Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

November 20, 2013
Transforming a Painful Childhood into a Purposeful Adulthood
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to...bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:1,3, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Last Monday, my Girlfriends in God devotion was about Queen Esther. But I'm not quite ready to leave this little orphan girl turned beautiful powerful queen just yet. Reading her story gives me so much hope!While we don't know much about Esther's parents, we do know that she was an orphan who was raised by her cousin, Mordecai. As far as we can tell, she had no feminine influence in her life, and yet she grew to be a gracious lovely woman who won the favor of everyone she encountered.

Perhaps your childhood was less than ideal. Perhaps you had an alcoholic father, an absent father, an abusive mother, or an aloof mother. Perhaps you lived in poverty, grew up in an orphanage, a foster home, or with parents who felt you were a bother instead of a blessing. Even if you had a wonderful childhood, I bet you know someone who didn't.

Let me assure you of this, no matter what your childhood memories hold, God can and will use every bit of it for His purposes and for His glory...if we let Him. It doesn't matter how you started; what matters is how you finish.

Paul said, "This one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul had to put his past behind him to accomplish what God had called him to do in the present.

Likewise, when we put our painful pasts behind us and obey what God is calling us to do in the present. we will experience a fruitful, fulfilling, fascinating adulthood. He can take those miseries of the past and turn them into ministries in the present. He can take our messes in life and turn them into messages of hope. God took a frightened orphan girl and used her to accomplish a great mission. He did it for Queen Esther. He wants to do it for you.

Let's Pray

Lord, I want to be like Esther. Not that I want to be a queen, but that I want to be your servant for such a time as this. Help me to not dwell on what went wrong in my past, but to look forward to what You want me to do right in my present and my future. Choose me. Send me. Use me.

In Jesus's Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

If you read Esther 1–4 on Monday, I encourage you to read Esther 5–0 today.

It's a fun story for all of us girls! No wonder the Jews still celebrate her today.

I'd love to know your favorite part of Esther's story. Click over to my Facebook page and tell me your favorite part, and I'll tell you mine.

More from the Girlfriends

(Sharon, you used the following paragraph in your "Big Dreams" blog, S848)

Looking to discover God's plan for your life? Then check out my book The 5 Dreams of Every Woman...and How God Longs to Fulfill Them. You'll read about Sarah who interferedwith God's dream, Naomi who forgot God dreams, and Esther who accomplished God's dreams. If you are ready to place your hand in God's and go to the exciting place He has for you, then this book is for you! Come on! Let's dream again!

[Judy Harder]

November 21, 2013
The Taste Berry
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

I will give thanks to Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness, because Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name (Psalm 138:2).

Friend to Friend

Alexander Whyte, the Scottish preacher, always began every prayer with praise. One brutally cold Sunday, his people filed into the church, wondering what the preacher could possibly find to praise God for on such a miserable day. Alexander Whyte stood, bowed his head and prayed, "O Lord, we thank Thee that it is not always like this."

Are there times when you don't feel like praising God? Honestly, our feelings are irrelevant when it comes to praising God. Praise is not about us. Praise is all about God. Praise is a deliberate choice and a learned habit that produces contentment and an attitude of gratitude.

In Philippians 4:11, the Apostle Paul writes, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." In this verse, "learned" means to be "educated by experience" and the word "content" means, "contained." Paul's contentment was the result of the resources contained in his heart. In other words, Paul used his circumstances as tutors in the school of praise.

Paul learned how to give God praise even when he was beaten, ridiculed, in prison, and facing his own death. Paul's attitude did not reflect his circumstances. Paul made a deliberate choice to praise God – no matter what. Why? Because Paul knew that even when he did not understand God's process, he could trust God's heart.

Let's pretend for just a moment. Suppose I went to my local bank and tried to cash a personal check for a thousand dollars. I can assure you that when I presented that check to the teller, she would have burst out laughing. She knows what I have in my bank account. Now suppose Bill Gates walked into his bank and presented the teller with a personal check for a thousand dollars. I can assure you that the teller would not burst out laughing. In fact, she would promptly cash that check because she knows what Bill Gates has in his bank account.

When we come to Jesus Christ, all of His promises are credited to our spiritual account. And there is a money-back guarantee on every promise of God. That is why we can praise Him – no matter what.

Praise invites God to take up residence in the middle of whatever mess we are in.

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

Praise produces trust in God and strengthens our faith.

Psalm 42:11 "But, O my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!"

In Africa, there is a fruit called the "taste berry" that literally changes a person's taste buds so that everything tastes sweet and pleasant. Sour fruit, even if eaten several hours after the taste berry, becomes sweet and delicious.

