Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

November 9, 2012
It's Time to Do Something!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another - (1 John 4:11, NIV).

Friend to Friend
I could not tear my eyes away from the television screen as the 33 miners began to emerge from the depths of what could have been their mass grave. The men had been trapped for more than two months in the collapsed Chilean copper mines nearly half a mile underground. Everything I have read or heard about the tragedy is extraordinary.

The miners survived the early days by rationing food and working together as a team. Each man was assigned a job, one of which was to maintain peace and harmony until they were rescued. The selfless mining supervisor who insisted on being the last to leave his underground prison showed the world what it really means to put others first. I was amazed at the selflessness of the rescue worker who became the initial guinea pig for the rescue capsule and then chose to stay behind – alone - while the world celebrated above.

I wonder how long it will take us to forget. How long will we remember that the world came together to save a group of strangers? Will the powerful lessons of their rescue make any difference in the way we treat each other?

We all know what it is like to be trapped in a pit of some kind. It is probably not a collapsed mine, but pits are all basically the same.

Our world has collapsed under the weight of fear and pain.
No one seems to care. In fact, a lot of people have written us off as a lost cause.
People are too busy to recognize or understand our hopelessness.
Darkness prevails and rescue seems impossible.
We are wounded, sick and tired.
Civil war rages in our soul as we struggle to obey God instead of giving in to sin.

I truly believe that every day is filled with divine appointments – opportunities to rescue people who are trapped in some kind of pit. We miss the emptiness reflected in the eyes of the sales clerk or we simply choose to ignore the homeless man begging for money so he can buy food. After all, we are in a hurry and have more important things to do. The sales clerk would probably be embarrassed if I said anything and that homeless man would probably just use the money I gave him for drugs or alcohol.

The ringing phone is someone in need, but we don't care enough to answer. Our neighbor does not know God, but her life is a mess and we really don't want to get involved. Instead of taking action and doing what we know God wants us to do, we decide it is enough to pray for that neighbor and leave the messy part of God's work to someone else.

I am so guilty of walking away from someone in need instead of running to their rescue. I am in pain, too, and my pain is more important than theirs. I may not actually say those words, but I don't have to. My actions are blatant illustrations of my own egotism and self-absorption.

I do not want to be like the priest who nonchalantly strolled by the wounded and bleeding man lying on the road. I want to be like the Good Samaritan who stopped and saved the wounded man's life. I want to be "God with skin on."

A tired father came home from work, grabbed his newspaper, and settled into his favorite chair with a sigh of relief. All he wanted was a little peace and quiet. All that his young son wanted was his daddy. The little boy raced into the room and asked, "Dad, can I get you something to drink?" The man lowered his newspaper, smiled and replied, "No, thanks. I'm not thirsty. I just want to read the paper." He then raised his newspaper and resumed reading. The little boy thought for a moment and then said a little louder, "Dad, can I get you something to eat?" The slightly exasperated father lowered his paper and said, "No, Son. I just want to read the paper!" As the father resumed his reading, the little boy tried again. "Dad, can I get you ... ", but before the little boy could finish his question, the now irritated father lowered his paper and demanded, "What is it that you want, Son?" The little boy sighed and gazed into his father's eyes as he explained, "I don't want anything, Dad. I just love you so much that I have to do something about it."

One day, just as rescue workers descended into that Chilean mine, Jesus Christ will descend into this broken world and rescue us from the pit of human frailty. Until then, let's be His hands and feet. Let's love Him so much that we just have to do something about it.

Let's Pray
Father, I come to You today with a heart of praise for the way You meet every need in my life and for how You constantly rescue me from the darkness. I want Your heart, Lord. I want to be Your hands and feet to the people You place in my path. Give me eyes to see their need and the courage to do something about it. Please guard my heart against pride and selfishness. I want to please and honor You alone. In Jesus's name, amen.

Now It's Your Turn
It is sometimes hard to love someone in need, but God calls us to look beyond their rough exterior and see the pain hidden there.

Read Ephesians 4:2. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Notice the action words. What would your daily life look like if you took action and lived out this verse?

Is there someone in your life who is hurting? How can you ease their pain?
Is there someone in your life who is wounded? How can you help them heal?
Is there someone in your life who has fallen into some kind of pit? How can you help rescue them?

Make a specific plan to meet a specific need in someone's life today. Then do something about it!

More from the Girlfriends
We are living in tough times. It is easy to get so wrapped up in our own problems that we fail to see the needs of others. Today, I am issuing a challenge to all girlfriends! Look around. Find someone in need and take action. We are never more like our Father than when we love and serve someone in His name.

I would love to hear your story! How did God use you to meet a need in the life of someone? How did someone meet your need?

Is there someone in your life who needs a friend? Do you need to learn how to be a better friend? Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Study, I Need a Friend.

Looking for a Bible Study? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey and learn how to deal with the anger in your life. (Join now and have access to all lessons covered in 2012 including a study on the armor of God, how to tame your tongue and how to live a balanced life.) Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

Taking a Leap of Faith
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"I can do everything through him (Jesus) who gives me strength," (Philippians 4:13 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Several years ago, on a trip to Kauai, my husband and our friends, Larry and Cynthia Price, decided to go on a zip line through the jungle. After being jostled and tossed like ragdolls in the back of a retired army jeep, we finally made it to the top of the mountain from which we were going to zip down—risking life and limb I might add.

