Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

April 6, 2012

When Waiting is Hard
Wendy Pope


"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture often makes us feel there's something wrong with waiting and that we shouldn't have to. Within seconds we can order a cute blouse from a trendy store, Skype with a friend across the country and text our husband a list of groceries to pick up on the way home. No wonder waiting can be hard to do.

David, the author of today's key verse, was no stranger to waiting and knew its difficulties full well. Out of nowhere, Samuel showed up at his home to anoint the next king of Israel, who was to be chosen from David's family. Only one of Jesse's sons would be anointed as God's chosen king for His beloved Israel. The son elected was David.

Scripture tells us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13 ESV). With such an anointing, we might expect David to run to the throne. But the only running David did was back to the pasture and his job as shepherd. Thus his wait began.

In the wait, God prepared David to be king. The only vocation David knew was shepherding. He did not know the ins and outs of kingly protocol or have the support of the people or armies. Instead of taking the position he was promised, David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace.

Waiting in the present is beneficial to our future. This is something David learned, along with many other lessons that we can find hope in during the difficulty of waiting.

1. Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited fifteen years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.

2. God's ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. After being anointed and appointed David was called to serve Saul, the king who was sitting on "his" throne.

3. God doesn't waste time ... He redeems it. The time of waiting will be used to prosper us in each season of life.

4. If we allow it, our waiting will bring us an intimate knowledge of the Savior that we would not otherwise have. Most of David's beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns and the wilderness, waiting on God.

5. God doesn't ignore the cries of His children. David cried, and at times begged God for help, invention and defense. God never let David down. He did eventually take the throne, didn't he?

6. Our waiting has a purpose for someone other than ourselves. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope and healing of his amazing poetry.

What awesome instructions David's life gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down He proves Himself faithful to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.

Dear Lord, help me wait. Help me wait well. I want to be still and allow You to bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can't do this without You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
What to do in the W.A.I.T. CD by Wendy Pope

Visit Wendy's blog

Come Along: The Journey into a More Intimate Faith by Jane Rubietta

Reflect and Respond:
Read more about David's life starting in 1 Samuel 16.

What is your first response to waiting? Do you draw closer to or pull away from God when you're waiting?

Write down what God taught you through this devotion on waiting.

Power Verses:
Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (NIV 1984)

Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV 1984)

Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" (NIV 1984)

© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 9, 2012

Getting Through Another One of "Those Days"
Tracie Miles


"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

It had been another dramatic day in a house with "maturing" young women. While my teenage daughters sat upstairs dealing with their run-away emotions, I retreated to our front porch to deal with my own.

Both my daughters were going through difficult situations and pending decisions, and neither of them were happy with the motherly advice I'd given them.

I needed peace and quiet, and a place to process my overwhelming thoughts with God. Searching for the right words to pray, I secretly longing for the days when my girls were little and the hardest question was if they could have a snack before dinner.

Sitting there, I noticed something in the flower bed that seemed out of place. Partially tucked in the pine straw, underneath the holly tree, was a piece of the past — two faded plastic Easter eggs.

My thoughts went back years earlier, when my daughters were small, and I wondered if the eggs were from one of my favorite Easter Sundays. I closed my eyes, letting my mind return to what seemed like easier days.

I saw a mental picture of my two blond-headed little girls, playing in the thick grass, wearing pink Easter dresses. Little fingers wrapped tightly around wicker baskets, as they hid colored Easter eggs under the holly bushes. Bushes that were then twelve inches tall, yet now stood at twelve feet. As my mind replayed this sweet scene, I began to cry.

While I was reminiscing about the past and trying to breathe in the present, my daughters walked outside and plopped down beside me on the porch. As we sat on the steps together, Kaitlyn pointed out the eggs under the tree - and my eyes welled up with tears again.

They both looked at me like I was crazy, wondering why mom was crying over some old faded Easter eggs. And all of a sudden we all burst out in laughter, and started talking openly about our feelings and life. By the end of the conversation, we all felt thankful for the bond we have, even on the hardest of days.

Being a mom is an unfathomable blessing, but there are going to be "those days" when we feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. Days when we feel frustrated and emotionally exhausted as we face the never-ending challenge to raise children to honor God's ways, in a society that does not respect His truths at all.

