Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

August 5, 2011
The Great Adventure
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:12-13).

Friend To Friend
A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching the next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light faded from the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First, he illuminated the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the spear wound, and finally the two feet. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.

God loves us perfectly. The greatest call in our lives is to love God in return. God doesn't just call us to receive His love. He also wants us to respond to it. To experience it. To be transformed and restored by it.

Have you ever read that children's book, Going on a Bear Hunt? When my kids were little we wore out the board book we owned. It's about a family who goes on an adventure together and faces obstacle after obstacle. Each time they face a new challenge, they determine that they "Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Can't go around it. They have to go through it!"

The great adventure of life is our pilgrimage to God's heart. When you place your faith in Christ, you become a child of the Heavenly Father who will never leave your side. He loves you with a stubborn love! In every case, without exception, you cannot escape, or be separated from His love. You can ignore it, doubt it, and question it. But you can't be separated from it. Not if you are His.

When the psalmist experienced trouble, he prayed, "When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul" (Psalm 94:18-19).

Has your foot slipped lately? Are you anxious or fearful about anything? The psalmist found strength and support and joy in God's love. When we lay down our fears and anxieties before the Lord, His perfect love drives the fear away and breathes joy into our souls.

Take a moment to center your heart, soul, and mind on Christ right now. Worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Adore Him. Praise Him. Pray that He will help you live the great adventure of your faith today.

Let's Pray
Holy Father, You are my greatest adventure.  Your love is beyond what I can imagine or comprehend.  Thank you for loving me...in spite of me.  Please remove anything in my heart that keeps me from fully embracing Your love today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Our life song should be a love song. Many of us sing that tune regularly, but let's choose this day to turn up the volume on our love for God. I recorded the hymn below on my Unsearchable Live album. To listen to the song, visit www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic. Sing along or contemplate the lyrics of this hymn as part of your response:

The Love of God
Frederick Lehman

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God's love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race—
The saints' and angels' song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

More From The Girlfriends
What came to your mind as you read today's devotion?  Click over to my facebook page and tell me about it or grab your journal and write about it.

Gwen's new CD, Uncluttered, is 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. We are running a great CD SPECIAL now at http://gwensmith.net/store/specials.htm.

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

:angel:5

[Judy Harder]

August 8, 2011
Changing the Way We Speak By Examining the Heart
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Jesus said, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean...But things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'" (Matthew 15:11,18 NIV).

Friend To Friend
While it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to change the words we speak, the desire to change begins in the heart. The Bible says:

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil out of the evil stored up in him.  But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will condemned" (Matthew 12:33-37).

The word heart that is used in this passage is the Greek word kardia.  It is not referring to the blood pumping muscle in the chest cavity, but to our thoughts, motives, feelings, our will, and our character.  The kardia is the seat of our emotions and represents the inner person.  The words that escape our lips reveal the condition of the inner man.

Remember the children's song:

I'm a little teapot short and stout,
Here is my handle, here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up hear me shout,
Just tip me over and pour me out.

Well I don't know about you, but when I get all steamed up, what comes out of my mouth isn't always a cup of tea!  It is in those unguarded moments of frustration, anger, or pain that our mouths tend to spew out what is really inside.  Jesus said, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean...But things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'" (Matthew 15:11,18).  Jesus continually pointed out the condition of the Pharisees' hearts.  They clung to outward religious practices. But God desired their hearts, which were hardened and cold.

The book of Proverbs has much to say about how the condition of our heart affects what we say.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. (Proverbs 10:
A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but theheart of fools blurts out folly. Proverbs 12:23)
An anxious heart weights a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. (Proverbs 12:25)
The discerningheart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. (Proverbs 15:14)
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (Proverbs 15:28 TNIV)
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.  (Proverbs 15:30)
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:21)
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:23 TNIV)
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. (Proverbs 22:11 TNIV)
Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are ferventlips with an evil heart.  (Proverbs 26:23)
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.  Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. (Proverbs 26:24, 25 TNIV)
As the water reflects a face, so one'slife reflects the heart. (Often that reflection is through spoken words)  (Proverbs 27:18 TNIV) 
So, how's your heart?  The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.

Let's Pray
Dear LORD, Examine my heart today and reveal to me any areas of my life that I need to change.  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and restore a right spirit within me.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Turn to Psalm 51 and make that your prayer today.

To comment on today's devotion, visit www.sharonjaynes.com/blog .

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion is taken from Sharon's book The Power of a Woman's Words   In this book, you can explore the power you possess, the people you impact, the potential for change, and the profound possibilities. As you harness this mighty force, you will begin to use words to speak life to those around you. Get one for yourself, or gather a group of girlfriends to learn and grow together.

