Women of Grace
Winter Bible studies:
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Coming June 2, 2010
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Women of Grace |
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Women of Grace
A place to belong...A place to connect.
Growing in Christ
Reaching out to our community
Affirming our faith
Caring for others
Enriching women's lives
Our purpose is to help women become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ
Our vision is to be a spirit led, joy-filled, growing ministry that is committed to meeting the needs of all women within this congregation and our community.
Our values are what guide our leadership team as we plan programs and events that are worthwhile to your spiritual growth.
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We believe it is important to create a safe and secure environment where women will be loved and accepted.
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We believe a broad range of ministries that are powerful, fulfilling and relevant are necessary in order to minister effectively to the various needs of women in all stages of life.
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We believe God has given each woman talents and spiritual gifts that need to be encouraged, developed and given the opportunity to be used for His glory.
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We believe a one on one relationship is vital to a woman's spiritual growth and are committed to creating an atmosphere where this can occur.
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We believe we are called to reach out to the women in our community through acts of love, service, and support so they may come to know the Lord Jesus as their own personal Savior.
Our Prayer "And you, Women of Grace, acknowledge God and serve Him with wholehearted devoted and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you...be strong and do the work." ~I Chron. 28:9-10
But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. ~2 Corintians 2:14-15
ASAP, standing for
A ccountability
Sharing our dreams
Asking the tough questions
Praying for one another
If you have needs that you would like for the
Women of Grace Prayer Team to pray for,
please send your request to:
womenofgrace@flackmemorial.com
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Mounting Up in the Presence of God
By Mary Pendleton
Isaiah 40:28-31:
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understandings?
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
These verses remind us that our Heavenly Father never gets tired and always understands everything we go through. His strength never diminishes. Where does your strength come from? Do you often feel overwhelmed with all the duties of life? Do you ever think, "If I only had the energy of some of these young persons?" God gives us exactly enough energy if we wait upon Him. Our faith can rejuvenate us and help us to soar. Look at some of the women of the Bible. When Sarah was ninety years old, she was so beautiful that King Abimilech wanted her for his harem. Not only that but she and Abraham had a son and she live to see her son grown. Now, I realize that none of us aspire to have a baby when we are ninety but God will give us the strength and energy to do his will at any age. God gives power to the weak. Every person has a ministry and a purpose. No matter what your life is like, God will give you the energy to fulfill the plan He has for you. Psalm 103 says that God will fill your mouth with good things so your strength is renewed like the eagles. When we think of mounting up with strength like the eagle we need to think about the various birds. The little humming bird hovers in one place with its wings flapping rapidly. Other birds flap frantically as they fly. Sometimes we seem to try to use our strength as we minister and without waiting upon God we can get very tired. Now notice the majestic eagle. He mounts up and waits for the wind to glide him along as he stretches his beauty wings. Not only that but the winds from a storm are often the strongest winds to help the eagle glide. Think of it. We need to allow the storms of life to bring us closer to God and we will soar. Life seems more peaceful when we trust in God to help us do his will. There have been times in my life when I triedd to forge ahead. I thought I was doing God's will. I was teaching Sunday school, singing, had a nursing home ministry, a puppet ministry but I felt God was telling me to slow down and step aside and let others take over some of these duties. I just did not want to give up any of the activities even though I had others helping me who could do the job. However, when I asked my 14-year-old daughter to back up a friend's car one day at the swimming pool and as a result she accidentally ran over my leg, God slowed me down. Now God does not always do things like this to get our attention but we must wait on the Lord. Then we will run and not be weary and walk and not faint
Prayer: Lord, help us to remember where our strength comes from and to allow you to help us to glide above the cares of life and to reach out in love to others.
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Jan 2008
After Obedience? What?
"And straightway He constrained His disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side.." Mark 6:45
We are apt to imagine that Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God's purpose for us; His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. The question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end.
What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose for God. God is not working toward a particular finish; His end is the process?that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God.
God's training is for now, not presently. His purpose is for this minute, not for something in the future. We have nothing to do with the afterwards of obedience; we get wrong when we think of the afterward. What men call training and preparation, God calls the end.
God's end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present; if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.
The Cup of Life
There has to be some emptying, some pouring out, if I am to make room for the new. The spiritual journey is like that-a constant process of emptying and filling, of giving and receiving, of accepting and letting go.
The spiritual life is a journey about change.
The chosen cup...Isaiah 43:1-7 - "I have called you by name...you are mine...your are precious in my sight...and honored...and I love you".
The Cup's Rim
Notice the rim of a cup. It is circular, with no beginning or end, a symbol of wholeness. The spiritual life is a journey toward becoming whole, a day-to-day movement of continually growing into the person we are meant to be. But there is more to the cup than the brim.
The Cup's Shape & Character
As a cup has parameters, so to does our life so that we are not swept away into endless busyness and unguarded, unfocused activity. Without some boundaries or disciplines it is difficult to establish and stay on a spiritual path that has any depth and quality to it. As we open ourselves to spiritual growth, there is simply no part of our life that can be left out. Like a cup, our physical, psychological, and spiritual shape is unique to each of us. Life's experiences color and shape us into unique women. We can grow closer and deeper in our relationship with God through every situation, depending on our attitude, our openness, and our awareness.
The Cup's Content
What dwells or clutters the inside of your cup? Anger? Bitterness? Self Pity? Anxiety? Discontentment? Wordly things? (Coffee, tea, pop-"unpure") or spiritual things? God? Contentment? Forgiveness, Love, Grace? (Water-purity). Anything can be clutter, the good (water) and bad (coffee), if it keeps you totally absorbed in yourself and unaware of what God is offering to you. Inner clutter: anxiety, resentment, harsh judgment, self-pity, mistrust...can take up a lot of inner space, keep us in a pit.
