Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

September 2, 2011
God Confidence
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Paul said that he "put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3).  In other words, he didn't think that he was good enough because of any particular talent or ability that he had on his own.  But his confidence came from his understanding of who he was as a child of God.  Someone once said, "A man wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package."  But a man, or woman, wrapped up in God is an amazing sight to behold.

I believe we can change our inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy into unshakable confidence by understanding who we are, what we have, and where we are as a child of God. I am not advocating confidence in self, but confidence in God - confidence in who you are because of what Jesus has done for you and what the Holy Spirit can do through you.  Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5,6 TNIV).  Connected to the vine you can do everything God calls you to do (Philippians 4:13).

Paul knew what he could accomplish on his own...nothing.  Oh, he could be busy.  We all can do that.  But bearing "fruit that will remain" is another story.  This paraphrase shows how he viewed his own personal weaknesses:

I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.  Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.  No danger then of walking around high and mighty!  At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it.  Three times I did that, and then he told me,

'My grace is enough; it's all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.'

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen.  I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift.  It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.  Now that I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size-abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.  I just let Christ take over!  And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10 The Message)

Paul had great confidence. The prefix, "con" means "with" and the root "fid" means faith."  So a confident person is one who walks in faith.  We walk in faith that we are holy, chosen, redeemed, dearly loved children of God who are empowered by the Holy Spirit, equipped by our Maker, and enveloped by Jesus Christ.  Now that's real God-confidence.

Let's Pray
Dear God, I know that I can do nothing of any true lasting value apart from You.  However, when I abide in Christ and He works through me, I can accomplish anything You have called me to do.  Help me to understand the power that is within me and to have unshakable confidence in Christ today.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Take a look at what you have been trying to accomplish in your own life. Are you working in your own strength, or are you depending on Jesus working through you?

What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "Apart from me you can do nothing?"

I'd love to hear your thoughts about that!  Log onto www.facebook.com/sharonjaynesand let's chat.

More from the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.  If you need a confidence booster, then this book is for you!  Begin seeing yourself as God sees you and discover the amazing potential you have to live the victorious Christian life!

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


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

[Judy Harder]

September 5, 2011
I Need a Friend Part 4
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.' When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her (Ruth 1:16-18, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Friendship is the catalyst for every other love and the foundation of every healthy relationship.  God created us to need each other.  We need friends and we need to be a friend.  Over the next few weeks, we will uncover nine keys to healthy friendships.

Key one:         Time
Key two:         Risk
Key three:      Transparency
Key four:        Touch
Key five:         Correction
Key six:          Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a spiritual truth and principle that, as Christians, we teach, preach and encourage. Forgiveness is also easier said than done. Yet, the very foundation for godly life is integrity. If we cannot forgive, we have no spiritual integrity.

Naomi was Ruth's mother-in-law and after a close examination of their circumstances, you can imagine the potential for conflict in their relationship. Naomi was a godly woman whose son had married Ruth, a woman who did not worship God. Yet, they loved each other. Forgiveness had to be part of their friendship.  Forgiveness has to be part of every friendship. The first step taken in the process of forgiveness is always our responsibility while the outcome and the healing are God's responsibility. Paul writes in Colossians 3:13 that we must "bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." To "bear with" means to "put up with" and "grievances" means "complaints." In other words, we are to put up with any complaints we have with each other without retaliation or revenge. There's more. The verse goes on to tell us to forgive like Jesus did – which means taking the initiative in forgiving as well as being quick to give and receive forgiveness.

We often make the mistake of thinking forgiveness depends upon feelings, rights, justification or a variety of other man-made excuses. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice, a chosen attitude and a discipline of the heart and will. In fact, forgiveness is a choice that leads to an action that may or may not result in a feeling. A friend of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, once reminded her of an especially cruel act that someone had done to her years before, but Miss Barton seemed not to recall it. "Don't you remember?" her friend asked. "No," replied Clara Barton. "I distinctly remember forgetting it." Healthy friendships practice forgiveness.