Today's key verse encourages me to persevere on "those days." The definition of perseverance is to adhere to a course of 'action, belief, or purpose, in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.'

As parents, we are called by God to stay the course, adhere to our beliefs, and trust that God has a purpose for all things - even on "those days." We can do that by talking to other Christian parents, participating in a prayer group for our children, and staying grounded in God's Word.

On this particular day when my heart felt heavy, God used two faded Easter eggs as a reminder that despite the daily challenges of being a mom, He is with me and that gives me hope.

Hope gives us strength to persevere, and our perseverance helps us to build our own character, as we invest in the character of our children.

Even when the past seems easier than the present, God calls us as parents to be engaged in every moment and trust that He has a beautiful purpose, espeically on one of "those days."

Dear Lord, thank You for simple reminders of Your love, and for the blessing of making a positive impact in my children's lives. Help me to persevere in Your name, and to be the Godly parent You have called me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on Christian parenting, and to receive a free downloadable link to Tracie's one hour interview about Godly parenting, with MommyMissions.com. Also sign up to find out more about starting a Christian parent support group in your church or neighborhood!

The Mom I Want To Be by T. Suzie Eller

Always There: Reflections For Moms On God's Presence by Susan Besze Wallace

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
List ways that you struggle to trust God in your parenting journey. Ask Him to give you confidence to seek and rely on His wisdom to be a Godly parent.

Have you been standing firm in your convictions, even if your child wants to follow the crowd?

Power Verses:
Proverbs 22:6, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (NLT)

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)

© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

 April 10, 2012

I Gotta Die
Karen Ehman


"[I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in [your fellowship and union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily [I face death every day and die to self]." 1 Corinthians 15:31 (AMP)

My 14-year-old son has a fondness for iPod games; ones where a creature has to jump, twist, dodge and dart in an effort to stay alive. Often he plays them on our short commute to school each morning.

As we drive, we go over pick-up instructions. (At the middle school after wrestling practice? Or at the high school if there is optional weight-lifting that day? And what time?)

I also give my "Be sure your sins will find you out" lecture that my own sweet mama often gave me.

The man cub just keeps playing his game, acting as if he's not listening. But I know he is.

Often, when jockeying for position in the parental carpool line, I will inform my boy it's time to get out of the vehicle. Usually, still engaged in the game he will utter the same phrase to me, "Hang on a second. I gotta die."

As in, "I'm still finishing this round. I don't want to power off just yet. Let my character finish this round until it dies. Then I will get out of the car."

As he uttered it this morning, it spoke to my soul.

As a follower of Christ, I am to die to self. But so often, I do not. I elevate self. I promote self. I think little of the other person and much of me.

But before I react ... before I hurl a harsh word ... before I pass judgment or speak unkindly to my husband or snap at my child, perhaps I need to take a deep breath ...

To pause and ponder ...

To say in a spiritual sense, "Hang on a second. I gotta die."

Die to self.

Die to flesh.

Die to my "rights" that often result in my acting wrongly.

Yes, Paul said it best in today's key verse, "I die daily."

Does this mean in everything?

So often when we think of Jesus' admonition that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend, we think of the dramatic ways that might happen. We might jump in front of a car in order to get our friend out of harm's way. A soldier might willingly give up his life on the battlefield.

But what if it also means that we learn to die to self in the every day details of life? In my interactions with others, especially those within my own family? These daily, hourly and even moment-by-moment decisions sometimes seem difficult!

And, if trying in our own strength, they will also be impossible. It is at these junctures that we must draw deep from the power the Holy Spirit offers and let His proper response over-ride our natural and sinful one.

So, the next time we want to react in a way to another person that won't please God, let's remember my game-lovin' man cub. And before we speak, let's take a deep breath; a pause that centers our heart, snaps our soul to attention and gently declares ...

Hang on a second. I gotta die.

Dear Lord, may I purpose to die daily. To both act and react in a way that pleases You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Karen's blog for the Five Snap-Proofing Scriptures to memorize to help you to die to self when instead you want to snap at others. Also, be sure to enter her Bible Memory Basket giveaway.

Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen Ehman as your next retreat or keynote speaker.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
Why is it so difficult, when our anger begins to well up, to pause before we pounce?

