Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

April 30, 2010 

The Lord is My Shepherd 

Mary Southerland

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

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. To make things worse, I was up to my neck in ministry at the time.

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. 

Then 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. To know about God 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, we met as I surrendered all that I knew about myself to all that I knew about Him. 

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 that we are all sheep; that Jesus Christ really is our Shepherd and that nothing else really matters. 

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for the truth that You are my Shepherd and that You will lead, guide and protect me and provide everything I need. Help me learn how to trust You fully and follow You. I know Your plan for me is the highest and best plan for my life. I surrender to You and that plan. I love you, Lord.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Life can be very stressful when we try to live it on our own. Identify the most stressful areas of your life. Read Psalm 23 every day this month, committing each one of these areas to the Shepherd. As you walk through each stress-filled day, lean on the truths of this psalm. At the end of the month, evaluate your stress level and then celebrate God's sufficiency.

More From The Girlfriends
We all know how hard it is to deal with stress. A personal relationship with God is the only way to experience true peace. Do you know Him?  Click here to learn more about how to have a personal relationship with God.

Need encouragement? Check out my weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. We are beginning a new series, "Take This Job and Love It."   

Afraid? I know some of you are trying to weather some kind of storm in your life. Remember that God is with you! Find new strength for the difficult times in my new DVD, Strength for the Storm.

Stressed out? Escaping the Stress Trap may be just what you need. Based on Psalm 23, this book will lead you to discover the peace of God in a new way.

I would love to connect with you on Facebook or through email. Let's talk!

Need prayer? Email your prayer request to our Prayer Team Director, Ginger Meador.

Blessings!

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]

May 3, 2010 

Giving our Children to God 

Sharon Jaynes 


(For the month of May, many of Sharon's devotions will focus on motherhood. If you are not a mom, please pray for those who are.)

Today's Truth:
"Everything is possible for him who believes" (Mark 9:23 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Once, a distraught father had an unruly son with multiple physical and emotional problems. Many people even said the boy was possessed by a demon. The dad had tried everything, but the boy continued to demonstrate anti-social behavior: throwing himself in the fire and then in water. That sort of behavior, on top of frequent seizures, rolling on the ground, foaming at the mouth, and an inability to talk, made the dad desperate to find a solution. He even took the boy to some faith healers who were traveling through his hometown. But nothing seemed to work.

Finally, the dad realized no human being was going to be able to help his son, so he took him directly to God. The father heard that Jesus was visiting in his community, so he boldly brought the boy to Him. With desperation in his voice the father pleaded, "If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"

And Jesus answered, "If You can! All things are possible to him who believes."

Immediately the boy's father cried out, "I do believe: help my unbelief."

With that profession, Jesus healed the man's son.

Oh, how this story from Mark 9 stirs my heart. Can't you feel the father's pain? How desperately he must have felt every time the child threw himself into the water or the fire.  "Why son?  Why do you do these things? I don't understand," he must have asked.

Imagine the humiliation of the whispers as the family walked down the streets. "That's the Jones family. Have you heard about their son? He's..."  The stares, the snickers, the brutal comments.  Don't you know there were many days when this dad wanted to just give up? Instead, he offers us a beautiful picture of what all parents must do, the ultimate act in parenting - hand our children over to God.

As mothers, at time we find ourselves at the end of our mental and emotional resources. We feel we have done everything humanly possible and don't know the best action to take with our children. That's exactly where God wants us every day: not depending on our human wisdom but on His unfathomable omniscience, not depending on our own strength but on His unlimited power. When we realize that we do not and never will have all the child-rearing answers and solutions, we discover the importance of giving our children to God.

S.D. Gordon, in Quiet Talks on Prayer, said, "You can do more than pray, after you have prayed.  But you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed."

Let's Pray
(For those who have children still at home)

Dear God, today, I once again bring my child to you.  Please show me how to parent this precious gift that you have given me. Help me to be the best mother that I can be.  I pray that Your Holy Spirit will teach me, Your wisdom will guide me, and Your love will move me.  Most of all, Lord, I give this child to You.  Please make him (her) a servant after Your own heart.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

(For those with grown children)

Dear God,

My child is no longer under my roof or under my wing.  He (She) is now out in the world making life decisions of his (her) own.  I give this adult child to You, Lord.  May he (she) seek You with all his (her) heart.  I pray that You will protect him (her), guide him (her), and open his (her) heart to the truth of God's Word every day.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of things about your child over which you have no control.

Now turn that list into a prayer and relinquish each item of concern to God.

Remember Jesus' reply to the Father when He said, "If you can do anything..."  Write today's key verse down and commit it to memory.