Praise is the "taste berry" for every Christian. Praise is more than emotions or spoken words. Praise is more than singing songs or lifting up hands in worship. True praise is the celebration of God, His power, His works, and His greatness. Praise is the fruit of a committed heart and the tool of a life completely surrendered to God.

When we are discouraged, praise reminds us that there is hope in God.

When we are afraid, praise reminds us that no matter what happens, God is with us. 

When we are lost, praise reminds us that God has already been where He is leading us.

When we are confused, praise reminds us that heaven is not in a panic.


Right now, girlfriend, lift up your head, and praise your God. He is with you and He is more than enough.

Let's Pray

Father, I praise You for Your love and Your mercy. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I praise You for sending Jesus to die in my place, to pay for my sins. I praise You for the family and friends You have given me. I praise You for this ministry of Girlfriends in God and for every woman who reads each word. Please bless them all and fill their hearts with Your presence and Your power as they praise You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Not it's Your Turn

Read the following verses of Scripture and fill in each blank.

I will praise God with ________________.

Psalm 34:1 "I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace."

I will praise God with ________________.

Ephesians 5:19 "Speak to one another with psalms."

I will praise God with _____________.

Psalm 69:30 "Then I will praise God with my singing!"

I will praise God with my ____________.

2 Corinthians 5:15 "He died for all so that all who live--having received eternal life from Him--might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them."

More from the Girlfriends

I wish I could reach through the computer screen and give you a hug, girlfriend! No matter what you are facing, God is with you - and so are we. You are not alone. I pray God will become more real to you as you praise Him. We would love to pray for you and with you. E-mail your prayer requests to our team of prayer warriors.

Need help facing the trials in your life? Check out Mary's Bible study, Strength for the Storm.

Join women from across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. If you enroll now, you will also have access to all of the 2013 studies. But hurry! This offer ends December 1. And be sure to connect with Maryon Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

November 22, 2013
Red Lipstick
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Friend to Friend

When my three children were young, it was a challenge to keep track of where they were at all times. My husband and I baby proofed the house as best we could, used gates and did our best. I'll never forget the day that Preston and Kennedy were accounted for in the playroom, but Hunter had wandered off. I called for him, but got no response.

Curious, I headed for the front staircase and listened for his little two-year-old voice. I checked his bedroom – no Hunter. I checked Preston's room – no Hunter. I checked Kennedy's room – no Hunter. By now, my heart was racing and I was growing concerned. As I headed into my bedroom, I began to hear faint noises from the master bathroom. Our bathroom mirror gave me all the information that I needed... Hunter had gotten into my red lipstick.

It. Was. Everywhere!

I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry! He was unaware of my presence as he continued his creative red-lipstick artwork on my walls and on the linen closet door. I quickly crossed the threshold of the bathroom door and confronted my little chubby-cheeked 'red lipstick-all-over-his-face' boy. He immediately hid his scandalous red tool behind his back...thinking I was none the wiser. I asked him what he was doing, to which he replied "Nothing." In my best trying-not-to-laugh mommy voice, I continued to ask him a series of questions and he continually denied any wrongdoing.

This makes me wonder; how many times have I gone before the Lord in prayer holding a tube of red lipstick behind my back. How many times have I – and do I – think I'm pulling one over on Him? Just as simply as I saw the tangible evidence of Hunter's red face, God sees our hearts and knows what we've been up to. He sees pride, anger, gossip and bitterness. He sees un-forgiveness, un-confessed sins, the habits we cling to, the shows we watch, the private texts and conversations that are happening and the books we read that don't honor Him. He sees our failures and lovingly longs for us to allow Him to clean up the mess we've made.

The Bible calls us to a higher level of living. A higher level of holiness: in Christ. "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

A few years back, after praying about my constant need for restoration and forgiveness, I was inspired to write a song called "Restore." CLICK here for a moment of reflection as you listen to the song.

Before the messes and secrets in our lives can be cleaned up, our red lipsticks need to be tossed. What is your red lipstick today? We all have them. Are you ready to hand it over to God?

Let's Pray

Dear God, please forgive me for the things in my life that I've kept from You or tried to hide from You. You deserve better from me. Help me eliminate everything in my life and in my heart that "contaminates my body and spirit." I want my life to be a reflection of Your holiness.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Consider the red lipstick(s) that God may be calling you to toss aside. Seek Him in prayer and toss away! Ask God to strengthen your faith and to purify your heart, then swing by my blog or my Facebook page and say, "I tossed my lipsticks!"

Do you trust that God's plan for your life is better that your plan for your life?