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]

August 9, 2011
Sandpaper People on Wheels
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44, TNIV).

Friend To Friend
I am certainly not proud of the fact that I tend to have little or no patience with road hogs and seem to find ample opportunities for expressing my less-than-favorable opinion of the way they drive. I am working on my attitude and learning some lessons along the way.

We once lived in a small but rapidly growing town just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Because the town has outgrown its winding country roads, traffic from the city into our community was a daily nightmare. At one particular spot, a double lane narrows to a single lane. The change is clearly marked by several strategically placed signs and most people – the nice velvet people – pull into the single left lane long before the road narrows, knowing the right lane will soon merge with the left lane.

The sandpaper people, on the other hand, spot the merging lane signs and consider them an open invitation to speed ahead, worming their way into the long line of waiting cars. I consider it my personal responsibility to educate these road hogs in "The Ins and Outs of Traffic Courtesy According to Mary," by refusing to let them barge in front of me and secure a spot in "my" line. I never make eye contact with these sandpaper drivers, thus denying their existence while inching along as close as possible to the car in front of me, determined to hold my ground.

One day, however, I met my match. I saw him coming but stood firm in my resolve to enforce my "don't let 'em in no matter what" rule. When he tried to pull in front of me, I ignored him. He honked. I feigned deafness. Finally, in one last-ditch effort to merge before his lane ended, the man rolled down his window and yelled, "Look!" I couldn't help myself. He was holding up a napkin that read "Pleeeeeeeease!" I burst out laughing and motioned for him to pull in front of me. He applauded and danced a seated jig in celebration of his hard-earned place in line.

Life is like that – sandpaper people trying to capture our attention, ignoring the signs, breaking the relationship rules while barging into our lives. It takes a sense of humor to navigate the tumultuous waters of difficult relationships without capsizing. The secret of joy-filled relationships is to count on God's strength instead of our own. Joy comes from a continual reliance upon Him to hammer down the mountains in our difficult relationships, making the path straight and pointing us in the right direction.

In Philippians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul says, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." This passage can also be applied to having healthy relationships and could easily read, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every relationship by depending upon the power of God's love at work. I can love anyone through Him who gives me strength." As we learn to laugh more and cultivate our God-given sense of humor, patience and the ability to deal with the difficult relationships in life will flourish.

Let's Pray
Father, I want to thank You for loving me even when I am so unlovable. Please teach me how to deal with difficult people in a way that pleases and honors You. I want others to see Your unconditional love at work in my relationships. Help me choose to forgive those who have hurt me and look for ways to find joy in the midst of it all.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Write down the name of a sandpaper person in your life and list five reasons you consider that person to be abrasive.
Pray for that sandpaper person.
Thank God for bringing that abrasive person into your life. What do you believe God wants to accomplish through this difficult relationship? Are you willing to trust Him enough to praise Him for that person?
More From The Girlfriends
Looking for a Bible Study that is both practical and powerful? Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Studies. Each one includes a study guide that you can download for your personal use or for a small group study. Need help loving your sandpaper people? Check out Mary's book, Sandpaper People. (Also available on CDand MP3 download)

Be sure to check out Mary's weekly Online Bible Study: Stress Management 101. Enroll now and still have access to all 2011 lessons. 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]

August 10, 2011
Changing the Way We Speak
Relying on the Holy Spirit
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).

Friend To Friend
It was a daunting scene.  Over 1,200 miles of Alaskan shoreline covered with black slimy crude oil, more than 1,000 bodies of once bustling sea otters littering the coast, and over 100,000 grounded fowl groping for air. The Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1988 dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into the Prince William Sound and disrupted the ecological balance of nature to kill many of its most beautiful inhabitants...including 150 bald eagles.  The once glacier-fed waters teeming with life became an oily death trap.

Just as toxins in nuclear waste facilities, city dumps, and industrial accidents wreak havoc on the environment, so toxic words cause destruction to the hearts and souls of  people.  Paul wrote, "Let no foul or polluting language [ever] come out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29 Amp).  Perhaps as you've read the previous five devotions that I have written about the power of the words we speak, you've cringed at words you've spoken and wish you could take them back.  Words that have polluted the ones you hold dear.  Can we clean up the mess and repair the damage?  Absolutely!  We can choose to dismantle the verbal weapons and break the patterns of toxic words. And to do so, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

Relying on the Holy Spirit
Tongues...most animals have one.  Some snakes have forked tongues.  Lizards smell with their tongues. Some fish, such as salmon and trout, have teeth on their tongues. Frogs and toads have tongues that whip out at incredible speeds to catch flies and other insects. Their cousin, the chameleon, has a tongue that is as long as its body. An anteater's tongue can stretch to the height of a two-year-old.  A gecko uses its tongue to wipe across its eyes like a windshield, and a giraffe uses its twenty-inch tongue to clean its ears. The tongue of a blue whale is about the size and weight of a full grown African elephant.

