Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

March 24, 2011

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 onlything 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! Last year it 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. So I went into the settings of my internet browser and chose a blank page for my homepage. Though it's not overly exciting to have a blank homepage, it has helped me to be wiser with my time. Hope this spurs you on to similar responses!

LIKE SAVING MONEY?Check out the SPECIALS on Gwen's website! Her songs are purposed to sweep you away from the noise of life to focus your heart on what really matters: Jesus. When you order more than one CD, you save!

NEED HEALING for some heart wounds? Got a friend going through a difficult time? Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, takes the reader by the hand and shows her how God delights to transform lives. To order the book, go to Amazonor visit Gwen's website: 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]

March 25, 2011

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 doread 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. It was a deeply rooted sin and a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior. Thankfully, God has delivered me from that ugly habit, but it took almost 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 overnight, but as you persist, God willwork in and through you.

NEED ENCOURAGEMENT? Got a friend going through a difficult time? Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, takes the reader by the hand and shows her how God delights to transform lives. To order the book, go to Amazonor visit Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.

LOVE TO WORSHIP? Order a copy of Gwen's new CD, Uncluttered. The songs of Uncluttered are purposed to sweep you away from life-noise and to focus your heart and mind on the one thing that matters: your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Got FACEBOOK?? Let's meet there and do life together on a whole new level: http://www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic

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]

March 28, 2011

No Safety Net

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"The Lord answered him, "I will be with you. It will seem as if the Midianites you are fighting are only one man" (Judges 6:16, NCV).

Friend to Friend
I was born to be an elementary school teacher – period. So when a total stranger tapped me on the shoulder and said, "While you were singing, God told me that you are supposed to be my Music and Youth Assistant this summer," I felt sorry for him. He obviously needed to have his hearing checked.

I had just graduated from college with an elementary education teaching degree. A good friend was leading worship for a local church and asked me to sing a solo in the evening service. That's all – or so I thought. When the service ended, my good friend introduced me to his good friend, the hard-of-hearing stranger, and said, "You should at least pray about his offer." I did. And here I am – thirty years later – an unlikely servant who lives in constant amazement at God's plan for her life.

The Bible is filled with men and women who were unlikely servants. Weak, fearful and unwilling, they fought against the call of God, offering excuses and pleading for exemption – just like we do. Gideon was such a man.

Judges 6:11-16 (NCV) "One day the angel of God came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, whose son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress, out of sight of the Midianites. The angel of God appeared to him and said, 'God is with you, O mighty warrior!' Gideon replied, 'With me, my master? If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about? The fact is, God has nothing to do with us—he has turned us over to Midian.' But God faced him directly: 'Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven't I just sent you?' Gideon said to him, 'Me, my master? How and with what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My clan's the weakest in Manasseh and I'm the runt of the litter.' God said to him, 'I'll be with you. Believe me. You'll defeat Midian as one man.'"

Gideon was a farmer, a family man just trying to earn a living and put food on the table. Like us, he felt inadequate and unworthy to carry out God's plan for his life. But God saw what Gideon could be, not just what he was.

The fact that the angel called Gideon a "mighty warrior" is just plain funny. Gideon didn't look like a mighty warrior and he certainly didn't act like one. Normally, wheat was threshed in an open area on a threshing floor by oxen pulling threshing sledges over the stalks. Not Gideon. He did his work in a winepress, hidden from the view of the Midianites. I don't blame him. The Midianites were basically terrorists - a large and powerful army of nomadic invaders. God wanted Gideon to defeat them and set the Israelites free.

I can imagine the look on Gideon's face and the sheer panic in his heart when God told him the plan. Gideon's response was so human and so like our own when God calls us to do something that seems absolutely impossible and makes no human sense at all.

Are you talking to me?
You must have me confused with somebody else.
If God is with me, why is my life such a mess?
You want me to do what? Save who? Now that's funny!
Take a good look at me.
I am weak.
I come from the wrong side of the Manasseh tracks.
People like me don't save nations and defeat armies.

I don't think Gideon was being humble. I think he was scared spit-less and firmly convinced that he was totally unqualified for the job God was asking him to do. I know that feeling. I tend to use my weaknesses as excuses for disobedience instead of accepting them for what they really are, opportunities for God to show up and show off in my life. God's power shines best through obvious weakness. And just like God was with the flawed Gideon, He is with us.

