Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

June 1, 2009
God's Mirror
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"For as he (a man or woman) thinks within himself, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7 NASB emphases added)

Friend to Friend
Amazingly, when God created man in His own image, He gave us the power of words. He didn't entrust words with monkeys, zebras, or elephants.  He gave words to man. Our words also have creative potential.  As a matter-of-fact, the Bible tells us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21 NASB).   Our words become the mirror in which others see themselves.  Our words impact children, husbands, friends, and the world.  But some of the most powerful words we speak are the ones that no one hears ... the words we speak to ourselves.

We can speak life to ourselves and we can speak death to ourselves. Our minds think about 130 words per minute and our mouths (women) speak about 25,000 words in a day. That's a lot of words! A considerable amount of those words are spoken or thought to ourselves. Most of this self-talk is harmless, such as what will I fix for dinner? or where did I put my hairbrush?  But some are very destructive saying, "I'm so stupid," "I'm such an idiot," or "I'm never going to be good enough," can create habitual destructive thought patterns that can paralyze a person into inactivity. 

Negative self-perceptions repeated over a time will brand themselves into our minds and eventually become our reality. If you repeat a wrong belief or lie enough times, you begin to believe it.  "Nobody loves me," "I don't have any friends," or "I'm so ugly" becomes your reality ... even though it is a false reality.  You can become stuck in the house of mirrors looking at a distorted reflection of who you really are. 

The negative destructive lies of the enemy are like a tar baby.  The more you play with it, toy with it, embrace it, the more you get stuck to it. Each time we speak a lie about ourselves, the more we become bound to it.  "As [a man] thinks within himself, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV)

When we look into God's mirror, His incredible love letter to us we call the Bible, we discover the truth. God does love you (Colossians 3:12). You have an entire cloud of witnesses cheering for you (Hebrews 12:1). You are God's masterpiece, a work of beautiful art (Ephesians 2:10).  You are good enough because Christ lives in you (John14:20). You are a chosen, holy, dearly loved child of God. That's the truth.  Let's get out of the house of mirrors and start seeing ourselves as God sees us.

In one of John's letters, he wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4).  I believe that God has no greater joy than to know that His children are walking in the truth.  When we are walking in the truth, the lies are exposed.  We can recognize the lie, reject the lie, and replace the lie with truth. Then, and only then, can we be all that God has created us to be and do all that God has created us to do.  We can experience the abundant life that He planned all along.

I believe God has great plans for all of us.  His Word promises that He does. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).  But many of us are not experiencing the abundant life because we don't know who we are.  We have believed the lies that we are not good enough, unloved, unworthy, and unforgivable.  We have been looking in distorted mirrors for far too long.  God wants us to look into the only true mirror that will tell us exactly who we are, what we have, and where we are as a child of God -- His Word.  It is the key to living the victorious Christian life.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, so many times I speak words that are not true about who I am.  I pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to stop me from speaking negative words about myself to myself.  Help me to speak the truth as found in Your Word.  Help me to begin seeing myself as You see me -- a chosen, holy, dearly loved child of Yours who is empowered by the Holy Spirit and enveloped by Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Today, pay attention to the words you speak to yourself.  They don't have to be said aloud.  Think about the words you even think to yourself about yourself.

Would God agree with what you are saying?  Do the words line up with what God says about you as His redeemed and empowered child?  If you'd like to comment on today's devotion, visit Sharon's blog at http://sharonjaynes.com/blog/.

More From The Girlfriends
It is time to start believing the truth.  It is time to hear God say, "You are my daughter, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.  Are you ready to walk out of the house of mirrors once and for all?  Are you ready to begin seeing yourself as God sees you?  Are you ready to begin living the abundant life that God planned all along?  Then you'll want to read Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.

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]

June 2, 2009
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 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 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 tomorrow's 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 and look 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!

Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and is a step-by-step plan for dealing with stress – God's way.  (Also available on CD)  Need encouragement?  Check out Mary's weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey.  The current topic is "How to Manage Your Emotions."

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]

June 3, 2009
The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 2
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Psalm 23 (NIV) "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."

Friend To Friend
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 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 still had to face stressful situations but 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 to 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?  In what ways?

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 that verse. 

More From The Girlfriends
Sometimes the most familiar passages of Scripture are the most overlooked parts of the bible.  Psalm 23 is one of those passages.  I have often heard this psalm read at funerals or taught in an occasional sermon or bible class but never saw the truths it contains on dealing with stress.  One day, during a particularly stressful time in my life, I automatically turned to this psalm for comfort – only to find God's stress-management plan that would ultimately change my life.  I pray it does the same for you. 

Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and is a step-by-step plan for learning how to deal with stress – God's way.  (Also available on CD) 

Need encouragement?  Check out Mary's weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey.  The current topic is "How to Manage Your Emotions." 

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]

June 4, 2009
The Enemy's Lies
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10 NIV emphasis added).

Friend To Friend
"Now the serpent..."  The great deceiver clothed himself as a serpent and slithered up to Eve with a game plan to destroy God's prized possession.  He didn't come with a sword or a gun, or even a knife for his attack.  He simply wielded lies. The serpent knew Adam and Eve would not buy into a radical flamboyant denial of God, so he slithered into the garden with a twist and a turn of the truth.  He began by causing Eve to doubt... "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" (Genesis 3:1).

Satan knew exactly what God had said.  He was simply trying to confuse Eve.  Perhaps he was evaluating just how well she knew the truth.  He found out.

"We may eat fruit from the tress in the garden," Eve replied, "but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die" (Genesis 3:3).

Bingo.  She didn't know the truth that well after all.  First, God never mentioned not touching the fruit.  That seems like a pretty good idea, but it was not what God said.

Second, Satan denied God and lied about the consequences of her disobedience when he said, "You will not surely die." (3:4). He didn't even try to disguise the deception. He told a flat-out lie.

Finally, he told her she could be like God. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5).  In other words, "God doesn't know what He's talking about.  He's holding out on you. You don't need Him.  You can be your own god."

Eve rejected the truth and believed the lie. She believed that she could be like God...in control of her own life. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband, who was with her."

As she sunk her teeth into the forbidden fruit of deception and the lie slid down her delicate throat, the temptation settled in her soul and fermented into shame and condemnation. Her husband, who chose the woman over God, also felt the sickening rot of sin settle in his very soul.  Suddenly, shame and fear entered the world, and Adam and Eve hid from God like wayward children.

All temptation is an attempt to get us to live our lives independent of God.  Satan is not very creative, but he is very effective, and he has been lying to us ever since he lied to Eve. Why?  Because it works.

Every one of his lies springs from the idea that happiness is just a decision away.  Satan wants you to believe God is holding out on you.  You can be like God. You can be your own god.  Rather than being thankful for what we do have, he points out what we don't have.  Think about it. Eve had at her disposal every tree in the garden except one.  Every tree. That is a smorgasbord of goodness!  Rather than being thankful, she bought the lie that the one thing she couldn't have was the one thing that would make her happy.  I would be happy if... Is any of this sounding familiar to you?  It should.  Satan uses the same tactics with us that he used with Eve. 

Eve believed the enemy's lie over God's truth.  His plan worked, but what the serpent did not know was that God's amazing plan of forgiveness and grace was about to unfold.  Satan did not win the battle for man's soul in the garden.  Jesus Christ won the war on Calvary's Cross.  When Jesus said, "It is finished," and then breathed his last, He made a way for all mankind to regain all that Adam and Eve had lost.

Let's Pray
Dear God, help me to recognize Satan's lies as soon as they come into my mind.  I have tried being in control of my own life and seen the terrible results.  I know that true peace and joy comes from obeying You in all areas of my life. Help me to see through the enemy's lies that tell me anything other than the truth of Your Word.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Have you been focusing on what you don't have rather than what you do have?

Where do you think that discontentment comes from?

Today, make a list of God's blessings in your life.

If you'd like to comment on today's devotion, visit Sharon's blog at http://sharonjaynes.com/blog/.

More From The Girlfriends
If you would like to learn more about how to recognize the lies of the enemy in your life and replace those lies with God's truth that leads to the abundant life, then you'll want to see Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Woman Tell Themselves.  But be prepared, this book could change your life! 

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]

June 5, 2009

Raw

Angela L. Craig

Today's Truth

Psalm 6:6-7 (NLT) "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out..."

Friend to Friend

If someone said that you had only six days to live, what would you do? What would you say?

I would watch my husband and my children as they slept, wondering how I got so lucky;  wondering how God could love me so much to give me the miracle of love from an amazing man and two little boys. I would wonder how my husband could love me even when I was stubborn and prideful, and hope that he knew, even when I was at my worst, how much I adored him and didn't want to live without him.

