Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

April 30, 2014
Thriving or Surviving?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

God will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy (Job 8:21, NCV).

Friend to Friend

One Saturday morning a little boy and his father took a long awaited trip to the local pet store in search of a new puppy. The dad had been promising the trip for weeks, and the day had finally come. The little boy had read several books about dogs, surveying the pets of his friends, asking countless questions, and waiting for this day, ready to make his choice.

When father and son walked into the pet store, the dad immediately realized that this task was going to be much harder than he thought it would be. There were so many adorable puppies from which to choose. But with determination in his heart and confidence in his step, the little boy began his search. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, eyes and heart locked on the perfect dog. Staring at the little boy from the wired confines of a small crate was an undersized and fairly unimpressive black puppy. Following his son's gaze, the dad cringed as he realized that the first puppy he had eliminated as a possibility was the very one his son was watching.

The father attempted to re-direct the interest of his son toward a more suitable dog. It was not to be. Each time the little boy returned to his first choice, the black puppy that was almost grinning at the boy, eagerly pawing at the cage door, and wagging his tail with great enthusiasm. The dad finally asked, "Son, which one do you want?" The little boy pointed at the dog with the furiously wiggling tail and announced with great certainty, "I want that one, Daddy! I want the one with the happy ending."

We all want a life filled with happy endings, but we seem to be living lives that could well be described as "joy-less." Every day is lived at the mercy of the world. We are like Charlie Brown who admits, "I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time."

God promises that if we know Him, we will know true joy. Joy is not merely happiness. True joy is an unshakable confidence that God is in control.

God is our one and only source of joy, and stands ready and waiting to saturate every circumstance with His presence. As His children, joy is ours to claim. Really? If that is true, then where is it? Why are so many of us facing each day with a sense of dread instead of a confident celebration?

Maybe it is because of the Joy Stealers who lurk in the shadows, waiting to crush joy wherever they find it. I have great news for you, girlfriend. Nothing and no one can take your joy without your permission. So, don't give it!  Choose joy instead.

Choosing joy requires us to identify and eliminate the "joy stealers" in life. You may be allowing a person to take your joy. Maybe some painful experience from a shadowed yesterday is an obstacle of joy in your life today. Perhaps a fearful circumstance or a broken dream is the culprit.

I know life can be painful. I know it is often hard and unfair. I also know God is in control. So if God really is God (and He definitely is), then we can and should be people of joy. I have read the final chapter of the Book, and we win!

Let's Pray

Lord, remind me to live each day against the backdrop of eternity. I pray that, in every circumstance, I would choose joy, knowing that You are in control.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Recognize that real joy is found only in God. Make a list of the people or circumstances that you would classify as "joy stealers." Pray for wisdom in dealing with each person and circumstance. Choose now what your response will be when someone tries to steal your joy.

What has been my personal definition of "joy" up until now?
What have I been counting on in my life to produce joy?
How does a personal relationship with God change my perspective of joy?
What are the steps to take in order to eliminate the "joy stealers" in my life?
How do my feelings influence my joy level?
In what way do trials and problems affect my joy level?
More from the Girlfriends

I can still remember the words of the song I often sang as a child:

"If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy

Let Jesus come into your heart."

Life seemed so simple back then. Today, I have traveled quite a few miles and been through some very tough times. And God's truth remains the same. If we want to experience joy, we must experience God. We look in a lot of wrong places for joy but the only right place is in a personal relationship with God. How about you? Are you thriving or just surviving?

Need a good dose of laughter? Check out Mary's CD, Laugh More ... Live Better.

Are you discouraged? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Down ... but NOT Out! And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

May 1, 2014
You Are Writing a Gospel
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV).

Friend to Friend       

Charles Swindoll tells the story of four scholars who were arguing over Bible translations. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its eloquent old English, another preferred the American Standard because of its literalism, and a third preferred the way the Moffatt translation captured the reader's attention.

After giving the issue considerable thought, the fourth scholar admitted, "I have personally preferred my mother's translation." The others scholars chuckled, but as he explained, "Yes, she translated it. She translated each page of the Bible into life. It is the most convincing translation I ever saw."

You have probably heard people say, "My life is an open book." Well, it certainly is with children. They are reading about life from every page you live. They are finding answers to many of life's questions: "How, as a wife, am I supposed to love and honor my husband?" "How am I supposed to spend my money?" "How should a Christian act?"

Not only are children reading the pages of our lives to learn what a Christian looks like, but they also are reading us to draw conclusions about what God is like. Think back to your own childhood. How did you perceive God? In your eyes, was He a harsh taskmaster who sat in the clouds, looking down with disdain every time you made a mistake? Did He carry a big stick, ready to whip you into shape? Did He keep a big score book where He made notations when you did something bad and gave you red check marks when you did something good?

