Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

October 17, 2013
Resource Inventory
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want (Psalm 23:1, NIV).

Friend to Friend

When it comes to the resources that we need for life, this promise from the 23rd Psalm is staggeringly important to remember, because it holds the promise of contentment in our lives. The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. Wow!

A famous actor was once the guest of honor at a social gathering where he was asked to recite favorite excerpts from various literary works. An old preacher who happened to be there asked the actor to recite the twenty-third Psalm. The actor agreed - on the condition that the preacher would also recite it. The actor's recitation was beautifully intoned with great dramatic emphasis for which he received lengthy applause. The preacher's voice was rough and broken from many years of preaching, and his diction was anything but polished. But when he finished, there was not a dry eye in the room. When someone asked the actor what made the difference, he replied, "I know the psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.

When we know God, we have everything we need. An amazing strength and unshakable contentment comes from a source that is not our own. It comes from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowing God makes all of His resources available to us. Resources like:

wisdom
guidance
power
peace
love
patience
self-control
In other words, God provides strength for every area of life. Strength is fertile soil for peace, and will produce a harvest of contentment.

Psalm 29:11 "The LORD gives His people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace."

God did not come to give us human strength. He came to give us His strength!

Isaiah 12: 2 "The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."

When we count on His resources instead of our own, we will experience true contentment. I read a story about a man who had to cross a wide river on the ice. He was afraid the ice might be too thin to hold him, so he began to crawl on his hand and knees, fearing that he thought might fall through at any moment. Just as he neared the opposite shore, totally exhausted, another man glided past him nonchalantly sitting on a sled loaded with iron weights.

Aren't we just like that man? We live each day, crawling through life, settling for our meager strength and our pitifully limited resources, afraid that His promises will break under the weight of our circumstances.

When will we learn that there is no limit to His power and no end to His strength? In fact, our weakness is the perfect showcase for God's strength.

According to the American Holistic Health Federation, people who are not satisfied with their lives increase their risk of premature death by at least ten percent. Hudson Taylor once noted that, "God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him." Paul writes in another letter to the church at Corinth, "My power works best in your weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:19).   

How about you? Are you ready to exchange your weak resources for His by giving up your rights, your plans and solutions? Do it! Lay them at His feet and choose His plan instead. Contentment will be yours.

Let's Pray

Father, it seems that a seed of discontent has taken root in my life. I have tried so many things, hoping they would fill that "hole" in my soul. I have expected others to make me happy. I now realize the only source of contentment is You. Right now, I lay down every lifeless resource and submit to You. I choose Your plan and Your perfect provision in my life. Thank You, Lord, for being everything I need.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What resources have you been counting on for contentment? Have those resources disappointed you? How?  What steps do you need to take in order to experience His contentment in your life? Try these:

Admit that you have been counting on your resources instead of God's.
Recognize that those resources have not produced contentment in your life.
Choose to allow the Holy Spirit to create God's resources in you.
Commit to follow His plan, and count on His resources for that plan.
Thank Him for the contentment that you know, by faith, will flood your life.
More from the Girlfriends

If you are like me, I find it very easy to get caught up in acquiring "stuff." We recently moved to a smaller house and had to get rid of a lot of "treasures" we had acquired over the years. At first, it was hard to let go of each item ... but it got easier and easier as the days went by. Now, I can't even remember most of the things I gave away and it is easier to focus on the things that are important. I love this new sense of balance in my life.

[Judy Harder]

October 18, 2013
Springs of Living Water
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love...' (Joel 2:12-13)

Friend to Friend
Jeremiah was just a youngster when he came to know God and began to work for Him as a prophet. He endured year after year of hard times, frustrating people and complicated disappointments. His message was one that called the people of Jerusalem - God's chosen people - to turn away from the idols that they had been worshiping and back toward the one, true God.
           
Let me say it straight: God was miffed at the nation of Israel and He sent Jeremiah to let them know. He had every reason to be angry! He had given the children of Abraham a sacred covenant, a promised future, delivery from oppression, and His tabernacled presence, yet they turned their backs on Him. Continually. They doubted His exclusivity and they set their attentions and affections on things other than God. They worshiped idols made of wood and stone. Powerless and worthless. In Jeremiah 2:13  God said of his people: "They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
           
Pastor Greg Laurie describes it this way: "A cistern is a large well or pool carved in a rock. A broken cistern has sprung a leak and can't hold water. God is saying, "If you go out there to the world and drink from that well, it is not going to satisfy you."
           
It sets my mind to wonder.
           
Why would anyone place her trust in the unstable, un-powerful, unfulfilling things of earth when she can place her trust in a stable, powerful, satisfying God? Seems like such a no-brainer – yet, don't you and I do that all the time?
           
Sure we do.
           