God's commitment to Gideon reaffirmed His presence with Gideon and the ease with which Gideon would have victory over the Midianites. The literal translation is "as if they were but one man." I love it!  Here was Gideon, probably the last man anyone would choose to face the Midianites, and God is telling him the victory will be so easy it will seem like he is facing one man instead of an army of fierce invaders.

Nevertheless, Gideon's attitude was lousy. I can almost hear him whining as he blamed God for getting the Israelites into their current mess and voicing major doubts about God's willingness or even His desire to save them. Gideon sputtered every excuse imaginable, reminding God how weak he was, venting his anger and confusion while questioning the validity of God's choice. Still, God insisted Gideon was the man for the job.

Making excuses is always a waste of time because God is completely aware of who we are and what we can and cannot do. When God calls us, He not only equips us but empowers us to obey that calling. The Lord told Gideon to "go in the strength you have." God was asking Gideon to step out in faith, knowing that his meager strength would not be enough for the task ahead. The reality is that our strength is never enough for any task. That's what faith is all about. Faith is a willingness to step out in mid-air, no safety net in sight – trusting God to be there – at the point of our greatest need.

Tomorrow: Gideon meets Indiana Jones

Let's Pray
Father, I am just like Gideon. I am afraid to step out in faith. I want to trust You but my faith is weak. I don't understand how You can love someone like me and to think that You have a special plan for my life is hard to believe. Help my unbelief, Lord.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read and memorize Hebrews 11:1(NIV) "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

How would you define "confidence" and "assurance" as it relates to your faith in God?

Think about the following definition of faith: Forsaking All I Trust Him.

What does "all" mean in your life?

More from the Girlfriends
Faith is like a muscle. The more you use it ... the stronger it becomes. Your faith may seem small, but when placed in God's hands, it becomes more than enough.

Need faith?Mary's MP3s Stepping Out in FaithandStrength for the Stormwill help you discover how to appropriate God's power in your daily life. 

When you are afraid, put your trust in God. Mary's E-Bible Study, Getting a Grip on Fearwill help you learn how to face and deal with your fear.

Need something for your pain? Enroll in Mary's weekly online Bible Study, How to Handle Hurtand learn how to face and deal with the pain in your life.

Need a friend?Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.

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


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

[Judy Harder]

March 29, 2011

Gideon Meets Indiana Jones

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Hebrews 11:1 "Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it" (Hebrews 11:1, ICB).

Friend to Friend
I have a love-hate relationship with the movie, "The Last Crusader." The hero, Indiana Jones, is constantly hovering above some bottomless pit or dodging bullets, flying knives or hoards of sinister enemies and nasty creatures that are trying to kill him and prevent him from completing his mission. It is exhausting to watch! One part of the movie stands out above the rest as terrifying moments go.

As usual, Indiana is on the run and comes to a chasm he must cross in order to obtain the Holy Grail. No bridge. No net. No ropes or hat tricks - just air, and nothing but air.

At this point in the movie, I am looking for a tangible resolution to Indiana's predicament. Maybe a hidden elevator built into the side of the abyss or an alternate route to the treasure. You know, something you could touch and see and ... well, explain.

Instead, the treasure map dictates a ridiculous solution that makes no sense at all but demands a huge step of faith. If Indiana will just step over the edge of that bottomless pit ... a bridge, a rock wall will appear. Right! How about that bridge appears and then Indiana traipses across it?

Nope. That is not the plan.

Even though I have seen the movie several times, my stomach still lurches as Indiana closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and cautiously steps out into air and the seemingly bottomless abyss. If the treasure map is wrong and the wall does not appear, Indiana Jones will surely plummet to his death. Fortunately, the clue is correct, the wall does appear and Indiana Jones races across to safety, resuming his quest.

Gideon and Indiana Jones have a lot in common when it comes to faith. "Am I not sending you?" God asked Gideon, as if that fact explained it all. Actually, it does explain it all. In order to experience the power of God, we have to be willing to step out in faith, even when it seems there is no way and no solution to the problem at hand and our strength is gone. God will strengthen us as we go. He is the Way Maker and the only thing that really matters is the fact that God sends us.

The Coast Guard has a motto: "You must go out but you don't have to come back."  A powerful life is fueled by the kind of faith that steps out in obedience and lets God worry about whether or not we come back. At the center of every challenge is an opportunity for trust in God to work.  Every problem contains a concentrated opportunity and offers the option of stepping out in faith.

