Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

January 31, 2014
Getting Good at Being You
Mary Southerland                                                                                                       

Today's Truth

Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you(Jeremiah 1:5, NCV).

Friend to Friend

Beginnings are very important. In fact, the place of origin has much to do with the quality of the journey as well as the final destination. My journey - like yours - began in the heart and mind of God. Before I took even one breath, God wanted, loved and planned me. That same truth applies to you, my friend. You are no accident. You and I were created in response to the love of God and according to His plans. God did not "accidentally" create us and then step back in alarm and say, "Oops!  I created her.  Now what am I going to do with her?"  The plan came first.

There have been many times in my life when I doubted my worth and value. I filled every waking moment with activity – good things – thinking that if I did enough good things, I would be good enough. It didn't work. I can never be good enough to earn the love and favor of God. The good news is that I don't have to be. My worth and value rest in the fact that I am chosen by God to be His very own child. I am loved, wanted and planned by God Himself. Wow! God Himself supervised our formation. We were created – not to be a puppet – but for an intimate relationship with God.

Psalm 139:14-16 (NCV) "I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old."

When our son, Jered, was four-years-old, we enrolled him in a daycare for two mornings each week. Jered loved to play with other children and always seemed to get along with everyone. I was surprised and upset when his teacher asked me to come in for a conference. My husband said, "Honey, how bad can it be? Jered is only four!" Jered's teacher met us with a smile and a good report. "Jered is a wonderful little boy," she began, "but there is one problem. How long has Jered known he was adopted?" I was still clueless about that being a problem, but answered, "Since he began talking. We have told him repeatedly how special he is and that he is a chosen baby." She smiled and went on to explain that Jered told the other children how he was special because he was adopted. In fact, Jered informed each child that his mom and dad had chosen him – while their parents "got stuck" with them.

Listen, my friend, when you begin to understand and live out the eternal truth that you are loved, planned, wanted and chosen by God, His perfect plan and highest purpose will naturally unfold before you each day. Remember, in His eyes, you are special, and His plan for your life is simply for you to get good at being you.

Let's Pray

Father, I want to know You and find Your plan for my life. I choose to see myself through Your eyes of love, forgiveness and grace. I want to be the woman You created me to be. Thank You for loving me. Help me walk each day in the knowledge that I am Your child.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Do you really believe God loves you unconditionally? 
What proof of that belief is evident in your life?
Do you consider yourself worthy? Why or why not?
Read Psalm 139 each day for one month.  Record the new truths that you learn, the changes in your perspective and any fresh insights in your journal. 
At the end of the month, write Psalm 139 in your own words and share it with a friend. 

[Judy Harder]

February 4, 2014
The Lord is My Shepherd
Part 1
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends (Psalm 100:3, NCV).

Friend to Friend

Shepherding was one of the oldest callings in Israel, even before farming. Shepherds traveled from place to place, living in tents while driving their flocks from one pasture to another. The sheep and their shepherd lived together every minute of every day. In fact, they were so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.

A shepherd owned and marked his sheep. In some cases, the sheep were even branded, although branding is no longer an accepted method of identification because of the damage it does to the wool. Today, the ears of sheep are pierced with identification tags but for thousands of years, shepherds around the world marked their sheep by notching their ears with a sharp knife. Each shepherd had his own distinctive notch that indicated identity and ownership.

When we come to Jesus Christ in complete surrender and begin the journey of becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ, we are redeemed by His forgiveness, made whole by his grace, and marked with His love through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 "You were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal; the promised Holy Spirit."

For years, I desperately struggled to be a Christian with only head knowledge of who God was and wanted to be in my life. The result was a pitifully shallow existence with stress and frustration as my constant companions.

I grew up in a Christian home, attending church just about every time the doors were open. I sang all of the right songs, spoke all of the right words, and did all of the right things in front of all the right people. I fervently prayed that my works would validate my faith and desperately hoped that by following the rules, I would please the Ruler.

