in the moment. My aim is not to be lengthy and elaborate with these prayers, but rather to do it while my mind is on it.
If I feel the need to pray for someone repeatedly over time, I follow through with my carefully considered plan as I've gotten intentional about prayer. Deciding several years ago to pray short, in the moment prayers, was key for me. It's a doable way of "praying continually" and it helped relieve feelings of failure, pressure and guilt.
Most importantly, this ensures that people's needs are in fact being prayed for—which is the ultimate goal, right?
As I read the Bible, I see instructions to pray frequently, to pray with faith and persistence, and to pray over all our cares and concerns. But I do not see that we must talk for hours over each request for God to hear them.
I hope that does for you what it did for me—replaces feelings of guilt with a renewed passion to pray.
Dear Lord, help me to pray frequently and persistently with faith, in accordance with Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Did it help you today to learn this "divine secret" to an effective prayer life? If so, you'll want to check out more divine secrets for Christian living in Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
Come leave a prayer request at Rachel's blog today.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Purpose to pray in-the-moment-prayers today.
Reflections:
Is prayer a regular part of my day, or something I "save up" for later?
Power Verses:
Psalm 66:20, "Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me." (NLT)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 1, 2011
Where the Heart Is
Susan Meissner
She Reads Featured Author
"He has planted eternity in the human heart ..." Ecclesiastes 3:11b (NLT)
A while back, my young adult son took a trip to visit friends in the state where we used to live. He stopped by the house that had been ours for all of his childhood. And, he felt compelled to knock on the front door and introduce himself to the strangers who now own it.
When he said he had grown up in that house, the wife didn't hesitate to open the door wide and invite him in. She knew that in our hearts we often feel toward our houses what we might feel for a trusted ally, a kind friend or maybe even a silent witness to our pain.
My latest character Marielle Bishop understands this. In my new novel A Sound Among the Trees, new bride Marielle takes up residence in an old house with a storied past. She just isn't sure that this place can be a safe haven for her heart.
We are wired to feel a tug toward that one special place we feel safe, wanted and cared for. Our hearts are restless when we're far from home, or our home is taken from us, or when discord disrupts the tranquility of that place.
So what's a girl to do when she doesn't feel at home? We need to remember that Christ is at home in her. So in a sense, we take our eternal home with us wherever we go. Wherever we are, we can feel safe, wanted and cared for by Christ who dwells inside every believer.
When the Israelites were waiting for God to lead them to their new home in the Promised Land, He had them build a tabernacle for His presence to dwell right there where they were, wherever that was on their journey.
We don't use the word "tabernacle" much these days but if you were to look at its Hebrew roots you would see that it comes from the same word as "dwell" and "abide" and "settle down." When God brings His presence right to where we are, He is "tabernacling" with us.
The Lord God Almighty settles down inside us. His Spirit lives in us. Our heart becomes His Holy tabernacle and He is at home in us. Isn't that a thrilling, mind-bending concept?
The Bible tells us God has "set eternity in our hearts" which means He has made us hungry for His heavenly embrace. The affection we have for our earthly houses stems from this smoldering ember of our longing for Him as our eternal home.
There's no place like home. It's why we like everyone to be home for the holidays and home before dark and why we just want to go home when we're having a bad day. Home is where our hearts are at rest. And our hearts can always be at rest in Him.
Whether your earthly home is as near as your next breath or too far away to be seen today, know that God has promised to tabernacle with you! He dwells with you. You are His earthly address. And in Him, you are home.
Dear Lord, help me today to find all my joy in knowing You are my forever dwelling place and that I am at home in You because You are at home in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have You Made God Your Dwelling Place?
A house with a turbulent Civil War history becomes home to a new bride and stepmother in a richly absorbing tale of a line of women living in patterns of regret. Visit She Reads to learn more about Susan Meissner and her new novel A Sound Beneath the Trees. Also, enter to win a Civil War era styled quilted table runner, or a southern caramel cake along with the novel.
Application Steps:
Are you feeling "homesick" today? Do you wish you could go back to a simpler time or place? Make a list of ten things you are grateful for that do not change simply because your address changes. Start the list with: 1) God lovingly lives in me.
Visit a nursing home in your area today. Find out if there is a resident there who rarely gets visitors. Ask that resident to tell you about the home where they grew up and before you leave, ask if you can read them Psalm 91.
Reflections:
Regrets keep us focused on the parts of our past that God wants us to move forward from. Are you holding onto an old "dwelling place" where God's peace is not present?
Power Verses:
Ezekiel 37:26-27, "I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people." (NIV)
I Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?" (NIV)
© 2011 by Susan Meissner. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 2, 2011
What I Don't Believe
Glynnis Whitwer
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (NIV)
Every parent knows the frustration of warning a child against something ... only to have him walk right into trouble, and suffer the consequences. "I told you so" doesn't bring as much pleasure as we might have thought.
When my first son started driving, he decided that speed "limits" were speed "suggestions." Friends told him just how far above the posted limits he could drive without getting a ticket, and he nudged past that. The police, however, have a different view of the rules. And my son learned that the cost of speeding isn't worth the few minutes gained or the momentary adrenaline rush.
My son deceived himself. He talked himself into believing the rules didn't apply to him. And for awhile he got away with it. But eventually the consequences caught up with him.
I'm not much different. I've been guilty of doing the same thing, only not with traffic rules. I've read Scripture and decided parts of God's Word didn't apply to me. I could not have been more wrong.
Growing up, I attended church faithfully and was taught from the Bible. But there were bits and pieces I ignored because they didn't seem relevant. Like honoring and submitting to my husband (Colossians 3:18). Or really forgiving someone who had offended me (Matthew 6:14-15). Or staying away from horoscopes (Isaiah 47:12-14).
It's not that I stomped my foot and demanded my own way. I simply ignored God's teaching, and quietly went about creating a faith based on my opinions and beliefs. Basically I created Christianity according to Glynnis.
Isn't it tempting to define God by our own understanding? It's so easy to say, "God would never ..." and then fill in the blank with how we think He should behave. Instead of checking that belief against the entire counsel of Scripture, we create a very safe and non-threatening God. We bring God down to our level, and forget His holiness.
James 1:22 says we deceive ourselves when we hear but don't obey God's Word. I don't know about you, but I don't like to be deceived — even by myself.
So what changed for me? I got honest and admitted this tendency to go my own way. I confessed that I didn't fully trust God's wisdom. Then I decided to accept God the way He is. It was a simple (not always easy) decision to trust that God's character is perfect, that His ways (not mine) are really best for me.
Choosing what I don't want to believe is dangerous. I might not get a ticket, but it has opened doors of consequences that took years to live through. But choosing Whom to believe is the wisest thing I've ever done.
Dear Lord, You are perfect and holy in all Your ways. Forgive me when I try to put You in a box, or make You into who I think You should be. Help me to accept that I won't understand everything this side of heaven, and that I should just trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Are you ready to stop doing life on your terms? If so, you can make a decision today follow God. Click here for more: Do You Know Him?
Did Glynnis' comment about horoscopes surprise you? To hear why Glynnis stays away from astrology, visit her blog.
For help on finding more order and peace in your life God's way, check out Glynnis' newest book, I Used to Be So Organized.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify one question you've had about the Bible, and commit this week to researching it. An easy way is to visit Biblegateway.com and do a search for a specific topic.
Reflections:
Our culture wants us to believe truth is relative. Can I identify one of God's truths that has commonly been denied?
How have I personally benefited by believing and obeying some of God's hard truths?
Power Verses:
2 Timothy 4:3, "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 2:3-5, "I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 3, 2011
The Need to Know
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'" Acts 3:6 (NIV)
I have a friend who is hurting. Life as she knew it has suddenly tipped over into a raging river of chaos and confusion. She can barely come up for air before another current rips her under.
If ever there was a drowning with no water involved, this is where my friend is.
Maybe you have a hurting friend too.
Yesterday, I sat down to write my friend a card and send her a little gift. I desperately wanted to love her through my words. My heart was full of care, compassion and a strong desire to encourage but I struggled to translate all I felt on paper.
As I prayed about it, the word "value" kept coming to mind.
Remind her she is valuable.
Remind her how much you respect her.
Remind her she is a woman who has so much to offer.
In Acts 3, Peter and John encounter a crippled man at the temple gate called beautiful. They stopped. They noticed. They decided to touch. Riches weren't available to them, but the ability to value was.
"'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk.' Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up..." (Acts 3:6-7).
Peter and John didn't have silver but they had a hand to offer and they had value to give. The man in need was worth touching. The man in need just needed someone to give him a hand and help him up. After he got up, he went into the temple courts praising God and stirring up wonder and amazement about God.
The man who'd been in need became the man who had so much to give.
I want my friend to know she too can get up. She too can stir up amazement and wonder about our God.
Yes, she is valuable.
And so with imperfect words on a simple card, I wrote. "I just think you need to know you are so very valuable. I respect you and love you. Thank you for being you."
Who might need a card like this from you today? Why not stop right now before the moment slips away...
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me how to love others. Help me to be Your hands and feet today. Give me Your heart so I can see who else in my path today needs some encouragement. For when I reach out, You reach in ... into my heart and bless me so. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For a list of 10 wonderfully encouraging Bible verses to write in your note to your friend, click here.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Who can you encourage today with a simple gift of handwritten words? We are all precious in His sight. Someone in your life needs to hear that today.
Reflections:
I want my friend to remember she too can get up. She too can stir up amazement and wonder about our God.
Power Verses:
Psalm 94:19, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 4, 2011
Letter of Love
T. Suzanne Eller
"And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 (NLT)
I have only scraps now. Words penned on paper when I was a teen. I was a new Christian, trying to live my faith in a house of chaos. My mom was broken. My dad hid behind a newspaper, calling out words like "you belong in a loony bin" to my mother, spiraling her deeper into an abyss of rage and hopelessness.
I lived in parallel worlds. First, my very fractured home. And second, a world where people loved Jesus, and their lives reflected His love.
Church was more than a building to me. It was a sanctuary; a shelter from the roller coaster existence at home. I spent hours at the altar, weeping—not out of grief, or self-pity—but because I had discovered the most amazing truth: God is love.
Two years after my encounter with Christ, I found a letter on my pillow.
Dear Suzie, I've watched you and I know what you have is real. It's a treasure, and I hope you hang on to it....
I sat on the edge of the bed and read through the rest of the letter, amazed. It was penned by my dad. A man who did not know how to express his feelings very well. A man who had faced his own demons growing up, and who believed that love was putting food on the table and going to work every morning at 7 a.m.
Looking back now through the mirror of time, I see two adults who struggled. My mom with pain. My dad with the inability to know how to help. But that letter was a ray of light. I keep it, now in tattered pieces, because it came at a time I needed it.
Though I prayed often for my family, my home was the same old mess day after day. Thoughts of running away flooded me. Instead, I ran after Jesus, all the while longing for my parents to discover what I had found.
My father never said a word about the letter left on my pillow. But he was baptized the next year. He and my mother started attending church. It was a long, hard road, yet over time my mother was healed emotionally. Her smile came back and it was beautiful.
In the 30 years that have passed, I've been reading another letter from a father—my Heavenly Father.
The Bible has become an ongoing communication between me and Jesus. I don't know how many times I've sat with the Bible in my hands, and felt an encouraging word or a corrective nudge. A command to overcome or a promise that I'd never have to do it alone. It's not specifically written to me, but the Holy Spirit marks it with my name as He reveals truth.
Just when I need it. Just when I've been praying for direction. Just when I've felt that my faith was running on empty.
Yet, there are times I have allowed that meaningful Letter to sit idle. I've pushed it to the side, knowing I'd "get to it" later. And yet one day I realized the Bible is just as affirming as those tattered pieces from my earthly father.
In fact, the words are very much the same. I find in Scripture that Jesus knows what I've been feeling, and He reminds me that He sees me. He affirms that I have discovered real treasure, and encourages me to hang on to it, especially in the hard times.
Maybe it's been a long time since you opened your Letter of Love. I pray that today you'll pick it back up, hold it in your hands, and read it for the first time all over again.
Dear Father, You know my pressures. You know my shortcomings. Thank You that You know what I need. Give me a hunger to communicate with You. Thank You for Your letter of love to me. I ask that Your Holy Spirit take Your word and mark my life with it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
Visit Suzie's blog where she will give away a copy of Making It Real and share tips on how to make Bible study more personal.
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
It's not about checking off "read your Bible" from your to-do list for the day. It's taking time to communicate with Jesus.
1. Make an appointment, as you would with a friend.
2. Don't worry about a set number of verses or chapters. It's better to study three verses and grow through them, than to read five chapters just because it's on your to-do list.
3. Read with a pen in hand. Underline verses that speak to you.
4. Keep a journal close by. Write your thoughts and questions as you read.
Reflections:
"The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs to me; it has hands, it lays hold of me." ~ Martin Luther
Power Verses:
Revelation 1:8, "'I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,' says the Lord God. 'I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.'" (NLT)
Revelation 3:20, "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 7, 2011
Stir It Up
Marybeth Whalen
"[For] it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (NIV 1984)
I took a sip of coffee and grimaced as I peered into the cup. Everything looked like it should, but the coffee wasn't sweet. Yet I remembered tearing open the little yellow packets and sprinkling the sweet crystals over the surface of the caramel colored liquid. Then I realized that—while I had added the sugar—I had never stirred it into the coffee. Without that stirring action, the sugar couldn't work all the way through.
I do this with my faith as well. I add all the necessary ingredients. I've got my Bible, my devotion subscription, my godly girlfriends, my church, my special quiet time journal, my praise and worship songs, my verses memorized. If you looked at me, you'd say it's all there.
But I'd rather avoid the stirring up part, truth be told. I'd tell you that I know it's good for me. I'd tell you that it's not good to stay in one place. I'd tell you that you should submit to God and let Him stir you up and that I'd be glad to pray for you during that process.
But me? No. Just leave me alone. Let me sit. I'd rather look okay and be comfortable than be stirred up and reach my full potential.
Have you ever had those feelings?
Maybe today you're feeling stirred up. Your finances or your job or your marriage or your children or your friendships or your dreams feel like a cyclone is swirling through them, leaving you unsettled and unstable. You might be wondering why God is letting this happen, why He's forgotten you. Not thinking that it just might be His hand doing the stirring. He's using those swirling forces to reach all the parts of you that He wants to get to. As today's verse reminds us, He works in you to accomplish His purpose for you.
Years ago a friend and I were making a big pot of spaghetti sauce. We left the pot on the stove and went off to join our families outside. But when we returned we smelled something burning. We pulled the lid off the pot to peer at the sauce. The sauce looked fine. All the elements were there: the red color, the thickness of the liquid, the chunks of meat and slivers of onions and spices. It was only as we took a long spoon and dug deep into the pot that we discovered that the sauce at the very bottom had become stuck because we hadn't been inside stirring it up, keeping it moving, not letting it settle. When things get settled, they become stuck.
As you are stirred up in life, thank God that He loves you enough to not let you get stuck, to not leave you bitter. The elements are there—and that's important—but it's in the stirring that we become all that He has in mind.
Dear Lord, when I am feeling stirred up, help me to think of it as You working Your sweetness into me, as You preventing me from becoming stuck. I want to move forward with You and become what You have in mind. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Marybeth's blog where she discusses faith, family, fiction or food each day.
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Think about a time recently when you felt stirred up. Write down some good things that came out of that stirring up. Spend time thanking God for the way He works through you to accomplish His purposes for you.
Reflections:
When I'm feeling stirred up do I tend to resist it or submit to it? Am I afraid of being stirred up? Do I feel like God must not love me when that happens or do I see the stirring as just one more step in my faith process?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 13:20-21, "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 8, 2011
Belittled
Samantha Reed, Executive Assistant
"The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5b (NIV)
Trapped like a firefly in a Mason jar. Stifled, I peered out, watching others' dreams and hopes and joys twinkle and fly by my stagnant ones. My own desires sat dusty in my valley of pain.
Little by little, my happy-go-lucky heart flickered. Sadness cupped his hand over what dim light was left as I acknowledged out loud the depths of my disappointment.
Extinguished. Exhausted. Expectant no longer.
"I'm so sorry your dreams are dashed," my friend offered. "Wish I had known sooner how painful this disappointment has been. Woulda been an honor to walk it out with you."
"Thanks. But a broken heart is silly. Especially in light of others' pain." Our friend's husband had just passed away; he endured months of heartbreaking illness. Now she endured the grief of his death. Who was I to be sad about a mere breakup? I would not add white noise to the blaring symphony of sorrow around me.
Silenced by self-doubt. Belittled by unworthiness.
I diminished my pain, fearing it insignificant compared to others seemingly more important pain. I belittled my pain and in the process, belittled God's care about my pain. Healing had been offered, yet I walked away from it, from the One who longed to tend my wounds.
Years of wisdom, scrolls of mercy, flashed in my friend's eyes.
She took my hand and we journeyed back. Back to a time when she lost two children. Someone told her to check her pain at the door. Keep it in perspective to others' pain.
She took my hand and we journeyed back. Back to a time when pain was acknowledged and sifted through, not simply tucked in a dark corner. She turned from the pain to the Lord who administered healing from the grief of empty arms and empty cribs.
She took my hand and we journeyed forward. "Don't belittle your grief. Your pain is genuine. This valley is real. You must acknowledge the Lord is near and accept His help to get out."
My friend granted permission to feel my ache and loss. Drastically different than her own, yet no less honest. Not till that moment did I realize I'd held my pain at a distance, shunned for perceived absurdity. Petty stuff my broken heart stood certain God didn't have time to worry about it.
Yet truth resonated in my friend's words. No one loves us like He can, like He will. No one offers healing like He does. And no one stands as near, willing to catch our tears. So precious, He saves each and every one.
Friend, is it perhaps time to acknowledge your pain? To become aware of the Lord's care and always-there presence?
The grace of God and of friends in the valley is needed. Counting stars during the long, dark night of our soul is more comforting with others beside us. The first ray of light often is glimpsed by them anyhow. If you are longing for a close companion, pray for one. Perhaps joining a small group, calling an acquaintance for coffee, or helping a neighbor will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
No matter what other voices have said, your pain is valid.
Seasons of pain come. And they also leave. Don't miss that. Pain is not meant to linger indefinitely. God cares deeply and longs to heal you. No pain is too great ... or too little. Often we just need a trusted companion to remind us He is near. He heals. He longs to undo the lid on our Mason jar; release our dreams and hopes and joys. And fly next to us, out of the valley.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving us enough to go through the grief of Your Son, Jesus, dying on the cross. He bore our pain. He knows our pain. He heals our pain. Thank You. In His Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
There is much pain associated with poverty. You could help alleviate this pain by sponsoring a child through Compassion International!
Visit Samantha's blog for her friend, Jane's, story of healing from the loss of her twins.
Application Steps:
Do you cram your pain down, figuring it is simply 'white noise' in a world of hurt? Do a word search on BibleGateway for "near, nearness, close" to remind you of God's nearness and desire to hear your heart.
Could it be God is asking you to be that friend you long for to another? Call her today.
If you are in need of healing, reach out to a trusted friend or counselor. Remember the Lord has always been near and is your healer.
Reflections:
"The simple statement, 'God is for us', is in truth one of the richest and weightiest utterances that the Bible contains." J.I. Packer
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:7, "[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV 1984)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 9, 2011
He Is There
Renee Swope
"Now he had to go through Samaria... and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?'" John 4:4, 6-7 (NIV)
What was He doing there? She didn't know who He was and couldn't help but wonder why He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman.
When He spoke, she heard gentleness in His voice. Kindness and humility in His simple request for a drink. In His eyes she saw acceptance, not judgment; love, not hate.
Many of us know her as the Samaritan woman, but I like to call her Sam. It makes her feel more like the real woman she was. A woman just like us who struggled with hurts, rejection and loneliness.
One thing I love about her story is found in our key verse where it tells us Jesus "had to go through Samaria." Theologians would tell us Jews considered Samaritans to be the scum of the earth and would do everything to avoid them. In fact, usually they would travel around Samaria—but not Jesus.
He had to go through Samaria. Perhaps it is because He knew Sam would be there.
Now typically, women came to the well in the morning or early evening. They traveled together in the cool of the day, avoiding the scorching heat of the sun since they would be carrying heavy jars filled with water back to their homes. But not Sam; she walked there all by herself in the hottest part of the day.
Instead of avoiding the scorching heat of the sun, many believe Sam went to the well at noon to avoid the scorching pain of others' rejection and judgment. The weight of the water-filled jar in the heat must have been almost unbearable; but the weight of her neighbors' words, reminding her of her failures, was more than she could take.
You see, Sam had been married five times. In her culture women could not divorce their husbands, so she had been discarded by five men. And, she was now living with a man who didn't think she was worth committing to.
When Jesus met her, Sam was running errands and running away from those who knew all about her flaws and failed marriages. Knowing she was running from the very thing that reminded her of her imperfections, Jesus timed it so she would run into Him and find perfect love.
He initiated conversation and asked her for the one thing she had to offer: water. It wasn't much, but it was a starting point. Sam could have filled her jar and headed back home, returning to her busy day. Yet she stopped and listened. She let Him speak into the broken, hurting, empty places of her heart.
Jesus intentionally met Sam in one of the loneliest parts of her day. And in the same way, He wants to meet us in the midst of our sometimes lonely and often imperfect lives, when our disappointments, pains and failures try to confirm our self-doubts.
Jesus is there waiting for us to come to Him.
He is there when we're going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done, but unaware of how we're going to do it.
He is there when we can't stop criticizing ourselves for blowing it the day before; when we go to work and wonder why we're even there.
He is there during endless days filled with diapers and laundry, wondering if we'll ever find meaning in the monotony.
He is there when we come home to an empty house and wonder why we don't have a family, or come home to a teenager who belittle us and a husband who ignores us.
Jesus sees our hearts and knows the pain of our loneliness, disappointment and rejection. Today He is pursuing us, inviting us to come to Him to receive the perfect love He offers — love that is patient and kind, love that keeps no record of wrongs, love that won't give up on us.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, will you stop and talk to Him? And then, will you quiet your thoughts so you can listen to His?
Dear Lord, thank You for pursuing me. I want to know and rely on the love You have for me, and live in the security of it! When I feel afraid, insignificant or alone today, help me turn to You and remember You are there! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is taken in part from Chapter 2 of Renee's book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Want to read the rest of Chapter 2 Because God's Love is Perfect, I Don't Have to Be? Click here to download it for FREE! (For a limited time only.)
Visit Renee's website to sign up for her online Bible study of A Confident Heart, beginning in January. Also, be sure to enter her give-away that includes a Starbucks gift card and more!
When you buy resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity but supporting the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost through a purchase.
Application Steps:
How does it make you feel to know Jesus understands, and He is still there with you in every moment of every day? When do you need His assurance and presence most?
Reflections:
"Jesus is the only One who can meet our deepest need to be pursued, accepted and delighted in simply because of who we are. We can offer nothing but our presence, and He will desire us just the same." From A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (NIV)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 10, 2011
Feeling Trapped
Glynnis Whitwer
"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress." Psalm 107:13 (NIV)
Feeling trapped, with no way out, is a horrible place to be. I know. I've been there several times in the past few years.
When the housing market crashed in my hometown, our family-owned consulting firm almost crashed along with it. Contracts were canceled, potential jobs shriveled, credit maxed and investments bombed. Most of the trouble was out of our control, but some was from our unwise decisions.
One month dragged into another. Some weeks we barely squeaked by. I didn't lose my faith in God's provision, as He took care of our basic needs. But His timing to pull us out of the depths of our trouble was not mine. I cried out for a quick fix; He had another plan.
Before help came, God let us sit in the mess for a long time. In fact, we had to sit in a place of helplessness for longer than we wanted. All of our previous abilities to help ourselves were gone. Places that had previously been willing to extend a helping hand weren't able to help. At times it felt like we had been abandoned. Was it because of something we had done? Maybe our unwise choices? Questions abounded.
But then God stepped in. And because we'd been sitting in that mess so long, our gratitude doubled. We clearly saw His hand at work. In hindsight, if we'd been able to help ourselves, we would have patted ourselves on the backs at our cleverness. Now, God gets all the glory.
You may be trapped right now and wondering if God will rescue you. Maybe you've made bad choices. Perhaps you have disqualified yourself from being saved. If that's you, then I've got good news. No matter if your situation is of your own making or someone else's, God cares and has a plan to save you.
Psalm 107 sings this truth. In this amazing passage we learn of God's faithfulness to people in all kinds of difficult places: deserts, darkness and the foolishness of their deeds. Yet no matter where they were or what they had done, when they cried to God, He heard them. And He hears us today.
This Psalm isn't just literature. It's a message from the faithful of old, to the faithful of today. It was captured in writing so that when we feel lost, trapped, overwhelmed and afraid, we would read it and believe ... believe that the God who brought deliverance then, will do so today.
Here's just a portion of that scripture. When you have time, please read the entire passage. Psalm 107:10-13 (NIV):
Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God's commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
God specializes in rescuing the trapped – no matter how they got there. He did it for me and He will do it for you.
Dear Lord, You alone know the fullness of my desperate situation. You know how trapped I feel right now. I haven't done everything perfectly, and I confess my rebellious ways. Lord, You said if we called out to You in our distress, You would answer. So I'm calling out now. Please help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for encouragement in tough situations, and how Glynnis has learned to pray differently because of those difficult times.
If you need some practical help in bringing order to your life, consider I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer.
Work@Home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
If you are in a desperate situation right now, first make sure everything is right between you and God. Humbly confess any wrong thoughts, words or deeds. Then pray and ask God for help.
Reflections:
Has God ever let me sit in a difficult place for longer than I wanted to sit? What did I learn during that time?
Why is our humility an important component to God's rescue of us?
Power Verses:
Psalm 107
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 11, 2011
We Don't Have Family Devotions
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9 (NIV)
We don't hold structured family devotions anymore, and I miss them. It was always my favorite night of the week. We called it 'family time.'
We started holding them several years ago when the Lord convicted me to begin family devotions in our home. In addition to church and youth group, I felt led to spend additional quality time with my family once a week to learn about scripture and pray together. It was a good time of connecting with our young teens. During family time we:
Read the Bible.
Memorized scripture.
Marveled at how God answers prayers.
Prayed.
Early on, I noticed my two children weren't grasping the depth and reality of God's love for them. So my husband and I showed, explained and discussed how God's love is all-powerful, and that He is always available to us. We were well aware we weren't perfect parents. But we knew the perfect parent and we wanted our kids to as well.
Despite our efforts of instilling solid truths to live by, we still had to navigate rough waters with our young teens and some of the choices they made. Waters so rough my heart nearly tore in two several times. Storms that raged so strong I begged God on my knees for mercy and answers.
Through each situation we faced, we continued to pray and seek Him together during family time. We never let our kids lose sight that God cared, and they were precious in His sight. He doesn't condemn; He loves, always. It's who He is.
I reiterated that thought often and pointed to Jesus' own words: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love" (John 15:9).
God's Word, forgiveness and truth were the powerful bond that held us together during stormy trials.
Our daughter is now 19, works part-time and carries a full-time college course load. She loves the Lord and recently returned from a mission trip to Germany where she served at a youth camp with her dad.
Our 16 year old son is a sophomore in high school, and was recently baptized. He lives out his faith boldly among friends and peers.
Changes in life have altered our weekly family time. We no longer have regular sit down family devotions. But we still gather around our dinner table and openly discuss the world, our faith, struggles, the Bible and the marvels of God. Our structured devotion time morphed into the norm of our life.
Because of the deliberate family devotion times we once had, our kids feel the freedom to ask us to pray with and for them – almost every day. They see the value in seeking God's wisdom, strength and direction in all things.
And regardless of what choices they made as young teens and the circumstances we've been through as a family, we never let them lose sight of the fact that God is real and He loves them. Today they believe it, live it and know it. Praise God.
Dear Lord, thank You for my family. Please continue to show me how to love them and lead them according to Your will. Give me the boldness to show them my love for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To read other writings from Holly, please click here.
Here are some resources that may help you in your walk as a busy parent:
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl and What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Try to get intentional about having a specific time for your family to pray together. You will see the hand of God move as you seek Him as a family.
Encourage your children to talk to you about their faith and questions they may have.
Create a safe environment for your children to share what is on their hearts.
Reflections:
Devotion time took effort and diligence on our part as parents, but it has molded our children into the teens they are today. They see the value in seeking God's wisdom, strength and direction in all things.
What can you do today to show God's love to your children?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 54:10, "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (NIV)
© 2011 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 14, 2011
Penciled in the Margins
T. Suzanne Eller
"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away." Revelations 21:4 (AMP)
One day a friend commented on how "inked up" my Bible was while pointing to the underlined words, comments and prayers written beside scriptures.
"I don't write in my Bible in ink," she said. "I only write in pencil."
She explained that she had a tough childhood. While growing up, there were many people in her life that had let her down. Eventually she let herself down, and it hurt not only her, but her children and her marriage.
One day she picked up a Bible and started reading it. To her, many of the scriptures seemed harsh, and she assumed those that were hopeful were meant for someone else. As she read, she wrote down comments. She wrote down questions. She penciled in a picture of a broken heart next to one scripture.
Then, over time, those scriptures started to make sense. What once seemed harsh now seemed loving. "God wasn't trying to take anything away from me. He was trying to give me life," she said.
The more she read, the more she wrote in the margins of her Bible, but always in pencil. Question marks were erased and comments of gratefulness replaced them. Scriptures that once seemed written for others were claimed as her own. One day she erased the picture of the broken heart and penciled in an image of a new heart — one that was whole and beautiful.
In Revelation 21:4 we are assured that God "wipes" away old things. That word means "to erase." He is continually writing in the margins of our lives, erasing tears and writing in joy. Mourning or sadness ebbs away as He gently writes in hope for tomorrow. What we might see as permanent, God sees written in pencil.
Perhaps today you feel as if nothing can change. Are you willing to invite God into the margins of your life?
Your thought life.
Your hurts.
Your failures.
Your feelings.
When we do, change begins. Old things pass away and we are made new as God rewrites truth into those areas. We become more like Him, discovering God has so much more for us as He etches His love on our hearts and our lives.
Dear Lord, go deep. Shine Your light on the penciled margins of me. See those places where I am scarred. Touch those thoughts that keep me bound. Erase the old, and write in the new. I stand with my heart and life wide open. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway and to discover how to study the Bible in a fresh new way.
The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Change often begins when we show God those places where we still doubt, where we hurt and where we desire new life. It's not that He doesn't see them already, but when you and I invite Him in, it is a huge step of faith!
Get alone with God. Be as honest as you can (Matthew 6:6 The Message). Show Him the raw places. Show Him your doubts. Invite Him in.
Reflections:
"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." — Helen Keller
Power Verses:
Matthew 9:22, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well. At once the woman was made well." (NASB, 1995)
Isaiah 35:10, "Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 15, 2011
Labels
Lisa Whittle, She Seeks
"I have called you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1b (NLT)
I ran down the stairs to find the usual smattering of bright red, green and silver wrapped boxes full of gifts. I tore into them, anticipating the many things I'd written on my long Christmas wish list. All the gifts excited me. But one, in particular, was a favorite: my very own shiny black label maker.
In the weeks to come, I would put labels on everything. My shoes had white sticky strips with gray crooked letters that spelled 'Lisa' on them. So did my books, my bags, my plastic baton handle and even my padded bicycle seat. I took great pleasure in tagging the things I loved with my name.
But as the years went on, I used labels in different ways. I labeled myself as confident when deep down, I was really afraid. I labeled myself as bad when I became weighted down by my sin. Even as an adult, when my husband and I closed the church we started just 13 months earlier, I labeled myself a failure.
Labels. Not all of them are good.
Often, the labels we put on ourselves as grown women can create holes inside us — the kind of internal voids that only God can fill. We do this when we pluck one negative experience from our life, or even, a positive one, and we decide that our life story, worth and future rests on the label our experience has created. It is then that we fail to remember that the only label we need ever wear is the one that says we belong to Jesus.
Jesus did not create us to wear the labels of this world, even the ones we place on ourselves. Instead, He created us as His "dearly loved children" (Eph. 5:1 NIV).
Labels get in the way of this. They keep us tagged with unhealthy stigmas, emotions and pieces from our past that weigh on us and stifle His intention for our life.
The truth is, our experiences do not own us unless we give them permission. Instead, we have access to the power of God to help us peel off the labels, so we may start living a whole new story — our own story of wholeness.
Are you ready to live without your labels? If you are, then you are in the right place.
Because today, Jesus wants you to know that His label of love has covered all the rest. And with that covering, no other label has room to stick.
Dear Lord, thank You for being the only label I need wear. Help me to take off the other labels I have been given, even by myself. May I know, today, that identity in You offers freedom...and may I receive it into the deepest places of my heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
{w}hole: An Honest Look at the Holes In Your Life and How to Let God Fill Them by Lisa Whittle
Behind Those Eyes: What's Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women by Lisa Whittle
Journey with Lisa to becoming whole on her blog. While there, enter to win one of two sets of {w}hole and Behind Those Eyes.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Have you struggled to move past the labels you have had in your life?
Reflections:
How can I begin to see myself with only the label of "child of God"?
Power Verses:
Galatians 1:15, "But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace." (NLT)
2 Peter 1:3, "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence." (NLT)
© 2011 by Lisa Whittle. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 16, 2011
The Little Things
Marybeth Whalen
"My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly." Psalm 38:5 (NIV)
It was just a little thing. A small stone or piece of shell I'd stepped on at some point during my walk on the beach. I figured I didn't need to worry about it. Eventually it would work its way out. So I ignored it and went on with life.
But weeks later my plan wasn't working. The little thing hadn't gone away. It had only worked its way deeper into my foot. I was having more and more trouble walking. And my little thing had become harder to ignore.
At my husband's insistence, I finally visited the doctor, who told me that something that could've been handled easily at the beginning had now turned into a much bigger problem. What could've been as simple as removing a splinter now involved cutting into my foot.
I thought of the little things in my life I've ignored, letting them work their way deeper instead of plucking them out while they were still easy to get to. Resentment, anger, jealousy, gossip, unforgiveness and unkind thoughts can be plucked out the moment we realize they're there. But leave them untended and they go deeper.
What could be a matter of prayer and accountability becomes a full blown life issue that controls us and causes pain—not just for us, but for others as well. Ignore the little things and they become big problems; plucking becomes carving. Like our verse today, our sinful folly causes wounds that fester instead of heal.
I didn't take the time to go to the doctor. I didn't want to mess with the inconvenience or the pain of having my little thing dealt with. I thought I could handle it on my own. But I couldn't. I needed a physician to do what I could not. It is the same for those little things in my thought life as well. I need the Great Physician to remove what I can't reach — and do it before it becomes so deep that it's part of who I am.
When I'm struggling with little things, I've learned to ask God to help me see what is going on through His Word and prayer. Then I listen to the Holy Spirit's convictions and seek honesty from friends and family.
As a friend of mine says, "The truth might hurt, but the truth also heals." We must be intentional about being honest with ourselves and do whatever it takes to identify and remove the potentially damaging little things in our hearts and in our thought lives.
Dear Lord, please show me those little things in my life I am ignoring — whether it's a behavior like gossip or a thought like envy. I try to convince myself that there's such a thing as a "little sin" but I know deep down that little things can become big problems if left unchecked. Convict me through Your Holy Spirit and let me respond as You would want. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Marybeth's blog where she discusses faith, family, fiction or food each day.
Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen
She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen
A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Write down some little things you've ignored in the past or know you're ignoring right now. Find some verses that speak to those particular issues and meditate on those verses as you seek God's healing.
Reflections:
Why do I tend to ignore little things? How can a little inconvenience or discomfort now save me from bigger hurt later?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 57:14, "And it will be said: Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." (NIV)
Isaiah 62:10, "Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations." (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 17, 2011
The Treasure of Thrown Away Food
Lysa TerKeurst
"But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
If there was ever a secret for unleashing God's powerful peace, it's developing a heart of true thanksgiving. I came to understand this truth while reading a paper my son Jackson wrote.
His paper was about the corruption and greed that caused the civil war in his native land. You see, for the first 13 years of his life, Jackson lived in a forgotten orphanage in the third world country of Liberia, Africa. As I read, I noticed what a great job he had done recounting the facts of the story. But there was a difference in his paper. Jackson wasn't just explaining a historical event — he lived in the midst of the horrific conditions of this war.
During one part of the paper, he described what it felt like to be naked digging through the trash looking for the treasure of thrown away food.
The treasure of thrown away food.
I can hardly type those words without crying. This is my son.
And yet, despite the horrific conditions of his childhood there was an unexplainable thread of peace woven through his recollection of the story. A powerful peace centered in the awareness of God's presence.
The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit no matter what to notice, pause and choose.
Noticing something for which to be thankful no matter what circumstance they're in.
Pausing to acknowledge this something as a reminder of God's presence.
Choosing to focus on God's presence until His powerful peace is unleashed.
How can we be a noticer? A pauser? A chooser? A person of thanksgiving no matter what circumstance we're facing?
I find this truth about the power of thanksgiving over and over in Scripture. What was the prayer Daniel prayed right before being thrown in the lion's den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion's mouths? Thanksgiving.
After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah's heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving.
How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious? With thanksgiving.
And what is the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving is proclaimed? Peace.
Powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7, NIV).
One of Webster's official definitions of thanksgiving is: "a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."
I wonder how we might celebrate God's divine goodness today?
I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice, pause and choose something for which we can truly be thankful....
Dear Lord, will You help me notice things for which I can be thankful in each circumstance I face today? Will You help me remember to pause and acknowledge this as evidence of Your presence? And will You help me remember to choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly? Thank You for the reality that being thankful truly changes everything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you!
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles to help you process life through Biblical principles and perspectives that you can print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
Start a thankful journal where you daily list five things for which you are thankful. Do this for the next 30 days and see how much more peaceful your mindset about life becomes.
Reflections:
What makes me grumpy and steals my propensity to be thankful?
Think of someone who is really thankful. Despite the circumstances they face, are they more peaceful? How does this inspire me?
Power Verses:
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (NKJ)
1 Chronicles 23:30, "They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 18, 2011
Multi-tasking Mayhem
Karen Ehman
"But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, 'You are my God!' My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly." Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT)
"Mom, quick...look at that lady!" My fourteen-year-old son shouted as we were headed down the interstate on an errand-running Thursday afternoon. "She should not be doing that," he added for emphasis.
I glanced over at the car next to us, expecting to see someone without her hands at the ten and two o'clock positions like my by-the-rulebook-boy does when training behind the wheel. Instead, I nearly ran off the road while gawking at what my Driver's Ed patrolman had spotted.
Next to us was a woman cradling her cell phone on her right shoulder; holding an open fast-food salad container in her left hand; ripping open a salad dressing packet with her teeth and her right hand...all while steering her car with her knees!
What in the world!? My boys and I thought surely, if she kept up this multi-tasking method of driving, she was going to cause a crash.
"I would NEVER attempt to do all of that when I drive," I smugly thought to myself. "Entirely too dangerous and probably against the law." Yep, when it comes to being a safe-driving expert, the apple doesn't fall far from the "Honey-you-didn't-use-your-blinker-back-there" maternal tree.
It wasn't until later that night it hit me. Yes, I may not dangerously multi-task when driving, thereby risking collision. But in my day-to-day life? In my schedule? In my "sure-I-can-take-on-one-more-responsibility-so-everyone-will-like-me" way? I sometimes dangerously multi-task to the point I am headed for a crash.
Taking on too many responsibilities, no matter how "good" they may be, can often render us ineffective for service to God. Yet, He knows our limits. He understands are capacities. He is willing, if we will ask Him, to help us navigate the busyness and activity that often trips us up.
On one of my so-busy-I-couldn't-breathe days, I read today's key verse. While I'm sure the author David was talking about actual physical enemies — men who could chase, catch and ultimately hurt you — I realized that day my enemy was busyness. Too many activities and responsibilities outside my four walls were about to do me in. They chased me, cornered me and worst of all, were about to go in for the kill.
Thankfully, God can rescue us from the barren life of busyness. He invites us to hold our too-full plates up to Him, allowing Him to scrape off all the activities and responsibilities. Then, place back on our plates only the items HE longs for us to possess.
When this happens, we can create space in our calendar to retreat, places of sweet respite in our days where we connect with God. Times when we slow down and sit still to listen and learn from the Creator of time itself.
So, how about it friend? Let's both start scraping before we crash and burn!
Dear Lord, forgive me for allowing busyness to overtake my life, crowding out others and worst of all You. Help me as I purpose to place only those items on my plate that You long for me to have. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Discover tips for overcoming busyness during the holidays and a give-away package that includes Karen's new e-book Untangling Christmas at Karen's blog today.
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
List on paper all the commitments you have said yes to outside your job or home responsibilities. Catalog approximately how much time you devote to them each week. Pray about what you discover.
Reflections:
What activities and responsibilities have I said "Yes" to that I know in my heart I shouldn't have?
How can I thin out my optional tasks and duties, freeing up more time for the places where God wants me to focus my efforts?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (ESV)
Genesis 2:2, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 21, 2011
I Didn't Ask For This
Samantha Reed
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV 1984)
I didn't ask for this. Not this. This mercy ruthlessly strumming the strings of my soul. It's too much and unwanted, really.
Mercy has attempted to get in my fortressed heart for so long. Mercy ... so tender to accept; yet, too hard. A damaging force I haven't time to reckon with.
That's why, brick after brick, I construct a dam. Listening ceases — I slap mortar on. Empathy cinches up — I hold back the river of compassionate tears. Situations are avoided — another layer binds the unmovable bricks around my heart.
A tall dam goes round and round and round allowing little- to no- caring about others. Safely confined, I don't have to deal with the trouble or dig through pain or face the fears of others. It's easier this way.
Then a small pair of beat-up tennis shoes arrests me. Cracked leather pings a hole in my tough mortar. Untied frayed laces push one brick out. Once white soles, now stained brown, crack my stronghold.
Her shoes tucked shyly under the rocking chair in my guest room. Their tongues are still. Without a word, without an ounce of force, this broken down pair breaks through my hardened exterior.
And there, in my guest room, Jesus invites me to be His guest. Beckons my unreliable heart into this ancient exhortation:
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
My dam crumbles; releases a flood of pain within. Nearly unbearable else for His grace of walking with me, holding me up. I'm washed with salty tears, empathizing finally with the loss from destruction that pain has wrecked in her life.
His gentle words remind me He's longed for me to grasp this. To take His hand and see these shoes. The heart behind them. The pain and shame and grief and brutal losses. Her trembling desperate hope that has walked in these shoes.
How He's longed for me to walk a mile in them. Love their story. Love her. Love mercy.
This pain doubles me over. How could I be so cold for so long? Distanced and blind to not see ... really see ... the pain around me? My clinched heart opens (still reluctantly, mind you. It's a scary thing to invite mercy in) to love.
I didn't ask for mercy, but mercy asked for me. For my heart, my ways, my life. Strong-arming mercy for long times was my way; an acceptable thing as it wasn't my number one "spiritual gift." But that which the Lord loves, my soul is created to love. Through Him, for Him, walking with Him.
Dam destroyed, I don tattered sneakers; wade through crumbled bricks and mortar. Walking with my God, I pick my way gingerly through tangled habits of avoidance, retreat, disdain. Going back, looking for those in need of mercy; moving ahead, eyes peeled for those in need of mercy.
If we run into each other, please have mercy on me as I learn how to embrace another's pain; as He teaches me to love mercy.
Dear Lord, thank You for the mercy You showed me on the Cross. Every time I've been in need, in pain, in dire straights, Your mercy never fails. Please teach me to love mercy and walk humbly with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Could today be the day you fall in love with mercy as you fall in love with a child from Compassion International? Sponsor a child today. You won't regret it!
Samantha shares about Michelle and Diego, her sponsored Compassion International children, and her trip to El Salvador here. Please hop over to read more and enter to win The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett.
Application Steps:
Do you disregard and avoid mercy? Memorize this verse and draw upon it when you do not want to be merciful. "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
Reflections:
"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." Tim Keller
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 22, 2011
R-E-S-P-E-C-T ... That is what He Needs from Me
Renee Swope
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NIV 1984)
I have a confession to make: when my husband J.J. and I got married over 18 years ago, I took out the words "honor and obey" from my wedding vows. That line about submitting to my husband wasn't in there either. Instead, I vowed to "submit my ideas and dreams" to J.J. and trust God's leadership in our marriage.
Yes, I had some serious issues going into marriage. As a young Christian, I was afraid of the "S" word, and wanted to make sure God and my witnesses didn't catch me in a lie.
Like many women, I was terrified if I submitted to my husband I'd become a doormat and lose myself somewhere in the middle of letting my husband lead.
Regretfully, I remember the time J.J. told me it was easier to let me lead because it wasn't worth the argument to him.
You'd think that's what I wanted - to get my way - but it wasn't because my husband became apathetic. Eventually I lost respect for J.J., and it was mostly my fault. I wanted him to lead, but when he tried I'd often criticize how he led. It was a mess!
I had been praying God would change J.J. and make him more decisive, more confident, more protective and well, just more what I wanted him to be. One day, God strongly impressed on my heart that my criticism wasn't getting me any closer to my desired result. In fact, my frustration with J.J. only contributed to his own doubt as a man trying to follow God and lead his family.
The Holy Spirit also showed me I was fueling Satan's flaming darts of condemnation aimed at my husband's heart; joining efforts with the one who wanted to take J.J. out as the leader of our home. Through prayer, I realized my husband needed me to be his greatest cheerleader and his biggest supporter verbally, emotionally and spiritually.
God challenged me to keep my mouth closed when J.J. did something I didn't like or led in a way I didn't want to follow. He encouraged me to tell my husband when I saw things I appreciated and use the power of my words to build up and not tear down my man.
I started doing what God showed me, looking for and finding things in my husband that I'd never noticed. I got intentional about noticing things I respected and letting God take care of things I didn't. I made many choices to honor him in big and small ways. And you know what? I discovered countless things about my husband that were worthy of respect.
We've been through so much together over the years. I have learned to follow God as I trusted many of my husband's decisions that scared me: job changes I didn't want him to make; financial investments that seemed too risky; parenting issues that were hard. It hasn't been easy, but I am thankful my husband has become the leader of our family. And I've become more comfortable following his leadership than I ever thought I'd be!
Dear Lord, I want to respect my husband and build him up with my words. Help me to measure my thoughts carefully and come to You with my complaints. I want to become my husband's biggest cheerleader and watch You do Your thing in His life. I know this is possible as I depend on You to live Your life through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's Blog for free download of powerful scriptures to pray for your husband.
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
• Ask God to show you ways to respect your husband.
• Say "I'm sorry" and mean it when you dishonor him.
• Say "I forgive you" and mean it when he dishonors or hurts you.
• Let him overhear you telling someone one thing you appreciate about him.
• Praise him when his decisions turn out well and encourage him when they don't.
• Tell your husband one thing you are thankful for - about his character, his work ethic, his provision, his humor or something he adds to your family.
* Some of these ideas are from What A Husband Needs from His Wife © 2006 by Melanie Chitwood.
Reflections:
What do I value and respect about my husband? How often do I criticize or encourage him?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (NIV 1984)
1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 17:9, "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 23, 2011
My Thanksgiving
Rachel Olsen
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. For His lovingkindness is everlasting." 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NASB)
This Thanksgiving morning I will wake up thankful. Not because my life is perfect and I have everything I could want or need, but because I've decided to take the time to count my blessings and give thanks to God.
• I'll be thankful my husband and I are off work today, and that we have work to return to.
• I'll be thankful my children are able to enjoy a day of play at home, and thankful they have days of learning ahead that will help shape them into who God intends them to be.
I'll go downstairs. As I pass my desk on my way to the kitchen, I'll select one of several Bibles on my shelf.
• I'll be thankful for the Word of God I am able to freely read, distribute and teach in this country.
Mostly likely, I'll do as I did last year and put on a CD of hymns sung by one of my friends.
• I'll be thankful for the various friends in my life — both far and near — who enrich me, challenge me, lend me their ear, pray for me and make me laugh. And I'll be especially grateful for the friendship of God.
• I'll also be thankful for the blessing of music and its ability to lift my mood, touch my heart, energize my body and connect my soul to an eternal God.
I'll turn the lights of my Christmas tree on — I like to have my tree up by Thanksgiving Day. The lights and ornaments will twinkle amidst the backdrop of an evergreen tree.
• I'll thank God for giving us some trees that stay green all year long despite the cold weather.
• I will thank Him for giving us the day and the night, and the stars that twinkle in the sky. I will also be grateful for the Light of the World and the eternal life that He brings, represented by the evergreens in our holiday decorations.
Soon it will be time to start cooking the Thanksgiving meal. In my home that will be turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh, and deviled eggs.
• I'll be thankful for God's provision of food — including being thankful for the farmers and ranchers, truckers and grocers, and for the kind family member who gives us a turkey and a box of sweet potatoes every year.
• I'll remember contributing to a local church's Thanksgiving ministry for those less fortunate, and I'll be thankful for the people who act as the hands and feet of Christ in ministry — they inspire me.
As I cook, I'll set aside any cans, plastic bags and cardboard boxes to put into our recycling bin.
• I'll be thankful for this beautiful planet teeming with life and flowing with water that God entrusted to humankind to steward. And I'll look forward to the day when I, like the writer of the book of Revelation, see a new earth recreated by God, free of Satan's influence.
More family members will join us and we will gather around my kitchen table to eat. We are no Norman Rockwell painting — our family has its struggles and issues just like the next family. But on this evening, we will set aside any differences as we laugh together, talk together, pray together and eat together.
• I'll be thankful for the bond of family — that there are people who know me fully, and love me anyway. And I'll be grateful for the family of God to which I am bonded through Christ.
After dinner we'll play cards or board games, or perhaps watch a movie. Then I'll say goodbye to our guests, tuck my children in bed, sit and reflect on the day. I will ask God to show me any blessings I missed or failed to count, because I'm convinced each one of us has more to be thankful for than we ever notice. Today, let's purpose to notice, and to be grateful.
Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings You have bestowed — help me notice them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel at her blog today and share with her something you are grateful for.
From My Heart to Your Throne: An Intimate Worship Collection (CD) by Melissa Milbourn
The Most Powerful Two-Word Prayer (DVD) by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Pause to count your blessings today. A grateful heart can usher you into God's presence.
Stop by my blog and share something you are grateful for today. The ability to connect with others via the internet is one of the blessings on my list!
Reflections:
Perhaps I don't have family at home with me today, or much food to prepare, or a Christmas tree to gather by. But I have a godly purpose to fulfill in this earth, a world of beauty outside my door, and most importantly, I have eternal life and the friendship of God available. Do I Know Him?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (NASB)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 24, 2011
Perspective
Glynnis Whitwer
"Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." Deuteronomy 5:15 (NIV 1984)
My little sister and I were an unstoppable team in the board game Scattergories. Within seconds we guessed each other's drawings, annoying our opponents in the process. Sometimes it was an unspoken memory shared by the two of us. Most often it was because we understood the concept of perspective.
For example, if we were attempting to draw a basketball, we immediately drew something else to create perspective. Otherwise, our teammates would waste time guessing that it was the sun, the earth or a face. A stick person holding the circle narrowed the guesses, because seeing objects in relation to each other helped reveal the truth.
Perspective made all the difference in the game, and it makes all the difference in how we handle life. Without perspective, small problems seem insurmountable, and we ignore warning signs. But with perspective, hard situations don't overwhelm, and we can find our way to thankfulness instead of despair.
To help me take a balanced approach to life's difficult times, I've developed a few perspective points. These points are hard-earned lessons in my life. By making them perspective points, I choose to find value in what would otherwise be dismal experiences. Now, when I'm faced with bad news, disappointment or failure, I grasp one of these perspective points, and like a compass pointing north, I can accurately assess the situation, and choose to be thankful.
One of the most difficult perspective points in my life is the death of my niece Christa in a car accident. In fact, at times I feel my life is divided in two parts: before and after Christa's death. With five children of my own, this devastating loss to our family has given me perspective on the challenges we face.
When one of my children makes a heart-breaking choice, I grieve and administer consequences. Then very quickly, like that magnetic force in a compass, perspective points me to thankfulness. Thank You Lord my son (or daughter) is alive.
Another perspective point is the economic downfall of the past few years. Finances have eased a bit, but we'll be battling our way out of that slump for years to come. Instead of being resentful, I find myself thankful for having money to spend at all. Thank You Lord for getting us through that rough time and for what I have to spend today.
In Deuteronomy 5:15 Moses gave the Israelites God's Ten Commandments. As Moses related "Observe the Sabbath day," he challenged the people with this sentence: "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." God was establishing a day of rest, but also a day to keep perspective and be thankful. He wanted people to remember the hard times so they could appreciate the good times even more.
Perspective points are arrows to thankfulness. They remind me God was faithful then and He will be faithful now. They remind me God was greater than my circumstances then, and still is today. Most importantly, they help me cultivate a thankful heart for what I have. The truth is, as long as we have breath, there is reason to be thankful and hopeful.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's identify perspective points in our lives. It's how we can find value in what seems a waste. They prove God can use anything for good, and help turn our hearts to gratitude instead of grumbling.
Dear Lord, I thank You for the difficult times in my life. Although they weren't easy, I can see how You worked through them. Help me to keep perspective on my problems today by remembering Your faithfulness in my past. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Is there something you are thankful for that God has done in your life through Proverbs 31 Ministries? Prayerfully consider how you can support our ongoing ministry. Click here for more information. We're thankful for you!
For help on finding more peace and perspective in your life God's way, check out Glynnis' newest book, I Used to Be So Organized.
When Your Child is Hurting: Helping Your Child Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Identify a time in your life that was difficult. View your current circumstances in light of that difficult time. Thank God for what He is doing in your life today.
Reflections:
How can gratitude keep me from feeling like a victim?
Many times I want to forget the past. Is there a healthy way to remember my past difficulties?
Power Verses:
Joel 2:13, "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 25, 2011
Holiday Blues
T. Suzanne Eller
"There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right." Psalm 106:3 (NLT)
"I don't like the holidays," I whispered.
I used to love holidays, before I was married. Before I felt the pull to be everywhere at the same time. Before any decisions that I made left someone upset or angry or feeling left out.
I struggled with a desire to be home, to start my own traditions with my young children and husband. We were the first to be married in both families, and thus the first to break "how it's always been."
Thanksgiving was a time to be thankful. All I felt was stretched thin. Christmas was a time to be joyous but I usually felt frustrated.
As we had children, I tried to mask my frustration with enthusiasm. We had fun setting out pumpkins. We decorated the house. But inside I wrestled because I knew the stress that was coming trying to be all things to all the people in my life.
Looking back, I wonder why I didn't say anything. Instead, I simply let it fester. I didn't take into account that if I kept silent things would never change. I just simmered in anger.
Thirty years later, I treasure the holidays. It took time, but I finally learned to share my needs. I found the courage to tell my extended family that trying to be everywhere in such a short time was exhausting.
We all made an effort to see each other's point of view. We didn't approach in anger, but with a willingness to work through the conflict with honesty and grace. Some were open. Others were not, especially in the beginning. If they were flexible, we rejoiced. If not, we didn't take it personally. We knew change takes time.
Perhaps the greatest gift that we received came later. When our children married, suddenly there were several families in the mix. We told our children that it's not the date on the calendar that makes holidays special. It's the heart behind the holidays. It's spending time with people you love.
So, sometimes we get together on Thanksgiving, or maybe the week after. Maybe it's Christmas only, while Thanksgiving is spent with other family members. If they aren't with us on a specific day, my husband and I fill that time with a new tradition — just the two of us.
What we discovered is that by letting go, our kids come more often because there's no pressure. They let us in on their traditions. Regardless of the date, when we do get together we have fun! It's a gift we give our family and ourselves.
Dear Lord, thank You for my family. I'm grateful for so many things, and one of those is family who loves me enough to want to be with me. Help me to share my needs with my loved ones, and to do it with grace and gentleness. Help me not to take it personal as they struggle with change. If I am the one that is inflexible, help me to bend and grow. Help me to be thankful every day for all that I have been given. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where she is doing a "Holiday" give-away!
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday (e-book) by LeAnn Rice and Karen Ehman
Shop with us for Christmas! Did you know when you purchase anything through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity? Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we're extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Have you shared your needs? Articulate them on paper.
Share them at the right time, in the right attitude. Don't take responses personally. Change takes time.
Exchange the holiday blues for a new song. Worship God as you thank Him for all the good things around you.
Reflections:
If I am the one struggling with change, am I willing to be flexible?
Instead of focusing on a specific date, I can focus on the heart of the holiday.
I'll write down all the things for which I am thankful to share with my children.
Power Verses:
Psalm 106:1-2, "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?" (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 28, 2011
Meaningful Gifts
LeAnn Rice
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.'" Luke 2:10 (NAS)
It's the week after Thanksgiving, which means it's time to pull out our Christmas gift lists. Can I be honest? There are aspects of Christmas gift-giving I don't enjoy.
Before you think I'm Scrooge, please let me explain. I'm not fond of the "I'm just checking you off my list" mentality that can make giving seem commercial and insincere. And I don't care for the pressure I sometimes feel to spend more than I can afford at the holidays.
But I do love to give meaningful gifts. And I especially find joy in giving gifts that reflect the reason we celebrate Christmas. The tradition of gift-giving is a reminder of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. He is "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). His birth shouts to each of us, you are loved by the Lord of lords and King of kings!
It seems people are more open to this good news at Christmastime, so I look for ways to share God's love through meaningful gifts. Sometimes I'll drop off a grocery gift card and a pretty basket of homemade goodies on the doorstep of a family in need. With it, I'll include an anonymous gift tag that reads, "Merry Christmas! Love, Jesus."
Another thing I love to do is carry candy canes to give to those I interact with, such as cashiers or waitresses. I usually tie a ribbon around them with a card that includes the Christmas story from the Bible.
Gifts can also be meaningful when what we give reflects God's love for the recipient. Thoughtful gifts communicate to the special people in our lives: God sees you, loves you and knows what you delight in.
One holiday season a friend battling a lingering illness didn't have energy to dive into holiday festivities. Since I love to cook and beautify, I unpacked her Christmas boxes and decorated her house. At the end of the day her family and I admired their festive home and enjoyed the chicken soup I'd set up in the crock pot earlier. It lifted her spirits and mine!
This week, as we transition our focus from Thanksgiving to Christmas, let's remember the gifts we buy don't have to be expensive or complicated to send the message of God's love and ours.
Let's take time to pray, asking God for creativity and thoughtfulness so that we not only give gifts that are meaningful, but gifts that reflect His "good news of great joy" this Christmas.
Dear Lord, thank You that You chose to come to earth, so we could know You and know how much You love us. Help me think of ways to love others for You through the gifts I give this Christmas. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit www.UntanglingChristmas.com for great ideas on reaching out, helpful organizing tips, decorating and menu ideas, and seeking Christ in the holiday hustle and bustle. Also find information on downloading the new e-book, Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice.
Application Steps:
LeAnn's She Cooks website provides instructions and tools to make her all-time favorite gift: the Blessing Box. A template with 100 personalized scriptures is provided. Simply do a "find and replace" to insert a name and you will have 100 of God's promises, personalized for the recipient!
As you shop, prepare and wrap gifts for others, pray specifically for the recipient to come to know Jesus or have a closer relationship with Him in the coming year.
Reflections:
Gifts of service are the least expensive and often the most meaningful. Who in my life is so busy a home-cooked meal would make her day? Maybe an elderly or ill friend would appreciate my help shopping, wrapping and mailing their gifts. Who needs my time more than a material gift?
Power Verses:
Matthew 2:11, "After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (NAS)
Acts 20:35, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 29, 2011
Are You Weird?
Lynn Cowell
"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules." Colossians 2:20 (NIV 1984)
"Why does our family have to be so different?"
While in middle school, my daughter asked if she could spend the weekend at the lake with a friend. My husband and I didn't know the friend or her parents all that well. An even bigger factor was we had never met the family they were visiting. Our answer to a then broken-hearted girl was "no." She couldn't understand and didn't get why.
Even while making that decision, parts of me didn't get it either. I questioned myself, "Why can't you just be like other parents? Why do you have to be cautious and think ahead? Why do you make decisions that bring your children pain?"
It wasn't the first time I had these thoughts. Saying "no" to driving alone to visit college friends. Saying "no" to text messaging pictures on cell phones.
Often, the same dilemma ran through my brain. Not only do I struggle with wanting my kids to fit in; I struggle with my own desire to fit in.
Jesus asks us through our key verse, "Why do you struggle as though you still belonged to this world?" Struggle with issues such as:
• Letting our kids choose clothes that are in style, but also too revealing. We want them to fit in, right?
• Giving our kids what others give their kids: iPhones, laptops, designer clothes. We wouldn't want to deprive them, right?
• Allowing our kids freedoms beyond their age and maturity, but other kids get to do. We wouldn't want them to stand out, right?
In these struggles, Jesus gives this encouragement, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession" (1 Peter 2:9a NIV).
Chosen, holy, a special possession. In some ways, it just sounds weird. It sounds to me, though, that weird is Jesus' idea for us to model to our kids so they have courage to be weird as well.
This isn't going to go over well with every decision. Maybe your daughter recently screamed at you when told her skirt was too short. Or your son slammed the door after being asked to turn off the show that every kid at school watches.
Why would we want to be weird when it disrupts our family? Why would we want to stand out as different?
We make the hard decisions because Jesus says we are a chosen people; we're His. And we want our children to be as well.
I hate that choosing to be weird causes my kids not to like me. But it brings me comfort to know Jesus likes my decisions. He is proud I choose a way that models to my kids that we are His special possession. When Jesus is happy with my decision to be weird, I can be happy too.
Dear Lord, help me when I feel the pull to do and say and be everything that society tells me to do and say and be. Holy Spirit, open my ears to hear Your wisdom, not just when it comes to family life, but in all areas. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
RelatedResources:
For a way to connect with your girl, check out His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn. It's a great study for girls ages 13-18 and their moms. Your free guide for "His Revolutionary Love" can be found on Lynn's website at www.LynnCowell.com.
Visit Lynn's blog where she is sharing how she explains the reasons behind being "weird" with her kids! She's also giving away a copy of her CD Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart!
Is your church looking for a way to empower your teens and moms with confidence to be weird? Consider bringing Lynn as a speaker to your next event to share practical ways to live this out!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In the next 24-48 hours, you'll probably run into a situation where you or your family will be "weird." If this situation involves a decision with your child, pause and invite your child to pray for wisdom with you.
Think over the decisions you've made in the past week. Have any been made to fit in to the world around you? Have you honored God with your decisions or chosen not to?
Reflections:
Being different, if we are humble, can open conversations with others, giving us the opportunity to honor God and share the "why" behind being weird.
Power Verses:
James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
November 30, 2011
Completely Full, Yet Totally Empty
Samantha Reed
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1, 14 (ESV)
How are you? I'm posed this question many times a day, but haven't delved into the truth lately. 'Cause truth is, there are only a few I want to be that honest with. And those I generally share the depths with are wading through extenuating circumstances. Filled to capacity, they've needed a place to pour out.
Cupped hands catch their words, worries, wants. Until my hands are heavy.
I'm weary from taking in and not pouring myself out in return. I understand; they don't have it to give right now. Yet, hour upon hour of listening... I'm not sure I have it to give right now either.
Irony is, my very name means "Listener." Double irony is my life verse from last year: "Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25b NIV). But I can not take any more words into a soul cram-full. And I can not pour out refreshment that is not there.
I'm completely full, yet totally empty.
And so I selfishly check out in the name of self-preservation; retreat into myself, away from their words weighted with pain and trouble and questions. Distance my being from all words. Until the Word beckons me with cupped hands large enough to hold my needy soul, friend's worn circumstances, the thin world.
I pour into the Word, a measureless crevice in which my words rest. He asks three words my parched soul thirsts for, "How are you?"
I'm weary. "I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10b (NIV)
I feel alone. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b (NIV)
I can't take much more. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28b (NIV)
I pour out, He pours in. An ebb and flow more natural than the ocean's tides. My needy soul needs His words; needs Him: the Word.
Community is God-given. But friend's and family's ability to be leaned on will ebb and flow. Hence our soul's deepest need: friendship with the Lord. {Inhale deeply that delight: we're friends with God.} Friends with the unchanging nature of the Word, Jesus.
Will you take His cupped hand, reaching out to hold you, your cares, your friends and family members? Take His hand and take a walk through Him, the Word. Pour your truthful answers into Him and pour yourself into the fields of Scripture. Refreshment awaits. He's asking, "How are you?"
Dear Lord, thank You for never changing. Thank You for listening and hearing. Thank You for Your faithful friendship. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pour yourself into the Word through one of these Bibles.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope has helped thousands of women overcome the emptiness of insecurity, hurt, loneliness and doubt by learning to live in the fullness of God's promises. Here's what some are saying:
"I feel like someone finally jumped in my head and my heart and painted over my insecurities with God's Word."
"If you are looking for a practical way to apply God's Word to the areas of your deepest insecurities, as well as an enjoyable and personable read, this book is for you."
Visit Samantha's blog where she's creating an online community to encourage one another. Click here to visit and leave a comment letting us know how you are. Then leave a comment with a prayer for the person who commented before you.
Application Steps:
Pour into the Word. Memorize one of the scriptures listed above and talk to the Lord about your needs.
Ask Jesus, "Are my hands cupped, open to receiving friends' words? Or have I poured out onto others more than I've poured into them?"
Reflections:
"Sometimes the girl who's always been there for everyone else, needs someone to be there for her." Author Unknown
Power Verses:
Malachi 3:6, "I the LORD do not change." (NIV)
John 15:15b, "Instead, I have called you friends..." (NIV)
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 1, 2011
The Best Worst Thing
Lysa TerKeurst
"He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:26 (NIV 1984)
I failed at being a wedding planner.
No one wants a planner who gets so undone by the neurotic mother of the bride that she throws up in the parking lot right beside the guest sidewalk.
Really, nothing says, "welcome to my wedding" quite like that.
I failed at being a kitchen gadget saleswoman.
No one wants to see the tip of a thumb sliced off into the veggie pizza at the exact moment I was promising how safe this gadget is.
Awesome.
I failed at being a cafeteria lady at a private school.
My assistant decided her arms were so dry she needed to coat herself with our spray butter. When we took the trash out later that day, we both got attacked by bees and forgot about the pizza in the oven.
Kids don't take kindly to burnt pizza.
I failed at being a receptionist.
It's never a good idea to just succumb to those sleepy afternoon feelings and lay your head down on the desk.
Bosses don't like workers who snore. Even if they are pregnant.
Yes, I failed at a lot during those years where I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. At the time each of these things felt like the worst that could have happened. Now, I think they were the best worst things.
Had these things been successful, I would have never discovered the joy of being in the ministry I'm in now.
I see this same theme woven throughout many stories in the Bible.
In Matthew 8:23-24 we find Jesus getting into a boat with His disciples. "Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat." Worst thing.
But in verse 26 Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and waves and things turned completely calm. The disciples were amazed. Best worst thing.
In Acts 5:12 we find the apostles being arrested and thrown in jail. Worst thing.
But in Acts 5:13 we find an angel of the Lord opening the doors of the jail and bringing them out. Later we find them with so much confidence they boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than men!" (v. 29) Best worst thing.
I don't understand why we have to go through cruddy stuff. And I certainly know there are many worse things to go through than what I've mentioned here.
We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken? He isn't ever caught off guard, taken by surprise, or shocked by what happens next.
He can take our worst and add His best. We just have to make the choice to stay with Him and keep following Him through it all.
Dear Lord, I know You are capable of taking my worst and turning it into Your best. Show me this truth anew today. Refresh my spirit. I want to follow You through it all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for more daily inspiration she sends out from her blog by clicking here. It's free and great for passing along to friends.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you!
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken? Ponder the promises He has made in the Bible and how He has been faithful to you.
Reflections:
He can take our worst and add His best. We just have to make the choice to stay with Him and keep following Him through it all.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:23, "If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm." (NIV 1984)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 2, 2011
While Shepherds Watched and Women Work
Karen Ehman
"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." Luke 2:16-18 (NIV 1984)
"Tell me about the shepherds again Mommy. It is my favoritist part!" three-year-old Mitch pleaded. It was the week after Thanksgiving and we had started our nightly December ritual: reading the Christmas tale chosen from a basket perched beneath our twinkling tree.
We'd collected dozens of colorful storybooks that illustrated the account of the nativity story. Mitch's favorite part was always the shepherds. Ever since his chubby little fingers could grasp the pasteboard pages, he'd pause and stare at the portraits of rough and tumble men wandering in the wilderness, watching over their flocks by night.
My son's fascination prompted me to dig further into the lessons I could learn from the shepherds.
That first Christmas night these humble guys, often looked down on by society, were busy going about their daily tasks: feeding and watering; prodding and protecting; nursing the injured and encouraging the timid. They were also watching out for hungry predators that might harm their precious lambs.
When the shepherds heard the heavenly chorus, their lives changed forever. Yet the sudden interruption may have been a strange inconvenience at first. After all, sheep need constant supervision. Taking their eyes off them for even a moment might have been detrimental.
Little did these shepherds know they were about to encounter the Great Shepherd, secretly wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
I think women, especially those with children in our lives, can sometimes feel like modern-day shepherds. We certainly do our fair share of feeding, watering, prodding, protecting, nursing, encouraging and watching out for anything that might harm our lambs. At times our job is also dirty, and sometimes unpleasant, with very few "atta girls" or social recognition. Yet it is also significant.
Even moms raising kids who are almost ready to leave the fold still have important work to do.
Our children are never too old to be reminded of Christmas's core message: Christ came to earth to offer hope and new life for all who turn their hearts to Him. Perhaps we begin with storybook illustrations and later transition to opportunities to live the message.
As our own kids have grown, it's been a thrill to join them in reaching out at Christmas with the good news of Christ. Helping in soup kitchens or homeless shelters. Adopting a Christmastime family we serve with food or gifts. Shoveling driveways or assisting a widow with the tasks of the season.
What else could we do to live out the timeless message; the one my little lamb enjoyed hearing year after year?
In the midst of this busy month, let's stop. Put down the tinsel; discontinue the decorating. Turn down the Christmas carols and get alone to be silent.
Let's allow God to interrupt our daily routine to introduce us once again to our Good Shepherd. Let's pause, ponder, and like the shepherds, tell those in our family about this remarkable Christ-child. Then together we can help echo to others this enduring hope:
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10b-11, NIV 1984).
Dear Lord, help me pause amidst the busyness and ponder the wonder of You sending the Christ-child to earth. May I instill in my kids a love of pointing others to Your perfect, sacrificial Son. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Need help simplifying your Christmas tasks so you have more time to reach out to others during the holidays? Check out Karen and LeAnn Rice's new e-book Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday.
Visit Karen's site where she's giving away a Christmas organizational gift basket and a copy of Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday!
Application Steps:
Choose three activities to do during this hectic time of year that will encourage you to pause and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. Perhaps a ten-minute time out with a cup of cocoa or watching the snow fall with your kids. Or read the account of the first Christmas from Luke chapter two very slowly, letting the words and the wonder sink deep into your soul.
Reflections:
How can I creatively use this season as an opportunity for my children and me to tell others about the marvelous news of Jesus Christ?
Power Verses:
Acts 10:36, "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." (NIV 1984)
Romans 10:14-15, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 5, 2011
Tree Speak
T. Suzanne Eller
"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not withe r— whatever they do prospers." Psalm 1:3 (NIV)
"Suzie, do you see that tree?" My friend, Vera, pointed out a massive tree that was dying. There were a few leaves trying to hang on, but dead branches were fractured and falling.
"We had such a hard summer," she said. "That tree needed deeper roots...just like us." As we walked she shared that if our roots of faith are shallow in hard times and we aren't nurtured spiritually, the heat could harm us.
Tree speak. It's my friend's language. She sees spiritual truths in all aspects of nature. Funny, but as much as I wanted to see the same things she did, all I saw was a tree.
My friend, Vera, is now in a hard place. The heat is on. She has cancer.
And as I pray for her I am finding comfort in today's key verse, Psalm 1:3. In it, a faithful woman (or man) is compared to a tree planted along a riverbank. The tree's roots are so continually nourished that it bears fruit season in, and season out. The tree's leaves never wither. Regardless of conditions outside the river, the tree flourishes. Just like my friend.
Vera had surgery. Chemotherapy. She lost her hair and, for awhile, she was very sick. But she didn't lose her smile or her joy. She didn't lose her faith. When she walked into church with a cheeky pink hat on her bald head, she reached for me with a huge hug.
Now, when I walk by trees that are strong, fruitful and offer shade, I think of Vera. She has taught me to learn from the trees.
We need to nourish our faith so that our roots will grow deep and strong. Maybe today you and I can get by with shallow roots, but where do we turn for truth and comfort when the sun is blazing or the storm is blowing?
Vera taught me that we are nurtured when we spend time reading the Bible and praying. We grow from small saplings with a limited knowledge of who God is into a mature woman of faith who can offer shade to those who come alongside us.
She also showed me how to bear fruit in all seasons. In the good and the bad. Vera's deep roots have caused her to be strong and tall in a season that is anything but easy.
A few months ago I went for a walk by myself. I passed a tree. The leaves were changing colors to orange and vivid red and yellow. It was a show of God's majesty after a summer that was bleak.
And I suddenly thought of Vera. I turned and made my way home, excited. I couldn't wait to share the news with my beautiful friend. I had finally learned the beauty of tree speak.
Dear Lord, I nurture my body with food. I nurture myself with rest. But often I fail to nurture my spirit with Your presence. Help me to place my roots deep in You daily, and grow strong and be fruitful, no matter the season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to find out 5 Ways to Grow Spiritually.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
The Woman I Am Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Faith, Identity, and Destiny by T. Suzanne Eller
Shop with us for Christmas! Did you know when you purchase anything through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity? Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we're extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In the book, The Divine Mentor by Wayne Corderio, the author says, "The Bible is the predominant way God speaks to us." He suggests you break down one scripture or passage that speaks to you and share an observation, an application and your prayer based on that scripture.
Let's do that today. Read one passage. Write down a scripture that inspired or challenged you. Share why it made you feel the way it did. Then write down one way you can live it out in your every day life. Last, write a prayer.
Reflections:
Be sure to bring your Bible to your devotional time. It's the key that opens the gates that need to be open for you this week. God knows what the doors are. He will take care of the opening; you bring the key. ~ Wayne Corderio, The Divine Mentor
What is one scripture verse that nourishes my roots?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 17:8, "They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (NLT)
Psalm 92:12, "But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 6, 2011
The Gift
Rachel Olsen for She Reads
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Every year around the middle of December I find myself in a bookstore. Jazzy Christmas carols play over the speakers. The smell of coffee wafts from the café, melding with the smell of new books. Mmmm. Friendly people raising funds offer to wrap my purchases.
I'm in search of a gift – my dad and my daughter love receiving books for Christmas. So with my cup of gingerbread-flavored coffee in hand, I browse the shop with them in mind.
But I don't make it far from the café before I stop. It's always the same display table that gets me. The one filled with Christmas novels. Snowflakes or sleds adorning the covers. Else, small town scenes, blanketed in white, with the warm glow of firelight coming from the window of a grand Victorian house. They all look so inviting, so heart-warming.
I imagine myself with one of them. Curled up beneath a blanket by the Christmas tree, letting holiday cheer fill me from the pages within.
Then I realize the date.
It's about a week away from Christmas, which in my house is preceded by my son's birthday party. I doubt I'll have time to read a whole novel. And for some possibly irrational reason, I'd feel like a failure if I didn't finish a Christmas novel before Christmas. (Am I the only one?)
I lay the novel back on the display table, sniffle just a little, and continue on with my holiday shopping. This scenario has repeated many times in the past, and likely will again in the future.
But here's the thing. Each year I do curl up beneath a blanket by the tree and read a great Christmas story. It's a travel memoir of sorts. With drama and intrigue, love and murder. It's Matthew 1:18-2:23 about the birth and early years of Christ.
There are no snowflakes or sleds in this story. No Victorian style houses. No one bakes gingerbread or hangs ornaments on trees. But gifts are exchanged. Wise men bring them to the young Jesus to honor Him and celebrate His birth.
Not only that, as this story continues, it traces the outline of the ultimate gift exchange – our sin for Christ's righteousness. Our faith in Him for eternal life. It's the gift we're all in search of, whether we recognize it or not.
This story, and our key verse, shows that Jesus is God's greatest gift to us. What I deserve based on the way I have lived is death at the end of my days. What I get based on the way Jesus has lived is eternal life! There's no store-bought gift that competes with that. No sweet tale any novelist could ever tell will compare.
God has written the greatest Christmas story ever told. Every year I read this story and let Christ's cheer fill my soul from the pages within. It's not only heart-warming, it's life-changing.
Dear Lord, thank You for the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. And thank You for ensuring the story of His life has been recorded for me to read. Fill me with Your presence as I do, and help me to be as gracious and as (for)giving as You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
I actually did manage to read a couple Christmas novels this year – I started back in October. Visit She Reads for my reviews of them. While there, enter to win a Christmas novel gift-pack featuring cozy items and great Christmas novels to savor yourself, or to give to someone you love.
See Rachel's blog for more on how Jesus is the greatest story ever told, and for her top book gift ideas.
Application Steps:
Pick up your Bible and curl up with the must-read story of the season – Christ's birth in the gospels.
Reflections:
Do I know the One who lived the greatest story ever told?
Power Verses:
John 17:2, "For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him." (NLT)
John 17:7-8, "Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me." (NLT)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 7, 2011
An Overloaded Life
Glynnis Whitwer
"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds." Proverbs 27:23 (NIV)
We crammed suitcases, backpacks and tote bags on a luggage cart and raced to the ticket counter. Late for our flight, we thought it would save time to put everything on one cart and run.
Every few steps, something started slipping. My husband was pushing, I was pulling - both of us trying to balance the overloaded cart. We were doing okay until we approached the elevator.
Our oldest son, seven at the time, held the elevator door open. But, as we went over the sloped curb bags started falling. Robbie, who was three and had a broken foot, stopped in front of the cart. My husband didn't see him as he reached for a slipping bag and ran over Robbie's foot.
Robbie screamed, my husband yelled for help and the elevator beeped to tell us the door had been open too long. Our son Josh started crying in fear. Within seconds, we were in a total meltdown.
If only ... if only we had left our hotel with extra time, if only we had anticipated the wait at the rental car return, if only we hadn't overloaded the cart, if only we hadn't gotten frustrated with scared and hurt children.
Regrets weighed heavy as we ran to our gate, making our flight with seconds to spare.
I wish that day was an exception, but during that time in my life I always tried to do one last thing before leaving the house, fit one more errand into an already busy afternoon, or take on more than I could handle.
The problem? I had an overloaded life.
My responsibilities outweighed my capacity to manage them. Every day I was frustrated — at myself, my home, husband and children. Why couldn't anyone get it together?! Why didn't the demands stop? Why did everyone NEED me so much?!
The day came when I couldn't deny reality any more. I couldn't blame, find excuses or procrastinate. I was falling apart, and my family was suffering. My techniques had to stop.
Proverbs 27:23 says, "Know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds." That's just what I needed to do. Although it was painful, I took an honest look at all my responsibilities, projects, priorities and tasks, and paid careful attention to what I was doing well and what I was neglecting.
I listed things I needed to do for home, work, family. What needed to be done now, and future projects. I recorded volunteer responsibilities at school and church. It took days, as things came to mind that I'd forgotten. When I was done I wanted to burn it and start over - it was that overwhelming.
Instead, I started to edit. After spending lots of time in prayer, seeking God's will in that season of my life, I crossed through responsibilities I didn't feel called to any more, and things other people could do. I whittled my list down to what I could manage given my priorities as a wife and mom of three little boys.
Some things could be edited out of my life immediately, while other commitments needed to be fulfilled before I removed them from my schedule.
Finally life became manageable. The underlying anxiety that I "should" be doing something all the time ceased. My never-ending list became a "Project" list I manage weekly. And from that list I pull the tasks that become my to-do list for the week or day.
God has since added two girls to our family through adoption, so now I'm the mother of five. And they all still need me. But, by knowing the condition of my flocks, I'm able to manage the controllable parts of my life so I can better deal with the uncontrollable parts.
I'll probably always deal with the tendency to believe I can do more than I really can. But I've realized my optimism can hurt me and my loved ones if I don't balance it with wisdom and a careful look at the reality of my life at this present moment. I've learned the hard way - an overloaded life leads to meltdowns. But a well-managed life leads to balance and peace.
Dear Lord, You know how crazy and out of control my life can be. But You've called me to a well-managed life. Help me manage better what I can control, and in doing so, prepare for what I can't control. I need Your wisdom and discernment today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog today where she's talking more about creating a project management system to oversee all your responsibilities.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Do you ever feel overloaded? Starting January 9th, Glynnis is hosting "15-Days to Living Clutter-FREE" on her blog. She'll be sharing ways to reduce the clutter in our minds, schedules, offices and homes. Visit her blog today for more information.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
Do you feel overloaded and overwhelmed? Take a personal assessment by writing down everything you need to do. Then prayerfully consider what needs to be edited out of your schedule.
Reflections:
What changes can I make so I have more balance and peace?
Power Verses:
Luke 12:42-43, "The Lord answered, 'Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.'" (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 8, 2011
365 Days of Blessings
Holly Good
"He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Colossians 4:12 (NIV)
Inconspicuously wrapped in an envelope sealed with love — it was my most memorable Christmas present ever. In all of my 44 Christmases, I have never received such a treasure as I did a few years ago. It was a gift that provided comfort, peace and joy for 365 days. And I haven't forgotten it.
A simple box buried within the pile of white elephant gifts we were exchanging at our office Christmas celebration. As I opened the gift I had chosen, I read my card out loud:
"Last night as I was wrapping your gift, God put an idea in my heart and I wholeheartedly agreed with Him. If you are the recipient of this gift, not only are you holding a new ornament, but also a promise from me. It will be my privilege and honor to pray for you every day in the coming year. On your good days and bad days, you can rest assured that you are being prayed for by name by me. I love you. Merry Christmas. Love, Melissa"
Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks as I silently stood and hugged my friend. Her written words were an immediate healing balm to my soul. My mouth could not produce the thoughts I was longing to say aloud. I calmly folded my sweet letter and replaced it neatly in the envelope. And smiled.
Someone would be praying for me every day! Without fail. What a gift.
This was something I had never been promised before. Sure, friends will tell me that they will pray for me when I voice a struggle to them. Or someone will call me and tell me that I came to mind that day and they prayed for me. And still others will mention that I am in their prayers. But to have the comfort of a loyal daily prayer warrior was beyond my realm of thinking.
I felt comforted that day.
I also felt encouraged, confident, and optimistic.
But mostly, I felt loved. What a commitment. To me and for me. Every day.
You see, I know the power of prayer. I have experienced healing, growth, miracles and peace through personal prayer, prayer with my family and corporate prayer. I have humbly come to a place where I recognize that I must completely depend on Him daily, and it all begins with prayer.
A prayer filled life is not necessarily a belief that God will do exactly what we ask for, but a trust that He will hear our desires and know what's best for us. A trust that He will lead, guide and direct us as we seek His will. I wholeheartedly rely on this assurance.
I went home from our party that day with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my yearlong gift of prayer. In turn, I committed to also pray for Melissa each day. What a challenging year this has been for her personally — she has needed my daily prayers.
As I think of her with a humble and thankful heart, I can't help but recall the beautiful words in Colossian 4:12b, "He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."
I will always remember that amazingly selfless gift from my friend Melissa. What a comfort. What a commitment.
What a rare gift of love indeed.
Dear Lord, thank You for friends who love us with Your love. Thank You for faithfully listening to our requests and responding as You see fit. We trust You and love You and honor Your Holy name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog to post a prayer request for Holly and Lysa. They will pray for you during their early morning run this week.
To connect with Holly today, visit our P31 devotions blog.
To read other writings from Holly please click here.
Application Steps:
Read Matthew 6:9-13. Jesus gave this prayer to His disciples as a model for them. How can you use this prayer, often referred to as the Lord's Prayer, as a model for your daily prayers?
Reflections:
As I spend time with friends and family, I have started to intentionally ask, "How can I pray for you?"
Who will I come across today that you I ask, "How can I pray for you today?"
As I journal my requests, I'll look for God to do a great work.
Power Verses:
Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (NIV)
Psalm 145:18, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."
Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
© 2011 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
When Christmas is Hard
LeAnn Rice
"He heals the brokenhearted..." Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
Looking at the calendar, I counted the number of days till Christmas. I'd done it every year, eagerly looking forward to celebrating Christ's birth or surprising someone with the perfect Christmas gift.
However, this time I was counting down the days not with excitement, but with dread.
My husband Ron passed away in April. That Christmas would be one of many dreaded "firsts" that my son and I would have without him.
Fragile, shattered and alone describe my feelings that holiday season. While everyone else seemed caught up in happy festivities, their family togetherness magnified my lonely brokenness.
Along with overwhelming grief, I was worried. How would I financially support us? How could I help my son have a fun holiday when I could hardly stop crying? It all seemed like too much.
Maybe you understand because this holiday season is hard for you too. A loved one may have passed or someone you love is battling a serious illness. This might be your first holiday separated or divorced. Just as I did, you may be feeling grief, dread or worry.
That first Christmas without my husband was fourteen years ago. Its taken time, but over the years I've adopted some practices to help me find joy during the Christmas season. I'd love to share with you today.
Honor your loved one. My husband's absence at special occasions still weighs on my heart years later. To honor his memory, Nick and I place a special ornament on our Christmas tree. It hangs front and center as a reminder Ron is a part of every celebration, because he is a part of us. Perhaps you can hang an ornament on your tree, give a gift in your loved one's honor, or make a donation in their memory to an organization that was dear to their heart. Consider making their favorite meal and sharing stories about them as you gather around your Christmas table.
Create new traditions. I always loved a big, family-oriented holiday with noise and messiness. Because my extended family lives far away, Nick and I needed to find a new "family" close by. Over the years, God has sent people to fill the empty spaces in our lives and hearts. One of my favorite new traditions is to spend an evening with my friends where I make a big Christmas dinner. We celebrate together with food, fellowship and all the noise and messiness I crave.
Share Christ's comfort. I've experienced God's promise to heal my broken heart, as today's key verse reminds us. Much of my healing has come from the love He's sent through other people. Because of this, I keep my eyes open for those who might be grieving or sad at the holidays. I've found that comforting others brings me comfort.
This year as I anticipate the Christmas season, I'll experience a familiar combination of emotions. Sadness will tug at my heart as I miss celebrating this special time with my husband, but I'm excited to celebrate what only Christ can do — heal my broken heart. The comfort He brings is one of the many reasons to celebrate His birth this Christmas season.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithful presence and comfort during my sadness. I pray that especially during this Christmas season my eyes will be open to others who are hurting. Please help me to love them for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For ideas on reaching out to others, as well as helpful organization tips, decorating, menu planning ideas, and seeking Christ in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, download our new e-book, Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice.
Visit LeAnn's A Widow's Might website for practical ways you can bring hope to those around you this holiday season and throughout the year, regardless of your budget.
Application Steps:
Ask God to show you someone who needs comforting this Christmas and pray about ways to share His love in a tangible way. Their grief, as well as yours, will be softened.
Reflections:
What new tradition can I create in recognition of this new season of life?
What traditions do I want to keep in honor of my loved one?
In my sadness, have I run away from God or to Him? How can I keep turning to Him?
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 31:13, "...I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (NIV)
© 2011 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 12, 2011
What's Your Message?
Lynn Cowell
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
My heart breaks as I see my girls struggle. Navigating the waters of school, I watch as waves of rejection slam against the boats of their hearts.
Often, I feel like I'm in the storm with them. Why do I feel vulnerable when I see the tears in their eyes?
Perhaps memories of my own turbulent teen years are not far gone. Painful remembrances of growing up come to the surface: confusion, a boy's brush-off, constant over-analyzing myself.
Yet my girls' struggles also bring thankfulness to my heart. I'm so grateful God sent amazing friends into my life when I was a young woman. I'll never forget friends who helped me discover that no man - be it a dad, boyfriend or even a husband one day - could fill the love gap in my heart. Only Jesus can fill what He created.
I am also thankful God placed me here, in my girls' lives, to share with them this same truth. You see, when Jesus showed me He was the only one who can fill the emptiness of my heart, He didn't just give that truth for me!
Jesus gave me His truth so I can pass His radical love onto my kids and hopefully my grandkids one day.
As today's key verse tells us, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (Deut. 4:9) We have opportunity and influence in the lives of your children and others.
What is one truth God has revealed that you can pass on to your children, your children's children or young people in your world? Are there revelations or treasures from His Word, glimpses into His heart that He's given to you? If so, they are not just for your benefit, but also for the benefit of your family and those in your sphere of influence.
Has the Lord given you a clear understanding of forgiveness? Teach your child the process of working through a grudge.
Have you experienced the Lord's healing? Come alongside those in your life as they mend.
Do you cling to hope because God has lifted your spirits? Share that with another who's in the middle of grim circumstances.
Let's not take for granted all the Lord has done in our lives. Instead, let's intentionally ask God to show us our message so we can naturally share it with others, passing on the truth and stories of God's faithfulness for generations to come.
Dear Lord, help me be intentional today to share with my children, and others in my life, all of the truth You have set to work in my heart. Help me make the most of the message You have given me and pass Your Word on to the next generation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
RelatedResources:
Looking for a way you can connect to your girl and learn about God's radical love together? His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell is for girls ages 13-18. It is a great study for moms and girls to bond over!
Visit Lynn's website for a free small group guide for "His Revolutionary Love" as well as other free resources for investing in your child.
Visit Lynn's website where she shares ways to be intentional about sharing God's truths with your child. She's also giving away a copy of her CD "Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart," as well as a Starbucks gift card!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In the next 24 hours, look for an opportunity to share with your child, or someone you love, one truth the Lord has made real in your life. When you connect a teaching to a story, it helps stick in the heart of your listener!
Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of times your child is most open to hearing testimonies from your life. Think of these in advance so when the time comes, you are ready to share.
Reflections:
God has given revelations to me: treasures from His Word, glimpses into His heart. He has entrusted those to me not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of my family and those in my sphere of influence.
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (NIV)
:angel:
December 13, 2011
Rubber Bands for Rina
Karen Ehman
"Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" Matthew 25:37-40 (NLT)
"What's up with the rubber bands, Mom?"
Curiosity shone in my nine-year-old son's face as he coaxed a beige wad out of his Christmas stocking. One by one our three children discovered, nestled beneath foil-wrapped candies and glittery trinkets, a tangled mass of rubber bands.
"When you've finished, Dad and I will explain," I answered with a wink to my husband.
My children were about to get a lesson in giving, even as they were receiving. Those rubber bands represented more than a way to bind up loose things; they represented the life of a child in need.
As a family we sponsor a little girl from Indonesia through Compassion International's program in her local church. Rina's smiling face in the photograph on our fridge reminds us to serve "the least of these" and be thankful for the bounty we enjoy. Each month we tuck a check in an envelope wrapped in prayer. It's our way of investing in Rina's education, spiritual growth and basic physical needs.
We regularly get updates on what she's learning at church as well as her academic progress and health. Compassion International also gives us a peek at Rina's family life and activities she enjoys. Not too long before Christmas, one sentence stopped me in my tracks: "Rina helps out around her home, caring for her younger siblings and assisting her mother with the cooking and with the family's animals. She also enjoys playing with rubber bands."
My heart sank. What! No dolls? No balls? Not even a jump rope? When finished with her chores, this precious girl passes time by playing with flimsy rubber bands. Hot tears poured as I eyed my own kids' overflowing toy box. Many items hadn't been touched in months.
That Christmas, my husband and I cut back on buying gifts for our family in order to send extra money to Compassion to purchase a special present for Rina. And, I prayed a portion of the offering would buy her a doll.
After our children had finished opening gifts in their stockings, we read Rina's report. "Can you imagine playing only with rubber bands?" I asked. "When we read that, Dad and I decided to use some of the money we would have spent on you to buy a present for Rina."
Two kids were immediately glad we did and one slightly sulked. However, we were all thrilled a few months later when Rina wrote us a letter scrawled in her own handwriting, and translated to English: "Thank you so greatly for the gift of the new clothes. And the doll." I just smiled. The previously sulking child asked if this could become an annual tradition.
Whether it's next door or across the world, people are in need. Today's key verse invites us to consider those lacking refreshment, encouragement or care. We are told that when we reach out to someone in any kind of need, it's not just a neighbor, co-worker or child across the world playing with rubber bands we are serving ... it's Jesus.
This verse challenges me to pause in the midst of my holiday hustle and consider ways I can reach out to others and make their lives better. There is always something we can do - whether it's prepare a meal for a family struggling financially, share toys with a child or spend time with someone alone. The size of the gift doesn't matter - it's the love behind the gift that does.
God chose to make our lives better that first Christmas. He gave us His Son so that we, prisoners of sin, hungering for truth, and thirsting for living water, might have eternal life. Now it is our turn. A simple gesture. Done in His Name. A life just might be changed forever.
Not only someone else's life ... but ours as well.
Dear Lord, are there those You want me to reach out to this Christmas? Speak. I'm listening. Show me how and where I can give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday, Karen and LeAnn Rice's new e-book full of outreach ideas and ways to organize and simplify the season.
Enter to win a Christmas goodie basket along with a copy of Untangling Christmas. Visit Karen's blog for details.
Sponsor a Compassion Child today and touch a life forever.
Application Steps:
Gather your family or group of close friends. Brainstorm who might need some extra love or material goods this Christmas season.
What specifically could you do for them? Outline action steps and plan to follow through over the next few weeks.
Reflections:
Have I ever been the recipient of a loving Christmas gesture? How did it impact my life?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit]." (AMP)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 14, 2011
The Manger of My Heart
Renee Swope
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
As the days get shorter in December, it seems the time I spend with God does too. I long for His presence. I know I need His perspective and peace. But as I prepare for the holidays, my heart can get so focused on planning and buying gifts that I forget to unwrap the most important gift—the gift of Immanuel—God with us.
In all the hustle and bustle, it's easy to fill our heart with everything but Him, and miss the calm hush His presence brings. I felt an unusual void around the holidays several years ago, and wrote this Christmas prayer to help me keep my heart where it needs to be. I display it where I'll see it often - to remind me of what matters most.
The Manger of My Heart
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light."
"Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray.
Thousands of years ago God gave us the gift of His one and only Son, born in a humble manger. Making room in our hearts for Jesus through prayer during this busy season is a gift we give to Him, and ourselves. Right now, let's quiet our racing thoughts and take a moment to enjoy the hush of Immanuel—God with us. His presence in our lives is a gift we can open every day of the year.
Dear Lord, I'm so thankful for the gift of Jesus, Immanuel, my God with me. Help me be still when I feel frazzled and remember You are God. I want to make room for You in the manger of my heart this Christmas and unwrap Your presence each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you long to draw closer to God over the holidays and in the New Year? If so, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope is just the book for you! Chapter by chapter, Renee show you how to live in the power of God's promises as she draws you into the security of God's heart and love for you!
Visit Renee's website/blog where she's giving A GIFT every woman needs! She's also sharing how you can receive a PDF printable of her Christmas prayer and three ways to experience God's calming hush in the hustle of the holidays!
Join us for Renee's FREE online study of her book A Confident Heart beginning January 16th. Click here for more info and to sign up!
Application Steps:
When you feel anxious, empty or stressed, pause and pray each word of today's Christmas prayer. Why not print it and carry it with you? To find out how you can receive a printable version to frame, click here.
Reflections:
Which part of this prayer resonates most with the desires and needs of my heart?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:1-2, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"(NIV)
Psalm 55:22, "Turn your burdens over to the LORD, and he will take care of you." (GW)
© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 15, 2011
Affair Proof Your Mind
Lysa TerKeurst
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41 (NIV 1984)
As a woman thinks...so she eventually acts.
A few years ago I watched a friend get tangled up in an emotional affair.
She was a strong Christian woman who loved her family but the attraction to this other man seemed unavoidable. She tried to talk herself out of it but her heart played tricks on her mind and the justifications for letting things go just a little further soon led her to a very dangerous place. She was becoming emotionally attached to this other man.
In a moment of desperation and fear, she confided in me what was going on.
As she described how she got pulled into this place, I found myself being challenged by the realization of how subtly this had happened. She hadn't planned on being emotionally attracted to this other man. As a matter of fact, she'd always prided herself on being a woman of strong conviction and had scoffed at the idea of ever being tempted to have an affair.
It starts off simple enough - a comment made that you mull over one too many times, a conversation in which you find a surprising connection, a glance that lingers just a second too long, or one of a thousand other interactions that seem innocent yet aren't. These are the dangerous seeds that can easily sprout into an emotional affair.
Some think it is a safe way to enjoy the lure of being attracted to someone other than your spouse without crossing any lines. But God boldly and plainly says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality." God doesn't say walk away from sexual immorality. No, He says to flee as if your very life is at stake!
Our thoughts are so powerful. If we want to affair proof our marriages, we must make our thoughts work for us instead of against us.
The time to prevent an emotional affair is before it ever starts.
We must never assume it could never happen to me. We are all just a few poor choices away from doing things we never thought we would.
Jesus warned his disciples in Matthew 26: 41,"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
The Life Application NIV Bible commentary says, "Jesus used Peter's drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties, and spiritually equipped to fight it."
Watching:
I now realize that I need to be aware that I am just as prone to this temptation as anyone. One of the best ways to be watchful is to be praying with and for my husband. We need to be open and honest about meeting each other's needs and investing wisely in our marriage.
Sensitive to the Subtleties:
I will have to be honest with myself that temptations do exist. When another man says or does something I wish my husband would say or do and doesn't, it can make me lessen my husband in my heart and build up this other man. This is a seed of poison.
Spiritually Equipped:
I must park my mind with the truth and the truth is I am married to an amazing man. He is not perfect and sometimes our marriage can be hard, but I made a commitment to him in a covenant before God and there are no biblical reasons in our marriage why we should ever part.
My friend did the hardest but wisest thing she could have done in telling me about her emotional affair. It helped her to see she needed to flee and have someone else hold her accountable. But it also helped me. Her admission made me aware and alert to the dangers lurking in any kind of unhealthy emotional connection with another man.
Dear Lord, may I forever treasure my marriage and see it worthy to be protected. Help me to be a courageous woman who absolutely flees from any and every situation where there is even a hint of danger. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For a creative idea to improve the communication and connection in your marriage, click here to read more on Lysa's blog.
If you want simple tips to improve your marriage, you'll want to read the marriage books Lysa has written - Capture His Heart (for wives to read) and Capture Her Heart (for husbands to read).
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
Your purchase through Proverbs 31 Ministries supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we're so grateful for every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
The time to prevent an emotional affair is before it ever starts. Confide in a friend or mentor to help hold you accountable in this area.
Reflections:
Our thoughts are so powerful. If we want to affair proof our marriages, we must make our thoughts work for us instead of against us.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:10, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 16, 2011
A Cup of Christmas COCOA
Tracie Miles
"They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145:7 (NIV)
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there's one thing that always calms my heart and quiets my thoughts – a cup of hot cocoa. Who doesn't feel warm and peaceful while sipping a cup of steaming cocoa with marshmallows piled on top?
But, there is another reason I love cocoa. Each letter of my favorite winter drink helps me focus my heart on Christ at Christmas:
C – CHRIST
"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18 (NIV 1984)
We all know Christ is the reason for this season, yet it's easy to focus on shopping and planning instead of Jesus. This month, let's spend as much time seeking God's heart as we do searching for the perfect gifts.
O – ORNAMENTS
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV 1984)
We can easily spend more time decorating our house to look like the holiday edition of a magazine, than we do adorning our inner spirit with God's love and compassion. Let's ask God to make our hearts beautiful by giving us His patience and kindness. Then let's look for ways to bless those around us, especially those in need.
C – CHEERFULLY CELEBRATE THE SEASON
"A happy heart makes a face look cheerful. But a sad heart produces a broken spirit." Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)
As gift lists grow and calendars get full, our physical and emotional energy can be drained. Although Christmas is meant to be a joyous season, many of us struggle with depression and discouragement during this time of the year. Let's take time each day to focus on how much we are valued and loved as children of God. The holidays are merely a season, but God's love and compassion for us are permanent.
O – OVERJOYED not OVERWHELMED
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)
Do you ever feel overjoyed to kick off the holiday season but overwhelmed by the middle of the month? If we take time each day in December to thank Jesus for coming as our Savior, we could become overwhelmed by His kindness instead. When we focus our hearts on all God has done, we won't get as easily overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done.
A – ABUNDANCE
"...I came that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b (NIV)
Whenever I think of Christmas morning, from my childhood to the present, the word ABUNDANCE comes to mind. Abundance of presents, food and activities. But these things are temporary. What we need is the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Our hearts need His mercy, peace and love, not only on Christmas day, but every day throughout each year.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a cup of Christmas cocoa. Will you join me? Let's take time to ponder these Christmas truths and, as that chocolaty goodness warms us, let's allow the warmth of God's love to pour into our hearts and His abundant goodness to pour out into the lives of those around us.
Dear Lord, thank You for giving me the gift of Your Son. Please help me not get so caught up in the earthly celebrations of Christmas that I forget to celebrate all I have in Christ. Remind me of Your love each day and show me how to share it with others each day of this month. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Read Tracie's featured Christmas article in the December edition of our P31 Woman magazine! A P31 Woman subscription makes a great Christmas gift!
Visit Tracie's blog for a chance to win a special COCOA giveaway.
Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday (e-book) by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice
Application Steps:
Share today's devotion with friends and family.
Why not print the acronym for COCOA on a gift card and tie it to a pretty cup to give as a gift this Christmas?
Reflections:
Have I allowed the chaos of Christmas to overshadow my love for Christ?
How can I share God's goodness with others this season?
Power Verses:
Number 6:25-26, "The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (NIV)
:angel:
December 19, 2011
Room Enough for Jesus
Micca Monda Campbell
"And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7 (NASB)
One of the first words that comes to mind when most think about the holiday season is "busy." Sad, but true.
I know it's true in my life. I can get so busy decorating the house, baking goodies, shopping for presents, going to parties and sending Christmas cards. Then, just when I think I've got a handle on it, I receive an unexpected card in the mail or a plate of cookies from a neighbor. What do I do? I find time to return the gesture.
It's usually a challenge, but somehow we find time and make room to do all sorts of things during the holidays.
We make room for company to come. We make room for a Christmas tree in front of the picture window. We make room in our crowded schedule for activities we don't have time for.
Let's take time to consider: Have I made room for Jesus in my busy life this month?
In the familiar story of Christ's birth, I've always been bothered that there was no room in the inn for Jesus. I can't help but think didn't they know who He was? What could have been so important that they couldn't stop to make room for Jesus? My best guess is they were thinking only about themselves and their own busy agenda.
Likewise, we can become so busy with our Christmas plans that we run out of room for Jesus, too.
One of my mother's Christmas traditions is to withhold baby Jesus from her nativity set until Christmas morning. One year, when her first grandson was three years old, he asked, "Grandmamma, where is baby Jesus?"
"He's not been born yet," she explained to Patrick. "Jesus comes on Christmas Day. Then, you'll find Him right here," she added while pointing to the manger.
Like years past, Mom and Dad's house was full of excitement as family members arrived with arms full of presents. We expected to exchange gifts and enjoy a time for food, fun and celebration. But Patrick expected something different. He ran into the house shouting, "Is He here, yet? Is He here? Has Jesus come?"
Mom took Patrick over to the nativity and there, cradled in the manger, was baby Jesus. He had come just like He'd promised.
Over 2,000 years ago, God promised us a Savior. In a little town called Bethlehem, God kept His promise and Christ our Lord was born. While most missed what was happening that holy night, Christ's birth didn't escape the attention of heaven, a few shepherds, three wise men and some cattle. They pushed aside their duties and agendas to make room for Jesus. In fact, like Patrick, some of them anticipated His arrival. In doing so, their lives were forever changed.
Every year Jesus still searches for hearts to fill. But He can only fill space where we have left room for Him.
Christ's presence may go unnoticed by the world, but you and I, along with others who have made room in their hearts, can experience all the glorious wonder He brings. Let's cast aside the busyness of our lives this month to make room for Christ as we anticipate His arrival!
Dear Lord, the best I know how, I lay down my busy agenda to make room for You. Jesus, I don't want to miss a thing. Give me fresh eyes to see You this holiday season. I want to experience Your birth like never before so that I never close You out again. Welcome home, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Micca's blog for Christmas Gift Pack Give-away that includes her book An Untroubled Heart and her message Cultivating a Heart of Contentment on CD.
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today's Language by Oswald Chambers
Application Steps:
Be intentional about letting go of the unnecessary things in order to make room for Christ this season.
Think of ways you can worship Jesus as you decorate your tree, purchase your gifts and make your treats.
Reflections:
How can I make more room in my life for the Christ child this coming year?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV 1984)
Deuteronomy 6:5, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (NIV 1984)
Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 20, 2011
The Man Who Almost Missed Christmas
Rachel Olsen
"His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." Matthew 1:18b-19(NIV)
In the Bible there is a man who almost missed Christmas.
It wasn't because he was distracted with holiday parties, visiting relatives or completing his shopping list. He wasn't stranded in an airport or battling a flu bug.
He just couldn't see how his current circumstances were part of God's plan for his life.
Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, a young woman chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. In their culture, an engagement was every bit as binding as the marriage ceremony. So when Mary returned home from spending three months out of town and told Joseph she was pregnant, all he could think of was to divorce her quietly.
Joseph knew they hadn't been intimate – he was careful with their purity. Mary's growing belly would give him every reason to believe she'd been unfaithful. And it wasn't just him who would assume so. Everyone in their hometown probably knew Mary had been out of town for months, without him.
Law dictated she be stoned to death for being unfaithful to her fiancé. Instead, Joseph planned to quietly end their engagement and say nothing about the unexpected pregnancy. He was a man of integrity.
But Joseph was also a man who didn't fully understand God's plan, and he almost missed being part of it.
Although scripture doesn't tell us for sure, Mary had likely explained to Joseph how the Holy Spirit came to her and placed this baby in her womb. From his perspective, this was a situation to be escaped rather than accepted as something straight from the hand of God.
Scripture explains what happened next: "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins'" (Matt. 1:20-21).
What at first looked like a huge problem, a troubling circumstance, a total reputation-wrecker to Joseph, turned out to be the most glorious thing in his life when seen from God's perspective.
From this new viewpoint, Joseph saw what an honor it was to bear this burden. What a thrill to raise and know God's own Son!
While we may not get an angel visitation, we can pause and consider this same possibility in our lives. There have been many instances when my circumstances seemed like a detour, or even destruction, of my plans. At those times I can't imagine God bringing anything good out of what just seems like trouble.
But the story of Joseph brings me hope. It reminds me that God's ways aren't my ways. And sometimes in our greatest difficulties we find our greatest opportunities and blessed responsibilities.
Joseph was given the honor of naming the baby Jesus — the very same name we call on today for help. Had Joseph walked away, divorcing Mary quietly, he would've missed it.
He would have missed Christmas. And he would have missed the life-defining lesson that God's plans aren't always logical in human eyes, but they can always be trusted.
Is there a problem you are facing today? Is it possible this could be part of God's plans for you?
Dear Lord, thank You for Jesus. And thank You that Your plans for us are plans for good and not for evil – to give us a future and a hope. I trust You today with my life and my circumstances. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Stop by Rachel's blog and leave a prayer request for whatever issues you are facing, or whatever Christmas plans you are making.
For more encouragement on how our stormiest days can hold great blessings, pick up It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Application Steps:
Take time to read Joseph's story in the gospel accounts of Jesus' birth. Then process your concerns and troubles with God in prayer, and ask Him to help you replace your perspective with His.
Reflections:
Will I trust God with my present circumstances?
What step of faith can I make today so that I don't miss God's plans for me?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:10, "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us ..." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 21, 2011
All by Myself
Samantha Reed
"My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." Psalm 25:15-16 (NIV)
Don't look his way, my heart and mind insist.
I don't want to look. Then again, I do. Though I did not check the "Plus One" box on my RSVP card, I wish I had. I wish I hadn't come alone. Maybe then I wouldn't gravitate to him.
He's reckless and destructive. I know better, but he's the only one who can relate to me. Even so, I avoid eye contact; I must trick him to believe she doesn't need me anymore.
I succeed, until another joined-at-the-hip couple walks into the holiday party. My resolve walks out. He walks up to me, extends a knowing hand. Fingers entwine, I fall in his snare. My stomach lurches. I hate him. I hate Loneliness.
I hate feeling alone and attending life all by myself.
We float from couple to couple. Each marriage, baby, holiday, life-is-grand story runs together like mud. The mud Loneliness slings my way: You'll never have this. You'll be lonely forever.
I can't look at their joy. Instead I turn my eyes to him as I mutter repeatedly through my clinched jaw and cinched heart: Do. Not. Cry.
A deep breath holds back the lonely tears, the lonely years, the lonely fears.
His cruelty seeps in my pores as we make our way from conversation to conversation. Christmas carols in the background promise it's the best time of the year and tell tales of sleigh rides taken with loved ones. Lovely sentiments, but they make me feel even more alone in a crowded room. How can two hours feel like thirty years?
By the time the clock chimes an acceptable hour to bid my goodbyes, I'm eager to be gone. One step out the door and I lower my guard too soon. Loneliness has saved his best for last. Powerfully, he beats me down with lies until I believe: I will always be all-by-myself.
Then Loneliness walks off; leaves me there, ironically, alone.
Compassionately, a different hand reaches down. One that is gentle and healing. Let me help you up. Rough night, huh?
I look up to see His scared hand extended. How'd You know I was here?
He tells me He's been there the whole time, always near. And even though He knows, He asks for details, dreams, despairs. We talk until I can hear His assurances over the barrage of Loneliness' discouragement.
Hollow parts of my heart fill with the lavish warmth of Jesus' courage. Truth soldiers through my thoughts, throwing shields up against the deception. And I know Loneliness can't be my "Plus One" - my go-to guy. I need to rely on my Only One - my Always Near.
It's time to break-up with Loneliness for good. Not just at parties, during holidays or weekends with nothing planned. Because truth is, Loneliness also courts my friends who are married, have children and all that I long for. Loneliness tags along whether alone or surrounded by family and friends, on special days and ordinary days.
There's only one way to keep Loneliness from being a constant companion in life. I must fix my eyes "ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare" of feeling alone. I need to invite Him to attend the lonely times with me, and hold my hand, keeping me company with the truth that He is always by my side.
And the next party I'm invited to? I won't go all by myself. Instead I'll invite the Lord as my "Plus One."
Dear Lord, my eyes are ever on You, for only You will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you long to know you're not alone in your struggles and feelings? If so, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope is just the book for you! Chapter by chapter, Renee offers the voice of a friend who will take your hand and help you walk out of the shadows of discouragement into the security of God's love!
Visit Samantha's blog where she's giving away a set of A Confident Heart Conference Calls that are part of Renee Swope's upcoming A Confident Heart online study coming in January.
Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
The next time you start feeling lonely, pray this prayer: "My eyes are ever on You LORD, for only You will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish." Psalm 25:15-17 (NIV)
Reflections:
A teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven. ~Charles Swindoll
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "'The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.'" (NIV 1984)
Lamentations 3:22-26, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 22, 2011
Think About What Is
Danita Dalton Hiles
"Whatever is true... whatever is lovely... whatever is right... think about such things..." Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
I've decided that pre-lit Christmas trees are a modern marvel. Three parts of a tree insert together. Three plugs connect into each other, into the wall and voila! An instant, gorgeous, perfectly balanced display! Can you hear the angels singing?
Except of course when it doesn't ...light up, that is.
The day after Thanksgiving, we hauled our Christmas treasures down from the attic; dragged them into the house, box by box. Anticipation ran high as Christmas carols and cinnamon candles filled the air. Two girls and their single momma were excited to get our house all Christmas-y.
The tree was first. Bottom section, check. Middle section, check. Tiny pointed top section — all in place. Plug A into B into C and ... tada! Well, almost.
It was a 'tada!' moment except for three pesky branches that remained dark. Cords were plugged and re-plugged. Still dark. Branches were jiggled and bulbs tested. No lights.
The type A' perfectionist in me was completely frustrated, and it felt like my Christmas cheer was being sucked down a black hole of disappointment. It was a simple thing, yet in that moment the tree symbolized the many areas of my life that were dark, filled with disappointment and out of my control.
My then thirteen year old squinted at the tree, tilted her head and forever changed my perspective with these simple words: "Momma, I know! Don't look at those branches that are dark. Just look at the branches that are lit."
Hmmm, I thought. Looking at the lit branches only, I was reminded of Paul's words today in Philippians 4:8, which encourage us to find what is true and lovely and think on thosethings.
Sure enough, when I concentrated on the twinkling lights, the areas of darkness seemed to disappear. When focused on the working lights, they were so bright, the darkened parts didn't matter much.
It was a great Christmas tree lesson, but one I knew Jesus wanted me to apply in my life too. I have my own dark branches that include widowhood, family health struggles and financial challenges. But lighting my way are other branches overflowing with love — His love and the love of my family. I also have friends, a house to live in, two precious girls to kiss goodnight, flavored coffee, fluffy pillows. The list goes on and on — if I focus on what I have instead of what I don't.
This Christmas, let's purpose together to look at the branches that are lit in our lives instead of thinking on those that aren't.
We will always have things we wish were different. But we also have a choice to concentrate on what isn't or think about what is. Instead of bemoaning our life's lack of Hallmark perfection, let's focus on the lit branches: things like love, sacrifice, time and togetherness.
Instead of heaping more on our to-do list, or trying to achieve an elusive Christmas ideal, let's choose to see the blessings we do have. And if we squint our eyes just right and tilt our heads, life looks pretty bright after all.
Dear Lord, thank You for simple illustrations that help us to see Your truth. You are the light of the world and our hope for the future. Please help me see the things that 'shine' in my life instead of dwelling on the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit with Danita and a group of friends on A Widow's Might, where they share the dark and light branches of their lives each week.
Might you be a bright spot to a child waiting? Light up the world of a child through Compassion International!
The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio
Application Steps:
Take time to think on what is true and lovely in your life. Maybe even sit in the dark in front of your lit Christmas tree or some candles and really see the beauty of the light - even if there are dark spaces. Ask God to show you His bright spots in your life as you meditate on our key verse.
Write ten things you can be thankful for.
Light a candle, turn off your lights and play a Christmas carol, really concentrating on the words of hope and peace. A few suggestions: O Holy Night and Joy to the World.
Reflections:
Are there dark areas I need to surrender to the Lord, once and for all?
Is there someone with dark spaces that I can bless with a card, letter or small gift?
Power Verses:
Luke 2:19, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (NIV)
Psalm 16:8, "I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (NIV)
© 2011 by Danita Dalton Hiles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
December 23, 2011
The Rich Home
Sharon Glasgow
"Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions." I Kings 10:1 (NKJ)
The Queen of Sheba was wealthy and beautiful. She had everything a queen could want - gold, silver, ivory, precious jewels and servants taking care of all her needs.
Well, almost everything.
She'd heard about the famous King Solomon and his miraculous God. Even though her people had many gods to worship, none intrigued her like the Lord God of Israel. Her heart was so moved by His Name she traveled 1,400 miles across the desert sands of Arabia to visit King Solomon, a man who knew this God personally.
Camels can travel around 20 miles a day, so the trip would take her six months each way. She brought a great caravan of servants, loads of spices, gold and unusual woods to give as gifts to Solomon. Her heart and soul longed for riches she did not have, and she sensed they would be discovered through him.
When she finally arrived, she stood before the grandest palace she had laid eyes on. But her purpose wasn't to see the most beautiful archeological place ever built, it was to find a secret treasure.
Scripture tells us she talked to Solomon for hours, asking him deep questions about God. Based on her response, she found what she had longed for and declared, "Blessed be the LORD your God" (1 Kings 10:9a NKJ).
The Queen of Sheba took great pains to find wisdom, yet the wisdom available to her at that time was the lesser wisdom of a man. Even so, Jesus mentions the Queen in Matthew 12:42 and honors her desire for His wisdom.
The wisdom we have access to through Jesus far outshines Solomon's. If the Queen of Sheba would travel six months to find truth, how much more should we search for wisdom by opening our Bibles and hearts to Him in prayer?
When people travel to our home this week, it will not be the seasonal décor or cleanliness that will ultimately impress them. It won't be a perfectly sculpted yard or a new car in the garage. It will be spiritual insight and the presence of grace they will be drawn to — through the Holy Spirit living in us. When we share the love of our God with them they will have visited a wealthy home.
As rich as Queen Sheba or King Solomon's palaces.
Our home is where our heart is, and our heart is Christ's home — a dwelling place for the Lord. Let's be sure to spend time with Him this week so we can be filled with love and prepared with wisdom to offer our guests. May those who enter our homes this Christmas, and in the New Year to come, find treasures that people have traveled the whole earth in search of!
Dear Lord, I want every person who walks into my home to find the riches that only You can deliver. Help me to be a conduit for Your wisdom and love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Sharing Grace - Family Traditions - Gift ideas (e-Book) by LeAnn Rice
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (e-Book) by Wendy Blight
Application Steps:
God freely gives spiritual wisdom to those who ask for it. Seek God's wisdom through prayer and the Bible. Ask Him to help you remember all that you learn from Him, and to live it this week.
Reflections:
Do I spend more time fussing over the outward beauty of my home than the inward beauty of my soul?
Can I recall time spent in the home of a gracious, godly person? Do I remember the richness felt there?
Power Verses:
James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (NKJ)
© 2011 by Danita Dalton Hiles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 26, 2011
On Eagle's Wings
T. Suzanne Eller
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
My children ran up the steep path, unaware mom was left behind. Their shouts of "I'll beat you to the top!" filtered down. I sat on the large rock, my head on my arms, tears running down my face.
The park, rich with multi-colored azalea bushes and dignified shade trees, was our favorite place to picnic and explore. My children and I hadn't visited in a long time because chemotherapy, radiation and two surgeries filled my calendar.
Treatment had finally ended and I wanted nothing more than normal life again. Except I was exhausted. Things that once came easy seemed impossible. Like climbing the steep, rocky path to the top of the hill. I used to run up those rocks, laughing with my children. But now I could only walk part of the way up. My stamina dipped below zero.
As I sat on the rocks, I asked God: Will life ever be the same? Will I ever be the same?
This week I celebrate 20 years as a cancer survivor. It hardly seems possible! My young children are grown and I'm a grandma to three beautiful grandbabies!
Looking back, advanced-stage breast cancer had robbed me of much. Certainty of my future. My children's security. For a time, my health.
But it didn't rob me of my faith. When I picture that moment I don't see a young mom sitting alone on the rocks; I see God holding her tight.
There are times when our strength isn't enough, when our wings feel molten and heavy. Those are the times God reminds us to rely on Him. Maybe I couldn't walk up the steep path, but I could find renewed emotional strength as I trusted God.
God's promise through Isaiah in our verse above was that when we are weary, we'll soar like eagles. How is that even possible? The underlying promise is that our wings will be lifted and the wind will catch underneath. It's not our strength that causes us to soar, but He lifts you and me up and out of our weary places—in His might.
It took months before I recovered fully and could run up the trail. But the path I learned to follow most closely during that time was into the pages of His Word where encouragement filled this embattled mom with hope. After two major surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, I wasn't strong enough physically to do anything on my own, but I found spiritual strength in the pages of God's promises. I journaled my thoughts. I depended on God to give me energy when I felt weak. And I celebrated the smallest of victories even when they didn't seem like much.
When I look back on the pages of that journal, I don't see a young mom with cancer, but a woman of faith putting her trust in God during a difficult time.
Are you exhausted today? Do you feel faint? You aren't alone. You can trust Him to lift your wings, to give you new strength and power, as you depend on Him each day.
Dear Father, I'm tired and I cannot do this on my own. Today I take my eyes off of what I cannot do and I place my focus on You. On Your promises. On Your Word. Lift my wings with Your strength and help me fly again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to discover three practical steps you can take when you feel under pressure.
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
• Focus on one encouraging scripture from this devo. Write it down. Internalize it.
• Lift your hands and praise Him.
• You were never intended to battle alone. Invite God into the midst of your challenge.
Reflections:
It's not our strength that causes us to soar, but He lifts you and me up and out of our weary places—in His might.
Power Verses:
Psalms 103:5, "He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! (NLT)
Exodus 19:4, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." (NLT)
© 2011 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 27, 2011
Between the Promise and the Promised Land
Glynnis Whitwer
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)
"If you follow this plan, you will lose weight!" I loved reading that promise. I wanted to lose weight and the program made it so sound simple. All I had to do was follow a plan. At the end of the plan was a thinner, healthier me. My "promised land" awaited.
When I read the plan, my confidence shook a bit. But still, the promised land sounded so good. So I started out carefully following the plan that first week, and saw some great results on the scale.
But the next week, I started missing crackers. So I snuck a few. The promise still sounded great, but the plan was harder than I thought. Could I make it from the promise to the promised land? I wasn't sure.
My struggle reminded me of a story in the Bible about another journey from a promise to a promised land. In Genesis, God promised Abraham (known as Abram at this time) that a great nation would descend from him, and they would have a place of their own ... the "Promised Land" (Gen. 12:1-4).
So Abraham gathered up his family and possessions and traveled to this wonderful land. He arrived in Canaan and for the most part lived happily ever after, dying at the age of 175 after seeing God's promises fulfilled.
If that were the end of the story, this message would be wrapped up in a pretty bow. If only all promises were so easily achieved.
Sadly, not all of Abraham's descendants enjoyed the same long life in the Promised Land. Due to a famine, God's people left Canaan for Egypt and there the story takes a dramatic turn with their enslavement for 400 years.
But they never forgot God's promise of a home of their own. I imagine they held on to that promise during days of back-breaking work and persecution. So when God set them free from slavery through Moses, they must have been ecstatic! Finally, the fulfillment of God's promise!
If I were them, I would have expected to be whisked right into that wonderful piece of land after suffering for so long. Instead they ended up in a desert. For 40 years. And that's where our story sits for a while. In the desert. Wondering what happened to God's promise.
I've been there before ... in that desert. It's the place where it's not so fun to obey any more. The healthy eating plan gets hard. Parenting a willful child is frustrating. Writing that tithe check makes me cringe with worry. Forgiving someone who has betrayed me just "feels" wrong.
I'd much rather move through the desert ... quickly ... and get on to the good stuff.
In my times in the desert, I've found myself harboring bitterness, doubt, complaining and pouting. Here's what those responses get me: more time in the desert. That's what happened to the Israelites too. In fact, they complained so much, God forbade that whole grumbling generation from entering the Promised Land.
But I've also discovered the desert of waiting can be a fruitful place. Our key verse shows us that God used the desert time to test His followers' hearts. This wasn't to be a time of empty suffering. It was a time to demonstrate trust and obedience.
When we look at it that way, the desert can be a place of personal growth. But, this only happens when I choose to trust that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect way and time. The fruit of that choice is patience, discipline, obedience, an increased alertness to God's involvement in my life, and a deeper dependence upon Him.
God gave the Israelites their Promised Land through a miraculous conquering of the city. But between the promise and the Promised Land there was a desert - for them and us. And that desert is fertile ground. The decision we all have to make is whether we will grow in faith and character, or negativity.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness - to Your followers of old and to me. Thank You for always keeping your promises. Forgive me times when I have doubted You. I want to have faithful patience and a gracious spirit during times in the desert. Please help me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares a list of God's promises to rely on during your desert times.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!
Application Steps:
Identify a promise from God's Word to memorize and hold on to during your own time in the desert. Visit Glynnis' blog for some ideas.
Reflections:
Why is it difficult to trust that God will keep His promises?
What do I struggle most with when I'm waiting on God?
Power Verses:
Romans 4:20-21, "Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." (NIV)
© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 28, 2011
Remember
Samantha Reed
"Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." Psalm 25:6 (NIV)
I sometimes struggle to see how God's Word applies to me and my life. You see, I've been waiting a long, long time. For a walk down "the" aisle. For a cradle and arms full of soft cooing. For hearts of loved ones to fully turn to Jesus. For manna to rain from heaven.
The funny thing about waiting is it can be all-consuming. It inhales my attention, chews my focus and swallows my thoughts, leaving me in a place of uncertainty and doubt. I forget God's power to fulfill my hopes for a husband, children and prayers answered. Its then, when I can't see how He's going to bring these things to pass, I have to rely on His faithfulness in the past.
Remembering God's faithfulness in other's lives in Scripture, reminds us of His faithfulness in our own.
When the waters rise, you've waited long for rescue and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 8:1*: But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
When dust and debris threaten to replace passions, dreams and callings and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 9:15: I will remember my covenant between me and you.
When the pitter-patter of little feet is silent and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 30:22: Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.
When fear, worry, doubt and anxiety enslave and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Exodus 2:23a, 24a, 25b: During that long period...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out...God heard their groaning and he remembered... and was concerned about them.
When you can't sleep and restlessness sets in, remember... Psalm 63:6-7: On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
When guilt consumes and you fear God will never forget your sins, remember... Isaiah 43:25: I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
When all hope is lost, remember... Luke 24:6a-7: He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you...'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'
When your marriage comes back from the brink of despair, remember... Deuteronomy 8:2: Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness.
When dreams come true and you're thriving in your calling, remember... 1 Chronicles 16:12a, 15: Remember the wonders he has done... He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations...
Recalling these accounts in Scripture helps me remember His goodness in my own life. When I can't see how He is moving on my behalf, I choose to remember that He promises to be just as present and faithful to me and you today as He was for others in the past.
When joy surrounds. When sorrow clobbers. When all's right in our world. When the bottom drops out. When we feel loved and cherished. When we feel abandoned and alone, let's remember... They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35)
Dear Lord, Your love and Your grace never fail. Please help me remember this today and always. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you met this God who is always faithful?
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
Share God's faithfulness to those in need by supporting a child through Compassion International.
Application Steps:
Remember times God has been faithful to you. Recount those out loud today.
Focus on the everyday miracles that remind us of God's faithfulness like waking up and breathing.
Reflections:
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. ~Thomas Chisolm
Power Verses:
Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." (NIV)
Jeremiah 31:34b, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (ESV)
*All verses NIV
© 2011 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 29, 2011
When the End Goal Seems too Hard
Lysa TerKeurst
"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance..." 2 Peter 1:5a-6a (NIV)
No matter what your struggle has been, victory is possible today. Sadly, most of us don't think that's true. The problem is we tend to measure long term success while downplaying the absolute victory found in small successes.
Yesterday a friend of mine called to say she'd read my blog and, as a result, she walked away from indulging in a bag of M&Ms. That's a victorious small success. Now, I can't say that her scale will stand up and clap and reward her with much lower numbers today. But, if she builds upon this small success - choice by choice, day by day - she will see positive changes.
As the New Year approaches, many of us make some kind of healthy eating commitment. But even if that's not your resolution, this principle applies to other struggles as well.
If I choose not to snap at my child and instead respond with tenderness, that's a victorious small success.
If I choose to pause before responding to the rude sales clerk, thus giving her a smile instead of perpetuating her smirk, that's a victorious small success.
If I choose to give my husband the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to the conclusion he meant to hurt my feelings, that's a victorious small success.
I like the way our key verse puts it. In 2 Peter 1:5-6, we are reminded to "add" some things to our faith. Two of those additions are self-control and perseverance. For me, I have to decide to practice the self-control and perseverance that is mine since God's Spirit lives in me.
Think of it like a muscle. We have muscles as a part of our body. But we must add activity to those muscles to make them effective and strong. Our muscles will work for us if we exercise them. Self-control and perseverance will work for us as we practice these over and over. Start with the small victories and bigger victories will come.
Sometimes victory seems so far away because we measure it by the end goal. And end goals can seem overwhelmingly huge, daunting and just plain hard to reach. Instead, if we start measuring our victories by the smaller choices we make each day, victory won't seem so impossible.
Big things are built one brick at a time.
Victories are achieved one choice at a time.
A life well lived is chosen one day at a time.
Dear Lord, I know that with You, victory is indeed possible. Day by day and choice by choice. Help me to believe this truth today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win her book Made to Crave and her new 60 day Made to Crave Devotions book.
You'll also want to register for her FREE JANUARY 9th webcast which will launch a Made to Crave online study led by Lysa and her friend, Melissa Taylor. Reserve your spot today byclicking here.
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's book Made to Crave is just what you've needed. Click here to order your copy!
This book can be a group Bible study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa.
You touch eternity every time you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Although we wish we could offer the same prices offered by huge online warehouses, we simply can't. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Sometimes victory seems so far away because we measure it by the seemingly overwhelmingly end goal. Instead, if we start measuring our victories by the smaller choices we make each day, victory won't seem so impossible. Think of a struggle you are dealing with and daily record your moment-by-moment small successes. Pray over them, be thankful for each one. Watch them build one choice at a time. Remember, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!
Reflections:
A life well lived is chosen one day at a time. What does this statement mean to me? Do I find it encouraging? Or discouraging? Why?
Have I found that I tend to miss the victories found in small daily successes?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (NIV)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)
© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 30, 2011
A Place of True Belonging
Amy Carroll
"Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." Proverbs 27:10 (NIV 1984)
As we sat around the table with the sun setting behind us, I breathed a deep sigh of contentment. The faces of my dear friends glowed in the fading light, and our voices were low and intimate. The conversation had turned to matters buried deep in our hearts; laughter pealed, tears were shed and our faces reflected concern and caring as the conversation ebbed and flowed. With darkness deepening around us, we reluctantly stood, said our good-byes and returned to our waiting families and beds.
Pulling the quilt up to my chin that night, I thought, "There's nothing on Facebook as good as that."
Please don't get me wrong. I love social networking as much as anyone. I've enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, staying connected to new friends I meet as I travel and connecting to my children in creative and fun ways. It's entertaining and enjoyable. It's fascinating and engaging. It's educational and inspiring. It's not a place I intend to abandon, but it's a place I need to recognize for what it is and what it isn't.
Since Facebook is my favorite site for social networking, I decided to do a little investigating. From its inception in 2004, Facebook has grown from 1 million users to an astounding 500 million users by the middle of 2011. And it's not just for kids any more. The 35-54 years old demographic is now the largest population of users with women leading the pack!
I've been wondering about the cause of the overwhelming growth in social networking. I'm no expert, but I have some ideas of my own. Our culture has become increasingly insulating over time. Everything from industrialization when families began to move away from family farms, to air conditioning which drives us off our front porches and inside our cool homes, has made it more challenging to find a place of true belonging.
Instead of joining churches for a lifetime, we're either moving to another town or another church. Instead of walking next door to ask our grandmothers for parenting advice, we're using search engines and reading blogs. Instead of meals around tables in our home, we're driving thru and eating on the way.
If this sounds scathing, please excuse me. I'm writing with a broken heart out of my own experience. I am that woman. I'm a woman who has turned inward. I've turned on my computer instead of turning outward with open arms and an open life. I'm a woman who has settled for "friending" online instead of knocking on a friend's door because of some past hurts. It's easier "out there" instead of close by, isn't it?
I was reflecting one day about the time and space into which Jesus was born. God could have sent Jesus into any time of His choosing. Why didn't He send Jesus during our day? Surely using television and internet would have been a more effective way to get the Word out.
Maybe, just maybe, His choice of time sends us a message. Jesus chose deep relationships as the way to transmit His message forward in time until He comes again.
He was the one who created us in His own image with an inescapable need for face-to-face, heart-to-heart relationship. Maybe a place of true belonging with God and others is the only way to satisfy the longings of our souls.
Dear Lord, I know that in You I will find a place of true belonging. Help me to build that relationship with others too. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Visit Amy's blog for more encouragement.
Order P31 Woman magazine to read together with a friend!
Application Steps:
Examine how you spend your time. Is the majority of your time being invested in face-to-face relationship with friends and family?
Pay attention to your true feelings after interactions on the computer or in person. In the end, is the interaction fulfilling or hollow?
Reflections:
Where do I find my place of belonging?
Is the belonging that I feel true or artificial?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (NIV 1984)
Romans 12:5, "...so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (NIV 1984)
© 2011 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 2, 2012
The Most Searched for Answer
Lysa TerKeurst
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Growing up I had a plan for how I could make my life good.
Get a good education. A good job. A good husband. A few good kids. A good house. A good flowerbed out front. And a good mini-van parked in the driveway.
Then life would be... good.
Eventually, I had all that good stuff. I was thankful for it all. I loved my family to pieces. The mini-van wasn't all I thought it would be, but I felt like an official mom driving it. So even that wound up being good.
But something inside me still felt hollow. A little off. A little lacking.
So, I reasoned I needed something else to do. Something where I could use my gifts and talents. And while these things were fun and satisfying on one level, they too fell short when it came to that deep place ringing with the echoes of empty.
Empty is a heavy load to bear. The mystery of wanting to be filled but not knowing how or what could fill the deep soul is a gnawing ache. A search that can seem both futile and shattering at times.
When you try and try, always feeling like the answer is just around the corner, and then it isn't, it can split your heart wide open and leak dry all your reserves.
It can make you feel unsatisfied and frustrated with everything. Even those you love. Maybe especially those you love.
So you fake a smile and keep putting one foot in front of the other. But eventually you stop peeking around the next corner hoping the answer is there. History tells you it isn't. And wrapped in that perception is the noose that strangles out all hope.
Sadly, this is where many women live.
I know this place because I lived there. I struggled there.
And I guess I'm just wondering if you or someone you love might be there as we begin another year. A New Year. It's tough when everything around you screams "Happy New Year!" and you feel anything but.
It quite honestly stinks.
So, I'm not going to pretend you'll suddenly feel super happy after reading this.
But what I can promise is a string of words that explains a lot. An answer that is sure and solid and true and full of the breathless wonder of a hope rediscovered.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved," (Acts 4:13).
Salvation can't be found in a person.
Even a good husband — good children — a good friend makes a very poor God.
Salvation can't be found in anyone or anything else.
No education or job or house can save you.
There is no other.
Only Jesus.
And I'm not just talking about saying we're a Christian. Just following the rules and really following Jesus are two totally different things.
Going through the motions of religion won't ever satisfy. It's only when we bend down low, open our heart in complete surrender, and say, "Jesus, it's You. Only You. There is no other. There is no other possession or person or position that can ever fill the deep soul place shaped only for You."
This is my New Year's prayer this year. Though I've been saved for a long time, I want to recapture the essence of this "no other" reality.
And really live like this is true.
Because it is. True.
Dear Lord, forgive me for trying to fill the empty places of my soul with people, possessions and positions. I want to know what it means to have You, Lord, as the satisfier of the deep places meant only for You. Show me. Teach me. Lead me. And I will follow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you're looking for a book to help you really get to know God in a deep and personal way, Lysa's Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl would make the perfect resource for your personal or group Bible Study this year!
To learn more about the book or her DVD teaching series and accompanying Bible Study workbook, click here.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Does something inside you feel hollow, off or lacking? Pray today that God will fill your empty places. Seek Him and acknowledge that only He can save you.
Reflections:
Salvation can't be found in anyone or anything else. There is no other. Only Jesus.
Power Verses:
Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 3, 2012
Living Clutter-free
Glynnis Whitwer
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (NIV 1984)
My friend was desperate. I could hear it in her voice as she talked about her disorganized house. She was disgusted. Her husband was frustrated. Every day was a challenge to get the kids ready, find clean socks and cook dinner.
The chaos in her home was affecting her emotionally. She felt like she was falling apart. Why couldn't she get it together? she wondered. After all, she was an intelligent, educated woman.
She was also embarrassed. So when I told her I'd love to come over and help, she put me off. It wasn't a bother at all, I said. Second to finding a litter of kittens needing me to rescue them, I love helping friends organize something. Eventually I wore her down and we set a date.
Walking into her house that morning with a cup of coffee for her in one hand and some boxes to sort things in the other, I immediately realized organization wasn't her problem. Clutter was. There was no point trying to organize anything. We needed to uncover and reclaim her home.
She wasn't a hoarder. Life circumstances had converged and overwhelmed her. Plus, the amount of visual mess was draining her energy and causing confusion. She couldn't identify what to keep and what to let go. And she was afraid to file anything in case she couldn't find it later ... but that wasn't working either.
I could relate to my friend's situation. What happened to her happens to most of us at some time. In fact, if she had come by my house a few years before that, she would have seen a very cluttered home. At the time, my husband and I had three little boys. We were outnumbered and I couldn't keep up with everything.
I've discovered that in most loving and lively homes, there is going to be a lot of clutter. It can be a sign of activity, intelligence and curiosity. Books from the library, art projects and magazines speak of minds and hearts that long to explore and create. However, left untended, clutter becomes a prison. And that is where my friend was. She just needed someone to come and help her get out.
Together we were able to quickly sort through stacks and piles. We discarded broken toys and dishes, recycled loads of paper and identified what was important. We didn't get much "organizing" done that day, but we sure did lighten her load - physically and emotionally. That was just the jumpstart she needed to continue bringing order to her home and life.
My friend did the right thing in sharing her situation. By admitting she needed help, she was able to get unstuck. The clutter had rendered her frozen in indecision, which is what happens quickly. It becomes like a prison, affecting our schedules, finances, homes and sometimes even our relationships. And that is far from the life of freedom God desires for us.
Galatians 1:5 tells us that Christ came to set us free. Free from sin. Free from legalism. Free from judgment. Basically, free from whatever holds us back. Jesus frees us from all this so we are free to live a simple, alert life. A lighter life. One where our minds are clearer, our focus sharper, our priorities evident and lived-out. Truly it's a life of freedom.
It may seem like a harmless pile of paper, or just a stack of clothes needing mending. In reality every area of clutter in our lives can be a link in a chain, holding us back from freedom. It doesn't have to be that way. Will you join me today in embracing God's gift of ordered and clutter-free life? I might not be able to bring you coffee, but you've got my support.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your freedom...freely offered in every area of my life. Please show me areas of clutter I have, and ways to clean them up to best serve You and those around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Starting January 9th, Glynnis will be featuring a 15-Day Clutter-FREE Challenge on her blog. She'll be addressing ways to reduce the clutter in our minds, schedules, offices and homes. If you'd like to join her, visit her blog today for more information.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us! Thank You!
Application Steps:
Is there an area of your life where clutter is holding you back from obeying God? What one thing can you do today to start addressing that clutter?
Reflections:
What are common reasons clutter builds up in my life?
How have I seen clutter affect me in negative ways? Consider all areas of life.
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:13, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 4:2, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 4, 2012
A Call to Action
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food." Romans 14:20 (NIV)
Four years ago I was stuck in a rut of wishful thinking and excuses with my weight. At the beginning of each day I would say I wanted things to be different. I would vow in my heart to make things different. I would even make a plan to stop the snacks, increase the veggies, and say no to the desserts.
But then life would happen. And the excuses were so very plentiful. So, my resolve would melt away like butter on a hot yeast roll.
Of course the next morning I would always get up and weigh myself hoping that somehow, something would have happened over night. Despite my indulgences from the day before, maybe the numbers would have gone down.
But the scale was not impressed with my wishful thinking. It could only tell the truth.
And so you know who I'd get mad at?
God.
I'd beg Him to help me one minute while scarfing down an order of fries the next. And then I'd be doubly mad He didn't steer my car away from that drive-thru.
I deemed myself a victim of tragic genetics, overactive taste buds and a stomach that demanded large portions.
What I failed for years to realize is there was a much more significant issue going on.
More important than the ever increasing size of my jeans was the deception going on inside my heart. My weight wasn't God's curse on me. My weight was an outside indication of an internal situation.
Honestly, I might as well have taken Psalm 23 which talks about the Lord being my shepherd and my comfort and replaced His Name with various foods. I was relying on food to be my comfort, my ever present help, my guide. Food was the thing that got me through the valleys. It became the friend I wanted to celebrate with in the good times.
I don't write to point out anyone else's issue. There are certainly medical and genetic circumstances that can cause weight gain. But I discovered that my issue was truly a spiritual one. And no diet would have ever been permanently successful until I got to the real root of my problem.
The root of my issue was craving food more than God. I desired and depended on the instant high of physical gratification because I hadn't learned how to let God satisfy my deepest needs. This realization became a call to action.
Maybe as you read my story, something is stirring in your soul. I know this is a tough issue. I've walked through the tears and the feelings of failure. I was the girl mad at God about this whole deal. But I wanted freedom. And I realized that if I wanted to have my deepest desires met by God and not food, I would need to restore God to His rightful place by changing my old thought patterns. Here are some examples I wrote about in my book, Made to Crave:
Old thought patterns:
"I need these chips. I deserve this ice cream. I must have that extra large portion."
New thought patterns:
Chips will only taste good for the moment. But the calories are empty and will do nothing good for my body. 2 Corinthians 7:1 reminds me, "...Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit... out of reverence for God." (NIV 1984)
This ice cream will give me a sugar high but then I'll crash and feel terrible. Psalm 34:8...reminds me to get into God's Word and let it satisfy the deep hungry places of my soul,"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." (NIV 1984)
This extra large portion will overstuff me and make me feel sluggish. I can't look to this food to soothe me. Psalm 34:5 says, "Those who look to [God] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." (NIV 1984)
Learning to do this has been a process that I have to intentionally choose day after day. Eventually, I did lose the extra weight I needed to shed and have kept it off. But the real reward was what I gained with Jesus in the process. He became the best part of my journey. And I wouldn't have missed this new found closeness I now have with Him for anything in the world.
Dear Lord, if this devotion is a call to action that I need to make, please help me. I want to see the root of my issue, I really do. I want to learn to crave and depend on only You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win her book Made to Crave and her new 60 day Made to Crave Devotions book.
Register for Lysa's FREE JANUARY 9th webcast: No More Excuses. We've all said, "I'll start again on Monday," but then Monday never comes. This will be the exact motivation you need to embrace a healthy journey that is fun and successful. Reserve your spot today by clicking here.
Join a community of women who are doing a FREE Made to Crave online study led by Melissa Taylor. For more information, click here.
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's book Made to Crave is just what you've needed. Click here to order your copy! This book can be a group Bible Study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa.
Application Steps:
Keep a pocket sized notebook nearby all of this week. Every time you crave food, ask yourself if you are hungry or if you are craving something else like comfort or peace. Write down your old thought patterns and then rewrite them using new thought patterns.
Reflections:
Have I learned to let God satisfy my deepest needs?
What is one healthy choice I can make today?
Power Verses:
Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit..." (NIV)
Psalm 18:1, "I love you, O LORD, my strength." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 5, 2012
A Hopeful Future
Samantha Reed
"Then Job replied to the LORD: 'I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.' ...My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job 42:1-2, 5 (NIV 1984)
Sometimes I don't fully trust God has prepared good things. For me, for family, for friends, for others.
This past year was riddled with home foreclosures, loss of businesses, empty cupboards and gas tanks for those I love. They've faced suicide attempts, drug overdoses, passing of loved ones. Family and friends alike have endured marital affairs, children sentenced to jail, a second year of unemployment, cars breaking down, churches falling apart and the list goes on.
I'm not sure He can redeem the pain, recover what's lost, heal all that's broken. Can He truly fit the pieces of this past year into a hopeful future?
Right now, circumstances suggest otherwise. And if I rely on what circumstances currently imply, I'm apt to believe the answer is no, the Lord is not able.
But circumstances tell tales that are prone to change in a moment.
And the truth of the matter is: God never changes. His power to give a future and hope never change. His Word never changes. So when life weaves stories of doubt and hopelessness in God's authority over circumstances, I reread accounts of His faithfulness and redemption. I refer back to the Truth...
All the while Job's family, home, crops and health demolished...God was preparing to give him double of what was killed, stolen, lost and damaged.
The time Joseph was a slave and prisoner...God was planning for him to be second in command over Egypt.
When Ruth was a homeless, barren widow...God was creating a home in Boaz's heart for her to be a wife, and mother, and great, great, great-grandmother to His Son.
As Lazarus was bound in grave clothes...God was forming the breath that'd give him new life.
The moment David laid down in adultery...God was laying the groundwork for him to rise up in repentance.
Every time Saul crucified Christians...God saw Paul preaching the crucified Christ.
With each strike that Sarai beat Hagar with...God saw Sarah beating her jealousy, pride and doubt with the birth of Isaac.
When Esther was an orphaned girl shaking in fear for her life...God made a way for His daughter to shake a kingdom and save His people.
As Rahab welcomed men into the shelter of her bed...God saw her sheltering the spies on her roof.
When Peter lost faith and denied Christ...God saw him bringing many to faith as he proclaimed Christ.
As Moses killed an Egyptian with his hands...God saw him chiseling the Ten Commandments with those same hands.
At the time Mary saw Jesus die...God saw Jesus resurrected and seated on His heavenly throne!
No matter what the dire, dreary circumstances, God turned each into a hopeful future.
Our key verse assures us, none of His plans can be thwarted. Despite what is happening in life, these stories of redemption and hope speak the truth. God can and will reverse, restore, revive and renew. He sees beyond the present troubles and is sparking a fire to light up the future with hope.
As we begin this New Year, let's be on the lookout for His plans to come to pass. And trust Him that He can take any circumstance and use it for our good and His glory.
Dear Lord, I'm so grateful You not only see my future, but You've planned it. Thank You for Your faithfulness last year. And for recording these stories of lives You turned dreary pasts into hopeful futures. I ask that You do the same for my circumstances this New Year please. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Does pain from your past sometimes keep you from feeling hope for your future? Do you ever think: I can't do this. Things will never change. My life isn't going to get better. These are whispers of self-doubt that keep us from becoming the women God created us to be. Truth is, doubt and hope can't live in our hearts at the same time. We need to know that with God's help, change is possible, life can be different! If you're ready to find out how, join our online study of A Confident Heart, written by Renee Swope. It's a life-changing book! Find out more and sign up here.
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (EBook) by Wendy Blight
Hop over to Samantha's blog for examples of prayers from Scripture that are related to your circumstances.
Application Steps:
Open the Word of God and search for truths of His power and good plans. Look up a similar circumstance to what you are going through. For example, if you've been treated unfairly, take heart with the story of Daniel thrown in the lion's den; struggling with infertility, find hope in Hannah's story; praying for family members to turn to the Lord, be encouraged through the prodigal son's redemption.
Click over to Samantha's blog for more examples of God's powerful truths in Scripture that can apply to your specific circumstances.
Reflections:
Despite what circumstances shout, God is always on my side and working on my behalf. Today, I'll take a moment to write out the many ways He was faithful to me last year.
Power Verses:
Genesis 50:19b-20a, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." (NIV)
Psalm 40:5, "Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." (NIV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 6, 2012
Too Tired to Pray
Wendy Pope
"Then I prayed to the God of heaven..." Nehemiah 2:4 (NIV)
I'm the survivor of some tough challenges. Challenges with a sting that won't quit! As one day fades into the next, I wonder how I will have the energy to make it through. These challenges can steal my energy, my zest for life and my belief that things could change.
During difficult days, my godly friends offer wise counsel. They point me to Scripture with aspirations of encouraging me and bringing hope to what I deem hopeless. My friends hold me up in prayer and remind me to pray. However, there are times when the weight of my circumstances are so heavy, when I bow my head to pray, I sometimes find I am just too tired.
I am tired of moving forward one day, only to run into another obstacle that prohibits progress the next. I am tired of expelling my energies trying to make a difference, only to find myself right back where I was. When a situation robs me of spiritual, mental and physical energy, I feel too tired to pray.
Until I remember a man in the Bible who found himself in a challenge that had the potential to rob him of spiritual, mental and physical strength. He ran into one obstacle after another. He worked hard each day trying to make a difference. But, unlike me, this man was not too tired to pray.
Nehemiah wept and mourned over the seemingly hopeless and ruined condition of Jerusalem when the exiles returned home from captivity in Babylon. He was motivated to help his people rebuild. Having the favor of the king and the presence of God on his side, you wouldn't think the assignment would be a challenge. However, government officials made it their personal business to undermine the rebuilding. They leered and jeered and attempted to defeat the progress every step of the way. Nehemiah responded to each insult and obstacle the same way: he prayed.
For Nehemiah and the Israelites, prayer was the needed prescription to revive them, restore their energy and continue building! Through the power of prayer their enemies were defeated and the wall was rebuilt. What a wonderful lesson for anyone struggling through life's challenges, too tired to pray.
Nehemiah's prescription for those who are overwhelmed can be remembered easily with the acronym SAP (Stop and Pray). Interestingly, the word sap means energy and vitality. Vitality is defined as exuberant physical strength or mental vigor; power to live and grow. Nehemiah had it right. He made prayer his first choice, not his last resort. He discovered prayer would revive his spirit and restore the mental and physical energy needed to overcome challenges.
Do you find yourself facing a challenge? Have you felt just too tired to pray? Join me today as I SAP — stop and pray. Let's allow the power of prayer to revive our spirit and restore our physical and mental vigor. By following Nehemiah's example we will have the energy needed to defeat the enemy and thrive in the midst of our challenges.
Dear Lord, through the power of prayer, today's challenge can be tomorrow's victory. Forgive me when I make prayer my last resort instead of my first choice. Help me remember the truths You have taught me today. Help me SAP when adversity comes my way. Thank You for prayer and the power I receive when I turn to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What to do in the W.A.I.T: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog to join her and thousands of women in an in-depth study of Psalms. You only need a Bible and your computer to participate.
Application Steps:
Write the word SAP and its meaning (energy and vitality) on several note cards. Place them in your home, car, work and Bible, to remind you to SAP.
Each time a difficult situation occurs, no matter how small, SAP.
Reflections:
How do I feel about my prayer life?
Am I currently in a tough life challenge? Do I really believe prayer can change it? Why or why not?
Nehemiah made prayer his first choice, not his last resort.
Power Verses:
Daniel 9:19a, "O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act!" (NLT)
Habakkuk 1:5, "Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (NIV)
Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (NIV)
Romans 8:26-27, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 9, 2011
Today is Tomorrow
Melissa Taylor
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 (NIV 1984)
I didn't want to do or think about what needed to be done today, so I put it off until tomorrow. Then tomorrow got pushed back until the next tomorrow. When I finally did what I'd put off, I was stressed out, rushed, in a bad mood or convinced I didn't need to do my task at all. Here are a few of my I'll do it tomorrow's:
I'll start my diet...tomorrow.
I'll read my Bible and pray...tomorrow.
I'll clean my house...tomorrow.
I'll call my friend...tomorrow.
I'll have lunch with my son...tomorrow.
I'll take brownies to my neighbor...tomorrow.
I'll spend quality time with my husband...tomorrow.
God gave us 24 hours in each day. How I use them is up to me. I may not be able to complete every task assigned to me in a single day. But to continue to put off important things that need doing is not being a good steward of the time and tasks God has given me.
There was a season of my life I was so bad about putting goals and tasks off until another day that I got behind in everything. I wanted things to change, but my choices didn't reflect that. Sleeping took precedence over getting up for quiet time. Burgers and fries filled my plate instead of healthy soup and salad. Magazines occupied my hands instead of laundry. Television was preferable to exercise. And time with friends was chosen over time with my husband.
Day after day, I had good intentions to make changes.
Day after day, I put them off until tomorrow.
Eventually, I felt like a failure.
It took a simple sentence from my then three-year-old daughter to move me from apathy to action. A few years ago we planned a family trip to Walt Disney World. I made the mistake of telling Haley Grace months in advance. Each day she'd ask, "Are we going to Disney World today?"
Repeatedly, I'd answer, "Not today. We aren't going for three more months... five more weeks... eight more days..." The night before we left, I announced the news she'd been waiting for. "Hayley Grace, we are going to Disney World tomorrow!"
The next morning she woke early and ran into my room before I was out of bed. "Mommy, Mommy, is today tomorrow?" I was thrilled to reply, "Yes! Today is tomorrow!"
Things clicked for me and I decided then that I was going to start making today my tomorrow.
Instead of wasting precious time, I started spending it in prayer, asking God to show me what tasks He'd like me to complete that day. I prayed for strength and perseverance to accomplish what He'd given me. And I brought a few friends along with me to be encouraged and to be an encouragement to them in finishing their goals.
I put into action today what I'd been putting off till tomorrow.
What changes, goals, or intentions have you been putting off until tomorrow? Let's make our "to-do" list our "to-day" list. Not only will we have a sense of accomplishment, but we'll also make an impact today. Today is tomorrow!
Dear Lord, it never seems like there are enough hours in the day to do everything. Help me discern the difference between what's important and what's unimportant and set my priorities in a way that is pleasing to You. I pray for discipline and motivation to get started each and every today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us online tonight where Melissa will be Lysa TerKeurst's guest on her FREE webcast: No More Excuses. This is the exact motivation you need to make today your tomorrow, and embrace a healthy journey that is fun and successful. Find out more and reserve your spot now by clicking here.
Visit Melissa's blog for a chance to win a Made to Crave book and conference call series. Also, be sure to sign up for her upcoming Made to Crave online study. For more information, click here.
Application Steps:
Make a list of changes you've been putting off making. Rank them in the order you believe God would have you do them. Pray and decide how you can implement these changes. Call a friend and ask her for accountability.
Reflections:
What is keeping me from doing what needs to be done today?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
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Mean Girls
Lynn Cowell
"But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Colossians 3:8 (NIV)
Standing in line for the concert gave my family plenty of people-watching time. As girls and guys made their way to the back of the line, I pointed out all the immodest clothing. "Why would she wear those in public?" "Oh my! I can't believe she feels comfortable dressed like that!" I commented as one-by-one they passed us.
I must have shared quite a few of these statements because my oldest teenaged daughter finally said, "Mom, you are being mean!"
I felt so small. I hadn't thought I was being mean. I was simply pointing out to my girls how not to dress. But my daughter was right.
The truth is, my girls already know how not to dress; I have been teaching them since they were five. And now I was teaching them how to judge another woman. I was teaching them to be mean.
Since that night at the concert I've come to the conclusion that mean girls often come from mean mamas. When we point out other's flaws, we are modeling for our kids a judgmental heart. Instead, what we mamas need to demonstrate is compassion.
Our key verse today says we are to rid ourselves of slander, which means a scandalous remark. In fact, in the verses before and the verses that follow, it doesn't mention of any time when it is okay to slander others.
One way we are overcoming a mean spirit in our family is through accountability. When my girls are gossiping or putting another girl down, I gently point it out and my girls do the same for me.
At first, having my child call me out was a bit uncomfortable. But making this a family issue, rather than just me correcting my kids, is bringing us to a deeper level of kindness.
Like me, you may be surprised to discover just how often you say unkind things . If you watch each other's words, both you and your child will become more compassionate, less judgmental and a whole lot more careful about the words you say! It's working for me; I know it will work for you too!
Dear Lord, I want to rid myself of slander and in turn teach my children to do the same. Please cleanse my heart of judgment and help me to set a guard over my mouth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
RelatedResources:
Looking for a way you can connect to your girl and learn about friendships together? His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell is for girls ages 13-18. It is a great study for moms and daughters to bond over! There is a free leadership guide for it on her website!
Visit Lynn's website for a free family purity guide. Together you can honor God with your hearts, words and bodies!
Visit Lynn's website where she shares additional ways for you and your child to grow closer to God together! She's also giving away a copy of her book His Revolutionary Love as well as her CD "Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart."
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
In the next 24 hours, spy on yourself. Are your words building or breaking?
When you have a critical thought toward a person, intentionally look for a positive remark you can make about them.
Reflections:
My words are either building or breaking; none of them are benign.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
Learning to Trust Again
Micca Monda Campbell
"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'" John 11:40 (NIV)
After my husband died, I felt unloved and forgotten by God. I'd trusted Him and believed as His child nothing bad would happen to me. Yet when something tragic did happen, I bought the lie. "I knew it, God. I knew You really didn't love me!" He had promised never to leave or desert me, but there I was, alone. How could God betray me? I wondered.
Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus, were in Jesus' inner circle of friends. As part of the "in" crowd, Mary and Martha felt certain Jesus would come to them when Lazarus got ill. They had seen Jesus heal and minister to complete strangers. Surely, He'd rush to those whom He loved. However, we see in John 11:4-6 that was not the case.
Jesus indeed loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Yet, even after He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.
Let's pause here for a moment. It can be confusing. If Jesus loved His friends why did He wait to go to their side? These verses appear to validate a fear of rejection. "If Jesus ignored His friend Lazarus, then He can ignore me too."
Do you know that hollow, helpless feeling that accompanies the pain of rejection, loss and loneliness? It may be the loss of your home or of a pregnancy, too many weekends spent alone, or perhaps a loved one rejected you. That pain warns that trusting again is too risky.
The truth is, when we experience emotional or physical trauma, and God doesn't respond like we think He should, we have two choices. Either turn to God, trusting Him with the result; or run from God and feed on bitterness. It is possible for us to take the second choice out all together. We can learn to trust again.
Perspective is often limited by circumstances. God knows exactly what He's doing and it's always based on love. As a young widow, when I was overcome with fear, I wasn't really looking for answers. I needed the assurance that God was near, in control, and that He cared about my circumstances and me.
While others may reject us, you and I need not fear rejection from God. In the weeks and months after my husband's death, I began to understand God had not left me, but was in the pit with me. I started to see a deeper truth. Bad things are going to happen to me while on earth.
Sickness, abuse and death are part of life in a fallen world that God will someday restore. Until then, God may allow me to go through these things. It's not to cause me any undue pain, but rather He allows them and then uses them to accomplish spiritual growth. Charles Stanley explains, "Some things are so important to God that they are worth interrupting the happiness and health of His children in order to accomplish them."
This was true with Mary and Martha. Jesus told Martha that she would see the glory of God if she believed. If you and I choose faith over fear, we will see the glory of God turn our pain into life and blessings. Over the years, as I've turned to the Lord and away from my fears, I've seen His glory in the gifts of my new husband and three children.
As Mary and Martha believed, they witnessed the glory of God when He raised their brother from the dead. Their fears vanished and their faith was restored. If you and I want to exchange our fear for faith, we must believe that what Christ has in store for us is worth our present pain.
Dear Lord, even when I don't understand Your actions, help me trust that You have my best at heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog to hear more of her story and how she learned to trust God again.
Would you like to bring the message of Micca's devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Micca as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Additional Resources by Micca Campbell
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Jesus told them to remove the stone covering Lazarus' grave. The stone can represent our hurt, anger or pride. In order to see your miracle, you may need to remove the stone that has hardened your heart against trusting Christ.
Reflections:
Can looking at my circumstances from God's perspective lessen my anxieties?
Will I chose to trust God (again) today? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 54:10, "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
Why Shouldn't I Indulge
Lysa TerKeurst
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
God made you wonderful. Psalm 139 says so. You are beautiful and loved just the way you are, whether you're a size zero or a size thirty. But, if your size is a struggle or a place of defeat, God loves you so much He doesn't want you to stay there.
There was a time when I felt utterly defeated in the area of food and health. I knew I needed to make changes, but not because of the number on the scale or my clothing size. I knew it because of the battle that raged in my heart. I craved, I desired, I thought about, and arranged my life around food.
Yet I was a Bible teacher, a woman who loved Jesus. Why couldn't I figure this out? I had found victory in so many areas of my life, but this area alluded me. I constantly asked, "Why shouldn't I indulge?"
One day, I looked up the definition of the word indulge, which means to act in an unrestrained way. For me it was unrestrained eating. You see, eating in its proper context is not the problem. God gave us food for nourishment, strength and even celebration. The problem comes when pleasure is unrestrained.
I had to get honest enough to admit that I relied on food more than I relied on God. I craved food more than I craved God. Chocolate was my comfort and deliverer. Cookies were my reward. Salty chips were my joy. Food was what I turned to in times of stress and sadness ... even in times of happiness.
I knew it was something God was challenging me to surrender to His control. Really surrender. Surrender to the point where I'd make radical changes for the sake of my spiritual health—perhaps even more than my physical health.
Part of my surrender was asking myself a really raw question. May I ask you this same question?
Is it possible we love and rely on food more that we love and rely on God?
Now before you turn your computer off, hear me out. This question is crucial.
We have to see the purpose of our struggle with food as something more than getting to wear smaller sizes and receive compliments. Shallow desires produce shallow efforts. These good things are nice, but not as appealing in the moment as a cinnamon roll, or those chips, or that brownie.
The process of getting healthy has to be about more than just losing weight and focusing on ourselves. It's not about adjusting our diets and hoping for good physical results. It's about recalibrating our souls so that we want to change for the right reasons: because we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. And created to live in victory, not in defeat.
I discovered that pursuing a healthy eating plan for these very reasons was one of the most significant spiritual journeys I'd ever dared to take with God. Today, I invite you to journey with me.
Dear Lord, if I'm being honest with myself and You, I know sometimes I rely on food more than I rely on You. I want to recalibrate my soul and change for the right reasons. I want to see You in and through this entire process. Please be with me, Lord, each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's book Made to Crave is just what you've needed. Click here to order your copy! This book can be a group Bible study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa.
Join a community of women who are doing a FREE Made to Crave online study led by Melissa Taylor. For more information, click here.
Visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win her book Made to Crave and her new 60 day Made to Crave Devotions book.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
There are many times when we feel utterly defeated in the area of food and health. What little changes can you begin to make starting today?
Reflections:
The process of getting healthy has to be about more than just losing weight and focusing on myself. It's not about adjusting my diet and hoping for good physical results. It's about recalibrating my soul so that I want to change for the right reasons.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:18-19a, "I pray that the eyes of your heart my be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 13, 2012
Being Perfect
Rachel Olsen
"Don't live under the control of your sinful nature. If you do, you will think about what your sinful nature wants. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the Spirit wants. The way a sinful person thinks leads to death. But the mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace." Romans 8:5-6 (NIRV)
There's a moment I dread at the doctor's office. It's not putting on that tissue paper mistakenly called a "gown." It's not having my finger pricked - though I'm squeamish about blood. It's the moment right after the nurse finishes her questions, grabs her clip board, and announces the doctor will be in to see me shortly.
Pulling the door closed, she leaves me alone with it. I already know what it's going to say about me; I've read it before. It's going to tell me I don't measure up. I'm not reaching my potential. I don't equal my ideal. It's the chart that declares the perfect weight for my height - and I'm several pounds away.
It extends no mercy, offers no grace. It makes no allowances for how old I am, how many babies I've birthed, or that my husband can eat three plates of food every night without gaining an ounce. It demands perfection.
A few years ago I heard a verse that seemed to be the scriptural equivalent of the height/weight chart. A single verse to measure my worth against, and feed my expectations for perfection: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48, NIV 1984)
I figured this verse justified dressing my family in matching sweaters, in the middle of July, to take our Christmas card photo because I'd just gotten the perfect haircut. I figured it warranted pricey toothpaste because I drink coffee and tea, and it shows. And I figured it was my defense when I drove my family nuts about deep-cleaning the house because my new friend might stop by.
This verse helped me justify my quest for perfect photos, perfect teeth and a perfectly clean house. But it added to my disappointment, guilt and occasional loathing when my life, body or family didn't match my ideal notions. Rather than fostering contentment and satisfaction, it fueled self-criticism. Surely this is not what Jesus intended!
In the years since hearing that verse, I've embraced a core conviction that goes like this: If God created life, He alone gets to define it. This conviction drove me to find out what exactly Jesus meant by "be perfect."
'Perfect' used in the ancient Greek language in this verse means something a little different than Mr. Webster's definition. The Greek word here is teleos: "complete, full grown, developing."
The first two pieces of that definition indicate something already accomplished, while the third indicates an ongoing process.
So this perfection Jesus prescribes for us is already complete and yet still developing. Complete in Him; still at work in us. We're allowed to be a work-in-progress!
All parts of this definition, however, refer to maturity of character, rather than a flawless figure, immaculate home, or the faultless execution of a task. Jesus doesn't care so much if there's dust on our mantle, stains on our teeth or a scratch on our car. He isn't interested in how well our bedspread matches our curtains. He's interested in our spiritual maturity.
Jesus teaches that our worth is only found in reflecting His character. To graciously give and receive love. As John writes in 1 John 3:18-20, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" (NIV).
Now that's good news for a recovering perfectionist.
Dear Lord, thank You for grace! Thank You for mercy! Thank You for empowering me to be like You as I submit to Your Word. And thank You for not caring about dust bunnies or stained shirts. Help me to care less about those things as well and focus my heart on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Come to Rachel's blog and leave a prayer request for victory over perfectionism.
If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll want to get a copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Spend time reading through the gospels, noticing what concerned Jesus and what did not.
Reflections:
What surface-level thing(s) have I been worrying over lately?
If it's not about my character, I'm going to let it go as imperfect and rest in God's grace today.
Power Verses:
Philippians 3:8-9, "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith." (NLT)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 16, 2012
A Different Kind of Church
Holly Good
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 (NIV)
My normal carpool routine turned into a different kind of church one morning several years ago.
Twice a day, to and from school, we passed a tiny shack-like house. Surrounded by trash, old cars and unused items seemingly headed for the dump, it appeared neglected. It's front porch slowly detaching from the foundation made us wonder if it was uninhabitable.
The site of this dilapidated dwelling begged me to glance its way every single day.
After carpool, as I headed to the grocery store for my weekly shopping, I could not get this home off my mind. I walked the aisles, randomly loading my cart with many extra items.
Echoing repeatedly in my thoughts were the words from Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." I knew I had to embrace this truth and live it out.
I had to do church differently that day.
For me, church had always consisted of four walls, worship songs, messages about the truth and love of God, and being surrounded by people. But a different kind of church was begging for my attention that morning.
On the way home from school, I casually told my teenaged daughter and her friends that we'd be making a quick stop. "We're going to do a different kind of church today," I quietly told them, hoping they didn't hear the nervousness in my voice.
My riders were not enthused as we pulled over at the dilapidated shack. They reluctantly helped me gather the bags of groceries from my trunk and timidly followed me to the leaning porch.
I apprehensively knocked on the worn screened door.
A middle-aged woman answered as I gently told her we had some groceries to share. She didn't welcome us into the dark room behind her, but eagerly accepted what we had to give.
"Thank you," she said. "They need this more than you know."
Not knowing any details or even who they were, I awkwardly told her we'd pray.
"Please do," she begged as she quickly closed the door on us.
As we headed back to the car, my anxiety began to subside. And God's peace filled my heart.
On our way home, I didn't wrap up our brief visit with a short sermonette or a confident 'well done' pat on our backs. We simply drove home in silence and reflected on our different kind of church that day.
And I couldn't help but smile as the verse in Romans continued to echo in my mind, "Be devoted to one another..."
Dear Lord, help me to always see where there is a need and look to fill it. Teach me to look beyond myself as I seek to represent You. Give me the boldness to show my children my love for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To read other writings from Holly please click here.
Resources that may help you in your walk with God: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl and What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond
Have I ever sensed God calling me to do church differently?
How can I step beyond my normal routine and be the hands and feet of Jesus for someone today?
Power Verses:
Romans 11:36, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." (NIV)
John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 17, 2012
She Stands Alone
Glynnis Whitwer
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
I wiped beads of sweat from my forehead as I pushed the shopping cart towards my car. Unloading my groceries as fast as I could, I hopped in my car, hoping for quick relief. But the triple digit temperatures had seeped inside. Blasting the air conditioning, I pulled out of the parking lot on to a back street. That's when I saw her. Standing alone.
A petite figure stood on the sidewalk in front of a brick building. A black covering draped her head, leading to a black dress, black hose and sturdy black shoes. Though she faced the building, I could see she held a Bible. Her head bent over the cradled book as she stood in the sweltering heat. Alone.
It took but a moment to pass her, but the image of her standing alone branded into my brain. Oh, I've seen people standing alone in front of buildings. But this wasn't just any building. This wasn't a bank or a restaurant. There was no bus stop in front. The women entering this building were broken, and weren't going in for healing.
And on that hot summer afternoon one woman stood alone praying for them and the children they carried.
She stood alone for what she believed God told her to do that day. In the heat. Facing discomfort, odd looks and probably some derisive comments. Some might say her sacrifice made no difference. We'll never know.
We'll never know whose plans were changed by her prayers, by her willingness to stand alone.
Moments before I saw her, all I thought about was getting out of the heat. But her conviction challenged me to ask: For what cause am I willing to stand alone?
The sight of her touched me deeply because I know the exhaustion of battle fatigue. I've sat in frustration rather than standing firm. I know what weary feels like when it seems my efforts aren't making a significant difference. I've felt cornered rather than like a conqueror.
Some days, I'm tired of standing for what I believe in. I think others would stand taller, or with less exhaustion. They'd deal with discouragement better than me. They'd show mercy where I show frustration. Maybe someone else could ... maybe they should ... take over for me.
That's when the image of this humble woman comes to mind. And the Lord says to me:
You just think she's standing alone. She's not. I'm right next to her. And I'll be right next to you. Keep standing.
So I breathe in and breathe out. I picture the precious sister standing in front of the building. Only this time, she's not alone. In my mind I see Jesus standing beside her.
And on my own street, in my own life, in my own home, facing my own calling, wondering if I'm making any difference, I determine to stand another day. For a cause I believe in ... for the cause of Christ ... wherever He calls me to stand.
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that when I think I'm standing alone, I'm not. Thank You for being my hope in difficult times, and holding me up when I want to sit this one out. Help me to remember You are a very present help in times of trouble. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog where she'll share a bit more of a challenge she personally faces in her own life.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have I ever been tempted to give up on something because it seems too overwhelming? What difference would it make if I knew Jesus was standing right beside me?
Identify an area of your life where you have given up or want to. Perhaps you've stopped praying, or inviting, or asking to talk with someone. Commit to do one thing this week to move forward in this area. This could be pray for five minutes, invite once more or ask again.
Power Verses:
Romans 14:7, "For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone." (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 18, 2012
Listening to God
Renee Swope
"So Jesus explained, 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.'" John 5:19 (NLT)
I want to be a woman who listens to God. But, sometimes I'm not sure if it's God talking or just me thinking.
And if I'm really honest, when I do sense Him whispering to my heart, I'm not always crazy about what I sense He's telling me to do. Like the time I knew without a doubt God wanted me to share my testimony publicly. I pretty much ran from that assignment for a decade.
Yet, I've learned over the past twenty something years when I listen to God, I discover His best for me. And, I grow my trust in Him.
I've seen again and again that His ways lead to His goodness, and when I follow Him, His mercy follows me. At the end of my ten-year spiritual sprint away from what scared me most — sharing the story of my brokenness with others — I surrendered to what God was calling me to do.
I started listening closely to Him and trusting completely in Him, so that I could experience a day-by-day abiding in His presence and promises. From there, His plans unfolded day-by-day.
I honestly thought I had been listening to Him all that time. But one day while I was seeking God's direction in some decisions, the Holy Spirit showed me I had a habit of asking God what He wanted me to do and where He wanted me to invest my time. Then I went about doing it, without depending on Him for direction each step of the way.
Oftentimes, I would seek God for the larger plans in life, convinced that if I figured out what He wanted me to do then I could become the person He created me to be, and fulfill the calling He had for me.
Have you ever thought: "If only God would show me what job to take; what man to marry; what church to attend; what ministry to serve in — then my life would be complete and I could trust Him with my whole heart?"
The problem is, sometimes we get a glimpse of where God wants us to go and then assume we know how to get there.
Or we get a peek at what He wants us to do and think we know how He wants us to do it. How many times have I made that mistake and then wondered why I wasn't getting anywhere?
Over time, God has taught me that He wants my spiritual ears more than my spiritual efforts.
He wants daily dependence, interaction and intimacy with me. And He is more concerned with my character than what I schedule for Him on my calendar.
In today's key verse, Jesus tells us that He depended on the Father for the large and fine print written in His life plan. He listened closely and obeyed quickly: "...'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.'" (John 5:19 NLT)
Like Jesus, we will discover God's purpose for our lives through dependent hearts that seek to listen to His — day by day, moment by moment. Let's position our hearts, minds and souls to hear Him speak to us today.
Dear Lord, I want to become a woman who listens to You. I come to You today with a seeking heart, asking not only for direction but for discernment, humility and dependence on You -- each step of the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Rest Assured: How to Rest, Be Renewed & Remain in God's Promises and Plans — a message on CD by Renee Swope
How do we know if God is speaking to us? Visit Renee's website/blog where she shares how we can learn to discern God's voice, and enter to win her "Listening to God" gift pack.
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Living in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Each purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us!
Reflect and Respond:
Do I read my Bible so God's words and ways are familiar to me? Do I intentionally listen for God's voice, or do I assume I know what He wants me to do?
• Take time to pull away from distractions and quiet your thoughts, even if it's just 10-15 minutes.
• Tell God you want to hear Him speak - through a verse, a song, a person or a whisper in your soul.
• Talk to Him about your plans for the day and ask Him to show you His. Give Him permission to interrupt your thoughts and agenda and lead you in a different direction if He wants to.
• Then get ready for a day filled with adventure and companionship as you walk hand in hand with your Maker.
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:16, "I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." (NIV)
John 14:31, "...but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father." (NLT)
1 Samuel 3:10, "The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:e
January 19, 2012
Triggers
Lysa TerKeurst
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV 1984)
I was elated one day when the number on my scale dipped below the plateau weight I'd been stuck at for two weeks. I did a little happy dance and thought, "Finally, I'm making some real progress in this journey. It's going to be such a great day. I'm super motivated. Bring on the raw veggies. Nothing's gonna stop me now!"
Too bad things didn't stay that way. Life, like math, can be unpredictable. I'm no math whiz, but I do remember there being these things called polynomials. Polynomials are algebraic expressions that include real numbers and variables.
That's the way my food issues are—they contain real numbers and variables. I suspect yours do as well. And while we must pay attention to the real numbers by eating less and moving more, we would do well to consider the variables in our lives as well.
Variables are those daily triggers we didn't account for but will detour even the best of intentions. Triggers can be as large as the stab of loneliness from a broken relationship or the memory of a childhood trauma. Triggers can be as small as a discipline "chat" with a teen out past curfew or stumbling across fresh doughnuts in the office break room. They can prompt the thought, "Life will be better if I eat that."
Triggers have nothing to do with physical hunger or the need for legitimate nourishment. They are lies that we've thought so routinely they've become well-worn paths to careless eating. Life is not made better because we overindulge in an unhealthy choice.
The best thing we can do in these triggered moments is to pause. Pause and ask ourselves, "Do I want to eat this right now because I need nourishment or because I'm feeling empty emotionally or spiritually?"
If I need nourishment, I can choose a healthy option. If I'm just feeling empty, I must realize food can fill my stomach but never my soul.
The only way to negate an emotional eating trigger is to match it with truth. The truth is this: "I'm not physically hungry right now, but I need to be filled in another way."
The Bible tells us that we can be rooted in love, not emptiness; that we have power to choose truth; and that as we comprehend the love of Christ, we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness—not of that brownie—but of God (Ephesians 3:17-19). And here's the great thing about truth: it contains no variables! Truth is stable, secure and a surefire way to get me through the unpredictable moments of life.
Take time to pause and use God's truths to challenge your triggers. And, when you're truly physically hungry, that pause will give you the moment you need to choose a healthy snack. Then you will be truly full.
Dear Lord, please help me to battle each of my triggers today with truth. Your truth. Moment by moment. I understand that food can fill my stomach but never my soul. Only You can fill my soul and I am thankful for that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Don't miss Lysa's NEW Made to Crave Devotional, 60 Days to Craving God, not Food. Expanding on the original Made to Crave, this book provides 60 new inspirational devotions for your weight-loss journey!
Consider doing Lysa's NEW 6-session Made to Crave Action Plan as a follow up to her New York Times bestselling Made to Crave book! This DVD series and Participant's Guide is based on extensive research of Dr. Ski Chilton who has identified the five best nutrition choices you can make. Each session is full of powerful teaching from Lysa, practical healthy living tips from Dr. Chilton and personal stories from others whose lives have been changed by Made to Crave!
Visit www.MadetoCrave.org for additional information, as well as fun, FREE and encouraging videos to help you overcome struggles and find lasting peace!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Food can fill my stomach but never my soul.
This week I'll write down what triggers determine an unhealthy pattern with my eating habits. I'll pause and use God's truths to challenge my triggers. And, when I'm truly physically hungry, that pause will give me the moment I need to choose a healthy snack.
Power Verses:
James 1:3-4, "Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (NIV 1984)
John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
What If I Were Broken?
Tracie Miles
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." Micah 7:18 (NIV 1984)
His question made me stop and think. It was a simple comment, said in a teasing manner, but instantly struck a chord in my heart.
One afternoon I was cleaning out a kitchen cabinet full of items I rarely used when I found an old broken can opener. I handed it to my nine year-old son and asked him to throw it away. Instead of just tossing it into the trashcan, he asked if he could keep it.
Why in the world would a little boy want an old, dirty, useless can opener? I thought.
He insisted he needed to keep it. Finally I said, "Honey, it is broken. I don't want it or need it anymore, so throw it away please."
"Well if I were broken, would you just throw me away?" he asked.
Huh? Our conversation about a silly can opener had gotten way too complicated. I assured him I would never throw him away, no matter what, because he was too valuable to me. Then I gave him a hug and he skipped off into the den to watch TV, while I stood there stunned, pondering his question.
I remembered being like that can opener. Broken, dirty and useless - at least in my eyes. A horrible decision I made as a young girl convinced me for years that I had no redeeming value in God's eyes. Regret suffocated my heart for years, and plagued me with lies that God could never really love a sinner like me.
I stood there in my kitchen vividly remembering the overwhelming pain and regret of feeling broken, and void of worth, beauty or value. But then a smile slipped across my face as I remembered the day God healed my brokenness. Sitting alone on a pew during a worship service several years before, tears pouring down my face, I begged God to forgive me for my sins. I had asked before, fourteen years before in fact, but this time it was different.
I felt God's presence and believed His promise of forgiveness. For the first time, I heard His voice ring in the ears of my heart, reassuring me that I was too valuable to be thrown away. The following day I realized something was different. My past was still my past, but I was no longer broken.
The damaged pieces of my heart were mended, and I set out on a wonderful journey to discover my worth in God's eyes. Over time I read His promises and started to believe I really was valuable and that He not only loved me, He liked me!
Are you feeling broken today? Do you ever feel like God could love everyone else, but not you? Do you spend each day condemning yourself for past sins, current habits, damaged relationships, poor choices, or even self-harming behavior?
Do you ever feel like you are just too messed up to be "fixed?" Do you wish you could stop feeling broken, or break the cycle of sin in your life, but simply do not know how?
Despite what you think, you are not beyond repair. As a child of God, you are precious, beautiful and part of God's inheritance, just as today's verse says.
Whatever your situation, God can mend that crushing feeling of hopelessness and brokenness. With faith, ask Him to. Then delight in Him by accepting His grace, mercy and forgiveness.
Dear Lord, forgive me and heal me. Mend my brokenness. Give me hope. Help me to see myself through Your eyes only. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the Mender of broken hearts?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement about spiritual healing and the journey of discovering how God can turn your past into your purpose.
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie as a retreat / key note speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Has something or someone ever made me feel worthless? How often do I think negative thoughts about myself?
When will I take time this week to ask God to mend my brokenness and help me truly believe He can and wants to?
Power Verses:
Matthew 9:12-13, "On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (NIV 1984)
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 54:11-12, 14, "O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you." (NKJV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 23, 2012
Treasured
Amy Carroll
"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)
It changes your life to know you're treasured. Grasping this truth transforms a woman. I know; I saw it happen right before my eyes.
Our little band of four women and one very brave man set off to India last November to lead two women's conferences. We packed light, but our hearts were ladened with prayers, messages and plans grown over months of preparation. Although we dreamed big, we couldn't fathom the God-sized outcomes.
We also couldn't imagine the magnitude of the hurts needing to be healed. I was astounded and grief-stricken by the stories my new Indian friends shared.
One woman returned late the second day of the conference, bruised and cut by a beating with a fan blade by her husband, enraged because of her attendance at a Christian conference.
A gifted, young leader sobbed as she told us that her father wished her replaced with a boy or dead.
An exhausted pastor's wife confessed that she and her husband were preparing to leave the ministry because of the extreme persecution they faced.
A beautiful, teenaged orphan solely supporting her grandmother and sister returned home one evening to the announcement of her arranged marriage.
A grieving young woman related how family members silently brushed by her after her conversion, as if she didn't exist.
The stories of women with scars on their bodies and wounds on their hearts went on and on and on...
Our team passionately poured the truth God's heart and the promise of today's key verse into these hurting women. "You are treasured by God. You are created in His image. He could never love you any more or any less. He desires you so much that He calls you His own bride. Because you are His, He has a calling and a purpose for your life. You are chosen by Him."
Slowly but surely, tears of sorrow transformed into tears of joy. Understanding began to light the faces around us. Confessions of God's goodness abounded.
The beaten woman not only bravely returned, she came back with her precious son so he could hear he is God's treasure.
The young leader cried through worship knowing she's cherished by God and the women surrounding her.
The pastor's wife testified she was excited to return and teach the women in her town.
The engaged teenager declared she would face marriage to a stranger knowing that Jesus is her true husband.
The "invisible" woman prayed that she would be Jesus' love to her parents and brothers.
At the end of the first conference, one attendee approached my teammate, Peggy. She looked Peggy in the eyes and said, "Thank you for making us important." Peggy quickly replied, "Honey, God made you important." The woman answered, "But we didn't know."
Knowing we are God's treasure is a transforming realization. If you know this truth, then rejoice and spread the news! If you haven't heard or haven't believed, then let me whisper to you...
You are treasured by God.
Let the truth transform you and free you to live the life of joy and purpose for which you were created.
Dear Lord, help me to really grasp that I am Your treasure. Once I've basked in the gift, help me pass it on. I want to join with You and experience the miracle of seeing others transformed by Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog to hear more about her time in India and learn ways that you can pass on the truth to women next door and around the world.
Share this truth with a child in need through Compassion International.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do I know and believe I am God's treasure? If I believed this truth, how would it change me? My actions?
Who in my world needs to know God treasures them? How can I share this truth?
Power Verse:
I Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 24, 2012
A Praying Momma
T. Suzanne Eller
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
When he first started drinking, she and her husband weren't sure what to do. Then he was arrested. Soon after they discovered he was using drugs. For the first time in her life, Mickey felt helpless as a mom.
Mickey's son was raised in church and he once served as a leader in his youth group. Their home was a safe place where faith was lived out. And yet her son continued to spiral downward, no matter what they did. The night he broke into their small business and emptied the cash register was the bleakest night of all.
Mickey looked around the church and realized there were other moms with similar struggles. She started a Prodigal Prayer Group that met on Tuesday nights. They prayed one year, two years and then three.
Mickey saw others' children come back to their faith, but her prayers for her own son seemed to be going nowhere. Nonetheless, she continued to show up, joining in strength and support with other praying mommas.
I wish my sweet friend had a video camera recording her son through those dark days. I wish she could have seen Austin rediscover his faith, overcome his addictions, and see him grow into the godly man he is today.
But the reality is that Mickey didn't have a video camera. All she had was her faith. Faith that was tested over and over.
She was aware of the realities of her son's choices, but she continued to pray. She continued to believe. She had to make hard choices like setting boundaries. She had to listen to other moms whose children were not straying and who did not understand her struggle.
Mickey says that during that time she began to see Austin through the eyes of faith. She knew that it wasn't in her power to change her son, but that God could be her source of strength as she stayed the course.
We often say we would do anything for our children. If someone had told Mickey that it would take years of praying and believing like she did without seeing any sign of change, I wondered would she still do it? Mickey says yes, she would.
Maybe you identify with my friend. You raised your son or daughter with love. You provided a safe place. You showed them Jesus, and yet somehow they lost their way. Today I want to encourage you. The Father loves you and your child. In Jesus' story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32, NIV) we see a son who has hit rock bottom. He finally decides to go home and this is the reaction of his father:
"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.'
But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found." (verses 20-24)
Jesus told this story to illustrate the love of the Heavenly Father. The beauty of a praying momma is not lost in the chaos of your child's choices. You are not alone as you pray, because He's waiting, just as you are, to welcome your child in His embrace.
Dear Father, thank You that You love my child even more than I. I am not alone. You are with me. Walk with me today. Give me Your strength. Give me renewed hope and eyes of faith. In Jesus' powerful, precious Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by T. Suzanne Eller. For more resources from Suzie, click here.
Building a Bridge: To Your Child's Heart Building a Bridge: To Your Child's Heart (CD) by Lynn Cowell
Visit Suzie's blog where Suzie shares five things to do when your child is in trouble.
Reflect and Respond:
"Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays." Soren Kierkegaard
How is my faith being stretched as a parent? What moms could I Invite to join together and commit to praying for our children?
Power Verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:11, "So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it." (MSG)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 25, 2012
But I Really Don't Like Her
Samantha Reed
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV 1984)
Guns were loaded. Ten paces taken. The showdown had begun. Her at one end of the table; me at the other. My plate a smoking gun; lima beans my bullets.
I wish I could say I was a two-year-old toddler, throwing a tantrum. Instead, I'm embarrassed to admit I was a 25-year-old adult, sticking it to a woman I couldn't stand. Neither of us was backing down. Meeting her stealthy gaze I methodically slid one lima bean after another to the side. I would not take one bite of her potpie until it was clear of the offending veggies.
Oh, it's not that I dislike lima beans. On the contrary. I like them. What I didn't like was her.
Her, my boyfriend's mother. Clinging tightly to her matronly apron strings. Sitting at the head of his table. Wedging herself between us. Serving his favorite meal.
Me, her son's girlfriend. Building bonds meant to last a lifetime. Sitting by his side. Wedging myself between mother and son. Resenting her home-cooked meal.
My own mother's voice grew louder in my head with each lima bean I pushed aside. "It doesn't matter what she's done, you eat the limas, Sam." I held my challenger's stare as I flicked another bean onto the growing mound. "Put down your disdain and put her above yourself, Samantha."
With determined purpose I jabbed the last lima. Without a word I said it all: I will not honor your meal. I will not honor your feelings. I will not honor you. My mom's voice shook my inner core. "Use your humility, Samantha Elaine!!"
After dishes were washed and guns put away, another voice resonated. The Lord spoke gently, yet firmly. Sam, I've asked you to not be selfish. This was a perfect opportunity to show humility. She took time to cook that meal; you should have put her needs above your desires and eaten all of it.
I was ready with my rebuttal. But I really don't like her! She's controlling and invasive. She doesn't respect me or my relationship with her son. She's impossible to get along with, much less honor.
As far as I was concerned, she was the enemy and it was my duty to draw the battle lines. Yet deep down I knew, my actions should not be determined by hers. After all, she had worked hard on that dinner. She was my boyfriend's mom. And most importantly, she was my sister in Christ.
On that premise alone I knew God called me to be humble toward her. Not only that, but to go above—by eating (all) of her meal, and beyond—by complimenting her special dish. It would have been a small thing, but it would have been the right thing... and the God thing.
Though my relationship with my boyfriend and his mom has since ended, my relationship with humility has grown. And continues to grow as I challenge myself. It may be something as small as eating food I don't care for, watching a television show that bores me, attending a function I'd rather not. Or maybe speaking kind words when I'm frustrated, praying for someone who has offended me, or taking a back seat when I want to be first.
And for the times my finger is on the trigger, I keep in mind that by being humble, I'm honoring God. There is joy in giving glory to the One who so humbly laid down His life so I can keep mine eternally. This truth gives me the grace I need to tuck my guns away and ask, "May I please have seconds of your delicious lima bean potpie?"
Dear Lord, thanks for being the best example of humility and honor. Please give me the grace to respect others, especially those who I find hard to respect. Thanks for Your Word and for reminding me to put others first. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sharing Grace - Family Traditions - Gift ideas (E-Book) by LeAnn Rice
A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper
Visit Samantha's blog for her potpie recipe and a give-away of A Perfect Mess by Lisa Harper.
Reflect and Respond:
We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. ~Matthew Henry
Who do I struggle to be humble toward? What is one thing I can do to "tuck my guns away" and show them kindness?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:10, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (ESV)
Colossians 3:12-13a, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another..." (ESV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 26, 2012
Easy Isn't the New Good
Lysa TerKeurst
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV 1984)
It's good to invest wisely in my relationships. It's easy to simply coast.
It's good to go the speed limit. It's easy to speed a little.
It's good to make a healthy choice. It's easy to grab junk.
It's good to read my Bible. It's easy to check my phone for texts and emails first.
It's good to think about others. It's easy to think about myself.
Several years ago I had a friend who decided to leave her husband for another man. Things were easier with this other man. The feelings were giddy. The fights were few. And they didn't have years of issues that needed to be dealt with.
So she went with what felt easy over what was good. She divorced. She remarried. She started over with what seemed so much easier.
After all, she'd been slipping into the pattern of easy for years. When we set our heart on the pattern of choosing easy over good in the little things, we run the risk of using the same justifications with the bigger things.
I'm not saying if I don't read my Bible today, I'm headed for divorce court tomorrow. But setting a pattern of choosing easy over good in my life is a slippery slope.
Easy isn't the new good.
Just because the world waves a big banner that we deserve easy... do what feels easy... why stress yourself when there's an easier way... doesn't mean it's good.
Eventually, my friend didn't feel like her new man was so easy. The feelings weren't so giddy. The fights were many. And over the years they too developed a whole host of issues.
One day she came home and her second husband was gone. He found it easy to leave.
Like the old cliché says, "Easy come, easy go."
I think about this and I'm challenged. Where are little compromises sneaking into my life? Where am I establishing a pattern of choosing what is easy over what is good? And does it really matter?
I think it does.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
I so desire this "good" way. To treat others fairly. To love those in my life faithfully. And to live the way God wants me to live- choosing good over easy.
Dear Lord, please help me to see today the times where I may choose the easy way over the good way. My desire is to please You in all that I do. Help me to establish healthy patterns of living according to Your purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are looking for a book to help you really get to know God in a deep and personal way, Lysa's Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl would make the perfect resource for your personal or group Bible Study this year!
To learn more about the book or her DVD teaching series and accompanying Bible Study workbook, click here.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Just because the world waves a big banner that we deserve easy... do what feels easy... why stress yourself when there's an easier way... doesn't mean it's good.
Where are little compromises sneaking into my life? Where am I establishing a pattern of choosing what is easy over what is good? And does it really matter?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for good of those who loves him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 27, 2012
Nothing More and Nothing Less
Rachel Olsen
"God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." Matthew 5:5 (NLT)
Lord, how can I become content with just who I am, nothing more and nothing less?
I'm certainly prone to want to be more, or less than I am. To be smarter, prettier, funnier, fitter. To be more productive, happier and higher energy. And then also to be lower key, calmer, more level-headed and focused.
I want to have better self-awareness, and yet I want to be less concerned about what others think of me.
I want to be a better cook, to sing on key, and to keep the house neat without so much perceived effort. And did I mention fuller, thicker hair would be nice too?
I want to be a better writer - one that's both highly creative and meticulously organized. And I want fewer propensities to run late, slack off or procrastinate.
Yes, I want to be both more and less of me.
Jesus shushes my endless listing of the things I want to change or improve about myself. Things I'm certain would give me be a better life. He asks me instead to humbly make peace with it all. To lay down my notions of a better woman and life by letting Him be the judge of that. To simply take what I'm given and offer it back to Him, in surrender and service.
Today's verse in the book of Matthew is among several in the Bible that fuels one of my core convictions: When I stop striving to create a life for myself, I find the life God creates for me. This is a powerful truth, indeed a divine secret.
His life for me begins precisely where mine ends. My life ends in my sin and striving and begins again in God's grace and power.
His empowering indwelling affords me everything I truly need and nothing I truly don't.
Do you too long to be content with just who you are in Christ - nothing more and nothing less? Jesus addresses us both in Matthew 23:11-12. Eugene Peterson describes that passage this way: ""Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty" (MSG).
Amazingly, God's grace humbles a woman without degrading her, and His favor lifts her up without inflating her.
The life she finds in Him makes her the proud owner of everything money can't buy. As Jesus put it, "the whole earth." What she gets with humility is a life of contentment. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Dear Lord, help me quiet my critical, striving spirit today and gratefully accept who I am and where I'm at in this moment. For You are here, ready to empower my life to count for plenty right where I am. Help me also to seek and hold Your definition of "plenty" - nothing more and nothing less. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus personally?
Connect with Rachel at her blog where she describes an everyday moment when she needed and learned to be contentment with who she is.
If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll want to get a copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Am I content with who I am and where I'm at in life? What can I do to find that contentment when it is missing?
It is possible to improve and grow - with dreams, plans and goals - and at the same time still be content. Take time today to journal about yours - and schedule a time later this month to return and read those notes.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:6-7, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NLT)
Matthew 5:5, "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." (MSG)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 30, 2012
What is Real?
Holly Good
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIV 1984)
Has your trust ever been shattered by someone you love? A few years ago I was faced with a very unsettling situation. I was shocked when I learned of hidden sin that had spun its way into the life of someone I care about deeply.
For weeks, I pleaded with God on my knees for an explanation, for understanding, for clarity. My sense of reality had been threatened and betrayed. I desperately cried out, "What is real Lord? Tell me what is real. Because what I thought was real may not be."
One night as I went to bed, I tried to make peace with the fact that maybe I was never supposed to understand this devastating circumstance. There were many questions, but few answers. Many thoughts, but few explanations. The next morning, during my quiet time, the Lord gently began to reveal some answers to my wounded heart.
I was reminded of my need for Him – my never-ending, all-consuming need for Him. Too often I take my eyes off of the Lord and attempt to live difficult situations in my own strength. Colossians 3:1-2 profoundly challenged me, "Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (NIV 1984). Unfortunately, my focus had shifted to my questions and myself. And apart from God, my focus had become distorted.
I was reminded that I needed to continue to seek the Lord and patiently wait for what He had in store. I began to beg the Lord to take this hurt away. Make it disappear, Lord. But then I'd sense Him saying to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'" (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). By admitting my frailty, God was able to affirm His strength in me.
And finally, He pointed me to what is real. He gently reminded me that He is real. My God is real. Though on this earth I will face many stressful situations, many disappointments, and many hurts, I know that my God is real and He will never leave me. I once again found loving comfort in the words from Moses to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (NIV 1984). I knew I had to completely depend on God and believe in His goodness.
My assignment in this difficult circumstance was clear. The Lord was asking me to continue to pray, believe, trust, seek, wait and focus on Him and Him alone. I am so thankful that nothing will ever separate me from His unfailing love. And THAT my friend is real.
Dear Lord, thank You for the life lessons You teach me each day. Give me renewed strength as I wait on You. Help me to continue to desire You and to seek You through each situation I will face. I want to completely depend on You, God. I love You Lord, and I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
You won't want to miss "Holly Days" on Lysa TerKeurst's blog! Hop over now for more encouragement!
Reflect and Respond
When circumstances make me question the truth, I will remember "God is real" and He loves me completely.
What experiences or difficult circumstances have led to growth in my spiritual life because they made me depend more on God? How can I help others going through similar situations?
Power Verses:
Romans 5:3, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance..." (NIV 1984)
John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV 1984)
Joshua 1:5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Holly Good. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 31, 2012
Not the Same
Lynn Cowell
"When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate." Ezekiel 46:9 (NIV 1984)
As soon as my eyes opened I knew it was going to be one of "those" days. I think that saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" was created for days like this. I was sad, disappointed, frustrated and empty.
But I couldn't put my finger on why I felt all of these emotions. I just knew I had to get out of the house before everyone woke up and my feelings steered our day in the wrong direction.
I put on my tennis shoes and started out the front door. Though unsure of where I was going to run, I was certain of the length: far! Far enough for me to come back with a different perspective. What I needed was to get alone with Jesus, to have Him fill me, and exchange my negative emotions with His peace, truth and life.
As I started my run, old thoughts poured into my head. You are not beautiful. You are not special. Your life doesn't count. After years of reading, studying and even teaching the Truth, it was hard to believe I still struggled with these dark thoughts.
As lies poured in, I remember scriptures stored in my mind and heart. He sees me as beautiful. He says He is wild about me. He is more than enough for me. He is all I need.
Mulling over these precious promises from God's Word, tears began to pour. This is what I needed.
I didn't need more words of affirmation from my husband. I didn't need another pat on the back from a friend. I needed a new outpouring of love from my Love. I needed to be reminded of who He says I am, to give up the old lies and replace them with His Truths.
When we come into God's presence, He fills us. The Lord changes us so that we are not the same as we were when we came to Him. Ezekiel 46:9 represents this exchange of old for new. The people of Israel were told when they came into the temple area to worship, they were to enter through one gate and exit through the opposite gate.
So the same should be true with us; we are "not to go back as we came, but more holy, and heavenly, and spiritual" (Matthew Henry). As we enter into our special times with God, we need to come out the "opposite gate," different than the way we went in.
After an hour of running, crying and talking to God, I was not the same when I returned home. Now, I was ready. Ready to be the wife and mom my family needed. Restored into a vessel that God could use. Being with Jesus had changed me.
Dear Lord, I need You today. Living this life sometimes drains me and leaves me empty. As I come through Your gates and into Your presence, change me. Pour Your life and heart into me so that as I leave through the "opposite gate," I am not the same woman as when I came in. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Want a friend to walk with you in understanding this life-changing Love? Check out Lynn's book His Revolutionary Love
Visit Lynn's blog to enter a give-away of her book His Revolutionary Love and a Starbucks gift card!
Reflect and Respond:
What brings up old, negative thoughts? Harsh words with my husband? Rejection at work? Communication patterns in broken relationships? I'll begin to recognize these triggers so I can make a point to run to Jesus for truth each time they resurface.
Do I need help coming into the Lord's presence? Today I'll play worship music and let God's truth pour into my heart. As it does, I'll respond to Him in words of praise for who He is and what He means to me.
Power Verses:
Titus 3:5b-7, "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 4:21-22a, 23, "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life... Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes." (NLT)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 1, 2012
I'm Beyond Hurt
Melissa Taylor
"All your words are true..." Psalm 119:160 (NIV)
I'm beyond hurt.
I'm beyond confused.
I'm beyond stressed.
I'm beyond tired physically, emotionally and mentally.
I could go on and on. But then I would be beyond depressed.
When feeling like this, I realize I have to get my mind out of the gutter and anchor myself on God's promises.
I have to be intentional to focus on a different set of "beyond" statements or I quickly find myself in a pit. I know this from experience. Even if the "beyond" statements above are true, there are others that are also true.
I am beyond blessed: From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16*
I am beyond strong: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.Joshua 1:9
I am beyond secure: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I am beyond safe: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. Psalm 138:7
I am beyond hopeful: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I am beyond loved: But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5
I am beyond valued: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
I am beyond forgiven: Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:48
I am beyond found: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep." Luke 15:4-6
I am beyond complete: So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10 (NLT)
I can't trust my feelings, or even circumstances, to tell me how I am. They change like the wind. Up one moment and easily shot down the next. His Word however, never changes. Its ceaseless truths go beyond emotions and whatever my day holds to anchor me to hope.
Some days, weeks or even seasons of life are discouraging and we can't see beyond the pain, hurt and stress. Searching God's Word for His view of our circumstances and us lifts our eyes off the problems and onto Him. He's our ultimate source of truth and encouragement!
Dear Lord, thank You for recording Your Word for me to reflect on and find truth in. Thank You for giving hope and peace beyond my feelings and circumstances. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's blog to enter a give-away for the book she'll be featuring in her next online Bible Study, Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
For daily doses of hope and truth, join Proverbs 31 Ministries' Facebook page
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Reflect and Respond:
Do I focus more on discouraging "beyond" statements or God's "beyond" statements of truth?
What is one verse I can use to replace my feelings of "beyond" hurt, stressed, overwhelmed, etc?
Power Verse:
Psalm 139:17, "How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!" (NIV)
* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from the NIV 1984
© 2012 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 2, 2012
Physically Overweight and Spiritually Underweight
Lysa TerKeurst
"'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'" John 4:34 (NIV)
If you've attended many Christian women's events, you've probably heard the story of the Samaritan woman told from just about every possible angle. If I hear someone start to speak about her at a conference, I'll admit my brain begs me to tune out and daydream about tropical places or items I need to add to my grocery list.
It's not that I don't like her story. I do. It's just that I've heard it so many times I find myself doubting there could possibly be anything fresh left to say about it. But in all my years of hearing about the Samaritan woman, reading her story, and feeling like I know it, I missed something. Something really big.
Right smack dab in the middle of one of the longest recorded interactions Jesus has with a woman, He starts talking about food. Food! And I'd never picked up on it before. I somehow missed Jesus' crucial teaching that our bodies must have two kinds of nourishment: physical and spiritual.
Just as I must have physical food for my body to survive, I have to have spiritual food for my soul to thrive. Jesus says, "My food ... is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34 NIV). And then he goes on to say, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" (John 4:35b NIV).
There is a bigger plan here! Don't get distracted by physical food. Don't think physical food can satisfy the longing of your soul. Only Jesus can do this. Our souls were created to crave Him and love others to Him. So many people are waiting to hear the message of your calling. Don't get stuck in defeat and held back from it.
In the midst of offering salvation to the Samaritan woman, Jesus seems to wander off on this tangent about food. But it's not a tangent at all.
Actually, it fits perfectly. It relates directly to the core issue of spiritual malnutrition. Specifically, it's about trying to use food to fill not only the physical void of our stomachs but also the spiritual void of our souls. For years, I've been physically overweight but spiritually underweight. How crucial it is for us to remember:
Food can fill our stomachs but never our souls.
Possessions can fill our houses but never our hearts.
Sex can fill our nights but never our hunger for love.
Children can fill our days but never our identities.
Jesus wants us to know only He can fill us and truly satisfy us. He really wants us to really believe that.
Only by being filled with authentic soul food from Jesus—following Him and telling others about Him—will our souls ever be truly satisfied. And breaking free from consuming thoughts about food allows us to see and pursue our calling with more confidence and clarity.
Dear Lord, I know that it is true that only You can fill me. I acknowledge that You are the Lord of my life. I want to please You today in all that I do. Help me to follow You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a chance to win her book Made to Crave and her new 60 day Made to Crave Devotional.
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's book Made to Crave is just what you've needed. Click here to order your copy!
This book can be a group Bible Study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Jesus wants us to know only He can fill us and truly satisfy us. He really wants us to really believe that.
Only by being filled with authentic soul food from Jesus—following Him and telling others about Him—will our souls ever be truly satisfied. How can I apply this statement of truth to my life today?
Power Verses:
John 4:14, "'...but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" (NIV)
John 4:35, "Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 3, 2012
I Choose NOT to be Offended
Wendy Blight
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
What did she mean by that? Why does she always hurt my feelings? Why does she treat me that way?
I didn't realize these words played through my head on a continual basis until my daughter pointed it out. She ended many of our conversations with, "Why do you get your feelings hurt so easily?" Or, "Mom, you're so sensitive."
At first, her words angered me. But over time, I began to hear what she was saying. For years, I allowed people's words to hurt my feelings. In turn, I harbored anger for those words. The anger took root. Satan fed the words to me over and over again. I re-played them in my mind. Each time the anger grew deeper roots.
Listening to a sermon in church, I would think, "I wish ______ was here. They really need to hear this!" Of course, the sermon by-passed my heart all together. The words of others consumed my thoughts and focus, and stole my time.
About this time, God called me to teach a Bible study on the book of Proverbs. I spent days and weeks absorbed in this amazing book of wisdom. One afternoon, this verse leapt off the page and into my heart, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 18:11).
I had a choice. Up until now, I heard people's words, jumped to a conclusion, and chose to be offended. But through His Word, God spoke and said, "Wendy, you can choose to look past their words and not receive them with an offended heart."
I discovered that I needed to LISTEN objectively and ask: What is driving their words? Do they have a valid point? Do they have a deep hurt? Do they need something I am not giving? Are they generally just plain mean and negative?
The responsibility was on me to stop the words from entering my heart and taking root. I discovered in this process that I WANTED the approval of others. Yet, God's Word clearly says that He is the only One whose approval I need. When I accepted this, my heart changed.
Yes, it took time, and I am a work in progress. But, now when someone speaks a hurtful word, I check it at the door of my heart. I hear the words, I recognize my issue, and I speak Truth over my heart. I literally say, "It is to my glory to not receive this as an offense."
It is a win-win for everyone because I do not ruin the rest of the day by pouting and making it all about me or soaking in self-pity. And, each time, I sense God is pleased as I honor Him by choosing NOT to be offended.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am created in Your image. Thank You I find my identity in You. Thank You that it is only Your Word and Your opinion that matter. Lord, give me Your ears to hear. Help me not to be easily offended and easily angered. Help me lay down any offenses to which I am currently holding. Let me live in the freedom of Your love and forgiveness. Help me live not in my flesh, but supernaturally in the fullness and freshness of Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful (E-book) by Wendy Blight
Stop by Wendy's site Living Truth for a taste of one of her online Bible studies. They are currently in the middle of "Living a Cross-Centered Life: A Study of the Book of Hebrews."
Reflect and Respond:
Read 1 John 1:8-10 and meditate and reflect on its meaning in relation to this devotion.
Over the next week, I'll listen to my conversations and note if I am easily offended.
Has God placed people in my life to point out a spiritual truth? Today, I invite God to help me be free from being easily offended and angered by the words of others.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:26-27, "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 6, 2012
Directionally Challenged
Micca Monda Campbell
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
We were off the beaten path for about an hour when we realized we were lost. I pulled the car into a small motel to ask for directions. There were two elderly men sitting behind the counter with their feet up, watching a small television set.
Clearing my throat to get their attention, "Excuse me. Can either of you direct me back to the interstate?" I asked. They just looked at me with a blank stare. So I returned to the car and gave my friend the bad news. "Well, we're lost and we're going to die."
"No, we're not," she said in a comforting way. "Look! There's a gas station across the street. Maybe someone in there will be able to help us." There was hope in her voice, but not in my heart.
To me, the shady, rundown building across the street looked like a hang-out for serial killers. The paint was peeling and the shrubbery was overgrown. Nothing about the store said, "Welcome." There was no way I was gonna walk into a nest of potential murderers willingly. However, my friend persuaded me otherwise. "We won't talk to anyone," she promised. "We'll just go in and buy a map."
Once we were inside the creepy, timeworn building, I scanned the place for our killer. When it appeared to be safe, we got our directions and got out of the store.
And eventually, we made it home. But not without learning a great lesson: Life is full of dead ends and confusing directions that can lead us off course.
From time to time we can get lost spiritually if we don't look to God as our source for answers and guidance. When it happens to me, there are certain signs. Life seems dull, scary, uneventful and without purpose or clear direction.
Sadness sets in and my days look lonely, cold and dark. I lose confidence in decision-making, too. Without seeking clear directions from God, it's easy to become confused about which way to turn. Eventually I can start to feel like I'm lost.
It doesn't have to be this way. We can turn to God for help. In today's key verse, God makes this promise: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." We don't have to go it alone as if we're feeling our way through the darkness. God is there to light our path.
No matter how intentional we are about staying the course, without God's direction we'll end up in a place we never intended to go. Whenever we need direction — whether it's raising a strong-willed child, changing jobs or dealing with a difficult relationship — God will faithfully provide the counsel we need. And we can find God's counsel in His Word, through prayer and by relying on the Holy Spirit to pave the way before us. Practicing these principles is the only way we can be sure of reaching our destination.
It's true. There will be obstacles along life's way and, at times, the path we take will feel unknown, but God wants to guide, equip and lead us each day as we learn to depend more and more on Him.
Dear Lord, I've been wandering aimlessly alone. Today, I learned that You desire to guide and counsel me. Because You care about the details of my life, I will seek Your Word and follow the path You've set before me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog and enter to win a copy of her Piecing It All Together (CD)
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do I feel lost or confused about God's direction in my life?
Set aside a time each day to read a portion of God's Word and journal about what you read. Journaling will help you map out God's course for your life.
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (NIV)
John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
Starting Fresh
T. Suzanne Eller
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
It was a typical holiday scene. My mother hummed an off-key tune in the kitchen. My father lounged in his faded blue recliner, while my husband and brothers talked about the football game on TV. The younger children played cards, while the older kids talked about my daughter's recent acceptance into college.
As I viewed the scene, I stood still in my tracks. Wait! When did we become a "typical family?"
My past will never resemble a Hallmark card. My mother had her first baby at 15. She lost her footing as she tried to be a young mother and wife. She was physically and verbally abused by her young husband and fled at age 20 to start over. Alone and pregnant—with me—mom met a good man and later they married.
But the emotional baggage took its toll on that relationship, and later on our entire family. She often threatened suicide. She raged. She lashed out physically. She begged for forgiveness. If I let my guard down to love, the next day or the next week a new scene would unfold. My heart hardened at a tender age.
Flash forward 25 years. I am no longer a child. I'm a woman with young adult children of my own. God has healed my heart.
As I stood in the living room I realized that I still viewed my family through the past. I had let go of the resentment, the anger. I loved my mother and father, but I still saw my extended family as broken. In far too many ways our relationship was founded on that perception.
I stepped back and took a good long look. Who was my mom now? How had she grown? Did I recognize what God had performed in her life?
The answer was no, and I was not alone in this thinking. My siblings also wrestled with this. No matter what my mother did, no matter how much she had overcome, she still had a scarlet letter branded on her. She was marked "B" for broken.
My family had been "normal" longer than dysfunctional. I realized it was time to step into the present and leave the past behind.
That day I fully transitioned from child to adult. I reflected on what God can do in spite of a broken past. I rejoiced in what had taken place in the heart of my mother and our family. It didn't just change me, but it changed my mother and our relationship. Somehow she knew we had crossed a new threshold. The burden of guilt was eased as she looked into my eyes and realized I saw her fully as the woman she had become.
Several holidays have passed since that day. My mother still hums off-key. I still bring desert. But when I look at my family, I don't just see a family gathering, I see a portrait of God's grace.
Dear Jesus, do I recognize the miracles You have done in my loved ones? Do I hold on to resentment even if that person has changed? Give me new eyes to see. Paint the picture fresh for me as I extend the mercy You so freely gave to me to one person in my life today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares what to do when a dysfunctional loved one hasn't changed. Make sure to check out her other resources here!
Reflect and Respond:
Refocus: I'll take the spotlight off my childhood and put it on to the present.
Be Realistic: Even normal families have conflict. There is no such thing as a perfect family.
Relent: Do I rehash bad family memories or bring up the past to punish a loved one? Am I willing to begin a new conversation?
Receive: Amends may be awkward and not what I think they should be. True grace is receiving a gesture with the same spirit with which it is offered.
"If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Power Verse:
Matthew 9:13a, "Then he added, 'Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'" (NLT)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 9, 2012
Bad Moments Don't Make Bad Moms
Lysa TerKeurst
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
Do you ever feel like the ping pong ball in a heated match bouncing between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?
I volunteer to keep the class guinea pig over spring break much to my daughter's delight. After all, we have a hamster we adore so we're highly qualified... GOOD MOM!
Two weeks before spring break our pet hamster has an accident and makes an early exit from this world. I get a letter from the principal informing me after hearing about our unfortunate hamster situation, we are unfit class guinea pig babysitters... BAD MOM!
I delight the teacher by showing up on time to read to the class... GOOD MOM!
That same day I get an e-mail from a teacher listing three parents who haven't turned in permission slips and I'm on the list for all the world to see... BAD MOM!
I make sure my kids pack something healthy for lunch... GOOD MOM!
The schedule falls apart and I feed them sugary cereal for dinner... BAD MOM!
I so desperately want to be a good mom. And sometimes I feel like I am, when life is clicking along with good attitudes, healthy hamsters, turned in permission slips, and a pot roast for dinner. But let's be honest. The days where everything turns out right and there's a pot roast on the table are sometimes few and far between. And I find myself feeling like a failure. Have you ever been there?
The other day I was processing these things with my friend, Renee, when a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that many of my days tell the same story... I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent some time with Jesus and He made things better.
Renee quipped back, "Well, isn't that where most of us live?"
Not that we're on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience and grace.
Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God. I've learned to talk with Him in honest plain language and say things like, "Hey God, I feel like a bad mom because I snapped at my kids. But my circumstances don't define me, right? You do. So, I'm receiving Your grace and letting go of those feelings pulling me down. Please help me."
I must remember the truth of today's promise in Ephesians 2:4-5, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
God's grace is always willing to step in. Not that it excuses me from being more patient, organized or responsible. But it reminds me, "Lysa, you are doing better than you think you are. My love for you is great! Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank Me. In the not so good times, call out to Me quickly."
With God we're never a bad mom. We might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define us.
God's grace is there to cover us. Teach us. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt us, redirect us and change me.
Forgiveness is there.
Love is there.
A second chance is there. And another one after that.
You are a good mom my friend...even if, like me, you've had a few bad moments... you are the exact mom God knew these children needed. Let's live in that truth today.
And who cares if we are labeled unfit to watch the class guinea pig? As I stepped back from the situation I realized that saved us from some undue stress anyhow. Smiles.
Dear Lord, I know that only You can fill me. I am thankful Your grace is always there to cover me, especially on my tough mom days. Help me to stop bouncing from feeling good to bad. Teach me, redirect me and change me today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
If you're having one of those "I feel like a bad mom" moments, read Lysa's blog today. It will be one you print off and save!
And if you'd like to make progress in transforming the mom inside you, consider getting a copy of Lysa's book, Am I Messing Up My Kids?
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
With God I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom. God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me and change me.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 10, 2012
Retreat with Jesus
Amy Carroll
"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV 1984)
When a new neighbor moved in next door, Caroline rallied the troops in her neighborhood to prepare a warm greeting. She and her friend planned a feast to take over to welcome the newcomer to their community. Caroline called her neighbor and was surprised when her hospitality was met with suspicion.
"Why did you say you wanted to bring me dinner?" she questioned. Caroline explained that it was a tradition in their area and that they'd like to deliver dinner to welcome her personally. The neighbor responded, "I tell you what. I'll give you a call when I'm hungry." Click.
Caroline reflected on how many times we treat God the same way that her new neighbor treated her. Each day God lays out a feast and invites every believer to come eat our fill. I had to ask myself an important question: How many days do I rush by God's table and throw an "I'll come when I'm hungry!" back over my shoulder?
I think I'm full, but God knows that I'm simply ignoring my hunger. I need to sit down daily to eat and be filled from God's table. Luke 1:53 says, "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (NIV 1984).
I long to have a heart to approach Him daily just as I am—poor and hungry. He invites me to come to Him so that I can leave rich and full. What a glorious exchange! What a divine pleasure!
Daily time enjoying God is essential, but sometimes God gives us an invitation to a private, extended feast. I am envious of one of my pastors. He takes a week each year for a spiritual retreat to a monastery. He goes where it's quiet and simple and spends a week with Jesus.
Maybe someday when my children are older and I'm caught up on laundry I'll be able to do that, but recently God led me to do something equally wonderful on a smaller scale. I took a spiritual retreat during the school day in a room at my church.
As I walked up the stairs to the empty room, I felt nervous. I had spent hours in prayer with others, but I had never spent this long alone with God. Would I have enough to say to Him? Would He speak to me in the silence? Would the minutes drag by? Would I walk out unchanged or disappointed?
At the end of the day, my questions were answered. God met me there. We filled our time together with prayer, Bible reading and worship. God spoke words of direction to me in the silence. I came in knowing that I was hungry, and He was faithful to fill me.
Having mini-retreats with Jesus is something that I plan to do now at least twice a year. In the midst of a full life, it's necessary to intentionally set extended time aside to seek His face and worship Him. I'll still look forward to a week in an abbey, but in the meantime I'll bask in a school day retreat as I renew my relationship with God and feast on His goodness!
Dear Lord, help me know You are good. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Amy's blog
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
Reflect and Respond:
Have I ignored my spiritual hunger and run by God's feast?
Today I'll pray for a desire for extended time with Him and mark a day on my calendar for a retreat with Jesus.
Power Verses:
Mark 6:31, "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" (NIV 1984)
Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 13, 2012
Let's Make Time
Lynn Cowell
"...for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." Ecclesiastes 3:17b (NIV 1984)
I didn't want to...yet I did.
Hungry, cold and dirty, my daughter walked through the door, home from softball practice. She wanted a snack, to talk and a hot shower, in that order. I wanted to keep working. I was on a roll; walking away from my computer was going to stop my progress.