I hopped out of the jeep and eyed the cable suspended high above the valley below. After watching Cynthia fly through the trees, I climbed up onto a wooden platform and surrendered to Jack, a jovial, burly Hawaiian, who strapped me into a harness and placed a helmet on my head. With a simple click of a metal buckle, he attached my harnessed body onto a seemingly flimsy steel cable. As I stood on the edge of the platform eyeing the disappearing earth below my feet, I had a choice. I could say, "no thanks" and ask to be released from the cable, or I could jump.

I chose to jump. My body flew over the treetops and the stunningly beautiful gorge. I was Tarzan's Jane and this was my jungle. Airborne. Exhilarating. Risky.

Jacob was with us that day. He was a stranger among our little band of adventurers. Jacob was alone. No friends. No spouse. No family.

"Jacob, what brings you up to this mountain today?" I asked.

"I'm afraid of heights," he answered.

I then noticed the thin line of perspiration beading over his upper lip. The slight tremble in his voice. The mechanical one-foot-in-front-of-the-other halted gait up the hill.

"You're afraid of heights?" I asked. "Then why are you here?"

"I'm going to conquer it today," he determinedly answered.

I was struck. We were here to have fun. He was here for a totally different reason. When Jacob stood on that platform, I prayed for my new friend. For Jacob this was not just a joy ride...or just maybe it was.

I'm not saying that God told Jacob to go to the top of a mountain, attach his body to a flimsy cable, and fly over the gorge at the risk of life and limb. But I am saying that obedience often requires a leap of faith. Too often we say yes to God, but live the no because of fear. We stand at the precipice of belief and a decision has to be made. Am I going to trust God or not? Am I going to attach my heart to the cable of His love and take a leap of faith, or am I going to freeze in fear because I don't trust that He has my best interest in mind? Am I going to settle for safety and miss the thrill of seeing God work through me?

As we live and move and have our being in Jesus, God will take us to some amazing places. And there will always be a choice. Will we jump headlong into the adventurous journey of His perfect plan, or will we hang back for lack of faith? Jacob stood on the platform, took a deep breath, and jumped. He flew over the treetops, careened over the river, and landed safely on the other side of his greatest fear.

We clapped and cheered. Jacob took a bow. God smiled.

In Him we live and move and have our being...and sometimes we soar.

Let's Pray
Lord, sometimes I'm just flat out afraid. Afraid I'll fail. Afraid I'll be rejected. Afraid I won't be good enough. Lord, forgive me for all those "I's." Forgive me for focusing on my weaknesses rather than Your strength. Today, I'm believing that I can do all things that You call me to do because I know that You will give me the strength I need.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Is there anything in your life that God has called you to do that you haven't done?

What's holding you back?

What are you afraid of?

Who are you afraid of?

Do you need to have a little talk with yourself? David did it all the time. He spoke to his soul.

What do you need to tell yourself today? Click over to my blog page or Facebook page and tell me what you're going to tell yourself today. Also, I have a post of me on the zip line. Really. I did do it!

More from the Girlfriends
Do you need to learn how to trust God in a bigger way? If so, our Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure is the book for you! The name? What else...Trusting God. Check it out at www.girlfriendsinGod.com. There is even a free video to watch of me telling this story.

My new book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is all about raising your expectations to experience the full, abundant life that Jesus came to give. If you've settled for a ho-hum, so-so, Christian life, it is time to start enjoying the abundant life Jesus came to give. God wants you to experience His presence every day through moments of sudden glory where He makes His presence known. Ready to get started? Download a free sample chapter or watch the videos on my website!

[Judy Harder]

November 13, 2012
Treasures of Darkness
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Isaiah 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Friend to Friend
I love a great movie. To me, a movie is only great -- no matter what any movie critic says or how many stars the film is granted -- when good wins over evil, the right guy gets the right girl, nobody gets hurt and everyone lives happily ever after. A bit naive, I know, but I have decided that there is enough harsh reality traipsing through my daily life without paying to see more on a movie screen. When I sit down in that cushy theatre seat, popcorn and soda in hand, I want happy endings.

With these criteria in mind, I went to see the movie, "Seabiscuit." God has a way of wrapping remarkable truths in unremarkable circumstances. There I was, munching and sipping away, minding my own business and enjoying my brief respite from the real world when his words echoed through the movie theater and slammed into my soul.

"You don't throw a whole life away just because it's a little banged up," he said. I was done. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the movie, but those simple words were written just for me and lingered long after the movie's credits scrolled across the movie screen. We are all "banged up a little" by life. I know what it feels like to be broken and in pain. And I do not like it – a fact that seems meaningless when it comes to facing and dealing with tough experiences in my life. The hits just keep coming. I have a choice to make. I can embrace the pain and brokenness in my life and learn from it, or I can surrender to the darkness and hide – and hope it all goes away. Trust me, girlfriend. It doesn't.

Our son, Jered, played football all the way through college. Over the years, he endured several injuries, but as a junior in high school, Jered experienced his first surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot. The orthopedic doctor explained exactly what he would do during surgery. "First of all, I will remove the scar tissue that has formed around the break. I will then insert a metal screw to connect the broken bones." As he spoke, I was comforted by my mind's depiction of a shiny thin and smooth metal screw resting gently in my son's foot. There are times when ignorance is a blessing.

