Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

August 1, 2012
Always on Time
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Friend To Friend
I grew up in Texas where we lived in what some might call a "shack" on the edge of a small town. To me, it was just home. My amazing mother often worked three jobs to make ends meet but that "meeting" did not always happen. Looking back, I can honestly say that God always provided what we needed - when we needed it. He still does.

My husband and I knew the finances would be tight last week but we did not expect the brakes to go out on one of our cars or plan a trip to urgent care or expect the electric bill to be so high. The cost of groceries suggested that we fast for awhile and the rent was due. I know you can relate.

After many years of serving God, you would think I would know and walk in the truth that God is our source and provides everything we need - when we need it. Oh, no! I panicked! A frantic search for some solution to our financial problems ensued. In the midst of that panic, I suddenly remembered the mail. Interesting timing wasn't it?

I had not checked our mailbox in three days and knew the box would be crammed full. When I unlocked our mailbox, a pile of newspapers, envelopes, magazines, bills and cards spilled into my hands and onto the ground. The mailman had also left me a key to the larger mailbox below that was usually reserved for packages. It was full of mail as well. I cleared off the kitchen table where I began sorting through the mound of paper, discarding all of the junk mail and organizing the rest.

And then I saw it – an envelope that seemed to stand out from the rest of the mail.

I slowly opened the envelope. The return address told me it was from the Women's Ministry Director of a church where I had spoken several months before. One of my best friends was a member of the church, and I had offered to speak for an event that I hoped would encourage her as well as each woman who attended. I did not ask for or expect an honorarium, but as I slowly opened the envelope, I saw a check written for the exact amount that would meet our financial needs for the week.

I fell into a chair and began to pray, asking God to forgive my lack of faith and my choice to worry instead of trusting Him. I marveled in the knowledge that the check had been written long before the need became evident to me. In other words, God met our need before we even knew we had a need.

By the way, I am a mail freak and have been for most of my life. I check the mail every single day without fail. Not this week! God knew I needed a reminder of His faithfulness and He knew exactly when I needed it. He is always right on time.

Let's Pray
Father, Thank You for meeting the needs in my life in Your perfect timing. Forgive me when I fail to trust You and allow worry to steal my joy. I want to be patient and learn how to wait on You to work in my life. Your faithfulness sustains me and Your mercy blesses my life. I praise You, God!
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read Psalm 104:13-15. How does this passage of Scripture encourage you to trust God in every area of your life?

Read Luke 6:38. What does this verse say to you about the relationship between giving and receiving from God?

What need in your life is a source of fear and uncertainty? Right now, surrender that need to God and praise Him for meeting it.

More from the Girlfriends
God's love is not a shallow love that always rescues easily or quickly. God loves us enough to walk us through the fiery times that make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are different from our thoughts. He is Holy God! Join me in a new commitment to trust God to work at the right time and in the right way in your life.

Need help?Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more.

Join other women across the worldin Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Stop! Drop! Roll! begins August 6. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2012 studies we have done so far. Check it out!

Going through a tough time?Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

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


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

[Judy Harder]

August 2, 2012
God said, "It is Very Good"
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth:
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good," - (Genesis 1:31 NIV).

Friend to Friend:
It's 7:05 AM.  I'm sitting on my patio with a cup of steaming coffee in my hand and a well-worn Bible in my lap. A gentle morning breeze ruffles my hair. Quietly, God whispers, Listen.           

"What God," I answer, "Are you going to tell me something special?"           

Just listen.           

I close my eyes and let the sounds of morning paint a picture on the canvas of my mind.           

A robin sweetly sings. She's answered by a crow's caw. A red bird chirps and a high pitched staccato tweet interrupts. A dove coos sweet nothings to his lifetime mate and she returns coos in reply. An orchestra of various birds fill the air like instruments tuning before the curtain rises on a new day.           

The telephone rings and I am startled back to reality as the modern day task master demands and requests. The day has begun, and I promise to sit with the Lord once again at day's end.

It's 7:05 PM. I am sitting on my patio with a steaming cup of coffee in my hand and a much-loved book in my lap. Once again God says, Listen.

"Are you going to tell me something special?" I asked.

Just listen.

The birds are still singing, but their songs are masked by other noises congesting the air.  Cars roar as they speed down the nearby highway. A plane soars overhead leaving a trail of rumble following behind. A violin whines as a child practices her lessons. A little girl squeals with delight as she's chased by her daddy home from work. A rhythmic thump echoes on the concrete as a teenage boy bounces a basketball on the sidewalk.  An ambulance siren pierces the evening as it heads to rescue someone in distress. A train whistles in the distance.

The phone rings again, but this time I ignore the interruption. The Lord calls me to sit still and think about the two bookends of my day.

I thought about the beauty of the undisturbed morning with nature awakening to a new day. That must have been a sampling of what God heard in the garden before He created man. But amazingly, He chose to create us anyway. He knew what we would do to His perfect world. He knew the cacophony of sounds we would introduce: yelling, crying, arguing, gun blasts, boom boxes, cars, airplanes, trains, and bombs – all drowning out the sounds of His creation. And knowing what He knew, He looked at man and said, "It is very good."

No matter how much noise we make, no matter how much mess we make, no matter how many times we interrupt, if He had to do it all over again, He wouldn't change a thing.

As you go about your day, stop and thank God for His gentle whispers among the noises of life.