More from the Girlfriends
Being a parent is the most difficult, rewarding responsibility that God has entrusted to us.  I am so glad that He doesn't leave us to figure it out all on our own, but gives us the Bible as the ultimate handbook. If you would like to discover seven key elements of great parenting, see Sharon's book, Being a Great Mom-Raising Great Kids.

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]

May 4, 2010 

Idols and Tools 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Luke 12:15 (ICB) "Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns." 

Friend To Friend
We live in a "stuff" driven world where it does not seem to matter what we have, it is never enough. We are told the more things we have, the more successful we are. We not only want possessions, we want other people's talents, abilities, circumstances and relationships. Luke warns us to guard against "all kinds of greed."  It is easy for us to covet a job that offers more power and prestige. We want the power that another seems to possess in their career. We are driven to have the best and to be the best, unable to relax and celebrate where we are and what we do have. Hebrews 13:5 is powerfully clear in its warning, "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never forget you" (NCV). Now that is a fortune.

Be honest. How important are your possessions? How do you view them? Howard Hendricks, a great Bible teacher, was having dinner with a very wealthy and prestigious man. Hendricks was amazed at the humility of his host, knowing the man's impressive credentials and the massive wealth he possessed. At the end of the evening, Hendricks asked his friend, "How did you grow up in such wealth and not be consumed by materialism?"  With a smile, the man responded, "My parents taught me that everything in our home was either an idol or a tool. The choice was up to me."

The truth is that we want whatever we put first in life. I have discovered the more I have to live for, the less I need to live on. Too often, greed and jealousy encourage wrong decisions and foster unhealthy and ungodly attitudes. The fact is - greed and jealousy are fruits of idolatry. Everything in life is either an idol we choose to worship or a tool we choose to use for good or bad. 

Corrie ten Boom was a godly woman who endured great persecution from the Nazis in the World War II concentration camp known as Ravensbruck. During an interview, she once stated she had learned to hold everything "loosely" in her hands. When asked why, Miss ten Boom explained that after being a Christian for many years, she had discovered the truth that when she grasped things tightly, it hurt more when the Lord would have to pry her fingers loose. The choice really is ours to make. We need to hold our "stuff" loosely while investing financial resources in eternal things. We need to keep our gaze riveted to God's plan alone instead of entering the all too familiar and ungodly "competition" that seems to plague so many people.

To stay away from idols and avoid greed we need to change our focus from what we want to what we have and choose to be satisfied with whatever that is. In Luke 12:15, Jesus issues a warning, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns" (ICB). I believe that attaching importance to "things" is sin and will lead to more sin.

I love the story of a wealthy man who prayed, asking for permission to take his earthly wealth with him when he died and went to heaven. An angel appeared to the man and said, "We heard your prayer, but I am sorry. You simply cannot take it with you." The man pleaded so passionately that the angel said, "Let me see what I can do." When the angel returned, he reported, "Good news! God has made an exception for you. You may bring one suitcase with you when it is your time to go." Delighted, the man packed his one suitcase and went on with life. Several years later, he died and appeared at the Pearly Gates where St. Peter who took one look at the suitcase and said, "I am sorry, sir, but you cannot bring that in with you", met him.  The man protested, "But I received special permission." Just then, the angel appeared and said, "Peter, it is true. He has special permission to bring one suitcase in with him." Curious, Peter said, "Do you mind showing me what is in the bag that is so important to you?" With a smile, the man replied, "Not at all" and proceeded to open the suitcase to reveal stacks of gold bricks. Peter's face said it all, "Pavement? You brought pavement with you?"

Many of us are in a never-ending and futile quest to accumulate "pavement" here that is worthless there!  Wealth is all a matter of perspective. We need to understand that our Father wants us to have wealth. We just have to be careful not to settle for earthly money and possessions or human power and prestige instead of the eternal treasures only He can offer. 

Let's Pray
Father, I confess to You that the material things of this world often tempt me. Please forgive me for the greed in my life and help me learn how to choose against it. I choose to keep my eyes on You and the eternal wealth You alone can offer. Help me to guard my heart and mind.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

·     How important are your possessions to you? Be honest.   

·     Make a list of your ten most important "things." Will they be just as important in a year? 

·     Examine your heart for any jealousy. Record your thoughts in your journal. 

·     Give away one of your prized possessions. What emotions did you have to deal with in doing so?

·     Identify and eliminate any "pockets" of jealousy and greed in your heart. 

·     Begin each day with a prayer of thanksgiving. Evaluate the difference this prayer has made in your life after a month.

More From The Girlfriends
Many of us have become accustomed to "living on the edge" of financial security. Guard your heart, my friend!  Keep your gaze on God and the plan to which he has called you. Keep your glance on the world and the empty promises of fame and power it offers. Cultivate a grateful heart. Pray for the discernment to embrace those hidden treasures buried in every trial. Praise God for His sufficiency in meeting your every need, even if the way he meets it does not correspond with yours. Trust God.