More from the Girlfriends

I have some exciting news to share with you! Many of you know that I don't just write devotions, I also write and sing songs. After many months of writing and recording, my new single has just been released! It is called "My Strength, My Song." Download it from iTunes, or click here to watch the lyric video on my YouTube page.

[Judy Harder]

November 25, 2013
When We Interfere with God's Plan
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

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

Friend to Friend

There are some parts of the story of Abraham and Sarah that just leave me biting my nails. I mean, Sarah, what were you thinking? Telling your husband to sleep with your maid? Really?

God had an incredible plan for Abraham and Sarah. While His plan was still accomplished despite Sarah's scheming, her interference caused much heartache and strife. Many times we have a tendency to run ahead of God when we feel He is not acting quickly enough. We connive, cajole, coax, and conspire. We hamper, hinder, hassle and hurry.

Jeremiah 29:11 promises that God has a plan for each and every one of us. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He does not need our interference to accomplish that plan. He does require our obedience and cooperation.

I asked my Facebook friends to tell about a time when they interfered with God's plan. Here's what a few had to say:

-I prayed that God would change my husband. I got tired of waiting, so I decided to take matters in my own hands and do it myself. I made a terrible mess of our marriage and the situation only got worse.

-I prayed for a husband, but got tired of waiting on God to bring him. I ended up dating a non-Christian, getting pregnant with twins, and ultimately left all alone to raise them by myself.

-When I was 24, I got pregnant and had an abortion. I didn't trust God with the situation and took matters in my own hands. Years of nightmares, anxiety, guilt, and fear followed. I finally allowed God to walk me through to full repentance and redemption. I knew Christ at the time of the abortion, but didn't believe He could help me get through the pregnancy. While I've dealt with the abortion physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and even share my testimony about God's forgiveness, I will never have the joy of raising that child.

-I lived with a man for 10 years. He partied all the time and didn't want to get married. I prayed that God would change him. Finally I prayed that God would change me and moved out. I cried out to God, "Why am I not enough for my boyfriend?" He answered, "Why am I not enough for you?" Wow! I can honestly say that life with God in control is amazing. His ways have been by far the most exciting and fulfilling time of my life. Listen to his nudges, friends, and most of all, wait for his green light.

-I pushed my husband to take a job that moved us thousands of miles away from family and friends. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I know I interfered with God's plan by not waiting on Him to guide us. We are still suffering the consequences.

God has given us a free will and allows us to storm ahead, but He also allows the consequences of our interference to affect our lives. Because of Sarah's interference, Hagar's son, Ishmael, was born. Muhammad, the founder of the Muslim people and Islamic faith, came from Ishmael's family tree. God predicted tension between the offspring of Ishmael and Isaac and we see that conflict raging even today with strife between the Muslims and Jews.

So here's my challenge to you today...let's not interfere with God's plan. Let's wait for Him to act and not take the reins if we feel He's not acting quickly enough. Deal? Deal.

Let's Pray

Oh Lord, forgive me for my impatience. Forgive me for running ahead of You. Forgive me for interfering in Your plans and messing things up. Today, I commit to wait on You. I will not run ahead of You. I will not come up with a plan that suits my wants, my desires, or my fancies. I'll wait on Your perfect plan to be enacted in Your perfect time.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

In one of Sarah's not-so-finest hours, she blamed the mess THAT SHE CREATED on her husband. Check out Genesis 16:1-5.

Have you ever made a mess of things, and then blamed someone else.

Ouch. My toes are hurting.

You know what God's job is? He runs things. If you are willing to let God do His job today, click over to my Facebook page and say, "I'm not going to interfere with God's job today." And if you haven't "liked" my page yet, be sure to click on that little thumbs up!

More from the Girlfriends

I think one reason we jump in and try to "help" God do His job is because we don't really trust Him. Hard to admit that, isn't it? Would you like to join Gwen, Mary and me on a faith adventure to learn to trust Him more? Then check out our book, Trusting God. We even have free videos for you to use with each of the 12 chapters. You'll love it. More importantly, you'll love God more!

And while you're on my site, make sure and sign up to receive my email blogswith brand-new encouragement and inspiration each Tues and Thurs. I also do lots of giveaways. So join the fun!

[Judy Harder]

November 26, 2013
Are You Ready for the Holidays?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told (Luke 2:16-20, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Are you ready for the holidays? For some people, that question spurs exciting thoughts of beautifully decorated tables filled with scrumptious meals, festive shopping trips, extended family time, brightly wrapped gifts under a tree ... the "Walton" kind of holiday. For others, the holiday season is a very difficult and dark time that is to be endured rather than enjoyed. According to the American Institute of Stress, more than 110 million Americans take medication for stress-related causes each week. During the holiday season, another one million people battle the holiday blues. I am very familiar with depression and the pain it holds. In fact, I must constantly battle to stay out of that pit.

