Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

February 17, 2014
I'd Be Happy If...
Part One
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly (John 10:10, NASB).

Friend to Friend

I'd be happy if...  If you begin a sentence with those words, then beware. Those little words of discontentment are the very words that Satan uses to draw us into his deceitful traps.

I'd be happy if I were married.

I'd be happy if I were married to a different man.

I'd be happy if I had more money.

I'd be happy if I had children.

I'd be happy if my children acted differently.

All these thoughts take our focus away from the blessings that we do have. And that is exactly where Satan wants them to be.

And it's nothing new. This is the same old story that began in the Garden of Eden with the same antagonist deceiving the leading lady. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start at the very beginning.

Five days after time began, the Creator of the Universe gazed at all He had made and was not completely satisfied. Yes, as the sun set on each of the first five days on God's kingdom calendar, He said, "It is good."  But there was something missing. Something more. Someone more. 

The stage was set for Act 6. The curtain rose. Everything had to be perfect for God's grand finale. The angels gathered round as God announced the final scene on the grand drama of "In the Beginning."   

God began with an announcement..."Let us make man in Our own image." This being will be different from all the rest. With body, soul, and spirit, man will enter into a relationship with the Creator on a personal and intimate level. He will be just a little lower than the angels and rule over the animals that creep on the earth, the fowl that soar in the sky, and the fish that swim in the sea.  Man will be God's friend.   

So God knelt on the ground and gathered a handful of dirt. He spat on the dust and began forming the most magnificent creation to date. With His very fingertips, God fashioned man's inward parts: capillaries, nerve endings, brain cells, hair follicles, eyelashes, taste buds.  Meticulously and deliberately, the Artist created a masterpiece of divine design.         

And as the lifeless form lay before the celestial audience, God placed His mouth upon the nostrils of man and breathed life into his waiting lungs. A collective gasp ran through the crowd as man's lungs filled with holy oxygen and he took his first breath. As if God flipped the breaker switch of life, man's heart began beating, the lungs began expanding, and the eyes began fluttering open to see. And the curtain began to fall on this, the sixth day of creation.

"Wait!" the Creator cried. "My work is not done. It is not good for man to be alone! I will create a helper suitable for him. A companion like him, but yet, oh so different."       

So, midair, the curtain rises to expose the day, and God—the Us, the three-in-one—began to fashion the grand finale...woman.       

Can't you just see it now? Can't you sense the excitement of the angels as they hovered low?  From the very beginning of time, man was set apart. He was uniquely designed for a specific purpose as God's image bearer to rule the earth.       

But there was one among the onlookers that day who watched with evil intent. Yes, he was among the created angelic beings, one of the most beautiful, in fact. But he wasn't happy with God's creation. Earlier, this angelic being decided he didn't particularly like his position in the heavenly order. He wanted to elevate himself above God. And while he had been created to be a light bearer, his rebellion resulted in being thrown to the earth to become known as the Prince of Darkness.         

And now there were these...humans...created in God's image. The enemy was not pleased. As soon as Adam and Eve stood on the stage, the Prince of Darkness began to devise their demise. If he was going down, he was going to take as many of these image bearers with him as possible. And he was going to do it by introducing the thought..."You would be happy if..."

Join me in my next devotion as we continue looking at how the serpent introduced man to the deadly venom of discontent.

Let's Pray

Dear LORD, I know that the enemy wants me to fail and fall. I also know that You want me to have abundant life filled with peace and joy. Help me to listen to Your voice and turn a deaf ear to the enemy's taunting lies. I stand on the truth of who You are and who I am in You...more than a conqueror.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Adam and Eve had it all...and they threw it away for a piece of fruit. Have you ever done the same? Have you ever ignored God's truth for a bite of forbidden fruit?

Is so, what was the outcome? Good? Bad?

I know this is personal, and maybe private. To be honest, February and Valentines Day stirs up lots of "I would be happy ifs" among women. Hallmark stirs the pot of discontentment and amplifies Satan's taunts of unmet expectations.

So let's hold up the shield of faith and say, "NO MORE!" Stand with me today and say, "I will not buy into the lie of 'I will be happy if...'" If you are willing, click over to my Facebook page and say, "I will not buy into the lie of "I would be happy if!"

More from the Girlfriends

Sometimes it is easy to read about Adam and Eve and not see ourselves. But we fight the same enemy with the same tactics. If you would like to learn more about how to recognize the lies, reject the lies, and replace the lies with truth, check out my book,  I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. It will give you the tools you need to defeat the enemy's lies and live victoriously in the truth! It is packed with 72 common lies women believe and the truth that sets us free.

[Judy Harder]

February 18, 2014
Run!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Don't turn off the road of goodness; keep away from evil paths (Proverbs 4:27, NCV).

Friend to Friend

At the close of the sermon, a church member came forward to speak with the pastor. He was very upset because of the sin in his life and his blatant disobedience to God. With tears streaming down his face, the repentant man took the pastor's hand to confess that his life was full of sin, but what came out was, "My sin is full of life." I can relate.