We all know how hard it is to battle greed. A personal relationship with God is the only way to experience true victory. Do you know Him?  Click here to learn more about how to have a personal relationship with God.

Need encouragement? Check out my weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. We are beginning a new series, "Take This Job and Love It."   

Drop by our online store and check out the E-Bible studies. You can download them, print them on your own computer. They are perfect for small group studies or personal quiet times.

I would love to connect with you on Facebook or through email. Let's talk!


Need prayer? Email your prayer request to our Prayer Team Director, Ginger Meador.

Blessings!

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]

May 5, 2010 

A Mighty Warrior
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Proverbs 31 introduces us to the mother whose children rise up and call her blessed. She is a "wife of noble character" (NIV), "an excellent wife" (NAS) and "a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman." (AMPLIFIED VERSION)   The actual Hebrew word for excellent or virtuous is chayil and is sometimes interpreted as "virtuous, boldly courageous, powerful, mighty warrior."  The mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is a warrior who battles in prayer for the hearts, minds, and souls of her children. She prays a hedge of protection around them and stands in the gap when they don't know how to pray for themselves. She meets the enemy head on, dressed in the armor of God with the sword of the spirit (the word of God) drawn and ready for action.  We may never know the many times that the enemy's schemes against our children were thwarted by the power of our prayers.

As a mother, you may feel at times that your burden for your child seems more than you can bear.  Peter tells us to "cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). He cares for your children, too.  No matter how much you love your children, God loves them more.

In my Bible, I keep a 4 x 6 laminated card with prayers for Steven that is my defense against the enemy's attack.  You, too, can pray that your children will:

Know Christ as Savior early in life. (Psalm 63:1, 2 Timothy 3:15)   

Have a hatred for sin. (Psalm 97:10) 

Be caught when guilty. (Psalm 119:71) 

Be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, and physical (John 17:15) 

Have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships. (Daniel 6:3) 

Respect those in authority over them. (Romans 13:1) 

Desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong friends. (Proverbs 1:10-11)

Be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

Be kept pure until marriage (as well as the one they marry). (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

Learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all things. (James 4:7)

Be single-hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:1-2)

Be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that the wrong people cannot find their way to them. (Hosea 2:6)

A mother wears many hats during the years of raising her children.  And while we take off those hats one-by-one as they grow and mature, there is one that will always remain - the hat of a mother who prays.

Let's Pray
Dear God, thank You for the privilege of being a mom.  I agree with John who wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."   That is my prayer today...that my child will walk in Your truth.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Perhaps you have certain concerns or desires for your child.  If so, find a good concordance and look up Scriptural promises to pray.

Consider joining with another mother and becoming prayer partners for your children.  You can use the list from this devotion as a springboard for praying Scripture over your children.

If you are a mom in need of a bit of encouragement today, I have a video clip just for you.  Just look on the homepage of www.sharonjaynes.com and click on the video for moms.

More From The Girlfriends
If you would like to order the laminated card that Sharon mentioned in today's devotion just click on www.sharonjaynes.com and go to the books and audio page.  Also, for more great parenting ideas, see Sharon's book, Being a Great Mom-Raising Great Kids.

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]

May 6, 2010 

The Sheep and His Shepherd 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Isaiah 40:1 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

Friend To Friend
Shepherds live with their sheep, finding places for them to eat and drink, providing shelter from the storms and protection from the heat. Sheep must eat the right amount of the right kinds of grass at the right times ... or they will die. If the sheep eat too little one day and too much the next day, some of the bacteria that live in the stomach of the sheep will reproduce abnormal levels, creating toxins, which cause sudden death. This problem was even more complicated for the shepherds of the Bible. The type of shepherding referred to in the Bible is not the farming of fenced pasturelands but nomadic grazing. The shepherd had to carefully plan the path and lead the way so that the sheep had neither too little nor too much grazing and were able to get to the water hole on time. 

Pastures were often lost to extreme heat, which meant the shepherd had to scour the countryside in search of green grass. Several flocks of sheep were gathered together at night in a sheltered place so that shepherds could share the watches of the night, protecting the sheep from wild animals and thieves. Good shepherds were always willing to risk their lives to save their flocks from any harm, any enemy and even from themselves. 

The needs of sheep, compared to the needs of other animals, are greater because of their instinct to be afraid and when faced with a fearful situation, to run. Without a shepherd to care for the sheep, they would not last long. Sheep are dumb, can never be left alone and often stray, requiring the shepherd to find and rescue them. A shepherd never pushes his sheep but rather leads his sheep, going before them, making sure they are not walking into danger. 