Psalm 40:1-3
The Cluttered Cup--What is cluttering your life and preventing you from getting out of your pit and having intimacy with God? Fill your cup with the "clutter" then release it and pour it out. Sit in silence and meditate on the freedom of God's grace and forgiveness that awaits you. What should our cups content be?
Matthew 6:10-21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart is also."
The contents of your life are meant to be constantly given and shared in a generous gesture of compassion, just as the main purpose of the cup is to have its contents given away. Once we empty ourselves of those strongholds that hold us back spiritually, our spirit will be free to thirst for the deeper things of God, to be filled with His love. Cups are containers designed to hold something refreshing, just as we are containers meant to hold the divine Presence. The more I know how loved I am by God, the more my cup is filled . The more I am thirsting for more of God, how much more the cup has in it to receive. As the cup carries it's content, so God goes with me wherever I go. I carry God into each relationship and experience because I am the home of God.
Psalm 81:10, 16-Open your mouth wide and I will fill it... I would feed you with the finest wheat and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
God wants to fill your cup. Is God enough to fill your life????
John 15:1-11 "Abide in me as I abide in you",
1Cor. 3:16 "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
The Value of the Empty Cup
Being open/empty is a prerequisite for spiritual growth. God needs us to be open in our life in order for him to get through to us, to communicate with us, to nourish us, to stretch us towards greater growth, to revitalize and renew us with love. A deep joy is often associated with openness because openness leads to inner freedom and growth. Sometimes we may be half-full but we do not have much room to receive, due to the inner clutter that junks up and crowds our mind and hearts. Daily solitude with God is necessary for true emptying/cleaning. I am simply an empty cup until I am filled with the loving presence of God. The spiritual path is a constant cycle of emptying and filling, of drying and rinsing, of accepting and of letting go. The process of emptying can be painful but it can also be growthful. A great gift of being empty is that you cannot give but can only receive.
Phil. 2:1-11 we are told to"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself..."
As we empty the cup of ourselves, we have more space in our life for what is truly of value.
Psalm 63-Do you thirst for God? "Oh God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirst for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is not water."
Chipped Cup
The chipped cup defines character marks of our life. Life marks us both internally and externally. Our flaws can become some of our greatest treasure as it leads us closer to God. The flaws remind us daily of how much we need Him and of His grace!
Shadow of the Cup
The shadow of the cup can be viewed as the negative characteristic we refuse to believe to be a part of our life: stubbornness, greed, lust, hatred...but we can claim our shadow through Christ.
The Cleansed Cup
The cleansed cup may continue to carry stains. These stains can be character building traits that have lead us to God. If the cup is never washed, it will be full of grime from the clutter that was left in it. It has to "come clean" and allow God beauty to once again fill it. Again, solitude with God is necessary for true emptying/cleaning.
Psalm 51:10-Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and steadfast spirit within me."
Matt. 23:26-"First clean the inside of the cup so that the outside also may become clean."
The Broken Cup
The broken cup represents suffering, pain, tears, and life's obstacles. Our brokenness however can be instruments for change. How do you view your brokenness? Does it strengthen or weaken you?
John 16:20-"YOu will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy."
Mark 8:34-If anyone wants to become followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me."
It can be painful to do this.
Jeremiah 31:13-I will turn their morning into joy. I will comfort them."
Isaiah 43:18-19-"Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"
The Mended Cup
The mended cup is a cup that has been healed. Mending involves: naming and working with our unwanted emotions, letting go and letting God, trusting and yielding to God, receiving support from others, extending and receiving forgiveness.
God's Promise: Ez. 34:11-16 -...I will seek the lost, I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak."
The Cup Brimming Over
A cup brimming over symbolizes God's blessings and gifts in our life.
2 Cor. 4:5-12 "But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us."
If you were to describe your life in the form of a cup--how would you describe it? What is your cup, your life's shape and character? Is your cup empty, full or cluttered? Is your cup broken or chipped? Has it been mended? Is your cup clean or dirty? Are there stains? I pray in this New Year your cup is brimming over in the grace of God.
Instead of making resolutions this year, make a list of your expectation of yourself. Challenge yourself to let God be enough for you!
Who Holds the Key to your Heart?
Women of Grace
February, 2009
Who or what holds the key to your heart? Most of us know the right answer. If we are honest with ourself and each other, would we identify that God does indeed hold the key to our heart on a daily, minute-by-minute basis?
What does it take for God to hold the key to your heart? Mark Batterson in his book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" implies it takes a foolish-kind-of-faith. FOOLISH? Hang in here with me as I explain this concept.
Sometimes being "foolish" in the world's eyes is just the opposite in God's. Look at David when he danced over the return of the Ark of the Covenant to its rightful place. His wife found him to be foolish, God called him a man after His own heart. What about Noah and that ark? People laughed at him and called him crazy-they later drowned. Or Sarah pregnant in her 90's? Imagine the talk. What about the wise men following a star, or a man hanging on a cross for the sin of others? All things the world would see as foolish but God sees as faith. "A childlike faith that believes in limitless possibilities" as pen by pastor Batterson. That's the kind of faith I want. How about you?
Beth Moore in her book and Bible study Believing God has identify five key concepts to building your faith so that God will hold the Key to your heart. Daily you need to view these as a commitment:
À Commitment one: God is who He says He is. Faith doesn't exist with just
"Believing in God, it grows and ministers when we believe God is who He say's
He is
Exodus 3:14 "I am who I AM"
À Commitment two: God can do what He says He can do. Though we do not
experience the miracles of the New Testament as readily as they did in that time,
we are still surrounded by miracle and blessings today. A foolish-kind-of-faith
believed in what God can and will do in our lived.
