Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

Dare to Be Disciplined

Part 2

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place." (Mark 6:30-32 NIV)

Friend to Friend

Part of living a life of discipline is learning the importance of rest. Rest is not an option if we are to function at our best. Sometimes we try to feed emotional needs by refusing to rest. After all, the world will surely fall apart without our input – or will it? Perhaps we stay busy because we are afraid to face our past or even the future. Guilt keeps us moving, trying to prove our worth.

For most of my adult life, I have wrongly equated being busy with being productive. I am guilty as charged when it comes to living each day in overdrive. My Day Timer has, at times, been my Bible. The result has always, always been exhaustion, burnout and watered down ministry. Everything looked great on the outside, but God and I both knew that the facade I had so carefully erected was nothing more than a meaningless monument to self. The house built upon the sand seemed like very familiar digs, and I was not alone.

We are masters of rationalizing our way to man's approval. I am convinced that when we are willing to surrender our lives to the tyranny of the urgent, the enemy will keep 'em coming – people who need you immediately, those who clamor for your attention above your family and personal relationship with God, or the person who can talk to no one but you. The list of ego strokes goes on.

Through the years, God has grabbed my attention with an illness that drove me to bed or a crisis that drove me to my knees. He is a persistent Father who understands the value of rest. Jesus even modeled the truth that it is in Sabbath moments that we will find Him most precious and hear His voice more clearly. After all, He was in charge of the creation process that included the need for rest. Did God need to rest? Obviously not, but by creating a day of rest, He drove home the fact that our bodies were created in such a way that rest is not an option.

Make no mistake – we will rest – one way or another. The psalmist writes, "He gives me rest in green pastures." (Psalm 23:2, ICB) I know from my own experience, that the word "make" holds worlds of possibilities from God's hand. Learning to rest demands an understanding of several basic truths.

Rest is sacred. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is sleep. The human body is programmed for a certain amount of rest. We can cheat it short term but not long term. Rest affects the efficiency rating of this frail body in which we dwell.

Rest is replenishing. While we rest, the Father repairs and restores. We run on "batteries" that must be re-charged daily. When I am tired, it is much harder for me to handle stress, and I know you will agree with me when I say that life can be stressful.

Rest reduces stress. Doctors say that stress can be good or bad, but either way, stress takes its toll. Elijah is a great example of good stress gone bad. One day he was the conquering hero, the next day we find him sitting under a Juniper tree begging God to let him die! The poor man was exhausted. It was stress produced by victory, but stress nonetheless.

Rest eliminates fatigue. Fatigue is not a spiritual gift, but we proudly wear dark-circled eyes as badges of honor and sacrificial service. The enemy loves it! If he can keep us exhausted, we are little threat to him. We must not only learn to rest, but we must learn when we need to rest as well. I have discovered an irritating truth with no escape clause: we need to rest most when we have the least amount of time to rest. I hate the fact that God calls me from my vicious circle of religious activity into His presence. After all, I spent a lot of time getting all of those irons into the fire I built with my own ideas and plans. However, every time I obey His call to "come apart," He transforms ineffective religious activity into powerful, life- transforming ministry – true ministry. We need to stop, be still and rest.

On the seventh day of creation, God rested; a fact that always amazes me. Did He need to rest? Obviously not, but when God set aside a day for rest, He made a powerful point. Our bodies were created in such a way that rest is not really an option. Rest is a physical reality and a spiritual discipline.   

Let's Pray

Father, forgive me for the arrogance that keeps me on the run, trying to prove my worth. Teach me how to rest in You, Lord. Help me learn how to say "no" to those things that keep me from sitting at Your feet. Give me a hunger and thirst for You that can only be satisfied by time alone with You. I love You, Lord.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Today, make the commitment to carve out a daily time to spend in rest.Sit at His feet. Allow Him to restore, replenish and refocus your heart and mind. Then rise to serve Him and lead others to the "quiet waters" of rest.

·         Define "rest" and examine your life in light of that definition.

·         Why do you feel guilty when you rest?

·         Do you think of rest as unproductive?  Why?

·         Does that thought line up with God's plan?

·         Find two ways to incorporate rest into your daily schedule this week. At the end of the week, list the benefits that rest has produced in your life.

More from the Girlfriends

Do you want to be a success? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Power Up With Proverbs, for Biblical wisdom and practical steps you can take to live a life of victory. Since each lesson stands alone, it's not too late to join and still have access to all of the lessons.

Do you have any difficult relationships in your life? Get Mary's book, Sandpaper People, for practical ways to deal with those people who rub you the wrong way.

[Judy Harder]

God Sees What You Are Going Through

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me [El Roi],' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'" (Genesis 16:13 NIV)

Friend to Friend

One day I was sitting on the patio with a friend, Beth, and her step-father, Sam. We were waiting for the grill to heat up before placing steaks on to cook. Beth's mom opened the door and gave Sam his orders - telling him what to do and how to do it. When she went back inside, Sam made a hand signal, pointing in one ear and out the other. We all three laughed. Then he placed his ruddy hand on my friend's arm, a hand worn by years of working under the hoods of cars of every shape and size.