Oh God, You are very good.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, sometimes I wonder why You bother with us at all. And yet, You love us. You looked at man and woman in the Garden of Eden and said, "It is very good."  I am amazed at Your great love for me.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
When is the last time you rose early in the morning to listen to God's creation before the rest of the world began to stir? Give it a try. Set your alarm and join God in your backyard. Take a pad of paper and write down your thoughts. Note the sounds of creation that you hear.

Yes, we do make a lot of noise and make quite a mess, but as one song writer said, "These are the signs of life."  Make a list of the signs of life you see around your home today. Perhaps it is a bicycle in the front yard, a toy left on the floor, a dirty sock peeking from under a chair. These are the signs of life in our little part of the world.

Where is your favorite place to meet with God? Share you answer on my blog/devo page. Look for today's post and leave a comment.

More from the Girlfriends
Have you ever had a God-moment in your life?  A time when you saw God's fingerprints on the pages of your day? My devotion book, Listening to God Day-by-Day has 100 of my favorite devotions filled with God-moments right smack dab in the middle of my busy messy days. It makes a great gift for someone who needs a bit of encouragement. That might be you.

[Judy Harder]

August 3, 2012
The Power of Quiet
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul - (Psalm 23:1-3a, NIV).

Friend To Friend
There are times when laundry takes over my house. Piles build up, though I try to stay on top of them. Many of the clothes are clean and even folded, but not put away. That tricky put-away-part is always hard for me.

Then there are the socks. Oh, the socks! They burden me so! I'm half tempted to believe that a great sock nation exists,and that sock-soldiers are on a secret mission to destroy my testimony by driving me crazy. Divide and conquer. That's what they do! Why can't socks just behave? Why can't they ever stay in pairs, and where am I supposed to put the socks that remain unmatched? (Insert dramatic sigh here...) Unmatched socks and folded-but-not-put-away-laundry tie me up in knots. I don't like to admit it, but sometimes days go by before I make the time to put them away.

Is it just me?

I've come to realize that my days can be a lot like my laundry situation. At times they get piled up with "busy." Sabbath gets squeezed out. Now, when I say Sabbath, I mean the priority of sitting before the Lord just to sit with Him ... quietly ... expectantly ... to listen. Though I do include God in my days and breathe prayers throughout, when I don't sit before the Lord – and exercise the spiritual discipline of being quiet before God – it seems that both old and new burdens can tie my heart into a frazzled knot.

It had been one of those weeks. Knots. Knots. Knots. Then I finally remembered the power of quiet. As I sat in the cool still of the morning with a hot mug of coffee in my hand and the warming presence of God in my soul, the burdens of my heart began to drift away. Direction came. Joy resounded. Mercy rained. Peace ... deep peace fell.

It was when the companion of God's Spirit had begun to transform my soul, my thoughts, my goals, and my day that I realized, as if I had slumbered half the week away ... this is where they go. This is where my burdens belong. The old ones that I've written about time and time again in my prayer journal and the new ones that are just beginning to unravel from my heart. This is where they go! I just needed to put my continuous stream of life-burdens away like the unending piles of laundry. Then ... order, soul order. Peace, compelling peace. Joy, divine joy. It all comes.

I sat in wonder. Still. In His presence. Convicted of my failure to remember the power of being quiet before the Lord. "Of course this is where they go. I knew that. I knew that. Lord, forgive me. Oh, how I'm thankful for your daily mercy showers."

Jesus tells all who believe that we should go to Him. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

When our lives get too busy ... when the laundry piles up in our homes and the burdens pile up in our hearts, we often forget the power of quiet. The power of being still before God. The power of listening, expecting, soul-pouring ... receiving rest. His presence sorts souls and never leaves an unmatched burden. His presence never leaves and un-lifted burden. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Take some time to power-down and be still before Him right now. Remember the power of quiet as you exchange your burdens for His peace.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Your mercy is fresh each day, and Your grace piles higher than all my laundry and all my heart-woes. Thank You, Lord! I'm here. Please align my heart to Yours. Quiet me with Your love, direction, and peace today.

In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

When is the last time you sat and were still before God – with no music playing, no TV on, etc.?

When we spend purposed time with the Lord, beautiful things happen. Look up Zephaniah 3:17 and fill in the blanks below:

"The LORD your God is _______ _________, he is mighty to save. 
He will take ___________ ______________in you, he will _____________ you with his ______________, he will _____________ over you with ________________."

More from the Girlfriends
Are you up for a personal GiG challenge? I challenge you to add a ten-minute "Sabbath" to your day for the next week. (I recommend you do it as soon as you wake up, but that's your call.) Simply sit before the Lord and let Him know you are there. You might want to start your time by reading a psalm and responding in prayer. Then be still. Just ten minutes a day for a week. Ready for the challenge? Let me know by telling me on my Facebook wall: www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic. Hope you will join me!

DO YOU LOVE TO WORSHIP? My newest CD, Uncluttered,features songs that 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. You can download the songs from iTunesor Amazon– or order the CD on www.GwenSmith.net.

[Judy Harder]

August 6, 2012
Masterpiece by the Bay
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32 NASB).

Friend to Friend
I grew up on the East Coast and was excited when my family decided to visit San Francisco for our vacation. My heart's desire and prayer for each day was that we would see God's handiwork, hear His voice and be reminded of His greatness as we ventured out like three eager explorers to discover new aspects of His creation.