We dig our own cisterns, broken cisterns, and expect them to satisfy our thirst and bring us contentment. We drink from the broken cisterns of materialism, position, wealth, popularity, stuff, relationships, rules and religion. We have faulty expectations that our kids, spouses and friends are meant to satisfy our heart-needs. The ultimate broken cistern, however, is our pursuit of purpose in life via things of this earth.
           
We were created to pursue God.
           
We were created to know God – to be satisfied in Him and Him alone.
           
To worship Him and Him alone.
           
Oh, you and I are such a thirsty gaggle of girlfriends, aren't we? Even as believers, we deal with emptiness and bow to idols other than God. We place our faith in the economy, in our financial situations, in our health, in our employment status, politics, marital status, and our relationships. When they fail or fumble we fall apart ... and no wonder! They are all broken cisterns and were never meant to be our source of hope or satisfaction!
           
Friend, we need to turn away from our broken cisterns and turn toward the springs of living water. From stagnant waters to the Living Water. The Bible tells us that confession is the path to the spring of living water. When we eliminate the things that clutter our faith – the broken things we trust in – and place our faith in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, God's heart swells with mercy, compassion and grace toward us. He forgives and strengthens us.
           
Who or what are you trusting in today?
           
Where are you soul drinking from: broken cisterns or springs of living water?
           
When Jeremiah was preparing to take God's message of repentance to Jerusalem, God spoke confidence and promise to his shaking heart. Let these words speak confidence to your heart today, friend. God's promise to Jeremiah is valid to you and me when we turn away from the broken cisterns of this world and place our trust in Him. "I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:19b).
           
Jesus Christ is the Living Water our souls are parched for (John 4:13-14). "Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them"(John 7:37-38).
           
Say with the psalmist: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." (Psalm 42:1-2a).
           
Go to Him today. Confess. Believe. Drink. Be satisfied.

Let's Pray
Lord, I'm so thirsty for You! Please forgive me for the times that I have drunk from broken cisterns instead of from Your springs of Living Water! Thank You for Your compassionate grace and ever-flowing love. In a world that is constantly changing, I choose right now – once again – to place my trust in You as my unchanging God.

In Jesus's name I pray,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Today we talked about placing our trust in things other than God. Broken cisterns. We all struggle with this to some degree. How has this affected you in the past?
How does it affect you in the present?
And to go Dr. Phil on you, "How's that working for you?" Spend time in prayer about this today. Ask God to reveal the broken cisterns you've been trying to drink from. Repent of this and commit to a deeper trust-level today.
LET'S PRAY TOGETHER: Swing by my blog or my Facebook pageto share a prayer need and to pray for the needs of others.
More from the Girlfriends
To be honest, there are a million times that I feel like screaming instead of praising. What a battle! Yet, I know the best response is to trust God and choose to praise Him...in and through it all. Music really helps me. My CD, Uncluttered is purposed to sweep you away from life-noise and to focus your heart and mind on the one thing that matters: your relationship with Jesus Christ. Swing by www.GwenSmith.net...or you can download the songs from iTunesor Amazon.

Today's GiG devotion is adapted from Trusting God by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, & Mary Southerland by permission of Multnomah, division of Random House, Inc. Are you ready to begin a new faith adventure? Get a copy of the book! This is the perfect book for individual study or for gathering a group of friends in what we call GiG Groups. With impactful devotions, study questions, journal pages, free on-line video intros, and an index of trust-building Scriptures...this book is a resource you'll refer to time-and-time again.

[Judy Harder]

October 22, 2013
Standing Firm in the Storms of Life
Part 1
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 6:6, NLT).

Friend to Friend

Just as storms in life are certain, so is the provision of God. Life can be messy, and bad things will happen. But every crisis and every storm is also an opportunity to trust God. He calls us to a heavenly perspective when facing challenging times. He calls us to see the storms of life as He sees them - opportunities for His power to be illustrated in human terms. What steps can we take to face the storms of life in a way that honors God?

Step one: Live a pure life.

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."

The apostle Paul was certainly no stranger to storms. In his writings to the church at Corinth, Paul lists several actions we can take to survive and even thrive in those storms. Notice that purity is listed first. Paul is sending a clear message. Integrity and power for daily life are the result of a heart committed to purity. A clean heart unleashes the authority of God in us and through us. Impurity corrodes stability while purity generates a supernatural strength. It is that power and stability that keeps us from falling.

Psalm 51:10 (NASB) "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

The Psalmist links a pure heart with a steadfast spirit. "Steadfast" literally means "fixed or unchanging" and defines the kind of strength that can only be found in a right relationship with God. Stability is essential when those blustery winds of life storms are raging. Some storms come to uncover that cherished sin we try so hard to bury. If we refuse to deal with sin in our life, God will urge us toward obedience by allowing the storms to come. But make no mistake - the purpose of the storm is always to purify – and then empower.