I would wonder if my children would remember me or if they would only remember a to-do list of activities.  Maybe they would remember the simple things like hot cocoa on a snowy day, blankies, and good night prayers and kisses.  If I was gone in six days, would anyone know how much I loved God, how much He has changed my life, and how much I believe that He can and will do that for anyone.

Eighteen months ago, I wrote this in a tear-covered journal after I found out that one of my dearest friends (in her thirties with two small children) was told that if the cancer didn't kill her, the surgery (which she would have in six days) very possibly would. I was emotionally raw after throwing myself on the floor in front of God, kicking, screaming, and begging Him to save her.

Today, I wait for a phone call from a friend who is having a biopsy done. I'm praying that it is not cancer. Tomorrow, I will sit in a hospital waiting room while another friend faces a double mastectomy at the age of 40. Daily, I am reminded of many people in our community and in our church that have lost their jobs, their houses, or their marriages.

In Psalm 6, the writer, David, states that he was worn out by crying and that his vision was blurred by grief. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt "emotionally raw?"  Maybe you are feeling that way right now as you read these words.  I have only one thing to say, "Don't let go!"

Life can leave you spinning in uncertainty and loneliness. Discouragement and brokenness can lead you to believe that there is no way to put the pieces back together. But don't let go!

God awaits your cries for help. He wants to hear your "emotionally raw" prayers that ask Him to rescue you from the pit of despair. He wants to guide and direct you to higher ground. He wants to tell you that you are loved and that there is hope for your future.

In many of the Psalms that David wrote, he cried out his afflictions and suffering to the Lord. Even in his anguish, David always affirmed his trust in the Lord's power to save and heal (Psalm 6, 22, 63, 142...). This is because David knew from experience that when he felt emotionally raw, left without answers or an escape plan, His Father in Heaven would free him from the prison of defeat.

Would you like to know how the story ended for my friend who was told she may only have six days to live? When the surgeons opened her up, they found that there was NO cancer.  It had completely disappeared! Even though my friend's doctor was not a Christian, he declared my friend a walking miracle of God.

Hold on my friend! You may not see the evidence of your miracle yet, but God is at work in your life!

Let's Pray

Today, pray whatever is on your mind. Whether you are feeling emotionally raw or emotionally joyous, God wants to listen and He will respond. You are not alone!

Lord, I pray for the incredible woman that comes before You today with a prayer of grief, fear, discouragement, or desperation. I partner with her in prayer, knowing You will deliver her, and bring her the resources that she needs to get out of the pit. We will believe together that all things are possible through You, Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. I pray encouragement, purpose, love, joy, and peace over her as she pours her heart out to You. Thank You for hearing and acting on her behalf.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Now It Is Your Turn

Spend some time reading Psalms. If you do not have a Bible handy, go to www.crosswalk.com and enter "Psalm" under "Search the Bible" on the home page. Ask yourself, "Do I have anything in common with the writers?"

Pray for God's direction, comfort, and peace. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." God is listening!

Ask for help! Ask God for help and then ask a friend, family, or church leader. There are people around you that God will use to bring the help you need. Remember, Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) teaches us that God desired to do "Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."

More From The Girlfriends

We all battle the lies of the enemy in one way or another.  It seems that Satan knows and targets our weaknesses, trying to make us stumble, fall and quit the race.  The days in which we now live are hard and it would be easy to give up hope.  As Angela said, "Don't give up!" God is with you and He is for you.  Even if you cannot see or understand what God is doing in your life right now, you can see and understand His heart by staying in the Word, praying consistently and sharing the load with others.  Stand firm!

Need help?  Check out Mary's weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey, and learn how to manage your emotions instead of allowing them to manage you.

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]

June 8, 2009
The Potter and the Clay
Mary Southerland

Today's truth
Isaiah 64:8 "But LORD, you are our father.  We are like clay, and you are the potter; your hands made us all" (NCV).

Friend to Friend
When our daughter, Danna, was in preschool, one of her favorite activities was playing with clay.  She often pulled her little step stool over to the closet where the clay was stored and pulled out the boxes of brightly colored clay.  With great concentration and effort, her little fingers would then pry each box open and then she went to work. 

For hours at a time, Danna would pound, mold, stretch, pinch and ultimately create her own clay world. Animals, people, flowers and aliens would emerge from the small lumps of clay.  When she finished, Danna called me and asked me to "put them up."  That meant it was time to exhibit her clay creations for her brother and father to see when they came home. 