We traveled south along the shoreline and were amazed at the 200 foot regal cliffs that rose from the earth, pushing heavenward with waves splashing at their feet. Then we traveled north and drank in the beauty of acres and acres of vineyards on grassy rolling hills in the Napa Valley wine country. We hiked through the majestic Redwood Forest and stood under 1,000 year old, 260 foot giants - dwarfed by their towering branches.

But the most amazing sight was in a place called Alcatraz. There in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, just a mile and a quarter from the sights and sounds of the beautiful city, sits a rock island, known by some as the "Devils Island of America." From 1934-1963, Alcatraz was a prison where the country's most corrupt, incorrigible criminals were housed. Al Capone and machine Gun Kelly were just two of the more colorful residents.

There is no road to the prison, so we took a ferry across the bay. As we taxied up to "The Rock" and stared at the shell of concrete walls, barbed wire, and iron bars, an eerie feeling crept over my body. Each of us picked up head phones and a cassette recorder and toured the prison while listening to the taped voices of various prisoners recount their days behind bars. I walked in a cell called "the hole," closed my eyes, and tried to imagine what it would be like in solitary confinement with no light, no sound, and no other voice but my own. My heart grew heavy as I thought about the souls that passed those halls, souls full of darkness, depression and despair.

But as I rounded the final corner of the tour, I saw an amazing sight - a white haired eighty year old grandfather, with crystal blue laughing eyes and a radiant smile that spread across his wrinkled face. A line formed as tourists stood waiting for him to sign his name and number on his autobiography, Alcatraz: From the Inside. This precious man before me was Jim Quillen, ex-prisoner #AZ586. He had spent ten years of his life, from 1942-1952, behind bars in this prison built to house the most dangerous criminals of his day. I looked in his eyes as we spoke. This was not the face of a dangerous man.  What had happened to change his life?

I didn't have to flip many pages in his book to find the answer. In it he wrote, "It was only through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and His intercession, that my life of hopeless incarceration was averted. His help and forgiveness permitted me to obtain freedom, family, and a useful and productive place in society." I went back over to Mr. Quillen and sat by his side for a minute or so. We chatted for a moment and he autographed my copy of his book. Then God spoke to my heart, "You prayed that you would see My handiwork and be reminded of My greatness. This man is some of my best work."

On my trip to San Francisco, I was reminded of God's unchanging strength in the majestic rock cliffs of the shoreline and of His nurturing care as the Vinedresser in the hills of the wine country. I saw a picture of God's protective canopy over His children in the towering Redwoods of the forest. But when I looked into Jim Quillen's eyes, I saw God's most incredible masterpiece: a changed life.

And that's what you are, dear sister...an incredible masterpiece crafted by God.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free! You took my pain and turned it into purpose. You took my hurt and turned it into hope. You took my fear and turned it into faith. Thank you, O Lord, for setting my feet to dancing  and my voice to singing Your praise!  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Who is a person that has shown the most dramatic change since he or she became a Christian?

What has been the most dramatic change in your life since you gave your life to Christ?

This summer, as you head out on vacation, ask God to reveal Himself to you in special ways.  And when He does, I'd love to hear about it! Tell me about it at Sharon@sharonjaynes.com or post it on my blog page at www.sharonjaynes.com.

If you'd like to see a picture of me and Jim Quillen, click over to my blog page and take a peek!

More from the Girlfriends
Have you ever had a God-moment in your life?  A time when you saw God's fingerprints on the pages of your day? My devotion book, Listening to God Day-by-Day has 100 of my favorite devotions filled with God-moments right smack dab in the middle of my busy messy days. It makes a great gift for someone who needs a bit of encouragement. That might be you.

[Judy Harder]

 August 7, 2012
Beautiful Irritations
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am the LORD, your God (NIV).

Friend to Friend
Life can be so irritating. More often than not, it is the little things that annoy me the most.  The lost set of keys. The misplaced cell phone. The ice-maker that refuses to do its job on a hot summer day. The empty tea pitcher stuck back in the refrigerator. But then there are times when people are the problem. They show up uninvited or call when I am running out the door, already late for an appointment that I really don't have time to keep. Been there?

I am convinced that these tiny irritations are a tool in the hand of a loving Father who uses them as "heavenly sandpaper" to rub off some of our rough edges.

I was invited to speak for a women's conference based on the theme, "Pearls of Wisdom." When I arrived at the conference center, I was greeted by women wearing pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, pearl pins, hats covered in multicolored pearls ... you name it, and they wore it if it had pearls. Each table was beautifully decorated with treasure chests overflowing with strands of pearls. Oyster shells held candy mints that looked like pearls and each name tag was decorated with a single pearl. It was amazing!

I was warmly welcomed and then promptly introduced to the event director and leadership team who were excited and ready to go - except for one problem. I was "pearl-less." I was quickly told that the speaker had to wear pearls of some kind. I did not have any pearls but this creative group of ladies was not easily deterred and before I knew it, I was wearing a stunning pearl necklace - and the pearls were the real deal. I could just see that necklace breaking while I was speaking, but before I could utter one word of protest, the owner of the necklace said, "Don't worry! You can just give it back to me at the end of the conference." And off we went!