Second truth: Seek understanding.

2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."

Understanding is only as good as its place of origin. Human understanding is limited and tainted while Godly understanding is infinite and unspoiled. Our greatest lessons are learned in the fiercest storms. I know you have heard those words many times – but are they a living reality in your life?

A teacher was asked a question by one of his students who had come across Deuteronomy 6:6 that says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." The student asked, "Why does it say to put God's commandments upon our hearts instead of in our hearts?" The wise teacher responded, "It is not within man's power to deposit truth directly into his heart. All we can do is place truth on the surface of the heart so that when the heart breaks, it will fall in."

Every circumstance that results in brokenness is designed to produce greater self-control and a fresh perspective. We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for understanding.

Third truth: Learn to be patient.

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."

I must confess that I am not the epitome of patience. I hate to wait – on anyone or anything – which may very well explain certain storms and trials in my life. James had the same problem, but a much better attitude.

James 1:2 (NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

I tend to consider it pure joy when I can escape trials of many kinds, but James tells us that trials can and should be faced with patience and an attitude of joy. Not joy for the trials but joy in the trials. Don't miss this vital truth. Joy is a deeply rooted confidence that God is in control. Joy is a chosen attitude, and understands that trials are not punishment.

Take a $5.00 bar of steel. If you cut that bar into ordinary horseshoes, it is worth about $10.00. That same $5.00 bar of steel cut into needles is worth $350, but when cut into delicate springs for watches, that same $5.00 bar of steel is worth $250,000.

Trials are a test, a measurement of growth. Patience gives God permission to work. We go to great lengths to avoid trials and shelter ourselves from the storms of life. The result is spiritual immaturity.

God will not build our character without our cooperation, and He will not work in us without our permission. We must surrender, invite Him to work, and then, by faith, patiently embrace that work. Warren Wiersbe writes, "When God permits his children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat."

Let's Pray

Thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness in my life. Sometimes my motives are not pure and are so often self-serving. Right now, please cleanse my heart of all sin. Give me eyes to see the treasure buried at the heart of every trial and help me to choose joy - even when I don't understand what You are doing in my life. Lord, let my life be an illustration of Your strength perfected in my weakness.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Hebrews 12:12 (The Message) "So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs."

What does it mean in your life to "take a new grip" and "stand firm" even on shaky legs?

Looking back at the storms in your life, how would you rate your response to those storms? What changes do you need to make in order to experience victory?

More from the Girlfriends

Need help? Mary's message, Strength for the Storm, is available as a video download, CD, MP3, and E-Bible Study in Mary's online store. Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, A Balanced Life: the Impossible Dream, for practical ways to tap into the power of God's Word. Enroll now and have access to all of the 2013 lessons. Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

October 23, 2013
God is Your Victory
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner [Yahweh Nissi] (Exodus 17:15, NIV).

Friend to Friend
I'm going to be honest with you. If there was an Olympic event for feelings of insecurity, inferiority, and inadequacy, at some point my picture would have been on the Corn Flakes cereal box...the gold medal winner.

Now, you probably think I'm going to tell you, "But then I became a Christian and all that insecurity just went away!" But it didn't. I did become a Christian when I was fourteen. That part is correct. However, I carried that insecurity into my Christian life like a ball and chain wrapped around my skinny ankle. Don't get me wrong, I could sing "Victory in Jesus" with the best of them. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that when I left this earth and crossed over the threshold into my heavenly home, I was going to be with Jesus forever. It was what I was supposed to do until I got there that had me stumped. It was victory in this life that left me confused.

Did you know that you can be a bona-fied born-again Christian and still live a life of defeat? Yes, you can. But if you do, ifI do, it's not God's fault. He has given us everything we need for a life of godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3). He has equipped us with the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:20), the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), and the precious promises that never fail (2 Peter 1:4). But it's up to us to walk in the truth of who He is and who we are in Him. It is up to us to walk in victory as "more than conquerors" in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).

Moses had to deal with the same insecurities that you and I have to grapple with. He was a former Prince of Egypt who became a run-away felon. For the next forty years, Moses took care of his father-in-law's sheep in the Midian desert. When he was eighty-years-old, God spoke to Moses through the burning bush.

The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. SoI have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites." (Exodus 3:7-8 NIV)

This was all sounding good to Moses...until God mentioned how He was going to bring all that about.

"So now, go. I am sending youto Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt," (Exodus 3:10).

Hold the phone! You're sending whom?

Deliverance for his people! This was what Moses had always wanted! But when God said, "I am sending you," Moses began backing up. The monster of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy wrapped its talons around Moses' scruffy neck and began to squeeze.