"She was pretty hard on you growing up wasn't she?" he asked.

"You have no idea," she answered with a sigh.

But he did have an idea. He understood. And that one simple gesture let her know that Sam had peered into her heart and seen the truth. The weathered country mechanic had looked under the hood of her heart with wisdom of the learned and seen the damaged and maimed engine within. A heart, though healed by Christ, that still felt the phantom pain of a little girl who was never good enough, who was constantly told what to do and how to do it – and who never did it quite right. Sam saw her heart, and for that, Beth loved him. And so did I.

One of my favorite names of God is El Roi – the God who Sees Me.  He sees what you are going through. .He sees you.

Hagar was the first person to call God by the name El Roi. Hagar. Used. Abused. Tossed away. Driven away. Running away. She was all that and more.

Hagar was a maidservant, a girl-slave to her mistress, Sarai.  She had a job to do and we have no indication that it was unpleasant, until a turn of events changed her life forever. 

God came to Abram, Sarai's husband, and gave him some amazing news.           

"Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west.  All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted...A son coming from your own body will be your heir."" (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:4)

Abram told Sarai, of God's promises, but as the months tuned into years, Sarai "grew impatient with God and His promises."

"The LORD has kept me from having children," she complained to Abram.  "Go sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family though her." (Genesis 16:2)

Oh my, this seems more than strange. But in those days, it was common practice for an infertile wife to offer her maid in order to keep the family name alive. So Abram bowed to his beautiful wife's bidding and bedded her maid. Hagar conceived a child and a bit of pride to go with it. Then in a way only a conniving woman can contrive, Sarai turned around and blamed Abram for the tension this pregnancy birthed. As Hagar's belly began to fill out, Sarai's jealousy began to well up.

"You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering.  I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me.  May the LORD judge between you and me."

"Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." (Genesis 16:5-6)

Sarai mistreated Hagar until she could bear it no more. Cutting remarks. Angry words. Condemning looks. Finally, Hagar ran away to the desert.

As Hagar lay languishing in the wilderness, an angel of the LORD appeared to her and asked the same question God asks all of us. The question akin to the very first question He asked Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:9). "Where have you come from and where are you going" (Genesis 16:. Of course God knew where she had come from and where she was going, but Hagar needed to say the words, just like we need to say the words.

            "I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," the abused Hagar replied. (Genesis 16:

            "I'm running away from this lifeless marriage," the neglected wife decides.

            "I'm running away from the pressures of this job," the man with the bottle responds.

            "I'm running away from that coldhearted woman," the man peering at porn justifies.

            "I'm running away from these ungrateful children," the shopaholic mother answers.

"I'm running away from the daily grind, endless chores, and piles of laundry," the lonely

housewife sighs as she clicks on an old boyfriend's Facebook page.

            "I'm running away...

"Then the angel of the LORD told her, 'Go back to your mistress and submit to her. I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count... the LORD has heard your misery.'"

Hagar was a slave who had been sexually used and verbally abused. Hagar was a woman amazed that God heard her cries and saw her misery...that He took note of her condition and actually spoke to her. I understand her surprise. I am still amazed that the Creator of the Universe sees me, hears me, takes note of me, and speaks to me – and to you.

Let's Pray

El Roi, thank You for seeing me, for hearing me, for rescuing me in my time of need. Help me to remember that there is nothing in my life that You don't see and that You can't fix. I trust You.

In Jesus's Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Why do you think God started His conversation with Hagar with a question?

Describe how Hagar must have been feeling when she ran away.

Has there ever been a circumstance in your life where you felt the same way? Is it today?

Ready to stop running and start trusting God? If so, click over to my blog page and say, "I'm taking off my running shoes."

More from the Girlfriends

Trusting God...that's what we, at Girlfriends in God, are all about. If this is an area of your life that needs an extra boost, check out our book, Trusting God! It has 12 weeks of devotions dedicated to this one important subject. You can find at www.sharonjaynes.com. Let's trust God together!

[Judy Harder]

When God Shows Up, Don't Forget It

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water," (Genesis 21:19 NIV).

Friend to Friend

Yesterday we looked at Hagar and how God spoke to her in her deepest time of need. Let's visit that one more time, because Hagar, like you and me, forgot about her encounter with God.

When Hagar encountered God the first time, she fell on her face and gave God the name El Roi, the God who Sees Me "I have now seen the One who sees me," she cried. She had heard God. She had seen God. More importantly, God had seen Hagar. God had heard Hagar.

Hagar returned to her mistress, gave birth to a son, and placed him into Abram's arms. But sixteen years later, God was true to His word, and Sarai gave birth to a son of her own. (God also changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah). When Abraham was ninety-nine years old and Sarah ninety, with a womb that was as good as dead, she birthed a bouncing baby boy whom they named Isaac. But rather than diminish Sarah's angst toward Hagar, the tension between the two boys stoked the fire of jealousy into full blaze.