Was there a time when you delayed before snapping at someone? What was the outcome?

Power Verse:
Psalm 139:4, "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether." (ESV)

© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 11, 2012

Unfolding
Amy Carroll


"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

I stared into the frustrated eyes of my friend last week as we talked about her calling to write. She has big, big dreams, and her dreams seem to be coming true far too slowly.

I told her how much I understood. Stepping into my calling was a long time coming, too.

My specific calling is to teach, speak and write. Your calling may fall into a myriad of other categories, but every calling is equally high when it's in obedience to the Most High. We're ALL called to ministry of some sort.

My calling didn't materialize in a year. It has unfolded during the last 35 years, and each phase of that unfolding has shaped and re-determined the final product (which I know won't be final until my last breath!).

The unfolding looked kind of like this:

Becoming a passionate teacher of young children.
Marrying my best friend.
Investing years in my little boys' lives.
Teaching adults as they chased dreams that passed them by in their teens.
Volunteering in women's ministry.
Visiting home after home as the "Welcome Wagon Lady" in my new town.
Accepting invitations to speak at my church and others close by.
Joining the Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker team.
Returning to a frustrating year of elementary school teaching.
Stepping in to my calling of equipping others in their calling.

I've look at my list many times and thought, "Wow. I wasted a lot of years." But I've come to realize it's just not true. Every relationship, every job, every opportunity has prepared me. Psalm 90:17 reminds me that God establishes the work of my hands. With each change, I've had an opportunity to view that next place as stepping into a calling. Sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn't.

Often I was irritated at the seeming meaninglessness of what I was doing, but now I see. Every diaper changed, every knee kissed, every book read, every late night listening, every dying to self, every lesson plan made, every story crafted, every presentation made, every meeting attended, every spreadsheet created, EVERY THING...

It all counted.

Every moment was an unfolding of my eventual calling. God used each stepping stone to establish the work I'm doing now.

Don't despair today when you can't see it. Obey God and trust that He is working. His timing is so rarely ours, but it is always perfect. Instead of chaffing under the seemingly mundane, embrace each task as a building block for the dreams in your heart. Don't give up hope.

I promise ... it's coming.

Dear Lord, it's been difficult waiting as the years have come and gone without stepping into my calling. Please help me appreciate each seemingly mundane task and day as a means to you establishing the work of my hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Follow this link for beautiful encouragement from Amy on her blog.

Register today for She Speaks! Our annual conference that helps equip women in their calling to lead, speak and write.

The Reason We Speak and For the Write Reason, Gen Ed. Marybeth Whalen

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

Reflect and Respond:
Every moment is an unfolding of your eventual calling.

Make a list of the "mundane" things and ask God to show you how He's using them to establish the work of your hands.

Power Verses:
Matthew 9:38, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

1 Peter 4:10-11, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)

© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 12, 2012

Three Marriage Lies
Lysa TerKeurst


"[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (NIV)

I know the heart-ripping hopelessness of a relationship unraveling. The coexisting. The silent tension. The tears.

The first five years of my marriage were really hard. Two sinners coming together with loads of baggage, unrealistic expectations, and extremely strong wills.

There was yelling. There was the silent treatment. There were doors slammed. There was bitterness. There was a contemplation of calling it quits. There was this sinking feeling that things would never, could never get better. That's when I first started hearing the 3 lies:

• I married the wrong person.
• He should make me feel loved.
• There is someone else better out there.

I believed those lies. They started to weave a tangled web of confusion in my heart. All I could see was all that was wrong with him. I became so blind to his good. I became so blind to my not-so-good.

And I wasn't shy about sharing my frustrations about the whole situation with my friends.

Many nodded their head in agreement with me, making me feel ever so justified. But one didn't. She said, "I know what you think. But what does the Bible say?"

Ugghhhh. The Bible? I didn't think her "religious suggestion" would help me. But over the next couple of days, I kept hearing her question about looking into the Bible replaying over and over in my mind.

Reluctantly and with great skepticism, I tried it one afternoon. I turned to a couple of verses she suggested including 1 Corinthians 13. As I read the list of everything love is supposed to be, I got discouraged. My love didn't feel kind, patient, or persevering. The love in my marriage felt broken.

I closed the Bible. It didn't seem to do anything but make me feel worse. So much for that.