Let's think about the sheep you minister to as a shepherd here on earth. God calls us all in different ways to do different things...but we are all called to be a shepherd to someone.  We live in a world filled with people who, like sheep, are lost, confused, hungry, lonely, and in desperate need of a Savior.  I suspect many of you do feel as if you actually live with your sheep day in and day out. Everywhere you go you run into someone from your flock, your phone rings off the wall, e-mails pile up and you are constantly trying to rescue one of your sheep who always seem to be in trouble.     

Personally, I definitely fit the profile of a sheep. I can't count the number of times I have stubbornly stuck to my plan, foolishly thinking that it was better than His plan, only to end up in some pit somewhere, calling for help. Psalm 40:1-3 has become my life maxim - with one exception. I rarely wait patiently! Remember, I am a sheep!

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

I sometimes allow fear to drive me to a place where I am trapped by doubts and darkness ... until He rescues me. I satisfy my hunger by eating the wrong things found in the wrong places at the wrong times. The result is always the same; my soul ravenous for what is good while stuffing my heart and mind with what is bad. 

Like every sheep, I do not like to be pushed. Good shepherds do not push, no matter how great the temptation. A good shepherd stands in front of his sheep, gently calling their names, leading them to a place where he has already been, positioning himself between danger and his sheep.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd. I am your lamb and I choose to follow You. Forgive me for following the wrong voices instead of listening for Yours above all others. I want to trust You, Lord, for every need ... and I am so needy. Right now, I surrender my will to Yours and celebrate You in my life as my Shepherd.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

·     Read Psalm 23 every day this week.

·     Think back to the times when you have strayed from God's leadership and He has lovingly reached out, drawing you to Himself. Thank God for His precious care.

·     Is there anyone in your life who needs to know that they can turn to God? How can you help them?

More From The Girlfriends
When I am tired and ready to give up, I tend to withdraw from the other sheep and even from my Shepherd. Many people have somehow bought into the lie that they can make it on their own or that the rules, the commandments of God, do not necessarily apply to them ... just those other sheep. The longer I live, the more I realize just how much we need each other and how much we all need Him. When will I learn that I cannot do life on my own - as a sheep and without a shepherd?

Do you know Jesus Christ? Is He your Shepherd? Today, I encourage you to surrender all you know about yourself to all you know about God. He will meet you there!

Need encouragement? Check out my weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Join women from across the world as we study God's plan for life.

Check out my book, Escaping the Stress Trap. It is based on Psalm 23 and will help you discover how to manage the stress in your life instead of allowing it to manage you. Gain a new perspective of your Shepherd and the joy of being His lamb.

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]

May 7, 2010 

Hats Off to Moms! 

Sharon Jaynes 


In Celebration of Mother's Day, Sharon will have several devotions devoted to moms!

Today's Truth:
"Her children arise and call her blessed;" (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Along the coast of North Carolina there are seven stately lighthouses that stand as sentinels on our rugged shoreline. A mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is much like those stately lighthouses.  She has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ.  Her walls of faith are constructed to withstand the storms of life, and her primary function is to house the light of Christ.  This mother is an immovable constant in her child's life, a landmark along life's journey and a guiding light that points her children to the safe harbor of home and eventually out to sea.

My Grandma Edwards was a constant in my life. From my earliest remembrance, she never seemed to change.  She was always old, wore funny baggy underwear and an equally unattractive undershirt to match, and styled her gray hair in a long braid that wound around her head like a crown.  She loved to watch Perry Mason, eat peanut butter crackers, and drink coca-cola from chilled glass bottles.  She never drove a car or frequented a shopping mall, but spent her days gardening, canning, and sewing.

Mothers and grandmothers no longer spend their days like my Grandma Edwards.  They are on the go with schedules that would make the best air traffic controller's head spin.

Recently I attended a barbecue dinner with five hundred tourists in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Across from me sat a family of four from Atlanta, Georgia: a dad, mom, and two little girls, ages 8 and 10.  We all introduced ourselves and began the friendly banter of "do you know so-an-so" and "what do you do?"  At one point in the conversation, someone asked Mary what she "did" in Atlanta?  With downcast eyes, she shrugged and said, "Oh, I'm just a mom.  I don't have a job."

Immediately the hair bristled on the back of my neck and sirens and lights went off in my head.  "Just" a mom!  How could she say such a thing?  I assured Mary that she had the most important job in all creation:  to create order out of chaos, ensure the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of her two little girls, and shape the individuals who will contribute to what we are as a community and a nation.  I don't think Mary will ever use the words "just" and "mom" in the same sentence again.

Let's unpack that little word, "mom."  What exactly is her job description? She's a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietician, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee, and gift  purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable:  hugs, kisses, and buckets of love.  And hopefully, one day a child who will call her blessed.

Even though we change hats from one minute to the next, we can assure our children that our love never changes, our support never tires, and our commitment to being a beacon remains unmoved.  In that way, we're still like my Grandma Edwards.