Habakkuk 3:2 (NLT): " I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy."
À Commitment three: I am who God says I am. This may be the hardest
commitment for us to live by. So many times we allow our past to identify us but
the reality of who we are lies in God. We are chosen by Him, He forgives,
redeems, supplies mercy and grace. Hoe He see's us should define how we see
ourselves.
Eph 1:3-8 " 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding."
I Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
À Commitment four: I can do all things through Christ. (Phil 4:13). This
commitment speaks for itself. No matter what we are facing, stating and believing
these challenging words can re-direct our thinking and help us to persevere.
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
John 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
2 Cor. 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
À Commitment five: God's word us alive and active in me. This should be a goal
for us all. Daily time spent with God, memorizing His Word, prayer, prayer and
more paryer along with a commitment of the heart will make our faith active.
Joshua 1:8 "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Eph 6:17 "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Col 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
What is the result of an active faith? Joshua 3:5 sums it up well."Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." In other words, set yourself apart to God and he will distinguish Himself to you in ways more wonderful and miraculous than you ever imagine. Foolishly live out your faith. Actively live your faith. It is not just about believing in God, it's about believing God!
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me."
~Isa 43:10
Lord, we pray that the eyes of our heart will be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which you have called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, to experience your incomparably great power because we do more than just believe in You, we believe You. We ask for your power to work in and through our lives (Eph. 1:18-19). Amen.
In Him~Pamela Arnold
For my determined purpose is that I may know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers, and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even to His death, in the hope that if possible I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead even while in the body.~Philippians 3:10-11, Amplified
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Women of Grace, 2007
The Opal
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise" Psalm 51:17
I've always loved opals. Partly because that's my birthstone. But also because opals seem even more brilliant and full of fire than diamonds. Amazingly, this beauty comes from desert dust and silica from sand dunes. That's what opals are made of. The opal owes its beauty to a defect-it's stone with a broken heart. It's full of minute fissures that admit air; the air then refracts the light. Because of this defect, the opal is all the more brilliant.
You and I who have broken hearts are sometimes only conscious of the cracks and the fissures. But out of all of this God is making an opal heart. We must be broken of ourselves before we can give back the lovely hues of his light, including the fire, the brilliance. The Bible says that God can best use a heart that is broken and contrite. It is true in my life. When I'm self-sufficient and in control, my heart becomes a little hardened to other's needs. In fact, that self sufficient attitude even hardens my heart to God.
Ah, but then He breaks it....by a cutting-yet-true remark from a friend. Or rejection from someone whose opinion I respect. Or by a verse such as "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!"(1 Cor. 10:12). Sometimes something beautiful will break my heart...a special hymn or the testimony of someone who has suffered. Only when my heart is fractured, full of minute fissures, can God's love enter in and refract His own light.
Next time you see an opal, think of how you must be broken before you can give back the lovely hues of God's light. Let the opal remind you to thank God for a broken heart.
Lord of my heart, thank you that you use brokenness to create beauty and that my defects are tools to serve your purpose.
Author Unknown
Submitted by Pam Arnold
The Search For Peace
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace. The very word settles down in my soul and sits quietly there, hopeful and waiting. How I long for peace to well up to overflowing inside me. Instead, I search in vain for this elusive part of God's promise to me. Didn't Jesus say that He was leaving us with peace when He ascended into Heaven? Then where is my peace? How can I have peace in my life?
I make the mistake of seeking peace by trying to control my life, my circumstances and the people I love. Surely if I can exercise some control over what happens to me, then peace will be a byproduct of that control. Right? Yet, peace still eludes me. I realize that control is not the answer I had hoped for.
I know I am not the only woman who struggles with desiring to control my life. I think that it is in our nature to want to control things. When Adam and Eve were cursed by God, He told Eve, "Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you." (Genesis 3:16) God was telling Eve that her desire for control would be a struggle for the rest of her life. She would want to rule over things, yet that was not the responsibility God had assigned her. Eve and every woman after her has struggled with this ever since.
In my search for peace, I found that peace was not a product of control but the very opposite of it! I find peace when I surrender control. When I say to God, "I can't" I feel the absolute serenity of knowing that He can. I have found that being "out of control" is actually a very peaceful state of mind! When I am "out of control" I allow God complete control.
To help myself remember this valuable lesson, I developed an acronym for "Peace".
Purposefully
Embracing
All
Circumstances
Everyday
I don't have control and never will. When I purposefully embrace all the circumstances that God allows to come into my life, and accept that He has allowed them according to His perfect plan to accomplish His purposes, then I can experience the freedom He intended and experience the peace that passes all understanding. Try peace God's way today! It may not be what you expected, but I can testify that His peace is truly perfect peace.
My Prayer For Today
Dear Lord, Help me to embrace everything You allow in my life. Help me to surrender the control that I have tried to have and to trust You instead. Thank You for giving me perfect peace as You promised. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Application Steps
Write down the acronym for PEACE and the verse from John 14:27 on an index card. Carry it with you throughout your day. Ask God to help you surrender control and submit to His plans for you, whatever they may be. When you feel yourself starting to wrestle with your desire for control, reflect on the acronym and the verse on your card. Meditate on the Power Verses below. Spend more time in prayer seeking ways to give up control so that you can know God's peace.
Reflection Points
Why do you want to control things around you?
What steps can you take to lay down the control habit?
What does the Bible instruct about this?
In what ways will it benefit you to replace control with peace in your life?
Power Verses
"I have told you all these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14 (NIV)
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
By Marybeth Whalen
Proverbs 31 Ministry
April 2009 Women of Grace Devotional
by Shera Jay
1 Corinthians 1: 26-29 "26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things?and the things that are not?to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him.