Key seven:  Freedom

Healthy friendships are relationships where each person gives the other room to grow and change. Instead of possessing their friends, they encourage them to grow and change. Paul says it simply and clearly, "Love is not possessive" (I Corinthians 13:4). The friendship of Ruth and Naomi certainly demonstrates this kind of freedom. Naomi was willing to let Ruth start a whole new life that did not even include her. Naomi gave Ruth the gift of freedom and, as a result, gained a friendship beyond measure. Neither Ruth nor Naomi was sure of the future, but they both knew there would be changes. They also knew that their friendship was secure enough to withstand those changes. Notice that Naomi gave Orpah freedom to leave and did not condemn her when she left. Naomi gave Orpah the gift of freedom as well, with different but right results.   

When a person changes, their relationships will also change. If friendship falters when one friend changes, the relationship is likely built upon the wrong foundation and operates with erroneous motives. The heart of every healthy friendship has a thread of elastic running through it. Without the freedom to change and grow, friendship becomes a prime target for jealousy. Jealousy can ruin and has ruined many friendships because jealousy feeds on unrealistic expectations and is the result of overloading one relationship with emotional needs that only God can satisfy. True friends give each other freedom. It is from that freedom that a deeper friendship, a healthier relationship will grow.   

I am acutely aware of those who want to be my friend because of what they believe they can gain from a relationship with the pastor's wife - access to ministry "secrets", a sense of importance, admission into "the inner circle." I am constantly amazed by this ridiculous mindset and fully believe it is an affront to the Kingdom and the very heart of God. I have the solution. Have a "Pedestal Burning Party." It doesn't matter who put that pedestal in place. Pedestals are stages on which pride, self-importance and sin perform their greatest works.  Burn every pedestal in sight, ladies! Oh, and while you are at it, throw in all of those masks you have worn for so long! When you walk in humility, authenticity and transparency, you will be a better friend and find true friendship.

Let's Pray
Father, please forgive me when I allow jealousy to have a place in my heart. Teach me how to celebrate with my friends as they grow and change and succeed. Help me remember how Your forgiveness covers my sin and empowers me to forgive others. I lay down every grudge and resentment in my heart. I choose to forgive those who have hurt me and commit to seek the forgiveness of those I have hurt. Thank You for the love and grace I can only find in knowing You.
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.

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 that indicate about your understanding of true forgiveness?
Celebrate right now the power of forgiveness in your life.
More from the Girlfriends
Don't miss the Dollar Days Sale going on in Mary's online store right now! 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. I Need a Friend is also available in Bible Study format.

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]

September 6, 2011
The Power of the Holy Spirit in You!
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:8 NIV).

Friend to Friend
"I'm not good enough." Have you ever said or thought those words?

The truth is if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life, then you have the power of the Holy Spirit living in you and working through you. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:.  You have God's incomparably great power at your disposal. "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Ephesians 1:19-20). The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us?  Yep.  The same power.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth" (don't you just love it when He says that), anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12).  Did He just say that?  Yep.  What does going to the Father have to do with the power we receive?  Because once Jesus went to the Father, the Holy Spirit came to live in believers.  "If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth" (John 14:15-16).

Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom spent the last years of her life speaking to men and women all around the world about the God who sustained her during her imprisonment and who delivered her from the Nazi prison camps.  During one of her presentations, she held up a lady's white glove.

"What can this white glove do?" she asked. Then she went on to explain...           

"The glove can do nothing. "Oh, but if my hand is in the glove, it can do many things...cook, play the piano, write.  Well, you say that is not the glove but the hand in the glove that does it.  Yes, that is so.  I tell you that we are nothing but gloves. The hand in the glove is the Holy Spirit of God. Can the glove do something if it is very near the hand?  No! The glove must be filled with the hand to do the work. That is exactly the same for us:  We must be filled with the Holy Spirit to do the work God has for us to do."

It is time to see yourself as God sees you. No more living in a house of mirrors looking at a distorted image of who you are.  This is how God sees you.

You are a child of God. John 1:12
You are justified- completely forgiven. Romans 5:1
You are free from condemnation. Romans 8:1
You have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16
You have been made righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21
You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3
You are righteous and holy.  Ephesians 4:24
You have been redeemed and forgiven of all your sins. Colossians 1:14
You are a dwelling place for Christ. He lives in you. Colossians 1:27
You are complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10
You are chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12
You have been given a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
You have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which you are a partaker of God's divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4

And that, my friend is only the beginning!  Say these verses out loud.  Speak to your soul.  Believe the truth about who you are.  You are more than good enough because of who lives in you and works through you.