This Mother's Day, my hat`s off to moms!  Thanks for all you do to raise the next generation for Jesus. As a special salute, I have recorded a video just for you.  Just visit my homepage and be blessed!

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me the privilege of being a mom.  I pray that you will help me be a beacon that shines the light of Christ to my children as well as the children that I come in contact with through the course of a day.  You are the Light of the World and I pray that I will be a shining reflection of that light today.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Can you think of a woman who was a shining beacon for Christ in your life? It may or may not be your own mom.

Consider writing a note of thanks to a woman who affected your life...perhaps a spiritual mother.

What are some ways that you can be a shining beacon in your child's life or the life of a child that you know?  Be specific.

More From The Girlfriends
If you are a mom who needs some encouragement today, you'll want to read Sharon's book, Being a Great Mom-Raising Great Kids.  You'll laugh.  You'll cry.  And you will know that you have one of the most important jobs on earth. Also, click on the video button to see a special Mother's Day encouragement for moms!

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]

May 10, 2010   

Unfinished 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV) "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Friend To Friend
It took four years of fresco painting for the Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, commonly known as Michelangelo, to finish the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Most of his time painting was spent alone, on his back, lying on scaffolding. (How painful!) The painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of the most remarkable in the history of Western art. One thing is for sure: the process that altered a ceiling from plain to fabulous required a lot of time, great discipline, and the hand of a master artist.

There are many days that I wish God's work in my life was complete - days when I frustrate myself by choosing weak self-living over powerful Spirit-living - days when I'm undisciplined and in great need of heart fixing, fully aware that God's work in me is unfinished.

I long to be the woman God intends for me to be, yet know that I'm not there yet. It grieves my heart. Have you ever felt that way? Do you ever long to be farther along in your sanctification process than you are? The journey from broken into beautiful is a lifelong transformation that requires both spiritual discipline and a Master Artist.

As Michelangelo was working, I'm sure many people came through the corridors of the chapel and stood in amazement. As they looked up at the beauty of his work, I bet they said things like, "That is the most fantastic work of art I have ever seen!" or "Extraordinary!" To which he might have said, "It's not done!" But did the unfinished state of the project negate that parts of the ceiling were beautiful? No! The completed parts were still extravagant and breathtaking.

Maybe this is the way God and others see our lives. It's common for people to notice the work God has done in us and comment on the beauty. And even though compliments are nice to hear, I've been known to resist them. (Admit it, you probably have, too.) It's not so much a humility thing as it is an "I-don't-see-myself-as-beautiful" thing. From my limited perspective, I can only see the unfinished work, but in truth, my vantage point doesn't negate the beauty of the work God has done and is doing in my life. Real beauty isn't about a finished or flawless product. It can't be. It's not possible on this side of eternity to have completed beauty. Our restoration will be complete in the presence of God when we see Him face to face.

Here's an exciting word for today: God loves you right where you are even though you are an unfinished work. Nothing you can do or say could make Him love you more or less. When you are His child, Scripture tells us that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). He's not done with you yet, so hang on and lean in. Press on and keep seeking Him! Be encouraged, friend. You're in good hands when you are in the hands of God, the Master Artist. Philippians 1:5-6 (NIV) "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Let's Pray
Dear God, Thank you for your ability to look at my life and see the potential. Would You take my brokenness - all that I am - and piece together a work of beauty that can reflect your splendor? Help me to bring everything to You until Your work in me is made complete in Your presence. 

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read the book of Philippians this week. It is only four chapters ... but they are so powerful! Be energized and spurred on by the Word of God as He continues to work on your beauty.

Memorize and write out these verses: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14, NIV)

More From The Girlfriends
Every step of transformation begins with the heart of God. If you would like to learn more about how your brokenness can be reworked into a picture of God's beauty, order Gwen's book Broken Into Beautiful. This resource will help you experience the power of hope, healing and restoration!

GOT FACEBOOK? Visit Gwen's FACEBOOK PAGE. Thousands of GiGs "meet" there daily to connect and spur one another on in faith. Stop by and leave a message on her wall - listen to a few songs - share the page with your FB friends! (She loves that!)

LIKE SAVING MONEY? Check out the SPECIALS on Gwen's website!  When you order more than one CD, you save!

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]

May 11, 2010 

How to Enjoy Your Family 

Part 1 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Proverbs 31:11-12; 30 (NIV) "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm. A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." 

Friend To Friend
Family means different things to different people. What is a family? Well, I can tell you that it is not what it used to be. Family is no longer simple, but blended and complex. It has changed to include many different relationships of people who live together.