It was not until middle school that the authentic life and spiritual integrity of a dynamic youth pastor made me hunger and thirst for something more. I wanted to know God – not only as my Lord and King, but I wanted to know Him as my Shepherd, the one who would lead me, provide for me, and love me like no other.

During a special Saturday evening revival service at our small country church, I sat in my usual spot, desperately clutching the back of the pew in front of me while wrestling with God over the condition of my soul and my eternal security. After all, I was a very active church member, a soloist and pianist for our worship services, and even directed a children's choir. I never missed a service unless I was deathly ill. I was a leader in our youth group, rarely failed to attend a youth activity and often brought friends who were lost, unlike me, of course, and needed to know God. How embarrassing to walk down that aisle, admitting to everyone that I had been living a lie.

I clung to that church pew in sheer arrogance and argued that I was a Christian. I must be. Look at all of the good things I had done. I looked liked a believer, talked like a believer, and even acted like I was fully devoted to God ... but was I? (Don't miss the answer to that question in my next devotion.)

Let's Pray

Father, I confess that I have allowed fear and anxiety to fill my mind and heart. I want to trust You above all else. Please give me the faith to believe the promises in Your Word and the strength to take the first step of obedience. Help me remember that I am a sheep, totally dependent upon You, my Shepherd. Thank You for Your perfect provision for my life.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Psalm 23.
List three ways that sheep are dependent on the shepherd.
List three ways that shepherds care for their sheep.
Compare the two lists. What similarities do you find in your own life?
More from the Girlfriends

I am such a sheep! My Shepherd is constantly providing my needs while I wander around, looking for ways I can take care of myself. I take the wrong path and end up trapped in a dangerous place only to have the Shepherd rescue me. Today, I am reminded to rest in the care of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, instead of frantically trying to "fix" my world. He is God. He is Lord. He is my Shepherd. I encourage you to do the same.  Choose trust over worry. Choose faith over fear. Blessings!

Don't let fear consume your heart and mind. Get Mary's E-Book Bible Study, Getting a Grip on Fear, and learn how to experience God's peace in your daily life.

Need help learning how to study the Bible? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is How to Tame Your Tongue. And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

February 5, 2014
Man's Best Friend
Sharon Jaynes

(In honor of Valentine's Day, Sharon's February devotions will focus on marriage. If you are not married, these devotions will apply to you in other areas of your life. Keep reading!)

Today's Truth

The LORD God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him' (Genesis 2:18, NIV).

Friend to Friend

For thirteen years, our family was blessed with a golden retriever named Ginger. We gave her to our son, Steven, for Christmas when he was five-years-old, and she still holds the blue ribbon as the best present ever. I can still remember the look of surprise on Steven's cherub face when the "stuffed" animal began to move.

"It's a puppy!" he exclaimed. "It's not a toy!"

And while Ginger was officially Steven's dog, and I was unofficially her primary caretaker, it was my husband who held a special place in her heart. From the very beginning, Ginger loved my husband the best.

Ginger lollygagged her days away by sleeping in the driveway or lounging by the back stoop steps. However, when my husband's car entered the neighborhood and turned the corner onto our shady Stratfordshire Drive, Ginger's ears perked up and her eyes began to beam. Suddenly infused with a burst of anticipatory energy, she would jump to her feet and run in circles.

"He's home! He's home!" she seemed to say.

When Steve pulled into the garage and opened his car door, Ginger whined, ran to greet him and rested her head on his left leg while he cooed and rubbed her ears. Steve's homecoming was the highlight of her day.

No wonder dog is called "man's best friend." Ginger was loyal, didn't nag, and loved Steve no matter how much or how little attention he paid to her on any given day. She was very forgiving and almost immediately forgot any injustice such as not giving her table scraps or being left behind when we traveled on vacation.

Often at the mere sight of Steve, Ginger rolled over on her back and beckoned him to rub her tummy. She always responded to his touch like it was heaven on earth. What man wouldn't love such a response from "his girl"?