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to live in me, to work through me, and give power to me. I pray that I will plug into the power source every day. Forgive me when I act like a powerless spiritual invalid rather than a spirit-empowered soldier. Regardless of what my feelings tell me today, I choose to believe that I am a dearly loved, chosen, holy child of God who is enveloped by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
I've given you a lot to think about today.  Go back up to the verses listed in today's devotion and put a check by the ones that you have a difficult time believing for yourself.  Now, choose to believe the truth, regardless of how you feel.  When you choose the truth, you will be renewing your mind! 

Check out Romans 12:2 to learn what happens when we renew our minds with the truth.

If you will stand with me and start believing the truth about who you are, then give a shout out at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.  Simply enter, I'm believing I am who God says I am!

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, "I'm Not Good Enough"...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. If you would like to learn more about how to overcome the lies of the past, visit her website.  While you're there, check out the laminated prayer card with Scripture verses about Who You Are in Christ.  This inexpensive book tucker will help you remember to see yourself as God sees you.

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


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

[Judy Harder]

September 7, 2011
I Need a Friend Part 5
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.' When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her (Ruth 1:16-18, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Friendship is the catalyst for every other love and the foundation of every healthy relationship. God created us to need each other. We need friends and we need to be a friend. Over the past few weeks, we have examined the friendship between Naomi and Ruth, a relationship that illustrates vital keys to a healthy relationship between friends.

Key one:         Time
Key two:         Risk
Key three:      Transparency
Key four:        Touch
Key five:         Correction
Key six:          Forgiveness
Key seven:     Freedom
Key eight:      Loyalty

One of the most important friendship keys is loyalty. Ruth was loyal to Naomi. God honored that loyalty and used it to attract her future husband, Boaz. "Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband--how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before" (Ruth 2:11). Boaz was struck by the loyalty of Ruth, realizing that she was the kind of woman he wanted to marry. True friends are loyal and committed to each other. Here are some ways to build loyalty into friendship.

·         Don't criticize friends to other people.
·         Cheer at the successes of your friends.
·         Encourage the strengths of your friends.
·         Never use a friend's weaknesses to your advantage.
·         Overlook "cracks" in the armor and "tilted" halos of friends.

Protect the heart of your friend by guarding your friendship with loyalty.

Key nine:  Action
Ruth demonstrated her love for Naomi by her actions. She went with her to Bethlehem and worked in the field for her. "Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action" (1 John 3:18). The best friendships are created by layers of kind actions.

1.  Rituals or traditions are one of most important ingredients in a healthy friendship. It may be a weekly lunch date, annual shopping trip or dinner and a movie once a month. The best friendships are rich with memories accumulated over time.

2.  Gifts are a symbol of time and energy spent for a friend. It is not the cost or size of the gift, but the thought behind it that says, "She thought of me." It is a tangible reminder of relationship. Notes, funny cards, a favorite snack or magazine, phone calls for no reason, favors done back and forth are all tiny statements of love. When my husband was in the hospital, one friend bought groceries, picked up my kids from school and delivered my cleaning. I didn't ask for help, but she knew I needed help. When you sense a need, just do it, because sometimes, hurting friends can't ask for help.

3. Words of a friend are filled with acceptance and approval. In friendships, we need to be cautious with criticism and liberal with praise. Paul writes, "So encourage each other to build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11). People become what we encourage them to be. A true friend trains his heart and mind to pass over faults in search of strong points. Choose to draw the strong qualities of friends into the spotlight and be their cheerleader. Friends look for reasons to praise God in each other.

4.  Listening by definition means "attention, with the intention to understand." James says we should be "quick to listen and slow to speak" (James 1:19). Talking is sharing but listening is caring. Take a tip from creation.  Ears aren't made to shut but the mouth is. Put away your sermon, save your advice and just listen. Sometimes the best gift a friend can offer is a listening ear.

The words of Jesus found in John 13:34-35, portray the perfect backdrop for God's love. "And so I am giving a new commandment to you now--love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Does the world know we are His disciples by the way we love and relate to each other?   