·         Couples with children   

·         Couples with no children 

·         Single women with children 

·         Single men with children 

·         Grandparents with children 

·         Parents with grown children who have left and then come back home 

·         Close friends living together 

·         Unrelated people living together

And they are all family. Family is a group of persons belonging to or forming a household. We've looked at what a family is, but the more important question is, "What is the purpose of family?" There are no perfect families. There never have been. However, the purpose of family is to illustrate the nature and character of God. In other words, family is the primary place we learn about God. 

A Sunday school class of first-graders was asked to draw a picture of God. When the pastor stopped by to inspect their work, the children were happy to show him their drawings. One had drawn God in the form of a brightly colored rainbow. Another had drawn the face of an old man coming out of billowing clouds and there was one drawing that looked a lot like Superman. Perhaps the best drawing was the one proudly displayed by a girl who said, "I didn't know what God looked like exactly, so I drew my daddy!"

Family is important to God. He created it before He created the church and, as with each of His creations, He made a plan for it to succeed. At the heart of that plan is love. To be part of a family is to be loved. So the challenge is ... how can we love our family?

I know we all want to be part of a family where we give and receive love. Proverbs 31 tells us how. This chapter, a portrait of a wife and mother, was painted by a King as the kind of woman his mother wanted her son to marry. It is a standard of excellence, not only for women, but for every member of every family. In the life of this woman, we find several ways to love our family. 

Build trust.

Proverbs 31:11 tells us that "her husband has full confidence in her."  "Full confidence" literally means to trust, to take refuge in or to lean on. The Proverbs 31 woman spent a lifetime building trust. She trusted God and had a personal relationship with Him. We cannot be trustworthy if we are not trusting, and if we don't trust God, we cannot truly trust others. If we are not "taking refuge" or "leaning on" Jesus Christ, when others take refuge and lean on us, we will crumble and fall. Trust shatters fear.

Psalm 56:3 "But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me?" (NIV)

Trust is fragile and once broken, very hard to build again. When our son was a little boy, he constantly rode on the trusted shoulders of his dad, and loved it. Then, one day, at a church youth activity, one of the youth was playing around and punched Dan in the stomach. Dan was caught off guard and the youth hit him harder than he meant to. Dan doubled over and Jered tumbled to the ground. The next time Dan tried to put Jered on his shoulders, Jered flatly refused. It took months for Dan to earn Jered's trust again. To enjoy our family, we must first trust God, which then enables us to build trust in our family. Our family needs to be able to trust us, no matter what - with no hidden land mines. There will be no joy in our homes if there is not an atmosphere of trust. Family is a "team" idea and nothing is more deadly to the success of a team than a lack of trust. Trust God and then build trust in your family. Tomorrow, we will explore other ways to enjoy your family. Don't miss it!

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for the family You have given me. I want to love them like they need to be loved. Help me to build trust in them as I learn to trust You more. Lord, help me to be trustworthy and to be the woman You want me to be in my family. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 

Make a list of ways your family can trust and depend on you.
Identify any areas where you can build more trust.
Have a family meeting to discuss what it means to be a team. 
Constantly look for ways to foster the mindset that your family is a team.

More From The Girlfriends 

Everywhere I look, splintered and broken families abound. Why? I believe that somewhere along the way, trust was broken by an affair, a betrayal or a forgotten vow. What is even more frightening is the casual approach to that broken trust. God is calling us to trust Him and then to build that trust in our family. Right now, no matter how many times you have failed, begin again. We are with you! 

For more information about how to enjoy family or how to deal with a difficult child, check out the MP3s, How to Enjoy Your Family and Tough Love for Tough Kids in my online store.

Join women from across the world in Bible study by enrolling in my weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey.

And I would love to connect with you through email or on Facebook! Become a friend and leave a message! Let's talk!

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]

May 12, 2010 

How to Enjoy Your Family 

Part 2 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Proverbs 31:13:15, 20 (NIV) "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."

Friend To Friend
Family is important to God. He created it before He created the church and, as with each of His creations, He made a plan for it to succeed. At the heart of that plan is love. To be part of a family is to be loved. Yesterday, we saw that the first step to loving our family is to build trust. The second step is to serve our family with joy.  We are told by many to serve ourselves - not others. The Proverbs 31 woman had every opportunity to live a life of leisure.


·         She has a prominent husband. 

·         She had a lot of influence. 

·         She was visible and active in community. 

·         She was in charge of charity events.

But she got up while it was still dark to make breakfast for her family and for those who served her. Proverbs 31:13 tells us she worked with "eager" hands. The literal meaning of "eager" is "in delight or in chosen joy." In other words, she chose to serve with joy, which means we can choose to serve our family with joy as well.  Jesus teaches the truth that service is a natural result of love.

Galatians 5:13 "For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other."

Yet, many of us find it easier to serve everyone in love except our family. When my husband, Dan, was a youth pastor, we saw a variety of family dynamics. At one church, a young man came to us in tears. I will never forget his words, "My parents are getting a divorce because mom has time for everyone in the world except my dad and me!" Service to those we love and call family should not be a burden. In fact, an attitude of service is contagious. The best way to teach your family to serve is to serve them.