Danna's creations would remain on display until they grew hard and brittle.  We would then break them apart, sprinkle them with water and put them back into their containers, allowing the clay to grow soft again. 

When it comes to spiritual matters -- God is the Potter, the Creator, and we are the clay.  The world says we should never give up our rights because if we do, we will lose everything.  God says, "Give up your rights and you will gain everything."  When we surrender, we gain everything that is important and eternal -- including God's perfect plan and purpose for our life.

In order for God to make us into what He wants us to be, we have to become pliable and willing - like clay.  We must come to Him, placing ourselves in His hands, the Potter's hands.  Total surrender demands that we come with no agenda, no pre-set conditions -- giving Him permission to bend us, break us and change us.

We sometimes come to God, with a hardened heart and brittle spirit.  Life has broken and damaged us and the wrong hands have molded us.  Remember, how we come to Him is not nearly as important as the fact that we come.  As we give up control to Him, like a Master Craftsman, He begins to work patiently and lovingly, with a specific plan and one-of-a-kind design in mind.  He works through circumstances as well as people, through joy and pain, victory and defeat.  He filters every part of life through His plan for us and uses it to create a life of worth and meaning. 

Oh, we have tried to live life with our own agenda and plan and have experienced discontentment and frustration. Our soul longs for more and our heart cries out, "Is this all there is?"  The truth is that nothing and no one but God can bring us the peace and joy for which we searching.  Are you ready to become the clay, surrendering your broken life to the Potter's loving and purpose-filled hands?  Today is the day!

Let's pray
Lord, I am tired of trying to live life in my own power.  Right now, I give up and surrender my life completely to You.  I choose Your plan over mine.  I give You permission to mold me and make me what You want me to be.  I will wait before You and seek Your direction.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now it's your turn
What has been the plan -- according to you -- for your life up to this point?

What kind of results has that plan produced? 

Write a prayer of surrender to God and record it in your journal.  Be sure to include the following steps:

Recognize that you have been trying to live life according to your plan -- your agenda.

Admit that your refusal to surrender your life to God has brought only frustration and emptiness.

Right now -- surrender to God.

What action do you need to take in order to obey God:

_____Join a local church

_____Get involved in a small group bible study

_____Read the Bible daily

_____Pray constantly

_____Seek God in everything I do

More from the Girls
I have to admit I am not very good at giving up.  I was taught never to give up; to be strong and to depend on no one but myself.  In fact, the very thought of surrender seems like a weakness to me and is completely opposite to my human strength and will.  Exactly!  Did you know that my name, Mary, literally means bitter, but when broken, sweet? Unless I am in a constant state of surrender to God, I will surely become bitter, brittle and broken. Today, I choose to surrender my heart and life to Him.

Need help in your walk with Christ?  Beginning June 22, Mary's online bible study, Light for the Journey, begins a new topic, "How to Get Past Your Past."  Check it out at www.marysoutherland.com and be sure to visit Mary's online store for MP3s, CDs, books and bible studies that will help you grow in God.

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]

June 9, 2009
Set-Apart Living
Part 1
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)

Friend to Friend
As Christian believers, we're called to live set-apart lives. To be holy as God is holy. To be in the world, but not of the world. God is the source of all holiness, and in order to live a set-apart life, we must spend time with Him so we can be fueled by His Holy Spirit.

I don't know what your days look like, but mine are pretty full. They start early and end late. Once the sun rises, it seems that coffee isn't the only thing brewing in my house. An invisible competition brews daily that vies for my time and attention. The competitors are often "good things" that end up to be "time-robbing things" that keep me from God's best and God's presence.

Today I'd like to put our computer lives under a spiritual microscope. I'm an e-girl. I love my MacBook Pro computer, my iPhone, email, instant messaging, and the World Wide Web. Though I'm admittedly fully immersed in the e-life, I'm also cognizant of the fact that the e-world has become a dangerous addiction and spiritual deterrent to many. I struggle with this personally! These electronic forums host a new and efficient opportunity for us to connect with other people 24/7. While much of the social networking, online surfing, and emailing is innocent, encouraging, and fun, they clearly present us with opportunities to sin and be distracted from set-apart living.

Over the past several years, Facebook, MySpace, blogs, instant messaging, and chat rooms have replaced many face-to-face conversations and, for some, devotion time. They have become a new source of temptation for us, an opportunity to live a fantasy or a momentary escape from the daily grind.