I am what you might call an "active" speaker in that I cannot stand still and talk at the same time. I get excited, pace the stage, arms waving and can literally work up quite a sweat. The "Pearls of Wisdom" conference was no exception. In fact, it was a blistering summer day and the air conditioning was having trouble keeping up with the size of the crowd. By the time I finished speaking, I was indeed "glowing." When we were dismissed for the day, women waited in line to talk, ask for prayer or share a new truth God had given them. I forgot all about the pearl necklace until its owner quietly slipped up beside me and said, "I have to leave and need to retrieve my necklace." As she began to undo the necklace clasp, I apologized for perspiring all over her beautiful pearls. She laughed and said, "Actually, it is good for them. Human perspiration helps the pearls keep their luster."

I am constantly amazed at the profound truths God has tucked into the simple things of life. Pearls are formed when a piece of grit, sand or shell is trapped inside an oyster. The oyster protects itself from irritation by secreting a nacreous liquid that surrounds the irritant until it eventually becomes a pearl. In other words, what begins as an annoying irritant eventually becomes a valuable treasure. The same is true in life.

Looking back, I can honestly say that the greatest treasures in my life have been discovered during the darkest times of my life. A battle with clinical depression stripped away years of fear and doubt, leaving me with a new identity in Christ and a ministry I never thought possible. The inability to have biological children made it possible to adopt our son and daughter, Jered and Danna, giving my husband and me a gift beyond measure. Over the years, weaknesses have given way to strengths and failures have led to successes and God has used it all for His glory and my good.

In God's economy, a mess is the perfect setting for a miracle, girlfriend. A sliver of hope and a seed of victory are buried at the center of every problem. God has gone before you. He has already been where you are going and in every trial or difficult moment of life, God has buried a treasure. When the tough times come, just look for the pearls.

Let's Pray
Father, I am so sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don't go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day - good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that You really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. May others see You in my life.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read James 1:2-4 and answer the following questions:

·         What does the word "consider" suggest as a response to difficult circumstances?
·         What should our first response be to trials?
·         What does the testing of our faith produce in us?
·         What promise does James give us when we are faithful and choose to stand strong when life is hard?
·         How do these truths relate to your life today?

More from the Girlfriends
I don't know about you, but I tend to look for the nearest exit when a storm hits. Avoiding difficult people and complicated circumstances tends to be one of my most common goals. Can you relate? What we really need to do is cultivate an attitude of unshakable confidence in God and keep a "but God" promise in our heart.

"My husband has lost his job, but God will provide."
"The doctors have said there is no hope, but God is the Great Physician."
"I don't know what to do, but God will show me the way."

We live in uncertain times which demand a certain hope that can only be found in God.  Right now, choose faith over feeling. Don't doubt in the darkness what you learned in the light. God is with you, friend. Look for the pearls!

Need help?Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more.

Join other women across the worldin Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Stop! Drop! Roll! begins August 6. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2012 studies we have done so far. Check it out!

Going through a tough time?Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.





August 8, 2012
The Ache for Something More
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing" (Psalm 39:6 NLT).

Friend to Friend
Most of us come to Christ with a certain"inloveness"—a stirring of emotion mixed with an inexplicable knowing that we've discovered our reason for being. But some years into our spiritual journey, the wonder that swelled during the early years ebbs into routine religion laced with busyness. And we secretly question the point of it all. There has to be more than this,we muse. There has to be something more. What am I missing? What's wrong with me? I'm doing all the right things, but God seems so far away. I'm trying as hard as I can, but it never seems to be enough. What does God really want from me anyway?         

For decades, as I have had the privilege of ministering to women, I have heard the same heart-cry from those who desire to have a deep, intimate, exuberant relationship with Christ but don't know how to find it.

Here's part of one email:

Here's the crux of my problem. After I gave my life to Christ, I joined a church and began reading the Bible daily. Yet, I never experienced that overwhelming feeling of change that so many others experience. In my quiet times, when I seek to know Him better and wait quietly for answers, I do not get the nudges that others talk about. I know that some people hit rock bottom and then experience a dramatic life change accompanied by an emotional high. I sometimes wonder if I will have to experience some great trial in order to have the wonderful feelings of a true relationship with Christ.

I try to start each day with quiet time, scripture reading and prayer. I try to have a God-focused day. Is something wrong with me? Do other women feel this emptiness too? Should I be feeling something more? What more should I be doing? I know Christ loves me, but something is missing and I don't even know what it is. What should I do?

—Stephanie (Not her real name. Used by permission.)

Perhaps you can relate. You long to feel close to God but sense there's just something lacking, that you've missed the mysterious formula to make it happen. I call this a "glory ache" —a persistent longing to experience God's presence on a daily basis. Perhaps like most women, you've tried desperately to balance the montage of mundane demands and somehow slip God into the white spaces that are few and far between. You long to spend time in the sacred with God, but find the desire crowded out by the responsibilities of the secular—the daily demands—that lay claim to your attention. You yearn to experience God's presence, but feel far away from Him as you reach to click off the bedside lamp and collapse exhausted once again. Maybe tomorrow, you sigh.

The travesty is that we allow the busyness of life to crowd out the Source of life. As the Psalmist wrote, "We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing" (Psalm 39:6 NLT). Ann Voskamp echoes that lament: "In a world addicted to speed, I blur the moments into one unholy smear."