I don't know about you, but my sin is definitely "full of life." I am always amused but also saddened by people who think that just because I am in full-time ministry, I am holier than they are, better than they are, or don't have to battle sin like they do. Just ask my husband and children. They will blow that theory right out of the water. I'm just thankful our grandchildren are not old enough to blow the whistle on their Mimi. The fact is, as long as I live in this fallen world and sport this frail humanity, I will wrestle with sin.

However, I have refined several tactics for dealing with my sinful nature. Rationalization is one of my personal favorites. And there is always the handy comparison ploy – measuring my sin against the sin of another. At times, I subscribe to the popular "bury it and hope it will go away" tactic. The reality is that nothing satisfies the payment sin demands except the blood of Jesus Christ and my response to His sacrifice in true unadulterated repentance - on my face before my Holy God.

When we turn our lives over to God, He sets our feet on the right path. But to stay on that path requires a continual choice to run from sin. With our flawed choices, we take side trips, create detours and wind up on the wrong road headed in the wrong direction.

Solomon warns us to stay away from evil paths. "Don't turn off the road of goodness; keep away from evil paths" (Proverbs 4:27, NLT). "Keep away" literally means, "to turn aside or drag from." In other words, when we see sin or even the opportunity to sin, we should turn around and run in the opposite direction. We should "drag ourselves" away from sin. What do we do instead? We flirt with sin. We want to be delivered from temptation but would really like to keep in touch. We pray for God to "lead us not into temptation" and then deliberately place ourselves in its path. In our arrogance, we think we can handle sin and the temptation to sin on our own. That very attitude is an open invitation for the enemy, daring him to take his best shot.   

My husband, Dan, was the pastor of Flamingo Road Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for many years. A man of great wisdom, Dan was adamant about the fact that neither he nor his staff should ever put themselves in a situation that flirted with sin or made it easier to sin. Solid wooden office doors were replaced with glass doors. No pastor was allowed to meet with a woman for any reason unless one of the other staff members was present. A staff counselor was hired to handle anyone needing more than one counseling session. The staff often went to lunch following their regular Tuesday morning staff meeting, and even though the restaurant was literally across the street from the church, no man was allowed to ride alone with a woman. Sound ridiculous?  Seem absurd? Not at all! Dan simply refused to provide extra ammunition for the enemy. The bottom line is that it's foolish and dangerous to flirt with sin.

There is no holding pattern for believers nor can we live in a neutral state. We are either going forward or backward. We are either being renewed or consumed. Do not relinquish any more life territory to the enemy. Run from sin!

Let's Pray

Father, forgive me for the sin in my life. Right now, I choose to turn away from that sin. I turn to You, Lord. I know that I am lost and totally helpless without You. Thank You for the unconditional love and unending forgiveness that I find in You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (NIV).

Consider the following promises found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. What do they mean to you and how do they apply to your life?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.
God is faithful!
He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear
He will provide a way out.
More from the Girlfriends

Prayer is one of our most powerful weapons against temptation and sin. If you want a powerful prayer life, I encourage you to check out my husband's new E-Book, Chair Time. It is a short read that not only will change the way you view prayer but teach you how to hear the voice of God as well.

Need help learning how to study the Bible?Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is How to Tame Your Tongue. And be sure to connect with Mary on Face book or through email.

[Judy Harder]

February 19, 2014
I'd Be Happy If...
Part Two
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers [and sisters). Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:16-17, NIV).

Friend to Friend

In my last GiG devotion, we looked at how God created Adam and Eve to live in a perfect world. But then in Genesis chapter 3, we read the daunting words, "Now the serpent..."

Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world. All their needs were cared for. They had perfect communion with God and each other. They were "naked and unashamed." The only restriction placed on them was that they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil located in the middle of the Garden. God warned them, "If you eat of it, you will surely die."

As they basked in the light of God's love, darkness slithered into the Garden with his plan to kill, steal and destroy the image bearers. And how did he do it? He did it with the most powerful weapon of all...lies.

"Now the serpent..." The great deceiver clothed himself as a serpent and slithered up to Eve with a game plan to destroy God prized possession. He didn't come with a sword, or a gun, or even a knife for his attack. He simply wielded lies.

The serpent knew Adam and Eve would not buy into a radical flamboyant denial of God, so he slithered into the Garden with a twist and a turn of the truth. He began by causing Eve to DOUBT... "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" (Genesis 3:1).

Satan knew exactly what God had said. He was simply trying to confuse Eve. Perhaps he was evaluating just how well she knew the truth. He found out.

"We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden," Eve replied, "but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die" (Genesis 3:3).

Bingo. She didn't know the truth that well after all. God never mentioned not touching the fruit.  That seems like a pretty good idea, but it was not what God said.

Second he DENIED God and lied about the consequences of disobedience. Satan said, "You will not surely die" (3:4).  He didn't even try to disguise the deception. He told a flat-out lie.

And finally, he told her she could be like God: "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil' (3:5). In other words, "God doesn't know what He's talking about. He's holding out on you. You don't need Him. You can be your own god. You'd be happy if..."

Eve rejected the truth and believed the lie. She believed that she could be like God...in control of her own life. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her."