Four times Moses told God why He had the wrong man for the job, and four times God reassured Moses that He was the Almighty God Who was sufficient to do the job through him. It was a hard lesson for Moses. It has been a hard lesson for me. I wonder if it has been a hard lesson for you.

Of course, we know how the story goes. After several weeks of very convincing plagues, the Pharaoh did let God's people go. They crossed the Red Sea on dry land, ate manna that fell from heaven, drank water that sprang from a rock, and roasted quail that rained from the sky.

It wasn't too long into their journey to the Promised Land, that they were attacked by the Amalekites, a godless people who had taunted God's chosen people for centuries. But because of God's intervention, the Israelites won the battle and Moses built an altar and called it "The Lord is my Banner [Yahweh Nissi]" (Exodus 17:10-13, 15).

The banner was a symbol of victory! It still is today. This is the only time in Scripture that God is referred to as God our Banner, but it was not the only time God won the victory for His people. Time and time again, God fought for His people and they waved the flag of victory in the face of apparent defeat (Joshua 10:10, 20,  33,  11:8,  Judges 11:21,  20:35. He made the waters rise, the walls fall, and the earth stand still. Yes, God fought for His people, and friend, He will do the same for me and for you.

So raise high the banner! The victory is yours.

Let's Pray

Lord, forgive me for feeling like I have to conquer the battles of life on my own. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. There is victory in Jesus! Help me to live, not as a cowering fugitive, but as a confident saint.

In Jesus's Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Exodus 14:13-14.

How will you let these verses shape your perspective today?

Have you ever tried to talk tried to talk God out of using you? I bet you have. Why do you think we do that? Leave me a comment on my facebook page and let's compare notes.

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was adapted from our new Girlfriends in God book, Knowing God by Name.Throughout Scripture, God reveals His complex character by identifying Himself by different names—names that shed light on who He is and how we should relate to Him. We invite you to join us in Knowing God by Name as we take an in-depth look at 40 different names that shed light on 40 different reasons you can trust Him, depend on Him, and know that He loves you. Click here to learn more and download a free sample chapter.

Also, if you haven't already, I'd love for you to sign up for my blog for more inspiration, encouragement, and fun give-aways. (Content does not duplicate GiG devotions.)

[Judy Harder]

October 28, 2013
Three Answers You Need to Know
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Who are you?

Where did you come from?

Why are you here?

These are three very important questions to which you need to know the answer to.

When I was writing my chapter for our new GiG book, Knowing God by Name, I discovered that the very first name for God in the Bible is Elohim, and it is found in the very first sentence of God's Word. "In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 NIV).

Before the creation of the world, there was nothing. Our human minds can't even conceive or imagine nothing. But into the nothing God spoke, and what was not became what is.

When God hung the sun in the morning sky and the moon in the inky expanse; when He sprinkled the stars to dance in the night; when He separated the waters of heaven from the waters of the earth; when He shaped the dry land, scattered seed for vegetation, stocked the seas with marine life and filled skies with winged foul; He did so with words. "And God said, 'Let there be'... And it was so." "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth" (Psalm 33:6 NIV).

But on the sixth day, God did a little something different. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...'" (Genesis 1:26 NASB).

So the holy hand of God bent low, gathered dust of the ground, and with sacred fingertips formed man. Godthen leaned over the lifeless form, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

After each of the first five days of creation, as the sun set over the horizon, God said, "It is good." Six times, at the end of each phase of His handiwork, He reiterated his approval. We ride the rhythm of repetition only to be brought to a sudden halt by the Creator's words when He looked at the lone man with no suitable companion. "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18).

"So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.The Lord Godfashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man" (Genesis 2:21-22 NIV).

Eve was the "crowning touch of God's creative masterpiece and the inspiration of man's first poetry." She was not an afterthought, but God's grand finale – His magnificent masterpiece. God concluded the first week of the world's existence and the curtain fell with the words: "God saw all that he had made, and it wasvery good" (Genesis 1:31 NIV).

Knowing God as Elohim answers three big questions for all of us. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here?

Who are you? You are an image bearer of God. Elohim said, "Let Us make man in Our own image."

Where did you come from? God fashioned you, formed you,and created your inmost being.

Why are you here? You were created for God and to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7), because it pleased Him to do so (Ephesians 1:5). The concept of glory can be a difficult concept to wrap our human minds around. Simply put, God's glory is how He makes His presence known. You, my friend, are a platform from which God displays His magnificence and makes His presence easy to see.

Knowing you were created by God and for God, answers a thousand questions. You have great value and great purpose, regardless of how you feel about yourself, regardless of how you came into this world, regardless of what others have said about you in the past. Every human life is sacred, no matter how it began.