The surgery went well and after two weeks, I took Jered in for a follow-up visit during which his foot was once again X-rayed to make sure it was healing properly. The doctor walked in, smiling and waving an X-ray in his hand. "Your foot is healing beautifully," he announced with great pride. Curious, I asked the doctor if we could see the X-ray. When he slapped it up against the light board, I was horrified to see a thick, long metal bolt. In fact, on closer examination, I was certain the beginnings of rust could be seen on that barbaric screw jammed up into my son's precious bone.

Seeing the look on my face, the doctor assured me that everything was fine. I was far from convinced and had a few questions that needed answering – immediately. "Is that screw supposed to look like that or did you put the wrong screw in my son's foot? Will he be able to play football? Will his foot hurt when it rains? Will that enormous screw set off airport security detectors? Will Jered's foot ever be as strong as it was before the surgery?" I asked. The doctor listened patiently, smiled and said, "Well, now that you mention it, I need to be honest and tell you Jered's foot will not be as strong as it was before." The evil doctor then grinned and said, "It will actually be stronger."

In "A Farewell to Arms," Ernest Hemingway writes, "The world breaks everyone and many are strong at the broken places." Jesus says it this way, "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name" (Isaiah 45:3).

Wow! The truth of this verse rocks my world. Don't miss it! God has gone before us and buried a treasure in every problem and stored rich truths in every minute of darkness we will face. The only way we can discover that treasure is to embrace the problem as an opportunity to trust God and uncover a new seed of victory. Some things cannot be learned in the light – they are treasures of the darkness.

Let's Pray
Father, my heart is broken, and it seems very dark. I don't understand what You are doing in my life. The darkness is very real and filled with more questions than answers. And I don't like it! But I love You, Lord, so I choose trust instead of fear and faith instead of doubt. Lord, please fill each broken place in my heart with Your mercy and Your grace. Today, I choose You. In Jesus's name, amen.

Now It's Your Turn
God has changed my life through the truths of Psalm 40:1-3.

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."       

Read and memorize Psalm 40:1-3.
Write it in your journal.
Circle the action words. Which ones apply to you? Which ones apply to God?
Write this verse in your own words as your prayer to God.
Choose to praise God today as you look for the treasures waiting for you in each trial you are facing.
More from the Girlfriends
When our lives are broken, it is easier to fall into the pit of depression. If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, get Mary's book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, and learn how to be set free from the darkness.

Looking for a Bible Study? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey and learn how to deal with the anger in your life. (Join now and have access to all lessons covered in 2012 including a study on the armor of God, how to tame your tongue and how to live a balanced life.) Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

Reading Scripture with Fresh Eyes
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
For the word of God is living and active... (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).

Friend to Friend
Several years ago I went on a mission trip to the West Indies. Part of our mission included distributing reading glasses to the islanders. I'll never forget handing a Bible to a leathery-faced, elderly man.

"Can you read this?" I asked.

In polished Old-English, he began, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." I listened as he delivered a well-rehearsed Psalm 23 in perfect King James. Interestingly, this was not a King James Version of the Bible; it was The Living Bible. He was not reading the words. He was quoting them from memory.

We tried on various reading glasses, chose a pair suitable for him, and then I handed him the Bible again. "Let's try that again," I smiled. "Read this for me."

He looked at the pages and a grin spread across his crinkled mahogany face. "The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need." This time he read the words.

That's why I read the Bible in different translations. I can grow so accustomed to the words on the page that I miss the meaning in my heart. Various translations keep me from glossing over the words carelessly.

Suppose we, like my island friend, read God's letter to us with fresh eyes, and just suppose we believed Him. What would that do to our not-so-great expectations in our relationship with Jesus?

Brennan Manning, in his book The Furious Longing of God said this: "Because we approach the gospel with preconceived notions of what it should say rather than what it does say, the Word no longer falls like rain on the parched ground of our soul. It no longer sweeps like a wild storm into the corners of our comfortable piety. It no longer vibrates like sharp lightning in the dark recess of our nonhistoric orthodoxy. The gospel becomes, in the words of Gertrude Stein, 'a pattering of pious platitudes spoken by a Jewish carpenter in the distant past.'"

Do you want to raise the bar on your spiritual expectations? Do you dare? Then read the Bible with fresh eyes—and believe it. "Oh, I believe it," most Christians would say. But let me give you just one example. Jesus said: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things then these, because I am going to the Father," (John 14:12).

Do you believe that? Do I? It is startling. I even feel uncomfortable reading the words out loud. Why do I have an easier time believing the words are for someone else, rather than for me?

When we base our expectations on God's Word rather than what we see happening in the spiritual lives of others, they grow pregnant with possibilities.

Some argue that God doesn't work today like He did back in biblical times. Who says He doesn't? Don't tell the folks in Nigeria who have seen countless blind receive their sight. Don't tell the folks in the underground church in China that God doesn't rattle jail cells and set captives free. Don't tell that to the little boy who walked out of the hospital cancer-free with no medical explanation for the cure. Don't' tell that to the thousands of people who have not had their great expectations of God civilized and educated right out of them, and who experience miraculous glory moments in the mundane on a regular basis.