And yet, when God created Adam and placed him in the Garden, only to determine that "It is not good for man to be alone," He did not create a dog to be his loyal companion.  God created a woman to fill the void in his life. She was called a "helper." The Hebrew word that is translated "helper" is "ezer." And while you may have one definition in mind when you read the word "helper," "ezer" is packed with so much more.

Ezer appears twenty-one times in the Old Testament. Twice in Genesis it describes the woman (Genesis 2:18, 20). But the majority of references (sixteen to be exact) refer to God, or Yahweh, as the helper of His people. The remaining three references appear in the books of the prophets, who use it to refer to military aid. So friend, married or not, being an ezer is quite an honor. It is a word denoting great strength.

We would be very remiss if we looked at the word ezer or helper only in domestic terms. Adam didn't need someone to cook for him, clean up after him, or care for him. That was not the problem. The void in Adam's life was that he did not have a companion to work with him, rule the earth with him, love with him, procreate with him, and after the fall—struggle with him. A dog might have been an easier adjustment for Adam, but God decided Adam needed someone with words.

As an ezer or a strong helper, how will we use our words? Will we use them to fortify or flatten, defend or defeat, complete or compete? The choice begins in our minds, runs through our hearts, and responds with our lips. And one of the best ways we can use our words is in prayer.

Let's Pray

For the married woman:
Dear LORD, I so want to be a good ezer–a good companion that is my husband's completer. I want to be a helper and not a hindrance. Help me to use my words in such a way that help him to be all that You have created him to be as we work together in life.  In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

For the unmarried woman:
Dear LORD, thank You for creating me to be a helper—a strong women who comes along to assist where needed. Give me the right words to say to help others to be all You have created them to be. Help me not to tear down others with my words, but build them up. Help me to speak life into those around me today.
In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What do you think of when you think of the word "helper"?

Why do you think Adam needed a helper?

How have you been an ezer to your husband over the past week? (Not geezer, mind you, but ezer.)

You might want to ask him some ways that you could help him in the coming days?

[Judy Harder]

February 6, 2014
The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 2
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23, NIV).

Friend to Friend

In my last devotion, I described a special Saturday evening revival service at our small country church. I sat in my usual spot, desperately clutching the back of the pew in front of me while wrestling with God over the condition of my soul and my eternal security. After all, I was a very active church member, a soloist and pianist for our worship services, and even directed a children's choir. I never missed a service unless I was deathly ill. I was a leader in our youth group, rarely failed to attend a youth activity and often brought friends who were lost, unlike me, of course, and needed to know God. How embarrassing to walk down that aisle, admitting to everyone that I had been living a lie. I clung to that pew in sheer arrogance and argued that I was a Christian. I must be. Look at all of the good things I had done. I looked liked a believer, talked like a believer and even acted like I was fully devoted to God ... but was I really a follower of God?

As I contemplated the answer to that question, a startling certainty hit me like a ton of bricks! I knew all about God – and then the deeper truth of that reality followed closely behind. Yes, I had certainly accumulated a lot of knowledge about God, but I did not know Him. It wasn't enough for me or for God.

I have come to realize that God's perfect love settles for nothing less than an intimate and loving relationship with his children. That night, I stood in the darkness, gazing at the star-filled heavens and cried out, "God, if you are who you really say you are, I give everything I know about me to everything I know about you. I surrender." I met Jesus Christ that night.

While the course of my life was changed forever, I quickly discovered that I still had to deal with life on a daily basis, and I still had to face stressful situations. However, I also discovered who I really was - a sheep - and being a sheep is awesome!

When I am afraid, Jesus Christ is there to bring peace.

When my heart is broken, the Holy Spirit comforts and restores me.

Even when I found myself in a deep, dark pit of clinical depression, Jesus Christ, my Shepherd, led me from the darkness into the light.

I began to understand the incredible truth that Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, had planned my very existence, prepared a plan in response to his love for me, and even made provision for the payment of my past, present and future sin.

I was wanted, chosen and marked for God.

I no longer had to live life on my own because I now had a Shepherd.