But, I did. Putting my computer aside, I popped her favorite treat in the microwave and sat down to hear about my daughter's day.
That's not so easy for me to do. Like many women, deadlines loom over my mind. Work deadlines, volunteer deadlines, dinner and dirty clothes deadlines all call me to make them my first priority. Sometimes I do, but this day I didn't.
See, the day before, while in the process of making another time management decision, I remembered something really important. And that "something" brought tears to my eyes: my daughters will be gone all too soon.
These years they're in school will be mere memories before I know it. I want me listening to them, giving them my full attention, to be a part of these memories.
Ecclesiastes reminds me to keep a check on how my time is spent. "...for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed" (vs. 3:17b). The days of softball stories and tales of German class will not wait. I have to strike a balance in how I use my time, not neglecting people for tasks.
I want to conquer the temptation to let what seems urgent overtake what truly matters to me every day. Most of us have to work, pay bills, answer emails and do chores. But it's so important we also take time for talking, listening and parenting well.
Investing in children, whether they are our own, nieces and nephews, grandsons or granddaughters, neighborhood or church kids, is a privilege. Whether they admit it or not, they want us to hear their stories and learn about their days.
Will you join me today? Let's walk away from the computer. Set aside our phones. Turn off the televisions. And let's make time to talk with and listen to our children. One day, we'll look back and be glad we did.
Dear Lord, today I need to set aside what appears to be so important to give to those around me what they need: affirmation, attention and affection. Pour through me to love on them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to have Lynn speak on this subject at your next church event. She'd be honored to share about "Mom and Me" time!
Visit Lynn's blog for unique ways to give your child affirmation, attention and affection. She's giving away two signed copies of her book His Revolutionary Love and her CD messageBuilding a Bridge to Your Child's Heart.
His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell is a great resource for teen girls to find the One who will fill the love gap in her heart!
How about spending a night learning about God's crazy love for the two of you together? Just pop in Lynn's DVD His Revolutionary Love and enjoy!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What takes me away from the ones I love? Cell phone? Computer? Laundry? How can I set healthy boundaries on the time I spend with these things so I can communicate to others they are more important than tasks?
Pray for peace and strength to conquer the temptation to let the urgent overtake what's truly important.
Power Verse:
Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 14, 2012
Because You are His
Renee Swope
"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Startled by the silence, I shot up in bed so I could see the neon red lights that told me it was three in the morning, time to feed the baby. But Andrew hadn't made a sound. Was something wrong? Or was he sleeping through the night?
Wavering between panic and joy, I felt my way down the hall to the nursery and leaned over Andrew's crib. I listened for the sound of his breathing and carefully rested my hand on his tiny chest to feel the gentle rhythm of its rising and falling.
Moonlight slipped through the blinds helping me see he was perfectly fine. Most sane mothers would have gone back to bed, but not me. I stood there for a while just delighting in my child.
The love and joy I felt at that moment was almost overwhelming. How could I love someone so much? My heart longed just to be with this little guy who set my days in motion with his cries and smiles.
Andrew developed a routine of sleeping through the night soon after, yet I would listen for him, hoping for a good excuse to see if he was okay. While he was sleeping, I'd sneak into his room just because I wanted to be with him. Then I'd tiptoe into my older son Joshua's room, and watch him slumber.
Looking at their faces, I'd imagine the boys God was shaping them into. I'd whisper prayers for them to know Jesus and love Him with all their hearts. I'd ask God to calm their fears, fulfill their dreams and establish their steps to follow His ways.
My sons are teenagers now, but sometimes I still sneak into their rooms to pray over them and watch them. They aren't doing anything to make me feel proud or happy. In fact, they may have even driven me to my wit's end that day, but I delight in them because they are mine.
You know, God feels the exact same way about you and me. He loves to be with us and watch over us. And it's not because we are doing anything for Him, but simply because we are His. We might have even disappointed Him that day, but it doesn't change how He feels about us.
I sense God wants you to know that He delights greatly in you. And with His love, He is there today to quiet your fears, insecurities and doubts. I have a feeling the joy-filled songs He sings over you are written just for you, describing the beautiful woman He's created you to be, while gently leading your heart to know and rely on His love more and more each day.
What a great reminder for times when nothing's going right; when we feel like the whole world is against us and nobody understands what we're going through. I hope the next time you have one of those days you'll imagine the love of a mother watching her child sleeping. And remember that your Heavenly Father loves and delights in you even more than that — because you belong to Him.
Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are always with me and that You love to watch over me, every minute of every day - even while I am sleeping! Help me to completely believe the truth about Your love towards me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Rest Assured: How to Rest, Be Renewed & Remain in God's Promises and Plans — a message on CD by Renee Swope
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Living in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
Visit Renee's website/blog for a list of Bible promises and prayers to help you live in God's love today!
Reflect and Respond:
Do I believe God is watching over me, smiling and delighting in the fact that I am HIS?
As I close my eyes, I'll picture God watching over me at this moment. No matter what I've done or what has been done to me, God's love reaches down to hold me in His arms. Bowing my head and tilting my heart, I'll listen to Him whisper, "You are precious in my sight and I love you" (Is. 43:4 NIV). I'll rest in the promise that He loves me, He knows my needs, and He's constantly by my side, watching over me.
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 139:1-3, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love..." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 15, 2012
Even in the Darkness
Wendy Blight
"...all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it to dry land." Exodus 14:21 (NIV)
Does God feel far away? Do you feel alone and afraid? Does life seem dark?
At one point I answered "yes" to each of these questions. Following a tragic incident in my life, fear filled my heart. God seemed so distant and I felt completely alone.
During that very dark time, God lead me to the story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Initially, Pharaoh agreed to let God's people go, but soon after they left, he changed his mind. He began to pursue them with 600 of his best chariots. The approaching army terrified the Israelites. They cried out to their leader, Moses.
Moses reminded the people of God's promise that He would deliver them. But circumstances barreling toward them said otherwise. The Israelites heard the rumbling of the chariots charging at them. They saw a huge body of water blocking their only escape.
Can you imagine their fear? The reality they knew was that Pharaoh's finest soldiers were pursuing them, and there was a colossal obstacle, the Red Sea, preventing their escape. God's people had no idea the miracle awaiting them.
When Moses stretched out his hand over the water, Scripture says, "...all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it to dry land" (Exodus 14:21b NIV). Because it was dark, the Israelites couldn't quite see what God was doing.
In the black of night, the Lord tirelessly worked on behalf of His children to deliver them, just as He had promised.
It's as if the words of this story leapt off the pages of Scripture and into my desolate heart. Although the Israelites could not see or hear God, He was moving in the midst of their darkness. I too could not "see" or "feel" God, but He was at work around me in invisible ways - present and active on my behalf to carry me through my bleak place.
In the dark, we have two choices. We can take matters into our own hands, turning to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain, seeking advice or reading the latest self-help book, never knowing if any of them is the way to healing and wholeness. Or we can look to God. We can open His Word, knowing He guarantees healing and wholeness.
Would you like the truth of God's Word to come alive for you? Would you like Him to come alongside you? You need only ask. The Lord promises, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV). Like He was for the Israelites, He is there for us. And He is always working on our behalf, even when we can't see or feel Him.
Today, if you are in the darkness; if your circumstances are threatening to consume you; if you feel utterly defeated... seek the Lord. Ask Him to rescue you and remember this, He is there... parting your "Red Sea" even now.
Dear Heavenly Father, it is so difficult to walk through darkness. You feel so far away. I feel so alone. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me or forsake me, and that there is nothing in all creation that will ever separate me from the love I have in You and in Your Son. Walk ever so closely with me during this darkness, Lord. Speak to me. Give me hope. Show me the treasures in my darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
For more of Wendy's story, visit her blog.
Join our Proverbs 31 Ministries Facebook community for daily truth and hope!
Reflect and Respond:
Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to...bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captive and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (NIV) God the Healer, Jesus the Redeemer, binds up my brokenness, shows me the way to freedom, and releases me from the darkness. He is waiting for me.
Sometimes God allows difficult circumstances to do a mighty transformational work in our lives. Are my difficult circumstances part of His refining process to help me trust Him and make me more like Him?
Power Verses:
1 John 1:5b, "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (NIV)
Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 16, 2012
The Courageous Choice
Lysa TerKeurst
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20 (NIV)
I had the most interesting conversation with a friend who lives in Hollywood. Although her family lives in the midst of glitz, glamour and extreme excess, she said they are determined to teach their kids something rare... the courageous choice.
You see, there are two kinds of courage. There's the courageous act that makes our heart beat fast when the knight fights the dragon or the firefighter rushes into the burning building. These are extreme events most of us won't ever face. And because most of us aren't put in positions to participate in a courageous act, we don't necessarily think of ourselves as courageous.
But there's a second kind of courage that, dare I might say, is widely available but not widely embraced. It's the courageous choice. This is the decision to do the right thing even when it's unpopular, uncelebrated and probably even unnoticed.
Have you been faced with one of these kinds lately? Probably one of my toughest courageous choices has been in the area of my food choices. It was my hidden struggle. The one I didn't want to deal with or talk about. Not with my friends and certainly not with God.
But then I started coming across verse after verse in the Bible that spoke directly to my issue. Though I didn't want to talk to God about it, God certainly seemed to want to speak to me. Verses like Philippians 1:20 as well as many more:
Deuteronomy 2:3, "You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north..." (NASB)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 7:1, "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (NIV 1984)
God assured me He loved me exactly how I was, but He loved me too much to leave me in a state of defeat.
I made a courageous choice to read the Bible looking for God to speak to me about my struggle. I made the courageous choice to walk willingly on the path of discipline. I made the courageous choice to pick something healthy even in the quietness of my pantry when no one else was looking.
I made the courageous choice to put a stake in the ground and say, I'm more than the sum total of my screaming taste buds. My heart doesn't want that junk food. My arms don't want that junk food. My legs don't want that junk food. And my soul certainly doesn't want that junk food.
It is possible to layer one courageous choice upon another and find victory in your area of struggle. No matter what your struggle is, are you willing to make one courageous choice today?
Make that choice.
And then make it again.
And then make it again.
You are a courageous woman. Now, go out and prove it to yourself.
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I need Your divine help with each choice I make every day. I don't ever want to step outside Your will and direction for my life. I am courageous only with You, in You and through You. Please help me embrace Your courageous choices for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's book Made to Crave is just what you need. Click here to order your copy! And if you already have the Made to Crave book, check out the just released 60 day Made to Crave Devotional.
This book can be a group Bible Study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa.
Join us next Monday, February 20th, on Lysa's next FREE Webcast "How Big is Your BUT?" We all face obstacles too big to overcome yet some find victory while others live in defeat. Could the difference be our buts? Learn how to turn your "but I..."excuses into "but God..." exclamations with every obstacle you face! If you've ever struggled to overcome an area of defeat in your life, this 30 minute Biblical teaching will give you an amazing fresh start. Sign up here today!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"It is possible to consume only that which will add to your health and not take away from it. It is possible." Do I believe this choice is possible for me right now?
Remember, it's coming to the realization that changes need to be made and making those changes when no one else is looking is courageous. How can I begin to make these deliberate steps of change and courageous choices?
Power Verses:
2 Chronicles 19:11b, "Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:6a, "Be strong and courageous..." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 17, 2012
Making the Most of Loneliness
Glynnis Whitwer
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 (NIV)
My little boy sat facing the back of the couch. His head resting on his crossed arms. He stared out the window. His little head moved from left to right as he watched two neighbor boys race past on bikes, laughing at a shared joke.
I watched my second-grade-son from the kitchen door, drying my hands with a dishtowel. My shoulders drooped as Josh took a deep breath and let it out in a despairing sigh. Mirroring his sadness, my throat tightened and hot tears burned my eyes. Throwing the dishtowel into the sink, I quietly stepped to the couch and slipped down next to him. Without saying a word, I scooped him into my lap and enveloped his little frame with my arms.
His face nuzzled mine and our tears mixed together. I could almost feel the wishing and hoping pulse through his small body: Will they stop by my house? Will they invite me to play?A smothered sob escaped from my little boy who was trying valiantly to be "big."
Ever since our move to North Carolina earlier in the year, Joshua had trouble making friends. The playgroups were established, and my shy son was painfully on the outside. His little brothers were good companions at home, but that didn't replace friendships at school or in the neighborhood.
The loneliness was oppressive, and I felt it too. In fact, that period of my life was one of my darkest times. We all left life-long friends when we moved. Those friendships had been born of common experiences, and years spent together. They were effortless.
Now we faced unknown territory, not just geographically, but culturally and socially. This was a new world to us, and Josh felt it as painfully as I did. And yet, during that time, we all learned some things about God and ourselves that we wouldn't have learned had we stayed in Phoenix.
Although loneliness is painful, it isn't always a bad place to be for a time. C.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
God definitely spoke to us in our loneliness. And I started wondering if perhaps there are times when God allows loneliness into our lives as an invitation to pursue Him as our closest friend. When our friends have left us, or we have left them, God reveals His presence in new ways. Tim Hansel, author of Through the Wilderness of Loneliness writes, "Loneliness is not a time of abandonment...it just feels that way. It's actually a time of encounter at new levels with the only One who can fill that empty place in our hearts."
God longs to fill our hearts with Himself. Yet we often try to fill the desires of our hearts with the things of this world. Yet those attempts to find replacements for God are fleeting and insubstantial, leaving us even lonelier than before.
As you or your child face a time of loneliness, take this opportunity to look to Jesus as a best friend. Jesus Himself calls us friends in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (NIV).
Even though we were designed for community, God has a purpose for loneliness. If we can learn from it, rather than resent it, I believe we'll find a life-long Friend who'll never leave us lonely.
Dear Lord, thank You being a friend who will never leave me. Sometimes the loneliness is overwhelming. Please be real to me today. I want to learn from this time of loneliness rather than resent it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement!
Are you lonely today? Click here to meet a Friend who will never leave you.
Reflect and Respond:
What characteristics does God display when He reveals Himself to us as a friend? What can I do to be a better friend to God?
I'll spend some time today sitting in the presence of Jesus, inviting Him to be real to me, and listen for His voice.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:7a, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him...." (NIV)
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 20, 2012
God, Could You Please Hurry?
Amy Carroll
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV 1984)
I completely lost my patience and started yelling, "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"
Those of us who have lived in rural areas know that tractors on the road are a fact of life. However, just because they're the norm doesn't make them any less irritating if you're in a rush! I followed a tractor down one of our narrow two-lane roads recently. I could only take the snail's pace for so long before blowing up. But all that yelling, "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" didn't speed up the tractor.
How often have I approached God's timing the same way? And it never hurries Him up either.
When God doesn't operate at a pace that pleases me, and I want Him to hurry, I'm reminded of Sarah, Abraham's wife. I have feeling she felt the same way. After waiting ten years for a baby that God had promised (read Genesis 12-21 for the complete story), Sarah decided to "help" God.
Surely ten years was too long for anybody to wait. So Sarah gave her maidservant Hagar to her husband, and the two of them had a child. Soon the two women were at odds. Talk about a soap opera!
Finally, fifteen years later, the child promised by God to Abraham and Sarah was born. God was not late. His timing was perfect. It was Sarah who was in a hurry and rushing things, but she found out there was a price to pay for manipulating her circumstances.
I know Sarah and I are not alone in our desire for God to hurry up. I once heard it said that we are people with gods on our wrists.
In Isaiah 55:9 God says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (NIV). God's timing is part of His ways. I may be tapping my watch, but He is never late. He may seem slow, but He is always right on time.
Has God made a promise to you that seems sluggish in coming? Has He planted a dream in your heart that has yet to come to fruition?
Don't give up hope! God is faithful, and you can rely on His perfect timing. Fix your eyes on Him and enjoy the journey to your destination. There are things to be learned along the way that will enhance the joy of a promise fulfilled.
Dear Lord, sometimes I don't understand Your timing. It's often very hard to wait, but I trust You. I want to rely on Your ways and Your timing. Help me to learn what I need to learn as I wait. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Amy's blog for more encouragement.
What to do in the W.A.I.T., message on CD by Wendy Pope
Reflect and Respond:
What are some of the plans or dreams you believe God has placed in your heart?
Have you manipulated circumstances to try to see those dreams come true, or are you focused and committed to waiting for God's timing?
What does God want you to learn in times of waiting?
Power Verses:
Psalm 130:5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." (NIV 1984)
2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 21, 2012
I Need Her
T. Suzanne Eller
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 (NIV)
The text message read: I don't care how busy you are, Suzie. Put me on your calendar. You need me.
Sometimes friendship gets last place in my life. My parents need me more than they once did. I have children and grandchildren in three states. I juggle ministry, relationships, and real life.
But my friend is right. I need her.
I love it when we get together over lunch. We laugh. We catch up with each other's life. Often, we find ourselves talking about God. We dig deep, asking questions, praying and encouraging each other.
So why do I let this really great friendship slide to last place?
In John 13, Jesus commands the disciples to love each other. Jesus didn't drop commandments lightly. There are only a few, rare instances in Scripture, but you see, He knew something they did not. They needed each other. One day soon He would return to Heaven. Though His love would always be with them, His physical presence would not. And hard times were ahead.
Persecution.
Suffering.
Mistreatment.
But it went even deeper than that. "As I have loved you, so you must love one another," He said.
What did that look like?
When Peter denied he ever knew Jesus as his beloved Savior, he stumbled from the scene weeping. Can you imagine how he felt?
To love Peter "as Jesus did" meant that his friends wouldn't give up on him. They would remind him of Jesus' love and forgiveness. They would point him toward redemption and grace.
C. S. Lewis, author and professor, said, "Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."
We were never intended to live our faith in isolation. God and girlfriends are not just fun. They are needed. In good times. In hard times. When we are living with purpose. When we falter.
You may be reading this and thinking, I don't have a friend who texts or calls me. I wish I had a friend like that. If so, why not pray and ask God for one person you know who needs someone to reach out to them. Sometimes we have to be the friend we wish we had; taking the first steps toward the friendships we need.
I have made myself a promise today. I will work on this gift called friendship. I won't allow a week or a month to go by without a lunch date, or at the minimum a conversation. In fact, I just texted my friend: I don't care how busy I am, friend. Let's make a date. I need you.
Dear Lord, thank You for my friend. I get so busy that I put her last. Give me wisdom to know how to nurture this part of my life. Help me to love my friend the way You love me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie's blog to discover three things that get in the way of God and Girlfriend relationships.
God, Grace and Girlfriends by Mary Snyder
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"One thing I know for sure: We were never created to go it alone...If we attempt to face life's complexities alone, our heart and hope will shrivel. God has created us for community—for belonging." Julie Barnhill, Exquisite Hope
Have you lost contact with a friend? Why not send her a note or call her? Set a date and a time to get together.
Power Verse:
Philippians 2:4, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." (NLT)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 22, 2012
Please Don't Judge Me
Samantha Reed
"You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Mark 10:21 (ESV)
I had some priorities misplaced. Suppose I'd known for some time, but didn't fully recognize them until a trip to El Salvador with Compassion International.
I met two children on a home visit. They lifted their tarp door and invited me in. Into mud puddles and dirt walls with just one bed where five rested their heads at night. One bed for dreaming dreams of being a doctor and police officer.
They filled my hands not with silver or gold, but with selfless love. Love shared in stories and smiles and what few tangible gifts they owned.
I'd come to extend gifts myself; gifts of detergent and food. But they exceeded anything I had to give. A tiny beaded bracelet smudged with dirt, drenched in love. They wanted it to be mine.
Feeling too shy to hand it to me herself, she nudged her brother. He presented it to me as if it were a royal crown and gently slid it on my wrist.
I declare, diamonds couldn't match the worth of their hearts, their gift in that moment.
The next morning as I was getting ready I felt a nudge. Give your bracelet away like those children gave theirs to you.
You see, I had another precious bracelet with me. One my dad had given me over twenty years ago. Just a simple wooden bracelet from South Africa, but it meant the world to me.
How could I part with it? I wrestled with indecision. My heart soared, anticipating the moment I'd spot a little girl or mama to give my bracelet. But then my heart sank, anxious at the thought of giving up one of my most precious treasures.
And there lay the problem. My misplaced treasure.
Please, don't judge me.
I'm embarrassed... more than that. Heartbroken. I'm sick to say I couldn't give it away. Couldn't? No; more like I wouldn't. Both bracelets journeyed back to the United States.
One bearing selflessness; the other, selfishness.
I thought I was really something, bringing gifts to those kids in the form of beans and rice, soap and smiles. Little did I know, I was the one in need.
I needed God's mercy {and I'm so glad it's available}. I needed new perspective. I don't want possessions if I'm not willing to use them to love others.
More than anything though, I needed the one thing I lacked... more love for the Lord than for my belongings. My heart held tighter to my bracelet than to what God had asked me to do. He beckoned, "give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." A seemingly simple request, yet so difficult for me to follow.
You know what the crazy thing is? I've since lost my dad's bracelet. Isn't that the way it is with earthly treasures? They're meant to easily slip through open hands and giving hearts.
I've decided I don't want to be lacking in love for the Lord or those He cares for. Next time I'm giving it all. I'm starting by opening my hands and heart and looking for opportunities today. Are you with me?
Dear Lord, You are the perfect example of giving. You gave Your Son, and He gave His very life on the cross. Thank You for giving new mercies, second chances and hearts that respond to Your prompting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Might you open your hands and heart with a sponsorship of a Compassion International child, like the two who blessed Samantha?
Click here to visit Samantha's blog for pictures of these two generous children and enter to win a special bracelet.
Reflect and Respond:
"Sometimes love requires the sacrifice of your possessions, your time, or some other precious commodity." ~John MacArthur
How can you respond to this beckoning by Jesus, "...give to the poor"?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:20, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (NIV 1984)
Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 23, 2012
Seeing Beyond the Dent
Glynnis Whitwer
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
A close call with a truck on the freeway left rubbery black smears on my oldest son's car. Unfortunately, Josh's younger brother had borrowed it and caused the accident. Relief and annoyance mixed together in Josh's heart.
Even though apologies and assurances to pay were offered, Josh knew his brother didn't have the money to repair the damage. And since the cost of the repair was probably less than the insurance deductible, Josh decided to barter babysitting services for a friend's detailing services. It was a smart and gracious solution.
His friend worked for eight hours painstakingly removing the black streaks, and we all thought the car looked great. Josh was proud of his decision to not charge his brother and find a creative way to repair the car.
At least, until he showed his car to some friends. Rather than see the good, all one person said was: "You can still see the dent!"
Later that day, Josh complained in private, "All that work, and she only saw the dent!"
I reaffirmed his generous choices and tried to bring back his joy in the repair. But the damage was done. My son left me standing in the kitchen pondering the careless comment. And wondering how many times I've only seen the dents.
There was a time when I could have made that comment. Too often I had neglected the efforts my children made and only seen the negative. Too often I had failed to acknowledge progress in others and only seen what remained to be done. Even in my own life I tend to focus on what isn't instead of celebrating what is.
The critical spirit displayed in a careless comment flourished in me at one time. Yet I knew that disapproving attitude wasn't compatible with the Jesus-follower I wanted to be. It was opposite to scriptures I'd read, like today's verse in 1 Thessalonians which tells us to encourage and build each other up.
So years ago I asked God to remove any remnant of unhealthy pride from my heart. I begged His forgiveness for judgmental, critical thoughts and words, and asked for His spirit of love and mercy to fill all those unkind places. I wanted to stop looking at the "dents" and instead see the beauty of effort.
It took lots of honesty and confession to deal with my ingrained habit of seeing the problem. Even after I reined in my words, my heart still needed attention. Yet each time I faced the ugly truth about what was going on inside, criticism loosened its grip, allowing me to celebrate imperfect progress – in others and myself.
Do those critical thoughts still pop up? Yes they do. I'll be honest, I saw the dent that remained on my son's car too. But I immediately redirected my thoughts towards the generosity of a brother who forgave. I chose to focus on his creative solution and the kindness of his friend. And I thanked God my response that time had been to see the positive and to celebrate with my son.
Repairs are happening all around me. God is working in the lives of those I love; He is working in mine too. My prayer is to get to the place where I don't even see the dents. Instead, I want eyes and a heart that rejoice with the smallest improvement, that praise potential and acknowledge effort. As I seek to live out Jesus' request to love others, a critical spirit needs to die, and a loving one needs to take its place.
Dear Lord, thank You for seeing the good in me. Your thoughts are not critical and condemning, instead You celebrate every little bit of progress I make. Your belief in me makes me want to do better. Help me to give that gift to others and myself. In Jesus name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for more on changing a critical spirit into a gracious and loving one.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
It's No Secret, Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
A critical spirit is often rooted in underlying emotions. What are some of the reasons women are critical of others?
To start to change a critical spirit, commit to identifying and affirming verbally or in writing, positive progress in three people you know.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 3:13, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (NIV)
Colossians 3:16, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 24, 2012
Abigail's Choice
Rachel Olsen
"Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor." Proverbs 18:12 (NLT)
Marriages were often arranged in Abigail's era, and I wonder if this was true of hers. On paper her husband Nabal seemed like a "catch." He was wealthy, a good provider, and he liked to have fun and throw parties. But behind the scenes his self-control and integrity was seriously lacking, causing those closest to him to suffer.
Here is what we know about Abigail's husband Nabal from the Bible in 1 Samuel chapter 25:1-41.
He is wealthy — that's partly due to David's protection of his land and flocks. (vv. 2, 7-8)
He's crude, and mean in all his dealings. (vs. 3)
He sneers at guests who come in peace, and questions their character. (vv. 10-11)
He shouts insults. (vs.14)
He's stingy, not returning favors or repaying kindnesses showed him. (vv. 16, 21)
He is so temperamental that people dread talking to him. (vs. 17)
He thinks more highly of himself than he ought. (vs. 36)
He drinks too much. (vv. 36-37)
Basically, Nabal was a self-centered, ill-mannered guy who didn't recognize God's provision or blessings in his life. And if you read his story, you'll see he was foolish enough to insult the most powerful man around (King David) but more importantly, he was foolish enough to insult the one true God.
God let Nabal face the ultimate consequence of his character — death (vv. 38-39).
Imagine yourself paired up in marriage to such a foolish, arrogant, sharp-tongued man as this. (I hope you have to imagine, and have not lived this.) How would you react towards him? What do you think living with him might do to your personality, or your character?
Might you grow depressed? Would you become withdrawn or timid? Would you nag him to do better? Would you grow bitter, angry and become argumentative back? Or, would you perhaps just "let yourself go" and decide not to care about anything?
Let's look at Nabal's wife Abigail, from that same passage in the Bible:
She is smart and sensible. (vs. 3)
People look to her for wisdom and leadership in times of trouble. (vv. 14, 17)
She is decisive and wastes no time worrying, pitying her situation, or fussing at those who cause her trouble — instead she takes action to improve the situation. (vv. 18, 23)
She is generous, (vv. 18, 27) even willing to lay down her life for others. (vv. 22, 24)
She is humble (vv. 24, 41) and quick to ask forgiveness. (vs. 28)
She speaks eloquently and tactfully — with a knowledge of God — as she gives one of the longest speeches by a woman recorded in the Bible. (vv. 24-31)
She looks out for the well-being and reputation of others — even Nabal's. (vv. 25, 31)
She trusts God, holds her tongue, and waits patiently for the right timing. (vv. 36-38)
Abigail has always been one of my favorite women in the Bible. She has it all — wisdom, character, courage, faith, eloquence, graciousness. She possesses both inner and outer beauty. But her life with this man Nabal was no picnic, and that's really why I admire her.
How many times did Nabal get drunk and say or do something demeaning to her? Yet she chose not to let her spirit die. How many times did she wish for revenge, though not seek it? How many times did he berate her, yet she wasn't paralyzed by his insults?
How many times did his foolishness cost her greatly, or those she cared about? Yet she chose not to count the costs to herself when she put her life on the line to spare his life and the other men's.
Abigail's praiseworthy character ran deep, which tells me her reverence of God did as well.
After Nabal's death, she married King David and they had a son. David would have seven other wives in his lifetime, but only Abigail earned his complete respect. Only she had a positive influence on him.
Abigail challenges me to choose differently — to be humble, wise and courageous. Her example teaches me that I can choose how I will allow my circumstances to shape my character. While Nabal's life clearly shows that haughtiness goes before destruction, Abigail's shows that choosing humility and wisdom allows God to shape my character and my circumstances. And it makes room for God to be glorified in both.
Dear Lord, today I humble myself before You. I confess my sins and ask You to help me develop and display the same wisdom and character as Abigail. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll want to get a copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.
The One Year Women of the Bible: Then and Now Reflections on Women of the Bible and Women Today
Visit Rachel's blog for more encouragement.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do your words and actions typically reflect haughtiness or humility?
Who is your "Nabal"? A boss? A parent? Your own sin-nature that combats your spirit?
In what circumstance or relationship can you choose wisdom, humility and courage this week?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:26, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." (NIV)
Proverbs 15:33, "The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom; and humility comes before honor." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 27, 2012
Does Practice Always Make Perfect?
Karen Ehman
"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13 (NIV)
"It's okay, slugger. Keep trying. Remember, 'Practice makes perfect.'"
The Little League baseball coach attempted to encourage my son who'd just struck out at the plate. Coach Mike wasn't the only adult to utter that phrase to one of my kids during their young life. My daughter's violin teacher spurred her students on to more hours of rehearsal by voicing the same phrase. And the kids' Bible-quizzing coaches ascribed to the truth of the old expression.
Teachers urge students to practice their penmanship. Bosses advise employees to practice their duties until they've sharpened their skills. And what former piano student can't still hear their teacher's voice echoing, "Practice, practice, practice"?
But is it true that practice always makes perfect?
Tucked away in the New Testament book of Romans, God seems to send us a quick text message by way of a simple two-word sentence: "Practice hospitality" but there is no mention of perfect.
However, the very word hospitality can evoke a feeling of panic and expectations of perfect. Images come to mind of magazine-like décor, gourmet-style fancy foods, spotless surroundings and stunning homes.
But do you, or your home or food, have to be perfect in order to practice hospitality?
I find it interesting when studying Bible verses, to not just look at what the verse says but also at what it doesn't say. Today's key verse does not say many things. It does not say, "Now those of you who have roomy, gorgeous homes, offer hospitality." Or "You culinary-savvy gals who can give Rachael Ray a run for her money, have people over for supper."
No reference to the cleanliness of our homes, the décor on our walls or our spatula-wielding expertise in the kitchen (or lack thereof). We are simply told to practice.
The verb "practice" is defined as "to perform an activity repeatedly or regularly in order to improve one's proficiency." It doesn't state we will ever gain perfection, only that we will see progress.
I'm thankful I was encouraged as a young woman to practice hospitality with the goal of getting better, not obtaining perfection. My starting point was near zero, knowing only how to boil water and make "slice and bake" cookies. Thankfully, God wasn't looking for perfection in this area for He would not have found it. Instead of looking at the condition of my home, He was more often looking at the condition of my heart.
So, over twenty years ago, I swallowed hard, whispered a prayer and began to open both my home and my heart. My practice has made progress. I have learned tips for decorating, methods for cleaning and gained an arsenal of easy, delicious dishes to offer guests.
However, I have also served burnt chicken, had company spy cobwebs on my light fixtures and moved piles of unfolded laundry off the couch so they could find a place to sit. Planned company may give us time to tidy up and whip up something yummy. But spontaneous hospitality means we need to be willing to welcome others into our lived-in homes and serve frozen pizzas and ice cream sandwiches with a smile.
Practicing hospitality is one of God's ways of encouraging us to bless others, but often we end up blessed instead. Will you join me in this venture as we make room in our hearts andour homes? Even with practice our houses, cuisine, and us may not be perfect, but we'll be connecting hearts and touching lives as we seek to serve those whom God puts in our path. Put the kettle on. Company's coming!
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I've shied away from offering hospitality to others. Help me to welcome and serve people as You have commanded me to, knowing You are looking for progress, not perfection. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Enter to win a hospitality-themed basket and find out more about Karen's upcoming online study on this topic at Karen's blog
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
Who are some people you feel God nudging you to invite into your home? Make time to contact them soon.
Has there been someone in your life who showed you hospitality? What touched you most about your time with them?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 4:8-10, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (NIV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 28, 2012
No Different
T. Suzanne Eller
"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
"I'm just having a good time," she said. "What's wrong with it?"
I wish I could have put a movie in her hands, one that would reveal one week, one month, five years down the road.
Somehow my friend couldn't see what others noticed so easily. That the intentional choices she was making were going to lead her on a path of destruction. She said it felt good. She said it made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time.
But it was also making her ordinary life, the life that she would miss one day when it was no longer hers, feel like a burden. Things she once treasured were overshadowed, and eventually shattered.
Have you ever been tempted and felt justified in giving way to it?
To flirt. What is the harm?
To share private thoughts. No one listens to me at home.
To take a risk. No one will find out.
I remember a time that I lay beside my husband. He was unhappy at work and the unhappiness had changed him. Joy had slipped away and left a silent partner in its place.
I was tempted.
To anger.
To dismay.
To frustration over what I could not fix.
My negative emotions simmered. But I knew, if left to themselves, they could take my heart to a place of discontentment. I'd seen the results of allowing temptation to grow, and I knew something had to change. That night I wrapped my arms around my sleeping husband and prayed for him. Then I prayed for me. "Father, change my heart. Give me compassion. Help me to love him through this difficult time. Show me what to do."
Maybe, like me, you might look at a friend who has given in to temptation and say, "That would never happen to me."
But we are no different. No one is immune from temptation. To think that way is to forget who tempts us, and why.
Satan desires to harm not just us, but those we love. It is often only after we sit in devastation that we recognize the enemy was leading us away from all that matters most.
The good news is - we are offered a way out.
The night I lay beside my husband, God led me to Himself. To prayer. And that prayer led to hope. Eventually my husband and I took a step. . .together. In the process the man I loved, had always loved, returned and our marriage re-ignited.
Are you in the crossroads of temptation today?
Stop. There's a different choice and a different path you can take.
Dear Lord, today I offer up my feelings to You. I pray for my marriage, for Your best for my spouse and for my family. Last, I pray for me. Help me to follow You and not temptation. Thank You for a way out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus, the One who can set you free?
Want to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next event speaker.
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel.
Visit Suzie's blog for a downloadable "Way Out" PDF file for scriptural truth to trust in during temptation. Also, join Suzie in her "Live Free" Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
We don't like it when someone lies to us, but how often do we lie to ourselves? Today, be truthful with temptation. Unmask it! How will giving into temptation hurt those you love? How will it hurt you? Where is the enemy trying to lead you?
Write a prayer and keep it close. Often, temptation can cloud our thoughts. When you are tempted, read your prayer out loud and invite God into the battle.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:15, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (NIV)
2nd Corinthians 5:21, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (NIV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 29, 2012
Just the Right Words
Renee Swope
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 (NIV 1984)
Has someone ever spoken words that helped you see something valuable or unique about yourself that you had never seen before?
That's what happened between Jill and Leanne. They met when Jill was coaching a Jr. High basketball team and Leanne's 13-year-old daughter, Shelby, was on her team. Years later, when she was in high school, Shelby got seriously injured and Jill reached out to her with encouragement, prayers and notes that spoke just the words that Shelby needed to hear.
One day, Leanne sent a letter thanking Jill for the difference she was making in her daughter's life. She described the qualities of a great coach she saw in Jill and called her a "bright light" that shined in many lives, including theirs.
Leanne didn't know that months later Jill would go home one night to an empty apartment plagued with doubt, questioning her purpose in life. Battling clinical depression and living under the weight of feeling worthless, Jill had contemplated suicide. That night as she pondered her fate, she opened her journal to write in it and a piece of paper fell out. Opening the note, she read Leanne's words again.
God used Leann's words to show Jill she did have a purpose and that life was worth living. They were just the right words at just the right time.
When someone speaks encouragement into our hearts, the course of our lives can be changed forever. And when we believe in someone else, God uses us to build confidence and security in a heart that may have otherwise been paralyzed by doubt and insecurity.
I'll never forget my friend Janet thanking me for words I'd penned from my heart to hers in a thank you card. To me it was only a thank you, but to her it was more. God touched her heart deeply through something I said. And in response, she encouraged me to write more than notes. Her prayers and confidence inspired this insecure young mom to eventually write a Bible study.
And God used that tiny Bible study, written over 10 years ago, to uncover His plans and develop the future "writer" in me. He used a woman who believed in me more than I believed in myself to help me take the first step.
Just the right words at just the right time.
Perhaps you need to hear them. If so, listen and let God speak them over you today through His promises:
"But you are a chosen [woman], a royal priesthood, a holy [daughter], God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
"For [you] are God's masterpiece. He has created [you] anew in Christ Jesus, so [you] can do the good things he planned for [you] long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
"In all these things [you] are more than [a] conqueror through him who loved [you]." Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Just the right words at just the right time.
When we read and believe God promises, they settle into places in our hearts that need to know we are loved...by Him and others. I pray you receive and believe them today, and then ask Jesus how you might share them. Perhaps there is someone in your life who needs them now more than ever.
Dear Lord, I need Your encouragement each day. Lead me to promises in Your Word that will strengthen me when I'm weary and build me up when I feel torn down. Help me see and believe what You see in me, and then share it with others. I pray You would give me just the right words at just the right time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Renee's website/blog where she shares practical ways you can position your thoughts to hear and live in God's promises every day. Also, she's giving away a "Living in God's Promises" gift pack. Enter to win here!
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Living in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
Letting God Fill the Empty Places in Your Heart message on CD by Renee Swope
For daily reminders of God's love and promises, follow Renee on Facebook.
Reflect and Respond:
How often do you listen to and live in your self-doubts? How often do you fill your mind with God's words of encouragement? Do you realize the power of your words to speak hope and encouragement into the lives of others, as well as into your own life?
Make a list of five people who could use your words of encouragement this week and then send them a note, text or phone message.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 50:4, "The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 1, 2012
Unmet Longings
Lysa TerKeurst
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems life would be so much better if you had that.
There would be more happiness.
More contentment.
More fulfillment.
More satisfaction.
More peace.
We can envision ourself with this thing, this person, this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn't God give us this longing of our heart?
Because He wants us to willingly release it to Him.
Ouch.
Not the answer we want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He's certainly able. But when He doesn't it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.
It's easy to get down when we're constantly let down.
We hope this thing will happen... we'll meet this right person... we'll get this job... we'll finally be healed... we'll get that chance... we'll see that family member turn their life around. Time and again it doesn't happen. That's when it's easy to slip.
We can so easily slip into feeling a little distant from God because we feel hurt by God.
That's what happened when the man I thought I was going to marry told me he met someone else. That's what happened when I didn't get the job I was so certain was going to be the answer to all my financial problems. That's what happened when my son didn't get into the charter school we were so certain would have been perfect for him.
But, in each of these things, I eventually had to make a choice. I could either become consumed with my unmet longing or comforted by trusting God.
As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.
Not give up as in discouraged surrender. But give up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, "Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust."
Remember the Scriptures promise, He rewards those who honestly seek Him: "And without faith is it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Sometimes I get so consumed with seeking my unmet longings, I don't earnestly seek Him. But then I miss out on His reward. And His reward is the only thing that will fill the void in my heart.
Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires.
But not as much today as I did yesterday.
And that is good. Not easy. But good.
Dear Lord, I sacrifice chasing this so I might more fully and with more focus chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to read Lysa's blog today about the three best choices you can make when you feel God isn't answering your prayers.
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa's book Made to Crave is just what you need. It's not just for those struggling with their weight. It's for anyone who wants to learn to crave God more. Click here to order your copy!
This book can be a group Bible Study by using these life-changing resources: Made to Crave Participant's Guide and Made to Crave DVD teaching series, also by Lysa.
And if you already have the Made to Crave book, check out the just released 60 day Made to Crave Devotional
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Trust steps in and reminds us, we can't ever learn how to live real faith if we never need real faith.
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (NIV 1984)
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 2, 2012
Define Yourself
Wendy Blight
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
"Define yourself through the hands and eyes of a true artist."
As I closed the stall door in a public restroom, that slogan caught my eyes. It was from an advertisement for a plastic surgeon. Reading those words, I knew this doctor was tapping into longings every woman has: to be beautiful, loved and accepted by others.
But for most women, this is not reality. We don't see our beauty or worth. We look in the mirror and only see faults. We allow others to define us.
Sometimes it is our culture. But oftentimes it is the very people we love...our parents, a friend, or spouse. Their words deceive us into thinking we are unworthy...a failure as a woman and even as a child of God.
Yet God created us to be women of strength and beauty, each with a divine purpose planned by Him before we were born. God alone has the right to define us. No one else.
There is only One true artist and His name is God.
God is the Creator.
After reading that advertising slogan, I felt a burning desire to know a woman's true identity. The Truth I found in His Word was powerful and life changing. Rather than posting these truths on the back of a bathroom door, I wanted to share them with you.
You are:
• Created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)
• Fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• Precious and honored in His sight. (Isaiah 43:4)
• Redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)
• A new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Holy and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:30)
• Chosen by God. (1 Peter 2:9)
• God's masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
• Created with purpose to do great works for God's Kingdom. (Ephesians 2:10)
You are God's creation - beautiful, strong and created with a unique plan and purpose.
I don't want you to rest your head on a pillow tonight without knowing and believing who you are in Christ. I have prayed that God would reveal to you who you really are - not who you are in your parent's eyes, spouse's eyes, children's eyes, friend's eyes, or in the world's eyes, but that you would know who you are in YOUR FATHER'S EYES!
Dear Lord, thank You that You are my Creator. Thank You that in You and You alone I find my identity. Father open my eyes to see who I am in You. Make every Truth I learned today a reality in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy's blog for a free copy of her declaration of who you are in Christ and a prayer written for you.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
All Things Wise and Wonderful (E-book) by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Read Ephesians 2:10. Do you believe you are God's masterpiece? If not, spend time in prayer asking God to show you the lies you believe about yourself. Then personalize this verse, pray it and invite God to make it a reality in your life.
Visit Wendy's blog and reflect on the Declaration she has written for you. Sit quietly before Him. Pray. Listen. Leave a comment and share what you heard.
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:14. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 5, 2012
Caring for the Overlooked
LeAnn Rice
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
I can count on my fingers the number of times I showered during the last couple of months of Ron's life. My husband was confined to a hospital bed in our living room, and hooked up to a morphine drip that he'd try to pull out of his arm when he'd wake disoriented. And we had a three-year-old little boy who liked to toss things into the toilet bowl and stir them around. I couldn't take my eyes off of either one of them.
But I needed to bathe and brush my teeth. I had groceries to purchase, mouths to feed, bills to pay and trash to take to the curb. Several times throughout the day, I needed to go to the bathroom. I depended on others to help me "carry" all these things.
Once a week, a Hospice volunteer sat with Ron so I could take a shower and a nap. My mother and sister-in-law picked Nick up a couple of times a week so he didn't witness things with his dad that a toddler shouldn't see. There were occasional visits from friends and other family members, but most kept away because it was too difficult for them to see their beloved Ron deteriorate so quickly.
I understood. Really, I did.
But it was hard.
I felt alone and helpless.
Hungry and tired and dirty.
And I was watching the love of my life die a little more each day.
I wouldn't trade those final days with Ron for anything in the world. I would not have wanted (or allowed) anyone else to care for him. Love gave me strength and God carried me when I had no energy left. Yet, while the role of caregiver is one I cherished, it was filled with so many challenges and hardships.
Do you know someone who is caring for a chronically or terminally-ill loved one, an elderly parent or a young child?
As today's verse in Galatians tells us, we are called to be compassionate, to love, and to carry each other's burdens. When we do these things in His Name, we demonstrate His love to others. It is our responsibility as Christians. And it's our privilege.
From a heart that has been there, may I encourage you? Don't overlook the caregiver. Love on them. Encourage them. And be the hands of Christ, helping carry their burdens, in the midst of their weariness.
Dear Lord, please give me Your eyes to see the struggling caregivers around me. Strengthen and equip me to help carry their burdens. Help me to see when help is needed and when I would be more of a burden than a help. Show me tangible ways that I can make a difference, bring encouragement, and share Your love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Greatest Comforter?
Words of Comfort for Times of Loss by Cecil Murphy and Liz Allison
For more encouragement from LeAnn, stop by She Cooks or visit her and her team at A Widow's Might.
Reflect and Respond:
Is there someone in your life, at work, or in your church that is currently the primary or only caregiver for someone? Let them know that you are praying for them and that they matter.
Offer your assistance. If they are hesitant to accept, find practical ways to help like bringing groceries or stopping by with a hot meal and laundry detergent. Do a load of laundry. If they have children, offer to take them to the park or on a play date with your kids.
Power Verse:
John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
:angel:
Unexpected Grace
Tracie Miles
"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant." Romans 5:20 (NLT)
He appeared out of nowhere. Blue lights burst on right about the time I laid eyes on his intimidating, unmarked SUV.
Immediately I checked the speedometer. It confirmed what the officer knew: I was speeding. A sinking feeling knotted my stomach as I prepared to receive the punishment for my inadvertent disobedience of the traffic laws.
I watched in my rear view mirror as the police car crept up behind me. With driver's license and registration in hand, my fingers tapped in irritation on the steering wheel. My scowl deepened as I impatiently waited for the policeman to walk to my window. "Ma'am, I stopped you for speeding. Driver's license and registration please."
Then it happened. The unexpected. The unwarranted. The undeserved.
The policeman glanced into my car and checked out my passengers (including my three deer-in-the-headlights kids in the back seat). Then he startled us all by blurting out a big ol' Southern "Hey!" to my husband, calling him by name.
Apparently they had grown up in church together and proceeded to spend a couple of friendly minutes reacquainting. He handed back my license and registration and gave me a smile. "Slow it down please, and have a good day."
We sat stunned and breathed a collective sigh of relief as I drove away - slowly, I might add.
I had not paid attention to the guidelines set forth. My guilt was obvious, and I had no excuse. I deserved to suffer the consequences, but instead I was given grace.
Grace is undeserved favor or pardon. We can't earn it or buy it. It's something the giver bestows out of the goodness and love in their heart. The Bible tells countless stories of people who received grace, including prostitutes, unfaithful marriage partners, deceivers, thieves, liars and more. Their sins deserved a punishment, but when they asked God for forgiveness, His grace wiped their guilt away. They were treated as pardoned offenders - just as I was.
In today's key verse, Paul is reminding the people of Corinth that despite their sin, God is good, and the Giver of grace. It serves as a reminder that God not only offers grace – He offers it in abundance. The more we need, the more we get.
Although God hates sin because it separates us from Him and ushers pain into our lives, His grace is available no matter how big our offense may be. And when we receive the pardon that was paid through the sacrifice of His Son, and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, we receive grace, forgiveness and mercy.
As much as I appreciated the grace extended to me from the officer that day, it paled in comparison to God's grace. You see, the officer's grace was one of kindness, but not one of redemptive love. It was a grace of compassion, but not the life-saving grace Jesus gives.
The truth is, I deserved a speeding ticket that day but grace was given. In the same way, although we deserve punishment for sin, God's forgiveness and favor are offered anyway... through the gift of His unexpected, unwarranted and undeserved grace.
Dear Lord, thank You for the undeserved gift of grace. Forgive my sins, and shower me with Your favor, even though it is undeserved. Thank You for loving me enough to grant me pardon for my mistakes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Have A Relationship With Christ?
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement.
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily Freeman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Ask God to forgive you for your sins, and believe that His grace is limitless.
Consider how God's grace is limitless and undeserved, yet He gives it anyway. Is there someone you need to offer grace?
Do you need to confess your doubts to God, and commit to believe in His unconditional forgiveness, maybe for the first time?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (NIV)
Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 7, 2012
How Do I Let Peace Rule?
Samantha Reed
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
No more able are we to drive the rain back into the clouds by holding hands to the sky...
Or stretch a rainbow's colors wide by scurrying to grasp its tails...
Or force the tides to retreat by running at the sea...
No more capable of these feats are we, than to pursue and capture peace.
Peace.
That for which the world wars. Families crumble. People roam. That for which we compromise, and improvise, and televise: It's here... if only you race after it with your time, your money, your life.
But for all our chasing, we never lay hold of peace. Not until we reckon with these nine words that beckon a stillness. A truth that causes shoulders to fall and jaws to relax. This scripture tells us there's peace a' plenty, free for all.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15 NIV).
If we're to find peace, we must become a pupil of He who is our Peace, Jesus Christ. He who is the Word. And this bit of Word, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts," is a fine educator.
This truth teaches us to slow down. Those two strong words, "let" and "rule" mean to "umpire" our hurried heart. So when circumstances crumble and we worriedly scramble to right them, we are taught to pause and call our heart to peace. How do we do this? Through intimate knowledge of He who is our Peace.
Christ is just, as Esther's courage and Haman's defeat reflects. (Esther 7)
Christ redeems, as Job's great loss and even greater gain assures. (Job 42:7-17)
Christ is trustworthy, as His promised resurrection proves. (Matthew 28:1-10)
Christ controls the storms, as calmed winds and waves attest. (Mark 4:35-41)
It will take time to teach our hearts to let peace rule. Umpires don't begin careers in the World Series. Indeed, umpires go through rigorous training and schooling. They must work for years in the minor leagues before even dreaming of the majors.
We too must set our heart and mind to learning. A good place to start is with the minors. Calling our hearts to peace when running late, dinner burns, scrapes and bruises happen, and fender benders occur. This is our practice and preparation for when the doctor calls, the pink slip is given, the papers are served, and the accusations fly.
We call our hearts to trust in He who is faithful to us in the small things, so we learn His character again and again. This gives our hearts the training needed to know He is trustworthy to us in the big things, the in-between things... everything.
Each call leads to another, which leads to an eventual place of surety. A place where the chase ends. And peace begins.
Dear Lord, You are our Peace. Teach me Your ways, direct me in Your truth. Help me relax my shoulders, loosen my tense jaw, calm my hurried heart. I want to know You more and more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Share the One who is Peace with a child in need through Compassion International.
Click here to join Melissa Taylor's newest online Bible study of An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Visit Samantha's site for more about Him who is our peace and a give-away of An Untroubled Heart.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you tend to focus more on circumstances or on Jesus' power over the circumstances?
Memorize three verses about peace over the next three weeks. Call them out to your heart when trouble comes.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 2:14, "For he himself is our peace..." (NIV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616G MatthewsMint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 8, 2012
Loved, No Matter What
Micca Monda Campbell
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
I don't recall what my son did. I just remember his reaction to my husband Pat's discipline. It was unlike any time before.
"You're not my dad!" Mitch screamed with rage. "I hate you, I hate you!" he added between sobs.
I was shocked as I watched the two of them battle out their affections. I had never seen our son behave that way before. He was completely out of control and overwhelmed with anger, fear and pain. He had lost one dad in death. Could he trust this one?
Pat fell to his knees and embraced our son. Mitch fought him. Without letting go, Pat spoke calmly, "You can hate me if you want, but I will always love you." Pat struggled to keep his arms around Mitch as he tried to pull loose. "You're my son. I will never leave you—no matter what."
With every word Pat whispered into Mitch's ear as he held him tightly, Mitch's fears began to melt away. Suddenly, his body relaxed and he returned his father's embrace.
It was a defining moment for us all. In that instant, our faces still wet with tears, we realized Mitch had let down his guard. He began to believe in his father, to accept his father's love, and to offer love in return. He didn't do it because Pat was his playmate or because he filled a certain role in Mitch's life. He did so because he had been loved even though he had rejected that love at first.
Pat mirrored the character of our heavenly Father when he vowed to always love Mitch and never let him go. Pat was saying to our son as God says to us, "No matter what, I'm here for you."
What a beautiful picture of our key verse. "We love because he first loved us."
Our heavenly Father is not some far away God. He is near to us and we can approach Him, regardless of our needs. Our Father wants to be involved in every detail of our lives. He wants to know and share in our joys and our pains. Mostly, God wants us to know He loves us and there's not a thing we can do to change that.
I find it interesting that the word "Father," referring to God, is often translated "Papa" or "Daddy" in Scripture. These expressions of endearment comfort me as I equate them to my earthly dad. But perhaps you've never had an earthly father to turn to in times of celebration or sorrow.
Maybe your dad was absent and uncaring instead of loving and available to you. If so, you've discovered that not all people love sincerely and you've been hurt. I'm so sorry and I'm praying today that you'll believe this truth: no matter what you've done, or what's been done to you, you have a heavenly Father and you can cry out "Daddy!" any time, any place, anywhere.
His love is unconditional. Will you allow God to wrap His loving arms around you and wash away all your fears as He whispers to your heart, "I'm here for you—no matter what" today?
Dear Lord, thank You for Your unconditional love. Please give me the grace I need to stop fighting and to receive Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Begin a relationship with your Heavenly Father
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog and enter to win a copy of her Piecing It All Together (CD).
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do you fight God's affections or do you accept His love daily?
Make this your prayer each day until you grasp the reality and wonder of knowing that God truly loves you!
I pray, Father, that out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge; that I may be filled of measure of all the fullness of God. (based on Ephesians 3:16-19)
Power Verses:
Psalm 36:7, "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." (NIV)
Psalm 136:26, "Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 9, 2012
Be Foolish
Nicki Koziarz
"Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him." Psalm 128:1 (NIV)
What kind of foolish do you want to be? It's a question I've started asking myself.
When I hear the word "foolish," I'm drawn to the story of Noah, a man passionate about the pursuit of obedience, despite looking like a fool.
In Genesis 6, God speaks to Noah about the greatest flood that would ever occur (6:17). He instructed Noah to build a massive ark (6:14-16) and to bring his family (6:18) and two of every creature (6:19-20) on board.
People thought Noah had lost his mind. What kind of a fool would build a giant boat and load it with smelly animals? All while there was not a raindrop in sight. I imagine the mockery he endured from those in his community was painful for Noah.
Yes, Noah appeared awfully foolish. Until... those dark clouds rolled in. Until... it rained and rained and rained. Until... water covered the entire earth.
Noah as a person inspires me, but his obedience challenges me.
A few years ago I listened to an author share a story about a book she had written. Sales took off quickly. A few weeks after the release of the book, another author wrote her an honest email.
This woman said she knew she was supposed to write a book with the same message as the best-selling one. God had given her identical verses and points to make. Yet she'd disobeyed Him and put off writing that book; she felt the Lord had given the other author the message instead.
The regret from disobedience of not writing that book made her feel foolish. Hearing this story, I thought of all the opportunities of God's plans I had missed because of disobedience. In my own regrets, I too felt foolish.
Truthfully, God does not need us to accomplish anything. He's God—sovereign, powerful and mighty—with or without us. But, He wants to use us. He's given gifts, talents and great purpose in Him to each person.
The painful reality is, if we don't obey God, we will miss out.
The pursuit of obedience can be hard. Along the way we may lose friends, be mocked or called crazy. But ultimately, we have a choice: obedience that may look foolish to others or regrets that will make us feel foolish later on.
What kind of foolish do you want to be?
Dear Lord, thank You so much for always giving us another chance to pursue the purpose You have for our lives. May today be a day we begin living out the promises and plans You have for us more than ever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
What Happens When Woman Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Nicki's blog for more inspiration and practical tips on living an obedient life.
Reflect and Respond:
Is there something God has called you to do that you've been putting aside?
Today, take one step towards that goal or dream.
Power Verses:
John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)
Genesis 6:22, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 12, 2012
If Only
T. Suzanne Eller
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Have you ever lived in the land of the "if onlys"?
If only I had more money, then things would be easier.
If only I lost 10 pounds, then I'd be happier.
If only they'd recognize my talent, then I'd feel more appreciated.
Not too long ago my husband and I were praying about his career. Not only did the answer not come, but every door shut that we thought would open easily. As time passed I started listing my "if onlys."
If only we had clear direction.
If only we could begin that dream God placed in our hearts.
If only, if only, if only ...
Soon those unspoken words steered my thought life. They crept into my prayer time. They tiptoed into my relationship with my husband.
One day these words from King's Cross by Timothy Keller leaped from the page:
The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus. Whether it's to succeed in our chosen field or to have a certain relationship—or even to get up and walk—we're saying, "If I have that, if I get my deepest wish, then everything will be okay.
Suddenly I saw myself. My deepest wish had shifted. Where once I longed for God, now my thought life and actions revolved around what I didn't have. What I couldn't control.
That night I confessed to my husband that I had not only moved into the land of the "if onlys" but had anchored there. I promised that instead of focusing on what wasn't taking place, I would began to treasure what I did have.
Today we have food. We have shelter. Our home is warm. Thank You for that gift, Father.
Today I hold a grandbaby in my arms. See her precious smile? I delight in that, Lord.
Today I sit in the living room and laugh with my husband. Thank You for joy.
Today and everyday I am Yours, Jesus. You are more than enough.
Godly contentment isn't passive, but an active faith that says God is enough. You and I are okay because our deepest wish doesn't revolve around losing 10 pounds, our career, another person, or whether we're noticed for our efforts.
Are you living in the land of the "if onlys"? If so, are you willing to change your deepest wish from the "if only" to focusing on what you have and thanking God for it?
Dear Lord, I trust that You are enough and You are good. You are my sufficiency. I find my identity and joy in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie's blog for a fun giveaway and to take a deeper look at finding contentment in the "wait."
Jesus Calling: Finding Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
Join Suzie in her Live Free Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day." Chuck Swindoll.
What is your "if only?" How much time and energy do you devote to it? What is one choice you can make today that will shift your perspective from the "if only" to God?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 13, 2012
The Beauty of the Lord
Lynn Cowell
"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (ESV)
The jagged scar on his back may be gruesome to some. To me, it's a mark of beauty; a reminder of the love he showed that day.
It was suppose to be a day of wonderful memories with my husband's family in the foothills of South Carolina. The highlight of our trip would be Slippery Rock, a natural water slide in the cool Pisgah forest. However, under the guidance of a "local" we changed our plans to go to a different waterfall.
When we reached it, the waterfall wasn't quite what we were told. Unprotected. Steeper. Less water. No lifeguard, no stairs, no rope. Though disappointed, we vowed to make the best of it.
Greg watched the kids start down the sheer slope. Sensing everything was not as smooth as it seemed, he called to our nine-year-old daughter, "Wait for me, and we'll go together."
Hearing their laughter brought joy to my heart. But, then I caught my husband's eye and knew something was wrong. Greg had stuck out his leg, causing him and Madison to spin. Instead of her head slamming into the stone wall, Greg's bare back took the blow.
Our fun day ended then, with a trip to the emergency room. The four-inch gash on his back evidence he saved our daughter. Today, it's a thick red scar; proof of his love for his family.
Jesus also bears scars of love. Though I haven't seen them, I know they're there. I was naive and taking the course with no stairs, no rope, no lifeguard. I wanted to "live a little." Just before I crashed, I listened to Jesus' invitation: "Wait for Me; let Me get you out of harm's way and lead you." I fell into His accepting arms, rescued and safe.
Many times we want to go our own way, oblivious to the rushing power of sin that will smash us against this hard world. Thoughts such as "I can flirt with this sin; I just want a little fun!" or "I'm tired of responsibility. It's my turn. My kids will bounce back," or "I don't have to put up with him anymore. It's my life too," take precedence. Inevitable destruction follows. All along Jesus is at the top of the slope inviting us: "Wait for Me. Let's go together and I will lead you."
In the rush and roar of temptation, it's easy to miss Jesus' strength to rescue us. It's possible to overlook the scars; proof that His love held Him to a gnarly cross. I see the price He paid to protect me from my own destruction and know full well, it's a thing of beauty.
Dear Lord, help me look to You every day. Help me trust Your instructions and warnings, knowing that You love me more than I love myself. You are my first love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lynn has written a beautiful book on His Revolutionary Love. Click here to order your copy!
Visit Lynn's blog for more encouragement and truth
Reflect and Respond:
Is there someone you know who is at the top of a slippery slope and needs to read this? Pray for them and forward this devotion to them.
Is there any area in your life you are flirting with something dangerous to yourself? Your family? Confess this to Jesus. Tell Him you want to fall into His accepting arms and help you walk away from this danger.
If you answered yes, think of a friend you really trust with whom you can share this. Have them pray for you and hold you accountable.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 53:3-5, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 14, 2012
A Hope to Hold Onto
Micca Monda Campbell
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11 (NIV 1984)
My husband is a bookkeeper for an industry that's been greatly affected by the economy. Every evening when Pat walks through our back door, I see worry across his brow and the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
He's consumed with "what ifs." What if the company goes down? What if he can't find another job? What if he has to pull our children out of college, or sell the car or our home? Each month, as Pat closes the books, he grows deeper in despair. Sadly, he's not alone.
People everywhere are in crises. In the midst of massive layoffs, foreclosures and bank failures, many are losing hope. It's easy to give in to worry—for my husband, for me ... for you?
Hard times have not only shaken my hope, but they've allowed me to see I often misplace my hope. Sometimes, I experience disappointment because I have put my hope in material things, in money, a job and even in success.
But the apostle Paul had a different claim, "Hope in Christ does not disappoint."
That's good advice from a man who had many reasons to despair throughout his life. He often found himself hungry, naked, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned. Instead of losing all hope, Paul preached to his soul, like the Psalmist did in our key verse. They both chose to put hope in God alone. No matter the outcome, Paul was not disappointed.
In our lives, we may lose hope, but the God of all hope has not lost us. That's when it's especially important to cling tightly to the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:8, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair" (NIV 1984).
While trouble may surround us, we are not alone. When we feel hedged in by doubt, we can remember we have a Helper, Who is our great support. God is our hope. We don't have to be perplexed, uncertain or concerned about our future. He has promised to deliver us.
We experience deliverance from hopelessness by remembering Christ's counsel. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV 1984). Jesus is saying that financial trouble will come, health will falter, children may rebel, and loved ones will die ... but He has overcome it all. Christ is bigger than any trouble you and I face.
Pat and I are learning to give up the illusion of a trouble-free life. In this fallen world, it's just not possible. Desiring a life unmarked by pain and problems is misplaced hope. God never promised we'd be happy and healthy. No. He promised if we would trust Him in the midst of adverse circumstances, we would not be disappointed. That, my friend, is a hope we can hold on to.
Dear Lord, I'm finished and done with putting my hope in people, things, and position. Today, I'm putting my hope in You alone. Even if my circumstances don't change, I will trust You to fill me with Your peace and provide the strength I need to make it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is from Micca's women's conference entitled, A Hope to Hold Onto. Click here if you'd like to find out more about bringing this message to your event.
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Click here to sign up for a new online study of Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart, beginning March 25th with Melissa Taylor.
Visit Micca's blog for a chance to win a copy of her book, An Untroubled Heart.
Reflect and Respond:
Stop wishing and start expecting. To hope in the Lord is not like wishing for something. It's an expectation—something you can count on. In other words, we can expect God, in His timing, to make good on His promises to us.
Has misplaced hope been a disappointment or benefit to you? What does God promise if you put your hope in Him?
Power Verses:
Romans 5:5, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 119:116, "Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 15, 2012
I Don't Want to Raise a Good Child
Lysa TerKeurst
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV 1984)
My daughter, Hope, is a senior this year. And she decided her senior year should be adventurous and a little out of the "normal" box. A lot out of the box actually.
She withdrew from traditional school. Applied with the state to homeschool. Enrolled in online college courses that would allow her to get both high school and college credit simultaneously. And planned to spend the month of January serving in Nicaragua doing missions.
This didn't surprise me really. Hope has always liked charting her own course. This thrills me now. But it didn't thrill me so much in the early years of raising this strong-spirited child.
When she was really little I was scared to death I was the world's worst mom, because Hope was never one to be contained. And I honestly thought all her extra tenacity was a sign of my poor mothering.
One day I took her to the mall to meet several of my friends with toddlers to grab lunch. All of their kids sat quietly eating cheerios in their strollers. They shined their halos and quoted Bible verses and used tissues to wipe their notes.
Not Hope.
She was infuriated by my insistence she stay in her stroller. So, when I turned away for a split second to place our lunch order, she wiggled free. She stripped off all her clothes. She ran across the food court. And jumped in the fountain in the center of the mall.
Really, nothing makes the mother of a toddler feel more incapable than seeing her naked child splashing in the mall fountain. Except maybe that toddler refusing to get out and said mother having to also get into the fountain.
I cried all the way home.
Not because of what she'd done that day. But rather because of how she was everyday. So determined. So independent. So insistent.
I would beg God to show me how to raise a good child. One that stayed in her stroller. One that other people would comment about how wonderfully behaved she was. One that made me look good.
But God seemed so slow to answer those prayers. So, over the years, I changed my prayer. "God help me to raise Hope to be who You want her to be." Emphasis on, "God HELP ME!"
I think I changed my prayers for her because God started to change my heart. I sensed He had a different plan in mind for my mothering of Hope.
Maybe God's goal wasn't for me to raise a good rule-following child. God's goal was for me to raise a God-following adult. An adult just determined and independent and insistent enough to fulfill a purpose He had in mind all along.
Today's key verse reminds us we are training children so that when they are old they will not turn away from Biblical principles, but rather implement them in their life-long pursuit of God. Remember, the things that might aggravate you about your child today, might be the very things when matured that make them great for God's kingdom tomorrow.
I've certainly seen this in raising Hope.
I don't know what mama needs to hear this today. But let me encourage you from the bottom of my heart with three simple mothering perspectives you must hang on to:
1. Don't take too much credit for their good.
2. Don't take too much credit for their bad.
3. Don't try to raise a good child. Raise a God-following adult.
And all the mamas of fountain dancing children said, "Amen!"
Dear Lord, I know You desire for me to raise a God-following adult. Please give me Your wisdom as I seek to become the parent You called to this high honor. Redirect my perspectives and equip me for this task today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
If you have a strong spirited daughter, don't miss Lysa's new book Made to Crave for Young Women. Expanding on the original message of Made to Crave, this book will equip you to have three of the most crucial conversations you need to have with her around physical, emotional, and material desires. The perfect resource to read along with your daughter to navigate the three pitfalls with which Satan tries to lure girl's hearts away from God.
To order your copy of Made to Crave for Young Women, click here.
To read the first chapter of this book for free, click here.
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
The things that might aggravate you about your child today, might be the very things when matured that make them great for God's kingdom tomorrow.
Power Verse:
Deuteronomy 4:9, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 16, 2012
When You Can't See What God Is Building
Tracie Miles
"For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God." Hebrews 3:4 (NLT)
My son's seventh grade Social Studies teacher assigned the task of making a pyramid. There were no specific criteria given about the size or what materials were to be used, only that they rely on their imagination.
When Michael came home and told me about his school project, I immediately put on my crafty-mom hat. How much foam core board would we need to cut and hot glue? However, when he told his daddy about it, the project took a twist. Before I knew it, we were at the hardware store.
"Lumber and nails?" I eyeballed my husband as if he had forgotten it was a 7th grade project. He smiled and simply said, "I know."
I had no idea how a few 2x4s could be transformed into a pyramid. My husband on the other hand is a builder by trade, so he had a clear vision of the outcome.
He and Michael spent hours in the cold garage, measuring and sawing and nailing. Step by step, a triangular form evolved. We watched and waited for my husband's vision to become a reality for the rest of us - and when it did, it truly was amazing!
As I marveled at this work of art crafted by the hands of my husband and son, God spoke gentle reassurance to my soul. He knew my heart had been heavy, worried about several adversities and hardships my family was facing.
I'd been questioning His ways, wondering how He could bring good out of our difficult circumstances. God chose this moment to whisper to my spirit, "Tracie, I am creating something good, beyond your human understanding. Trust Me as your Builder."
Today's key verse quickly came to mind. In it we are reminded that God is the builder of everything, including us. We are God's house, His temple, where His Holy Spirit resides. He is always at work building our lives so that He can be glorified through us.
The Barnes Notes Commentary refers to the meaning of Hebrews 3:4 in this way: "Every family must have a founder; every dispensation an author; every house a builder. There must be someone, therefore, over all dispensations...." And that Someone is God.
The theological definition of the word 'dispensation' means "the divine ordering of the affairs of the world; an appointment, arrangement, or favor, as by God."
God is arranging and re-arranging our lives in accordance with His will. Step-by-step, day-by-day, and with each circumstance we face. He is constructing a dwelling place for His Presence within us.
What comfort it brings to know that in the same way my husband had a clear picture of what he planned to build, God has a holy vision of the divine masterpiece He is building in our lives. Although we may not understand or like the building process, we can trust our Builder and know that He is always looking out for our best.
Dear Lord, I trust You are doing a good work in me. Help me embrace the promise that You are building my life based on Your beautiful design, even when I cannot envision the outcome. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie as your next event speaker.
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement about how we can trust God's handiwork.
i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been questioning what God is doing in your life? Could God be building your future through your present?
Allow God to change your perspective of your circumstances, so that you see Him building character and faith instead.
Power Verses:
Psalm 127:1, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (NIV)
Psalm 139:13, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 19, 2012
The Trials of Friendship
Melissa Taylor
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
When I asked "Paula" if she could get together Thursday evening she declined. She and her mother already had plans.
A little while later I called "Dana" to see if she could hang out Thursday. You can imagine my shock when she said, "Sorry, I'm going to a dinner party at Paula's. You're not invited?"
Ouch! I couldn't help but wonder why Paula felt she could not be honest with me. Dana said the party was small and Paula probably didn't want to hurt my feelings. I understood, but being left out and lied to really hurt.
An uncomfortable knot sat in my stomach as I struggled with whether I should approach Paula or not.
We'd come to a crossroads in our friendship. I wanted to tell her, "It's okay you didn't invite me to your party but you didn't have to lie to me. And I forgive you, because 'a friend loves at all times.'" But I was too afraid.
At times like this, I follow my mom's advice. "When you don't know what to do, that's your cue to pray." God reminded me that when a "friend loves at all times" it means we believe the best about each other and work through problems.
Despite both my mom's and God's wisdom, I'm sad to say I decided to just let it go; I was too fearful to caringly confront my friend.
Paula called me a few weeks later. She felt bad for lying to me, apologized and explained the dinner party. I also apologized for not confronting her. I should have known our friendship was stronger than my fears.
We ended up laughing about our insecurities, and ourselves, because we knew we loved each other and wouldn't intentionally hurt one another. She should have been honest and I should've been brave enough to ask her about it.
Lying isn't supposed to be a part of friendship, but neither is fear. Every relationship will have its share of trials and mishaps. But it should also have its share of believing the best in each other and forgiveness.
When obstacles that aren't dealt with come between two people, they can eat at our hearts, little by little. When we allow it to build up over time, our enemy will use it to divide us.
Perhaps the Lord is prompting you to tell the truth to a friend you've not been honest with. Or maybe you're the one who's been told a lie. Scripture tells us, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18 NIV 1984). Whether telling the truth, or confronting a lie, it rests upon us to do whatever possible to reconcile with our friend.
You may be on the other end of a confession or confrontation that was not well received. I'm so sorry. I know it's painful to lose a friend. But we can rest assured, that once we've done our part, the Lord will continue to do His and heal the wound left.
If you're at a crossroads now, wondering if you should confess or caringly confront, may I encourage you to pray and take the next step? I am so glad Paula called me. What we have is too good to allow hurt feelings and misunderstandings to ruin it.
God's Word tells us "a friend loves at all times." That may not always be easy, but in the end, it's worth it. In fact, I can honestly say our friendship is now even stronger than it was before.
Dear Lord, we can make life so much more complicated than it needs to be. Help us to be honest, be brave, and to love and forgive each other the way You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Join Melissa and thousands of others in her next Online Bible Study of An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell. The study begins March 25. Click here for information and to enter to win a copy of An Untroubled Heart!
Find loads of encouragement on Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Studies Facebook Page
Reflect and Respond:
Is there a situation in your life that needs restoration or reconciliation?
Pray about how to move into action to make things right. Then take a first step.
Power Verse:
Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 20, 2012
Lumping and Loving
Karen Ehman
"Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon." Philippians 4:5 (NLT)
I usually cringe at generalizations ... stereotypes. Lumping an entire group of people into a confining box.
Like "The ________ (nationality) are so ________ (bad character trait)" or "Those ________ (age group) all are so ________ (strange habit or behavior)."
However, every once in a while a compliment is paid in the lumping.
Recently, as I waited in line at a coffee house, a frail, elderly woman stood in front of me ordering a meal. She seemed distressed as she fumbled for her change, paid the worker, and then gathered up her bag of food and her drink. As she headed for the door, her large purse began swinging off of her shoulder, nearly knocking her, and all of her lunch, to the floor.
"Oh ... how am I going to do this? Oh my ... oh dear ... I can't ..." she mumbled to herself, trying to shift her weight and her cargo while pushing open the door at the same time.
Though I'd just finally reached the front of the line, God used today's key verse to tap me on the heart and shift my momentary schedule. I quickly hopped out of line.
"Here, let me get that for you," I uttered as I held the door open and steadied her drink. "Would you like me to carry your food to your car?"
She stopped in her tracks, her bright blue eyes looking up at me with gratefulness. "Oh dear ... you must have a grandmother living that you're so kind to an old woman."
"No ma'am, I don't," I answered. "I just love Jesus and He wants me to help you."
Her face softened. She shook her head and decidedly declared. "Of course! You people have always been so helpful to me. I don't know what I'd do without you."
You people. I'm pretty sure she meant, "You Christians."
She didn't align herself with Christians saying, "Thank you for helping a sister out." No, she referred to me—and others who loved Jesus—as "you people."
It made me wonder, how had other Christians helped her? Did they take her a meal? Rake her yard in the fall or shovel her driveway in the winter? Had they driven her to a doctor's appointment?
It reminded me of the age-old truth: more is caught than taught. And it demonstrated to me that people are watching.
And lumping.
What do they see? Do they see us being considerate in all we do?
Sadly, I have been told the following:
By a waitress: "Christians are the worst tippers, especially after a Sunday supper out. Sometimes they leave no money at all."
By an acquaintance in college: "You're a Christian? Do you stand in front of the science building and scream Bible verses, telling people they're going to hell for believing in evolution?"
By a teenager: "I tried going to church once. There was a sign on the front door that said 'All are welcome, but please dress appropriately.' I didn't know what appropriately meant, but I knew it wasn't me. So I turned around and left."
If people are watching and all they see are uncaring or condemning Christians, why would they want to become one?
My prayer today is that we, as Christ-followers, will be lumped in the "you people" group my sweet coffee house friend saw. Considerate Christians who make God and His body of believers look good.
Sure, believers already know He is good. But others? They are watching. And lumping. What will they see in you?
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I choose condemnation over love; rudeness over kindness; or decide to do nothing rather than do the right thing. Please prompt my heart and interrupt my momentary schedule so my actions accurately reflect who You are. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Karen's blog and enter to win a copy of her book, A Life That Says Welcome and find out about her 15-day online study of living a life that says "welcome."
A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Making It Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by T. Suzanne Eller
Reflect and Respond:
Make a choice today to perform a simple, kind deed for a complete stranger. When they thank you, give God the credit.
Can you recall ways Christians have been lumped together? What was said? Was there truth to it?
What characteristics does the Bible say believers should be known for? List as many as you can.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 31:26, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness." (NKJV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 21, 2012
Getting Up Again
Renee Swope
"...though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again..." Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
I've always admired people who aren't afraid to fail. You know the ones who don't even consider defeat when they blow it; people who see a personal setback as just another goal to conquer.
I can be really hard on myself when I fail to be the woman God calls me to be or the woman I want to be. Like the other day, when I disappointed my mom, got impatient with my husband and spoke harshly to one of my kids. Soon after, my internal dialogue (you know that voice in your head that won't let you off the hook) started reminding me of how badly I'd acted and how far I'd fallen short that day.
The greatest defeat comes when I allow my mistakes, sins or broken relationships to convince me that I might as well give up.
Perhaps you have also allowed failure to knock you down, tie you up with the ropes of regret and hold you hostage like I have.
When I surveyed over 1200 women for my book, A Confident Heart, I discovered that our past failures, and our fear of failing again, are two of the most common things that make us doubt ourselves.
But today's key verse shows us that it's not supposed to be this way. Proverbs 24:16 has helped me release the regret, guilt, fear and shame that have weighed me down and held me back.
Take a minute to read it now and notice how it says the righteous will fall. Yes, even those of us who have received the gift of Christ's righteousness and redemption will fall down. But we were never intended to stay down.
Instead of giving up, Jesus empowers us to get up again.
In getting up, we can apologize and ask for forgiveness. In getting up, we can choose to try again with our kids, in our jobs, in our marriages, in our ministries, and in all of our mistakes. Because we trust that although we fall, God will help us up.
Listen to His promise in Psalm 37:23-24 and as you read it insert your name in the blanks: "The steps of ____________ are established by the Lord, and He delights in ____________'s way. When ____________ falls, __________ will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds ________'s hand." (NASB)
When you get up again failure can actually help you become the confident woman God created you to be because it can make you stronger and better—when you go to God for help. Failure might even be the thing that stretched you to do more than you think you can and push you to try other methods of doing things when one way doesn't work.
Yes, failure can be hurtful, but it can also be beneficial.
Failure produces wisdom when we ask for it and maturity when we learn from it.
I think God wants us to remember that following Him is not about avoiding failures and being perfect. It's about accepting our weaknesses and becoming more dependent on His perfect love and power at work in us.
The truth is, we will sometimes fail to be who we want to be. But we will get closer to who we are meant to be every time we fall or fail and then choose to take God's hand so we can get up again!
Dear Lord, I'm so thankful for Your grace that reminds me there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because my steps are established by You, Lord, I will believe that You delight in me even when I fail or fall. Today, I want to take Your hand and trust Your heart as You pull me back up again and use my failures to help me become the confident woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion is based on chapter 7 of Renee's book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
BIG NEWS!! A Confident Heart Ebook for Kindle is on sale for $2.99 through March 25th. Don't have a Kindle? No problem. Download a FREE Kindle App for your PC, Mac, Ipad, Iphone and other electronic devices here! Don't miss this amazing deal and limited time offer today!
Join Renee Swope's online study of her life-changing book, A Confident Heart - beginning April 23rd. In it, you will learn how to overcome self-doubt and live with lasting God-fidence as you discover your God-given purpose, passion, and personality; learn how to break free from people-pleasing and performance-based living; find out how to replace "against me" thoughts with scripture-based God is "for me" thoughts, and more! Click here for more details or to sign up today.
Visit Renee's blog/website today and enter her "Contagious Confidence Givaway" which includes copies of her book, her Confident Heart messages on CD and a Target gift card!
Reflect and Respond:
Are there any areas of your life where you feel like you're failing and want to give up? Write down what got you to that hard place and then ask God to show you how you can get back up again (in your heart) with the help of His grace and truth.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:23-24, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." (NASB)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 22, 2012
Advice to Wives: Stop Praying
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Irritated. Frustrated. Hurt.
Those were the words bumping around in my mind as I grabbed my Bible and sat down to do some sort of quiet time.
I felt like such a fake mindlessly scanning these words on thin pages. My heart wasn't connecting. My mind wasn't tuned in. All I could think about was the argument I'd had with my husband.
Why couldn't he see my point? Why didn't he understand? Why was he being so stubborn?
I closed my Bible and decided a much more productive thing to do with this situation would be to pray. That's what godly women do. And oh how spiritually sound I felt listing all the many things the Lord could do to fix my man- all that was wrong with him.
Sounds spiritual. However, it was anything but.
Suddenly in the middle of my prayer, all I could sense God saying was, "Stop."
Stop? Stop praying? Well, that certainly couldn't be from the Lord ... so I kept going.
But the word "stop" was pulsing through my mind with each beat of my heart. And deep down, I started to sense why.
God wasn't looking for me to be a "fix him" wife.
God was looking for me to be a "love him" wife.
I needed to stop praying. At least, I needed to stop praying the way I had been. Yes, there were things my husband needed to work on. But nothing good was happening when all I did was complain about him.
I needed to be a wife daring enough to ask God to reveal to me how to love him. And I needed to ask God where I was going wrong—where I was being selfish—where I needed to work.
When I shifted my focus on letting God change me, that's when I started to see real progress.
In this season of struggling through all of this, God taught me three powerful lessons:
1. Is this an irritation or an issue?
There is a big difference between an irritation and an issue. Identifying the difference helps me pick my battles. If this is just an irritation, maybe I need to practice being more flexible, patient or willing to extend grace?
2. Am I praying about or for my husband?
If I do sense something that needs to change, I need to pray for my husband—not about him. Praying about him is just ranting. Praying for him means digging into God's Word and praying scriptures specific to his struggles. That's powerful! When we pray the WORD of God, we pray the WILL of God.
3. Where is my focus?
I'll never be able to control how another person acts and reacts, but I certainly can control how I act and react. My focus shouldn't be on having the right partner. My focus should be onbeing the right partner.
Slowly, as I shifted my heart in these areas, I saw such progress in our marriage. Do I still get irritated, frustrated and hurt? Of course.
But when I stopped trying to fix him, I was freed up to just love him. And love him more completely like Ephesians 4:2 reminds, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." And loving him is so much more fun and realistic than fixing him!
Dear Lord, help me to focus on being the right partner. Shift my heart to reflect Yours Lord. Help me to put aside my pride so I can hear You whisper to my heart those things I can do to improve my marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you've been looking for something to give your marriage a boost in creativity, connection, and communication don't miss Lysa's marriage books, Capture Her Heart for husbands and Capture His Heart for wives.
Read Lysa's free article today, "Jesus loves those in messy marriages."
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
If you do sense something that needs to change, pray for your husband—not about him. Praying about him is just ranting. Praying for him means digging into God's Word and praying scriptures specific to his struggles.
Power Verse:
Ephesians 1:4, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. " (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 23, 2012
I Know What I Should Do, But ...
Glynnis Whitwer
"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." James 4:17 (NIV)
It was just like any other day when my friend felt a lump in her leg. Thinking it was nothing, she didn't worry. A week later it was bigger. She didn't ignore it any longer, but made an appointment with her doctor. Tests confirmed the quiet suspicions; it was cancer.
In the past five years, friends have rallied around her with prayer and practical support. For a while I was able to help intermittently. Then I went through a season of constant family and work needs, and neglected to contact my friend ... for months.
Occasionally she would pop into my mind, and I would think of some way to bless her. I knew her family loved brownies, maybe I could bake some as a treat. Perhaps she'd like to get out and walk around the mall. A funny card would cheer her up.
But good intentions slipped away and rationalizations took their place.
One morning I read James 4:17. It was as if God took a highlighter, swiped it over the words and wrote my friend's name in the margin:
"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."
I immediately stopped reading and rushed to my computer. Fingers furiously typed an apology for being a distant friend, and asked if I could bring her lunch. We set a date and had a great time of catching up and prayer.
Thankfully God prompted me that day to follow through on my good idea. But my heart aches at the times I've either ignored or forgot those promptings. It's so easy to find reasons why not to do something. Excuses pop up like weeds. However, today's verse makes it clear that sometimes something else is at stake. It's not like forgetting to buy milk at the store; if there is good God is calling us to do - and we don't - it's sin.
I've learned when I listen to the nudge in my spirit to do good, I'm always part of God's bigger plan. It's like God is assembling a jigsaw puzzle with a beautiful picture only He can see as He asks me to care for the needs of others. To do this, He needs me to listen for His direction, and then prioritize my obedience. Not question, dismiss or excuse it away.
I'll be honest. Sometimes the needs of others overwhelm me. Without meaning to, I become numb, even to those around me. But then God reminds me I only have to do my part - and He'll tell me what that is. Sometimes my part is to take a friend lunch. Sometimes my part involves more.
I wonder what would happen if I always obeyed? And what if I wasn't the only one? What if everyone leaned in when God whispered, "Will you?" What if, instead of rationalizing why my little effort won't make a big difference, I just trusted God had a bigger plan ... and I simply obeyed.
It's got to start with me. Today. And the good I know I should do. No more "buts" about it.
Dear Lord, thank You for never withholding good from me. Forgive me for the times I've minimized this in my own life, or found excuses of why I can't do good for someone else. I long to be a woman who reflects You in all I do. Help me to follow through when I know I should. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The P31 Woman magazine offers monthly encouragement for following God's will in all areas of a woman's life.
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares about the biggest "yes" she and her husband ever said and how God is using that act of obedience.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What are some common excuses women make for not following through on good ideas? How can you overcome some of those excuses in your own life?
Has God nudged you lately to do good for someone else? Write it down and commit to obeying this week.
Power Verses:
1 Samuel 15:22, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (NIV)
1 John 4:11, "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 26, 2012
Stop the Masquerade
Micca Monda Campbell
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
During elementary school, my daughter was friendly and outgoing. But when she entered middle school she changed. Being friendly to everyone in sixth grade wasn't cool. Peyton quickly found out if she didn't conform to her friend's new standards she'd be an outcast. Worst of all was the betrayal. When she didn't change to be like her friends, they spilled her secrets.
That's when it happened. Peyton started wearing masks to fit in and please people.
She hid her accepting and sweet personality, and lost her true identity. Almost like a masquerade ball, she'd wear a different personality or mask, acting in ways her friends would want.
There was only one problem. Peyton was miserable hiding behind her masks and pretending to be someone she wasn't. Sound familiar?
I think most of us understand Peyton's need to fit in. It's one reason we wear our own masks. To please others. To hide our pain. To disguise fears and failures. We put on fronts to protect ourselves from an unaccepting world. And in doing so, we mask our true identity and lose our individuality.
Why do we keep up the masquerade? Because we want acceptance.
And often we're willing to lose who we truly are in order to keep important relationships, like friends or family members. Most of us can recall a situation when a trusted person hurt us by judging our God-given personalities, traits and talents.
In our attempt to hide our insecurity or avoid betrayal and hurt, we create a mask—a look we're willing to let the world see in order to be accepted.
I was determined to help Peyton stop doing this very thing. I encouraged her to return to truth. God didn't create us to conform to other's standards, but to stand out through our own God-given uniqueness. Our key verse reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This truth gave her the courage to remember who she was before she put on the masks.
Soon Peyton found friends who were like-minded, and started participating in activities that reflected her interests. By being true to her identity and rekindling her dreams, Peyton has followed her God-given purpose. Today, she's studying foreign language in college and hopes to teach in Japan or work on the mission field.
Maybe someone along the way has discouraged you. Put you down for being creative, quietly reading books, or loving adventures. Or maybe for dreaming big, or laughing loudly, or enjoying working with your hands. Perhaps a parent, teacher, pastor, friend or even a stranger didn't accept how God created you to be and you transformed yourself to fit in their preferences.
God sees behind our masks; He loves us and longs for us to be free from the fear of being rejected. If you're constantly changing masks to fit in, then you know the awful burden of maintaining the false you. Aren't you ready to stop the masquerade? Listen closely and hear God confirming to your heart today, "You are wonderfully made."
Dear Lord, I desire freedom to lay down my masks and be myself. Help me identify my false sense of self. Enable me to recapture the person I was before I started masking my fears and insecurities. I no longer want to fit in where I don't belong. I want to be all You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Click here to join our new online study of Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart with Melissa Taylor. It just started yesterday but it's not too late to join!
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement and enter to win a copy of An Untroubled Heart.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Create a mask that represents the qualities of your false self. You can draw or use parts of a magazine and words. Then, offer that mask to God and ask Him to help you recall yourself before you wore the mask.
What are some expectations you put on yourself or false concepts you have of yourself?
Do you think you need to be a certain way to be loved and accepted by others?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:15-16, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 27, 2012
When Time Keeps Slipping Away
Tracie Miles
"Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:10, 12 (NLT)
Recently my family experienced an unexpected treat. For the first time in many months, we had the joy of a weekend with no obligations! No ballgames, no travel, no commitments—just unstructured time.
Savoring my coffee Monday morning, I thought about the laughter, conversations and relaxing moments. Each had brought a peaceful feeling over my spirit and reminded of how precious the gift of time is, yet how often I take it for granted.
For weeks my thoughts had been continually nudging me to do more, yet my heart had been whispering do less. At the same time I sensed Jesus calling me to rest, and spend more time with Him and my loved ones. But life had just been so busy, and other demands had screamed for my attention.
I realized how I had let time slip away without investing it wisely.
The Bible records the words of Moses, a man who understood the value of time. In Psalm 90, Moses recognizes the brevity of life, and the importance of making the most of the time we have been given.
Perhaps Moses wrote from a place of frustration. After all, he'd watched his entire generation wander aimlessly for 40 years because they didn't trust God's promises. They kept busy with jobs, chores and responsibilities. But they apparently spent more time grumbling than getting to know God better, or enjoying the blessings and people in their lives.
Many of us experience this same dilemma, wandering through daily routines and overbooked schedules. There's little time left at the end of the day to spend with Jesus or those we love. Before we know it, the days turn into years and our hearts are no wiser. We get in a rut of grumbling about troubles and busyness, while ignoring the necessity of rest and the benefits of unstructured time.
I used to view "down time" as being unproductive. I would feel guilty for sitting down with a good book when the sink was full of dirty dishes, or snuggling with my children on the couch to watch a movie when I had errands to run or work to do.
Yet God designed rest because our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits need it. Slowing down and paying attention to what fills our day allows us to refocus and rest.
It gives us time to soak in His Word, have quiet prayer, and invest in our family. These are easy to disregard when life's too busy. Even if we're busy with good things, they may draw us away from what the Lord would have us do.
As we understand the brevity of life and value our time, we'll gain a wise heart that seeks the Lord's will. Let's ask God to show us each day how He wants to fill the hours we are given. Whether He guides us to enjoy personal time, rest and relax, hang out with friends or family, study His Word, or enjoy some fun activities, if He is leading our choices, we'll find peace, contentment, and joy.
Dear Lord, only You know how many breaths I have. Please help me use my time wisely, and invest it in the people and things that matter most. Help me consciously plan time for myself, my family and my faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on the importance of rest.
10 Smart Things Women Can Do To Build A Better Life by Donna Carter
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How do you spend the majority of your time? Is it spent on the things that matter most?
Does it seem that life is flying by, and you never have time to enjoy it or the people in it? What changes can you make to remedy this problem?
Get alone with God and His Word to determine if you need to realign your priorities regarding how you spend your time. Set some challenging goals that reflect wise values that will honor Jesus.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:16-17, "...making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (NASB)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 28, 2012
A Call and Response
Samantha Reed
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
His wee body curls in the crook of my arm as we rock. So tiny, so new, only two days old. Six pounds and fifteen ounces, yet he bears the weighty truth, the Truth. Timeless and eternal.
"His first name means 'Remembered by Yahweh.'" His parents share in a hush. "Anytime God reminds us in His Word that He remembers, it is a reminder of His faithfulness; that we're always on the Lord's mind.
"His middle name means 'faithful.' Put together, they're a call and response."
This tiny newborn's first name calls to mind the richness of God's character: unfailing, hopeful, sure. Every time he says his name, he'll recall the goodness of the Lord. His middle name elicits our response: Yes, Lord. Because You are faithful, so shall I be.
God is ever calling, desiring our mind, heart and will to respond to who He is. His Names testify to every attribute He possesses.
I'm beckoned by this wisdom. So I open the pages of Truth to know more of the Name I call upon to be saved.
El Shaddai completely nourishes, satisfies, and supplies as a mother would her child. He is our sustainer. (Genesis 17:1, 28:3, 35:11, 43:14 and 48:3)
El Roi is our God who sees us. Not one of our pains or needs is out of His periphery. (Genesis 16:13)
Jehovah Nissi gives encouragement, hope and a focal point when in battle. Jehovah denotes our God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Nissi means banner. In battle, opposing nations flew their flags on a pole at the front lines. This gave soldiers hope and a place to focus. (Exodus17:15)
Jehovah Rapha restores and heals. Our Great Physician makes better our physical and emotional needs. (Exodus 15:26)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem calls us to holiness and gently reminds us that it's God who sets us apart. (Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:8)
To know God, His nature and His Name, awakens our voice. His steadfast character and everlasting Name are calling. A call to our mind—to which thoughts respond. A call to our heart—to which emotions respond. A call to our will—to which actions respond.
El Shaddai calls ... I satisfy. We respond ... I will be nourished by You.
El Roi calls ... I see you. We respond ... I will find comfort in You.
Jehovah Nissi calls ... I cover you. We respond ... I trust Your protection.
Jehovah Rapha calls ... I heal. We respond ... I will ungrasp my heart for You to heal.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem calls ... I make all things new. We respond ... I believe You create beautiful things from dust.
There are so many more Names of God throughout Scripture. Names that help us become better acquainted and really know the nature of the Lord. So when troubles call, we respond by putting our faith, hope, and love in Him. And around every corner and with every birth, and death, and life lived in between, we continue to call on the Name of the One who is faithful.
From age to age His Names testify of His goodness. Let's respond to His call today.
Dear Lord, You are worthy of a mind that meditates on You daily; a heart that loves You steadfastly, and a will that follows Yours. When You call, help me respond according to who I know You to be: faithful. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann
Visit Samantha's site for more on God's Names, and to enter to win a gift card and two copies of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope - one for you and one for a friend!
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. In this wonderful book, Renee leads us to a place of lasting confidence by helping us know God's Names, trust God's character and live in the security of God's heart toward us.
We would love to encourage you throughout the day. Join us on Facebook!
Reflect and Respond:
Will you call on one of God's Names and its meaning ... inviting your heart, mind and will to respond?
As you pray this week, talk to the Lord using one of His Names in this devotion. Praise Him for the attributes in that Name: sustainer, hope, healer, etc.
Power Verses:
Nehemiah 9:5b, "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." (NIV)
Jeremiah 9:24, "'... but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD." (NIV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 29, 2012
A Complete Waste of Time
Lysa TerKeurst
"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear." James 1:19 (MSG)
My daughter Brooke got in the car the other day and sighed. It was one of those sighs that said, "I'm going through something, but unless you ask me, I'm not freely revealing this information."
I casually inquired, "Tell me the high from your day and your low."
"Mom," she groaned letting me know she secretly loved that I was asking, but all the middle school in her was making her play it cool.
I waited quietly knowing she'd eventually tell me. And she did. Something hard had happened at school that day.
I put my hand on hers, "I'm sorry sweetheart. I know that makes you sad."
To my surprise, this normally emotional child said, "Actually no. I've decided sometimes being sad or mad over stuff like this is a compete waste of my time."
And just like that she smiled and was ready to get on with her day. No tears. No tirade. No lamenting and wearing herself out with a tidal wave of emotion while over-processing this situation.
Just a 13-year-old's decision that this wasn't worth all that. The child turned tutor. The young one doling out wisdom.
Sometimes being sad or mad over stuff like this is a complete waste of my time.
I've mulled her statement over in my mind a hundred times. It's good. It's truth.
Indeed there are things to be sad about ... but so much of what pulls at my emotions isn't worth the time and energy I give it.
I love how James 1:19-21 reads in Eugene Peterson's paraphrase: Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation garden of your life.
Is there something you've been sad or mad about that maybe is a waste of your time? Ask God to help you have a different perspective.
Dear Lord, some days my emotions seem to steam roll me. Please help me reconnect with You and know that many times being sad or mad over stuff is a complete waste of my time. I'd rather focus on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Is there something you've been sad or mad about that may be a waste of your time? Ask God to help you have a different perspective. Leave a comment on Lysa's blog by clicking here letting her know how she can pray for you ... it would be her honor.
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl is a perfect addition to spending time with the Lord and in His Word.
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you. Click here to see her schedule.
Reflect and Respond:
Sometimes being sad or mad over stuff is a complete waste of time.
Replace anger or sadness with praises to the Lord today.
Power Verse:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
March 30, 2012
Broken
Kelly Langston
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Broken.
It was now broken, with an asymmetrical flutter to its wings that moments before lifted the butterfly in a dance around the church lawn.
The butterfly wasn't what first caught my eye though as I stood in line to pick up my son, Alec, from a day camp for special needs children. It was the boy with autism that first captured my attention. He was tugging on the arm of his caregiver with a brawny strength, roughly pulling her this way and that.
As I watched the two in their strange dance, my heart ached for the boy just as it does whenever I see a child with autism. A familiar feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. It was the same one I felt when I didn't know how to reach my autistic son in his younger years. I'll never forget how hard and long the days could be.
Lost in my memories, I was more than happy when the butterfly caught my eye. As I watched it, in one quick swoop-and before his caregiver could stop him-the boy's hand captured the butterfly in a clenched fist. She pulled it free from his grasp and I watched fragile wings fall to the sidewalk. The butterfly fluttered for a few moments before dying.
Isn't it strange how something so simple can hit you so hard? Grief rose in the back of my throat, but I wasn't sure what hurt me most. Was it the brokenness of a boy who longed to touch something beautiful and carefree, only to crush the life from it? Or was it the thought of how quickly something so lovely can die? The vivid scene stuck with me all night, broken wings falling to the ground.
The next morning, I walked with Alec up to the church for another day at camp. I stepped onto the sidewalk behind a little girl with Down Syndrome. Without a care in the world she sang, and when I heard the words, I stopped in my tracks:
"I am a beautiful butterfly! I am a beautiful butterfly"
With each light step, she twirled and sang this little song. I realized then what God was showing me.
Yes, Lord, I get it! These children are like that butterfly. They are full of beauty! Full of grace and wonder, and even so, they are broken. But oh, how lovely and special they are to You, Lord. And how precious to behold one single moment of the beauty that lives within them!
As a parent to one of these broken, beautiful butterflies, it is a privilege to see God carry him through painful days. And I know I'm graced to be touched by the beauty that exists in brokenness. To feel the loss of what might have been, the crush of overwhelming need, and the Divine Light that runs through it all and makes it worth our efforts.
Alec's teenage camp buddy leaned down to greet my son with a high five and a smile. It was then I noticed the counselor's shirts with the words "I am a New Creation" on the front and on the back was the week's Bible verse:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Like the butterfly, we're all broken. But, praise God, there is great beauty within our brokenness when we allow God to carry us through the pain. Better yet, we are new creatures with a future and a hope of eternity—unbroken—in Christ. One day each broken body will be resurrected to a new beauty unimaginable in this life.
Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me to love a child with a special need. Help me to see the beauty in my child through Your eyes, as a marvelous creation, beautiful and full of potential. You've promised a purpose and a plan for my child. Your Word tells me that You use broken individuals to do amazing things for Your glory. Help me then, Lord, to be all that my child needs me to be, as I rely on Your strength to carry us through difficult days. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Kelly's blog for more encouragement.
Autism's Hidden Blessings: Discovering God's Promises for Autistic Children & Their Families by Kelly Langston
Reflect and Respond:
Scripture is filled with stories when God chose people who were overlooked by others to do great things for Him. Never underestimate God's power to use your child to bring Him glory. God has a marvelous purpose for your child!
What is one weight of life you can trust God with today? Lean completely into His care. He did not spare His own Son to demonstrate the extent of His love. Knowing this, you can be certain He will honor every one of His scriptural promises for you! Take heart, your God is for you.
Power Verse:
Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Kelly Langston. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 2, 2012
Strong One
T. Suzanne Eller
"That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)
The wind blew through my fingers as I held my hand outside the window. The bright sunshine seemed foreign after several days in the small hospital room.
My husband had insisted that I go home. "Take a long bath, babe. Take a nap in a real bed. I've got this."
After four weeks, my world had shrunk to my son's bedside, X-ray rooms, the therapy wing, and a dimly lit cafeteria in the basement. I had no idea how long my son would be in the hospital, or what awaited us when he was released. The doctors used phrases like, "It's uncertain at this time."
Before the drunk driver hit my son, I was strong. It wasn't that my faith hadn't been tested; it had. But this was my child, broken and battered at the hands of another, and I couldn't fix it.
As I drove home, I heard these words deep in my spirit:
When you are weak, you are strong.
That didn't make sense to me. I felt anything but strong.
When I arrived home I took my bath and a nap. Afterwards, I pulled out my Bible and flipped to the verse. And there it was. Paul's words:
"For when I am weak, then I am strong."
The apostle suffered with a "thorn in the flesh." Scripture doesn't tell us what that was exactly, but we do know that it was something he couldn't fix on his own. When he prayed, God reminded Paul that His power comes through when we are at our limits.
There was no mistaking it. Like Paul, I was at my weakest point. As a mom, I wanted nothing more than for my son to be okay and the wreck to be behind us. I wanted my son at home. I was exhausted by long nights on a too-small, too-thin cot, and days of caring for my child as he battled extreme pain.
Yet God was trying to tell me something. Something I hadn't realized until that moment.
I didn't have to be the strong one all the time. While I was caring for my son, God was caring for me.
It took a year of therapy and prayer to make my son well; there were many more weak moments ahead for this momma.
But in each, I paused and I whispered these words:
"When I am weak, then I am strong."
My strength was not found in my own abilities or even my staying power. Instead, I was strong because God sustained me and filled me with His grace in the midst of the battle.
Sometimes, when that period of my life is brought up, friends remark, "Suzie, your faith was so real during that time."
I can't help but remind them that I was far from having it all together. What they were seeing was God's grace and love poured over my weak places.
Are you struggling today? Do you feel weak? Whisper it with me:
"When I am weak, then I am strong."
Dear Lord, thank You that Your grace is all I need. Thank You for Your power in the midst of my weak places. I offer up my need to be the "strong one" and replace it with the knowledge that Your strength is sufficient. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do your weaknesses ever make you doubt you can fulfill God's calling or purpose for your life? A Confident Heart, by Renee Swope, is a great resource to help you stop doubting yourself and start living in the power of God's promises. In it you'll learn how to rely on God's strength and truth in every area of your life.
For today only A Confident Heart Ebook on Kindle is FREE! Be sure to tell your friends and download your copy {This amazing FREE Ebook download ends at midnight!}
Visit Suzie's blog where she's giving away 5 {paperback} copies of A Confident Heart and sharing four things you can hold onto when you need strength the be the strong one - for yourself and others.
Join Suzie in her "Live Free" Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free.
To bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church, click here to find out more about Suzie as your next women's event speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up. ~Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (November 4, Morning).
Today, exchange feelings of defeat for praise. Thank Him for doing what you cannot.
Write down one way that only God can lift you higher than the weak places.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 3, 2012
An Empty Nest
LeAnn Rice
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 (NIV)
Does a rose bush have thorns or does a thorn bush have roses? It really is all about perspective, isn't it?
My perspective on my upcoming empty nest is full of thorns. I try hard not to think about the fact that I will be alone (except for the cat!) when my son graduates and leaves for college this summer.
It has been just Nick and me for the 15 years since my husband died. Life as a single mom has been rough. But watching my little boy grow into a godly young man has been my greatest joy. I've loved every moment of his sweet toddler giggles, little boy vroom-vroom truck sounds, and even the sounds of video games that come from his room now.
I've tried to distract myself from thinking about the day we will pack the car and head off to college by watching mindless movies, serving others, and keeping extra busy. But I fail miserably and end up crying myself to sleep.
Why? When Nick leaves, I'll be cooking for one. Cleaning for one. Doing everything for just one. There will be no sweet sounds to come home to. No one to help me unload the groceries from the car. No stories about what happened in school. No fits of laughter as he plays with our ornery cat.
The thought of letting go and being alone brings on the tears and my pillow gets soggy. It isn't pretty.
On those days when I get bogged down with thoughts of my impending empty nest, I'm never in a hurry to jump out of bed. I just want to lie there and wallow in self-pity for a little longer. What's the rush to get on with another day? It means one more day closer to his leaving.
And then a little ray of light sneaks into the bedroom. The cat cries because she wants to go outside. The teenager who is still mine to take care of decides he's hungry. Life returns.
I have to function. I want to enjoy every moment of the time I have with my not-so-little boy.
No time for soggy pillows, half empty days, or rose bushes with thorns.
It's time to get out of bed and face the new day and the changes coming. It's time to remember that even in my loneliness, I am never alone. It's time to relish the beautiful roses on those thorn bushes.
• I am loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• I am the apple of His eye. (Proverbs 7:2)
• My name is engraved in the palm of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
• I am carried through every storm. (Mark 4:35-41)
• I am wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• I am watched over day and night. (Psalm 121:1-8)
• I am forgiven. (1 John 1:9)
• I am rejoiced over with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
My life is more than half full. It overflows. I just have to be willing to see, and enjoy, who God is and the beautiful things He's given me.
Thorns are painful, but the world is filled with many roses. My prayer for each of us dealing with or facing an empty nest is that we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Lord's goodness and the sweet fragrance of all He is to us. Though children will eventually leave our nest, God never will.
Dear Lord, help me to see the roses among the thorns. I want to see that You're always with me and that You watch over me every moment of every day. I love You. I am grateful to belong to You and that I am not alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit LeAnn's site, She Cooks, for loads of fun and encouragement ... and tasty recipes too! Also, hop over to A Widow's Might for hope and truth.
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
Reflect and Respond:
An empty nest is hard. Take some time to sit down and make a list of everything that is good in your life. When we start looking for the roses instead of letting the thorns overwhelm us, we are surrounded by His sweet aroma and reminded of who we are, Who we belong to, and all He can do in and through our lives.
Power Verse:
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
© 2012 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 4, 2012
I Can't Think Straight!
Glynnis Whitwer
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 (NIV)
I felt like I was walking in circles. My to-do list was long but I was accomplishing nothing. Nothing except shifting messes from one place to another and getting increasingly frustrated with myself.
Why couldn't I think straight!? Urgency pulled and tugged, creating anxiety, yet I couldn't get myself unstuck.
Many days I just plod along, hoping that somehow I'll pull myself together and move forward. Sadly, my success rate with that approach is pretty low. Just doing more doesn't help when my mind is scattered.
My biggest challenge with bringing order to my day and home usually isn't found externally. It's not too much to do, too small closets, or too many kids running around. Yes, those can be challenges, but they aren't the biggest one.
My biggest foe is my cluttered mind. When I don't think straight, I can't solve problems.
Our minds are the command center of managing our lives. We may blame outside pressures for our problems, but many times the issue is within: minds that aren't seeking help from the Source of all wisdom and clarity—God.
As Christians we have a direct line to God's wisdom as our key verse promises. Plus, we have the Holy Spirit living in us who is our Counselor (John 14:26), and as the Bible tells us, we have "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). That's a powerhouse of help!
But we don't always tap into this Source of help. And when we do, if the truth were told, we often don't really expect God to answer us. Others, those super-spiritual types, may hear from God. But not me, we think.
And so we struggle with problem-solving. We are frustrated at our circumstances, confused about what to do, discouraged and defeated. It's a downward cycle.
For years, I never even thought to ask God for help making little decisions. Maybe I'd bring Him in on the big decisions, but the little ones I figured I could handle myself. Oh, how I missed out on so much clarity and focus.
If you are having trouble thinking, ask God to clear your mind and direct your decision-making. Then trust He is doing just that. Once you ask God to speak to you, expect it to happen. This expectation is crucial to hearing from God. Here what James 1:5-8 says:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
If you do start to doubt, then take that thought captive and choose to trust that God has spoken. Listening and trusting are important parts of prayer, because prayer is not always to get God to move.
Many times, prayer positions us to hear God's direction on how we should move. Through prayer, we align our hearts to God's heart, and things become clearer.
Is the clutter in your mind making it hard to think clearly? Perhaps one of the problems is you're trying to figure things out on your own. We've been given the mind of Christ and we are offered the wisdom of God. Let's ask and receive.
Lord, You know how hard it is for me to focus sometimes. It's hard to figure out what needs to be done. I just feel overwhelmed and discouraged. I know You aren't a God of confusion, so I ask for Your wisdom and clarity to help bring order to my chaotic mind. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for some tips on how to manage your ideas.
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Are there areas of your life that seem harder to figure out? Why do you think that is?
If you feel overwhelmed, sit down and write out your thoughts. Ask God to show you His priorities for you this morning, afternoon or evening. Write down what He tells you, and spend some time thanking Him for His faithfulness.
Power Verses:
Romans 8:6, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 5, 2012
God, I'm a Little Mad and a Lot Confused
Lysa TerKeurst
"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2 (NIV)
When God doesn't seem to be answering our prayers it can be hard. Sometimes, down right awful.
One minute I'm determined to trust God.
In the next, I feel myself slipping. The "why" questions tumble in so hard. My heart hurts. My eyes leak. And in those raw moments I just feel a little mad and a lot confused.
Ever been there?
I don't want to oversimplify what to do in these times. I know from prayer requests I've received over the years many of us are facing really tough issues. Situations where the answers aren't easy or clear cut.
But I have discovered a few things that help me when God seems silent ...
* Press in to God when you want to pull away.
When I really want to hear from God but He seems silent, I sometimes find I want to disengage from my normal spiritual activities. Skip church. Put my Bible on my shelf. And let more and more time lapse between prayers.
But the Bible says we will find God if we seek Him with all our heart. Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (NIV). All my heart includes the parts that are broken. Bring it all to God.
He can handle your honesty and will respond. But we have to position ourselves to go where truth is. Go to church. Listen to praise music. Read verses. Memorize verses. And keep talking to God.
* Praise God out loud when you want to get lost in complaints.
In the midst of what you're facing, find simple things for which to praise God. I don't mean thank Him for the hard stuff. I mean thank Him for the other simple, good things still in the midst. A child's laugh. A bush that blooms. The warmth of a blanket. The gift of this breath and then the next.
Psalm 40:3 reminds me God will give me a new song when I make praise the habit of my heart and mouth. "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (NIV).
* Put yourself in the company of truth.
That friend that speaks truth? Listen to her. Stay connected to her. Let her speak truth into your life even when you're tired of hearing it. Stand in the shadow of her faith when you feel your own faith is weak. Let her lead you back to God time and time again.
Proverbs 12:26, "One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor ..." (ESV).
It's okay to feel a little mad and a lot confused. Our God is big enough to handle our honest feelings. But don't let your feelings lead you away from God or away from His truth. Press into Him. Praise Him. And put yourself in the company of truth.
As you stay with God in these ways, you will become ready to receive His answer when it comes.
Dear Lord, thank You for hearing every 'why' my heart sends up to You. Forgive me when I retreat from You and Your Word. I want to trust You more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you need a truth friend, Lysa would love to have connect with you on her blog by clicking here. It's free and easy to sign up. Just put your email address in the box in top of the right hand column. Then you'll start getting her simple truth notes in your email inbox each day.
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl is a perfect addition to spending time with the Lord and in His Word.
Reflect and Respond:
Bring it all to God. He can handle your honesty and will respond.
In the midst of what you're facing, what simple things can you praise God for?
That friend that speaks truth? Why not give her a call and set up a time to get together?
Power Verses:
Psalm 42:3-5, "My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 6, 2012
When Waiting is Hard
Wendy Pope
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture often makes us feel there's something wrong with waiting and that we shouldn't have to. Within seconds we can order a cute blouse from a trendy store, Skype with a friend across the country and text our husband a list of groceries to pick up on the way home. No wonder waiting can be hard to do.
David, the author of today's key verse, was no stranger to waiting and knew its difficulties full well. Out of nowhere, Samuel showed up at his home to anoint the next king of Israel, who was to be chosen from David's family. Only one of Jesse's sons would be anointed as God's chosen king for His beloved Israel. The son elected was David.
Scripture tells us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13 ESV). With such an anointing, we might expect David to run to the throne. But the only running David did was back to the pasture and his job as shepherd. Thus his wait began.
In the wait, God prepared David to be king. The only vocation David knew was shepherding. He did not know the ins and outs of kingly protocol or have the support of the people or armies. Instead of taking the position he was promised, David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace.
Waiting in the present is beneficial to our future. This is something David learned, along with many other lessons that we can find hope in during the difficulty of waiting.
1. Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited fifteen years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.
2. God's ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. After being anointed and appointed David was called to serve Saul, the king who was sitting on "his" throne.
3. God doesn't waste time ... He redeems it. The time of waiting will be used to prosper us in each season of life.
4. If we allow it, our waiting will bring us an intimate knowledge of the Savior that we would not otherwise have. Most of David's beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns and the wilderness, waiting on God.
5. God doesn't ignore the cries of His children. David cried, and at times begged God for help, invention and defense. God never let David down. He did eventually take the throne, didn't he?
6. Our waiting has a purpose for someone other than ourselves. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope and healing of his amazing poetry.
What awesome instructions David's life gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down He proves Himself faithful to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.
Dear Lord, help me wait. Help me wait well. I want to be still and allow You to bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can't do this without You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What to do in the W.A.I.T. CD by Wendy Pope
Visit Wendy's blog
Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta
Reflect and Respond:
Read more about David's life starting in 1 Samuel 16.
What is your first response to waiting? Do you draw closer to or pull away from God when you're waiting?
Write down what God taught you through this devotion on waiting.
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV 1984)
Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 9, 2012
Getting Through Another One of "Those Days"
Tracie Miles
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
It had been another dramatic day in a house with "maturing" young women. While my teenage daughters sat upstairs dealing with their run-away emotions, I retreated to our front porch to deal with my own.
Both my daughters were going through difficult situations and pending decisions, and neither of them were happy with the motherly advice I'd given them.
I needed peace and quiet, and a place to process my overwhelming thoughts with God. Searching for the right words to pray, I secretly longing for the days when my girls were little and the hardest question was if they could have a snack before dinner.
Sitting there, I noticed something in the flower bed that seemed out of place. Partially tucked in the pine straw, underneath the holly tree, was a piece of the past — two faded plastic Easter eggs.
My thoughts went back years earlier, when my daughters were small, and I wondered if the eggs were from one of my favorite Easter Sundays. I closed my eyes, letting my mind return to what seemed like easier days.
I saw a mental picture of my two blond-headed little girls, playing in the thick grass, wearing pink Easter dresses. Little fingers wrapped tightly around wicker baskets, as they hid colored Easter eggs under the holly bushes. Bushes that were then twelve inches tall, yet now stood at twelve feet. As my mind replayed this sweet scene, I began to cry.
While I was reminiscing about the past and trying to breathe in the present, my daughters walked outside and plopped down beside me on the porch. As we sat on the steps together, Kaitlyn pointed out the eggs under the tree - and my eyes welled up with tears again.
They both looked at me like I was crazy, wondering why mom was crying over some old faded Easter eggs. And all of a sudden we all burst out in laughter, and started talking openly about our feelings and life. By the end of the conversation, we all felt thankful for the bond we have, even on the hardest of days.
Being a mom is an unfathomable blessing, but there are going to be "those days" when we feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. Days when we feel frustrated and emotionally exhausted as we face the never-ending challenge to raise children to honor God's ways, in a society that does not respect His truths at all.
Today's key verse encourages me to persevere on "those days." The definition of perseverance is to adhere to a course of 'action, belief, or purpose, in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.'
As parents, we are called by God to stay the course, adhere to our beliefs, and trust that God has a purpose for all things - even on "those days." We can do that by talking to other Christian parents, participating in a prayer group for our children, and staying grounded in God's Word.
On this particular day when my heart felt heavy, God used two faded Easter eggs as a reminder that despite the daily challenges of being a mom, He is with me and that gives me hope.
Hope gives us strength to persevere, and our perseverance helps us to build our own character, as we invest in the character of our children.
Even when the past seems easier than the present, God calls us as parents to be engaged in every moment and trust that He has a beautiful purpose, espeically on one of "those days."
Dear Lord, thank You for simple reminders of Your love, and for the blessing of making a positive impact in my children's lives. Help me to persevere in Your name, and to be the Godly parent You have called me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on Christian parenting, and to receive a free downloadable link to Tracie's one hour interview about Godly parenting, with MommyMissions.com. Also sign up to find out more about starting a Christian parent support group in your church or neighborhood!
The Mom I Want To Be by T. Suzie Eller
Always There: Reflections For Moms On God's Presence by Susan Besze Wallace
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
List ways that you struggle to trust God in your parenting journey. Ask Him to give you confidence to seek and rely on His wisdom to be a Godly parent.
Have you been standing firm in your convictions, even if your child wants to follow the crowd?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 22:6, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (NLT)
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
April 10, 2012
I Gotta Die
Karen Ehman
"[I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in [your fellowship and union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily [I face death every day and die to self]." 1 Corinthians 15:31 (AMP)
My 14-year-old son has a fondness for iPod games; ones where a creature has to jump, twist, dodge and dart in an effort to stay alive. Often he plays them on our short commute to school each morning.
As we drive, we go over pick-up instructions. (At the middle school after wrestling practice? Or at the high school if there is optional weight-lifting that day? And what time?)
I also give my "Be sure your sins will find you out" lecture that my own sweet mama often gave me.
The man cub just keeps playing his game, acting as if he's not listening. But I know he is.
Often, when jockeying for position in the parental carpool line, I will inform my boy it's time to get out of the vehicle. Usually, still engaged in the game he will utter the same phrase to me, "Hang on a second. I gotta die."
As in, "I'm still finishing this round. I don't want to power off just yet. Let my character finish this round until it dies. Then I will get out of the car."
As he uttered it this morning, it spoke to my soul.
As a follower of Christ, I am to die to self. But so often, I do not. I elevate self. I promote self. I think little of the other person and much of me.
But before I react ... before I hurl a harsh word ... before I pass judgment or speak unkindly to my husband or snap at my child, perhaps I need to take a deep breath ...
To pause and ponder ...
To say in a spiritual sense, "Hang on a second. I gotta die."
Die to self.
Die to flesh.
Die to my "rights" that often result in my acting wrongly.
Yes, Paul said it best in today's key verse, "I die daily."
Does this mean in everything?
So often when we think of Jesus' admonition that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend, we think of the dramatic ways that might happen. We might jump in front of a car in order to get our friend out of harm's way. A soldier might willingly give up his life on the battlefield.
But what if it also means that we learn to die to self in the every day details of life? In my interactions with others, especially those within my own family? These daily, hourly and even moment-by-moment decisions sometimes seem difficult!
And, if trying in our own strength, they will also be impossible. It is at these junctures that we must draw deep from the power the Holy Spirit offers and let His proper response over-ride our natural and sinful one.
So, the next time we want to react in a way to another person that won't please God, let's remember my game-lovin' man cub. And before we speak, let's take a deep breath; a pause that centers our heart, snaps our soul to attention and gently declares ...
Hang on a second. I gotta die.
Dear Lord, may I purpose to die daily. To both act and react in a way that pleases You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Karen's blog for the Five Snap-Proofing Scriptures to memorize to help you to die to self when instead you want to snap at others. Also, be sure to enter her Bible Memory Basket giveaway.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen Ehman as your next retreat or keynote speaker.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Why is it so difficult, when our anger begins to well up, to pause before we pounce?
Was there a time when you delayed before snapping at someone? What was the outcome?
Power Verse:
Psalm 139:4, "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether." (ESV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 11, 2012
Unfolding
Amy Carroll
"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
I stared into the frustrated eyes of my friend last week as we talked about her calling to write. She has big, big dreams, and her dreams seem to be coming true far too slowly.
I told her how much I understood. Stepping into my calling was a long time coming, too.
My specific calling is to teach, speak and write. Your calling may fall into a myriad of other categories, but every calling is equally high when it's in obedience to the Most High. We're ALL called to ministry of some sort.
My calling didn't materialize in a year. It has unfolded during the last 35 years, and each phase of that unfolding has shaped and re-determined the final product (which I know won't be final until my last breath!).
The unfolding looked kind of like this:
Becoming a passionate teacher of young children.
Marrying my best friend.
Investing years in my little boys' lives.
Teaching adults as they chased dreams that passed them by in their teens.
Volunteering in women's ministry.
Visiting home after home as the "Welcome Wagon Lady" in my new town.
Accepting invitations to speak at my church and others close by.
Joining the Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker team.
Returning to a frustrating year of elementary school teaching.
Stepping in to my calling of equipping others in their calling.
I've look at my list many times and thought, "Wow. I wasted a lot of years." But I've come to realize it's just not true. Every relationship, every job, every opportunity has prepared me. Psalm 90:17 reminds me that God establishes the work of my hands. With each change, I've had an opportunity to view that next place as stepping into a calling. Sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn't.
Often I was irritated at the seeming meaninglessness of what I was doing, but now I see. Every diaper changed, every knee kissed, every book read, every late night listening, every dying to self, every lesson plan made, every story crafted, every presentation made, every meeting attended, every spreadsheet created, EVERY THING...
It all counted.
Every moment was an unfolding of my eventual calling. God used each stepping stone to establish the work I'm doing now.
Don't despair today when you can't see it. Obey God and trust that He is working. His timing is so rarely ours, but it is always perfect. Instead of chaffing under the seemingly mundane, embrace each task as a building block for the dreams in your heart. Don't give up hope.
I promise ... it's coming.
Dear Lord, it's been difficult waiting as the years have come and gone without stepping into my calling. Please help me appreciate each seemingly mundane task and day as a means to you establishing the work of my hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Follow this link for beautiful encouragement from Amy on her blog.
Register today for She Speaks! Our annual conference that helps equip women in their calling to lead, speak and write.
The Reason We Speak and For the Write Reason, Gen Ed. Marybeth Whalen
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Every moment is an unfolding of your eventual calling.
Make a list of the "mundane" things and ask God to show you how He's using them to establish the work of your hands.
Power Verses:
Matthew 9:38, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:10-11, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 12, 2012
Three Marriage Lies
Lysa TerKeurst
"[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (NIV)
I know the heart-ripping hopelessness of a relationship unraveling. The coexisting. The silent tension. The tears.
The first five years of my marriage were really hard. Two sinners coming together with loads of baggage, unrealistic expectations, and extremely strong wills.
There was yelling. There was the silent treatment. There were doors slammed. There was bitterness. There was a contemplation of calling it quits. There was this sinking feeling that things would never, could never get better. That's when I first started hearing the 3 lies:
• I married the wrong person.
• He should make me feel loved.
• There is someone else better out there.
I believed those lies. They started to weave a tangled web of confusion in my heart. All I could see was all that was wrong with him. I became so blind to his good. I became so blind to my not-so-good.
And I wasn't shy about sharing my frustrations about the whole situation with my friends.
Many nodded their head in agreement with me, making me feel ever so justified. But one didn't. She said, "I know what you think. But what does the Bible say?"
Ugghhhh. The Bible? I didn't think her "religious suggestion" would help me. But over the next couple of days, I kept hearing her question about looking into the Bible replaying over and over in my mind.
Reluctantly and with great skepticism, I tried it one afternoon. I turned to a couple of verses she suggested including 1 Corinthians 13. As I read the list of everything love is supposed to be, I got discouraged. My love didn't feel kind, patient, or persevering. The love in my marriage felt broken.
I closed the Bible. It didn't seem to do anything but make me feel worse. So much for that.
Then a few days later I heard an interview on a Christian radio station where a couple was talking about these same verses. I wanted to gag and turn the station. What do they know about how hard love can be? That's when they said a statement that grabbed me, "Love isn't a feeling, it's a decision."
Wow.
I went home and flipped to 1 Corinthians 13 again. This time instead of reading it like a list of what love should make me feel, I read it as if I could decide to make my love fit these qualities. My love will be kind. My love will be patient. My love will persevere. Not because I feel it — but because I choose it.
At the same time God was working on my husband's heart as well. We decided to make some 1 Corinthians 13 love decisions. Slowly, the cold stone wall between us started to come down.
It wasn't easy. It wasn't overnight. But slowly our attitudes and our actions toward one another changed. And I stopped believing the marriage lies and replaced them with 3 marriage truths:
• Having a good marriage is more about being the right partner than having the right partner.
• Love is a decision.
• The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's greener where you water and fertilize it.
Maybe you've heard the marriage lies before. My heart aches for you if you are in a hard place in your marriage. And believe me, I know tough relationships are stinkin' complicated and way beyond what a simple devotion can possibly untangle. But maybe something I've said today can help loosen one knot ... or at least breathe a little hope into your life today.
Dear Lord, thank You for this truth, no matter how hard it is to read. Thanks for Your Holy Spirit, who gives me strength to turn from the lies and walk in Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Read this very important article posted at Lysa's blog today: "But what if my husband has given up?" Sometimes the best investment you can make in your marriage is tough love. Read more by clicking here.
It's that time of year when wedding bells ring. Why not pick up a set of Lysa's books Capture His Heart and Capture Her Heart for the new bride and groom, and a set for you and your spouse?
Reflect and Respond:
Do you believe you married the wrong person, that he should make you feel loved, that there is someone else better out there?
How can you be the right partner for your spouse today?
Love is a decision. Decide today to water and fertilize your marriage.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 13, 2012
Interrupt Me
Luann Prater
"I was a stranger and you invited me in ..." Matthew 25:35 (NIV 1984)
After five years of living in our house, my husband finally agreed we needed curtains on the windows. Not to block the view, but to enhance it. (That is a breakthrough, right there.)
Deciding on just the right thing, at just the right sale price, was a challenge. In the span of a week I put up rods, ironed drapes, switched them out and took them down. The gals in the drapery department at the local store knew me by my first name.
The last place I planned to be was at the mall, exchanging curtains, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. But there I was, ringing out at the register.
And there she was, Vivian. She breathlessly approached the counter asking to use the phone. It seemed this young girl had been dropped off to go to work and discovered she wasn't scheduled. She needed to find someone to pick her up.
That's when I felt a familiar knock on my heart. Actually, it was pounding pretty good. I knew when I felt that it meant God had an interruption planned.
"Do you need a ride?" I asked. All activity stopped. She looked at me quizzically. The cashier waited to see what would happen next. Vivian cocked her head to the side in disbelief and replied, "Uh, yes."
"I'm leaving; I'll take you," came out of my mouth.
Can I just say that was not on my agenda? My list was probably like yours, a mile long with things that needed to be done before the end of the day. But the truths of Matthew 25 resonated within me. I knew God asked me to be on the lookout for strangers to invite in: into my home, into my church and it appeared, into my routine.
I discovered a little bit about my new friend during our ride. She has seven siblings. Because of her mom's drug abuse, five were adopted out of the family six years ago, leaving just her and her brother. No one wants 13 and 14 year olds she explained. Her decisions thereafter took her down some wrong roads.
We talked about church and she said she'd been a few times, but didn't go now.
"Vivian, God put us together on purpose today. He has a plan for your life. You didn't expect to run into me and I didn't expect to run into you, yet here we are. Unusual, don't you think?"
She agreed. "Yes. In today's world, no one takes a chance on anyone. I couldn't believe you offered me a ride."
I asked about her past and her hopes for the future. In twenty minutes we bonded. "Are you working Sunday?" I asked.
"No, I'm off," she replied.
"I'll pick you up for church if you want to go with us." She said she thought that would be great!
I got out of the car and wrapped her in a hug. Then I prayed over her as we stood amazed at how quickly we'd connected.
Looking back, I'm thankful for interruptions; some of the most memorable moments have been unexpected. God wants to interrupt us for His purposes, inviting Him and others into our lives in unexpected ways.
Dear Lord, please open my heart, my eyes, and my routine to Your divine interruptions. May it be said of me, I'm a woman who invited You in. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Luann's blog and listen to her Encouragement Café radio show for loads of fun and spiritual application for real life!
Will you pray about inviting a Compassion International child into your heart?
Reflect and Respond:
"The ultimate rich man, Jesus Christ, became poor for you. That means that we ought to be deeply involved in the lives of broken people in this city. And it means not just giving your charity, giving your money, though that's very important. But it means giving your time, giving your relationship ..." ~Tim Keller
Look for ways God is interrupting you today. Who can you 'invite in'?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (ESV)
Matthew 25:35-40, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (ESV)
© 2012 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
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April 16, 2012
Swim Lessons
T. Suzanne Eller
"But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." Matthew 14:30 (NLT)
When I was a little girl my father decided it was time for me to learn to swim. He took me by an arm and leg and swung me high. I landed in the water with a splash, popping my small head up like a turtle, coughing and sputtering. Somehow I dog-paddled to the side.
It was the way his father taught him to swim, and the way he thought it best to teach me. Personally, I believe a pair of floaties would have been helpful.
Perhaps Peter felt the same way in Matthew 14. The waves were rocking from an impending storm, when suddenly Peter saw someone walking toward him on the water. The other men were terrified, but Peter leaned in closer.
It was Jesus!
"Don't be afraid," Jesus called out.
"If it's You, tell me to come to You," Peter replied.
"Come," Jesus said.
With a leap, Peter flew out of the boat. Within seconds reality hit. Peter couldn't walk on water, much less swim in the cascading waves. In terror he cried out, "Save me." Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, and together they made their way to safety.
Many times the focus on this story is on Peter's fear. But what about his faith? Peter wasn't certain of his own abilities. He wasn't sure how to overcome the waves. He simply jumped because Jesus bid him "come."
There are times in my own life that I have heard my Savior call, "Come!"
Trust Me in this.
Don't look at the waves; look at Me.
I'm not going to let you sink.
And I am afraid. I am aware of my limitations. I see the challenges, and experience the obstacles once I'm in the water. Yet the end result is less about my ability or whether I "walk on water" successfully, but how I respond to His call.
The difference between my earthly father (who I treasure in spite of throwing me in a lake), and my Heavenly Daddy, is that I am never left to dog-paddle alone to shore. Jesus is right there with me. To teach me. To help me through the rougher waves. To remind me of Who to trust when I feel ill-equipped.
Perhaps you feel Jesus calling you to a swim lesson. To go deeper in your relationships. In your faith. In ministry. Perhaps to discover a new level of trust as you move out of the "boat."
Jump!
He's there, His arms open wide. He's your Savior, and He knows exactly what His girl can do with a swim lesson or two.
Dear Lord, I feel You calling me to deeper waters. I've held back out of fear. Help me to take my eyes off the obstacles and place my focus on You. Thank You for swim lessons that allow me to reach for Your strong arms and trust in Your plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzanne Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares what to do when you feel that you are sinking.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Join Suzie in her Live Free Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free and trust God.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Trust isn't impetuous: Peter asked Jesus to confirm that it was Him. If you feel God calling you, pray. Listen for His voice.
Trust is not a reaction, but rather a response: Peter wasn't trying to prove anything to the guys in the boat or even to himself; he simply obeyed.
Trust isn't about success: Peter was afraid. He floundered. But He also learned a powerful lesson, how to reach for Jesus in the waves. How many times did this "swim lesson" prove valuable throughout his life?
What is one swim lesson Jesus is teaching you right now?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 41:13, "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:2a, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (NIV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 17, 2012
When Friendship is Tough
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
One of the wisest pieces of advice on friendship I ever got was from one of my daughters. She was in middle school at the time. You know that awkward place where insecurities run rampant, hormones rage, and your best friend one day becomes your worst enemy the next? So lovely.
She got in the car one day with tears filling her eyes. She waited until we pulled out of the school parking lot to let all her hurt leak down her cheeks.
"Rough day?" I asked.
"Awful," she replied.
I turned down the radio, waited until we were at a red light, and reached for her hand. "Wanna talk about it?"
"Nope," she whispered as she turned her face away from me toward the window. The rest of the night she sulked around the house. And no matter how many times I tried to get her to talk, this normally very vocal child wouldn't open up.
The next morning, I was surprised when she bounded down the stairs with a smile on her face.
"Well hey! You sure look happy this morning," I said as I lifted up quick thank you prayers to God for whatever had brought back the sunshine to my girl's life.
"Mom," she said with great authority, "I've decided something about friends. They all have good stuff and bad stuff. Things you like and things that really annoy you. So, you just have to decide if you can handle their package deal."
How wise. How true.
Friends are a package deal. And sadly, not all friendships will stand the test of time. Some friendships are for a season.
But other times, we have to be willing to deal with the messy stuff to fight for our friendships.
Recently, I had something hard happen with a friend I dearly love and greatly respect. A misunderstanding. Hurt feelings. Frustration.
Part of me wanted to distance myself because it was hard to sift through the hurt. But as I prayed through it, I had to remind myself this person is a package deal. Part of what makes them a great friend that I love being around is their tenacity and passion to accomplish tasks with excellence. But because they are so task oriented, they are less relationally sensitive.
And if I'm honest with myself, I can see that I'm a package deal too. With good stuff. And annoying stuff.
They have issues. I have issues.
We're both messy people, willing to work on our not-so-fun stuff, who are fully aware we're going to hit some muddy little potholes along our friendship path.
But we've decided the package deal is worth it.
Dear Lord, thank You for my friendships. I know some will last a lifetime, and some will fade after a short season. Please help me be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with my friends in love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Take the Three Day Friendship Challenge being offered on Lysa's website this week by clicking here. It's free and it's eye-opening!
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Take a girlfriend to hear Lysa speak this year. To see her speaking schedule click here.
Reflect and Respond:
They have issues. You have issues. Friendships have issues.
How can you invest humility, gentleness and patience in your friendships today?
Power Verse:
1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 18, 2012
It's Not Supposed to be This Way
Renee Swope
"We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39 (NIV, 1984)
"I can't do this."
"Things will never change."
"My life isn't going to get better."
"I'll never have the confidence I need."
Those are some depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how quickly they slip into our minds and convince our hearts that they are true.
There have been times when I felt almost paralyzed by thoughts like these that were laced with uncertainty.
Times when I let self-doubt convince me that feelings of inadequacy and discouragement were normal.
Times when I've shrunk back from changes and challenges, as well as opportunities and open doors.
Other times I've pulled back in my relationships - with family and friends, and even God. Shrinking back into a place of unbelief ... settling for less than God's best.
All because I was tired of muddling through apprehension and indecision.
Are there days when doubt convinces you that feeling inadequate and discouraged is normal? Or that having confident assurance isn't possible for someone like you?
I think we sometimes forget we have an enemy who uses self-doubt against us - who shouts from the sidelines:
"It's too hard."
"You might as well quit."
"Go ahead and give up."
"You don't have what it takes."
It's time for us to take a stand and stop listening to these lies. God wants us to know and believe that with Christ all things are possible - even a confident heart.
Otherwise doubt, and the enemy, will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat.
But it's not supposed to be this way.
All throughout scripture, God tells us things can change; life can be better. He declares with confidence: "See, I am doing a new thing!" "I am working all things together for good for those who love me and are called according to my purpose." "All things are possible to [her] who believes." (Isa. 43:19; Rom. 8:28; Mark 9:23)
So how do we stop listening to our doubts and start living in the power of God's promises?
By choosing to believe God's truths more than our feelings and fears. By moving beyond believing in God to really believing God as we rely on the power of His Words and live like they are true - no matter what our feelings tell us.
It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, doubt-by-doubt decision where we process our thoughts and emotions with God, positioning our hearts and minds to let His perspective redefine ours with each uncertainty we face.
Some days I do better than others, and you will too. But I have found that it's possible to have lasting Christ-confidence by choosing to remember to believe.
Let's choose to remember today, and every day, the words of Hebrews 10:39, that we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed - but of those who believe and are saved!
Lord, give me a confident heart in Christ. I want You to lead me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. When self-doubt tells me I can't overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion is based on truths Renee also shares in her powerful book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Are you ready to live in the power of God's promises? To take hold of the security of His love? Join Renee's online study of her best-selling book, A Confident Heart, beginning April 23rd. Here's what others are saying about her study:
Through this online study of A Confident Heart I have learned to seek and find the strength God desires me to have. I can also be confident that when I do fall short God still loves me anyway. What a blessing and a gift! ~ Cindy
This book and online study has made such a difference in my life. I now see myself as God sees me, and that gives me confidence to be more of the person He has always desired me to be. I am beautiful in His eyes, and now believe He is really the one who matters! ~Sherri
Click here for more details about Renee's online study or sign up here today!
For more daily encouragement and powerful truths, join Renee's Confident Heart Facebook page.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you ever agreed with the whispers of doubt and found yourself stuck in a cycle of defeat? Is there a promise in today's devotion, or in the power verses below, that ministers to your greatest need? Why not write it down and pray it out loud - claiming God's truth and letting it become yours today.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 2:14, "But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ." (GW)
Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 19, 2012
Getting to Where You're Going
Amy Carroll
"... continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out." Nehemiah 4:21 (NIV)
While it's true that God ultimately accomplishes His purposes in ways far beyond what we can ask or imagine, we have a part to play in His plans. God recently had me read the book of Nehemiah to see how one of His servants accomplished the huge task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.
I came away with a deep appreciation for my part of success—organization, communication, energy, delegation and hard, hard work. Scripture actually says that Nehemiah and the Israelites "...continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out." (Nehemiah 4:21b NIV)
I've been guilty like many Christians in talking about my calling and spiritualizing "trusting God" without being willing to follow Him in obedience into the day-to-day labor required to build His Kingdom.
How about you? Is something keeping you from doing the work? Perhaps you're faced with paralyzing questions posed by fear? "What if I try and fail?" "What if nobody else believes in me?" "What if God doesn't show up?" or worse "What if I've misheard God and am missing His will?"
Or, are there distractions and time-wasters that take your focus off of what you know God's wants you to do?
It's taken me many years to come to a place that I find the thought of working toward my calling encouraging rather than discouraging. I'm encouraged that it doesn't take innate genius or prodigal gifting to fulfill my calling. I don't have either of those.
In an article published in The New York Times, David Brooks wrote about the place of hard work in success. He shared:
"The key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not a divine spark ... Instead, it's deliberate practice. Top performers spend more hours (many more hours) rigorously practicing their craft."
A study cited in the same article said that musicians who were said to be virtuoso practiced 10,000 hours; 5,000 more than those simply considered to be good.
It reminded me of something I'd heard in an interview with my friend Lysa TerKeurst. She said that many people ask how she became a New York Times bestselling author overnight. Her answer was simply, "Through 17 years of hard work. I determined that I would do all that I could do while completely trusting God to do what only He could do."
I'm called to become an increasingly effective communicator for Christ, not so that people can stand in awe of Amy Carroll but so that they can stand in awe of the One I speak about—Jesus. I'm called to help other women to grow too. I can't do that unless I'm a life-long student, learner and worker.
What's your calling? Are you doing the work? My definition in this case is simply moment-by-moment, day-by-day obedience to God's Word and the leading of His Spirit. Some days that will look like moving forward while other days it will be stillness, waiting and listening. Either way, let's start working right now!
Dear Lord, thank You for the calling on my life. Even though parts of my heart are nervous and struggle, I want to do the work and walk in obedience to You. Thanks for helping me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Follow this link for beautiful encouragement from Amy on her blog.
Register today for She Speaks! Our annual conference that helps equip women in their calling to lead, speak and write.
Contact our Next Step Speaker Services for help becoming a more seasoned speaker.
Reflect and Respond:
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." ~Thomas Edison
Pray for freedom from fear or distractions. Plan for time to work on your calling. Prepare your heart to hear from God.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 31:17, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." (NIV)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 20, 2012
Timely Gifts
Lynn Cowell
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 (NIV)
Several years ago ... okay, many, many years ago ... my parents gave me a unique keychain with a key to their car. I loved it! That key represented freedom and independence. Exactly what I was craving as a teenager. It was the right gift at the right time.
If my parents had given me that gift when I was six, it would have been strange and inappropriate. I would've wondered what it was for and how to use it. My parents knew what to give and when to give it.
In James 1:17 we're told that God our Father gives good gifts to us, His children. Not only does He give good gifts, but He knows perfectly what to give and when to give it. His gifts are not spur of the moment because He forgot a special day was on the way. His gifts are all about perfect timing.
When I was five, I couldn't reach my jacket hanging up just above the cement steps leading to our basement. I called out for help, but I didn't trust those who loved me would come and do what I needed when I wanted it. A tumble down those steps produced a black eye that stayed a long time.
Many of us are asking God for help. We're crying out for something we need. The question is, can we wait patiently, trusting that His timing is perfect? Can we believe He has our best in mind and is working on our behalf?
Sometimes we grow impatient. We want what we want and we want it now. So we make the mistake of trying to get it by ourselves.
Is there one thing you feel if you could have it, your life would be complete? If you could just have that job at that pay, life would be so much better. If God would just open your womb, the emptiness would finally be gone. If He would just heal your broken, cold marriage, your heart would be joyful. Are you tempted, like me, to get that thing any way you can, even with the possibility you could end up with way more than a black eye?
There are times when He seems to answer "no" or at least "not now." It is here, where our desires intersect His will, that we have to trust the Father knows best and every gift comes from Him. Every time, in His time, the gift is good and perfect.
I've seen God's perfect gifts in my life as I've waited on Him. Waited on Him for a husband. Waited on Him to open doors for ministry. Waited on Him to draw my kids to Himself. Let's keep our eyes on His history of faithfulness in our lives as we wait for His good and perfect gifts.
Dear Lord, waiting on You is so hard! My heart wants to get things moving, step up and take action. Help me to always bring my desires to You, knowing that You always have my best at heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lynn's blog to share and encourage others with your story of when you have waited and seen God's perfect and good gifts!
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Reflect and Respond:
Are you currently in a waiting place? Are you waiting in faith, expecting to see God's good and perfect gift or living in a place of frustration because He doesn't seem to be doing things your way in your time?
Today, tell God you want to choose to honor Him as you wait.
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (NIV)
Psalm 33:20, "We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 23, 2012
What My Checkbook Says About Me
Glynnis Whitwer
"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." Proverbs 11:24 (NIV 1984)
Imagine walking into church one day to discover all your financial information on display. Your check register is copied as a bulletin insert. Your bank statement is in the pastor's PowerPoint presentation and his message is based on how you spent your money last week. Some people would sprint out the back door, horrified at the thought of their spending habits being exposed!
The way we handle money - how we earn it, spend it and give it away - shows what's important to us. A peek inside our checkbooks will tell what we value.
In the early years of my marriage, our checkbook definitely revealed the truth about what I valued and trusted ... and it wasn't God. My husband wanted to give 10% of our income to the church, and I continually talked him out of it, bargaining the percentage down with the promise of increasing it over time.
My lack of faith (in God and my husband) screamed through the entries in my check register.
Years later, I finally gave in to my husband's repeated requests to tithe. Sadly, it wasn't with serene faith and confidence. Rather, I secretly believed I'd be able to say, "I told you so" once and for all.
Imagine my surprise when God proved Himself faithful in spite of my unfaithfulness.
I learned a life-changing lesson: God can be trusted. Listening to great sermons didn't teach me this. Hearing how God answered my friend's prayer didn't teach me this. I had to learn it for myself. And one of the best ways to experience God's trustworthiness is to trust Him with our money.
Though many of us are uncomfortable talking about money, the Bible has over 2,000 verses referring to it. God knows that how we manage this necessary part of life is important to being an effective Christian because we practice obedience in an area few see.
Holding on to our money with an open hand shows we trust God. He's given us everything we have: our health, our jobs, our homes and our financial resources. Giving back to Him shows we trust that His Word is true, and we trust God to provide for our needs.
At the very heart of the whole issue of giving money to God is whether or not He can be trusted. The answer is "yes!" God can be trusted! Today, through the grace of God, my checkbook lines up with my words.
Dear Lord, You are worthy of all my trust. Forgive the times I doubt You and choose to trust myself. Thank You for giving me another chance to obey Your request to give with a generous heart. Help me to be a woman who lives out her faith in her checkbook and with her words. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion is adapted from the Bible study, 6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer. It's ideal for individual or small group use.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Learning to Live Financially Free by Marybeth Whalen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Why would obeying God with our money teach us to "put God first"?
Take a look at your bank statement or check register for the past few months. What do your spending habits (and what you don't spend money on) say about your values?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 14:23b, "The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives." (LB)
Malachi 3:10, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 24, 2012
From Altercation to Altar Call
Tracie Miles
"Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear." Matthew 13:8-9 (NIV)
I noticed my 12-year-old son involved in a commotion on the other side of the sanctuary. He was sitting with his youth group, just like he does every Sunday, on the opposite side from where my husband and I do.
I walked over there and motioned for my son to follow me into the lobby. There, we could discuss why an altercation was occurring in the church pew where he sat with his friends.
Apparently someone wanted to sit in the spot where he and another friend were sitting. And so, a middle-school-boy-scuffle ensued. Even though he had tears—due in part to receiving an elbow in the eye, but also hurt by pride and anger—he insisted on returning to sit with the rest of the youth.
Our pastor's sermon was about anger that morning. He shared ways we should respond, according to God's Word and gave a few examples:
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. (Proverbs 12:16 NIV)
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13 NLT)
When our pastor ended his sermon, soft music played as the congregation was invited to come to the altar if they felt God leading them to do so.
I noticed a young man at the altar, bent knees, buried face in his arms, praying. He looked familiar, but seemed bigger than my son ... Could it be?
Bending over to look closely, I discovered the young man kneeling at the altar was my son.
My heart pounded as I watched my little man becoming a young man in Christ right before my eyes. His heart had been moved by the Word of God ... straight to the altar.
After church, I asked Michael what he'd prayed about. "Mom, I listened to the pastor talk about anger, and felt bad for getting upset at my friend. So I asked God to forgive me and to help me control my temper."
I was at a loss for words for three reasons: my son was actually paying attention to the sermon! His heart was hurting and he was listening for God's leading. And when God spoke to his heart, scriptures resounded in his mind and compelled him to move.
Three simple steps: pay attention to God's voice, listen when He speaks through His Word, and move when He calls.
I may not have physical altercations with others, as boys often do. But I do have emotional and spiritual altercations as I face the trials, demands, temptations and frustrations that life brings.
My son's boldness to admit his need for forgiveness and strength, and to actually walk down to the altar, has prompted me to view my "altercations" in a new light.
Instead of letting my struggles take me down and make me feel discouraged, I'm following in my son's footsteps. Paying attention to God's voice, listening when He speaks through His Word, and moving when He calls.
Today, let's do the same. Let's respond to God's Word and lay our trials, fears and temptations at the foot of the cross, allowing God to mend our heart. With the faith of a child, we too can let our "altercations" lead us to the altar.
Dear Lord, today I want to pay attention to Your voice and move when You call. Please make my heart soft to forgive my friends and family. Thanks for Your help in this. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Tracie shares more truth on her blog. Click here to visit.
Many women allow the pain and shame of past sins to keep them from the altar. Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles will help you seek and accept God's forgiveness for past mistakes. Click here to order your copy today.
Reflect and Respond:
Pay attention to God's voice, listen when He speaks through His Word, and move when He calls.
Feeling down or discouraged? Follow in Michael's footsteps and bring your hurt to the Lord.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 3:15, "As has just been said: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" (NIV)
2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 25, 2012
Never Alone
Samantha Reed
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love." John 15:9-10 (NIV)
Miss Emma's wrinkled hands cupped my chin — her palm a reservoir for my tears. I walked down the hallways saying tearless goodbyes to 119 other residents, and yet my farewell with her released a levy of emotions.
The scattered pieces of my heart felt like they were blown about by the scurrying of nurses' footsteps and doctors' orders resounding off the walls of the nursing home.
I couldn't just abandon her. It felt utterly wrong to leave her alone, forsaken in this dark place.
Her family, or lack thereof, had rendered her anchorless; adrift in the lonely seas of a 120 bed facility. My first "real" job at "The Brick" would have been bleak if not for Miss Emma and a few others.
I didn't allow many details of this place further than the surface of my heart. Stories repeated ten times each day. Routines of medicine and meals and the meandering of hallways. Yet one name, one person chiseled deep into my heart: Miss Emma.
I perched on the edge of our goodbye, on the edge of her bed, hesitant to leave her. "Who'll sit in the sunshine with you? Who'll listen? Who'll sing hymns with you?"
Worry wrung my heart. Visions of Miss Emma, alone... lonely... made my jaw tense and ache with pain for her. A square punch by sadness will do that to a girl.
But not her. Beautiful brown saucers brimmed with confidence. I waded in the refreshing waters of her eyes, rich pools of wisdom.
"I'll be fine sugar ... I'm never alone. Don't you realize the One who created the sun sits with me? He listens always, hearing my prayers and needs. His presence is in the very words we sing to Him.
Child, we're never alone."
Tucked away from the world, Miss Emma changed mine. She lived tightly knit to the Vine. Abided in Jesus' love through His Word and worship and prayer. Miss Emma dwelled in this truth:
Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me. ~St. Patrick
Though abandoned by her earthly family, she rested in the knowledge that her Heavenly Father never would leave her. Indeed, He made a home in her so she could nestle in Him.
Might we lay down in this comforting truth today as well? Curl up in His love by writing a Scripture verse on our heart. Lean into God's sure presence through lifting our voice in praise. Abide in His peace with a time of prayer ... sharing and listening.
Christ is within us, before us, behind us. And as Miss Emma so confidently knew, He will never leave or forsake us. We're never alone.
Dear Lord, thank You for calling us Your children. And for making a home within us, so we may rest secure in You. Because You are our dwelling place, we are never alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Samantha's blog where she shares a memorable way for you to create a beautiful and easy visual of John 15:9-10, and enter to win her wonderful give-away, too!
Share this truth with a child in need through Compassion International.
Reflect and Respond:
Spend time today in our dwelling place, Jesus, through studying of the Bible, worship and prayer.
Let this truth fill your heart today, chasing away the loneliness, fear, and hurt:
Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me. ~St. Patrick
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)
Matthew 28:20b, "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NAS)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 26, 2012
Jesus Loves Those in Messy Marriages
Lysa TerKeurst
"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God." Jeremiah 17:7 (MSG)
I threw the cup of orange juice across the kitchen. It felt good to do something, anything, to release all the surging anger and frustration. And I didn't even mind cleaning the pulpy, sticky mess.
It felt soothing to know how to clean something. I knew how to wipe away this mess. And I liked seeing the mess disappear.
If only my marriage mess could be fixed with soap, water, and a handful of paper towels. If only.
I whispered, God, why does this have to be so hard?
Have you ever been there?
I think many of us have. Whether we're in a really tough marriage or just in a rough patch, marriage can be messy. Hurtful. Lonely.
No one ever told me about this side of marriage before I donned the white dress and danced to MC Hammer at the reception.
But after 20 years of learning, growing, and pressing through the messes to see something beautiful form in the midst of it all, here's what I know ...
Jesus loves those in messy marriages.
He loves me and my husband in the midst of it all. Jesus doesn't love the mess of hurt, isolation, and bitterness. Those are things He wants us to work on. But He never stops loving us.
Yes.
Jesus loves me. And His grace is strong enough to extend His love into every part of me. The good parts of me. The broken parts of me. The ugly parts of me. The bitter parts of me. The loving parts of me. And even the part of me that throws orange juice.
Yes, He loves me.
And Jesus loves my husband. His grace is strong enough to extend His love into every part of Him. The good parts of him. The broken parts of him. The ugly parts of him. The bitter parts of him. The loving parts of him. And even the part of him that looks at me like I'm crazy when I throw orange juice.
Since Jesus loves both of us, He's the best source of help for our marriage. I don't say that without a deep awareness of how stinkin' hard it is to go to Jesus when I'm mad as fire at my husband.
And I certainly don't say it in naive simplicity. Gracious, I know some of you are facing marriage situations that rip your heart into a thousand pieces every day.
But still, I know Jesus is the best source of help.
Honest cries for help lifted up to Jesus will not go unheard. He sees. He knows. He loves. And Jesus will direct you as long as you stick with Him.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 in The Message version reminds us:
But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.
So, how do I stick with Jesus? I proclaim I'm sticking with Jesus:
Jesus, I'm sticking with You.
I'm giving You what I don't understand and what I can't fix.
I'm giving You what I don't like about me.
I'm giving You what I don't like about him.
And I'm giving You what I don't like about my marriage.
I'm listening for Your instruction.
I'm positioning myself to go where I'll hear Your truth.
To talk to others who love You and serve You.
And to read wise instruction from good books and most importantly Your Book—the Bible.
And even if it kills me, I'm not throwing any orange juice today. Amen.
Jesus loves those in messy marriages. I should know. Though Art and I have a wonderful marriage now, we can still hit some rough patches now and then.
But you'll be happy to know I haven't thrown any orange juice across the kitchen lately.
Dear Lord, so much of me wants to stick with my anger and frustration. But I'm choosing to stick with You. Today I'm going to hold my temper, hold my tongue and hold Your Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you or a friend have ever felt like your marriage situation is impossible, click here to read Lysa's article Tearing Down the Impossible.
If you want prayer for your marriage or another marriage you know of, click here to leave your prayer request on Lysa's blog. It would be our team's honor to do this for you.
Capture His Heart for Wives by Lysa TerKeurst
Capture Her Heart for Husbands by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Honest cries for help lifted up to Jesus will not go unheard. He sees. He knows. He loves. And Jesus will direct you as long as you stick with Him.
Let's position our hearts to hear from Jesus today, even in the midst of sticky situations: spend time in the Word, in prayer, with others who love Him.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:26, 29-32, "'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry ... Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 27, 2012
When Your Mess Becomes Your Message
Micca Monda Campbell
"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)
My brother is a recovered addict. For twenty years, he was absent from our family due to addiction issues. Countless times we thought he was dead, and according to statistics, he should have been.
However, God happens to be in the restoration business. He is willing to restore and heal all who come to Him. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what has been done to you. God is willing and able to turn any tragedy into triumph. My brother is living proof.
After entering many programs with hopes of success and end results of failure, my brother finally found the answer: Jesus. It wasn't until my brother met the Lord that healing and true change occurred. Suddenly, all things became new.
What's most exciting is anyone can experience this kind of freedom!
The truth is, we don't have the strength, will power, or ability to free ourselves from bondage no matter what the bondage is—drugs, lust, gluttony, pride, anger, or fear. Until we renounce our sickness and surrender to Christ, we will never experience freedom. On the other hand, when we are willing to give King Jesus our mess, He turns it into our message.
Not a day goes by that my brother doesn't look for opportunities to brag on God and share His message of hope.
Take a few summers ago, for example. One evening, our families gathered for dinner at Red Lobster. His treat! Twenty-six year old Tiffany was our server. Right away, we noticed two things about Tiffany. She was a natural with people, and she was very pregnant. While we enjoyed her kind service, we had no idea that God would turn the tables and call us to serve her in a unique way.
It started when my sister refused to allow my brother to buy her dinner. While my sister loves to give to others, she's not so good on the receiving end. I, on the other hand, understood that it gave my brother great pleasure to pick up the check. The Lord knows I didn't want to deny him his blessing!
Poor Tiffany found herself caught in the middle of the argument. Eager to win, my brother said to our server, "You see, I was a drug addict for years. During that time, my sisters did a lot for me. Now, I just want to bless them as they have blessed me."
Tiffany's eyes widen. "You were a drug addict?" she inquired. "I would have never guessed."
"Yes. I was," my brother replied. "But Jesus changed all that." From there he told Tiffany his life-changing story.
"I went from being lost to being found; from being homeless to being a homeowner; from being an employee to owning my own business; from being bound by drugs to being set free in Christ."
Tears filled Tiffany's eyes as we shared God's love with her. That's not all. Later that week, we confirmed God's love to her by presenting her with a baby gift.
Oh, friends, when you and I—like my brother—allow God to turn our mess into our message, He not only changes our lives, but He changes the lives of others too.
Dear Lord, Your mercy astounds me. Your goodness overwhelms me as I cry out "heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I will be saved." God, give me opportunities to speak of Your hope so that others may know Your goodness and salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement on how to turn your mess into a message and see the miracle of God's work in your own life.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you longing for freedom? Renounce your sin and ask Jesus to save you and heal you. Then, tell people of His wonders this week!
What is keeping you from completely surrendering your struggles to God?
Do you look for ways to brag on God by sharing your story? Why or why not?
Power Verses:
Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (NAS)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 30, 2012
A New Way to Process Conflict
Amy Carroll
"When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly." Proverbs 31:26 (MSG)
It was like we were speaking two different languages. Even though my friend and I were both talking in English, we couldn't seem to understand each other. I started the conversation with the assumption we would see things the same way, but emotions rose, opinions conflicted, and wounds were inflicted. How did we get here?
After a little cooling-off period, I called a wise, truth-telling friend. I told her the basic outline of the conversation, trying to keep it neutral. Finally I asked, "What do you think went wrong?" She astutely turned the question back to me. "What could you have done differently?"
Honestly, at first, I couldn't think of one thing. After all, I was convinced this conflict wasn't my fault! But after some reflection, God began to soften my heart and show me some big mistakes I made.
I called my friend during an extremely busy time in her life with a suggestion that would add to her overloaded schedule. Instead of being sensitive, I pushed and pushed my own agenda. As our emotions escalated, my defensiveness increased, making my responses sharp and prickly.
My wise friend who I had called for advice gently prodded, "How could you have listened more carefully? Would truly listening have made you more compassionate? How could you have responded with more grace?"
For the rest of the afternoon, God etched a new way of interacting in hard situations on my heart. This is the truth He carved: Listen with compassion. Speak with grace.
Listen with Compassion
Years ago, my pastor shared an invaluable method for re-adjusting his attitude when dealing with conflict. He asks, "Is this behavior consistent with the person's general character?"
Wow! If I had applied that question in the conversation with my friend, I would have remembered her kindness, her servant heart and her calm nature. Then I might have wondered what was changing her normal response. I could have been compassionate toward her and the stress she was under. I would've listened with a heart to serve her, instead of insisting on my own way.
At its core, listening with compassion is simply obeying the biblical commands to die to ourselves (John 12:24-25) and to consider others more highly than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
Speak with Grace
Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (NIV). There is no downside to a gentle, grace-filled answer. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've often viewed responding this way as losing or giving in. That's simply not true. Needed truths can be told in very kind and gentle ways. Just think about how my wise friend treated me when I sought her advice.
Before I called my friend to ask for forgiveness and clear up the misunderstanding, I prayed for a Jesus-sized dose of compassion and grace.
Since then, I've been rehearsing "Listen with Compassion - Speak with Grace" over and over in my mind. Last week I had a chance to put it into practice when I received a difficult email. My first response was defensiveness, but then I started to repeat my new way of processing until I could hear the needs in the email with compassion and respond with grace.
I love how God gave me the chance to practice when I had time to take a breath, pause, rehearse my new motto and then respond. Life and relationships are filled with conflict, so I have no doubt I'll have a chance to practice again. Next time, I'm praying I'll be ready!
Related Resources:
God, Grace and Girlfriends by Mary Snyder
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more and consider Amy as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Amy's blog for more insights into dealing with conflict in relationships.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Who am I focused on during a hard conversation? Am I really trying to understand the person who is speaking or already working on my defense?
If you feel yourself becoming defensive, make yourself pause and put yourself in the other person's shoes.
Remind yourself that responding with kindness and grace is a win-win.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:27, "A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered." (NLT)
Proverbs 18:15, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; for the ears of the wise seek it out." (NIV)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 1, 2012
When Life Breaks You
Samantha Reed
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see." Hebrews 11:1 (MSG)
It was a hard year. Heart-breakin' hard.
A dream I nurtured for ten years went up in flames. This hope wasn't a passing flight-of-fancy. It was a promise I fully believed was from the Lord.
Staying the course and believing for so long was exhausting. And thrilling. Yet in a flash my dream died. My heart was burned and the ashes seemed a proper place to fall.
Sad and unresponsive to encouragement, I stayed there a long, long time. My hands {emptied of hope} filled with fists of ashes.
I knew I needed to get up; I just couldn't muster the elusive 'oomph' to do it. Grief was the only emotion that felt natural; sorrow was comfortable.
Yet I knew, wallowing in the embers would be the death of me as well. And here's the sweet thing: God knew this too. He unwaveringly kneeled next to me, extending a helping-hand up. He promised: This isn't the end. Give Me the ashes; I'll do something with them. Something beautiful.
He spoke this message in hundreds of ways. But it wasn't until He was silent that I heard Him at a concert.
It was barely noticeable. Permanently engraved on the girl's foot in front of me, the swirly feminine font contrasted with dark masculine ink: Beauty for ashes.
And there He was. Our God of redemption and resurrection, speaking His timeless message once again.
For me. For you. Give Me the ashes; I'll do something with them. Something beautiful.
That was several years ago. And I wish I could tie up my story with a pretty bow. Say that I unclenched my fists; gave God the soot. Have been happy-go-lucky since then. But I won't. Cause I can't.
I want to be real. And real is the fact that it's taken every day between then and now to see redeeming qualities from the heartbreak. To be honest, I still don't see much beauty from such devastation.
But like I said, I want to be real. And real is also my trust ... my faith ... in a God who makes life worth living. When I can't get a handle on my emotions or wrap my mind around the questions, I'll stay committed to...
Take Him at His Word, despite circumstances. Believe He a creative Creator. Hope for what is unseen.
I'll continue to look for His goodness, our firm foundation, even if it's from a pile of ashes. Because truly, the most beautiful thing I see from these years and this pain is a faithful God.
One who stands by. One who redeems – all things. One who creates masterpieces out of muck.
A God who took the most hopeless situation and the ultimate death ... and resurrected hope. Resurrected our Hope: Jesus.
And there is the spark we need to light a new fire in us to Give Me the ashes; I'll do something with them. Something beautiful.
Dear Lord, I can't see how good will come from my pain. But You are my creative Creator and I know You can work masterpieces out of muck. Today, I recommit my hope and faith in You, and I'm looking up to You. Thanks for kneeling beside me so faithfully. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Find hope each month with P31 Woman magazine
Samantha Reed is saying "yes" to the Lord this year. Yes to getting out of the ashes, to hope, to beauty. Join her here!
Daily encouragement is waiting for you on our Facebook page.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you opted to stare at the ashes, rather than gaze at God? This could be the day you Give Me the ashes; I'll do something with them. Something beautiful.
The most beautiful thing we can see from hard years and much pain is a faithful God. One who stands by. One who redeems - all things. One who creates masterpieces out of muck.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction ..." (ESV)
Psalm 3:3-4, "But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill." (ESV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 2, 2012
The Faith of a Child
Lynn Cowell
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
"You expect her to have the faith of a 44 year old when she's only 14!"
Ouch. My husband hit the nail on the head. I want our children to grasp hold of our faith, yet it is hard to know how to do this in a way they can receive. I often make the mistake of wanting our kids to understand and act on my faith like I do but, like my husband reminded me, they're only teenagers.
Life is busy and time seems short. I want to make the most of the precious moments I have as a mom, yet not preach every time I open my mouth.
So how can we pour truth into our children's hearts in a gentle flow and not like a fire hose? God's Word gives the answer: weave His truths into everyday life when sitting, walking, laying down and getting up. Any moment can become a teachable moment. Here are some ideas that work for me:
Share what God's doing in your own life
One of my favorite things to do is sit with my girls and listen about their day. Even better is when we catch up over a special treat. Last Friday we made it a milkshake from our favorite restaurant.
When I give my children my undivided attention to hear about their day, it opens a door to talk about mine. I try to specifically tell what God is doing in my life or teaching me. In this way, I'm not really teaching but sharing, which seems to go over well!
Read God's Word together
Each morning as my girls eat breakfast, I read to them from a daily devotional book. This works great since I have a captive audience!
Lead a small group with their friends
Every other Monday, Madi and five of her freshman girlfriends come over for a Bible study together. This is a wonderful way to teach my daughter and those in her life about Jesus' crazy love for them, as well as being in touch with the ins and outs of teen life.
"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." God's wisdom is so perfect for us when it comes to investing His truth into our kid's lives. When sharing God's Word with our family, let's capture the everyday moments and look for creative ways to make each one a teachable one.
Dear Lord, open my eyes to see opportunities that are right before me each day to share Your truth. I want this overflow to become a natural part of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell
Visit Lynn's blog for tips on making important conversations, natural conversations when it comes to sharing Jesus. She's giving away a signed copy of her book His Revolutionary Love as well as a gift card to take your special someone out for coffee!
Click here for your free leadership guide to His Revolutionary Love and well as other free resources. This group might be just the thing to put a smile on your face as well as your girl's.
Reflect and Respond:
What keeps you from sharing God's truth with your family more often? Fear of rejection? Fear you won't say the right thing?
You don't have to know everything in order to share one thing.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." (NIV)
Psalm 78:4, "We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." (NIV, 1984)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 3, 2012
Letters to Pastors
Lysa TerKeurst
"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV 1984)
Recently, I shared part of my story at four services at my home church. It was one of the biggest honors of my life. And my biggest take away? I don't know how pastors do it.
Honest to goodness, I don't.
Sitting on the front row as each finished worship song signaled it was getting closer and closer to the time for me to step on stage, my heart became more and more desperate for Jesus to come back. Right now. Rapture? Hello? God? Please?
But no rapture came.
And soon there I was in front of my home church sweating like a toad on a hot tin roof. If toads sweat. I have no idea. And I'm way too tired to Google it. Anyhow.
There is something so different about speaking at your home church.
I felt a weight of responsibility. I felt it in my heart. I felt it in my soul. I felt it in my brain.
And I thought to myself, how does my pastor do this every week? How does he craft a new sermon, get comfortable with that completely new material, carry the weight of responsibility, feel the anxiety of walking up on that stage, deliver a timed message in tune with the Holy Spirit, and then do it 2 to 3 more times during that same weekend? And. Then. Do. It. All. Again. Next. Weekend.
Seriously.
And when I was finished speaking, I sat down and decided I was going to write my pastor a letter. A letter to tell him how much I appreciate what he does and how much he sacrifices each and every week.
So I was thinking, maybe this would be a good thing for us to do together today. Let's pull out a piece of stationary or a card, and write our pastors some words of encouragement in a thank you note. And if we happen to know what his favorite restaurant is, and we're able, let's send him a gift card to take his wife out for dinner.
She carries the weight too. In a big way. As a matter of fact, let's write her a note of thanks as well.
Just as Paul urged the Thessalonians to esteem those working for the Lord, might I encourage you today? Our pastors and their wives work hard each week. Let's send a little love their way!
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift You've given my pastor to teach and preach Your precious Word. Please show me specific ways to encourage him and his wife today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To read "5 Ways to Bless Your Pastor," click here.
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa might be coming to speak in a city near you. To see her schedule, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
If you're honest, which do you do more of: think/speak critical thoughts, or pray encouraging prayers for your pastor and his wife?
Let's stop right this second and write our pastors a thank you note.
Power Verse:
Hebrews 3:13a, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today' ..." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 4, 2012
Women: Friend or Foe?
Rachel Olsen
" ... a sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9 (MSG)
Years ago I would've told you that I don't much like women. I counted a few as friends, but the rest I dismissed as too much trouble. Never a "tomboy" by any stretch of the imagination, I just found guys easier to deal with. They generally say what they mean, let you know where you stand, and never size you up to determine who has the better haircut.
I didn't want to distrust women, but the majority of females in my life at the time evoked that response. They were catty, competitive and conniving. They gossiped, backstabbed and manipulated. I have to admit that I often responded in kind. Isn't it strange how addictive relational drama can be?
I'm told you can put a frog in a pot of cold water on the stove and gradually turn up the heat, and it will stay in the pot until it reaches a fatal boil without attempting to escape. Evidently the frog doesn't realize how unhealthy the situation is slowly becoming. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that fable - I'd never boil a frog! - but I've been in a few friendships like that. I stayed way too long in the pot before I realized this isn't healthy for me, and I got burned.
So what lead me to flip-flop my position on having girlfriends? First, I decided to become friends with God. This sparked beneficial changes in my mind and spirit. Where I had been cynical and guarded, God's love penetrated and softened my heart. I learned the meaning of Proverbs 18:24, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (NIV 1984). Christ was now my forever friend who could be trusted completely.
I also made changes in my choice of girlfriends. Through the Holy Spirit and lessons on character in the book of Proverbs, I learned to recognize which people and relational patterns were unhealthy for me.
I was ready to be rid of the drama! The Bible teaches, "He who walks with the wise grows wise" (Proverbs 13:20a NIV). I wanted to walk with wise women through life. Many of my current-at-the-time friendships ran their natural course and dissolved. A few transformed along with me.
But there were a few I deliberately phased out because my own character wasn't strong enough yet to remain Christ-like in their company.
Meanwhile, I prayed for quality friendships with women of faith. God heard my prayers. Fun-loving, God-loving, gracious women at my church sought me out and invited me out. And I made the choice to trust and invest in them. I discovered how beneficial it is to surround yourself with women who inspire your walk with God.
Over time, God birthed in me a huge love and great compassion for women. I began seeing them through His eyes and not just the lens of my own hurtful past. I realized that not all women are like those I had known. I also learned to forgive and pray for those who've hurt me. Today I cherish my friendships with the women in my life.
Dear Lord, I want to have good friends, and to be a good friend. Help me to develop godly friendships that honor and draw others to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
It's No Secret: Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Connect with Rachel today on her blog.
Reflect and Respond:
Study the book of Proverbs and learn the traits of trustworthy character so you can develop them yourself and recognize them in others.
Is there someone you can befriend? Striking up a friendship can be a great way to introduce a gal to Christ.
Do you find yourself entangled in an unhealthy relationship? Are you in emotional hiding after being burned? Take that to God and ask Him to heal and bring restoration to your heart. Ask Him to send godly, wise women into your life. Then muster up the courage to respond and befriend them.
Power Verses:
James 2:23, "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend." (NIV)
Proverbs 22:11, "If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend." (GNT)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 7, 2012
But I Have a Right to Be Angry
Tracie Miles
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." James 1:19-20 (NLT)
I had been lied to, betrayed and hurt. I was angry, and thought I had every right to be.
Day after day, anger crushed my desire to forgive. Although I had asked God to fill my heart with mercy, my mental list of reasons I should be mad kept overriding my empty prayers.
It was as if voices in my head were arguing with each other. One tried to convince me I was correct in feeling angry; the other tried to persuade me that mercy was the right choice.
For months, the loudest voice was the one that aligned with my damaged emotions, and unfortunately the one I listened to. Yes, I have a right to be angry. Anyone would agree.
Listening to the voice of bitterness and unforgiveness, I started lashing out in my actions with impatience and unkindness. Oh, I could play the good-Christian-girl for a while, masking my feelings. But if something was said or done to trigger my suppressed hurt, hostility and resentment would catapult to the surface.
Reading our key verse from James one morning, I felt God urging me to realize the misleading direction my emotions were taking me, and damage they were doing. I couldn't help but notice how it says "everyone" should be slow to speak and slow to anger.
This truth from God's Word left no room for my excuses or righteous indignation, even though I felt like my anger was justified for being wronged. And then a few verses later, I read James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (NIV).
I knew that from a worldly perspective, I had every right to be angry. But from God's perspective, my anger was adding to the sin of the situation. My unforgiveness was keeping me from living out the reality of the Gospel in my own life—by extending the same mercy and forgiveness God has given me through Jesus.
Through the words of James, God softened my heart, making me aware that although I said I'd forgiven this person with my words, I had not forgiven with my heart and it was time to do so and move on.
In every area of life, including managing our most powerful emotions, God tells us to be quick to listen (to Him and others), slow to speak and slow to become angry. As we apply these practices in our relationships, we become 'doers' of His Word, not just 'hearers' and that leads to the righteousness God desires in each of us.
Dear Lord, please forgive me for harboring anger in my heart. Equip me with a supernatural ability to forgive those who have hurt me and to guard my heart when old emotions threaten to surface. Strip my heart of anger and replace it with joy. Thank You for Your mercy. Help me be more merciful because of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more discussion on anger management and forgiveness.
30 Days To Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you felt justified in your anger towards someone?
Today, might you ask God to help you sincerely forgive them with your whole heart, so you can be freed from the bondage of negative emotions?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:26-27, "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:30-31, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 8, 2012
Desperate Enough
Glynnis Whitwer
"She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped." Luke 8:44 (NIV 1984)
Having three little boys in five years just about did me in. There was no such thing as a routine, as much as I tried to implement one. Just when I thought I had one behavior issue figured out, another one popped up.
Parenting books were somewhat helpful, but they didn't address how to manage three kids, with three unique personalities, at once. What worked for one didn't work for another. I was drowning and desperate.
My husband and I signed up for a parenting class at church, and received a glimpse of hope. We wanted more than one class, but there was no one to head up a parenting ministry. Our pastoral team was overwhelmed with existing responsibilities. Even though their hearts wanted to offer more, their time was limited. So when one of the pastors asked us to help out with the parenting ministry, we were desperate enough to say "yes."
As we stepped into a leadership role, we discovered most people declined to help, saying they didn't feel qualified. "Neither do we," we replied. But we were ready to try anything to get support, even revealing to everyone that we weren't perfect parents.
For the few years we led the parenting ministry we had to step far out of our comfort zone and risk much in order to get help. But it worked. As we shared our problems with other parents, we received wise counsel and practical suggestions that made a big difference.
Thousands of years ago there was another woman who was just desperate enough to get help. She had been bleeding for 12 years and no one could help her. But when Jesus came to her neighborhood, she was ready to try anything. I imagine she was embarrassed, and weakened because of her bleeding. She must have gathered every ounce of energy and courage to get to Jesus.
The Bible tells us there were crowds following Jesus that day. Yet somehow, this determined woman navigated her way through the masses to touch the cloak of Jesus, and the Bible tells us she was healed immediately.
In spite of all those people who must have been pressing up against Jesus, He knew someone had reached out and touched Him. As He stopped, the people stumbled into each other, turning their heads to determine what happened. In a gentle voice, Jesus asked, "Who touched me?"
After everyone denied it was them, the woman came trembling before Him. She told Jesus and the assembled crowd why she had touched Jesus and how He had healed her. Jesus then said to the women, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
Desperation causes people to do different things. Some people make wrong choices, believing their backs are against a wall. Some people go into hiding, hoping a problem will go away.
Yet others are desperate enough to do something risky and full of humility to get help. Sometimes God uses other people to help us, and sometimes He is the only One who has the answers.
In the difficult times we face, many of us have problems that push us to the point of desperation. It is my prayer that instead of desperation defeating you, it motivates you to seek help. Whether God Himself provides your deliverance, or He uses someone else, trust He already has a plan to help.
Dear Lord, only You know the desperation I feel right now. Only You see the troubles that weigh me down. I confess that I don't have the strength or wisdom to find an answer. However, I trust that You are already planning my deliverance. I trust in Your perfect timing. Please show me what to do next, and direct me to the source of help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When Your Child is Hurting (eBook) by Glynnis Whitwer
Always There, an inspiring compilation of devotions for moms written by Renee Swope, Ann Voskamp, Kim Hill, Haley DiMarco, Susan Wallace and many more.
Visit Glynnis' blog where she's giving away a copy of Always There and sharing more encouragement for desperate moms.
Reflect and Respond:
Identify one problem in your life that seems overwhelming. Commit to telling one person about that problem this week, and asking for prayer.
Pray Psalm 142:6 below when you're feeling desperate.
Power Verses:
Psalm 142:6, "Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me." (NIV)
Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." (NAS)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 9, 2012
Letting God Fill My Empty Places
Renee Swope
"You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1, NIV
It was a source she'd come to depend on. A place she went to get her needs met. But it was never enough; every day she came back for more.
Filling her jar with water, the woman looked up and heard Him ask her for a drink. Then He offered her something in return: living water. Unlike the water she came to get that day, He said the water He offered would satisfy her so deeply she'd never thirst again.
But she had a hard time believing His promise. "You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?" (John 4:11) She asked.
What she didn't realize was that Jesus wanted to satisfy a deeper thirst in her heart — a longing He'd created to lead her heart to Him: the One and only Source that could satisfy her soul.
All He needed to draw with was His Spirit, for it would draw her near to Him. And as far as the depth of the well, it was her heart He was looking into. She was the only one who could stop Him from reaching the parts that needed Him most.
I know that place of needing Jesus to look into my heart and show me the emptiness only He can fill.
Like the woman at the well, I've depended on other means to get my needs met. Yet when I look to them, instead of Him, they are never enough.
I've looked to people: family and friends, bosses and boyfriends, teachers and mentors, my husband and kids. I've longed for their approval and the affirmation that comes with it.
I've also looked to possessions and positions and accidentally put my hope in recognition. I've thought "if only I had or could..."
But no matter how much I do or get, it's never enough to fill me up. And it's not supposed to be.
Why? Because the empty places in our hearts were created to be filled by God alone. The deepest thirst of our soul can only be quenched by Him.
We see this deep thirst even in King David, who had everything: the highest position, unlimited possessions, and great power, yet none of it was enough. He described himself as parched and thirsty for God:
You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Ps. 63:1)
Then David went on to describe what he experienced when he drank deeply of God's love:
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live
and in your name I will lift up my hands. (vv. 2–4)
And the same thing happened to the woman Jesus met at the well that day. She drank deeply of His love and was filled to overflow, and we can be too.
Just like the woman at the well, God put a longing in our hearts that was intended to lead us back to Him. Only His unconditional acceptance, approval and affirmation can fill the empty places in our hearts - the deepest thirst of our souls. Until God's love and acceptance is enough, nothing else will be.
Dear Lord, show me the empty places in my heart and ways I try to fill them. Then lead me back to You and show me how I can position my heart to be filled and fulfilled by Your promises and the power of Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
How can we let God fill the empty places in our hearts each day? Visit Renee's website/blog for a practical and powerful way to identify your empty places and let God fill them on a daily basis. You don't want to miss it!
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. This best-selling book dives deep into the Living water of God's Word. Find more truths to fill the well of your heart by clicking here.
Letting God Fill My Empty Places a message on CD by Renee Swope
For more daily encouragement and powerful truths, join Renee's Confident Heart Facebook page.
Reflect and Respond:
Only God's unconditional acceptance, approval and affirmation can fill the empty places in our hearts - the deepest thirst of our souls. Until God's love and acceptance is enough, nothing else will be.
Ask God to help you identify your empty places and show you how HE can fill them. Click here for an illustration Renee shares of how she's learned to do this.
Power Verses:
Psalm 143:8, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." (NIV)
Jeremiah 2:13, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (NIV, 1984)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 10, 2012
I Quit
Lysa TerKeurst
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)
My heart is stirred today to say it's time to quit.
Not ministry.
Not a relationship.
But quit being critical of someone I love very much. The crazy thing is, I'm not a critical person. But I've found myself slipping into a pattern of giving this person what they give me.
They criticize.
So, I've started criticizing back. A lot.
And I'm feeling very convicted this morning that I need to model a different attitude and approach to life.
Last month, my pastor said something very convicting in his sermon, "Jesus didn't die so we'd be sorry. He died and then He was resurrected so we'd be changed."
Changed.
There is a big difference between being sorry and being changed.
To be sorry means to feel bad. It's a temporary little prick of the heart.
But change only comes when we're repentant. Being repentant is a deeper conviction to actually correct and transform our behavior—our habit—our wrong tendency.
In 2 Corinthians 7:10 we learn, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow leads to death." Leaves no regret—those are powerful words.
I want to live a life of no regrets.
And I think today is really good day to address something that could lead to a big ol' pile of regret.
So, each time I'm feeling the need to criticize I'm going to see it as a call to flip my words to encouragement.
I might still need to address some issues with this person but I will do it by pointing out their strengths and the responsibilities that come with those strengths rather than constantly focusing on their weaknesses.
For example, "You are an influencer! Have you noticed when you are happy others are happy but when you are negative it really affects those around you? I need your help to keep things positive today. Do you think you can accept this leadership role? How can you be a positive influence in this situation?"
I'm not naive enough to think this will be easy. I will need grace. They will need grace. But at least if I'm aware of how I need to change, change can be set in motion.
Are you up for quitting some old habit, negative attitude, or wrong tendency? I know I am. The next time we're presented with an opportunity, let's remember the words of my pastor, "Jesus didn't die so we'd be sorry. He died and then He was resurrected so we'd be changed."
Dear Lord, I'm ready to quit. Instead of critical words, I want to speak kind and encouraging ones. Will You please help me make this shift? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Longing for a deeper connection between what you know in your head and your everyday reality? The book Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst is a great place to start!
For a chance to win a Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl book and Bible study kit, visit Lysa's blog today: www.LysaTerKeurst.com
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year. Click here to see if she'll be near you!
Reflect and Respond:
There is a big difference between being sorry and being changed. To be sorry means to feel bad. It's a temporary little prick of the heart. But change only comes when we're repentant.
Are you up for quitting an old habit? Here's a good one to start with: each time you feel the need to criticize, flip your words to encouragement.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 16:24, "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." (ESV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 11, 2012
A Mother's Hands
T. Suzanne Eller
"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
She held out the soft white blanket scalloped in pink ribbon. "I'm not sure I want to give it to her," my mom said. The stitches were a bit looser than my mother's past handiwork, but I could see love in every crocheted inch.
I held her hands in my own. Her once slender fingers were bent and swollen at the joints. I imagined her holding the crochet needles and weaving the yarn in and out for hours and days, until the blanket was complete. It is an heirloom for her first great-grandchild, one created with pain and love.
I think I take my mother's hands for granted. They have caressed my cheek. They have made me wear a coat (even when I protested that I was a mother of three grown children). They have dialed the cell phone she loves, and hates, so she could talk to "her Suzie." Her hands have penned cards that showed up in my mailbox saying "I love you."
An old 70s song says, "Time keeps on slipping, slipping, into the future." There is truth in those lyrics. I see the passage of time in my mother's hands. I also see it as moments pass into hours and then into days in a whirl.
Life is always busy, like this month when the white board on the refrigerator lists church events, dentist visits, showers and weddings and graduations, as well as other details like pay the bills, mow the lawn, clean the house.
Recently I realized that my mother was moving further down on that list. A week passed. A month flew by. The phone calls came. "Hey, Suz, just calling to say I miss you."
One day I received an email from a friend. Her mom was sick. For the next few weeks I prayed, reading every update. One night I read the email from my beautiful friend that expressed her love for her ailing mom, and prayer for strength to say goodbye.
Suddenly it hit me how little time I actually devoted to my mother. I held the email and wept. The next day I made a date with my mom. She was like a girl; she laughed on the phone as we made plans.
My mom and I had the best time at lunch and I was inspired to make a point to love on her more frequently. So I came up with "Love Points" which include a few things I try to do each week.
Write. Leave a note in an unexpected place.
Give. Spend time with no strings attached (help work in the garden, go to lunch, sit and chat).
Touch. Especially if your loved one is older or widowed and they are not touched in positive ways any more. (Massage their hands. Hold their hand. Touch their face or hair.)
Affirm. Tell them one encouraging thing that you believe about them.
I pray I stay committed to showing my mom love. And that I have many more opportunities to hang out with her. But more than that I pray I don't take her for granted.
Life most likely won't slow down. But as I devote time to worthwhile endeavors, I don't want to forget that in the grand scheme of things, holding my mother's hands is one of the most priceless investments I'll ever make.
Dear Lord, thank You for my loved ones. Life gets so hectic, and sometimes it's hard to slow down long enough to show them how much I care. Please help me to slow down and recognize what is of little value so that I can invest in people with immense value. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog for more encouragement or join her Moms Together Facebook community.
Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
"The most important thing that should totally absorb our lives down here is the practice of real love. Why? Because love lasts. Love will be the only thing that matters in eternity." ~Jill Brisco, author of Love that Lasts.
Is there someone you need to spend more time with?
Power Verses:
John 15:12b, "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." (NLT)
Matthew 6:21, "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 14, 2012
Hiding My Tears
Ali Smith
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
For years I kept my tears far from the eyes of anyone else. I simply refused to cry. Hiding my tears started with one little tooth.
"Just tilt your head back, close your eyes and I'll yank it out on the count of three ... ready? 1 ... 2 ... 3!"
I was only six, too little for that sharp surge of pain that rushed through my mouth. So of course it was only natural I burst into tears.
"You big cry baby!" That's my dad for you. The big heroic tooth extractor laughed.
All I could do was whimper amid muffled sobs, "But it hurts!" I nursed the gaping hole in my gums with a soggy paper towel. My historic moment of bravery turned into one pathetic flop. I had proved myself an official wimp.
That day sealed the deal. Crying became a strictly private and pretty much non-existent affair ... even into my adult years. Any time I felt tears coming, like a dam about to burst, I forced them to stay where I thought they belonged: hidden deep within my soul for no one else to see.
When I stumbled across these two treasured lines my perspective on crying changed: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 56:8b (NLT)
I couldn't believe it. Someone else wanted to store my tears! And in a far better place than the corners of my heart. Isn't it amazing to think each droplet we've shed over our years of experiences {including losing our first tooth} has been collected in a precious bottle? Held near and dear to our Father's heart.
You see, God doesn't laugh when we cry. He doesn't tell us to toughen up or turn the page on our tears like they don't exist. Instead, He picks us up on His lap and wraps us in His loving arms as we pour out our hearts to Him. Our Lord loves for us to let Him in on our deepest felt emotions.
I wonder what might cause your tears to flow right now—unanswered prayers ... unmet promises ... uncertainties of life—they are seen and saved by the One who comforts and cares for your every need.
Whatever is holding you back, may I encourage you? Open the floodgate of your heart and release your tears, sit quietly with the Lord and listen. Journal. Or take a walk and give your tears to Him. His arms are open and He is waiting for you to come to Him.
Dear Lord, thank You that You created me with tear ducts and all. Keep me from hiding my emotions out of fear of what others might think. Grant me the courage to cry, knowing that You will be there to comfort and console my heart in all of life's circumstances. Your love never fails and I am so very grateful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you turned to Jesus as your Comforter?
{w}hole: An Honest Look at the Holes in Your Life and How to Let God Fill Them by Lisa Whittle
Ali Smith serves as a contributing writer for She Seeks, our division for 20'somethings! If you're in your 20s or love someone who is we hope you'll stop by today!
Reflect and Respond:
Was crying an acceptable thing in your family growing up? Reflect on ways in which your perspective on tears was shaped based on your upbringing.
What keeps you from expressing your emotions fully and freely around those you love? Ask God to show you what might be blocking or hindering your ability to be vulnerable.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (NIV)
Psalm 62:8, "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." (NIV)
© 2012 by Ali Smith. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 15, 2012
When Things are Out of Our Hands
Samantha Reed
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NASB)
Smudges of the rich soil lingered on our arms. Arching our aching backs, we surveyed our work. Although out of sight underground, the seeds planted held great potential. Hours of planning, mixing the just-right soil, and building our raised garden beds were complete. We did what we could. What those vegetable seeds decided to do after that was out of our hands.
There have been other times when God did something that was out of my hands. Circumstances I had no say over, but He spoke life into. Relationships I couldn't control, but He had under His authority.
Javier and I were neighbors in college more than a decade ago. Our roommates dated, so naturally we hung out often. We cooked dinner. Spent lazy afternoons watching movies. Cheered next to each other at football games. When I took guitar lessons, Javier taught me chords. Despite all this time together, I'm sorry to say I rarely brought the Lord up in conversation.
Since graduating, Javier and I have kept in touch sporadically over the last twelve years. When he sent this email a while back, I was amazed.
Sam, I just wanted to thank you for being in my life in college. I came to Christ about four years or so ago and when looking back in my life, I think of people that were examples I wanted to follow.
Even though we hardly talked about God, I knew you were a Christian and really admired that about you. Talk about planting a seed that didn't bear fruit right away. Ten years in the making. I am glad I am able to tell people who helped me find Christ how important they were. ~Javier
Never would I have imagined my quietness would speak so loud. Our key verse teaches if we are faithful to sow into others, God will be faithful to make our seeds bear fruit: a relationship with Him.
Have you been praying for a loved one's salvation? Or seeking God's favor to restore your child, parent, spouse or sibling to Him?
Maybe you've done all you can do. Planted every seed you can think of. Gotten on your knees. Shared verses. Forwarded email devotions. Gifted Bibles and books. Sent worship CDs. Yet no sprout is appearing from the hard ground of their heart.
I wish I had a 5-Step Planting Program to refer you to. Wish I could say you should do what I did with Javier. Invited him to Bible study. Or welcomed him to prayer group. Or learned the latest worship song on the guitar together. Maybe even related my favorite scripture to our school studies.
While these are wonderful, they weren't the seeds I planted in college. Instead, I simply lived out my daily relationship with Jesus. Some days my example was a bit more stellar than others, but for better or worse, seeds were planted. Day-to-day Javier saw me just quietly trusting in the Lord; hoping in His divine interventions; finding joy in His character.
I don't know how much you've prayed, or what seeds you've planted, on behalf of your loved one. I do know this: when we quietly, consistently, faithfully plant seeds, the Lord will honor that. He will bring others around our loved one to water the seeds we've sown. And most importantly, He will make them grow. When the results are out of our hands, we can trust them in His.
Dear Lord, thank You for caring about my loved one's salvation even more than I do. Please use me to plant seeds into their life, bring others to water it, and I ask that You cause it to grow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Cup of Cold Water in Jesus' Name by Lorie Newman
Get inspiration delivered each month with a P31 Woman magazine subscription.
Visit Samantha's blog for neat ways to sow seeds in others and to see how He's using her veggie garden for ministry, too!
Reflect and Respond:
Is there someone you have prayed to come to salvation for years? Re-read Javier's email and take heart. Seeds take time to grow. Keep praying. Our God is the God of hope (Romans 15:13).
Perhaps it's time to follow up with that person if you don't talk to them regularly.
Who in your life doesn't know the Lord? What seed can you plant that could be part of their salvation story?
Power Verse:
Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (NIV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 16, 2012
If God loves me, why...?
Renee Swope
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Soon after I surrendered my life to Christ, I started struggling with painful things from my past that made me doubt God's promises for my future. I wondered: If God loves me, why has He allowed so much pain in my life?
If He loved me, why did God allow my family to be broken by adultery and divorce, shattered by confusion and chaos, shaken by alcohol and drug addictions and so much more? And why didn't He stop me from the pain I brought on myself, or keep me from the darkness of depression?
One afternoon I found the courage to tell my friend Wanda about my doubts and questions. I was surprised she didn't give me a pat answer, but looked at me with understanding in her eyes and told me she was sorry. Then she shared her story, which included many disappointments and heartbreaks. Yet, I didn't sense doubt or pain in her words. Instead, I sensed confidence and hope.
Turning the pages of her Bible to Jeremiah 29, Wanda read today's key verse as a promise to me: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (v. 11)
She then told me God wanted to heal the pain of my past and use what I'd experienced to pave the way to His plans for my future. But I didn't want God to use my pain or my past. How would any of it do anything good for anyone, especially me?
Have you ever felt that way about your pain or your past? Have you ever asked: "If God loves me, then why...?"
These are the kind of questions that can linger in our hearts when we've been wounded and disappointed. And hurts that aren't healed can lead to bitterness and bondage.
Yet, in the security of a relationship with Jesus, God invites us to ask hard questions and look for answers that usher us into the depths of His redeeming love and healing power.
Can I whisper some hope into your heart today? If you are living and breathing, your purpose has not yet been fulfilled. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God does have a plan for your life.
So, how can you discover those plans? Let's read the premise that follows the promise in Jeremiah 29. After God declares He knows the plans He has for us, He says, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (v.12-13)
We find God's plans when we surrender ours to Him each day. It's a moment by moment process of coming to Him, talking to Him, believing He listens and letting Him love us into a place of hope and healing.
God's love is not a quick-fix for our wounds, but it has the power to redeem and restore us into confident hope. When we allow the Holy Spirit poured out like Living water to go deep into our pain, He can heal our hearts from the inside out.
As we process the pain of our yesterdays and live through the disappointments of our todays, doubts may still creep up, threatening to steal our hope. But each time that happens, we can stop and seek God in that place. We can ask Him to show us His purpose by revealing what is true about who we are and what we have been through to make us start doubting.
Then we can ask Him to help us re-define our future, not through the filter of our past and pain, but through the power of His life-giving truth. And do you know what happens when we do that moment by moment, day by day, doubt by doubt? God tells us in Jeremiah 29:14, "I will be found by you...and will bring you back from captivity."
We find Him again and again. We find the One who longs to lead us out of captivity to our doubts into a place of freedom and hope. I know this is true because I have walked it, wrestled with it, resisted it and finally surrendered to it.
God's love is not only unfailing, it redeems and restores. His Truth cuts to the core of our struggles, bringing purpose to our pain, redemption from our past and hope for our future!
Lord, heal my hurts and give me hope as I learn to trust the plans You have for me. I'm coming to You and seeking You with all my heart today. Please set me free from my doubts and lead me into a place of confident hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Have a Relationship with Jesus?
This devotion is based on Chapter 4 of Renee's best-selling book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Visit Renee's website/blog where she shares more of her story and a powerful way you can learn to process your past with Jesus and fully experience His healing and hope for your future! Enter to win A Confident Heart gift pack and gift card, too. Find out more here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost.
Reflect and Respond:
"If you are living and breathing, your purpose has not yet been fulfilled. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God does have a plan for your life."
Has the pain of your past made it hard to believe God's promises and plans for your future? Renee shares the process of learning to let go of the pain from her yesterdays so she could live with confident hope and healing in her todays and tomorrows. Click here for more of her story.
Power Verse:
Psalm 71:5, "For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 17, 2012
Grace Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Good
Lysa TerKeurst
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
I like this verse. I really do. It interrupts me. It redirects me.
But most of all it challenges me.
And the part that challenges me the most is the "full of grace" part. My conversations should be full of grace. In other words, the bulk of my words should be made up of grace towards the person with whom I'm conversing.
I don't know if you've ever tried this, but it's hard.
The other day I knew I was going to have a challenging day with one of my daughters. It was just one of those days where right from the start, I could tell she was going to push when I wanted to pull. She was going to go when I wanted to pause. She was going to take when I wasn't in the mood to give.
I just knew there was going to be a situation.
So, thinking on this verse, I said to myself, "full of grace Lysa. Absolutely full. Not partial. Not half way. But all the way grace."
With each response, I measured out lavish grace. Not that I didn't correct her, I did. But I did so in calm tones.
I looked for ways to lovingly reassure her. I held her hand. I let her see my pleasure in her through the expressions on my face. And I kept quiet when my nerves were begging me to do otherwise.
I did really well ... for a couple of hours.
And then I lost it. Completely.
I was so discouraged.
But as I think back on it now, that part of it is grace too. I demonstrated the reason I can give grace is because I so desperately need it. I asked for forgiveness and decided to resist my own funk begging me to sit and wallow in my messy humanity.
I dusted myself off, and whispered, "God help me. Please, please help me."
And I took one more step towards the grace I so desperately want to demonstrate.
I don't know who puts "grace" to the test in your life. But how might things be different if just for today you decided to resist the funk and give grace a try with them one more time?
Remember, grace doesn't have to be perfect to be good.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace. I hope I show it with every conversation I have today. But when I blow it, thanks for giving me an extra measure of grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you need a giggle or your heart needs a little motherhood encouragement today, click here to pop over to Lysa's blog to read "A Note from the Principal."
Might you need a friend to share with you her hilarious motherhood stories and lessons learned from being an imperfect mom? In her book, Am I Messing Up My Kids? Lysa TerKeurst does just that. This is the perfect encouragement for the moms you know.
Sign up to receive Lysa's insightful, motivating and oftentimes, very humorous, blog posts by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
Who puts "grace" to the test in your life? How might things be different if just for today you decided to resist the funk and give grace a try with them one more time?
Next time you need grace, ask for forgiveness, dust yourself off and whisper, "God help me. Please, please help me."
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 18, 2012
Speaking Their Language
Melissa Taylor
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV 1984)
"I'm not joining Facebook and I'm not texting you. Don't text message me either. If you want to tell me something, you'll have to speak to me! You kids don't know how to have conversations anymore."
"But Grandpa, you are missing out on so much in my life."
The grandpa's scowl said it all: "I don't care."
This conversation, which I overheard, haunted me for days. I bet Grandpa did care. He just didn't know how to relate to his granddaughter, and new technology probably scared him. I admit it scared me at first too. I'm not fond of change.
When my children were younger, breakfast time consisted of a meal, devotion, and Bible-reading together. I didn't work outside the home like I do now, so I had more time in the morning.
Now I have to make sure the kids are ready, and I am too! There are six people running around, fighting for two bathrooms, grabbing a quick bite to eat, and racing out the door. I miss the intentional time spent teaching my children what I consider most important: God's Word.
Watching my now-teenaged son text message at lightning speed on his cell phone one evening, I wondered: Would it make a difference if I texted my kids a Bible verse each day? I dismissed the thought, thinking it silly to send a text when they should be reading God's Word for themselves.
Then I thought of Grandpa, his refusal to his granddaughter, and her reply. I didn't want to miss out like he was.
Texting my kids a verse each day may not radically change their lives, but then again it might. I wondered, would Jesus text if He were here today?
While on earth, Jesus used language that His audience understood, depending on where He was and the culture of that area. His purpose and message did not change, but His delivery and presentation sometimes did. Jesus reached people where they were. He walked, rode, sailed, and taught at homes, hillsides, banquets, and dinner tables.
It's been a year now since I've started texting Bible verses to my children. Usually I get a response like "thanks" or no response at all, but sometimes I'll receive a verse back. I send them the same verse so, if the opportunity arises, we can talk about it together.
Texting connects with my children because I'm speaking their language. The message hasn't changed, but for the purpose of effectiveness the delivery has, for me and my kids. And much to my delight, sometimes they forward the verse to a friend or two.
Texting may not be my favorite way to communicate, but if it ministers to my children, I don't want to miss it. It's just one more way I can continue to "train up" my children.
This week, let's be on the lookout for new ways we can share God's Word by speaking our kids language.
Dear Lord, change is hard for me, but if there is a way You'd like for me to change for the sake of another, then I will try. With Your help all things are possible. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart (CD) by Lynn Cowell
Visit Melissa's blog and find out how you can receive Melissa's "Top 10 Ways to Connect with Your Children."
Reflect and Respond:
Think of one way you can better connect with someone in your life.
Are you stubborn like Grandpa or willing like Jesus?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)
Proverbs 31:28-29, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 21, 2012
For Our Greater Good
Micca Monda Campbell
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
Beyond a doubt, Joseph was a beloved son. Reading his story in Genesis 37-50, I can't help but think how Joseph would make a great guest on any talk show if he were alive today. The title of the TV program might go something like this: From the Pit to the Palace.
Joseph's story begins much like ours. He came into this world an innocent child. He didn't ask to be born. Joseph, like any of us, deserved to be cared for, loved, and nurtured by his parents. On the other hand, so did Joseph's brothers. But in the eyes of their father, they were second best to Joseph. The rejection of their father caused terrible sibling rivalry until one day Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit.
While Joseph's brothers were eating supper and discussing what to do with him, the opportunity of a lifetime arose. A caravan of Midianites passed their camp on the way to Egypt. Seizing the opportunity, the brothers sold Joseph as a slave for twenty pieces of silver. In U.S. money, that amounts to about $1.28.
Is that where you are right now, friend? Have you been rejected by someone and thrown into the pit? Don't fear. You're not lost. God has not abandoned you. He knows your whereabouts. He is using your circumstance as a stepping-stone for a greater plan just as He did for Joseph.
Several years later during a life-threatening drought, many traveled to Egypt to buy grain, including Joseph's brothers. It was Joseph who had foretold the drought and prepared Egypt for survival. By now, he had been promoted to second in command in Egypt.
In his powerful position, Joseph could have taken revenge on his brothers for betraying him. Instead, he chose to forgive them and reunite with his family.
As his brothers bowed before Joseph in fear of their lives, Joseph said, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:20). This verse is often compared to Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV).
When you and I let down those walls of fear and trust God for the greater good, we'll find a measure of healing and restoration just as Joseph did. Instead, we often want to cling to the pain. That kind of thinking only keeps us in the pit and allows our wounds and fears to fester and grow. God has so much more for us.
What was meant for evil in your life, God wants to use for your good.
The Lord wants to bring you and me out of the pit and place us in His palace. The choice is ours. We can focus on our bad experience and miss the joy that can be ours. Or, like Joseph, we can take the risk, venture out, forgive those who hurt us and truly believe that God has a greater good in His plans for our future.
Dear Lord, Your promises are a gift to me. You've given them to sustain me, to provide hope and peace while I'm in a pit. Help me to trust in all Your promises until You bring me out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was based on Micca's book An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears.
Visit Micca's blog.
For daily encouragement to stay out of your pit, join us on Facebook.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you daily feed your heart, soul and mind with God's promises or are you starving spiritually?
Shake off the dust of your past by trusting in God's promises today. His Word is a light unto our path and our thinking. Instead of thinking about the pit, set your mind on how God is working for your greater good. This will open your eyes to His presence and allow you to rest in His promise.
Power Verse:
Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 22, 2012
Unlikely
Nicki Koziarz
"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'" Luke 18:27 (NIV 1984)
It was my senior year of high school. The grass was turning greener, birds were chirping louder, and department stores were lining their racks with beautiful formal gowns.
Spring had sprung and that meant just one thing to a senior girl: prom.
Taking my seat in my homeroom class, I began working on the previous night's history assignment. The bell dinged and the redundant morning announcements blasted over the loud speaker. I didn't pay much attention until I heard, "Today in every homeroom class you will need to nominate this year's prom king and queen."
Suddenly my stomach was tangled in knots. I knew never to get my hopes up. After all, I was the athletic girl who was at church every time the doors opened, not the socialite this honor required. While I knew not to expect it, inside I still wanted to be worthy of being prom queen.
I couldn't shake the dreadful feeling as sheets of paper were passed around the room for us write down our nominations. Would my name be on any of them?
It wouldn't take long to find out. Our teacher took his place, front and center of the classroom. As he collected the papers, he called out the names written down. I waited on pins and needles. Thirty seconds before the bell rang we'd nominated that year's prom king and queen.
Quickly I made my way to the only place a girl can get an ounce of privacy in a large high school: the bathroom. I shut the rusted stall door and wept.
It wasn't me ... again. No one picked me. I was forever an unlikely prom queen candidate.
That moment was defining. Looking back, I can see that I started to become unlikely in a different way.
It could have ruined me - and in a way it did. For good. You see I discovered in Scripture there are many who didn't meet the qualifications of society; great heroes of faith that were improbable candidates. Men and women who faced impossible odds with the God of all possibilities.
Moses was not an eloquent speaker, but he met with God and delivered the Ten Commandments to a generation of people (Exodus 19).
David was an adulterer, but is described as a man after God's heart (1 Kings 14:8).
The Samaritan woman was a repeat sinner, but her testimony led her entire community to see Jesus (John 4). Jesus' very own disciple Peter denied Him three times, but he went on to be the rock of the Church (Matthew 16:18).
God seemed to have handpicked and set apart these unlikely people. He used each of them for a redemptive purpose, despite their inadequacies. And turned their impossible, to possible.
I'm finding this is exactly what God wants to do through my own flawed life. He wants me to be unlikely.
Is there something in your past that you feel is too far a stretch for God to use? Do you possess a quality that the world would look at and say, "Nope, not you?" Have you ever felt completely unqualified, but still dream of doing impossible things?
If so, you should get ready. God qualifies the unqualified and He deems the unlikely, likely. Never think your inadequacies are too much for Him.
He's called you. He's chosen you. Go ... do great things for God. You ARE qualified and likely. For "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Dear Lord, I am inspired by those You chose for such great purposes. I believe You are choosing me, despite my inadequacies. Please open my heart to Your movement through my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
Visit Nicki's blog for tips on discovering your purpose in God's Kingdom.
In your 20s or love someone who is? Visit She Seeks, our division for 20'somethings!
Reflect and Respond:
What are some unique qualities or life-situations God has given you?
How could God use those for a redemptive purpose in your life?
Power Verses:
John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV 1984)
1 Corinthians 1:25, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (NIV 1984)
2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 23, 2012
When Hope Feels Distant
Samantha Reed
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV 1984)
The chair creaked as she shifted her weight. Its arms, too close for comfort, seemed to intentionally squeeze the pain right out of my clients who came to see me in the counseling center. And the same thing seemed to be happening to my friend who was visiting that day.
I watched her tears fall, hoping they would somehow lighten her heart's heavy load.
She'd been carrying the joy of what she thought was a new life on the way. But this was a hope to be deferred. It wasn't time, not yet. Not for quite a while.
And then one day she joined us at my home for dinner. We feasted on good news as we stood in the kitchen, arms and elation wrapped tight around each other. We cried again. This time, it was time.
I remember the day this much-anticipated baby was born; a day when life was squeezing the pain right out of me.
A decade's worth of waiting on the hopes of marriage had worn me thin. I feared I'd been left out of God's goodness. I shared my hurt with a friend on the way to the hospital. "You must believe He's faithful. He's good. Don't let the days slip by in fearful doubt, no matter how long this hope is deferred," she said.
That day I held onto my friend's words as I held that sweet baby, Sophie Brooke.
Her name means wisdom and peaceful waters. And aren't those lovely things for when the load is painful and hope is put on hold?
Wisdom whispers to our weary hearts, The Lord is my Shepherd. He leads me well as I journey through this pain. In Him, I won't miss out or be in want. It reminds us that our Shepherd is good and He has not left us.
And those peaceful waters? This is where the Lord leads us to restore our soul; to restore the hope we've lost in the waiting, in the valley of our pain. When weariness sets in, He invites us beside refreshing waters in His presence, to rest by and find a calm place to escape.
It's been four years since Sophie Brooke was born. In that time I've discovered that days pass by easier and hope seems attainable when I listen to my Shepherd, rather than my fearful doubts.
For every season and stage of life, I've realized God is there offering wisdom and peace and leading me back to hope.
And on those days when hope feels distant, seems nowhere to be found, I remember the words my friend gave me: "You must believe He's faithful. He's good. Don't let the days slip by in fearful doubt, no matter how long this hope is deferred."
Dear Lord, seems like life has squeezed the pain out of me and hope is nowhere to be found. I am at a loss for what to do. Please guide me to pray, seek and wait on You through this season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Letting Go of Worry: God's Plan for Finding Peace and Contentment by Dr. Linda Mintle
Visit Samantha's site for hope in the waiting.
We'd love to share daily encouragement with you on our Facebook page. Click here to join us.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you waited a long time on a dream? Does hope seem distant? Take a moment to listen to your Shepherd, rather than your fears.
Clear your mind of every racing thought and know that these words have been prayed for you: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13 NIV).
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:27-31, "Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God'? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 24, 2012
When Your Husband Has Given Up
Lysa TerKeurst
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." - Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
The silence. The rejection. The harsh words. The absence of intimacy. The questions. The lack of answers. The hurt.
My heart aches for anyone in a marriage that's struggling. I've been there. Many of us have.
But I think the deepest hurt comes when one spouse resigns while the other is still trying. There is a panic that arises to somehow make the other person wake up, stop their resignation, and help you fix this relationship.
A situation like this is much more complicated than simple answers I could offer here. But might I give you one stepping stone upon which to stand, to stop the panic and balance yourself?
Decide today that you are worthy.
Because you are. Worthy. You may not feel like it. But a quick glimpse at Psalm 139 assures me, you are. And I'd rather depend on the solid truth of God than the roller coaster of fickle feelings.
You are beautiful and captivating and attractive and smart and capable. But if you are in a relationship full of unmet expectations, unresolved issues, and frustrating communication, I suspect you feel a little less than all I've described.
Broken down relationships can really break down a woman.
And if you're anything like me, when you feel broken down those around you get your worst. Then upon all the hurt and anxiety you layer on regret, shame, and the feeling that you've lost yourself. You've lost that girl inside you that used to be so positive and happy and ready to take on the world.
Can I whisper a tender truth to you? The only way to recapture her is to come up for air and remember you are worthy.
Then you can act worthy.
And step aside from the emotional yuck to make some level headed decisions. Get a plan. Talk to wise people who love you and will walk this tough journey with you.
Draw some boundaries with your husband, if there are some needed. Pray like crazy for clear discernment.
And read good books that will help you. I just read Dr. Tim Clinton's new book called, Breakthrough. In it he says, "By discovering God's definition of true love and learning to live by it, we can open the door to freedom. Our future is in God's hands. When you are able to see and embrace this truth — there's your breakthrough!"
Remember you can't control how he acts and reacts, but you can control how you act and react.
Reclaim who you are.
I pray your relationship survives. I pray it with every fiber of my being. But if it doesn't, I pray most of all that the beautiful woman you are rises above all the yuck, still clinging tightly to the only opinion that matters — the One who forever calls you worthy.
Dear Lord, my marriage is struggling. I'm struggling. Help me please. I need to hold on to Your truths that I am worthy. And God, please show me what steps to take to support my marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The book Lysa mentioned by Dr. Tim Clinton, Breakthrough — When to Give In, How to Push Back, is a great resource for those struggling with feeling controlled or manipulated by a spouse or family member. Order your copy by clicking here.
Each week on her website Lysa writes words to encourage your marriage, your relationship with God and your heart. Sign up for free reminders of your worth by clicking here.
It'd be an honor to pray for your marriage. Click here to leave your request and our team will pray for you.
Reflect and Respond:
Depend on the solid truth of God rather than the roller coaster of fickle feelings.
Remember you can't control how others act and react, but you can control how you act and react.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 54:10, "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 25, 2012
Everything We Need
Tracie Miles
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
If the term "you are what you eat" were literally true, my son would be a bowl of chocolate ice cream.
Before Michael was old enough to even say ice cream, he loved it. Several years ago, he begged for chocolate ice cream, with bottom lip poked out for sentimental effect. Since I could never resist that adorable face, I pulled the gallon of ice cream out of the freezer.
I pried open the lid only to discover a nearly empty carton. To save time from scooping and scraping, I had Michael eat straight out of the gallon.
A monster was created that day.
Once he discovered that eating out of the carton meant his portion would not be limited to a few scoops, life as he knew it changed. Never again did he ask for ice cream without proposing he just eat out of the gallon.
Michael's desire for unlimited measures of his beloved frozen treat made me ponder how life-changing it is when we crave unlimited portions of God.
In today's key verse, the psalmist refers to God as his "portion." Although he knew he would fail in heart and flesh, giving in to temptations and looking to things or people to meet his needs, He knew God was enough for whatever he needed.
The Lord provides a sufficient portion of strength when we are feeling weak and beaten down. He sustains us when we are anxious, discouraged, frustrated and tired. He promises that when we stumble, He will give us His grace and mercy.
Most importantly, no matter how long we spin our wheels trying to find joy and satisfaction in earthly things, God patiently offers Himself and waits for us to realize that what we really need is a bigger portion of Him.
In Hebrew, the word "portion" is translated as "inheritance" or "allotment." What if we thought of God's portion as our inheritance? Could we embrace the truth that He gives us everything He is; and we can have as much as we desire?
When we come to Jesus with the hungers of our heart, He provides the perfect portion to fill our longings, heal our wounds and meet our unmet needs. When it comes to God and His Word, we can always eat out of the gallon!
Dear Lord, give me a hunger and a thirst for Your Word. I want to crave a daily portion of You and rely on Your provision to meet my every need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Tracie's blog for a few suggestions on how to get your portion of Jesus every day.
Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What would happen if you sincerely depended on God to be your portion during the most difficult days, when you are craving peace, comfort and freedom from pain or adversity?
Ask God to help you depend on Him to be your portion not only when facing adversity, but also when life seems to be problem-free.
Power Verses:
Psalm 73:25-28, "You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again. But I'm in the very presence of God — oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do!" (MSG)
Psalm 16:5, "LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 28, 2012
The Leading Role
Glynnis Whitwer
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 1:8 (NIV)
When our third son was born, the balance of power shifted in our family. My husband and I were outnumbered and the three little blue-blankets knew it. Every day it seemed a conspiracy was afoot to make me slightly bonkers.
I devoured parenting books but usually slapped them down on the coffee table in disgust. The authors offered great advice, but not one told me what to do when three little boys were misbehaving in three different ways at exactly the same time.
Was I the first mother in the history of the world to have this situation?
Frustration at my inability to get things under control increased daily. Why couldn't I manage my children? I had been successful in my career, scored high in leadership on several spiritual gifts tests and easily led others in clubs or organizations.
So what happened? Where was my initiative? My influence? Rather than a leader to follow, my boys saw a frazzled woman with no vision. No wonder they weren't lining up to obey.
And there I was feeling like a prisoner with three little wardens. I had relinquished my authority and was simply trying to survive.
The day finally came when I decided to make a change. It was the day I realized motherhood is another opportunity to lead. Proverbs 1:8 reminded me that that God had called me to instruct, teach and lead my boys, not the other way around!
The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. It energized me to consider motherhood as a leadership role. And I longed to learn more.
Yet I was also concerned about usurping the authority of Jesus and my husband in my children's lives. Each day I prayerfully asked God to help me live within His hierarchy of honor and respect while showing me how to effectively lead my children.
I was desperate for direction and wisdom from God, which meant lots of time in His Word seeking to understand my position in Christ and as a mom.
It meant reminding myself on those really hard days, "I am the mother, I am the mother."
It also meant leading and modeling the behavior I wanted to see in them, rather than pouting, which is what I often felt like doing. And oh my, is this hard.
Leading as a mother is particularly difficult given the dailyness of it. Plus my emotional responses aren't always logical. So when I get worn down with challenges and disappointments, I'm tempted to let my children lead. Rather than setting the bar high, I think about lowering it just to get through the day.
Sometimes I do. Sometimes I give in when I should stand strong. And in those moments of weakness I've discovered God's grace is there for me ... especially then. For it's in in the weakest moments of my parenting that God has seemed the closest. And knowing He's there for me gives me courage to try again.
Since those hard early years, God added two little girls to our family through adoption and those little boys are now 20, 18 and 16. I truly love teaching and instructing my kids. But some days are still hard; on those days I remind myself that I'm the mother. And I'm still seeking God's direction and wisdom for this new phase of parenting and transitional leadership.
Leading my children is the hardest job I've ever tackled. The costs have been high. But for the five young people who call me "Mom," it's a price I'm willing to pay.
Dear Lord, thank You for being a leader I can follow. You inspire me to be the woman You've called me to be. But I need Your help to encourage and inspire those You've put in my care. Stir up in me a passion for godly leadership. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need encouragement and ideas to not only manage your kids but to manage your home and your busy schedule? If so, join Melissa Taylor's new online study of Glynnis Whitwer's book: I Used to Be So Organized. For more information click here.
Visit Glynnis' blog where she discusses the difference between leading and managing children.
Want help taking care of the practical parts of your life? Consider I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
Reflect and Respond:
Few people willingly step into positions of leadership. Why do so many avoid leading?
We all have the opportunity to lead others. What is one thing you can do to develop your influence?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." (ESV)
Proverbs 31:30, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
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May 29, 2012
Silencing Our Soul
Wendy Pope
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul." Psalm 131:2 (NIV 1984)
I'm a talker; always have been. When report cards were sent home, my parents never expected anything better than a C beside the word "conduct." One of my elementary teachers politely called me "very social," while most were more blunt. "Wendy talks too much. She could learn more if she would talk less."
Unfortunately, old habits die hard. I brought this trait of talking too much into my quiet time with God, filling the silence with words ... lots and lots of words. I wonder if sometimes the Father looks to the Son and says, "I can't get a word in edge-wise with this girl! She could learn more if she would talk less."
To be honest, silence wasn't easy for this girl who likes to gab. I wanted to tell God what I thought would be good solutions to my problems. To-do lists ran through my head, instead of peace and quiet. Dusty shelves and piles of toys distracted my attention.
It felt unnatural not to be talking, so I resisted it.
I shared my uneasiness with God but knew silence and stillness were things I needed to practice. During these times I heard God's gentle encouragement, "Shhh. Be still. It's okay to be silent. You don't have to say a word."
Gradually I felt something I couldn't name until I read our key verse: rest.
My spirit felt renewed and at peace. In silence and stillness God united His heart with mine, allowing me to experience the rest I needed.
As we fill the reservoir of our soul with true refreshment from God we learn to relax in the rhythms of His grace. We experience real peace and rest that only come from the silence and stillness of being with Him. We carry this refreshment with us as we face the challenges of our day.
Do you have the gift of gab like me? Do you find it challenging to sit quietly with God? Ask Him to help you practice and enjoy silence and stillness. Your soul will find refreshing peace. God's rest is exactly what our restless soul needs.
Dear Lord, my soul is having a hard time being still. I lay down my resistance to silence, and commit to five minutes of silence with You for the next month. I praise You in advance for what You are going to say to me in the silence. I thank You for the rest only You can give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Yes, No and Maybe of a Balanced Life (CD) by Wendy Pope
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy as your next retreat / keynote speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog today. She will share about the freedom she has learned to enjoy by learning to silence her soul.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What keeps you from silencing your soul during quiet time with God?
For five days spend five minutes in silence with God. Open the time of silence by repeating today's keep verse. Keep a reflection journal of your time with Him.
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:28-30, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (MSG)
Ecclesiastes 3:7, "...a time to be silent and a time to speak." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
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May 30, 2012
Measuring Up
Renee Swope
"When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
Do you ever compare yourself to other women and feel like you don't quite measure up? Maybe you feel like you're not as smart, pretty, fun, organized or as good at _______ as they are.
It is so easy to think that if we had more or knew more, we'd be secure. But the truth is, even people who "have it all" still struggle with feelings of insecurity. The Bible opens with the story of a woman who had everything but it still wasn't enough (Genesis 2).