And as she sunk her teeth into the forbidden fruit of deception and the lie slid down her delicate throat, the temptation settled in her soul and fermented into shame and condemnation. Her husband, who chose the woman over God, also felt the sickening rot of sin settle in his very soul. Suddenly shame and fear entered the world, and Adam and Eve hid from God like wayward children.

All temptation is an attempt to get us to live our lives independent of God. Satan is not very creative, but he is very effective. And he has been lying to us ever since. Why? Because it works.

Every one of his lies springs from the idea that happiness is just a decision away. Satan wants you to believe God is holding out on you. You can be like God. You can be your own god.

Listen to me here, sister. This is important. Rather than being thankful for what we do have, he points out what we don't have. Think about it. Eve had at her disposal every tree in the Garden except one. Every one! That is a smorgasbord of goodness! But rather than being thankful, she bought the lie that the one thing she couldn't have was the one thing that would make her happy. I would be happy if...

Is any of this sounding familiar to you? It should. Satan uses the same tactics with us that he used with Eve. Ingratitude is the infection of Eden, and it is cured with praise.

Eve believed the enemy's lie over God's truth. His plan worked. But what the serpent did not know was that God's amazing plan of forgiveness and grace was about to unfold. Satan did not win the battle for man's soul in the Garden. Jesus Christ won the war on Calvary's cross. When Jesus said, "It is finished," and then breathed His last, He made a way for all mankind to regain all that Adam and Eve had lost.

Let's Pray

Dear God, help me to recognize the lies of the enemy. I am so thankful for all that You have given me. I commit, right now, that I will not entertain thoughts that "I would be happy if..." but rather praise You for all that You have given me: freedom in Christ, eternal life, access to You though prayer, salvation, redemption, purpose. I love You, LORD.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

When was the last time you said or thought, "I would be happy if..."

What does that thought imply?

Where does true joy come from?

The way we fight Satan's lies is with the truth. What is one lie he has told you and the truth that proved him wrong? Click over to my Facebook page and let's compare notes.

Here's one of mine. Lie: You can't do anything right. Truth: I can do everything through Him (Christ) who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13 NIV).

More from the Girlfriends

Are you ready to begin seeing yourself as God sees you? Are you ready to begin living the victoriously abundant life that God planned all along?  Well, let's grab hands and begin the journey of walking in the truth together. My book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves, will open your eyes to the truth and set you free from the lies. Click on the link to read a sample chapter, watch the video book trailer, and begin the amazing journey of replacing the lies with the truth. And if you are still in Valentine mode, check out my 14-Day Romance Challenge e-book and watch your husband fall in love with you all over again!

[Judy Harder]

February 20, 2014
I Don't Want to Grow Up!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does.  But when I grew up, I put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11, NLT).

Friend to Friend

I remember the first time I saw the movie, "Peter Pan." I was a little girl, totally mesmerized by the character of Peter. I wanted to be just like him. After the movie was over, I immediately ran into my back yard and jumped out of a tree – trying to fly! Fortunately, nothing was broken, and I quickly decided I could be contented with being like Peter in other ways. I immediately vowed never to grow up. I agreed with Peter that the adult world seemed frightening; it was very large and demanding, completely beyond my control.

However, life goes on and I somehow managed to navigate the treacherous waters of life, finding myself happily married with two children. Once again, I wished time would stop or at least slow down so my children would stay babies. Of course, that wish didn't come true either, but I have to say that my life today is very sweet. Our son, Jered, is married to a beautiful girl, and they have three children. Our daughter, Danna, is married to a wonderful young man and they have two children. Both Jered and Danna have grown into wonderful young adults, not to mention the fact that they have given us beautiful grandchildren. The desire to grow is a healthy desire and a natural process in human development.

The same principle is true when it comes to our spiritual development and growth. If the desire to grow isn't present in our lives, there's something wrong with our spiritual health.  Healthy Christians grow and mature. It's natural for the Christian to grow and mature in Christ. God not only wants us to grow, He commands us to do so.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church at Corinth, correcting them for their childish attitudes about the spiritual gifts of tongues, knowledge and prophecy. He encouraged them to grow up, to put away these less mature gifts, and to seek the more mature gifts such as love, faith and hope.

We can apply this same encouragement to our lives today. It's time for us to become mature believers by putting away immature attitudes and actions. One of the most obvious marks of maturity or immaturity is how we use words.

Mature believers don't speak like children. We never know exactly what a child is going to say, but we naturally expect childish words to come from children. Paul is saying that a great measurement of maturity for us as Christians is how well we use words.

Our words need to be controlled. In the book of James, we find a sobering challenge.  "We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way" (James 3:2, NLT). If we can control our tongues, we can control ourselves. James, a disciple of Jesus, compares the tongue to the rudder on a ship, a bit in the horse's mouth or a spark that starts a huge fire. The tongue is powerful and difficult to control.  Our words can give or destroy life.  Once a word is spoken, it is eternal.

Our words need to be encouraging. One of the highest responsibilities in the body of Christ is to practice encouragement. A word of encouragement may be a life preserver to someone drowning in a storm of life.