When my husband Jim went through treatment for alcohol and drug addiction the very first part of the treatment was coming face to face with the raw fact that he was an alcoholic and addict. He had to come to a place where he had to admit who he was in reality, face it, face the facts about himself. My Mom and I were talking about the freedom that this brings, when you come to the end of your striving, end of yourself and face the facts about yourself. Jim now introduces himself many times (depending on the situation) like this "Hi, my name is Jim and I am an alcoholic and addict". My mom and I were talking about our freedom in Christ and the fact that facing who we are is so freeing. We decided our titles were pathetic. "Hi, my name is Shera I am pathetic."
This may sound like I have no self esteem and some of you may be saying how a mother could promote such a thought in her daughter. The answer is, it is the truth. Apart from Christ I am a liar, thief and murderer to list of few of my faults. Mt. 5:21-22 tells me if I have ever been angry with my brother I have killed him. I am sure my mother can tell you stories of countless lies I have told over the years to keep myself out of trouble. I could tell you stories of shadows of lies I have told so people would like me or think I was something I was not. I am sure I could go on for days with the list of reasons that if I truly face who I am I would have to come to the conclusion "I am pathetic". At first I said to my mom I would say I am a liar and a murderer, but when she said "I would say I am pathetic" I just thought that summed up who I am perfectly.
The real truth is we are all pathetic apart from Christ, but praise be to our amazing God he chose the pathetic of this world to deliver His message. So the next time you are faced with the pure ugly truth about yourself remember this is where we start. As in my husbands situation he will always be an alcoholic and an addict (recovering thankfully) and I will always be pathetic. I wouldn't want to be anything else, because God chose to use the base things, the pathetic of this life to deliver His message so I am the perfect candidate and just right for this high position in my Lords plan.
In John MacArthur's book "Hard to Believe" I quote:
"If we brought a bus load of movie stars, corporate titans, or Ivy League professors into our church (assuming they'd condescend to get on a bus), They'd look at us and laugh: "These people can't change the world!" No, we can't. But for those who remain faithful to the whole truth of Christianity, God is changing the world through us. He's been doing it all through history. "
God has been using the pathetic throughout history and He will use you to if you will face who you are. Romans 8:31. "What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
Shera :)
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Women of Grace 2008:
I am the Potter; you are my clay. I designed you before the foundation of the world. I arrange the events of each day to form you into this preconceived pattern. My everlasting Love is at work in every event of your life. On some days your will and Mine flow smoothly together. You tend to feel in control of your life when our wills are in harmony. On other days you feel as if you are swimming upstream, against the current of My purposes. When that happens, stop and seek My Face. The opposition you feel may be from Me, or it may be from the evil one.
Talk with Me about what you are experiencing. Let My Spirit guide you through treacherous waters. As you move through the turbulent stream with Me, let circumstances mold you into the one I desire you to be. Say yes to your Potter as you go through this day
A Mother's Greatest Gift.
"For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying of hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."
~2 Timothy 1:5-7
I came across this set of familiar verses in a Bible study from Charles Stanley this week and they serve as a good reminder and encouragement for all women. In backdrop leading to the verses above, Timothy had hit a point of discouragement in his ministry life. He was both frightened and exhausted when he received these refreshing words from Paul. Timothy was instructed in Paul's letter to recall his principles of faith that he learned as a young boy from his mother and grandmother. What a sweet reminder to us this May as we celebrate motherhood and our children's achievements at the end of a school year.
"The greatest gift children can receive is the gift of godly faith" (Stanley, 2007).
Just like in today's world, Timothy's mother lived in a spiritually and emotionally challenging environment. Timothy's father was Greek and it is believed his spiritual training rested on his mothers shoulders. Even today, we see the spiritual training resting on a mothers shoulders, even a grandmothers shoulders or even an aunt. So how does one raise godly children? Dr. Stanley gives seven P's to raising godly children and I will summarize his message for you:
Principle
Be sure to teach your children that God loves them and has a plan for them (Jeremiah 29:11). Once they grasp these essential principles they have a solid foundation for overcoming life's challenges. To begin teaching this principle, one must develop a meaningful relationship with their child and this begins when a parent listens to their child, really listens. Dr. Stanley caution parents in the feeling that they must preach to their children from an open Bible. "If a child senses he is going to be scolded with scripture, he will turn away from it". Listen to the problem first, and then open the Bible for God's answers to that problem. The child will be more open to telling you what is on his heart if he knows you will be understanding. He will also grow up knowing he can turn to God for answers to his problems.
Pattern
We all have life patterns. Some life patterns are good (like that of Hannah, Samuel's mother who was devoted to prayer) and some life patterns are not so good (like Eve who laid the ground work for disobedience in Cain's life). What are you teaching your children by your life? Ask God to make you sensitive to any destructive patterns you may be building in your child's life and pray for wisdom and guidance in developing patterns that will carry them through. My own children have learned how valuable my quiet time with God is each morning, and I hope and pray this pattern will be evidenced in their own life one day.
Persistence
God has called all parents to endure, especially when a child seems distant and unresponsive. God has also promised to supply us with the wisdom and strength we need as parents. "By staying the course, firmly speaking truth, and not condemning or belittling your children, you are setting a pattern of faithfulness for them to follow later in life."
Participation
One of the best ways to show our children they are loved is to be on their team, involved in every aspect of their life. "The way your child see's you is the way he or she will grow up to view God". In the end, they will grow up to view God as a team player.
Praise
We all know the best way to motivate our children is through praise not ridicule. If our children see us fail in areas of our own life, and they will, but see us rely on God's word for our strength and hope, they will learn that God will believe in them also. If God is willing to give us second and third and fourth chances (it is called grace) should we not also imitate our Savior and display his amazing grace to our children first and foremost? "Try praising your children when they do something right, and encourage them to try again when they fail."