Depression is an emotional, mental, physical and spiritual disorder. Something is out of balance. It may be a chemical imbalance, or we may have buried some pain instead of confronting it. Perhaps we have misplaced our trust, and sought help from impotent sources. The facts that can trigger depression are many. In order to deal with depression, we must first come to a place of total and complete surrender to God and His plan of healing – even if we cannot see or do not understand that plan. The bottom line of God's heart toward His children is always restoration and healing. 

While I am not a big fan of television, I do enjoy watching a few select home improvement shows. On a recent program, an interior decorator and homeowner were discussing a list of changes that needed to be made in order to update the home.

"First, we have to do something about those windows," the decorator announced. I was surprised that she had listed this task first – until I saw the house. The existing glass was not only an ugly shade of gold but was thick and chunky as well. The windows let in no light and made it virtually impossible to see in or out. The result was a dark, isolated home. The distressed homeowner protested, "But I like my privacy. And if I thought anyone could see in, I would feel totally exposed." When it comes to dealing with depression, many people feel the same way.

We construct walls over which no one can climb because the cost of friendship is too high. We fill the windows of our soul with emotional excuses in order to avoid dealing with pain. The result is darkness, loneliness, and missed opportunities for restoration. We don't want to understand depression or find the treasures of that darkness; we simply want to be rid of it. Many people try to understand and deal with depression on a surface level – refusing to face painful experiences, difficult relationships and, in general, the broken places where darkness lives. We look for the nearest exit, hoping to bypass transparency because the price is just too much to pay. Emotional integrity is an essential step to recognizing, understanding, and dealing with depression. We must be real before we can be right, and until we are willing to risk being transparent, we can neither understand nor effectively deal with depression during the holidays - or any other time of the year.   

The holidays seem to tug at the masks we carefully hold in place. The darkness of the pit often pushes the emotional buttons we desperately try to hide. The arrival of family members can resurrect painful issues that have never really been resolved. Financial pressure opens up like a sinkhole waiting to steal our joy and destroy our peace. Schedules demand every ounce of energy, and false expectations leave us empty and hollow. Before we realize it, the dark, slimy pit swallows us up. It is not supposed to be that way, girlfriend! Now is the time to do something about it!

Thanksgiving can be a time of praise if we choose to focus on the victories and joys we have experienced during the year, and then find ways to share that victory and joy with others.

Christmas can be a true celebration of fresh starts and new beginnings, if we choose to focus on a tiny baby born in a manger, come to save us and give us true life.

The darkness can be destroyed if we choose to face and deal with whatever it holds. Right now, get ready for the holidays by choosing an attitude of joy, by focusing your mind on the things of heaven – not earth, and by fixing your heart on Jesus Christ.

Let's Pray

Father, I want this holiday season to one that is filled with light instead of darkness. Please help me discard my emotional masks and be real before You as well as with my family and friends. Give me the courage to be obedient to You in every holiday setting. Give me eyes to see those You bring into my life that need my encouragement because they are on the same journey. Father, prepare and enable me to make this holiday season an offering of praise to You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Take a few moments to re-visit the holiday season of 2012.

What was the best part of those holidays for you? Why?
List three changes you would like to make this year.
What is the first step you need to take to make those changes happen?
Read Luke 2:1-16. Answer the following questions after reading the Christmas story.

What was the attitude of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem?
How did the shepherds react to the news of Jesus' birth? What did they do?
How would you describe the emotions and thoughts of Mary? How can meditating on the miracles of Jesus' birth change your perspective of the holidays?
Write a letter of commitment to Jesus, asking Him to empower the choices you have made concerning this holiday season. Make a step-by-step plan or a list of "dos" and "don'ts" that will help you experience the best holiday season of your life. Include your family in making this plan, and make the commitment to hold each other accountable.

More from your Girlfriends

Can you believe the holidays are already here – again? I have been on a diligent search this year – to discover the secrets of having the best and most Christ-centered holidays of my life. I am excited about my NEW MP3, How to Have a Joy-Filled Christmas, and believe it will help you learn how to prevent and control holiday stress, how to give God the gifts He wants to receive from us, and how to give ten wonderful gifts without spending a dime. Download it today!

Join women from across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. If you enroll now, you will also have access to all of the 2013 studies. But hurry! This offer ends December 1. And be sure to connect with Maryon Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

November 27, 2013
God's Gifts in Dark Times
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32, NIV)

Friend to Friend

I stood at Steven's bedroom door, watching this now 17-year-old son asleep in a tangle of sheets and limbs. He was six feet tall, needed a shave, and sported a mass of shaggy, thick brown hair. I thought about how much I loved this boy.