Chad was a shy, quiet little boy. One day he came home and told his mother he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. "I wish he wouldn't do that!" she thought. She had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. She purchased the paper, glue and crayons and for three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made thirty-five valentines. Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was frantic with excitement! He carefully placed the valentines in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake his favorite cookies because she knew he would be disappointed when he came home from school. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines -- maybe none at all. That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. Finally, when she heard their voices, she looked out the window to see the children laughing and having the best time. As usual, there was Chad in the rear but walking a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened, she choked back the tears. "Honey, I have some warm cookies and milk for you" but he hardly heard her words.  He just marched right on by, his face glowing, and all he could say was: "Not a one -- not one." The mother's heart sank. Then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!" When God is in control of our friendships, we will be a better friend and have more true friends.

Let's Pray
Father, I know that I really do need friends but often let the fear of rejection keep me from reaching out in friendship. I choose against that fear right now. I want to please and honor You by the way I love my friends. Help me to become the kind of friend that points others to You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Life really is all about who you make the journey with. Read the ABC's of friendship below and make a plan to put each one into action this week.

Allow people to get close. Friendship requires taking a risk. Read Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) "There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."
Become a great friend. Which way do you run in times of trouble? Read Proverbs 17:17a (NIV) "A friend loves at all times ..."
Celebrate your friends. Who do you need to celebrate this week? How will you celebrate their friendship? Read Philippians 1:3 (NLT) "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."
More from the Girlfriends
Don't miss the Dollar Days Sale going on in Mary's online store right now! 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. I Need a Friendis also available in Bible Study format.

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]

September 8, 2011
I'm Believing God!
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV).

Friend to Friend
In Ephesians 1:13 we read: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him, with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."  We believed - past tense - and were saved, sealed, delivered...we're His!  It was completed in the past, once and for all time.

Now let's read a little further down in Ephesians 1:18. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."  We received salvation when we believed (past tense).   We have great power when we believe (present tense).

The Greek word for believe that is used in Ephesians 1:18 is a present active participle. That means it is a continuous action verb.  Bible teacher Beth Moore explains: "In other words, the promise given in verses 19-20 is not applied to those 'having believed' as in verse 13 where they had believed to become Christians. Rather, it is applied to those who are presently, actively, and yes, continually believing God."

Maybe you believed in Jesus and experienced salvation.  But do you believe the Word of God by faith and understand that you have the same power working in your life that raised Jesus from the dead?  It is available to you...if you believe.

A sapling planted in the ground does not become more of a tree as it grows, it just becomes stronger and more mature. Writer Neil Anderson compares our spiritual growth to a tree: "The growth stage cannot alter the organism; it can only ensure that the organism reaches its greatest potential." As a tree's roots grow deeper it produces a greater display of leaves, more shade and beauty for others to enjoy, and stronger branches for tire swings and bird's nests, but it's still a tree.  The moment you come to Christ, you are saved...you are a saint by calling with a whole new identity. There is nothing you can do to make your identity more true than at the very moment you accept Christ as your Savior, but there is much you can do to have more power in your life as you mature.

It begins by believing the truth.  It is a step of faith.  "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). It is "acting like God tells the truth."

Are you ready to start practicing present tense believing today? Are you ready to experience God's power in your life!  If you answered yes, then buckle up.  God's power is about to be demonstrated in your life in a mighty way!

Let's Pray
Dear LORD, Thank You for giving me the gift of faith.  Forgive me when I doubt You. Today, I am choosing to believe.  Even if circumstances seem bleak, I know that You are who you say You are and You will do what You say You will do.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What are you believing God for today?

Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynesand share what you are believing God for today!

More from the Girlfriends
Need a "faith lift" today?  Want to learn more about how to practice present tense believing?  Then you'll want to read Sharon's book, Becoming Spiritually Beautiful – Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes.  This is the message that changed her life!

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


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

[Judy Harder]

September 9, 2011
Where is God?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. So why should I fear anyone? The Lord protects my life. So why should I be afraid? Evil people may try to destroy my body. My enemies and those who hate me attack me, but they are overwhelmed and defeated. If an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. If war breaks out, I will trust the Lord (Psalm 27:1-3, NCV).

Friend to Friend
I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the phone rang and my husband said, "Honey, you need to turn on the television - right now." It was the middle of the day and I was busy cleaning house, doing laundry and trying to cram in an hour of study time, but the sadness and dread in my husband's voice stopped me in my tracks. Something was very wrong. Still, I was totally unprepared for the horrific scene that played out in vivid reality on the television screen before me. I stared in shock at the surreal images of two airplanes flying into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Both towers collapsed - killing thousands of innocent people – and forever changing life as we know it. 