Our words need to be truthful. Mark Twain said, "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Lies hold us in bondage while truth sets us free.

We need to be extremely careful what we say and how we say it because the spoken word is powerful. It can bless or curse, express praise or whisper slander. It can be a tool of blessing or a weapon of destruction. How we use the tongue is a dead give-away of our spiritual maturity. If we don't learn to control our tongue, it will control us.

I know! Maturity is hard work. It would be a lot easier to remain babies in Christ, but in order to live a life of victory and honor God, we need to set our minds and hearts on growing up spiritually.

The words we speak are direct indicators of our maturity level. Ouch! If you are like me, you really do want to use words as a gift of encouragement, but it is so easy to speak before we think.

Let's get into God's Word so we will have good things to speak.

Let's pray diligently so we will be prepared to give a Godly verbal response.

And when we fail, let's confess our frailty, celebrate God's strength...and begin again.

Let's Pray

Father, I confess that I am still childish and lack maturity in many areas of my life. I now lay those areas before You, and ask that You take control. Teach me Your ways. Lord. Help me control my tongue and speak words that encourage and build others up. Right now, I give myself anew to You and pray that in the days to come, I will grow up so that others will see You in my life.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Take some time to evaluate the maturity level in every area of life – especially in the words you speak.

In what areas have you grown since becoming a Christian?

What are the areas in which you need to mature?

How would others describe the words that you speak?

___ Husband

___ Children

___ Neighbors

___ Co-workers

___ Friends

Who is there in your life that needs a word of encouragement today? How can you meet that need?

[Judy Harder]

February 21, 2014
What to Expect When You're NOT Expecting
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

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

Friend to Friend

I was not expecting to hear what I heard. "You have a polyp on your right vocal cord and a nodule on your left vocal cord. In addition to that, Mrs. Smith, your esophagus is yellow and inflamed because of acid reflux. I know you sing and speak professionally, so I'm placing you on mandatory vocal rest for 4-6 weeks. You cannot talk at all. You will also need to adjust your diet and take medication in order to calm the acid reflux. If your condition doesn't get better with rest, medication and dietary changes, you may need to have vocal cord surgery."

He was not expecting to hear what he heard. "The biopsy and ultra sounds of your mass indicate that it is highly probable you have papillary thyroid cancer, Mr. Smith. We will need to schedule surgery to have it removed and if the final pathology reports are conclusive for cancer, as we strongly suspect, you will need to have a radioactive iodine treatment to ensure that all of the remaining cancerous cells are destroyed."

Both of these conversations took place over the past several months. Neither my husband nor I were expecting to hear what we heard. And we were not expecting to go through what we are now going through.

"You cannot speak for 4-6 weeks." "You have cancer." "I want a divorce." "Your position has been terminated." "Your electricity has been shut off until you make a payment on your bill." "You have not been accepted into our program." "I'm sorry, there has been an accident..."Sometimes we come face to face with complicated matters that we simply are not expecting. Life can turn us upside down in a moment's notice and leave us gasping for breath, grasping for strength, and searching for answers.

Have you been there? Are you or is someone you love there now?

Through the trials that both my husband and I are going through, the LORD has been teaching us lesson after lesson. So we thank Him for the treasures found in the darkness of this season. The Word of God is rich with treasures because it connects our hearts to God's hope.

When we find ourselves with challenges that we were not expecting, there are a few things that we all can expect.

The Bible tells us that God will never leave us nor forsake us. But this does not mean that bad things won't happen. And it also does not mean that we will never experience pain, disappointment, or devastation. It means that no matter what we face, God – Emmanuel – is always with us and His peace is always available... whether He chooses to deliver us from the trial,through the trial, or in the trial.

Here are a few truths and action points to cling to in difficult times:

GOD IS NEAR: "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5b-7)

GOD HEARS YOUR CRIES: "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:17-18)

GOD IS WITH YOU and FOR YOU: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Yes; pain will sting you, bad things will happen, people will hurt you, and your heart will sometimes be burdened with heavy loads. BUT GOD offers to meet you in the messy thick of it. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

How will you respond to His invitation? When you call on Jesus, you can expect to experience God's peace even in the times you face challenges that you were not expecting.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, I admit that I sometimes fear the unexpected and do not fully trust in your perfect will. I know that you see the end from the beginning and that your thoughts are not my thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). Forgive me for my lack of faith and please teach me to trust in you so that when the unexpected storms of life come, I will expect peace in the midst of those storms (Mark 4:37-40), knowing that you are near, you hear my cries, and you are with me and for me.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read the following verse: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

According to this verse, "perfect peace" comes from focusing our minds upon the Lord. What a promise that is! Find some verses about God's nature and His promises to you and write them in a journal or a special place where you can refer to them when life hits you with the unexpected. Use these verses to meditate on God through your trials to experience His peace!

Let's pray for one another today. Click over to my blog or my Facebook page and post a prayer need... or simply say, "I'm expecting God's peace!"

[Judy Harder]

February 24, 2014
Can You Love Your Husband and Brad Pitt Too?
Sharon Jaynes

(If you are single, you're not off the hook here. Keep reading.)