When Steven was born, we had no idea we would be raising him as an only child. Years of infertility struggles and the loss of our second child left us with a hollow echo of the heart that we feared would never be filled. And yet, when I looked at this sleeping man-child, love filled every nook and cranny of my heart till I thought it would burst. Still, there was always the wondering what life would have been like had more Jaynes children filled the rooms, scattered their toys, and left handprints on the walls.

"Lord," I prayed, "You know how much I love children and how I always longed to be a mom to a house full of children. I know Your ways are higher than our ways, and that You are my heavenly Father who knows what's best for me, but God, could You show me a purpose behind the pain of those difficult years of longing? You certainly don't owe me an explanation, but I'd love to have a bit of encouragement today. I'd love a nugget of gold."

Standing in the door frame, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of Steven's steady breathing, God's Word washed over me.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

"Is that You, Lord?" I asked. "Is that my nugget of gold?"

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The words washed over me again like a spring rain on parched ground, and my breath caught. It was as if the Holy Spirit illuminated Steven like a lone actor on the stage. Steven...my one and only son. For the first time in my life I truly grasped the height, the depth and the breadth of those familiar words. Jesus...God's one and only Son.

Yes, I have a one and only son. I love many people in this world, but none enough to sacrifice my only son. And yet God loved me that much. He loved you that much. He loved us enough to sacrifice His one and only Son in order to make eternal life with Him possible.

All through those years of infertility and loss, Satan, the enemy, taunted me with words of doubt. God doesn't love you, he'd say. If He loved you, He'd give you what you asked for. He doesn't love you. You can't trust Him with your heart.

And yet, at that moment standing in Steven's door frame, I realized just how much God did love me. He had shone the light of His love on the enemy's lie and revealed the truth.

With tears spilling down my cheeks, I thanked God for helping me understand His great love—for giving me a living, breathing daily reminder of that love every time I looked at my boy. If that was the only purpose behind the years of infertility and loss of a child, then that was enough.

The Bible says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). What does God really mean by "all things"? Most likely He means all things—the good, the bad and the ugly. In every dark circumstance of life, I believe that there is a nugget of gold or a hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered. However, for that to happen, we must look beyond the dirt, push it aside, and search beneath the surface.

Is it easy? No. Is it messy? Usually. Is it worth it? Always.

Has there been a trial or loss in your life? If so, I wonder if God has a valuable treasure hidden beneath the surface of the pain, just waiting to be discovered. Do you trust Him enough to push the dirt aside and see?

Let's Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your only Son so that I could receive eternal life the moment I believed in Him.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

You know, it brings tears to my eyes every time I think of that day standing in Steven's door frame. How about you? Was there a particular time when you knew that you knew just how much God loves you?

Perhaps it came on the heels of a difficult situation? Perhaps it came during a time of joy? Think about that today. Praise God for that today. Remember.

I'd love to hear about your glory moment. In one sentence, join me on www.facebook.com and share it with your GiGs. Here's how we'll start...One day I was reminded of God's love for me when...

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was taken from our GiGs book, Trusting God. To download a free excerpt, watch a video, or order, you can visit www.sharonjaynes.com or www.girlfriendsinGod.com.

[Judy Harder]

November 28, 2013
God is Jealous for Me
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame (Song of Songs 8:6, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Shakespeare described jealousy as a "green-eyed monster." Mark Twain called it the "trademark of small minds." I once heard it described as "the gangrene of the soul." Not a lovely picture, is it? In fact, in human terms, jealousy is usually thought of as a negative trait we need to carefully guard against. However, when it comes to God, jealousy takes on a whole new meaning.

God is a jealous God. The root idea in the Old Testament word jealous is to become intensely red and refers to the way our face can change color with rising emotion when something or someone very dear to us is threatened. Been there? I have! In fact, both the Old and New Testament words for jealousy are also translated "zeal." In other words, being jealous and being zealous is basically the same thing in the Bible. God is zealous – eager about protecting what is precious to Him. It's the kind of jealousy that compels God to pursue each one of us relentlessly, no matter how we try to evade Him with our indifferent attitude or our propensity for sin. The jealousy of God is comparable to the jealous passion of a parent for their child. As a mother, I know what that kind of love is like.