The highest truths God has to offer are rarely wrapped in a beautifully wrapped or elegantly presented package and handed to us on a silver platter. I am convinced that our Father takes heaven-sent treasures, buries them at the heart of a huge problem, then watches and applauds when we have what it takes to break that problem apart, finding the wealth hidden there in the darkness. The words of Isaiah say it well.  "And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness - secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name" (Isaiah 45:3 NLT). Some things cannot be learned in the light. The greatest treasures are often buried in the deepest pits and require a step of faith to discover.

We all have faith. We go to a doctor we don't really know and are handed a prescription we cannot read. We then take that prescription to a pharmacist, a total stranger, who presents us with a mysterious bottle filled with pills that we swallow – all in faith. Our problem is not so much a lack of faith but where we place that faith.

Billy Graham said, "Most of us do not understand nuclear fission, but we accept it. I don't understand television, but I accept it. I don't understand radio, but every week my voice goes out around the world, and I accept it. Why is it so easy to accept all these man-made miracles and so difficult to accept the miracles of the Bible?"

Hebrews 11:1(ICB) "Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it."

Faith is built upon trust. God wants us to trust Him - even when we do not understand what is happening or can explain the circumstances. Even when nothing makes sense and everything seems wrong. It is easy to trust Him when the seas are calm and the skies are clear but the strength of our faith is measured in the midst of a raging storm. A crisis always reveals what is really inside. What life does to us depends on what life finds in us. Faith is a deliberate choice to believe God, to walk through our fear, knowing we can trust Him every step of the way.

Let's Pray
Father, I am tired of living a life that can be explained and understood in human terms. My heart longs to walk by faith, counting on Your strength instead of my own, knowing that You orchestrate every step to illustrate Your power made perfect in my weakness. Today, I choose to trust You instead of demanding an explanation for what is happening in my life. Right now, I choose to walk through my fear and step out in faith.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Scripture tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Matthew 17:20 also tells us that even a tiny amount of faith pleases Him. "I Jesus) tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

A mustard seed is tiny, but once planted, it grows into a huge tree. Jesus said a little faith can have incredible results. We don't need a lot of faith - just as much as a mustard seed to produce great results. Why? Because our God is an awesome God and our faith depends on Him. 

What is the greatest storm in your life today?

What step do you need to take to face that trial with faith instead of fear?

What is keeping you from trusting God and stepping out in faith?

More from the Girlfriends
We are on this journey of faith with you and pray for God's strength and power where you need it most. He knows. You can trust Him. Just take one step of faith and He will meet you there.

Need faith?Mary's MP3s Stepping Out in Faith and Strength for the Storm will help you discover how to appropriate God's power so that you can walk by faith ... not by sight.

When you are afraid, put your trust in God. Mary's E-Bible Study, Getting a Grip on Fear will help you learn how to face and deal with your fear.

Need something for your pain? Enroll in Mary's weekly online Bible Study, How to Handle Hurt and learn how to face and deal with the pain in your life.

Need a friend?Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.



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


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

[Judy Harder]

March 30, 2011

Do you want to get well?

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Do you want to get well? Get up! Pick up your mat and walk" (John 5:6,8, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Do you want to get well?  That seems like a strange question, doesn't it.  But sometimes we can get so used to being soul sick, we don't even realize that we are not truly well. Sometimes the chains we wear shackled to our hearts become so comfortable, we get used to the pain and forget what it is like to be well. Perhaps some of us have never known. But the big question is – do you want to get well? Do you want to be free? Of course I do, I hear you say.  But do you really? 

There was a certain man that Jesus encountered who faced the same crossroads in his life. In Jerusalem, men and women with various infirmities congregated at the Sheep Gate Pool. Surrounding the pool were five porticoes or shelters, where sick people clustered, waiting for the "moving of the waters."  They believed an angel of the Lord came down from heaven at certain seasons and stirred the pool.  When the people saw the waters ripple, they all made a mad dash to jump in. They believed that the first one to make it to the pool would be healed.

One man, an invalid, had been waiting by the pool for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw the man lying there and learned that he had been doing so for thirty-eight years, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6).

That seems like an unusual question – or does it?  Sometimes we get used to being "sick."  We become attached to our wounds. They become a part of who we are and we can't imagine life without them. For this man, healing meant a drastic life change. He would have to get a job, become a responsible adult, and stop lounging by the pool all day. Oh, we say we want to be free, but do we?