And in that unholy smear, that blur of the world passing quickly by, we know something's not quite right. So we strike out to make it all better. And most of us are quick to think 'something more' means 'doing more.' We ramp it up and gun the engines—sign up for a new committee, volunteer for a new cause, bake one more casserole to feed the sick. We attempt to silence the hunger pains of the heart by feeding it the bread and water of duty. And at the end of the day, while we might feel a self-induced sense of well-being, the hollowness in our soul that can only be satisfied with God echoes with the grumblings of hunger still.

We long for a sense of closeness with God, but we have a hard time putting our finger on exactly what that closeness would look like. It's just something more. Something different. A flavor we have yet to taste. A country we have yet to visit. A sunset we have yet to experience. A lover we have yet to embrace. There has to be something more, we cry! And we are quite right. We are craving the closeness that comes with an intimate relationship with Jesus.

So we try so harder. We go to Bible studies, attend church, say our prayers, and read our devotions. Check, check, check. And yet, we constantly feel that we are somehow letting God down. With the last amen of the day, we sigh, What more does God want from me?

And here's the thing. We're asking the wrong question. It is not what God wants from you. It is what God wants for you. Abundant life (John 10:10). Constant communion with Him. Intimate union with Him.

He's inviting you into intimate union. Right now. Right where you are. Perhaps you need to stop trying to get what you already have and simply grab hold.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, soothe my glory ache with Your presence. Help me to stay in constant communion and union with You. Forgive me when I think the glory ache can be satisfied by anything or anyone besides You, and wander off to other lovers.  You, Lord, are my stream of Living Water to quench every thirst.

Now It's Your Turn
What or who have you turned to to satisfy that ache for something more in your life? Food? People? Money? Ministry?

Do you tend to ask God what He wants from you or for you?

How would you describe the abundant life Jesus talked about in John 1010? Click over to my blog page, look for this devo/blog entry, and share your comments.

More from the Girlfriends
Do you long to feel close to God but sense there's something missing? That you've missed that mysterious formula to make it happen? Do have a glory ache – a persistent longing to experience God's presence and working in your life, but not quite sure how to make it happen? If so, my new book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is just for you. Join me and discover how to erase the lines between the secular and the sacred and experience a deeper more intimate relationship with God than ever before. While you're there, you can download a free chapter or watch a video book trailer.

[Judy Harder]

August 9, 2012
Praise God Anyway
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts; whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him (Psalm 68:4).

Friend to Friend
I love the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today. She did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." She did and she had a great day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail." So she did and she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "Yes!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Now that's what I call having a good attitude.

Attitude can transform anything and everything – thoughts, habits, and perspectives.  We can literally change our lives by changing the way we think. In Isaiah 26:3 (NLT), we find the promise, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you." A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled with praise – and girlfriend, praise is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal. Praise brings healing to our spirit. When we honestly express our trust in God, then choose to give thanks, healing begins. Praise provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing. Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our messy lives and becomes a free-flowing conduit of God's very presence and power at work in us. God funnels infinite blessings into a life that praises Him. Stress and anxiety fade as peace floods the heart that is filled with praise.

Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts. (Psalm 68:4, ICB)

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3, NKJV)

Don't miss the life changing truth that we can enthrone God in every situation of our lives by praising Him. Praise converts our everyday surroundings into His dwelling place. It is from that throne of praise that God dispenses victory. Praise tunes us into His sovereignty and allows us to experience the reality and power of His presence.

Praise strengthens our prayer life. Prayer is not only a remarkable privilege that we often fail to recognize or understand, it is also part of our worship to God. There is the asking side of prayer when we seek forgiveness, lay needs before God and intercede on behalf of others. Then there is the appreciating side of prayer when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done. Our relationship with God is strengthened through prayer and praise. Now here is my favorite truth about praise. Are you ready? Praise devastates Satan and his forces. Yes! I love it! In fact, Psalm 20:5 (NIV) promises, "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God." Satan is well aware of just how powerful praise is and I suspect he absolutely hates it ... which absolutely delights me! I can almost sense his fury when I choose to praise God instead of questioning Him. He hates it when I walk by faith, setting aside feelings and emotions while focusing on God's Word and His faithfulness in my life.

No matter where you are or what you are facing, God is with you. Choose to praise Him.

Let's Pray
Father, Thank You for Your power and presence in my life. Help me remember that You are with me and are more than enough for every need in my life. Please help me learn to give You praise even when I don't feel like it or don't want to. I want to walk by faith and choose to trust You and then illustrate that trust by the way I praise You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Are you known as a woman who praises God?
As you begin each day, take time to position your mind and heart for praise. 
Look for opportunities during the day to praise God – then voice that praise aloud. 
Begin keeping a praise journal in which you write your praises to God.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help?Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more.

Join other women across the worldin Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Stop! Drop! Roll!begins August 6. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2012 studies we have done so far. Check it out!

Going through a tough time?Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past. Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.

[Judy Harder]

August 10, 2012
Cease Striving
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Quiet! Be still!" (Mark 4:39 NIV)

Friend to Friend
One January morning, I asked God, "What do You really want from me?"

I had just finished a big writing project and was ready to tackle the next big thing for God. I snuggled in my favorite den chair with a steamy cup of coffee and my well-worn Bible to spend some alone time with my Heavenly Father. I read a few verses and said my prayer. Check. Check. When I started to get up, I felt God's invisible strong hand holding me back. He wasn't finished. Be still and know that I am God, He seemed to say. Cease striving.