Today's Truth

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Sitting in a waiting room, I rummaged through stacks of magazines to pass the time. A magazine for families, I thought as I picked up a popular title. That ought to be safe.

Thumbing through the pages, I went directly to the "Family Matters" column to see what the culture was teaching these days. The title? "Why You Can Love Your Husband and Brad Pitt Too." I turned back to the cover to make sure I had not inadvertently picked up Cosmopolitan or National Enquirer. Nope, it was a magazine for families—targeted at wives and mothers.

This is some of what the author had to say:

Last spring I found myself applying a pretty shade of pink lipstick before heading off to the nursery to buy annuals. Why the fuss? I hoped to run into the handsome gentleman who worked there...According to experts, married crushes are natural and common. As long as you don't let them develop into full-blown fantasies or consider acting upon them, these minor attractions can actually help you appreciate your spouse more...Infatuations offer a safe break from the marital routine. Everyday life is a bit humdrum, making it hard to maintain a passionate connection all the time...

Everything about this article was 50 shades of wrong, and it raise the hackles on my back thinking that women sitting in waiting rooms everywhere were reading it.

Here's what another marriage expert has to say about infatuation with the delivery boy, flirting with the attendant at the nursery, or cattily toying with a coworker in the next cubicle. 

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV).

Looking at another man with a flirtatious eye is such a serious offense that Jesus went on to say, "If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away...If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away" (Matthew 5:29-30 NIV).

Now, don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to pluck out your eye if you do have a crush on the buff young man who bags your produce at the grocery store, but I am saying that you might need to pluck it out by shopping elsewhere.

I am saying that if you find yourself adding a bit of lipgloss before heading to the post office where the cute blond with the steel blue eyes always greets you like you've made his day, you need to pluck it out—forget the gloss and go to another post office. And that man in the next cubicle who always showers you with compliments and makes your heart skip a beat? I am saying that you need to pluck it out—change cubicles, or even more drastic, change jobs.

Perhaps you think I've gone just a bit too far. I imagine the folks listening to Jesus' advice about running from temptation thought so too. The truth is, I've never known one woman who had an affair which did not begin with a toying glance or flirtatious "innocent" bantering. Every sin begins with a thought and every spiritual battle is won or lost at the threshold of the mind.

Let's face it, women long to feel beautiful. After being married for a few years and having a baby or two, we begin to wonder if we are still pretty or sexually appealing. Then a man comes along who pays us a compliment and our hearts skip a beat. That is natural. However, if that compliment or attention leads to infatuation, returning for more, or a "crush" as the article implied, Jesus tells us to turn and run in the opposite direction...press the delete button...and avoid reply. "Flee sexual immorality," (1 Corinthians 6:18). This is serious...pluck it out.

It is interesting that when Satan tempted Eve in the Garden, the first step to her downfall was her eyes. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye." (Genesis 3:6). It all began with her eyes...what she looked at. I wonder what would have happened if she had chosen to look away.

The above article had very little to do with Brad Pitt or Mel Gibson, but more to say about men we come in contact with everyday. Honestly, had it been Brad or Mel, I might have had a chuckle. But this article was encouraging women to play with fire. The author went on to say...

Whether you have a soft spot for Mel Gibson or Mel the mailman, make sure your husband knows that a crush doesn't change the way you feel about him. We all want to know that we are number one in our spouse's life. As for me, I told my husband about the man at the nursery. 'Going to see your boyfriend?' he teased as I headed out the door to buy mulch. Later I assured him that while Garden Guy knew the best cure for aphids, he could never melt my heart.

I read that and tried to imagine my husband, Steve, saying to me..."Honey, I want to tell you that I have a crush on the check-out girl at Home Depot, but I still love you the best." I get a queasy feeling just thinking about such a conversation. And yet, this is what the "family magazine" was suggesting.

But what if you are single? Does this apply to you? Absolutely! The enemy would like nothing better than for you, in your singleness, to fantasize about a man that you come in contact with on a regular basis. He would like for your mind to go where it need not go. He knows that singleness can be a lonely place and he is an equal opportunity tempter.

Bottom line? "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life," (Proverbs 4:23 NIV). The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart today and every day. Help me to recognize temptation and flee–run in the opposite direction. I know that temptation is not a toy to be played with, but an evil weapon used against us. Thank You for giving me the power of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and the power of the Truth in Scripture to fight the lies that "I would be happy if..."

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Is there any area in your life where you are toying with temptation?

If you are single, have you been entertaining a relationship that would not be pleasing to God?

Go back and print off today's devotion. Highlight the various verses and commit them to memory. Make them part of your arsenal to resist temptation.

What are some ways that we can resist temptation? Let's share at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was adapted from Sharon's book, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams: Seven Qualities Every Man Longs For. If you would like to learn more about how to have a wonderful marriage, this book is for you. And, if you would like to learn more about how to resist the lies of the enemy in every area of life, you'll want to see Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. When it comes to spiritual warfare, let's be armed and dangerous to the enemy's lies.