God had established Eve's worth as His child and the crown of His creation. He also gave Eve every woman's desire: intimacy, beauty, security, significance, and purpose. Yet Satan conjured up feelings of insecurity by getting Eve to take her eyes off what she had and focus on what she didn't have.
Boy, can I relate. Like Eve, I've heard Satan's whispers telling me I'm not all I could be — or should be. One day I was reading her story in Genesis 2 and I noticed that his questions and suggestions were intended to plant seeds of doubt in Eve's heart. He wanted her to doubt God and herself.
The enemy's whispers tempted Eve to try to "be" more and "have" more by seeking significance apart from God's provision. He convinced her something was missing in her life and that the forbidden fruit would make her be "like God."
It was a foolish comparison, but all comparisons are. Yet don't we do it all the time? If only I was like her...if only I had a house like hers, a husband like hers, a job like hers...if only my children behaved like hers...If only _______, then I'd feel significant, satisfied and secure.
In today's key verse, Paul warns us that those who "measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, are not wise" (2 Cor. 10:12 NIV). Comparison will always leave us feeling like we don't measure up. We can try to do more and be more, yet it's never enough.
If only Eve had focused on who she was and what she had as a child of God. If only we could too.
Yet Satan wants us to focus on our flaws and feelings of inadequacy, then exhaust our energy figuring out how to hide them. But we don't have to go along with his schemes. Instead we need to equip ourselves to recognize his lies, refute his temptations with truth, and focus on God's acceptance, security, and significance. Then we can thank God for His provision and His promises that remind us of who we are in Him:
I am accepted...
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.
I am secure...
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from condemnation. I can't be separated from God's love.
Philippians1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
I am significant...
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Author and psychologist, Dr. Neil T. Anderson says, "The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!"
So, the next time we're tempted to use the measuring stick of comparison - let's commit to measure UP ↑ by focusing upward on Christ and who we are in HIM!
Lord, thank You that in Christ I'm chosen, holy, and dearly loved. When I'm tempted to measure up according to the world's standards or my foolish comparisons, help me recognize Satan's lies, refuse his temptations and rely on your truth about me instead. Remind me that such confidence as this is mine through Christ—not that I am competent in myself to claim anything for myself, but competence comes from You. In Jesus' name, Amen. (Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5)
Related Resources:
This devotion is taken in part from chapter 6 of Renee Swope's book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. To find out more or order your copy, click here.
Visit Renee's blog/website where she's sharing more ways to overcome comparison and condemnation, and a powerful list of "Our Identity in Christ" verses. Also, be sure to enter her"Contagious Confidence" give-away!
Reflect and Respond:
"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!" Dr. Neil T. Anderson.
When you're tempted to use the measuring stick of comparison today — measure UP↑ by re-focusing upward on who you are in Christ. For practical ways to do that and truths to focus on visit Renee's website today.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:9, "Stand firm against him [the devil], and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are." (NLT)
2 Corinthians 3:4-5, "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
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May 31, 2012
I'm Really Afraid!
Lysa TerKeurst
"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Psalm 34:7 (NIV)
Last year one of my back teeth started hurting. Again. And quite honestly, I just didn't want to deal with it. That tooth had been a complete pain. Literally.
I'd had not one, not two, but three crowns done on the same tooth. The first one broke. The second one broke. And though the third one seemed like it would finally work, the tooth started aching again. Ugh!
The dentist informed me the only thing to do was to have a root canal.
I'm okay with the word "root." And I'm okay with the word "canal." But when he put those two words together, a wild fear whipped its tentacles around my heart and squeezed the life out of me. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't bring myself to schedule the appointment.
So I dealt with the throbbing pain.
For a year I didn't chew on that side of my mouth. I didn't let cold drinks leak over to that side. And I took ibuprofen when the throbbing got the best of me.
A year!
Finally I'd had enough. The pain overrode the fear and I made an appointment for the dreaded root canal.
And you know what? I survived! Not only did I survive but I honestly found the whole root canal ordeal to be no big deal. The fear of it was so much worse than actually having the procedure done.
I think fear often plays out that way. Many times living in fear of what might be causes more stress and anxiety than actually facing what we fear. Is there something you're avoiding because you're afraid?
Psalm 34:7 reminds me, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." To fear the Lord means to honor Him and magnify Him in my heart most of all. When I focus on or magnify my fears, they become all I can think about. So instead I've learned to focus on God by doing three things:
• I cry out to Him with honest prayers. I verbalize to God what I'm afraid of and how paralyzing my fear is. I ask Him to help me see each next step I need to take.
• I open my Bible and look for verses that show me what He wants me to do in that moment of fear. I write down truths from the Bible about fear and then align my next actions with His truth. (For a list of verses to use, see the link in the recommended resources section below.)
• Then I walk in the assurance that I am fearing (or honoring) the Lord as Psalm 34:7 tells me to, therefore I know with certainty an angel of the Lord is encamped around me and God will deliver me.
I like this promise so much. It comforts me. It reassures me. And it challenges me to really live like I know it is true.
What's a fear you can face today? Think of an everyday fear holding you back. Is there a fear of confronting an issue with a friend? Is there a fear of stepping out in obedience to something God is calling you to do? Is there a fear of a medical diagnosis you just received? Fear of a root canal?
Oh if I were there I would totally hold your hand. Better yet, God is with you. And when you know He is with you, and His angels are encamped around you, you can face your fears.
Dear Lord, help me to only fear You with reverence and obedience. If a feeling of fear is a legitimate warning from You, help me to know that. But if this feeling of fear is more of a distracting detriment, help me be courageous and walk assured in Your presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a list of empowering verses to use in your moments of fear.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Is there something you've been avoiding because you're afraid?
When you feel fear, focus on God by crying out to Him in prayer. Align your next actions with His truth. Then you can pray with the reassurance of the Lord's presence. And when you know He is with you, you can face your fears.
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:7-12, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
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June 1, 2012
Tool, Toy or Tangent?
Karen Ehman
"My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me." Psalm 31:15 (NIV 1984)
I have a love/hate relationship with social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest...
I love that it keeps me connected to family and friends. It allows me to spy on ... er ... keep up with my kids, and I can post a prayer request when accidents or sickness occur. And I love re-connecting with friends from my past.
But I hate the way, if left unchecked and without boundaries in place, social media can become a ginormous black hole, eating up time and energy while diverting my attention from what's most important.
As a guideline I have learned to ask myself, is this a tool, a toy, or a tangent?
The Internet in general is a fabulous tool. It can be used for God and for good—organizing meals for a hurting family or participating in an online Bible study. But it can also be used for bad—cyber-bullying, extramarital affairs and airing our frustrations about other people.
It can also be a toy.
Nothing wrong with toys. We all need a little fun and relaxation. And if we enjoy playing games online that's great. What crosses the line is when any online activity becomes a tangent: a sudden diversion that takes us off track from our priorities and responsibilities.
Tangents torch our time, sap our strength and can cause us to ignore loved ones. Tangents give us a false sense of being productive, doing something. When in reality, we aren't accomplishing anything. Then we feel frustrated, defeated and even guilty when we realize how much time we've wasted.
In today's key verse, the psalmist placed his time in God's hands and asked for deliverance from his enemies. Although he was speaking of physical enemies who could do him harm, we need to realize our tools, toys and tangents can harm us, too.
I've had my own tangents that led me off track and caused me to neglect my family and household responsibilities. And both of these situations made me feel like a failure.
Maybe you have too. Today let's prayerfully and carefully (with all honesty) ask ourselves while spending time online, "Is this a tool, a toy, or a tangent?" By doing this and setting healthy boundaries, we can overcome the enemy of defeat and eliminate frustration. We can free up time for the important relationships and tasks God has for us and live our lives in a meaningful, not frivolous, way.
Dear Lord, teach me to use my time wisely, in a way that honors You and doesn't get derailed by tangents. I want to be efficient and effective for Your Kingdom's work. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic, including 5 Keys to Tangent-Proofing Your Time, visit Karen's blog.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What things in your life can morph from a tool to a toy, or perhaps even become a tangent?
How can you tell when you are wasting time on a tangent? When you sense this is happening, what should you do?
Power Verse:
Ecclesiastes 8:5, "Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way." (ESV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
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June 4, 2012
Catching the Little Foxes
Melanie Chitwood
"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NAS)
My friend Holly has a hard time parking in the garage. It sits at a tricky angle and she has run into the garage wall quite a few times. In fact, her van has plenty of scrapes and dents to prove it.
Her husband Dan could choose many ways to respond—he could be angry every time or he could berate her, but that's not his reaction. He has repeatedly chosen to forgive Holly. Their situation is a great example of one of the "little foxes" mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:15: "Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!" (NLT).
Theirs is a situation that could have become divisive but because of Dan's gracious response this "little fox" did not ruin their "vineyard of love."
Do any "little foxes" come to mind when you think about your own marriage?
Maybe your spouse was abrupt when speaking to you, didn't give you the attention you wanted, wasn't responsive to intimacy, forgot your anniversary, or got home late without calling recently. Everyday married life presents countless occasions to choose to be offended or to choose to forgive as today's key verses instructs us.
Without forgiveness we'll find ourselves becoming irritated, hard-hearted, bitter, and disconnected from our spouse. A friend taught me one way to make sure this doesn't happen: The moment I feel offended I can choose to forgive. If my spouse says something that makes me mad or hurt, I need to begin praying at that very moment to forgive. Doing this allows God to begin softening our hearts immediately.
In addition to dealing with the little foxes of small offenses, we will sometimes need to forgive our spouses for big offenses. We might be betrayed by unfaithfulness, our trust might be rattled by secrets our spouses keep, or our feelings might be stomped on by spouses who do the same hurtful things over and over again.
If one quality makes a Christian marriage stand out from the rest, it's our choice to forgive our spouse. We might feel as if we're ignoring the offense or giving our stamp of approval by choosing to forgive. Our pride and fear might rise up: What if the offense happens again and again? Will I be taken for a fool? What will others think?
Choosing to forgive is an act of obedience to God's commands. Forgiveness entails choosing, often over and over again, not to dwell on the offense because that would allow a root of bitterness to grow in our hearts. But let's be clear: If you're dealing with a sin issue in marriage, choose to forgive but still spend the needed time talking about the situation, praying separately and together, and seeking godly counsel.
Forgiveness is one of the most essential attitudes for bringing unity and oneness to marriage, and it flows from our relationship with Christ.
Dear Lord, Cover our marriage with a spirit of forgiveness. I confess that sometimes I want to hold a grudge, to retaliate, or to be right, rather than forgive. Lord, I don't want the enemy to get a foothold in our marriage, so through the power of the Holy Spirit, I slam the door on Satan by choosing to forgive my spouse. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you received God's forgiveness?
This devotion was adapted from Melanie Chitwood's book, What a Wife Needs from Her Husband
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Reflect and Respond:
What "little foxes" come to mind concerning your marriage? Have you chosen to be offended and hurt? Or gracious and forgiving?
Dwell on Christ's forgiveness of your offenses. The moment you feel offended, begin to pray that the Holy Spirit will work through you to forgive your spouse.
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:12-13, "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." (NLT)
© 2012 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
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June 5, 2012
A Pursuit of Happiness
Sarah Martin
"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
I stood numb in the makeup aisle at the drugstore. The glittery pink and shimmery red tubes served as color therapy after a stressful day. Surely brand new lip gloss would alleviate the dismal feelings and ignite some sense of happiness.
Several hours later I added my new purchase to an already full makeup drawer. That's when it hit me. I have 47 other tubes of lip gloss; 47 other purchases on a journey — a pursuit — of happiness.
The coral pink tube was bought to ease my heart after a fight with a loved one.
The ruby red tube was purchased to distract myself from worrying over money.
The glossy sheer tube was meant to cover up my loneliness.
Buying lip gloss (clothes, jewelry, fill in the blank) isn't wrong in and of itself. What is wrong is how I insert short-term pleasures to find happiness, instead of seeking long-term joy in God.
The difference is happiness is fleeting, but joy is eternal. It's joy that sticks with us through stressful days, because joy is found in our always-present Lord. The psalmist says in our key verse, "You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11b) Instead of looking for a short-lived high in things, I'm challenged to find lasting joy in God.
Looking at this very important difference makes me wonder what would happen if ...
Instead of a mad dash to our favorite store for retail therapy, we pursue God and allow Him to give rest to our weary body and mind after a difficult day.
Instead of drowning our frustrations in a tub of ice cream after our car breaks down, we vent our feelings to God and wait on Him to calm us down.
Instead of adding yet another song to our iPod to spark happiness, we make a list of everything we're grateful for and turn around a bad attitude.
I'm tempted to throw out my lip gloss as a symbol of ending this pursuit of happiness. I'm tempted to never buy a tube again. Because I want to show God that I can pursue Him, rather than seeking satisfaction in a temporary thrill.
But, I think I will honor my renewed relationship with joy in the Lord by using each and every tube — knowing that the only road that leads to joy and fulfillment is in Him.
Dear Lord, thank You for the ever-available joy found in You. Please bring it to mind when I'm tempted to replace my frustrations and pain with a temporary fix. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We're celebrating the release of Sarah Martin's new book, Stress Point. In it Sarah helps young adult women address common stress points and gives them practical ways to wait on the Lord, worship Him and make Him the focus of their lives.
Click here to join Sarah on her blog for helpful tips and a give-away of Stress Point!
Connect with She Seeks, our division for 20-somethings by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
What is your go-to temporary happiness?
Spend 10-15 minutes in the Lord's presence today, asking Him to fill you with His joy.
Power Verses:
Psalm 43:4-5, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV)
© 2012 by Sarah Martin. All rights reserved.
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June 6, 2012
God is Working on Your Behalf
Samantha Reed
"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
An ultimatum from my boss left me no choice but to head into unemployment. I'll never forget the day she asked me to lead an initiative that went against God's Word.
Staying at my job would deny my faith. Leaving would challenge it. Fears clamored. If I quit, I'd be broke. I had no husband, no savings, no additional source of provision.
Day after day I pleaded with God to intervene, to change my boss's mind. But it didn't happen.
She made her decision, which solidified mine: I turned in my two weeks notice.
That was my first step into my journey of joblessness. My mind raced with fears: would I be able to pay rent, find a new job, hold onto hope? Day by day, my financial, spiritual and emotional accounts were depleted. I couldn't see beyond my raw emotions and dreary situation.
God nudged me to send my resume to a ministry. A place I knew rarely hired. Somewhere I didn't know if my gifts could even be used. I doubted they'd accept my application, and pushed aside the thought to apply.
If only I had lifted my eyes away from the despair, I might have realized God was working on my behalf, much like He did for Naomi in the book of Ruth.
You see, at the same time soil churned, seeds nestled underground, and crops waved in the wind, Naomi needed God to intervene. She lamented to her widowed daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth:
"Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up?" (Ruth 1:12b-13a NIV)
Perceived destitution left her feeling desperate. Can you feel it in this widow's words?
Then Naomi told them, "'Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me?'" (vs. 11a)
It would take time for Naomi to look beyond her dire circumstances and see the divine intervention waiting on her. God had plans of redemption that involved Ruth, the very person Naomi tried to push away. Yet she was so engulfed by her emotions and circumstances, she couldn't fathom how God might provide.
"Call me not Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." (vs. 20b AMP)
Perhaps your current situation is bitter and dismal. Maybe your journey has been long. You can't see how God is working things out. You don't have the energy to apply for one more job, so you turn down the lead a friend sends you. Your marriage is on the verge of collapse anyhow, so you opt to cancel your counseling appointment. Life in general is bleak, so you withdraw rather than join your sister for dinner.
If you are weary; if the road is too difficult; if you feel destitute financially, emotionally, spiritually; don't miss this—
"So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning." (vs. 22 NIV, emphasis added)
Naomi's journey was hard and long. Yet her first step began at the same time soil churned, seeds nestled underground, crops waved in the wind. And when she arrived at her place of redemption, the harvest was beginning; a harvest that was gleaned by Ruth, the very one she had pushed away.
It was in that field that Ruth caught Boaz's attention. Boaz, who was Naomi's kinsmen redeemer, unceremoniously provided above and beyond for both women for the rest of their lives.
Well before I turned in my two weeks notice, the Lord was tilling the heart of my would-be new employer to hire an assistant. He faithfully watered that seed as I was searching for a job. And a new position was created shortly after I applied.
Looking back now, I wish I had chosen to believe and looked expectantly for His faithfulness instead of torturing myself with worry and fear.
Though unseen, God is divinely intervening. If you are walking in what feels like a desperate and destitute place, might I encourage you? Look to the Lord instead of your circumstances today. He's working on your behalf.
Dear Lord, You are faithful. Please direct my thoughts and my steps. Take what doesn't belong—fear, doubt, unbelief—and replace them with hope, trust and joy as I focus on You instead of my circumstances. Thank You for working on my behalf. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
31 Days of Praise or 31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Click here for the whole story of God's faithfulness on Samantha's behalf.
Reflect and Respond:
What might the Lord be doing on your behalf, even now? Who or what could He be using, that you may be trying to push away?
"When God seems furthest, He may be laying the foundation of showing His greatest faithfulness." David Platt
Power Verse:
Psalm 66:5, "Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's behalf!" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 7, 2012
Asking God for the Impossible
Lysa TerKeurst
"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV 1984)
Several years ago I sat beside my youngest sister and listened as she boldly rejected my views of God. She told me how she'd always been a free spirit, much too non-conventional for traditional religion.
"Good thing I'm not into religion," I gently replied.
She twisted her face as if half expecting a lightening bolt to strike us both. "But you ARE religious."
I laid my head against the back of the lounge chair, closed my eyes to the sun now washing over me and simply replied, "Nope."
Letting my statement just sit for a while, I decided not to clarify unless she asked. And ask she did.
That's when I explained that I follow God, not a list of rules. I am passionate about getting into the Bible - God's teachings - and letting the Bible get into me. I no longer evaluate life based on my feelings. Instead, I let my feelings and experiences be evaluated in light of God's Word.
I have watched God chase me around with rich evidence of His presence and invitations to trade apathy for active faith. But I had to make the choice to see God. Hear God. Know God. And follow hard after God.
Then I took my sister's hand and told her I'd be praying for God to mess with her in ways too bold for her to deny.
Fast forward over six years later. My sister walks into her professor's office and sees one of my books on her bookshelf. I don't think she really believed anyone actually read my books. But there it was. And it messed with her.
She later went home and poked around my blog a bit where she found a clip of my testimony. Again, it messed with her. One verse in particular messed with her so much that she let the possibility that God exists slip into her heart.
A few days later she went and had Jeremiah 29:11 tattooed on the back of her neck. And she started calling wanting to talk to me. About life. About tattoos. And about God.
A few weeks later I stood in the middle of an airport praying for my precious sister who called while I was traveling, and asked me to pray for her. She had called. She had asked. And that's the miracle of our Jesus. He is the God of the impossible.
I wonder what might happen if we dared to ask God for the impossible just a little more often. I'm up for it? Are you?
Dear Lord, use me today to reach the heart of one. I want to trade any apathy I may have for active faith. Lead me, and I will follow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog by clicking here to read this article about a completely different way to look at the word "impossible."
Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
Learn how to study the Bible in a fun and relevant way on your own by reading Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Read the book of John over the next several days. Let the truths of Jesus' life resonate in your mind and soul. As you read and ponder each verse daily, let your feelings and experiences be evaluated in the light of God's Word.
How can you, right where you are, choose to see the rich evidences of God? How can you show this to someone else who needs to hear it?
Have you asked God for the impossible lately?
Power Verses:
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (NIV)
Colossians 1:9, "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 8, 2012
"Harmless" Little Lies?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10 (NIV)
My job was overwhelming, yet I was desperate to appear competent. With each passing week, I found myself giving misleading responses to my boss. All right ... they were lies.
As a young college graduate, I was grateful for the position. It included writing, which I loved, plus answering the phones, which I didn't love quite so much. But the owners promised the position would develop as the company expanded.
Over time, both the company and my work level grew ... but I still answered the phones. Eventually, it got to the point where I couldn't manage everything, at least not well.
My boss was very hands on and often called me into her office for an update on my projects. I found myself dreading those meetings, knowing she'd be displeased with my lack of progress. I could feel myself getting anxious as I fell further behind.
And that is when the lies started:
"Yes, that project is coming along nicely." "I'm almost finished." "Just waiting for a few more pieces of information."
After our meetings, I'd rush back to my desk and frantically try to make my progress match the inaccurate response I'd just given. Over time, the lies and truth became jumbled.
I'd crossed a line of personal integrity that nagged at the edges of my conscience, but not enough to make a change. Until one day my boss gave me another request: to lie for her.
She hadn't gotten something done, and asked me to give false information to a person on the phone. I felt sick to my stomach. This wasn't right. She hadn't even started the project. And now I was supposed to cover for her? It was as if God made me do a 180 and stare at the line of integrity I had already crossed.
I'd compromised my character one half-truth, one excuse, one rationalization at a time. But no more. I had some decisions to make. I needed to determine on which side of the line I would stand.
Would integrity be a mask I put on at church and took off at work? Was my career more important than my character?
Those were heavy questions for a young woman. Especially one who desperately needed a job. But they were necessary. God was using this situation to help shape the person He wanted me to be.
It was a defining moment, and I knew where I wanted to stand.
Knowing I could lose my job, with humility and respect I told my boss I couldn't, no I wouldn't, lie for her. Amazingly, she didn't fire me. With a huff and a sigh, she accepted my decision.
While I wasn't up to confessing all my lies to her, I did confess them to God. And I made a commitment that day to honesty, no matter how personally difficult it was. Luke 16:10 reminds us that God cares about what may seem like a harmless little lie: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (NIV)
Compromise is easy, but character takes work. Yet with God's help, I'm making progress to become the woman of integrity He has called me to be.
Dear Lord, You are the source of all truth. Please forgive me for the times I've twisted the truth to manipulate the opinions of others. I want to be a woman who is filled with Your truth and in whom there is not a shadow of a lie. Help me to uncover whatever stands in the way of becoming that woman. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the Source of all truth?
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement and insights on the dangerous patterns of lying in our culture.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Compromise is easy, but character takes work. Yet with God's help, you can make progress to become the woman of integrity He has called you to be.
What little decisions of integrity can you make to help strengthen your character?
Power Verse:
2 Corinthians 8:21, "For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man." (ESV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June11, 2012
Did I Really Say That?
Wendy Blight
"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
I had just cleaned my kitchen ... everything perfect and in its place ... counters shining, stovetop sparkling. And then it happened. Within moments of completing this labor of love my husband walked through the door.
I should have been thrilled, but I wasn't. I knew what was coming. He was home for lunch and was going to create one of the gourmet sandwiches he loves to make. All I could think about was the grease that would soon be on my freshly polished stove and dishes that would soon fill my sink.
My mind went right to the mess he was about to make in my freshly cleaned kitchen. I couldn't stand it, so I launched into a series of instructions:
"Please don't make a mess. I just cleaned."
"Please put your dishes in the dishwasher."
"Please wipe your crumbs off the counter."
"Please clean the stove I spent an hour scrubbing."
I was polite. Did you count my "pleases?" I just have a way I like things to be done in my kitchen ... my way.
I saw the look on his face. I knew what he was thinking: You have got to be kidding me. Did she really just say that? Why did I even come home for lunch?
I realized I was nagging. I knew I was being controlling. And this wasn't the first time.
Often after I speak such words, I find myself asking, Did I really just say that?
When I make such big deals out of minor things it brings resentment and discord. It's wrong. Yet sometimes it feels like I just can't help myself.
But when I get in God's Word, I am inspired to change. I want to stop being a control freak. I promise myself no matter what—dishes in the sink, crumbs on the counter, grease on the stove—I won't say anything.
It could be hours or days later when the opportunity comes again, and I blow it once more. Within minutes, the words start spewing.
I'm convinced my way is best. Deep inside, I know I should not be this way, but then I hear that voice of justification: "It's just who I am."
The truth is, it is not who I am. It is who I am used to being.
But it's not who God wants me to be. In fact, His Word tells me exactly how He wants me to respond with my speech. My words should be:
Edifying:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Gentle:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Self-controlled:
"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11 (NIV 1984)
Compassionate:
"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
This can so hard to do on our own! Yet God enables us to walk in obedience to these scriptures through the power of His Holy Spirit. He will mold us and make us more like Him. And on those days when we feel as if there is no way we can speak kindly to others, let's remember His Word says we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).
When we quiet our hearts. When we open His Word instead of just opening our mouths. When we approach Him with a heart of surrender. When we choose to submit to His ways instead of our own ....
That is when God will do His work and help us tame our tongue. And the next time we find ourselves asking, "Did I really just say that?" I'm praying it will be because we responded with patience, kindness and gentleness that is evidence of His work in us.
Dear Lord, help me to tame my tongue. Make my heart tender to Your Word. Guide me into all Truth. Enable me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to speak gentle, edifying, self-controlled, compassionate words of life. Thank You, Father, that You are faithful and will do what You promise. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This lesson was taken from Wendy's e-book Bible study All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Word in Everyday Life.
Click here to visit Wendy's blog today to enter to win a copy of her e-book Bible study, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Word in Everyday Life.
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
Reflect and Respond:
Keep a journal or mental record of your words this week. At the end of the week, honestly examine the words you have spoken.
Apply the truths you have learned today and take one baby step toward changing your speech this week.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 12:18, "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing." (NLT)
Proverbs 10:11a, "The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain." (NLT)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 12, 2012
Broken Places
T. Suzanne Eller
"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure." 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)
I knew there were secrets. I pressed gently, but she shied away. I prayed she would tell me when she was ready.
The phone call finally came.
"Can you come get me?"
When I arrived I found her battered and we drove to get medical help. On the way she spilled her secrets. Her mother was often beaten. She and her siblings were secondary targets. Leaving home had been her only escape. She had returned to visit, only to find her brother being abused. She stepped in and crushing blows followed. Her father finally stopped when she begged for her life.
Shana came to live with us until she found a safer environment. In those two months we often stayed up late talking. Her greatest fear was that she would always feel broken.
We prayed together that she could move beyond her father's actions.
Paul, an apostle in the Bible, also knew what it was to be bruised and battered. He was imprisoned unfairly. Beaten.
He once described himself as a chipped clay jar, saying, "We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed." Paul had discovered something valuable. There was a light inside that fractured jar healing the hurting places on the interior, then shining through the broken places so that the world could see.
That treasure, nestled in the center of the clay, was Jesus.
As time passed, Shana began to see herself through that light. She wasn't just a battered daughter; she was a woman with purpose. The wounds inflicted by her earthly father took time to heal, but as they did she was led to share her story.
Her message, one she would shout from every mountaintop, is this:
You are loved.
You are made for more than this.
God can and will heal the broken parts of your heart.
Today Shana is a mom and a wife. The treasure inside of this woman illuminates through the once-broken places in a powerful way. She has adopted a son and fostered other children who came to her home with their own broken places, her hope to love them to wholeness. Children trust her because she understands their pain, but also because of the light and love they see inside of her.
Maybe, you were bruised by an earthly parent's words or actions. Can I tell you something? Those words, those actions, they do not define you. You aren't limited by the chips and cracks in the outer shell.
There are thousands, like Shana, like me, who were once chipped and broken. God blazed His light through those cracks, not just healing us, but allowing that light to lead others straight into His loving arms and these truths:
God sees you.
He loves you.
He's reaching to make you whole again.
Dear Lord, I can't change another person's actions or the past, but I can open my heart to the treasure of You. You are the light in the darkness. You are reaching for me today and I am reaching back. Thank You for a fresh beginning inside of me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for an interview between Suzie and Shana about beginning to heal with God's help.
The Mom I Want to Be by Suzie Eller
Embraced by the Father by Susanne Scheppmann
Join Suzie in her Live Free Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free despite a painful past.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Your family may have been far from perfect, but Christ offers a family tree, one with a new and beautiful legacy.
Read Ephesians 1:18. Make this paraphrased scripture your prayer today:
I ______________ pray that my heart will be flooded with light so that I can understand the confident hope Christ has given to me, for He has called me as His own to give a rich and glorious inheritance.
Power Verses:
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds." (NLT)
Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (NLT)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 19, 2012
Sometimes I Want to Run Away
Glynnis Whitwer
"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15-16 (NIV)
When my first three children were small, a book in a Christian store caught my eye. The title perfectly depicted how I felt at that time. So I bought it, carried it home, and hid it in my bedside table - still wrapped in the store bag.
The title was Sometimes I Feel Like Running Away From Home.
I was embarrassed for my husband to see it. My oldest was just learning to read and I didn't want him to see it either. What would they think? How could I explain that I didn't really want to leave, but every once in awhile I wanted to not be touched, pulled at or asked a question? I loved my family, but I felt like I was losing me.
And then the guilt set in.
How could a woman who had experienced three years of infertility and now had three healthy children ever want to be away from them? Wasn't I supposed to be enjoying every peanut-butter kiss and jelly-smeared hug? What was wrong with me?
I don't remember ever reading the book; I just kept it hidden. But I do remember the feelings:
• Inadequacy
• Being overwhelmed
• Exhaustion
While I never seriously considered running away, my soul longed for refreshment. As a full-time caregiver I needed to be reminded that I was important. And that it was okay to take time for myself so I could be refueled.
I remember when things changed for me. It wasn't a super-spiritual moment. It was a Target moment, looking at the most adorable girly shoes. As the mother of three boys my life was consumed with masculine things. So I dismissed the shoes thinking they were too girly and walked on. Two steps later I thought: Wait. I am a girl.
I tossed the cute shoes in my cart and determined to start rediscovering me. I could only do small things, but they sustained me on the hard days. Every day I tried to find a me-moment. A few quiet minutes with my Bible or book on the patio ... grocery shopping by myself ... a pretty coffee mug ... fresh cut flowers ... a ruffled blouse. In the midst of the chaos, I created little vignettes of beauty, little moments of peace. Yes Barney was still on the VCR and Hot Wheels were in the hall. But those moments helped.
Of course there are days when feeling overwhelmed and inadequate as a caregiver wasn't as simple as sipping from a cute coffee mug. In today's key verse Jesus modeled the most effective choice: time away and time alone - with our Heavenly Father.
Nothing can replace the peace only God can bring. Yet, in some seasons of life, getting away by ourselves for extended periods of time is near to impossible. In those seasons, we have to get creative. I had to discover ways to connect with God and renew my heart despite the daily demands. The only one who was going to make it happen was me.
In the midst of caring for those you love, don't neglect yourself. You are valuable and important. You are worth a little treat. You have a big job and need to be refreshed.
And by the way, I found the book recently and smiled at the reminder that time does pass, and perspective really helps. We all need a break to get God's viewpoint and peace. We need to refuel ourselves so we can continue to give to others. After all, if there's nothing left inside, what can we give?
Dear Lord, thank You for including in Scripture stories of how Jesus took time for Himself. Help me to accept that I have limits and needs. You know how overwhelmed I feel at times, please refuel and refresh me with Your Spirit first. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Glynnis now has five children, ages 14 to 20 and she still needs to remember to care for herself. Visit Glynnis' blog for a list of her favorite ways to be refreshed.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Always There offers an inspiring combination of real-faith mothering stories and Scriptures that assures you of God's abiding presence, written by authors such as Renee Swope, Ann Voskamp and more.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Is there something you love that you have given up because of your current circumstances? Consider if there is a way to re-incorporate that into your life.
Consider ways to be the hands of Jesus and bring refreshment to someone who is a full-time caregiver.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 11:25, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (NIV)
Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (ESV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 20, 2012
When Worry Makes Me Weary
Renee Swope
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
As we drove home from a weekend in the mountains, I felt a heavy sense of dread and sadness. Laying my head back on my seat, I told my husband, J.J., "I don't want to go home."
After talking through my reasons with him, I realized the stress and strain of countless commitments - at home and work - were taking a toll on me. I just wanted to go back to the mountains where I could rest.
J.J. encouraged me to make a list of everything on my plate and ask God what I needed to cut back. At first I resented his suggestion. It felt like he'd just added one more thing I "needed to do." Yet I knew J.J. was right and eventually I made the list.
Then I asked God to show me where to make changes. Much to my surprise the changes I sensed Him leading me to make weren't in my schedule - they were in me.
God didn't show me I needed to cut back at work or in ministry. He didn't show me our kids were in too many activities. He didn't lead me to take a sabbatical, although I was kind of hoping He would.
Instead, I sensed it was worry - not my workload - that was making me weary.
I thought about the months leading up to this point and realized I'd spent almost as much time thinking and worrying about deadlines as I spent working on them. Some days my concerns about commitments and meeting people's expectations had consumed me.
I had let my mind dwell on the possible outcome of several different decisions - all at the same time - and it left me depleted mentally, emotionally and physically.
Honestly though, until I stopped and talked to God about it, I didn't recognize my mental mayhem as worry.
My mind is wired to think a lot so I'd gotten used to the constant flurry of motion in my brain. Yet anxiety had crept in slowly, causing tangles in my thoughts, a tightening in my chest, and tension in my neck. Some days I couldn't stop thinking about ALL I needed to do.
Instead of going back to the mountains to rest, I sensed God wanted me to find a resting place in His presence right in the middle of my busy life. Through today's key verse from Matthew 11:28, He invited me to come to Him with the worries that were making me weary.
Do you sense Him inviting you to come to Him today?
He promises a place to quiet your thoughts in His presence. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Ps. 91:1-2 NIV)
He offers freedom from the captivity of your concerns when you bring them to Him: "'Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. And I will lead you back from captivity.'" (Jeremiah 29:13-14 NIV)
Today, instead of letting our worries make us weary, let's respond to God's invitation and come to Him - asking, seeking and finding a resting place for our restless thoughts.
Dear Lord, when my concerns consume me, help me remember You are there inviting me to come to You and talk about all I'm thinking and doing. Show me if my workload or my worries are making me weary and help me trust You with both. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Renee would love to share with you three steps to recognize and overcome worry and a practical way to physically give God your concerns! Also, she's giving away a "Come to Me" stress-relief gift pack" that you can enter to win! Click here to find out more.
If today's devotion resonated with your heart, you don't want to miss Renee Swope's best-selling book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
God promises a place to quiet your thoughts in His presence. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Ps. 91:1-2 NIV)
When you think about all you need to get done, do you ever feel like you're coming undone? Learn how to "cast your cares upon Him" in a practical way that significantly reduces worry. Renee shares how here.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:7, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NLT)
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 21, 2012
There's No Way
Lysa TerKeurst
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 (NIV 1984)
I wasn't in the mood to be messed up.
I put my head against my bedroom wall, closed my eyes, and whispered, "There's no way." It was late summer of 2003 when my world collided with what seemed like an impossible invitation from God: adopt two teen boys from war-torn Liberia.
All the reasons why this wasn't a good idea tumbled before me. Honest reasons. Understandable reason. Solid reasons.
Who would do such a thing?
Missionaries would be much more qualified. Missionaries with grown kids and multi-cultural experience. People much more spiritual than me. People much more gentle and patient enough to do this sort of thing.
Not this disorganized woman who originally thought Liberia was in South America.
Not this mom who already felt overwhelmed with her three kids. How in heavens would we add two more?
Not someone who couldn't find the video she rented a month ago and who paid so many late fees at the library they should have named a shelf after her. Maybe two shelves.
Definitely not me.
But it was me.
The invitation was mine.
And I knew it.
No matter how many times I whispered over and over, "There's no way," this nagging sense of possibility wouldn't leave me. It wove its way through every fiber of my being until I stood up and shifted everything I thought my family would be with one weak whisper, "Yes."
I can honestly say there were moments of sheer joy where I felt reassured I'd heard God right.
But there were many other moments where life felt chaotic, messy, and really hard. There were tears. There were moments where I loved my five kids but I didn't like them very much. There were moments I wondered if I'd heard God wrong.
And there were more times even after we adopted where I said, "There's no way."
There was no way we could overcome a medical diagnosis one of my boys got. There was no way two teenage boys who tested at a kindergarten level could catch up in two years and be ready for middle school. There was no way I could be patient enough to educate them at home during those two years.
But every time I said, "There's no way," I'd remember Jesus calling himself, "The way..." (John 14:6).
He was the way. He was the One to follow. He was the One who would guide me each day. He was the One I needed to pour out my heart to in prayer. He was the One to listen to. And He was the One who reassured me with so many promises in the Bible. One of those promises was Isaiah 58:10-11:
"... If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
I could be a light rising in the darkness. I could be full of life like a well-watered garden. I could be refreshing like a spring whose waters never fail. Me. Crazy, incapable, crying-in-my-closet me. If I let Jesus be my way, and do what He was asking me to do, these things could be true for me.
And they can be true for you as well.
Do you have a situation in your life where you are saying, "There's no way..."? Maybe you aren't called to adopt, but whatever you are being called to do, take heart. Look into the Bible and find some promises that apply to your situation. And follow Jesus' instruction for that promise.
Friend, there might not be a way if you look at your situation with only human reasoning and calculation. But if you let Jesus' truth and promises fill you, you'll find a different way. A good way. A sure way. His way.
Dear Lord, I'm taking a deep breath and diving into Your way. Lord, help me please as I put my trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To see pictures and read more about Lysa's family story, click here. There's also a special surprise video you don't want to miss!
Sometimes we need a friend to walk alongside us when we feel like there's no way! Lysa TerKeurst does just this in her gut-honest new book Unglued. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 1.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you have a situation in your life where you are saying, "There's no way..."? Look into the Bible and find some promises that apply to your situation. And follow God's instruction for that promise.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 22, 2012
The God Who Sees
Samantha Reed
"She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me.'" Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
It's common, everyday. He tells me it's nothing, but I know better.
This single parent single-handedly holds each strand of his small daughter's hair as her little brother stands by. It's getting late, but he must continue ridding the unwelcome "guests." Comb and wash and comb again until father, daughter and son fall into bed, exhausted.
I send him this message, "You're making great memories." Folded under their daddy's wings, they'll remember sleeping under his safety and care.
He dismisses my encouragement: his kiddos won't recall this vacation, his sacrifice of rising early and staying up late, or the tedious job of removing lice. He says the only thing his 3- and 5-year-old birds will remember is being zonked out.
What about him? Shins kicked by size 2 feet, hot milky breath in his face, and blurry eyes still open as the sun rises on the next day of their vacation. These are what he bets he'llremember, and no one else will ever realize.
But I know better. Common moments, built one upon the other, create great lifetimes. These moments are mostly free, yet costly. Their currency? Time, energy, selflessness, dreams and yes, sleep. All create a life of loving well and building deep.
Reminds me of a story I read years ago by Nicole Johnson. Opening the coffee table book about magnificent cathedrals, she paused to soak in the inscription. "With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
This story hidden in the pages of her book is recounted. "No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for this work. The passion for their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A man visited the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He asked, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' The workman replied, 'Because God sees.'"
Yes, I knew better. Knew that my single-parent friend and his sleepless night were building something grand. Knew that even though he felt alone, he wasn't. God saw him just as He saw the woman in our key verse. In the desert, alone. Today's scripture reminds us that one of the names of the Lord, El Roi, means, "The God who sees."
Indeed, God sees each of our everyday efforts, whether with our kids or other children in our lives. Keeping watch late at night for them to arrive home safely. Folding the 11th basket of clothes . . . today. Cooking dinner with no "thank you" given. Dribbling the basketball with the neighborhood kids or volunteering at a summer camp. Though costly in many ways, these actions will pay off in building up a child's confidence of being loved, assurance of belonging, knowledge of being 'worth it.'
Whether you are investing in your own children, or someone else's, keep up the greatness in the common moments. It may seem like nothing, but it matters. It's building. It's seen.
Dear Lord, I can get so weary and tired persisting in building greatness in the everyday moments of life. It often feels like no one notices or appreciates me. Thank You for confirming that YOU see me. Help that be enough. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Always There offers an inspiring combination of real-faith mothering stories and Scriptures that assures you of God's abiding presence, written by authors such as Renee Swope, Ann Voskamp and more.
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Visit Samantha's blog to enter to win a copy of one of the above books . . . your choice!
Reflect and Respond:
Common moments, built one upon the other, create great lifetimes. These moments are mostly free, yet costly. Their currency? Time, energy, selflessness, dreams and yes, sleep. All create a life of loving well and building deep.
Click here to view Nicole Johnson sharing the story of "The Invisible Woman."
Power Verses:
Psalm 139: 2-3, "You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." (ESV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 25, 2012
Saying Thank You
T. Suzanne Eller
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
My girls once accused me of being the worst when it came to accepting a compliment.
"Mom, you look pretty today."
"Thanks, babe," I'd say, "You're kind to say that when my hair is kind of crazy."
Or I'd give that look. You know, the "You're just saying that" look.
Some might say that it was self-effacing. Maybe even humble. But it wasn't either of those things. It was a bad habit, one that was sending a not-so-great message to my two beautiful daughters.
I bounced back their sincere compliments with a negative. I sent a message that I just didn't measure up to their words.
One day I heard my daughter do the same thing and it stopped me in my tracks. She was beautiful. Intelligent. Insightful. How could she turn a compliment into a negative?
Oh, yeah. She had heard me do it.
From that day on I made a conscious effort to change my words. As I did, I began to listen to conversations among friends, women who were strong and beautiful. The conversations went something like this:
"Love those shoes."
"Oh, these? Bought them on sale. Cheap as dirt."
"You did a great job on that lesson!"
"I was so nervous. Couldn't you tell?"
"You look nice."
"Do you see this blemish? Right on my nose!"
Like a game of verbal ping-pong we often negate the good, bringing it down a notch . . . or two or three.
Saying thank you is a form of gratitude. Sure, it's acknowledging a compliment, but it's also accepting the thoughtful words of the person who gave it.
But can we take this deeper?
Recent stats say that our girls' self-worth takes a nosedive after the age of 9. It would be easy to point out other factors, but what about us? What do our daughters and the young women we influence hear us saying?
When someone offers a sincere compliment, what is your response?
When someone acknowledges a trait they value in you, do you remark on the things you wish you could change about yourself?
When someone tells you you're talented, do you point them to your imperfections?
It's been many years since my daughters' words made me stop and think. They are grown and they are beautiful, but what I love about them best is the women they have become. I tell them often.
You are beautiful.
I see God in you.
I love the way you love others.
And they simply say, "Thank you."
The next time someone gives you a compliment, whether it's as simple as, "Mom, those were great pancakes." Or as sweet as, "Hey hon, you look pretty today." Or as kind as, "Thanks, that was thoughtful." Receive it.
You might want to point out the messy kitchen, or your bed head, or your not-so-gracious attitude, but someone sees something they like in you and that's a gift.
Let's say it together.
Thank you.
Dear Lord, today I offer up a grateful heart for those who stop long enough to say something kind. Let me offer a gracious response in reply. Help my words lift up those around me, rather than point to the negative. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Suzie's blog for tips from Erin Webb of Beautiful You, Inc. on how you can encourage your daughter to embrace a scriptural view of her worth.
Making it Real: Whose Faith is it Anyway? by Suzie Eller
His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell is a fantastic resource to share with your tween/teen girls!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you? ~William Arthur Ward, author of Fountains of Faith
We often collect things that are of interest or value to put on a shelf. Today collect the kind words, little and large, that are spoken to you. Write them down in a journal. You can come back to them on the days you need a little encouragement. Thank God for the people who say them, and ask for the grace to receive them.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 25:11, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (ESV)
Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (ESV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 26, 2012
God Never Wastes Our Pain
Glynnis Whitwer
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
She'd betrayed me again. Hurt and anger simmered as I walked away counting to 10, then 20. Lord, this assignment is difficult! I feel like such a failure.
Feelings of shame filled me as I thought about my reaction toward my child who'd taunted me. Shouldn't I be above this? I asked myself. Shouldn't I be able to deal with rejection and deceit without getting angry? Why can't I rejoice in my trials like those first followers of Jesus?
That day, as always, God let me vent. As I presented my hurt and angry emotions to Him, He poured peace over my heart. My circumstances hadn't changed, but once again my heart was restored, and I felt encouraged.
God and I have been through this before. Despite my battered heart, this assignment to care for my wounded girl is mine.
You see, seven years ago, God added to our family through an international adoption. We didn't know the trauma our beautiful girls had experienced, but God did. And although some people's adoption story seems almost effortless, ours has come with a high cost. And for most of those seven years we have walked a painful journey with our daughters while sharing in their suffering.
In those seven years I've learned more about living with pain and helplessness than in all my previous years combined. I've also had to make some hard decisions about what I believe about God.
Mostly I've had to dig deep into whether or not I believe God can truly bring good out of all pain, or if my daughters' suffering and ours is just a waste.
In that process, I've come to believe that God will never waste our pain, but I can.
• When I'm not honest about the reality of how hard life is, I waste God's offer of peace.
• When I try to do things in my own strength, I waste God's offer of power.
• When I keep the pain to myself, and pretend everything is perfect, I waste opportunities to minister to others walking a similar path.
But when I confess my feelings of inadequacies, when I admit I'm helpless to heal the wounded ones in my care, I get to a place of reliance - and that's just where God wants me. For in this place of helplessness, God takes center stage. And when I let God lead, miracles start to happen.
Although I'd remove the pain and trauma with a snap of my fingers if I could, I know God is working even in this.
Especially in this.
I can talk about God's power all day long, but experiencing it changes me. It changes those around me.
Like Paul said in our key verse today, I find my way to being glad for this weakness in me. I'm not glad for sin or what caused the brokenness my daughters and I are facing. But I see pain for what it is - a condition of this fallen world, and a place for God to do His best work. The evil one's plans don't succeed, because the battle isn't mine anymore. God's power takes over when I step back.
This perspective shift helps me face another day. My circumstances haven't changed, but hope has seeped in through the cracks. No pain is wasted when I submit myself to God's plans. And we are seeing God's healing power in the lives of two precious girls.
Dear Lord, we've been here before, with me asking for relief. Help me to accept my weakness in this situation, and to allow Your power to take over. I admit I don't understand how this works, but I'm choosing to trust Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion on how God uses hard times in our lives.
When Your Child Is Hurting: Helping Your Kids Survive the Ups and Downs of Life by Glynnis Whitwer
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Think about a painful time in your life. How was God's power revealed during that time?
It's easy to allow painful circumstances to bring us to a place of bitterness. If you are in that place today, write down 10 things you are thankful for. As you review that list, praise God for His work in your life to bring you these things.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 1:25, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (NIV)
1 Peter 2:20, "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 27, 2012
Coming Back
Luann Prater
"'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'" Luke15:18-19 (ESV)
Kay was a prodigal. She had been stunningly beautiful, but now her beauty was hollow and worn. Downcast with shoulders slumped, she walked through the doors of her childhood church.
Heads turned and steely whispers followed her as she made her way to the front of the church during an invitation. She fell to her knees at the altar. A group gathered around her and prayed for what seemed like an eternity. She slowly rose to her feet and was asked, "Did you pray through?" to which the weary wanderer replied, "I think so."
I don't remember ever seeing Kay back in church again.
In my small town church the phrase "pray through" was synonymous with striving, straining, and working to find grace and deliverance. When I became a prodigal myself and wanted desperately to find answers and deliverance, I remembered the forlorn look of Kay and decided to keep wandering. It just seemed easier than trying to "pray through" somehow.
Have you been wandering through life looking for answers? Do you long to return to the Father after being far away but hesitate, wondering how you will make it back to Him and what it will cost you?
When coming "back home" we often have the same mentality as the prodigal son in our key verses, Luke 15:18-19: "'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'"
Feeling worn down and unworthy, we come to our Heavenly Father thinking we have to work like hired servants to earn our place.
After many years, I discovered that forgiveness and salvation aren't chores for us to labor over. They are tremendous free gifts from an amazing God! How incredibly liberating to know that Jesus offers these to any and all who believe on His name.
Jesus says, "Come to me." Period. It really isn't any more complicated than that. He loves you. He has been waiting for you and He welcomes you with open arms. We don't have to work for forgiveness or "pray through" like those well-meaning people in my childhood church felt the need to do.
God's heart for us is the same as the prodigal son's father in Luke 15:20. "So he [the prodigal son] got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (NIV).
When you come to Jesus, or when you allow Him to walk through the doors of your heart, no pleading or striving is necessary, only faith that His salvation and grace are your gifts. No need to "pray through." He is watching, willing and waiting to receive you.
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. Today I come to You and believe that You are my Savior. I ask You to come into my heart and forgive me. Help me to live in the freedom that You promised to give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
In her book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope dives deep into the truths of God's grace and helps women know the difference between conviction and condemnation. If you long to live free from guilt-induced doubt and take hold of grace-induced confidence, find out more here.
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Visit Luann's blog and listen to her Encouragement Café radio show for loads of fun and spiritual application for real life!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you wandered away from home - even in some small area of your life - and need to return to the Father?
If you don't know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, ask Him into your heart today.
If you are a believer and have seen weary wanderers walk through the doors of your church, show them unconditional love. Be grace-filled to them.
Power Verses:
John 6:37, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." (NIV 1984)
Hebrews 10:22, "...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 28, 2012
What Our Pastors Wish We Knew
Lysa TerKeurst
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." 1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV 1984)
My friend shocked me. She and her husband, a pastor, were not just resigning from their church, they were leaving the ministry all together. "It's just too much," she said with tears streaming down her face. "We gave all we could. But there were too many people who felt what we did was never enough."
My heart sank. Sadly, this pastor and his wife aren't alone.
According to research 40% of pastors and 47% of spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.
These numbers are heartbreaking and convicting. I'm passionate about understanding how to love and support those who lead my church. But I have to admit, I'm still learning how to apply the biblical principle of our key verse, 1 Timothy 5:17.
Paul knew that supporting and blessing the pastor was remarkably important when he said these words to Timothy and now to us all.
A wise, incredibly humble Texas pastor once told me, "Some would think double honor sounds excessive, but the reality is no one fully understands the pressures on your pastor at any given time as they carry with them the burdens of many in the congregation quietly and confidentially. This is not work that you can leave at the office, it weighs on you. I believe it is for this reason Paul calls us to double honor."
So, how do we apply this? Here are some insights shared with me from pastors and their wives all over the country:
Do the basics consistently.
The greatest way to bless your pastor is to be one of those faithful people who attends, serves and gives consistently. This offers such assurance to a pastor and their staff. One of the most well-studied pastors I know on church leadership said, "When people do the regular basics and never make a big deal about it, the other stuff you do for your pastor is so much more meaningful. Some people try to bless their pastor on their terms and they are loud about it. They don't tithe, but ... 'Hey pastor, you can use our lake house with strings attached.'"
Let's bless our pastor and his staff with the basics. Give gifts without strings. And don't toot our horn about doing so.
Let go of the unrealistic expectations.
Almost every pastor addressed the issue of inviting he and his family over for dinner. While it seems like something we're doing for the pastor, it usually isn't the gift they need. More than spending time with our family, they need to spend time with theirs. Bless them with gift certificates. Or schedule to drop off a meal — especially during those busy times like Easter and Christmas.
Of course, they'll have friends where a dinner with that family is completely comfortable and refreshing. Give them the freedom to have close friends and not feel guilty or exclusive in doing so. One pastor's wife said to me, "I think the thing that discourages me the most is people commenting on my friendships. Using the word clique to describe my friendships, rather than just being happy I have a community, is hurtful."
Let's bless our pastor and his family with freedom. They need friends. And it's okay if we're not dinner buddies.
Love the pastor's wife.
Two pastors wrote, "Please give my wife face-to-face affirmation," and "When my wife hears negative things about the church or me it crushes her."
Another pastor's wife gave insight into how to greet her so she doesn't feel like a heel for not remembering everyone personally. She said, "It's hard when people say, 'Do you remember me?' Instead, introduce yourself and remind me where we've met before."
Let's commit to our pastor's wife the gift of kind words. As a woman in ministry, when someone commits to saying kind and affirming things about me, my ministry, and my family, it makes me feel so safe.
Don't assume other people are encouraging your pastor.
Send notes of encouragement. Write the email telling what a difference that sermon made in your life. Don't assume they get plenty of positive feedback—usually they don't.
Let's commit to not just be someone who appreciates our pastor in our hearts, but let's let them know over and over.
Keep studying how to bless your pastor.
Become aware of how your pastor best needs to be blessed and step into that role. Make it a family mission to be one of those foundational families at church who stays out of the drama, seeks to give and not take, and stays for the long haul honoring him all the way.
And don't forget the other pastoral staff members who serve so faithfully as well.
It's biblical. It's good. And while I've got a long way to go, I'm committed to honoring my pastors with much more intentionality.
Dear Lord, thanks for the gift of my pastor, his wife, his staff, his time. Please show me ways to give them double honor, and help me follow through on it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa's new book and six-week Bible study, Unglued - Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions — will be releasing August 1st, just in time for Fall Bible studies! Click here for more information.
For a chance to win a pre-release copy of Unglued, visit Lysa's blog by clicking here.
Click here to visit Lysa's Facebook page and tell us how you plan to bless your pastor this week. There are hundreds of practical ideas readers have already shared!
Reflect and Respond:
Sit down with the Lord and ask Him to show you a few ways to bless your pastor this week.
While in prayer, get honest with God. Have you had unfair expectations of your pastor, his wife and family, or his staff? Repent.
Power Verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:12, "Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 29, 2012
Recovering from Rejection
Tracie Miles
"Am I now trying to win the approval of man, or God? Or am I still trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 (NIV 1984)
If there is one thing that can make someone feel like they don't have a friend in the world, it's rejection. Whether it be a spouse's insult, a co-worker's gossip, a friend's betrayal, a boss's criticism, or a teenager who suddenly doesn't want to be seen with you anymore—rejection hurts.
Several years ago I was dealt a harsh blow of rejection from someone fairly close to me. In the midst of my recovery from the pain and shock, I became so focused on my hurt feelings that it was almost impossible for me to think clearly or rationally. I was consumed by thoughts about the rejection.
How could that person have done and said that to me? Do they know how much I have done for them? Have they taken a hard look at themselves?
My human nature wanted to get back at the one who hurt me. Maybe give them a taste of their own medicine. But God had a different plan.
He wanted me to handle this challenging and painful situation with understanding and compassion. He wanted me to pray for my "rejecter" and see them as His child who had made a mistake. As someone who didn't realize how their words and actions affected others. He wanted me to forgive them.
I didn't follow His lead at first. Instead, I chose to harbor anger. I filled the ears of my family and friends with all of my woes, forcing them to be an involuntary guest at my pity party. I chose to feel sorry for myself and shed as many tears as possible, as if that would drown out the hurt.
Despite my procrastination in handling things God's way, over the next few weeks He repeatedly intervened and reassured me of His love. I stumbled across Bible verses dealing with overcoming rejection. My weekly Bible study topic was on rejection, my daily email devotions touched on the same theme, and my pastor's sermon was about rejection that Sunday.
I knew God was trying to show me He cared about me and was with me during this time of turmoil. He gently reassured me of my worth in His eyes and reminded me that my value wasn't based on man's approval, but solely on His.
God's reassurance and words of encouragment helped wash away my pride and began to replace it with His mercy and grace. I was reminded that I am His and He loves me despite my flaws and insecurities.
As a result, I was able to take my focus off of my rejecter, and instead focus on my approver - Jesus.
Although Jesus may not always approve of our actions or choices, He always approves of us as a person whom He created, whom He loves, and whom He thought was important enough to die for.
Isn't it comforting to know we never have to try to earn Jesus' approval, and that we can live with a peace of mind knowing He accepts us no matter what?
Dear Lord, I pray for Your wisdom and comfort to deal with situations in which I feel hurt, rejected and worthless. Fill me with Your love so I can love others, even when I do not feel loved in return. Please help me to remember the only One I need to seek approval from is You, and that in You alone I can truly believe I am worthy and unconditionally loved. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles
Visit Tracie's Blog to find more encouragement in overcoming the stress of rejection and embracing God's unconditional love.
Tracie's new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World, will be releasing soon! Visit her blog to find out when it will be available and how to sign up for her upcoming 10 Day Stress Detox.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you allowing the opinion of one person to define how you feel about yourself?
Is rejection causing you to feel stressed and anxious?
Ask God for the supernatural ability to forgive your rejecter and to help you remember that who you are in HIS eyes is all that really matters.
Power Verses:
1 Kings 8:50, "And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy." (NIV 1984)
1 Thessalonians 2:4, "On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men, but God, who tests our hearts." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 2, 2012
Another Chance
Samantha Reed
"My beloved spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.'" Song of Songs 2:10-11 (NIV)
These lyrics caught in my throat the first time I sang them: "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon the cross."* I cried the ugly cry as I stared at my circumstances, ashamed.
I'd comprised big time in some areas and, until the warm truth of that song, I had turned a cold shoulder to the hope of forgiveness.
Shame convinced me I wasn't worthy of another chance.
Last summer I met a girl who needed a second or third chance. On a 75 degree, gorgeous-in-every-way-L.A. day, I served food on Skid Row with The Dream Center team. There I was, navigating pain and hypodermic needles. There she was, fidgeting outside the women's shelter of this concrete jungle.
She melded into the gray of her tattered sweatpants. Washed out and muted; buried under a cold world, away from the Light for far too long. Inching toward me, she stepped over others hibernating beneath cardboard boxes and frigid despair.
Try as I might, I couldn't catch her eye as she asked for help. Shame from past deeds had beaten her down. It made her doubt she was worthy of anything, much less another chance for a hot meal and cold drink.
This sweet woman had been pushed out of the food line. Unable to defend herself and in too much physical pain to stand in line again, she needed someone to make a way.
Together, we walked to the front of the food truck {not gonna lie, it was fun breezing past her bullies}. But I felt ridiculous handing her scrambled eggs and water. Cause surely, she needed so much more.
We all do at some point, don't we?
She needed to know this place didn't have to be her last stop. That what she'd done to land on Skid Row could be forgiven ... forgotten, even. This cold season could turn into a warmer one. I wanted to share this truth ...
"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone." (Song of Songs 2:11 NIV)
Winter ... that gloomy season that should pass. But what if it lingers? What if one bad-for-us choice turns into 100 that beat us to our own Skid Row? What if mistakes convince us that we don't deserve another shot?
Been there? Me too. But letting the Light in melts our winter of doubt into a spring of hope.
What we've done doesn't dictate who we are. The truth is, what He's done makes us who we are: forgiven, hopeful and worthy of another chance. We may not feel we deserve a second shot. But Christ's sacrifice and our salvation through Him gives us one.
Never doubt, He'll always lead us past the bully of shame to the front of the line for so much more than eggs and water.
Dear Lord, it's hard to believe I'm worthy of another chance. But I'm taking a step of faith, choosing to accept that Your death means new life for me. I'll never know how much it cost, but I'm forever grateful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to read more about salvation through Jesus
Visit Samantha's blog for hope, encouragement and to enter to win The Cause Within You by Pastor Matthew Barnett, founder of The Dream Center.
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Reflect and Respond:
Is it difficult for you to believe you're worthy of another chance? It might be time to see a counselor or talk with a trusted Christian friend for help.
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
~Casting Crowns, East to West**
Power Verses:
Isaiah 12:1-2, "You will say in that day: 'I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.'" (ESV)
John 3:17-18b, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned ..." (ESV)
*Light of the World (Here I am to Worship) by Tim Hughes. © 2000 Thankyou Music.
**East to West by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms. © 2007 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music (BMI).
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 3, 2012
Re-routed
Van Walton
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths... I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." - Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
A newly posted sign announced I couldn't make my normal, convenient left turn out of my neighborhood. Lined up on the road, snaking around the bend, was a neat row of orange and white barrels. Road construction had interrupted and re-routed my usual routine.
Faced with this disruption that would surely put a delay in my schedule for the next few weeks, I felt so agitated I hit my steering wheel. I'd have to design a new way, out of my way, to reach my destination and I wasn't happy about it.
Nearly a month later, when construction was completed enough to allow some through traffic, I turned left and surveyed the sights. I couldn't believe what I saw. No more lovely forest. Gone were the inviting trails into the woods. Decades-old wooden fences and bridges had disappeared.
The place looked like it had been ravaged by a storm.
Soon after, my life was more seriously interrupted when someone I deeply love experienced a horrible trauma. A disturbing phone call forced me to drop everything. The bad news exploded like a bomb - my heart and mind quaked with emotion.
Because my loved one's life was re-routed due to their circumstances, so was mine. Spiritual frustration filled my soul in the following months. I can't remember how many times I hit hard places. The results of this trauma carried me away from the direction I had wanted to go. I screamed angrily at God.
"How long will You take me out of my way?" I questioned.
I longed for the times before this re-routing. Yet, slowly I began to see how this detour of my own plans was really a spiritual reconstruction, just like the roadwork outside my neighborhood.
You see, once all the orange and white barrels were gone, I appreciated the full results. Smooth asphalt spread out before me. Two lanes of traffic moved steadily. The "earthquake zone" had been transformed into a park-like setting. A tree-lined sidewalk encouraged pedestrians to walk toward the ballpark and the neighborhood church. Admiring the new landscape, I reminded myself that even though I'd been inconvenienced, it was worthwhile.
Our key verse comforts me that God is there guiding us through the unfamiliar, making a way, calling to us: "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths ... I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
My plans continue to zigzag through various unplanned circumstances. And I realize God allows me to experience these orange and white-barreled roads to illustrate a truth. He is at work up ahead rearranging the landscape of my life.
I may not be able to see what the new landscape will look like, but I believe He will guide me, make the road smooth, and be with me. With His help, I put my hand in His, traveling the paths He lays out for me, even though they may not be the familiar roads I'd prefer.
Dear Lord, You know how difficult life is right now. My interrupted life and the rough roads feel like they'll break me. Give me the capacity to trust You and graciously travel the paths You lay out before me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the One Who promises to lead you?
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
How has my life been interrupted recently? How would God have me respond to this most recent disturbance?
Memorize one of the power verses below. Pray it out loud when disruptions threaten to interrupt your life.
Power Verses:
Psalm 25:4, "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow." (NLT)
Psalm 37:34, "Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land." (NLT)
© 2012 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 4, 2012
Establishing Moral Authority
Glynnis Whitwer
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:14-15 (NIV 1984)
Talking with my son one day, I mentioned I thought I might have made a good lawyer. I love discovering facts, proving my point and standing for justice. It wasn't a real longing, just a passing comment in an afternoon filled with incidental but pleasurable conversation.
At my observation, my son adamantly replied, "You would make a horrible lawyer!"
I looked at him with curiosity and surprise dressing my face. He continued, "You would never lie. In fact, you could boast the fastest conviction rates in your ads. I can see you standing before the judge saying, 'Your honor, my client is guilty!'"
We both laughed at that comment. And I completely agreed with his assessment of my lawyering potential. I guess it's a good thing I stuck with writing.
My son made an exaggerated comment that day to make an observation about my character. We both know there are lawyers with the highest integrity. That wasn't his point. His point was his mother doesn't lie.
His comment snuggled its way into my heart and has stayed there ever since. I make a lot of mistakes in my parenting, but apparently I've done something right. My son knows the real me - the good, bad and ugly. And in this one area of my life, my son has made a crucial observation of my character: it's consistent with what I say.
I've discovered that I'm influenced most by people whose lives match their words. Interestingly, for these people, doing what's right is a natural way to honor God. Their influence over me is a by-product of that devotion, and I'm changed by watching the unspoken alignment of their talk and walk.
Jesus had both authority and influence because His character and actions completely matched His words. Twelve disciples watched His every move. Because they found no inconsistencies, they grew to trust Jesus. This gave Jesus a moral authority that superseded the authority of any other religious leader of the time.
That's the type of mother, wife and friend I want to be. I want to be pursuing God with all my heart, and in so doing, establish moral authority in my life with those closest to me. You see, I understand that even though I have authority with my children, I don't have influence unless there is consistency in my life.
Having my life match my words is one of my highest desires in life. People will eventually notice inconsistencies in my life and when they do, it erodes my influence. Sometimes, I only get one chance to influence the people around me. Sadly, once lost, moral authority is very difficult to regain.
I don't always get it right. There are plenty of times when my actions don't match my words. But my son's comment inspired me to examine my life, and see where there are inconsistencies. As I find them, I am honest about my weakness, and seek God's help to deal with them. That's the only way I'll ever develop into the woman I know God wants me to be: one who doesn't have to shout to make her point, but whose quiet actions speak louder than words.
Dear Heavenly Father, I need Your help. I want to be a woman whose life completely matches up to her words. You know there are areas where I fall short. I submit those areas to You, and ask for Your strength to be the woman You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need help with parenting? You might enjoy When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
P31 Woman magazine
Reflect and Respond:
Why is moral authority so much more powerful than traditional authority? What are some of the reasons we say one thing but do another?
Identify one area of your life that doesn't match what you say you believe. (Examples might be honesty, patience, kindness, forgiveness.)
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV 1984)
Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God." (NLT)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 5, 2012
My Name is on God's Hand
Shaunti Feldhahn
"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16 (NLT)
How can we know for sure God is thinking about us today? There are so many people in this world, why would He be personally interested in us?
Not so long ago I was affected by something a pastor and his wife shared with me as we drove through the neighborhoods where they do inner-city missions work. Old cars littered the streets; warehouses with windows broken out were slashed by obscene graffiti, while unemployed men and women sat around lifelessly. The air was heavy with a lack of hope.
The pastor told me stories of his ministry in this area, working with the homeless and those with mental illness. One day, after he had preached a short sermon in a park about God's great love, a woman named Mae came up to him with drug-deadened eyes that couldn't hide her anguish. From Mae's story, it was clear she had been looking for love her whole life and had never found it.
She was abandoned by her father, had lived in poverty, been surrounded by drugs and alcohol from the earliest age, dropped out of school when she had several children by different fathers, and was now probably in her thirties with no life or hope.
She told the pastor, "I just don't know how God can love me." She felt small, lost in a sea of despair. How could God ever see her, know her, love her?
The pastor noticed she had written many notes to herself on the palm of her left hand and asked, "Why do you do that?"
"So I can remember things. I have such a hard time remembering things."
"Does that help?"
"Yes. If I have it on a piece of paper, I'll probably forget to look at it. But with the really important things, when it's written there, it's right in front of me so I see it and remember. I can't lose it or forget it."
The pastor looked at her with compassion. "Sister, that is what God says about you in the Bible. 'See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.' Mae, that means He's written your name on His hands. You are the really important thing to Him."
He took her hand and pointed to line after line of notes on her palm. "Just like these notes are right in front of you, God has your name always in front of Him. He is always thinking about you. Mae, an image of you is always on His mind. He loves you that much."
Mae burst into tears; great sobs released as she grasped the concept of how much God adored her. Not because she had done anything good, and in spite of everything she had done wrong. God had written her name on His hand.
We can hold onto that promise too.
Isn't it an amazing, glorious, freeing thing to realize God has our name engraved on His hand? He really sees us, cares about us, and knows us by name!
Dear Lord, I am constantly amazed at how great You are and yet still You remember me. It is amazing that You not only remember me, but You have engraved me on Your hand. Thank You for that assurance. Help me remember this truth on the days where I feel forgotten and unloved. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Shaunti Feldhahn and Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Made to Crave for Young Women, shows us how to go to God to have our deep needs met. Full of gut-honest personal stories, insightful teaching, and groundbreaking research, this is a wonderful resource for the young woman in your life.
Shaunti has an insightful guest post at Lysa TerKeurst's blog today that reveals some research you'll want to read! Click here to read more.
Reflect and Respond:
Memorize Isaiah 49:16a: "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." Then draw a simple picture of God's hands, palms up, outstretched. On one of the palms, write your name and a description that applies to you even though you may not always feel like it. For example: "Emily—daughter of the King," or "Keisha—beloved of God."
Keep that paper where you can see it, and whenever you look at it, thank God for His great love and ask Him to help you understand this truth.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that's what I had in mind for you." (MSG)
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
© 2012 by Shaunti Feldhahn. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 6, 2012
Under My Skin
Lynn Cowell
"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair..." Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
Like the sting of sunburn after a long day at the beach, the heat on my hands stayed for hours. As a treat for my family, I had made Aunt Carol's jalapeno peppers. With the sharp knife and chopping block, I transformed eighteen forest-green peppers into little boats of tasty fun. What I hadn't counted on was that ten minutes of exposure to the pepper's oil on my dry skin produced a burning that lasted hours.
As I looked at my red, cracked hands, I was reminded of another part of me that seemed dry and under-nourished a few months earlier.
My heart had been in bad shape. It had felt like a stone. When I would go to church, I sang the songs but I was just going through the motions. My heart was not truly singing praise to Jesus.
I assumed it was the church. Surely, something had changed. We needed new music; something fresh. But it turned out it wasn't the worship that needed to change; it was me.
I knew I couldn't do this on my own though. I needed to re-discover the oil of gladness mentioned in today's key verse. I decided to get intentional about personally coming into the Lord's presence daily, asking Him to replace my mourning with His gladness and my despair with His garment of praise.
Although I had never stopped reading my Bible and praying, I hadn't really been taking time in God's presence and asking Him to renew my heart.
So I began starting my time with the Lord each day by praising Him. A prayer journal I used gave me several helpful suggestions: repeating His attributes (faithful, loving, kind, etc.), calling out His names (Healer, Provider, Sustainer, etc.), singing hymns or worship songs, and my favorite: reading the Psalms out loud.
Opening my day with praises to my King transformed my heart. Each morning I would start by singing a song; one that turned my thoughts away from me and on to Him. Then I would focus on Jesus' character. Just saying out loud who He was - my hope, stability, and strength - filled my heart with joy. Afterwards, my heart would be reminded that although life can be filled with trials, even monotonous, He was always at work in and through me. Each day He would replace my wearisome heart with His fresh perspective.
After weeks of this new way of experiencing and worshipping Jesus, I found that my outlook through the day was different. Like the oil from the peppers, the lasting effect of His presence is felt in my heart many hours after the exposure.
Dear Lord, help me to enter into Your gates with thanksgiving each day and come into the courts of Your presence with praise. You are good and You deserve my heartfelt worship each day. I love You! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Click here to order the prayer journal that Lynn used, Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
His Princess: Prayers to My King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Visit Lynn's blog for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Put your favorite worship music on and find a place alone. Spend time worshipping Jesus. Ask a friend what her favorite worship music is and swap for a week.
What holds you back from worship?
Does your heart feel dry and cracked, like it needs some ointment? Ask the Holy Spirit to soften your heart.
Power Verses:
Ezekiel 11:19, "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh." (NIV)
Psalm 103:1-2, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (NIV)
Psalm 9:1-2, "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 9, 2012
Breakfast Buddies
Tracie Miles
"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." Psalm 143:8 (NLT)
His morning murmurs of "I hate school," "School is boring," and "I don't feel like getting dressed" were starting to get old.
One morning as I trudged into my seven-year-old's bedroom prepared for our normal routine, I had an idea. I told Michael if he got dressed quickly, we could eat breakfast together and be breakfast buddies, as opposed to grabbing Pop-Tarts on the way out the door.
To my surprise, his face lit up with excitement! He jumped out of bed with newfound motivation to prepare for the day, and we enjoyed a leisurely bowl of cereal together. From that day forward Michael arose each day without a fuss.
In fact, many mornings I'd open my eyes to find him standing at the edge of my bed looking into my face and whispering, "Get up breakfast buddy, I'm hungry."
Even though it took extra effort to get up earlier, this new plan made our mornings much less stressful. We both looked forward to peaceful moments of talking and eating breakfast together. I sensed it also made Michael feel valued and prepared him to face his day at school.
Psalm 143 is a prayer of David, during a time when he is obviously under a great deal of stress, possibly written while Saul is persecuting him.
In this Psalm, David asks God to speak to his heart first thing in the morning and give him reassurance. He pours out his heart to God, expressing his fears and even his weaknesses. He admits his feelings of hopelessness and his fear of crumbling under the weight of his stress. "I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear." (vs. 4 NLT)
David prays for God to lavish His favor upon him. He lifts his hands in prayer, asks for mercy, and pleads for guidance and deliverance from his troubles. David calls for wisdom and seeks rescue from his distress—and he does all of this each morning while spending time with the Lord.
In some ways, God was David's breakfast buddy. Their time together prepared him to handle the stress each day held.
The importance of breakfast with my son, and how essential David's time with God each morning was, reminds me how much I need time with Him in the early part of my busy days.
I admit there have been mornings Jesus just might have stood at the edge of my bed and summoned me to be His breakfast buddy. But instead I simply rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.
Yet on mornings when I do get up early and start my day with Jesus, He always speaks to my heart and is faithful to prepare me for stressful situations that usually come.
Five years later, I still eat breakfast with my little man every day. And I try to make Jesus my breakfast buddy too. Even if only two bowls of cereal are on the table I always know that three chairs are filled.
Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on how having breakfast with Jesus can help you manage your stress.
Tracie's new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World, will be releasing soon! Visit her blog to find out when it will be available and how to sign up for her upcoming 10 Day Stress Detox.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do you believe your day will be different if God is your breakfast buddy?
Have you felt God calling you to spend time with Him in the morning but chose to stay in bed, or busy yourself with morning duties, instead? Set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier tomorrow, and fix breakfast and lunch tonight to save time in the morning.
Power Verse:
Psalm 88:13, "But I cry to you for help, LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 10, 2012
Pretending I'm Fine or Proving I'm Right
Lysa TerKeurst
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17 (NIV)
If someone says something or does something that hurts me, what is the godly response? Is it to pretend like everything is fine so I can keep the peace? Or is it in confronting the person to prove how wrong they are?
Neither.
If ever I catch myself pretending or proving, I know I'm processing my hurt the wrong way.
The godly way is approaching this situation with soul integrity—responding in a way that's honest but also peacemaking. James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure (honest); then peace-loving ..." Yes, I want this kind of wisdom—this soul integrity. I want to be honest and peacemaking at the same time. But how?
I must remember I need real honesty combined with real peacemaking.
Real Honesty
Not all honest expressions of my feelings are real honesty. You see, my honest feelings may not be truthful assessments of the situation. I can be honest with how I feel and still exaggerate or misinterpret what is factually true. I can feel justified in being blatant about my feelings—not hiding a thing—and prideful for being so real, all under the guise of being honest enough not to stuff.
But in reality, honesty that isn't true isn't honesty at all. It may just be emotional spewing. That's why we need peacemaking honesty—honesty reined in by the Holy Spirit—if we're going to have authentic soul integrity.
So, if I want real honesty, I have to ask the Holy Spirit to show me real truth. I need to see things from the other person's perspective. I need to ask questions of them with the desire to better understand instead of throwing out statements of accusation. Ultimately my goal should be to add peacemaking to my honesty.
Real Peacemaking
It must grieve God to see plastic versions of peacemaking that aren't reined in by honesty. That's what we do when we stuff and pretend everything is okay. The upside to stuffing is that we have the semblance of peacemakers. But when we do this at the expense of honesty, we harbor a corrosive bitterness that will eventually emerge. Either it will erode our health and later present itself in a host of emotional and physical anxiety-induced illnesses, or it will accumulate over time and surprise everyone when the peacemaker eventually erupts. Saying "I'm fine" to keep the peace, when we're really not fine, isn't honest.
Sometimes dishonesty comes in the form of saying things that aren't true. But it's also dishonest when we don't say things that are true.
It may seem godly in the moment, but it's false godliness. Truth and godliness always walk hand-in-hand. The minute we divorce one from the other, we stray from soul integrity and give a foothold to the instability that inevitably leads to coming unglued.
Yes, we're after soul integrity—honesty that is also peacemaking that leads to godliness. This soul integrity brings balance to unglued reactions. It makes us true peacemakers—people who aren't proving or pretending but rather honestly demonstrating what they are experiencing in a godly manner.
And being a true peacemaker reaps a harvest of great qualities in our lives: right things, godly things, healthy things.
Dear Lord, through You I am able to bring all my exploding and stuffing under Your authority and truth. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who gives me the wisdom to move beyond my reactions. Help me lean on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you find yourself stuck in the same reactions? Your feelings are hurt, but you stuff them to keep the peace. Or maybe you explode and yell, instead of calmly talking it out? We'd love you to join us for "Better Reactions in 5 Days." Click here to sign up for this relationship-changing challenge!
Sometimes we need a friend to encourage us as we make right, godly, healthy changes. Lysa TerKeurst does just this in her new book Unglued. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study takes you deeper into the Word and further into lasting peace. To pre-order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Is the Lord moving you towards real honesty, real peacemaking or a combination today?
Thinking about your current relationships, what are some practical applications you can make as you pursue soul integrity?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 13:11, "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." (ESV)
James 3:18, "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (ESV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 11, 2012
What Frustrated Jesus
Lysa TerKeurst
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." - Psalm 77:11 (NIV)
If I lived in the days of Jesus, I like to think I'd have been moved by His miracles. Changed by His miracles. Repentant and willing to live differently because of what His actions proved. He is the Son of God—the miracle worker.
But would I really?
After all, sometimes I act as though Jesus can work miracles for other people, but not for me. Not in my issues.
Last year, I started to see that one of my issues was my short and snippy reactions to my family. I felt like I was constantly coming unglued and getting all tangled in my raw emotions. I chalked it up to stress, being overly tired, and monthly hormonal fluxes. I kept making excuses and promises to do better tomorrow. But then tomorrow would bring with it more challenges and conflicts where I'd react again and then regret it.
I was quick to applaud when other people repented and positioned their hearts to see Jesus work a miracle in their life. But I lived as if that same kind of miraculous work wasn't possible with me.
And that kind of unrepentant attitude frustrates Jesus. He said in Matthew 11:20, "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent." (NIV 1984)
Sometimes I have to get out of my normal surroundings to become more aware of things that need to change in me. So, last year I spent a week at a homeless shelter called The Dream Center. Pastor Matthew Barnett and his church run The Dream Center in Los Angeles, which is a ministry hub of 120 programs that serve more than 40,000 people every month. Housed in a converted hospital building, the 700-bed facility includes a transitional shelter for homeless families, a drug rehab center, and a shelter for victims of sex trafficking.
I went to help meet needs. But I quickly realized I was there as a woman in need. A woman who needed God's reality to fall fresh and heavy and close and real and too in my face to deny.
I saw God's miraculous healing power woven into so many lives at The Dream Center. I saw it. And wanted it.
God's miraculous power is what transformed the gang member with eight bullet-hole scars into a Jesus-loving servant. So gentle.
It's what changed the former prostitute into a counselor for other girls rescued from life on the streets. So pure.
It's what changed the drug addict into a loving father, teaching his son how to be a godly leader. So integrity-filled.
What prevented me from realizing that God's power could change me too?
Somewhere along the line I stopped expecting God to work miraculously in me.
Inspired by the changed lives at the homeless shelter, my soul quickened to the bold reality that I could be different. I really could have different reactions to my raw emotions. I knew my progress would be imperfect, but it could still be miraculous. And I felt a new hope rush through me.
I'm not gentle by nature, but I can be gentle by obedience. I'm not patient by nature, but I can be patient by obedience. I'm not peaceful by nature, but I can be peaceful by obedience.
I can. And I will.
I can be the unglued woman made gentle, patient, and peaceful. God, help me. God, forgive me. And in the shadow of that realization and repentance, the miracle begins.
Dear Lord, please open my eyes to see the places I need You to change in me. I know I have wrapped my identity in so many things other than You. I want You to change those rough, imperfect places in me. Help me become the woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you want to be more gentle, patient and peaceful? Lysa TerKeurst's new book Unglued, shares wonderful wisdom to lead you in making those changes. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.
Nothing changes us like Scripture. The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a great resource to get us into the Word of God, and let the Word of God get into us. To pre-order your copy, click here.
We'd love to share a chapter of Unglued with you! Click here to read a section of this life-changing book and hop over to the Unglued website. It's a great resource to help equip you in making lasting changes.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you sometimes afraid of committing yourself fully and trusting God with the small and big changes that need to take place in your life?
In what areas do you need the Lord to do some major changing?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:18-19, "But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." (NLT)
1 Peter 3:10-11, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 12, 2012
When Doubt Won't Go Away
Renee Swope
"'But Lord,' Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.'" Judges 6:15 (NIV 1984)
Wouldn't it be great if becoming a Christian meant that all of our doubts and fears went away?
A few years ago I felt paralyzed with self-doubt about a big commitment I had made to do something I'd never done before. After begging God to zap me with confidence, and realizing it wasn't going to happen, I asked Him to show me what made me feel so insecure and uncertain.
Immediately I remembered Gideon, a man who was called by God yet paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy. From reading his story in Judges 6, I knew Gideon overcame his doubts and fears by focusing on what God thought about him — instead of what he thought about himself.
But first he processed his doubts with God in a very honest way. Recent conflicts and defeats caused Gideon to doubt God's presence and promises. When an angel of the Lord told him to go defeat the Midianites, Gideon asked, "'How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest ... and I am the least in my family.'" (Judg. 6:15)
His perception of himself made him feel inadequate. Damaged emotions and insecurities from our past have a powerful influence over how we see ourselves today.
I knew it was time for me to get honest with God, too. I needed more than a quick fix. I needed to figure out what triggered my self-doubts and led me into such a yucky place of uncertainty.
I remembered how a conflict with a friend that week made me doubt I should even be in ministry. After all, self-doubt whispered, if I can't maintain healthy relationships at all times in all areas, how can I help others?
I also received feedback on a project that week. One harsh criticism overshadowed several positive comments and consumed my focus. And, I had been comparing my abilities to speakers who'd been booked for an upcoming event with me. Self-doubt convinced me I wasn't as gifted as they were.
Conflict, criticism and comparison had sent me into the shadows of doubt.
What about you? When conflict arises at work or at home, do you ever assume it disqualifies you from other ministries or callings? Does criticism ever paralyze you from believing you can do certain things? Or, has comparison ever convinced you that someone else can do it (whatever "it" is) better than you?
In my book, A Confident Heart, I share how we can allow God to change the way we think, which will change the way we feel, and eventually transform the way we live!
It's not a quick fix but a powerful process of naming our doubts, identifying what triggers them and then learning to rely on God's power to lead us into a place of living confidently in the security of His promises.
The next time you start feeling insecure, ask God what triggered your doubts. Then process the trigger point through God's perspective. Ask Him to show you lies you're believing and truths to replace them. Then let Him change your thought process by focusing on His thoughts towards you instead of your thoughts about yourself. For instance:
• When doubt tells you that you can't do something because it's too hard, remember God says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).
• When doubt tells you you're not good enough, focus on the truth that God says you're fearfully and wonderfully made; all of His works are wonderful and you are one of them (Psalm 139:14).
One thing I know for sure, Jesus wants you to live with a confident heart! Some days it will be about what He's calling you to do but — even more than that — it will be about what He wants to do in you as you learn to completely depend on Him!
Dear Lord, I'm tired of feeling paralyzed by insecurity. Show me what triggers my self-doubt and help me focus on Your thoughts about me instead of my thoughts about myself. I want to learn how to rely on and live in the security of Your promises. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Renee has a list of triggers and truths she'd love to share with you and a practical way to replace your doubts with God's promises. Also, she's giving away a "Confidence Boost" gift pack! Click here to find out more.
Ready to lose the weight of discouragement and doubt? Join over 40,000 others who have signed up for Renee Swope's FREE 7-Day Doubt Diet. Filled with daily insights, powerful promises and scripture-based prayers, you will receive a week's worth of life-changing Confident Heart devotions. Find out more here.
If today's devotion resonated with you, don't miss Renee Swope's bestselling book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. Order your copy here.
Reflect and Respond:
What triggers your doubts? How do they affect your life and relationships?
Take Renee's Doubt Index Analysis: a free mini-quiz to help you identify your most common self-doubts, find out what triggers them and how they affect you.
Power Verse:
Judges 6:14, "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
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July 13, 2012
Clean Hearts
Luann Prater
"It is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" Mark 7:15 (NIV 1984)
When I was little, if I talked disrespectfully to my parents, they would wash my mouth out with soap. It tasted awful! But one thing it didn't do was wash away the attitude in my heart that caused sassy words to spew from my lips.
Jesus told the people, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'" (Mark 7:15b, 21-23 NIV 1984).
Whew, that is some list! But why did Jesus take the time to name each one of those evils? We know that not one word in the Bible is wasted, so there is purpose behind Him listing each one to the crowd. Maybe there were folks there who looked good on the outside, but their hearts were unclean.
Perhaps, like me, they were not surprised when He mentioned murder, adultery, or theft. But I wonder what the reaction was when Jesus included more hidden sins like arrogance, envy and greed too.
The dictionary describes arrogance as "an offensive display of superiority or self-importance; or overbearing pride."
At first glance, we may think that doesn't apply to us. But if we let the Holy Spirit shine His search light on our heart, we may find times when we have thought, "Well, at least I'm not THAT bad," or "It's amazing her kids turned out as good as they did."
Envy is pretty sly at hiding in our hearts as well. It is the feeling of discontent with regards to other's success or belongings. Does your friend have a new car, a great body or a nice home? If so, do you ever look at her with jealousy and long for what she has? If so, that's envy. Ouch!
Then there is greed, the excessive desire for wealth or possessions. Maybe we don't think we are excessive in our want for more, but how much time do we spend trying to make more money or get more stuff? And how stingy are we with what we have?
What would it look like to take those three definitions and clean them up?
• Un-arrogance: a gracious display of selflessness • Un-envy: being completely content with all of our blessings • Un-greed: a desire to share what God has given us
That sounds like a clean heart to me!
Today I challenge myself with the words Jesus spoke, "It is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" Today, I will set my mind to being un-arrogant, un-envious and un-greedy. Yes, today I want to live with a clean heart.
Dear Lord, thank You for shining Your light on my heart so I can see where it is unclean. Illuminate those sins that I dirty myself with and cleanse me from the inside out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
God's Purpose for Every Woman by P31 devotion authors
Will you pray about sharing your heart with a Compassion International child?
Visit Luann's blog and listen to her Encouragement Café radio show for loads of fun and spiritual application for real life!
Reflect and Respond:
Make a list of the things that occupy your mind. Do any fall in the categories Jesus mentioned as evidence of an unclean heart?
Ask Jesus to replace those desires with His.
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)
Matthew 15:8, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (NIV)
© 2012 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 16, 2012
Do I Have Father Issues?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care." - Matthew 10:29 (NIV)
A girlfriend's father abandoned her family when she was young. As a result, she struggled with relating to God as her Father. Another friend's dad was harsh and critical. It took years for her to feel unconditionally loved by God.
As a young believer, I didn't think I had issues with my father. Although my dad wasn't a Christian, he allowed my mom to take me and my little sister to church. And though he never said, "I love you," nor attended any of my school performances, I knew he loved me in his own way. My father was a good man, hard working and faithful to his family. However, he was an uninvolved presence in my life.
If I had a problem, I went to my mother. If I got into trouble, I called my mother. When I wanted advice, well, you can guess who I approached. This didn't seem odd to me.
For years I congratulated myself for navigating my father's distant personality with minimal negative impact. I was deeply aware that it could have been worse, and thanked God for a happy childhood. It wasn't until 10 years ago that I pushed a little deeper into this topic of relating to God as my Heavenly Father based on my earthly experience.
Back then I heard that everyone (even those with great dads) has some kind of "father issue" with God because of his or her human (and inherently sinful) earthly fathers. While I wanted to dismiss it, I decided to revisit the topic. Could it be true for me? Was there something missing in my relationship with God?
As I dug deep, I discovered that although I was confident of God's love, I didn't really trust Him to be there in times of trouble. Would He step in if I had a problem? Did He even care?
Every question revealed the same disturbing truth: I didn't really, truly, deep in my heart, trust God. Believe in? Yes. Love? Yes. But trust? The words were easy to mouth, but my heart wasn't singing the same tune.
This realization shed light on so many issues that hadn't seemed troublesome enough to address. Like why I had trouble praying for myself. And why I had so much fear for my children and for myself, and neglected to seek God's wisdom in decision-making.
Seems I really did have "father issues" that were affecting my intimacy with God. I didn't know what it was like to have a father to turn to in good or bad times. But I wanted to learn. I desperately wanted to know God as a perfect Father.
So as awkward as it felt, I made some changes. I intentionally got more personal in prayer, even addressing God as "Daddy" (Mark 14:36). Faced with decisions, even small ones, I asked God for advice (James 1:5). And when fear started to well up, like when I was dealing with a fear of flying, I declared, "I don't trust the pilot, I don't trust the mechanic who tightened the bolts, I don't trust the weather, I trust YOU!" (Psalm 91).
Little by little my faith and trust grew. I took doubtful thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and intentionally exchanged them with thoughts that affirmed God's trustworthiness to help in times of trouble. It took years to rewire my thinking with the truth about God's ability and willingness to be my Heavenly Father. And honestly, I'm still a work in progress.
When I slip back into my independent ways, I choose to believe what I know to be true: I have a Heavenly Daddy who wants to be my hero, champion, protector and confidant - if I'll only let Him.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are perfect in all Your ways. Your Word says You are a loving Father, and I long to know You in that way. Only You know the gaps in our relationship based on my imperfect understanding of You. Please reveal them to me and help me work through them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you long for a loving Heavenly Father?
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement in knowing God as our Father.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Embraced by the Father by Susanne Scheppmann
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How does your relationship with your earthly father impact your relationship with your Heavenly Father?
What one step can you make today to close the gap between you and your Heavenly Father?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (NIV)
Psalm 91:14-15, "'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 17, 2012
When You Don't Know What to Say
Lysa TerKeurst
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 (NIV 1984)
Recently a moving truck pulled up to my friend's house. Sometimes moving signifies something exciting and new. Sometimes it doesn't.
This move signified an end. A few hours into the process of emptying her home, the movers carried out her wedding portrait and asked, "Are you taking the photographs separately?"
"Yes," she said, the irony not escaping her. Separately. That was how she'd be living now. Separate from their neighborhood. Separate from her husband. Separate from the way she thought life would be.
She took the wedding portrait and a feeling of confusion washed over her. Through her tears she called me and said, "I don't know what to do with this portrait. What do you do with things that have no place anymore? We built a life together and now there's no more together."
I knew better than to throw out a quippy bit of Christianese. Someone once told me as I stood over my dying sister's bedside, "You just have to let go and let God." They meant well. But it infuriated me. No, I wouldn't throw out something just to fill the uncomfortable silence. Trite sayings weren't going to curl up in bed with her and hold her unglued heart.
Maybe you've been there. Whether you were the one sitting in the midst of confusion or the one trying desperately to know what to say, I understand. Sometimes we just have to acknowledge that good feelings won't be there for a while. And when there's no way to feel better in the moment, we have to place our feet on the only solid ground there is—God's truth.
His truth won't shift with feelings.
His truth won't drown in a sea of tears.
His truth won't leave you even when your gut honest cries don't sound so Christian.
I finally said, "I don't have answers, but I do have prayers. And I'm going to write out conversations I have with God so you'll know He's not being silent right now. He sees you. He hears you. And through His truth He will comfort you."
I pulled out my Bible and poured out the hurt and sadness. "God show me the right truths. Use my hand to write out some comfort from Your Word for my friend."
Me: Lord, it's hard to watch my friend hurt so much. She begged You to help save her marriage and honestly we're confused why it still fell apart.
The Lord: Does Job 17:11 express the way you're feeling? "My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart." (NIV 1984)
Me: Lord, don't You see her tears? If seeing her sadness breaks my heart, it must break Yours too.
The Lord: Recall the beauty of trusting the only One who can see what is and what is to come. Nahum 1:7... "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (NIV 1984)
Me: I do trust You. But for everything to end like this is so hard. It just seems pointless.
The Lord: Nothing I allow you to go through is pointless. Even in the midst of hurt I will work good for her: now and in the future. I still have a grand plan for her. Proverbs 19:20-21..."Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (NIV 1984)
Me: I just need to know why she has to go through this.
The Lord: You don't have to have answers. You just need to trust. Isaiah 55:9b ... "My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV 1984)
Me: But what about the desires of her heart Lord?
The Lord: I am the only one who knows the full scope of those desires. I'll give her new desires and help her so those desires come to pass. Just encourage her to trust Me and make wise choices. Psalm 37:3-4 ... "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV 1984)
I sent this written out conversation with God to my friend. My note didn't fix her hurt or answer her questions. It didn't give her a place to put those things that seemed to have no place right now. But it did get her to open up God's Word and start having conversations with Him for herself. And as she moves on, this is a good first step to take.
Dear Lord, I lift my hurting friend to You. For You are the only One who can ultimately lift her up. Through all the ups and downs in life, may she trust You in a very personal way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
It can be hard and let's be honest, a little awkward, to know how to respond when your friend shares her pain. Lysa TerKeurst has been on the receiving and giving end, and shares her wisdom in "Better Reactions in 5 Days." This free online challenge will help equip you. Click here to sign up.
We all react differently to life's circumstances. Sometimes in good ways . . . sometimes, not so much. Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued, shares wisdom in responding with truth and grace for the highs and lows that comes our way. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is the perfect tool to take you further into God's heart. To pre-order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Trust meets every circumstance with the assurance of God's promises.
What is a disappointment you've walked through lately? Write the verses above on index cards to carry with you and write the words "I believe" after each one.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:3-4, "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 18, 2012
Coming Unglued Isn't All Bad
Lysa TerKeurst
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness." - Romans 6:12-13 (NIV)
I always thought me coming unglued emotionally was a bad thing. And certainly if I cause hurt to others it is. But, I learned something recently about an upside to my raw emotions. I saw pictures of a stunning home that had been reduced to rubble because of a fire caused by faulty wiring. And something about those pictures helped me understand a crucial truth.
A well-decorated home isn't a sign of a well-built house. It may seem impressive temporarily, but in the long run if the foundation crumbles or faulty wiring makes it catch on fire, it won't matter how many pretty pictures are on the walls. The whole house will fall.
The same is true about a well-decorated life. I can fake a smile, but if I'm falling apart underneath, eventually I will crumble.
My crumbling comes in the form of feeling short-tempered, on edge emotionally, and incapable of explaining exactly what's wrong. In those times where I come unglued, feelings festering underneath bubble to the surface. I see raw emotions I need to address.
This is why coming unglued isn't all bad.
Just like a light that fails to come on when the switch is flipped may indicate a wiring problem, coming unglued may indicate a problem with our internal wiring.
Outward expressions are internal indications.
If our outward expression is unglued, there's some brokenness going on internally. Broken places we won't address unless we are forced to acknowledge their existence. As painful as it might be to name these broken places, seeing ourselves—really seeing, deeply and honestly—is a very good thing.
When I look through the window of my unglued reactions, I may find pride I don't want to acknowledge. Longstanding unforgiveness. Deep-seated bitterness. Simmering anger. Joy-stealing jealousy. Condemning shame. Haunting regrets. Entangling rejection. Or I might see a schedule crammed too full. Or the feeling that I'm taken for granted and unappreciated.
We have to see what's there. Romans 6:12 reminds us not to let sin reign in us —therefore we have to become aware of the sin inside. If things are ever going to get better, we have to acknowledge things under the surface that fuel our unglued reactions.
We may not like what we see, but at least we'll know what we're dealing with. We can call it what it is and ask God to help us.
I'm reacting in angry ways, God. What do I do?
I'm feeling bitter towards them, God. What do I do?
I'm having a hard time forgiving, God. What do I do?
I'm using words that are harsh, God. What do I do?
Honestly, I don't take time to ask God what to do often enough. What about you? Maybe having a clear-eyed view of my underneath will help me go to God more — more frequently, more authentically, more humbly.
Therefore, might we agree that coming unglued isn't all bad if it brings us to God? And brings to the light what is eating away at us — chipping away at our foundation? Coming unglued is glorious if the end result of that brokenness leads us to a more healthy wholeness.
Dear Lord, please open my heart and my eyes to see the places that are broken and allow Your healing and truth in. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes we need a friend to walk alongside us as we come unglued. Lysa TerKeurst does just this in her gut-honest new book Unglued. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.
Go deeper with the accompanying Unglued Bible Study. To pre-order your copy, click here.
We're sharing a chapter of Unglued with you! Click here to read how to make imperfect progress with your raw emotions today.
Reflect and Respond:
We all have unglued moments. What raw emotions are being brought to light through your brokenness?
After identifying the underlying raw emotions, ask God to show you what to do with those emotions.
Power Verses:
2 Timothy 2:19, "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away form wickedness.'" (NIV)
Romans 14:19, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
July 19, 2012
Boundary Lines
Lynn Cowell
"And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'" - Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV 1984)
Several years ago my husband and I had the opportunity to get off our couch and be two of the screaming fans attending the Super Bowl. Knowing this was an once-in-a-lifetime event we arrived at the stadium hours before the game to watch preparations.
We took in everything, including the field maintenance crew pushing their carts, carefully chalking in the white boundary lines. At any football game, depending on the weather, these lines face a tough day.
Rain, snow, cleats, and smashed bodies beat against them for hours. At the end of the game, they are no longer white, straight and clean. In some places, they may have been completely rubbed away. But when game time rolls around the next weekend, the maintenance crew chalks the lines back in.
Often, as a parent of three, I grow weary of "chalking in the lines." Peer pressure, TV, music, and Facebook all beat against the boundary lines of safety and godliness I have helped put in place for my kids.
When they leave the house with keys in hand, I'm tempted to think: I don't have to remind them to not blare the music. They know. I've told them.
But then I remember that the world is constantly repeating its opinion on what is fun and acceptable. So I chalk in the lines—again—by reminding them of the boundaries the Lord has called me, as their parent, to put in their life. These boundaries are to spare them from the consequences of bad choices.
Sometimes it's hard to stick to our boundaries when we're tired and busy. Or when every show on TV reveals too much skin and our kids complain, "There's nothing else on." Or when a song has an abundance of crass language, but "everyone else is listening to it." Yes, at the end of a long day, it can be easier to relax the boundaries, but I know I have to keep on chalking in those lines.
The Lord is our best example of setting boundaries for our children. In the Garden of Eden He made it clear to His children they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He set the boundary. It was then up to Adam and Eve to obey. They crossed the lines God had put in place, and had to live with the consequences of their sin.
Just recently, I had to chalk the lines again with one of my kids and they were not happy!
But I remembered a conversation we had several months ago when my son said, "Mom, thanks for my curfew. It's kept me out of trouble lots of times." That was evidence enough for me that when I set boundaries, with love, my kids know I care deeply and want to protect them - even if they don't like the boundary I've set.
I wish I could say all my boundary lines have kept my kids within them, but that wouldn't be true. As they become adults they have to determine their own boundaries and sometimes they aren't what I know God wants for them. But when that happens, and my heart breaks, I am comforted knowing I did what God called me to do as a mom. The rest is in His hands. I pray for them daily and wait to see how God will work His ways in their lives.
My prayer for you is that when your day has been long and you're trying to cook, run a load of laundry and figure out when the next sports practice is, you will not grow weary in "chalking the boundary lines." And that one day your children will come back and thank you.
Dear Lord, help me. Sometimes I get tired of going against the world that seems to have no boundaries. In Your strength, help me to lovingly show my child the way. Soften their heart to accept and trust me as I follow You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell is a wonderful book to study together with your daughter.
Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart CD message by Lynn Cowell
Visit Lynn's blog where she is giving away a copy of His Revolutionary Love and Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart. In it she shares how to put boundaries in place in a way that our kids can hear not just our words, but our hearts.
Moms Together is an encouraging Facebook community of mothers. Click here to join!
Reflect and Respond:
Write a list of boundaries for your home. During natural conversations (in the car, during breakfast) bring these up, making sure your child knows your family's boundary lines.
Are there any areas in your own life where you have overstepped God's boundaries?
Discuss boundaries with your child calmly and fairly, guarding against the conversation turning into a heated argument.
Power Verse:
Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 20, 2012
Your Spouse ... Your Best Friend?
Melanie Chitwood
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NAS)
Although I can say my husband Scott is my best friend today, that hasn't always been the case. When we first got married, I was so close to my twin sister Scott felt excluded when the three of us were together. Gradually, however, we both learned to develop our friendship with one another.
We reached a big turning point when we left Atlanta, where I had been single and then newly married. We packed up and moved to Florida for Scott's new flying career. Living in a new city where we knew very few other people, we learned to depend on each other for friendship in a way we hadn't learned before.
Now Scott is the one I turn to first just to be my friend, not in the way a girlfriend is a friend, but in a way that only a husband can be. The support that this kind of friendship brings is reflected in Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Two are better than one."
Over the years I've discovered some specific ways we can develop a close friendship with our spouse. First, we can take an interest in what's going on where we each spend a great deal of time, our workplaces.
Has he talked about a stressful project? Has he said how energized he is by a new assignment? Follow up by asking for more details and remember to pray for these situations. This shows our thoughtfulness and support. Acknowledging you know his job can be difficult shows that you appreciate him!
Secondly, a great way to forge bonds of friendship is to share an interest. What do you both like to do? You may need to think about what you did while you were dating.
My friends Tracey and Ron take short trips to the mountains. It's more Tracey's passion than Ron's, but he's learned to enjoy it too. My mom and dad are great cooks and have created some incredible meals together. Scott and I have watched countless basketball games together. If you don't already have a shared hobby or pastime, start trying out some activities. It's easy to let the day-in and day-out responsibilities of life to crowd out time for relaxation and laugher, so you'll have to make the choice to have fun together.
Finally, we need to ask ourselves if we're making friendship with our spouse a priority. Do we save our best energy for developing friendship with our spouse or are we too busy or tired? Sometimes we have to say no to other pursuits so we can have time to protect and nurture the gift of friendship in marriage.
The seeds of friendship we plant today will continue to bloom later in our marriages. We've all seen older couples sitting at restaurant tables, eating their entire meal in complete silence. I don't want to look like those silent couples, and I'm sure you don't either. I want to grow old relishing my friendship with my husband, a friendship forged over years of sharing interests and making each other a priority.
Dear Lord, show me ways to nurture friendship with my spouse, so we can continue to enjoy each other through the passing years. Lord, today, I commit to making friendship with my spouse one of my top priorities. Where I need to give up some activities so I'll have time for friendship with my husband, give me eyes to see that. Thank you for the lifetime friendship you've given us in marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Today's devotion is adapted from Melanie's book, What a Wife Needs from Her Husband
For daily encouragement, visit our Facebook page.
Reflect and Respond:
Plan to do something fun with your spouse. Do this within one week's time, and don't let anything interfere with these plans.
What do you want your marriage to look like ten years from now? What can you do today to reach your desired outcome?
Is there room in your life for friendship with your spouse? Is there anything you can take out of your life to allow space for your friendship with your spouse to grow?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:18, "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; will make him a helper suitable for him.'" (NAS)
Ephesians 5:28, "So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself." (NAS)
© 2012 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 23, 2012
Living in a Season of "How Long?"
Wendy Pope
"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" - Psalm 13:1 (NIV 1984)
Several years ago my husband Scott began to experience health problems that were extreme and unexpected, especially for someone his age. We had no idea when he'd get better. Weeks and months dragged by. Wondering, "How long?" took its toll on us.
Facing our uncertain future left my faith weak and I questioned if God had forgotten me. Despairing, I felt tired and lonely, and I wanted out.
King David was in a similar place of questioning God as we see in today's key verse. "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1) David's circumstances had turned from promising to troublesome.
He'd been anointed king but didn't step into his role immediately. While he waited for God's plan to come to fruition he served the current king, Saul. During this time David gained respect and affection from the people of Israel, as well as those in King Saul's court. Because of this, Saul became jealous of David and threatened his life numerous times.
As David wrote Psalm 13, he was on the run from King Saul and found himself in a hard place of losing hope. He needed encouragement and strength. In his desperate place of darkness, he asked God "How long?" The words that filled his heart fell from his lips as he cried out to the Lord.
Are you living in the unbearable days of "How long?" How long will I be unemployed? How long will my child be a prodigal? How long will I live with this life-threatening diagnosis? How long will I be lonely?
Sometimes our stay in "How long?" seems indefinite. The long stay causes us to become discouraged and lose hope for deliverance.
Knowing King David asked God "How long?" can strengthen our weakened faith. God used David's words to strengthen Scott's faith and mine. Praying his words in Psalm 13 renewed our communication with God by helping us realize the "right" words weren't necessary. We could simply let the words filling our hearts fall from our lips as we cried out to God for help. Our strengthened faith equipped us to walk the long medical road to a diagnosis, treatment plan, and trust in God's faithfulness through our "How long?"
Dear Lord, thank You for King David's vulnerability. His words strengthen my faith and renew my hope for deliverance from my "How long?" Help me remember the lesson You've taught me today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring Wendy's message of What to do in the W.A.I.T.: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans, to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog to win a copy of her CD What to do in the W.A.I.T. Wendy will also share ways to endure your stay in "How long?"
What to do in the W.A.I.T. CD by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Are you currently living in a season of "How long?" Carve some quiet time out of your day to write your own "How long?" psalm. Let the words that are filling your heart pour from your lips.
Has God delivered you safely through a season of "How long?" Carve some quiet time out of your day to write a psalm of praise. Let the words in your heart pour from your lips.
Power Verses:
Psalm 17:1, "Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer — it does not rise from deceitful lips." (NIV)
Psalm 51:15, "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 24, 2012
Unglued Mama Mornings
Lysa TerKeurst
"You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV 1984)
As the new school year approaches I'm making a bold commitment: No more unglued mama mornings. I want our mornings to go better this year with less frustration, yelling, and chaos.
I started thinking about this last spring when we had a string of really hard mornings.
One day, as I pulled up to the school, the atmosphere inside the car was thick with tension. Not wanting the last words spoken to my daughter to be harsh, I tried to change the course of our conversation before she headed into her day. "Listen, I love you. I'm sorry we had a rough morning."
"We always have rough mornings," she shot back before slamming the car door.
Nothing quite makes a mom feel more successful than a little dialogue like that.
As I rubbed the stabbing feeling in my chest, I thought, "Something has got to change. Each day I promise myself I won't yell at the kids. But each morning something triggers me and I just lose it."
Ever been there?
It's not like we wake up in the mood to get frustrated with our people, right? I mean honestly, I usually wake up in a pretty good mood. But then the stress of getting everyone ready and to school on time makes the crazy creep in.
This one can't find her shoes. That one needs a report printed and we have no ink. The bread for sandwiches is still at the grocery store because I forgot to buy it yesterday. And to top it all off, I have no cash to give the kids so they can buy lunch at school.
The whining. The complaining. The feeling that I can't ever get it all together. It all escalates and sends me over the edge.
Well, I want this school year to be different. I want to be like our key verse today describes: "made new in the attitude of my mind." The Greek word for "made new" is kaino. One of its definitions is uncommon. I want to be an uncommon calm in the midst of chaos and an example of peace for my kids in a world of pressure. For that to happen, I came up with a plan:
Tell the world to wait.
When I wake up, my mind is like a dry sponge. What I soak up first will saturate me most deeply. If I don't want to be consumed with the stresses of my day, I must soak up what will renew my mind instead — God's Word. Even if it's only for 5 minutes, I've got to put the world on hold until I've checked in with God.
Remember I'm managing blessings.
If I want my attitude to be made new, I must keep things in perspective. While my frustrations seem big, things like lost shoes and less than perfect lunches aren't big problems. They are small aggravations that come with managing blessings.
Let my kids own their 'irresponsibilities.'
My kid's irresponsibility will not become my emergency. I need to communicate my expectations so they know they're going to have to own the consequences of their choices. For example, if they wait until the last minute to print their report and the printer has no ink, they'll have to print it at school or turn it in late. Either way, I can't own this situation and let it throw me into frantic, fix-it mode. I can let the consequences of my kid's choices scream, so I don't have to.
All of this is going to take some intentionality and I seriously doubt I'll do it perfectly. But I'm excited about trying. I'm excited to "put on my new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Which is a fancy way of saying I'm excited to have less unglued mama mornings and a lot more peace this school year.
Dear Lord, thank You for the grace You give me every day. I don't want to live in the same pattern of coming unglued anymore. Lord, help me put these principles into practice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you desire more calm this school year? Click here to join us for the "No More Unglued Mama Mornings Challenge." We're taking 5 days to make mornings better with our kids!
Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued, goes to the heart of the matter and helps equip you with ways to choose calm in the chaos. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a wonderful resource. To pre-order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
What is the Lord showing you about your role in your relationship with your children today?
Which of the following action points can you put into practice tomorrow?
1. Tell the world to wait.
2. Remember I'm managing blessings.
3. Let my kids own their irresponsibilities.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV)
Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 25, 2012
Feeling Guilty?
Lysa TerKeurst
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV 1984)
I gathered the restaurant bags, sighed, and crammed them into the overstuffed trash can. A friend had sent me a recipe that day which involved peeling and chopping and simmering. I imagined her trash can full of fresh veggie peelings and other things that proved her kitchen produced way more homemade goodness than mine.
And a little thread of guilt wrapped around my heart.
Sometimes I feel more guilty for what I'm not than thankful for what I am.
But there was sweet grace waiting for me in a yogurt shop that night. My daughter had asked if I would come and speak to a little Bible Study she was helping organize. "Mom, I think there are going to be a lot of people that show up."
So, instead of cooking that night I ordered out. Again. And then I drove to the yogurt shop with the girl whose heart was full of excitement and expectation.
People were everywhere. Young people. Invited people. And parents. Nearly 200 people packed inside the yogurt shop and overflowed outside. My daughter smiled.
I took the microphone and spoke from my heart. I told my story. I taught truth. I invited the people to let Jesus be the Lord of their hearts.
And many who had never done so said yes to God that night. A teen girl who'd tried to commit suicide last year. She stood to accept Jesus. A young man with tears in his eyes. He stood to accept Jesus. A mom and a dad. They stood to accept Jesus. Along with many others.
In the yogurt shop.
With a woman whose trash can was filled with take-out bags.
A woman who isn't the greatest cook. But a woman who wants to learn to be more thankful for what I am than guilty for what I'm not.
Maybe you are the friend with the veggie peelings in the trash can and steaming homemade goodness on the table.
Celebrate that.
Or maybe you are like me. And your gifts are less tasty.
Celebrate that.
And cut the threads of guilt with the edge of grace.
Dear Lord, You made me in Your image and that is something I seem to forget daily. Please help me remember to celebrate and live in who You made me to be and not in what I wish I was. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to join Lysa TerKeurst for the 5-Day "No More Unglued Mama Mornings Challenge." She'd love to walk beside you as together we conquer guilt with grace.
Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued, encourages you to cut the threads of guilt and embrace your unique wiring. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a wonderful resource. To pre-order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
As a mom, wife, or woman what have you felt guilty about in your daily life?
"Sometimes I feel more guilty for what I'm not than thankful for what I am." This is such a powerfully honest statement. Think about three things you previously saw as negative, but can now celebrate about yourself.
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)
Psalm 139:13-14, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 26, 2012
Mistaken Identities
Karen Ehman
"He who belongs to God hears what God says." John 8:47 (NIV 1984)
I poured a cup of coffee and logged on to my laptop to peek at a friend's Facebook page.
When I tried hopping over to see her latest pictures, I couldn't get her name to appear in the search bar. I was puzzled. This had always worked before. Glancing at the top of the screen, I realized I wasn't logged in to my own account. My son had forgotten to sign off when he'd been on earlier so I was actually logged in as him instead.
I couldn't get where I wanted to go because I had mistaken my identity.
With a quick click of a mouse I switched accounts and used Facebook as "me." Under the right identity I was free to view pages, leave comments with ease, and get where I wanted to go.
Sometimes in life we encounter the same issue—we don't realize we have mistaken our identity. We log into our day and encounter wrong thinking that makes us forget who we really are. This may happen when a voice from our past or our own negative self-talk urges us to forget our identity in Christ. When we do, we're blocked by doubt and can't get where God is calling us to go: to a life lived with our security and value rooted deep in His thoughts toward us.
Instead we hear:
"You can't do that. You aren't good enough."
"You'll never change."
"Why can't you be more like your sister?"
"If only you were more ____________ instead of so ___________."
When statements of self-doubt seem to scream and discouragement sets in, we need to log out of the lies we believe and log into God's truth. It's the only way we will know and live in our true identity so that we can navigate our lives according to God's Word.
Here are some truths we can tell ourselves to remember our who we are:
I am the daughter of the Most High God.
I am loved, redeemed and renewed.
I am chosen, blameless and holy.
I was bought at a great price.
God knows me thoroughly and yet loves me completely.
He has plans for my future that include hope, not harm; blessings, not banishment.
I belong to Him.
John 8:47a tells us, "He who belongs to God hears what God says." We need to listen to His Word, let it take root in our minds, and allow it to eradicate any untrue, destructive thought patterns. Replacing the negative chatter with assuring scriptures will gently, but firmly, remind us who we are as children of God.
Yes, if we "belong to God" we will hear what He says. As we log into His truths daily, no longer will we mistake our identity. We will know the confident reality of who we are in Christ.
Dear Lord, when I am tempted to think of myself in a way that is neither healthy nor true, remind me both of who I am and to Whom I belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more on this topic, including 5 Ways to Prevent Mistaken Identity and a chance to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope, visit Karen's blog.
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope identifies lies we mistakenly believe and equips us to overcome them so we can take hold of our true identity and live confidently in the truth of who God says we are.
Reflect and Respond:
What are some counter-productive or self-doubting thoughts that race through your mind at times? The next time you sense this happening, find a promise to replace each doubt. Find more strategies on Karen's blog today.
Power Verses:
Romans 1:6, "And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." (NIV 1984)
1 John 3:1a, "Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are." (GW)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 27, 2012
The Choice is Ours
Rachel Olsen
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
I watch Samantha Brown, Travel Channel host, as she explores Old Town in Ecuador's capital city of Quito. Watching her experience the charming hotels, mouth-watering food, and tropical adventures there, I'm slightly envious. But as she points out the sights of this South American city, my mind wanders back in time.
I've been to Quito. Not to enjoy the food or see the architecture, but to visit people there who Jesus loves.
As the camera pans over Samantha's head, I'm looking for the spot where I visited a single mother, Maria. She and her baby lived in one room smaller than my home office. She had a twin size bed, a chest of drawers, and a small electric stove.
On the stove she fried plantains for me. I had trouble at first with the idea of eating them, knowing they were from her very limited food supply. As Maria happily served me, I wondered if I would choose to share my food so freely if it were as scarce for me as it is for her.
Maria told me she had received Jesus, and was now receiving training in child care, nutrition and child development through Compassion International. She'd received these South American bananas from them too. I noticed Maria had a visible hope that her life and her child's life were now on a better path.
Around the corner from Maria lived a young boy who has also been touched by Jesus. He is a sponsored child. When we met, Eduardo told me he hopes to be a pastor. He quoted scripture to me from memory—he was eight.
Our meeting wasn't planned, he just happened to stop by Maria's door while I was there. After talking with us briefly, Eduardo reached into his back pocket, pulled out a small New Testament and handed it to me. Said he wanted me to have it. And he wanted me to read it.
Said he hoped it would remind me of him, so I would pray that he could become a pastor.
I didn't tell him I have plenty of full-size Bibles at home. Or I wouldn't be able to read much of that one in Spanish. Instead I took the small red book, said "gracias," and prayed over him and his future ministry. He smiled a smile full of possibility and disappeared out the doorway.
I'm certain that around the corner from Maria there are other single moms and young boys who don't have this hope. They feel trapped, depressed, maybe hungry and short-changed.
It is my prayer they will find "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:3).
Samantha Brown discovered Ecuador's luscious fruits, famous hat-making trade, and its romantic colonial architecture. Here's what I discovered:
• We always have a choice between hope and despair - no matter what circumstance we are in.
• We always have a choice between fear and faith - no matter how bleak things look.
• And we always have the choice to give and serve - no matter how little we own.
It's Jesus - and His church at work on the Earth - that affords us these choices.
Honestly, I wouldn't trade my trip to Ecuador for Samantha Brown's any day. Even if she did get to visit the stunning cloud forest. I'm thinking we'll have cloud forests in heaven to enjoy. And I'd like to see as much of the Ecuadorian population there as possible.
I think my eight year-old friend would like to see that too. I'm certain he will do his part toward that end - will we also do ours? We have that choice to make.
Dear Lord, thank You for living hope. Thank You for living water that quenches our eternal thirst. Anoint young Eduardo to share this hope with others in Ecuador. Show me how I can share it with others too. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Compassion International has helped Maria, Eduardo and thousands of others. Visit here and click on the tab "Rescue Babies & Mothers" - choose a set to pray for or to support today.
Visit Rachel's blog for a chance to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know
Reflect and Respond:
What can you give or share today?
What can you do to tell or show others about Jesus today?
Power Verses:
John 4:13-14, "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 30, 2012
The Invisible Battle
Tracie Miles
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
I was in a field, in the middle of the night. Others were around me, but I could not see them clearly; only moonbeams pierced the dark.
Out of nowhere, unseen forces pressed me to the ground, keeping me from defending myself. Hatred spewed from the invisible evil. Fear and confusion encompassed me. I sensed God whispering to me that His Word was my only hope. I knew His truths held power over this wickedness.
As could only happen in a dream, I shrunk to the size of a pencil. I threw myself onto an open Bible, grabbed a handful of pages and rolled with all my might. The papers tore from the creases as I wrapped myself tightly in God's Word. Instantly, the faceless enemies retreated.
I woke up listening to my rapid heartbeat and staring at the 3 a.m. blackness. My thoughts stumbled over one another, trying to figure out what had just occurred. Although I knew I was safe in my own bed, my heart was ravaged by this battle I'd experienced in the recesses of my mind.
I felt an overwhelming need to pray and spent the next hour talking with Jesus. Fears, hurts and longings of my heart overflowed. Soon a sense of freedom and peace washed over my spirit; one I hadn't experienced in a long time.
My family and I had been engaged in fierce spiritual warfare. The past year had been marked by one harsh blow after another. Instead of giving credit where credit was due, I'd merely attributed it to 'life.'
God showed me, like in the dream, we were under oppression. He helped me see I'd been trudging through life unknowingly carrying the crushing weight of disappointment, resentment and stress.
Negative emotions which stemmed from being hurt by someone I loved, various family concerns, as well as frustration and discouragement regarding circumstances in my life, had all erected a barrier between God and me.
I'd grown weary of praying prayers that seemed to go unnoticed. My feelings overshadowed my faith and I'd been relying on my own advice for handling adversities, rather than seeking God's wisdom.
As a result, I'd given the devil a foothold in my heart. So much time focused on my circumstances and feelings had inadvertently minimized my time focused on God's Word and His truths that would set me free.
Although I was feeling alone, God had never left my side. Deep down I still knew that only He held the power to release me from my oppression.
Through this dream, God opened my spiritual eyes to see I had not been choosing the right weapons to fight this battle. His Sword (His Word) was what I needed to deliver me from the stress and oppression, just as today's key verse explains.
Victory can only be found by spending time with Jesus and choosing His Word as our weapon - not only against life but also against the enemy who wants to steal our hearts.
God never leaves us to fight battles alone. His Word tells us many times that the battle is His, but we must choose to wrap ourselves in His promises and believe that He's our Protector who will fight to the death for His children.
In fact, He already did.
Dear Lord, set me free today from the grip the enemy has on my heart. Forgive me for thinking I could fight this battle on my own and help me to wrap up in Your Word. Intervene in my life and my circumstances, and lead me to victory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more discussion on choosing your weapons to fight spiritual warfare.
Tracie's new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World, will be releasing soon! Visit her blog to find out when the book will be available and how to sign up for her upcoming 10-Day Stress Detox.
We need to soak in God's Word so His voice is louder than the enemy's. Jesus Calling is a wonderful devotional book to help us tune in to the Lord's truths.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you felt oppressed lately and inadvertently given the devil a foothold?
Have you been focusing on your problems, or how God wants to work in the midst of them?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:13-18, "Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (MSG)
Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (NLT)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 31, 2012
When Doubt Tries to Bully Us
Renee Swope
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31 (NIV)
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt: I can't do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, a speaker, a writer and all the other things God has called me to. My thoughts were against me, and my feelings were too.
As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. With confident assurance, she spoke truth to my soul, telling me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to lose my vision or be carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all that I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control. [1]
As I heard these words, my thoughts aligned with God's truth. It changed my whole perspective. I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined and from feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God's truth build us up.
If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God's power and His promises to live with a confident heart. But it won't just happen because it's possible. We have to take action.
When my alarm came on that morning, I was so glad I'd set my radio to that station the night before, so I would wake up hearing encouraging music and truth. Just like I tuned into that station, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts into God's thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either AM (against me) or FM (for me) thoughts. The truth is, we are often our worst critics and have a lot of AM thoughts.
And if our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
So, the next time you get those feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you are thinking that is making you feel that way. Then compare your thoughts about that situation to God's thoughts, which are reflected in Scripture. Do they match? If not, find a promise in God's Word to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Here are few to get your started:
• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)
• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You are calling me out of the darkness of my doubts so that I can tell others about the Light I've found in You. Thank You that You are with me to fight for me against my enemies of insecurity and inadequacy. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion is based on chapter 6 of Renee's life-changing book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Join over 40,000 women who have lost the weight of self-doubt and gained a confident heart! Sign up for Renee's FREE "7-day DOUBT Diet" that includes a week's worth of FREEdevotions from A Confident Heart. To sign up for "The 7-day DOUBT Diet" click here.
Learn how to recognize the bully of doubt and his AM thoughts, and replace them with God's FM thoughts towards you! Visit the FREE resources page on Renee's website for an expanded list, and when doubt tries to beat you up you'll have God's promises to build you up instead!
Connect with Renee on Facebook for life-changing perspectives and promises from God's Word!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What area of your life—as a woman, mom, wife, friend, daughter, housekeeper, professional, leader, etc.—do you currently have the most "against me" thoughts in?
When feelings of self-doubt come, write down the AM (against me) thought you're thinking and look for a FM (for me) promise in Scripture to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Click here for a list of more AM/FM thoughts.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 20:4, "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (NIV)
Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)
[1] "God Is In Control," © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 1, 2012
Dealing with Daily Frustrations
Lysa TerKeurst
"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." - Luke 8:15 (NIV 1984)
I was talking with a customer service agent from an online company I have enjoyed doing business with for years. I called thinking she could help me with a return. But when I explained I needed to return this certain item, things started to head south with our conversation.
She informed me that my item wasn't on the returnable list. It was on the final sale list. I had no clue there was a returnable list and a final sale list. It wasn't posted online or stated in their catalog.
I logically stated my case and felt syre she would see things my way. But she didn't. No matter what I said or explained, she wouldn't budge.
I knew the lady on the other end of the phone was just following procedure, but it made no sense. It wasn't right and I was frustrated!
And my tone of voice made it clear just how frustrated I was.
Later that same day, I was in line at the grocery store behind a man who wanted to use an expired coupon. The check out gal calmly stated she couldn't honor his coupon. Well, he didn't like that one bit. And he made sure everyone around them knew how much he didn't like this situation.
I stood back appalled at his actions.
Until ... I started thinking about the fact that I'd acted almost the same way with the customer service agent who refused what I wanted. The conviction wove its way through my heart and made me feel so badly for the way I'd reacted toward that woman.
After my call, she probably moved on to the next frustrated customer. And then the next. And then the next. Suddenly, I felt so sorry for her.
I decided it wasn't her desire to not be able to help me. She was truly just following the orders of the higher-ups at her company. I imagined her packing up her things at the end of another long day and heading home. A home where she had to face her own daily aggravations and frustrations.
That's when it hit me. While on the phone, I never pictured her as a person really. To me, she was just a voice on the other end of the phone that was causing me extreme frustration.
How might my reaction have been different if I'd stopped to think about her as a woman just like me? What might it be like to be her, to live her life, and to have to go to her job every day?
I decided God was trying to get my attention to be more aware of my reactions. More aware of handling daily frustrations in a way that reflects a heart that loves the Lord. In today's key verse, Luke 8:15, Jesus reminds us, "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (NIV 1984)
I want Jesus' message to fall on a heart that is humble and fertile enough to:
Receive God's Word ...
Retain God's instruction, and ...
Reflect God's character in both my action and reactions.
When I stop to think about this I am challenged. Whether I am talking with a customer service representative I don't know or interacting with those I do everyday life with, I want to work towards being a woman who displays godly character. Just like Luke 8:15 encourages, whether I'm having a frustrating conversation or a friendly one, may God's messages of truth have such an impact on me that my heart and my mouth remain noble and good.
Dear Lord, it's easy to honor You with my carefully thought through actions but, sometimes much harder with my reactions. Even when I'm caught off guard, may Your love and patience be the spillover from my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it can be really hard to keep our emotions in control on a daily basis. In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make right, godly and healthy decisions with our reactions. Click here to order your copy today!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
We'd love to share a chapter of Unglued with you! Click here to read a section of this life-changing book and hop over to the Unglued website. It's a great resource to help equip you in making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions.
Reflect and Respond:
This week as you interact with many people, how can you prepare your heart for reactions that honor God?
Use this formula for studying God's word this week:
Receive God's Word ... write out the verses you want to focus on.
Retain God's instruction ... memorize and internalize the truths you've been studying.
Reflect God's character ... in both action and reactions. Focus on practicing the truths you've been learning.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:30-31, "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip." (NIV 1984)
1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 2, 2012
When I Want to be Mean
Lysa TerKeurst
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV 1984)
I looked at the text message in complete disbelief. Why couldn't this person see how insensitive and hurtful they were being?
I don't know who made up the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can't ever hurt me." Either they had nerves of steel or they lived on a deserted island with no other people. Because not only do words hurt me, but they make me want to fight back and be mean, too.
Have you ever had a little situation with someone where you just knew you were right and they were wrong? Or at least you could make a really good case for your side of things?
Oh how I have this burning need to state my case in these kinds of situations. It's like an inner attorney rises up desperate to defend my rights and get the other person to see things my way. This is pretty normal, right?
Yes. But normal doesn't always mean good. Especially in light of today's key verse.
Colossians 2:6-7 reminds me, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (NIV 1984)
I should live rooted in Jesus' teaching and overflow with thankfulness. The opposite of this is when I'm rooted in self-centered opinions and overflowing with grumbling. I need to let God show me how to see things from this other person's side and gain a different perspective. In doing so, I will be strengthened and taught.
Colossians 3:12-14 reminds me, "... as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (NIV 1984)
My job isn't to fix this person or make them see my side of things. My job is to obey God by offering an extension of the forgiveness I've been given. But I can also stay healthy in this situation by remembering forgiveness doesn't mean giving this person access in my life that sets me up for destructive patterns.
Finally, Colossians 3:17 reminds me, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV 1984)
Everything I do and say tells a story of who I serve. If I act out of anger and spite, I give in to the ways of the enemy, spreading his darkness. If I honor the Lord with my actions, I serve to further the Name of Jesus and spread His light.
At the end of the day, honoring God leads to good things. Anything else leads to confusion, emotional exhaustion and a lack of good things.
I processed the text message mentioned above with my husband. He said something that brought much clarity. "Lysa, you know when you've taken the high road, God blesses you. You've seen these blessings over and over as you've made choices that honor God. So chose a blessing today and save yourself the emotional turmoil of trying to prove you're right."
He's a smart man.
I know this isn't easy stuff. I'm having to live it in the midst of feeling hurt. But I'm also feeling more at peace being able to see another perspective—a healthier perspective—a biblical perspective. And I'm really excited about the blessings that are surely coming my way.
Dear Lord, You know the hurtful words and actions that have been pummeled my way. Please give me Your strength to not retaliate, but instead to react based on Your Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Whether right or wrong, learning to control our reactions is sometimes difficult. In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make healthy decisions with our reactions. Click here to order your copy today!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
Are you ready to start learning to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions but don't want to start it alone? On August 23rd at 8 p.m. EST we'll be hosting a FREE UngluedWebcast with a powerful message from Lysa TerKeurst to get you going. We'll also be featuring the radio personalities from K-Love! Please join us at www.klove.com. No makeup, shoes or preparation required. Sign up for the Unglued webcast email reminder here.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you struggling with an insensitive or down right mean person? Choose one inconvenient truth to pray and live out of.
At the end of the day, honoring God leads to good things. Anything else leads to confusion, emotional exhaustion and a lack of good things.
Power Verses:
James 1:19-20, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 3, 2012
Choice Points
T. Suzanne Eller
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)
According to recent statistics, I made 5,000 decisions today. Seriously?
Well, I made a decision to get out of bed. I made a choice to put on my tennis shoes and run at 6 a.m.
I chose peanut butter Cheerios™ over oatmeal. I decided which bills to pay. What to make for dinner. Whether to answer a phone call. Which clothes to wear. Whether the plants needed watering or if they could wait another day. I chose to fill up the small car instead of the gas-guzzler.
I may have made more than 5,000 decisions today!
Some of our every day choices are random, others weighty, but many of our decisions are choice points. Choice points are seemingly insignificant decisions yet they lead us in one direction or another.
I choose whether to react in anger, or respond with understanding to my husband.
I choose whether or not to create drama with a friend who hurt my feelings.
I choose time with my Heavenly Father, or push that time to another day . . . again.
I choose whether or not to say those words that cause my child pain.
Recently I was on a mission trip and the team was exhausted after nearly six days of intense travel. We had missed a train and stood on the platform in the moonlight. It was nearing midnight and cold and wet. Our next ministry event was early in the morning.
The coordinator walked over. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I didn't mean for it to work out this way."
There I stood at a choice point.
I could share my frustration. I could explain that my sleep tank was on empty. I could say nothing, while sighing with a martyred expression.
As she waited for my reply, I reminded myself what a privilege it was to to be there. That ease and comfort were never offered our Savior, and Iosing a little sleep was nothing in comparison to anything He went through. I reminded myself that everyone around me was just as tired as I was.
"I'm fine," I said, "In fact it's been an amazing day and I can't wait to see what God does tomorrow."
She grabbed me and pulled me in a huge hug. "Thank you, Suz."
I wish I could say I handle every choice point that way, but sometimes I fail. It's my prayer that I'll remember how much those choice points matter. You see, they don't just affect me; they affect those within the vicinity of my decisions, throwing them into a choice point of their own.
In the 5,000 decisions you make today, how many of them will be choice points?
How will your response affect the people around you?
What can you do differently as you make the next 5,000 choices tomorrow?
Dear Lord, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all my choices, and it makes me cranky. Today as I make my 5000 decisions, walk with me, remind me of how my choices affect others and help me choose wisely. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for encouraging verses and tips to help you make wise choice points and a giveaway of Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued.
Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Keep a journal this week of choice points. Note those that lead you in the wrong direction. Are there common themes?
If you were overtired, how can you implement rest?
If you were trying to live a packed life with your spiritual tank unfilled, will you stop and fill it up?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (ESV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (ESV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 6, 2012
The Opinion Blender
Amy Carroll
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18 (NIV 1984)
I stood in exhausted shock after the first women's ministry event I coordinated. I was the hero of the day, and I couldn't quite take it all in. After waving good-bye to the gushing attendees, I looked at my friend Peggy and said, "I have no idea what to do with all of that praise."
She smiled wickedly. "Don't worry. The criticism is coming."
She was right.
When in a position of leadership of ANY kind—pastor, speaker, women's ministry director, Sunday school teacher, mother, project manager, executive—you will be thrown into the world of opinions. They'll swirl you around like a blender, and if you're not careful, they'll totally spin you silly, chop up your self-confidence and make you into a soupy mess.
Author and pastor Mark Driscoll has been quoted as saying, "Pastors (insert your position here) have lots of foes and lots of fans but very few friends." That's a truth that resonates with many types of leaders. I personally struggled with identifying who were my foes, fans and friends. When I received feedback, it varied from constructive criticism to harsh critiques to sweet compliments. Talk about leaving my head and heart spinning!
Some wisdom gained along the way has helped me navigate the opinion blender with more insight and grace.
Dealing with Criticism
Pastor Perry Noble gives this sage advice, "If you listen to the criticism, you'll think you're worse than you are. If you listen to the praise, you'll think you're better than you are. If you listen to your friends, you'll stay on the tight rope of balance."
I've struggled with wild swings of thinking I must be the pits to thinking I've finally got it all together. Both extremes are dangerous places. Instead of living on the fringes of shame or pride, I'm learning to turn off the opinion blender and rest in God's truth about me, as well as the counsel of people who care about me.
I surround myself with truth-telling friends who love me deeply despite my flaws, but also have a clear view of those flaws. They're the ones who don't shrink back from telling the truth, but who stir love, kindness and gentleness into the hard things I need to hear. They celebrate my successes and mourn my defeats.
Processing Praise
My friend Jane, a gifted worship leader and singer, paraphrased a quote from Corrie ten Boom when she passed on her secret to receiving praise. "I take each compliment as a flower, and at the end of the day, I give the bouquet to Jesus."
Her advice has helped me respond to praise. Because I want to respect the giver without seeming flippant about their kind words, I'm not comfortable saying, "Give Jesus all the glory" every time someone says something nice. But I want Jesus to get all the glory.
Now, I simply say "thank you" and receive the "flower" gratefully. At the end of the day, I gather each compliment in my mind and gratefully give Jesus the beautiful bouquet in prayer. It's not only a joy to return to Jesus what is His, it's a sure way to hit the "stop" button on the opinion blender in my head.
If you're in leadership, I want to encourage you. You're not as bad as your foes say. You're also not as wonderful as your fans say. (Smile). The truth is somewhere in between.
Like me, you're not perfect, so learning to receive helpful criticism is part of growth. Welcoming praise as encouragement and then passing Jesus the compliment helps us calm the swirl of the "opinion blender." And most importantly, both help us remember we are loved servants of God on a journey to being like Jesus.
When His Truths permeate us, His opinion becomes the one that gives faithful guidance, soothes our hearts and settles our souls.
Dear Lord, help me find the balance of truth in how I receive both criticism and praise. I want to learn from legitimate criticism and return the praise to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Gain valuable wisdom about leadership and speaking from Amy Carroll through Next Step Speaker Services.
Visit Amy's blog for more insight on giving praise that counts.
For the Write Reason and The Reason We Speak General Editor Marybeth Whalen
Reflect and Respond:
Who has "earned the right" to tell you hard truths?
How can you be this kind of faithful friend to others?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:12, "A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise." (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 15:31, "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 7, 2012
Criticism Hurts
Lysa TerKeurst
"The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." Proverbs 15:2 (NIV)
It was one of those voicemails that left me rubbing the sides of my head wondering, "Why me? Why today?" I was blindsided by the criticism and felt this would be the perfect time to find a hole and crawl into it.
Criticism hurts. No matter who you are, how many people are encouraging you, and how happy you felt before you got "that call" or "that email," one drop of critical yuck spreads fast and furious.
Oh how I wish I had a little "criticism antidote" to make it all better. I don't. But I do have a little sermonette I preach to myself when criticized.
When someone criticizes, I've got to quickly discern if they are trying to help me or hurt me.
No criticism is fun, but it can be helpful if it is from a wise person speaking words that are truly intended to help us. Proverbs 15:2a says, "The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge ..." To me, a wise person is someone who:
• Cares enough about me to get their facts straight and isn't speaking out of assumption.
• Has talked to God and reflects a gentle, caring tone in their communication.
• And wraps their criticism with grace and humility.
This kind of criticism is given with the intent of sharing helpful wisdom that is constructive rather destructive.
If the criticism is destructive and hurtful, I must remember the second part of Proverbs 15:2b, "... but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." The definition of folly is a "lack of understanding or sense."
We need to remember this kind of harsh and unnecessary criticism says a lot more about their insecurities than our inadequacies.
We can't fix whatever hurt caused them to lash out. But we can decide to stay calm and not compound the hurt. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."(Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
No matter what kind of criticism we get—helpful or hurtful—it still stings. And we might not feel like being calm at first. When I returned the call that left my heart racing and my head pounding, I didn't feel like being calm. I had to choose to be calm despite my feelings. I'm learning that staying calm is as much of a gift to myself as it is to the one criticizing me.
Dear Lord, I know You are not a God of condemnation and criticism. Teach me to hold my tongue and trust in You when I am hurt by those around me. I want to be able to take the criticism that is helpful and leave the criticism that is hurtful, but I know that only through You can I do this without the weight of condemnation. Thank You for Your gentle conviction and patience with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it can be really hard to keep our emotions in control when we feel like we are being attacked with criticism. Lysa's new book, Unglued, is releasing today! In it she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make better decisions with our reactions. Click here to order!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
We'd love to share a chapter of Unglued with you! Click here to read a section of this life-changing book and hop over to the Unglued website. It's a great resource to help equip you in making lasting changes.
Are you ready to start learning to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions but don't want to start alone? On August 23rd at 8 p.m. EST we'll be hosting a FREE UngluedWebcast with a powerful message from Lysa TerKeurst to get you going. We'll also be featuring the radio personalities from K-Love! Please join us at www.klove.com. No makeup, shoes or preparation required. Sign up to receive an email reminder here.
Reflect and Respond:
What criticism is God calling you to lay aside right now? If you are criticizing others, how is God calling you be an encourager instead of a criticizer?
"Staying calm is as much of a gift to myself as it is to the one criticizing me."
Power Verses:
Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (NKJV)
Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 8, 2012
When Aggravation Accumulates
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." - Ephesians 4:26-27 (NASB)
I opened the door and smiled, "Four large pizzas, right?"
The look on the pizza guy's face told me the many teenagers in my back yard were about to be disappointed.
"Ummm, well, actually there's only two. Let me check your ticket ... oh, yeah you're supposed to have four. Give me 20 minutes and I'll be back with the other two." He explained.
I took the two he had and said, "No problem. The kids can start on these and have round two when you get back."
As I walked into the kitchen, my husband Art gave me a funny look. "I thought you ordered four pizzas."
"Yeah, the delivery guy forgot two but will be back in a few minutes. No big deal," I quipped with a shoulder shrug.
Art tilted his head. "You didn't even ask for a discount or coupons?"
"I felt bad for the guy. It's not a big deal to ask the kids to wait a few minutes," I replied with a smile.
Remembering the way I'd reacted earlier during a little "growth opportunity" we'd had, Art said, "Wow. I'd like to have that kind of grace."
Ouch. His point was well made. I'd gotten aggravated with something Art had done and let him know.
Why is it I'm so quick to give a gentle answer to a stranger but spew on those I love? I think it's because of accumulated impact.
This was the only time I'd ever seen the pizza guy. My emotions toward him were completely neutral. When he made a mistake, I was able to let it go.
But I have a history with Art. We do lots of life together. If I let aggravations collect, my emotions ratchet up creating more and more tension. Then, when something happens, I find it much harder to brush off and offer grace.
Accumulated aggravations equal accumulated impact.
Therefore, it's crucial I don't collect aggravations. I've heard many times: "Do not let the sun go down on your anger ..." (Ephesians 4:26) I know it. But honestly sometimes I ignore it. I collect aggravations because I'm too tired to talk. Or, I don't want to deal with it. Or, I try to convince myself it's not a big deal to go to bed mad.
But when I keep reading one more verse, Ephesians 4:27, I understand why I should deal with little aggravations when they are still little. They might not stay little long. Why? Because verse 27 finishes with a strong warning, "... and do not give the devil an opportunity."
Yikes.
The devil is just waiting for an opportunity. I picture him hissing, "Go to bed mad ... go to bed mad ... oh yes go to bed mad and give me an opportunity." That just sends shivers down my spine.
As it well should.
I love my husband. I get aggravated with my man. But I love him. So, I certainly don't want to open the door of opportunity for the devil to turn little aggravations into big ones.
I put down the pizza and kissed Art's cheek. "I love you and I'm sorry I didn't give you that kind of grace."
To which he replied back with a big smile, "I still think we should have asked for a discount or coupons."
Like I said, I love my man!
Dear Lord, I really want to follow Your example and live a life full of grace. Sometimes it is so hard to show grace to those closest to me. Help me. I don't want to give the devil any opportunities in my marriage, my relationships with my children, or in my friendships. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you want to stop accumulating aggravation and start showing more grace to those around you? Lysa TerKeurst's new book Unglued, shares wonderful wisdom to lead you in making those changes. Click here to order your copy today!
Nothing changes us like Scripture. The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a great resource to get us into the Word of God, and help us choose better reactions. To order your copy, click here.
We'd love to share a chapter of Unglued with you! Click here to read a section of this life-changing book and hop over to the Unglued website. It's a great resource to help equip you in making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions.
Reflect and Respond:
Think about the equation, accumulated aggravation = accumulated impact. Choose one relationship in your life. In what ways has allowing yourself to accumulate aggravations resulted in a lack of grace and possible strain in that relationship?
What actions can we take to safeguard our relationships against the devil's attempts to create conflict and separation?
Power Verses:
Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel: :angel:
August 9, 2012
Exploding
Melissa Taylor
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
I was in shock as I watched the explosion! Rude and venomous words were screamed out; words you don't want your child to hear. When the Little League umpire made a game-deciding call the coach didn't like, the coach made sure everyone knew how much he disagreed.
He got in the baseball commissioner's face expressing his irate opinion in no uncertain terms. To drive his point home, he marched over to the other coach and began to shout in his face too. This man had come completely unglued, spewing his anger on everyone around him.
The coach's lack of self-control and harsh words brought down two teams, their parents, and officials. His uncontrolled verbal explosion caused a ripple effect and ruined what should have been a great day for many people.
Maybe you've been caught in the path of an exploder too. One minute you're at a happy family gathering, and before you know it, a feud between your uncle and cousin escalates into a shouting match. One of them storms out, everyone else is stressed out and sad, and the day is ruined.
Perhaps you're at work ready to tackle the day only to be met by a disgruntled boss. He barks a few negative words and suddenly you are left walking on eggshells.
Possibly the explosive actions that make you tense are from someone closer, like a spouse or a child.
Or maybe the harsh behavior is coming from . . . you.
Our key verse, Ephesians 4:29, tells us to use our words to build others up. If we continue reading in Ephesians 4, we are told that we should also "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (vs. 31) Yet too often we react before considering this truth or a better response.
Sometimes curbing our anger and choosing calm words isn't what we want to do, or at times even feel capable of doing. Whether we are on the receiving end of the explosion, or the giving end, we have a choice in what words and tone we use.
God's Word encourages us to respond in a more gracious, effective and self-controlled way. By doing this, not only will our lives have less stress and more peace, but we will also be building up instead of tearing down those around us.
Dear Lord, help me think about how my words and actions affect those around me. I want to honor You in all I say and do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it can be really hard to keep our emotions in control when life doesn't go the way we want it to. In Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make godly and healthy decisions with our reactions. Click here to order today!
The Unglued Online Bible Study with Melissa Taylor is a community of women who will join online to dig deeper into the Word and further into lasting peace. Sign up today to join this encouraging community!
For tips on dealing with the difficult people in your life and for a chance to win an Unglued Bundle (book and DVD), visit Melissa's blog.
Reflect and Respond:
Think ahead and plan ways you can react the next time you are faced with a difficult person or situation.
Are you able to keep your emotions in tact or do you battle the need to be heard and be right?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:31, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (NIV)
Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 10, 2012
Turning Complaining Into Praise
Wendy Pope
"It is good to praise the Lord ... For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands." - Psalm 92:1-4 (NIV 1984)
A few months ago I noticed the climate in my home had changed. It seemed nothing was good enough, attitudes were negative and a lot was being taken for granted. Appreciation had turned to complaint and contentment to displeasure. My family was snippy and short in our treatment of one another.
One day I had had enough and declared, "This has got to stop!"
The Lord whispered the word praise to my heart and showed me we had become praise-less. On the way home from my kids' school I issued the following decree: "From today forward we are going to be a grateful family, thanking God for everything He does. Whether the blessing is big or small, direct or indirect, we are going to praise Him."
I purchased a small notebook and placed it and a pen on our TV stand. Later that day, I peeked inside and was delighted to read my daughter had recorded the first praise. "I made brownies today. Dance Central and Kinect gives me a way to exercise inside." The days followed with more praises recorded from our whole family.
• Mrs. Macedo, my English teacher
• Selling 31 boxes of Girl Scout cookies
• Daddy's job
• Family devotions this morning
• 85 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sold
• Erin is spending the night
• My ticket was thrown out of court (This was my personal favorite)
The more we gave thanks, the more our attitudes changed.
In today's key verse, the psalmist teaches us that praising God is good. There is something mysteriously powerful about giving glory to the Lord. The joy created by my family's praise transformed the once unpleasant climate to one that is now warm and accepting, appreciative and complimentary.
Is our home always full of compliments and kindness? No, we are human and can easily fall back into complaining. But our family's praise book has made us more aware of God's goodness and we give praise more readily. We've experienced how good it really is to praise God.
Every day gives us opportunities to worship God, whether they seem minute or mighty. Through praise, our burdens don't seem so heavy and our life becomes a sweet fragrance to those around us.
Try it. Try praising God for the parking space close to the door or the one far away because you have the opportunity to enjoy being outdoors. Praise Him for the kindness of the bank teller. Praise Him for the opportunity to wake up and hear creation's symphony of praise, even if it is 5:00 am on a Saturday and the dog woke you up.
Give praise today. It's good for you and will transform you and others.
Dear Lord, I want to sing a song of praise everyday in response to Your goodness. Prick my heart to praise You in the minute and the mighty. You are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy Pope as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog for a glimpse at her family's "Praise Book."
31 Days of Praise by Ruth and Warren Myers
Living Free in Christ CD teaching by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What can you praise God for today? Read all of Psalm 150 aloud and praise God each time He pricks your heart to do so.
Purchase an inexpensive notebook. Declare a decree of praise and record all of God's goodness to you.
Power Verses:
Psalm 96:2, "Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day." (NIV)
Psalm 96:4a, "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise." (NIV)
Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 13, 2012
Disappointment
Lysa TerKeurst
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)
The other day a friend asked me if I ever get disappointed. I said yes and threw out a spiritually sound answer. Then the next day it happened. A really big disappointment whacked me upside the head and sent my heart sinking. I'd been asked to be part of a really big event—one of the biggest of my life—and then things fell apart.
Invited, thrilled, excited, honored, and included, turned into . . . uninvited, bummed, saddened, disillusioned, and left out. And while I still had solid spiritual perspectives to hold on to, my flesh just needed a minute to say, "Stink!"
Because sometimes things do stink. And disappointments come up that make us doubt God really does work for our good, like today's key verse reminds us.
Right when I wanted say "stink" a few more times, I spotted a bowl that'd been sitting on my dining room table for weeks. My daughter Brooke found some caterpillars a while back, put them in a bowl, and had been holding them hostage ever since. I mean she'd been lovingly admiring them underneath a layer of cellophane.
Wouldn't you know that those caterpillars formed cocoons inside that unlikely environment. And then, as I was muttering, "Stink!" I glanced across the table to that bowl and sucked the word back down my throat.
The cocoons were empty.
Expecting glorious butterflies, I was confused when I got right over the bowl and closely examined the product of my little girl's hopes for new life.
Moths.
I just had to chuckle. Yet another thing in my day that wasn't quite right.
Or was it?
When Brooke spotted the moths, she was beyond thrilled. Grabbing my hand, she led me outside, ripped off the plastic barrier, and watched the beauty of tiny wings beating . . . beating . . . beating . . . and finally fluttering into flight.
Hmmmm.
As I watched Brooke's sheer delight, I realized she couldn't have cared less if they were moths or butterflies. Creatures that once only knew the dirt of the earth had just been given the gift of flight. Reaching, soaring up, up, and away.
And with that realization, this simple creature pulled up the corners of her mouth into a smile.
I decided to take one step away from disappointment and take one step toward the good God was working through the loss of the speaking event. I don't know why that amazing opportunity was offered to me, only to be taken away. But I do know this . . . I'd rather rejoice in what is and what will be, than wallow in what isn't. After all, disappointment only stings as long as I let it.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercies and patience in this journey of imperfect progress. Forgive me for allowing disappointment to capture my heart so easily. Adjust my perspective and help me to see the things You have brought to life in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it can be really hard to keep our emotions in control on a daily basis. In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make right, godly and healthy decisions with our reactions. Click here to order your copy today!
Want to know what kind of reactor you are? Wish you could be equipped to better handle disappointment and conflict in your relationships? On August 23rd at 8 p.m. EST we'll be hosting a FREE Unglued Webcast with a powerful message from Lysa to get you going. We'll also be featuring the radio personalities from K-Love! Please join us at www.klove.com. No makeup, shoes, or preparation required.
Sign up to receive an email reminder about this FREE webcast by clicking here.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Think of a disappointing situation and the way you reacted to it.
How might the perspective, "Disappointment only stings as long as I let it," have changed your initial reaction?
Power Verses:
Romans 5:5, "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (ESV)
Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (ESV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
August 14, 2012
Dear God, Where Are You?
Lysa TerKeurst
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
"Mom, I didn't make it. Please pray for me. I just feel confused about God."
I felt my daughter's deep hurt as clearly as if it were my own. I know what it feels like to want something so badly and have that dream shut down. That door closed. That opportunity slipped away.
She had been talking about trying for this special achievement at summer camp for 3 years. But she wasn't old enough to try until this year, her 4th year at camp.
She met every challenge and could see the goal in sight ... until it was time for her to light a large campfire with only three matches, one small square of newspaper, and a few sticks of wood.
She struck the first match and held it to the newspaper but it didn't ignite. She struck the second match and held it to the newspaper. It still didn't ignite.
She stared at the third and final match. Knowing a big part of the challenge was teaching the kids how to communicate with God and fully rely on Him, she'd been praying through every stage. But now, she didn't just pray—she cried out to God.
"Please help me, God. Please," she mouthed as she struck the third match. She held the flame to the paper and watched in complete disbelief. The matchstick burned but the paper did not.
As the final match burned out, she lowered her head in defeat.
Nine girls tried for this highest honor of finishing the challenge. Three girls didn't make it, including my daughter.
When I picked her up a week later, she asked if we could process this situation. What bothered her most wasn't not getting the camp honor. What bothered her most was not experiencing God's power like the other girls.
They all had stories of God answering their cries for help in amazing ways through the challenge.
"Mom, I didn't get that with God. Why?"
It was one of those questions you don't want to mess up in answering.
I asked her to recall every step of her challenge so we could intentionally look for God's hand. I listened intently for anything unusual and unexplainable.
When she got to the fire, I found it. There was no reason her newspaper shouldn't light. None at all. Everyone else's paper lit.
"Honey, that can only be explained by God intervening. He was there. He was listening. And we just have to trust there was some reason you shouldn't have continued that challenge. We may not know that reason, but we can certainly trust God was protecting you ... loving you ... revealing His power to you."
She put her head on my shoulder, "You really think so Mom?"
I whispered, "I know so."
I know so because I trust the truth God has given me. Truths like these are anchors that hold me to the reality of who God is.
He is the One in whom I find comfort and reassurance: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
He is right here with me in the midst of my trouble, I am not alone: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
He is the One who can use my tears to water the soil of my heart so that it can one day be a harvest of joy: "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
Yes, I know deep hurt. But I also know deep hope. So, I whispered it again, "Yes, sweetheart, I know so."
Sometimes God's power is shown as much in preventing things as it is in making them happen. We may never know the why. But we can always know and trust the Who.
Dear Lord, thank You for knowing what I need and what I don't—even when I don't agree. Teach me to trust You and look for Your hand in every situation. Help me see Your 'yes' and 'no' as protection and guidance. Today, I choose to trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it's hard to understand why God prevents something when we want Him to provide it. If you're looking for a friend to help you process your emotions in the hard times, Lysa does this in her gut-honest new book, Unglued. Click here to order your copy.
Nothing changes us like Scripture. The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a great resource to get us into the Word of God and help us choose emotionally healthy, Godly reactions. To order your copy, click here.
We would love for you to join us for the Unglued Bible Study. Proverbs 31 Ministries is starting an Unglued online Bible Study hosted by Melissa Taylor and Lysa TerKeurst on Sunday, September 23rd. Don't worry, this Bible Study won't require you to leave your house, change out of your pajamas, or even put on makeup! Click here to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
Look back at a situation where you felt God didn't answer your prayers. Can you see His power in not allowing your prayer to be answered? Be specific. It's important to acknowledge God's provision and protection.
Write out your prayers today. Focus on trusting who God is and not why He is choosing not to answer or delaying His response. Remind yourself, "God's power is shown as much in preventing things as it is in making them happen."
Power Verse:
Psalm 145:18, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 15, 2012
Lord I Want to Know You
Renee Swope
"Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help." - Psalm 9:10 (GW)
I had heard great things about her, but it wasn't until we worked in the same office that I really got to know her. Yet, there were certain traits I only discovered by "doing life" with LeAnn, like her dry sense of humor and her unique way of making each person feel noticed and loved.
As our friendship deepened, LeAnn became someone I could depend on. But honestly, I only discovered she was dependable when I needed to depend on her and she came through for me.
I've found that our relationship with God grows closer in the same way. We may have heard things about God, but we won't really know Him until we spend time with Him - talking, listening and observing who He is and depending on Him.
We learn to trust His heart by interacting with Him and experiencing His character in personal ways.
In the book of Judges, chapter 6, an angel of the Lord appeared before Gideon and told him that he was going to become a mighty warrior and defeat a huge army of his enemies. But Gideon didn't believe him.
You see, Gideon only knew about God. He had heard of His faithfulness in others' lives, but he didn't know God personally.
And it's hard to trust someone you don't know.
Gideon told the angel of the Lord, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."
And the Lord said, 'I will wait until you return.'" (Judg. 6:17-18 NIV)
When Gideon brought his offering, the angel of the Lord touched it with the tip of his staff and fire flared from the rock, consuming it. Then Gideon realized it was in fact the angel of the Lord and exclaimed, "Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" (v. 22b NIV).
Up to this point, Gideon had called Him "Lord." But now he used the word "Sovereign" to describe His Lord because he had experienced God's sovereignty.
Another layer of confidence was built when Gideon witnessed God's power.
Gideon must have looked terrified, because immediately, "the Lord said to him, 'Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die'" (v. 23 NIV). I love what Gideon did next: "Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace" (v. 24a NIV).
God had revealed His character by demonstrating His power and by giving Gideon peace to help him overcome his doubts and fears.
Gideon not only knew about God, now he was getting to know Him personally. He would learn that it's much easier to trust someone you know—someone you have experienced life with in a personal way.
Just like my friend LeAnn, my relationship with Jesus has grown closer over time and I've come to love Him as I have experienced His love for me. I've learned to depend on Him and trust Him deeply as I've come to know His heart and His character.
We will not know God as Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, until we experience and recognize His healing in our lives, whether spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically. We cannot know Him as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, if we are not in need. We will not know Him as Jehovah Nissi, our Banner, unless we need Him for victory.
We will grow in our relationship with Jesus and our confidence in Him will deepen as we live in the promise of today's key verse: "Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help." (Psalm 9:10 GW)
Dear Lord, I want to know You for who You really are. I desire to trust and follow You more and more each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you want to grow in your intimacy with Christ and learn to live in the security of Who He is and who you are in Him, don't miss Renee Swope's book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
Visit Renee's FREE resources page on her website for an expanded list of God's names.
Connect with Renee on Facebook for more life-changing perspectives and promises from God's Word!
Reflect and Respond:
Keep a list of several of God's Names to remind you of who God is. It also helps to say His names out loud and thank God for being each of these things for you; to say, Lord, thank You that You are ...
Emmanuel: My God with Me (Matt. 1:22 - 23)
El Roi: The God Who Sees Me (Gen. 16:13 - 14)
El Sali: God of My Strength (Ps. 42:9)
Jehovah Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
Jehovah Shammah: The Lord Is There for Me (Ezek. 48:35)
For a list of more of God's names click here.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe." (NLT)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 16, 2012
When People Drive You Crazy
Luann Prater
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 (NIV)
Live at peace with everyone? Easier said than done, right? Especially when that one person is pushing their agenda (and your buttons) and becomes upset if you don't embrace it. But our key verse, Romans 12:18, encourages us that as far as it depends on us, we're to live at peace with everyone.
One way God's helped me do this is regularly placing 'grinders' in my life. Grinders are those people who grind you until all of your shine is worn away! They drive you crazy and drive you far away from their friendship.
Not long ago I met Sue at a friend's house. She followed me from room to room and decided she must become my best friend. We didn't have much in common but that didn't stop Sue from calling, texting and emailing—first occasionally, then constantly.
For some reason, she thought I could fill a hole in her life. Unfortunately, it began to wear a hole in mine.
When I didn't have time to talk or respond she became agitated and hurt. It was obvious this friendship was capsizing and in need of a check up.
When a relationship like this one begins to wear me out, absorb my life, or create chaos, I try to check three things:
Have I listened with compassion and responded in love? It's important to evaluate my own behavior to see if I am contributing to the toxic relationship. Every situation has many factors and owning my part is key.
Set limits. People can only get in your space if you leave the door open! Decide what is healthy for you and draw a line there. How much time can you reasonably give? What are you willing to sacrifice to invest in this relationship? Pray that God will help you establish boundaries. Discuss and define them with your grinder.
Know when to walk away. Our key verse clearly says if it is possible, live at peace. That means there may be times when it's not possible. We may need to part ways for a season. God can redeem anything and often He brings folks back together after a time of separation.
As for Sue, I asked myself if I'd listened with compassion and responded in love. I prayed for God to highlight my behavior and point out any flaws in my reactions. He showed me some boundaries I needed to set with Sue in order to live at peace with her.
I took her to lunch and apologized for not being clear with the limits and time constraints in my life. We prayed together and asked God to fill the empty places in both of our lives. She appreciated the honesty and promised to honor our newly set boundary lines. Instead of sinking, our friendship became a sweet treasure.
Confronting difficult people is hard, but important, so you can control how much of a negative impact they have on you. And to live at peace with them. Our first step is adjusting our focus on the Prince of Peace and then our own behavior.
Want to take a personal challenge with me? Instead of avoiding our 'grinders'—let's grind to a halt, drop to our knees and pray for our friends today.
Dear Lord, how easy it is to fall into relationships that absorb our strength. Refocus our attention on You and how You want us to behave. Teach us how to set healthy boundaries in all of our relationships. May we always reflect Your Son. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God's Purpose for Every Woman, a compilation of Encouragement for Today Devotions by Proverbs 31 Ministries authors
Visit Luann's blog and listen to her Encouragement Café radio show for loads of fun and spiritual application for real life!
Stress Point by Sarah Francis Martin
For more daily encouragement, visit our P31 Facebook page.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down a list of 'grinders' in your life and take time to pray for them.
Walk through the 3 steps above for each person who grinds you.
Power Verses:
Job 42:10, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 16:7, "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him." (NIV)
© 2012 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 17, 2012
When People Drive You Crazy
Susanne Scheppmann
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalms 119:28 (NIV 1984)
Thud! I heard my son's feet hit the dirt outside his bedroom window. My heart sank. I had been right when I told my husband, "He's going to run away. Watch."
The whole afternoon and evening had spun into a disaster. My adolescent son had gotten into trouble. We were in the middle of discussing it with him when the phone rang. My husband listened as his ex-wife told him that their daughter had run away that afternoon. I watched the panic cross my husband's face as he dug for more details about what had happened.
In addition, I spied my son's alert face and witnessed a light bulb go off in his adolescent brain. I could tell he thought, "I'm going to run away too!" We sent my son to his room while we managed the bigger problem of the moment-my stepdaughter.
Sure enough, he went on the run. My thoughts raced. Should I go after him? Or should I wait and search for him later? I felt emotionally and physically exhausted.
Both my husband and I were stricken with confusion and sadness as we battled through all the drama and trauma in our family. That evening we despaired. How could this have happened? We tried to be good parents. It seemed that with three teenagers, life was a never-ending crisis.
Things did turn out okay. My stepdaughter returned home to her mother. We found my son, and my husband coaxed him home. Everyone went to bed, and two exhausted parents desperately prayed for a better tomorrow.
That was several years ago. Children matured. Time healed. And God was faithful to the prayers of those two despairing parents.
He feels our heartaches. He sees our tears. He grants us the courage and guts to keep on parenting.
Our key verse today acknowledges the pain we may experience, but it also points the way to gaining strength—God's Word. If you are a despairing parent, seek the Lord's comfort, wisdom and strength by reading and praying Scripture each day. It sustained my husband and me through many trials and tears.
God is our source of strength when we're weary with sorrow and come to our wit's end in the life-long career of parenting.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of my children. I am honored You set me apart to be their mom. Yet, at times parenting is hard! I ask You for guidance and strength. Remind me of the joys of parenting when I despair. Help me keep a balanced outlook. I ask You to provide me with special Scripture that I can pray for my children. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents by Susanne Scheppman
Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit our Everyday Life web page for encouragement on parenting and so much more!
Reflect and Respond:
Where do you place your trust and hope when it comes to your child? Do you recognize that Jesus loves them more than you?
Read and memorize Psalm 4:3 and 5:3. Then pray for your children, and know that the Lord hears you call to Him. Wait in expectation for His guidance.
Power Verses:
Psalms 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 49:25, "But this is what the Lord says: 'Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 20, 2012
Finish What You Start
Glynnis Whitwer
"'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'" John 4:34 (NIV)
I excel at starting projects. Especially those that include a trip to the office supply store, where I can stock up on new notebooks, file folders and pens. Optimism abounds at the beginning of something new. Then reality hits.
What seemed fun at first is actually hard work. Discouragement sets in. Perfectionist tendencies stifle moving forward. And it's easy to give up rather than finish what I start.
One of my problems is a lack of focus. There's so much I want to do that my thoughts are often scattered. I allow myself to be pulled in multiple directions, intrigued by the possibilities of a new and exciting project. Plus, sometimes I do things just because I can. This approach often leaves me with a to-do list that's seriously un-doable.
Finishing well requires discipline that doesn't come naturally. But it's key to living a life that's manageable and reflects God's priorities for me. So while my shelves include books on time management and productivity, the best role model of finishing well is Jesus.
Jesus is the picture of focus and discipline, especially in the midst of many people demanding His attention. In the book of John we read a story about Jesus sitting by a well while His disciples went for food. As He waited, a solitary woman came to draw water and Jesus engaged her in a life-changing conversation-not only for her but for her entire village.
On this day, Jesus could have pleaded exhaustion or frustration. He'd been traveling, it was warm, and He was hungry. One of those challenges would have been enough to derail me. Instead Jesus narrowed His focus on one woman and finished the assignment God gave Him.
After reuniting with His disciples, they tried to get Jesus to eat. He responded: "'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'" (John 4:34 NIV)
Jesus knew what His Father had asked Him to do and was committed to "finish" this work. In this passage, Jesus models clarity of purpose, perseverance and compassion; all characteristics I want.
If you feel like you are always starting things and never finishing, perhaps it would help to focus on only one or two things God is calling you to today. Don't try and tackle everything at once. Ask God for His priorities for your life, and concentrate on doing your best in those areas.
Changing life-long patterns of not finishing things will take time. I've learned when I submit my overwhelmed feelings to God, He gives me strength to persevere.
Dear Lord, thank You for forgiving me when I fall short. Help me be like Jesus and be focused on Your will and work. Show me Your priorities for my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for simple habits you can practice that will help you finish well.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians, six-week Bible study by Glynnis Whitwer and Brian T. Anderson
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Is there something you know God wants you to do, but you haven't done it? What is it?
Identify one or two areas that you believe God wants you to focus on this year. Ask God to help you align all areas of your life with His priorities for you.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:35-36, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (NIV)
James 1:2-4, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (NAS)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 21, 2012
Ruined for Good
Lysa TerKeurst
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Have you ever felt the frustration of having something ruined? Maybe you've experienced grape juice on the carpet, scratches on hardwood floors, permanent ink on your favorite shirt, or something similar.
My daughter Ashley once went up our stairway with a crayon putting tick marks on our freshly painted walls with each step she took. Then she dragged the crayon all the way down the hall to her room. Did I mention the freshly painted walls?
I wanted to pull my hair out by the roots!
I'd like to be a mom who handles mishaps and messes with a graceful, "That's okay, Dear." But I was born with firecrackers in my blood. So when things like the crayon incident happen, I have to make the choice to let the Holy Spirit reign me in.
This means me getting into God's Word every day and praying for Him to give me grace, patience and self-control. I have to make the choice every day to invite God's spirit to interrupt my fleshly tendencies so I can have gentle answers that turn away wrath as today's key verse encourages me to offer.
God helps me with perspective changers. He shows me a different way to look at and process things that trigger my emotions. In response to my frustration with my kids ruining things, He gave me a sweet change of perspective that improved my outlook and diffused my anger.
While visiting my husband Art's parents, I took a liking to a writing desk in their home. I mentioned to my mother-in-law that I'd love to have it if she ever decided to get rid of it. But she was quick to tell me that she would never get rid of it because it was priceless. She unlatched the fold-down lid to reveal what made this desk so priceless.
In a little boy's handwriting the letters A-R-T were scratched onto the surface. She admitted to being angry with my husband when this happened, but now the scratches that seemed to have ruined her desk are priceless treasures to her. Her little boy's handwriting is saved for her to cherish and remember.
The desk had been ruined...for good.
Dear Lord, thank You for perspective changes that help me to see past the here and now so that I can see Your truth which sets me free. Set me free today from anger, firecracker emotions, short fuses and explosive tempers... so that I can be free to reveal the YOU in me! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it's really hard to keep our emotions in control when things feel out of control. In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experiences, scriptural wisdom and powerful perspective changes. Order your copy today!
Ready to start learning how to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions but don't want to start it alone? On August 23rd we'll be hosting a FREE Unglued Webcast with a powerful message from Lysa TerKeurst to get you going. We'll also be featuring the radio personalities from K-Love! Please join us at www.klove.com. No makeup, shoes, or preparation required. Sign up for an email reminder here.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
In your journal, write about a frustrating experience that you've recently had with a loved one and how God might want you to change your perspective.
How might our actions change when our perspectives change?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (NIV)
Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (ESV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 22, 2012
Mama Birds
T. Suzanne Eller
"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" Matthew 25:40 (NLT)
They were nestled together, a fluff of feathers and yellow beaks. I parted the rose bushes to take a closer look. Suddenly something swooped by my ear. I leaped back and put my arms up, and then it came at me again.
Squawking. Pecking. The angry mama bird chased me away from her nest.
I'm a hundred times larger than that bird, but she didn't care. She sensed danger and put herself at risk to protect her little ones.
I sometimes identify with that mama bird.
Like the time my son hopped up and took a sneak peek at the world's largest alligator at the fair. I called Ryan over immediately, expecting him to apologize and pay the man the dollar he owed. As he removed the dollar from his pocket, I looked up to see the man racing toward my five-year-old son, threats coming from his lips, fists waving in the air.
I whisked my son into my arms, and met the man square on with my angry momma glare.
The man backed down, accepted my son's apology and took the dollar from his little outstretched hand. He slipped back to his booth.
I wish every child had a mama bird watching over them, but right now:
A child is exposed to the elements.
A child is hungry.
A child doesn't have access to education.
A child needs medical care and can't afford it.
Perhaps there is a mama in the picture, one who is doing all that she can, but that only makes it harder for her.
When the mama bird was attacking me I noticed a second bird hovering nearby, squawking just as loudly.
In bird speak, it might have been, "I got your back. Just give me the word!"
We have a word from the Father. One that says little ones matter to Him. What might happen if we listened to that word and all the mama birds came together?
What if a beautiful single mom suddenly felt another woman hovering nearby, saying, "I'm with you. You aren't alone."
What if a child whose worldview gained through poverty started being fed every day?
What if a child could wrap in a warm blanket in the cold night? Receive dental care? Have a chance to excel in school?
C.S. Lewis one said, "Nothing that you have not given away will ever truly be yours."
When we give away our time, come alongside a child or a family in poverty, give away our resources to feed or educate a child, it simply bounces back into the hands of the one who gave it all to us in the first place.
Is there a child that you know who needs a mama bird in his corner?
What is God calling you to do for the "least of these"?
Dear Father, help me be a blessing to a little one praying for food, or shelter, or asking for needs to be met. Thank you that I can love others in Your name, In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Change the life of a child through Compassion International.
A Cup of Cold Water in His Name by Lorie Newman
Join Suzie at Moms Together where thousands of moms are encouraged five days a week.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
This week, give up one week of a luxury item like coffee or junk food and share what you save with a child in need. Invite your family to join in the "fast."
Invest what you save in a program, such as Compassion International Survival Program which helps save the lives of babies and mothers in poverty. Even the smallest donations help supply:
• Prenatal care
• Nutritious food and supplements
• Ongoing health care
• Infant survival training for mothers
Power Verses:
Proverbs 14:31, "Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." (NIV 1984)
Matthew 18:5, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." (NIV)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 23, 2012
The Good Side of Conflict
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)
When I was in my early twenties, there was nothing I disliked more than conflict. I won't use the tired cliché that I avoided it like the plague. But, since I just mentioned it, I'll admit I tried to navigate around conflict at any cost.
I was a "stuff it and smile" kind of girl.
The problem with pretending to be fine when we're really not, is all that pent up steam will eventually come out. And if you've ever held your hand too close to steam, you know how it can burn.
I've learned that a much healthier approach to inevitable conflicts we all deal with is to face the issue head on with grace and humility and ask ourselves one very crucial question. This question is so crucial that might I dare say not asking it could lead to extreme conflict escalation rather than relationship restoration.
So, what's this crucial question?
Am I trying to prove or improve? In other words, is my desire in this conflict to prove that I am right or to improve the relationship at hand?
When I try to prove I'm right, I use the circumstances of the conflict as an arsenal to attack the other person. I come armed with past hurts and offenses ready to state my case. I'm tempted to tear down the other person. I react from a place of hurt and anger and can often say things I later regret.
On the other hand, when my desire is to improve the relationship, I seek to understand where the other person is coming from and I care enough about the relationship to fight for it rather than against it. Instead of reacting out of anger, I try to pause and let the Holy Spirit interrupt my first impulses. I focus on tackling the issues, not the person.
Here are some great questions to ask when we're dealing with conflict out of a desire to improve a relationship:
• Can you help me understand why you feel this way?
• Why don't we both agree to stick to the issue at hand and not pull in past issues?
• What is your desired outcome in this situation?
• How can we meet in the middle on this issue?
My husband I have renamed what we used to call "fights." We now call them "growth opportunities." And the more we've practiced these principles, the less conflicts we've had.
But I won't tie this devotion up in a neat bow and end all "cheerio." While Art and I are doing great right now, and have had very few "growth opportunities" lately, conflicts with others seem to always be around the corner.
So please hear my heart, I'm not saying all of this is easy. Just this week I've had to process some growth opportunities that left me feeling like I had firecrackers burning in my veins. Maybe you can relate.
What I will say is that it's possible to let those conflicts lead us to better places in our relationships. Improved places. And that is the good side of conflict.
Dear Lord, help me to realize that with each conflict I face I can make the choice to improve the relationship rather than try and prove I'm right. This is hard, Lord, really hard. But, I want to grow in this area and I know this is a good place to start. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join us for a FREE Unglued Webcast TONIGHT with a powerful message from Lysa TerKeurst to help you process your raw emotions and make wise choices in the midst of them! We'll also be featuring the radio personalities from K-Love! Please join us at www.klove.com. No makeup, shoes, or preparation required. Sign up here for an email reminder!
In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experiences and scriptural wisdom to help us improve our relationships and make healthy, Godly decisions with our reactions.Click here to order your copy today!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about your emotions and better ways to use them for good in all of your relationships! To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Take time to pause before jumping into any conflict resolution. Sometimes a simple pause is all that's needed to remember to attack the problem and not the person. Keep in mind it's more important to improve the relationship than prove we are right.
How might it help your next conflict resolution attempt to use these questions?
• Can you help me understand why you feel this way?
• Why don't we both agree to stick to the issue at hand and not pull in past issues?
• What is your desired outcome in this situation?
• How can we meet in the middle on this issue?
Power Verse:
Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 24, 2012
We Can't Do It Alone
Tracie Miles
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5 (NIV)
When my son Michael was learning to tie his shoes, he could not master the task. But, each time I offered my assistance, he would yell, "I can do it all by myself!"
Yet he couldn't. He didn't have the skills or knowledge necessary for tying shoes. I'd offer for him to sit on my lap and I'd teach him, but he would just run away and continue trying—unsuccessfully—on his own. Eventually I'd have to scoop him up against his will as he writhed his skinny body into an unbendable stick, wailing and flailing around.
Michael was frustrated and out of sorts simply because he wanted to tie his shoes by himself. In his mind he was capable. As his parent, I knew he simply could not do it alone.
I understood his frustration because even as an adult, I often do not want to admit my need for help. We are taught from a young age that we should be independent, and sometimes even groomed to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness or failure. We struggle with pride and want to prove our ability in the eyes of the world.
While this may be our mindset, it is not the mindset of Jesus.
In today's key verse Jesus told His disciples that apart from Him, they could do nothing. Although they had devoted their lives to following and serving Him, Jesus wanted them to understand they needed an intimate and interdependent relationship with Him.
Jesus was not commanding, but rather inviting His disciples to abide in Him. He promised blessings and that they'd bear much 'fruit.'
Just as an apple can only be produced if it stays connected to the tree branch for nourishment and life, Jesus was telling them and us that we must stay connected to Him. Without the vital life-giving union with Christ, we can bear no fruit in our lives.
What does that look like? It happens when we try tirelessly to extend forgiveness, change a person's heart, overcome a personal struggle, transform a situation or accomplish a goal. All too often we do things in our own strength and wisdom, rather than realizing or relenting to our need for God's help. But when nothing, or very little happens, we get frustrated and stressed, just like a child incapable of tying his shoes.
Our tendency to rely on our own knowledge, skills or experience can actually become a stumbling block. We may eventually find ourselves defeated and discouraged, secretly longing to throw ourselves on the floor and pitch a grown-up tantrum.
The word "abide" means to "dwell in, reside in, or continue in a particular condition or relationship." Upon accepting Jesus as our Savior, we are invited to abide in Him, and this verse encourages us as to why staying connected in a relationship is important to our faith. As we learn to dwell in Christ daily, we are better equipped to handle stress and adversities, and better prepared to avoid meltdowns altogether.
Just like I knew my son's limitations, God understands we need His help as we wade through life. He understands our desire for independence and our struggle with pride, yet if we abide in Him and accept His help, we will be better equipped to deal with the stress and challenges of life.
Dear Lord, I never realized the stress that I was bringing upon myself by assuming that I was capable of handling problems on my own. Forgive me for trying to do things apart from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would the women of your church benefit from learning more about abiding in Christ and managing their everyday stress through a deeper relationship with Him? Click here to find out how to bring Tracie's "Stressed-Less Conference" to your church.
Visit Tracie's blog for 5 tips on abiding in Christ, and sign up for her free 10 Day Stress Detox beginning September 4th. A copy of Tracie's new book will be given away each of the 10 days!
Pre-order Tracie's new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What situation has been causing you great stress and frustration? Instead of tackling it on your own, spend time in prayer.
What stumbling blocks have you encountered lately? Doubt? Fear? Worry? Marriage problems? Parenting challenges? Financial worries? Humble yourself before God and ask Him for help.
Power Verses:
1 Chronicles 16:11, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (NIV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 27, 2012
A Mom's Back-to-School Blues
Glynnis Whitwer
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
The first day of school has always been difficult for me. Even as a child I cried every first day until I was really too old to cry. I thought I was past the first-day-of-school blues once I became a mother. But, I was wrong. It got worse.
Kindergarten, first grade, junior high and high school beginnings usually left me standing on the street, holding back tears and waving with a pasted on smile - all while someone I loved ran off happily - without looking back.
But nothing prepared me for last year ... when my son Dylan started college. He's the first one to leave the nest and I was feeling shaky about the whole thing all summer. Oh I put on a good face and celebrated every moment with him. But when I got alone, the mascara started running.
The day we moved him in to the dorm was the worst. Every time we carried a load of clothes or supplies into his room I could feel my eyes stinging with unshed tears. I blinked furiously and thought of cute kittens playing with string ... anything to stop me from embarrassing both of us.
Thankfully I held it together in front of him. But when I got in the car to head home, I sobbed.
I decided I needed a really big, sweet coffee drink and pulled into a drive through. Only once I heard the girl's voice through the little speaker, I pictured her as a cute college student and started crying harder. She repeated her question about my drink and I just hung my head, unable to speak through my tears.
My younger son Robbie was with me, and thankfully he took over. He leaned around me and explained in a loud voice: "We just dropped my brother off at college and my mom is crying too hard to order. But she'd like an iced venti caramel macchiato."
For months I had stuffed down my emotions trying to get them under control. But I knew I needed to explore why I was so sad. Once I allowed myself to go there, it didn't take long to realize I was grieving the changes in my relationships with my children. Every year they need me a little less. Every year I have to release some measure of control. And their everyday lives don't revolve around me quite as much. That's a very good and healthy thing. But it's still hard.
There is so much I have to be thankful for, but I can't deny the grief of moving past a stage of parenting that was precious to me, and realizing my children don't need me as much. So I've spent many hours going to God with my sadness. And He has not disappointed me with His response.
He hears my cries and He reminds me of an important truth: My identity is not found in being a mother, but in being a daughter of the King – and that relationship will never change. God never needs to pull away from me to become independent, rather He prefers that I become more dependent.
So as I learn to accept the natural way of raising a child and the inherent healthy separation, that concept does not apply to God and me. God wants more of my time, He wants me to come to Him for advice, and He wants to talk with me. This is a relationship that will never change, except to become stronger.
God is using these separation moments to grow my children and me. They are learning to stand on their own, and I'm learning to become more dependent on God. I'm not saying I've got this thing whipped. I've got a few more first days to go. But I do know where to go for reassurance.
Dear Lord, thank You for never changing, never pulling away and never needing to be independent from me. Help me to accept this natural way of things in my children's lives and to turn to You for support when I'm feeling alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Glynnis' blog if you need more back-to-school encouragement.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Many people have trouble believing that God loves them. What can happen in the life of a Christian who doesn't know and experience God's love personally?
If you need a reminder of your value and worth, spend some time reading Psalm 139.
Power Verses:
1 John 3:1a, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (NIV)
1 John 4:10, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 28, 2012
My Heavenly Referee
Micca Monda Campbell
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NIV 1984)
Have you ever experienced a lack of peace that kept you from moving forward? I have. My husband and I were about to purchase our first home. After viewing several houses, we finally found a perfect fit. Or so we thought.
When closing day came, I couldn't bring myself to sign the papers. Although it was natural for us to be both excited and nervous about becoming new homeowners, I couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness. I asked to speak to my husband alone for a moment and discovered he had the same sick feeling in his stomach as I had in mine. We decided not to move forward.
This was a wise decision. A few short months later, my husband died from a tragic accident. Had we bought the home, I wouldn't have been able to pay the mortgage, plus support a new baby and myself on one income. That's when it dawned on me. Our lack of peace on closing day was the Holy Spirit guiding us toward the right decision.
You and I may not know our future, but God does. Through the Holy Spirit, God directs our steps by the presence of peace or lack of it.
Our heavenly helper works in our lives much like a referee does in a basketball game. As long as the players stay within the boundaries of the court, they are free to move about. But when there is trouble on the court or the ball goes out of bounds, the referee blows his whistle. The sound of the whistle stops the game until the referee restores order and puts the ball back into play.
Likewise, you and I have a heavenly referee—the Holy Spirit. When there is a lack of peace in your life, that's your signal to stop moving ahead. The Holy Spirit has blown the whistle and called for a time out to redirect your path.
Sometimes your ball gets kicked out of bounds by unexpected adversity. Other times, you can step out of bounds by giving into temptation and sin. In each of these circumstances, the Holy Spirit will blow the whistle to gain your attention.
If you and I are wise, we'll wait on our heavenly referee to restore our peace and put the "ball" back into play. That happens as we confess our sin, seek His face, and follow His instruction.
However the Spirit leads, it's important to note that stepping out of bounds doesn't mean God will call "game over." Our heavenly referee is always working to restore your life and mine.
I'm thankful my husband and I heeded the warning of the Holy Spirit and didn't purchase the house. In doing so, my son and I were spared undue stress and pain. I'm learning that the right path is always marked by peace.
Dear Lord, make my path clear and give me the courage to follow it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog for more about the role of the Holy Spirit in your life.
In Micca Campbell's book, An Untroubled Heart, you'll discover God's remedy for freedom from fear.
Looking for a faith stronger than all your fear? It's not too late to join Micca's online bible study based on her book, A Untroubled Heart.
Is your life entangled with fear? Take Micca's free "Fear Factor" test to find out and also get her first chapter for FREE!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Is the heavenly referee trying to get your attention by a lack of peace? Or is He giving you a green light through a calm sense of rightness?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight." (NIV)
Psalm 25:12, "Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him."
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 29, 2012
Did She Just Say That?
Lynn Cowell
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
"God wouldn't send anyone to hell; He's loving. That's what my friends say."
I was saddened by what had just spilled out of my daughter's mouth. Outside opinions were influencing her and one of my biggest fears was being realized. She didn't know enough of what was true to combat what was false.
She didn't know what the Bible says when it comes to salvation. Instead she was operating on what others were telling her. I realized that day that my girl needed to learn more of God's Word and, as her parent, it was my job to teach her.
Those born between 1982 and 2002 make up what's called the Mosaic generation. Taking bits and pieces from friends, media and their own opinions, they create their own religion of sorts. As a mom, this terrifies me. I see through my own children that an hour-long sermon once a week is not enough to fight hours of media and social networking.
I have to do something.
I've made it a point, as we're told in Deuteronomy chapter 6, to look for any opportunity to share Scripture with my kids. On the way home from practice, while making dinner, and even waiting in line at the store. Any time can be a good time to talk about Jesus.
While those spontaneous times are great, I've learned that structured time to read God's Word with my kids is important too.
Yet a look at our family's schedule makes it appear impossible. Life is busy!
However, I knew if I was going to teach my children Scripture, it meant something had to change. The morning is one of the rare open spaces in our days so I announced to my kids we would begin eating breakfast together so we could read the Bible.
To be honest, that didn't go over well with them! Their most popular rebuttal was, "I don't want to get up earlier!" But with a little compromise here and a tweaking of the alarm clock there, we found a small window of time to read together.
Pouring small amounts of truth into my daughters before they hit their school halls has become a big priority. I've had to choose to care more about the commands of the Lord than the demands of my kids for more sleep. "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deut. 6:6-7 NIV)
Am I fitting in a chapter of the Bible each day? No. But speaking even just a portion of God's unfailing love helps prepare my daughters for the trials and temptations they face each day. My girls can't quote large chunks of Scripture but, little by little, truth is sinking in; their lives are reflecting change. And God's truth is sinking into my heart too!
You can teach a young person in your life God's Word, too. It's doesn't take half an hour a day, but just a few minutes. You don't need to know the Bible inside and out. Maybe one of your children could read out loud on the way to school. Or right before going to bed. The time of the day isn't important. What is important is finding time and making it a priority.
Dear Lord, help me be intentional today to share Your Truth. I choose to pass Your Word on to the next generation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Pre-order your copy of Lynn's newest book, Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You. This is a great resource for investing God's love, God's word and God's wisdom into your kids to help them make wise choices!
Visit Lynn's website to find out how you can be intentional about sharing God's truths with your child. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
In the next 24 hours, look over your schedule. Prayerfully ask the Lord when you can be intentional about sharing God's Word with a child in your life.
Speaking a small portion of His unfailing love fills our spirit, preparing us for the trials and temptations that we are sure to face in a day.
Power Verse:
Psalm 90:14, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 30, 2012
Move Over, Mean Girl
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" - Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Last year, we logged over twenty hours in the car during the joy-filled excursion called family vacation. It was family bonding at its finest. Here's a little glimpse of the sweet conversations heard coming from the backseat.
Ashley: "Mom, Brooke just licked my hash brown! Ewwwwww!"
Me: "Brooke, why would you lick your sister's hash brown, for heaven's sake?"
Brooke: "Because my arm hurts."
Me: "Oh. Well, that just makes complete sense."
And that's just one little exchange. There may have been 127 other instances when the soundtrack of my car-traveling life was, "Mom ... she poked me, and she is on my side, and she just spilled her drink, and she took my iPod."
And, on occasion, I may have wanted to jump in the backseat and remove every shred of candy from my little tweenager's hands and dump it out the window. But I really didn't want my mean girl or my mean mommy to come out on the family vacation.
Have you been there? Honestly, the last thing that pops into my mind in those frustrating moments is: What does Jesus say about this?
I wish it did. So I'm trying to think about this now, in a non-heated moment. That way I can be better prepared for the next time my mean girl tendencies surface.
According to our key verse today, Jesus says we must do three things. But these aren't three easy steps. They are three shifts of the heart: we have to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
Deny myself ... I have to deny myself the momentary satisfaction of the quick comeback, the rude response, and the full-out yelling. Over-sugared children can elicit craziness in a mama. Not that I have any personal experience with such things. No, not at all. And if you believe that, I've got some Easter candy off on the side of the road somewhere I could sell you.
Deny myself. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.
Then I must take up my cross ... My cross. Stop the blaming and finger-pointing and wishing everyone else would change and see my sinful reaction as a contribution to the problem at hand. I must take my issues to His cross and see my sin for what it is—sin. And I must be disgusted enough by my sin to truly want to do something about it.
Take up my cross. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.
Finally, I must follow Him ... Really follow Him. Follow who He is and how He is. I must close my mouth, pause long enough to let Him interrupt my eruption, and let His Spirit redirect me.
Yes, my children need to be corrected, but I can let the consequences scream so I don't have to. Only a calm mama can think of rational, reasonable consequences that instruct.
Follow who He is and how He is. It's hard. But it is the way with Jesus.
It's amazing how quickly my mean girl vanishes when I deny myself, admit my sin, and choose to let Jesus interrupt me.
Just don't be licking my hash brown if your arm starts hurting, okay? I have to draw the line somewhere.
Dear Lord, I don't want my mean girl to come out when I'm angered or aggravated. Give me the self-control to deny myself, stop blaming others, and choose to follow You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal and scriptural wisdom to help us respond with no regrets even in those moments when we want to explode, bitterly stuff our emotions, or react somewhere in between. Click here to order your copy today!
Are you ready to start learning to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions but don't want to start it alone? On August 30th (TONIGHT) we'll be hosting a FREE UngluedWebcast at 8pm EST. Simply click on www.LysaTerKeurst.com to hear a powerful message. Sign up to get an email reminder about this FREE webcast and how to watch the replay if you miss it tonight by clicking here.
Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Unglued Online Bible Study! This Unglued study, hosted by Melissa Taylor and Lysa TerKeurst, starts Sunday, September 23rd. You won't have to leave your house, change out of your pajamas, or even put on makeup. Click here to find out more and sign up!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you lost your cool this week?
Take a minute to write out the situation and your response. Ask God to help you with this. Only He can change your heart.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV)
Galatians 5:16-17, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 31, 2012
When I Need to Trust Him
Nicki Koziarz
"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.'" Psalm 31:14 (NIV 1984)
It was news that made my heart ache like no other. Nothing would ever be the same.
I climbed into my red Jeep Wrangler, buckled my seat belt, and sped down a dark country road. The night sky was clear but I could barely see through the tears that poured down my face.
I flipped off the radio and screamed at God, "Why?! Why did you allow this to happen?"
Pressing my foot on the brake, I pulled over and parked on the side of the road. The air was cold and the silence was eerie.
Do you trust Me? I sensed God whisper.
The question climbed through layers of my doubts and skepticism. Truth be told, I didn't trust God.
Oh, I trusted Him when things were good, when life was easy. But in the lowest moment of my life? I didn't really trust Him.
I wish I could tell you Jesus showed up in my car that night and I have never distrusted God again. But that is the furthest thing from the truth.
It would be years before I could say I trusted God again. And even today ... I have trust issues with Him.
Why is trusting God so hard?
The obvious answer is, you can't see Him.
Then there's the sensible rebuttal, He's mysterious.
Or the overused answer, God's ways are just not our ways.
But today I'm thinking that trusting God is so much more than just a position we accept.
Trusting God is a place of response.
In my desperate situation that night what I really wanted to say to God was, "I need to trust You more than ever." Yet my soul and my mouth didn't know how to connect that thought.
I need to trust You.
On days filled with uncertainty and fear, this practice of verbally placing our trust in Him can be powerful.
Today as I learn to trust God more, here are some things I'm saying aloud:
Jesus, I need to trust You more than ever to believe that You work all things out for my good. (Romans 8:28)
Jesus, I need to trust You more than ever to fight this battle I am facing. (Exodus 14:14)
Jesus, I need to trust You more than ever to be my God who provides beyond my limitations. (Philippians 4:19)
That night part of my lack of trust for God was from my own failure. I had fallen far from God - yet in that painful moment, He was still the One I turned to. I can't help but believe it is in our moments of complete brokenness we are able to experience God's faithfulness and presence by daring to turn to Him and learning to trust Him again.
What do you need to trust Jesus more than ever for today?
Dear Lord, I am thankful for the trust You offer me. I ask today that You would help me to move towards trusting You more with every detail of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus, the One you can trust with your life?
Visit Nicki's blog for more encouragement on trusting God.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Trusting God is so much more than just a position we accept. Trusting God is a place of response.
Leave a comment on Nicki's blog sharing what you need to trust Jesus more for, then post a prayer for the person above you. Let's start a movement ... a movement of trusting God more.
Power Verses:
Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 3, 2012
Making the Hard Choice
Melanie Chitwood
"'Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.'" Isaiah 43:18-19 (NAS)
Several years after a friend weathered a huge storm in her marriage, I asked her, "How do you not remember and not get angry all over again when you're reminded of the hurt your husband caused you?"
Her answer was simple but not easy: "I choose to believe that God loves me, my husband, and my children. And I choose to trust God."
The key word here is "choose." Today's key verse from Isaiah 43:18-19 is also about choosing. In our marriages, we can choose to remember the hurtful times, or we can choose not "to call to mind the former things."
Let's look at some real-life examples where we can choose to look ahead rather than behind:
I can choose ...
to forgive my husband for forgetting my birthday.
not to repeat in my mind the hurtful words my husband said in the heat of an argument.
to appreciate my husband for what he does now, rather than wishing he'd send me flowers like he did in the beginning of our marriage.
to be merciful and gracious when my husband loses money in an unwise investment.
not to hold grudges.
to forgive my husband for unfaithfulness.
not to wonder if I married the right man.
We can make choices like these every day in our marriages, and as we do, I believe we will see God do something new and miraculous in our marriages. After all, He's the God who makes a "roadway in the wilderness" and "rivers in the desert" as Isaiah 43:18-19 says.
I saw my friend choose to trust God during the storm in her marriage. Then, over and over again, I've seen her choose to look ahead to the new things God promises to do in her marriage, rather than dwell on the hurts of the past.
I'm inspired by my friend's ability to rejoice over the new life God brought to her marriage. As our conversation concluded she said, "What we went through was absolutely heartbreaking, but I prayed to see it through God's eyes. I believe that God can make all things new, that God can work all things to our good if we believe in Him. God transformed our marriage as I rested in Him and trusted Him."
He did it for my friend and her marriage. He can do it for you and your marriage too.
Dear Lord, I rejoice that You make all things new! You can even raise a dead marriage to new life. I choose to look ahead, not behind, in my marriage. I choose not to call to mind hurt from the past. I can't wait to see what good things You bring to my marriage as I trust and obey You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood
Reflect and Respond:
Right now, what hurt or anger can you leave behind so God can do something new in your marriage? Pray now, confessing to God that you've been holding on to hurts of the past, and ask Him to begin a new work in your marriage.
What role does fear play in your inability to look ahead in your marriage?
Do you trust God to do something new in your marriage?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:26, "...Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NAS)
Ephesians 4:22, 23, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, ... to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 4:32, "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (NLT)
© 2012 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 4, 2012
But I Don't Have What It Takes
Pastor Steven Furtick
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
"You don't belong here, boy. You don't have anything worth saying to these people."
You'd think a pastor about to preach to thousands of people eagerly awaiting his message would feel confident and courageous as he walks to the pulpit. But as I stepped out on stage, I literally had to talk to myself aloud to drown out the voice inside me telling me I didn't have what it takes.
Have you ever stopped short of God's calling on your life because you felt almost paralyzed by your limitations and insecurities?
We often excuse ourselves from God's greater vision because we don't believe we have enough for God to work with. Maybe it's our insufficient experience. Lack of resources. Lackluster training. Awkward social skills. Maybe it's a busted up marriage or a job we're sure is meaningless.
Unfortunately, one of the enemy's most effective strategies is to fill our mind with thoughts about what we don't have and all the ways we fall short. But when we focus on what we lack, it can keep us from realizing what we have is more than enough for God.
You see, God has a history of using what little someone has in order to do great things that only He can do. When I hear that voice reminding me of my shortcomings and limitations, I've decided to say, "You're right. But my greatest limitation is God's greatest opportunity."
All throughout Scripture God has shown this to be true time and time again.
When calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery from the Egyptians, God simply asked him, "What is in your hand?" (see Exodus 4:2). It was just a staff—a common tool used by a common worker for a common purpose. But God used it for something greater, transforming it into an extraordinary tool for the extraordinary purposes of turning the Nile into blood and parting the Red Sea.
When feeding the five thousand, Jesus didn't send the disciples to buy out McDonalds. He simply asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" Five loaves and two fish were more than enough (see Mark 6:30-44).
When the prophet Elisha was approached by the desperate widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 he simply asked her, "Tell me, what do you have in your house?" She said she had nothing at all,"except a small jar of olive oil." It turns out, one jar of oil isn't a bad place to start. God supernaturally multiplied that one jar of oil until she had enough to pay her debts and live with her sons on what was left.
And how did these miracles start? They started with something that seemed to amount to nothing.
These examples remind us we need to take inventory of what's right in front of us. Use that. Be obedient right there.
Start saying yes to God right where you are. Instead of focusing on your limitations and insecurities and saying, "I can't," start praying, "God use what I have. Take what little I have and make it overflow."
Indeed your greatest limitation is God's greatest opportunity.
Dear Lord, thank You that You are not limited to dealing with my current state and weaknesses. I want to be greater and do great things for You Lord. Use the little I have to give and make it great for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you sense that you were meant for more but feel stuck where you are, Pastor Steven Furtick's new book, Greater, will give you the confidence to know nothing is impossible with God, the clarity to see the next step, and the courage to do what God's calling you to. Order your copy today by clicking here.
You're invited to join Pastor Furtick on Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued webcast, September 6th at 8pm EST. For more information, click here.
Are you ready to open your imagination to the possibility that God has a vision for your life that is greater? Click here to sign up for Pastor Steven Furtick's "Pray Greater For 4 Days" Challenge to help you take your faith to the next level.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you ever doubted God's calling in your life because you believed you didn't have what it takes?
List 3 areas in your life where you can say "yes" to God right where you are. Now pray, "God use what I have. Take what little I have and make it overflow." Pray this simple prayer any time you start to feel weak or like you aren't good enough.
For more encouragement, click here to sign up for Pastor Steven Furtick's "Pray Greater For 4 Days" Challenge.
Power Verses:
Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (NIV)
Isaiah 40:29, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (NIV)
© 2012 by Steven Furtick. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 5, 2012
Filling the Gaps?
Lynn Cowell
"I made you. I am now your husband. My name is The Lord Who Rules Over All. I am the Holy One of Israel. I have set you free. I am the God of the whole earth." Isaiah 54:5 (NIRV)
I never thought I'd marry the guy I had crushed on since sixth grade and whose name I doodled on all my folders! Twenty-five years later, while far from perfect and at times under lots of parenting pressure, there is one secret that has helped make our marriage strong. A secret I'm passing on to our two teenage girls.
A man can never fill the love gap in your heart.
Most women have a need to nurture and a desire to receive care in return. We long to have the places in our heart that are hungry for love filled. And while people can help fill those gaps, they can never really satisfy. Our heart will always search for the One our soul was created to love and be loved by.
Isaiah 54:5 tells us who can fill our love gap: the Lord, our Maker and our Husband.
He's the One who is perfect and loves perfectly. Today's key verse goes on to say we're set free to be satisfied by His love instead of searching to be filled by another.
Yet, growing up, messages from movies, television, songs and books tried to convince us the perfect man was out there. Princess-like fantasies of being adored, affirmed, and attended to grew in our minds. "If only he would pay attention to me. If only he would say I am his, then I would really be happy." Radio songs reinforced our notions of a guy being our all-in-all. "I'm forever yours ... faithfully."
For some of us, the man we married has not stood by us faithfully. For others, there hasn't been a man who's said, "I do." Where does this leave us? Are we stuck feeling empty or broken for life?
I have walked beside several friends who've dreamed of picket fences, two kids and a dog. Yet their dreams have not come true. But while on a journey they never intended or would have chosen, they too have found:
No man can ever fill the love gap in their heart.
No man but one ... Love Himself.
Seeking Jesus has helped heal my loneliness and rejection and replace them with joy and acceptance. I also believe that looking to Him each day to meet my need for affirmation has taken the pressure off my husband.
Recently I shared this truth with a friend as she wept, "If I had only known that my husband couldn't meet all of my needs! If I had only known that Jesus alone could fill me with the love I was missing ... I wouldn't have divorced my husband last year."
My heart broke! Oh that we would grasp this truth today and share it with the young women in our lives. No matter what comes, we can find true love; a love that will never disappoint, never leave and never reject. A faithful love that can fill the gaps in our hearts.
Dear Lord, set me free to place my needs for affirmation, approval and affection in You. I know You will never disappoint, leave or reject me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life hear truth like today's every day of the year! Lynn's new book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You is a great resource! And if you purchase it today, you'll receive over $75 in free materials! More details here.
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Visit Lynn's website to find out how you can be intentional about sharing God's truths with your child. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
No man can ever fill the love gap in your heart. No man but One ... Love Himself.
Write a list of ways that you look to other people to fill the love gap in your heart.
Power Verses:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
Song of Solomon 2:16a, "My beloved is mine and I am his." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 6, 2012
People-Pleasing
Lysa TerKeurst
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Hello, my name is Lysa and I want people to like me. So, I will sometimes say yes when I really want to say no. And when I do say no, I sometimes worry about how much I'm disappointing that person.
I would much rather write this in past tense. Like, "I used to struggle with this but I've matured past it. So, let me share how I bravely say no and never fret over that decision."
But this isn't a past tense issue in my life.
No matter how I want to spin what this is, I have to call it people-pleasing.
It's part of my DNA to love others and not disappoint them. But I have to realize real love is honest. Real love cares enough about other people to say no when saying yes would build up a barrier in the relationship. Real love pursues authenticity rather than chasing acceptance.
So here's how I'm challenging myself to break free from people-pleasing ... I have to make peace with these realities:
I am going to disappoint someone.
Every "yes" will cost me something. Every "no" carries with it the potential for disappointment.
Either I will disappoint this person by not meeting their expectations, or I will disappoint my family by taking too much time from them. Do I wish I could say yes to everything and still keep my sanity? Yes! But I can't. So here's how I will say no:
"Thank you for asking me. My heart says yes, yes, yes—but the reality of my time says no."
A good verse for this is Proverbs 29:25, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." (ESV)
I must pause before giving immediate answers.
Sometimes it might be realistic for me to say yes, but I've learned to let my "yes" sit for a spell. Pausing allows me to assess how much stress this will add into my life. The person asking me for this favor probably won't be on the receiving end of my stress. It's the people I love the most that will start getting my worst when I say yes to too many people.
So, here's how I will give myself time to make an honest assessment:
"Thank you for asking me. Let me check my calendar and think through some other commitments I've already made. If you haven't heard back from me by the end of the week, please connect with me again."
A good verse for this is Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." (NIV 1984) What this says to me is we don't set our heart up to dread what lies ahead.
Some people won't like me.
In an effort to keep my life balanced, I will have to say no to many things. If someone stops liking me for saying no, they'll eventually stop liking me even if I say yes right now.
There are some people I won't please no matter how much I give. And some people won't stop liking me no matter how many no's I give. My true friends are in that second group and I love them for that.
Here's a great verse for this: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 ESV)
I challenge you to take a long pause this week when asked to add something new to your plate. And remember ... pursue authenticity by being honest rather than chasing acceptance by always saying yes.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word. I love how it applies to such every-day issues, like people-pleasing. Please help me discern when I should say yes and when I should say no. I want to be a good steward of my time, a good friend/wife/mother/employee, but sometimes I get so caught up in what everyone else wants me to do. Help me see Your will for each situation and respond clearly . In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal and scriptural wisdom to help us escape people-pleasing by understanding better ways to respond. Click here to order your copy!
Join in Lysa's webcast tonight at 8pm EST with special guest Pastor Steven Furtick. For more information log on to www.LysaTerKeurst.com.
Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Unglued Online Bible Study! This Unglued study, hosted by Melissa Taylor and Lysa TerKeurst, starts Sunday, September 23rd. You won't have to leave your house, change out of your pajamas, or even put on makeup. Click here to find out more and sign up!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How can the practice of pausing before saying yes improve your relationships?
Go ahead and write your pre-determined response when having to say no and potentially disappointing a friend or acquaintance.
Power Verse:
Acts 24:16, "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 7, 2012
In the Midst of Dirty Dishes
Sharon Glasgow
"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ... whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ ..." 1 Peter 4:9-11b (ESV)
I'd heard heroic tales of her. She'd been a missionary for over 60 years and led countless people to Christ. Now she was in her eighties and continued to pour her life into serving others. I was honored to stay with her for a week to minister alongside her.
After traveling 30 hours to her home, my husband and I arrived late in the evening. She welcomed and ushered us into her kitchen for a hearty meal she'd prepared. Then she took time to pray over us before we went to bed. When the sun was barely up the next morning, we feasted on an enormous breakfast in her tiny kitchen.
She and her husband prayed and read Scripture while we ate. The kitchen was crowded, her appliances old and worn, dishes piled high in the sink from her lavish food preparation—yet the atmosphere was home. As they read and encouraged Dale and me, unexpected tears welled up in my eyes and dripped on my plate!
Her kitchen didn't get a rest! Immediately after breakfast she began cooking again, this time for 100 women. She had rented a banquet hall and invited friends, telling them an American would be speaking and food would be served. We cooked, set up the luncheon, and I was ushered to the front to speak. Her intention was to build a bridge to their hearts, in hopes that they would come to church on Sunday. And many did!
While driving home in a car packed full of dishes from the luncheon, she told me she'd invited a large group to the house for dinner and wanted me to speak again.
I couldn't imagine how we could clean up all the mess we had left behind and prepare another huge meal! How would we get it all done? She didn't seem concerned at all. Instead, she was fueled from what the Lord had done at the luncheon.
There have been times that I've worried more about my kitchen than how I can serve others. I fret over the size and messiness. But as I watched this woman overlook the piles of pots I was inspired. She didn't let an unswept floor keep her from ministering when she felt the Lord move her. She set the table beautifully and welcomed her guests. Her husband and she joined together to pray and read from the Word. Hearts melted, like mine had earlier that morning.
Years have passed and I think of her every time I have company. Over the years she ministered to thousands in her home; many came to know Jesus there. And it was not because of delicacies or fancy dishes; it had nothing to do with a spotless kitchen. In fact, her kitchen was a mess. But whenever God opened a window of opportunity my friend chose to seize it.
I want that kind of desire to serve. I want my strength and passion to be like that described in today's key verse, 1 Peter 4:9-11b. I want to long for people to know Jesus more than I want to have the perfect kitchen.
God cares more about what's happening in our kitchen, than the state of it. My friend taught me that God's love can be shared, His character can be shown and hospitality can be offered, even in the midst of dirty dishes.
Dear Lord, help me take care of my home, and make it a place where You are glorified. Show me ways to serve You in a greater way through the resources You have given me. And help me always care more about the people in my kitchen than the dirty dishes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Sharon's blog for more on ministering in your kitchen and for these recipes from the missionary's dinner and luncheon ... Orange Chicken, Cuddled Eggs, and the best pancakes!
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Reflect and Respond:
Would you be able to invite people in for dinner if they dropped by unannounced—even if the kitchen was a mess?
When was the last time you invited neighbors over and served them? Let's get intentional about ministering in our kitchen and using it for His purposes.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:15a, "She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household." (NKJV)
Proverbs 31:25-27, "Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat of the bread of idleness." (NKJV)
© 2012 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 10, 2012
When Following Gets Hard
Glynnis Whitwer
"And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27 (NIV)
"Follow me on Twitter!" the celebrity said. He promised insider information and witty words all in 140 characters or less. There's no cost to follow; only benefit. And if it's not to your liking, just unfollow him. It only takes a few key strokes and you can move on to the next entertainer.
Several thousand years ago, someone else said, "Follow me." Only He meant something much different.
There was no promise of pithy sayings; no offer of ease with Jesus. Though the entertainment value was high at times, especially when He performed a miracle, He didn't leave it at that. He asked for more from those who followed Him. Apparently Jesus never read any marketing books, because He sure didn't make it look easy.
When Jesus invited Peter and Andrew to follow Him, they walked away from their jobs. Others left family, wealth and possessions. He gently turned one away because the young man wouldn't give up riches. But those that followed gave up their rights in exchange for a relationship with the Messiah.
Following Jesus was an all or nothing invitation. There isn't one example in Scripture where Jesus made an exception. And yet too many times I find myself following Jesus with only part of me. In fact, at times I'd prefer the Twitter version of following Jesus. Quick and entertaining, and done from behind a screen.
When all the spiritual decorations are removed, the truth is I've tried to follow Jesus with only part of me. I consider His invitation, and I'm happy to follow Him with my mind and hands. As a writer, that makes sense to me.I'll follow You Jesus from behind my computer. That's enough, isn't it?
Not really, I hear. I want your heart too. Are you willing to let go of unforgiveness? And your legs need to follow me so I can send you to do My work in the hospital, your neighbor's home and the prisons if need be.
Okay then, I counter. I'll give You my legs when I've got some extra time in my schedule. Can I think about that unforgiveness request?
And yet I know Jesus wants more. He doesn't want a 140-character relationship with me. He doesn't want my obedience a few times a day when I think about it. He doesn't want my convenient offerings of service. Following Jesus means being His shadow ... walking in His footsteps to the leper colony, being a friend of the outcast, facing scorn from the religious community, and standing firm for what is right in spite of the cost. It means following Him in the very essence of who I am: The deep place where I submit my rights to the One who gave them up for me.
When I look at it in that light, I realize once again why I want to follow Jesus fully. He gave up everything for me. How can I do any less?
My footsteps on this earthly journey following Jesus are not always steady and strong. I've stumbled many times. Yet I know that following anyone else offers only temporary peace and joy. Only Jesus leads me from darkness to light, and from death to life. I don't expect I'll find that on Twitter.
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've tried to follow You part time. It seems I'm always withholding some part of me, especially when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. Reveal those areas in my heart that I've kept to myself, and help me become a woman who follows You with complete abandon. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Want to Follow Jesus Fully?
P31 Woman magazine offers monthly encouragement on your journey of obedience.
When a Woman Meets Jesus by Dorothy Valcarcel
Visit Glynnis' blog for more encouragement during those times when following Jesus gets hard.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Following Jesus means following Him in the very essence of who we are: The deep place where we submit our rights to the One who gave them up for us.
What is one area of your life you withhold from following Jesus?
Power Verses:
John 8:12, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (NIV)
John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
September 11, 2012
When It Feels Better to Blame Someone Else
Lysa TerKeurst
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Proverbs 13:10 (NIV 1984)
You want to know one of the hardest three-word statements to make? "I am wrong."
It's so easy to point out wrong in others. It's so easy to want it to be someone else's fault. It's so easy to get critical and cynical and caught up in our limited perspectives.
But boy is it hard to see our own flaws. Where we went wrong. What we need to own.
I've been challenging myself on this. I recently had to correct one of my children for trying to blame someone else for something my child needed to own themselves. I could clearly see the pride, the insecurity, and the fear all wrapped around her blaming words. And why could I see it so clearly?
Because I see it in myself.
Bummer huh?
I had to have a conversation where I explained to my child something I'm learning myself. About blaming. And the dangerous path blaming can take us on.
In most conflicts I have two ways I can choose to travel:
The Path of Pride: I can blame the other person, focus only on their flaws, and refuse to own my part of it. That response will increase my pride and decrease the Lord's blessing in my life.
The Humble Way: I can honestly assess what I'm contributing to this conflict, admit where I went wrong, and ask for forgiveness. That response will lead to humility and increase the Lord's blessing in my life.
I see this principle woven throughout the Bible:
James 4:6, "That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 29:23, "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor." (NIV 1984)
Matthew 23:12, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (NIV 1984)
I know this. I believe this. So, why do I still find it hard to implement sometimes?
Well, here's where my head wants to go when I start examining certain conflicts: "But what if it really isn't my fault? It's not fair to assign the blame with me when this person did this and this and this."
But that's the wrong direction to go. Don't try to assign the blame. Just own the part you brought into the conflict. When I approach a conflict with a heart of humility, I've yet to see where I haven't added something to the issue.
And if the other person doesn't own their issues—the Lord will deal with them. (See the verses above.)
There are gifts hidden in the tough stuff of conflict. There is grace and honor to be gained. But I'll only see those gifts if I stop blaming others and start examining myself.
Dear Lord, I want to follow Your teaching in this. But it's so hard. I'm mad and frustrated and hurt. The last thing I feel like doing is examining where I am wrong. But I know that's what I need to do. Will You soften my heart? Will You give me eyes to see beyond my hurt? Will You help me cut through the assumptions and wrong-thinking? I want to honor You in this, I really do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What do you do when you need to draw boundaries in certain tough relationships? If you feel you need to make some tough decisions in one of your relationships, click here to read Lysa's blog today.
Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Unglued Online Bible Study! This Unglued study, hosted by Melissa Taylor and Lysa TerKeurst, starts Sunday, September 23rd. You won't have to leave your house, change out of your pajamas, or even put on makeup. Click here to find out more and sign up!
To get your copy of Unglued, click here. To get your Unglued Bible study workbook and DVD, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Think of a recent conflict with someone. Which way did you travel?
Remember, it's never too late to go back and go the humble way.
Now think of a conflict with someone that is happening right now. How can you travel the humble way?
Power Verses:
Psalm 25:9, "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 12, 2012
How to Stop Trashing Yourself
Renee Swope
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our countertop. It wasn't until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I regretted how quickly I'd thrown it away.
Then, as I reached to pull it out, I sensed God showing me that's how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.
It's usually very subtle. Sometimes I'll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can't do that. You're not good enough. Out of the blue, I'll just get that awful, insecure feeling.
Too many times in the past I've gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.
For years, I didn't tell anyone about my lack of confidence because I figured if I told them all the reasons I doubted myself, they'd see my flaws and agree with me. Honestly, I was convinced I was the only one who struggled with doubt.
However, I didn't call it doubt. Maybe you don't either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.
Other times I'd call it fear—fear that I wouldn't measure up, fear that I'd look stupid, fear that I'd look prideful thinking I could do something special for God. What I've realized over the past several years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt.
What about you? Do you ever question your worth as a woman? How often do you agree with the whispers of self-doubt and throw away confidence that should be yours as a child of God?
I've learned to ask God to show me when I'm tempted to trash myself and then depend on Him to help me trash my insecurities instead. Want to join me? Let's hold onto God's promises and depend on His truth for the security we need and the confidence we long for:
• When self-doubt whispers, "I can't do that. I'm going to fail and look foolish." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)
• When self-doubt whispers, "I'll never change." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
• When self-doubt whispers, "This is too hard for me. I don't have what it takes to..." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me]." (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Dear Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will You help me recognize when I trash myself, and remind me to trash my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tell me I can't do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Are you ready to stop throwing away your confidence and start living in the security of who you are in Christ? In her book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope walks you through the process of identifying your self-doubts and replacing them with God's truth. Order your copy here.
Sign up for Renee's Free 7-Day Doubt Diet. Filled with daily insights, powerful promises and scripture-based prayers, you will receive a week's worth of life-changing Confident Heartdevotions to help you lose the weight of self-doubt. Find out more here.
Connect with Renee on Facebook for more life-changing perspectives and promises from God's Word!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!" Dr. Neil T. Anderson
Take Renee's Doubt Index Analysis — a free quiz to help you see what makes you throw away your confidence, and how it affects you and your relationships.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:39, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (NIV 1984)
Mark 9:23, "'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 13, 2012
Please Don't Give Me a Christian Answer
Lysa TerKeurst
"The right word at the right time is like golden apples in silver jewelry." Proverbs 25:11 (NIRV)
I love Jesus. I love God. I love His Truth. I love people.
But I don't love packaged Christian answers. Those that tie everything up in a nice neat bow. And make life a little too tidy.
Because there just isn't anything tidy about some things that happen in our broken world. The shooting that recently happened in Aurora, Colorado, is awful and sad and so incredibly evil.
And God help me if I think I'm going to make things better by thinking up a clever Christian saying to add to all the dialogue. God certainly doesn't need people like me — with limited perspectives, limited understanding, and limited depth — trying to make sense of things that don't make sense.
Is there a place for God's truth in all this? Absolutely. But we must, must, must let God direct us. In His time. In His way. In His love.
And when things are awful we should just say, "This is awful." When things don't make sense, we can't shy away from just saying, "This doesn't make sense." Because there is a difference between a wrong word at the wrong time, and a right word at the right time.
When my sister died a horribly tragic death, it was because a doctor prescribed some medication that no child should ever be given. And it set off a chain of events that eventually found my family standing over a pink rose draped casket.
Weeping.
Hurting.
Needing time to wrestle with grief and anger and loss.
And it infuriated my raw soul when people tried to sweep up the shattered pieces of our life by saying things like, "Well, God just needed another angel in heaven." It took the shards of my grief and twisted them even more deeply into my already broken heart.
I understand why they said things like this. Because they wanted to say something. To make it better. Their compassion compelled them to come close.
And I wanted them there. And then I didn't.
Everything was a contradiction. I could be crying hysterically one minute and laughing the next. And then feel so awful for daring to laugh that I wanted to cuss. And then sing a praise song. I wanted to shake my fist at God and then read His Scriptures for hours.
There's just nothing tidy about all that.
You want to know the best thing someone said to me in the middle of my grief?
I was standing in the midst of all the tears falling down on black dresses and black suits on that grey funeral day. My heels were sinking into the grass. I was staring down at an ant pile. The ants were running like mad around a footprint that had squashed their home.
I was wondering if I stood in that pile and let them sting me a million times if maybe that pain would distract me from my soul pain. At least I knew how to soothe physical pain.
Suddenly, this little pigtailed girl skipped by me and exclaimed, "I hate ants."
And that was hands-down the best thing anyone said that day.
Because she just entered in right where I was. Noticed where I was focused in that moment and just said something basic. Normal. Obvious.
Yes, there is a place for a solid Christian answer. Absolutely.
But there's also a place to just weep with no answers at all.
God help us to know the difference.
Dear Lord, thank You for being there in my darkest time. I know You are real and You are the only one who can bring comfort to seemingly impossible situations. Please help me speak Your truth to those around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
When we face hard times it can feel like life is falling apart. Lysa's new book, Unglued will help you keep your raw emotions under control, even when life feels out of control. Click here to order your copy!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about your emotions and better ways to use them for good in all of your relationships! To order your copy, click here.
Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Unglued Online Bible Study! This Unglued study, hosted by Melissa Taylor and Lysa TerKeurst, starts Sunday, September 23rd. You won't have to leave your house, change out of your pajamas, or even put on makeup. Click here to find out more and sign up!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Think of someone in your life who is going through a really tough situation. How can you make a difference in their life today?
Instead of words of encouragement, it may involve serving them and making sure their physical needs are met during this difficult time. Allow God to lead you as you try to serve your friend best.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:15-16a, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 10:12, "The words of a wise person are gracious. The talk of a fool self-destructs." (MSG)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 14, 2012
Love Is...
Suzie Eller
"No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you ..." Isaiah 62:4a (NIV)
Several children were asked to define love. One said that love was when her mother was pregnant and her daddy painted her mother's toenails. Another said that love was when her daddy walked in after work smelly and sweaty and her mom said he looked handsome.
But one child said this, "I think that love is when your name is safe in someone's mouth."
Makes me think about Candy. One day she showed up at school. Her morning was like every other. She got up early, fixed her siblings breakfast, and got them all out the door to school. She had picked up her jeans off the floor and put them on in a hurry. Candy's mother was addicted, and her daddy wasn't in the picture, and sometimes laundry just didn't get done.
She arrived at school and a mother of one of the students confronted her, asking, "Why are you always so dirty?"
All she could do was bow her head in shame. There was no way she could share her secrets with this condemning woman.