Even though a human tongue cannot smell out dinner, reel in the catch of the day, or reach to the tops of trees to pick fruit, it can do something even more amazing.  The human tongue can create words. Words are an incredible gift, and as we have seen, they have the potential for good or evil.  How do we harness such energy and insure that it is only used for good?  Unfortunately, James tells us it is impossible.

"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by human beings, but no one can tame the tongue," (James 3:7-8 TNIV). That's the bad news.  Now, here's the good news.  While no human being can tame the tongue...God can.  It may be impossible for James, and for you and me, but it is not impossible for God. "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" the angel asked Sarah after announcing that her ninety-year-old body was going to bear a child (Genesis 18:14).

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who enables us to do all that God has called us to do.  He gives us the power to change!

Jesus explained to the disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:.  After Jesus' ascension into heaven, the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit as Jesus had instructed.

"When the day of Pentecost came, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak on other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:1-4).

Isn't it interesting that the first manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit was words and the first visual manifestation was tongues of fire?  The disciples were able to speak in the various languages of the men and women who were visiting Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost.  The travelers heard the gospel in their own languages! Yes, that was astonishing.  But even more amazing was the courage that arose in the cowardly disciples.

Just a short time before Pentecost, Peter had been so afraid that he denied he even knew who Jesus was.  A mere servant girl's inquisition had Peter shaking in his sandals and swearing he was no friend of Jesus. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd with such a mighty sermon that 3,000 men and women accepted Jesus as their Savior and were baptized.  That's what the Holy Spirit can do for timid souls who believe. He can transform a cursing tongue into a confessing tongue.

It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to control this little muscle that rests between our teeth.  However, change does require our cooperation. We must work in tandem with the Holy Spirit to reign in this feisty force.  The Holy Spirit gives us the power, but our responsibility is to put God-given principles into practice.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You did not leave us as orphans, but gave us the power of the Holy Spirit living within us to do all that You have called us to do.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me control the words that I speak and tame my tongue.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
God really loves it when we pray specific prayers.  Make a list of ways that you need to change the way you speak.  Cursing? Negative? Discouraging? Critical? Complaining? Sarcastic? Crude?

Make a list and pray that God will help you change specific "unwholesome" speech that comes out of your mouth.

To comment on today's devotion, visit www.sharonjaynes.com/blog.
While there, you can read comments from other Girlfriends in God readers.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion is taken from Sharon's book The Power of a Woman's Words. In this book, you can explore the power you possess, the people you impact, the potential for change, and the profound possibilities. As you harness this mighty force, you will begin to use words to speak life to those around you. Get one for yourself, or gather a group of girlfriends to learn and grow together.

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]

August 11, 2011
Thriving or Surviving?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
God will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy (Job 8:21, NCV).

Friend To Friend
One Saturday morning a little boy and his father took a long awaited trip to the local pet store in search of a new puppy. The dad had been promising the trip for weeks and finally, the day had come.  For weeks, the little boy had been reading books about dogs, surveying the pets of his friends, asking countless questions and waiting for this day, ready to make his choice.

When father and son walked into the pet store the dad immediately realized that this task was going to be much harder than he had thought it would be. There were so many adorable puppies from which to choose. But with determination in his heart and confidence in his step, the little boy began his search. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, eyes and heart locked on the perfect dog. Staring at the little boy from the wired confines of a small crate was an undersized and fairly unimpressive but hopeful black puppy. Following his son's gaze, the dad cringed as he realized that the first puppy he had eliminated as a possibility was the very one his son was watching.

The father attempted to re-direct the interest of his son toward a more suitable dog. It was not to be. Each time the little boy returned to his first choice, the black puppy who was grinning at the boy, eagerly pawing at the cage door and wagging his tail with great enthusiasm. The dad finally asked, "Son, which one do you want?" The little boy immediately pointed at the dog with the furiously wiggling tail and announced with great certainty, "I want that one, Daddy! I want the one with the happy ending."

We all want a life filled with happy endings, but we seem to be living lives that could well be described as "joy-less." Every day is lived at the mercy of the world. We are like Charlie Brown who admits, "I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time."

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 and 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. I have great news for you, my friend. Nothing and no one can take your joy without your permission. So, don't give it!  Choose joy instead.

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 it is often hard and unfair. I also know that God is in control. So if God really is God (and He definitely is) then we should be people of joy. I have read the final chapter of the Book and we win!  Now that, my friend, is what I call the happiest ending of all.