Prayer
"When faith and prayer connect, our perspective changes." If as parents we live a life that shows a faith and trust in God in all circumstances, our children will also recognize God's responsibility and ownership in their life circumstance. Our children will learn to imitate our faith! A mother's prayer is her strongest ally for her children.
Priority
"No matter how packed life becomes, make God your first priority, and you will experience His blessings". Make sure to demonstrate God is in your life, not just on Sunday mornings. "When you life is caught up in Him, then He will give you the wisdom to teach your children and prepare them for the future." The greatest gift a mother, a grandmother of even an aunt can give a child is the gift of godly devotion.
Pray daily that God will help you to maintain a godly focus in your life so that no matter what takes place, you will have the wisdom and ability necessary to help succeed in raising your children and grandchildren in the Lord.
By His Grace~
Pamela Arnold, May 2007
A Sunny Perspective
Philippians 4:7-9, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (NIV)
Devotion:
It sounds so dream-like to dress your little darlings in clothes that match, hear them say that you are the best mom in the world, bake cookies together in the afternoon, and relish their sweet spirits while listening to their bedtime prayers. But woven all around the ideal moments are whiney voices, childish attitudes, sibling fights, strong-wills, messy accidents, snotty noses, stained clothes, and strained nerves. It all comes down to choosing what to focus on, for those things will become what's most magnified.
Re-read today's key verse above. Let's take a look at each section and bring it home in everyday motherhood terms:
Whatever is true: It is a blessing to be a mom. Many women have empty arms and would do anything to have children. There are hard days, but they won't last forever and God will fill the gaps as we walk in obedience with Him.
Whatever is noble: A noble mom recognizes that children are taught most effectively by example. They may remember what you say momentarily, but they remember what they see for a lifetime.
Whatever is right: A Christian's pursuit is to exemplify Christ-likeness. This involves making right choices that honor God. View each choice as one step toward your ultimate destination.
Whatever is pure: Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." If I want to see God in my home, I must seek to purify my heart. If I want to see God in my marriage, I must seek to purify my heart. If I want to see God in my children's lives, I must seek to purify my heart. If I want to see God in my everyday life, I must seek to purify my heart.
Whatever is lovely: If someone were to ask me about being a mom, what is the look that would cross my face? Is my facial expression lovely? Am I smiling, or scowling? What would my kids say is my view of motherhood?
Whatever is admirable: The investment of time and energy you put into being a mom is admirable. The sacrifices you make are admirable. The love you have for your children is admirable. Nurturing, protecting, and caring for them is admirable. While the world may not esteem you, and while your kids may not rise up to call you blessed today, God notices, and He says you are admirable.
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy: The calling of being a mom is reason for great celebration and joyous praise to the Lord. You are participating in shaping a life for eternity. Even if you've struggled, choose to pursue excellence from this day forward. Praise God for second chances and mercies that are new every morning.
Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that whatever I choose to focus on will be magnified in my sight. Help me to focus on You today, and the blessings You have placed in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Teach your children through your example of choosing to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable.
Reflections:
Are you being robbed of the joys of motherhood today because of what you are focusing on? I often find that even when my children anger me to no end, if I choose to focus on the lovely, the excellent and praiseworthy, and the pure things surrounding the situation, I frequently have the opportunity to make them into teachable moments. It then allows me to look back at the situation with no regrets.
Power Verses:
Psalm 4:6-7, "Many are asking, ?Who can show us any good?' Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." (NIV)
Psalm 119:15, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways." (NIV)
Romans 13:14, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (NIV)
Soul Food On My Table
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
Jeremiah 15:16
It's amazing how some folks act when you mention the words "soul food" to those people who really enjoy it. They get that longing in their eyes. Their mouths begin watering, and they begin to use wonderful descriptive words to describe the flavor, aroma, and taste of it. They get excited about the mere mention of "soul food." Do we get that way when we hear the mere mention of God's Word, the Bible? It is our soul food and yet how many of us get as excited over that as some people do over cornbread, collard greens, or fried green tomatoes? Do we get a longing in our eyes? Do our mouths water? God's Word is full of flavor, aroma and taste. Our verse says that,
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them;
and they word was unto me the joy
and rejoicing of mine heart...."
Jeremiah 15:16
Soul food is usually considered to be the most satisfying food there is. God's Word is the most amazing soul food and can satisfy us beyond measure. Think of all the wonderful things found in the Bible that we can feast upon. There are promises, comfort, direction and instruction, salvation, love, joy and wisdom. The list could go on and on. The menu is full.
There is only one thing we need to do as we sit down to feast on the Word of God. We have to partake of it. We can have the most wonderful food on our table. The table can be set with the most exquisite tablecloths and napkins. The china can be the most expensive in the world. The crystal can be glowing and the silverware be shining. The food can look and smell tantalizing. The table can be beautiful, but if we never eat any of the food it will not fill us up or satisfy. We must eat.
Reading, studying, and memorizing the Word of God is the only way we can taste of it and we must do it daily. If we only ate physically once or twice a month we would starve. We wouldn't have anything to sustain us. The same is true with the Word of God. We must constantly go back for more. Let's take our napkins, open the Book, feast together, and see what morsels we can find inside.
How to really enjoy Soul Food
1. Desire
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
1 Peter 2:2
2. Memorize
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Psalm 119:11
3. Meditate
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Joshua 1:8
4. Study
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:15
So, have you had some Soul Food today?
Higher Lord!