On the day of Isaac's weaning party, Sarah demanded that Hagar and her son, Ishmael, be sent away for good. After wandering around in the desert, after their water supply had dried up, after giving up all hope, Hagar placed Ishmael under a tree to die. He cried. She cried. God heard.

"What is the matter, Hagar?" the angel said. "Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

"Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water" (Genesis 21:19).

This verse catches my breath every time. The water was there all the time, but she didn't see it. Not until God opened her eyes did the life giving drink come into focus.

Sometimes, I feel just like her. Not so much in that I have ever truly been abused, but I have been tossed away, abandoned, and used. And I have run. And God has rescued.

I'm also like Hagar in another way. I forget. God comes to me in my running away. He sees me. He notices me. I know He sees me. I call him El Roi and all is well. But time passes, as sixteen years passed for Hagar, and I forget. I forget what He has done for me, what He has said to me, what He has meant to me. I forget. I close my eyes and wander about thirsty again. I give up. I lay my hopes and dreams under a tree and walk away for them to die.

"What is the matter, Sharon? Do not be afraid; God has heard your crying." And God woes me back once again. He opens my eyes to the well of living water that has been there all along.

Today, remember. Remember who God is. He will do what He said He will do. He is El Roi, the God who sees me. He is the God who sees you. And that is something we should never forget.

Let's Pray

Lord, I am so sorry that I have forgotten the many ways you have blessed me, the many times You have rescued me, the many times You have given me moments of Sudden Glory when You've made Your presence known. Open my eyes, Lord. Open my eyes to see Your well of goodness right in front of me.

In Jesus's Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Go back and read the story of Hagar in Genesis 21. Zoom in on verse 19 "Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water." The well was there all along. She just didn't see it. Today, pray that God will open your eyes to His provision and protection in your life.

Hagar, "she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink," (Genesis 21:19). When I open my eyes to see the well of God's provision, protection, and persistent pursuit of my heart, it is never for me alone. He then calls me to fill my skin, and give others a drink. Is there someone He is calling you to refresh today?

More from the Girlfriends

I don't know about you, but one of the greatest longings of my heart is to experience God's presence and working in my life on a daily basis. I call that experiencing moments of Sudden Glory that soothe the glory ache in my heart. If you long for more in your relationship with Jesus, then check out my book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More. On my website, you can watch videos, download a free chapter, and even tell about your moments of sudden glory. I hope you'll stop by for a visit.

[Judy Harder]

Yes and Amen!

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV)

Friend to Friend

When my son, Preston, was in sixth grade he chose to plant spinach for his science fair project. He planted seeds in four plastic cups and watered each batch with a fixed daily amount of four different liquids: water, orange juice, cola, and milk. (Yes, you are correct! By day three of his fourteen-day project, the milk cup reeked to high heavens with a stinky-sour smell!) His hypothesis was that he believed that the seeds watered with water would grow faster than the seeds that were watered by orange juice, cola and milk.

Once his hypothesis was determined, he and I (his faithful mommy-research-assistant) diligently went about the task of collecting data, watering the seeds, taking pictures, and documenting his findings. The instructions on the back of the seed envelope indicated that we should see spinach sprouts within 7-10 days. Preston was looking forward to seeing the sprouts and was eager to see if his hypothesis was valid. I was too.

So we watered and we waited. We stayed the course and did the work required with hearts that were eager to witness a green, leafy harvest. Day seven came and went. No sprouts. Day eight came and went. No sprouts. Day nine. No sprouts. Day ten. No sprouts.         

When all was said and done, we were disappointed that his faithful efforts did not bear spinach. In fourteen days not one green sprout shot up from any of the cups. In fact, we saw no external evidence of any growth at all ... not even on a root level. And although his data got collected, his project got completed and Preston received a good grade, we were both heart-sad that we didn't get to see any growth.           

Sometimes our lives are like that science fair project. We invest in others and are eager to see the harvest. We obey God, trust His plan and walk according to His Word. We plant seeds into the soil of our marriages or dating relationships and water them with love, hope and truth. We plant seeds into the life-soil of our friends and co-workers and water them with loyalty, time and encouragement. As parents and grandparents we "grow" our children and our grandchildren. We water them with love, feed them with the Word. We water and we wait with great expectations in our hearts and a desire to see some growth. We long to see the fruit of our labor.

At times we see fruit. At times we don't.         

Jesus gave His disciples a trustworthy promise that if we stick to His side and stay tight to God's will, that our lives and our efforts will bear fruit. He said in John 15:4-5, Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. When we remain in Jesus – when we trust God by turning to the Holy Spirit for guidance and to His Word for truth – you and I will bear fruit ... whether we see it or not.                       

A person of faith believes God's promises because His promises are connected to His character. God's promises aren't flippant. They're secure! The apostle Paul said it like this: Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete (2 Corinthians 1:20-22, MSG).

You see, friend, the yes-and-amen promise here is that we will bear fruit, not that we will necessarily see the fruit in our own timing or even in our own lifetimes. Understanding this promise sure does help me to trust God more. And further, knowing that our faithfulness will directly impact how much fruit will be produced should challenge us to remain faithful!           