Let's Pray
Lord, remind me to live each day against the backdrop of eternity. I pray that, in every circumstance, I would choose joy, knowing that You are in control.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Recognize that real joy is found only in God. Make a list of the people or circumstances that you would classify as "joy stealers." Pray for wisdom in dealing with each person and circumstance. Choose now what your response will be when someone tries to steal your joy.

What has been my personal definition of "joy" up until now?
What have I been counting on in my life to produce joy?
How does a personal relationship with God change my perspective of joy?
What are the steps to take in order to eliminate the "joy stealers" in my life?
How do my feelings influence my joy level?
In what way do trials and problems affect my joy level?
More From The Girlfriends
I can still remember the words of the song I often sang as a child:

"If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy
Let Jesus come into your heart."

Life seemed so simple back then. Today, I have traveled quite a few miles and been through some very tough times. And God's truth remains the same. If we want to experience joy, we must experience God. We look in a lot of wrong places for joy but the only right place is in a personal relationship with God. How about you? Are you thriving or just surviving?

For a good dose of laughter, I encourage to check out my CD, Laugh More ... Live Better. Looking for a Bible Study that is both practical and powerful? Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Studies. Each one includes a study guide that you can download for your personal use or for a small group study.

Be sure to check out Mary's weekly Online Bible Study: Stress Management 101. Enroll now and have access to all 2011 lessons. 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]

August 12, 2011
Worthless into Precious
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"You are precious and honored in my sight..." (Isaiah 43:4a, NIV).

Friend To Friend
Hagar was a young Egyptian servant girl who had some serious challenges. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 16, we hear of her plight...and of her flight:

"Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, 'The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.'

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived (vv. 1-4a, NIV)."

I imagine Hagar probably grew up with low self-esteem. As a servant, she might have felt discarded, insignificant, and unimportant. Not only had she been sold to Abram and Sarai, but she was forced to become his wife as well. I don't know about you, but thinking about that makes my stomach do yucky flip-flops!

What do you think that conversation was like when Sarai commanded Hagar to sleep with her elderly husband? How do you think Hagar felt? I find it disturbing and unfair.

"When [Hagar] knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me."

"Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her (vv. 4b-6).

I can understand from a fleshly perspective why Hagar would choose to despise Sarai. When another person wrongs us, it's difficult to choose a godly, non-sassy response. We must be careful to pray for God's perspective and power so we don't allow weeds of resentment to overtake our hearts and guide our responses.

Hagar was a maidservant, a slave, who was forced to move to a foreign land and to sleep with the husband of her mistress. Though this was a common practice in that culture, there is still great uneasiness in my heart as I read what Hagar had to endure. She was mistreated—the Bible makes that clear—and she had fair reason to run. However, God caught up with her not too far down the road.

"The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert, the spring that is beside the road to Shur, and he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?"

"I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered (vv. 7-8).

When faced with difficult circumstances, Hagar ran away. I might have done the same thing. But when she found herself seemingly alone in the desert, God sought her out and called her by name. The God of the universe knew Hagar's name. Hagar was a slave, nobody in the eyes of society, yet our God spoke lovingly through the angel of the Lord to this hurting mother-to-be and whispered promises of blessing to her weary heart.

"Then the angel of the Lord told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." The angel added, "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count" (vv. 9-10).

Stunned that the God of the universe cared to comfort her, Hagar responded by giving God a new name—El Roi, "the God Who Sees Me."  She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me" (v. 13).

God pursued a broken woman and lifted her eyes to meet His own. He saw her in spite of who she was or thought herself to be, called her by name, and ministered to her heart. My heart burns with awe at the intimate intervention and tenderness that God showed Hagar, a grieving mom-to-be in a very dark hour.

Each one of us strolls through the wilderness of life at times. Our unchanging God knows your name too. He sees you right where you are and knows the burdens of your heart. God sees each one of us just as He saw Hagar, and bids us to see ourselves through His eyes. Why would He? Because of Jesus. Once you place your faith in Christ, God sees you through the blood-stained curtain of His risen Son. Perfect. Forgiven. Precious.

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing me...even in the times when I feel forgotten and invisible.  Your Word says that You know my name and consider me precious.  Please speak that to my soul right now. (Pause here to listen...) I love you, Lord.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What can you learn from Hagar's encounter with God in the desert? Where have you come from and where are you going? Take time to journal a response or visit my facebook page (www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic) to tell me about how today's devotion hit your heart.

So many times, we want to run from our problems and sidestep accountability. Is there a difficulty in your life that you're tempted to run away from or ignore?