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Prayer is amazing. To know that we as Christians can tap into the almighty power of God just because we are His children is such a wonderful thing. Think about God's power for a few moments. We see it in creation, in the plagues of Egypt, in Daniel in the lion's den, in Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace, in the miraculous story of safety, and in Noah and the flood. We pray to the same God and that should be exciting to us as Christians.
The power of prayer can lift us to new heights and we begin to fly like kites. We can sail along because we know we can bring our petitions and situations to an Almighty God who loves and cares for us, yet has the power to change things.
We can fly because God has the power to change our lives.
Think about Paul. Before he met Christ his name was Saul, and he went around persecuting Christians, but God changed him. Paul's whole life was changed. His thoughts, attitudes, his whole mission in life changed for God's glory. It's the same God that has power to change us as well.
We can fly because God has the power to change those around us.
Is there someone you know whom you are concerned about in the area of salvation? Keep praying. Is there someone around you such as a co-worker who seems to constantly bug you and get you down? Make them a matter of prayer. God can change the people around us.
We can fly because God has the power to change our circumstances.
Ever felt like your kite of life hit a tree? I've been through my share of circumstances and I know first hand that circumstances can knock the wind right out of your sails. With a few bad circumstances your kite can come tumbling down. You might not be able to do anything about those circumstances on your own but God can do something about them.
Look at how the circumstances changed in Joseph's life. Remember how Joseph was put into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery? He even ended up in prison, but God had a way of changing the circumstances for Joseph till he became the ruler over all that Pharaoh had. That's our God that did that. The same one we pray to is able to change the circumstances we face.
We can fly because God has the power to heal.
We have several examples in the bible of how Jesus healed the sick and lame. We have that same power available to us through prayer. Not only can Christ heal physically but He has the power to heal our hurts and feelings as well.
Maybe you feel like your kite has a big hole in it where someone wronged you or you're going through a situation that is leaving you just torn apart and a little ragged inside. Your life may seem to be heading down in a spiral motion. Make it a matter of prayer and let that wonderful healing power of Christ lift you back up into the air again.
We can fly because God has the power to sustain.
Maybe you feel like your kite of life got stuck in the telephone wires somewhere along the way and you're absorbing just a little bit too much shock. God has the power to lift you above that and sustain you. I think of Joseph again. He endured a lot but God brought him through it.
Look how David relied on God's strength when Saul was seeking to kill him. David prayed and cried out continuously to God and God brought him through all of that. We still have the same God to sustain us as we fly through life. He gives us the strength and courage to keep flying along. Look at Paul and his ailment that seemed to just be a continual bother to him. What did God show him?
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
It really encourages me to think about these things that God has the power to do in our lives, in our circumstances, and in the lives of others around us. When we think all we can do is float down, down, down, we need to tap into that awesome power of God by way of prayer. With prayer we can be lifted to new heights.
So, how's your prayer life flying?
Grow Strong In Your Weakness
Some of My children I've gifted with abundant strength and stamina. Others, like you, have received the humble gift of frailty. Your fragility is not a punishment, nor does it indicate lack of faith. On the contrary, weak ones like you must walk by faith, depending on Me to get you through the day. I am developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. Your natural preference is to plan out your day, knowing what will happen when. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness.
James 4:13-15 Isaiah 40:31
Women of Grace, September 2009
We are doing a study on holiness that is so rich and so convicting. I feel compelled to share it here. I do not have a funny story or life event to go along with it. In fact, it is more sobering if anything.
How many times have you heard someone address a situation with the words "victorious" or "defeated"? How about when it is used by Christians? Such as "I have been victorious in my christian walk" or "I am defeated when it comes to [name a stronghold]". I grew up with those kinds of word-pictures as it related to sin. A relationship of being victorious or defeated. A viscous cycle of victory or defeat.
Here's a different way to look at it...
Its time for us Christan's to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are "defeated" by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be good if we stopped using the terms "Victory" and "defeat" to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms "obedience" and "disobedience". ~Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
Chew on that for a bit and tell you don't come back humbled, even shamed.
Holiness is dying to self, dying to sin and choosing to live for Christ. God gives us the Holy Spirit when we choose Him. Through the Holy Spirit we are able to see the eternal implementations of sin as God sees it. Boy, do we fall short with this view sometimes? Do we often slip into satans grip and fail? Is it really just a mere "defeat" or is the truth of the matter that we have chosen to sin, chosen to be disobedient.
To me, that is a much harsher picture that shakes my spiritual core and penetrates my heart and mind.
"When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from my responsibility I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may, in fact, be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey. We have chosen ti entertain lustful thoughts, or to harbor resentment, or to shade the truth a little." ~Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
Though the Holy Spirit helps us to live holy lives, free from the control of sin, it requires our action, our obedience. You "put to death" sin. You can't just sit back and expect the Holy Spirit to do all the work. You must make an effort to be holy.
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live ~Rom 8:13
Victory and defeat are words that I am well acquainted with in my spiritual walk. But as I put on my spiritual glasses and look closer, I now see obedience and disobedience as I examine my life. How about you?
Oh Holy Father, help us to live by the Spirit, so that we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Gal 5:16). Forgive us when we have looked at sin with shaded glasses. Forgive us when we have not taken the responsibility for our defeats as disobedience.
In His Graces~Pamela
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Demonstrate your trust in Me by sitting quietly in My Presence. Put aside all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything. This sacred time together strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring. By waiting with Me before you begin the day's activities, you proclaim the reality of My living Presence. This act of faith----waiting before working----is noted in the spirit world, where your demonstration of trust weakens principalities and powers of darkness.
The most effective way to resist evil is to draw near to Me. When you need to take action, I will guide you clearly through My Spirit and My Word. The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction. Doing countless unnecessary activites will dissipate your energy. When you spend time with Me, I restore your sense of direction. As you look to Me for guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more.