When our son was only six weeks old, he developed a potentially serious medical condition. When the doctor told us to immediately bring Jered to the hospital for tests, I panicked. Dan rushed home from work, and we raced to the hospital where we were met by caring nurses and our wonderful pediatrician. After an extensive exam, the doctor said, "Okay. Let's get an IV in this little man and get him upstairs for X-rays." Seeing the look on my face, Dr. Schultz wrapped his arm around my shoulders and said, "He is going to be fine. We will take good care of him." Words of comfort, but they were not nearly enough to assuage my anguish as I pictured needles being thrust into my precious baby. And he couldn't eat in case they had to do surgery! Jered was all about eating. After his regular feeding time came and went, he screamed for food until he was hoarse. I cried along with him because I knew he was hungry, but I couldn't feed him or make him understand why I couldn't feed him.

The nurses were obviously accustomed to dealing with almost hysterical mothers like me and reassured me repeatedly that everything was going to be fine. I wanted proof! This was not just any baby they were dealing with. Jered was my baby! I fully expected the claws to pop out of the ends of my fingers at any moment because, for the first time in my life, I understood what a mama bear must feel like when her cub is threatened.

The nurse who was assigned to insert Jered's IV was wonderful. I held him tightly as she expertly and gently inserted the needle, and quickly secured it with surgical tape. She then took a Styrofoam cup, cut it in half, and taped it over the needle so Jered couldn't accidently kick it out. And let me tell you, he was indeed kicking at this point!

The nurse then left the room so I could rock my baby and try to calm him down. Just as he drifted off to sleep, the door slammed open as an X-ray technician wheeled a gurney into the room and sharply ordered, "Let's go!" He had no idea who he was dealing with. My husband did and quickly took charge, escorting the technician into the hallway and said, "We will carry him up to the X-ray floor and will be glad to follow you, but we will not need that gurney until we get there." The technician started to argue, but evidently reconsidered when his eyes found mine and he caught my death glare. "Fine," he said and grabbed the IV pole, and told us to follow him.

When we reached the X-ray unit, Dan gently pried Jered out of my arms, and laid him on the gurney. The technician said, "We are really backed up today so let's make this quick!" He then jerked the gurney and the IV pole in opposite directions, yanking out the carefully inserted and securely taped IV. Blood spurted out of my son's leg, and he began to scream.

I don't exactly remember what happened next, but Dan does. He said I scooped Jered up in my arms, stomped my foot so loudly that nurses came running as I growled at the offending young man. I guess the technician had reached his patience limit, too, because he glared back at me and said, "Lady, do you need to leave this unit?" Dan said he quickly began calculating how he was going to raise my bail money when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw me approach the doomed technician, plant my finger in his chest and whisper through clenched teeth, "Listen carefully to me, young man. I know you have a job to do, but you need to understand something right now! This is my baby! I am not going anywhere! And you need to watch how you treat him!" The young man quickly apologized ... as did I ... sort of ... but I meant every word I had spoken to him. Fortunately, Jered did not have to have surgery. He downed two full bottles in record time, and I let the technician live. Thankfully, we headed home instead of to jail. I was and still am a jealous parent who is passionate and zealous about her children.

Don't doubt for a minute that God is jealous for you, Girlfriend. He is standing right beside you, wrapping His arms of love around your wounded heart. Listen closely as He declares that you are His child. You belong to Him, and He is not going anywhere!

Let's Pray

Father, I want to thank You for loving me like no one has ever loved me. I cannot comprehend that kind of love, but I know it is real because it has changed me. Thank You for Your faithfulness and provision in my life. I praise You!

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Set aside time today to spend with God. Read and meditate on the promise of John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Record this verse in your journal.

Circle the action words. What do they mean to you personally?

More from the Girlfriends

The love of God is like no other love. Mary's MP3 download, Love That Never Fails, is a powerful message that will help you understand and celebrate the amazing love of God. Check it out.

Looking for a Bible Study? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey and learn how to deal with the anger in your life. (Join now and have access to all lessons covered in 2013. (Hurry! This offer ends December 1!) Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

November 29, 2013
Unsearchable Greatness
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:1-3, NASB).

Friend to Friend

I fell in love with my husband half-my-life ago, yet with twenty years of marriage under my belt, there are still moments that I shake my head and wonder, "who is that man?" And while I may not have every mystery about him solved, I DO know my husband. I know his voice, his touch, and his quirks. I'm can bear witness to his character, his personality, and his ways.

The same is true about my relationship with God. Over the years, I have gotten to know God intimately. I talk with Him regularly in prayer. I have learned to hear His voice, to recognize His touch, and to understand many basic truths of who He is.

There are so many revelations of God in His Word. The Bible boasts of His greatness, glory, honor, and character. We know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:, that God's grace is sufficient for every repentant heart, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We know that His name is above all other names (Philippians 2:9), that there is no other like Him (Jeremiah 10:6), and that His wisdom holds secrets that are hidden from before time began (I Corinthians 2:7). And for as much as we know and know about the LORD, our knowledge of Him is but a fraction of a grain of sand as held up to all the beaches on earth.