God's love precedes me, goes before me and surrounds me as I live each day. Knowing that we are loved fosters peace in our hearts, and when our hearts are filled with peace, there is little room for stress.

Actually, when you think about it, sheep don't come across as stressed-out creatures. In fact, they seem almost oblivious to the dangers of being a sheep. Sheep don't seem to worry about where their next meal is coming from, if they will have a place to sleep each night, when the next enemy or thief will attack, or even what the next day holds. When sheep are sick, they simply turn to their Shepherd, instinctively knowing that He will take care of them and comfort them until healing comes.

We need to remember and even revisit the fact that we are all sheep; that Jesus Christ really is our Shepherd and that nothing else really matters.

Let's Pray

I am so needy, Lord. Everywhere I turn, I am inadequate in my own strength, power and abilities. I waste so much time and energy trying to be everything You already are. Help me remember that I don't have to depend upon my sufficiency. I can always and forever depend on Yours alone. I am Your sheep. And You are my Shepherd. Praise God!

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

I encourage you to read Psalm 23 every day for one week. At the end of that week, examine your stress level. Has it changed? How has your stress level changed?

Write Psalm 23 in your journal, on a card or a piece of paper. Tuck a copy in your purse or your Bible. In fact, make several copies and place them in prominent places around your house.

Memorize Psalm 23 – one verse at a time. Meditate on each word, each phrase and each truth in each verse.

More from the Girlfriends

Peace is not an emotion or feeling. Peace is a person. When we have a personal relationship with God, we will experience true peace. Mary's E-Bible Study, How to Find Your Missing Peace, will help you discover the steps you need to take in order to experience God's peace.

Need help learning how to study the Bible?Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is How to Tame Your Tongue. And be sure to connect with Mary on Face book or through email.

[Judy Harder]

February 7, 2014
A Fresh Brewed Faith
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Every morning I walk straight to the coffee pot and push the ON button. I'm a total coffee girl. I like a piping-hot, extra dark roast with half and half, and I struggle to function without my first cup of coffee. I crave that first sip and relish the warmth of the mug in my hands. I jokingly call it my "warm, happy friend." My mornings just wouldn't be the same without coffee!       

We should have the same attitude about our faith.  We should wake up each morning bursting at the seams to be with God, to be in His presence, to listen for His still small voice, to savor Him. A faith that is brewed fresh daily strengthens us, renews us, and enables us to mount up with wings like eagles, to experience the power of God in our lives, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not faint.         

This energizing, percolated faith is readily available to all who ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8). How can you experience this power in your life? By getting alone with God, reading the Bible, and listening for His voice each day. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17, ESV).

Like a morning with no coffee, there are times when we are sluggish in our faith. Times when trusting Him doesn't come easily. Times when we need a shot of God-caffeine in our day, a spiritual espresso. What can we do at these times? Are there things in the Scriptures that tell us how can we strengthen our trust-muscles and jump-start our faith? Absolutely!

           
One practical way to build your faith is by remembrance. When David was just a shepherd boy, he had courage to face a giant partly because he remembered the previous victories the Lord allowed him to experience. He approached King Saul with great confidence, saying: The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1Sam 17:36, NIV). His past victories fueled his faith and helped him to trust God for his present deliverances. Ours do the same. We can face our giants with equal confidence when we pause to remember how God has worked in our past.

           
Corrie Ten Boom said, "Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."

           
What has God brought you through in the past? Think on these things, and choose to trust Him to bring you through all you face today and tomorrow. When you trust God with a fresh brewed faith, He will be your Strength, your Sustainer, and your Hiding Place so you can run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. Fill up your faith cup right now.

Let's Pray

Dear God, You have brought me through so many challenging times. Please remind me of Your faithfulness in the past so that I may have a fresh shot of faith that equips me to live today in Your strength. Help me to trust You, and keep me from leaning on my own understanding. In Jesus's name, amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read 1 Samuel 17.