Pain can become an idol. Not that we worship it in a good sense. But we worship it as an awesome force and allow it to control our lives. When we allow our past to control our lives and dictate our future, we are giving it the power of a god and making it an idol. Author Richard Exley wrote: "We can hug our hurts and make a shrine out of our sorrows or we can offer them to God as a sacrifice of praise.  The choice is ours."

Did the invalid want to get well? He had not asked for Jesus' help. It seems he clung to his illness and blamed it on those around him – a victim of circumstance.  "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred," he said. We don't know if he had lost the will to be healed, was afraid to lose the income of a beggar, or simply had accepted lameness as his lot in life. In any case, he came face to face with the one who could set him free.

The man never did answer Jesus' question. Jesus simply said, "Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk" (John 5:1-8). And he did.

Thirty-eight years is a long time to be immobile, and yet, in my own life there were some things that had held me back for the same amount of time. I was paralyzed by feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy because of messages from my past. Then Jesus asked me, "Do you want to get well?"

Satan wants to use our past to paralyze us.  God wants to use our past to propel us! The choice is ours. Girlfriend, let's pick up our mat and walk...better yet, let's run, leap, and dance for joy!

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, it's a simple question, but sometimes one that is difficult to answer. Yes, I want to get well, but I'm scared at the same time.  So I'm taking a deep breath and asking You to make me completely whole: spiritually, mentally, and physically. If there is something in my life I need to change to achieve health, I pray that You will reveal it to me and give me the courage to change.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Can you relate to the man by the pool?  Is there any area of your life where you feel "paralyzed?"

How do you think the man's life was different after his encounter with Jesus?

How has your life been different since your encounter with the Living God?

More from the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past.  If you would like to learn how to move from the pain of your past into a purposeful future, then this book is for you!  We all have scars; it is what we choose to do with them that can change the world.

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]

March 31, 2011

Put Your Faith Where Your Action Is!
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth 

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17, NIV).

Friend to Friend 

I remember a time, back in 1993, when I was swept up in the whimsical world of wedding planning. Every detail mattered. I was excited to be marrying Brad Smith and I wanted our wedding day to be a magical springboard to a life filled with amazing adventures and deep years of God-centered love. From the cake choices - to the dress choices - to the music choices - to the guest list choices - to the bridal registry choices: I was all about the business of wedding prep!

The bride of Christ is purposed to be all about the Father's business - to prep for eternity by making choices to bring Him glory throughout our days; to intentionally worship the Lord through our service. As daughters of God, we are called to connect our believing to our behaving; our convictions to our conversations; our lip-service to our life-service.

The Biblical mandate for each believer is this: put your faith where your action is. "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).

Hear me out here. Service is not the key to gaining salvation. Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone (Romans 10:9-10). Service is, however, essential for the believer as a response to her salvation. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

No matter who you are or what your platform is in life, the truth remains that whatever you do and say is being watched. Everyone emanates something. A radiant Christian woman - a radiant bride of Christ - emanates the saltiness and light of Jesus through her life; displayed through the things she does and doesn't do. Through things she says or doesn't say.

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV).

Today, I pray that you are spurred on to be a woman of action for Christ - no matter what the circumstances of your life or the complexities of your relationships may be. From your word choices - to your tone choices - to your television choices - to your music choices - to your service choices - to your activity choices ... be all about your Father's business. Go in His strength, and put your faith where your action is.

Let's Pray 

Holy Father, I pray that You will help my actions to line up with Your perfect will. Help me to be Your hands and feet to those around me. Shine through my actions so others might be drawn to Your healing hope.

In Jesus' Name, 


Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 

What does your life radiate? What are your actions saying about your faith? Are you salty for Christ in what you do and say? Spend a few moments reflecting on this and then spend some time in prayer.

How can you serve someone today? Perhaps God is leading you to bless someone in your household ... or someone in your church ... or someone in your neighborhood.

Could you reach out to a single mom, a family member, a widow, or a hurting friend? Ask God to direct you to opportunities to put your faith into action in the lives of others.

More from the Girlfriends 

Trust me, friend, in no way am I trying to place the burden of "you-must-do-more-things-in-order-to-please-God" on you. I just want to encourage you to make the most of every choice and every action. If you are drained and weary and can't imagine being able to give anyone anything right now, get alone with God. His presence and His Spirit will strengthen you for each moment.

NEED HELP in putting your actions where your faith is? Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, will take you by the hand and shows you how God delights to transform lives. Yes. Even yours!! To order the book, go to Amazon or visit the store on Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.