In Isaiah 62, a nation was marked by shame. Through the prophet Isaiah, God let the nation know that He was willing to come down into the trenches beside them. Yes, He saw their situation, but He also saw them for who they were to Him.
Shame can teach us many lessons, like:
Stay low.
What you have to offer isn't enough.
Keep your secrets to yourself.
But when God marks your life, there are new words to redefine you, like: Beloved. Mine. Beautifully and wonderfully created.
As a teen Candy became a Christian. She knew little about faith, but what she did know is that for the first time in her life her name was safe in Someone's mouth.
As time passed Candy handed her shame to a Heavenly Father who took it willingly because each of us is precious to Him, and shame was never a burden God desired that we bear.
Perhaps you, like Candy, define yourself through the words of someone else. Or see yourself through the past. Or the actions of someone who was supposed to love you and failed.
When shame encounters the love of God, something powerful takes place. That love lifts the receiver up and over shame to a place of value set apart by God. Your burden is shifted to God's broad shoulders and He is now free to complete the "good work began in you" (Philippians 1:6).
As God's girl, shame has no place in your life or heart. Your name is safe in His mouth because you are beautiful. You are loved. You are His.
Dear Lord, that past incident or those words from the past, they do not define me. Your words and Your love define me. From this day forward I choose to see myself as You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares more on how to overcome shame and discover how to forgive, let go, and live in your new identity as God's child.
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by Suzie Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17.
If the old is passed away and you are a new creation, how much energy do you currently devote to thinking about the past?
Name one way that this same energy can be utilized in a fresh new way today.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (ESV)
Psalm 103:5-6, "He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly." (NLT)
© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 17, 2012
Always Pray {And Don't Give Up}
Rachel Olsen
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1 (NIV)
bam, bam ... bam, bam, bam, bam, bam ... bam ... bam, bam
The noise slowly fills my consciousness.
What is that?
I rub my eyes and look at the clock: 5:51 AM.
Sounds like ... hammering. Who is hammering something at 6 o'clock in the morning? Outside? On a Saturday?
I get up and peer through the blinds, straining on my tiptoes to see through the branches to my neighbor's backyard. And I wonder, should I see someone hammering will I walk out there - pink jammies, tousled hair and all - and say something about poor timing?
I'm really not very confrontational that way. But nor am I a morning person.
bam, bam, bam, bam ... bam ... bam, bam
I wake my husband Rick with my movement at the window, the rising sunlight breeching the bedroom.
"Do you hear that noise? What is that, Rick? It sounds like hammering—at 6 o'clock in the morning!"
Rick listens then announces confidently, "It's a woodpecker."
Anticipating my response he adds, "You can't stop him."
I can't stop him? That sounds like a challenge. As Rick drifts back into dreams, I head to the backyard to find this bird. I spot it hanging off the side of my house, pelting holes into the wood trim by my bedroom window.
I try scaring it away. I scream at it. I throw sticks toward it. Don't worry, animal lovers, I throw like a girl.
It turns out Rick was right, I couldn't stop the bird.
The woodpecker returned over several days. At first, I continued my antics. Parading onto the back patio in the dawn to scream and throw things at a bird. The woodpecker remained undeterred. Occasionally he'd fly off to a neighboring tree only to fly back and peck the side of my house again once I returned to my pillow.
So finally, I granted him the right to peck in peace. It's not what I wanted to do, but he wore down my resistance. He was unstoppable.
Interestingly enough, Jesus told a story of a woman who had woodpecker-like faith. Woodpecker-like persistence. You just couldn't stop her.
With the parable in Luke 18:1-8 Jesus teaches His disciples to always pray and never give up:
He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'
"And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?'" (vs. 2-8 NIV)
The woman came to this judge so often and so boldly that he thought she would slap wear him out!
Is that us? Do we constantly seek God, asking Him repeatedly in faith for what we need?
Jesus didn't speak of this judge to portray God as unwilling or easily exhausted—the judge doesn't represent God in this story. Jesus was saying that if an unjust judge would eventually grant the request of this woman, how much more will our gracious Father grant His children's requests!
God is willing to answer—to help, to restore, to vindicate and redeem. But we must have faith. And we must ask Him. Sometimes—oftentimes—repeatedly.
You and I need the kind of faith that will not give up. The kind of faith you just cannot stop. The kind of faith that prays always.
We need woodpecker faith.
Dear Lord, hear my prayers today about _________ and thank You in advance for Your answers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog for more help in praying and not giving up.
It's No Secret: Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Reflect and Respond:
What prayer would you like answered? What injustice do you need righted?
Persist in prayer for this today, tomorrow, this week ... as long as it takes.
Power Verses:
Mark 9:22b-23, "'But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.' 'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 18, 2012
How Are You, Really?
Samantha Reed
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:1, 14 (ESV)
How are you, really? I was posed this question one day, but didn't want to delve into the truth. 'Cause truth is, there were only a few I wanted to be that honest with. And those I generally share the depths with were wading through extenuating circumstances. Filled to capacity, they needed a place to pour out.
Cupped hands caught their words, worries, wants. Until my hands and heart were heavy.
I was weary from taking in and not pouring myself out in return. I understood; they didn't have it to give. Yet, hour upon hour of listening ... I wasn't sure I had it to give either.
Irony is, my very name means "Listener." Double irony is my life verse from last year: "Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (Prov. 11:25b NIV). But I could not take any more words into a soul that was cram-full. And I could not pour out refreshment that was not there.
I was completely full, yet totally empty.
And so I selfishly checked out in the name of self-preservation; retreated into myself, away from their words weighted with pain and trouble and questions. Distanced my being from all words.
Until the Word beckoned me with cupped hands large enough to hold my weary soul, and my friend's worn circumstances, and the thin world.
I poured into the Word, a measureless basin in which my words rested. He asked four words my soul thirsted for, "How are you, really?"
I'm weary. "I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10b (NIV)
I feel alone. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b (NIV)
I'm tired. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28b (NIV)
I poured out, He poured in. An ebb and flow more natural than the ocean's tides. My soul needed His words; needed Him: the Word.
Community is God-given. But friend's and family's ability to be leaned on will ebb and flow. Hence our soul's deepest need: friendship with the Lord. {Inhale deeply that delight: we're friends with God.} Friends with the unchanging nature of the Word, Jesus.
Let's take His cupped hand, reaching out to hold ours, our cares, our friends and family members. Take His hand and take a walk through Him, the Word. Pour our truthful answers into Him and ourselves into the fields of Scripture. Refreshment awaits. He's asking, "How are you, really?"
Dear Lord, thank You for never changing. Thank You for listening and hearing. Thank You for Your faithful friendship. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pour yourself into the Word through one of these Bibles.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope has helped thousands of women overcome the emptiness of insecurity, hurt, loneliness and doubt by learning to live in the fullness of God's promises. Here's what some are saying:
"I feel like someone finally jumped in my head and my heart and painted over my insecurities with God's Word."
"If you are looking for a practical way to apply God's Word to the areas of your deepest insecurities, as well as an enjoyable and personable read, this book is for you."
Visit Samantha's blog and leave a comment letting us know how you are. Then leave a comment with a prayer for the person who commented before you and enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.
Reflect and Respond:
How are you, really?
Pour into the Word. Memorize one of the Scriptures listed above and talk to the Lord about your needs.
Power Verses:
Malachi 3:6, "I the LORD do not change." (NIV)
John 15:15b, "Instead, I have called you friends..." (NIV)
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 19, 2012
Longing to be Pursued
Lynn Cowell
"But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine ... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.'" Isaiah 43:1, 4 (NIV)
My heart beats wildly. "Hurry, hurry! You'll be too late!"
You'd think I'd never seen this movie before. But I've watched it over and over. I know the hero will come to the rescue right at the last second and demand, "She goes free!" to the captain and his crew. I know he will risk his life to save hers.
It doesn't matter that I already know what will happen. The thrill of the pursuit and a heroic rescue sends my heart pounding every time.
I know I'm not alone. Countless women curl up on their couches to watch the same chick flicks over and over, especially the ones in which the hero gives everything to save the girl. Like the one rescued in movies, we want to be desired, fought for — pursued. And we are.
Our Creator and King is pursuing us, but it's so much better than the movies. He gave up His life and paid a great price to come and rescue us.
There have been times I had seen Jesus as my savior, shepherd and friend. But it wasn't until I read these verses below, and realized the magnitude and depth of His love for me, that I saw how valuable I am to Him.
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)
He'd give up everything just for me? That's crazy! But that's the radical love that revolutionized my life.
When I learned these verses, I began to see a side of Jesus I had never seen before. He pursues me. He loves me more than anything. And He wants to be my everything.
This truth satisfied a deep longing I didn't even know I had. It was what I wanted then, and what I need to know still. This is the love that fills the gaps in my wanting heart and settles the question, "Am I valuable enough to be pursued?"
Yes, I am. And so are you, my friend. So are you.
Dear Lord, this part of me that wants to be pursued and rescued ... You created it. You created it to be filled by Your unconditional love. Thank You that You will never grow tired of me or stop pursing me. You want me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life hear truth like today's every day of the year! Lynn's new book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You is a great resource! And if you purchase it today, you'll receive over $75 in free materials! More details here.
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Visit Lynn's website to find out how you can be intentional about sharing God's truths with your child. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
Write out Psalm 45:11 on an index card, putting in your name: "The king is wild for __________." (MSG) Over the next few weeks, when you feel rejected, downcast or vulnerable remind yourself of this truth — Your King is crazy for you!
Think of a time when you did not feel wanted or pursued. Rewrite that story in your heart, knowing this time Jesus is there to fill that rejection and vulnerability. When this memory comes back, replace it with the truth that God would trade the whole world for you!
Power Verses:
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (ESV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 20, 2012
The Rejection Infection
Lysa TerKeurst
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
The plastic seats were green. The desks a dirty beige. The perfect pale color to make pencil marks easy to read.
That's how I saw what was making the group of girls in front of me laugh. They looked at me and then added to Jennifer's desk art: a frizzy-headed stick figure with huge buck teeth and crazed eyes. I knew even before I saw the name scribbled, she'd drawn me. Me. An awful caricature of me.
It's been years since I sat at that dirty beige desk. But it hasn't been years since I've had those same feelings of rejection and hurt. Of course, they aren't from girls drawing pictures. But meanness hurts, no matter what age and how it's delivered.
You can take girls out of middle school but you can't take the middle school out of some girls.
If you've been hurt in this way, you know what I'm talking about. If we're a stuffer type person, we want to withdraw and get away from the source of our hurt. If we're more of an exploder person, we want to attack back so they'll feel as bad as we do.
But here's where things get a little complicated. Jesus flies in the face of conventional wisdom and says for us to "love our enemies." Seriously?
Something deep inside us whispers, "Don't you dare love this person. This situation is the exception."
Let the internal battle begin.
But what if I were to assure you that Jesus isn't being cruel or naive in His command for us to love? He's actually showing us how to get free from the sting of another person's wounds. When we're wounded we can either pursue healing by extending love back. Or, we can refuse healing and allow the "rejection infection" to set into our wound.
Here are three things to remember:
The Command
My job isn't to fix my enemy. My job is to be obedient to God in how I deal with them. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44 NIV 1984).
The Caution
If there is abuse, we must learn to love from afar. How? By forgiving the person that hurt us-releasing their offense into the hands of God. Trusting God to reveal to them their wrong and deal with their actions.
But we must remember forgiveness and restoration don't have to go hand-in-hand. You can forgive someone but not do everyday life with them. Ask God to give you discernment to know when and how to love from afar.
The Catalyst
So, back to Jennifer and the hurtful drawing. I wish I could relive that moment with the knowledge I have now. Jennifer drew that picture because of her own insecurities. And while it's tough to have compassion for someone who's hurting us in the moment of rejection, it is possible to have compassion for their obvious hurt. Hurt people, hurt people.
Dig beneath the surface of a mean girl and you'll find a girl riddled with self-hatred.
Romans 12:20 says, "On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'" (NIV)
Jennifer was hungry and thirsty for affirmation. And the only way she could figure out how to get it, was to make those around her laugh at me.
What might have happened if I were to have walked by her desk and given this desperate girl a drink from the living water? "Jennifer, you are beautiful. Do you know that?"
Not in a million years could I have done that in middle school. But I'm not in middle school any longer.
And now's a good time to remember that.
Dear Lord, I am thankful You don't give up on me. Please help me love those who hurt me, and teach me when to seek restoration, and when to let a relationship go. I want my relationships to honor You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and practical advice on how to deal with difficult people, check out Lysa's new book, Unglued. Available now!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down 2 practical ways you can show compassion to those who hurt you. Remember, forgiveness may or may not include restoration. God may be calling you to show compassion by initiating the restoration process, or He may be calling you to acts of compassion from afar.
Think on a situation that involved a 'mean girl.' That girl may be someone close to you, an acquaintance, or may be you. Pray for her. If it's you, pray that God will show you areas in your life only He can fill.
Power Verse:
Matthew 5:44, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 21, 2012
Emptying and Filling My Nest
Van Walton
"For everything there is a season ... A right time to hold on and another to let go ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6 (MSG)
This spring I watched two cardinals build a nest, nurture their eggs, and feed their young. Then one day, with an encouraging chirp, mom and dad "talked" their three tiny birds out of their crib. I'd documented each step with my camera. Studying the final picture—an empty nest—brought pain to my heart as I reflected on my own empty house.
Memories of time gone by brought extreme sadness. I felt an acute loss of purpose as the dam behind my eyes broke. There was a crushing stillness.
Now what?
I thought I could just get over it. I could not.
I thought I could ignore it. I could not.
I thought I could talk myself back to life as usual. I could not.
Eventually I went to a counselor to get help with the empty nest sadness that was paralyzing me.
Through the tears, my counselor coaxed a few words out of me. He asked about my passions, joys, and dreams. "Your dreams have all come true. Your sons graduated, left home, and began the new lives for which you prepared them."
Hmmm ... there was no consolation in his words.
He also reminded me that I had not changed. I still had the same talents and gifts to be used and could focus them in a new direction.
At first I didn't accept his advice. I found it hard to understand how a fresh focus could bring me as much joy as my boys growing up in the shadow of my wing.
Yet my counselor continued to encourage me through the sadness. I had a choice: I could concentrate on my perceived loss or I could center my attention on God's perspective and His purpose for my life.
You see, God's plans for us do not include looking back, longing for the past, or wishing for days gone by.
Instead we can ask our faithful Father to point us toward a new purpose. He'll give us His perspective on our future where our children are not the center of our life.
I asked for God's perspective. Through His Word He reminded me that life is full of seasons and I was in a new one.
"For everything there is a season ... A right time to hold on and another to let go ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6 (MSG)
Next He reminded me that I had been a good mother.
"Well done ... You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities." (Matthew 25:23 NLT)
Finally He reminded me that my role as a woman was to step out and use what I had learned as a mother to help others coming along behind me.
"She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing. She smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue." (Proverbs 31:20, 25-26 NAS)
As mothers, we move through different phases of life. Let's never forget there are others besides our children who need our love and talents as we ask God to show us the next step in His plan for our lives.
Dear Lord, please guide me through open doors to new opportunities. Remind me to celebrate the past and smile at the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van's blog for a peek insider her "Empty Nest."
From the Pound to the Palace book and DVD by Van Walton
God's Purpose for Every Woman: a devotion book with writings from various P31 authors
Reflect and Respond:
Choose to look forward, not backward. There are truly many more wonderful memories to be made!
Rejoice in your children's current accomplishments. It's difficult for them to celebrate amidst our grief of letting them go.
Decide to get involved in a new outreach before the end of the month.
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3b, 4, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to plant and a time to harvest ... A time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance." (NLT)
Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me." (NLT)
© 2012 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 24, 2012
Who Can You Give Your Bagel?
Julianna Morlet
"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." Proverbs 22:9 (ESV)
I woke up at 5 a.m., hit my snooze button, dragged myself out of my warm sheets and started my normal-every-Tuesday-morning-routine. I drove to Starbucks, swapped the typical weather jokes with my favorite barista, ordered my grande coffee and bagel, and walked out the glass door.
What wasn't routine was the scraggly teenage boy I ran into on my way to my truck. He was asking for something. Though I didn't clearly hear him, I assumed it was money.
I told him I was sorry but I didn't have any, and continued on.
He didn't ask again and he didn't pester me. But something in my head did. Did he ask for money or food?
Quickly, I spun around and asked, "Do you need food?" His reply was so innocent and affirmative. I held out my goodie bag. "Here ya go, a toasted bagel with cream cheese made just for you." He smiled so big, I thought his lip ring was gonna pop out.
I didn't think anything of it until I got in the truck and started pulling away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the boy peeling open the cream cheese, carefully and joyfully, like it was Christmas morning.
On my drive to the office, I wept like a broken-hearted mother.
I didn't know this boy. Had no idea what kind of trouble or circumstances got him to the streets, but I did know he was someone's son. And if my son were out on the streets, asking for food at 6:30 in the morning, I'd want that busy-looking girl to stop and give him her bagel.
Almost a month later, my mother forwarded me an email she had received from a woman in her Bible study. It read:
"Hi Alma, Viola told me she read Julianna's blog which talked about giving a hungry teenage boy her bagel. Viola wondered if it was my son Kyle because of the lip ring Julianna mentioned. I was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for her compassion. He was hungry and she gave him something to eat. I have attached a picture of Kyle to show Julianna to see if he is the one she fed that morning. If not, I know there is another mother out there that would be very grateful for her compassion if she knew."
I scrolled down to see the face of the boy and gasped as my eyes instantly filled with tears. It was him! The boy had a name and it was Kyle. But more than that, he had a mother. And now she knew someone had taken care of her son, even if it was just a small meal.
We are not all called to mission fields far away. We are not all called to pastor a church or lead a women's Bible study. However there is one thing we are all called to do as God's people: we're all called to stop, to be aware of the hurting around us, and to have compassion. We are called to share our bread with the poor.
The Lord asks us to care. He calls us to be on the lookout for those who need our time and kindness. And yes, our bagel and cream cheese too.
Dear Lord, give me Your heart of compassion and Your eyes to see the needs of others around me. Break my heart today, for the things that break Yours and show me how You can use me to make it right. No matter how big or small. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Cup of Cold Water in His Name by Lorie Newman
Click here to watch Julianna's video interview of Kyle's mom on her blog today.
Share a meal with a child in need through Compassion International. Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
When's the last time you recognized someone in need? (That man outside the grocery store, the woman walking home in the blazing heat, or the kid at your child's school who has torn clothes?)
Think of several practical ways you can be an influence in his or her life. Maybe carry protein bars, bus passes, and a few extra tee-shirts and shorts to give them.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 19:17, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done." (NIV 1984)
Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Julianna Morlet. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 25, 2012
Do I Really "Get" God
Micca Campbell
"He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name." Amos 4:13 (NIV)
Doing laundry.
Raising well-adjusted kids.
Building a good relationship with my husband.
Even answering the phone.
So often I feel like it all depends on me. And honestly, I doubt my ability to get everything done, and do it well. Yet I know I'm not alone.
Who doesn't feel the pressure of higher grocery bills and mouths to feed? What employee doesn't carry the weight of doing a good job? What parent doesn't fear their child will give into peer pressure, drugs, or sex?
Yet, all this worry tangles our thoughts into anxious knots. When we feel as if everything depends on us, it can be a heavy burden to carry alone.
Here's the thing. You and I are not alone, or responsible for making all things turn out fine. I'm learning that when I feel alone, I've forgotten God is always with me.
And when I'm feeling incapable, it's usually because I've forgotten to acknowledge His presence and power in my life. It makes all the difference.
However, looking to God's presence and power to help us doesn't mean anything without the right understanding of Him. We need to know and believe just how mighty and aware of us God really is.
Otherwise, it's easy to look at our limitations and feel like they limit Him.
What we end up with is a God who is only a little bigger, a little better, a little stronger, and a little wiser than we are. Basically, He becomes a super-sized version of us.
The problem is that it makes Good too small. And when we have a small God, we feel like He depends on us to do a good job, just like everyone else.
I especially felt this way when I became a parent. I thought if I read all the "how-to" books on raising kids and gave it my best efforts, I would most likely succeed. If I learned the ins and outs of parenting, and tried with all my strength to do what the experts recommended, I could do a good job. I believed the lie that happy, successful children depended on my efforts. Which made me feel very stressed, and alone.
It wasn't until I joined a Bible study that I started to "get" God and really grasp the wisdom and guidance He provides. Once I learned to depend on His provision and direction, I no longer felt like I had to raise my kids based solely on my own knowledge and performance as a mom.
God never intended for us to live under the stress and pressure of everything depending on us. It's when we depend on Him instead of ourselves that we experience supernatural strength and provision. Look back at our key verse and mediate on His greatness for a moment.
"He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name." (Amos 4:13)
If the Lord can do all this, surely He can equip and empower us for our daily tasks whether they include doing dishes, parenting well, finishing a work project or folding laundry.
On the other hand, if we set out to make ourselves the measure of all things, we will never experience the full blessing or "get" the full benefit of God's greatness.
It doesn't have to be this way. Having the right understanding of God frees you and me from the weight of our burdens and allows us to rest in His exceptional power and presence.
Dear Lord, set my sights on You and Your great attributes. Help me to live in Your presence, dependent on Your guidance each day of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell
Visit Micca's blog to learn more about the attributes of God and His daily Presence among us.
Finding a Faith That is Stronger Than All My Fears {3-part message on CDs} by Micca Campbell
Reflect and Respond:
When you feel afraid, burdened or depressed, is your focus on God or yourself?
How can acknowledging God's power and presence lift your cares and lighten your mood? Re-read our key verse from Amos 4:13 for a greater understanding of who God is.
Power Verses:
James 4:8a, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
Acts 17:28a, "For in him we live and move and have our being." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 26, 2012
Lord, I Need Your Help
Renee Swope
"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help." Psalm 18:6 (NIV 1984)
I don't know exactly when it started, I just remember feeling angry and frustrated with my husband - almost every single day - for weeks.
One evening after a pretty intense "discussion," J.J. told me that no matter what he did or how hard he tried, it was never enough. He was right. I constantly found fault in him as a husband and as a dad.
But the fact that he implied I was impossible to please ... well that sent my already-unreasonable emotions reeling. I grabbed my coat and stormed out the front door. Hot tears streaming down my cheeks, I replayed our conversation in my head.
Determined to figure out what his problem was and get Jesus to fix him, I started telling on J.J. - to God.
As I filed my complaints against my husband, I finally heard myself. All the ugliness that was in my heart. All the anger spewing out of my mouth.
That's when I realized, I need help.
I needed God to show me what was going on. To help me figure out how, after seven years of a happy marriage, had we gotten to this ugly place?
Instead of just crying, I found myself crying out to God for help.
King David was much better at this than I am. He had a habit of crying out to God for help when he was in distress. Barnes' Notes on the Bible Commentary tells us that in Psalm 18:6, "'In my distress' refers, most probably, not to any particular case, but rather indicates general habit of mind, that when he was in deep distress and danger he had uniformly called upon the Lord, and had found him ready to help."
That night, when I stopped talking and started listening, I sensed God showing me I wanted J.J. to make up for what my dad had never been as a father to me and as a husband to my mom.
Years as a child in a broken home with a broken heart had led to a significant sense of loss and deep disappointment. Yet, I never grieved the happily-ever-after I longed for, but didn't have.
Unfulfilled hopes became bitter expectations.
Trying to create my own version of "happily-ever-after," I became controlling and critical. I thought if I could get J.J. to be the husband and dad I wanted him to be maybe my broken dreams could be put back together.
But I was wrong. Instead of expecting my husband to make up for my losses, I needed to cry out to God with my hurts and call on Him for help.
Are there hurts that hold you hostage? Expectations no one could really ever meet? Been trying to fix someone or a situation? Need some help today?
I know I do, and God is there.
Waiting for us to cry out to Him. Not just once, expecting a quick answer. But like the dependence we see in King David, we need God's help on a regular basis.
As I processed what had happened in my childhood and how it affected my marriage, I learned to ask God for help through each step of my healing journey.
I asked Him to help me find the security I needed by letting Him be the father I longed for. I asked Him to help me grieve the loss of things I wanted from my dad that I would never have. I asked Him to help me forgive my father and release feelings of anger, abandonment and hurt. I asked Him to help me release my unrealistic expectations of my husband and let go of my fight for a "happily-ever-after."
It was a process that took time, prayer, and courage, but God was my very present Help who showed me how to let go of my past and my pain, so I could take hold of hope and healing.
By the way, I'm crazy about my husband now. And so very thankful for the day I finally asked the Lord for help.
Dear Lord, I cry out to You today. I need Your help in my _______________. Please show me where to start and be my Help each step of the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need help working through circumstances and relationships that have left you feeling hurt, hesitant, insecure or a myriad of other hard emotions? If so, Renee's life-changing book, A Confident Heart, may be just what you need. {Read chapter one here.}
Connect with Renee on Facebook for more powerful promises and perspectives from God's Word.
Sign up for a week's worth of FREE Confident Heart devotions here.
Reflect and Respond:
Are there hurts that hold you hostage? Expectations no one could really ever meet? Been trying to fix someone or a situation?
In your distress, call to the Lord. Cry to God for help.
Power Verse:
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 27, 2012
When I Get in a Twit
Lysa TerKeurst
"Remember my affliction and my bitterness, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:19-23 (RSV)
Recently, my husband made the decision to have a tree cut down in our front yard. He'd consulted with a professional who told him the tree was sick and a storm could cause the tree to break and fall. Plus, this tree had been dropping these prickly gumball things that drive my husband crazy.
So, with one swift decision and a few strong men, the tree was gone.
I wasn't in any of the conversations about the tree.
I didn't know it was sick.
I didn't know it could fall during a storm and damage our home or our cars.
I didn't mind the prickly gumball things.
All I knew was I walked out my front door and a tall, lovely, shade-providing tree was just chopped down. My heart seized at the sight. What in heavens? I called my husband in a panic.
His calm and reassuring explanation didn't make me feel better. Every time I looked outside, all I could see was the stump. The gaping hole in the typical landscape of our front yard. The shade that was missing.
I couldn't stop thinking about it, and before I knew it I was in a twit! Hyper focused on what was missing, I couldn't appreciate the bigger picture.
We live out in the country and have countless trees all around our house. Lots and lots of trees. But the more I got all in a twit about that one tree that was gone, the less I noticed all the others.
Distracted by one wrong thing, I missed out on seeing many right things.
I think this is a tactic the evil one uses against me. Against you. Against us.
The devil loves to get us to focus on the little that's wrong so we miss the big picture of all that's right.
Recently I noticed something in Lamentations chapter 3 verses 19-23 that gave me a new strategy. Look how the writer's depressing outlook turns around when he intentionally calls better things to mind:
"Remember my affliction and my bitterness, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." (RSV)
So today when I'm tempted to get in a twit and start focusing on something that's wrong, I'll stop myself and say, "but" ... and then start listing things that are right.
My front yard is missing a tree, BUT ... my husband has promised to plant a new one. One that isn't sick and doesn't drop prickly things.
My husband didn't talk to me about the tree before it was chopped down, BUT ... he was being my family's protector. One who cares enough to just take care of what needs to be taken care of. One that I can trust.
I have a tendency to get in a twit about little things, BUT ... today is a new day with new possibilities. And I'm going to try to remember all that is right instead of focusing on the little that may be wrong.
Dear Lord, I want to follow Your teaching and focus on the blessings You have placed in my life. Please help me learn to look through Your lens and to see today as a new day full of Your mercies. Mercies for me, and mercies for others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you want to stop focusing on what's wrong and stop letting those things control your reactions and emotions? Lysa TerKeurst's new book Unglued, shares wonderful wisdom to lead you in making those changes. Click here to order your copy today!
Nothing changes us like Scripture. The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a great resource to get us into the Word of God, and help us choose better reactions. To order your copy, click here.
Visit Lysa's blog today for encouragement on "Three Things to Do When Disappointment Comes Knocking."
Reflect and Respond:
What is one situation in your life where you need to shift your focus? For Lysa, it was to look at the many things that were right in her life, instead of focusing on the one thing that was wrong.
Make a list of your "BUTs" and how you see God's mercies in them.
Power Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 28, 2012
The Best Teacher I Ever Had
Glynnis Whitwer
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
Every Friday in fifth grade I had a science test. And every Thursday night I had a stomachache. Fifth grade marked the beginning of the "Upper Grades" for me and I wasn't handling it well. The expectations were higher, the curriculum harder and my desire to do well was great. And it made me sick with worry.
For the next 12 years this pattern continued. While the physical symptoms eventually abated, a desire to do well on tests and assignments drove me to work hard. Sadly, it wasn't always because of a love of knowledge. More often it was the satisfaction of earning a grade ... an achievement I could point to with pride.
After college this mindset transferred to my career and even my service to God. Whatever job or assignment I was given, I studied the rules and did what was expected. I learned well and measured my success accordingly. Only there was a problem. My life exhausted me.
Deep inside, when I was honest with myself, my worth and value were attached to the "grades" I earned. Life moved from one performance evaluation to the next, with little emotional or spiritual rest. There was always something else to achieve ... to prove.
As I studied the Bible (like a good "student" would) I discovered I wasn't the only one concerned about doing things right. It seemed the Jewish people felt this way too. They had many rules and regulations to follow. They studied the Scriptures and prided themselves on obeying it. They held up the law as a measuring stick. Proving their worth consumed them, especially those in leadership.
Was that what Jesus saw when He looked at them? Did He sense the heaviness of their burdens to get it right? Did He see their spirits bent under the weight of artificial expectations? Did sadness overwhelm Him knowing they cared more about rules and man-made traditions than learning about God?
I wonder if that was on His mind when He spoke these words: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV)
My heart sighs at Jesus' words, so great is the relief they promise. I can almost sense Jesus taking my face in His hands and saying, "Stop looking to the rules for your worth. Stop trying to measure yourself against the law. It's all too heavy to bear. You'll never be good enough that way. Look at Me. Learn from Me."
What a difference this truth has made in my life. When I take my eyes off the rules, tests and performance, and put them on Jesus, a weight is lifted. Rather than constantly striving to make the grade, He releases my need to perform and replaces it with His acceptance. The heavy yoke of pride is replaced with His light yoke of humility.
Jesus' invitation to come to Him wasn't a one-time thing. Are you weary? Is it exhausting trying to meet everyone's expectations? Jesus' way is still light, and He still offers rest. Learn from Him, He's the best teacher I've ever had.
Dear Lord, thank You for seeing my need for rest and inviting me to learn from You. On my own I always seem to be looking for knowledge and approval elsewhere. In my heart I want to receive what You have to offer. Help me to stay focused on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion of what we can learn from Jesus' examples and enter to win a copy of Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What types of things does Jesus want us to learn from Him?
Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest. What might this look like in your life?
Power Verses:
John 7:37, "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.'" (NIV)
1 John 2:6, "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 1, 2012
A Place of Forgiveness
Suzie Eller
" ... Keep your eyes open to this Temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My name will be honored there,' and listen to the prayers that I pray at this place. Listen from your home in heaven and when you hear, forgive." - 1 Kings 8:28-30 (MSG)
Claire sat on the floor with a wad of tissues in her hand. Her husband had left her three days earlier for someone else.
Sitting there crying, in her brokenness she sensed God whisper, "Pray for him."
Fists clinched, she shook them at the ceiling. "It's too soon, God. If You love me, You won't ask this of me. You are focusing on the wrong person. He's the one who should be kneeling and asking for forgiveness."
In 1 Kings 8, we find the story of God's temple being built, a temple where God's presence would dwell. It took seven years, a labor force of over 130,000 and King Solomon's leadership to complete the temple. It was built with cypress, olive wood and cedar, and inside the doors were overlaid in gold. When the temple was completed, Solomon stood in awe as God's presence filled it (verse 10), and he began to pray.
He could have asked God for many things. That the temple be a place of power where his kingdom would shine. That his enemies, and those of his father, King David, would be slain. That the sinful man would walk through the doors and be condemned for his sins.
Instead he asked that God's Name be honored in the temple, and the magnificent structure would be a place of forgiveness.
Scripture declares that we are His temple. Three days after discovering her husband's secrets Claire hadn't eaten. She hadn't slept. Her temple was crumbling.
By asking her to forgive so soon, God wasn't showing a lack of compassion over her pain or her husband's abandonment, but a sign that He knew her well. By asking her to forgive, God was asking for a place to move into the demolished areas of her life.
Forgiving would allow Him to fill her with His presence, putting His Name there forever, no matter what her situation.
Daily, Claire walked intentionally in her relationship with God, reading the Bible, talking honestly with Him, listening to worship music. This became her sanctuary as she went through the most challenging parts of an unwanted divorce. The more she nurtured her heart and His presence inside of her, the less room there was for sadness, grief, anger, and loss.
And then the day came. She knelt on the carpet and she told God, "I forgive him," and she meant it.
A deeper meaning to the word forgive is "to abide" or "to set free." Claire experienced both of these as she made room within her heart, mind and soul for God's presence and forgiveness to dwell.
It's been nearly a year. She is still beginning each day with God and inviting Him to fill her up with Himself. Moments of joy now surprise her just as grief once did.
Dear Lord, I knew instinctively that one day You would ask me to forgive, but today I understand why. You want to move in to the demolished areas of my life and let Your presence shine. Help me to begin to forgive with Your help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie's blog for ways you can intentionally walk into healing in the harder places of your life and discover the deeper meaning of forgiveness, and how that knowledge can set your heart free. Also, be sure to enter to win a copy of Suzie's upcoming book, The Unburdened Heart, coming in February 2013.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope dives deep into the affects unforgiveness, heart-break and rejection that keep us from living fully in Christ. If you want to know how to let God's redeeming love heal your heart and usher you into a place of security and hope, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
How are you currently filling the empty places left by unfaithfulness or hurt?
What do you feel God nudging you to do differently? List one way you can begin to intentionally walk into a deeper relationship with Christ, regardless of your situation.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20a, "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price." (NLT)
© 2012 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 2, 2012
A Prescription For Peace
Tracie Miles
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Despite attempts for more than a year to figure out what was wrong with me, doctors could not identify a serious medical condition. It's not that I wanted something to be wrong. I certainly didn't need anything else to stress about.
I was desperately seeking a prescription for peace.
Looking back I can see the main culprit for my stress was my job. Overwhelming expectations and the impossible perfectionism my supervisor demanded took their toll on me physically, emotionally and spiritually.
His harsh criticisms and comments made me feel inadequate, and my self-esteem plunged to an all-time low. Chaos swirled around me, stress raged within me, and my health continued to decline. But I didn't recognize the cause.
When a medical diagnosis continued to elude doctors, I believed the lie that excessive stress was normal and I needed to learn how to live with it.
Eventually my stress reached a dangerously high level, and I began to wonder if this was the way God intended life to be. I wasn't even sure if the Bible talked about stress, but I was desperate, so I searched God's Word for answers. Something had to end, and I didn't want it to be my life.
I came across Philippians 4:6-7. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)
Although I had read these verses before, it was as if a light bulb came on. I was tired of worrying. I was yearning for my heart and mind to be protected and healed. I was longing to control my stress, instead of it controlling me. And I was desperate for peace.
As the words of these verses washed through my soul, I realized I'd been depending on people to diagnose my problems instead of seeking a remedy from God. Going from doctor to doctor, I had overlooked the only One who had a prescription that could heal — Jesus Christ.
As I prayed for the ability to stop worrying and spent more time processing my stress with God, I thanked Him for His provision of my job. And I asked if it was time for me to leave. I needed to be rescued and admitted He was the only One with the power to do so. I committed to trusting His ways, even if I didn't understand them.
Peace didn't come overnight, but it did come. Not because my circumstances changed, but because I tapped into His peace each day in the midst of less-than-peaceful circumstances. Gradually I felt God mend my heart and replace my stress with His truth and love. And when He made it clear after a few months that I was to resign, I was equipped to handle the new stressors that came with that decision.
If you need a prescription for peace, I encourage you to let your thoughts dwell on God's promises and rest in His presence as you pray.
Ask Him to help you release your worry. Praise Him for the good things He's done, and talk to Him about the problems you're struggling with. Seek God's will for every area of your life and commit to trust Him enough to make changes as He nudges you.
True peace comes when we trust God and seek rest in Him, not when life is conflict-free. A daily dose of God's presence and promises is the best prescription for peace.
Dear Lord, I am stressed. I know I need a change in my life, and I am ready for the prescription for peace that only You can offer. Fill me today with a dose of serenity that I cannot find anywhere else but in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Today's devotion is based on Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles which releases today! If you purchase the book before October 7th you'll receive 7 GREAT FREE GIFTS to further help with managing stress! Click here for more info.
Visit Tracie's blog to sign up for her free "10 Day Stress Detox" and enter to win a copy of her new book, Stressed-Less Living!
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out how to bring Tracie's Stressed-Lessed Living to your next event.
Reflect and Respond:
How can you trust God in your circumstances and receive His prescription for peace instead of handling problems in your own strength?
Ask God if you need to make changes in your life. If so, pray about the next steps.
Power Verses:
Psalm 107:19, "'Lord, help!' they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress." (NLT)
John 14:27, "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (NLT)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 3, 2012
The Root of My Rot
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Recently, a friend of mine really hurt my feelings and I got all bent out of shape. And, honey, everyone in my house knew Mama wasn't happy. I tried everything to usher gentleness back into my tone and my temper.
I quoted verses.
I rebuked Satan.
I bossed my feelings around with truth.
I even tried to take a nap.
But none of these activities soothed me.
What really sent me over the edge though was when one of my people introduced a smell into my home that not even three strongly scented candles could mask. And I am super hyper-sensitive to smells.
Unfortunately, as the mysterious, awful smell continued to waft through my home, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was or where it was coming from.
Finally, I realized my daughter had placed a bathroom trashcan in the middle of my bedroom floor so she could toss scraps of paper as she worked on a school project. Something had obviously been thrown away in that forgotten trashcan that had surpassed gross and moved into the final stages of rot.
Or something had crawled up into that can and died.
I didn't have the heart to find out what the rot was; I just knew the trash can had to go. Immediately.
The smell was an outside indication of an internal situation. And the trashcan wasn't the only thing that stunk that night. So did my attitude.
My reaction was an outside indication of an internal situation.
The reason I couldn't be soothed by quoting scriptures, bossing my feelings, rebuking Satan, or even taking a nap is because God wanted me to be aware of my stink ... something inside of me that was gross ... a place starting to rot.
I'd been hurt by a friend and didn't want to confront the issue or forgive the person who had hurt me. I'd stuffed bitterness in my heart and tried to pretend it wasn't there. But the rot was there and the stink from deep within my heart kept spilling out.
God didn't want me to temporarily mask the situation by feeling better in the moment. He wanted me to address the root of my rot—to see it, admit it, expose it, let Him clean it up, and shut it down. Immediately.
A little rot can spread fast and furiously if not dealt with swiftly and seriously.
That's why it's so crucial to pay attention to our reactions today.
How we react is a crucial gauge of what's really going on inside us.
When people or issues or situations bump into our happy, it's not wrong to feel annoyed. But if that annoyance leads to a reaction out of proportion to the issue at hand, we can bank on the fact that this eruption has a root of rot.
Here are some telltale signs of roots of rot:
• I throw out statements like, You always ... You never ... Why can't we ever ...
• I start gathering ammunition from past situations to build my case.
• I use words and a tone outside my normal character.
• I justify my reaction by pointing out how hard my life is right now.
• I demand an apology, all the while knowing I should be giving one.
These are not fun to admit, but here's the beauty of the situation: The quicker we see a root of rot, the quicker we can get rid of the stink and move forward.
Dear Lord, thank You for bringing to light the rotting areas of my life. Help me to address these areas with Your grace and truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and practical advice on how to deal with difficult situations, check out Lysa's new book, Unglued. Available now!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Is there a situation in your life that you have stuffed down to keep the peace?
Pray God will show you how to address this situation.
Power Verse:
Mark 11:25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 4, 2012
Mastering the Waves of Adversity
Tracie Miles
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)
My son and his friend made an excited dash toward the ocean with their brand new inflated boat. They were determined to ride in it, despite the unusually gusty winds. I watched as the raft flapped wildly in the air, nearly lifting the boys off the ground.
The boys tried to get in the boat for quite a while, but the strong winds made the water more like tidal waves than a gentle tide. The few times they made it in the raft, the rolling surf spit them out like limp seaweed.
After being sucked under the rough waters multiple times, they finally admitted defeat. The waves had taken a toll on their spirits and the raft, rendering the boys and their boat deflated and helpless.
Watching their frustration and defenselessness against the whitecaps, I was reminded of a season when I felt powerless to master the waves of adversity that had come crashing against me, one after another.
It wasn't just one thing that was causing stress and worry, but a toxic mixture of problems. The economy was going downhill and severely affecting our family. My mother lost her job. My sister's chronic illness had gotten worse. Cancer tormented a loved one. One of my children faced a serious health issue, coupled with the normal daily challenges of raising three kids. The washing machine broke, the transmission in my car died, and a hailstorm seriously damaged our roof.
Each day it seemed a new swell of problems engulfed me, adding to the accumulation of my concerns and stress.
It was a long season in which I felt sucked under by a raging current, barely able to hold my head above water. I was completely deflated and helpless, just like that little raft.
During that time, I clung to Psalm 46:1-3, "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" (NLT)
These verses offer wisdom about persevering through our difficult times. They serve as a reminder to stay aware of our need for God, and that none of us are equipped to handle life on our own.
You see, no matter how strong we think we are, there will come a time when stress gets overwhelming and we desperately wish we had somewhere to hide. Somewhere to take refuge from the storms, with Someone who understands what we're going through.
I understood the frustration of two little boys who wanted to ride in their raft boat. After they rested and the wind lessened, I encouraged them to go back in the water. They tried again and finally found themselves floating in the boat, instead of hanging from it.
God understands what we're going through. His Word promises He will help us in times of trouble. When adversity strikes, God offers the refuge and strength we need to weather life's storms.
No matter the problems tossing us about today, we don't have to feel like we are simply hanging on. Instead, we can put our trust in the One who offers peace and strength to carry us through until we get to calmer shores.
Dear Lord, I feel beaten down by storms of life, drowning in a sea of adversity and stress. I commit today to depend on You as my refuge. I place my hope and trust in You and commit to hanging on to You at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Today's devotion is based on Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles which releases today! If you purchase the book before October 7th you'll receive 7 FREE GIFTS to further help with managing our stress! Click here for more info.
Visit Tracie's blog to sign up for her free "10 Day Stress Detox" and enter to win a copy of her new book, Stressed-Less Living!
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out how to bring Tracie's Stressed-Lessed Living to your next event.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you felt tossed around by life, getting damaged in the process? Have you asked God to be your refuge, strength, and help?
Have you been trying to master the waves of adversity in my life, or have you been putting your hope and trust in God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 107:29, "He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves." (NIV)
Psalm 9:9-10, "The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." (NASB)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 5, 2012
Renewing My Vows
Stephanie Clayton
"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:14-15 (NIV)
As a young girl I wanted desperately to be thin. Instead, I was the "chunky girl" on the swim team, the slightly overweight dancer, and always felt awkward in a two-piece swimsuit. When I turned 15, I discovered weight loss shakes and exercised constantly.
It worked! I lost a good deal of weight and starting hanging out with the group I'd always admired.
At that point I made an internal vow: I will never be overweight again.
During my first pregnancy I was so paranoid about weight gain I ran three miles a day until the day I gave birth to my son Ryan. I was willing to pay any price to keep my vow. I served my need and desire to be thin.
After Ryan was born, I craved being even thinner. My diet consisted mostly of sugar-free drinks and hard candy. Every now and then I'd squeeze in a meal or a few small bites of real food. Quickly I dropped another 10 pounds.
When I got pregnant with my daughter, I had a scare that landed me on bed rest and forced me to discontinue exercise and to eat more. After Lauren's birth, I went the complete opposite direction and ate everything in sight, putting on over 40 pounds.
I never really understood my battle with eating until a few months ago when I heard a sermon about generational bondage and internal vows.
Growing up, I remembered my parents struggling with their weight. In fact, my family has struggled with food issues for generations. It was a pattern I vowed not to repeat.
But rather than giving this bondage to the Lord, and looking to Him for freedom, I made a commitment to control things myself. I will NEVER be overweight again.
But the vow I made took me not just one way in the wrong direction, but to both extremes. The only way I would find a healthy balance was to give my struggle to the Lord.
I had to make a new vow with God, not myself, in a way that relinquished control to Him.
Today's key verse reminds us that we can call on the Lord in times of trouble and He will deliver us as we seek to honor Him with our lives. Yet many times we choose to see if we can get through life's difficulties on our own.
But what if we chose to sacrifice one of the greatest thank offerings of all? What if we sacrificed our need to control?
Internal vows lead to self-centered striving.
Vows made to the Lord lead to Christ-centered peace.
Can you think of any internal vows you've made as a result of pain or struggles you've experienced in your family? Are there patterns that have existed in your family for years? It doesn't have to be overeating. Other examples of generational bondage are substance abuse, anger, sexual abuse, physical violence, etc.
Internal vows may seem good on the surface, but they can be detrimental to our spiritual growth. We begin to serve our vows instead of the Lord. While it was good for my health that I did not want to repeat my family's patterns of unhealthy eating, it wasn't possible until I surrendered this area of my life completely to the Lord.
I am now on my way to a healthy weight. Not because of my own strength, but because I have made my vow to Jesus. I'm learning to trust Him to help with every area of my life, including my food cravings.
Dear Lord, when I rely on my own strength I become weary and fall. Help me place my trust in You. Your Word says that when I call on You, You will deliver and honor me! Thank You that there is freedom in the power of Your Name. I choose to look upon Your strength and guidance as I move forward. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles
Visit Stephanie's blog for more encouragement and enter to win one of the books listed above. Winner gets to choose!
Reflect and Respond:
Draw your family tree. As you write down names, think about any internal vows they may have made. Also think about any internal vows you may have made from witnessing their struggles. Take time to reflect on any behavioral patterns you may identify.
Write down one internal vow you have made. How you can begin to offer this struggle as a thank offering to the Lord, trusting in His strength and guidance as you begin to move forward?
Power Verse:
1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Stephanie Clayton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
Trust
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. - Psalm 62:8
Some people say there are times when we need to forgive God. This implies that God does wrong, which is never true. However, we may find it hard to place faith in God if we're convinced that He's let us down.
God is trustworthy, but we don't always know His mind, His reasons, or His ultimate intentions. We're prone to misinterpreting His actions in our lives.
Friends, our problem with trusting God doesn't stem from His untrustworthiness. It stems from our willful, misplaced determination to stand as judges over God Himself—determining right from wrong, good from bad, and better from best.
Yet one thing remains certain: You can trust God infinitely more than you trust yourself. So surrender to His wisdom, love, and mercy, and stop demanding that He act as we see fit.
"It is impossible to go through life without trust; that is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself." -Graham Greene (1904-1991)
:angel:
October 8, 2012
Why I Wear a Toe Ring
Karen Ehman
"Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves." - 1 Peter 2:16 (NIV)
I remember begging my mom to get my ears pierced. I was in 5th grade and only one other girl in my class had hole-less lobes. I pleaded my case. "But Mooooooom! EVVVVV-ERYONE has their ears pierced but Heidi and me!"
That year on my birthday, she took me to the Meijer Thrifty Acres grocery store where a nice lady in the jewelry department pierced them for me.
The pain was worth the cool.
When I was in college, my friend Carmen got one ear double pierced. She said she did it to remind her that she belonged to the Lord; that she was His slave.
You see, in the Old Testament, slavery wasn't unjustly forced like in our modern world. It was more of an occupation; a servant with civil and religious rights. A slave worked for his master for six years and then had the option to leave. However, if he wanted to continue his servanthood, he could. As a symbol of his loyalty, his ear was pierced. Exodus 21:5-6 says this about slaves:
"But suppose the slave loves his wife and children so much that he won't leave without them. Then he must stand beside either the door or the doorpost at the place of worship, while his owner punches a small hole through one of his ears with a sharp metal rod. This makes him a slave for life." (CEV)
I loved Carmen's idea of having a small hole in her ear as a sign of life-long service to the Lord. An earring to remind her that she chose to serve God in all areas of her life. However, I am a wimp. And the pain of the first ear piercing was enough for me!
But a few years ago, while shopping downtown with some friends I had an idea. What if I wore a sterling silver toe ring as a sign of my service to the Lord? My friends and I each bought one.
I wear this toe ring everyday to remind myself that I am a voluntary slave of Christ. And that I love my Master and the things He's given me to serve, like my family, church, neighbors and others.
When I see it, it reminds me that I'm not in control, God is. And it helps me realign my preferences with His when I want to be the boss of my life and my circumstances. When I grow weary of serving God selflessly, I am reminded that I belong to Him.
My toe ring also reminds me that my relationship with the Lord is for life.
Yes, I am free to do as I'd like. There are no laws in my country against chucking my faith and running away.
However, my toe ring reminds me:
"Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves." (1 Peter 2:16 NIV)
Are you willing to commit to God with all your heart, mind and soul? To serve rather than be served? To carry out the wishes of your Master willingly and joyfully? Even though you are free, will you choose to be His slave today?
A pierced ear or toe ring is optional.
Dear Lord, may I be reminded continually that it is You that I serve, not the other way around. May my life show my love and devotion to You and my loved ones. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you liked this devotion, check out Karen's new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith. It will enable you to control what you should and trust God with what you can't. Click here for more information.
For more on this topic, including 5 Backwards Truths for Serving God & Family, visit Karen's blog.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, but we simply can't. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Although the term slave rightly has a negative connotation given history and current-day sex trafficking, how can the word "slave" properly describe how we should relate to God?
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being never, 10 being always), how often do you react to life's circumstances with a joyful attitude and "whatever Your will is" perspective? What can you do to make that number go higher?
Power Verse:
Psalm 119:17, "Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word." (ESV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 9, 2012
Gossip
Nicki Koziarz
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19:14 (NIV 1984)
We hadn't seen each other in a few weeks so I was excited to catch up on my friend's life. Arriving at the restaurant we hugged, took our seats, and ordered some sweet tea. Immediately, we started talking about what had been going on in our lives and dug into a discussion about the previous month's events.
Just a few minutes into our catch-up session, a person's name {who I didn't care for} came up. My friend told me a story that made me dislike this person even more. I then told my friend a story about this same person that made her dislike them more too.
And so our conversation went ...
When I left the restaurant, there was a sick feeling inside me. My thoughts wandered through our conversation and I felt deeply convicted it'd been nothing but idle talk.
The crazy thing was, in the midst of the conversation, I didn't even realize what was happening. I thought I was just catching up with an old friend. But the reality is, I was gossiping.
I wish I could tell you this eye-opening moment changed me and I never spoke badly of someone again. But I am a woman who consistently finds herself in need of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness.
Today's key verse, Psalm 19:14, has been helpful for me to remember how God desires my heart and words to be filled with things that honor Him.
Scripture is teaching me so much about my words. I'm learning I am accountable to God for them (Matt. 12:36). I see by guarding my words, I can keep myself from a lot of problems (Prov. 21:23). And I'm understanding how I have the ability to speak life or death through the words I use (Prov. 18:21).
As I've been allowing these Truths to shape my character, I've begun to understand how my slip-ups (sin) move me further away from God. One of the greatest deceptions of sin is that we often don't realize what we've done until it's too late.
But thankfully God is always willing to forgive us and empower us to become stronger in Him.
So how should we handle conversations like these?
Preventing gossip is one of the greatest ways to not get caught up in it. Some days I have to consciously say to myself, "I don't want to dishonor anyone with my words today." I've asked God to make me aware of conversations that don't bring honor. "A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly." (Prov. 12:23 NIV 1984)
Another way we can handle gossip-centered conversations is by ignoring them. Just because we've heard the latest juicy scoop doesn't mean we have to continue to spread it. "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." (Prov. 11:13 NIV)
Lastly, confronting the friend who we're gossiping about is important. If we have an issue with someone, we should go directly to that person. It takes more courage to confront someone than it does to ignore him or her, or talk about them behind their back. If something's bothering us, we should deal with it with the right person. "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." (Matt. 18:15 NIV)
I'm still working through this. I felt horrible for how my conversation went that day at the restaurant. But, I'm challenged to prevent, ignore or confront conversations like these. I want my words and my heart to be pleasing to God.
Dear Lord, as I continue to work out my word-struggles with You, thank You for Your grace, mercy and forgiveness. Please help me to keep these Truths close to my soul so I can better represent You with my words each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Nicki's blog today for 10 ways to speak life to someone today.
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst
All Things Wise and Wonderful e-Book by Wendy Blight
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and accompanying Workbook by Deborah Smith Pegues
Reflect and Respond:
Do you have a friend you easily gossip with? Why not share this devotion with her today and commit to hold each other accountable to prevent, ignore or confront?
Why do you think gossip is such a struggle? Leave a comment today and let's discuss this.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 18:21, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (NIV)
© 2012 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 10, 2012
A One-Cup Life
Glynnis Whitwer
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Flour dusted shirts, sticky hands and happy faces gathered in my kitchen for an afternoon of baking. The counters were covered with bowls, spoons and ingredients as my young daughters eagerly helped with the culinary creation we were assembling.
Part of the learning process involved reading the recipe, getting out ingredients and gathering utensils. So when the recipe called for 1-1/2 cups of milk, I directed one girl to get the two-cup measuring cup from the cabinet. She made it to the right cabinet, but picked out the one-cup measuring cup instead.
Instead of correcting, I showed my daughters how to make that size work. But I also wanted them to learn why we had to make the change. I wanted them to learn that you can't put 1-1/2 cups of liquid into a 1-cup container.
As I thought about this principle of measurement, I realized it doesn't work with milk and it doesn't work in life. Yet so many of us try to cram 12 hours of work into 8 hours of our day. We have more books than can fit in the bookcase and more clothes than closet.
We say "yes" to more activities than we have time, and take on more responsibilities than we have the energy to manage. Then we wonder why we can't find a healthy balance to life.
For years I tried to put too much into my schedule. "Yes" slipped off my tongue with little thought and no prayer. I'd collapse at night, exhausted and annoyed.
The priorities of my family and home were neglected in my over-busy life. It was an exhausting way to live, as I constantly felt like I should be doing something. And when I was doing something, it never felt like enough.
It's defeating to believe you are always disappointing someone ... especially God.
One day I decided to write down everything I had to do on one piece of paper ... which turned in to two. I included phone calls to make, emails to send, projects to start and others to finish. The list included things I needed to do that day and things I needed to do in a month. It included ongoing responsibilities like grocery shopping and one-time events like coordinating the t-shirt sales at my children's schools each fall.
It was painful and overwhelming. But it was also a relief. Once all my responsibilities were in one place, the problem was obvious. I was trying to fit 1-1/2 cups worth of responsibilities into my 1-cup life. It would never all fit, and I would never find balance or peace.
My life had to be simplified, which meant reducing the demands on my time. A year of cutting commitments resulted in a manageable, more focused and more productive life. It took making hard decisions, but it was worth the peace I gained.
That year I learned I have exactly enough time to do what God wants me to do. No more. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (NIV). The key to balance is seeking God's will for me in this season, and not spending time on assignments meant for other people.
I'll probably always struggle with over-committing myself due to my personality. But with God's wisdom and an updated master list of all my commitments, I get ongoing reality checks. And although I'm not really good at math, I do remember that 1-1/2 cups of something will never fit in a 1-cup container.
Dear Lord, You have uniquely created me and equipped me for the service You've determined. And yet so many times I try to take on responsibility that's not mine. Help me to be content with my assignment and to work at it joyfully. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for a checklist to help determine God's will for you in this season of your life.
Want to learn how to balance your busy life? I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer is full of inspiration, ideas and life-changing principles to get you there!
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What are some reasons women over-commit themselves?
Consider those responsibilities over which you have control. Which ones should be pruned from your schedule?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 11, 2012
Getting Unstuck from My Thinking Rut
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Have you ever had the thought, "What's the use? I'm just a stuffer." Or, "What's the use? I'm a just a yeller."
That may be partially true, but I believe there is more to it than just claiming because we act a certain way, that's the way it will always be.
Brain research shows that every conscious thought we have is recorded on our internal hard drive known as the cerebral cortex. Each thought scratches the surface much like an Etch A Sketch.
When we have the same thought again, the line of the original thought is deepened, causing what's called a memory trace. With each repetition the trace goes deeper and deeper, forming and embedding a pattern of thought. When an emotion is tied to this thought pattern, the memory trace grows exponentially stronger.
We forget most of our random thoughts that are not tied to an emotion. However, we retain the ones we think often that have an emotion tied to them. For example, if we've had the thought over and over that we are "unglued," and that thought is tied to a strong emotion, we deepen the memory trace when we repeatedly access that thought. The same is true if we decide to stuff a thought—we'll perpetuate that stuffing. Or if we yell, we'll keep yelling.
We won't develop new responses until we develop new thoughts. That's why renewing our minds with new thoughts is crucial. New thoughts come from new perspectives. The Bible encourages this process, which only makes sense because God created the human mind and understands better than anyone how it functions.
A foundational teaching of Scripture is that it is possible to be completely changed through transformed thought patterns. That's exactly the point of today's key verse, Romans 12:2.
Scripture also teaches that we can accept or refuse thoughts. Instead of being held hostage by old thought patterns, we can actually capture our thoughts and allow the power of Christ's truth to change them:
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
I don't know about you, but understanding how my brain is designed makes these verses come alive in a whole new way. Taking thoughts captive and being transformed by thinking in new ways isn't some New Age form of mind control. It's biblical, and it's fitting with how God wired our brains.
I can't control the things that happen to me each day, but I can control how I think about them. I can say to myself, "I have a choice to have destructive thoughts or constructive thoughts right now. I can wallow in what's wrong and make things worse, or I can ask God for a better perspective to help me see good even when I don't feel good."
Indeed, when we gain new perspectives, we can see new ways of thinking. And if we change the way we think, we'll change the ways we act and react.
Dear Lord, teach me to trust You and to believe that even though my situation is overwhelming, You always have the best for me in mind. Give me Your perspective today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and practical advice on taking our thoughts and actions captive, check out Lysa's new book, Unglued. Available now!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What is one area of your life where destructive thoughts seem to take control? Ask God to show you how to see the good in this area even though you don't necessarily feel good about the situation.
Start right now, and continue each morning for the next 5 days to pray the verses below over the area of your life you described above. Sometimes changing our perspective requires an initial act of obedience.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:8, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." (NIV)
Isaiah 41:13, "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (NIV 1984)
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 12, 2012
Living in the Light
Donna Bostick
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Fearful. Betrayed. Abandoned. Unwanted. Unloved. Unworthy.
Words that formed shadows from a past that would haunt me for years. A past that would hold me hostage and keep me from fully living in the light of God's love.
Fearful as I watched a hot plate of spaghetti thrown across the kitchen. Fearful as I watched furniture crash against walls. Fearful when my dad fell to the ground a few feet from my mom after he'd swung at her and lost his balance.
Betrayed after my intoxicated father sat me on the back of a horse without a saddle or reins to hold, and then swatted the horse, which sent it galloping. Betrayed as I heard him laugh with his friends as I sailed through the air and landed on a barbed wire fence.
Abandoned and unwanted when my dad filed divorce papers and failed to even get my name and birthday correct on them. Abandoned each time my dad refused to pay child support. Unwanted as years went by without visits, phone calls, hugs, birthday gifts.
Unloved and unworthy each time my dad broke his promise ... to visit, to call, to show up for my high school graduation, to pay for college.
Fearful, betrayed, abandoned, unwanted, unloved and unworthy. Words and emotions that I let define me and cast shadows over me until last year.
Through several of my pastor's sermons and after a friend's father passed away, I sensed God asking: How would you feel and what would you do if your dad were to die this very day?
I had no answer. I didn't know or really even think I liked my dad, much less loved him. Fifteen years had gone by since I'd seen him.
Around that same time, God challenged me with two words: choice and accept.
I had a choice and I made it. Following God's nudging, on July 1, 2011, I went to see my father and accepted him for who he is.
In doing so, for the first time ever, I was able to choose to accept my past. God showed me I could not change my dad or my past, but I could choose to walk out of the shadows of their marks on my life.
One of my first steps, after acceptance, was praying for my dad. When I started praying for him and choosing to forgive him, the shadows of darkness - the shadows of my past - started to lift.
God then showed me I had more choices to make: a choice to believe He is who He says He is. A choice to believe His promises; a choice to believe I was worth dying for. It was up to me to choose to be filled with His joy; to let Him be my Father; to live in the security of His unconditional love.
I had to make the choice to walk out of the darkness of doubt and defeat, and live in the light of His truth.
It's been over a year since I started making those choices. And I still have to make them 24/7. Not just on Sundays. Not just at 9 a.m. when my day starts. I have to choose constantly.
So I get up every morning and choose to believe God is a Promise Keeper. I make the choice to believe He loves me like no other can or will, to pray for my dad, to let go of the anger.
There are days, even minutes, we won't make the right choices. But when we do, we live as the chosen people we are. Children of God who have been called to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your truth that sets me free. Thank You that You have called me out of the darkness and into Your light. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Although we can't go back and change circumstances or relationships that hurt us, we can process our pain with Jesus. In her book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises, Renee Swope shows you how to find confident hope for your future despite the pain and disappointment of your past. Find our more here.
Visit Renee Swope's blog where she's interviewing Donna about the process she went through in forgiving her dad and how it is helping her to heal from the wounds of her past. Also, enter to win A Confident Heart gift pack.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you tired of living in the shadows of your past?
Make a list of the doubts that hold you in bondage to your past. Pray and ask God to reveal His promises to you and then help you replace those doubts with His promises.
Power Verses:
John 8:12b, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)
Ephesians 5:8-9, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)." (NIV)
© 2012 by Donna Bostick. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 15, 2012
Hide and Seek
Micca Campbell
"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." - Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)
During my childhood, one of my most memorable times was during the long, hot days of summer. Each evening, the neighborhood kids and I went outside after dinner for one last game. At dusk, we would meet at the dead-end street to play "Hide and Seek."
This was a very serious game. The goal was to hide from your seeker until it was safe to run for home base without being seen and tagged out. That is why we played under the cover of twilight. The darkness kept you concealed as you dashed from object to object until you finally made it to home base - unseen and untagged by the pursuer.
I especially loved the memories of when I was young enough to still enjoy the game, but old enough to know how to keep from being found.
It was my dad who first introduced me to Hide and Seek. Although, my father and I played the game with different rules.
When Dad hid, he would leave clues on purpose so I could find him. Sometimes, I would spy his wiggling toes sticking out from under the living room curtains. Others times, I noticed a lampshade sitting atop a very large stand in the shape of his body. Or I'd hear noises coming from behind the couch.
For my dad and me, the game was not about staying hidden. It was about developing our relationship.
Our reunion brought joy and laughter. Mostly, it taught me that whenever I needed my dad, he could always be found.
The same is true with our heavenly Father. He is not playing a game of chance - that we may or may not find Him. No. God wants to be found, and He leaves clues about His presence everywhere we look.
Today's key verse assures us that we will find God if we seek Him with our heart and soul. "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deut. 4:29)
When do we seek Him? God's Word tells us to seek Him while He can be found. We should seek God immediately.
How do we seek Him? With diligence, through prayer, in His Word, and with our whole hearts.
He will be found in the beauty of creation and within the pages of His Word. As we seek God, we will discover His will, His plans, and His blessings in new found strength as we face adversity, and in the comfort of His presence as we communicate with Him in prayer.
God isn't playing Hide and Seek with us. He longs to be found by those who earnestly seek Him. The Lord is ready and waiting to reveal Himself to you in such wonderful ways that it will leave you longing for more. It's an adventure you don't want to miss. Ready, set, seek!
Dear Lord, I long to see You in my daily life. Reveal Yourself to me as I seek in times of sorrow and in times of joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Micca's blog for a chance to win a one-year subscription to our P31 Woman monthly magazine.
Discover a faith stronger than all your fears in Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you lost sight of God?
Seek Him today in His Word and through prayer. Look for Him all around you. Ask God to open your eyes and reveal Himself to you in a fresh and tender way.
Power Verses:
1 Chronicles 16:11, "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (NIV)
Psalms 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 16, 2012
Forget About It
Karen Ehman
"For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12 (ESV)
In the midst of a heated conflict do you ever get historical?
Not hysterical, as in acting totally out-of-control ... but historical. As in bringing up the past; reliving and rehashing former wrongdoings and offenses.
"You'll never change!"
"You're acting just like you did when ..."
"There you go again. You always ..."
I do this to others. But mostly I do this to myself.
At times I have trouble remembering the name of the person I just met or where I put my cell phone. However, I'm keenly adept at remembering my sins from the past. Or the shame and guilt they carry with them as ammunition to target my heart and make me feel defeated. I can recount my sins as easily as I can say the alphabet.
Oftentimes forgiving myself sometimes feels like it's impossible to do.
When it comes to God however, we don't have to fear He will bring up our past sins and use them against us, throwing them in our face and refusing to forgive. In today's key verse, God says, "For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12 ESV)
This verse reminds me of a story of a man who claimed to have dreams where God regularly visited him and they talked together. He shared this with his pastor who doubted whether this was actually true. So the pastor issued a challenge to prove whether or not the man's claims were valid.
"The next time God visits you," he instructed the man, "ask Him to tell you the worst sin I've ever committed." Since this pastor had a wild background he was certain there were a lot of sins lurking there from which God could choose.
Later when the pastor saw the man again, he asked him, "Well, did God visit with you again?" The man replied, "Yes, He sure did."
"Okay then, tell me, what did He say was the worst sin I ever committed?"
The man responded, "I asked and God looked straight at me and simply stated, 'Hmmm ... I don't remember.'"
In God's Word we are told, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12 NLT) And, as today's verse says, He not only removes sins, He forgets them!
His ability to forget is His way of giving us a new start. He hits the refresh button on our lives and enables us to start over, no mater what grievous wrongs we've committed. Or how often we've committed them.
We must simply confess our sins to Him. He is faithful to forgive our wrongdoings and hit the restart button of our heart, giving us a fresh beginning.
Perhaps it is time we "forget about it" - just like God does. If He chooses not to remember our sins, why do we keep shaming and blaming ourselves for them?
Let's pray for the ability to forget and live like the holy and forgiven people God says we are when we bring our sins to Him. Instead of remembering our history, let's focus on the history of Jesus' death on the cross and His forgiveness and forgetfulness . . . of our sins.
Dear Lord, help me grasp the truth that You do not remember my sins. Thank You for not only forgiving my sins, but for forgetting them as well. May I live as a new creation, holy and blameless as I seek to serve You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you liked this devotion, check out Karen's new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith. It will enable you to control what you should and trust God with what you can't. Click here for more information.
For more on this topic, including a "Forever Forgiveness" giveaway, visit Karen's blog.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Reflect and Respond:
What sins in your past or present do you tend to beat yourself up over? Make a list of them on a piece of paper.
Now, read today's key verse again and then tear up the list and throw it in the trash. Promise yourself that, since God doesn't bring up the sins anymore, you won't either.
Write out the verse to post in a prominent place for those times when you are tempted to shame yourself again. Memorize it if you must!
Power Verses:
Psalm 103:2-4, "My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion." (HCSB)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 17, 2012
Surviving Mommy Stress
Tracie Miles
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIV)
Parenting and child-rearing are one of the top five stressors of the general population. I understand why.
There are days when I feel like the stress of being a parent just might push me over the edge. Despite my unfailing love for my sweet children, sometimes the thought of a mini-vacation from parenting (if there were such a thing) sounds mighty enticing. Especially on the days when I am suffering from a severe case of mommy stress.
When children are little, the demands they place on a parent are physically exhausting, to say the least. But as they grow into adolescents, the physical exhaustion is quickly replaced by emotional exhaustion.
Instead of our bodies suffering through sleepless nights, lugging piles of laundry, and the constant smell of messy diapers, our hearts suffer with stressful worries. Worries like whether or not our children will make it home safely, if they're making the right friends, and if they are strong enough to stand up for what's right in the face of peer pressure.
The journey of parenting children, from toddlers to teenagers, is a strenuous one. Each season presents it's own set of stressful challenges. We can easily pour ourselves out completely and end up feeling empty and discouraged. It's possible to even lose our desire to keep giving parenting our all.
In today's key verse, James addresses the topic of persevering through all the many difficult trials in life - and at times, parenting can seem like a series of ongoing physical and emotional trials.
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12 NIV)
I am encouraged by his reminder that even when situations are difficult, those who persevere will be rewarded - including parents who persevere through the hard years of child-rearing.
I also find it interesting that prior to this verse, James tells us to keep a proper perspective on the situations which require perseverance. For example, James 1:2-5 confirms that everyone will face trials, and we must keep in mind that our perseverance will result in maturity and completion.
He also says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God who will generously provide the answers and help needed to get through our most difficult days. I don't know about you, but I need parenting wisdom and guidance on a minute-by-minute basis!
As we persevere through the stress that comes with parenting, we can have hope knowing that God will provide us with strength and wisdom. He will be pleased that we didn't give up. That we kept seeking Him and trusting Him through each and every trial.
Parenting is a high calling, and one that requires a lot of leaning on God, unwavering determination and unending perseverance. Don't give up!
Dear Lord, I have been stressed and overwhelmed in my role as a mom, and often feel guilty about it. I'm physically and spiritually exhausted. Help me remember that these feelings are normal and that I need to depend on You for strength and wisdom. Give me the desire and ability to persevere and find joy in the adventure of motherhood. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on persevering through the stressful days of parenting, and enter to win a copy of her new book, Stressed-Less Living.
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been feeling completely "poured out" in your parenting journey lately? Have you prayed for strength, wisdom, and joy in the midst of the stress?
Ask God to give you a new perspective about parenting situations you're facing. Seek His insight into how He is building fruits in your children's hearts through your perseverance and commitment to Him.
Power Verse:
Hebrews 10:36, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 18, 2012
Is My Pain Talking?
Lysa TerKeurst
"We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a situation where something little felt really big? Maybe a look from someone that suddenly made you feel like they didn't like you. Or when someone doesn't return your phone call and you feel like it's an indication that you're not important.
Usually these things aren't true.
The look was just a look with no hidden meaning.
The missed phone call was just a slip on that person's to-do list.
But if we're not careful, those misguided feelings can create issues that distract us, discourage us, and trigger past pain that starts taunting us. They can fill our minds with thoughts that are not accurate.
It happened to me on a certain Friday. My sister Angee and I got up at 3:00 a.m. and were in line at a store thirty minutes later. I know. I agree. That's crazy.
But like a hunter stalking prey, I was after something. In this case, the buy-one-get-one-free washer and dryer. Angee was after a half-priced computer. When the store doors opened at 5:00 a.m., we both scored. Happiness abounded. Then we left to get some breakfast. This is the part of the story where the happiness faded.
In the drive-thru, my credit card was "not approved."
Let me get this straight. It was approved at the store just five minutes ago when I made a major purchase. But now for a little two-dollar bundle of egg, cheese, Canadian bacon, and an English muffin, suddenly I'm not approved?
Not approved.
Ouch.
My sister wasn't fazed. She whipped out cash, paid for my breakfast, and headed to the next store on our list. But those words "not approved" hung like a black cloud over my head. It bothered the stink out of me. I knew it was just some technical glitch, but that's not what it felt like.
When that girl leaned out of the drive-thru window and in a hushed tone said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but your card keeps showing that you're not approved," it felt personal. Really personal.
Suddenly, past pain from other times I'd felt rejected and my current embarrassment started running their mouth inside my head. You're nothing but a loser. You are unwanted. Unloved. Disorganized. Poor. Not acceptable. You are not approved.
I wish I could tie up this story in a nice bow and give you a pretty ending, but I can't. It was anything but pretty. I felt awful. And I went to bed wondering if the Lord Himself might come down and say, "Lysa TerKeurst, I have had enough of your immature reactions. You are no longer approved to be a Bible study teacher. Look at you!"
But that's not the Lord's voice. Our Lord doesn't whisper shameful condemnations.
Spiritual convictions, yes. Personal condemnations, no.
As I stared wide-eyed into the darkness that enveloped the room, I whispered, "Give me Your voice, Jesus. I need to hear You above all these painful thoughts. If I don't hear You, I'm afraid this darkness is going to swallow me alive." Nothing came. I couldn't hear a thing.
I had a choice. I could lie in the dark replaying the awful events of the day, or I could turn the light on and read God's Word—His truth—which is the best thing to do when lies are swarming and painful thoughts are attacking like a bunch of bloodthirsty mosquitoes.
Lies flee in the presence of truth. Comfort comes into our pain when we bring it to Jesus. And while reading God's truth that night didn't change the fact that I needed to make things right in my thoughts, it gave me the courage to do so.
Dear Lord, please drown out the other voices ... please hush them ... and speak. I want to hear You above all the noise. Help me discern Your convictions and the devil's condemnations. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and practical advice on how to remain self-controlled, check out Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued. Available now!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Are there lies you have believed about yourself? Bring them to light. Write 2 lies down on a piece of paper.
Now get out God's Word and read about who He says you are. Use the power verses below to refute Satan's attacks against you and remember, Jesus doesn't speak in condemning tones but the enemy and our past pain often does.
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." NIV
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." NIV
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here." NIV
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 19, 2012
Why Should I Care?
Glynnis Whitwer
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." - Matthew 9:36 (NIV)
Our van drove snake-like, around tight corners and up steep mountain grades to reach a neighborhood in the hills above Quito, Ecuador. No fresh mountain air greeted us as we stepped carefully on to the streets. Instead the thick smells of garbage, outdoor cooking and animal droppings blanketed us.
Walking through the tin shacks I understood helplessness as I never had before. There was no government support, no food bank down the street. Unless someone stepped into these people's lives with a helping hand, they would stay trapped in poverty.
Something shifted in my heart that day. I had always been committed to missions and evangelism in an academic way. Sadly, however, there was always this secret part of me that thought people could ... no they should ... help themselves.
This experience changed my motivation to reach out. Rather than simple obedience, urgency gripped me. I was starting to understand Jesus' compassion. Was this what He felt like? The disciple Matthew captured Jesus' heart with these words: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 NIV).
Jesus saw the helplessness of those He loved. Standing on a dirt street just south of the equator I got it. The helpless cannot help themselves. Just as the lost cannot find their way back on their own. They need someone to step in to their despair, into their darkness, and bring hope and help.
My heart burned with a new understanding. It's not just those broken under the weight of poverty and injustice that Jesus cares about - although He loves them desperately. He cares about all who feel helpless. Like the divorced woman who wonders if anyone will ever love her again. Or the man who can't find a job. And the teenager looking for approval and acceptance in all the wrong places.
These are the lost and helpless living on my street. And they need to hear about the hope that only Jesus can bring.
Jesus gave His disciples an important command before He returned to heaven. He said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
If I close my eyes I can see myself on another dirt road filled with the smell of animals and cooking, and I see Jesus' eyes of compassion staring at me. "Glynnis," He says. "Listen carefully. I'm going back to My Father, and I need you to go to those who are helpless. They don't all look the same, so don't make any assumptions. And you don't have to go everywhere, because I'm going to tell your sisters and brothers the same thing. But I want you to go where I send you."
This command isn't just another Bible verse now. It doesn't go on my to-do list. It's been engraved on my heart. Now I get it.
Dear Lord, forgive me for my lack of mercy. Help me to see the helpless, lost and hurting all around me. I want to have Your heart of compassion, and be willing to go where You send me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog for an interview with Lorie Newman, author of A Cup of Cold Water in His Name.
A Cup of Cold Water in His Name by Lorie Newman
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Read Matthew 28:18-20. This passage is called "The Great Commission." Does this command from Jesus have a high priority in most Christians' lives? Why or why not?
Many Christians read this passage and think about travelling abroad to fulfill it. However, this command starts in our own homes, work places and churches. What changes can you make in your own life to start fulfilling the command of Jesus?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:1-2, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (NIV)
Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 22, 2012
Our Thoughts Have Wheels
Tracie Miles
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
The day started off just fine, but ended with confusion and tears. As a timid middle-schooler, I climbed the steps of my school bus eager to get home after a long afternoon.
Sitting quietly in my seat, all of a sudden I got this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Although my surroundings appeared to be the same, something was not right.
The bus was the normal sunshine yellow. The seats were standard black vinyl, displaying rips and tears from years of students. The floor was littered with the usual misplaced pencils, erasers and wadded-up papers. Yet, I felt out of place.
That's when I realized I did not know any of the kids sitting around me. And I had never seen the bus driver before. Frantically, I searched for anything familiar. My cheeks grew hot and my heart raced with panic as I realized I was on the wrong bus.
Although I WAS headed somewhere, it was NOT where I wanted to go.
I'd been distracted by conversations with friends, thoughts of sleepovers, and how much homework I had. My thoughts were not focused on where I was going. The actions that followed caused me to end up somewhere I did not want to be.
Thinking back on that day, I've considered how our thoughts determine a lot about the direction of our lives. Like my school bus, our thoughts will always take us somewhere, but it may not be somewhere we want to end up.
If we spend time thinking about how our boss does not appreciate us, our thoughts will take us straight to a bad attitude at work and possibly poor performance.
If we focus on how much we do for others and how little we feel appreciated, our thoughts will take us to a place of resentment, with lack of patience and love.
If we spend an entire day fuming over something our husband or kids did, and mentally practice the harsh words we plan to say to them, those thoughts will lead us into a place of arguments, hurt feelings and damaged relationships.
If we dwell on why God has allowed certain problems in our lives, we will transport ourselves into a state of insecurity and unhappiness as we stop trusting God.
If we focus our thoughts on money, career, success and pleasure, we will find ourselves in the land of the lost—feeling frustrated and discontent.
Our thoughts are powerful and need our navigation. If we allow them to run rampant in negative directions, focusing on things that lead us away from God's perspective, we will eventually end up stressed out - from the inside out.
In today's key verse, God shows us why we should choose carefully what we think about, because our thoughts determine who we are and how we live.
Reacting to stressful situations by becoming a chronically negative thinker will eventually increase our stress and possibly take us to a destination we would never choose.
My childhood memory reminds me to consistently ask God to help me keep my mind on Him and on the thoughts He has for me. That way I can live according to His plans and with His perspective, seeking to be acutely aware of where my thoughts may lead me.
Our thoughts really do have wheels. Where are your thoughts taking you today?
Dear Lord, please help me take my thoughts captive, and focus on things that are pleasing to You. Please give me the desire to control my thoughts and maintain a Godly perspective about the circumstances in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more to manage stressful emotions and navigate negative thoughts, consider Tracie Miles' new book Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World.
Visit Tracie's website to sign up for her free 10 Day Stress Detox, AND enter to win a 50 page Stressed-Less Living Companion Journal!
For more positive encouragement, click the "Like" button on our Facebook page.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been guarding and guiding your thoughts, or have your thoughts been leading you to a place you don't want to go? Is it possible that you've allowed negative thoughts to bring more stress into your life?
Make a list of all the negative thoughts you have had lately. Ask God to help you replace those emotions and start new with a fresh attitude and a healthy, Godly perspective.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:2a, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:23-24, "Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (NLT)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 23, 2012
Pick Me! Pick Me!
Karen Ehman
"For we know, brothers and sisters, loved by God, that he has chosen you ..." 1 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV)
I stand with my back against the school's red brick wall, my woolen plaid skirt scratching my legs even though I have on my best cable-knit tights. Trying not to look desperate, I secretly pray I won't be the last one chosen for the team that morning.
It is recess time and kickball is my classmates' game of choice. Names are called. As I look to the captain pointing and choosing kids, my heart's cry is simple, "Pick me! Pick me!"
I sit in sixth hour a few years later awaiting the end-of-day announcement of the homecoming court nominees. Earlier that crisp autumn day, the lunchroom had been all abuzz, a whirlwind of activity: scribbled ballots and scrambling beauties seeking votes. Now that the folded papers are tallied and the results are being read, my heart's cry remains the same, "Pick me! Pick me!"
College girls gather around the stately cement fountain in the middle of campus. It is the place where many women give others a glimpse of "the ring." The ring that means they are chosen and loved, soon to be some dashing coed's wife. While the third finger on my left hand remains painfully naked, my heart's cry is still so very, very simple. "Will some manplease pick me?"
Throughout much of my early life I desired nothing more than to be wanted. Yet, at many junctures my heart repeatedly felt rejection as someone else was chosen instead of me. It wasn't until late in college that a wonderful truth was shared with me.
I am already chosen. Already loved.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 nails it. "For we know, brothers and sisters, loved by God, that he has chosen you." (NIV) We are loved by God. He's already picked us.
So there is no need to hope and wish and cross our fingers for good luck. We won't be left standing against a wall, unloved and passed over for someone with more skill, better looks or more brains. We are the objects of our Savior's love and nothing we do will change His feelings for us.
Will you cling with me to the very words of God? Let them be louder than the voices from your past or the jeers of the present or even your own negative self-talk that tells you that you're not worthy, not loved, not _________ enough.
You are the one He is pointing at, in front of the whole wide world's schoolyard, boldly declaring both now and forever, "This is My heart's cry: I choose you!"
Dear Lord, help me erase the negative thoughts that run through my mind at times, making me feel unloved and rejected. Remind me that I am chosen and dearly loved both now and forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic, including an "I Am Loved" giveaway, visit Karen's blog.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, but we simply can't. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you ever been chosen or passed over? What happened? How did you feel when you were chosen? How about when you weren't?
You are the object of your Savior's love and nothing you do will change His feelings for you.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:4-6, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (NIV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 24, 2012
That's What Friends Do
Suzie Eller
"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.'" Matthew 5:38 (MSG)
Jack tossed the papers on my desk. His eyebrows knit into a straight line as he glared at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Next time you want to change anything, ask me first," he grunted, turning on his heels.
One small change. Wasn't that what I was paid to do? It's not that I hadn't been warned. One co-worker cautioned me, "He's personally responsible for two different people leaving the firm."
As the weeks went by, I grew to resent Jack, although my anger went against what I believed in: turning the other cheek and loving my enemies.
However, many days I felt justified. Jack had been given plenty of chances to be kind, yet inevitably he slapped a verbal insult on any cheek I turned his way.
Other days I felt convicted, and prayed about my indignant feelings toward Jack. But to be honest, I wanted to put him in his place, not love him.
I knew I had to give him what he deserved. I went into his office to tell him how I felt.
When I opened the door, Jack glanced up.
"What?" he said abruptly.
God help me, I prayed.
"Jack, I've never had anyone speak to me the way you do. As a professional, it's wrong. And it's wrong for me to allow it to continue," I said.
You see, even though I wanted to give Jack an "eye for an eye" to treat him the way he treated others, I couldn't. Because earlier the Lord had shown me something Jesus taught on in Matthew 5:38.
Under the Law, punishment was to match the crime. But a group of men named the Pharisees had taken that specific rule and made it literal. If a person stole a loaf of bread, even if they were starving, the punishment no longer matched the crime—they cut off the hand of the thief.
Rather than an eye for an eye, Jesus said that when we meet someone who is evil (in this case that word can mean a person who is stingy, a bad friend, one who exerts authority over you in the wrong manner, or someone with wrong motives) and they hit us on our right cheek, rather than meet violence with violence, we do the opposite.
We meet a stingy person with generosity.
We respond to a person who is overbearing with patience.
This was not only contrary to the Pharisee's interpretation of the Law, but a peaceful response founded in love that introduced self-control and gentleness into an offense.
"Jack, I want to make you a promise. I will treat you with respect and kindness. You deserve that. Because that's what friends do." I slipped out of the chair and closed the door behind me.
One year later, I discovered I had breast cancer. I was 32, the mother of three beautiful young children, and scared. Even after surgery, chemo, and radiation, the diagnosis was grim.
People didn't know what to say. They were afraid for me. There were days that the news was so grim that I asked God for just one word of hope.
On the last day in the hospital, the door darkened and Jack stood awkwardly on the threshold. He walked over to my bed and, without a word, placed a bundle beside me. Inside were several bulbs.
"Tulips." He cleared his throat. "If you plant them when you get home, they'll come up next spring." He shuffled his feet. "I just wanted you to know that I think you'll be there to see them when they come up."
His words were just what I needed to hear. They gave me hope.
I watched those tulips push through the soil that next spring, and the next. In fact, last month I celebrated 21 years of survival.
In a moment, years ago, when I prayed for just the right word and actions, a man with very few words said and did all the right things.
And isn't that just what friends do?
Dear Lord, thank You that You are a friend to me, even on those days that I am gruff. You are patient. You are kind. Help me to be more like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the One who calls you friend?
Visit Suzie's blog and celebrate 21 years of cancer survival with her as she offers giveaways of her new book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness, releasing in February 2013.
Join Suzie on her Facebook Live Free page for a daily scripture and encouragement tip to help you live free.
Reflect and Respond:
Turning your cheek simply means that you meet an unmerciful action with mercy or peace.
Describe one way you can respond differently.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV)
© 2012 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 25, 2012
When I Want to Quit
Lysa TerKeurst
"He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is the Lord says to you: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."'" 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
When some exercise-loving friends suggested we join them for a moderate family hike while we were all vacationing in the Adirondack Mountains, we thought that was a great idea.
Turns out their definition of moderate came from an entirely different dictionary than mine. Actually, an entirely different planet, if I'm being completely honest. Honey ... this was nomoderate hike.
I had pictured a path with a gently winding, upward slope. But what we actually experienced was more like scaling a cliff face made entirely of rocks and roots.
Not kidding.
And we were at an altitude so high my lungs felt like they were stuck together and incapable of holding more than a thimbleful of breath. Lovely. And forget about conversation. All I could do was mutter a few moans between gasps for air.
Up, up, up we went. And when another group of hikers passed us on their way down and cheerfully quipped, "You're almost halfway there!" I wanted to quit. Halfway? How could we be only halfway?!
I pushed. I pulled. I strained. I huffed and puffed. And I might have even spent a few minutes pouting. But eventually, we reached the top. I bent over, holding my sides and wondering how a girl who runs four miles almost every day could feel so stinkin' out of shape!
Climbing up the mountain against the force of gravity was hard. Really, really hard. But coming down was a completely different experience. I navigated the same rocks and roots without feeling nearly as stressed. I enjoyed the journey. I noticed more of the beautiful surroundings and had enough breath to actually talk.
About halfway down the trail, it occurred to me how similar my experience of this hike was to my Christian walk. Starting at the top of the mountain and working with the force of gravity was much easier than starting at the bottom of the mountain and working against it. Although I had to navigate the exact same path both directions, being in the flow of gravity made the journey so much better.
It's just like when I face a hard issue in life. Operating in the flow of God's power is better than working against the flow of God's power. Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing is what positions me to work in the flow of God's power.
I still have to navigate the realities of my situation, but I won't be doing it in my own strength. My job is to be obedient to God, to apply His Word, and to walk according to His ways—not according to the world's suggestions. God, in His way and timing, works it all out.
That's what happened with King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat was in an overwhelming situation. Three countries had banded together, forming a massive army to attack his much smaller country of Judah. If ever there were a time for a king to feel unglued, this would have been it. But Jehoshaphat didn't fall apart.
He stayed in the flow of obeying God in his actions and reactions. I'm sure if he had tried to figure out how to win this battle based on his limited strength and numbers alone, he would have surely given up. Judah was outnumbered. No question. But instead of counting themselves out, the king and his army counted God in and determined to do exactly as He instructed.
I want to participate in God's divine nature rather than wallow in discouragement and fear. Then I won't have to huff and puff and pout while trying to figure everything out on my own.
I stay in the flow.
Dear Lord, help me to trust that You've got it all figured out and to remember that I don't. Help me to say yes to You even when it's hard. Help me to say no to anything that doesn't align with Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Are there situations or relationships that seem to be sucking the life out of you? Want to stay in the flow of God's power but tempted to quit because things seem like they will never get better? If so, Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued is the book you need. Click here to get your copy today.
The accompanying 6 week Unglued Bible Study is perfect for your individual devotion time or a group study. To order your copy of the workbook, click here. For the accompanying DVD, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you facing what seems like an impossible situation?
Stop right now and ask God to show you how to walk in His perfect will. Instead of counting yourself out, count God in and determine to do exactly as He instructs.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:12, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (NIV)
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 26, 2012
A Long and Winding Road
Micca Campbell
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
When my daughter was just a toddler she began having reoccurring infections. With every one, she ran a high fever that sometimes resulted in a small seizure. This illness required that she stay on a low-dose antibiotic to prevent infection.
Sadly, the infections kept happening. Soon the doctor feared that this infection could cause damage to her kidneys. So by the time she was two years old, my husband and I had to make some serious decisions.
We could keep her on the antibiotics and hope she would outgrow the illness with minimal damage. Or, she could have surgery. There were risks either way.
Keeping her on antibiotics for a long period of time could make them less effective if she got future illnesses. Plus, we had to consider the risk of her kidneys being damaged. Then there was surgery—which had risks all it's own.
Faced with a decision that required wisdom beyond us, I kept thinking, "There's got to be an easier way."
At times the road before me seems long, steep and challenging. I can feel lost. Uncertain. Afraid. Sometimes I'm not sure I have the strength for the journey.
It's in those times that God wants me to remember I'm not traveling alone. He is my ever-present guide. He knows where the road leads. He can see what lies ahead. And that's not all.
God also knows my concerns. He knows what I feel. The pain I cannot explain to someone else ... God knows. The fear of the unknown—He knows. And He offers me Himself.
Perhaps you feel overwhelmed today. You may be experiencing some sadness, loss or worry. You may find that God has called you to a difficult path. "Surely," you think, "God has an easier road for me to travel."
The truth is, we aren't wise enough to assume another path would be best for us. Maybe the easier road won't make us into the person God intends us to be.
Perhaps the difficult road is a path of grace—protecting us from the worst.
Maybe this road is about learning something new about God or ourselves. Could it be the difficult journey is the path that prepares us for a greater purpose or a greater faith in God?
After much prayer, we felt led to have the surgery. It went well. Our daughter was able to come off her medicine and live a healthy life!
So, what did I learn? Out of all the possible paths, God knows the best path. Our key verse reminds us, "His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts." Because of this, we can take the path God has laid out for us today. We can trust, and not fear, in His infinite wisdom and love. And we can be certain that God will never lead us down the wrong road.
Dear Lord, because You will never lead me down the wrong road, I can trust You when I need to make decisions about my family, my career, and my health. Thank You for Your wisdom and guidance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog for a list of scriptures about the many ways God leads us.
Discover a faith stronger than all your fear in Micca Campbell's book, An Untroubled Heart.
For more encouragement, click "Like" on our Facebook page.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
God sees a million other connections to your situation than you do. Therefore, He knows the best path to take.
Seek His guidance through prayer, a godly friend, counselor, and in His Word. Watch for a reoccurring answer marked by peace. Then choose to walk that path.
Power Verse:
Psalms 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (NIV)
© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 29, 2012
A Sparkling Confession
Rachel Olsen
"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." - Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)
I slipped the ring with the garnet colored glass onto my young finger. My hands clasped behind my back as my mom and I exited the store and climbed in our station wagon.
Once in the car with my mom's eyes on the road, I laid my hands in my lap and began admiring my new ring.
On some level I knew it was wrong because I didn't ask Mom if I could have it. And I surely didn't pay for it — I was only five. But it was my parents' store I took it from. Didn't that also make it mine? And it was my birthstone — it practically had my name on it.
Apparently age five is not too young to rationalize.
It's also not too young an age to learn about integrity.
I have often heard it said that integrity is what you do when no one is watching.
When no one was watching, I stole a ring.
My mom noticed the ring on my finger and asked me where I'd gotten it. I think I told her my friend had given it to me. She knew better. But she didn't say so yet.
Instead, she told me that if I refused to tell the truth she, and others, wouldn't be able to trust me. And she told me that if I didn't confess and correct my mistakes when I realized them, I'd feel awful with guilt. She gently warned me that ignoring that guilt would eventually harden my heart.
I asked my mom to turn the car around because I needed to go back to the store. When we arrived, she didn't let me quietly put the ring back on the display. She instructed me to tell the lady working the register what I'd done, and apologize.
I was torn. Part of me wanted to come clean. But part of me didn't want this lady to think less of me for stealing. I loved visiting our store—all the employees treated me so well. They cooed over me, complimenting my dresses and dimples. They gave me mints or gum from their purses.
I feared confessing would cost me their favor.
Billy Graham once said:
"Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost."
Proverbs 11:3 says it this way, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
I nervously set the ring on the counter and told the clerk I'd taken it earlier. She furrowed her brow and told me that was wrong, and never to do that again.
Then she smiled, reached down, picked me up, and told me that stolen things lose their sparkle, but that an honest girl never would.
My five-year-old heart wanted to be the kind of girl that sparkles. (And my grown-up heart hasn't changed much.)
If yours does too, pre-decide today to do the right thing. To tell the truth. To flee from temptation. To be modest, or to be gracious, and to never steal.
Although it may be hard—it may even seem to cost us something—integrity will guide us safely. Jesus said it will also allow us to see God (Matthew 5:8). And it will ultimately help us to shine.
Dear Lord, I want to shine with integrity. I want a pure heart that readily sees You. And I want You to be pleased when You look at my heart. Forgive my sins and help me walk in a manner worthy of my status as Your daughter. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog today for more on the value of confession and its role in your walk with God.
For more on how confession and integrity restores our sparkle and vitality, see chapter 10 of It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen. This resource with Bible study questions at chapters' ends makes a great book for a women's small group study.
Reflect and Respond:
What recent wrong do you need to confess, apologize for, or make amends for today?
What do you need to pre-decide today?
Journal your confession and decision.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 20:7, 11, "The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him! Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright." (ESV)
Proverbs 12:22, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." (NIV)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 30, 2012
When You Feel Like You're Not Enough
Renee Swope
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12 NIV)
I had that awful yucky feeling of not being enough ... not smart enough or good enough. For weeks I felt inadequate and incompetent about everything–from the way I parented to the way I served God in ministry to the way I organized my time and my life.
I had begged God to take away my feelings of insecurity. Though He didn't answer the way I hoped, He showed me what I needed to see in the most unexpected way.
One afternoon, I was putting on make-up in my bathroom when I noticed a huge nine-foot shadow on the wall behind me. And as I stood there looking at the humongous shadow, it dawned on me: all of my insecurities were creating a huge shadow over my soul–a shadow of doubt.
That day in my bathroom, I came to two important realizations. First, I could only see the shadow when I turned away from the light. And second, I was creating the shadow by blocking the light from the wall.
Shadows are created all around us when something blocks light, and so it is with the shadow of doubt.
When we focus our thoughts on ourselves and how inadequate we feel, or what others think about us and how we're performing, we cast a shadow of doubt in our minds by blocking the light of God's Truth in our hearts.
But we were not designed to block the light. We were created to live in the Light by focusing on what God thinks about us instead of what we think about ourselves.
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12b NIV) When we follow Jesus closely and completely in our thoughts, turning away from doubts and lies, we can find lasting security and confidence in Him.
That afternoon, I realized my self-doubt wasn't going to just go away. I had to purposefully shift my focus from my feelings of inadequacy to God's promises of His all-sufficiency and grace in my life.
I had to choose to focus on truth {the Light} so I could exchange my feelings of low self-confidence with lasting "God-fidence."
Feeling paralyzed and stuck in a place of insecurity is not where God intends for us to live. When Jesus spoke to the people in John 8:12, He called them out of darkness.
Now He's calling you - to step of out of the shadows of doubt so that you can become the God-fident women He created you to be. A woman whose assurance and soul-security is found in what He says and thinks about her.
And, the next time you feel your heart dwelling in the shadow of self-doubt, ask God to replace your lack of self-confidence with lasting soul-confidence as you turn towards the Light and focus your thoughts on His truths:
When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN. "'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.'" (Isa. 43:10a NIV)
When you feel unstable, God says: You are ABLE. "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab. 3:19 NIV)
When you feel unworthy, God says: You are PRECIOUS and LOVED. "... you are precious and honored in my sight, and ... I love you." (Isa. 43:4a NIV)
Dear Lord, You say I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me believe that and live beyond the shadows of my doubts as I follow and focus on the Light of Your truth today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In her book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises, Renee helps you see how self-doubt overshadows your heart and how it can hold you back from all God has for you! Then she equips you to overcome your doubts and live with lasting confidence in ways you never thought possible. Click here to find out more.
Sign up for a week's worth of FREE Confident Heart devotions here.
Visit Renee's website for a FREE printable of her "When You feel...God says" statements and promises she listed in today's devotion and others from her book, A Confident Heart. Also, enter to win her "Lasting Confidence" giveaway too!
Reflect and Respond:
"I had to choose to focus on truth {the Light} so I could exchange my feelings of low self-confidence with lasting "God-fidence."
What are your most common thoughts of self-doubt? How do they make you feel? (inadequate, uncertain, indecisive, etc.) Click here for a list of more promises truths to replace them.
Power Verse:
Romans 8:6, "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace ..." (NASB)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 31, 2012
A Quiet Place to Rest
Karen Ehman
"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" Mark 6:31 (NIV)
"I want honey in my tea! And a lemon slice too! Oh, and can I use great-grandma's teacup, pretty please? I'll be careful," my then five-year-old daughter sweetly begged.
We were enjoying our afternoon mother-daughter ritual while her two baby brothers napped. Each day we pulled out china teacups and saucers from my collection and slowly sipped herbal tea while I read a book out loud to her.
This afternoon, however, she was asking permission to use an heirloom piece that had been passed down through four generations in my mother's family. While I knew my baby girl was grown up enough to be careful with the antique pink and white china cradled in her little hands, something else made me deny her request. I tried explaining it to her.
"Sweetheart, I know you'll be careful, but we can't have hot tea in that cup. It has cracks. See?"
I showed her a few tiny, hairline fractures on the side near the handle. It wasn't cracked all the way through and could actually still hold water without leaking. However, if hot liquid were to be poured into it, the crack would give way, causing the petite cup to shatter. (Been there. Broke that!)
There was just no way for the fractured piece to withstand the stress of a steaming beverage.
Our emotional lives are much the same. When we do not allow time to rest and regroup from the stresses of life, we allow cracks in our spirit that make us emotionally and spiritually fragile. We keep going at break-neck speeds, rarely slowing down long enough to be refreshed.
Today's key verse highlights the fact that even Jesus Himself found it important to get away for a while; to slow down and cease activity. He urged His disciples to get to a quiet place. In doing so they would find rest. Being alone and quiet would help keep them whole.
In our fast-paced society we rarely get to sit in a quiet place. Televisions blare. Computers sound out webcasts. iPods and MP3s crank out music at times when we could be seeking solace.
As a result, stress chisels away, creating tiny cracks that although barely visible to the eye, could cause us to shatter under the heat and pressures of everyday life.
Let's purpose to take time this week to slow down, get away, and rest. To find solitude in a hushed and holy place alone with our Savior, even if only for an hour or two.
If we make time to answer Jesus' call to go away with Him to a quiet place, we can crack-proof our spirits, making them strong and rendering us ready to handle life. A few quiet moments spent with Him can help mend cracks, renewing and making us to be vessels strong enough to be used by Him.
Dear Lord, help me to intentionally carve out time this week to reconnect with You in a quiet spot. I know You are waiting. I want to seek Your face and find true rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For "5 Steps to Quiet" and a tea-themed giveaway, visit Karen's blog.
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses, but we simply can't. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Remember a time when you got away for a time of rest and quiet. What did it do for you emotionally?
Why don't we get alone or seek a quiet place more often? List some things, people, or activities that prevent us from doing so. Now, make plans to seek a quiet time soon. Write it on your calendar and keep your appointment with God.
Power Verse:
Matthew 7:25, "The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. (HCSB)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 1, 2012
I Want to Run Away
Lysa TerKeurst
"If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him—then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you." Deuteronomy 11:22-23 (NIV)
One of the worst feelings in the world to me is feeling stuck.
Stuck in a situation where I can't see things getting better. I look at the next 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, and all I see are the same hard patterns being repeated over and over.
I try to give myself a pep talk and tap into that part of me that chooses to see the bright side. But it isn't there.
Life suddenly feels like it will forever be this way.
And a dark funk eclipses me.
This happened to me when my two oldest daughters were babies. Hope was not quite 16 months old when Ashley was born. I was thankful for these two amazing gifts. I loved them very much.
But there was this other side of motherhood no one talked to me about beforehand. It never came up at my baby shower or a doctor's appointment or in conversations with other mommies.
In the midst of all the pink happiness, the dark funk came.
This desperate feeling that life would forever be an endless string of sleepless nights. Leaky diapers. Needy cries.
Forever.
One night I went to the drug store. I pulled into a parking space right in front of the restaurant beside the store and stared inside. There were normal people in there. Laughing. Eating. Having fun conversations. They had on cute outfits and fixed hair-dos.
I looked at my reflection in the rear view mirror and I cried, thinking, this is my life. Forever.
Suddenly I had this crazy desire to run away. Far away.
And then guilt slammed into my fragile heart and I convinced myself God was going to punish me for feeling this way and take one of my babies. Smite me for being so stinkin' selfish.
I cried until I could hardly breathe.
I thought about this recently when I started feeling stuck in a different situation that seemed so big and made me so sad. I felt myself on the edge of that dark funk thinking this is the way it's going to be forever.
But then I remembered that night crying in my car. Those days of diapers and no sleep weren't forever. It was a season that came and went. And this would play out that way too.
It's the rhythm of life. The ebb and flow of struggles and victories.
I closed my eyes and whispered, "Are You here God? Hold me. Breathe courage into my weak will. Help me."
And in that moment I realized all that God ever wants from me is to want Him. Love Him. Acknowledge Him.
In the midst of struggles. In the midst of victories. "God, I don't love this situation. But I love You. Therefore, I have everything I need to keep putting one foot in front of the other until I get to the other side of this."
"If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him—then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you." (Deut. 11:22-23 NIV)
I love how this scripture says, "hold fast" to the Lord. The dark funk makes me want to hold slow. Make God the last thing when I'm stumbling and falling. But if I close my eyes and simply whisper, "God ...," at the utterance of His Name He "dispossess" things trying to possess me.
Then I can see this is a season. This isn't how it's going to be forever. Though my circumstances may not change today, my outlook surely can. And if my mind can rise above, my heart gets unstuck.
Dear Lord, thank You for being so loving and understanding even in my weakest moments. Help me see that no matter how big or small, You are in control of all situations. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
One of the best things we can do when we feel stuck is get together with others and study God's Word. Why not consider Lysa's new Small Group / Bible study curriculum, Unglued?
For more information on the Unglued book, click here.
For more information on the Unglued 6 week DVD and participant's workbook, click here.
Also, visit Lysa's blog today to read "3 Ways to Go from Being Overpowered to Empowered."
Reflect and Respond:
Write the key verse and power verse down in your journal or on a notecard.
When you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, read these verses and remember to hold fast to God. He is waiting for You to call out to Him.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 2, 2012
When You Face Trials
Suzie Eller
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3 (NIV)
I planted them at the same time. In the same way. With the same tender love and care. Every time I watered one, I watered the other. Everything was the same ... almost.
One red begonia flower was planted between a crepe myrtle tree and a hydrangea bush, tucked under the protection of the sloping roof. The other flower was planted next to the concrete sidewalk and had no shelter from the pounding rain or scorching sun.
At the end of the summer I was surprised by what I saw.
The little flower tucked under the tree and bush, with just the right amount of filtered sunlight and water, had not grown.
Not one inch.
It was still beautiful, but absolutely nothing had changed from the day I placed it in the ground.
However, the begonia exposed to the elements was at least six times larger. Deep green leaves were cupped as if to receive nourishing drops of water. Red flowers clustered in every direction, and the broad plant was beautiful against the plain concrete sidewalk.
As I stood looking at those two ruby red begonias, I saw us.
In the past three months life has brought many trials our way. A family member in a health crisis. Aging parents with new and unfamiliar challenges. Each need piles on top of the other weighing heavy on our hearts because we can't fix them, or make them go away. We didn't see these things coming, and at times we aren't sure what to do.
During this difficult season, we have learned to trust God in the flooding rain. And we have discovered that storms don't alarm Him. In these times when we don't know when things will be easier, He's been our anchor, holding fast until the skies clear.
Maybe it would be nice to live a sheltered life with just the right amount of rain, and just the right amount of sun, protected by a gentle sloping roof. Sounds good, doesn't it?
But James 1:2-3 encourages us to count it a joy when we face trials. Because we grow.
As we come toward what we hope is the end of our hard season, we have discovered what it means to trust God and find Him faithful.
We have learned what it means to hold our hands, cupped open, to receive nourishment from on high.
Trials will come. But when they pass, if we have held tight to God, we'll find we have grown, deeply rooted in faith, stronger than before.
And when things get really tough, let's remind each other that on the other side of this trial are beautiful buds of endurance that bloomed under His faithful care.
Dear Lord, this trial is hard but today I see it as another opportunity to grow in You. Thank You that You never change. You are faithful even when life is uncertain. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring a message of hope and endurance to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie's blog to download a PDF of scriptures to pray when you are in a trial.
Join Suzie on her Facebook Live Free page for a daily scripture, to-do, and encouragement tip to help you live free.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
It's important to nurture yourself spiritually when you are in a trial. Unfortunately this is a time that we often isolate or retreat, even from God. This leaves you vulnerable to discouragement.
Find a quiet, welcoming place. Shut out distractions (I put on my favorite worship music). Meditate on Scripture. Talk honestly with God about your trial.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV)
1 Peter 1:7, "These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (NIV)
© 2012 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 5, 2012
The Bitter Root
Wendy Blight
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." - Hebrews 12:15 (NIV 1984)
Anger welled within me. How dare she ask this of me ... of us? I reread her email, which only fueled my fury. Rather than reply immediately, I decided to forward it to my husband for his advice. Any words I would have written to her directly would have been unkind.
I poured out my "how dare she" thoughts. Bitterness took root as I typed and typed, spewing all my pent up frustration. When I finished, I reviewed my message with great satisfaction. I'd expressed myself well in a safe place to a safe person. Then I pressed send.
In that moment, I glanced at the "to" box. I could not believe my eyes! Instead of hitting "forward," I'd hit "reply." My heart sank. All my hurtful words, all my vented anger, were in route to her, not my husband.
I felt sick. Never had I experienced the myriad of emotions that filled my heart.
What should I do? I called my husband and asked for his wisdom. We both agreed that I needed to email her, explain what happened, and ask forgiveness. It was the hardest email I've ever written.
Her gracious response astounded me. She thanked me for my apology and ended with these words, "I forgive you, so let's just put this behind us."
Tears streamed down my cheeks as her words of forgiveness melted the bitterness that had consumed my heart just an hour before.
I'm sure she was hurt. My words were harsh. Yet she chose to overlook and pardon my offense.
It's easy to forget that when we've been offended, we have two choices. We can go to God and surrender our hurt, or we can resist God and hold on to the hurt. We can extend grace or harbor bitterness.
Bitterness is like poison that infects every area of our lives. The author of Hebrews compares bitterness to a root that overtakes our hearts and causes trouble not only in the infected area but also in many other areas of our lives. (Hebrews 12:15 NIV 1984)
And although our feelings of bitterness, anger and unforgiveness may seem justified, they are not. Instead, they're often hurtful and destructive, to us and the person who hurt our feelings.
God's Word teaches us to choose forgiveness and instructs us not to let the sun go down while we are angry. When we do, we give the devil a place to work in our hearts and in our relationships.
Instead of allowing the enemy any room to grow between us, my friend chose forgiveness, extended grace and prevented a bitter root from taking hold.
She became a living example of the grace expressed in Ephesians 4:32 which says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV 1984) Her wise example helped me move beyond my initial reaction of anger to her email.
My friend's gracious decision to forgive prevented Satan from dividing our friendship. It also modeled humility. Her choice to forgive has changed how my heart will react toward others who offend me. From that day forward, I have prayed for God's grace, not bitterness, to flow through me.
Dear Lord, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any bitterness in me. Lead me to forgiveness, enable me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to let go of all bitterness and extend Your amazing grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Join Wendy for her newest online Bible study, "Living So That: Our Call to Action." The study begins November 13th and will give you a fresh perspective on how you read God's living and active Word. Click here for details and to sign up!
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Is there someone in your life against whom you harbor unforgiveness? Take a step toward extending forgiveness. Maybe your first step is to pray; maybe it's a letter, or maybe it's a phone call.
Prayerfully ask God what your next step is. Ask Him to equip you with everything you need to forgive. He will be faithful!
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 4:26-27, "'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 7, 2012
November 6, 2012
More Than Crumbs
Tracie Miles
"Give us today our daily bread." - Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
As I sat on the beach enjoying the sunrise I watched a few seagulls wander aimlessly, looking lost and confused. I wondered why there were so few, considering the normal flocks that swarm overhead filling the air with screeching cries.
Then I realized they had no reason to be on the beach, much less to be excited or active. There were no people around to generate crumbs.
I'm pretty sure seagulls can smell potato chip crumbs a mile away. They stay at a distance until they think someone has something they want. Then they come running, or should I say dive bombing. Even if no birds are in sight, one tiny crumb falls on the sand and suddenly dozens of seagulls swoop down out of nowhere.
Memories of hungry seagulls interrupting our picnics at the beach made me chuckle until I felt God whisper to my spirit: Sometimes Tracie, you are just like those seagulls.
In Matthew 6, Jesus shares with His disciples how to pray, in what is commonly referred to as the Lord's Prayer.
Today's key verse is taken from the middle of the Lord's Prayer. In it Jesus reminds His disciples to stay in close union with Him through prayer, because He knows they need the spiritual nourishment and physical necessities only He can provide. Jesus calls His disciples to seek Him and trust His provision for their daily needs.
Unfortunately, there are times I don't follow this wisdom and instruction. I may go days or weeks, aimlessly wandering like those seagulls on a deserted beach — flying through my tasks and routines, without consciously seeking God.
But as soon as something happens that makes me mad, sad, worried, frustrated, discouraged, or stressed, I fly straight to God. Swooping in out of nowhere, I dive bomb into His presence. Expectantly, I wait for Him to give me a profound thought or an answer to prayer. In essence, to toss me some crumbs of spiritual encouragement.
Unlike a seagull who seeks temporary satisfaction from random crumbs, I want to be consumed with a spiritual hunger that's never satisfied. A hunger that pains me if I fail to get a daily portion of God's wisdom, love and guidance. A hunger that when met, replaces my discouragement, worry and stress.
I don't want to live with a seagull mentality, being satisfied with mere crumbs. Instead I want to enjoy the fullness of God's presence and a constant supply of His Word each and every day. What about you?
Dear Lord, forgive me for not seeking You daily. I ask for Your physical provision and spiritual nourishment to get me through every day. Help me develop an insatiable desire for Your Word and to spend time with You in prayer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Tracie's blog to find out how she made getting a daily portion of God a priority and enter to win a free MP3 of her conference message, Staying Afloat in a Sea of Stress.
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
The One Year Chronological Bible
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out how to bring Tracie's Stress-Less Conference to the women of your church.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been putting God on the back burner, and then dive bombing for spiritual crumbs when life gets rough?
How can you begin to make God a priority, and seek Him daily for your every need?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (NIV)
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel: :angel:
Me and My Mama Mouth
Karen Ehman
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26 (ESV)
When I'm trying to control someone or some situation, I've noticed I have a little trouble controlling my tongue.
For instance, the other day the dishes needed to be done. If I'd been the one at the sink, I'd have washed them in the proper sequence I learned in Home Economics class—from least to most soiled. Instead, my son, a smart preteen, was up to the challenge.
He didn't give me an attitude when asked to do the dishes. He wasn't disrespectful, didn't drag his feet, and was doing the job. So why was I tempted to tell him in a harsh tone he was doing it wrong?
Because he was failing to do it my way.
He started with the grimy pots and pans, then moved to the plates and silverware. Finally, he had to bubble up more water to spit-shine the glasses last. While working he lolly-gagged, trying to stack some plastic cups in a pyramid.
As I watched his unconventional ways, I could feel irritation welling up inside. An unkind reaction was itching to come out; one that was not tempered with the Holy Spirit. If I had not caught myself, I could have easily let my momma mouth take over and blurted out:
"What are you doing? Don't you know it uses way more water to wash the dishes in that order? Plus the water is filthy now!"
"Stop playing stack-up with those cups. Ugh! Why do you always have to play while you work? You're so slow."
What was really going on? I wanted to be a control freak and fire off words that would have conveyed unspoken thoughts.
I think the only way to do the dishes is my way.
I see different as wrong.
I interpret a preteen being a preteen, with a slight distraction of fun, as "slow."
Any time I unload on junior (or anyone for that matter), it has the potential to damage our relationship and plant seeds in his mind of his mom's view of him, whether verbalized or implied (lazy, wasteful, distracted, and slow). It does not, as today's key verse states, come close to resembling a woman who "opens her mouth with wisdom and speaks with kindness on her tongue."
This does not make for a happy home and I've come to know that it's better if these scenarios go down much differently.
So let's back up the minivan and replay that scene again with a fresh dose of perspective and a God-honoring, Spirit-controlled response in keeping with Proverbs 31:26.
As I see my son doing the dishes in an illogical order, I can make a mental note to myself to explain a way to do it next time that will save water, money, and time. When done, I can praise his efforts, keeping in mind his age and abilities.
I can intentionally point out particulars in his unique method. "I saw the clever way you stacked those dishes. You always make work fun. I wish I were more like you."
I can mentally ask myself questions that will empower me to maintain calm emotions and keep my "mama mouth" in check. Like ...
Does it matter now or will it matter tomorrow?
Will it affect eternity?
Is God trying to teach ME something? If so, what?
Can I pause and praise instead of interrupt and instigate?
Is there really an issue here that needs addressing with my child?
Am I just being a control freak and need to let it go?
The interaction would be a learning experience for both of us. It wouldn't damage, it would nurture. It would be wise. Kind. And there would be no lost time, no regrets, and no need to call in the United Nations peace-keeping forces for intervention.
This mama would be less control freakish and more Proverbs 31 womanish. It might not come easily—trust me it usually doesn't—but with the Holy Spirit, it is possible.
We can learn to speak with godly wisdom and kindness. And then there won't be any need for duct tape for the ole' mama mouth!
Dear Lord, may I purpose to temper my words with Your Holy Spirit as I interact with my family today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you liked this devotion, check out Karen's new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith. It will enable you to control what you should and trust God with what you can't. Click here for more information.
Visit Karen's blog for a Wisdom & Kindness giveaway and enter to win a copy of her new book, LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen Ehman as your next retreat or keynote speaker.
Reflect and Respond:
Which of the above questions do you most need to ask yourself when you are tempted to over-control and, as a result, use unkind words?
How will you respond differently the next time you are about to speak in an unwise or unkind manner?
Power Verse:
Psalm 139:4 "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether." (ESV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel: :angel: :angel:
November 8, 2012
The Rip Current of People-Pleasing
Lysa TerKeurst
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Bring up the phrase "people-pleasing" in a group of women and the responses are interesting. Most will quickly say they struggle with this to some degree. Those that say they don't struggle with people-pleasing eventually admit before the conversation is over that it's present in at least one of their relationships.
People-pleasing is something we seem kind of resigned to having to deal with rather than determined to overcome.
Why is that?
We all want to be liked. There's nothing wrong with that. But as we travel the path toward love and acceptance let's take a look at two of the possible motivations behind people-pleasing.
One motivation is to give love out of the kindness of our heart. In giving love we feel love. That's good.
Another motivation is to give to others out of what we hope to get in return-love. In getting love from what we do, we feel desperate to do more to get more. That's dangerous.
It's the second way that gets us into trouble with people-pleasing. It's not wrong to want to make others feel loved, happy, and pleased. But if we are doing it with the motivation of getting things in return, we will set ourselves up for trouble. Being in a constant state of trying to get love by doing more and more will lead to exhaustion.
Exhaustion for the giver. Exhaustion for the taker. Exhaustion in the relationship all together.
Ephesians 5:8-10 says, "... for at one time you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." (ESV)
I like the explanation of what the fruit or evidence is of us walking as children of light — doing what is good, right, and true — as we discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
I am challenged to make this a filter for the decisions I'm making today. You see, I know I'm in the rip current of people-pleasing when I dread saying yes but feel powerless to say no.
If I'm seeking to please the Lord, I will ask some questions before agreeing to do something for another person: Am I doing this with good motives, right intentions, and true expectations?
Or am I doing this with:
Fearful motives ... They might not like me if I say no.
Skewed intentions ... If I do this for them will they be more likely to do that for me?
Unrealistic expectations ... I just know if I give a little more, they'll affirm me and I'm desperate for their affirmation.
Wherever we focus our attention the most will become the driving force in our lives.
The more I focus on trying to figure out how to please people, the more of a magnified force people-pleasing will become in my life. The more I focus on trying to figure out how to please God, the more of a magnified force He will become in my life.
My focus. My choice.
Dear Lord, help me break away from my people-pleasing tendencies. Guide me in my daily decisions as I battle fearful motives, skewed intentions, and unrealistic expectations. I want to make You the focus, Father, so that You continue to become the magnified force in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you have some relatives that make holidays challenging? Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times Bestseller, Unglued, is a wonderful book to guide you in interacting with them. Click here for your copy.
Make time to focus on the Lord through study. A great resource to help you is the Unglued DVD and Participant's Guide. Click here to pick up your copy today.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you experienced the cycle of doing more to get more?
Search your heart and ask, What are my motives? Am I seeking to please people or God in this situation? You may need to place healthy boundaries in your relationships with others so that you can learn when to say "yes" and when to say "no."
Power Verse:
1 Thessalonians 2:4, "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 9, 2012
An Unaccepting Heart
Wendy Pope
"Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalm 32:2 (NIV 1984)
I spent many years regretting sins from my past; sins that had hurt others and myself. Day after day I would replay my decisions. Two decades later, the sting of past sin still had a hold on me.
Yet I knew God had forgiven me; I'd asked Him to. So why couldn't I accept the freedom of His forgiveness?
I wanted so badly to believe I was the person David mentions in Psalm 32:2, "Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit."Yet I struggled with accepting that God's grace could erase my sin, wiping it away as if it never happened.
I think for many of us, this is hard to do. It sounds all well and good, but in reality we are still carrying the weight of sin we can't seem to forget or forgive ourselves for.
Yet, His Word assures us that God does not count our sin against us. So how can we live in this truth?
I've discovered through our key verse that the first step is acknowledging our sins: to ourselves and to God. Confession reconciles our heart with God's heart.
The next thing is to begin filling our heart and mind with truth. Throughout the Bible, God teaches how an unaccepting heart can be changed and softened to accept His forgiveness. The following verses are truths from a loving God who longs to transform our lives through the grace of His forgiveness.
My God doesn't condemn.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NIV)
My master is grace not sin.
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." Romans 6:14 (NIV 1984)
My Savior Jesus has set me free, therefore I am free.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36 (NIV)
My old is gone; because of Jesus Christ I am new.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV 1984)
Are you lugging a load of sin that God has already forgiven and forgotten? Are you ready to stop living in shame, shackled by regret? Life is too short to exchange the freedom of grace for the bondage of our unbelief.
Today, let's allow God to wash the hurt and regret from past sins away with the transforming power of His truth. And let's pray for an accepting heart that lives in the freedom of God's grace and forgiveness.
Dear Lord, by faith I accept Your forgiveness and refuse to be a slave to forgiven sin any longer. Today, I confess and move on! I commit to believing Your transforming truths to live fully and freely in Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy's website to hear a video message about living out the transforming truths shared in today's devotion. Is it easy? No. Is it possible? Yes. Through God all things are possible. Let's talk about it.
Living Free in Christ — a 50 minute audio teaching of Wendy's testimony taught from the book of Joel.
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been unaccepting of God's forgiveness? Spend time talking with God and allowing yourself to accept and live in the freedom of forgiveness.
Use index cards to make several copies of the transforming truths above. Place a copy in your purse, car, Bible, desk, and other places you often go. Read them as long as it takes to experience the blessed life David speaks of in Psalm 32:2.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 1:18. "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (NIV 1984)
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 12, 2012
Turning Bad Days into Good Days
LeAnn Rice
"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night..." Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV)
As a widow with a child, I have experienced many "bad days" in the last fifteen years.
Some days, I thought I wouldn't make it another 24 hours without some help. Other times, all I could find to be grateful for was that I actually got myself out of bed.
The sadness loomed over me and cast a dark shadow over my attitude and mood. I knew I didn't want to, or couldn't, live like that forever. Something had to change.
Scripture has the best remedy for us to help overcome the dark days. Psalm 92:1-2 tells us that "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night..." (NIV)
Over the years I took this verse to heart and made an effort to praise the Lord for the blessings each day held. Moment by moment I forced myself to count the big and small gifts I had and eventually, I started to see them all around me.
Do you need to see some "good" right now because you're going through a challenging time? Or do you also struggle to notice the simple blessings in the midst of your hectic days?
Here are some tangible ways to purposefully see God's blessings, His goodness and His steadfast love - even on those "bad" days.
Keep a Blessings Journal
If it's a rough day, I read my Blessings Journal. Each night before I go to bed, I record several ways I noticed God's love and faithfulness to me that day. Rereading the journal refocuses my thoughts toward God, instead of my hard situation.
Make a Good Night Blessings Journal
When it's time to tuck your kids in at night, ask them to tell you one good thing about their day and write it in their journals. This ends their day on a positive note and gets them in the habit of praising the Lord too.
Create a Blessings Chain
Cut up strips of construction paper, write down your blessings and praises on the strips and staple them together to form a chain. Place your Blessings Chain somewhere in your home you'll see it often. It's a great conversation piece, and provides the opportunity to share God's goodness with company.
Design a Blessings Box
I keep a Blessing Box in the middle of my kitchen table. Inside are strips of colored paper and a pen. Throughout the year, my son and I write down things we're grateful for and place them inside the box. Together, we read the strips in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Give a Treasury of God's Promises
If you know someone who's going through a difficult time, create a gift box filled with God's promises personalized for them. Imagine them opening the box and reading this note, "My plan for your future, Gabriel, is filled with hope" or "Give thanks to the LORD, Jackie, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"
Raising a child as a single parent hasn't always been easy. There have been weeks and even months that have been "bad." But as I've chosen to praise God for the good, the bad days turn around. Today, let's begin to look for the blessings He's given us and praise Him for them.
Dear Lord, please turn our "bad" days into praise. And help us notice Your blessings all around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Greatest Blessing?
LeAnn Rice is the co-author of Untangling Christmas, an eBook filled with recipes, organization and gift ideas, tangible outreach projects and ways to seek our Savior during the holiday.
For a free template with 100 of God's Promises ready for you to customize into a one-of-a-kind treasury as the perfect gift for a friend or family member, go to www.SheCooks.organd click on "Resources."
For more encouragement from LeAnn Rice and her team of friends, stop by A Widow's Might.
Reflect and Respond:
Notice three blessings today that yesterday you would've missed.
Do you know someone who is going through a rough time and needs some encouragement? Right now, decide to do one practical thing to support them.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 2:12, "But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us." (CEV)
Proverbs 10:22, "The LORD's blessing enriches, and struggle adds nothing to it." (HCSB)
© 2012 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 13, 2012
Find and Replace
Karen Ehman
"... throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT)
There's a nifty editing tool on my computer called "find and replace." It allows me to locate an existing word and exchange it for one more suited to the meaning of my sentence.
At times I wish I had such a feature on my brain; a "find and replace" option that would help me keep my thoughts in a healthy place and in line with God's Word. Especially when it comes to setting my own agenda and getting my own way. (Better known as selfishness.)
Even though I can't press a button and instantly swap out my old thoughts for new ones, I can still apply this "find and replace" process to my sometimes-selfish line of thinking.
When tempted to throw a pity party with only ourselves on the guest list—because let's face it, no one fancies the company of a whiner—let's replace our negative notions with insight from God's Word.
Here are some "find and replace" examples to help pull a selfishness switch-a-roo. When we find ourselves thinking one of the thoughts listed in bold, let's replace it with what God says in the verse that directly follows it.
"If I don't look out for myself, who will?"
"What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7 NLT)
"What about my rights?"
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." (Philippians 2:5-7a NLT)
"I'm entitled to my opinion."
"Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.'" (1 Peter 3:9-11 NLT)
"I gotta look out for number one."
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:3-5 ESV)
"Who cares about them? It's all about me."
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." (Philippians 1:9-11 NLT)
"But what about what I want?"
"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians 5:10 NLT)
How about it? Could your thought patterns benefit from some "find and replace" therapy? It is sure to center our minds on God and, as a result, make our relationship with Him—as well as with others—healthier, happier and whole. Let's pursue an unselfish and God-pleasing attitude. Find and replace.
Dear Lord, at those times I'm tempted by selfishness, may I align my thinking with Your will and Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We're celebrating the release of Karen Ehman's new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith. It will empower and equip you to control what you should and trust God with what you can't. Click here for more information.
Visit Karen's blog for more encouragement on this topic and to enter to win a signed copy of LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen Ehman as your next retreat or keynote speaker.
Reflect and Respond:
Why is it so easy to let our thoughts and resulting actions be selfish in nature?
Was there a time when you intentionally chose to not be selfish even though you wanted to be? What happened?
Power Verse:
James 3:16: "For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. (HCSB)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 14, 2012
Sometimes I Have to Boss My Heart Around
Renee Swope
"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—" Psalm 103:1-2 (NIV)
I caught my heart heading to a pit of discouragement for spring break. It was supposed to go to the beach with my family and me, but it was not cooperating.
We had been hit by one emotional and financial crisis after another. A close friend learned that, after a year's worth of abdominal pain, extreme fatigue, and an undiagnosed illness, she had a large tumor that appeared to be ovarian cancer.
Then our upstairs air conditioner broke, again. And that same week, we found out our international adoption expenses would not apply as a deduction that year, which meant we owed significantly more on taxes than we anticipated. Yet our savings had been poured into our adoption and our air conditioning systems.
My mind was divided. My spirit was depleted. And my body was exhausted.
I couldn't stop worrying about my friend. I couldn't stop thinking about our finances. How was I supposed to rest and relax with all we had going on?
Although I had packed my bags for the beach, my heart had decided it wasn't in the mood for vacation. It was marching straight toward the pit.
But as much as I didn't want to go on vacation, I knew I didn't want to dwell in a place of despair or pull my family in with me. It wasn't part of God's plans—nor mine.
Eventually I realized I was going to have to boss my heart around!
King David was really good at telling his heart and soul what to do. In Psalm 103 he said: "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name" (vs. 1). I decided to follow his example. In the midst of my turmoil and troubles, I told my soul to praise the Lord.
Now this wasn't a superficial "say your bedtime prayers" talk to my soul. No, this was a deep-down, preach it to my inmost being, "GOD IS GOOD no matter what your feelings are telling you" sermon. I bossed my heart with Truth and pulled it away from the pit by telling myself to "forget not ALL his benefits" (Ps. 103:2).
Then I walked my heart down memory lane, reminding it of the One who:
Forgives all [my] sins and heals all [my] diseases,
who redeems [my] life from the pit
and crowns [me] with love and compassion,
who satisfies [my] desires with good things
so that [my] youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Ps. 103:3-5 NIV)
No matter what the answer was to my friend's diagnosis, or how costly our air conditioner was going to be, or how much we owed on taxes—my soul needed to praise the Lord. My heart needed me to ...
Remember Who He is.
Thank Him for what He had done in the past.
Trust Him for what He would do in the future.
My circumstances didn't change but my perspective did. By re-directing my thoughts and my focus, I was able to re-direct my emotions. And our spring break wasn't ruined after all.
Every time I was tempted to start worrying about what might be, I used King David's prayer to focus on what was, is, and will forever be-God's faithfulness to walk by my side and navigate my heart through the valleys of life.
Are there circumstances that have pulled you into a place of discouragement? Do you have concerns that are causing your thoughts to head down a path of despair? I pray you won't go there.
Today you can be the boss of your emotions by telling your heart what to do-and if you have to get a little bossy, that's okay too!
Dear Lord, please help me trust You and empower me through Your Spirit to stop my emotions from bossing me around. I want to quit worrying about what might happen and focus on what has already happened by remembering and praising You for Your faithfulness in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was taken in part from Renee's Swope's best-selling book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith, by Karen Ehman, will empower and equip you to control what you should and trust God with what you can't.
Click here to visit Renee's website where she's interviewing Karen Ehman about her new book, LET. IT. GO. and enter to win one of three copies she's giving away!
Reflect and Respond:
Are there concerns that are causing your thoughts to head down a path of despair?
Every time you're tempted to worry about what might be, use King David's prayer to focus on what was, is, and will forever be-God's faithfulness to walk by your side and navigate your heart through the valleys of life.
Power Verse:
Psalm 43:5, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!" (NLT)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 15, 2012
The Place Where Disappointment Grows
Lysa TerKeurst
"They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." Psalm 22:5 (NIV 1984)
The space between our expectations and our reality is a fertile field. And often it's a place where disappointment grows.
When I was in high school, I had a friend whose sister had the coolest hairdo. It was cropped short with straight bangs that fell messy over one eye. She was that older sister who just seemed to have a handle on how to do everything with style.
I somehow decided all of her coolness traced back to her hairdo. Like that was the budding spot from which the life I wanted could sprout.
Yes, that hairdo.
Never mind the fact her hair was thin and obedient. And mine was thick and rebellious.
Never mind that her hair was sleek and straight. And mine was curly at best and frizzy at worst.
Never mind that her bangs fell nicely over her forehead. And mine had a crazy cowlick causing them to grow up, not down.
Yes, never mind reality.
I set my expectation on the highest bar and willed my hair to fall in line.
The hair dresser chopped. And chopped. And chopped. And tried to assure me I now looked JUST like the picture of the older sister.
But that was a lie. I knew it. She knew it.
And oh how the space between my expectation and my new reality grew some serious disappointment. I still have nightmares of that disastrous hairdo where I wake up desperately grabbing at my head to make sure my hair is still there.
But hair grows back. Bad cuts can be fixed in time. That disappointment can be remedied.
Other situations aren't so easy. Maybe you have some space between a current reality and an unfulfilled expectation. If so, I imagine disappointment can be found growing there.
Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (ESV) The Hebrew word for "want" is chacer meaning, "to lack, be without, become empty." So, if the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not become empty. I shall not live in a constant state of disappointment where circumstances leak me dry.
But ... I still do sometimes. And not just with my hair. It's other stuff as well. Important stuff.
So, how do I let the Lord shepherd me so that the gap between my expectations and reality closes? I ask myself these questions when faced with disappointment:
What do I need to learn? Maybe God has an appointment for me in the midst of this disappointment. If God wants me to see, learn, know, or grow in some way while I work through this unmet expectation, I have to be open to hear this from Him.
Many times God shows me a flaw of mine that needs to be addressed. When I am willing to listen to Him, I can more easily adjust my expectations.
Could it be that I'm so concerned with what I don't have, I've forgotten to be thankful for what I do have? Sometimes, it's not that my reality is bad. It's that I created too much space for disappointment to grow by placing my expectations too high.
Is there something I can do to change this situation? If so, I need to ask God for the courage to make changes. If I keep hoping things will get better but don't make any adjustments, that's foolish. The space between my reality and my expectations will only change if I do.
Now back to my high school hair situation. If I ever start flashing pictures of cute pixie hair cuts I'm considering getting, somebody remind me of my high school hair debacle. Please. Pretty please. With a dollop of hair gel on top.
Dear Lord, thank You for turning my disappointments into opportunities for growth and learning. I know that only You can close the gap between my expectations and reality. Guide me in trusting You through every situation, even if I can't understand why it's happening at the time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Is there fertile ground for disappointment between your reality and expectations? If you're not quite sure how to tighten the gap, Lysa TerKeurst's book Unglued will help.
Take it a step further by having a few friends hold you accountable through a small group study of Unglued! Pick up a copy of the DVD and accompanying Participant's Guide.
Read the first chapter of Unglued by clicking here. And watch the first small group session by clicking here and scrolling down to DVD Curriculum.
Reflect and Respond:
How do you typically handle disappointment?
Reflect on the three questions above and write down your answers. This will give you the opportunity to get a better perspective on your own particular situation and the way you handle disappointments.
Power Verses:
Romans 5:2b-5, "... and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 16, 2012
If I Love God, Do I Have to Love People Too?
Glynnis Whitwer
"'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)
Have you ever thought it would be easier to serve God if weren't for people? I mean, people can be so annoying at times.
I wonder if Jesus knew we'd get frustrated with each other. Perhaps that's why He answered the Pharisees' question the way He did.
In Matthew chapter 22:37-40 the Pharisees, religious leaders of that day, asked Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Jesus answered a question the Pharisees didn't ask. They only asked for the greatest commandment, not the second. But Jesus knew one couldn't be done without the other. Obviously He wanted His listeners to consider loving God and loving people as inseparable. But why? Perhaps Jesus knew we would tend toward one or the other.
The truth is, we can love God and neglect loving people. Of course, none of us would admit to that. But I've been guilty of serving God through my commitments at church and then getting annoyed with people, and not showing compassion or kindness towards them.
When I was the director of the children's ministry 20 years ago, I loved the kids, but the volunteers sometimes got on my nerves. Especially when they decided to not show up based on what seemed like a flimsy excuse to me. After all, I was there in spite of being tired, having a headache, etc.
Judgment and a critical spirit crowded out love.
I've also been so busy serving God that I haven't shown sacrificial love towards my family. One of the first signs of being too busy is my diminished capacity to be kind and loving toward them. It happened a lot when my three boys were little and I was trying to keep the same pre-children schedule. I was constantly frustrated and my children did not always experience a patient and loving mother.
On the other hand, we can also love people and neglect our love for God.
We can lower God's standards, minimize His commands, and twist Scripture so as not to offend others. We can ignore how Jesus is the only way to God, because that would exclude so many "good" people from heaven. Yes, it's possible to love people more than we love God.
So what is Jesus saying here? I believe He's saying we must figure out how to do both. First, we must love God through trusting Him, believing in the goodness of His character and obeying His Word-even when we don't understand things.
In doing so, we must be honest about the condition of our hearts and ask God to help us love others well.
I'll be honest, this is hard for me. It is only through daily prayer, dependence on God, and Him working in my heart that I can even attempt to live out what Jesus called the two most important commandments. Even then, on my best day, I feel inadequate.
Thankfully, God never asks me to do anything without offering to help.
His Word sustains and encourages me. The Holy Spirit guides me. And God's love and mercy for me, a most unlovable girl at times, helps keep me mindful of why I love Him so much, and why I should let Him show others that same love through me.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me. You have shown me more love than I deserve. Help me to love You more and love those You've placed in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more of how God has spoken to her through this passage of Scripture.
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst will help you choose a more loving response to others.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Why is it important to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds? Does this make a difference in how we love people?
Do you find yourself leaning towards loving God more than people? Or people more than God? If so, what changes might you need to make in your life?
Power Verse:
Romans 13:8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 19, 2012
Multi-tasking Mayhem
Karen Ehman
"But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, 'You are my God!' My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly." Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT)
"Mom, quick...look at that lady!" My fourteen-year-old son shouted as we were headed down the interstate on an errand-running Thursday afternoon. "She should not be doing that," he added for emphasis.
I glanced over at the car next to us, expecting to see someone without her hands at the ten and two o'clock positions like my by-the-rulebook-boy does when training behind the wheel. Instead, I nearly ran off the road while gawking at what my Driver's Ed patrolman had spotted.
Next to us was a woman cradling her cell phone on her right shoulder; holding an open fast-food salad container in her left hand; ripping open a salad dressing packet with her teeth and her right hand...all while steering her car with her knees!
What in the world!? My boys and I thought surely, if she kept up this multi-tasking method of driving, she was going to cause a crash.
"I would NEVER attempt to do all of that when I drive," I smugly thought to myself. "Entirely too dangerous and probably against the law." Yep, when it comes to being a safe-driving expert, the apple doesn't fall far from the "Honey-you-didn't-use-your-blinker-back-there" maternal tree.
It wasn't until later that night it hit me. Yes, I may not dangerously multi-task when driving, thereby risking collision. But in my day-to-day life? In my schedule? In my "sure-I-can-take-on-one-more-responsibility-so-everyone-will-like-me" way? I sometimes dangerously multi-task to the point I am headed for a crash.
Taking on too many responsibilities, no matter how "good" they may be, can often render us ineffective for service to God. Yet, He knows our limits. He understands are capacities. He is willing, if we will ask Him, to help us navigate the busyness and activity that often trips us up.
On one of my so-busy-I-couldn't-breathe days, I read today's key verse. While I'm sure the author David was talking about actual physical enemies — men who could chase, catch and ultimately hurt you — I realized that day my enemy was busyness. Too many activities and responsibilities outside my four walls were about to do me in. They chased me, cornered me and worst of all, were about to go in for the kill.
Thankfully, God can rescue us from the barren life of busyness. He invites us to hold our too-full plates up to Him, allowing Him to scrape off all the activities and responsibilities. Then, place back on our plates only the items HE longs for us to possess.
When this happens, we can create space in our calendar to retreat, places of sweet respite in our days where we connect with God. Times when we slow down and sit still to listen and learn from the Creator of time itself.
So, how about it friend? Let's both start scraping before we crash and burn!
Dear Lord, forgive me for allowing busyness to overtake my life, crowding out others and worst of all You. Help me as I purpose to place only those items on my plate that You long for me to have. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Discover tips for overcoming busyness during the holidays and a give-away package that includes Karen's new e-book Untangling Christmas at Karen's blog today.
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
List on paper all the commitments you have said yes to outside your job or home responsibilities. Catalog approximately how much time you devote to them each week. Pray about what you discover.
Reflections:
What activities and responsibilities have I said "Yes" to that I know in my heart I shouldn't have?
How can I thin out my optional tasks and duties, freeing up more time for the places where God wants me to focus my efforts?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (ESV)
Genesis 2:2, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." (ESV)
© 2011 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 20, 2012
Christians Acting Ugly
Lysa TerKeurst
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)
Recently I was skimming some comments left on a social media outlet. Most were encouraging and kind. Some people had a different opinion but stayed civil in their expressions.
Then there was a third group. A much smaller but a very loud group.
Their opinions dripped with judgment, harshness, and condemnation. And the saddest thing of all? These were Christians attacking another Christian.
Honestly, I don't get it.
I just don't. As I read their comments it seemed as if they felt compelled to rip this person to shreds in order to prove their view. To show how knowledgeable they were and how off-base this other Christian was. Most disturbing of all, they felt it their duty to "protect God."
But God doesn't call man to protect Him. He calls us to love Him. And love others. Christians acting ugly and justifying it under the guise of holding another person in check isn't loving.
Matthew 22:36 says, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matt. 22:37-39 NIV)
Yes, there is a place to make sure others aren't misaligning Truth. But we must do this carefully and first make sure we aren't misaligning the Truth in our approach.
Our response must contain these three things: justice, mercy, and humility. "The LORD has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God." (Micah 6:8 NCV)
I read this quote recently that reminded me of this powerful verse in Micah. "It is right to see justice prevail. But it is wrong when my ego gets in the way — when I retaliate to prove that I am strong, that I am superior to the other person, that I am the almighty righteous cop for God." (Bible commentary writer Michael J. Wilkins)
I guess I can feel a little sensitive about this subject because I've had some personal ministry friends attacked and accused in the most vicious of ways. And a little of this yuck has slipped into my world as well.
Maybe this third group sees these growing ministries and assumes their words won't affect their leaders. Or worse yet, because these ministries are growing maybe they hope their words will affect them. Either way, it hurts.
I know this isn't just an experience exclusive to leaders in ministry though. This can happen to any of us—in any walk of life. Whether you are hyper-critical of those around you, or you have experienced this hurtful criticism from a friend, family member, or co-worker, these words hurt everyone involved.
There isn't an easy solution to this problem. But if this devotion makes a few people stop and think before blasting someone, whether a ministry leader, a family leader, or friend — then it's good. And most of all, if it reminds me to do what is right to other people ... to love being kind to others ... and to live a little more humbly — it's really good.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace and patience everyday. Help me recognize when I become critical of those around me. I want to show Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on learning to tame your words with grace and honesty, check out Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued. Click here for more information.
We can be examples of Christians coming together to act kindly. One way is by doing a small group Bible Study of Unglued with the accompanying DVD and Participant's Guidetogether.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
This week, when you are tempted to speak harsh or critical words to or about someone in your sphere of influence, or about a leader in your life, think about the 'greatest commandment.'
Are you loving your neighbor as you would like to be loved? If your answer is no, or contains a 'but,' try holding your tongue and remember, only the Lord can judge the heart of another man. And thank goodness, for He is just and loving.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 17:10, "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
James 1:26, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 21, 2012
What Makes a Family?
LeAnn Rice
"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus." 2 Corinthians 7:6 (NIV)
Fifteen years ago I watched an empty hospital bed roll into my living room. What an unlikely place for a bed. What an even more unlikely place for my husband, Ron, to be dying-in our living room.
How could this be? Ron was young, athletic, my best friend, the love of my life and the absolute joy of our three-year-old son, Nick.
Soon, fragile days filled with Ron's raspy breathing became what I called my "in between." During that in-between time — the space separating life and death — I wanted to savor the richness of last conversations, last kisses, and last memories.
But Ron's condition deteriorated quickly. He slipped away much too soon. In an instant, I became both a widow and a single parent. I felt completely alone.
Most people have a close support network, a soft place to land. Not me. Physical distance separated me from my mother and in-laws, and differences in viewpoints created emotional distances with other family members.
As a result, my "soft" landing place often felt like shards of glass slashing at my heart. Everything cut deeply. Everything hurt.
It was my love for our son, Nick, which helped me survive the painful emptiness and move on.
But I grieved when thinking about spending our future holidays alone. No boisterous birthday celebrations for Nick. No traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We needed a bigger family to do life with.
When you experience a tragic loss due to death or betrayal, it's hard to trust anyone again. At least it was for me.
Yet, a little brown-haired boy needed godly male influences, and a loving family with whom to celebrate. I also needed to stop being filled with conflicting emotions about being afraid to trust.
In 2 Corinthians 7:6, Paul didn't have any extended family present during a time of conflicting emotions and fear either. Yet, God saw Paul's need for a family-like companionship so He sent Titus to encourage and take care of the apostle. Titus was a problem-solver who had a heart for God and a heart for God's people in Corinth.
God also saw our need for a new, bigger family. With ample love, He sent Nick and me some "Titus" people who have a heart for God and a heart for His people. They helped to transform our downcast souls with His all-encompassing comfort.
Slowly, I cracked open my heart's door just an inch or two allowing these amazing people into our lives. Over time, God knit all of us together creating a "Titus family" related by our hearts, not our heritage.
My "Titus family" consists of people who love each other unconditionally, support and encourage each other, sit beside one another's hospital beds, hold each other accountable and share in every achievement, failure and pain.
Do we look alike? Not so much. But do we share the same heart and many happy holiday celebrations? Definitely!
The most valuable lesson I've learned since my husband died is that marriage certificates and blood relationships are not the only way to make a family.
God makes a family.
Dear Lord, You promised to be a father to the fatherless and to even bring joy to widows during festivals. The holidays are often a hard time for people in a season of suffering. Please open my eyes to see anyone who needs a soft place to land or a safe place to share. And then, give me the resolve I need to respond with the same incredible love You've shown me — no matter how busy I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Greatest Comforter?
Words of Comfort for Times of Loss by Cecil Murphy and Liz Allison
For more encouragement from LeAnn, stop by She Cooks or visit her and her team at A Widow's Might.
Reflect and Respond:
How do you most often close your heart to shield yourself from being hurt again? Withdrawing? Being angry? Holding on to bitterness?
Who might you turn to to help you move past your pain, trusting that God can redirect it into a new purpose in your life?
Take time today to contact someone who needs companionship.
Power Verses:
Lamentations 3:32, "Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, "Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more." (NIV)
© 2012 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 26, 2012
I Can't Find the Words
Suzie Eller
"Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action." - Acts 7:22 (NLT)
Have you ever tried to hide from God's call on your life?
Moses did. He fled to the wilderness to get away. The hillside was a comfortable place; one that allowed him to live in obscurity. But God approached Moses as he tended sheep.
When God asked Moses to speak to Pharaoh on His behalf, Moses balked. He felt inadequate. He lifted up his weakness to God and submitted it as an excuse not to do as God asked. "My words get tangled," he said. (Exodus 4:10b NLT)
Yet years later in Acts 7:22, we find that Stephen described Moses as powerful in both speech and action.
How could this be? Did he truly struggle with his words, or was it an excuse?
As an Egyptian citizen and adopted member of the royal family, Moses had access to the finest education. As a young man he rose to the rank of prime minister, a task that required him to communicate with others. But Moses is believed to have had a true speech impediment.
He struggled to get the words out.
So when God approached Moses to join in an adventure to free His people from slavery, all Moses could think about was his weakness.
When Stephen described Moses, hundreds of years later, he had the advantage of seeing Moses' life span. He had heard of every act of courage and victory. Even in death, the name of Moses was revered among the nation of Israel.
Stephen knew when Moses spoke, though he may have stammered, his words carried weight.
The words Moses spoke were described as "life giving." (Acts 7:38 NLT) Moses' words mended arguments, offered justice, negotiated freedom and dispensed wisdom.
Only in hindsight do we see what Moses could not see in the beginning. God wasn't worried about Moses' lack of eloquence, vocabulary or skill, but whether or not Moses trusted God enough to obey.
Where Moses was deficient, God would be sufficient.
Where Moses struggled, God would succeed.
Where Moses was weak, God would be strong.
How many times does God invite us to follow Him into an adventure? Whether it is to be a great mom, or to lead a Bible study, or do anything outside our comfort zone, do we hold up our weaknesses and say, "Sorry, God, I can't," and then point out our weaknesses to Him.
In these instances, "My words get tangled" translates to:
I'm not patient, God, so don't ask me to be a good mom.
I don't like to be in the spotlight, God, so let someone else lead that study.
I'm afraid, God, so don't ask me to [fill in the blank].
When we look past our "tangled words" to His equipping, we find our answer.
What is God asking you to do? Have you been responding with your own version of, "My words get tangled"?
Are you willing to step out in obedience today?
Like Moses, only with hindsight will you one day see how your obedience shaped a child, or a neighbor or a nation.
Or you.
What do you stand to gain as you take the focus off your deficiency to trust in His sufficiency?
Dear Lord, You know my very real weakness. But I am excited to respond to Your voice today. With You all things are possible, so I step out in faith beginning today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to discover five ways to overcome fear when you obey God's call.
Join Suzie on her Facebook Live Free page for a daily scripture, to-do, and encouragement tip to help you live free.
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
Bring a message of hope to the women of your church. Click here to find out how to book Suzie Eller as your next event speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Abraham was old; Timothy was timid; Jacob was insecure; Peter was impulsive; and Moses had a speech impediment, yet God used each of these people in such a way that their names are etched in history.
Add your name to the list above: I am _______________, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).
Power Verses:
Exodus 4:10, "Moses said to the Lord, 'Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.'" (NIV)
Exodus 4:11-12, "The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 27, 2012
Found Hope
Nicki Koziarz
"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4 (NASB)
We were out of options. The day the Sherriff's car pulled into our driveway, I knew what was coming. After a series of unfortunate events, things had gone from bad to worse to hopeless.
Her friendly, official, sheriff smile did nothing to relieve the emotional discomfort of this dreadful moment. The neighbors peeked through their blinds to see what was happening.
As she handed me the papers, I took them with tears in my eyes.
Looking at the baby in my arms and toddler peeking out from behind me, this kind woman genuinely said, "I'm sorry."
"Thank you," I whispered, as I slowly closed the door.
I sat down on our stairs and read through the official documents. Elaborate lawyer terms, forceful sounding laws I didn't understand, and words bolded in dark ink conveyed the dreadful news; "You must vacate the premises within thirty days."
Foreclosure.
It was unwanted and unavoidable. It felt shameful and embarrassing. And the foreclosure of our home was an aching process of letting go.
The carefully painted mustard-yellow walls: I would miss them so much. How would I survive without the daily afternoon play dates with my neighbor and her children? And what about all those hot dog dinners my husband and I ate to save pennies to buy this sweet home?
So much was about to be taken from us. Just like that.
I didn't understand why God would allow us to walk this humbling road. We had trusted Him, why hadn't He provided?
Any hope I had left in God faded fast. It wasn't something I could muster back up on my own. No, I needed others to fill the gap for me.
In scripture Paul wrote, "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 NASB)
I learned during this devastating season, when our hearts become grounds of broken dreams, we may need to turn to the hope others have found.
The Bible holds deep historical roots of hope waiting for us to uncover.
We can find hope because ...
Abraham and Sarah found hope by believing while it seemed impossible for them to get pregnant, it was possible for God. (Genesis 15, 17-18)
We can find hope because ...
Ruth and Naomi found hope by moving their lives forward after losing their family. (Ruth 3)
We can find hope because ...
Mary and Martha found hope when they saw Jesus could do anything, including raising their brother from the dead. (John 11)
As I closed the door to our home for the last time, I accepted this place of brokenness. But I also made a choice to find hope no matter what.
I found hope through the eyes of wonder my daughters had as they explored our new rental house. I found hope when my mom helped me unpack our boxes and organize toys. I found hope when my husband's heart drew closer to mine through this difficult experience.
Hope is at the core of who we are as followers of Jesus. As we allow hope to flow into us, it will flow through us even in the most difficult circumstances.
If you feel hopeless in this season of your life, will you look back at those who had hope in Scripture to give you courage to have hope for your future? Hope, it heals our broken dreams.
Dear Lord, thank You for the hope You give us to heal the broken places in our lives. May we have the strength to find hope in all the places that feel hopeless today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the God of all hope?
Today on Nicki's blog she has started a hope-inspired challenge! Click here to check it out.
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Reflect and Respond:
If you are feeling hopeless, reach out to someone and ask her to share a time where God has given hope.
What is an area in your life you are seeking hope from God? Leave a comment today and let's share our hope struggles.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (NIV)
Romans 5:5, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 28, 2012
Do You Have "I" Issues?
Jennifer Rothschild
"He must become greater; I must become less." - John 3:30 (NIV)
In the late '70s I sat with my folks in a hospital room in the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. The doctors who had just completed tests on my eyes were explaining what it meant to have retinitis pigmentosa. They described how I would slowly lose my remaining sight and eventually be totally blind. My mind raced and my heart welled with confusing emotions. I was silent in that hospital room that day.
A few days later at my next visit, I only wish I had been silent.
We went back to the same room with some of the same doctors. This time it was to help me get on a rehabilitative program. One doctor described how large, thick glasses might help with the little vision I still had. Another discussed walking with a cane. Another doctor told me how important it was for me to have an oversized magnifying glass and advised me to use a flashlight to find my locker at school.
They stepped out of the room, and with full adolescent belligerence I ranted to my parents. "I will not wear any of that junk or use that embarrassing stuff! No way! I will not look weird!"
Just as I finished my outburst, the door opened and my new rehab counselor "rolled" in. Being legally blind, I couldn't see him well enough to detect what my mom described to me later.
He was blind in one eye, his face was disfigured, he was missing an arm, and his legs evidently weren't functional. What I could detect, even without sight, was that his voice was only audible by using an apparatus that made it sound synthesized.
Unfortunately he arrived just in time to hear my tirade about looking weird.
I was mortified by how self-centered I acted. I was humiliated by my own smallness and pride. I know he was a professional who most likely understood my immature response, but he also was a man who had lost his former physique and abilities, and who probably felt "weird" when he looked in the mirror. I was so ashamed.
I was only a few days into learning to live with blindness when I received my first lesson: when I am most self-aware, I am most miserable. Even today, as a 48-year-old woman, I still feel tinges of self-pity, self-awareness and self-absorption.
"I don't feel that's fair to me."
"Do I look okay in these jeans?"
"I don't think she likes me."
"I look weird when I can't make eye contact. I don't want people to notice."
"I need, I want, I wish."
When a big "I" is the center of our thoughts and feelings, we truly are miserable!
Perhaps that's because "I" is also in the center of pride and sin. Ouch!
Jesus said in John 12:24 that "... unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone." Alone is a miserable place to be.
"But," Christ continued, "if it dies, it bears much fruit." (ESV) The principle is this: when it is all about us, we are like that seed that is unwilling to die. Consequently, we find ourselves alone in the prison of our own self-awareness. But, when we are willing to turn our big "I" into a little "I," we are then ready to experience real life, satisfying life.
God is teaching me that true self-esteem comes from being reduced—less of me, more of Him. As I am willing to relinquish my sense of self—self-pity, self-awareness and self-absorption—I am finding simplicity in an identity that comes from His life in me, rather than an identity based upon me, myself and I.
Today, let's choose to be more full of God than we are of ourselves.
Dear Lord, I want to decrease so You will increase in me. May I be like a seed, willing to die, so I can truly live and give life to others. May my letter "I" not be in pride or sin, but may it be found in Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Missing Pieces: Real Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Jennifer Rothschild
Me, Myself and Lies: A Thought-Closet Makeover by Jennifer Rothschild
Read more encouragement from Jennifer by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
Ways to shrink your letter "I":
1. Focus on someone else's needs. Yours will feel less obvious.
2. Grant someone else the attention you are trying to get for yourself.
3. Begin your day with this question, "How may I serve You today, Lord?"
Power Verses:
Matthew 22:37-39: "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (NIV)
Psalm 27:8: "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)
Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (NIV)
© 2012 by Jennifer Rothschild. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 29, 2012
I Know How to Manipulate
Lysa TerKeurst
"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." - Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Just because something great happens doesn't mean it is from God. I know this is true because I know how to manipulate and make great things happen.
Honestly, I hate that word—manipulate. It rubs something rough and grainy into the softer places of my heart.
But there it is. And I know it. Because sometimes I do it. I manipulate.
I know how to sell an idea I think is really great.
I know how to go the extra mile.
I know how to strategize to make my plan seem like a great strategy.
And not that any of this is intrinsically bad. Some of these things are great qualities God can certainly use in good ways.
But what if I use these skills and talents outside God's will? To push past God's timing, God's direction, God's plan to teach me stuff in the process?
Sometimes I think He lets us push past His better plan to experience the consequences of our headstrong attitude. Boy do I know all about that. I've jumped headfirst into something I thought I wanted so much, only to find extreme stress, fear, anxiety and an overwhelming sense of regret.
It's great to know how to sell an idea. But it's not great to do it outside God's will.
It's great to go the extra mile. But it's not great to do it out of a desire to secure what I want—rather than out of a desire to serve another.
It's great to strategize and have a plan. But it's not great if that plan stretches me so I seek my desires more than God's desires.
I am learning. Learning to not always push so hard. Run so fast. And desire so much more.
Recently I had the opportunity to be considered for something huge. Really huge.
And I knew how to secure it.
I knew the words I could use to sell my idea. I knew I could go the extra mile with my pitch and look impressive. I knew a strategy that could be implemented and the plan to propose.
But what I didn't know is if this was God's plan or my desire.
If I knew for sure it was God's plan, all my efforts wouldn't be manipulation—they'd be smart. But I didn't know.
Therefore, all my pushing and plotting were manipulation. So, I stopped. I backed off. I stepped aside.
I waited.
And then I doubted. It was hard to watch the opportunity possibly slip away. But I reminded myself that this was a place where my trust in God has to step in. This was one of those times when a deeper faith could be found.
I can rest in the assurance that if something is to be, it isn't up to me. It's up to God. It's not that I just sit back and don't pursue things. I do. But I give what I can give without manipulation. And then I wait for God to give what only He can give. So, if He makes it happen without all my chaotic self-effort, then I will know it is His best.
And if it doesn't happen, I will thank Him for saving me from myself.
Dear Lord, I am so grateful for Your everlasting love and vision for my life. Help me to embrace the fact that Your plans are so much greater than mine. Humble my heart in the moments when I try to maintain control so that I can fully serve You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it's easier to follow our gut response, rather than wait on God's direction. In her book Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst shares great wisdom on embracing God's ways, not ours.Click here to purchase a copy.
Why not gather some friends and study Unglued together with the DVD and Participant's Guide?
Reflect and Respond:
Do you ever catch yourself manipulating past God's plans to secure your own desire?
God wants you to give up your own agenda and trust in His plans for your life! Set aside some time every day to reflect on Bible verses dedicated to this particular issue. Having this daily reminder of God's sovereignty will help you to recognize when your own desires are taking precedence over His will.
Power Verses:
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 30, 2012
What It Takes to Struggle with Something Hard
Rachel Olsen
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Beginning in my twenties, I wrestled each day with chronic pain and fatigue. The first few years of it, doctors had no idea why.
Then came the diagnosis: fibromyalgia.
I was told this condition was poorly understood, not very treatable, and also not reversible. In fact, they called it "degenerative," meaning it would worsen as I aged. In short, doctors said I had no chance to conquer this pain.
The pain worsened for a couple years and I couldn't image what my life would be like five, ten or fifty years down the road. I prayed for deliverance.
Looking back I'm astonished that despite my pain, I continued to work a full time job and take courses for a master's degree. I really don't know how I did that—except through Christ—because it was such a struggle daily. To concentrate on my work or schoolwork took an inordinate amount of effort because I had to focus over top of the ever-present pain in the foreground. Not to mention, a lack of quality sleep.
Fibromyalgia was the thorn in my side, quite literally. And I leaned into God for strength. Often through tears.
A long-distance friend wrote me this week to tell me she was experiencing a near debilitating condition: fibromyalgia. She gave me permission to share a portion of what she wrote:
"Life has thrown me some pretty horrible punches and I have always gotten right back up. Except now. And to be honest with you, Rach, this is NOT a LIFE! And I can't BELIEVE that GOD would do this to me ... why isn't He healing me? All He has to do is say the word! I BEG Him to do that daily. While He keeps His mouth shut [on the healing] He did give me Psalm 88 the other night, and I cried a river. I was jumping for joy in my heart, but at the same time. Do you know what I mean?"
I did know what she meant. So I told her my story. I told her that I walked this painful path too. I gave her my best tips for physically managing this condition. I told her how I tried to do all the right things according to my doctors. How I prayed, and prayed, and prayed for healing—sometimes out of faith and sometimes out of desperation.
I told her how, seven years after my pain began, I was walking by a lake one day praying yet again for deliverance from this. And while I had often sensed God heard my prayers, this time I sensed He also answered. I sensed deliverance.
Year-eight saw me pain free from fibromyalgia—the incurable, degenerative condition doctors don't totally understand. My condition stopped degenerating that evening by the lake and instead began improving.
So in honesty and with compassion I told my friend:
"Will God heal you soon? I don't know."
"His ways are higher than our ideas of how things should go. But I can tell you this: It is possible. He hears your prayers and He is not indifferent to your plight. God loves you. Above all, don't equate your suffering with how God feels about you."
Because despite all this stuff we're struggling with, victory is ours through Christ who loves us.
I don't know what your story is today—what you are struggling with or against. But I know this: God knows your situation and He is not indifferent toward it or you. He loves you mightily! And His right arm is not too short to save you.
So lean into Him because you need His strength until His deliverance comes.
Lean in, pray and persevere despite the pain you are in. And keep hope alive in your heart. For this is how we struggle with something hard while holding the title "More than Conquerors in Christ." In Him overwhelming victory is ours.
Dear Lord, thank You for rescuing me from all my troubles–either here and now, or in eternity. Strengthen me until your deliverance is seen. I believe victory is overwhelmingly mine through You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Rachel's blog today and leave her a prayer request. She will pray for you.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
Reflect and Respond:
Study and take heart today in the truth from Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (NIV)
Power Verses:
Romans 8:22-25, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (NIV)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 3, 2012
When You're Wrong, Even Though You're Right
Wendy Blight
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." - Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
My stomach churned in a mix of grief and anger. I was shocked with disbelief. A Bible study leader I knew had blatantly disobeyed God's truths. I was frustrated, and honestly I was angry, too.
Righteous anger. Have you ever experienced it? That justifiable anger that rises up within you when you know someone is acting in a way that dishonors God. That anger Jesus expressed when He walked into the Temple and found the moneychangers doing business in God's house, defiling Holy ground.
Righteous anger is a good thing. However, what we do with it is another matter.
I shared my feelings about this leader's behavior with my husband and another couple during dinner one night. Was I gossiping? In the moment, I didn't think so. In fact, I felt okay talking about this leader since they'd engaged in behavior I thought was "unchristian."
Everyone at dinner agreed with me and disapproved, which validated my feelings. I took comfort in how good it felt that I wasn't alone.
However, the next day as I sat in church, God spoke in a powerful way through the sermon. Our pastor taught about idle gossip and character assassination, and how our words matter. Each word penetrated my heart like a double-edged sword.
I too was a spiritual leader. And I had disobeyed God's Word as I judged another believer in the presence of others. Had I talked out of righteous anger? No. Idle gossip? Yes. Character assassination? Definitely.
In the quietness of that moment in church, I felt conviction.
Not guilt. Not shame. But conviction.
The difference between these emotions is that guilt and shame are about us, and they are unproductive. They leave us stagnant, in a bad place with God and others.
Conviction, on the other hand, is about God. It's a productive emotion from the Holy Spirit to let us know that we have not pleased Him. With conviction, God speaks truth into our hearts and empowers us to change so we live in a way that's pleasing to Him.
That day, the Holy Spirit gave me a truth that I committed to memory.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
I promised the Lord that morning, I will hold my tongue. I will only speak words that will build others up and benefit those listening. Or, at least, I will try.
Paul gives a great tip on how to accomplish this in 2 Corinthians 10:5:
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
Next time, I commit to take my words captive BEFORE they come out of my mouth. I pray that I will not speak words that tear down, but only words that build up. Will you join me in this resolve?
Dear Lord, help me to be a woman after Your own heart, one who speaks only what is helpful for building others up. And when I am tempted to speak unwholesome or critical words, help me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Thank You that in Your strength I will be successful because I can do all things through You Who strengthens me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy's blog and join her new online study, Living "So That:" Our Call to Action.
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life by Wendy Blight.
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How can you take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ? List some practical examples from your own experiences.
Ephesians 5:1 calls us to live a life of love. Spend some time thinking about how this call to live a life of love intersects the call to speak only words that build others up rather than tear them down.
Power Verse:
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 4, 2012
When Your Bag is Heavy and Your Faith Feels Small
Emily P. Freeman
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
New York City is alive with the late fall air. Faith stands next to me, her blonde hair blows across her face just as the carriage pulls in front of us.
We flew to the city to stay with friends and celebrate Faith's birthday. During this entire trip I've felt a nagging sense of anxiety and worry over what's going on back home. It isn't one thing in particular, but I can't shake the heaviness. I clench my jaw and know I'm carrying around a sense of responsibility to manage things outside of my control.
It's our turn to ride. We get the carriage pulled by white horses, a detail I feel compelled to mention because it seems the ones pulled by white horses are more important than the ones pulled by regular brown horses.
The two girlfriends who are with us live here in the city. Though they roll their eyes over the cliché they've become by hanging out with us (A carriage ride through Central Park? Really must we?) they love us enough to climb up and squeeze tight into the red velvet covered benches.
The black bag on my shoulder is packed to nearly unzippable extremes with my camera, wallet, extra gloves and bottle of water. It's heavy, and my right shoulder aches beneath the weight of it.
I plop it down on the floor of the carriage just as the wheels begin to move.
Faith laughs at something the driver says. I watch as she throws back her head and claps her small, gloved hands, my bag sitting at her feet.
I remember a story I heard a long time ago about a horse and buggy and a man with a heavy load. The man climbs into a horse-drawn buggy and keeps his pack on his back once he sits down.
When asked if he would like to remove it, he answers, "Oh no, I couldn't do that. I wouldn't want the horse to have to work so hard. I'll just carry it myself."
I can't help but smile. I can see the ears of the horses in front of me, their heads bobbing up and down carrying me, my girlfriends...and my heavy bag.
I never once thought to keep my bag strapped to my shoulder so the horses wouldn't have to carry the load. That would be needless, as they were already doing the work. Why should I do it, too?
Matthew 11:28 comes to mind. Jesus issues an invitation to the weary, the burdened, the heavy-laden. He offers rest from heavy burdens to those of us who insist on carrying bags on carriage rides.
The clip-clopping of horse hooves tap out a gentle rhythm as we ride. My friends chat and laugh, yellow leaves swirl out from underneath us, and I feel a shift inside my heart.
The horses aren't just carrying my bag. They're carrying me.
We have a God who can be trusted with not only our burdens, but also ourselves. He sees and cares and notices.
He will not come undone.
He remains un-overwhelmable.
Dear Lord, gather us up into Your arms with all of our longings, fears, worries and burdens. We admit how futile it is for us to carry these things on our own. May we instead release them into your hands and walk with you by grace through faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
If you tend to take on responsibility for things never meant for you to carry, check out Emily Freeman's books, Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try Hard Life and Graceful {For Young Women}.
For daily encouragement, visit Emily's blog, Chatting at the Sky, where she creates photos and stories to make a place for your soul to breathe.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you carrying the burden of things you can't control?
Let's imagine what life could look like if you dared to believe God carried both you and your burdens. How would today be different?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NIV)
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." (NIV)
© 2012 by Emily P. Freeman. All rights reserved.
December 5, 2012
Battle in the Night
Lynn Cowell
"By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life." - Psalm 42:8 (NIV)
How could this have happened? What could I have done to stop it? One of my kids had made a decision that sent my emotions into a tailspin.
Another sleepless night was upon me; my mind wouldn't shut off. I had done so well during the day, trying to focus my heart and mind on God's promise to make all things work together for good. But as day faded into night, the struggle to trust became more than I could take.
Many nights as I lie in bed, my mind pulls me into a spiral, tempting me to focus on my troubles. It's then and there that the battle is the most intense. A war is waged between my faith and my fears.
What if my loved one never knows Jesus?
Will my kids make the right choices with their peers?
What can I do for my friend who struggles with cancer?
Even though my body is still, the battles rage in my heart and mind.
Do you ever struggle in the quiet of the night? Maybe you have thoughts like: Nobody else has troubles. Other people are just enjoying their lives. Why is mine so hard? The battles we face are real, and rob us of sleep and joy.
We can take a cue from King David's words in Psalm 42:8. During the day he allowed the Lord's love to direct him. Knowing he was loved gave him the strength to make the hard choices that were the best choices.
At night he put away all the words and hard thinking and just praised God.
Might we give David's ways a try and do the same? When the lights are turned out, we can choose a song of praise, arming ourselves with truth and worship for the only One who can carry and fix our troubles. When our minds try to take a turn and go around that problem one more time, let's make the choice to stop and sing (even if only in our heads).
I gave this a try the other night while stewing over my worries. It reminded me of a sign my mom has in her home. "Give me all your troubles before you go to bed. I'm going to be up anyway." — God.
Right now, let's pick a song we'll sing at night when trouble comes knocking and worry wants to run rampant in our heart and mind. Make your prayer a song to God and choose a song of praise to sing to Him all day long - from sunrise to late in the evening. Watch your heart go from fear to faith as you trust in the Lord.
Dear Lord, I feel stronger in the day than in the night. Bring to mind a song of praise I can sing that will lift my heart and cause me to trust in You, morning and night. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life learn to trust Jesus every day of this coming new year with Lynn Cowell's new book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You. It would make a meaningful Christmas gift!
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Visit Lynn's website to find additional ways to overcome fear and worry. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
Write Psalm 42:8 on an index card. Put it next to your bed to remind you to look to Him as you go to sleep.
When the lights are turned off, we can choose a song of praise, arming ourselves with truth and worship for the only One who can carry and fix our troubles. When our mind tries to take a turn and go around that problem one more time, we can choose to stop and sing our song of praise.
Power Verses:
Psalm 94:18-19, "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." (NIV)
Exodus 15:2, "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 10, 2012
An Unhurried Holiday
Karen Ehman
"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." Luke 2:16 (NIV)
"Hurry up! We're going to be late to the choir concert!"
"Come on kids. Help me unload these groceries right now. I've got to get these cookies baked before bedtime."
"Is it 6 a.m. already? I gotta get to that door buster sale as soon as it opens so I don't miss out on the deals!"
With the holiday season upon us, the music at the mall announces that folks are dreaming of a white Christmas. That may be true. But in reality, many women are dreaming of something else white: a little more white space on our December calendars!
Pageants. Parties. Shopping trips. Baking days. Wrapping nights. At every turn there are people to see, things to do, stuff to buy. The hustle and bustle of this supposed-to-be-happy season can knock the holly-jolly right out of our holidays and replace it with hurried-up headaches instead.
As a result, our calendars become overloaded, crowding out the spiritual significance of the season.
I wonder if the participants in the original Christmas story ever dreamed that the celebration of Christ's birth would become so hassled and hurried. The shepherds? The angels? The wise men? Mary and Joseph too?
Was hurriedness present the night Jesus was born? We might think that it was not. But actually, there was hurry present that night. However, it wasn't to the mall or grocery store that people were rushing.
The shepherds were working in the fields when suddenly an ensemble of angels told them the Christ Child had been born. Luke 2:16 says they hurried off to find Him lying in a manger.
If I had been one of those shepherds, I would have been quiet and amazed once I got there. Being around a newborn baby makes me speak in a hushed tone and feel such awe as I see new life. In the presence of Jesus I wonder if those men too were settled and silent.
Maybe we could do the same today. In the midst of our holiday hustle and tasks, we could stop; leave our work. We could slow down long enough to hurry in another direction. We could put our activities on hold so we might quietly meet with our Lord. We could be settled and silent in the presence of Jesus.
As a result we just might discover an unhurried holiday: a season that will strengthen us spiritually instead of sapping our energy and joy.
How about it? Will we pause and purpose to hurry into His presence instead of rushing from task to task? Dare we linger long enough to be refreshed by the company of the One whom the holiday is really about? The tasks will wait while we do.
Here's to more "white space" this Christmas; space that creates more room in our days for meeting with Jesus!
Dear Lord, remind me daily that it's You I should rush to during the holiday hustle. Not things. Not activities. I want to seek and find only You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Want an unhurried holiday? Visit Karen's blog to sign up to receive by email her 5-Days "From Chaos to Calm: The LET. IT. GO. Christmas Challenge"
Untangling Christmas: Your Go-to Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice
LET. IT. GO.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
What activities and responsibilities threaten to make you rushed and stressed at the holidays?
Pull away from the holiday hustle and spend time with Jesus.
Power Verses:
Luke 2:15, "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'" (NIV)
Proverbs 8:17, "I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me." (HCSB)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 11, 2012
Planted By Streams
Wendy Pope
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." - Psalm 1:3 (NIV 1984)
After marrying the man of my dreams, I thought my happily-ever-after had begun. And it did ... for a while. We had a cute Cape Cod on Logan Street, I taught fourth grade, and we enjoyed sweet friends in our church. Life was not only good; it was great.
But "great" quickly departed when changes came our way with a new job in a new city and a new house filled with a new baby. My husband's job meant he was gone ... a lot. Which meant I was alone ... a lot.
The transition to so much time alone was difficult, but it helped me see something was missing. At first I had no idea what it was or where to find it; I just knew it wasn't something I could get in my home, child or husband.
It took a while, but eventually I became keenly aware of what was missing: God wasn't part of my happily-ever-after. I had left Him out. At a young age I'd accepted Jesus as my Savior, but I had never surrendered to Him or spent much time with Him praying or reading the Bible.
A soul that is saved but not in relationship with Christ is void of His fullness. I was living in the void.
God heard the cries from my unfulfilled heart and led me to Scripture. On that day I opened my Bible to Psalm 1 and found this fulfilling truth:
"... his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (vs. 2-3 NIV 1984)
God tenderly let me see my tree (life) was planted in places far from the streams of His living water. I had planted myself beside the streams of the world, seeking its temporary joy and fulfillment. Planting myself there, away from Him left me thirsty. The unfertile soil and lack of hydration caused me to wither.
Meditating on His Word was the key to finding what I was missing. It never occurred to me God's instructions could be delightful, or that thinking of them day and night was even possible. "How does one meditate on Your Word day and night and still get things done Lord?" I asked.
In a faint whisper I felt the Lord encourage me, "Start here."
For the next 150 days I read a chapter a day in the book of Psalms. Actually, I spent more than one day reading Psalm 119. Have you seen Psalm 119? Its 176 verses were a bit intimidating for this newbie in the Word!
Is your life planted close to God? Does your heart have fertile soil for His Word to prosper? If you feel like me on that day I opened my Bible—lonely, thirsty and withering away, today can the beginning of your refreshment!
Dear Lord, I want to open my Bible and allow You to plant the seeds of change in my heart. Following the ways of the world have made me feel as if I am withering. Thank You that Your Word has the power to change me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to have Wendy Pope as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog as she celebrates the release of her new eBook Bible study, Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow. Enter to win one of four copies and learn how you can be part of her new life-changing online Bible Study starting in January.
This week Wendy is celebrating the release of Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow, by giving away a free MP3 of her audio teaching about King David, What to do in the W.A.I.T.
Reflect and Respond:
How do you feel about reading God's Word every day?
Make a commitment to read one Psalm a day, allowing three days to complete Psalm 119.
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:15-16, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV 1984)
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 12, 2012
A Sweet and Simple Christmas
Glynnis Whitwer
"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." - Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
Growing up, Christmas celebrations were minimal in my home. My dad was a quiet biology teacher and my mother a hard-working homemaker. Which didn't translate into extravagant parties or gifts. And yet looking back, I don't think I missed a thing ... for it was the sweet and simple practices that meant the most to me.
For example, each year we bundled up in the car and drove around looking at Christmas lights. We rolled sugar cookie dough and cut it into bells and stars, covered with green and red frosting and sprinkled with colored sugar. It was the days of true tinsel, so decorating was a slow process, as my thrifty mother made us place it strand by strand on the tree (and remove it the same way) to keep it smooth for the next year.
Christmas Eve included attending the 11 p.m. service, holding little white candles with paper skirts, and singing Silent Night at midnight. And Christmas morning was quiet with stockings and simple gifts, like a felt doll made by an aunt.
The days leading up to Christmas weren't filled to the brim. Instead there were tender moments sprinkled throughout ... little touches to remind us that something special had happened 2000 years ago. Rather than a time to focus on more, Christmas was a time to be thankful for what we had.
How different today is — especially with the pull to celebrate Christmas bigger and better each year. Yet, reading Jesus' birth story in Luke, I realize God modeled a much quieter, more grateful way to celebrate Christmas. And I wonder if Jesus' real story, rather than what ads suggest, isn't the best way to honor His birth.
Luke's story of Jesus' birth tells of a humble people in a modest setting. No comfortable room was available so they made due in a place meant for animals. No one gave Mary a layette for her baby, so she wrapped Him in cloths. And there was no padded crib, instead a food trough was used for Jesus to sleep.
Yet the angels watched with awe, praising and giving thanks to God. And Mary treasured and pondered all that had happened.
And I wonder, as we face increasing pressure to commercialize Christmas, if that approach isn't the best way to celebrate Christ's birth. Perhaps rather than shock-and-awe, we need simple and sweet. Might humble and lowly, rather than extravagant, lead us to a place of wonder?
This Christmas, I'm taking a step back. I'm choosing to make less, more. I'm choosing more quiet, simple, humble, treasuring, pondering moments. Less hurry, more pausing. Less fuss and more focus on the true meaning of Christmas ... a baby born to be a King ... a servant who is Savior ... Emmanuel ... God with us. Amen.
Dear Lord, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, help me to pause and focus on what really matters. Help me to experience the joy of Christmas in my heart. Thank You for sending Your son. In His Precious Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for tips on celebrating Christmas simply and sweet - and some Christmas giveaways!
For some simple and sweet reading, consider The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher. We also offer three other Amish books by Suzanne.
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence (DVD) or CD by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What has God done for you this year that you can treasure in your heart and ponder?
Are there any big Christmas traditions you can let go this year, and replace them with something simple?
Power Verses:
John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (NIV)
Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 13, 2012
The Slop Bucket
Lysa TerKeurst
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." - Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Recently I met a friend for coffee.
This is one of the great bonuses of having my son home from college. He needs money. I need time. My daughters need activity. So he took them to an indoor fun center that is the delight to many a child.
Not that I was feeling like I needed a break from all the family togetherness.
But my friend needed me.
So, we met and chatted and processed a situation I wish we didn't have to process — mean people.
I know I should say that people aren't mean. Sometimes people just do mean things.
And I know there are always two sides to every story. Glory be do I ever realize there are two sides. But during the holidays when "nice" is usually served up in high fashion, even the slightest meanness can seem really huge.
And knowing that in years past, my friend had spent way too many days crying during the holidays made me sad. For her. For the people who were mean to her during this time. For the reality that we Christians can be mean sometimes. We can be sharp and cutting and too tired to find the right words.
Not long ago, I got an email from someone who was too tired to find the right words. I still don't understand what caused her to be in such a tiff. And though I made my fingers type words back to her that were gentle and graceful, I will admit that what I really wanted to do was get in her face and tell her a thing or two. Boy did I have the perfect comeback. Because I can be mean. Just like those people who hurt my friend.
We are all more alike than we care to admit.
And not that I want to wax philosophical today, but here I go anyhow.
There's a bucket inside each heart where hurts are dumped. Little hurts, big hurts, past hurts—they all get dumped into this slop bucket. We think we're fine because the hurts are contained. We think we've dealt with the hurts because they aren't rising to the surface that often. But then someone comes along and kicks that slop bucket with a mean word or two and it spills over.
Sloshing. Spilling. Leaking. Staining. And every word we speak in response carries some of what's in our slop bucket.
So here's the thing.
Slop can be good if it's been turned into compassion. Some people have let Jesus touch their slop, mixing in mercy, grace, forgiveness, and a love that reaches just beyond what we're capable of on our own.
But too many of us have let our slop bucket sit and ferment in pride, resistance, our right to be right, and bitterness that cuts off our potential to grow into the woman we're designed to become. So, instead of compassion, the harshest judgment drips out with each of our words.
Compassion. Judgment. The reality that every girl has a slop bucket.
These are good things to think about over coffee when you've sent your kids away to play.
Dear Lord, You are worthy to be praised! Help me lean on You to heal all of my hurts and frustrations. I know that only You can change my slop into compassion, and for that I am grateful. Soften my heart, Lord, and continue to transform me into the woman You designed me to become. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times best selling book, Unglued, will help you learn how to control your emotions and reactions in any situation.
Give the gift that keeps on giving! Your friends will thank you when you purchase an Unglued Bible Study bundle for all of you to enjoy together.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been allowing God to mix love and compassion into your slop bucket?
Write down a real life response you gave to someone while operating out of negative feelings. Underline hurtful words and replace them with helpful ones. Practice this technique several times until reacting in a positive way is more natural than reacting negatively.
Power Verses:
Ezekiel 36:26-27, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 14, 2012
A Gift for Him
Suzie Eller
"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." - Psalm 50:14 (NLT)
I love presents. It's not about what is in the package, but unwrapping the surprise and knowing a loved one thought of me when they chose it.
I also love giving gifts. Recently I found a very old package of baseball cards at an estate sale. They were less than five dollars, and I know they will light up my son's face when he opens his stocking on Christmas day.
As Christmas approaches, gift giving is on our minds. We draw names. We plan out the Christmas list. Some of us get up before the sun to find incredible sales.
But as the actual day approaches, there is one gift we can give that is meaningful.
We can thank God.
Long before the cross, people labored to find the perfect gift to give Him. They brought sacrifices to honor God, but in Psalm 50:14a we hear a plea: "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." It is a heart plea of a God who desires an intimate relationship with His people.
What could happen if this Christmas we offered Him exactly what is on His list?
I believe it would shift our heart away from our stressful to-do lists to thank Him for all the miracles around us.
God, thank You for my child who is healthy.
Thank You for my husband who loves us all so well.
Thank You for this hot meal prepared by hands of love.
God, have I told You how grateful I am for the warm home and covers to sleep under at night?
As we begin to offer our gifts of thankfulness, like layers of sparkling tissue paper, more is revealed beneath. We dig deeper to see all that we've received.
Thank You, God, that You saw me as a young teen and showed me love.
Thank You for that time at my son's hospital bed that You helped me make it through one more night.
Thank You for the time I needed mercy and found it in Your presence.
Christmas is a celebration of the ultimate gift, but family, finances, or just plain ole stress can cause this special day to dim. Offering up a gift of thankfulness has the power to give those things their rightful place as gratitude rises to the top.
Will you join me between now and December 25th to hold up a daily gift of thanks to Him?
Dear Lord, Christmas often gets lost in all the busyness and details, but for today I will stop and offer you a gift. I am grateful for all the good things You have given. Help me to celebrate this season with a heart of gratitude. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for "gratitude conversation starters" that will help you begin each day with a gift of thankfulness.
Cultivating a Heart of Contentment by Micca Campbell (audio)
Stress-Lessed Living by Tracie Miles
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing - a grateful heart!"
~ George Herbert
If gratitude doesn't come easily, begin to offer up a "sacrifice" of praise (Hebrews 13:15) daily. Let the words of your mouth convince your heart.
Power Verse:
Psalm 50:23, "But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." (NLT)
© 2012 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 17, 2012
The Hardest Days — God Uses Them for Good
Sharon Glasgow
"You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples." - Psalm 77:14 (NIV 1984)
Our Christmas festivities came to a halt last year when a speeding car slammed into us at a stoplight. Presents, goodies and Christmas lists crashed to the floor. Thankfully the rescue squad and police arrived quickly and requested we go to the hospital.
However, we were hours from home and had a million things left on our holiday to-do list. With reservation, and minimalizing the bumps and bruises, we agreed we felt fine, and the emergency crew let us leave.
But my husband Dale really didn't feel well. By the next morning that "not right" feeling took center stage. We sensed something was seriously wrong with his heart.
In less than one full day, we ended up calling 911 twice. Again they responded quickly, sending a rescue team to our home. My husband Dale, with me by his side, was rushed to the emergency room.
Thankfully we weren't alone. My brother-in-law Tom followed behind the ambulance with our daughters. And our friend Todd heard what was going on and also headed to the hospital.
While waiting in the emergency room, Todd and Tom talked about the mission Tom leads in East Africa. He explained how he was looking for resources to help put wells in place for thousands who don't have access to clean water. Todd recalled a conversation he'd had with a friend just the night before. Amazingly, she'd shared her deep desire to fund, of all things, wells in Africa.
Without missing a beat, Todd called his friend and explained Tom's needs for the people of East Africa. This generous woman immediately gave money to dig wells that would serve 5000 people.
While God was orchestrating the miracle of clean water, He was also performing a healing on my husband. The doctors recorded that Dale had suffered a heart attack caused by the car accident. Our family and friends prayed over him and incredibly he began to feel as good as new. The next day the diagnosis "heart attack" was wiped off Dale's chart and the doctor's released him to go home. He was healed!
What a whirlwind of activity! In less than 24 hours we'd been in a wreck, Dale was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with a heart attack, a connection was made that provided thousands with clean water in Africa, and Dale was released from the hospital with a clean bill of health, completely healed!
I'll be honest—those 24 hours were awfully hard to endure and totally derailed my holiday plans. I wouldn't want to go through them again. Car accidents and emergency hospital visits aren't something anyone ever wants, especially during Christmas. It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year!
In the moment it was incredibly difficult, yet in hindsight it all actually was wonderful. During a time of the year when we celebrate one of God's greatest miracles—the birth of Jesus—we got to witness several awe-inspiring miracles. God used the very hard circumstances we went through to display His power ... not only in that local hospital to save Dale's life, but also to people across the world, saving many lives in Africa through clean water.
Let's be on the lookout during this holiday season to see the Lord at work. His Word promises in Psalm 77:14 that God performs miracles and shows His power. How is He doing those things in your life today?
Dear Lord, open my eyes to what You are doing in the middle of circumstances that are outside of my plans. Help me to keep my eyes on You and Your power over all things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Sharon Glasgow as your next event or keynote speaker.
For a fresh way to read Scripture, you might enjoy the Chronological Bible.
For more on this topic, including a Christmas giveaway, visit Sharon's blog.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you had circumstances happen that weren't what you planned for Christmas? Have you seen God working through the hardships?
Ask Him to show you how He will use it for good.
Power Verses:
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (NKJV)
Exodus 15:11, "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 18, 2012
Adjusting Our Holiday Focus
Tracie Miles
"But the Lord said to her, My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)
As I stared at the wood floor covered in shattered ornaments and tangled lights, tears welled in my eyes. The frustration and sadness over my fallen Christmas tree had finally pushed me to the breaking point. This wasn't the first time my carefully decorated tree had crashed to the floor that week. It was the fourth.
After securing our top-heavy tree in its stand, my family and I hung decorations on each branch. When finished, we turned on the sparkling lights and stepped back to gaze at our accomplishment.
We cherished that moment ... and did our best to cherish it again after the second round of decorating. But after the tree fell a third time and the surviving ornaments were sparse, the task of decorating became a chore.
When the tree crashed in the middle of the night—for the fourth time—I loudly vowed to never have a Christmas tree again.
I let that tree steal my Christmas joy, and replaced it with frustration and a small dose of anger. Winning the battle with this tree had consumed way more of my energy and emotions than it should have. Before I knew it, I'd completely lost my focus on what really mattered.
In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus tells Martha she's lost focus. Martha was so consumed with planning the perfect dinner party for Jesus, and making sure she completed all her important tasks, she was too distracted with 'things' to make Jesus her focal point. She also got frustrated with her sister Mary's lack of help, which left her feeling agitated and upset.
So when she voiced her irritation to Jesus, He quickly, yet gently, reminded Martha that she was worried about details that didn't matter. He wasn't concerned with fancy food, a perfectly decorated house, or clean kitchen. He wasn't impressed with all the 'things' she was doing. He only wanted her to realign her priorities and fix her attention on Him.
Christmas is when we turn our focus to the birth of Jesus. Yet it's often where we get most distracted by a variety of 'things.' We stress about what gifts to buy and how much they will cost. We fret over what to wear to parties. We feel anxious about gaining a few pounds from indulging in holiday goodies. We work ourselves into a tizzy decorating. We cook and clean to prepare for special guests.
We can be concerned about many things and forget to be centered on the One who really matters.
Just as Martha allowed busyness to cause her to lose focus on Jesus, we can fall into that trap during the holidays. However, it may not always be activities that distract, but concerns over finances, stress over family get-togethers, or yes, even an unstable Christmas tree. It's easy to inadvertently let the chaos of the season lure us away from the joy found in Jesus, the most important thing.
Let's be deliberate to adjust our focus this year on the birth of our sweet Savior, and avoid being engulfed by holiday stress. This change of heart could be the start of a great tradition. One where we remember to celebrate that Jesus truly is the reason for the season.
Dear Lord, I can tend to get stressed during the holidays. Help me adjust my focus to stay on You, and not get distracted or frustrated by problems or obligations during the Christmas season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
In her new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World, Tracie Miles helps you assess the toll that stress might be taking on your heart, mind and body throughout the year, not just at Christmas. If you'd like to learn how to tap into God's peace in the midst of stressful times, click here.
Click here for 7 Ways to De-stress Your Holidays.
Visit Tracie's blog to find out how you can claim 7 Free Gifts, including a great budget-friendly Christmas gift idea! Offer ends December 24th at midnight ... don't delay!
Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you allowed a frustration or disappointment to pull you away from focusing on the reason to celebrate Christmas?
It's not too late to adjust your holiday plans or activities so you can stay focused on Jesus, not all the holiday distractions.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:2, "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (NLT)
© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 19, 2012
How Do I Pray for the Families of Sandy Hook?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 24:14
There are things mommies aren't ever supposed to find.
They aren't supposed to find themselves in a firehouse frantically looking for their child.
They aren't supposed to find their child's name on a list of those who won't be coming home. They aren't supposed to find a dress to wear to their child's funeral.
They aren't supposed to turn their calendar and find a date circled for the birthday party they were supposed to be planning next month. The one that won't be.
Or walk to the mailbox and find their child's dentist appointment reminder card. The receptionist forgot to pull that one out.
Or find a book they know their child would love. Only half way to the checkout counter they remember, their child is gone.
They aren't supposed to find these things.
They aren't supposed to find that grieving for a child is like navigating a path with chasms so wide their continued steps seem impossible. Terrifying. Hopeless.
I know these chasms. I watched my mom stare at them. I saw her wish she could fall in them and never have to take another painful step. I wept over everything she found reminding her my sister was gone.
That's how I know what God would have me pray right now. For the families of the loved ones that lost so much last Friday. But especially for the mommies.
The mommies that even right now are finding things no mommy should have to find.
I want my prayers to slip into those chasms and somehow fill them. I am asking God to show me. Make me aware of the specific things those mommies might find in the months to come.
When the black dresses are hanging in the closets. The media has packed up and gone home. The cards stop coming. The neighbors' lives go back to normal.
And in the quietness of her own grief that mommy finds something. Something that breaks her heart all over again. And in that space of pure grief, she feels horrifically alone.
Please Lord, let my prayers go there. Prick my heart to fill that chasm with layers of prayers from my mommy heart. Let me take the deep grief of that moment so she doesn't have to be so alone.
Though she won't see me or hear my prayers, may she feel an unexplainable sense of Your presence. And know. You.
That's what I pray she does find. You. With her. Comfort. Peace. Healing. Hope.
Oh God, show us how to pray.
Dear Lord, thank You that Your Son and Holy Spirit pray for us when we don't have words. Please fill in the gaps of my prayers, but also help me respond when You prompt me to pray for the hurting. It's only by Your sufficient grace we can do this. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Reflect and Respond:
Let's be a people of prayer. Please leave a prayer on Lysa's blog for the family and friends, teachers and first responders, churches and community organizations, of Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:8, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (NIV)
Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 20, 2012
How to Stay Home and Change the World
Karen Ehman
"And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]." Mark 16:15 (AMP)
When I was sixteen I wanted to change the world for Christ. I'd just begun my relationship with God after being introduced to Him at a youth retreat. Soon afterward, I started attending a missions-minded church. They told stories of people in far off lands who needed to hear about Jesus.
My plan was to someday go far away and help. Maybe I'd take clean water or medicine or teach them a new skill. But more than anything, I wanted to tell people about the Lord, introducing them to the God I loved and the Bible I couldn't put down. That was my plan ... or so I thought.
Instead, today I am a work-from-home mom with a limited budget, a used computer and yet an unchanged desire. I still want to change lives with the love of Christ. Thankfully, He's shown me I don't need to leave home to do that.
And you don't either. We can change the world from our very own homes. All we need is a little money, a mouse to click and a desire to tell the Good News. Then, we can be part of the charge in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]." We women can band together and pool our resources to tell the world about Jesus.
How do I know this is possible? For the past eight years, I've served God through Proverbs 31 Ministries from my home. And God is doing exciting things through this ministry.
Just this past year we impacted the lives of over 500,000 women daily through our Encouragement for Today devotions. We also celebrated with over 4,000 women who made first time commitments and gave their lives to Jesus through our events and online ministries. The staff in our tiny office also responded to over 10,000 prayer requests and counseled thousands of women in crisis and intervened to stop suicide attempts, divorces and more.
I get to be a part of what God is doing by serving and my own personal donations. And along with me, so does everyone who gives something to Proverbs 31 Ministries.
We value every gift and giver. The ones who give hundreds ... the ones who go without lattes each month and share their saved $25 ... the ones who donate $5. Yes, even $5 makes a big impact.
We might not be building wells to provide clean water, but we give women stuck in sadness or sin hope of a life in Christ.
We might not be dispensing medicine, but we point women to the Healer who can make their spirits whole.
We may not be teaching basic life skills such as planting and harvesting, but we teach needed skills such as how to study the Bible, forgive and mend a friendship, strengthen a marriage, and connect with children.
Do you want to change the world by offering hope, help, and even life, from your home? We'd love for you to join us. When we give our collective "littles," God transforms them into a big movement that will alter lives both now and for eternity.
Dear Lord, thank You for the countless blessings You give me every day. Food. Shelter. Family. Friends. Please take my little, transform it with Your touch, and use it to bring more people into Your Kingdom as they experience and respond to the Good News of Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Will you join us in serving Jesus as we seek to change the world with His hope, right from your very own home? Our staff, speaker team and board of directors has created a matching gift fund. Click here to find out how your donation can be doubled.
Visit our website to see a simple way you can be a crucial part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries team and impact another person's life for God ... for good.
Reflect and Respond:
When did you first hear of the Good News of Christ? Who told you? How did they share it with you?
What real needs do you see in the lives of women around you that you can meet?
Power Verses:
John 20:21, "Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 21, 2012
Looking Around
Rachel Olsen
"Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap." Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV)
Do you ever look around at other women and wonder how in the world they get so much done?
Me too.
It's frustrating to feel that you are somehow falling behind, or missing out on all the things you want to accomplish because you just can't seem to make it happen.
So I started to analyze why it was others seemed to get more done than I did. Why did they reap more than me?
Was I just not cut out to run at as fast a pace as them?
I suspect there may be some truth to that. We all know people we'd classify as "high energy." Note: I'm energetic, but I'm not one of those perky morning people that I dislike, uh, er ...admire. Okay, envy.
Was I just in a different season of life? I still have kids in the home - kids who cannot drive. Certain seasons of mothering or care-taking can be busier.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized these were not the full crux of my problem.
No, the crux of my problem was waiting for everything to be perfect before I moved forward. If I didn't feel I could do something "right," I often didn't do it at all. If I couldn't control each move, or the outcome, I waited rather than began. And that meant a lot of things sat either un-started or unfinished.
Home improvement projects.
Sewing projects.
Writing projects.
Work projects.
Even my elaborate study-the-Bible plans.
I spent a lot of time waiting until I felt fully ready, and all conditions seemed ripe before I would begin. That was a lot of time wasted. In fact, when I reflect on the things I have accomplished in life, I'm not sure I've ever felt fully ready for any of them when I started.
I wanted ideal conditions. A primary lesson in the book of Ecclesiastes is learning to distinguish between the things we have control over, and the things we don't. For instance, we can't control the weather, the aging process, or the job market. Trying to control such things is futile. And waiting for the climate, our appearance or the work industry to be perfect before we embark on our dreams is just as useless.
Will we never plan a picnic because it could rain? Will we not bother exercising because we're going to die at some point? Will we put off training for that new job we've always wanted because the economy could turn?
The message of Ecclesiastes 11:4 is: Stop procrastinating! Don't be overly cautious. Quit waiting on perfection. Staring at the clouds stops you from sowing, which ultimately limits your reaping.
True, the conditions might not be perfect. Your efforts might fail. Or they might have to be repeated for months before they yield significant results. But they also might succeed! And you don't know in advance what is going to work.
Nothing will work, however, if we do not.
We can't control the rain, the locusts of life, or the size of our harvest. But we control the planting. And nothing grows that isn't first planted with energy and fertilized with prayer.
Ecclesiastes teaches us our inability to control the future should lead us into diligent work, not into depressed daydreaming while we watch clouds - and others - go by.
While we can't control everything, we can do something about one thing. She who stares at the clouds - waiting - does not reap. But she who plants, reaps.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the time I've wasted waiting for ideal conditions. Waiting until I felt sure I could succeed. I want to move out in faith. I want to plant and reap. I want to be a good steward of the time and opportunities You afford me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lose the long list of resolutions — all your sweeping promises to change — and do something about one thing this year instead of nothing about everything. In Rachel Olsen's newest book, My One Word, she and co-author Mike Ashcroft lead you in choosing just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year. Pick up your copy by clicking here!
Need some more help overcoming procrastination? Visit Rachel's blog today.
We offer a ton of encouragement on our Facebook community. Click here and "Like" our page.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What have you been putting off doing?
How does procrastination, fear, or perfectionism prevent you from being a good steward of God's opportunities and callings?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)
© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 24, 2012
Giving, Not Getting
Karen Ehman
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families ..." - Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV 1984)
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" The loudspeaker blared out the joyful lyrics of the familiar holiday song that snowy Christmas Eve afternoon.
Everywhere I glanced, people were searching for last-minute gift purchases, holiday baking ingredients or that one final string of twinkle lights that would make their Christmas downright Norman Rockwell perfect.
However, as I stood in line paying for the ingredients for my assigned Cheesy Potato casserole for our family gathering, a lump formed in my throat. Soon my lips quivered and hot tears fell onto my wind-chapped cheeks.
How can everyone be so happy? Why is the world going on as if nothing happened? My friend Julie died last night leaving behind a husband and eight children who need her. Doesn't anyone care?
I wanted to scream. And I wanted Christmas to be cancelled that year. There was no holiday cheer in me and I thought the rest of the world should follow suit and just 'humbug' the whole celebration.
Our family made it through that holiday. My young children, although sad about their friends' mother's death, perked up Christmas morning, eager to open their gifts. My husband and I carried on with our normal life and, over the next few months, tried to help lighten the load of our now widower friend.
Several in our circle of friends made meals on a weekly basis. A college girl offered to clean their home. One of Julie's sons joined our homeschool for kindergarten a few days each week. Although we still experienced great heartache knowing our friend wasn't coming back, lightening her husband's load and cheering the children made us feel as if we were fulfilling the mission God had for us.
Ever since that year, our family has become even more aware of the fact that for many, Christmas isn't the most wonderful time of the year. It is downright painful.
Loneliness looms. Depressions darken. Even suicides soar. While scores of us delight in the season, drinking the sights, sounds and smells, others are numb from pain and despise the season.
And so I'm reminded of what a sweet neighbor of mine once told me, "Christmas is an excuse for making someone's life better." She was so right! There are souls waiting to be encouraged and included at the holidays. If only we would cease our own sometimes self-focused hustle and bustle long enough to see!
After that sad season, we've made it our mission to reach out at the holidays more than we play the commercialized "gimmee game."
Christmas is not about getting. Its very essence is giving.
When our family has been intentional about being Jesus' hands and feet at the holidays, He has allowed us to brighten the lives of many. We sing Christmas carols to shut-ins, decorate homes and address Christmas cards for widows, shop for the needy, bake for the brokenhearted, and often include the lonely in our normal Christmas activities as if they were part of our family.
Because really, they are. Maybe it is your family God wants to set a lonely soul in this year.
Let's vow this Christmas to make someone's life better, richer in love, and fuller in the comforts of knowing they are noticed and cared for.
Dear Lord, at this time when You sent Christ to earth, may I too reach out to make someone's life richer, fuller and far less lonely. I want to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Want an unhurried holiday? Visit Karen's blog to sign up to receive by email her 5-Days "From Chaos to Calm: The LET. IT. GO. Christmas Challenge."
LET. IT. GO.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
Gather the family. Solicit responses to the following questions, "Who do you know that might be lonely at Christmas this year? Now, what creative way could we help to combat their loneliness and make them feel loved?"
List the action steps you will take to make these ideas a reality. Mark the calendar to ensure it happens.
Has there ever been a holiday season where you felt gloomy or alone? Did anyone do something to make you feel loved and included?
How can reaching out to the lonely be a reflection of God reaching down from heaven to us on that very first Christmas?
Power Verses:
Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 25, 2012
A Christmas Prayer
Renee Swope
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Thousands of years ago God gave us the gift of His one and only Son, born in a humble manger. Making room in our hearts for Jesus through prayer during this busy day is a gift we give to Him, and ourselves. Right now, let's quiet our racing thoughts and take a moment to enjoy the hush of Immanuel—God with us.
The Manger of My Heart
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for this Holy day and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light."
"Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray.
God's presence in our lives is a gift we can open not only today but every day of the year.
Dear Lord, I'm so thankful for the gift of Jesus, Immanuel, my God with me. Help me be still when I feel frazzled and remember You are God. I want to make room for You in the manger of my heart this Christmas and unwrap Your presence each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Reflect and Respond:
When you feel anxious, empty or stressed, pause and pray each word of today's Christmas prayer. Why not print it and share it with family today? To find out how you can receive a printable version to frame, click here.
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:1-2, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (NIV)
© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 26, 2012
Remembering
Samantha Reed
"Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." - Psalm 25:6 (NIV)
I sometimes struggle to see how God's Word applies to me and my life. Especially when I've been waiting a long time for some prayers to be answered. For hearts of loved ones to fully turn to Jesus. For manna to rain from heaven.
The funny thing about waiting is it can be all-consuming. It inhales my attention, chews my focus and swallows my thoughts, leaving me in a place of uncertainty and doubt. I forget God's power to fulfill my hopes for prayers answered. Its then, when I can't see how He's going to bring things to pass, I have to rely on His faithfulness in the past.
Remembering God's faithfulness in other's lives in Scripture, reminds us of His faithfulness in our own.
When the waters rise, you've waited long for rescue and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 8:1*: But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
When dust and debris threaten to replace passions, dreams and callings and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 9:15: I will remember my covenant between me and you.
When the pitter-patter of little feet is silent and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 30:22: Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.
When fear, worry, doubt and anxiety enslave and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Exodus 2:23a, 24a, 25b: During that long period...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out...God heard their groaning and he remembered... and was concerned about them.
When you can't sleep and restlessness sets in, remember... Psalm 63:6-7: On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
When guilt consumes and you fear God will never forget your sins, remember... Isaiah 43:25: I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
When all hope is lost, remember... Luke 24:6a-7: He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you...'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'
When your marriage comes back from the brink of despair, remember... Deuteronomy 8:2: Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness.
When dreams come true and you're thriving in your calling, remember... 1 Chronicles 16:12a, 15: Remember the wonders he has done... He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations...
Recalling these accounts in Scripture helps me remember His goodness in my own life. When I can't see how He is moving on my behalf, I choose to remember that He promises to be just as present and faithful to me and you today as He was for others in the past.
When joy surrounds. When sorrow clobbers. When all's right in our world. When the bottom drops out. When we feel loved and cherished. When we feel abandoned and alone, let'sremember... They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35)
Dear Lord, Your love and Your grace never fail. Please help me remember this today and always. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you met this God who is always faithful?
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
Share God's faithfulness to those in need by supporting a child through Compassion International.
Reflect and Respond:
Remember times God has been faithful to you. Recount those out loud today.
Focus on the everyday miracles that remind us of God's faithfulness like waking up and breathing.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. ~Thomas Chisolm
Power Verses:
Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." (NIV)
Jeremiah 31:34b, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (ESV)
*All verses NIV
© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 27, 2012
The Unraveling of a Marriage
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10 (NIV)
I had a favorite sweater I loved wearing. It wasn't too bulky but was still warm and cozy. The only problem was the threads were loosely woven together. It would snag on things, so I had to be careful.
I was mindful of the delicate nature of this sweater so I could protect it, make it last, and enjoy wearing it time and again.
Until one day I was in a hurry, grabbed some things I needed and rushed to my car. I tossed my stuff on the passenger seat, including a spiral notebook whose metal binding wire caught on my sleeve. As I pulled my arm toward the steering wheel, the notebook came with it and pulled a huge snag in my sweater.
I unhooked myself and assessed the damage. I should have taken the sweater off and later taken time to repair the snag the correct way.
But in my rush, I made the decision to do what seemed easiest in the moment. I snipped the lose threads and hoped for the best.
That decision started an unraveling process that ended the life of my beautiful sweater.
Recently, my husband and I got into an argument. In front of the kids. Over something so stupid. Right before we were about to head out the door to go on a date.
In the heat of the argument he announced the date was off. He no longer wanted to go. Honestly, I didn't either.
I wanted to sit in a coffee shop by myself and make a mental list of all the reasons I was right. All the reasons he was wrong. And justify my perspective.
But it's at this exact moment of resistance an unraveling can begin.
Doing what seems easy in the moment often isn't what's best for the long term.
I pushed for us to still go on our date. It wasn't fun. It wasn't easy. There were tears.
There were awkward stretches of silence. But we pushed through the resistance we both felt, and eventually talked.
Talking through the snags. The pulls. The things that threaten to unravel us.
There is a delicate nature to marriage. It's so easy to forget that. It's so easy to take it all for granted and stop being careful. Stop being mindful. Stop being protective.
The unraveling can happen so quickly. And the unraveling doesn't just happen in marriages. It can occur with best friends, children, in-laws ... especially during the holidays.
Yes, during what's considered the happiest season of the year, stress levels can be at an all time high. Between coordinating family get-togethers, shopping blow-out sales, and spending time with that relative you might not be friends with if you weren't related, Christmas can feel anything but merry and the New Year anything but happy. And all that's pulling at you can make tempers flare and your relationships feel like they're coming apart at the seams.
Be intentional about catching the snags in these relationships. Today. Right now.
For me, being intentional required an apology to my husband. By admitting I was wrong and asking for forgiveness. Repairing the snags the correct way—tying a knot and tucking it back into the weave of our relationship fabric.
Dear Lord, thank You for special relationships. I let my emotional state get the best of me sometimes, but I want You to be in control of how I react. Please give me the spirit I need to build up people around me instead of tearing them down. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In her New York Times best selling book Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst shares how to respond with no regrets by managing your tendencies to stuff or explode. Click here to purchase your copy.
Do you have a few friends drowning in relationship stress? The Unglued Bible study bundle makes a great gift you can all enjoy together and study in the New Year.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What's something you can do today to invest wisely in your relationships?
Write down two people you will commit to improving your relationship with this month. Note things that are special to them such as favorite hobbies, ways they are encouraged, places to eat, etc. Use this information to bless them in the time you spend together.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 28, 2012
Overplanners Anonymous
Suzie Eller
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
I sat with pen in hand, surprised by the words on the page in front of me.
"You will not find my Peace by engaging in excessive planning; attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. This is a commonly practiced form of unbelief." (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling)
Planning is one of the things I do best. I have my list of things to accomplish every day. I have a list of goals in ministry. I even have a bucket list!
Planning is a good thing, right?
However, as I read those words in my devotional book, the Holy Spirit revealed to me the way I must often appear to my Heavenly Father.
There are so many things I want to do. Instinctively I know that God's timing isn't mine, but sometimes my litany of lists are in the hopes that if I work hard enough and plan long enough that God will get on my schedule.
It's not that planning is wrong. With our busy lifestyles, our lists keep us from dropping off our young daughter in a cowgirl costume at the neighbor's house ... when the party is scheduled for the next Friday (yes, it really happened).
But this was a deeper heart issue. How many times did I plan and plan and plan some more, only to be disappointed as my lists got longer and my goals farther away.
My planning was less about organization, and more about worry. I felt more in control if I made lists because I felt like I was doing something.
I sensed God saying, "Lay it down. All the planning, all the worry about how things will work out."
In 1 Peter 5:6-7 we are encouraged that, "God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time." In the very next verse, Peter warns us to be aware that, "... the devil is poised to pounce..." (The Message)
It's no accident that Peter shared a promise, but also a warning.
The promise is that God is in control. He knows exactly where He is taking you, and as you trust Him, His promotion may look very different (and far more fulfilling) than your carefully drawn plans.
When we are trapped in excessive planning and things don't work out the way we want, it can create anxiety, frustration, or anger towards God—all traps the enemy would love to use to discourage and distract us.
I didn't stop writing lists. They keep me from forgetting what I need to do.
But I have stopped excessive planning.
God's ways are higher than mine. And if I keep that truth above my planning, then I am open to go in whatever direction God leads.
I didn't have to sign up for Overplanner's Anonymous. Instead, the first thing on my plan every day is to simply "trust God."
Dear Lord, I know that being organized is a good thing, but my excessive planning is tied to worry. Today I give You all my cares. You have my future in Your hands. I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway of Sarah Young's devotional, Jesus Calling.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Planning is a valuable tool as we map out our day or figure out how to accomplish a huge task. But Jesus often led His disciples to investigate the heart issue beneath their actions. In light of that, ask these questions:
Am I organized or do I plan excessively?
What is my reaction when things don't go as I planned?
Do I believe that God orders my steps?
Take those answers and get alone with God as you hand your future plans to Him.
Power Verses:
Luke 12:25-26, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? " (NIV)
Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (NIV)
© 2012 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 31, 2012
Hurry is a Heart Condition
Glynnis Whitwer
"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NASB)
Hurry had a tight hold on me.
When my children were young, you would have found me rushing from one task to another, usually pushing or dragging a frustrated child. I was either in high gear, or crashing in the aftermath of the frenzy ... often holding back tears, and berating myself for not being able to get it together.
It was an exhausting way to live. But an inner drive to achieve fueled the fury of my days. Refusing to admit I couldn't do it all, I tried to keep up the same pre-child schedule. Sadly, everyone in my family paid the price, especially my little boys who weren't genetically wired to sit quietly and color while Mommy attended a meeting.
During that time, "hurry up or we'll be late" was commonly heard, yelled from the kitchen or hissed while we scurried into the back row at church. There was too much to do, in too little time. Life was blurry with hurry.
Sadly, I thought everyone lived like this. That was until I read about hurry sickness in The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg. My heart was skewered when I read one of the symptoms is a diminished capacity to love. My children could have told you I had a problem. Only it wasn't hurry sickness, it was hurry addiction.
I didn't want to be that woman who rushed through life. I didn't want my children to look back and say, "Wow, Mom got a lot done!" I wanted them to be convinced, thoroughly and utterly, of my love for them. And not just my children, but my husband, parents, sisters, and so on.
The Bible is clear that loving others is critical. And not just in public. First Corinthians 16:14 says, "Let all that you do be done in love" (NASB). Which means when I'm trying to get out the door in the morning, or finishing up a project before a deadline. God clearly was telling me to slow down, and prioritize the person in front of me rather than the task on my to-do list.
Eliminating hurry from my life took years of hard work. I had to choose to walk and talk slower. I had to eliminate responsibilities from my life, and plan ahead. Most importantly, I had to deal with the hidden issues that motivated me to hurry.
In the process, I learned hurry is not a required byproduct of one type of lifestyle. We can't point our fingers at anyone and say, "Look sister, here's your problem – you need to quit _______."
The truth is, a homeschooling mom can be more hurried than an executive. And a retired person can be more hurried than a working mom of five. Hurry is a condition of our hearts. It's the result of following my to-do list, rather than God's. And loving those around me is always on God's to-do list.
Hurry has different roots. For some it's procrastination. For others it's people-pleasing. For me it was a need to prove I still had it, even though my life had been slowed down by the blessings of children. Whatever the root, the result is the same: a rushed woman who doesn't make time to show love to those around her.
You'll still find me hurrying at times. Especially when my husband or children spontaneously invite me away from my work to spend time with them. But now I'm hurrying to love, not to finish a task. And that makes all the difference.
Dear Lord, thank You for patiently showing love to me. You always have time for me. Help me to give that same gift to those around me. Please show me the root of my own hurry issues. I want to be more like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for tips on how to eliminate hurry from your life.
For more practical help on managing your days, you might enjoy I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope can help you deal with some of the heart issues causing hurry sickness.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What times of the day, or situations, cause you to hurry?
Besides a diminished capacity to love, what other negative side effects does hurry sickness cause?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:13 , "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." (NIV)
John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV)
© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 1, 2013
The Honeymoon Life
Sharon Glasgow
"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." Proverbs 31:25 (KJV)
My heart sank as she told me the tragic end to her love story. When she and her husband married, they couldn't afford a nice honeymoon. Kids came and the money to do something special together just never seemed to be there. Her husband worked all the time, so for years she dreamed and planned for the trip she longed for with him—the perfect honeymoon.
When their last child was leaving for college, they finally set up their honeymoon trip. But something awful happened right before they were ready to leave. Her husband was tragically killed in a car accident. Her dreams were shattered.
With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I stood by her feeling helpless to offer the right words. All I could say was, "I'm so sorry."
Her story affected me deeply. Although my husband was still alive, I didn't have the honeymoon of my dreams either. On our wedding night we stayed at a state park. For years I too dreamed of the day I would have a "real" honeymoon. After hearing her story, I changed my thinking and made a new plan.
I didn't want to pin my hopes on a fancy trip. On that day I decided to live every day as if it were my honeymoon.
Rather than a honeymoon trip, I wanted a honeymoon life.
Hearing her story made me worry. What if my husband died too? What if I didn't have the chance to show him how important he was to me every day?
I went before the Lord and committed, "My husband is Yours. I don't know how long my days will be with him. But, I trust You to teach me how to spend our time wisely. I trust You that when our days are done, I will have no regrets. Teach me now how to be a lover of You first. And by loving You, I will know how to love my husband fully every day, especially when the days are hard, the storms rage, and the sun sets at the close of our life."
On that day the Lord gave me a peace that flooded my entire being. A scripture from the Bible came to my mind after I prayed. It was Proverbs 31:25, "Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come."
I knew God was telling me to not be afraid of what tomorrow might bring. He would give me the strength to live the honeymoon life successfully. That truth helped me rejoice at my future knowing that I would live married life to the fullest.
Just a few weeks later my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. We couldn't afford a special trip, but that didn't discourage me. This was the start of a new way of looking at my marriage ... of celebrating a honeymoon life every day. I packed a simple picnic of his favorite foods and the two of us enjoyed it, and each other, in the middle of our field.
No trip around the world, no lavish hotel, nor any gourmet dish could have competed with that field, the picnic dinner, and the way God changed my perspective.
From that day on, I chose the honeymoon life. Not just dreaming of it but living it every day. I've set my heart to cherish the simple things, like making my husband's favorite foods and eating together by candlelight, going to bed at the same time, reading and praying together. Even mundane trips to the store together.
We've been living the honeymoon life for 16 years now and have been married for 31. With God's help, I've been able to see every day as an opportunity to love my husband in a special way. We may never go on that honeymoon trip, but I'll take a picnic in a field with the one I love any day.
Dear Lord, give me the ability to live the honeymoon life with my husband. Help me to stop focusing on the what if's of the future and to start focusing on loving to the fullest today. Help me not to have any regrets of how I've lived out my married life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog for more encouragement on living the honeymoon life.
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Reflect and Respond:
It isn't anniversary trips, diamonds or flowers that make our marriage. It's how we live married life every day that makes it romantic and priceless.
What are some things you could do for your husband that would jumpstart the honeymoon life today?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:10-11, "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain." (NKJV)
Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." (NKJV)
© 2012 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 2, 2013
Someone to Lean On
Wendy Pope
"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset." Exodus 17:12 (NIV)
Someone very dear to me is in the fight of her life ... she's wrestling with her belief in God and searching to know with certainty that Scripture is true. She's fighting for her faith. Watching from the sidelines is difficult to endure for me. But the battle is one that only she can combat.
I love her so much and want to jump in the ring with my fighting gloves and slay the enemy. As one who came out victorious from the same struggle of my own, I long to bottle the knowledge I learned and give it to her. Handing my wisdom and faith to her would surely spare her the agony associated with a fight for faith in the Lord.
Watching the conflict as a bystander is arduous. But while I watch, I pray. And through prayer I am reminded of two men in the Bible who stood by their friend Moses in battle.
Moses sent Joshua into battle to fight an army of their enemies. While Joshua and the men waged war, Moses stood on top of the mountain holding his staff over the valley. Joshua and his men were victorious as long as Moses held the staff up. When Moses lowered the staff, their enemies gained on them.
Moses' friends, Aaron and Hur, followed him up the mountain. They saw the pressure and agony Moses experienced as he held the staff. With compassion, these men pushed a large rock under Moses for him to rest upon. Then, in a selfless act of love and friendship, they each held up one of Moses' arms as he held the staff high.
They could not hold the staff for Moses but they could stand with him through the long battle.
They filled in the gap created by Moses' weakness with the strength of their faith.
This story challenged me to change my position from a bystander to that of a gap-stander. A bystander is an onlooker who watches, but does not to get involved.
A gap-stander has empathy and takes action, using the strength of her faith to help the fighter stand until victory comes. A gap-stander is someone the one in battle can lean on.
Are you watching someone you care about fight for faith, whether in God, for healing, restoration of a marriage, or something else? Do you feel helpless?
We cannot give our faith to our loved ones or fight for them, but we can stand with them and support them as they fight to have their own faith.
The job of the gap-stander isn't easy, but it is a place of honor. Gap-standers are committed to encouragement, prayer, and spiritual and practical support. As we watch the battle rage, we also share in and observe God's great work and their victory. Who can you stand in the gap for today?
Dear Lord, someone I love is fighting and is tired. Will You show me how I can help? I choose to change positions from a bystander to a gap-stander. Help me have patience and be compassionate as I stand in the gap. I praise You for the victory that awaits for my loved one. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy Pope's website where she's sharing ways to be an effective gap-stander.
Living Free in Christ teaching on CD by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Read Moses' story in Exodus 17:8-13.