All of the promises of our Covenant God are "yes" and "amen." We can trust His Word to be true because the character of our God is unblemished. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. When we remain in Him, we will bear fruit. Sometimes we will see it. Sometimes we won't.

Our God-confidence is bolstered when we remember that He is faithful, and that our job is to listen, seek, and obey – to remain in Him – not to try to control the outcome of the seeds that He instructs us to sow. When we grow in our understanding of His character and rest in the knowledge that He is for us, not against us (Jeremiah 29:11), this helps us to trust Him. Let's strive to be women who take God at His Word and believe His "Yes" and "Amen" promise!

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for planting a seed of faith in the soil of my heart through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please grow my faith. Help me to trust You more and remind me to fix my eyes on You, not on the results of my life investments.
In Jesus's name I pray,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Are there promises you doubt God will fulfill?

Write a list of promises you have a hard time trusting God with. Then, write a big YES or AMEN across it and trust in God to answer!

Now, click over to my blog and tell me what you are trusting God for today... or just simply leave a comment saying, "Yes and Amen!"

More from the Girlfriends

Today's GiG devotion is adapted from Trusting God by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, & Mary Southerland by permission of Multnomah, division of Random House, Inc. Are you ready to begin a new faith adventure? Get a copy of the book!

STRUGGLING TO BELIEVE GOD'S PROMISES ARE FOR YOU? Experience God's confidence, healing and hope in your life today as you read Broken Into Beautiful. To order the book, go to Amazon, your favorite Christian bookstore, or for a signed copy, order from Gwen's website.

[Judy Harder]

April 9, 2013
The Ancient of Days
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool." (Daniel 7:9 NASB)

Friend to Friend

Hip huggers. Bellbottoms. Tie dyed t-shirts. Platform shoes. Guitars. Loud Music. Pass it On. Bibles. Teenagers. Long stringy hair parted down the middle on both boys and girls. Put all that together and you have a snapshot of some of the best days of my teen years.

I became a Christian when I was fourteen. It was called the Jesus Movement back in the seventies, and Jesus moved right into my heart to stay. My parents were not Christians at the time, and home was not a happy place. Our home teemed with tension and vacillated between periods of violent bouts of fighting and passive-aggressive weeks of silence.

Soon after my decision to follow Christ, a group of Christian business men in my community had a vision to open a Christian coffeehouse. Their dream was to provide a safe place for the teens to congregate and grow in their faith. Their hope was to bring in college-aged Bible teachers on weeknights and contemporary Christian bands on the weekend.

God was all in favor of loving on our merry band of Jesus lovin', hormone powered, tie-dyed teens, and provided the perfect venue for the dream to materialize. Right smack dab in the middle of our sleepy little downtown, tucked in a side street alcove, sat an abandoned bar that had been shut down for selling alcohol to minors. The name of the bar? The Ancient of Days. Talk about redemption! What the devil meant for evil God meant for good (Genesis 50:20).

They bought the building and kept the name. Sometimes God is so outlandishly obvious you just have to laugh.

At fifteen, I wasn't sure what the Ancient of Days actually meant, but this cubbyhole tucked between a ladies' dress shop and a photography studio became my refuge in an uncertain world.  Now, as an adult, I soak in the Name, steep in the Name, marinate in the Name. He is my Ancient of Days who always has been and always will be watching over my life...watching over your life.  "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love," (Ephesians 1:5 MSG).

The name Ancient of Days was used only by the prophet Daniel. He had a vision of four world empires that rose to great power and prominence, only to eventually fall and crumble into insignificance. When a fifth world power emerged, a power that many theologians believe represents the anti-Christ of the end times, the Ancient of Days took His seat on the throne.

I encourage you to go back and read all of Daniel's vision recorded in chapter 7  And while I will never totally understand what the vision means, I can grab hold of the Name, The Ancient of Days, with both hands. He always has been and always will be. He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. He had no beginning and He'll have no end. He simply IS. While everything around us changes, The Ancient of Days remains the same.

I'm reminded of the words to the old hymn by Chalmers Smith:

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

The Ancient of Days was a safe haven during my tumultuous childhood – an old bar turned sanctuary. The Ancient of Day is a safe haven for all my tomorrows – an unchanging God who defies time.

Whatever you are going through today, know this, God is on His throne. He's in control. I am not on the throne. The President is not on the throne. World powers are not on the throne. The Ancient of Days is on the throne. His rule is right and His reign is sure.

Let's Pray

I praise You, Ancient of Days. When I feel like my life is changing too quickly and too often, I rest in knowing that You never change. You are the Ancient of Days who sits of the throne. You had no beginning and will have no end. Your rule is right and Your reign is sure.

In Jesus's Name,

Amen.           

Now It's Your Turn

The Name, Ancient of Days, did not point to an elderly ruler in a feeble sense, but to an eternally divine ruler in an all-powerful sense. He is the Eternal God with Sovereign rule.  The Ancient of Days points to God as the Divine Judge. That is good news and bad news.