Got FACEBOOK?? Let's meet there and do life together on a whole new level: http://www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic.

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


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

[Judy Harder]

April 1, 2011

I Want to Be Beautiful

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13 NIV).

Friend to Friend
I was sitting in a crowded restaurant with my family when she walked by in her full-length white satin ball gown delicately trimmed in lace and studded with tiny "jewels." Crinoline swished as she moved across the room, a rhinestone tiara sparkled on her head, and pearl studded slippers accentuated her feminine feet. Golden ringlets framed her rosy cheeks and puckered lips glistened with a hint of gloss. She knew she was beautiful and glanced around at the admiring smiles of onlookers as she walked through the crowd. She was three-years-old.

I'm not sure when the dream to be beautiful enters a little girl's mind, but I do know when the dream ends – when the preacher says, "may she rest in peace." In my book, Becoming Spiritually Beautiful, I told about my shenanigans as a little girl who wanted to be a grown up beauty.

I remember as a little girl sneaking into my mother's closet and slipping my child-size feet into her size seven high heels. I'd also stand on my tiptoes on a chair, pull a hat off the top shelf, and plop it on my head like an oversized lamp shade. Her satin evening jacket with sleeves that hug eight inches below my finger tips gave a nice elegant touch to my outfit. A lady going to a party would never be caught without "putting on her face," so I crept into the bathroom, opened the forbidden drawer, and created a clownish work of art on the palette of my face. Red rouge circles on my cheeks, heaps of blue eye shadow on my munchkin lids, and smeared orange lipstick far exceeding the proper border were finished off with a dusting of facial powder with an oversized brush.

From the time a little girl stretches on her tiptoes to get a peek in the mirror, she desires to be beautiful – perhaps like her mommy. As the girl moves into the teen years, she experiments with makeup, delves into fashion, and attempts various hairstyles. Then it's on to makeover ideas in magazines and on talk shows. If one idea doesn't work – well there's always next month.

I believe the dream to be beautiful is not simply an American obsession, but at the very core of womanhood all around the world. Various cultures have their ideas of what constitutes true beauty. National Geographic reported that on the border of Burma and Thailand, members of the Kayan tribe begin their beauty rituals at age 5 by wearing brass rings around their necks.  As they grow older, more rings are added, and eventually their necks elongate to look like a giraffe's. For these women, the shiny brass rings are the ultimate sign of female elegance and status. In Maori, women consider it beautiful to tattoo their lips dark blue. Young girls in the Karo tribe in southern Ethiopia allow their elders to cut scars onto their stomachs which they believe will make them more beautiful and able to attract a husband.

In a West African country, Mauritania, they believe that bigger is better and have practiced the ritual of force feeding young girls to plump them up.  Interestingly, Dove posted on their Facebook page that only 2% of the women around the world describe themselves as beautiful. (see http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=21435141328&topic=9559#!)  And while various cultures have their own ideas of what true beauty looks like, women go through great lengths to achieve a look that does not come naturally.

John Eldredge, in his book Wild at Heart, describes three longings that lie at the heart of every man:  a battle to fight, a beauty to rescue, an adventure to live. He also ventures to say that women have three longings of the heart as well: to be fought for, to share in an adventure, and to have her beauty unveiled. "Not to conjure," Eldredge explains, "but to unveil.  Most women feel the pressure to be beautiful from very young, but that is not what I speak of. There is also a deep desire to simply and truly be the beauty and be delighted in. Most little girls will remember playing dress up, or wedding day, or 'twirling skirts,' those flowing dresses that were perfect for spinning around in.  She'll put her pretty dress on, come into the living room and twirl. What she longs for is to capture her daddy's delight."

Friend, you are beautiful.  You have captured your Heavenly Father's delight. You are an incredible masterpiece fashioned by the Eternal Artist.  Ponder these words of David:

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.(Psalm 139:13-16)

Let's Pray
Dear Father, forgive me for complaining about Your masterpiece when I look into the mirror.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for crafting my eyes that see, my ears that hear, my mouth that speaks, and all the amazing organs that work in tandem that I can't even see. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Today, make a list of all that you are thankful for about your body. It should be a long list!

Don't forget all your inner workings.

No matter how beautiful a person is on the outside, if she is not beautiful on the inside, it will come through. Who is someone you know that is beautiful on the inside? Consider letting her know how beautiful you think she is!