Consider a specific time that God has moved in your life. Grab a journal and write about it, or swing by my blog or my Facebook page and tell me about it!

Pray for God to increase your faith and give you the strength you need for today.

[Judy Harder]

February 10, 2014
Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe
Sharon Jaynes

(In honor of Valentine's Day, Sharon's February devotions will focus on marriage. If you are not married, these devotions will apply to you in other areas of life. Keep reading!)

Today's Truth

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil inthe heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Of all the roles and responsibilities that God has given wives, the position of a prayer warrior or intercessor is perhaps the greatest of all. An intercessor is a person who intervenes or prays for another person. It was derived from the Greek word enteuxis, which means to go before a king with a petition or plea on behalf of someone else. In essence, it means the same thing today. We go before the King of Kings with a petition or plea on someone's behalf. What we accomplish on our knees in the invisible realm will ultimately affect the strength of our marriage in the visible realm. There is no other person who is more called or more qualified to pray for your man than you.

In the Bible, God describes the marriage of a man and a woman as a visual example of the spiritual union between Jesus Christ and the church (all Christians). Believers are called "the bride of Christ" (Revelation 19:7). A marriage is a walking, talking, earthly example of the heavenly relationship between God's Son and those who believe on His name. God instructs men, "Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

There is someone who wants to destroy that living example, and his name is Satan. Jesus said, "The thief [Satan] comes to steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). He desires to destroy the God-ordained and designed institution of marriage. He began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and continues his destructive tactics even today. Satan is not very creative, but he's very effective, and he uses the same temptations and tactics today that he used in the first marriage on earth. Satan has proclaimed an all-out assault on the family and he begins at the top—with the husband and wife.

So many times we fail to see the real enemy in our marital struggles. The writer of Ephesians explains, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

When having a conflict with my husband, I need to stop, take a deep breath, and think...who is the real enemy here? There is a spiritual battle raging all around us that we can't even see, but is very real. It is the greater reality. It is a battle that is not to be feared, but one that is to be recognized and fought in the only place where it can be won—in prayer.

Let's Pray:

Dear Lord, I pray for my husband from head to toe.

His Mind ­­- That he will have the mind of Christ and think as the Holy Spirit would lead him and not the flesh. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
His Eyes -That You will keep his eyes from temptation and that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13; Mark 9:47)
His Ears - That he will hear Your still small voice instructing him. (1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:
His Mouth -That his words will be pleasing to You. (Proverbs 19:14)
His Neck - That the decisions that turn his head will honor You in all regards. (1 Kings 3:9)
His Shoulders - That he will not carry burdens and worries on his own shoulders, but trust that nothing is too hard for You. (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17)
His Heart -That he will love and trust You with his whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 3:5)
His Back - That You will protect him from harm in the spiritual and physical realms. (Deuteronomy 23:14 NLT)
His Arms - That You will be his strength. (Psalm 73:26)
His Hands - That he will enjoy the work of his hands and see it as a gift from You. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19)
His Ring Finger – That he will love me as Christ loved the Church. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
His Side - That he will have godly friends who hold him up and spur him on. (Proverbs 27:17; Proverbs 12:26).
His Sexuality – That he will not be tempted by sexual sin, but satisfied and fulfilled in our marriage bed. (Matthew 6:13; Proverbs 5:18-19)
His Legs - That he will stand firm on the truth, knowing that if he does not stand firm in his faith, he will not stand at all. (Psalm 62:6; Isaiah 7:9)
His Knees - That he will humble himself before You and be strong, courageous, and careful to do everything written in Your Word so that he will be prosperous and successful. (James 4:10; Joshua 1:8-9)
His feet - That You will order his steps, and that he will walk in Your truth. (Proverbs 4:25; Psalm 26:3)
Now It's Your Turn

Consider asking your husband for some specific ways that you can pray for him today.

Look up each of the Scripture references above and make the prayer for your husband specific to his particular needs.

Find one friend with whom you can pray for your marriage. Commit to pray for each other's marriage on a regular basis.