Perhaps you're the one fighting for a faith to call your own. You feel you don't have anyone to stand in the gap as you fight. Proverbs 31 Ministries would love to connect you with women who will be gap-standers with as you fight. Through our Online Bible Studies, Online Communities, and Facebook page you will meet women who love the Lord and will encourage you.
Might this be a prayer for you to whisper today? Dear Lord, right now I need some gap-standers. I am weak, weary, and wounded from this fight. Fill me with courage to reach for help. I praise You for the victory that awaits me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 3, 2013
The Best Worst Thing
Lysa TerKeurst
"He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
I failed at being a wedding planner.
No one wants a planner who gets so undone by the neurotic mother-of-the-bride that she throws up in the parking lot right beside the guest sidewalk.
Really, nothing says, "Welcome to my wedding" quite like that.
I failed at being a kitchen gadget saleswoman.
No one wants to see the tip of a thumb sliced off into the veggie pizza at the exact moment I was promising how safe this gadget is.
Awesome.
I failed at being a cafeteria lady at a private school.
My assistant decided her arms were so dry she needed to coat herself with our spray butter. When we took the trash out later that day, we both got attacked by bees and forgot about the pizza in the oven.
Kids don't take kindly to burnt pizza.
I failed at being a receptionist.
It's never a good idea to just succumb to those sleepy afternoon feelings and lay your head down on the desk.
Bosses don't like workers who snore. Even if they are pregnant.
Yes, I failed at a lot during those years where I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. At the time each of these things felt like the worst that could have happened. Now, I think they were the best worst things.
Had these things been successful, I would have never discovered the joy of being in the ministry I'm in now.
I see this same theme woven throughout many stories in the Bible.
In Matthew 8:23-24 we find Jesus getting into a boat with His disciples. "Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat." Worst thing.
But in verse 26 Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and waves and things turned completely calm. The disciples were amazed. Best worst thing.
In Acts 5:18 we find the apostles being arrested and thrown in jail. Worst thing.
But in Acts 5:19 we find an angel of the Lord opening the doors of the jail and bringing them out. Later we find them with so much confidence they boldly proclaim, "We must obey God rather than men!" (v. 29b) Best worst thing.
I don't understand why we have to go through cruddy stuff. And I certainly know there are many worse things to go through then what I've mentioned here.
We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken? He isn't ever caught off guard, taken by surprise, or shocked by what happens next.
He can take our worst and add His best. We just have to make the choice to stay with Him and keep following Him through it all.
Dear Lord, I know You are capable of taking my worst and turning it into Your best. Show me this truth anew today. Refresh my spirit. I want to follow You through it all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you enjoy Lysa TerKeurst's devotions, be sure to sign up for more daily inspiration she sends out from her blog by clicking here. It's free and great for passing along to friends.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
Reflect and Respond:
We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn't it comforting to know God isn't ever broken?
Ponder the promises He has made in the Bible and how He has been faithful to you.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:23, "If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm." (NIV 1984)
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 4, 2013
God is Waiting
Wendy Blight
"Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart; for they bring life to those who find them, and health to their whole body." Proverbs 4:20b-22 (NLT)
Sometimes I feel like I disappoint God. My days get so busy that I forget to open my Bible. I know I should, but I can't seem to find the time.
Eventually, when guilt overtakes me, I open it and read some Scripture.
What do I find? Not what I expect.
First, let me tell you what I don't find. I don't find condemnation and rebuke. Instead, I find grace and encouragement. In fact, recently, God greeted me tenderly and lovingly with these words, "My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body." (Proverbs 4:20-22, NLT, emphasis added)
God lovingly reminded me of what I miss when I fail to open His Word each day.
Each time we neglect Him, He graciously gives us a fresh start, a new opportunity to come to Him and meet Him in His Word guilt-free.
When I ignore time in my Bible, I forget how much God desires for me to meet Him there. Not for lessons and lectures, but because He wants to speak to me.
You see, God wants us to read our Bibles with no agenda, no homework assignment, no check list. He wants us to sit and simply experience Him through His Word. The Lord has secrets to teach us and treasures to unearth for us.
Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 He says that the secret things of God were once hidden from us, but now God has made them available in His Word through His Holy Spirit.
Years and years ago, only God's chosen heard directly from God. But not anymore! God makes His Word known to you and to me.
In John 16:13, Jesus promised that through His Holy Spirit, He would guide us into all truth. "To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken from them." (Matthew 13:12, NLT)
If you have been neglecting the Word, will you join me today and open God's Word? Open it from a place of great confidence! Believe with all your heart and trust God at His Word that you will understand the words you read through the help of His Holy Spirit.
Ask God to reveal His secrets and unearth those treasures. When you get a taste of God's Holy Spirit speaking to you and teaching you while you read His Word ... you will never want to stop!
Go for it! Remember, He is waiting for you.
Dear Lord, help me not to neglect time Your Word. Create in me a hunger to carve out time to be with You. When I meet with You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, open the eyes of my heart to understand the wonderful treasures tucked away in Your Word. Thank You that You are waiting for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy Blight's blog to take a peek at her current online study, Living "So That:" Our Call to Action and sign up for future studies.
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life by Wendy Blight
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
Reflect and Respond:
Read Proverbs 2:1-11.
Journal what you learn about God's Word and the role God wants it to play in your life.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 2:6-10, "God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of His purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest - what God determined as the way to bring out His best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene ... No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it - what God has arranged for those who love Him. But you've seen and heard it because God by His Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you." (MSG)
© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 7, 2013
God, I Don't Understand
Glynnis Whitwer
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
God, I don't understand why my friend has cancer again. She's a young wife and mom. She loves You and her family. Why, Lord?
Have you ever asked God a question like that? I sure have. In fact, there's lots I don't understand about what happens here on earth. Like why people fight wars for power, leaving innocent children like my two little adopted daughters with life-long scars, inside and out. Like why people cheat and betray each other. And why hard working, honest men and women can't find jobs.
My list of questions is quite long. And when I focus on the "whys" of life, frustration and fear crowd out faith. It's not wrong to ask God hard questions. He doesn't seem to mind. However, when we don't resolve the seemingly unanswered ones, our faith can get shaken.
The hard truth is, many times we won't get answers to our "why" questions. And yet we believe we deserve them. Maybe it's because we can answer most questions using Google in under 10 seconds. Do we think God should be just as fast and on demand? Perhaps we are obsessed with trying to understand what we don't need to.
On a recent airline flight, God used a moment of fear to give me insight into this issue. It had been years since I'd been afraid of flying, so it surprised me. I'm not a pilot, nor do I understand physics or aeronautics. So when the plane took an odd bump, my stomach jumped as well.
Immediately God brought Proverbs 3:5 to mind: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." With that Word of truth, something shifted inside my heart and mind. I didn't have to know the "why" to have peace. I just had to know "Who" ... and He is completely trustworthy.
The whys of life can consume me, because I want to know answers. All the time. To big questions and little ones. Like why there is war. And why someone put an empty carton of milk back in the refrigerator. But that's just not always possible. The truth is, my understanding is human, frail, and woefully limited. It's hampered by emotion and colored by fear. It's also incomplete. On the other hand, God's wisdom and knowledge is perfect.
God doesn't need to explain everything to me. It's hard to accept, but true. I'm learning that I have a choice when I don't get a satisfactory answer to why something happened. I can choose to allow frustration to grow into distrust, or to submit my need to know why.
I still don't understand lots of what happens here on the earth. But I do know God can be trusted. And when I don't get an answer that makes sense to me, it's an opportunity to gracefully submit my limited understanding to God, and lean on Him.
Dear Lord, I praise You for being all-knowing. There is nothing that escapes Your eyes. Right now I'm facing some things that don't make sense. And when I lean on my own understanding, I feel shaky. Help me to submit my questions to You, and trust that You have everything under control. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more Scripture verses on God's faithfulness.
Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How do you tend to react when you don't get answers to your questions from people around you? From God?
How has God proved Himself faithful in the past in your life? Remind yourself of these times when you feel your faith shaking.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)
Proverbs 28:26, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 8, 2013
Focus Determines Direction
Rachel Olsen
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (NIV 1984)
Focus is an interesting thing. A powerful thing. I believe it makes change possible.
I live in in North Carolina - home to NASCAR. I even drove a stock car once in a qualifying race at the Franklin County Speedway. So I've talked to a few race car drivers in my time. Here's what I learned from them: You have to focus on where you want to go.
Race cars move so fast that the slightest change in course - the slightest turn of the wheel - quickly produces big changes in your position on that track. Surprisingly, where you look can shift your body enough to turn the wheel just enough to send you in that direction. Even if that wasn't where you intended to go.
In other words, your focus determines your direction.
That's why race car drivers are taught never to look at the wall. Look at the wall and that is where you will end up - crashed.
I think that's also why the Bible spends so much time teaching us to keep our eyes on Christ. Because our focus determines our direction.
Do you recall the story of Peter when he saw Jesus walking on the water in Matthew 14:29 Peter climbed out of the boat and walked on the waves. As long as he focused on Jesus, he walked toward Him on the water. But as soon as Peter looked down at the wind-whipped waves beneath him, that's precisely where he ended up.
I wonder if our typical New Year's Resolutions aren't us looking at the wall, or down at the sea instead of us focusing on Christ. We make promises like "I'm going to lose weight," or "I'm going to get more organized." (I've made both those resolutions before.) Or maybe, "I'm going to stop this affair." And then our focus is on our weight, the mess, or the forbidden fruit.
Next thing we know, although it's not where we intended to go, we're sinking in calories or clutter once again. And we feel defeated. Crashed. Then we give up.
Thankfully, I've found a new way to do New Year's Resolutions that keeps me properly focused. Instead of making my long list of ways I plan to improve, I prayerfully choose just one word to be my focus for the entire year. Just one word that represents what I most hope Christ will do in or through me that year. One word to give me direction.
It's not a regret-based word but a vision-driven word centering on the kind of person I want to become. It keeps me looking forward and upward.
I pray that word, meditate on it, memorize verses with it, and use it to remind me to keep my eyes on Christ, trusting Him for transformation in that area of my life. And I've seen transformation take place!
Reading Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to take our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances - off the problem behaviors or the "walls" in our lives—and fix them squarely on Christ. Because our focus determines our direction.
Ultimately Christ is the perfecter of us and our faith. We can trust Him to turn our resolution into reality as we stay focused with our one word and with our eyes on Him.
Dear Lord, I want to fix my eyes squarely on You today. Help me see You at work in my life and in the forming of my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you're looking for focus and direction this year, Rachel Olsen has written a new book with her pastor called My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word. Pick up a copy and learn how to walk through a year with Christ and your one word. Learn more at www.myoneword.org.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What "walls" in your life have you been looking at?
What can you do to remind yourself to keep your eyes on Christ? What word would help you maintain focus?
Power Verses:
Psalm 105:4, "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (NIV)
Romans 8:5, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." (ESV)
© 2013 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 9, 2013
When You Don't Have It In You
Renee Swope
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
I was completely blindsided. I'd been called into a meeting at my church with another woman in leadership who had been upset with me for months. But I was just finding out about it.
Someone told her I didn't agree with her leadership style. But that wasn't what I'd said - months before - in a meeting with several other leaders. I had been asked my opinion about a situation and shared my thoughts. It broke my heart that I was just being asked about it now, many months later.
We both volunteered countless hours in ministry, pouring our hearts and lives into women in our church. All the while, we were on the same team and assumed we fully supported one another. But now the trust we'd built for years was unraveling.
It was a mess. I was a mess.
I decided I was done. I just didn't have it in me. I wasn't strong enough or resilient enough. And I was exhausted from the hurt I felt and the hurt I had caused.
That afternoon I went home and cried. Told God I was ready to call it quits. Laying my head down on my desk, I said I couldn't do it anymore.
But then a truth that had been buried deep in my heart surfaced: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
And in that moment, I knew if I was willing to die to myself and completely rely on Christ in me I could experience His resurrection power in this place of depletion - where I had nothing left to give.
There was no way around this crossroad: I could either walk away from God's calling on my life or I could allow Jesus to live HIS life through me.
I could die to my desire to protect myself from getting hurt again and choose to tap into His power by relying on the strength of His Spirit.
I wasn't enough ... wasn't strong enough, resilient enough, or humble enough, but Christ in me was more than enough.
You see Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven. He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us! That is resurrection life - and the very place where we get our enough!
If you have been crucified with Christ, you no longer live, but Christ lives in you. The life you now live in your body, you can choose to live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you.
I opted to rely on the Holy Spirit within me as my friend and I navigated this tough leadership situation. It wasn't easy, but it was good and it helped restore our friendship. The next time you and I find ourselves at tough relational crossroads—choosing to walk away from God's calling on our life or allowing Jesus to live HIS life through us—let's allow HIM to be our enough! For indeed He is.
Dear Lord, You are mighty, and holy, and strong. And I thank You that Your sweet Holy Spirit is more than enough to help me die to myself and let YOU live through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
How do we stop letting life's hurts and hardships knock us down? In her award-winning book, A Confident Heart, Renee walks with you through the process of gaining spiritual resilience and lasting God confidence! You'll discover how to live in Christ by allowing Him to live His life in you and through you!
Renee's FREE Confident Heart devotions. Filled with daily insights, powerful promises and scripture-based prayers, you'll receive a week's worth of life-changing encouragement! Find out more here.
Connect with Renee on Facebook for more life-changing perspectives and promises from God's Word!
Reflect and Respond:
Prepare your mind and heart for the next time relationship conflicts arise. Decide now that you will allow Christ in you - through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit - to be enough and let Him live through you in those tough situations.
Bury this verse deep in your heart: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
Power Verses:
Philippians 1:21, "For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better." (NLT)
1 Peter 5:5, "... And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (NASB)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 10, 2013
From Overpowered to Empowered
Lysa TerKeurst
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
It was one of those days. I was driving to the airport in the pouring rain. The skies were grey. The day felt a bit gloomy. And honestly, so did I.
There were just a lot of little things swarming my thoughts. Feelings of inadequacy stinging. "There are so many things I'm responsible for and never enough hours in the day. I do enough to keep things from sinking. But I just wonder if I'm doing anything well. I don't think I am ... doing anything well."
The more I focused on these thoughts, the more overpowered I became. The more overpowered I became, the more withdrawn I felt.
I pulled into the parking space and started the fight with my luggage. My suitcase has two wheels missing. And of course I keep intending to do something about this. But I don't have time. So I make do with a crazy suitcase and a crazy life and a crazy sense I should just pack my family up and move out west somewhere. Live on a ranch where we grow our own food and I cook beans in a black pot over an open flame.
Surely that would fix everything.
Except that I know it wouldn't.
Because the chaos isn't from my circumstances. It's inside me.
I boarded the plane. I stared out the window. I watched the grey clouds envelop us.
And then the grey broke.
Suddenly, we rose above the clouds and the sun was shining brightly. The sky was fabulously clear.
The clouds were just a temporary covering. They didn't stop the sun from shining. They just prevented my eyes from seeing the sun. And it wasn't just the sky that appeared a little brighter. My mood did as well.
I started to shift from feeling overpowered to empowered as I realized three things:
Just because I feel it doesn't make it real.
Just like I felt the sun was gone but it wasn't, I might feel like I'm not doing anything well, but it doesn't make it true. The fact that I have weaknesses doesn't make everything about me weak. I have plenty of strengths.
All I have to do is ask a couple of my friends or my family members to help me see what I do well. I can celebrate those, and then get a plan for bettering things that need improvement. I can start by identifying one thing to improve on this month. And do a little toward making that one thing better.
There are a lot of people who would trade their best day for my worst day.
Yes, I have a lot to manage. And yes, sometimes things get a little foggy. But that doesn't mean I have to stay swallowed up in the grey. That means I need to get my head above the clouds and see all the many places where the sun is shining brightly in my life. So, I can start making a list of things for which I need to be thankful.
My mind needs some space to think.
If I always run at a breakneck pace, I'm eventually going to break. My mind is a powerful tool, capable of seeing things that can be done more efficiently and effectively if I give myself time to think. When is the last time I just sat quietly with a pen and paper and asked the Lord to help me think?
As 2 Corinthians 12:9 teaches, God's power is made perfect in weakness. When I'm sinking in thoughts of inadequacy and plans to relocate out west, I remember that my ability is not based on what I can do. My ability and strength come from the One who can do all things. With the Lord working in me and through my weaknesses, I can feel the transformation from being overpowered to empowered taking place.
If the clouds have been looming close lately, maybe it's time to stop. Pause. Lift your eyes to an altitude that can rearrange your attitude.
Dear Lord, only You can provide all I need to stay the course. Please replenish me with a new attitude as I try to see above my grey clouds today. Help me to refocus my attention to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God gave us feelings to experience life, not destroy it! If you're feeling overpowered by your emotions, add Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued to your reading list.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will also help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
1. Identify one thing to improve on this month.
2. Make a list of five things you are thankful for.
3. Commit 5-10 minutes today to sit quietly with a pen and paper and ask the Lord to help you think.
Power Verses:
Psalm 34:17-18, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 11, 2013
A Comfy Girl on Adventure
Suzie Eller
"They asked him to stay longer, but he declined." Acts 18:20 (NLT)
I have a comfy throw I snuggle in when watching my favorite TV program.
I wear faded and worn jeans at home.
I have a pair of shoes needing to be retired, but they fit in all the right places, so I keep them handy. Just in case.
I love comfort; yet following Christ means that God often leads me out of my comfort zone.
Paul the apostle modeled a life far from comfort. When he wasn't in prison for preaching about Jesus, he had a packed travel schedule. He preached in Thessalonica, traveled to Berea, spoke in the synagogue in Athens, made his way to Corinth, set sail for Syria, and made a brief stop in Ephesus. At Ephesus the crowd was eager for him to stay.
After all that travel, can you imagine how tempting that invitation must have been? It would be so easy to settle in with new friends to enjoy a respite from the unfriendly religious leaders, accusations, and fatigue of ministry.
Instead, Paul said a simple goodbye with a promise to return one day, God willing.
Five years ago I was invited to speak in Europe. Sounds amazing, right? It was, except for the fear that lodged right in the center of my chest as God called me away from my cozy throw and faded jeans. We were traveling to three countries and six cities in 10 days. There were language barriers to overcome. The speaking schedule was intense. And massive cultural differences had to be hurdled, especially in the area of faith.
There were times I was far outside my comfort zone on that journey. But I also had a front row seat to watch God work.
We witnessed the faith of moms whose families and neighbors weren't Christians light up with encouragement as we shared the Word of God. We drank thick Turkish coffee with immigrants in a refugee camp, praising and worshiping God together.
God was powerful in our own lives as we traveled by train, plane, and car—filled to overflowing in spite of the demanding schedule as we led Bible studies in homes, spoke at conferences, and ministered one-on-one.
Paul surely experienced this spiritual excitement on his journeys. Maybe he didn't linger in comfortable places because he had discovered the joy of walking straight into the lives of those who needed a Savior.
Since my first trip I've returned twice more with the team. Different countries. New challenges. Each time I was reminded that faith is an adventure and God sometimes calls comfy girls away from their safe places.
Maybe like me, you love to get comfy. It feels good to be settled. It's nice to know what to expect. But if you sense God inviting you out of your comfort zone, are you willing to go?
When God leads us out of our comfort zones, we experience uncharted territory. We might even come to the end of ourselves.
But we also have the privilege of being a small part of a big plan, offering our willing hearts and seeing the work only God can do.
Dear Lord, I'm willing to step outside my comfort zone to discover Your plan, not just for me, but for those You love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to discuss three ways God calls us out of our comfort zones, and how to respond.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"A characteristic of our comfort zones is that they have restraints. We will only go: so far in loving; so far in serving; so far in forgiving; so far in ministering; so far in witnessing; so far in giving; so far in sacrificing; so far in supporting and encouraging each other; so far in submissiveness; so far in our struggles against the spiritual forces of wickedness." ~Mark King
Sometimes when we read the words "go" (Mark 16:15) or "follow Me" (Mark 1:17), we might put restraints on those words, but what might happen if we begin to take those words to heart?
Read the scriptures above today with an open heart to God's leading. What is God speaking to you?
Power Verse:
Luke 9:23, "Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 14, 2013
New Dreams for a New Year
Amy Carroll
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Adulthood often seems like the place where dreams go to die. As a little girl my heart brimmed over with dreams. My parents' and teachers' encouragement convinced me anything was possible, so my prospects increased by the day.
I pictured myself traveling the countryside curing animals like James Herriott in All Creatures Great and Small. I envisioned myself as nanny-extraordinaire like Mary Poppins or an exquisite singer like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.
The advent of middle school challenged my girlish dreams. Not-so-encouraging peers, realizations of my limitations, and a few failures and hard knocks made me more cautious about my future. Although some dreams remained, others died along the way.
Sitting in a room of friends recently, I listened attentively as they shared a graveyard of dreams. Some dreams were killed by belittling from people who should have been supporters. Other dreams died a slow death when the realities of rent and grocery bills took precedence. Still others had been set on a shelf under a dusty dome of "some day." They wondered if God had forgotten the dreams in their hearts.
They aren't alone. The Bible records story after story of dreamers who had to wait for the fulfillment of their dreams.
Abraham dreamt of a promised nation.
Isaac dreamt of a beautiful woman in a strange land.
Hannah dreamt of a child.
Samuel dreamt of a godly king.
God is not only the weaver of dreams, but He answers them as well. God has limitless creativity, and His creation longs for the opportunity to create and build and produce things of value. He is the one who plants dreams in our heart to be held until the time is right to bring them to life.
I encourage you today to take out your dreams, resuscitate them if necessary and examine them. There may be childhood dreams that need to be allowed to slip away, like balloons gently released into the sky. But what about the others?
Are there any buried dreams that need to be dusted off, held in your hands and offered back to God? He's the one who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine with the ideas He's given. Offer those dreams a new start in this New Year.
Dear Lord, I embrace the dreams You've given me. Help me resist discouragement and hold on to them until I see Your power bring them to reality. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy's blog to hear more about stoking your dreams.
Do you ever feel like you're not good enough, smart enough, or valuable enough? If you struggle with self-doubt, pick up a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope for biblical truth and encouragement!
Is your dream and calling to be a speaker? Subscribe to Next Step Speaker Services' weekly free speaker's tip or invest in your dream with individual coaching.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Is there a dream you've let die and need to bring back to life?
Start a journal and write down your dreams. Read them aloud to God and ask Him to show you the ones that He's placed in your heart to hold.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:4-6, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (NIV 1984)
Psalm 20:4, "May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!" (ESV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 15, 2013
When I Stray
Lynn Cowell
"I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them." Hosea 11:4 (NIV)
How could I have messed up, falling for that same old trap? I didn't mean to. It wasn't like I purposefully tried to make her look bad. Yet, once again, I didn't think before I spoke about a mutual friend during lunch. My careless words cast my friend in a negative light.
I felt awful and questioned if I'd ever be who I wanted to be: a woman who guards her words wisely. Though I purpose each day to live in a way that brings honor to God, some times I stray from His ways. And that was one of those times.
Later that day I threw myself into busyness to push down the shame of my conversation. But no matter how much I vacuumed, carpooled or read, the only relief I could find came through prayer.
Prayer should have been the first place I turned. It's in conversation with Jesus that He leads me away from my unwise choices and whispers, "I forgive you." He invites me to accept His forgiveness. When I mess up, Jesus' tenderness and love draws me back to Him and His ways. As Hosea 11:4 says, love is the "cord" He uses to bring us again into fellowship with Him.
God has a lot of experience when it comes to drawing back runaways. In fact, God's people, the Israelites, strayed from Him by choosing sin and walking apart from His commands. Time after time they left their Lord and time after time He pursued them ... with love, as seen in Hosea 11:4. "I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them" (NIV).
God contrasts His gentle guidance with that of a farmer bringing back a runaway animal. The farmer, frustrated with the heifer's action, might drag the animal back to the pen with a heavy rope. Unlike the firm hand the farmer may have to use to lead the cattle, the Lord tells us that when we run from His best, His hand leading us home is tender and kind.
After asking for forgiveness of the friend I'd spoken with, I was glad when I discovered my words hadn't altered our relationship. The grace I received from my friend, and God, has caused me to be more careful. God's kindness makes me want to be like Him, extending that same gentleness in my words and relationships.
Some days, our sin weighs us down and leads us far from the Lord. Yet, God is there, waiting to lead us back, with love, to Him. Today, instead of being stubborn or unresponsive, let's follow God's gentle pull back to His heart and His ways.
Dear Lord, thank You that YOU don't throw me in the pit of my own mistakes. I love You for the way You love me ... so perfectly! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life learn Jesus' perfect love and forgiveness every day of the year! Lynn's new book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You is a great resource!
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions from her new book, "Devotions for a Revolutionary Year." These are perfect to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Visit Lynn's website to find additional ways to overcome fear and worry. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
Write Hosea 11:4 and have it in a handy place to remind you of the care and tenderness of your Father.
Do you resist following the Lord's lead of love? Sit in prayer today, asking Him to give you a heart of obedience.
Power Verses:
Leviticus 26:13, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high." (NIV 1984)
Jeremiah 31:3 "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'" (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 16, 2013
Daddy's Girl
Suzie Eller
"He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17b (NLT)
When my son-in-law walks through his front door, he throws his arms wide open and calls out, "Elle!"
Two-year-old Elle races toward him in her awkward toddler run and throws herself into his embrace. He tosses her high in the air, then pulls her close, saying, "Elle, do you know how much Daddy loves you?"
When I have the privilege of watching this scene, I always think the same thing: My beautiful granddaughter will always know she's her daddy's girl.
A daddy's girl is loved even when she throws a tantrum and has to go to time out.
A daddy's girl feels beautiful even when she's in need of a tissue and has spaghetti stains on her shirt.
A daddy's girl doesn't need to search for love anywhere else, because her daddy has provided a safe and loving place in his heart.
Maybe as you read this, you think of your own dad. Perhaps he was absent, destructive, or failed to provide a safe shelter for his girl.
I understand that feeling.
I met my biological dad briefly at the age of 13, again at 17, and at 40 years of age I stood beside his casket to say goodbye to a man I really didn't know.
I will never be a daddy's girl in the sense that my granddaughter has experienced, but it doesn't mean I am exempt from a Father's love.
In the New Testament, Abba is mentioned only three times—and is closest to our word "daddy." When Jesus used it to describe His—and our—intimate relationship with God, it offended those within earshot. They questioned how He could use a term so familiar to describe God.
But I understand it perfectly. You see, regardless of an earthly father's love or absence, I'm still a Daddy's girl.
And so are you.
Our Abba Father delights and sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17). He adopts us as His own and offers a rich inheritance (Galatians 4:6-7). We walk into His waiting arms daily, and when we need correction, His love does not ebb. When we stand in front of Him with our sin-stained heart, or hold up tears for Him to dry, He remains our Abba Father.
Maybe you've been longing to fill that empty place left by an earthly father. As a Daddy's girl, you don't have to search for love anymore, because your Abba Father has provided a safe and loving place in his heart.
In fact, He's waiting with open arms.
Dear Abba, I hold up the gaps left by an earthly parent, and thank You for pouring into those places until I overflow with confidence in Whose I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares how she discovered a Father's love for the first time.
His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How we identify ourselves is key to moving past a gap caused by an earthly father's lack.
Are you willing to redefine yourself as a Daddy's girl—completely, totally, thoroughly? He's already called you His own. Today, run into your Abba's waiting arms.
Power Verses:
Romans 8:16, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (ESV)
Galatians 4:6-7, "You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, 'Papa! Father!' Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance." (MSG)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 17, 2013
5 Things to Help You Stop Thinking and Start Doing
Lysa TerKeurst
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
My husband Art asked if I would do a 21-day cleanse with him. I wasn't excited.
I thought, I already eat pretty healthy. And 21 days is a really long time to eat like a rabbit. Plus, I don't want to make a commitment I won't keep.
So, I gave him a safe answer: "I'll think about it."
And honestly, that's all I would have done had he not asked me 217 more times.
Have you ever said "I'll think about it" and still found yourself "thinking about it" months later? Me too. But I didn't want this to be another challenge where I just thought about it, I wanted it to be able to say, "I did it! I finally did it!" I knew I needed to place my trust in the Lord to help me accomplish this - and He was faithful.
As we start a new year, I wonder if you are tired of just thinking, and are ready to accomplish some things you've been putting off. If so, I'd love to share what I learned.
Here are 5 crucial things you can do to stop thinking and start doing:
1. Success breeds success.
Get around others who are doing that thing you need to do. Hearing Art talk about and prepare for the cleanse made it more front and center in my life. Being around people who are doing what you need to do makes the first move less scary. And they can help you push through the not-so-fun times.
Remember to pray and connect with God daily. This is key to developing a healthy attitude. Taking challenges head-on won't always be pretty, but going to the Lord for comfort and motivation is what kept me going.
2. Stock up for success.
Art and I went to grocery stores that carry healthy foods to stock our refrigerator with everything we'd need to be successful. Now, I wish I could say this trip was without conflict. It was not. He wanted to spend what seemed like hours making out a list. I'm emotionally allergic to spending hours making out a list. Just take the list provided in the instruction book and get what you need for heaven's sake.
Ahem.
Anyhow, no matter what your new thing is, chances are you'll need supplies to invest in your success.
3. Schedule for your success.
Before we started this cleanse, we found a 21-day time period several of our kids were away during a school break (which meant I didn't have to prepare food for others!) You better believe I did a happy dance over that.
It's important to schedule whatever you're tackling and keep this appointment. Be diligent about not letting life crowd out this important commitment.
Set a start date. Track your progress with mini-goals. Set a completion date with a reward built in to keep you motivated.
4. Share your success.
As you have successes, share them with your friends. They may get excited and join in too! During the 21-day process, I told a friend that I drank both my cleanse smoothies with only one dramatic gag. This was a big accomplishment! At the end of our conversation, she said she'd like to join me.
How cool! I went from being a moper to a motivator. And that propelled me to keep going that much more.
5. Build on your success.
Once you've accomplished your one thing, you'll have GREAT momentum. Use this to help you tackle something else you've been putting off.
While it might feel like you can't face this big challenge, I want to encourage you. Ephesians 3:20 teaches that God's mighty power is at work within us. Many times we try to do things alone and work solely within our limitations as humans.
The Lord wants us to lean on Him. To ask for help to do the impossible. I know it might be hard, but we need to bravely claim God's promise to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
And with God's Spirit in us, I think 2013 just might be the year we say, "I did it! I finally did it!"
Dear Lord, I'm grateful for another year and another chance to lean on You. Equip me with Your strength as I face my biggest challenges. All things are possible with Your Spirit in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
If you're committing to a healthier lifestyle in 2013, let Lysa TerKeurst show you how to crave God more than unhealthy food in her New York Times bestselling book, Made to Crave.
The Made to Crave Devotional has amazing daily encouragement as you tackle your greatest challenges. Click here to order.
Reflect and Respond:
Is God calling you to face a challenge in your life?
1) Write down one challenge you'd like to tackle.
2) Make an action plan. Use the 5 tips above to formulate the steps you'll take to create motivation.
Power Verse:
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 18, 2013
Believing Is Seeing
Micca Campbell
"O, LORD, open his eyes so he may see." 2 Kings 6:17a (NIV 1984)
When I became a single mom after the death of my first husband, I found my world turned upside down. My life was a balancing act of finances, home and being a stabilizing factor in my son's life.
Decisions that needed to be made closed in on me, but there was no one to consider them with. Which bills had to be paid first? Should I work outside the home? What's the best school for my son?
The more I tried to figure it out, the more afraid I became. Most of the time I avoided the pressing worry and doubt by curling up and sleeping. The burden was huge and the enemy of fear surrounded me.
I felt backed into a corner, tired, worn out and alone.
The truth is, I may have felt alone, but I wasn't. God was there. I knew I had to turn my attention on Him instead of my circumstances. I knew God wouldn't let me fall. I knew He was aware and cared about my worries. So I called on Him for help and asked Him to open my eyes so I might see His provision. I prayed:
"Lord, I trust You are with me. I know You will never leave me nor forsake me. I am not alone. You care for me. You are my provider and You have a perfect plan for me. I do not have to be afraid, for You are faithful."
My prayer ended by asking God to open my eyes so I could see what I had prayed for and professed with my mouth.
He did that for Elisha and his friend in 2 Kings 6:17. King Aram was at war with Israel. During this time, the prophet Elisha and another man of God continuously spied on King Aram and reported his strategy to the king of Israel. When King Aram found out Elisha was the one blowing his cover to Israel, he sent horsemen and chariots by night to surround Elisha's camp and capture him.
When Elisha and the man of God woke up and saw they were encircled by the enemy, the man of God cried out in terror, "What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15 NIV 1984) Elisha responded, "Do not be afraid. For those who are with us are more than them." (2 Kings 6:16 NIV 1984)
Then Elisha called to the Lord, "Open his eyes so he may see" (2 Kings 6:17a). Suddenly, the man of God saw chariots of fire from God all around. What do you think that did to his fear to know that God was fighting the battle for them?
Do doubt, fear, worry and discouragement surround you? Do you fear they will conquer you? Are you crying out like Elisha's friend, "What am I going to do?" Day-by-day I committed to face my fears by focusing on God and His power. He guided me with each decision I had to make.
Perhaps it's time to ask God to open your eyes to see His power and love working together to fight your battle. Seeing the truth will help you take a step toward freedom and away from fear. He is in the midst of your circumstances.
Dear Lord, it's hard to trust when I'm afraid. But I choose to look to You and believe You are working on my behalf. Help me to see You in the midst of my cares. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca Campbell's blog for Single Mom Survival Tips. Also, enter to win a set of Scripture Cards that will help you know truth.
Discover a faith stronger than all your fears in Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Begin to face your fears and take action. Set aside time to pray, asking the Lord to show you His power in the challenges you're facing.
As you watch Him work on your behalf, mark each challenge off one at a time. You'll discover that with God's help you're more courageous than you imagined.
Power Verses:
2 Chronicles 20:17, "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." (NIV)
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 21, 2013
Who Controls What?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Ask me why my attempts at losing weight haven't been successful and I can give you a list of reasons: It was a stressful summer, I hit a "golden" number on my birthday, how could I say no to the scrumptious food on vacation? And the "best" one (the one that garnered the most sympathy) - I couldn't exercise due to a minor medical procedure on my legs.
But the bottom line is this: I lack self-control in this area of my life.
I know what I should do. Or more accurately, I know what I should NOT do. And yet when faced with a temptation, I give in. Rather than choose a modest portion size, I justify a second helping. Or I set myself up by not anticipating my weakness and buying Little Debbie Swiss Rolls thinking I'll only eat half of one. Oh, how I deceive myself.
The ability to control my own choices is a God-given gift. And yet it's one I misuse some times. Sadly rather than controlling myself, I choose to try to control other things. And end up losing control of myself.
Here was God's original plan: He controls the world. We control ourselves.
That's a great plan when you think it through objectively. God's got unlimited resources, unlimited wisdom, and unlimited power. He should be in charge of the world with that resume.
That's not what happened though. Many generations ago, in a garden with some fruit that was off-limits, we decided we didn't like that plan. In fact, we decided it was our job to control the world. After all, we have to live in it, right? Shouldn't we make the rules? Plus, we really should make sure others stay in line too. My what a big job we have trying to corral everyone! It's exhausting.
So the more we focus on God's job (controlling the world and other people) the less we do our job (controlling ourselves).
I love today's Scripture verse from Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." (NIV) This gives me a mental image of an unprotected treasure. So when an enemy tries to attack, there is no defense.
As I apply that to my life, I can see where the enemy sneaks in through my lack of self-control. Especially when I start my excuses. Whether it's excuses for over-eating, not managing my home well or over-committing myself, without self-control I'm like a bombarded city. The more I focus on what I can't control, the less I'm able to manage what I can control.
Thankfully, God has a plan in place to help us with this issue. He sent His Holy Spirit to live in us. Galatians 5:22-24 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (NIV)
As we start a new year, I'm taking a fresh look at what I can control and what I can't. I'm acknowledging my need of God's help, but I'm also acknowledging my responsibility. Thankfully I can release the load of trying to control others, because on most days, I'm as much as I can handle.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of free-will and self control. Forgive me when I misuse those gifts. Help me to seek Your Spirit for more self control in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for the launch of her free 15-Day Clutter Free Challenge.
Does your life feel out of control? I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer can help bring order to your schedule and home.
Let.It.Go. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
In what areas of your life do you have the least amount of self-control?
Think through one of those areas and consider how you have misplaced your ability to control yourself with trying to control something or someone else.
Power Verses:
Titus 2:4-5, "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." (NIV)
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 22, 2013
A Fresh Start
Suzie Eller
"So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view." 2 Corinthians 5:16a (NLT)
She worries when I don't wear a coat.
She washes her dishes before she puts them in the dishwasher.
I never know what she's going to say, and her honesty can make me blush, laugh until I cry, or just cry.
She's my mom, and I love her.
Growing up, things were very different. My mom was beautiful on the outside, but broken on the inside. That brokenness made our home life chaotic and unstable with out of control rages and suicidal threats. As a child I felt unsafe. As a teen I struggled between loving her and hating her.
When I became a believer I understood love for the first time, but it was easier to accept than to give.
By the time I was an adult my mom had made significant changes, but the effects of a childhood laced with instability and chaos still marked my heart. I asked God for a fresh start, not just for her sake, but for my own.
As I pored over the Scriptures, the word forgive continually leapt off the pages. God was speaking to me through His Word and giving me direction. I wasn't sure I could do it, but somehow knew freedom was on the other side.
The word forgive has different meanings in Scripture, and one of them is kaphar. That's a Greek word meaning to purge or pitch. It originates from the Hebrew word for atonement, which means to cleanse or cover.
Why is this meaning so important?
By beginning the process of forgiving, I was purging or pitching the entanglements of the past in order to begin anew. This could happen regardless of whether my mom completely changed or not.
This also allowed me to begin to see myself as a woman, rather than the child I once was. That changed my perspective from a limited view to one that included the chapters that God had always seen.
I saw the chapters in my mom's life. She was a girl who had a baby too young, married to a man who abused her. She had always desired to be a good mom, but no one had shown her how.
My new perspective allowed me to see the changes she was trying to make, and those already in place. This allowed me to accept the things that might never change.
It also created new chapters in our relationship as we began to connect without the filter of the past.
Kaphar forgiveness is a gift. It allows you to pitch the past and its entanglements, and it covers the new relationship with God's grace.
It also helps me to appreciate the small things, like the fact that my mom will always tell me to wear a coat. She will continue to wash the dishes before she places them in the dishwasher.
And we will continue to grow as mother and daughter.
The kaphar gift of forgiveness offers the opportunity for new chapters in a relationship . . . and a fresh slate upon which the words can be penned.
Dear Lord, will you help me begin the journey of forgiveness, pitching out the past to accept all that You have for me. . . and perhaps, even us, as we start fresh? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog where she shares how to kaphar forgive when a person refuses to change, or the person is no longer in the picture. She will give away two copies of her new book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by Suzie Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
"In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another." Andy Stanley, Enemies of the Heart
Do you need to forgive someone? Here are two tips to help you reframe your relationship:
Practice the pause. Sometimes we offer a knee-jerk reaction based on the hurts of the past. Pausing allows you to think before you speak, to pray, and see the real issue instead of filtering the moment through old feelings.
Give it time. Transformation is a process, one that unfolds layers of hurt to reveal new skin underneath. It won't always be easy, and working through that pain just might be an answer to prayer.
Power Verse:
Psalm 103:12, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 23, 2013
Learning to Live Stressed-Less
Tracie Miles
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
Does Jesus really understand what it means to be stressed?
I used to wonder ... until I got desperate enough to ask Him.
For years, I was under the impression the Bible was not a resource for handling stress, much less a place to look for stress management tips.
However, although the word "stress" is not a commonly used biblical term, Jesus referred to stress consistently by using words such as anxiety, worry, trouble, fear, burdens, anguish, dismay, trials, and adversity, just to name a few.
He spoke of the heartache of worries, frustrations and betrayals; the sadness of deceit, the pull of temptation, and the devastation of sin. He addressed difficult circumstances taking place in politics, churches, marriages, families, parenthood, communities and the world as a whole.
Despite the differences between biblical times and the 21st century, the presence of stress and our need for Jesus is the same. He understood what we would face and promised the peace we would need in our busy and chaotic world.
Throughout the Bible we're shown how to celebrate and enjoy life, despite stressful situations. How to find joy, despite circumstances. How to overcome stress, despite constant balancing acts. How to not only survive the storms of life, but stay afloat in the midst of them. From Genesis to Revelation, we can discover infinite suggestions for biblical stress relief.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 encourages us that Jesus Himself provided a solution to stress. Peace is only available in and through Him.
Stress is not a sign of the times; it's a sign of living. Always has been, and always will be. Our stressors may be different today than when Jesus walked the earth, but the overwhelming power stress holds over our hearts is the same.
Maybe you have tried massages, vacations, relaxation techniques, shopping, and soft music or bubble baths to help you manage stress. Or maybe you've coped with stress through drugs or alcohol. Perhaps you've tried every stress relief tactic known, to no avail.
All the stress management tactics in the world cannot hold a candle to the very real stress relief Jesus offers. His methods have withstood the test of time, used by generation after generation for thousands of years.
If you have been searching for a peace and serenity that seems completely out of reach, might I encourage you try a few other things? Sneak away for a few minutes and simply rest in His presence. Invite the Lord into your stressful situation and seek His perspective in Scripture. Before we turn to anything the world has to offer, let's turn to Jesus. Our number one stress solution.
Dear Lord, I am drowning in stress and I have tried everything to relieve it — except for You. Forgive me not trusting You enough to believe that You offer the peace I am searching for. Today, I invite You into my circumstances, and into my life, and ask You to open my eyes to see the real truth and stress relief that my heart is aching for. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie Miles as your next retreat / keynote speaker.
Tracie's new book Stressed Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World can help you have a less stressed year in 2013.
Visit Tracie's Blog to sign up for her FREE 10-day Stress Detox, and enter to win a free signed copy of Stressed-Less Living.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you trying every stress relief tactic available, except for Jesus?
Have you asked Jesus to help alleviate your stress, and fill you with His peace?
Commit to turn your stress and doubts over to Jesus today, moment-by-moment.
Power Verse:
Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 24, 2013
Where Faith Gets Awfully Messy
Lysa TerKeurst
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Last year I had emergency surgery on my ears. And while the pain went away, there is still a really loud, constant ringing in my left ear.
Because of this ringing, I've had many sleepless nights. But one night in particular proved to be more than I thought I could handle. The screeching in my ear reached an all time high and not even medication helped. My throat tightened as frustration of this situation threatened to spill out in a million tears. I could feel myself slipping over a terrifying edge ... that edge where hopelessness steps into the moment and you feel too weak to resist it.
I whispered, "I'm slipping God. I can't stand this another minute. Much less five more minutes. Or five more hours. Seriously God. I can't. I'm trying to be brave. I've begged for Your healing. And I truly believe You are healing me. But I'm freaking out. And I'm so sorry if 'freaking' is a bad word — I'm still on the fence about that one. But God, I feel myself falling and I can't figure out what to grab onto."
This is where faith gets awfully messy, isn't it?
Faith.
Most days, I'm like a little kid on the swing going higher and higher without fear. I know the swing will hold me. I know the chains are secure. I'm bold. Assured. Confident.
That night though, I was terrified of the swing. The chains felt more like unraveling threads with a screaming me dangling at the end. My faith felt small.
But my faith was right in front of me. And when one falls, out of instinct they grab onto whatever is right in front of them.
And I just want you to know that even small faith is completely able to hold you. It held me that night. Through the minutes and hours I didn't think I could press on.
I started recounting all the ways God made sure my faith was front and center for this slip. I thought about the ways I'd seen His hand even in the previous days.
Recounting His faithfulness secured the chains. Showed me I wasn't dangling by a thread out on my own.
One of those ways was discovering my husband's sound machine is a gift. That crazy sound machine has aggravated the stink out of me for years. But when put on the rain setting, it helps soothe the screeching in my ear.
Without having told my pastor about my ear, he sent me a text saying he was praying for me and God had put 1 Kings 18:41-46 on his heart.
And what are those verses about?
Rain. The sound of a heavy rain.
A rain that happens in between two vastly different displays of faith in Elijah's life. One minute he's swinging with great faith so bold and secure he calls fire down from heaven.
Then only a few verses later he's dangling by a thread as he runs and hides in a cave.
The Lord comes to Elijah in a gentle whisper and shows him what to do at the end of that thread. "Go back the way you came." (1 Kings 19:15a NIV)
God was saying, "Backtrack and remember all the places I've been faithful in your life. And know with assurance. And boldness. And confidence. I AM. I AM the same faithful God."
So, I let these words slip into my soul. I turn up the sound of rain. I grab onto my faith right in front of me. And discover, I am held by the great I AM. I guess I just wanted to be that friend today who reminds you, no matter what you're going through — the same is true for you.
Dear Lord, thank You for being so faithful, even when it feels like things are slipping away. Help me today as I let Your promises and truth sink deep into my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a fun giveaway and an update on her hearing.
If you feel like things are slipping and you are out of control, Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst, was written just for you. Take a few minutes to read the first chapter by clicking here.
Order your copy of Unglued by clicking here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What past trials has the Lord helped you through?
It is so important that we remember God's faithfulness. It can carry us through those dark times in our lives. Write down three specific situations when the Lord has proven faithful even when you felt hopeless.
Power Verse:
1 Samuel 12:24, "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
January 25, 2013
Don't Yield Your Mind Turf
Julie Gillies
"Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way." Proverbs 23:19 (ESV)
For years, I walked around with a destructive and negative mindset without recognizing it. Raised in a tumultuous home that simmered with anger, resentment, and critical words, I picked up these deadly thought processes early on. Sadly, it's how my family operated, and I considered it completely normal. Critical thoughts spread like weeds throughout my mind and threatened to choke out every positive thought.
Years later, enduring a miserable marriage, I regularly cried myself to sleep. I was still unaware that negative mindsets poisoned my thoughts. Thinking the best of others was foreign to me. Each morning I'd wake up and rehash my husband's harsh words of the night before. I'd tell myself that things were never going to change, and meditate on my critical thoughts and feelings. I was extremely unhappy.
My unhealthy mindset made it hard to forgive, because I replayed hurtful words and situations in my mind over and over. It's very difficult, (if not impossible!) to forgive what you regularly focus on. This set up a destructive cycle in my marriage. Instead of forgiving and letting go, I rehearsed the hurt and held on. And I always felt it was warranted because I felt my husband's words and actions toward me were wrong.
It wasn't until a women's retreat that I suddenly became aware of my dangerous mindset. During a time of reflective prayer, God helped me to see that my consistently critical thoughts toward my husband were destroying our relationship. I began to understand that even though my husband's actions toward me might be wrong, my response as a Christian was just as wrong.
Over time my mindset slowly changed, but it remained a real effort not to give in to the negative thoughts I had regularly entertained most of my life. It took time and concerted effort, but as I prayed and spent time reading my Bible, wrong mindsets were replaced with healthy, godly thoughts.
You may not battle with a negative or critical attitude like I did. Maybe worry, fear, or insecurity bombard your mind regularly. That's the enemy's plan: to consistently assault our minds until we surrender.
We must fight every step of the way. As busy women, we don't have one brain cell to spare. And as godly women, we cannot yield any mind-turf to the enemy. The first goal when praying for our minds is the ability to recognize when we're under attack. God's Word tells us, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NIV)
The number one way to resist the enemy is through prayer. Though the attacks against our mind can be subtle, God gives us wisdom when we ask Him. He will reveal to us what we are not always capable of discerning apart from His help: flawed, potentially destructive thoughts and mindsets. Whether the intrusions in our minds are remnants from the distant past or yesterday's hurts and disappointments, we can face every day with clear minds and godly mindsets.
Dear Lord, equip my mind with Your helmet of salvation. Protect my mind from every evil influence. I submit my thoughts to You and thank You for granting me ever-increasing discernment, wisdom, and an understanding mind. Thank You that I have the mind of Christ, and I hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart. Renew my mind and grant me a fresh mental and spiritual attitude and a godly mindset. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This lesson is adapted from Julie Gillies' new book Prayers for a Woman's Soul, an invitation for busy, overwhelmed women with long prayer lists to pray for themselves.
Click here to visit Julie's Blog today and sign up for 5 Days of Extravagant Prayer, a FREE opportunity to refresh and pamper your soul!
Reflect and Respond:
Do you recognize the enemy's assault on your mind this week?
What specific thoughts and mindsets do you need help changing?
Apply the truths you've learned today and determine to spend this week praying for your mind.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." (NIV)
Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT)
© 2013 by Julie Gillies. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 28, 2013
Open Her Heart ... and Mine
Suzie Eller
"One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart and she accepted what Paul was saying." Acts 16:14 (NLT)
She stood in front of me. "I wanted to go down," she said. "I just couldn't."
Her grandmother stood nearby, silent. Hope etched her features.
I took her hands. "It's scary sometimes to take an unfamiliar step," I said. "But we're here now. Can we pray together?"
This woman grew up in church, but she'd taken some wrong turns in life. After years of living apart from her family, she had arrived on her grandmother's doorstep out of desperation. She came to the women's conference because someone had given her grandmother free tickets.
Admittedly, she came for a free meal and to make her grandmother happy. She was fully prepared to leave with her stomach full and her heart empty.
Except God saw her walk through the door.
The words from Scripture reached past her tough exterior to land right in the tender spot of her desperate heart. While walking to an altar seemed impossible for this vulnerable woman, she hoped someone would pray with her before she left the church. Which is how she ended up in front of me.
In return for my prayers, I received a kiss on my cheek. Wrapping her arms tightly around me, she said "I love you," with joy on her face.
She didn't see the tears running down mine, as she turned away.
Just as that grandmother had stood with hope for her granddaughter, I've been praying for years for a loved one. There are days hope recedes, and I find myself on my knees again, asking for a refill.
In Acts 16, Paul met a woman named Lydia. In many ways she was different from the woman who stood in front of me that day in the church. Lydia was a seller of purple cloth, so she was financially well off. And she was a worshiper of God, likely a devout Jewish woman.
But she was also similar to the woman at the conference, in that she hadn't yet met Jesus Christ. Two thousand years ago the Lord opened Lydia's heart. She was so changed by her new relationship with Jesus that she became one of His most devoted followers.
God still opens hearts.
He opened Lydia's heart to receive the truth.
He opened my new friend's heart to receive relationship and restoration.
He opens my heart to hope.
Maybe, like me, you have been praying for a loved one for a long time. Perhaps there are days when it feels as if the prayers aren't working. But like carefully planted seeds, those prayers are received one by one by our Heavenly Father, until one day they poke through the ground of our loved one's heart to receive the Light.
I will continue to pray that God opens the heart of those I love. As I wait, I will also pray that God opens my heart to receive the hope He so generously offers.
Dear God, open my loved one's heart to receive and accept Your grace, mercy, and transforming love. But also open my heart. Today I stand on Your promises and delight in what only You can do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for three ways to fill up your hope reservoir when it runs low.
First Love, a DVD by Karen Ehman
Join Suzie's Live Free Facebook community for daily encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Hope: [noun] to cherish a desire with anticipation.
When we pray for a long time without seeing an answer, do we focus on the problem or person, rather than the promise? Let's begin to cherish our desire for our loved ones as we anticipate what God is doing, unseen. How He is planting those prayers like seeds in the heart of our loved ones. Let's cherish the day those seeds will poke through hardened ground to receive nourishment and Light.
Power Verses:
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
Romans 8:24-25, "We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)" (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 29, 2013
When My Wild Heart Pushes the Boundary
Lysa TerKeurst
"LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places..." Psalm 16:5-6a (NIV)
"Mrs. TerKeurst, your dog ran away to our house ... AGAIN."
"Mrs. TerKeurst, I think I might have just seen your dog running down the street."
"Mrs. TerKeurst, this is one of your neighbors. Just letting you know we're about to drop off your dog—we saw him running around our neighborhood."
"Mrs. TerKeurst, this is the animal clinic. I believe we have your dog."
"Mrs. TerKeurst, do you own two dogs?"
I own three dogs. But my two outside dogs, Champ and Chelsea, are sometimes delinquent. I love them. They love me. But they love running away more. Even though we didn't have a fence, we had other systems in place to keep them safely at home!
I can't tell you the number of sleepless nights I've had fretting over my dogs. Several times we've enlisted our friends to pray for Champ and Chelsea. But this sort of backfired on us once.
One of our friends knew Champ had gone missing and miraculously found him in a yard miles from our home. He was amazed Champ had run so far. He pulled into the driveway, coaxed Champ into his car, and called me with breathless excitement to announce he'd found my beloved dog.
But five minutes before my friend got to my house, Champ came home. When my friend pulled into my driveway carrying a Champ lookalike, we both about fell over. My friend had kidnapped someone else's dog—right from their front yard!
Oh my glory be.
It was time to do something.
I used to think invisible fences were cruel. I couldn't stand the thought of my dog getting a shock. So, I looked into getting a regular fence. But we live in the country and installing a regular fence was simply out of the question.
An invisible fence it would have to be. After all, a shock to keep them inside the safe boundary is a lot better than what might happen outside the boundary.
Boundaries aren't cruel barriers meant to keep my dogs from freedom. They are protective restrictions meant to define where safe freedom can be found.
And my dogs aren't the only ones who need to remember this lesson. I need to remember this, and apply it to the protective restrictions God has for me.
Why? Because there's usually some sort of boundary my wild heart tries to push against.
Have you ever found yourself rationalizing some situation in your life where you know you aren't doing what God said we should do?
Does God really want us to love our enemies? Is it really important to not let the sun go down on my anger? Do I really need to pray and read my Bible every day? Oh, grumbling isn't so bad ... I mean everyone finds something to complain about.
I push against the boundaries. Sometimes I even break through them. But what's waiting on the other side isn't freedom.
Oh Lord, let my wild heart always remember ...
Your instructions, Your boundaries, aren't cruel barriers to keep me from freedom. They are protective restrictions meant to define where safe freedom can be found.
And Lord, if You can teach this same lesson to my dogs, my neighbors, friends and I would be ever so grateful.
Dear Lord, thank You for the protective hand that You have placed over me. Cultivate in me an obedient heart that seeks to live in the safe freedom of Your boundaries. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Join Lysa TerKeurst TONIGHT at 9pm EST for a fun "Women Of Faith Come Unglued" webcast! Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper will be sharing stories from real life when they've been stretched and frazzled, but God has helped them keep it together. Gather your girlfriends and join us by clicking here.
Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times bestselling book, Unglued, gives a fresh perspective on how to be obedient to the Lord with your emotions, reactions, and decisions.
Start the New Year with a dose of daily encouragement. The Unglued Devotional is an amazing resource to use as you strengthen your relationship with the Lord.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What is one thing that God has been asking you to surrender to Him?
Any need we try to meet outside of God's perfect will is a step into a danger zone. Spend some time today reflecting on the power verses below as you surrender an issue to God that you have been rationalizing.
Power Verse:
Psalm 119:66-67, "Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust Your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word." (NIV)
Job 36:11, "If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 30, 2013
When Hurt Robs Us of Hope
Renee Swope
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (NIV)
How could this be happening? She had given up so much to be with him and now this?
My friend had left her very successful career and friends in Louisiana, uprooted her three kids and moved to North Carolina to get married and live in her new husband's hometown. And now, six years later, she answered the phone and was shocked by the confession of a woman who called to tell her that she'd been having an affair with my friend's second husband — for the past four years.
I held her as she sobbed. And I listened as she questioned everything about her husband. Every business trip, every late night at the office, everything she thought was true that was now laced with deceit.
Something in my soul cracked that day, and every bit of hope I ever had that I would one day get married ... it was gone. I swore that I would never, ever trust a man.
Has there ever been a time when pain from your yesterdays or disappointments in your todays has stolen your hope? When you have been wounded, the risk of getting hurt again seems more costly, and perhaps even more likely, doesn't it?
The things that hurt us are as varied as the lies we believe because of them:
• Like my friend who was sexually abused by a neighbor when she was eight years old. Shame convinced her she would always be dirty and worthless.
• Like my friend who was raped at knifepoint by a masked stranger the week of her college graduation. Fear held her for years in a personal prison, telling her she'd never be free.
• Like my friend who was married and divorced multiple times. Condemnation convinced her she'd never be good enough for a man or God.
• Like a woman I know whose mother called her names and criticized everything she did. Humiliation holds her hostage, convincing her she'll always be useless.
• Like my friend who had an abortion when she was a teenager. Paralyzing grief and disgrace convinced her God could never use her in ministry.
• Like my friend whose son is in prison awaiting trial as a sex offender. False blame keeps her up at night, convincing her she must have done something wrong as a mom.
The pain of our past makes it hard to believe God's promise of hope for our future. It's easy to lose confidence in Him, in other people and especially in ourselves.
Yet hope comes when we allow Jesus to search our hearts and bring Truth into our wounded places. Today's key verse reminds us that He wants us to "trust in Him, so that [we will] overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13). And the only way that can happen is if we let Jesus pour His healing power into our lives, allowing His love to flow into our pain and cleanse the wounds from our past.
I watched my friend's heart break into pieces in the following months, as her future and her marriage were shattered by the lies. But I also watched her come to know God and fully rely on His love for her, over time.
I learned to trust and hope again, too. And I made a new vow — I promised myself and God that I would not allow the pain of my past to determine my future any more.
We don't have to allow our hurts to steal our hope. Instead we can ask Jesus to help us trust Him more through them. Let's ask Him to show us what is true about who we are and what we have been through that caused us to start losing hope. And then we can ask Him to help us redefine our future — not through the filter of our past and our pain, but through the power of His hope-resurrecting promises.
Dear Lord, You are good and have good plans for me. But sometimes, people and circumstances rob me of that truth and cast a shadow on Your goodness. Please restore my trust and hope in You. I'm leaning on all You are. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need help working through circumstances and relationships that have left you feeling hurt, hesitant and sometimes hopeless? If so, Renee's truth-bearing book, A Confident Heart, may be just what you need. {Read chapter one here.}
Connect with Renee on Facebook for more powerful promises and perspectives from God's Word.
Sign up for a week's worth of FREE Confident Heart devotions here.
Reflect and Respond:
Is there an area of your past that is holding you back from trusting God? Sit and listen for His truth and good plans for you today.
Hope comes when we allow Jesus to search our hearts and bring Truth into our wounded places.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:18-19a, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 31, 2013
God's Rubric
Van Walton
"Jesus called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will show you how...'" Mark 1:17 (NLT)
The accusing words jumped from my computer screen, feeling like a slap in the face. A concerned mother was sharing her thoughts about her child's performance in my class, and she wasn't happy.
I gathered my wits and reached for the rubric I had given my students. Had I miscommunicated something? No, my expectations for the project were carefully outlined.
Rubrics are assessment guidelines used in many classrooms. They communicate the teacher's expectations for a task by listing the subject matter that should be included in the final assignment.
That afternoon, mother, student and I met to discuss the assignment and desired outcome. With the rubric in the center of the table we agreed: it had been ignored. We decided the student would re-attempt the assignment, this time following the guidelines.
It filled my heart with joy to watch a secure young lady walk out of my classroom with her rubric. I had no doubt she understood the expectations. Her next project would shine and her confidence would soar.
Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, also used rubrics. He never gave assignments without clearly laying out expectations. After all, any teacher's goal is the students' success. Success leads to confidence. And confident people become world changers, which is what Jesus called His followers to be.
I'm intrigued by Jesus' teaching methods and style. His classroom moved with Him, as He used daily occurrences as lessons. Jesus challenged His students to soar by using His rubrics.
Mark 1:17 invites us into Jesus' classroom. The Teacher's first words to His students clarify His expectations: "Come follow me." Then He says, "I will show you how ..."
Jesus is the rubric. His life is the subject matter we study. His ways guide our daily performance leading us to spiritual success.
In the midst of the teaching on the Beatitudes Jesus says, "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see ..." (Matthew 5:16 NLT) We know Jesus didn't simply tell what to do. He showed how to perform good deeds. He ate with sinners. He touched the sick. He spoke with outcasts.
We hear Jesus speak for the first time in Luke 2, shortly after His parents took Him to Jerusalem. Along the route on a return trip to their hometown, Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was missing. A search found Him in the temple "sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions." (vs. 46b NIV) In response to His mother's scolding, Jesus explained in verse 49b, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (NIV)
Here is our first rubric. As a student of Jesus, I clearly understand what is expected of me. He has shown me by His actions.
1. Spend time in the Father's house. In other words, attend church.
2. Sit with teachers, listening to them.
3. Ask questions.
God's rubric tells me exactly what to do. Jesus' life as chronicled in the Gospels is a perfect rubric for me, as I seek direction. Won't you join me this year as a student of the Teacher? Let's follow Him and let Him show us how to live.
Dear Jesus, You offer to show me and teach me how to live. Because of Your life I can live confidently, secure that my life has worth. In Your Name, Jesus, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog for spiritual rubrics found in God's Word.
From the Pound to the Palace, book and DVD, is a story illustrating for children the clear "rubric" of obedience and steps to an eternal relationship with the Teacher.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
What is one area in your life you need direction and clarity in?
When we find ourselves at life's crossroads, we can be confident which direction to choose by looking to God's Word, His rubric.
Power Verses:
Luke 6:47, "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it." (NLT)
John 14:26, "But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." (NLT)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 1, 2013
How Do I Know If I'm Called
Wendy Blight
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
I stood at the sink and gazed out the window. In that moment, the Lord impressed the strangest words on my heart: "Wendy, your house will become a house of prayer and teaching."
The thought of opening my heart and home to share Jesus was not even a blip on my radar screen. I did not know a soul in this new town and had no idea what God meant by those words. Was He really calling me to teach and pray for women?
As I sought God's will for that time in my life, He led me to Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." It was the start of God confirming His calling in my life at that time.
Here are some steps the Lord showed me to know I was hearing Him correctly:
• Humble your heart before the Lord.
Humility is necessary for a teachable heart. To discover our calling, we must set aside our agendas and surrender to God's. We cannot have a predetermined plan and then invite God to complete it. We need to ask, "What are You calling me to do right here and now?"
• Examine your life experiences and current circumstances.
God uses life experiences (family, education, vocation, spiritual gifts, trials, etc.) to mold, train, and equip us. Sometimes what we want to hide - the horrible trials we want to forget - are the very things God wants to use the most.
We all suffer trials. Sometimes we surrender and lean on God. When we do, we come out the other side victorious and God is glorified. Nothing is worthless. Everything has value. God uses it all to shape us for our calling.
• Apply your gifts, talents and abilities.
Gifts and abilities will give you the strongest indication of what your calling is. God will match your calling with your capabilities. He equips those He calls.
In determining your calling, look at your gifts:
What are your strengths?
What brings out your passion?
How do people respond when you act in your giftedness?
• Read, study and pray God's Word.
As we seek God's calling, He will direct our steps and confirm what He says. The most common way He does this is through His Word. He can also use avenues like pastors, friends, and Bible studies to direct us, or even things in the culture around us.
• Trust in God's timing and in His answer.
God will lead you to do things that require you to TRUST in Him. They will always be perfectly orchestrated and timed to display His honor and glory.
The more you need God to do a task, the more you will rely on Him. If you feel rushed, unorganized, and lack inner peace, these are signs you are not in His will or it is not in His timing.
As I opened my home for my first Bible study, joy and amazement filled my heart as the women came through the door one by one. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I remembered God's Word to me that first day in my kitchen. "Wendy, your house will become a house of prayer and teaching."
What has He told you that you are called to do?
Father in heaven, thank You that You have good plans for us. You know our every need, deepest desires, and hurting places. Lord, as we seek to know You and the calling You have on us more, would You open the eyes of our heart to see the wonderful things You have planned? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Wendy Blight has taken her years of wisdom learned from leading Bible studies and shares them in her life-giving book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner.
Hop over to Wendy's blog to learn more about and sign up for her On-Line Bible studies.
Replace any lack of self-confidence with lasting God-confidence with A Confident Heart by Renee Swope!
Reflect and Respond:
Humble your heart before the Lord.
Examine your life experiences and current circumstances.
Apply your gifts, talents and abilities.
Read, study and pray God's Word.
Trust in God's timing and in His answer.
Power Verse:
Philippians 1:6, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (NLT)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 4, 2013
The Joneses are Overrated
Karen Ehman
"For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 (HCSB)
Psst ... I have a little secret.
The Joneses are overrated.
Oh, I know we'd never think that from the way the Joneses appear, but they are not all they're cracked up to be.
In my mom's day, you only saw the Joneses a few times a week. Maybe you bumped into them on your way into church or perhaps at the PTA meeting. You know, as you were getting into your dented and faded grey mini van while they were piling happily into their new spit-shined Chevrolet.
What a difference a decade (or two) makes! The Joneses now perpetually parade in front of our eyes nearly 24 hours a day. Where?
On our computer news feeds. And smart phones. On Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. The "look at me!" Joneses and all their profile-picture-perfect lives. It can tempt us to become jealous and discontent.
One day an online friend posted: "Fettuccini Alfredo, fresh beans from the garden, and my famous raspberry cheesecake. It's what's for dinner!" A second friend's status read: "Who-hoo! Paid off the mortgage. We're now debt-free!" And still another, "Our Jimmy got student of the month!"
All of this took place while I was ordering pizza (for the second time that week!), piecing together the mortgage money and answering a call from the middle school vice-principal's office where my son sat, busted for an inappropriate prank.
Yes, the Joneses invade our homes and our thoughts several times a day through social media and the Internet, robbing us of contentment. Why?
Comparisons.
Comparisons always deal a deathblow to our contentment. When we see others owning, enjoying, or experiencing what we do not have, but wish we did, it may make us discontent.
In a letter to the believers in Philippi, the Apostle Paul penned Philippians 4:11-13 which begins "For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."
The Greek word rendered "content" here denotes more than just a throwing up of arms in reluctant acceptance. At its hub it literally means: "to be satisfied to the point where I am no longer disturbed or disquieted."
God has already prepared a place of contentment for us when the car breaks down, the bills are hard to meet, and our "Johnny" acts out ... again. We find that place when we take our eyes off of our situation (and off of the screen) and fix them solely upon God.
When we adopt this attitude, we live out the truth I once heard author Elisabeth Elliot declare: "The difference is Christ in me. Not me in a different set of circumstances."
To truly embrace our circumstances, we must decide to stop pleading, "God, get me out of here!" and learn to humbly ask instead, "Lord, why have You brought me here? What are You trying to reveal to me that I would never discover if You were to suddenly pluck me out of this situation? What godly character qualities are You trying to grow in me? Patience? Trust? Faith? Compassion?"
When we cease making comparisons and instead willingly embrace our current lot in life, welcoming all that God will teach us through it, we will finally unearth the secret Paul knew. True contentment is not merely having what you want, it is wanting nothing more than what you already have.
We can only do this when we stop looking at the Joneses and turn our eyes to Jesus Christ who gives us strength.
Dear Lord, forgive me for looking around and comparing myself or my circumstances to others. May I look only to You for contentment and peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you want more encouragement on this topic, check out Karen Ehman's new book and DVD curriculum LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
To connect with Karen and others today to discuss contentment and to enter to win a contentment giveaway including a signed copy of LET. IT. GO. visit Karen's blog.
Join over 3000 others in an online study of Let. It. Go. Click here for more information and to sign up.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
In what areas of your life do comparisons impact your contentment? Marriage? Children? Finances? Work? Relationships? Looks?
Pick one of those areas and write out a prayer to God asking Him to shift your perspective from comparing to being content. Post it next to your computer screen or on your bathroom mirror.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 14:30 "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones." (HCSB)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 5, 2013
The Good Wife
Sharon Glasgow
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Being a good wife is a lot like being a good cook.
Any cook using the same recipe and instructions can produce a dish that tastes entirely different from another's. Why is this?
Well, attention to detail is one characteristic that distinguishes a good cook from an average one.
Take fried apples for example. All you need are apples, sugar, butter and cinnamon. But, not every cook prepares them the same. I cook mine on high (I want them caramelized) and I never put a lid on the pan or they get mushy. If you take the same ingredients, cook them on low with a cover, you get a dish that doesn't resemble mine at all. The same recipe produces a totally different result.
The same is true between a good wife and an average wife. There are hundreds of recipes for being a good wife using the same few ingredients: love, respect, communication, intimacy, time, service, and prayer. Even if the recipe is followed without one ingredient omitted, the outcome can be totally different.
If you love in proportion to what is given you, the recipe will not rise to the fullest. Our key verse, Romans 12:10, tells us to be devoted in love. The word love as used here is an unconditional one with no expectations of a return. Love with every ounce of your being and when you have given all, squeeze even more out.
I grew up lacking an understanding of respect. I loved my husband, but didn't respect all of his ideas or his role in our family. But through reading Scripture, God showed me the importance of respecting my husband. In fact, Romans 12:10 encourages us to honor our husbands by thinking more highly of them than ourselves. This meant I had to stop thinking my way was the only way! Once I learned to listen before reacting and respect his thoughts, I find Dale is actually right most often.
Communication is a delicate balance of listening and talking. Listen not only with your ears but with your heart. One author broke down our key verse by saying, "They should speak honourably of each other ... and discourage that evil practice of whisperings, backbitings, and innuendos; they should treat each other with honour and respect in their common conversation."* Allow nothing to hinder this vital ingredient, including interrupting, assuming, or past conversations. He needs to know you care about his every thought, goal, and burden.
Do not neglect intimacy! The spicier you make this ingredient, the easier the other ingredients gel together into the perfect recipe.
I'm not the perfect housekeeper, but I try my best. Serving my husband by keeping our home organized and clean, cooking meals he enjoys, and creating an atmosphere of love makes my recipe great!
Time with him is a vital ingredient too. So, I go everywhere he goes whenever possible. When our five girls were little we would all hop in the vehicle to get gas or pick up nails from the hardware store just to be with him.
Many nights I wake up and while he sleeps, I watch him and pray. I pray for his health, his work, and his dreams to be fulfilled. Make time each day to regularly pray for your husband, and sprinkle in prayers throughout your day as well. The Lord will be faithful to answer.
The Good Wife Recipe is about being devoted to one another in love and honoring each other above ourselves. I've noticed that the more I put into the recipe, the more I get out of it ... and the more passionate my marriage is. The more passionate it becomes the less work it is. My desire to love becomes greater, ability to respect becomes second nature, communication becomes like-minded, intimacy is sweeter, and time with him is my desire not a duty.
Being a good wife is a lot like being a good cook. Anyone using the same recipe and instructions can produce a marriage that is entirely different from another. The secret toThe Good Wife Recipe: do not neglect one ingredient. It will be how deliberate you are with the finer details that will determine the outcome.
Dear Lord, help me be the wife I need to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Sharon Glasgow's Blog for more on marriage and enter a drawing for a free gift.
Many of us struggle with fully loving our husbands because of past wounds. If forgiving your husband hinders you from being a "good wife" might we encourage you to join Suzie Eller for her online study Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness on Facebook?
Pre-order An Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller (release date February 8). An Unburdened Heart uses the power of story along with biblical teaching to lead readers into healing and a forgiving lifestyle.
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Are you using all the ingredients mentioned in this devotion in your marriage?
Everyone's taste is different. Which ingredient needs adjusting for your husband's preferences?
Power Verse:
Proverbs 12:4, "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." (NIV)
* Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 6, 2013
Remind Me Who I am
Glynnis Whitwer
"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him." John 13:23 (NIV)
As a freshman in high school, a boy gave me the nickname "hips." Although I was thin, my shape wasn't popular like the models of that time. And from that point on I was keenly and uncomfortably aware that I didn't have a "desirable" figure.
The name "hips" stuck in my mind for years, as I labeled myself un-athletic and uncoordinated. It didn't help that I got hit in the head at softball tryouts and was in the first cuts from the volleyball and basketball teams. I did get called back for a dancing spot in the school play, but went to the auditions in Levis 501 straight leg jeans. Not exactly sure what I was thinking that day ...
Un-athletic isn't the only label I've given myself over the years. Some have been positive, others negative. Some based on fact, yet others based on emotion. The way I describe myself has a powerful effect on how I see myself ... on my self-worth, value and choices.
The New Testament tells of a disciple of Jesus who had an interesting definition for himself, one that seemed to impact his life as well. In the book of John, one of the disciples is described this way: the one whom Jesus loved.
Interestingly, this description is only found in the book of John, and scholars believe John the Apostle, the author of the book, was referring to himself.
For years, I assumed this was a title the other disciples gave John. Perhaps they believed Jesus loved John more than the others. That wouldn't be uncommon, as siblings tend to have an unspoken understanding of one child being favored. But what if this title, this label, wasn't given by the others?
Recently it hit me that this identity - one loved by Jesus - was how John described himself.
John was confident of Jesus' love, and this had a powerful effect on how he lived his life. He didn't fear man's threats as he stood at the base of the cross, caring for Jesus' mother. Nor when he was among the first at the tomb, possibly facing bewildered and angry Roman soldiers. After the resurrection, John fearlessly preached the Good News alongside the others, and faced persecution and imprisonment. John's confidence of Jesus' love emboldened him.
As I thought of all the descriptions I've given myself over the years, I realized that this one might be the most life-changing for me. It's one thing to identify myself as a Christian, as if it's a set of beliefs I adhere to. It's quite another to place myself in the "inner circle" because of Jesus' love for me. There's something that seems slightly presumptuous about that, and so it's safer to skirt on the edges of this relationship I have with Christ.
And yet when I dare to admit the possibility that Jesus might love me as much as He loved John ... and that I too could call myself the one whom Jesus loves ... this knowledge changes who I am.
I'm invited to His inner circle, today. The only thing that has ever held me back is me - and my faulty definitions of myself.
Today, dear friend, this same identity is available to you. You are the disciple Jesus loves. Can you claim that for yourself? This life-changing identity is waiting for you to accept it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for inviting me in to Your inner circle. May this truth embroider itself on my heart. And may I walk in faith, strengthened by Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Word of God is the best love letter you'll ever receive! God's compassion, tenderness and abundant grace are poured out on every page. Click here to order your copy of the brand new Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotional Bible (NIV)!
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more Scriptures that confirm our worth and value.
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What labels have you accepted as true for yourself?
How would your life be different if you believed you were the disciple Jesus loves?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:1-2, "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV)
Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 7, 2013
A Year of Adventure
Lysa TerKeurst
"... great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'" Lamentations 3:23b-24 (NIV)
A few months ago my youngest daughter presented me and my husband with a proposal. An iMovie proposal. Complete with dramatic scenes and credits that rolled at the end.
The message of the iMovie? A request ...
"Please homeschool me."
Oh my heavenly days, no.
No.
No.
No.
No.
I'm not a teacher. I'm not patient. I'm not even nice some days.
No.
I tried homeschooling this darling in kindergarten and honestly thought I was going to lose my mind. I would watch other moms do this thing right. They were organized and scheduled and undistracted.
Me? I looked like a dog's tongue when he's got his head stuck out the window of a truck going 70 miles per hour. Messy. Flapping about. Not pretty to look at.
Can you imagine the conversations she will have about me with her therapist one day? No, let's not add homeschooling to the list of things Mom didn't do well.
But then I got to thinking. What if I took a year of adventure with this beautiful young woman? What if I hit the pause button on all things typical and just took a year to do things differently? With her. For her. Could I do that?
Okay, God if You want me to take a year of adventure with Brooke, I will wait for You to show me. I need You to help fill in the gaps where I'm weak.
Then I met a math teacher who got excited about teaching my daughter a couple times a week.
And a fabulous reading and writing tutor just happened to have a few days a week to do the same.
My friend Kristi asked if Brooke could be in her small group Bible study this year.
Another friend asked if Brooke wanted to take cheerleading classes at her gym.
And I'd already been planning an educational trip to Sea World.
So, the year of adventure started unfolding in front of me and I held tightly to these promises: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV).
I had no idea how this year would turn out. I thought I might royally mess up my child's education.
But it has turned out to be a year we will never forget. While we are still living out the adventure, it has been a wonderful experience. One where we are growing, being stretched, and learning. Together.
One where we've seen God's great love lower stress when stress can run high. A year I have had to depend on His compassion ... to receive for myself and to give to my daughter. Every new day, Brooke and I walk this adventure out, led by God who continues to fill in the gaps creatively.
You too can have a year of adventure with your children. Maybe it's the year of them learning 12 Bible verses–one per month. Or maybe it could be the year of everybody making their bed at least 3-4 times per week. Or maybe it's the year of letter-writing, where you have them write one letter per week to brighten someone's day.
One leap of faith. One year. God's compassion is there. The adventure is waiting. No pressure. Just intentional learning and fun.
Dear Lord, equip me with the things I need for my year of adventure. Give me Your strength to help me step out of my comfort zone. Please use this as an opportunity for me to grow closer to my children and closer to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Say yes to your year of adventure! What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst is the perfect thing to read as you embark on an exciting journey to fulfill God's calling.
Your year of adventure will hold many joys, but it may also hold frustrations. Be prepared to have godly reactions daily with Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What kind of adventurous thing could you do with your kids this year?
Pick something small. One thing. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, but should be something that will be a stretching experience for everyone.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 1:7-9, "God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that." (MSG)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 8, 2013
To Fly Again
Suzie Eller
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
I stood on the small ladder with light bulb in hand. The weather was frigid, and changing an outdoor light was not what I wanted to do. But with darkness falling earlier it was necessary.
Something fluttered inside the lamp, which made me hesitant to reach in and unscrew the old bulb.
Peering in, I saw a bird at the bottom of the lamp with its wings pressed close to its side, and spindly legs twisted around the base of the lamp. How had this bird made its way into the lamp? How long had it struggled to be free?
For the next several moments I removed burned out light bulbs and debris, carefully trying to release the bird from its entanglement. As I tried to lift it to freedom with two fingers, it pecked furiously at my hand.
I wrapped my glove around it, and carried it to the front of my home where a birdbath filled with fresh water and a bird feeder awaited.
Upon setting the bird down, it hobbled and nearly fell over. But after some furious flapping, it launched itself into the air, made it to the birdbath and took a long drink. It then fluffed out its wings as if admiring them, and flew up to the birdfeeder.
It looked like the little bird would be all right.
Sometimes unforgiveness can make us feel like this small bird. Something happened to us that shouldn't. A person said something hurtful or vengeful. Or an unfair situation caused us harm. Those events can make us feel angry or bitter, and those emotions make us feel trapped, affecting our marriages, our understanding of God, or our trust in others.
Scriptures like Colossians 3:13 may feel less a path to healing and more an affront. Forgiveness seems impossible. Especially when you are waiting for someone else to apologize, or change, or you just keep on with your heart guarded and closed off.
Why would God ask us to forgive? Perhaps God sees that we were made for something besides being hurt and trapped.
We were made to fly.
Forgiving allows God to remove the debris, carve a path to your heart, and gently lift you to freedom. Just as God sees the sparrow (Matthew 10:29), He sees you. He knows how hard it is; He knows that you've resisted forgiving others because it seems too hard.
You won't be on this journey alone. God waits with open hands. Today is the day to begin to forgive. He is prepared to set you on a new path where you can walk again, and one day to fluff your wings and fly.
Dear Jesus, forgiving has seemed impossible. But today I will hop into Your hand, no longer resisting where You desire to lead me. Instead, I'm opening my heart to forgiving the past so that I can fully live. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for an opportunity to win a copy of her new release, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
Join Suzie in the Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness study on Facebook.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
The word forgive in Colossians 3:13 is founded on the Greek translated aphiemi, which means: (1) to send away; (2) to let it die; (3) to exchange it for something else; (4) to give up a debt; (5) to forgive.
One of the most powerful things within this definition is to exchange one thing for another. As you forgive you begin to exchange that which has kept your stuck for freedom. You exchange anger for renewed joy. You exchange bitterness for compassion. Where do you believe God desires to lead you as you embrace aphiemi forgiveness?
Power Verse:
John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 11, 2013
Dare to Hope
Wendy Pope
"Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this ..." Lamentations 3:21 (NLT)
Have you ever cried until tears no longer fell and your heart was broken in tiny pieces? Have you uttered, "Everything I hope for from the Lord is lost?" Yes? Then you, me, and Jeremiah make three.
I won't forget those long nights of crying myself to sleep. Some nights, only silent tears trickled; other nights, loud wails accompanied questions and prayers. "Why Lord? What am I doing wrong? Why won't You fix this?" My prayers ended with, "If it is Your will," hoping His will was different than it appeared to be.
Many nights I curled up in a ball under my covers hoping for a break-through. Yet, the situation seemed hopeless; I believed everything I had hoped for was lost.
Jeremiah, also known as the weeping prophet in the Old Testament, found himself in a hopeless situation too. He watched the Temple of the Lord being burned to the ground by the Babylonians. Jeremiah's heart broke as the elements of the Temple, such as the water basin and lamp snuffers, were stolen, and taken to Babylon to be used to worship false gods.
In the midst of the devastation, Jeremiah prophesied God's words to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Unfortunately, it wasn't good news. The Lord's immediate future for His people was one of discipline and the utter destruction of Jerusalem as well as His holy Temple. Jeremiah was chosen by God to deliver these words to His people. Jeremiah did his job and did it well, but not without punishment, ridicule, insults, and imprisonment by the recipients of the news.
Jeremiah shed tears until he said, "I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken." (Lamentations 2:11 NLT) His heart was broken for Jerusalem and for God's people, his people. In anguish Jeremiah lamented, "Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost." (Lamentations 3:18 NLT)
Then, in the midst of his despair, he dared. He dared to hope in what he remembered.
Many of us need hope. To find it like Jeremiah did, let's look at what he remembered that gave him the courage to dare to hope again. What Jeremiah remembered was the key to elevating him from the pit of despair to a place of expectancy. It is our key as well. Jeremiah remembered this about the Lord:
• His unfailing love
• His new mercies
• His never-ending faithfulness
• His inheritance
God's Word is just as alive and active today as it was in Jeremiah's day. It is designed to transform us from the inside out. Reading and applying its truths will redirect our perspective.
During my desperate nights I longed for my circumstances to be different. I cried until the tears would no longer come. Many times I tarried in the pit of despair much longer than necessary. But when I remembered God's faithfulness and mercies to me, my hope was renewed.
Did the circumstances surrounding my sorrows change because I remembered God's promises? No. What changed was hope slipped in to my outlook. Hope means to wait with expectation, and this is what I chose to do during those hard nights.
Are you in need of hope today? Will you choose to remember God's faithfulness, love, and mercy, despite the despair and destruction around you? Today, dare to hope.
Dear Lord, I want to dare to hope, but life around me seems uncertain and tentative. Will You help me remember Your faithfulness, love and mercy? Thank You in advance for what You are going to do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Many years ago, tired of the pace she was keeping, Wendy Pope opened her Bible and read the Psalms, one at a time. Wounds from her past that never properly healed began to mend. The unrest in her heart settled as peace grew roots and doubt turned into trust. Journey through the Psalms with her in her book Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow.
Try reading the Psalms one at a time with Proverbs 31 Ministries' new devotional Bible (NIV). Pre-order your copy by clicking here.
Visit Wendy's blog for more encouragement in finding hope.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Read Lamentations 3:21-24 aloud. Remember and write down God's expressions of faithfulness, mercy, and love to you. Dare to hope.
Forward today's devotion to someone who needs hope.
What stumbling block keeps you from daring to hope? Remember...
His unfailing love
His new mercies
His never ending faithfulness
His inheritance
Power Verse:
Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 12, 2013
When You Miss God
Nicki Koziarz
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 (ESV)
It's 3:38 a.m. I stare at the clock and something inside me whispers, "You should get up." I toss, turn, and wrestle with my sleep-deprived thoughts for a few minutes before I finally climb out of bed.
Downstairs, I turn on the coffee pot and sit down in the white chair. Opening my journal, these words pour out of my parched soul: "God, I miss You."
Life has been moving at a warp speed lately. Work has been busy for both my husband and me, our three girls' lives are full, and someone always needs something.
Truth is, I would pay a lot of money for 28 hours in a day.
But mostly, in this stretched season of life, I'm experiencing how "it" happens ... how people move far from God.
It's not always intentional:
The kids are sick ... so church is missed.
Carpool has to start earlier the next morning ... leaving no time for quiet prayer.
Bodies need exercise ... reading the Bible gets pushed aside.
Meals must be prepared ... so worship becomes secondary.
Reports and projects have to be finished ... you get the idea.
The list goes on and on of what can keep us from the closeness of God.
I understand these struggles all too well. And I'm finding there is a great danger in these stretched times of life.
We can miss being with God, but we also can miss the movement God is doing in our lives. Missing God {either way} is tragic and threatening to our souls that long to thrive with God.
Recognizing how much I've missed God, I'm taking some time for reflection of this struggle. I'm burdened but also hopeful in the words He is breathing during these soul-stretching moments.
Maybe you too feel that tug in your heart, pulling you back to Him? I share these three things we can do to move closer to the heart of God, because maybe, like me, you're just as fearful of unintentionally moving too far from God ... of missing Him as much as I am.
1. Find our God-space.
Even if it means it's 3:38 a.m. When life feels busy, stretched and chaotic I can stay open to the Spirit's prompting on my heart to create God-space.
Obviously 3:38 a.m. won't always work for me, so I do need to be intentional about scheduling time with God. Finding the moments of white space where we can fully be with Him is important.
May we find our God-space ... everywhere, knowing He is always near.
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8 ESV)
2. Experience the awe of God.
The colors of the sky on the drive into the office ... experience it. The sun warming our skin on a chilly day ... experience it. Giggles from children, the way someone we love smiles, the praise of God's people ... experience it.
May these moments remind us what it's like to be fully alive and connected to Something much bigger than ourselves.
"... stand in awe of God." (Ecclesiastes 5:7b NIV 1984)
3. Have ears that listen {always}.
The prompting in your heart to slow down, to breathe in the moment ... listen to it. A nudge on your soul to say no when you really want to say yes ... listen to it [or vice-versa].
May we not want to just dream about the promises God has for our life, but want to live them by listening to His voice, always.
"And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12 NIV 1984)
There is always an opportunity in the midst of our busy lives to be aware of God. As we find Him, experience Him, and listen for Him, our intentional steps will always lead us closer to His presence.
Lord, please help me to be intentional with my steps towards You. I can't always control the things around me, but I know with Your guidance I can still draw close to You when life feels so stretched. Amen.
Related Resources:
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Visit Nicki Koziarz's blog today for a short video message of encouragement to help make it through the busy days of life.
For more encouragement to make space for God, "Like" our Facebook page.
Reflect and Respond:
Which do you struggle with the most: Finding your God-space? Experiencing the awe of God? Or having ears that listen?
What would you have to change to spend more time with God?
Power Verses:
James 4:8, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (ESV)
Ecclesiastes 5:7b, "... stand in awe of God." (NIV 1984)
1 Kings 19:12, "And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 13, 2013
The Day I Almost Quit
Renee Swope
"You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great." Psalm 18:35 (NIV 1984)
I love my kids, but I haven't always liked being a mom.
Once my boys became toddlers who wouldn't listen to me or obey consistently, I kind of panicked. Other moms appeared to know what they were doing, and I wondered why I couldn't get it right with my kids.
Their children seemed to listen when told no. Why wouldn't my child stay in the cart at the grocery store or stop begging me when I told him we could not buy everything his little hand could touch? How come no one told me being a mom would be so hard?
I felt like such a failure. Almost every day I compared how I felt on the inside to how other moms looked on the outside.
I held up my feelings of inadequacy and thoughts of insecurity in contrast to moms who dressed their children in matching outfits and adorned themselves with attitudes of grace and wisdom. How in the world did they pull it off with a smile? I could barely get a shower, get my kids dressed and get us out the door before lunch.
I just wanted to quit. One day I came home from running too many errands with two very tired, fussy kids. When I put them down for an early nap, I started looking for pink construction paper to write "I QUIT" on it so I could turn in my "pink slip" to my husband when he came home from work.
It was just too hard, and I was tired of thinking I would never be "good enough" as a mom.
I needed a new place to start. I started becoming the mom God created me to be, the day I was ready to quit. That afternoon I fell on my knees before God and choked out the words, "I can't do this."
In that place of surrender, His peace came over me. His gentleness calmed my nerves. It was as if God bent down and spoke to my heart: You are right, Renee. In your strength and through your perspective, you can't do this. But with My promises, My presence and My power — all things are possible. I will help you become a great mom.
Looking back on that day, I'm reminded of our key verse in Psalm 19:35, "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."
When we acknowledge that on our own we are a mess, God rushes to our side to help us. He bends down to show us that with His grace, wisdom and guidance, we can become the mom He is calling us to be, the mom our kids need us to be, and the mom we want to be!
Dear Lord, I need Your shield of victory to protect me from discouragement. Please extend Your right hand to sustain me; Your grace to strengthen me; and Your wisdom to lead me. Today, I want to find a new starting place with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join Renee Swope, Dr. Bill Maier and John Fuller from Focus on the Family in Charlotte, NC, this April for the Parenting On Purpose Conference with 91.9 FM.
Click here to find out what God did to give Renee new direction and purpose as a mom and enter to win a "Purpose-Driven Mom Gift Pack" that includes Renee's parenting message on CD, her Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart and The Mom I Want to Be by Suzie Eller.
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart that includes positive and practical ways to connect spiritually with your kids by Renee Swope.
The Power of a Purpose-Driven Parent message on CD by Renee Swope. Personal stories, practical ideas and inspirational truths, this 45-minute message will help you discover your purpose as a parent and develop a plan to live it out each day!
Reflect and Respond:
Write a letter, telling God how you feel. Be honest and open. Sharing your heart and thoughts with Him is the first step toward freedom and hope.
As you read today's devotion, what struggles are similar to yours as a mom? Have you ever wanted to quit? What got you to that hard place and what do you need to do to rely on God's perspective instead of your own?
Power Verses:
Psalm 113:5-7, "Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 14, 2013
"Just Because"
Lysa TerKeurst
"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18 (NLT)
Grace looked up from the old, worn photo album to see Richard the postman making his way through the cold to her door. What a sweet young man, she thought.
Grace loved her walks to the mailbox in late spring and through the summer, but the cold winter air seemed to whip through her thin skin. Though in her heart she still felt like a young, energetic girl, her age was evident to her. Aches and pains made her careful and slow. As the air turned cooler, Richard made it a habit to deliver Grace's mail to her door.
Today was an especially lonely day for Grace. It was the seventeenth. No one but her Jim would have known what a special day this was. It wasn't her birthday or their anniversary. For forty-two years the seventeenth of every month was their unique day, as Jim would say, just because.
Though they never were rich with money, they were determined to be rich with love. For this reason, on the seventeenth Jim always found some special way to say it and live out 1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."
Over the years the gifts had been as simple as a scribbled note or as elaborate as a bouquet of store-bought flowers. But the message was always the same: "Just because." Once he'd secretly taken Grace's wedding band from her jewelry box and had it engraved with their special saying.
She found such comfort, confidence, and connection in those two simple words. To Grace it was more than a gesture of love, it was an outward symbol of much more.
When she'd gotten sick and couldn't keep up with the house, it meant I love you for who you are not what you do. When they had an argument, it meant even when we don't see eye-to-eye I love you still. When she started aging, it meant yours is a timeless beauty. Though Jim had never been a man of many words, his just becausewas perfect and poetic to Grace.
Jim had passed away three weeks ago. It wasn't a sudden death; they both had known his end was near. They'd had a sweet time of reminiscing, hugging, crying, and then as quickly as he came into her life all those years ago, he was gone. She missed him terribly but had peace.
They'd had a wonderful life and left nothing unsaid. Now Grace loved flipping through their old photo albums savoring pictures, but even more so she loved touching all the mementos from over the years written in his masculine handwriting.
Though she'd seen the postman coming, the doorbell startled Grace. Carefully, she made her way to the door. She graciously took the few letters he handed her and apologized for not having cookies. Maybe tomorrow. She then walked slowly to the kitchen to open her mail. A bill, another sympathy card, and something that made her heart jump and melt all at the same time.
Her eyes filled with tears and her hand trembled as she slid her finger underneath the envelope's back flap. It was a simple letter as they always were, delivered on the seventeenth as they always had been. Before his death, Jim had arranged for Richard to make one last special delivery. "Not even death shall stop my heart. Just because, Jim."
Sometimes a short story illustrates a point better than pages of instruction on how to have the perfect marriage. This kind of love — not flashy but forever; not commercial but committed — is truly honoring to the Lord and to your spouse.
I pray this story settles into your heart. That it reveals something to you about the heart of your loved one. Because even the smallest things can bring the greatest joys.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful for who You are – the Great Lover of our souls. Cultivate in me a heart of generosity and intentionality so Your love can shine through me into my relationships. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For ideas and wisdom on how to have "Just Because" days, pick up a copy of Lysa TerKeurst's Capture His Heart and Capture Her Heart for you and your husband.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What relationship is the Lord calling you to be intentional with?
Think of how you could make that person feel truly special. Then, write five things that you could do to help foster this relationship.
Power Verse:
1 John 4:7, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 15, 2013
Collateral Damage
Suzie Eller
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 (ESV)
My house has a crack. Just over the doorframe, creeping to the ceiling. It catches my eye every time I sit on my couch in my living rom. My house isn't that old, so when I asked how this happened, the answer was, "collateral damage."
Collateral damage is defined as damage to things that are incidental to the intended target. Who knew that the sunny rays outside could fracture the wall of my nicely air conditioned home? But it happened.
Last year we had one of the hottest summers on record and the parched ground around the foundation strained the frame, which put pressure on the walls, and eventually a crack appeared.
Collateral damage can also take place within our family when we've been hurt by something or someone else, no matter how long ago.
Because a parent made you feel unworthy of love, you lash out when your child doesn't eat the meal you lovingly prepared.
Because your trust was shattered by another, your loyal husband pays the price as his faithfulness is questioned again and again.
Because of negative words poured over your tender heart, you struggle to believe your value to God.
Collateral damage. All of it.
Years ago I struggled with collateral damage. Because of my own past hurts, sometimes I lashed out, or withdrew from a loved one. Sometimes I worked way too hard to be accepted by a God who loved me right where I was.
Psalm 147:3 promises God can fix these broken parts. As He began to heal my heart, He showed me the cracks weren't the source of the problem. My behavior, my inadequacies, even my struggle to feel grace ... these were superficial issues.
The foundational issue was there from the time when a little girl tried hard to stay out of trouble, to make peace, and yet nothing I did worked. So I learned how to hide, how to defend myself, and a few other unhealthy behaviors along the way. Do you relate?
By taking my eyes off the cracks and opening my heart to God, the original source of damage was in plain sight ... where it could be addressed and healed. The more I soaked those wounds in God's truth, the more I began to recognize the cracks and see them in an entirely different Light. The more He healed me.
The fact that a child didn't eat a meal so lovingly prepared has nothing to do with a woman's value; it's just one of the many mom-things we get to tackle.
The fact that your trust was shattered by another just makes the gift of a loyal husband that much more sweet.
The fact that negative words were poured over your tender heart means the thousands of words etched in Scripture are that much more powerful because they redefine you, as seen and loved by your Heavenly Father.
The crack in my living room is slated to be fixed. And next summer I'll be sure to water my foundation in the fierce heat. But as for me, my heart is bound and secure, and that foundation has become a source of collateral gifts in my marriage, with my children and grandbabies, and in my relationship with my God.
Dear Jesus, before today I pointed out the cracks, those superficial acts and behaviors that I've tried to patch over. But today I hold up my heart. You see the foundation of my brokenness. Thank You for binding up my wounds, for healing, and for my new journey to wholeness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for an opportunity to win a copy of her new release, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
Join Suzie in the Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness study on Facebook.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
If you take your eyes off the cracks, what do you see?
Invite God into those broken places. He's been waiting to fix the foundation of your heart for a long time.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:20-22, "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh." (ESV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 18, 2013
I Feel Forgotten
Tracie Miles
"Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?" Psalm 77:7-9 (NLT)
Several years ago I was drowning in a sea of difficult circumstances. With each gasping breath, God appeared farther and farther away. I prayed, but God was silent. Emotions played tricks on me, causing anxiety and fear to get the better of me. Instead of God's kindness and love, loneliness and abandonment loomed large. In my head I knew that wasn't true, but that's how I felt.
Apparently the person who wrote Psalm 77:7-9 experienced these same doubts. It seems he was at the end of his rope, pleading for God's deliverance from hardship. He expressed his feelings, and asked why God had rejected him. Did God even care?
He felt rejected, alone and afraid.
Maybe you are experiencing a season of life where God seems to be a million miles away. You're wondering "why?" and questioning, like the Psalmist, if God has forgotten you.
We all experience feelings of rejection and loneliness at times. Whether as a little girl who desperately wishes her daddy would love her, an employee who longs for the approval of her boss, or a woman who would give anything for a husband that pays attention to her. There are countless reasons to feel rejected in this broken world - but feeling forgotten by God really hurts.
When we find ourselves feeling forgotten, we have two choices. Either turn away from God in anger and frustration. Or we can allow the words of Psalm 77:11-14 to motivate us to recognize God's sovereignty ... and continue to trust and praise Him even in the midst of our difficulties.
Despite his heartache, the author of this Psalm remembered that God truly was his only help. Psalm 77:11-14 says, "But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations." (NLT)
He recognized his own weakness, and his need for God. In the midst of his suffering, he chose to willfully and wholeheartedly ponder the Lord's goodness and praise Him.
The Psalmist changed his attitude completely by focusing on all God has done over the years. Instead of keeping his eyes on his own circumstances and troubles, he meditated on God's ability to overcome them. He gave himself a little praise pep talk, ramping up his faith from the inside out.
If we feel rejected, it's time to turn our focus upward instead of inward. Rather than rehearsing all the ways God hasn't changed our current circumstances, let's praise Him for the many times He has shown His faithfulness in the past. We can have a little praise pep talk of our own! God is waiting with open ears and outstretched arms, for we are too loved to ever be forgotten.
Dear Lord, I feel forgotten and alone. Forgive me for my doubts, and reassure my heart of Your love and protection. I commit to put my hope in You, and trust and praise You in the good and the bad. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
The best way to remember God's faithfulness in the past is by reading Scripture that recounts it. Renew your trust by going through The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, featuring devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries writers.
Visit Tracie's blog to read about how she learned to increase her own trust in God.
Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow by Wendy Pope
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
If you feel forgotten or abandoned by God, give yourself a praise pep talk. List three specific instances God has been faithful to you in the past.
Remind yourself about God's goodness and how His promises are true. Spend time in His Word, looking up and memorizing one Scripture that will motivate you toward a personal revelation of faith.
Power Verses:
Psalm 83:1, "O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:13-14a, "'If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the LORD. 'I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.'" (NLT)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 19, 2013
When an Apology Never Comes
Stephanie Clayton
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
Numb to the pain, I sat in my counselor's office to talk about the rape that occurred 10 years prior. I wanted to share what happened but the words would not come. Even if they did, would I feel better? I hoped so, but doubted the process. This part of my life had been hidden for 10 years; surely another 10 wouldn't hurt, right?
Although I wanted desperately to run, I desired freedom more than escape.
Freedom from nightmares, uncontrollable mood swings, panic attacks, and the feeling of gasping for air. Freedom from unforgiveness. Hiding any longer from my pain would never help me move forward. So I stayed in counseling.
Uneasy, I described what happened. The sounds, sights, and smells returned as if it were yesterday. I was left wanting one thing.
An apology.
Couldn't someone say they were sorry for what happened? Not a shallow apology, but one that would restore meaning to my life. One that would somehow return my loss of innocence. Surely an apology from the man who raped me would make a difference, right?
After 10 years, I knew I wanted freedom from the unforgiveness that seemed to enslave me. But how was I supposed to forgive when he never said, "I'm sorry"? I spent a lot of time praying and studying how to move forward when bitter and angry. How to forgive when an apology never comes. Along that journey, I learned a few things.
First of all, for forgiveness to bring freedom, I had to offer it freely, with no strings attached. Not because the person who hurt me earned it, but because it's Christ's gift. If you are a Christian, no one's sin, not even your own, has the right to hold you captive. That means you are free to forgive.
You may not feel like forgiving, but that is where you ask for God's strength. Ask Him daily for help until you are able to offer forgiveness freely to yourself and others.
Second, I had to release my shame. Often when someone hurts us, we blame ourselves. If we had been a better person, done something differently, or spoken more assertively we could have avoided what happened. Right? Wrong! Pressing shame and blame upon ourselves is not conducive to freedom and healing. Galatians 5:1 says, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Shame is a yoke of slavery. Instead of accepting shame, choose to stand firm in Jesus' love. Stand firm in His freedom that releases you from shame. Because of His sacrifice on the cross you are free!
Third, I had to keep walking forward. To move past your past you must walk through it to move beyond it. This might involve time and professional help ... but here's the freeing part: your past does not define you, Christ does!
I never received an apology from the man who raped me. But I've come to realize that even if he were to apologize it would not make up for the hurt he caused. His apology could not and would not set me free.
Freedom is not contingent upon receiving an apology from those who have hurt us. Instead, forgiveness leads to freedom and is possible because Christ's death on the cross set us free.
Dear Lord, thank You that Your death on the cross gives us all the strength we need to forgive those who have hurt us. Where there is unforgiveness, uproot it with grace. Allow Your mercy to fall on the burdened places of our hearts and minds and show us the areas we need to be set free. Thank You that Your grace, always has been, and will always be, enough. In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.
Related Resources:
The word "forgive" is not one dimensional. It doesn't just mean "let go and let God" — a challenge for anyone who has experienced traumatizing abuse, injustice, neglect or abandonment. Believers can, with the help of God's Spirit, leave pain to find wholeness, leave regret to find purpose and leave the past to live fully in the present. The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller uses the power of story along with biblical teaching to lead readers into healing and a forgiving lifestyle. Order your copy today.
Study The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness with the author! Join Suzie Eller in The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness study on Facebook.
Visit Stephanie Clayton's blog for more encouragement towards hope and healing.
Reflect and Respond:
In what ways are you living with unforgiveness that anchors you in a victim stance?
What is the first step you can take to forgive? If your heart is unwilling, ask Christ for the strength it will take to set you free.
Power Verse:
John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (NLT)
© 2013 by Stephanie Clayton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 20, 2013
What's Your Message?
Lynn Cowell
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
My heart breaks as I watch my girls struggle. Navigating the waters of school, I watch as the storms of rejection slam against their hearts.
Often, I feel like I'm in the hurricane with them. Why do I feel vulnerable when I see the tears in their eyes?
I guess it's because memories of my own turbulent teen years are not far gone. The painful remembrances of growing up come to the surface: confusion, a boy's brush-off, constant over-analyzing myself.
Yet my girls' struggles also bring thankfulness to my heart. Thanksgiving that God sent amazing friends into my life when I was a young woman. I remember the ones who helped me discover that no man, be it a dad, boyfriend or even a husband one day, could fill the love-gap in my heart. Only Jesus can fill what He created.
I am also thankful God has placed me here, in my daughters' lives, to share with them this same truth. You see, when Jesus showed me He was the only one who can fill the emptiness of my heart, He didn't just give that truth for me! Jesus gave me this truth so I can pass His radical love on to my kids and hopefully my grandkids one day.
What is one truth God has revealed to you which you can pass on to your children, your children's children or young people in your world? God has given revelations to you, treasures from His Word, glimpses into His heart. He has entrusted those to you not just for your benefit, but also for the benefit of your family and those in your sphere of influence.
Has the Lord given you a clear understanding of forgiveness? Teach your child the process of working through a grudge. Have you experienced the Lord's healing? Come alongside those in your life as they mend. Do you cling to hope because God has lifted your spirits? Share that with another who's in the middle of grim circumstances.
As our key verse tells us, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (Deut. 4:9)
We have opportunity and influence in the lives of our children and others. Let's not take for granted all the Lord has done in our lives. Instead, let's be intentional to pass on the good things the Lord has accomplished so our children will be encouraged to trust Him for the things to come in their lives.
Dear Lord, help me be intentional today to share with my children and those in my life all of the truth You have set to work in my life. Let me take advantage of the message You have given me and pass Your Word on to the next generation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for a way you can connect to your girl and learn about God's radical love together? His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell is for girls ages 13-18. It is a great study for moms and girls to bond over!
You can intentionally share God's truth with a young woman each day when you give her a copy of Devotions for a Revolutionary Year.
Visit Lynn's website where she shares ways to be intentional about sharing God's truths with children. She's also giving away a copy of her CD Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart, as well as a coffee gift card!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
In the next 24 hours, look for an opportunity to share with your child, or someone you love, one truth the Lord has made real in your life. When you connect a teaching to a story, it helps stick in the heart of your listener!
When is your child most open to hearing testimonies from your life? Think of these times in advance so when the time comes, you are ready to share.
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
February 21, 2013
Sitting at Home, Alone
Lysa TerKeurst
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV 1984)
They were laughing in their matching neon pink t-shirts with the words "Bethany's Birthday Girls" printed on the front. They were going bowling after school. Then to get pizza. Then a sleep over.
When Bethany passed out the shirts that morning I pretended to be too busy to notice. I stayed hyper focused on unpacking my book bag into my locker. And then I hurried off to my first class.
It was clear. Bethany had made a list of her friends and I hadn't been included.
I thought I would be. We'd gotten together before. I'd invited her to my pool party.
"No big deal," I tried to tell myself all day. I had plans that night too.
To sit at home. Alone. And wonder why I hadn't been chosen.
It's been years since I watched those neon pink shirts all pile into a station wagon after school and drive away.
But it hasn't been years since I've heard the negative inside chatter that ensued afterwards.
"You're not liked."
"You weren't invited."
"You weren't chosen."
Here's what I wish I could have told my little non-wearing pink t-shirt self back then ... and what I need to remember when those same feelings creep in today ...
Don't put the whole of your identity into the smallness of this situation.
Not getting a pink t-shirt that day felt like a defining moment. And maybe it was for that day. I wasn't invited to Bethany's party. And that stunk.
But it wasn't a defining moment of my identity.
It was a moment. And moments shift. People are fickle. People shift.
In the moment Bethany made the list of who to invite to her party, I wasn't on the top of her mind. Not because she didn't like me, but simply because she hadn't thought about it.
It was a small situation.
And I can't put the whole of my identity into the smallness of this situation. Or any other for that matter.
My pastor used a verse in his sermon recently that echoes these same thoughts, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ" (Colossians 2:9-10).
I have been given fullness. I am filled up by Christ. With acceptance. With love. With all the fullness of an identity that can't be shaken.
I can place the wholeness of my identity in that reality ... and see everything else as small in comparison.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness to me in every situation. I don't want to get hung up on the small things of this world. Please help me to place the wholeness of my identity in who You are and the everlasting acceptance that You provide. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst has a special gift that she's giving away on her blog today – personalized scriptures you can print out and use as daily reminders of your "fullness" in Christ. Click here for more information.
If you have a daughter or know another young woman who might need encouragement for her walk with the Lord, Lysa TerKeurst's book What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God would be a perfect gift. Click here to pre-order your copy.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What past hurt are you still processing that seemed like a defining moment in your life?
Reflect on our key verse and power verses. Write them down in a place where you'll see them every day. This will help you remember what God says we are to Him – His beloved children who have been saved through His grace.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:4-5, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (NIV)
John 1:12-13, Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 22, 2013
Wait Training 101
Karen Ehman
"... but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
Ever feel like God signed you up for an intense "wait training" class?
You pray. You ask. You anticipate God's answer, but like an Internet page taking a long time to load, you must wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.
I had to wait years before I became pregnant. During that time I attended baby showers while choking back tears.
I had to wait nearly three years for our too-expensive-for-our-new-financial-situation home to sell. During that time, I pinched pennies and lost sleep.
And I'm still waiting on many prayer requests: for a spiritually lost loved one, a family friend in ICU, a plan for my high school son's future. Waiting, waiting, waiting ...
But just as physical weight training builds strength, so does spiritual "wait training." We are promised this in Isaiah 40:31:
"... but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
How can waiting renew our strength? After all, doesn't waiting seem to sap our strength as we worry and fret and drum our fingers impatiently? It's exhausting playing the "What if?" game in our minds:
What if this doesn't work out?
What if God's answer is "No"?
What if the thing I fear the most actually happens ... what then?
All of this worry-laden waiting drains rather than strengthens. How can we turn this around and actually find ourselves renewed?
I have found that to shift my perspective in the waiting times replenishes my strength. I try not to think of those times of seemingly silence from God as waiting in the sense of sitting and anxiously anticipating a response. But as in waiting like a butler, maid or restaurant server.
Those who "wait on the Lord"—as in serve Him, cater to Him, help Him accomplish His work; those who take His order and bring Him what He wants—they are the ones who renew their strength.
They mount up with wings as eagles.
They walk and do not faint.
As we serve, we become more aware of what the One we are waiting on desires. We become alert, attentive, and in tune with His wishes. We begin to take our eyes off of our problems and fix them on the Lord instead. As we do, we get a glimpse into His heart.
Then, instead of the wait sapping our spiritual strength, it is renewed as we seek to do the Lord's will ... to make Him famous ... to give Him glory. Even in those long, hard times of waiting for an answer, we continue to serve Him.
Will you sign up with me for Wait Training 101?
You'll grow stronger spiritual muscles if you do. But we must commit to this perspective: we won't just "wait on the Lord," we'll wait on Him. Trust me, the tips He leaves are out of this world!
Dear Lord, teach me to shift my perspective during those times of waiting and doubt. May I stop fretting and worrying, and busy myself serving You instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you want to learn to stop trying to make things happen and trust God instead, check out Karen Ehman's new book and DVD curriculum LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
For more on this topic, including a Wait Training 101 giveaway, visit Karen's blog.
Would you like to study LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith with a great group of friends? Click here to sign up.
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Name a time in your life when you had to wait on God for an answer. Rate yourself from 1 to 10 on how you did in the waiting (10 is patiently worshipping and 1 is freaking out).
Now, think of something you are currently waiting on God for an answer. Write down two or three new actions you will take to "wait" on the Lord.
Memorize either today's key verse, Isaiah 40:31, or one of the power verses below. During the times you are tempted to fuss and fret, quote the verses to yourself.
Power Verses:
Psalm 40:1, "I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry." (ESV)
Psalm 100:1-3, "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (ESV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 25, 2013
Fueled or Filled?
Glynnis Whitwer
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:9-10 (NIV)
As a mother of three little boys my life was full ... full with tiny people loving me, following me, needing me. I was never alone ... and yet on so many days I felt empty.
My schedule was full of responsibilities as I tried to manage a part-time job, church leadership, and clutter and laundry at home that seemed insurmountable. Yet in spite of an overflowing to-do list, I felt empty.
There was a hunger for significance that days filled with people and activity could never meet. Rather than turning to the One who could speak meaning and purpose into my heart, I desperately tried to reclaim the life I had before children ... the me I was before children ... but it was always outside my grasp.
I know others feel this way too. Our lives can be filled with people, projects, jobs, and fancy planners or apps to manage them all, and we can still be empty on the inside. Our hearts cry in quiet despair ... is there more to life than this?
But this was NEVER God's plan. God created us to be filled by Him. Without Him we can feel full but still be empty. Here's an example of what I mean.
I drive a Suburban. It's a workhorse of a vehicle, bought when we needed to carry three growing and athletic boys with all their equipment. Although it's over 10 years old, it still works great when it's got fuel.
But what would happen if one day I decided to fill my car up from the garden hose? It's right by my driveway. I could just unwind the hose, open my gas tank and turn her on. Can you imagine how much money I would save? And I would save so much time!
If I filled my car with water, and just left it in the driveway, you'd think I was ready to go. Now what would happen if I tried to take a road trip?
Sometimes, we try to do as women, don't we? We look really good on the outside. And we may even feel full. But what we are filled with will not sustain us. In fact, if we go very far, we will break down.
Here's the problem we need to be aware of. We have an enemy who tries to convince us we are full. John 10:9-10 says, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
This enemy has been convincing us for thousands of years that God can't fully meet our heart cries. Rather than turning to God to access His unlimited storehouse of wisdom, direction, comfort, and provision, we turn to idols. We seek to fill our God-hunger with what's tangible. Sight replaces faith and it's easy to forget our personal God.
Although I loved and served God during those hard years, I forgot He was personal enough to fuel my empty heart with meaning and purpose. When a move across country stripped my life from all responsibilities outside my home, I was desperate enough to cry out to God rather than fill my days again with more to do.
When He finally had my attention, God stepped in to the gap to reveal Himself in a personal way. My heart was finally being fueled, and in a way that satisfied rather than left me hungry.
I've lived life both ways - filled but empty, and fueled and content. Interestingly my life is still full with people who need me, clutter and laundry that still need to be managed and work and church responsibilities. But the emptiness is gone. God is the source of true fullness that never leaves me wanting.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more on the move that changed her life.
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer is a unique combination of biblical encouragement and practical advice to help avoid the busyness that fills but not fuels.
If the clutter and laundry and everything else is overwhelming and pulling you away from God, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst will encourage and spur you on.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
In what specific ways are you fueling from the "garden hose" and not from the God? Ask Him to forgive you for turning to other things to satisfy you.
Pause in this moment to connect with God. Pray for Him to fill you with His wisdom, direction, comfort, and provision.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 58:11, "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (NIV)
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 26, 2013
Are You Hearing?
Lynn Cowell
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)
With a very busy day ahead of me, a dark cloud of stress was hanging overhead. I had written my "to-do" list, and asked the Holy Spirit to help me hear His timeline for when I should get everything done.
Getting ready to tackle number one on my list, I felt an impression on my heart, "Start with worshipping Me." At first I thought, I don't really have time for that. But peace came as I acknowledged I didn't have time not to worship Him.
Setting my list aside, I turned on worship music in my living room. As I listened to scriptures woven throughout the lyrics, I saw again how His Word was exactly what I needed to start my day.
This year, I am purposing to listen. Dictionary.com defines listen as: to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing.
To listen, I have to be focused on hearing, purposefully and selectively, because what I hear has the power to change to me.
Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (ESV)
When I hear God's Word, whether it is spoken, set to music or taught, my faith will grow. I need, then, to put myself in a place where I can hear (not just read silently) God's Word. I've begun to look for new ways to hear Scripture.
One of those ways is reading the Bible out loud. This has a few great benefits. I stay awake (a serious consideration when it's early in the morning or late at night!). Anyone who hears me also gets to hear God's Word! And my faith is built.
When little children first learn how to read, what does their teacher make them do? Read out loud. Why? Hearing builds comprehension; it helps us understand the material better.
The same is true when it comes to reading God's Word. "Faith comes by hearing." Reading out loud helps build our comprehension of what Scripture is telling us, as well as our faith. This is good for us and our children!
We can read the Bible out loud to children or better yet, have them read to us! Even if just for a small pocket of time: on the way to school, after dinner, before bed, or coming home from sports practice.
Keep a Bible in the car, by your kitchen table, or near the TV. I once heard a great author say he grew up in a home with books everywhere. In every room, on every table, there was a book. It became a natural thing to just pick them up and see what each page held! Let's do the same with God's Word and make it easily accessible.
Hearing God's Word is important. Let's start listening today by turning on some praise music, reading Scripture out loud and listening to sermons. Our faith will begin building quickly!
Lord, I need to build my faith for all that You have given me in this life. Holy Spirit, whisper to me, showing me pockets of time when I can hear Your Word for myself and for my children too. Amen
Related Resources:
Do you need a resource to help a teen girl in your life build her faith through hearing God's Word? Lynn Cowell's new book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You can help you do just that! Short devotionals, only 2-3 minutes each, can go a long way in helping her learn God's truth.
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Visit Lynn's website to find more ways to listen and learn! She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
When are you currently hearing God's Word? Church services, online sermons, radio broadcasts?
What can you do to increase the amount of God's Word you are hearing? One wonderful resource is The Daily Audio Bible. Click here to listen.
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:16, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 2:13, "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 27, 2013
Created for Connection
Renee Swope
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 (NIV 1984)
I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and checked it on my phone. When I got home, I checked it once more.
Now, I admit I have a thing about keeping white space in my inbox, but this was about more than managing emails. I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask myself, "Why do you keep checking your email?"
I wasn't sure if it was God or me answering, but my thoughts intertwined with His Spirit whispered: You keep coming back because your heart longs for connection with a friend.
Yet no matter how many times I checked email, it was never enough to satisfy my craving.
Somewhere in the busyness of life I had let many of my friendships reduce to quick connections via email. My schedule had gotten full with kids, school projects, investing time in my marriage, and work.
I knew something had to give, so I asked God to help me find balance.
God had recently led me to cut back on the amount of time I spent talking on the phone, socializing with neighbors and hanging out with friends. Although I hadn't completely cut out my friendships, our face-to-face connection time had been reduced to a minimum as I obeyed God's request.
I realized I had not found a good balance, and let the pendulum swing too far. So I checked email repeatedly, trying to fill a God-created need for relationships with a white screen and black alphabet keys.
My heart was craving more.
That day as I sat in front of my screen for the fifth time, Jesus revealed the source of my incessant email checking and reminded me I am created for real-life connections. I need to fill that lonely place in my heart with friends I can share life with — in person.
That day I called one of my best friends. She happened to be available so I turned off my computer and spontaneously met her at a coffee shop.
It was just what I needed: in-person, heart-to-heart, eye-to-eye connection and conversation.
I know friendships are not easy to build. They take time and most of us don't have enough of it. But in this age of technology, it's important to evaluate and balance connections that are screen-to-screen rather than face-to-face.
We need to pull away from our computers, phones and televisions to intentionally carve out time for friends. Times where we can meet in person to share what's going on in our lives. Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to give up meeting together to worship and encourage one another. As we see here and throughout the Bible, "meeting together" is important to God.
Jesus needed face-to-face connections, too. He surrounded Himself with intimate friends — first His Father, then close friends like John, Peter and James, and then the other disciples.
He also had friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. People He spent time with sharing meals and having conversations about spiritual truths that applied to their lives. Through His example we see how important it is to satisfy our craving for connections by spending face-to-face time with friends.
Although social media is great in moderation, computer "connections" can't substitute real-life relationships. So, who will you connect with face-to-face this week?
Dear Lord, You created me with a need for friends. Yet, I find myself rushing through my days with little time for heart-to-heart connections. Help me to seek You first as my ultimate Friend, and then reach out to others so I can have and be a close friend. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join Renee Swope and Melissa Taylor of Proverbs 31 Ministries on the Girlfriend Getaway Cruise in October! Be sure to register with our "Proverbs31" group to receive discounts and have access to our "by-invitation-only events" we're hosting on the cruise for our P31 girlfriends!
Learn how to overcome doubts that keep you from pursuing deeper friendships and discover all you have to offer as a friend in A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.
For more daily encouragement, join Renee's Facebook community.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down the amount of time you are on email, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and text messaging versus the amount of face-to-face time you have with friends. How do the two balance?
Call one or two friends you enjoy being with to encourage them and set up a time to get together.
If you're not sure who to call, ask God to show you someone you can begin a friendship with. Invite them to join you for lunch or to go for a walk together this week.
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (NIV)
John 15:15b, "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 28, 2013
Tearing Down the Impossible
Lysa TerKeurst
"'You don't have enough faith,' Jesus told them. 'I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.'" Matthew 17:20 (NLV)
I distinctly remember the day my dad brought home a typewriter. His office had gotten these new machines called "computers." Something within me stirred and went wild at the thought of possessing a typewriter.
I loved the way it could strike and fill a page of nothing and make it something.
Maybe, I could write a book one day? The thought delighted me until I placed my hands on the keyboard. And the only words that came to me were all the reasons I couldn't possibly write a book.
The dream was silenced.
The same thing happened when the high school choir director announced we'd be doing a musical. I got so excited. I could see myself playing the lead role. Until I heard my friend practicing with bold assurance and booming accuracy. Suddenly every note I sang felt painfully hollow.
The dream was silenced.
And then in my mid twenties I dared to tell a friend I might want to speak at the women's event we were planning. Originally, I was just helping plan the event. But the stirring to speak wouldn't leave me. So, I gave voice to my crazy thought.
She just tilted her head and said, "No. I feel certain you aren't supposed to speak."
The dream was silenced.
Has this ever happened to you? Voices within remind us of all the reasons we're incapable. Voices around us all seem more confident. And the voices of the naysayers are just flat out rude.
Oh how impossibility loves to scream into silenced dreams.
And here's the thing about impossible: there is some part of what we're attempting that isn't impossible. All impossibilities have a weak spot. And that's the exact place where we must attack.
A book might seem impossible. But writers have to start somewhere. There's an article that could be written. Or in today's world a tweet that could be crafted. Or a blog posted.
Write there. In the weak spot of impossibility.
Maybe it's your marriage that seems impossible. Go against the grain of your hurt feelings and silent brush-offs. Think on just one thing you love about that man of yours. Send him a text that says how much you appreciate that one thing. Praise him for that one thing. Tell someone else about that one thing you noticed today.
Start there. In the weak spot of impossibility.
I don't know what impossibility you might be facing.
But remember - all impossibilities have a weak spot. It's there. Ask God to show you where it is. Ask God for just enough strength to attack there. Tear it down one good decision at a time.
And soon it will be clear, inside every impossible is the word "possible"... if only we dare to see it.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful that with You anything is possible. Help me to see this in my daily life. Help me to remember that without You I will surely fail, but with You, I can't fail. You are so good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog today to read "Every Book Starts With a Sentence," a great article on how to write a book.
Maybe your "typewriter" is shoved high in a closet or your dream is stuffed deep in your heart. Instead of collecting words on paper, it's collecting dust and your "impossible" dreams. We'd love to be a friend who encourages you and helps your words move from your heart to the places God's calling you to share them. Our annual She Speaks Conference is tailored for you, for your writing and speaking dreams, for your call from God. Click here for more information on joining us, and together, we'll tear down your impossible!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What seems impossible to you right now?
Think about the weak spot of your impossibility. Choose steps to attack that weak spot. Be sure to soak in the truths of our key verse, Matthew 17:20, and power verses below as you tear down the impossibilities in your life.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
Psalm 59:17, "You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 1, 2013
What Could Mean the World to Someone
Amy Carroll
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
"How are you doing?" she asked. "I heard about the death of your grandmother and have been thinking about you." My eyes widened in surprise and pleasure as I recognized my friend Melanie's voice on the phone. She's a friend I dearly love, but we live long-distance and don't stay in close touch.
I told her about my sadness, but also my joy over the fullness of my grandmother's life. We chatted about old friends, kids and church with the ease that a long-time friendship brings. However, I started to wonder when we'd get to the reason for her call. Finally, there was a pause, and she explained that she needed to go back to her work.
I was stunned. That was it?
There was no other agenda or hidden need? No. Melanie had just carved out the time in her day to call and check on me.
A phone call from a friend is always appreciated. But for Melanie to call meant even more, because she is a young widow whose husband died suddenly. She is dealing with raising children, running a business they used to manage as a couple and all the other curve-balls life inevitably throws her way. Yet she made time in her day just to check in with me. I told her how grateful I was she had been so intentional and kind.
That's when Melanie shared what happened after her husband's death. Worship time at church was when the floodgates of her grief opened. She would often stand and cry throughout the service, pouring out her heart to God and receiving comfort from Him. And there was one woman who often sat by Melanie and silently held her hand.
One woman.
In silence.
Offering the ministry of presence.
A profound gift.
Melanie continued, describing the impact this gesture made on her. "I've learned how much sharing time means. If I can only run by and take a cake to someone who is hurting, I do it. All of life's busyness can be overwhelming, but I make time for people now. People are the most important thing."
I thought of how my friend reflects Jesus—of how Jesus made people more important than His to-do list. There were so many He stopped for. Countless faces in the crowds who made Him pause, just because.
The woman rejected by others for her many husbands.
The despised tax collector.
The woman who had despaired of ever being healed.
The men who gave up everything to follow Him.
The list could go on and on.
I think about the day's to-do list. A long list. There are lines and lines of things to do that aren't checked off yet, calling for my attention and time. They're all important, but how do I process my list through today's key verse, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12)? How do I become more like Jesus, numbering my days aright so that I might gain a heart of wisdom?
I think I'll start a fresh to-do list and take a lesson from Melanie. My new first line on my checklist: "Be more like Jesus. Make people important today."
Dear Lord, I need Your help to plan my day with Your priorities. You know how task-driven I can be. Will You teach me to put people first? Sensitize my spirit to listen to Yours and to pause for people like You would. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
A Life that Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for a list of creative ways to reach out in love to those around you.
Reflect and Respond:
Pray and ask God to reveal "just because" pauses that He's created as you go through your day.
When has someone reached out to you with no other agenda than to care for you? How did God reveal Himself in that act of kindness?
Have you ever reached out to someone when they were hurting with no other agenda than to care for them?
Power Verses:
1 John 4:19, 21, "We love because he first loved us ... And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (NIV)
John 15:12-13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (NIV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 4, 2013
There Is Purpose in The Wait
Wendy Pope
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14 (NLT)
Efficiency is my middle name. I like to get things done and get them done fast. Waiting for my computer to re-load a web page, or my kids to find their shoes, or even for God to come through on a prayer request isn't something I always do with patience.
In our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture, it's easy to think we shouldn't have to wait. Think about it: within seconds we can know the weather in southern Mongolia, order a cute blouse from a trendy store, or move dinner from the freezer to the table in five minutes thanks to microwaves. We can instant message our mom or send a tweet to thousands in the blink of an eye. No wonder waiting is hard!
King David, the author of Psalm 27:14 was no stranger to waiting and knew full well of its difficulties. So when David wrote, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD," it was with experience honed through years of waiting to fulfill God's destiny for him. That destiny started in the humble home of his father Jesse, and in the pasture herding sheep.
It started when the prophet Samuel showed up at Jesse's home to anoint the next king of Israel who was to be chosen from his family. Only one of Jesse's sons would be anointed. That son was David.
Scripture tells us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13 ESV). With such an anointing one would expect David to run to take his seat on the throne. But the only running David did was back to the pasture and his sheep.
Thus his wait began.
In the wait, God prepared David to be king. However, the only vocation David had known was shepherding. He did not know the ins and outs of kingly protocol or the rules of royal deity. David did not have the support of the people or armies to defend him as king. He was only a lowly shepherd boy. Instead of taking the position he was promised, David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace.
In the wait, God readied David by teaching many lessons about waiting. By examining and applying these truths we can find hope in the difficulty of waiting, and see how waiting now can be beneficial to our future.
Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited 15 years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.
If we allow it, our waiting will bring us to an intimate knowledge of God that we would not otherwise have. Most of David's beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns, and the wilderness, waiting on God.
God does not ignore the cries of His children. David cried and begged God for help, intervention, and defense. God never let David down.
Our waiting has a purpose for someone other that ourselves. It's not all about us. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope, and healing of the Psalms.
What awesome instructions David's life gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down, we're open to seeing how faithful He is to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.
Dear Lord, help me wait well. I want be patient as You bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can't do this without You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What to Do in The W.A.I.T? CD by Wendy Pope
Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow (eBook) by Wendy Pope is a study of the Psalms and offers much hope as you wait.
Do you feel God has called you to be a writer or speaker? Have you waited on Him to bring this dream to pass? Pray about attending our annual She Speaks Conference. This is a wonderful way for God to ready you as you wait!
Visit Wendy's blog
Reflect and Respond:
Read more about David's life starting in 1 Samuel 16.
What is your first response to waiting?
Do you grow closer to or further from God when waiting? Why?
What has God taught you in today's devotion about waiting?
Power Verse:
Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 40:31, "... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV 1984)
Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
March 5, 2013
Either He Planned It or He Permitted It
Van Walton
"He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross, ... refining them like gold and silver..." Malachi 3:3 (NLT)
I wasn't happy with the turn of events in my life. In fact "not happy" didn't begin to describe my emotional free fall.
Devastated. Petrified. Paralyzed. Lost. Angry. Disbelief. Even somewhat crazed. Now those adjectives described me.
"Not me!" I continually repeated. Never in my wildest imagination would I have dreamed that my life could end up here.
During this time of near inconsolable anguish, my cousin sent wise and comforting words: "Remember, either God sent it or He has allowed it."
Her words helped me understand God was in control and there had to be a reason behind this circumstance.
Either God sent it or He allowed it.
I found myself contemplating this phrase. It made total sense. Slowly, peace replaced anguish. Acceptance replaced anger. Submission replaced unbelief. Could God be allowing these circumstances to change something in me? Was God granting permission for me to go through this fire for a specific reason?
Malachi 3:3 is a picture of a silversmith purifying the precious metal. God shares this word picture to let us know that He is the silversmith refining us; He's who burns away the dross, which is something that is base, trivial, or inferior. In other words, not necessary or helpful.
Most of us would agree that life's trials can feel like a punishment. Major disruptions seem like they're meant to make us miserable. The truth is, God transforms us with each trial we experience. He is removing the "dross" or imperfections from us. Each time we survive a major ordeal we grow stronger, wiser, more prepared for the next challenge. We are conquerors and overcomers with God's help.
Ordeals, hardships, distresses are permitted by God for our perfection. Either He permits them or He plans them. If God has intentionally laid out a troublesome path for us, He has a purpose.
But it's not always about us. God might place pain, suffering or distraction on our path to teach others about His love, steadfastness, and mercies. The way we react to stress reflects what we believe about God, and allows others to see His faithfulness.
Few of us are immune to desperate circumstances. But sometimes they are the best way for God to perfect us. He wants to display us as His showpiece to give the world hope. We don't always feel good about God's higher ways. They hurt. They stretch. I know. I have felt the pain, the pull, the piercing agony.
However, if God plans my circumstances, then I have to trust He has a purpose. I believe He sends "assignments" so we can show the world that He is worthy to trust and has good plans. If I model confidence in Him, I'm announcing to the world, with my actions and attitude, our great God knows exactly what He is doing with my life.
Nothing compares to knowing and trusting the Lord is in control ... especially when everything around me feels unstable. He won't permit or plan something difficult for us to walk through without having a greater purpose behind it. One that will make us holier, more like Him, and shine His glory. Our experience is not in vain!
Holy Father, the anguish I feel when life slams me seems to be more than I can handle. Give me strength to push on. Remind me of Your peace and keep me focused on the truth that You have a greater plan and purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog
From the Pound to the Palace is a children's resource that illustrates how God rescues His own from difficult situations.
Our hope is found in the truth of Scripture. Connect with God in the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible, featuring devotions from all our Proverbs 31 Ministries writers.
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Think back to a time you faced a difficult hurdle. What was it? How did it affect you? What did you learn from the experience? Can you say today that God brought you through it and you learned deep spiritual lessons as a result?
Consider the lives of great men and women of God. Be reminded that the majority of them grew to greatness through trials and tribulations.
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:14,16, "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ...let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT)
Romans 12:2b, "...let God transform you into a new person." (NLT)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 6, 2013
How to Change a Life
Suzie Eller
"Love is patient. Love is kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4a (NIV)
I knew what it was like to sit on a curb and weep, wanting to run away. I knew how it felt to be locked in a closet by an older sibling. I knew what it meant to feel fear as a parent grabbed a gun and threatened suicide.
But when I became a Christian at 15, I didn't know anything about what it meant to live a Christian life.
I didn't understand Jesus or His love. Although far from mature in my faith, the Christian adults in my small church began to show me what His love looked like. Without knowing my story, they still reached out and touched my life.
I was drawn in to my faith by the presence of God and His spirit, but grew in faith because of caring and well-meaning people. They taught Sunday school and youth group. They shushed us when we talked too loud during service. They herded teens onto the bus every Sunday afternoon so we could go to the nursing homes and sing, letting wrinkled hands rest on our smooth ones.
Looking back, I know I was trying at times. Like the time I kissed the boy on the youth group hayride. Or when I shared my testimony for the first time and uttered a curse word in the middle. I ran out of the room in embarrassment, but a woman found me outside. "Maybe you could say it a different way next time," she said with a smile. Her hug made me feel safe and accepted.
Maybe there's a behaviorally challenged teen in your world. They act on impulse. They say things that make you cringe. They run hard after God, but fall just as hard in the process.
And yet you keep loving them, teaching them about God, and showing them their life matters to God. Maybe their home life is a secret, like mine was. Lots of teens need spiritual moms and dads because the only way they'll see Jesus is through you.
A few years ago I visited my old church. When I thanked a couple, now in their golden years, for all that they had done, the response was, "We didn't do that much. We just loved you kids."
What they didn't realize is their love helped that sometimes annoying teen with a very hard home life grow up to be a good mom, a loving wife, and a grandma whose life is wrapped in Jesus. I want them to know that every word I write, every message I speak, every time I kneel and pray with someone to know Christ, it is linked back to that group of faithful adults who loved me right where I was. Their patient example showed me Jesus. It inspired me to work with teens for years and to open our home to teens in crisis.
One day in eternity I know they'll understand. But for now I want them to know they transformed my life.
I'll always be grateful. Maybe you're grateful to someone too.
Dear Lord, help me to be faithful to show Your love to a teen or a child who needs it. Help me to be patient and serve as an example. We don't know every story but You do. Thank You that small acts of faithfulness can be multiplied in Your hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for more encouragement.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller
The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by Suzie Eller
Reflect and Respond:
To impact a teen, you can:
• Open your home to your children's friends for a fun night.
• Pay a teen's way to youth camp or a mission trip (if parents aren't involved, they normally don't get to go)
• Ask your youth pastor if there is an at-risk teen in the church. Commit to pray for them daily.
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 2:1, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (NIV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 7, 2013
Secrets of Success Found in Small Places
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work." Exodus 36:2 (NIV)
The International Christian Retail Show is a big book convention where publishers, authors, agents, media, and bookstore owners all gather to talk shop. Books are pitched. Books are sold. Books are talked about a lot!
I went to this conference years ago when I was a wanna-be writer with a book proposal and a dream. Last year, as I signed pre-release copies of my 16th book Unglued, two thoughts went through my mind.
First ... thank You Jesus that people actually came to my book signing. Seriously, there's nothing quite like standing there with a big stack of free promotion books, a permanent marker, and not a soul interested.
So when people actually came, I just wanted to hug every single one of them. Seriously. And if I had lots of money I would've bought them all a steak dinner. I'm not kidding.
The second thought was ... look for those desperate for your encouragement. Many who came through my book signing line were interested in writing a book. I remember being there. I know what it feels like to walk around with a tote bag full of book proposals and a heart full of nervous hope.
I felt the weight of responsibility to give them the encouragement I so desperately needed when I was in their shoes.
Maybe you are there right now. Maybe you're looking to actively pursue your dreams in this New Year. Whether it's the hope of being an author or another dream you have bumping around in your heart, here's what I've learned:
Always remember, rejection from man doesn't mean rejection from God.
If God has gifted you to write, write! You don't need a book deal to have an impact with your writing. The same is true with other dreams ... sing, create, teach, paint, develop — use your gifts right where you are to bless others.
Most overnight success stories are years in the making.
Value the daily discipline of small steps, hard work, honing your craft, and putting in time learning and developing. Take classes. Be mentored. Push through those moments you want to slack off. And do it over and over, year after year.
Be a blessing to others.
Don't keep your work to yourself. Find people who could be blessed with your work. I love to write. But what I love more than writing is seeing my writing help other people. That's where I find the encouragement to push through the hard times.
Expect opposition.
The challenges and disappointments and set backs are all part of it. And honestly, these hard times serve a great purpose. I've learned much more from my failures in writing than my successes. Use these lessons ... don't waste them by giving up too soon. And remember to glorify Him whether it's a struggle or a success. God uses all things for good.
Look for the small open doors right in front of you.
I always scratch my head when I meet people who tell me they want to write and speak but aren't willing to teach a small Bible study first. If God is calling you to do something — He'll have a door open in front of you. But it might be a small door. Look for the small door and walk through it.
Actually, dance through it with great joy because He will always do great things with people willing to be faithful in the small.
Dear Lord, I praise You for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I am so humbled that You would call me to serve You. Please help me persevere as I come up against opposition and frustration in the process of saying "yes" to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Do you have a book half-written in your computer? Or do you teach your own Bible study to your local church, but feel called to share it with many more? Our She Speaks Conference is tailored just for you! Speakers and Writers sessions are geared to teach you how to take the next step. Click here for more information and to register!
Lysa TerKeurst, Renee Swope, our Proverbs 31 Ministries team and additional special guests teach classes at She Speaks from to "Creating a Must-Read Non-Fiction Message" to "The Power of a Story." Click here to find out more.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What goal are you looking to reach?
What small step toward that goal can you take today? Remember, we can't go directly from A-Z. There are many stepping stones along the way.
Surround yourself with a positive support network. Having a strong group of friends/family who will stand with you and be honest with you on your journey is crucial.
Power Verse:
Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 8, 2013
Building Up Your Marriage
Tracie Miles
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
When I married my husband over 23 years ago, I fully intended to unconditionally love, respect and admire him. I had great intentions of being the perfect wife, offering kind words, a romantic kiss and dinner on the table every evening.
But then careers took off, bills increased, children were born, laundry piles grew, and life became chaotic. Along the way I subconsciously created a measuring stick of expectations for whether my husband actually deserved my love and respect.
When marriage didn't meet the unrealistic expectations I had before the wedding, and real life kicked in, it became easy to fall into the habit of tearing down my husband and marriage.
It seemed the longer we were together, the easier it was to see each other's flaws, and mercilessly criticize them. This eventually led to short tempers, less tolerance, and a lack of marital bliss. Not what I dreamed my marriage would be when I said "I do."
Maybe you can relate? Have you noticed too that as a result of these frustrations, the gifts of unconditional love, respect and admiration that we fully intended to offer become gifts we withhold?
A few years ago I picked up a book written for wives. I was hoping to rekindle some passion in my marriage. Little did I know God would use truths shared in that book to get my attention and help me make some inward changes.
As I read, God convicted my heart about things I had said to my husband just days earlier. Critical comments that rolled off my tongue so easily, I now regretted deeply. Although I had fully intended to be my husband's biggest encourager, I had become one of his worst critics.
God helped me see the powerful influence I have on my husband and marriage when choosing words that build up. Words that encourage instead of discourage. Words that heal, not wound.
As women, we can build up or tear down our husbands every day, merely by the respect we give, the words we choose, and the amount of faith in him we convey.
Respect and admiration are two of the most powerful tools a wife has to influence her husband. Realizing I had fallen short in giving those two precious gifts to my man, I asked God to help me control my tongue. I asked Him to fill my heart and mouth with words that would make my husband feel admired, respected and loved, regardless of whether I felt he deserved it.
I knew I'd need God's help to follow through on my renewed intentions, so I asked for a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit when critical thoughts crept into my mind. God helped me avoid the temptation to say them out loud.
Within just a few weeks, I saw a change — in me, in my husband's demeanor, and in our relationship. A change that rekindled unconditional love, respect and admiration within my heart, thoughts and actions toward my husband. A change that reflected what I set out to give him all along.
Through our words of respect, and admiration, we can help our husbands become the great men God created them to be, and in turn, have we can have the marriages we fully intended to build. It will take patience, humbleness and grace, but it'll produce love, happiness and togetherness.
Dear Lord, help tame my tongue and focus on building up my man. Help me break free of the habit to criticize, even when warranted. Open my eyes to the positive, not the negative. Draw us closer, and help us both nurture a strong and loving marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Tracie Miles' new book Stressed Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World can help you have a less stressed marriage.
Visit Tracie's Blog to participate in her 14 Days to a Better Marriage challenge.
Join a community of like-minded women in the online study to Stressed Less Living by Tracie Miles. Click here to join.
Capture His Heart and Capture Her Heart by Lysa TerKeurst are great wedding presents for the newlyweds in your life! Or purchase a set for you and your husband.
Reflect and Respond:
Think about how important your husband's love is to you and consider how much your respect means to him.
If your marriage seems strained right now, think about conversations with your husband lately. Have your comments been encouraging and uplifting, or discouraging and destructive?
Power Verses:
Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (NIV 1984)
James 3:5b-6a, "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 11, 2013
Cranky Pants
Suzie Eller
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV)
I thrashed the covers in the small bed, punching my pillow, trying to ignore the green numbers on the clock that flashed 2:00 a.m.
Recovering from a recent illness, I was exhausted. My laptop was evidently just as sick as I was, for when I booted it up, numbers and scrolling messages exploded on the screen.
This normally happy girl was grouchy ... overly sensitive ... emotional.
Earlier that evening I had been quiet. if I opened my mouth, I wouldn't be happy with what came out. The last thing I wanted on this ministry trip was to be the girl with her cranky pants on. Yet here I was wearing them with a capital "C."
As the numbers flashed to 2:30 and then to 3:00, I wrestled with God.
Lord, what is wrong with me?
Father, how can you use a girl who's wearing such a giant set of cranky pants?
That's when the scripture came to mind. Soft. Gentle. Like a whisper it played through my thoughts, filtering down to my heart:
"The LORD your God is in your midst..." (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV).
Right then. Right there. He was with me.
"He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by His love." (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV).
My spiraling feelings. My fatigued brain and body. He saw them all, and yet His gladness poured over me. He would quiet my whirling thoughts with His love.
"He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV).
That's when the tears came, because right there, even in my cranky pants, God saw me and was singing a majestic lullaby over His daughter.
I curled up in the blanket, closed my eyes, and sleep finally came.
Maybe today you're wearing your cranky pants with a capital "C." You're out of sorts. You're biting your tongue to keep harsh words away from those you love. You're tired spiritually or emotionally, or maybe it's been a long time since you've rested physically.
He sees you. He sees all of you. Not just the cranky pants, but your heart, and that you want nothing more than to be yourself again.
My prayer is that you hear that lullaby gently playing. That you sense Him drawing you close. I pray that you'll remember that we all have those days when we are out of sorts, or when everything seems to be going wrong. But most of all, I pray that you remember that our Heavenly Father doesn't turn away from us in those moments, but brings peace to our troubled thoughts when we hold up them up with absolute honesty.
That next day I woke up tired physically, but rested on the inside, and my cranky pants were nowhere in sight.
I know they'll pop up again. Life does that sometimes. But when it does, rather than hide from God, I'm going to run to Him instead ... cranky pants, and all.
Dear Father, some days I stay away from You because I am ashamed of my feelings. Thank You that I can rest in Your grace as You pour out peace and quiet my thoughts with Your peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog to join in the study of The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness. Suzie's giving away one copy of her new book today.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzanne Eller
Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
God's grace is needed on good and bad days, but it's often sought only on those days when you feel worthy and approved. But whose approval are you looking for? Yours, or the One who knows you best?
When you have your next cranky pants day, ask this question: Will I live today ACCUSED or will I be RESCUED by my Heavenly Father who promises to quiet me with His love?
Power Verses:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (ESV)
Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 12, 2013
How to Let Peace Rule
Samantha Evilsizer
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
No more able are we to drive the rain back into the clouds by holding hands to the sky...
Or to stretch a rainbow's colors wide by grasping its tails...
Or to force the tides to retreat by running at the sea...
No more capable of these feats are we, than pursing and capturing peace.
Peace.
That for which the world wars. Families crumble. People roam. That for which we compromise, and improvise, and televise: It's here ... if only you race after it with your time, your money, your life.
But for all our chasing, we never lay hold of peace. Not until we reckon with nine words that beckon a stillness. A truth that causes shoulders to fall and jaws to relax. This scripture tells us there's peace a' plenty, free for all:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:15a NIV)
If we're to find peace, we must become a pupil of He who is our Peace, Jesus Christ. He who is the Word. And this bit of Word, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts," is a fine educator.
This truth teaches us to slow down. Those two strong words, "let" and "rule" mean to "umpire" our hurried heart. So when circumstances crumble and we worriedly scramble to right them, we are taught to pause and call our heart to peace.
How do we do this? Through intimate knowledge of He who is our Peace.
Christ is just, as Esther's courage and Haman's defeat reflects. (Esther 7)
Christ redeems, as Job's great loss and even greater gain assures. (Job 42:7-17)
Christ is trustworthy, as His promised resurrection proves. (Matthew 28:1-10)
Christ controls the storms, as calmed winds and waves attest. (Mark 4:35-41)
It will take time to teach our hearts who Christ is and to let peace rule. Umpires don't begin careers in the World Series. Indeed, umpires go through rigorous training and schooling. They must work for years in the minor leagues before even dreaming of the majors.
We too must set our heart and mind to learning. A good place to start is with the minors. Calling our hearts to peace when running late, dinner burns, scrapes and bruises happen, and fender benders occur. This is our practice and preparation for when the doctor calls, the pink slip is given, the papers are served, and the accusations fly.
We call our hearts to remember and trust in He who is faithful to us in the small things, so we learn His character again and again. This gives our hearts the training needed to know He is trustworthy to us in the big things, the in-between things ... everything.
Each call leads to another, which leads to a place of calm and rest. A place where the chase ends. And peace begins.
Dear Lord, You are my Peace. Teach me Your ways, direct me in Your truth. Help me relax my shoulders, loosen my tense jaw, calm my hurried heart. I want to know You more and more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Each day we receive calls and notes from women around the world who are desperately searching for peace, crying out to God for hope and reaching out to Proverbs 31 Ministries for help. Will you help us bring the peace of Christ to a woman in need by partnering with us today?
Samantha Evilsizer would love to encourage you more on her blog. Click here to join her today.
Reflect and Respond:
Think of a circumstance you're currently in that you need peace. How are you going to let the peace of Christ rule?
Memorize one verses about peace today. Call it out to your heart when trouble comes.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (ESV)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 13, 2013
Pursued
Renee Swope
"Now he had to go through Samaria ... and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?'" John 4:4, 6-7 (NIV)
She didn't know who He was and couldn't help but wonder why He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman.
When He spoke, she heard gentleness in His voice. Kindness and humility in His simple request for a drink. In His eyes she saw acceptance, not judgment; love, not hate.
Many of us know her as the Samaritan woman, but I like to call her Sam. It makes her feel more like the real woman she was. A woman who struggled with hurt, rejection and loneliness.
Today's key verse says Jesus "had to go through Samaria." Yet theologians would tell us Jews considered Samaritans to be the scum of the earth and would do everything to avoid them. In fact, usually they would travel around Samaria—but not Jesus.
He had to go through Samaria. Could it be because He knew Sam would be there?
Typically women traveled together to the well in the cool of the day, escaping the heat of the sun since they carried heavy jars filled with water back to their homes. But Sam walked by herself during the hottest part of the day.
Instead of avoiding the scorching sun, many believe she went to the well at noon to avoid the scorching pain of others' rejection and judgment. Sam had been married five times and now she was living with a man who wasn't her husband.
The weight of the water-filled jar in the heat must have been almost unbearable, but the weight of her neighbors' words, reminding her of her failed marriages, was more than she could take.
When Jesus met her, Sam was running an errand and running from those who knew of her failures, shame and imperfections. Pursuing her with His perfect love, Jesus timed it so she would run into Him.
He initiated conversation and asked her for the one thing she had to offer: water. It wasn't much but it was a start.
Sam stopped and listened. She let Him speak words of assurance and acceptance into the broken, insecure, empty places of her heart.
In the same way Jesus intentionally pursued Sam in one of the loneliest parts of her day, He is there in the midst of your sometimes lonely, imperfect life. He is there when your disappointments and failures leave you empty and make you doubt your worth and purpose.
He is there when you're going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done but unaware of how you're going to do it all.
He is there during endless days filled with projects, diapers or laundry when you're wondering if you'll ever find meaning in the monotony.
He is there when you're criticizing yourself and questioning whether you have what it takes to be a Godly woman.
He sees you. He notices all you do and He knows all that you long for. In fact, Jesus is the only One who can meet your deepest need to be known, accepted and pursued simply because of who you are.
Today He is pursing you with His gift of perfect love—love that is patient and kind, love that keeps no record of your wrongs, love that won't give up on you. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, He is there. Will you take time to stop and talk to Him and then quiet your thoughts so you can listen to His?
Dear Lord, thank You for pursuing me. I want to know and rely on the love You have for me, and live in the security of it! When I feel afraid, insignificant or alone, help me turn to You and remember You are there! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you long to feel loved, accepted and pursued? If so, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope is just the book for you! Chapter by chapter, Renee will show you how to live in the power of God's promises and the security of God's heart and love for you!
Join us for Renee's FREE online study of her book A Confident Heart beginning April 1st. Click here for more info or click here to sign up!
Get a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope for 50% off ($6.99) at Lifeway.com or at your local Lifeway Christian Stores through May 11th.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity by supporting the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost.
Reflect and Respond:
How does it make you feel to know Jesus is pursuing you in every moment of every day? Take a minute to tell Him what assurance you need from Him today.
Power Verse:
Jeremiah 31:3b, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 14, 2013
The Cussing Thoughts
Lysa TerKeurst
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
The sky was blue. The snow crisp white. The mountain slopes full of choices to be made. Which run will we take?
We decided to tackle a "blue run" first.
The ski officials label the slopes by color. The same officials whose job it is to inform skiers exactly what they're about to get into. Yes, those of us crazy enough to strap glorified popsicle sticks to our feet and careen down a mountain need to be informed.
Green for beginners. Blue for intermediates. Black for advanced and those who think they're advanced until they get too far to turn back. Bummer.
We decided we would be smart. We wouldn't overestimate our skiing abilities by tackling the black runs. But blue? Yes, please.
The perfect skiing adventure.
Until.
The moguls.
We'd been on several lovely runs down the same slope when my husband Art suggested we try a different slope. Huh? I am emotionally allergic to different. I like to discover something that's good and stick with it. Why mess with what's working? With what feels good?
"It will be great," he insisted and headed over to the new lift.
Either I was going to follow him or be left behind. That's when I had my first not-so-nice thought. I call them cussing thoughts. It's not that I was actually saying cuss words. No, more like really negative thoughts that I wouldn't want to broadcast out loud.
So, a new slope it would be.
Things started out well. And then the slope got a little interesting. Have you ever heard, "Everything was going fine until we hit a bump in the road"? Yes, well, try a steep mountain full of nothing but bumps. Like the kind that could catapult you off the side of the mountain. Or snap your legs in half.
As fear coursed through every fiber of my body, my mind filled with all things negative and derogatory. Things that were not going to make that trip down the slope an easy one.
What I really needed was to resist the cussing thoughts so I could choose the corrected thoughts. Because dark thoughts are like a black run down the mountain. Once you get on the black slope of cussing thoughts they'll take you down to places you don't want to go.
But in that moment, I didn't choose the corrected thoughts. I made that run so much more difficult by letting the cussing thoughts come in and bring me down.
How like life.
Every day we're going to hit bumpy spots.
Someone will do something that rubs you wrong. Cussing thoughts or corrected thoughts?
You don't get that opportunity you felt you deserved. Cussing thoughts or corrected thoughts?
A cussing thought can become a corrected thought by asking three questions:
* Is this thought in line with truth?
* Is this thought in line with who I am?
* Is this thought in line with who I want to be?
God has taught me how to think using His truth but I have to make the choice to apply what I've learned.
God has challenged me to live out Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."
"Hold unswervingly. Hold. Unswervingly." What does this mean?
God has challenged me to grow in my knowledge of Him but I have to choose whether or not to display this growth through my thoughts and actions.
Think according to truth. Live according to truth. Then His hope will be displayed in my life.
Just like mountain slopes have options for which run to take... so do I with the thoughts I think. Cussing thoughts or corrected thoughts. My choice.
Dear Lord, I am so grateful for Your truth. Give me strength today as I hit some bumpy spots. Make my thoughts pure and in alignment with Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
If you missed Lysa TerKeurst's webcast on how to combat negative inside chatter, click here to watch the replay!
Feel like your thoughts are making you want to come unglued? In her New York Times best-selling book, Lysa teaches how to take control of your feelings in order to have godly reactions. Click here to purchase your copy of Unglued.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What cussing thoughts are you having today?
Write down one you're struggling with. Then, write down a corrected, truth-based thought to replace it with.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 15, 2013
Stressed-Less Living
Stephanie Clayton
"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave." Psalm 107:19-20 (NIV)
As I sat in my abnormal psychology class, my face turned red and my heart raced. I remembered the small black box hiding under my blouse. A few days before, the cardiologist had given me a monitor and instructed me to hit a button on it every time my heart sped. It was happening again, and this time in a classroom.
That day, my class was learning about people who have frequent physical complaints with no organic cause. What if that was me?? What if my heart issues were nothing more than stress and anxiety? I actually hoped the doctor would find something physically wrong with my heart so she wouldn't scrawl "crazy girl" on my medical chart.
Over the next few months, with more testing, my doctor determined low thyroid levels were the organic basis for my heart problems. I began taking prescription medication, however my heart issues continued. Curious as to why, I began writing down what was happening during the times my heart raced.
It occurred when I made a class presentation and when I walked alone in a dark parking lot. It happened when I faced confrontation and when certain people came around me. After a week of writing these triggers down, I realized my heart issues were in part related to anxiety.
A Christian girl shouldn't struggle with anxiety, should she? Especially one majoring in counseling. I wanted desperately to hide the struggle attacking me physically and emotionally, but it was getting difficult to function. Christian counseling helped me process the cause of my anxiety. I also dug into God's Word. Psalm 107:19-20 spoke volumes to my situation.
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave."
I chose to believe and trust in the scripture map found in Psalm 107:19-20. Cry out... trust Him to save me... His Word would heal me... and I would be rescued from the grave.
To begin, I got real with God about my pain. He already knew my heart, but crying out to Him helped me swallow my pride and acknowledge that He is capable of what I am not.
Next, I chose to trust that He would save me. When I doubted the promises of His Word, I prayed that He would help me overcome my unbelief.
Then I acknowledged the healing power of His Word. At first, I believed lies such as I am unlovable and will never be good enough. These lies were much louder than the scriptures I read. However, the more I repeated verses and altered my behavior to His commands, belief began to manifest.
Last, I consented to a rescue from the grave. I hadn't been eager for freedom because anxiety was a method of control. As long as I worried, I felt in control. If Christ was going to rescue me from the grave of anxiety, I would have to give up control and trust Him. And that seemed scary! But even scarier was the idea of continued physical and emotional death. Choosing to trust Him involved a shift in my focus. I chose to see and accept the good in my life and to focus on what I could learn in this difficult season. Trusting Him meant choosing joy in the present over despair.
It's been several years since that day in abnormal psychology class wearing my heart monitor. I've come to realize that although stress, anxiety, and worry will always try to attack us, they don't have permission to infiltrate our heart and mind. Only God has permission to do that. We can battle anxiety with Scripture truth that God is in control, has plans for us, and there is no need to be anxious over circumstances. He is our healer, rescuer, Savior. He is our freedom from the grave of anxiety, stress, and worry.
Dear Lord, help me trust You, consent to Your healing, and spend time in Your Word and in prayer. Rescue me from my distress and from the grave. Thank You for caring about my life and that I can be free from stress. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles
Do you feel attacked constantly by stress or worry? Join the Online Bible Study of Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles. You'll find a community of other women walking toward freedom from anxiety together. This group is led by Melissa Taylor. Click here to sign up and find more information.
Visit Stephanie Clayton's blog for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Write out the scripture map from Psalm 107:19-20. Cry out... trust Him to save you... His Word would heal you... and you would be rescued from the grave.
Over the next 24 hours, walk each step out.
Power Verse:
Psalm 94:19, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Stephanie Clayton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 18, 2013
It's Over
Samantha Evilsizer
"My beloved spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.'" Song of Songs 2:10-11 (NIV)
These lyrics caught in my throat the first time I sang them: "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon the cross."* I cried as I stared at my circumstances, ashamed.
I'd compromised big time in some areas and, until the warm truth of that song caught me off guard, I had turned a cold shoulder to the hope of forgiveness. Shame convinced me I wasn't worthy of another chance.
Last summer, I met a young woman who needed one other chance too, maybe more. On a 75 degree, gorgeous-in-every-way L.A. day, I served a meal on Skid Row with The Dream Center team. There I was, navigating my way around pain and hypodermic needles. There she was, fidgeting outside the women's shelter.
She melded into the gray of her tattered sweatpants. Washed out and muted, buried under the debris of a dark world, away from the Light for too long. Inching toward me, she stepped over others hibernating beneath cardboard boxes and frigid despair.
Try as I might, I couldn't catch her eyes as she asked for help. Shame from past deeds had beaten her down. It made her doubt she was worthy of anything, much less another chance for a hot meal and cold drink. This timid woman had been pushed out of the food line. Unable to defend herself and in too much physical pain to stand in line again, she needed someone to make a way for her.
Together, we walked to the front of the food truck (not gonna lie, it was fun breezing past her bullies). But I felt helpless handing her only scrambled eggs and water. Surely, she needed so much more.
We all need more at some point, don't we?
This frail woman needed to know God had more for her than this. That what she'd done to land on Skid Row could be forgiven—forgotten, even. This cold season could turn into a warmer one. I wanted to share this truth: "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone" (Song of Songs 2:11 NIV).
Winter, that gloomy season that should pass. But what if it lingers? What if one bad-for-us choice turns into 100 that beat us to our own Skid Row? What if mistakes convince us we don't deserve another shot?
Been there? Me too. But letting the Light of truth in to our hearts turns our winter of doubt into a spring of hope.
What we've done doesn't dictate who we are. The truth is, what He's done makes us who we are: forgiven, hopeful and worthy of another chance. We may not believe we deserve a second shot. But Christ's sacrifice on the cross and our gift of a new life through His death gives us one. When we ask for forgiveness and turn from our sins, our past is covered by God's mercy and grace.
Never doubt, He'll always lead us past the bully of shame to the front of the line for so much more than eggs and water.
God, it's hard to believe I'm worthy of another chance. But I'm taking a step of faith, choosing to accept that Your death means a new chance for me. I'll never know how much it cost, but I'm forever grateful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to read more about receiving a fresh start through Jesus.
We'd love to help you find your second chance by reading this truth in God's Word! Our team has tucked hope-filled, encouraging devotions throughout the pages of the brand new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women to unpack Scripture with you. Pick up your copy here.
Visit Samantha Evilsizer's blog for more on God's second chances and to enter to win a copy of Proverbs 31 Ministries' new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women!
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Reflect and Respond:
Why is it difficult for you to believe you're worthy of another chance?
Write down every reason you feel you're not worthy of Christ's love and forgiveness. Now, read them out loud and say after them, "But Christ died on the cross to forgive me once and for all. I've repented and I'm forgiven."
Power Verses:
Isaiah 12:1-2, "You will say in that day: 'I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.'" (ESV)
John 3:17-18b, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned ..." (ESV)
*Light of the World (Here I am to Worship) by Tim Hughes. © 2000 Thankyou Music.
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 19, 2013
Following from Afar
Karen Ehman
"Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police, warming himself by the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none." Mark 14:54-55 (HCSB)
At the back of the little country church, I clumsily thumbed through the pages of the worn pew Bible. It was Easter week and I was a senior in high school. I had given my life to Jesus just over a year prior at a youth campfire gathering and was still uncertain about the location of certain verses.
That Good Friday, I was at a drop-in service. This wasn't a traditional service at an appointed time with a message and singing. People could stop by the church at any time to individually and quietly work their way through a devotional reading and accompanying verses.
It was during that time of reflection that I met the Apostle Peter in the words of Scripture. Peter, who later became a bold witness for Christ, was not so valiant at the time of Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion. Although Peter claimed that even if everyone else ditched Jesus, he would remain faithful, Jesus knew the truth. The truth was that Peter would deny Christ not once, but three times in one night.
Before Peter's denials came, something else came: a widening space between Peter and Jesus. Although Peter was a close companion of His, when Christ was suddenly arrested, Peter stopped his "right-beside-ya" stroll. Today's key verse from Mark 14:54-55 clearly states where he stood, "Peter followed Him at a distance" (HCSB).
My teenage heart broke as those words stung my soul. They cut a bit too close. As a new believer I'd eagerly told others about Jesus. However, when I saw that my new-found faith wasn't so readily accepted by certain friends at school, I'd backed off from associating myself so publicly with Jesus. Like Peter, I was following at a distance.
The remedy to my problem lay squarely in my hands. It was so obvious I almost missed it. The Bible.
To walk closely with Jesus we have to walk ourselves daily through God's Word. Tethering our hearts to Scripture helps grow our friendship with Jesus. As a result, He becomes more important to us than others or their opinions of us. The more we learn about God's character, the more we fall in love with Him and the less likely we'll be to turn from Him when the crowds tempt to sway us. Or when fear of judgment or persecution comes.
Have you been following Jesus at a distance? Walking far enough behind that you can still see Him but others don't see you right next to Him? Grab a Bible. Crack it. Get into God's Word and get His Word into you. No more lagging behind. Let's walk right beside the Lord, unashamedly, and allow others to see our desire to be near Jesus in hopes they will long to get to know Him too.
Dear Lord, help me to follow through with my intentions of immersing myself in Your Word and then walking close with You day-by-day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Unpack Scripture with us on a deeper level! Our team has compiled 366 of our devotions in the new Proverbs 31 Ministries' NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women. We'd love to share these with you during your quiet time. Click here for a copy!
For more on this topic, and to win a "Walking with Jesus" giveaway that includes a copy of our new Proverbs 31 Ministries' NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women visit Karen Ehman's blog.
If you want to learn to walk more closely with Jesus, check out Karen's new book and DVD curriculum LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
Reflect and Respond:
Was there a time in your life when you felt you walked so closely with Jesus that others readily associated you with Him? When was it? Describe your relationship with Him.
If over the years you feel that you have started following more from a distance, what factors do you feel contributed to this?
What is one action step you can take to start to walk more closely to the Lord when it comes to reading, studying or memorizing the Bible? Write it out. Now, whose help can you enlist to enable you to follow through with that commitment?
Power Verse:
Matthew 16:24, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.'" (NLT)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 20, 2013
The Day Forgiveness Set Me Free
Renee Swope
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ... Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:2, 32 (NIV)
I thought I was over the hurt. I was sure I had moved on. But as my thumb slipped under the seal of the invitation to my 10-year college reunion, it hit me: I had not forgiven her.
During our last semester at school, the harsh tone and accusing anger of a friend had been more than my heart could handle, especially in the middle of my year-long battle with depression. A deep sense of sadness and self-doubt, that I couldn't explain or escape, had left me feeling depleted.
When she questioned something I had done and expressed deep frustration toward me, I didn't have the mental or emotional strength to process her criticism without being pulled into a pit of condemnation.
If I attended our class reunion I would likely see her and other friends who had gotten tangled in our mess. With that possibility came a flood of memories and emotions that made me feel the same yuck I felt the day our friendship ended. The day that pretty much ruined the last few weeks of our senior year.
Holding the envelope in my hand, that hurt took hold of me again. Instead of simply deciding how to RSVP, I stood at the edge of a pit filled with insecurity that threatened to pull me back in.
After weeks of holding onto the invitation I finally decided I was tired of living as prisoner to my hurt. I wanted freedom. The kind of freedom I'd come to know in the ten years in between. The freedom of forgiveness Jesus died to give me.
I spent hours praying and reading my Bible over the next month. Listening to worship music and messages on forgiveness, I asked God to drench me with His perspective and give me His assurance so I could walk into my reunion as a secure child of God.
By the time I arrived, my mind was filled with God's grace and promises. I literally wanted to find my old friend and restore our relationship. The confidence that came as I followed God's command to seek and offer forgiveness came as a surprise.
Forgiving those who hurt us is hard. Often we are afraid to forgive because it might open us to be hurt again. Or we're afraid if we bring something up it might unearth bitterness we don't want to deal with, so its left buried.
But any time we bury a hurt alive, it will keep rising from the dead to disturb us.
God used today's verses to show me how to let forgiveness set me free from the hurt I had buried. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ... Forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Eph. 4:2, 32)
Forgiving in the way this scripture describes has helped me recognize I need God's grace as much as anyone else. Although pardoning an offense is not easy, it is possible when we follow God's plan of being humble and gentle, patient and bearing with those who've hurt us. It's so worth what it takes to be set free.
Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves when we offer it to others. In doing so, we don't forgive so we can forget. We forgive, as we have been forgiven, so we can find freedom from our past and live with confident hope for our future.
Lord, I need Your help. Help me process my hurt with You and let go of any bitterness that keeps me from wholeness and hope. Empower me to forgive just as You have forgiven me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Conflict is hard and unhealed hurts can make us doubt ourselves, as well as our ability to have healthy relationships. In her life-changing book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises, Renee Swope empowers us to overcome the hurts that hold us back as we move forward in the confident assurance of all God has for our lives!
Join Renee's online study of her book A Confident Heart beginning April 1st. Click here for more information or click here to sign up!
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller
When you buy resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity by supporting the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost through a purchase.
Reflect and Respond:
Is there unresolved conflict or unforgiven hurt that could be holding you back you from living in the freedom Jesus wants for you? Journal thoughts that came to mind while reading today's devotion and commit to take one step towards the freedom of forgiveness God is calling you to today.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 21, 2013
Why I'm Breaking Up With My "Quiet Time"
Lysa TerKeurst
"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
I'm taking a break from having a quiet time. Because sometimes I can get in a rut. Even with good things. And having a daily quiet time is a good thing. Until it becomes more about routine than actually connecting with God.
When God becomes routine rather than revival, it's time to switch things up.
Otherwise, I might start seeing this time as less important. It becomes the second or third thing I do. After other things. Seemingly more pressing things. Before I know it, it's been days since I connected privately and personally with Truth.
And then my soul feels a bit off and sluggish. Like when my stomach has been denied food, a desperation starts creeping over other parts of my body. That happens with soul hunger too.
Only the triggers for stomach hunger are much more apparent. My brain quickly reminds me, "You feel awful because you need to eat."
Sometimes my brain isn't as quick to pick up on soul hunger. So I just lumber forward but wonder, "What's wrong?" I think of a list of reasons ... I'm tired, I haven't had enough fun, or my butt looks big in these jeans.
And while some of those things may be true—it's not why I feel off.
I need more time with God.
Not more quiet time.
More listening time. Like the writer in Psalm 63:1 needed. "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." (NIV)
This morning as I sat with God with nothing but willingness to listen, three things popped into my mind. I can't say "God spoke to me" but it felt right. I need to do some new things as I listen.
Study wisdom by reading a chapter in Proverbs everyday.
Ask God to reveal "my verse" for the day and think of ways to apply it. I listen.
Read something from someone I admire.
I need to study leadership in this season of my life. So, I pick up a book written on this topic by someone I admire and glean from their wisdom. I listen.
Read something from someone I trust.
There's a book I'm reading right now that is whimsical and grounded all at the same time. It makes me feel like this writer gets me. They get my struggles and offer up advice I know I can trust. I listen.
Maybe you think all this still sounds like a quiet time, but to me it's different. It's a listening time. A time to shake things up a bit and get outside my normal routine. A time to listen to God speak. And He does speak ... through His book of wisdom, through someone I admire, and through someone I trust.
And this morning? My soul felt that thrilling and comforting full feeling. Complete. Satisfied. Deeply nourished.
Dear Lord, I'm seeking to grow a stronger relationship with You today. Help me to break out of the routine so that I can connect with You and hear You speak. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
It's important to exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world. In the just released Unglued Devotional, Lysa TerKeurst shares practical ways of capturing meaningful time with the Lord.
And if you missed Lysa's New York Times bestselling original Unglued book, click here to get your copy today.
Take time to gather with a few trusted girlfriends who get your struggles and study Unglued together. Click here for more information on the Unglued Bible Study bundle.
Lysa shares more of her encouragement in the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible from Proverbs 31 Ministries, filled with devotions from her and the P31 Team. Click here for more information.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What do you need to break up with so you can connect more closely and listen more intently to God?
Write a list of things that you are placing as priorities before your time with God. Consider how you can prioritize so that God comes first, and to make sure that your time with Him isn't just another thing on your "to do" list.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)
2 Chronicles 7:14, "... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 22, 2013
Standing Apart from Everyone Else
Wendy Blight
"You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." Leviticus 20:26 (NIV 1984)
Our daughter got the call ... the invitation she had been waiting for. It was the party everyone wanted to go to and she'd been invited!
She was so excited. However, one step remained: securing her parents' permission. She knew it would be difficult. But she was sure once she explained the significance of the invitation, we would say "yes."
We did not.
"Everyone else is going. I will be the only one not there. It's not fair!" To which, we firmly replied, "We are not like everyone else. There will be no parental supervision. You absolutely may not go."
This happened often throughout our daughter's middle and high school years. And because she could not always do what everyone else did, she often felt left out.
As her parents, we were establishing boundaries and limits. Our actions, though hard at times, taught her a powerful biblical truth: Because we don't belong to everyone else, we don't live like everyone else.
We belong to Someone else; we belong to God.
Because we are His, God has set us apart to be different. He does not want us to squeeze into the mold set by everyone else.
This struggle has existed for thousands of years. Israel desperately tried to fit in with the nations around them. They wanted to be like everyone else. But God refused to allow this. He set Israel apart to be a holy nation. He established boundaries for His children just as we do for our children.
In Leviticus 20:26, God commanded Israel, "You are to be holy to me, because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own" (NIV 1984). God set Israel apart to intentionally distinguish them from everyone else.
God did not do this to punish the Israelites or deprive them. Just the opposite. He specifically chose them for good. Being set apart not only was a privilege but also carried with it amazing blessings, far more than they could ever imagine.
Keeping that in mind, it's exciting to know God calls us to be holy too. He calls us into a personal and intimate relationship. And when we say "yes," we receive good gifts just as the Israelites did. God gives us a fresh start with Him ... a new life where our past is wiped clean. God sees us through the eyes of His Son, Jesus. We are no longer like everyone else. God sets us apart to live a new life in Him.
My husband and I make those same hard choices for ourselves. A few years ago we stepped out of a dinner club. We felt uncomfortable with the direction the group was taking. It wasn't easy being left out of some fun parties. The night of those events, I missed being with everyone else. I felt what my daughter felt.
You and I may have to make the same hard choices. We may not be able to watch certain movies with our friends on Girl's Night. Or we may have to speak up on an issue close to God's heart, causing us to stand out, rather than fit in.
What I have learned through making the hard choices is they come with a great reward: enjoying the pleasure of our heavenly Father.
We belong to the Creator of heaven and earth. He created us in His image and loves us with an everlasting love. Today, let's be set apart from others and set apart for HIMby making some hard choices so we may live in the fullness of all He has for us.
Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me and setting me apart to live for You. Keep me from wanting to be like "everyone else." In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy Blight's blog and sign up for her new three week online study, Quiet My Anxious Heart: Learning to Rest in Jesus, beginning May 8th.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy helps uncover insecurities and fears that may be holding you back from living in the fullness of Christ.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down one choice you can make today to say "no" to everyone else and "yes" to God. Take an action step toward making that happen.
Read 1 Peter 1:15-16. What does it look like in your life to be holy?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 1:15-16, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (NIV 1984)
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, and the new has come!" (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 25, 2013
Trying to be Strong
Tracie Miles
"For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?" Psalm 18:31 (NIV)
To someone else, it may have been just a simple two-letter word. But to me, it was a divine message from a holy God.
During an activity at a women's retreat, we were to pull from an envelope a specific name of God from Scripture. We were given time to journal about it, and what that particular name meant to us personally in that moment.
Snuggled up on a comfy couch, I opened my envelope and slipped out a piece of paper with the word El, meaning "The Strong One." I looked up the Bible verses at the bottom of the paper, which included today's key verse Psalm 18:31.
As I prayed, my heart began to stir as this name of God sunk in. Words poured into my journal: "Jesus, I'm tired. I confess that I always try to be the strong one. Strong for my mom ... my dad ... my sister and brother ... my husband and children ... my friends. Trying be strong for everyone is exhausting and stressful."
I jotted down the names of loved ones I felt obligated to be strong for and the reasons why. It was as if justifying why I tried to be their rock made it okay. I also journaled about being strong regarding my own circumstances ... relying on my own strength while wearing a mask that I could shoulder the weight of everyone's burdens.
Exhausted, I turned to God for help. It was then I felt Him assure me I didn't have to be strong all the time-because He is "El," The Strong One. I realized I had tried to be the rock for those I loved, instead of leaning on the Rock who is the true strength they need.
In Psalm 18, David praises God for being his source of strength. He looks back and reflects on all God has done, thanking the Lord for not only delivering him from the hands of his enemies, but for giving him strength to overcome them. In Psalm 18:31, David acknowledges the only reason he experiences victory is because God is his Rock. His Strong One. His strength.
I felt my heart lighten. With a sigh of relief and gratitude I journaled words of praise. Just like David, I thanked God for being my strength and my Rock.
Although He didn't deliver me from the hands of physical enemies like David faced, God helped me find victory over the habit of being strong on my own. He reminded me I needed to rely on "El" for strength, whether I am carrying the weight of other's burdens and hurts, or just making it through another stressful day.
We can offer support, prayers and a listening ear to others, but we can't be someone else's rock. It is God's job to be the Rock. He's capable and willing if we give Him room to be.
Dear Lord, forgive me for thinking I can live in my own strength or that my strength is sufficient to support those I love. Remind me to fully lean on You. Thank You for being "El", our One, while paving the way for victory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
Are you tired and exhausted of trying to be strong in your own strength? Could you use some motivation to lean on "El," the Rock, and reduce your stress? The next Proverbs 31 Ministries' Online Bible Study led by Melissa Taylor will be Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World. It begins April 7th. Click here to register!
Visit Tracie's Blog for more encouragement about leaning on God's strength and to enter to win a beautiful journal and pen set.
Connect with Tracie on her Stressed-Less Living Facebook page.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What would it look like if you stop trying to carry the burdens of others and allow "El" to be their Rock?
Spend time journaling your thoughts about this topic of the Rock, and how God's Name "El," The Strong One, might be applicable in your own life.
Power Verses:
Psalm 28:7, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." (NIV)
Psalm 18:1-2, "I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 26, 2013
Nothing Wasted
Amy Carroll
"When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.'" John 6:12 (NIV)
Sparkles from the scalloped, green glass bottle sitting in the window fill my mind with memories of my grandmother. She was the original owner of the bottle, and once it contained sweet perfume.
The bottle was once stored in Grandma's basement, where I'd go on treasure hunts as a little girl. Shelves in a dimly lit room held mysteries like my grandfather's fossil collection and my grandmother's collection of Avon perfume bottles, of which my precious green bottle was one. There were tall bottles and short ones. There were shiny glass bottles and heavy ceramic jars. My favorite one was covered with elegant ladies in 18th century voluminous dresses.
Each bottle was unique. Many were in perfect condition, but a few were chipped and worn. I can envision Grandma pouring over her catalogs choosing each bottle with time and care. Her collection carries scents and memories of people and places, some sweet and others bitter.
Those bottles are like the circumstances of my life. Some are happy, but sadness infuses others. A few have left me with scars, but lots have left me better than before. Just like the bottles, the collection of events in my life is more beautiful when viewed together than individually.
It comforts me that God doesn't waste anything. Every piece - broken, incomplete or whole - in the collections of our lives is made beautiful and significant in His hands.
Just think about the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 hungry people in John 6. The people had followed Jesus out of town to listen to His teaching and watch Him heal. They were all still gathered as mealtime approached. The disciples asked Jesus how He planned to feed the crowd, and Jesus miraculously produced enough food for the crowd from a boy's small lunch of five loaves and two fishes.
Once everyone was fed, it seemed the story would end, but Jesus had one more lesson to teach. He instructed the disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted" (John 6:12b NIV). It wasn't enough for Jesus to feed the people until they were full. He wanted every last crumb collected.
There's nothing that escapes the notice of God. Everything matters to Him. Not only does it matter, but if you are His child, He promises that every part of your life will be used for your good and His glory.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV). This verse tells us that God uses our grief, our joy, our loss, our gain, our trials and our triumphs. Nothing is wasted.
Today may hold hard things—a sick child, a grouchy boss, an unforgiving friend. Or it may hold beautiful things—a new love, a chat with a neighbor, an affectionate pet. Either way, we can trust God that He is collecting the pieces of our life in His hand and creating something more beautiful than we can imagine.
Dear Lord, I trust You with every circumstance and moment of my life. Help me to see glimpses of how You are making my life beautiful for You. I trust that You don't waste anything, but You use everything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We would love to join you as you grab a cup of coffee and curl up in your favorite spot to find hope and purpose within the pages of Scripture. The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, featuring devotions from our Proverbs 31 Ministries' writers, unpacks verses with you.
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for a story of how she saw God faithfully transform something painful into something beautiful.
Will you partner with us to help us reach one million women across the world with our Encouragement for Today devotions, women who need to know God notices and cares about the details of their lives? You can now text MINISTRY to 50555 to give $10 to PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES today. {When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your donation.} Your donation will help us reach more women with the hope of Jesus Christ and the life-changing power of His truths.
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Reflect and Respond:
List some of the hard circumstances in which you've yet to see God's redemptive work. Pray and release them into God's hands. Ask Him to help you entrust them to Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)
Psalm 78:35, "They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer." (NIV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
:angel:
March 27, 2013
Peacemakers
Nicki Koziarz
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
An eight-year-old boy named William once wrote his pastor a letter. "Dear Pastor, I know God wants us to live in peace with everybody, but He never met my sister. Sincerely, William."
I bet you and I could write similar letters. There's always someone who seems to get under our skin, isn't there? In a world filled with irritating people and problem makers, being able to bring peace in the midst of it all can feel impossible.
Because we are born into a world of sin, we don't always have automatic peacemaking reactions. One of our responses may be to engage our defense mechanisms and retaliate when provoked. Or we may turn inward and shut down, not seeking to work things out. This is why parents and schoolteachers struggle to train children to resolve their issues with each other peaceably.
While I am no longer a little girl flustered by the annoying boy pulling my pigtails on the playground, I still find myself not responding well when irritated or aggravated by someone. It's hard to want to bring peace to situations with people I don't like.
God, however, modeled the right way to seek peace. When we offended God with our disobedience, He took the initiative to reconcile a relationship with us through His Son's death on the cross. Through Jesus' sacrifice and salvation, I'm no longer subject to my defensive reactions or to shutting down. Instead, I have access to His peace, which makes being a peacemaker possible.
Recently, while going through some conflicts with people, I read Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers ..."
When I first read this I thought, "If I will just memorize this verse, boom ... I will be a peacemaker." So I did. Big surprise ... I wasn't a peacemaker the next time conflict arose.
I recognized that I needed to have a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a peacemaker, so I dug into the scripture.
If we look back to the original text, we see the word for peace here means harmony, security and rest.
These words that define peace remind me of the things Jesus brings into our lives. Because we follow Him, He gives us the ability to make peace. When we do, He promises we "will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). We can be a representation of the peace He gives.
So when Jesus said we are "blessed" when we bring peace, it is because being a peacemaker allows us to represent the depth of who He is as His children.
Some people will go to great lengths to prove themselves right. Pride and arrogance convince them that laying aside differences is a sign of weakness. But if we can catch God's vision of what it looks like to be a peacemaker—to bring harmony, security and rest to a difficult situation—it will allow us to feel secure and at rest in the midst of conflict. We can stand confident as children of God.
As we let go of petty stuff, we are peacemakers. When we are the first to say, "I'm sorry," we give peace. When we talk calmly, rather than yelling, we bring peace to the situation. By learning to give peace the way we receive peace from Jesus, His peace flows through our lives.
Being a peacemaker is challenging and may not come naturally. But may we be reminded today that in every conflict we have the capability to bring resolutions of peace. We can bring harmony, security and rest because Jesus' death and resurrection gave that to us.
Dear Lord, You are the ultimate peacemaker. Help me keep my eyes on You in difficult circumstances. And to bring peace to conflict with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Nicki Koziarz's blog for more encouragement and to enter to win a copy of Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst.
Unglued and accompanying Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
How would being a peacemaker and having peaceful reactions change your relationships?
Pick three ways you can react peaceably today. Here are some examples: Changing your tone of voice. Forgiving. Being humble. Talking a situation through. Not being defensive. Choosing kind words. Believing the best, rather than assuming the worse. Not interrupting, or taking sides.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." (NIV)
Romans 8:16, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (NIV)
© 2013 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 28, 2013
Escaping the Rut of Want
Lysa TerKeurst
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Fourteen years ago I was stuck in a rut of want. There was an opportunity that looked so promising. A publisher expressed genuine interest in my writing. It seemed to be right. It felt right. I wanted it to be right. It must be right!
But it never came to pass.
In my most mature moments I reasoned, "It wasn't meant to be. I trust God and believe in His perfect plans."
In my not-so-mature moments I wondered, "God, this isn't fair. Why do You keep saying no?"
And in my immature moments I whined, "God, do You care this hurts me?"
Have you ever been there?
Ruts of want are tough places to be stuck.
When God says no, we are sometimes tempted to wonder if He loves us. In reality, it's because He loves us, He sometimes says no.
Read that last sentence again and rub it into your heart. The hurting part. The part that throbs and aches when you see others getting the exact opportunity you want. You fake a smile to hide the pain.
God brought this change of perspective to me through a baking disaster that happened to my youngest daughter Brooke. She came to me at 9 o'clock one night and asked if she and her friend could bake a cake.
Hope, Brooke's older sister, had offered to help and I was too tired to argue the incessant pleas of a nine-year-old.
So, the girls began to bake.
Brooke measured and poured, whipped and stirred, and carefully placed a batter-filled cake pan into the oven. Then she turned on the oven light and watched the cake bake. Her cake became her whole focus. She couldn't stop looking at the cake and grew increasingly impatient with the slow-passing minutes on the timer.
Nothing kills patience like solely focusing on the object of your desire. And tragically, impatience becomes the breeding ground for compromise.
About 30 minutes into the 45-minute baking time, the cake looked done. It smelled done. Brooke and her friend wanted it to be done. She reasoned it must be done!
Hope helped retrieve the cake and placed it on the counter to cool.
And it wasn't long until the cake imploded.
The cake couldn't withstand the pressure of an undone center ... and neither can we.
If we obsess over the cake and make it our whole focus, character atrophies. If we make growing in godliness our obsession and keep our focus on God, our character matures. And a mature character makes for a solid and well-done center.
I thank God every day for every "no" He has graciously allowed and continues to allow in my life. Our key verse Proverbs 16:3 teaches, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Through placing my focus on God, I have embraced His plans for me, and I trust that a "no" from Him is really a blessing.
I used to pray, "God, let me, let me, let me!"
I now pray, "God, please never let my success outgrow the character necessary to handle it."
Indeed, it's because God loves us, He sometimes says no.
Dear Lord, although I don't always understand, thank You for saying "no." I know that You do so as a measure of protection for me. Help me to embrace Your best for my life, Father. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Is there a young woman in your life who is striving for God to be the center of her focus? Lysa TerKeurst's new book What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God, co-written with her teenage daughter Hope, would make a wonderful gift! Click here to purchase your copy.
Sometimes a "no" from God can make us feel like we'll unravel. For help in navigating these emotions, check out Lysa's book Unglued by clicking here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What "no" have you thanked God for lately?
Soak in the truths of our key verse and power verses. Then, think about instances in the past where a "no" from God has really been a blessing in disguise. Use these tools in an area of your life that needs reminding of His faithfulness now.
Power Verses:
Psalm 31:14-15a, "But I trust in you, LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands." (NIV)
Proverbs 16:9, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
March 29, 2013
Suffer with Me Awhile
Glynnis Whitwer
"Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'" Matthew 26:38 (NIV)
I dipped my piece of torn bread in the cup of dark purple juice and placed it in my mouth. I tasted the ripeness of the fruit and savored the texture of the bread. "I will remember, Lord." I spoke the words in my head, silently thanking Jesus for the sacrifice He made for me on the cross.
Within a minute, the aftertaste of the juice distracted my communion meditation. It was more bitter than usual and I thought about taking a sip of something else to remove the flavor from my mouth. Should I grab my coffee, or some water?
Immediately, the Lord spoke to my heart: "Suffer with Me awhile."
Sadness filled my heart as I realized how quickly I wanted to remove the unpleasant taste ... how fast my thoughts drifted from the suffering of Christ to my own comfort. And I wondered how many times my self-focus had led me away from obedience in the hard places of life.
The Bible tells of three disciples who also chose comfort over obedience. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to watch and wait for Him while He prayed. During the time when our Lord was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," His closest friends couldn't keep awake. Three times Jesus returned to find them sleeping.
For those disciples, it was sleep that drew them from Christ's request to keep watch with Him. What is it for me? What keeps me from obeying Jesus' requests? Oh, the easy ones I have no problem with. It's the ones that infringe on my comfort that I wrestle with.
Someday, we'll get to enjoy heaven and all its perfection. But for now, the work God calls us to do here on earth is often uncomfortable, physically tiring and emotionally draining. Some days it's downright dirty and difficult.
While my flesh would prefer a cushy assignment, I don't want to shake the nail-scarred hands of Jesus—the hands that touched lepers, the hands that stroked the head of a broken sinful woman—with hands that have never gotten dirty with life.
During this time before Easter, consider what sacrifices the Lord might be asking of you. Perhaps it's serving in an area at church that's difficult, reaching out to an unfriendly neighbor, or mending a damaged relationship. Or maybe it's getting less sleep in order to wake up and spend time with Him through prayer and reading Scripture.
Moving from serving in comfort, to serving in sacrifice, builds spiritual character and maturity. But more than that, our hearts unite with Christ as a suffering servant.
Jesus asked us to carry our cross daily. Before we can truly appreciate what happened on the cross 2000 years ago, or the resurrection that happened on Easter, we need to deny ourselves and follow Jesus wherever He leads. And stay awake while we do.
Heavenly Father, You are faithful and awesome. Forgive me when I disobey Your requests to sacrifice my own comfort. I ask for a heart like Yours that sees beyond the surface of this life, a heart that sees the work that needs to be done from an eternal perspective. Please give me courage and boldness to become a steadfast servant, pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Find new boldness in serving Christ by getting to know Him through Scripture. Proverbs 31 Ministries' team included 366 devotions to study the Word with you in our newNIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women. Pick up your copy here.
Glynnis Whitwer shares more on the joy of sacrificing for the Lord and has a chance to win a copy of the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women on her blog. Click hereto visit.
Reflect and Respond:
Why would Jesus have asked Peter, James and John to watch with Him while He prayed?
Is there something that Jesus has asked you to do that you haven't done? Define what that is and take a first step toward it today.
Power Verses:
Luke 9:23-24, "Then He said to them all: 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it.'" (NIV)
Phillipians 1:29, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 1, 2013
Mama Don't Play That Game
Micca Campbell
"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:16 (NIV)
The evening started off great. The breeze coming off the ocean felt soothing against my sunburned skin. After dinner, we promised the kids dessert at our favorite spot along the coast. That's when the night took a turn for the worst.
When we arrived at the popular ice cream shop, the line was long. Anticipation caused my two younger children to squirm in line. They stepped to the right to look ahead as far as they could see. They stepped to the left to make sure the distance was the same as the other side. All their movement irritated my eldest son who is a great deal older than his sister and brother.
Eventually he had enough and tapped each of them strongly on the shoulder. "BE STILL!" he demanded.
I quickly reminded him there was a parent present, and I had asked him not to correct his brother and sister in that manner before. It was not his job to control his siblings, but mine.
"Then do your job," he grunted.
So I did.
Right there in the crowded ice cream shop I put my finger in his face, which let him know I meant business. With my other hand on my hip, I looked up at my teenage son, making my message clear. I was still the parent and it was my job to take care of my kids. He was still the child and his job was to respectfully obey.
It would have been so easy to ignore my older son's behavior, especially on vacation. But if there's one game I don't play with my kids, it's disobedience. God doesn't put up with it either, because our heavenly Father is looking out for our best interest. He longs for us to live in peace and goodness. Disobedience brings the opposite result. As our key verse states: "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
King Saul is an example of selfish ambition leading to disobedience. In 1 Samuel chapter 15, we learn that the Amalekites had committed a terrible sin against Israel. God's instructions to Saul were clear: "Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them..." (1 Samuel 15:3a NIV).
Saul was a great leader, able to organize a large army. However, he struggled with complete obedience. Instead of destroying all as God had commanded, he and his soldiers got rid of what they didn't want and kept the best for themselves. But partial obedience is still disobedience.
In not fully obeying God, they dishonored Him. God, longs for us to follow His ways, and won't play games when we don't. His heart is for the good of His children and with disobedience comes consequences. God rejected Saul as king of Israel, which separated him from the peace and goodness of the Lord.
You see, God doesn't take an odd delight in disciplining us when we sin, but does so for our good. Like that day in the ice cream shop, I wasn't willing to play games either. As hard as it was, I had to refuse my son a treat so he would learn to obey even when his way seemed right. My prayer is that he will learn to trust and obey God even when he doesn't understand.
Yes, God's correction is for our protection. We are wise to accept His discipline, learn from it and obey. It was hard in the moment to deny my son ice cream, but the end result is life changing ... a life of peace and goodness.
Dear Lord, search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me, and then, lead me on paths of righteousness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus? Click here to learn more about Him.
One of the best ways to know God's heart and desires for us is by reading His Word. Proverbs 31 Ministries is so excited to introduce to you the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, containing 366 of our devotions that unpack Scripture with you.
Visit Micca's Campbell's blog for more on a life of obedience.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How do your actions affect the heart of God?
What will it take to fully obey God in all areas of your life?
Power Verses:
Lamentations 3:40, "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (NIV)
1 Samuel 15:22a, "But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice ...'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 2, 2013
A New Pattern of Thought
Renee Swope
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 (NIV)
It's usually very subtle. I'll think about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me. Doubt whispers You can't do that. You're not good enough. Out of the blue, I'll get that awful, insecure feeling.
Too many times in the past I've gone along. Without realizing it, I agreed with my insecurities.
For years, I didn't tell anyone about my doubts. I figured if they knew the reasons I doubted myself, they'd notice flaws I had worked hard to hide. Honestly, I thought I was the only one who struggled with doubt.
However, I didn't call it doubt. Maybe you don't either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.
Other times I'd call it fear—fear of not measuring up, fear of rejection, fear of looking prideful by thinking I could do something special for God.
What I've realized over the years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt. Looking back, I see there was a pattern in my thinking that led to the pattern of my doubting.
As a child I thought I wasn't worth keeping. My insecurity kept me from riding the carousel at an amusement park because I doubted my dad would wait for me. In school, I thought I wasn't smart enough. I avoided great opportunities because they came with the risk of failure.
Even as a young bride, I doubted my worth in my husband's eyes. Although he gave me no reason to fear, our newlywed memories include many arguments about trust.
The apostle Paul challenges us in Romans 12:2 to not let our minds be conformed by the patterns of this world. This means we need to take our patterns of thought into consideration because they affect what we believe about ourselves and what we believe about God's view of us and others.
The world's patterns of thought tell us our worth is measured by our weight or bank account, our job or spouse, by the number of our friends, or if we are able to have children. And if we do have children, the world tells us we're only good parents if our children behave 'just so.'
Have any of these thoughts ever convinced you you're not enough or don't have what it takes to do all God's calling you to do?
Just this week, doubt tried to convince me I couldn't handle my life. I had a sick teenager, a huge deadline to meet, several therapy appointments for my daughter and very concerning health problems with my mom.
Remembering the wisdom in today's key verse, I paused to consider the pattern of my thoughts and knew they didn't line up with God's thoughts. For instance, in Philippians 4:13 God tells me, "... I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" (NLT).
I claimed God's promise by weaving it into my thoughts, knowing I could do it all if I depended on the strength God promises to give. And when I did, God transformed my heart by renewing my mind with His peace and confidence.
It takes time to replace our patterns of thought with God's thoughts. The ways of the world—fear and worry—are powerful forces. But God's Word trumps them, always. Today, let's be intentional to lay down self-doubts and replace them with truth, remembering "... he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:16 ESV).
Lord, I want to have a confident heart in Christ and persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt tells me I can't do something, I'll remember all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In her life-changing book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises, Renee Swope will empower and equip you with new patterns of thought to help you overcome doubt, fear, and worry so you can move forward in confident assurance of all God has for your life!
Join Renee's online study of her book A Confident Heart. For more information and to sign up click here.
Reflect and Respond:
What motivates you the most to be free from self-doubt?
What would you do differently if you were free from worry and fear, and fully trusted God? Let go of unforgiveness? Volunteer more? Travel? Start a new hobby or look for a new job? Ask the Lord to help you replace self-doubt with His confidence and what your first step of freedom should be.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (NLT)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 3, 2013
When Trust in a Marriage is Violated
Stephanie Clayton
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Hide it! This was my first instinct. I was certain if my husband found out, he would leave me. So I rushed home at lunch every day to remove another credit card statement from our mailbox. My payments were late; fees were stacking up. I was sinking deeper and deeper into a financial and emotional abyss.
My husband was clueless about my debt ... now our debt. He never would have condoned my spending habits, as he is wiser with finances. So the spending was my secret.
Soon, it wasn't just letters in the mail, the phone calls began. I was either going to have to fess up or continue to try and hide it. But at that point, hiding was next to impossible.
I wondered things like, if I tell him, will he divorce me? Will he ever trust me again? Things are already bad, will this make them worse? They are just credit cards, right?
The regrets are many as I look back at this time. We pay high interest rates because of my choices. But even more, I regret violating my husband's trust. I created trust issues in our marriage that run deep and have required much time, effort, and grace to mend. What started out as just small pieces of plastic, ended up creating a gigantic rift in our marriage.
Trust issues in marriage can come in one form or another. There are the things that can knock us down quickly such as lying, committing adultery, and falling captive to an addiction such as alcohol or pornography. And then there are the things that chip away at trust over time like constantly showing up late, paying more attention to a phone or electronic device, cancelling date night repetitively, and refusing intimacy more often than not.
Most of us experience some combination of both major and minor trust-violating incidents unique to our marriage, resulting in trust gaps, and ultimately feelings of abandonment, anger, and rejection.
So how do we mend trust in a relationship as delicate as a marriage? Especially when we are the offender? A great place to start is looking at Philippians 2:3-4. In these verses, Christ calls us to imitate His humility. To do nothing out of selfishness, but value others above ourselves.
Imagine how your marriage would change if you and your spouse both chose to follow these principles. And even if your spouse is not on board, imagine how your life would change if you decided to consider his needs above your own?
This certainly is not a suggestion to be a doormat or endure an abusive situation. Healthy boundaries should be set if there is abuse of any kind. But what I am condoning is healthy humble behavior. Be cognizant of the words you speak to and the tone you use with your spouse. Do not disrespect him verbally. Encourage him every chance you get. Choose to consult him regarding the decisions you make, even the small ones.
Marriage is a partnership. Communicate the value and importance of your husband's opinions. The miracle of humility and respect is when we present it to others, it tends to come back to us in greater amounts.
My marriage is on the mend. I have submitted our finances to my husband. Not because he is a dictator or longs to be in control, but because he is wise in this area and leads in a way of spending and saving that looks out for the interests of our family.
Moving forward, let's choose to test our actions against Philippians 2:3-4 and try to look out for the interests of our husband, not just ourselves. A great first step is to ask for forgiveness from the Lord, be honest with our husband, and move forward together, learning from each other's trust-violating habits. Trust in a marriage is a beautiful, and attainable, thing.
Dear Lord, forgive me for hiding in the dark what should be in the light. Please prepare my husband's heart to hear what I need to confess, and give us the wisdom on how to move forward, together ... with You are our guide. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For over 17 years, Proverbs 31 Ministries has been a trusted friend, offering biblical perspective on marriage, parenting, friendships and more. This wisdom has been recorded in 366 devotions that unpack Scripture and are interspersed in the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women. Click here for your copy!
Finances within marriage is one of the biggest stressors. If you can relate, join our newest Online Bible Study of Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Visit Stephanie Clayton's blog for more hope and encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you violating the trust in your marriage right now? If so, make a plan to tell you husband. If you are nervous, pray about having a third party there to help mediate.
Power Verse:
Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (NIV)
© 2013 by Stephanie Clayton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 4, 2013
Consider The Source
Lysa TerKeurst
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Do you want to make Jesus smile today? I do.
I want to untangle the thoughts of me and mine and what I have going on and think of someone else. A friend. A neighbor. A stranger.
I want to give her the gift of my words. Words formed because I thought of her. And those thoughts culminated into a compelling reason to show love to her.
But, I'm not talking about someone who is easy to love.
I'm saying I'll give this gift to someone who has hurt me, judged me, wronged me, or flat out offended me. Yes, that's the one to whom the gift should go.
To do so, we must dare ourselves to get intentional with this command from Scripture. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14 NIV). And to pray.
Pray for an authentic heart while seeking to love this person. Not that we welcome that person into our inner circle and do daily life with her. But, offering love to those who hurt us, when most would scorn or ignore them, is beautiful and rare.
Dare to pray for an overwhelming sense of love. Not love for the difficult or hurtful situation that has arisen with this person, but love for the soul God created within them. She is His. He loves her. He treasures her even when He doesn't approve of her actions.
He treasures us even when He doesn't approve of our actions.
In the midst of giving what we might perceive as an undeserved gift of love to them, I wonder if our eyes might be opened to a different perspective. If we might see something we desperately need to see. About her. About ourselves. About our Jesus.
When someone says something ugly about me I need to consider the source. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a person receiving an undeserved gift of love from me, considered the source? And saw not me, but Jesus that reigns inside of me.
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were ordinary, unschooled men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13 NIV).
Oh, let it be so noted with my life ... my words ... my love for those who love me ... and even more, my love for those who don't. I have been with Jesus. I love like He loves. Because He is the source of all love.
And I do believe He smiles about that.
Dear Lord, You are worthy to be praised! I pray today that You will give me a heart that seeks to bless others, even if they have wronged me. Help me to genuinely forgive them, for You have extended so much grace to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
In her New York Times best-selling book, Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst speaks very honestly about how to have better reactions and improve relationships. Click here to order your copy.
Would you like to receive daily encouragement for responding to others in a godly way? Sign up for one of Lysa's Unglued challenges by clicking here!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Who could you give the gift of love to today?
Come to the Lord in prayer and ask for an overwhelming love of that person's soul. Be prepared for a perspective change as God shows you more about your own heart in this situation.
Power Verses:
Luke 6:27-31, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (NIV)
Romans 12:14, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse," (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 5, 2013
Junk Closet Heart
Karen Ehman
"Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults." Psalm 19:12 (HCSB)
Our basement furnace room is not a pretty sight right now. This out-of-the-way space is a catch-all place for off-season items and assorted memorabilia. To combat clutter and keep objects organized, we've purchased shelves and large plastic totes over the years to neatly house our family's stuff.
In my perfect plan, bins are labeled, shelves are stocked tidily with homemade canned goods, and holiday decorations nestle themselves neatly in our oh-so-organized furnace storage room. And truthfully, this is how it usually goes. Well, 82% percent of the time.
However, when we are not intentional to actually walk into the room and place items in the proper bin or situate them on their assigned shelf, we tend to revert to the open, drop, and shut method of organization: open the door, drop the item just inside the room, and shut the door tightly so that the accumulating pile of clutter is not visible from the adjacent family rec room.
The result is an unattractive pile of stuff that slowly grows and messes with my plan of an orderly storage room. When this occurs, I have to stop what I'm doing and carve out time to sort and situate the items back to their proper place.
At times my heart can become a catch-all for clutter and junk too. It is not my intent to have a messed-up heart that harbors incorrect attitudes or contaminated thoughts that eventually might lead to wrong actions or even unconfessed sin. However, when I am not intentional to put those thoughts and feelings in their proper place—under the authority of Christ—they can soon breed a bunch of unwanted and sinful "stuff" in my spirit that messes with God's plan for me to behave like His Son. And although the outside world may not see it, behind the door of my heart I know the junk pile is there.
For believers to keep this spiritual clutter at bay, we must make a regular habit of asking God to show us if we are collecting such unwanted attitudes, thoughts and issues.
Are we harboring anger, bitterness, envy or ill-will? Have we accumulated spiritual laziness or a love for something that is greater than our love for God?
Without putting these away soon by confessing them to God, we might end up with an unintentional pile of spiritual junk that often can lead to sins we never set out to commit. Hidden anger in our heart toward another becomes harshly hurled words. Secret envy morphs into gossip. Behind-the-scenes bitterness begets public bad behavior.
Let's make today's key verse our heart-cleaning plea, "Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults." God is the Master de-clutterer who alone can help us deal with the messes we might make.
Let's allow Him to clean out the clutter of our hearts and make our spirits whole again. This is spiritual pile-busting at its very best.
Dear Lord, teach me to bring any unconfessed sins to You early so they do not pile up making a mess of my heart. I want to daily be more like Your Son. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For Five Heart-Cleansing Scriptures for when you feel a spiritual mess coming on and to learn how to get Karen's six video teaching sessions of LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith for FREE, visit Karen's blog.
The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
Visit Proverbs 31 Ministries' Facebook page for daily help in keeping your heart and mind clean.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Name a time in your life when you allowed unhealthy thoughts and attitudes to pile up in your heart. What happened? How did it affect not only you but also others?
Spend some time alone with God asking Him to show you if you have any unintentional sins or hidden faults that need to be surrendered to Him. Write out what He shows you. Then, one by one, confess them to Him asking Him to clean them away and make your heart new.
Power Verses:
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (HCSB)
Psalm 66:17-19 "I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer." (NIV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 9, 2013
Entertaining 'Those' Thoughts
Suzie Eller
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Elle's tiny hands hold tight as we fly high on the swing. Every time I visit, she runs into my arms, glad to see her grandmother but more excited about the possibility of walking to the playground.
There's another playground I used to visit, one where I spent countless hours. It was the playground of my thoughts.
When someone made me angry or when conflict arose and it hurt my heart, that's where I ran to entertain 'those' thoughts. I escaped there to think about all the things I should have said. Swinging high and then low, I reminded myself of how right I was and how wrong they were. Words or situations replayed, just like a child going in circles on a merry go round.
In this playground I didn't have to deal with conflict in a healthy way, or speak the truth when it was needed. I didn't have to admit my own errors, because there I was always the hero.
One day I sensed God asking me to leave the playground. Like Elle, I wasn't ready to go. But He took me by the hand and led me away to a place of grace for those who hurt me with their words, reminding me that we all stumble.
God brought me to a place of well-being where I recognized that conflict takes place even in the healthiest of relationships.
And He guided me to a place of letting go of those things I could not change, so that I could fully embrace those that I could.
There were days I wanted to go back to my playground, but each time I saw a closed sign on the gate.
Not for you, My daughter.
Instead of hanging out in an imaginary place where I could avoid conflict and hurt, I embraced real life, with real people and real struggles. Although it took work to process hard situations, with each one I grew. It involved loving the people around me, enjoying each new day, and releasing hurtful events and people from the past.
Our Heavenly Father knows when we struggle with our thoughts. They can be a place where we work through issues with wisdom and care, or a playground where bitterness sprouts and anger is fed.
Is He taking you by the hand, like He did me so many years ago? If so, I celebrate with you. For He's leading you into growth.
My prayer is that you'll swing high in day-to-day joys of real life as a strong woman of faith.
Dear Jesus, I can spend hours in my angry thoughts, or thinking I'm the hero. Sometimes in my mind I put others in their place. That's a trap of the enemy. Today I shut the gate to the playground of unhealthy thoughts, with Your help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Suzie's blog for an opportunity to win a copy of her new release, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller
Help us encourage and equip women to start their day with Jesus and exchange their thoughts for His thoughts through our free daily devotions that we send each morning to women around the world. Simply text MINISTRY to 50555 to give $10 to PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES today. {When prompted, PLEASE reply with YES to confirm your donation.} Your gift will help us reach a million women with the life-changing power of God's truth.
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Reflect and Respond:
What thoughts are you struggling with today?
Commit to leaving the playground of your mind. Choose a verse to meditate on, instead of negative thoughts.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." (NIV)
Ephesians 4:26, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," (ESV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 10, 2013
How to Leave a Legacy
Glynnis Whitwer
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)
Tod's family went to church faithfully. That's what they had always done. But once inside the brick walls of their home, the story was different. There the masks came off, and Tod and his little brother lived with the painful reality of their parents' bad choices. Living a double life became the norm for Tod, and he learned early that Christianity was something you put on with your church clothes.
Summer, however, brought more than relief from school, homework, and the daily routine of life. Summer brought with it a short break from living in the craziness of his family, because summer meant time at his grandparent's home.
Grandma and Grandpa Whitwer were humble people. They served alongside each other as ministers, sacrificially laying down their lives to travel from church to church in many different states. They served well into their retirement years, and never gave up ministering to others.
Throughout the years they saw the pain of their son's choices, choices that drastically affected the lives of their grandchildren. But there was little they could do to intervene. At least it was little in the eyes of the world.
What they were able to do had a lasting impact on Tod. Quietly and consistently, they showed their grandson love. Their never-wavering faith was an anchor. Their unconditional love was like water to a thirsty child. Their integrity was a light on a hill to a lost boy. Amel and Elise Whitwer gave hope to a young boy; hope that there was more to God and to this life than what he knew. Moreover, Tod learned that Christianity was something you lived out every day, not just on Sundays.
Through the faith of two humble people, my husband and I learned that God's most effective influence often comes in quiet ways. God can change a life, and a generation of lives, using gentle, consistent, sincere people who love and serve Him.
The faith of a godly woman ... the faith of a God-fearing man .... it changed my husband's life. It changed my life. And it is changing our children's lives. Never underestimate the power of faith, and a godly legacy, to make an impact over generations.
Note from Author: Before Tod's parents passed away, we were blessed to see both of them receive healing and restoration, to God and to their families.
Dear Lord, thank You for the model of faith You have given me through the lives of previous generations. Help me to honor those people who love and honor You. Like them, I long to be a woman who creates a legacy of faith to those who will follow in my footsteps. Help me be the woman You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Who in your life has impacted your faith? Perhaps a grandmother, a friend, sister, mom, or pastor's wife. Find out how you can honor her this month - and we will send a card to let her know - when you make a $20 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries. Through your donation in honor of her faith, you will help us reach and strengthen the faith of millions of women around the world each day. Click here to find out more.
The most impactful life-changer is the Bible! That's why we're excited about our brand new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, full of God's truth and our devotions throughout. Purchase your copy today or make a $200 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries and we'll send a Bible to someone you love, along with a Legacy card in honor of their faith. {It's the perfect gift for Mother's day or for someone special this May.} Find out more here.
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog.
Reflect and Respond:
If your grandparents are still alive, take the time to write them a letter, or call them. If you are a grandparent, write your grandchildren a letter.
Think of an older woman who has been a model of Christian faith. What are some of her most memorable characteristics?
What can you do now to become a woman of faith who will leave a legacy?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:11, "... so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (NIV)
Daniel 4:34b, "His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 11, 2013
Making Your Mission Field
Hope TerKeurst
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
My two sisters and I always wanted brothers.
Prayed for brothers.
Begged our parents for brothers.
So when the decision was made to adopt two boys from Africa, my sisters and I were in awe the miracle was happening! Our mom and dad assured us it was real and God was behind it all—He had tugged at their hearts, He had prepared these boys and our family, and He had called us all to say "yes."
Our saying yes to God as a family to adopt our brothers made me want to say yes to Him in all areas of my life.
That's when I promised God my life would be His mission field and I'd be sold out to serving anywhere He sent me.
When I was 14 years old, I went on my first mission trip to Nicaragua. I fell in love with the whole experience. Even though I had happily said yes, the trip was difficult. I was totally outside my comfort zone. But any initial craziness and chaos gave way to great joy and peace.
The following summer I went to Ethiopia where I got to see a different way of life on the other side of the world. I experienced jitters being in a foreign land with a language, culture, and food I didn't understand, but the adjustment time was short and my passion grew great.
Since that trip I have taken several more to Nicaragua, including one where I helped run a foot-and-shoe clinic. We welcomed everyone who visited the clinic, washed their feet, prayed for them, and then helped them choose a pair of shoes. It was incredibly humbling to serve the people from these two countries.
They are grateful for their lives. Very few have anything of material value, yet their gratitude and joy flows without ceasing. They laugh, sing, dance, and give generously without holding back ... even to a stranger like me. I went to give. Yet, I was the one who received.
I've found that when I say yes to God, a joy fills me and motivates me to be close to Him and to walk in His will. It makes me want to keep asking Him how He can use my life as a mission field, any where from my home to my hometown to around the world.
We don't have to go overseas to do missions work. Opportunities are all around. Who has God placed in front of you that needs help? Who in your family needs support? Which friend has been struggling with a temptation or a broken heart?
When God works through us to meet the needs of others—that's missions.
Let's turn our everyday life into God's mission field. I think we'll be amazed at what He does as we step out of our comfort zone and partner with Him!
Dear Lord, I want You to use me to love and bless someone today. Show me exactly how I can serve Your people, even if it's in the smallest way. I'm trusting You to move in my heart and in the hearts of those around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know a young woman who needs to be equipped and encouraged in her relationship with God? Read more about Hope TerKeurst's (Lysa TerKeurst's oldest daughter) journey of radical obedience as a teenager in What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God, co-written together. Click here to purchase your copy!
Head over to Lysa's blog today for a fun giveaway! Click here for details on how you can win.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How can you bless those around you? Turn your everyday life into a mission field!
Think about your job, your relationships, and your interactions with others as extraordinary opportunities to serve someone else.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
Taken from What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God © Copyright 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst and Hope TerKeurst. Published by Harvest House Publishers Eugene, OR. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 2013 by Hope TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 12, 2013
Building Your Child's Faith
Wendy Blight
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV 1984)
As we stood in the parking lot outside my daughter's dorm, waves of grief washed over me. Lauren hugged her daddy and then her brother. Finally, I held her for what seemed an eternity ... no words, just tears.
When we began the drive home, I prayed for her, just as I had every day for the last 18 years. I knew it was time for the next phase of God's plan for her life. But the ache in my heart was deep.
As time passed, I learned to accept, and even embrace, our new normal. I enjoyed the extra time I got to spend with my husband and son.
But I couldn't get used to not encouraging Lauren in her faith face-to-face. We sent her to college with a Bible and a devotional book. But when she lived at home, we did these activities together. In the mornings, we read a devotion and I prayed with her most every day, from the time she was born till the day she packed her bags to move out.
Questions filled my mind. Without me, who would do this for her? Would she do it on her own? What if she turned away from her faith we'd been building for so long?
My questions prompted me to pray very specifically. I prayed for Lauren to make her faith her own, as I'd been training her to do all these years. I asked the Lord to work in her life in very real and personal ways, just like the times I'd pointed out for her to notice in her childhood. I prayed for His Spirit to stir her heart to read her devotional book each day, and I pleaded with Him to meet her in the pages of His Word.
God answered my prayers in a way only He can do. Lauren had been studying for her economics exam for days. She was worried she would fail because she'd been struggling with some of the concepts. My daughter texted me and a few good friends to pray. I wrote her back my prayer and a verse the Lord laid on my heart, Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (ESV). As it was sending, I prayed for Him to use this verse to encourage her and give her confidence as she walked into her exam.
I woke up the next morning to find this text from my girl:
"I opened my devotional and today's truth was Proverbs 3:5, exactly the verse you gave me!! ENCOURAGEMENT."
God taught me such a powerful lesson that morning. My role as a parent is to pray for and with my children and to model, to the best of my ability, what it means to be a godly woman. I was not perfect and often missed the mark. But when we do those two things, God fills in the rest. I only have them at home to teach, guide and train in God's Word for a short 18 years. But they are His for all their lives.
God showed me through a few minutes of texting that Lauren's faith was still building. On her own, she asked for prayer (which meant she too was praying), and she was reading her devotional book with no prompting from home.
If you have kids at home, pray for them, read God's Word with them and rest in knowing God is with them. You are building a firm foundation. You are paving a pathway that will lead them in the direction they should go.
Dear Lord, help me to train my children in the way they should go. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, lead me as I lead them. Draw each of us closer to You as we walk together in faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy Blight's blog and sign up for her new three-week online study, Quiet My Anxious Heart: Learning to Rest in Jesus, beginning May 8.
Are you looking for the perfect way to honor your mother or a special woman who has passed her faith to you? When you make a $20 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries this month as part of our "Legacy" campaign, we will send a card to her letting her know you made a donation in honor of her faith, and in doing so you will help us reach and strengthen the faith of millions of women around the world each day. Click here to find out more.
Reflect and Respond:
Read Lamentations 2:19. Prayerfully ask the Lord how you can pray for the children in your life.
If you are a parent or grandparent, pray specifically for one of your children. Ask God for wisdom to guide you on how to pray and share with that child you are praying for him or her.
Power Verse:
Lamentations 2:19a, "Rise up during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children." (NLT)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 15, 2013
The Boomerang of Blessing
Karen Ehman
"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)
I tried my best to smile for the camera in the grocery store. Tears welled up in my eyes and cascaded down my cheeks, dragging my mascara along for the ride. I had one toddler on my hip and a baby on the way, a pressing concern when our only income was from my husband who was paid straight commission. Some weeks he earned money; others brought no paycheck at all.
That day in the store, my budget was so tight my dollars squeaked! As a result, I had to remove a few items from the conveyer belt as I watched the total mount. As I paid for my order, the cashier handed me a scratch-off card from the store's current promotion. Customers could get money off of their order by matching dollar amounts revealed on the card.
I used a dime to rub away the shiny silver coating, revealing a $10 match! Smiling, I handed the clerk the card and asked for the "can't afford them" items back. "Sure!" she replied. "Now, do you want to use the remainder of your prize today or on another trip?"
My puzzled look must have clued her in. "What?" I questioned. She then showed me I'd actually won $100! A manager quickly snapped my picture to display alongside the other smiling winners on the store's wall. Only in my photo, my smile was saturated with grateful mascara-smudged tears.
During those lean days God always took care of us, often through generous people in our lives: groceries left anonymously on our porch, cash in an envelope tucked under our windshield after church, and hand-me-down clothes from an acquaintance who wanted to share her children's outgrown clothes.
We learned to live frugally during that time, and yet God also challenged us to give. As we did, we found ourselves blessed. Sometimes monetarily. Always spiritually.
Nowadays, although at times our family experiences layoffs due to the nature of my husband's employment, we are in a place where we can more consistently be the "bless-er" and not just the ones being blessed. What a thrill it is to treat, secretly pay, or stealthily provide as we ourselves become spiritually blessed and ultimately God—the giver of all things—is glorified. As Proverbs 11:25 states, "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed" (NLT).
Will you willingly contribute to God's work and also to others, refreshing them as God also refreshes you? What we have—both our money and possessions—all belongs to God. When we give, we receive. The boomerang of blessing comes right back around.
How might you seek to display generosity toward someone today? You just might make their day. Or perhaps, even make their mascara run.
Dear Lord, teach me to treat all I have as Yours. May I give willingly and cheerfully as I seek to be a blessing to those in my life who might need a helping hand. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today Karen Ehman kicks off her "Nifty, Thrifty Week" with five Christian money-saving experts, practical tips and daily giveaways. For more information, visit Karen's blog.
Will you prayerfully consider partnering financially with us at Proverbs 31 Ministries to impact lives for God's Kingdom? A gift of any amount, whether one-time or monthly, will be used to encourage, equip and empower women to live godly lives in today's culture. Click here for a simple, secure, tax-deductible way to donate.
If you want to learn to increase your faith and trust in God, check out Karen's new book and DVD curriculum LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Name a time when you were blessed by someone's generosity, whether in person or anonymously. How did it make you feel to be the recipient of their kindness?
Do you know someone who is currently in financial need? Bless them this week with either money or needed items.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 9:7, "Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver." (HCSB)
Matthew 6:3-4, "But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (HCSB)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 16, 2013
Strength for Your Struggle
Micca Campbell
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
Being a single parent when my son was young was difficult on many levels. Most of the time I felt tired and overwhelmed by all my responsibilities. There was no one to share concerns with—no one to worry with, plan with, or give a bath to my son when I needed a break.
To make matters worse, we lived in an upstairs duplex. When my son was a baby, it was a challenge getting him, his diaper bag and the groceries upstairs at the same time. I didn't want to leave him in the house or the car alone so I piled on the items. Once I climbed to the top of the stairs, my next challenge was unlocking the door with my arms filled to overflowing.
Most days I felt like the whole world rested on my shoulders. While I tried to carry the load, I was too weak. It was crushing me, and yet, I continued to fight. I tried harder. I had to. I had to be strong. If I put down the load, who was going to pick it up?