A friend of mine recently said, "My computer whispers to me." Yikes! Mine does, too! Though it's embarrassing to admit, I sometimes don't manage my time efficiently because I've given in to the lure of e-life by responding to the audio alert that indicates "I've got mail" or the notification that someone has left me a message on a social networking page of mine. As a result, I've robbed myself of productive time. Time I have wasted and spent unwisely.

We are warned against this in Scripture. "Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV).

Now, hear me clearly on this. I'm not saying that electronic forums or computers are bad or evil in and of themselves. (For goodness sakes, you're reading this devotion because of the amazing electronic world!) I'm simply suggesting that it would be wise for each of us to pray about the amount of time and energy we devote to these things.

How can we be set apart in our e-life? How can we establish healthy e-boundaries that will protect our purity and our time with God? Perhaps we could start by taking an honest look at the amount of time we commit to our social e-lives versus the amount of time we commit to spending in God's Word and in His presence each day. (Did that sting? Rest assured, it stings me too.) 

The good news is that we can turn to God for direction and wisdom in all of this. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5, NIV). Our gracious Lord longs for each of us to choose His best and live each day in His strength.

"God, make a fresh start in me.
Shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!"
Psalm 51:10-12, MSG

Let's Pray
Today I thought it would be fitting to pray directly from Scripture. "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light" (Colossians 1:10-12, NIV).

Father, we ask this in Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Let's get practical today:

Spend some time in thought and prayer about this subject. 
Ask God to reveal to you any e-habits that are sinful, indulgent, or inappropriate.   
Check your on-line notification settings and consider eliminating unnecessary email alerts. 
Remember that God longs for your time and attention. Be certain that you don't choose mundane activities instead of spending time with Him. 
Read Ephesians 5:1-20.
More from the Girlfriends
Hey, girlfriend! It just occurred to me that one of the biggest time-sucking e-temptations for me came from the homepage I had chosen on my internet browser. I used to have my favorite cable news network set as my home page. Every time I logged on to the internet, the headlines begged me to click their links. Today I went into the settings of my internet browser and chose a blank page for my homepage. I anticipate that though it's not overly exciting to have a blank homepage, it will allow me to be wiser with my time. Hope this spurs you on to similar responses!

God delights to transform lives...including your own.  In her book, Broken Into Beautiful, Gwen Smith invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life, then stand back, and watch the wonder of grace at work.  He is willing to eternally forgive and forget and to transform your life into something beautiful. To order Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, please CLICK HERE. 

Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. For more information, visit her website at: www.gwensmith.net.

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]

June 10, 2009
Set-Apart Living, Part 2
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)

Friend to Friend
Yesterday we began to talk about living a set-apart life.  We looked at our e-lives, the time we spend on computers, and were challenged to establish healthy boundaries to protect and strengthen our faiths.  It was noted that God is the source of all holiness.  In order to live a set-apart life, we must spend time with Him and then be fueled by His Holy Spirit.  Today, we are going to consider how we can be set-apart (holy) with our words.

My ten year old son, Hunter, recently came to me with a humble confession. He said that, "because he hasn't been spending much time with God lately, he has been grumpier and grumpier." He quietly admitted that he has been mean to his siblings and has said some unkind things. With amazing insight, he connected the amount of time that he spent with God and in God's Word with his behaviors ... recognizing that there was a direct correlation in his life.

Boy, could I relate to that! Tears welled up in my eyes as we spoke about this.  I told Hunter that I experience the exact same thing in my life.  That when I don't carve out time in my day to spend with the Lord, I often say things I shouldn't.  For that matter, even when I do read my Bible and pray, I still say and do sinful things.

There was a time in my life when I really struggled with profanity. My tongue was a loose cannon. My church friends would never have known, but when I was angry, profanity was often present ... even if only under my breath. God has delivered me from that ugly habit, but it took over ten years of prayer. In those ten years, I failed repeatedly and struggled to believe that God could change my ways.  It was a long-term process for me to be purified in my language, and I can assure you that it is only by the grace and strength of God that I can stub my toe now without needing to wash my mouth out with soap.

The Bible has so much to say on this topic! Here are just a few examples:

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:19-20, NIV)

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." (Proverbs 31:26, NLT)

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3, NIV)

This is hard stuff.  Living set-apart with our words is simply beyond us, but be encouraged, because all things are possible with God.  We need to constantly fall before the Lord and ask Him to filter our words through the Holy Spirit.  It's important that we keep short accounts with God.  When we do, He equips us to disarm the loose cannon of our tongues.