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion is an excerpt from Gwen Smith's book, Broken Into Beautiful.  Broken into Beautiful, features Gwen's testimony, along with Scriptural truths and stories of how God has brought restoration the hearts of many other women who had painful life wounds. God delights to transform lives ... including your own. Experience God's healing and hope in your life today as you read Broken Into Beautiful! To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website: http://gwensmith.net/store/.

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]

August 15, 2011
Grumbling Grumbling Grumbling
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Moses also said, 'You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling again him.  Who are we?  You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD' (Exodus 16:8 NIV emphasis added).

Friend to Friend
Yesterday we looked at Miriam and how she grumbled against Moses, but Miriam was not the only one who grumbled while heading toward the Promised Land.  The Israelites grumbled at every turn.  God cared for the Israelites by His own hand - providing water from a rock, manna from heaven, quail from the sky, clothes that never wore out, a fire by night and a cloud by day.  And yet...they grumbled.(See Exodus 15:24, 16:2,7,8,9,11, 17:2,3)  Do you think they all started grumbling at once?  I don't.  I think it started with a few murmurs and grew like an approaching train.

Back in the late 50's, there was a movie called "The Blob."  The blob looked like a massive pile of silly putty that rolled along swallowing up everything and everyone in its path.  That's what grumbling and gossiping can do among believers.  It too rolls along swallowing up unsuspecting victims along the way.

God didn't take too kindly to Miriam's grumbling.  While she started out whispering about Moses' choice of a wife, that was not really the issue at all.  It was jealousy pure and simple.  Actually, there was nothing "pure" about it.

"Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?  Has he not spoken as well through us?"  Her words and attitude of jealousy were just as destructive to the cause of God as infectious leprosy that ate away at her fingers and toes. Why was only Miriam punished and not Aaron?  I imagine that she was the principle instigator of the ill-spoken words and Aaron happened to be in the blob's path.

Let's back up to Numbers 12:3:  "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth."  Theologians suggest that the word "miserable" is a better translation of the Hebrew word than "humble."   "Ever since Numbers 11:1, one thing after another had brought pressure on Moses so that in 11:14 he whimpers to God that he is not able to bear the load any longer.  He even asks that he might die to be relieved of the pressures.  Now with this assault of his sister and brother, it was simply too much.  He was now the most "miserable" man on the earth.  He had found his lot so difficult, his task so unmanageable, his pressure so intense that he called out to God saying, "It is too much!" (11:4) "Now the man Moses was exceedingly miserable, more than any man on the face of the earth!"

( Kenneth L. Barker & John  R. Kohlenberger III, Zondervan NIV Commentary Volume I: Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Micigan: Zondervan  Publishing House, 1994), p. 198.)

When someone is bending under the pressure of trying to please God and the grumblers he or she is trying to serve, what is needed is not more booing and hissing from the crowd but cheers and holy pep talks from the team. "Do all things without grumbling," Paul encourages the church at Philippi (Philippians 2:14 NASB).  Timothy writes, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

So we have a choice. We can be like the prophetess Deborah in the Bible who dispensed encouragement from under the honey tree and walked side-by-side with Christian soldiers into battle. (See Judges 4-5).  Or we can be like the prophetess Miriam who stirred up strife and caused the march to the Promised Land to come to a complete stop.  The difference lies right under our noses.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, forgive me when I grumble.  I know that ultimately, when I grumble, I am grumbling against You.  Help me to be an encourager and use my words to minister to those around me.  Help me to build up and not tear down, to encourage and not discourage, and to fan the flames of hope rather than extinguish the sparks of a dream.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Just try saying the word grumble with a smile on your face.  It doesn't work, does it?  I'm sitting here trying now. I sure hope no one's looking.

Let's think about this.  When we are grumbling about our circumstances, who are we really grumbling against?

Do you see yourself as a person who grumbles or a person who is grateful?

What do you need to do to change?

Make a list of things you are grateful for today!

More from the Girlfriends
If you would like to learn more about how to be a Deborah who encourages others to walk into battle rather than a Miriam who stops progress, you'll want to read The Power of a Woman's Words.  And to go deeper into God's Word and learn about the incredible gift of words that He has entrusted to us, you'll want to read The Power of a Woman's Words Bible Study Guide.  It is perfect for individual or group study.

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]

August 16, 2011
Paid in Full
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13, NIV).

Friend To Friend
Do you remember the last words of Jesus as He hung on the cross? "It is finished!" The most literal translation would be "paid in full."