I'd love to hear what you think makes someone truly beautiful. Let's chat at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More From the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, 5 Dreams of Every Woman and How God Wants to Fulfill Them(a new revised version of her previous book, Dreams of a Woman). This book is for every woman whose life hasn't turned out like she dreamed it would ... and I think that includes most of us. Can you risk the hope that God still has dreams for your life? That He hasn't forgotten you?  Place your hand firmly in His--take a deep breath and begin the exciting journey to a place you thought you'd never find: the dream God planned for you all along. Let's dare to dream again!

And to learn more about inner beauty, see Becoming Spiritually Beautiful...Seeing Yourself from God's Perspective.

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


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

[Judy Harder]

April 4, 2011

The Circle of Encouragement

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

Friend to Friend
You have heard the old saying, "What goes around, comes around." Truer words were never spoken when talking about encouragement. We all need encouragement – especially during the tough times. Those "tough" times can come in all shapes, sizes and forms and can vary from person to person. For example, we have one child who has been known to run an extremely high fever, walk around on a broken foot, and have a headache that would put me in bed ... all without a word of complaint. The doctors have always been amazed at this child's high level of pain tolerance. We have another child who has been known to dissolve into hysterics at the sight of a splinter embedded in a finger and turn ghastly pale and almost faint at the mere smell of the doctor's office. The doctor's have been amazed at this child's low level of pain tolerance. The difference between these two children does not reflect a right or wrong reaction. As one of my friends often says, "It is what it is." When each child was in pain, they both needed understanding, compassion and encouragement.

When I went through my first major battle with clinical depression, I was amazed at the people God sent to encourage me. Phone calls came from friends we hadn't seen or heard from in years. "I don't know what is going on in your life," they would say, "but I have had you on my heart and just felt compelled to call." Notes and letters arrived in the mail – all filled with encouraging words – many from people who had no idea about my struggles. Strangers would take one look at me and proceed to rescue me from whatever circumstance in which I was trapped and having a panic attack. 

One of the most precious groups of encouragers was the elders of the church where my husband was the pastor. With my permission, Dan shared with them what I was going through and asked them to pray. They did pray. But these men didn't think prayer was enough. These amazing angels wanted to do more by putting feet and hands to those prayers and did not stop until they came up with a rescue plan for me.

Our church had five services each weekend and because I was so emotionally frail, I never knew which service I would be able to attend until I was on the way. Dan would relay the message that I was coming and the elders went into action. One would meet me at the car and escort me inside. Another would keep an eye on me during the service in case I needed help. Our church auditorium had three main aisles. An elder would walk those aisles before and after the service, watching and waiting. Many times, the elder would press a note of encouragement into my hand as he passed the offering plate. If he sensed I was in trouble or caught in a draining conversation, he would swoop in, take me by the arm and say, "Excuse us, please. Mary is needed elsewhere." I was then ushered to my car, hugged and told, "We are praying for you. We love you. Go home."  I know. It was amazing! It was also a main factor in my recovery.

The reason these special men offered me encouragement was because Dan and I made the decision to share my pain – openly and honestly. Doing so invited them into my life. Now that I am on the other side of that pit, I remember the love and encouragement they gave me – and I am motivated to encourage others in God's circle of encouragement. However, there is another very important truth here I don't want us to miss.

There are those who suffer alone and in silence, unable to scrape up the courage to share their pain and have no advocate to sound the alarm on their behalf. I believe God will not only give us the discernment to see their pain, but will show us how to encourage and build them up. He will show us how to help the weak and be patient with the broken lambs who cross our path ... if we ask Him to do so. Are you willing to share your pain with others and allow God to use them in your life as a source of encouragement? Don't miss the opportunity to be part of the circle of encouragement.

Let's Pray
Father, I am amazed at how You love me through others. Thank You for the gift of encouragement. Help me to receive that gift and then to give it away to someone else in need. I want to be Your hands and feet to those who are hurting around me. Give me eyes to see them and love them, Lord.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

If you need encouragement, think of two people with whom you can share that need and make a plan to do so.
Look for people in your life to encourage.
In your journal, record a recent time when you received and/or gave encouragement. What were the results?
Write a note of encouragement to someone in need, letting them know you are praying for them. Offer to take care of a specific need such as preparing a meal, dropping by the grocery store to pick up a few items or picking up their cleaning. Many times, people in pain can't or won't ask for help. If you see a need, meet it.
Write a note of thanks to someone who has encouraged you.
More from the Girlfriends
Encouragement is like a boomerang. When thrown correctly, it will come back to you. Godly encouragement does not wait for an invitation to work. It looks for the opportunity to work.