At the end my conversation with Hunter, I told my son that one of the most amazing things about our Heavenly Father is the mercy that He greets us with when we come before Him to confess our behavior.  I said to him, and I say to you, God loves us so perfectly, that every time we turn to Him with a repentant heart, He offers us His grace. Go in His grace and live a set-apart life in the power of His Spirit today.

Let's Pray
Holy Father, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NLT)

I ask this in Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 


·         Meditate on Hebrews 4:14,16:

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

·         Now, grab your journal and throw yourself into this devotion.  What are your greatest areas of temptation and weakness regarding your words?  Confess those to God and ask Him to grant you the mercy and strength to help you live a set-apart life.

·         Read Ephesians 4.

More from the Girlfriends
If you are a Christian woman and you're struggling to tame your tongue, know that you aren't alone.  Many believers struggle to honor God with their words.  Keep praying and believing.  The changes might not happen over night, but as you persist, God will work in and through you.

God delights to transform lives ... including your own.  In her book, Broken Into Beautiful, Gwen Smith invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life, and then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work.  He is willing to eternally forgive and forget and to transform your life into something beautiful.  To order Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, please CLICK HERE. 

Into FaceBook? Check out Gwen's MUSIC PAGE on FaceBook - leave a message on her wall -- listen to a few songs -- share the page with your FB friends!

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]

June 11, 2009
No More Stinkin' Thinkin'
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Philippians 4:8-9  "Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (NIV).

Friend To Friend
Martha was so frustrated with her marriage. She had dreams of marrying her knight in shining armor who would leave flower petals on her pillow, be distracted by her beauty, and pledge his undying love on a regular basis.  She dreamed of having three doting, obedient, well-mannered children that she could dress-up in cute little outfits and parade down the church aisle on Sundays.  Her tidy home would come with a well manicured lawn, two and a half baths, and perfectly coordinated décor.  She would be the happy homemaker who joyfully mopped the beautiful kitchen floor in her size six khaki slacks, shabby chic blouse, and stylish hair cut.  She could almost picture Mr. Clean winking at her from the corner of the room, giving his hearty approval of the smile on her flawless face.

But life had not turned out like Martha expected.  Her knight did come along, but his armor began to tarnish soon after they said, "I do." He left his smelly socks on the floor, had a love affair with the TV remote, and hardly noticed all the work she did to keep the house clean and orderly.

Life sure has not turned out the way I thought it would. I am bored and unappreciated. Romance: that's what I want.  This man wouldn't know romance if it hit him in the face.  Why should I care how I look?  He sure doesn't care about his appearance.  Look at that gut?  He complains about me gaining weight?  Well, he hasn't seen anything yet.  I've made a huge mistake.  I just want someone who will love me and appreciate me.  Is that too much to ask?

And the kids? They never do what I ask.  They're disobedient, loud, and messy.  I don't know when I've seen a clean floor last and I'm sure not happy while mopping.  And where is Mr. Clean anyway?

The enemy had slowly crept in while Martha was unaware. Unmet expectations became the breeding ground for the lies to grow. He planted the seeds of discontent one disappointment at a time. Rather than thinking how she could make her marriage better, she begins to think about how she could get out of it. Rather than enjoying her rambunctious spirited children, she loathed their energy.  Rather than being thankful that she had a home and family to clean up after, she complained about the dirt.

Martha just needs to give her life to Jesus, you might say.  But she has!  She is a Christian, so on top of her disappointment with life, she adds guilt to it all.  I'm a bad Christian. If I was a better Christian, I'd be happy.  What's wrong with me?

The enemy's trademark is stamped on this woman's thought life.  He has taken her down a road of stinkin' thinking'.  While she assumes that these thoughts are her own, the enemy makes the suggestion. She simply buys into them and they soon become her own version of reality -- her own version of the truth. But it is not God's truth. When we know the truth, the lies stick out like a two ton elephant in a herd of sheep.

Paul gave us an effective lie detector through which to filter our thoughts in Philippians 4:8-9.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Now that is a lot to think about, considering that the mind thinks about 130 words per minute.   But the good news is -- we are not on our own.  God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do all that He has called us to do.

Paul doesn't just leave us with the qualifying list; he gives us the means by which to implement it.  "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice." 