So here is my charge to you today. Pick up a new translation of the Bible and read it as if you are reading God's love letter to you for the first time. If you aren't in a position to purchase a new translation, visit www.Biblegateway.com. They have the Bible in many translations right at your fingertips.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I love Your Word. Open my eyes to new truths that I have never seen before. Forgive me for glossing over Scripture as if it were old news. Help me to read Your Word as if it were the very first time.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Today's challenge is easy. Pick up a different translation of the Bible than you are used to and read a familiar passage. I would suggest The New Living Translation, The Amplified Version, The New King James, or a paraphrase (rather than a translation) called The Message.

Let me know what God showed you in what you read. Log onto www.sharonjaynes.com and let's share our treasures!

More from the Girlfriends
My new book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is all about raising your expectations to experience the full, abundant life that Jesus came to give. If you've settled for a ho-hum, so-so, Christian life, it is time to start enjoying the abundant life Jesus came to give. God wants you to experience His presence every day through moments of sudden glory where He makes His presence known. Ready to get started? Download a free sample chapter, watch the free videos or order your copy on my website!

[Judy Harder]

November 15, 2012
Mistakes or Opportunities?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose - (Romans 8:28, HCSB).

Friend to Friend
I am sure you have heard the story of Ivory soap, the "soap that floats." However, it was not always that way. Years ago, this soap was just another brand among many until a factory foreman made a mistake. He left a fresh batch of soap in the cooking vat and went to lunch. When he was late getting back and the soap had overcooked, the foreman frantically examined the burned soap. It seemed to clean the same. The only difference he could see was in the weight. The burned soap was just lighter. He could either report the mistake and risk being fired, or he could make the best of it and ship the soap out as if nothing had happened. He shipped it out. The results surprised everyone. Instead of complaints, the company was deluged with orders for this new "floating soap," and the foreman was promoted.

God works the same way, taking our mistakes and our sins and bringing good out of them. Paul said it well in Romans 8:28, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose" (HCSB). If we let Him, God will use the pain of our sin and the results of our mistakes as the foundation upon which He can build a new life. 

God works through our mistakes, knowing there is strength in pain that can be gained no other way. God does not eliminate mistakes, but He does step into the midst of the mistakes we bring to Him. At our invitation, God's very presence fills those mistakes with power and fresh hope, redeeming them for new truth and insight. God is not committed to our comfort, but He is committed to our character, to making us more like Jesus, and He will use every part of our life to make it happen. God does not waste a single experience, and there are no "scraps" of life to be thrown away. He uses even our mistakes for our good.

1.  God uses mistakes to direct us.Some of my biggest mistakes have yielded the most powerful lessons in my life, pointing me in a new direction or revealing an area that needs change. As the writer of Proverbs explains, "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways" (Proverbs 20:30, NLT).

2.  God uses mistakes to inspect us.People are like tea bags. If you want to know what is really inside a person, just drop them into hot water. How we respond to mistakes, problems and sin tests the strength and reality of our faith. James writes, "Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" (James 1:2-3, NLT).

3.  God uses mistakes to correct us.Some lessons simply cannot be learned in the light; they are wrapped in the darkness of pain and defeat. I can remember when our daughter, Danna, was a toddler with a fascination for electric outlets. I repeatedly pointed to each outlet in our home and firmly said, "No! No!" It was not until she stuck an object into one of those outlets, burning her little finger, that she learned the lesson and changed her behavior. We would be wise to choose the attitude of the psalmist, "It was good that I had to suffer in order to learn your laws. The teachings [that come] from your mouth are worth more to me than thousands in gold or silver" (Psalm 119:71-72, GNT).

4.  God uses mistakes to protect us.A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents us from being harmed by something more serious. Several years ago, a family friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem and seemed like a huge mistake -- but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when his former management's illegal actions were eventually discovered. "You planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good..." (Genesis 50:20, The Message).

5.  God uses mistakes to perfect us.When responded to correctly, mistakes and problems are character builders. The apostle Paul warns, "There's more (trouble) to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we are hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." Romans 5:3-4 (Message)

God is at work in us -- even in our mistakes – even when we do not recognize Him or understand His process.  Someone once said, "Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way."

While living in South Florida, I considered hurricanes to be mistakes of nature. However, I soon discovered hurricanes are necessary to maintain a balance in the environment. We all know the devastation these monstrous storms can cause, yet scientists tell us that hurricanes are also tremendously valuable because they reduce a large percentage of the oppressive heat that builds up at the equator. In fact, hurricanes are indirectly responsible for much of the rainfall in North and South America. Meteorologists no longer use cloud-seeding techniques to prevent hurricanes from being formed because they are convinced that hurricanes actually do more good than harm.

Take a closer look at your mistakes. Have they become an albatross around your neck, constantly reminding you of your failure and inadequacy? Do past mistakes keep you from stepping out in faith today? It is time to strain each failure through a new God-given perspective for the valuable nuggets of truth and the treasures that the darkness holds.

Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

Let's Pray
Father, I am desperate for You. I have allowed my failures and mistakes to defeat me. Today, I turn each one over to You and ask that You help me find the victory in each one. I trust You, Lord. I believe You can bring something good out of the most difficult circumstances of my life. I step out in faith today, knowing You are with me. In Jesus's name, amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read and memorize Romans 8:28:We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose (HCSB).