Why bad things happen to good people is a question we have been asking since time began. I have been a Christ follower for many years. I am a Christian author and speaker and the wife of a pastor. Over the years, God has brought me out of more pits than I can count and I have literally attended church since the day I was born. My faith in God should be unwavering and I should never doubt or question Him or His plan. But sometimes I do.

You may be offended at my next statement, but if I am brutally honest, my faulty human mind and sin-tainted heart can almost - almost come to grips with such horrendous circumstances happening to someone who is evil and has turned their back on God. Bad things should happen to bad people and good things should happen to good people. Sounds logical and fair - right?

You and I both know that life is not fair and that our human logic is a shallow substitute for God's sovereignty. We are broken people living in a broken world. Bad things do happen to good people while those who mock God seem to prosper, and it's been that way for a long time. Take Job for example.

Job 1:8-12 "The LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' 'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied. 'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.' The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'"

Don't miss the important fact that God not only allowed Satan to test Job, but dictated how Satan could test him. Job went from having vast wealth to great poverty, losing everything he and his wife had, including their ten children. Job's wife urged her husband to turn away from and curse God and to forsake the very faith that had blessed her and Job for so long - but Job stood firm.

Job 1:20-21 "Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.'"

Job was an extraordinary man, husband, father and leader who served God faithfully. His faithfulness to God in prosperity was a powerful testimony, but His faithfulness to God in the face of death, pain and despair was even more powerful. Did Job doubt and question God? Absolutely!  Did Job openly and honestly grieve his loss and weep in his pain? Yes, but he remained faithful to God, even when he did not understand why God would let him endure such suffering and even when his heart and body was broken. God was pleased with Job and rewarded him for his faithfulness.

Job 42:11 "The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first."

Storms come in all shapes and sizes. The lab report comes back malignant. The school calls, demanding that you pick up your child who has just been expelled. Your husband informs you that he no longer wants to be married to you. Your boss calls you into his office to let you know that you are being fired. Financial disaster seems certain while dependable friends seem to vanish. Yes, storms will come and bad things will happen – even to fully devoted followers of God. Where is God when the winds pick up and the churning waters pummel your rocking boat? God is where He has always been and always will be - in the midst of every stormy circumstance. Run into His waiting arms when you are afraid. Trust Him – even though you may not understand what is happening in your life. He is with you.

Let's Pray
Father, we come to You today, celebrating the freedom that so many have given their lives to protect. I pray that we would remember and cherish their sacrifice. Lord, I am so sorry for doubting You when life is hard. Forgive me for questioning Your plan when it seems to make no sense. I want to be a woman of faith who trusts You no matter what happens. Help me cultivate the kind of faith Job had and strengthen me for every trial ahead. Take my heart and mind captive and make them Yours. Today, I choose faith over fear and trust over doubt.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Think back to a time when God allowed something to happen that you simply could not understand. His plan seemed illogical and undoable. You asked, "Why did this happen to me?"

Now look at where you are now. What good things have come out of that painful experience?  What lessons did you learn from that difficult time? How have those lessons influenced your life today?

Read Isaiah 45:3. How does this powerful verse relate to the difficult times you are facing now or have faced in the past?

Read and memorize Psalm 40:1-3. God gave me that promise in the darkest days of my life and they are even more precious in the light.

More from the Girlfriends
Don't miss the Dollar Days Salegoing on in Mary's online store! But hurry! It ends today!

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. I Need a Friendis also available in Bible Study format.

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]

September 12, 2011
Don't Scratch That Itch!
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:13-14 NIV).

Friend To Friend
I once woke up with a spider bite that was the size of a quarter. It may as well have been the size of North Carolina for as much as it itched! I was half-tempted to scratch off my arm. That nasty bite was just begging to be scratched. However, I have learned a thing or two in my thirty-something years, and one thing I know for sure: it is best not to scratch this type of itch.

It would be like opening a bag of chips with the naive intention of eating only one (yeah, right!) I knew that if I started scratching my bug bite, it would be nearly impossible to stop.  I would regret having ever started.

Super-itchy bug bites are a lot like temptations. Temptations are itchy! The call on us with urgent voices that scream, "Scratch me!  Scratch me!"  Yet, in all reality, a little scratch will not satisfy temptation's itch at all...it will just make matters worse. When we scratch the itch of temptation, the itch does not diminish. To the contrary, it increases.