One day, I came across our key verse: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Hope awoke in my heart when I realized my situation was an avenue to experience God's strength. I didn't have to put on a brave face, or pretend to be made of steel. I simply needed to surrender my weaknesses to God in exchange for His strength.
This is what Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. He prayed repeatedly about a difficult situation in his life, asking the Lord to take it from him. God responded, "My grace is sufficient."
I discovered God answered me in the same way He did Paul when I shared my struggles with Him. God didn't expect me to parent alone, but gave me His strength in my weaknesses. He promised, "that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). That promise is yours, too.
An interesting way to view His power is by taking a look at this verse in it's original Greek. The word "rest" literally means "a tent or covering." Christ's power over our circumstances and in our weaknesses is a shelter in which to rest, take refuge from the storms, and is our protective covering.
God's grace—His loving-kindness, joy, and strength—was enough for Paul, and it's enough for you and me.
When I began praying to God about my situation asking for help, my circumstances didn't change right away. But I had a renewed sense of God's presence and power in my life, and no longer felt alone. Through the assistance of others, I began to see God's activity in the life of my son and me. He had always been there offering help. I just needed to swallow my pride and receive it. When I let my friend cut my grass and the teenager next door play with my son so I could do household chores, I felt equipped to press on with all the other challenges of daily life.
That's not all. Paul not only surrendered his struggles to God, but he had a positive attitude as well: "I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Looking for and acknowledging God's strength in my weakness was better for my attitude than grumbling. Complaining was a dead end. However, boasting in what God can do in me infused my faith, causing me to depend on His strength more and more. His promise became a reality in my life. For when I am weak, He is strong!
In facing our struggles and fears, it's vital that we yield completely to God. When we do, God can use our burdens as an avenue for His power and grace.
Dear Lord, thank You that You are all I need. Today, I confess my weakness and surrender my situation to You. Fill me with Your power and grace. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca Campbell's blog for more encouragement on single parenting.
If you struggle with fear, Micca's book An Untroubled Heart was written for you to help build your faith bigger than your fear!
Visit and join our Facebook community for biblical encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
What burden are you facing alone today? Consider how God's strength can help you cope with your responsibilities.
In what ways is God's power covering you? Who can you reach out to for help?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (ESV)
Ephesians 3:16, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." (NLT)
© 2013 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 17, 2013
When Helping Others Helps Us
Renee Swope
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
I don't like open heights. I can't stand narrow balconies. And when driving across a bridge, you'll find me hugging the rail along the inside lane. A few years ago, our friends John and Laura tried to help me conquer this fear of heights by inviting our family to an indoor rock-climbing center. My heart raced as we entered the doors and faced the highest peak at 25 feet.
The instructors assured me that a web of ropes and harnesses would hold me tight. Before I could say "no thank you," I was signing an injury waiver and getting strapped in.
After a few practice rounds, I started to climb. Little by little, I went higher and higher. But I never could get past my fear of climbing to the highest peak of 25-feet. I needed something to help me overcome my anxiety and this high rock wall! Our friend's eight-year-old son Steven needed help too.
Towards the end of the day John asked Steven if he wanted to climb to the highest peak. Steven wasn't crazy about heights either, but he loved a challenge.
With admiration I watched as Steven started the climb with confidence. He made it to 10 feet, then 15. But as he inched past the next face of the wall, he looked down. Realizing how high he was and how far he still had to go, he insisted he couldn't do it.
By this time, Steven's dad was consoling their very fussy 3-year-old and his mom was feeding their hungry infant daughter. My brave husband was not close by, and I quickly realized the only one standing there with a free hand to do something was me!
Suddenly courage and strength surged through my body and I called out, "Don't give up buddy. You can do it. I'll help you!"
In record time, I reached Steven to encourage him, reminding him of how far he'd come. I told him he could make it up to 25 feet with God's strength and that it would be worth it if he'd persevere. Remembering Joshua 1:9, I encouraged him, "Be strong and courageous Steven. Don't be afraid; God is right there with you and I am too."
Filled with new confidence, Steven turned his eyes and his thoughts toward the reward of getting to a place he had stopped believing he could reach.
And the same thing happened in me. The voices of my own fears were silenced by focusing on helping someone overcome theirs.
In that moment, I realized the promises I had claimed for Steven were true for me, too. My anxiety could be overcome and my fears conquered with God's strength.
Each day we have the same opportunity. Like God did with Joshua in Joshua 1:9, and like He does with us, we can come alongside each other in some of life's hardest challenges and highest peaks. We can remind others of this truth from God's Word too.
Isn't it amazing that when we take our eyes off our fears, doubts, and struggles to focus on someone else's needs, we somehow forget our own? And in believing the power of God's promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us increases.
Let's look for ways to encourage and help someone else today, knowing we may just help ourselves in the process.
Jesus, Your words give me courage to become who You've created me to be-to go to places You're calling me to and to reach heights that seem out of my reach. Thank You for encouraging my heart. I want to pass that on to someone else today. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join Renee Swope on Facebook for a dose of daily encouragement.
Rest Assured: How to Stop Worrying and Start Resting in God's Promises message on CD by Renee Swope
Give yourself {or a friend} a gift of life-changing encouragement you'll find in Renee's best-selling book, A Confident Heart. Chapter by chapter, you will learn how to conquer self-doubt by relying on and living in the security of God's promises in your most important roles and relationships.
Reflect and Respond:
How has someone's encouraging words or God's words of encouragement helped you do things you never thought you could?
Encourage someone today with one of God's promises and a prayer. It could be the very thing they need to overcome doubt, discouragement and defeat.
Power Verse:
Psalm 10:17, "You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." (NIV)
Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (ESV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 18, 2013
The Friendship Challenge
Lysa TerKeurst
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?" Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 (NIV)
What makes a woman tender also reveals her vulnerabilities.
What makes a woman transparent also exposes her wounds.
What makes a woman authentic also uncovers her insecurities.
And there aren't many women who enjoy being revealed, exposed, and uncovered. But establishing real intimacy with another person requires pushing past the resistance—past the fear.
Friendship is risky.
To be known is to risk being hurt. But friendship can be beautiful, and worth the risk.
We can look to the Bible for examples of monumental friendships. In 1 Samuel 18 we learn about the special friendship between David and Jonathan, an example of a true bond. When Jonathan's father, King Saul, threatened David with death, Jonathan risked his position in his father's household and warned his friend.
Jonathan and David's friendship lasted their lifetime, and because of Jonathan's loyalty to David, the Lord blessed them both. David eventually became king, but by then Jonathan had died. David inquired, "'Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?'" (2 Samuel 9:1b NIV).
Don't miss this beauty: it was customary for the present king to put to death any of the former king's family. However, because of his and Jonathan's strong friendship, King David tenderly provided for Jonathan's son. "I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table" (2 Samuel 9:7b NIV). "So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons" (2 Samuel 9:11b NIV).
Awesome. Inspiring. Friendship.
Yes, friendship is beautiful. The Lord gave it to us. He knew we would need each other to get through this life.
Think about a friend you can make an investment in.
Not the friend with whom you feel most comfortable. But rather one who might benefit from seeing a little more of your tenderness, transparency, and authenticity. Someone who might be worth a risk.
Someone in your sphere of influence is desperate to know someone else understands.
Might we take three steps and give ourselves a friendship challenge? Here are three things you can do to invest in a friend:
1) Have a conversation with her in which you honestly admit one of your vulnerabilities. Chances are she'll reveal something to you as well. Then really commit to pray for her. Maybe wear a watch or bracelet and every time you're distracted by it, use this as a prompt to carry her burden in your prayers.
2) Buy or make this friend a gift. Just because. It doesn't have to cost much. But make an investment of time to think of something that would personally delight her.
3) Write your friend a note to attach to the gift. In the letter, tell her at least three things you admire about her and some way she's made a difference in your life.
Then deliver this little "just because" gift and note to your friend. This friend who sometimes feels a little vulnerable. Wounded. Exposed in some way.
Your honesty and thoughtfulness will be such a sweet investment.
For her.
For you.
For your friendship.
Are you up for taking the friendship challenge?
Dear Lord, thank You for all of the friendships and beautiful blessings You have placed in my life. Help me to see this challenge as a sweet reminder to show Your love to those around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Honor a friend this month with a $20 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries. We will send a Legacy card to let her know how special she is to you. And through your donation in honor of her faith, you will help us reach and strengthen the faith of millions of women around the world each day. Click here to find out more.
Give the gift of God's Word to a friend by purchasing our brand new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, full of God's truth and 366 of our devotions. Or make a special donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries and we'll send a Bible and Legacy card to someone you love. Click here for specific donation information.
For more on how to maintain strong, healthy friendships through clear and honest communication, check out Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued: Making Wise Choices In the Midst of Raw Emotions.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Write down the name of the friend or friends you chose for the friendship challenge. Don't wait until later. Your friend will thank you!
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times ..." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 19, 2013
For When You Feel Alone
Samantha Evilsizer
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." John 15:9-10 (ESV)
Miss Emma's wrinkled hands cupped my chin—her palm a reservoir for my tears. I walked down the hallways saying tearless goodbyes to 119 other residents, and yet my farewell with her released a levy of emotions.
The scattered pieces of my heart felt like they were blown about by the scurrying of nurses' footsteps and doctors' orders resounding off the walls of the nursing home.
It felt wrong to leave her alone, forsaken in this dark place.
Her family, or lack thereof, had rendered her anchorless; adrift in the lonely sea of a 120 bed facility. A drab place where my Activities Department team and I were brought in to dispel the dreariness. My job at "The Brick" would have been more bleak if not for Miss Emma and a few others.
I didn't allow many details of this place to sink in further than the surface of my heart. Stories repeated ten times each day rolled off my back. Routines of medicine and meals and the wandering of hallways became mundane tasks. Yet one name, one person, chiseled deep into my heart: Miss Emma.
I perched on the edge of our goodbye, on the edge of her bed, hesitant to leave her. "Who'll sit in the sunshine with you? Who'll listen? Who'll sing hymns with you?"
Worry wrung my heart. Visions of Miss Emma, alone ... lonely ... made my jaw tense and ache with pain for her. A square punch by sadness will do that to a girl.
But not her. Beautiful brown saucers brimmed with confidence. I waded in the refreshing waters of her eyes, rich pools of wisdom.
"I'll be fine sugar ... I'm never alone. Don't you realize the One who created the sun sits with me? He listens always, hearing my prayers and needs. His presence is in the very praises we sing to Him. Child, we're never alone."
Tucked away from the world, Miss Emma changed mine. She lived tightly knit to the Vine. Abided in Jesus' love through His Word and worship and prayer. Miss Emma dwelled in this truth:
Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me. ~St. Patrick
Though abandoned by her earthly family, she rested in the knowledge that her Heavenly Father never would leave her. Indeed, He made a home in her so she could nestle in Him.
Her solid assurance lifted my chin, calmed my heart. The strength she found in the truth that Christ never leaves us left a lasting impression on me. I began looking for ways He was with me: by giving me the wisdom to hold my tongue, or helping me sleep at night, or steadying me when anxious.
Might we find hope in Him today as well? Curl up in His love by writing a Scripture verse on our heart. Lean into God's sure presence through lifting our voice in praise. Abide in His peace with a time of prayer ... sharing and listening.
Christ is within us, before us, behind us. And as Miss Emma so confidently knew, He will never leave or forsake us. We're never alone.
Dear Lord, thank You for calling us Your children. And for making a home within us, so we may rest secure in You. Because You are our dwelling place, we are never alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Do you have a Miss Emma in your life? Someone who lived out the Bible and helped you find comfort in Christ? Honor her this month with a donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries. We'll send a card to her letting her know you're honoring her faith by helping us reach millions of women a day with the truth of God's love. Click here to find out more.
We'd love to be a "Miss Emma" for you! Our team's daily devotions are sprinkled throughout our brand new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, explaining passages a bit more and relating them to your real life.
Visit Samantha Evilisizer's blog where she shares a memorable way for you to create a beautiful and easy visual of John 15:9-10.
Reflect and Respond:
Spend time today in our dwelling place, Jesus, through studying of the Bible, worship and prayer.
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (ESV)
Matthew 28:20b, "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NAS)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 22, 2013
The Only Thing That Counts
Lysa TerKeurst
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6b (NIV)
My daughter Hope is one of those people who knows how to dress.
She'll put on a blue and white striped shirt, throw on an army jacket and black pants, finish the look with brown ankle boots and look like a fashionista.
Me on the other hand, I get all stuck in a "Garanimals" state of mind. Did you ever wear Garanimals, the pants and shirts that match perfectly? It made me resistant to the delight of the unexpected.
Matchy-matchy became the curse of my closet.
Until Hope set me straight one day. "Mom, your outfits need a little pop!"
Pop?
She started whipping my outfits together in a way I'd never dreamed.
An orange necklace with an outfit that had not a stitch of orange.
Huh?
Leopard flats with a dark blue shirt, teal necklace, and black skinny jeans.
Are you sure?
She was more than sure. With great confidence she introduced me to the world of adding a pop-a little something unexpected. A new way of expressing myself. And it has been delightful.
So, I started thinking, what if I did this with other areas of my life? Other places where I've slipped into the "same old, same old" ruts.
Might the delight of the unexpected make other aspects of my life more fun?
Our key verse Galatians 5:6b says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Might this be an invitation to discover another new way to express myself? Express my faith? Through acts of love?
Yes. I think so.
So, I did a little experiment. I started reading Bible verses by adding on a little question/challenge to myself at the end: "... so that I can love who?"
For example, Romans 12:2a, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (NIV) ... so that I can love who?
There is someone in my life who needs my love but I'll only be able to do it if I let God change my mindset. I need to add this little pop - a new expression of my faith through love.
Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (NIV) ... so that I can love who?
There is someone in my life who needs something that I don't think I can give. My time. An emotional investment. A financial gift. Things I sometimes feel are in limited supply. But I can freely give those things when I realize God supplies all of my needs. I just have to open my hand and send some of my blessing in this person's direction. I need to add this little pop - a new expression of my faith through love.
Why not try this yourself? No, not the leopard flats and teal necklace ... although that is quite the charming combination. But rather adding the question, "... so that I can love who?" to the end of the verses you read today.
It will certainly give you a new way to express your faith. A way that God says is the only thing that counts.
Dear Lord, thank You for showing me how to express my faith in a fresh way. Help me to love others with the same love and compassion You so freely lavish upon me. You are my rock and my redeemer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Look ahead to summer. Can you imagine the next few months with less stress, more patience, and healthy meals (ones your kids actually want to eat)? Join Lysa TerKeurst and her blog friend, Crystal Paine from MoneySavingMom.com for tips on how to achieve this during their "Summer Sanity Savers" webcast! You can watch from home (in your comfy jammies), stress-free! Click here for more info.
Is there a young woman in your life who could use a fresh way to look at her faith? Check out Lysa TerKeurst's new book What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God, co-written with her teenage daughter Hope. Filled with interactive sections and ways to get into God's Word, this book will leave any young woman feeling encouraged and equipped for her walk with the Lord. Click here to purchase your copy!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Who can you love today?
Choose someone to really bless. Commit to pray for and reach out to that person often. Do things that will make them feel loved. For example, surprise a friend with her favorite coffee drink one morning.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:1-2, "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV)
1 John 4:7-8, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 23, 2013
Her Hands
Suzie Eller
"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18 (NLT)
She held out the soft white blanket scalloped in pink ribbon. "I'm not sure I want to give it to her," my mom said. The stitches were a bit looser than my mother's past handiwork, but I could see love in every crocheted inch.
I held her hands in my own. Her once slender fingers were bent and swollen at the joints. I imagined her holding the crochet needles and weaving the yarn in and out for hours and days, until the blanket was complete. It is an heirloom for her first great-grandchild, one created with pain and love.
I think I take my mother's hands for granted. They have caressed my cheek. They have made me wear a coat (even when I protested that I was a mother of three grown children). They have dialed the cell phone she loves, and hates, so she could talk to "her Suzie." Her hands have penned cards that showed up in my mailbox saying "I love you."
An old 70s song says, "Time keeps on slipping, slipping, into the future." There is truth in those lyrics. I see the passage of time in my mother's hands. I also see it as moments pass into hours and then into days in a whirl.
Life is always busy, like this month when the white board on the refrigerator lists church events, dentist visits, showers and weddings and graduations, as well as other details like pay the bills, mow the lawn, clean the house.
Recently I realized that my mother was moving further down on that list. A week passed. A month flew by. The phone calls came. "Hey, Suz, just calling to say I miss you."
One day I received an email from a friend. Her mom was sick. For the next few weeks I prayed, reading every update. One night I read the email from my beautiful friend that expressed her love for her ailing mom, and prayer for strength to say goodbye.
Suddenly it hit me how little time I actually devoted to my mother. I looked at the email and wept. The next day I made a date with my mom. She was like a girl; she laughed on the phone as we made plans.
My mom and I had the best time at lunch and I was inspired to make a point to love on her more frequently. So I came up with "Love Points" which include a few things I try to do each week.
Write. Leave a note in an unexpected place.
Give. Spend time with no strings attached (help work in the garden, go to lunch, sit and chat).
Touch. Especially if your loved one is older or widowed and they are not touched in positive ways any more. (Massage their hands. Hold their hand. Touch their face or hair.)
Affirm. Tell them one encouraging thing that you believe about them.
I pray I stay committed to showing my mom love. And that I have many more opportunities to hang out with her. But more than that I pray I don't take her for granted.
Life most likely won't slow down. But as I devote time to worthwhile endeavors, I don't want to forget that in the grand scheme of things, holding my mother's hands is one of the most priceless investments I'll ever make.
Dear Lord, thank You for my loved ones. Life gets so hectic, and sometimes it's hard to slow down long enough to show them how much I care. Please help me to slow down and recognize what is of little value so that I can invest in people with immense value. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for the perfect gift for Mother's day, or for a friend? Honor your mom, or someone who has been like a mom, this Mother's Day with a $20 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries. When you do, we will send a Legacy card to let her know how special she is to you! And through your donation in honor of her, you will help us reach and encourage the faith of millions of mothers around the world each day. Click here to find out more.
The Mom I Want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzie's blog for more encouragement or join her Moms Together Facebook community.
Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
Is there someone you need to spend more time with? Make plans today to do so.
Share this devotion with your siblings or friends as a reminder to them to spend time with their parents too.
Power Verses:
John 15:12b, "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." (NLT)
Matthew 6:21, "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 24, 2013
A Light in the Darkness
Amy Carroll
"In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come." Exodus 27:21 (NIV)
The memories that burn brightest from my childhood are of our family's camping trips to the beach. All the hard work of packing the tent, suitcases, sleeping bags and food into the car was worth it when camp was set up and family time began.
My favorite time of the day came as darkness settled, the shouts of children quieted and grills were lit. Often, as we cleaned up from dinner, my mother would take our lantern into the tent to repack our supplies, and I would bask in the glow from the tent and the warm safety of my parents' presence.
Those memories flooded back as I read Exodus 27 from my daily reading plan. In a meticulous design revealed in the preceding chapters, God laid out the blueprint for the Tent of Meeting, also called the Tabernacle, where He would be worshipped by the Israelites as they traveled from Egypt to Canaan. Sentence after sentence details the fabric, the measurements, and the structure.
When the plan for God's Tent of Meeting was complete, He began to describe the furnishings. They included a beautiful set of lamps on a lampstand that was to burn continuously inside. This intricate lampstand described in detail in Exodus 25:31-40 was a pure-gold work of art made by the artisans God appointed, and it burned clear olive oil.
Pieces of a greater puzzle began to click into place as I pondered other scriptures and truths explaining the rich symbolism of the Tent of Meeting's lampstand. I began to see God revealing His plans for us thousands of years ago:
We are the tent. (2 Cor. 5:4)
Jesus is the light. (John 1:4)
The Holy Spirit is the oil. (Zech. 4:1-6)
Fueled by the Holy Spirit, we are called to let Jesus' light shine through us into the darkness. (Matt. 5:14-16)
Just as the Israelites moved the Tabernacle through the desert sands ...
Just as my parents pitched a tent in beach sands ...
Just as I move through this darkened world ...
God provides a Light that shines in the darkness, and He creates a tent (us) to shine through.
For Jesus' light to pierce the darkness, shining brighter and brighter, we need to become more and more transparent.
For His light to shine continuously, we need to constantly be refueled by the Holy Spirit through prayer, studying and memorizing Scripture, and abiding in Him.
For His light to shatter the inky blackness of this world, we need to fearlessly move our tents into places of darkness where no other light shines.
There is a world of people who long for the safety and presence of Jesus–but they need a beacon to guide them. May we humble tents, who carry the Light, glow brightly everywhere as we travel through this world!
Dear Lord, thank You for allowing me to be a simple dwelling for Your Light. I pray that even as the priests were charged with maintaining the light, I would be faithful to let Your Light shine. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Amy Carroll's blog to see a picture of the beautiful lampstand from the Tent of Meeting.
Use the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women to have your own journey through God's Word.
Intimacy with God prayer journal and workbook by Tara Furman
Who in your life has been a light in the dark? Honor the women who have helped guide you in your faith with a $20 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries. Through your donation in honor of her faith, you will help us reach and strengthen the faith of millions of women around the world each day. Click here to find out more.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you experienced Jesus as the Light in your darkness? If you haven't, you can today. Click here to read more.
If you carry the Light, make sure you're fueled up. In what ways can you spend time in a quiet place with God today?
Power Verses:
John 1:4-5, "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (NAS)
2 Corinthians 5:1-2a, "For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven - God-made, not handmade - and we'll never have to relocate our 'tents' again." (MSG)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 25, 2013
Are You Ready to Go?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)
The Whitwer house has two beloved dogs - Kona and Sammie. First thing in the morning, or after being gone, the sight of them makes me smile. But although they both delight me, they are very different.
Kona is a husky with a quirky personality. She pulls like she's in front of a sled, plays catch with herself and "talks back" when corrected. Sammie is a German shepherd who patrols the backyard perimeter, embraces her role as protector and has a serious personality.
And while I adore both dogs, only one of them gets to go in car with me each morning when I take the kids to school. Perhaps I should try and describe typical mornings as we gather backpacks, purses and lunch bags:
• Sammie sits and watches, head tilted, aware of patterns of preparation. Kona is asleep under the bed.
• Sammie's ears perk up when I grab the car keys. Kona is sprawled on her back, head hanging off the edge of the couch.
• Sammie watches my face, waiting for the "let's go" nod. Kona is in the backyard watching birds.
So every morning, Sammie goes on an adventure with me. We pass bikers and women jogging. We see other doggies driving with their masters. If dogs could smile, mine would be grinning from ear-to-ear! She is thrilled with our outings and looks forward to the next one. And so do I.
As I consider my two canine companions, I wonder if this same dynamic doesn't happen between God and us.
We each have our own quirks, idiosyncrasies and tendencies. And yet we are equally loved and treasured because our Creator uniquely designed us just as we are.
However, there are differences when God is looking to call someone into a place of service. The one who is alert and ready ... the one who is listening for the Master's voice ... the one who is watching for the Master's movement ... that is the one who is invited to go on an adventure.
I've been both at times. I've been consumed with my own comfort at time. Hesitant and (when I'm honest) uninterested in being used. At other times I've mismanaged my time and energy so that I'm overwhelmed and exhausted, and miss God's invitation to join Him.
Yet when my eyes are open, and my heart is saying "pick me, pick me," it's amazing how I see God move.
For so many years I wondered does God really see me, can He use me, does He even want to? Now I realize the answer was "yes" all along. He was waiting for me to be watching for His "let's go" nod.
Ready to go? Or ready to relax? Loved equally. But used differently. Which one are you?
Dear Lord, thank You for inviting me to join You in Your work in the world. You have designed me in a unique way, specifically for Your pleasure and purpose. Help me to be alert and ready, watching for the signs that You are on the move. I want to join You wherever You go. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog today for some photos of her two beloved dogs, and a video of Sammie on alert.
Do you want to be used by God but feel overwhelmed with life? You might enjoy I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you ever been certain that God asked you to do something? How did you respond?
How would you describe yourself when it comes to being aware of God's movement in your life – alert or unaware? What can you do to be more aware of what God might be doing?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (NIV)
Luke 12:35-36, "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 26, 2013
The Best Marriage Advice
Van Walton
"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 (NAS)
A joyful wedding party celebrated the new couple on an evening wrapped in good cheer and candlelight.
The bride and her father danced, followed by the groom and his mother. Adoring eyes framed the room.
Finally, couples young and old hit the dance floor. After a few musical notes, the DJ announced, "All couples married a year or less, step off the dance floor." Then he asked those married five years or less to take their leave. And so the invitation, to make room for couples married 10, 20, 30 years, continued.
While dancing with my husband, I noticed how few people remained.
"40 years!" The DJ broadcast to us last three couples dancing.
When the song ended, our friends, their children - now young adults - and our son, reached out with high-fives, pats on the back, and "Congratulations!"
Many asked, "How romantic ... what's your secret to staying together?"
The question came as no surprise and their idealic vision of marriage made me smile.
Romantic? Not so much. I would describe our years together as lots of tears shed over misunderstandings. Selfishness. Loneliness. Hard and difficult times, pushing through emotions I didn't understand.
Painful words. Challenging moments. Loads of opportunities to compromise. We were stubborn - both of us! As I look over my shoulder on the past 42 years, I know the real glue that has kept us together has been God and the power of His Word.
When I wanted to criticize my husband for offenses real and imagined, I read that love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).
When I felt lonely, I read that God was with me (Zephaniah 3:17).
When I thought I was right and my husband was wrong, I read that I shouldn't think too highly of myself (Romans 12:2-4).
When the daily grind of work, chores, errands drained me and my wild heart longed for more, I read that when I leaned on the Lord, through Him, I could get through anything (Philippians 4:13)
Marriage is like a triangle. Want to grow close to your man? Grow closer to God. As both of you reach upward you'll not only come close to God, you'll grow closer to each other. And if you are in a marriage where your husband doesn't want to draw near to the Lord, you keep on anyhow. In Him, you'll find the support, love and hope your heart desires.
A long time ago I was a young bride, asking older married women for advice. I heard a lot of things like keep the fun and adventure in your marriage. "Life is a gift," my mother taught me. "Don't let the sun go down on your anger," Daddy shared with me. "Know your husband" a friend encouraged me. Understanding my man's personality and love language taught me about conflict and acceptance.
I wouldn't hesitate to share any of these wise words to newlyweds. But the very BEST advice I learned along the way? The greatest marriage counselor and guide is God and His Word.
Marriage can be hard, but it's easier when we spend more time focusing on God's encouraging truths and less time concentrating on our husband's faults. Today, let's start a practice of turning to the Bible for answers about our marriage, thanking God for our husband and the Lord for His wisdom.
Father God, You alone are perfect. Help me to keep my eyes on You. I know that no one is an easy forever-partner. Remind me daily to curb my critical spirit. Teach me to see my husband through Your eyes. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog for insight into personality styles and how they impact relationships.
Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
For regular biblical wisdom on relationships, "like" our Facebook page.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Are you looking at your husband through Jesus' accepting and grace-filled eyes or do you see him through needs you expect him to meet?
Before today is over, pick 2 verses to pray for your husband and 2 verses to recall that will give you wisdom for your marriage.
Power Verses:
Mark 10:6-9, "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (NIV)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 29, 2013
Whatever Happens, Here's What You Should Do
Glynnis Whitwer
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27a (NIV)
I felt completely justified to blow it.
Look up inconvenienced, worried, nervous, annoyed and rushed in the dictionary and that's where you would have found me a few weeks ago. So when one more issue got added to my day, I lost it. And the worst part was I thought I'd earned the right to let off steam.
It started with my husband asking for a favor. He had bought two trucks for his company and needed me to drive across town with him and drive one of them back. Since we live in a large metropolitan area, that meant a one-hour drive each way.
However, the only available window of time that afternoon was sandwiched between four different things I had to do. In two and a half hours we had one son getting out of high school (who had to go with us) and another one needing to be picked up from college (which is also across town), our youngest daughter having to be picked up after that (which is near home), then the high schooler had a practice.
Since I live this crazy chauffeur-life every day, it was up to me to schedule this cross-town trip and get everyone—and two trucks—picked up on time.
Of course everything takes longer than you think it will. Not only were we initially running late, but then the man with the trucks was late. This meant I was going to be late getting everyone picked up. Watching the clock, I felt the passing minutes squeeze like a vice grip.
Realizing there was no way I could do it all, I changed plans and sent the high school boy to pick up the college boy and then head back and get himself to practice. I would wait for the truck and then get our daughter.
Now, this may have your head spinning, but it sounded easy in my mind.
However, those two teenage boys got very confused with the change of plans. They weren't sure what they were supposed to do, despite what I thought were pretty simple instructions.
Thirty minutes later they called me frustrated and annoyed. Unfortunately, I was also frustrated and annoyed trying to drive a HUGE diesel truck across town. With a right side mirror that I couldn't adjust. On a busy freeway. In the middle of rush hour traffic. Realizing I would be late picking up my daughter.
College son: "Mom! What is going on?!? Why is Robbie picking me up and not you? Are we supposed to go get some trucks? Robbie doesn't know what's going on!!" the college boy snapped.
And in that moment, the stress of the afternoon had built, and I let it explode, feeling very justified.
Me: "Seriously? Seriously?!? You are frustrated? Well, let me tell you about being frustrated! ... (I'm sure you can imagine the rest).
I hung up the phone angry.
And then I remembered a verse I'd read that morning. Right there on the freeway, God made Philippians 1:27 very relevant:
Whatever happens ... (like an errand taking longer, rush hour, annoyed teenagers, a side mirror that doesn't work, three kids to usher around town)
Conduct yourself ... (You mean, control myself God? Keep things in perspective?)
In a manner worthy ... (in such a way that shows who I really am, what I believe, what I value ...)
of the gospel of Christ (and Whom I represent).
Before I had a chance to call my son, he called me. I rushed to apologize. So did he. Thanks to God's Word in my heart leading me to ask for forgiveness, we ended our disagreement on the side that is worthy of the Word and the God Whom we serve, rather than the angry resentful side.
Philippians 1:27. What a powerful Scripture this has been to me. Just thinking "whatever happens" keeps me in check. Because the interesting thing about that word "whatever" is it means "whatever."
I'm not sure what you're facing right now ... whatever pressures, deadlines, carpools, boss, spouse or bills surround you. But I do know we each have a choice how we will respond. So take a deep breath and remember to walk in a manner worthy of Whom you represent.
Heavenly Father, thank You for your patience towards me when I blow it. Your grace and kindness make me want to show that to others. Help me remember that I represent You in all I do and say. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst will help you deal with those moments when you want to lose it.
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Under what circumstances are you most likely to react badly?
What can you do to prepare for those moments so your reaction represents the Gospel of Christ?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:1-2, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
April 30, 2013
Torched
Luann Prater
"In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body." James 3:5-6a (NLT)
I recently saw a plaque that read, "Lord, put an arm around my shoulder and a hand across my mouth." I smiled at the saying, but God snagged my heart to understand the power of my words during an early morning phone call.
When I saw the caller ID, I cheerfully sang, "Good morning, good morning, hey it's great to stay up late!" (Envision Debbie Reynolds in the Singing in The Rain movie.)
"We've got to talk. I'm upset," my friend replied.
This wasn't how I wanted to start my day. My heart sunk into my shoes when my friend told me why she was upset. I realized the root of the problem was a miscommunication and my first thought was to defend myself.
But that morning I had been in the book of James, and at this critical moment of conversation this scripture pushed its way to the top of my mind.
"And the tongue is a flame of fire" (James 3:6a).
This verse always reminds me of my 9th grade shop class where I learned welding and the truth that whoever controls the flame, controls the outcome. The power of the small concentrated fire from the welder's torch was lethal. I held in my hands the ability to rip metal in two and burn through tightly soldered seams like a hot knife through butter.
Yet through this tiny flame that burned bright blue and hot yellow, I also had a different power, one that mended. I could repair what was broken and bring together what had been divided.
You and I carry around a similar little flame; it rests inside our mouths. It's our tongue. We can fire up and encourage a broken heart or torch it with a careless word.
So how do we control our tongue? For starters, it's helpful to keep our words to ourselves until we can sort through any raw emotions behind them. In James 1:26 we find that, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless" (NIV).
That Hebrew word for "rein" means to restrain and pull back our first reaction. In other words, when you feel like spewing it, zip it. Our lips should be water tight, not allowing unnecessary words to leak out. Like Tupperware secure. In this way, we'll truly live out our Christianity by being examples of Christ's character: kind, loving, self-controlled.
Next, we can choose our words wisely. James 3:3, says, "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal" (NIV).
Once we've reined in what we say, we choose words that steer the conversation along an encouraging, uplifting path, building up instead of tearing down.
Last, we praise, not curse. In James 3:9 we discover that, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness" (NIV).
In Biblical times cursing was the opposite of blessing, and today we should view our words as carrying the same responsibility. Deep scars from hurtful words may never heal.
When my friend lashed out on the phone, God helped me to rein in my first thought and wait until the right moment to respond. I felt led to choose three words, that when said sincerely, turn a conversation around:
"I'm so sorry."
It was true, the last thing I wanted or expected was for my friend to be hurt by an unintentional misunderstanding. I've made a decision to not react with torch-splitting, heated words, but to mend with encouraging conversation from my heart and lips. Would you like to join me? Remember, whoever controls the flame, controls the outcome.
Dear Lord, remind us each day to use our tongues to glorify You and encourage others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Our 13th annual She Speaks Conference helps equip women to speak, write and lead with wisdom and truth, building up rather than tearing down. Click here for more information!
Visit Encouragement Cafe where Luann Prater hangs out with girlfriends and chats about living real life in light of Scripture.
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue and the 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (Workbook) by Deborah Smith Pegues
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Identify the triggers that turn your tongue into a weapon.
Today, choose to seek a mending moment with someone who needs a gentle answer.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 12:18, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (NIV)
Proverbs 15:4, "The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit." (NIV)
© 2013 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 1, 2013
Parenting Can be Exhausting
Sharon Glasgow
"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
We were already late for church when the fight began. One daughter was upset the other had told a lie. I sighed. Not right before it's time to leave, please!
It'd been a long week and I was tired. But lies are not allowed in the Glasgow home and this was something I had to take care of now. I called both girls to The Pink Couch, the place set aside to talk to our children.
They both sat down and gave their side of the story. It was clear who was telling the truth and who wasn't. I dismissed the one that wasn't lying and asked the one who did to admit she had and to say sorry. She wouldn't. After 15 minutes she still hadn't confessed. She was only four, but don't let a four year old fool you, she knew I needed to get out the door. I was her Sunday School teacher.
It would have been so easy to put her lie on the back burner, but I made an executive decision. "Dale would you teach my class today? I can't leave until this is resolved." As the rest of our family headed out the door, I told my daughter that until she told the truth she would sit on The Pink Couch. An hour passed, then two, then three. How could my child who normally couldn't sit still for thirty minutes bide her time without any entertainment for hours? Though we were sitting quietly, waiting it out drained me.
Finally, she admitted her lie with a sincere heart and said, "I'm sorry." We hugged and to this day I've never heard her say another lie.
I've got five almost-grown daughters now. Whew! The discipline part was a lot of work and one thing remained constant whether they were four or 14—discipline always took time, wisdom, discernment and love.
It would have been easier and saved energy to just let the lie slide. But, the Bible tells us "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way" (Hebrews 12:11).
Discipline is not fun for those receiving it OR for those administering it. Let's be honest, parenting can be exhausting! But consistency comes with a great reward. Investing time and ensuring the same consequences yields good fruit in our children's lives.
My husband and I have pear trees on our land. Some can take years to bear fruit, but with regular watering, pruning and fertilizing, our trees eventually show the results of our labor.
Most parents would say they desire for their kids to grow up and live in peace with the Lord. That's exactly the outcome Hebrews 12:11 promises us if we don't give up when our children are young. Rather than making a quick decision that only modifies their behavior for the moment, we have to aim at changing our children's hearts for the long term.
As my then four-year-old daughter and I sat for hours that Sunday morning, I knew I had to nip this in the bud or the consequences would negatively impact her future. She's an adult now and will gladly tell you what a strong impact the discipline of sitting on The Pink Couch had on her.
Unimaginable energy goes into raising godly children. You may want to do what I did: stay on your knees in prayer and mediate on the Word day and night so that you can be encouraged and have wisdom on rearing your kids. It can be exhausting, but the work is worth the great reward!
Dear Lord, give me the wisdom, discernment, time and love I need to discipline my children to be the godly people You desire. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog to watch a video of her five daughters on The Pink Couch talking about discipline.
I Used to be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer will help you manage your time, so you can have more to invest in your children.
If parenting is taxing you, we'd love to offer a quiet place to rest. Sign up today for the new online Bible study by Wendy Blight called, Quiet My Anxious Heart: Learning to Sit at the Feet of Jesus, starting May 8. Click here for information.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do you follow through in disciplining your children in consistent ways? If you told them not to do something one day and they do it the next, what are the consequences?
In order to discipline in love we need a relationship with Jesus, who is love. Spend some time today focusing on His Word, praying or worshipping Him.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:4, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (NIV)
Proverbs 29:17, "Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire." (NIV)
© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 2, 2013
SELFishness
Lysa TerKeurst
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
I am a magnet for strange.
Seriously.
A few years ago I was outside with my three dogs soaking up the sunshine. We had gotten a new puppy named "Willow" for Christmas. Well, our other dogs, Champ and Chelsea, weren't sure what to think of precious, little three-pound, Willow.
She annoyed them. In every way.
I thought it would be a good investment for the dog relations in our home if I spent time with them outside, to help them all feel the love. So, I sat on the ground and loved on each dog.
They enveloped me in a flurry of wet kisses, fur, and stinky dog breath. I was having a ball. And they were all getting along. Bliss.
Until ... Willow came and sat on my lap. Claiming the prized location of closeness with me, I don't think she realized the signal she was sending. Champ suddenly backed up and growled. His tail stopped wagging. And he was not happy.
"Oh Champ," I reassured him, "Willow is a baby. Be nice."
More growling.
"No sir! Champ, be nice. Come here. I can love on you while Willow sits in my lap," I reassured him once more, while rubbing behind his ears.
He seemed to be happy again, and licked my cheek.
More bliss.
But then, out of the blue, he walked beside me, looked straight at Willow, lifted his leg, and drenched me in tee-tee!
What in the world!? I couldn't believe what was happening.
After recovering from my shock and changing my clothes, I Googled it.
Some articles I read said Champ was marking his territory. "That's MY mama!"
His strong expression of "MINE" was a vivid reminder of just how disgusting a heart bent on self can be. Champ couldn't enjoy all he was experiencing in the moment, because he was so laser-focused on the one way he felt slighted.
SELFishness! ME! MINE! MINE! MINE!
Sadly, I recognize this behavior because I've demonstrated this behavior.
Several years ago, God challenged me to recognize my selfishness by seeing—really seeing—all that I've been given. And never looking at a blessing as something just for me. Now, I make myself think two things ...
1. Thank You God for entrusting this blessing to me. I know it is a gift from You.
2. How can I use this as an opportunity to bless someone else? The blessing will be more rewarding if it's not all about me.
Do these things come naturally? Not at first. Not in a "Me First, Mine!, Mine!, Tee-Tee on Others" kind of world.
But we aren't called to live according to the norm, just doing what comes naturally.
We are called to rise above. Be set apart. Be different. Be pure in every way. "All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:3 NIV).
What blessing do you have that might need to be shared today? What blessing do I have that might need to be shared today?
Right in the midst of what we're doing, how can we graciously and purely represent Christ as we RE-present Him everywhere we go?
Good stuff to ponder as I washed my smelly outfit that day.
Dear Lord, thank You for every good and perfect gift You have given me. Help me to put others before me and to have a heart to see them as You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Ministries team are so excited about our upcoming She Speaks Conference! We equip women to represent Christ as they RE-present Him everywhere they go through their speaking, writing and leadership. Click here for more information and to join us!
If this devotion resonated with you, you'll enjoy Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. For more information, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What opportunity has been given to you recently that you can pass on to others?
Will you take the initiative to do that today?
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (NIV)
Romans 12:3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." (NIV)
Psalm 133:1, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 3, 2013
Serious Matters Need a Serious God
Tracie Miles
"Keep in mind that the LORD your God is the only God. He is a faithful God, who keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commands." Deuteronomy 7:9 (GWT)
As I watched The Bible mini-series on TV, I was reminded in living color that God is a serious God. And when He says something, He means it.
When He told the people of Noah's time to turn from their wicked ways, He meant it. When they didn't listen, everyone except Noah and his family perished in the flood. When God told Abraham he would have a son despite his wife's barrenness, He meant it, and she gave birth. When He promised the Israelites freedom, He meant it, and they were granted freedom from Pharaoh.
When we face difficult circumstances, it's easy to doubt Him. But God means what He says—He is always faithful, forever righteous, never failing. He is a God serious about keeping His word.
Last year when my husband's employment was affected by the economy, I wasn't sure if we could make it financially. But because God is serious about keeping His promises as He says in Deuteronomy 7:9, I had to seriously trust Him to provide. Despite my doubts and questions (How would we survive? How could God make money appear in our bank account?) I witnessed God keeping His promise of provision.
Help came from unexpected places and in miraculous ways, financially and spiritually. God gave us peace and hope when my husband and I needed it most.
In today's broken world where it's hard to know who to trust or what to believe, it's easy to succumb to an attitude of distrust in God as well, causing our faith in His promises to waver.
If it seems God isn't answering our prayers, we may wonder if He is serious about listening to them. We can doubt if His Word really applies to our situations. We might question if His promises are meant for us.
During these times, we are faced with two choices. We can either assume God's promises are not trustworthy. Or we can believe that when He makes a promise, He is serious about keeping it, just as today's key verse states: "Keep in mind that the LORD your God is the only God. He is a faithful God, who keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commands" (Deuteronomy 7:9).
You see, God made thousands of promises in the Bible and every one He kept. He has an infallible track record of perfect promise-keeping which certainly proves that when He says something, He means it.
So when He promises in Lamentations 3:22-23 to be faithful, He means it.
When He promises to heal in Psalm 30:2, He means it.
When He promises in 1 John 1:9 to forgive, He means it.
When He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan and purpose for everything, He means it.
When He promises true rest in Matthew 11:28, He means it.
When He promises that He hears prayers in Jeremiah 29:12, He means it.
God's Word reassures us that He is serious about us and what goes on in our lives. And He means what He says. If you have some serious matters going on in your life, remember that God is a serious God .... serious about keeping His promises.
Dear Lord, forgive me for doubting You and Your ways. Help me focus on Your fulfilled promises in my life, and let them fuel my faith during trying times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie Miles' blog for more encouragement and to download a free Promise Workbook which includes scriptures and activities about trusting God's promises.
Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles
NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women featuring devotions from all our Proverbs 31 Ministries writers.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What is one circumstance in which you can begin leaning on the promises of God today?
Write down three promises God has fulfilled in your life. How does remembering His fulfilled promises help remind you that God is serious about keeping His promises?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding ..." (NIV)
Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 6, 2013
The Micromanaging Mama
Karen Ehman
"Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9 (HCSB)
I couldn't think of anything more exciting than going to Sylvia's house for the afternoon. She had fancy clothes and the neighborhood's only built-in swimming pool. But best of all?
Sylvia had one amazing dollhouse.
There were bedroom sets with dressers, cloth curtains in the windows, and colorful spreads on the beds. There was a living room set with a tiny television and a kitchen with real-looking appliances in the trendy shade of turquoise.
To top it all off, it came with a family - pliable, lifelike miniature human beings who smiled no matter how I posed them. There was even a trusty canine I named Scrappy.
I could arrange the furniture any way I desired. The petite pots and pans were just the way I liked on the stove to simmer. The baby woke up from her nap just when I wanted. The family members entered and exited on my cue. No object missed a single prompt in the scenarios that played out at the ends of my chubby little fingertips.
However, my perfect little world was easily shattered. Sometimes, when I had to go home to eat dinner, Sylvia wanted to play with her own toys. Later I'd return to find the house rearranged by someone who was not going along with my program.
I never liked when someone messed with my plan. In fact, it made me angry.
Today my days still revolve around a house. The furniture is bigger. The dishes and rugs are real. The people are too. And I still don't like anyone messing with my plan.
Messing with my plan often looks like this: abandoned dirty dishes, shoes scattered haphazardly, newly washed windows dotted with sticky fingerprints, mud tracked floors, crumbs trailed, trash not taken out as asked, homework undone, pokey kids making the family late for church. Again.
And sadly, messing with my plan can also find me behaving like this: sharp words strategically hurled, a caustic demeanor meant to snap my family to attention, or a "martyr mom" pose I suddenly strike to convey my "I-do-so-much-for-all-of-you-people-and-what-thanks-do-I-get?" message.
At times like this, as today's key verse from Ecclesiastes 7:9 states, my spirit rushes to anger. When anger takes the lead, I can go from mild-mannered mother to micromanaging mama in three seconds flat to try and make my family "get with the program—and PRONTO!"
Rushing to anger in an attempt to micromanage can lead to hurt feelings, crumpled spirits and fractured relationships in need of repair. Of course we should expect our children to do as they are asked, to perform their chores or remember their school responsibilities.
But, when they don't—because they are kids and like us, not perfect—how will we chose to behave? Do we choose to be like Jesus who would respond appropriately and with self-control or like a wild woman who somehow thinks yelling is effective although it has never, ever worked in the past.
Will you join me in a challenge to pause before pouncing? To not rush to anger and instead rush to Jesus' side? It is there we can allow Jesus to temper our tempers and filter our words so we can behave in a way that honors Him—and our family members too.
Dear Lord, teach me to rush to You instead of rushing to anger. I want others to clearly see You reflected in my actions and reactions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Karen Ehman has compiled over $75 worth of FREE downloadable motherhood resources including Bible studies, encouraging and practical printables, eBooks, a Bible reading log, sample chapters from parenting books, and MP3's of mothering messages. For information on how to get them click here.
Need to learn how to control your behavior (and your tongue!) when you interact with your family? Sign up for Karen's free 5-Day "Pause Before You Pounce Challenge" designed to help you stop trying to run the show and start learning to walk in faith. For details visit Karen's blog.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Think back to a time when you rushed to anger over the condition of your home or the behavior of a family member. What happened?
How could the situation have been different if you'd rushed to Jesus' side instead, seeking His wisdom and self-restraint?
Power Verses:
James 1:19-20, "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." (NLT)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 7, 2013
Reshaping Me
Wendy Pope
"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:25 (NLT)
It was supposed to be a day filled with the simple pleasure of getting my hair cut. But rather than just a reshaping of my unruly mop, God planed a reshaping of my character.
Others might find their simple pleasures in sunny spring days on the porch, cool fall evenings with the family toasting marshmallows, or the company of a good friend.
Me? One of my favorite pleasures is hair cut day.
It was one of those ordinary days, and a haircut was on my agenda. My appointment was a week overdue, my roots were screaming, and I was anxious to have my messy hair reshaped. Driving to the salon, I smiled thinking how much I would enjoy the experience.
Little did I know God had a more important experience planned.
After my cut, style, and primping time had ended, I grabbed my purse to pay for my new 'do. "Before I go," I said to my stylist, "I need to use your bathroom."
Walking in, I immediately noticed the dirty ring around the toilet bowl, the matching ring in the sink, and well, the gross things that form around the base of the commode.
Disgusted, I began to criticize and question the sanitation regulations of the salon. In the midst of my mumblings I sensed the Holy Spirit whispering things I didn't want to hear.
"No. You can't be serious," I argued.
Again I heard His whisper. Again I debated. I found myself teetering. Would I follow the Holy Spirit's direction or flush, wash, and leave?
Frozen, I was unable to move toward the door. My only option was to yield. I looked around at the various cleaning products, took a deep breath, grabbed a handful of paper towels and a worn out toilet brush and began to obey the Spirit's direction.
I wasn't thrilled or interested in doing a good job. I wanted to hurry and get out. But while on my hands and knees, scrubbing and wiping, the reshaping continued as I heard the whisper, "As you would your own."
It wasn't enough that I had yielded; God wanted my heart to be right. So I continued cleaning, with greater fervor, as if it were my own bathroom. As I worked to change the bathroom, the Lord changed me. My pride turned to humility as I thought about the next person who would enter the restroom. Envisioning the look on her face as she smelled the fresh clean aroma and saw sparkling chrome brought me great joy. This joy melted away my stubbornness as I experienced God's delight.
Today, tomorrow, or in the future you will be given the opportunity to follow the Holy Spirit's leading as Galatians 5:25 tells us to do. Maybe you will not be asked to clean a bathroom, but there is no doubt your choice to seize or ignore your opportunity will reshape your character. How will you respond?
Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to know You as Savior and Lord. Today and each day forward I want to seize every chance I have to be more like You. Forgive me for ignoring opportunities in the past. Thank You for wanting to reshape my character. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Lord?
Visit Wendy Pope's blog for more about following the Spirit's leading and to win a copy of Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow Bible Study by Wendy.
Have you felt the Holy Spirit whisper it's time to start teaching, leading, speaking or writing? Pray about joining us at our 13th annual She Speaks Conference. Click here for more details on this equipping and encouraging weekend!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How is God trying to reshape your life? How are you responding?
Today, yield to the opportunity God gives to obey Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:10, "With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!" (ESV)
Romans 1:5, "We have received grace and apostleship through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations, on behalf of His name." (HCSB)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 8, 2013
Learn to Rest
Wendy Blight
"He restores my soul." Psalm 23:3a (ESV)
My words poured through frustrated tears. "I try to be so organized. Every night I make a 'to do' list. I wake up in the morning furiously giving my best to complete every task. There are never enough hours in my day to get them all done. I wake up the next day to do it all over again, only this time, the unfinished tasks from yesterday's list carry over to today's. I'm so tired!"
My dear friend and mentor calmly interrupted, "Wendy, you must learn to rest."
Taking a deep breath, I whispered, "Is resting something I have to learn?"
"Yes," she said firmly, "you must learn to rest."
"Okay," I told her. "I'll go to bed earlier and when I feel super tired, I'll take a short nap."
Back then I thought the cure to my weariness would come from resting my tired body and delaying my duties for a time with a catnap. But that wasn't what she meant. My friend knew there was a difference between being physically tired and needing to catch up on some zzz's, and being worn out in our hearts, minds and souls.
The truth is, we aren't weary simply because our schedules are full. We are weary because our spirits are depleted. Within each one of us resides a soul that desperately needs renewal and restoration, something an overloaded schedule doesn't always allow.
It's easy to hide our exhausted souls. On the outside we may appear well-organized, emotionally stable, and put together. But on the inside we are often hopelessly overwhelmed and completely stressed out. The remedy for our weariness will not be found in a nap, but in God alone.
In the Old Testament, Psalm 23 speaks of God as our Shepherd. That passage says our Shepherd "restores" our souls. When I looked a bit deeper into the original meaning of "restore," I learned so much more about God's promise to bring life back to my tired soul.
The Hebrew word "restore" in Psalm 23 is shuwb. It's a word most often translated "to return or go back." It speaks of God's people returning to Him and means "movement back to the point of departure." The use of the word "restore" implies we must return to God to receive our restoration.
In the New Testament in John 10:14 Jesus tells us He is our "Good Shepherd." This is from the Greek word poimen. It literally means "shepherd," referring to one who guides, guards, and provides for his flock. When we return to our Shepherd, Jesus, He will guard us, guide us and provide for our every need.
Our Good Shepherd can only restore our souls when we turn our hearts and our minds away from the noise and busyness of the world back to Him. Sitting alone with the Lord leads us to peace and gives us the strength we need to move forward.
Do you need restoration? Take this little test.
Does every word your husband speak irritate you?
Does every errand you have to run for your kids breed resentment?
Does every morning bring feelings of stress and anxiety?
If you answered yes to one or all of these questions, you are running on empty, operating out of your own depleted resources.
Learn to rest.
Return to your Good Shepherd.
Invite Him to restore your soul.
Receive a fresh filling of His love, mercy and grace.
When you do, He will replace your weariness with strength, your resentment with thanksgiving, your irritability with patience, and your anxiety with peace.
The Lord is waiting.
Meet with Him. He will refresh and renew you, enabling you to go out into the world to serve your family and friends filled with a newfound sense of His peace, love, and joy.
Dear Lord, help me be still before You. Give me the rest only You can give. Renew and restore my weary heart. Fill me to overflowing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy Blight's Blog and sign up for her new three-week online study, Quiet My Anxious Heart: Learning to Rest in Jesus. It starts today!
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy teaches you how to have a quiet time and grow deeper in your walk with God.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you neglected spending time alone with God? For the next seven days, return to your Good Shepherd. Open Psalm 23, read a portion of the passage each of the seven days, and invite the Lord to refresh and restore your soul.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 6:16, "This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...'" (NIV)
Psalm 62:5, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 9, 2013
The Most Important Lesson
Lysa TerKeurst
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)
Early in my motherhood adventure I realized I could solve my kids' problems for them. Not every problem. But for the most part when they had an issue I could step in and be the solution.
Or ...
I had another option. I could mentor and equip my kids to solve their issues. This approach is much more time consuming, brain draining, and sometimes quite frustrating.
But for me, the most important lesson I want to teach my kids is how to think.
It's that whole "give a man a fish" thing. Give him a fish and he'll eat for a day ... or teach him to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.
I don't want to train my children to always turn to me for solutions. I want them to learn to think in biblically and emotionally healthy ways and process life's choices in grounded, mature ways. Eventually, they will become solution finders.
If I only tell my kids what they can and can't do, I'm establishing rules for them to follow. This is a part of parenting for sure, but it can't be the whole part.
If I teach them how to think, I'm establishing healthy processing patterns that will serve them when they're no longer under my immediate watch.
For example, texting while driving is deadly. I've taught them this rule. But to help them learn to process the dangers of driving while distracted, I decided to have a family discussion.
Recently, I asked each of the kids to come to a scheduled family dinner equipped to present a brief report on the dangers of texting and driving.
As they presented their reports, I saw the light bulbs coming on in their thought processes. They weren't just learning a rule; they were discovering how to think about this dangerous habit. They were passionate about it. And the best part? They independently committed to not text and drive.
They owned it. Not because I preached a rule at them. But rather, because I helped them learn how to think through this danger for themselves.
The Bible instructs us to teach our kids the truths of God by talking and processing with them all throughout the day. Obviously, texting and driving isn't a biblical truth, but how powerful it is to apply a Biblical mindset to every issue we face.
So, be it a Scriptural truth or processing life stuff in general, I think the secret is tucked within the beautiful words of our key verse, Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NIV):
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many..."
Yes, may our days together be many. Learning. Thinking. And processing each problem through the filter of God's Truth.
Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to teach my children how to think in a way that is honoring to You. Use me as an example of Your love and compassion in their lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Equip your daughter or a young woman you know to think in biblically and emotionally healthy ways with Lysa TerKeurst's new book, What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God, co-written with her teenage daughter Hope. Click here to purchase your copy.
Lysa's book Am I Messing Up My Kids? is overflowing with practical ideas, short Bible studies, and plenty of encouragement, to help moms realize that—with God's wisdom and mercy—they can experience peace and satisfaction while raising their kids.
For more daily encouragement, click here to visit Lysa's Facebook page!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How can you begin to implement this way of thinking with your family?
Start small – direct your child to Scripture, say a prayer with him/her, or make it an overall family discussion!
Power Verses:
Proverbs 22:6, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." (NIV)
Isaiah 54:13, "All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 10, 2013
To Have and to Hold
Sharon Glasgow
"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:11 (ESV)
As I sprayed the front porch with my water hose, dirt and bugs poured down the side of my house. Blasting those things was exhilarating. Everything came off under the pressure of that water. Everything except one big spider web.
So I got a stool to stand on, edged in even closer, and blasted that web again. The silken threads thrashed to and fro with each gust of water. But the spider, the web, and her eggs stayed intact.
They weren't going anywhere.
Flabbergasted, I thought to myself, "Spiders must have an inborn instinct to have and to hold. Under the greatest pressure, they don't let go.
It reminded me of a time several years ago, when a friend came to me in devastation. Her husband told her he didn't love her—in fact, he said, he had never loved her.
"It's over," she told me.
We talked and I then asked, "Can you hold on to the marriage for just a while longer? You have nothing to lose. You've already lost him."
I told her to become his greatest admirer. Find the good in him. She did. It didn't work.
I told her to make his favorite dinners and desserts. She did. It didn't work.
I told her to make love to him as never before. She did. It didn't work.
I told her to do the things she knows he likes done. She did. It didn't work.
I told her to pray non-stop for him. She did. It didn't work.
I told her to tell him, "I vowed to you that I would hold on no matter what." She told him. But he didn't care.
After a month she came to me with tears in her eyes and said, "It's not working Sharon."
"He's not gone yet is he?" I said. "I know it's hard, but keep doing it ... because love always protects, always hopes, and always perseveres."
She took a deep breath.
She chose to keep doing it. And very gradually things started shifting. He started enjoying the dinners at the table and all the other things she was doing for him—even intimacy.
A year later they found themselves passionately in love with one another. For the first time.
Now, I know the story is not going to turn out the same for everyone. I've given the same advice to others without the same results. But I can give you this advice with confidence: when the storms come—and they will—hold on tight, just like the spiders on my porch.
God calls us to have a love that perseveres and hopes. We can't choose what kind of love the other party will give in return, but there is power in God's kind of love—a holding-on kind of love.
To have and to hold means you've got to hold on when the storm rages. And even if it knocks you off kilter, ask the Lord to give you strength to get back up and hold on some more.
I finally got all the spiders and their webs off my porch. It looked beautiful.
As I was gathering my cleaning supplies and enjoying the clean porch, I saw spiders crawling back up the wall.
I smiled. If I can't get rid of them, at least I can learn a lesson from them!
Dear Lord, help me to have a love that perseveres through hard times. Help me to love the way You've called me to love. Give me hope, strength and wisdom as only You can do. You know I need it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus, the One you can trust with your life?
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog for more encouragement on marriage.
Is your marriage struggling? Have you ever wished you could talk to a wife who understands what you're going through and can offer wise advice? Join Sharon Glasgow on the Extravagant Love conference call May 30th. For more information, click here.
For real hope for real life, soak up God's Word. It offers strength for trials, wisdom for tough decisions, and encouragement for weary moments. The new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women has the Proverbs 31 Ministries team's devotions interspersed throughout.
Reflect and Respond:
Are there areas of your marriage that you need to work on? Have you lost hope because you haven't seen the fruit of all your labor?
Ask God to help you and show you areas where you can grow. Ask Him to show you practical ways you can love better. Make an action plan of how you are going to tackle these areas.
Power Verses:
James 5:11, "We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful." (NAS)
2 Thessalonians 3:5, "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (ESV)
© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 13, 2013
Live Where You Live
Suzie Eller
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
The spring air was crisp. Just right for a hike up Sparrow Hawk Mountain. Richard and I stood at the edge of the cliff, watching the winding river meander along the banks below.
When we moved here three years ago, this quickly became one of our favorite places to hike. "It's so beautiful," I said. And then with a sigh, "I wonder if we'll live here after you graduate."
Richard took me by my hands. "We live here now, Suzie," he said. "Don't you see that?"
No, honestly I didn't. We had moved to this small college community when Richard went back to school to receive his master's degree. We stayed on as he earned the 3,000 hours needed for his license. I saw our move as temporary, and even though it had been three years, I mentally lived in limbo.
I thought about our next move often. Where would God take us? Would it be somewhere new? Perhaps God would lead us back to our old community. I dreamed and planned it out over and over again. Not knowing where we'd end up made me discontented. I didn't feel settled or at peace.
That day, after coming down the mountain, I wrote in big letters in my journal: Live where you live.
It was time to put down roots right where I was, and be content in the present, regardless of where God might take us in the future.
Paul the apostle never knew exactly where he might be next. He landed in extremely difficult situations for a few days, and at other times lingered with new friends. Sometimes the doors opened immediately for his next move, and at other times he waited for years. But Paul was content where he was, wherever that might be, in whatever situation he found himself.
What was his secret? One commentary shares it like this:
Paul learned to leave it to others if they would, to be discontented. But he, on his part, learned by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the dealings of Providence (Hebrews 5:8), to be content in every state.*
As I determined to "live where I live," rather than living with my thoughts and heart wrapped around a future I could not see, I began my days like this:
Father, show me Your plan for today and help me accept it.
God, let me not be so farsighted that I miss the miracles around me right now.
Lord, help me to celebrate small gifts of this day.
Slowly the door to contentment opened. I began to invest in the community I lived in, enjoyed the scenery even more, and developed relationships with those around me.
It's been two years since our conversation in Sparrow Hawk. Richard and I found out this past month that we are moving. God did indeed open a door that will uproot us to a new state with a new church, new friends and new possibilities.
I'm packing my house and preparing for the move, but just yesterday my neighbors dropped by with their girls.
Trinity, who is six, showed me a turtle she had found. Macey, age two, climbed in the flower bed to peek at a purple-striped petunia.
Yes, there are new adventures ahead, but today I celebrate the joy of having close neighbors, and am satisfied with sitting with a sweet toddler with a pretty petunia in her hair.
Dear Jesus, You are the God of my future. You whispered plans in my heart, but the journey to that destination is just as important. Help me plant roots in today, and be content with what is in front of me as I trust You with tomorrow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzanne Eller's blog for the scriptures she held on to as she learned to be content.
Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Walk In Faith by Karen Ehman
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Reflect and Respond:
We often celebrate the greater events in our life, but today let's celebrate the smaller ones: A neighbor who is kind. A good meal. Laughter of a child. A beautiful sky.
Breathe a prayer of thanksgiving as you celebrate each and every one of those gifts throughout the day.
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 6:6-7, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." (NIV)
* Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Php 4:11). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 14, 2013
Worth the Effort
Lynn Cowell
"The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out." Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)
There are two kinds of young women who live in my house. One speaks her mind freely; you don't have to guess where she stands or how she feels. The other is more reserved, holding her emotions and words in check.
Neither one is right or wrong. Both are deep thinkers and deep feelers. Yet my girls couldn't be more different when it comes to how their thoughts and emotions are expressed. With one, I have a sense of her constant pulse as she daily shares her joys and struggles. With the other ... well, as my mother used to say about my father, "Still waters run deep."
The writer of Proverbs 20:5 encourages us to make the effort to "draw out" people. As I have found with my daughter, there is much beauty and young wisdom in the deep well of her heart. And while it takes extra work to tap into that low-lying spring, it is often rewarded.
In a culture where our conversations are often capped at 140 characters on Twitter or summed up in 2-3 sentences on Facebook or text messaging, real conversation may be in jeopardy. The days of front porches and Sunday dinners seem to be all but gone. Yet God's Word tells us a person's heart is deep waters-not something simple and concise that can be summed up short and sweet.
Whether it is with our daughters, neighbors or girlfriends, we need unhurried moments to draw from each other's hearts. We need time to listen to the wisdom and work God is accomplishing in another's life. These types of conversations usually don't develop in a quick greeting of "How are you?" as we're moving from one task to another. But more often, they are in the intentional moments when we purpose to listen.
In the original Hebrew language of the Old Testament, "purposes" in this verse means advice, counsel, and plans. Many times, when we take time to listen, we can discover plans our friend has tucked away in her heart. Sometimes it will mean realizing her hidden hope of visiting prisoners and sharing the Gospel with them. Or you might discover your child is reading the Bible on her own as she shares a verse she found.
Drawing out others or engaging in purposeful conversation also helps us gain insight, wisdom, hope and encouragement when we listen to all God is doing in their heart. We can receive advice and counsel simply by listening to one of His children.
Stop right now and look at your calendar. Pick a time—tonight, tomorrow or this weekend, and invite someone dear to you to spend time together. Whether it is your daughter whose life spins in and out of your home, or that girlfriend you haven't had coffee with in months, be intentional. Send her a text, give her a call, just make sure to make time. And to listen to the deep waters of her heart.
Jesus, help me to slow down today, and listen. I need to be present in the present and intentional in investing in others by listening. Make me one who draws others out. Amen.
Related Resources:
Need help starting a "deep" conversation? Visit Lynn Cowell's website, click on "Freebies" and download her free conversation starters! Also, sign up for Lynn's free "7-Day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of devotions to share with your daughter.
Help a teen girl in your life learn to fill that deep well in her heart with Lynn's book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You.
Do you have a calling to speak, write, or teach Bible studies? Take a weekend this July to pause and listen at our 13th annual She Speaks Conference. Our key note speaker is Michael Hyatt, who will share the depths of his heart and help equip us for ministry. Find out more information by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart with someone you love? How can you be more purposeful and make this a habit?
Think back to a time someone asked you to share what God was doing in your life. How did that make you feel? Excited, joyful, loved?
Power Verse:
Proverbs 18:4, "The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 15, 2013
Praying With Confidence
Renee Swope
"This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14 (NAS)
I used to be hesitant to pray and found myself stumbling over my words when talking to God. I especially didn't know how to pray when struggling with uncertainty and doubts.
Desperately wanting to say the right things, I believed if I prayed the right way God would listen and answer my prayers the way I wanted Him to.
It took me a while, but I eventually got up the courage to talk with a friend about my fears and struggles. She shared how she had struggled with the same things. She also explained how, over time, she had discovered that prayer isn't about saying or asking the right things; it's about building a relationship with God by talking to Him.
She also showed me how to take verses from the Bible and turn them into powerful prayers. Using God's Word as a guide gave me a new sense of confidence and direction when I didn't know what to say.
One day I was reading 1 John 5:14, and noticed it says we can pray with certainty when we ask God for what is already part of His will: "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
Praying Scriptures increased my confidence over time, knowing that I was praying God's will when I prayed God's Word.
Wanting my prayers to be filled with power and my heart to be infused with faith, I now look for Scriptures about God's will and God's ways. One is Hebrews 4:12 where God teaches us His Word is "alive and active." Praying that truth, I ask God to make His Word come alive in a situation and become active in the person's life I am praying for, including my own.
Oftentimes when I pray now, I'll remember verses in the Bible that apply. For instance, when it feels like my plans are spinning out of control, Jeremiah 29:11 will come to mind. On those days, I'll pray:
Lord, You know the plans You have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a future and a hope. You say that if I come to You and pray, You will listen and will lead me. So, today I surrender my plans for Your plans. Please guide my decisions and thoughts to match Yours so I can experience hope and not harm. Even though things aren't going so great today, I trust the plans You have for me."
God isn't looking for the perfect combination of words, and there's no formula to get it right. Now that the pressure to say the right things is gone, praying has become one of my favorite things to do—whether alone or with a friend.
Sometimes I just sit still and let God whisper His promises into my thoughts and then I ask for their fulfillment in my prayers.
Lord, I'm so glad I don't have to say that right thing to get Your attention. Thank You for Your Spirit that lives in me and leads me—in my daily activities and even in my prayers. Please show me verses You want me to pray so I can see Your Word come alive in my circumstances and become active in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In her life-changing book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope ends each chapter with a prayer weaving together powerful scriptures to help you overcome doubt and insecurity based on the topic and teaching in that chapter. Buy a copy for yourself or a friend!
Visit Renee's blog for a FREE download of Promises to Pray for yourself and others from Renee's new "Printable Prayers Collection: How to Pray for Those You Love - from Head to Toe."
Enter to win one of five copies of Renee's best-selling book, A Confident Heart. Click here to find out how!
Reflect and Respond:
Use God's Word as a guide to pray when you don't know what to say.
Pick a verse today to begin praying.
Power Verse:
Matthew 6:9-13, "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" (ESV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 16, 2013
Space to Exhale
Lysa TerKeurst
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord." Isaiah 58:13-14a (NIV)
Rest.
That sounds so good, but it's really difficult for a girl like me. Even when my physical body is at rest, my mind rarely is.
I feel like I'm always juggling balls in my brain. Kids' needs. Home demands. Work projects. The to-do lists never stop.
Yet the Bible makes it very clear that we are to honor the Sabbath day and pursue rest. Literally we are to hit the pause button on life once a week and guard our need to rest. Guard it fiercely. Guard it intentionally. Guard it even if our schedules beg us to do otherwise.
But why?
There are honest, personal reasons we need to observe the Sabbath that will be unique for each person. There are private conversations we need to have with God. We all need to pause, to sit with God, and ask Him to reveal some things to us.
And when I consider our key verse Isaiah 58:13-14a, something occurs to me—it's not just a day for me to give to God. It's a day God established for me. He wants to give me something if only I'll slow down enough to receive it.
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD."
The Sabbath isn't merely a time to be observed; it's a time to be preserved. It's a time to rediscover our joy in the Lord.
I need this. I want to be a preserver of this day—one who is determined to protect this day of personal preservation and rediscover the delight of God.
The observer remembers to rest.
The preserver rests to remember—to remember that it's all about God.
The observer remembers to rest and pause on the Sabbath day in order to follow a rule.
The preserver does more than follow a rule. She follows God's desire and embraces His purpose in the rest. She spends one day a week letting the fresh wind of God's rest blow through her, cleaning out all she's been taking in during the week with a purifying soul exhale.
It's all about pausing and connecting with God without the distracting chaos of our everyday routines. For one day a week, we step out of the fray and let God direct our day according to His rhythm, not ours.
God's rhythm preserves a space in us to hear His voice, reveals the places we're off track, and prevents us from being filled with unnecessary clutter. Quiet rest allows us to see the places where we're going our own way, the areas where we're more self-pleasing than God-pleasing, the idle words that need to be reined in. During the down time, we can deal with the mental clutter and focus on the ways of God.
The Sabbath makes this possible.
Taking one day for rest gives my soul the freedom it so desperately needs. Freedom to breathe. Space to breathe. Inhaling and exhaling in a gentle rhythm set by God.
Dear Lord, space to breathe, this is what I need today. Thank You for showing me how important it is to create a place for freedom and rest. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and practical advice on creating a place to exhale in the midst of raw emotions check out Lysa TerKeurst's book Unglued.
The accompanying Unglued Bible study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Take a moment to think about your own practices for rest and reflection on the Sabbath.
What can you do to hit "pause" and spend some time with the Lord this week? It could be taking a break from your to-do list, committing to spend some time journaling, etc.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:9-10, "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his." (NIV)
Psalm 62:1, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 16, 2013
Space to Exhale
Lysa TerKeurst
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord." Isaiah 58:13-14a (NIV)
Rest.
That sounds so good, but it's really difficult for a girl like me. Even when my physical body is at rest, my mind rarely is.
I feel like I'm always juggling balls in my brain. Kids' needs. Home demands. Work projects. The to-do lists never stop.
Yet the Bible makes it very clear that we are to honor the Sabbath day and pursue rest. Literally we are to hit the pause button on life once a week and guard our need to rest. Guard it fiercely. Guard it intentionally. Guard it even if our schedules beg us to do otherwise.
But why?
There are honest, personal reasons we need to observe the Sabbath that will be unique for each person. There are private conversations we need to have with God. We all need to pause, to sit with God, and ask Him to reveal some things to us.
And when I consider our key verse Isaiah 58:13-14a, something occurs to me—it's not just a day for me to give to God. It's a day God established for me. He wants to give me something if only I'll slow down enough to receive it.
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD."
The Sabbath isn't merely a time to be observed; it's a time to be preserved. It's a time to rediscover our joy in the Lord.
I need this. I want to be a preserver of this day—one who is determined to protect this day of personal preservation and rediscover the delight of God.
The observer remembers to rest.
The preserver rests to remember—to remember that it's all about God.
The observer remembers to rest and pause on the Sabbath day in order to follow a rule.
The preserver does more than follow a rule. She follows God's desire and embraces His purpose in the rest. She spends one day a week letting the fresh wind of God's rest blow through her, cleaning out all she's been taking in during the week with a purifying soul exhale.
It's all about pausing and connecting with God without the distracting chaos of our everyday routines. For one day a week, we step out of the fray and let God direct our day according to His rhythm, not ours.
God's rhythm preserves a space in us to hear His voice, reveals the places we're off track, and prevents us from being filled with unnecessary clutter. Quiet rest allows us to see the places where we're going our own way, the areas where we're more self-pleasing than God-pleasing, the idle words that need to be reined in. During the down time, we can deal with the mental clutter and focus on the ways of God.
The Sabbath makes this possible.
Taking one day for rest gives my soul the freedom it so desperately needs. Freedom to breathe. Space to breathe. Inhaling and exhaling in a gentle rhythm set by God.
Dear Lord, space to breathe, this is what I need today. Thank You for showing me how important it is to create a place for freedom and rest. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
For more encouragement and practical advice on creating a place to exhale in the midst of raw emotions check out Lysa TerKeurst's book Unglued.
The accompanying Unglued Bible study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Take a moment to think about your own practices for rest and reflection on the Sabbath.
What can you do to hit "pause" and spend some time with the Lord this week? It could be taking a break from your to-do list, committing to spend some time journaling, etc.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 4:9-10, "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his." (NIV)
Psalm 62:1, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 20, 2013
Why Did You ...?
Shaunti Feldhahn
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Shelly pulled up in her wet driveway after a beach getaway with girlfriends. She smiled, thinking, it's a shame the rain chased us away early, but at least I know the house is still standing.
She opened the door and tripped over a pile of schoolbooks. What on earth? Speechless, she stared at clutter everywhere. Cans of food and spaghetti sauce were stacked high on the island in the kitchen. Empty packets of Ramen noodles decorated the counter. The tool drawer had been emptied onto the kitchen table.
An angry cry escaped her lips and a muffled exclamation came from the laundry room. Her husband stuck his head out the door, looking chagrined. "You're home early!"
"Yes I'm home early!" Shelly waved around at the chaos. "I can't believe this! Why did you let it get this bad? And why were you feeding the kids instant noodles instead of something healthier?"
Without a word, Marcus pushed the door to the laundry room wide open and stepped aside so she could enter.
Furious, she stalked past him-and rocked to a stop. The back corner of the laundry room had been turned into a pantry. Fresh-cut wood shelves stacked up to the ceiling. Deep drawers were waiting to be slotted into a rolling rack. Dust sheets covered the washer and dryer, which were piled with food cans and packets, ready to be placed on the shelves of the pantry.
The pantry she had longed for.
Shelly closed her eyes. Mortified, all she could say was "I'm so sorry."
Shelly told me this story a week after it happened. I was speaking at her church's women's conference, sharing my research on the inner thoughts, needs and fears of men. I shared that men want above all to please those who matter most to them-especially a wife or girlfriend-but privately doubt themselves and are deeply sensitive as to whether they are doing a good job. So when women start a sentence with "Why did you. . .?," men hear, "Why did you do that, you dodo?"
Shelly's story is a perfect example of how easy it is to think, "You dodo." Not think, "There must be a good reason for this-even if I don't see it at this moment." Instead, like many of us, she was quick to assume there wasn't a good reason, that he didn't do a good job. And she verbalized those damaging thoughts.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us to be careful to only say things that are useful for building others up. While this applies to everyone in our lives, if we are married, it's especially vital to practice with our husbands.
Most situations with the men in our lives aren't as extreme as Shelly's experience. But versions of this scenario happen often. "Why did you give the kids juice instead of milk?" "Why did you take that road instead of this one?" "Why did you choose that strategy for the business deal?" We may protest that it is a harmless question, but all too often, it is code for "What were you thinking!?" Which itself is code for "You obviously weren't thinking."
The reality is, the reverse is usually true. Eighty-two percent of men surveyed say they always think things through ... and purposefully consider the reaction of their wife or girlfriend before making a decision.
The next time you are confounded by your husband, instead of a rash reaction, slow down and remind yourself: his heart is probably in the right place and his choices are likely made with that in mind. And if you need help ... just remember the pantry.
Dear Jesus, forgive me for being quick to judge and assume the worst about the man in my life. Please teach me to slow down and listen to him, and [if married] to trust in his love. In Your Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Revised and updated For Women Only book and DVD study by Shaunti Feldhahn.
Visit Shaunti's website and blog for more relationship building resources.
Proverbs 31 Ministries' Facebook page offers encouragement and truth each day. Join our community by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
If you are married, take time to think through, pray and reflect on the fundamental assumptions and expectations you have in regards to your husband. Choose to honor and respect your husband in your thoughts and words.
Whenever you think, "Why did you ...?" say instead, "Honey, I'm confused, could you help me understand what your reason was?" You might be surprised at how often he was thinking things through-including honoring you.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:33, "Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband." (NASB)
© 2013 by Shaunti Feldhahn. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 21, 2013
What Tempts You?
Van Walton
"... But if you refuse to do what is right, watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7b (NLT)
My friend Wendy brought her children and their friends to my house for several hours of play in the backyard pool. Wendy and I chatted while the children entertained themselves.
Young Griffin played for a while, but then his curious mind led him away from the pool. He wasn't interested in the games the other children wanted to play. Following his heart, he crept out of the pool and found purpose strolling around the yard.
For a few minutes he handed branches to my husband who was doing yard work. Then he picked up a rake. In no time he began to change the landscape to create a little "home" for my dog. First he cleared a path, then he piled leaves creating a soft bed. Finally, he set stones in place creating a protected space for the food dish and water bowl.
What an industrious boy! He amazed me with his vision, strength, and positive attitude. I wanted him to come live with me - surely his presence would keep the atmosphere in my home lively. I remember thinking, "What a good boy!"
When he completed his project he asked, "Would you like to see what I did?" In single-file we followed him, listening attentively as he pointed out each accomplished task.
Then I spotted it. I never expected to find what I stumbled upon while admiring my newly landscaped yard. My delighted heart turned to dread, for there surrounding all of Griffin's hard work ... was poison ivy! My stomach flip-flopped.
Without suspecting, Griffin had walked through a bed of nasty plants. Never mind that he was involved in good works or that he had done nothing wrong. He hadn't purposefully stepped into a dangerous place. It just so happened that the vine had crawled along the ground, hid under dead leaves and climbed tree trunks, all the while camouflaged by other clingy vegetation.
I grabbed Wendy and told her to get Griffin into the tub. Mixing a concoction we hoped would bring relief from days of dreadful itching, we doused that innocent boy. We rid him of any residue that might leave its painful mark.
The encounter with the poison ivy reminded me that we step out each day with a plan to accomplish goals. We may set out to do good things, to change the world, and to serve others. But Scripture warns us we must be on our guard.
Genesis 4:7b tells us sin crouches outside our door, waiting to trip us up, grab hold of us and spread its poison all over our best-laid plans.
We need to recognize what potential sin lurks around us. You could bring dinner to a friend who just had a baby and see how her husband dotes on her. Envy pounces on you and takes hold of your heart. Or maybe you invite a co-worker who has been down to lunch. Your innocent conversation turns to gossip about other office members.
Even a minor brush with sin can leave its poisonous mark. That's why we have to be on guard and control sin before it controls us.
To get rid of the poison ivy in my yard I took the best approach. I tore it out of the ground by its roots. The same is true for sin. Even with the best intentions, sin hurts us. The good news is, whether we brush up against it accidentally or intentionally step into it, God offers an effective means of healing. We can bring our injured hearts to Him, confess our part in the sin, and ask Him to rid us of the toxins.
Thankfully, God is the best "gardener" when it comes to keeping our hearts safe. No matter what "poison ivy" lurks, He's ready with a remedy of His wisdom when we ask for it. And His forgiveness for when temptation turns to sin.
Dear Lord, You have taught me many lessons about sin. I know its seriousness, and how it prowls around seeking to destroy me. I know first-hand how easily we can fall prey to its creepy deception. Please forgive my sins and give me the wisdom to recognize sin ahead of time and flee. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog.
Little Halos is a teaching tool for parents created by Van.
Reading and memorizing Scripture is a great deterrent from sin. The Proverbs 31 Ministries' team has unpacked verses through devotions interspersed throughout the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Reflect and Respond:
Soldiers prepare for the enemy by learning their foe's tactics. Take time to recognize the schemes of the enemy.
In what areas does Satan tempt you and into what sins do you easily fall?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 7:1b, "... let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (NASB)
Titus 2:14, "He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." (NLT)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 22, 2013
Dented and Damaged
Carol Davis
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
I walked down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain. It's always hit and miss in this store ... and I had missed ... again.
Before giving up and accepting defeat, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. The sign read: "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels ... no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. I knew just how that felt.
Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks bruise us, dent us and remove the label that we believe defines who we are. A miscarriage strips away the title of mother. A divorce takes away the role of wife. A pink slip eliminates our role of employee.
We can feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. With enough dents and damage, we can believe the lie that we are first-class failures and all hope is gone.
Shaking myself from my theological musings, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the counter with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal ... peaches!!! I let out a schoolgirl squeal! I love peaches!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits. The can was damaged but the contents were still good ... and sweet.
God continued the lesson He began in the grocery store.
I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my labels missing and slapped on their own.
I've wanted to say, "Don't judge too quickly. My damage has not defined me. It is refining me." I may sometimes be at the bottom of life's bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom as He did for those that are proudly displayed on the top shelf. In fact, Psalm 34:18 reassures me that He is near to those who are crushed and broken. What a relief that is!
Look around. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods"? Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good and sweet. And while reaching out to them, take a good look around at how the Lord is near to you. Wrap yourself up in His presence. That is one label that can't be taken from us!
Dear Lord, my life hasn't turned out exactly like I thought it would. But, I know You can still use me. Please forgive me for labeling others and judging them by their outside circumstances instead of the work that You are doing in their hearts. Help me realize that we all have dents but that's what keeps us desperate for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Has damage from your past or present made you weary of stepping into God's call on your life? Don't let that hurt hold you back any longer. Join us at our She Speaks conference to be encouraged and equipped in writing, speaking and leading! Click here for more information.
For more encouragement on everyday life, visit Carol Davis' blog!
Reflect and Respond:
Write down all the life circumstances that have "dented" your heart. Ask God to use your dents and scratches for your good and His glory.
Have you been judged unfairly? How did that make you feel?
Power Verses:
Psalm 145:18, "The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth." (NLT)
Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners ..." (NIV)
© 2013 by Carol Davis. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 23, 2013
Sweating in Church
Lysa TerKeurst
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)
Recently, I was studying what causes people to feel spiritually frustrated. The two top reasons? Bible study and prayer. I get it.
I clearly remember being a young girl sitting in church sweating. People around me knew what they were doing! They instantly flipped to every verse in the Bible the preacher man referenced. But not me. I was more interested in counting the spit droplets that came flying out with his punctuated words.
I respected that man. But boy, could he get fired up and entertain this lost girl.
Others seemed all wrapped up and excited in what this preacher man and the Bible had to say. They'd shout loud, "Uh-huhs" and "Amens!" What was I missing?
And then there was my prayer life. Or the lack thereof. It's not that I didn't want to pray, but the whole concept of talking to God felt strange. I tried to copy the prayers of those who seemed to know they were doing more than talking to the air.
But then my quirky self would sneak in and leave me feeling foolish for what I'd just said to God. "Dear Lord, take this food to the nourishment of my body. (Good so far.) And if you could change the molecular structure of these cheesy fries to be like carrot sticks that sure would be the bomb-diggity." (Huh?)
Yes, I've come a long way since those days, but trust me when I say I'm still a work in progress. You could still trip me up in finding certain passages in the Bible. And I'm pretty sure you might still hear me say "bomb-diggity" in my prayers. But according to what Jesus taught in our key verse, Matthew 6:7-8, I think He's okay with that.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
For me, there are two keys to unlocking spiritual frustration with both my Bible study and my prayers:
Sincerity — coming to God without an agenda and honestly wanting Him to teach me.
Simplicity — talking to God as the loving Father He is.
Why do we make it all so complicated?
I think honest moments spent with God reading His Word, sharing our hearts, and listening for His instruction are quite perfect. No "just right" words or having to know exactly where every book in the Bible is. Just a pure heart simply and sincerely longing to know her God. Jesus might even say that's the bomb-diggity.
Dear Lord, thank You for hearing what is on my heart in the midst of both happiness and frustration. I don't want to make my relationship with You complicated, God, so please help me to come to You with honest thoughts and prayers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Did this devotion speak to you right where you are? If so, check out Lysa TerKeurst's book Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl for more encouragement as you deepen your relationship with God.
Be encouraged by Lysa every day! Click here to follow her on her Facebook page.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been feeling spiritually frustrated lately?
Take some time today to have an honest conversation with the Lord. It may even help you to first write down what you want to pray about, reflect on it, and then lift your prayers up to Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 4:1, "Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." (NIV)
Psalm 145:18, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 24, 2013
The Prescription Everyone Needs
Lynn Cowell
"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye." Proverbs 7:1-2 (NIV)
Constantly churning and aching, the pain in my daughter's stomach just wouldn't go away. From the time she was small she complained, but her doctor didn't seem to have a permanent solution.
After years of discomfort and searching for answers, we finally found a doctor who was able to pinpoint the problem: my daughter's body was sensitive to the foods she was eating. Even though her friends could eat anything, she couldn't correctly process common, everyday items. Sadly, what she was taking in and storing in her system was working against her, instead of working for her.
Based on the doctor's advice, my daughter completely changed the foods she eats. But that wasn't enough to maintain a pain-free body. She also was prescribed supplements to her diet daily. These build up a storehouse of helpful nutrients that keep my daughter's body healthy and whole. She's a new girl!
Like the daily supplements my daughter takes to build her up on the inside, the Bible tells us to do the same with God's Word. Proverbs 7:1 instructs us to "... keep my words and store up my commands within you."
One of the meanings for the word "commands" in the original Hebrew language is "prescription." My daughter needed a prescription of supplements; often we need one as well. Our hearts and minds have messages and thoughts coursing through them that have the potential to harm. These untrue messages are working against us, and we need God's Word as the healing prescription.
Here are just a few of His prescriptions that bring healing to me:
For low self-worth: Take Psalm 45:11, You are enthralling to Me!
For rejection: You are Mine, two times a day (Song of Solomon 6:3).
A messy life: You are perfect to Me, at breakfast, lunch and dinner (Song of Solomon 4:7).
When we store up God's commands and truths within us, we can access them quickly to take and combat ailments. He encourages us to not simply apply them like a quick ointment to a wound, but to "keep" His words. Cling to them and be secured by them.
Proverbs 7:2 contains the benefit to keeping God's words and storing up His commands within us. "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye." God promises that as we cling to and are secured by His Word, we will live. He will make us alive - preserve, refresh and rebuild our soul. I love how one of my study Bibles puts it: "Man gains life from God's words. Life is completely related to the Word of God" (Old Testament Lexical Aid Hebrew-Greek Bible).
Not only does God's Word heal today, it can prevent future ailments. His truth is our daily supplement, building us up so we can stand strong against those things that come to attack our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Whether you need healing or preventive measures, be intentional today to take God's Word as your prescription and store it deep within your heart.
Dear Lord, I am making a choice today to take Your prescription; giving my heart and body exactly what I need for my well-being today. Amen.
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life learn to keep and store up God's Word every day with Lynn Cowell's book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You.
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-Day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help her begin the pattern of time in God's Word each day.
Visit Lynn's website for the list of prescription verses every woman should know. She is also giving away a copy of Proverbs 31 Ministries' new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Reflect and Respond:
What ailment is your heart struggling with today?
You can use BibleGateway to help you find a verse for your prescription. Let's say you are struggling with trust. Once you get to the website, type in the word you are looking for in the search box. When "trust" was entered, Proverbs 3:5-6 came up: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:20-21, "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart." (NIV)
Proverbs 2:1, 5, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you ... then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 27, 2013
Birth, Behavior or Bloodline
Glynnis Whitwer
"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised' by those who call themselves 'the circumcision' (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:11-13 (NIV)
Some days I'm pleased with who I am. Some days I've really got it together. I start the day with some quiet time with just me and God. Normal morning hassles getting three kids ready don't bother me. Throughout the day I'm confident in my decisions and abilities.
Other days I exhaust and frustrate myself, especially when I'm not quite so pleasant. Annoyance starts with the first step out of bed if I've overslept, or woken up too early thinking about all I have to do. Graciousness evaporates as I allow life's demands to dictate my mood. Insecurities prompt defensiveness. Doubt overshadows faith.
One day I'm smiling and kind; the next day I'm scowling and grouchy. So which is the real me?
We can all struggle with wondering who we really are, especially when we fall short of who we really want to be. And when the answer seems to be different day-by-day, it's easy to give up even trying to change ... to be a better person.
To settle this question, I've had to dig deep. For I believe God wants me to know the answer. Knowing who I really am in God's eyes is a game changer. It changes my motivations, which changes my goals and inspires me to be consistent in who I am and how I act. God's truth about my identity serves as a filter for the world's lies and the judgment of others. It protects my heart from damage.
So where do we find this definition?
Are we defined by our birth? Are we who our parents are? Do their professional and personal successes or failures define us? Does it matter where we are born or to whom? Two of my children were born in an African war zone. Is that who they are?
Or are we defined by our behavior? For years I defined myself by achieving success and accomplishing tasks. The more checks to the left of the items on my to-do list, the better I felt.
There's a problem with both of these definitions. The first is out of my control. I have no say about where I was born or to whom. And it can give me a false sense of entitlement or discouragement. The second is undependable at best. Sometimes circumstances are out of control too. And even when my behavior is in my control, I can react from my human yuck-filled side.
Thankfully, there is another way to define ourselves. It's found in our bloodline as a child of God. A lineage that was bought for us through the death of Jesus as Ephesians 2 tells us. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
His sacrifice defines who we really are: Loved. Chosen. Treasured. Ransomed. Forgiven. Worth it. When I accept and believe these definitions for myself, I'm inspired to change. I believe it's possible.
Thankfully, we didn't have to be born in the "right" place, or behave "just so" to get this new identity. It's not based on our checkbook, scale or what our friends think of us. We receive it when we accept Christ as our Savior.
Birth, behavior or bloodline? I know which one truly defines me. Do you?
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for me, so that our relationship could be reconciled. Help me to remember that it's in Your bloodline that I find my true identify. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus? Accept Him as your Savior and find out more on your identity in Him by clicking here.
John 1:1 tells us "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [Jesus] was with God in the beginning." The best way to get to know Jesus—and discover our true identity—is by reading the Bible. Our team has come alongside you to unpack Scripture in the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 of our devotions. Pick up your copy by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
How would you act differently if your identity were found in Jesus' bloodline? If you truly knew you are loved, chosen, accepted?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 2:5-6a, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." (NIV)
Romans 3:23-25a, "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 28, 2013
I Can't Forgive Myself
Suzie Eller
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
The workshop had ended. Most of the moms had left the room while she fidgeted with her bag. I could see she wanted to flee, but willpower and a great desire for freedom kept her feet rooted to the floor.
We sat down and she blurted out: "I've been told for years that when I forgive myself I'll be free. But I can't do it. I've tried."
I reached for her hands. "I've searched in Scripture. It's not there."
She looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Forgiving ourselves. It's not there.
There are a multitude of scriptures that show us how to offer forgiveness to others, as well as how to receive it. But none that asks us to remove the burdens from our own hearts.
Thankfully 1 John 1:9 offers a promise. When we hold up our sin before God, He is faithful and just to forgive all our sins.
Faithful to us? Yes, to us. But also faithful to who He is, and His plan for our forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as He bore our sin.
But it doesn't end there. You see, when we are forgiven, our sin is reframed. Yes it still happened. But God removes it from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We are seen as covered in mercy, spared from the punishment that was ours to take.
My new friend had been trying for years to do a job that wasn't hers. By trying and failing, she saw herself as shameful. That shame affected every aspect of her life: her relationships, her role as mom, and her faith as she tried to please God through service or acts, all the while seeing herself as "less than."
I asked her if she was willing to allow Christ to do what she had been unable to do for nearly a decade. Rather than forgive herself, would she accept the gift of forgiveness Christ so willingly offers?
Later that week I received an email from her. She shared that when she walked through the front door that night, her husband said, "Something's different about you."
It's been nearly three months since this young mom stopped trying to forgive herself, and scooped up the generous gift of God's grace instead. She is still surprised by the transformation. But more so, her family believes she found a miracle.
One that had been waiting for her all along.
Perhaps you carry shame. You've been trying to forgive yourself, but realize you can't undo the past. You've said you're sorry. You have changed. But the guilt or burden remains.
Hand that shame to your Savior today, and allow Him to hurl it as far as the east is from the west.
It's not your burden to carry any longer.
Dear Jesus, You paid a heavy price for my sin, and yet I am still carrying it as if it is mine to absolve. I have said I am sorry. I am changing. But this burden isn't mine to carry. Today I joyfully receive Your gift of mercy and grace, and see myself as washed clean because of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzanne Eller
Visit Suzanne's blog for a printable of scriptures to tuck away in your Bible and a link to a powerful radio interview she did on the subject of forgiving.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Imagine a child carrying a large boulder on his back. There's a sign on the side of the road that says, "Place all boulders here," but he passes it day after day, the burden weighing heavier and heavier. What would you say to that child?
Today, speak to your own heart as a child of God through these scriptures.
• God desires to carry my burden (Psalm 55:22)
• My Savior paid a dear price for my shame (Colossians 1:13-14)
• God set me free, so today I will be free (Galatians 5:1)
• My God sees me through His love, so I will see myself that way, too (Psalm 103:12)
Power Verses:
Psalm103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (NAS)
Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 29, 2013
He Cares About You
Renee Swope
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
When life gets overwhelming, do you ever wonder if God notices all you have going on? Does He see how hard you're working and trying to take care of everyone and everything? Staying up late to pay the bills, and feeling stretched between relationships at home and in church while caring for aging parents, commuting to work and carpooling kids?
Several years ago, I came to a point where it felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my many responsibilities. Slowly, worry started to weave its way into my thoughts, making me wonder how I was going to do it all.
I was exhausted and ready to resign from just about everything. I didn't have enough energy to handle it all. My faith was drained too, which led me to a place of self-doubt. I questioned my ability to manage my life and doubted my ability to hear God clearly or fulfill all the roles I assumed He wanted me to do.
And all those worries made me weary, and they also made me wonder. I wondered if God noticed and cared about the burdens I carried. I also questioned why He wasn't doing something to make life easier. After all, my days were consumed with doing things for Him and others.
One day I was reading my Bible and noticed how Martha's worries were making her wonder if Jesus cared about her. Martha's sister Mary had left her in the kitchen to do all the work while Mary sat in another room listening to Jesus. The Bible tells us, "She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'" (Luke 10:40b NIV)
Listen to how Jesus responded: "'Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her'" (v. 41-42 NIV).
In that moment, Jesus showed Martha just how much He cared. Not just about how hard she was working, but about the rest He knew she needed. Instead of giving her what she demanded, Jesus showed Martha what she needed and the choice she could make to receive it.
Jesus helped Martha see that Mary hadn't abandoned her to do the work by herself. Instead, Mary chose to walk away from distractions and preparations so she could take hold of something that couldn't be taken away from her.
It was the one thing that would last even after Jesus was gone: time with Him resting in His presence, soaking in His perspective, and listening to His promises.
1 Peter 5:7 says to "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."
As I read this verse and Martha's story, I saw the difference between what God offers and what I had been doing. I was carrying the heavy weight of my concerns but Jesus had invited me to come to Him and cast my cares upon Him, so that He could care for me.
When I do all the talking and instructing, God doesn't have a chance. Instead of telling Him what I needed, He showed me how to say, "Lord, this is what's on my mind. This is what I'm worried about." And then stop and ask, "But Lord, what is going on in my heart? What are Your thoughts about this situation? What do I need and what should I do?"
As I'm learning to give my concerns to God, my heart is growing more confident in knowing just how much He cares about me. With this new approach, my burdens are lighter and my heart is too.
Jesus, help me seek You as much as I serve You and others. I want to balance my life and my workload with You, knowing with confidence that You care about me and are good at taking care of me! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
In her life-changing book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope offers powerful biblical insights woven into personal stories and applicable truths, teaching us how to overcome daily doubts and live with lasting "God-fidence." Click here to buy a copy.
When you purchase A Confident Heart through Proverbs 31 Ministries from now through June 10th, you will receive a signed copy from Renee with a prayed over and personal Scripture too.
Visit Renee's website to find out how you can receive over $40 in A Confident Heart resources for FREE, as well as a chance to win our new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women!
Reflect and Respond:
Some time today, even if it's as you are putting your head on your pillow, talk to the Lord. "Lord, this is what's on my mind. This is what I'm worried about."
Then ask, "Lord, what is going on in my heart? What are Your thoughts about this situation? What do I need and what should I do?"
Power Verse:
Psalm 55:22, "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." (NLT)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 30, 2013
Comparisons Stink
Lysa TerKeurst
"If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load." Galatians 6:3-5 (NIV)
Comparisons stink. They do.
Just when I think I've gotten to a good place in some area of my life, along comes someone or something that seems better in comparison. And my confidence shrinks back, takes the hand of doubt, and starts ransacking the peace right out of my heart and mind.
I know deep down that God can and will use everything for good in my life, even my areas of vulnerability. But honest to goodness, it's hard on a girl's heart.
Not too long ago, I was in a situation where something I'm very self-conscious about was magnified when compared to others' near-perfection. I was at the beach with several friends who have dancer's legs. And by dancer, I mean like twenty-year-old, ballerina-perfection legs.
I guess you could say I have dancer legs too if you are referring to the dancing hippo from Madagascar.
Apparently, long, lean legs just aren't in my genetic makeup, even though I can eat healthy and exercise every bit as much as my ballerina-like friends.
So there I was on the beach. Comparing my vulnerable place to their perceived strength.
And in the private space of my most inner thoughts, I cried. I found myself feeling defeated and convinced that this area will always be a struggle for me.
Oh, I can make progress, for sure. Heaven knows, I do work on it. And most days, I see how God is using this all for good. But when comparison sneaks in, it can be hard. Worse than hard. It can just quite simply make me forget all the strengths I do have.
And when I forget, my heart shifts. I stop being thankful and instead become consumed by that thing I don't have.
Satan will always try to point out what's "wrong" to block out all that is right. And his whispers sound pretty convincing sometimes.
But that's a dangerous place to park your mind.
It's moments like these I find myself needing to soak in the truths of our key verses, Galatians 6:3-5, "If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load."
As I thought more about that day on the beach, I realized I wasn't prayed up. Knowing I might have some comparison issues, I should have asked God to help keep my focus on Him. Instead, I just found myself wallowing—and wallowing isn't of the Lord. Amen? Amen!
I share this because you need to know that we all struggle. I'm on a journey of learning. Just like you.
And I desperately need God's truth to bump into my weaknesses every single day. Only then can I get out of the shadow of doubt and into the life-giving reality of who God has made me to be. And see it as good. Not perfect. Not even close. But good. And good is good.
Dear Lord, forgive me for all of the times I've compared myself to others. I know that You have hand-picked all of my qualities. Help me to see these things as beautiful reminders of Your great love in creating me as Your daughter. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress is just for you! Click here to purchase your copy.
For more daily encouragement, visit Lysa's Facebook page!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Reflect on our key verse and power verse today. Then, think of an encouraging truth you can use to remind yourself of your own God-given talents and character traits. The next time you catch your mind swarming with comparisons, you'll have a plan to cling to!
Power Verses:
Romans 12:6-8, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
May 31, 2013
God, Are You Enough?
Melissa Taylor
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV 1984)
God, are You enough? It's a question my circumstances bring me to quite often.
Over a lifetime I've concluded not only is God enough, but He has to be enough.
It takes effort on my part to make sure my heart is staying in this truth.
As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad moved out of our home when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand then how God could ever heal my broken heart. So I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better.
Nothing was enough to meet my needs. Nothing worked.
As I grew older, I moved from being a Christian who simply believed, to becoming a Christian actively seeking and following Jesus. That was when my life began to change.
Because I was having direct conversations with God through prayer and consistently reading His Word, my faith grew. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask one question: "God, are You enough?"
When a friend betrays me, "God, are You enough?"
When I need to forgive what seems unforgivable, "God, are You enough?"
When my child has issues out of my control, "God, are You enough?"
When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, "God, are You enough?"
When my mom is dying of cancer, "God, are You enough?"
When others don't recognize my value, "God, are You enough?"
When I struggle professionally, "God, are You enough?"
When someone I love uses words to hurt me, "God, are You enough?"
When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, "God, are You enough?"
When my past haunts me, "God, are You enough?"
When my health declines, "God, are You enough?"
When I am let down and disappointed in my life, "God, are You enough?"
Every time I asked "God, are You enough?" I opened my Bible and began reading, verse by verse. Though my doubts were strong in the beginning, God's Word started to silence the thoughts paralyzing me.
Through promises fulfilled and promises given in Scripture, I discovered the answer was always the same when I asked: "God, are You enough?"
Yes, He is.
Nothing here on earth is guaranteed, except for one thing: Jesus is with us always. And when we understand who He is, our doubts begin to disappear.
The Bible tells us Jesus is sufficient; He's enough. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (NIV 1984). I discovered this to be true. Every need, every doubt, every inadequacy, every fear was met, answered and removed by Jesus.
If I lost everything, I'd be okay because no one can take away my Jesus. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or in a tent on the side of a swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and find my Jesus.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lie God is not enough. Instead, ask yourself, "God, are You enough for me?" Then plant His Word deep in your heart so you'll always have the ready answer, that yes He is. He is enough for me, for you. Ours is the God who "... will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
Dear Lord, help me to realize and remember the secret to being content in all circumstances is You. Help me to be aware of Your presence in my life at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Scripture reassures us over and over that God is enough. Read over His truths in the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries' writers.
Visit Melissa Taylor's blog for real hope for real life.
Reflect and Respond:
Honestly assess if God is enough in your life. Do you find yourself needing or wanting more? Remind yourself that God knows you inside and out. He loves you no matter what and He always will.
Is there a situation in your life you need to turn over to the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, " For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness." (ESV)
Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 3, 2013
Who Do You Want to Be?
Lynn Cowell
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Remember when you were younger, family and friends would ask, "What do you want to do when you grow up?"
My answer would change each school year.
In 3rd grade, I wanted to do puppeteering. My mom was my hero when she signed me up for the puppet class at the library! Fourth grade brought change. Sketch pads were filled with my amateur drawings of figures doing life together. As I grew, so did my aspirations of what I wanted to do as an adult.
While I enjoyed the attention the "growing up" question gave, I really wish someone had asked me a different question. Instead of emphasizing what I wanted to do, how powerful it would have been if grown ups had asked, "Who do you want to be?"
The great thing is, it's not too late to ask myself this question. And I'm old enough to know where to find the perfect answer.
Galatians 5:22-23 describes many characteristics of a godly woman: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Bible describes these as the "fruit of the Spirit." They start in seed form when God's Spirit enters our heart, and they grow and develop with care and attention to the things of the Lord.
They're cultivated by reading the Bible, praying and listening to the Lord, and living them out. The more I practice them, the more I become them—and the woman God wants me to be.
Now, I am no longer the one being asked, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" Instead, I have the opportunity to be the one asking. My daughters, ages 18 and 16, are just around the corner from living out their own adult lives. Posing the question to them, "Who do you want to be?" is so much more important than "What do you want to do?"
Do you want to be one who loves the least and the lost? What fruit of the Spirit do you want to be known for ... the girl with joy even in the struggles? The faithful friend who was loyal no matter what the cost?
By asking our kids these types of questions, we're teaching them to care more about their character than their career. When we do, we empower them that no matter what they do, they have developed a character they feel confident about.
Today, I'm going to ask my children: "Who do you want to be when you grow up?" If they can't come up with words on their own, I'll offer some help. The fruit of the Spirit is the perfect place to start: loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, full of kindness and goodness, faithful, gentle and self-controlled.
Dear Lord, help me care more about my character than my career and to be more intentional about who I am rather than what I do. Give me words to teach Your wisdom on how to live a life that honors You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Is this a message you would want the girls in your community to hear? Contact Proverbs 31 Ministries and have Lynn Cowell come share this message with those near you.
His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You and Devotions for a Revolutionary Year by Lynn is for girls ages 13 to 18. These two resources will help the girl in your life make wise choices. It is a great study for moms and daughters to bond over too!
Visit Lynn's website where she is giving away an "I am" bracelet, as well as signed copies of her books His Revolutionary Love and Devotions for a Revolutionary Year.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
In the next 24 hours, look for an opportunity to ask your child, or someone you love, "Who do you want to be when you grow up?"
Before you ask, think of who you want to be (based on the fruit of the Spirit) so you can have a sharing time together.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 4, 2013
Feeding Your Family a Feast
Zoe Elmore
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children." Titus 2:3-4 (NIV)
Mothers-in-law are often the source of unflattering jokes. But my mother-in-law, Catherine, was the furthest thing from a punch line.
Catherine was a spiritual giant wrapped up in a tiny 4-foot-10-inch bundle of sunshine. Down-to-earth, kind, and unpretentious. She modeled the woman we are urged to be in Titus 2.
When you entered her home you were greeted with warm hugs and the aroma of her latest creation wafting from her tiny kitchen. She was one of the best cooks I ever met. Preparing food never seemed arduous or tedious for Catherine.
She took great pleasure in feeding her family, spending days preparing a sumptuous dinner just to have it consumed in moments. Empty plates and platters were her delight. Sending home leftovers were her bliss. Before the meal we all would bow our heads to hear her words of blessing and gratitude.
Catherine's spiritual life was a lot like those meals. It was satisfying and full of nourishment. She poured the Word of God into our lives as easily as she filled our glasses with sweet tea.
Toward the end of her life, she broke her wrist and needed personal care. It was my privilege to assist her with bathing and dressing each morning. After I feed her breakfast, I'd sit on the floor at her feet while she fed me from Scripture. My mother-in-law recited her favorite verses from memory and read to me from her daily devotion book. Her prayers were like honey, sweet with remembrances of God's goodness and faithfulness to her. Those prayers were infused with gratitude for His enduring strength and perfumed with her love for Jesus.
The angels surely paused long enough to add an amen!
I used to wonder how she managed to turn out delectable meals from her small kitchen and how she became a professional at serving up God's Word to her family.
She told me, "Honey, it all begins on your knees. If you spend enough time with my Jesus, He will teach you everything you need to know about feeding your family."
Not long after Catherine went to be with Jesus, I found this "recipe for life" in her belongings.
Begin with a case of Joy
Add a heaping spoonful of Gratitude
Fold in a large dollop of Kindness
Stir in a handful of Forgiveness
Sprinkle liberally with Love and cover with Peace
Always serve with a large side of Faith
(Author unknown)
Warm angel biscuits and sweet tea aren't the only things I miss about my mother-in-law. I miss the fresh servings of prayer she whispered while feeding her family and the filling scriptures she served in our conversations around her table.
Yes, her kitchen now sits quiet and dark, but her family is feasting on her spiritual legacy of love for God and His Word.
Dear Lord, help me to be a wife and mom who feeds her family from the kitchen and from Your Word. May I leave a legacy for those You've entrusted in my care. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Zoe Elmore as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Zoe's blog for more encouraging ideas on feeding your family from God's Word.
Taste and see the Lord is good by reading His Word! Sit down with Proverbs 31 Ministries' devotion writing team as they serve up devotions that teach from the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Introduce little ones to Bible stories with the fun-to-play Bible Memory Game.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Try the "saltshaker encouragement" over dinner tonight. Each member of the family takes a turn at holding the saltshaker. Every other person at the table should share one thing they will pray for the person holding the saltshaker.
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:2-3, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (NIV)
© 2013 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 5, 2013
When Fear Paralyzes Your Faith
Renee Swope
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)
As I crawled in bed, fear came over me. My husband was out of town for work and I was afraid to go to sleep. Fear had become a constant companion during his nights away.
I needed to trust God, but I didn't. I went through the motions of what I knew I should do: pray, read scriptures, and tape verses to my bedside table and bathroom mirror. But there was also a phone on my pillow, and a neighborhood directory and Bible next to the bed.
One night I took it a step further. I put toys on the stairs to trip possible burglars, brought my children into my room to sleep with me, and moved the dresser in front of the bedroom door.
Still fear kept me awake. I thought I was controlling my circumstances, but instead fear had taken control of me. Frustrated I still couldn't sleep, I opened the Bible and read these familiar words:
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:1-2).
That night God showed me something I'd never seen: my fears were like flames and my efforts to protect myself were like gasoline. Every feeble attempt to ease my fears was like pouring fuel on the fire, and now fear was consuming me. Gently, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God had not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
The only way I would overcome fear was by walking through it.
I had to put away the props in which I'd placed my faith and go to bed trusting God, realizing that even if my fears came true He would be with me. Crawling out of bed, I started putting everything away. The dresser went back in place. My kids went back to their rooms and I went to sleep without my phone on the pillow.
For me, it was like walking through the flames of fear, doing what God was calling me to do–to fear not. And you know what? I slept better than I had in weeks.
Fear lost its power when I actively put trust in God's promises.
To be free from fear so we can walk in faith, we have to hold on to God's truths, replacing our natural ways with the steps He offers to guide us.
Let's ask God to show us fears that paralyze our faith and keep us from living confidently in His peace and freedom. And then let's give God a chance to come though for us as we courageously walk through our fears, holding God's hand and trusting His heart to lead, protect, and preserve us each step of the way.
Dear Jesus, help me walk through my fears by facing them instead of being paralyzed by them. I want to take Your hand and trust Your heart with all that is within me. Give me courage today to take the first step. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Could you use the encouragement of a friend to help you overcome your fears? In her life-changing book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope will walk you through a powerful process of identifying and overcoming any fears and insecurities so that you can live with confidence and courage!
When you purchase A Confident Heart through Proverbs 31 Ministries from now through June 10th, you will receive a signed copy from Renee with a prayed over and personal Scripture too.
Visit Renee's website to find out how you can also receive over $40 in A Confident Heart resources for FREE, as well as a chance to win our new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women!
Reflect and Respond:
Are there fears that paralyze your faith or hinder your everyday life? Ask God to show you one step to take today to walk through a fear that keeps you from trusting God completely.
Power Verse:
Psalm 34:4, "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 6, 2013
Don't Kick the Anthill
Lysa TerKeurst
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." Proverbs 14:8 (NIV)
I stood at the dirt mound watching ants. They were busy. I was not.
The afternoon had been slow for me. Several of my friends had been invited to the community pool. Another friend was at camp for the week. Even my last resort, the pigtailed aggravation that lived in the apartment below, was busy. "She's napping," her mom had informed me.
I walked away thinking, She's six years old. Only two years younger than me and she still takes naps? That's the awfullest thing a mom could do to her child. And this is the awfullest afternoon ever.
I sat on the swing of the little playground behind our apartment complex. I scuffed the toes of my red sneakers, making lines in the dirt as I moved slowly back and forth. If a child could have died from boredom, I felt quite terminal at that moment.
Then I spotted the anthill.
I walked over and stood there. Just about the time I was thinking about how lucky all those ants were to have so many friends, I heard a scratchy little voice call out to me.
"I bet you won't stick your foot through that anthill." Pigtail girl had woken up from her afternoon slumber. And for heaven's sake I would not, could not, be shamed by a girl who still took naps.
I knew in my mind I shouldn't kick the anthill. I knew in my heart I shouldn't kick the anthill. And I knew deep down in my soul I shouldn't kick the anthill. Every part of me knew I should walk away from the anthill.
But some silly part of my mouth betrayed me.
"Yes I will!" I declared as I kicked my foot into the middle of ant Hades.
It didn't take long to feel as if someone had lit 1,000 needles on fire and stabbed me mercilessly.
Since that day I haven't kicked an anthill. At least not in the literal sense.
But I have gotten myself into situations where I invited trouble into my life that just didn't need to be there. Especially in the area of saying yes to something I absolutely should say no to.
I will know in my mind I should say no. I will know in my heart I should say no. I will know deep down in my soul I should say no.
But then my mouth will betray me, "Yes, of course I will do that."
And then?
The sting of the three D's comes ...
Dread — As I write yet another thing on my schedule, I feel the weight of overload.
Disappointment — In order to make this happen, I will disappoint someone.
Drama — Dread and disappointment will ratchet my emotions to a tipping point. A tipping point that's not healthy for me or those with whom I do life.
Here's what I'm trying to preach to myself: Just because I can do something doesn't mean I should do it.
I kicked the anthill that day for three reasons ... I thought it proved I was something. I thought it would impress nap girl. And I didn't think through the cost beforehand.
Proverbs 14:8 says, "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways." As a little girl on the playground, I was neither wise nor prudent. Thankfully I know now that God's wisdom is readily available.
I've learned that if I pause before making an impulsive choice, and ask God what to do, He will answer. In fact, He's given me some questions to ask myself that help me determine whether something is an assignment from Him or an anthill that will get me into trouble.
Before saying yes to one more thing on my schedule, I ask myself:
Am I trying to prove something?
Am I trying to impress someone?
Have I thought through the cost of saying yes?
It's not bad to say yes to opportunities. But we really should give thought to our ways and consider whether this is an assignment or an anthill.
Take the assignment if it's yours. But don't kick the anthills.
Dear Lord, I'm asking for Your guidance as I discern assignments from anthills. Thank You for Your direction. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst's writing her new book, and it's all about the importance of decision-making! Click here for a sneak peek.
For more daily encouragement, visit Lysa's Facebook page!
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Write down the three questions above. Then, the next time you're tempted to add something to your calendar, process your decision through those questions.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 30:21, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 7, 2013
What Were You Thinking?
Samantha Evilsizer
"Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven't his envoys come to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?" 1 Chronicles 19:3b (NIV)
A sepia tint covers the photograph of her sunscreen-lathered face at the beach. This same coloring alters the picture he took of the dinner he made last night, and discolors their new puppy in the snapshot of him snoozing at the foot of the bed.
Everywhere I look—Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr—photographs are edited with a yellowish-brown filter to create a vintage look. I appreciate the artistry of it, but what happened to the bright vivid colors? Why does faded yellow get to layer itself over the clear blue eyes of a sweet child, making her appear like someone she's not? Or discolor the true pinks and oranges of a fabulous sunset, giving it a different appearance than it truly has?
I've used the sepia filter when editing photographs. But I'm ready to see things as they really are. Not just with photographs, but in real life.
For far too long I've colored things based on my fancies, moods or ideas, just like the men in 1 Chronicles 19 did. You see, King David, being kind, sent out a group of his men to console another king whose father had just died. But when the king's men saw David's group approaching, they assumed the worst.
In verse 3 we get a snapshot of their conversation with their king: "Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven't his envoys come to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?" (1 Chronicles 19:3b NIV).
Their suspicion and assumptions about David's intentions led them to treat David's men poorly, which started a war between the two countries ... all because these soldiers colored David in an unfair and incorrect light.
If I'm honest, I can do this quite easily myself.
When my husband says he prefers broccoli to carrots, I've read between the lines and inferred he means I can't cook yummy carrots. I'm no Julia Child, so this perceived jab adds to my insecurity. My assumptions lead my emotions, and before I know it, I've cooked up an internal battle between fact and fiction. Rather than suspecting my husband's words contain a hidden meaning, I'm learning to take them at face value.
It can happen beyond our home too. When we hear of a friend's party—that we aren't invited to—it can be easy to conclude they don't really like us. We pull away from our friend, causing a rift. It may be tempting to talk about the suspected snub with other friends who weren't invited either, causing more division. But the truth is, an intimate dinner party is just that, intimate: small and reserved for a few. Instead of coloring the lack of an invitation with malicious intent, it'd be best to step back and see the bigger picture of a smaller gathering.
Layering life with thoughts that discolor other's true intentions is easy to do.
But only God knows what a person is thinking. If we want to know, we have to ask for clarity and set aside the thoughts our imaginations conjure up (2 Corinthians 10:5). Instead of being easily offended, we can overlook another's actions and offer a way to create harmony (Proverbs 19:11).
Negative assumptions almost always lead to war: either with others, or within ourselves. Let's commit to believing the best, before assuming the worst. And see through a different filter: the truth of God's Word. That's true blue (not yellow!).
Dear Lord, please help me not infer more than what is said. And if I have questions, please give me the words to ask for clarity. So in all things, You will be lifted high. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Maybe you've struggled with knowing God's true intentions toward you. All you need to know about His character and heart is written in His Word. The new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is full of God's truth and inspirational devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team.
For more hope and encouragement, visit our Facebook page.
Samantha Evilsizer shares about inferring more than is said on her blog. Visit today!
Reflect and Respond:
Do you readily jump to conclusions without substantiation?
What will happen in your heart and relationships when you choose to believe the best and take others at their word? Is there anything you need to ask for clarification on from a friend or family member?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
Proverbs 19:11, "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." (ESV)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 10, 2013
But Then I Let Go
Suzie Eller
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31a (NIV)
I used to have a fear of heights. I think it has something to do with the fact that my dad held my little brother over the Grand Canyon when he was three, and I was 10. I completely panicked, thinking my brother would tumble over the side and be gone forever.
Regardless of how it arrived, the fear was real.
My son bought a zip lining package for two on sale so I could put a checkmark on my bucket list next to "get over fear of heights." When we arrived, I noticed several towers, zigzagging zip lines and people harnessed in a series of straps and buckles. My heart immediately went into overdrive when we were asked to climb a moderately high tower.
The higher I climbed, the more my brain informed me that I was afraid. Yet I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. Up, up, up!
My son flew from one tower to the next with ease. Then I stepped up. The platform was tiny. One inch in front of me there was nothing between me and the ground, hundreds of feet below.
I put my gloved hands on the zip line. Everything in me was screaming to turn around and go back to solid ground. But then I let go ...
.... and it was exhilarating.
I soared through the air and slid in semi-smoothly to the tower where my son fist-pumped in the air with a "Way to go, Mom!"
I wish my fear of heights was the only challenge I've ever faced, but sometimes God asks me to do something that seems just as impossible. That happens when He leads me into the harder parts of my faith.
That looks different for all of us, but for me it was to forgive those who had hurt me in my past. God was nudging me to soar, but in order to do that I had to let go and trust that He knew what was ahead.
Perhaps His request goes against how we feel, or it just doesn't feel possible in the natural. But when we choose zip line faith, we learn to release or overcome things that might otherwise keep us trapped.
Is zip line faith (going down the harder paths of obedience) easy? No, it might challenge you. It might take you way outside your comfort zone. It might even cause you to fall down a few times as you practice. But you do grow through it, sometimes in surprising ways.
A few weeks after my zip lining experience I was in a high-rise hotel. I stepped out on to the balcony because I heard music below. Peering over the edge, I watched a wedding in process.
And then it hit me. I wasn't afraid!
Before I zip lined, I couldn't have stood near the edge of the balcony, and I definitely wouldn't have peered over to the scene beneath. Stepping off that ledge and soaring to the next tower helped me to overcome a fear I thought was too big to conquer.
Maybe I'm not ready to bungee jump ... yet. But my zip line experience showed me that my fears, though valid, didn't have the power to hold me back forever.
Whatever God is speaking into your heart today, are you willing to climb up, up, up as you follow Him into the harder (and freeing!) parts of zip line faith?
Dear Jesus, my heart longs to soar. Thank You in advance for walking with me through the tougher parts of my faith, and for dancing in celebration with me as I climb over that mountain to soar to the other side! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the One who can set you free from fear?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for pics of her zip lining adventure, and a giveaway of her book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness that shares step-by-step how God helps us to soar free through forgiving.
NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible with devos from the Proverbs 31 Ministries team, including Suzie Eller.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Write down the one thing you feel God is asking you to do.
1. Does it line up with Scripture?
2. What is your greatest fear about this assignment?
3. What might you gain if you take a step of faith?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 3:16, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (NIV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 11, 2013
When the Pressure Crushes You
Glynnis Whitwer
"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself ... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Corinthians 1:8b, 9b (NIV)
It seemed pressure came from every direction. It was unrelenting. Financial pressures brought worry. Children issues brought frustration. And an overloaded schedule kept me up at night. It got so bad I wanted to have a bonfire with all my to-do lists and make s'mores.
Being a naturally self-sufficient person, my instincts led me to work harder. How could I make more money? What new parenting technique would make this child behave? If I pulled an all-nighter could I knock my emails down to a manageable number?
I picked up the pace. Buckled down. Slept less. Instituted logical consequences for my child. And re-wrote my to-do lists. I was determined to pull myself together. After all, that's who I am ... at least that's who I was.
In the past, my Lone Ranger attempts at managing circumstances worked. But not this time.
Debts mounted. My child's problems increased. And consequently, I fell further behind. The pressure just kept increasing instead of going away.
Never in my life had circumstances been so overwhelmingly beyond my control. I was surrounded by things I couldn't whip into shape, including my own emotions. I felt like such a failure, and was so ashamed that I couldn't manage the assignments God had given me. Finally, with no solutions in sight, I broke down before God, crying out in desperation, certain He'd be as disappointed with me as I was.
After all, I was the girl He was supposed to be able to count on. I was the dependable one. And here I was falling apart.
With my emotions a tangled mess, I poured out all my fears, weakness, and insecurities to God. Even my prayers seemed jumbled and incoherent. And in the midst of my tears, I declared "I can't even pray right!" Never had I needed God more. Well, to be honest, never had I really needed God.
In the aftermath of my breakdown, something started to change in me. It was subtle, kind of like the dawn, when pitch black moments start to take shape.
My self-sufficiency was slipping, being replaced by God-dependency. Peace snuck in where I didn't expect it. Circumstances didn't change, but my understanding did. God never needed to depend on me ... rather I was to depend on Him.
Although I'd been a Christian for many years, and loved and followed God with what I thought was all my heart, it seemed I'd held something back. In the midst of that pressure-cooker time, I realized believing in God isn't the same as trusting Him. God used pressure that felt crushing to lead me to dependence that felt freeing.
Recently I read a passage in 1 Corinthians that perfectly summarized what God taught me during that time: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself ... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us" (vv. 8b, 9b-10)
Pressure in life is never easy. But God can use it to take our faith deeper if we let Him. It started for me by admitting my insufficiency, and realizing God wasn't disappointed by that confession. In fact, He invites me to need Him.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all the times I've said "I don't need You" through my actions. I admit I can't manage my life alone, and need Your help. Thank You for being all-sufficient and all-powerful and loving me enough to never shame me for what I can't manage. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try Hard Life by Emily Freeman
For daily encouragement, join our Facebook community.
Reflect and Respond:
What is your typical reaction when facing a problem?
If you knew without a doubt that God would help in your time of need, how would that change things for you?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (NIV)
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 12, 2013
A Better Way Than My Own
Van Walton
"The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me." Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
When I was five years old, my mother took me to kindergarten in the middle of the school year. She prepared me for my new adventure by promising fun and many new friends. Fighting tug-of-war emotions, anticipation pulling against apprehension, I entered the room full of children.
While acclimating to my new environment, I decided to speed up the making-a-lot-of-friends process. Eager to be accepted, I couldn't wait to be noticed and included. I devised an interesting plan that would have every kindergartener eating out of my hand, literally.
Each morning before recess, students lined up in front of the school store to buy mid-morning snacks. Noticing that donuts were the treat of choice, my mind whirred.
That afternoon, alone in the back seat with my mother's purse, my plan began to hatch. My little hand slipped into her wallet and pulled out a dollar. Surely that was enough to buy everyone a donut.
The next day, exploding with eagerness, I pushed my way to the front of the line. Handing my dollar up to an open hand I said, "A bag of donuts, please."
"Are you sure little girl? A bag full? That's a lot. No one ever buys that many donuts!"
I nodded my head. "Yes, one for everyone in my class and one for Teacher."
Slowly the treasured bag of donuts slipped over the side of the counter.
Yes!
Stepping aside, I announced, "My treat!"
Mouths dropped. Eyes flew open. Little hands extended. Classmates surrounded me, the instant celebrity.
I felt good! Just as planned. Now, I had friends.
After school, when my mom walked into class to pick me up, my teacher asked everyone to thank her. The look of surprise on my mother's face exposed me. My secret was out.
I was a criminal. A thief. I had stolen money from my mother!
How had a perfectly well-planned strategy gone so wrong?
The Bible is full of stories of people who devised seemingly good plans. In too many circumstances strategies were flawed—like mine. In other situations people wisely relied on God.
Psalm 138:8 says that God will work out His plans for my life. I don't have to manipulate, plot and devise.
Regardless of my desperate circumstances, anxiety, or longing, there is a better way than my own. One popular Bible story encourages me to pray and then wait on the Lord.
Moses' mother and his sister, Miriam, expected that God would protect baby Moses when they put him in a basket and sent it down the Nile River, hoping to hide him from a murderous ruler.
Miriam watched the baby float away, all the while waiting for God to take control of the desperate situation. His sister's faith was rewarded by an amazing turn of events and his mother's trust in God paved the way for a Hebrew slave to become an Egyptian ruler (Exodus 2:1-10). This would not have happened without Moses' mother's and sister's patience and dependence on God.
It's easy to rush to fix our own circumstances—contriving for the outcome we desire. But too often, in so doing, we tangle ourselves into ever-growing webs and create trouble or chaos. Let's learn from Moses' wise family by following their pattern:
• Expecting God to act.
• Waiting for God to deliver.
• Trusting that God's timing is best.
I don't know what spurs you on to contrive, manipulate or plot. If you are like me, any circumstance where you find yourself out of control, desperate or confused will tempt you to scheme.
Let's determine today to believe this truth, "The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me" (Psalm 138:8). And rest in His promises, committing to trusting God whenever tempted to influence our uncomfortable conditions.
Lord God, I know You will work out Your plans for my life, but I need help to believe in the midst of desperate circumstances. In Jesus' Name, I ask You to give me strength to accept Your timing and Your ways during this unsettling time in my life. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog for insight on waiting instead of manipulating.
From the Pound to the Palace DVD is a delightful children's story that encourages little ones to trust God during difficult times.
Let.It.Go. - How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking by Faith by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
What circumstances have brought on emotions that drive you to devise your own plans? How did that work for you?
Next time you are tempted to fix a problem, stop. Ask God for wisdom and seek counsel from a trusted friend.
Power Verses:
Psalm 94:11, "The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile." (NIV)
Proverbs 19:21, "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand." (NASB)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 13, 2013
A Restless, Unsettled Heart
Lysa TerKeurst
"I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land." Psalm 143:6 (NIV)
A few years ago, I sat with a beautiful young woman as tears streamed down her face. Six months before our meeting, her world was full. A loving husband, a healthy toddler, fun friends, and a new home.
But part of her heart felt restless, unsettled, a little empty. She couldn't put her finger on it. She tried talking to friends, but they laughed it off as something that would pass.
Only the feeling didn't pass.
She felt detached from her husband and disappointed that his love didn't fulfill her. Why couldn't he make her feel loved? She'd always thought of marriage as the ultimate love. He was going to be the one to right her wrongs and fill up her insecurities, or so she thought.
Questions bombarded her ... What is wrong with him? Why doesn't he say what he's supposed to say? Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm not pretty enough, witty enough, good enough?
Then one day she met a man who said things she'd longed to hear her husband say. He made her feel pretty and witty. Soon, she rationalized that she'd never really loved her husband. She convinced herself she'd made a mistake marrying so young. That this new man was her true love.
She fell into his arms. A web of lies was spun. The thrill of new romance clouded every decision.
She had not wanted to come to the women's retreat. She knew it might make her feel guilty, and she was past guilty feelings. She was just waiting for the right time to leave her husband and start over with the real love of her life.
But her friends had started to grow suspicious of her pulling away. So, to appease them, she went.
Over the course of the weekend, the walls she'd so carefully constructed to keep everyone at a distance and her secret hidden started to crumble. By Saturday night, she sat down with me and confessed it all.
She desperately wanted to know how I felt so full of God's love. She'd never known that kind of relationship with Him. She now recognized it wasn't the love of another man her heart craved; it was the love of God.
I think this is true for many of us. We spend years chasing things we think will make us feel loved. But everything this world offers is temporary. Everything. And will leave our souls dry, crying out to God, "I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land" (Psalm 143:6).
The kind of love our souls crave is lasting, eternal. And only God can fill up our hearts with that kind of love.
Chasing love outside the will of God invites so much into our lives that is the exact opposite of love. First Corinthians 13:4-8 is a picture of God's perfect love. It is patient and kind. It does not envy ... it is not self-seeking ... it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth ... it always protects and perseveres. Love never fails.
This is not a description of what is inherently ours when we fall in love with a person. It's a description of God's love.
Because our souls were designed for God's fulfilling love, if we aren't staying closely connected to Him, our hearts will start to feel empty. Restless. Unfulfilled. Parched.
Let us never think we are beyond being tempted. If we're honest, we're only a few bad decisions away from the same mess my friend is untangling herself from.
The kind of love our souls crave will never be found in the things of this world. Lasting, satisfying love will only be found when we stop chasing others or possessions, and thirst for the things of God.
Dear Lord, please help me see my marriage for the sacred gift that it is. Help me to remain faithful in a way that honors You and brings joy to our home. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you're looking to strengthen the connection and communication in your relationship, don't miss Lysa TerKeurst's marriage books, Capture Her Heart for husbands and Capture His Heart for wives.
Click here to take the Love Quiz - an honest assessment of your marriage based in the Biblical truths of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8!
Reflect and Respond:
If someone seems appealing enough to draw your heart away from the truth of God, will you pray about asking another godly woman for help?
What step do you need to take to remove that temptation from your heart, mind, and soul?
Power Verse:
Ephesians 1:4, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 14, 2013
When You're a Run-Away Bride
Samantha Evilsizer
"I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people." Psalm 116:14 (NIV)
As soon as the opening prayer ended, I knew I had to leave my wedding. Whispering a quick apology, I turned and ran.
My patent leather shoes burned rubber, leaving my soon-to-be groom in a cloud of confusion at the altar. Fast down the aisle where my father and I had just walked. Past the curious wedding guests. Straight to the powder room where my purse and coat were waiting.
I breathed a sigh of relief. There they were, my written vows, forgotten in the excitement of preparations.
I hurried back to Joshua waiting patiently for me at the altar. Facing the man I loved, we exchanged our vows.
It's not every day that a girl makes a lifelong commitment like that. But it is every day I get to carry one out. Not just to my husband, but to my God.
Sadly, although I made a vow to follow God years ago, there've been times when I've left my vows behind. I've been a run-away bride, leaving Jesus and my commitment to Him in the dust as I took off for what I thought were greener pastures.
The whole time, He waited patiently. Waited for me to return and say, "I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people" (Psalm 116:14).
We can run all our lives, but we're never truly settled until we make and keep a lifelong pledge to the One to whom our heart truly belongs. In Him, we have all good things, including the gift of love—God's love.
As I read my marriage vows out loud at my wedding, I realized they were vows my heart needed to make to Christ as well. So I took the promises I made to my earthly husband, and re-addressed them to Jesus, as a covenant with my Savior, to record my heart's vows to Him:
There really is no place like home. I've come to know this with great certainty as my love for You, Jesus, has grown. You're my favorite place to be. That's because You are where I am most at home ... You are where my heart is settled, comforted and loved.
I vow to always keep You as my home base. To never stray emotionally, physically, or in my thoughts.
I vow to keep You as the center of my home. To seek You every day with all my heart, mind and soul, and to serve You with all that's within me.
I vow to keep my home clean from doubt, strife and unnecessary cares, and will fill it with believing the best about You, humility, and prayerfulness.
I vow to willingly submit to You as head of my life, to lean on You, and not be stubborn. And to allow You to serve me.
I vow to stay healthy and keep active, inviting You into my everyday activities.
I vow to dream and plan and pray for my future with You.
I vow to love mercy, act justly, and to walk humbly with You.
I vow to let You know every day just how very much I love and honor You. And to thank You for all the wonderful things about You that make You ... YOU!
If home is where the heart is, then my heart will always be with You.
I don't know where you stand with God right now ... how near or far you are. But I know from experience, the further away you are, the more lost you will feel. Today, let's run to Christ—and make or renew our vows to Him.
Lord, You alone are worthy of all my heart, soul, mind. Please help me keep my vows to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Get to know Jesus by clicking here.
Scripture is the best thing to read to reignite your relationship with God. The new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is a great way to start.
Samantha Evilsizer shares more on this topic at her blog and is giving away a copy of His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell.
Reflect and Respond:
Consider your relationship with God. Do you take it as seriously as a marriage covenant? Write your vows to Him today.
Power Verses:
Joel 2:12-13, "'Yet even now,' declares the LORD, 'Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.' Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil." (NAS)
Ephesian 5:25-27, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (ESV)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 17, 2013
Clashing with Others
Karen Ehman
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found..." Proverbs 10:12-13a (ESV)
My husband and I often joke about what would have happened in our college-courting days if we had sent our profiles to an online match-making website. We are pretty sure that instead of pairing us, the computer screen would have blinked DO NOT DATE!! TOTALLY NOT COMPATIBLE!
We're a lot like the two candlestick holders on the dresser in our bedroom. While both are crafted from solid brass with similar round bases, the rest of each holder couldn't be more different.
One is straight and streamlined, more functional than fancy. That candlestick holder has tall, strong lines. The second is designed with a touch of flair. It has two strands of brass that whirl and swirl from top to bottom in a "look at me" manner.
I found the candlesticks at different yard sales. While their styles aren't the same, somehow this eclectic pair is an interesting match. And more importantly, they're a visual reminder to my husband and me of our marriage.
My husband is the first candlestick. No frills. Straight-forward. Only about function. I am the second one. Crazy. All over the map. All about fun. While we both are "forged from brass" in that we are followers of Christ with the same spiritual foundation, pair our opposite-ends-of-the-spectrum personalities together and disaster could ensue.
Beyond the normal male/female differences, we have a lot in our personalities that cause friction and sometimes (mostly from me) snapping and harsh words.
Mismatched personalities in marriage, parenting or in work or friendship situations, can cause frustration, anger and at times, wounded feelings.
Someone who is not wired as we are, does not think like we do and who makes decisions and carries out actions we would never dream of, can rub us the wrong way. It causes our feathers to ruffle and not-so-nice thoughts enter our brains.
Usually, if dealing with a non-family member, we manage to keep our composure and tame our tongues to avoid saying anything we might regret. With our children or spouses however, sometimes we open the floodgates and spew cutting comments, nasty words, criticisms and awful accusations. My husband and I call it "throwing flesh balls." At that point, we no longer "walk by the Spirit" but "gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 NIV).
If I allow it, my flesh likes to be satisfied and nothing satisfies it more than a good ol' verbal assault on my thinks-and-acts-so-differently-from-me husband.
There's a different way God calls me to respond though. Proverbs 10:12-13a provides direction for how we should handle conflicts that arise from trying to mesh two differing personality types. "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found ..." (ESV).
Love is key to wise responses in a relationship. Because we love God, and others, we should seek to understand when we clash. And ask God for wisdom when we don't understand. We should love intentionally. Not necessarily in an "ushy-gushy, touchy-feely" way, but in an "I am going to choose to react gently and behave kindly because that is what God is asking me to do" sort of way.
Cementing this thinking in our minds will help us to respond with God's love and biblical truth. Especially when faced with someone who thinks and acts differently than us.
Will you join me in purposing to stop stirring up strife when it comes to someone in your life? And to choose to love and understand them? Especially when they are oil while you are water. Yes, even your spouse.
Dear Lord, grant me the ability to speak kindly, respond gently and at times, to hold my tongue. I want my actions and reactions to please and reflect You and Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Dig into a Bible study that will help better your relationship with God and others. Visit Karen Ehman's blog for a chance to win one of three copies of the small group DVD curriculum of her latest book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
Need help interacting with your family without having a rotten attitude or hurling harsh words? Sign up for Karen's free 5-Day Pause Before You Pounce Challenge, which offers inspirational and practical devotions. Click here for details.
The NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women with devotions by the Proverbs 31 team.
Reflect and Respond:
What is the driving force behind your words when you spew anger? Wanting to be right or to be heard? Anger, selfishness, or pride? Take time to formulate a loving, understanding, and godly reaction for the next time you clash with someone.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (ESV)
John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 18, 2013
Looking for God
Suzie Eller
"Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!" 1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)
My granddaughter Elle is almost three. Recently we had a family event and Elle and her parents arrived before we did. It had been a few weeks since we had seen her, which is unusual. When we walked in the door, a wide smile filled her face and she ran into my arms.
For the next several minutes Elle circled around the crowded room. Each time she made her way purposely back to me, placed both hands on my knees, looked me in the eye and said, "There you are!"
It was as if Elle wanted me to know that, in the midst of a crowd, she delighted that I was in the room.
I wonder if I show my Savior this same joy? I wonder if I seek Him like 1 Chronicles 16:11 teaches me to.
In a crowded schedule, do I carve out time to find Him?
The reality is that sometimes, if I am not intentional, my time with Him can get pushed to second or third place behind deadlines, bills to pay, errands to run, events to attend. And yet when I seek Him out and sit in His presence, I realize all over again how beautiful it is to worship Him, to feel the pleasure and love of a Heavenly Father.
In my crowded thoughts, do I pause and say, "There You are!"
Or do I let anxiety, anger, frustration, or worry take center stage, forgetting His promises of comfort, of strength, of peace in the midst of storms. Yes, He's there for He assures us that He is (Joshua 1:9; Romans 8:38-38; Hebrews 3:15). But do I ask Him to shine His Light on my troubled thoughts?
In my crowded life, do I invite Him in to every area?
Time with God is not confined to a prayer time or a few moments reading Scripture. Instead, we are invited to live and move and breathe in Him (Acts 17:28). That means that He is with us as we parent, as we go to work, as we reflect on a beautiful sunset, or as we comfort a friend. As believers, we don't just have to live. We live in Him, and He lives in us.
Elle had many options that day. Aunts and uncles held out open arms. Toys and books were offered at every turn. Cousins gave her kisses.
But she delighted in me instead. She didn't have to, for I love that little girl with every fiber of my being. But the fact that she loves me back with abandon is sheer joy for this grandma.
How long has it been since you delighted in God? Or experienced His pleasure in your presence? He loves you; that we know for certain. But what if today you pushed aside crowded thoughts, a crowded schedule, and a crowded life to proclaim with delight, "There You are!"
Dear Heavenly Father, I delight in You. Not for what I might receive, but simply because of Who You are to me. I love You with my heart, my soul, my mind. No matter the crowd I find myself in, with You is where I long to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for a giveaway of her new book, The Unburdened Heart.
NIV Real Life Devotional Bible with devos from the Proverbs 31 Ministries team, including Suzie Eller.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Find a "There You are" moment in your thoughts or schedule today. Speak a word of praise or breathe a prayer of gratitude.
How would things change if, instead of responding to situations with stress, doubt or worry, you looked for God in the moment? Instead of choosing these other things, decide to find the Lord and delight in Him in the middle of your moments today.
Power Verse:
Psalm 92:4, "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 19, 2013
Resurrection Life
Wendy Blight
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
I grew up in a family that lacked patience. It was a running joke in my maternal family: "The Capkas have no patience." I accepted it as normal and continued the tradition in my own family.
The problem is, it made for a very unhappy home. I had a short fuse with my husband and our kids. I often spoke words I regretted the moment they left my lips. Tempers flared between my daughter and me, and I saw her following in my footsteps, believing the lie I believed: we have no patience.
But as I studied my Bible, I began to understand the truth about my impatience. I didn't have to accept the fact that it ran in my family. You see, Galatians 2:20 tells us when we surrender our lives to Christ, the way we were dies and is replaced by the way He calls us to be. God changes us from the inside out! His Word tells us our old (dead) ways are gone and the new (alive) ways can take over!
Transformation comes. Because Christ lives in me, I do have patience. I don't have to be that impatient mom who spews out unkind words when things don't go my way. Even though I was raised in a family where I learned an impatient attitude, I have within me God's power to hold my tongue, to think before I speak, to speak truth in love. It's the very same power that raised Lazarus from the dead and parted the Red Sea. That's the power that lives in you and me!
I call it "Resurrection Life."
The reality of Christ living in me—Resurrection Life—first changed my heart and then my home.
If you have believed similar lies about who you are, hear these words and never forget them:
Resurrection Life means...
You are unconditionally loved.
You are completely forgiven.
You are fully redeemed.
You are a new creation.
You are totally transformed from the inside out.
This Holy Spirit transformation is real. God's Word tells us that we are "more than conquerors" through Christ who loves us (Romans 8:37). Our new "living" self conquers our old "dead" self.
So where we used to join in the gossip, now we turn the conversation around. Where we used to lie to get out of a commitment, now we just say, "No." Where we used to lose our temper and speak unkind words, now we stop, listen and then speak truth in love. Where we, though married, used to harmlessly flirt with other men, we now set boundaries with other men that are honoring to our husbands.
Psalm 139 tells us we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Sin corrupted that creation, but the good news is that Jesus' work on the cross returns to us the power to live in the fullness of how we were originally made. Free from sin.
Walk confidently in the newness of Resurrection Life!
Father, thank You that Christ lives in me! May I know deep in my heart that I am a new creation, transformed from the inside out. Help me to live in the fullness of the incredible gift of the indwelling power of Your Holy Spirit. I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know the One who gives Resurrection Life?
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight
Stop by Wendy's blog for her free Faith Declaration Prayer, to pray through who you are in Christ.
Reflect and Respond:
How would things change if you truly believed you are a new creation and live in the power of God's Holy Spirit living in you?
Read the following verses: Ephesians 1:4, Psalm 103:3, Galatians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10. What do they speak to your heart?
Power Verse:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 20, 2013
I Under-Stand
Lysa TerKeurst
"... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." Ephesians 5:25-26 (NIV)
"I just feel mean so much of the time," my friend whispers through the leak of tears. Downward, the salty droplets slip and so does her heart, her resolve, and her assurance of being a good mom.
"I understand," I whisper back.
And sometimes that's all that needs to be said.
I don't remind her of gentleness verses. I don't try to fix anything. I don't offer solutions or articles or statistical data.
I simply under-stand.
Under ... to dip low and find that same place that lies beneath my outside veneer.
We all have an under.
And I admit to her, "I've felt mean so many times too. I've set out to have a super day with my kids only to be red-faced and aggravated minutes later. Buckling under the weight of my imperfections, I've wondered if I'll ever get it right. It sometimes feels like all the other moms are doing it better. But that's not true. All moms struggle."
Stand ... to come alongside in a position of strength, closeness, and unwavering support.
We all need those friends we know will stand with us.
And I reassure, "Somehow, God shows us what to do and fills in the gaps if we ask Him. The fact that you're crying shows a heart tender enough for God's molding and shaping to occur. Don't listen to the world's answers. And don't fall into the trap of trying to be like other moms. Just saturate yourself in God's Truth and trust the gut instincts He gives you."
Thankfully we don't have to be perfect. God has made a way to free us from the mistakes we make so we can keep going forward without the chains of regret. Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us, "... Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."
I love that picture of Christ washing us through the Word. Some versions of Ephesians 5:25-26 actually call this washing sanctifying.
The Greek meaning of this sanctifying is hagiazo. When we unwrap the package of this word, we find three simple treasures. Hagiazo means:
1. To cleanse externally.
2. To free from the guilt of sin.
3. To purify internally by the renewing of the soul.
Externally, I wash my tears away with the truth of Lamentations 3:22-23 that God's mercies make all things new. Past minutes are gone. But this minute brings with it a fresh start.
Relationally, Colossians 1:14 frees me from the guilt. God's Word reminds that I can live in the freedom of repentance and forgiveness.
Internally, I see my depravity but refuse to wallow in it. I recall the words of Micah 6:8 as a call to action. Another place to receive the Truth as a cleansing agent from fear, doubt, hopelessness.
Yes, I understand. My need to be sanctified is great. Just like your need is. We're all in that place. We all sometimes feel mean.
Unable.
Incapable.
Insecure.
Broken down.
So, let the Word of Christ wash afresh over you, in you, and all about you. And let the whispers of a friend assure you, I under-stand.
Dear Lord, I praise You today for being such an understanding, loving God. Thank You for carrying me through every storm that I face, and for placing special people in my life to encourage me along the way. Help me to be that voice of encouragement for someone else today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times bestselling book, Unglued, gives a fresh perspective on how to be obedient to the Lord with your emotions, reactions, and decisions.
The accompanying Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress will provide you with daily encouragement as you learn what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Reflect on the three meanings of hagiazo as they apply to your personal struggles and emotions right now.
Power Verses:
Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (NIV)
Colossians 1:13-14, "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (NAS)
Micah 6:8, "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me." (ESV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 21, 2013
Is There Really "The One?"
Lynn Cowell
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'" John 7:37-38 (NIV)
As soon as we were old enough to understand fairy tales, we were told to start looking for the one.
Someday my prince will come.
Someday I'll find my love.
As we got older, Prince Charming looked a bit different. Our teenage hearts thrilled when the latest vocal sensation sang about finding us and how our love would last forever.
Wherever we turned, we were told our soul mate was waiting. And we were led to believe we were "less than" if we didn't find the one who would complete us!
Even now, whether we're 15, 45 or 75, the equation hasn't changed: "Guy + Me = Valuable."
So, if the movies, books and songs are so right, how come when we find the one, we can still feel like we're missing something? Why are there married people who are lonely with an emptiness that marriage can't fill? Our hearts can get confused if our reality doesn't match fantasy and we wonder:
Maybe my one isn't really the one? Or, whether we're married or single, we might wonder, is the one for me still out there?
In this place of uncertainty our hearts can grow perplexed. If we find ourselves in this vulnerable place of questioning, and all of a sudden a guy who seems to be the one enters the picture, it can stir up confusion.
If we are married, we might wonder if we should walk away from a husband, who we thought was perfect for us, in order to have a new one, who seems more perfect. Singles might wonder if this guy is really a gift from God ... the one we've waited for?
In my personal search to have my love gap filled, I have discovered there is The One for each and every one of us.
It is Jesus Himself! He's The One our hearts are looking for. He's The One who is the filler of my lonely places and misunderstood parts.
No matter what is going on in my roller coaster heart, Jesus' love for me is secure and stable. On the days when the relationship with my husband is everything I'm looking for, Jesus is The One. On the days when the cart of marriage is wobbly and off-kilter, He's still The One.
Oh the relief Jesus brings to the rest of my relationships! When I turn to Him to fill the love gap in my heart, it takes the pressure off others! While my needy heart could wear my family out, Jesus is a continual source of unconditional love pouring into me. Not the type of filling that is once and done, but an endless supply ... each and every day.
Listen to His promise in John 7:37-38, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Ahhh ... the refreshing that comes when we discover He is The One we are looking for.
What a relief my heart experiences as I stop looking to others to fill me and find Jesus as my constant, day after day, contentment. Take time today to go to Him and ask Him to fill up the empty places and refresh the areas of your heart that are dry. Jesus is The One and only who can fill and complete us.
Lord, help me to recognize You are The One my heart is looking for. Each and every day, teach me to look to You to fill the love gap in my heart. Amen
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life learn to fill her love gap with Jesus through Lynn Cowell's book His Revolutionary Love and Devotions for a Revolutionary Year.
Visit Lynn's website for the list of "filling" verses every woman should know. She is also giving away a "Fill Me Up" summer gift bag: a pool bag, a copy of His Revolutionary Love andDevotions for a Revolutionary Year and more!
Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that Got Me There; Truths that Brought Me Back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz
Reflect and Respond:
Who or what do you find yourself turning to in order to have your heart's need for affirmation met?
In what ways does continually turning to a person to meet your heart's need for love put pressure on that relationship?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 8:17, "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." (NIV)
Isaiah 55:1, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 24, 2013
I Am Not Alone
Whitney Capps
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)
I sat at my computer and typed, deleted and then re-typed the same email at least three times. Did I sound too desperate, too needy? Surely things weren't this bad. Maybe I just needed a little perspective. So I stopped and looked around.
Toys of a million varieties, parts and pieces were scattered across the floor. My 3-year-old and 2-year-old were still in their pajamas. It was nearly 10:30 a.m. and they'd been watching television far longer than any good mother should allow.
To top it off, my newborn was crying. I'd stuck him in the swing because I just needed a break. I hadn't showered in two days. At least I think it had been two days. I was in a time warp, so who could be sure? I knew I hadn't changed clothes in as many days. My t-shirt and sweatpants were stained with unmentionables.
Who was I kidding? Things really were this bad.
I turned back to the computer and typed an honest assessment of the situation. I hit send before my pride vetoed my cry for help. I wasn't going to pretend anymore. I needed to know I wasn't alone.
If I didn't send a SOS, things would go from bad to worse. So I did what Scripture tells us to do in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ("Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble") and called out to friends to help me out of this messy, sticky, stinky mess.
Girlfriends, I am struggling. Life with three boys under four is hard. Ryder is such an easy baby that I feel guilty voicing my weariness. And Cooper and Dylan are just little boys. I don't expect anything to be other than what it is right now. It's just that right now is rather taxing. I know every stage of motherhood is.
My life is no more difficult than yours. That's why I have started and stopped this email three times. I feel self-indulgent to talk about how parched my soul is. But I'm drowning in diapers, potty-training and milk.
In a matter of minutes my inbox filled with messages. I had asked my girlfriends to pray for me and pick me up from this pit. These amazing women came through in a big way, sharing some of the funniest stories I've ever heard and offering the kindest commiseration a new mom could want. I felt connected, accepted and loved.
Hearing their words in my head, I changed diapers, wiped noses and unloaded the dishwasher repeating:
I am not alone.
God's grace is sufficient.
Do the next thing.
Why hadn't I asked for help sooner? What was I afraid of?
I knew what it was. I didn't want them to think less of me. Would they see the real me, and still love me? My pride shouted, but my heart trembled.
In the moments before I sent that email I felt utterly alone. In the days that followed, I realized the fellowship I had gained was totally worth the embarrassment of admitting my fears and failures. As it turned out, these dear women didn't love me less for sharing; they loved me more.
Through their kind words, my friends did the best thing possible: they lifted my focus from myself and put it on Jesus. I learned not to depend on my own abilities, but to depend on Him.
Interestingly, I didn't have more confidence as a mom after that day. And I didn't suddenly get to take a shower every day. I realized I am absolutely inadequate. I am sincerely overwhelmed. But my friends reminded me that I'm not alone and my situation isn't unique to me.
As my friends promised to walk this journey with me, I discovered there's safety in numbers. In the quiet of my head and heart, sometimes the voice of fear and condemnation drowns out God's truth. With a resounding chorus, these girlfriends shouted truth so loudly it couldn't be ignored. It was just what I needed.
And they didn't care that I hadn't brushed my teeth.
Lord, thank You for Your encouragement through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Thank You too for friendships that lift me up when I'm overwhelmed and down. Amen.
Related Resources:
In Always There, you'll find an inspiring combination of real-faith mothering stories and Scriptures that assure you of God's abiding presence, written by Renee Swope, Ann Voskamp and more.
There's a Green Plastic Monkey in My Purse: And Other Ways Motherhood Changes Us explores the traits and skills of a mother, including humility and patience, from God's perspective.
Join our Facebook community for daily encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
What makes you hesitate to reach out and share your frustrations?
If you are not connected with close friends, look for a mom's group at a local church.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." (ESV)
© 2013 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 25, 2013
Prone to Wander
Amy Carroll
"Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits..." Psalm 103:2 (NIV)
For years, we owned a dog named BC who was the bane of my existence. He definitely earned his nickname—Houdini. He was a long hound with short legs and truly an escape artist of the highest degree.
There was no fence high enough and no enclosure secure enough to keep him contained. BC scaled or dug or jumped or schemed his way to freedom outside our yard on a regular basis.
I think about those days and have to laugh. Because our whole family adored him—despite his wandering heart—we worked and worked to keep him home. We built a fence we believed would protect him from the outside world. My boys played and snuggled with him. BC was fed healthy dog food and yummy snacks. He had balls, toys and a soft dog bed.
And yet he wandered.
BC roamed our neighborhood, and sometimes we got reports of him on streets miles away. He always came home eventually (sometimes pursued by the dog catcher), but our family worried about him when he left the safe haven of home.
How I identify with BC's wandering ways.
These words from my favorite hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, pierce my heart each time I hear them:
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. ~Robert Robinson
God has created a place of safety for me within His Word. His commandments are designed to protect me, not restrict me. God gives me the good gifts of His mercy, grace and forgiveness to remind me to stay near. He pours His love on me and draws me deep into His family, and yet ...
Sometimes my heart still wanders.
I ignore His truth and make decisions that launch me outside the safety of His guidelines. I harbor wrong thoughts. I use words that minimize others. These choices and others can take me away from God's heart. And yet He longs to draw me home again.
The opening verses of Psalm 103 provide a key to keep my wandering heart close to God: "Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits ..." (Psalm 103:1-2 NIV).
By praising God and rehearsing His benefits, I train my heart to find contentment close to God rather than far from Him.
When I want to wander, the verses that follow Psalm 103:1-2 list even more reasons to praise and thank God:
"...who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (vv. 3-5 NIV).
I spent 14 long years chasing BC around our neighborhood. My love for him kept me pursuing him and finding ways to keep him safe in our yard. God's love is the same toward us. Let's join with the Lord in staying in the protective boundary lines He's given us by praising and rehearsing His faithful ways. Doing so will bind our wandering hearts to God and keep us safe in the nurturing places He's created for you and me.
Lord God, I thank You that You have given us such a long list of benefits for which to praise You. Settle my heart in the safety of Your home with a faithful and content heart. In Jesus' precious Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus? Accept Him as your Savior and find out more on your identity in Him by clicking here.
Scripture is the perfect place to search for the benefits of God. The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is also filled with 366 of our devotions. Pick up your copy, now 20% off, by clicking here.
For more from Amy Carroll, visit her blog for a list of Scriptures rehearsing the benefits of staying close to God and to see photos of BC.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you fill your heart and mind with the benefits of God that keep you close to His heart, or do you constantly allow your heart to wander from God's safety and care?
Read Psalm 103 in its entirety and make a list of the benefits of God you find and rehearse them in your mind today.
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:5-6, "LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (NIV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 26, 2013
There's Power in His Words
Glynnis Whitwer
"'Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?' declares the LORD. 'Is not my word like fire,' declares the LORD, 'and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'" Jeremiah 23:28-29 (NIV)
"Glynnis, what do you think I should do?"
Wrapping my hands around my coffee cup, I leaned back in my chair, took a sip and struck what I believed was a wise pose.
On the outside, I was composed ... I crossed my legs and rocked back, looking at my friend intently.
But on the inside ... oh that was a different story. On the inside, I was giddy. Someone wanted my opinion! Oh what joy that brought to the heart of this always-wanting-to-be-right girl. Gathering my thoughts, I took a deep breath and proceeded to unload what surely were words that would change her life!
Her response was under-whelming.
I expected to hear something like, "Wow! I hadn't thought of that. Thank you so much. I'm definitely going to take your advice."
All I got back, "Hmmm ... okay."
Insecurity bothered me for days. I second-guessed everything I'd said, wondering if somehow I'd offended her or came across as bossy or judgmental. I'd so carefully crafted each sentence, that I couldn't imagine where I'd gone wrong.
I spent many years wanting to be the one people came to for questions. To be acknowledged. To have all the answers. And yet time and time again, my advice fell on deaf ears. Unless someone else gave the exact same advice I did a few days later. Then everyone thought it was brilliant. Awesome.
Receiving this type of response bugged me for years. Until I realized God was using it to teach me a lesson. God needed to uncover a heart attitude behind my actions. Rather than pointing people to God's Word, I consistently pointed them to my words. And my words don't have the power to change lives like God's.
As a young Christian, I knew God's Word was important. Reading the Bible became a central part of my life. But there were many years where it was more routine than life-changing. I read it because that's what "good" Christians did.
My faith took a drastic leap forward when I realized God's Word had power when I believed it and acted on it. It had power because it was truth. It had power because it had the weight of heaven behind it.
One of the first lessons God taught me was from James 1:5-6, where James tells of the importance of not doubting when we ask for wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" (NIV).
I realized I doubted all the time. One day I decided to take God at His Word and stop doubting He would answer my prayers for wisdom. When I asked for direction, I trusted that my gut instinct was from God ... so long as it wasn't against His Word. The more I addressed doubt, the more my confidence grew that I was hearing from God. And the more I saw God move in my life.
The power of God's Word changed my life drastically when I chose to believe and act on it. And while I still like to be asked for advice, now I point people in the direction of God's Words more than mine. The response is always life-changing.
Heavenly Father, You are the source of true power and wisdom. Forgive me for all the times I've looked to myself for strength. I want to be a woman whose life is testimony to the power of Your Word to transform and renew. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for another example of how the power of God's Word changed her life.
To read God's life-changing Word for yourself, purchase the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible, which is on sale for 20% off now through July 5! Reading the Word is the best investment you'll ever make in your spiritual growth.
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Why do you think God made sure His words and the story of His people were written down?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:11, "... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (NIV)
Matthew 7:24-25, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had it's foundation on the rock." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 27, 2013
As Weak as Our Strongest Link
Lysa TerKeurst
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
One day I tweeted, "We are only as weak as our strongest link." It wasn't a typo. It's something I've been thinking about for a while now.
Often the Bible talks in counter-intuitive statements. Different than the normal flow. An unexpected rub against the grain.
To gain, you must give up.
If someone takes your jacket, give them your shoes too.
When we are weak, then we are strong.
Tough stuff. Good stuff. Heart-protecting stuff.
The minute I start feeling absolutely confident in my own strength is the minute I am desperately weak ... and I don't even realize it.
The Lord reminded me of this right before I stepped on stage to speak to 4,500 women at a large conference. One minute I was walking backstage to get my microphone on and the next minute I was on the ground with my face pressed into the cement floor.
My heel had gotten caught in a crack in the floor and that's all it took to bring me down.
My first thoughts were not spiritual.
Have mercy, I've probably split my pants wide open and there is no time to change!
I quickly picked myself up, put on the over-ear microphone, and went on stage. I felt so vulnerable.
Inside my head I whispered, Lord, I'm not ready. I don't want to speak right now. I want to go crawl in a hole with a mirror so I can check my pants! I tried as discretely as possible to make sure the seams in my pants were in tact.
My heart drummed wildly in my chest as I prayed, Jesus, I am completely desperate for You.
And I imagine the Lord thought, Good. She's ready. Now, this is going to be powerful.
I'd left my strength, confidence and self-sufficiency back on that concrete floor. Next to the crack that tripped me up. And my weakness made room for God's strength to take over.
My weakness wasn't what could have messed me up that day. It was my strength.
We are only as weak as our strongest link. Sometimes it's not our weaknesses that leave us vulnerable to attack. It's our strengths. Those places where we feel especially confident, invincible, and quite able. But, as a friend reminded me recently, "Our strengths can become strongholds if we're not careful."
When Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh—the thing that made Paul feel weak—the Lord did not. Instead, the Lord reminded Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9a NIV).
Paul took hold of this truth and went on to conclude in verse 10, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (12:10b NIV). Which leads me to wonder if the opposite is also true ... where I am strong, then I am weak.
I'm making a conscious effort to stay in tune with what strengths might easily trip me up. Really doing some soul-searching. Praying. Listening for direction and correction. Then, walking in complete faith. Because if we're going to call ourselves people of faith, we must live lives that require faith. For me this means accepting my weaknesses rather than boasting in my strengths.
Faith is like walking over a bridge, where we cross over from relying on our strength to God's strength. It's a powerful walk to take.
However, I really wouldn't recommend wearing high-heeled shoes.
Dear Lord, reveal to me the places where I'm relying on my own power instead of Yours. Show me what strengths could be my biggest weaknesses, God, so that I can learn to serve You better. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In her book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, Lysa TerKeurst shares inspiring stories from her own life along with biblical insights as she describes how to discern when God is speaking to you. Click here to purchase your copy!
Lysa's writing her new book! Click here for a sneak peek at what's to come in her newest release.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What strength could easily trip you up today? Ask God to give you spiritual ears to hear any direction or correction He whispers.
What would it look like to exchange your weakness for God's strength?
Power Verse:
Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
June 28, 2013
When You Need Help
Tracie Miles
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26 (ESV)
Perhaps I was over-confident in my abilities. I thought all I'd need was a little help with the basics. But before the day was over I realized how wrong that thought process was. Especially when the day ended in frustrated tears.
It was my first time snow skiing, so my friend assured me that when the time came, he would help teach me how to make it down the slopes.
Somehow that instruction never happened, and before I knew it, my friend was quickly gliding down the freshly fallen snow while I stood gripping my poles and planting my skis deeply into the snow. As I watched him get smaller in the distance, I realized my helper was gone. Suddenly I was faced with a choice: turn back and take off my skis or get down the mountain alone.
It didn't take long for me to realize I made the wrong choice. Every time I managed to dig myself out of a mound of wet snow, I'd find myself face-first again in a jumble of skis and snowflakes. I was exasperated by my lack of coordination and vowed to never ski again. No matter how many times I tried to do it on my own, I still desperately needed someone to teach me and guide the way.
My challenging experience on that mountain reminds me of the conversation Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion recorded in John chapter 14. Jesus explained that although He had to leave, God would send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to be with them always. Unlike my ski instructor who bailed on me, the Holy Spirit would never leave them alone.
Jesus knew the disciples might soon forget all the lessons He'd taught them. That's why He promised the Holy Spirit would remain with them to help them recall all that He had taught. Jesus understood that life would get messy, challenges would arise, persecution would come, and temptation would cross their paths.
Jesus knew they would need a Helper to make it through the trials of everyday life, and He promised that the Holy Spirit would always be with them to help.
The Holy Spirit is always ready to help us too, if only we remember to ask. The problem is, it's easy to forget to seek His help, not only in difficult decisions or circumstances, but also in small trials and decisions we face every day.
In the same way learning to ski requires the help of someone who has already mastered the skill, learning to walk in faith requires the help of the Holy Spirit who equips us to traverse through life by teaching us what we need to know and helping us recall what we have learned.
After taking a few lessons from a great instructor I finally learned to ski. Now I can make my poles and skis work together to get down the steep hills. I'm thankful for my ski teacher's help.
But as thankful as I am for those skiing lessons, I'm eternally grateful for the Holy Spirit who helps me navigate my way through life.
God knew we would need a Helper. And whether we are on the top of a mountain, or in the deepest pit, the Holy Spirit will never leave us alone. We can count on Him to guide us every step of the way.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit to be our Helper. Thank You for always being there for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie Miles as your next retreat / keynote speaker.
Visit Tracie's blog for encouragement and tips about how to ask for God's help in times of trouble and learn to depend on Him to guide your steps.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer
Reflect and Respond:
What is one thing you have been trying to learn or master on your own without seeking God's help?
Ask the Holy Spirit to be your Helper today in that circumstance. Seek His instruction, guidance and wisdom.
Power Verses:
Psalm 54:4, "Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul." (NAS)
Psalm 30:10, "Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper." (NAS)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 1, 2013
How to Survive the Stress of Summer
Tracie Miles
"The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace." Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
The threat of summer craziness was becoming a reality. I settled in a chair at my kitchen table, surrounded by the clutter of information sheets regarding work obligations, sports practices, mission trips and church activities. Pulling out my family calendar, I mapped out the summer months.
After writing down all our commitments, I stared at the endless scribbles etched across practically every date. We had only one free week during the entire summer. With a heavy sigh and swirling thoughts, I felt a twinge of stress and anxiety slowly rising up in my chest.
I couldn't help but wonder, isn't summer supposed to be footloose and fancy-free? What happened to sleeping in and time to rest and unwind? Are relaxing summer days merely a thing of the past?
Now, it seems like the summer can instead be filled with days when the kids are bored and whiny, camps get cancelled, work interferes with vacation plans, the AC goes out, and traffic is horrendous. Days when we lose our patience, harbor a bad attitude, and have had quite enough of family time. Days when we feel powerless against the exhaustion of our busy schedule and stress rules the roost.
It may seem that easy summers are long gone. However, we can make it through the hectic days and stay at peace despite the chaos. In Psalm 29:7 God promises He will help with whatever we face: "The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace."
There are several keys to God's peace overriding the mayhem. When we remember to focus on God's sweet goodness, instead of all the scribbles on our calendar, we can be proactive in managing summertime. We can receive God's calm, even in a busy and sometimes stressful time of the year. Here are some specific ways to do so:
Focusing on all the good things God has done for us, instead of the challenges of summer.
Remaining calm and praying for God's peace when the demands of family and life seem overwhelming.
Asking God to give us rest and strength when we begin to feel stretched thin and worn out.
We can also take some additional steps to keep summer stress at bay. Such as:
Take daily mini-vacations. Try to set aside at least five minutes per hour to stretch and take a break.
When you take days off from your work or daily routine, unplug completely—meaning no phone or emails.
Keep a checklist or a detailed calendar of all scheduled activities.
Do something for yourself once a week: take a bubble bath, read a good book, spend time outdoors or take a nap.
Busyness and stress can heat up quicker than the summer sun. But it is possible to stay cool on the inside. Whether we are low in spirit or low in energy, depending on God and seeking a daily infusion of His strength and peace can ensure a less stressful summer.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I allow the chaos of summer to distract me from spending time with You. I neglect to claim Your peace and allow myself to get bogged down with the stressors of the season. I get frustrated with my children, rather than treasuring this time with them. Help me to focus on You when I begin to feel overcommitted and to seek Your peace with each rising sun. In Your Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more tips on having a less stressed summer, visit Tracie Miles' blog to sign up for her Stress-Less Summer Survival Series which kicks off today! This series includes tips for stay-at-home and working moms, working women, vacation planning, free checklists, back-to-school tips and more!
To begin this series, Tracie is giving away a summer gift basket worth $60! Visit her blog to enter to win!
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Reflect and Respond:
Do the stressors of summer zap your strength and rob you of your joy and peace in Christ?
What can you do differently this summer than you have done in the past to prevent summer stress?
Power Verses:
Psalm 13:6, "I've thrown myself headlong into your arms—I'm celebrating your rescue. I'm singing at the top of my lungs, I'm so full of answered prayers." (MSG)
Proverbs 8:30, "Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 2, 2013
A Gentle Touch
Glynnis Whitwer
"Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing; be cleansed'" Mark 1:41 (NASB)
The labor and delivery of my second child was fast. In fact, within two hours after the first inkling of pain, I was in the hospital being prepped for delivery. The intense pain surprised and overwhelmed me. Because of the rapid progression, I had no pain relief.
With my husband's hand squeezed in my left one, I looked into the face of the young nurse standing at my right, coaching me through the delivery. After an excruciating contraction, I asked, "Will you hold my hand?" She smiled and grabbed hold of my right hand while another wave of pain radiated through my body.
It sounded pitiful and needy to ask someone to hold my hand, but at that moment I needed her strength.
There have been other times I've needed to hold someone's hand. The first time I went snorkeling, I thought I was going to pass out I was hyperventilating so badly. I held my husband's hand on my left and my son's hand on my right until I could control my breathing and enjoy the incredible sights.
Hiking up Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, I held someone's hand when I wasn't grasping on to rocks.
I've held my mother's hand and my sisters' hands as we've walked through the pain of losing loved ones.
There's something about physical touch that brings comfort and stability in an uncertain world. The New Testament is filled with stories of Jesus touching those around Him. He laid His hands on women who had been scorned, children who were dancing at His feet and lepers ashamed of their faces.
In this world of virtual relationships, conversations managed via electronic devices and fear of inappropriate touch, I wonder if we are losing our physical connections to each other. And yet God designed us to need touch. In fact, it is critical to our health-both emotional and physical. Babies need touch for their brains to develop and children need touch for their emotions to develop. Experts say appropriate touch has a profound effect on the brain's programming and re-programming.
Perhaps it's time to become more intentional about offering loving and appropriate touch to others. We all need it, but often find it's awkward to accept and offer. My immediate family is very comfortable with touch, as my children have grown up with lots of physical affection. But I have to be intentional about reaching out to others in gentle and creative ways.
I have discovered reading the New Testament that the first believers were very affectionate with each other. In fact, at the end of Acts 20, we read that all the believers embraced and kissed Paul as he was leaving for a journey. They were also encouraged to greet each other with a holy kiss.
While I realize not everyone is ready to be touched with such intimacy, I am challenged to bring healthy touch into my relationships in greater measure. Whether it's a hug, pat on the head, stroke on the arm, or a holy kiss, touch is needed in our society. Maybe if we brought more healthy touch into our relationships, people wouldn't be driven to seek it in inappropriate ways.
For whatever reason, God designed us to need the physical touch of others. The next time you are at church, a family get-together or out with friends, challenge yourself to offer healthy touch to two or three people, especially those seniors in your midst. Become the person who offers a hug, rather than waiting for one.
Dear Lord, I know You designed us to need the touch of other people. It's not always easy to admit we need someone to hold our hand, or give us a hug. Help me to be more aware of the needs of those around me and to offer gentle touch in natural ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more encouragement.
Study different Scriptures where Jesus reached out and touched someone in the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women. We've sprinkled 366 devotions, written by our team, throughout this Bible to help encourage you.
Every day at Proverbs 31 Ministries, we get to touch the hearts of hurting women who call and email for help, prayer and encouragement. We're able to do this because of friends who partner with us. Will you help us continue touching lives with a small donation? Simply text MINISTRY to 50555 to give $10 to PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES today. {When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your donation.}
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Reflect and Respond:
What are some reasons you refrain from offering a gentle touch to others?
How can you emulate Jesus' care for others, as seen in Scripture?
Power Verses:
Matthew 19:14-15, "But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.' And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left." (NLT)
1 Peter 5:14, "Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 3, 2013
I Didn't Sign up for This
Karen Ehman
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good ..." Genesis 50:20a (NLT)
"I didn't sign up for this!" my friend moaned as we reviewed the printed class schedules we'd just picked up in the school office.
While I had gotten all my desired classes, she had been assigned one she had absolutely no interest in taking. She couldn't imagine spending four months stuck in a classroom studying something she disliked.
I tried to empathize, but truthfully I felt she was whining about a very minor issue. Her life, in my estimation, was absolutely fantastic. She came from a well-to-do family. Her parents had been happily married for over 25 years. She had a big extended family and fun get-togethers. She had straight teeth and a nearly-new car.
I, on the other hand, came from a family rocked by divorce and financial struggles. I had only one brother with whom I didn't get along. My car was old and ugly. My teeth needed braces, but the funds had never been available.
Hearing her complain about her schedule started my descent into self-pity as I compared my circumstances to hers.
The more I thought about the unfairness of my life, I reached the same conclusion she had when she spied that unwanted class: "I didn't sign up for this!"
My friend and I both felt stuck. However, our situations weren't life-threatening. They were issues we could work to change. We could learn the lessons God had for us by not always having a perfect life. And if truly unable to change parts of our circumstances, we could still change our attitudes.
A young man in Scripture, Joseph, also found himself smack dab in a heap of hassles and difficult situations he never signed up for. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery. He was whisked away to live in a foreign land. To top it off, he was falsely accused of raping his master's wife even though he tried his best to stay away from her. He even wound up in prison.
These unjust circumstances could have had him complaining, "I didn't sign up for this!" He could have retaliated against those who had caused his turmoil. But he didn't.
Joseph maintained a God-fearing, God-honoring attitude throughout his ordeals, even as a slave with no freedom in sight.
At the end of his life we get a glimpse into his continual Christ-like behavior. He'd risen from slave to governor of Egypt through his discernment and wisdom. When his brothers came to buy grain during a famine from the Egyptian authorities, they were shocked to see their younger brother—long thought dead—sitting in a position of power. They feared he would retaliate for the cruel things they did to him, but Joseph's response? "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good ..." (Genesis 50:20a).
Joseph refused to let life's hard knocks knock him off course, preventing him from living a life that pleased God. He believed in a God Who works all things together for good. By recognizing God's redemption of horrific circumstances, he found true spiritual freedom from self-pity, anger and retaliation. Instead he characterized what God wants of us in Micah 6:8b, "And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" (NAS).
Today when I am tempted to whine as I compare my life with someone I perceive has an easier one, I remember Joseph, the slave-by-force. I want to emulate his attitude, be spiritually free, and walk in the ways of God.
It also prompts me to remember that today forced slavery still exists; women and children are forced into the sex-trafficking trade every day. These precious ones sit in atrocious circumstances due to no fault or choice of their own.
We enjoy simple freedoms they never get to experience. Unless ... we band together, purposing to do something about this awful practice. Could we dare to get our eyes off of our sometimes minor problems and spend time doing justice, acting kindly and humbly walking with God to help free these slaves?
No matter our circumstances, it's never too late to be free. Our God-honoring attitude that comes from a shift in perspective can help us find spiritual freedom. And our intentional actions can help others imprisoned in slavery find freedom, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Dear Lord, help me take my eyes off of my circumstances and fix them solely upon You and Your plan so I can find true spiritual freedom and offer freedom to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
To learn more about trafficked slaves, visit Karen Ehman's blog where she is featuring Children's Hope Chest and giving away 20 books on this topic by Children's Hope Chest CEO Tom Davis.
Priceless: A Novel on the Edge of the World by Tom Davis
Reflect and Respond:
When you can't change the circumstances, how might you change your attitude, bringing it in line with Scripture?
Power Verse:
Romans 8:28, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." (HCSB)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 4, 2013
Afraid to Turn the Next Corner
Lysa TerKeurst
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
You know how some people love the thrill of being surprised? They love surprise parties. They would love to show up at work one day and be told they are actually going on a surprise vacation and be whisked from their desk to paradise in just a few hours.
They would love to have one of those makeover shows pop up at their house with a film crew and be told they're getting a whole new wardrobe.
Surprises feel thrilling to them. Like the thrill some people get when a roller coaster ride they thought was over suddenly takes off again and starts doing upside down loops. They throw their hands in the air and embrace the thrill of the unknown.
They call that fun.
I don't.
I love a good birthday party. But I don't want it to be surprised.
I love a good vacation. But I don't want it to be planned for me.
I love winning stuff and would freely accept a gift certificate for a new wardrobe. But I don't want anyone to pick out the clothes for me.
I like (not love) a roller coaster. I don't mind when it finally crests the lift hill and then careens downward like the bottom just fell out of the world. But I don't want it to take unexpected twists and turns.
This dislike of surprises can usually be managed with all the things I mentioned.
My friends know not to throw me a surprise party. No one is looking to give me a surprise vacation or new wardrobe. And before getting on a roller coaster, I thoroughly check it out and know its patterned route.
But life is different.
Life twists and turns and throws loops into those places we think will be flat and smooth. Because that's what life does. Sometimes it all just catches us off guard.
And at the end of the day, I guess that's why I don't like to be surprised. I can't stand to get caught off guard. It makes me feel exposed and afraid.
But slowly, I'm learning God can bring good out of feeling exposed and afraid.
That vulnerable place reminds us we have needs beyond what we can manage by ourselves. It reminds us we need God. Desperately. Completely.
And into that gap between what we can manage on our own and what we can't, that's right where faith steps in and has the opportunity to find deep roots. Roots that dig down and break up previously unearthed places within us.
Our faith doesn't just need to grow big, it needs to grow deep. Yes, we need deep faith roots.
I want to have faith like the believer that Jeremiah describes as, "... a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:8).
Deep roots anchor us when surprises blow like strong, unruly winds.
Deep roots hold us steady during the storm that didn't show up on the radar.
Deep roots find nourishment when the surface gets awfully dry.
Deep roots allow for growth not previously possible.
Deep roots yield rich fruit.
So, I'm learning to not be so afraid of what might be around the next corner. Even if it does catch me off guard. I close my eyes and whisper ... "deeper still."
Dear Lord, deep roots of faith–that's what I need to grow today. Help me to trust in You above all else. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you want to grow your faith? Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, will help you do just that as you learn to walk in radical obedience to the Lord each day. Click here to purchase your copy!
Go deeper still with the new Online Bible Study of What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa. Join and participate from the comfort of your home, favorite coffee shop or park! For more information and to join, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Is there something dividing your heart and distracting you from knowing God more?
Pray a courageous prayer. Ask God to show you one distraction you could distance yourself from to more fully embrace growing your faith.
Power Verses:
Psalm 52:8, "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 5, 2013
Changing History through Prayer
Sharon Glasgow
"In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, 'LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life ..." 1 Samuel 1:10-11a (NIV)
Hours before I was conceived, my mom got on her knees. "Lord, if You will give me a baby tonight I will dedicate it to You and for Your service all the days of its life. Amen." God answered her prayer that night, and all my days have been devoted to Him in large part due to the fervent prayers of my mom.
My mom followed in the footsteps of millions of mothers who prayed for their children. From the time of Samuel until this very day, some of our most influential Christian heroes became history makers because of their mothers' prayers.
Samuel's mother Hannah poured out her soul to the Lord for years, pleading for a son. Eventually, God granted her prayer requests with her son Samuel, who Hannah dedicated to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:10-11a). He grew in wisdom, became a great prophet and judge, and led the Israelites into victory over the mighty Philistines.
Susanna Wesley raised her sons, John (one of the greatest evangelists of the 1700's, speaking to crowds of more than 20,000) and Charles (who wrote over 9,000 hymns still sung today) in a home dedicated to the Word of God and prayer. In the midst of raising 10 children, she would spend two hours a day in personal prayer. On days she couldn't find a place of solitude, she would lift her apron over her head to be alone with God.
George Washington was known for his humility, perseverance and dignity. His mother Mary raised him and his siblings as a single mother after her husband died when George was 10. It is recorded that she went to a nearby rock outside her house to pray continually. George wrote letters to his mother while on the battlefield of the Revolutionary War, that he escaped death when bullets went through his coat and horses were shot out from under him. Miracle after miracle happened to George, and he honored his praying mother with these words: "All that I am I owe to my mother."
Billy Graham has led nearly three million people to freedom in Christ and has preached the Gospel to more than 80 million people during his lifetime. He has said of all the people he has ever known, his mother, Morrow, had the greatest influence on his life. She would gather the family to listen to the Bible and pray together. She and his dad would pray for Billy each morning at 10:00.
Every Christian mother contending, interceding and praying for her children has the potential to change the course of history for God's glory. Our world is in need of God-filled history makers to rise up. I'm going to pray more diligently than ever for our children and their future and will stand on these promises of God:
Matthew 21:22, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (NKJV).
John 14:13-14, "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (NKJV).
I will pray as my mother, Hannah, Susanna, Mary, and Morrow did for their children. I will pray for my children and for generations to come with unwavering passion and persistence. Will you join me?
Let's rise up and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might as we pray to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can think or imagine.
Father, You hear our prayers, and You promise to answer them, according to Your will. Teach me how to pray for my, and other's, children that they might become fishers of men and bring You glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on praying for your children visit Sharon Glasgow's blog and enter to win a free Susanna Wesley Prayer Apron.
Scripture calls us to care for all children. In Fields of the Fatherless, Tom Davis shares God's heart for children and how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to kids.
Prayers for a Woman's Soul by Julie Gillies
Reflect and Respond:
Pick several Scriptures to pray specifically for your children.
Write out your prayers for your children in a notebook or save them in a special file on your computer. As God answers them, record how He works. Keep this to pass down to your children.
Power Verse:
Colossians 1:9, "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding ..." (ESV)
© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 8, 2013
Take the Plunge
Lynn Cowell
"I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure." Psalm 119:162 (NLT)
My husband and I had saved for a year to go snorkeling. With all the sacrifices we had made, I couldn't believe we were finally on the white sandy shore. Confidently, I grabbed my gear and prepared to jump into the clear blue water.
But it wasn't like I had imagined. The mask felt funny once I got it on; how was I supposed to breathe like that? My heart fluttered as anxiety grew.
My head screamed at me, dive in! Get out there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime! But my feet stayed planted on dry ground. Though Greg pleaded with me, even came and took my hand to lead me out to the deep water, I never got past the rocky shore that day.
Twenty years later, my chance came again. Starting a few months before the trip, I gave myself a talking-to every day. Go for it, Lynn! It will be worth it. Just dive in and don't look back! I recited this pep talk as I waded in the ocean.
My heart began pounding again, but I kept going. Encouraging voices beckoned me to come farther out where the schools of rainbow-colored fish swam. Holding my breath, I peeked under the water, shocked to see the cobalt blue and golden yellow creations. I even swam with a sea turtle! Before I knew it, an hour had passed.
Did I want to quit? Some moments I did, but I reminded myself of all I was gaining by staying out away from the shore.
There was a time when I avoided "diving" deeper into Scripture. My schedule was always short on time. Not to mention I felt intimidated by stories I didn't understand and challenges that made me feel "less than."
I relieved any guilt I felt about not studying the Bible by reading a verse or two here and there. Yet, like that young woman on the rocky shore so many years ago, I knew I was missing out by not going deeper.
When I became part of a leadership team at my church, I had to take the plunge. The group's accountability helped me be consistent in reading and studying the Bible. The daily homework navigated me as I learned to go below the surface. I found I loved it!
Years later, I can't wait to hang out with Jesus and learn what He has to say to me each day. I still participate in a group Bible study now and then, but what I enjoy most is going through my Bible on my own.
When we study God's Word, He reveals who He is and His plans and heart for us. As we explore different verses, their original Greek and Hebrew meanings, the culture the text was written in, and how verses tie in together, it's like coming upon a gold mine. See how the psalmist put it: "I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure" (Psalm 119:162).
It was one thing to hear my husband's experience of snorkeling 20 years ago when I waited on the shore. But, his stories came to life when I dipped my head under water and discovered for myself the beautiful coral, shimmering fish and vibrant colors.
In the same way, it's wonderful to hear what others have to say about Scriptures they have studied, to listen to sermons or to read books. But it's really amazing to dive in ourselves. Studying God's Word opens our eyes, heart and mind to learn from Him about His ways, His will and His direction for us. So go ahead, take the plunge. What are you waiting for?
Lord, the only thing holding me back from discovering the depths in Your Word is me. Empower me to be disciplined and help me to hear Your voice as I study Your Word. Amen.
Related Resources:
Devotions for a Revolutionary Year: 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love by Lynn Cowell is a book to help your daughter get her feet wet and take the plunge for the deep water of God's Word.
Looking for a way you can connect to your daughter and learn God's Word together? His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell is for girls ages 13-18. It's a great study for moms and girls to bond over!
Visit Lynn's website where she shares her favorite ways to study God's Word. She's also giving away a signed copy of "Devotions for a Revolutionary Year" as well as a tool to help you study God's Word.
Dive deep into Scripture with the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team. Take the plunge by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
What hinders you from spending time alone with Jesus?
In the next 24 hours, carve out a time for just you and God. You may need to set your alarm clock earlier. You may need to stay up later. Be intentional.
Power Verse:
Jeremiah 15:16, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 9, 2013
Dancing with Daddy
Sheila Mangum
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever." Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)
My father was an alcoholic. Sadly, the disease consumed him and when he couldn't find a way out, he committed suicide. His death affected my life in so many ways, and I missed his presence regularly. But one of the hardest times was at my wedding.
My wedding day was not what I had dreamed of. I glanced over to where my father should have been and saw an empty chair. The beauty of the father-daughter dance and him giving me away was a moment I would have treasured and framed.
But there was no photograph of our dance or of him handing me to my husband. Those pictures and memories were stolen from me. My wedding dress hid my vulnerable heart and my flowing veil covered my sad eyes.
In my brokenness, it felt like my father, by his suicide, abandoned me. I thought I was different because of the shame and loss and never really had a sense of belonging. In many ways, I felt like an orphan. Thankfully, I still had my mother who encouraged me that our faithful God would send someone into my life at the times when I needed a father figure.
My mom was right. God did send a father to take my dad's place. He arranged for someone to care for my needs, to nurture my wounded heart and be the solid foundation that a girl needs in a father. He sweetly sent someone who would not abandon me.
God didn't hand-select a pastor, uncle, in-law or godly man whom He trusted to show me love the way I needed. No, God sent Himself as a Father to me and my crippled heart. He fulfilled what He promises in Psalm 68:5, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling" (NIV).
The Fatherhood of God has created a healthy, trustworthy relationship with me that would never have happened if He hadn't helped me overcome the sadness of the loss of my earthly father. He saved me from my doubts and insecurities.
God has been so very faithful to give to me what the years my childhood of insecurity and immaturity stole from me: wisdom and discernment. He's promised to restore back to me everything that's been stolen, even the memory of a father-daughter dance.
The Bible describes in vivid detail the beauty that is to come for those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus. Revelation 19:7 says, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready" (NIV).
There is a wedding where my Father will be. His presence will be known. His seat will be filled. His love will surround the place where there will be no tears or pain. At the wedding of the Lamb, I will finally have a dance with my Daddy.
I will take the hand that created me (Colossians 1:16). I will hold the palm that has my name written on it (Isaiah 49:16). He will lead me to all righteousness, just as He has taught me through life (Psalm 23:3). I will look into the eyes that are watching me now (Psalm 145:20). I will be held in the arms that I have run to so many times (Proverbs 18:10). I will be face-to-face with the One whose love has never failed me (Psalm 31:16). I will dance with my Father on that day.
Do you need a Father who never will leave you? Do you need security, love and devotion? Your Heavenly Father is the One who holds your heart safely in His capable hands. You are His most treasured possession. He wants to nurture you. Ask God today to heal your heart with His Fatherly love and set your hopes on eternity and a future dance.
Can He have this dance?
Father, You are trustworthy, true to Your Word and truly extravagant in Your love. You will never leave nor forsake me. Thank You for Your care for me. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Sheila Mangum's blog and sign up for a free eBook, 31 Secrets of a Proverbs 31 Woman.
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzanne Eller
Reflect and Respond:
Write this on a note card and place it where you can see it:
You are MY daughter and I adore you. I watch your every move and direct your every step. I have a future planned and purposed for your good. Your heart is safe with Me. I promise. May I have this dance?
Love,
God
Power Verse:
Ephesians 1:5, "He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." (NIV)
© 2013 by Sheila Mangum. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 10, 2013
When You're Angry at God
Micca Campbell
"LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me." Psalms 30:2 (NIV)
As I waited for my husband to return from surgery, I began to worry. It was taking longer than the doctor had said it would. Since over 80% of my husband's body had been burned during the house fire, I feared the surgery would be too much for him.
My worst fears were confirmed when the doctor walked into the waiting room, still in his surgical clothes, and knelt down beside my chair. My heart began to pound as he explained that my husband had gone into cardiac arrest and though they were trying everything they could to resuscitate, they feared they had lost him. Immediately, I cried out for God to save him.
I still remember my desperate plea: God, I realize if my husband lives he most likely won't keep his arms. I understand what that means. He'll never hold me again or play ball with our son. But I don't care, God. Please let him live!
As the clock ticked down, there was no response. After some time, it finally hit me: he had already left me.
After the funeral was over and the people were gone, I realized I was alone, a new mother, and a 21-year-old widow. I was very angry God had allowed for things to turn out this way.
One desperate night, when the pain was more than I could stand, I cried out, Why, God? Why did You take him away from me? Oh, God. I need to know, why!
Have you ever been angry with God?
We've all made requests to God that didn't turn out like we had hoped. When that happens, it's easy to become confused about Him. We start to wonder if He heard us or just said "No" to our prayer. What we are certain of is the anger we feel toward the Lord's ways.
It's important to express our upset emotions to the Lord. But we have to view our circumstances through the lens of God's grace: everything He does is without fault and is always right. Look at Psalm 30:2, "LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me." Rather than ignoring our pain or not sharing our anger with God (which is silly because He already knows), we should confess our anger and seek His healing.
When I was completely honest with God that night, what happened next took me by surprise: God showed up!
I can only explain it like this. Just as a mother runs to her screaming child, God, the Father, ran to me—His child. I didn't see Him with my eyes or touch Him with my hands, but I knew He was with me. It comforted me. This encounter with God became a turning point in my healing. I realized God understood my frailties and feelings ... and He was big enough to handle them.
If you're angry with God, tell Him. Lay your heart open before God. Acknowledge that even while you don't understand what's happened, you trust He can make everything work out.
It took me a while to see how my circumstances could be used for God's glory and my good. I didn't get my husband back, but I did get a closer relationship with God. A few years later, I re-married, had two more beautiful children, and began a ministry of comfort. God also healed my heart from the pain of loss and the scars anger left.
I'm glad I was honest with God when I cried out in anger to Him. You will be too.
Dear Lord, there is so much hurt and anger inside of me. I'm tired of living this way. I'm giving it to You to heal my hurt. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was taken from Micca Campbell's book, An Untroubled Heart; Finding a Faith That is Stronger than All My Fears.
Visit Micca's blog for a list for verses that sustained her when she couldn't make sense of all that was happening in her life.
Find refreshing hope and healing in the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with God's truth and 366 devotions by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
How do you feel when God doesn't respond the way you hope? Are you ready to share those feelings with God? Why or why not?
Power Verse:
Psalms 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (ESV)
© 2013 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 12, 2013
Healing Your Marriage
Stephanie Clayton
"Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'" John 4:10 (NIV)
I try so hard, and for what? I get nothing in return.
Things will never change. I have been praying for years. I'm ready to give up.
Maybe I just married the wrong person. Why do I have to stay in a marriage when I am miserable?
I just want him to notice me ...
These are the cries of a burned out, emotionally drained wife. How do I know? Because I have been there.
The first eight years of my marriage were rough. My husband and I were young and had a difficult time making decisions and just doing life together. He wanted one thing and I wanted another. Would we ever see eye-to-eye? Would he be able to meet my needs? Desperately desiring happiness, I began to resent him rather than dealing with the actual root of my sadness and lack of fulfillment ... which was my past.
I entered our marriage with a great deal of hurt from my past that I refused to deal with. Unrealistically, I expected when I got married, this hurt would disappear. But it didn't. It hung on. And I became bitter toward my husband for not being enough to right the wrongs in my life.
But the truth is, it wasn't my husband's responsibility to be my cure-all. Even if he had tried, no one and no thing on earth could have fixed the hurt or filled my emptiness. No, I had to find my healing and hope in something else. The answer to my dissatisfaction was found in John 4 in the story of another unhappy woman.
One day this woman, who had been married five times and was now living with another man, went to draw water from a well. There she met Jesus. Seeing clear through her hurt and pain, and recognizing her heart's desire to be loved, Jesus shared this life-changing truth with her:
"'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. ... Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst'" (vs. 10, 14a).
Jesus invited her into a relationship with Him. Not because He wanted to take the place of any husband or man in her life, but because He wanted to take a higher position within her heart. He offered to be her all-satisfying Savior.
Jesus invited this heart-parched woman to drink from Him and be refreshed, cheered, revived, comforted, and so much more. He assured her that in Him, she would never thirst again.
So often we look to our husbands (or other people, positions, or possessions) with unrealistic expectations, wanting them to offer what only Christ can: perfect healing, unending love, and sufficient validation.
But every marriage has its seasons. There will be times when you feel deeply fulfilled, and there will be times you may feel stark, barren and empty. That is why it is important to look to Christ alone for your value and fulfillment. He is your only Savior.
How do you do this? Get to know Him, just like you did your husband when you were dating! Study the Bible, pray and spend time alone with God daily. Replace thoughts of unworthiness, doubt or belittling with truth you find in Scripture.
With time, God healed our marriage. It took me going to counseling to deal with my past and a godly man to mentor my husband. As we began to find personal satisfaction in our individual relationships with Christ, we simultaneously began to grow closer to each other. The first step to restoring our marriage, though, was accepting the Lord's exclusive invitation to drink the water only He provides.
Will you accept it today too? He's offering you living water. Let's drink deep and allow the healing to begin.
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to have a relationship with me. Help me seek Him and find my satisfaction in Him alone. As that happens, please heal me and my marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Stephanie Clayton's blog for more encouragement!
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope will help you find the soul-satisfying love and assurance your heart longs for!
We hear from women around the world that God uses our daily devotion to draw them closer to Himself. One reader wrote, "I got up this morning with a heavy and discouraged heart, dwelling on past hurts, failures and frustrations. As I sat down to have coffee with God, I was lead to this devotional. Talk about putting it all in perspective! My heart has done a 180 turn. Praise God!"
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Reflect and Respond:
Take an honest assessment: do you expect your husband to make the pain from your past better, to fulfill you and to be your source of happiness?
Take time today to get to know Jesus by studying Scripture and praying.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 55:1, "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (ESV)
© 2013 by Stephanie Clayton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 15, 2013
Pause and Breathe
Tracie Miles
"So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." Psalm 46:2 (NLT)
Recently as I was waiting to board a plane, I felt a little twinge of anxiety.
I looked tentatively at the other passengers at the gate, wondering if any posed a threat. I found myself reading their faces, looking at their carry-on bags and speculating if anything dangerous might have slipped through.
You see, the horrific events of previous months were heavy on my heart. My mind had been filled with school shootings, the Boston Marathon bombing, massive floods in the Southwest, the plant explosion in Texas, tornados, and tragedies overseas. As the news broadcasts so many calamities, innocent lives lost and people injured, it's easy to harbor fear and wonder: What's happening to our world? Why are people so evil? Can we ever feel safe?
In that airport terminal, my mind was on the verge of drifting to a thousand what-ifs and whys when I remembered God's promise in Psalm 46. As I allowed His truth to sink in, I paused to take comfort in the fact that there was no need to fear, because no matter what, God is with us.
Verses 1-3 assure us that "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" Interlude
God is our Protector. He is where we find strength to get through tough times when we are afraid. When the earth crumbles, floods abound, avalanches roar, tornados threaten—He is our refuge.
Yet, sometimes in the face of tragedy and heartache, we question God, doubting His promise of protection. Although God does have the authority and ability to protect us from every trouble, sometimes He uses the trials we go through to teach us, purify us and draw us closer to Him. Although at times it may seem that God has not protected us in the way we need or desire, we can rest in knowing that He is protecting us in the way He knows is best for us to learn to fully depend on God.
Psalm 46:4-7 says, "A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." Interlude
While I love the ocean, I don't long to dig my toes in the shorelines when there's a storm. But I wouldn't mind sitting on the banks of a peaceful river, even during a rainstorm. Just like the calm, flowing waters of a river, God weaves His peace and provision throughout our lives even in chaos.
Psalm 46:8-11 says, "Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." Interlude
Although the world is in disarray, God is still God. He is still on the throne. Still mighty. Still faithful. Still sovereign.
In all three sections in this passage, each one ends with the word Interlude. The definition of interlude is to pause, break, breathing space, or rest.
When we pause to focus on the truth that God is God, we find rest.
If fear has been creeping into your heart lately, pause and remember that God is your protector; His presence is with you, and He is in the highest position of authority over this broken world. Ask Him to settle the anxiousness in your heart. Then, just breathe.
Dear Lord, thank You for being a safe place to flee, for always providing peace in the face of anxieties. Fill us with joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement and to enter to win a copy of her book Stressed-Less Living and a journal and pen set.
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Reflect and Respond:
Consider what fears, whether valid or imagined, have been burdening your heart lately. Search God's Word for a verse that specifically addresses that fear(s).
Power Verse:
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 16, 2013
When You're Hanging on by a Thread
Micca Campbell
"The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." Psalm 34:19 (NIV)
I have a dear friend whose husband didn't want to be married anymore. Sure, she knew there were problems in their relationship, but this devastating news blindsided her. We prayed together. She sought counseling and even invited her husband along. Still, no matter her attempts to save her marriage, it was falling apart.
I've never seen her so helpless, so troubled, so lost. She was hanging on by a thread. I understand the darkness she was in and know the weakness and heart-wrenching pain because I've been there. Most of us have experienced terrible news that took us by surprise and left us hanging on by a thread.
Perhaps you're there now. You may be experiencing a broken relationship. Maybe you need to be saved from some addiction or financial trouble. Whatever the case, you feel alone, scared and weak. Your situation is hard, wrenching and painful. You're losing your grip on faith.
I could tell that my friend was losing her grip on her spiritual foundation. In her deep despair, all she had was a thread of hope to hang on to. What was that hope? It is the promise of God found in Psalm 34:19, "The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all."
Such was the case of Rahab, a prostitute whose story is told in the Bible. Rahab owned an inn near the city gate of Jericho, the city soon to be conquered by the Israelites.
Rahab had heard about God's greatness and had come to believe He was the one true God. So she hid the two Israeli spies that Joshua, the commander of the Israelite army, had sent on a scouting mission into Jericho.
The king of Jericho heard that the spies had been at Rahab's home, so he sent orders for her to turn them over. When the king's soldiers questioned her of the whereabouts of the spies, Rahab misguided the soldiers and sent them on a wild goose chase after the spies whom she had actually hidden on her roof.
Once the soldiers were gone, Rahab asked the spies to save her and her household. She promised to keep silent about their mission if they would spare her family when the Israelites invaded the city of Jericho. The spies told her to hang a scarlet cord from her window as a sign to the Jews to protect her.
Rahab obeyed and when the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab's life, and all those in her household, hung by the thread of hope that the spies would keep their word.
They did, and she and her family were spared from the destruction when the walls of Jericho crumbled. Her household was passed over. Protected. Delivered.
Like Rahab, the only thing my friend had between herself and total destruction was a thin thread of hope. It proved to be enough. Although her marriage came tumbling down, she was saved from total destruction. When all was said and done, she still had the love of God, the hope He offers and the peace He gives.
Each of us needs a thread of hope—a reminder that just as Joshua saved Rahab, God can save each of us. He may or may not change our circumstances, but He can protect us from being taken under the falling rubble that surrounds us.
He is there when we're hanging on by a thread. Even at our weakest point, a simple cry such as, "Lord, help me" invites the hand of God to take hold of our situation. And deliver us.
Dear Lord, thank You that Your salvation is far reaching. It not only takes away my sin and provides eternal life, but also it helps me for today. Help me, Lord, as I throw to You a thin thread of hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you're hanging by a thread, visit Micca Campbell's blog for prayer, to pray for someone or to share your scarlet thread.
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we pray every day with women who are hanging on by a thread. Recently, Diane called our office and shared her plans to commit suicide. By the grace of God, she allowed us to pray with her and she chose to continue living and to get help. Would you partner with us in reaching women like Diane?
Simply text MINISTRY to 50555 to give $10 to PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES today. {When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your donation.}
When you TEXT to GIVE a $10.00 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries, charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms: mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy.
Reflect and Respond:
In what ways can you put up a thread of hope as an indication to God that you need Him to save you?
Power Verse:
Psalms 145:18, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (NIV)
© 2013 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 17, 2013
Is God's Strength Still Available for Me?
Glynnis Whitwer
"'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.' And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said." 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV)
Strength is an appealing characteristic. Strong wills. Strong arms. Strong jaws. Strong emotions. We admire them all.
We love movies with strong heroes.
We watch sports with strong athletes.
We look up to strong leaders.
Yet it's easy to compare our own motivations, muscles and minds with others who appear strong, and feel quite insignificant and weak in the comparison. We whisper things in our hearts that no one hears. Things like:
If only I were that strong ...
... I'd say no to the temptations that no one sees.
... I'd follow my dream to change careers.
... I'd go to college.
... I'd be the mother or employee I KNOW I could be.
Then reality washes over us like a splash of ice water, waking us from our daydream with an unpleasant start. Back to our weaknesses that seem destined to chain us to a resigned life. Bad habits, damaged relationships, unfulfilled dreams ... that's my life ... our despairing hearts sigh.
Oh how I know those thoughts. For most of my life, I've battled feeling weak in certain areas, while strong in others. And my inconsistencies frustrate me. I could be brave when facing a huge project at work, but the thought of sharing my faith with my unbelieving father made me feel weak. I feel strong saying no to many obvious sins, but then weak when I don't say no to over-eating in the privacy of my home.
And then I read stories like the one told of Hezekiah, king of Judah in 2 Chronicles 32. The story is worth reading in its entirety, but verses 7 and 8 speak truth that's worth repeating today: "'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.' And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said."
It's so easy for me to forget there is a source of strength available to me every moment of every day. It's free of charge. There is no "closed" sign in the window of heaven. And I don't get a recording when I call for help.
For those who have chosen to follow Jesus, God's strength is available. That doesn't mean tomorrow I'll be able to run a marathon; it's not that kind of strength. But as I ponder the type of strength God promises, a clue is found in the word "confidence." Confidence not in myself, but in God's ability to effectively deal with any challenge I'm currently facing.
As I've learned to turn to God for His strength, I've experienced the courage to press on in situations when my flesh wants to give up. I've experienced hope when relationships seem dead. I've experienced peace when fear threatens to overtake me.
We serve a God of unlimited power, and yet it's so easy to forget and rely on our own imperfect strength. What if we accepted that God's life-changing power was really for us? What kind of difference would that make in our lives?
Let's make this personal. What kind of difference would it make if you truly believed God's power was available ... to you?
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my strength and power. So often I feel weak and inadequate. Thank You for reminding me that I don't have to do life on my own. Help me to look to You first when I need help, and not myself. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for another biblical story of how God's strength made a difference.
Take time today to read about God's immeasurable strength in His Word. Pick up your copy of the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women. The Proverbs 31 team has written 366 devotions to unpack Scripture with you.
Reflect and Respond:
Most of us don't face war, but we do face battles every day that seem insurmountable. What "battles" do you face?
If you believed with all your heart that God's power was available to you today, what would do differently? What would you attempt?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:31, "... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)
Psalm18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 18, 2013
A Little Girl's Dance
Lysa TerKeurst
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)
My touch has always comforted my youngest daughter, Brooke.
I remember running errands when she was a baby, knowing we should have been home an hour earlier for her nap. But also knowing there were things that had to get done, I pressed on, hoping for the best. She started getting fussy. Soon, whines and whimpers escalated into a full-blown meltdown.
Although I couldn't do much to comfort her while driving, I could reach my arm into the backseat and gently pat her leg. It took a few minutes, but eventually she settled down and reached out her tiny hand to hold mine.
A few years later, Brooke had a performance with her praise dance team from school. She loved getting on a stage, so I expected her to be full of smiles and giggles. But just a few minutes before the performance began, a very distraught Brooke made her way to the audience to find me.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, she explained that the teacher had moved her from the front row to the back row, and she didn't know the back row's part. I reassured her, "Honey, just get up there and watch the other girls for cues and follow in step. You know this dance. You'll be fine."
She sobbed back, "I won't be fine if I mess up, and I know I'm going to mess up."
That's when it occurred to me. She would need my touch to get through this. But we both knew it would be impossible for my arm to reach all the way up to the stage. So I quickly whispered, "Brooke, lock your eyes with mine, and Mommy will touch you with my smile. Don't look at anyone else. It doesn't matter if you mess up. What matters is that you keep your eyes on me the whole time. We'll do this together."
Quietly she asked, "The whole time, Mommy?"
"The whole time, Brooke," I replied as I watched my brave girl walk away to take her place.
Several times during the dance, Brooke fell out of step. She knew her steps weren't perfect, so her eyes brimmed with tears. However, the tears never fell. With her eyes perfectly locked on my smiling face, she danced.
My smile was not based on her performance. My smile was born out of an incredible love for this precious, courageous little girl. As she kept her attention focused solely on my smile and the touch of my gaze, it was as if the world slowly faded away and we were the only ones in the room.
This is the way God wants me to dance through life.
Though I can't physically see Him, my soul pictures Him so clearly. In my mind's eye He is there. The touch of His gaze wraps about me, comforts me, assures me, and makes the world seem strangely dim. As long as my gaze is locked on His, I dance and He smiles. The snickers and jeers of others fade away. Though I hear their razor-sharp intentions, they are unable to pierce my heart and distract my focus. Even my own stumblings don't cause the same feelings of defeat.
My steps so often betray the desire of my heart, but it is not my perfect performance that captures His attention. Rather, it is my complete dependence on Him that He notices.
He then whispers to my heart, hold on to Me and what I say about you. For My words are the truth of who you are and the essence of what you were created to be. I then imagine Him pausing as He adds, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
His truth frees me from the chains of doubt and insecurity. His truth frees me from feeling unable and inadequate to try and pursue God. His truth washes over me as I tentatively whisper, "I want to be a woman who says 'yes' to God."
And in that moment, with my eyes locked on His, I am.
Dear Lord, I want to keep my eyes on You as I dance through the highs and lows of my life. Direct my steps today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
This devotion was taken from Lysa TerKeurst's new book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional, which releases August 1! Click here to pre-order your copy!
Take part in our newest Online Bible Study from the comfort of your home! Click here to find out more information and join the What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Bible study, starting July 28th.
Reflect and Respond:
Take some time to reflect on verses where God says who we are to Him, such as Ephesians 1:3-8, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, and John 1:12.
Power Verse:
Psalm 121:1-2, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 19, 2013
Things God Planned for Us
Van Walton
"Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Bradford were my favorite sixth grade teachers. They knew two things about me: I was bilingual and I lived close to the largest shantytown in Bogotá, Colombia. I'll always remember the day these two teachers asked for my help.
In the early 60's, my family lived in Bogotá. Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Bradford taught in the American school I attended. Every day on their way to school, they passed the neighboring shantytown. Soon they developed a vision to educate the children living there, and their big dream included me!
Would I be their interpreter to translate for the teachers who could only speak English? With approval from the school, they designed a free school for the children who had no access to education.
Not only did they ask me to translate for them, but they included me in their afterschool program as a peer tutor!
This idea awoke something that had been tucked in my heart, waiting for the right time to emerge. I grew up surrounded by unspeakable poverty, and even as a child experienced an ever-present burden. How was it possible that I had a home and the children of the street had nothing? I dreamed of helping but dismissed the idea because I was only a little girl.
However, God didn't see it that way. He had a plan. My classes in education began long before I attended college. Working beside two committed teachers put me on a career course that laid a foundation for more than a job. It became a life calling.
Years passed. My family returned to the United States. I graduated from college with a Spanish degree and began my career as a teacher. I married. Babies arrived.
It seemed my calling to teach was put on hold. But as a stay-at-home mother, I had the opportunity to learn about another education, a spiritual one. I began attending Bible studies and my original passion for education multiplied. I wanted to share the Bible with others. And I did, first with children and then with women.
From teaching Bible classes, God broadened my ministry. And once again, His wonders came to light. It was obvious He had carefully positioned me. A few years ago, I began to reach out to women whose native language is Spanish by translating devotions that reach around the world.
I certainly never imagined I'd trace God's plan for my life to the Andean hillsides of South America and the vision of two dedicated teachers. That plan continues in the ministry work that fuels my passion today in North Carolina. Looking back, I see the many wonderful things God has had for me, which are truly too many to talk about, just as Psalm 40:5 says!
I stand amazed that God would choose a young girl living in a jungle and weave her experiences, along with others' lives, into His present and future plans to prove His wondrous ways: "Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare" (Psalm 40:5).
If God did this with me, He can do it for you.
Heavenly Father, thank You for planting dreams in our hearts to serve You, even as little children. Open our eyes to Your work all around us, and how You weave people and circumstances together. You are a dream giver and a dream fulfiller. We worship You and give You all the glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Join the Lord in what He has planned for you by saying "Yes" to Him! Our newest online Bible study will encourage you to do just that! Click here to sign up today for theWhat Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst study.
Pick up your copy of From the Pound to the Palace (DVD) by Van Walton to share with your kids. This delightful testimony of an obedient and devoted dog who meets his master and follows him to a safe place combines life lessons, Bible truths and daily applications.
Visit Van's blog for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Take a few moments today to reflect on your life. Note how the highlights weave together and point to God's wondrous ways.
Power Verse:
Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 22, 2013
Progress or Procrastination?
Lisa Allen
"If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!" Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)
Unhealthy habits had crept their way into my life. At first it was only occasionally, but then it became easier to stay home rather than head to the gym. I turned a blind eye to how much sugar I was eating. And dinner from a drive-through became more convenient when I was in a rush.
After a few months in this downward spiral, I knew it was time to reintroduce healthy habits. But then the excuses started: I know I should work out, but this just isn't a good time for me ... I have two trips coming up and then there's that birthday dinner for my friend this weekend. And everyone knows that Mondays are the best day to start a good habit!
This pattern of thinking gives me permission to eat unhealthy foods and put off exercise. Somehow I justify that I will ultimately be more successful if all the conditions are perfect for me to improve my health. Perhaps it's my selfish nature that screams, "I want what I want when I want it." The truth is, if I know I should take steps toward healthier choices, then my response should simply be to ask myself, "What can I do today?" and then do it. I don't have to have a plan for a month or even a week ... only today.
As I've observed this pattern of procrastination within myself, I find when faced with a desire and necessity to make a change for the better, sometimes I wait until I can do it perfectly before I'm willing to begin. Scripture tells us though "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!" (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
I don't know about you, but I struggle with feeling that perfection is unreachable, so I push my goals to the back burner.
We wait to start consistent quiet times until we feel like getting up earlier. We wait to clean our house until there is a convenient weekend. We wait to join a small group until our schedules open up. We wait to begin a healthier lifestyle until the holidays are over.
Taking that first step is the hardest and yet most important step. Even a baby step toward a goal is better than staying in place. Aiming for progress rather than perfection can be quite freeing. So, I can't run a marathon. But I can lace up my sneakers and go for a walk. And while my home isn't in spotless, I can wipe down the counters and put away the piles of laundry around my living room. Yes, there are still dishes in the sink, but I have to start somewhere, right?
God is teaching me that I can make progress in the midst of less-than-perfect circumstances. While I still want to do things with excellence, a friend once told me I need to be willing to "take a B instead of an A+" on some things in life, and that helps bring perspective when excuses start to rise up. Plus, I'm learning to overcome my tendency for excuses by telling myself imperfect action is better than perfect procrastination.
There may never be a perfect time to get organized, eat less sugar, and workout more. However, we have to begin somewhere. The perfect place to start is where we are today.
Father, You know me so well, and I confess to You I've been avoiding obedience by waiting for things to be easier, better and more convenient. I recognize this as disobedience and ask You to forgive me. Give me the strength to focus today on this area of obedience. Let me know that You are providing all I need to take this step today and tomorrow, as I continue this journey with You. Amen.
Related Resources:
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst
Our newest Online Bible Study, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst, will be studying the perfect companion book to help you stop procrastinating and start progressing! Click here for more information and to sign up.
Visit Lisa Allen's website for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
What area of procrastination are you wrestling with? Whatever it is, choose to take one step toward your goal. Share it with your spouse, friend or mom and ask them to help you live this truth: "Imperfect progress is better than perfect procrastination."
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 7:8, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning and patience is better than pride." (NIV)
Proverbs 31:27, "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." (ESV)
© 2013 by Lisa Allen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 23, 2013
Encouragement for the Daily Grind
Samantha Evilsizer
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer." 1 Peter 3:12a (ESV)
It's common, everyday stuff. She tells me it's nothing, but I know better.
This solo parent single-handedly holds each strand of her small daughter's hair. It's getting late, but she must continue ridding the unwelcome "guests." Comb, wash and comb again, fingers exhausted as the clock strikes midnight.
I send her this text message, You're doing great. She writes me back, telling of her doubt. What's so special about picking out lice? she wonders as she finally collapses in bed, daughter enfolded under her mama's wings. Will this little girl remember her mother's sacrifices? Most likely not. But she will remember the safety and care of her mother's nest.
And my friend? What will she remember? Shins kicked big by tiny feet, sleepy breath in her face, and trudging through the daily grind. These are what she believes she'llremember, and no one else will ever see or know. These exhausting moments when she wishes she were doing something more noble or noteworthy.
But I know better. I know I'm not the only one who sees her sacrifices of love. I know that these common moments, built one upon the other, create great lifetimes. These moments are mostly free, yet they cost quite a bit, don't they? Their currency? Time, energy, selflessness, dreams and yes, sleep. All these investments build a life of loving high and deep.
I'm reminded of a story I read years ago of a woman who opened the front cover of a coffee table book about magnificent cathedrals. She paused to soak in the inscription of this book that had been gifted to her: With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.
A story, hidden in the pages of her book, is recounted: A rich man came to visit the cathedral while it was being built ... he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."
And the workman replied, "Because God sees."*
Though my friend's efforts were unseen by the rest of the world, they were not unnoticed by the Lord. Her late-night labor of love was building something beautiful in the eyes of God. He saw her just as He promises in 1 Peter 3:12a, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer."
He watches over us as a mother bird keeps watch on her chicks. God's eyes of love, care and protection see each of our everyday efforts that can bring discouragement in the daily grind. Folding the 11th basket of clothes ... today. Cooking dinner with no "thank you" given. Stripping bed sheets in the middle of the night when kids get sick.
Whether you are investing in your own children, or someone else's, keep up the greatness in the common moments. It may seem like nothing, but you matter. You're building. You're seen.
Dear Lord, I can get so weary and tired of persisting in building greatness in the everyday moments of life. It often feels like no one notices or appreciates me. Thank You for confirming that YOU see me. That is more than enough. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Be affirmed of who you are, why you are here and how much you are loved in His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd.
The Proverbs 31 Ministries' Facebook page offers daily encouragement for the daily grind. Join us by clicking here.
Visit Samantha Evilsizer's blog for a free downloadable printable of verses of encouragement and comfort.
Reflect and Respond:
We need to replenish ourselves as we pour out love, energy, and prayer on others. Determine now to set aside time each day to spend with God and notice how He replenishes you.
Click here to view Nicole Johnson sharing the story of "The Invisible Woman."
Power Verse:
Psalm 33:18, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love ... " (ESV)
*The Invisible Woman by Nicole Johnson
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 24, 2013
Extravagant Love
Sharon Glasgow
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
I was SO mad, I thought I would explode! The contents of that explosion would have been hazardous to anyone in my path—namely, my husband Dale!
Anger was emanating from every pore of my being. What was he thinking? How could he not see the obvious? The more these thoughts swirled in my head, the madder I got. And he didn't seem to care about my feelings either! He just looked at me. That was it! I decided to pack up the kids and leave.
And (the nerve of him) he didn't even ask where I was going! Apparently, the suitcases said it all. I stormed out.
Oh, boy. Those were the days many years ago. I'm glad that was then and this is now. My husband said and did a lot of things I didn't understand. It was like we were from two different planets with totally opposite brain and emotional functions.
All marriages will struggle at some point. Crisis in a marriage has the potential to make or break a marriage. It's tempting to harbor hurt, retaliate with spiteful words and focus on your spouse's faults. But experience has taught me those things do not add up to marital bliss.
After being gone from Dale for 24 hours, I couldn't stand it any longer. I came home and we made up. Because this wasn't something I wanted to become a pattern, I decided to look carefully at my actions and change the way I loved my husband.
Turns out there were things I could do differently. Through a lot of prayer and focused choices, I found there were several key things that radically changed my marriage for the better: an attitude of oneness, extravagant acts of love and turning intimacy into a flame of passion, not duty.
I didn't always feel like doing these three things. As a matter of a fact, many days I didn't have any desire to do them. I knew I needed to draw love out of a deeper well than my own. So I kept Colossians 3:12-17 close at hand and followed it as a way to love Dale. These verses describe a sacrificial and extravagant love, showing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
They also encourage us to show love in the name of Jesus, which is a way to honor Him. That was my focus as I re-trained my thought pattern not to emphasize the negatives or the momentary stresses. But instead, to keep my eyes on God. It got easier, knowing that by loving my husband well, I was pleasing God.
I've seen many struggling marriages ignite with passion when one spouse pours out extravagant love on the other. Sadly, I've also seen times when it didn't work. In those instances, we can take heart in knowing that Christ rewards us for how we live our lives wholeheartedly for Him. You may not be rewarded on earth, but you will be in heaven.
Extravagant love can transform an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one, induce greater love, ignite intimacy, help us live above our weaknesses and spend less time quarreling. For over twenty years, I've been putting Colossians 3 love into action in my marriage. From watching the movie my husband picks even when I don't like it, to saying "yes" instead of "I have a headache," to caring for him when he's sick, every little act of love adds up to a big reward. It blesses my husband and honors God!
Jesus, help me love my husband extravagantly! Sharpen my marriage into a beautiful display of Your glory! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hear more about Sharon Glasgow's marriage and the steps she took to radically change it in her Extravagant Love Marriage message.
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog for more marriage help resources and enter to win her Extravagant Love Marriage message!
We hear from women around the world that God uses our daily devotion to draw them closer to Himself. Every day at Proverbs 31 Ministries, we get to touch the hearts of hurting women who call and email for help, prayer and encouragement for their marriage. We're able to do this because of friends who partner with us. Will you help us continue touching lives with a small donation? Simply text MINISTRY to 50555 to give $10 to PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES today. {When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your donation.}
When you TEXT to GIVE a $10.00 donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries, charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms: mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy.
Reflect and Respond:
Ask the Lord for His help and for His love to overwhelm you so you can love like Colossians 3 tells us to.
Journal what He is speaking to your heart today and continue on this course to victory.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:12-14, 17, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ... And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)
© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 25, 2013
There's No Way
Lysa TerKeurst
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 (NIV)
I wasn't in the mood to be messed up.