[Judy Harder]

February 25, 2014
I Need a Shepherd
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Shepherds live with their sheep, finding places for them to eat and drink, providing shelter from the storms and protection from the heat. Sheep must eat the right amount of the right kinds of grass at the right times or they will die. If the sheep eat too little one day and too much the next day, some of the bacteria that live in the stomach of the sheep will reproduce abnormal levels, creating toxins, which cause sudden death. The shepherd must carefully plan the path and lead the way so the sheep have neither too little nor too much grazing and are able to get to the water hole on time. Pastures are often lost to extreme heat, which means the shepherd has to scour the countryside in search of green grass.

Several flocks of sheep are gathered together at night in a sheltered place so shepherds can share the watches of the night, protecting the sheep from wild animals and thieves. Good shepherds are always willing to risk their lives to save their flocks from any harm, any enemy and even from themselves.

The needs of sheep, compared to the needs of other animals, are greater because of their instinct to be afraid and when faced with a fearful situation, to run. Without a shepherd to care for the sheep, they would not last long. Sheep can never be left alone and often stray, requiring the shepherd to continually find and rescue them. A shepherd never pushes his sheep but rather leads his sheep, going before them, making sure they are not walking into danger.

Personally, I definitely fit the profile of a sheep. I can't count the number of times I have stubbornly stuck to my plan, foolishly thinking that it was better than His plan, only to end up in some pit somewhere, calling for help. Psalm 40:1-3 has become my life maxim – with one exception. I rarely wait patiently. Remember, I am a sheep!

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD (Psalm 40:1-3, NIV).

I sometimes allow fear to drive me to a place where I am trapped by doubts and darkness until He rescues me.  I satisfy my hunger by eating the wrong things from the wrong hands found in the wrong places at the wrong times. The result is always the same; my soul is soon ravenous for what is good because I have been stuffing my heart and mind with what is bad.

Like every sheep, I don't like to be pushed. Good shepherds do not push, no matter how great the temptation.  A good shepherd stands in front of his sheep, gently calling their names, leading them to a place where he has already been, positioning himself between danger and his sheep.

When I am tired and ready to give up, I tend to withdraw from the other sheep and even from my Shepherd. Many of us have somehow bought into the lie that we can make it on our own or that the rules and commandments of God do not necessarily apply to us like they apply to those other sheep. The longer I walk with God, the more I realize just how much we need each other and how much we need Him. When will I learn that I cannot do life on my own – as a sheep or as a shepherd?

Let's think about the sheep for which we are responsible as shepherds here on earth. God calls us all in different ways to do different things, but we are all called to be a shepherd to someone. We live in a world filled with people who, like sheep, are lost, confused, hungry, lonely, and in desperate need of a Savior. Family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors are all part of our flock. And sometimes their needs are overwhelming.

You live with your sheep and everywhere you go you run into someone from your flock.

Your phone rings off the wall, e-mails pile up, and you are constantly trying to rescue one of your sheep that is in trouble.

The feeding schedule of your flock is not an easy task either. Since sheep must eat the right amount of the right foods at the right time, you must always be prepared to feed them, according to their needs – not yours.

You must know your sheep so well that you can lead them – not push them – in the right direction. The natural inclination of every sheep in your flock is to run when they sense danger. You may be trying to lead your sheep, but they are either too afraid or too stubborn to let you lead. You may be standing in the middle of their escape route, which may also mean that they will run right over you in their frantic stampede to escape. Remember that they are afraid and in desperate need of rescue. Your job, as their earthly shepherd, is to care for them and to continually point them to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Remember, a good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep, just as Jesus Christ laid down His life for you and for me.

Do you love your flock enough to lay down your life for each one – the cute, fluffy ones as well as the dirty, broken lambs?

Maybe it is time for us all to stop, listen for His voice, seek His plan, and remember we are indeed needy sheep who are called to love and lead other needy sheep to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Let's Pray

Father, thank You for laying down Your life so that I can live now and eternally. I am desperate for You. I am lost without Your love and power at work in my life. I don't know where to go or what to do. I am afraid, Lord. Right now, I surrender every part of my life to You. Please be my Shepherd and my Guide. Help me love and care for the people in my life and point them to You, Lord. Use me to love others and serve them in a way that pleases and honors You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Psalm 23:1-6 once a day for one month. Let it soak into your heart, mind and soul and become a living reality in your life. As you read Psalm 23, consider the following questions:

In what ways are sheep dependent on their shepherd?   
How do shepherds care for their sheep?
Compare the two lists. What similarities do you find in your own life?

[Judy Harder]

February 26, 2014
How Much of Your Life do You Want God to Change?
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water'; so they filled them to the brim(John 2:7, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Shortly after Jesus was baptized, He attended a wedding reception in the town of Cana, in Galilee. Apparently Jesus felt very comfortable at such a party, and I imagine Him laughing, mingling, and having a good time with His friends. Near the end of the festivities, the servants let Mary in on a dilemma—they were out of wine. To run out of wine at a Jewish wedding celebration was an embarrassment and disgrace to the hosting family. Mary turned to her Son and said, "They have no more wine," (John 2:3 NIV) as if she expected Him to do something about it. I can almost see her raised eyebrow and the mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Jesus said, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come" (John 2:4).