Suddenly, I saw myself with the disciples caught on the stormy Sea of Galilee. As I pondered the past twenty-five years of my life, I saw myself reeling in the waves of ceaseless activity. A squall of busyness raging around me—and in me. Reeling from one foamy crest of work and deadlines to the next and hanging on for dear life. In my mind's eye, the fellow passengers were not the motley crew of the first century disciples, but women from every walk, trying to steady themselves in the turbulent waters of life. Perhaps you were in the boat with me.

"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" they asked. "Help us!"

Then I sensed Jesus speaking to me just as He had spoken to the raucous wind and waves, "Quiet! Be still! Settle down!"

So I sat.

After a few moments, I realized I didn't really know how to be quiet and settle down. I had never mastered the full idea of "be still and know." I knew that God was God. It was the "be still" part that stumped me. Sitting still was not in my nature, and perhaps it was my nature God was trying to tame. My "nature" or natural bent of working for God was standing in the way of my worship of and communion with God. My daily routine of sanctioned quiet times was getting in the way of the divine romance in which He wanted me to engage.

Does it surprise you that I could say such words? Oh friend, I am nothing if I am not honest. I have that glory ache, the longing to experience God's presence and working in my life, just like you. Sometimes I can get so busy doing, doing, doing, that God's gentle whisper drawing me closer is drowned out by the noises of my own making. How sad to admit, that sometimes when God extends his hand to invite me onto the dance floor of life, my dance card is already full. Many nights I lean over to turn out the bedside lamp, collapse in exhaustion, and sigh, "maybe tomorrow, Lord."

I don't think "be still and know" comes naturally to any of us. Aren't we taught to get moving? "Keep your eye on the ball."  "Focus on the target."  "If you don't' know where you are going, you probably won't get there." Motivational phrases for sure. But this was God talking, and He had a different message. While the world prods, "Don't just stand there, do something!" God was telling me quite the opposite. "Don't just do something, stand there."

Now He had my attention. So I stayed put.

"OK God," I asked, "What do You really want from me?

He surprised me. He often does, when I take the time to listen. Acts 17:28 came to mind. I believe He put it there. In Him we live and move and have our being. Learn what that means, He seemed to say. I opened my Bible again and read the words, pondering each phrase individually.

In Him.
We live.
And move.
And have our being.

I sensed God speaking to my heart. That's where you will find the secret to satisfy that glory ache. That's the answer you are searching for. That's where you will find what your sisters hunger for. You've been asking the wrong question. It's not what I want fromyou. It's what I want foryou. And in this one little verse, you'll find the key—not just for yourself, but also for others in the boat with you. This will calm the squall of your frantic heart.

God startled me that morning. I was expecting Him to give me a new assignment—something to do for Him. Another project to complete. Another study to devour. Another cause to support. But He surprised me. It was none of the above. It was one verse. In Him we live and move and have our being.

I wondered, could this be the key to unlock the door behind which the salve to satisfy that glory ache was hidden? The door upon which I had been knocking far too long? I was excited to accept God's invitation as He extended His hand for mine. Today, I encourage you to take it too.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Sometimes, I am not just caught in the storm, I am the storm. Help me get quiet, settle down, and listen. Today, I am living in You. I am moving in You.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's your Turn
Go back and read the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41.

Have you ever said these words to God, or at least thought the words, "Don't you care?"

Jesus cared. Jesus cares. He's just not worried.

Today, here's what I want you to remember. Jesus is in the boat with you. If that gives you comfort, click over to my blog post of today's devotion and leave the comment : Jesus is in the boat with me.

More from the Girlfriends
Do you long to feel close to God but sense there's something missing? That you've missed that mysterious formula to make it happen? Do have a glory ache – a persistent longing to experience God's presence and working in your life, but not quite sure how to make it happen? If so, my new book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is just for you. Join me and discover how to erase the lines between the secular and the sacred and experience a deeper more intimate relationship with God than ever before. While you're there, you can download a free chapter or watch a video book trailer. Pre-orders are now accepted.

[Judy Harder]

August 13, 2012
Do You Know How to Sit Down?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Psalm 5:3 (NLT) "Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."

Friend to Friend

I had a list of things to get done. Yes, my back was killing me and I was tired, but that list kept me hurrying around the house like the proverbial Energizer Bunny. When my husband walked in from work, I gave him a quick hug and resumed my almost frantic pace. "What are you doing, honey?" Dan asked. With one of my famous sighs, I responded, "I just need to get a few things done." "How is your back?" Dan persisted. With growing irritation, I answered, "It hurts!" Dan watched me for a few minutes and then calmly stated, "You don't know how to sit down, do you?" My first response was irritation which quickly escalated into anger – until I heard the unmistakable prompting of the Holy Spirit affirming the truth Dan had spoken. I needed to learn how to stop and sit down – and rest. But that list held me captive to unrealistic expectations in a ridiculous effort to prove my worth through what I did. It is an ongoing battle in my life. And I am not alone

We all struggle with balance and the inevitable battle with stress that struggle creates. When we refuse to balance the sometimes overwhelming demands of work, home, family, friends, and personal growth, stress will be the natural result. What we really need is a holy balance only God can bring. The story of Mary and Martha, two very different women, offers valuable truths about balance that we can apply to our lives today.

A balanced life is focused on right things. Focus is always found at the feet of Jesus. Mary lived out this truth. In fact, Mary, more than any other person in the New Testament is associated with sitting at the feet of Jesus.