Look up the Romans 8:1 and note the good news.

Look up Romans 10:9-13 and note the bad news.

I can remember saying to my son when he was a teenager, "I was not born yesterday. I know what's going on here." Well girlfriend, God was not born yesterday. He was not born at all!  He has seen it all. He sees is it all.  How does that make you feel?

If you are so glad that God is on His throne, click over to my blog post at www.sharonjaynes.com and say, "I'm not worried about today. God is on His throne!"

More from the Girlfriends

God is the Ancient of Days...and you can trust Him. If you enjoy these on-line devotions, then you'll love our GiG book, Trusting God. It has 12 weeks of devotions dedicated to Trusting God in every situation. Click hereto take a peek.

[Judy Harder]

April 10, 2013
Got Faith?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)

Friend to Friend

The greenest grass is always found in the valley. Shepherds and sheep are well acquainted with the fact that both mountains and valleys are an inevitable part of life. Again, the shepherd is the one who has to figure out a way over the mountain and through the valley. If a sheep is injured, the shepherd must carry his sheep and tend to its wounds until they are healed and the sheep is ready to return to the fold. The shepherd's whole world revolves around the safety and comfort of his sheep, even in the deepest valley.

Valleys are a certainty of life. Your job is eliminated. Your husband is having an affair, or your teenage daughter is pregnant. Financial pressure suffocates dreams, or the betrayal of a trusted friend inflicts a wound so deep and painful that you long for that valley of death. Each day is thick with fear, and your heart is filled with disbelief. The valley may suddenly be before you in a time of loneliness or in the shock of a dire medical diagnosis.

The death of a loved one can derail a life. The death of a long-held hope can plunge us into a slimy pit of despair and darkness. Dreams that have slowly died or relationships that have abruptly ended can leave us stranded and alone in our own personal valley of death. While valleys may come in all shapes and sizes, one thing is certain—valleys will come. That being said, we must ask and answer the question, "How can we deal with the valleys in life? We must respond with faith.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

It was advertised that the devil was putting his tools up for sale. When the day of the sale came, each tool was priced and laid out for public inspection. And what a collection it was. Hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit or pride...the inventory was treacherous. Off to one side was a harmless-looking tool priced higher than all the rest, even though it was obviously more worn than any other tool the devil owned. "What's the name of this tool?" asked one of the customers. "That," the devil replied, "is discouragement." The customer asked, "But why have you priced it so high?" The devil smiled and explained, "Because discouragement is more useful to me than all the others. I can pry open and get inside a man's heart with that tool when I can't get near him with any other. It's badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since so few people know it belongs to me."

Valleys are lined with disappointment and discouragement. Some people seem to thrive on adversity, emerging from their valley with greater strength and deeper faith. Others stumble and fall, giving in to discouragement and dropping out of the race. The difference in outcome is determined by the way we choose to handle discouragement.

We must respond to each valley with trust and faith. The word "trust" means "to lie helpless, face down" and is the picture of a servant waiting for his master's command or a soldier yielding himself to a conquering general. "Heart" refers to "the center of one's being." In other words, to trust God completely means that from the very center of our being, from the very core of our existence, we trust Him, totally abandoning ourselves in childlike faith to Him and His plan. We come, holding nothing in our hands, pushing no agenda, with one word in our heart—"whatever!" "Whatever You want me to do, Lord, I will do. Whatever You want me to say, Lord, I will say. Whatever You want me to think, Lord, I will think. Whatever path You have for me, Lord, I will walk."

If you are like me, you sometimes think you don't have enough faith. The amount of faith is not nearly as important as the right kind of faith—faith in God alone. A mustard seed is small but can still take root and grow—just like faith. Faith is also like a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger it becomes. We must remember that faith doesn't rest on what we have done but on what Christ has done. As Paul says, times of stress accentuate the presence and power of God.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:3-5 nlt).

When the valleys come, we are tempted to abandon our faith and strike out in our own strength when what we should do is embrace our faith in God, look for our Shepherd, and follow Him.

The story is told of a shepherd who tried to persuade his sheep to cross a swiftly flowing stream. Since sheep are naturally afraid of rapidly running water, the shepherd couldn't get them to cross. Then he had an idea. Picking up a lamb, he stepped with it into the river and carried it to the opposite shore. When the mother saw that the shepherd had safely led her lamb across the stream, she forgot her fear and stepped out in faith and into the rushing current. Soon, she was safely on the other side. The rest of the flock followed.

Faith rests in what Christ has already done on the cross and in our lives. Faith also hopes for what He will do for us in the future. Faith builds on the victories of yesterday to help us face the valleys of today and the questions about tomorrow. Faith in God is sure and certain, believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises, even though we can't see a single promise materializing, we are exercising faith. Faith does not bypass pain. It does, however, empower us to deal with pain. Faith steps up to the bat and invites the opponent to throw his best pitch. Sometimes faith strengthens us, and other times, surprises us. Great faith is forged in the deepest valleys, beginning where our strength and power end.