Think back over your life and fill in the blanks below.

God uses my mistakes to direct me: ___________________________________________________________

God uses my mistakes to inspect me:__________________________________________________________

God uses my mistakes to correct me:__________________________________________________________

God uses my mistakes to protect me:__________________________________________________________

God uses my mistakes to perfect me:__________________________________________________________



More from the Girlfriends
Need help letting God transform your tragedies into triumph? Check out Mary's MP3 download, How to Avoid the Pits and learn the steps you can take to experience freedom from the pit of darkness.

Looking for a Bible Study? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey and learn how to deal with the anger in your life. (Join now and have access to all lessons covered in 2012 including a study on the armor of God, how to tame your tongue and how to live a balanced life.) Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

November 16, 2012
Ashes to Beauty
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
For I know that my Redeemer lives. (Job 19:25)

Friend to Friend
God's redemptive grace can restore any life.

In the beginning, at the very moment that rebellion collided with perfection and invaded the hearts of humanity, God set in motion a plan of redemption. His plan was Jesus – His only Son – who came to redeem us... to save us... to wash us clean from sin. He is an awesome Redeemer... One who gives beauty for ashes, comfort for mourning, and freedom to the shackled. A Savior who imputes His righteousness on the wretched, shines light in the darkest places, and breathes hope to the weariest of souls.

Scripture introduces us to a guy who experienced God's redemption in beautifully deep ways. His name was Job. Job was a good man. I mean a really good man. No joke – the Bible says so! This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1b) He lived life the right way. He honored God, loved his family and was both faithful and patient. Good man.

You'd think that because Job was such a stand out guy that he'd pretty much have a cake life, right? SO not right. Let me just say this: good-guy-Job went through some stuff. Boy did he go through some stuff. We are talking major big-league stuff. He had it all and then lost it all: his children, his wealth and his health. Gone. In a blink.

Don't just skim over that last paragraph.
This man lost his children for goodness sake!
They died.
All ten of them... at the same time.

I can't even fathom the thought of losing one of my children, let alone all of my children. Shiver. Job knew broken on levels that most of us will never come close to knowing. He knew ashes. He knew mourning. He knew darkness. He knew weary.

On the front end of the pain He had faith. Big faith. He gave God the benefit of the doubt. He held on to his integrity, accepted his circumstances and blessed the name of the LORD in spite of the horror he endured. And he worshiped! Can you believe he worshiped?

Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
            and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
            may the name of the Lord be praised."

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.(Job 1:20b-22)

Job went through loss after loss, test after test and friend-with-bad-advice after friend-with-bad-advice who spoke condemnation instead of comfort. All that and his wife was a total drip. Seriously. She wanted him to "Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9b) Nice. Isn't it amazing how some people can say dumb things and completely misrepresent the heart of God in times of struggle? Oh, friend... let us be women who are quick to comfort and slow to speak advice.
Stepping down from my soap box...

Job was in anguish. (Job 6:2, 7:11) Understandable! He wanted to die because the pain was so unrelenting. (Job 6:9-10) He called out to God and asked Him to reveal where he had gone wrong. Then he repented of the sins that he knew he had committed.

He lamented. Stomped his feet a bit. Got a smidge sassy and frustrated with God. And he wondered if God even cared. Then God answered his complaints, corrected his heart and set the wheels in motion for one of the most amazing shows of redemption the world has ever seen.

God shined light into his darkness – spoke gladness to his mourning – and brought beauty to his ashes. He redeemed Job's life from the dark pit of broken. Then overwhelmed, Job humbly and whole-heartedly worshiped the Lord. But now, he worshiped God as his Redeemer. He was the first in Scripture to ever call God his Redeemer. For I know that my Redeemer lives. (Job 19:25)

God also names Himself our Redeemer in Scripture!

Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior,your Redeemer,
the Mighty One of Jacob. (Isaiah 60:16)

You see? God is all about redemption.

His love for humanity runs deeper than the deepest recesses of our depravity. His love runs farther than your past – higher than your disappointments – wider than your heart wounds and deeper than a cavernous pit of depression. God's plan of redemption is for every person – no matter where you've been, no matter what you've been through, no matter what you've done.

           But, alas, there's a catch.
           There's always a catch, right?
           The catch is: it has to be personal.

His grace is for every one of us, but each of us must accept or reject God's redemption plan by accepting or rejecting his Son, Jesus Christ. Redemption begins and ends with Jesus. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NLT)

            Redemption is for me.
            Redemption is for you.
            Do you believe that? Have you made it personal with God?

Whether you are at work, at home, at the hospital or in a jail cell. He's whispering, "Be still." Whether you are struggling with life strains or are in a season of reprieve. "Be still." Whether you have a house full of crazy-noise or an apartment filled with ordered-quiet. "Be still." Whether the diagnosis is cancer or the sting of betrayal is fresh – whether the hope you cling to resounds or you are weary and unsettled. "Be still." Know that He is God. Know that He is good. Accept that He is able and willing to exchange beauty for your ashes. Call out to Him as your Redeemer.