I will never forget paying off my very first car loan. After sending in my forty-eighth and final payment, I celebrated the fact that I finally owned my bright blue and ever-so-compact Chevrolet Vega – from bumper to bumper. There were those who said you couldn't drive a Vega – you had to wear it. Others described the bright color as strangely "unique." But to me, it was the most beautiful car in the world because it was mine. I quickly found other places to spend the once allocated car payment and went on with life – until the day I opened my mailbox to find the loan papers for my car. Stamped in big red letters across the document were the words, "Paid in full." I danced a jig right there in my driveway because I was finally free of that debt.   

Part of forgiveness is releasing the person from the debt we think they owe us. Refusing to let go of the hurt and pain someone has caused in our lives will always rob us of our joy. Sometimes the best thing to do is to simply let something go and cut our losses instead of allowing the weight of an unpaid debt to deplete our mental and emotional energy. In other words, we can forgive the debt and free ourselves.

We decided it was time to sell one of our old junky cars. We had several from which to choose but this particular one was old, ugly and needed work. In the right hands, it might last a few more years. A man who worked for the church said he could fix the car and agreed to buy it. He and Dan worked out the terms. The man was to pay a certain amount each month until the car was paid for. No papers were signed because, after all, it was a business agreement between two ministers. Some lessons are learned the hard way. Dan gave him the car title and car keys. He gave us nothing. Not one penny.

Dan talked with the man several times. He always responded with the promise that he would make a payment soon. "Soon" never came. I was furious – not so much because of the money, although it would have come in very handy – but because this sandpaper man was taking advantage of my husband's giving heart and ticking me off in the process. I ranted and fumed for several days until Dan said, "Honey, I have decided to forgive the debt on that old car." Well, I decided not to, and my anger grew.

A few weeks later, the man quit his job at the church and went to work for a nearby grocery store – my grocery store. I soon learned that God has a sense of humor because almost every time I went to the store, the man was there. And every time I saw him, anger consumed my heart. I finally realized that this whole car situation was robbing my life of joy – until the day I decided to give him the car. It was the only thing I could do if I wanted peace.

I created a mental scene of my driving to the grocery store, handing the car keys to the man and saying, "Merry Christmas! Enjoy your new car." Now it wasn't Christmas and the car was far from new, but the plan worked. I forgave the debt in my heart and let it go. The most amazing thing happened. I was the one set free. From that day on, every time I saw the man, I waved and smiled. He began avoiding me, unable to look me in the eyes. Remember I told you that God has a sense of humor? A few weeks later, I saw the man driving a different car and learned from one of his co-workers that "his old car just up and died." Enough said.   

Forgiving the debt is a deliberate choice that is made by an act of your will. You may not feel forgiving. It doesn't matter. Just do it and many times the feelings will follow that choice – other times they won't. Feelings are irrelevant but obedience is crucial. Do not base the validity of what you are doing on how you feel. Make the choice to forgive and then obey.

Someone once said: "We put our resentments in cold storage and then pull the switch to let them thaw out again. Our grudges are taken out to the lake of prayer to drown them and we end up giving them a swimming lesson. How often have we torn up the canceled note but hang on to the wastebasket that holds the pieces? This is not to say that human forgiveness does not occur; only that it is rare and that much that passes for forgiveness is often not so at all."

God is the One who heals painful memories. Forgiveness puts us in the correct posture for Him to do so in our lives. As I wrestled with the choice to forgive, I learned several life-changing truths:

If we make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.

There should be no limit to our forgiveness because there is no limit to His.

Forgiveness is not a feeling or an emotion. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice.

Forgiveness is our greatest need and God's greatest gift.

While we cannot change the past, we can change our response to the past and dictate the power it has over us. If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist, but because our greatest need was and is forgiveness, God sent a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is calling us all to a higher place, a place of forgiveness. The choice is ours to make. Today, we can choose freedom by choosing to forgive.

Let's Pray
Father, I praise You for the love and forgiveness You so freely offer. I don't understand how You can love me when I am so unworthy of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. To think that He died for me rocks my world. Please give me the wisdom and strength to forgive those who have hurt me. I want my life to be a living illustration of Your unconditional love and unending forgiveness.
In Jesus' name,
Amen. 

Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of the sins in your life that need the forgiveness of God. Ask God to forgive you for each one. If you have sinned against someone else, take the first step of reconciliation. If someone has sinned against you, forgive them and go to them in love, seeking restoration.

Consider the following questions and record your answers in your journal.

What are the rewards of forgiveness?
What are the barriers to forgiveness in your heart?
What are the things for which you cannot forgive yourself?
What does refusing to forgive yourself indicate about your understanding of true forgiveness?
Celebrate right now the power of forgiveness in your life.
More From The Girlfriends
One of the most powerful illustrations of God's love and forgiveness is found in the lives of Hosea and Gomer. Hear their story in Mary's MP3 download ... Love That Never Fails.