Let's Pray

Father, I want to thank You for being my Shepherd. Please teach me how to rest in Your care and trust You no matter how high the mountains or how deep the valleys in my life may be.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

By faith, accept the truth that God is always at work in your life and thank Him for His steadfast provision. Look back over the past few days, weeks and months of your life.  Now praise Him for the things He has done.

Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What are the steps listed in this passage that – when taken – will help you walk by faith?

More from the Girlfriends

Do you want to be a success? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Power Up With Proverbs, for Biblical wisdom and practical steps you can take to live a life of victory. Since each lesson stands alone, it's not too late to join and still have access to all of the lessons.

Do you have any difficult relationships in your life? Get Mary's book, Sandpaper People, for practical ways to deal with those people who rub you the wrong way. And 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]

April 11, 2013
Whatever You Need, God Is
Sharon Jaynes         

Today's Truth

"I am God Almighty (El Shaddai); walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." (Genesis 17:1-2)

Friend to Friend

I was exhausted. I was drenched in sweat. I was filled with inexplicable joy – a joy I had never known. It was the day Steven Hugh Jaynes, Jr. emerged from the God pocket of my womb and made his grand debut into the world.

When my son was born, I never knew so much love could be wrapped in one tiny package. After twenty-three and a half hours of pushing and pulling, heaving and hoeing, he finally decided to leave his comfy sauna and face the bright lights of the delivery room. As soon as the umbilical cord was severed the nurses whisked him away to make sure ten fingers and toes were accounted for, wrap him in a cozy blanket and place a cap on his fuzzy head.

We got to visit for a little while, this new little person and I, but alas they needed to run a few more test to make sure all was well. A few moments later, a nurse brought my little man to my room, placed the squirmy bundle on my chest, and smiled. Steven's head bobbed about like he was looking for something. He whimpered. He searched. And then he found what he was rooting for. Steven latched onto my body, and the miracle began. Nourishing, life-giving sustenance began to flow. And for the first time I truly understood the name...El Shaddai.

One of the names of God in the Old Testament is El Shaddai. We've already seen that the word El means "mighty" or "strong. El Shaddai is most often translated "God Almighty," "God the powerful one," or God, the mighty one."[1]Shaddai comes from the Hebrew root word shad, meaning "breast." It gives us a wonderful picture of God as "the one who nourishes, supplies, and satisfies." [2]

The word Shaddai describes power, but not in the usual mighty sense. It is the power to nourish, to sustain life, to quiet ones longings. God's name El Shaddai, is used 48 times in the Old Testament, 31 of those occurring in the book of Job.

The Hebrew root word shad may seem a bit odd at first glance. But if you have ever held a hungry, crying, restless or anxious babe in your arms, and then witness the calm that sweeps over him when placed to your breast, you understand. If you haven't experienced that firsthand, but witnessed it, you understand. The crying ceases, the restlessness calms, the hunger is satisfied, and anxiousness melts away. And to that child, the mother from whom life-giving, soul satisfying nourishment flows is all-powerful. What a beautiful image of our God who satisfies our every need, calms our every fear, and soothes our every longing.

When God appeared to Abraham, and introduced the name, El Shaddai, God Almighty, Abraham believed that God was able to accomplish all that He had promised. God's words were the flow of faith that Abraham needed to nourish his doubts that God would do what He said He would do. It didn't matter that Abraham was ninety-nine years old. It didn't matter that Sarah was eighty-nine years old. The laws of nature do not apply to the One who created them. With God, all things are possible. With the revelation of the name, God let Abraham know that He was all-powerful and could do anything He pleased. He was not bound by the laws of nature or fettered by the decisions of man. Nothing could stop His word from coming to pass. Not even a dried up womb or a withered up man.

So what about you? What about your situation? I ask the same question the angel asked Sarah. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14 NIV)

No matter what you're going through today, you can cling to the truth that God is El Shaddai – The All Sufficient One. Whatever you need God is. He has within Himself the life-giving sustenance you need...the life-giving sustenance your heart longs for.

I encourage you to nuzzle up to El Shaddai and allow Him to calm your fears, soothe your hunger, and nourish your soul.

Let's Pray

El Shaddai, There is nothing too hard for You. You have everything I need. Forgive me when I root about this earth looking for people, possessions and power to satisfy my deepest longings. You, only You, can truly satisfy the longing of my heart. You are El Shaddai. The Nourisher, Sustainer, and Soother of my soul.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What have you looked to for satisfaction other than God? Did it satisfy in the long run?

Think of a time God sustained you? Nourished you?

What do the following verses tell you about how God is able to satisfy your longings? Romans 16:25  2 Corinthians 9:8  Ephesians 3:20-21.

What is God saying to you at this time about your seemingly "impossible situation? Click over to my blog post at www.sharonjaynes.com and leave your response.

More from the Girlfriends

Do you long for more in your relationship with God? Well guess what. God wants it even more. And the good news is that something more does not mean doing more. If you feel something is missing in your spiritual journey, then I encourage you to take a look at my book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More.  Learn how to experience moments of Sudden Glory as God makes His articulate presence known to you on a daily basis!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG, 1004), p2371.