Now let me go a little deeper. As you ponder God speaking the universe into existence with but a word, is there anything in your life that is too difficult for Him to take care of?

Any problem too complex to solve?

Any illnesses too severe to heal?

Any child too rebellious to tame?

Any marriage too far gone to restore?

Oh sister, nothing is impossible for Elohim, The Mighty Creator. He can breathe life into any seemingly hopeless situation that comes your way. "For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37 NIV). You can depend on Elohim to weave a design out of the tangled circumstances of your life, even when they may seem as shapeless and void as the earth was prior to His first utterance of "Let there be."

Let's Pray

Elohim, Mighty Creator, I praise You for all that You have made. Thank You for the way You have fashioned my body. Tiny eyelashes that keep dust from my eyes. Flexible fingers that grasp and hold. Legs that stand and bend. Feet that walk and run. A heart that beats. A mind that thinks. Skin that protects. A soul that loves. I pray that I will represent You well today - that I will glorify You in all that I do.

In Jesus's Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What do you think it means to be created in the image of God?

Read Genesis 1:31 How did God feel about what He had made?

Based upon God's response to His creation, what conclusion can you draw about your value as a woman created in the image of God?

Does knowing that you are created to reflect God (to glorify God) affect how you live?

Is there any change you need to make to better reflect Him?

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was adapted from our new Girlfriends in God book, Knowing God by Name.Throughout Scripture, God reveals His complex character by identifying Himself by different names—names that shed light on who He is and how we should relate to Him. We invite you to join us in Knowing God by Name as we take an in-depth look at 40 different names that shed light on 40 different reasons you can trust Him, depend on Him, and know that He loves you. Click hereto learn more and download a free sample chapter.

[Judy Harder]

October 30, 2013
Chasing Beauty
Gwen Smith


Today's Truth
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).

Friend to Friend
From the time I was a young girl I wanted to be beautiful. In the fifth grade, I resorted to desperate measures in a very "eleven-year-old, clueless-adolescent" kind of way. I distinctly remember some bright blue eye shadow being involved. I can even picture in my mind what said unauthorized makeup looked like in its case – like a pallet that would normally hold watercolor paint. Five fabulous, or not so fabulous, color options ranging from pale green to bright blue were available to this pre-adolescent. Mercy!

Please keep in mind, we are talking about the early eighties here. Blue eye shadow was all the rage and a very accepted beauty solution. It was everywhere! On magazine covers, commercials, and on every older woman in church. I think even Marsha Brady was wearing it on TV. Trust me when I say that, back then, most of the girls my age took beauty cues from Marsha Brady.

I know... scary.

I rode the bus to elementary school, which gave me a brief, unsupervised window of opportunity in the mornings to misbehave and sneak around between exiting the big yellow taxi and entering the classroom. My neighbors Brenda and Sally sometimes adventured with me to the West Hempfield Elementary School beauty salon: the girls' bathroom. As long as we made it to our classrooms before the bell rang, we were golden.

Enter the blue eye shadow.

I'm not sure where my eye shadow kit came from. It could've been a hand-me-down from an aunt or a family friend. It could have been a garage sale find. I don't remember. I am certain, however, that at that point in my life, eye shadow was supposed to be for play, not for school. Not being one to get tripped up over details, I ran to the girls' room and generously smudged the bright blue cream on my eyelids. Then, feeling I had reached a higher level of beauty, I proceeded to Miss Lewis's boring fifth grade class.

As I remember it, several days of eye-colored bliss passed. In my mind, I was cool and hip. In reality, not so much. During some quiet work time one morning, Miss Lewis called me up to her desk. With a hushed teacher-tone, she asked me, "Does your mother know you're wearing that eye shadow to school?"

"Yes, Miss Lewis," I said. "My mom lets me wear this."

"Well, Gwen, I might just need to call your mother and ask her about that." Then she sent me back to my seat.

I sat in fear as I entertained dreadful thoughts of being found out. Miss Lewis never did call my mom, but the day I was called up to her desk was the last day I wore bright blue eye shadow at school. (At least in the fifth grade.)

The truth of the matter is, I just wanted feel beautiful. I thought that if I were beautiful, people would like me better. They would accept me more. I cared about what other people thought about me. I wanted to measure up. To some degree, I still do.

Can you relate?

We all want to be beautiful. And that's okay! It's fine to want be beautiful. To take care of yourself. To gloss your lips and throw Spanks on your hips. But what we need to be cautious of is blurring the lines between physical beauty, spiritual beauty, and personal worth.

True beauty begins when we hold tightly to the truth of God and allow the truth of God to hold tightly to us. Measuring up to Hollywood's version of beautiful has never been, nor ever will be, what God desires for us. God cares much more about our internal beauty, our reverence and love for Him, than our external beauty. The Bible says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

Join me in chasing His beauty today.