Luke 12:22-26 Ephesians 6:12 Proverbs 16:3
DANGEROUS WOMEN
CREED
DEAR GOD,
please make us dangerous women.
May we be women who acknowledge our power
to change, and grow, and be radically alive for God.
May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs.
May we weep with those who weep and
speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
May we cherish children, embrace the elderly,
and empower the poor.
May we pray deeply and teach wisely.
May we be strong and gentle leaders.
May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.
May we never hesitate to let passion push us,
conviction compels us, and righteous anger energize us.
May we strike fear into all that is unjust
and evil in the world.
May we dismantle abusive systems and
silence lies with truth.
May we shine like stars in a darkened generation.
May we overflow with goodness in the name of God
and by the power of Jesus.
And in that name and by the power,
may we change the world.
Dear God, please make us dangerous women.
AMEN.
Excerpted from Lynne Hybel's book
Nice Girlse Don't Change the World
Women of Grace
November, 2009
A Kept Woman
I Am a 'Kept ' Woman
You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34 )
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept '
I'm 'Kept' by the Love and Grace of God
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Unplug the Holiday Machine
The holidays are a cherished treasure for most families but they can also be a time of loneliness, frustration, and busyness. It is the desire of most to have holidays in which families are together and happy, where children are well behaved and grateful, wives are nurturing and beautiful, and husbands kind, generous, and appreciative. We invision enough money and time, everyone having fun, and being warm, safe, and truly loved. We want to believe this is possible, right? Is it?
The holidays have become so commercialized with happiness being sought in the right gift, the beautiful decorations and a banquet overflowing with mouth watering food. Many times with this we find disappointment and stress. What are the first three words that come to your mind when I say "the holidays"? Be honest. Is it about the colors, the gifts, the time with family? Is it about shopping, preparing meals, decorating the home or gift giving? What is the reason for the season?
Setting family traditions is a valuable practice. Incorporating meaning into the holidays are carried on through our children. How would your children describe your holiday season? What are they seeing? What are they going to take with them to their own children? One or two simple adjustments can bring back the joy of the holidays and help us to focus on the true meaning of the holidays-the blessings of our Heavenly Father.
According to Robinson and Staeheli in their book "Unplug the Christmas Machine", children have 4 basic needs during the holidays: (1) a relaxed and loving time with their parents and family, (2) realistic expectations about gifts, (3) an evenly paced holiday season, and (4) reliable family traditions. One family had the tradition of taking a day to put up the two family Christmas trees and then spend time together watching a movie and enjoying hot chocolate. The mother stated the tradition had become too task-oriented and time consuming and in the busyness of getting everything done in a timely manner and having the trees look just right, frustrations would come out. By the end of the evening, the family would be too angry and annoyed to enjoy each others company. The mother stated she no longer demands the need for two Christmas trees or for the ornaments to be "just right". Now, they only decorate the one tree. She allows the children to decorate the tree as they wish and the laughter and fun has again returned to the family tradition.
Our blended family has a Christmas tradition we started our first year together. Before or after we have our family time of opening presents we have a birthday cake for Jesus and a time to reflect on what we can give to our Savior as a gift for the next year. We each privately write our gift to Jesus on a small Christmas note card and place it in a metal Christmas tin to hold until the next Christmas. Each year since we have been able to look back and reflect at what we had vowed to give Christ from our hearts before we write our new gift for the upcoming year. It is a special time of bringing Christ into our Christmas. In reality, we should probably remind ourselves monthly of the gift we have vowed to our Savior. Another family does this but they place their written gift from their heart into the stocking that is hung for Jesus at the fireplace.
Another family takes part in a special gift giving activity. They each choose someone who has blessed them over the past year and buy them an inexpensive gift. They place a letter of appreciation for what they had done or meant to them over the past year in the gift and wrap it in gold paper placing a gold bow on top. Then, together, as a family, they spend an evening together and drive to the homes of the recipients. The gift giver places the gift at the door and after ringing the doorbell, they run like crazy to the car and drive away, not to be seen.
What special family tradition do you have? Are you able to spend quality time with your family amidst the holiday bustle? What are your priorites and what is being honored at the Thanksgiving table or around that Christmas tree?
Maybe as you approach the holidays this year, you can commit yourself to
? Remember those people who truly need your gifts
? Express your love in more direct ways than a gift
? Examine your holiday activities in the light of your deepest values
? Be a peacemaker within your circle of family and friends
? Rededicate yourself to spiritual growth with the One who is the reason for the season!
Is it time to unplug the holiday machine?
I am the Lord's Servant
Women of Grace Devotional
December 2008
"I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."
~Luke 1:38
God, as evidenced through scripture and throughout history, has seemed to use the most unlikely people in the most unusual way to perform His perfect will. So why Mary? What is her story? Where was she when the angel approached her with the news that was about to change her life? What can we learn from her? Joanna Weaver in her latest book "Having a Mary Spirit" devoted a complete chapter to this subject. The following concepts of this chapter was presented as the devotion in the December Women of Grace gathering.
There is more than just a prophesy being fulfilled here. Though Mary was not perfect, she had a submitted, trusting spirit. She let God call the shots and then went along for the ride. She was a women willing to say "yes" to God-to lay down her own hopes and dreams so that His plans and purposes could come to pass, not matter the cost. God is looking for women today with this same spirit. It's amazing what God can do with a heart surrendered to Him. A heart that says "yes" in spite of the cost. A Mary Heart linked with a Mary Spirit.
What can we learn from Mary's spirit from her story recorded in Scripture?
Mary displayed an obedience and willingness to say yes to God.