Click over to my Facebook page and share your husband, son, or boyfriend's name. Let's pray for our men today.

More from the Girlfriends

As a wife, you have been given the privilege of serving as a mighty prayer warrior for your husband. Today's devotion is just a sample of the power of praying Scripture over your man. My latest book, Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe teaches about the importance of each of the 16 landmarks in your man's life, and gives a comprehensive thirty-day prayer guide to cover him from head to toe. You'll be equipped and empowered to establish the habit of purposeful prayer in just 5-7 minutes a day! Check it out at www.prayingforyourhusband.com. I'd also encourage your to join me in the 30-Day Prayer Dare!

[Judy Harder]

February 11, 2014
Got Faith?
Part 1
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.

Remember – the shepherd 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.

Don't let that word – faith – frighten you. You have faith. You walk into a dark room and flip a switch, knowing that the light will come on. You sit in a chair, knowing it will support your weight. You buy a ticket and board a plane, trusting that aircraft to get you to your desired destination. Yes, you have faith. It is just a matter of where you place that faith that makes all the difference in the world. When you place your faith in God, a world of possibilities and impossibilities opens up.

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."

Are you discouraged...afraid...desperately trying to find enough energy to simply breathe? God knows. And He really is your shepherd. He understands that you may only be able to take one tiny, almost imperceptible step of faith. But He sees you, and just like a parent applauding their child's first stumbling step, God will applaud will honor your choice to take it.

(And be sure to join me on Thursday for the rest of the story on faith!)

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' 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

Our faith is tested when the storms of life hit. Are you sitting in a rocking boat that you fear is about to capsize? Mary has a message of hope for you! Check out her CD, Strength for the Storm, and discover how to find strength and the courage to face the trials in your life.

[Judy Harder]

February 12, 2014
AAA Club of Marriage
Sharon Jaynes

(In honor of Valentine's Day, Sharon's February devotions will focus on marriage. If you are not married, these devotions will apply to you in other areas of your life. Keep reading!)

Today's Truth

And let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband—that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly (Ephesians 5:33, Amplified).

Friend to Friend

Are you a member of the Triple A Club of Marriage? You didn't know there was such a thing?  Well, there's not an official one that you can call if your marriage breaks down, but I have one that I keep in the back of my mind. It stands for adoration, admiration, and appreciation. Did you know that big tough man of yours longs to be admired? He desires for someone to think he's brave and brilliant, loving and logical, tough and tender, handsome and humorous, masculine and magical.That's the stuff of your man's dreams.   

What does it mean to adore your husband? Basically, it means to love him with all your heart...and let him know about it. Someone once said, "I like not only to be loved, but to be told I am loved." 

Do you want to see your husband's face light up like a full moon? Tell him you are amazed that he knows how to ________, or that you are impressed by his _______, then sit back and watch him glow.

When the TV cameras pan the sidelines of a college football game, my heart always melts in a pool of butter when a young man waves his hand and says those precious two words: "Hi Mom."  It's almost like he's saying, "Look at me! Look at me!" The truth is men want to be admired by the woman of their dreams. It starts with Mom, and then continues with the Misses.

Where does your husband go for adoration, admiration and appreciation? He goes somewhere.  All men do.

Does he go to work in hopes of hearing "job well done"?

Does he go to the ball field in hopes of hearing "way to go man"?

Does he go back home to his mother to hear "I'm so proud of you son"?

Does he work late in hopes of a few compliments from the gals in the office?

Does he feast on compliments from patients or clients?

Does he hang out at the gym flexing and building his biceps?

Tell me, where does your man go to be admired?

Dr. Willard Harley, in his book, His Needs, Her Needs, says,

When a woman tells a man she thinks he's wonderful, that inspires him to achieve more. He sees himself as capable of handling new responsibilities and perfecting skills far above those of his present level. That inspiration helps him prepare for the responsibilities of life. Admiration not only motivates, it also rewards the husband's existing achievements. When she tells him that she appreciates him for what he has done, it gives him more satisfaction than he receives from his paycheck. A woman needs to appreciate her husband for what he already is, not for what he could become, if he lived up to her standards.