Let's Pray
Dear God, You are the true source of all that is good and beautiful! When feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and self-doubt creep into my heart, help me to see myself the way you do. I want to be held tightly by your truth.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

How does this speak to you today? Do you really know how much you're loved? Pray about it and journal if you're the journaling type... then let's meet on my blog or my Facebook page to talk about it and pray through it together.

[Judy Harder]

October 31, 2013
Everything Will Be Okay
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you" (Isaiah 43:2, NLT).

Friend to Friend

I am an avid reader. In fact, reading is one of my favorite ways to escape the chaotic pace of daily life. I also enjoy browsing through bookstores, especially the ones that provide cushy chairs where customers can sit quietly and read without being disturbed.

It is easy to tune out your surroundings and lose yourself in the pages of a good book. I was doing just that when I heard a familiar voice. Looking up, I spotted one of my friends, Carol, who was asking an employee where she could find a new suspense novel that had just been released. The young man quickly handed Carol the book from his personal stash behind the counter and went back to work. I watched a smile spread across Carol's face as she examined her new treasure while gently turning the book over in her hands and flipping through pages. Carol then did something I absolutely could not believe. She turned to the last several pages of the book and began reading.

It was time for an intervention. I was ready for the task.

I quickly put the book I had been reading back on the shelf. I needed to focus on the obvious needs of my friend. With a quick wave, I got Carol's attention and made my approach. After a quick hug, I said, "It is so good to see you. How have you been?" We spent a few minutes catching up on what was happening in our lives.

I could not help myself. "Are you buying that book?" I asked. It was an honest question because, for the life of me, I could not understand why anyone would want to buy a suspense novel when they already knew how it ended. Excitement danced in her eyes as she responded, "Yes, I am. I can't wait to read it. The ending is awesome!"

Now I can understand reading the first few pages or scanning the table of contents before buying a book. I can even comprehend reading a few paragraphs here and there to get an idea of the story line. That makes sense to me. Carol's perspective did not. "Okay. I have to confess that I saw you reading the last few pages of the book. Why in the world did you read the ending? Won't that spoil the story for you?" I asked.

"Not at all," Carol quickly responded. "Before I buy a book, I always read the ending to make sure I really want that particular book," she explained. It was worse than I thought. Seeing the look of disbelief on my face, she laughed and admitted, "I know. It sounds crazy, but I have to know that everything turns out okay before I commit to reading the book."

The more I thought about Carol's words, the more I realize that, as followers of God, we need to do the same. Billy Graham once said, "I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right."

When we focus only on what we can see and understand or explain, we will worry. Fear and doubt will become familiar companions if we live each day against the backdrop of this broken world. Our only hope is God. And it is not enough to just know about Him. We must know Him. A personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ assures us that no matter what the world throws our way, it's all going to be okay. 

Let's Pray

Father, I am tempted to worry about so many things. Our world is a mess! Forgive me for focusing on anything or anyone but You. Thank You for the Bible that equips and empowers me to live each day. Right now, I declare that You are my only Hope. Please help me to remember that You really are in control.

In Jesus's name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read and memorize Isaiah 43:2: "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Make a list of your fears. Surrender each one to the loving control of God as you pray through Psalm 23. Then destroy the list as an offering of praise and thanksgiving to God's perfect peace enthroned in your life.

[Judy Harder]

November 1, 2013
God Sees You
Lori Fairchild

We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee, and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend," Lori Fairchild.

Today's Truth

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me" (Genesis 16:13).

Friend to Friend

Sometimes I feel invisible. Oh, it's not that people don't see me. They do. My girls see their mom. My husband sees his wife. My friends see someone they can have fun with and rely on. My Bible study sees its leader. My blog readers see a writer.

But sometimes I feel like no one sees me, the person underneath all those different hats. Sometimes, I fear I have become the roles I play and lost myself. Some days, I think that although I'm seen, no one really sees me.

No one sees the fears and insecurities that lie hidden away under those hats. No one sees the dreams and desires of my heart. No one sees the adventuresome spirit that longs to try something new, to strike out on some new adventure. No one sees me.

It's amazing how we can fill our days with people, with activity, with things and yet get to the end of the day and feel as if we're all alone. We show a smiling façade to the rest of the world, never letting them get past the surface to see to the heart of the person underneath. We let others see us, but we are never truly seen.

Yet one of the greatest needs we have is to be known by others. We want to live out the words of the theme song from Cheers, "You wanna go where everybody knows your name." We want to be known.

The great news is that on those days when we feel as if no one sees us, on those days when we feel like our dreams are buried so deep that they will never see the light of day, God sees us. Even in our deepest, darkest moments, God sees us. He sees you.