Or did you see Him as a loving Father with children clamoring around His feet and climbing into His welcoming lap? Did you see Him as a Daddy who tucked His children in at night and listened to them talk about anything and everything? Did you see Him as being not mad but hurt when you made a mistake?

As the authors of the Parent Factor say, "Whether they have been loving or aloof, kind or harsh, supportive or neglectful, parents have played a major role with forming your view of God...The result can be wonderful or tragic."

Once a self-righteous, boastful Sunday school teacher was preaching to his class on the importance of exemplary living. With his head held high and chest thrust out, he strutted back and forth across the room. He asked, "Now, children, why do people call me a Christian?"

There was a moment of silence. Then one boy raised his hand.

"Yes?" asked the teacher.

"Probably because they don't know you very well," responded the boy.

They had read the pages of the teacher's life and he had come up wanting. Here's a poem I'd like us to consider:

You are writing a gospel,

A chapter each day.

By deeds that you do,

By words that you say.

Men [children] read what you write,

Whether faithless or true.

Say, what is the gospel,

According to you?'

-Paul Gilbert

Let's Pray

Dear LORD, I know people are watching me to see what a Christian is like. I know that I am an ambassador for You. That really scares me a little. Today, help me to be cognizant that others are watching. Help me to represent You well today. Help me to show the world that You are a loving, caring Father who treasures His children and wants the best for them.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Think back to your childhood. Do you have any preconceived ideas about God that are a result of how you saw your earthly parents?

Whether your parents were wonderful or wanting, they are, or were, still human and have feet of clay. When it comes to our Heavenly Father, we need to take our earthly parents' face off of the Almighty God. He is the only perfect parent.

If you long to be a good ambassador for Christ today, click over to my Facebook page and say, "Lord, help me represent You well today"

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was adapted from my book, Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids.

Motherhood isn't easy. If it were, it wouldn't start with something called labor! If you are a mom who could use some encouragement for the most important job you will ever love, then this is the book for you. And if you know a mom who needs some encouragement today, what a great gift!

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


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

[Judy Harder]

May 2, 2014
Are Happy Endings Really Possible?
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him (Psalm 32:2, NIV).

Friend to Friend
I love a good story. I love stories filled with drama, mystery, action, honesty, hope, grit, tension, release, passion, restoration, and redemption. My favorite stories, however, combine many of these elements and finish with a happy-ending. My heart beats big for happy-ending stories.

There have been days in my life that have been heavy on the tension and light on the release. Moments when I've felt deep pain and longed for deep peace. Weeks when hope evaded my heart because I had chosen to turn from God's way and defiantly chose Gwen's way. Season's when I felt like I had messed up so bad that a happy-ending for my life was simply impossible.

Have you ever felt that way? Like there was a great chasm between your life and a happy-ending? Have you ever felt like you were in a situation, a relationship, or a condition that was un-healable, un-helpable, and un-redeemable? I sure have. I think we all have.

Luke 7 introduces us to a woman who endured her shattered, jagged life publicly. I bet she probably felt like there could never be a happy-ending for her life. Like hope and healing were for other people, not for her.

She was guilty of something, though we are never told what. She is simply described as a woman "who had lived a sinful life." Though she is nameless to you and me, the people of her town surely knew her name. The Pharisees knew enough to condemn her with judgmental thoughts.

Her sin was public, not private. Yet the public disgrace of this broken, sinful woman became the perfect canvas for Jesus Christ to paint a beautiful picture of extravagant grace.

"Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them." (Luke 7:36-38, NIV)

Imagine what a scandalous moment this must have been. I'm sure the host was wondering how this uninvited woman managed to get into his home. We know his mind was racing, because the next few verses tell us so:

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

"Tell me, teacher," he said.

"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."


Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven"(Luke 7:39-48).

Imagine the freedom that flooded her soul when this woman looked up, through tear-filled eyes, into the face of grace for the very first time. Jesus looked beyond her reputation to her regret. Then He forgave her. Not because she had earned forgiveness, but because Jesus loved her.

She was forgiven much, so she loved Him much. Oh, how I can relate to this sinful woman. The love that resides in my heart is so great because the sins I've been forgiven of are so many.

Jesus still loves to extend grace, and I am so thankful.

Grace! What none of us deserves, but each of us longs for. "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). Why would He lay down His life for you, for me, and for all humanity? In one word: love. Perfect, unconditional, doesn't-matter-who-you-are-or-where-you've-been-or-what-you've-done love.

God made a way, through Jesus, for our wounded hearts to be restored... so that everyone of us could experience deep peace, love, forgiveness, and hope.

Welcome to your happy-ending story. It's available to each of us who turn our hearts to Him. What does that look like in your life? Confess your sins to God, ask Him for forgiveness, believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and receive the gift of God's grace. Then "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always" (Psalm 105:4).