Mary turned to the servants and said, "Do whatever He tells you." Mary seemed to understand Jesus' power before anyone else.

Jesus told the servants to fill six large thirty-gallon stone pots with water. So they filled them "to the brim." Then He told them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.

When they did so, the master tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He then called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

I often wonder what would have happened if the servants had filled the pots half full or three fourths full. I imagine Jesus would have transformed exactly what they put in. Likewise, God will transform just as much of our lives as we give Him. As for me, I want to "fill it to the brim," give Him all of my life—every bit of it.

My ministry. My finances. My relationships. My schedule. My decisions. Filled to the brim.

Reflecting on where Jesus was at the time of this miracle, I want to give Jesus all of my marriage...filled to the brim. So in our winter years, my husband and I will agree...we have saved the best till now.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, I pray that I will be like the servants who did exactly what You told them to do. My desire is to obey You fully...to the brim. Help me not to hold back anything but give You all of me so that You can transform me totally.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

How much of your life do you want Jesus to transform?

If you are married, how much of your marriage do you want Jesus to transform? How much of your marriage have you given Him?

How much of your attitude do you want Jesus to transform? How much of your attitude have you given Him?

How much of your __________ do you want Jesus to transform? (You fill in the blank.)

How much have you given Him?

I'd love to know what you filled in that blank. Let's share at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was taken from my book, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams: Seven Qualities Every Man Longs For. If there is one area of our lives that we need to give totally to Christ, it is our marriages. Perhaps that's why Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding. And where is the best place to start? Prayer. If you would like to learn more about how to prayer for your marriage and your man, see my latest book, Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe. While you're there, check out the free 30-Day Prayer Dare.

[Judy Harder]

February 27, 2014
Oh, no!  She's awake!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth 

But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me' (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).

Friend to Friend

For many years, I did everything I possibly could to hide or erase any weakness in my life. When that didn't work, I simply pretended that those weak areas didn't exist. Why? Because if I was weak, how could Jesus love me? How could anyone love me? How could I love myself?

When our son, Jered, began to walk, I immediately noticed that his feet turned inward. Our pediatrician recommended a specialist who examined Jered thoroughly, then ordered several x-rays. The more he examined Jered, the more concerned we became. When the specialist finally called us in for a consultation, we braced ourselves for bad news ... just in case. The doctor's stoic face revealed nothing, but his diagnosis was a gift. "There is nothing wrong with Jered's feet," he said. "They are simply the feet of a natural athlete and were designed to give him great balance." What we feared as a weakness, an obstacle to overcome, was really a great strength and part of the Master's plan for Jered who graduated from college with the help of a football and academic scholarship.  .

The same is true in our lives as children of God. God created us according to His plan, in love and with purpose – weaknesses and all. "God in heaven appoints each person's work" (John 3:27,NLT). We tend to view our weaknesses as liabilities. However, since our worth does not depend upon us in any way, we can and must be honest about our weaknesses, knowing they do not diminish our value in the heart and mind of God. In fact, our weaknesses can become the areas through which God does His greatest work.

Instead, we try to ignore weaknesses, hoping no one will notice. We live in denial, assigning blame to others when we fail. Eventually, we attempt to bury our weaknesses only to find them resurrecting themselves when we least expect it.

A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness, and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth. The words of Paul are profound, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27, NIV).

When we are honest about our weaknesses, we are conceding the fact that only God can accomplish anything good in or through us. God's power is instantly recognizable in obvious weakness. God has always allowed man's weakness to validate the immeasurable need of His redemption and His sufficiency in our lives. He can and will use us if we allow Him to do so – not despite our weaknesses – but through our weaknesses. We are not the message – just the messenger. Our weaknesses are not excuses to escape God's plan. They are divinely appointed opportunities for that plan to work.   

Noah was a drunk.

Abraham was too old.

Isaac was a daydreamer.

Jacob was a liar.

Leah was ugly.

Joseph was abused.

Moses had a stuttering problem.

Gideon was afraid.

Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.

Rahab was a prostitute.

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.

David had an affair and was a murderer.

Elijah was suicidal.

Isaiah preached naked.

Jonah ran from God.

Naomi was a widow.

Job went bankrupt.

John the Baptist ate bugs.

Peter denied Christ.

The Disciples fell asleep while praying.

Martha worried about everything.

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.

Zaccheus was too small.

Paul was too religious and Lazarus was dead!

(Author unknown)

More important than where you have been or even where you are, is where you are headed. Don't wait until you have it all figured out. That won't happen this side of Heaven. Don't wait until you think you are good enough. You never will be. Step up to the plate and be the imperfect you; allowing God's perfection to shine through each and every weakness. Do not listen to the doubts and lies of Satan. His goal is to render you helpless and defeated, no longer a threat to him or his kingdom.

I recently told a friend, "I want to get to the place in my walk with God, that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh, no! She's awake!" I know I have a long way to go, but join me in the choice to embrace weakness and pain, allowing God's strength and restoration to shine through each broken place.