From childhood, making the bed was one of my kid's daily chores. I told them that one day a week, I would make their bed for them. It could be on a day when they were running late for school, when they were too tired or didn't feel well. Whatever the reason, I would serve them by making their bed one day a week. One morning, I was running behind and in a hurry to visit my husband was recovering from an emergency appendectomy. I had been at the hospital day and night and was exhausted. I got up very early, took one look at my bed and decided I just didn't want to make it. I went to take a shower, hoping it would wake me up.  When I came out, Danna, our eleven-year-old daughter had made my bed. To love our family, we must serve with joy!

Plan well.

Proverbs 31:15b, 21, 27 (LB) "She plans the day's work. She has no fear of winter for her household, for she has made warm clothes for all of them. She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household."

Planning prevents chaos. This woman is in control of her home and her life. The control came from good planning. She mastered the skill of homemaking before she ever set foot in the workplace. She set her priorities; then arranged her life around them. She didn't allow others to set them for her but did what was important, not just urgent. Have you noticed that the urgent things in life barge in demanding attention while the important things wait to be chosen? We can spend a lifetime on the urgent and miss the important. We must set family priorities because if we don't, the world will.

The Proverbs 31 woman knew what needed to be done and made sure that it was done first and in the right way. She didn't fear winter or the hard times because she was prepared. Family should provide the most satisfying earthly relationships. If it doesn't, the problem may be with our planning. Here are some practical tips for planning:

·         Budget your time.   

·         Choose one day a week to plan. 

·         Eliminate. Have an "elimination" meeting once a month with your family. Eliminate the things that hurt your family. 

·         Learn to leave the "lesser" things undone. 

·         Delegate. Include everyone in the family in the work as well as the playing. 

·         Simplify. Give up on perfection. It's for heaven - not earth.

Plan well. It demonstrates your love for your family.

Work hard.

Proverbs 31:16-18 (LB) "She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her own hands she plants a vineyard. She is a hard worker. She works far into the night."

There is nothing lazy about this woman! Laziness should not be part of our character as women of God. This is a busy woman, but not too busy ad not busy doing the wrong things. Busyness does not always equal productivity. I believe a woman can have it all - a career, a family. I'm just not sure she can have it all at the same time. This woman has a strong sense of who she is and what God created her to be.  She has a clear plan for life. And notice she doesn't do all of the work herself. (By the way, this is your scriptural justification for a maid or as I tell my children,"Why do you think God made kids?") Working together builds a sense of family.  In a nationwide survey, thousands of school children were asked, "What makes a happy family?" The most-mentioned key to happiness was "doing things together." Plan "family projects" and family work days. At the end of day, order a pizza and rent a movie as reward. You can build some of your greatest family traditions and memories around work. When our kids were younger, we bought our Christmas tree and put up our Christmas lights every Thanksgiving weekend.  While it is a lot of work, it is also a family tradition. I never had to ask the kids to help. They were eager to join in ... and have carried this tradition into their own families.                 

A woman who loves her family is willing to work hard for them and with them, planning well and building trust.

Let's Pray
Father, family is so important to You and I want it to be that important to me as well. Thank You for the family You have given me. I love each one of them and want them to be sure of my love. Please help me love them in ways they can understand. I pray that our family will be filled with trust and become a haven for each family member. Be glorified in our home and in our family. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Identify areas of your family life that need to be more structured. 
Establish a weekly family meeting to plan and connect as a family.   
Use the principles in step three to become a better planner. 
Establish a new family tradition that invites every family member to participate.

More From The Girlfriends
I once heard the statement, "Home is the place you go where they have to take you in." I love that statement. And it really is true. Tomorrow, we conclude this study on how to enjoy your family. I pray that it is making a difference in your life and in your family. Remember, your home and family is the best place for God to show up and demonstrate Who He really is.

For more information about how to enjoy family or how to deal with a difficult child, check out the MP3s, How to Enjoy Your Family and Tough Love for Tough Kids in my online store.

Summer is coming! Get ready! Check out my book, Escaping the Stress Trap, and learn how to manage stress instead of allowing it to manage you. 

Join women from across the world in Bible study by enrolling in my weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey.

And I would love to connect with you through email or on Facebook! Become a friend and leave a message! Let's talk!

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]

May 13, 2010 

How to Enjoy Your Family 

Part 3 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Proverbs 31:26 "When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says."

Friend To Friend
Family is important to God. He created it before He created the church and, as with each of His creations, He made a plan for it to succeed. At the heart of that plan is love. To be part of a family is to be loved. Over the last two days, we have examined the first steps to loving your family; to build trust, to serve them with joy, to plan well and to work hard.  We can also love and enjoy our family by guarding our tongue.