Then a few days later I heard an interview on a Christian radio station where a couple was talking about these same verses. I wanted to gag and turn the station. What do they know about how hard love can be? That's when they said a statement that grabbed me, "Love isn't a feeling, it's a decision."

Wow.

I went home and flipped to 1 Corinthians 13 again. This time instead of reading it like a list of what love should make me feel, I read it as if I could decide to make my love fit these qualities. My love will be kind. My love will be patient. My love will persevere. Not because I feel it — but because I choose it.

At the same time God was working on my husband's heart as well. We decided to make some 1 Corinthians 13 love decisions. Slowly, the cold stone wall between us started to come down.

It wasn't easy. It wasn't overnight. But slowly our attitudes and our actions toward one another changed. And I stopped believing the marriage lies and replaced them with 3 marriage truths:

• Having a good marriage is more about being the right partner than having the right partner.
• Love is a decision.
• The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's greener where you water and fertilize it.

Maybe you've heard the marriage lies before. My heart aches for you if you are in a hard place in your marriage. And believe me, I know tough relationships are stinkin' complicated and way beyond what a simple devotion can possibly untangle. But maybe something I've said today can help loosen one knot ... or at least breathe a little hope into your life today.

Dear Lord, thank You for this truth, no matter how hard it is to read. Thanks for Your Holy Spirit, who gives me strength to turn from the lies and walk in Your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Read this very important article posted at Lysa's blog today: "But what if my husband has given up?" Sometimes the best investment you can make in your marriage is tough love. Read more by clicking here.

It's that time of year when wedding bells ring. Why not pick up a set of Lysa's books Capture His Heart and Capture Her Heart for the new bride and groom, and a set for you and your spouse?

Reflect and Respond:
Do you believe you married the wrong person, that he should make you feel loved, that there is someone else better out there?

How can you be the right partner for your spouse today?

Love is a decision. Decide today to water and fertilize your marriage.

Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (NIV)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 13, 2012

Interrupt Me
Luann Prater


"I was a stranger and you invited me in ..." Matthew 25:35 (NIV 1984)

After five years of living in our house, my husband finally agreed we needed curtains on the windows. Not to block the view, but to enhance it. (That is a breakthrough, right there.)

Deciding on just the right thing, at just the right sale price, was a challenge. In the span of a week I put up rods, ironed drapes, switched them out and took them down. The gals in the drapery department at the local store knew me by my first name.

The last place I planned to be was at the mall, exchanging curtains, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. But there I was, ringing out at the register.

And there she was, Vivian. She breathlessly approached the counter asking to use the phone. It seemed this young girl had been dropped off to go to work and discovered she wasn't scheduled. She needed to find someone to pick her up.

That's when I felt a familiar knock on my heart. Actually, it was pounding pretty good. I knew when I felt that it meant God had an interruption planned.

"Do you need a ride?" I asked. All activity stopped. She looked at me quizzically. The cashier waited to see what would happen next. Vivian cocked her head to the side in disbelief and replied, "Uh, yes."

"I'm leaving; I'll take you," came out of my mouth.

Can I just say that was not on my agenda? My list was probably like yours, a mile long with things that needed to be done before the end of the day. But the truths of Matthew 25 resonated within me. I knew God asked me to be on the lookout for strangers to invite in: into my home, into my church and it appeared, into my routine.

I discovered a little bit about my new friend during our ride. She has seven siblings. Because of her mom's drug abuse, five were adopted out of the family six years ago, leaving just her and her brother. No one wants 13 and 14 year olds she explained. Her decisions thereafter took her down some wrong roads.

We talked about church and she said she'd been a few times, but didn't go now.

"Vivian, God put us together on purpose today. He has a plan for your life. You didn't expect to run into me and I didn't expect to run into you, yet here we are. Unusual, don't you think?"

She agreed. "Yes. In today's world, no one takes a chance on anyone. I couldn't believe you offered me a ride."

I asked about her past and her hopes for the future. In twenty minutes we bonded. "Are you working Sunday?" I asked.

"No, I'm off," she replied.

"I'll pick you up for church if you want to go with us." She said she thought that would be great!

I got out of the car and wrapped her in a hug. Then I prayed over her as we stood amazed at how quickly we'd connected.