Thus begins your happy ending. The End.

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, You are above all and beyond all! You are mighty to save, gracious to forgive, and merciful to forget all that I've done wrong.  I praise You for who You are, and thank You for the grace that is at work in my heart and in my life.  Help me to cast aside everything that keeps me from You today, Lord.  In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Have you experienced the wonder of grace at work in your life? In what ways? Grab your journal and summarize it in one sentence – or click over to my blog or my Facebook page and post your sentence.

Do you extend that same grace to others? Spend a few moments in prayer.  Thank God for His grace.

Print or write out this verse: "Those who look on him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5) Memorize it and allow it to serve as a reminder that in Christ you are a new creation, and viewed as radiant by our holy Lord.

[Judy Harder]

5, 2014
How a Mom is Like a Lighthouse
Sharon Jaynes

In celebration of Mother's Day, Sharon will have several devotions devoted to moms! If you're not a mom, please pray for one who is!

Today's Truth

She watches over the affairs of her household...(Proverbs 31:27, NIV).

Friend to Friend

I have always seen a mother as a lighthouse, or beacon in a child's life. She is a landmark that her children can always count on. She shines the light of Christ at night and she serves as a landmark by day. She is watching out over the sea of faces to protect her tiny fleet. Like the Proverbs 31 woman she "watches over the ways of her household." She is present. She's available. And she's on guard.

The words "watch over" mean "to hedge about as with thorns," much like a mother bird might do to protect her young. These same words are also used in the Bible as a military term, such as to watch over a city. Can't you just see it now: the lighthouse standing tall, not tossed by the surf, guiding her children safely to shore?

But this beacon watches out for more than the physical safety of her fleet. She watches out for their spiritual and emotional needs as well.

Her gaze is not a casual glance. She doesn't just give her children a "once-over" before they rush out the door to make sure their hair is combed and their socks match. This is a mother who actively guards, protects, saves, guides, and attends to those precious to her.

When children approach adolescence, they desire Mom to be less visible. However they want to know the sentinel is still available. Being available for that teen after school is paramount. They need a refuge, a safe harbor after a day of social combat. Who will they turn to? Whoever is available and willing to listen. If it is not you, it will be someone else. And just who that someone could be is a scary thought.

Being physically present is not the mother's primary goal. Having the greatest possible impact on her home is. You can be physically present and still not make a positive impact. You can be there, but not be all there. You can become so wrapped up in other pursuits, so focused on relational struggles, so preoccupied with keeping the castle clean and checking items off your "to do" list, so engrossed in television or a good book, that you are oblivious to the chubby fingers tugging on your skirt or the teenager who has become withdrawn and sullen. If you are going to be there—then be all there—mind, body and soul.         

Being a landmark doesn't end when a child goes off to college. The farther a ship goes out to sea, the more important the landmarks become. One day in the Sunday School class I attend, 150 parents of teenagers sat with an air of foreboding filling the room. It was the Sunday after many students had made their exodus to that wild, frenzied world of academia, experimentation, and freedom—their kids had gone off to college.

Grown men were weepy, sharing their battle wounds of dropping their baby girls off at tiny, stark dorm rooms. Moms were unashamedly crying, and many were speechless for the first time in their lives.

Nancy and Bill Hall were there that day. Their son, Jordan, a rising sophomore, was visiting our class and witnessed these blubbering parents. In an attempt to encourage everyone, our teacher asked, "Jordan, since you haven't gone back to school yet and already have one year under your belt, can you share some words of wisdom with the class about what you feel your parents did right during your first year of college?"

With that, Jordan rose, faced the class, and replied, "I would like to take this time to publicly thank my parents for the strong moral upbringing they gave me. I want to thank them for the way they gave me my freedom when I went off to college. But more importantly for the way they let me come back home. They were always available when I needed someone to talk to, and they've left the lines of communication open. They have been great parents and I would like to publicly thank them for all they've done."

When Jordan sat down, everyone was crying, even those who did not have children leaving for college. He had risen and called his parents blessed. His mother was a beacon. A faithful landmark that keep her light shining, welcoming her son home, but directing the way so he could leave and sail out to new horizons.

Their childhood goes by so quickly yet we can never turn back the clock as this poem expresses.

My hands were busy through the day.
I didn't have much time to play
The little games you asked me to,
I didn't have much time for you.

I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook,
But when you'd bring your picture book
And asked me please to share your fun,
I'd say, "A little later son."