Control your tongue.

The power of the spoken word is great. Words are like seeds. What we plant will grow.  If we plant negative, critical words, we will reap a family that is negative and critical.  Look for the good in your family then speak it. Be a cheerleader for your family because everyone needs a cheerleader.

A little girl was eating breakfast with her Daddy. They were on a "date," spending special time together. He was telling her how wonderful she was and how proud he was to have her as a daughter. When he had done what he thought was a sufficient job, he picked up his fork and began to eat. His daughter put her hand on his arm and stopped him with these words, "Longer, Daddy, longer." He didn't eat much food that day but a little girl's hungry heart was fed. Do have any hearts like that in your family?

CBS released a movie about Karen Carpenter, the great singer who rose to stardom singing with her brother, Richard. At the age of 32, she died unexpectedly of heart failure due to many years of abuse caused by Anorexia. What brought on Karen's fatal obsession with weight control? It seems that a reporter once called her "Richard's chubby sister."

Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD: keep watch over the door of my lips."

Before speaking, ask yourself the following questions.


   T       is it true   

   H       Is it helpful   

    I       is it inspiring   

   N       is it necessary 

   K       is it kind

Think before you speak. Use the five to one ratio when correcting - five positive remarks to one negative comment. The harder the truth, the more love we should use in saying it. It is our responsibility to use our words to train and instruct our family about the daily things in life, but more importantly, to instruct them about the eternal things. We are very concerned about providing for our children when we need to be more concerned about caring for our children. The greatest care we can give is to disciple them by speaking words of truth. Guard your tongue.

Take care of yourself.

The Proverbs 31 woman certainly did. "She is energetic. Her own clothing is beautifully made--a purple gown of pure linen. She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age." (Proverbs 31:17; 22; 25) 

Families are hard work. In order to make our family relationships replenishing, we must be replenished. Psalm 46:10 instructs us to "be still and know that I am God."  Let's apply this verse specifically.

Be still, MY MUSCLES, and know God's RELAXATION. 

Be still, MY NERVES, and know God's REST.

Be still, MY HEART, and know God's QUIETNESS.

Be still, MY BODY, and know God's RENEWAL.

Be still, MY MIND, and know God's PEACE.

In order to be all that we can be to our families, we must be all that we can be mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. We must be balanced. The Proverbs 31 woman was energetic and hard working for the tasks she was gifted and called to do. Proverbs 31:25 tells us this woman could laugh "at the days to come." The picture here is of a woman who enjoyed her life. She worked hard, but she knew how to stop and plant a vineyard. She liked to shop and watched for bargains. She liked to look beautiful, dressing in purple fine linen. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."

We cannot give our heart to God and keep our body for ourselves. When you take care of yourself, you are honoring God and loving your family.

Remember your audience.

The final way to enjoy and love your family is to remember who your audience should be.

Proverbs 31:28-31 "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

It's so easy to live life before the wrong audience. The truth is that our audience determines how we run the race. Our audience should be God, our mate, our children and then others. One day we will stand before God as keeper of the family He has loaned to us for a short time. Will He be pleased? Will He say "Well done?" Will our family stand and bless us? Will others say this woman loved and enjoyed her family?

Let's Pray
"Lord, you know my inadequacies. You know my weaknesses, not only in parenting, but in every area of my life. As you broke the fishes and the loaves to feed the five thousand, now take my meager effort and use it to bless my family.

Please make up for the things I did wrong. Satisfy the needs that I have not satisfied.  Wrap your great arms around my family and draw them close to you.

And be there when they stand at the great crossroads between right and wrong. All I can give is my best, and I, today, choose to do that. Therefore, I submit to you my family and myself and the job I have done and will do as a wife and mother. The outcome belongs to you." (Author unknown)

Now It's Your Turn
How would you define "family" in your life?

Which one of the steps covered in this series of devotionals do you need to take in order to have the family God wants you to have?

Set aside time to pray for each family member.

More From The Girlfriends
I truly believe our greatest opportunity to impact the world is the way we love and enjoy family. I pray that you have been blessed by this study. I encourage you to examine your family in light of these principles.  Identify one that needs some work and get started. It is never too late to start and it is always too early to give up, girlfriend. And know that Gwen, Sharon and I are right there with you on this journey. Blessings!

For more information about how to enjoy family or how to deal with a difficult child, check out the MP3s, How to Enjoy Your Family and Tough Love for Tough Kids in my online store.

Summer is coming! Get ready! Check out my book, Escaping the Stress Trap, and learn how to manage stress instead of allowing it to manage you. 

Join women from across the world in Bible study by enrolling in my weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey.

And I would love to connect with you through email or on Facebook! Become a friend and leave a message! Let's talk!

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