            Confess your mess before Him.
            Consider His love.
            Then... in the stillness ... respond from your heart.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, My Redeemer, I'm here. I'm still. Please reveal anything in my heart that needs restoring. (Pause to listen and reflect.) I confess these sins to You: ________________ and I ask that You remove them as far as the east is from the west. Thanks for capturing me with Your grace once again. In Jesus's name I pray,
amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Be still before Him.       

The noise of life can be so loud. I'm right there with you trying to hit the mute button each day. Failing on many days. One way I've found to center my heart on God is to hear stories of His grace. Can you think of a way that God has woven redemption into your story? Tell me about it on my Facebook page!

More from the Girlfriends
Did today's redemption message resonate with your heart?  Learn how God wants to bring you beyond your past mistakes and your present challenges to His wholeness, strength and beauty. Broken into Beautiful is a book filled with stories – real stories ... gritty and honest, not cleaned up and phony. It's also filled with Scripture that will inspire you toward the life-changing grace of Jesus. To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website.

Friend! Grab yourself some chocolate and let's celebrate! I have a brand NEW website filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that I believe will be a deep well of encouragement to you. Please swing by to visit: www.GwenSmith.net.

[Judy Harder]

November 19, 2012
Do You Expect God to Answer Your Prayers?
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. - Psalm 5:3 NIV

Friend to Friend
Have you ever prayed about something, but didn't really expect God to answer...I mean really expect it. That happened to a bunch of Peter's friends.

In the early years of the church, King Herod had many Christians murdered and many more put in prison. James, the brother of John, was put to death with the sword, and Peter was thrown into prison.

The night before Peter was to be taken to trial, a group gathered at Mary's (John's mother's) house to pray for him. While they were praying, there was a knock at the door. A servant girl named Rhoda answered it.

"Who is there?" she asked.

"It is Peter," the freed apostle answered.

She knew it was Peter—she recognized his voice! God had answered their prayers! Rhoda was so excited, she didn't even let Peter in, but ran back to tell the group that he was standing at the door.

"You're out of your mind," they told her. "Maybe it is his angel."

Peter kept knocking. Finally they opened the door and were astonished to see Peter alive and well, standing right in front of them.

Why were they surprised? Why didn't they believe Rhoda? While they were praying for Peter's release, they didn't really expect God to free him. Do you see it? We can pray about a situation and miss the glory moment standing at the door because of unbelief and low expectations that God would actually answer.

Sometimes, I fear we have lowered our spiritual expectations to match the experiences of people we know, rather than what we read in the Bible. We look around and see what has occurred in the lives of other believers, and that's where we set the bar. As a result, we lead mediocre lives, forfeiting the abundant life Jesus came to give.

Here's what I want you to do today. Pray and then expect God to answer! I love what David wrote: In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly, (Psalm 5:3, NIV).

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I am bringing my prayers before you today. Forgive me for praying and not expecting You to answer. Here is my prayer:  (Fill in this spot with you own prayer.) I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. In Jesus's name, amen.

Now It's Your Turn
If you don't keep a prayer journal, consider getting one. This could be a simple notebook, or a cute bound blank book. The dollar store is a great place for cute little journals. Write down your prayer requests and then make a note as to how God answered and the date:
Yes. No. Wait.

Let's pray for each other today. Log on to my blog page at www.sharonjaynes.com. Share your prayer request and then pray for the sisters' comment entry above and below yours.

More from the Girlfriends
My new book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is all about raising your expectations to experience the full, abundant life that Jesus came to give. If you've settled for a ho-hum, so-so, Christian life, it is time to start enjoying the abundant life Jesus came to give. God wants you to experience His presence every day through moments of sudden glory where He makes His presence known. Ready to get started? Download a free sample chapter or watch the videos on my website!

[Judy Harder]

November 20, 2012
Plan for Peace
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(Proverbs 16:7, ESV).

Friend to Friend
I recently read the story of a young reporter who approached an older gentleman on his 100th birthday.

"I want to wish you a happy birthday, sir. I have just one question for you. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment in life?" the young reporter asked.

"Well," said the man, "I don't have a single enemy in the world."

"Really? That's incredible!" responded the reporter. "What is your secret?"

The centenarian smiled and proudly replied, "I have outlived every single one of them."

Let's be honest. Some people are harder to get along with than others. I call them "sandpaper people" because they are irritating and rub me the wrong way. Tough relationships are a certainty in life. When it comes to handling those difficult relationships, God does not want or expect us to declare war. We are to control our emotions instead of allowing them to control us. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:18, "As much as is possible, live peaceably with all men." In other words, we need to set our mind on peace – not winning.   

God's desire is for us to wage peace in every relationship. What is even more amazing to me is the fact that God calls us to wage peace with even the roughest, most abrasive sandpaper people who come our way. Now that is a formidable task -- since sandpaper people seem to come with a set agenda that targets emotional eruptions and creates constant relationship upheavals. They love a good fight, live to evoke angry reactions and are fierce warriors determined to win every battle initiated by their downright irritating personalities. However, combat is impossible when the enemy has laid down his weapons and chosen peace.