I'd tuck you in all safe at night,
And hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tiptoe softly to the door...
I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past.
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side,
His precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play.
No goodnight kisses, no prayers to hear,
That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands once busy, now lie still
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I might go back and do
The little things you asked me to.
-Alice E. Chase

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, thank You for being the light of my life. I pray that You will help me watch over the ways of my household with a wise and understanding eye. Help me not to miss the special moments, but to embrace and enjoy them. Remind me often to stop and pray for those that You have placed within my care.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

List all the functions and characteristics of a lighthouse that you can think of.

How are those similar to a mother and her children?

What are some ways that you watch over the ways of your household?

Place your right hand on your left side and your left hand on your right side. Now give yourself a big hug. That's from me! You're doing a great job!

You know, I am not in the motherhood stage of life any longer. My son is a grown man. But I will always be a mom. And I will always be a praying mom. How about you? Is there a child, or grown child that you would like to pray for today? If so, click over to my Facebook page and leave his or her name, then pray for the name above your entry.

[Judy Harder]

May 6, 2014
Being a Mom that Matters
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change(Proverbs 22:6, NCV).

Friend to Friend

The world often denies the importance of being a mom. I am not an expert. I simply want to be a successful mom. Well, actually, my credentials are impressive. I am the mother of two beautiful, brilliant children. I want to be the mom they need and deserve, and the good news is that God wants the same thing. Being a parent is a holy calling from God, and God never calls us to do a job without providing the power and the plan to do that job successfully. How can we be the moms that really matter?

1. Love God.

  1 John 4:19 "We love, because God first loved us." (NCV)

We are incapable of really loving our children until we first love God. Motherhood at its best demands a thriving partnership with God. We cannot give unconditional love until we have received unconditional love. And God is the only source of that kind of love. We can do everything else right as a parent, but if we don't begin by loving God - we will fail.

2. Pray continually.

  I Thessalonians 5:17 "Never stop praying." (ICB)

It is never too late to start praying, and it is always too early to stop.

Pray for God's plan – not yours – when praying for your children.
Pray that you will see your child through the eyes of God.
Pray specific verses of Scripture for your child:
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Lord, I pray that Jered would trust in you with all his heart and will lean not unto his own     understanding. I pray that in all his ways Jered will acknowledge you and that you will direct his paths."

            1 Peter 5:7 "Lord, I pray that Danna would cast all her care upon you, because you care for her."

Prayer is an eternal gift we can give to our children, teaching them the importance of prayer and teaching them how to pray. I recently heard the story of a mother who had invited several people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" The girl responded, "I don't know what to say." Her mom said, "Just say what you hear Mommy say." The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

We prayed with our kids at bedtime. One night, our son Jered began to pray for his grandfather and uncle to stop smoking. Both men had smoked for many years and neither was trying to quit, so I didn't expect much. But our son did. Within the next year, both men suddenly quit smoking. I was amazed, but Jered acted like it was no big deal. When I questioned his response, he simply said, "Mom, you told me God answers prayer." I am convinced that if we pray for our children and with our children, it will change their lives and ours, and give us insight we can gain no other way.

3. Give time.

  Proverbs 22:6 "Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change."

It takes time to be a mom - to know and to train our children. Every child comes with a set of characteristics already established by God. Our job is to identify those characteristics and then steer the child toward them. The original root word for "train" is the term for "the palate, the roof of the mouth, the gums." In the days of Solomon, a midwife delivered the baby, dipped her finger into the juice of crushed dates, reached into the mouth of the baby, and massaged the gums and palate to create a sense of taste and thirst. She then gave the child to the mother so the baby could nurse. Our job as mothers is to develop a thirst in our children for the right things. And that takes time.

There is a popular philosophy today that it doesn't matter the quantity of time that we spend with our kids as long as it is quality time. It does matter! Time spent with children is never wasted. Every minute invested in your child is an eternal investment. Give your children the best of your time – not the leftovers.

· Make weekly dates with your kids.

· Pull them out of school occasionally for a fun day.

· Have a meal together every day.

· Be involved in the things they enjoy.

In other words, be available. And just your physical presence is not enough. Our normal bedtime routine was to spend a few minutes with each child talking about the day and then praying together. I remember the night I went to Jered's room, completed the routine, and got him to sleep in minutes. But when I went to Danna's room, I was in a hurry. I had a long list of things I still needed to do, but Danna refused to talk. When I asked her why, she cried, "Mama, you're not here!" Confused and a little irritated, I responded, "Yes, I am! I am right here!" Her big brown eyes filled with tears as she drove the truth home, "But you're not really here on the inside." Be a mom who gives your children time.

Being a mom is the hardest job on earth. It brings out both the best and the worst in us. I know it requires great sacrifice and limitless energy, but to invest your time and best efforts into a child, and to watch that child grow and develop is to be part of the creative majesty of life itself. We're half the way there. In my next devotion, we will explore four more ways to be a mom that matters.