What does it mean to "sit at the feet of Jesus"? First, we must stop. Now that is a novel idea for most of us, isn't it? Mary stopped what she was doing - helping Martha in the kitchen - and came to sit at the feet of Jesus. Of course, Martha immediately began complaining that she had been left to do all the work while her sister wasted time sitting at Jesus' feet. Listen, girlfriend, there will always be someone who will misunderstand or complain when you choose to obey God and do what Jesus told Martha was "the better part."

Luke 10: 40-42 "But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to Him and asked, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.'''

Mary made a choice and so must we. Choosing to sit at the feet of Jesus requires decisive planning, purposeful scheduling and a willful determination. Every day, God wants relationship building time with us, which means that time at His feet, in His presence must be our highest priority. Jesus gently rebuked Martha because she had forgotten what was most important.

It is amazing to me how I can squander away the best part of my day, leaving God with the leftover scraps of time and then have the audacity to complain that my life is void of power and purpose. Distractions come from every side. Some of those distractions are good and wonderful things, but they are all still wrong things if they keep us from stopping to spend time with God. We make daily choices about where we invest our time as we run errands, plan meals, deal with children, clean house, and do laundry - but fail to schedule the most important activity of all, spending time with God.

I absolutely hate to wait, on anyone or for anything. I tend to view waiting as a thief that robs me of control and forces me to face the unknown. However, waiting on God brings priorities into a right focus and releases the catalyst that may very well change my life course. Waiting is not a passive lost of time. Waiting is active spiritual obedience. In each waiting room of life, He is at work preparing me for the circumstances ahead. Psalm 5:3 (NLT) "Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." From those still, quiet moments of waiting and seeking comes a balance and focus that takes root and grows. It is through the choice to wait on God that the seeking heart – the expectant heart finds every need met.

Are you desperate for the peace and a balance only God can provide? Then it's time to stop, take inventory of the demands upon your time, and begin investing the best part of your day sitting at His feet. Being wrapped up in God's work can easily become a shabby substitute for being wrapped up in His presence, and we can only be wrapped up in God's presence when we learn to sit at His feet and wait on Him.   

Let's Pray

Father, I am really tired of trying to prove my worth by what I do. I am tired of being responsible for everyone's happiness – a burden you never intended me to carry. I want to let go of everything except the things You have for me to do. Why is it so hard for me to do that, Lord? Help me learn to see my worth in Your eyes alone. Give me the strength to stop and rest in You, knowing Your love is unconditional and does not depend on what I do or don't do. Thank You for loving me, Father. Please help me to live a life that reflects that love.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read and memorize the following verses:

Mark 1:35 "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where He prayed."

Psalm 23:1-3 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters; He refreshes my soul."

List three ways you can apply these verses to your life in the area of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
More from the Girlfriends

Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fearand more.

Join other women across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Stop! Drop! Roll!Enroll now and have access to all of the 2012 studies. Check it out!

Going through a tough time? Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past. Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.

[Judy Harder]

August 14, 2012
A Sudden Glory when God Makes Himself Known
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Blessed are your eyes because they see," Jesus said, "and your ears because they hear," (Matthew 13:16 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Can you remember a time when you sensed God's presence and you were absolutely sure it was Him? Perhaps it was when you first believed, or maybe it happened just yesterday. You may have felt an overwhelming sense of His love, received an answer to prayer, felt an inexplicable peace, or witnessed a miracle. But when it happened...oh, when it happened...you knew you had encountered the divine. The moment came and went, and you were awestruck. Do you remember it? I call those moments when God makes Himself known to you personally a sudden glory—an intimate moment with your Creator, the Lover of your soul, a glimpse of heaven.

To illustrate what I mean by this, consider how Sheldon Vanauken, author of A Severe Mercy, describes the moment he knew he was in love with his wife Davy:

One who has never been in love might mistake either infatuation or a mixture of affection and sexual attraction for being in love. But when the 'real thing' happens, there is no doubt. A man in the jungle at night, as someone said, may suppose a hyena's growl to be a lion's; but when he hears the lion's growl, he knows [full] well it's a lion. So with the genuine inloveness. So with Davy and me. A sudden glory.

I have been in the jungle and heard the lion's roar. I knew full well it was Him. So with the genuine inloveness. So with Jesus and me. A sudden glory. Time and time again.

All throughout our lives, I dare say, throughout our days, we will experience a sudden glory in unpredictable moments. Or, at least we could.

A friend shared a moment of sudden glory in her life:

"Life was hard after my divorce. With no child support and only a part-time job for income, there were days when I didn't know how I would put dinner on the table for myself and my four children. I often had to choose between buying groceries or paying the electric bill. On one such day, I walked to the mailbox praying I wouldn't find another cut-off notice from the utility company. Thankfully, there was nothing of the sort. Instead, I found an envelope that had no return address, and inside it was a note that read, 'Jesus loves you.' Tucked behind the note was a grocery store gift card for an amount that would buy groceries for at least a week.

In that moment, I felt as if God wrapped His arms around me and whispered to my heart, 'I see you. I love you. I care.' His presence was suddenly so real that all I could do was stand there and cry."

These moments are the salve for the glory ache. They are the manna moments to stay the hunger until we finally reach heaven's home. Do you yearn for those glory moments? Well guess what? God longs to give them to you even more than you yearn for them!