He is the mysterious master Creator who hung each star in the sky and calls them by name, yet He wants us to love Him, to trust Him, to know Him, and to worship Him. That thought alone blows my mind and sets it to wonder! God invites us to participate with Him in a vibrant dance of abundant life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our amazing Heavenly Father bids each and every one of us to come to Him with questions, to be held by His love, to find peace, hope, and healing in His Son. He wants us to seek Him through prayer and to experience new revelations of Him through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.

The voices of all of creation shout His praise! I encourage you to pause in this moment to consider Him... to respond to Him... to meditate on His glorious splendor. As you do, He will increasingly become the all-satisfying desire of your heart. Even more than that, as you worship He will stir up a hunger in your soul to know Him even more.

Let's say with the psalmist, "I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:1-3, NASB)

Surely our God is clothed in majestic, unsearchable greatness! Amen?

Let's Pray

Holy Father, Your greatness truly is unsearchable! I pray that you will continue to stir up a hunger in my soul to know all the mystery of You that remains. Please cause me to think bigger thoughts of You, and to acknowledge You in all my ways.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Jeremiah 33:3. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." What does this verse mean to you? What does this verse tell you about the rewards of calling on our Lord? Thank Him for hearing your prayers and for healing your pains. Be lost in the wonder of Him.

This devotion was inspired by a worship song that I co-wrote called, UNSEARCHABLE. Take a moment to read through the lyric below – then CLICK here to listen to the song.

UNSEARCHABLE
By Sue Smith and Gwen Smith

Lord, I know that your grace is sufficient for me
I know I am held by your love
And You're there when I call
You are strong when I'm weak
You delight over me from above

And You stir up a hunger that I can't explain
To know all the mystery of You that remains

Unsearchable greatness
Unsearchable wisdom
Unsearchable mercy to me
I am lost in the wonder of all that I know
Knowing there's much more to see
Cause you are unsearchable
You are unsearchable

Lord, I boast in Your glory that humbles the stars

Your name has such power and might

And Your goodness and kindness

Have captured my heart

Your Word keeps giving me life

And you stir up a hunger that I can't explain
to know all the mystery of You that remains...

Hear the voice of all creation crying out

More From the Girlfriends

I have posted the song on both my blog and my Facebook page. Come by to hear "Unsearchable" and let me know how today's devotion is resonating with your heart.

I have some exciting news to share with you! Many of you know that I don't just write devotions, I also write and sing songs. After many months of writing and recording, my new songs have just been released! The project is called "My Strength, My Song." Download it from iTunes, or click here to watch the lyric videos on my YouTube page.

[Judy Harder]

December 2, 2013
Don't Miss Your Divine Appointment
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Jesus was a very busy man. And yet, He was never too busy to offer a kind word to the men and women who crossed His path on a daily basis.

He stopped and spoke to the diminutive Zacchaeus who was perched in a tree to get a better look at the parade of followers.

He took a break from His travels to engage in one of His longest recorded conversations with a weary woman who was at a well.

He interrupted His schedule to comfort a mother who was in the funeral procession of her only son.

He took time to deliver a demon-possessed man who stood in His way on the shore.

He noticed a lame man by the pool of Bethesda who waited for the healing waters to stir.

He comforted His crying mother as she stood at the foot of the cross.

He instructed the frustrated fishermen as He stood watching from the shore.

Jesus noticed...and then He offered words and deeds of comfort and concern.

It appears that each of these incidents in Jesus' life was an interruption in His packed schedule, but they were not interruptions at all. Each encounter was a divine appointment from His heavenly Father who controlled the moments of Jesus' days.

Could it be that God is sending you out on a special assignment each time you cross the threshold of your home? I wonder who will God put in your path today?

As we go throughout our busy days this holiday season, we are continually met with opportunities to impact others with the words we speak. The man in front of us in line at the grocery store, the woman at the checkout counter, the waiter in the restaurant, the fellow passenger on the airplane, or the neighbor across the street might be your special assignment for the day.

If you'll join me by being on the lookout for our special assignment from God today, click over to my Facebook page and say, "I'm on the lookout."

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see people who need a word of encouragement, a word of acknowledgement, or a word of thanks. Help me to slow down enough to see the needs standing right in front of me. Thank you for giving Jesus as our example of how to care for a hurting world.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Can you think of a time when someone, perhaps even a stranger, said a kind word that brightened your day?

Make it a point today to encourage five people that you do not know. Perhaps it will be in the workplace, the grocery store, or the bank. Make your errands a ministry opportunity.