New E- Bible Study now available:What Am I Doing in This Pit?  At some point in life, we will find ourselves in some kind of pit. Instead of looking for the nearest exit or frantically trying to claw our way out of the pit, we need to rest in God, discover the purpose of the pit and trust Him to deliver us.

Need something for your pain? Enroll in Mary's weekly online Bible Study,How to Handle Hurtand learn how to face and deal with the pain in your life.

Need a friend?Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.


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


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

[Judy Harder]

April 5, 2011

Wooed, Won, and Wed

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely" (Song of Solomon 2:14 NIV).

Friend to Friend
In the Song of Solomon, we meet a King who is riding though his kingdom and spies a young maiden working in the fields. Suddenly he is captivated by her beauty and smitten by her form.  Her hands are stained with grape juice of the vineyard, her skin is tanned from the mid-day sun, and her clothes are soiled from the dirt of the field. But the King sees beyond all that. While the King is enthralled with her beauty, she begs him not to stare at her. She does not feel worthy of such attention.

No matter what she thought of herself, the King was mesmerized and wooed her to become his bride. For centuries, commentators have noted a parallel between the Lover and the Beloved and Jesus and His bride. The Shulammite maiden in the Song of Solomon represents you, and in the words we discover just how much Jesus loves us. You may blush a bit, but listen to a few of the passionate pursuer's words about the woman of his dreams. Soak in his description of her beauty.

Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. (1:10)
How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!  Your eyes are doves. (1:15).
Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens. (2:2)
Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. (4:1)
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing.  Each has its twin; not one of them is alone. (4:2).
Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. (4:3)
Your neck is like the tower of David built with elegance (4:4)
Your two breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies. (4:5)
Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue (4:11)
How beautiful your sandaled feet, (7:1)
Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of a craftsman's hands. (7:1)
Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies. (7:2) [This is my favorite verse.  A mound of wheat, mind you, not a flat plain!]
All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (4:7)
This woman's betrothed adored her rosy cheeks, her long neck, her black flowing hair, and her ruby lips. He adored the fact that she had all of her teeth, shapely legs and small breasts. He even thought her poochy tummy was adorable.

But what did she think of herself? Not very much. "Do not stare at me because I am dark," she said, "because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected" (1:6).

She felt inferior to others because she was darkened by the sun. To be tan in those days was not desirable. Women went to great lengths to shade their skin from the scorching sun. This woman, however, was very dark. Because she was forced to take care of her brothers' vineyards, she had neglected to take care or herself. But amazingly, in the end, she began to see herself as her bridegroom saw her. Oh, that we would do the same.

Is the Song of Solomon our song? I think so. Jesus, the lover of our soul, looks at us and thinks we are absolutely beautiful. However, we tend to look in the mirror and see our flaws. I read a quote once that said when a man looks in the mirror; he focuses on his best features. When a woman looks in the mirror, she focuses on her worst. I don't know how men see themselves, but I do know that most women focus on their negative features instead of their positive ones. We need to look into the only mirror that matters, the Word of God, and He thinks we are beautiful. I keep a card in my Bible with the following prayer: "Lord, help me see myself as You see me, no matter how beautiful it is."

The Shulammite maiden in the Bible and Cinderella in our childhood story book, both had difficulty seeing their beauty. Cinderella mistakenly believed her beauty was dependent on her dress and perfectly arranged hair. The Shulammite maiden mistakenly believed her beatify was dependent on fair skin and a tidy appearance. But in both scenarios, the Prince knew differently. Jesus sees our true beauty and is captivated.

Jesus desires to hear our voice and see our face. Both are His delight. "My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely" (Song of Solomon 2:14).

Let's Pray
Dear God, help me to see myself as you see me. Thank You that Jesus, the lover of my soul, has wooed me and won me. How I long for the day when we are wed. I am His and He is mine.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Today's Truth
Over the next week or so, go back and read the Song of Solomon. Put yourself in the Shulammite woman's place and catch a glimpse of how the Groom longs to see your face.

Write these words on an index card and put tuck it in your Bible.

"Lord, help me see myself as You see me, no matter how beautiful it is."