Looking back, I'm thankful for interruptions; some of the most memorable moments have been unexpected. God wants to interrupt us for His purposes, inviting Him and others into our lives in unexpected ways.

Dear Lord, please open my heart, my eyes, and my routine to Your divine interruptions. May it be said of me, I'm a woman who invited You in. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Luann's blog and listen to her Encouragement Café radio show for loads of fun and spiritual application for real life!

Will you pray about inviting a Compassion International child into your heart?

Reflect and Respond:
"The ultimate rich man, Jesus Christ, became poor for you. That means that we ought to be deeply involved in the lives of broken people in this city. And it means not just giving your charity, giving your money, though that's very important. But it means giving your time, giving your relationship ..." ~Tim Keller

Look for ways God is interrupting you today. Who can you 'invite in'?

Power Verses:
Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (ESV)

Matthew 25:35-40, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (ESV)

© 2012 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 16, 2012

Swim Lessons
T. Suzanne Eller


"But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." Matthew 14:30 (NLT)

When I was a little girl my father decided it was time for me to learn to swim. He took me by an arm and leg and swung me high. I landed in the water with a splash, popping my small head up like a turtle, coughing and sputtering. Somehow I dog-paddled to the side.

It was the way his father taught him to swim, and the way he thought it best to teach me. Personally, I believe a pair of floaties would have been helpful.

Perhaps Peter felt the same way in Matthew 14. The waves were rocking from an impending storm, when suddenly Peter saw someone walking toward him on the water. The other men were terrified, but Peter leaned in closer.

It was Jesus!

"Don't be afraid," Jesus called out.

"If it's You, tell me to come to You," Peter replied.

"Come," Jesus said.

With a leap, Peter flew out of the boat. Within seconds reality hit. Peter couldn't walk on water, much less swim in the cascading waves. In terror he cried out, "Save me." Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, and together they made their way to safety.

Many times the focus on this story is on Peter's fear. But what about his faith? Peter wasn't certain of his own abilities. He wasn't sure how to overcome the waves. He simply jumped because Jesus bid him "come."

There are times in my own life that I have heard my Savior call, "Come!"

Trust Me in this.

Don't look at the waves; look at Me.

I'm not going to let you sink.

And I am afraid. I am aware of my limitations. I see the challenges, and experience the obstacles once I'm in the water. Yet the end result is less about my ability or whether I "walk on water" successfully, but how I respond to His call.

The difference between my earthly father (who I treasure in spite of throwing me in a lake), and my Heavenly Daddy, is that I am never left to dog-paddle alone to shore. Jesus is right there with me. To teach me. To help me through the rougher waves. To remind me of Who to trust when I feel ill-equipped.

Perhaps you feel Jesus calling you to a swim lesson. To go deeper in your relationships. In your faith. In ministry. Perhaps to discover a new level of trust as you move out of the "boat."

Jump!

He's there, His arms open wide. He's your Savior, and He knows exactly what His girl can do with a swim lesson or two.

Dear Lord, I feel You calling me to deeper waters. I've held back out of fear. Help me to take my eyes off the obstacles and place my focus on You. Thank You for swim lessons that allow me to reach for Your strong arms and trust in Your plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzanne Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.

Visit Suzie's blog where she shares what to do when you feel that you are sinking.

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

Join Suzie in her Live Free Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free and trust God.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
Trust isn't impetuous: Peter asked Jesus to confirm that it was Him. If you feel God calling you, pray. Listen for His voice.

Trust is not a reaction, but rather a response: Peter wasn't trying to prove anything to the guys in the boat or even to himself; he simply obeyed.

Trust isn't about success: Peter was afraid. He floundered. But He also learned a powerful lesson, how to reach for Jesus in the waves. How many times did this "swim lesson" prove valuable throughout his life?

What is one swim lesson Jesus is teaching you right now?

Power Verses:
Isaiah 41:13, "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (NIV)

Isaiah 43:2a, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." (NIV)

© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 17, 2012

When Friendship is Tough
Lysa TerKeurst


"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)

One of the wisest pieces of advice on friendship I ever got was from one of my daughters. She was in middle school at the time. You know that awkward place where insecurities run rampant, hormones rage, and your best friend one day becomes your worst enemy the next? So lovely.