I put my head against my bedroom wall, closed my eyes, and whispered, "There's no way." It was late summer of 2003 when my world collided with what seemed like an impossible invitation from God: adopt two teen boys from war-torn Liberia.
All the reasons why this wasn't a good idea tumbled before me. Honest reasons. Understandable reasons. Solid reasons.
Missionaries would be much more qualified. Missionaries with grown kids and multi-cultural experience. People much more spiritual than me. People much more gentle and patient enough to do this sort of thing.
Not this disorganized woman who originally thought Liberia was in South America.
Not this mom who already felt overwhelmed with her three kids. How in heavens would we add two more?
Not someone who couldn't find the video she rented a month ago and who paid so many late fees at the library they should have named a shelf after her. Maybe two.
Definitely not me.
But it was me.
The invitation was mine.
And I knew it.
No matter how many times I whispered over and over, "There's no way," this nagging sense of possibility wouldn't leave me. It wove its way through every fiber of my being until I stood up and shifted everything I thought my family would be with one weak whisper, "Yes."
I can honestly say there were moments of sheer joy where I felt reassured I'd heard God right.
But there were many other moments where life felt chaotic, messy, and really hard. There were tears. There were moments where I loved my five kids but I didn't like them very much. There were moments I wondered if I'd heard God wrong.
And there were more times even after we adopted where I said, "There's no way."
There was no way we could overcome a medical diagnosis one of my boys received. There was no way two teenage boys who tested at a kindergarten level could catch up in two years and be ready for middle school. There was no way I could be patient enough to educate them at home during those two years.
But every time I said, "There's no way," I'd remember Jesus calling Himself, "The way ... " (John 14:6).
John tells us that Jesus is the way to salvation. Through Him we have access to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) who gives us patience, guidance, and peace. All of which I needed. Desperately.
Yes, Jesus was the One to follow. He was the One who would guide me each day. He was the One I needed to pour out my heart to in prayer. He was the One to listen to. And He was the One who reassured me with many promises in the Bible. One of those promises was Isaiah 58:10-11:
" ... If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
I could be a light rising in the darkness. I could be full of life like a well-watered garden. I could be refreshing like a spring whose waters never fail. Me. Crazy, incapable, crying-in-my-closet me. If I let Jesus be my way and do what He was asking me to do, these things could be true for me.
And they can be true for you as well.
There might not be a way if you look at your situation with only human reasoning and calculation. But if you let Jesus' truth and promises fill you, you'll find a different way. A good way. A sure way. His way.
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are the only true way. Help me to see this every day as the circumstances of life surround and sometimes overwhelm me. I desperately need Your help as I learn to say "yes" to Your calling on my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learn more about walking in obedience and strengthening your faith in Lysa's new book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional, releasing August 1st! Click hereto pre-order your copy.
Join Proverbs 31 Ministries for our newest Online Bible Study of What Happens When Women Say Yes to God starting July 28th. Click here for more information and to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you have a situation in your life where you are saying, "There's no way ... "? How does looking to Jesus to be the way change your perspective?
Power Verse:
Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 26, 2013
Avoiding a Spiritual Stumble
Tracie Miles
"'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." Matthew 14:29-30 (NLT)
The loud noise and screams suddenly coming from upstairs caused immediate panic.
That morning my daughter had set out to run a few miles on our treadmill. Everything was going just fine until the worst happened.
She lost her focus, then her balance, and stumbled. The treadmill violently threw her off and trapped her between the mat, the floor and the wall. She managed to wiggle free, but not before the treadmill wreaked havoc on her back, legs and arms.
When tears dried and Band Aids had been gently placed over the raw wounds, I asked her how the accident happened. It turned out she had a lot going on besides just running. For example, a blaring television, incoming text messages (which of course needed urgent attention), a loose shoelace and fatigue in her legs.
There were a lot of distractions that caused her to fall, and she was too weak to regain her balance. She vowed then and there to never get back on another treadmill. Ever.
My daughter's tumble is a lot like what happens in our Christian walk. We fully intend to stay focused on Christ, but life's distractions cause us to shift our focus, stumble in our faith and leave us feeling too beaten down to get back up.
Matthew 14:29 shows us how Peter took a tumble of sorts when he lost his focus. Peter and the disciples were caught in a terrible storm with their boat being tossed around by torrential waves. When Peter saw Jesus standing on the water, he asked to do the same thing. Let's pick up the story there: "'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted" (Matt. 14:29-30).
When waves of fear, insecurity, discouragement or stress crash around me, I stumble too. These quickly become my focus instead of fixing my eyes on Jesus. Without fail, I sink under the weight of these circumstances and fall.
My "fall" looks like this: instead of praying, I worry about my dad's health. Rather than praising God and looking to Him for provision, I stress about paying bills. And instead of trusting He will help me complete a task at hand, I doubt if I'm able to get everything on my agenda done. All these distractions pull me down and pull my faith away from Jesus.
Here is the amazing thing about Jesus. When Peter began sinking, he cried out for Jesus to save him. And Jesus did. Just as Jesus didn't hesitate to pull Peter out of the rough waves, He will pull you and me back too as soon as we ask.
Life has stormy seasons. Unexpected health diagnoses', years when children decide to walk away from the Lord, rough patches in our marriage ... all cause waves of doubt, stress, worry or fear. These can cause us to stumble and fall if we only focus on them.
The best place to fix our eyes is on Jesus. He's our peace, source of hope, and the One person we can trust will always be there for us. And when we do fall, as soon as we call out to Him, He'll pick us up.
Dear Jesus, I confess I lose focus on You while running through the distractions of life. I have fallen many times. Help me to trust and have faith in You, and avoid letting life distract me from Your truths. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie's blog for 5 tips on staying on track with Christ.
NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is interspersed with 366 devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team.
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles
Reflect and Respond:
In what ways has life been distracting you, causing you to inadvertently lose focus on Christ?
Close your eyes and visualize yourself standing in a storm looking at Jesus. Be bold and walk towards Him. Have faith that no matter how much life has caused you to get sidetracked, He is ready to reach out and pull you close once again.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 4:25-27, "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." (NLT)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 29, 2013
White As Snow
Suzie Eller
"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7 (NIV)
We were friends in youth group. That led to Saturdays at her house. Double dates. And slumber parties where we talked about boys and did each other's hair.
But more than silly teen stuff, Michelle and I were among the few in the youth group who attended church with no family support. Consequently, we encouraged each other spiritually and often knelt and prayed together.
A year after high school, sadly we lost touch. We moved to different cities. Married. Had children. Our lives no longer intersected.
Until three decades later.
Her message on Facebook caught me by surprise, and I couldn't wait to see her again. When we met she told me all that had transpired in thirty years, and my heart hurt for my friend.
So much had taken place, beginning with college and the party scene. She met men who said they loved her, but hurt her instead. Those unhealthy relationships led to more than one marriage. She endured abuse, and eventually began to believe that somehow it was what she deserved.
Bravely, she left the abusive men. She went back to school and secured a job, taking care of her children on her own.
But there was still something missing inside of the heart of this woman. Though she had once found sanctuary in an altar at a small church, she wondered if she had strayed too far to find her way back. Did too many men, too many parties, too much sin stand between her and Jesus?
In Psalm 51:7-9, the Psalmist confronted those same fears. It led to this prayer of repentance.
"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity" (NIV).
Like the Psalmist, Michelle felt the sorrow of her sin and the path that had taken her so far from her once-vibrant relationship with God. But she also knew there was a place to find restoration.
Not just to be forgiven, but to be restored, renewed, and to rejoice in Whose she was again.
Michelle reached out for God's love saying, "I knew that I couldn't go back and try to fix the past. I could only make amends and claim the forgiveness that God had ready for me."
Maybe you know of someone ... maybe you are that someone ... who believes you've gone too far.
Repentance begins with sorrow or remorse over sin and leads to a change of direction. You turn away from your old life and turn toward God to accept His immense forgiveness. The burden of sin is removed as God cleanses you and takes your sin and replaces it with His righteousness.
If this is you, return to the love of Jesus. Put the past behind you as you accept the complete forgiveness He freely offers. Don't wait one more moment. Your past may shape you, but it doesn't define you, and it certainly doesn't limit what God can do in and through you.
Today Michelle is an example of what takes place when we are washed white as snow. She no longer feels ashamed or guilty for her past actions. A light heart and a joyful perspective have replaced these feelings. She volunteers in a rehabilitation home for women who have been abused or are homeless. Michelle delights when a woman opens her heart to receive God's cleansing and healing touch. She knows first-hand the hope and freedom that comes when anyone takes a U-turn back toward all God freely offers.
Dear Jesus, it is no accident that I read this today. You are inviting me to change my direction and to run toward You for forgiveness. I do so freely and with joy. Thank You for washing me white as snow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for Forgive to Live stories all month. Today, Michelle discusses how to forgive when your mistakes have impacted your loved ones.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzanne Eller
Reflect and Respond:
When God enters the picture, your past is reframed. How can your past story be used to encourage others to live free?
Tell one person your story today.
Power Verse:
Matthew 9:6a, "But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." (NIV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 30, 2013
Will You Give Me Your Son?
Glynnis Whitwer
"And she made a vow, saying 'LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.'" 1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV)
As my arms wrapped tighter around my son, I squeezed my eyes hoping the hot tears stinging my lids would stop. Forcing a smile I knew he'd want to see, I released him and stepped back on the airport sidewalk.
Despite my efforts, tears dripped down my cheeks. I grinned and shrugged, unable to speak. Thankfully my son's gentle teasing helped get past the awkwardness of the goodbye. With a final hug, my 19-year-old left for a mission trip to China.
Having children willing to serve God was my heart's desire before they were born. It was what I've prayed for since they were small. And it is what I have worked toward for years. I just didn't know it was going to stretch my faith so much.
You see, long ago my husband and I dedicated our children to the Lord, and we raised them to serve God. I was thrilled at my son's decision to go on a mission trip, but the reality of releasing him to God's calling felt like a piece of my heart was being torn away.
It was so much easier to dedicate my children to God during the three years my husband and I struggled with infertility. Each time I read the story of Hannah and her struggle with infertility in 1 Samuel 2, my heart leapt in hope. Just as she pledged her child to the Lord if He would only give her one, I was willing to do the same.
It was also easier to dedicate my children to God once we finally had them, while they were wrapped safely in my arms.
But standing at the airport, there was a fragile part of me that wanted to take back that offer. Fears rose up. My son is so adventurous, what if something happened? What if I never saw him again?
I tried to put the fears aside, but hours after our final goodbye, I still had a crumpled tissue in my hand. It was then, I heard God speak to my heart. It was unmistakably Him. I'd never ask myself this question: Will you give Me your son?
By that time my son was on a plane, so the question seemed pointless. But what I wanted to say was this: Well, now that You've asked ... the answer is no, I've changed my mind about all that dedication stuff I said years ago.
In the weeks since that day, I've often wondered why God would ask that question since He didn't really need my permission. I've come to believe it's because He knows the influence a mother has on her children, even when they're grown. With words spoken or withheld, tone of voice, and emotional and financial support (or lack thereof) a mother can influence her children's obedience to God's call at every age.
And in my case, God knows my fears have affected my children. Ten years earlier when my oldest son wanted to go on an international mission trip, my fears stopped him. At that time, I thought he was too young and the destination too far. Without my active support, his plans fizzled.
Over the years, God has helped me overcome that fear time and time again, and eventually that same son went on other mission trips. Every time I've released my tight grip on my children to obey God, my faith has grown. Apparently my faith needed to grow again, hence God's heart check that day: Will you give Me your son?
Gripping my soggy tissue, I whispered a shaky "yes." Hoping it was good enough, but sensing it wasn't, I answered again, this time with confidence: "Yes! You can have my son!"
Immediately peace started to grow in my heart as I turned my eyes from my own situation to His plan for my son. Peace and joy continued to grow stronger each day.
Sometimes I wish I were one of those mothers who never deals with fear. They seem so confident and faith-filled. But I've learned when I give God my weaknesses, His power is displayed and His kingdom is advanced. So in spite of a bit of trembling, and a few tears, I'm going to say yes each time God asks if He can have one of my children.
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me in spite of my weakness. I want to trust You more and confess the times fear has held me back. Help me to be honest with You and receive Your strength. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Scripture tells us "do not fear" dozens of times. Find comfort and reassurance in the words of God in the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women with 366 devotions included by Proverbs 31 Ministries' team.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more on how God has helped her overcome fear for her children.
Reflect and Respond:
Fear has the power to stop us from obeying God's calling for ourselves and in how we support others in their calling.
How has fear affected your obedience?
Power Verse:
Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
July 31, 2013
Overlooking an Offense
Wendy Blight
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 (NIV 1984)
What did she mean by that? Why does she always hurt my feelings? Why does she treat me that way? I didn't realize these words played through my head on a continual basis until my daughter pointed it out.
She ended many of our conversations with, "Why do you get your feelings hurt so easily?" Or, "Mom, you're so sensitive."
At first, her words angered me. But over time, I began to hear what she was saying.
For years, I allowed people's words to hurt my feelings. In turn, I harbored anger for those words. The anger took root. Satan fed the words to me over and over again. I re-played them in my mind. Each time the anger grew deeper roots.
Listening to a sermon in church, I would think, "I wish ______ was here. She really needs to hear this!" Of course, the sermon by-passed my heart all together.
Without realizing it, the words of others consumed my thoughts and focus and stole my time. About this time, God called me to teach a Bible study on the book of Proverbs. I spent days and weeks absorbed in this amazing book of wisdom.
One afternoon, this verse leapt off the page and into my heart, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 19:11). I had a choice. Up until then, I heard people's words, jumped to a conclusion and chose to be offended.
But through His Word, God gently corrected me. I sensed Him saying that I can choose to look past people's words and not receive them with an offended heart. I discovered that I needed to LISTEN objectively and ask: What is driving their words? Do they have a valid point? Do they have a deep hurt? Or do they need something I am not giving?
The responsibility was on me to stop the words from taking root in my heart. When I accepted this, my attitude changed. Yes, it took time, and I am a work in progress. But now when someone speaks a hurtful word, I check it before letting it take residence in my mind. I hear the words, recognize my issue, and speak Truth over my heart. I literally say, "It is to my glory to not receive this as an offense."
Everyone wins because I don't ruin the rest of the day by pouting, making it all about me, or soaking in self-pity. Each time I make this choice, I sense God is pleased as I honor Him by choosing NOT to be offended.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am created in Your image. Thank You that I find my identity in You. Thank You that it is only Your Word and Your opinion that matter. Lord, give me Your ears to hear. Help me not to be easily offended and easily angered. Help me lay down any offenses to which I am currently holding. Let me live in the freedom of Your love and forgiveness. Help me live not in my flesh, but supernaturally in the fullness and freshness of Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
Check out Wendy's study of the book of Proverbs, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (eBook).
Stop by Wendy's blog and leave your thoughts about today's devotional for a chance to win a copy of her newest book coming out in March 2014, Living So That: Making Faith-Filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life.
Reflect and Respond:
Read 1 John 1:8-10 and reflect on its meaning in relation to this devotion.
Over the next week, listen to your conversations and note if you are easily offended.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:26-27, "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (NIV 1984)
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 1, 2013
The Secret Place
Lysa TerKeurst
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)
Can I let you in on something? There's a place I escape to that allows my soul to breathe and rest and reflect. It's the place where I can drop the "yuck" the world hands me and trade it in for the fullness of God. It's a place where God reassures me, confirms He has everything under control, and gives me a new filter through which I can process life.
Our key verse John 15:4 says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." This peaceful and fruitful remaining place is my secret place.
Honestly, it can be hard for a well-meaning soul that desires radical obedience to God to live in that way.
Rather that remaining we allow ourselves to be pulled away. The distractions of the world lure us to sell our souls for temporary pleasures, and it's easy to be conned by Satan's schemes. Other people rub us the wrong way, and we want to give them a piece of our mind. Worldly wealth screams that if only we could do more to have more, then ultimate happiness could be ours. And our right to be right seems to supersede the sacrificial call of God.
All the while God invites our souls to break away from the world and remain in Him. To remain in Him and enter the secret place, I have to make the choice to be with God by recalling Scripture I've stored away in my heart and acknowledging His presence through prayer.
Sometimes I do this because I'm in a desperate place. I pray, "God, I am here and I need You right now. I'm feeling attacked, invaded, pressed and stressed. Please meet me here and help me process what I'm facing using Your truth. I don't want this thing I'm facing to be processed through my selfishness and insecurity. I will surely act in a displeasing and dishonoring way if I'm left to face this on my own. Block my natural reaction and fill me with Your Spirit. Please handle this for me. You speak what needs to be spoken and give me the power to hold my tongue for what needs to be left in silence."
Other times I need to be with God because I'm feeling pulled into something I know is not part of His plan for me. I see something new I can't afford. How easy it is to justify my way to the checkout line, whip out a credit card and decide to deal with the consequences later!
Maybe it's a relationship we know is not in God's will. Or a particular eating habit we know isn't healthy for us.
Whatever it is, we don't have to be rendered powerless by this pull. We can pray, "God, I know You are more powerful than this pull I am feeling. I know this thing I think I want so much will only provide temporary pleasure. I know the consequences of making this choice will rob me of joy and peace in the near future. Through Your power, I am making the choice to walk away. I will find my delight in You and look forward to feeling Your fullness replace the emptiness this desire creates."
I need a fresh filling of God's Spirit and Word in me. So I go to the secret place and simply talk to God through prayer and reading Scripture. Then I listen for His voice. Sometimes He provides direction and instruction on something that needs to be done. A sweet invitation for me to lift up an obedient "yes."
The more we say yes to remaining in God's secret place, the more we will live in expectation of seeing Him. The more we expect to see God, the more we will. The more we experience Him, the more we'll trust Him. It all starts with denying the pull of the world and saying yes to God's daily invitation to remain in Him.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful for the secret place, where I can let my soul rest in You. Help me to be obedient and to remain in You above all else. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For daily encouragement in your journey of saying "yes" to God, check out Lysa TerKeurst's new book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional. It releases TODAY! Click here to get your copy.
Lysa's doing a fun giveaway on her blog today! Click here for your chance to win.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you regularly spend time with God?
If not, what keeps you from making this a priority? What will you do to break the cycle of not spending time with Him?
Power Verse:
Psalm 62:1, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 2, 2013
A Mistaken Identity
Karen Ehman
"He who belongs to God hears what God says." John 8:47a (NIV 1984)
I poured a cup of coffee and logged on to my computer to peek at a friend's Facebook page.
When I tried hopping over to see her latest pictures, I couldn't get her name to appear in the search bar. I was puzzled. This had always worked before. Glancing at the top of the screen, I realized I wasn't logged in to my own account. My son had forgotten to sign off when he'd been on earlier, so I was actually logged in as him instead.
I couldn't get where I wanted to go because I had a mistaken identity.
With a quick click of a mouse, I switched accounts and used Facebook as "me." Under the right identity, I was free to view friends' pages, leave comments with ease and get where I wanted to go.
Sometimes in life we encounter the same issue-a mistaken identity keeps us from living out God's best for our lives. This may happen when a voice from our past or our own negative self-talk causes us to forget our identity in Christ. We log into our day and encounter wrong thinking that's not in sync with who we are. Those wrong thoughts lead us to doubt God's promise of a life filled with security. We can question our value that is rooted deep in His heart toward us.
Instead of the truth of our identity, we hear: You can't do that. You aren't good enough. You'll never change. Why can't you be more like your sister? If only you were more ____________ instead of so ___________.
When self-doubt screams and discouragement sets in, we need to recognize what's happening, log out of the lies we believe and log into God's truth. It's the only way to live in our true identity so we can navigate our lives according to God's Word.
Here are some truths we can tell ourselves to remember who we are: I am the daughter of the Most High God. I am loved, redeemed and renewed. I am chosen, blameless and holy. I was bought at a great price. God knows me thoroughly and yet loves me completely. He has plans for my future that include hope, not harm; blessings, not banishment. I belong to Him.
John 8:47a tells us, "He who belongs to God hears what God says" (NIV 1984). We need to listen to His Word, let it take root in our minds and allow it to eradicate any untrue, destructive thought patterns. Replacing the negative chatter with assuring scriptures will gently, but firmly, remind us we are children of God.
Yes, if we "belong to God" we will hear what He says. As we log into His truths daily, no longer will we mistake our identity. We will know the confident reality of who we are in Christ.
Dear Lord, when I am tempted to think of myself in a way that is neither healthy nor true, remind me both of who I am and to Whom I belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on this topic, including an interview with Renee Swope and a giveaway of her book A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises, visit Karen Ehman's blog.
LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
Connect with us on social media ... we're on Facebook and Twitter!
Reflect and Respond:
What are some counter-productive or self-doubting thoughts that race through your mind at times? The next time you sense this happening, read Ephesians 1:3-14.
Power Verses:
Romans 1:6, "And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." (NIV 1984)
1 John 3:1a, "Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are." (GW)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 5, 2013
When You Have a Choice to Make
Suzie Eller
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)
According to recent statistics, I made 5,000 decisions today. Seriously?
Well, I made a decision to get out of bed. I made a choice to put on my tennis shoes and run at 6 a.m.
I chose peanut butter CheeriosĂ˘â€žË over oatmeal. I decided which bills to pay. What to make for dinner. Whether to answer a phone call. Which clothes to wear. Whether the plants needed watering or if they could wait another day. I chose to fill up the small car instead of the gas-guzzler.
I may have made more than 5,000 decisions today!
Some of our everyday choices are random, others weighty, but many of our decisions are choice points. Choice points are seemingly insignificant decisions yet they lead us in one direction or another.
I choose whether to react in anger, or respond with understanding to my husband.
I choose whether or not to create drama with a friend who hurt my feelings.
I choose time with my Heavenly Father, or push that time to another day ... again.
I choose whether or not to say those words that cause my child pain.
Recently I was on a mission trip and the team was exhausted after nearly six days of intense travel. We had missed a train and stood on the platform in the moonlight. It was nearing midnight and cold and wet. Our next ministry event was early in the morning.
The coordinator walked over. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I didn't mean for it to work out this way."
There I stood with a choice to make.
I could share my frustration. I could explain that my sleep tank was on empty. I could say nothing, while sighing with a martyred expression. Or I could choose to override my fatigued irritation and be gracious.
As she waited for my reply, a gentle voice softly spoke to my heart: "This is the way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).
I knew it was definitely the leading of the Holy Spirit, just as Scripture promised. Yes, I was exhausted, but I reminded myself what a privilege it was to be there. Ease and comfort were not readily available to Jesus, and losing a little sleep was nothing in comparison to anything He went through. The Holy Spirit nudged me to recognize that everyone around me was just as tired as I was. He led me in the way to respond.
"I'm fine," I said. "In fact it's been an amazing day and I can't wait to see what God does tomorrow."
She grabbed me and pulled me in a huge hug. "Thank you, Suz."
I wish I could say I handle every choice I have to make that way, but sometimes I fail and gripe, nit-pick, am critical and grouchy. It's my prayer that I'll remember how much my choices matter. You see, they don't just affect me; they affect those within the vicinity of my decisions.
In the 5,000 decisions you make today, take a moment to pause before deciding. Ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance and counsel. And choose to follow as He leads the way.
Dear Lord, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all my choices, and it makes me cranky. Today as I make my 5000 decisions, walk with me, remind me of how my choices affect others and help me follow Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog a month-long Forgive To Live Challenge with real stories and help as you make choice points in the area of forgiveness.
Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Keep a journal this week of choice points. Note those that lead you in the wrong direction. Are there common themes?
If you were overtired, how can you implement rest?
If you were trying to live a packed life with your spiritual tank unfilled, will you stop and fill it up?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (ESV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (ESV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 6, 2013
My Goodness
Sheila Mangum
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
It was well into the second quarter of the high school basketball game when the senior captain of the home team showed up late.
Just that morning his mother unexpectedly passed away from a sudden hemorrhage. She'd been in remission after a five-year fight with cervical cancer when she took the fatal turn.
Some of the team had been at the hospital with their grieving friend. Although they had an important game that night, the guys wanted to cancel it. Brokenhearted, the senior captain encouraged the team to play.
You can imagine everyone's surprise when this young man came out to root for his team.
His coach asked him if he wanted to sit on the bench with his teammates.
"No," he replied. "I want to play."
Game rules prevented anyone not on the pre-game roster to play unless the opposing team was granted a technical foul that would give them two free throws. It was a tight game, but his coach willingly traded the points to comfort his player.
But that is not where the compassion stopped.
The other coach wasn't interested in the free throws. He wanted to let the brokenhearted player just play. With no penalties. This coach and the referees argued over the rules until the referees won with, "Rules will not be broken."
So, after a brief conversation with his coach, the visiting team's senior captain took his place on the free throw line.
Giving his coach an understanding nod, he dribbled the ball and threw it two feet. The crowd stared in wonder as the ball rolled off the court. The second free throw landed at his feet. He had purposefully missed guaranteed points.
This gesture of sportsmanship ignited a standing ovation. Applause roared throughout the gym. The crowd witnessed a rare act of kindness birthed out of the goodness of the visiting coach and captain's hearts.
We don't often hear about people taking hold of opportunities to demonstrate such graciousness. But every day we can see God's goodness if we simply take the time. Psalm 23:6 tells us that "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Before the brokenhearted player even arrived at the game, God's goodness followed him, ready to show up when he needed it most. Goodness tapped two coaches on the shoulders. Goodness whispered in the hearts of a group of teenagers.
God's goodness is here for us as well. We find it in His daily care and love, especially in times of hardship. But we have to "get in the game" to see it. If we're checked out of life, not spending time in prayer, or not actively seeking to recognize God's goodness, we'll miss it. True, His goodness might not always seem as evident as a team opting out of free points in a basketball game, but God's goodness is all around us.
Could His kindness and love be the encouraging word or hug from a friend? Perhaps it's peace that comes unexpectedly. Or maybe it's the conversation with the grocery store clerk that brought a smile to your face.
This young man who lost his mother probably had no idea how he was going to ease the pain that surrounded him. You may be wondering that very thing as well. This is why God promises, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). God wants to be closer to you than the pain. One way He does this is by following you with His goodness and showing up through the hands and hearts of others.
I cannot tell you who won the last Super Bowl. I don't know who the Major League's MVP is. There's no way I can spout off the NBA lineup. What I can tell you about is the day God's goodness followed a crushed young man into a gymnasium during a high school basketball game in Milwaukee and made His goodness known. I can tell you he played the rest of the game, scoring ten points that led to his team's victory.
But most importantly, I can tell you that God's goodness is following you. Will you get in the game and look for it?
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your goodness. Open my eyes that I will fully see Your marvelous ways. Amen.
Related Resources:
Each day we get to share encouragement and help women see God's goodness through our FREE devotions. Recently a reader named Sue shared: "I was in a very dry season and didn't know where I fit into Gods plan. After reading these devotions, I know I can trust Him to bring me through this desert."
Although our devotions are FREE to others, it costs us over $70,000 a year to develop and distribute them each day to over half a million women around the world. Will you partner with us through a financial gift that will make a lasting impact? Click here to find out more!
For more encouragement and a special prayer, visit Sheila Mangum's blog by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
God's goodness is following you and wants to be closer to you than the pain. Look for His goodness to show up for you.
Who will you demonstrate God's goodness to today? How?
Power Verse:
Psalm 3:3, "But you are a shield around me, O LORD, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head."
© 2013 by Sheila Mangum. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 8, 2013
What Did Daniel Pray?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10b (NIV)
Have you ever been in a pit? Recently, I was. And you know what pits make me feel besides frustrated and down? Hungry.
Usually my pit comes when circumstances roll into my life that I can't control.
Circumstances that affect me, but that are beyond my control, make me want to find comfort in things I can control. And eating sure does feel like an easy way to get comfort.
But in these situations, what feels comforting going in my mouth doesn't settle well in my heart.
Overindulging in junk food makes me feel guilty. And once guilty joins me in my pit, it only compounds my issues. So, if we can't eat our way out of a pit with junk food, what can we do?
If I'm truly hungry, I can grab a healthy option. Then, I intentionally look for something for which to be thankful and get my mouth busy praising God.
Even though I may not feel like praising God in the midst of my pit, something starts to shift in my heart and in my attitude when I see blessings in the midst of burdens. Each thing for which I verbalize my thankfulness is like a stepping stone out of the pit.
And this isn't just my idea. It's biblical. Look what happened when Daniel took this approach to the pit he found himself in.
In Daniel 6:10 Daniel had just learned that if anyone was caught praying to anyone else besides King Darius, they would be thrown into the lion's den. That's a serious pit! But Daniel's reaction is amazing.
He went home, threw his windows open, and prayed anyway. I'm not thinking he did this because he felt good. I'm imagining he felt like anyone would feel in overwhelming circumstances. But he rose above his feelings to make a choice.
And do you know what he chose to pray?
"God, save me!"
"God, it's not fair!"
"God, this is too much!"
"God, smite my enemies and wipe them out!"
"God, You know I can't handle this without extreme doses of chocolate!"
No. None of the above.
What Daniel prayed is a powerful lesson for me.
Daniel 6:10b tells us that Daniel spoke prayers of gratitude. "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
Since Daniel's response is so opposite of the way most of us would react, it makes me stop and ponder. Our initial responses are usually a by-product of the rituals we've established in our life. Daniel had made it his habit to be thankful.
Since Daniel was a thankful man, God's nature and how He provides was front and center in Daniel's heart—even in the midst of uncontrollable circumstances.
I am challenged and inspired by Daniel's response. It makes me ask questions like: where do I run when life presses in on me? Who or what am I really dependent on? Do I have a habit of inviting guilt to join me in my pit? What might happen if I stopped grabbing for comfort and instead embraced the perspective changer of thanksgiving?
Life will be full of pits. But, that doesn't mean I have to be a pit dweller. Or a pit eater.
Dear Lord, I know I will sometimes find myself in a pit. But I don't have to stay there and I don't have to try to eat my way out. Thank You for providing Your timeless Word to point to the way, the truth and the life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Did this devotion resonate with you? If so, check out Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times best-selling book Made to Crave. You'll gain practical and biblical insight on satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food. Click here to purchase your copy!
We are so thankful at Proverbs 31 Ministries for the ways God has shared His wisdom and heart with us, and how we get to share that with you! Recently Miranda let us know, "I used to feel hopeless and like my life didn't matter. Through Encouragement for Today, I feel equipped to be a godly wife and mom like I have a purpose."
Would you partner with us to help us share our devotions with women like Miranda and over 500,000 more around the world each day? Find out more and make a donation here!
Lysa has a special message to share with you today on her blog. Click here to hear from her!
Reflect and Respond:
Ask yourself these 3 questions:
Where do I run when life presses in on me?
Who or what am I really dependent on?
Do I have a habit of inviting guilt to join me in my pit?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 12:28, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 9, 2013
Letting Go
Amy Carroll
"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands." Psalm 78:5-7 (NIV)
Each year I take out one memory-soaked treasure after another from the boxes containing our family's Christmas and winter decorations. There's one I anticipate unpacking more than all the others. It's a framed photograph of my two little boys in brightly colored jackets sitting on a sled surrounded by fresh snow. Their heads thrown back with delight and laughter give testament to the joy of speed and a rare North Carolina snowfall.
It's amazing how that one picture captures the childhood of my sons. Thinking about it makes my heart ache for days gone by. I reminisce about hours of playing with blocks and little arms wrapped around my neck.
I never wanted those toddler hugs to end, but today, my once-little-boys tower over me, their deep voices filling our home. Gone are childish giggles, Play-Doh and picture books. Those things are replaced with teenaged practical jokes, car keys and college texts. The boys have turned into young men, and they've let go of juvenile ways. Now, if only their mama could let go!
My oldest, Anson, is getting ready to head back to college for his sophomore year, and God's Word comforts me in this challenging transition. To parents who are watching their children sprout wings of independence, God gives strong direction followed by a powerful promise.
Strong Direction ... our job as parents is to teach.
There are several different scriptures that command us to teach:
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them" (Deut. 4:9 NIV).
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deut. 11:18-19 NIV).
Followed by a promise ... as we let go, trust our children will hang on to God.
"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it" (Proverbs 22:6 NLT).
Teach and then trust.
Parenting is a divine partnership, with God as the controlling partner. Our acts of obedience to teach our kids merge powerfully with His promises to carry them through to the end.
My husband and I have faithfully and lovingly taught God's Word to our sons. Now we are trusting God to finish the work He has begun in them. The work may not be evident immediately and there will be bumps in the road, but teaching and then trusting helps this mama's heart to let go.
Dear Lord, help me to faithfully teach Your Word and Your ways to my children and then trust You to set their paths. I let go of control and trust Your work in them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for a grandmother's perspective on letting go and giving the blessing of space and freedom to her adult children.
Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know by Suzanne Eller
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Are there biblical lessons you feel you haven't yet taught your child? Make a plan to do that before they leave your home.
Ask your older child today how you're doing in the letting go process. Discuss freedoms he would like to have and how those freedoms can be earned.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 44:3, "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." (NIV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 12, 2013
My New Normal
Leah Kimenhour
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 (NIV)
Growing up, I never liked change. To be honest, I would try to avoid it if possible. But sometimes that wasn't easy to do.
I still remember the fear as I made the transition from being homeschooled to attending public high school. My first day as a new student at a new school with new teachers and new classmates was a terrifying experience. The days that followed weren't much better. I'd lie in bed at night and spend hours crafting a plan that would take me back to my old life. My old normal.
Although I've grown since then, the fear of change can creep back in during certain situations. The unknown taunts me to remain in my comfort zone.
Recently, I felt it'd be wise to distance myself from a friendship that was a huge part of my life. Out of respect for my friend, I can't go in to the details, but I can say I'd been asked to do things that weren't in line with Scripture. There were too many dangers that threatened to take me away from God if my friend and I remained close. The Lord was tugging at my heart, asking me to step away from this relationship.
I agonized over that decision. Fear rolled in. We hung out all the time. Talked every day. Ran in the same crowd. My friend was part of my 'normal.' Letting go of this one friend would mean letting go of the normal group of friends we were part of, and not going to the normal places we all hung out. I wanted to convince myself it was okay to stay in this friendship the way it was. After all, it was comfortable. And I really didn't like change.
But for my own good ... for the good of my relationship with God ... it was time to redefine what 'normal' looked like. This required me to embrace everyday life without the familiarity of my friend. So I stepped out in obedience, despite the uncertainty.
There were times after making that hard decision when I yearned for my old life, with old friends. I wanted to run from my new normal because there was comfort in what had once been familiar.
But here's a truth I've learned since my days as the new kid on the block-although my circumstances can change, I have a God who never does. In times of change, I find strength in James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
My new normal is a solid place with a foundation rooted in my unchanging God-not in the shifting shadows cast by the fear of change that used to loom over me. The way He's leading me is truly a gift: it is trustworthy and is full of His joy. God's transforming my circumstances and relationships to work for my good and His glory.
God is faithful. He has blessed me with the gift of life-giving relationships and community that I never would have experienced had I not obeyed Him and stepped outside of my comfort zone.
And I know that no matter what you're facing, no matter what changes may be coming your way, He can do the same for you. Listen to God's prompting and trust that He has a gift for you too: His faithfulness, hope and encouragement. Embrace your new normal.
Dear Lord, change and uncertainty can be scary, but I'm choosing to trust You. Help me walk confidently in my new normal, knowing it has been perfectly arranged by You. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst and Hope TerKeurst
Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Has God been speaking to you about a change that needs to happen in your life?
Commit to spending time praying, fasting and listening closely for God's instruction. As you enter into a season of change, hold fast to His promises and truths about His unchanging character by memorizing the Power Verses below.
Power Verses:
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 32:4, "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." (NIV)
Malachi 3:6a, "For I am the Lord, I change not." (KJV)
© 2013 by Leah Kimenhour. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 13, 2013
Why Bother?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.'" John 6:68-69 (NIV)
If the following two statements were true, which would cause you the most anxiety?
You have no money.
God is not real.
When my pastor asked that question during a sermon on finances, my heart did a funny jump. God not real? Just the thought of it made me feel sick. Kind of like when you wake up from one of those eerily-real nightmares and have to convince yourself it was only a dream.
The sermon continued, but the question haunted me. And I wondered what other people thought. Which statement made them queasy?
A few days later, I posed the question to a young college student I know. He paused before answering, then said: "If the second were true, it would make my life a lot easier."
His honesty touched me deeply. But my heart hurt over the reality of his world. My young friend was raised a Christian, and I knew it was hard for him to hold to his beliefs with so many temptations facing him. I wondered how many times he came close to giving up his faith. Did he ever think, Why bother?
Oh, how I longed to tell him all the reasons why Jesus was worth everything he had to give up. But it wasn't the right time. In that honest moment, it was right to let him know I understood the hardship of following Jesus. I'd been where he was.
Days later that conversation continued to challenge me. My young friend's faith was defined by rules he had to obey. And I wondered if I had represented Jesus to him in that way. Did people watching my life see Christianity as a list of don'ts, can'ts and won'ts? Did they not see the joy? The thought of it made me want to change. Immediately.
My desire is to represent Jesus as compelling, intriguing and appealing. I want God's kindness to shine through me rather than my unkind judgment. After all, that's what drew people to Jesus.
His compassion, generosity and love caused men and women in the New Testament to willingly walk away from careers, reputations, possessions and power. People gave up everything to gladly and joyfully follow Jesus. In the face of persecution. In spite of hardship. Disregarding their desires for things of this world.
I came away that day with a commitment. I want to make my life as a Christian so appealing that when people look at me, they see the benefits of following Jesus more than the sacrifices. Oh, there are sacrifices; it would be wrong to portray following Jesus as easy. Following Jesus involves daily choices to set aside my natural self-focused inclinations (with my money, time and emotions) and put God's requests above my own. But this isn't a guilt-driven faith; it's a grace-filled one. That's how I want to represent my Jesus.
It hit me that I don't want a why-bother faith. I want to live a what-better faith, which is what the Apostle Peter saw when he evaluated his faith.
A time came when some people decided it was too hard to follow Jesus. Jesus asked His disciples if they wanted to leave too. Peter boldly answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
In other words, what could be better than following Jesus?
Many people are watching me, starting with my own family. Perhaps I've spent too many years thinking about the rules rather than the benefits. Perhaps I've portrayed faith that really doesn't require much faith ... and therefore little passion or life-change. Thankfully, it's never too late to change.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for portraying life following You as a burden. Help me to live in such a way that the joy of following You far outshines the cost. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Proverbs 31 Ministries is reaching the next generation with the appealing and life-changing truth of Jesus. One reader recently shared about our devotions, "I'm so glad I stopped while drinking my coffee this morning to read this devotion. I'm sure it was meant for me. Satan has been working hard for many years trying to make me feel too far gone and lost. Thank you for reminding me it's never too late to make a U-turn."
Although our devotions are FREE to receive, we invest over $70,000 a year to develop and distribute them each day to over half a million women around the world. Will you partner with us to make a difference in the lives of young women around the world? Join us by clicking here!
NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women contains 366 encouraging devotions to help keep you in the Word of God every day.
Reflect and Respond:
When people look at you, what might they think about a life following Jesus? Would it seem joy-filled? Or duty-laden?
What one thing can you change about your attitude that will make your faith more appealing to others?
Power Verse:
Jeremiah 31:3, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 14, 2013
I Don't Like Her
Samantha Evilsizer
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV 1984)
Guns were loaded. Places taken. The showdown had begun. Her at one end of the table; me at the other. My plate a smoking gun; lima beans my bullets.
I wish I could say I was a two-year-old toddler, throwing a tantrum. Instead, I'm embarrassed to admit I was a 25-year-old adult, sticking it to my then-boyfriend's mom; a woman I couldn't stand. Neither of us was backing down. Meeting her stealthy gaze, I methodically slid one lima bean after another to the side of my plate. I would not take one bite of her potpie until it was clear of the offending veggies.
Oh, it's not that I dislike lima beans. On the contrary. What I didn't like was her.
Her, my boyfriend's mother. Clinging tightly to her matronly apron strings. Sitting at the head of his table. Wedging herself between us. Serving his favorite meal.
Me, her son's girlfriend. Building bonds. Sitting by his side. Finding my place between mother and son. Resenting her home-cooked food.
My own mother's voice grew loud in my head with each lima bean I pushed aside. I could just hear her reprimand: it doesn't matter what she's done, you eat the limas, Sam. I held my challenger's stare as I flicked another bean and ignored what I knew my mom would say: put down your disdain and put her above yourself, Samantha.
With determined purpose, I jabbed the last lima. Without a word I said it all: I will not honor your meal ... your feelings ... you. My mom's voice shook my inner core.Humility, Samantha Elaine!!
After dishes were washed and guns put away, another voice resonated. I sensed the Lord speak gently, yet firmly. Why did you feel the need to battle your pride, and her, in having to be number one in your boyfriend's life? This would have been the perfect opportunity to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3).
I was ready with my rebuttal. She's controlling and invasive. She doesn't respect me or my relationship with her son. She's impossible to get along with, much less honor. I don't like her!
As far as I was concerned, she was the enemy, and it was my duty to draw the battle lines. Yet I knew my actions should not be determined by hers. After all, she had worked hard on that dinner. She was my boyfriend's mom. And most importantly, she was my sister in Christ.
I knew God called me to be humble toward her. Not only that, but to go above-by eating (all) of her meal, and beyond-by complimenting her dish (it actually was tasty). It would have been a small thing, but it would have been the right thing ... and the God thing.
Though my relationship with my boyfriend has since ended, my relationship with humility continues to grow. It may be through watching a television show that bores me but my friend enjoys it. Or speaking kindly when I'm frustrated, praying for someone who has offended me or taking a back seat when I want to be first.
When my finger is on the trigger of my pride, I keep in mind that by being humble, I'm obeying God, which ultimately honors Him. This truth gives me the grace I need to tuck my guns away and ask, "May I please have seconds?"
Dear Lord, thanks for being the best example of humility and honor. Please give me the grace to honor others, especially those who I find hard to respect. Thanks for Your Word that reminds me to put others first. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
The Proverbs 31 devotional writing team is excited to share with you our NEW Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living, filled with 100 devotions to encourage you with God's truth and hope! Pre-order your copy today; the book will be released September 24.
Connect with Samantha Evilsizer on her Facebook page, More Than Enough, a place of encouragement that Jesus is more than enough for every aspect of life!
Reflect and Respond:
Who do you struggle to be humble toward? Why?
Pray about having an honest conversation with that person. If you're not able to, determine now how you will react in a honoring manner the next time you interact.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:10, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (ESV)
Colossians 3:12-13a, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another ..." (ESV)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 15, 2013
When My Happy Gets Bumped
Lysa TerKeurst
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
Most days, I wake up fairly happy. It's not like I wake up in a mood for a party but generally I'm not grumpy when I arise. I wake up and things seem pretty good, level and fresh with possibilities. And then inevitably something will bump into my happy.
An early morning meltdown by one of my people. It's amazing what a bad hair day can do to a teenager's attitude.
Or a forgotten something for school. And one of my people wants their irresponsibility to suddenly become my emergency.
Or an email from somebody who clearly gets pleasure from trying to bring others down.
Or me misjudging the time and suddenly everything is rushed, hurried and stressful.
Or my husband, Art, lowering the thermostat in the house to 68 degrees and I can't stop shivering until the temperature hovers closer to 72. It's amazing how much difference four degrees makes.
Things happen. Things that bump into my happy. And suddenly I'm a little off-kilter and little less nice.
Can you relate?
Well, I'm learning something about a little mental perspective I need to have when things bump into my happy. In that moment, Satan is scheming to have me help him out. If he can just get me jostled to the point where I react out of anger, it's like lighting a spark near a puddle of gasoline.
Even the smallest spark can ignite quite a fire. A fire that will spread and feel much bigger than what the situation ever should have been.
Take the temperature discussion for example.
It should be just a simple discussion about the thermostat. But, add a little anger and suddenly things in my brain escalate to the point where I've just about convinced myself Art is completely insensitive and couldn't care less about me.
Is that true? Of course not. He just likes to sit in his house without sweating. Surely, we could find a compromise with the temperature or I could go put on some socks and a sweatshirt.
Instead, when he bumps my happy, a "growth opportunity" ensues that leaves us both feeling a little burned.
In other words, I play right into Satan's scheme and help him out. Remember, Satan's very name means one who casts something between two, causing a separation. Be it a temperature issue, tight finances, a misunderstood statement or one of the millions of little things that can bump our happy ... we have a choice.
We can choose to play into Satan's schemes and enable his attempts to separate us from God's best.
Or, we can choose to fight for our relationships and against Satan's divisive attempts.
When I think about it in these terms, it helps me identify the real enemy.
My real enemy isn't any of the people who bump my happy. My real enemy is the one who tries with all his might to get me to jump into a grumpy mood and help him tear down all that I love.
Knowing I need a strategy against these attacks, I turn to the wisdom found in Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
You better back up and back off Satan. I'm on to your schemes. You are my enemy, not people. And now I have a totally new game plan for when my happy gets bumped. Starting with finding just the right pair of socks and a sweatshirt to wear in the ice cave.
Dear Lord, sometimes my happy gets bumped and my emotions get the best of me. Help me to react in a way that's honoring to You instead of reacting in a way that will fuel Satan's agenda. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Our passion and purpose at Proverbs 31 Ministries is to speak into the lives of women who want to be strong but feel overwhelmingly weak as wives, moms, leaders, friends, and followers of Christ. Recently Miranda shared, "I used to feel hopeless and like my life didn't matter. Through Encouragement for Today, I feel equipped to be a godly wife and mom, and like I have a purpose."
Will you partner with us as we seek to minister to women life Miranda each day? Find out how you can make a difference and a donation by clicking here.
Need daily encouragement for those messy, emotional moments? Sign up for one of Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued Challenges to be sent right to your email inbox! Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
What bumps into your happy and sends you off kilter?
Could this realization that it's not just you feeling jostled, but a scheme of Satan's to separate, give you a different perspective?
Power Verse:
James 4:7, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 16, 2013
Quiet My Soul
Wendy Pope
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul." Psalm 131:2a (NIV 1984)
I'm a talker ... I always have been. When report cards came home, my parents never expected anything better than a C beside the word "conduct." One of my elementary school teachers politely called me "very social." Most were more blunt: "Wendy talks too much. She could learn more if she would talk less."
Unfortunately, old habits die hard. I brought this trait of talking too much into the time I set aside each day to spend alone with God. I often fill my "quiet time" with my words ... lots and lots of words. I wonder if sometimes the Father looks to the Son and says, "I can't get a word in edge-wise with this girl! She could learn more if she would talk less."
No, silence wasn't easy for this girl who likes to gab. Rather than waiting for God to speak to me, I wanted to tell Him what I thought would be good solutions to my problems. To-do lists ran through my head, instead of peace and quiet. It was easy to go on and on about the dusty shelves and piles of toys. But sit and listen? That felt unnatural, so I resisted and kept talking.
I shared this uneasiness with God, knowing silence and stillness were things I needed to practice. During these times I felt God's gentle encouragement: Shhh ... be still. It's okay to be silent. You don't have to say a word.
God was clearly trying to teach me something. His direction to be quiet was about more than resting my mouth-it was about resting my heart. I understood this when I read Psalm 131:2, "But I have stilled and quieted my soul." God wanted me to understand true rest ... His rest.
As with anything, practice makes perfect. With great intention, I slowed my 90-mile-an-hour thoughts and parked them during my alone time with the Lord. Sometimes this required me writing out my to-do list prior to our time together. Or re-adjusting my priorities. Vacuuming was not as important as listening to God. Many times my thoughts would rev up, and I'd be talking without even realizing it! But I'd rein them back in and start over.
My spirit felt renewed and at peace. In silence and stillness, I sensed God's direction for my day, peace for my circumstances and the soul-rest I needed.
As we fill the reservoirs of our souls with true refreshment from God, we learn to relax as we experience real peace and rest that only comes from the silence and stillness of being with Him. We carry this refreshment with us as we face the challenges of our day.
Do you have the gift of gab like me? Do you find it challenging to sit quietly with God? Ask Him to help you practice and enjoy silence and stillness. Your soul will find refreshing peace. God's rest is exactly what our restless souls need.
Dear Lord, my soul is having a hard time being still. I lay down my resistance to silence and ask for your help to spend time in silence with You every day. I praise You in advance for what You are going to say to me in the silence. I thank You for the rest only You can give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy Pope as your next event speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog today to find out more about her brand new online Bible study covering Psalms 70-82. Don't miss this exciting adventure that begins September 9. To register click here and scroll down to "Fall Study."
The Proverbs 31 Ministries Facebook page offers hope and encouragement daily! Click here to join.
Reflect and Respond:
What keeps you from silencing your soul during quiet times with God?
For five days spend five minutes in silence with God. Open the time of silence by repeating today's key verse, "But I have stilled and quieted my soul" (Psalm 131:2a). Keep a journal of your time with Him.
Power Verses:
Matthew 11:28-30, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (MSG)
Ecclesiastes 3:7b, "... a time to be silent and a time to speak." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 19, 2013
Do You Have Enough?
Karen Ehman
"Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'" Luke 12:15 (NIV)
"On your mark. Get set. Go!!" my husband shouted as our three kids began the M&M race.
The rules were simple. Each child had a bowl in a separate corner of the family room. In the middle of the floor sat a huge bowl of M&M's. The kids were to transport their candies one tablespoon at a time back to their individual bowls. If any dropped on the floor, they couldn't pick them up.
The most important rule was this: when the timer rang, they had to stop in place. If the kids weren't sitting in their corner holding their bowl, all their M&M's would be forfeited.
The clincher? We wouldn't tell them how long the timer would be set.
Four-year-old Spencer, the family clown, giggled as he dashed back and forth, candies flying off his spoon. He kept going, thinking he would get the most by hurrying and scurrying.
Methodical Mitchell was slow and careful so he could balance more candies on the spoon, not drop any and fill his bowl to the brim. But he forgot about the timer.
Big sister Kenna quickly clued in to the "catch" of the game. She too was careful transporting her M&M's. But after a few trips, she sat down with bowl in lap and waited.
Moments later the timer went off. Spencer dove for his bowl. Mitchell, who was meticulously scooping, realized all of his tedious effort had come to nothing. Both boys were without a single M&M.
In her corner sat their sister, now the proud owner of everyone's candies. One boy began to complain, the other to cry. They wanted their candy! We had them calm down to listen as we finished the Bible lesson. There was a point to this shenanigan.
My husband read the story of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21. This man had a prosperous farm that earned him quite a deal of money. Instead of using his wealth to bless others, he tore down his barns and built bigger ones to stash his stuff.
However, that very night, life's timer would go off and he would die. All of his earthly possessions would be of no value to him. In fact, they would be left for others. We related this story to our family game that day.
You know, when I step back and look around, it's easy to see how I can seek excessive earthly treasures too. I spend money on things I don't need instead of giving to feed the poor or reaching out to people with the good news of Christ. Clothes, out-on-the-town outings, or money spent on luxuries for ourselves can fill our home and heart. I'm not only talking about really expensive items or trips. It can be as simple as a pair of sandals on sale.
Even though three pairs of sandals sit in my closet that are in good condition, I can justify spending $15 on new ones. They're cute, match my favorite blue shirt and are half price! And I sure do want to get to the store early so my size is still there.
Do I really need them? No. Do I want them? Yes. And here's where I have to do some soul searching and re-read the story of the greedy farmer from Luke12:15. In it, we're warned,"Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
Am I hoarding my money for an abundance of possessions? Could I limit myself by setting a budget for splurges (like those sandals) and spend the money I save on needful things?
While there is merit in saving for a rainy day, we should also share that which God has given us. This is exactly what our daughter did that day with her M&M's and her two baby brothers!
Dear Lord, show me where I can spend less on myself and more on others. All I have belongs to You. May I use it for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For Ten Ideas to Teach Your Kids {and You} Generosity, visit Karen Ehman's blog. She is also offering a giveaway designed for you to give away.
A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
The NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women with 366 devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team on everyday life.
Reflect and Respond:
Keep track of what you spend on items that aren't necessities. How could you spend that money in a way that would help someone else?
What areas are strongholds for you in the struggle with greed? Pray about what action God would have you take to curb your cravings for more.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 28:25, "The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper." (NIV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 20, 2013
The Gift of Listening
Renee Swope
"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." Psalm 17:6 (NLT)
One night I heard my husband calling our dog to get her treat. He was actually trying to lure Chelsea, our thirteen-year-old dachshund, to her doggie bed. She was in her favorite chair and nothing was getting her to budge, not even the promise of a treat.
I asked my kids if they thought Chelsea had "selective hearing" because she didn't want to go to bed or if she was going deaf. I had a feeling it was the latter.
We reminisced and laughed about how Chelsea used to hear every little thing, from the icemaker in our kitchen to a leaf blowing outside. Then my son Andrew, who was nine at the time, looked at me with great concern. "Mom, I hope when you get old you don't go deaf like Chelsea."
I laughingly told him it might be good if I can't hear everything when I get as old as Chelsea. She gets a lot more sleep, and she's not offended by the doggy jokes we make about her advanced age.
My light-hearted response didn't wipe the concern off his brow, so I asked why he was afraid I wouldn't be able to hear him. He answered without hesitation, "Well, sometimes you don't hear me now. Like when you're on the computer and I ask you a question."
Ouch! I had no idea my child thought I couldn't hear him. His answer almost sent me on a bad-mommy guilt-trip. Flashbacks popped up from times I'd heard him but hadn't listened because my focus was on someone or something else, like the computer and TV.
Instead of defining that moment with guilt, I pulled Andrew close and told him I was sorry for not listening sometimes. I explained how me being on the computer is similar to him watching a movie. He gets so involved he doesn't hear me call him for dinner. He smiled recognizing his own "hearing loss" at times.
Still, I didn't want that to be my excuse. So I promised him I would try to stop what I am doing when he comes to me. In my heart, I committed to look away from my computer or phone to really listen. His comment made me realize, we all long to be heard, don't we?
Psalm 17:6 reflects our desire for God to hear us. The psalmist wrote, "I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." It reminds me that in the same way I go to God because I want Him to listen and answer me, my child and others come to me because they want me to listen to them. When I stop what I'm doing and listen, it tells them that they, and what they have to say, are important to me.
In our culture of constant contact through technology, it's easy for our attention to be divided and our focus to shift away from those who are in the room with us.
Although we are physically present, often times we are mentally absent.
That night God showed me the valuable gift we can give our children, spouses, friends, co-workers and even strangers. It's the gift of listening.
We give it each time we stop what we're doing and turn our full attention to others when they talk to us. And, it's a gift God gives to us each time we talk to Him too!
Lord, thank You for listening to me. Please help me be a better listener. It's easy to hear with one ear while the other is turned toward my computer, television or cell phone. I want to give the gift of listening because it communicates that I value those who want me to hear them. Make me aware and willing to push past this habit so that I can be a listener like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Pre-order a copy of our NEW devotional book Encouragement for Today that includes 100 daily devotions written by our team of P31 authors.
Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart by Renee Swope
The Power of a Purpose-Driven Parent message on CD by Renee Swope
Reflect and Respond:
Ask God to show you throughout the day how you are doing when it comes to really listening to those you live and work with.
Make a list of people you will give the gift of listening to this week.
Power Verses:
Psalm 54:2, "Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth." (NIV)
Luke 2:46, "After three days they found him [Jesus] in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 21, 2013
Running on Empty
Glynnis Whitwer
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
People often ask me, "How do you handle it all?"
Depending on the situation, I answer in a variety of ways:
I'm wired this way. And that's partly true. I have a God-wired ability to stay focused in the midst of chaos ... most of the time. I'm more left-brained than my husband, and he's an engineer!
I stay organized ... most of the time. Usually, I can find what I need when I need it. Usually, I prepare in advance. There are times when life gets the best of me, and someone wears the same socks two days in a row. But systems and schedules help me stay on top of responsibilities.
My kids are older. We still have issues that derail my best-laid plans, but they're different than when my kids were toddlers and one tried to use my car keys to unlock the back gate, dropping them in the alley by accident. That threw me into a meltdown of monumental proportions.
But when people ask "How do you handle it all?" it's usually when I've shared something that has changed my life more than anything else. An act of obedience my family made eight years ago has pushed me to the edge of myself, made me question who I am and question God about His choice of me for this assignment. But it's also made me cling to Him with more desperation than ever before. What is it?
Adopting two little girls from Africa.
I haven't written much about these challenges due to respecting my family's privacy. And I also don't want to discourage adoptive parents with how hard our journey has been. It's one of the most important things I've ever done. But also the most costly.
In 2005 we adopted two girls, ages 8 and 10, from war-torn Liberia. We knew nothing about their background, other than it contained deprivation even other poor countries don't experience. No running water, no electricity, no school, no exposure to books or even television. Just basic existence for years.
Welcoming these little girls into our family at first seemed easy. They responded well to our love. They thrived with good food and education. But very soon we realized challenges. And then very sad truths about what happened in Africa started being uncovered.
One daughter has cognitive challenges that will impact her ability to live independently the rest of her life, and ours. With the other we faced behavioral challenges-significant issues based on an early history of neglect and abuse.
Sometimes there are Hallmark-channel-endings, but that's not our story. We live every day with our daughters' wounds and challenges. And these hardships have deeply affected me and my husband. They have affected our three biological children.
Here's what I've discovered: all my God-wired ability to think through chaos, all my attempts at organization and having older kids didn't prepare me for this.
But God's strength did.
So how do I manage it all? Every day I turn to God and rely on what 2 Corinthians 12:9 teaches me ...
I don't have it in me to do this one more day, I need Your strength.
I don't have the patience in me for this ... I need Your patience.
I can't think straight right now ... I need Your clarity.
I'm not even sure I have love in me right now ... I need Your love.
And I get my portion for that day. I get just enough strength, patience, and clarity to make it through. And a new definition of love that's stronger and tougher and more determined than I have ever experienced.
I wish I could write more about my family's story, and maybe someday I will. But for now, it's brought me to my knees; it's made me more humble; it's made me less judgmental, and it's made me depend on God more than ever.
God's strength is enough. But I had to get to the end of mine to learn that.
Heavenly Father, although I didn't know I'd be facing my current challenges, You did. Thank You for offering to step in the gap between my needs and my insufficient reservoir of strength with Your peace, wisdom, strength and love. Help me to lean on You when I feel like things are falling apart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
In our brand new book, Encouragement for Today, the P31 Team shares from the realities of everyday life including highs and lows, humorous stories and tender moments. You will be drawn toward the truths God offers and enabled to rise above and become all God created you to be. Pre-order your copy today!
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more of her story.
Reflect and Respond:
The way to truly experience God's power is to get to the end of yours. What are you facing that makes you feel powerless?
Ask God for one thing you need to make it through today. Then watch for His response.
Power Verse:
John 14: 27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 22, 2013
Messy Marriages
Lysa TerKeurst
"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God." Jeremiah 17:7 (MSG)
I threw the cup of orange juice across the kitchen. It felt good to do something, anything, to release all the surging anger and frustration. And I didn't even mind cleaning the pulpy, sticky mess.
It felt soothing to know how to clean something. I knew how to wipe away this mess. And I liked seeing the mess disappear.
If only my marriage mess could be fixed with soap, water and a handful of paper towels.
I whispered, God, why does this have to be so hard?
Have you ever been there?
I think many of us have. Whether we're in a really tough marriage or just in a rough patch, marriage can be messy. Hurtful. Lonely.
No one ever told me about this side of marriage before I donned the white dress and danced to MC Hammer at the reception.
But after 20 years of learning, growing and pressing through the messes to see something beautiful form in the midst of it all, here's what I know ...
Jesus loves those in messy marriages.
He loves my husband, Art, and me in the midst of it all. Jesus doesn't love the mess of hurt, isolation and bitterness. Those are things He wants us to work on. But He never stops loving us.
Jesus loves me. His grace is strong enough to extend His love into every part of me. The good parts. The broken parts. The ugly parts. The bitter parts. The loving parts. Even the parts that throw orange juice.
And Jesus loves Art. His grace is strong enough to extend His love into every part of my husband. The good parts. The broken parts. The ugly parts. The bitter parts. The loving parts. And even the parts that look at me like I'm crazy when I throw orange juice.
Since Jesus loves both of us, He's the best source of help for our marriage. I don't say that without a deep awareness of how stinkin' hard it is to go to Jesus when I'm mad as fire at my husband.
And I certainly don't say it in naive simplicity. Gracious, I know some of you are facing marriage situations that rip your heart into a thousand pieces every day.
But still, I know Jesus is the best source of help.
Honest cries for help lifted up to Jesus will not go unheard. He sees. He knows. He loves. And Jesus will direct you as long as you stick with Him.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 in The Message version reminds us:
But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers-Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.
So, how do I stick with Jesus? I proclaim I'm sticking with Jesus:
Jesus, I'm sticking with You. I'm giving You what I don't understand and what I can't fix. I'm giving You what I don't like about me. I'm giving You what I don't like about him. And I'm giving You what I don't like about my marriage. I'm listening for Your instruction. I'm positioning myself to go where I'll hear Your truth. To talk to others who love You and serve You. And to read wise instruction from the Bible. Amen.
Jesus loves those who are in messy marriages. I know. Though Art and I have a wonderful marriage now, we can still hit some rough patches now and then.
But you'll be happy to know I haven't thrown orange juice across the kitchen lately.
Dear Lord, so much of me wants to stick with my anger and frustration. But I'm choosing to stick with You. Today I'm going to hold my temper, hold my tongue and hold on to Your Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you or a friend have ever felt like your marriage situation is impossible, click here to read Lysa TerKeurst's article Tearing Down the Impossible.
Capture His Heart (for wives) by Lysa TerKeurst
Capture Her Heart (for husbands) by Lysa TerKeurst
Reflect and Respond:
Have you honestly waited on the Lord for His guidance? Today, make a choice to seek His wisdom through His Word and ask for wise counsel from a trusted, Christ-following friend.
Power Verse:
Ephesians 4:26, 29-32, "'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry ... Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 23, 2013
Where Your Tears Go
Tracie Miles
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
If there is one thing I'm known for, it's crying.
When one of my little ones scraped their knee, didn't make the sports team, or were hurt by a friend's harsh words ... I cried.
The first time my sixteen-year-old daughter pulled out of the driveway with her new license, when a boy broke her heart, and as she strolled across the stage last year in her blue graduation gown, I cried.
So when it came time to move her into her dorm room a couple months later, I feared my tears might be uncontrollable.
Although I was proud she was going to college, and it was time for her to spread her wings, the thought of her leaving seemed unbearable. The idea of not seeing her sweet smile every day, coupled with concern over her well-being, made my heart heavy.
I had a flashback of tears shed many years ago as my little girl, dressed in her tiny denim skirt and purple butterfly shirt, stood waving goodbye from the door of her kindergarten room. As I turned to leave my daughter in her dorm room, my waterworks started.
There were tears of happiness, gratitude and excitement. Tears of sadness, anxiety and motherly worry.
A part of me wondered if I should be crying in this situation. Many mothers would be thrilled to be dropping a child off at college. Was I being selfish with my tears?
In that moment of mixed emotions, I desperately needed God's comfort and reassurance, and I found it in Psalm 56:8.
In Psalm 56:8, God reminds us He is intimately concerned with every aspect of our lives. God doesn't judge whether our sorrow is "valid." But because of His compassion, He catches every tear that is shed. It doesn't matter how big or small, trivial or important, the sorrow might be.
In this Psalm, David expressed grief over his situation, which was truly dangerous. Saul wanted his own son to be king of Israel and was hunting David in order to murder him.
This forced David to constantly be on the move as he tried to escape. David was grieved, fearful and unsure about the future. Apparently tears flowed as he poured out his feelings to God. "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book" (Psalm 56:8).
David drew comfort in knowing that no matter what he was going through, God had great compassion on him and gathered all his precious tears in a bottle. David trusted God with his life and his future. He wasn't embarrassed about his tears, and we need not be either, even when we wish we could hold them back.
Life challenges us. Children grow. Seasons of change bump into our normal status quo. When this happens, tears often spring up and efforts to contain them fall short.
Dropping your child off at kindergarten, college or any grade in between can evoke a variety of anxieties and emotions. As back-to-school season approaches, let's remember God has compassion on us and our children.
He is present with every tear shed, and we can count on Him to collect them. No matter what sorrow we face today, we can have confidence God cares.
Dear Lord, thank You for loving my children even more than I do and for having compassion on them and me. Help me feel Your comfort and reassurance when I face new seasons of life and emotional challenges as a mother. Please tuck my babies under Your wing, guide them in their decisions and keep them safe. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie Miles' blog for tips on managing back-to-school chaos and the mom-emotions that accompany it.
The Mom I Want to Be by Suzanne Eller
Proverbs 31 Ministries would love for you to join us on our Facebook page for hope and encouragement!
Reflect and Respond:
Has there ever been a time when you felt God collecting your tears?
Consider how God has touched your heart with His promise of compassion in your life. Take a moment to acknowledge Him and thank Him.
Power Verses:
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds." (NLT)
Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." (NLT)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 26, 2013
I Don't Want to Pick Up Any More Socks
Karen Ehman
"She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27 (ESV)
As a teen I loved hanging out at Miss Pat's house. Hands down, she made the best homemade noodles in the Midwest. Often you could find the creamy-white strips of flour, milk and eggs drying on her kitchen counter, waiting to be tossed in a simmering pot of chicken soup. Or you might find a fresh fruit pie cooling near an open window, making her family eager for suppertime.
Miss Pat took all aspects of her home life seriously. Her house wasn't perfect. Still, she kept it cute and clean and made it a haven for her own family and others.
With as much energy as Miss Pat devoted to homemaking, you might think that was all she did. But it wasn't. She was also active outside her home, including volunteering at her kids' school, teaching a weekly women's Bible study and serving as a youth group leader. Her love for Jesus was evident as she introduced numerous teens and women to Christ, including me.
However, she reserved her greatest energy and most creative ideas for her first line of ministry—her own family and home. Miss Pat modeled how to influence others for Christ not only with the words we speak, but also the heart with which we run our home.
Sitting around her kitchen table, I learned Miss Pat's secret for getting things done. She had a method for doing laundry ... a routine for her cleaning ... a game plan for getting groceries ... and a cheerful attitude while doing it all. In fact, now that I'm older, I think she modeled the Proverbs 31 woman very well.
Proverbs 31:27 tells us about an unnamed wife and mother (often referred to as the Proverbs 31 woman) who worked like this. "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
Now that I have my own home and family, I'm inspired by these women. Especially during those times I find it easier to be idle rather than tackle work around the home. The snapshots of organized spaces and fabulous foods on my computer screen tempt me to spend hours peering at them rather than doing them.
When running my home seems overwhelming, I remember Miss Pat and the Proverbs 31 woman. Instead of hoping the house cleans itself or a hot meal materializes out of the computer, I'm learning to make a plan and get to work. It's helpful to keep the mindset that it's a ministry to care for my home and family.
This perspective helps me pick up my son's socks and make dinner without frustration. It gives me strength when I've already put in a full day's work. While I am doing these things for my family, I'm also doing them for God.
There's no doubt that making our house a home, and all that involves, can be tiring. We need to balance true rest with work, while being on guard against laziness and resentful attitudes. Important questions to ask ourselves are: Am I laboring with a glad heart or do I grumble about the tasks at hand? Do I view keeping a home as a duty or drudgery, or do I find it a privilege and pleasure? Am I in need of rest, or am I putting off what has to be done because I just don't feel like doing it?
Being an intentional homemaker is a tough yet rewarding job. We get to serve important people—our very own families.
And the Boss? He's the best. What an honor it is to work for Him.
Dear Lord, teach me to look well to the ways of my household and not be idle, knowing it is actually You I am serving. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Need ideas and encouragement to run your home well? Visit Karen Ehman's blog today for the kickoff of Vintage Homemaking Week. She and other bloggers are providing simple how-tos and great giveaways on the basic aspects of homemaking.
A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others by Karen Ehman
Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.
Reflect and Respond:
What areas of work around the home are you hesitant to tackle?
How might knowing you are working for the Lord encourage you to work with more diligence?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ." (HCSB)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 27, 2013
God's Got You
Suzie Eller
"No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." Joshua 1:5 (NLT)
Two-year-old Luke stood at the edge of the pool. Yellow floaties hugged his arms. A swim diaper padded his bathing suit. Sweet little goggles made him look like a frog.
I stood waist deep in water, my arms open wide. "Come on, buddy. You can do this."
He edged closer and peered in, then backed away. After several steps back and forth, Luke finally sat on the edge and dipped his toes in the water. I slipped next to him, scooped him up and held him close.
Into the water we went. "I got you, buddy. I got you," I whispered.
He could have fought me, but he trusted instead. Over the next two hours, Luke gained courage to go farther and farther. Any time he felt frightened, he whispered under his breath, "I got you, buddy. I got you." It was his assurance that no matter how scary it felt, he was not alone.
Sometimes knowing we aren't alone gives us the courage to press on. It's what Joshua needed when he was thrust overnight into leadership after the death of Moses. Up until that time, Joshua had served as assistant. But in his new role, Joshua led the nation of Israel, conquering the land God had promised and leading three separate conquests.
While the Bible doesn't detail all of Joshua's emotions during this time, we read of numerous instances where God encouraged Joshua to be "strong and courageous." God must have known Joshua needed some reassurance.
Perhaps Joshua had doubts. Perhaps his confidence waned. Maybe he even asked questions like, God, are You sure? Shouldn't You choose someone more qualified?
God didn't dismiss Joshua's fears or shame him for having them. Instead He spoke clearly to Joshua, saying, "... I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you" (Joshua 1:5b).
I got you, buddy. I got you.
History shows that Joshua took steps of faith and served as a powerful, humble leader, trusting God through war, human frailty and victory.
Maybe God has been asking you to take a leap into deeper faith, or to serve beyond what you think you are capable. He's asked you to lead. To love like Jesus.
Perhaps you've come close, but backed away. Maybe you even dipped your toes in, reasoning that was enough.
Questions linger. What does God see in me that I might not see yet? What if I fail? What if it's too hard or no one is on board with me? What if I don't recognize God's help and miss my opportunity?
God is aware of your fears. And He whispers the same encouragement to you that He spoke to Joshua. He's got you.
Not too long ago, I stood in the pool again. Luke wore his floaties. He had on his swim diaper. His cute goggles made him look like a little frog. I held open my arms, and my little guy jumped with glee into my arms.
And this time, I didn't have to say it, because he knew it. It was ingrained on his heart.
I got you, buddy. I got you.
Dear Jesus, I've stood right on the edge, waiting for You to choose someone else, or naming all the reasons I'm not equipped. Today I hear Your voice and I take that step, for You are with me. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for a printable that shares five ways God demonstrates His faithfulness as you take a leap of faith.
Get acquainted with God's faithful character through the pages of the Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women with 366 devotions included.
Reflect and Respond:
Most large dreams or jobs are comprised of many smaller tasks. What is one small step you can take, beginning today?
Why are you afraid to try? Ask the Lord to release you from that fear and to trust Him.
Power Verses:
Joshua 1:9, "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 28, 2013
Hidden Hardships Behind Closed Doors
Sharon Glasgow
"On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3 (NASB)
Hidden behind the door of many homes is the reality of hardship. A devastated home isn't always apparent on first impressions, is it?
Take Susanna Wesley's life for instance. A quick glance reveals she was married to a preacher in the late 1600s. They had 10 children, two of which grew up to bring tens of thousands of people to Christ: John and Charles Wesley. Sounds like a sweet story, doesn't it?
But if we look behind the door of her home, hard conditions were the norm. Her husband, Sam, couldn't (or wouldn't) manage their finances well. They disagreed on everything from money to politics. This couple actually had 19 children; sadly, nine died in infancy. Sam left Susanna for long periods of time—sometimes over something as simple as an argument—leaving the duty of raising their children to her alone.
One of their children was unable to walk. Another couldn't talk until the age of six. Susanna herself was desperately sick most of her life. Their home burned to the ground twice; everything they owned crumbled to ashes. One of her daughters became pregnant out of wedlock. They had no money for food or necessities. Sam even went to debtor's prison.
Long before Susanna had an inkling of how difficult her married life would be, she made the Lord a promise. When she was young, Susanna committed that for every hour she spent in entertainment, she would give the same amount of time to Him in prayer and in the Word.
Taking care of the house and raising so many kids made this commitment nearly impossible to fulfill. She had no time for either entertainment or long hours in prayer! This wife and mother worked the gardens, milked the cow, schooled the children and managed the entire house herself.
It would have been understandable if Susanna reneged on her promise to the Lord. But she didn't. Instead, she gave the Lord two hours a day in prayer!
As you can imagine with 10 kids, she struggled to find a quiet place to get away with God. So she advised her children that when her apron was over her head, that meant she was in prayer and couldn't be disturbed.
Susanna was devoted to her walk with Christ, praying for her children, and growing in the knowledge of the Word ... no matter how hard life was.
This dedicated woman's story may have never been known to anyone but the Lord and her children, except for the fact that her example greatly inspired two of her sons. They both said that their mom influenced them more than any other person.
John and Charles Wesley became powerhouses for the glory of the Lord. John preached to nearly a million people in the 1700s. He brought revival everywhere he traveled and taught the Word of God! Charles wrote over 9000 hymns, many of which we still sing today.
In the middle of great hardships, Susanna consistently tapped into her source of strength. She connected intentionally with the Lord every day. It's amazing how her choices influenced not only her family, but also countless individuals, families and worshippers over the years.
Hidden behind the door of my home, I want my children to see a mom who prays, no matter how busy I am or how hard my circumstances. I'm going to continue letting Susanna's example influence me. How about you?
Dear Lord, I need Your wisdom, peace and strength. Help me to rely on You and not myself. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog for more encouragement through hardships.
Life is full of obligations, emotions and relationships. Some are life-giving, yet sometimes the weight of everyday life is heavy. We long for someone who understands. You'll find that friend in the pages of Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living.
Reflect and Respond:
How much time are you spending with Jesus every day in prayer and in the Word?
Make a plan for how you can increase your time with Him. When your kids grow up, how will they describe how you handled hardships?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:28a, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed ..." (KJV)
1 Chronicles 16:11, "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually." (KJV)
© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 29, 2013
The Day My Fragile Identity as a Mom Melted
Lysa TerKeurst
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
She had the most angelic sweetheart lips. Eyes blue as the most tranquil oceans. Blonde ringlet curls. Chubby cheeks begging to be kissed over and over. Little hands that instinctively curled around my finger while simultaneously melting my heart.
Pure sweetness wrapped in a pink blanket.
And then came the day this little creature pursed those lips, gripped the toy in her hand, tilted her pigtailed head and screamed, "Mine! Mine! Mine!"
The fuss was over a small red toy my friend had let her borrow. My friend who was much more organized than me. She had brought along toys and baggies of Cheerios to keep the kids entertained during our coffee date. The plan to use this toy as temporary entertainment had worked beautifully. Until it was time to go.
I could feel a burning flush of embarrassment rush from my chest to my face.
Of course my friend's child was shining her halo with one hand while happily handing over her yellow toy with the other.
"Mine! Mine!" My daughter screamed as every eye in the small java joint stared at me.
I pried the toy from her hand, thanked my friend, and hoisted my kicking and screaming daughter out of the wooden highchair. And then in slow motion, I watched in horror as she knocked my paper coffee cup from my hand and sent it careening across the floor.
I felt my fragile identity as a mom melt into the puddle of spilled coffee. What happened to my angel? My beautiful daughter was ... not so angelic.
It's been many years since that day in the coffee shop.
But oh how I wish I could go back and sit with my little inexperienced mommy self on the drive home.
I would say, "Your daughter is a child in need of a parent. She needs to be taught. And some of your best teaching opportunities will come when she puts her sin nature on display. Don't fear or fret or feel like this is some sort of failure on your part. Her outside demonstrations are an internal indication of her need for guidance. So guide her. Love her. And always remember to be the parent. Not her friend. Not her buddy. The parent."
I needed to know what Proverbs 22:6 teaches, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
That daughter is 19 years old now. And is an absolute delight.
But growing her up wasn't always easy. There were many more times when she put her sin nature on display. And each time I had to choose to be the parent.
It's not easy to be the parent. It seems less and less popular to tell kids no.
As parents, we need to set biblical boundaries. Teach our kids the difference between realistic and unrealistic expectations. Not cater to their every whim. Draw lines between what's appropriate and inappropriate for language, entertainment, and the length of a hemline. Model manners. And what it looks like to seek a life of godliness, not just religious activity.
Glory knows I've been so imperfect with all this.
But holding the line on being the parent, even when done imperfectly, is good.
And will be worth it.
Even in those seasons where you feel as if they're doing everything the opposite of what you've taught them. All that parenting is in them. And the fruit of that will emerge one day.
Yes, be the parent. Teach biblical truths. Stand strong in saying no even when it's not the popular choice.
That's what our kids need so desperately.
And be encouraged, friend ... you're doing better than you think you are.
Dear Lord, You know better than all of us that parenting is hard. Help me to see each day as a teaching opportunity to raise up a child who loves You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Wouldn't it be great to go into this school year stress-free? You can! Click here to join us for the "No More Unglued Mama Mornings Challenge." We're taking five days to make mornings better with our kids!
For more on looking to the Lord for what you need each day as a mom, check out Lysa TerKeurst's book, Am I Messing Up My Kids? Click here to purchase your copy!
Reflect and Respond:
Take a moment to think: how and what am I communicating to my children?
Read today's power verses for a better understanding of just how important it is to raise a child to follow after the Lord.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 54:13, "All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. (NIV)
2 Timothy 3:14-15, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
August 30, 2013
If God Does Not Rescue Us
Samantha Evilsizer
"If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods ..." Daniel 3:17-18a (HCSB)
She whisked the tears away fast, like a sailor scooping water from a sinking ship. My friend was trying hard to keep her heart from going under.
She'd been carrying the joy of what she thought was a new life on the way. But this was a hope to be deferred. It wasn't time. She wasn't sure if it'd ever be time.
Desperate aches to hold a baby of her own had begun to dictate her thoughts, emotions and actions. And she recognized she had to face a few big questions before they consumed her.
Would her longing to rest her cheek against a soft head crowd out her praise to God? Might her days be full of trust in Him, even if her womb remained empty? Could she stand in awe of all God had already done ... or would she bow to discontentment and disbelief in His goodness and power?
As she sat with me, my friend knew it was time to stand and face the music. Much like three young Israelite men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, did in the book of Daniel.
These Israelites had been captured by the Babylonians. Many years into their captivity, the fanatical King Nebuchadnezzar held a ceremony. To fulfill his craving to be feared and obeyed, he demanded the people bow and worship a 90-foot golden idol when special music was played. If they didn't, death by a scorching furnace was certain.
Everyone kneeled facedown; everyone but these three men of God. They stood above the crowd and literally faced the music.
Going against the royal edict had sealed their fate, or so the king thought. Scripture tells the rest of their story: "Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. ... 'if you don't worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?'" (v. 13a, 15b HCSB).
Little did the king realize the depth of confidence these men had in their God. They knew their fate was held by Him, not determined by the king's whims. Listen to how they responded. "If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king.
But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods ..." (v. 16b-18a HCSB)
Their strong rebuttal threw cold water on the king's burning demands. I love their resolute belief. Especially because the word rescue in this context indicates possibility, not certainty.
They were assured in knowing that God possibly would ... and definitely could ... but He certainly might not save them.
God miraculously rescuing them from the antics of Nebuchadnezzar wasn't their focus. Instead, they fixed their hearts on the fact God is good and wise and can be trusted, no matter the outcome. They stood against the lure to desire anything—even their lives—more than God.
Almost a year after our conversation, I spotted my friend at church. I knew it hadn't been an easy year for her. Though her arms still didn't hold a baby, she was clinging tightly to her God—facing the music, remaining faithful. She was worshiping with all her heart.
God, sometimes I don't understand Your ways. They fly in the face of my desires. Help me recognize doubt, frustration and fear as an indication that I am longing for something more than I long for You. Help me trust and love You. Amen.
Related Resources:
Find lasting encouragement and truth in the Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Sometimes it's not easy to stand alone. We've compiled 100 devotionals in Encouragement for Today from our team's heart to yours, to lift you up with God's hope and truth.
Click here to join Samantha Evilsizer's Facebook page More Than Enough, a growing community of Christ-minded women who encourage one another.
Reflect and Respond:
Take a moment to feel the gravity of the declaration Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego made: "But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods ..."
Is there a desire of your heart that God has not granted? What would change if you actively chose to long for God more than that desire?
Power Verse:
Mark 12:30, "And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." (NLT)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 2, 2013
Embrace the Wait
Karen Ehman
"I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)
My three young kids were playing near her feet in her assisted-living home. "How busy things must be at your house these days. Why I'd give anything to be able to spend an ordinary day with my children all little again. What joy!"
What joy? What was my husband's 90 year-old grandmother talking about?! As a worn-out mom I wanted the kids to get to the next stages in their lives and fast! For one to walk, another to stop wearing diapers and the third to learn to read. I wasn't joyful. I was anxious.
Now that two of my three kids have graduated from high school, I know what Grandma meant. I'd love to rewind the clock and experience one more ordinary day with my babies. If only I could make time wait, instead of waiting on time to pass.
Even so, I still have a hard time applying this lesson in the wait. Each morning I wait in the school carpool line. In the afternoon, I wait for my son's football practice to wrap up. Sometimes the coach keeps the team after for a pep talk. Some days it's a lengthy one. And so I sit. The minutes tick by threatening to tick me off.
You see, I don't like to wait.
Just this past week I waited in line at the grocery store, sat in the waiting room at the dentist's office, and lingered at the airport, anxious to board my plane. I spent hours at the DVM (Department of Motor Vehicles) so my son could get his driver's permit.
While these types of hindrances are short-lived, waiting for the next big thing can take longer and be harder. We wait on Prince Charming to appear, our house to sell, our child to take his first steps, a better job, financial relief, or physical or emotional healing to come to us or a loved one.
Just like when my kids were young, instead of patiently embracing these harder times, I have a tendency to want to rush them. I long for my circumstances to hurry up and change. To fast-forward to the next thing. But Scripture teaches us how to make it through these difficult seasons.
In those waiting times, even when life is hard, God says to us, I'll be what you need while you wait.
God steps in to be our portion for that day. He is in the wait and we'll sense that if only we will look for Him rather than always looking ahead to the next stage of life.
He was my portion as a little girl while I daydreamed about becoming a woman.
He was my portion as a woman when I waited to become a bride.
He was my portion as a new bride as I longed to become a mom.
He was my portion as a young mom as I looked forward to easier days.
And He is my portion now as I am learning to look to God when my impatient heart waits for the day when my husband and I retire and can travel more.
The point of life is not to keep looking ahead, but to look to the Lord to be our portion at every stage of life. Will you seek Him as you sit and wait? It makes the lingering have meaning. And tethers our hearts to His as we use these times to pray and ponder His goodness. Yes, right in the midst of those in-between times. It even makes the waiting sweeter.
But I still suggest you bring along a good book to the DMV!
Dear Lord, help me embrace the wait and look for You to be my portion during the in-between times of life. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Need more encouragement to embrace the wait? Click here to visit Karen Ehman's blog where she's interviewing author Jeff Goins and offering a giveaway of his new book The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing.
LET. IT.GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman
A great book to give you God's perspective in times of waiting (and to read at the DMV!) is our brand new Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living.
Reflect and Respond:
What next big thing are you waiting for in life? How could focusing on God as your portion help the wait to be easier?
Power Verse:
Romans 8:25, "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (ESV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 3, 2013
Your Easiest Day is Always Tomorrow
Glynnis Whitwer
"The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied." Proverbs 13:4 (NRSV)
Numbers intimidate me. So I put off doing anything that involves counting more digits than are on my hands and feet combined. This approach tends to have significant consequences, especially when those numbers are connected to dollars. Hence a few bounced check charges in my banking history.
Avoiding uncomfortable (but necessary) parts of life is a dangerous habit to develop. With very few exceptions, problems don't resolve on their own, no matter how long we procrastinate in fixing them. A leaky faucet never stops leaking by itself. A root of bitterness toward my husband will grow. The squeal in my car brakes will get louder. And putting off medical tests is never a good idea.
I've also delayed pursuing dreams because there's discomfort involved. Maybe you've done this too. Your dream could be to write a book, take a vacation or find a new job. But you know it will involve sacrifice, so you put your dream on the back burner while time slips away.
Sometimes God tells me to wait while He initiates a solution, but usually, the reason for my delay tactics is my own fear of the work, or the possibility of failure, or the inconvenience and self-sacrifice it will take.
A few years ago I read a book by Josh Riebock that helped give me perspective when I want to postpone a difficult assignment. In it, he says, "Everyone can change tomorrow. Everyone solves problems tomorrow. But the only changes that matter are the ones I make today. Tomorrow is the easiest day I'll ever live. Today is the scary one, which is probably why I've spent so much time avoiding it."
Scripture also offers wisdom about dealing with procrastination. Proverbs 13:4 uses some challenging words, but it also includes hope: "The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied" (NRSV). This verse gets to the heart of the matter, which is my hunger. While I bristle at being called lazy, the reality is when I procrastinate, I am hungering for comfort or safety. I might be busy, but I'm never accomplishing anything when my goal is ease.
It's easy to know I shouldn't procrastinate, but it's much harder to do something about it. That's because my reasons are mixed. Sometimes I am afraid like Riebock says, and sometimes I am lazy like the Bible says. Other times I'm overwhelmed and can't think straight.
Whatever the cause of my procrastination, I've found some approaches that help combat my reticence to tackle an assignment. And it starts with something easy:
I present my concerns to God with honesty. I tell God why I don't want to do something and ask for His help, strength, wisdom and courage. When I'm honest about my hesitations, God can start to build up my weak places. But then I get practical.
I keep my to-do list short and manageable. Long to-do lists discourage me from doing anything. That's why I keep two lists going at all times: A master list of projects and a to-do list for the day or week.
I divide big tasks into smaller tasks. For example, I needed a better filing system for organizing receipts for taxes. So the next time I went to the office product store, I purchased hanging files and a desktop organizer and moved that project forward.
I assign small tasks to a specific day. Instead of doing a lot of things I don't like on one day, I'll spread them throughout the week.
Whether it's numbers or words that intimidate you. A relationship that needs to be addressed, or a dream that needs to be followed. There is nothing we have to handle alone or in our own power. The truth is God has already gone ahead of us into these scary places. He knows the future and He's already got it under control.
Heavenly Father, thank You for going ahead of me when I want to hold back. Help me to deal honestly with my reasons for procrastinating and allow You to work in my heart and life. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for more on how she manages her to-do list.
Scripture is full of wisdom and practical advice on getting tasks done. Pick up a copy of the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible, interspersed with 366 devotions from the Proverbs 31 Ministries team, for encouragement and that extra 'oomph' you need to stop procrastinating and start doing!
Reflect and Respond:
Consider one project or task you've delayed starting. What are some of the real reasons?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:17-18, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." (NIV)
James 4:17, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 5, 2013
A Different Kind of School Year
Lysa TerKeurst
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
As we get back into the routine of a new school year, I'm making a commitment: no more unglued mama mornings. I want our mornings to go better this year with less frustration, yelling, and chaos.
This idea developed last spring when we had a string of really hard mornings.
One day, as I pulled up to the school, the atmosphere inside the car was thick with tension. Not wanting the last words spoken to my daughter to be harsh, I tried to change the course of our conversation. "Sweetheart, I love you. I'm sorry we had a rough morning."
"We always have rough mornings," she shot back before slamming the car door.
Nothing quite makes a mom feel more successful than a little dialogue like that.
As I rubbed the stabbing feeling in my chest, I thought, Something has got to change. Each day I promise myself I won't yell at the kids. But each morning something triggers me and I lose it.
Ever been there?
It's not like we wake up in the mood to get frustrated with our people, right? I usually wake up in a good mood. But then the stress of getting everyone ready and out the door on time makes the crazy creep in.
This one can't find her shoes. That one needs a report printed and we have no ink. The bread for sandwiches is still at the grocery store because I forgot to buy it the day before. And to top it all off, I don't have any cash to give the kids so they can buy lunch at school.
The whining. The complaining. The feeling that I can't ever get it together. It all escalates and sends me over the edge.
I want this school year to be different. I want to be like Ephesians 4:22-24 describes: "made new in the attitude of my mind." The Greek word for "made new" is kaino. One of its definitions is uncommon. I want to be an uncommon calm in the midst of chaos and an example of peace for my kids. For that to happen, I came up with a plan:
Tell the world to wait. When I wake up, my mind is like a dry sponge. What I soak up first will saturate me most deeply. If I don't want to be consumed with the stresses of my day, I must put the world on hold to soak up what will renew my mind—God's Word.
Remember I'm managing blessings. If I want my attitude to be made new, I must keep things in perspective. While my frustrations seem big, things like lost shoes and less than perfect lunches aren't big problems. They are small aggravations that come with managing blessings.
Let my kids own their irresponsibilities. My kids' irresponsibilities will not become my emergencies. I need to communicate my expectations so they know they're going to have to own the consequences of their choices. For example, if they wait until the last minute to print their report and the printer doesn't have any ink, they'll have to print it at school or turn it in late. Either way, I can't own this situation and let it throw me into frantic, fix-it mode. I can let the consequences of my kids' choices scream, so I don't have to.
All of this is going to take some intentionality, and I doubt I'll do it perfectly. But I'm excited about trying. I'm excited to "put on my new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Which is another way of saying, I'm excited to have less unglued mama mornings and more peace this school year.
Dear Lord, thank You for the grace You give. I don't want to live in the same pattern of coming unglued anymore. Help me put these principles into practice. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Do you desire more calm this school year? Click here to join us for the No More Unglued Mama Mornings Challenge. We're taking 5 days to make mornings better with our kids!
Lysa TerKeurst's book, Unglued, goes to the heart of the matter and helps equip you with ways to choose calm in the chaos. Click here to order your copy.
Reflect and Respond:
Which of the following action points can you put into practice?
1. Tell the world to wait.
2. Remember you're managing blessings.
3. Let your kids own their irresponsibilities.
Power Verse:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 6, 2013
A New Way to Process Conflict
Amy Carroll
"When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly." Proverbs 31:26 (MSG)
It was like we were speaking two different languages. Even though my friend and I were both talking in English, we couldn't seem to understand each other. I started the conversation with the assumption we would see things the same way, but emotions rose, opinions conflicted, and wounds were inflicted. How did we get to that frustrated place?
After cooling off, I called a wise, truth-telling friend. I told her the basic outline of the conversation, trying to keep it neutral. Finally I asked, "What do you think went wrong?"
She astutely turned the question back to me. "What could you have done differently?"
Initially, I couldn't think of one thing. After all, the conflict wasn't my fault! But then I took some time to reflect, and God began to soften my heart, revealing my part in the conflict.
I had called my friend during an extremely busy time in her life with a suggestion that would have added to her overloaded schedule. Instead of being sensitive, I pushed and pushed my own agenda. As our emotions escalated, my defensiveness increased, making my responses sharp.
The friend I had called for advice gently prodded, "How could you have listened more carefully? Would truly listening have made you more compassionate? How could you have responded with more grace?"
For the rest of the afternoon, God etched a new way of interacting in hard situations on my heart. This is the truth He carved: Listen with compassion. Speak with grace.
Listen with Compassion. Years ago my pastor shared an invaluable method for re-adjusting his attitude when dealing with conflict. He asks, is this behavior consistent with the person's general character?
Wow! If I had applied that question in the conversation with my friend, I would have remembered her kindness, her servant's heart, and her calm nature. Then, I might have wondered what was changing her normal response. Compassion would have flooded my heart toward her and the stress she was under. My heart would have been positioned to serve her, rather than insisting on my own way.
At its core, listening with compassion is simply obeying the biblical commands to die to ourselves (John 12:24-25) and to consider others more highly than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
Speak with Grace. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (NIV). There is no downside to a gentle, grace-filled answer. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've often viewed responding this way as losing or giving in. That's simply not true. Needed truths can be told in kind and gentle ways. Just think about how my wise friend treated me when I sought her advice.
Before I called my friend to ask for forgiveness and clear up the misunderstanding, I prayed for a Jesus-sized dose of compassion and grace.
Since then, I've been rehearsing "Listen with Compassion - Speak with Grace" over and over in my mind. Last week I had a chance to put it into practice when I received a difficult email. My first response was defensiveness, but then I started to repeat my new way of processing until I could hear the needs in the email with compassion and respond with grace.
I love how God gave me the chance to practice what He had taught me after I had time to take a breath, pause, rehearse my new motto and then respond. Life and relationships are filled with conflict, so I have no doubt I'll have a chance to practice again. Next time, I'm praying I'll be ready!
Dear Lord, sometimes it seems like conflict pops up out of nowhere. One minute the conversation is going fine and before I know it, hurtful words are being said. Please help me listen and respond as You would. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for more insights into dealing with conflict in relationships.
Written by women from every walk of life, our new book, Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living, will inspire you to live authentically and fully grounded in the Word of God. Every devotion is like sitting with a friend over coffee, as we share highs and lows, humorous stories and tender moments. Click here for your copy!
Join our Facebook community for daily encouragement and truth.
Reflect and Respond:
Who are you focused on during a hard conversation? Are you trying to understand the person speaking or already working on your defense?
If you feel yourself becoming defensive, make yourself pause and put yourself in the other person's shoes.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 17:27, "A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered." (NLT)
Proverbs 18:15, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; for the ears of the wise seek it out." (NIV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 9, 2013
Imprisoned by Shame
Julie Gillies
"But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
They were only boots. On their own, boots are good. They are functional, sturdy, insulated. But that day they were an embarrassment, the last resort of a 7th-grade girl whose only pair of shoes was soaked. I couldn't walk through the foot-high snow to the bus stop without the boots.
Maneuvering my dad's huge size 11 boots with my size six feet was a clumsy effort. Slide, slide, lift. Slide, slide, lift. My cheeks burned as I climbed the school bus steps, desperately hoping no one would notice. When the bus dropped us off in front of the junior high, I slide-slide-rushed inside and immediately pulled off the boots. In my stocking feet, I raced through the dirty snow accumulating on the hallway floors, eager to stow the humiliating footwear in my locker.
All day long friends and teachers glanced at my wet socks and asked why I was walking around without shoes in the dead of winter. "My shoes are soaked," I told them, which was true. I didn't mention that they were at home, or that I'd worn the humiliating oversized boots that belonged to my dad.
My heart was imprisoned in shame that day at the age of 12. And the shame only multiplied with constant hunger pangs, my parent's ongoing violent fights, and being left in charge of my four siblings more often than was wise.
As I stepped into young adulthood, shame followed closely. I tried to push it away with other things and tragically sought love and attention from men, believing their affections could somehow make up the deficit of dignity I felt.
On my own at 17, I was determined to earn my way, determined never to borrow from my neighbors, and determined to have a full pantry. I worked hard and bought lots of nice shoes to line my closet and heart. And I obsessively filled my cupboards with every food I had been denied much of my life.
No matter what I did, shame clung to my heart and tainted my perception. I believed others saw me as less-than because deep down, that's how I felt about myself. I struggled to overcome the embarrassment from my childhood, but it refused to let me go. Though I was no longer in my shameful past, my shameful past was still in me.
And then I met Jesus, and He gently began working in my heart. Slowly, through praying for myself, He began a transforming work in me.
It wasn't an easy or instant process. When I was afraid to believe He could make me whole, He said, "Anyone who believes in [me] will never be put to shame" (Romans 10:11 NIV). When the wardrobe of my heart felt stained and embarrassed, He said, "[You are] clothed with dignity" (Proverbs 31:25 NIV). When I felt condemned by my past sinful choices, He said, "Then neither do I condemn you ... Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11 NIV).
As my relationship with Jesus grew, it struck me that He treated me with the dignity and honor my soul longed for. As I continued to pray for myself, His exquisite love covered my shameful past and made me feel beautiful. Cherished. Unashamed. Free.
The mortified young girl who wore her dad's boots to school now walks unfettered with the One her soul loves. As I continue to pray for myself, He continues His transforming work. And now, instead of defining myself by shame and embarrassment, I cling to the truth that Jesus treasures, esteems, and beautifully clothes me.
Dear Lord, You know the shame and embarrassment of my past, both from what happened to me and through my own choices. Please bring the healing and transformation that only You can. Thank You that in Christ I am cherished, unashamed and free. In the Name of Jesus, amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
You are invited to begin the holy habit of praying for yourself! Join Julie Gillies' online study of her book, Prayers for a Woman's Soul, starting September 9th. It's an opportunity to pray for and about topics relevant to you! For details and free resources, visit Julie's blog.
Connect with Julie Gillies on her Facebook page, Prayers for a Woman's Soul.
Reflect and Respond:
Is your heart imprisoned by shame, guilt, or fear? Pray, forgive your offender, and ask God to bring healing and freedom to you both.
Power Verse:
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
© 2013 by Julie Gillies. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 10, 2013
Condemning Thoughts
Melissa Taylor
"He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44b (NIV)
Do you ever question if you are good enough? Are you more likely to dwell on what's wrong with you than what's right?
One day I realized I was scrutinizing myself to find out what my problem was. The more I picked myself apart, the more it dawned on me another voice was egging me on: the voice of the enemy, Satan. As I listened to his lies, they zapped my sense of worth and security.
For a long time, I didn't recognize the enemy for who he was. The negative thoughts and deceitful suggestions simply sounded like my own voice.
The Bible opens with a serpent slithering into the lives of Adam and Eve. This snake is also known as Satan, and he filled their heads with lies they believed. Lies which separated them from God. From the start, Satan's goal has been to trick and deceive. John 8:44b tells us "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." This liar also tempted Jesus. He was always ready though, with the Word of God, to defeat the evil one.
We too can have this weapon in our arsenal. As we fill our hearts and minds with Truth, we can defeat the lies we tell ourselves, and the lies Satan whispers in our thoughts.
When I compare my negative thoughts to God's Word, the differences amaze me:
My thoughts: I want to give up.
God's Word: Be committed (Philippians 4:13, Galatians 6:9).
My thoughts: I'll feel lost.
God's Word: He watches my paths and establishes my ways (Proverbs 5:21, 4:26).
My thoughts: No one loves me.
God's Word: He loves me more than life (John 3:16).
My thoughts: I'm ugly.
God's Word: I'm wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
My thoughts: I'm all alone and no one understands me.
God's Word: He will never leave me. He has plans for my life (Deuteronomy 31:6, Jeremiah 29:11).
My thoughts: I'm just not good enough.
God's Word: I was created in His image (Genesis 1:26).
When the enemy tries to slither in with false accusations, we must be ready to combat him with what God's Word says about us. To get started, evaluate your thoughts and pray for wisdom to distinguish the voice of the enemy.
Condemning thoughts that steal your confidence of who you are in Christ aren't from God. Let's commit today to renew our minds with the Word of God each day, and replace those worn-out, deceitful lies with truth.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your life-giving truth. Please fill me with Your Word so that I can live in freedom and confidence! In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
We invite you to join thousands of women participating in our newest Online Bible Study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope! Click here to be part of this powerful study and community.
Dive into God's Word and be inspired and encouraged with the A Confident Heart Real Life Connection Call Series.
What others are saying about A Confident Heart:
• This book pierced my heart, as no other reading, hearing, or experience has.
• This is so what I need! I love how you remind us to pray God's Word. His truth is only what makes a difference with toxic thoughts.
• I felt like you were writing about me. I find myself not doing things that would bring joy because of not being good enough. This book describes how I have felt all my life.
Reflect and Respond:
Are your thoughts reflective of who God's Word says you are?
If not, what one or two things will you begin to change based on the verses above?
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2013 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 11, 2013
God Gets Angry for You
Suzie Eller
"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Roman 12:19 (NIV)
Not too long ago there was a bust on a major interstate. Authorities discovered teens as young as 14 being held against their wills. The trucking industry was being used as a way to force these victims into modern-day slavery.
This not only makes my heart hurt, it makes me angry. I know without a doubt that God calls these precious girls beloved and worthy-not products to be sold.
This bust is a reminder that evil exists around the world. We see it in news-grabbing ways like terrorism and mass shootings, but it's also hidden behind closed doors. It's on every continent and in our own neighborhoods.
My emotional response to these types of evil is strong. But what about our Heavenly Father? Does He see it? Does He care?
Without a doubt, the answer is yes. Scripture tells us evil is the result of sin showing up in human nature. So how does God respond to our sin?
The Bible shows us God's heart is to forgive. When we seek forgiveness with a repentant heart, He grants it. Not only that, but God asks us to forgive bad behavior of others. His love in us gives us the ability to pardon flawed humanity with humility and compassion.
Although God is ready to forgive us, the tone changes when Scripture talks about the evil one, Satan. Jesus described him in John 10:10 as "the thief [who] comes only to steal and kill and destroy."
All sin grieves God's heart, but He displays a righteous anger over unrepentant, premeditated acts that attempt to steal, kill, or destroy His beloved. The Bible tells us God will demand justice. As Romans 12:19 says, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
You may think it is up to you to make someone pay for the wrong they have done. You long to let go of the anger and live again, but you feel chained to the past, chained to unforgiveness. It feels wrong to forgive what seems unforgiveable. When evil comes to your front door, or impacts those you love, you may struggle with feeling angry and secretly wanting revenge. You may think it's up to you.
That's when God's righteous anger steps in to make us whole. When we realize God is angry for us, it removes a burden we aren't big enough to carry. His righteous anger overshadows our anger as we let it go, and He scoops it from our hearts.
Does God care? The answer is yes. And the reason He's asking you to forgive is not to absolve another person's sin against you or to say that it was okay. It's so that you, His precious daughter, can live free.
The enemy thinks he can steal dignity and peace from you, but as you release your anger to God, you keep your self-worth and calm instead.
The enemy wants to kill your spirit, but you can find renewed life as find freedom in forgiveness.
The enemy means to destroy you and your future, but God's redemptive power is released as you let God handle the burden of anger for you. With His help, you can forgive the unforgivable.
Dear God, Your righteous anger toward evil overshadows the pain in my heart and allows me to forgive as You are righteously angry for me. Thank You for freeing my heart so that I may begin to heal. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for a giveaway of her book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
Do you long for a friend to pull you away from the things that are pulling you down? Proverbs 31 Ministries would be honored to be that voice of wisdom on everyday life matters through our brand new book, Encouragement for Today.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Read 1 Peter 5:8. How is the evil one described?
How might holding on to anger leave a person defenseless?
Power Verses:
Leviticus 19:18, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." (NIV)
Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 12, 2013
Should I Quit?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
We all have those times we wish the voice of God would audibly speak so loudly there's no way we could miss it: "THIS IS THE DIRECTION I WANT YOU TO GO." Then we'd know whether to stay the course or head in a new direction.
Have you ever wished for this kind of certainty?
I have.
Most of us want to know what to do. Without that confidence, sometimes we stay in a place too long. But the greater loss happens in those times we quit too soon. Then, we can live with this nagging sense of "what if?" What if I'd persevered one more year, one more month, one more day?
Knowing when to stop and when to keep on keeping on is a crucial life lesson. One I want to learn well. Often, the more I struggle on my own, the less confident I am with the right next step. It's exhausting!
But the truth is, I don't need to be confused or tired. There is one central place I can go for direction and rest. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus encourages us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
I used to get so frustrated with this verse because I thought, I don't want rest. I want reassurance! I'm burdened by this decision I have to make. I don't want to mess up by missing a cue from You, God.
But the rest Jesus offers is not a spiritual sleep aid. The Greek word for this kind of rest is anapauo which has as one of its definitions, "of calm and patient expectation."
In other words, Jesus is saying if you come to Me, I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation.
But how?
My friend Jennifer Rothschild does this enlightening exercise at some of her conferences. She tells the audience to imagine her writing two different words on a large chalkboard. She then speaks the letters as she draws the first word into the air ... R-E-S-T. She does the same for the second word ... R-E-S-I-S-T. Then she asks what is the difference?
The difference is, of course, "I."
I don't know what to do. I can't figure this out. I'm worn out. I've tried everything I know to do. I've given all I have to give.
I'm familiar with these "I" statements because I've said them myself.
We can only find anapauo rest — fresh hope — as we stop running ragged and simply take on the next assignment Jesus gives.
In verse 29 of Matthew 11, Jesus gives us the assignment: to take on His yoke and learn from Him. Ask Jesus to show you how to rest in Him. It might mean sitting quietly, asking others to join you in prayer or clearing your calendar to read the Word. Once you're still, take the next step. Not ten steps. Not the whole path. Not the Google map with the highlighted route. Just the next step. You'll know it because it'll be in line with God's character and His Word.
Complete that step with excellence and an open, humble heart. Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in this next step.
This is your part of the equation.
But after the assignment comes the reassurance in verse 30, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." We don't have to have all the answers. We just have to stay connected to the One who does. Where our strength ends is the exact point where His will begins.
This is God's part of the equation.
I must do all I can do. Then trust God will do what only He can do.
Should I stay? Should I go? Maybe the better question is, "God, what is the next step I'm to take today? I'm going to do my part. And trust the rest to You."
Dear Lord, I am tired, and I can't figure things out. Please help me see Your part in this equation. Where my strength ends is where Your will begins. Help me, Lord, to look to You for my very next step. I will wait in calm expectation. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
If you're struggling to hear God's voice and need encouragement for growing your relationship with Him, check out Lysa TerKeurst's book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Click here to purchase your copy.
Lysa and the P31 team have compiled 366 devotions to inspire you to live authentically and fully grounded in the Word of God. Click here for a copy of NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Reflect and Respond:
Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in the very next step you will take. Determine what your part is and then look to God for His.
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:9, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." (NIV)
Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 13, 2013
When Change is Hard
Lisa Allen
"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time." Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NLT)
There's a cluster of photos in my living room that I love. They've been there for almost 20 years and tell our family's story: pictures of my kids' first steps, vacations, and graduations. The other day as I was dusting, our son's baby photo caught my eye. Well, not so much the picture, but the old frame around it.
Though our furniture and décor tastes have changed in 20 years, our picture frames haven't. So I decided to give my photos a facelift by swapping the old frames with up-to-date ones.
When I placed the almost 20-year-old photo in the new frame, the picture took on a whole new look. Though the photo didn't change, the reframing altered how I viewed it.
Redecorating brought to mind a season in which God did some serious work in my own life. Life changes caused me to put a "new frame" around my calling, so I could view this time with God's perspective, not mine.
You see, I had felt sure God called me to minister to women. Whenever I had the opportunity to do so, my heart overflowed. Though my days were often long and complicated, I somehow felt more energized by serving in my calling.
Over time, however, doors in women's ministry at my church were closing. These transitions were healthy and good for the church, but they left me feeling like part of my dream and calling had died.
I prayed for God to show me His will and sensed He had something on the horizon, but I couldn't see any tangible open doors to serve with women at my church. It turned out, He had other plans for me. Plans that helped me see this season, not as one of letting go and sadness, but of exciting new opportunities and joy.
God stretched me beyond my comfort zone. Instead of serving women locally, He called me to serve globally in Burundi, Africa. Though this wasn't my "sweet spot" in ministry, my leadership abilities grew by leaps and bounds. Not only that, but with my free time, I took classes in a totally new profession which allowed me to help women in a fresh way. I learned and absorbed everything I could.
Perhaps you are facing a season of change and would be encouraged by some "reframing" and a fresh perspective. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has made everything beautiful "for its own time." God has designed our lives into beautiful seasons, but there is a time limit on each one.
Some seasons are wide-open doors for our passions and calling ... and some seasons are closed doors when God asks us to grow spiritually, professionally, relationally, or maybe emotionally.
A question that helped me in the season of waiting for my dream of working with women was, what does this time make possible? For every season, God has a purpose for us. During mine, closed doors made continuing education possible. Closed doors allowed me to travel to Africa twice. Closed doors helped me grow by ministering in a different culture.
What about you? Do you feel like you are in a closed-door season? Ask God what this new time makes possible for you. Join a Bible study. Serve at a school. Mentor a young person. Pursue a dream. Take a class to help you develop professionally. These are all new frames you can put around this season of change.
Father, thank You for the rhythm You have woven into our lives. I am grateful for this past season and recognize that You have made it beautiful in Your time. I am grateful for the upcoming season and ask You to give me a confident expectation. Amen.
Related Resources:
Does your season of life allow time to pursue a dream? Perhaps a dream to write? If so, we invite you to learn more about Compel, a membership site for influencers who want to write words that move people. Click here for more information.
Settle your wondering mind with the peace found in the truths of Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living, 100 devotions written by women from every walk of life!
Hop over to Lisa Allen's blog for more encouragement and leadership wisdom!
Reflect and Respond:
Is there anything in this season causing you fear or anxiety over the transition? Write a Bible verse on a note card and tuck it in your car, on your windowsill or your clothes dryer to remind you about God's perspective on this new season.
Ask God what this new season makes possible for you, and then take action!
Power Verses:
Daniel 2:21, "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." (ESV)
Ecclesiastes 3:1, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (NLT)
© 2013 by Lisa Allen. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 16, 2013
Fear in the Dark
Wendy Blight
"... all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land." Exodus 14:21b (NIV)
God seemed distant and I felt completely alone after I was physically and sexually assaulted at knifepoint in my early 20s. For years after the attack, I lived cocooned in a prison of despair and hopelessness, fear hounding me. Finally, after years of searching for help and believing there was nowhere else to turn, I fell on my knees before God and poured out my tears, anger and questions to Him.
During that very dark time, God lead me to the story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Initially, Pharaoh agreed to let God's people go, but soon after they left, Pharaoh changed his mind. He pursued them with 600 of his best chariots and terrified the Israelites. Can you imagine their fear?
They cried out to their leader, Moses. Even though Moses reminded the people of God's promise that He would deliver them, the circumstances barreling toward them said otherwise. Their reality included Pharaoh's finest soldiers hot on their heels, and the colossal Red Sea blocking their escape. God's people had no idea the miracle awaiting them.
When they reached the Red Sea, Moses stretched his hand over the water. Scripture says, "... all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land" (Exodus 14:21b). Because it was dark, the Israelites couldn't quite see the full picture of what God was doing.
In the black of night, the Lord tirelessly worked on behalf of His children to deliver them, just as He had promised.
It was as if the words of this story leapt off the pages of Scripture and into my desolate heart. Although the Israelites could not see or hear God, He was moving in the midst of their darkness. I too could not "see" or "feel" God, but He was at work around me in invisible ways—present and active on my behalf to carry me through.
The dark is a very scary place to be. Whether it's the darkness of our fears or circumstances pressing in, we have two choices as to how to respond. We can take matters into our own hands, turning to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain, seeking advice or reading the latest self-help book, never knowing if any of them is the way to healing and wholeness. Or we can look to God. We can pray and open His Word, knowing He guarantees healing and wholeness.
For years I tried the first approach to deal with my darkness. Yet each attempt to help myself failed. It was only when I turned to God, crying out for His help, that things started to change.
Would you like to experience God's help for yourself? Ask. The Lord promises, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV). Like He was for the Israelites, God is there for us. And He is always working on our behalf, even when we can't see or feel Him.
Today, if you are in the darkness ... if your circumstances are threatening to consume you ... if you feel utterly defeated ... seek the Lord. Ask Him to rescue you and remember this, He is there ... parting your "Red Sea."
Dear Heavenly Father, it's so difficult to walk through darkness. You feel so far away. I feel so alone. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me or forsake me, and that there is nothing in all creation that will ever separate me from the love I have in You and in Your Son. Walk ever so closely with me during this darkness, Lord. Speak to me. Give me hope. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight
For more of Wendy's story, visit her blog.
Pre-order your copy of Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living. It is filled with 100 devotions from the Proverbs 31 Ministries team—including Wendy—and encouragement on topics that affect women. Click here to purchase your copy.
Reflect and Respond:
Sometimes God allows difficult circumstances to do a mighty transformational work in our lives. How would viewing your difficult circumstances as part of His refining process help you trust Him and change your perspective?
Power Verses:
1 John 1:5b, "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (NIV)
Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 17, 2013
Trigger Points of Doubt
Renee Swope
"'But Lord,' Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.'" Judges 6:15 (NIV 1984)
A few years ago I felt paralyzed with self-doubt about a big ministry commitment I'd made, but had never done before. After begging God to zap me with confidence, and realizing it wasn't happening, I asked Him to reveal what made me insecure.
Immediately I remembered Gideon, a man whom God called to do big things, yet he was paralyzed by inadequacy. From reading his story in Judges 6, I knew Gideon overcame his doubts and fears by focusing on what God thought about him, instead of what he thought about himself.
But first he honestly processed his doubts with God. Recent conflicts and defeats caused Gideon to doubt God's presence and promises. When an angel of the Lord told him to defeat the Midianites, Gideon asked, "'How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest ... and I am the least in my family'" (Judges 6:15).
Gideon's perception of himself made him feel inadequate. We aren't so different when damaged emotions and insecurities from our past influence how we see ourselves today.
It was time for me to get honest with God about my uncertainties too. I needed to figure out what triggered my self-doubts and led me to such a yucky place of uncertainty.
I remembered how a conflict with a friend that week made me doubt if I should even be in ministry. After all, self-doubt whispered, if I can't maintain healthy relationships, how can I help others?
Also, feedback on a project kept hounding me. One harsh criticism overshadowed several positive comments and consumed my focus. I'd also been comparing my abilities to other women. Self-doubt convinced me I wasn't as gifted as they were.
Conflict, criticism, and comparison had sent me into the shadows of doubt.
What about you? When conflict arises, do you assume it disqualifies you from ministries or callings? Does criticism paralyze you from believing you can do certain things? Or, has comparison convinced you that someone else can do it (whatever "it" is) better than you?
Thankfully, we can allow God to change the way we think, which will change the way we feel, and eventually transform the way we live!
It's not a quick fix. It's a powerful process of naming our doubts, identifying what triggers them, and learning to rely on God's power to lead us to live confidently in the security of His promises.
The next time you feel insecure, ask God what triggered your doubts. Process that trigger point through God's perspective and promises in the Bible. Ask Him to show you lies you believe and truths to replace them. Then let Him change your thought process by focusing on His thoughts about you instead of your thoughts about yourself. For instance:
When doubt tells you that you can't do something, remember God says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).
When doubt tells you you're not good enough, focus on the truth that God says you're fearfully and wonderfully made; all of His works are wonderful and you are one of them (Psalm 139:14).
Jesus wants us to live with a confident heart so we can accomplish what He's calling us to do. And He wants to change us from the inside out so we can learn to completely depend onHim!
Dear Lord, I'm tired of feeling paralyzed by insecurity. Show me what triggers my self-doubt. Help me focus on Your thoughts about me instead of my thoughts about myself. I want to learn how to rely on and live in the security of Your promises. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Being confident, strong, and free – it's closer than you think! Join thousands of others who have signed up for our next Online Bible Study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope! Filled with daily insights, powerful promises, and Scripture-based teachings, you'll receive hope, encouragement and a fresh vision for your life! Find out more and sign up here.
If today's devotion resonated with you, don't miss Renee's bestselling book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. Order your signed copy here and find out how you can download over $40 in FREE "Confident Heart" resources.
Renee has a list of triggers and truths to share with you and a practical way to replace your doubts with God's promises. Also, she's giving away a "Confidence Boost Bundle" gift pack! Click here to find out more.
Reflect and Respond:
What triggers your doubts? How do they affect your life and relationships?
Take Renee's Doubt Index Analysis: a FREE quiz to help you identify your most common self-doubts, find out what triggers them and how they might affect your life.
Power Verse:
Judges 6:14, "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'" (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 18, 2013
Words that Linger
Glynnis Whitwer
"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD ..." Psalm 102:18 (NIV)
"Well, you get what you pay for!" I muttered under my breath, frustrated as I held the broken weed eater. Were these things supposed to be disposable? Or was my family particularly hard on garden equipment?
Stomping to the garbage can, I shoved the rickety weed eater in with force. I brushed stray blades of grass from my hands and strode back to the house, thoroughly annoyed with my frugal habits that caused me to "save money" by buying the cheapest model. Again.
Later that day, I stood in the lawn and garden store, shopping for a replacement. Normally I pick the least expensive one, but obviously that approach wasn't working. Could higher priced weed eaters really be that much better? Deciding to give it a shot, I selected a mid-range model that has now survived my lawn, and my teenagers, for over a year.
Thankfully, someone, somewhere built a weed eater that lasts longer than a few months. There had to have been intentionality in the design, higher quality of parts and more attention to detail during the assembly for this to happen. The care put into the building of my new weed eater has made a difference.
Isn't this true of many things in our lives? When a carpenter builds a cabinet to last, it is built with quality woods and hardware. When a seamstress makes a dress to pass down to her daughter, her stitches are tighter and straighter. The same is true with words.
Words crafted to last are chosen with care.
The Bible demonstrates this statement. Whether spoken to hearts, etched in a tablet or recorded on a scroll, God made sure His words were written to be passed from one generation to the next. His Words were penned to change lives—the lives of the people who walked through the water, those who tried to walk on it, and ours! Psalm 102:18 evidences this truth: "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD ..."
Words written for a future generation are chosen and assembled differently. They are selected intentionally, pondered over and placed in just the right order. This isn't the sticky note reminder you jot down quickly, ready to toss when the task is done. However, some life-changing words have been written on the backs of envelopes or scribbled on napkins. The medium doesn't matter—the care given does.
This verse in Psalm 102 speaks directly to me. My written words matter. Whether it's a letter composed to a loved one, a note in a lunch box, an email to my co-workers or a book, I can write the first words that come to mind, or I can consider them carefully. My words can have lasting impact for those I love.
A few weeks ago I opened my lingerie drawer (the perfect hiding place where children won't look) and withdrew a wrinkled envelope. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I lifted the flap and withdrew a folded letter. Smoothing it out, I saw my husband's teenage sprawl covering the page. I read the words, smiled and refolded the letter. Placing it in the envelope again, I tucked it back under silky things. For now, I keep this letter close to my heart. But one day I'll share it with our children as a record of their parents' bond.
Because words written to last matter.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making sure Your words were written carefully for me. They are a lifeline in hard times and help me know and love You more. Help me to give more care to my words, In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Has God called you to write? If so, we'd like to invite you to learn more about a new program at Proverbs 31 Ministries called Compel. It's a membership site starting this October for influencers who want to write words that move people. Sign up for our announcement list and receive three free writing-related gifts by clicking here.
Pick up your copy of the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, a copy of God's love letter to you that you can one day pass on to a future generation!
Reflect and Respond:
What writing has impacted you most in your life?
Write a note of encouragement to someone this week.
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 30:1-2, "This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: "Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you."'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 19, 2013
I Had the Perfect Comeback
Lysa TerKeurst
"Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:16 (NIV)
Last year, I was on a plane with two of my friends. We were talking in normal conversational tones about the release of my book, Unglued, when suddenly the couple in the next row up came unglued. On us. Joy.
The man turned around and said, "Can you guys just QUIET DOWN already?"
It wasn't a gentle suggestion. It was a harsh command.
A little stunned, we simply replied, "Sure."
And we did our best to finish our conversation in a volume slightly above a whisper. But that wasn't working for this man or his wife who kept turning around to give us "the look."
Finally, in as kind a voice as I could muster up, I tried to explain the situation, "Sir, we are really trying to be as quiet as possible, but I've recently experienced trauma to my ear which caused hearing loss. While I want to respect your wishes, I'm having such a hard time hearing my friends ..."
Before I could finish my sentence, his wife whipped her head around and snapped, "Well, we don't have hearing loss and your constant talking has given me a migraine. So just HUSH, okay?"
My heart raced. My face turned red. And I thought of the perfect comeback to say.
Have you ever wanted to put your Christianity on a shelf and be as mean to someone as they are being to you?
Maybe not, because you are nice. And most of the time, I am too. But in this moment I didn't want to apply a single bit of my own advice I'd just written about in Unglued. I won't tell you what I wanted to say, but I can assure you it didn't involve being kind or gentle.
This is the exact point where I had to make a choice.
A choice of whom I wanted to partner with in this situation ... God or Satan.
If I'd chosen the route of anger, a harsh comeback and retaliation, I would have basically stepped into Satan's camp and caused conflict escalation. If, however, I'd chosen the route of gentleness and grace, I would be partnering with God and would continue to make progress with my raw emotions. Like Philippians 3:16 reminds me, "Only let us live up to what we have already attained."
On my journey of improving my reactions, I have already attained more gentleness, more grace, more peace. Why would I want to trade all that for a few minutes of retaliating words? Words that will only leave me with a big ol' pile of regret.
Now I can't promise I've progressed to the point where my initial thoughts about this couple were nice. They weren't. But, I chose to consider the reality that people who are that on edge must have a lot of stored up misery. Their reaction probably had a lot less to do with me and a lot more to do with another situation in their lives.
My job wasn't to fix them or set them straight or prove how wrong they were acting.
My job in that moment was to keep everything in perspective. And simply give a gentle answer that could turn away their wrath.
While it felt hugely offensive when it was happening, it wasn't huge. This wasn't some sort of major injustice in my life. This was just a minor inconvenience. Why would I want to trade the peace of partnering with God for a few cheap moments of putting someone else in their place?
It's all about perspective.
Because in all honesty, if this was the worst thing that happened to me that day, it was still a pretty good day!
Dear Lord, You are so good and faithful. Thank You for helping me keep things in perspective so I can work on having better reactions that honor You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
If you're struggling to make wise decisions in the midst of your raw emotions, check out Lysa TerKeurst's book Unglued. Click here to purchase your copy!
For daily encouragement sent straight to your email inbox, sign up for one of Lysa's Unglued challenges. Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
Think about the last time you reacted out of anger, frustration, bitterness, etc.
Assess how you felt in that moment and what mindset you need the next time a conflict arises.
Remember to ask yourself — will I partner with Satan or God with the reaction I'm about to have?
Power Verse:
Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 20, 2013
No Place Like Home
Tracie Miles
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" John 14:1-2 (NLT)
My daughter Morgan was moving into her first apartment. We had spent the summer shopping for everything she would need, but even after the necessities were purchased, her list of wants and perceived "needs" continued to grow.
Pretty artwork and picture frames. Lamps and decorative rugs. Soft blankets for the couch. Not basic necessities for everyday living, but Morgan's way of trying to create a home: somewhere she felt loved and secure.
Don't we all long for a place to call home? Jesus knew this same desire rested in the hearts of His followers. They had left everything to be with Him, and their longing for home was real. In John 14:1-2, Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving the earth. Jesus knew they were concerned, and He wanted to ease their worries while giving them strength to carry on.
As a comfort, Jesus reassured His disciples they would see Him again at "home." He said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:2)
Jesus was referring to Heaven, an eternal home prepared for us after this life. In Heaven, there is room for everyone and all are invited to live there. But not everyone accepts this invitation or knows how to accept it. In fact, even the disciples were perplexed about what Jesus was telling them.
To help them understand this promise of His Father's house and how they could join Him there, Jesus explained in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (NLT).
Many try to work their way ... buy their way ... or rationalize their way into Heaven. But Jesus is the only way. We must willingly accept the invitation Jesus extends to make Him Lord of our lives so we may one day live in His Father's home.
Countless people have accepted that invitation. Yet many others haven't. Whether we've done so or not, everyone has a longing for the safe haven of Heaven. This desire is talked about in Ecclesiastes 3:11b, "He has also set eternity in the human heart" (NIV).
God created us with an innate yearning for our heavenly home. And while that longing will not be filled with anything on earth, it will be satisfied in Heaven. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive His invitation to spend eternity with Him and have our desire for home be complete in Him.
This home in Heaven will be filled with the presence of God, overflowing with love, peace and rest. A place where sorrow and suffering doesn't exist. Joy will be experienced like never before.
My daughter wanted her home to feel special; many of us do. But no matter how many cozy throw pillows and lovely curtains we add, our house here on earth will never really satisfy our desire for "home." Nor can it compare to the magnificence of our heavenly home.
Perhaps that longing for something more ... for "home" ... resonates within your heart. A place where you are welcomed and loved. The wonderful news is your heavenly home has been prepared for you. By surrendering your heart to Jesus and obeying Scripture, you accept your invitation to a home where you'll be overjoyed to spend time forever.
Jesus, my heart yearns to experience the comfort, peace and eternal joy in the heavenly home prepared for me. Ready my heart to accept Your invitation of eternal life. I want You to dwell in my heart now, and I long to live with You in Heaven. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie Miles' blog to watch a video about when her journey with God began.
Follow Tracie's Pinterest board to download a free 7-DAY PRAYER printable.
Get to know God through the pages of the NIV Real-Life Devotional for Women. Proverbs 31 Ministries has included a year's worth of devotions for you that unpack Scripture and share God's truth.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you know Jesus?
If you haven't done so yet, what is holding you back from accepting Jesus' invitation to an eternal home in Heaven?
Power Verse:
Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
September 23, 2013
A Word for the Weary
Wendy Pope
"The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed." Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)
I was not a happy person.
I was struggling in my faith and failing to be the woman God called me to be. My responses to life's hiccups were harsh. My words to loved ones were rude. My disposition toward others was judgmental.
It was during this period in my life when I was introduced to Isaiah 50:4, "The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed" (NIV). My heart was gripped when I read the word weary. I remember thinking, I'm weary. I need sustaining.
The sustaining part of the verse sounded soothing and comforting; however, the morning wakeup call felt obtrusive and demanding. Why couldn't I receive a sustaining word later in the day? Though I didn't want to wake up earlier, it was the only way I could spend time with God in my full schedule. And I did want my life to be different, so I thought, Why not? Things can't get any worse.
I picked a time and a place to pray and read my Bible. The sun would rise and I would too, grumbling ... a lot! But day after day, I dragged myself out of bed, marched up the stairs, sat in the same place I called my "Jesus chair" and whined about getting out of my snuggly covers. Our morning meetings were rote and ridged, nothing like what I expected when my weary heart was first gripped by that verse in Isaiah.
I couldn't help but wonder, Why aren't the issues in my life being resolved? When is the Lord going to fix all the people in my life? What good is this quiet time thing anyway?
Even though I was frustrated, I was determined. So I continued to roll out of bed, put on my robe and sit in my Jesus chair with my Bible and devotion book. Little by little my heart softened. There was less complaining and more contentment. My ears began to listen like one being instructed, just like the verse in Isaiah says.
Over time, God's Word took root in my heart, and I experienced its sustaining power. My weariness started to subside as I turned my focus from it to the presence of God. In the morning, I greeted my family with a smile and cheerful disposition. Moments of panic were now met with peaceful words. Unforeseen schedule changes were calmly resolved. If the day didn't go as planned, I could still praise.
Are you looking for a word to sustain your weary soul? Are you desperate enough to dedicate time each day in God's Word? For me, it has to be in the morning, in my Jesus chair, before the rush of emails, carpool and work demands.
Perhaps your Jesus chair is the front seat of your car with your Bible during your daughter's ballet class. Maybe your Jesus chair is at your desk with a devotional book as you eat lunch and pray.
You see, it really doesn't matter where or when you meet with God, it only matters that you spend time together each day. His Word is our sustaining power. We can't live life without it!
Pull up a Jesus chair. Grab your Bible and maybe a devotional book. Then listen like one being taught. He has much to say.
Dear Lord, I am desperate and need a word to sustain my weary soul. I am willing to commit time in Your Word each day. Help me sit still and listen like one being taught. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for something to help you pull away from all that is pulling you down? Do you long for daily encouragement, inspiration, and hope? Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living is for you! Proverbs 31 Ministries has compiled 100 devotions full of wit, wisdom and words to sustain you when you're weary. Click here to purchase your copy.
Click here to find out more about considering Wendy Pope as your next retreat / event keynote speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog to hear more teaching from Isaiah 50.
Reflect and Respond:
Pick a Jesus chair where you will spend time with Him each day.
Write a prayer of commitment to God. Tuck the prayer in your Bible where you can pray it often.
Power Verses:
Psalm 46:10a, "Be still I know that I am God." (NLT)
Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:`
September 24, 2013
When Your Mess Becomes Your Message
Micca Campbell
"Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." (Jeremiah 17:14 NIV)
For twenty years, my brother was absent from our family because of drug addiction. Countless times, we thought he was dead; according to drug abuse statistics, he should have been. However, my brother is living proof that God is in the restoration business. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what has been done to you. God is willing and able to turn any tragedy into triumph.
After entering many treatment programs with hopes of success and end results of failure, my brother finally found the answer: Jesus. It wasn't until he met the Lord that he experienced lasting healing and life change. Suddenly, all things became new.
My brother didn't have the strength, willpower, or ability to free himself from bondage, but that changed when he surrendered his life to Christ. The same is true for us. No matter what the bondage is—drugs, lust, gluttony, pride, anger, or fear—until we renounce our sickness and surrender to Christ, we will never experience freedom. On the other hand, when we are willing to give King Jesus our mess, He turns it into our message. And that's exactly what happened to my brother. Not a day goes by that my brother doesn't look for opportunities to brag on God and share His message of hope.
Such an opportunity arose one evening when my sister, brother, and I met together for dinner at a local restaurant. Our server was twenty-six-year-old Tiffany. Right away, we noticed two things about Tiffany. She had a natural gift for putting people at ease, and she was very pregnant. While we enjoyed her kind service, we had no idea that God would soon call us to serve her.
It started when my sister refused to allow my brother to pay for her dinner. While my sister loves to give to others, she's not so good at receiving. I, on the other hand, understood that it gave my brother great pleasure to pick up the check. The Lord knows I didn't want to deny him his blessing!
Poor Tiffany found herself caught in the middle. Eager to win her over to his side, my brother said to Tiffany, "You see, I was a drug addict for years. During that time, my sisters did a lot for me. Now, I just want to bless them."
Tiffany's eyes widened. "You were a drug addict?" she inquired. "I would have never guessed."
"Yes, I was," my brother replied. "But Jesus changed all that." Then he told Tiffany his life-changing story.
"I went from being lost to being found; from being homeless to being a homeowner; from being an employee to owning my own business; from being bound by drugs to being set free in Christ."
Tears filled Tiffany's eyes as we shared God's love with her. That's not all. Later that week, we confirmed God's love to her by presenting her with a gift for her baby.
When you and I—like my brother—allow God to turn our mess into our message, He not only changes our lives, but He changes the lives of others too.
Dear Lord, Your mercy astounds me. Give me opportunities to speak of Your hope so others may know Your goodness and salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
You may notice a slightly different format (in the reflect and respond section of) your devotion today. That's because we want you to be the first to get a sneak peek of our brand new book Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living, that releases today!
Filled with 100 devotions (including this one), this book will inspire you to live authentically and fully grounded in the Word of God. Click here to purchase your copy.
Visit Micca Campbell's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
No matter what your bondage, surrendering it to Christ is the pathway to freedom.
Reflect
What steps do you need to take today to move from bondage to freedom? Reflect with gratitude on how God has turned your mess into a message that can encourage or bring life change to others.
Respond
Go for it! Write out your story of surrender and ask God to provide opportunities for you to encourage others.
Power Verses
Luke 19:10; Ephesians 2:8-9
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
September 26, 2013
The Moment
Lysa TerKeurst
"And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:1 NIV)
Each morning, I have a routine with my husband. It's simple. Nothing profound. Nothing for which we'd ever stop and snap a picture.
It's just a moment.
He asks me to help him pick a tie. He then goes away to fuss with this fixture of his professional job. Soon, he returns with a flipped up collar and a pressed down, knotted tie. He needs gentle hands to fold the collar over. Actually, he doesn't need. He wants gentle hands to fold the collar over.
And I do.
It's just a moment.
But it's a moment when we follow the "excellent way" of love. In the intersection of this moment, we're once again saying to each other: I love you; I love you too.
Now, please don't get an overly idyllic picture in your head of our marriage. Heavens, no. We have plenty of those "growth opportunity" moments too.
But this moment with the tie, it's like a spot of glue ever tightening the bond between us day by day. It's so simple, and yet something I would miss with the deepest ache imaginable if today were the last of the moments.
If today.
Tears slip as I think about this. Dear God, help me think about this. Let me snap a hundred of these moments with the lens of my heart to be stored and appreciated and thought of as the great treasure they are.
Let my mind park there.
Let my heart relish there.
Let my mouth dare to whisper what a joy this is. I love you. I love us. I love this moment each day.
Our relationship isn't perfect; no relationship is perfect. We're two very strong-willed people with vastly different approaches to life. And, oh, how easy it would be to list all the differences. He likes the towel hanging in the same spot. I am more creative. But I stop the list there.
I stop because great love isn't two people finding the perfect match in one another. Great love is two people making the choice to be a match. A decision. To fold his collar and snap the heart lens and find myself grateful to the point of tears. Tears of relishing today are so much better than tears of what was missed.
It's just a moment.
Or is it?
Dear Lord, help me to appreciate each moment given to me. I want to park my mind on the daily moments I too often take for granted. Thank You for this joy, so simple but so sweet. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
This devotion is pulled directly from our brand new book: Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living. One of our readers, Miranda, said, "I used to feel hopeless and like my life didn't matter. Through Encouragement for Today, I feel equipped to be a godly wife and mom, and like I have a purpose."
Our heart is to equip you too, through the 100 daily devotions written by woman on our team from every walk of life. Purchase your copy by clicking here.
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
Let me snap a hundred "I love you" moments with the lens of my heart to be stored and appreciated and thought of as the great treasure they are.
Reflect
In what ways can you turn everyday moments into treasures? It may be as simple as relishing a moment in your heart or it may mean beginning a new moment every day, such as folding a collar over a necktie.
Respond
Discuss your "moments" with your spouse, your family, or a friend. Ask what stands out to them as important and meaningful and choose together to relish them. Take a photograph or journal about one moment.
Power Verses
1 Peter 4:8; Psalm 90:12
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
September 27, 2013
Be Happy Now
Valorie Burton
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
"I'm not happy with my job. I'm not happy with my body. I'm not happy with my life."
It seems that at some point in our lives, we each struggle with unhappiness, a spirit of discontentment, with wanting more. I remember a couple of years ago being frustrated as I sat in my comfy living room chair, Bible open, listening to the Lord. Well, maybe it was more like talking at Him, telling Him what I wanted.
What I wanted was to be happily married and have a family of my own. At 38, my "clock" was ticking, and I was still faithfully believing God for marriage and family.
If God would just give me the desires of my heart, I knew I could be happy. That's when this thought came to me: Be happy now. If you don't learn to be happy while you're waiting for what you want, you'll never be happy when you get what you want.
To be clear, happiness cannot be the sole aim of our existence. Living out my purpose by serving and loving others as Christ does is my ultimate goal. When I stop focusing so much on what I want, and focus my gaze on what God wants to do in and through me, contentment follows.
In fact, happiness is an external indication of internal contentment.
This realization stopped me in my tracks. The list of things I felt I needed to check off my list for me to be happy was tiring. The idea that I could choose happiness was refreshing. The first step was to embrace life exactly as it was; in other words, to be content. I counted my blessings more, started traveling, and did things that being single uniquely afforded me. Most importantly, I decided to wholeheartedly trust God.
When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, the word he used for "content" actually means to be contented with one's lot in life. We can spend so much energy pushing against our reality when life doesn't turn out the way we planned it. But resisting what is, and trying to control what is beyond our control, can cause anxiety. Frustration takes over. Anger prevails.
Instead of making the most of our circumstances, it's easy to lament the fact that things are not where we believe they should be.
What if we stopped pushing against what is and learned to embrace our present circumstances?
When that shift is made, it feels like a heavy burden is released from our shoulders. It can also feel scary at first. But truly accepting where we are helps us relax and see the good God has in our present circumstances. We cast our cares, content in trusting that all things indeed will work together for our good.
When I embraced what is, I discovered happiness greater than any I'd experienced before. Just like Paul tells us to do in Philippians 4, I made intentional choices to be content with my present circumstances—and in the lot God had given me for that season. I stopped making happiness a destination and began making it my way of journeying through life.
Lord, help me embrace what is and live each day with thankfulness for the life I've been given. Give me the grace to be happy while I wait for what I want, rather than insist that I cannot be happy until I attain it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Happy Women Live Better: 13 Ways to Trigger Your Happiness Every Day by Valorie Burton (Publisher: Harvest House)
Discover your happiness triggers for FREE by clicking here.
Pre-order your copy of Valorie's new book and receive a free audio download, plus be entered to win a prize pack worth over $500. Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
What current reality are you in that you are resisting?
What would it look like for you to be content?
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (ESV)
Psalm 16:5, "LORD, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future." (HCSB)
© 2013 by Valorie Burton. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Harvest House Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion
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September 30, 2013
Me and My Mama Mouth
Karen Ehman
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." (Proverbs 31:26 ESV)
The other day my son, a smart preteen, was up to the challenge of washing the dishes. He didn't give me an attitude when asked. He wasn't disrespectful. He didn't drag his feet. So why was I battling the urge to harshly point out how he was doing it all wrong?
Because he wasn't doing it my way.
He started with the grimy pots, then moved to the plates and silverware. Finally, he had to bubble up more water to spit-shine the glasses. While working, he stacked plastic cups in a pyramid.
Irritation welled up. An unkind reaction was itching to come out. I could easily have let my momma mouth take over: It uses way more water to wash the dishes in that order. Plus the water is filthy now! Stop playing with those cups while you work. You're so slow.
I wanted to be a control freak. I wanted to fire off the unkind words hidden in my unspoken thoughts: The only way to do the dishes is my way. I see different as wrong. I interpret a preteen being a preteen—with a slight distraction of fun—as "slow."
But when I unload on junior, or anyone, it has the potential to damage our relationship and plant mental seeds of his mom's view of him, whether verbalized or implied (lazy, wasteful, distracted, and slow). It does not, as Proverbs 31:26 states, come close to resembling a woman who "opens her mouth with wisdom and speaks with kindness on her tongue."
It's better if these potentially frustrating scenarios play out differently. So let's replay that scene with a Spirit-controlled response.
As I see my son doing the dishes, I can make a mental note to explain how to do it next time in a way that will save water, money, and time. I can praise his efforts, keeping in mind his age and abilities. I can acknowledge his unique method. I saw the clever way you stacked those dishes. You always make work fun.
I can ask myself questions that will help keep my mama mouth in check. Questions like: Does it matter now or will it matter tomorrow? Will it affect eternity? Is God trying to teach me something? Can I pause and praise instead of interrupt and instigate? Is this really an issue that needs addressing? Am I being a control freak? Do I need to let it go?
The interaction wouldn't damage; it would nurture. It would be wise. Kind. And there would be no lost time, regrets, or need to call in the United Nations peace-keeping forces for intervention.
This mama would be less control-freakish and more Proverbs 31-womanish. It might not come easily—trust me, it usually doesn't—but with the Holy Spirit, it is possible to speak with kindness.
Dear Lord, may I purpose to temper my words with Your Holy Spirit as I interact with my family today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Can you think of a time you blew up at your child and wished you'd had a friend to turn to for advice? Our brand new Encouragement for Today book is just that—a trusted friend sharing God's peace, purpose and perspective with you in 100 devotions.
Today's devotion is a sample straight out of Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team. Click here to purchase your copy.
Visit Karen Ehman's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
My mouth can be a powerful tool of encouragement or a weapon of destruction.
Reflect
Which of the questions posed in the devotion (Does it matter now or will it matter tomorrow? etc.) do you most need to ask yourself when tempted to over-control?
Respond
Think of an incident from the past where you did not use your words in a way that was kind or loving. Revisit the situation. How could you have spoken in a way that would honor God? Could you have used a different tone of voice? Word choice? Timing?
Power Verses
Psalm 139:4; Psalm 37:30
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
October 1, 2013
Voices of Accusation
Melissa Taylor
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Do you ever hear the whisper of condemnation? It hisses: you're not what you should be ... your past sins define you ... you'll never change.
Unfortunately I do. Self-condemnation is a default for me. If I let it, it can wipe out my confidence as a woman, wife and mom.
Thankfully, I'm just as familiar with God's truth as I am with Satan's lies. My heart has heard Jesus' gentle reminders of His love and goodness, like "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
Although I know this truth God speaks over me, I've learned it's up to me to respond correctly. If I don't keep my ears tuned to His voice and my mind set on His thoughts, I forget God's truths.
Condemning thoughts come back and drown out the confidence I have through Christ.
One morning I was struggling with self-condemning thoughts when I read these words written in my morning devotion: "Do not listen to voices of accusation for they are not from Me [God]."*
I opened my journal and responded from my heart:
Hello Lord, I often feel disappointed in my decisions and who I am and call myself names. But my negative thoughts aren't the only ones I hear. My feelings have been hurt by someone else's comments that cut me down and stole my confidence. Instead of feeling worthy, I feel like a loser. I hear You telling me not to listen to voices of accusation. Thank You for this reminder right when I needed it.
The devotion continued, "Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me."
Again, I reached out to God:
Lord, I spoke unkind words back to my friend. Thank You for gently reminding me to "pause before responding." You are so faithful to remind me of what You want from me.
If left to defend ourselves from self-condemnation or the condemnation of others, we'd be defeated every time. Thankfully, we have the greatest defender in God and His Word. His truths re-build the confidence that condemnation breaks down.
Our part is to know God's promises and believe and apply them! Staying saturated in His Word and taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit is the best way to overcome condemnation. We can supplement these through reading devotions, digging into books on our specific area of struggle, and participating in Bible studies. All these things help re-build our confidence that is in Christ.
As we take the time to listen to Him today, let's ask God to remind us that He is with us; He loves us, and His Word is true: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." That means you and me!
Dear Lord, when I forget, please remind me that because of the cross and because You are my Savior, I am not condemned. Help me keep my eyes and thoughts on You. And to accept Your Word as truth so my confidence stays strong in You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Related Resources:
Join thousands of women who are building back their confidence in God by taking part in our new Online Bible Study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope! Click here to sign up for this study.
You can also participate in the life-changing accompanying A Confident Heart Real Life Connection Call series! Click here to sign up.
Find out more about A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope.
Reflect and Respond:
What condemning thoughts do you believe about yourself?
What are some of God's promises you can use to replace your accusing thoughts?
Power Verses:
Exodus 14:13-14, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (NLT)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV 1984)
* Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
© 2013 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 2, 2013
Going Solo
Lynn Cowell
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
The toll of an emotionally draining week had reached its peak. Though I was trying to use various diversions to clear my mind, my thoughts were overpowering. All I wanted was to curl up in a ball and fall apart. Worry was winning.
My husband sensed the pain that was showing from my welling eyes. Like any good friend, he asked, "What's going on?"
Determined to keep my composure, I chose to fight my battle alone. "I'm okay" slid out before I caught my lie.
Minutes later he asked again, "What's wrong?" My resolve couldn't hold up any longer and I blubbered, "I just can't get past this anxiety." Greg listened as the thoughts swirling in my mind came out. After I emptied my heart, he shared a story from Scripture, which helped me override my stress with thankfulness and trust.
I am so glad the Lord preserved stories in the Bible of those who had issues as well. During this hard season I was in, Greg reminded me of Elijah. Like Elijah, sometimes when I struggle, I opt to struggle alone.
In 1 Kings 19:3, even after seeing God work miracles, Elijah was undone by a threat. A queen was trying to kill him and he decided the way out was to run.
We get a look into his thought process in 1 Kings 19:3-4, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'" (NIV)
I don't blame Elijah one bit for running when trouble hit. I have that instinct myself some days. Running to social media or a chocolate goodie when my emotions are a jumbled mess is the easiest way out—at least temporarily.
Where Elijah missed it, and I did too on my bad day, was when he chose to go solo.
Elijah had a servant who was traveling with him, but he left the servant behind. He went farther into the desert alone, where his emotions only turned darker.
Elijah and I both could have used the truth in Ecclesiastes 4, "Two are better than one ... if either of them falls down, one can help the other up." When we share our troubles with another godly friend, she can often help us to see what we cannot. Her different perspective opens a new way of thinking that can lead to hope and faith and away from despair.
When you add the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to that friendship, Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us our relationships become "... a cord of three strands... not quickly broken." Our pain, when shared, can be transformed to peace. Strength can take the place of sorrow.
I eased my stress that difficult week by sharing my worries with my husband. Thankfully he directed me to God's Word where I found hope and encouragement in the midst of my anxiety. Is there a burden you are carrying that would be lighter if you shared it with someone? Make a way today to allow them to help you handle your load.
Jesus, thank You that You have given us the gift of relationships. Give us the wisdom to know when and with whom to share our personal problems. Please strengthen us so we can help strengthen another. Amen.
Related Resources:
Beyond Facebook Friends CD message by Lynn Cowell
Can you think of a teen girl who would like to learn about the power of godly friendships? Share a copy of Lynn's book His Revolutionary Love with her.
Invite the His Revolutionary Love conference to your town to help the women and teen girls in your community be empowered to learn to create positive relationships.
Reflect and Respond:
Who is your "go to" friend who lifts you up when you fall down? Give them your thanks today!
If you need a friend who makes you stronger, ask the Father to give you the type of friend described in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
Power Verse:
Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron; so one person sharpens another." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 3, 2013
Sacrifices of Praise
Lysa TerKeurst
"Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD." Psalm 4:5 (NLT)
I have a confession to make. After many years of walking with Jesus and seeking Him to fill me, I still struggle with unmet longings.
Maybe you can relate. Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems like life would be so much better if you had that one thing.
There would be more happiness.
More contentment.
More fulfillment.
More satisfaction.
More peace.
You can envision yourself with this thing, this person, this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn't God give you this longing of your heart? This longing of my heart?
Could it be because He wants us to willingly let it go?
Ouch.
That's not the answer I want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He's certainly able. But when He doesn't, it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.
It's easy to get down when we're constantly let down. We hope this thing will happen ... we'll meet this right person ... we'll get this job ... we'll finally be healed ... we'll get that chance ... we'll see that family member turn his or her life around. Time and again it doesn't happen. That's when it's easy to slip.
That's where trust steps in and reminds us we can't ever learn how to live real faith if we never need real faith.
As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.
Not give up as in discouraged surrender. But give up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, "Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust."
I like to call these types of releases in my life sacrifices of praise, like Psalm 4:5 tells us to do: "Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD."
Lord, I sacrifice chasing this so I might more fully and with more focus chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave.
Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires.
But not as much today as I did yesterday.
And that is good. Not easy. But good.
Dear Lord, I want to offer You sacrifices of praise with a willing heart. Cultivate in me an attitude of obedience as I choose to trust Your plans above my desires. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Read more about growing your relationship with the Lord and walking in complete obedience in Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Click here to purchase your copy.
Lysa and the Proverbs 31 team are launching an exciting new monthly membership training program called COMPEL: Words that Move People. If you're a writer, speaker, or leader, and desire more confidence and competence in your writing, click here to learn more.
Reflect and Respond:
What can you offer up as a sacrifice of praise to the Lord?
Take small steps each day as you walk in obedience and give that thing up to God.
Power Verses:
Psalm 62:8, "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:4, "Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 4, 2013
For When You're Lost
Suzie Eller
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:8–10 NIV)
I was awash in a sea of three toddlers. Trying to do anything outside the house was an adventure. But one day I decided to brave a trip to the mall to shop for Christmas gifts. As I stood at the register, I asked my children to hold onto mama's jeans. Their tightly clutched fists let me know that they were close. After completing my purchase, I turned around and realized that two-year-old Ryan was nowhere in sight. The three tiny hands clutching my pant leg turned out to be one child holding on with two hands, and the other holding on with one while their brother made his escape.
I buckled the kids in the monster-sized stroller, threw my package underneath, and blasted through the store calling out my two-year-old's name.
"Have you seen my son? He's two. He has brown hair and he's tall for his age. Has anyone seen him?"
Finally an older woman approached me. "Honey, I saw a little boy with brown hair just a few moments ago carrying a really large box out those doors."
Seconds later, I saw him strolling through the mall with his little two-year-old gait, carrying an extra large shoebox. My son wasn't just lost. He had shoplifted a pair of men's shoes in the process.
I scooped up my little lost shoplifter and held him close.
Something had captured my toddler's attention and he wandered. I knew what might have easily happened to him if I had not found him. My love for him meant I'd push that stroller to the ends of the earth, calling his name, until he was safe in my arms.
In his book Amazing Grace, K. W. Osbeck says, "If the New Testament teaches us anything, it teaches us about God's love in searching for lost men. Becoming a Christian in a very real sense is simply putting ourselves in the way of being found by God—to stop running from His loving pursuit."
Maybe you have escaped God. One adventure took you to the next and suddenly you were lost in a crowd, wondering if you'd gone too far.
You haven't.
Stop. Right where you are. Let Him scoop you up.
And that box of things you're carrying—those emotions, mistakes, choices you wish you'd never made—give it to Him. He'll return them to where they rightfully belong as He leads you back home.
Dear Lord, I willingly climb into Your arms. Please accept this box of gathered mistakes and failures. Today I am joyfully found by You, In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Allow God's truth to meet you right where you are. A wonderful way to do this is through reading His Word. Our team has unpacked 100 Bible verses for you in our brand new Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
You may notice the sections below differ from our normal format. This devotion is a sample of those found in Encouragement for Today. Click here for your copy.
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
Stop. Right where you are. Empty your arms of that weight you've been carrying and lift it up to be scooped into your heavenly Father's embrace.
Reflect
Name one way you have been running. What would it look like to stop?
Respond
Imagine God scooping up you as the woman in the parable scooped up her lost coin. Write down God's response to finding you as well as your response to being found by God.
Power Verses
Psalm 145:18–19; Psalm 119:151
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
October 7, 2013
Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Give Up
Nicki Koziarz
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
For years I've dreamed of writing a book. Not to see my name on a cover or personal benefit. Rather, I want others to see God's faithfulness. Most days I'm motivated to press on, but other days it's difficult to maintain my "oomph."
Another rejection letter hits hard. My toes get stomped on by a hurtful comment on my blog. Or defeat attacks, making me want to quit.
But I believe this is a God-calling. These are words He has entrusted to me. A book He's asked me to write to tell others about His goodness. And so I try to push these negatives off. Colossians 3:23 inspires me to faithfully plug away another day: "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
Maybe you can relate? For every step you take to fulfill your calling, something knocks you back three feet. Might I encourage you, as one who has been there—is currently there—to keep at it?
Here are five habits I've discovered which characterize a woman who doesn't give up:
1. She gets up each morning and follows through with her commitments, despite how she feels.
Her feet are firmly positioned in the day's tasks. While quitting may seem like an option, she refuses to become someone others or God can't count on. Her heart understands that she must be found faithful in small steps to be trusted with big steps. "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much ..." (Luke 16:10 NIV)
2. She approaches the Word of God with reverence.
She opens God's Word and believes each day He has a personal message for her. She listens to sermons and teachings. Instead of automatically thinking of the friend who needs to hear that message, she knows there's something there for her. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)
3. She longs for the grace of refinement rather than the grace of relief.
She doesn't have a personal agenda to fulfill when she faces refinement. In fact, she longs for the grace of refinement, rather than the grace of relief, because she trusts how God will use this season of growth. She accepts the perspective godly people offer her in difficult situations. And she embraces the process of becoming better through her mistakes."Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." (NLT)
4. She chooses to invest in the world with joy.
Though life may turn on her, she chooses not to reciprocate. Instead, she strives to be emotionally generous towards others by investing in them with joy. As a result, when darkness threatens to loom over her she can easily chase it away by giving joy. "A joyful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22a ESV)
5. She has a spirit of unbreakable determination.
Though she may feel a little [or a lot] bent many days, she never lets the bending break her perseverance toward the things God has assigned her. In the midst of rejection, she thrives by standing firm on this verse, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10 NIV)
Though I don't have all these down quite yet, I'm working on them. And each day I can see progress ... in my perseverance, hope, and manuscript.
What about you? What has God called you to do? Start by adopting one habit today and commit your work to the Lord.
Lord, thank You for filling me with purpose, faith and determination. Help me continue to do the work You've given me. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you long to write words that are memorable and moving but don't know where to start? We are thrilled to announce the launch of COMPEL: Words That Move People.
This new training for writers by Lysa TerKeurst and Proverbs 31 Ministries will be a perpetual tutor that creatively delivers both information and inspiration to take your writing to a whole new level! Click here for more information and to sign up.
Visit Nicki Koziarz's blog for a "no quitting" giveaway.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you given up on a calling God has given you? Why?
What habit can you choose to begin today and what steps will you take to begin working for the Lord?
Power Verses:
Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might . . . ." (NIV)
© 2013 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 8, 2013
Lord, I Need Your Help
Renee Swope
"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help." (Psalm 18:6 NIV)
One evening after an intense "discussion," my husband, J. J., told me that no matter what he did or how hard he tried, it was never enough for me. He was right. I constantly found fault with him as a husband and as a dad.
But when he implied that I was impossible to please ... well, that sent my already-out-of-control emotions reeling. I grabbed my coat and stormed out the front door. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as I replayed our conversation in my head.
I was determined to figure out what J. J.'s problem was and get Jesus to fix him. So I started filing complaints against my husband in what you might call a prayer. And I finally heard myself—all the ugliness, all the anger. That's when I realized, I need help. I needed God to help me figure out how—after seven years of a happy marriage—we had gotten to this ugly place.
Instead of just crying, I found myself crying out to God for help.
King David was much better at this than I was that day. He had a habit of crying out to God for help when he was in distress. One Bible scholar notes that the phrase, "'In my distress' refers, most probably, not to any particular case, but rather indicates [David's] general habit of mind, that when he was in deep distress and danger he had uniformly called upon the Lord, and had found him ready to help."*
That night, when I stopped talking and started listening, I sensed God showing me I wanted J. J. to make up for all the ways my dad had fallen short as a father to me and as a husband to my mom. Years as a child in a broken home with a broken heart had led to a significant sense of loss and deep disappointment. Yet, up to that point, I had never grieved the happily-ever-after that I longed for but didn't have.
My unfulfilled hopes had become bitter expectations. I became controlling and critical, thinking that if I could get J. J. to be the husband and dad I wanted him to be, maybe my broken dreams could be put back together. But I was wrong. Instead of expecting my husband to make up for my losses, I needed to cry out to God with my hurts and call on Him for help.
Are there hurts that hold you hostage? Expectations no one could really ever meet? Need some help today? I know I do. And I know God is there, waiting for us to cry out to Him.
As I continued to process what had happened in my childhood and how it affected my marriage, I learned to ask God for help through each step of my healing journey. It took time, prayer, and courage, but God was my very present help.
By the way, I'm crazy about my husband. And so very thankful for that day several years ago when I finally asked the Lord for help.
Dear Lord, I need Your help, especially with _______________. Please show me where to start and be my help each step of the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
For 20 years Proverbs 31 Ministries has been a trusted friend to offer comfort in knowing you're not alone in your day-to-day struggles, questions, and hopes. Today's devotion is a sample from our newest book, Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
We've compiled 100 of our favorite devotions to share with you. They are hopeful. Relevant. Trustworthy. And offer God's perspective and a bit of humor to help you through the rough patches. Pick up your copy by clicking here.
Visit Renee Swope's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
Hurts from your past can hold you hostage. God is there, waiting to heal you.
Reflect
In what ways do you file complaints against your husband (or other loved one) in what you might call a prayer?
Respond
Determine if your hurts are too deep to heal without outside help. If they are, consider seeing a pastor or counselor.
Power Verses
Psalm 46:1; Deuteronomy 4:7
*Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983).
:angel:
October 9, 2013
A Remedy for Loneliness
Van Walton
"... those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)
I've spent much of my life as the new kid on the block. My daddy's job took him to numerous foreign countries, so I grew up living in far-away and strange places. When we returned "home" to put down permanent roots in the United States, I felt like a lonely outsider.
This nomadic childhood followed me into my adult life as my husband's career moved us cross-country many times.
As the newcomer in school, women's Bible studies, and jobs, I experienced not having friends, being excluded, and feeling different.
Though these isolating seasons were tough, something wonderful grew out of them: my relationship with God. Spending time with Him, I gained a new perspective on loneliness while reading Scripture. One verse in particular stood out to me: "... those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).
Reading this challenged me. Rather than cast responsibility on others to reach out to me, I could reach out to them. By doing so, I found I could bless them and revive myself! It took some time, but over the years I've discovered several key elements to living out this verse: learn to be a good friend, intentionally include others, and develop an interest in diversity.
Last year during the annual family night at the school where I teach, I spotted a mother sitting alone in a large room. God nudged me, and I knew what to do. I wasn't surprised she was by herself, because as I drew closer, I recognized her as the mother of one of our international students.
We definitely had our differences: a gap in our ages, language barriers that made us struggle to understand each other, and our different cultures. But we persevered and after a while we found common ground. She admitted to being lonely as a stranger in a foreign country. That I understood. Also, we were women, wives, mothers, friends. Most importantly we had a common faith.
That night, I gained a new friend.
We began to meet regularly. She told me about her recent conversion to Christianity and asked lots of questions. She had a few friends, like her, who had come to the United States to expose their children to an American education. These women also wondered about Christianity, the Bible, and Jesus. Could they join us?
We began huddling once a week around God's Word, talking about the creation, King David, and grace.
School ended. Summer started. They flew home. We promised to resume our studies this fall.
As this new season begins, I'm anticipating our weekly meetings; I miss my new friends and the happiness and laughter they bring.
Loneliness, if left unchecked, can lead to isolation, which may produce weariness, sadness and discouragement. This is not God's plan for our lives. He has called us to live in community, reaching out to others, serving, comforting, and fellowshipping.
Let me encourage you to be aware of others–in your neighborhood, your children's school, your church. Ask God to lead you to other women who are lonely. We long to be included, to feel like we belong, to have caring friends. One of the best ways to do this is to refresh someone else! You'll never experience that woman's amazing friendship, or be revived by her, until you reach out and invite her into your life.
Father God, You are a friend to the stranger, the wanderer, the lonely. Forgive me for sitting in my comfort zone and ignoring those around me who long for community. Remind me to practice hospitality, not just with my friends but with outsiders also. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Have you longed to join a Bible Study, but haven't been able to? We'd love to invite you to be part of our newest Online Bible Study, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. You can participate from the comfort of your home, with your computer! For more information and to sign up, click here.
From the Pound to the Palace (DVD) is a true story for children about a little lost dog who finds his way into a new home.
Visit Van Walton's blog for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
How has loneliness robbed you of life's joys?
What are some ways you can practice hospitality? Perhaps become involved in welcoming newcomers to your church or neighborhood.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:10-13, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love...practicing hospitality." (NASB)
Hebrews 13:2, "Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" (NLT)
© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 10, 2013
Moms: Let's Make This Pledge
Lysa TerKeurst
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
I really want to be a great mom. I want to raise kids who love the Lord, are respectful, kind, and smart, and all the other things we want for our kids.
So, I pray. I read parenting books. I teach manners, kiss the skinned knees, and help the teen process her first broken heart. I plan the family dinners, the date nights, and the vacations. I keep track of who needs what and when. I set the appointments and the discipline parameters and the alarm clock so we can get up and do it all again tomorrow.
And through every minute, I am hyper aware of my frailties and faults.
My heart wants to be incredibly patient and organized and excited about reading books out loud.
But then I get tired. And overextended. And suddenly my day finds me getting snappy, losing track of all those papers sent home from school, and skipping pages to hurry to the end of the book that started off with such promise.
There is a gap between my desires and my reality.
I bet this is true for many moms, so we should all understand those hard places, right? But somewhere in the day-to-day, we can forget how important it is to support each other as moms and sisters in Christ. We can forget the need to foster a sense of community. And as soon as we forget these things, it's much easier for thoughts of judgment to creep in.
In those moments, it's crucial to remember that being a source of encouragement for others is biblical. Our key verse, Hebrews 3:13 tells us to "encourage one another daily" so that we aren't "hardened by sin's deceitfulness" which causes us to judge.
So, I was just wondering if we might all make a little pact together today. To build each other up. To not judge one another. Ever. Even when we parent differently. Even when my kids act like I never taught them manners.
Might you give me the benefit of the doubt? Just assume it's a bad moment, but this isn't an indication of all our moments.
And then I'll give you the benefit of the doubt when your child messes up.
Or I hear you snap in Target and make threats to your kids that betray every good intention you had that morning. When you prayed. And read the parenting books. And taught manners, kissed skinned knees, planned the dinner, and all the other zillions of things you did so well.
Instead of judging you, I will love you.
And maybe you can love me too.
Yes, I think we moms should pledge to encourage one another each day. And never judge one another. We're all desperately trying to do this mothering thing right.
Dear Lord, forgive me for not extending grace at times to others. I am a woman who desperately needs it, so I should be a woman who freely offers it. Help me to build others up and to love them as You love us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Being a mom is hard work, and certainly can't be done in our own strength! Learn to look to the Lord for what you need each new day with Lysa TerKeurst's book, Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions. Click here to purchase your copy.
For daily encouragement in your mothering journey, follow Lysa on her Facebook page! Click here to receive her status updates.
Reflect and Respond:
Think of a mom you know who really needs encouragement and support in this season of her life. Make a list of three things you could do or say over the next few weeks that would communicate intentionality and love toward her.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 11, 2013
But I Have a Right to Be Angry
Tracie Miles
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." (James 1:19–20 NLT)
I had been lied to, betrayed, and hurt. I was angry and felt I had every right to be. Anger crushed my desire to forgive. Although I'd asked God to fill my heart with mercy, I kept a running mental list of justifications for my anger that overrode my empty prayers.
My internal dialogue was one big argument. One voice tried to convince me I was justified in remaining angry; another voice tried to persuade me that mercy was the right choice. For months, the loudest voice was the one that indulged my damaged emotions: Yes, I have a right to be angry. Anyone would agree.
Listening to the voice of bitterness and unforgiveness, I often lashed out with impatience and meanness. I could play the good Christian girl for short periods of time, but if something triggered my suppressed emotions, hostility and resentment catapulted to the surface.
Reading Scripture one morning, I sensed God inviting me to consider the direction my anger was taking me and the damage it was doing. As I read the words from James 1, I couldn't help but notice how it says "everyone" should be slow to speak and slow to anger. This truth from God's Word left no room for my excuses or righteous indignation, even though I felt like my anger was justified. And then a few verses later, I read this: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22).
From a worldly perspective, I knew I had every right to be angry. But from God's perspective, my anger only added to the sin of the situation. My refusal to extend the same mercy and forgiveness God had given me was preventing me from living out the gospel.
Through the words of James, God softened my heart. I acknowledged that although I said I'd forgiven this person with my words, I had not forgiven with my heart—and it was time to do so and move on.
In every area of life, including managing our most powerful emotions, God tells us to be quick to listen (to Him and others), slow to speak, and slow to become angry. As we apply these practices in our relationships, we become doers of His Word, not just hearers, and that leads to the righteousness God desires.
Dear Lord, please forgive me for harboring anger. Equip me with a supernatural ability to forgive those who have hurt me. Guard my heart when old emotions threaten to surface. Strip my heart of anger and replace it with joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Has anger taken hold of your heart and you're not sure how to release it? Find freedom and hope in our newest book, Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
You may notice the sections below differ from our normal format. That's because today's devotion is a sample pulled directly from Encouragement for Today. We've put together 100 devotions in which you'll find courage to rise above life's challenges and defeat lingering anger. Click here for your copy.
Visit Tracie Miles' blog to read about 5 ways to handle anger in a biblical way.
Remember
Anger only worsens any situation, but selfless forgiveness brings freedom. We are all called to forgive even when wronged, just as God forgives us.
Reflect
Whom have you been harboring anger toward or withholding forgiveness from? Have these feelings caused you to feel bitter?
Respond
Pour out your heart to God today, telling Him how you feel. Then write out a prayer of forgiveness for the one who hurt you, surrendering that burden to God, and asking Him to replace your feelings of bitterness with peace and joy.
Power Verses
Ephesians 4:26–27; Ephesians 4:30–31
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
October 14, 2013
In the Midst of Dirty Dishes
Sharon Glasgow
"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ... whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 4:9–11 ESV)
She and her husband had been missionaries for over sixty years and led countless people to Christ. Now she was in her eighties and still serving. My friend Sheli and I were honored to stay with her for a week to minister alongside her.
After traveling thirty hours to her home in Takamatsu, Japan, we arrived late in the evening. She ushered us into her kitchen for a hearty meal, then prayed for us before we all went to bed. When the sun was barely up the next morning, we feasted on an enormous breakfast in her tiny kitchen.
The kitchen was crowded, her appliances old and worn, dishes piled high in the sink from her lavish food preparation—yet the atmosphere felt entirely like home. As she and her husband read Scripture and encouraged us, tears welled up in my eyes, the love of Christ enveloped us; it overwhelmed me.
Immediately after breakfast, she began cooking again, this time for 100 women. She'd rented a banquet hall and invited friends, telling them an American would be speaking and there would be food. We cooked, set up tables for the luncheon, and then I was ushered to the front to speak. Her objective in hosting the event was to build a bridge in hopes that those who came for lunch would come back again for church on Sunday. Many did!
While driving home after the lunch, she told me she'd invited a large group to the house for dinner that night. I couldn't imagine how we could clean up the mess we'd left behind and simultaneously prepare another meal. How would we get it all done? She didn't seem concerned. Instead, she was fueled by the energy of what the Lord had done at the luncheon.
There have been times I've worried more about my kitchen than how I can serve others. I fret over the size and messiness. But I was inspired as I watched this woman who had no concerns about the dirty pots in her sink. She didn't let an unswept floor keep her from ministering. She set the table beautifully and welcomed her guests. She and her husband prayed and read Scripture. Hearts melted.
Years have passed since that week in Japan and I think of her whenever I have company. Over the course of her life, she has ministered to thousands in her home, and many have come to know Jesus there. Her ministry has nothing to do with a spotless kitchen. In fact, her kitchen was a mess. But whenever God opens a window of opportunity, she seizes it.
I want my service to be like that described by the apostle Peter, grounded "in the strength that God supplies." I want to long for people to know Jesus more than I long for the perfect kitchen.
God cares more about what's happening among the people in our kitchen than He cares about the state of it. My missionary friend taught me that it is possible to share God's love, demonstrate His character, and offer hospitality, even in the midst of dirty dishes.
Dear Lord, show me ways to serve through the resources You've given me. Help me care more about people than things like dirty dishes. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Sometimes we need a trusted friend to remind us that God supplies all our needs, including strength to serve others. We would love to be a voice of encouragement and godly perspective to you through the 100 devotions found in our new book, Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living.
You may notice the format below is different. That's because today's devotion is a sample pulled directly from Encouragement for Today to give you a taste of our new book. Click here to pick up your copy.
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
Your kitchen is a perfect place to show hospitality. Don't wait for it to be perfect to invite guests. God will supply the ability you need to minister in your kitchen, and He will be glorified.
Reflect
Would you be willing to invite people to stay for dinner if they dropped by unannounced—even if your kitchen were a mess? Why or why not?
Respond
Can you think of a one person, family, or neighbor who doesn't know Jesus that you could invite for dinner? Make a call and get it on the calendar.
Power Verses
Proverbs 31:15; Proverbs 31:25–27
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries.
:angel:
October 15, 2013
Where Can I Find JOY?
Wendy Blight
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2 (NLT)
My daughter's journey with scoliosis was a heart-breaking time for me as a mother. There were days I couldn't see past Lauren's extreme physical pain and my wondering heart questioned, why hasn't God healed her yet?
Through those years, I struggled. I felt empty ... void of hope ... void of joy. I knew what God's Word said about joy: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy" (James 1:2 NLT). But in the midst of Lauren's circumstances, her broken heart and wounded body, it was hard to follow that command.
How could I obey this scripture and find joy when someone I loved was in such pain? God graciously answered the cry of my heart by revealing to me these three words ... Jesus OnlyYou.
I noticed the first letter of each of those words spelled J O Y. And it clicked with me. Jesus is our joy!
When God says in James 1:2 to consider trials as opportunities for joy, He's not talking about the joy found in earthly things. Circumstances turning out how we desire, possessions and positions, and even good health only offer happiness. They are temporary. What God longs for us to have is deep, lasting joy found in Jesus.
The King James Version says we are to "count it all joy" when we walk through trials. This word "count" means "evaluate."
When trials come, we must evaluate them in light of God's truths and promises. It's not the trial itself we consider a joy. Rather, it's the results that will come from the trial that we consider pure joy.
This involves trusting that God is actively working for our good even in the midst of painful circumstances. And as we trust Him, we will find an inner gladness rooted not in our circumstances, but in the reality of the living God who transcends our circumstances.
After years of praying, asking God to heal my daughter, He did. It still hurts to remember the excruciating pain Lauren suffered. But God was and is faithful. God didn't heal my girl in the miraculous way I was expecting. Instead, she endured a seven-hour surgery to place two rods in her spine. She missed nearly six weeks of school and labored through months of relearning how to sit and walk and move. She had to quit competitive cheerleading. But in and through that time, God did a new thing.
Looking back, I can see how He held us up, deepened Lauren's faith, and drew our family closer to each other. In real and personal ways, God showed us His tender, loving care. And He taught me the meaning of true J O Y.
Jesus alone is the source of our joy.
When discouragement comes and you feel you cannot take one more step, remember these three words, Jesus Only You!
Jesus came so that I . . . so that you . . . can experience His joy fully and completely in us through any and all circumstances.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the joy that is ours in Him. Every time our thoughts turn to our hurt, cause our pain to bring us back to J O Y . . . Jesus Only You. We ask this in the Name of Jesus, amen.
Related Resources:
Read about how Wendy Blight found joy in her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner.
Visit Wendy's blog to enter to win a copy of her book and to sign up for her newest online Bible study on the names of God: Who is God and Why Should I Care? It begins October 30th and runs through December 3rd.
Meet every day with the only One Who brings true joy through reading the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 devotions. Pick up your copy by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
What does it mean to be filled with the joy of the Lord?
What keeps you from receiving the fullness of His Joy? Memorize and personalize James 1:2 so that you can recall it the next time you walk through a difficult trial and feel the absence of joy.
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (NLT)
Nehemiah 8:10b, " Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 16, 2013
"Harmless" Little Lies?
Glynnis Whitwer
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (Luke 16:10 NIV)
My job was overwhelming, yet I was desperate to appear competent. As a young college graduate, I was grateful for the position. But over time, both the company and my work level grew to the point where I was drowning. And, as I fell further behind, I began to give misleading responses to my boss.
My employer was very hands-on and often called me into her office for an update on my projects. I dreaded those meetings, knowing she'd be displeased with my lack of progress. And that is when the lies started: "Yes, that project is coming along nicely." "I'm almost finished." "Just waiting for a few more pieces of information."
After our meetings, I'd rush back to my desk and frantically try to make my progress match the inaccurate response I'd just given. Over time, the lies and truth became jumbled. I'd crossed a line of personal integrity that nagged at the edges of my conscience, but not enough to make a change. Until one day my boss gave me another request: to lie for her.
She hadn't gotten something done, and asked me to lie to someone else. This wasn't right. She hadn't even started the project. And now I was supposed to cover for her? It was as if God made me do a 180 and stare at the line of integrity I had already crossed.
I'd compromised my character one half-truth, one excuse, one rationalization at a time. But no more. I had some decisions to make. Would integrity be a mask I put on at church and took off at work? Was my career more important than my character?
Those were heavy questions for a young woman. But they were necessary. God used this situation to help shape the person He wanted me to be.
Knowing I could lose my job, with humility and respect I told my boss I couldn't, no I wouldn't, lie for her. Amazingly, she didn't fire me. With a huff and a sigh, she accepted my decision.
While I wasn't up to confessing all my lies to her, I did confess them to God. And I made a commitment that day to honesty, no matter how personally difficult it was.
God cares about what may seem like harmless little lies: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10).
God was watching me then, and He's watching me now. Which is why every word I speak is important. Choosing truth is hard, especially when it reveals a weakness. Yet with God's help, I'm making progress to become the woman of integrity He's called me to be.
Dear Lord, You are the source of all truth. Forgive me for the times I've been deceptive in order to manipulate the opinions of others. I want to be a woman who is filled with Your truth. Help me to uncover whatever stands in the way of becoming that woman. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
If you notice the sections below differ from our usual format, you're right! Today's devotion is a sample of the 100 devotions in our brand new book, Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
Inside the pages you'll find courage to rise above life's challenges, choose truth, and be the woman God calls you to be. Click here for your copy.
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more encouragement.
Remember
Choosing to live without a shadow of dishonesty will establish you as a trustworthy woman before God and others.
Reflect
Is there an area of your life where you are less than 100 percent honest? If so, confess that to God in prayer. What little decisions of integrity can you make to help strengthen your character?
Respond
Keep a pad of paper and pen with you today and make a tick-mark every time you are not 100 percent honest. Confess these instances to the Lord at the end of the day, and ask Him to use this exercise as a reminder to always strive to speak the truth (in love).
Power Verses
2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Peter 2:12
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
October 17, 2013
Words
Lysa TerKeurst
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness." James 3:9 (NIV)
One day, two of my kids were having a growth opportunity, which is our family's way of saying "fight."
These two kids love each other, but didn't like each other very much in the heat of the moment. I pulled out my proverbial soap box, got my hand positioned just right on my hip, and told these two young teens to look outside the window of our home. I told them that outside our home a world of people exist who may or may not be nice to us. There are no guarantees.
"But, inside this house," I continued as I turned them toward one another, "there are certain guarantees. Since the day I birthed you, I have preached one sermon about the words spoken in our home. It is a simple sermon. Before you part your lips to speak, you must ask yourself this question: Are my words kind, necessary, and true?"
"If the answer to all three parts of that question is yes . . . proceed ahead."
"If the answer to any part of that question is no . . . stop the words from coming out."
Does that mean there is no room to address hard issues with one another? No. But in our home, it will always be done with a spirit of kindness using only words that are necessary and true.
I then ushered these precious teens outside to a bench in the front yard and instructed them to figure out their issues. But they were not going to bring words into our house unless they were kind, necessary, and true. Thank you very much. Have a nice time on this warm little bench on this warm little day.
There are some verses in the book of James I'm considering writing on the palm of my hand. Think of how handy it would be just to flash my palm up in the midst of my people's growth opportunities with this verse in bold ink: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be" (James 3 9-10 NIV).
That same chapter of James goes on to read, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (verse 16 NIV).
Have mercy. I do not want disorder and every evil practice to be invited into my home. And if envy and selfish ambition (which are where ugly words come from) are the key that opens the door for all that evil mess, then I will do everything with the power of Jesus in me to tame tongues.
And all my Jesus girlfriends said, Amen!
Dear Lord, help me to know how to teach my children how to be more like You. Help me to model You in my actions, my reactions, and in every word I say. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learn how to address conflicts in a godly way with Lysa TerKeurst's book, Unglued. Click here to purchase your copy!
Need daily encouragement for those moments when your emotions are begging you to respond in a harsh way? Sign up for one of Lysa's Unglued challenges to be sent right to your email inbox! Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
Take a moment to think about the words spoken in your home. Are they laced with tones of harshness? Bitterness? Envy? What can you do today to begin to improve these words and tones?
Power Verses:
Philippians 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (NIV 1984)
Philippians 1:9-10, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 18, 2013
Give What You Need
Nicki Koziarz
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV 1984)
Last week we were out of milk, so I headed to the store with my party of five.
Even though we were in a time crunch, I wanted to make the most of our trip and pick up a few other things. Our family divided up—my husband went to the row of toilet paper, our oldest daughter walked off to get bread, our middle daughter headed out for fruit, and the youngest one, Kennedy Grace, trekked to the milk fridge with me.
Everyone quickly got what they needed and met back at the register—except my husband. At the self-checkout with my three girls, I scanned our items thinking Kris would be there any second. But he wasn't. As the line behind me quickly grew long and impatient, I wondered if I should cancel my order and step out of line.
But time was short and we were already running late. So in this unnerving moment, I instructed my youngest daughter to run and get the toilet paper from her daddy. She took off, found my husband, and secured the rolls under her arm. But, on her way back to the self-checkout, a sparkly cereal display distracted her.
In a calm, yet firm voice, I made sure my daughter heard me. "Kennedy Grace, come here right now please."
Now, she figured the fastest way to get that toilet paper to me was to slide it down the aisle. Without hesitation, she whooshed the package right to me.
The people standing behind me thought my daughter's idea was quite amusing. Everyone except one woman.
As Kennedy Grace giggled, jumped and bounced her way to the register, I knew this wasn't the time or place to have a teachable moment, so I just muttered quietly for her to calm down.
That one woman, feeling it was a good time to teach my daughter a lesson, said to me, "Well, isn't she something?"
I didn't want to get into a hot confrontational mess, so I ignored her and bagged my items.
But then she asked Kennedy Grace, "Why are you acting up so much?"
Kennedy replied, "I'm just tired."
And then the woman responded with a statement no stressed-out-momma needs to hear, "Well maybe your mom should put you to bed earlier."
What did she just say? Unh-huh. I gulped and took a deep breath, ready to blurt out something sassy.
But in the midst of this chaos, in the midst of this tension, I felt the presence of God hold me back with this thought, give her what you need most.
Say what, God? I need to give this woman a piece of my mind, is what my soul screamed.
But it was true. I need a lot of grace these days. Grace. Grace. Grace.
So, I said nothing. I extended grace. I smiled, grabbed Kennedy's hand and walked out of the grocery store, challenged by the thought of Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
I make a lot of mistakes. I forget about important things. And I too have judged stressed-out mommas in the grocery store with misbehaving children. But Scripture tells us that when we give to others what we need, something very freeing happens: We receive what we need too.
When we offer emotional generosity to others, we create the atmosphere for God to do something powerful in us and through us. I don't always want to give others what I need. My initial reaction is often to give others what I think they deserve.
A quick comeback.
A nasty look.
An unforgiving heart.
But none of these things have ever brought me anything I needed.
As I continue to live this verse in Luke out, I'm focusing on other's needs and reacting based on them, not myself.
But next time we need milk, I'm going to the grocery store, alone.
Jesus, help me give to others the things I need. Make me emotionally generous and able to bless in the midst of a conflicting mess. Amen.
Related Resources:
Need some more help with emotional generosity? Check out Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst.
Nicki Koziarz shares more encouragement on her blog.
Join 1000's of other women who have signed up for our new Online Bible Study of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope! Click here to find out more.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down three things your soul needs. Is it joy? Hope? Love? Friendship?
Ask God for the opportunity to give it away and see what happens.
Power Verse:
Philippians 1:27, "Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 21, 2013
Battle in the Night
Lynn Cowell
"By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8 NIV)
How could this have happened? What could I have done to stop it?
One of my kids had made a decision that sent my emotions into a tailspin and another sleepless night was upon me; my mind wouldn't shut off. During the day I had managed to focus on God's promise to make all things work together for good. But as day faded into night, the struggle to trust became more than I could take.
Many nights as I lie in bed, my mind pulls me into a downward spiral of focusing on my troubles. It's then and there that the battle is most intense. A war wages between my faith and fears.
What if my loved one never knows Jesus?
Will my kids make the right choices with their peers?
What can I do for my friend who struggles with cancer?
Even though my body is still, my thoughts are at war.
Do you struggle in the quiet of the night? Maybe you have thoughts like these ... Nobody else has troubles. Other people are just enjoying their lives. Why is mine so hard? The battles we face are real, and rob us of joy as well as sleep.
This is why I love King David's encouraging words in Psalm 42. During the day he allowed the Lord's love to direct him. Knowing he was loved gave him the strength to make the hard choices that were the best choices. At night he put away all the words and hard thinking and devoted himself to praising God.
I want to do the same. When the lights are turned out, I want to choose a song of praise, arming myself with truth and worship for the only One who can carry and fix my troubles. When my mind tries to take a turn and go around that problem one more time, I want to make the choice to stop and sing (even if only in my head).
I gave this a try the other night while stewing over my worries. It reminded me of a sign my mom has in her home: "Give me all your troubles before you go to bed. I'm going to be up anyway."—God
Pick a song you can sing at night when trouble comes knocking and worry wants to run rampant in your heart and mind. Make your prayer a song to God and choose a song of praise to sing to Him all day long—from sunrise to late in the evening. Watch your heart go from fear to faith as you trust in the Lord.
Dear Lord, I feel stronger in the day than in the night. Bring to mind a song of praise I can sing that will lift my thoughts and strengthen my faith in you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Today's devotion is pulled directly from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living. This is our newest compilation of our daily encouragement for you! One reader, Alice, wrote, "I've felt frustrated, overwhelmed, and like a complete failure as a mom. These devotions remind me, that although I want to control everything, I need to put my God first!"
May we encourage you to trust in the Lord as well? Click here for your copy of Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
Often our battles in the night are due to troubles in our relationships. Join Lynn Cowell at her blog today for encouragement and the opportunity to win a copy of Encouragement for Today.
Remember
When you are tired and quiet at night, you can be more susceptible to runaway emotions. You can guard your heart from fear by singing praises to your King as your mind and body find their rest.
Reflect
Think about what song you would choose as your song of praise.
Respond
Write Psalm 42:8 down, and put it next to your bed to remind you to look to the Lord as you go to sleep.
Power Verses
Psalm 94:18–19; Exodus 15:2
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
October 22, 2013
Turn the Light On
Ann Spangler
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60:1-3 (NIV)
If you are a news junkie like me, you're aware of all the bad news in the world. Or maybe hard things have come your way. Either way, most of us can resonate with how the prophet Isaiah colors the earth in Isaiah 60:1-3.
Rather than using stunning blues and greens to describe our world, Isaiah speaks of Earth's spiritual atmosphere in other terms. He says, "See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples . . ." (vs. 2a)
Not long ago, I received a touching email. "The death of children overseas and the senseless murder of people at their place of work, have been pockmarking and spray painting over what I knew to be true of God." The young woman who wrote me went on to explain that these things and more had been "defacing the image of Christ I have in my heart."
I was struck by the imagery she used. It made me wonder what had been marring my own view of God. In the midst of difficulties both near and far, how can I hold onto an image of God that highlights His power and goodness? So many questions come in the midst of darkness. "Why doesn't God do something?" "Why is there so much evil in the world?" And more personally, "Why doesn't God help me?"
Isaiah didn't offer answers to these questions. Instead, he listened for God's voice and then spoke the word God gave him. He painted a picture of an earth covered in thick darkness, yet he also spoke of a light so strong it would pierce the darkness. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." (vs. 1).
He spoke not so much of a happy present, but of a blessed future. Though he didn't know Jesus' name, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Jesus approximately 700 years before His birth. Jesus is our answer when we wonder where God is. He's the light that dispels the darkness and shows us God's great love.
Like Isaiah and the people he spoke to, we sometimes feel mired in gloom. There is so much darkness in the world. Fortunately, we are not left alone to stumble in the darkness. We have been given Jesus, the light by which we filter life's hardships.
Today, let's take a few moments to move our focus from the world's problems to God. As we do, let's ask Jesus, to give us a deeper vision of who He is, praying that His character will shine like a light through us. Let's also ask for His help in seeing tragedies and bad news through His eyes, trusting that He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
As you pray, remember that darkness is nothing but the absence of light. It's a negative—a nothing. As soon as you flip the switch, the darkness vanishes. Today, ask God to turn the light on in you, so that others will see His power and come to know His goodness.
Lord, I need a deeper vision of who You are. As I seek You, please draw me close and fill me with Your presence. Then turn the light on in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Praying the Attributes of God by Ann Spangler.
Visit Ann Spangler's blog for more insight.
Reflect and Respond:
Think about the media you expose yourself to each day. How do you feel after you listen, read, watch?
What is one thing you could do today that would add more light to your life? Consider adding something positive to your life like more time for prayer, Scripture reading, or service.
Power Verse:
John 1:4-5, "In him [Christ] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (NIV)
Daniel 12:3, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (NIV)
© 2013 by Ann Spangler. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Tyndale Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion.
:angel:
October 23, 2013
Sacrificial Love
Samantha Evilsizer
"You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Mark 10:21 ESV)
I had some misplaced priorities. I suppose at some level I'd known it for some time. But I didn't fully recognize how misplaced they were until I took a trip to El Salvador with a Christian humanitarian organization.
I met two children on a home visit. They lifted their tarp door and invited me into mud puddles and dirt walls with just one bed where their family of five rested at night. One bed for dreaming dreams of being a doctor and police officer.
I'd come to offer gifts of detergent and food. But the children's gifts exceeded anything I had to give. A tiny beaded bracelet smudged with dirt, drenched in love. They wanted it to be mine. They filled my hands with selfless love. Love shared in smiles and what few tangible gifts they owned.
Feeling too shy to hand me the bracelet herself, the girl nudged her brother. He presented it to me as if it were a royal crown and slid it gently on my wrist. I declare, diamonds couldn't match the worth of their hearts, their gift in that moment.
The next morning as I was getting dressed, I felt a nudge. Give your bracelet away like those children gave theirs to you.
You see, I had another precious bracelet with me. It was one my dad had given me over twenty years ago. Just a simple wooden bracelet from South Africa, but it meant the world to me.
How could I part with it? I wrestled with indecision. My heart soared, anticipating the moment I'd spot a mama to whom I would give my bracelet. Then my heart sank, anxious at the thought of giving up one of my treasures.
And there lay the problem. My misplaced treasure.
I'm embarrassed ... heartbroken. I'm sad to say I couldn't give it away. Couldn't? No; more like I wouldn't. Both bracelets journeyed back home with me. One bearing selflessness; the other, selfishness.
I thought I was really something, bringing gifts to those kids in the form of beans and rice. Little did I know, I was the one in need. I needed God's mercy. I needed a new perspective. I don't want possessions if I'm not willing to use them to love others.
I needed the one thing I lacked ... more love for the Lord than for my possessions. My heart held tighter to my bracelet than it did to what God had asked me to do. He beckoned, "Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." A simple request, yet so difficult to follow.
I don't want to be lacking in love for the Lord or those He cares for. Next time I'm giving it all. I'm starting by opening my hands and heart and looking for opportunities today. Are you with me?
Dear Lord, You are the perfect example of giving. Thank You for new mercies, second chances, and a heart capable of responding to Your prompting. Help me to respond to Your prompting this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Be inspired to give more and love well with the 100 devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team in Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Life.
Today's devotion is our gift to you! We've pulled it directly from Encouragement for Today for you to preview our new book. Start each day by unpacking Scripture with us. Click herefor your copy.
Join a thriving community that is changing the world one choice at a time to be more like Jesus on Samantha Evilsizer's More Than Enough Facebook page.
Remember
You need more love for the Lord than for your possessions.
Reflect
You can choose each day to bear selflessness or selfishness. Why is it sometimes easier to hold more tightly to earthy possessions?
Respond
Set up a time to volunteer with those who have less than you to help gain perspective on what's important.
Power Verses
Matthew 6:20; 1 Timothy 6:18-19
Taken from Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst and Samantha Evilsizer and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team. © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.
:angel:
October 28, 2013
When You're Not Sure You Belong
Suzie Eller
"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." Romans 8:16 (NIV)
The moment we found out a beautiful gift might be coming to our family will forever be etched on my heart. My daughter and son-in-law were about to receive something they had desired for over three years.
We'll never forget the day they heard they'd been chosen by a birth mother to receive the gift of her child. A whirlwind erupted as we all came together to create a nursery and buy the necessities. Five days later a perfect little baby boy was born, and Josh and Melissa brought their long awaited, beautiful miracle home.
Walking with them through the adoption process made me treasure even more these words in Romans 8:15: "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father" (NKJV).
Initially, we didn't know the baby's name, what he might look like, or even his ethnicity. We didn't know how old he would be, or whether he would be a bubbly little boy or a sweet baby girl. All we knew is that long before my daughter and son-in-law held him in their arms, we loved him.
Now that the gift of this precious baby being adopted into our family is a reality, his parents are changing diapers and slogging through sleep-deprived nights. It's not easy, but he is worth every bit of sacrifice they're making.
No matter how exhausted they are, Luke is still wanted. Still treasured. Still loved. Still a miracle in every way.
Sometimes we may look at God and wonder if we are a bother. After all, we're a work in progress. We get busy and forget to treasure our times with Him. We promise ourselves we'll grow spiritually and then lose our temper with a loved one. Why would God choose to love us, even when we mess things up?
The answer appears in Romans 8:16, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." Perhaps today you struggle with accepting God's love. You don't have to fear rejection, because you are adopted. God loves you just like Josh and Melissa love their son Luke, but in a God-like measure.
Romans 8:14-16 promises that God's love for you is irrevocable. You are signed, sealed, and officially His child. Today, as His adopted child, ask the Holy Spirit to gently remind you one more time of Whose you are and how very loved you are by Him!
Dear Lord, You are my Abba Father! Today I place all fear aside and place my trust in You. I walk into Your arms where I am welcome. Thank you for adopting me. Help me to rest in the assurance of knowing I am Your child Amen.
Related Resources:
Has unforgiveness kept you from a relationship with your family? Find freedom from past hurts in Suzie Eller's new book, The Unburdened Heart.
Visit Suzie's blog for more encouragement.
Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Life is filled with truth that reminds you of how much God loves you.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down Romans 8:14-16 and place it where you can see it every day. Read it out loud until it becomes anchored in your spirit.
If Abba Father says you are His, that's the final word. How does that change the way you view your relationship with God?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (NIV)
Galatians 3:26, "So in Jesus Christ you are all children of God through faith." (NIV)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 29, 2013
The Bitter Root
Wendy Blight
"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (Hebrews 12:15 NIV)
How dare she ask this of me?
I reread her email, which only fueled my fury. Rather than reply immediately, I decided to forward the note to my husband for his advice. Any words I would've written to her at that moment would not have been kind.
Bitterness took root as I typed a note to my husband, spewing out my frustration. When I finished, I reviewed my message with great satisfaction. I'd expressed myself well to a safe person. Then I pressed send.
In that moment, I glanced at the "to" box. I was horrified when I realized I'd hit "reply" instead of "forward." My heart sank. All my hurtful words and anger were now en route to her, not my husband.
I felt sick. What should I do? I picked up the phone and called my husband at work. We both agreed I needed to email her, explain what happened, and ask forgiveness. It was the hardest email I've ever written.
Her gracious response astounded me. She thanked me for my apology and closed her response with these words, "I forgive you, so let's just put this behind us." Her words of forgiveness melted the bitterness that had consumed my heart just an hour before. I'm sure she was hurt. My words were harsh. Yet she chose to overlook and pardon my offense.
It's easy to forget that we have choices when we're offended. We can surrender our hurt or hold on to our hurt. We can extend grace or harbor bitterness.
Bitterness is like poison that infects our lives. The author of Hebrews compares bitterness to a root that overtakes our hearts and causes trouble in many other areas of our lives (Hebrews 12:15). Although our feelings of bitterness, anger, and resentment may seem justified, they are not. Instead, they're hurtful and destructive—to ourselves as well as to the person who hurt us.
God's Word teaches us to forgive and instructs us not to let the sun go down while we're angry. When we do, we give the devil a place to work in our hearts and relationships. Instead of allowing the enemy room to plant relational weeds between us, my friend chose forgiveness, extended grace, and prevented a bitter root from taking hold.
She became a living example of the apostle Paul's words to the believers at Ephesus: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Her wise example helped me move beyond my anger. My friend's gracious decision modeled humility. Her choice to forgive salvaged our friendship and changed how I react toward others who offend me. From that day forward, I've prayed that God's grace would flow through me, leaving no room for bitter roots.
Dear Lord, search my heart. See if there is any bitterness in me. Lead me to forgiveness. Enable me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to let go of all bitterness and to extend Your amazing grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources
Spending time with God isn't something we just mark off our checklist. It's a time to understand Scripture and become more like Him, so when we get harsh emails, we are prepared to answer with grace. Our team has compiled 100 devotions to help you keep God's perspective throughout the day in our brand new book, Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
You may notice the different format below. Today's devotion is a sample pulled directly from Encouragement for Today. Click here to pick up your copy.
Visit Wendy Blight's blog to sign up for her newest Online Bible Study on the names of God, Who is God and Why Should I Care? It begins October 30th.
Remember
Choosing forgiveness is the only way to prevent a bitter root from taking root in your heart and growing.
Reflect
Is there someone against whom you harbor unforgiveness? What is it that keeps you from being able to forgive this person?
Respond
Review the verses shared in this devotion. Prayerfully ask God what your next step is with this person. Ask Him to equip you to take that first step, and then take it.
Power Verses
Colossians 3:13; Romans 12:9
:angel:
October 30, 2013
Accepting Forgiveness
Wendy Pope
"Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalm 32:2 (NIV 1984)
Many years were spent regretting sins from my past. These sins had hurt others and me. Day after day I would replay my decisions. Two decades later, the sting of past sin still had a hold on me.
God had forgiven me; I'd told Him about my sin and asked Him to pardon me. So why couldn't I accept the freedom of His forgiveness?
I wanted so badly to believe I was the person David mentions in Psalm 32:2, "Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit."Yet I struggled with accepting that God's grace could erase my sin, wiping it away as if it never happened.
This can be a hard thing to accept for many of us. It sounds all well and good, but in reality, the weight of sin makes it difficult to believe a perfect God can forgive us.
Yet, His Word assures us that God does not count our sin against us. So how can we live in this truth?
The first step is to acknowledge our sin: to ourselves and to God. This opens up the door for honest conversations with the Lord and helps us stop hiding from the fear of being found out.
The next step is to fill our hearts and minds with truth. Throughout the Bible, God teaches how an unaccepting heart can be changed and softened to accept His forgiveness. The following verses are truth from a loving God who longs to transform our lives through the grace of His forgiveness.
My God doesn't condemn. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NIV)
My master is grace, not sin. "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." Romans 6:14 (NIV 1984)
My Savior Jesus has set me free, therefore I am free. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36 (NIV)
My old is gone; because of Jesus Christ I am new. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV 1984)
Are you lugging a load of sin that God has already forgiven? Are you ready to stop living in shame, shackled by regret? Life is too short to exchange the freedom of grace for the bondage of unbelief.
Today, allow God to wash the hurt and regret from past sins away with the transforming power of His truth. And let's pray for an accepting heart that lives in the freedom of God's grace and forgiveness.
Dear Lord, by faith I accept Your forgiveness and refuse to be a slave to sin You've already forgiven. Today, I confess and move on! I commit to believe Your transforming truths to live fully and freely in Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Wendy Pope's blog to watch a video message about living out the transforming truths shared in today's devotion. Is it easy? No. Is it possible? Yes. Talk about it with Wendy today!
Is your life shaped by the shame from your past? Wendy has encouragement for you to accept and live in the freedom of God's forgiveness on Living Free in Christ (CD).
Reflect and Respond:
"Do you struggle accepting God's forgiveness? Spend time talking with God and ask for help to accept His forgiveness.
Use index cards to make several copies of the transforming truths above. Place a copy in your purse, car, Bible, desk, and other places you often go. Read them as long as it takes to experience the blessed life David speaks of in Psalm 32:2.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 1:18. "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (NIV 1984)
Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
October 31, 2013
I Know How to Manipulate
Lysa TerKeurst
"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Just because something great happens doesn't mean it is from God. I know this is true because I know how to manipulate and make great things happen.
Honestly, I hate that word—manipulate. It rubs something rough and grainy into the softer places of my heart.
But there it is. And I know it. Because sometimes I do it. I manipulate.
I know how to sell an idea.
I know how to go the extra mile.
I know how to strategize to make my plan seem like a wonderful strategy.
And not that any of this is intrinsically bad. Some of these things are qualities God can certainly use in good ways.
But what if I use these skills and talents outside God's will? To push past God's timing, God's direction, God's plan to teach me stuff in the process?
Sometimes I think He lets us push past His better plan to experience the consequences of our headstrong attitude. Boy, do I know all about that. I've jumped headfirst into something I thought I wanted, only to find extreme stress, fear, anxiety, and an overwhelming sense of regret.
It's great to know how to sell an idea. But it's not great to do it outside God's will.
It's great to go the extra mile. But it's not great to do it out of a desire to secure what I want—rather than out of a desire to serve another.
It's great to strategize and have a plan. But it's not great if that plan stretches me so I seek my desires more than God's desires.
I am learning to not always push so hard. Or run so fast. Or allow my personal desires to overtake waiting on God.
Recently I had the opportunity to be considered for something huge. And I knew how to secure it.
I knew the words I could use to sell my idea. I knew I could go the extra mile with my pitch and look impressive. I knew a strategy that could be implemented and the plan to propose.
But what I didn't know is if this was God's plan or my desire.
If I knew for sure it was God's plan, all my efforts wouldn't be manipulation—they'd be smart. But I didn't know.
Therefore, all my pushing and plotting were manipulation. So, I stopped, backed off, and stepped aside.
I waited.
And then I doubted. It was hard to watch the opportunity slip away. But I reminded myself that this was a place where my trust in God had to step in. This was one of those times a deeper faith could be found. And so I trusted in the truth of Isaiah 58:11, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
Now, I can rest in the assurance that if something is to be, it isn't up to me. It's up to God. It's not that I just sit back and don't pursue things. I do. But, I give what I can give without manipulation. And then wait for God to give what only He can give. So, if He makes it happen without all my chaotic self-effort, then I will know it is His best.
And if it doesn't happen, I will thank Him for saving me from myself.
Dear Lord, I am so grateful for Your everlasting love and vision for my life. Help me to embrace the fact that Your plans are greater than mine. Humble my heart in the moments when I try to maintain control so that I can fully serve You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sometimes it's easier to follow our gut-response, rather than wait on God's direction. In her book Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst shares great wisdom on embracing God's ways, not ours. Click here to purchase a copy.
Why not gather some friends and study Unglued together with the DVD and Participant's Guide?
Reflect and Respond:
Do you ever catch yourself manipulating past God's plans to secure your own desire?
God wants you to give up your own agenda and trust in His plans for your life! Set aside some time every day to reflect on Bible verses dedicated to this particular issue. Having this daily reminder of God's sovereignty will help you to recognize when your own desires are taking precedence over His will.
Power Verses:
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 1, 2013
God is Not Worried
Karen Ehman
"You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security." Proverbs 3:24-26a (NLT)
As a little girl I loved being outdoors. I could often be found playing kickball with the neighborhood kids or riding my bike around the block. I liked to splash in puddles and jump in piles of leaves. There was one aspect, however, about being outside that I didn't particularly care for: the critters.
Spiders were scary ... dogs terrifying. And I couldn't even bear the thought of snakes. My intense fear of these creatures often kept me from fully engaging in play.
Unfortunately, even when I didn't encounter creepy-crawlies outdoors, they occasionally wound up in my dreams at night. I would have the same reoccurring nightmare of snakes slithering toward me while I stood frozen, unable to run away. When I would wake up, I would be in a panic, heart wildly beating, palms sweating. I never thought my fears would go away until the one summer when I had no other choice.
The summer I turned 20, I took a job at a nature center teaching four-year-olds. It didn't cross my mind that keeping company with critters would be a part of my duties.
I had to capture insects to examine and release, scoop tadpoles to study pond life, and even hold the snakes that were kept in glass tanks in the main building.
Although everything in me wanted to run away, there were little eyes on me. So, I whispered a prayer for strength, pushed past my fears, and made those kids think I was a critter-lovin' instructor whose calm demeanor (and lack of screaming!) showed them there was nothing to fear. If their teacher wasn't freaking out, why should they?
Even though I worked through my fear that summer, as an adult now, I'm still tempted to "freak out" with fear. My imagination concocts all sorts of scenarios peppered with dread and doom. Sometimes I can't shake fear as I try to fall asleep.
But I have come to trust this perspective-shifting truth: God is not worried. He's not in heaven wringing His hands, wondering just how everything will eventually turn out. He is in control. He is loving.
God longs to use the circumstances of our lives to mold our mind, craft our character, and chase away the fears that threaten to slither in, paralyzing us and rendering us ineffective. Ever the patient and wise teacher, if He isn't freaking out, why should we?
Proverbs 3:24-26a is a sweet promise to us, "You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security" (NLT).
Now that passage doesn't promise that we won't ever encounter sudden disasters in life. But it does reassure us that we have no need to fear them. Why? Because the Lord—our gracious and wise teacher—is our security. He will be there to comfort and to guide as He teaches us the lessons we need to learn.
With God as our security, we can have calm in our present. With God as our security, we can face the future without fear. And we can share this confidence we gain to inspire others, helping to keep them from unnecessary fret and worry.
Why it even helps me deal with little critters that get inside my house without squirming. Well . . . without squirming too much.
Dear Lord, help me place my fears in Your hands, knowing You alone are my security, both now and in the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Need more encouragement to face your present fears and trust God with your future? Check out Karen Ehman's latest book LET. IT.GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
For five fear-fighting ways to turn your greatest worries into your deepest prayers, visit Karen's blog.
Read more comforting verses that will arm you to face your fears in the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team!
Reflect and Respond:
What is your greatest reoccurring fear?
Turn it into a prayer by asking God to be your security in the midst of uncertainty.
Power Verse:
Psalm 112:7, "They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD." (NIV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 4, 2013
When Nobody Notices Your Work
Glynnis Whitwer
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
After finishing a big project at work, I was pretty proud of myself. Although most of my part had been behind the scenes, I hoped someone had noticed. The next few days, I checked and rechecked my emails and texts, waiting for an "atta girl" or "well done" message. But none came.
I wasn't really bothered by the lack of acknowledgment until another person completed one small task as part of my bigger project. Then I was copied in a round of emails where that person was praised effusively.
While I joined my thanks in the responses, my heart got a little dent in it when my name wasn't mentioned.
The lack of notice hurt more than it should have. And over the next few weeks, my feelings got hurt with increased intensity each time my work wasn't noticed. Shoes on the floor that I picked up, dirty dishes I washed that weren't mine, the dinner I cooked after a long day. The original hurt was growing.
When I finally broke down in tears one quiet Friday afternoon, I realized something had gotten mixed up. Somewhere over the past few months, my heart had gotten bent out of shape when I didn't receive praise from others.
Jesus talked about this very topic in Matthew 6 He specifically taught about our motives when doing good deeds and cut right to the core issue in verse one: "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1 NIV). Jesus knew our hearts can get twisted. Even the right behaviors can start with wrong motives and end with harmful outcomes.
In those days, many religious leaders made a big show of their good deeds in order to garner the respect and admiration of others. Jesus called these people "hypocrites" and taught how doing great things, like giving to the poor and praying, can go awry when motives are bent out of shape.
Rather than leave off with a stern warning, Jesus gave them, and us, instructions on how to do right things in the right way.
In secret.
Verse 6 says, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Jesus wasn't saying don't ever pray out loud; He was giving the key to break our desperate need for approval. According to Jesus, we receive God's approval when we fly under the radar of others and don't parade our deeds in front of them.
While working on that big project, my time alone with God had been almost non-existent. I managed to read a few Bible verses before bed and whisper a few prayers during the day. But the truth was, I'd neglected time with God. I'd exchanged His whispers of approval for the inconsistent and unfulfilling applause from people.
I needed to get alone with God, and quiet my desire for the world's feedback, so I could hear His voice.
One word from God is worth more than a hundred atta-girls from others.
The next time disappointment creeps up when I'm overlooked, or I think "Why not me?" ... I'll see it as a little warning. It's my reminder to spend time with God in secret.
That's where I'll get the only approval my heart really needs.
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing what I really need and want. The approval of people never satisfies. Help me to see it as a poor substitute for Your approval – which brings me true joy and meaning. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you need time in secret with God? Our latest devotional book Encouragement for Today is portable and can go wherever you go.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God? by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more encouragement.
Reflect and Respond:
Why is the approval of people often more important than God's esteem of our work?
What is one thing you can do in secret this week to try and break the addiction to applause from others?
Power Verse:
Romans 8:5, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 5, 2013
What Can God Do with Difficult Circumstances?
Samantha Evilsizer
"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 (ESV)
This past year, people I love have had to grapple with some very difficult things—home foreclosures, loss of businesses, empty cupboards, and dry gas tanks. Family and friends have endured marital affairs, children sentenced to jail, another year of unemployment, cars breaking down, churches falling apart.
In the midst of such hardships, it's easy to doubt God can redeem the pain, recover what's lost, heal all that's broken. Can He truly fit the pieces of our suffering into a hopeful future?
If we rely on what our circumstances imply, we may believe the Lord isn't able to make something good come from our hardships. Or that He won't. But the truth is, God can and does change our circumstances.
Whether or not God alters our current situation, His power to give a future and hope never changes! We know this based on His Word that stays the same. That's why it's important to take action when difficulties weave doubt in to our faith in God's authority. How do we do this?
For me, refocusing on the truth found in Job 42:1-2 makes a big difference, "Then Job answered the LORD and said: 'I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."
Reading accounts of God's faithfulness bolsters us up when all that is around us is crumbling down. When we focus on what God did for others, it reminds us He is able to work on our behalf as well. Take a look at God's redeeming plans for some of His people throughout the Bible...
While Job's family, home, crops and health were demolished, God was preparing to give him double of what was killed, stolen, lost and damaged. (Job 1 and 2; Job 42:10)
While Joseph was a slave and prisoner, God was planning for him to be second in command over Egypt. (Genesis 39:19-21 and 41:41)
When Ruth was a homeless, childless widow, God was creating a home in Boaz's heart for her to be his wife. God also knew she'd one day be a mother and years later a great, great, great-grandmother to Jesus. (Ruth 1:4-5 and 4:13-17)
When David lay down in adultery, God was laying the groundwork for him to rise up and repent. (2 Samuel 2:4; Psalm 51)
When Peter lost faith and denied Christ, God knew Peter would be instrumental in growing the Christian church by proclaiming Christ to thousands. (Mark 14:66-72; Acts 2:38-41)
While Mary watched Jesus dying on the cross, God had full knowledge of Jesus being resurrected and seated on His heavenly throne! (John 19:25-30; Revelation 3:21)
No matter what the dire, dreary circumstances, God turned each into a hopeful future.
God can reverse, restore, revive, and renew. Be on the lookout for His plans that are already in motion right now, even in the midst of your difficult time. Trust Him. He can take any circumstance and use it for your good and His glory.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness shown to every generation, and for recording these stories where You turned dreary pasts into hopeful futures. I ask that You do the same for mine. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Scripture has many more redemption stories! Discover them for yourself in the pages of the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 devotions written by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team.
Hop over to Samantha Evilsizer's blog for examples of prayers from Scripture that are related to difficult circumstances.
Reflect and Respond:
Today, take a moment to find and reflect on the Lord's faithfulness to you during hard circumstances.
Write those instances down and spend time giving thanks to Him.
Power Verses:
Genesis 50:19b-20a, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." (NIV)
Psalm 40:5 "Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." (NIV)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 6, 2013
Reunited
Micca Campbell
"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NIV)
When my husband died, a part of me died too. Pain and fear surrounded me during those dark days. I ached inside and felt so lost, empty, and alone. I missed him terribly.
At times, my need for his comforting touch was so strong it would play tricks on my mind. Once, I saw a man who resembled my husband driving a red truck just like Porter's. I followed that truck for miles. As my heart pounded with hope, nothing else mattered more in that moment than catching up to the truck. I was willing to drive to the ends of the earth if necessary.
When I finally caught up with him at a red light and our eyes met, my fantasy ended with a devastating halt. It was as if a cruel joke had been played on me. Weakened by the truth, I pulled into a nearby parking lot, lay across the seat of my car, and wept. As the sun set, the temperature inside the car cooled. Sitting up, I wiped my face, zipped up my coat, and headed for home—without my husband.
There was a great sense of loss, thinking I'd never see Porter again. Maybe you can relate and have experienced grief too? If so, you may be encouraged by this truth: for those who love and know the Lord, parting is only temporary. It's not really goodbye, but see-you-later.
The apostle Paul assured the Thessalonians of this truth.
"The dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever" (1 Thessalonians 4:16b-17 NIV).
That assurance is for us too. There are three words in Paul's statement that provide hope, comfort, and assurance for the brokenhearted: we, together, and them.
We (people on earth) who are still alive will be caught up together (two parties meeting) with them (those who are in heaven).
These words of reunion indicate that God's children never have to experience permanent separation. That's good news! One day you and I will be reunited with our loved ones who believed in Jesus while on Earth. What a glorious day that will be.
Once I really took hold of this truth, my heart settled. Though I still walked through days of missing my husband, the firm grip sadness had on me lost its strangling hold.
Now, grief no longer burdens my heart. I have hope in God's promise that one day I'll be reunited with Porter, my two grandmothers, and my grandfathers. Holding on to that hope has eased death's sting and filled my heart with anticipation.
Even in grief there is hope. For those who accept the Lord as their Savior, death is not goodbye. It's simply see-you-later.
Dear Lord, thank You for communicating to us words of a glorious reunion one day. Thank You that death is not the end. When my grief runs deep, remind my heart to hope in Your truth. I will see my loved ones again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca Campbell's blog for a giveaway of her book An Untroubled Heart and to read the rest of her story.
Discover more about Jesus in the NIV Real-Life Devotional for Women Bible.
For more daily encouragement, visit our Facebook page by clicking here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Do You Know Jesus?
Who can you share this good news with today who needs comfort?
Power Verses:
John 14:2-3, "There are many rooms in my Father's house. If this were not true, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. If I go and do that, I will come back. And I will take you to be with me. Then you will also be where I am." (NIRV)
© 2013 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 7, 2013
When Aggravations Accumulate
Lysa TerKeurst
"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:26-27 (NASB)
I opened the front door and smiled at the delivery man, "Four large pizzas, right?"
The look on the pizza guy's face told me the teenagers in my backyard were about to be disappointed.
"Ummm, well, actually there are only two. Let me check your ticket ... oh, yeah you're supposed to have four. Give me 20 minutes and I'll be back with the other two." I took the two he had and said, "No problem. The kids can start on these and have round two when you get back."
As I walked into the kitchen, my husband Art gave me a funny look. "I thought you ordered four pizzas."
"Yeah, the delivery guy forgot two but will be back in a few minutes. No big deal," I quipped with a shoulder shrug.
Art tilted his head. "You didn't even ask for a discount or coupons?"
"I felt bad for the guy. It's not a big deal to ask the kids to wait a few minutes," I replied with a smile.
Remembering the way I'd reacted earlier during a little "growth opportunity" we'd had, Art said, "Wow. I'd like to receive that kind of grace."
Ouch. His point was well made. I'd gotten aggravated with something Art had done and let him know.
Why is it I'm so quick to give a gentle answer to a stranger but spew on those I love? Perhaps it's because of accumulated impact.
This was the only time I'd ever seen the pizza guy. My emotions toward him were completely neutral. When he made a mistake, I was able to let it go.
But I have a history with Art. We do life together. If I let aggravations collect, my emotions ratchet up, creating more and more tension. Then, when something happens, I find it much harder to brush off the offense and offer grace.
Accumulated aggravations equal accumulated impact.
Therefore, it's crucial I don't collect aggravations. I've heard many times: "Do not let the sun go down on your anger ..." (Ephesians 4:26 NASB) I know it. But honestly, sometimes I ignore it. I collect aggravations because I'm too tired to talk. Or, I don't want to deal with it. Or, I try to convince myself it's no big deal to go to bed mad.
But when I keep reading one more verse, Ephesians 4:27, I understand why I should deal with little aggravations while they are still little. They might not stay little long. Why? Because verse 27 finishes with a strong warning, "... and do not give the devil an opportunity" (NASB)
Yikes.
The devil is just waiting for an opportunity. I picture him hissing, "Go to bed mad ... and give me an opportunity." That just sends shivers down my spine.
I love my husband. I get aggravated with him. But I love him. So, I certainly don't want to open the door of opportunity for the devil to turn little aggravations into big ones.
I put down the pizzas and kissed Art's cheek. "I love you and I'm sorry I didn't give you that kind of grace."
To which he replied back with a big smile, "I still think we should have asked for a discount or coupons."
Like I said, I love my husband!
Dear Lord, I really want to follow Your example and live a life full of grace. Sometimes it is so hard to show grace to those closest to me. Help me. I don't want to give the devil any opportunities in my marriage, my relationships with my children, or in my friendships. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you want to stop accumulating aggravations and start showing more grace? Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst shares wonderful wisdom to lead you in making those changes. Click here to order your copy!
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a great resource to get us into the Word of God and help us choose better reactions. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Think about the equation, accumulated aggravation = accumulated impact. Choose one relationship in your life. In what ways has allowing yourself to accumulate aggravations resulted in a lack of grace?
What actions can you take to safeguard your relationships against the devil's attempts to create conflict and separation?
Power Verses:
Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 8, 2013
The Struggle
Lynn Cowell
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV)
"Why can't we just get past this?"
The agitation in my voice revealed the frustration in my heart. I just wanted to fix this relationship problem and move on to happy. My mind and heart were weary from the extended battle.
I'm a fixer at heart, especially when it comes to my kids. When I see one of them hurting or needing help, I want to make it better. Forget your cleats? I'll run them to school. Overwhelmed by a test? Let me help you study. Don't understand the instructions? We can figure them out together.
Since I don't like to see my children struggle, I imagine God as our heavenly parent feeling the same way about us. Unlike me, rather than trying to help us avoid struggles, God understands they are often for our good. As James 1:2-4 says, trials can be precisely the thing that makes us grow into maturity.
Too often when it comes to my kids, it initially seems kinder to step in and relieve the pressure. Yet more than once I have overstepped my bounds and done more harm than good. My help stunted them from gaining a new skill or needed attribute.
As hard as it is, as my children are growing up, I'm standing back when they wrestle a bit in order to allow them to fully mature. Handling troubles with teachers, working out schedules, and doing their own laundry have been areas where my kids have learned responsibility on their own.
Their struggle reminds me of the butterfly, wiggling this way and that until it is able to shed its cocoon. The fight allows the butterfly to gain the strength it needs to eventually spread its wings and soar once free of the cocoon. If the cocoon is split by hand, the emerging butterfly won't survive long.
Jesus, in His wisdom, knows we need the strength that can be gained from struggles we face as adults as well. Struggles to display love in our relationships, to trust Him with our kids' futures, or His provision when finances are tight. Our part during life's battles is to lean into these struggles, getting every ounce of learning and maturing we can. We may think of maturing as a stage a teen goes through. But in the original Greek this passage was written, maturing means "perfect or finished" and complete means "whole."
God uses difficult times to mold us to become more like Him. When life flows smoothly, it's tempting to go at it on our own. But when it is difficult, it is our reminder to run to the One who has the power we need to respond to life His way. As we do, our faith and level of perseverance will increase, which prepares us for the next struggle. All the while, we are becoming more like Him.
Scripture strengthens our resolve and fills in the overwhelming places as we trust God for the strength we need. Instead of begging to be let out of the trial, we can pray to grow in the trial.
Recently, I felt misunderstood and frustrated with someone I love. Opening my Bible, I asked the Lord to help me know how to respond like Him when I wanted to react in anger. The first verse I read after that prayer was Ephesians 5:1, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV 1984) He could not have been more clear!
Scripture tells us when we look at our trials as instruments of training and learn from them, we will come out mature and complete. We'll be stronger than we were before—ready for all that God has ahead for us.
Jesus, I feel anything but joy in the middle of this trial. Open my eyes to help me see these hard times as tools to strengthen me and bring me to a new level of maturity. Help me see them as preparation to take me even further in You. Amen.
Related Resources:
Join Lynn Cowell on her blog today where she's sharing tips on how to go to God's Word and pray through our struggles and she's having a great giveaway!
His Revolutionary Love and Devotions for a Revolutionary Year by Lynn help to prepare teen girls for their time of flying from our nest. Click here for more information.
Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles
Reflect and Respond:
What area in your life feels like a fight? How could you partner with God to grow in both your faith and perseverance in this area?
Power Verse:
Romans 5:3, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 11, 2013
Choosing a Centerpiece
Tracie Miles
"He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do." Hebrews 3:2 (MSG)
I thought my Thanksgiving decorations were securely packed away last year, but when I pulled out the decorative cornucopia something was different.
Apparently a few hungry mice had nibbled on the Styrofoam bread loaf and plastic apples, thinking they were a tasty treat.
I had planned on putting the cornucopia in the middle of my dining room table, like I always do. But lack of proper packing had taken its toll, and my centerpiece was now full of holes.
As I assessed how to repair the damage, I felt a holy nudge on my heart. It was a prompting me to consider if I was concerned about the right centerpiece for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
The previous months had been full of busyness and challenges. My heart had been burdened at times. I'd fallen into a pattern of focusing on my problems and to-do list instead of taking time to give thanks to God for His goodness in my life.