Looking for a Bible Study that is both practical and powerful? Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Studies. Each one includes a study guide that you can download for your personal use or for a small group study.

Be sure to check out Mary's weekly Online Bible Study: Stress Management 101. Enroll now and have access to all 2011 lessons. 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]

August 17, 2011
Taming the Tongue
Sharon Jaynes


Today's Truth
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV).

Friend To Friend
Martha is a sweet older woman who is in the intermediate stages of Alzheimer's disease.  Perhaps one of the most radical changes in her behavior, besides memory loss, is her inability to control her tongue.  Martha has always used her words in a positive way, but in these latter years, her words have become unrestrained.  Her ability to keep unkind or hurtful words from escaping her lips is impaired.  She can't help it.  It is part of the disease that is ravaging her mind.  But watching my dear friend has helped me realized the importance of restraining our tongues.  It is a sign of physical, spiritual, and emotional health.

When I was young, I loved reading the story of the stately steed, Black Beauty.  In my early teens, I enjoyed visiting my friend Cammie and riding horses on her parents' dairy farm.  We often clicked our heels and raced through the fields with reckless abandonment.

The horse is a powerful animal, yet with the tug of the reins or the tap of a heel, he will submit to his master's bidding.  On the other hand, a wild stallion that has not been brought under the control of a master is of very little use.

In the Bible, we are instructed to have a spirit of gentleness which tempers the words we speak (Galatians 5:23).  The Greek word for gentleness is prautes, and suggests a wild horse that has been tamed.  Unfortunately, in our modern society, the word gentleness connotes being weak.  However, the Greek word means anything but weak.  Picture a muscular steed, proudly holding his head, poised to move with speed and power, nostrils flaring, but at the same time, under his master's control.  It is the picture of a warhorse under the control of its master.  That is a true picture of prautes – gentleness.

The same word, prautes, is translated "meek" in the King James Version.  When Jesus said He was "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29), He was saying He was submitted to God – mightily powerful but under God's control.  Only when we submit our tongues to God will we have the ability to use our words for good.  Meekness isn't weakness; it's power under control.  It is taming and training our tongues to be under the submission and control of the Holy Spirit.

Let me give you an example. Oh, I hate to admit this, but I fear many sisters will relate – the dents in my armor attest to it.

Before I became a Christian, I was very "gifted" with a quick sarcastic wit.  Have you ever been in an argument and two hours later thought of a great comeback or slam remark?  Not me.  I could think of them on the spot.  I was good – so good.  Why, I could have opened up a side business feeding disgruntled wives, employees and friends quick comebacks through earphones during confrontations.  However, after I accepted Christ as my Savior, it didn't take the Holy Spirit long to convict me that my tongue was not glorifying God.  Sure, it brought some laughs, but Jesus wasn't smiling.  So I began the arduous task of taming the tongue.

I memorized Job 40:4, "I put my hand over my mouth" and bit my tongue.  It was hard letting all those good sarcastic comments go to waste, but I knew they were only fit for the garbage heap.

That was over thirty years ago.  On many occasions, when someone is telling me about a confrontation with a family member or a co-worker, those quick witted remarks still pop up in my mind like a cue card on the stage.  When a store clerk offers a snide remark, I can usually think of one snider.  So where's the victory?  The victory comes when I choose not to let the words out of my mouth. When I lasso the words before they have a chance to run out of the gate. When I offer blessings rather than cursing.  When I put on the humility of Christ and take the comments without the retaliation.  That, my friend, is choosing to walk in the Spirit instead of choosing to walk in the flesh.  It can only happen by the power of the Holy Spirit, and it becomes easier with practice.

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, I pray that the fruit of the Spirit will grow in my life today.  I pray that the evidence of that fruit in my life will be in the words I speak to others.  Help my fruit to be sweet today.  Show me where I need to clip off unproductive branches that hinder healthy growth.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
OK, girlfriend, I was honest with you today.  Are you willing to be honest with someone about an area that you need to change?  Accountability is a powerful tool for change.  If there is an area in your life that God has convicted you need to change, tell a girlfriend and ask her to hold you accountable.  Ask her to pray with you about the desire to change and invite her to ask you about your progress. That's what girlfriends in God are for!

I love hearing from my GiGs. If you would like to comment on today's devotion, visit www.sharonjaynes.com/blog .

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion is taken from Sharon's book, The Power of a Woman's Word. In this book, you can explore the power you possess, the people you impact, the potential for change, and the profound possibilities. As you harness this mighty force, you will begin to use words to speak life to those around you. This book also has a companion Bible study guide. Get one for yourself, or gather a group of girlfriends to learn and grow together.