Today, look for the moments. The writing in the sky. The breeze upon your cheek. The flower pushing its way through concrete. Expect the unexpected. Let yourself be romanced by a sudden glory moment from God.

Let's Pray
God, Thank You for the glory moments you scatter about in my life with a generous hand. Please don't let me get so caught up on the busyness of life to miss the Source of Life. Thank You for caring enough about me to make Your presence known in so many ways...for speaking to me first one way and then another.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Think of 5 examples in the Old Testament where a man or woman was caught off guard by a moment of sudden glory. I'll start: Moses and the burning bush. I know. I took the easiest one. Sorry about that.J

Think of 5 more.

Now, I want you to tell me about one of your own sudden glory moments. You can leave a comment on my blog page. Look for this entry and tell me your story.

Or, I would love for you to visit my Sudden Glory Guest Book and tell me your story. This is a special page I've added to my website just for you. Come often and tell about how God showed up in your life in an unmistakable way.

More from the Girlfriends
Do you long to feel close to God but sense there's something missing? That you've missed that mysterious formula to make it happen? Do have a glory ache – a persistent longing to experience God's presence and working in your life, but not quite sure how to make it happen? If so, my new book, A Sudden Glory: God's Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is just for you. Join me in discovering how to erase the lines between the secular and the sacred and experience a deeper more intimate relationship with God than ever before. While you're there, you can download a free chapter or watch a video book trailer.

[Judy Harder]

September 15, 2012
Do You Know How to Sit Down? Part 2
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV) "Now choose life...listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him."

Friend to Friend
We not only must stop and be still in order to sit at the feet of Jesus we must learn to listen for His voice. Time spent seeking God and listening for His voice is vital to our spiritual growth. Countless voices clamor for our attention. The key to a balanced life is training our hearts toward God and teaching our spiritual ears to listen for His voice above all others.

I taught third grade for several years while my husband attended seminary.  My class was one of seven third grade classes, which meant that the first few days of school were chaotic. The PE teacher was a welcome sight when she appeared at my door to take the students outside. It was the responsibility of each teacher to pick up her students when PE was over. Seven teachers trying to get the attention of over two hundred students was especially interesting on the first or second day of school when the teachers didn't know their students and the third graders didn't know their teacher. However, after only a few days, an amazing thing happened every year. When the teachers lined up, it took only a word or two for the students to come running.  They quickly learned to recognize the voice of their new teacher above all the rest, because they listened to her voice all day long.       

The voice of God comes to us in many ways, but every voice must be held up and measured against His main voice, the Word of God. To sit at the feet of Jesus, we must learn to stop, be still, and listen for His voice and then rest in what He has told us. Rest will not come until we have heard His truth. However, when we have learned and applied the truth of God we can then rest in Him and our world falls into balance. Resting in Him requires trust.

When our son, Jered, was seven years old, he fell while skateboarding, cut his chin and needed stitches. We raced to the nearest emergency clinic where we met a young doctor, who at first glance, seemed friendly enough. Jered, however, took one look at the strange doctor and panicked. It was his first experience with stitches. After several attempts to gain Jered's trust and cooperation, the doctor grew impatient and said, "Son, this won't hurt and if you cannot be still we will have to put you in restraints." Now I had two major problems with those statements. First, I knew our son and there were not going to be any restraints placed on him because they were not necessary. Second, of course it would hurt. I looked at the doctor and explained, "If you will just tell Jered the truth and explain what you are doing he will be still for you." The doctor looked at me as if I had just arrived from another planet and said, "Right!" Before I could rip off his head, Dan told the doctor we had a plan. I knew what my plan was but thought it wise to consider Dan's first. Holding Jered's head still, Dan softly explained what the doctor would do and told him to fix his eyes on me while I told a story. It worked. Jered calmed down and the stitches were done in a matter of minutes. Even though he did not fully understand or trust the process, Jered did fully understand and trust us.

Truth is always the basis for trust and trust is always the basis for rest. We rarely take time to stop, be still and listen, allowing His truth to soak into our hearts and minds where trust and faith grow strong on a steady diet of truth. As a result, our faith is weak and rest is hard to find. When we learn to sit at the feet of Jesus, we will know Him better, trust Him more and find the rest we so desperately crave. Clarity of purpose and a right focus will come. And that, my friend, is the cornerstone in a life of balance.

Oswald Chambers writes, "We can choke God's Word with a yawn; we can hinder the time that should be spent with God by remembering we have other things to do. 'I haven't time!' Of course, you have time! Take time, strangle some other interests, and make time to realize that the center of power in your life is the Lord Jesus Christ."  Amen!

Let's Pray
Father, I come to You today. I want to sit at Your feet and hear Your voice. Please forgive me for allowing other things and other people to have the place in my life that You should have. Right now, I surrender my heart and life to You and choose to sit at Your feet alone. Speak to me, Lord. I will listen and obey.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What activities keep you from tuning in to the voice of God? Are you willing to give up those activities? Write out your commitment in your journal.

The main way God speaks to us is through the Bible. Do you have a consistent time for reading the Bible? If not, choose a time and a place where you will meet with God each day. Write out a prayer making a commitment to God to listen to His voice through the pages of your Bible and the Holy Spirit's prompting.

More from the Girlfriends
Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fearand more.

Join other women across the worldin Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Stop! Drop! Roll!Enroll now and have access to all of the 2012 studies. Check it out! And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.