Let's Pray

Lord, thank You for giving me children. Help me be the mom they deserve. I commit to constantly pray for each child. I commit to invest the best part of my time and life in them. Forgive me for allowing lesser things to take the place of my role as a mother, and guide me to be a mom that really matters.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Are you growing in your faith?

Evaluate your schedule. Does the best part of your time goes to being a mom?
What changes do you need to make in your schedule?

What do you need to give up in order to spend more time with your children?

What specific needs are you praying for your children? Make a list and pray through that list daily.

I would love to hear what God is teaching you about becoming a better mom. Connect with me on Facebook or through email.

More from the Girlfriends

Like to save money? Don't miss the great SALE going on in Mary's online store right now!

Check out Mary's MP3, Tough Love for Tough Kids, for practical steps you can take to be a better mom. And don't miss Mary's NEW E-Bible Study, The Secret of Contentment.

[Judy Harder]

May 7, 2014
Hats Off to Moms!
Sharon Jaynes

In celebration of Mother's Day, Sharon will have several devotions devoted to moms!

Today's Truth

Her children arise and call her blessed...(Proverbs 31:28, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Along the coast of North Carolina there are seven stately lighthouses that stand as sentinels on our rugged shoreline. A mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is much like those stately lighthouses. She has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Her walls of faith are constructed to withstand the storms of life, and her primary function is to house the light of Christ. This mother is an immovable constant in her child's life, a landmark along life's journey, and a guiding light that points her children to the safe harbor of home and eventually out to sea.

My Grandma Edwards was a constant in my life. From my earliest remembrance, she never seemed to change. She was always old, wore funny baggy underwear and an equally unattractive undershirt to match, and styled her gray hair in a long braid that wound around her head like a crown.

She loved to watch Perry Mason, eat peanut butter crackers, and drink Coca-Cola from chilled glass bottles. She never drove a car or frequented a shopping mall, but spent her days gardening, canning, and sewing.

Mothers and grandmothers no longer spend their days like my Grandma Edwards. They are on the go with schedules that would make the best air traffic controller's head spin.

Recently I attended a barbecue dinner with 500 tourists in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Across from me sat a family of four from Atlanta, Georgia: a dad, mom, and two little girls, ages 8 and 10. We all introduced ourselves and began the friendly banter of "Do you know so-and-so?" and "What do you do?"

At one point in the conversation, someone asked Mary what she "did" in Atlanta? With downcast eyes, she shrugged and said, "Oh, I'm just a mom. I don't have a job."

Immediately the hair bristled on the back of my neck and sirens and lights went off in my head.

"Just" a mom! How could she say such a thing? I assured Mary that she had the most important job in all creation: to create order out of chaos, ensure the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of her two little girls, and shape the individuals who will contribute to what we are as a community and a nation.

I don't think Mary will ever use the words "just" and "mom" in the same sentence again.

Let's unpack that little word "mom." What exactly is her job description?

She's a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short-order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietician, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee, and gift purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable: hugs, kisses, and buckets of love. And hopefully, one day a child who will call her blessed.

Even though a mom changes hats from one minute to the next, she can assure her children that her love never changes, her support never tires, and her commitment to being a beacon remains unmoved. In that way, we can still be like my Grandma Edwards.

This Mother's Day, my hat`s off to moms! Thanks for all you do to raise the next generation for Jesus.

Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the privilege of being a mom. I pray that you will help me be a beacon that shines the light of Christ to my children as well as the children that I come in contact with through the course of a day. You are the Light of the World and I pray that I will be a shining reflection of that light today.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Can you think of a woman who was a shining beacon for Christ in your life? It may or may not be your own mom.

Consider writing a note of thanks to a woman who impacted your life...perhaps a spiritual mother.

What are some ways that you can be a shining beacon in your child's life or the life of a child that you know? Be specific.

Click over to my Facebook page and tell me the name of one older women who impacted your life. It could be your mom, or it could be someone else. I'll start. Mary Marshal Young taught me more about prayer than any woman I know.

More from the Girlfriends

If you are a mom who needs some encouragement today, you'll want to read my book, Being a Great Mom—Raising Great Kids. You'll laugh. You'll cry. And you will know that you have one of the most important jobs on earth! And if you're a wife, come and join us at Facebook.com/ThePrayingWivesClub.

[Judy Harder]

May 8, 2014
Being a Mom that Matters
Part 2 (to read Part 1 of this devotional, click here)
Mary Southerland

Today's truth

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him (Psalm 127:3, NLT).

Friend to Friend

So much of who we are as men and women is rooted in the parent/child relationship. I believe that my role as a mother will greatly affect the kind of woman my daughter will become. I also believe moms are the primary teachers in a child's life. God wants us to be moms who love Him, pray for their children, and give them time. He also wants us to encourage our children.