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]

August 18, 2011
Charge It!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
He (God) is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7, NLT).

Friend To Friend
Several years ago an interesting cartoon appeared in the Saturday Review of Literature. Little George Washington is standing with an ax in his hand. In front of him, lying on the ground is the famous cherry tree. He has already made his smug admission that he did it because, after all, he "cannot tell a lie." However, his frustrated father is standing beside him saying, "All right, so you admit it! You always admit it! The question is when are you going to stop doing it?"

That is the question at hand, girlfriend. We often soothe our bothered conscience with admissions of sin. We then present them to the Father as obedience to the spiritual principle that we must confess our sin. There is, however, an element of true confession that goes a step farther and results in a change in lifestyle and behavior. It is called repentance.

I once associated the command to repent with old-fashioned gospel meetings and screaming preachers on television. In reality, repentance is the very cornerstone of genuine forgiveness and gives credibility to the very act of confessing sin. To repent simply means to "turn away from." When we choose to turn from our sin and turn to God and His ways, we are practicing true repentance.

2 Chronicles 7:14 "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."

What does it mean to repent? The woman in the book of Luke knew. She models repentance for us and illustrates beautifully the truth that if we want to experience worship we must come to God, seeking forgiveness and being willing to repent of our sin. Forgiveness is our greatest need and God's highest accomplishment, always resulting in worship.

Luke 7:38 "As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."

This woman stood behind Jesus like a "caught" child who was ashamed to look her Father in the eyes. I am certain that her guilt and sense of unworthiness prevented her from facing Him.  Just being in His presence made her doubt everything about herself but nothing about Him.  Standing so close to Him simply transformed her and she began to weep. Jesus was as pure as she was sinful. Every ugly thought, word or deed of her past must have flooded her heart and shattered it.

Tears of sorrow and joy spilled down her face onto the feet of the One – the only One who truly loved her. Those tears were the first prayer of her life. She then let her hair down in total submission, dropped to her feet and began to dry the feet of Jesus with her hair. The social custom of the day demanded that women keep their hair bound up. To let it down was considered a brazen act and could even be grounds for divorce. But this woman was beyond caring about social custom and earthly rules. She was conducting eternal business. She found what she had been searching for in every wrong relationship, every failure and every dead-end choice. She found Jesus!

She began kissing the feet of Jesus while pouring perfume over them, totally oblivious to those watching. The word "kissed" literally means "to kiss again and again." Standing in His presence, she somehow knew that He understood everything she could not say and loved her in spite of her sin. It is very important to notice that Jesus did not move away from her. He did not condemn her or stop her. He knew exactly why she was there and He was thrilled! He saw her heart and received her humble action as an acceptable gift of worship.

Jesus looked past her sin and saw her heart crying out for forgiveness. Notice His response in Luke 7:48: "Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' " Wow! God always majors in grace and forgiveness. The tense of the verb "forgiven" indicates that this forgiveness of sin was completed in the past, continues through the present and will keep working in the future. The forgiveness of God is complete and eternal.

A little girl was sitting on Santa Claus' lap. She gave him a long list of expensive toys that she wanted for Christmas. Without a word of appreciation she jumped off Santa's lap and started toward her mother who stopped her and asked, "Honey, haven't you forgotten something?" The little girl thought for a moment then said, "Oh, yes." Turning back toward Santa she shouted, "Charge it."

God has already "charged" our sins to His Son and has paid the debt in full. Powerful worship flows from a heart that has repented from every known sin and received the gift of forgiveness that God offers.

Let's Pray
Father, I want to truly worship You and am ready to confess and turn away from my sin. Please search my heart and life. Reveal every wrong attitude and action that is keeping me from truly worshipping You. Lord, I am tired of trying to live life on my own. I am desperate for You. Right now, I surrender everything I am and ever hope to be to You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Are you ready to turn away from your sin and turn to God? If so, record the following commitment in your journal. Pray through each statement. Sign and date your entry.

·         I understand that forgiveness demands repentance.
·         I choose to admit the sin in my life.
·         I choose to "turn from" the sin in my life.
·         I will destroy any paths that might lead to that same sin.
·         I will trust God for the power to practice repentance.

More From The Girlfriends
One of the most powerful illustrations of God's love and forgiveness is found in the lives of Hosea and Gomer. Read their story in Mary's MP3 download, Love That Never Fails.

Looking for a Bible Study that is both practical and powerful? Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Studies. Each one includes a study guide that you can download for your personal use or for a small group study.

Be sure to check out Mary's weekly Online Bible Study: Stress Management 101. Enroll now and have access to all 2011 lessons. 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