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
She demonstrated a heart that believed the impossible and responded with praise.
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant..."~Luke 1:47-48
She demonstrated a submission to God's will and His timing.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ~Luke 2:19
She demonstrated a heart that made request but refused to make demands (Jn 2:5)
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." ~John 2:5
Most of all she exemplifies a heart of love that followed Christ to the cross and to itself so that it might live with Him. She worshiped and adored Him for the treasure that He is.
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ~Acts1:14
Our prayer this season should be that as penned by this author at the end of this chapter:
"I want my life to be a Bethlehem. I want to be a portal though which Christ may come into my world. I want my heart to be a womb in which Jesus is not only birthed, but also a throne from which He rules and reigns".
Imagine what Christ can do with our lives if we but say "May it be to me as you have said"...not matter the circumstances...no matter the cost.
Mary was a women willing to say yes to God, to lay down her own hopes and dreams so that His plans and purposes could come to pass. Are you?
Other recommended books: "What Happens When Women say YES to God" by Lysa TerKeurst
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Women of Grace
December Devotional, 2007
What Happens When Women Say YES to God?
As we end another year and begin a new one, the title of the book above by Lysa TerKeurst is inspiring and convicting for the Christian women. What does it mean to say "yes" to God for today's women? In the busyness of our life, what does it mean to be radically obedient to our Lord? Is it truly possible to say "yes" amidst all the pain, suffer and failures we often are faced with?
A heart that says "yes" to God is a soul that longs for more of Him. A woman with a "yes" heart awakens each morning with a prayer that says, "God, I want to see you. God, I want to hear you. God, I want to know you. God, I want to follow hard after you. And even before I know what I will face today. I say yes to you" (pp. 14). She has a heart that does whatever God ask of her. She is passionately committed to know and hear her Savior. Her gaze is on her Savior only. Her heart and actions are only influenced by His thoughts of her and not the thoughts of others. She persistently communicates with Him no matter her frame of mind.
The only way to recognize what God wants from us is to know Him. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength in Deuteronomy 6:5. Truly the only way to know Him more is to know His Word more. What is holding you back from a deeper relationship with Him? Time? Commitments? Past hurts? People? Is not our relationship with God the most eternally significant relationship we have?
In this book, Lysa states "There is no magic formula for being able to discern God's voice. We can learn to recognize it the way we recognize the voices of those who are close to us: by knowing Him. And when we know Him, we can tell if what we're feeling led to do is from Him or not". We must get into the Bible and allow God's word to get into us. She goes on to give five key questions to ask yourself when you are trying to determine if what you are hearing is from God or not:
- Does what I'm hearing line up with scripture?
- Is it consistent with God's character? Refer to Gal. 5:22-23 for God's characteristics and ask yourself: is what I am hearing consistent with God's love, joy, peace, etc?
- Is it being confirmed through messages I'm hearing at church or studying in my quiet times? When God is speaking to you about a particular issue, you will not be able to escape it!
- Is it beyond me? The beauty of doing things beyond ourselves is that we will know it was by God's doing and His alone.
- Would it please God? You should always seek to err on the side of pleasing God.
Being a woman who says "yes" to God may require you to make some sacrifices along the way. You may find you need to change some areas of your life, your way of thinking, maybe your way of living. You may be called to be transformed and renewed into His image. Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will."
May your hearts aspiration be to seek desire, discipline, discernment, direction and delight. Ask God daily for the desire to want Him more than anything else in your life. Ask Him for the discipline to make your relationship with Him your top priority. Ask Him for the discernment to know the difference between your own thoughts and His voice. Ask for clear direction at each crossroad in your life. Ask for a relationship with Him that is characterized by sheer delight rather than a sense of duty. Remember the words of Jeremiah 29:13 in which God promises "you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
What happens when women say "yes" to God? As the book cover conveys, they "experience life in extraordinary ways"! It will be a journey of unpredictable joy and purpose, a life full of God's blessing as you give Him your genuine passion and wholehearted radical obedience. It's a life that chooses to live in God's truth and not in Satan's lies. It's a life that calls out daily for the Spirit of God to dwell in and through you. It's a life of peace, built from the emptiness and failures that draws one close to Him. Now is the time for commitment and surrender. Now is the time for radical obedience and dependence on the one who gave His all for us. Commit yourself today and in this New Year to say "YES" to God!
I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts His praises!
My body rests in safety.
Psalms 16: 7-9 (NLT)
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Tools for Transformation
Developing a Quiet Time
Carving out a regular time and place to hear from God has truly transformed my life. As I sit quietly before Him, read my Bible and other devotional materials, write in my journal and pray, He leads me in the way I should go.
Memorizing Scripture
When I am struggling in a certain area, I've found that memorizing verses on that topic is especially helpful. Hiding God's Word in my heart not only changes my thinking; it stores up spiritual provision for future need.
Listening To Others
I'm thankful for the Christian wisdom I glean from books, sermons, Bible studies and godly friends--faithful mentors who proclaim, "This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isaiah 30:21, KJV).
Journaling the Journey
It isn't enough for me to see my face in the mirror of God's Word; I must respond with obedience. I've found that regular journaling--keeping track of both my own thoughts and what I perceive the Lord is saying to me--reminds me of God's faithfulness and keeps me accountable.
Gathering with the Body
I pursue every opportunity to meet with God's people--from prayer groups to church services to retreats and conferences. When two or more are gathered together, God is there and we are changed.
Altering My Ego
Responding to God by going to the altar has changed my life. Whether I'm at home or church, bowing my knee as well as my heart nails down my commitment to obey what He is speaking to my heart.
The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power...
and you will be changed into a different person.
1 Samuel 10:6
**Excerpt from "Having A Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver
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