For some men–those with fragile self-images–admiration also helps them believe in themselves.  Without it these men seem inherently more defensive about their shortcomings....While criticism causes men to become defensive, admiration energizes and motivates them.  A man expects–and needs his wife to be his most enthusiastic fan. He draws confidence from her support and can usually achieve far more with her.

One of the most important sentences in my book, The Power of a Woman's Words is this: "Your words become the mirror in which other people see themselves." And that is true for your husband. Your words become the mirror in which he sees himself.

So if he's looking sort of glum lately, maybe you need to renew your membership into the AAA Club of marriage and try a little adoration, admiration and appreciation around your home.

And if you are one of my unmarried GiG friends, think of ways you can polish the mirror that you hold up with your words to your friends, family, and co-workers today.

Let's Pray

Married GiG
Dear Lord, I pray that I will be my husband's biggest fan. Please help me restrain my critical tongue. Help me to see him as You see Him...a child of the King. I do so love my husband; help me to make sure that he knows just how much.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Single GiG
Dear Lord, Help me to use my words to speak life into those around me today. Help me to build others up and point them to the truth that he or she is a co-image-bearer of God who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Show me someone who needs a word of encouragement...a verbal hug.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

If you have been withholding admiring words from your husband, it may feel strange to begin giving them. First and foremost, be authentic–be real. If you contrive admiring words, he will be able to tell. Start with one compliment or word of appreciation. It may be as simple as saying "thank you." Soon the admiration will begin to flow...hopefully both ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Place an "I love you" sign in a public place. (I put a sign outside of my husband's office window to surprise him on Valentine's Day. The fact that all his patients saw it was an extra boost!)
Write him a love letter.
Write an acrostic from A-Z of reasons you adore, admire, and appreciate him.
Leave an "I love you" message on his voice mail.
Write him a thank-you note for something specific he did for you.
More from the Girlfriends

Are you ready to be bold and stoke the flames of love and passion in your marriage? How would you like to make your husband fall in love with you all over again? I've got just the ticket. I have a e-book titled, The 14-Day Romance Challenge. 25,000 women joined me for the challenge last February with amazing stories to tell! Put a smile on your hubby's face! Click here to check it out.

[Judy Harder]

February 13, 2014
Got Faith?
Part 2
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Friend to Friend

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. 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, the shepherd stepped 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 hopes for what God 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 be a woman of faith, but I am so weak and so often afraid. Today, I choose against fear. Instead, I choose to believe You and Your Word. Please help me learn how to reject the lies of the enemy and celebrate the absolute truth of Your Word. In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

One of my favorite descriptions of faith is:

F: forsaking

A: all

I:  I

T: trust

H: Him

How would you define faith? _______________________________________________

Read Hebrews 11:6 and record it in your journal. Then write the verse in your own words.

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

[Judy Harder]

February 14, 2014
Let's Run Away
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

And don't let us yield to temptation (Matthew 6:13, NLT).

Friend to Friend

It was a windy winter day. Our three dogs needed to stretch their legs and get a bit of outside playtime, so I let them out to roam freely in our fenced-in back yard. An hour later, my husband asked me where the dogs were.

"Out back," I replied.

"Honey, the wind blew that gate wide open and only Rocky is on the deck! How long ago did you let them out?" He asked.

"An hour ago!" I exclaimed, as feelings of unease crept into my heart.

Grabbing our jackets and shoes, Brad and I bolted outside and began to scour the neighborhood looking for our two runaway dogs.

"Roman! Steeler! Come!" We yelled endlessly into the biting wind.

After covering several blocks of our neighborhood, having seen no traces of our dogs, I ran home to get my car. While Brad continued to search on foot, I began to drive around and call out for Roman and Steeler from my car. My stomach was in knots, my heart was gripped with ache, and my mind swirled with longing and prayers for our very-much-loved pets to come home. Please, be safe doggies! Please, Lord, help us find our dogs.