When we encourage our children, we are giving them strength. We need to be careful to keep their emotional deposits in balance. Many kids are in emotional bankruptcy because constant withdrawals of criticism are made with few deposits of encouragement. Our job is to study our kids and discover their strengths and weaknesses. We need to understand that their greatest weakness may very well become their greatest strengths.

As a child, I was very stubborn. That stubbornness often got me into trouble, but it also made me the survivor of some very hard times. We need to look for the good things in our children and draw them into the spotlight. In other words, become their cheerleader. Everyone needs a cheerleader.

When our son, Jered, was in second grade, a boy in his class was obnoxious and irritating. One Monday morning, he came to school with both arms in a cast from wrist to shoulder. The teacher explained he would need a friend for the next six weeks, someone who could help him with homework, eat his lunch...go to the restroom. Get the idea? The classroom fell silent until Jered finally said, "I'll do it." After a few weeks, Jered said, "You know, Mom. He's not that bad." The other children began to include this boy and even volunteered to help him. But the most amazing transformation was in the boy himself. He became sweet and kind. He just needed a cheerleader. Maybe that is all your child needs. Be a cheerleader for your children.

4. Laugh often.

Proverbs 17:22 "A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength."

Moms, we need to lighten up or as my daughter says, "Chill, mom!" Kids are fun. Find ways to bring joy and laughter into your home. Jered is a big hunk of a football player, but I occasionally have to remind him that I can still take him. He will make some irritating comment, tease me, or poke me in the ribs. I warn him, and then I see the gleam in his eye as he takes one more shot. I then begin chasing him around the house. Jered inevitably starts laughing so hard that, when I catch him, he is totally helpless. It is quite a sight to see! Children get most of their first impressions of God from their parents. I want my kids to know that God is a God of joy and laughter. Kids need a mom who laughs.

5. Hug a lot.

Luke 18:15 "One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them."

Our children need moms who demonstrate healthy physical affection. Children need and crave physical affection. It is a God-given need that should be met in God-given ways. There is healing in a mother's touch. Start early, and never stop. It is a terrible shock for kids to have the hugging stop just at the age when they need it the most.

One day, I grabbed our daughter Danna in a hug, and kissed her cheek. As I walked away, I looked back to see her wiping off that kiss. She caught my hurt look and said, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm just rubbing it in!" I know. She's good...and has become an affectionate young woman. Be a mom who hugs her kids.

6. Dare to discipline.

Proverbs 6:23 "The correction of discipline is the way to life."

Kids want and need discipline. Discipline is a hedge of protection in the life of a child. Part of our job as a parent is to tend that hedge, to keep it strong and securely in place. If we are not careful, every day can dissolve into a never-ending battle for control. As parents, we need to let go of what we can, and hold our ground on what we can't. Pick your battles of discipline and wage them with emotions under control. Whatever you do, don't put the light out in their eyes. Kids need a mom who disciplines.

7. Forgive quickly.

Colossians 3:13 "Get along with each other, and forgive each other..."

We teach children how to forgive others by how we forgive them. Forgiveness is part of every healthy relationship. We also teach our children about God's forgiveness by how we forgive. Be quick to forgive your child, but be quicker to ask your child's forgiveness. My children are very used to hearing me say, "I am so sorry! I blew it. Please forgive me."

One morning, I had to apologize to my daughter before she even got to school. I was tired and grouchy and Danna was not moving fast enough for me. I didn't like the clothes she picked out. I didn't like what she was saying or doing or how she was saying and doing it. I didn't like the fact that she kept her cool while I lost mine. Therefore, I did what any mature parent would do. I threw a tantrum and grounded her for it. Yes, I have provided many opportunities for my children to practice forgiveness. I pray that it has made them more forgiving of themselves and of others. Be a mom who is forgives quickly.

Being a mom is the hardest job on earth. It brings out the best and the worst in us. I know motherhood requires great sacrifice and limitless energy, but to invest your time and best efforts into a child, to watch that child grow and develop, is to be part of the creative majesty of life itself. Today, commit with me to seek God's power, and plan to be a mom who really matters.

Let's Pray

Father, more than ever before, I want to be a great mom. But I often find myself doing just the opposite of what I know is right when it comes to my kids. Please forgive me. Help me apply the truths and principles of your Word as I walk in this high calling of motherhood. Bless my children, Lord, and help them to follow You all the days of their lives.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Review the principles from today's devotion.
Choose one area in your role as a mom to focus on.
What changes do you need to make?
Today, celebrate your children. Give them a call. Prepare a special meal. Write them a special note.
Choose now to be a mom that matters.

More from the Girlfriends

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Check out Mary's MP3, Tough Love for Tough Kids, for practical steps you can take to be a better mom. And don't miss Mary's NEW E-Bible Study, The Secret of Contentment.