He sees past every hat on your head, every mask you wear. He sees straight into your heart. He knows your biggest fears, your deepest needs, and your heart's desire. He sees you.

In Genesis 16, Hagar calls God "The God Who Sees Me." Hagar was in the midst of her darkest moment. She had been mistreated and cast out from her home. She was pregnant and alone. Yet in the midst of that darkness, of that aloneness, God spoke to her. He looked at her and said, "Hagar, I see you." He not only saw Hagar but He promised that she would have a future, that her as-yet-unborn son would have a future. He saw her.

In the same way, God sees you. He doesn't see the façade you present to the world. He doesn't see the role you play. He sees the masterpiece He made. He sees a precious child of His. He sees all that you are and all that you will be. When no one else sees you, God does.

So, the next time you're feeling invisible, the next time you feel all alone, remember that God sees you. He sees you as the beautiful creation He made, and He will give you everything you need. No matter how dark the day, how deep the pit, how dire the situation, God sees you.

Let's Pray

Father, thank You that You see me. Thank You that You see past every hat I wear, every mask I put on. Remind me in the lonely moments - in the moments when I feel like I can't take another step - that You are there, that You see me as an amazing creation of Yours. Remind me that I am Your child, and I am seen.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Not only do we want to be seen, other people in our lives need to be seen for who they are – an amazing creation of God. Take time today to really see the people who cross your path, and look for ways to minister to them, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their lives. Ask God to show you how to look at others with His eyes. Write down in your journal one person that you know you will come into contact with today. Pray for that person and that you will see them as God sees them.

More from the Girlfriends

Lori Fairchild is a mom, wife, blogger and editor. She blogs about grabbing the teachable moments with our kids at Everyday Truth. She has written a Christmas e-book devotional called Everyday Christmas that offers simple suggestions for helping your family find Christ during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. When she's not writing, you can find Lori reading a book, hanging out with her family or running the carpool to her girls' hockey and soccer practices.

[Judy Harder]

November 4, 2013
Ingratitude is Contagious...Don't Be a Carrier
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

When the Lord heard your complaining, he became very angry. So he solemnly swore, 'Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the Lord completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission'(Deuteronomy 1:35-36, New Living Translation).

Friend to Friend

Ingratitude laced with grumbling, complaining, and murmuring is an easy trap to fall into. And it is so contagious. Someone grumbles and the next thing you know, you fall right in line and start grumbling too. I wonder if that's what happened in the wilderness as the Israelites made one more trek around Mount Sinai. "I'm sick of this manna," one complained. Then another looked at God's sweet provision and said, "Come to think of it, I'm sick of it too." The next thing you know the sea of ingrates becomes a tidal wave of grumblers and God sends them on another lap around the wilderness and places a "Do Not Enter" sign in front of the Promised Land.

When you think about it, ingratitude is a casual despising of God's sovereignty. It's like saying we don't like how He is running things and think we could do it better.

Gratitude and giving thanks in all things open our eyes to see God's glory in even the smallest things. On the other hand, ingratitude blinds our eyes to God's presence, and we miss His advances all around. It's a choice, not an emotion. However, this choice to give thanks may very well open the way for positive emotions such as joy to emerge and take hold. Paul wrote: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again [because you probably didn't get it the first time]: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

There is nobody more miserable than an ungrateful person. Margaret and I were chatting about gratitude when she mentioned how she tries to steer clear of those who grumble and complain because their ingratitude is so contagious. "I hate calling my sister," she mused. "I mean, I love her. But talking to her is such a joy drain."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"All she does is complain. Something is always wrong with her house. She always has a new ailment. She gives me the latest obituary report and tells me who is sick with what. A couple of times I tried to cheer her up. You know, help her see the positive side of things. 'At least you have a house. Think of all those people who lost their homes in the hurricane.' But it only made her mad. She said I was not being sympathetic and that I made little of her problems. So now I just listen."

Another friend told me of sitting with his father discussing the distribution of his "worldly goods," when the time came to do so. "My dad had very little joy in his life," Mike explained. "As we discussed who was going to get what when he died, I saw a pride in him I had never noticed before. 'I did all this,' he said as he waved his hand around the room like Vanna White. 'I worked hard and earned it all.' In his mind, he had earned it; he had done it all. Never once did he give thanks to God for all his blessings or acknowledge God's goodness. He showed no gratitude, no thanksgiving, and certainly no joy."

His things had become shiny shackles that kept joy at bay all his life. His things. How sad.

As Mike told me the story, I thought of Henry Ward Beecher's words: "Pride slays thanksgiving...a proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves." Eyes shut tight to God's glory.

I am reminded of an old saying that stirs and stings: "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." Always enough. Jesus thanked God for the two loaves and five fish... and there was more than enough to go around (John 6:1-13).