She got in the car one day with tears filling her eyes. She waited until we pulled out of the school parking lot to let all her hurt leak down her cheeks.

"Rough day?" I asked.

"Awful," she replied.

I turned down the radio, waited until we were at a red light, and reached for her hand. "Wanna talk about it?"

"Nope," she whispered as she turned her face away from me toward the window. The rest of the night she sulked around the house. And no matter how many times I tried to get her to talk, this normally very vocal child wouldn't open up.

The next morning, I was surprised when she bounded down the stairs with a smile on her face.

"Well hey! You sure look happy this morning," I said as I lifted up quick thank you prayers to God for whatever had brought back the sunshine to my girl's life.

"Mom," she said with great authority, "I've decided something about friends. They all have good stuff and bad stuff. Things you like and things that really annoy you. So, you just have to decide if you can handle their package deal."

How wise. How true.

Friends are a package deal. And sadly, not all friendships will stand the test of time. Some friendships are for a season.

But other times, we have to be willing to deal with the messy stuff to fight for our friendships.

Recently, I had something hard happen with a friend I dearly love and greatly respect. A misunderstanding. Hurt feelings. Frustration.

Part of me wanted to distance myself because it was hard to sift through the hurt. But as I prayed through it, I had to remind myself this person is a package deal. Part of what makes them a great friend that I love being around is their tenacity and passion to accomplish tasks with excellence. But because they are so task oriented, they are less relationally sensitive.

And if I'm honest with myself, I can see that I'm a package deal too. With good stuff. And annoying stuff.

They have issues. I have issues.

We're both messy people, willing to work on our not-so-fun stuff, who are fully aware we're going to hit some muddy little potholes along our friendship path.

But we've decided the package deal is worth it.

Dear Lord, thank You for my friendships. I know some will last a lifetime, and some will fade after a short season. Please help me be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with my friends in love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Take the Three Day Friendship Challenge being offered on Lysa's website this week by clicking here. It's free and it's eye-opening!

Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst

Take a girlfriend to hear Lysa speak this year. To see her speaking schedule click here.

Reflect and Respond:
They have issues. You have issues. Friendships have issues.

How can you invest humility, gentleness and patience in your friendships today?

Power Verse:
1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." (NIV)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 18, 2012

It's Not Supposed to be This Way
Renee Swope


"We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39 (NIV, 1984)

"I can't do this."
"Things will never change."
"My life isn't going to get better."
"I'll never have the confidence I need."

Those are some depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how quickly they slip into our minds and convince our hearts that they are true.

There have been times when I felt almost paralyzed by thoughts like these that were laced with uncertainty.

Times when I let self-doubt convince me that feelings of inadequacy and discouragement were normal.

Times when I've shrunk back from changes and challenges, as well as opportunities and open doors.

Other times I've pulled back in my relationships - with family and friends, and even God. Shrinking back into a place of unbelief ... settling for less than God's best.

All because I was tired of muddling through apprehension and indecision.

Are there days when doubt convinces you that feeling inadequate and discouraged is normal? Or that having confident assurance isn't possible for someone like you?

I think we sometimes forget we have an enemy who uses self-doubt against us - who shouts from the sidelines:

"It's too hard."
"You might as well quit."
"Go ahead and give up."
"You don't have what it takes."

It's time for us to take a stand and stop listening to these lies. God wants us to know and believe that with Christ all things are possible - even a confident heart.

Otherwise doubt, and the enemy, will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat.

But it's not supposed to be this way.

All throughout scripture, God tells us things can change; life can be better. He declares with confidence: "See, I am doing a new thing!" "I am working all things together for good for those who love me and are called according to my purpose." "All things are possible to [her] who believes." (Isa. 43:19; Rom. 8:28; Mark 9:23)

So how do we stop listening to our doubts and start living in the power of God's promises?

By choosing to believe God's truths more than our feelings and fears. By moving beyond believing in God to really believing God as we rely on the power of His Words and live like they are true - no matter what our feelings tell us.

It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, doubt-by-doubt decision where we process our thoughts and emotions with God, positioning our hearts and minds to let His perspective redefine ours with each uncertainty we face.

Some days I do better than others, and you will too. But I have found that it's possible to have lasting Christ-confidence by choosing to remember to believe.