More from the Girlfriends

Words are one of the most powerful gifts that God has given us. He didn't entrust them to zebras, cows, or cats. He gave words to man! Wow! What a responsibility. To learn more about how to tame your tongue and speak words of life to those around you, check out my book The Power of a Woman's Words. It also has an accompanying study guide and DVD. It's a perfect study for your women's Bible study group.

And if you need a little help keeping Jesus the focus of the holiday season, check out my book, Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas: Ideas from A-Z.And what better gift to give than the gift of prayer. My newest book, Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based Prayeris now available. Click on the title to watch a video or read a sample chapter.

[Judy Harder]

December 3, 2013
Gifts That Matter
Part 1
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you (Luke 6:38, NLT).

Friend to Friend

The world would like us to believe that the success of Christmas depends upon how much we spend, how many presents we give, or how many presents we receive. Yes, Christmas is about giving, but price tags do not determine the success of our giving. Giving is not dependent on the condition of our checkbooks. Giving is dependent on the condition of our hearts. I am so glad! Like many of you, 2013 has been a year filled with unexpected expenses. We are going to have to be creative gift-givers this year ... and that is not a bad thing. We can find creative ways to give gifts from the heart, meaningful gifts that cost very little. Let me share some ideas with you.

A homemade gift

Giving a homemade gift represents time, thought, and is a part of you. When our children were small, one of our favorite Christmas traditions was to create and deliver a homemade hot chocolate mix in decorated mason jars to our neighbors. We placed the jars just to the left of each neighbor's front door, rang their doorbell and ran like crazy! I am not certain who enjoyed it the most ... our neighbors or us. (By the way, the recipe posted on my website if you want to carry on this tradition.)

A possession gift

Giving something we already own can be a wonderful Christmas gift if it is something of special value to us. In other words, it is not the idea of getting rid of junk, but of sharing our treasure. Don't ask the question, "What can I buy for Sally?" Instead, ask, "What do I have that would mean a lot to Sally?" My husband is a pastor. During a message, Dan mentioned that he collects old Bibles. The next Christmas, one of our church members gave him a family Bible that had been passed down through several generations of family members. It was and still is one of Dan's most prized possessions.

A gift of time

Time is a valuable gift. When we give someone 30 minutes of our time, we are giving them 30 minutes of our lives. While Dan was in seminary, we rarely had a spare minute or extra dollar between school, jobs and babies. A close friend who knew our schedule gave us a precious gift of time. "I have no money but wanted to give you a gift for Christmas," he said, handing us a card. Inside was a coupon for free childcare one afternoon each week for the spring semester. That was over twenty-five years ago, and I still remember that wonderful gift of time.

A gift of prayer

The greatest gift we can give someone is the commitment to pray. Following our traditional Christmas Eve service, an elderly lady approached Dan and said, "I don't have anything to give you, Pastor. But I want you to know that I will pray for you, Mary and the kids every morning this year at 6:00 a.m." And she did! What a priceless gift! Every time she saw us, this sweet lady asked what we needed and how she should pray. Only Heaven knows all that God accomplished in our lives through the prayers of this godly woman.

A gift of encouragement

We assume that the people in our lives know how much they mean to us. They rarely do. This Christmas, write a letter to someone you love and appreciate, telling them how important they are to you. Be specific. A written note or letter requires time, careful thought, and allows that person to read your words of encouragement again and again. One of my most prized possessions is a blue wooden box our son built and gave me one year for Christmas. In that box, I store notes, letters and cards of affirmation so on my "blue" days, I can pull out a dose of encouragement.

In my next devotion, I will share with you six more gifts from the heart. I pray this holiday season will lead us once again to the manger, where we will worship the Christ child and experience a Christmas holiday filled with love, peace and joy.

Let's Pray

Father, teach us to celebrate Your birth in the way we give to others. Lord, I don't want to get caught up in buying gifts that make me feel good. I want to give gifts that honor God, encourage others and point them to the real reason for this season – Jesus. Be glorified in every gift I give this year.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read and memorize Luke 6:38 that says, "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you.

What does this verse tell you about how important it is to give?

What does this verse say about the importance of the attitude behind the gift?

What does God promise to do in our lives when we give generously?

More from the Girlfriends

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can celebrate the Christmas holidays because God is with you!

Looking for a Bible Study to start the New Year? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Don't miss the new study, How to Tame the Tongue, beginning January 20, 2014. Enroll before December 15 and have access to all 2013 lessons.

Do you want to revolutionize your prayer life? Check out Chair Time, a new E-Book written by Mary's husband, Dan. It not only will teach you how to hear from God – it will change your life! And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.