Need help learning to study the Bible? Check out Mary's weekly Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey.

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Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 1311
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[Judy Harder]

May 9, 2014
Put Your Faith Where Your Action Is!
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth 

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead(James 2:17, NIV).

Friend to Friend 

I remember a time, back in 1993, when I was swept up in the whimsical world of wedding planning. Every detail mattered. I was excited to be marrying Brad Smith and I wanted our wedding day to be a magical springboard to a life filled with amazing adventures and deep years of God-centered love. From the cake choices - to the dress choices - to the music choices - to the guest list choices - to the bridal registry choices: I was all about the business of wedding prep!

The bride of Christ is purposed to be all about the Father's business - to prep for eternity by making choices to bring Him glory throughout our days; to intentionally worship the Lord through our service. As God's children, we are called to connect our believing to our behaving; our convictions to our conversations; our lip-service to our life-service.

The Biblical mandate for each believer is this: put your faith where your action is. "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).

Hear me out here. Service is not the key to gaining salvation. Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone (Romans 10:9-10). Service is, however, essential for the believer as a response to salvation. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

No matter who you are or what your platform is in life, the truth remains that whatever you do and say is being watched. Everyone emanates something. A radiant Christian woman - a radiant bride of Christ – should emanate the saltiness and light of Jesus through her life; displayed through the things she does and doesn't do. Through things she says or doesn't say.

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV).

Today, I pray that you are spurred on to be a woman of action for Christ - no matter what the circumstances of your life or the complexities of your relationships may be. From your word choices - to your tone choices - to your television choices - to your music choices - to your service choices - to your activity choices ... be all about your Father's business. Go in His strength, and put your faith where your action is.

Let's Pray 

Holy Father, I pray that You will help my actions to line up with Your perfect will. Help me to be Your hands and feet to those around me. Shine through my actions so others might be drawn to Your healing hope.

In Jesus' Name, 


Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 

What does your life radiate? What are your actions saying about your faith? Are you salty for Christ in what you do and say? Spend a few moments reflecting on this and then spend some time in prayer.

How can you serve someone today? Perhaps God is leading you to bless someone in your household ... or someone in your church ... or someone in your neighborhood.

Could you reach out to a single mom, a family member, a widow, or a hurting friend? Ask God to direct you to opportunities to put your faith into action in the lives of others.

Got some great ideas about this? I would love to hear about them! Visit my blog or my Facebook page and tell me all about it!

More from the Girlfriends 

Trust me, friend, in no way am I trying to place the burden of "you-must-do-more-things-in-order-to-please-God" on you. I just want to encourage you to make the most of every choice and every action. If you are drained and weary and can't imagine being able to give anyone anything right now, get alone with God. His presence and His Spirit will strengthen you for each moment.

[Judy Harder]

May 12, 2014
All Things are Possible to Her Who Believes
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth:

Everything is possible for him who believes(Mark 9:23, NIV).

Friend to Friend

A distraught father once had an unruly son with multiple physical and emotional problems. Many people even said the boy was possessed by a demon. The dad had tried everything, but the boy continued to demonstrate antisocial behavior: throwing himself in the fire and then in water. That sort of behavior, on top of frequent seizures, rolling on the ground, foaming at the mouth, and an inability to talk, made the dad desperate to find a solution. He even took the boy to some faith healers who were traveling through his hometown. But nothing seemed to work.

Finally, the dad realized no human being was going to be able to help his son, so he took him directly to God. The father heard that Jesus was visiting in his community, so he boldly brought the boy to Him. With desperation in his voice the father pleaded, "If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"

And Jesus answered, "If You can! All things are possible to him who believes."

Immediately the boy's father cried out, "I do believe: help my unbelief."

With that profession, Jesus healed the man's son.

Oh how this story from Mark 9 stirs my heart. Can't you feel the father's pain? How desperately he must have felt every time the child threw himself into the water or the fire. "Why, son? Why do you do these things?" he must have asked. "I don't understand."

Imagine the humiliation of the whispers as the family walked down the streets. "That's the Jones family. Have you heard about their son? He's..."

The stares, the snickers, the off-color comments. Don't you know there were many days when this dad wanted to just give up? Instead, he offers us a beautiful picture of what all parents must do, the ultimate act in parenting—hand their children over to God.

As mothers, at times we find ourselves at the end of our mental and emotional resources. We feel we have done everything humanly possible and don't know the best action to take with our children. That's exactly where God wants us every day: not depending on our human wisdom but on His unfathomable omniscience, not depending on our own strength but on His unlimited power. When we realize that we do not and never will have all the child-rearing answers and solutions, we discover the importance of giving our children to God.