The Bible teaches us that when we resist temptation, our faith is then mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened. Let's look at what that looked like for a guy named Joseph. (For the full account, pause here and read Genesis 39.)

Joseph was a man of integrity who did right in the eyes of the Lord, but he definitely faced some temptation! He was seduced by temptation in the form of his master's wife, Mrs. Potiphar. You see, Mrs. Potiphar wanted her husband's right-hand man to sleep with her, and she pursued him with aggression. Hers was a hand-delivered invitation for Joseph to sin that had itchy written all over it.  But he flat-out refused. His heart was determined to honor God.

"My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.  How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her (Genesis 39:9-10).

Temptation chased Joseph relentlessly. Oh, how he must have longed for the itching to stop! To give in would be sinful. To give in was simply not an option for this young man of character. So on the day that Potiphar's wife caught him by the cloak and begged again for Joseph to sleep with her, Joseph ran out of the house. He ran from that tempting situation as fast as his legs would carry him.

God was honored in Joseph's response.

He ran from temptation.

We would be wise to do the same.

What do you need to run from today? Have you determined in your heart to honor God in everything? Temptation comes in all shapes and sizes.  It might be calling your name from your pantry – or from your computer – or from a bottle - or from another cubicle in your office.  What temptations do you face today?  Name them and run the other way! Don't scratch that itch! Determine in your heart that you will choose the path that brings honor to God, and call on Him for strength.

I realize that dealing with temptation is not easy. When that nasty spider bit my arm, I struggled not to scratch the bite. I had to re-direct my thinking to persevere through the temptation. When we come face to face with temptations, God's strength is always available to us. We need God's strength. Ours will fail us. Friend, when we resist temptation, we get to experience the peace and protection of God, our faith is mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I need You so much. I constantly find myself being dragged away and enticed by temptation. Please give me strength to run the other way, and give me the wisdom to run to Your arms. I want to be a woman of godly character. Help me be that woman!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Contemplate the following questions: What have you been dragged away and enticed by in the past? How did you respond? How have you grown from those experiences?

Though our sovereign God allows trials to enter our lives, He does not ever tempt us.  (James 1) Tuck that truth in your heart today, and the next time you experience a temptation – great or small – recognize that the enemy is behind the allure.  Then tell him to get behind you and pray that Jesus will re-direct your thinking.

Read and memorize Psalm 105:4: "Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always."

More From The Girlfriends
I wish my temptations were always as simple as the itch of a pesky little bug bite!  But, of course, they are not.  Each of us will encounter some real whoppers in our lives. James chapter one tells us that when we persevere through trials and temptations, one rewards is maturity. That really encourages me!  I hope it encourages you as well.

NEED ENCOURAGEMENT? Allow this song to lift your heart to God's. Turn your speakers up, click over to my Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic and listen to TAKE MY HEART CAPTIVE.

If this devotion resonated with you and if you would like to learn more about how your brokenness can be reworked into a picture of God's beauty, don't miss Gwen's book Broken Into Beautiful. Every step of transformation begins with the heart of God. Broken into Beautiful will take you there. To orderBroken Into Beautiful, go to Amazonor, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.

LOVE MUSIC? Check out 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.

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]

September 13, 2011
Sit Down and Be Quiet
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.  He did the same with the fish" (John 6:11 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Have you ever noticed this pattern in the gospels – the disciples get in a bind and Jesus bails them out.  It reminds me of the old fifties program, Father Knows Best.  The kids got in trouble, the father solved the problem and then he taught us all an important life lesson at the end.  Come to think of it, "Father Knows Best" would be a fabulous subtitle for the gospels!

In John 6:1-15, we find the disciples in a precarious situation.  Their lawn party had turned into quite a bash.  The guests far exceeded their expectations, the disciples hadn't planned on providing dinner, and it appeared the crowd was expecting refreshments.  But the disciples didn't have the funds or the food to feed them.  All they could scrounge up were five loaves of bread and two dried fish.  The crowd was getting restless, the disciples were getting nervous,  and Jesus was getting ready.  He took the five loaves and two fish and told the crowd to sit down – he told them to rest.