Unresolved conflict is the enemy of peace, and peace is often the casualty of unresolved conflict in relationships. I love this little poem about relationship problems:

     "To dwell above with saints we love, that will be grace and glory.
      To live below with saints we know; that's another story!" (Author unknown)

The world has its own system for working out conflict. That system is retaliation. God has a different plan for working out conflict. That plan is restoration. The apostle Paul was a master at conflict resolution and in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, he offers a simple but powerful command to "live in peace with each other." In Colossians 3:12-14, he paints a clear picture of what living in peace should look like in our lives: 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Sounds like an impossible task, doesn't it? It is ... unless we choose to rely on and surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. When Paul says that we are to "clothe" ourselves with certain characteristics so we will always be prepared for peace, he means we must plan ahead and make deliberate choices before the choice is actually necessary.

For example, the holidays are coming up. (I know. I can't believe it either.) Let's say that your least favorite relatives are coming for a week and you are already dreading their visit. Make the decision right now to practice patience, love and self-control during their stay. Choose today to please God by how you treat them and welcome them into your home. Why?

Proverbs 16:7 (ESV) "When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

"He" is the operating word in the verse above. Did you catch that? Our obedience to God invites Him to promote peace in our relationships – even the most difficult ones. All we have to focus on is making sure our ways are pleasing to the Lord and He will do the rest. Now that is a great plan for peace!

Let's Pray
Father, I want to live a life of obedience to You. Make me an instrument of Your peace. Teach me to love even my enemies. Give me the strength to wage peace when what I really want to do is wage war. Today, I choose to surrender my stubborn will to You. I lay down my emotional weapons and choose peace. Be glorified in my relationships, Father. In Jesus's name, amen.

Now It's Your Turn
When our daughter, Danna, was a little girl, she loved to shop ... for any reason. One day, when I picked her up from school, she hopped in the car and exclaimed, "Mom, it is going to snow tonight!" I started laughing because I had already checked the weather and snow was nowhere in the forecast. "Danna, it is going to be in the 50s tonight. I hardly think we need to prepare for snow." Danna's immediate response was, "But don't you think we should go shopping - just in case?"

We need to plan for peace. The characteristics that we wear or "bring" to relationships will determine the level of peace in those relationships. Peace makes the decision to resolve conflict before conflict comes. Paul lists the characteristics we need to cultivate personally in order to have right relationships filled with peace. On a scale of one to five, how are you doing in each area when it comes to dealing with the difficult people in your life?

1 = Awful
5 = Awesome

___ Compassionate
___ Kind
___ Humble
___ Gentle
___ Patient
___ Merciful
___ Loving
___ Forgiving

What one change are you willing to make today to promote peace in your relationships? Record your answer in your journal along with a prayer of commitment. Feeling brave? Share your commitment with a girlfriend who will hold you accountable.

More from the Girlfriends
"I am flat broke and Christmas is just around the corner!" Do those words sound familiar? Don't let gift-giving become a chore instead of a joy. Get Mary's MP3 download - Giving the Perfect Gift-and discover how to give ten wonderful and inexpensive gifts.

Looking for a Bible Study? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey and learn how to deal with the anger in your life. (Join now and have access to all lessons covered in 2012 including a study on the armor of God, how to tame your tongue and how to live a balanced life.) Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

November 21, 2012
The Easy Way to Live the Abundant Life
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light," - (Matthew 11:28-230 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Here's a question. Do you think obedience to God is easy or hard? Hmmm. Obedience may seem hard at first, but in reality, obedience is the easy way. It is difficult to cope with the messes we get into when we don't obey. The consequences of sin are hard to deal with. Think about the times you have disobeyed or turned your back on God. What were the results? Easy? Hard?

Satan will try and convince you that obedience is much too hard, that it carries too high a price, but he will never tell you the cost of not obeying God. He will never tell you the glory moments you will forfeit by refusing or ignoring God's invitation to join Him.

Practicing Acts 17:28 (In him we live and move and have our being.) will never lead to sin. When we wrangle from God's embrace and set out on our own, that's when we get in trouble. God isn't telling us to obey to make life difficult. God wants us to obey to make life less difficult. The end result of obedience is the blessed way...smooth moves.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light," (Matthew 11:28-30). The yoke is simply a farmer's understanding of the divine dance of obedience. When two oxen are yoked together, they move as one—walking in tandem to the bidding of the master. Usually, an older, more experienced animal is yoked with a young upstart. The apprentice ox learns from the more seasoned ox as they walk along tethered together. If the younger animal tries to surge ahead, the yoke chokes at his neck and slows him down. If he lags behind, the yoke chafes at his neck and prods him to hurry along.

And what does Jesus say about this yoke? It is not hard. It is not difficult. It is not heavy. It is easy. It is light. Being yoked to Jesus actually makes life much simpler...smoother...more peace-filled.

God said to the people of Israel: "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:18). A river flows unhindered over rocks and boulders as it moves from one place to the next. It flows around them, over them, and past them—all the while smoothing rough edges. A river doesn't strive to get from one place to another. It simply flows. That is the glory life of living and moving and having our being in Christ. We simply flow with a sacred inner calmness. Sometimes circumstances will be like tumultuous white-capped rapids, other times like a lazy gentle stream. But the life in union with Jesus keeps flowing. Moving forward. And in the journey, we catch glimpses of sudden glory in the scenery as we move between life's banks.