I intended to make Jesus the center of my attention, but didn't keep that commitment. My distracted focus reminds me of the Christians to whom the author of the book of Hebrews wrote.
These believers were in danger of losing their focus on Christ as their deliverer. People had begun putting their trust in prophets, angels, and even Moses. So in Hebrews 3, the people are reminded that Jesus is the only one worthy of trust and is where our faith should be centered.
The writer of Hebrews wanted Christians to stop putting themselves, other people, or material items, at the center of their attention, and instead draw their gaze back to Jesus.
Just like the people of that time, we can quickly get distracted, become busy, and inadvertently make our obligations and celebrations the focus of our attention. We gradually become self-centered instead of Jesus-centered.
Hypothetically, we may put Him in a box in the attic of our heart, only pulling Him out when the time is "right." This eventually leads to a life off-kilter and a heart full of holes, as challenges and pressures nibble away at our joy and peace.
It's one thing to believe in Jesus. It's another to make Him the center of our lives. When we make that important choice and remember to focus on Him and be thankful in all things, our hearts and lives stay in balance.
This Thanksgiving (and every day), let's praise God and commit to making Him our focal point. When we choose to make Jesus the emphasis of our holidays and our lives, we are blessed with the most beautiful centerpiece of all.
Lord, I never intended to put You on a shelf and allow life's distractions to alter my attention on You. Give me the spiritual desire to stay intently focused on You during this holiday and into the new year. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles is a wonderful resource about peace and eliminating chronic stress. Order before December 20th to receive a signed copy!
Avoid seasonal stress and make Christ the center of your holiday this year with practical tips from Tracie. Sign up for her "Managing Holiday Stress" Conference Call series byclicking here. And don't miss out on the LIVE Facebook holiday party. Join the fun by clicking here!
NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is the perfect tool to re-focus on Christ.
Reflect and Respond:
Consider what areas of your life need to be more Jesus-centered and less self-centered.
How can you make sure your attention stays on Jesus and not on life's distractions?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." (NLT)
Psalm 117:1-2, "Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD!" (NLT)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 12, 2013
Lonely
Amy Carroll
"Suppose someone falls down. Then his friend can help him up. But suppose the man who falls down doesn't have anyone to help him up. Then feel sorry for him!" Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NIRV)
Lonely. It's not a word I thought I'd ever use to describe myself, but that's how I felt.
For many years after a hard move I felt alone.
Close friends had always been a part of my life, and the absence of intimate friendships left me feeling sore-hearted. I longed to have someone to meet for coffee or help me expend some of my many daily words on the phone. It would have been wonderful to have a woman who would both listen and share.
Over time, I made new friends and re-established older friendships, and most days I feel connected and content. But I still remember what it felt like to be lonely. Recently, I read a study published by the American Sociological Review that cited statistics that showed half of Americans only have two close friends. And one out of four Americans say they don't have any close friends.
Not a single one. That's a lot of lonely hearts.
Why should we care? Scripture tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:10 that our friends are our helpers. When times get tough, they can help us navigate through them. "Suppose someone falls down. Then his friend can help him up. But suppose the man who falls down doesn't have anyone to help him up. Then feel sorry for him!" (NIRV)
So how can we be part of the solution, to help guarantee no one falls down without having a friend to pick them up?
If you're lonely ...
During my lonely days I told myself this over and over: When you don't have a friend, BE the friend to others that you would like to have.
"Amy," I'd say ...
• "Would you love a friend who takes time to show that she cares by picking up the phone and asking about your day? Then pick up the phone and ask about someone's day."
• "Would you love a friend who keeps confidences and is trustworthy? Then be trustworthy."
• "Would you love a friend who asks you to go the movies or for a walk? Then ask someone to go along when you do these things."
It's easier to stay isolated sometimes than to reach out, especially if you've been hurt or disappointed many times. I know too well. But I want to encourage you to reach out, show love and care about others.
God taught me so many things during my loneliness. I learned to be more dependent on Him. I learned to appreciate the friendship of my family more. I took a hard look at some things that weren't so wonderful about myself and worked to change them.
During lonely times of life, be intentional about connecting to God and others. There's so much to be learned in these times.
If you're not lonely ...
Think about your neighborhood, church, or an organization you are part of. If there are 40 women there, 10 of them feel like they don't have even one friend. Could God be calling you to be that friend?
Look for ways to open your circle of friends to new people. Watch for that woman at church sitting by herself, the co-worker who eats lunch alone, or the neighbor who never seems to be invited.
Reach out today to be part of one less life feeling lonely.
Dear Lord, You are the friend who is closer than a brother or sister. In this time of loneliness and seeming friendlessness, show me how precious friendship with You can be. Please teach me everything I need to learn in this phase of life. Would You also prepare a friend for me and prepare me to be a trusted, valued friend? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for more encouragement!
Setting our hearts and minds on Christ helps take the loneliness away. Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries' team of writers in doing this through Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
Reflect and Respond:
If you are lonely, take a step to be around people with whom you have things in common. Sign up for a class, join a book club, or attend a women's small group at your church.
What is God teaching you about friendship with Him through loneliness?
Power Verse:
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes." (NIRV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 13, 2013
Faith in Action
Suzie Eller
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17 (NIV)
When I was 31 years old I received a diagnosis of breast cancer and affected lymph nodes.
Three months later I stood in front of a mirror. One breast misshapen from surgery. Twenty extra pounds after a second surgery and early menopause. Skin translucent from chemotherapy meds flowing through my veins.
I didn't recognize myself. I didn't recognize this new season. Life was uncertain at best, and scary on most days.
I wanted to be strong for my three babies.
I wanted to be strong for my husband, who was in protective mode, but also vulnerable as his young wife battled cancer.
I wanted to be strong for my mom, who snapped pictures when I wasn't looking, to capture memories of the daughter she loved, but feared she'd lose.
Where was I to find strength?
In the midst of what often felt like rough seas, my faith in Christ became my anchor. Additionally, God provided people who helped carry my burden.
Their strength became mine in a hundred small and large ways. How? By putting their faith into action as James 2:17 tells us to do: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (NIV)
Throughout the hard days of my treatment and recovery, I saw this verse lived out over and over.
A neighbor and his wife mowed our yard every week while I sat through chemo. Many brought groceries. Others cleaned our house. Put gas in our car. Cooked meals.
This faith in action eased the burden of physical and financial needs I felt I had to carry alone.
Friends sat in the waiting room with Richard while I was in surgery. They took our children out to eat and brought them treats.
This faith in action lifted the weight of worry over my beautiful children and husband.
One friend noted my need for humor in the midst of so much bad news; her attempts at being funny were just the right prescription. Another brought balloons to chemotherapy. I sat with a needle in my vein, bright balloons attached to my chair, and a smile on my face.
This faith in action bore my weight of sadness as I laughed out loud.
There are days I pinch myself; it's hard to believe 23 years have passed since then. My "babies" grew up and have given me grandchildren. Richard and I are growing older together.
Cancer is a word in my past, but faith in action is woven in my present.
I'll never forget how small acts, piled upon one another, equaled big relief for a family in crisis.
Sometimes we might think that faith in action is doing big things, and certainly it is; but small actions matter too.
James 2:17 doesn't diminish the beauty of faith, but rather tells us to put action with it. Action moves your faith from being one of words to life-changing impact on others.
Right now in your church, across the street, or somewhere in your community there is someone in crisis. Perhaps there's a friend or family member who is sick, grieving, confused or afraid, and you aren't sure what to say, or what to do.
Take a look at their needs and your means to meet them. Determine what you are able to do, then put your faith into action. Serve up a hearty dose of food, love, laughter, babysitting, or comfort!
Dear Lord, thank You for showing me someone who needs You. May my faith in action be a blessing today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring Suzie Eller to your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie Eller's blog to celebrate 23 years of breast cancer survival with a giveaway!
The Unburdened Heart by Suzanne Eller.
Reflect and Respond:
Sometimes when a friend or family member is battling cancer, you might not know what to say. Ask about what mattered to them the day before they were diagnosed with cancer. Family, faith, interests, etc.
Who do you know in need, and what is one act of kindness that would relieve their burden? Do that today.
Power Verses:
Romans 12:13, "When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality." (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 14, 2013
When You Don't Know What to Say
Lysa TerKeurst
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 (NIV 1984)
Recently a moving truck pulled up to my friend's house. Sometimes moving signifies something exciting and new. Sometimes it doesn't.
This move signified an end. A few hours into the process of emptying her home, the movers carried out her wedding portrait and asked, "Are you taking the photographs separately?"
"Yes," she said, the irony not escaping her. Separately. That was how she'd be living now. Separate from their neighborhood. Separate from her husband. Separate from the way she thought life would be.
She took the wedding portrait and through her tears she called me and said, "I don't know what to do with this portrait. What do you do with things that have no place anymore? We built a life together and now there's no more together."
I knew better than to throw out something just to fill the uncomfortable silence. Trite sayings weren't going to curl up in bed with her and hold her unglued heart.
Maybe you've been there. You were the one sitting in the midst of confusion or the one trying desperately to know what to say. In these difficult moments, we have to place our feet on the only solid ground there is—God's truth.
His truth won't shift with feelings.
His truth won't drown in a sea of tears.
His truth won't leave you even when your gut honest cries don't sound so Christian.
I finally said, "I don't have answers, but I do have prayers. And I'm going to write out conversations I have with God so you'll know He's not being silent right now. He sees you. He hears you. And through His truth He will comfort you."
I pulled out my Bible and poured out the hurt and sadness. "God, please show me the right truths. Use my hand to write out some comfort from Your Word for my friend."
Me: Lord, it's hard to watch my friend hurt so much. She begged You to help save her marriage and honestly we're confused why it still fell apart.
The Lord: Does Job 17:11 express the way you're feeling? "My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart." (NIV 1984)
Me: Lord, don't You see her tears? If seeing her sadness breaks my heart, it must break Yours too.
The Lord: Recall the beauty of trusting the only One who can see what is and what is to come. Nahum 1:7... "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (NIV 1984)
Me: I do trust You. But for everything to end like this is so hard. It just seems pointless.
The Lord: Nothing I allow is pointless. Even in the midst of hurt I will work good. Proverbs 19:20-21... "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (NIV 1984)
Me: Why does she have to go through this?
The Lord: You don't have to have answers. You just need to trust. Isaiah 55:9b... "My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV 1984)
Me: What about the desires of her heart Lord?
The Lord: I am the only one who knows the full scope of those desires. Just encourage her to trust Me and make wise choices. Psalm 37:3-4... "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV 1984)
I sent this written out conversation with God to my friend. My note didn't fix her hurt or answer her questions. It didn't give her a place to put those things that seemed to have no place right now. But it did get her to open up God's Word and start having conversations with Him for herself. And as she moves on, this is a good first step to take.
Dear Lord, I lift my hurting friend to You. For You are the only One who can ultimately lift her up. Through all the ups and downs in life, may she trust You in a very personal way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
We all react differently to life's circumstances. Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst, shares wisdom in responding with truth and grace for the highs and lows. Click here to order your copy.
The accompanying Unglued Bible Study takes you further into God's heart. To order your copy, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
What is a disappointment you've walked through? Write the verses above on index cards to carry with you and write the words "I believe" after each one.
Power Verses:
Psalm 37:3-4, "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 15, 2013
Giving Away Pieces of Ourselves
Lisa Wingate
"My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Psalm 139:15a (ESV)
It's a mystery the way God sends lessons ... sometimes softly, sometimes suddenly and unexpectedly. I experienced one of these lessons while leading a youth weekend at church recently.
At an evening session, I found a middle-school girl alone in the sanctuary foyer. I sat down and asked her why she wasn't inside.
Her answer had attitude, "Oh, it's all just fake. This whole weekend is about how to be real, how not to be 'posers,' and everybody's all friendly. But when we get back to school, those girls won't even talk to me. That's why I quit coming here."
Her purse contents were spilled on the seat between us, a God-given thing. I reached for her cell phone and asked, "If I picked up your phone and walked off with it, what would you do?"
She looked at me like I was daft. "I'd make you give it back. My life is in that phone!"
Next, I took her tube of lip gloss and asked how much it cost. It was $1.50.
"What would you do if one of those girls you're worried about walked by and took this lip gloss?"
She quickly informed me that she would "Jump 'em."
"Why would you bother getting in a fight over a $1.50 lip gloss?"
Her answer was both obvious and profound, "Because it's mine. It's not theirs."
I looked at her, this little girl-becoming-a-woman. "You're right," I told her. "This lip gloss does not belong to them. It belongs to you. And so does your faith in God. And you have to defend that with at least as much determination as you would this $1.50 lip gloss. Or better yet, your cell phone. You cannot go through life letting other people walk off with what belongs to you and God."
As soon as those words left my mouth, I knew this wasn't a lesson just for this young woman. I too needed to hear my words. In a world where people sometimes disappoint us, it's easy to give away pieces of our faith and of ourselves. We give away pieces to people who don't even ask for them. It can be a natural reaction in a society focused on outward perfection. We do it each time we look at others and feel inferior, not as pretty, not as thin, not as ... whatever.
It's so simple, yet so difficult to grasp the truth found in Psalm 139 that tells us God created us and knew us from the very beginning. The Bible says, "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret" (vs. 15 ESV). We were only visible to Him as He intricately knit all the parts of our bodies together.
Only a master artist has this ability. Much like someone who weaves together delicate fibers in a tapestry, God took the care to fashion us beautifully. Not only are we perfectly made, but we belong.
God loves the child He created. I like to think of it this way: God Loves Our Secret Selves (G.L.O.S.S.). He has poured beauty into us, into the very parts we often feel are less-than, compared to others.
I've been working on accepting this truth myself since then ... retaining and practicing this lesson.
I am loved. I am okay. I am treasured.
I am His.
Father, I pray I will hold on to the truth that You are a wonderful Creator and made no mistakes when You formed me. Help me value Your thoughts about me more than what others say about me. Amen.
Related Resources:
Lisa Wingate's newest book chronicles a woman's discovery of eighty-one carefully kept prayer boxes in an old house on Hatteras Island. Her journey through the boxes is a pilgrimage from brokenness to wholeness as well as a lesson in intentional prayer. Learn more about The Prayer Box by clicking here.
Learn more about prayer boxes by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you given away pieces of yourself or your confidence in God to people you wouldn't allow to walk off with your lip gloss? Why?
Take time to memorize a few Bible verses about God's ability to create marvelous and beautiful things, and how you belong to Him.
Power Verse:
Psalm 139:14b, "Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (ESV)
1 John 4:4b"... for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (RSV)
:angel:
November 18, 2013
The Sacrifice of Thanks-sharing
Glynnis Whitwer
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:15-16 (NASB)
Enough. That's what I have. Really, more than enough.
More than enough clothes in my closet. Food in my fridge. Shoes spread on the floor. Cans in the cupboard.
My children have books, warm jackets, tennis shoes, pencils, and opportunities for more. I have clean sheets, soft pillows, a kitchen table, and indoor plumbing.
My husband and I have never taken our provisions for granted. Every day we are thankful for the blessings of our home and family. Yet eight years ago we were increasingly aware of what Luke 12:48b tells us, "When someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (NLT) We felt an obligation to do something more with our blessings.
So in 2005 our family of five put a plan in place to share what we had. We had enough home, enough time, and enough love. Our gratitude to God for His blessings couldn't be kept to ourselves any more. We started with some rearranging. Two of our three sons moved furniture around so they could share a room, Then we bought two little white beds, pink curtains, and some dolls. I bought matching calico comforters and guessed at sizes of dresses.
After months of planning to share what we had, two little orphaned sisters stepped off a plane gripping the hands of their new daddy and walked into our hearts and homes.
They wore "African suits" bought from the place of their birth, brightly colored dresses that hung on tiny bodies. So proud they were to own their first new pieces of clothing, wanting to greet their new family in their best. As we wrapped our arms around these little girls, our family of five became seven.
As weeks turned into months, and typical family issues mingled with trauma from our daughters' pasts, we learned God's call to share isn't always easy. Oh, at first it was great, before the first blush of excitement wore off. But the magnitude of sharing our lives with two wounded little girls was harder than we ever imagined.
When worry about the future threatened to overwhelm me, God quietly reminded me that He didn't ask me to have the answers. That's His job. My job is just to share what He has given me–my love, my home, my life–with two not-so-little girls now who call me Mama. With a heart of thankfulness, and an open hand of generosity. That's all He's asking me. That's what blesses Him.
God's Word confirms what pleases Him. Hebrews 13:15-16 teaches us that we must link thanksgiving with sharing. But it also says it will be a sacrifice: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (NASB)
As we walk together as a family, we continue to learn that showing thanks to God involves sharing, and sharing involves sacrifice. God still calls us to share out of our abundance, and it still involves sacrifice. But when we share our lives, our homes, our money, our hearts, our skills, and our time as an outpouring of thanksgiving, God is pleased.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your generosity with me. I don't deserve Your favor, and my heart overflows with thanksgiving. Help me to show my gratitude through words and actions that are pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for an update on how God continues to call their family to share from a place of thanksgiving.
Do you long to share more of your life but aren't sure how to fit others in? Read how Glynnis manages it with her book I Used to Be So Organized.
For encouragement in your own daily struggles, our Encouragement for Today Devotional can meet you where you are.
Reflect and Respond:
At this season of Thanksgiving, what can you share with someone else?
Do you struggle with sharing what you have? Consider if God is calling you to a deeper trust in Him as your provider.
Power Verse:
1 Timothy 6:18, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 19, 2013
Slippery Friendships
Samantha Evilsizer
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
The white snow clouds shadowed the faces peering down on me as I lay flat on the freezing ground. Squinting up at the group, my thoughts whirled: How did this happen? Are my bones broken? Did I take anyone down with me?
Four winters in the mountains, coupled with countless sightings of others falling down, had taught me to watch where I stepped. I had gingerly led my Freshman Orientation group across campus as we picked our way through snowy sidewalks. But the brick steps outside the English building got the better of me.
After carefully standing up, and gathering my book bag and pride, I spotted the culprit. A small patch of ice—that I thought was melted snow—winked up at me.
Losing our footing happens, even when using caution. Stepping lightly isn't always a sufficient safeguard when walking into a potentially slick situation, especially one that involves our heart. Jeremiah 17:9 warns, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (NIV) My friend Mia learned this truth at her first job.
In her new position, Mia often collaborated with people in other departments. She enjoyed getting out of her office and breaking up the day-to-day routine. There was one thing she most looked forward to though: meetings with her co-worker, Paul.
Though their jobs were serious in nature, meetings with him were light-hearted. An hour of shuffling paperwork disappeared in laughter and conversation.
Weekly meetings soon seemed like an eternity apart. To fill in the gaps, Paul and Mia emailed each other funny anecdotes. They'd catch a few minutes on the phone to tell about a snippet in their day. Eventually Mia and Paul shared lunches, inside jokes, and personal stories. When in a crowd, they'd gravitate to each other and sit together at staff meetings.
I'd heard so much about Paul I wasn't surprised when Mia brought him up one morning over coffee.
"I think I have a problem," she said. "I have a crush on Paul."
Honestly, I wasn't surprised after all she'd told me about him—everything but one incredibly important fact: "He's married."
In that moment, we both saw how little conversations and small confidences shared led her to fall for Paul. She'd stopped looking carefully where she was stepping and convinced herself they were "just friends."
But Jeremiah 17:9 tells us our hearts are deceitful and sly. The word "deceitful" in the original Hebrew language is 'aqob, meaning slippery and insidious. In other words, our own hearts can cause us to lose our footing before we're even aware it's happening.
When we fail to keep our guard up, we're at risk to fall down. And after the realization that we've gone too far, we may find ourselves asking: How did this happen? Are any marriages broken? Did I take anyone down with me?
Looking back, if I had re-routed my tour around campus, I could have avoided the fall. And that's just what Mia did. She asked God for forgiveness and wisdom. Then she determined to change her pattern at work. Mia stopped spending time alone with Paul and limited their non-work interactions. It took time for her feelings for him to go away, and she admitted it was a bit awkward at first. But after a while they settled in to a professional relationship—nothing more, nothing less.
Sometimes we don't recognize slippery spots on our own. But God does and if we ask, He will reveal these to us. Let's pause before taking another step in our friendships to ask the Lord for guidance. We might just spare our heart and avoid a damaging fall!
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of friendship ... Yours and others. I want to point others—and myself—to You by my actions, words, and deeds. Help me do this by testing my heart and removing anything that could put me at risk of slipping. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Staying in God's Word is a great way to safe guard our hearts. Pick up a copy of the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Visit Samantha Evilsizer's blog for more on God-honoring friendships and enter to win a copy of Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Life.
Reflect and Respond:
If you have a friendship with someone of the opposite sex, does their spouse—and your spouse if you're married—know about the depth of your friendship? If not, why?
Ask the Lord—and a trusted, Christian friend—if you are on a slippery slope. What safety measures can you put in place if you have to work with this person regularly?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." (HCSB)
Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (ESV)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 20, 2013
Adjusting Our Holiday Focus
Tracie Miles
"But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)
As I stared at the hard wood floor covered in shattered ornaments and tangled lights, tears welled up in my eyes.
The frustration over my fallen Christmas tree had pushed me to the breaking point. This was not the first time my decorated tree had crashed to the floor that week. It was the fourth.
After a fun day of picking out a tree, my family brought it home and secured the tree in a stand. When the last ornament was hung, we turned on the sparkling lights and stepped back to gaze at our accomplishment.
We cherished that moment . . . and cherished it again after the second round of decorating. But when the tree fell a third time and the surviving ornaments were sparse, the task of decorating became a chore. So when I heard the tree crash in the middle of the night, for the fourth time, I loudly vowed to never have a Christmas tree again.
My Christmas joy had been replaced with frustration and a small dose of anger. I'd become consumed with winning the battle with this tree and decorating my house for upcoming guests. Before I knew it, my focus was no longer on what was really important.
In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus told Martha that she'd lost her focus on what matters most: spending time with the Lord. Martha was so bent on planning the perfect dinner party and completing her tasks, she was too distracted to take time to enjoy the company of Jesus.
Her pursuit of perfection left her frustrated with her sister Mary's lack of help to make things "just so."
When Martha voiced her irritation to Jesus, He gently reminded her that she was worried about aspects that didn't matter. "But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about'" (vs. 41). Jesus wasn't bothered with how fancy dinner was, or how clean her kitchen was, or if she had a perfectly decorated home. What really mattered to Jesus was Martha seeking Him.
This season—when our focus should be gratitude and on the birth of Jesus—we can get easily distracted by other details. Gifts to buy and how much they will cost. Social outings and what to wear. Decorating our homes (inside and outdoors). Cooking and cleaning to prepare for guests or parties.
It's easy to get swept up in many things and forget to stay connected with, and focused on, the one thing that really matters.
Just as busyness, cooking, and cleaning pulled Martha's focus away from Jesus, the same can happen to us in the fast pace of the holidays. Whether basting the perfect turkey or re-decorating an unstable Christmas tree, if we allow it, there is plenty to distract us and lure us away from the one thing that matters most.
Might we make a commitment to adjust our focus this holiday season? Let's slow down, pare down, and sit down with the Lord each day as we set our thoughts on being thankful. And remind our hearts to be blessed by the birth of our Savior, instead of being stressed over the season.
Dear Lord, I tend to get stressed during the holidays. Help me stay focused on You, and not get distracted or frustrated this season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles is a wonderful resource about peace and eliminating chronic stress. Order before December 20th to receive a signed copy!
Avoid seasonal stress and make Christ the center of your holiday this year with practical tips from Tracie. Sign up for her "Managing Holiday Stress" Conference Call series byclicking here. And don't miss out on the LIVE Facebook holiday party. Join the fun by clicking here!
Decorate your home with a set of the Adorenaments gold and silver ornaments. Each set includes seven different names of Jesus (such as Emmanuel), and a beautiful devotional booklet to read as a family about the importance of each name. Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you allowed a particular frustration or disappointment to pull your focus away from Jesus?
What holiday plans or activities might you need to adjust to stay focused on Jesus, and not seasonal busyness?
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:2, "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (NLT)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 21, 2013
The Treasure of Thrown-Away Food
Lysa TerKeurst
"But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
My son Jackson wrote a paper about the corruption and greed that caused the civil war in his native land. But Jackson wasn't just explaining a historical event – he lived in the midst of the horrific conditions of this war. You see, for the first 13 years of his life, Jackson lived in a forgotten orphanage in the third world country of Liberia, Africa.
During one part of the paper, he described what it felt like to be naked digging through the trash looking for the treasure of thrown-away food.
The treasure of thrown-away food.
I can hardly type those words without crying. This is my son.
And yet, despite the horrific conditions of his childhood, there was an unexplainable thread of peace woven through his recollection of the story. A powerful peace centered in the awareness of God's presence.
The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit no matter what, to notice, pause, and choose.
Noticing something for which to be thankful no matter their circumstance.
Pausing to acknowledge this something as a reminder of God's presence.
Choosing to focus on God's presence until His powerful peace is unleashed.
Will we be a noticer? A pauser? A chooser? A person of thanksgiving no matter what circumstance we're facing?
I find this truth about the power of thanksgiving over and over in Scripture. What was the prayer Daniel prayed right before being thrown in the lion's den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion's mouths? Thanksgiving.
After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah's heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving.
How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious? With thanksgiving.
And what is the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving is proclaimed? Peace.
Powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV).
One of Webster's official definitions of thanksgiving is: "a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."
I wonder how we might celebrate God's divine goodness today.
I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice, pause, and choose something for which we can truly be thankful.
Dear Lord, will You help me notice things for which I can be thankful in each circumstance I face today? Will You help me remember to pause and acknowledge this as evidence of Your presence? And will You help me remember to choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly? Thank You for the reality that being thankful changes everything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lysa TerKeurst's adoption story began when she heard a group of refugee boys singing at a local church. She had no idea those songs would change everything! To watch a video of Lysa's sons singing with fellow members of the Liberian Boys Choir, click here.
If this devotion resonated with you, find more of God's peace and perspective in Proverbs 31 Ministries' new devotional book, Encouragement for Today. Filled with 100 devotions, this book is a perfect resource for cultivating a thankful heart during this holiday season. Click here to purchase your copy.
Reflect and Respond:
Start a thankfulness journal where you daily list five things for which you are thankful. Do this for the next 30 days and see how much more peaceful your mindset about life becomes.
Think of someone who is really thankful. Despite the circumstances they face, are they more peaceful? How does this inspire you?
Power Verses:
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (NKJ)
1 Chronicles 23:30, "They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 22, 2013
Am I a Mean Girl?
Dannah Gresh
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
Sitting in the hair salon, I asked the stylist if she could get me a refill of my make-up. The sweet woman helping me returned with bad news.
"We don't have the refills, but we have a new compact. Would you like that?" she asked, apologetically.
Knowing how busy my schedule was, I answered matter-of-factly, "I'll have to get it somewhere else." I was annoyed and it showed.
That's when I realized something: I have the potential to be a mean girl.
How I wish I could have exchanged my bad attitude in the salon with the humble one I witnessed just one hour later at the grocery store.
Standing in the checkout line, I watched as a white-haired lady began to put her groceries on the conveyor belt. She caught my attention because her sweater was funky and full of life.
She'd already put a few items on the counter when the cashier said, "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm closing."
"Oh, sweetheart," that dear woman replied, as she placed her red cabbage back in her cart. "I bet you're just about to have a nice lunch. Or get off for the day. Oh, I hope it's that! Enjoy!" And off she went in her eccentric sweater and spunky spirit.
She changed the entire atmosphere with her kindness to the cashier that had shooed her away.
I want to be like that. But too often I'm not.
When I got home, I turned to my Bible—the one thing that could help me change. I flipped it open to read the mean girl story of Sarai and Hagar found in Genesis 16.
Sarai wasn't able to have children. Knowing this was important to her husband, Abram, Sarai told him to marry and have a child with her maid, Hagar. Sure enough, Hagar conceived.
The Bible says, "When [Hagar] knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress" (Genesis 16:4 NIV). The Hebrew word for despise means "to be of little account." In other words, Hagar thought Sarai was unimportant. It didn't take long for Sarai to pick up on her maid's haughty attitude, and Sarai began to disdain Hagar and treat her poorly.
Instead of caring about the hurt the other was feeling or talking through the burdens each woman was carrying, Sarai and Hagar allowed bitterness and envy to infiltrate their relationship. Their feud ultimately affected both their families, causing division.
Many of us have experienced discord in our family because of two mean girls. A small misunderstanding and lack of clear communication can turn a simple conversation into a lifetime argument. This may result in families not talking to each other, spending holidays apart, or not helping one another in times of need. When women allow their inner mean girl to come out, it can divide entire families.
The way we treat others impacts everyone, especially our children. If they see a mean girl in us, they very likely will copy our behavior. However, if they find us loving others, they hopefully will copy our example.
When we allow the mean girl in us to come out, it's usually because we see ourselves as more important than someone else. And that kind of vision is the opposite of God's instruction for us: to see others as more important than ourselves.
Today, let's put into practice Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (ESV). It might not be easy at first. But seeing others as more important than ourselves will help keep our inner mean girl at bay and hopefully maintain peace in our families.
Lord, I tend to see myself as if I'm in one of those mirrors that make images appear larger than they really are. Help me see the value in everyone I meet—from my own children to the cashier at the grocery store. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Talking to Your Daughter about Best Friends & Mean Girls by Dannah Gresh.
Visit Dannah's Secret Keeper Girl website for more articles on raising daughters.
Reflect and Respond:
What encounters did you have in the last 24 hours that may prove there is an inner mean girl in you?
Next time you feel your inner mean girl coming out, make an effort to be kind: ask the other person how they are, offer to help them with a task, or text them a quick note of encouragement.
Power Verse:
Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Dannah Gresh. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 25, 2013
Time Capsule
Suzie Eller
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 (NIV)
When his mom held out the time capsule at one-year-old Jason's birthday, it seemed like a fun idea.
"Add one item that represents this year and write a letter to Jason, telling him what you think life will be like 17 years from now." Letters were thoughtfully penned and placed in the time capsule, as well as newly minted coins, a toy car, headlines from the local newspaper, and other items.
This year Jason turned 18. We were surprised when his mom pulled out the dented can with the faded blue and green blocks on it. Many family members had forgotten about it.
For the next hour there were tears and laughter as memories came spilling out.
Tears as Jason's dad read his letter, remembering a young father who hoped he wouldn't make mistakes with his little boy.
Laughter as older cousins, now adults, read their letters expressing child-like birthday wishes in misspelled words.
Tears as Jason's mom pulled out three separate letters from grandparents no longer on earth. As she read their words written to her once-little guy, she barely made it through.
Laughter again as Jason held up a 1995 headline on the price of gas rising. "Man, wouldn't it be great to go back to those good old days!"
In the midst of the fun, I was reminded of how much and how quickly things can change. I thought about words I want to speak to those I love. By not speaking them, I am acting as if my friends and family (and I) will always be here, taking for granted what is right in front of me.
The time capsule caused me to take a fresh look at those around me and really apply a lesson found in Scripture. James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (NIV). In other words, life is fleeting and we're wise to make the most of this very moment, because the next one is not certain.
I paused at the door as we left the party, resolving that day to say the words in my heart, and say them often. To not miss an opportunity to encourage or say "I love you."
Not far away, my mom made her way to the car. She turned and waved goodbye.
You're so beautiful.
My dad made a wisecrack as he passed by. He turns 80 next year.
I love you, Dad.
My sister, strong and lovely. She's had a hard year, but her faith has shined through.
Do you know you are my best friend?
My brother, Jason's dad.
You've turned out to be such a great dad. I'm proud of you.
My hope is that one day there will be a time capsule of my words tucked away in the hearts of those I love. Words clearly spoken that friends and family can recall when they think of me.
What about you? Is there someone who needs to hear your sweet words? To know you love them? To hear that you are proud of them?
Begin your own time capsule of words, depositing encouragement, a kind word, an "I love you" in the heart of a loved one. Don't hesitate to start. Right now is the only moment we're sure to have.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of today. Help me to use my words to encourage and show appreciation to the beautiful friends and family in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring Suzie Eller to your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for more ways to show appreciation to a loved one.
The Unburdened Heart by Suzanne Eller.
Reflect and Respond:
Are there words you wished you had spoken in the last 10 years, but didn't? What prevented you from speaking them?
Take an opportunity to tell a loved one that you love them or speak an encouraging word today.
Power Verse:
Job 8:9, "For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow." (NASB)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 26, 2013
The Lord Will Provide
Wendy Blight
"On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." Genesis 22:14b (NLT)
Every time I flew, for days preceding each trip, anxiety welled up within me. I couldn't sleep and I suffered with stomachaches, headaches, and a racing heart.
As traveling for work increased, so did the flying. I arrived exhausted. I knew I couldn't continue living with this fear. I tried to justify this fear as different from other life-altering fears. But it wasn't. Fear is fear, no matter the cause.
After one particularly difficult flight, I decided that was it! I was tired of this battle, so I purposed in my heart to do something.
I had battled and overcome fear in the past, but under different circumstances. So I once again called upon God to help me. This time I prayed to God by one of His great names,Yahweh Yireh, which means "the LORD will provide." Praying to Yahweh Yireh reminded me that God saw my situation and could provide for my needs.
Yahweh Yireh, I know You are with me when I fly. Your name tells me You know what I need, and You promise to provide it. I ask You and trust You to provide what I need to overcome my fear of flying.
Step by step, He provided just what I needed to lead me to a place of freedom. I felt His gentle reassurance in my heart. I am right here, my child. I am your Yahweh Yireh. Remember the story of my servant, Abraham.
I turned to Genesis 22 to refresh my memory. In verse 14 I read, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." (NLT) You see, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, the one God promised to provide and did.
Without hesitation, Abraham took steps towards obeying God. He purposed in his heart to do the unthinkable because God asked him to. He trusted God to make a way to provide for the promise He had made. Even when Isaac asked his father where the sacrificial lamb was, Abraham exhibited great faith with his words: the Lord will provide. He then laid his son on the altar.
Just as Abraham drew back the knife to sacrifice his son, the Angel of the LORD intervened. And in that moment, Abraham spotted a ram.
God had provided a sacrifice.
God did the same for me. What Abraham faced is on a totally different level than my fear of flying. But Scripture teaches us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the same God He was back then with Abraham as He is in the present with me. He met me on each and every flight in ways that only He could do. He knew what I needed and provided it.
He divinely placed me next to pilots who explained the science of turbulence and the mechanics of planes. On one flight, I even sat next to an astronaut! Thank goodness I'm not flying into outer space, I thought! A friend began coming along with me who provided a comforting hand to hold ... or squeeze with all my might, depending upon the flight!
With each trip, I grew more and more at peace. I found verses to pray when I flew. Memorizing and praying these truly helped me overcome my fear.
What provision do you need from Yahweh Yireh today? Peace, financial wisdom, confidence, good health? Just as He provided for me, He will provide for you. Go to Him in prayer.
I no longer dread traveling and sleep soundly the night before my flights. And most of all, I trust that Yahweh Yireh has His eyes on me and will provide what I need to bring me peace.
Yahweh Yireh, You are the Lord who will provide. I invite You to intervene in my circumstances today. Be ever present in my heart and my life and provide everything I need to overcome my fear. Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Wendy Blight's blog to take a peak at her latest online study about the names of God, Who is God and Why Should I Care?
Find how Wendy found freedom from fear in her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner.
Reflect and Respond:
Where do you need God's provision in your life?
Write a prayer that boldly asks Yahweh Yireh to provide for that need.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 27, 2013
Whom Can You Invite?
Karen Ehman
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families ..." Psalm 68:5-6a (NIV 1984)
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" The loudspeaker blared the joyful lyrics of the familiar song that snowy Christmas Eve afternoon.
Everywhere I glanced, people were searching for last-minute gift purchases, holiday baking ingredients or that one final string of twinkle lights that would make their Christmas downright Norman-Rockwell-perfect.
However, as I stood in line paying for the ingredients for my assigned cheesy potato casserole for our family gathering, a lump formed in my throat. Soon my lips quivered and hot tears fell onto my wind-chapped cheeks.
How can everyone be so happy? Why is the world going on as if nothing happened? My friend Julie died last night leaving behind a husband and eight children who need her. Doesn't anyone care?
I wanted to scream. And I wanted the holidays to be cancelled that year. There was no cheer in me, and I thought the rest of the world should follow suit and just "humbug" the whole celebration.
Although our hearts were heavy, we tried to make the most of Christmas, especially for our children who were sad about their friends' mother's death. Over the next few months, my husband and I carried on with our normal life and tried to help our widowed friend as best we could.
Several in our circle of friends made meals on a weekly basis. A college girl offered to clean their home. One of Julie's sons joined our homeschool for kindergarten a few days each week. Although we still experienced great heartache knowing our friend wasn't coming back, lightening her husband's load and being there for the children made us feel as if we were fulfilling the mission God had for us.
Ever since that year, our family has become more aware of the fact that for many, Thanksgiving and Christmas aren't the most wonderful times of the year. In fact, the holidays can be downright painful.
Loneliness looms. Depressions darken. Even suicides soar. While scores of us delight in the season, drinking the sights, sounds, and smells, others are numb from pain and despise these months.
A neighbor of mine had a good perspective on helping those who hurt. She once told me, "The holidays are an excuse for making someone's life better." She was right! There are people waiting to be encouraged and included during this season. If only we would cease our own sometimes self-focused hustle and bustle long enough to see!
After that sad season, we've made it our mission to reach out at the holidays more than we play the commercialized "gimmee game." Thanksgiving and Christmas are not about getting. The very essence of both is giving.
When our family has been intentional about being Jesus' hands and feet at the holidays, He has allowed us to brighten the lives of many. We get to show His love and character talked about in Psalm 68:5-6a, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families ..." (NIV 1984)
Others are welcomed at our table. We sing Christmas carols to shut-ins, decorate homes and address Christmas cards for widows, shop for the needy, bake for the brokenhearted, and often include the lonely in our normal holiday activities as if they were part of our family. Because really, they are.
Maybe God wants to use your family to encourage someone this year. Let's use this Thanksgiving and Christmas to make someone's life better, richer in love, and fuller in the comforts of knowing they are noticed and cared for.
Dear Lord, show me who needs to be reached out to this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Help me make someone's life richer, fuller and far less lonely. I want to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Want an unhurried holiday? Visit Karen Ehman's blog to sign up to receive by email her 5-Days "From Chaos to Calm: The LET. IT. GO. Christmas Challenge."
Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer, to be released in January, provides creative ideas and menu plans for holidays, birthdays, special events, and everyday occasions, as well as suggestions for reaching out to others. Pre-order your copy from Proverbs 31 Ministries and you will be sent a free PDF "Tips for a Simple, Sacred Christmas."
Reflect and Respond:
Gather the family. Solicit responses to the following questions, "Who do you know that might be lonely at the holidays this year? Now, what creative way could we help to combat their loneliness and make them feel loved?"
It's not too late to invite someone over for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow! Give them a call now.
Power Verse:
Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 28, 2013
A Morning Prayer
Lysa TerKeurst
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11 (NIV 1984)
It is very early in the morning. Though my body begs me to go back to sleep, my soul stirs to get up and talk with Jesus.
Though I can't physically see Him, I know He is present.
I open my Bible to the book of Psalms and pray the verses I read to start my day. The more I do this, the less I hear the nagging things of this world. A beautiful melody of God's truth rises up and my worries fade in their light.
His perspective on what troubles me overshadows my anxiety. This time alone with God prepares me for what I will need throughout the day. He's equipping me to handle what is ahead with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.
In Psalm 81:10, God instructs me, "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." (NIV 1984) He will give me what to say. What to say in happy moments and in aggravating moments. What to say when I feel insecure and what to say when I am confident. He also reminds me that sometimes it is good to keep my mouth closed and say nothing at all.
Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely. So I ask for Him to dwell in me richly. I want God to be what radiates about me. Not my hair. Not my outfit. Not my efforts. But simply Him—shifting a wrong attitude, guarding my words, and whispering constant truths into my heart.
Psalm 86:11 prompts me to ask God to "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart ..." (NIV 1984)
Each of these verses lead my morning prayer:
Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings.
Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.
Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity . . . rather than a personal inconvenience.
And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, "Great is your love toward me." (NIV 1984)
You already see the ways I will fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all.
That's amazing.
But what's most amazing is that the Savior of the world would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this. Amen.
I'm now ready to face today. Armed with truth. Surrounded by love. Filled with gratitude.
Dear Lord, I love You. All that I've expressed above is the desire of my heart. I confess that sometimes my actions and reactions betray my love for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for Your grace that is able to recognize this new day as a new chance to walk closer with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst's Facebook page for more encouragement!
Decorate your home with a set of the Adorenaments gold and silver ornaments. Each set includes seven different names of Jesus (such as Emmanuel), and a beautiful devotional booklet to read as a family about the importance of each name. Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
Set aside time today to personally pray through the verses in Psalms listed in this devotion. Personalize them by inserting things particular to you. For example: Psalm 86:11 talks about having an undivided heart.
List out those things that divide your heart and pull you away from the closeness you desire with Jesus. Spend some time confessing these and asking for wisdom to know how to better handle them.
Power Verse:
Mark 1:35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
November 29, 2013
Boldness
Lynn Cowell
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 (NIV)
My daughter reclined in the hammock, face in a book. She chooses to read stories based in history, where the author's words transport her to another setting when life seemed grander.
She often says, "Mom, I wish I was born in a different time and place."
As a mom, it's easy for me to slip into similar thoughts too. To look around, observe the not-so-positive changes in our culture and wish for the seemingly tranquil world of generations past. To lament over how easy it must have been to raise kids, take care of your family, and share your faith back then.
These thoughts have discouraged me and sometimes left me wondering, "Why keep trying? It's hopeless."
Yet, when I read of Esther in the Bible, I am reminded that God has a purpose for placing me exactly where I am right now-in this time and place-just like He did for Esther.
When Esther was a young woman, she was taken from her Jewish family and brought to Susa, the Persian King Xerxes' fortress, for twelve months of beauty treatments. This was done to her and other women in preparation to meet the king so he could choose a new queen.
Esther found great favor with the king and he appointed her the new queen. Despite her good standing with King Xerxes, Esther hid the fact she was Jewish. But when a plot to destroy the Jewish people was revealed, Esther's family member, Mordecai, asked her to intervene and request help from the king to save them.
By law, no one was to approach the king without being asked. Doing so would risk being put to death. Plus, the king hadn't summoned Esther in 30 days, an indication he was losing interest in her. But Mordecai reminded her, "... if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14 NIV)
Esther understood the greater good and risked her life on behalf of the Jews. God appointed Esther to be in Susa at that specific time to rescue her people from the potential destruction. A bold girl in the right place at the right time saved an entire nation from annihilation.
Like Esther, we can trust that God has placed us where we are "for such a time as this," for His purposes. Our assignment is important too. We are surrounded by people God loves and wants to rescue. Sharing Jesus with family, at our job, with our neighbors, and in our community could lead them to accepting God's love.
Jesus willingly gave His life so we could approach our King for eternal life. He asks us to share this new life with those around us. Today, let's boldly step out and make ourselves available to God just as Esther did. God surely can use us to free someone from despair as we share the hope of eternal life!
Although it's enjoyable to daydream about times past, the most important work we can do is today.
Powerful and Wise God, You always know exactly what You are doing. Open my eyes today to see the rescue mission You want me to be a part of "for such a time as this." Empower me to be bold! Amen.
Related Resources:
Empower the young women in your community to be bold by bringing "His Revolutionary Love" to your community! Click here to learn more!
When we understand the greatness of Jesus' love towards us, we gain boldness! His Revolutionary Love and Devotions for a Revolutionary Year empower young women with His boldness as they are filled with perfect, unconditional love!
Reflect and Respond:
Do you know someone who needs reassurance they've been created "for such a time as this"? Send them a card, text, or email today, pouring in hope that God has them exactly where they need to be.
Do you shrink back from being bold and sharing about Jesus and eternal life? Pray for conviction and courage to do so.
Power Verse:
2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 2, 2013
Search Carefully
Karen Ehman
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.'" Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT)
Our family has a tradition we've kept running for over 20 years. Every December, we pick a night to enjoy barbecue chicken pizza and peppermint stick ice cream. Then we pile in our old tan Buick and venture off to look at the area's Christmas lights. A snow flurry is always a plus and makes the bright lights dance in the distance.
When our kids were young, they'd each pick a story character to look for in the decorations. They'd keep a running tally of what they saw amongst the seasonal displays. Kenna might look for snowmen, Mitchell for reindeer. And Spencer loved to discover a green Grinch or two. Whoever picked the most frequently spied character won a small prize.
Our family tradition evokes sweet memories for this mom. However, there was one troubling aspect of our yearly adventure. No matter how hard we searched, we rarely discovered a nativity display with the Christ child lying in a manger.
Yes, secular characters brought giggles to our wide-eyed, pajama-footed children, but the main person of the holiday—the whole point of Christmas—was seldom to be found. We did locate a few homes that displayed a nativity, but we had to search diligently for them.
As we go through December we, can easily be inundated with responsibilities. While trying our best to "get it all done," it is easy to miss the Christmas Child. We scurry and scamper to put on a big bash while practically ignoring the One whose birthday it really is.
Let's purpose that this year we'll search for Jesus carefully and diligently just as the wise men did in Matthew 2:1-2:
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.'" (NLT)
These wise men left their daily duties, homes, and studies and went out of their way, traveling many, many miles on camelback through the dry desert, to find Jesus. Like these men, we need to break away from our routines and busyness to take time to look for the Christ Child.
It might mean stopping in the midst of shopping to sit quietly in our car, praying that God will help us center our thoughts on Jesus more than holiday tasks. Or perhaps it will require us to put down our to-do list in order to pick up our Bible to read and absorb the account of Jesus' miraculous birth.
However it looks, let's search carefully for the Christ Child. He's there in the middle of the hustle and bustle. When we find Him, let's not keep the wonder of His love to ourselves. We can share it. Serve others. Bless intentionally. And lift our eyes (and those of our children too) off of ourselves and on to the real reason for Christmas.
Dear Lord, help me to intentionally seek and find You just like the wise men did. May I share the love You give with those I encounter this season. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Do You Know Jesus?
Need a fresh dose of peace in the midst of the Christmas craziness? Sign up for Karen Ehman's free resource From Chaos to Calm: The LET. IT. GO. Christmas Challenge. For five days you will be emailed biblical encouragement and practical ideas to help make your holidays less about stressing and more about blessing!
Everyday Confetti is a new book from Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer, to be released in January. Pre-order your copy from Proverbs 31 Ministries and you will be sent a free PDF with great organizing tips.
Reflect and Respond:
What fond traditions do you have of Christmas as a child? How can you build new traditions today that center on Christ and teach others to do the same?
Grab your kids or some friends and head off on an adventure of blessing. Call a homeless shelter or nursing home to ask what needs they have, whether it be coats, blankets, food, cheer, etc. Whatever you do, leave a handwritten note for the recipient that declares, "Jesus came to earth briefly to live with us so that we could go to heaven to live forever with Him. Merry Christmas!!"
Power Verses:
Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (ESV)
Luke 2:11-12, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." (ESV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 3, 2013
Sharing Our Lives
Amy Carroll
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV 1984)
A few years ago, one of my son's friends, Lindsey, began asking some big questions. He had the chance to talk with her about Jesus, and at a church youth retreat Lindsey gave her life to the Lord.
It was a thrill to watch her fall in love with Jesus and begin a brand new life. She had lots of questions and thankfully many people lived out 1 Thessalonians 2:8 for her: "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (NIV 1984)
Friends put aside the time they'd normally spend watching TV to come alongside Lindsey. She was surrounded with support at school. Others got up early to pick her up for church and welcomed her in their youth group. Adult friends visited Lindsey's home and built relationships with her family. And I led a small group to help teach some of the basic foundations of the faith and practices that lead to spiritual growth.
I haven't always walked alongside new believers though. Sometimes I've abandoned them, without sharing my life or what I've learned. Sadly, when I look around me, often newborn Christians are sent out into their fresh spiritual life with little more than a "God bless you" and pat on the back.
These excited new followers of Jesus set off on an unfamiliar path brimming with zeal and hope. But they stumble quickly without mature Christians to answer their questions, clear up confusion, and encourage them through the inevitable rough spots. Although no one can snatch them from their Father's hand, many new Christians fall prey to discouragement and walk along paths that Scripture warns against.
There are many reasons that new Christians are abandoned and left to walk alone without nourishment or protection. One key reason is the busyness of our culture. Our time is stretched between families, jobs, friendships, computer, TV, etc.
Nurturing a baby Christian means sharing our lives, like 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes commitment. But most of all it takes love. Robert Coleman, author of The Master Plan of Evangelism, says, "There is a lot of talk in the church about evangelism and Christian nurture, but little concern for personal association when it becomes evident that such work involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence."
Ouch! I really wish he would move along and get out of my personal space! He continues, "Unless new Christians have parents or friends who will fill the gap in a real way, they are left entirely on their own to find the solutions to innumerable practical problems confronting their lives, any one of which could mean disaster to their new faith."
Lindsey doesn't have a lot of pain in her background. But what about baby Christians who have baggage? Financial crisis, promiscuity, addiction, and bitterness are just a few of the very real issues with which new Christians grapple ... and mature Christians can help them walk through based on what the Bible says.
Will we commit to feeding, nurturing, and loving these new followers of Jesus? It may seem easier to gently pat them on the back and walk away, but the toll is too high not to invite them into our lives. Trusting in the transforming power of Christ and asking Him to make us an instrument of His grace, let's care for these precious new believers.
Dear Lord, You are a kind, loving, and nurturing Father. Help me to follow in Your footsteps as I nurture Your new children. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
At Proverbs 31 Ministries we are meeting women right where they are. For a few moments each day, women all over the world hit the pause button on their busy lives and connect with God's truth through our devotions, online Bible studies, and radio program. We would like to invite you to join us on the front lines by supporting God's work and making a year end gift. Click here to find out more!
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for a video sharing about her journey and growth.
Reflect and Respond:
Feed—Ask a young Christian to attend a Bible study with you. Go out to coffee to discuss it afterward.
Nurture—Call a new Christian to share something that helps you to grow. Ask for requests and pray with her.
Protect—Do you see a new Christian struggling with a sin with which you've found victory? Be transparent and share your story!
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:2-3, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (NIV)
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 4, 2013
The Most Important Christmas Choice
Tracie Miles
"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'" Luke 2:13-14 (NLT)
Tis' the season to be merry... and stressed. Although it should be a season of peace, this month can often make us feel more tangled up inside than a messy string of Christmas lights.
Some people dread the hustle, bustle, and emotional rustle this time of year brings, knowing that irritability, loneliness, or depression will threaten. While there are others who may love the Christmas season, but worry, busyness, family conflicts, and unmet expectations take their toll.
In either case, we have a decision. We can choose to get bogged down with stress or we can choose to bow down in worship.
Scripture gives us a beautiful picture of praise in Luke 2:13-14. When Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds sharing the good news. Then many other angels joined together and praised God.
"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'" (NLT)
That's not the only place the Bible records angels worshipping the Lord. In Hebrews 1:6 it says, "And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, 'Let all of God's angels worship him.'" (NLT) And Revelation 5:11-12a says, "Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus." (NLT)
Angels serve as role models of worship. They bow down before Jesus. They shout with incredible joy as they sing songs of praise. Through worship, angels spread the news of God's glory and exhibit holy reverence. Angels intentionally and deliberately spend time praising God.
Keeping Christ in Christmas is more than just a cliché. It is an intentional act of worship. It requires a heart of adoration, much like the angels had. When Jesus is the focus of our holiday, we're centered on His love, peace, and joy.
This prompts us to be His hands and feet to others in need. When worship fills our hearts, it leaves little room for aggravation in long lines at the store. We focus on what Christmas is truly about—the amazing gift of a Savior—rather than stressing out over buying the perfect presents. We exhibit grace to someone when we'd rather do otherwise. Worship turns our attention to giving thanks to Jesus for all He has done, rather than letting stress strip His joy from our hearts.
And it might even mean joining in with the heavenly chorus to sing praises to Him, even if we can't carry a tune!
The holidays can bring a flurry of heightened emotions and can often result in an unhealthy level of stress which can prevent us from engaging in worship and praising the One we are supposed to be celebrating.
There will be lots of choices to be made during the month of December: where to serve, what gifts to buy, and how many events to attend. The most important choice we can make is to worship and sing praises to our Lord. For His gift. For His love. For His peace.
And when our hearts are at peace, our holidays can be too.
Lord, I choose to intentionally worship and praise You during this Christmas season. Help me stay focused on You and Your goodness. Amen.
Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles is a wonderful resource about peace and eliminating chronic stress. Order before December 20th to receive a signed copy!
Avoid seasonal stress and make Christ the center of your holiday this year with practical tips from Tracie. Sign up for her "Managing Holiday Stress" Conference Call series by clicking here. And don't miss out on the LIVE Facebook holiday party. Join the fun by clicking here!
Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living by the Proverbs 31 Ministries team.
Reflect and Respond:
Pick a praise song that you will commit to sing to the Lord this Christmas season as a way to intentionally focus on worshipping Him.
How have you allowed the emotions of the season to distract you from worship?
Power Verse:
Psalm 148:2, "Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 5, 2013
Embrace the Magnificent
Lysa TerKeurst
"Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)
A few years ago on a flight to Michigan, I had the distinct privilege of meeting AJ. He was sitting in the row in front of me and made sure to welcome me the minute I took my seat. It didn't take long for AJ to make everyone around us aware of how excited he was to be on this plane.
His voice was loud, his exclamations seemed a bit child-like for a man his age, and his stuttered words made it difficult to completely understand him.
But one thing was unmistakable to me: his passionate embrace of the magnificent.
As we rose into the sky he clapped and bounced in his seat. His eyes were wide as he turned to the man sitting next to him and exclaimed, "The clouds are huge!"
That's when the nudging on my heart started. This gentle prodding to ignore the task-oriented part of me that wanted to work and tune out what was going on around me.
Embrace this moment Lysa. Notice him. Notice Me.
And that's how it is when God wants to get my attention. He interrupts my self-centered thoughts in such a startling way, it can only be Him. He sends my train of thought off the well-worn tracks and suddenly I find myself bouncing along in a meadow full of unpredictable adventure.
Because there is something about God everywhere, every place we look. My mind parked itself on 1 Chronicles 29:11, "Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." (NIV)
Everyone else on the plane looked tired from their travels that day.
But not AJ.
He saw what no one else did. We were in a fast moving tube, taking off from the ground, flying through the clouds, being transported from one place to another many, many miles away in a matter of minutes. Minutes! Not days or weeks or months but minutes ... oh what would people a hundred years ago have thought of this feat?
And there we all sat, bored. Not even bothering to look out at the clouds and notice. Too focused on the task at hand begging for our attention.
We'd lost our passionate embrace of the magnificent. Our appreciation for noticing God and His provision had been strangled by what the world begs us to pay attention to.
But I'm not interested in what the world classifies as important. I'm interested in where God wants to point my focus. I'm interested in humbling myself in childlike awe of all that He is.
When we landed, AJ's excitement reached a new level. He clapped and whooped and rushed into the aisle of the plane tripping over others. When he spotted his mom waiting for him at the end of the jet way, he got even louder pumping his arms into the air telling everyone that was his mom! That was his mom, right there! There she is!!
His mom's face reddened but kept the sweetest, gentlest look as she embraced her son. She sweetly pressed her finger to her lips signaling him to quiet down just a bit.
That's when I reached her. With a lump in my throat and tears cresting my eyes I touched her shoulder, "Your son is amazing. Really, really amazing."
How might we remember to embrace the magnificent on this ordinary day?
Dear Lord, I praise You today for Your magnificence in all things. Humble me as Your child and guide me as I follow hard after You instead of the world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Looking for daily encouragement to grow in your relationship with the Lord? Check out Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God Devotional. Click hereto purchase your copy!
Proverbs 31 Ministries is offering some meaningful Christmas gifts this year! Check them out by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
How might you embrace the magnificent today?
Take some time to write down five ordinary things that you appreciate. Then, list reasons why these ordinary things are actually special blessings from the Lord.
Power Verses:
Psalm 145:4-5, "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 6, 2013
The Power of Assumptions
Wendy Pope
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
The assumption battle is one I have fought most of my life. I've questioned friends' motives, assuming they were against me. To avoid being hurt, I've detached from relationships with no valid reasons.
Perhaps you've fought the same battle?
Your friend didn't sit with you in Bible study like she usually does; she must be upset with you, so you avoid her at your weekly meetings. Another friend is invited to several parties you aren't; obviously the two of you are drifting apart, so you don't reach out any more. Your sister hasn't responded to your text and phone messages; she must have found another friend in whom to confide, so you stop calling her.
It's easy to assume others are upset, have "more important" friends, or are too busy for us when their behavior changes. Anger and hurt can well up in our hearts and we may pull away from friendships in order to protect ourselves. There is a danger in assumptions: they can destroy relationships.
Before we know it, even without proof, what we assume becomes our truth. Our misguided feelings lead to misguided thoughts, which cause misguided responses. The result: ruined relationships.
Living under the havoc of assumptions isn't the way God intended it though. Second Timothy 1:7 tells us, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (NKJV). Looking at the last part of this verse, we see God gives us the ability to think, reason, and understand.
Through Christ, we have a mind that is well balanced and considers things in context. Our sound mind is stronger than our feelings, but we have to give our thoughts time to catch up with our emotions. A good way to do this is to pause and think clearly about the conclusions we've made.
When an assumption rears its ugly head, simply take a moment to ask if this assumption is consistent with your friend's normal behavior. If it isn't, this would be a good time to ask a few more questions: Is my friend okay? Have I done anything to hurt her? How can I pray for her? Do I believe the best before assuming the worst?
Repeat the pause until the assumption passes. The result: positive relationships.
Ruined relationships can be prevented and assumptions can be put to rest when we stop and focus on our thoughts. God has blessed us with a sound mind to surrender to the truth and not allow our imaginations to run wild.
Before the power of assumptions ruins a relationship in your life, pause. Settle your emotions and consider what you know to be true about your friend. Take a moment to pray for her and plan how to reach out to her. She might just be struggling with her own assumptions that you could help her clear up!
Dear Lord, thank You for empowering me to overpower assumptions. I commit to believe the best before assuming the worst, and to not allow my emotions to jump to conclusions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy Pope as your next retreat / key note speaker. And be sure to visit Wendy's blog today as she shares how she overcame the power assumptions had on her life.
Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow Bible Study by Wendy Pope, available in a printable download, Kindle, Nook, and hardcopy.
The I Am His medallion necklace is a great reminder that we belong to Christ and His truths are ours to hold on to! Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
What power have assumptions had on your life?
Reach out and make an attempt to reconcile with someone with whom you made an assumption.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)
Philippians 2:4, "Don't be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others." (GW)
© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 9, 2013
I Don't Want to Miss This Moment
Glynnis Whitwer
"Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." Proverbs 14:22 (NIV)
Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about the wonderful ways you'll celebrate the next special day on the calendar?
That usually happens for me when I go on Pinterest and see beautiful photos of food, crafts, decorations, and gifts. I imagine myself taking time to create the little extra touches that turn ordinary days into memorable ones. But then I look around me and the reality of an over-crowded life squashes my dreams.
There have been too many special days that whooshed by me, leaving me with regret and wishing I'd stopped and enjoyed more moments. Too many times I should have paused to do good for someone.
Increasingly I sense God asking me to be more intentional with my days. Maybe it's because of many years that are a blur now. As I look into the faces of children growing up too quickly, of parents aging, of friends packing to move, I often want time to stop so I can breathe in the holiness of the days God has given.
Remember this moment, my heart whispers. Remember what this feels like.
It's too common for me to look back and wish the simple moments had been celebrated more. That there'd been a few more pauses. More times when I'd said "you matter" with my actions.
Not the big flashy moments. Not the expensive trips. But the humble quiet times that declare what we treasure. Our values. What makes us us. The everyday moments are the ones treasured in the hearts of those we love.
Some women excel at these special moments. They turn from their computers and whip up an experience that leaves everyone feeling loved. Not me. Although I love special times, I'm not spontaneous.
How do these moments happen for me? I have to plan for them. Not the moments themselves, but the opportunity for them to happen.
Proverbs 14:22 shows us the importance of planning: "But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." This verse inspires me to plan good things for those dear to me. And in doing so, we will experience God's love and faithfulness in greater measure. What a great promise from God's Word.
Christmas is an ideal time for me to put this into practice. If I'm not careful, December can pass me by without any special notice. I might get something done, but it will be obligatory rather than a celebration of Christ's birth and a time to show His love.
So this month I'm working on a plan. It's not set in stone, but it is a list of things that are important to my family and me.
For example, my husband wants to cook a special breakfast treat called scrapple, a Pennsylvania Dutch sausage his father made. I'd like to read Advent devotions as a family to ponder the meaning of Christmas. My plan also includes opportunities to spend time as a family and reach out to others.
So I'll pencil ideas in my spiral notebook, write out shopping lists, and research dates and times to add events and phone calls with friends. Planning to do good takes time, but I've learned when I plan my priorities, they get done.
This month I'm taking some time to schedule what matters most ‐ time honoring God and remembering His gift, time with those I love, and time sharing God's blessings with others. And in January, I'll start planning again.
Heavenly Father, You model intentional love. You planned to send Jesus to earth and You planned a way for me to live with You forever. Help me to plan the same intentional love to those I care about. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Everyday Confetti is a new book by Glynnis Whitwer and Karen Ehman filled with ideas to help you celebrate what and who matters most. If you pre-order their book through Proverbs 31 Ministries before January 21, you'll receive a special handout with tips on organizing your special events.
Visit Glynnis' blog for more ideas on planning your priorities.
Reflect and Respond:
What's one thing you want to do this month? Write it on your calendar and to-do list.
Do you resist planning? Why do you think that is?
Power Verse:
Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 10, 2013
Bringing Hope
Nicki Koziarz
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!" Isaiah 52:7 (NLT)
I stood in a field with two Kenyan pastors, resting after we'd traveled long distances.
For five days we'd gone from hut to hut sharing the life-changing truth of Jesus. We prayed, listened to others, and I cried tears of disbelief over the devastating poverty.
In our short time together these pastors taught me new definitions of boldness, courage, and passion for others to know the Lord. They would often walk 30 miles just to have the opportunity to share about Jesus with one family. Sometimes I barely even want to say hello to my 30-feet-away-neighbor who desperately needs God.
Yes, these men were living examples of Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!" (NLT)
Biblical commentaries tell us the messenger in this passage was bringing good news to the Jews who had been enslaved for a long time. The messenger could be seen as he ran on the distant hills toward the people who'd been in captivity. He came with a message of great hope and joy to tell them they were free! Free from bondage, free from despair.
There is another message this herald was bringing to all people, including you, me, my friends in Africa, and the whole world: the good news of the coming Messiah, Jesus. That good news is about His birth and His death and resurrection. It gives us the hope that came to earth as a baby, died as a man, and rose as our Savior to offer us eternal life. It's the same news the two men trekked all around the dusty Kenyan land to share.
For days after I returned home the passion of these pastors consumed my thoughts. And brought to life the call I have to share the Word of God—not just with people in other countries—but with those around me.
I learned so much from my Kenyan friends. I may not walk hundreds of miles to take the good news to others, but I can drive across town to minister joy to the homeless. I can cross the street to speak with my neighbor about how Jesus can set us free from the captivity of anxiety. And I can share the peace people are looking for.
As weeks, months, and now even years have passed since my trip to Kenya, the memory of the pastors walking mile after mile to share about the Lord stays with me. And it continues to spur me on to be intentional to go out of my way to herald the good news talked about in Isaiah 52:7.
To whom can you bring this good news?
Dear Lord, life is hard, but You are good. Please ignite within me a passion to share the good news of Your peace and salvation with those around me. Amen.
Related Resources:
Every day, Proverbs 31 Ministries brings the good news to women around the world through our free daily devotions, radio podcast, and online Bible studies. Will you partner with us to help us continue to tell others about Jesus? Click here for more information.
Visit Nicki Koziarz's blog for more encouragement.
Give the gift of good news with the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible.
Reflect and Respond:
Christmas is a great time to reach out to those around you. Make a list of people in your neighborhood and/or community that you will talk to about Jesus this week.
What are some ways you can share the good news? Here are some ideas: Conversation over coffee or at a Christmas party, handwritten notes in a card, Bible verses on Facebook or Twitter.
Power Verses:
Luke 2:10-11, "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'" (NIV)
© 2013 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 11, 2013
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence
Renee Swope
"The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')." Isaiah 7:14b (NLT)
Plans for the perfect Christmas danced in my head. Almost everyone from my side of the family and JJ's side would be coming to our house at some point between Christmas and New Years. We'd never hosted Christmas dinner, and I was looking forward it.
But, somewhere in the midst of all the preparations, I got tangled up in Christmas lights and unrealistic expectations. By the time everyone got here I couldn't wait for them to leave.
It all started when my husband and sons petitioned for blinking colored lights on the tree. We don't do colored lights on the tree. I am a "white lights" kind of girl, I insisted.
But JJ decided our decorating decisions should be a "family activity" that year. Who was this man and why had he not brought this up in pre-marital counseling? I wondered.
The control freak in me started to freak out. Don't get in the way of my perfect Christmas with white lights that make me and my home feel peaceful.
I'd dreamed of this day for years and wanted to have the perfect house, perfect menu, and perfect table settings. But hope was dashed the night before guests arrived when I couldn't find festive cloth napkins and it dawned on me that I didn't have a big enough pan to cook a turkey in.
When Christmas came, I had a house full of people but an oh-so-empty heart.
As I walked through my living room picking up wrapping paper, I wondered why my dreams of the "perfect Christmas" hadn't come true. Many of the elements seemed to be in place: kids playing together, grandparents on the couch snoring to Christmas tunes, and grown men playing sidewalk hockey in the driveway. We'd lit Advent candles and set out the nativities. Still, something was missing.
Trying to escape the holiday noise, I went upstairs to my bedroom. Taking a deep breath, I opened my Bible to read the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. Slowly, I let each word remind me of that first Christmas night and God's promise that came true in Bethlehem. " ... And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger ..." (Luke 2:7 NIV).
A cross-reference led me to Isaiah 7:14b: "The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')." (NLT)
Closing my eyes, I pictured Mary wrapping baby Jesus up. Her hands carefully folding each corner of cloth, like a precious gift. That's when I realized what had been missing. In the hustle and bustle of creating the perfect Christmas, I'd neglected to unwrap the most important gift of all, the gift of Immanuel, God with us.
Bowing my head, I opened my hands and my heart to God's presence. I invited Jesus to bring calm to my anxious heart. To bring His perspective to my expectations and to help me enjoy the gifts of my family waiting downstairs. Simply pausing to acknowledge and thank Jesus for being with me brought peace to my heart unlike anything white lights and perfectly cooked turkey could ever bestow.
It ended up being the perfect Christmas after all.
Dear Lord, no matter how busy life gets or how lonely I feel this Christmas, I want to unwrap the gift of Your presence. Help me see You, hear Your voice speak to my heart, and pay attention when You lead me with Your peace and perspective. I seek Your purpose in all of my plans. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Immanuel, God with us?
Visit Renee Swope's blog to download a free Christmas prayer to help prepare your heart and home for the holidays! And enter to win her Christ-Centered Christmas give-away worth over $35!
Visit Renee's Facebook Page where she will be sharing ideas to keep Christ in Christmas every day in December!
Shop With Us for Christmas! Find Christ-centered gifts such as Bibles, devotionals and more on our online bookstore.
Reflect and Respond:
What days might be most challenging this month?
How can you plan time on those days to soak in Jesus' perspective and peace?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 26:12, "Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (NIV)
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 12, 2013
The Place Where Disappointment Grows
Lysa TerKeurst
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The space between our expectations and our reality is a fertile field. And often it's a place where disappointment grows.
When I was in high school, I had a friend whose sister had the coolest hairdo. It was cropped short with straight bangs that fell messy over one eye. She was that older sister who just seemed to have a handle on how to do everything with style.
I somehow decided all of her coolness traced back to her hairdo. Like that was the budding spot from which the life I wanted could sprout.
Never mind the fact her hair was thin and obedient. And mine was thick and rebellious.
Never mind that her hair was sleek and straight. And mine was curly at best and frizzy at worst.
Never mind that her bangs fell nicely over her forehead. And mine had a crazy cowlick causing them to grow up, not down.
Yes, never mind reality.
I set my expectation on the highest bar and willed my hair to fall in line.
The hair dresser chopped. And chopped. And chopped. And tried to assure me I now looked JUST like the picture of the older sister.
But that was a lie. I knew it. She knew it.
And oh how some serious disappointment grew in the space between my expectation and my new reality. I still have nightmares of that disastrous hairdo where I wake up desperately grabbing at my head to make sure my hair is still there.
But hair grows back. Bad cuts can be fixed. That type of disappointment can be remedied.
Other situations aren't so easy. Maybe you have some space between a current reality and an unfulfilled expectation. If so, I imagine disappointment can be found growing there.
Psalm 23:1 says, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (ESV) The Hebrew word for "want" is chacer meaning, "to lack, be without, become empty." So, if the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not become empty. I shall not live in a constant state of disappointment where circumstances leak me dry.
But ... I still do sometimes. And not just with my hair. It's other stuff as well.
So, how do I let the Lord shepherd me so that the gap between my expectations and reality closes? I ask myself these questions when faced with disappointment:
What do I need to learn? Maybe God has an appointment for me in the midst of this disappointment. If God wants me to see, learn, know, or grow in some way while I work through this unmet expectation, I have to be open to hear this from Him.
Could it be that I'm so concerned with what I don't have, I've forgotten to be thankful for what I do have? Sometimes, it's not that my reality is bad. It's that I created too much space for disappointment to grow by placing my expectations too high.
Is there something I can do to change this situation? If so, I need to ask God for the courage to make changes. If I keep hoping things will get better but don't make any adjustments, that's foolish. The space between my reality and my expectations will only change if I do.
Now back to my high school hair situation. If I ever start flashing pictures of cute pixie haircuts I'm considering getting, somebody remind me of my high school hair debacle. Please. Pretty please. With a dollop of hair gel on top.
Dear Lord, thank You for turning my disappointments into opportunities for growth and learning. Guide me in trusting You through every situation, even if I can't understand why it's happening. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? If you find yourself consistently disappointed in your journey to be healthier, Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst, can help you narrow the gap between your reality and expectations. Click here to pick up your copy.
Have friends hold you accountable by signing up for our newest online Bible study of Made to Crave, starting January 19, 2014. Click here for more information and to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
How do you typically handle disappointment?
Reflect on the three questions above and write down your answers. This will give you the opportunity to get a better perspective on your own particular situation and the way you handle disappointments.
Power Verses:
Romans 5:2b-5, "And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 13, 2013
Running on Empty
Suzie Eller
"You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" Psalm 68:35 (NIV)
We were in between moves, living out of suitcases. My husband was working in one state while I was staying in another to sell our home. I had a bad cold, and coughing had interrupted my sleep for nights. I was so tired that the rings under my eyes had rings under them.
When my husband suggested we take time away from the packing, selling, and traveling, just to rest, I mentally listed the reasons we couldn't. How could we manage our many to-do's if we took time off?
In all of these excuses, I was ignoring that I had become very, very tired.
I was tired spiritually as we encountered hurdle after hurdle in the plan we knew God spoke into our hearts.
I was tired physically from a week-long cold.
I was tired relationally as I missed my husband.
Our circumstances weren't awful. I had battled much more challenging ones in the past. So I reasoned that I needed to put on my big-girl pants and just keep moving forward. Admirable, maybe, if you're a machine, but I am a plain ol' human who had run out of steam.
God knew it. My husband knew it. It was time for me to admit it. I needed time to rest and re-connect with God through prayer.
In Psalm 68:35 the Psalmist writes of a living God whose might and power sustained the people with power and strength. I was in need of that kind of help.
The writer of this verse responds to the Lord with great joy and praise. "You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" (NIV) When we take our eyes off of worthless and powerless gods or even our own selves we rediscover the power and might of God. I needed to take my eyes off of the self-sufficiency of Suzie to rediscover what God had waiting for me.
Kneeling, I surrendered my schedule, time, and need to just keep going. I confessed that I was exhausted and needed my Heavenly Father's strength to complete the tasks in front of me.
That weekend I refueled as I nestled on a couch and prayed for a calm mind that was focused on the Lord, rather than all I had to do. I sat in God's beautiful creation and asked for Him to help me drop my stress over selling our home. I sensed His peace as I rested and took time to get better from my cold.
When the weekend ended, I was me again. It wasn't that I walked away with all my challenges erased, but I left filled up with God's strength.
Maybe you're like me. You are spiritually and physically tired, but you don't feel like you can take time to take a break. You think running full steam ahead is the strong way to handle things.
If we continue to run on empty and never stop to let the Lord fill us up, we will eventually discover the limits of our own strength.
Is it time for a prayer retreat of your own? Your special time with God might be in a park or a quiet place like the corner of a library. It's not the place that matters, but that you find one and take time to meet with the Lord.
We schedule everything else. Why not take time to rest in our Heavenly Father? Let's take a break and allow Him to fill us up as we seek His strength for the days ahead.
Dear Lord, I am spiritually and physically tired, and I have heard the whisper to stop and be refilled. Thank You for the sanctuary I find in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring Suzie Eller to your church as your next retreat / key note speaker? Click here for more information.
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for five different ways to create a prayer and spiritual retreat and be sure to check out her book The Unburdened Heart.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Think about a tired friend who never stops to refuel. What advice would you offer her? How would you pray for her?
We often have more empathy or mercy toward others. Today, take that same advice and pray, and embrace it for yourself.
Power Verse:
1 Chronicles 16:27, "Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary." (AMP)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 16, 2013
The Giving Gift
Amy Carroll
"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV)
It was time to decorate for Christmas. As I set up my new artificial tree, I pondered what to do with the old one. It still had lots of life in it and rather than donating it to an organization, our family wanted to add a personal touch and show love to a specific family.
We wanted to put into action what we're told to do in 1 Timothy 6:18-19, "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." (ESV)
When I went to my volunteer job at the domestic violence shelter the next week, I asked the manager for a suggestion. "I'd like to donate our Christmas tree to a mom who has just completed the shelter's program and moved into her own home," I explained. The manager gave me a woman's name, and my husband Barry and I made plans with her for delivery.
On the night we were to meet Robin* and her children, Tasha* and Nathan*, Barry and I loaded the car with anticipation. We drove to her neighborhood and hauled the tree and bags of lights onto the porch. Before we could fully knock on the door, it was flung open to reveal the twinkling eyes of excited children.
"I didn't expect a big tree!" Robin exclaimed. "I just thought it would be a little one to set on the table!"
Tasha and Nathan literally danced around the room as Barry set their tree up and showed them how to put lights on it for the first time. While they decorated, Robin told me about her hopes and dreams for a safe future for her and the kids.
As we drove away, my husband and I reflected on this truth; it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. It's a glimpse of God's image in each of us. We are created by a Father who delights in giving to His children.
That night, we didn't just give a Christmas tree and some lights. We shared an evening of friendship, laughter, and joy. And gave the gift of time. We brought the love that only Jesus can give us for those we don't know.
The Christmas season is a time we focus on giving gifts and doing good to others, but I want to emulate God's giving and goodness all year long. That starts by focusing on the way He gives. It's an overflow of His character and an example of how He calls us to share what we have with others.
God gives lovingly. (Exodus 34:6)
God gives freely. (James 1:17)
God gives abundantly. (Psalm 132:15)
God gives wisely. (Romans 16:27)
As you're running errands, look to see who you can bless with a kind word or a cup of coffee. As you're putting up your decorations, think about whose home you could bring some festivity to. And as you pause during your day, remember who you can give the gift of prayer and encouragement to. Let's all develop our giving gift by giving more like our Father and by being a blessing to others!
Lord God, You are my example for how to give good gifts. Please give me Your heart to be generous and a blessing to others. Help me be mindful of the receiver and to give carefully to ensure my gift is a blessing. In Jesus' precious Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Amy Carroll's blog for some practical tips and creative ideas for giving good gifts to those who need it this holiday season.
The gift of God's Word and devotions by women living in the trenches alongside you is always the perfect gift. Order a copy of the NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women for a friend or family member by clicking here.
Reflect and Respond:
What do you have that you could share this Christmas season?
What steps do you need to take before you give to make sure the gift is a blessing?
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:11, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (NIV)
2 Corinthians 8:7 "But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (NIV)
*The names are fictitious in order to protect the safety of our friend and her children.
© 2013 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 17, 2013
He Sees You Right Where You Are
Glynnis Whitwer
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)
It's interesting who the Bible records as the first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth. It wasn't a king. Or a religious leader. Or a rich man. It wasn't to anyone in the center of attention and importance. It was to shepherds. Dirty, smelly shepherds.
It's also notable that it wasn't broadcast in the day. It wasn't announced with trumpets on the temple steps as hundreds crowded to offer sacrifices. Or proclaimed in the marketplace in the middle of a busy day. It was night, in quiet isolation.
The fields weren't where important people visited. Especially not at night. And that night the dark field was covered with sleeping sheep and tired shepherds. Just them. Outside the world's notice. Men performing a wearying task at a wearying hour.
Of all the ways and to all the people and at all the times God could have announced His Son's birth, He chose this way, these people, and this time of night.
Luke 2:8-9 tells us, "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." (NIV) God saw those shepherds right where they were that night. He noticed their work; He noticed them. And He had a message of hope they desperately needed to hear.
It's a message I've needed to hear many times. I've needed to know that God saw me in the dark. When I've felt alone. And in need of a message of hope.
As a young mom there were many nights I held crying babies, wondering if I'd ever feel normal again. Would I ever get to sleep through the night, wear clothes without baby drool, or have an adult conversation?
I've worked late, worried over finances, and wondered when help would come. Did God see me working so hard? Did He see me wrestling with problems or how tired I was?
The message to the shepherds tells us God does see our hard work and long nights. And He doesn't sleep. He doesn't prefer those in authority. He doesn't leave us alone. And He has a message of hope for each of us.
I see you, rocking your crying baby at 2 a.m., doubting you'll ever sleep again.
I see you, up late studying while the rest of your classmates have fun.
I see you, pacing the floor wondering when your teen will get home.
I see you, working an extra shift to help pay the bills.
I see you, sleeping on the couch fearing your marriage can't be repaired.
I see you, sitting with a friend who received the worst news of her life that day.
To you, the news of the angels to the shepherds is yours as well.
Behold ... pacing mother, hardworking student, worrying wife ... to you is given "good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10 NIV)
To you ... exhausted mommy, anxious sister, steadfast friend ... "a Savior has been born ... he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:11 NIV)
It was no mistake God sent His angels to the dark fields and to the humble shepherds that night. He sent a message of good news to those who desperately needed to hear it.
Today, in your place of darkness, isolation, weariness ... God sees you and sends the same message: A Savior has been born for YOU.
Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about those who feel alone, forgotten, and weary. I confess I feel like that some times. Thank You for seeing my needs and sending Jesus to be the answer to all of them. In His Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you need a message of hope today? Give yourself the gift of God's Word.
Prayers for a Woman's Soul by Julie Gillies.
Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for some Christmas recipes to take to someone who needs to be remembered.
Reflect and Respond:
Do you ever wonder if God sees you? Trust that He does and spend some time in prayer today.
Besides the reasons mentioned in the devotion, why else might God have chosen to announce His Good News to the shepherds?
Power Verses:
John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (NIV)
Psalm 121:3, "He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber ..." (NIV)
© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 18, 2013
Click to Change
Karen Ehman
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)
"Look, Miss Karen! When you click here you can change the color of her fingernail polish just like that!" I was watching my friend's pre-teen daughter for the weekend. She was parked on the couch playing around on a nail art website on my computer. Each time she clicked on a different color nail polish bottle the color instantly changed on the model's hands.
Clicking a mouse to change things on our computer screen is so simple. If only real life were the same!
Many times I look at my circumstances and wish I had a special mouse so I could click and change everything I don't like. But life's not like that. While there's much I can change, there's much more I can't.
And when I focus on all I can't revise, my heart can feel defeated. There are people I can't change, finances I can't control, and circumstances that leave my heart feeling shattered. If only I could recolor bad attitudes or rewrite difficult experiences, then I'd feel better. Right?
Wrong.
I've discovered that changing other people or circumstances isn't really a fix for my often-troubling situations because it isn't something I can make happen. I can't control other's behavior, only mine. Here is where the solution lies.
Even when circumstances and people stay the same, my attitude towards them and my perspective can change. What can bring about this transformation?
God's Word.
It can snap me back to attention, soften my heart and help me view my life through a different and God-honoring lens. It can align my heart and actions with God's so I don't do or say things today I will regret tomorrow. As Hebrews 4:12 states, it helps to expose, sift, analyze and judge the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
In a very practical way, God's Word makes it all click and that clicking makes me change.
Spending time daily in the Bible is imperative to bringing about this change, and we at Proverbs 31 Ministries have committed to help women around the world interact with God's Word daily through our many ministry avenues. Just this past year God impacted the lives of over 600,000 women daily through our free Encouragement for Today devotions. We celebrated with over 4,000 women who made first time decisions for Christ, and our team responded to over 10,000 prayer requests.
It isn't just the volunteers and staff who get to be a part of helping bring God's transforming work. So does everyone who gives a financial gift — no matter the size — to Proverbs 31 Ministries.
We value every gift and giver. The ones who give hundreds ... the ones who go without lattes each month and share their saved $25 ... the ones who donate $5.
Yes, $5 makes a big impact.
Together, we offer perspective-changing truth that can renew a woman's heart and mind no matter what age or stage of life she's in.
Together, we point women to the Healer, made known on the pages of Scripture, who can make their spirits whole.
Together we can teach women how to study the Bible, forgive and mend a friendship, strengthen a marriage, or effectively parent children.
Do you want to change the world by offering hope, help, and even life from behind your computer screen? We'd love for you to join us. When we give our collective "littles," God transforms them into a big movement that can alter lives both now and for eternity.
With a click of your mouse, you help change the world.
We'd be honored if you would join us.
Dear Lord, thank You for the life-altering and perspective-changing power of Your holy Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Will you partner with us to reach women for Christ? If so, click to change a life today with a year-end gift. You can help us go into all the world with the truth of God's Word.
Need a resource that can help you shift your perspective aligning it with God's Word? Check out Karen Ehman's latest book and Bible study curriculum LET. IT.GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
Reflect and Respond:
When is a time that God's Word helped to change your bad attitude or wrong perspective?
Will you forward this email to a friend who needs to receive encouragement from God's Word?
Power Verse:
Psalm 119:11 "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (ESV)
© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 19, 2013
The Most Searched for Answer
Lysa TerKeurst
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Growing up I had a plan for how I could make my life good.
Get a good education. A good job. A good husband. A few good kids. A good house. A good flowerbed out front. And a good mini-van parked in the driveway.
Then life would be ... good.
Eventually, I had all that good stuff. I was thankful for it all. I loved my family to pieces. The mini-van wasn't all I thought it would be, but I felt like an official mom driving it. So even that wound up being good.
But something inside me still felt hollow. A little off. A little lacking.
So, I reasoned I needed something else to do. A place where I could use my gifts and talents. And while these things were fun and satisfying on one level, they too fell short when it came to that deep place ringing with the echoes of empty.
Empty is a heavy load to bear. The mystery of wanting to be filled but not knowing how or what could fill the deep soul is a gnawing ache. A search that can seem both futile and shattering at times.
When you try and try, always feeling like the answer is just around the corner, and then it isn't, it can split your heart wide open and leak dry all your reserves.
It can make you feel unsatisfied and frustrated with everything. Even those you love. Maybe especially those you love.
So you fake a smile and keep putting one foot in front of the other. But eventually you stop peeking around the next corner hoping the answer is there. History tells you it isn't. And wrapped in that perception is the noose that strangles out all hope.
Sadly, this is where many women live.
I know this place because I lived there. I struggled there.
And I guess I'm wondering if you or someone you love might be there this Christmas season. It's tough when everything around you screams "merry" when you feel anything but.
It quite honestly stinks.
So, I'm not going to pretend you'll suddenly feel super merry after reading this.
But what I can promise is a string of words that explains a lot. An answer that is sure and solid and true and full of the breathless wonder of a hope rediscovered.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NIV)
No good plan is the answer.
Even a good husband — good children — a good friend make a very poor God.
No education or job or house can save you.
Salvation can't be found in anyone or anything else.
There is no other.
Only Jesus.
And I'm not just talking about saying we're Christians. Following the rules and following Jesus are two totally different things.
Going through the motions of religion won't ever satisfy. It's only when we bend down low, open our hearts in complete surrender, and say, "Jesus, it's You. Only You. There is no other. There is no other possession or person or position that can ever fill the deep soul-place shaped only for You."
This is my Christmas prayer. Though I've been saved for a long time, I want to recapture the essence of this "no other" reality.
And really live like this is true.
Because it is. True.
Jesus, only You can save and fill and give what my soul desires. Please remind me to draw close to You and rely on the promise that You will draw close to me when I do. Amen.
Related Resources:
If you find yourself consistently craving something other than Jesus to fill the gaps, Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst, can help you turn to Him to find lasting satisfaction. Click here to pick up your copy.
Have friends hold you accountable by signing up for our newest online Bible study of Made to Crave, starting January 19, 2014. Click here for more information and to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
Who do you rely on to fill the gaps? How would the dynamics of that relationship change if you released them from that duty and allowed Jesus to meet your needs?
Do you use something (other than people) to fill your gaps, such as food, drugs/alcohol, busyness? What steps would you need to take to stop using them as a way to satisfy your soul?
Power Verse:
John 4:10, "Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink," you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.'" (ESV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 20, 2013
Combating Loneliness
Samantha Evilsizer
"My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." Psalm 25:15-16 (ESV)
Don't look his way, her heart and mind insist.
She doesn't want to look. Then again, she does. Though my friend did not check the "Plus One" box on her RSVP card, she wishes she had. Why had she come to this party alone? Maybe then she wouldn't gravitate to him.
He's reckless and destructive. My friend knows better, but he's the only one who can relate to her. Even so, she avoids eye contact, hoping to make him believe she doesn't need him anymore.
She succeeds until another round of laughter fills the Christmas party. Her resolve walks out as he walks up to her, extending a knowing hand. Fingers entwined, she falls in his snare. She can't stand him ... this companion called loneliness.
In the midst of listening to marriage, baby, vacation, life-is-grand stories, she hears the voice of loneliness, high above the conversations: You'll never have this. You'll be lonely forever.
She had promised herself she wouldn't turn her eyes to him this time. As she was getting ready for the party, she put this truth on: "My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted." (Psalm 25:15-16 ESV)
But she forgot this hopeful promise as she fell into the trap of loneliness.
By the time the clock chimed an acceptable hour to bid her goodbyes, she was eager to be gone. One step out the door and she lowered her guard too soon. Loneliness had saved his best for last. Powerfully, he pummeled lies until she believed: You will always be lonely.
When he trotted off, leaving her alone, a different hand reached down. One that is gentle and healing. Let me help you up. Rough night, huh?
She looked up to see His scarred hand extended.
How'd You know I was here?
He tells her He's been there the whole time, always near, at the ready to rescue any time she looked to Him for help. As she faced Him, He began to untangle the false claims of loneliness with truth: I am near (Psalm 145:18). I will never leave (Deuteronomy 31:6). I am your joy (Psalm 16:11).
Hollow parts of her heart filled with the confidence of Jesus. She knew it was time to break-up with loneliness for good. Not just at parties, during holidays, or weekends with nothing planned.
Maybe it's your time too? Truth is, loneliness can tag along whether you are alone or surrounded by family and friends, on special days and ordinary days.
There's only one way to keep loneliness from being a constant companion in life. It is to make sure our "... eyes are ever toward the LORD ..." Psalm 25:15a (ESV).
Let's keep our focus on God and call out to Him when we feel loneliness setting a trap for us: in the festive times, in the quiet times, at all times.
Dear Lord, my eyes are ever toward You, for only You will release my feet from the trap of loneliness. Will You please turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted? Thank You for being near and being my joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living is a great way to connect daily with the Lord.
Visit Samantha Evilsizer's blog for verses to print out and pray to combat loneliness.
Reflect and Respond:
Christmas can be a time when loneliness is overwhelming. If you struggle with this, what can you do to combat loneliness?
Choose a Bible verse to memorize that you will use to fight loneliness. Write it on a piece of paper or make it your phone/computer screen saver as a constant reminder of the nearness of Jesus.
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (ESV)
Lamentations 3:22-26, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." (NIV 1984)
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 23, 2013
The Pull to be Everywhere During the Holidays
Suzie Eller
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
I loved holidays. Before marriage. Before the pull to be everywhere at the same time. Before most decisions left someone upset or angry or feeling left out.
As a newlywed, I struggled with a desire to be in my own home on holidays, to start my own traditions with my husband. We were the first to be married in both families, and thus the first to break "how it's always been."
Thanksgiving should have been a time to be thankful. All I felt was stretched thin. Christmas was meant to be joyous, but I was often frustrated from wanting to please everyone.
As we had children, I tried to mask my frustration with enthusiasm. But inside I wrestled. If my husband and I chose to celebrate the holidays at our own home, someone was bound to be disappointed. When we went to every expected event, I would be exhausted from packing up three young kids, diaper bags, food, toys, presents, and the list went on.
Fast-forward thirty years, and thankfully I once again treasure the holidays. But now that my kids are grown up and married with babies of their own, I understand the longing my extended family felt to be together on the holidays. An empty nest leaves gaps that traditions used to fill.
Yet with three sets of in-laws, there are other families in the mix now. My husband and I know the pressure our kids might feel to come home for the holidays, and we don't want them to have the same frustrations we did.
A few years ago we chose to put Philippians 2:4 in to action: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (ESV).
We told our children it's not the date on the calendar that makes holidays special. It's the heart behind them. It's spending time with people you love.
So, sometimes we get together on Thanksgiving Day, or maybe the week after. Maybe it's Christmas only, while Thanksgiving is spent with other family members or by themselves. We remain flexible to our kids' needs and schedules. If they and our grandchildren aren't with us on a specific day, my husband and I fill that time with a new tradition with just the two of us. Last year Richard and I hiked. We had so much fun! Later, when we gathered to celebrate Christmas with our growing family, it was a blessed, unrushed time.
There was an unexpected gift. What we discovered is that by looking out for their best interest—and not our personal desires—our kids love to come because there's no pressure. They let us in on their traditions. Regardless of the date, when we do get together we have fun! It's a gift we give our family and ourselves.
Dear Lord, I'm grateful for so many things, and one of those is family who loves me enough to want to be with me. Help me share my needs with my loved ones, and to do it with grace and gentleness. Help me not to take it personally as they struggle with change. If I am the one that is inflexible, help me to bend and grow. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
If you are struggling to forgive someone this Christmas, check out Suzanne Eller's book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
Visit Suzie's blog to discover four non-traditional ways to celebrate Christmas.
Shop with us for Christmas! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we're extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Have you shared your needs? Articulate them on paper. Share them at the right time, in the right attitude. Don't take responses personally. Change takes time.
If you are the one struggling with change, are you willing to be flexible? Instead of focusing on a specific date, focus on the heart of the holiday.
Power Verses:
Psalm 106:1-2, "Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for his is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD? Who can ever praise him enough?" (NLT)
© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 24, 2013
Calming Our Hearts
Tracie Miles
"They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145:7 (NIV)
In the midst of the busyness of Christmas, I often pull away to calm my heart and quiet my thoughts with a cup of hot cocoa. I love to feel warm and peaceful while sipping a cup of steaming chocolate with marshmallows piled on top.
But there is another reason I love cocoa. Each letter of my favorite winter drink helps me focus my heart on Christ and to live out Psalm 145:7, "They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." (NIV)
C – CHRIST "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18 (NIV 1984)
It's easy to focus on shopping and planning Christmas Day menus instead of seeking Jesus. Take a break today from searching for that last-minute present or perfect recipe to spend time praising God for the gift of His Son.
O – ORNAMENTS "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV 1984)
Decking the halls can be a lot of fun, but have we adorned our hearts with God's love and compassion, patience and kindness? When we do, our words and actions will glorify God and bless others.
C – CHEERFULLY CELEBRATE THE SEASON "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Although Christmas is meant to be a joyous season, it's also a time we might struggle with depression and discouragement. Focusing on God's truth that we are valued and loved as children of God can remove that shroud of darkness and replace it with great joy. This month will be over in a few days, but the peace and hope we find in God's love are forever.
O – OVERJOYED not OVERWHELMED "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)
Many of us are overjoyed to kick off the Christmas season but feel overwhelmed by the middle of the month, much less the day before Christmas. Reconnect with the wonder and awe of celebrating Christ as you bring a gift of gratitude to Jesus for coming as our Savior. When we focus our hearts on all God has done, we won't get as easily overwhelmed by all that we'd like to get done.
A – ABUNDANCE "... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b (NIV)
Whenever I think of Christmas morning, from my childhood to the present, the word abundance comes to mind. Abundance of gifts, food, and activities. But these things are temporary. What we need is the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Our hearts need His mercy, peace, and love—not only on Christmas day, but every day throughout each year.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a cup of Christmas cocoa. Will you join me? Let's take time to ponder the verses above and make room for God's love to pour into our hearts. His abundant goodness is worthy to be celebrated!
Dear Lord, thank You for giving me the gift of Your Son. Please help me not get so caught up in the earthly celebrations of Christmas that I forget to celebrate all I have in Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Tracie Miles' blog for a chance to win a special COCOA giveaway.
The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible is a great way to spend time with the Lord.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you allowed the chaos of Christmas to overshadow your celebration of Christ?
How can you share God's goodness with others?
Power Verses:
Number 6:25-26, "The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." (NIV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 25, 2013
A Light in the Dark
Samantha Evilsizer
"I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" Luke 2:30-32 (NLT)
"Don't get out of the car by yourself. Just honk when you get here and I'll come out."
As I drove down the darkening street I questioned the wisdom of the 13-year-old who had just given me those instructions. Maybe one of the other youth group leaders should have come with me. Wouldn't honking alert the drug dealers in the neighborhood that Jake had warned me about?
Turns out I didn't get an answer to my question. Approaching his house, I squinted in the dim evening light. The silhouette of Jake throwing a football in the air was fading against the night sky.
Christmas carols escaped from my rolled down car window. Songs of the Christ child's birth and God's glory in the highest. Lyrics proclaiming that salvation had come—for me, for Jake, his neighbors, the world.
"Hey buddy. How are ya?" Such a lame question in light of all he'd seen. His father in a jail cell just a few months prior. His father overdosed in his bed last week. His father in a casket three days earlier.
Jake helped me carry the pizzas I'd brought over for his family. Couches brimmed with aunts and uncles; chairs overflowed with young cousins vying for a spot to sit. His mom, Norma, and several friends surrounded the kitchen table. Many had come long distances, weary travellers searching for peace.
These pizzas would ease their hunger, but not their hurt. They wouldn't be truly comforted until they found what they were looking for: a light in the darkness of their grief.
That dismal day as the television flickered in the living room ... as Norma declared she was moving out of that memory-laden house ... as Jake talked about playing football in a different school district ... I prayed, Lord please let them see You.
My heart understood some of their hurt. I've been the one to receive meals. I've made plans to escape the memories and grief. And I've set my sights on what I wished would rescue me from painful circumstances.
Maybe you've longed for that kind of help too? Eagerly looked for a light in the darkness? There was a man, Simeon, in Luke chapter 2 who had the great joy of pronouncing that help had come.
Let's look at Simeon's amazing proclamation: "At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
'Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!'" (Luke 2:25-32 NLT)
Simeon knew that true help, true salvation, wouldn't come through anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ.
That day standing in Jake's living room, I knew the same thing. No matter how many meals were delivered, or whether or not they moved to a new school or neighborhood, without the hope of Christ, they'd always be looking for something else to be their hope, their light. The same is true for me, for you.
Simeon was a man of singular passion: to see the Christ Child with his own eyes and God's glory revealed. He knew that Jesus' birth meant salvation had come for those who would trust in Him and the work He would do when He died on the cross. His whole life would illuminate God's love to a desperate world. For those who believe that He is the Son of God and our risen Savior, we have the hope of eternal life spent with God and peace and joy here on earth.
On this day when we celebrate Jesus' coming to earth, let's really focus on Him. He is our hope in despairing situations. And a joyful light to brighten even the darkest circumstances.
Jesus, You alone are the hope the world needs. Thank You for coming from heaven to earth, from King to servant, from God to babe. Give me a singular passion to see You. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Find peace through the pages of Encouragement for Today.
Click here to visit Samantha Evilsizer's Facebook page, More Than Enough, for daily biblical hope.
Reflect and Respond:
When your hope dips low, pray for help in re-focusing on the great gift of Jesus and who God is.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 26, 2013
Afraid to Turn the Next Corner
Lysa TerKeurst
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
You know how some people love the thrill of being surprised? They love surprise parties. They would love to show up at work today and be told they are being whisked from their desk for a surprise vacation in just a few hours.
They would love to have one of those makeover shows show up at their house with a film crew and be told they're getting a whole new wardrobe.
Surprises feel thrilling to them. Like how some people feel when a roller coaster ride they thought was over suddenly takes off again and starts doing upside-down loops. They throw their hands in the air and embrace the thrill of the unknown.
They call that fun.
I don't.
This dislike of surprises can usually be managed with all the things I mentioned.
My friends know not to throw me a surprise party. No one is looking to give me a surprise vacation or new wardrobe. And before getting on a roller coaster, I thoroughly check it out and know its patterned route.
But life is different.
Life twists and turns and throws loops into those places we think will be flat and smooth. Because that's what life does. Sometimes it just catches us off guard.
And at the end of the day, I guess that's why I don't like to be surprised. I can't stand to get caught off guard. It makes me feel exposed and afraid.
But slowly, I'm learning it's not all bad to be surprised.
That vulnerable place reminds us we have needs beyond what we can manage. Feeling a little exposed and afraid reminds us we need God. Desperately. Completely.
And into that gap between what we can manage on our own and what we can't, that's right where faith has the opportunity to grow deep roots. Roots that dig down in to the hope and joy and peace only God can offer.
My faith doesn't just need to grow big, it needs to grow deep. Yes, I need deep faith roots, like the believer in Jeremiah 17:7-8, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (ESV)
Deep roots keep us secure in God's love when fear comes.
Deep roots anchor us with the truth that God is in control when surprises blow like strong, unruly winds.
Deep roots hold us steady in the peace of God during the storm that didn't show up on the radar.
Deep roots find nourishment in God's grace when the surface gets awfully dry.
Deep roots allow for growth of faith in God not previously possible.
I'm learning to not be so afraid of what might be around the next corner. Even if it does catch me off guard. I close my eyes and whisper to the Lord ... deeper still.
Dear Lord, deep faith roots is what I desperately need. Help me to take steps each day in my journey of trusting You even if that means being in a vulnerable place sometimes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Continue to grow in your relationship with the Lord through Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Click here to purchase your copy!
At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we are dedicated to helping women grow deeper in their faith each and every day. Will you join us in sharing God's Word through this daily devotion, online Bible studies, and an encouraging radio program with a year-end donation? Click here to find out more.
Reflect and Respond:
In what ways does knowing God will sustain you in hard times comfort you?
What step can you take today that will plant you firmly near the Lord. For example, memorizing a Bible verse, praying, etc.
Power Verse:
Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 30, 2013
What's Mine to Do?
Renee Stearns
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
As I stood on a barren hillside in an ancient land, I felt small. My husband Rich and I were staying overnight in a small village in the West Bank – an area occupied by the Israeli government but populated by Palestinian communities. We were there to see how World Vision was helping to fight poverty and bring peace to this hurting and isolated community.
That hillside had once been covered with olive groves, but Israeli forces replaced them with a security wall. Proponents claim the wall was necessary for protection, but it cut through the middle of communities, separating neighbors from their jobs, schools and each other. The ancient olive groves were just another casualty of generations of conflict.
The community had purchased replacement trees, but they stood in plastic buckets rather than in the ground, presumably so they could be moved if construction vehicles came back.
Earlier that day, I had hiked among the buckets with Rawah, a high school senior who was leaving soon to attend university. As we walked, she shared her dreams for the future, exuding the optimism every young student should have.
Other community members were skeptical. "What's the use?" one villager asked me. "Our children have no future. They go to university and then return home prepared to do jobs that don't exist. They become tour guides instead of world leaders."
Here, it seemed, children's futures were no safer than the olive trees.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine is complicated. Its roots go back millennia. Since modern Israel's birth, the relationship has often been violent. Unsurprisingly, the vulnerable have suffered the most.
And here I was, in the middle of it, meeting people whose lives were threatened by an ancient struggle that was bigger and more complicated than any of us.
When confronted with a situation that's too big for me to handle, or when frustrated by the sheer injustice of something happening right in front of me, I used to tell myself, "This is not mine to fix."
Sometimes that helped me remember I'm not always responsible for making everything right. However, sometimes it was an excuse to do nothing.
Do you ever feel that way? Are the problems confronting the world, your community or even your family just too big to get your mind and arms around?
Turn to God's Word and the reminder that Paul gives us in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (NIV) God has given us the strength we need, to do whatever He has called us to do.
With God's wisdom and strength, I'm learning to ask: "What is mine to do?"
For me, the answer was to help give a face to the conflict. I know I can't bring peace to the Middle East, but I can help people better understand that the lives of real men and women, boys and girls – on both sides of the conflict – are at stake. That, I can do.
Don't give into the temptation to do nothing because you can't do everything. God doesn't call us to fix every problem, but He does call us to do something. Find out what that is and then, in His strength, do it with all your heart.
Dear Heavenly Father, our world is so broken. But You've empowered each of us to do something to help heal it in Your Name. We can't do everything but You've entrusted us with something. Help us to identify our assignment and to seek Your strength to carry it out. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
He Walks Among Us by Richard and Renee Stearns
God's Love for You by Richard and Renee Stearns
Reflect and Respond:
What are some problems you believe God is calling you to do something about?
What can you do to address these problems? What must you entrust to God or others?
Power Verses:
Matthew 9:36-38, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
© 2013 by Renee Stearns. All rights reserved.
:angel:
December 31, 2013
New Year's Traditions
Tracie Miles
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)
While driving my kids to school one morning, I asked what their favorite Miles' Family Christmas traditions were. My daughters answered in unison, "We don't have any traditions."
I was shocked and a little annoyed as I replied, "You mean all these years I have been trying to make memories for you, and you honestly think we don't have any special traditions?!" My holiday spirit diminished as my blood pressure rose.
They meekly asked me to remind them about these traditions. I provided them with an exhaustive list of family holiday activities and events that we've participated in every year since their births.
When I stopped to take a breath, one said, "Oh, I just thought those were things we do every year. I didn't know they were traditions."
I was relieved all my Christmas efforts had been noticed. And smiled realizing the problem was a simple lack of understanding the word "tradition."
The conversation wouldn't leave my thoughts, so when I got home, I read the definition of "tradition." The first definition was, "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice." The second definition read, "a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting and a continuing pattern of culture, beliefs or practices."
Through the misunderstanding with my children, God showed me annual activities and events aren't the only things we should pass down to our kids. Rather I should be concerned about spiritual traditions - the passing down of faith - as even more important.
I had been fretting over my children remembering that we drank hot chocolate while putting up our Christmas tree one month out of the year, when I should have been focusing on the spiritual traditions throughout the entire year.
With a bit more research, I realized God gave us guidance on how to do this in Deuteronomy 11:18-19. He was talking to the Israelites in this passage, but the wisdom applies today:
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (NIV)
This verse changed my thinking about traditions. Now my New Year's resolution each year is to focus on the spiritual traditions I can pass down throughout the entire year in the Miles' home. Traditions that will matter long term and make a difference in the hearts of others.
Deuteronomy 11 guides me in making these resolutions. They include reading the Bible with my kids and applying it to everyday life. Also important are talking to them about God and praying with them, memorizing verses together, and understanding Scripture so that all we do reflects the love of Christ.
I don't want these spiritual traditions to be passed down simply by word of mouth, but by practice. As a parent, I have to live out these traditions in my own life to lead my kids to pick them up. The tradition of reading, living out, and loving God's Word is a tradition worth passing down.
Dear Lord, forgive me for losing sight at times of what is really important. Help me see ways I can build spiritual traditions in my home that will impact hearts and lives for generations to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Will you partner with us to reach moms for Christ and change the next generation? Today is the last day to give a donation in 2013. If you are willing to stand with us, click to make a year-end donation that will spread the Word of God into homes around the world.
For other great ways to start the New Year, visit Tracie Miles' blog.
Find inspiration to create meaningful traditions in the pages of Everyday Confetti. This go-to guide by Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer provides creative ideas, menu plans, and suggestions for reaching out to others. Click here to pre-order your copy and receive instruction to get a Getting Organized in the New Year PDF with printable forms.
Reflect and Respond:
Consider what traditions you focus on in your home. Are they all attached to a holiday, or are there spiritual traditions that create a bond to Jesus year-round? Ask God to show you what new traditions you can begin in your family to help them learn God's Word.
If your children were asked what your spiritual traditions were, what would they say?
Power Verse:
Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (ESV)
© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 1, 2014
My New Year's Offering
Wendy Blight
"Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering." Romans 12:1a (The Message)
Happy New Year!
During this first week of January, many of us will begin anew. New diets and exercise regiments. New Bible studies and reading plans. New organization and time management routines.
We'll commit to break bad habits, restore broken relationships, and be "better" people.
We call these New Year's resolutions. I confess. I've made more than my fair share of these in the last 25 years.
But most, like me, soon forget our good-intended resolutions. We mean well. But life gets busy. We return to our old habits. To that which is comfortable and doesn't require so much sacrifice.
I want something better. Something new.
What about you?
Will you join me in doing a new thing this year?
Let's begin the very best place we can ... God's Word. Romans 12:1-2 says,
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering ... Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it ... God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (The Message)
Using this passage, let's write a New Year's Prayer. But not just any prayer. Reread Romans 12:1. There is a powerful little word tucked in that first sentence. Paul tells us to take our lives and place them before God as an offering.
Together, let's make a New Year's offering.
We can make all the resolutions we want, but we can't change ourselves. But when we willingly offer our lives to God, He will change us. The NIV translation of Romans 12:2 says,"...be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The renewing of our mind requires inward change and comes from God at work in us. It requires diligence on our part. It requires changing our thoughts, our priorities, and goals to be aligned with those of Christ.
It's baby steps. And it doesn't require changing everything all at once.
Let's begin today with our first step ... a simple prayer, offering our hearts to God.
How do we do this?
We're going to write a prayer together. I'll start. You finish.
Heavenly Father, I praise You this day as Elohim, God my Creator. You are the Author of my life. You are the Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. You are all I need. My heart's desire in this New Year is to grow closer to You. In knowing You better, I will know myself more because my identity is found in You.
I want to become a woman after Your own heart. God, I ask You to help me each day carve out time to spend with You. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to receive, and a mind to understand all that You will teach me. Make my heart tender to hear Your voice each time I meet with You.
Take Your Word and penetrate my heart. Create a hunger deep inside my soul for more and more of You. May nothing else satisfy me more than You.
Give me a heart of humility. If there is anything in me that keeps me from hearing You, reveal it to me. Convict me. Move me to confession. Cleanse my heart and renew a right spirit within me so I can be in perfect fellowship with You.
Fill my heart with Your truth. Plant it deep so that it takes root. Move me. Change me. Transform me. Empower me to live out what I hear and learn.
Every day of this New Year, make my life one long walk of obedience in response to Your Word and Your Holy Spirit Who lives and reigns in me. Let Your love and Your Word shape my life. This is my prayer offering. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now let's commit together to pray our prayer throughout the year ... asking God to change us from the inside out ... in baby steps.
Related Resources:
Wendy Blight would love to hear from you today ... share your prayer, your commitment, or your thoughts on New Year's Resolutions versus New Year's Offerings. Visit Wendy's blogand leave a comment for a chance to win a beautiful necklace in celebration of her new book.
Wendy has a new book being released in March, Living So That: Making Faith-filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life. Click here to preorder your copy.
Reflect and Respond:
Read through Romans 12:1-2. Take some time in the next few days to make this New Year's prayer offering your own. After you've written it, tuck it in your Bible or journal and commit to pray it each day.
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." (NLT)
© 2014 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 2, 2014
Triggers
Lysa TerKeurst
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV 1984)
I was elated one day when the number on my scale dipped below the plateau weight I'd been stuck at for two weeks. I did a little happy dance and thought, "Finally, I'm making some real progress in this journey. It's going to be such a great day. I'm super motivated. Bring on the raw veggies. Nothing's gonna stop me now!"
Too bad things didn't stay that way. Life can be unpredictable and includes many variables, kind of like math. I'm no math whiz, but I do remember there being these things called polynomials. Polynomials are algebraic expressions that include real numbers and variables.
That's the way my food issues are—they contain real numbers and variables. I suspect yours do as well. And while we must pay attention to the real numbers by eating less and moving more, we would do well to consider the variables in our lives as well.
Variables are those daily triggers we didn't account for but will detour even the best intentions. Triggers can be as large as the stab of loneliness from a broken relationship or the memory of a childhood trauma. Triggers can be as small as a discipline "chat" with a teen out past curfew or stumbling across fresh doughnuts in the office break room. They can prompt the thought, "Life will be better if I eat that."
Triggers have nothing to do with physical hunger or the need for legitimate nourishment. They are lies we've thought so routinely they've become well-worn paths to careless eating. Life is not made better because we overindulge in an unhealthy choice.
The best thing we can do in these triggered moments is to pause and ask ourselves, "Do I want to eat this right now because I need nourishment or because I'm feeling empty emotionally or spiritually?"
If I need nourishment, I can choose a healthy option. If I'm just feeling empty, I must realize food can fill my stomach but never my soul.
The only way to negate an emotional eating trigger is to match it with truth. The truth is this: "I'm not physically hungry right now, but I need to be filled in another way."
The Bible tells us that we can be rooted in love, not emptiness; that we have power to choose truth; and that as we comprehend the love of Christ, we will be filled to the measure of all the fullness—not of that brownie—but of God. Let's look at Ephesians 3:17-18 together: "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" (Ephesians 3:17-18 NIV 1984).
Here's the great thing about truth: it contains no variables! Truth is stable, secure and a surefire way to get me through the unpredictable moments of life.
Take time to pause and use God's truths to challenge your triggers. And, when you're truly physically hungry, that pause will give you the moment you need to choose a healthy snack. Then you will be truly full.
Dear Lord, please help me to battle each of my triggers today with truth. Your truth. Moment by moment. I understand that food can fill my stomach but never my soul. Only You can fill my soul, and I am thankful for that. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst gives you the "want to" to make healthy choices.
Consider joining our newest Online Bible Study of Made to Crave. We're kicking off January 19th. It's flexible to fit any schedule and is focused on study, but we also have lots of fun! You will receive daily encouragement and prayer. Click here for more information.
Visit www.MadetoCrave.org for additional information, as well as fun, FREE and encouraging videos to help you overcome struggles and find lasting peace!
Reflect and Respond:
This week write down what triggers determine an unhealthy pattern with your eating habits.
Pause and use God's truths to challenge those triggers.
Power Verse:
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 3, 2014
Unmixing Our Motives
Amy Carroll
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5 (NIV 1984)
I'll never forget when mixed motives almost killed my true calling. Soon after accepting a leadership position in the women's ministry of my church, a friend on the team came up to me. "Oh! We forgot to tell you," she said with a grin. "You're in charge of the annual women's conference."
Despite the surprise, I loved every minute of organizing the event. But as I interacted with our guest speaker, envy began to wind itself around my heart. If it could have spoken aloud, it would have said, "I want THAT!"
I wanted her platform.
I wanted her eloquence.
I wanted her audience.
I wanted her cute outfit.
Fortunately, I recognized these "wants" as signs of covetousness rather than signs of my calling. I knew God had called me to be the women's ministry director during that season—not to speak. And each time I desired what that speaker had, it took my focus off what God had for me.
So I asked God to kill the weed of envy that was choking the life from my calling to lead women. I asked Him to purify my motives and steer my heart to the women He had called me to serve.
It's so easy for wrong motives to creep in to our hearts. You might not want to be a speaker, but maybe you're the mom who dresses her children to impress others. Or maybe you're the employee who takes charge of the room to show your boss your readiness for the next step up.
There's nothing wrong with cute children or promotions, but so many times our motives trip us up. Instead of being pure, our motives get mixed with other things that sully the outcome—emotionalism, pride, and strong personal preferences are just a few.
Several years after my prayer to remove my "speaker envy," God started whispering to me about speaking as I prayed and read the Word. My first reaction was to think, "There's that old, nasty envy again. God, purify my heart!"
But this time was different. As I unpacked my motives, I realized God had really changed my heart. He'd refined my motives to just one, and that was to obey Him.
Philippians 2:5 states our ideal position: "Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus" (NIV 1984). Our one motive should be to follow Him and become more like Him. That's the motive that should supersede and reign over any others. How do we practically live that out?
I think the clue is in the following verses. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV 1984).
Our focus has to be on becoming nothing. Nothing is not our status or worth. We are always holy and dearly loved children of the King.
Nothing is to be our chosen position as a servant.
How does this look in everyday life? Jesus is our perfect example. He is everything: the Lord of lords and the King of kings. He is so incredibly powerful and important that Colossians 1:16 says "all things were created by him and for him" (NIV 1984). Despite His exalted position, Jesus showed the purity of His motives toward us by giving up all He had.
As I've thought about how to imitate Jesus in my motives, I ask myself two questions when making choices:
• Does this put me or others first?
• Is this a choice to be more or to be nothing?
These two questions expose any twisted motives and bring me back to my chosen position of nothing. Day by day, my motives are refined. It's a painful process sometimes, but it's a good process that ultimately produces pure motives with divine outcomes.
Lord God, You are the only One with uncontaminated motives. I confess mine are often mixed with pride, emotion, or personal opinion. Please purify my heart. Forgive me, un-mix my motives, and help me move forward with a pure heart. Amen.
Related Resources:
For more thoughts on cultivating a pure heart, visit Amy Carroll's blog.
Setting our hearts and minds on Christ helps purify our motives from unforgiveness. Join the Proverbs 31 Ministries team of writers in doing this through Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living.
Reflect and Respond:
What decisions are you making today? Are they cluttered by impure motives like unforgiveness, fear, pride, or overwhelming emotions?
Pray and ask God to show you any impure motives that might affect your decision-making, and then ask Him to remove the ones He shows you.
Power Verses:
Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me." (ASV)
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (NIV)
© 2014 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 6, 2014
Get a Grip
Leah DiPascal
"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
We had only been married a couple years when my husband Keith surprised me with a snow skiing trip to the mountains. Although I had never stepped foot in snow, the idea sounded exciting and adventurous.
I spent weeks preparing - purchasing warm, waterproof clothes, reading "how-to" articles, and daydreaming about us zipping down the slopes effortlessly. It was going to be wonderful. At least that's what I thought.
As it turned out, my winter wonderland daydreams didn't quite match up to my wonder-less reality.
Instead of swishing down the mountain together, I struggled in ski school with other beginners while Keith skied alone.
I spent more time slipping and falling then standing upright. My bruises had bruises, and children were mastering the slopes better than me.
After my first day of defeat, I opted out of ski school, determined to overcome my fears and do things my way. Anxiety mounted as I reached the top of the mountain and my skis slid onto the icy snow.
Down to the ground I went–over and over again. Poles, skis, and goggles spewed all over the place. I was frustrated, miserable, and ready to give up.
As worried tears ran down my face, Keith assured me we would make it down the mountain safely. He stayed close by my side. When I'd start to slip and fall, he was right there to hold me up.
Slowly and steadily my confidence grew and when we reached the bottom of the mountain, my heart overflowed with joy.
"Are you ready to go again?" Keith asked. While I wasn't immediately ready to head back up the mountain, my husband's loving faithfulness gave me the courage I needed that day. I knew he wouldn't leave me alone, that he would be there if I fell, and it made all the difference.
It's been years since that trip, but oftentimes I find myself slipping and sliding along the tough slopes of life. Challenging circumstances can leave me frustrated, miserable, and ready to give up—just like that day on the mountain.
Maybe you can relate. Are you facing a situation that seems bigger than a mountain? Do "what if" worries make you feel overwhelmed and ready to give up? Has life dealt you a powerful blow causing you to emotionally lose your footing from what was once a solid stance?
I'm so thankful we have God's promises in Psalm 94:18-19 to securely hold us up when we're unsteady: "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy" (NIV).
When life's circumstances cause us to feel unsteady we can call out to God for help. His love for us is unfailing and He is always there to support us when our feet begin to slip. Challenges and difficult trials can make us feel uncertain but God is faithful to hold us up as we trust in Him.
Safe within His loving grip we can have the confidence to keep going down the mountain of life. As we pause along the way, let's take time to look back and celebrate how far God has brought us. One faithful moment at a time.
Dear Lord, thank You for holding me up with Your unfailing love when my feet slip on the slopes of life. Help me trust You will be there to catch me. May Your assuring words comfort my soul when I worry and feel unsteady. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Click here to join Leah DiPascal on her blog and learn more about God's promises that will hold you up in the midst of life's tough circumstances. You'll also have an opportunity to win a signed copy of A Confident Heart Devotional by Renee Swope.
A Confident Heart Devotional by Renee Swope.
Reflect and Respond:
Write down what is causing you to feel unsteady. Then write down one of the scripture verses listed below and turn it into a personal prayer to God.
Take small steps each day to trust God more as you remember His promises of holding you tightly no matter what comes your way.
Power Verses:
Psalm 121:3, "He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber." (NIV)
Psalm 37:23-24, "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (NIV)
© 2014 by Leah DiPascal. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 7, 2014
The God Moment that Changes Everything
Kyle Idleman
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'" Luke 15:17 (NIV)
Not long ago, one of my daughters set my phone alarm tone to match that of her favorite animal. It's labeled "Horses Neighing." It should be called "Death by Stampede." At 5:30 in the morning my alarm went off and I shot straight up, wide-awake, a stampede charging through my bedroom.
While changing it back to my standard alarm, I noticed a wide array of other options. Some of the sounds wouldn't do anything to get me up, like the one labeled "Harp." It trills a soft melody, and just listening to it makes me sleepy.
The most effective alarm ringtone for me is labeled "Old Car Horn." Think in terms of a house alarm that you can hear on the other side of the neighborhood. Now imagine that you are sleeping inside the speaker. It's highly effective. And the great thing is this alarm has a unique backup system that's almost fail proof – my wife.
But here's what I've discovered: the effectiveness of any alarm is in direct correlation to how much you don't want to hear it. In other words, until your desire not to hear the alarm outweighs your desire to keep sleeping—you're not going to wake up.
Similarly, a sudden awakening takes place when God finally gets our attention. The alarm sounds, and this time we hear it. We immediately become aware of our present circumstances and the reality that something must change.
The Prodigal Son experienced this in Luke 15. After taking his inheritance money from his father, wasting it and reduced to feeding pigs, the Bible tells us the son, "came to his senses ..."
At this point the son sat straight up and suddenly realized what his life had become. When he ran away, he'd never thought his journey would have that ending. But now life had his attention, and he knew things had to change.
Have you ever had a moment like this? The Holy Spirit opens your eyes, and you see something that you had somehow missed before. You have a startling realization that changes everything.
You realize you've been trying to live out the Christian life from your own power and strength rather than out of the power of the Holy Spirit.
You realize you weren't actually following Jesus; you were just following a list of rules and rituals.
You realize you spent so much of your life wrestling with guilt and shame, because you thought being good enough would save you.
And then suddenly you realize a truth. That truth has always been true, but for some reason, you just didn't see it before. Like the Prodigal Son, it was the right time and the right place, and finally realization woke you up and brought you to your senses. AHA!
This is an "AHA" moment, and within the parable of the Prodigal Son, I discovered there are three ingredients that are present in every AHA experience.
1. A Sudden Awakening
2. Brutal Honesty
3. Immediate Action
If there is an awakening and honesty, but no action, then AHA doesn't happen. If there is awakening and action, but honesty is overlooked, AHA will be short-lived.
But when God's Word and the Holy Spirit bring these three things together in your life, you will experience AHA—a God-given moment that changes everything.
Today if you are finally hearing the alarm and realizing you are far from your Heavenly Father, know you can turn to Him. Luke 15 shows us that God is a loving Father who is merciful, gracious, and caring. No matter how far we wander from God, He wants to do more than just help us—He wants to save us. And it starts with AHA.
Dear Lord, help me to see the areas of my life that need transformation. Please give me a genuine Awakening, help me to be Honest with myself, and be with me as I take Action. Jesus, I surrender my life to you, and I thank You for the work You're doing in my life! In Jesus' Holy Name I pray. Amen.
Related Resources:
Kyle Idleman's new book AHA releases in March 2014. To celebrate, his publisher is giving away five advanced reader copies today. To enter, simply leave a comment on today's devotion and we'll select five winners at random. We will email the winners directly.
AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything by Kyle Idleman
Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus Christ by Kyle Idleman
Reflect and Respond:
Search your heart. Consider the areas of your life that need transformation. Identify one area that needs to change.
Create action steps that will help you change the situation. Pray for God's strength. Then take action!
Power Verse:
John 6:35: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" (NIV)
© 2014 by Kyle Idleman. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks David C. Cook for their sponsorship of today's devotion.
:angel:
January 8, 2014
When the Dog Eats Your Company's Dinner
Sharon Glasgow
"If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11b (NIV)
I prayed weeks for this dinner. The couple we invited needed Jesus. I wanted to roll out the red carpet and treat them like royalty; God knew they needed a big dose of His love.
But time got away from me—cleaning the house, making the dessert and all. I still had to run to the store to get the filet mignons. I know they're expensive, but I wasn't going to spare any cost for my guests—it would be a feast!
I sat the grocery bags inside the front door and headed back out to light the fire in the grill. Our company would be there in less than half an hour! I ran back inside and reached for the steaks, only to pull out an empty package. Puzzled, I pulled out the other packages, all empty. What in the world??
About that time my dog walked around the corner with his head cowered. He wouldn't look at me but took off to hide behind the couch. I followed him and didn't find a trace of a steak—just one shamefaced dog. He had done this kind of thing before, eaten entire pizzas, cakes, and whole plates of fried chicken without a crumb left. Yep, "guilty" was written all over his face.
As I stood there shaking my head, I heard knocking at my front door. Our guests were early! Thankfully I remembered a chicken and dumpling casserole in the freezer. I turned the oven on and popped it in, then excused myself to the restroom, closed the door and prayed, remembering the words of 1 Peter 4:11b, "If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen" (NIV).
"Jesus, help me. Help me get over my own expectations of what tonight would look like. I've asked You for weeks to lavish this couple with Your love. You don't need steaks to do that. Come and fill this place with Your presence. Give me Your ability to love and serve. Help me love like You do. Give me words to speak and Your strength to do it. I give this night to You. May it glorify You. Thank You Jesus."
As I walked back to join my visitors, I realized once again hospitality isn't about the perfect meal, beautiful decorations, a clean house, or our hostess skills—it's about loving people the way Jesus loves them—wholeheartedly. When people feel loved, they don't care what you feed them or what your house looks like.
That night turned out to be absolutely wonderful. Not because the chicken and dumplings tasted good. Or because my living room was tidy. But because God's love is powerful.
When we take our eyes off of ourselves and focus on loving our guests, it takes the stress out of entertaining. Even when we feel inadequate, Jesus gives us His ability to love others when we ask Him. It's not about our efforts; it's about Him.
Dear Lord, help me to invite others to my house. Keep my heart focused on loving people and not on my home or my cooking skills. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Visit Sharon Glasgow's blog for more on hospitality and her chicken and dumpling casserole recipe.
Pre-order your copy of Everyday Confetti that releases January 21! In this go-to guide, Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer provide creative ideas and menu plans for holidays, birthdays, special events, and everyday occasions, as well as suggestions for reaching out to others. Pre-order your copy through Proverbs 31 Ministries and get an extra bonus of a "Getting Organized in the New Year" PDF.
Reflect and Respond:
What hinders you from inviting guests to your home?
How can you show love to someone this week through your home or homemaking talents?
Power Verse:
2 Corinthians 12:9a, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness...'" (NIV)
© 2014 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 9, 2014
A Call to Action
Lysa TerKeurst
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food." Romans 14:20a (NIV)
Five years ago I was stuck in a rut of wishful thinking and excuses with my weight. At the beginning of each day I would say I wanted things to be different. I would even make a plan to stop the snacks, increase the veggies, and say "no" to desserts.
But then life would happen, and excuses were plentiful. My resolve would melt away like butter on a hot yeast roll.
The next morning I would get up and weigh myself hoping that somehow, something would have happened over night. Despite my indulgences from the day before, maybe the numbers would have gone down.
But the scale was not impressed with my wishful thinking. It could only tell the truth.
Do you know who I'd get mad at?
God.
I'd beg Him to help me one minute while scarfing down an order of fries the next. And then I'd be doubly mad He didn't steer my car away from that drive-thru.
I deemed myself a victim of tragic genetics, overactive taste buds, and a stomach that demanded large portions.
What I failed to realize is there was a much more significant issue going on.
More important than the ever-increasing size of my jeans was the deception going on inside my heart. My weight wasn't God's curse on me. My weight was an outside indication of an internal situation.
Honestly, I might as well have taken Psalm 23 which talks about the Lord being my shepherd and my comfort and replaced His Name with various foods. I was relying on food to be my comfort, my ever-present help, my guide. Food was the thing that got me through the valleys. It became the friend I wanted to celebrate with in the good times.
I don't write to point out anyone else's issue. There are certainly medical and genetic circumstances that can cause weight gain. But I discovered that my issue was spiritual. And no diet would be permanently successful until I got to the root of my problem—craving food more than God.
I desired and depended on the instant high of physical gratification because I hadn't learned how to let God satisfy my deepest needs. This realization became a call to action.
Maybe something is stirring in your soul. I know this is a tough issue. I've walked through the tears and the feelings of failure. But I wanted freedom. And I realized that if I wanted to have my deepest desires met by God and not food, I would need to restore God to His rightful place by changing my old thought patterns. Here are some examples:
Old thought patterns: "I need these chips. I deserve this ice cream. I must have that extra large portion."
New thought patterns: Chips will only taste good for the moment. But the calories are empty and will do nothing good for my body. 2 Corinthians 7:1 reminds me, "...Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit ... out of reverence for God." (NIV 1984)
This ice cream will give me a sugar high but then I'll crash and feel terrible. Psalm 34:8 reminds me to get into God's Word and let it satisfy the hungry places of my soul: "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." (NIV 1984)
This extra large portion will overstuff me and make me feel sluggish. I can't look to this food to soothe me. Psalm 34:5 says, "Those who look to [God] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." (NIV 1984)
Learning to do this has been a process that I have to intentionally choose day after day. Eventually, I lost the extra weight. But the real reward was what I gained with Jesus in the process. He became the best part of my journey. And I wouldn't have missed this new found closeness with Him for anything.
Dear Lord, if this devotion is a call to action that I need to make, please help me. I want to see the root of my issue. I want to learn to crave only You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, pick up a copy of Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.
Join a community of women who are doing a Made to Crave Online Bible Study starting January 19th! Together, we will break the cycle of "I'll start again on Monday," stop agonizing over numbers on the scale, make peace with our bodies, replace rationalization that leads to diet failure with wisdom that leads to victory, reach our healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process. For more information, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Keep a pocket-sized notebook nearby all week. Every time you crave food, ask yourself if you are hungry or if you are craving something else like comfort or peace.
Power Verse:
Psalm 18:1, "I love you, O LORD, my strength." (NIV 1984)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 10, 2014
Who Sits on the Throne of Your Heart?
Wendy Blight
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ..." 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NASB)
Monty and I began our marriage in a difficult place. Eleven months before we walked down the aisle, I was the victim of a horrific crime. This experience damaged me deeply. Few knew the fear and despair that had made their home in my heart.
Intimacy was hard. It brought back too many terrible memories. I tried to be a "good" wife and make my husband happy. But I just couldn't.
Yet, I needed Monty. Fear consumed me. He was my only safe place. Being home alone terrified me. So when he left to play basketball or go to dinner with friends, I pouted, cried, and complained that he wasn't putting me first.
This caused a huge rift in our marriage. Days were hard and nights were long. Soon I began to imagine Monty looking elsewhere for the companionship he lacked with me. Jealousy grew within me and I demanded to know when and where he was at all times. When I couldn't get a hold of him, I panicked. My mind went places and imagined things it shouldn't.
Jealousy infiltrated my heart.
I knew these feelings were wrong. Even destructive. But I didn't know how to overcome them. As jealous thoughts took root, they became a mental obsession that fed me lies.
My marriage and my husband were slipping away. Completely at a loss for what to do, I dropped to my knees and begged God to help me.
Thankfully, God made a way to release jealousy's grip on me—and it was through loving Him. As I came to know God more intimately, the jealousy began to subside.
God opened my eyes to see Christ in a new way ... as my Savior and my "first love." Until that time, love and security were found in Monty. My need for him was so desperate that I expected him to be my savior, defender, and protector from the evil in the world. I needed my husband more than anything else and felt safe only by his side.
This created a very unhealthy relationship. We should never "need" our husbands, our children, or anyone more than Christ. Ironically, I was so afraid of losing Monty that I treated him in a way that could potentially have driven him away. No one on this earth can ever be our savior. We have only one Savior, and His name is Jesus.
Healing came as I grew to know my "First Love" as my defender, refuge, and strong tower. This understanding put my marriage in perspective. As God took His rightful place on the throne of my heart, Monty took his rightful place too. Our marriage changed dramatically.
Of course, I never want to lose Monty, but I have come to know that I could and would be able to live without him because God now sits in His rightful place on the throne of my heart. He is my first love. My husband and children are precious gifts that He has generously given me.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love and faithfulness. Open my eyes to see anything or anyone besides You who holds first place in my heart. Help me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to replace it with You and You alone. I ask this in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Jesus?
Visit Wendy Blight's blog for a chance to win a beautiful necklace in celebration of her new book being released in March, Living So That: Making Faith-filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life.
To read more of Wendy's story of healing, as told in her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, click here.
Reflect and Respond:
Who or what sits higher on the throne of your heart than God?
Write a prayer surrendering this place to Him.
Power Verse:
Mark 12:30, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (NIV)
© 2014 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 13, 2014
The Three-Word Prayer God Loves
Stormie Omartian
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (NKJV)
When my husband, Michael, and I were first married and differences arose between us, praying was definitely not my first thought. In fact, it was closer to a last resort. I tried other methods first, such as arguing, pleading, ignoring, avoiding, confronting, debating, and—of course—the ever-popular silent treatment. And the results? Not surprisingly, they were less than satisfying!
When I did pray, often resentment, anger, unforgiveness, or an ungodly attitude clouded my communication with God. While I may have had a good reason for these emotions, my prayers were not coming from a right heart. What's more, I was praying that my husband would conform to my ideal image of him. My prayer was for God to change him into the person I wanted him to be.
However, as I went to God in prayer every day, something unusual started to change—me. I was the one God decided to work on first, not my husband. Gently, the Lord began to soften my heart. Humble it. Mold it. And reconstruct it. As He did so, He erased the bitterness and resentment that were affecting my attitude and damaging my marriage.
And this is how I came to discover a three-word prayer God loves: Change me, Lord.
Gradually I came to realize that it was impossible to truly give myself in prayer for Michael without first examining my own heart.
And it wasn't just my relationship with my husband that required me to pray this powerful three-word prayer. My relationship with my son and daughter required it. My relationships with my friends required it. Most of all, my relationship with God required it.
Change me, Lord.
I went into my prayer time with the goal of asking God to change others—making them less critical and more obedient. Less fearful. More loving.
I came out of my prayer time with my own heart changed. My mind changed. My attitude changed. My life changed.
Now, if you're like I was, this might make you mad at first. "Wait a minute!" you might object. "I'm not the one who needs changing here!"
But God sees the things we can't see. He knows where we have room for improvement. He doesn't have to search long to uncover attitudes and habits that are outside His perfect will for us.
Sometimes God uncovers sin in our hearts. This is important to identify because it separates us from Him and hinders our prayers being heard as Psalm 66:18 tells us, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear" (NKJV). God wants our hearts to be right so the answers to our prayers are not compromised.
Early in my marriage, I knew it was important to pray for my husband. And a favorite trio of three-word prayers was often on my lips: Protect him, Lord. Save our marriage. Change him, Lord. I was convinced that this was the right way to pray, that God and I had the same goal in mind—a changed husband who was able to better meet my needs. But God's way is not always our way. God didn't choose to make those first changes in my husband. He chose to make them in me.
One of the greatest gifts I could give to Michael was the gift of my own wholeness. One of the most effective tools in seeing transformation in his life was my own transformation.
You have to trust that God is big enough to accomplish all this and more.
I learned to pray a new prayer: Whatever you want, Lord. Show me and I'll do it. Change me, Lord.
Lord, create in me a clean heart and a right spirit before You. Give me a new, positive, joyful, loving, and forgiving attitude toward others. Where there is anything that needs to change in me, I pray You would enable that change to happen. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian
Visit Stormie's website to learn more about the power of prayer and the great things that can happen when we pray.
Reflect and Respond:
Are you praying for God to change others but ignoring the possible change needed in you? What might God need to work on in your own life—selfishness, impatience, resentment—before your relationships with others can begin to change?
When you begin to get frustrated with others, take a look at your own heart and pray Change me, Lord.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 10:24, "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being." (NKJV)
Psalm 139:23 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties..." (NKJV)
© 2014 by Stormie Omartian. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 14, 2014
Vulnerable Strength
Suzie Eller
"If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!" Luke 6:32 (NLT)
Do you meet aggression with aggression and call it strength? Sometimes I do and it leads me to a place I never intended.
Not long ago a friend told me someone had revealed her secret, and she wondered if I knew who it was. Though I told her no, she asked again. And yet again. Finally I realized she suspected I was the leak.
My first reaction was surprise, then frustration.
If you really knew me, you'd know I don't tell secrets.
I didn't do anything wrong.
I answered your question. Why are you still asking?
There were many things I could have done in that instant, but somehow proving I was right was more important. Though I didn't raise my voice, it was clear in my stance and terse response that I was angry.
Moments later, the Holy Spirit began to show me the bigger picture. My friend's questions were borne out of frustration and fear as the spilled secret could have created damage. Sadly, rather than have a conversation, I took a stand.
Often, our default in these types of situations is to defend ourselves by meeting aggression with aggression. To throw a punch when we feel punched, whether that is verbal or passive aggressive.
But is this really strength?
In Luke 6, Jesus is teaching the disciples a hard truth. Life is not always fair. You might be accused unjustly. You might take a punch that hurts. Someone may move from friend to frenemy and it won't feel good.
It's easy to respond in love in comfortable situations and with people who are kind. But what about the harder places? Jesus is showing the disciples that rather than aggression, there's a vulnerable strength that can heal conflict and lead to resolution.
Vulnerable strength isn't a verbal assault. You speak the truth in love, but you let it settle rather than hammer it in.
Vulnerable strength isn't an emotional outburst, rather it's working through misunderstanding.
Vulnerable strength isn't one-sided, but it's stepping into another person's shoes for a moment to expand your understanding of the conflict.
But this is the hard part. You might still get punched verbally, and you might still be at odds. Vulnerable strength doesn't guarantee a happy ending.
When aggression is met with aggression, there are bound to be casualties. Vulnerable strength reduces the potential for casualties and paves a path for resolution. And if not, then as Luke 6:35 says, "you will truly be acting as children of the Most High ..." (NLT).
Wouldn't it be unfortunate if we made it to the end of our lives and only loved those who loved us? What might we miss in those harder places of our faith?
As I changed my approach to vulnerable strength rather than aggression, my friend and I worked through that painful conversation. Thanks to the Holy Spirit's prompting, I have an opportunity to move the focus from what I think someone does wrong, to what I can do better.
Dear Lord, I have been focusing on what others said or did, instead of asking for Your insight. I have called aggression strength, whether it's been passive, or lashing out, or shutting out. Today, may I love others who seem unlovable with vulnerable strength. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for a free printable that will help you respond with vulnerable strength rather than aggression in the heat of conflict.
Suzie's book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness will help you discover how to forgive when you just can't do it on your own.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Find a quiet place. Write down a recent offense and how it makes you feel. Then ask God to help you answer these questions:
1. What were they trying to say? (Step into their shoes for a moment.)
2. How did I respond? (Shift the focus from their wrongdoing to your potential to grow.)
3. In what ways might I have responded differently? (How might this have impacted the direction of the conversation?)
Power Verses:
Matthew 5:46, "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much." (NLT)
1 Peter 1:2b "May God give you more and more grace and peace." (NLT)
© 2014 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 15, 2014
Grace in the Middle
Alicia Bruxvoort
"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
She is slumped on the couch all grumpy and mad, her lips pursed in a dramatic pout. "Why didn't you name ME Elizabeth Grace?" my little girl asks as she punctuates her big sister's name with a hiss of frustration.
I set down the laundry basket I'm lugging through the living room and turn my head toward my four-year-old.
Her blue eyes churn indignant like a thundercloud on a hot summer's day, and this girl of mine who is never satisfied with the name I chose crosses her arms in front of her chest with a big harrumph.
Trying not to laugh at the theatrics, I move to the couch where my daughter sits sulking. I push back the bangs hanging haphazard across her forehead and slump lower on the cushions so we can perch head to head.
"I didn't name you Elizabeth Grace," I murmur in her ear, "because when you were tucked in my tummy, God gave me the name Magdalene Hope."
I let my words dangle in the air, the sound of Maggie's sniffled breathing ticking off the silent seconds. I hold my little one's hand and say, "And once God whispered that name to my heart, I knew that's exactly who you were going to be. Our one and only Maggie Hope."
My dramatic girl raises an eyebrow and sighs, her vexation melting into sadness.
"But I just want Grace in my middle, Mom. Right between Maggie Moo and Bwuxfort..."
She adds her nickname to the mix and slaughters our fine Dutch surname, but her gaze is so earnest that now I'm not even tempted to giggle.
Instead, I pull my fifth-born onto my lap and rock her ever so slightly. And as I rest my chin on her tangle-haired-head, I understand her wish.
Grace in the middle. Who doesn't need that?
No matter where life on this earth begins or how it ends, we all need a little grace in the middle. We were made with purpose and our Savior promises joy in the end. But making it through the middle? That's a different story.
The middle is where hours creep long and the view wanes dim. It's where the starting block feels like a distant memory and the finish line looms like an impossible dream.
The middle can douse our dreams, derail our zeal, and diminish our faith. It can make us desperate. For mercy. For hope. For grace.
• When the baby's teething and the toddler's tantrum-ing.
• When the dishes pile high and the laundry's run wild.
• When our souls are empty and our calendars are filled, when our dinner tables are noisy and our accolades are quiet.
• When the bread's burning and our patience has gone up in smoke, when our best isn't good enough and our worst is magnified.
Right in the middle of that darkness, right in the middle of that mess, we need grace.
Grace to take one more step, to utter one more prayer, to risk rejection one more time. Grace to trust in His promises and to cling to His hand.
We linger long there on the couch, me and my girl who wants a new name.
We just rock and cuddle and listen to the patter of rain on the window, the hum of the washing machine a floor below.
And instead of offering my mopey Maggie a lecture on the grandeur of her given name, I simply hold her. Hold her with compassion, right in that middle place of wishing for something different and trying to accept what really is.
And this mom, living somewhere between my beginning and my end, reminds her little girl of one simple truth (Because sometimes we just need to say it aloud for our own road-weary souls):
There is only one name worthy of our wishing, one name deserving of our dreams. And when we keep that name in the middle of our madness, He offers hope in our beginning, gloryin our end, and grace for every moment in-between.
Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being here with me in the middle. May Your grace sustain me in the long days, giving me perspective, courage and hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman
Reflect and Respond:
What circumstance are you facing today where you need God to step in with His gracious help?
Is there someone you know who needs your help? Consider how you can be God's hands and feet to someone this week.
Power Verses:
Numbers 6:25-26, "... the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (NIV)
© 2014 by Alicia Bruxvoort. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 16, 2014
Isn't This Just a Small Thing?
Lysa TerKeurst
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food." Romans 14:19-20a (NIV)
I always considered my food struggle as a small thing in light of the bigger challenges of life.
I can remember saying, "God, you can mess with my pride, you can mess with my anger, you can mess with my money, you can mess with my selfishness, you can mess with my frustration with my children, you can mess with the times I disrespect my husband ... you can mess with all that, but don't mess with my overeating." However, small things can easily become big things. Consider this example.
On January 15, 2009, Flight 1549 took off from New York's LaGuardia Airport with 155 occupants on board. The takeoff went fine, but three minutes later, at only three thousand feet, the plane encountered a flock of geese. Both engines shut down. Captain "Sully" Sullenberger had to make an immediate decision with life or death consequences. He made a miraculously successful emergency landing on the Hudson River.
Those geese were small, but they brought down an entire plane. Small things can easily become big things. We would do well to remember this principle.
Let's begin to acknowledge the "big" emotions that often accompany our "little" food struggles. I realized that I constantly bounced between feeling deprived and guilty; deprived, then guilty. My disgust and frustration with myself stripped me of the peace and joy that I wanted to be the hallmark of my life.
Having peace is a big deal. Scripture tells us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). Isn't peace what we want in every area of our lives — even our health? Is your heart dominated by feelings of inadequacy, self-loathing, or defeat about your food struggles? Those are big emotions.
Whenever we feel defeated by an issue, it can prevent us from following God completely. That's why my weight loss goal isn't a number on the scale. My real weight loss goal is peace. I knew I would be successful one day when I stood on the scale and I felt peace, no matter what the number said.
As we move through our healthy eating journey, the goal shouldn't just be a smaller waistline measurement, but a larger measure of peace. The apostle Paul puts it this way: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food" (Romans 14:19-20a). In other words, don't let a small thing become a big thing.
I often ask myself this pivotal question before making a food choice: Will this choice add to my peace or steal from it? Remember, nothing tastes as good as peace feels.
Dear Lord, Your peace is what I plead for today. I don't want my focus to be on food, a number on the scale, insecurity, or inadequacy. I want my focus to be on You. That is where I will find true peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Resources:
Did this devotion resonate with you? If so, check out Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times best selling book Made to Crave. You'll gain practical and biblical insight on satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food. Click here to purchase your copy!
Learn how to stop agonizing over the numbers on the scale and make peace with your body in an encouraging community of women who share your struggle. Proverbs 31 Ministries will begin its next online Bible study of Made to Crave on January 19th. We'd love to have you with us! Click here to find out more information and to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
What "big" emotions are accompanying your "little" struggle?
Whether it's a struggle with food or something else, write down the emotions you feel when you think about it.
Then, write down action steps you can take to move away from those feelings and toward peace. Start with talking to the Lord and offering up this struggle to Him.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (NIV)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 17, 2014
Not What I Expected
Lynn Cowell
"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20 (NIV)
My daughter, her two friends and I packed the car for our overnight trip to the mountains. Our plan was to pick up my son and head for the slopes for a wonderful day of tubing and making memories in the snow. Then reality set in with a series of disappointments.
Disappointment #1: When we arrived at my son's apartment, he had decided not to go snow tubing with us.
Disappointment #2: The bitter wind made me want to crawl back in my car.
Disappointment #3: The girls weren't having as much fun as I had expected.
Disappointment #4: When we arrived at the cabin, it wasn't clean.
By this point, disappointment draped itself over my heart. So when the girls asked if there was an alternative to the homemade lasagna I'd planned for supper, I felt like losing it! I didn't yell, but you know you don't have to yell at someone to "yell" at someone!
The small issues throughout the day had created one big issue in my heart. My expectations that this mountain excursion was going to recharge, rejuvenate, renew me didn't happen!
Expectations of others can easily cause bumps in my relationships. Often when I hit one of those bumps, I choose to wait. Wait for the phone call, text or email saying "I'm sorry" before moving on.
However, the Bible shows me a different way to respond to unmet expectations using the example of the father in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.
In the story, the son showed an audacious amount of disrespect by requesting his inheritance while his father was still living. As a parent, you could interpret this rudeness on endless levels. I am sure the father was more inconvenienced or disappointed than I was that snowy day in the mountains.
To make matters worse, the son's choices after receiving the money caused more heartache. He had wasted his entire inheritance and had nowhere to go. So this desperate young man headed home.
It is the father's next step that humbles me and causes me to reconsider my response to disappointment: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him ..."
While he was still a long way off ...
The father had no idea why the son was returning. He could have been coming to ask for more money or possessions or land. However, no matter the son's motives or attitude, the father's love was in motion as soon as he saw his son. Not holding back to see what the son had to say, the father gave his love.
I wonder if like me, the father was ever tempted to keep score. If he did, not only would it have been uneven, there would have been a huge deficit. Father: 100. Son: -100.
Thankfully, God, our Heavenly father, is like the father in Luke 15. He continually extends love to us despite the deficit we bring to the relationship. He settled the score when Jesus died on the cross to take away our sin.
Because God freely and unconditionally pours love on me, I can freely give to others. I, too, can give up keeping score—with my family, my friends, even with the rude woman in customer service.
Because I am forgiven, loved and embraced I can forgive, love and embrace.
The father demonstrated love. He ran, he kissed, he gave. Love that is demonstrated is love that is felt. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (NIV).
For me, I demonstrate love by laying down my expectations of others and stop keeping score. This becomes easier when I understand God's great, unconditional love for me.
Thank you, Father for demonstrating a different way. Your love, through us, makes it possible to love others. Help me stop keeping score and open my eyes to see Your love poured over me. Teach me to rely on that love so I can pour love over others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Lynn Cowell is giving away free resources today to empower you to have a deeper understanding of God's love so you can in turn love others. Stop by her blog!
To give love, we need to understand God's love. His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You can help a young woman in your life grasp just how crazy Jesus is about her.
Reflect and Respond:
Write a note to that person in your life you've had a hard time not keeping score with. Assure them of your love for them!
Power Verse:
John 15:9, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (NIV)
© 2014 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 20, 2014
Home-Shaping
Karen Ehman
"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge." Psalm 62:7 (NIV)
They piled high on the living room coffee table: colorfully wrapped boxes with curly, coordinating bows and snappy gift bags with crisp tissue paper peeking out of their tops in anticipation. They accented the festivities as nearly three-dozen friends eagerly gathered for an open house for my friend Thida.
A Cambodian native, Thida met Keith when he was studying abroad in her country. Now married and living in the United States, our circle of friends showered Thida with well-wishes and the heartfelt welcome of an old-fashioned housewarming party.
What domestic treasures she opened that night! New fluffy towels in deep jewel tones, contemporary metal candleholders and spicy-scented candles, kitchen utensils and casserole dishes, picture frames and pots. Ever a soft-spoken and grateful soul, this sweet twenty-something new bride was visually humbled and verbally thankful with each package she unwrapped.
Every so often, she would look at the crowd and utter the same phrase, "Oh ... I want to thank you so much for helping me to shape our home."
We knew what Thida meant. She meant to "furnish" her home, to decorate and outfit it with needed and useful items. However, somehow when trying to get her sentiments across by speaking in English (her second language) the phrase she continually chose was "shape our home."
As I heard sweet Thida utter these words many times that night, it struck a chord within my soul. In essence this group of siblings, aunts, cousins, and grandparents-by-marriage, along with an abundance of new friends, were doing exactly that!
Thida is from a country where, of the 14.5 million inhabitants, only a few thousand claim to follow Christ. Over 95% of Cambodians are practicing Buddhists.
Thida began a relationship with Jesus through the example of an aunt and, although the rest of her family is still Buddhist, this strong woman now loves and serves the God of the Bible. She chose to break from her parents' tradition to begin a new life with Christ. And, aside from her aunt, she had no one who could help her learn what it meant to live as a woman and wife according to God's ways.
Thida made a choice. Rather than choosing the false god of her ancestors, she chose the true God of the Bible. And she and her husband desire nothing more than to build their home and grow a family someday according to the ways of the Lord. And now we, as her circle of support in her new country of residence, will try our best to encourage her in her endeavors; to model a Christian home with our actions and decisions. Yes, you could say in essence that we all have made a covenant to help precious Thida do exactly what she declared—"shape her home."
Do you know another woman who has made a decision for Christ? One who left her former ways to walk in the ways of the Lord? If so, there are eyes upon you, watching, soaking and learning. What will she see? Will you help her shape her earthly home, and her heart's home, with God's truths while building on the foundations of Christ?
Home shaping is significant business. May we all be mirrors that reflect Christ to those who are watching, soaking and learning. And yes...perhaps even shaping.
Dear Lord, may I be ever mindful there are others looking to me for an example of how to shape our lives according to Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Proverbs 31 Ministries has partnered with Fashion & Compassion to help women seeking to overcome poverty through economic empowerment. This month we are featuring a handmade bead bracelet with a brass button featuring the words Psalm 62:7. Click here for more information.
Visit Karen's blog for a giveaway of the Refuge Wrap Bracelet.
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Reflect and Respond:
What are some ways you try to weave the Bible's commands into your home life?
How can you help others who are new in the faith to ground their hearts in God, His Word and His ways?
Power Verse:
Luke 4:8 "And Jesus answered him, 'It is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve."'" (ESV)
© 2014 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 21, 2014
I Hate Saying "No"
Crystal Paine
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
I wanted to run away from it all. I was exhausted, stressed to the max, and overwhelmed.
We'd recently moved to a new city so my husband could start a new job. I had a newborn, a two-year-old, and a four-year-old. Not only that, but my online business was keeping me busy.
There were never enough hours in the day to do it all. It felt like no matter where I was or what I was doing, I had a massive weight of guilt hanging over me and whispering in my ear. They were actually more like hisses telling me I should be ten other places, focusing on ten other priorities that were desperate for my attention.
My house was constantly a mess, and I was forever behind. Most days, I couldn't think straight or get much accomplished. I was just plain bone-tired from late nights working on projects, middle-of-the-night feedings for the baby, and early mornings completing business tasks before my kids woke up.
But my Type A self wouldn't allow me to admit how bad things were to anyone. I just kept pressing forward, kept saying "yes" to that opportunity, and "yes" to this project, and "yes" to that responsibility. I told myself if I'd get a little more organized, or try a little harder, or sleep a little less, somehow I'd find a way to do it all.
Like Martha in Luke's Gospel, I was an expert at staying busy with serving and doing. But I was never able to take time to slow down because I placed my worth and value in my productivity.
So I just kept right on saying yes — even though it was destroying my health and my sanity ... and threatening to take my marriage, family, and business right down with it.
Finally, I got to the end of my rope. I couldn't keep going like that. Something had to give. So I sat down with my husband and tearfully told him, "I can't do this anymore. I'm overwhelmed. I'm exhausted. Help!"
I was expecting a big hug or words of sympathy. But instead, my husband looked at me sympathetically and said, "Crystal, you know that you are the one who is bringing most of this on yourself."
That was the last thing I wanted to hear, and his words stung! However, I ended up having to admit he was right.
I didn't have to say "yes" to every commitment and opportunity that came my way. Nobody and nothing was obligating me to do anything except me!
Since that difficult time in my life, I've grown to love the word "no." Not because it's fun to say, but because I've realized that when I say "no" to one thing that's a lower priority, it allows me to say "yes" to my highest priorities.
As the story of Martha powerfully illustrates, Christ didn't come to make us Superwomen. He didn't come to give us the tools to become powerhouses of productivity. Instead, He came to give us abundant life, rest, peace, and joy.
Saying "no"—even though it's hard to do—frees me up to say "yes" to what matters. And that's a beautiful thing.
Dear Lord, help me to remember that You care much more about my heart than what I accomplish on my to-do list. Give me the courage to say "no" to those things in my life that are keeping me from being able to say "yes" to the best. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine
Visit Crystal's blog for more encouragement on living with intention.
Reflect and Respond:
How am I bringing stress into my life by being unwilling to admit that I can't do it all?
What mediocre things do I need to say "no" to in order to start saying "yes" to the best?
Power Verse:
Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
© 2014 by Crystal Paine. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 23, 2014
Replacing My Cravings
Lysa TerKeurst
"Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV 1984)
I rolled over and looked at the clock. Another day. Beyond all reason and rationality, I slid out of bed and stripped off everything that might weigh even the slightest ounce as I headed to the scale.
I thought, "Maybe today will be the day the scale will be my friend and not reveal my secrets. Maybe somehow overnight the molecular structure of my body shifted and today I will magically weigh less."
I yanked out my ponytail holder - hey, it's gotta weigh something - and decided to try again. But the scale didn't change its mind the second time. It was not my friend this day.
Vowing to do better, eat healthier, and make good choices, I headed to the kitchen only to have my resolve melt like the icing on the cinnamon rolls my daughter just pulled from the oven. Oh, who cares what the scale says when this roll speaks such love and deliciousness.
Two and a half cinnamon rolls later, I decided tomorrow would be a much better day to keep my promises to eat healthier. But tomorrow wasn't the day. Or the next. Or the next.
I knew I needed to make changes. Because this wasn't really about the scale or what clothing size I was; it was about this battle that raged in my heart. I thought about, craved, and arranged my life too much around food. So much so, I knew it was something God was challenging me to surrender to His control. Surrender to the point where I'd make changes for the sake of my spiritual health perhaps even more than my physical health.
I had to get honest enough to admit it: I relied on food more than I relied on God. I craved food more than I craved God. Food was my comfort. Food was my reward. Food was my joy. Food was what I turned to in times of stress, sadness, and even in times of happiness.
I knew this battle would be hard. But through it all I determined to make God, rather than food, my focus. Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my healthy eating plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray. I craved a lot. So, I found myself praying a lot.
Sometimes I wound up on the floor of my closet, praying with tears running down my face. And I gave myself permission to cry, just like the psalmist in Psalm 5:1-3, "Give ears to my word, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
And that is literally what I did each day. Laid my requests before God and waited in expectation.
Then, one morning, it finally happened. I got up and for the first time in a long while, I felt incredibly empowered. I still did the same crazy routine with the scale, no clothes, no ponytail holder. The numbers hadn't changed much, but my heart had. One day of victory tasted better than any of that food I'd given up ever could. I had waited in expectation using prayer as my guide and I did it.
I can't promise you there won't be any more tears. There will. And I can't promise the scale magically drops as quickly as you wish it would. It probably won't. But it will be a start. A really good start.
Dear Lord, You know me so intimately. You know how much I'm struggling right now. Please help me to replace my cravings with a reliance on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learn more about satisfying your deepest desire with God, not unhealthy food, with Lysa TerKeurst's bestselling book, Made to Crave. Click here to purchase your copy.
Join a community of ladies who want to reach their healthy goals and grow closer to God in the process by signing up for our next online Bible study of Made to Crave! Click here for more information and to join the fun.
Reflect and Respond:
How can you pray through your specific struggle?
Do some research on Scriptures that apply to your situation. Write them down on notecards or make a list in your cell phone. When faced with your struggle, turn it into an opportunity to pray through these Scriptures.
Power Verse:
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 24, 2014
Looking for Hidden Beauty
Amy Carroll
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NASB)
As a child who grew up swimming in the ocean off the coast of North Carolina, I was used to wading into murky waters. The sun sparkled brilliantly on the surface, but most of the time I couldn't see anything past a few inches from the top of the brownish Atlantic Ocean. My young mind whirled as my toes met with all kinds of unknowns.
"What's that sharp edge?!"
"Oooo ... a slimy thing!"
"What just brushed past me?!"
A sting from a jellyfish and watching Jaws fueled my active imagination and latent fears. I couldn't see what was swimming in the vast expanse around me, so I worried, "What's in there?"
One rare day, I waded into the ocean and much to my surprise, my toes were in full view! I don't know what caused the unusual clarity, but that day our waters were like the crystal-clear blue seas of the Caribbean.
Suddenly, I could see all the delights around me. Brightly colored seaweed, flashing silver scales of a fish, and shells were pushed along the bottom by the tide. The sight that remains sharp in my memory, though, was a yellow piece of seaweed with several exquisite black and white striped angelfish swimming around it.
Was THAT what I had been worrying about?
The little vignette looked like something I'd pay to see in a public aquarium. The beauty was riveting, and I was shocked to know these gorgeous fish had been there all along, hidden by the cloudy water.
Life is so often like the lesson I learned that day. Most of the time we are wading through life without seeing every situation clearly, and it's easy to become fearful of what we can't see.
But just because the beauty is hidden, doesn't mean there's no beauty to be found. I've often gone through hard times when I couldn't see where my next footstep would land. That's just a season, though, not the whole picture. We truly only see in part, but thankfully we can befriend the One who knows fully.
If we could only see our lives through God's eyes, the lens of eternity, we'd see that just below the surface there is something beautiful. He has created each day and each moment with purpose. Sometimes our vision will be cloudy and other seasons will bring enough clarity to see the loveliness of God's concealed work.
I remember sitting beside my friend's bedside as death approached. Watching her still face, I prayed for God's will to be done quickly and peacefully. Walking through that experience with her, a young mother with precious little boys, was a very murky time for me. I just didn't understand why her life had to end so soon.
But as I prayed, God reminded me that every minute of her life was beautiful and precious, even those she spent near death in a hospital bed. Rather than just seeing the heartache and pain, God opened my eyes to see His good work in and purpose for my friend's life. Years later I still remember the beauty of her life. Her example of proclaiming God's goodness in the midst of a tragic reality modeled deep faith in her Father's reign over her eternal story.
In each season of our lives, even the ones moving through murky waters when we can only see in part, we can trust in the One who views it all. There is something beautiful happening just below the surface. May God give us eyes to see it clearly.
Lord God, You are good. I trust You are doing beautiful things in my life even when I can't see them. Please help me trust when I don't see Your eternal picture clearly and hold on tightly to You until a new season of clarity. Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
God brought great beauty in the midst of terminal cancer in Amy Carroll's friend's life. To hear more about it, visit Amy's blog today.
Reflect and Respond:
How would things change if you truly believed that this season won't last forever—that it's only part of God's bigger, eternal picture?
List some of the other seasons of your life. Looking back, can you see with clarity some of the beautiful work of God even in the hard ones?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 3: 20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (NIV)
© 2014 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 27, 2014
I Once Was a Shell of a Girl
Lysa TerKeurst
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Have you ever believed the injustices of the world were too big for you to make a difference? I have felt that way. So instead of doing something, even something small, I did nothing.
I thought big, world-sized problems required big, powerful people.
But then a friend told me about spending time with rescued victims of sex trafficking. I knew that conversation was meant for more than just two friends connecting. I couldn't just say, "Wow, how awful," and go about my normal life. I had to do something. Even if it was something very small.
My small act didn't solve the evils of the world, but it did help combat the evil being done against one. And that small gift tendered my heart to do more.
A few years later, I spent almost a week living and serving in a shelter for girls rescued from sex trafficking. Coming face to face with those affected by evil was starkly different than just hearing about it. I listened to their stories, saw their tears, and held their hands.
What I heard and saw horrified me on deep, deep levels. I kept thinking, How can this be going on in America? How was I so unaware?
And yet the reality is I personally know the horrors of being taken advantage of and feeling powerless. As a young girl I was caught in a vicious cycle of sexual abuse by a family "friend" for years.
His threats kept me silent. Over time that silence turned into overwhelming shame. Hatred cloaked my soul in darkness. And that bitterness seeped into the deepest crevices of my heart, changing how I saw myself. A girl can get completely lost inside the caverns of hate and lose every bit of what used to make her feel alive.
I once was a shell of a girl ravaged by evils done to me.
But now I'm a girl who has hope bigger than the hurt. Light brighter than the darkness. And a life full of truth as God set me free from those death chains of hatred.
How did I find that pathway to healing? Someone told me about Jesus.
Jesus promised me a new life by following Him. As I did, He saved me by His love, comforted me by His grace, and freed me by His truth. Christian counseling helped me understand how to forgive and challenged me to share the hope I'd found. Every time I shared my story, it miraculously deepened my own healing. Every time I comforted another hurting woman, my own soul found deeper comfort.
The Bible reminds us that God has comforted us "so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:4b-5, NASB).
Your story and circumstances may be different, but we all need healing and comfort of some kind. Seek that comfort from God today. But don't stop there.
God doesn't comfort us to make us comfortable. He comforts us to make us comfort-ABLE ... able to help others.
Seek out someone to help today. And if you need a small place to start, I want to introduce you to a friend named Becky who was rescued and gave her life to Jesus just a few weeks ago. (For more on Becky's story, read the related resources portion below.)
If you want to be part of the miracles happening in Becky's life and the lives of other women being helped right now, here are three ways:
* Be aware there are women needing help.
* Pray for these women and the organizations seeking to rescue them.
* Buy a bracelet made by Becky or one of the other women being helped by a ministry we've partnered with called Fashion & Compassion. When you buy a bracelet, you get the name of the "rescued" woman who made it. You can pray for her specifically as you wear this beautiful reminder that small gifts matched with your prayers make a big difference.
And if you have a story of hope like me, share it. Love. Comfort. And believe small gifts aren't small at all.
Dear Lord, thank You for being our Comforter. Wrap Your loving arms around each woman struggling with hurt and pain in the world right now, Father. Please show me how I can help them specifically. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Becky is nearly two months free of a 15-year addiction to crack cocaine that led her into the horrors of human trafficking. She recently accepted Jesus into her heart and is seeking a relationship with Him. Her involvement in hand-making jewelry with Fashion & Compassion has changed her life!
Help us partner with Fashion & Compassion in equipping women like Becky to break free from the enemy's strongholds. Click here to purchase your bracelet!
Reflect and Respond:
What small thing could you do today to help those who are hurting in the community around you? Pray for them and then take action however you can.
Power Verse:
Psalm 62:7, "My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge." (NIV)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 28, 2014
Thankfulness Changes Lives
Karen Ehman
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3 (NIV)
A winter Saturday afternoon found me cleaning our basement storage room. There were boxes of papers to sort, bins of holiday decorations to shuffle and other assorted items to realign neatly on the shelves. I'd estimated it would take me an hour or so to tidy up the space. Except I hadn't factored in one thing.
Memories.
The items I straightened and stacked weren't spectacular; they were common articles found in many basements and garages. But the fragrance of precious memories clung to them. Memories of events that changed my life. Memories of people who touched my heart. My pace slowed significantly.
I gently folded the ivory lace dress my daughter wore for her baby dedication at church over two decades ago. My mother bought it for her and continues to think of her grandchildren, picking up special trinkets and treats for them. She has a knack for making others feel loved.
I thank my God every time I remember my mom.
A hand-sewn stuffed bunny rabbit sat perched on a corner shelf. My college roommate Kelly lovingly crafted it for one of my children when they were young. For over 30 years, Kelly has been a thoughtful friend who never forgets my birthday and faithfully prays for my family.
I thank my God every time I remember my friend Kelly.
I found an old key on a greyed leather keychain. Turning the keychain over I saw a simple word scrawled across the back: pool. Our former neighbor, a widow and retired school teacher, had a built-in swimming pool and we did not. Without children or grandkids nearby, she gave us a key so our young family could take a dip any time we wished.
I thank my God every time I remember Mrs. B.
Memories surrounded me as I sorted through yearbooks and photo albums. Old friends. Precious relatives. Former church members and coworkers. Pieces of my past. So many of these dear folks played a part in my life. Remembering them brought a smile to my face and a few salty tears to my eyes.
I whispered a prayer of sincere thankfulness for all of those people who helped shape my life. Their encouragement, advice and sometimes mere presence were blessings to me. God even used the relationship bumps to help mold my character and teach me life lessons.
In today's key verse, Paul writes to the believers at the church in Philippi declaring, "I thank my God every time I remember you." Just calling to mind the image of these loved ones gave the apostle reason to be grateful to God. But Paul didn't only thank God, Paul also told his friends of his thankfulness.
Could we do the same today? To not only thank God for those in our lives but also let them know how grateful we are for them? Dare we divert from our daily routine to take a moment or two to shoot off an email, make a phone call, or even send a hand-written note to someone we thank God for each time we remember them?
Gratefulness brings contentment and contentment brings peace—peace in knowing all the pieces of our lives string together to make us who we are today.
Grab a pen or pick up your phone. Someone is waiting to hear how thankful you are for them. It might just make their day. And yours.
Dear Lord, help me to take time today to not only thank You for the many special people in my life but to joyfully tell them as well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources
Want a go-to-guide for reaching out to and celebrating the special people in your life? Everyday Confetti, the new book by Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer, will give you tons of ideas and recipes for making your loved ones feel cherished. When you purchase it from Proverbs 31 Ministries, you'll be eligible to receive a PDF on getting organized for the New Year.
Visit Karen's blog where she is giving away a memory-making basket of thankfulness and a copy of Everyday Confetti.
Need a guest speaker for your women's event? Invite Karen to be your presenter. Click here for a list of her topics.
Reflect and Respond:
Who in your life are you grateful for? Make a list. Then, after each name, mention a few reasons why.
Take time today to contact at least one of these people and let them know why you are thankful God placed them in your life.
Power Verse:
Colossians 2:6-7, "Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude." (HCSB)
© 2014 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 29, 2014
What if the Trouble is in Me?
Sheila Walsh
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33b (NIV)
When Barry and I were first married I came up with a nickname for him: "Velcro-Boy."
He earned that title because every time I turned around, there he was. In the beginning, I thought I might suffocate from lack of oxygen!
If I went out for an hour to buy groceries he would call me: "Hey honey, where are you?"
"I'm at the grocery store ... remember, I told you right before I left."
I might on a good day make it to the cereal aisle before the phone rang again: "I'm missing you. Are you almost done?"
I'm sure some of you are thinking what a blessed woman I am. But while it's lovely to have someone enjoy your company, I subscribe to the old adage that, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." My heart was never going to have that opportunity!
What I've learned over the years is Barry is an extrovert and I am an introvert. Being with people energizes him, but I need alone time to process life.
We can joke about it now, but back then there was more to my need for personal space than I wanted to admit. God was at work in my life, and marriage was the perfect forum for the trouble brewing in my heart to surface.
During the last significant conversation Christ had with His closest friends He spoke these words about trouble: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b NIV).
While some might find this verse comforting, it echoed differently inside of me the first time I heard it. The question stuck in my head: What if the trouble is inside of me?
Have you ever felt that way? Do you believe that if others knew the whole truth about you they would, at best, be disappointed?
Here's the tricky thing though. I wouldn't have been able to answer if you had asked me, "So, what's the big secret you're hiding from everyone, Sheila?"
Something was wrong back in those early days of marriage, but I couldn't identify it. That's the sneaky thing about shame. Guilt says you've done something wrong, but shame says you are something wrong. Shame was like a squatter in my heart that refused to leave.
So how does this unwelcome guest gain access to our souls? It often starts with some kind of abuse that changes how we see ourselves. To others, it may look as if everything is as still and peaceful as the surface of a lake. Only you know the storm raging inside, pounding your heart and soul onto the rocks of who you believe you are.
Does the promise Christ made to his friends during the most brutal 24 hours of his life speak to us? Yes! Yes, a million times over!
Christ, the innocent Lamb of God became shame so that we who are weighed down by it could have a place to take it. And that place is not our marriage relationships.
In the early years of my marriage, I allowed that shame to intrude in my marriage, and it created a chasm between Barry and me. I pulled away and he wondered what he had done. Truth was, he'd done nothing. I was listening to the old siren song of shame.
Shame tells us to hide but Christ calls us to walk in the light with each other. In his first letter, John wrote, "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:7-9, NLT).
So is shame sin? No, but refusing to acknowledge its presence and allowing it to damage my marriage is.
When shame raises its ugly voice, let's bring it into the light of Christ. Let's write down every shameful feeling and condemning word that echoes inside our hearts and hear Christ say to us, "I overcame that!"
Father God, You sent Your beloved Son to take my shame away. Today I choose to receive the love and freedom You offer and lay down the chaos of who I have seen myself to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Storm Inside: Trade the Chaos of What You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are by Sheila Walsh
The Storm Inside: A DVD Study: Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who You Are by Sheila Walsh
Reflect and Respond:
Which of your relationship issues might be caused by shame?
Put on paper every shameful feeling and condemning word that echoes inside your heart. Imagine Jesus saying specifically to you, "I overcame that!"
Power Verse:
2 Thessalonians 3:16, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." (NIV)
© 2014 by Sheila Walsh. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 30, 2014
God Wants to Set You Free
Suzie Eller
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:19a (ESV)
Last January I prayed about my one word for the year. I hoped for words like "discovery" or "new" or "intimacy." Something beautiful and fresh in my relationship with God.
As I knelt I sensed the word "forgive."
This wasn't logical. I teach on forgiveness. I write books and articles about forgiveness. It's the one word I thought had already defined my life.
Yet, every time I prayed, that one word remained.
So, in 2013 I began to let this word saturate my life, and discovered new lessons my Heavenly Father wanted to show me. One of those was a shift in the way I viewed forgiveness. We often hear these directives:
You need to forgive.
You should forgive.
But as I let this word guide me in my conversations, in my responses to people and events, in my feelings, and in my faith, a powerful truth emerged:
We get to forgive.
We aren't prisoners of bitterness, locked behind the walls of our anger. We have free will, and can choose to step out of unforgiveness, into a place of beauty at any time.
However, if we choose to hold on to our hurt, it can feel like a dry wasteland has taken up residence in our hearts. It roots its way into our thought process, and in the way we view life or people. It may make us feel strong as we hold on to a grudge or build a wall to protect ourselves, when in actuality we have only hemmed ourselves in from all that God wants us to experience.
In Isaiah 43, the Israelites had a choice as well. They were in a hard place, and had been for a long time. They had heard about the miracles performed in the past, but God was offering to "cut a path through the wilderness, and create rivers in a dry wasteland" (verse 19b). He was prepared, if they followed His leading, to show them something they wouldn't see or experience otherwise. God makes the same offer to us.
We are meant to live free. Totally free. This is what we discover when we start to live a forgiving lifestyle. Not hindered or encumbered in any way.
As I lived out my word in 2013, I was reminded that although I had forgiven big things, I needed to address little offenses. God showed me the power of little things that irked or flared in resentment, robbing me as I nurtured a hurtful word or action ... long after the person who caused the pain had left the scene.
If there's unforgiveness lurking, festering, hurting you, will you consider allowing God to move into those broken and wounded places in 2014?
Will it be easy? Not for most of us. Living life as a forgiver is one of those acts of faith that may seem impossible, especially when another has caused you pain. But forgiving leads you from a place of hurting to healing, it clears away past baggage that weighs you down, and offers a new identity based on who you are to God, rather than what someone did.
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"
Forgiving offers a fresh slate.
Forgiving allows us to discover new depths and facets of our faith.
Forgiving leads to deeper relationship with God as we live out this word daily, even when it is difficult. For we aren't alone in this journey, and God has more for us as we follow where He leads.
Dear Lord, may this be the year I forgive and live free. Show me day by day what forgiving looks like, and give me wisdom and strength to live it out. Thank You that I get to forgive so I can discover what You have for me! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Would you like to bring Suzie Eller to your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie as your next retreat / keynote speaker.
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for a giveaway of her book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.
Reflect and Respond:
You never know where your one word might lead. Mine led me to the words I first hoped I would hear: new, discovery, intimacy!
Prayerfully ask God for a word. It may not be forgive, for God knows what you need. As you begin each day, ask God to show you the opportunities to live out your word. How will it affect your choices? The way you respond to others? The way you live out your day?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (NIV)
Matthew 6:12, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (NIV)
© 2014 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
:angel:
January 31, 2014
Secrets of Happily Married Couples
Shaunti Feldhahn
"If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!" Proverbs 11:27 (NLT)
My dear friend's marriage was crumbling; her husband's heart had turned to stone. For years he had dearly loved his wife, but had never known how to show it in the way she needed. Her insecurity grew. He eventually believed he could never please her, never make her happy. Sadly, he left.
Despite my friend's deep hurt, she took ownership of what she could change as she mourned her marriage and moved forward. As she considered her part in what had happened, she realized that starting in the earliest days of her marriage she had subconsciously believed the worst of her husband, rather than the best.
For example, if he said something that hurt her, she subconsciously thought: He knew that would hurt me and he said it anyway. Not: He loves me, so he wouldn't deliberately say something that would hurt me. Or she would think: If he really loved me he would do this particular thing. But since he isn't ... he doesn't.
Deep down, without realizing it, my friend believed her husband didn't care. Even though, for most of their marriage, he did.
Have you ever believed someone didn't like you based on something they said or did? I know I have. But as followers of Christ, we need to ask ourselves: Are we searching for evil or searching for good?
There's a benefit in looking for good. Proverbs 11:27 tells us we get what we look for: "If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!"
My research confirms this truth. I've spent the last three years researching the most happily married couples to find out what they are doing differently. What is making them so happy? What are their secrets?
Of all my discoveries, one thing stood out as a prerequisite for any good relationship: believing the best of the other person's intentions. Or to be more precise, refusing to believe the worst. In the happiest relationships, even if someone couldn't completely explain what had happened, they resolutely assumed that their spouse or good friend cared about them and had no intention of hurting them.
And that is usually the truth! For example, in the thousands of married people I've anonymously surveyed, only a tiny fraction no longer cared about their spouse. Even in some deeply difficult marriages, most of the time, the hurt was not intended. In happy marriages, the offended spouse chooses to believe that; in unhappy marriages, they don't.
For most of us, "searching for good" when we are in pain is not our default response. It is so easy to gauge what the other person intended by how we feel in the moment. But that only creates avoidable pain!
Yes, sometimes the intentions of people we love aren't good. But in most cases, they don't want to hurt the people they care about any more than we do.
The choice to search for a more generous explanation may not come easily at first. But try it. Bring your feelings in line with what you know to be true about this person. And once you see, over and over again, that the "good" explanation is usually the real one, you become fully convinced that this person is "for" you.
Better yet, as our key verse explains, by expecting the best, you bring out the best. We all know this deep down; we just have to act on it. And when we do, everything changes.
Lord, thank You for putting people in my life who care about me. And thank You for showing grace to me even when I don't deserve it. Help me to have grace and see others through Your eyes. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit help me to search for the good in each situation and not assume evil intent. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For more on Shaunti Feldhahn's most recent research, see The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages.
Visit Shaunti's website and blog for more eye-opening relationship resources at www.shaunti.com.
Reflect and Respond:
The next time you are faced with a hurtful situation, pray to God for wisdom and ask yourself:
1) What is the truth in this situation and is there a more generous explanation for what this person did?
2) Is it really true that this person doesn't care about me, or am I allowing my thoughts to be controlled by my hurt feelings?
Power Verses:
James 1:19, "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient and kind ... It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (NLT)
© 2014 by Shaunti Feldhahn. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 4, 2014
I Don't Do Fancy
Glynnis Whitwer
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7 (NIV)
I'm not a spontaneous or particularly fancy person. Some people I know are, and their creativity amazes me. They whip up a gourmet dinner from leftovers in the fridge and what's in the cabinet. They create craft projects out of dried macaroni, spray paint and shoe boxes. They can think of birthday party games, favors and food that leave the celebrant feeling like a million bucks.
Not me. Ask my kids.
I'm thankful four out of five have summer birthdays and we have a pool! Cut up a watermelon, order pizza and voila!
It's not that I didn't care. Or that I didn't want to do more. But for so many years in my early parenting, I was overwhelmed with managing a job, home and very active children. Plus I believed my celebrations had to look a certain way. Since I didn't possess many creative skills, I always felt like a party-failure.
It was years later I realized most people don't really remember all the whoopla of a big party. There might be some shock-and-awe at first, but when the streamers fall and the balloons droop, people are more apt to remember moments inside those events. For example, at my 8th grade graduation, the only memory I have is of my older sister fixing my hair. Granted it was a long time ago, but her loving gesture meant the world to me.
People just want to feel loved. Remembered. Noticed. Valued.
That's how we were designed. God created us with a heart and soul to receive His love, so we could share it with others. In fact, loving God and each other is our highest calling. The Bible says it this way, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7).
Jesus said this, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12, NIV). The New Testament shows that Jesus loved His disciples by spending time with them, and caring about them deeply. He didn't need anything fancy to show His love.
Fancy's not wrong. Some people show their love through their creativity. And I applaud them. But for those of us who walk out of a craft store crying because we can't figure out which tie-die kit to buy, maybe a simpler option is more our style.
Maybe for some of us, we need to remove the self-imposed unrealistic expectations. Maybe we need to focus more on showing love rather than having our centerpieces match what we saw on Pinterest.
I've learned that it's often the little things that speak love to my friends and family. It's sitting outside at that summer pool party and watching the silly jumps off the diving board. It's abandoning the dishes to play a board game. It's an impromptu potluck dinner with friends on paper plates.
While I'll still try to make things pretty and creative, it's not my focus. My goal every day is to show love to my friends and family somehow. I may not always accomplish that goal with perfection, but I can come closer to it with God's help than I'll ever be able to pull off a spectacular birthday party.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've gotten so worried about how my dinner or gathering looks that I've neglected what matters most to You. Open my eyes to ways I can show Your love to others, making them feel valued. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you need help thinking of ways to make others feel loved, Glynnis Whitwer has co-authored a book with Karen Ehman (who does fancy much better) called Everyday Confetti. In it they share lots of ideas for sprinkling special on every day.
If you purchase Everyday Confetti through Proverbs 31 Ministries, and email your receipt to Glynnis and Karen at the email address provided when you order, they'll send you a PDF with tips on "Getting Organized in the New Year."
Visit Glynnis' blog where she'll share a few ways to show God's love on Valentine's Day.
Reflect and Respond:
Remember a special event where someone made you feel loved. What did that person do?
What can you do this week to show someone you care deeply for them?
Power Verse:
Romans 13:8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (NIV)
John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (NIV)
© 2014 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 5, 2014
The Things We Do For Love
Renee Swope
"What a person desires is unfailing love ..." Proverbs 19:22a (NIV)
I had everything I wanted yet felt empty and confused.
My life was full of relationships and accomplishments I'd worked hard to gain, but none could fill or fulfill me.
Frustrated by my aching emptiness, tears streamed down my face as I thought about the guy I dated through high school and college. Our future plans had crumbled under the pressure of me expecting him to be all I needed. I had been crazy about him — a little too crazy.
I'll never forget the time a friend mentioned my ex-boyfriend was heading to our hometown for the weekend. We worked near each other, so Friday afternoon I parked by his office and waited for him to leave.
We both "happened" to be at the same fast food restaurant, at the same time and bumped into each other. After getting my order, I got in my car and followed behind him, hoping he'd see me, realize he couldn't live without me and signal to pull over so we could talk.
Seriously, what was I thinking? As you can guess, he never stopped. I was hopeless and humiliated.
A few weeks later, I was taking a walk around my college campus. My eyes drifted to the buildings, dorms and other landmarks of memories. Suddenly my mind filled with a collage of faces, reminding me of my efforts to win the approval of advisors, friends and professors — hoping their affirmation could fill my emptiness.
Although I was graduating soon, had a few great job offers and achieved success in many ways, my heart still felt restless. And I couldn't help but wonder: Why was all that I had never enough?
A thought rushed through my soul, stringing together two words I had never put next to each other. I sensed God answering me.
Renee, all you have ever wanted is unconditional love.
Unconditional love? I didn't know there was such a thing. Then God whispered into my soul: You'll never find the love you long for in anyone or anything but Me. I AM the unconditional love you're looking for.
The thought of God loving me without any conditions was inconceivable, yet something deep in my soul told me it was true. I'd been looking for love that didn't have to be earned. Love I didn't have to fear losing.
Honestly, it was hard to see how God's love could fill the emptiness in my heart. It took time, but I came to understand that God created me with that need for fulfillment so He could meet it.
Our key verse, Proverbs 19:22a, says, "What a person desires is unfailing love."
The word "desire" comes from the Hebrew word ta'avah, which means: to greatly long for, deeply desire or crave. Interestingly, unfailing love is mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, and not once is it attributed to a person. It is only attributed to God.
God gave us a desire for unfailing love because He knew it would lead us back to Him.
His love draws us to Him. Only we can stop God from reaching the deep and hidden parts within us that need Him most.
Will you invite Jesus to look into your heart today so He can show you what, who and where you might be looking to be filled and fulfilled? Then ask Him to fill and fulfill you with the promise and reality of His unfailing love instead.
Jesus, help me stop searching for fulfillment in anything or anyone but You. Will You satisfy me with Your unfailing love and help me depend on You to meet my deepest desires and needs. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion touched your heart, check out Renee Swope's new A Confident Heart Devotional. Expanding on her "When I say ... God says ..." statements, Renee gives us a new 60-day thought map that will show us how to let God fill and fulfill the longings of our heart.
Valentine's Day can be difficult for singles. The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition by Gary Chapman is a great resource to help you show love to those singles who might need to know you care.
Enter to WIN one of 5 copies of Renee's A Confident Heart Devotional and a copy of The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition. Find out more and enter here!
Reflect and Respond:
What or whom do you look to, to fill and fulfill you?
Write down steps you can take to transfer your hope from other things and people to God to satisfying your longings. Start by talking to God and processing this struggle with Him.
Power Verse:
Psalm 90:14, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (NIV)
© 2014 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 6, 2014
Five Scriptures to Pray Over Your Marriage
Lysa TerKeurst
"[Jesus] also told them this parable: 'Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?'" Luke 6:39 (NIV)
I sat down to write some thoughts for a young friend getting married. I wanted these words to be encouraging but also realistic. I didn't want to pen the typical "best wishes on your wedding day." Wishes might be sweet for a church full of flowers and white tulle, but it takes a whole lot more for a marriage to go the distance.
So I wrote honest thoughts as they came to me:
"Being married is incredibly difficult. Being married is amazing. Being married can seem impossibly hard. Being married can seem incredibly beautiful. There is no other person who can frustrate me the way my husband can. There is no other person who can make me feel as loved as my husband can."
As these words tumbled out I wondered if my friend would think me a bit crazy. One minute I painted marriage as blissful as a kite catching wind and rising to the sky. And the next minute it was as if the string had gotten caught in a thorny bush and sent the kite crashing to the ground with thuds of disappointment.
So which is it? Bliss or disappointment?
It's a fragile blend of both.
In the end, I crumpled up my original note and simply wrote this: "Determine to pray more words over your marriage than you speak about your marriage."
I wrote that note not because it had been true for my relationship but because suddenly I wanted it to be true.
The teacher being taught by her own lesson.
And you know what I've discovered in the weeks since? I haven't been praying nearly enough for my marriage.
I think about things. Discuss things. Complain about things. Attempt to fix things. Work on things. Apologize for things. Want to change things. And then I discuss things some more.
But talking about things, thinking about things and working on things ... these are not at all the same as praying for them.
In Luke 6:39 Jesus asks an important but simple question, "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?" My husband and I need Jesus leading us, guiding us, teaching us, redirecting us and showing us how to have a marriage that honors Him and each other.
This year, my goal is to spend a lot less time in the pit. And I think praying more words over my marriage will certainly be key to this.
Here are some Scriptures I'm praying:
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters ... You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light" (2 Samuel 22:17 and 29, NIV).
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6, NIV).
"What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31, NIV).
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23, NIV).
Actually getting intentional about praying for something in my marriage today is the first step toward that marriage I've been dreaming of—the one that seemed so possible for Art and me 20 years ago in that church full of flowers and tulle.
Making sure I'm headed in that direction as a wife is only a few intentional prayers away.
Dear Lord, I want to honor You completely with my marriage. Help me to remain dedicated to praying over my relationship with my husband. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you're seeking more encouragement for your marriage, Lysa's books, Capture His Heart (for wives) and Capture Her Heart (for husbands) can help. Get both of these books to read through with your husband for a special bundle price! Click here to purchase your bundle.
Proverbs 31 Ministries is also offering other intentional Valentine's Day gifts for married couples, singles and hurting hearts. Click here for more information.
Reflect and Respond:
It's so tempting to think praying for your marriage would be a good idea but then not take the next step.
Assign yourself the next step you want to take with getting more intentional in praying for your marriage. Choose one of the Scriptures above and pray it out loud each day for the next week.
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 7, 2014
The Day I Almost Gave Up
Leah DiPascal
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help ... The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:15-18 (HCSB)
I gripped the steering wheel of my car and stared at the hospital emergency doors. My heart pounded furiously, like a time bomb waiting to explode. The pressure in my head was almost unbearable. The invisible weight on my chest felt like someone dropped a sledgehammer on me.
Thoughts raced through my mind. I wanted to scream but could barely breathe a whisper. I just sat there lonely, afraid, shattered and completely empty inside.
Should I check myself into the hospital?
What if they admit me in the psychiatric ward and won't let me go home?
Who will take care of my children?
Will my husband still love me?
What if my friends find out?
Reaching for my phone, panic rushed over me like a tidal wave. A pool of tears cascaded down my face, as I cried, Jesus, please help me!
Sitting in my car, unable to move, I continued to pray and ask God questions like, How did I get here? I'm a Christian for heaven's sake! Things like this just don't happen to Christian women – or do they? I feel like such a failure.
Looking back now, I can see how years of worry and stress had brought me to that day.
Concerns about my family's finances kept me up most nights. Stress over a high-pressured job caused erratic panic attacks. Worry about my children's health created knots in my stomach. Struggling to help my aging parents resulted in midnight crying sessions.
My concerns consumed me. Worrying became an addiction, demanding my ongoing attention. I was trying to "hold it all together" on the outside, but on the inside, a sea of doubt and fear haunted me.
Maybe you're in a similar place. Have the stresses of life caught up with you too? Are you worried about your finances, health, marriage, job or kids? Do you wonder if anyone sees your pain or even cares? If you're brave enough to cry out for help, will anyone rescue you?
In today's verse, we are reminded we do have a Rescuer:
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help ... the righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:15-18).
God sees you and hears your cries for help, even when no one else does. He knows your heartache. He sees your pain. If your heart is broken and you feel crushed from all sides, God promises to be close to you. Though you may not see Him with you physical eyes, He is there.
God rescued me that day in the hospital parking lot. After several hours of prayer, God calmed my heart and I called my husband. I reached out to close friends for help, and the healing started. Although I wanted an instant miracle, it took time, but God never left my side. He gently mended my broken heart and renewed my mind through His Word. He guided me along a journey that led to true freedom, for which I am forever grateful.
Has the stress of life taken its toll, causing you to feel afraid, lonely or ready to give up? Is your heart broken today? Let God rescue you, friend. He is ready. He is willing. He is able.
Dear Lord, it feels like my life is falling part. I desperately need You to rescue me. Thank You for hearing my cries and for delivering me from my troubles. Even when I am hidden from others, You see me, Lord. Thank You saving me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Today Leah DiPascal is sharing more of her story on her blog, plus discussing when it's important to get professional help. Click here to visit Leah's blog where you can submit a prayer request and enter her drawing to win a signed copy of A Confident Heart book.
Pre-order a copy of Suzie Eller's next book, The Mended Heart, releasing February 20th.
Reflect and Respond:
Read Psalm 139 and highlight every verse that tells of God's presence and protection over you.
Write out a prayer thanking God for all the things you are grateful for today.
Power Verse:
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV 1984)
© 2014 by Leah DiPascal. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 10, 2014
Build Unity Into Your Marriage
Lauren Dungy
" ... Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." 1 Corinthians 15:58b (NLT)
For years my husband and I have looked for ways to build unity in our marriage. Amazingly, one of the best things we've ever done hasn't been fancy vacations or expensive dinners. It's been serving God together and allowing Him to use our life experiences to reach children.
When my husband, Tony, served as a head coach in the NFL, we often visited classrooms in inner-city schools together. As a former sixth grade teacher, I loved encouraging students to develop a love for reading. Yet we soon noticed there were few motivational, values-driven books with characters and story lines these kids could relate to. That's when Tony and I began writing children's books.
Every Tuesday for the past four years, we have read one of our books to third grade students in schools where there are a high percentage of children from impoverished and single parent homes.
In our years serving together, my husband and I have seen God use our offering of time and storytelling ability to show His love to children. Even though it may seem like a small thing, 1 Corinthians tells us everything we do matters: "Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless" (1 Corinthians 15:58b).
Often our best opportunities to share about God come from the questions we receive. Since many of our characters are based on our nine kids, students often ask, "Is this story true?" We explain that we turn real-life experiences into stories with a message — usually about problem solving with guidance from parents and from God.
Another question students often ask is, "Are you two married? To each other?" We enjoy sharing that we've been married for over 31 years. "Wow, you're kidding me!" is a common response.
Some of these children know very few married couples, and we are pleased to model for them — if only briefly — how a husband and wife interact with each other. We understand, even if these kids don't, that God designed marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with His church. In some small way, when we serve others, we are giving them a glimpse of God's lavish love.
Once after we had discussed our story and talked about marriage, children and making wise decisions, a boy eagerly raised his hand. "Are you guys Christians?" he asked. I felt such joy that a third grader recognized our love for God and desire to follow His plan.
When you and your husband use your gifts and resources to benefit others, you will experience that same delight. But in a world filled with desperate people, how do you know where to serve? The chaplain of the Minnesota Vikings once gave Tony some great advice: "Ask yourself: What can I do that no one else can do? What gifts, connections, and resources do I have to help those who might be overlooked by everyone else?"
Volunteering has strengthened our marriage in interesting ways. Tony received many accolades as an NFL coach, but I believe his best moments have been interacting with young boys with no father figures at home. In addition, with six kids still living under our roof, we enjoy these few hours to ourselves every Tuesday.
Our classroom visits often spark discussions as Tony and I explore better ways to answer students' questions and make God's ideas clearer to young people. How blessed we are to be able to impact our community while having fun together!
What about you and your spouse? If you enjoy entertaining, why not invite those new neighbors over for dinner? If you like working together on your home, could you ask your church to refer you to an elderly couple whose home is in urgent need of repair? The opportunities are as rich as the gifts God has given you.
As you and your husband seek God's direction, I don't know whether your prayer will lead you to a classroom like the ones Tony and I visit. But I do know this: the Lord is just waiting to show you something that only the two of you can do.
Heavenly Father, sometimes I forget that marriage is not simply about me and my spouse, but was designed by You as a visible representation of Your endless love. Would You begin to show us how we might extend Your grace to others? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you'd like more of Lauren and Tony's insights into building a strong partnership, check out their new book, Uncommon Marriage.
For free resources and information on hosting an Uncommon Marriage Month at your church, visit coachdungy.com. To learn more about the Dungy's ministries, visit the Dungy Family Foundation.
Reflect and Respond:
When it comes to helping others, where do you and your spouse's passions intersect?
Set aside 15 minutes this week to talk with your spouse about the gifts and resources God has given you. Begin brainstorming a few ways you might reach out to someone in your community. If you already serve together, discuss your satisfaction level.
Power Verses:
Acts 20:35b, "... remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (NLT)
Philippians 2:4, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." (NLT)
© 2014 by Lauren Dungy. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Tyndale House Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion.
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February 11, 2014
Creative Reminders to Pray
Wendy Pope
"I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with God; and he will hear and answer." Psalm 55:17 (TLB)
Why is it so easy to remember every word to my favorite 80's songs, but so hard to remember to pray for others?
There have been many times when I've told a friend, "Yes, I will pray for you." Then time goes by and that promise slips my mind. Guilt fills my heart as days later I remember the forgotten prayer request.
My heart's desire is to pray with purpose for each person and every need because I know God listens. The psalmist knew this too, and wrote these words in Psalm 55:17, "I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with God; and he will hear and answer."
That's my intention too. Unfortunately, life's busy schedule and my dwindling memory keep me from praying the way I want to.
So I asked the Lord to help me in this area. And He answered that prayer in an unusual way.
For some strange reason, I have the uncanny ability to remember the make and model of my friends' cars. God used this ability to help me generate prayer prompters. Seeing the make and model of a friend's car prompts me to pray for them.
But God didn't stop there. He also showed me how to use other prayer prompters besides cars. Maybe my list will help you generate your own prayer prompts.
• A red Honda minivan: Renee Swope and family (She used to drive one)
• When my ears ring: Lysa TerKeurst (She had some damage to one ear)
• Leopard print: Lisa Allen (She loves leopard print)
• Purple, especially pens: Sharon Sloan (She loves purple)
• Fog or low lying clouds: Kristi Butler (We call low lying clouds the glory of the Lord)
• Wonderful, Merciful Savior: My former pastor (It is one of his favorite songs)
There are many ways we can remember to pray. Enter prayer requests as an appointment on your phone with an alarm to remind you. Write names and requests on a calendar to pray on specific days for specific people. Keep a notebook with you and record prayer requests.
Prayer prompts make it easier to pray morning, noon and night as the psalmist did. We can use red minivans or reminders on the calendar. Whenever the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray, God will hear and answer. Our prayers don't have to be long, with big and lofty words. We just have to remember and pray with a sincere heart.
Dear Lord, I know that You hear and answer prayers morning, noon and night. Help me to be faithful to pray. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Click here to find out more about considering Wendy Pope as your next retreat / keynote speaker.
Visit Wendy's blog to learn how she is bringing power to her prayers in 2014.
Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow: A Psalms Bible Study by Wendy Pope
Reflect and Respond:
Think of one person you want to pray for faithfully. Ask God for a prayer prompt for this person.
Purchase a spiral notebook to keep as a prayer journal. Ask God to help you fill it.
Power Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." (ESV)
James 5:16b, "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." (The Message)
© 2014 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
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February 13, 2014
Hitting the Bottom
Lysa TerKeurst
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Why is it that the hardest person for me to be honest with is sometimes myself?
I'm usually a happy, optimistic person. I want to look at life as half full. I like seeing the good in situations and in people.
I believe those are good qualities about me.
But sometimes the glass is half empty. And sometimes, I need to see the not-so-good in situations. Other times, I need to admit that there's not-so-good in people.
I don't need to dwell on it and get all negative. But I do need to allow myself the freedom to be honest. To process with honest thoughts and feelings and hurt.
Otherwise, I get this knotted feeling deep inside. And my smile on the outside doesn't match the sinkhole on the inside.
Am I the only crazy person who deals with this? I don't think so. Actually, I think there are a lot of people walking around smiling and sinking at the same time.
Have you ever had that dream where you are falling, falling, falling and then you gasp and wake up before you hit the ground?
When I was a small girl swapping playground wisdom between the swing set and the seesaw, I admitted to my friend I had that falling dream. A lot. She whispered, "You know it's a good thing you wake up before you hit the ground in your dream. Because if you didn't, you'd die."
And right then and there, I decided to never hit the ground. I decided to always be on guard to control that dream.
Crazy, right?
That's an exhausting way to sleep.
And it can be an exhausting way to live. This not ever hitting the ground. This not being honest that sometimes people and situations in life can be completely disappointing.
There is a bottom. Sometimes we hit it. Sometimes we can't wake up in time.
And while this gut honest realization about people and situations can feel devastating or like a setback, I think there's a better way to look at it.
Yes, maybe it's better to consider it an opportunity to grow in dependence on the Lord. An opportunity to embrace the freedom found in our key verse, Psalm 55:22, to bring my feelings to Him and to ask for His help.
Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." So I took God at His Word.
As I prayed, I told God about my feelings in a recent situation. Lord, this stinks. It just does. The way this person treated me isn't good. What they said, it really hurt. Help!
In praying through that situation, God challenged me not just to talk with Him and be honest about my feelings. But also to be honest with the person who had hurt me. God challenged me to hit the bottom I had ever-so-carefully been avoiding.
So, I sat down with that person. I was honest. With myself and with them. I hit the bottom and I'm actually glad, because the internal sinkhole started to close.
And the best part? I didn't die!
Dear Lord, thank You for caring deeply about each detail of my life. Your ability to take my burdens upon Your shoulders is amazing. You are worthy to be praised! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
If this devotion resonated with you, check out Lysa's best-selling book, Unglued. This book will help you to find peace in your most difficult relationships as you learn to be honest but kind when offended! Click here to purchase your copy.
Want to learn more about bringing your raw emotions before the Lord and reacting in a godly way? Consider Lysa's book, the Unglued Devotional: 60 Days to Imperfect Progress.Click here to purchase your copy.
Reflect and Respond:
Have you been putting on a smile when you feel everything but happy on the inside?
Bring all of your feelings and burdens to the Lord. Ask Him for direction and freedom as you hand over your control of the situation to Him.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 41:10, "... do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
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February 14, 2014
When We Belong to Jesus
Renee Swope
"'For your Maker is your husband — the LORD Almighty is his name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit — a wife who married young, only to be rejected,' says your God." Isaiah 54:5-6 (NIV)
We had what felt like a storybook Christian romance. Mike was tall, dark and handsome. He had a successful business and he loved Jesus. But to top it all off, instead of asking me for a date, Mike asked if we could "court."
Our lives were connected on so many levels. We lived on the same floor of the same apartment complex. We attended the same church. And we had several mutual friends. We loved when people told us we made a great couple, in life and in ministry.
Eventually we started praying about marriage and talked to our pastor. Not long after, Mike proposed.
But two weeks into our engagement he looked into my eyes and said: "I've made a horrible mistake. You are not the one God wants me to marry."
I was devastated and wondered what I'd done to make God change His mind.
After counseling and walking through a painful process of forgiveness, I eventually recovered. Much to my surprise, Mike showed back up in my life and asked me to consider rebuilding our friendship.
I was shocked and hesitant. But I also wondered if God wanted to redeem our story. Eventually I gave Mike a second chance. We spent time with friends and took things slowly. But in time, the topic of marriage came up. He proposed again. And he dumped me again!
That time I got smart and kept the ring, holding it as collateral to get Mike to counseling with me. In our first session, the counselor explained that Mike had a fear of commitment. Having a name for it helped me feel better, but Mike felt embarrassed and ashamed.
One night I woke up with a deep sense of concern for him, so I drove to his apartment. Sitting in the parking lot, I felt compelled to get in his van and pray for him. Afterwards I opened my eyes and noticed his journal sitting on the console.
Though I shouldn't have opened it, I turned to the entries he had written when he called off our engagement. I came face-to-face with why he didn't want to marry. There were many things about me he wished were different.
After reading Mike's journal, every time I stood in front of a mirror, doubt whispered: No man will ever want you. You'll never be good enough.
Rejection. Betrayal. Abandonment. Our greatest fears can become reality. Maybe your father abandoned you, or your husband betrayed you. Maybe your best friend broke your trust, or your teenager has shut you out.
The deep pain from broken relationships can make us doubt our value. We begin to see ourselves as disposable. Easily replaced. Not good enough.
One morning, I woke up and felt the heavy weight of rejection. Opening my Bible, I read through the book of Isaiah and landed in chapter 54. There, God showed me He is my Maker, Husband and Redeemer - the One who bestows the honor and acceptance I long for.
As devastating as it was, I learned two life-changing lessons from the pain:
• I have to choose to separate myself, and my worth, from a man's decision to want me or not.
• I have to hold others' words and preferences up to God's Word and choose which one I will rely on.
Although people's preferences will change, God's desire for us won't. Others might not think we're good enough, but God always will. And even if someone decides they don't desire us anymore, God most certainly does!
The truth is, when we belong to Jesus we are loved and accepted forever. We are covered in His goodness, and His goodness makes us good enough!
Lord, I want to know and rely on the love You have for me and live in Your love. Remind me each day that Your goodness makes me good enough! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Renee is giving away more than 50 copies of her A Confident Heart Devotional Ebook on her blog – TODAY ONLY. Find out more here!
If this devotion resonated with you, Renee's A Confident Heart Devotional may be just what your heart needs! Here's what others are saying about it:
"As I have gotten older and grown in my walk with the Lord, I've learned how vital it is to apply Gods Word when I am thinking negatively towards myself! This devotional is phenomenal in teaching you just that. At the end of each devotion, there is a 'When I say this .... God says ...' and let me tell you ... these are AWESOME!!" ~ L. McGhee
I found it hard to read just ONE day at a time! Renee ... shares her heart and God's truth so well. I found it encouraging to my faith and challenging towards my doubt, which has led to a filtering of my emotion in a way that leads to hope, peace and light. I love this devotion! ~ S. Nelms
Reflect and Respond:
Has someone ever made you feel like you're not good enough?
Ask God to help you separate yourself, and your worth, from their opinion. Hold their words and preferences up to God's Word and choose to believe and rely on His instead.
Power Verse:
Isaiah 30:18a, "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion." (NIV)
© 2014 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 17, 2014
Being Right Doesn't Mean I'm Righteous
Amy Carroll
"You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." Revelation 2:4b-5 (NIV)
I still have pounds to lose and overflowing closets, but this year my resolution isn't based on external goals. Instead, there's a heart issue clambering for attention, and God is filling me with a simple prayer: Lord, please make me completely righteous and not a bit self-righteous.
The word righteous means, "acting in accord with divine and moral law, free from guilt or sin" according to Webster. But being righteous and looking righteous are two different things.
Looking righteous is something I've mastered.
I know how to follow the rules, play the game and fit into the church crowd. Maybe you're like me and are wired to work hard to get things done "right." I like to please my peers and check items off my to-do list.
Often it wins me the approval I crave. I get pats on the back, and it all looks good on the outside.
But on the inside — in the quiet moments — I can find myself exhausted. Defeated. Numb. Those feelings let me know I've crossed from being righteous through Christ into trying to earn righteousness myself.
Sometimes my self-righteousness leaks out and reveals its ugliness through judgmental thoughts and attitudes towards others. That's when I find myself looking down my nose at those struggling while thinking I have it together or snapping with impatience when someone delays my next task.
Then I read Revelation 2 in a new light. In this passage, Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for their good deeds. He praises them for hard work, perseverance, intolerance of wickedness, sound doctrine and endurance. It's a list of wonderful works indicating righteousness.
But Jesus follows with a stunning and scathing indictment, "You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place" (Revelation 2:4b-5).
Those verses highlight the root of the issue and reveal the Ephesians were in the same predicament as me. They were working hard, but without love they had become self-righteous, and God won't tolerate that.
Could I have lost my first love? Was that the cause of my self-righteous thoughts? I began to think back to the days when I first fell in love with my husband. I was crazy about him, and couldn't get enough time with him. Love for him filled me with an explosive joy bubbling over on everyone around me. Not only did I want to hug him, everyone else was in danger of being hugged too!
The same is true when my heart is overflowing with love for God. That joy bubbles over to those around me. It makes my heart sincere and gracious, rather than hard and judgmental.
To maintain the right heart, God asks us to keep returning to our first love with Him. To rediscover the newness, lightness and joy we felt at first. He urges us to constantly rekindle passion for Him, which will deepen our love for Him and others.
The beautiful part is God doesn't call us to love without Him setting the ultimate example. His love is "wide and long and high and deep" (Ephesians 3:18, NIV), and it surpasses our thoughts and the works done in our own strength.
Pursuing righteousness solely through good works is an empty endeavor, always leaving us impossibly short of the goal. Returning to our first love ensures full righteousness as we follow Jesus, for He is our righteousness. "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30, NIV).
Renewing our first true love produces righteousness. True righteousness creates more love for God and others. It's a beautiful cycle, and it's a goal that transforms us.
Lord, please make me completely righteous and not a bit self-righteous. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
Intimacy with God workbook and prayer journal by Tara Furman
To hear more about pursuing the beauty and freedom found in true righteousness, visit Amy Carroll's blog today.
Reflect and Respond:
What can you remember about your first days of falling in love with Jesus? Write down your memories of how you felt and what you did during that time.
Has that first love faded? Spend some time in the quiet today offering a worship/love song to Him. Ask Him to rekindle your passion.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 21:21, "He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor." (NIV)
Luke 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
© 2014 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 18, 2014
How to Ruin Your Appetite for God
Tracie Miles
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
With the summer season just a few calendar pages away, the media is preparing to bombard us with information about new diets, exercise programs and creative ideas for healthy eating. So in light of all the buzz, I considered my own health goals for this season and wondered what changes I need to make.
My thoughts soon wandered away from my physical health, to my spiritual health. As I pondered the junk food I need to remove from my diet and toss from my cupboards, I considered what spiritual junk food needed to go as well.
Junk food is usually delicious in flavor, low in nutritional value, but high in fat and calories. While okay once in awhile, if I fill myself with junk food on a daily basis, I won't be hungry for nutritious food.
In the same way junk food derails our health goals, succumbing to the temptations of spiritual junk food throws us off track and curbs our appetite for God.
Today's key verse addresses this subject of filling ourselves with God's Word, instead of the temptations of the world. In this first chapter of Joshua, God appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses. To prepare Joshua for the task, God gave him instructions and encouragement. God explained the importance of meditating on His Word to avoid temptation and sin, and the importance of keeping His commands on Joshua's lips.
God knew the distractions and discouragements of the world could easily derail Joshua from God's chosen path. So He commanded Joshua to have a daily menu of God's truth — to meditate on the Law every day and talk about it often — so that His ways would always be fresh in Joshua's mind. In other words, God wanted Joshua to be filled with His Word, so that he would have no hunger for the temptations of the world.
An infinite amount of spiritual junk food tickles our fingertips every day through television, movies, computers, smart phones, books, radio and more. Even though these mediums can offer good "food" as well, if we don't use spiritual discernment to selectively choose what we are consuming, we may find ourselves filled with the wrong things, and a curbed appetite for what is spiritually nutritious.
If we aren't careful, the spiritual junk food the world offers might inadvertently become our primary source of nourishment, diminishing our appetite for God's Word and lessening our desire for healthy portions of His instruction.
Too much junk food of any kind will weaken our bodies and our spirits. But spending time with God and keeping His Word on our lips will bring strength and health, inside and out. Might we put His words on our lips today and pray for an insatiable hunger from this day forward?
Dear Lord, open my eyes to the spiritual junk food I have fed my heart and mind. Help me see where I need to make some changes in order to be spiritually healthier. Give me the courage and perseverance to break unhealthy habits and focus on what You know is best for me instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For tips on spiritual "vitamins" that can help increase your appetite for God and draw you into a closer relationship with Him, consider purchasing Tracie Miles' book Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World.
Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on building a close relationship with God.
Proverbs 31 Ministries will launch its next 5-week Online Bible Study of the Made to Crave Action Plan on March 2nd. Be equipped to put realistic everyday healthy choices into practice and find encouragement on your journey to healthy living with us! Click here to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
What "junk food" have I been consuming that is possibly curbing my appetite for God and His Word, and negatively impacting my relationship with Him?
Ask yourself these three questions, and then pray over your honest answers:
1. In what ways do I feed my heart and mind on a daily basis? (TV, radio, books, God's Word, devotions, etc.)
2. Does my hunger for God outweigh my hunger for other "foods"?
3. What two changes can I make in my daily life to increase my appetite for God?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:2-3, "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." (NLT)
Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (NIV)
© 2014 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 19, 2014
Live so That ...
Wendy Blight
"He died for us so that we will all live, not for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose from the dead." 2 Corinthians 5:15 (The Voice)
As I stood in the kitchen of our new house, gut-wrenching loneliness swept over me. My heart ached for all that was familiar. Doubts plagued my mind. Had we made a mistake? Did we really hear God? Was this really His plan?
We had just moved from Dallas, Texas to Charlotte, North Carolina, but moving had not been on our original agenda. It meant leaving an amazing circle of friends, a wonderful church family and great jobs. But we both felt God calling us away from Dallas, away from all that was comfortable and familiar. In fact, He orchestrated circumstances in such a way that we could not not move to Charlotte. But it was still unclear why He brought us here.
Although Jesus was clear about His mission, I wonder if He experienced similar sensations of loneliness and heartache as He left all that was familiar to follow God's plan.
Jesus willingly consented to His Father's plan and did the incomprehensible. The One who was rich in everything became poor, making Himself nothing. He assumed our debt of sin and paid it with His very life so that you and I could become beloved children of God.
And His sacrifice, when accepted by us, gives us not only new life but also a new role in life!
Our key verse from 2 Corinthians teaches that Jesus died so that we will live ... not for ourselves but for the One who died for us. And when we read a bit further in 2 Corinthians, verse 20 clarifies our role: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors ..." (NIV).
Ambassadors are connectors. They connect the lives of those they represent with the lives of those in their sphere of influence. And to be effective, the chosen appointees must live so that people are drawn to and find favor with them and those they represent.
Friend, we too are ambassadors. We are ambassadors appointed by Christ, not by a nation or an organization. God intentionally placed us on this earth to live for Him.
What a privilege and honor to be hand-picked by God to live fully engaged lives in this generation, in our communities, in our neighborhoods and in our families so that He can use us to shine His love and light!
It took time, but I came to understand that God had not abandoned me years ago when we moved. He intentionally placed me in that home and neighborhood to be His ambassador. He brought friends into my life who invited me to my first Bible study. He gave me an insatiable hunger for His Word that led to teaching and writing Bible studies. He continues to open doors for me to speak and write for Him.
God had a plan that day in the kitchen that I could not see. And He faithfully equipped me through the years so that I could live out that plan ... so that I could impact my sphere of influence and represent Him well.
Will you join me in being an ambassador? Together let's invite God to help us live a so that life ... a life that truly makes a difference for the Kingdom of God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your amazing grace ... a gift that gives me new life. Help me to live a "so that" life, one that pours out Your love and grace. Equip me with all I need to be Your ambassador. Father, I want to represent You well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learning to live so that your life reflects more of God's grace, power and love is the theme of Wendy Blight's new book releasing in March. Click here to preorder Living So That: Making Faith-Filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life. Wendy will sign with a personalized scripture verse each book ordered by March 14.
Stop by Wendy's blog to learn more about Living So That and to sign up for her free companion devotional, Five Days to a Faith-Full Life.
Reflect and Respond:
How well do you represent Christ?
Read Romans 6:12-13 (see below). Prayerfully consider how you use your new life in Christ. Commit to take one action step this week to live so that ... to live as God's ambassador in your sphere of influence.
Power Verses:
Romans 6:12-13, "Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God." (NLT)
© 2014 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.
:angel:
February 20, 2014
A Grace Place
Lysa TerKeurst
"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
"Does God ever get tired of my issues?"
I've asked myself this question many times throughout my lifelong struggle with emotional eating.
Over the course of my journey, I've whined to God, gotten mad at God and often ignored God. And I've worried I was going to use up all my grace with God.
I felt He would be justified to say, "Enough! Go away. I'm tired of your issues. Figure it out for yourself!" That is, until I read again the "first story" of God's grace with fresh eyes.
We often think of God's grace beginning at the cross. But as I read through the Scripture from the point of view of someone struggling with food issues, I saw a revelation of God's grace right from the start in Genesis.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree and ushered sin in to the world. God handed down the consequences of their actions, which included banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They must have believed they had pushed past the boundaries of God's grace. After all, He was sending them out of the garden.
Whenever I've read that story, I thought they had to leave paradise because God was punishing them. God was disappointed in them. God was giving them what they deserved. But I was wrong. Their relocation was not a place of abandonment — it was a place of grace.
You see, there were two special trees in the Garden of Eden. One was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; this was the one with the forbidden fruit. The other was the tree of life. This was the one that gave Adam and Eve perpetual life — no diseases, no death, no sagging body parts. (Okay I'm not sure about that last benefit, but I'm banking on this reality in heaven.)
Anyhow. When they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered in. Sin corrupted everything. And at that point, it was God's absolute love and most tender mercy that ushered Adam and Eve out of the garden. Not His anger or retaliation. They had to leave.
If they'd been allowed to stay, they would have kept eating from the tree of life and lived forever, wallowing in sin. Wallowing in all the brokenness sin brings with it: disease, fear, heartbreak, separation from God.
An unending life of shame and sin would have been their fate.
God couldn't stand that for the people He loved. So, His love made them leave and allowed them to die. So that they could experience the resurrected life His Son would one day provide.
Brokenness to redemption.
God did not run out of grace at the dawn of humankind. And He will not run out of grace for you or for me. He does not want us to ever stay in a perpetual state of sin and despair. We were not created with a food struggle or physical cravings because God is angry at us. It is because He loves us so much that He allows our struggle with food to be a physical indication of a spiritual situation.
God is asking for us to go to a new place as well — and it is a place of grace!
Receive grace and let it wash away all shame and guilt from every unhealthy choice you've ever regretted and fretted over. Yes, there is work to do and progress to be made, but we will walk from here with a clean slate.
This grace and the unfathomable depth of God's love settle me. Breathes hope into my dread. And trust into my doubts.
So when I stumble along on this journey, I know this grace is there for me, and I will come running back. And once again, it will give me a soft place to land.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace. Help me to rely on You in the midst of my struggle today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Learn more about satisfying your deepest desire with God instead of unhealthy food with Lysa TerKeurst's bestselling book, Made to Crave. Click here to purchase your copy.
Proverbs 31 Ministries will launch its next 5-week Online Bible Study of the Made to Crave Action Plan on March 2nd. Be equipped to put realistic everyday healthy choices into practice and find encouragement on your journey to healthy living with us! Click here to sign up.
Reflect and Respond:
What issues are you tired of battling?
Bring them all to God in gut-honest prayers. Soak in the truths of His grace found in our key verse and power verse today.
Power Verse:
2 Timothy 2:1, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus," (ESV)
© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
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February 21, 2014
Jesus Came to Heal Hurting Hearts
Suzie Eller
"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble." Luke 4:18 (NLV)
"Why can't you get it together?"
"If you would just try harder."
Have you heard any of these statements? Maybe you've even said them to yourself.
Perhaps those who stood on a hot hillside in Nazareth were asking themselves the same questions. Many tried hard to follow all the religious laws, but knew they fell short. Would Jesus give them more rules to follow? Imagine their surprise as Jesus spelled out His personal mission statement:
I've come to open the eyes of the blind.
I've come to set the prisoner free.
I've come with good news for the poor in spirit.
I've come to heal the brokenhearted.
The crowd must have been shocked by His words, for they expected a warrior, not a heart surgeon. Jesus Himself was setting the record straight. He came so that we might be made whole ... through Him.
For those who had been trying harder, striving more, it was a transforming message. They were accustomed to following rules or meeting expectations of man, rather than resting in the power of their almighty God.
When I became a believer, I didn't understand Jesus' mission statement. I was dealing with untended brokenness and trying everything to fix myself. When I grasped the power of Luke 4:18, this truth changed me: The power of the cross is not found in what I do, but in what has already been done for me.
Jesus didn't mean for us to do this alone. It's not our strength or power that will transform us. Yes, we make changes. Yes, we open our broken heart to His tender touch. Yes, we allow Him to move us in uncomfortable directions to discover new paths — and leave old ones behind. But we are in a partnership with God ... and He's bigger.
I also discovered I didn't have to earn God's love. Maybe, like me, you thought God would love you one day, when you had it all together.
Jesus' mission statement proclaims that He loves us today. With our baggage and hurting hearts. When we grasp that kind of love, it changes us. It compels us to return that love, and to trust Jesus from our hearts.
This trust helps us listen for His voice. We sense when He is teaching or redirecting us. We weigh temptation in light of our love for our heavenly Father. This relationship helps us discover our "true selves, [our] child-of-God selves" (John 1:12, The Message).
Last, Luke 4:18 reminded me that I didn't have to run away just because I felt broken.
A hurting heart can send us running down paths we may regret, searching for something or someone to ease our pain. Jesus' mission statement invites us to stop running and rest in Him, expectant that our true selves will emerge with His healing touch.
The truth of Luke 4:18 is ours today to hold close, for Jesus came to heal our hurting hearts.
Dear Jesus, for the longest time I've been concentrating on my efforts, but today I expectantly rest in You. Thank You that the power of the cross is not in what I do, but in what has already been done for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie Eller's blog for two free chapters of her new book, The Mended Heart: God's Healing for Your Broken Places, and a giveaway.
Would you like to bring Suzie to your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie as your next retreat / keynote speaker.
Reflect and Respond:
Today, you read about what you don't have to do. You don't need to fix yourself, or earn God's love or run any more. In fact, the more you don't do these things, the more you live in Him. The more you don't do these things, the more you build a foundation of rest and trust. The more you don't do these things, the more joy you rediscover in your faith.
What will you not do today?
Power Verses:
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (NIV)
Psalm 34:18 "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NIV)
© 2014 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
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