It takes practice!  Practice! Practice! Practice!

But look at the result..."And the God of peace will be with you."

Let's Pray
Dear heavenly Father, help me to realize when my thinking needs adjusting.  I know that I cannot act differently than I think.  Help me to run my thoughts through the sieve of Philippians 4:8.  Then Your peace will rule in my heart.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of the litmus test for right thinking and carry it around with you today.

Ask yourself, is this thought:

True
Noble
Right
Pure
Lovely
Admirable
Excellent
Praiseworthy 

If your words or thoughts don't pass the test, then push the delete button and erase that stinkin' thinkin'!

If you'd like to comment on today's devotion, visit Sharon's blog at http://sharonjaynes.com/blog/

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.  If you need to start speaking the truth to yourself about yourself, then this is the book for you, and if the words you speak to others need an overhaul, then you'll want to see The Power of a Woman's Words.  In this book, Sharon looks at the power of our words to children, husbands, friends, church, the world, and to God in prayer.

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]

June 12, 2009
The Great "Inspiratio"
Malinda Daniel

We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions.  We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends.  From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry.  We call them our "Friday Friends."  So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", Malinda Daniel.

Today's Truth
Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

Friend to Friend
Have you ever found yourself in an overwhelming or daunting situation that seemed impossible to understand or face?  Is it difficult to comprehend the plan or the purpose behind what you are going through?  Do you find yourself asking, "Why Lord?" Do you sometimes plead with God, "I don't know what to do or how to do it. I need You to make it through this!"

Personally, I have been in this position more times than I can count.  I jump into an adventure full force thinking I have everything I need to make it happen, only to find out that I have merely a part of what is needed to do the job - not all of it.  I am in over my head. 

I remember sitting in various classrooms thinking, "I have this test under control and I am so ready for it.  I will ace it."  I think I am ready, but I doubt myself and realize that my words are a cover up for my insecurity.  The test comes and my nerves and thoughts begin to rail as I look through the questions, unable to remember any of the material I studied. I console myself with, "I know this was not in the study guide."

Life is sometimes like a test because we honestly believe we have it all together only to discover that some life circumstances are not on our radar and are certainly not part of the study guide.  I have come to realize that these "tests" lead us to a deeper understanding of our need for God. 

Luke 12:12 promises, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."  I know that I am driven to seek God when I lose sight of what to do and I feel lost.  He is our provider of ideas and the author of purpose in our lives - hence the word Inspiratio or inspiration.


My new book, Fallacy or Truth: The State of American Education Today, is based on the principle that "understanding the impact that relationship has in the learning process is vital to promoting learning that engages students and creates a positive learning environment." God's desire for us as his "students" in the classroom of life is to fully equip us for every circumstance we will ever face.  He is the divine Inspiratio, a Latin word meaning, "He breaths His words divinely into our soul." How marvelous is His love for us as it leads us to experience the truth of His Word.  He was and is the Inspiratio.

Let's Pray
Dear Father, I know that You are with us at all times as the Holy Spirit gives us the thoughts and words we need to meet Your purpose for our lives.  I have to admit I often I try to handle life on my own instead of trusting Your words and Your Spirit to guide me.  Help me to fully rely on You, Lord, as a student in the school of life and to trust You with my "tests" knowing that I can't "pass" without Your power and presence.  Thank You for loving and saving me and thank You for giving me the answers when I need them.

In Jesus Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Luke 12:11-22   
How does God help us when we face trials?   
List three ways that God allows tests to come into our life.   
How has God used this scripture to give you a new truth about trials and tests in your own life? 

More From The Girlfriends
I have such trouble trusting God, wanting to do it all on my own and take the glory.  I tend to be selfish and to keep things for my own use instead of sharing what God has given me with others.  Sharing doesn't come easy to me.  I hate change because it makes me worry and ask, "How will it affect us all.  How will my children make it today and will they still love God in the future?  Will education continue to digress and the economy continue to fall?"  I worry so much about things and stuff!  I know God has the answers.  I just have to trust the divine Inspiratio.  Faith can help us do all things when we do them through Chist.  I encourage you to join me in a new commitment to trust God and live each day, wanting to make a difference.

Malinda's book, Fallacy or Truth: The State of American Education Today, looks at the need for inspiration in our schools to create balance and allow a celebration of faith.  Teachers need love as well as the support from political leaders, administrators, parents, and the community to make this change a reality.

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
.