Obedience is so much more than following a list of do's and don'ts. Practicing religion rather than enjoying a love relationship with Jesus is like trying to plow the field alone. It will exhaust you rather than energize you. You will feel like a martyr and then wonder why others around you seem to be so joyful in their calling. Obedience because of our love relationship energizes our lives. Obedience out of a sense of duty or law drains. Always drains.

Religion operates on a "works of the law" principle: "I obey God, therefore, I am accepted by God." Relationship operates on the gospel of grace principle: "I am accepted by God through the finished work of Jesus, therefore I obey—because I love and trust Him."  We're going to talk more about that in the next chapter. This is important to understand because until we grasp the difference, we will never experience the joy of living and moving and having our being in Christ.

Obedience is aresponse to love. Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching," (John 14:23-24).

Sometimes relinquishing control and following Jesus' lead through obedience can feel uncertain or awkward, like when your dance partner leads you into a new move for the very first time. But each time you say yes to God, a new passion and peace flows through your veins until eventually, hopefully, a total transfusion of Christ-centered living replaces self-centered stubbornness. Intimacy becomes sweeter. Passion grows stronger. Glory moments become easier to see. Unique glory moments...selected especially for you.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me enough to provide boundaries in which to experience the abundant life. Help me to obey You quickly and fully, so that I can experience all that You have for me. I don't want to miss a single blessing because I've chosen to walk through the wrong door.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Think of a time you flat out disobeyed God. What was the outcome?

Think of a time you willingly obeyed God. What was the outcome?

Which outcome was the best in the long run?

There's an old saying in the South... "Dance with the one who brung you." (I know  that's incorrect English. But it correct "southern.")   So here's the question...Are you willing to dance with the One who made you? Remember before you answer...He has to be the leader.

If your answer is yes, click on to my blog post at www.sharonjaynes.com and say, "I'm dancing with the One who made me, and I'm following His lead!"

[Judy Harder]

Do You Believe God?
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Ephesians 1:18-20 NIV, emphasis mine)

Friend to Friend
It doesn't take reading very far into the Bible to see the weighty importance of believing God. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:5). His wife, Sarah, had a much harder time believing that God could fulfill His promises. When she doubted that God could open her womb at age 89, the angel asked her, "Is anything to too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14). That is a question each and every one of us will have to answer at one time or another.

In the Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the word pistis is translated as faith, believing, and believe. The noun pistis and the verb form of the same word, pisteuo occur more than 240 times in the New Testament and the adjective pistos is found sixty seven times. That's a lot of believing God!

When the Philippian jailer asked, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas answered without hesitation, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved," (Acts 16:31). It is whoever believes in him that does not perish, but has everlasting life. (John 3:16). Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14, emphasis mine)

When you believed in Jesus, you were signed, sealed, delivered—you're His!  It is a decision that every Christian has made in the past. And with that decision comes forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Hallelujah!

Then there's more. Paul went on to pray:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Ephesians 1:18-20, emphasis mine)

The word pistis in the first passage is past tense—believed. However pistis in the second passage is a present active participle, which means we believe and we keep on believing, right now, all the time, continuously. And what happens when we believe God tells the truth? We will have access to His incomparably great power... "the same mighty strength that He exerted when He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms." Now if that doesn't raise our expectations for this faith journey of union and communion with Jesus, I don't know what would!

Theresa believed God...and dared to trust God to answer her child's prayer. Theresa's daughter always wanted to play the flute, but it seemed financially impossible. "Honey, we can't afford a flute," she explained. "Maybe one day."     

The following year, her daughter expressed her desire to join the school band and play the flute. Theresa didn't have the heart to tell her no again. "If it is God's will for you to play the flute, then He will provide one before the school year starts. Let's ask Him to take care of it." Theresa prayed and believed God would answer, but she had no idea how He would provide.

A few days before school started, Theresa and her daughter went to a yard sale. And what did they see glistening in the sunlight among all the wares? A flute! But this wasn't just any ol' flute. This was an antique flute that had Theresa's daughter's birthday inscribed on the side. The year was 1918, but the day and month were the same as hers. A sudden glory!         

The miracle flute was not a fluke. Theresa dared to ask, dared to believe, and God lavishly gave. Today Theresa's daughter plays the flute beautifully, and every time she brings the instrument to her lips, she remembers that moment of sudden glory glistening in the sunlight.

So, what about you? Are you ready to start practicing some present tense believing...right now? Are you ready to start acting like you believe God tells the truth?

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I get so excited when I read about women who have experienced miracles in their lives. I get so excited when I read about women who believe You! Help me to exercise the faith that I have been given so that it will grow stronger each day.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.           

Now It's Your Turn 
Luke 1:5 records this about Mary, the mother of Jesus: Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

Can you say that about yourself? If so, get an index card and write the verse with your name in it. Blessed is (your name) who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!

I love what the angel said to Sarai..."Is anything to hard for the LORD?" If you are willing to answer that question, "NO!" then log onto my blog page and leave a comment that says... "Nothing is too hard for the LORD."

More from the Girlfriends
Do you ache for something more in your relationship with God? Here's some good news...something more does not mean doing more. God said, "Cease striving and know that I am God." The real question is not "What does God want from you?" but "What does God want for you?" Abundant life! If you long to experience God's presence on a daily basis, then my book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to your Ache for Something More will help you experience God's presence in a more intimate way than ever before. Click on the link to read a sample chapter, watch videos or make a purchase.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com