Let's Pray

Father, right now, I yield to the truth that I am weak and You are strong. Forgive me for the arrogance and pride that makes me think I can do anything good on my own. Keep me broken, Father, and on my face before You. Please use the broken places in my life to let Your light shine through.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Make a list of the weaknesses you see in your life.
Read the story of Gideon in Judges 6:1 – 27.
What was Gideon's response to God when God called him to serve? What is your usual response to God's voice?
Whose strength accomplished the task God called Gideon to do? How can you relate that to your own daily life?
More from the Girlfriends

For years, I struggled with not being good enough. Many of my hopes and dreams were lost or paralyzed by doubt and fear ... until I found myself in a clinical pit of depression where God taught me so many life changing lessons. No one can take my place in the Father's heart. I am indispensable to no one but God. I will never be "good enough" but my relationship with God does not exist because of good works, nor will it be sustained by what I do. Instead, He lives through me, and I live by His power. Do not let the enemy backhand you with the lie that you are nothing to God. Girlfriend, you are everything to Him. Go for it!

Need help seeing yourself through the eyes of God? Check out Mary's message, In His Eyes, for a message that will lead you to discover how precious you are to God.

Need help learning how to study the Bible? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is How to Tame Your Tongue. And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

February 28, 2014
Yes and Amen!
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV).

Friend to Friend

When my son, Preston, was in sixth grade he chose to plant spinach for his science fair project. He planted seeds in four plastic cups and watered each batch with a fixed daily amount of four different liquids: water, orange juice, cola, and milk. (Yes, you are correct! By day three of his fourteen-day project, the milk cup reeked to high heavens with a stinky-sour smell!) His hypothesis was that he believed that the seeds watered with water would grow faster than the seeds that were watered by orange juice, cola and milk.

Once his hypothesis was determined, he and I (his faithful mommy-research-assistant) diligently went about the task of collecting data, watering the seeds, taking pictures, and documenting his findings. The instructions on the back of the seed envelope indicated that we should see spinach sprouts within 7-10 days. Preston was looking forward to seeing the sprouts and was eager to see if his hypothesis was valid. I was too.

So we watered and we waited. We stayed the course and did the work required with hearts that were eager to witness a green, leafy harvest. Day seven came and went. No sprouts. Day eight came and went. No sprouts. Day nine. No sprouts. Day ten. No sprouts.           

When all was said and done, we were disappointed that his faithful efforts did not bear spinach. In fourteen days not one green sprout shot up from any of the cups. In fact, we saw no external evidence of any growth at all ... not even on a root level. And although his data got collected, his project got completed and Preston received a good grade, we were both heart-sad that we didn't get to see any growth.       

Sometimes our lives are like that science fair project. We invest in others and are eager to see the harvest. We obey God, trust His plan and walk according to His Word. We plant seeds into the soil of our marriages or dating relationships and water them with love, hope and truth. We plant seeds into the life-soil of our friends and co-workers and water them with loyalty, time and encouragement. As parents and grandparents we "grow" our children and our grandchildren. We water them with love, feed them with the Word. We water and we wait with great expectations in our hearts and a desire to see some growth. We long to see the fruit of our labor.

At times we see fruit. At times we don't.         

Jesus gave His disciples a trustworthy promise that if we stick to His side and stay tight to God's will, that our lives and our efforts will bear fruit. He said in John 15:4-5, Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. When we remain in Jesus – when we trust God by turning to the Holy Spirit for guidance and to His Word for truth – you and I will bear fruit ... whether we see it or not.               

A person of faith believes God's promises because His promises are connected to His character. God's promises aren't flippant. They're secure! The apostle Paul said it like this: Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete (2 Corinthians 1:20-22, MSG).

You see, friend, the yes-and-amen promise here is that we will bear fruit, not that we will necessarily see the fruit in our own timing or even in our own lifetimes. Understanding this promise sure does help me to trust God more. And further, knowing that our faithfulness will directly impact how much fruit will be produced should challenge us to remain faithful!         

All of the promises of our Covenant God are "yes" and "amen." We can trust His Word to be true because the character of our God is unblemished. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. When we remain in Him, we will bear fruit. Sometimes we will see it. Sometimes we won't.

Our God-confidence is bolstered when we remember that He is faithful, and that our job is to listen, seek, and obey – to remain in Him – not to try to control the outcome of the seeds that He instructs us to sow. When we grow in our understanding of His character and rest in the knowledge that He is for us, not against us (Jeremiah 11:29), this helps us to trust Him. Let's strive to be women who take God at His Word and believe His "Yes" and "Amen" promise!

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for planting a seed of faith in the soil of my heart through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please grow my faith. Help me to trust You more and remind me to fix my eyes on You, not on the results of my life investments.
In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Are there promises you doubt God will fulfill?

Write a list of promises you have a hard time trusting God with. Then, write a big YES or AMEN across it and trust in God to answer!

Now, click over to my blog and tell me what you are trusting God for today... or just simply leave a comment saying, "Yes and Amen!"

More from the Girlfriends

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!

Gwen Smith wants to help you think big thoughts about God and to inspire you toward His grace and truth. Her website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. Click here to visit her site. (Get a FREE song download when you sign up for her newsletter!)