We searched and searched. No dogs.

Our phone number is on their I.D. tags! I thought. Maybe someone saw them wandering and took them into their home to call us.

I drove home quickly to check our voicemail. No voicemail.

I decided to stay by the phone in case someone called. Brad continued to search, driving through our development and the surrounding neighborhoods. After a long while, he returned... without Roman and Steeler. We were crushed. Though we had been praying for the Lord to help us find our dogs the whole time, with heavy hearts we prayed some more.

And we waited.

More than three long hours after the dogs had run away, our phone rang. Hope sprang to my heart as I heard the question from the other end of the line, "Do you have two missing dogs?"

"Yes, ma'am! Their names are Roman and Steeler! We've looked everywhere for them! Are they with you?"

"Yes they are. I saw them playing outside by the street and thought that they must belong to somebody, so I called them over. They ran right to me and I've got them in my house. They are both a good bit dirty and a little bit scared, and the small one is limping slightly... but they are safe," she said.

The skies parted and angels appeared in the clouds singing, "Hallelujah!" as I jumped up to grab a pen to write down her address. They were safe! Thank You, Lord!

Roman and Steeler had wandered over a mile away from our home.

Over a mile!

We scooped them up from the kind woman's house as fast as we could and rejoiced in their homecoming. They needed to be cleaned, cared for, and held. And that's exactly what we did: cleaned them, cared for them and held them. Oh, how we held them! And as I spoke with gentle, reassuring words to my small, limping dog it wasn't lost on me... the parallels between them and me. Between them and all of us wanderers.

God has established boundaries in His Word. They are beautiful boundaries surrounding wide-open spaces of His blessing, purposed to bring Him glory, allowing us to thrive in life and to keep us safe from harm. Yet we wander. Oh, how we wander... through so many different gates of temptation.

What is your open gate of temptation? Is it worry, fear, or doubt? Is it food, alcohol, shopping, money, or a good-looking guy who needs to be off your radar? Everybody faces temptations, and while being tempted isn't a sin, giving into temptation is. Jesus himself faced temptation and He demonstrated that we are to ask God for help. And don't let us yield to temptation. (Matthew 6:13, NLT)

Promise of Deliverance

What should we do when we face temptation? We should call out to God. He promises to give us a way out of any temptation. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)                                                                           

Because he himself (Jesus) suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(Hebrews 2:18)

The wind had blown hard on the day of our doggie drama. Our two furry friends had been allured by the temptations of an open gate. They gave in – disregarding the boundaries that had been established for their safety and wellbeing – and ventured out into dangerous territory where cars wisped by and other dangers loomed. Thankfully, they made it home safe. We are fully aware that the outcome of their rebellion could've ended horribly.

Friend, we need to be on high alert. Gates are going to fly open. Temptations are going to come and we need to be ready to run from them. God will give us the strength to resist each one - if we will only ask for His help.

SO... Let's run away today! Not from the fence of God's protection, but rather from the gate of temptation.

Let's run away from any gate that flies open. And let's pray that the Lord will keep us from yielding to temptation.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, Please forgive me for the times that I've wandered from Your plan for me and given into temptation. Teach me Your ways. Lead me to make choices that bring You glory and that allow me to experience the life You intended for me to live.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What are your gates of temptation?

What is God's best for you concerning these temptations?

Do you trust that God's boundaries are for your good? Why or why not?

More from the Girlfriends

I've posted a photo of Roman and Steeler on my blog and on my facebook page today. Swing by to put the doggy faces to the names! While you're there, please let me know if the Lord used today's devotion to stir your awareness of a personal temptation.

Ready to run away with God on a whole new level? Order a copy of our latest GiG book, Knowing God by Name, A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure. This is the perfect book for individual study or for gathering a group of friends in what we call GiG Groups. With impactful devotions, study questions, journal pages, free on-line video intros, and an index of trust-building Scriptures, this book is a resource you'll refer to time-and-time again.