[2] Herbert Lockyer, All the Divine Name and Titles in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI:Zondervan 1975), p14.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Truth

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."(John 14:26, NIV)

Friend to Friend

Ever since I was young, I've loved connecting dots. In my childhood it was dots with numbers on paper that stranded together to form an object. As I threw my attention to the page and followed the numbered steps, a picture developed. A new creation appeared that brought joy to my little-girl heart.

My grown-up dot-connecting challenges are far from a kid's fun sheet. There are daily life dots, like: family dots, faith dots, emotion dots, relationship dots, job dots, parenting dots and decision dots. I continually struggle to make sense of situations and circumstances and I long for a simply numbered life sheet to give me guidance and direction.

Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever wonder how to connect the practical instruction of God's Word to your daily choices, challenges and behaviors? Do you struggle to understand how to connect the dots between your questions and God's answers? Between the decisions you need to make and God's wisdom?

If you have a pulse, I'm guessing you deal with this dot-connecting life stuff regularly like I do. The Lord knew we would struggle with this, and He gives each of us the power to connect our life dots. How? Through His Holy Spirit.

In Scripture, we see a beautiful promise. Before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that He must die in order to connect the sinful hearts of man to the holy heart of God. He explained that though He was leaving this world, His followers would not be left alone or without power.

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. (John 14:15-17a)

Jesus went on to say, All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:25-26)

The Holy Spirit works in and through us to connect the life dots between our heart and God's. He's the connector between our problems and God's solutions. When we humbly go to God in prayer and ask Him to help us take the next step, or make the next decision, or choose the next response, He will faithfully lead us to the next dot with wisdom through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Invite the Holy Spirit to lead your decisions and emotions today. Open your heart to His counsel. Call on His wisdom and listen for the whispers of His truth. When you do, He will connect your life dots in order to bring glory to God the Father. Imagine what our lives, families, churches, and communities would look like if we allowed the Spirit of God within us to connect our life dots each day. The world would see a beautiful faith picture.

Let's Pray

Heavenly Father, You are all knowing and all-powerful. You know every decision I need to make and every challenge I face. Please forgive me for the times that I try to figure this life out on my own. I need You. I need Your Holy Spirit to give me strength, wisdom, and direction, specifically concerning ______________.

In Jesus's name I pray,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
After telling His disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14, Jesus blessed them with a peace promise: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 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)

Where does this promise find you today? Whatever you are facing, know that the Holy Spirit is ready to guide and comfort you. Journal your thoughts about this and ask God to connect the faith dots for you so you can bring Him glory in your circumstances and experience His peace.

Now, click over to my blog and tell me how God is helping you connect your life dots!

More from the Girlfriends

Hey friend. I know many of you are facing very difficult times. Some of you are trying to sift through the ashes of marriage problems, financial challenges, health issues and emotional torment. God knows right where you are, He loves you and He knows your heart. He has a plan for your life. As you look to Him to connect your life dots, trust His plan and press in to do His will.

STRUGGLING TO SEE A BEAUTIFUL FAITH PICTURE? Experience God's confidence, healing, direction and hope in your life today as you read Broken Into Beautiful. To order the book, go to Amazon, your favorite Christian bookstore, or for a signed copy, order from Gwen's website.

[Judy Harder]

April 15, 2013
My Job ... God's Plan?
Mary Southerland


Today's Truth

"She works with eager hands." (Proverbs 31:13)

Friend to Friend

I have had many jobs over the years. I started babysitting when I was twelve years old. In high school, I worked in a clothing store, as an aid for my choral director, and as a recruiter for an employment agency. In college, I was a secretary for the president of our social science honors program and often gave tours to visiting dignitaries. Some jobs I liked more than others, but working in an insurance office when my husband attended seminary was one of my least favorite jobs. I soon discovered that I was not alone in my lack of enthusiasm as I read the following note posted on the office bulletin board:

"If you don't believe in the resurrection of the dead, you ought to be here five minutes before quitting time!"

Our attitude about our work will determine the success of our work. Scripture tells us that the Proverbs 31 woman literally "pounced upon" her work with "chosen delight." Notice the word "chosen." No job is perfect and no workplace is always wonderful, but we can learn to choose our inner attitude about our work regardless of the outer circumstances of our workplace. Like this woman, we can learn to train our heart and choose our attitude about our work.

The author of Ecclesiastes writes, "My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor" (Ecclesiastes 2:10). In other words, joy in work can be found when we look for it. The Proverbs 31 woman chose an attitude that guaranteed success in her work. The right attitude in any workplace is to view our work as an act of worship to God. This woman's workplace was an altar upon which she laid her best efforts as an offering of praise.

The story is told of three men who were working on a large building project. "What are you doing?" one of the men was asked. "I am mixing mortar," he responded. The second man said, "I am helping put up this great stone wall." When the third man was asked, he replied, "I'm building a cathedral to the glory of God." We need to understand that what gives work eternal value and makes it successful is not the product or service we offer; it is doing the job faithfully to the glory of God. It doesn't matter if you close a million-dollar deal or do a million loads of laundry. If you do it unto God as part of your life worship of Him, you are a success.