I'd love to know how the words of the Song of Solomon stir your heart.  Let's chat at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More From the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, 5 Dreams of Every Woman and How God Wants to Fulfill Them(a new revised version of her previous book, Dreams of a Woman). This book is for every woman whose life hasn't turned out like she dreamed it would ... and I think that includes most of us. Can you risk the hope that God still has dreams for your life? That He hasn't forgotten you?  Place your hand firmly in His--take a deep breath and begin the exciting journey to a place you thought you'd never find: the dream God planned for you all along. Let's dare to dream again!

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


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

[Judy Harder]

April 6, 2011

Smiley

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV).

Friend to Friend
I don't know her real name, but Smiley is one of about 200 men and women who live in a leper colony near one of our church sponsored orphanages in a rural village of India. Dan and I had been asked to lead a worship service for the leper colony and I have to admit that I was both curious and terrified by the prospect of ministering to lepers. I had never even seen anyone with leprosy and had no idea what to expect. I prayed like crazy that God would somehow work through me to bless His wounded and broken children.

As the worship service began, Smiley sat in front of me in the dirt, a look of anticipation on her face, waiting for a message from God. I think the message was mine to hear. We had come to bring her joy and hope – but she already had both. Leprosy has ravaged her body, leaving her with no toes, no fingers and a death sentence. Cows, chickens and goats roam the dirty, rugged road in front of her thatched roof shack. Smiley does not enjoy the luxury of running water and electricity and food is scarce. Personally, I could see very little that Smiley had to smile about but it was her radiant smile that caught my attention and tugged at my heart.

After the service, I wrapped this precious woman in as big a hug as I could possibly give because she was so rarely touched by others. With the help of an interpreter, we celebrated the truth that one day she will once again have all of her toes and fingers. One day, she would be well and whole. Shelaughed like a little girl at the promise of being with Jesus and living with Him in heaven.

Smileyhas fixed her eyes on the unseen and found joy and hope in the process. She does not depend upon the temporary things of this world for contentment. Hope gives her the strength to get up each morning and begin her daily search for food. The promise of Heaven comforts her each night when she lies down on a dirty cardboard mat to sleep. Smiley has nothing – yet she has everything - because she has learned, and lives out the truth that inner joy does not depend upon outward circumstances. We can learn a lot from Smiley.

God promises that if you know Him you will know true joy. Joy is not merely happiness but rather an unshakable confidence that God is in control. Therefore, He is our one and only source of joy and stands ready, waiting to saturate every circumstance with His presence. As His children, joy is ours to claim. If so, then where is it and why do we not experience a sense of confident celebration as we go through each day?

Maybe it is because of the "joy stealers" who lurk in the shadows, waiting to crush joy wherever they find it.

Choosing joy requires us to identify and eliminate the "joy stealers" in life. You may be allowing a person to take your joy. Maybe some painful experience from a shadowed yesterday is an obstacle of joy in your life today. Perhaps a fearful circumstance or a broken dream is the culprit.

I know life can be painful. I know life is often hard and unfair. I also know that God is in control. Therefore, if God really is God (and He definitely is) then we can and should be people of joy. I have read the final chapter of the Book and we win! Nothing and no one can take your joy without your permission. So, don't give it! Choose joy!

Let's Pray
Father, forgive me for my shallow attitude about joy. I confess that my version of joy is often nothing more than an emotion or feeling based on current circumstances. Help me fix my eyes on You, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I want to live my life against the backdrop of eternity, exchanging temporary happiness for eternal joy.  I pray that I will learn to choose joy in whatever lies ahead.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

Read the promise of Psalm 19:8. "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." What is your main source of joy?

Read Habakkuk 3:17-19. List three truths about joy in this passage. How can you apply these truths to your life?

More from the Girlfriends
Joy has taken on a whole new meaning for me since I met Smiley. Why do I continually let the irrelevant things in life rob me of joy? I am making a new commitment to constantly "fix" my eyes on what really is important – my personal relationship with God – and refuse to allow the tyranny of the urgent and the meaningless to dictate the attitude of my heart and the direction of my life. Today, let's choose God and in doing so, choose joy.

Need help?Check out my CD, Laugh More – Live Better for ways to saturate your life with joy. (Also available as MP3 download)

New E- Bible Study now available:What Am I Doing in This Pit? At some point in life, we will find ourselves in some kind of pit. Instead of looking for the nearest exit or frantically trying to claw our way out of the pit, we need to rest in God, discover the purpose of the pit and trust Him to deliver us.

Need something for your pain? Enroll in Mary's weekly online Bible Study,How to Handle Hurtand learn how to face and deal with the pain in your life.

Need a friend?Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.

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


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