S.D. Gordon, in Quiet Talks on Prayer, said, "You can do more than pray, after you have prayed. But you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed."

Let's Pray

(For those who have children still at home)

Dear God, today, I once again bring my child to You. Please show me how to parent this precious gift that You have given me. Help me to be the best mother that I can be. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will teach me, Your wisdom will guide me, and Your love will move me. Most of all, Lord, I give this child to You. Please make him (her) a servant after Your own heart.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

(For those with grown children)

Dear God, my child is no longer under my roof or under my wing. He (She) is now out in the world making life decisions of his (her) own. I give this adult child to You, Lord. May he (she) seek You with all his (her) heart. I pray that You will protect him (her), guide him (her), and open his (her) heart to the truth of Your Word every day.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Make a list of things about your child over which you have no control.

Now turn that list into a prayer and relinquish each item of concern to God.

Remember Jesus' reply to the Father when He said, "If you can do anything..." Write today's key verse down and commit it to memory.

If you believe Jesus' reply to the distraught father, click over to my Facebook page and say, "I believe everything is possible for God."

[Judy Harder]

May 13, 2014
How to Enjoy Your Family
Part 1

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm. A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Proverbs 31:11-12; 30, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Family means different things to different people. What is a family? Well, I can tell you that it is not what it used to be. Family is no longer simple, but blended and complex. It has changed to include many different relationships of people who live together.

·         Couples with children

·         Couples with no children

·         Single women with children

·         Single men with children

·         Grandparents with children

·         Parents with grown children who have left and then come back home

·         Close friends living together

·         Unrelated people living together

And they are all family. Family is a group of persons belonging to or forming a household. What is the purpose of family? There are no perfect families. There never have been. However, the purpose of family is to illustrate the nature and character of God. In other words, family is the primary place we learn about God.

A Sunday school class of first-graders was asked to draw a picture of God. When the pastor stopped by to inspect their work, the children were happy to show him their drawings. One had drawn God in the form of a brightly colored rainbow. Another had drawn the face of an old man coming out of billowing clouds, and there was one drawing that looked a lot like Superman. Perhaps the best drawing was the one proudly displayed by a girl who said, "I didn't know what God looked like exactly, so I drew my daddy!"

Family is important to God. He created it before He created the church and, as with each of His creations, He made a plan for it to succeed. At the heart of that plan is love. To be part of a family is to be loved. So the challenge is ... how can we love our family?

I know we all want to be part of a family where we give and receive love. Proverbs 31 is a portrait of a wife and mother, painted by a King as the kind of woman his mother wanted her son to marry. It is a standard of excellence, not only for women, but also for every member of every family. In the life of this woman, we find several ways to love our family.

Build trust.

Proverbs 31:11 says "her husband has full confidence in her." "Full confidence" means to trust, to take refuge in, or to lean on. The Proverbs 31 woman spent a lifetime building trust. She trusted God and had a personal relationship with Him. We cannot be trustworthy if we are not trusting – and if we don't trust God, we cannot truly trust others. If we are not "taking refuge" or "leaning on" Jesus Christ, when others take refuge and lean on us, we will crumble and fall. Trust shatters fear.

Psalm 56:3 "But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me?"

Trust is fragile and very hard to rebuild once it is broken. When our son was a little boy, he constantly rode on the trusted shoulders of his dad, and loved it. Then, one day, at a church youth activity, one of the youth was playing around and punched Dan in the stomach. Dan was caught off guard and the youth hit him harder than he meant to. Dan doubled over and Jered tumbled to the ground. The next time Dan tried to put Jered on his shoulders, Jered flatly refused. It took months for Dan to earn back Jered's trust. To enjoy our family, we must first trust God, which then enables us to build trust in our family. Our family needs to be able to trust us, no matter what – with no hidden land mines. There will be no joy in our homes if there is not an atmosphere of trust. Family is a "team" idea. Nothing is more deadly to the success of a team than a lack of trust. Trust God, and then build trust in your family. In my next devotion, we will explore other ways to enjoy your family. Don't miss it!

Let's Pray

Father, thank You for the family You have given me. I want to love them like they need to be loved. Help me to build trust in them as I learn to trust You more. Lord, help me to be trustworthy and to be the woman You want me to be in my family.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Make a list of ways your family can trust and depend on you.
Identify any areas where you can build more trust.
Have a family meeting to discuss what it means to be a team. 
Constantly look for ways to foster the mindset that your family is a team.
More from the Girlfriends

Everywhere I look, splintered and broken families abound. Why? I believe that somewhere along the way, trust was broken by an affair, a betrayal or a forgotten vow. What is even more frightening is the casual approach to that broken trust. God is calling us to trust Him and then to build that trust in our family. Right now, no matter how many times you have failed, begin again. We are with you!