The apostle Paul was a very successful man whose work ethic is made clear in Colossians 3:23  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Every customer you serve or every child you hug, every toilet you clean or every deal you close can be an act of worship when it is done for the glory of God.

A survey by the Families and Work Institute found that 70 percent of people in the United States often dream about doing something different for a living. Books, consultants, and employment agencies offer to help us land our dream job. However, is finding a different occupation always the solution to job satisfaction, or could the key to successful work be discovering a new approach to the work we already do? Twice in Colossians 3, Paul used the phrase "whatever you do" as a call for wholehearted service to the Lord. A wholehearted effort is difficult when working for a critical, ungrateful boss. Minimum effort then becomes a response that certainly seems justified under the circumstances. However, when our work is done for Christ and we view Him as our supervisor, we will strive to do our best all of the time. The boss may sign the paycheck, but the Savior issues our reward. Obviously, it's not wrong to seek work that fits our skills and interests, but it is pointless to move from one job to another without first settling the issue of who it is that we truly are serving in the workplace. Daily work takes on eternal significance when it is done for God.

Let's Pray

Father, thank You for the job You have given me. Please help me honor You with the work I do and the attitude with which I do it. Help me view my workplace as an opportunity to praise and worship You. Please let me see my co-workers as people You have placed in my path to love with Your love. Today, I surrender my job to You, Lord.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

The amazing truth is that more than we want to know God's plan for our life, He wants us to know it and stands ready to guide us. God always reveals His plan to an obedient and seeking heart. Are you willing to do whatever God asks you to do?

Read Jeremiah 29:11 and record it in your journal. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (NIV).

Seek God and ask for His direction. 

Seek His will by searching His Word.

Pay attention to the passion of your heart.

Realistically evaluate your abilities.

Take into account your natural talents.

Consider the advice of those who know you best.

Then step out in faith, trusting God to help you make the right choice about your job.

More from the Girlfriends

Do you want to be a success? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Power Up With Proverbs, for Biblical wisdom and practical steps you can take to live a life of victory. Since each lesson stands alone, it's not too late to join and still have access to all of the lessons.

Do you have any difficult relationships in your life? Get Mary's book, Sandpaper People, for practical ways to deal with those people who rub you the wrong way. And 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]

April 16, 2013

Jump Into Abba's Arms

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see," (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

Friend to Friend

One night a family was startled from sleep by the piercing blare of their smoke detector. The house was on fire and smoke swirled up the wooden staircase. The father bolted from his bed and ran to his children's room. He grabbed his eighteen-month-old baby out of his crib, and dragged his four-year-old son by the hand. They were half-way down the stairs when the little boy remembered his favorite teddy bear in his room and broke away to go back and get it. In the mayhem and confusion, the father didn't realize his son wasn't with him until he reached the front yard.

By the time the little boy found his teddy bear, the flames had filled his room and trapped him inside. Smoke burned his lungs as he coughed and cried out the open window.

"Daddy! Daddy!" he cried. "Help me!

His dad called up to the lad, "I'm right here, son. Jump and I'll catch you."

"But Daddy," the boy cried, "I can't see you!"

"That's OK, son," he called. "I can see you! Now jump!"

The boy blindly jumped from the open window and landed safely in his father's arms.

I love that story. It is my story.

So many times my Heavenly Father calls me to jump. Sometimes He tells me to jump out of a situation, and sometimes he calls me to jump into an opportunity. Either way, I usually baulk at the idea...at least a little.

"But God, I can't see You," I cry.

"That's OK," He replies. "I can see you. Now jump!"

And so I jump. And He is there every time.

What about you? Is God calling you to jump out of a fiery situation? Is God calling you into a new opportunity? Well sister, if He is, jump. You might not be able to see Him, but He can see you. And that is all that matters.

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for always being there for me. Help me to have the courage and the faith to jump out of any fiery situation that could singe my character, char my faith, or leave me smelling of smoke. Help me to have the courage and the faith to jump into any blessed opportunity that could increase my faith, build my character, and leave me wearing the fragrance of Christ.
In Jesus's Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

All through the Bible God called men and women to take a leap of faith. Every time God promised that He would be right there with him or her.

Read Exodus 3:12 and 4:12 and notice what God told Moses.

Read Joshua 1:5 and 1:9 and notice what God told Joshua.

Read Judges 6:16 and notice what God told Gideon.

If you really want to gas up your faith tank, read all of Hebrews 11.

Go back to today's truth. How does it relate to today's story?

If you are ready to take a leap of faith today, click over to my blog post and say, "Ok God, here I come!"

More from the Girlfriends

God is the Ancient of Days...and you can trust Him. If you enjoy these on-line devotions, then you'll love our GiG book, Trusting God. It has 12 weeks of devotions dedicated to Trusting God in every situation. Click here to take a peek.