Then He lifted the food toward heaven, blessed it, and commanded the disciples to hand out the provisions to those who were seated. He didn't feed the people who were running around worrying – but the ones who were at rest.  To those He gave "immeasurably more than they could ask or imagine" (see Ephesians 3:20), with twelve baskets left over.

When we believe God, we will have rest and peace in our lives.  I want you to do something for me.  Right now, I want you to use your imagination.  The Bible tells us in Ephesians that we are "in Christ" and Christ is "in us."  It also tells us that we are seated "in heavenly places" and "transferred to the kingdom of Christ."  Picture yourself sitting right beside Jesus under a spreading oak tree.  Perhaps His arm is around your shoulder and your head is resting on his chest.  You can feel the beating of His heart against your cheek and your head moves with the rise and fall of His breathing. With His other hand, He strokes your head and immediately knows how many hairs are on your head. His breath warms your skin as it brushes past your face. Imagine Him looking into your eyes and knowing your innermost being and meeting your gaze with a warm, affirming smile reassuring you of His love and care.

Now tell me, as you imagine yourself in the presence of Jesus, how anxious do you feel?  How rejected do you feel?  How worried about tomorrow are you?

You may be thinking,  "Yes, Sharon.  I feel at peace in that scene.  But that's not reality."  Dear sister, that is the greater reality.  No matter what you are going through today, Jesus is right there with you.  So maybe you just need to sit down and be quiet for a while.

Let's Pray
Dear Father, I'll admit, sometimes I am so busy running around trying to solve my problems, I miss Your provision. Help me to listen to You more closely and see Your provision more clearly.  I don't want to miss what You have for me today. Help me to sit down and be quiet – to rest in You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Is it difficult for you to sit down and be quiet with Jesus?

What keeps you from taking time to be still before Him?

Today, take at least ten minutes to be still with Jesus.  No multi-tasking.  Don't do this while driving the car or washing the dishes. Just you and Jesus. Give Him your full attention.

If you did this today, I want to celebrate with you.  Log onto www.facebook.com/sharonjaynesand tell me about it!

More from the Girlfriends
Women love the idea of going to a spa!  I'd like to invite you to God's spa to experience the ultimate makeover.   In Sharon's book, Becoming Spiritually Beautiful, you'll discover beauty secrets to give you the inner glow that only God can give.  It also comes with a Bible study guide for those who want to dig deeper into God's transforming truths.

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]

September 14, 2011
Greed is Contagious
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need; always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NLT).

Friend to Friend
It was a holiday weekend and I was determined to find the best sale in town – so I headed to the mall. Evidently, everyone else had the same idea because the mall parking lot was crammed full. Horns were honking. People were racing into various entrances, an anxious look on their faces. I wanted to cruise the mall, roll down my window and shout, "Seriously? It is only a sale, people!" As I drove on, I thought about the harried scene I had just witnessed and my thoughts turned to the ugly subject of greed. Greed is contagious. If we spend time with people who are prone to jealousy and greed, it will be easier for us to be jealous and greedy as well.

When anyone in my house gets sick, they know what is coming. War! I immediately launch an all-out battle against sickness and germs. I head to the store in order to stock up on necessary supplies. The list is usually the same; juice, soup, crackers, yogurt, throat lozenges, tissues, cold medicine and last, but certainly not least, several cans of Lysol. I then implement my battle plan. The "sickie" is confined to their quarters. They are allotted one bathroom, one sofa and one bedroom for the duration of their illness. The ailing one is not to enter any other area of the barracks ... uh, house ... without my permission. I then go room to room; spraying every surface that they may have touched or even thought about touching. While the patient is allowed to continue breathing, I tend to follow the feeble one around, spraying the air that borders those breaths. This procedure continues until the patient is completely well. I know. I am obnoxious but I am also successful more times than not. I do not want to catch their disease and feel it is my personal responsibility to quarantine the sick ones in order to halt the progression of the illness.

Greed is a noxious disease, one that demands immediate and fierce spiritual quarantine. We must be careful that we do not catch the spirit of greed and steer clear of those people who are carriers of this deadly disease.   

Greed is an inside job, invading our thoughts and then taking up residence in a discontented heart as it opens the door for other deadly sins. Proverbs 4:23 issues a clear warning when it says: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do" (NLT). Greed and honesty cannot exist in the same heart and God wants us to give with an honest heart.