Let's choose to remember today, and every day, the words of Hebrews 10:39, that we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed - but of those who believe and are saved!

Lord, give me a confident heart in Christ. I want You to lead me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. When self-doubt tells me I can't overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Today's devotion is based on truths Renee also shares in her powerful book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.

Are you ready to live in the power of God's promises? To take hold of the security of His love? Join Renee's online study of her best-selling book, A Confident Heart, beginning April 23rd. Here's what others are saying about her study:

Through this online study of A Confident Heart I have learned to seek and find the strength God desires me to have. I can also be confident that when I do fall short God still loves me anyway. What a blessing and a gift! ~ Cindy

This book and online study has made such a difference in my life. I now see myself as God sees me, and that gives me confidence to be more of the person He has always desired me to be. I am beautiful in His eyes, and now believe He is really the one who matters! ~Sherri

Click here for more details about Renee's online study or sign up here today!

For more daily encouragement and powerful truths, join Renee's Confident Heart Facebook page.

Reflect and Respond:
Have you ever agreed with the whispers of doubt and found yourself stuck in a cycle of defeat? Is there a promise in today's devotion, or in the power verses below, that ministers to your greatest need? Why not write it down and pray it out loud - claiming God's truth and letting it become yours today.

Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 2:14, "But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ." (GW)

Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)

© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 19, 2012

Getting to Where You're Going
Amy Carroll


"... continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out." Nehemiah 4:21 (NIV)

While it's true that God ultimately accomplishes His purposes in ways far beyond what we can ask or imagine, we have a part to play in His plans. God recently had me read the book of Nehemiah to see how one of His servants accomplished the huge task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.

I came away with a deep appreciation for my part of success—organization, communication, energy, delegation and hard, hard work. Scripture actually says that Nehemiah and the Israelites "...continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out." (Nehemiah 4:21b NIV)

I've been guilty like many Christians in talking about my calling and spiritualizing "trusting God" without being willing to follow Him in obedience into the day-to-day labor required to build His Kingdom.

How about you? Is something keeping you from doing the work? Perhaps you're faced with paralyzing questions posed by fear? "What if I try and fail?" "What if nobody else believes in me?" "What if God doesn't show up?" or worse "What if I've misheard God and am missing His will?"

Or, are there distractions and time-wasters that take your focus off of what you know God's wants you to do?

It's taken me many years to come to a place that I find the thought of working toward my calling encouraging rather than discouraging. I'm encouraged that it doesn't take innate genius or prodigal gifting to fulfill my calling. I don't have either of those.

In an article published in The New York Times, David Brooks wrote about the place of hard work in success. He shared:

"The key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not a divine spark ... Instead, it's deliberate practice. Top performers spend more hours (many more hours) rigorously practicing their craft."

A study cited in the same article said that musicians who were said to be virtuoso practiced 10,000 hours; 5,000 more than those simply considered to be good.

It reminded me of something I'd heard in an interview with my friend Lysa TerKeurst. She said that many people ask how she became a New York Times bestselling author overnight. Her answer was simply, "Through 17 years of hard work. I determined that I would do all that I could do while completely trusting God to do what only He could do."

I'm called to become an increasingly effective communicator for Christ, not so that people can stand in awe of Amy Carroll but so that they can stand in awe of the One I speak about—Jesus. I'm called to help other women to grow too. I can't do that unless I'm a life-long student, learner and worker.

What's your calling? Are you doing the work? My definition in this case is simply moment-by-moment, day-by-day obedience to God's Word and the leading of His Spirit. Some days that will look like moving forward while other days it will be stillness, waiting and listening. Either way, let's start working right now!

Dear Lord, thank You for the calling on my life. Even though parts of my heart are nervous and struggle, I want to do the work and walk in obedience to You. Thanks for helping me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Follow this link for beautiful encouragement from Amy on her blog.

Register today for She Speaks! Our annual conference that helps equip women in their calling to lead, speak and write.

Contact our Next Step Speaker Services for help becoming a more seasoned speaker.

Reflect and Respond:
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." ~Thomas Edison

Pray for freedom from fear or distractions. Plan for time to work on your calling. Prepare your heart to hear from God.

Power Verse:
Proverbs 31:17, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." (NIV)

© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.