Today, make a commitment to turn your grumbling to gratitude, your complaining into contentment, and your whining (did I just say that...yes I did) into praising God!

Click over to my Facebook page and tell me one thing you are thankful for today. I know you are thankful for Jesus and for your family. So tell me one other thing besides those two at the top of your list.

Let's Pray

[Sometimes I open my Bible and simply pray the Psalms. Join me today!]

Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live (Psalm 146:1). Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! (Psalm 147:1). Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness (Psalm 150:1-2). Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

In Jesus' name, I praise You!

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Do you feel far from God today? If so, maybe you're knocking on the wrong door. What does Psalm 100:4 tell us about how we are to enter God's presence?

If complaining were a color, what color would it be?

If being grateful, thankful, and appreciative were a color, what color would it be?

Now, what color do you want to be today?

[Judy Harder]

November 5, 2013
Living in Forgiveness Gear
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ (Ephesians 4:32, NCV).

Friend to Friend

A little boy went to see the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he pointed up at the monument and announced to the guard on duty, "I want to buy it." The guard asked, "How much do you have?"

The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a quarter. The guard said, "That is not enough." The little boy replied, "I thought that you would say that," and pulled out nine more cents.

The guard looked down at the small boy and said, "You need to understand three things. First, thirty-four cents is not enough. Second, the Washington Monument has never been, nor will it ever be for sale. Third, if you are an American citizen, then the Washington Monument already belongs to you."

We need to understand three things about forgiveness. First, we can never be good enough or do enough to purchase it. Second, forgiveness is not for sale, nor can we earn it. Third, if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then all of the forgiveness we will ever need already belongs to us. But we must choose to experience that forgiveness by accepting it as a free gift of God.

Our pride is often the biggest obstacle to experiencing forgiveness. It is hard to admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We like being in control of our lives ... until that control lands us in some ditch or pit, and we need saving. In desperation, we lay down our pride and cry out to God ... and He hears us.

Psalm 77:1 (NCV) "I cry out to God; I call to God, and He will hear me."

God does not respond to our cries for help with condemnation and guilt. That's the standard operating procedure of Satan. God offers unconditional love and eternal forgiveness.

Our pride is often the biggest obstacle to forgiving others. True forgiveness always requires sacrifice on our part – a truth that may often seem unfair in human terms. After all, we are the ones who have been hurt. Why should we have to sacrifice anything? Shouldn't the people who hurt us be the ones who have to make the first move and offer the biggest sacrifice? True forgiveness – God's forgiveness – defies human logic and cannot be explained in human terms. Human forgiveness is easier but a shallow substitute and cheap imitation for the amazing power of God's forgiveness.

We need to be willing to take the first step in the process of forgiveness. Jesus was. Romans 5:8 tells us that "God shows His great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners" (ncv).

He did not wait until we shaped up.

He did not wait until we cleaned up our act.

He did not even wait until we asked for forgiveness or even knew we needed to be forgiven.

Jesus stepped out of heaven onto a cross, purchasing true forgiveness for us. He died for people who do not deserve forgiveness, people who refuse to ask for forgiveness, people who ignore their own faults, people who sit in judgment of others, people who insist on others taking the first step.

We need to love and forgive in the same way – in "forgiveness gear."

Matthew 5:23 (NLT) "If you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."

God is very serious about forgiveness. He wants us to understand that it doesn't matter how much we do or don't do. If we have not forgiven someone, if we know that someone has not forgiven us, we should drop everything, put life on hold, and make things right.

If we want to experience the power of forgiveness, we must be willing to nail our pride to the cross, experience the love and forgiveness of God, and choose to forgive.

Let's Pray

Father, I come to You today, asking first for Your forgiveness for the sin in my life. I choose to turn from that sin and obey you. Thank You for your grace and mercy. Give me the strength and power to extend that same mercy and grace to those in my life who have hurt me.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What hurt or pain are your holding in your heart and life? Realize it is holding you prisoner and make the choice to let it go today. Forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiveness is a choice that leads to a step of obedience. Forgiveness is not an emotion or feeling. If you make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.

Let's go a little deeper. Read the whole story of Hosea and Gomer found in the book of Hosea. First put yourself in the place of Gomer. How do you think she reacted to Hosea's decision to forgive her and bring her home? Then put yourself in the place of Hosea. Think about the thoughts and feelings running through Hosea's heart and mind. Record your thoughts and insights in your journal.

What one person do you need to forgive right now? Pray for that person. Ask God to let you see them through His eyes and make the deliberate choice to forgive them.

More from the Girlfriends

Need help? Get Mary's MP3, The Power of Forgiveness for practical ways to practice true forgiveness in your life. Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey, for practical ways to tap into the power of God's Word. Enroll now and have access to all of the 2013 lessons. Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.