"I know, my God, that you test people's hearts. You are happy when people do what is right. I was happy to give all these things. I gave with an honest heart" (1 Chronicles 29:17, NCV).

In this verse "honest" literally means "with integrity." To give with integrity is to give the right thing at the right time, to the right person for the right reason. The reason for giving should always originate in love - God's love - a love that has been given to us in order for us to give it away in His name. The circle of giving is a circle of love and it all started with God when He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

We are loved, so we give love and because we give love, we receive more love. Matthew 7:2 says "the amount you give to others will be given to you" (NCV). Luke 6:38 offers a clear picture of God's giving plan. "Give and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap.The way you give to others is the way God will give to you" (NCV). What and how we give determines what and how much we receive.

We simply cannot out-give God! I have heard it said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver but that He will even accept it from a grouch. I have also heard it said that plenty of people are willing to give God credit but few are willing to give Him cash. The truth is that the Father looks past the gift and examines the heart behind the gift. The motive of the heart determines the acceptability of the gift.

Let's Pray
Father, my heart and life are so often filled with greed and discontent. Right now, I choose to take my eyes off of "things" and focus on what You want for my life. Thank You for all that You have given to me and for what You have done in my heart. I praise You, knowing that in You I have everything I need. Please teach me how to give in a way that pleases and honors You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now it's Your Turn
Read and meditate on Paul's words in Philippians 4:12-13: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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." What impact do these verses have on an attitude of greed?

We need to understand that greed will destroy our peace and contentment. Examine your life, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal every area of greed. Confess your greed as sin and choose against it while looking for ways to practice "Kingdom" giving. Ask yourself the following questions:

What areas of my life are most affected by greed?
What are my idols?
What "things" or "desires" do I need to give up so that greed will have no grip on my life?
What specific ways can I begin to practice "Kingdom" giving?
What is the first step I should take in order to guard against greed?
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.

Come As You Areis Mary's NEW Online Bible Study that begins September 26! The most common invitation offered by Jesus Christ is simply to "come." He doesn't ask us to fix what is wrong or expect us to clean up our lives. That is His responsibility. Jesus loves us just as we are and when we come to Him with a "yes" in our hearts, He lovingly transforms the broken places into beautiful scars of healing and new life. Enroll before October 1 and 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]

September 15, 2011
Priceless Pigs
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you..." (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

Friend to Friend
An African tribe viewed a film about the life of Jesus, The Jesus Film, in their own heart language.  As a follow-up, another ministry, Faith Comes by Hearing, provided the tribe with a contraption called a "recorder." Most of the world can neither read nor write, so the recorder allows the tribal people to be discipled by listening to the New Testament in their own native tongue.  It runs off of solar power and will play the New Testament 1,000 times.  (For more on these two incredible ministries see www.jesusfilm.org and www.faithcomesbyhearing.com)

A group of listeners gather round to listen to the story of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man recorded in Luke chapter 8.

They (Jesus and his disciples) sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places...

Jesus demanded the demons to come out of the man and cast into a herd of nearby pigs.  Then the pigs rushed down a steep hillside and into a lake and drowned.

The tribal community was stunned as they listened to this story.  They knew the value of one pig, much less an entire herd.

"Why would Jesus do that?" they asked. "Why would He allow their entire source of income to be destroyed?"

Many questions stirred among the group. Then the wise chief spoke. "Perhaps Jesus is showing us that one human soul is worth more than an entire tribe's economy," he said.

I was silenced by his answer. That passage had been quite mysterious to me for many years. But God revealed this powerful truth to one little African chief hearing the story for the very first time. The chief understood just how valuable we are to God.

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Your truth to the babes in Christ when so many of the studied miss it. Open my eyes to see and your truth, rather than become satisfied with predigested truth from the many teachers around me. Help me to be as this tiny tribe, and listen in awe as if I were hearing the gospel for the very first time.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
I'm wondering, in light of our economic situation, do the words of the chief stir you as much as they do me?

In light of the chief's words, do you spend more time being concerned with the souls of mankind or money?  Which consume most of your prayer time?

Let's chat.  Tell me one reason you know that you are valuable to God at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More from the Girlfriends
I love stories, don't you?  I have an entire book of short devotional stories that illustrate Scriptural truths titled Extraordinary Moments with God.  Check it out at www.sharonjaynes.com

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